Two to three times a week, Luke Walker sets out from Billings bound for Denver in his truck, and for every mile of the way his battle buddy  a young yellow lab named Hawkeye  is by his side.

Dogs got more miles on him than most people do, Walker said. Right now hes got about 110,000 miles.

Hawkeyes mileage doesnt count the trip he made from Phillipsburg about a year ago after K9 Care Montana, a nonprofit that provides service dogs and training to veterans and autistic children, selected Walker to join its program.

Recently, K9 Care Montanas founder and CEO, David Riggs, came through Billings to visit local veterans who are a part of his program to monitor their animals progress and provide additional training and support.

Walker is a truck driver and a veteran and one of the thousands of Americans living every day with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

People say they suffer from it, his wife, Lisa Walker, said. You dont suffer from it. You live with it.

Triggers are different for every individual. Matthew Drinkwalter, another K9 Care member, said heavy traffic and crowds tend to make him uncomfortable.

Much like Walker and Hawkeye, Drinkwalter doesnt leave the house without his service dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever named Liberty.

When fully trained, the animals are capable of a variety of functions. For owners with mobility issues, the dogs can be trained to do things like flick light switches on and off or stand nearby and act essentially as a hard surface to steady oneself on.

Another common function of the dog is blocking, in which the animal puts itself between its owner and other people in order to preserve its owners personal space. Service dogs can also watch their owners back.

The dogs can take between two and three years to train, Riggs said. Fortunately it doesnt take long at all for them to develop love for their owners.

They're always loving, Darci Drinkwalter said, of what makes Liberty and other service dogs like her so special. They never turn their back on you.

Inside the Drinkwalters' home and around their children, Liberty seems like a normal dog, albeit one with a family favorite in Matthew. "When her vest is on, she's totally different," Darci Drinkwalter said.

Liberty's camo vest identifies her as a service dog, has patches commemorating Drinkwalter's military service and also has pouches that hold various objects. One object is a small business card.

Riggs himself relies on a service dog, a chocolate lab named Griz. Riggs has been training and relying on a service dog for decades. He's used to the confused looks and business owners that sometimes question the animals' right to be present. That's when the card comes out.

The business card has text from the Americans With Disabilities Act that directly explains the legality of service dogs. On the back is an Americans With Disabilities Act contact number.

With all the help and support Liberty offers, her inclusion into the Drinkwalter family has exposed both Darci and Matthew to some troubling realities about the perception of service dogs in Billings and elsewhere.

People stare, they ask if they can pet Liberty, and then get offended when Drinkwalter says they can't because "she's working." Drinkwalter said he feels some people question his need for a service dog. "'Oh he's a big guy, he looks like he's in shape,'" Drinkwalter said, paraphrasing doubts people express. "What they can't see are the invisible wounds," he said, adding that in addition to PTSD he has a traumatic brain injury and has recently had surgery on his shoulder and hand and also walks with a knee brace.

"You just want to be in public with your dog," Drinkwalter said.

In other instances the Drinkwalters said they've encountered people whose service dogs are clearly fake, which they said is obvious from the animal's unrestrained behavior.

According to Riggs, a well-trained service dog in a restaurant setting is one that a server doesn't even know is there.

Like Hawkeye, Liberty is still learning every day, but Riggs said that only furthers the bond between dog and owner.

Riggs said that initially he would train the dogs and then present them to owners. But he's become more and more convinced of the importance of letting owners have a larger role in training the dogs themselves. The daily act of feeding and walking the dog helps instill routine into an owners life and build trust between the animal and its owner.

Riggs said his organization provides all service animals and training free of charge, which the Drinkwalters said is a relief from some more expensive service dog businesses and trainers that charge thousands in addition to the animal's cost.

K9 Care Montana teams  as Riggs calls the combination of dogs, owners and their families  are in most major Montana cities, but he said he's hoping to further expand into Billings. "I just want to get the word out," he said.

"It brings everyone together like a family," Riggs said of his organization. "Instead of everyone out on there own."
Image taken on Nov. 5, 2016 shows director general of the Police Hospital "Augusto B. Leguia" in Lima, Orlando Leiva Meza (C), taking part in a Tai Chi (shadowboxing) session in the hospital's climacteric program, in Lima, Peru. Growing up in Peru, Orlando Leiva Meza developed a fondness for Chinese cuisine and martial arts. But it was his decision to become a traditional Chinese medicine doctor that has cemented his ties with China. "It would very much help to strengthen the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture," said Leiva, who is currently director general of the Police Hospital in Lima, stressing that he would like to see greater cooperation between China and Peru in the field of health. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho)

LIMA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Growing up in Peru, Orlando Leiva Meza developed a fondness for Chinese cuisine and martial arts. But it was his decision to become a traditional Chinese medicine doctor that has cemented his ties with China.

"It would very much help to strengthen the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture," said Leiva, who is currently director general of the Police Hospital in Lima, stressing that he would like to see greater cooperation between China and Peru in the field of health.

After he and his wife, Ana Rioja, got their degrees in medicine from the Greater National University of San Marcos in Lima, they decided to pursue postgraduate studies in traditional Chinese medicine.

They won scholarships from the Chinese government in 1986 and headed to China.

China and Leiva were destined to meet. When he was a young boy of 15, he was such a fan of martial art films that he called himself Da Long, or Big Dragon. Years later, he named his firstborn Xiao Long, or Little Dragon.

Traditional Chinese medicine has several branches, including herbal medicine, but "among all these fields, the one that impressed us most, that motivated us most, was learning about acupuncture," Leiva said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Leiva arrived in Beijing knowing nothing of the language, except "tay pa," a term popularly used at Lima's many Chinese restaurants to ask for a "generous serving."

"The first thing I had to learn in China was the language. Of course, we studied the language oriented to health ... and then we began to learn traditional medicine in all its scope, but especially acupuncture," he said.

Leiva spent two years at the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and one year as an intern at Shanghai's Longhua Hospital, affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

While living in Beijing, he became intrigued by the sight of hundreds of people of all ages practicing Tai Chi in parks and other public spaces. He soon joined them and learned 18 basic steps, the flow of movements and breathing.

When Leiva and his wife returned to Peru, they began to practice traditional Chinese medicine, which they found can benefit the medical community there.

"An educational process began, because it was new to the national (health authorities)," he said.

As interest in the field grew, they began to work with courses at Peru's Medical College, said Leiva.

These seminars in public health eventually led to the publication of a book, along with Rioja and Dr. Clara Liau-Hing, on basic acupuncture and Tai Chi.

Leiva has applied his knowledge mainly to patients suffering from chronic pain and rheumatism, as well as other afflictions, such as cardiovascular or gastrointestinal ailments, migraine and insomnia.

Leiva also educates local people about the benefits of Tai Chi, giving five 10-week courses a year.

Leiva's family ties with China are growing. His oldest son, Pedro, 27, who was born in Beijing, is today studying for a master's degree in international business and trade in China.

With his daughter Zoila, 24, and his wife, Leiva has returned to China on five occasions over the past 27 years, three times for medical courses and twice as tourists.
LIMA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, to be held here next week, will connect Peru with the world's most important markets, Carlos Galvez, a Peruvian industrial leader, said on Saturday.

Heads of the world's leading economies are expected to attend the Nov. 19-20 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Galvez, president of the National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy, highlighted the fact that more than 1,200 business leaders from APEC's 21 member economies will also be attending the event, which includes a parallel business forum called the CEO Summit.

"APEC's CEO Summit is very important. It is fundamental because it connects us to the world, (and) it connects us to the most important markets that we can access," Galvez told Xinhua.

By bringing business leaders from China, Russia, the United States and other APEC economies to Peru, where they will meet with their Peruvian counterparts, the event will help promote trade and investment, said Galvez.

"In addition, it will lead to opportunities to attract investment from other parts" outside APEC, he said.

Galvez said he was confident of the global tendency toward more open markets and greater exchanges of goods and capital, despite Brexit and other signs of a backlash against globalization.

"Opening up to the world, increasing production, generating decent employment opportunities with increasingly better wages and full labor rights are what we need to be aiming for," he said.

One of the much anticipated figures attending the CEO Summit is Jack Ma, founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

His arrival "is precisely a sign of the interest they have in making our economies grow faster," Galvez said.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is also expected to attend the summit, according to organizers.

Emerging economies such as Peru need to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from other APEC members on how to spur development, said Galvez, noting education has been a key factor in Asian countries' development.

"We have said many times that what we have to do is to work a lot on education, to make a decisive change that will allow us to enter the era of knowledge," said Galvez.

"Information and communication technology is what can move us up to the level of the countries that today lead in this field," he added.

APEC represents a potential market of billions of consumers, including the Chinese market of 1.3 billion people, the industrial leader said.

Peruvian Second Vice President Mercedes Araoz said earlier this week that her country's relationship with China is a "priority," noting that bilateral cooperation is crucial to strengthening relations and boosting economic growth.
People attend a protest against Donald Trump's presidential election victory outside the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York, the United States, Nov. 9, 2016. A number of U.S. cities on Wednesday witnessed protest against Tuesday's presidential election result. (Xinhua/Li Changxiang)

CHICAGO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Around 2,000 people gathered in downtown Chicago on Saturday to protest U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

The protesters ranged from children to senior citizens of various races and backgrounds from across the country. Their concerns were echoed in their chants: "We reject the president-elect," "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here," and "Our body, our choice."

Major issues of concern for Chicagoans, who historically vote Democrat, include immigration, LGBTQ rights, and women's health.

Protests began at 10 a.m. local time (1600 GMT) at Millennium Park, a major tourist destination, and caused street closures when they marched toward the Magnificent Mile, the city's famous shopping area. Protesters held signs reading: "Refugees welcome," and "Not my president."

"He doesn't represent how we think or feel in Chicago," said Dan Milam, a 20-year-old animal caretaker, who works five days a week and used his two days off to protest.

"We're letting everyone know that he doesn't represent how we look at foreigners. We're saying that we're here for each other in the most divided time in America since the Civil War. We're saying we won't accept xenophobia, racism, sexism, or homophobia in Chicago," he said.

Chicago police set up barricades in front of Trump Tower to prevent protesters from getting close. Protesters marched up and down State Street and Michigan Avenue, two streets with heavy foot traffic from tourists.

Community activists scheduled multiple protests on Saturday, some of which converged and created bigger protests.

The constant protesting gave people who were on their way to and from work or school an opportunity to jump in and protest when they could, like Catina Deubler, a 22-year-old student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

"We are making ourselves heard because his beliefs and tactics are disgraceful. Trump may have been representing a category of American people who have felt silenced these past eight years, but it is unacceptable to feed off fear and hatred to win. He has divided our country and we are badly hurting," Deubler said.

Protests continued late into Saturday night and more protests are expected in the coming day.

Chicago is just one of the major U.S. cities protesting against Trump. Protesters know these demonstrations will not change the outcome of the election, but hope to at least send a message to the president-elect.
Rescuers transport a female victim to a hospital, following a suicide blast in a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Nov. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Arshad)

ISLAMABAD, Nov.13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of a suicide bomb attack on a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Saturday night has risen to 52, said an official on Sunday.

Balochistan's home minister Sanaullah Zehri confirmed that 52 people were killed and over 100 others were injured in the attack, which targeted devotees, playing Dhamal, a kind of mystic dance, at Shah Noorani Shrine located at a hilltop in Khuzdar district of the province's Kalat region.

The official said that the death toll could further rise as some of the injured still remained in critical condition.

Sohail Rehman, deputy commissioner of Khuzdar, said that the attack was carried out by a teenager boy whose head has been recovered by the bomb disposal squad.

An estimated 7-8 kg of explosives were used in the attack, he said, adding that the head of the suicide bomber has been sent to lab for DNA test.

Militant group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to local media.

Saturday night's attack in Balochistan is the third of its kind carried out by IS in the province since the beginning of the year.

Earlier last month, the group claimed responsibility for an attack on a police training center in the province's capital city of Quetta, which left over 60 people killed and over 100 others injured.

In August, the group took credit for an attack on a gathering of lawyers at a hospital in Quetta, leaving over 70 people dead and over 100 others wounded.
NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- India's sudden move of scrapping currency notes of higher denominations to curb the menace of black money seems to be a nightmare for the country's poor and the middle class.

Long queues of people stayed outside banks and automated teller machines (ATMs) for depositing as well as swapping with new notes the scrapped notes of 500 Indian rupees (7.5 U.S. dollars) and 1,000 Indian rupees (15 U.S. dollars) to run their lives.

Anger is brewing with the queues getting longer with each passing day, and the banks and ATMs are running out of cash and limits of daily cash withdrawals make matters worse.

"I stood in a queue for over three hours and when I reached the ATM counter, I came to know that it's out of cash. Weekends are a time to relax but my Sunday is ruined due to improper arrangement by the banks. I have no valid cash in my purse," said Sanjay Singh, an IT professional in Delhi.

Local TV channels reported stories of desperate people trying to scramble to get rid of black money by burning sacks of ill-gotten cash as well as throwing currency notes away in garbage dumps as well as rivers across the country.

On the other hand, there are stories of people facing harrowing time as they are unable to pay for cremations and hospital admissions.

"I am left at the mercy of the hospital authorities who are refusing to admit my wife who had sustained injuries in a road accident," said Ram Lal, a laborer.

Some people welcomed the Indian government's move, but blamed it for lack of proper planning and execution to save the common men from having a harrowing time.

"No doubt the move is aimed at tackling corruption and tax evasion. But many low-income Indians, traders and ordinary savers who rely on the cash economy have been badly hit. Moreover, there are not enough cash at ATMs and there is a limit daily cash withdrawals," said Sunita, a housewife.

With ATMs running out of cash and people out of patience, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday evening addressed the nation to try to douse people's anger.

He regretted inconvenience caused to the people, adding that the "long-term advantages of this are to the overall economy".

"ATMs had not been adjusted to handle new currency notes prior to the announcement in order to keep it under wraps. Recalibration of ATMs will be completed within two weeks," he said, trying to justify the government's sudden move.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the currency ban is the "biggest cleanliness drive" against black money hoarders, opposition parties tried to exploit the situation by pointing out the inconvinience caused to the general people.

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called it a "huge scam"

However, experts have welcomed the government's "bold move", saying though consumer spending would likely to dip in the short term, the decision would boost India's gross domestic product in the long run.

The government banned currency notes 500 rupees and 1,000 rupees Tuesday and asked people to exchange the old notes by December 30.

Withdrawals from banks have also been limited to Rs 10,000 (150 U.S. dollars) a day and in ATMs, there is also a withdrawal restriction.
Humberto de la Calle (R), chief negotiator of the Colombian government, shakes hands Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), after signing a revised peace agreement in Havana, Cuba, Nov. 12, 2016. The Colombian government and the FARC on Saturday signed a new peace deal after nine days of intense negotiations in Havana. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed on Saturday a new peace agreement after days of negotiations in Havana, a possible lasting deal to end over 50 years of armed conflicts in the country.

The joint statement read by the representatives of the guarantor countries, Cuba and Norway, announced that both sides "reached a new and final peace agreement, with changes, precisions, and modifications provided by the different sectors of the Colombian society."

Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the rebel group and his counterpart from the government, Humberto De la Calle, signed the document at a formal ceremony, chaired by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

Both sides expected that this new deal would become a "powerful instrument" for the democratization of the country and full respect for the rights of all its citizens, and bring a lasting peace to Colombia.

"This new agreement was also an opportunity to clarify doubts, resolve certain concerns but most of all to come together as one Colombia. Once more we prove to our country that despite the differences, through dialogue, it's possible to reach common points and agendas," said Calle.

The new pact seeks to overcome the impasse after the previous agreement discussed for four years in Havana was rejected by a slight margin in an Oct. 2 referendum in Colombia.

Calle noted that this new agreement paved the way to start the difficult implementation of a "general consensus" to build a stable and lasting peace in the South American country.

"We work with the certainty that there is no more time to lose. We are convinced that this document points to viable and possible ways to end the conflict in Colombia," he said.

For his part, Marquez said that this new deal reaffirms the country's "vocation for peace" and clarifies reasonable doubts and concerns raised by the people that rejected the previous accord, which was signed on Sept. 26 by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and top FARC commander Rodrigo Londono in Cartagena, Colombia.

"We have conceded in many of our initial positions and even accepting propositions beyond reasonable thoughts for an organization whose ideas and military uprising weren't defeated," said Marquez.

The rebel group said it is ready to become a political organization within the Colombian democracy if the peace agreement is fully implemented.

New changes to the previous deal were slightly mentioned by the sides but the overall agreement will be published on the Colombian government website and in the next few days printed out for the population.

Since Oct. 3, Santos' representatives and the guerrilla discussed in Havana the proposals made by the supporters of the "NO" camp led by former President Alvaro Uribe.

The victory of the "NO" camp by a narrow margin forced Santos to meet with the critics of the initial agreement to reach consensus and move the peace process forward.

Last week, former Colombian Presidents Andres Pastrana (1998-2002) and Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), two of the main voices rejecting the signed accord, delivered President Santos a list of over 500 proposals for modifications.

The conflict in Colombia has left more than 260,000 people dead and displaced millions of others since 1964.
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday condemned the deadly attack in southwestern Pakistan, which has killed at least 52 people, and voiced his hope that the perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.

The secretary-general, in a statement issued here Saturday night by his spokesman, extended "his heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"The secretary-general hopes the Pakistani authorities will be able to swiftly bring the perpetrators of this depraved attack to justice," the statement said.

"The secretary-general supports the government of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism in full respect of international and human rights norms," said the statement.

At least 52 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in a suicide bombing at 18:30 local time (1330 GMT) on Sunday local time at a remote Sufi Muslim shrine in the Pakistani region of Balochistan, reports said.

The extremist Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the blast which took place some 250 kilometers north of Karachi when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at the shrine.
People attend a rally in downtown Seoul, capital of South Korea , Nov. 12, 2016. South Koreans staged peaceful rallies across central Seoul on Saturday night to demand President Park Geun-hye step down over a scandal involving her longtime confidante and former aides. (Xinhua)

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors plan to investigate President Park Geun-hye early next week over Park's biggest political scandal involving her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil suspected of intervening in state affairs behind the scenes and peddling undue influence for personal gains.

According to local media reports, a special investigative unit under the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the case has delivered to the presidential Blue House its request to investigate the scandal-plagued president on Tuesday or Wednesday.

If realized, Park would become the first South Korean president to be investigated by prosecutors as incumbent leader. Under the country's constitution, a president is free from criminal indictment, but some of law experts claim a criminal investigation is possible if the indictment is suspended until the end of presidency.

Park, who took office in February 2013, has about 15 months left in her single, five-year term.

Face-to-face investigation is preferable in principle, the prosecution said, but details haven't been decided upon where and how to prove the embattled president. It added that President Park would be a reference witness during an investigation.

The scandal-hit president made public apologies twice since the scandal came into focus last month, but public anger hasn't been appeased.

The largest mass rally in three decades was held on Saturday night to demand Park's immediate resignation. Organizers said about 1 million protesters took to the streets in Seoul alone, the biggest since the identical number of people protested against the military dictatorship in June, 1987.

Police estimated that around 260,000 people turned out in Seoul. Police estimates are usually far lower than the figures released by organizers as people coming back home after early participation are not included in calculations.

Thousands of people are expected to continue rallies in major cities nationwide, including Seoul and the southern port city of Busan where some 30,000 residents marched to call for the president's resignation the previous night.

Meanwhile, prosecutors summoned chiefs of key conglomerates, who are alleged to have closed-door meetings with President Park last year, over the weekend.

The first South Korean female leader held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of conglomerates on July 24 last year, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and chiefs of LG Group and CJ Group were summoned on Sunday afternoon. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo and two heads of Hanwha Group and SK Group were grilled on Saturday over the behind-the-scenes meetings with President Park.

Choi Soon-sil, 60, is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won (66.3 million U.S. dollars) to two nonprofit foundations she actually controls. Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, with 12.8 billion won, 11.1 billion won, 7.8 billion won and 2.5 billion won each donated by Hyundai, SK, LG and Hanwha. The donation scale is roughly in line with rankings in terms of wealth.

The Samsung vice chairman has also been questioned about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros (about 30 billion U.S. dollars) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.
NANJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of about 100 people on Sunday visited the tomb of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the forerunner of China's democratic revolution.

Members of the delegation, which included Sun's relatives and delegates from all over the world, left flowers and bowed three times before Sun's statue.

They also walked around the tomb to pay homage to Sun and his contribution to China's national independence, social progress and the welfare of its people.

Born in 1866, Sun was the founder of the Kuomintang Party, and is a revered revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in overthrowing imperial rule in China.

A grand gathering was held in Beijing on Friday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sun's birth.
CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- As many as 14 militant extremists were killed during military raids in Egypt's restive North Sinai province's two cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, the Egyptian military spokesman said in a statement on Sunday.

"The anti-terrorist military operations destroyed five hideouts of the militants and also defused ten explosive devices that were planted to target security men," Military Spokesman Mohamed Samir said in the statement.

Since the beginning of November, similar raids in the northern part of the peninsula left 26 militants dead while the security forces ruined nearly 100 explosive devices.

Meanwhile on Nov. 4, a military brigadier general who served in Sinai, was assassinated, outside his home in Cairo. Earlier in mid-October, at least 20 soldiers were killed in two-day blasts.

Egypt has been facing a wave of anti-security terrorist attacks, mainly centered in North Sinai, since the army-led removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

Hundreds of police and military men were killed in revenge attacks, with a Sinai-based Islamic State affiliate group claiming responsibility for most of them.
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo.  As many as 30 wild horses will be used in a study by the Bureau of Land Management and University of Wyoming.

Mares from the Adobe Town Herd Management Area are going to be collared to record migration patterns and other data.

The university wants to study the interactions between horses and their environment.

"The use of GPS collars on the Adobe Town mares will provide us with insight on how these horses move into, through, and across the public-private land matrix, how horses select rangelands resources across seasons, and how porous or not porous the Colorado-Wyoming border really is for horses," said Derek Scasta, with the University of Wyoming Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

"Our experience with United States Geological Survey researchers shows that these collars can be safely used on horses with a very low risk of injury," Scasta said.

Horses will be rounded up to be collared but will remain in the management area for monitoring.
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday congratulated his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbay Zheenbekov on the assumption of a new term in office following approval of the new government by the parliament.

In a congratulatory message sent to Zheenbekov, Li spoke highly of the good momentum in the development of China-Kyrgyzstan ties and the remarkable achievements made in bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Li said China is willing to join hands with Kyrgyzstan to push forward bilateral relations.

The Kyrgyz government was forced to resign after the collapse of the coalition of the parliamentary majority at the end of October. In early November, the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) faction, mandated by President Almazbek Atambayev to form the alliance, created a new coalition and again nominated Zheenbekov for the post of prime minister.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament on Wednesday approved the new government.

Zheenbekov was appointed the prime minister in April 2016.
WUHAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Surveys have found that the environment at the headwater of the Yangtze, China's longest river, has "markedly improved," with lakes expanding and wildlife thriving.

Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute of Changjiang Water Resources Commission made the conclusion after analyzing the results of a survey in the heartland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau this summer.

The institute's surveys show that lakes in the area are getting bigger and the number of plants and wild animals have grown over the past 10 years.

The Yangtze's riverhead is part of Sanjiangyuan (three river country), home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang (Mekong) rivers. With a fragile ecosystem, Sanjiangyuan is dubbed "Asia's water tower."

From 1989 to 2015, three major lakes in the region's Hol Xil Natural Reserve swelled. The size of Hoh Sai Lake rose to 326 square kilometers from 259 square kilometers; Haiding Nor Lake expanded to 77 square kilometers from 38 kilometers; and the size of Yan Lake nearly quadrupled, according to Tan Debao from the institute.

The year 2003 marked the start of improvements, Tan said. "The three lakes are separate. But in the wet season now they connect," Tan said.

In addition, the plain grass, which was at one time very sparse, has spread to the hillside in the past couple of years, Tan said.

The populations of endangered animals, such as the Tibetan antelope and snow leopard, have also increased. In the past 20 years, the number of Tibetan antelopes has gone from 40,000 to almost 200,000 on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Chen attributed the improved situation to increased temperatures and rainfall. The daily average temperature, highest temperature and lowest temperature at Yangtze' source have significantly risen, according to data collected from eight monitoring stations during the past 60 years.

Statistics from the National Meteorological Bureau said the precipitation in areas of the region at over 4,000 meters above sea level had increased on average by 1.68 millimeters per year from 1961 to 2014.

However, Chen warned that the long-term influence of the climate change needs further monitoring and research.

For example, if an inland salt lake, which gets bigger, starts to flow into the tributary of the Yangtze, Tan said, "We need to be aware of the impact this will have on the Yangtze."

Generous governmental spending on environmental restoration in the Sanjiangyuan area is another factor behind the improved environment.

China established Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in 2000. Five years later, a 7.6-billion-yuan (1.1-billion-U.S. dollar) conservation project was launched in the region. In January, 2014, a second-phase conservation project (2014-2020) began with financial backing of 16 billion yuan.

Thanks to these efforts, the forest coverage rate in Sanjiangyuan increased from 3.2 percent in 2004 to 4.8 percent in 2012, and is expected to reach 5.5 percent by 2020.

The latest plan to help better protect and manage its natural resources and wildlife is to make the area into a 123,100 square-kilometer national park in five years. Many tourism and educational projects will be limited to the edges of the park, to minimize any impact from human activity.
CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian renowned actor Mahmud Abdel-Aziz died on Saturday night, at the age of 70, after suffering cancer in the tooth jaws, Egypt's state-run Ahram newspaper reported Sunday.

Culture Minister Helmi Namnam mourned on Sunday Abdel-Aziz, as "an iconic television and cinema actor" who enriched the life with his great talent that made him really a "magician."

The minister expressed his condolences to the family of the actor and to all Egyptians who lost one of their beloved artists.

Born in Alexandria in 1946, A bdel-Aziz graduated from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Alexandria University.

In his long career of over 40 years, Abdel-Aziz starred in 84 films, famous television series and directed one movie.

In 1987, his television series about an Egyptian spy in Israel in the 1950s and the 1960s in the famous trilogy of Rafat El Haggan, has captured millions of TV viewers in the Arab world.

He was known as "the cinema magician", after the name of his famous movie "the Magician" in 2001 of which he got many local, Arab and international prizes.

Abdel-Aziz was married to an Egyptian TV anchor, with two sons. One is a film producer and director, and the other is an actor.
File photo shows Somali refugees at Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya in 2015. (Xinhua)

KAMPALA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Despite a raging war in many parts of Somalia, many Somali refugees are choosing to return home, Somali and UN officials told Xinhua, while calling for international support to support this trend.

Mariam Yassin Hagi Yussuf, a senior official in Somalia's Office of the Prime Minister, told Xinhua in an interview in Kampala that many Somalis in the diaspora are choosing to return due to enhanced security back in Somalia.

"People miss home, if you feel you are stuck in your life, you are not moving, then it is better that you go back home," said Yussuf, who is also in charge of children and migrants' rights.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) over 200,000 of the 600,000 Somali refugees in Yemen have expressed willingness to return home.

Another 200 Somali refugees in Djibouti are also willing to go home, while thousands are set to be voluntarily repatriated from Kenya.

In anticipation of the increasing number of returnees, the Somali government has established a national coordination mechanism where migration issues will be handled both at the federal and regional government level.

Yussuf said the government is also waiting for parliament to enact a law on anti-trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

According to the Somali government, many local youths are being trafficked out of the country. Many end up being abused and some die on the Mediterranean Sea as they try to access Europe.

"We are tackling the root causes of migration starting from insecurity, non-sufficient education, and lack of job opportunities. By tackling the root causes, we believe we will reduce the risk of people leaving the country," she added.

Somali refugees prepare to get on a bus heading for Somalia at Dadaab in Garissa, Kenya, July 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Stephen Ingati)

Mohamed Abdi Affey, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Somalia Refugee Situation, told Xinhua in an interview that the country is in a critical stage and needs all the international support as many Somalis are willing to return home.

He argued that the Somali crisis seems to have gone off the international agenda, which is now occupied by other emerging crises.

"This return means there should be focus on facilities inside the country so that the conditions are bearable for those who are coming back," he said on the sides of a regional meet on migrants in eastern Africa.

Affey called for continued support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which he said had helped to bring relative peace in Somalia.

He said the possible pull out of some peacekeeping troops as some countries have suggested would be disastrous.

"AMISOM presence has contributed substantially to peace and stability of Somalia. I would request that any pullout would be reconsidered before Somalia has a sufficient security force that can be able to protect its population," he said.

Uganda, the largest troop contributor to the 22,000-strong African Union force, said would pull out its troops by 2018 since it first deployed them in 2007. Kenya, another troop contributing country also planned a withdrawal.

The AU Peace and Security Council in June said it planned to withdraw the entire contingent by October 2018, and by December 2020, the mission will have been fully transferred to the Somali National Army.
MOSUL, Iraq, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi security forces on Sunday recaptured a town of Nimrud near the archeological site of Nimrud from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in south of the city of Mosul, the Iraqi military said.

"The troops from the 9th Armored Division liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties," said a statement by a media office affiliated to the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

The town of Nimrud, some 30 km south of Mosul, lies west of the ruins of the ancient Assyrian site of Nimrud. The statement did not say whether the archeological site was also recaptured.

In 2015, the ancient site was partially destroyed during a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under the control of the IS militants, in addition to other archeological sites in the ancient province of Nineveh.

The archeological site of Nimrud was founded in the 13th century B.C. and became the capital of Assyrian empire.

The troops advance in south of Mosul was part of a major offensive announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Since then, the Iraqi security forces have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city.

Earlier in the month, hundreds of the Counter-Terrorism Service commandos and Iraqi army made a significant progress from three directions at the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris River, and managed to recapture some 10 districts out of about 60 districts on both sides of the city.

Mosul, some 400 km north of Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
BAGHDAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A civilian was killed and 16 people were wounded on Sunday in attacks by three car bombs and a roadside bomb in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a police source said.

A booby-trapped car detonated in the district of Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, leaving a civilian killed and five others wounded, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Another car bomb went off near a mosque in the Shiite district of Obiedi in the eastern part of Baghdad, wounding six people, the source said.

A third car bomb was discovered in Shaab district in northeastern Baghdad, and was defused by explosive experts without casualty, the source added.

In addition, a roadside bomb detonated near a Shiite mourning tent in al-Ghadier district in southeastern Baghdad, wounding five people, the source said.

The tent was set up for Shiite Muslims to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, one of the Shiites' twelve most revered Imams, who was killed in 680 A.D. and buried in Karbala, some 110 km south of Baghdad.

The Shiite Muslims had already observed the death day of Imam Hussein on Oct. 12, in a ritual named Ashura Day, but they usually continue their mourning till the ritual of al-Arbaeen, or 40 days after the Imam's death which will take place on Nov. 21.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for deadly attacks against Shiite Muslims and crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 1,792 Iraqis and wounded 1,358 others in October across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the U.S., which invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003.
CHANGSHA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China will build two wildlife museums for storage of confiscated wildlife products, research and education, said a senior forestry official.

The two museums, one in Beijing and the other in the central province of Hunan, will be centers for protecting endangered wildlife species and showcasing the country's achievements in cracking down on illegal wildlife trading, said Chen Fengxue, deputy director of the State Forestry Administration.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the wildlife museum in Changsha, provincial capital of Hunan, on Thursday.

After completion, the two museums will provide a professional platform for promoting wildlife protection, said Chen at the ceremony.
Poussy Chalabi (C), wife of Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, mourns during his funeral in a suburb of Cairo on November 13, 2016. Abdel Aziz, who died the day before at the age of 70, starred in more than 90 feature films and worked under some of Egypt's most celebrated directors. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian renowned actor Mahmud Abdel-Aziz died on Saturday night, at the age of 70, after suffering cancer in the tooth jaws, Egypt's state-run Ahram newspaper reported Sunday.

Culture Minister Helmi Namnam mourned on Sunday Abdel-Aziz, as "an iconic television and cinema actor" who enriched the life with his great talent that made him really a "magician."

The minister expressed his condolences to the family of the actor and to all Egyptians who lost one of their beloved artists.

Born in Alexandria in 1946, A bdel-Aziz graduated from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Alexandria University.

In his long career of over 40 years, Abdel-Aziz starred in 84 films, famous television series and directed one movie.

In 1987, his television series about an Egyptian spy in Israel in the 1950s and the 1960s in the famous trilogy of Rafat El Haggan, has captured millions of TV viewers in the Arab world.

He was known as "the cinema magician", after the name of his famous movie "the Magician" in 2001 of which he got many local, Arab and international prizes.

Abdel-Aziz was married to an Egyptian TV anchor, with two sons. One is a film producer and director, and the other is an actor.
WINDHOEK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a bid to rope in the public sector into helping with developmental projects, Namibia has come up with a public private partnership bill.

The bill that was tabled in the National Assembly will among other things regulate how the government awards contracts as well as guidelines on how projects will be run.

According to the bill, previously disadvantaged members of the society and small to medium enterprises will be given priority.

Last week, finance minister Calle Schlettwein who tabled the bill told the Invest in Namibia conference that the country needs about 320 million U.S. dollars for capital projects.

Various Namibian entities also signed more than 11 agreements with private companies for the development of water, energy and housing projects during the conference.

Schlettwein said the bill comes after the realization that government alone cannot fund all the projects and needs the private sector to help.

Although it is the government's key responsibility, he said, to ensure delivery of public services, it cannot do it alone.

The bill provides the formation of committee within the Ministry of Finance that will decide on major contracts. Its duties will be to develop guidelines and approve partnerships.

Those who will serve on this committee are drawn from the private sector and state agencies and will serve for three years.

The committee, according to the bill, will get permission from the Ministry of Finance regarding decisions on partnerships and projects.

All public private partnership projects, the bill states, will be subjected to a two-stage tendering process.
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- An approaching cold front will help disperse smog in north China, said the country's environment watchdog on Sunday.

China National Environmental Monitoring Center said the smog in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will be gradually dispersed because of the cold air, but light to heavy air pollution is likely to continue in the region until Tuesday.

The National Meteorological Center renewed the yellow alert for air pollution in the afternoon.

The cold front is also forecast to bring gales and drag temperatures down in most parts of north China over the next three days, the center said.

China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
President Barack Obama was not the first target of a political conspiratorial campaign claiming that he was not qualified to hold elective office because he was not a U.S. citizen. It was used in 1938, on North Dakota gubernatorial candidate John Moses, who was born in Norway and immigrated to the U.S. in 1905.

At first, his political opponents claimed that Moses was a Jew, but since his father was a prominent Lutheran minister, the rumor was quickly debunked.

Moses' opponents then claimed that his right to hold office would be challenged on the grounds that he had never become a citizen. The rumor was that his father, an immigrant from Norway, never completed the process of naturalization. Hence, his son was not a citizen.

The fact was that his father never immigrated to the U.S., and Moses became a citizen in a court proceeding in Valley City.

Moses was not only elected governor in 1938, but he also got reelected two more times. In 1944, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Moses was born in Strand, Norway, on the border with Sweden, on June 12, 1885, the son of Reverend Henrik B. and Isabella (Eckersberg) Moses

He sailed to the U.S. in 1905 and traveled to Danvers, Minn., finding work as a farm hand and a railroad section hand for the Great Northern Railroad.

He would hold multiple jobs over the years: accountant for the Great Northern Railroad from 1906 to 1911 and secretary at the Normal School in Valley City (now Valley City State University) in 1911. The next year, enrolled at the University of North Dakota, eventually graduating the UND Law School in 1915.

Moses began his practice, first at Hope, and then at Hebron, before establishing a permanent practice in Hazen late in 1917, where he endeared himself with the farmers.

Because many of the young men were serving in the military during World War I, there was an acute shortage of able-bodied men to help out with the harvest. Therefore, in 1918, Moses took it upon himself to organize a "harvest brigade" to assist the farmers.

Moses was active in republican politics since coming to North Dakota, serving as state's attorney of Mercer County from 1919 to 1923 and from 1927 to 1933. He then became a big supporter of Franklin Roosevelt, and when Roosevelt was elected President in 1932, switched his party allegiance.

In 1934, the Democrats endorsed him to run against P. O. Satre, the republican incumbent, for the office of attorney general but was defeated.

In 1936, he ran for the governor in what was shaping up to be a most interesting race. The Republican incumbent was Walter Welford, a farmer from Pembina and former Governor William Langer, defeated in the Republican primary and running as an Independent.

In the November election, Langer was victorious, but all three candidates received between 80,000 and 100,000 votes.

Because of his strong showing, Moses became the overwhelming choice of the Democratic Party to run for governor in 1938.

Langer decided not to run for reelection, and instead declared that he was running for the U.S. Senate, a position held by Gerald P. Nye.

Langer was popular with many voters in North Dakota, and Nye supporters were worried. So they approached leaders of the Democratic Party with a plan. They agreed to support Moses for governor if, in turn, "the Democrats would keep Jess Nygaard, their candidate for the U.S. Senate, from campaigning too vigorously."

The plan worked. At the Nov. 8 general election, Nye defeated Langer and Nygaard, and Moses defeated his Republican opponent, John N. Hagan, by 13,000 votes.

It became apparent that very few voters subscribed to the rumor that Moses was not a U.S. citizen.

(We will conclude the story of John Moses next week.)
DAMASCUS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected on Sunday the "accusations" recently made by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), claiming the Syrian army used chemical weapons in Syria, according to the state news agency SANA.

On Friday, the OPCW's executive body voted in favor of condemning the use of banned toxic agents by the Syrian government and the Islamic State (IS) group, saying "Syrian Arab Armed Forces and the so-called Islamic State have been involved in the use of chemical weapons and toxic chemicals as weapons."

Following the decision, the council determined that further inspection and verification must take place in Syria.

"There is a clear determination across the international community to hold those who have used these heinous weapons to account," said British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson in a statement responding to the vote.

However, the decision was opposed by Russia, China, Sudan and Iran.

As for the Syrian Foreign Ministry, it said the vote was "biased," and rejected the accusations against the Syrian army's use of chemical agents.

Yet, the ministry said that it will carefully study the decision before giving a final say regarding conducting further investigations in Syrian government sites.

The Syrian government has always rejected such accusations, stressing that it is committed to the pledges it made when it joined the treaty of chemical weapons convention.

In addition, the Syrian army repeatedly accused rebels of using chemical gas, with the latest most notable accusation in government-controlled areas in the northern city of Aleppo, where tens of people suffered from suffocation and breathing difficulties following a gas attack by the rebels.

Pro-government Sham FM radio cited sources in the besieged Shiite village of Foa, in the northwestern province of Idlib, as saying that the rebels fired rockets stuffed with chemical materials which released yellow foam upon explosion in the village, adding that several people suffered from suffocation.

Chemical weapons are believed to have been used in several areas in Syria in recent years, with the government and the rebels exchanging accusations.

Around 1,400 people were killed when several opposition-controlled areas in the suburbs of Damascus were struck by rockets containing the chemical agent sarin on Aug. 21, 2013, after which both the opposition and the government exchanged accusations.

Also in 2013, a chemical attack hit the then government-controlled town of Khan al-Asal in the countryside of Aleppo, and several Syrian soldiers and civilians were either killed or suffered from suffocation.

The government accused the rebels again, who, in turn, denied the accusation.

In October 2013, OPCW officials arrived in Syria to monitor the dismantlement of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal, after Damascus officially joined the OPCW Convention.

The OPCW later said the government rendered its chemical weapons production facilities inoperable.

The dismantlement of the Syrian chemical weapons was according to a U.S.-Russian understanding, the first sign of a consensus between both powers on the Syrian conflict.

Since then, reports of poisonous gas attacks keep emerging every once in a while.
TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko arrived in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Sunday for multi-dimensional talks with senior Iranian officials, Press TV reported.

During her two-day official visit, Matvienko will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Matvienko is accompanied in her trip by the chairman of Russian Federation Council's defense and security committee, Viktor Ozerov, and a number of parliamentary officials, According to the report.

She will bring up a variety of issues in the talks with the Iranian officials, including ways to improve parliamentary cooperation and to reinforce convergence in the Middle East to fight terrorism in Syria, Matvienko told official IRNA news agency earlier.

Tehran and Moscow have stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation and taken positive steps and made great achievements in this regard, she added.
Uzbek acting president Shavkat Mirziyoyev (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Sadat)

TASHKENT, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday met respectively with Uzbek acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov on the development of relations between their countries.

Wang is on an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of Kamilov, which is also his third visit to the central Asian country within the year.

During the meeting with Wang, Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for China's firm support at the current key moment, which fully reflects the high degree of political mutual trust between Uzbekistan and China, and that Uzbekistan will continue to take the path of development meeting its fundamental interests.

Uzbekistan supports China in safeguarding its core interests and major concerns, and in cracking down on the three evil forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

He said Uzbekistan is willing to strengthen and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China by taking joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as an opportunity.

At the meeting, Wang said Uzbekistan will enter a new stage of continuing with the past and opening up the future after holding the recent presidential election, and that China-Uzbekistan relationship will also enter a new period of time on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the next year.

At this important historic moment, China is ready to fully implement the important consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries at the 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent in June, and enhance mutual support and strategic alignment led by joint construction of the Belt and Road, to promote the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership toward the achievement of more successes in the new period of time, Wang said.

On the same day, Wang held a meeting with the Uzbek foreign minister. During the meeting, Wang said that his first stop in the city of Samarkand during the visit is intended to mourn late Uzbek President Islam Karimov in his home city, in commemoration of his historic contribution to the development of bilateral ties.

His visit to the country is meant to express China's confidence in Uzbekistan's future and relations between the two countries, Wang said, noting that China's friendly policy on Uzbekistan will never change.

He expressed the hope that the two sides will further tap potential in bilateral cooperation in production capacity, hydropower, tourism and other fields, and create new growth points, to inject fresh ideas and momentum into their ties.

Kamilov said Uzbekistan will carry forward the late president's political legacy to strengthen and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, maintain all-level political exchanges and promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

Uzbekistan will firmly support China in combatting the three evil forces and enhance bilateral coordination and cooperation within the framework of the SCO, to jointly safeguard regional peace and security, he said.

The two foreign ministers held a joint press conference after the meeting.

Wang will proceed to Turkey to attend the first meeting of the foreign ministers' consultation mechanism between China and Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
ANKARA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan invited newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump to visit his country over the phone, local daily Hurriyet reported Sunday.

After returning from a one-day visit to Belarus, Erdogan told journalists that he congratulated Trump over the phone the night he was elected.

"He will take over the duty of presidency on Jan. 20, 2017. We can meet before this date if possible," said the Turkish president.

"We would be pleased if Turkey is one of Trump's first visits abroad," he said, adding that Trump responded positively.

Erdogan also said that Ankara and the president-elect shared a similar view on Iraq and Syria, including the issue of no-fly zone in Syria.
Syrian pro-government forces walk around in the village of Minyan, west of Aleppo, after they retook the area from rebel fighters on November 12, 2016.(AFP photo)

DAMASCUS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected on Sunday the "accusations" recently made by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), claiming the Syrian army used chemical weapons in Syria, according to the state news agency SANA.

On Friday, the OPCW's executive body voted in favor of condemning the use of banned toxic agents by the Syrian government and the Islamic State (IS) group, saying "Syrian Arab Armed Forces and the so-called Islamic State have been involved in the use of chemical weapons and toxic chemicals as weapons."

Following the decision, the council determined that further inspection and verification must take place in Syria.

"There is a clear determination across the international community to hold those who have used these heinous weapons to account," said British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson in a statement responding to the vote.

However, the decision was opposed by Russia, China, Sudan and Iran.

As for the Syrian Foreign Ministry, it said the vote was "biased," and rejected the accusations against the Syrian army's use of chemical agents.

Yet, the ministry said that it will carefully study the decision before giving a final say regarding conducting further investigations in Syrian government sites.

The Syrian government has always rejected such accusations, stressing that it is committed to the pledges it made when it joined the treaty of chemical weapons convention.

In addition, the Syrian army repeatedly accused rebels of using chemical gas, with the latest most notable accusation in government-controlled areas in the northern city of Aleppo, where tens of people suffered from suffocation and breathing difficulties following a gas attack by the rebels.

Pro-government Sham FM radio cited sources in the besieged Shiite village of Foa, in the northwestern province of Idlib, as saying that the rebels fired rockets stuffed with chemical materials which released yellow foam upon explosion in the village, adding that several people suffered from suffocation.

Chemical weapons are believed to have been used in several areas in Syria in recent years, with the government and the rebels exchanging accusations.

Around 1,400 people were killed when several opposition-controlled areas in the suburbs of Damascus were struck by rockets containing the chemical agent sarin on Aug. 21, 2013, after which both the opposition and the government exchanged accusations.

Also in 2013, a chemical attack hit the then government-controlled town of Khan al-Asal in the countryside of Aleppo, and several Syrian soldiers and civilians were either killed or suffered from suffocation.

The government accused the rebels again, who, in turn, denied the accusation.

In October 2013, OPCW officials arrived in Syria to monitor the dismantlement of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal, after Damascus officially joined the OPCW Convention.

The OPCW later said the government rendered its chemical weapons production facilities inoperable.

The dismantlement of the Syrian chemical weapons was according to a U.S.-Russian understanding, the first sign of a consensus between both powers on the Syrian conflict.

Since then, reports of poisonous gas attacks keep emerging every once in a while.
Humberto de la Calle (R), chief negotiator of the Colombian government, shakes hands Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), after signing a revised peace agreement in Havana, Cuba, Nov. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed on Saturday a new peace agreement after days of negotiations in Havana, a possible lasting deal to end over 50 years of armed conflicts in the country.

The joint statement read by the representatives of the guarantor countries, Cuba and Norway, announced that both sides "reached a new and final peace agreement, with changes, precisions, and modifications provided by the different sectors of the Colombian society."

Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the rebel group and his counterpart from the government, Humberto De la Calle, signed the document at a formal ceremony, chaired by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

Both sides expected that this new deal would become a "powerful instrument" for the democratization of the country and full respect for the rights of all its citizens, and bring a lasting peace to Colombia.

"This new agreement was also an opportunity to clarify doubts, resolve certain concerns but most of all to come together as one Colombia. Once more we prove to our country that despite the differences, through dialogue, it's possible to reach common points and agendas," said Calle.

The new pact seeks to overcome the impasse after the previous agreement discussed for four years in Havana was rejected by a slight margin in an Oct. 2 referendum in Colombia.

Calle noted that this new agreement paved the way to start the difficult implementation of a "general consensus" to build a stable and lasting peace in the South American country.

"We work with the certainty that there is no more time to lose. We are convinced that this document points to viable and possible ways to end the conflict in Colombia," he said.

People react while listening to the announcement of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), at the Bolivar Square, in Bogota, capital of Colombia, on Nov. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Jhon Paz)

For his part, Marquez said that this new deal reaffirms the country's "vocation for peace" and clarifies reasonable doubts and concerns raised by the people that rejected the previous accord, which was signed on Sept. 26 by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and top FARC commander Rodrigo Londono in Cartagena, Colombia.

"We have conceded in many of our initial positions and even accepting propositions beyond reasonable thoughts for an organization whose ideas and military uprising weren't defeated," said Marquez.

The rebel group said it is ready to become a political organization within the Colombian democracy if the peace agreement is fully implemented.

New changes to the previous deal were slightly mentioned by the sides but the overall agreement will be published on the Colombian government website and in the next few days printed out for the population.

Since Oct. 3, Santos' representatives and the guerrilla discussed in Havana the proposals made by the supporters of the "NO" camp led by former President Alvaro Uribe.

The victory of the "NO" camp by a narrow margin forced Santos to meet with the critics of the initial agreement to reach consensus and move the peace process forward.

Last week, former Colombian Presidents Andres Pastrana (1998-2002) and Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), two of the main voices rejecting the signed accord, delivered President Santos a list of over 500 proposals for modifications.

The conflict in Colombia has left more than 260,000 people dead and displaced millions of others since 1964.
Trump announced his presidential candidacy in June 2015, portraying himself as a Washington outsider. The announcement ended his long history of presidential flirtations that started in 1987 and were revived in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 elections. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

LONDON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- British scholars said they believed that the special British-U.S. relationship will continue.

Dr. Tom Davies is a lecturer in American history at the University of Sussex in England. The university has an internationally-renowned faculty devoted to the history of American politics and culture.

In an interview with Xinhua, Davies said he believes the special British-U.S. relationship will continue, and there are many reasons why it will survive The Trump years.

"For many reasons, such as social and cultural, I think it will continue just as it has done for most of the 21st century," he said.

His comments came one day after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited British Prime Minister Theresa May to visit his country "as soon as possible" as they held their first talks by telephone two days after he was elected.

Both of them reaffirmed that the two countries have a special relationship.

A Downing Street spokesman said Trump had said he was confident that the special relationship would "go from strength to strength."

Davies believed that its continuation will be even more important for Britain, regardless of the outcome of it leaving the European Union.

"The relationship has fluctuated and under Trump it may shift and be better for Britain," he said.

But Davies said that it is impossible to say what will happened over the next few years with Trump in charge. " We could get some indication in two years when the mid-term elections are held in America."

Dr. Tom Packer with the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford University, also believed the U.S.-British relationship is massively important.

"It exists at different levels, particularly in intelligence and military matters and culture," Packer told Xinhua.

"As Britain transforms its position in the world, and changes its trading position, the relationship with the US is particularly important," he said.

Theresa May's message to Trump on his success and a willingness by America to do a trade deal with Britain in its post-Brexit era, means the special relationship between the two is likely to continue, according to him.
Staffers manufacture fiber-optic cables at Latamfiberhome Plant in Duran, Guayas province, Ecuador, on Aug. 26, 2016. This first fiber-optic plant in Ecuador was built with Chinese assistance, as a joint venture between Ecuador's Holding Telconet and China's Fiberhome Technologies. (Xinhua/Santiago Armas)

QUITO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ties between China and Latin America will continue to grow after having expanded over the past 10 years largely driven by China's emphasis on South-South cooperation, investment and trade, Latin American political observers say.

"I believe we have seen a decade in which China has become a reliable partner, and it continues to be a crucial partner for Latin America," said Katalina Barreiro, an expert in Political Science and International Relations at Ecuador's Institute of Advanced National Studies.

Latin America also has untapped potential for the Asian giant, "perhaps not in the same strong areas as China has, such as technology and manufacturing, but in resources, such as tourism," said Barreiro.

A "highly qualified workforce," along with abundant natural resources and a well-developed structure, make the region "very attractive," she said.

These factors have raised hopes in the region that ties will continue to grow with a country that "is increasingly positioned as a global power," said Barreiro.

Today China is the "perfect strategic partner" investing in countries throughout the region, guided by complementarity instead of ideology or self-interests, she noted.

Chinese leaders have conveyed the message that Latin America forms an important part of China's agenda. "China is increasingly interested in having a strategic partnership in Latin America in diverse areas, ranging from production to credit," Barreiro said.

"That is essential for generating good diplomatic relations between countries," said Barreiro, a former diplomat.

Latin America's changing political landscape, including conservative governments coming to power in Argentina and Brazil, is unlikely to affect future ties, according to her.

"I don't see the relationship changing due to ideological changes that may occur in the presidencies of Latin American countries," given that the relationship has been built on the concept of cooperation for mutual benefit.

Milton Reyes, a professor and researcher of Latin American affairs, said China has been "very pragmatic" in forging ties across the Latin American continent.

Image taken on Aug. 4, 2016 shows the staffers of the Jose Processing Plant (JPP), part of the the Chinese-Venezuelan joint company SINOVENSA S.A., working in the Orinoco Petroleum Belt Hugo Chavez, in Anzoategui state, Venezuela. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

If a Latin American country "is interested solely in trade matters, then that will be the prevailing factor," said Reyes.

If, "as in the case of Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela, they propose stronger ties due to their structural and financing needs, China has been willing to expand ties to those areas we well," he said.

Ecuador, for example, has sought to strengthen bilateral relationship to expand cooperation and generate new trade opportunities in the Chinese market, as well as to promote direct investment from China and to access greater financing.

As a result, dozens of Chinese companies are currently investing in Ecuador's mining, infrastructure and energy projects with no political strings attached, Reyes said.

Growing ties between the two regions led China and Latin America's largest integration bloc, the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to adopt a joint five-year plan in 2015 calling for cooperation in a wide range of fields, from security to trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, science and technology.

The plan was adopted during the first ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, held in January 2015 in Beijing.

The two sides also pledged to increase bilateral trade to 500 billion U.S. dollars, and to boost investment to 250 billion dollars in a period of 10 years.
Image taken on Nov. 4, 2016 shows director general of the Police Hospital "Augusto B. Leguia" in Lima, Orlando Leiva Meza (L), treating a patient at the hospital in Lima, Peru. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho)

LIMA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Growing up in Peru, Orlando Leiva Meza developed a fondness for Chinese cuisine and martial arts. But it was his decision to become a traditional Chinese medicine doctor that has cemented his ties with China.

"It would very much help to strengthen the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture," said Leiva, who is currently director general of the Police Hospital in Lima, stressing that he would like to see greater cooperation between China and Peru in the field of health.

After he and his wife, Ana Rioja, got their degrees in medicine from the Greater National University of San Marcos in Lima, they decided to pursue postgraduate studies in traditional Chinese medicine.

They won scholarships from the Chinese government in 1986 and headed to China.

China and Leiva were destined to meet. When he was a young boy of 15, he was such a fan of martial art films that he called himself Da Long, or Big Dragon. Years later, he named his firstborn Xiao Long, or Little Dragon.

Traditional Chinese medicine has several branches, including herbal medicine, but "among all these fields, the one that impressed us most, that motivated us most, was learning about acupuncture," Leiva said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Leiva arrived in Beijing knowing nothing of the language, except "tay pa," a term popularly used at Lima's many Chinese restaurants to ask for a "generous serving."

"The first thing I had to learn in China was the language. Of course, we studied the language oriented to health ... and then we began to learn traditional medicine in all its scope, but especially acupuncture," he said.

Leiva spent two years at the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and one year as an intern at Shanghai's Longhua Hospital, affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

While living in Beijing, he became intrigued by the sight of hundreds of people of all ages practicing Tai Chi in parks and other public spaces. He soon joined them and learned 18 basic steps, the flow of movements and breathing.

When Leiva and his wife returned to Peru, they began to practice traditional Chinese medicine, which they found can benefit the medical community there.

"An educational process began, because it was new to the national (health authorities)," he said.

Image taken on Nov. 5, 2016 shows director general of the Police Hospital "Augusto B. Leguia" in Lima, Orlando Leiva Meza (C), taking part in a Tai Chi session in the hospital's climacteric program, in Lima, Peru. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho)

As interest in the field grew, they began to work with courses at Peru's Medical College, said Leiva.

These seminars in public health eventually led to the publication of a book, along with Rioja and Dr. Clara Liau-Hing, on basic acupuncture and Tai Chi.

Leiva has applied his knowledge mainly to patients suffering from chronic pain and rheumatism, as well as other afflictions, such as cardiovascular or gastrointestinal ailments, migraine and insomnia.

Leiva also educates local people about the benefits of Tai Chi, giving five 10-week courses a year.

Leiva's family ties with China are growing. His oldest son, Pedro, 27, who was born in Beijing, is today studying for a master's degree in international business and trade in China.

With his daughter Zoila, 24, and his wife, Leiva has returned to China on five occasions over the past 27 years, three times for medical courses and twice as tourists.
Photo shows a flying Golden Eagle in Scotland. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Protection for the Society of Birds Scotland)

LONDON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of pairs of Scotland's Golden Eagle has risen to above 500, a wildlife charity reported Thursday.

Results from the fourth golden eagle survey show the population of these birds of prey has increased by 15 percent since the last survey in 2013, and now stands at 508 pairs of the famous bird of prey.

Officials at Royal Protection for the Society of Birds Scotland (RSPB) said it is now thought Scotland is home to the entire British population of the Golden Eagle, following fears the last surviving golden eagle in England had died.

A spokesman for the RSPB in Scotland said: "The results are significant because the eagle population, having surpassed 500 pairs, now meets the targets identified to define it as having 'favourable conservation status' in the UK. The population increase also highlights the continuing steady recovery in Scotland from very low numbers in the mid-19th century."

Golden eagles mostly live in remote areas, but can often be seen performing their spectacular undulating flight displays in the spring season.

The northern Highlands of Scotland and the central spine of the country, between the Great Glen and Stirlingshire, saw the greatest increase in eagle numbers between 2003 and 2015. Recovery also continues in much of the west Highlands and islands with modest increases noted there.

Photo shows a Scotland's Golden eagle standing on the ground. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Protection for the Society of Birds Scotland)

RSPB Scotland official Duncan Orr-Ewing said:"The sight of a golden eagle soaring in the sky above is an awe-inspiring part of our natural heritage, and this increase in numbers of golden eagle pairs is great news."

"Increased monitoring and satellite tagging of eagles, as well as stronger sanctions against wildlife crime may be serving as effective deterrents against illegal activity, therefore helping their population to increase," said Orr-Ewing.

"However, the continued absence of golden eagles in some areas of eastern Scotland remains a real cause for concern and suggests that much more work needs to be done," added Orr-Ewing.

Andrew Bachell, director at Scottish Natural Heritage. said: "These beautiful birds are such an important part of Scotland's nature, a species which people love to see when they visit our wilder landscapes. It's particularly encouraging to see greater recovery in some areas where persecution had been thought to be a major constraint in the past."

Golden eagles were once common across Britain but had disappeared from Wales and England by the mid 19th century due to widespread persecution. Part of the surviving population in Scotland suffered a sharp decline in breeding success in the 1960s due to organochlorine pesticides which caused mass infertility and eggshell thinning.
The election of Donald Trump as president could be a turning point in the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It also could see the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline project.

If these two things happen it would be a stunning reversal for the opponents of the two projects.

Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told reporter Lauren Donovan that he thinks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide an easement to Dakota Access in the next few weeks. This would allow them to cross the Missouri River and complete the project. If that happens, Trumps intervention wouldnt be necessary, but just his election would have changed the landscape.

Any action by President Barack Obama would appear futile because Trump could reverse it. Trump could likely do the same with any steps by the corps that dont meet his approval. That leaves the courts as the opponents' best option and so far they havent been very successful with legal challenges.

For North Dakota this would be good news. It would see the completion of the controversial project and eventual movement of oil to Illinois. It wouldnt, however, mean the automatic end of protests in Morton County. Many have promised to continue the fight; how long they will do so and to what extent remains unknown. The corps has asked Dakota Access Pipeline twice to halt operations for 30 days to ease tensions. So far the company has refused.

The protests need to end, especially if the pipeline goes across the river. There comes a time when the protests no longer are intended to stop the pipeline, but just financially damage Morton County, North Dakota and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Ranchers in Morton and on the reservation have suffered, the Prairie Knights Casino has been hurt and the state has $10 million invested in the protests. The state, with the slump in revenues, has plenty of other uses for $10 million. Whether the federal government repays the state remains to be seen. If it does, all the nations taxpayers pay the bill.

The protests have become increasingly nasty. The damage to the Cantapeta Creek bridge and burning of vehicles on the bridge accomplished nothing. Last weekends demonstration at Fairview Cemetery was mean-spirited. Protesters blame law enforcement for the problems, but the protesters have initiated the action that has resulted in arrests.

The protesters have gained a lot of sympathy and support from around the world. They may still come up with a strategy that allows them to delay Dakota Access a little longer but it appears they are destined to fail. Theres a certain irony as the Dakota Access battle enters its final stages that another pipeline project considered stopped by opponents might come back.

TransCanada Corp. issued a statement last week that the company "remains fully committed" to building the Keystone pipeline rejected by Obama. The company indicated it would approach the Trump administration about the project.

For opponents of the projects it would be a double blow to see both completed. For many in North Dakota it would be seen as justice.
BARINGO, Kenya, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- As Kenya remains relentless in promoting empowerment of women, some are making steady steps toward achieving the goal.

For the 37 women of Koriema Stage Women Group from the Rift Valley county of Baringo, it is a socio-economic journey that takes effort, commitment and focus.

The women from Marigat area started on small scale buying and selling honey having been pushed by harsh economic conditions coupled with unfavorable weather poor for crop growth. The little profits they received became the capital for expansion.

"We decided to adopt a table banking strategy in which the profits became the funds loaned out to the members and dividends used to strengthen our activities," Susan Kipng'ok, a member told Xinhua on Thursday.

With the loans, the members are able to start off individual income generating activities and refund with the interest which goes into the revolving fund, she said.

However, every member of the group is required to have some shares to be able to benefit from the loaning program.

"We started with 1 U.S. dollar for each share but in just two weeks we had realized the collections were not enough to meet the needs of the members," she said.

"And so we doubled the amount to 2 dollars and members are allowed to have as many shares as they can manage," she added. The contribution has so far been raised to four dollars as members continue to improve their earnings.

Kipng'ok said the group has agreed to double the amount each year so as to increase amount available for loaning. The loans are refunded with a 20 percent interest.

The group has now advanced into large scale buying and selling of honey. They buy pure honey at 120 dollars per 17kg, process it into 20 liters and package it under the label of Koriema Women Stage Group. They sell a liter of the honey at 7 dollars).

"Our plan is becoming a cooperative. We are soon going to manage a revolving fund of more than a million and that means we can become a source of capital for not just the members but other women too," she said.

"Our progress has been tremendous and we are determined to succeed," she added. She said they are providing a ready market for other women selling honey since they buy in bulk.

The formation of the group was out of the frustrations they experienced while selling honey single handedly at Marigat stage of which they have managed to address through pool sourcing of customers, she said.

"We were tired of hawking honey to passengers. It's tiresome. You compete for the same customers and it's just stressful," said Kipng'ok.

The members have now managed to attract customers from cities of Nairobi and Mombasa and other small towns who buy their products in bulk.

She said forming the group was the best choice they ever made and wishes other women would follow their example.

However, Kipng'ok. wishes the government would assist women in business from the rural and semi-arid areas to access markets.

She said often they are disadvantaged as they are unable to reach profitable markets due to long distances and poor terrain resulting to high cost implications of marketing their products.

To this, Professor Tom Nyamache, an economist agrees noting that assisting women in selling their products is a key element to elevating them from poverty.

"Significantly, a product has to reach a market for it to draw any benefits to its owner. But it should not be any market but one which brings in profits to the seller and women struggle a lot to find that kind of market," he said.

For him, women need more than entrepreneurial skills since the result of building their capacity is a product that ought to be sold to generate an income.

"There need to be a deliberate commitment from not just the government but other stakeholders to ensure women have the capability to negotiate for a good price of their products regardless of where they are selling it from," he said.

The government is currently implementing various initiatives targeting women with the aim of improving their social and economic standards.

The Ministry of Devolution indicates that at least 65 percent of the zero interest loans given under the Uwezo Fund and Women Enterprise Fund and some of state initiated funding programs for women go into financing agribusiness.

However, finding profitable markets still remains a bitter reality for majority of women in very many parts of the country.

Overtime, farmers have been encouraged to form associations or cooperatives to overcome the marketing challenges but still issues of brokerage have continued to be integral part of discussions in many forums concerning farmers.

For many years, middlemen have been the convenient selling points for farmers due to lack of a better option. Unfortunately, they command the price to the disadvantage of the farmers. Enditem
DUBAI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Sunday his country supports global efforts to reach a solution to the Libyan crisis, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

Gargash made his comments during talks with UN special envoy to Libya Martin Kobler in Abu Dhabi.

He stressed the importance of supporting efforts to maintain security and stability in Libya through a "comprehensive solution" that involves all parties in the North African state.

The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in Libya and exchanged views on possible means to advance the political process.

The UAE was part of a Nato-led multi-national military intervention in 2011 which was formed to oust then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The campaign was halted in late October that year when Gaddafi was killed by anti-government, pro-Nato rebels. Since then, the oil-rich state has been gripped by internal turmoil.
DHAKA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China will support Bangladesh for BMRE (Balancing, Modernization, Rehabilitation and Expansion ) work of its jute mills and producing viscose, a type of rayon.

In this connection on Sunday, a Minutes of Discussion (MOD) was signed between the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and the Textile Industrial Corporation for Foreign Economic and Technical Cooperation of China, outlining areas for cooperation and investment in Bangladesh concerning establishing viscose factory and BMRE of jute mills under BJMC.

The MOD was signed following a high-level bilateral meeting between officials of the Bangladesh's Textiles and Jute Ministry and members of a visiting Chinese delegation.

The Chinese delegation is visiting Dhaka after a Bangladesh delegation led by the country's Jute and Textiles Ministry secretary visited China from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 and discussed issues relating to production of Viscose from jute and BMRE of jute mills.

Meanwhile, according to the officials, the bilateral meeting also identified areas of joint investment opportunities in Bangladesh and China.
GWADAR, Pakistan, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said here Sunday that the concept of "one corridor with multiple passages" under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been realized as the first bilateral joint trade convoy reached Gwadar port from China's Kashgar.

Addressing a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the co-organized trade convoy, Sun said this is the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. "It proves the connectivity of local roads, and realization of the concept of 'one corridor with multiple passages'," said the ambassador.

He added that the trade convoy is the best reflection of the spirits of mutual consultation, joint construction, mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, and the spirits will serve as the solid basis for the future construction of the CPEC.

Sun also commented that the CPEC has entered into full implementation with remarkable progress as 16 early harvest projects are under construction and tens of thousands of new jobs have been created for local people.

Meanwhile, with the loading of the last container onto the COSCO Wellington cargo vessel, Gwadar port also marked its first export of a large number of containers to overseas destinations, showing that the port has restored the designed handling capacity.

For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the CPEC is destined to transform the entire country and open up a world of possibilities for not just Pakistan but also Central Asian states and the rest of Asia.

He said that China-proposed Belt and Road initiative matches Pakistan's "Vision 2025" and the two projects will enhance connectivity among regional countries and provide opportunities for shared development.
KIGALI, Nov, 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has called on the international community to apprehend and extradite genocide fugitives roaming freely in their respective countries.

Richard Muhumuza, Rwanda Prosecutor General told reporters Sunday, that Rwanda Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit (GFTU) is pursuing more than 500 genocide suspects in hiding around the world.

"We thank countries that have cooperated with Rwanda and already extradited notorious genocide suspects to the country, but we are looking forward for more fugitives brought to Rwanda to face justice," he said. "We call upon the international community to investigate, arrest and extradite, all other fugitives accused of genocide residing on their territories."

Muhumuza's comments follow the extradition of two genocide suspects from Netherlands to Rwanda on Saturday evening.

The extradition follows a Dutch court's ruling to deport Jean-Claude Iyamuremye and Jean-Baptiste Mugimba, for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1994 genocide.

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) commended the Dutch government for supporting the cause for justice.

Most of the suspects residing in Europe are in Belgium and France. In Africa, most fugitives are said to be hiding in neighboring DR Congo and Uganda, according to GFTU.

"We are happy about the decision taken by Holland to seek for justice of genocide victims. We had been requesting for their extradition through normal channels, and finally it has happened. We call upon other countries to follow suit," said Jean-Damascene Bizimana, executive secretary of CNLG.

He hailed foreign countries for trusting the Rwandan justice system to be able to handle genocide cases fairly.

According to the Rwanda prosecution, the suspects extradited from Holland have been transferred to Kigali Central Prison where they will await trial before the specialized International Crimes Chamber of the High Court.

Both Mugimba and Iyamuremye will be tried for genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, murder as a crime against humanity and extermination as a crime against humanity committed in Kigali City.

Mugimba was born on October 24, 1959 in then Cyambara, Gaturo Sector, Mutura Commune, Gisenyi Prefecture, Western Rwanda.

During the 1994 Genocide, he lived in Nyakabanda Sector, Nyarugenge Commune in Kigali.

He was previously employed by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and was Secretary General of the Coalition for the Defence of the Republic ("CDR"), an extremist Hutu political party.

Iyamuremye was born on December 14, 1975, in the former Gatare cellule, Kicukiro sector, Kanombe commune of Kigali City.

He is suspected of having been the leader of the "Interahamwe" militia in Kicukiro sector and a member of the Mouvement Revolutionnaire National Pour Development (MRND).

Presently eleven people accused of committing genocide have been extradited from Uganda, DR Congo, Canada, U.S, Netherlands and ICTR to stand trial in Rwanda.

The top fugitives who have eluded justice for nearly two decades now include Felicien Kabuga, the alleged chief financier of the Genocide; Protais Mpiranya, the former commandant of the notorious Presidential Guards, and former defence minister Augustin Bizimana. Enditem
TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Direct foreign investments in Iran are expected to increase six-fold by next March, a local trade official said here on Sunday.

Annual foreign investments in Iran stood at about two billion U.S. dollars in the past two years, according to Feriyal Mostofi from Tehran Chamber of Commerce, private Tasnim news agency reported.

A series of international deals under negotiation, if finalized, will attract 12 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investments to the Islamic republic, Mostofi said.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Iran attracted 2.05 billion and 2.10 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investments in 2015 and 2014 respectively.

On Tuesday, the National Iranian Oil Company and a consortium involving France's Total, China National Petroleum Corporation and Iran's Petropars signed a major deal worth 4.8 billion U.S. dollars to develop the second phase of the country's South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf region.

A nuclear agreement, reached between the world powers and Iran in July 2015 and implemented in January, has led to the lifting of most if not all international sanctions against Iran's energy and financial sectors, thus raising its hopes to reengage in the global economy and attract foreign investments.
ISTANBUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- One week after the operation began to retake al-Raqqa from the so-called Islamic State (IS), Turkey still has misgivings about the U.S. handling of the fighting against the militant group both in Syria and Iraq, while a Turkish confrontation with the Syrian Kurds is not ruled out.

Ankara is concerned that Washington is trying to create a Kurdish entity along the Turkish border in northern Syria by using the IS as a tool.

The fact that Turkish officials have often brought up the issue of weapons supplied by the U.S. to the Kurdish YPG is proof enough about the confidence crisis, observed Hasan Unal, the head of the Department of International Relations at the Ankara-based Atilim University.

"Every joint operation the U.S. and the YPG will conduct will serve to increase the current confidence crisis," he said.

Many towns and villages originally captured by the IS in civil war-torn Syria and Iraq were later liberated by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Turkey or the People's Protection Units (YPG), seen by Ankara as PKK's Syrian offshoot.

The PKK has been waging a bloody war against Turkey to carve out an independent Kurdistan in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast for more than 30 years.

The Western world is using the YPG as an apparat while justifying its position through the IS, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Abdullah Agar, a security analyst who was a member of the special forces, as saying.

Despite Turkey's strong opposition to U.S. cooperation with the YPG, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched on Nov. 6 an operation to reclaim al-Raqqa.

The SDF is composed to a very large extent by members of the YPG.

The U.S. strategy is to put in place a Kurdish corridor, which it has failed to forge in northern Syria, from the south through the al-Raqqa operation, Naci Bestepe, a former major general of the Turkish Armed Forces, said on Ulusal TV channel.

According to Unal, the U.S. used the IS threat as a pretext to be able to legitimately provide weapons to the Kurdish peshmerga and the PKK in Iraq and the YPG in Syria.

General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid last Sunday an unexpected visit to Ankara and had a nearly five-hour meeting with his Turkish counterpart.

Dunford said following the meeting, to appease Ankara's opposition, that the YPG will simply isolate al-Raqqa and not move to seize it.

Dunford was quoted on the Pentagon website as saying, "the coalition and Turkey will work together on the long-term plan for seizing, holding and governing al-Raqqa."

Arab elements will be included in the al-Raqqa operation, the U.S. stated.

The Turkish government has revealed on several occasions, following Dunford's visit, its misgivings about the U.S. keeping its promise about the YPG, which Washington sees as its ground force in Syria.

While affirming that Turkey was assured by the U.S. that the YPG would only join efforts to lay siege to al-Raqqa, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that his country would take its own measures on the ground of Washington's failure to keep its earlier promise of keeping the YPG out of the town of Manbij in northern Syria.

Cavusoglu also said that Turkey is aware of the U.S. providing weapons to the YPG and that some of those weapons were seized in Turkey from the PKK.

Turkey seems to be enjoying the bone thrown by the U.S., Bestepe commented on television, arguing Washington could be trying to buy time.

In an earlier statement made a week ago, SDF spokesman Talal Sello said the forces were provided by the U.S. with new weapons, including anti-tank missiles, ahead of the al-Raqqa operation. He also said the SDF would attempt to take control of the city after first isolating it.

Turkey had proposed earlier to the U.S. to jointly conduct the al-Raqqa operation on condition that the YPG is kept out of the offensive.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus warned at the beginning of the past week that "the use of non-Arab forces to liberate al-Raqqa will not contribute to peace."

Al-Raqqa, which is the de-facto IS capital, is totally inhabited by Arabs.

Turkey would not like to see al-Raqqa to be governed by non-Arabs, said Kurtulmus.

Since Syria was plunged into chaos in 2011, the YPG has secured three autonomous cantons, two of which are connected, along the Turkish border.

Turkish calls to the U.S. that the YPG forces should not cross the Euphrates River to the west went unheeded and in early August, the Kurdish militia, backed by the U.S.-led coalition forces, captured the town of Manbij from the IS.

The town, which lies about 30 kilometers to the west of the Euphrates, is strategically important to unite the two Kurdish cantons on the eastern part of the river with the Afrin canton in northwestern Syria.

In response, Turkey launched in late August a so-called Euphrates Shield Operation to stop the YPG advance while at the same time to clear the area near its border of the IS militants.

Turkish tanks and some members of the Turkish special forces, backed by some rebel groups, entered Syria and are currently pushing to close in upon al-Bab, a town under IS control.

By capturing al-Bab, which lies to the west of Manbij, Turkey aims to block the YPG's way to Afrin which borders Turkey's Hatay province.

Turkey is concerned that the emergence of an independent Kurdish region near its border may whet the appetite of its own Kurds.

Turkey has long demanded that the YPG elements in Manbij leave the town, but its calls have fallen on deaf U.S. ears so far.

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu's remarks earlier in the week reveal Turkey's growing distrust of the U.S. as an ally.

Noting the U.S. had promised that the YPG would withdraw to the east of the Euphrates, he said, "we know around 200 YPG members have still not left Manbij, and we are saying to our U.S. counterparts 'Keep your promise ... You are losing your credibility in this way. Either you cannot make 200 YPG members toe the line or you do not want them to leave.'"

Faruk Logoglu, a retired diplomat who held top posts in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, is of the opinion that the YPG issue between Turkey and the U.S. is for now suspended following U.S. acceptance of the use of Arab rebel groups in the seizure of al-Raqqa.

As to the Manbij issue, Logoglu believes that it will become clear after the operations in Mosul and Raqqa come to an end.

Turkey is concerned that the advanced weapons systems, like the anti-tank missiles provided to the YPG, could also be used against the Turkish forces in case of a confrontation.

A confrontation on a larger scale is not out of the question, considering Turkey has already fired on some YPG elements in its Euphrates Shield Operation.

"The possibility of a clash on the Syrian soil between the Turkish forces and the YPG is present at all times," remarked Unal from Atilim University.

According to Unal, should the YPG capture al-Raqqa and attempt to carry out an ethnic cleansing against Arabs in a bid to place the area under Kurdish control, that may well set the stage for a clash.

If Turkey considers eliminating the YPG forces in the Afrin canton, against which Turkey has so far taken no action, that would also mean a clash.

Some analysts argue that Turkey should not only capture al-Bab, but also drive the YPG from Afrin and Manbij.

"The Euphrates Shield should advance towards Afrin," commented Rafet Aslantas, the director of the Ankara-based think tank Anka Institute.

According to Aslantas, who was an officer with the Turkish Armed Forces, Turkey should focus on the operation in Syria where its military is already on the ground rather than on the ongoing battle for Mosul in Iraq.

Turkey's demand for being part of the Mosul campaign against the IS was rejected by the Iraqi government.

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said last weekend that Turkey would not tolerate any developments in al-Raqqa and Mosul that pose a threat to Turkey's security.

Isik's remarks came after Turkey deployed a large number of tanks and soldiers on the Iraqi border as the Iraqi army is fighting to drive the IS from Mosul.

Turkey already declared as its redlines the PKK's getting a base in Iraq's Sinjar and any attempt of ethnic cleansing or violence against Sunni Arabs and Turkmens in Mosul and Tal Afar.

Tal Afar, a town to the west of Mosul in northern Iraq, is currently under IS control.

Borders could change in the region following the ongoing civil wars in Iraq and Syria, as many argue it will be difficult for the two countries to remain united as a single entity when the wars are over.

"If the Kurds seek independence, the region would get into a long and bloody period of clashes," said Lologlu, noting a lot of time is needed for the borders in this geography to get a definitive shape.

He feels that the region would feel relieved if a federal system protecting the country's territorial integrity is also put in place in Syria as in Iraq.

The Kurds in Iraq, who have currently their autonomous region in the northern part of the country, have long made it clear they aspire for independence.

Most recently, Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said Kurds would talk about their independence with the Iraqi government following the liberation of Mosul.

The Kurdish peshmerga forces are joining the Iraqi army's Mosul operation.

The fate of Iraq also depends on the Iraqi Sunnis, on how they will react to the Kurdish demand for independence, and on whether they will also push for independence or agree to settle for autonomy in a Shiite-dominated Iraq.

Shiites make up over 60 percent of the population in Iraq. The country is deeply divided along ethnic and sectarian lines after the U.S. occupation in 2003.

Syria may break up into three parts if the Syrian government, supported by Russia and Iran, fails to regain control of the land currently controlled by the Kurds and the IS.

It is widely argued in Turkey that the U.S. plans to divide Syria into three parts: a Kurdish region along Turkey's border, a Sunni region covering the central and eastern parts of the country and a Nusayri region in western Syria currently controlled by the Syrian government.

"In the U.S. strategy, there is no Syrian nation-state. To be more precise, a divided Syria is (planned)," Ismail Hakki Pekin, a former three-star general who headed the intelligence unit of the Turkish General Staff, observed in his column published in the Aydinlik daily on Wednesday.

In September, dozens of Syrian soldiers positioned to fight the IS near the Deir al-Zor airport in eastern Syria were killed in a U.S. airstrike.

The U.S. said the planes wrongly targeted Syrian soldiers, having taken them for IS members. The Syrian government, however, argued that the air raid was conclusive evidence of U.S. support for the IS.

"In this region, all 'success' is gray, because every 'success' leaves lingering residue behind," remarked Logoglu.
DUBAI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al- Maktoum, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, met here on Sunday with Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The meeting came after a two-day WEF annual meeting of Global Future Councils started in Dubai earlier in the day.

During the meeting, they reviewed the latest global developments, technology advances and the efforts of governments to keep pace with the "fourth industrial revolution."

According to Schwab, the world governments seek to create a positive social impact through sustainable solutions to challenges facing cities.

In May, the world's first functional 3D printed building, an office complex, was inaugurated in the heart of Dubai.
This file photo taken on November 9, 2016 shows President-elect Donald Trump speaking during election night at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York. (AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview to air Sunday evening that he will deport millions of "criminal" undocumented immigrants immediately after he assumes office in January next year.

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told the CBS' "60 Minutes" program.

"But we' re getting them out of our country, they' re here illegally." he said.

He said his administration will begin to make a "determination" about what to do with the remaining undocumented immigrants in the U.S. once the border is "secure".

However, during his campaign to White House, Trump promised he will create a "deportation force" to rid the U.S. of its more than 11 undocumented immigrants, he has seemed to back down on that vow, commented a The Hill news daily report.

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said Sunday that a plan to forcibly remove undocumented immigrants from the country is unlikely.

"We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trump is not planning on that," Ryan said on CNN's "State of the Union."
SOFIA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rumen Radev, a candidate backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party, won the presidential runoff in Bulgaria, two exit polls showed on Sunday evening.

According to Alpha Research agency, Radev is expected to have 58.1 percent of the votes against 35.3 percent for the GERB party candidate Tsetska Tsacheva, and 6.6 percent preferred the option "none of the above."

Gallup International anticipated 58.5 percent for Radev, 35.7 percent for Tsacheva, and 5.8 percent "none of the above."

The official results are expected to be announced on Wednesday and the new president will take office in January.

As many as 21 candidates participated in the presidential elections. Incumbent President Rosen Plevneliev, who won the last presidential elections in Bulgaria in October 2011 as a candidate of the GERB party, has decided not to run for a second five-year term "for personal reasons."

The 53-year-old Radev has been a professional jet fighter pilot since 1987 when he graduated from the country's air force university. He has also graduated from the Military Academy in Bulgaria and an Air War College in the United States, and holds a PhD in military science, flight training and air combat simulations.

Throughout his career, Radev has held various positions from junior pilot to the commander of the Bulgarian air force, the last one from June 2014 to August 2016 when he retired from the army.

Radev demonstrated his skills as pilot in October 2014 when, during a flying show at Sofia Airport, he performed with MiG-29 breathtaking aerobatic elements such as "Cobra" and "Bell."
Over the last few months the American public has been engaged with the ongoing discussion regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline. Because of a regulatory role the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has regarding a section of that private sector project, and due to the ongoing demonstration by tribal members in North Dakota against the project, the corps has an opportunity to participate in this national discussion regarding energy and the environment.

One of the many missions the corps performs on behalf of Congress and the American people is to support economic development nationwide, while taking steps to avoid and mitigate potential risks to the environment and the water resources we are charged to protect.

In the case of DAPL, the corps exercises jurisdiction on about 3 percent of the project  37 miles of a 1,168-mile pipeline.

Our jurisdiction arises in three areas:

 Where the pipeline crosses a navigable water, as defined in the applicable federal law.

 Where the pipeline crosses any of our flowage easements (property we manage for flood control purposes).

 Where the pipeline crosses any of our federal projects, including any corps-managed federal lands at those projects. In our region, this includes the Oahe Dam/Lake Oahe flood control and navigation project on the Missouri River in North Dakota and South Dakota, which is the subject of recent protest activity and media attention.

Our decisions in these areas must meet the standards of all federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, the National Historic Preservation Act. In carrying out each authority, we must do so in a manner that fulfills our trust relationship to federally recognized tribes.

Over the past two years, we have:

 Verified that the water crossing associated with the pipeline were authorized under the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act.

 Analyzed the effects of this action at Lake Oahe and corps-held flowage easements around Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota in a 1,261-page Environmental Assessment.

 Gathered input through hundreds of engagements with tribal leaders and staff to inform our decision-making process.

The easement necessary for the pipeline crossing under Lake Oahe requires headquarters Department of the Army approval and notification to Congress. This decision-making process is not yet complete. Dakota Access will not be able to complete the Lake Oahe pipeline crossing until it has the easement to cross the corps-managed federal lands. Given the importance of this decision to the tribes, to industry and many other interested parties, our current role at the corps, division and district is to address any questions from our senior leaders so that the best possible decisions can be made.

While those decisions are being considered, our main focus must be on safety. We are working with all of our partners within the region to ensure the exercise of free speech is peaceful and that residents, construction crews, peaceful protesters and law enforcement officials have a safe environment in which to live and work.

You can find detailed background information on the Lake Oahe crossing by reading the DAPL Environmental Assessment for Williams, Morton, and Emmons counties in North Dakota. In this EA, you will find all of the mitigation measures that are required of the company to address possible impacts at both the Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe crossings. You also can review the public process and review we conducted prior to publishing this analysis.

I encourage you to review the DAPL EA at http://cdm16021.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16021coll7/id/2801.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
MOGADISHU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in Somalia has called on Somalia's two warring regional states to stick to a ceasefire agreement to help end fighting which has claimed 45 lives in the past six weeks.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, Michael Keating said personal commitment of Presidents Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas" of Puntland and Abdikarim Hussein Guled of Galmudug is encouraging, but must be accompanied by full realization of the agreements

"Violations of the agreement are unacceptable, and indeed those responsible will be held accountable," Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu on Sunday.

The statement comes after Somali leaders led by Prime Minister Sharmarke and international partners attended crisis talks on a ceasefire in Galkayo on Saturday where they agreed a way forward to resolve the conflict.

During the meeting, the two regional presidents re-committed to a ceasefire in the disputed city under the leadership of Sharmarke,

Keating said the meeting was very significant, noting that the United Nations and international partners will support an agreement and practical arrangements to stop the fighting immediately, ensure sustained dialogue and help local communities as well as Puntland and Galmudug to resolve their differences, and further its swift implementation.

"Extremists and other rejectionists have an interest in undermining peace. This must not be allowed to happen," said Keating who was accompanied by the United Nations, the European Union, African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) officials.

Fighting in and around Galkayo has resulted in at least 45 deaths in the last six weeks with an estimated 90,000 people having been displaced by fighting.

The agreement signed on December 2, 2015 which included a ceasefire and measures to deescalate the conflict was not implemented.

The renewed commitment made in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 1 to a ceasefire, to support the return of displaced people and establish a committee to find a solution to the conflict has not been honored.

The statement said the reason for Saturday's meeting was to reaffirm the regional leaders' commitment to a ceasefire, discuss immediate arrangements as to how it can be implemented including the immediate establishment of a ceasefire monitoring committee, and agree on a process for resolving the issues that are propelling the conflict.

Participants agreed to meet soon in Kismayo to review progress on the ceasefire and make practical arrangements for moving forward on a lasting solution to the conflict.

All parties recognize the critical role that traditional elders, business leaders and civil society representatives must play in Galkayo, and the need to support their role to address problems and achieve peace. Enditem
ZAGREB, Nov.13 (Xinhua) -- The situation in the Tovarnik, close to Croatian border with Serbia, were stable and no any problems regarding migrants, Croatian Interior Minister Vlaho Orepic said on Sunday after visiting the area.

There were reports that a group of migrants arrived from Belgrade at Serbian bordering town of Sid and tried to cross the border into Croatia.

Orepic said the Croatian police would fully protect the border from the illegal entry of people and goods.

The migrants would be received in reception centre in Sid, he said, adding if they tried to cross the border into Croatia, they would be prevented by the police.

Croatian police had not closed the border crossing at Tovarnik, local media reported.

On Friday, some 150 migrants started to walk about 125 km from Belgrade to the Croatian border, carrying banners reading "Please, open the border", "Stop the war", and "No more war," reports said.

They said they wanted to continue their journey to Italy and France, it added. Enditem
MOGADISHU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Somalia National Army (SNA) backed by AU forces recaptured El-Garas village in Bakool region of southwest Somalia on Sunday without resistance from the militant group of Al-Shabaab, officials said.

Information Minister for Southwest State in Somalia, Ugas Hassan told Xinhua by phone that the operations were still underway to liberate more areas still under Al-Shabaab control including Tiyeglow town where Ethiopian troops quit in October.

"Forces from Southwest State and SNA jointly carried out operation against the militants in the region and recaptured El-Garas, a key location and they are going to liberate Tiyeglow town, about 90 kilometers to Hudur town. There was no resistance from the militants, but they fled, our forces are making some developments at the moment," Hassan said.

He added that the Southwest State could not tolerate the brutal actions committed by Al-Shabaab militants against residents. "We are committed to liberate and restore peace and stability in the region," he said.

The latest military development came after Al-Shabaab militants beheaded five civilians outside Tiyeglow town on Oct. 31 after Ethiopian troops withdrew from there. Somali official vowed to liberate it. Enditem
LIMA, Nov.13 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru may well approve the strategic study, which is part of the Beijing Roadmap to the Free-Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), said Raul Salazar, a senior Peruvian official, in an interview with Xinhua.

"We have the obligation to continue our central topic, which is the approval of the collective strategic study, which was required by the roadmap established in Beijing in 2014. It is hope this year the leaders will approve the study as a step toward beginning negotiations for FTAAP," he expressed.

According to Salazar, senior official of Peru to APEC, "this strategic study justifies the start of negotiations."

Said document contains a mixture of initiatives destined to strengthen trade, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, permit SMEs to enter value chains, and improve connectivity, among other areas.

"China has contributed largely to pushing the idea of a free-trade area. This step taken in Beijing...has forced all the members to face the reality that this is necessary for a number of reasons. Peru holds the position that we need an Asia-Pacific free-trade area. It would allow for APEC's work to be deepened and would see free-trade agreements proliferate," said Salazar.

In this context, Salazar pointed out that APEC seeks for its members to voluntarily and unilaterally open up to free trade. He referred to examples such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECP), both of which are references for the FTAAP strategic study.

For the diplomat, APEC has already made great progress by reducing tariffs to a current average of 5.2 percent, down from over 20 percent. Work is also continuing to reduce this further for food exports.

Concerning the presence of President Xi Jinping, he said that "it is a privilege that he is not only participating in the APEC meeting but is also coming for a state visit. This is a very significant choice for Peru, as it shows an emerging economy, so far away, is identified as a trusted partner."

"I think that China, for a while now, has made many efforts to build a strong, consistent and structured relationship with Latin America. It began with investments, first largely to do with trade. Then, came investments in natural resources and extractive industries, which are important for trade and the Chinese economy. There is complementarity as Peru is very rich in minerals and natural resources. We feel privileged for this attention," he added.

Concerning integration within the region, Salazar responded that "we are aware that physical integration has been slow across the Andes and the jungle. But we have already taken important steps towards physical integration with Brazil and the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America (IIRSA). We are doing our part."

He also pointed to the electrical interconnection Peru has with Ecuador and its plans to supply energy to Chile as other examples.

However, he admitted that China's investments would help in this regard. "I think the stimulus the Chinese government is carrying out is helping, such as the Trans-Oceanic Railway. There is a debate going on about the high costs, the benefits it would bring to Peru, and the route along which it will be built. There is also a very important decision to be taken as to how much Peru will have to invest. But the planning is being done correctly."

To conclude, Salazar said this physical integration would catch up with other integration policies within the Asia-Pacific region. For example, through the APEC Engineering agreement, 14 of the 21 APEC members now allow engineering students to have their studies officially recognized by all other members.

This is just one of the examples of economic and technical cooperation Salazar hopes to see take center stage at the APEC meeting in Peru.
LIMA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Peru and China are in the right time to further promote their economic ties to higher level, said Peruvian economist to Xinhua ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the South American country.

"The most important task is now to consolidate the advances in economic relations made since Peru and China began their free-trade agreement (FTA) in 2010," Peruvian economist, Fernando Gonzalez, told Xinhua.

In terms of China's vision of Peru, the director of the APEC Studies Center, explained that "China has a very clear strategy based on continued results, boosting its own production chain for industry and services, and seeing ever more sophisticated technological development."

"China is a country of high efficiency. These capacities are not limited to production but extend to how to make pragmatic public policies," added Gonzalez.

He said that, after the visit of Peru's Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to China in September and the upcoming visit by President Xi Jinping to Lima in November, the two countries "must resolve any problems that remain and focus on the fundamentals."

According to Gonzalez, both sides need to improve cooperation in mining areas and allow China's ICBC bank to open up more financial services in the country.

Moving on to the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), Gonzalez said this was an initiative to minimize divisions within the region and help to create one large free-trade zone.

"This is a project that unites China and the U.S., and it drives to work together while managing their rivalries in the most civilized possible. This is the central topic for the future of the Asia-Pacific, for peace and prosperity in the region," he continued.

It would essentially unite the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), between ASEAN, and six other Pacific economies, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The academic concluded that "it is an honor for Peru to host the one more step of the Beijing Roadmap being taken this year."
ALGIERS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Algeria and Saudi Arabia are optimistic that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) summit in Vienna later this month will reach a fair and balanced agreement to stabilize the oil market, according to a statement from the Algerian Energy Ministry on Sunday.

The statement said that Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa held talks with his Saudi counterpart Khalid al-Falih on Sunday to discuss the forthcoming OPEC meeting in Vienna.

In an OPEC meeting in Algiers in late September, the cartel reached a deal to cut the overall oil output to a range between 32.5 and 33 million barrels per day in a bid to push prices higher.

"The Algiers Agreement is being implemented ahead of the forthcoming OPEC meeting of Nov. 30 in Vienna," said Boutarfa in the statement. "I'm very optimistic that we will reach a unanimous decision in Vienna through which Algiers Agreement would be implemented."

Saudi Energy Minister Al-Falih also spoke highly of the Algiers Agreement, saying he is "optimistic that reason would prevail."

In the last few months, Algeria led considerable diplomatic efforts to persuade OPEC and non-OPEC producers to gather in Algiers to address the slumping oil market.

Algeria says that the oil price of 50 or 60 U.S. dollars per barrel favors both consumers and producers, as it would help producers maintain investments and explore new fields to assure the long-term availability of the key energy product.
In two confrontations involving pepper spray and tear gas, Dakota Access Pipeline protesters faced police at a creek separating the main Oceti Sakowin protest camp from a nearby hill. They said the hill contained burial sites and police were disturbing them by patrolling on the location.

At least three people, including two important Sioux women, were once interred on this hill, known as Turtle Island. It is located on land that was originally part of Cannonball Ranch and now is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Their remains were moved by the corps during the construction of Lake Oahe more than 50 years ago, cemetery records from Sioux and Morton counties show.

Tribal historians say a number of small children are still buried there and were never moved, but this could not be confirmed with a review of historical and cemetery records.

Even if the site is void of bodies, a tribal archaeologist said it remains significant to the Sioux and should not be trampled.

Different cultures have different beliefs on graveyards, said Kelly Morgan, Standing Rock Sioux tribal archaeologist. Thats hallowed ground. Period.

A bridge between people

The cemetery flashes a bright reminder on the role Cannonball Ranch played in the history of Europeans and Native Americans in the Dakotas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Owned by Henry and Alma Parkin, a white man married to a Sioux woman, the ranch bridged Morton County and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. A 1913 obituary for Alma Parkin in the Bismarck Tribune called her a connecting link between the conflicting emotions and desires of the white settlers on the one side and the remnants of the proud Sioux nation on the other. The large ranch was a frequent stopping place for officials on their way to the reservation.

Alma Parkin was the daughter of Matilda Parkin, called by the Tribune the most noted Indian woman of all the western Indian nations, next to Sakakawea. The daughter of a famous chief, she was known for her business savvy and her grace in facilitating treaty negotiations. Louise Van Solen, Alma Parkins sister and one of the first schoolteachers on Standing Rock, later inherited the ranch along with niece Lucille Van Solen.

All of the adults known to have been buried at Turtle Island are now interred at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Fort Yates, having been removed prior to 1962 when the Missouri River was dammed, cemetery records show.

Differing accounts

There is still disagreement over who was buried atop the hill, whether all graves were moved, and how much significance the site continues to hold.

The North Dakota State Historical Society maintains cemetery records compiled in walk-throughs of county graveyards and death records gleaned from newspaper notices.

Conflicting reports of whether these graves had actually been relocated or not led to a tenacious research effort, which definitely established that the Parkins were moved to a well-maintained cemetery in Fort Yates, according to a 1978 survey of Morton County cemeteries and burial sites.

Cemetery records reference the bodies of Henry and Alma Parkin and Louise and Lucille Van Solen being buried on the ranch and then moved by the corps.

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Standing Rock tribal historian and Sacred Stone Camp founder, confirmed some of that information in an interview last Monday, but she also included Matilda Galpin among those who had been buried on the hill.

In contrast, a scholarly article, citing Matilda Galpins grandson, said the esteemed woman was never buried there.

When she passed away at the Cannonball Ranch, Mother and I went to the funeral. We took the body down to her old house on Porcupine Creek, a few miles north of Fort Yates. We drove our teams down there while the snow was falling fast, and I will never forget that cold ride in the dead of winter. Her body, with that of her husband, Major Galpin, was later moved to the cemetery at Fort Yates, wrote Galpins grandson, Dick Harmon, as quoted by Northwestern University professor John Gray.

Brave Bull Allard, who lives on a ranch nearby, also said there are still 11 infants and a child buried there, explaining that Alma Parkin and two of her sisters had trouble having children, and their babies were buried atop the hill. She said she knows this through contact with Galpin's descendants.

The scholarly article about the family indicates Louise Van Solen lost one child young, but it does not specify a gravesite.

A review of two sets of Morton County cemetery records from the hilltop plot did not name any babies. One cemetery book included an unidentified child  possibly a reference to Louise Van Solens child  whose body was listed as also having been moved to Fort Yates. A review of death records did not indicate any dead infant children of Alma and Henry Parkin, though similar records also could be found for other families.

Brave Bull Allard did not respond to text or phone messages for further clarification after the initial interview.

Jon Eagle Sr., Standing Rock's historic preservation officer, also said he thinks there are children still buried atop the hill. He noted that the area is historic and may contain more than inspectors first realize, citing the recent discovery of cairns along the pipeline route that were not speedily reported to the Public Service Commission.

"The whole area, youve got to look at it as an archaeological district, from ancient graves to historical graves," he said.

A call to action

On Nov. 2, protesters confronted law enforcement in the creek below Turtle Hill. After knocking down a bridge built by the protesters, police in riot gear used chemicals and rubber bullets to repel the protesters, who were staged in frigid water, back to the opposite shore.

Lisa Brunner, a protester from Minnesota who was interviewed during the demonstration, said she helped build a bridge across the water so people could pray on the burial grounds she believed were on the bluff above.

All we were trying to do is build a bridge across so we can go pray, she said.

In a statement released the next day, Brave Bull Allard admonished police for being on the hill, which she suggested continues to be a burial site to adults and children.

They parked their armored cars on the graves of Matilda (Galpin), Eagle That Looks At Woman, and her daughters Louisa DeGrey Van Solen and Alma (Parkin) who once owned the Cannonball Ranch. Next to her is her husband (Henry Parkin), and 11 babies," she wrote.

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a statement Saturday that law enforcement has become aware the site is a burial ground and will try to be respectful of the area.

"Morton County law enforcement became aware that the area of Turtle Hill was a possible burial site after the protest event on Nov. 6. We were notified by the USA Corps of Engineers on Nov. 8 and asked that the area be treated respectfully. Once we were made aware of this area, we have complied," Kirchmeier said.

Morton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Rob Keller clarified that law enforcement would still use the hilltop in "emergency situations."

"The (corps) reiterated that the safety of the law enforcement officers and the general public should be considered to be our paramount concern. Response to emergency situations with a vehicle in this area can occur according to (the corps)," Keller wrote in an email.

Sacred ground

Morgan, the tribal archaeologist, said she is familiar with the history of the graves atop the hill because of Brave Bull Allard. The only way to tell for sure whether bodies are still buried there would be to use ground-penetrating radar, she said.

"Are there any graves still located there? I can't say that. LaDonna makes that claim. I have no reason to question her research. In order to prove it scientifically  American culture usually requires some kind of scientific evidence  would be best done with GPR testing," she said.

We as Lakota people do not need scientific, definitive data, Morgan added. Even if there were no remains there at all, it is our traditional belief systems, our cultural belief systems that tell us that even when remains are removed from gravesites, there is still an essence imbued in that site, because that was their original resting place.

A familys promise

John Sullivan III, whose family owned Cannonball Ranch from 1930 to 1995, said he believes there are no longer any graves atop the hill and does not see the continued significance.

His grandfather obtained the ranch from Lucille Van Solen in return for legal fees owed, and he said the graves were moved during his family's ownership.

"I dont have any idea why theyre making such a fuss about it. Theres absolutely nothing up there," said Sullivan, who lives in Bismarck.

He said his family was reluctantly involved in the removal of the bodies from the hill. In the early 1960s, the corps insisted on taking the land and moving the graves because of potential flooding and erosion. But his grandmother wanted to preserve the site because of her commitment to the former Sioux proprietors.

"She made a promise that she would do everything she could to make sure those graves would stay where they are under the ownership of us," Sullivan said. "That hill was so high, everybody knew the Oahe would never go so high."

Sullivan still owns the fence that once enclosed the small cemetery, because his grandmother fought to get it back from the corps, he said.

A corps spokeswoman said the contested area is rich in cultural and tribal resources.

Much of the area surrounding the historic Cannonball Ranch has been utilized by local tribal and non-tribal individuals for a variety of purposes for many years," spokeswoman Eileen Williamson wrote in a statement.

She declined to provide more information on studies the corps had done of the site and the removal of the graves "out of respect for tribal customs and protection of the resources in this area."
Divine Echoes is back as... DE Big Band

While Government has not yet stepped in the band has been revived and is moving forward.

Sunday Newsday chatted with former band manager and current interim band manager Tamba Gwindi about the bands future.

The band is back in performance mode, he explained.

He reported the band had formed an interim executive among the members and has been re-branded from Divine Echoes to DE Big Band. He also reported they have been assisted by Metal Industries Company Institute of Technology with a space to rehearse in Macoya and they have been rehearsing two days per week.

The idea is to get back into the scheme of things and perform as a band. Do concerts throughout the year. Do as much stuff as we can, he explained.

Gwindi said the greater idea is to form an institution that teaches music and for the band to also be involved in the business of recording and dissemination of knowledge.

A big kind of goal, he acknowledged.

The band was first formed in 2007 by Patrick Manning in an attempt to revive the big band era. In 2012, under the Peoples Partnership administration, the Divine Echoes contract ended and was not renewed. Since then, Gwindi recalled the musicians who comprised the band worked in other capacities.

The band fully got back together in July to perform at the funeral for Manning. The band also performed at a memorial function for Manning at the Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando though in a smaller configuration than they had at the funeral.

Gwindi explained that for the funeral former Divine Echoes members who had moved on to the Fire Services band were organised to rejoin them. He said, however, they are currently a 20-piece unit and not a 30-piece band as before.

What happening now is a consolidation of the efforts of the members to bring back the big band concept, he explained.

Since their return DE Big Band had their premiere performance on November 10 as part of the Prime Ministers Best Village Trophy Competition. Gwindi said it has been great to have the members playing together.

People have gained a lot more experience as performers and are sounding pretty good, he said.

And what about Brian Mannings appeal to the Cabinet to revive the band? Gwindi reported they have not had any contact at all from the Government and the band has not reached out to them.

Back in July following the funeral for Manning, Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi told reporters that Brian Mannings request to revive Divine Echoes and to establish a regional housing fund for low income housing called the Patrick Manning Housing Development Fund, would be considered by Cabinet.

Last week, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly informed Sunday Newsday via text that there has been no discussion on the topic (of Divine Echoes) thus far.

Gwindi said the door is not closed to working with the Government but they have been focused on pulling the band together and being a functioning unit again. Asked if he was hopeful of Government assistance, Gwindi responded they are fully aware that the status the band held in terms of how it was maintained would not materialise in the future.

He explained that then it was under the Office of the Prime Minister and they had the issue of the upkeep with monthly salaries.

At this moment we are not expecting something like that with the economy as it is, he added.

He explained Divine Echoes initial mission statement spoke of community work and producing musical and educational products. He further explained they were supposed to have become sustainable and eventually weaned off the support from the Office of the Prime Minister. He said these sustainable initiatives are a major part of what they are now working towards.

Gwindi recalled that previously they were not able to reach out to a whole lot of young people though they did a little bit and visited some schools and had them visit the band room.

But the potential and scope we had...was not achieved. With the contract not renewed we were not allowed the opportunity to take it where it could have gone, he explained.

Asked whether DE Big Band will be seeking to implement the original mission statement, Gwindi responded aspects of it.

He said to fulfill the expanse of responsibilities would have been limited under the Office of the Prime Minister and they were not aware how to run a band of that size.

It was not designed to have a band functioning under it, he added.

He said former Prime Minister Manning was going out on a limb and while under the Office of the Prime Minister they had their ups and downs.

He said currently the band is in discussion on issues which they could raise with Government regarding projects they want to do and would require assistance.

Gwindi pointed out that DE Big Band was in an exciting time.

Trinidad tends not to really recognise what it has. There are young people dedicated to music like this, he stressed.

DE Big Band will be performing at MovieTowne on December 3 at 8.30 pm.
FORGIVE PRISONERS

This was the appeal of Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris at yesterdays Pilgrimage Through the Mercy Door for prisoners at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port-of- Spain.

You must not be left by the way. You are part of us... when you leave the prison, you go out into the world, not to take revenge (for the lack of their freedom) but you go out there to use the gifts and talents that you have to help us and to help build a better TT, Harris told the prisoners.

Anglican Bishop Claude Berkeley joined Archbishop Harris in welcoming 124 inmates from Carrera Convict Prison, Golden Grove Prison, Maximum Security Prison, Port of Spain Prison, Remand Prison, Womens Prison, Youth Training Centre (YTC), and the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre to the mass, at which they walked through the cathedrals Mercy Door. The event is part of the global Roman Catholic Churchs Year of Mercy.

Harris said citizens needed to recognise that, although they did things that they should not have done, many of those who leave prison were reformed and were willing to make a tremendous contribution to the development of society. He then pledged that he and other religious leaders would help in any way they could. No matter what we may have done in life, no matter the difficulties, the obstacles, the disabilities, we can become whatever we want to become with Gods grace... Take this opportunity, become the people Almighty God wants you to become and one day all of us would be able to say, Thank Almighty God for His tremendous mercies toward us, he said.

Archbishop Harris had previously made an appeal for prisoners to be pardoned by the State in a national act of mercy, but while supported by sectors of the Judiciary there has been no action on his call.

Monsignor Christian Pereira assured the inmates that incarceration was not be the end of their lives but an opportunity to demonstrate grace and honour, and to care for those who share the same facility. No matter what your circumstances are, you have the capacity to care and do good to others, he said.

Prisoners: God transforms us Prisoner Alladin Mohammed, of Carrera, stated his belief that no true transformation was complete without a close connection with God. While it is true that we are shaped by experience, we are also shaped by the influence of religion, politics, and other value systems. The importance of church in the life of an inmate can not be emphasised enough, he said.

Mohammed noted that the TT Prisons Service had moved away from retributive to restorative justice, and that through practice and contemplation they grasped a form of goodness, which enabled them to be good.

However, he said the reformation of inmates was the social responsibility of the people of TT, and that they needed to stop shirking their duty so as to achieve a safer country.

Speaking to members of the media after the service, Womens Prison inmate, Leandra Clarke, stated the pilgrimage was overwhelming and she appreciated that it placed the prisons and its inmates in a positive light.

Most people, when they think of the prisons and the inmates they think of only the negative but there are lots of positives that comes out of the prisons. Not only in the form of talents like drawing and whatnot. We have people doing subjects there. We have positive role models - inmates as well as officers, she said.

Clarke also advocated for restorative conferencing saying she would like to see it done more often in the justice system. She explained that offenders and the victims, or family of the victims, would meet and communicate on the matter without malice or violence. We in turn now get the opportunity to say that we are sorry for what we have done.

It smoothens out a lot of things.

A lot of times it doesnt even have to reach to the court because of the restorative conferencing, she said.

Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Stewart agreed there were persons in prisons who, because of the programmes and their decision to follow God, were no longer a risk to citizens of TT.

He said prison was a place to touch lives, to make changes, give prisoners opportunities to prove themselves, and to try to develop a character of goodness. He expressed the faith that what the Prison Service was doing worked so that when inmates were released, they would be good, law-abiding citizens.

Part of that process, he said, was the church.

Stewart said the Prisons Service had a symbiotic relationship with the church as they were in the same business of touching lives, saving lives, and transformation.

With preparation for reintegration you have to talk about the renewing of the mind because the mind and the heart determine your action, words, and behaviour. As such this symbiotic relationship, and whats happening here, the symbolic going through the door of mercy...

when we go through that door, we close the door on darkness and sin, unrighteousness and foolishness and anger, anything thats negative. We go through that door, never to return, he said.

He hoped that one day people would see the change in the inmates, and to do so he said the Prisons Service would continue to organise more masses, more community service projects, charitable works, and displays to highlight the skills of the inmates.
SRP held for robbing Chinese businessman

In a press statement released by the TTPS yesterday Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams confirmed a Chinese national reported to the St Margarets Police Station that around 12.05 am on Friday, three police officers in a marked police vehicle arrived at his home in Claxton Bay to conduct a search for arms and drugs and took away $400,000 in cash from his premises.

According to reports, three armed men arrived at the home of Wei Hui Zhu, 31, of Soledad Road, Claxton Bay in a marked police vehicle, wearing police tactical gear.

Three more officers arrived in a black Sport Utility Vehicle stating they had instructions to search his home. The men found and took $400,000 as well as two iPhones.

Police were yesterday reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

Police sources revealed one of the vehicles was traced as being the property of the TTPS. They also said the SRP initially refused to cooperate with investigators but began to do so yesterday. They added that others suspects were being questioned and more arrests were imminent. The TTPS press release added, This matter is actively engaging the attention of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Commissioner (of Police, Stephen) Williams gives the assurance to members of the public that they will be further updated on the progress and outcome of the investigation. The investigation is being led by Supt Gassar of the Southern Division.
Tough times for Trump

Trumps elevation to the position of President, following last Tuesdays US general election, have triggered ongoing protests in various cities of the US as fears that the highly-controversial positions he proffered during his campaign in relation to a range of issues, including illegal immigrants, Obamacare, foreign policy, race relations and the LGBT community, would be actualised during the next four years.

The Guardian International reported yesterday that more than 10,000 protesters had signed up for a noontime march from New Yorks Union Square to Trump Tower, the billionaire businessmans home and business headquarters. Similar demonstrations also were being planned for other cities.

Trump, who met with outgoing President Barack Obama at the White House, in Washington DC, on Thursday, has reportedly attributed the protests to the work of professional protesters incited by the media. The President-elect labelled the action as very unfair. In addition, CNN also reported yesterday that crisis and suicide hotlines in the US have been inundated with calls from seriously distressed persons in the wake of Trumps win in the general election.

For Anslem Francis. former senior lecturer in the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, the protests are to be expected based on the anxieties and uncertainty Trump created on the campaign trail.

However, he said yesterday in a Sunday Newsday interview that one should not only expect a fallout to the protest action.

I think some good can come out of the marches in the sense that they are sending a message, We are not going to allow you (Trump) to carry out your very extreme racist policy and if you are contemplating that, that should give you some cause for thought. On the flip side, Francis said Trump was very headstrong guy, who may not be affected by such action. But, if it does, then one would be seeing more of what we have seen in the aftermath of the elections. Francis reasoned that illegal immigration and deportation, one of the front-burner topics on which Trumps campaign was hinged, will factor highly on his agenda in office, saying that the implications could be serious for Trinidad and Tobago. In the absence of figures or a system to gauge the rate of deportation. Francis suggested that the numbers could be frightening. And, if that happens and he (Trump) has promised that it would, then that number could be dangerous, he said.

An influx of criminal deportees, he said, could impact the way they settle and co-exist in this country.

It can also place additional strain on the education and health sectors, Francis said.

Francis said: There is a difficult issue that we have to face with people who have committed crimes and actually being sent back to the Caribbean. I think we would be seeing more of that He noted, though, that many of them may return with skills or some form of training which they could share with the rest of the country.

The international relations expert said he had no reason to doubt that Trump would not carry out his policies with respect to deportation.

There is a body of opinion in the US that would say just that, send back all of the illegal immigrants because they are concerned with the countries of origin, said Francis.

The immigrants are not Europeans. They are coming from south of the border. I think this is causing concern. He also said if the names of persons reportedly being considered for positions in the Trump administration are true, then I dont think the future looks bright because it is a question of if Mr Trump says jump, some of them will ask how high. Francis said the Ministry of National Security will need to put measures in place to address criminal deportation.

They will need to have the numbers. If not, so many things will be like guess work, he said.

On the issue of race relations, Francis predicted that the situation in the US and the Caribbean is likely to persist with Trump in the White House.

I think, it will deteriorate, he told Sunday Newsday. I think there is enough to suggest that these are worrying times as far as race relations are concerned.

They certainly would not get any better. Basing his assessment on the controversial killings of young, African- American men at the hands of whites in the recent past, Francis predicted that racial profiling will persist.

I think we are likely to have more of it under a Trump presidency, he said.

He said Trinbagonians and other Caribbean nationals living in the US will feel anxieties similar to any nonwhite group.

Francis also did not see any immediate let-up in Trumps vehement stance on the LGBT community.

The LGBT community will be hit very hard but if there is anything he can do to reverse the situation, it should be done, he said.

Francis said the way forward for the LGBT community should be viewed in the context of the changing composition of the US Supreme Court, which he said, would be a more confederative court.

Already, there are a lot of concerns being expressed about LGBT rights but it is not looking good for that community, he said.

If he were to judge Trumps Presidency on the basis of his campaign rhetoric, Francis said there is a lot to worry about. Singling out foreign policy and trade, he said Trump already has signalled his intention re-negotiate a number of the existing trade deals. That was an important plank in his entire campaign, Francis said.

Alluding to the North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA ), between the US, Canada and Mexico,, Francis said Trump had placed blame for the job loss in America squarely on the Obama administrations trade regime.

He (Trump) has held the regime responsible for the loss of American jobs, saying he wants to bring jobs back. This is how he has framed the discussion, he said.

On the other hand, Francis said there were persons on both sides of the political divide in the US who remained uneasy about the agreements.
Dont blame the children

Neighbours who live near the house on Chin Fong Alley #1, Sobo Village, where the baby was found also made an appeal for psychiatric help for the childs grandmother who is only 40-years-old.

The grandmother and three of six children-- an 18-year-old young woman, a boy, 15, and a 13-year-old girl-- were taken to the Point Fortin Area Hospital yesterday for medical checkups, police investigators disclosed.

They confirmed further examinations will be done on the family members who remained in custody at the La Brea Police Station, up to last evening.

Psychiatric evaluations are yet to be done.

Last Thursday police, called in by concerned neighbours, went to the wooden structure where the grandmother lives with her children. They discovered the remains of the baby, named Mercy, who was born on February 8 to a teenager. Her skeletal frame was still clad in a disposable diaper, a jersey and a brown hat, and covered with a blanket inside a crib protected by a mosquito net.

Police detained the grandmother, who initially told them the baby was asleep, together with three of her children.

An autopsy performed on Friday afternoon at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, revealed the cause of death was inconclusive.

When Sunday Newsday returned to the close-knit community yesterday, several residents were shocked that there was a decomposing baby inside the house for so much months. They said they became suspicious that something was amiss, given a  drastic change in attitude by the grandmother.

We did not have a clue! She (grandmother) claimed the baby as hers. She alone used to walk the baby but then that stopped.

But we continued to see baby clothes on the line. Do not blame the children! they are innocent in all of this. They are very respectable children, very, very pleasant, said a resident.

Another suggested the grandmother, a single parent, receive psychiatric care.

She needs help. Something traumatic must have caused her to behave in such an insane manner. We are hearing that the baby stayed in her room and no one was allowed inside there.

She even told residents that one of her daughters had fibroid and that was not so, claimed another neighbour.

The wooden structure is not wired for electricity and the children, with the exception of the 18-year-old, are school dropouts.

Brighton/Vessigny councillor Gerald Debesette yesterday said although he did not know the family he was sadden by the news. Like neighbours of the detained relatives, the councillor called for psychiatric evaluations to be done.

It is sad. It is scary. That was a shocking thing. There is a very thin line between sanity and in sanity. I went to visit relatives but no one was at the house, Sgt Taitt and Sgt Gokool of the La Brea Police Station are in the charge of the investigations.
NACTA: Low turnout in local polls

Voters express very little interest in the local elections and there is widespread disenchantment with both the ruling PNM administration and opposition UNC, NACTA said in a statement on Friday. Many say their hopes and expectations for the promised change of September 2015 have been shattered as their living conditions have worsened over the last year. Nevertheless, the PNM has the advantage to win the local elections as UNC is not showing any traction with voters saying it is not a credible alternative. The latest poll sees a close battle for control of Siparia, Chaguanas, and Sangre Grande corporations, but with the PNM retaining the corporations it controls and making some gains. Less than 20 percent of eligible voters say they will cast ballots in the elections, said NACTA. There is more enthusiasm among PNM supporters than among UNC supporters. This gives the PNM an advantage to retain or capture swing electoral districts, and, as such, maintain, or wrest control of, or tie certain certain corporations (like Rio Claro and Chaguanas) currently controlled by the UNC. The survey suggests the UNC is leading PNM four to three in Siparia, with two seats too close to call which will determine control of the corporation. In Chaguanas, UNC is leading PNM four to two, with two seats too close to call the latter which will decide if it is a tie or a UNC controlled corporation.

In Sangre Grande, PNM is leading in six seats and the UNC in two seats, but with four seats uncertain, with a PNM sweep not impossible. No other party will win a seat in Grande, and they are viewed as spoilers as they will lose their deposits, NACTA said.

Turnout will be key to the electoral outcome in swing districts, and so far the PNM has the advantages of incumbency with resources of the State at its disposal. PNM will win Sangre Grande Based on this trend NACTA predicts a PNM win of all eight seats on the Toco/Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

With the political opposition badly divided in the Sangre Grande regional corporation, the incumbent PNM is on course to create history by sweeping all eight seats up for grabs, said NACTA. The three way split in the opposition base makes it an almost walkover for the PNM.

The party faces virtually no threat of losing. The poll, by NACTA head Dr Vishnu Bisram, is based on an ongoing field study and polls done over the last four months.

Based on trends in this survey and the findings of recent surveys, the PNM will comfortably retain four of the five seats it is defending in Grande, said NACTA.

It is also leading in two other seats and the UNC is leading in two seats, but neither party has a majority in those four seats suggesting they can go either way. NACTA said the other two parties in the fray will not win a seat but lose their deposits, and be seen simply as spoilers in a PNMUNC fight.

Voters are disenchanted with the PNM but they do not consider the UNC or the minor parties as credible alternatives, said NACTA. They want something different that is not anywhere in the horizon. NACTA predicts the PNM will win two aldermen and the UNC will get one, with the fourth likely to go to the UNC, even though the PNM could actually win all four.

It is not improbable for PNM to sweep all four aldermen if the opposition votes are severely divided for each party to cause the UNC to fall well below 25 percent minimum threshold mark; the UNC is just floating above that mark.Saying the division of the opposition helps the PNM, NACTA said a united opposition could have put up a good fight. An earlier NACTA poll in Diego Martin and in Port-of-Spain also predicts sweeps of all the seats and aldermen.
Dr Francis: Good parenting is key

I am a firm believer that good parenting whether in the 12th century, in the 19th century, in the 20th century, 21st century, it is still good parenting.

There is a fundamental platform which constitutes good parenting. We often forget how tremendously powerful parenting is. It has the power to shape the universe, the minister said.

He made the comments at the Fourth Biennial Parenting Conference hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago National Council of Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) at Cara Suites Hotel and Conference Centre in Claxton Bay.

The theme of the event was Retooling parents for the 21st century child.

Francis shared fond memories of his childhood days in the countryside (Moruga) and emphasised that his parents instilled strong values into the family.

If it were left up to me, I would not be standing here in a suit. I am the product of excellent parenting. I won the Lotto in that I was born to great parents...

In 2012, my mother died. I have not yet shed a tear because of the power of conditioning, Francis said.

Parents are facing interesting and difficult times in education, Francis said, adding that many schools are falling apart.

We have a situation where we have 3,500 students in 2016 who cannot score above 30 percent in Mathematics and Language Arts.

Many of our school only teach Mathematics and Language Arts and the children cannot pass it, Francis noted.

The minister explained in terms of international ranking for reading and Mathematics, our best students do not compare favourably with international trends.

Despite this drawback, Francis assured all hope is not lost.

We have some serious concerns.

But at the other side of that, we are at interesting crossroads. We have inherited a system that is damaged but with leadership we could grabbed this thing by the neck and reorient this system, Francis added.

NPTA president Zena Ramatali, in her address, noted that yesterdays event was a day of self reflection.

She urged the gathering to listen to the speakers addressees.

Thereafter they should share the information, in their homes, communities and regions.

Are we ready for the task ahead? Are we satisfied with what is happening in our country? Well I am not. I hope that what is said today, we can take it home, Ramatali said.

This year the NPTA celebrates its 56th anniversary and had embarked on a series of training sessions both internally and externally.
Pitt has tapes that may prevent Jolie from getting full custody

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Nov 13 (IANS) Actor Brad Pitt reportedly has some "dynamite" audio recordings of Jolie which he may use to prevent her from getting primary custody of their six children.

The report of the tapes came days after the DCFS officially closed the child abuse case against Pitt, who was accused of hitting his son Maddox during a September plane fight that led to his and Jolie's divorce. After eight weeks of investigation, the "Fury" actor was cleared of all allegations, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"We believe audio tapes exist of Angelina that would be absolutely dynamite against her if they were to be made public. Nobody wants to play dirty like that - it's not good for the children - but Angelina and her team seem absolutely hell-bent on trying to discredit Brad in order to stop him getting joint custody," a source told The Sun newspaper.

--IANS

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Strike paralyse lives in Nepal

Nepal,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Kathmandu, Nov 13 (IANS) A countrywide strike called by the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist paralysed normal life in the Himalayan nation on Sunday, officials here said.

The strike was called to press for food security and protest against rising food prices.

Maoist members vandalised at least one dozen heavy and light vehicles across the country while enforcing the strike call, the police said.

At least 76 strike-enforcers were arrested from various parts of Kathmandu.

According to Superintendent of Police Pradyumna Karki, only a few public transport vehicles were seen plying on the capital's roads. However, vehicles with private number plates were more in number. Most shops and business establishments along with educational institutions remained closed.

A large number of security personnel were deployed in Kathmandu to prevent any untoward incident.

--IANS

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Congress seeks probe into 'huge transactions' prior to demonetisation

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) Claiming that "BJP people were informed beforehand" about the governments move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes leading to huge transactions in bullion and diamonds, the Congress on Sunday demanded a court monitored probe into the alleged transactions.

"We have already brought the charge and we will raise it again that they (the BJP) had informed their people about the (demonetisation) move. There have been huge transactions in bullion, diamonds, foreign exchange and securities prior to the demonetisation," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma.

"A list needs to be drawn about all these transactions and they need to be probed by a Supreme Court monitored panel," he said.

Pointing to crores of people queuing up outside banks to exchange the now demonetise currency notes, the former Union Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "mocking" the people of the country.

"Modi has insulted and mocked the people of the country in a cruel manner. Crores of people have been standing in queues outside banks with many of them not having food for days now. Does the Prime Minister think all these people are black money hoarders or criminals?.

"The government in August had informed parliament that only 0.02 percent of the nearly 17 lakh crore currency in circulation is counterfeit, does that mean as much as 86.40 percent of the money is circulation is black money," he asked.

--IANS

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Jeffrey Archer coming to India to promote 'Clifton Chronicles'

Maharashtra,National,Art/Culture/Books, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Master story-teller and British politician Jeffrey H. Archer will come to India on a four-city tour starting November 21 to promote his seven-volume "Clifton Chronicles" series, an organiser said on Sunday.

The 76-year-old author will reach New Delhi on November 21, be in Bangaluru on November 22, followed by Pune and Mumbai the next two days before flying back to London on November 25.

"This Was A Man" is the captivating final volume of the 'Clifton Chronicles' series which have topped bestseller lists globally, said publishers Pan Macmillan India.

Spanning the 20th century, "Clifton Chronicles" is a gripping family saga of the trials and tribulations of the Clifton and Barringtons, two families at opposite ends of the social spectrum.

The earlier books in the series starting 2011 are "Only Time Will Tell", "The Sins Of The Father", "Best Kept Secret", "Be Careful What You Wish For", "Mightier Than The Sword", "Cometh The Hour", also published this year.

Kinjal Shah, CEO of Crossword Bookstores, which is organising the tour, said there is always a tremendous interest in Archer's books and there has been a buzz around his writings.

"Whether it is his televised adaptations like 'First Among Equals', 'Kane and Abel', 'Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less', or his stage premieres like 'The Accused', 'Exclusive' and 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt', Archer is the undisputed custodian of the twist in the tale," Shah added.

Archer joined Britain's Conservative Party in the mid-1960s, became a MP at the age of 29, and was later appointed the party's Deputy Chairperson during the tenure of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He penned his first novel, "Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less" in 1974 and later his top best-seller, "Kane and Abel" five years later.

--IANS

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Cindy Crawford slams fashion industry for wanting thinner models

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Nov 13 (IANS) Model Cindy Crawford has slammed the fashion industry for wanting females to be "thinner".

The 50-year-old, who was among the first group of catwalk icons in 1980 era alongside Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, says that the fashion business has drastically changed for the worst since she began modelling and believes catwalk stars are "expected" to be a size zero, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I have a daughter who is entering this world, and the expectation is for them to be even thinner now. I was always a size six; I was never super-skinny and I never felt bad about it. You could have boobs, you could have hips, you could have a little extra flesh. Now, the models are expected to be so much thinner," Crawford told Refinery29 magazine.

Crawford has 17-year-old son Presley and 15-year-old daughter and budding model Kaia with her husband Rande Gerber.

"When every model is expected to be a size zero, I don't necessarily think that is a great message for women. The biggest change that I have seen for the young women that are modelling today is even more pressure to be even thinner," she said.

--IANS

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Jon Voight hopes Joli, Pitt work things out

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Nov 13 (IANS) Veteran actor Jon Voight hopes "things will work out" for Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

The 41-year-old actress filed for divorce from Pitt, the father of her kids Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, in September but her father Voight is hopeful that things will improve, reports eonline.com.

"I appreciate everybody's concern and their prayers. Hopefully things will work out," he said.

Speaking previously, Voight was shocked by the couple's split, but felt something "serious" must have happened for his daughter to take steps to end her 12-year relationship.

"It's very sad. Something very serious must have happened for Angie to make a decision like this. I don't know what it is. It's a sad thing. Say a little prayer. I am concerned for Angie and the children and hopefully I will be seeing them very soon," he said.

After Voight left Jolie's mother Marcheline Bertrand for a young drama student, Bertrand had barred him from seeing the children, and to this day Jolie is said to have a strained relationship with the actor.

--IANS

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RBI urges public not to hoard, says enough cash available

Maharashtra,Business/Economy,Immigration/Law/Rights, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) In the wake of the demonetisation of high denomination notes, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Sunday appealed to citizens not to hoard cash and avoid going to bank branches repeatedly.

"The Reserve Bank assures members of the public that enough cash in small denominations is available at the Reserve Bank and other banks," the RBI said in a statement posted on its website.

"The Reserve Bank urges that public need not be anxious; need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw and hoard; Cash is available when they need it," it added.

Meanwhile, with a bank closure in some parts of the country due on Monday, thousands of people queued up outside banks across the country trying to change Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes the government demonetised on Tuesday in a move against black money.

Facing criticism from opposition groups for greatly inconveniencing ordinary citizens through this move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promised further steps to control corruption.

"We have taken a key step to help the honest citizens of India defeat the menace of black money," he said in a speech at a Goa government function near Panaji.

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has issued a statement saying Rs 30,000 crore of cash, including both lower denomination notes and Rs 2,000 currency notes, were disbursed in the last three days.

The IBA also said ATMs are being recalibrated to handle the new series of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes.

--IANS

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Surgical robots won't replace surgeons: Experts

Maharashtra,National,Health/Medicine,Science/Tech, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Surgical robots are suitable for complicated surgery but they would not replace human surgeons any time soon, said experts present at the bi-annual Robotic Surgeons Council (RSC meet), initiated by the Vattikuti Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation.

A Surgical Robot is especially suitable for complicated surgeries and situations needing reconstruction of body parts as it leads to significantly lower complications, readmissions and mortality as compared to traditional open surgery.

Experts allayed fears that a surgical robot may some day replace surgeons, saying that robots will not replace a surgeon anytime soon because a surgeon's experience and surgical judgment cannot be replicated by a machine.

Today, nearly 500 robotic surgeries are conducted every month in India, ranging from removal of cancerous tissues to reconstruction of organs damaged by cancer as well as the removal of organs such as the kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, prostrate, and uterus.

A Surgical Robot scores over conventional modes of surgery as it leads to minimal blood loss, quick healing and less pain, leading to shorter hospital stays. Surgical Robots are being used in almost all specialties involving soft body tissues.

"Surgical Robots are changing the method of accessing the interiors of the body by unambiguously identifying and removing cancerous cells and retaining good cells," said Catherine Mohr, Vice President for Strategy Intuitive Surgical Inc at the event.

"At this year's RSC we brought in more experts in the emerging areas for Robotic Surgery -- Colorectal, and Head and Neck surgery. Indian surgeons are now devising new techniques for complex robot-assisted surgeries in these areas. Robotic Surgery results in superior patient outcomes," said Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of Vattikuti Foundation.

--IANS

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Mamata asks government to withdraw demonetisation drive

West Bengal,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Nov 13 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday called for an end to demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, saying it had caused a "financial catastrophe".

"This is not an ego battle. I humbly appeal again to the government at the Centre. Save the common people from more suffering and the country from financial catastrophe by withdrawing this hasty decision," the Chief Minister tweeted.

"(First please) put a proper action plan in place. (Give) Breathing space for people," she said.

Banerjee thanked President Pranab Mukherjee for agreeing to meet her and other political leaders to talk about people's suffering due to the demonetisation.

"Today I spoke with several political leaders regarding a joint movement and to meet Rashtrapatiji together.

"Let us all fight this together to give relief to common citizens, the poor and stop this financial anarchy."

The Trinamool Congress leader has opposed the Centre's decision to spike Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Banerjee and other political representatives who oppose the step are scheduled to meet the President later this week to talk about the "grim situation" across the nation since the demonetisation of November 8.

--IANS

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President, Vice President greet citizens on Guru Nanak's birthday

Delhi,National,Politics,Religion, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday greeted people in the country and Indians staying abroad on the birth anniversary of founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev, and urged them to follow his teachings.

"On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad," Mukherjee said.

He said the universal vision and humanism of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikh religion, had been an inspiration to people everywhere regardless of caste, colour or creed.

"May each one of us endeavour to follow the Guru's profound teachings in our daily lives and work to strengthen the bonds of togetherness and mutual goodwill. On this most revered day, let us all unite to bring happiness in the lives of the suffering and strive for the betterment of humanity," the President said.

The Vice President said: "Guru Nanak's virtuous life and divine teachings forever inspire us to follow the path of truthfulness and have compassion for all humankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion."

"Guru Nanak Dev ji is an icon of truth, compassion and righteousness. His virtuous life and his divine teachings forever inspire us to follow the path of truthfulness and have compassion for all humankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

"On this joyous occasion, I pray for harmony and peace in our country," the Vice President said.

--IANS

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Journalists' body condemns scribe's murder in Bihar

West Bengal,National,Media,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Nov 13 (IANS) the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) on Sunday condemned the murder of a journalist in Bihar and appealed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

"The Indian Journalists' Association condemns the murder of journalist Dharmendra Singh, who became a victim at the hands of a stone-crusher mafia at Sasaram, the headquarters of Rohtas district in Bihar on Saturday," said IJA President Sekhar Sengupta.

"I appeal to the Bihar Chief Minister to ensure the criminals are nabbed and punished. If this is not done, I fear, crime will spread across the state borders," he said.

The Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar's correspondent was shot dead outside a roadside tea shop in Sasaram. The victim's family said he was threatened by stone-mining mafia.

--IANS

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Centre hikes money withdrawal limits, seeks states' help

Delhi,National,Business/Economy, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) Amid unending queues of cash-starved citizens at banks and relentless attacks by the opposition, the government on Sunday announced an increase in withdrawal limits at banks and ATMs.

The Centre also urged the states to "facilitate the opening of new bank accounts" and last-mile distribution of small denomination notes as it announced that the new Rs 500 note had been issued.

The daily withdrawal from ATMs has now been hiked to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 and from bank counters to Rs 4,500 from Rs 4,000, the Finance Ministry said.

The limit of Rs 10,000 per day withdrawal has been removed, the ministry said in statement here.

The upper limit for weekly withdrawals from bank accounts has been raised to Rs 24,000 from Rs 20,000.

Following a review meeting, the Ministry decisions came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Japan and made an impassioned plea to the citizens while addressing public meetings in Maharashtra and Goa.

He sought 50 days' time until December 30 to tide over the cash crisis and weed out the ill-gotten wealth in the country's economy.

Lakhs of people have virtually mobbed banks and ATMs all over the country since Thursday when the banks opened after a day's closure, following Modi's dramatic November 8 night announcement to spike Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Banks have also been told to cater separately to senior citizens and the handicapped.

Under attack from regional satraps and Chief Ministers like Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, the Centre on Sunday also appealed to state governments to make the scheme successful and extend the currency reach to the rural and remote areas.

The state governments have been requested to facilitate opening of new bank accounts as part of financial inclusion programme.

"The Chief Secretaries of states have been requested to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and post offices in order to ensure last-mile distribution of small denomination notes through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents," it said.

The ministry urged the people to lodge complaints with the District Magistrates and district administrations if hospitals, caterers and tent houses refused to accept cheques, demand drafts and online payment transfer.

It said that from November 10 (when the banks reopened) till 5 p.m. on November 13, about Rs 3 lakh crore of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes had been deposited in the banking system. Within these four days, the banking system has handled about 18 crore transactions.

About Rs 50,000 crore had been disbursed to customers through account withdrawals or from ATMs or by exchange of old notes.

The statement said that various state governments have made elaborate arrangements to help the banks and post offices discharge their duties and dispense currencies.

The Assam government has arranged mobile banking vans with the support of banks and state government staff at certain hospitals for carrying out emergency transactions, it said.

The statement said that in the remote northeastern Arunachal Pradesh, special arrangements like cash deposits or withdrawal and opening of new bank accounts have been made with the help of banks and state government staff.

--IANS

and-rak-nd/tsb/dg
Samsung vice chief summoned over President Park aide's scandal

South Korea,Politics,Technology,Business/Economy, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Seoul, Nov 13 (IANS) South Korean prosecutors on Sunday summoned Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics' Vice Chairman, for questioning over a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidante.

Lee was summoned in the afternoon by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the scandal of Choi Soon-sil suspected of using her close friendship with President Park to win personal gains, Xinhua news agency reported.

Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud.

The 60-year-old is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won ($66.3 million) to two non-profit foundations presumably controlled by Choi.

President Park held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of the country's conglomerates on July 24, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

The Samsung Vice Chairman is being grilled by prosecutors over the closed-door meeting and why Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Choi-controlled foundations.

Lee has actually run Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, since his father Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, was hospitalised for heart attack in 2014.

Prosecutors also reportedly questioned Lee about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros ($30 billion) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.

--IANS

py/vt
Rachel McAdams meditates by stitching

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Mon, 14 Nov 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Nov 14 (IANS) Actress Rachel McAdams liked to meditate on the set of "Doctor Strange" by practicing medical stitches.

"My mum was a nursee and I just don't posess that gene so I was always fascinated. It's a job that takes so much guts. I shadowed a really great female neurosurgeon in Toronto and one in London, who taught me how to do stitches. It was very meditative, like knitting," McAdams, who plays Christine Palmer -- a doctor -- in the film, told LOOK magazine.

She added: "When I was bored on set, I would just pull out my... stitching wire. I don't even know what it's called, some doctor I am. But I would practise and it was great to jump into another world."

One of the actress' favourite things about her career is getting a chance to take a glimpse at others' lives and careers in her research for her characters, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I think it's the thing I love most about my job, that you get to live so many lives in one lifetime. I have a bit of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when it comes to things, so variety is the spice of life for me," she said.

But the actress also enjoyed the "weird" experience of working with so much special effects and computer generated imagery.

"When I read one of the scenes, I was simultaneously daunted and excited because it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was fresh and different and weird. It was like choreographing a dance. And Benedict was actually there for a lot of it, up on wires, flying around the room for hours on end," she said.

--IANS

dc/rb
Morocco and Senegal are two old friend countries boasting an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy, enterprise and mutual respect.

The two countries are busy working building a modern and model South-South partnership tackling shared challenges and promoting mutual prosperity.

King Mohammed VI paid several visit to Senegal wherein he launched landmark socioeconomic development projects. During latest royal historical visit to this African country, the Sovereign addressed Moroccan people from Dakar on the occasion of the Green March, an unprecedented event showing the depth and solidity of the Moroccan relations.

During this visit, the Moroccan monarch received a warm welcome from Senegalese people and had a private meeting with president Macky Sall. The two leaders chaired later on signing ceremony of numerous cooperation accords.

These accords seek to boost small-scale agriculture in Senegal, octopus farming and preservation in this African country which received 12 Moroccan inflatable boats for rescue operations and monitoring of fishing activities.

King Mohammed VI and President Sall also chaired the launch ceremony of an Entrepreneurship Training Center to provide training on business creation to 300 young people a year in various sectors including tourism.

The center will also offer assistance to 100 young people carry out their projects.

The two Heads of State also visited Dakar Hospital where the Moroccan Sovereign donated to the Senegalese Aids Control National Council 1.6 tons of medicines to combat this deadly disease.

On the sidelines of the royal visit, the two countries carriers are also exploring partnership and joint business opportunities.

During the royal visit to Senegal, four partnership agreements, mapped out by the Moroccan-Senegalese Economic Impulse Group, were inked under chairmanship of King Mohammed VI and President Macky Sall.

The goal of these agreements is to promote tourism between two countries, set up a trade exhibition for social, solidarity economy & handicrafts, establish a Senegalese center for the development of IT & digital competence and create joint venture between Moroccan La voie express and Senegalese company Tex Courrier.

The Moroccan-Senegalese Economic Impulse Group endeavors more support for the sectors of transportation & logistics, an economic intelligence unit, better coordination between public and private sectors.

To achieve the goals set by the two countries leaders, the Moroccan & Senegalese businessmen call for more investment and tourism flow, support for the social economy, the removal of trade barriers, harmonized health standards and that signing of a trade deal with ECOWAS to get access to this market with huge business opportunities.
Steve Bannon. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A presidents chief of staff sets the tone for his administration, and President-elect Trump had two very different options before him. He could go with Reince Priebus and assuage the fears of Establishment Republicans, who see the longtime Republican National Committee chair as a known quantity with knowledge of the D.C. political system and conservative goals that are similar to their own. Or he could give the job to Steve Bannon, his campaign CEO, who formerly led Breitbart News as it waged war on the GOP Establishment and worked to normalize white-nationalist and anti-Semitic ideas.

Somehow, Trump went with all of the above.

Technically, Priebus won the top job. Hes Trumps pick for White House chief of staff, according to a statement released by the campaign on Sunday. Bannon got the No. 2 job, chief strategist and senior counselor to the president, a role filled in previous administrations by figures like John Podesta and Karl Rove. However, the statement lists Bannons role before Priebuss, and it says that they will be working as equal partners.

Trump said the two men are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.

While initially several Republican lawmakers expressed relief at the selection of Priebus, the focus quickly shifted to the man former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro called a legitimately sinister figure getting a key role in the White House.

Congrats to @realDonaldTrump for outstanding choice of @Reince to be Chief of Staff. This shows me he is serious about governing. (1/2)  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 13, 2016

No better person to represent president-elect than well-respected @Reince. I look forward to working with them to move country forward. 2/2  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 13, 2016

I'm very proud and excited for my friend @Reince. Congrats!  Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 13, 2016

Ryan and Priebus have been friends for decades, but earlier on Sunday, the House speaker claimed he had no concerns about Trump potentially making Bannon chief of staff instead. However, Ryan cant be excited that Trumps chief strategist is a man who reportedly stated many times that Ryan was the enemy, and talked about destroying his career and globalist agenda.

Obviously, having Priebus and Bannon feuding over whether to work with Ryan or destroy him is not a recipe for effective governing. But, of course, thats not why many have an issue with Bannons appointment. Bannon boasted in July that Breitbart is the platform for the alt-right, and under his leadership for the past four years, the site has peddled alt-right conspiracy theories and promoted various racist and sexist views. Classic headlines include Bill Kristol, Renegade Jew and Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive and Crazy.

Bannons ex-wife also accused him of domestic violence and anti-Semitism in police reports and divorce papers from the mid-90s, which were unearthed in August.

On Sunday night, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a hate-watch group, tweeted other examples of Breitbarts work, including an article that argues rape culture is integral to Islam, a post urging readers to fly the Confederate flag with pride two weeks after the Charleston massacre, and another comparing Pamela Gellers draw Muhammad contest to Selma.

Stephen Bannon was the main driver behind Breitbart becoming a white ethno-nationalist propaganda mill, the organization said. Trump should rescind this hire. In his victory speech, Trump said he intended to be president for all Americans. Bannon should go.

They were joined by the Anti-Defamation League 



We at @ADL_National oppose the appt of Steve Bannon to sr role at @WhiteHouse bc he & his alt-right are so hostile to core American values pic.twitter.com/qCVEPKoa7q  Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) November 14, 2016

 and political operatives from both sides of the aisle. It is easy to see why the KKK views Trump as their champion when Trump appoints one of the foremost peddlers of White Supremacist themes and rhetoric as his top aide, said Adam Jentleson, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reids deputy chief of staff.

The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant America, tweeted John Weaver, a veteran GOP strategist and Trump critic.

So far, the Trump camp has not responded to the criticism of Bannon, and what has come out of the campaign has not been encouraging. Bannon is going to be keeper of the image of Trump as a fighter against the status quo, and Reince is going to utilize his personal connections with the speaker and others, to make the trains run on time, Ken Blackwell, a former Ohio state official and a member of the Trump transition team, told The Wall Street Journal. When you are trying to convince America that its new leader is not a fascist, its best not to make any Mussolini references.
The OECD Observer online archive takes you on a journey through half a century of public policy and world progress.

Since November 1962, the OECDs experts and leading guests offer insights on the questions facing our member countries with concise and authoritative analysis, and provide our audiences with an excellent opportunity to understand policy debates and consider solutions.

Each edition of the OECD Observer reports on a core theme of the OECDs on-going work, from economics and society through governance, finance, and the environment, and articles are bolstered by tables and graphs.
watch the canidate 1972 film

it ends with the inexperienced main character winning and them ending going "now what do we do"

it stuns me how similar this fucking election is to that movie

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for fucking real. i feel like "being there" came true except if chauncey gardiner said racist evil bullshit instead of meaningless platitudes

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Yes! Being There was the first movie I thought of when it looked like Rapist was going to win

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theres a lot in pop culture for years thats brought up shit like this.

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veep has been eerily accurate predicting some stuff from this election

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Parks and Recreation is SO similar to this too. It's ridiculous

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redford's character seemed like a decent enough dude tho. trump is...

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I bring that movie up all the time, but no one I know has watched it :(



Shame, since it was a really clever movie.

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The other day I caught an episode of Modern Family where Claire was running for city council. Her family criticized every face she made and the way she talked. Her opponent was useless but brought up an embarrassing sex story about Phil that Claire had to answer for. I had to turn it off because it was to depressing.

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That's how Buffy ended too.

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proud of you bb

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I'm proud of you bb!

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Here's a good thread for everyone btw.



I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here's what I learned about how they listen to constituents.  Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Good for you. I was reading this piece in the LA Times and for so many people this was their first time protesting and feeling like they stood for something. I hope at the very least this brings a new wave of activists and anger.Here's a good thread for everyone btw.

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I'm also proud of you too. Thank you

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I was there, too! <3

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Proud of you for fighting the good fight!

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A+++



I went last night in Fort Worth.

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You are awesome. I'm so proud seeing Americans stand up like this. Wish we would be more outspoken in Canada

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Which protest did you go to? The one I went to ended up being pretty sparse.

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This is just depressing.

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the US really screwed the pooch on this one. I still can't believe it's real.

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south park is 1 of the worst things in media to have happened to american political discourse. its "truth is the middle," moderate/libertarian leaning messaging is surprisingly effective to its audience.

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yes, like those trash "journalists" at CNN and their tweets and programs ever since this monster "won"

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people have peddled this false equivalence and "play nice" bullshit for a long time. even liberal heroes like jon stewart and obama when he started out

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i hated jon stewart's eagerness to categorize the american left as just as crazy as the american right. the rally to restore sanity was ridiculous how he would equate lady gaga yelling for gay rights to whatever hatred the right was advocating for at that time.

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Obama's "play nice" bs is part of the reason we are in this mess re: his appointment of Comey.

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oh absolutely, that and it's one of the biggest examples of missed satire. satire that is almost exactly the thing it's trying to parody.

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they told people to go vote for her. not just the go vote! they told people to go vote for her.

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I believe the term is 'South Park Republicans' (no, seriously).

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i don't see it. south park is satirical and hilarious, except kyman's love is real

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When even South Park thinks shit is fucked....

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this guy wrote an anti-trump song too

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Ah, our new national anthem

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LOL I'm listening to this right now.

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lmao I haven't seen this in years.

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i've never seen this before, wtf....?

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zzzzz

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this safety pins bullshit is the ultimate insult. white people sure love to find ways to do everything except the right thing. wear a fucking pin but allowed for their kind to vote in a racist monster and his minions to every branch of the goddamn government. oh, but now we wear safety pins! i got you! fuck right off. and fuck south park too.

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[TW: Nazis, white supremacists]

Unsurprisingly the hypervisible symbol of solidarity has been co-opted by white nationalists. Be careful. pic.twitter.com/NCI84vDJv1  Zoe Samudzi (@ztsamudzi) November 12, 2016

Yeah & they've been co-opted anyway:

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I should be surprised but I'm not

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Of course, this was bound to happen.

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I AM GONNA VOMIT!!! Victimized. Please fuck off, infected ass pimples.

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fucking figures....

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THIS. They're so desperate for a pat on the back for not voting Trump.

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i don't see the harm?

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Honestly if you see someone being mistreated in public, step in and speak to them, and only them, help them, and get them away from the bigot. Don't just put on a pin.

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I am cackling at this sign from today's protest in Chicago: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157736666585440 (also lol @ a lot of the comments saying it's ~reverse racist~)

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lolll

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THATS AMAZING

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LMAO

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LMAO i saw one that said "maybe we should add avocado to racism so white people will care"

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Someone commented this: "But that's the problem trump is a shade of pumpkin spice. That's probably how he won."



It all makes sense now.

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I never liked pumpkin, maybe that's why I was immune? Phew!

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OMGLOL

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omfg i love it



my favorite from my protest was a don't tread on me flag redesigned as "don't grab on me" with a cat instead of a snake

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Lmao I love this

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There's another that says "Add avocado to racism and white ppl will call" or something similar.

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That's the first time I legit cackled since the election.



Bless the person who made that.

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lol nice

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I woke up this morning so mad because of his win

I don't think I'll ever get over it and I'm a Canadian

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this version of super smash bros sucks ass pic.twitter.com/LGBuFtBYA2  Bob Vulfov (@bobvulfov) November 12, 2016





Thank God we overthrew the elite. pic.twitter.com/A5tS9vsLAo  Public Benjamin (@PublicBenjamin) November 12, 2016





/I turn 27 today but I spent the entire day marking papers in the library and now I'm home and I don't even want a glass of wine lol. I'm still in such a bad mood and don't really feel like being around a big group of people. The most I'd let my girlfriend do was order Chinese. So many others seem to feel the same way. One of my students saw me in the library this afternoon. She was like "how can so many people just walk around like a catastrophic thing just didn't happen?" I didn't really have an answer other than the fact that it must be a great privilege to just be able to go on with life. /I turn 27 today but I spent the entire day marking papers in the library and now I'm home and I don't even want a glass of wine lol. I'm still in such a bad mood and don't really feel like being around a big group of people. The most I'd let my girlfriend do was order Chinese. So many others seem to feel the same way. One of my students saw me in the library this afternoon. She was like "how can so many people just walk around like a catastrophic thing just didn't happen?" I didn't really have an answer other than the fact that it must be a great privilege to just be able to go on with life.

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happy birthday despite the circumstances

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Is that first one real, or speculation? It's... worse/more shameless than I thought possible.

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idk if the bottom is real but the top two are

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I'm pretty sure it's a fox news graphic. Their offical twitter tweeted it out.

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happy birthday bb, I can't even imagine how hard it must be for Democrats in the us when even people in Europe are depressed over this :(

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My eye twitches when I see Nigel Farage.



And that collection of swamp monsters... no comment.

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Seeing Farage and Trump together makes me want to throw up.

I despise Farage so much.

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happy birthday, bb <3 I feel the same way lately

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Trump's presidency will give the old white man their complete monopoly back. Yay 

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Happy birthday!!

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Happy birthday.

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it's also interesting that south park positions lgbt characters as its villains when they're some of the ones that stand to suffer from this. (yes, i know caitlyn is trash irl)

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I have questions:



Who do you think will run in 2020? Warren? Sanders (isn't he too old?), Klaine?



Also how the fuck is the DNC going to clean house? New elections for leaders? Petitions? "Forced" resignations?

And who would be the new party leader?

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Klaine?



no thanks. that was one of the worst things to happen to glee.

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ahaha fuck, stupid mac. (and the worst thing that happened to glee was Murphy.)

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lmao

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Everyone is trying to push Kamala Harris to run

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We won't get another female candidate for a long, long time. I can almost guarantee that.

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i'm afraid they'll run cory booker for president

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still pulling for biden even though he's old

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kanye imo

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OMalley

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Bernie, if he's up for it. Tulsi Gabbard if she's interested.

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I would love for Warren to run but I doubt she ever will. she's said before that politics at that level are almost too dirty for her.





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George Clooney

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they should recruit a Democratic governor, tbh. govs have executive experience and many of them don't have strong ties to Washington (compared to those in the House/Senate). I wish Jerry Brown wasn't so old

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If Trump can do it, maybe third time's a charm for Colbert.

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I need to find a protest

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Yeah, it's really happening, isn't it?

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What the actual fuck? I saw this last night on twitter but it still is mind blowing how people can be so hateful.



Trump has whined about his protesters and how it's "unfair" but he seriously needs to fucking speak up and call out his supporters that are doing this. If he is still going with the media twisted me to make me look bad he sure as fuck needs to speak up. Doubt he will however, cause he's awful.

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he wont call them out because he approves of what they are doing. he just wont say it.

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exactly

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>Republicans/conservatives for 8 years under Obama

NOT MY PRESIDENT

IMPEACH HIM

LITERALLY DESTROYING AMERICA

WORST DECISION EVER



>In response to Trump being elected/the ensuing protests

YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION YOU BUNCH OF LIBERAL CRYBABIES

GIVE HIM A CHANCE

ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH THE ELECTION IS UN-AMERICAN



It's downright comical.

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I feel like he's indifferent to the quarrels of common folks because he lives in his elitist bubble where he's safe to do and say whatever he wants without consequences.

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what the ever loving fuck. people are so fucking vile.



i hope emmy and her family stay strong in the face of this hate and bigotry, as well as everyone else who has had to deal with this horrific behavior. trump's win has really emboldened people and i'm honestly afraid a lot of people are going to die because of this before he's even in office.

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i agree.

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IA with this so much. Everyone is showing their asses now.

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I saw that :(

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god, this is so horrible. it's so fucking heartbreaking how not at all surprising this is, either.

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for once in their life, can the media actually do their job? Or are they going to roll over for four years?

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They'll roll over because they don't want their access banned.

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Get ready for this again:



As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side.



[...]



Over the last five years you people were so good -- over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.



But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works: the president makes decisions. He's the Decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put 'em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!



Oh, Colbert, you are wasted at that talk show.

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They are rolling over. Ugh.

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The US media has been 'rolling over' for years - and long before this shoddy election cycle, so I'd expect more of the same. It's shocking the absolute lack of critical analysis on so many news channels, the way in which 'respectable' platforms stopped holding up a much-needed mirror to the politics of the day and just let shit slide. Hopefully alternative media voices will strengthen and rise to fill the terrible vacuum because there's no hope for US mainstream media and there hasn't been for a long ass time.

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They partially caused this mess tbh. I wouldn't hold my breath.

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Me too. I watch Meet the Press and George literally EVERY Sunday and I had to turn it off this morning.



It was all, we need whites to know we stand for them and making it about the economy with no mention of racism at all. The protests were portrayed as riots instead of 99% peaceful. No mention of rampant harassment literally ALL over the country of minorities and women. More blame on HRC or the DNC than anything else. It was legit disturbing.

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just caught a few minutes of JoyAM on MSNBC and they were trying to do a self reflection piece on how the media treated Trump during the election cycle. they were like "Literally no one asked him about why he didn't serve in Vietnam, why wasn't that ever an issue???!"



like omg they still don't get it about WHY their coverage was wrong...

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I'm boycotting the major news networks. Fuck them.

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Everyone is blaming HRC but completely ignoring her campaign's email being hacked. Her campaign was ripped apart by foreign forces and yet it's her fault.

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fuck all of them. the only ones who called him out were Lawrence O'Donnell, Joy Reid, Van Jones, Brooke Baldwin, Rachel Maddow, Angel Rye, Tameron Hall,Ana Navarro, Gloria Borger, Anna Marie Cox, Maria Teresa Kumar, Nicole Wallace and finally Maria Cardona. Now that may seem like a long list but it's NOT.



Edited at 2016-11-13 06:08 pm (UTC)

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I knew Katty Kay would be sensible. I read her book "Confidence Code" and it's ALL ABOUT how confidence >>>> competence. I read it right before the election stuff really started and it's ALL I could think about. The projection of confidence devoid of competence (AKA the absolute picture of Trump) won out above someone who was less showy but far more competent.

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fuck this shit, god

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SO disgusting and not at all surprising.

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I'm at a loss as what I to think. I'm so exhausted from this entire election and even though I thought he would win from the start, I wanted to believe it wouldn't happen. But people are fucking awful. And I'm trapped because there's pretty much nothing I can do to change it.



Also, I guess no other candidate who runs has to share they're tax returns now! He didn't! I'm assuming we'll be alive after this mess, but he's proven you don't need to release your taxes!



I asked my mom if we could take the Mezuzah off the doorpost, but she said she wouldn't :(



Edited at 2016-11-13 04:55 pm (UTC)

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i feel the same way but its made me have a couple meltdowns. my coping skills are not the best other than pretending its not happening.

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I've had a few as well. It still hasn't sunk in that it's happened. I keep hoping that maybe I got into a bad accident and I'm in the hospital, I'm in a coma, and this is just a horrible dream.



and omg. your username. now I want brisket.

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Isn't he also not going to bother with handing over his conflicts of interests to a trust overseen by an independent third party?

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This has significantly lowered the bar for what people have to do/act like when they run in politics. It's very scary because this is a wave that will affect the entire world. It has now officially become acceptable (not even just acceptable, HELPFUL) to be outwardly racist, sexist, homophobic, islamaphobic, etc.

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the best part is his supporters cry about the sanctity of government/political traditions

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people have gone crazy. arm yourself.

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It's just an extension of the same push to the right that was behind Brexit. It's everywhere but the fact that this has happened in America is monumental :(((((

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I am gearing up for the fact that this is going to send waves into Canada as well. People are like "why are you so upset about the election? You live in Canada?" but we've already had a conservative MP in Alberta (to be fair, the most racist of all Canadian provinces) send out an e-mail that she is HAPPY about Trump's victory and that we need to employ his same policies in Canada. NOT ON MY WATCH.

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girl you better spend it in Harlem...you'll be safe there.

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I'm gonna be in TX next week for the weekend. I don't want to leave the hotel tbh

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i'm an expat coming home for christmas from europe and this will probably be the last time i go back for awhile. i can't stomach it.

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so from my understanding of all of this, trump supporters dont want people who voted for clinton and not happy with this election dont want us to complain and stand for our voice but its ok for them to make fun of others and insult everyone else?



are the aware also that trumps plans will effect them also? or do they live in a box and dont read the news?



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They think his "Plans" will affect them for the better. They won't, and I can't wait to see them realize that.

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im just sad



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His plans are gonna fuck them over.

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I wish they would be the first to lose their jobs and homes. The recession will come for all of us, but I wish it could be tailored to only affect his supporters.

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My fear is that when Trump fails and his supporters get fucked over, they won't think it's because he was incompetent but because he didn't go far enough.

Instead of rejecting White nationalism and recognizing it for the scam it truly is, they'll just get further radicalized and vote for an even worse man next time.



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no, they will never realize it. they will blame obama and/or liberals.

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let's put it this way: the counter-protester at my demonstration last night was a known member of a hate group. that should tell you all you need to know.

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They don't listen to policy, plus a lot of people vote against self interest. One of the things I remember from my public policy and polling course was that people would say "of course the rich should be taxed more" but when it came to voting they wouldn't vote that way because "one day I'll be rich!"... even though that won't happen.

Things will get worse for everyone and I'd love if people blamed the Republicans because, oh, hey, they control shit now, but they won't. It'll somehow be Obama's fault or something.

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They're emboldened by the fact that their views have been legitimised. This has been bubbling under for a long time. Now they think it's time to crush the opposition and go full tilt racism and violence because they think they no longer have to be silenced by the PC culture they hate so much. So yeah you're right. They want to silence.

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I want them to realize that they will be affected too. I want them to understand the consequences of their vote. MAKE THEM SUFFER FOR THESE FOUR YEARS.

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They're literally fucking stupid. They vote Republican because their parents did and the people in their pohunk town does. They use about as much logic to choose their candidate as life long Toronto Leafs fans vs. Montreal Canadien fans --- i.e; THERE IS NO LOGIC. It is an us vs. them based on nothing but tradition. They haven't read anything, researched anything, studied anything. They're poor and stupid and they choose to blame that on the current President (*if the President isn't on Their Team).

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I saw someone say that someone else told them that Trump was taking away the ACA, but it was ok because *they* get to keep it because they were White. These damn fools.

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I don't think they're capable of critical thinking tbh

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What policies? Trump said nothing of substance lol.

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They're yuge policies! So yuge I can't even talk about them! I promise they're good though!!

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Ugh thiiis is what I'm trying to wrap my head around like people keep claiming it's not racism (or sexism, homophobia, xenophobia etc) and I'm like well it's not his policies because he has none so yeah you're garbage to me if you voted for him because at best you're willfully ignorant, and worst is you agree with him

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exactly. he had no specifics, but of course, that makes sense to people who dont bother to do any research on actual policy.

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My aunt was trying to argue that Americans are feeling disenfranchised, which is why they didn't want to vote for entrenched in Washington politics and blah blah blah, which might be true to an extent but it doesn't explain why he had so much white, financially stable voters...and completely ignores disenfranchised POCs smh. If his supporters truly voted him based on his economic policies and because they want their jobs back then they wouldn't be celebrating with hate crimes.



We're not even American, she just hates activists of any kind and was like "well he is the president and the people have spoken." I wanted to smack her at lunch today. She's one of those super privileged people who don't care.



Edited at 2016-11-13 07:27 pm (UTC)

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'Policies', does he mean slogans and racist daydreams?

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Just trying to understand, is it possible, Obama, hidden and illusion are not opening their mouths because of some protocol bullshit. Being hopeful, I guess

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I think Dean needs to come back. His 50-states strategy was instrumental in keeping Dems in power in House and Senate. I am not so sure about Ellison. But Sanders currently has a lot of clout in the party and he has thrown his support behind Ellison.

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Do people know that Ellison is Muslim? Will people be okay that once he is DNC chair or campaigning to be DNC chair?



Also, I cannot take anybody seriously if somebody says that orange cheeto won on policies. His policies was just air. NO SUBSTANCE.

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Dean also presided over the DNC when Dems were at their most successful. And IA, we need to rage from our legislators rn.

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Dean knew how to win, FFS. But of course the Dems are gonna destroy each other over this Dean vs Ellison fight like the Labour party did in the UK. Can't they be effing co-chairs? Ellison has another job, doesn't he? And the DNC is in ruins and needs someone who's 100% committed.

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No wonder twitter's stock rose the day after the election - those dipshit eggs normalized their hate even more.

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There's a special place in hell for people who support him.

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i honestly want to believe in afterlife so much rn

so all these people will fucking pay someday for it

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They'll be the first to complain when their taxes go up.

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mte. The need to be punished.

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I hope the first thing God asks all these Christians*~ is why the fuck did you vote for Trump?

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Shhiiiiitttt.



This is so vile, JFC. There was also a reporter who was harassed - alt-rights sent him photo manips of his biracial daughter in a gas chamber, with Trump pulling the trigger.



Twitter has to do SO much more, they don't do shit to prevent bullying and hate crimes.

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Paul Ryan said the complete opposite lol. And another republican said the fence was just a ploy and won't actually happen.

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I really think that the second the Repubs get a whiff of Trump's approval ratings dropping, they will dig up some way to impeach him and put Pence in power. Paul Ryan and other republicans were spineless chicken shits when their jobs were on the line but now that they have power I think they'll stand up to Trump more. He's too much of a loose cannon. We're all still fucked though.

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it's 100% a ploy imo. i think he probably just said it once without really thinking about it and people were all about it so he went with it. mexico is not going to pay for that, obviously. the only way it could happen is if the money comes out of trump's own pocket and we know that's not going to happen.

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I hate him. I fucking hate him so much I wish every goddamn illness on him. I don't even care if that's unethical. H

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that doesn't even seem possible logistically

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I hate this world. And I hate the people who keep preaching that "Don't hate! Kill em with kindness!" bs, and then have the nerve to quote MLK.

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MLK said moderate whites were worse than the KKK





I plan on doing both, though...I'm going to protest tonight and volunteer at the food bank tomorrow.

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that quote of his is sf on point.



I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negros great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cant agree with your methods of direct action; who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another mans freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a more convenient season. Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

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This reminds me. I should call and volunteer for the local adult daycare. I have the number and it's like 4 minutes from the house. It's not much, but a lot of the people in the place will be effected by the upcoming administration.

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Too many Dems and so-called progressives want to sit and wait for a more convenient season. Facism is not stopped by debates or Aaron Sorkin writing a letter to his daughter. Or calling for unity or giving Trump a chance. Fuck all of that.

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Right? He condemned silence against oppression.

I am sick of people using him against minorities who are speaking up and protesting, when that's literally what he did.

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the baby crying is me

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kimmel is wittier and way funnier off-the-cuff than fallon tbh

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Ive always liked him better than everyone minus Conan but he is slowly becoming my #1 late night host, seth myers is up on top for me currently bc he roasts Trump every week lol



Edited at 2016-11-13 08:25 pm (UTC)

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When seth Meyers did satirized would thinking they were equally awful, I fell in love. Then the post election monologue about his son and mom- so many tears.

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he's great at interviewing people and I think he's the best of the fun, unpolitical late night hosts



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i can't stand fallon



he's so ott, always talks over his guests and it annoys the hell out of me

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OMFG THAT LAST KID 

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"I made an angry face." Me tbh.



I am so sad for children under a Trump presidency. For many kids all they've ever known is a black POTUS and now we're transitioning into a white supremacist. Not to mention that SCOTUS could fuck over a generation and generations to come. People who think kids don't know and feel the anxiety of this are wrong - and many teachers across the country have talked about it. Look at the increase in hate crimes and bullying. School under Bush wasn't fun from what I remember and under Trump I can't imagine Especially bc of social media.

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Obama and kids is one of my favorite things. It melts my heart. I cannot imagine trump doing the WH trick or treat or Easter egg hunt. Ugh.

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Trump pardoning a turkey should be terrifying 

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It would be creepy af

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What is SCOTUS and why would whoever that is have longer lasting effects than Trump as POTUS?

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And already the alt-right is saying that people are making up hate crimes and harassment. Which is why Bannon as WH Strategist is fucking unbelievable.

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omg @ the last kid

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lmaoooooooooooo i was rolling

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ikr i lost it

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right? lmao



but also :'-(

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Things my seconds graders expressed leading up to the election:



"He says women are pigs and slobs and if you're flat-chested, no one cares about you. I'm flat-chested, what am I supposed to do?



"Is he gonna make Spanish illegal?"



"He cusses a lot."



"Do you know what he said about Mexicans?"



"He's a bully. He makes fun of people. That's a bully"



After the election, I had a lot of fears regarding being kicked out of the country, even though they're all legal.

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why are your second graders so much smarter than half the adults

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because most of my class are minorities and are more terrified of him :/

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kids are sooo much smarter than we give them credit 

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Smart kids!

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I died at that one

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best truth ever

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Possibly the hardest I've laughed all week.

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So if I have a bachelors in accounting and a masters in business, is there anything I could do within the political arena? Im starting to feel like I need to make some moves to leave the small red state mentality where I live. I dont know that I would do good as a front person in politics, but doesnt everyone need Accountants??? Lol

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Can you transition that into something to do with economics? We'll forever need that.

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Yeah I was thinking that, but I dont know if that will require more college work. I just want to do something that I feel good abt with ppl who arent so close minded.

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I'm sure there are non profits that could really use these skills.

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nonprofits definitely need accountants! also campaigns ALWAYS need finance people

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Public Policy, accounting for non profits, grant writing, be a financial analyst for conservation groups, etc...

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The baby in that screen grab is me.

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apparently there's a tweet going around saying something like this:



1944: 18 year old men storm the beaches of Normandy



2016: Millennials spend 2 days openly weeping because they're sad Trump was elected.



i once read a great takedown of that stupid "1944: 18 year old men storm the beaches of normandy" meme (the 2016 part was about how millennials need safe spaces, so it preceded trump). anybody know what i'm talking about? i wish i could find it again.

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I hope someone replied with 2016: white man laughs at children, voted for a man who will squander his kid's future, will be fucked over royally if he needs a surgery, and he brought it on himself.

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why are people mad about people protesting over trump winning the election? do they want us to just ignore everything he's said and be ok with it? i'm sorry but people are being annoying.



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because they want us to lie down and take it on the chin. racists don't like their ideas and values being challenged.

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the few counter-protesters I saw were far angrier. you'd think their candidate lost more than the popular vote.

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Because it's a game to them. They 'won' so everyone else is just a bad sport. It's the exact same bullshit over here with Brexit. Leave 'won' so remain voters should just suck it up. As if the potential ruination of my economic stability, job prospects and emboldening of racist scum is something I just have to 'get over'. They act it's on par with people who can't handle their favourite team losing a match, not something that could (is in some cases) serious affect people's lives.

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Well, at least they got the part with the WWII/Hitler equation right.

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do people think it honors the people that died to use them in memes like this? because it fucking doesn't.

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My grandpa was in the first wave on Omaha Beach in Normandy and I'm pretty sure he's turning over in his grave rn @ Trump tbh



Edited at 2016-11-13 09:38 pm (UTC)

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because there was a draft in WW2, there's no draft anymore (nor should there be).

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Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII and I know they would be less than thrilled with a Trump Presidency so these assholes need to stop.

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they're acting like this is your favorite team losing the superbowl. not something that is going to seriously fuck up so many people's lives for years.

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[ Spoiler (click to open) ]

Some of the American servicemen from the American South in the Services Club objected to Maori soldiers also using the Club, and on 3 April 1943 began stopping Maori soldiers from entering. Many New Zealand soldiers were in the area, both Caucasian (Pakeha) and Maori, and combined in opposition. The stand off escalated when Americans took off their belts to attack those who wanted to let the Maori in.[3] Fights broke out and at one point at least a thousand men were involved in the subsequent fracas, which was broken up by civil and military police. The major brawl lasted from 6 pm to 8 pm, with some brawls lasting for perhaps another two hours. Dozens of people were injured. At the time, hotel bars closed at 6 pm, the six o'clock swill, and inebriated patrons were then ejected into the streets.[4]



News of the riot was censored at the time, hence much of the mythology about the event, including the claim that two Americans were killed.[1][4]



It was twenty years before the finding of the Court of Inquiry was released. Postwar, the Club building was used as a Post Office, which operates to this day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manners_Street



The Battle of Manners Street, Wellington, 1943



This riot, which has passed into Wellington legend as the Battle of Manners Street, took place on the evening of Saturday, 3 April 1943. It began at the Allied Services' Club in Manners Street (now the Manners Street Post Office) when, it is alleged, servicemen from the southern United States refused to let some Maori servicemen drink in the club. When the Americans removed their Army service belts to emphasise their point of view, New Zealand servicemen joined in and the battle spread into the streets. American military police, who arrived to restore order, took sides and used their batons. The fighting spread to the A.N.A. Club in Willis Street, where belts and knives were used, and into Cuba Street. It has been estimated that over 1,000 American and New Zealand, troops were involved, as well as several hundreds of civilians. The battle lasted for about four hours before order was restored by the civil police. Many American soldiers were injured during this affray and at least two were killed. The Battle of Manners Street was the ugliest riot in New Zealand's history.



The Battle of Manners Street was not the only clash between American and New Zealand troops in New Zealand cities. About the same time there were two similar riots in Auckland, and a further clash occurred outside the Mayfair Cabaret, in Cuba Street, Wellington, on 12 May 1945. There was also a clash between a small party of American servicemen and Maori civilians at Otaki in October 1943.



In no case has the result of any of the ensuing inquiries been published; and, owing to the strictures of wartime censorship, no reference to the riots appeared at the time in local newspapers.

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/riots/page-7



...but yeah we're too sensitive. Some of the American servicemen from the American South in the Services Club objected to Maori soldiers also using the Club, and on 3 April 1943 began stopping Maori soldiers from entering. Many New Zealand soldiers were in the area, both Caucasian (Pakeha) and Maori, and combined in opposition. The stand off escalated when Americans took off their belts to attack those who wanted to let the Maori in.[3] Fights broke out and at one point at least a thousand men were involved in the subsequent fracas, which was broken up by civil and military police. The major brawl lasted from 6 pm to 8 pm, with some brawls lasting for perhaps another two hours. Dozens of people were injured. At the time, hotel bars closed at 6 pm, the six o'clock swill, and inebriated patrons were then ejected into the streets.[4]News of the riot was censored at the time, hence much of the mythology about the event, including the claim that two Americans were killed.[1][4]It was twenty years before the finding of the Court of Inquiry was released. Postwar, the Club building was used as a Post Office, which operates to this day.The Battle of Manners Street, Wellington, 1943This riot, which has passed into Wellington legend as the Battle of Manners Street, took place on the evening of Saturday, 3 April 1943. It began at the Allied Services' Club in Manners Street (now the Manners Street Post Office) when, it is alleged, servicemen from the southern United States refused to let some Maori servicemen drink in the club. When the Americans removed their Army service belts to emphasise their point of view, New Zealand servicemen joined in and the battle spread into the streets. American military police, who arrived to restore order, took sides and used their batons. The fighting spread to the A.N.A. Club in Willis Street, where belts and knives were used, and into Cuba Street. It has been estimated that over 1,000 American and New Zealand, troops were involved, as well as several hundreds of civilians. The battle lasted for about four hours before order was restored by the civil police. Many American soldiers were injured during this affray and at least two were killed. The Battle of Manners Street was the ugliest riot in New Zealand's history.The Battle of Manners Street was not the only clash between American and New Zealand troops in New Zealand cities. About the same time there were two similar riots in Auckland, and a further clash occurred outside the Mayfair Cabaret, in Cuba Street, Wellington, on 12 May 1945. There was also a clash between a small party of American servicemen and Maori civilians at Otaki in October 1943.In no case has the result of any of the ensuing inquiries been published; and, owing to the strictures of wartime censorship, no reference to the riots appeared at the time in local newspapers....but yeahtoo sensitive. way late but I know what meme you're talking about & it's fucking hysterical to use it in this context bc the photo used is allegedly of Kiwi soldiers. That's relevant here bc white American soldiers literally started a riot when Maori soldiers tried to enter a bar filled w/white American soliders.

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"he might murder my mom"



i died, lmfao

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"He might murder my mom"



holy shit

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lmao @ that one girl's facial expression when told to say something nice about trump

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omg @ I dont want him to be my dad cause he'll murder my mom



its very telling when you ask a child to do an impression of trump and he uses the "I could shoot somebody in the middle of 5th ave and not lose any voters" quote. hillary's "kids are listening" ad aint no joke.

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Seriously, I had forgotten that quote

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I immediately thought of that ad when that kid picked that line. Fucking chills. Children really are very perceptive.

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With the election of Donald Trump as President, forecasters and analysts are dashing to determine how his policies are likely to affect global energy. Its likely that his measures will benefit oil and gas, though his consistent vagueness and apparent confusion over industry fundamentals makes that somewhat unlikely.

But where Trump has been somewhat vague on oil and gas, hes been positively exuberant about coal. A key point in the Trump campaigns energy and economic plan was the rejuvenation of the American coal industry. This position was a component of Trumps broader attempt to appeal to white working class American voters. But can he deliver?

As many analysts have observed over the last year, coal is in trouble. Rising production costs, environmental regulations and heavy competition from cheap natural gas has cratered coal profits. The largest coal companies in America, including Peabody Energy, have filed for bankruptcy. American coal production in 2016 was 746.5 million short tons, down from over a billion in 2014 according to the EIA. Coal consumption fell over the same period from 917 to 736.9 million short tons, while coal exports fell by 50 percent, from 97 to 57.9 million short tons. If forecasts hold, 2016 will be the worst year for US coal production since 1978. The EIA has predicted that production will grow in 2017, however, by 3 percent.

Expectations that coal can make a comeback were certainly running high in the wake of Trumps victory on Tuesday. The next day, Peabodys stock price leapt up by 50 percent, from $8.50 to nearly $13. Global coal trader Glencore saw a 7 percent rise on Wednesday, along with the prices of struggling coal companies Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, according to Bloomberg. Renewables fell across the board, a clear reaction to what many expect to be tepid (to nonexistent) support by a Trump Administration for a clean energy policy. Related: President Trump: This Is How To Bring Back 1 Million Energy Jobs

Trump wants to bring back coal. But can he deliver on his promise? Coal has been stuck in a decline that even a pro-coal president, with assistance from Congress, may not be able to reverse. In 2015 some 80 percent of energy retirements were of coal-burning power plants. Environmental regulations have led to the closure of older, smaller coal plants or driven their conversion to natural gas, which has become abundant and cheap in the wake of the fracking boom. Trump has vowed to loosen all regulation on oil and gas production, opening up federal lands to drillers and freeing up pipeline and offshore projects. But to do this would only increase the competition to coal and make it more difficult to retake market share in electricity production.

That leaves exports. A significant market exists in the Pacific for coal and spot prices have spiked recently, in part due to actions by the Chinese government to control its own coal production and consumption. Exporters are anticipating a spike in American exports that will drive prices back down, with one prominent executive noting that the demise in US coal production has been greatly exaggerated. But US coal exports will have to compete with Australia, and there are still long-term indications that India and China, the two largest coal markets, will work to keep imports low, for security and fiscal reasons. Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Inches Up As Production Jumps

And of course, while candidate Trump has been pro-coal and pro-energy, he has made it a point of railing against US trade deals with East Asia, particularly China. Oil and gas are confident that a Trump presidency will aid them in the long-term, but financial markets overall are unsure, with some worrying that Trumps attacks on international trade could lead to global economic instability, declining demand and even a global recession. For oil, it could mean greater pressure on prices, making OPECs job of stabilizing production much harder.

Some industry analysts are skeptical that Trump can make good on his promises. Even coal advocates have some doubts over whether rhetoric can translate into gains for their industry. With so much about Trump uncertain, from his actual positions on issues to his preparedness to deliver on his campaign promises, many will simply have to wait and see.

By Gregory Brew for Oilprice.com

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Surely its an effect of the plethora of amazing homes in Concordia and the surrounding neighborhoods west of Downtown that one could drive past the former Victor Schlitz Mansion, 2004 W. Highland Ave., and not immediately appreciate its beauty.

The home, which is currently for sale, is laden with distinctive detail on the outside, including a turret, and a matching curved porch wall, an inlaid terra cotta tile decoration, stained glass windows, wooden ornament and even an especially unusual feature: the lower courses of cream city bricks are dyed a different color, creating a unique effect.

But step inside and theres so much ornament, so much craftsmanship on display, that you wont even know where to point your camera first.

The house was designed by Charles Gombert, the architect who designed the iconic North Point Water Tower and the St Vincents Orphan Asylum, which still stands on 8th and Greenfield.

Schlitz  a liquor distributor who was the nephew of beer man Joseph Schlitz  clearly had the money to hire the best. And he had the knowledge  his father-in-law, Leonard Schmidtner, was the architect of St. Stanislaus and the old Courthouse on Cathedral Square, among other works.

Born in Germany, Victor came to Milwaukee in 1872, where his brother John  aided by uncle Joseph  landed four years earlier to set up an American branch of their familys winery. As Russell Zimmermann points out, although the business was named for their father Charles, the elder Schlitz never lived here.

In 1890, Schlitz had earned enough to buy five lots on the northwest corner of 20th and Highland, where builders  including mason Charles Duchow  erected the three-story balloon-framed Queen Anne stunner at a cost of $6,000.

A carriage house was erected to the north and was later expanded into the duplex that stands there today.

When Schlitz died in 1928, his six children sold the house to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operated an orphanage in it. Around the time the current owners bought the mansion, a letter arrived at the house.

"In 1940 my mother died leaving 7 children orphans," wrote June Pratt, then living in Oregon. "My sister and I were sent to that Highland address which at that time was known as St. Margarets Guild, a home for 19 girls and 5 nuns. I cried the day I arrived and cried the day I left. By then, the place was my home and the nuns and girls were my family.

"It was a beautiful stately home with a lot of ornate oak woodwork and staircases and floors. These hands spent a lot of time polishing all that oak. ... I know that I could walk blindfolded and find every room in the place."

By 1975, the mansion had become home to Highland Community School, which operated a Montessori school in the building until 1999, when Robert Upson and his wife bought it and began lovingly repairing and restoring it. The school moved to 3030 W. Highland and is now in the former MacDowell building on 17th and Highland.

Though its assessed at $175,000, the house is for sale for $350,000 and, honestly, its a steal.

The maple and walnut floors are gorgeous. There are coal fireplaces in nearly every room. Every doorway is flanked with beautiful woodwork. Some are arched. Theres lovely tile at the fireplaces and one fireplace is even built into the dining room buffet. The ceilings are high, and the place is spacious at nearly 6,800 square feet.

Best of all, Upson has poured untold quantities of sweat and money into the place, bringing the walls down to bare plaster before painting, restoring exterior details and even the tiniest interior ones. When he did a complete tear-off roofing job, he also replaced portions of the decking, maintaining the original 12-inches on center construction.

Instead of tearing off the original Lincrusta wall coverings, Upson restored them, further helping to maintain the homes period look. In the basement, a tin roof finial awaits re-installation, as do a series of freshly painted spindles for the second floor back porch and yards of carved wood trim.

But its not like living in the 1890s. The windows have been replaced and insulation blown in throughout. I visited on a blustery day and there was nary a whistle from the wind, nary a breeze to be felt. The kitchen and bathrooms are modern and comfortable.

If you take a tour, youll immediately imagine yourself playing with your kids up in the third-floor turret room or lounging with a book in a chair in the "landing room" at the foot of the grand staircase.
Joy-ann Reid breaks dow



(Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA



Reid started her rant as follows.

To the sixty million two hundred and sixty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight people who voted for Donald Trump and the nearly one hundred million who didn't bother to vote at all, even though you were eligible, we here at AM Joy are going to tell you what you have won. Donald Trump now heads the Republican Party which controls all three branches of government. which controls the House, the Senate, and the White House. And the Supreme Court is poised to be filled by the new Republican President. Now you have given Trump, a man alternately described as vengeful, erratic, narcissistic, and dangerous, and temperamentally unfit to be president -- and that's just what Conservative Republicans said about him. You've given him control of the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, the IRS, -- pretty ironic since he probably hasn't paid taxes in eighteen years -- not to mention drones and nuclear weapons.

Reid continued on how Obamacare, the Supreme Court selection, and other social issues would affect them and us all. She then excoriated their moral hypocrisy.

You have also lost the notion of an exceptional America. Because as it turns out, we are just another Western nation falling to the Ethno-nationalist forces sweeping across Europe, from Brexit in the U.K. to France's Marie Le Pen fueled and egged on by the Russians and feeding on the fear of non-white and non-Christian immigrants. We as it turns out are not that different after all. You've also lost the right to moralize to Blue America about family values. Now we sincerely hope and pray that your daughters or sisters or your wives and all women and girls are never disrespected, never abused the way the next President of the United States has boasted about disrespecting or even sexually assaulting women including walking in on teenage pageant contestants when they are naked. When your sons and daughters ask you if little girls are as valuable as little boys or if they should emulate the President of the United States, we will leave that to you to explain.

She then had a warning for the media. She said it is imperative that Trump is not normalized and that he is covered rigorously.
The monopoly of knowledge creation brings with it an illusion of choice, which is a major factor behind the massive upset or disappointment at the results of the U.S. presidential election.

This elections has left most of the world--not just Americans--in a stupor of disbelief at the sweeping victory by Donald Trump. Why is this so? Because majority of the human family who have access to the news media are discipled by it. In Asia, Africa and across the globe, many are disappointed at the results because the news media and polls reported in favour of Clinton while demonizing Trump but in reality revealed something else.

What happened and why are so many disenchanted and/or confused? This is the subject this piece will attempt to interrogate.

I am neither a North American nor a supporter of either of its two major parties. I am simply a global citizen who is interested in happenings in the government, governance and leadership spaces in our world. The just-ended presidential election is of particular interest to me because it was historic, game-changing and filled with many lessons in the aforementioned spaces of interest, which I will cover in subsequent papers.

This election and the subsequent results have unearthed the current architecture of global-governance infrastructure and the systems that run on them. The current world order was set in place after World War 2.

Today we'll discuss the news media and its role in the global upset of this decade. We will look at its role in the just-ended US presidential elections.

The news media is sometimes known as the Fourth Estate. What does this mean? According to Wikipedia:

"Fourth Estate" most commonly refers to the news media, especially print journalism or "the press" . Thomas Carlyle attributed the origin of the term to Edmund Burke, who used it in a parliamentary debate in 1787 on the opening up of press reporting of the House of Commons of Great Britain.

What specifically did Carlyle say? He wrote:

Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but , in the Reporters' Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important than they all . It is not a figure of speech, or a witty saying; it is a literal fact, ... Printing, which comes necessarily out of Writing, I say often, is equivalent to Democracy: invent Writing, Democracy is inevitable ... Whoever can speak, speaking now to the whole nation, becomes a power, a branch of government, with inalienable weight in lawmaking, in all acts of authority . It matters not what rank he has, what revenues or garnitures: the requisite thing is that he have a tongue which others will listen to; this and nothing more is requisite.



--Carlyle (1905) pp.349-350

Burke understood the immense influence that reporters have--so much so he equated their work to a branch of government with inalienable weight in lawmaking, in all acts of authority. And yet many will argue that this is the only branch of government that under big-brother government goes largely unregulated because speech must be "free".

The Fourth Estate stands for the fourth 'power' that checks and counterbalances the three state 'powers', namely the executive, legislature and judiciary. But the question is who balances their unfettered power and authority?

The Fourth Estate is depicted as the people's watchdog. To be effective as a watchdog, it is commonly assumed that the news media must be independent of the state. In other words, it can only act as a watchdog by a free-market organization of the news media. It is also commonly assumed that news media is concerned with rational debate and, for this to transpire, it must not only be independent of national governments but also of their owners who may at times operate as transnational entities. The news media is not only accorded the role of watchdog but also as a civic forum and agenda setter--speaking truth to power.

The question though is who speaks truth to the new media? They shape public opinion but who shapes theirs?

Because of the power they wield, the owners of these news-media outlets are sometimes more powerful than presidents. The next sections will capture why. And because politicasters know and understand the power of the new media to shape the perception and public opinion, they form alliances with these owners who have influence in their organizations. It is an age-old truth that "he who pays the piper calls the tune" and this is certainly true for the news media. Owners call shots. And majority of the news media are owned by a few families with close ties to politicasters.

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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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PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR



OTAN = Asesinos



OTAN = NATO = Muerte



Mas temprano que tarde los derrotaremos



Hipocresia 3.0



El principe Carlos habla sobre el alto costo de la vida Es un chiste?



Las verdades son simples



Opinar es un peligro



Ejemplo de dignidad



El Nuevo Orden Mundial



Historica foto para el record Guinness







Se pegaron un tiro en el pie



Si palabras



Ya no enganan a nadie



No hacen falta palabras







Lo volvio a hacer



Capitalismo=embuste



Historico Bitcoin



La bateria mas grande de Holanda



El futuro es solar



Nec plus ultra, nec variatur



Fisica y culturalmente



Jamas nos callaran



Sin ellas, no seremos



Deja vu



Nada que celebrar



Hasta cuando?



Colombia Hoy



Para nunca olvidar



'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England



Sin palabras



La UE le apunta a la paz



Cada vez mas solo



LULA y su Pueblo



Bye Bye



Homenaje al genial Quino



Fueron ellos



Una imagen que resume



Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero?



Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante)



Ladrones al poder



Asi mira el perrito a su amo



Crazy



Clamor popular



La nueva inquisicion



Bolivia



Chile Hoy



Eso es todo amigos!



Piensalo!



Pinerachet



No More Trump



Adios Macri, hasta nunca



La Marioneta se desinfla



Asi o mas cinico



Almugre



Mexico en 1794



Mas arrastrado imposible



Hasta cuando!



La pura verdad



Solidaridad con Palestina



Serie Capitalismo



Espejismos de la clase trabajadora



Asi es!



Comerciantes o delincuentes



No pasaran!



Asi es la vida



USA HOY



01/01/1959



La avaricia no tiene limites



AYUDA HUMANITARIA?



Chile Hoy



Asi son las cosas



Mapa Electoral de Venezuela



Patagonia argentina?



Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad



Retrato del franquismo en Espana



Visca Catalunya!



El Chulo de Madrid



Cuando la policia se roba la democracia



Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras



La purita verdad



Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia



Mi pobre clase media



Como Chavez nadie



Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear

Programa de la MUD



Asi o mas clarito



Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte?



Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio?



Una verguenza nacional



La luz que nos guia



La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz?



Feudalismo ayer y hoy



Obama, el mentiroso



Curiosa coincidencia



Un mundo de cerdos



No es extrano?



La Marioneta



Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran



MARICORI Y OBAMA



Cuantas muertes este ano?



USA TODAY



USA HOY 6



USA HOY 5



USA HOY 4



USA HOY 3



USA HOY 2



USA HOY (1)



Insaciable



Cronologia de un agresor



Guarimbear en USA



Mexico hoy



Bolivar y Chavez



Primero Amargado



Dios los cria y ellos se juntan



USA hoy (III)



USA hoy (II)



USA hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Obama



La verdad sea dicha



Los ricos



Que no nos vea Obama



Pobre Obama



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Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


Ukraine has been a leading country among the world sunflower oil manufacturers for the last few years. Hence, in 2015-2016 MY its share accounted for 54% of the world total amount of the manufactured product. Asian countries, India and China in particular, purchase a significant part of crude sunflower oil. Ukrainian Biofuel Portal, prepared a database of Asian buyers which had been importing crude sunflower oil from Ukraine in the period of 2015  second quarter of 2016. The database reflects a credible and relevant picture of the sunflower market.

2015 saw export of more than 3,87 Mt of crude sunflower oil

According to the database of Ukrainian crude sunflower oil importres (buyers), Ukraine exported 3,87 Million tons (Mt) of crude sunflower oil in the previous year. The buyers of sunflower oil were 265 companies from 47 countries of the world. The geography of purchasers is quite extensive; the countries from all continents are on the list of the importers. 10 of these countries are Asian ones and what is more important, it is them that basically define the structure of crude sunflower oil export from Ukraine. By way of example, it was only India and China that purchased 2,01 Mt, which accounted for 52% of the overall export volume. The biggest share was purchased by India  1,39 Mt, while China bought 0,62 Mt. Malaysia became the third leading importer, with the imported volume of 0,25 Mt of Ukrainian crude sunflower oil.

1H 2016 saw export of 2,26 Mt of crude sunflower oil

In the corresponding period 205 companies from 46 countries of the world imported crude sunflower oil from Ukraine. Yet 14 countries from the list are related to Asia. The leading importing countries have still been India (0,71 Mt) and China (0,3 Mt). The third place goes to the Netherlands (0,26 Mt).

The importers showed the highest activity in June 2016, when the overall export value of crude sunflower oil was 0,42 Mt. In the first quarter of 2016 MY 1,09 Mt went for export, and in the second quarter  1,17 Mt.

Up to 95-97% of sunflower oil in China manufactured in Ukraine

Ukraine supplies the huge Chinese market with the most of sunflower oil. This market has the same colossal prospective as the Indian one. The intergovernmental agreements which have been recently reached contribute to the development of the trade between the countries and the export of crude sunflower oil to these Asian countries in particular.

Ukraine has significant crude sunflower export potential

As of 2015 MY, the share of sunflower oil accounted for 8.7% of the overall Ukrainian export. For example, app. 43,9 billion UAH accounted only for the value of the exported crude sunflower oil in the first half of 2016. Furthermore, we should understand that more than the half of the product export falls at the countries of Asia.

Importance of Asian export vector: experts comment

Sergei Kozlov, a leading analyst of Ukrainian Biofuel Portal comments on the situation: "Ukrainian production of sunflower oil is generally export-oriented. Only 15-20% of the product manufactured in our country covers the needs of the inner market to the full extent, while there is practically no imported sunflower oil to be found on the shelves of Ukrainian shops. The rest of it is sold abroad. Alongside with that, the main volume of the product reaches exactly the Asian countries, despite the fact that the geography of the export of sunflower oil is quite broad. For example, last year India purchased 34.6% and China bought 14.5% of the total amount of crude sunflower oil which was sold abroad".

In order to be successfull on the Asian market, one needs to know current situation on it, its dynamics. Ukrainian Biofuel Portal receives inquiries from foreign countries for the purchase of sunflower oil. In the meantime, as a rule, the average volume of purchases is quite significant.

The expert goes on: "Ukrainian Biofuel Portal which I represent prepared a database on Asian importers purchasing crude sunflower oil. It is substantially to assist Ukrainian manufacturers and emerging players on the world market. The database provides all the necessary information: from the contacts of the importing companies to the import volumes and the terms of supply of every buyer. Thus, our web portal created an effective instrument for the market traders who focus on cooperation with the Asian countries".

2016/17 MY: Asian sunflower oil market prospective

The experts are unanimously sure that in the coming years Ukraine will not lose its world leadership as a producer of sunflower oil. The United States Department of Agriculture has recently improved its forecasts concerning the harvest of sunflower in Ukraine in 2016, which means an increased production of sunflower oil by Ukrainian oil-extracting factories. The American analysts forecast the increase of sales volumes of both refined and crude sunflower oil. In the previous season a serious struggle for the market outlets was developing between the exporters from Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian exporters won the day mostly due to the anti-Russian sanctions from the EU. As for the experts, they forecast that it is the market of the countries of Asia: China, India, Turkey and several other Asian countries that is to become the main platform of a serious struggle between Russia and Ukraine for the extension of the market potential in this sector in 2016-2017 MY.

Author: Stepan Rudnitskiy for Ukrainian Biofuel Portal
The total cost of Lake Turkana Wind Power plant amounts to $700 million. Realization of the project with capacity of 310 megawatts will increase energetic output of the African state by 17%.

The quantity of Googles investment hasnt been revealed yet. The market analysts underline that even the modest contribution will become an incentive for investments into projects in the field of alternative energy sources. At the same time it was reported that Google would become minority investor of the project.

Earlier Googles management took a part in the building of Jasper Power Project, one of the biggest African solar power plants, located in South Africa. The company is also a co-investor of the number of American projects in the field of solar and wind power energy that are located in Iowa, Texas and Mojave desert.

It is worth noticing that Google administration, which capitalization is $350 million, has been searching for an opportunity to invest into foreign economies for a long time.
Agriculture holds the double distinction of being highly vulnerable to climate change but also offering a solution to the problem, experts say

Diplomatic wrangling this week will make the headlines in the fight against climate change, but experts say a bigger but largely unseen battle is set to unfold on the world's farms.

Agriculture holds the double distinction of being highly vulnerable to climate change but also offering a solution to the problem, they say.

In a report ahead of the November 7-18 UN climate talks in Marrakesh, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had a blunt warning about the risks to the food supply from drought, flood, soil depletion, desertification and rising demand.

"There is no doubt climate change affects food security," the agency's chief, Jose Graziano da Silva, said.

"What climate change does is to bring back uncertainties from the time we were all hunter gatherers. We cannot assure any more that we will have the harvest we have planted."

Crop volatility has been felt acutely this year, partly through El Ninoa weather phenomenon whose impact is seen by many scientists as a reflection of what future climate change may look like.

Harvests fell sharply in the bread baskets of Latin America, North Africa and Europe, hit by exceptional drought or floods.

Over the coming dozen years or so, according to last month's FAO report, farmers in developing countries will be the ones who bear the brunt of rising temperatures.

Beyond 2030, though, "negative pressures on food production will be increasingly felt everywhere".

At the same time, agriculture is a massive contributor of greenhouse gases, helping to stoke the planetary warming that in turn affects the climate system.

Farming accounts for at least a quarter of world greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

By itself, it contributes 17 percent of the warming effect, especially through emissions of methanea stronger heat-trapper than carbon dioxidewhich comes from animal farming and rice paddies. Deforestation and conversion of virgin land to the plough are also powerful factors in the emissions total.

Farming vision

Ideas abound for fixing the problem, although mustering the finance to do it remains a tricky question.

The compelling vision is of a world where agriculture makes smarter use of less resources, providing more food with less carbon pollution.

Much of the thinking focuses on helping smallholder farmers, especially in Africa, with sustainable techniques.

Crop rotation, drought-resistant seeds and restricted use of water are among the options and low tilling of soil, especially in winter, is favoured.

Agricultural scientists are also big champions of the humble legumea plant that includes peas, lentils and captures nitrogen from the air and fixes it in the soil, providing a natural fertiliser.

Sebastien Abis, a researcher at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), a Paris thinktank, points to a world population that is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, compared to 3.7 billion in 1970. Demand for meat, a big contributor to carbon emissions, is also expected to surge.

That makes it "dangerous" for people to think there can be a letup in food production, said Abis.

Hans Herren, an award-winning Swiss development expert who is president of the Millennium Institute, a Washington-based NGO, is a little more sanguine.

He believes the quest should be on providing better calories rather than more of them. Slashing waste and encouraging efficiency are the key.

"Today the planet provides twice as much food than it needs4,600 calories per person per day, whereas we only need 2,300 calories," Herren said in an interview with AFP.

 2016 AFP
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One of my favorite Woody Allen lines is, "I'm not afraid of death. I just don't want to be there when it happens." Death ...
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.
'Looking' was billed as the new TV show that mixed 'Girls' with 'Sex and the City'. While I never really got that analogy other than it involved a group of friends and their relationships in a big city, 'Looking' never really stood out as being one of the better shows HBO said "yes" to. After two seasons, HBO cancelled 'Looking' in 2015, because of poor ratings. After this happened, most of the fans took to a petition and made their voice heard that they wanted more episodes, since the seconds season ended without any closure. Even show creators Andrew Haigh and Michael Lannan thought HBO was going to renew 'Looking' for a third season, but that never happened. Heck, we never even got a second season on Blu-ray until now with this set. Since the fans were adamant about getting more from 'Looking', HBO gave Haigh and Lannan some money to make a TV Movie that wrapped up the television series, which aired in the summer of 2016.

Now, HBO has released season one, season two, and the film all in one set. This series and film centered around Patrick (Jonathan Groff), a video game programmer living in San Francisco. Through season one and two, we see him in and out of relationships with hot guys, his bosses, and other flames. Patrick's best friend is Dom (Murray Bartlett), who is an older man who is wanting more out of life, who meets Lynn (Scott Bakula), a wealthy man who wants to help Dom. For being a show billed as a comedy, you would expect to have some laughs here and there, but that's not the case. This is a fairly melodramatic tv series that seems muted in both personality, fun, and even the stylistic color in which it's shot.

If you want to read the review of Season One, please click here. Season two begins with Patrick, Dom, and Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez) having a nice stay in Northern California. They are staying in the woods at Lynn's (Scott Bakula) place. Soon though, Dom's roommate Doris (Lauren Weedman) joins them. From here, we see each character look at themselves and their relationships from an internal perspective. Not all is sunshine and puppy dogs either, which keeps this second season bleak like the first season. Dom and Doris head back to their home town where they begin to examine their current lives and how they could improve, which causes Dom and Doris to change some things in their lives, which have been present throughout the season.

Augustin and his friend Eddie (Daniel Franzese) start spending more time together as Augustin realizes he needs to change his life. Meanwhile, Patrick is still trying to find true love, which seems to not be happening with any of his suitors. This season was definitely open ended, and again, the creators thought they would be back for season three, but that never happened. So the film came along and is a pretty present, topped with a nice red bow to wrap everything up nicely. In the film, Patrick has moved to Colorado, but comes back to San Francisco for a wedding, where he takes a look at his past relationships of everyone from the previous two seasons.

After some long talks and realizations with every character, we get to see what they have been doing over the past year, which every story arc and character receives a tightly wrapped happy ending, which is what fans wanted. 'Looking' was never a great show, but it certainly was very different than how other shows and films portrayed the gay community, which I applaud them for. Everything seemed more realistic and toned down from what we are used to seeing. It was just difficult to connect with any story line or character due to their own self sabotaging relationships and careers. Still, it's nice for fans to have every episode and the wrap of film in one set, even if you have to receive season one again.





The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

This 'Looking' set comes with five Blu-ray Discs, three of which are 25GB Discs and two of which are 50GB Discs from HBO that are all Region A Locked. The only insert is that of a digital download for all episodes and the film. The discs are housed in a hard, blue plastic case with a cardboard sleeve.
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GUILDERLAND  Hundreds of shoppers were rushed out of Crossgates Mall on Saturday when reports spread about possible gunshots being fired near retail stores.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and no suspects in custody.

Law enforcement officials ordered an evacuation of Crossgates Mall after police were alerted to one, or possibly two, shots being fired.

Police could not independently confirm those reports.

Officers with assault rifles positioned around the mall were searching the property and checking security footage.

State Police Maj. Bill Keeler told the Albany Times-Union that reports that came in at about 2:30 p.m. suggesting shots linked to a possible confrontation between two men who fled the scene.

"Right now we are in the process of evacuating the mall safely under our plan that we've drilled for before," Guilderland Police Chief Carol Lawlar told Time Warner Cable News Service on Saturday afternoon.

"We have not come across a victim yet," Lawlar said.

She said investigators were examining a video that showed a man in a white shirt and a black hoodie. Authorities did not have anyone in custody as of late afternoon.

Mall management is working with authorities, Lawlar said, "and hopefully we'll bring this to a successful conclusion."
GLENS FALLS  Glens Falls Councilman-at-Large Dan Hall has proposed using a portion of the citys $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant for a realty show-type contest to identify and support start-up niche retail businesses on South Street.

If we redo and refurbish all these buildings, were going to have a lot of empty space, said Hall, co-chairman of the local Downtown Revitalization Initiative Committee.

Under Halls proposal, modeled after the CNBC television realty show Cleveland Hustles, competitors would enroll in Warren County Microenterprise Assistance Program classes and work with the SUNY Adirondack business counseling center and local business mentors to develop business plans.

Winning plans would receive grants, loans or technical assistance from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative to launch their enterprises.

Its in its infancy stages. Well have to put a lot of thought into it, Hall said at the local DRI Committee meeting on Wednesday.

The committee is planning how to use a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant that was announced in August.

It has a late February deadline to submit a proposed plan to the state.

The committee continues to take suggestions from the public, said Sarah Yackel of BFJ Planning, a consultant to the committee.

About 400 people have completed an online survey that is available through Nov. 23 at surveymonkey.com/r/glensfallsdri.

We would really like to get up to 600 or 700 responses, she said.

The committee will hold a public forum, open to all, from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 3 in Heritage Hall at Glens Falls Civic Center.

You can drop in at any time (during the forum.) But I think it would be more beneficial if you come for the whole time, Yackel said.

Childrens activities will be available during the forum to encourage parents to attend.

Among other topics the committee discussed Wednesday: a subgroup of the committee recommended removing property at the intersection of Warren and Glen streets, which includes a Burger King restaurant, and a proposed STEAM museum in the back of the J.E. Sawyer building on Glen Street from consideration.

STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

There are more pressing redevelopment needs on South Street, said Judy Calogero, chairwoman of Glens Falls Industrial Development Agency.

Calogero said museum row along Warren Street might be a better location for a STEAM museum.

Maybe The Hyde (Collection) art museum could even be involved in that, she said.

Calogero advised exploring the feasibility of attracting retailers that conduct a portion of sales online, not just from walk in traffic.

EDC Warren County President Edward Bartholomew said an architectural consultant who has experience designing year-round farmers markets will be meeting with members of Glens Falls Farmers Market.

They (market vendors) are fully supportive of this and are looking to have activities beyond just one day a week, he said.

Information about the plan is available at gfdri.org and at the Glens Falls DRI Facebook page.
GRANVILLE  Ben Osborns legacy burns a little brighter, thanks to students in Gary Gendrons architectural drawing class at Granville High School.

Friday, after the towns annual Veterans Day parade, the ninth Bens Book Station was dedicated in downtown Granville, next to the Lions furniture store.

Osborn, an Army corporal and a 2002 Lake George High School graduate, died in June 2010 at age 27 after insurgents attacked with small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in Konar, Afghanistan.

According to Osborns father, Bill, the idea of the book kiosks is to provide books to children and adults at a convenient location encouraging children to read and explore.

The Granville book station was designed and built as a community service project by Gendrons class during the 2015-16 school year and was dedicated Friday.

Supplies and materials were donated by Curtis Lumber of Granville and Paul Labas, Labas Slate and the village of Granville. The benches were donated by Telescope Furniture. The slate roof was applied by Jake Merrow, the father of student Dylan Merrow.

The Benjamin D. Osborn Memorial Fund, Inc. supports children in need in conjunction with 32 schools in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties by providing purchased goods and services including electronics, clothing, bedding, food, tutoring, school supplies, eyeglasses, transportation costs, field trip admission expenses and other items. It has helped more than 3,000 children, according to organizers.

It also awards 20 scholarships to qualifying graduating seniors from 10 local school districts.

The fund provides household and personal care items to 11 local food pantries. Last Christmas, the fund donated more than $14,000 in food and gifts to local children and families with need.

For more information on this or other program initiatives: contact Bill Osborn at 792-4514 The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund PO Box 4040 Queensbury, NY 12804 or email benosbornfund.org
GREENWICH  What seemed like a crazy idea in 2013 has turned into one of the village and towns most-anticipated events of the year.

The fourth annual Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade will be held Saturday, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The event, which is sponsored by the Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, has been moved from Thursday to Saturday this year. Registration closes Monday.

Winners in the eight categories will be selected by four well-known members from the agriculture and arts communities and presented at Greenwich Central School once entries are lined up. The categories are best in show, best use of lights, most creative, best small tractor, best float, best musical entry, best antique entry, and best Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce member entry.

Registration forms are available at many area businesses, at the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce office and online at www.greenwichchamber.org.

Numerous Greenwich organizations and churches are joining the festivities. Many shops and eateries will be open along Main Street and throughout Greenwich.

Tractor Parade souvenirs will be sold at the Food Court near 70 Main St. and in Mowry Park. Greenwich Central School FBLA will have souvenirs and food items for sale at the parade line up area at GCS. There will be portable toilets in Mowry Park, at Washington Square and near the food court near 70 Main St.

Spectators are asked to arrive before 5 p.m. to find parking on side streets and in designated parking areas and to avoid any street closures and detours.

Parade organizers and the Cambridge-Greenwich Police Department will set up a detour route early Saturday.

People traveling to Vermont, Salem, and points north should consider using state Route 40 North to county Route 49 to state Route 29 in East Greenwich.

Motorists going to Cambridge, Jackson, Easton, and southern Vermont will be detoured by state Route 40 to Hegeman Bridge Road, right onto Louse Hill Road to the end and left onto county Route 74. At the end of county Route 74, drivers can turn right onto state Route 372. The routes will be marked Detour in advance.

Local residents are encouraged to carpool or walk to the parade route. Parking will be prohibited along Main Street from Academy Street to Washington Street, on Hill Street, Church Street and at certain corners along the parade route. There is a handicapped parking area on Woodlawn Avenue.

The parade begins at Greenwich Central School then turns right onto Church Street, makes a left turn onto Main Street, takes participants through the business district, takes a right onto Washington Street, then right onto Bleecker Street to Hill Street.

From there the parade will begin to disperse to Lower Hill Street onto Abeel Avenue to unload participants or head back to Greenwich Central School.

This years Diamond sponsors for the parade are Capital Tractor, Inc., Kelly & Sellar Ryan, PLLC, and The Fort Miller Group, Inc.

Platinum Sponsors include Battenkill Creamery, LLC and Greenwich Village Cafe & Bakery. Gold sponsors are Barkley Real Estate, Cargill, Farm Credit East, ACA, Snell Septic Service, division of SCI, and The Hudson River Tractor Company, LLC.
On Friday, the state Court of Appeals determined Judge Robert J. Putorti Jr. is immediately suspended from office as the Whitehall town and village courts justice while they review the appeal of his removal from office.
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Back in 1984, director Paul Mazursky ('An Unmarried Woman', 'Down and Out in Beverly Hills') took a story from a student he was lecturing and made 'Moscow on the Hudson'. which follows a Russian Man defecting to the United States to be free. I know that sounds like a serious political drama, but that's not the case here, as Mazursky has cast Robin Williams in the lead role as Vladimir Ivanoff, a saxophone player for the Russian circus. Inspired by Mazursky's student's story of coming to America, the director has delivered a light-hearted video diary of sorts of Vladimir's first months in America with some comedic scenes of Vladimir learning English and working odd jobs.

What also plays out well here is the lack of a brutal or really any political message. Instead, this is just about a person who learns to adapt to a new way of life and find happiness, which is what we are all after, and of course Robin Williams plays the part to perfection. The story centers around Vladimir Ivanoff (Williams) in Russia, playing his saxophone in the circus. Their circus troupe is offered a show in New York City and to the big apple to perform.

Right before they had back to Moscow, the troupe is allowed to purchase some gifts from Bloomingdales, which is where Vladimir defects in front of supportive people and a news camera and crew. The security guard at Bloomingdales allows Vladimir to stay at his place while he gets on his feet and the cosmetics counter girl falls for Vladimir. From here, we see a basic day-to-day in the life of Vladimir as he searches for his happiness. Williams plays the part with a very nice and subtle comedic genius. He does not overplay his welcome in an over-the-top silly performance, but rather a very realistic man, who tries to make the best of his situation.

Williams even learned Russian and to play saxophone for this role. The other actors turn in solid performances as well with a wealth of young cameos throughout, which if you blink, you might miss them. Again, Mazursky wasn't trying to go for some political message here, which was a breath of fresh air in these types of films. 'Moscow on the Hudson' is much lighter than that and has some genuine comedy throughout, and just wants to tell the story of a man adjusting to a new, free life in America with all of its ups and downs.





The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'Moscow on the Hudson' comes with a 50GB Blu-ray Disc from Twilight Time and is Region A Locked. There were only 3,000 copies made. The disc is housed in a clear, hard plastic case with an insert that consists of an essay by Julie Kirgo on the film.
Genres : Music, Concert

Starring : Ritchie Blacmmore

Plot Synopsis

In June 2016, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore made his much-anticipated return to rock music as Ritchie Blackmore s Rainbow played three concerts in Europe, two in Germany and one in England. Recordings from the two German shows at Loreley and Bietigheim make up this live album Memories In Rock. The setlist, combining classic tracks from both Deep Purple and Rainbow, was exactly what the fans had wished for. The band played superbly and Ritchie Blackmore proved that he remains one of the finest guitarists of all time.



BLU-RAY

1. HIGHWAY STAR 2. SPOTLIGHT KID 3. MISTREATED 4. 16TH CENTURY GREENSLEEVES 5. SINCE YOU BEEN GONE 6. MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN 7. CATCH THE RAINBOW 8. DIFFICULT TO CURE (BEETHOVEN S NINTH) 9. PERFECT STRANGERS 10. STARGAZER 11. LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL 12. CHILD IN TIME / WOMAN FROM TOKYO 13. BLACK NIGHT 14. SMOKE ON THE WATER



CD 1

1. HIGHWAY STAR 2. SPOTLIGHT KID 3. MISTREATED 4. 16TH CENTURY GREENSLEEVES 5. SINCE YOU BEEN GONE 6. MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN 7. CATCH THE RAINBOW 8. DIFFICULT TO CURE (BEETHOVEN S NINTH) 9. PERFECT STRANGERS 10. STARGAZER



CD 2.

1. LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL 2. CHILD IN TIME / WOMAN FROM TOKYO 3. BLACK NIGHT 4. SMOKE ON THE WATER
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Genres : Opera, Concert

Plot Synopsis

These two short Italian operas are brought together in a new staging by award-winning director Damiano Michieletto, who sets both operas in a poverty stricken village in 1980s southern Italy, where the Mafia has a hold. The Royal Opera's Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts a cast that includes charismatic Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek, exciting Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio and the thrilling Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko.
READ MORE:President Mahama opens gold refinery

One of the tenets of the deal is to maintain fiscal discipline and expenditure cuts.

"We have a program that we are running with the International Monetary Fund and there are structures under this program; there is a budget, there are expenditure profiles that have been all agreed and the President has committed himself not to breach this understanding," Dr Botchway told Citi FM.

He added: The President has committed himself to ensure that there is no expenditure over run in this election year. So far, I have seen no evidence suggesting that this promise would not be met."

He expressed hope that government will stay within budget since the country pays dearly for it after the election.
Trump, who campaign on "Make America Great Again" by promising to checking illegal immigrations, bringing back American jobs and repealing Obamacare, stunned the world when he emerged winner against establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

Fuse OGD, appalled by the election of Trump took to microblogging website Twitter to question Americans, adding that the world now lives in "scary times."

According to him, his fear is heightened by the fact Trump is a bully, anti-black, women and immigrants.

He said in a series of tweet: "OMG!!!!!!! Wtf is going on in America?!! this is.crazyyyyy."

"America...you have truly exposed yourself today in 'numbers'. This is horrifying to witness. Scary times."

America has actually voted for a bully who is against Black people, muslims, women, immigrants etc. This is maaaaddddd."

Trump in his victory speech pledged to unite all Americans, rebuild the inner cities largely inhabited by blacks and create jobs.
Prior to the US election, Rev. Bempah said on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana that Clinton will emerge as winner but if she is not careful, Trump could emerge as the winner.

He said:Spiritually, the lady will win. Physically, the lady will win because she holds the flag of victory, he said.

When host, Paul Adom Otchere asked if the gentleman could win, Rev. Owusu Bempah replied, It would be difficult If you listen to my prophecies even before the names of aspirants came out, I said the lady was holding the flag, the man is trying to take it away and if the lady isnt careful the man could take it. Despite whatever is happening there, I still stand by my words that the lady holds it. If the gentle tries harder he could snatch it.

While some have accused the man of God of making a fake prophecy, others think his prophecy came to pass since he warned that if Trump tries harder, he will win.

Donald Trump stunned the world when he emerged winner in the election. Since then, Ghanaians on social media have engaged in endless back and forth on the prophcy.

Here are samples of the debate going on social media
According to him, Trump suffers sincerity deficit because of his alleged double stands on issues.

Trump shocked the world when he was elected as the 45th president of the US after a smashing electoral college victory against establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

Mrs Clinton, however, won the popular votes.

However, discussing Trumps victory on Joy FM's Newsfile Saturday, Kweku Baako said Trump's victory was "self inflicted" by a media cabal.

He also condemned the street protested against Trump's victory.

He said: I was also shocked when it turned out that Mr Trump had won the elections. It was the least thing I expected. I think he suffers sincerity deficit because of the things he had said."

"I find it shockingwhat I dont like is the protest underway even though sentimentally I appreciate where the protestors are coming from. I think that in terms of the American system, they ought to live with that decision for the next four years
In a statement, Mr Boadu said the NPP will use every constitutional force to protect themselves and their properties.

"...we want to send a strong warning to the President. We shall not be intimidated. We shall not be assaulted. We will use every constitutional force to protect ourselves and our properties. We believe we have a responsibility to protect our democracy and the only way to do so is not to allow the instruments of violence to have their way," the statement said.

Mr Boadu said the motive for the attack is "to assault the household and create an enhanced atmosphere of fear within Ghana, 24 days to the election. This action was premeditated and unquestionably violent."

He further warned that the party resist all violence against members of the party.

Early on, the party's Director of Communications denounced the attacked saying "the motive for the attack is to create an atmosphere of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election."

Nana Akomea also called on the Peace Council and the Civil Society Organisations to condemn the act since it is a threat to the country's democracy.
In a statement condemning the attack, the NPP said the "large crowd" was led by Ako Gunn, who massed up in front of Akufo-Addo's home and attacked his security details and valuable properties.

It said: "Early this morning, a large crowd of NDC supporters led by one Ako Gunn, one of the Muntie 3 who was recently pardoned by President Mahama after being jailed for threatening to rape and murder the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, massed up in front of the home of Nana Addo, and violently attacked the security detail outside the presidential candidates house. "

Police officers at the Nima Police Station which is close to the Akufo-Addo's residence intervened to prevent further attacks.

The statement, signed by the party's Director of Communications, Nana Akomea, said the motive for the attack is to create an atmosphere of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election.

It further called on the Peace Council and the Civil Society Organisations to condemn the act since it is a threat to the country's democracy.
READ MORE: Independent candidate JOY names running mate

It follows claims that ballot papers for the December vote were intercepted at the office of one of the political parties in the Upper West Region.

According to the EC, the printed ballots for the Upper West Region arrived at the Regional Police Headquarters in Wa Saturday morning.

The representatives of the political parties in the region were invited to witness the delivery process and confirm their seals on the bag, the statement said.

The EC further assured that the printing process of the ballot was closely monitored by representatives of the political parties on a 24-hour shift basis.

The commission explained that "record was taken of every single ballot printed and at the end of the day, the printing house was closed in the presence of all political party representatives."

"Every morning, the printing house was not opened unless the representatives of the political parties were present and printing did not start until all the representatives of the political parties were present," it said.
READ MORE: EC slams false claims on ballot papers

"When you meet one or two of them, they can talk more than the crowd here.

"But the NDC, the silent majority always surprises them during elections. They wonder where the party gets its vote but our supporters are there.

The president also touted his achievement, highlighting his Community Day Schools.

We made the most massive investment in the road sector in the history of Ghana. Not only that, if look at education weve done the same thing, he said.

If you look at the education sector, it is the same thing. In Greater Accra, we are building ten new community senior high schools to enable our children to attend school," he added.

President added: Yesterday, I went to inaugurate one at Frafraha, Kwabenya and I am aware that the one at Kpone will be completed soon. So when the time is due I will come again and I come and inaugurate that one too."

READ MORE: Independent candidate JOY names running mate

Meanwhile, his main rival, Nana Akufo-Addo is alleging that the president plans to reduce fuel price in a "desperate" move to win votes.
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Adewole told the News News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that many Nigerians preferred to spend so much on Aso-Ebi and spend little or nothing on their health, because they do not value health.

The minister, who spoke on the sidelines of a media parley marking his one year in his office, said many Nigerians see payment for health as a loss.

According to him, there are many diseases, which people do not even know they have, that is why we are working to improve population awareness by educating Nigerians regularly on how to improve their health status.

The end point is that every home should be a primary healthcare facility and every Nigerian should be a primary healthcare giver.

People check their cars every morning for problems, we should also treat our bodies better than that by going for regular health checks.

The whole implication is that, it is cheaper to prevent diseases than to treat; the next line is that when it is detected early, it is also cheaper.

It is when it has reached advanced and complicated stage that it becomes a problem and more expensive.

But with regular checks, diseases are prevented, detected early, properly treated and managed. We should be more conscious to reduce the burden of diseases in our country,  the minister said.

Adewole also called on wealthy Nigerians to invest in health, and should not leave the management and funding of the sector to the government alone.

Let us clone the Bill Gates and Dangotes. There are many things you can do as an individual in the sector.
Chili's advertised free Veterans Day meals for service members. But not for black U.S. Army veteran Ernest Walker, who shot video of a confrontation with a manager who refused to honor the deal. The man came up to his table and took his food from him.

I ordered the waitress was wonderful. It took about 35 mins for meal to come. So when it attived I gave her a Tip as asjed for a take out. She said sure, at that point a old white guy wearing a Trump flag shirt walked buy me on hi way to the bath room. He came back and aked me what unit did i serve in the 24th. I said no the 25th. He said he was in world war 2 in Germany and we did not see people like you over there. They would no allow blacks. I just listened he left then came back to bathroom again and pet my dog. So waitress put foid in container. Then the managers comes and says a somes guest at the restaurant say that your not a real Soldier. I reply what are you serious what guest. The manager Wesly Patrick said can I see military ID. I felt that was reasonable I most people ask for that so I shoed him my ID it checked out. At that point all he should have said was 'Sir I am sorry Thank you for your service and I would have left. But instead ge says ' tbe guest also says that your service dog is not a service dog. Now that's when igot upset and started Recording so see for yourself what happened:

He elaborated in a follow-up post:

I was approached by an old white guy, maybe in his 70s, with a Trump Shirt, at Chili's on Veteran's Day yesterday. He asked if I was in the 24th unit, and I said "no the 25th". TRICK QUESTION. He said he was in Germany, and that they did not let Blacks serve over there. He left to the back, and came back and rubbed my dog Barack, who is a service dog. I was seated and eating my food. The waitress packed the rest of my food in a to go box because I had to go pick up my wife. I got my food and tipped the waitress. Then the Manager, MR. Wesley Patrick, comes from the same area in the back, walked up, and rudly informs me that a guest said that I was not a real soldier because I had my hat on indoors. Other guests heard him. He asked for my military ID, I was calm, and provided it to him. I also provided him with my DD214 which is my discharge paperwork. At that point he should have just said "I am sorry Sir, thank you for your service' Instead he followed up with "the guest also said your dog is not a service dog." Barack had his Red Service Vest on, and his Certified Service Tags. I was sitting for 35 minutes prior with Barack beforehand. At this point I was grossly offended embarrassed dehumanized and started RecordingMr. Wesley snatched my food away, made body contact

"Emboldened" is the word they're using.

On his Facebook page, Walker posted Chili's reply, which came after the video went viral.

According to Fox 4, a local news affiliate, Chili's apologized in a public statement and a meeting is planned with Walker and his attorney.

A company spokesperson released this statement: "Our goal is to make every guest feel special and, unfortunately, we fell short on a day where we serve free meals as a small token to honor our VeteransWe are taking this very seriously and the leaders in our company are actively involved with the goal of making it right." Walker's attorney, Kim Cole, says she is meeting with Chili's general counsel Monday, and one of the company's attorneys has apologized. "She felt really bad that Mr. Walker had this experience," said Cole.

Rob Beschizza is on Twitter at @beschizza
Yari commended Wike for transforming the state in spite of the prevailing economic recession in the country.

Yari, who is also the Governor of Zamfara, gave the commendation at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Saturday after a closed-door meeting with Wike.

It is quite commendable that Wike has managed to come up with some programmes for the betterment of Rivers people.

This is in spite of the fact that we are having a serious economic crisis in our hands, which we are trying to manage.

We came here for friendship and private discussion concerning the Nigeria Governors Forum. He is a member and we visit our members.

When he has the opportunity, Gov. Wike will visit Kebbi and Zamfara. This is a brotherly visit, a statement by Wike's Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted Yari as saying.

He lauded his host for key projects within the Government House, which has lifted the facility.

Wike took us round to see development projects and the way he is changing the face of the Government House, he said.

The forum chairman, who was in company with his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, was later joined by Sen. Andy Uba.

Highpoint of the visit was an inspection of ongoing projects at the Government House.

ALSO READ: Zamfara lawmakers are selfish - Gov Yar

Guided by the host governor, the visitors inspected the restoration and extension project of the Brick House Complex and the Government House Chapel.
The Commandant of the Corps in Borno, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Maiduguri.

Abdullahi said that the move was in line with the directive of the Corps Commander-General, Abdullahi Gana, which is designed to promote unity and peaceful coexistence among farmers and herdsmen in the country.

We are also mandated to secure grazing areas following the meeting between our Minister of Interior and Minister of Agriculture, with a view to re-uniting farmers and herders across the country, he said.

The Commandant lamented that there were Boko Haram sympathizers amongst herdsmen aiding the insurgents, noting that the partnership between the NSCDC and herdsmen would help fish out bad eggs.

You will recall that Boko Haram sometimes transported cows with the collaboration of some agents among herders, to sell in the Maiduguri cattle market.

Our investigation revealed that the insurgents usually send these cows to their agents in town, who will then sell them off and later transport consignment in form of cash, fuel and other consumables to Boko Haram terrorists.

It is as a result of this that the command deems it fit to seek this collaboration which would go a long way in fishing out criminals aiding terrorists amongst herdsmen, he said.

Abdullahi however said that the main purpose of the partnership was to promote unity and peaceful coexistence between the farming communities and cattle owners in the state.
Buhari will join world leaders at the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22.

This is according to a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Adesina said the event would be taking place in Marrakech between November 14, 2016 and November 16, 2016.

He said President Buhari would participate in the official opening plenary on November 15, 2016 where he would deliver his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22.

According to him, the presidential address is expected to highlight, among other key issues, Nigerias unwavering commitment to implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts.

He said that the president would also use the occasion to rally international support for the clean-up of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta and the resuscitation of the Lake Chad Basin.

Adesina said while in Marrakech, the president would attend the Africa Day Commemoration at COP 22 with the theme, Moving from Commitments to Action with Intended Nationally- Determined Contributions and African Renewable Energy Initiative.

He said President Buhari would also attend the Summit of African Heads of State on the sidelines of the Climate Change conference.

The COP 22, will be attended by representatives from 197 countries including world leaders, environment ministers, government officials as well as a wide range of representatives from civil society and the private sector.

The conference is the first meeting of State Parties since the entry into force of the landmark Paris Agreement on November 4, 2016.

The legally binding international Agreement on climate change, among others, addresses issues of global warming, including its impact on food security and agriculture.

It would be recalled that President Buhari signed the Paris Agreement on Sept. 22, 2016, at the margins of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Dogaras Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan.

The statement said that Dogara made the appeal in Benin at the inaugural ball of Gov Godwin Obaseki.

It said that the ball was attended by prominent industrialists including Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Dogara stressed the need for the entrepreneurs to put their heads together to re-engineer growth in the economy to tame the recession.

On the new governor and his deputy, the speaker was optimistic that they would deliver on their mandate.

Judging from past performances, I am positive that Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, , have all it takes to deliver growth and development to Edo people.

I had come in contact with the governor when I was serving in the House of Representatives, specifically, on the House Committee on Capital Market.

He made appearances before that committee and I can attest to the fact that I knew him to be a man that is very deep.

So, when I heard that the people of Edo State identified him as one of the shining stars that will take over from the governor that by popular consensus, performed credibly well, I knew that they had made a good choice.

I will say that with our brother, who is his deputy, a man who cut his teeth early in student union activism, who is an activist, a comrade, I am sure that has better positioned you to pilot the affairs of this state to the required destination.

I believe beyond reasonable doubt, that together, you will achieve a lot for Edo State, what has not been possible, Dogara said.

The speaker further told the new governor and his deputy that they had no excuse but to hit the ground running.

And I believe because the governor who just handed over distinguished himself while serving here, they will have no excuse not to build or surpass on the activities or achievements that he made while he was governor.

ALSO READ: Reps Speaker advises Nigerians to exploit recession opportunities
The Spokesperson of the community, Chief Augustin Imo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Imiringi on Sunday.

Imo said the completion of the bridge had become necessary because it linked the community with other communities in the area.

He regretted that the residents had resorted to the use of canoe to cross the river because of the condition of the bridge.

The spokesperson said that the 2012 flood also created canals in the area which the people now had to cross with canoes on a daily basis in spite of the risks involved.

Imo also appealed to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and all the other multinational oil companies operating in the area to assist in completing the bridge.
Prof. Hauwa Biu, a member of the committee, flagged off the exercise at a ceremony in Konduga, the headquarters of Konduga LGA of the State.

Biu said the aim was to provide solace to the residents who had lost everything.

We are members of the Humanitarian Sub-Committee of the Presidential Committee on the North East.

Our mandate is to go to the Boko Haram affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and those who have returned home.

We are here to distribute food items to IDPs who have returned home after the liberation of their communities in Konduga LGA of Borno.

The people are in dire need of food and other items to support them in difficult phase of their lives.

We are distributing rice, maize, guinea corn, noodles, soaps and other items to them, she said.

She said the distribution was also taking place in Damboa and Mafa LGAs simultaneously.

What we are doing here is being replicated in Damboa and Mafa LGAs to assist the returning residents in settling down after a long stay in IDP camps in Maiduguri.

The people are just trying to settle down now, some of them do not even have shelters to live in, they really need help to pick up their lives again, Biu said.

She said 1, 800 households would benefit from the distribution in each of the three LGAs.

She named the items to include 600 bags of 50 KG rice, 100 bags of maize, 100 bags of millet, and 100 bags of guinea corn.
Idris made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Okuta, Baruten Local Government area of the state.

He said it was important for the government to empower the National Population Commission (NPC) to begin preparations for the head count.

According to him, the exercise is very important to proper planning for national development.

The emir, who is also the Chairman, Baruten Traditional Council, explained that only an accurate census exercise can foster the growth we desire in this nation.

He prayed that current efforts to end terrorism would succeed before 2018 so that the exercise will be well conducted among the entire populace without fear or favour and not leaving any region behind.

Idris said accurate census would help block leakages and excess use of public funds for undesirable projects by some political officer holders.

The emir also called for creation of more local councils to fast track rural development.

In fact to me, instead of clamouring for creation of more states, I believe that creation of more local governments will be more beneficial especially to the people of rural communities, towards accelerated grassroots development.

It is only this method that can assist us as a people on one side, and also develop us as a nation in general.
This, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur DanAli said, it will enable them to discharge their duty effectively.

The Minister stated this in Gusau on Sunday while laying the foundation of phase 2 project of the Nigerian Army Barrack in Gusau, the Zamfara capital.

DanAli said that improving the welfare of soldiers and other security personnel in the country was one of the major policies of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

That is why when we came into power, we initiated various plans to revive both the activities and conditions of soldiers in line with our policy to address the security challenge facing the country.

When we started this project, we awarded over N220 million worth of projects as phase 1 and as we can see today, the contractor has completed all the work we gave him.

We are today laying the foundation for the second phase which comprises various projects, including soldiers accommodation, administrative offices, hospitals and other structures in this barrack.

Even though we cannot finish this project in one year, we will be taking it gradually, each year, we design and give out some contracts and award it with hope that it will be completed before end of this tenure, he said.

The minister commended the contractor handling the project for the quality of job in phase 1, and called on him to do more in phase 2.

On the recent insecurity in the state, the minister said that the Federal Government would increase the number of soldiers in the state and provide fighting equipment to improve their strength.
In a recent press briefing, Clark stressed that the youths who have been carrying out attacks and making boasts on social media are enemies of the Niger Delta people.

Speaking in his capacity as the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Clark appealed to the government to keep its part on request made as the home front will be handled by the elders.

In his words: Our boys were still boasting in the social media that they were going to attack; they will do this, do that. I was in my house when they sent to me that FG has sent troops to the creeks in a houseboat opposite Oporoza and that some boys were arrested. We intervened and those boys were released. So the question is, what do we want, what are they looking for? They are enemies of the people; they are criminals."

Continuing, Clark said: The war you are fighting did not start today. You have not even waited for the dialogue to take place, and then you have other ulterior motives.

So we will soon have a meeting of PANDEF to discuss this thing and take a position. Let me also warn that there are some politicians who are also members of the Niger Delta, who are fighting themselves, and it is not unlikely that some of these people are involved in these bombings to discredit each other.

The recent blowing up of Trans-Forcados Pipeline operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) is no longer a matter arising from grievances, but an act design to sabotage the present peace process.

I want to emphasise that no government sits by, and watch its national assets being destroyed. It is the innocent members of the communities who would bear the brunt of possible reprisal attacks by military.

We appeal to FG to go on acting on the requests we made to Mr. President on November 1. We will deal with this situation. We wont sit down at home with arms folded and allow some few individuals to destroy our destiny.

A larger meeting will be called to review the situation and take a position, he concluded.

ALSO READ: President to meet Niger Delta elders
Adeosun made this known at the KICC facilitated wealth creation platform which held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 in Lagos.

In her presentation at the event, Adeosun encouraged Nigerians, most especially women, to get involved in the process of changing Nigeria.

She said: "You can't just sit there or shy away from the process, you have to get involved. I remember when I was selected to perform as a commissioner in Ogun state, I tried shying away from it but I summoned courage and decided to join part of the change process."

Continuing she said: "It is not just castigating and blaming others, you need to join the process and make that change you so desire. You can start by joining a political party, it might be APC or any other party but make the move to getting involved and making an impact on the country."

ALSO READ: Finance minister speaks to Pulse on the economy
The Obama administration asserted the power to raid the massive databases of peoples' private, sensitive information that ad-based tech companies have assembled; the Trump administration has promised to use Obama's powers to effect the surveillance and deportation of 11 millions undocumented migrants, and the ongoing, continuous surveillance of people of Muslim heritage.



Companies like Google and Facebook have 67 days to minimize their data collection and retention before Trump is sworn in. That's 67 days during which they can take a hard, close look at how much of their data they actually need to do their jobs, and how much they're storing because hard drives are cheap and someone might have a cool idea down the line somewhere.

Dutch governments used their registers to record the homes of ethnic minorities in its border; these files could have been used by the Nazis to figure out which doors to break down. That's why, on 27 March 1943, the Dutch resistance set fire to the municipal records hall, why the firefighters who responded made sure that they kept watering the building long after the fire was out, destroying any records that survived.

What will Googlers and Facebookers tell their children in ten years when they ask about the databases that Trump asserted the right to raid?

The comments came from Pinboard CEO Maciej Ceglowski, a longtime critic of data collection on the web. According to Ceglowski, the only sane response to a Trump presidency was to get rid of as much stored user data as possible. "If you work at Google or Facebook," he wrote on Pinboard's Twitter account, "please start a meaningful internal conversation about giving people tools to scrub their behavioral data." Both companies declined to comment. The sentiment was echoed by sociologist Zeynep Tufekci, who wrote that "tech companies should immediately go to end-to-end encryption and ponder alternative financial models." For both critics, the concern is surveillance. Once Trump is legally in charge of the nation's intelligence agencies, all that data will be subject to FISA orders and extra-legal hacking campaigns. And given his alarming comments on muslims, refugees, and members of the press, there's no telling who might be subject to such a campaign. "If the FBI wanted to round up every muslim in America for detailed questioning, that didn't seem like a likely scenario, but now it seems much more likely," Ceglowski said in a call with The Verge. "It's viscerally brought home why this matters."

We have to brace ourselves for a world where we won't always get timely, valuable offers from brands. A sacrifice we'll make for security  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 12, 2016

Would you rather be able to say "I don't have any location data stored for my Muslim users", or go to jail for refusing a subpoena?  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 12, 2016

Behavioral data: Don't collect it.

If you have to collect it, don't store it.

If you have to store it, don't store it long.  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 11, 2016





Right now I know Google, Apple, Facebook are doing nothing meaningful to prepare for an unprecedented series of threats to their users  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 11, 2016

If you work in tech, your company needs to be making contingency plans for how to protect personal data in very adversarial circumstances  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 11, 2016

We have a moral responsibility in the tech community to protect people from the surveillance apparatus we've built around them. It's urgent  Pinboard (@Pinboard) November 11, 2016

Should Google be scrubbing servers to prepare for President Trump?

[Russell Brandom/The Verge]
The 2015 Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that the aim was to give Nigerians desired leadership.

What we are doing now is going to the grassroots to re-invigorate our structures and also ensure a concrete structure outside the country.

This started in July, 2016 when we had our national convention in Akure.

We are instigating state congresses to re-energise the party: when we succeed with that, the state leadership will do the same thing at the local government level.

The local government will do the same thing at the Ward level. This is the time for internal self-auditing and planning.

This is geared toward re-assessing, re-invigorating our organisation for effectiveness in 2019, he said.

He said that an NCP administration would ensure a secure and economically vibrant country.

On why NCP was unable to secure a seat at state and national levels, Onovo alleged that elections in Nigeria had never been free and fair.

He said that the retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari administration would do better if it could do away with sycophants.

He said:You must realise that there are sycophants in politics who are ever ready to interfere.

You need to bring the right people who share your patriotic passion to work with you.

Onovo said that corruption was against the development of any society, adding that corrupt persons should be arrested, prosecuted and sentenced, if found guilty.
The faction made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, in Abuja on Sunday.

Adeyeye condemned the deposition alleging that the monarch was ostensibly deposed for supporting PDPs candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the recently concluded gubernatorial election in the state.

He added that the deposition was, further evidence of favouritism and despotic reign of Oshiomole as a former governor of the state for the past eight years.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers all Nigerian citizens to support, associate with and be affiliated to any political party and candidate of their choice.

It is a well known fact that several traditional rulers demonstrated open support, and in fact campaigned for the APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

The faction urged all Nigerians to prevail on Obaseki to reverse what it termed obnoxious deposition he inherited from his predecessor.

It stated that restoring the monarch to his original position before he was wrongfully deposed, needed to be done.

Edenojie, the Ojuromi of Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state was recently deposed by the immediate former governor of the state, Oshiomole.

The monarch, before his deposition, had been given a seven-day suspension by the state government for allegedly assaulting one Ms Betty Okoebor during the September 28, 2016 governorship election.

The action, according to the state government, was sequel to his failure to respond to a query issued to him and for travelling outside the country without express permission.

He was later suspended for one year over alleged misconduct, among other offences.
Obaze hails from Anambra North Senatorial District as Gov. Willie Obiano.

Obaze, a retired diplomat, said he was not comfortable with the quality of governance in the state.

I am interested in the 2017 governorship race in Anambra. A group of aspirants from different political parties including myself campaigned assiduously and collectively in 2013 to bring the governorship ticket to Anambra North.

We funded the Lets go North Campaign and rallied support for the eventual candidate from Anambra North.

It was supported by former Gov. , All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), members and traditional rulers.

Anambra is not where it is supposed to be in Nigerian scheme of events, comparatively, the state is still lifting below its weight and potentials.

Anambra North having secured that mandate must be allowed to complete its two terms.

But if completing the full tenure is at risk, as many now believe it is, there can be no conscientious objectors to rejoining the fray in order to salvage that Northern mandate and uplift Anambra, he said.

He promised to bring his 35 years experience at the United Nations and hindsight of having served the state government for four years as secretary to bear in bringing quality governance to the people if elected.

Hitherto, Anambra had been set on a solid foundation and trajectory to leapfrog ahead of every other Nigerian State, with Lagos perhaps being the only exception.

We are not there yet, the state had been hijacked and it is presumptuous to believe that we will leapfrog, if we continue on the present course.

Anambra politics is snappish, but such views are pervasive in the Anambra market places, tricycles, buses, pepper soup joints and indeed the grassroots.

Those managing Anambras image in the media continue to sell the public a dummy, governance via media hype, he said.
The FSB security service, the KGB's successor, announced Saturday it had detained 10 citizens of Central Asian states who planned "high-profile acts of sabotage and terror" in the two Russian cities.

Saint Petersburg's Fontanka.ru news site reported Sunday that the seven people taken into custody in the city were suspected of planning attacks on two large shopping centres, citing official sources.

Government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported late Saturday, citing security service sources, that the detainees "were planning terror attacks according to the Paris scenario" referring to Islamic State group attacks a year ago that killed 130 people.

France was holding sombre commemorations Sunday for the victims of the November 13, 2015 assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers on night spots, the Bataclan concert hall and outside the national stadium.

"Several explosive devices were supposed to trigger simultaneously in busy places. At the same time in different parts of the cities some of the terrorists... were going to open fire with machine guns on crowds," the paper reported, referring to the Russian plot.

Rossiiskaya Gazeta called the attackers "a professional terrorist group."

The FSB said it confiscated four homemade bombs as well as trigger devices, guns, ammunition and communications equipment.

Authorities did not say when the attack plot was to take place.

Tip led to arrests

The security service released video footage of its black-clad officers in balaclavas holding two suspects facedown on the street.

Another video shows a stash of Kalashnikovs in a flat and detainees lying facedown on mattresses on the floor.

The FSB said the raids were carried out in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's law enforcement authorities.

Impoverished majority-Muslim Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both say they are battling Islamist extremism.

Tajikistan says that up to 1,000 of its nationals are fighting with radical groups in Syria and Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan says that some 500 of its citizens have gone to fight alongside jihadists.

The Tajik interior ministry said it learned of the planned attacks from an alleged local accomplice of the group and passed the information to Russia.

The FSB released footage of a handcuffed suspect -- apparently a teenager -- who says he is a Tajik citizen.

He says he wanted to commit a "terrorist attack" in Moscow and that his brother is taking part in "jihad" in Syria.

Fontanka reported those detained in Saint Petersburg "devotedly follow the ideology of Islamic State group" and one said he had fought in Syria.

"The majority are admitting guilt," Fontanka reported.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
TONOPAH  A proposed half-cent sales tax increase, voted down by county commissioners Aug. 20, isnt dead yet.

Commission Chairman Butch Borasky, who provided the pivotal vote against the increase in a 3-2 vote, has asked to schedule another public hearing and vote on the matter.

It has been scheduled for Oct. 1 in Tonopah. He previously joined Commissioners Frank Carbone and Donna Cox in rejecting the measure, which was approved by voters in the November 2006 election by a razor-slim margin of 5,806 to 5,788, followed by authorization from the Nevada Legislature in 2007, only to be defeated by a 3-2 vote of the county commission in December 2007.

Half of the revenue would go toward police services  hiring more personnel, buying more equipment or building facilities  half would go to fire departments within the county.

Originally, I fully intended on voting yes on it. For some reason when it came up, I voted no and I really surprised myself, Borasky told the Pahrump Valley Times.

Borasky said he wanted more documentation at the last meeting exactly how the money would be spent.

The wording on the use of the tax proceeds mirrors the 2006 ballot question: to recruit, employ and equip additional firefighters, deputy sheriffs and other public safety personnel; to improve and equip existing public safety facilities and construct new facilities. The tax increase, if passed, would be allocated on a pro rata basis by population to Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, Beatty, Tonopah, Round Mountain, Manhattan, Gabbs and in the remaining unincorporated parts of the county, providing half goes to sheriffs department services and half to local fire departments.

During the Aug. 20 meeting, Borasky said he was always against taxes, particularly in the current recession, with Washington, D.C., seeking more taxes. Borasky admitted Nye County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Bill Carns made a good argument against increasing taxes at the meeting. Carns cited the local, state and national GOP platform of low taxes and small government.

I fully intended and Ive said way back when it (the agenda item) was put on, I would support that, it was the will of the people. For some reason my brain said one thing and my voice said another. Call it whatever you want, Im not making excuses, Borasky said.

He said public safety and the lack of firefighters and sheriffs deputies in Nye County compared to 2006 mandates action.

I just think it might not have been clear enough for one or more commissioners. I think now it will be a little more clear, Borasky said of the previous vote.

The sales tax increase had to be reintroduced as a new bill, he said.

Some people may not like it, but a lot of people didnt like it in the last vote. No matter the way you go, there are going to be a group of people dissatisfied with it.

Sheriff Tony DeMeo was pleased at the reconsideration after the Tuesday vote. He said the sheriffs department has lost 25 positions in the few years since the ballot question. The additional tax would mean paying $50 more for every $10,000 in transactions in Nye County, but the sheriff said tourists will also contribute, instead of a property tax that only penalizes locals. DeMeo estimated it will mean $1.2 million to $1.3 million in additional revenue annually for the sheriffs department.

When the sales tax increase was voted down by commissioners 3-2 in December 2007  after Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos cast the swing vote against when his wife didnt receive a town position in a quid pro quo deal for which he was later convicted of bribery  DeMeo said the sheriffs department was still able to hire people because the county was in a better financial position.

But DeMeo added, Now because times are lean, now is the more appropriate time. I wish theyd passed it a long time ago.

The recession lasted a lot longer than a lot of people thought it would last. Thats pretty much what happened to Nye County but counties across the nation are also feeling the impact, he said.

On the street, DeMeo said more positions means a more proactive force against crime. He credited a task force with a 40 percent drop in crime in 2011, which had to be eliminated due to budget cuts.

What were trying to do is maintain a police presence so we dont have a crime rate, DeMeo said.

Then theres the new Pahrump detention facility. DeMeo said the Pahrump jail population is already exceeding estimates, with 170 inmates that need supervision.

In a couple years, well be broaching 190 inmates; the jail only holds 224, the sheriff said.

Borasky wanted to hold the public hearing and vote at a Pahrump meeting. DeMeo said the discussion has to wait at least 30 days, waiting until the Oct. 15 Pahrump meeting would take too much time.

The Nevada Department of Taxation said it would be 120 days if the increase was approved, for funds to begin trickling down.
Networking event tonight

Bettendorf Business Network will hold its Connect event tonight from 5-7 p.m. at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Bettendorf Campus, 4500 Utica Ridge Road. Food, drink and door prizes are provided. The event is free. For more information, visit bettbiz.net.

Pancake breakfast

Bettendorf High School Future Business Leaders of America will hold its annual pancake breakfast for the March of Dimes from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in the Bettendorf High School commons, 3333 18th St., Bettendorf. Tickets cost $5 and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization that supports the health of mothers, babies and premature birth research.

Road resurfacing underway

Bettendorf Public Works began a road resurfacing project last week that will reroute traffic on Middle Road for up to two weeks. Traffic on Middle Road between Spruce Hills Drive and Devils Glen Road will be moved to the north lanes for both east and westbound traffic to allow for the completion of the resurfacing project on the south lanes.

For more information, contact the Bettendorf Public Works Department at 344-4055.
Saturday already had the makings of a special evening for 13-year-old Jessica Blair.

Dressed in her best, the teenager from Kewanee, Illinois  who was diagnosed with autism three years ago  planned to attend the inaugural Royal Ball Run for Autism gala at Jumers Casino & Hotel with her mother.

But something, or rather someone, was missing. Saturday also marked her older brother's 23rd birthday. Jessica hadn't seen him, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Jakob Gradert, since July, which made his surprise appearance in uniform all the more emotional.

"Jakob!" Jessica shouted as she spotted her brother, her screech echoing throughout the room. "I missed you."

Their hug, accompanied by tears, lasted almost a minute before their mother, Paula King, joined.

The trio soaked up every second. They last saw each other in late July, when Jakob returned home for a few days from Japan  where he spent three years  before he left for Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he's currently stationed.

King, who recorded the unforgettable moment on Facebook Live, said the night meant "the world" to her. The surprise, she explained, would help her daughter relax and "just be Jess," something she struggles to do on an everyday basis.

"Jakob brings out the best in her and she'll have complete confidence all night long," said King, who raised her son as a single mother.

He made sure to repay the favor.

"I helped mom raise her (Jessica) and we've been super close all our lives," said Jakob, who enlisted in 2012 after graduating from Geneseo High School. "I've known her since she was a baby."

During the event, which cost $100 per person to attend, Jessica, along with nine other children on the autism spectrum, served as honorary table hosts.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Hand-in-Hand, a Bettendorf-based nonprofit organization that offers programs for people with disabilities.

Jen Hartmann, whose 14-year-old daughter has autism, founded the Royal Ball Run for Autism five years ago. She said the annual charity race in Milan has raised more than $75,000, money that helps parents like her offset the cost of therapy for their children.

"A lot of these families don't know where to turn, so we all support and counsel each other," she said. "A lot of times they're bullied, but tonight, our kids won't be made fun of for being different."

As Jakob escorted his sister to their table for the night, a stunned Jessica, who sang "Happy Birthday" to him on the phone Friday, still couldn't believe what happened. Her smile faded, though, when she learned her brother needed to return today to Mississippi.

"We're taking him to the airport," her mother said. "You're not going to miss out on any time with him."
DES MOINES  For nearly two years, political experts in Iowa watched closely as the candidates barnstormed the state.

They observed and analyzed the race for the White House  and other federal and state offices  as candidates came and went and campaigns surged and struggled.

What did those experts, the people who have followed and analyzed the 2016 elections perhaps more closely than anyone else in Iowa, think when the results came in Tuesday night with a wave of Republican victories from Donald Trump at the top of the ticket to legislative races for the Iowa Capitol?

We asked them.

Here is what Iowa political experts had to say when we asked what stood out to them most about the 2016 election results.

Dennis Golford, Drake University

Goldford, who has written a book on the Iowa caucuses, said he was struck by the unity shown by how Iowas Republican leaders supported Trump, even when the GOP nominee was being criticized by many, including from within the party, over things he said on the campaign trail.

The Republican establishment, led by Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. (Kim) Reynolds, and Sen. (Joni) Ernst, wrapped itself tightly around the Trump candidacy, Goldford said.

Goldford also noted the sweeping Statehouse results that resulted in Republicans taking control of both chambers in the Iowa Legislature and the governors office, and the deep hole into which the Iowa Democratic Party has fallen.

At the congressional level, Goldford said Democrats once again could not mount a competitive challenge for longtime U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, and he was taken by the outside money poured into the 3rd Congressional District race to support Republican incumbent Rep. David Young against Democratic challenger Jim Mowrer. The Republican Party and a pro-Republican group both spent $1.8 million to defeat Mowrer, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Christopher Larimer, University of Northern Iowa

Larimer said he was surprised by how dramatically the state swung for Trump after going twice to Democratic President Barack Obama.

In 2012, Obama won Iowa by 5.8 percentage points; last week, Trump won the state by 9.4 points. Thats a 15.2-point swing from one presidential election to the next.

Larimer said he also was surprised by how few counties Clinton won in Iowa: six of 99.

And she probably won the six easiest to win, Larimer said, adding that normal Democratic stronghold Dubuque County didnt even go for Clinton.

Steffen Schmidt, Iowa State University

For Schmidt, drawing something that stood out to him Tuesday night was easy.

The collapse of the Democratic Party. Period, Schmidt said. The GOP just had to have a pulse and would win.

Schmidt also offered that because the Iowa Democratic Party was a de facto arm of the Clinton campaign that hurt Democrats elsewhere on the ballot.

Robin Johnson, Monmouth College

Johnson said he found turnout figures in Iowa interesting. He said Clinton struggled in counties with white, working-class, old-factory towns, including Dubuque.

The point is, the outcome played to the narrative that white, working-class counties made the biggest difference, Johnson said.

Brad Best, Buena Vista University

Best said he also marveled at how Trump was able to flip Iowa, which had gone for the Democratic presidential candidate in six of the past seven presidential elections, starting with 1988 when it was one of just 10 states that went for Michael Dukakis.

He also noted how Trump flipped rural counties in eastern, northeast and central Iowa.

Best also said turnout was noteworthy.

The bottom line is that between 2012 and 2016, more than 150,000 Obama supporters migrated to another candidate or decided not to fill out a ballot in the presidential race, Best said. When lined up against the nearly 71,000 votes Trump added to Mitt Romneys total in 2012, Hillary Clinton faced long odds in Iowa.
Westside Grocery is so new that the building doesn't even have a sign up yet.

The new store opened Nov. 1, and if the name doesn't ring a bell, its story might.

Located on the corner of Division and 7th Street, the store found itself caught between the Davenport City Council and neighborhood backlash over granting another liquor license in the area.

The council eventually acquiesced to granting the license, but only after the store made several concessions, including not selling individual servings of liquor.

But now that the store has opened, reactions are mixed, depending on who you ask.

Jessica Bakoylis, who runs the counter, was surprised by the positive response from patrons.

"I was really reluctant because in the news, it seemed like everyone was opposing it," Bakoylis said. "I've had nothing but phenomenal responses from people. They come in here, and they're excited and say, 'Everything looks so nice. I'm so glad you're here.'"

Bakoylis likened her reactions with patrons to meeting a member of her extended family.

Although beer sales are higher than other products, Bakoylis said liquor has not been a major part of sales.

"They like the 24-ounce beers, and they sell better than soda," Bakoylis said. "We're still a little bit slow, and people are still finding out we're here."

Bakoylis said the store also has received a lot of traffic from kids coming to buy candy.

On the opposite side, the neighborhood still is not convinced.

Kent Heinen was one of several members of the community who voiced opposition to the project and is still waiting to see how things play out.

"I'm still concerned about some things but haven't seen anything too bad," Heinen said. "So far, so good. We'll have to see where it progresses."

Heinen said he was not against having another business in the area but the corner parcel was not meant for high traffic.

Besides having other establishments in the area serving liquor, Heinen said, he was concerned about loitering in the area and developing a reputation for higher criminal activity.

"The big thing is an area we are trying to keep a good place to live," Heinen said.

Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorksi said he was unaware of any calls involving the business or any increase in activity around the area.

Moira Bradford, on the other hand, did not shy away from her continued opposition to the business.

"This is just the first few weeks, so what else is going to come?" Bradford said. "I was very much against it because I just knew what was going to be coming. They haven't done anything to change that."

Besides a sign being "lit up like a Christmas tree," the same fears she voiced have been realized.

"One of our concerns was that this is on a busy street and the property is not large enough for delivery," Bradford said. "They assured us it was going to be handled. I came home for lunch (Wednesday), and there was a Coca-Cola semi parked on Division."

Robbie Ortiz, the store's general manager, said he was unaware of those complaints and would look to rectify the situation.

"Like any business, it's about working out the kinks," Ortiz said. "We don't do deliveries early in the morning because we try to be good neighbors and don't do anything that disrupts them."

Ortiz called his business opening progress for the neighborhood and said the development along with a neighboring property would bring up the district.

Given the rocky relationship between the neighborhood and business, Bradford said, she has no intention of talking to the business and the responsibility now falls on the city.

"The relationship is not a rosy one, and it was a pretty nasty fight," Bradford said. "It's now the city's responsibility to enforce the ordinances and code."

Alderman Bill Boom, 3rd Ward, was against granting Westside Grocery a liquor license and let out a little chuckle when asked about the store's problems.

"Yeah, there have been a couple of issues already," Boom said. "I've forwarded several things to staff, like the sign and trucks illegally parking on the street. We need to deal with that."
SPRINGFIELD  With a long and bitter election season behind them, lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Tuesday for their fall veto session with a lengthy list of issues to address and only six days scheduled to do so.

The new Legislature that was elected last week wont be seated until January, so House Democrats retain their 71-member, veto-proof majority, every member of which would be needed to override any of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauners dozens of vetoes. An override in the Senate, where Democrats hold 39 seats, requires 36 votes.

Three-fifth majorities in both the House and Senate also are needed to pass any new legislation before the end of the year if its to become effective before June 1. That sets the bar high at a time when the Democratic-controlled General Assembly and the Rauner administration have failed for nearly two years to produce a full state budget.

Lawmakers are scheduled to be in session Tuesday through Thursday and Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.

Heres a look at what to expect  and what not to expect  during the fall veto session.

Nuclear plants

Energy giant Exelon Corp. wants action during the veto session on legislation that would create subsidies for nuclear power. The company says subsidies are warranted because, like subsidized wind and solar power, nuclear doesnt emit carbon pollution.

Without the subsidies, which would come from ratepayers, the company says it will have to shut down its financially struggling Quad-City and Clinton nuclear plants, costing 1,500 jobs and millions in tax revenue for the two communities.

Absent action during the upcoming veto session, both facilities will close, CEO Chris Crane told investors on an Oct. 26 earnings call.

The company has sent similar signals before, and they havent spurred the General Assembly to action.

After a bill didnt pass this spring, Exelon moved forward with steps necessary to shutter the plants, with Clinton slated to close June 1 and the Quad-City plant to follow a year later.

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, who represents the Clinton plant and is one of the bills sponsors, said a new version is forthcoming that has changed mightily since last May, including the addition of measures to prevent the closure of Dynegy-owned coal-fired power plants in southern Illinois.

The massive bill, which also includes rate structure changes for customers of Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edison and new energy-efficiency programs, has been met with opposition from consumer groups, the renewable energy industry and industrial customers, who would face large rate increases.

The budget

Lawmakers and the governor pressed paused on their long-running budget battle in June by passing a six-month spending plan for most state operations.

The stopgap is set to expire Dec. 31, and its unclear whether theyll be able to put together a plan for the next six months during the veto session.

Rauner has called for a Monday meeting with the four top legislative leaders, although House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, had yet to publicly accept the invitation as of Friday afternoon. A series of such meetings preceded the passage of the stopgap.

It remains to be seen how willing Madigan will be to negotiate with Rauner after the governor contributed nearly $32.6 million of his own money to GOP campaign efforts that demonized Madigan and resulted in his party losing six seats in the next Legislature.

Rauner continues to insist on passing portions of his pro-business, union-weakening turnaround agenda before signing off on tax increases to balance the budget. Democrats, meanwhile, continue to argue that Rauners policy proposals shouldnt be tied to the budget.

Passing a deal would be easier after Jan. 1, when only a simple majority would be needed, but it also would mean renewed uncertainty for public universities and social service providers that were starved of funding during the states last fiscal year.

Term limits, redistricting

In the lead up to Election Day, Rauner made a push for legislators to put referendums on term limits for elected officials and the creation of an independent legislative redistricting commission before voters. Rauner has said he wants lawmakers to take up the issues during the veto session.

Making those changes would require amending the Illinois Constitution and putting the questions to voters would require three-fifths majorities in both chambers.

With many Democrats opposed to both ideas and the next election two years away, theres little chance the issue will be addressed during the veto session.

Voter registration

Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said he plans to move for an override of Rauners veto of a bill to create automatic voter registration.

Manars bill would automatically register eligible Illinois residents to vote when they obtain or renew drivers licenses or conduct business with other state agencies. Currently, Illinoisans can to choose to register when getting or renewing their licenses.

The legislation passed by with strong bipartisan support, but Rauner vetoed it, telling lawmakers that while he supports the concept, the bill would would inadvertently open the door to voter fraud and run afoul of federal election law.

Manar and other supporters say those claims are unfounded, arguing that the measure would expand access to the ballot box and make the registration process less costly and more efficient.

An override would be a great signal to Illinois voters and the rest of the state that it is possible to come together and do right by the state, said Andy Kang, legal director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, which supported the bill.
As you may have noticed while driving around, harvest is nearing completion for many farmers. The fields are empty of corn and soybean plants, leaving just stubble and loose leaves and stems. So what now? Many farmers are not finished with those fields just yet. There are things to be done with the fields before the snow flies.

Many farmers in Iowa still turn cattle out on harvested fields to graze. This practice has been used for many years. It takes advantage of the cattles ability to graze the dropped kernels or ears of corn, and dropped soybeans. The cattle will find those and eat them  saving the farmer money on feed in the process. The cattle also tend to eat the loose stems and leaves, just as they would eat hay or pasture. Again  big cost savings for the farmer. Its kind of like a free buffet for cows. I find it funny to sometimes see a cow with an entire 8-foot long cornstalk in her mouth, happily munching away. Many years ago, you would even see pigs turned out on the fields to root through the remaining stalks.

Before you can turn cattle out on crop fields, you must make sure there are good fences all around the field, or you must install a temporary electric fence around the field. This is a lot of work, but can be accomplished in a day or two if the weather is good and you have some help. The cattle also must have access to water in the field, so if there is no creek, the water must be brought in daily to a water tank. As fewer farmers around here have livestock, many field fences have been removed, and fewer fields are filled with cattle.

If there are no cattle on the fields, farmers may spread fertilizer or lime in the fall. This allows it to bind into the soil, and be ready for planting in the spring. There is often more time to apply in the fall, as spring can be wet and there may not be time to wait for wet fields to dry for fertilizing before the rush of planting hits.

Other farmers are busy doing their fall tillage, turning over the corn stalks into the ground with a big disc or similar tillage equipment. As I have mentioned before, we do not do this as we are mostly no-till, but we do a little bit of vertical tillage. This implement punches holes into the ground, much like your lawn aerator, allowing water and air to penetrate. We apply seed for cover crop at the same time. The cover crop has just enough time to start growing and holding the soil together before its killed by the frosts in the fall. Its our fall fertilizer as well, as the plants will break down and become organic matter in the soil by spring.

You may have seen some fields with really good cover crops this fall. The long stretch of warm weather has allowed some fields to grow a lot of cover crop. Hopefully, this will provide the farmers with really good soil next year. I love the look of cover crop fields that are so bright and green, next to the golden corn fields and corn stubble. It looks very pretty to me on these frosty fall mornings.
NATION

Rocker Russell dies at 74

Leon Russell, who performed, sang and produced some of rock 'n' roll's top records, has died. He was 74.

Russell's wife, Jan Bridges, said in a statement that her husband died in his sleep Sunday at their Nashville home. She said Russell had heart bypass surgery in July and had been planning on resuming touring in January.

His final performance was July 10 in Nashville.

Besides his music, Russell was known for his striking appearance: wispy white hair halfway down his back and that covered much of his face.

4 hurt in flash mob attack

Four people, including an off-duty police detective and his wife, were taken to a hospital after a "flash mob" attack by some among a crowd of juveniles in downtown Philadelphia, police said.

Police said a large crowd of juveniles were at 16th and Walnut streets, a popular spot for dining and shopping, at about 6 p.m. Saturday when some people began randomly assaulting people on the street.

A 55-year-old off-duty police detective saw a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman being assaulted and tried to arrest one of the offenders. He was punched from behind by several people, police said.

WORLD

2 die in New Zealand quake

A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island early today, killing at least two people, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure, and prompting emergency services to warn people along the coast to move to higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck just after midnight in a mostly rural area that's dotted with small towns. Near the epicenter, it opened up snaking fissures in roads and triggered landslides.

It caused damage in Wellington, the capital, more than 120 miles to the north and was also strongly felt in the city of Christchurch to the south. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes, and was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.

Bulgarian PM resigning after election

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced his resignation after exit polls showed his party losing badly in Sunday's runoff presidential election.

Surveys by several polling organizations showed Gen. Rumen Radev, 53, a former non-partisan chief of Bulgarian Air Force, taking about 58 percent of the vote.

"We accept the will of the people and we congratulate those who have the support of the majority of the voters," Borisov said.

French right wing leader: Trump helps her chances

French far right leader Marine Le Pen says that the victory of Donald Trump boosts her own chances during the French presidential election because he "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible."

Le Pen, who leads the Eurosceptic National Front, is considered a serious contender for the April-May presidential race.

In an interview with the BBC broadcast on Sunday, Le Pen drew parallels between the U.S. election result with the rise of European nationalist movements and the Brexit vote.

She said all the elections were essentially referendums against globalization and showed "the victory of the people against the elite."

Le Pen has long campaigned against immigration and wants to lead France out of the European Union and its visa-free zone.
Donald Trump built his campaign on his experience in the business world, framing his outsider candidacy as the antidote needed to cure what he described as an ailing economy.

But he has provided few details on how exactly he would turn things around. Here's what Trump has said in the past on key business and economic issues.

Trade

Trump has staked his candidacy on the promise of establishing trade policies that he says will put America first. Core to that message is his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed Pacific trade deal between 12 nations.

In a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, Trump said the Trans-Pacific Partnership would "destroy our manufacturing" and would "make America subject to the rulings of foreign governments."

"I pledge to never sign any trade agreement that hurts our workers or that diminishes our freedom or our independence," he said in the speech. "We will never, ever sign these trade deals."

Trump has also said he will "renegotiate" the North American Free Trade Agreement, a trade pact between the U.S., Mexico and Canada that he has called the "the worst trade deal ever approved in this country."

He has also called for a renegotiation of trade deals with China.

In an interview with the New York Times editorial board in January, Trump said he would support a tax on products coming in from China.

"I would do a tax. And the tax, let me tell you what the tax should be ... the tax should be 45 percent," he said.

Health care

Trump has repeatedly slammed the Affordable Care Act throughout the campaign, but has released few details on how he would deal with rising health care costs, other than saying he will reduce regulation of health insurance.

During a rally in Pennsylvania last week, Trump told supporters that "Obamacare has to be replaced, and we will do it very quickly."

"If we don't repeal and replace, we will destroy American health care forever," he said.

Taxes

During his speech at the Republican National Convention, Trump said he would reduce taxes, which would "cause new companies and new jobs to come roaring back into our country."

"Middle-income Americans and businesses will experience profound relief, and taxes will be greatly simplified for everyone. And I mean everyone," he said in July.

On his campaign website, Trump's tax proposal states that, among other things, it would consolidate seven tax brackets into three, repeal the estate tax and lower the business tax rate to 15 percent from 35 percent.

Technology

The president-elect's hard-line stance on restricting immigration helped catapult him to victory in the Republican primaries, but it alienated him from many, including those in the tech industry. Silicon Valley relies on many foreign workers and companies have long pushed for immigration reform.

"It's our right, as a sovereign nation, to choose immigrants that we think are the likeliest to thrive and flourish and love us," Trump said in August while describing his plan for immigration.

Trump has said he wants to bring back U.S. manufacturing jobs  an idea many tech companies see as unfeasible because of lower costs overseas.

When federal prosecutors criticized tech giant Apple Inc. this year for refusing to help unlock an iPhone used by one of the shooters in the San Bernardino, Calif., terrorist attack, Trump rebuked the company.

"What I think you ought to do is boycott Apple until such time as they give that security number," he said to a crowd in South Carolina in February.
They were the lucky ones who managed to make it home from Vietnam. Now, a half-century later, some veterans are finding out they, too, are victims of the war.

The enemy is a known killer in parts of Asia: Parasites ingested in raw or poorly cooked river fish. These liver flukes attach to the lining of the bile duct and, over time, cause inflammation and scarring. Decades after infection, a rare cancer called cholangiocarcinoma can develop. Symptoms typically do not occur until advanced stages.

Ralph Erickson, who heads post-deployment health services at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said about 700 cholangiocarcinoma patients have passed through the agency's medical system in the past 15 years. In some instances, the government has acknowledged that the illness is "as likely as not" connected to veterans' time in service. By VA standards, that's enough to make them eligible for benefits.

Claims from 307 veterans requesting benefits were submitted from 2001 through 2015, and yet the vast majority of those  3 out of 4  were rejected, according to data obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act.

As a result, some veterans are spending their final days fighting the VA. They say they were never told they could be at risk, even though they were deployed to a region where the worms are endemic.

"Hard to believe," said veteran Michael Baughman, 64, as he sat in his living room in Danville, California, flipping through a photo album from his war days. "I dodged all those bullets, then get killed by a fish."

Baughman was drafted in late 1970 and sent to central Vietnam to do reconnaissance missions near Hue. Thanks partly to growing up hunting in the mountains of West Virginia, he proved gifted at noticing the smallest twig or leaf brushed out of place by the enemy. Walking point and clearing thick jungle with a machete, he was tasked with spotting booby traps and potential ambushes.

Often on long patrols, he said his unit would run out of rations and go fishing for dinner near the border with Laos.

"We would throw a grenade in the water, and then scoop them off the river floor," Baughman said. "We called it 'fish on a stick.'"

The men cooked the makeshift meal as best they could over a tiny, blue smokeless flame, but it never really got done.

He didn't think much of it, until he went for a long-overdue physical three years ago. His blood work indicated there might be a problem with his liver. Further testing revealed he had bile duct cancer.

Baughman's private physician wrote a letter highlighting the connection between liver flukes and bile duct cancer. A VA doctor also acknowledged the parasites are a primary risk factor but was not entirely convinced Baughman's illness was related to his time in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for benefits were denied twice in 2015. He's awaiting word on his latest appeal.

Liver flukes infect an estimated 25 million people globally. The parasites are found mainly in parts of Southeast Asia, China and South Korea, where residents and tourists alike risk infection from specific types of freshwater fish such as tilapia and carp.

In one location in Laos, researchers found liver flukes  which can survive pickling and fermentation  in about 60 percent of villagers, and in some parts of Vietnam, up to 40 percent were infected.

In northeastern Thailand, where many villagers have a taste for the sour fish dish pla som, new bile duct cancers affect about 85 in 100,000 people, the world's highest recorded rate. Mobile clinics routinely perform bile duct ultrasound screening in hard-hit areas.

In the United States, cholangiocarcinoma is extremely rare, with roughly 5,000 people diagnosed each year, including some Asian immigrants who ate infected fish in their native countries. Liver flukes aren't the only risk factor for the disease; others include hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis and bile duct stones.

VA data, collected following an AP inquiry, show the number of benefit claims for bile duct cancer has increased sixfold since 2003. The requests hit a high of 60 last year, with nearly 80 percent denied. Decisions appear to be haphazard. Some are approved automatically. Others, presented with the same evidence, are denied. Some rejections are based on the fact that parasites were not found in stool samples, but those tests were conducted years after the worms would have died.

VA officials said that while they're sympathetic, it's up to the men to prove the connection to their time in service. They say because the cancer remains rare, it would be unrealistic and onerous to carry out regular screenings.

"We will look at each case and all the evidence that is presented to us and make a determination at that point," said Steve Westerfeld, a spokesman for the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration. "Certainly any veteran has an opportunity to appeal."

Many do, sometimes two or three times before either getting approved or giving up.

How much veterans, or their families, are compensated depends on many factors, including to what degree the illness is affecting their ability to have productive lives. An unmarried veteran can get nearly $3,000 a month, but some spouses said they get about half that amount. For many, it's not about the money. It's about raising awareness, both among veterans and the VA.

If American doctors better understood cholangiocarcinoma and the potential risks to those who served in Vietnam, they could use ultrasound to check veterans for inflammation, and then surgery might be possible for some of them, said Jeff Bethony, a liver fluke expert at George Washington University.

"Early is key," he said, adding he regularly receives desperate letters from veterans' family members. "The VA should be testing for this."
Dwight and Gwen Kitzan have a romantic love story and thank the 4-H program for bringing them together.

Once upon a time, back in the day when the two of them were 4-H-ers themselves, they attended the North Dakota State Fair. Dwight was there to show dheep and Gwen was there to show cattle and lo and behold they caught the eye of one another.

Gwen remembers, We would look forward to state livestock judging because we knew that would be our chance to see one another. It was eight years after they met and dated that they were married.

This past May they celebrated 33 years of marriage.

Dwight and Gwen live in Newell, and have two children, Karen and Joshua and two grandchildren, Isen and Elizabeth.

Karen is married to Travis and they live in Norfolk, Neb.; Josh married Heather and they live with their two children in Newell.

Gwen says that, Family is the love of my life!

Butte County 4-H Youth Program Advisor, Michelle May addedAnd Sheep and 4-H, right?! Gwen laughed and responded, Yes, of course!

Dwight and Gwen are highly recognized and respected for their contributions and business endeavors with the sheep industry through superior genetics.

Dwight is a 5th generation sheep producer and Gwen is a 4th generation sheep producer. Gwen says that, Sheep have always been a part of our livesas has the 4-H program, cattle, other animals and crops too!

Their son Joshua says, Dad has been involved in the sheep industry since the 1970s and they have worked with many producers all across the US in this industry.

Dwight and Gwen work closely with their son, Josh, and his wife, Heather, and are looking to incorporate their operations together in the near future.

Josh said of his parents that they rovide high quality lambs for 4-H Youth.

"They provide not only starter up lambs but youth mentorship and hands on education as well," he said. "They go so far as to invite youth to come out and learn hands on the natural sheep operations, processes and procedures.

Josh said that his parents operate to help others and promote the sheep industry.

My parents live very generously and have a heart to ensure that youth have the best opportunity possible. They deeply invest in the high quality animal, the youth and the industry. What better way to grow this industry than to give a child every possible and positive experience with the sheep in order to grow them and the future of the industry?

Both Dwight and Gwen are active beyond their home and home operation.

Gwen has been Sheep superintendent & assistant for 4-H open class at county fair. Their son, Joshua later took on the position and Gwen was his trusted assistant.

Dwight is a director of Belle Fourche irrigation district.

Gwen is on the American Lamb Board

Both are members of South Dakota Sheep Growers

Both also are members of Wyoming Wool Growers; Dwight is a Certified wool judge and has assisted with judging at county and state events.

They are members of Saint Marys Catholic Church in Newell.

One favorite program is Catch A Sheep.

The Butte/Lawrence County Fair has hosted the Catch A Sheep contest for 12 years.

Gwen is one of the founding members of committee and has been in it since day one.

Gwen made sure the charter, mission statement and the details in and of the program were well defined. She was one of the visionaries behind the program and still actively participates in seeing the fruition of the vision come to life each year at the Butte/Lawrence County Fair.

Dwight and Gwen have furnished the sheep used in the contest for use of the 4-H children to be given the opportunity to not only catch a sheep, but to be able to keep it as well.

Again, their ongoing mentorship and hands on education further enhances the opportunity and experience for 4-H youth to make their best even better!

May said that the Kitzens are a model of "Friends of 4-H" both in Butte County and anywhere else.
The Butte County Courtroom was full Friday morning, Nov. 4, as attorneys for the town of Nisland and citizens of Nisland offered arguments for each side of the controversial Petition to Recall brought against President of the Nisland Board Harold Gray.

When arguments closed, Fourth Circuit Court Judge Michael Day said the court doesn't have jurisdiction over the issue due to a late filing of the petition.

That left two of the three seated council members discussing their next steps to ensure filings would meet legal requirements.

John Frederickson, Nisland's attorney, explained to Judge Day some background concerning the petition.

There had been an earlier petition, however not enough signatures were obtained and it was dropped.

The second petition was then done in Sept. 2016, with enough signatures and at the Sept. 28 Special Meeting, that petition was referred to the recall Gray as Chairman of the Board.

Frederickson questioned the court on the necessity to state specifics in the recall petition. He also admitted that the petition was not filed within the five days set by statute.

Is this petition complete? he asked.

If so, Finance Officer Carleen Colhoff should be able to set a special election and the board can go on with necessary business.

The attorney for the citizens who circulated the petition, John Stielou, addressed the Court stating that there is not much for precedents for a case like this. He said that according to the South Dakota statute, challenges to a petition must be filed within the five days and this did not occur. And so, he added that the Court saw the late filing.

If we create a situation where courts are involved, [decisions] will be taken away from voters, he held.

Frederickson remarked that direction was needed. The people of Nisland want a resolution, he said.

After hearing both sides argument, Judge Day gave his judgment in the matter. He spoke toward the manner of the situation, saying that Nisland was a Third Class Municipality, Harold Gray was duly appointed, there were enough signatures on the petition, and Finance Officer Colhoff had filed the petition as she should have.

He said that any member of the Board could be removed. He did question if the recall was as President of the Board or as a Board member.

He concluded by saying that the Court must take a strict accordance to timely filing of a recall petition. Twelve days had lapsed from the time of challenge and the filing; therefore the Court was without jurisdiction. Therefore, no other decision could be stated.

Following the decision of the Court, Board Members Bev Lewis and Ed Elwood quizzed city attorney Frederickson to find out what the next step should be.

His suggestion was to put the recall on the agenda at the next regular board meeting, Nov. 14. Then a special election could be set for a date 30 to 60 days from that meeting date.

We will set the election date from the next meeting and go forth with that, said Lewis.

In clarification of the last meeting held in Nisland in October, Board member Ed Elwood stated that he left the meeting because there wasnt a quorum and that no business could be conducted. Attorney Frederickson stated that there must be a quorum (three board members) present in order to vote for the placement of new board members. He said that two members would not work since there must be a clear majority. Votes must take place on each application, not split between board members to decide.
About 270 river-miles downstream from the Dakota Access pipeline protest camp, a South Dakota Native American tribe is quietly fighting for $200 million in compensation over alleged water-rights violations.

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, which resides on a reservation on the eastern banks of the Missouri River in central South Dakota north of Chamberlain, is locked in a legal showdown with the federal government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

The tribe contends its reservation of land includes rights to Missouri River water that the government has long allowed others to use illegally. Now, the tribe wants $200 million as compensation and also wants its water rights measured, or quantified, in the language of the tribes formal complaint. The government disputes the tribe's claims and has filed a motion to dismiss them.

The tribe filed its case in June, about two months after Native American-led protesters began to gather at the site of the planned route of the Dakota Access pipeline under the Missouri River near Cannon Ball, N.D. The Crow Creek complaint and the pipeline protest are not formally related, but they are both grounded in Native American assertions of water rights.

The Crow Creek complaint is based on the Winters Doctrine, established by a 1908 U.S. Supreme Court decision. In that decision, the court determined that the establishment of a land reservation for a Native American tribe includes an implied reservation of water rights for the tribe.

Some tribes in other parts of the country have since forced the U.S. government to determine the amount of water they are entitled to use, but apparently no tribe in the Northern Great Plains has done so.

David Ganje, a Rapid City lawyer who handles water-rights cases but is not involved in the Crow Creek case, said tribes have been hesitant to sue for water rights. That is partly because of a 1952 federal law known as the McCarran Amendment, which pushed many water-rights disputes from federal courts down to state courts, where Native Americans often fear they will not receive fair treatment.

Why, then, is the Crow Creek tribe suddenly pressing its case in the federal Court of Claims?

When the Journal emailed the question to the tribes lawyer, Austin Tighe, of the Nix, Patterson & Roach firm in Austin, Texas, he mentioned the firms success in similar cases.

Tighe said the firm helped win a $186 million payment from the U.S. government for the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes in August 2015. The payment settled 100-year-old claims that the government failed to protect tribal timber interests.

In a separate and ongoing case, the firm is representing the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation in its $600 million lawsuit against the state of Connecticut over its claims of illegal taking of tribal land.

The Crow Creek complaint is similar to those cases because it claims the U.S. government has a responsibility to hold tribal water in trust  like tribal land  and manage it for the good of the tribe.

The government, in its motion to dismiss, calls the tribe's position novel and legally unsupportable.

A Winters doctrine right gives the United States the power to exclude others from subsequently diverting waters that feed the reservation, the governments motion says, quoting a 2015 court ruling. It does not give Plaintiff ownership of any particular molecules of water, either on the reservation or up or downstream of the reservation.

Ganje, the local water-rights expert, said he foresees a number of legal issues that could thwart the tribes effort in the Court of Claims, and he thinks negotiation would have been a better initial tactic than litigation. But he said tribes should generally do more to assert their water rights.

Our society has such a great need for water," Ganje said, "and good-quality water is becoming a commodity that in the future could be as valuable as oil and gold."
In January 2015, B-1 Aviator Ryan Carignan and his team from Ellsworth Air Force Base joined in the fight against the international terrorist organization ISIS.

The airmen immediately took to the skies to provide air support over Kobani, Syria. In a speech in Box Elder on Saturday, Lt. Col. Carignan shared a tale from the front lines in which friendly forces were being pursued by ISIS troops. The story illustrated the close quarters in which the war on terror is sometimes taking place.

We were hitting targets that were sometimes only 50 meters away from the friendly forces," Ciagnan said. "A 2,000-pound bomb, if youre only 150 feet away, you had better be under some serious protection. These guys were in that much trouble from the ISIS fighters that they didnt care. Some of them were behind a 2-foot brick wall. But it was the risk they needed to take, and thats what we did. Thankfully they all made it.

Carignan was the featured speaker at the Tribute to the Troops program, held Saturday at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder. The event honored soldiers who have served since the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Carignan, who serves as the 28th Operation Group deputy commander at Ellsworth and who will retire in May after 20 years of service, spoke about the key role air support plays in combat missions against ISIS.

Carignan emphasized to those present that providing air support is a changing role based on the needs of the people on the ground.

We were working air support with the special forces, Army, Marines, sailors, airmen on the ground. Every day, we would get in the air space and call them up on the radio frequency and be like, What do you need today? Sometimes they needed devastating, fast firepower; other times they just wanted someone overhead. Regardless of what they needed, thats what we do.

The battle against ISIS rages on in several areas, including in Mosul, Iraq, which has been occupied by ISIS since June 2014. After seizing the city, ISIS destroyed several historically significant tombs, including that of Jonah from the Old Testament. The military offensive began in October 2016 to retake the city.

When it came to Kobani in Syria, the area was cleared of ISIS troops over a few months. Reconstruction began in 2015, and many of the residents who fled have returned, Carignan said..

Their main goal was to keep ISIS from advancing toward the Syria-Turkey border and instead push them farther south. Missions included either gathering intelligence or striking targets, which could be anything from troops in the open, to buildings, to bridges or tanks.

The B-1 Bombers were so intimidating that ISIS gave them a special name.

ISIS actually has a name for the B-1; they call it the Black Dragon," Carignan said. "The menacing dark shape in the sky that delivers devastating, fiery death. We really like that."

Carignans team ended its most recent fight against ISIS in July, when another group from Ellsworth took its place. They managed to help drive ISIS out of some strongholds in Syria.

By the end of 2015, they had freed more than 2,400 square kilometers of northern Syria from ISIS control. They also helped the forces on the ground retake the cities of Kobani and Ramadi, an oil refinery and the town of Sinjar.

Carignan emphasized the importance of all the personnel at Ellsworth, not just the pilots.

What is happening on a daily basis at (Ellsworth) is extraordinarily important. We (pilots) did the easy part. We didnt have to be turning wrenches in 2-degree weather. We just get in the jets and take off.

Other speakers included retired Maj. Bob Liebman, Army Spc. Branden Stackenwalt, representatives from the Custer-based Black Hills Cabin, and Erin Dreis of the South Dakota National Guard. Dreis dedicated herself to supporting veterans after two of her platoon members committed suicide. Black Hills Cabin is a nonprofit organization that provides a free getaway for combat-injured veterans and their families.
Its not sexy, and its not glamorous. Its a nasty, dirty, vomit-covered world.

Thats how Jay Dobyns described the world he penetrated as an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Dobyns, who is retired after 27 years with the ATF, was the opening speaker during the Chadron State College Social Work annual conference this month. This years conference focused on drugs and their impact on society.

Dobyns opened his speech by showing a clip of a National Geographic show on his undercover work inside the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. The slick reproduction, he said, is what Hollywood wants the public to believe, but it is not reality.

He realized quickly in his career that he wasnt going to wear fancy suits or drive a flashy car.

It wasnt Miami Vice, and I wasnt Sonny Crockett, but I loved it, man, he said.

Dobyns was taken hostage and shot on his fourth day on the job, but instead of scaring him out of the life, it only encouraged him to work harder.

I wanted to live in that life and see what I could do, he said.

There are so many good people just trying to get by, but they are surrounded by people and circumstances that make it difficult, he said. Those are the people he wanted to help as an ATF agent, and its what kept him going day after day.

Even when his work took him into south Los Angeles during the 1992 riots after a jury acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of beating taxi driver Rodney King, with an orange glow over the city, his goal was to help those who couldnt help themselves.

We dove into that madness, and there were people there saying, Thank you, Dobyns said. Thats why you do it.

His undercover work in the Hells Angels gang garnered a lot of publicity, but it wasnt his best case, or his favorite. His best case came after the Oklahoma City bombing, when the ATF learned that Timothy McVeigh had trained with a militia group that Dobyns was already working on in an undercover capacity. All of a sudden a nothing case blew up and the White House and the Department of Justice were watching.

In the end, Dobyns said, they arrested men involved in a plot to blow up three casinos in Las Vegas as a follow-up to Oklahoma City. The case had a big impact and prevented further tragedy but received little attention; thats how it goes working in that type of career, he advised the students.

Youre doing it for something else, he said. Dont become jaded or lose sight of what youre doing. Do your work for the greater good, make sacrifices to help others, not for the money. You will need to give up the world definition of success as being rich and famous to make a contribution that will make the world a better place. Youre not going to get trophies and handshakes.

Dobyns learned that lesson the hard way, retiring from the ATF with a skewed view of humanity and believing that everyone was on the take.

It had altered who I was, he said. Everything I loved I crashed. Everything I cared about Id hurt and damaged.

A friend convinced him to visit Africa with him and help his organization, which helps rescue orphans.

Oh my God, those babies changed my life, Dobyns said. They dont have a damn thing; they saved me. I didnt save them. Im not sure I even helped them.

During a later panel discussion, he was asked how the illegal firearms trade relates to the drug trade. He said that its tough to work gun crimes, but if you chase the drugs, you will find the guns.
PIERRE | One of the bright spots Tuesday night was the realization that South Dakota Democrats have Dan Ahlers returning to the state capitol.

One of the low spots Tuesday night was the realization that South Dakota Republicans would be losing Roger Hunt at our states capitol.

Ahlers, D-Dell Rapids, was a legislator for four years in the previous decade. He served in the House of Representatives for the 2007-2008 term and in the Senate for the 2009-2010 term. He turns 43 on Nov. 14.

Hunt, R-Brandon, is finishing his twentieth year as a legislator. The attorney spent all 20 winters in the House of Representatives, spread across three periods.

The first era covered the 1991 through 2000 terms. His fellow representatives chose him as their presiding officer as speaker of the House for 1999-2000. Term-limited, he stepped aside and didnt seek election to the Senate.

Instead, he returned in 2005 and served through 2012.

Through the years, he was a leading figure in the fight to outlaw abortions in South Dakota as much as possible. That came to a head in 2006.

South Dakota lawmakers approved and then-Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation sponsored by Hunt and Sen. Julie Bartling, D-Burke, that would have banned most abortions.

Supporters of abortion rights took their fight to the general public. They referred Hunts legislation to a statewide vote.

Voters rejected HB 1215 in that Novembers general election, blocking its passage 185,945 to 148,648.

That fight still resonates in South Dakota politics. A large number of current officials put their names on the 2006 legislation as co-sponsors.

Among them are current or returning legislators such as Thomas Brunner, R-Nisland; Phyllis Heineman, R-Sioux Falls; Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton; Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen; Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center; Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood; Mark Willadsen, R-Sioux Falls; and Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown.

Other co-sponsors from 2006 were now-Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, R-Yankton; now-Secretary of State Shantel Krebs, R-Sioux Falls; and now-deputy secretary of state Thomas Deadrick, R-Platte.

In 2008 abortion was back on the ballot through an initiated measure that sought to prohibit abortion in most instances. It failed as well, losing 206,535 to 167,560.

Term-limited again in 2012, Hunt stepped aside a second time rather than seek election to the Senate.

In the 2014 election, Hunt came back to the House again. He was in a differently drawn legislative district this time, however. His local community couldnt vote for him. But no Democrats ran.

Upon his return to Pierre, Hunt again stood as a spokesman for conservative family values.

He passed a resolution in 2015 calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize the effects of abortion from the Roe v. Wade decision.

This year he attempted in several ways to reverse the transgender-participation policy adopted by the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

The legislative boundary change caught up with Hunt this time. Ahlers is a Dell Rapids businessman; he runs a video rental store. He knows his way around the district.

Republican Tom Pischke placed first in District 25 with 6,398 votes, followed by Ahlers at 5,432 and Hunt at 5,399. Fourth was the other Democrat at 3,266.

There will be a political crosshairs on the Ahlers seat come 2018. But until then, barring a recount, Dan Ahlers is one of 10 Democrats still left in the 70-seat House.
SYDNEY, Australia  A powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 hit the east coast of New Zealand s South Island just before midnight there on Sunday, triggering multiple aftershocks and at least three tsunami waves, with seawater levels rising about six feet.





New Zealands civil defense and emergency management issued a warning for people living close to the coast to move inland, to higher ground.





The earthquake struck about 50 miles north of the town of Christchurch. Elliot Fim, a regional official, said in a telephone interview that there were no reports of damage, injuries or fatalities there. The fire department was dealing with a large number of emergency calls seeking assistance.

Mr. Fim said that people living along about 200 miles of coastline, from the small township of Kiakora and southward, had been evacuated. Some roadways and a building were reported damaged, but people had been able to move to high ground. A spokesman for the Wellington Region Emergency Management office said there were reports of minor damage in the city of Wellington.





Dan Jaksa, a duty officer from Geoscience Australia, said that if the small townships to the north of Christchurch did not have earthquake-resistant buildings, it is going to be tough.

Photo

Christchurch was struck in 2011 by an earthquake measuring 6.3 that devastated the town and killed 185 people. A further 164 people were seriously injured.





In Cheviot, a small town thought to be close to the epicenter, there were no reports of casualties. There have been no deaths, Grant Burnett, the chief of the Cheviot volunteer fire brigade, said in a telephone interview. There is minimal damage to buildings that we can see. It is surprising, because it was a big quake, he said.

Mr. Burnett said that some properties along the coast had been evacuated, but none were seriously damaged by the surge in seawater, which was over six feet in some places. The fire brigade had gone door to door to check on residents, especially the elderly, he said. We are just a wee town. Everyone was O.K. We will be checking again in the daylight.





Mr. Jaksa said the earthquake ruptured from west to east, with shocks moving toward the capital, Wellington, which is on the south coast of New Zealands North Island. Lets hope this is it, and theres no more, he said.





Every time you go up one magnitude, say from 6.3 to 7.3, it is 32 times larger in terms of the energy released, Mr. Jaksa said. This earthquake was about 40 to 50 times bigger than the one in Christchurch in 2011, he said.





After the initial 7.9 shock, there was an aftershock measuring 6.1, and then several more shocks, with three of those measuring in the high fives, he said. The earthquake occurred in the Hikurangi Trench, a subduction zone where one tectonic plate slides under another.





New Zealands North Island and the northern part of New Zealands South Island are on the Pacific plate, which is moving west, while the Australian plate is largely moving north. This is the zone where the Pacific plate goes underneath the Australian plate, Mr. Jaksa said, adding that the shift had caused a change in the seafloor that resulted in tsunami waves.
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Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003.
SINDHULI, Nov 13: Cadres of the Biplav-led CPN (Maoist) have torched a Bolero jeep at Chiyabari, Bhadrakali VDC-2 in the district this morning. The jeep was heading towards Siraha from Kathmandu.

The jeep has completely burnt, it is stated. Witnesses said a group of seven bandh-enforcers stopped the jeep and set it on fire for 'disobeying the bandh'. The jeep driver Ram Chandra Mahato said there were no passengers in the jeep.

Police said they are searching for the assailants and would apprehend them.

Schools, colleges and shops in Sindhuli that had opened have closed after this incident. RSS
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While the Wolfs Away, the debut from Joseph Hemsani, is a strange collision of motifs and references. With significant echoes to the work of fellow countryman Guillermo Del Toro, this coming of age-meets dark thriller at times feels like its going to pull of quite a magic trick, making all the disparate elements come together.

Unfortunately, the film is betrayed not only by its inability to make these sweeps of tonality, its equally burdened by overwrought elements more pedantic than unsettling, using the cheapest of tropes to elicit reactions in an audience probably uninterested in sticking with it. Then, when it tries to bely expectation, it always goes for the gratuitous and exploitational, thus leaving room for some of the many scense that devolve into melodrama.

Still, for a good while the film seemed to have its conceit in check. Set in a prison-like boarding school/orphanage in 1958, a young boy named Alex (Luis de La Rosa ) is dropped off by parents, who are ostensibly abandoning their troubled kid for bad behaviour. There we meet the headmaster/warden Julio (Mauricio Garcia Lozano), himself a former student of the institution, who speaks of Hannibals dictum Aut inveniam viam aut faciam, or "I shall either find a way or make one, speaking to shaping the obstinate into a respectable young man.

The film then goes through moments quite affecting, with a young group of kids standing up to their brutalizers as prisoners to guards, bonding together while managing to still sneak notes to the female inmates including a lovely and bright eyed Isabel (Miranda Kay). Playing out as a kind of precious prisoner-of-war film, there was some hope wed continue to build upon the charm.

Then the film toys with dark elements indeed, yet ones far too easy and tritely executed to be truly shocking. Indeed, the real feeling of anxiety feels as the film itself slips away, diminishing any patience one had for it in favour of simply head-shaking shock as it gets bawdier and more mindlessly brutal.

The performances of the children are often quite compelling, and even Lozanos over-the-top scene chewing begins as more charistmatic than comical. Yet as the film drags on and we move from escape film to something more akin of a Terminator film it truly goes off the rails. Its all the more unfortunate as for every paint-by-number thriller you kind of want them to have kids in distress, but again the feeling of haphazardness of it all makes for scenes that just leave one shaking their head. A simple device  slapping a child, swinging a large metal object  is repeated over and over again in different contexts that it feels stagnant and gratuitous.

While the Wolfs Away ends up being an unholy lovechild between The Devils Backbone and The Great Escape, with bits of Stand By Me and Full Metal Jacket thrown in for good measure. I know what youre thinking  hey, that sounds awesome! - yet for all its pastichial elements the work seems to neglect to take the working parts of these references and instead fixates on churning out a miserable little melodrama couched as a coming-of-age flick. A failure by the final reel, the film is an interesting miss in watching things go out of hand over its running time, like a slow cascade where all the joy is slowly bled out and youre left just angry. I cant claim I know how to fix this troubled film, but I can say that unlike those that are simply silly from the get go, at least this dud worked its way down from initial moments that genuinely held promise.
If there's one thing everybody needs to know about, it's Tallin Black Nights (or POFF as it is rather fantastically named in Estonian). Having gained A-list status back in 2014, it's now officially one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world; except I reckon it's probably much higher on the coolness scale. Opening it's eclectic 20th edition tonight, there's already been a black-tie showing of Tran Anh Hung's visually lavish Eternity, outings for Steven Cantor's fantastic Dancer in neighbouring Tartu, and more mainstream offerings like A Monster Calls.

Always passionate but not pretentious, POFF has achieved it's meteoric rise by adopting a different philosophy to it's bigger brothers and sisters. Coming near the end of the festival calendar, POFF concentrates on just scooping up all the best new titles from the year and putting them in one place. And that's exactly what they've done with films like Jan de Pue's exceptional docu-drama The Land of the Enlightened, which premiered at Sundance, and went on to IFFR back in January.

Backed by the Flanders Audiovisual Fund, the Netherlands Film Fund and the Irish Film Board, The Land of the Enlightened is part of a glut of great films which this trio launched earlier this year, and it bares all the hallmarks of the visually striking, cutting-edge projects they tend to back. After all, films that burn a fictional texture into documentaries are very current at the moment (with Joshua Oppenheimer's films probably being the most well-known example of this). So whilst Pieter-Jan de Pue's film may not be The Act of Killing, it does go further into the realm of the "docu-drama," and there are few filmmakers who do it quite so well.

What we get is a scathing document about the War on Terror in Afghanistan, except it is always stiched into a familiar tale about a boy who wants to marry a beautiful girl. In this instance, however, the film's lead is literally a boy, and the band of oportunistic ruffians who follow him are all a similarly adolescent age. What results is quite an interesting comment on the state the country after many centuries of invasion.

All adults before their time, these young "lions" (as they call themselves) fiercely patrol an area surrounding an old Soviet sentry post. Armed with AK-47s, they split their time between shaking down local opium smugglers and herding goats - and viewers should note, animals were definitely harmed during the making of this movie. But the boys' vagabond attempt to source enough opium to ensure their leader's wedding goes ahead does really proves to be quite fascinating.

What we see in The Land of the Enlightened is always superimposed onto classical folklores about how Afghanistan was gifted to its people by God, or how the Mongols took it from its rightful owners. As a consequence, the ongoing actions of the American and Afghan forces in the film take on a fascinatingly timeless quality. We are almost forced to always see the present and 3,000 years' of past at the same time.

The sensations this mashup creates is deliciously oxymoronic, and is rather brilliantly exacerbated by a colliding things like Pink Floyd with classical Afghan songs. There's a really charming, edgy quality to the kids' performances too, something which becomes almost amusing in an absurdist way, given the nature of the things we see them do.

De Pue also intensely satirizes the War on Terror, and at times this is laugh-out-loud funny. At others, though, it does genuinely comes to seem as if the troops in this film are reinacting something from Call of Duty grudge match. Despite it's humour, though, The Land of the Enlightened is first and foremost a visually experimental piece.

It stunningly captures Afghanistan's beauty and variety, and the horrors that litter its lanscapes in an endless stream of spent ammunition and unexploded anti-tank mines. But above all, this film uses its techniques to lend Afghanistan's situation a certain mythic grandeur. It tslow-mos things like bright prayer scrolls blowing across vast open plains like divinely portentuous tumbleweed, or dissolves footage of brutally modern helicopters into shots of timeless landscapes.

Similarly, it parallels the boys' present with the past Soviet invasion of the country by switching between crisp digital footage and an older '80s-looking style. It is as though this film telescopes time and makes the boys' conflict ultimately seem totemic and endless. Put simply, if this kind of audio-visual cunningness is the future of docu-dramas, I want more of it.
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Skirmish line on Broadway at 6th to keep protestors off the 880 freeway in #Oakland. No ramp closures in place. pic.twitter.com/IkPkAVA1BU  CHP Oakland (@CHPoakland) November 12, 2016

"Trump is really going to start a civil war," said 18-year-old Oakland resident Tyler Holston to the SF Chronicle during a Friday evening protest she was marching in. She said she had been considering joining the Air Force but now is reconsidering saying, I dont know if I can serve my country with that man in office."

The numbers of protesters in the streets seemed to wane Friday, but there is likely plenty more to come this weekend and beyond. One planned protest, which may still grow, is planned in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, and Occupy Oakland is planning a rally in Frank Ogawa Plaza tonight at 7 p.m.. Meanwhile a massive protest is underway, possibly the largest yet, in Los Angeles that began in MacArthur Park Saturday morning. 150 people were arrested in LA as part of another protest that went into the wee hours of Saturday.

As of 8:30 p.m. Friday, CHP in Oakland was tweeting that things had remained non-violent and under control among protesters there.

Lots of rude words & gestures, but no violence has been seen by us tonight in #Oakland. Some protestors even expressed their appreciation. pic.twitter.com/HqGU7T9U5W  CHP Oakland (@CHPoakland) November 12, 2016

On Friday, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf condemned the vandalism and violence at protests on Wednesday and Thursday nights, when, as they often have in recent years, anarchist factions waged war on car dealerships and other businesses along Broadway. "It is so infuriating that a small group of cowardly vandals are using peaceful protests to shield their acts of destruction," Schaaf said.

Amidst the chaos on Wednesday in Oakland, photo journalism graduate student Kyle Ludowitz was attacked by several anarchists and had his camera equipment broken. Despite having covered conflicts in Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, Ludowitz said, "I was expecting more violence from the police, so this caught me off guard."

KRON 4 reports that a smaller group of about 50 protesters approached San Francisco City Hall on Friday evening, after a day marked primarily by student protests  high school students had Veterans' Day off, and gathered again to march through the Mission and elsewhere.

Previously: War Photojournalist Beaten By Looting Anarchists During Oakland Trump Protests
125 YEARS AGO

Lots of hogs: Ninety loads of hogs were received at the Union Stock yards Tuesday, making the largest single days receipt this season and one of the biggest days in the history of the yards. The bulk came from South Dakota by rail.

Tri-state news: Iowa: The verdict of the voters of Leon is that the town cow must be kept in the cow yard. Nebraska: Hiram Chase, an Indian of the Omaha tribe, has been admitted to practice law in the federal court. South Dakota: At Yanktons recent fire, George Kingsbury, Jr., tried to supersede the fire chief and direct the movements of the firemen, when they turned the hose on him.

Donations needed: The Womens Exchange will gladly receive any cast-off clothing the good people of Sioux City may be willing to donate to the poor. The clothes will be donated between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

100 YEARS AGO

Daylight thefts: Two daring daylight burglaries were committed in Sioux City Sunday afternoon at the Arctic creamery, 613 Nebraska St., and at the Queal Lumber company, Fifth and Iowa streets. The burglars got away with $85 in cash and $350 in checks at the creamery, but only a small sum from the lumber yard safe.

Ducks escape: A large number of Sioux City hunters spent Sunday on the small lakes near here in the hopes that the snow would drive the ducks south. Although many ducks were seen following the river, very few were shot.

Society news: Miss Kathleen Webb will entertain at a luncheon Wednesday for Mrs. Mary Turner Salter, of Williamstown, Mass. Mrs. Salter is noted as a composer of songs. The Home Kindergarten Club gave a dinner Monday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Holtze. The members husbands were entertained.

50 YEARS AGO

Air Force award: Amid at atmosphere of dignity and pride, the 30th Air Division received the Gen. Frederic H. Smith Trophy Friday at the Sioux City Air Base, division headquarters. Former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Frederic H. Smith, Jr., (ret.) and Lt. Gen. Herbert Thatcher, commander of the Air Defense Command, presented the award.

Eggs highlighted: The egg took the spotlight in Sioux City this week as the annual Midwest Poultry and Egg Convention opened at the Municipal Auditorium Those attending include hatcherymen, producers, buyers, processors and exhibitors. Girls distributed 2,100 hard-boiled eggs downtown.

In the news: Mrs. V. T. Gerkin is president of the newly organized St. Lukes Medical Center Auxiliary. Rabbi Albert Gordon will review the book, Mans Search for Meaning, at the Quota Club luncheon Thursday.

25 YEARS AGO

Fire in the sky: Two fiery objects fell from the sky over Woodbury County Wednesday night. Some thought a small plane had crashed. Two paramedics flying in Marian Air Care helicopter spotted a fire on the ground southwest of Lawton, while others near Southern Hills Mall spotted a ball of fire. The U.S. Air Force Space Command at Colorado Springs, later reported the objects were part of a meteor shower.

Making news: Lucy Miller has been named vice president of development for Goodwill Industries/Wall Street Mission in Sioux City. Cheryl Swanson has been elected president of the American Cancer Society, Sioux City unit. Peggy Wetherall of Indianola has been named principal at Sioux Citys Washington elementary School.

Museum plans: The Museum Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend that the public museum be relocated into the former Central High School building, rather than into a new building. The City Council will make the final decision.

These items were published in The Journal Nov. 13-19, 1891, 1916, 1966 and 1991.
NORFOLK, Neb. | Mary Honke, the executive vice president of Northeast Community College, has announced her resignation from the institution. Honke's last day will be March 31, 2017.

Honke has been with Northeast since 1995. Prior to her role as executive vice president, she served as vice president of institutional advancement and dean of continuing education and distance education.

Honke spent two years as an English instructor at Norfolk Public Schools, two years at Lincoln Northeast High School and was an adjunct faculty member at Northeast from 1981 to 1983 and from 1987 to 1993.
SIOUX CITY | When presented with efforts to bring back a degree in special education instruction to Briar Cliff University, faculty and administrations response was simple, but demonstrative.

"When it was brought up at the faculty meeting, there was applause, said Theresa Engle, department of education chair.

The undergraduate program will begin next fall. Engle said the program is targeted towards prospective students, and first year education students. Those students she said, could achieve the regular education requirements first, and then transition into the special education side of it. Of course, current students can also stay in school longer if they are interested in the program.

Enrollment will begin in the fall.

Briar Cliff president Hamid Shirvani said the special education program continues with the college's direction to address professional needs in the community. Currently, the Iowa Department of Education lists special education instructors as a shortage area in all levels of learning from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Information provided by the Iowa Department of Education said special education has been a national shortage area since 1990.

There are a lot of kids in schools that are special needs and there is a desperate need in our community for teachers with special education experience, he said.

Larry Bice, administrative consultant for the Iowa Department of Education, estimated about 500 unique job postings for special education positions were listed on the departments website this year.

With the amount of students enrolled in special education programs, Bice said about 1,300 teachers are needed to adequately serve the students. As a state, Iowa is producing under 900 special education teachers.

The deficit, he said, is particularly noticeable in the northern and western parts of the state.

Its the rural, small communities, he said. Some postings may get four to five applicants.

Steps have been taken statewide to address the shortage. The Iowa Department of Education offers a teacher loan forgiveness program to Iowa educators teaching in a shortage subject area. But Engle said the lack of programs in the area to instruct future special education teachers is also an inhibitor.

By offering its own program, Briar Cliff can help add candidates into the job pool.

Bice said Briar Cliffs efforts to incorporate a special education program are vital to ensuring that a state behind on teacher production can chip into the deficit.

The more programs we can get to provide an opportunity to become a special education teacher, the better, he said. We applaud it.

Even though we do have some programs in the vicinity, its not meeting the needs, Engle added. Were proud of our education programs and fee we prepare (students) well and we feel we can do a wonderful job preparing special education teachers.

Additionally, in the spring, Briar Cliff will roll out its advance degree program. This allows students who work to take nighttime and weekend classes in person on campus. The program features two course paths  a degree in art and humanities and a degree in business.

Classified as completion degrees, students can continue to work while they take classes. Shirvani said the two degrees have specific purposes.

The arts and humanities program will let students explore their intellectual curiosity and earn a degree while doing so. The business side offers students a chance to advance in their selected career path.

If you want to get a bachelors degree to get promoted, then you can take the bachelors in business and complete your degree, he said.

The advance program is open to anyone interested in finishing or pursuing a degree. Shirvani said degrees require the typical 120 credit hours. But students who have been working are eligible for Counsel of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) certification.

This awards professionals up to 12 credit hours based on experience.

Individuals that have been in practicefor 15 or 20 years can put a portfolio together and get up to 12 credits, Shirvani said.

Students can also carry over credits accumulated from previous college course.

He added that if students enter the advance program without any collegiate experience, they can talk with advisors and be set up with online courses as well to complete the degree in a manageable time frame.

Classes with the program will typically take place in three hour blocks during the evening on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and then Saturday morning and will be offered during the spring, summer and fall.

Shirvani said online classes have served the university well and are an invaluable asset to students. Briar Cliff had an advance program before, but discontinued it as the popularity of online courses grew. However, he said he believes there is serious merit in the ability to take a class on campus with physical teachers and have student-to-student interaction.

"Its an opportunity for social interaction as well as learning," he said. "These students, they dont just want to learn, they want to get to know people too."
CLIMBING HILL, Iowa | Lyle Groth, 85, a veteran of the Korean War tries to remember fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines left behind. He often joins fellow veteran Ron Kerr in presenting a Prisoner of War flag at the Veterans Day ceremony at the Woodbury County Courthouse.

"We place the POW flag on the empty chair," said Groth, who was an Airman 1st Class during his tour with the U.S. Air Force. "We don't want people to forget."

Groth kept another veteran alive in his thoughts and actions for several years, one Charles Loomis, a Civil War veteran whose grave was dug at Westfork Township Cemetery in Climbing Hill 121 years ago Sunday.

Loomis, 62, died one day earlier, buried one day later. The grave was dug for $4, the burial plot was purchased for $4.50.

But until last month, Loomis never had a headstone. That came this year, purchased for around $500, money raised and donated by local veterans who wouldn't allow themselves to forget.

"He's been up here 120 years," Groth said more than a year ago. "It's time to put a marker up."

The local cemetery ledger shows Charles Loomis, who died on Nov. 12, 1895, was buried in lot 406 in this cemetery on the east side of Climbing Hill. Census records show Loomis, son of Alden and Betsy Loomis, was born in Roxbury, Vermont, on Christmas Eve 1832.

He wed Mary Ann Richardson on Sept. 13, 1857, in a town called Ludlow, likely in Vermont. He was 25.

Loomis enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 7, 1861, in Company G, Vermont 8th Infantry. He was promoted to full sergeant on Feb. 18, 1862, and mustered out on June 22, 1864.

The 1870 Census shows Loomis' wife and their two children lived in Vermont. The 1880 Census shows they lived in Clay County, of the Dakota Territory.

Daughter Alma Loomis, who was born in 1862, never married. Daughter Nellie, who was born in 1866, married Charles Myers. She was 63 and living in Sioux City in 1930.

Neither daughter had a child, however, and the trail for Charles Loomis cools for clerk Lisa Robinson of the Woodbury County Commission of Veteran Affairs, who helped track his life's path.

Groth and Ron Kerr, members of American Legion Post 492 in Hornick, Iowa, the organization that took up this cause, learn the U.S. government won't spring into action to send a gravestone to mark Loomis' burial site. The reason: The government believes Charles Loomis is buried in South Dakota.

"The government won't allow another stone here because they think he already has a stone in South Dakota," Groth said.

So, Groth and Kerr change course, going the "unofficial" route of raising money privately for a headstone delivered and put in place by McQueen Monument of nearby Pierson, Iowa.

"It sounds kind of flaky," Groth said of the South Dakota Loomis being mixed up with a man buried a Climbing Hill, a man who served his country during the Civil War, only to die and have nothing to show for his service, literally.

So, the veterans who pledged to remember fellow veterans left behind do it again, for a man laid to rest in a Woodbury County burg more than a century and a half after he fought to save his country.

It's a simple stone bearing a cross, marking the spot of one soldier's eternal rest, at lot 406. "Charles Loomis," it reads. "Dec. 24, 1832 - Nov. 12, 1895. Civil War Veteran."
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa | Lupe Tapia, 22, voted for the first time on Tuesday night. She drove from work in Sioux Center to Harris, Iowa, where she was raised. She voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton at the town's community center around 8 o'clock, then stopped at home to see her mother, Angelica Espinoza.

They streamed election returns through Univision, the Spanish television network, on Espinoza's phone. Tapia didn't like what she was seeing, Republican Donald Trump hanging close, then surging past Clinton in key states such as Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa.

In the end, all those states broke for Trump, awarding him the Oval Office and leaving Tapia in tears around 2 a.m.

Her first election will be memorable, maybe for reasons she doesn't yet know. She said her vote for Clinton was one that, ultimately, was one against Trump, a leader she sees as intolerant of Mexicans like her parents, people who came here to work, to seek a better life for their children.

At various points throughout the campaign, Trump referred to illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists," "criminals," and "drug dealers." He vowed to build a wall dividing the U.S. and Mexico, while making "Mexico pay for it."

Rep. Steve King, a Republican from Kiron who was re-elected on Tuesday to represent Iowa's 4th District, said that work should commence on that wall following Trump's inauguration in January.

"I was voting for my parents more than anything," Tapia said. "He (Trump) disrespects many people, like those with disabilities. He was not a good fit."

Trump must have been a good fit for many Hispanics, however, as exit polls indicated he garnered 29 percent of support among this voting demographic, an increase of 2 percent over the support Republican Mitt Romney received in 2012. (Other exit polls pegged the Latino support for Trump at 18 percent.)

"What he said about Mexicans is all wrong," Tapia said. "He said we're rapists or bad people. There can be bad people in any group of people. The people I know are hardworking, they're here to build a better life."

Tapia, a senior at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, studies translation interpretation and has earned a grade-point average just shy of 3.0. She also works as a receptionist at Promise Community Health Center, an entity that offers primary medical care, prenatal care, dental and eye care, plus behavioral health care and more to 3,000-plus residents, 62 percent of which are Hispanic. Forty-percent of the nearly 40 employees at Promise are bilingual, like Tapia.

Following her graduation, Tapia hopes to take additional testing to become certified as an interpreter serving the medical community. A job in that arena will help her chip away at a college-debt load approaching $40,000. She is grateful, she said, that her parents have worked to help her and a brother pay down their college tuition costs. Two younger siblings are in the eighth grade and ninth grade at Harris-Lake Park. Their college days may be forthcoming.

And while Clinton didn't have the answers for solving college-debt issues, she seemed more welcoming to those of Mexican descent.

"Immigration is a huge issue," Tapia continued. "It's hard for people to get citizenship. It can take up to 10 years."

Her parents, she said, will continue to make progress toward citizenship, given those pathways remain. She attempted to process the election results on Wednesday, while considering what may come in an uncertain future.

In his acceptance speech, Trump made no mention of a wall, or of deporting millions of illegal aliens. He talked in broad strokes about unifying our nation while working with other nations.

Tapia awoke the morning after the election, tears dried, fears fresh. "I think I should keep fighting to make things better," she said. "I want to do what I can to end hate and discrimination."
DES MOINES  Iowa Republicans dramatic victories in Tuesdays election can be traced in large part to the partys voter-contact program it has been preparing since the wake of the previous presidential election, top national Republican officials say.

Republicans in Iowa won the presidential vote for the first time since 2004 and just the second time in the past seven presidential elections post-Ronald Reagan.

The Iowa GOPs four congressional incumbents also won, and the party took control of the state Senate by defeating six Democratic incumbents, giving Republicans full control of the Iowa Capitol for at least the next two years.

Throughout the 2016 election season, national and state party officials expressed confidence in their voter-contact program, which was established shortly after the 2012 election. Those officials said this week they feel vindicated by Tuesdays results.

I think that Tuesdays historic win for Donald Trump and really Republicans across the country was made possible because of (Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus) strategic vision to build a world-class, permanent, data-driven ground game, Juston Johnson, the national partys regional political director for Iowa and Wisconsin, said Friday.

The national GOP determined after the 2012 election it needed to establish a long-term, data-driven voter-contact program in key presidential battleground states, including Iowa. The work began in late 2013 to prepare for the 2014 mid-term elections.

The national party partnered with battleground state parties, including Iowa, to develop a long-term strategy that started early with building relationships with organizers and voters. Republicans modeled some of their work on President Barack Obamas successful ground game, making their own tweaks and additions.

They also trained staff to develop neighborhood outreach leaders and relied on a data-rich voter-contact program to maximize turnout.

While it is impossible to draw a definitively direct correlation, the short-term anecdotal evidence suggests the program been dramatically effective.

In 2012, Iowa went for Obama for the second time, but the state had a Republican Gov. Terry Branstad. Iowas congressional delegation was a three-three split of Democrats and Republicans, and the Statehouse was under split party control.

In four years and two elections, Iowa now has five congressional Republicans and one Democrat, the Statehouse will be under complete Republican control come January, and the state went for Donald Trump by almost 10 percentage points.

Republicans also have grown their advantage over Democrats in state voter registration: As of Nov. 1, active registered Republican voters outnumbered Democrats by more than 33,000. After the 2012 election, Democrats led Republicans by 4,461 active registered voters.

And they narrowed the early-voting gap: In 2012, Iowa Democrats cast 68,000 more early votes than Republicans; in 2016, that advantage was reduced to 42,000.

The hard work that we set out to do definitely paid off, Matt Dailer, the national partys Iowa political director, said Friday. The fact we were there for so long, we built relationships with people who got to be part of the discussions.

When Trump secured the Republican nomination, his campaign ceded the ground game operation to the party, which already was running its expansive operation.

I think that we need to acknowledge and thank, frankly, the Trump campaign for their efforts. But I can give them credit for understanding what the RNC had built and had been working on for more than a year and a half and just fully bought into our plan, Johnson said.

I dont think that can be overemphasized, because what that allowed us to do was to create efficiencies within the program, so we werent duplicating effort.

In 2012, Iowa went for Democratic President Barack Obama for the second time, but had a Republican Gov. Terry Branstad. The states Congressional delegation was a perfect three-three split of Democrats and Republicans, and the statehouse was under split party control.
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.




Northside Downs' season finale was marred by a multiple-horse accident on Saturday afternoon (November 12).

The accident occurred after the opening quarter-mile in the fourth race when I Am Able and driver Danny Campbell moved up to challenge leaders R Es Aiden and Rodney Gillis at the top of the stretch and fell causing a pile up of horses and drivers. Among those involved were Fleetwood Cam, driven by John Beaton, and Shiny Mach, with Roddy Hurley aboard.

Early reports indicate that Campbell, Hurley and Beaton were taken to hospital.

Campbell's wife has informed Trot Insider that the horseman sustained three hairline cracks to his hip and is undergoing more xrays to his back. He is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.

Hurley told Trot Insider that he suffered a bad concussion along with bumps and bruises, but was released from hospital and is home resting.

The extent of Beaton's injuries are not yet known. He was reportedly airlifted to a Halifax hospital.

CTV News Atlantic has reported that the three horses that fell only suffered bruises, according to the Maritimes Provinces Harness Racing Commission.

The race was declared a 'No Contest' resulting in a full pari-mutuel refund of wagers.

Trot Insider will provide more information on the drivers involved when details are made available.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing a full and speedy recovery for all involved.

The meet's closing card featured top pacer Surrealist, who earned his 13th straight victory in the $1,200 Winners Over Pace.

Last at the half, the 10-year-old Modern Art gelding swept by the field to score in 1:59.4 for driver Redmond Doucet and trainer/owner Dana Getto of New Waterford, N.S. Surrealist defeated his front-striding stablemate Brother John, driven by Greg Sparling, by one length with Gotfaithincowboys rounding out the top three finishers.

Surrealist earned his 18th victory overall this year and moved into a four-way tie atop the North American standings for most wins by a horse in 2016.

The leading driver of the meet was John Kennedy with 21 wins while Heather Hawkins topped the trainer standings with her stable earning 20 victories.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
Longshot players were cashing in after the horses crossed the finish of Northfield Parks fourth race on Saturday (November 12) when #6 Happy To Scoot swooped from the back to win at odds of 70-1.

Steve Ashby of Mentor on the Lake, Ohio owns and trains the five year-old pacer. Daren Harvey was aboard for the winning drive. Saturdays win was Happy To Scoots second win this year in 26 starts and represents her sixth lifetime score.

Happy To Scoot was followed across the wire by #3 Tammy Ann (6-1), #1 Always Dee One (7-1) and #4 Fountain Pen (2-5).

Happy To Scoot returned $141.80 to win, the 6-3 Exacta paid $2,348.60, the 6-3-1 Trifecta returned $12,120.60, and the 6-3-1-4 20-cent Superfecta paid $3,657.76.

Northfield Park has announced the addition of a $10,000 Pick-5 total pool guarantee on Sunday (November 13). Beginning in Race 3, the $10,000 Pick-5 guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $2,117.85. This wager is being offered as part of the Strategic Wagering Program through the United States Trotting Association.

Northfields Pick 5, Pick 4 and the Pick 3 wagers offer a reduced takeout rate of 14 percent.

Sundays post time is 6 p.m.

(With files from Northfield Park)
The publisher of The New York Times penned a letter to readers Friday promising that the paper would reflect on its coverage of this years election while rededicating itself to reporting on America and the world honestly.

Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr., the papers embattled publisher, appealed to Times readers for their continued support.

We cannot deliver the independent, original journalism for which we are known without the loyalty of our subscribers, the letter states.

Letter to NYT readers from Arthur Sulzberger Jr. and Dean Baquet





New York Post columnist and former Times reporter Michael Goodwin wrote , "because it [The Times] demonized Trump from start to finish, it failed to realize he was onto something. And because the paper decided that Trumps supporters were a rabble of racist rednecks and homophobes, it didnt have a clue about what was happening in the lives of the Americans who elected the new president."

Sulzberger's letter was released after the papers public editor, Liz Spayd, took the paper to task for its election coverage. She pointed out how its polling feature Upshot gave Hillary Clinton an 84 percent chance as voters went to the polls.

She compared stories that the paper ran about President-elect Donald Trump and Clinton, where the paper made Clinton look functional and organized and the Trump campaign discombobulated (verwarrend. svh) .

The NYT would do well to plant some roots in Red America

Spayd wrote, Readers are sending letters of complaint at a rapid rate. Heres one that summed up the feelings succinctly, from Kathleen Casey of Houston: Now, that the world has been upended and you are all, to a person, in a state of surprise and shock, you may want to consider whether you should change your focus from telling the reader what and how to think, and instead devote yourselves to finding out what the reader (and nonreaders) actually think.

She wrote about another reader who asked that the paper should focus on the electorate instead of pushing the limited agenda of your editors.

Please come down from your New York City skyscraper and join the rest of us.

Sulzberger -- who insisted that the paper covered both candidates fairly -- also sent a note to staffers on Friday reminding the newsroom to give the news impartially, without fear or favor.

But we also approach the incoming Trump administration without bias, he said.








The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
With protests and rallies erupting in major cities around the nation this week following the election of Donald Trump, a group of peaceful demonstrators gathered at Longviews Civic Circle Saturday for a solidarity march.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. and lasting throughout the afternoon, about 20 people walked around the circle Saturday with signs bearing phrases such as Were Here, Were Queer and We Wont Live in Fear, Love yourself, be yourself, and Love and unity.

Some people are here just to unite with others that feel scared or afraid because of the atmosphere that the campaigning has created, because of Trumps platforms and what hes said, said Shanae Strite.

Walking nearby was Jennifer Mack, a Hispanic woman who identifies as bisexual and is a member of the lower-income class, she said.

Every facet of my being is threatened right now, Mack said, referencing Donald Trumps promise to protect religious liberty, which LGBT activists say is just code for discrimination against them.

Anita Osorio said she was there in support of her children and her niece, who are mixed race. Osorio said her son has been receiving death threats for political anti-Trump posts he made online, and that her niece has been harassed and called racial slurs.

Im here because (my niece) has fears about what is going to happen and how her children are going to grow up in a country in which our president-elect is giving the impression that its okay to do this kind of stuff, Osorio said.

As the group walked, many cars honked in support, while others rolled down their windows and shouted insults. The event was organized on Facebook, which elicited online threats of violence against the demonstrators. But by late Saturday afternoon, those threats had not been acted upon.

Strite insisted the group was only intent on peaceful protest and didnt want to disrupt traffic or surrounding businesses.

Were not blocking the freeways, were not smashing cars, Strite said. Were going to be clean and pick up after ourselves. We just want to have a presence.

Others werent necessarily walking around the circle to protest Trump, but rather promote a message of love and acceptance.

Ive seen a lot of negativity toward both candidates  and Im not a fan of either candidate, said Stacey Spencer. She held a sign that read Love yourself, be yourself and displayed it to cars as they drove by.

I think (the campaign) has been about if youre a Trump supporter, youre this way and if youre on the other side youre that way. But I dont necessarily think thats true, Spencer said. I think that there are a lot of Trump supporters that arent racist and that arent sexist.

According to event organizer Ginger Davenport, the group also plans to begin marching from Tam OShanter Park in Kelso at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Despite the small turnout out of Saturdays march, which Strite thought might be due to threats made against protesters online, Jennifer Mack felt that she was part of something bigger.

For the people who say this doesnt make a difference, they can tell that to the thousands of people who went down in history marching on Washington, Mack said. What is happening in Portland will make history. What is happening in New York, same thing. We have a smaller group here, a smaller town, but (the campaign) has impacted each of us individually and thats why its important.
More than 70 percent of domestic and dating violence victims own pets, and up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims nationwide delay or refuse leaving an abusive home for fear of leaving their pets behind.

Many housing shelters cannot accommodate pets regularly, and until this weekend, the Emergency Support Shelter in Longview was only able to host therapy animals. Its something that has prevented victims from coming to the Emergency Support Shelter before, said development manager Christy Brittain.

Beginning Saturday and continuing through Wednesday, 17 volunteers from non-profits Rescue Rebuild and RedRover will lend a hand to convert three of the Emergency Support Shelters rooms into pet-friendly rooms in order to better accommodate survivors with pets.

This is the first project of its type for both organizations. Based in Sacramento, RedRover usually provides emergency disaster response for animals and their owners. Rescue Rebuild, based near Philadelphia, typically renovates animal shelters in need.

Its not much of a leap, said Bryn Donnelly, a volunteer from Rescue Rebuild. Its just an extension of the work were doing already.

To begin the renovations, volunteers ripped out old carpeting and installed new tile.

Everything needs to be super easy to clean, Donnelly said.

Next, doggy doors will be built into the wall that leads to the back of the shelter, entering into a fenced kennel area. Window perches and a suspended rope bridge will be installed for cats that visit the shelter, too.

We want for the pets to be as comfortable as possible, Donnelly said.

Additionally, the three pet-friendly rooms will all be in the same hallway. If a resident has allergies or another issue with the animals, they will be housed in a separate part of the shelter.

The shelter has already taken other measures to make survivors and their pets feel more welcome. The shelter held a pet supply drive this summer and was able to obtain hundreds of pounds of animal food, in addition to cat towers, cat litter and boxes, collars and even pet clothes.

ESS has an arrangement with the Humane Society of Cowlitz County to house any possibly aggressive animals belonging to shelter residents. Ocean Animal Hospital has offered to provide basic veterinary services for shelter residents animals for free as well.

Its difficult knowing that lack of pet-friendly rooms could be one of the only barriers to getting help, Brittain said. And often animals end up victims of violence and need a safe place to stay, too.

Weve heard (from survivors) how therapeutic it is to have their pet with them, Brittain said. Just petting an animal can help relieve anxiety.
The bookkeeper who embezzled half a million dollars from the Longview YMCA between 2007 and 2012 is facing a lawsuit from the nonprofit.

Tomi Dupper, now 61, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft for stealing cash and taking a loan against her retirement to which she falsified a repayment.

Dupper told police she needed the money to pay bills because she was having financial trouble but intended to repay the YMCA. Shed worked for the YMCA for 23 years.

Dupper was sentenced in April 2014 to two years in prison. She was ordered to pay the YMCA nearly $293,000 at no less than $25 monthly. The restitution amount was based on what Dupper still owed the YMCA after she forfeited her retirement and the agency recovered some money from insurance. Of the $293,000 still owed, Dupper has paid only $350.

But this June, the YMCA filed a civil suit against Dupper in Cowlitz County Superior Court. It alleges that she gave 10 acres of rural Longview land to her daughter Kari Kosa in July 2013 for free in order to keep it from being seized and sold to compensate the YMCA. She reserved a life estate in the property, meaning that she retained all rights and benefits to the land for the remainder of her life.

This year, the county assessors office valued that land at $102,580.

Dupper, who hasnt retained an attorney, wrote to the court that she didnt give away the land to defraud the YMCA. She argues that her daughter wanted to build a home on the property months before Dupper was fired. Dupper said she reserved her life estate to protect the well on the property.

Dupper said she wanted to give her daughter the land to provide stability to the single mother of three.

Emails Dupper provided the courts show her daughter began speaking with a home builder as early as February 2012, 13 months before Duppers arrest.

Lives go on even if a person is under criminal indictment, Dupper wrote in court documents. Kari Kosa and her children were to continue to move forward with their plans.

But Dave Nelson, attorney for the YMCA, argued that Dupper admitted to the embezzlement in December 2012, well before she began transferring the land to her daughter in July 2013.

By the time of the arraignment, Dupper reasonably should have believed that she would incur a debt to repay the embezzled funds that were beyond her ability to pay, Nelson wrote.

Dupper said she was surprised to find out just how much shed stolen from the YMCA.

Tomi Dupper did know that she had extensive debt from a failed business, had extensive debt from long-term divorce proceedings, the allocation of debt from said divorce, and loss of community funds, Dupper wrote in response to the lawsuit. As far as she should have realized that she had embezzled funds beyond her ability to pay, she never realized the extent of it.

The YMCA wants the courts to order the sheriffs office to sell the land and give the proceeds to the YMCA.

Dupper and her daughter did not respond to requests for comment.

The next hearing will be Wednesday at 2 p.m.
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The satellite that China launched into space last year to explore dark matter - thought to be the invisible part of the cosmos - has already detected 1.6 billion particles, officials said on Saturday. Scientists will now have to analyse the information gathered to try to understand what makes some matter five times more abundant than which is visible - composed of atoms - and thought to form the greater part of the universe, Efe news reported.

Scientists established the existence of dark matter in the 1970's due to its gravitational effects on visible matter although their knowledge about it is very scarce. Head engineer of the satellite, Wu Jian, explained that researchers have reviewed the systems of calibrated devices to ensure maximum accuracy of their observations, reported the Times.

The satellite called Wukong was launched on December 17, 2015 and after almost a year in operation is currently in orbit at an altitude of 504 km, developing its operations normally. This satellite includes a space telescope - China's first - which notes the direction, power and electrical load of high-energy space particles.

It is expected that during its first two years of operations, the telescope will look in all directions and after passing the first stage, focus its activity in areas where initial results look most promising. China Saturday also successfully launched into space a new meteorological satellite, Yunhai-1, from Jiuquan base in the Gobi desert, aboard the Long March-2D rocket.

This satellite, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, will be dedicated to atmospheric, marine and space observation, prevention of meteorological disasters along with carrying out scientific experiments.

IANS
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A show home with features to help its residents survive life on Mars went on display in London on Thursday, offering visitors a glimpse of what setting up house on the red planet could look like if it ever happens. Set in a mocked-up Martian landscape at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the pod-like construction has room for a bed and a computer desk and space to grow plants and exercise.

It was designed in consultation with astronomers at the observatory and Stephen Petranek, author of "How We'll Live On Mars", who was also a consultant on the upcoming National Geographic drama "MARS". The six-part series is set in 2033 and follows a manned mission to Mars.

"This is a typical Mars home if you want to call it that but it's really a survival center," Petranek told Reuters.

"It will make oxygen for people to breathe and it will supply its own water by sucking in the Martian atmosphere, which is about 100 percent humid most nights, and pull out water through a very simple dehumidifier mechanism. You'll have a 3D printer which will make almost everything that you need."

The Mars show home is on display until Nov. 16.

Reuters
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Mars is a primary target in the search for life outside Earth, and liquid water is the most important pre-requisite for life. But a team of international researchers has found that Mars is incredibly dry, and has been that way for millions of years.

"Evidence shows that more than three billion years ago Mars was wet and habitable. However, this latest research reaffirms just how dry the environment is today," said Christian Schroder, Lecturer at the University of Stirling in Britain

"For life to exist in the areas we investigated, it would need to find pockets far beneath the surface, located away from the dryness and radiation present on the ground," Schroder, who is also science team collaborator for NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity mission, noted.

The discovery, published in the journal Nature Communications, provides vital insight into the planet's current environment and shows how difficult it would be for life to exist on Mars today. Using data from the Opportunity mission, the scientists examined a cluster of meteorites at Meridiani Planum -- a plain just south of the planet's equator and at a similar latitude to Gale crater.

The researchers calculated a chemical weathering rate for Mars, in this case how long it takes for rust to form from the metallic iron present in meteorites.

This chemical weathering process depends on the presence of water. It takes at least 10 and possibly up to 10,000 times longer on Mars to reach the same levels of rust formation than in the driest deserts on Earth and points to the present-day extreme aridity that has persisted on Mars for millions of years, the study said.

A study published last year, which used data from the Curiosity Rover investigating Gale crater on Mars, suggested that very salty liquid water might be able to condense in the top layers of Martian soil overnight.

"But, as our data show, this moisture is much less than the moisture present even in the driest places on Earth," Schroder explained.

IANS
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The government is preparing for a bloodless war by strengthening cyber security measures, Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Friday. "We are preparing for bloodless war, by strengthening cyber security measures," Prasad said at the Economic Editors' Conference.

He said Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is being strengthened. "National Cyber Coordination Centre being set up to provide near real time situational awareness and rapid response. Rs 985 crore project to be completed in five years," the minister said.

Prasad said phase I of the project has already been tendered and expected to be operational by March 2017.

Trying to allay fears expressed by the industry over Donald Trump being elected as the US President and anti-outsourcing stand during pre-election debates, Prasad said the Indian government will respond in a coordinated manner in case the new administration in the US takes any decision that has potential impact on the IT sector.

"If certain issues come, the matter will be taken up at the government level where apart from the IT Ministry, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of External Affairs, all the three have to work in coordination," Prasad added.

Talking about Indian IT companies' contribution to the growth of the US economy, he said: "Indian IT companies have created 4.10 lakh jobs and paid around $20 billion taxes in the US. I am proud of contributions of Indian IT firms in the US."

IANS
Aditya Madanapalle

Sky-watchers are in for a celestial treat tomorrow, when the Moon will be the largest and brightest in 70 years. NASA and National Geographic have posted tips on how to best photograph the supermoon.

The picture above is taken by Bill Ingalls, senior photographer at NASA. Ingalls shoots missions for NASA, as well as celestial phenomenon such as the supermoon and meteor showers. The most important tip Ingalls has is not to shoot the moon on its own.

Ingalls says "Dont make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything. Ive certainly done it myself, but everyone will get that shot. Instead, think of how to make the image creativethat means tying it into some land-based object. It can be a local landmark or anything to give your photo a sense of place."

Preparation of the vantage point to give context to the moon is an important part of the process. Ingalls uses google maps and a compass to figure out the best locations to shoot the moon, then scouts out the locations to study them and get a permission if necessary.

Another tip from Ingalls is to personalise the shot by including people. He suggests that shooting the supermoon is a fun activity for families. He says "There are lots of great photos of people appearing to be holding the moon in their hand and that kind of thing. You can get really creative with it."

When asked if it is worth attempting to get a shot of the supermoon with a smartphone, Ingalls says "Its all relative. For me, it would be maddening and frustrating--yet it may be a good challenge, actually. Youre not going to get a giant moon in your shot, but you can do something more panoramic, including some foreground thats interesting. Think about being in an urban area where its a little bit brighter."

National Geographic Staff photographer Mark Thiessen recommends adding a teleconverter lens to the biggest lens you have. Thiessen tracked the motion and arc of the moon using a GPS software known as The Photographer's Ephemeris to image the moon with a 600mm lens and a 2x converter from the Moab desert in Utah. Remote locations have minimal light pollution.

For capturing the image on smartphones, National Geographic staff photographer Michael Christopher Brown recommends using optical zoom only, and a tripod. Ideally the phone is stabilized, says Brown. Placing the phone on a ledge or windowsill, and using the timer is an option if a tripod is not available. Digital zoom produces a lower quality image.

In August 2014, Sam Garcia was assigned to shoot the supermoon. He woke up, saw the moon outside his window, grabbed his camera, took a picture, and went back to sleep. The main tip by Garcia is to shoot the supermoon in black and white. The colouration is from the reflected light from the sun, and black and white retains the look of the moon.

When asked why it was not convenient to convert the image to black and white after the shit, Garcia responded "removing color later is a very different thing than shooting black-and-white. I wanted to be thinking in black-and-white and seeing black-and-white on the LCD." If the shot is in colour, Ingalls sets the white balance in Daylight mode.

A 500 mm or greater lens is recommended for shooting the supermoon. "If you're using a lens shorter than 500mm," Garcia advises, "set it to infinity and close down to f/11 or f/16 to let depth of field help with focus."

Both Thiessen and Ingalls recommend avoiding a long exposure shot. The moon is a moving object, and longer exposures means that the moon will be brighter and lose detail.

National Geographic also recommends that photographers take time to enjoy the otherworldly experience, and to take some time away from being focused on the sensor.
News / Africa

by Stephen Jakes

A member of the People's Democratic Party Sengezo Tshabangu is reported to have been involved in a car accident in Botswana and is said to be in intensive care at a hospital in that country.According to his party member Fortune N. Mlalazi some senior members of the party have left Zimbabwe to Botswana to see him."Breaking news reaching The FOX- PDP's Sengezo Tshabangu was involved in an accident in Botswana and is Intensive Care Unit.The FOX understand that Secretary General Gorden Moyo and other National members left for Francistown this morning to go and check Tshabangu," he posted on his Facebook wall.Tshabangu is the former Matabeleland North Chairman of the MDC-T who pulled out of the party together with the PDP leader Tendai Biti and bothers to form their party.
We already showed you the Iowa punter having an eventful night in the Hawkeyes game against Michigan, and there was a wacky play involving a punter in another Big 10 game Saturday night as well.

Nebraska punter Caleb Lightbourn had a punt against Minnesota go for negative-two yards. Yes, a negative-two yard punt. Youre clearly wondering, how does this happen? And thats a good question!

Well, heres how it happened:





So, basically Lightbourn just punted the ball straight up the elevator shaft as Big Ten Network play-by-play man Kevin Kugler explained, and the ball landed about 15 yards away, before then taking an incredibly unfortunate bounce back to behind the line of scrimmage.

Pretty awful, but equally as amazing! And Lightbourn can now look at the optimistic side of things on that one, as the No. 19 Huskers came away with a 24-17 victory over Minnesota.

[Big Ten Network]
The Shiver: Tonights group of sharks: Dallas Mavericks owner and tech-sector maverick Mark Cuban in his usual stage-right chair, real-estate impresariess Barbara Corcoran, venture capital mogul Kevin Mister Wonderful OLeary, QVC Queen Lori Greiner and at the end of the line, guest Shark Silicon Valley venture capitalist Chris Sacca.

The Bait: A better baby cover-up, a lemonade stand for the gig economy, a Korean BBQ chain and a lockbox that would make Al Gore giddy.

Company: Melanie Disbrow, Milk Snob

Seeking: $125,000 for a 5 percent stake

Disbrow walks the Sharks through a common struggle of new parents: trying to cover car seats and strollers to protect little ones from sun and weather, when babies, toddlers, or that very weather constantly rips off blankets and other covers.

Enter Milk Snob, a sort of overgrown tube top that functions as a cover for a stroller, a breast-feeding cover-up and a newborn wrap. The fabric is stretchy, so its strong, but breathable, for obvious reasons:

Ready to take it to the next level! And our Sharks already like it! #SharkTank #MilkSnob pic.twitter.com/LY1Gbljbb4  Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) November 12, 2016

In just 18 months, Disbrow has hauled in $1.2 million, with $600,000 of that in the last six months. The price $36 online, with just a $7.60 manufacturing cost. All of her marketing is through social media and mom-to-mom buzz, and so far its been a great success. Saccas blown away: He immediately offers $125,000 for 8 percent. You know what? Cuban goes full chivalry on this one. Im going to go out because thats a great offer.

Wait, @mcuban just endorsed my offer? Are pigs flying? Did hell freeze over? I am so confused. #SharkTank  Chris Sacca (@sacca) November 12, 2016

Lori offers $125,000 for 10 percent, which is obviously a worse deal, on paper but heyQVC! Thats perfect for a product like this.

Mister Wonderful offers $150,000 for 10 percent, too, but its hard to see his offer competing with the other two on the table.

Disbrow asks Lori if shell go down to 8 percent, but if Loris going to flog this thing on QVC she wants a bigger stake. Instead, Lori raises the cash match Mister Wonderful. Sacca still wants in, though, and Disbrow has some choices to make. Time for our first DRAMATIC COMMERCIAL BREAK!

When we come back, Disbrows hesitant. She wants Lori and Chris to partner on the deal, but she doesnt want to give up more than 10 percent equitywhich is not enough for two Sharks to sink their teeth into. Sacca goes out. Kevins also out, because she hasnt shown the slightest interest in dealing with him.

Suddenly, Loris the last Shark left. Disbrow hesitantly turns to her.

Lori, you actually were my pick.

Swim or chum? so Id love to accept your offer. SWIM.

Should you buy? Its been a few years since Ive been in the baby-wearing business, but Im not sure this would make a great wrap. If youre baby-wearing, a lot of strollering isnt necessary. And I dont believe a mama needs a muu-muu thrown over her when shes feeding. There are better dedicated baby-wearers out there, and its not $36.99 better than a blanket. SHOULD NOT BUY.

Company: Jack & Steve Bonneau, Jacks Stands & Marketplaces.

Seeking: $50,000 for a 10 percent stake

A kid pitcher! And not just any kid pitcher: A nine-year-old kid (at the time of filming; now hes 10) whose business is helping other kids start businesses. Jack had really wanted a $400 LEGO Death Star set, so he opened up a lemonade stand and hustled. $900 later, he had an idea that would help every kid near him start a business:

Jacks Stands from Colorado is already one our favorites! #SharkTank pic.twitter.com/QMB8LH4d1q  Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) November 12, 2016

Now, Jacks Stands and Marketplaces offer space and time for kids to come and hawk their wares at mall kiosks. The kids keep a 15 percent cut of whatever theyre selling, and Jack and his dad (I work for Jack! he insists) get rich. Well, thats the plan. So far they have seven locations in Colorado, two in malls, and earnings havent been great. Despite this, Jackwho knows all the numbers, his dad is barely speakingsays hes projecting $150,000 in sales over the next year, and $1,000,000 the year after that:

Jack has some aggressive revenue projections, but would you be willing to bet against this kid? #JacksStands #SharkTank  Chris Sacca (@sacca) November 12, 2016

Mister Wonderful loves Jacks hustle, but struggles with kids because he doesnt want a part-time partner. Hes out. Sacca asks how he got funded, and turns out he got a starter loan of $1,000 from his parents, earned enough to pay them back, got a $5,000 loan from a bank, and has almost paid them off. Now this little Denver Broncos fan is rocking it out on Shark Tank:

Jack, pronounces Cuban, youre incredible. But not incredible enough: He doesnt see them growing beyond the Denver area. Hes out. Barbara and Lori say the same thing: Youre super awesome, but not investible. Theres no way Im going to let the best pitch of the year get out the door without an offer, Sacca says. He offers a $50,000 loan at two percent interest, disbursed in $10,000 chunks as Jack needs it. Sacca also wants a contingency that Jack do a YouTube show or podcast that grows an audience online. If you take that deal, Mister Wonderful says, youll be the most in-debt nine-year-old in the world.

Swim or chum? He immediately takes it. OLeary cracks up: Hes nine years old and $60,000 in debt! SWIM.

Should you buy? Well, heres the problem with the business: The only way you can buy what hes selling is if youre a kid with a business in Denver. If you are, and you need a space to hawk your wares, you SHOULD BUY.

Company: Jae Kim, Chilantro

Seeking: $600,000 for a 50 percent stake

Kim emigrated from South Korea with his single mom when he was 11 years old. Hes applied for Shark Tank three times: Once with one food truck, once with five food trucks and now with a fleet of trucks and a fast-casual restaurant. The third times the charm, and here he is with a sampling of the food:

His fast-casual thing is very Chipotle: Build a bowl with starch (white rice, brown rice or noodles), protein, veggies, special sauces and the original kimchee fries. The Sharks love it:

This. Food. Is. So. Good. Then he serves it all over fries!! @ChiLantroBBQ is painfully good stuff. His success is no accident. #SharkTank  Chris Sacca (@sacca) November 12, 2016

Kim describes his first business, a coffee shop, as a failure. He didnt have a vision and couldnt grow it. But when asked how he founded Chiantro, he references his $30,000 in savings.

Cuban jumps in to applaud him: You started your business, you paid for college, and you saved $30,000.

Earnings last year were $4.7 million. Each food trucks pulling around $300,000, and $1-1.5 million for each restaurant. He hopes to do expand to 15 restaurants.

Youve actually lived the American Dream in every way, Mister Wonderful says, and hes right.

Sacca loves the food, but he doesnt really see the opportunity here: He cant be the guy that helps Kim go from a vision to reality, and now the visionwhich isnt a game-changing revolution in foodis pretty much just growing whats already there. Hes out. Cuban says restaurants are not his thing; investing in one is a huge time sink if you want to be involved at all. Hes out. Lori loves the food, but shes out too.

Barbara, though, is in. And shes done this once before with Tom + Chee in Season 4. That business had a lot of growth and success, but also hit some bumps in the road (the one near me opened, struggled with quality consistency, and closed).

I know the structural problems they had in growing their business, Barbara says, and knows exactly how to grow Chilantro without putting a foot wrong. She offers the $600,000 for a whopping 30 percent stake. She warns not to treat her like dumb capital: Her expertise is valuable.

He counters: His business is robust and profitable. Even if she wants out, he can buy her back out quickly. Would she take 20 percent instead?

Swim or chum? You got yourself a deal, she says, and he does! SWIM.

Should you buy? The food looks phenomenal and Korean BBQ is great. If theres a location near you, you SHOULD BUY.

Company: Junior Desinor, TOOR

Seeking: $500,000 for a 10 percent stake

When youre house-hunting and see a great house for sale, your options are limited. You can call a number and leave a voicemail, or hope one of those little flyers is left. But if you want to tour the house, you could be waiting weeks for an agent or open house. Desinor says all thats about to change with the worlds smartest lockbox.

He invites Barbara to come try and get the keys: Just press the button and it sends a request to the house owner, who can approve it and open the lockbox, releasing the keys. Barbara can let herself in, tour the house and put the keys back when shes done.

She shakes Desinors hand.

Nice handshake, she says, clearly impressed with the cut of his jib. Nice suit.

Mister Wonderful immediately asks the question were all thinking: What happens if they just take the keys? Or hang out way too long?

The beauty of our product is that you decide what kind of showing you want to have, Desinor says. Theres a notification sent if the keys are out of the box too long, and you can also set the app to require an agent come over. That settled, the Sharks want to know what sales look like.

Zero. Theyre brand new.

But TOOR had a really successful Kickstarter, and the demand is clearly there. The Sharks want to know how he got this idea; it grew out of his practice as a real-estate agent.

His parents are from Haiti, he says, and worked hard to send him to a fancy Dallas-area private school. Going to friends neighborhoods and seeing big, fancy houses (including Cubans) inspired him to start. Sacca, a Silicon Valley VC, knows him some big, fancy houses, though, and he sees a problem: There are already smart lockboxes that use Bluetooth to open in the presence of an agent; the only innovation TOORs really offering is the remote interface.

When Desinor says the old-school real estate companies are way behind the times, and his TOOR has a utility patent pending, Sacca gets testy. Hes seen agents unlock homes with a smartphone while touring!

Hes entirely right, Barbara says. This clearly answers a need, and youre not going to see anything like it out of the old guys in the industry. Additionally, she notes, Youre one of the best salespeople Ive seen in my life. Considering shes worked in real estate much of her career, thats saying something.

I like when people make better mousetraps, Lori says, but its too early for her. Shes out.

You blew it, Mister Wonderful says, by asking for half a million dollars on a five-million dollar valuation when his product is still a prototype. Kevin offers $100,000 for 10 percent equity, then a $400,000 loan at 18 percent interest. Kevin demands a quick answer and Desinor ponders as we go to our second DRAMATIC COMMERCIAL BREAK.

Ill save you some time, Cuban says. Hes not into real estate, and he cant help. Hes out. Barbara wants to jump in here, joining Kevins deal

I dont want a better mousetrap. I want a bear trap, making tens of millions. Saccas convinced that this thing is only a couple of years ahead of the everybody else, because people are already moving to tech-activated locks. House keys are doomed!

Desinor counters: $250,000 for 10 percent in equity, and $250,000 line of credit. Barbara and Kevin confer, then counter at $200k cash/$300k creditwith the contingency that hes willing to ramp up big-time and get into major retailers. Are we there for our FOURTH deal of the night?

Swim or chum? We are! SWIM.

Should you buy? Honestly, Im not even sure whos buying these. Agents? Sellers? Even if Im selling my house, Im not cool with unsupervised visits. Oh, and theres something about a $100-a-month subscription model? Im not into it. SHOULD NOT BUY.
Myanmar govt reports fierce fighting in Rakhine state, 8 killed

Satellite images show Rohingya villages torched

A military officer patrols the border fence along the river dividing Myanmar and Bangladesh located in Maungdaw, Rakhine State where there has been an upsurge of violence since October.

AFP, Yangon :

Myanmar's military said its troops killed six people and lost two soldiers in clashes with attackers in Rakhine state on Saturday, in the latest flare-up of violence in the crisis-hit region.

Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month.

Soldiers have killed several dozen people and arrested scores in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya militants with links to overseas Islamists.

The crisis and reports of grave rights abuses being carried out in tandem with the security crackdown have piled international pressure on Myanmar's new civilian government and raised questions about its ability to control the army.

Authorities have also heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse.

On Saturday the military said it came under fresh attacks in the border region, first by a mob of some 60 people wielding "small guns and swords".

The clash broke out in the early morning during a "clearance operation" in Ma Yinn Taung village in Maungdaw township, according to an army statement.

"In that fight, six dead bodies of attackers along with a gun which the attackers stole on 9 October were retrieved," it said, adding that one soldier also died while others were wounded.

Troops then followed the attackers to nearby Gwa Zone village where they encountered a 500-strong armed mob, the military said.

Meanwhile, Hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages in western Myanmar have been torched, according to new satellite images released on Sunday as fresh fighting flared in the strife-torn region.

Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month.

Soldiers have killed several dozen people and arrested scores in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya militants with links to overseas Islamists.

Fresh fighting flared on Saturday with two soldiers and six attackers killed, according to the military who said they brought in helicopter gunships to repel an ambush.

The crisis and reports of grave rights abuses being carried out in tandem with the security crackdown have piled international pressure on Myanmar's new civilian government and raised questions about its ability to control its military.

Authorities have heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse.

New satellite images released by Human Rights Watch show what the group said was evidence of mass arson attacks against Rohingya villages.

Their analysis showed more than 400 buildings torched in three Rohingya villages where the fighting has been taking place.

The group said active fires and burn scars showed that most of the destruction was caused by arson. The latest images were taken on 10 November.

Brad Adams, the group's Asia director, said the new photos showed "widespread destruction" that was "greater than we first thought".




US to push ahead on climate pact before Trump takes over: Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a press conference with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at Premier House in Wellington, New Zealand on Sunday.

Reuters, Wellington :

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday the Obama administration would do everything it could to implement a global agreement to combat climate change before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Kerry made the comments during a visit to New Zealand just before setting off to Marrakesh, Morocco to take part in climate talks between 200 nations.

Donald Trump, who calls global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to a source on Trump's transition team.

Kerry declined to speculate on what Trump might do about the Paris Agreement and noted that there was sometimes a difference between campaigning and governing.

But the top American diplomat was clear he thought further action to prevent climate change should be a priority.

"The evidence is mounting in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," Kerry told journalists at a press conference in Wellington with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

"Until January 20 when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet."

Kerry's visit to Wellington followed a two-day trip to Antarctica where he flew in a helicopter over the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which would add to rising sea levels if it melts, and spoke to scientists researching how fast climate change is likely to occur.

The U.S. accounts for just under 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions so is considered a key player in the Paris Agreement, which has been ratified by 109 countries so far.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.

The United States has agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing in Pacific island camps in a deal that is expected to inspire more asylum seekers to attempt to reach Australia by boat, officials said on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of StateKerry confirmed that the United States had "agreed to consider referrals" from the United Nations refugee agency on Australia's refugees.


'World One Health Day' observed at SAU

A rally to observe the \'World One Health Day\' was organised at the campus of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in the city recently.

SAU Correspondent :

'World One Health Day' was observed on 10 November at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU). The program was organized by the Department of Medicine and Public Health in collaboration with One Health Bangladesh, Relief International-UK, Bangladesh, IEDCR.

A rally marched on the campus and surrounding areas in a festive mood carrying with a banner. Then a seminar and discussion on 'One Health' was held at the Seminar Room of the Faculty of Agriculture.

Prof Dr Kamal UddinAhamed, Vice-Chancellor of SAU was present as chief guest. Prof Dr Md.Anwarul Haque Beg, Treasurer of SAU, Prof Dr ABM Maqsoodul Alam, Principal, ShSMC and Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director, IEDCR were also present as the special guests. M Nazrul Islam, Country Director, Relief International-UK, Bangladesh was present as Guest of Honor.

The seminar was chaired by Prof Dr Md. Mufazzal Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, SAU and conducted by Coordinator of Celebration of World One Health Day 2016 Dr KB M. Saiful Islam, Chairman, Dept of Medicine and Public Health.

Two scientific papers were presented by Dr Md. Abul Kalam, OH Technical Advisor, Bangladesh, USAID's Preparedness and Response Project and Prof Dr Nitish Chandra Debnath, OH Coordinator, FAO ECTAD, Bangladesh.

Speakers said that 75 percent of the emerging infectious diseases have originated from animals or animal products. One health looks at the collective health of the humans, animals and their environment to help prevent the next major disease outbreak.

About 300 participants from many educational and research institutions including SAU, ShSMC, DLS, DGHS were present.


Training on higher education for autistic person

Prof Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh addressing a \'Training of Trainers\' program on \"Higher Education for Autistic Person\" held recently at DIU Auditorium in the city.

Campus Report :

Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Daffodil International University organized a training of Trainers program on "Higher Education for Autistic Person" recently at DIU Auditorium.

Prof Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) was the chief guest at the function. Prof Dr Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University, Kustia and Prof Dr Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) were present as the special guests.

Prof Dr Yousuf M Islam, Vice Chancellor, DIU presided over the program. Prof Muhammad Mahaboob Ali, PhD, Director, Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) presented the keynote paper in the program.

Prof Abdul Mannan said, autistic persons would turn to be of immense potentialities instead of being burden in the society given affection, love and care. He called upon educational institutions, national-international organizations, voluntary organizations and all sections of the society to come forward for welfare of autistic persons with holistic approach and it should be started from the primary level.

UGC Chairman said, at this moment there is no scarcity of fund and there is enough budgets for supporting for development of higher education in Bangladesh, but we don't have the capability and proper initiative of utilizing this huge amount of budget. He said, we have the budget of 240 million to expense till 2018, but we couldn't still utilized 40% of the budgeted amount. We will get 2050 million dollar in 2017 and 9 universities are primarily selected for utilizing that fund and Daffodil International University is one of them, he added. He strongly lauded that the universities wouldn't be able to utilize this amount due to capability and proper initiatives. So, he urged the universities to gain the capability of utilizing the fund and take proper initiative for development of higher education.

He appreciated the initiative of 'Training of Trainers on Higher Education for Autistic Persons' for the first time in Bangladesh

Speakers in the program said that the government has made significant regulatory progress in addressing the issue of complex disorders like autism as a national priority and National Trust Act for Neuro Developmental Disabilities 2013 and Disabled Persons Right and Security Act 2013.

They also said that in Bangladesh, National Education Policy 2010 has also given importance on more training for the teachers for increasing the skill to handle the child with special need.

Govt reserves 1 percent quota for the disabled and autistic people in all first and second class jobs, including BCS, and 10 percent in class three and class four jobs for the disabled and orphans

Age-limit for entering the services has been extended up to 40 yrs, they added.

But if the person does not get at least a congenial environment for their higher education then keeping quota for their job will be of no value, they opined.


News / International

by Online

Some 60 Zimbabwean women are feared missing in the Middle East. The Government is frantically trying to locate 50 women in Kuwait and 10 in Saudi Arabia.Early this year, Government facilitated the repatriation of 150 women who were held as virtual slaves in Middle Eastern countries. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs Kindness Paradza said Parliament had recommended that the Kuwait Embassy in Harare halt issuing visas to Zimbabweans seeking employment as domestic workers in the Middle Eastern country."One of the recommendations that was approved in Parliament was for the Kuwait Embassy in Zimbabwe not to issue visas to domestic workers," he said. "The latest we know is that 50 women and girls are unaccounted for in Kuwait and in Saudi Arabia there are 10 whose whereabouts are unknown."The Government has so far aided the repatriation of about 150 women out of more than 200 that were reported to be working under tough conditions in some Arab countries. What we are rooting for is for Government to send a team to engage authorities in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia."Government has set up a special fund to assist stranded Zimbabweans in the Middle East to return home.
NOVOAIR to fly to Kolkata on Dec 1

Economic Reporter :

Private carrier NOVOAIR is set to launch flights its operations in second international destination to Kolkata on December 1 as part of its ongoing effort to expand wings to more routes globally, the airlines said on Sunday.

"We've taken the latest move following the sustainable operation in all domestic routes of the country as well as the lone international destination," NOVOAIR Managing Director Mofizur Rahman said while announcing the launching of Dhaka-Kolkata and Chittagong-Kolkata flights.

Initially, four flights from Dhaka will be operated in the new route from December 1 while three flights from Chittagong will be started from December 14, he added.

"Actually, we will connect the people with Kolkata in seven days of the week," Rahman said.

Replying to a query, he said they have planned to launch Dhaka-Kathmandu and Dhaka-Guwahati flights as next international destinations.

Novoair officials said return promotional fare for Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka will be Taka 9,999 including all taxes. The airlines would operate flights in Dhaka-Kolkata route on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

They said the return promotional fare for Chittagong-Kolkata-Chittagong will be Taka 11,555 including all taxes and three flights will be operated on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

NOVOAIR has been operating flights in all domestic routes since January 2013 with six aircraft in its fleet while it is operating flights to Yangon since December 1, 2015.
Communal harmony urged at protest meeting

Chittagong Bureau :

A protest meeting condemning the heinous attack and vandalism in mandirs, maths and dwelling houses across the country including Nasirnagar of Brahmanbaria was held at Chittagong central Shaheed Minar square on Saturday . Bangladesh Gita Shikka Committee , central unit organised the meeting .

The speakers in the meeting said Bangladesh was liberated from the occupation forces in 1971 on the basis of secularism and people irrespective of caste and creed fight for the independence of Bangladesh. But the minority community of the country are being depressed with different means after post independence period. The speakers emphasised the need for communal harmony among the all religion as ensured in the great constitution of the country. The meeting strongly protested the recently happended oppression on Hindu community in Brahmanbaria including vandalizing the mandirs ,maths etc . Central committee president of the organisation Deshpriya Chowdhury presided over it . Founder secretary of the organisation Polash Kanti Nath Rony delivered address of welcome in it duly moderated by central general secretary Dr Anjan Kumar Das. Chief advisor of BAGSHIC adv Tapan Kanti Das, Secretary General of Central Eid Jamaat Committee Principal Dr. Abdul Karim, Industrialist Tinkari Chakraborty, advisor Bijoy Laxmi Debi, Patroniser Ranjan Kanti Dutta , Vice President Jhantu Chowdhury expressed gratitude to the protest meeting, a sources said.


Priyanka`s maiden Punjabi production to release in December

Indian actress Priyanka Chopras maiden Punjabi film as a producer, titled Sarvann, will release in December.

The actress, who produces movies under the Purple Pebble Pictures banner, tweeted: *Drum roll* So proud to announce Purple Pebble Pictures' debut Punjabi film Sarvann Coming this December! Watch this space for more! Sarvann.

The Punjabi film is the second project in the regional zone for the Bajirao Mastani star.

Earlier, she produced a Marathi film titled Ventilator. The film features Amrinder Gill and will be produced by Priyankas mother Madhu Chopra under their home banner.

It is written and directed by Karan Guliani, who has also penned the story with Ambadeep Singh serving as screenplay and dialogue writer.

Meanwhile, Priyanka is busy in the west with the second season of American TV series Quantico and her debut international film Baywatch, which stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron.
Muslim women in hijabs report harassment

Reuters :

As the Q43 bus weaved through Queens, New York, Fariha Nizam's Thursday morning commute had all the auspices of being an ordinary ride. Until, jarringly, it wasn't. The 19-year-old college student had been seated for no more than seven minutes, she says, when the harassment began.

A white couple had boarded the bus near Springfield Boulevard. They were slightly older - perhaps middle-aged, Nizam describes. The pair walked in her direction, and the woman gestured toward her hijab.

"She started telling me to take it off and that I'm not allowed to wear it anymore," Nizam told CBS News. "She came towards me and tried to pull it off."

A few other commuters attempted to intervene, yet Nizam, en route to her internship in Manhattan, was already sobbing uncontrollably.

She exited the bus at the next stop.

In Nizam's opinion, the incident, less than two days after President-elect Donald Trump's victory, was not remotely coincidental. Her hijab is a clear signifier of her Islamic identity. And Nizam, like many other Muslim Americans, believes that the Trump campaign's rhetoric further stoked anti-Muslim sentiment. Regardless, Nizam remains steadfast. Her hijab will stay affixed on her head.

"I know I'm more susceptible to a lot of things because I wear it," she says. "But it's something I'm going to do - I'm not going to change that."

Other Muslim women have reported hostile encounters and harassment this week.

At San Diego State University, a female student wearing a hijab was confronted and robbed in a parking structure on Wednesday, according to campus police. The assailants, authorities said, made comments about Trump and the Muslim community, and they believe the student was deliberately targeted because she was Muslim. "Hate crimes are destructive to the spirit of our campus and we urge all members of our community to stand together in rejecting hate," SDSU President Elliot Hirshman wrote in a statement.

In Northern California, at San Jose State University, another Muslim student reported being choked as a man pulled and grabbed her hijab from behind.

"I personally believe it was an attack based on race and religion," 19-year-old Esra Altun told CBS San Francisco station KPIX5. Many Muslim women who choose to wear hijabs have expressed palpable fear in the days after Trump's election. In conversations online, some report grappling with whether or not to continue wearing the headscarf, worried about the potential for hate crimes.

Early Wednesday, one woman wrote on Twitter: "My mom literally just texted me 'don't wear the Hijab please' and she's the most religious person in our family" The message has since been retweeted more than 75,000 times.
SC stays KCC mayor`s suspension

Staff Reporter :

The Supreme Court on Sunday upheld a High Court order that stayed suspension of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Moniruzzaman Moni.

A bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order after dismissing a petition filed by the government seeking a stay on the High Court order.

Former Attorney General A J Mohammad Ali and Advocate Anisur Rahman Khan represented Moniruzzaman in the court.

Anisur Rahman Khan said, following the SC order, there is no bar for

Moniruzzaman to perform duty as the mayor of Khulna City Corporation.

The government on November 2 last year suspended Moniruzzaman after a lower court accepted charge sheet pressed against him in a criminal case.

The HC on June 7 stayed the government order of his suspension in view of a writ petition. Then the government filed a leave to appeal petition with the SC seeking stay on the HC order.


Nato Chief`s warning for Trump

The Guardian :

Nato's secretary-general has issued a dramatic warning to the US president-elect Donald Trump: "Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States."

Writing exclusively in the Observer, the leader of the western military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, claims the west faces its greatest security challenge in a generation.

He pointedly recalls the blood spilled by Nato allies after they came to the aid of the US following the 9/11 attacks and warns that, rather than "deepening differences" between the 28 members, now is the time to "nurture what unites" under "strong American leadership".

In the months before his election, Trump described Nato as obsolete and raised questions over whether America under his leadership would come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack. Stoltenberg writes: "We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States.

"The only time Nato has invoked its self-defence clause, that an attack on one is an attack on all, was in support of the United States after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This was more than just a symbol. Nato went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since. And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States." Stoltenberg, who is a former prime minister of Norway, concedes that America's Nato allies need to increase contributions, a demand made by Trump during the presidential campaign.

America accounts for 70% of Nato spending. But the head of Nato writes: "Naturally, we have our differences. But leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, and across the political spectrum, have always recognised the unique ties that bind us. Our proud history is one of common challenges overcome together.

"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden. But above all we need to recognise the value of the partnership between Europe and America. It remains indispensable."

Stoltenberg's passionate intervention, just days after Trump's shock election to the White House, highlights the deep concerns within European military circles about the new American president.

In July Trump had said that Nato was incapable of dealing with terrorism and that he would be willing to tell allies who did not "reimburse" America for its military protection: "Congratulations, you will be defending yourself."

Stoltenberg, however, hits back, claiming that Nato is playing a "crucial role" in the fight against Islamic State, and in strengthening the capacity of partners in North Africa and the Middle East to combat terrorists.

He also writes that it is Vladimir Putin's Russia which has become more "assertive" in recent years, and that the tens of thousands of troops the country is amassing across its western border should be treated as a genuine threat to which the west must respond. Trump has claimed that he will be able to build a strong relationship with Putin, and has attacked those who have encouraged a deterioration in relations with the Kremlin.

Stoltenberg writes: "We have implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence since the cold war. And the United States has significantly strengthened its commitment to European security, deploying a new armoured brigade to eastern Europe and delivering equipment and supplies to support future reinforcements if needed. This is deterrence, not aggression. We do not seek to provoke a conflict, but to prevent a conflict."

"Nato battalions numbering thousands of troops cannot be compared with Russian divisions numbering tens of thousands just across the border. Our response is defensive and proportionate. But it sends a clear and unmistakable message: an attack against one will be met by a response from all." Stoltenberg's comments, stressing the vital importance of America in maintaining European security, will be widely seen as a sign of concern over earlier statements by European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. Last week Juncker claimed the Americans "will not ensure the security of the Europeans in the long term. We have to do this ourselves." He added: "That is why we need a new start in the field of European defence, up to the goal of setting up a European army."

Former foreign secretary Jack Straw said Juncker was guilty of "narcissism", and that such proposals would only push Trump away from Nato. "I think this is another example of serious error by Juncker," he said. "Every time Juncker spoke during the referendum, he helped the Leave campaign. The EU wants to make a choice about whether it wants Nato to continue. What would be the purpose of a European defence force? It is a folie de grandeur, like other things the EU has done which has caused it to face its current existential crisis. It is frankly crackers. But it is illustrative of the weird and narcissistic world in which he operates."

The Observer has, however, learned that France and Germany are planning to unveil proposals on European military integration in the coming weeks.

Norbert Rottgen, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the German Bundestag, said that greater defence cooperation was even more important following Trump's election. He stressed that it was a key area in which the UK should agree to compromise during Brexit negotiations. "We see in recent days that these geopolitical dangers and insecurities have increased and there is one most important asset - and that is unity of the west and European unity," he said.

Nicole Ameline, a member of the French National Assembly's foreign affairs committee, warned the world was now "more unpredictable" with Trump in the White House and called for the UK to play its part in a strengthened European defence structure, as an aid to Nato rather than an alternative. "We have to reinforce our security and to do that we need the UK," she said.

Meanwhile the Foreign Office has confirmed that Boris Johnson, who branded vocal European concern about the US election result a "whinge-o-rama", would not be attending an emergency EU foreign ministers' meeting on Sunday to discuss Trump's election.

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Accused flees from custody, SI, cop suspended

Court Correspondent :

Rafsan Hossain Rubel, 25, arrested from airport railway station area Saturday on the charge of raping a Garo girl in the city's Badda area last month fled from police custody of Dhaka court yesterday (Sunday).

Rubel was being taken to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court when he dashed suddenly. Meanwhile, two policemen were suspended for their failure in the incident, Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told the media men last evening.

Sub-Inspector Akram of Badda Police Station and also the Investigation Officer of the case, and two other policemen were escorting Rubel to the court on Sunday afternoon. He was kept at a room of the court from where he fled at about 3.30 pm.

Sub-Inspector Emran-Ul Hasan and Constable Dipak Poddar of the police station were suspended for their alleged negligence in this connection, said Masudur Rahman.


Can Europe shape globalisation ?

Cecilia Malmstrom :

So the day is finally here. Today, we have the Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement at the summit between the EU and Canada. This agreement is an important achievement, for many reasons.

First of all, it clearly demonstrates that when Europe comes together, we can shape globalisation according to our values and our standards. We reached an agreement on the EU side after some tumultuous discussions. Sometimes we need to make things a bit complicated first, in order to make them better as a result - it has always been the crises that foster progress in our European Union.

There is much scepticism about both globalisation and trade these days - across Europe as well as in North America and elsewhere. In recent years we have been engaged in a very passionate European debate on trade. This is important, because it helps us improve our EU trade policy.

As a Swede, I know for a fact that openness to trade and stringent social standards are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary - we need open and fair rules on trade to support, maintain and improve our welfare states. Trade agreements are not the silver bullet to solve all our problems, but it is an important tool that Europe has at its disposal to strengthen economic growth and foster jobs.

It is clear to all that globalisation does put pressure on parts of our societies. We then have two options: we can take an easier path and pretend that we can reverse the tide of globalisation, closing our doors to the world. Or we can take the more difficult path and try to shape globalisation according to our vision, while having honest and difficult conversations at home.

In signing today's trade agreement, the EU and Canada opted for the latter, and I'm proud of that. With CETA, we clearly demonstrate the improvements we have made to our trade policy. For instance, we have the most ambitious sustainable development chapter ever negotiated, making clear commitments on social and environmental issues, and working together to improve these standards worldwide.

We have heard many concerns across Europe about investment protection, and together with my Canadian counterpart Chrystia Freeland we have worked hard to replace the old ISDS with the Investment Court System, and committing ourselves to further refining this vital reform.

CETA - full text here - will also bring very concrete economic benefits for European workers, farmers and consumers.

Thanks to CETA, European companies will benefit from better access to the Canadian market than companies from other countries. European manufacturers will save over 500 million a year in scrapped tariff costs - that means better conditions for many small and medium-sized companies, from tie makers in Italy to producers of German machinery and many others.

Trade simply works, and we know it from experience. When we get rid of unnecessary costs and overlapping bureaucracy, companies will try out new markets and hire more people.

I am also very pleased that Canada has opened its market further by agreeing to provide extra protection to 143 so-called 'Geographical indications' - specialty food and drink products linked to the regions where the products are made, like Roquefort cheese or Schwartzwalder Schinken. Under CETA, only the genuine article can be sold in Canada under those names.

There are more examples of benefits. Thanks to easier trade in services and the opening of procurement processes, European dredging companies will be able to bring their state-of-the-art technology to help ensure Canadian waterways are always navigable - opportunities that were closed to them before. And thanks to CETA, it will be easier for company employees and professionals to move across the Atlantic.

Indeed, beyond just strengthening our trade relationship, we are now building a bridge to one of our closest allies. Canada shares our values on issues such as labour rights, environmental protection and fighting climate change. Setting new, high standards for trade with Canada will help us to motivate other trading partners to follow this ambitious and progressive model.

We live in an interconnected world. Trade will happen with or without trade agreements. But by signing a progressive, gold-standard trade deal that upholds our ideals and sets a new model for international commerce, we are demonstrating how to shape globalisation. The EU and Canada are showing the way forward.

The European Parliament now needs to give its backing to CETA in order for it to enter into force provisionally. The provisional application will not cover investment protection.

(Cecilia Malmstrom is EU Commissioner for Trade)
Killing at Sylhet border outrageous

MEDIA report said two Bangladeshi nationals were killed by a group of Indian Khasias at Jaflong in Sylhet border on Thursday. The two men of nearby border village went into the Indian side to collect betel nuts. But local Khasias opened fire on them killing one on the spot and the other was seriously injured and later died. The action is outrageous.



It appears that the victims were local traders. As the Khasias sell betel nuts and so the two Bangladeshi nationals went there to buy. But firing on the men and killing them for trespassing is unimaginable and no doubt a crime of highest order. Khasias also kill Bangladeshi nationals in the plain below the Khasia hills in Sylhet border on many occasions and enjoy impunity from the Indian government for such murders. Not only the Khasias, Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) are also regularly shooting on Bangladeshi nationals and enjoying total impunity from such crime.



We don't know why trespassing should be a cause for killing on a common border when the Indian law provides for only few months imprisonment. The people who are being killed are ordinary people. They are mostly traders who run informal trade with counter-parts on the Indian side. But the Indian government had never discarded such murder as unlawful and punished the murderers. It is rather ignoring such crime systematically with continued impunity and its reluctance to give justice to Felani who was shot and killed by BSF at Kurigram border in 2013 made it clear that killing Bangladesh nationals is justified.



It gives us pain and also leaves one to wonder that when Bangladesh government is having the warmest political relation with India at this moment why BSF and Indian nationals are regularly shooting our nationals. It is unfortunate that Bangladesh-India border is the bloodiest one in the world despite Bangladesh is making all concessions to India. Our government is totally embarrassed to explain to our people why it is so helpless to secure end to border killing. Alone from January to October 2016, rights groups' estimates suggest that 27 Bangladeshis were killed, 34 received injuries and 19 were abducted by the BSF on long India-Bangladesh border.



We know that border killing figure prominently at every BGB-BSF meeting and there is no dearth of assurance from the Indian side that things well be easier soon. But things remain as dangerous as before. But without Indian government commitment it will never end. In our view Bangladesh must use all diplomatic and other sources of contact with the Indian government to bring an end to border killing. Everybody must know that killing and good neighbourly relations can't go together. It is conflicting to making relations cordial.






BNP`s countrywide demo today

Staff Reporter :

The BNP on Sunday announced a countrywide protest demonstration on Monday in view of the government's refusal to give permission for organising November 7 rally in the capital.

The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir disclosed it in a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan office.

He said, the leaders and the activists of Dhaka city unit of BNP will stage demonstration and rally in the city's every thana, and it will be observed in other Metropolitan cities and every district town.

Mirza Fakhrul condemned and protested the role of administration in suppressing the right to

speech and right to organizing the political meeting.

Mirza Fakhrul questioned "Why will the democratic and fundamental rights of a person or of a political party be taken away when there is no State of Emergency in the country?"

"The autocratic government fears the BNP and that is why it was not giving permission for holding rallies, which is its basic right," he said.

The BNP had a plan to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Sunday marking the 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day'.

The police authorities and the Public Works Department did not allow the party to arrange the rally.

The party's central leader Abdus Salam, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Khairul Kabir Khokon, among others, were present.
ZAPU belongs to the youth - Dabengwa

by Wonder Sibanda Zapu Bulawayo Youth Chairman

ZAPU President Doctor Dumiso Dabengwa told a Bulawayo Province ZAPU Youth Workshop that the leadership of his party wants the youth to effectively contribute in every aorta of the organisation.



Comrade Dabengwa was speaking at a workshop of the Bulawayo Youth Front. He briefly narrated the history of the party and said that the youth have always played a pivotal role in all stages of ZAPU's revolutionary struggle. He challenged the youths from various districts of Bulawayo to democratically correct the economic and political evils bedevilling Zimbabwe as a result of deliberate and persistent misrule by ZanuPf. The veteran freedom fighter noted with sadness that the current political scenario neglates all the values and dreams of the liberation struggle in which he sacrificially participated with many others.



He urged the youth to be involved in the party's internal processes to elect candidates for both local and national elections. He farther challenged them to shun and despise the culture of receiving handouts of any kind from corrupt politicians calling upon the youth to collectively identify their potential instead.



Speaking at the same occasion Doctor Strike Mnkandla ZAPU's secretary general told the youth that they had a task to make the party visible. The youth told the party leadership that the time to start preparing for 2018 general elections is now. They also expressed their support and love for ZAPU.
`Not My President` anti-Trump protests continue across US

Demonstrators gather outside the Edward Roybal Federal Building to protest against US President-elect Donald Trump in Los Angeles.

VOA News :

The daily protests that have sprung up against Donald Trump since his election as U.S. president continued Saturday across the country in blue, red and swing states alike.

Thousands of demonstrators marched to Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday afternoon with signs and chants including "Black lives matter" and "Not my president."

After protests on Wednesday, a cordon of heavy trucks loaded with sand was put in place to protect the Trump Tower apartment building, and demonstrators are still being kept a block away.

More demonstrations have been planned and organized on Facebook for Saturday throughout the country in places such as Kentucky, Michigan, Las Vegas and Seattle.

Demonstrators gather during a protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States in Portland, Ore., Nov. 11, 2016.

Demonstrators gather during a protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president

of the United States in Portland, Ore., Nov. 11, 2016. Protests turned violent in the West Coast city of Portland, Oregon, early Saturday amid fears a Trump presidency will erode Americans' civil rights and trigger unrest. Also Saturday, hundreds of Germans and U.S. citizens living in Germany gathered in Berlin near Brandenburg Gate and the U.S. Embassy to protest Trump's election, saying his policies would hurt civil and human rights. Hundreds of protesters marched Friday through the streets of Portland, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti. Portland police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades on protesters in response to demonstrators throwing burning projectiles at officers. Authorities said vandalism and assault had taken place during the rally, which organizers had billed as a peaceful event earlier in the day.

One demonstrator was shot in the leg early Saturday, according to witnesses. It was not immediately clear who shot the protester. But plans for another night of protests were already underway in Portland.

Protesters are surrounded by Los Angeles police before they were detained in Grand Park across Los Angeles City Hall after a march and rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States, Nov. 12, 2016.

Protesters are surrounded by Los Angeles police before they were detained in Grand Park across Los Angeles City Hall after a march and rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States, Nov. 12, 2016. Police down the coast in Los Angeles said Friday that they had detained 185 people, many of them for trying to blockade the city's crowded freeways.

In New York, hundreds of people gathered in Washington Square Park for a "love rally" late Friday, then set out for Manhattan's Union Square, a traditional destination for political marches, about a half mile (one kilometer) away. They held signs saying "Love will always trump hate" and chanted "Not my president" as they walked.

In Philadelphia, about 100 students from Temple University marched from their campus to City Hall to voice their concern that Trump would divide the country, not unite it.

Trump has responded to the protests with two notes on Twitter that sent a mixed message about his reaction. Late Thursday he complained that "professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!"

Perhaps responding to those who thought his initial message was unpresidential or inappropriate, he tweeted Friday: "Love the fact that small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud."

The wave of protests began just hours after Trump's stunning upset victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was confirmed early Wednesday, and demonstrations have sprung up daily since then in more than a dozen U.S. cities. Demonstrators in all of these locations angrily recalled some of Trump's inflammatory and controversial comments during his campaign, about immigrants, Muslims and women. One of the slogans they have chanted is: "No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here."

Many of the protesters have said they intend to continue their rallies and demonstrations during the weeks ahead, even until the new president's inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on January 20.

Meanwhile, reports also are emerging of racist incidents at a number of U.S. schools and universities, including chants of "white power," anti-black graffiti and in some cases physical clashes.

Since Trump's election, reports have shown an uptick in racist incidents and hate crimes across the country. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, documented more than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation in the three days after Election Day.
Mayor Ariful gets bail

Staff Reporter :

The High Court (HC) on Sunday granted bail to suspended Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury in the former Finance Minister Shah A M S Kibria murder case.

The HC Bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order following a petition filed by Ariful.

The case was filed under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 in connection with the killing of the former Finance Minister.

Barrister Mainul Hosein represented Ariful in the court while Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Mohamamd Bashirullah stood for the State.

Barrister Mainul Hosein told journalists that two cases were filed against Ariful in connection with the Kibria's murder. Ariful was granted bail in the murder case earlier.

Now he was granted bail in the case filed under the Explosive Substances Act. So there is no barrier for him to walk out of jail. But the DAG said the government will move a petition before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the HC order of the bail.

If the HC order reaches the jail authorities before the apex court passes any order on the government's stay petition, Ariful will get released from jail, the DAG said.

Five people, including Kibria, were killed and 70 others injured in a grenade attack on a public rally of local Awami League at Baidder Bazar in Sadar upazila of Habiganj district on January 27, 2005.

After the incident, Awami League leader Abdul Mozid Khan, MP filed two cases -- one for murder and another under the Explosives Substances Act -- with Habiganj Police Station the following day.

On December 30 last year, a Habiganj court sent Ariful, also a BNP central leader, to jail rejecting his bail prayer.

He secured bail from the HC on September 6 in the murder case.
It turns into an epidemic BD

Reza Mahmud :

The diabetes has turned into an epidemic form in Bangladesh, say experts on the eve of the World Diabetes Day.

The World Diabetes Day will be observed today (Monday) in the country as elsewhere in the world in a befitting manner to make people aware about diabetes.

This year the theme of the Day is "Eyes on Diabetes" and organizers will focus on early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes and using treatments to reduce the risks of getting any serious complications.

A large number of type-1 diabetic patients are in vulnerable position due to high costs of the insulin, experts said. Professor AK Azad Khan, the President of Bangladesh Diabetic Samity on Saturday said diabetic patients are increasing alarmingly in the country. "And it has now turned into an epidemic form. There are about 71 lakh diabetic patients now in Bangladesh. Five lakh diabetic patients are dependent on insulin to live," he said, adding it is damaging patients' kidney, heart, eye and foot.

AK Azad Khan told journalists while addressing a press conference at BIRDEM in the city yesterday. He said some 29 diabetic patients die worldwide in every second. AK Azad Khan said the insulin is very expensive and a regular unbearable burden for the poor patients.

"Every patient needs Tk 1000 per month for insulin. The poor people are not able to bear the cost regularly.

But they cannot live without insulin. It makes their families vulnerable. The government should identify the poor patients and should give them insulin at free of cost," he said. Sources said, around 35 lakh of diabetic patients are now under treatment at Bangladesh Diabetic Samity's hospitals. Bangladesh Institution of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), National Healthcare Network (NHN) and Healthcare Development Project (HCDP) are providing treatment to the diabetic patients.

The 33 centers, 61 of affiliated associations and 10 more sub-affiliated associations of those organisations are providing treatment to the patients across the country including capital Dhaka.

Muhammd Saif Uddin, Secretary General of the samity, said around five lakh people die every year worldwide due to diabetes.

They put forward 15 point recommendations including keep diabetes consciousness in the text books and play grounds in schools and colleges and start awareness building programmes through radio and televisions. Experts said there are large numbers of people in Bangladesh live with type-2 diabetes without screening. It poses huge health risk in the country. They said by reducing diabetic complications Tk 2000 crore can be saved in the country.

They said, some researches have shown that by creating consciousness and early diagnosis could help to reduce the type-2 diabetes by 70 percents. Bangladesh played an important role to accept the day as the world diabetes day.

The United Nation accepted the proposal of Bangladesh to observe the day every year from 2007.

Bangladesh Diabetes Samity requested the government to propose November 14, the birthday of Frederick Grant Banting, the inventor of insulin, to observe as the world diabetes day in the united nation.

Meanwhile, the government is implementing various programmes to create awareness against all diseases, including diabetes, the Prime Minister said and called upon all concerned to come forward along with the government to prevent diabetes. Various government and non-government organizations have taken an elaborate programme to observe the day. A rally will be brought out from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at 8.45 am today. BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qumrul Hasan Khan will lead the rally.
Bldgs along rivers to be knocked down

Staff Reporter :

The government has decided to demolish 13 establishments constructed illegally along the banks of Turag, Buriganga, Sitalakkhya and Balu rivers those crisscrossed in and around capital Dhaka.

The decision was taken at the 33rd meeting of the taskforce on restoring river navigability at Secretariat in the city on Sunday.

"We have identified a large number of illegal establishments constructed along the banks of four rivers. And these will be demolished in phases. But 13 illegal establishments will be demolished immediately," Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan told reporters after the meeting.

He warned that whatever powerful the grabbers might be, their illegal establishments would be demolished with iron hand.

"Many of the 13 illegal establishment owners own big companies. We have already obtained the names of the owners of illegal establishments. We are going to demolish their structures immediately," Shajahan Khan said.

He said that they would do everything to free all the rivers from illegal encroachments in phases. "These structures were developed encroaching the Buriganga, Sitalakhya, Balu and Turag rivers," he said.

Replying to a query, the Shipping Minister said they do not want to disclose the identity of the owners of 13 illegal structures right now in order to evade legal obstacles.He said the taskforce will enforce a temporary ban on land development and construction works within 120 feet of the demarcation pillars until completion of a re-survey of the four rivers by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The government will issue a gazette notification in this regard (ban) soon.

Mentionable, the taskforce had earlier demolished a number of illegal structures along the four rivers. It also installed boundary pillars of the Buriganga and Shitalakkhya rivers.

"The taskforce will collect the original river boundary pillars design from the Land Ministry and will send it to the concerned Deputy Commissioners' offices in next one week for disposal of some disputes over the demarcation pillars," the Shipping Minister said. According to meeting sources, some 458 complaints have been pending for disposal in DC offices against 4,063 demarcation pillars. The meeting decided to form a 'citizen committee' with participation of local eminent citizens for creating awareness among the people against the river encroachment, he said.

Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam, Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif, Sanjida Khanam MP, and high officials concerned of BIWTA, among others, were present

The taskforce comprising representatives of concerned Ministries and Organisaitons like navy and law enforcement agencies alongside lawmakers and non-government environmental watchdogs was constituted in 2010 under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's directives.

Earlier, a total 4,063 boundary pillars had been installed at the banks of Buriganga, Sitalakhya, Balu, Turag and Dholeswari rivers. Of the pillars, 422 were not set up at the right place, 264 damaged, 148 not visible and 36 pillars were not found. At Buriganga River, from Sadarghat to Postagola and Sadarghat to Ramchandrapur, numerous establishments have been built on the river banks and many establishments are now under construction encroaching into the space of the river. On November 9, the High Court directed the government to stop earth filling, encroachment and construction of structures along the foreshores of the Turag river within 48 hours and submit a report to it by November 27 after complying with the order. Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakkhya and Balu have failed miserably to stop the rampant encroachment and mindless pollution of the water bodies.

The four rivers in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Munshiganj revealed fresh encroachment and the unchecked discharge of untreated toxic waste into the rivers.

The Department of Environment collected samples from the country's major rivers, including of the four rivers, to prepare its River Water Quality Report in 2010.

According to the River Water Quality reports, during the dry season (from January to May), the level of Dissolved Oxygen in Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers was nil at almost all points of sample collection when the standard level of DO for fisheries is greater than or equal to 5mg per litre.

Besides, a recent study of UNDP on water quality of the four rivers observed the security of water supply to the Dhaka city and its fishery was seriously endangered by the deteriorating water quality of the rivers.

It also found that most liquid waste was discharged untreated into the rivers while regulations were openly flouted and the regulators often felt unable to take due measures against the practice. Green activists continued to warn that Dhaka would be an abandoned city in the future unless immediate steps are taken to check ongoing rampant water pollution and river-grabbing around the capital. Apart from river grabbing, they said, untreated chemical and solid waste are being dumped in the Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers, destroying the ecosystem of the rivers.

According to experts, about 22,000 cubic metres of untreated toxic waste from tanneries in the city's Hazaribagh is released into Buriganga daily. If the trend of water pollution continues, he said, Dhaka will turn into an unlivable city within the next 20 years for lack of freshwater.


Five cops among 7 killed in Bogra road accident

Five cops among 7 killed in a head-on collision between a police van and a truck at Mahipur Bazar on Dhaka-Bogra Highway in Bogra on Sunday.

Staff Reporter :

Seven persons, including five policemen, were killed and five other persons injured in a head-on collision between a police pickup van and a fertilizer-laden truck at Mahipur Bazar on the Dhaka-Bogra Highway in Sherpur upazila of Bogra district early Sunday.

The deceased policemen were identified as Shahjahan, 35, Pranab, 32, Alamgir Hossain, 33, Shamsul Islam, 30, Sohel, 32, while one of the civilians was identified as Shyamol Chandra, 42.

Of the injured, four were admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, while a surgery was conducted on the head and chest of Sub-Inspector Moinul Islam at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), police said.

Gaziur Rahman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (B-Circle), said "Nine policemen of Kurigram Police Lines were going to the Police Headquarters in Dhaka by a van at night. When it reached Mahipur Bazar, the vehicle collided with a fertilizer-laden truck around 1:00am, resulting in the instant death of four persons." "Three of the injured died when they were taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital," the ASP said. On information, police and firefighters rushed to the spot and sent the injured to Sherpur Upazila Health Complex and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital where the injured policeman succumbed to his injuries, the police official said. "Five of the bodies were sent to their respective permanent addresses in Sirajganj, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts after performing Namaj-e-Janaza at the District Police Lines ground on Sunday afternoon. The bodies of two other policemen who were Hindus had been sent to their respective districts without Namaj-e-Janaza," the ASP said. Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque has condoled the deaths of five police personnel who were killed in a tragic road accident. In a condolence message, he expressed profound shock at the deaths of the cops saying, "The police administration stands beside the deceased family members. All necessary assistance will be provided for the victim's family."

The IGP said, the cops were honest and very much sincere to perform their respective duties. The premature death is really an irreparable loss to the Bangladesh Police. The Police chief conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the eternal peace of their departed souls.
Owners get back custody of Holey Artisan Bakery

Md Joynal Abedin Khan :

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday handed over the custody of the Holey Artisan Bakery to its owners, nearly three and a half month after the deadly terror attack on July 1.

The authorities have taken over the cafe from the police as per the direction of the court, said Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the DMP.

Police took custody of the cafe building and imposed restrictions on the public so that nobody can destroy the evidence of the crime scene of the attack for the sake of proper investigation, he added. Shahadad Mehedi, one of the owners of the Artisan Bakery, said the building will not house the cafe following threats of a cabinet minister. "The Holey Artisan Bakery's plot will be used for accommodation and it will be shifted to another place as the people are still in fear of further attacks."

Mehedi claimed they have already bought a piece of land to resume operations of the cafe, which is popular with dinners, especially foreign diplomats and business executives in the upscale Gulshan neighbourhood. In reply to a query, he did not mention where the cafe would be shifted.

"The government is likely to take action against Holey Artisan owners as it was running in the heart of the diplomatic enclave without the state's approval," Housing and Public Works Minister Mosarraf Hossain said on July 17.

The government has decided to clear the residential area of all commercial establishments operating without permission, he uttered. "The premier earlier ordered that illegal establishments be evicted from the strategic zone. However, we're cautious about safety of foreigners living there."

On the fateful night of July 1, five gunmen barged into the two-storey lakeside cafe, usually frequented with foreigners and expatriate Bangladeshis.

The home-grown jihadists took 30 people hostage and killed 29, including two police officers and a chef.


Traps to net big fishes

Kazi Zahidul Hasan :

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is using various traps to arrest dishonest government officials in a bid to curb corruption in public sector departments.

The anti-graft body also brought big fishes under its vigilance radar with a view to generating more information about the corrupt public servants, officials said.

"We have already launched drives using traps to track down corrupt government officials after the Commission received a number of allegations against them," an ACC Director told The New Nation on Sunday requesting anonymity.

He said: "An ACC team is already on job to trap the big fishes resorting to corrupt practices in the government departments".

The official further said the Commission has adopted the new style (trap mechanism) to curb corruption and bribery in the public sector.

"We have formed a dedicated team to conduct raid to nab the public sector's officials after getting allegations of bribery," he said, adding, "The Commission will play a pivotal role to put the corrupt government officials behind bars."

It was reported that officials and employees of RAJUK, WASA, BRTA, Land Department, Dhaka City Corporations and DESA are seeking bribes randomly from the people while providing services to them.

"We don't think that this would have been possible without the involvement of senior officials in the public departments. The ACC also brought the corrupt senior officials on vigilance radar. Once, we get any evidence against them, they may face action," he said. The ACC director also said they have been receiving anonymous complaints from both urban and rural population, who often fall prey to corrupt government officials, after the commission started awareness drives to root out corruption.

"We have a plan to take the ACC to the doorsteps of the common people with a view to generating more information about the corrupt government officials," he noted.

When asked, the ACC official said, "Yes, I agree that the conviction rate is not satisfactory in the ACC cases mainly because of shadow witnesses and main complainants often turn hostile in court." Regarding corruption of ACC officials, he said, "ACC takes taught stance against its own officials. We are taking steps whenever we receive any complaint against ACC officials, irrespective of the rank. Most of the complaints we receive are against lower-rank officials only."

The ACC Commission recently conducted at least 10 drives using traps and caught red handed some government officials while taking bribes.

During the drives, an ACC team (trap committee) nabbed three land officers in Tangail, Narsingdi and Narayanganj and a law officer of Roads and Highways in Dhaka while accepting bribe, ACC Deputy Director (public relations) Pranab Bhattacharjee told The New Nation on Sunday.

"The drives have been conducted in line with the law," he claimed. An ACC team in a drive on Thursday nabbed a land officer from Golakandail Union Land Office in Rupganj under Narayanganj district. He was caught red handed while accepting Tk 25,000 as bribe.

ACC Director Syed Iqbal Hossain led the drive and arrested the land official. SM Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner (Land), allegedly sought Tk 5 lakh as bribe from Nasir Uddin who went to him for getting his land mutated.

ACC Deputy Director SM Rafiqul Islam later filed a graft case with the Rupganj Police station in this connection, according to Pranab Bhattacharjee.


Punishing time lies ahead for Mr Trump to become President of all Americans

In a victory speech in New York on Wednesday, the President-elect Donald Trump vowed to unite the country following a divisive campaign littered with controversies. Elsewhere demonstrators marched in cities across the United States on Wednesday to protest against Republican Donald Trump's surprise Presidential Election win, blasting his campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and other groups.



In New York, thousands filled streets in midtown Manhattan as they made their way to Trump Tower, Trump's gilded home on Fifth Avenue. Hundreds of others gathered at a Manhattan Park and shouted "Not my President." In Los Angeles, protesters sat on the 110 and 101 highway inter-section, blocking traffic on one of the city's main arteries as police in riot gear tried to clear them. Some 13 protesters were arrested, a local CBS affiliate reported.



An earlier rally and march in Los Angeles drew more than 5,000 people, many of them high school and college students, local media reported. A demonstration of more than 6,000 people blocked traffic in Oakland, California, police said. Protesters threw objects at police in riot gear, burned trash in the middle of an inter-section, set off fireworks and smashed store front windows. While public protests are not unprecedented events in the US -- they normally occur due to the killings of minorities by police or something similar to evoke such anger. This is probably the first time so many protesters have come out to decry the results of a free and fair election, which is a normal part of the democratic process in the US. Some 2.4 million Americans have petitioned for Electoral College to do the most unusual thing - reverse the result of Presidential election by voting against Mr Trump.



Meanwhile after the President and President-elect met at the White House, Mr Trump said that he and Mr Obama had discussed "some of the difficulties" the country faced but also "some of the really great things that have been achieved". Some took that latter remark as a reference to Obamacare and perhaps other policies, and a potential suggestion that Mr Trump may be won around on what has become one of Barack Obama's flagship policies but also one hated by much of the Republican Party. Mr Trump also mentioned that he would look very strongly at immigration and healthcare, while strengthening the border with Mexico and ensuring that banks don't face regulatory hurdles so that they can lend again.



Going strong on immigration means that Trump will crack down very hard on illegals of all stripes. He may build a wall but Mexico certainly will not pay for it. Deregulating banks, on the other hand, can also end up in a situation which is reminiscent of the last recession, which mainly occurred due to the fiscal laxity of banks in dealing with customers -- which also occurred due to weak regulatory oversight.



Perhaps Mr Trump's strongest play will be to nominate a Supreme Court justice. Right now the Court is evenly packed between Liberals and Conservatives. Ultimately, it's a near-certainty that the court will soon return to its now-familiar 5-4 conservative majority; it's probably going to take at least several more vacancies for the Supreme Court's balance to shift far enough to the right to overturn landmark decisions on issues like abortion or capital punishment. Additionally, a conservative court could help liberals by providing a check on President Trump, curbing a rapid expansion of Presidential power, and the new President likely will have more than one shot to put his stamp on the Bench.



So President-elect Trump will have to lay his cards very close to his chest. Initially that means abandoning many of his campaign promises, which may have been good soundbites but will wither in the political reality that is Washington DC. He can't annoy his own party; even worse, he can't irritate the opposition, or any reform which he chooses to enact will wither under the crossfire of filibusters and delaying tactics employed by his own party when in opposition. Will he become an astute politician or will he be swamped by the delicate fine tuning needed to become the President who has to make compromises to get anything done. Only time will tell.



The protesters all over America are expressing their anger and saying they do not want to be the Americans Mr Trump so arrogantly and divisively proclaimed them to be. Great changes and big adjustments will be necessary for the President-elect to run and rule the super power America. The people all over the world like many Americans are worried about the unpredictability of Mr Trump. The going ahead of Mr Trump in his own-way will be punishing both for the people of America and the President-elect. But how much change is realistically possible for Mr Trump to become President of all Americans remains a grave doubt.


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News / National

by Alice Dube

Fuel stations in most parts of the country are rejecting plastic money from motorists preferring cash payments.Fuel operators say they are struggling to withdraw cash from banks to procure fuel, hence giving preference to cash.In Bulawayo, stations such as Puma in Bellevue set a daily limit of $800 for plastic money clients."We have a daily limit of $800 for plastic money payments."That is the instruction from mu bosses. When we reach that target we suspend the facility till the next day" Bulawayo24.com was told on Saturday.This comes as fuel stations have increased price of fuel.The price of fuel at most service stations has gone up by 2 cents to $1,35 and $1,20 per litre for petrol and diesel.Redan, Puma and Total are charging $1,35 and $1,20 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively.As of Friday, Trek and Zuva were charging $1,34 and $1,18 for petrol and diesel respectively while Engen was charging $1,32 and $1,18.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Zanu PF youth member in Mt Darwin ward 16 has threatened a ZimPF member for attending the Joice Mujuru led party's rally last month.Heal Zimbabwe Trust in its latest report indicated that on the 5th of November 2016, Rangarirai Mutsanura a Zanu PF youth together with a group of youths threatened Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) member, Providence Gomani from Sosera village with violence for attending a Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) rally on the 29th of October 2016 in Dotito."Mutsanura together with his team approached Providence at his homestead and questioned him on why he attended a rally of "sell outs". Mutsanura went on to say that he was going to ensure that all ZimPF and MDC T supporters in the area were not going to receive food aid. As they continued to question Gomani, Zanu PF ward Councillor Caleb Karima arrived and confirmed that indeed opposition members were not going to receive food aid," said the trust."Councillor Karima also said that he sent people at the ZimPF rally who have since submitted names of all people who attended the rally. He said that he was going to give the list to Village heads so that they remove all people who had attended the rally from the food beneficiaries list."
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Heal Zimbabwe Trust has condemned some traditional leaders who include mostly Village heads working in cahoots with Zanu PF Councillors and structures to force community members to contribute towards the party's annual conference that will be held in Masvingo in December 2016.Heal Zimbabwe through its trained human rights monitors spread across all the provinces have recorded cases where villagers are being threatened that if they fail to make contributions, they will be denied food aid."In Mudzi North ward 1 in Marovha, villagers are being ordered to pay $0.50 cents per household towards the Zanu PF congress. In the same ward, an MDC-T member who refused to pay the money has since fled from the area after receiving numerous threats from the Village head, Faison Tonde," said the trust."In Gutu Ward 6, Mutonhori Rwodzi, a Zanu PF aspiring Member of Parliament for the 2018 elections on 20 October 2016, instructed Village heads in the area to collect $0.50 cents from community members as contribution to the Zanu PF annual conference. Village heads instructed include Mundeyiri, Mashingaidze, Manyanike, Bako, Chikerema, Muchenjekwa and Zemudzo. Similar cases have also been reported in Maramba Pfungwe ward 6. In some cases, villagers who fail to pay the money are threatened and reminded of the 2008 political violence where many were heavily assaulted and brutalised or threatened with food aid denial."Heal Zimbabwe said it notes that such practices are not only an abuse of power but also go to show the insincerity of the ruling party given that rural communities are already reeling under the effects of drought and the cash crisis."Such practices also violate Section 67 of the Zimbabwean constitution that states that "every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to form, join and to participate in the activities of a political party of their choice" In this view it is a violation of human rights to force people to participate in political initiatives against their choice," said the trust."It is sad to note that this practice is coming at a time when most rural communities are dependent on food aid due to the El Nino-induced drought and a biting economic crisis worsened by the pending introduction of bond notes. Heal Zimbabwe implores the Zanu PF led Government to desist from coercing people to fundraise for a political party against their will."The trust said it calls for the relevant Commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) to launch an investigation into the reported cases."Government Ministries that distribute food such as the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare should also distribute food without discrimination," said the trust.
If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs.
President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. The United States generally imports about 100,000 barrels a day from Russia, only about 5% of Russia's crude oil exports, according to Rystad Energy. Last year, roughly 8% of U.S. imports of oil and petroleum products came from Russia. Gas prices have been rising for weeks due to the conflict and in anticipation of potential sanctions on the Russian energy sector. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA. Should the US ban Russian oil imports over Ukraine war?

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The Illinois Chiropractic Society has awarded Dr. Julie Bird, D.C., the 2016 Chiropractic Physician of the Year Award, according to a news release from Allied Physicians and Rehab of Southern Illinois, SC, of which Dr. Bird is a co-owner and practitioner.

Dr. Bird grew up in Centralia and Sandoval. Upon graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, Bird and her husband, Dr. Brian Bird D.C. returned to Southern Illinois. She and her husband also previously volunteered for a chiropractic medical mission trip with CHIROMISSION, according to the news release.

Dr. Julie Bird, D.C., has proven herself both as a gifted clinician and outstanding leader. Her commitments of time, talent and vision made her a unanimous choice for the Illinois Chiropractic Societys Chiropractic Physician of the Year Award, said Dr. David Flatt, D.C., past president of the Illinois Chiropractic Society.

The Illinois Chiropractic Society stated that Bird has made time to serve on the Illinois Chiropractic Society board since 2001 including serving as President in 2013 and 2014. She led the board through a refocus and movement towards increasing chiropractic utilization. Bird currently serves as the Illinois Representative to the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.

 The Southern
PINCKNEYVILLE  As the students ask Rachel Goldman Miller questions, she leans in and responds by asking each of them their name: Grace. Molly. Another Molly. Olivia. Gail. Steven. Jay. Ethan. Colton. Cagney.

Names matter to the 83-and-a-half-year-old, who was known by two names in the early part of her life: Rachel, the one her parents gave her, and Christine, the one her mother demanded that she only answer to when she sent her away as a 9-year-old to a farm in the country in Paris.

Christine was an Anglo, Christian name, which her mother apparently thought might buy her daughter some time, or maybe even her life. Perhaps it did.

"For some reason, God saved my life," Miller said, talking to the 100 to 200 young people inside St. Bruno's church chapel in Pinckneyville.

Miller is a Holocaust survivor who visited Pinckneyville's St. Bruno's School on Friday to share her life with the school's staff and students, and other youth from two other Pinckneyville schools. The students have been studying about the Holocaust, reading such books as John Boyne's "The Boy In the Striped Pajamas" and Elie Wiesel's "Night."

"We had discussed the Holocaust prior to her visit: what had happened, the lives that were lost, and even looked at pictures from various camps," said school principal Brittany Goldman, who did not know Miller before she visited the school. "But when she told her story, the fact that they heard about this event from someone who experienced it hit home that this actually happened. They walked away with a greater appreciation for their freedom and a feeling of thankfulness for what they have."

As many as 6 million Jews perished during the years of the Holocaust, during WWII, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Miller's early life in Paris

Miller, who lives in Chesterfield, Missouri, told the students about how she was born in Poland, but how her father moved to Paris because he did not want to serve in the army in Poland and had family in Paris. It was in Paris, she said, that her family  her mother, father, sister and two brothers and uncles  were eventually taken away by the Nazi soldiers and killed. All total, she said she losst 93 relatives in the Holocaust.

Her father was the first in her family to be taken away. The day that German police arrived at her family's apartment to take him to a work camp, she said her father, with his suitcase packed, attempted to walk away from the apartment to another location, but a neighbor, recognizing that her father was trying to escape imprisonment, got the attention of the Nazi soldiers.

"They picked him right up there in the yard,' she said.

Her father and her aunt's husband were both picked up that day and taken to a concentration camp. She said her mother had hid her two brothers in a bathtub in the apartment. She believes that one of the arresting officers saw her brothers in the bathtub, but chose to overlook them.

While they were in the work concentration camps, the men were able to receive visits from their families, she said, and her mother visited her father three times a week.

She showed the students a letter her uncle wrote to his wife, written in French, in which she said he gives an update on the camp and asks that his wife send shaving materials and other toiletries.

On Dec. 28, 1941, she said, she, her sister and her mother went to see her father, and she remembers being excited that he was set to be released in January. She said she was looking forward to the Saturday night family-get-togethers, when the Goldmans and their relativey simply celebrated family and life with singing in English, Polish and Yiddish.

During that visit, her father told her mother that at 10 a.m. he had been injected with something; he died in her mother's arms that Tuesday morning, Dec. 30.

Meanwhile, her uncle told his wife, he, too, had been injected with something, also at 10 a.m. that Dec. 28th. He, too, died in his wife's arms on Tuesday, Dec. 30, Miller said.

"We couldn't figure out how one knew that the other one had died, Miller said. "They were murdered. They were the first Jews to be experimented on by the Germans. They were injected with gas, we found out many years later." She showed a sepia-colored picture of the men's graves.

'Christine' is born

It was a 9-year-old who Miller's mother sent to the country at the end of the schoolyear, she said.

"Rachel'," she said her mother told her the night before she was to leave, " 'I am going to give you a new name. You are not allowed to tell anyone that you are Jewish'."

Her sister Sabine, who was days away from turning 15, was supposed to go with her, but chose to stay behind, waiting to get a handbag her aunt had promised her. Sabine was to join Miller at the camp on July 18th, a few days later, Miller said.

When that Tuesday came, Miller said she went to the bus to meet her sister, only to be met by the mother of her good friend, Cecile.

She said her friend's mother told her that Sabine could not come because she had gone shopping.

"Shopping? I said, 'in our family, nobody goes shopping when they're supposed to do something'," Miller said she remembered saying. "I said, 'what's happened'?" She had said earlier that her family was poor, living in a two-room apartment in Paris with no running water and folding beds for sleeping. "If you don't tell me what happened, I'm going to run away to Paris'," she said she told Cecile's mother.

Her friend's mother told her that the day after she left for the camp, the Nazis came and picked up her mother, her sister Sabine and her two brothers. They were held at a center with 17,000 other Jewish people, with three bathrooms, for five days. Then her family was herded onto cattle cars, headed to Auschwitz, a concentration camp in Poland where an estimated 1.1 million Jewish people and others were killed.

"They kept taking these people," Miller said. "Where were they taking them? Nobody knew. Nobody knew."

As a child, she said she questioned why her mother sent her away.

"I was very angry with my mother  why did she send me away? Didn't she love me? My mother loved me very much."

While she was at the camp in the country, Miller said she got a letter from her aunt, Aunt Rose, who had also gone into hiding, telling her that she would come to get her.

Meanwhile, staff at the camp received a letter with news about a money reward for reporting Jewish children who were in hiding.

One of the women at the camp wrote to Miller's aunt, asking if she should turn in "Christine." Miller's aunt responded 'no,' and sent the woman $300 francs to buy her silence, Miller said.

"So I was saved a second time," she said.

Once things seemed to quiet down in Paris, her aunt eventually sent for her to come back to the City of Lights. Once there, Miller said she went back to her apartment, which was being looted. Her aunt asked those there if her niece could pick up a doll she had and family pictures. She said her sister Sabine was to bring the doll with her when she came to the camp, which she never arrived to; Miller said she chose to leave the doll behind, but did pick up some family pictures, making her unique in that she is among a few Holocaust survivors who has actual images of her family and past life, she said.

"So at the age of 9, I had the presence to get pictures of my family," she said. "I am one of very few child survivors that has pictures of her family."

Some of the black and white and sepia-toned pictures are preserved in a photo album she showed to students. They show her brothers, sister and parents and grandparents in happier times and her and other children at an orphanage that she later stayed at. The album also includes a letter her uncle wrote to his wife and shows copies of records that show her relatives in some Nazi concentration camps.

She also shared about having to wear a yellow star, used to identify Jewish people, and of living in an orphanage. She also told the children that some Jewish people did fight against the Nazis and showed them a picture of her two brothers, whom she said fought in a resistance.

Moving to America

After the war ended and the imprisoned Jewish people were liberated, she said a U.S. soldier visited the orphanage she was then staying in and offered to take her to America. He was allowed to, she said; but he also sexually molested her, she said.

She went on to say in several other foster homes, before marrying her husband, with whom she would have three children: Two sons and a daughter. All of them became lawyers. One of her sons died of AIDS, she said.

She said she intends to work on her memoirs. She carries with her a doll, not the one that she left behind in her family's apartment, but one that she picked up years later when she visited Europe, she said. The doll's given name? "Christine Cecile"  her underground name and the name of her best friend with whom she went into hiding.

Miller, who is past the general age of retirement, works as a sales associate at a Macy's department store in her area.

Miller told the seventh- and eighth-graders assembled that they were good people and would create a good future.

Grace Numi, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at the school, said she was impressed by Millers resilience  how she survived the Holocaust and went to live with another family and then in other households and orphanages  and seems to be focused on the future.

She was like nine and went through all of that, Grace said.

I think it was like a good presentation for everyone to see because she is part of history (and that) cannot be replaced, Grace said.

Steven Hirte, an eighth-grader at St. Bruno's, said he was glad Miller traveled to the school to share her experience.

I just thought it was an amazing experience, once in a lifetime chance to hear a Holocaust survivor, Steven said.

He'd asked Miller if she felt that her mother purposefully sent her away.

Her mom kinda knew that something dangerous might happen, Steven said.

Miller agreed.

"For some reason God saved my life, maybe to stand in front of you to tell my story," Miller said. "People will tell you that the Holocaust never happened, but it did.  You can tell people it did, because you met a survivor."
CREAL SPRINGS  Months of record-breaking rainfall made for thick pastures at Jeff Beasleys farm. But it also brought in some uninvited guests.

Its been the worst year for weeds weve ever seen, said Beasley, who raises Angus cattle in Williamson County. We couldnt graze it heavily enough to keep the weeds down. We did spray some pastures that had gotten out of hand.

Some of the treatment was selective, especially targeting cocklebur. Beasley also had problems with crabgrass, which in itself is good forage but can take over.

If its grazed early, its pretty good pasture. But once it gets some maturity on it, its almost choked out the good stuff, he said. Were going to have to wait until frost hits and it kills this crabgrass to see if we get regrowth on fescue and clover. Its almost like its invaded and taken over things.

Beasley is not alone. Teresa Steckler, a University of Illinois livestock specialist, has heard and seen enough to get her attention.

Weeds in the pastures are probably at an all-time high, she said. I talked to a few producers who said they tried to take care of their pastures but couldnt spray much of the time.

A lot of those weeds just dont have nutritional value. Some can be noxious. The cattle will sort through and you end up with a lot more waste than you would have had if it were a straight non-weedy pasture.

During a pasture walk earlier in the year, Beasley noticed some weeds popping up in his fields. Specialists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service suggested he bring cattle in to suppress the weeds.

Forty-five days later there were weeds in there that were as tall as a truck, he said. I turned cattle back in and let them graze as much as they could, and tromp down some weeds. I still had extremely tall, stemmy weeds, and we had to go back in and bush-hog them down.

In some places, weedy pastures werent the only problem facing cattle producers, especially in the 25 counties in the southern part of the state, which saw more than 20 inches of rain from July through mid-August. Average rainfall for that period is about 6 inches.

Incessant rainfall provided narrow windows for cutting and processing hay. That affected quality as well as quantity.

With the inability of guys to take hay at optimal times, there was a lot of hay that was mowed and tedded, then it rained, Steckler said. That takes nutrients out. They may need to get that hay analyzed to know whether they should supplement their girls.

If youve got a 6-foot round bale, in the first 6 to 8 inches, you lose 50 percent of your bale. Depending on how you store that hay, you could have further loss of quality hay. It gets to the point where the cows will hardly eat it.

Steckler recommends producers test their hay for quality every year. It is especially crucial this year.

There has been huge leaching of nutrients out of that hay, she said. A lot of guys stack it, but then it sits outside, and theres continual leaching.

Despite the weed problems, Beasleys cows have enjoyed good eating this year.

Weve had an abundance of available forage all year, which is unusual for Southern Illinois, he said. Usually we hit that summer slump, and we didnt this year because of the record rainfall.

Steckler said producers struggling with low prices have a few options. One is selling their cattle as lightweight calves, taking them off the farm.

Let the mommas recuperate and put flesh back on before next spring, she said. They could also sell them as freezer beef. Thats a possible alternative avenue, especially if they dont have very many.
SPRINGFIELD  With a long and bitter election season behind them, lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Tuesday for their fall veto session with a lengthy list of issues to address and only six days scheduled to do so.

The new legislature that was elected last week wont be seated until January, so House Democrats retain their 71-member, veto-proof majority, every member of which would be needed to override any of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauners dozens of vetoes. An override in the Senate, where Democrats hold 39 seats, requires 36 votes.

Three-fifth majorities in both the House and Senate are also needed to pass any new legislation before the end of the year if its to become effective before June 1. That sets the bar high at a time when the Democratic-controlled General Assembly and the Rauner administration have failed for nearly two years to produce a full state budget.

Lawmakers are currently scheduled to be in session Tuesday through Thursday and Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.

Heres a look at what to expect  and what not to expect  during the fall veto session.

The budget

Lawmakers and the governor pressed pause on their long-running budget battle in June by passing a six-month spending plan for most state operations.

The stopgap is set to expire Dec. 31, and its unclear whether theyll be able to put together a plan for the next six months during the veto session.

Rauner has called for a Monday meeting with the four top legislative leaders, although House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, had yet to publicly accept the invitation as of Friday afternoon. A series of such meetings preceded the passage of the stopgap.

It remains to be seen how willing Madigan will be to negotiate with Rauner after the governor contributed nearly $32.6 million of his own money to GOP campaign efforts that demonized Madigan and resulted in his party losing six seats in the next Legislature.

Rauner continues to insist on passing portions of his pro-business, union-weakening turnaround agenda before signing off on tax increases to balance the budget. Democrats, meanwhile, continue to argue that Rauners policy proposals shouldnt be tied to the budget.

Passing a deal would be easier after Jan. 1, when only a simple majority would be needed, but it would also mean renewed uncertainty for public universities and social service providers that were starved of funding during the states last fiscal year.

Term limits and redistricting reform

In the lead up to Election Day, Rauner made a push for legislators to put referendums on term limits for elected officials and the creation of an independent legislative redistricting commission before voters. Rauner has said he wants lawmakers to take up the issues during the veto session.

Making those changes would require amending the Illinois Constitution, and putting the questions to voters would require three-fifths majorities in both chambers.

With many Democrats opposed to both ideas and the next election two years away, theres little chance the issue will be addressed during the veto session.

Nuclear plant legislation

Energy giant Exelon Corp. wants action during the veto session on legislation that would create subsidies for nuclear power. The company says subsidies are warranted because, like subsidized wind and solar power, nuclear doesnt emit carbon pollution.

Without the subsidies, which would come from ratepayers, the company says it will have to shut down its financially struggling Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants, costing about 1,500 jobs and millions in tax revenue for the two communities.

Absent action during the upcoming veto session, both facilities will close, CEO Chris Crane told investors on an Oct. 26 earnings call.

The company has sent similar signals before, and they havent spurred the General Assembly to action.

After a bill didnt pass this spring, Exelon moved forward with steps necessary to shutter the plants, with Clinton slated to close June 1 and Quad Cities to follow a year later.

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, who represents the Clinton plant and is one of the bills sponsors, said a new version is forthcoming that has changed mightily since last May, including the addition of measures to prevent the closure of Dynegy-owned coal-fired power plants in southern Illinois.

The massive bill, which also includes rate structure changes for customers of Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edison and new energy efficiency programs, has been met with opposition from consumer groups, the renewable energy industry, and industrial customers, who would face large rate hikes.

Automatic voter registration

Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said he plans to move for an override of Rauners veto of a bill to create automatic voter registration.

Manars bill would automatically register eligible Illinois residents to vote when they obtain or renew drivers licenses or conduct business with other state agencies. Currently, Illinoisans can to choose to register when getting or renewing their licenses.

The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support, but Rauner vetoed it, telling lawmakers that while he supports the concept, the bill would would inadvertently open the door to voter fraud and run afoul of federal election law.

Manar and other supporters say those claims are unfounded, arguing that the measure would expand access to the ballot box and make the registration process less costly and more efficient.

An override would be a great signal to Illinois voters and the rest of the state that it is possible to come together and do right by the state, said Andy Kang, legal director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice  Chicago, which supported the bill.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Outspoken sungura musician Hosiah Chipanga, formally registered his opposition party The Kingdom of God On Earth: Devine Rule On Earth with Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Thursday to challenge ageing Robert Mugabe, the Zanu PF leader who has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades.In an interview with The Zimbabwean in Mutare, Chipanga said he will not contest against Mugabe in 2018, but, he will take over from Mugabe, whose era has been marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline.He said he is already in the process of putting up structures nationwide and would soon launch his party. Mugabe is expected to stand again for election in 2018, but jockeying over his succession has intensified due to his advanced age and speculation about his health.Said Chipanga: "Contest is not the right word, but, I will takeover or walkover. 2018 is a man-made date for election, but, God has his own dates. It might be tomorrow."He added: "To the children of Zimbabwe I say God the Almighty loves you so much to the extent that he has selected you amongst other nations on the planet to be the first nation to fulfill the Lord's Prayer of having his Kingdom established on earth in your country"The popular musicain said Zimbabwe needed spiritual ideas that would help it from its social and economic doldrums."The situation right now needs God's intervention. When it comes to matters of the nation, l respond from God's point of view which is spiritual," said Chipanga.He said Zimbabwe was a great country full of potential but it was lacking God's hand, hence, he believes he has the spiritual touch to change things in the country.He said his party, The Kingdom of God On Earth: Devine Rule On Earth will unite the children of Zimbabwe for the betterment of their lives.Chipanga explained that he formed the party after he tried to have a word with Mugabe on numerous occasion in trying to tell him solutions to the country's problems, but was blocked by George Charamba who is the Mugabe's spokesman."Some of the laws that are being used on our people now are even worse than those used by the Rhodesians. That is why at one time I have tried to contest elections in order to get Mugabe's attention. Even my lyrics are designed to get his attention but all has been in vain. This time my party has been officially registered and I will take over in 2018," explained Chipanga.He claimed that he contributed towards the liberation of this country, but, said it was sad that the aim of the liberation struggle was now being misinterpreted."I was jailed in 1979 in Mozambique. During the liberation struggle I worked with Baba James Dambudzo Chikerema. I wrote a book that had ideas to our leaders on how to run Zimbabwe. Chikerema unfortunately died when he had my book," claimed Chipanga."It was not only the blacks alone who fought and helped in the war of the liberation of this country. Many whites also assisted in one way or the other, if this can be remembered. The wish of our liberators was to see both black and white people live together as a people," he said."Our country is poor but the leaders are busy copying and implementing the rich men's policies," he added. Chipanga said he foresees a brighter future for the country, if the current system of governance is completely overhauled.
Numerous residents told HUD they didnt want to move. Dont do this. Its wrong, man, one resident told them. You dont know what were going through because you're not from here, said another, noting he has lived in Cairo since the 1950s and doesnt intend to live elsewhere. Stop moving our people out of town. Build something new here.
Starting a new job, its an uneasy feeling.

There is a sense of uncertainty. There is that awkward transition period of being unfamiliar with colleagues, being unsure of expectations, or not even knowing where the lunch and restrooms are located.

It can be daunting. It can be scary.

Thats precisely what Republicans Dave Severin, Dale Fowler and Paul Schimpf will be facing when they assume office Jan. 11. Severin, Fowler and Schimpf are the new legislative faces of Southern Illinois. Severin unseated longtime congressman John Bradley, Fowler defeated Sen. Gary Forby and Schimpf assumes the seat vacated by Sen. Dave Luechtefeld of Okawville.

Severin and Fowler rode the anti-Mike Madigan and throw out the incumbent wave to victory. But, in the end, this really isnt about Republican vs. Democrat politics. This is ultimately about making the Illinois work again.

And, from the outside looking in, the job seems nearly insurmountable.

Illinois is a state of failing schools. It is a state unable to pay its bills. It is a state that has just had a state park repossessed. It is a state that has essentially been unwilling to face issues regarding its pension program for three decades.

Obviously, the job of fixing these problems doesnt rest on the shoulders of Schimpf, Severin and Fowler, but they must be part of the solution. Southern Illinois, and indeed the entire state, is looking for an end to the gridlock that has stagnated and bankrupted Illinois.

Technically, the newly elected trio wont go on the clock until they are sworn in. However, they have two months to prepare for the job. They need to do their homework now so that they arrive in Springfield ready and confident to dive in.

They need to tap into the obvious resources.

Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Democrat, told this editorial board over and over again that he is willing to work across the aisle. Phelps has represented Southern Illinois for nearly 15 years.

Also, its difficult to imagine a better mentor than retiring Sen. Dave Luechtefeld.

And lastly, Rep. Terri Bryant appears to be growing comfortably into her role as a legislator.

We urge the newcomers to lean on this trio  and anyone else who could offer sound advice  to absorb as much knowledge as possible to minimize the awkwardness of the transition period.

At the same time, we wish Schimpf, Severin and Fowler the best of luck. All challengers run with the promise to shake up the status quo, to work across party lines, and to serve their districts.

There has never been a time in Illinois politics when those promises have been more important.

We ask they assume their jobs with the idea that the vast majority of Illinoisans want the same things, regardless of whether there is a R or a D affixed to their names.

We want a reasonable budget. We want the massive deficits addressed. We want our schools equitably funded. We want vital social services. We want our parks to remain open.

We want to be proud again of the state we love.

The status quo isnt going to accomplish these things. We need legislators who are willing to realistically and honestly negotiate through differences, and, yes, compromise.

Good luck!
News / National

by Zimbabwe Vigil

The Vigil has launched a petition to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, following the refusal of visas to Zimbabwean human rights activists invited to address audiences in London.The petition reads: 'Exiled Zimbabweans and supporters appeal to the UK government to allow Zimbabwean civil rights campaigners to take up invitations to visit the UK so that they can tell the world about the worsening situation in Zimbabwe. A number of prominent activists have been denied entry although members of the Mugabe regime have been given visas despite having a history of human rights abuses.'At the same time, the Vigil is calling on supporters in the UK to write to their Member of Parliament to complain at the refusal of visas to the activists. Zimbabweans resident in the UK are allowed to vote in parliamentary elections as Commonwealth citizens, even though Zimbabwe walked out of the organization more than ten years ago. (The British government has not yet updated the relevant law to exclude Zimbabweans.)Here is a template for a letter to MPs:'Zimbabweans in the UK are puzzled and distressed that leaders of non-party Zimbabwean protest groups are being refused visas to visit the UK to speak about the struggle against Mugabe's repressive Zanu PF regime.Among them is Pastor Evan Mawarire, leader of the #ThisFlag protest, now exiled in the United States, who was invited to address the All Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe as well as to speak at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Pastor Mawarire drew international attention when he wrapped himself in the Zimbabwe flag and protested against Mugabe.Other campaigners denied visas include Patson Dzamara, who was also due to speak to the parliamentary group. Patson is the brother of Itai Dzamara who was abducted twenty months ago by intelligence agents for his protest in Harare's Africa Unity Square. He has not been heard of since.We know of others excluded including Gift Konjana, who has been detained more than thirty times and his home petrol-bombed for helping destitute farm workers. He had been invited to address a meeting at the Royal GeographicalSociety by the Mike Campbell Foundation which had already bought his air ticket.We do not accept the stated reason that these people did not have the resources to maintain themselves in the UK when they have been invited here to speak and provided with return tickets. We note that Mugabe representatives seem to be allowed free access, including people who have been involved in killings.The Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group Kate Hoey says the UK's Ambassador to Harare, Catriona Laing, is also puzzled by the refusal of visas. Ms Laing is drawing a lot of adverse criticism in Zimbabwe because of the move.We would be grateful if you would ask the government to clarify its policy on this matter.'The new petition augments the petition we are already running, addressed to the UN Secretary General: 'With mounting unrest in Zimbabwe, we urge you to appoint a Special Representative to prepare the ground for a UN Transitional Authority to take over from the failed Mugabe regime. We look to the Special Representative to initiate comprehensive negotiations so that the UN Transitional Authority can assume control of Zimbabwe's administrative structures  foreign affairs, defence, security, finance and communications  to ensure a level playing field conducive for credible national elections.'
Opinion / Columnist

Your Excellency 2016 has been the most difficult year in my entire life. A year which I have spent in hibernation and hiding due to persecution and threats to my life from people who I suspect to be agents of your respective government. Baba it all started when I sent you that prison garb marked 'Crimes Against Humanity' on your 92nd birthday and a video message informing you that I think gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by your government makes you a very good candidate to stand trial before the International Criminal Court. Soon after that my life was in danger due to serious death threats which I started receiving through anonymous calls and frequent visits by a group of four people who were violently demanding to know my whereabouts. I had no choice but to go into hiding for my safety and to save my life from possible harm. Your Excellency what I did was not in any way disrespecting or undermining your authority but expressing myself and my conviction that am not satisfied with how you have been running this country for the past three and half decades. I was not in any way advocating for any harm on you but to peacefully condemn gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity which were committed by your administration since 1980 to date. Cde President I don't want to believe that those suspected state agents were acting on your orders because I don't think you can stoop that low to target a defenceless 29 year old grassroots human rights defender who is challenging the status quo non-violently. Mr Mugabe I do not have guns or any weapon, neither do I own even an okapi and I have never in my lifetime harmed anyone. The only thing that I have is my voice which is always loud whenever I come across even a single human rights violation. I do not understand why am treated like a terrorist or a serious threat to my country. Mr President this is totally unfair. All am advocating for is the respect of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in our country Your Excellency. Cde President when you and other founding fathers of our country launched the liberation struggle against the colonial administration you were fighting to free our country from the chains of oppression and bring freedom so that we (your children) can grow up freely on our land. It is very unfortunate to then find ourselves in hibernation, hiding or exile running away from our own government. The same government our fathers and mothers sacrificed their lives for in the liberation struggle against the colonial rule. I think you will agree with me Mr Mugabe that human rights defenders like myself have every right to air their grievances, concerns as well as demand accountability from your government without fear of being persecuted afterwards. Our constitution empowers us with the right to peacefully protest and petition the government something which I think is exactly what I did when I sent you that birthday present and also challenged gross human rights violations committed by your government through the four political books which I authored. Your Excellency I would like to inform you that am now coming out of hiding to continue with my human rights activism in Zimbabwe particularly in that grassroots community of Kwekwe where I stay. Cde President at the end of the day it is a better Zimbabwe which we (yourself included Sir) all want. This is exactly what I am advocating for in Zimbabwe, a garden with fruits which we can all enjoy and (in the sense of the allegory animal farm) a farm where all animals are equal. Like I mentioned earlier on Mr President I do not want to believe that those hit men who were hunting for me were working on your orders because I do not think you can stoop that low. Therefore I would like to ask you and your security to guarantee me safety and that of my family when I return to my community of Kwekwe. There is no need to send the CIO after me as if I am a political threat to my country Zimbabwe. If I have a case to answer my Lord I can hand over myself to the police and stand before the court of law if your respective government thinks that I have a case to answer. Baba I am a father of three children, husband to a lovely young woman and am only 29 years of age. It will be very unfair if your government incapacitate me or harm my life and cut all the great dreams I have for our ailing country. The same passion and spirit which you had when you left your good job in Ghana and returned to Zimbabwe to join the liberation struggle to free our people from colonialism is the same spirit that I have right now. I am returning to Zimbabwe to try and help our country find political and economical solutions to challenges affecting our people. Our difference is; when you returned from Ghana you were coming back to challenge gross human rights violations which were being committed by the settler regime which was oppressing our people at that time. But myself and our generation is now challenging gross human rights violations being committed this time around by your own government. Cde President yes this is the decision which I have made due to the burning passion in me to provide service to my country in form of advocating for the respect of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. I will be coming out of this hibernation and return to my office which I have not stepped in for the past ten months in fear of my life. The state security is free to attend all the activities that I may organize or talks that I may give. I have nothing to hide and neither am I doing anything criminal so the police and state security are free to attend any event that I organize at any given time. Yes I will continue to condemn human rights violations especially the current crackdown on the civil society and suspected opposition activists as we draw closer to the much anticipated 2018 election. Am sorry Your Excellency it is my passion, conviction and the thorn in my flesh which will always live in me till I leave this world; I will never be silent whenever I come across a human rights violation. That is the calling in me. As I conclude my letter Your Excellency I would like to encourage you to consider retiring and maybe relinquish power to a youthful leader who still has the energy to run around reviving this country. After serving for thirty six years now and at the age of 92, with all due respect I think you now need to rest my Lord. May I also advise you to address the succession issue as a matter of urgency because the internal fights within your party right now may draw us into a serious crisis (civil war) if anything happens to you before addressing this issue. Kindly consider addressing this as matter of urgency for peace to prevail in our country even after you leave office. Your Excellency if the former apartheid President P.W Botha ended up sitting down and sharing a cup of coffee with President Mandela despite of the pain and suffering caused by Botha in Mandela's life. I think nothing can stop us (you and I) from meeting to discuss all this in person if your schedule may allow it. I am not a terrorist or a criminal as how the state media and security tries to portray me trumping up charges only to persecute me and silence my dissenting voice. I am not in any way your enemy but your loyal subject who is with all due respect challenging not you as an individual but the system of dictatorship and tyranny which you set up in Zimbabwe. I will be very happy to be granted this opportunity if possible so that I may have a frank discussion with you on the need to respect human rights, democracy and the rule of law in our country. Your Excellency you are surrounded by cheer leaders who might not have the guts to tell you the truth about how our beloved country is retrogressing under your leadership. So if you agree to meet with me you might pick one or two words of advice from our discussion as I am prepared to tell you nothing but the truth, all in the best interest of millions our people who are suffering out there.

Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, SnrHuman Rights Defender and Democracy ActivistRue Royale,195, Sint-Joost-ten Node1210 BrusselsBelgium.Email; sirnemoyo@gmail.comCell; +3248585005909 November 2016.His Excellency Cde Robert Gabriel MugabePresident of the Republic of ZimbabweMunhumutapa BuildingP Bag CY7700 CausewayHarareZimbabwe.Your Excellency.Ref; I am returning to Zimbabwe Your Excellency.Your Excellency I am delighted to write you this mail and it is my sincere belief that it finds you in good health and that you will spare sometime from your busy schedule to read this letter. My name is Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, Snr (29) I am a human rights defender, writer and democracy activist from the small mining town of Kwekwe. I want to believe you can still recall me because of my humble democracy and human rights activism as I am one of the young people advocating for a better Zimbabwe where the rights of our people will be respected. My lord I seek your attention on the issues that I am raising below;In summation Your Excellency this is my humble request to you and your respective government;-As I am now coming out of hibernation may your government grant me protection and safety so that I can freely do my human rights work without fear of losing my life. If you government feels I have a case to answer am ready to stand before any court of law.-Kindly address the succession issue to avoid plunging our nation into an unnecessary crisis in the near future.I will be free to meet with you, discuss and exchange ideas on how best to abolish this autocratic system in our country and embrace democracy so that Zimbabwe can be a better country.May I wish you well Your Excellency.Yours SincerelyNkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo.SnrHuman Rights Defender and Democracy Activist.Cc; Minister of State Security Hon Kembo Mohadi.Commissioner General of Police, Gen Augustine Chihuri.Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.United Nations Special Envoy on the Protection of Human Right DefendersAfrican Union Special Envoy on Protection of Human Rights Defenders.SADC Chair His Majesty King Mswati 111.
Keyonnah Haynes vividly remembers the pearl handle of the snub-nose revolver. It was the weapon placed at the side of her mothers head by her abusive stepfather.

On the night of Aug. 25, 1994, the massive man burst through the door of their home while her mom was taking a shower. It was the night she almost lost her life.

Haynes, who was 8 at the time, remembers standing in the hallway as her mother was yanked from the shower and pummeled in the face before being shot in the head. The man then shot her mothers job supervisor, who was at the home.

My mom was able to get up, blood leaking from her head, dropping blotches and blotches everywhere. She said, I just need to get to the hospital, Haynes said.

She also watched the supervisor take his last breath at the hands of her stepfather.

The supervisor had ran and hid under my bed. He (stepfather) reached under the bed and kept shooting. As hes getting shot, he's looking at me the entire time. I watched his hands tremble, and they finally just rested, she said.

That 8-year-old is now 30 years old. And she idolizes the strength of her mother, who stayed in the hospital for months recovering from her horrific injuries.

Haynes is also a survivor. The mother of three went through abuse at the hands of violent men. She recalled how one man kicked in her door while drunk and began fighting her while she was eight months pregnant, leaving a long scar on her back.

It just went from that relationship into another. I feel no woman should give no boyfriend wife tendencies at all, when at the same time youre being mistreated. Youre being beaten and have to try to smile around your family when you really dont want to smile, she said. When you find out what youre worth, its priceless.

Haynes story of survival points to the continuing scourge of domestic violence. One local victims' advocacy agency is working to reduce the violence through a holistic approach which focuses on both prevention and intervention.

We do much more than sheltering

Help is available for victims of domestic violence.

CASA Family Systems provides sexual assault services, complete with a 24-hour hotline; Alternative Methods, a batterers intervention program; domestic violence services, including individual counseling; and an emergency shelter for women and children.

The agency has applied for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to assist in the construction of a new emergency shelter for women and children.

CASA Executive Director Gilda Cobb-Hunter thanked Orangeburg County Council and voters for the more than $800,000 which the agency has already received for the project from the 1 percent capital project sales tax.

Were moving in the right direction. We will announce more as we get closer to actual construction, she said. Cobb-Hunter is also a Democratic representative in the State House.

CASAs Edisto Childrens Center seeks to prevent and investigate physical and sexual violence against children. It also treats the victims.

The childrens center is partnering with the Childrens Trust of South Carolina to deliver its Strengthening Families Program. The program works to build parenting and family skills.

Also, CASA has seen a growth in requests for information and speakers through its community education program.

Cobb-Hunter said Haynes story illustrates how CASA works with the entire family in dealing with domestic violence.

Haynes mother was a resident in CASAs emergency shelter along with Haynes and her two sisters. Haynes also found herself in the same room with her own three children several years later.

I knew I was in the same room when I saw my name was carved in the floor, she said.

The Elloree native went on to participate in the Strengthening Families Program and is now living happily in Denmark, South Carolina, with her children.

The 2004 Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School graduate went on to study machine tool technology at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

She said the lessons she learned through CASA have helped her raise her children and deal with  or without  relationships with men.

You have to find who you are. You have to seek inspiration that you can just grab on to and really meditate on. If you dont know your worth, youre not going to know yourself. Once you learn who you are, youll know what you can accept, Haynes said.

Its not OK to accept abuse of any kind. Anything thats keeping you from getting the better you is not acceptable, she said.

Cobb-Hunter said, What this young ladys story proves is the importance of intervention, particularly with children. It shows us that what were doing matters and is making a difference, and thats the biggest reward any of us could ask for.

New domestic violence laws passed last year include changes that have restructured the entire penalty system in the state.

Also, the Governor's Domestic Violence Task Force was formed in 2016 to address the gaps in service to the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

CASA Chief Operating Officer Labrena Aiken-Furtick said it is too early to tell whether it is working.

A lot of agencies and entities are in now in the process of planning to move forward with the task force recommendations. I think time will tell whether or not these will work or need to be tweaked. Theres always work to be done, but I think weve gotten off to a great start, Aiken-Furtick said.

She is pleased with the emphasis on educating children as young as middle school on the dynamics of domestic violence.

The focus on education is one that I think is really important, putting a focus on prevention and starting when the kids are very young in recognizing violent behavior, Aiken-Furtick said.

You cant legislate behavior

The latest report from the Violence Policy Center ranks South Carolina fifth  it was once first -- in the nation in women killed by men.

Local officials say improving the situation will require a legislative and a coordinated community response.

The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office announced the 2015 domestic violence statistics last month.

The data revealed that Orangeburg was one of 19 counties that reported one or more domestic homicides. Orangeburg County had three homicides, with three people awaiting trial for the offenses.

No victims were reported in Bamberg County. Calhoun County had one the case of a man dying from a gunshot wound, with the defendant in that case awaiting trial.

Aiken-Furtick said while the number of domestic violence deaths in the counties are relatively low, they should be read with cautious optimism.

Cobb-Hunter agreed, saying, Before we pat ourselves on the back too much, we need to recognize two things: one, depending on how a report is written up, it may or may not be counted as domestic violence. I would just say that while the numbers appear to be down, we dont need to rest on our laurels.

We need to continue to make sure that people understand the dynamics of this issue and focus on continuing our work in prevention. While were glad to see it go down, weve been at this long enough to know that it may or may not be an accurate reflection of whats actually occurring.

Under the states newly restructured domestic violence laws, first-offense criminal domestic violence is a crime that can now be heard in General Sessions Court rather than being mandatorily sent to Magistrates Court.

First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe said his office is already putting all first-offense CDV cases in General Sessions Court.

Were going to bring them all up to General Sessions in Orangeburg before the end of the year. And theyre going to be brought up in Calhoun County. Im going to continue to prosecute them in magistrates court in Dorchester County for a while, but thats because I have an assistant prosecutor whos prosecuting those cases, Pascoe said.

The solicitor thanks state Gov. Nikki Haley for providing the state funding for additional prosecutors this year. He said the funding has specifically allowed him to bring the CDV cases up to General Sessions Court in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties and to provide a prosecutor in the Magistrates Court in Dorchester County, with the option to bring cases to General Sessions Court there, too.

Quite frankly, thats where people charged with domestic violence need to go, not where youre just sitting with people who do 40 in a 25 (mile per hour zone), he said.

Pascoe said the creation of a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee is another crucial part of the legislation.

Weve also established a committee in the First Circuit, which is made up of my prosecutors, law enforcement and counselors throughout the First Circuit. Its an 11-member committee, and I just sent most of them to training, he said.

I also want to look and see if we can get more advocacy centers involved in helping out in the First Circuit, he said, noting that CASA Family Systems and Dorchesters Community Against Domestic Abuse program are already involved.

They do a fine job, but Im looking to see if we can bring other advocacy centers to assist as well, he said.

Aiken-Furtick said the work of a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee will be beneficial in giving communities an opportunity to look at the cracks in some of their systems.

That is huge. Collaboration can always be improved upon, she said.

In the meantime, Cobb-Hunter said while it is too early to gauge the success of toughened domestic violence laws, a community response to the problem remains important.

You cant legislate behavior, and thats why you cant look at legislation as the cure to this problem. Our philosophy at CASA is that this is a community problem that requires a community response, she said. Its a very complex issue that requires complex and comprehensive solutions.
DENMARK -- Voorhees College inducted five new members into its 2016 Homecoming Hall of Fame during the 14th annual Hall of Fame banquet on Friday.

The new inductees are Wilmer Freeman, Tanya Martino, Dr. Mary Stover, Mary Houser-Hyacinth and Marvetta Megget-Smalls.

Freeman, a Denmark native, graduated from Voorhees High School in 1968. Upon his return from the Vietnam War, he graduated from Voorhees College in 1984 with a bachelors degree in business administration.

While at Voorhees, he met his wife, the late Lavenia Whitten Freeman. Freeman spent his professional career at Voorhees in the following capacities: facilities manager, bookstore manager and procurement officer. Currently, he is retired, but serves as a professional driver for the president.

Freeman is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he has been serving as a deacon for more than 35 years, In addition, he is a member of the AFM Masonic Lodge #246 in Denmark and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10595, where he previously served as vice commander.

Martino, a native of Brooklyn, New York, currently works as an instructional support teacher in special education. She graduated from Voorhees College in 1995 with a bachelors degree in business administration.

After graduating, Martino began working at Voorhees as an administrative assistant in the business department until moving to Atlanta. From 2012-2013, she returned to Voorhees to serve as an admissions counselor and recruiter.

Martino earned a masters degree in higher education and leadership from Kaplan University and a certification in special education from Clark Atlanta University.

She spent most of her professional career working for the Wachovia Bank Operations Center in Atlanta, where she was a representative for 10 years. During this time, she was a member of the Black Executive Exchange Program.

Martino is a member of the Metro-Atlanta Alumni Chapter, where she previously served as president, co-founder of the Alumni Alliance of the White and True Blue, HBCU Alumni Alliance member and treasurer of the Clark Atlanta-DeKalb Alumni Chapter.

Stover graduated from Voorhees College in 1971 with a bachelors degree in secondary English. She later received a masters degree in writing from Columbia College in 1984, a certificate of theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and doctorate degree in Christian education from Central Christian University of South Carolina in 2013.

Stover is a 2014 retired professor from the Humanities Department of Allen University and former Richland County English teacher for 24 years. She is also the former ambassador of the afterschool program for Richland School District One, former test coordinator at both W.G. Sanders Middle School and C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, former ordained minister at Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church and associate to the pastor at St. Mark Baptist Church.

Stover is currently the founder/CEO of the Reading Arts Mathematics Summer Enrichment Program, where she directs at two sites.

She is an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and Voorhees Colleges Midlands Alumni Chapter. She is a recipient of the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Teacher of the Year for High Schools and Colleges Award and of the 2015 M.A. Lee Humanitarian Award.

Hyacinth, a native of North, graduated from Voorhees College in 1971 with a bachelors degree in history. She received a masters degree in human resource management from the University of Utah and furthered her studies at Long Island University in guidance counseling.

She spent her professional career with the New York State Department of Labor and the New York City Board of Education. She retired after 36 years of professional experience in supervision and counseling.

Hyacinth holds professional affiliations with the Voorhees College National Alumni Association, the New York State American Counseling Association, the International Association of Workforce Professionals and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In addition, she served as a minister and adult Sunday school teacher for more than 35 years and founded the Christian Women Fellowship. She most recently established the Helping Hand Ministry to assist the needy.

Smalls, a native of Charleston, graduated from Voorhees College with a bachelors degree in office administration in 1981. She is currently a coordinator at Charleston Water System, where she has been employed for 34 years.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; the Edisto District Missionary Society, where she serves as first vice president; Eastern Light Chapter #360 Order of Eastern Star, where she serves as the trustee; and the Charleston chapter of the NAACP, in which she serves as the treasurer.

In addition, Smalls is a member of the Charleston Contact Center Alliance, the South Carolina Utility Billing Association, a Parent Teacher Organization board member for Baptist Hill High School, vice president of the Charleston Alumni Chapter and an active member in her church, Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed work done under Renovation of water supply and sewerage system in the city of Beylagan project.

Chairman of Azersu Gorkhmaz Huseynov informed the head of state that the project is designed to improve water supply and sewerage services for a total of 31,300 people in the city of Beylagan and Ashigli, Shafag and Alinazarli villages.

The project was launched in 2012.

A new administrative building of Baylagan Water Canal Department was also constructed under the project.

The project was implemented under Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Program co-funded by the government of Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank.

President Ilham Aliyev pressed the start key to launch water supply to the city of Beylagan.
Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh has said the two countries enjoy a very positive political environment.





Speaking to journalists, he said Iranian and Azerbaijani public and private sectors can take advantage of this and embark on reciprocal investment projects. Common cultural, historic and religious values shared by Iran and Azerbaijan pave the way for further development of economic relations between our countries, he said. We can develop agricultural and commercial relations in frontier districts. Organizing reciprocal visits to study the existing potential will be enough for this, the ambassador said.





Jahangirzadeh added that Iran wants to build a pharmaceutical plant in Azerbaijan. An agreement has already been signed, and work will start in the near future.
Azerbaijan and Iran have discussed military cooperation as ambassador in Islamabad Ali Alizade met with Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy Muhammad Zakaullah.





They hailed strategic relations between the two countries, and noted the importance of developing military-technical cooperation.





The two exchanged views over participation of Azerbaijan and Pakistan in different exhibitions held in both countries, experience exchange and the organization of reciprocal visits.





They praised the fact that Azerbaijan and Pakistan support each other on all issues, including the Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir problems.





Zakaullah emphasized the significance of expanding cooperation between navies of the two countries.
This post is prompted by a number of things that have left me pondering how as Christians we are to bring about change in our churches. When we strongly b...

7 years ago
Hira Industries, a leading manufacturing firm based in the UAE, was given Best Manufacturing Company award at the NBAD Star Manufacturing Awards - a showcase award within the Stars of Business 2016 Award, in Dubai.



The award was presented to Manish Hiranandani, the managing director of Hira Industries at a glittering award ceremony held recently at Atlantis Hotel.



The NBAD Star Manufacturing Awards honours the achievements of manufacturing businesses that have made an exceptional contribution to the UAE economy, by virtue of leading-edge manufacturing technology, product innovation, notable productivity or strong levels of revenue, said the company in its statement.



Hira Industries won the award for its continuous innovation and excellence in the manufacturing industry that has led to the economic growth and established a positive outlook for the company.



Its outstanding annual turnover, increase in revenue from exports and geographical expansion were a few factors that spearheaded the win, it added.



On the win, Prakash Sarvaiya, the general manager, said: "It is indeed an honour to be acknowledged at a prestigious event like this. Its a great privilege for us to win this category as manufacturing is a very important sector in this part of the world. This award is recognition of our efforts and demonstrates our commitment to innovation, sustainability and continued advancement."



"Its a great achievement for the company and will serve as a boost for every member of Hira who has helped us achieve this stupendous growth," he added.



Hira Industries recently launched acoustic insulation and technical foam solutions which suggests that innovation is among the key drivers of the manufacturing industrys success, stated Sarvaiya.



This latest win caps off an outstanding year of recognition for the company. Other accolades awarded to Hira include HVAC Supplier of the Year Award 2014, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Besix/Six Construct, a leading player in the construction of commercial and residential buildings, said one of its units has completed the work on the Dubai Water Canal in Business Bay development in the emirate.



Belhasa Six Construct is a Dubai-based entity of Besix, a leading multi-services company operating in the construction of commercial and residential buildings, sport and leisure facilities, infrastructure and marine-related projects.



The project, which was executed under supervision of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Halcrow-Parsons, started in January 2015.



The scope of work included the construction of the Dubai Creek extension as well as a fully navigable channel from the Dubai Creek at Al Ras to Jumeirah, through the Business Bay development, said a statement from the Besix/Six Construct.



The project required the diversion of existing utilities and key services, which occurred in parallel with the removal of earth bunds within the Business Bay section of the canal, and dredging up of the canal bed to reach the level of -4 to -6 metres, thereby allowing construction of the remaining sections of Quay Wall.



Pierre Sironval, the managing director of Besix/Six Construct, said 3.2 million cu m of soil were dredged for the canal and 15,000 concrete blocks of 40 tonnes each were used to fortify the banks over a total length of 15 km.



"The main challenge of the project was hence the diversion of the underground services in order for the excavation and construction of the 3-km-long canal to proceed smoothly," stated Sironval.



"In addition, the installation of three sculptural pedestrian bridges in a record period was a fantastic achievement and we are proud to have contributed to this historical project in the UAE," he added.



On the key challenges, Sironval, said: "During the construction process, we had to be extremely vigilant and careful whilst working on the Dubai Canal, as it cut through a high profile residential area, as well as some of the citys main traffic arteries such as Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah Beach Road and Sheikh Zayed Road."



"To minimise the impact on the day-to-day traffic and the wellbeing of the local residents, the resourceful engineers tailored their planning and methods of execution to make sure they caused the minimum amount of disturbance, and ensured that everything was orchestrated along with the RTA to run as smoothly as possible. The wellbeing of the residents is always our top priority," he added.



According to him, the canals width ranges from 80 to 120 m. "Various bridges were built at a height that will allow luxury yachts and other boats to pass underneath, and the canal culminates at an artificial crescent-shaped island along Jumeirah Park," he noted.



With more half a century experience in the Middle East, working with gravity blockwork walls, quay wall construction is one of the companys main competencies, therefore we do not expect any issues once the site is open, stated Sironval.



Treatment of existing hyper-saline water impounded within the lagoons of Business Bay were also implemented by diluting the existing water and discharging it back into the sea through a 3-km-long pipeline, and re-flooding the canal after the completion of the works.



In addition, the project includes the development of four water taxi stations, starting from the creek right up to Business Bay and Jumeirah. The existing natural park at the creek was kept untouched, thereby avoiding the area where the flamingos are settled, said the statement.



This natural habitat will therefore also not be disturbed by marine traffic in the future, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain-based Eskan Bank said it has finalised the formal registration of its real estate investment trust (REIT) with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) thus paving way for the launch of its ground-breaking retail REIT public offering on November 22.



This will now enable the REIT to be launched to Bahraini and GCC institutional and retail investors, with a subsequent listing on the Bahrain Bourse (BHB).



The bank has completed all CBB-related regulatory requirements and in readiness for this landmark event, it has appointed Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) as the official receiving bank for the subscription offering.



Securities & Investment Company (Sico) is the mandated lead manager for the public offering and listing of Bahrains first Sharia-compliant REIT that is open to retail investors, as well as the sub-investment manager and dedicated market maker.



Welcoming the development, Dr Khalid Abdulla, the general manager of Eskan Bank, said: "Following full regulatory compliance with the CBB, we are now proceeding with plans for the public offering of the REIT, which will open for subscriptions on November 22."



It will be open for subscriptions for a two-week period only, with the closing date set at December 6.



The REIT has a target distributable yield of 6.5 per cent net of all costs, and a minimum subscription of BD500 ($1,316), which should make it accessible and attractive to individual Bahraini and GCC nationals seeking a safe investment opportunity in the kingdoms real estate sector, he added.



Sicos chief executive Najla Al Shirawi said the Eskan Bank REIT incorporates several unique features, designed to enhance its attractiveness and provide safeguards for investors.



These include an efficient structure with one of the lowest expense ratios; no real estate development risk as found with most other REITs; and no debt, which is rare in real estate investment structures, stated Al Shirawi.



"The two income-generating properties that comprise the REIT  Segaya Plaza and Danaat Al Madina  currently have an overall occupancy rate exceeding 85 per cent. This is expected to increase in the near future, given that the commercial assets of the Danaat Al Madina property were only handed over last year," she added.



Eskans chief business officer and deputy general manager Ahmad Tayara re-affirmed the banks intention to expand and diversify the REIT in the future.



"We will augment the existing seed assets by inviting private and public sector developers to include their properties in the Eskan Bank Realty Income Trust, subject to meeting the REITs strict criteria for acquiring assets and compliance with regulatory requirements. This will provide an improved yield for investors as well as improving the risk profile of the REIT over time," he noted.



Wissam Haddad, the head of corporate finance at Sico, said: "Eskan Banks REIT has an annual target distribution yield of 6.5 per cent, payable twice a year, while still being able to allocate sufficient cash reserves annually to ensure the properties remain in prime position for decades ahead."



"This distributable yield is especially attractive given the modernity of the properties; the liquidity provided on the Bahrain Bourse with a dedicated market maker; the diversity of the property types and tenant base; as well as no short-cuts being taken with regards to the appointment of professional management," observed Haddad.



"In comparison, US equity REITs have an average yield of 3.7 per cent (even with 30 per cent of average debt on their properties); while local equities are currently distributing an average annual yield of 4.4 per cent," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Dubai Properties, has recently started the trial operation of autonomous vehicles, each capable of lifting 10 persons, within the Business Bay District over a 650 meter-long track.



The step follows the success of the first and second phases of the trial operation of smart vehicles in the Dubai World Trade Center, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.



The trial run of the smart vehicle in the Business Bay is the third-time experience following the successful first test run carried out in the Dubai World Trade Center, and the second trial in the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in coordination with Emaar, said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTAs Licensing Agency cum chairman of Smart Vehicles Committee.



This trial is part of RTAs plan to test the technologies & operation of autonomous vehicles under the climatic conditions of Dubai, educates community members about autonomous vehicles, and sensitize the people about Dubai Governments strategy for smart vehicles aimed at converting 25 per cent of total mobility journeys in Dubai to various types of driverless transit means by 2030. The practice also seeks to probe peoples perception about autonomous transport through a questionnaire to capture their views and satisfaction rating, explained Bahrozyan.



Autonomous vehicles have continued to accomplish their success proved by the sustained riders satisfaction rating derived from the experience at the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard coordinated between RTA and Emaar Properties from September 1 to October 5 this year where the overall satisfaction rating clocked 95 per cent.



The debut of autonomous vehicles experience in the Dubai World Trade Center last Ramadan yielded satisfaction rating of 92 per cent according to inputs of two questionnaires conducted by RTA. Visitors were lifted over a month from ground car parks to the main restaurants, hotels and landmarks at the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard on the route of the vehicle. The result was concluded from a questionnaire probing the views of a wide spectrum of riders aged 20-40, he added.



The second questionnaire included elaborate questions that concluded to important results, namely 96 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the safety specifications, and 95 per cent were interested in the deployment of the vehicle as a public transit means, he noted.



About 69 per cent of respondents were not concerned with the lack of driving control system, 62 per cent were not concerned by the legal responsibility in case of an accident involving other vehicles, and 70 per cent were not concerned with the mobility of the vehicle between pedestrians, private vehicles and bicycles.



The questionnaire also indicated that 85 per cent of respondents expected the technology to reduce vehicle accidents and increase road safety, and 88 per cent believed the vehicle could result in reduced traffic congestion. About 92 per cent thought that the vehicle could save fuel consumption, and 85 per cent expected the insurance premium to drop in case of using this smart technology. The questionnaire covered public transport riders, private motorists, tourists, citizens and residents of the UAE and Dubai.



RTA is considering broadening the deployment of autonomous vehicles in other areas of Dubai including metro stations, malls and tourist spots. It is also working on drafting rules & legislations towards the implementation of the smart mobility strategy of the Emirate and setting out well-defined legal structures covering the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh key aspects of the policy of using autonomous vehicles in the first and last mile stage, business centers, residential complexes and parks, Bahrozyan concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Lockheed Martin, a global technology leader, has invited young Robotics enthusiasts to take part in its upcoming UAE National Day weekend Robotics Challenge, to be held next month, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



Lockheed Martin is hosting a three-day robotics competition, December 1 to 3, over the National Day weekend to inspire, train and develop an indigenous pipeline of the next generation of national science technology engineering and mathematics (Stem) professionals, said a statement from the company.



In line with the UAEs strategic human capital development objectives, this competition aims to increase the local populations engagement within the Stem fields by introducing UAE youth to fun, engaging Stem activities to grow these critical skills and benefit the UAE community, it said.



Students between the ages of 5 to 13 will be invited to participate in the multi-day training and competition to take place at Lockheed Martins Center for Innovation & Security Solutions based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, it added.



During the event, students will build, program and modify different robots. The first robot is designed to introduce the students to the materials and programming while the second robot is designed to encourage creative modifications. The programme will serve as an entry point for students to experience first-hand the real-life application of physical engineering and technology, said a statement from the company.



Robert S Harward, chief executive, Lockheed Martin UAE, said: Were committed to supporting the development of young professionals across the Stem fields to inspire the human potential that will support the industries and economies of the future.



This competition reflects the UAEs national spirit of competitiveness and ambition to develop the Stem fields which are critical to the UAE, he added.



Yousef Baselaib, executive director, Sustainable Real Estate, Masdar, added: Stimulating a culture of innovation lies at the core of achievements at our company.



We are delighted to be welcoming our young guests to this Robotics Competition in Masdar City next month, which will further encourage our youth to explore professions in science and technology and ultimately drive economic growth and innovation in the UAE, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Science fiction often speculates about robots that are virtually indistinguishable from humans. However, while there are examples of humanoid robots being developed, the majority of robots will not take after their creators, says GlobalData.
A team of leading companies and officials from Ireland is currently visiting Saudi Arabia and the UAE looking for business opportunities as part of the Enterprise Ireland's Trade Mission to the Middle East.



The team is led by Charlie Flanagan TD, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 12 and 13, and will be at Abu Dhabi on November 14 and Dubai on November 15 to meet senior government ministers and to facilitate talks with a wide range of local businesses and participating Irish companies, as well as announcing a number of new contract wins and partnership agreements, said a statement.



The 37 Irish companies are taking part in the trade mission, span a number of key sectors including education, healthcare, digital media, ICT and telecoms, financial services, aviation and agri-technology, it said.



The visit is organised by Enterprise Ireland Middle East, the regional arm of the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, it added.



The visit comes as Ireland continues to strengthen industry links with the region.

Exports of Enterprise Ireland backed companies to the GCC member states increased by 12 per cent in 2015 to over 507 million ($550 million) with further strong gains projected this year.



Flanagan said: "I am delighted to be here with such a wide range of innovative Irish companies who are forging successful partnerships with prominent entities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.



The Middle East is a very important region for us and there are significant opportunities for even more Irish companies to do business here in the future, he added.



Joe Breslin, regional director, South Europe, Middle East, Africa and India at Enterprise Ireland, said: "We are very pleased with the progress so many leading Irish companies are making throughout the GCC.



The region is full of opportunities and local businesses definitely recognise the value of Irish expertise and innovation across a wide range of sectors, resulting in an impressive number of fruitful partnerships. We expect to see more of these successful collaborations in the near future, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
A tsunami has hit New Zealand coast after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck its South Island.



The US Geological Survey said the quake hit just after midnight (11:02 GMT on Sunday), some 95 km (59 miles) from Christchurch.



The tsunami arrived in the north-eastern coast about two hours later. Officials said the first waves may not be the largest, with tsunami activity possible for several hours, according to a BBC report.



Residents were warned to head inland or for higher ground along the coast.



The ministry of civil defence has said the highest waves, which could be as tall as 5m are expected between Malborough, the north-eastern tip of the South Island, and Banks Peninsula, just south of Christchurch.



Police said they were investigating reports of a collapsed building in the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura.
The New UAE Bankruptcy Law creates a new system of "life support" for businesses experiencing financial difficulties. The law will encourage foreign investment and instil confidence in the international markets that the UAE continues to evolve and develop to face the modern day challenges of business, says an analysis by Addleshaw Goddard's Dubai Office.

Addleshaw Goddard assesses the impact of the law and highlights some key provisions in the long anticipated change to UAE Federal Law in the following article:

New UAE Bankruptcy Law

Federal Law No. 9 of 2016 (the New UAE Bankruptcy Law or the Law) was promulgated by decree by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifia bin Zayed Al Nahyan on September 20, 2016 and published in the Official Gazette on September 29, 2016. The Law will come into effect at the start of 2017 and introduces widespread changes to the previous insolvency regime, which provided very few options to creditors and insolvent companies beyond liquidation and was rarely relied on in practice.

Applicability

The New UAE Bankruptcy Law shall apply to (Article 2):

 Companies established under Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 (the Commercial Companies Law)  including limited liability companies and both public and private joint stock companies;

 Corporations that are partially or solely owned by federal or local government in the UAE (to the extent that the byelaws or the legislation of their establishment state that the Law is applicable to such corporations);

 Companies established in free zones that are not subject to provisions in such free zones which already organise the procedures of bankruptcy (i.e. Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Markets);

 An individual who is classified as a "Trader" under Federal Law No.18 of 1993 relating to commercial transactions; and

 Civil companies,

(in each case the Debtor).

Petitions for Bankruptcy

The New UAE Bankruptcy Law sets out two routes into the bankruptcy provisions contained therein:

 By the Debtor who (Article 6):

 Faces financial difficulties such that they require assistance in reaching reconciliation with its creditors; and

 Has ceased paying its debts due for a period in excess of 30 consecutive working days;

OR

 By a creditor owed at least Dh100,000 by a debtor who (Article 69):

* Has already warned the debtor to fulfil such a debt; and

* Such a debt has not been fulfilled within 30 consecutive working days from the date of such warning.

The financial threshold for creditor petition is subject to review by the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the minister.

New Regulation, New Options

The New UAE Bankruptcy Law establishes a new regulatory body, the Committee of Financial Restructuring, whose mandate is to oversee financial restructuring procedures outside of the courts, appoint experts in financial restructuring and establish, for the first time in the UAE, an electronic record of individuals with bankruptcy rulings against them.

The Law further outlines four key pathways for companies to avoid insolvency:

 Financial reorganisation;

 Financial restructuring;

 A pre-emptive settlement; or

 The raising of new funds.

Penalties

A broad array of penalties (both financial and penal) are included in the New UAE Bankruptcy Law, some of which provide a broad discretion to the courts as to penalty.

If the court finds that the debtor's funds are not sufficient to fulfil at least 20 per cent of creditor claims, the court has discretion to obligate all or some of the directors or managers of the debtor to pay all or part of the debts where their responsibility for the debtor's losses is "evident" by reference to the Commercial Companies Law.

It would appear likely that the Law will encourage higher standards of corporate governance given that one of the penalties (Article 200) imposes a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Dh30,000 for those who receive a bankruptcy judgment and did not maintain sufficient commercial records to establish their financial position prior to the bankruptcy. Corporate governance is increasingly being regarded as an important consideration in the region and we expect this to continue with the implementation of the New UAE Bankruptcy Law.

General Managers, in particular should continue to implement appropriate systems for managing the cash flow and working capital of the business if facing financial difficulties.



Recognition of Secured Creditors and Preferential Claims

The Law recognises the rights of secured creditors to rank ahead of those with unsecured claims (Article 185). Further, certain claims shall be treated as preferential including:

 Judicial fees or expenses relating to the bankruptcy process as well as any expenses incurred for the benefit of creditors to preserve and liquidate the Debtor's money;

 End of service gratuity, unpaid wages and salaries (but not bonus or allowances) up to a maximum of 3 months; and

 Amounts due to government bodies.



* Addleshaw Goddard is an international law firm that offers a full range of commercial legal services from its offices in Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Hong Kong, Leeds, London, Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo (in association with Hashidate Law Office)


Honda Aircraft, a US-based subsidiary of Honda Moto, will increase production of its business jets to 80 from up to 36 currently by the year ending March 2019, a report said.



The company also plans to start producing some of the core engine parts in-house in the spring of 2017, with a goal of selling them to other aircraft makers, according to Nikkei.com.



For this, the company will build a new factory, aiming to improve its competitiveness by improving quality and lowering costs, the report.



Production will be increased gradually in cooperation with parts suppliers, a source was quoted as saying.


Emirates Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates airline, has signed on The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as its latest partner, enabling members to redeem Miles for an annual digital subscription to the business focused newspaper.



This is the first time Emirates Skywards has partnered with a global publication to provide an annual digital membership, which will give Emirates Skywards members unlimited digital access to WSJs world-leading markets coverage and industry scoops.



Emirates Skywards members, regardless of tier, can redeem an annual digital subscription to The Wall Street Journal for 20,000 Miles, while Platinum members can receive the same annual membership for free. All Emirates Skywards members opting in will be able to enjoy Wall Street Journal Plus (WSJ+), giving unique access to exclusive events and offers.



The latest addition to Emirates Skywards list of partners caters to its diverse group of members and provides even more opportunities to redeem Miles within the lifestyle space. Additional memberships can also be redeemed with Skywards Miles as gift options to be shared with friends and family.



Emirates Skywards is in its 16th year and has over 16 million members. In addition to special offers with partner airlines, hotels and retail brands, members also enjoy special access to global sporting, arts and cultural events. - TradeArabia News Service
Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Mena region, has reported a net profit of Dh297 million ($80.8 million) for the third quarter of the year, up 26 per cent compared to Dh235 million ($63.9 million) recorded in the same period in 2015.



For the three months ending September 30, 2016, the airline posted a turnover of Dh1.12 billion ($304.8 million), in line with the revenue generated in the same period of 2015.



Air Arabia served over 2.27 million passengers in the third quarter of 2016, a 14 per cent increase compared to 2 million passengers in the same period of last year. The average seat load factor  or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats  for the same quarter stood at an impressive 81 per cent.



Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia said: The strong third quarter and year to date performance is a reflection of Air Arabias commercial and operational strengths supported by the companys commitment to deliver high value air travel to its customers and return on investments to its shareholders."



He added: Despite challenging trading conditions driven by excess capacity in the market, political instability in some markets and the effect of lower oil price in the regional economies, we remain confident about the long-term prospects for the low cost industry in region and our ability to continue with our growth plans while delivering our value-for-money promise to our customers everyday."



Air Arabias net profit for the first nine months of 2016 stood at Dh542 million ($147.5 million), up 15 per cent compared to Dh472 million ($128.4 million) reported in the corresponding period of 2015. For the nine months ending September 30, 2016, the airline posted a turnover of Dh2.96 billion ($805.6 million), an increase of 3 per cent compared to Dh2.86 billion ($778.4 million) in the same period of 2015.

The low-cost aviation pioneer served over 6.3 million passengers in the first nine month of 2016, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. The average seat load factor  or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats  for the same period stood at an impressive 80 per cent.



Air Arabia completed 13 years last month, maintaining its continuous record of profitability since its first year of operations. The carrier added five new routes to its global network during the first nine months of 2016 from its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Jordan.



Air Arabia also added to its impressive list of international accolades in the third quarter of 2016 when it was ranked third among the top 50 airlines in the world following a report compiled by Airfinance Journal surveying 137 carriers across the globe. The carrier was also named Low Cost Airline of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards and took home the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year award in recognition for its Charity Cloud program. Air Arabias group chief executive officer Adel Al Ali also won Airline CEO of the Year award at the 10th CEO Middle East Awards that took place in September 2016. - TradeArabia News Service
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
Touted in travel and promotional journals for its jaw-dropping beauty, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway that winds through the mountains between Cody and Yellowstone National Park is being recommended for a haircut of sorts.

The Shoshone National Forest is proposing to log 2,000 acres along about 9 miles of Highway 296 near Crandall to remove dead and dying trees. The trees are under attack by the western spruce budworm  an insect the Forest Service has dubbed the most widely distributed and destructive defoliator of coniferous forests in Western North America.

Spruce budworm has devastated that corridor, said Amy Haas, Shoshone forester. Usually budworm does its thing and the trees recover. But weve had four years of it.

Trees in the project area include lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce, subalpine fir, Douglas fir and aspen.

Forest fires

The scenic corridor isnt without its battle scars.

The region suffered through the Clover Mist fire, one of the 1988 blazes that scorched Yellowstone Park. In August, lightning ignited the Hunter Peak fire, which burned 3,500 acres just northwest of Crandall, a collection of mostly vacation homes with a few guest ranches.

At least one resident supports the logging idea.

They need to get that done, said Dave Segall, co-owner of the K Bar Z Guest Ranch. Its a big fire hazard.

The forest is taking public comment on the plan for the next 30 days. No action will be taken until the agency writes an environmental analysis and solicits public comment on that document.

At the earliest a plan would be signed by September 2017 with implementation either starting that winter or the following summer. The timber sales would be spread over the next five years and combined with tree planting to generate new growth along the corridor, Haas said.

Proposal

Under the proposed action the agency would use ground-based logging on 1,600 acres along with cable logging on another 400 acres. About nine miles of temporary road would be built in addition to the reconstruction of another 16 miles of road. Some of the roadway would be decommissioned after work is completed.

The proposed project would include logging in about 125 acres of the Windy Mountain Roadless Area, treatments that are consistent with the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, according to a Shoshone National Forest press release.

Also, several proposed units are adjacent to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Wild River corridor, the Forest Service said. In 1990 a 20.5-mile segment of the Clarks Fork downstream from Crandall was added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Nothing is proposed in the Wild and Scenic River corridor, Haas said. No treatment goes on within that boundary.

Because the infestation has been so deadly to trees along the popular route to and from Yellowstone, the forest staff determined that it would be impossible to respond to the budworm infestation and comply with (Land Management Plan) standards for Scenic Integrity Objectives in the Scenic Byway corridor. Leaving sufficient live trees post treatment to meet visual standards isnt possible in the heaviest-hit timber stands.

That leaves us with a huge planting effort along that corridor, Haas said.

No estimates have been made on the volume or value of the logged timber or the cost of the road building and tree planting, she added.

The bug

Spruce budworm outbreaks are known to be devastating, especially in East Coast states like Maine and in Canada. A 2006 outbreak in Quebec has consumed more than 15.5 million acres of timber and continues to grow, according to an article in Entomology Today. More the 160,000 acres of white spruce were defoliated in 1992 in Alaska, according to the Forest Service.

Although hundreds of papers have been published on this topic, there is still no general consensus on what drives the (spruce budworm) population oscillations, the Entomology Today article stated.

Haas said the entomologist who examined the Shoshone National Forest had never seen anything like it. The worm doesnt limit itself to just mature trees, either. So part of the treatment plan is to cut down any smaller trees that have been infected, a laborious process.

Common treatments have included aerial spraying of pesticides, which the Shoshone has experimented with at campgrounds to preserve foliage. But it is not practical on a larger scale. The other tactic has been large-scale logging, which makes use of the dead timber.

Some environmentalists argue that logging does no good in halting the spread of spruce budworm, short circuits the forests natural processes and can disturb the soil leading to weed infestations. They also note that dead trees are part of a natural forest ecosystem, creating habitat for wildlife.

Even the Forest Service has noted in its literature on spruce budworm that, Managing budworm infestations by silviculture, however, is not practical in many western forests.

I think the bottom line is what we see out there is going to change, and were going to manage those effects, Haas said.
In March, Hillary Clinton told voters at a CNN town hall meeting, were going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.

She later apologized for the comment and emphasized her plan to send millions in aid to ailing coal communities.

But that moment is when the Democrat lost support from centrist or left-leaning Republicans throughout most of Wyoming, the nations top coal-producing state, said Jimmy Orr, a Cheyenne Republican who worked as a White House spokesman under President George W. Bush.

That sound bite was deadly, Orr said. Obama never said that. He didnt say that in 2008 or 2012.

On Tuesday, Trump swept Wyoming in the presidential election. Its hardly surprising, considering the Cowboy State is one of the countrys reddest. But what wasnt predicted was Trumps performance in comparison to other recent Republican presidential candidates.

Trump received about the same level of support this year as Mitt Romney in 2012 and more support than John McCain in 2008. Trumps success in Wyoming during last weeks election is even more notable given that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz defeated him soundly during the states Republican primary process and that Trump never visited the Cowboy State during the campaign.

Longtime political observers credit Trumps success in Wyoming to the states energy downturn, his anti-establishment image, Liz Cheney and the New York billionaires ability to tap into peoples fears.

Anti-establishment

A recent University of Wyoming poll found that voters support for a particular presidential candidate was not based on their love for the candidate but rather their opposition to another candidate. The poll found 58 percent of Wyomingites preferred Trump.

In the end, 68 percent of voters cast ballots for the real estate mogul. Not all of them were holding their noses as they voted, Orr said.

He didnt speak like anyone else. He didnt act like anyone else, Orr said. He was the outsiders outsider. Theres no one more outsider than him. I think the voters who voted for him were very much attracted to this rebel. Thats what he is, a rebel. They were energized by it.

Trump revitalized Republicans this year like Barack Obama energized Democrats in 2008, he said.

Energy and Cheney

Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, won her bid for the states single seat in the U.S. House by campaigning on a message of repealing federal regulations on the energy industry.

That message was similar to one offered by Trump, who has proposed lifting regulations on energy production and allowing projects such as the Keystone pipeline to move forward. Cheney likely helped Trump in Wyoming, said Bri Jones, executive director of the Equality State Policy Center, a government watchdog group.

In fact, both have denied humans impact on climate change. Both candidates have also promised to focus on bringing back energy jobs.

Wyoming is rural America, said Republican strategist Kristin Walker. And I think that that affected us at the national, the state and the local level, the feeling of being left behind. It shows in our energy industry, where we feel like our coal, oil and gas industries are getting left behind. I think this left-behind applies to our lifestyle, our values.

Teton County

This year, Teton County was the only part of Wyoming that Clinton won. She received 7,313 votes to Trumps 3,920.

The county favored Obama in the last two elections.

I think we have more moderate, even liberal Republicans in this part of the state than in anyplace else, said Walker, who lives in Jackson.  In Teton County, we tend to think were more isolated from the energy economy than the rest of the state, even though thats not the case.

Support of Clinton boosted other Democrats in Teton County.

Teton County took a step to the left, with a more liberal mayor, two Democratic representatives (in the Wyoming Legislature) and two new Democratic county commissioners, making the commission four Democrats and one Republican, Walker said. Its the first time in many years its been that heavily weighted to Democrats.

Fear

Trumps campaign was more controversial than that of any presidential candidate in years. He suggested the Mexican government is pushing rapists and drug dealers into the U.S. He proposed building a wall along the Mexican border and banning Muslims from entering the country.

Jones, the Equality State Policy Center executive director, said Wyomings economy has contracted in recent years, when other states have been growing.

I do think that when youre not feeling secure in your job, its easy to make immigrants or the perceived other the scapegoat, she said. Theres parallels to the Brexit vote: People were looking at uncertain economic times and they were seeing a lot of influx in immigrants.

Bruce Palmer, vice chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party, said the Trump effect goes beyond fear. Trump has made incivility the norm.

Palmer lives in Fremont County and managed the campaign of Julia Stuble, who tried to unseat Rep. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander.

Theres a local tradition on Election Day in which candidates sit along the major roadways near polling places. Stuble was near a polling place, waving to people as they were headed to vote. One motorist pulled up near Stuble and held up a sign that read, F-you, Julia, Palmer said.

Palmer said he was stunned, as the drivers actions required him to both take the time to write the sign and slow down as he was driving to display it.

Fear doesnt just exist in the energy industry, Palmer said. Immigrants, Muslims and others also are now worried.

The other night as I watched the results with the Natrona County Democrats, I was sitting next to a woman who was explaining that before the Affordable Care Act she was unable to get insurance because of a pre-existing condition, he said. As the results came in, she became more and more upset, fearing Trumps promise to repeal and replace on day one.
Wyoming is planning to continue its cloud seeding weather modification program into the winter of 2018.

Wyoming Water Development Commission Director Harry LaBonde told a joint meeting of the commission and the legislatures Select Water Committee that the effort for the 2017-18 season calls for 10 ground-based generators in the Wind River Mountains, with nine placed on the west flank and one on the east flank.

While Wyoming is overseeing the effort, the $575,000 annual cost is split with downstream states and other entities wishing to participate. Wyomings share comes to about a quarter of the expense, or around $155,000, as most of the benefit flows to down-basin water users.

The Wyoming program has been in effect for years, but LaBonde said there is consideration of creating a broader coalition.

There was some discussion in the last year about forming a  coalition of states to look at weather modification in the entire basin, and setting up a structure of which projects they might fund, and the funding percentages, LaBonde said.

Wyoming will continue its program in the meantime. It has been a leader in cloud seeding research, supporting a six-year, $13 million study that showed the practice could increase snow precipitation by 5 percent to 15 percent in a given area, depending on variable weather conditions.

In 2015, the Legislature approved a separate $1.4 million program for cloud seeding in four ranges including the Big Horns, Laramie, Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre mountains.
This is the best time of the year.

For some of us, its hunting season, the best time to be out chasing critters to feed our families and creating memories with meaning. Or maybe its the best time for afternoon bike rides or the best time to be watching the spectacle that is waterfowl migration.

Hundreds of us channeled that urge to action last weekend on the banks of the North Platte River at a site named for legendary conservationist Izaak Walton. Hunters, anglers, horsemen, birders and kayakers all under one tent. Together we stood united in the name of Americas public lands  and together we opposed efforts to divest citizens of these places and the outdoor traditions they represent.

We own deed to over 640 million acres of public lands. Nothing is more American than places that provide clean air, clean water, world-class fish and wildlife habitat and opportunities for solace in an ever-changing world. The fact that these places are valuable is beyond dispute. The $646 billion economy generated annually by outdoor recreation relies largely on public lands  and is sustainable as long as we keep public lands in public hands.

Yet a movement is afoot to divest us of this precious legacy  to steal from us the riches that visionaries like Walton helped conserve. Today, the privatization movement is well funded and organized. Its proponents are in it for the long haul. Their aim is to take from us our lands and waters  and by extension our economic security and our outdoor heritage.

Together, we can stop this thievery.

Standing together, we possess a collective strength that is insurmountable. Together, Wyomingites beat back ill-advised legislation calling for the transfer of public lands to state ownership. A study bill weighed the feasibility of state transfer, and, like studies before it, confirmed what a stupid idea this is. Simply put, states cant afford to shoulder the costs of managing these lands. If public lands came under state ownership, states ultimately would be forced to sell them.

State lands management encompasses a host of other problems. States often dont manage lands for fish and wildlife values or public access; in most cases, their priority is turning a profit. Consider the recently proposed Bonander land trade to understand the implications  including public access eliminated to 4,000 acres  of state management of public lands. Strong public opposition resulted in the state of Wyoming postponing its decision regarding the deal. A happy ending remains a possibility. Without advocacy by sportsmen and other advocates, this never would have happened.

Together, we are making a difference.

A Wyoming legislative committee held a hearing on Wednesday on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing no net loss of public lands or access should these lands be transferred to state ownership. This measure is troubling by any stretch of the imagination. Not only does it fail to acknowledge the states dismal track record of retaining the state lands it already owns, it also includes far too much latitude for these lands disposal in the future. It leaves open the possibility of state ownership of resources that currently are publicly owned. If the state enters tough financial times, whats to say the Constitution couldnt be amended? Dont be fooled. Unfortunately, the committee didnt heed those gathered in Casper or the overwhelming pushback at the hearing.

The time has come for us to fight for our outdoors legacy  not only so that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities we have today but also so that they will have something to stand up for themselves.

Saturdays rally occurred not only during the throes of election season but just days after a federal jury in Oregon acquitted radical anti-public lands activists who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The unfortunate verdict shows that much remains to be done to inform and engage Americans on behalf of our public lands. Rising above the chatter from lawyers, politicians and fat cats, however, is the voice of public lands users.

We are the constituency that has the most to lose, should we lose our public lands, and we have spoken up in support of them again and again. We havent seen the last of the Bundys  or their cohorts in state legislatures and Congress. But were in this fight for the long haul. And damned if well back down any time soon.

Together, our voices cannot be denied.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand  A powerful earthquake struck New Zealands South Island early Monday, killing at least two people, damaging buildings and infrastructure, and prompting emergency services to warn people along the coast to move to higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck just after midnight in a mostly rural area thats dotted with small towns. Near the epicenter, it opened up snaking fissures in roads and triggered landslides.

It caused damage in Wellington, the capital, more than 120 miles to the north and was also strongly felt in the city of Christchurch to the south. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes, and was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.

Police said one person died in the small coastal town of Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort.

The quake completely cut off road access to Kaikoura, said resident Terry Thompson, who added that electricity and most phones were also down in the town of 2,000, a popular destination for tourists taking part in whale-watching expeditions.

Thompson was out of town but managed to reach his wife by cellphone during the night before her phone died.

She said the glass exploded right out of the double ranch-slider, he said. The neighbors chimney was gone, there were breakages and things smashed everywhere.

His wife helped a 93-year-old neighbor and a tourist into her car and drove to higher ground, he said.

They stayed in the car all night but couldnt sleep, Thompson said. Theyre all very, very tired and concerned about the state of their property.

Prime Minister John Key said waves of about 6.6 feet hit the coast but the tsunami threat had since been downgraded to coastal warnings.

He said authorities had no reason to believe the death toll would rise.

On the very best information we have at the moment, we think its only likely to be two. But of course there are isolated parts of the country which we dont have perfect eyes on, so we cant be 100 percent sure, he said.
21st annual Caregiver Conference

When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.

Where: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tucson, at 445 S. Alvernon Way, next to Reid Park

Cost: $40; $65 for a professional (includes professional CEUs).

Registration: Accepted at the door. Or, register online Monday, Nov. 14 at www.caregiverconsortium.org (credit card only).

Or, register online Monday, Nov. 14 at www.caregiverconsortium.org (credit card only). Learn more by calling 235-4065
Donald Trump made immigration the launching point of his campaign.

He pledged to build a beautiful border wall and make Mexico pay for it. He talked of deportation forces that would go after the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in this country. He said he would not offer protection to children who were brought here illegally by their parents.

Once Trump becomes president, how likely is it that his pledges will become reality? We sort it out .

Can he build a wall?

Trumps boast of building an impenetrable wall on the U.S.-Mexico border  and making Mexico pay for it  took several forms over the course of Trumps campaign. Most commonly he proposed a solid wall dozens of feet high, stretching about 1,000 miles along the international boundary.

In Arizona and California, much of the border already has some sort of fencing.

Urban areas tend to have pedestrian fencing, where 20-foot steel poles separate places like Nogales and San Diego from their sister cities in Mexico. As their name implies, theyre designed to stop people on foot.

Remote areas, where crossers often are in cars, have chest-high vehicle barriers, rail-and-post fencing or barbed wire.

Arizona has about 120 miles of pedestrian fencing and 180 miles of vehicle barriers along its border with Mexico. Along the remaining 66 miles, the only barrier is barbed wire or mountains.

Border Patrol officials say fences are tools to slow down illegal border crossings and give agents time to make an apprehension, rather than stopping crossings altogether. Trumps proposed wall would be designed to stop all crossings outside of legal ports of entry.

About 1,200 miles of the border have no fencing of any kind, but most of those stretches have canyons or mountains that act as natural deterrents  and where the terrain makes building a fence or wall difficult. In Texas, most of the border is along the Rio Grande, which serves as a natural barrier, or is privately owned.

Trump has said he does not plan to build the wall along stretches where natural barriers suffice.

Fenced or not, the borderlands are protected by Border Patrol agents. Large swaths also are guarded by sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment.

The estimated costs of walling the rest vary, but range from a few billion dollars to as much as $40 billion.

Trump consistently said he would make the Mexican government pay that bill. But Mexican officials voiced stiff opposition to that idea. Whether a fiscally conservative, Republican-controlled Congress will approve spending billions of dollars on the project might be the biggest question of all.

Can he send Dreamers back to countries they dont remember?

President Obama issued a 2012 executive order protecting from deportation more than 700,000 young people brought illegally to this country by their parents. An appeals court blocked the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, and the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked, which let that ruling stand.

Trumps immigration plan states he would immediately terminate President Obamas two illegal executive amnesties. If Trump were to revoke DACA, an estimated 4,000 Pima County residents who crossed the border illegally before they were 16 years old would find their futures in jeopardy.

Under DACA, Dreamers were eligible to avoid deportation for two years  and that was renewable  if they stayed out of legal trouble, were studying or graduated from high school, or served honorably in the military.

If Trump revokes the program, the roughly 27,000 Arizona residents who have DACA deferrals and another 19,000 whose deferrals were renewed as of March, would lose their drivers licenses and their ability to work legally in the United States.

Undocumented students at the University of Arizona or Pima Community College could see their tuition rise enough to put it out of reach .

Both schools let DACA students pay in-state tuition , but without DACA protection they would be subject to an Arizona law that denies in-state tuition to undocumented students.

Beyond all that, their greatest fear is that the information they provided on their DACA application could be used to round them up and deport them.

Not only could Trump rescind DACA with a stroke of a pen, he also could undo a 2014 executive action that offered similar protection to about 5 million more undocumented young people and to the parents of U.S. citizens or legal residents.

A Trump nominee to the Supreme Court also could do the job for him. The 2014 action was blocked by the courts and a deadlocked eight-member Supreme Court.

Can he round up and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants?

Trump campaigned on a hard-line stance toward immigration  at one point he proposed a deportation force that would round up and deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Later he appeared to soften that stance and said law-abiding immigrants who have lived in the country for years might be allowed to stay if they paid back taxes. He also expressed some trepidation over breaking up families through deportation  and at one point he even asked an audience what they thought he should do.

Then he changed his mind again, saying he would not grant legal status unless an undocumented immigrant first returned to his or her home country and applied to be admitted to the United States. That process can take years.

The 10-point immigration plan he announced in Phoenix on Aug. 31 included efforts to block federal funding to sanctuary cities, to deport criminal aliens on day one of his presidency, to triple the number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and to stop issuing visas to immigrants from countries where applicants cannot be screened.

The plan also included strengthening workplace enforcement to deter the hiring of undocumented immigrants and fully implementing biometric tracking at ports of entry and airports.

Trump started gathering immigration hard-liners as he prepares to take office. Kris Kobach, Kansas secretary of state and co-author of Arizonas controversial 2010 immigration law known as SB 1070, told a Wichita TV station he was chosen to help Trump formulate immigration policy as part of his transition team.

Investors appear to be taking Trump at his word about cracking down on illegal immigration.

Private prison company CoreCivic  until late October known as Corrections Corporation of America  saw its stock price shoot up 36 percent the morning after Trumps victory. The company runs facilities in Eloy and Florence , which detains many undocumented immigrants. Another private prison company, GEO Group, saw its stock price rise 17 percent.

In Arizona, home to more than 300,000 undocumented immigrants, an AP exit poll on Nov. 8 showed that about 1 in 10 voters said immigration was the most pressing issue facing the country.

A majority rejected Trumps call to deport people who entered the country illegally and his proposal to build a border wall. Three-quarters of Arizona voters support a path to legal status for immigrants, the poll found.

Can he yank the U.S.

out

of NAFTA?

Trump took regular aim at a trade deal that bolsters Arizonas economy with about $30 billion in annual trade with Mexico.

He denounced the North American Free Trade Agreement as a disaster as he told voters from states where manufacturing had dried up that their jobs had been exported to Mexico. He said one of his first acts in office would be to renegotiate NAFTA and bring those jobs back to the United States.

The NAFTA treaty with Mexico and Canada was signed by President George Bush in 1992 and the implementing legislation was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Since then, U.S.-Mexico trade quintupled to about $500 billion annually as tariffs were virtually eliminated.

Trump called NAFTA the worst trade deal ever approved in this country. He said he would put a 35 percent tariff on imports by U.S. companies operating in Mexico, which could affect a broad swath of the Arizona economy.

The business community in Nogales adamantly opposes getting rid of NAFTA, said Bruce Bracker, a Nogales businessman and past chairman of the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority.

Arizonas economy is absolutely dependent on NAFTA, Bracker said, noting that 639,000 trucks drove through Nogales ports last year.

Area businesspeople are anxious about what Trump might do, and many hope that the bluster of his campaign will give way to a position thats a lot more moderate, Bracker said.

Trade with Mexico supports about 100,000 jobs in Arizona, and retailers depend on the roughly $8 million Mexican shoppers spend daily in Arizona.

The binational trade that goes through Nogales, as well as an increasing number of companies with offices in Arizona and Sonora, operates under NAFTA rules.

Every day, hundreds of trucks haul thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables from farms in Mexico through the commercial port of entry in Nogales. The same goes for industrial products made in assembly plants in Nogales, Sonora. Trains roll through Nogales daily carrying Ford sedans made at a plant in Hermosillo and tons of Mexican cement.

About 34,000 people work in more than 100 assembly plants just south of the border, churning out electronic appliances, aerospace parts, machinery and equipment, and other industrial goods.

The companies that own the assembly plants  maquiladoras, as they are known in Spanish  are based throughout the United States, including California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota and states that proved key in the 2016 election: Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa and Michigan.

Other companies are based or have offices in Nogales, Arizona, or in Rio Rico, Tucson, Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe. In Tucson, hundreds of companies export goods to Mexico or Canada under NAFTA rules.

Despite the broad powers a president has over trade, Trump likely will face opposition from Republican members of Congress who traditionally support free trade.

When the NAFTA vote went to the House it found support among 234 Republicans. Last year 190 Republicans voted to give President Obama fast-track authority to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Trump also might find himself consorting with an unlikely ally for a Republican president: labor unions who blame NAFTA for the loss of manufacturing jobs.
Faced with an out-of-control appointee, Gov. Doug Ducey is not operating at the speed of business.

You may recall that was the catch phrase Ducey used after taking office, that he would oversee a government that moves as fast as businesses do.

It seems this appointee, Department of Economic Security director Tim Jeffries, took Duceys phrasings to heart. He pioneered the use of same-day exits  firing someone seemingly as soon as the idea occurred  in state government. That was last year, and the terminations have piled up to nearly 500 even as Jeffries established a cult-leader style tolerating no apparent deviations from his party line.

But Ducey is doing his due diligence, awaiting a review of the activities of Jeffries before deciding what to do about him. Nothing rash.

The governor takes the management of state agencies very seriously, Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said. The governor has directed staff and the Arizona Department of Administration to review all of these issues, to take them very seriously and to report back to him.

In principle, this is a good thing. When Ducey says the government should operate at the speed of business, the implication is he means lightning fast. But best of all would be a government operating at the fastest speed possible while still making good decisions.

By now, the best decision of what to do about Jeffries should be obvious.

In 21 months leading DES, the states largest agency, Jeffries has not just purged hundreds of employees but has lambasted haters in the agency and created a do-not-hire list effectively barring fired employees from getting state jobs.

The purge has hit people across the state and from different levels of the organization, but seems to have disproportionately targeted managers, many of them older and at higher pay levels.

Its gotten so bad that Ducey took away Jeffries power to fire employees and put an Department of Administration employee in charge of personnel decisions. That was an important interim measure, but again methodical, not decisive.

Duceys deliberate response is nothing like what Jeffries offered those he fired. One victim of the purges was Tucsonan Peggy Feenan. She had worked 27 years and three months at DES and risen to the position of state administrator for the division of employment and rehabilitation services.

On March 4 she was called into an unexpected meeting. In Jeffries administration, everyone has come to know what that means: You were about to be fired. She didnt want to go but turned in a retirement letter. Thankfully for her, shed put in enough time.

The work environment was so toxic. Everyone was looking over their shoulders, especially management level, she said.

Jeffries took an evangelical approach to the job after he was hired in February 2015, whooping up the employees to build team spirit, highlighting his Catholic faith on the job and speaking in spiritual tones of the agencys mission of serving the poor.

He also encouraged employees to complain about problematic colleagues. Specifically, Feenan said, he encouraged the rank and file to complain about the managers.

I have a visceral loathing for bullies, Jeffries told DES employees during a videotaped 2015 meeting. Some of you have heard about the exit of bullies. If you know there are more out there, exit them.

Exit, in Jeffries parlance, can be a transitive verb that means fire.

The result was predictable: Employees reported not just poor-performing coworkers and managers but also those who were tough bosses who held them to account, Feenan said.

If you interpret accountability as bullying, then theres a mixed message going on there, Feenan told me. We didnt just fire people.

Get that? DES supervisors werent allowed to simply fire somebody. They would put them on a performance improvement plan but couldnt make drastic, life-altering decisions in a snap. Thats what Jeffries did.

Its changed lives and families, Feenan said. Many of the people who he let go were not in a position to retire or have medical coverage.

Among his other impulsive and ill-advised decisions as leader of the agency, he has highlighted his Catholic faith on the job. He sent out an agency-wide email in April, telling about his upcoming pilgrimage to Lourdes, France and saying hed take offerings for employees who wanted him to.

After some employees complained anonymously to the press about the religious nature of the email, he dashed off a new email in August, addressing part of it to the haters in the department. When queried about the email by the Phoenix New Times, he expressed no regrets at calling out his haters. That should have shown Ducey the man lacks the necessary judgment for the job.

But worst were the firings. At least one happened for political reasons. Emails obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times through a public records request showed a simple email requesting that the department not be so political in its mass-mailings led to a rapid exit.

On June 24, DES spokeswoman Tasya Peterson sent out an email to DES employees that said, Please see the breaking news about State Representative Cecilia Velasquez dropping out of her LD29 race as a result of her Arizona State Grand Jury Indictment.

Velasquez was a Democratic state legislator who had been indicted on welfare-fraud charges. Peterson had sent out previous emails about her case, and this one was passing on rumors published in the Yellow Sheet Report about her political future. A 22-year veteran employee, Andy Hall, responded.

This is purely politics. It has nothing to do with DES programs.

He was right, of course. Other emails obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times showed Jeffries was trying to get conservative news outlets to cover the Velasquez story  clearly, he was pushing his partisan interests. But Halls mild email didnt sit well with Peterson or Jeffries. The spokeswoman forwarded the exchange up the chain of command.

The directors response? He told the departments operations director, It is abundantly clear this colleague is not on The Team, and he is not particularly smart either. Move him out by next Friday.

Then he had the firing accelerated. Not even mild dissent is permitted in the cult called DES.

It gets worse. The Arizona Republic researched some of the firings and found that many of those fired had good performance reviews. The Republic also found the department created a do-not-hire list of some of the hundreds fired, effectively ending their chances at employment with any state agency. Jeffries denied such a list existed.

Many of these firings would not have been possible just five years ago, when state employees served under a merit system, which required a deliberate process that included appeals for firings. In 2012, the Legislature passed a law that bribed existing employees into giving up their protections  they got a 5 percent raise if they opted out. New employees were not offered merit protection.

Anyone who follows the news or has worked in a government job knows it can be ridiculously hard for a public agency to get rid of a bad employee. The reforms under then-Gov. Jan Brewer were not without reason.

But the merit system also existed for a reason. Such systems were created in part to stop newly elected administrations from wiping out civil-service employees and replacing them with their political supporters. The merit system protected employees from these politics and allowed expertise to stay in place.

Jeffries use of firings to build up his cult of personality shows why some protections are needed  not just to protect the employees, but also the taxpayers, from liability.

Wisely, Duceys administration has opened a hotline so that employees who were fired can appeal their treatment.

But again, Ducey is being too deliberate and almost hypocritical in his treatment of Jeffries. The man has shown hes temperamentally unfit to lead a government agency. If Ducey were operating at the speed of business he could have exited Jeffries months ago.
PHOENIX  If incoming state House Speaker J.D. Mesnard had his way, it likely would be Hillary Clinton preparing a transition today, not Donald Trump.

Its not that the Chandler Republican likes Clinton more than his own partys nominee, for whom he voted, its that Mesnard thinks that whoever wins the popular vote should be the president. And this year its Clinton.

This is more than just Mesnard ruminating. In fact, he pushed a measure through the House earlier this year with bipartisan support that would have Arizona join with other states to make it so. It was only because Senate President Andy Biggs  now headed to Congress  would not give it a hearing that the measure did not advance more.

Whether he might have better luck this year with fellow Chandler Republican Steve Yarbrough now in charge of the Senate remains an open question.

I know president-elect Yarbrough to be a thoughtful man, Mesnard said this weekend.

Mesnard stressed he is not proposing to scrap the Electoral College, where each state gets votes equivalent to the members of the House and Senate, with the winner needing at least half of the 538 votes. That would require a constitutional amendment.

Instead, Mesnard wants Arizona to enter into deals with other states. Once there are states on board with at least 270 electoral votes, each would legally require its electors to cast their votes for whomever wins the national popular votes, regardless of who won the tally in that state.

Put simply, had the system been in place this year, it would not matter that more Arizonans supported Trump than Clinton. Its electors would have had to vote for Clinton.

The idea is not as far-fetched as it sounds: National Popular Vote, the organization pushing the plan, reports lawmakers in 11 states with 165 electoral votes have already passed the measure.

Mesnards complaint with the current system is it can make Arizona irrelevant. Arizona did get a fair share of attention from both candidates this year as it appeared at one time that the state might actually be in play. But this year has proven the exception to what Mesnard has seen before.

What happens is we get ignored, Mesnard said in pushing the legislation earlier this year, with Arizona a flyover state as presidential hopefuls cater to voters in places like Ohio and Florida.

This year, for example, while Arizona did get 10 visits from presidential and vice presidential contenders, National Popular Vote says Ohio got 48, Pennsylvania got 54, North Carolina got 55 and Florida got 71.

Mesnard said its irrelevant that the change would sometimes benefit Democrats. He said future elections could just as easily go the other way. The point is whats good for Arizona.

That also was the assessment of political consultant Patrick Rosenstiel who testified earlier this year for Mesnards bill. He said in 2012, presidential candidates from both parties spent more than $175 million in Florida; in-state spending in Arizona was a paltry $40,350.

And Rosentiel said once a president is elected, the issues in those battleground states are likely to get more attention than those elsewhere. Mesnard said its not necessarily a foregone conclusion that Clinton would be headed to the White House had the popular-vote system been in place.

How many Republicans stayed home in California? he asked, knowing that the largely blue state was going to give its 55 electoral votes to Clinton. Perhaps if they had turned out, Trump might have won the popular vote.

The move has its detractors. Its a direct attack on our republic and will lead us down the path to what is known as direct democracy, that is, direct government ruled by the majority, often referred to as rob rule, Arizona Republican Robert Hathorne testified when Mesnards bill came up for debate earlier this year.

Former state Rep. Barbara Blewster urged lawmakers to preserve the electoral system so that residents of states voted for electors, people who were more learned on the issues of the day. Then those electors would go to Washington and decide who would make the best president.
The smoke you see rising from the Santa Catalina Mountains Monday, Nov. 14, means U.S. Forest Service crews have determined that conditions are right to safely burn brush, downed timber and small trees on Mount Bigelow.

Parts of Mount Bigelow, where an array of communications towers are visible from most parts of Tucson, have been deliberately lit ablaze before, as protective measures against the Aspen and Bullock fires in 2002 and 2003.

Mondays fire was planned, in part, to help restore what existed before those fires, removing the brushy plants and allowing ponderosa pine to re-establish, said Heidi Schewel, spokeswoman for the Coronado National Forest.

The 200-acre site is mostly surrounded by the paved Mount Lemmon Highway and dirt roads that lead to popular camping spots and the communication towers atop Mount Bigelow, which, at 8,540 feet, is the second-tallest peak in the Catalinas.

On the west side where there are no roads, fire crews will scratch out a handline down to bare soil and remove ladder fuels that could carry fire into the branches of larger trees, said Schewel.

Crews will burn out from those lines to establish a perimeter and allow the fire to burn hotter on the interior of the site.

A minimum of three fire engines and two 20-person crews will be available to extinguish any spot fires that occur, Schewel said.

Fire will be kept away from several areas, including a water tower, wooden culverts and a four-acre site where University of Arizona researchers have taken continuous measurements of plant mass, tree moisture, soil moisture, precipitation, temperature, humidity and other variables for eight years.

Greg Barron-Gafford, who manages the Critical Zone Observatory site, said the Forest Service has been super cooperative and interested in maintaining the scientific integrity of the site.

Barron-Gafford, a UA assistant professor of biogeography and ecosystem science, said he plans to be on the site Monday, just because were nervous.

In addition to heading off catastrophic fires, prescribed burns help restore forests to a more natural state, said Jim Malusa, a research scientist with the UA School of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Malusa has mapped vegetation on most of the Sky Island ranges managed by the Coronado National Forest, as part of a U.S. Forest Service plan to restore fire to its natural role on the landscape after more than 100 years of snuffing fires as quickly as possible.

The area being burned Monday used to burn at least once a decade, said Malusa.

A study by tree-ring researchers Tom Swetnam and Chris Baisan set the fire-return interval in the adjoining Rose Canyon and Palisades areas at 7.3 years between 1700 and 1900, he said.

Malusa said you can get a better picture of how ponderosa forests develop with regular fire in the adjacent Rincon Mountains, where fires have not been aggressively fought. The whole top of the Rincons is ponderosa grasslands, he said.

He said such natural forests have an appearance anyone would recognize  large mature trees and an understory that doesnt reach into the canopy.

Its a park-like area  a nice place to walk and dream and picnic.
OPINION: "Dickens' famous passage about an earlier fraught time captures this knife-edge moment: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us...'" writes Tucsonan Brent Harold.
Tree-ring researchers at the University of Arizona have helped date what they called the oldest tree in Europe  a 1,075-year-old Bosnian pine growing in the mountains of Greece.

To be precise, and to head off arguments with backers of a Welsh yew, a Portuguese olive tree and a Norway spruce, it is the oldest non-clonal European tree whose trunk has been cored and its rings counted and cross-dated.

It joins a Fitzroya in Chile, an Atlas cedar in Morocco, a Huon pine in Tasmania, a Siberian larch in Mongolia and the granddaddy of them all, a bristlecone pine in California, in the roster of ancients on each continent.

All seven continents have tree-ring stories to tell  even, weirdly enough, treeless Antarctica.

North America

North America, specifically the United States, has plenty of champion trees, including the oldest one on the globe  a bristlecone pine more than 5,000 years old.

It also boasts giant sequoias more than 3,000 years old, along with juniper, pine and cypress that have survived a millennium or two.

Most of those discoveries were made by researchers at the University of Arizonas Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, the birthplace of the science that uses tree rings to answer questions about sylvan chronology, global climate and even social and political history.

South America

The Andes of Chile and Argentina contain forests of ancient trees known as Fitzroya, also called Patagonian cypress or alerce in Spanish. It is the second-oldest tree species.

One dates back 3,645 years. Like most of the champions, Fitzroyas live at high altitude, where slow, steady growth seems to be their key to longevity.

Europe

The Bosnian pine dated by UA tree-ringers in 2016 is a relative child at 1,075 years, but it grows in a region where people have been felling trees for homes, ships and fuel for more than 5,000 years, said dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet.

Europe is also home to ancient groves of olive trees whose rings are uncountable; fabled, old trees whose fables cant be documented; and a Norway pine, part of a communal grove whose roots grew nine millennia ago but whose stem is a 100-year-old youngster.

Asia

Somewhere in Asia are trees that are certainly older than the record-holding Siberian larch, whose 750 rings were sampled and counted after it was discovered growing in Mongolia.

One well-documented tale is of a sacred fig in Sri Lanka, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, said to be a cutting of a sacred fig from the Indian state of Bihar under which Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, sat while achieving enlightenment.

Then there is a giant trunk of a cedar tree found washed up on a beach in Lebanon that dendrochronologist Ramzi Touchan carbon-dated at 6,000 years old.

Africa

Touchan also found and dated the African record-holders, also cedars. He found the oldest one in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It is 1,025 years old, and he is worried about it. It has been cored by scores of research teams and possibly weakened.

Australia/Oceania

A couple of contenders grow on islands off mainland Australia. A giant kauri tree in New Zealand has never been dated, but claims for it range from 1,250 to 2,500 years. It is a survivor of two waves of deforestation that hit the island when Polynesians and, later, Europeans, arrived.

The oldest documented tree on the continent is a 1,114-year-old Lagarostrobus franklinii, or Huon pine, on the Australian island state of Tasmania.

Antarctica

Nothing bigger than lichens or mosses grows in Antarctica, where four months of total darkness, ice sheets and sub-zero temperatures make it inhospitable to woody plants. But there were times during the Triassic and Permian periods, more than 250 million years ago, when forests grew along its coastline. Scientific explorers have discovered fossil stumps and trunks, their wood long ago silicified or replaced with minerals in water that flowed through.

A NASA/USC/LSU study in 2012 also found leaf wax from the middle Miocene epoch (15 to 20 million years ago) in sediment cores drilled beneath the Ross Ice Shelf.

Why North America?

There are a number of reasons why North America hosts the oldest trees on the globe.

Its deforestation did not begin until the 1700s. It is the birthplace of the science of dendrochronology, with the longest history of tree-ring investigations. It also hosts some long-lived species of trees.

The bristlecone pines of the White Mountains in California are, almost without doubt, the oldest trees in the world, and were discovered almost by accident by dendrochronologist Edmund Schulman in the 1950s, said Malcolm Hughes, a Regents professor at UA and former director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research.

Stunted by short growing seasons and twisted by wind, bristlecones grow at tree line or just below. They are unlikely looking champions. The largest of them do not reach 50 feet in height.

Trouet said the bristlecone has the right ingredients for longevity  slow growth, hard wood and an environment that is not attractive to insects.

Fast growth is not conducive to long life, she said, explaining why the list of big trees is not studded with denizens of tropical rain forests.

As Neil Young would say: They burn out rather than fade away, said Trouet.

The bristlecones easily last hundreds of years and sometimes thousands. Tree-ringers mine them to reconstruct past climate. They have combined cores of living trees  pencil-thin samples collected with boring tools  with information from dead trees, to create a climate chronology that spans 9,000 years.

The most famous bristlecone pine story concerns the late Donald R. Currey, who was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina when he cut down a bristlecone pine in 1964 on a peak in eastern Nevada to count its rings. The tree, called Prometheus, was found to be 4,862 years old. It was the oldest tree known to exist at the time.

Researchers from the UA Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research have discovered two older ones. The champion a 5,066-year-old tree, was core-sampled in 1957 by Schulman, who died in 1958. His sample sat, unexamined, in the archive at the UA tree-ring lab until researcher Tom Harlan, cross-dated the core just before his death in 2013.

Schulman, assistant to A.E. Douglass who established the science of dendrochronology, had turned his attention from giant sequoias, which grow at a fairly steady pace, to bristlecones. They were older and they grew in tough climates, producing a better record of wet and dry years in their rings.

That climate record is what Trouet and fellow researchers at the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research were doing in Greece this year when they took a core sample of the Bosnian pine they named Adonis.

The group is comparing climate records left by old trees in Scotland and Greece to correlate with changing patterns in the jet stream over Europe.

They werent looking for the oldest tree, but its always nice to find one, Trouet said.

Adonis had been cored by Swedish dendrochronologist Paul Krusic in 2013, but his sampling tool was only 24 inches long.

In 2016, the team returned with a coring tool a full meter long.

Trouet said Krusic got some pushback in Europe, particularly in Sweden, when the discovery was announced. Some Swedes argue that the oldest tree in Europe is a 9,558-year-old Norway spruce that grows in Sweden.

That tree, said Trouet, is a clone. Its root system may be thousands of years old but its stem would not have more than 100 or so rings.

Tree-ringers arent all that interested in clones  or in trees whose interiors rot as they age.

Thats why Trouet also dismisses the claim of a 4,000-year-old yew tree on the grounds of St. Digains Church in Llangernyw village, Wales. The center is hollowed and you cant simply extrapolate the age using the outer rings and a measurement of the trees radius.

Old trees grow slowly, she said. Younger rings are wider. Its a linear extrapolation of a nonlinear phenomenon  the tree may be old, but you cant prove it.

The same is true of olive trees which may be quite old, but elude measurement by tree rings.

Trouet also assumes that Asia has older trees than the 750-year-old Siberian larch.

There is, in fact, a historical record for a ficus or bohdi tree in Sri Lanka that is more than 2,000 years old, and there are sugi or Japanese cedars that are thought to be as old, though their interiors have also been hollowed by decay.

In Africa, a Namibian baobob tree called the Grootboom was considered the oldest tree on the continent until it died.

The new African oldie may be an Atlas cedar in the mountains of Morocco that was cored and cross-dated by Touchan of the UA tree-ring lab.

Touchan and a team have used the cedars of North Africa to reconstruct wet and dry years, finding that recent drought in the region is as bad as any in history.

Basically, the oldest trees are where the tree-ringers travel to document them.

To be fair, a lot more tree-ring research has been done in the western United States than in Asia, she said.

Dendrochronology is a science that began at the University of Arizona and concentrated, at first, in the western United States.

Douglass, the UAs first astronomy professor, was already investigating tree rings in an attempt to correlate them with a long historical record of sun spots when he came to the UA in 1906.

He quickly zeroed in on the giant sequoias that were harvested for wood before John Muir and a nascent conservation movement lobbied for their protection. Douglass collected cuts and slabs from logged trees and shipped them back to Tucson. His discoveries are still No. 2 and No. 3 on the list of oldest sequoias .

The oldest sequoia identification was done by Touchan and his UA colleague Hughes.

Tree-ringers dont purposely set out to break records, but there is a certain honor that goes with that, said Hughes.

Peter M. Brown, of Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research, keeps a list of the oldest documented trees, from which the record-holders in this story were identified. Brown doesnt expect the bristlecone pine to be unseated as the overall champion, but one never wants to say never.

Some trees elude measurement, he said. They dont reliably form rings or they hollow out as they age. On mainland Australia, there are 300 recognized species of eucalypts and not a single one of them works for dendrochronological purposes.

Brown hasnt followed all the historical claims and does not consider a record official unless it has been verified by coring or some other means, such as radiocarbon dating.

Hughes said he is always skeptical of historical claims. He was once asked to core and date an apple tree that grew at Woolsthorpe Manor, the childhood home of Sir Isaac Newton in England. It was suspected of being the same tree whose falling apple inspired Newtons gravitational theory.

The apple tree is there and its in almost exactly the same position as one in an almost contemporaneous woodcut, he said. But when Hughes investigated in 1978, he determined that the tree had begun its life in the early 20th century. Newton lived from 1643 to 1727.
Help India!

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

Srinagar: Philippines-based Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) headed won the Democracy and Human Rights Award for its efforts to resolve the problem of forced disappearances in Asia, even as its Chairman, Khurram Parvez, continues to languish in the jail for almost two months.

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The award was established by Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting democracy and human rights in 2006 to recognize individuals or organizations in Asia who have made significant contributions to promoting democracy through peaceful means.

According to a Taiwan based news channel Focus Taiwan Su Jia-Chyuan, chairman of the Foundation for Democracy announced the winner at a press conference on November 11.

He said, The AFAD has made indelible contributions in pushing states to address the rights of families of the disappeared and in seeking justice for the victims.

AFAD was chosen from a pool of 11 candidates by a rigorous two-stage reviewing process.

Founded in 1998 in Manila, AFAD facilitates searches for people who are abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organisation, and works to ensure the attainment of truth, justice, redress and the reconstruction of the collective memory of the missing.

This important recognition from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy comes at a very sensitive time for AFAD, as its Chairperson has been kept in arbitrary detention in Indian- administered Kashmir since September 16, 2016, said AFAD in a statement issued on its website.

enforced disappearances continue to be perpetrated to date in many Asian countries and families are still waiting for truth and justice to be done. AFAD itself and its leaders have been and continue to be persecuted to date.

Recipients of the award include Reporters Without Borders, Rescue Foundation of India, End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes International, as well as Kim Seong-min, founder and director of Free North Korea Radio.

The official award ceremony will take place in Taipei on December 10th, 2016, International Human Rights Day. The award, which consists of a plaque and a $100,000.00 funding from the Government of Taiwan, will be received by the AFAD Secretary General, Mary Aileen DiezBacalso, and the Chairperson of the Defence of Human Rights and AFAD Council Member, Amina Masood.

Related:

Kashmiri activist barred from travelling to attend UN Human rights session

Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez arrested

Disregarding court orders to set him free, Khurram again detained by Kupwara Police

Front Line Defenders urges India to immediately release Khurram Parvez
Help India!

By Imran Inamdar, TwoCircles.net

Solpaur (Maharashtra): In an attempt to bring out the role and contributions of the great Mysore king Tipu Sultan, Sarfaraz Shaikhs Marathi book Saltanat-E- Khudadad was unveiled on Saturday by eminent historian Ram Punyani.

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The launch was also attended by Maratha scholar Shrimant Kokate, Shaikh Subhan Ali, Advocate Shyam Kadam, Ram Gaikwad and Professor M.R Kamble, Sheikh Latif, Mujib Qazi and Sheikh Nizamuddin. The ceremony was organized at Rang bhavan, Solapur.

At the launch, Sheikh said that he had worked for nearly six years to write this 236 page-book. The 32-year-old referred to the works of Irfan Habib, Shiv Gajrani, Ishtiyaq Husain, Eijaz Husain, Jadunath Sarkar, P. Subramaniyam Shetty and others written in English, Marathi, urdu and Hindi. He also collected 450 letters written by Tipu Sultan and kept across different libraries of India. He said that politicians and other vested interests have tried to defame Tipu by saying he had demolished 8,000 temples, which is totally wrong.

He instead says that it is shown in historical records that Tipu had in fact donated land and money to nearly 156 temples. I openly challenge anyone who can prove that he had destroyed temples; I am ready to burn my book, he added.

During the conversation about Tipus contributions to the motherland, Shaikh added that Tipu was not only a great king but also a great scientist who invented missiles (Tagrak, rocket,launchers), he was also an agriculturist, scholar, industrialist, economist, biologist etc. In his regime he invented steam technology, founded bio research lab,started Plant nurseries by importing various plants from different countries, started interest-free loan schemes for farmers, started construction of a dam near Srirangapattnam in 1797 along with agro-based industries, Arms factories and trade companies. I have penned this book as a student of history my aim is to highlight the real contribution of the true patriot. I did not do this project as a Muslim. We should stop accepting any thing blindly and should go for research and study. Past of Indian Muslim rulers and other scholar is really commendable and praiseworthy, they too contributed their best on all fronts to their motherland and natives, the author said.

The book has been published by Advocate Gaziuddin Research Center, Solpaur.

In his keynote address, Ram Punyani addressed the gathering and said that there were several Indian rulers who fought against Britishers to free India, but Tipu sultan was the only king who was martyred at battlefield and sacrificed his life for his motherland. He further added that as far as history is concerned, demonization of Muslim rulers has happened on large scale. Some hypocrites have tried to tarnish the image of muslim rulers for their political purpose and Tipu is one such victim, he added.

Shaikh subhan ali, president of the Mahrashtra tipu sultan Brigade applauded this literary work and commented, Muslim are part of the Bahujan samaj of the this country and their contribution is equal to every other Indian. This book is a right attempt in this regard.

Firebrand Maratha scholar and president of the function shrimant Kokate said, I went through this book very keenly and found it really fruitful and based on historical evidences. I must congratulate Sarfaraz for his efforts. It should be translated in other languages to spread the real history of the great Tipu sultan all over India, he added.

The function received overwhelming response from Maratha, Dalit and Muslim activists of different NGOs. It was attended by nearly one thousand people. Advocate Mahboob Kotimbre, Sayed Sayem ,sayed wayez, Khalid Mansur and Faruq Shaikh were also present.
Theresa May has been Prime Minister (PM) of Great Britain for around four months now. So as the analysts will try to determine, how is she faring? It is clear that a lot of good has been done, but there are also criticisms of her tenure so far. As well delve further, we will try to ascertain which opinion is correct.

Uniting the party

Theresa May was appointed Prime Minister on the 13th July 2016, after the resignation of David Cameron. This was brought about as a result of the public's decision to leave the European Union; something that Cameron opposed.

As a result, May was installed as PM after winning 199 MP votes and the consequential leadership withdrawal by Andrea Leadsom. Overall, it is clear that since July, May has made a number of accomplishments. Firstly, she has managed to unite the Conservative party. The BBC stated that the fact that the party has rallied around her at such a time of "national uncertainty" is testament to the "respect" that is held towards her across the party. Her character has also been praised. The BBC noted that it is her "toughness" which has become her "political hallmark".

The cabinet

In addition, in an attempt to "reinforce the bond" between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, in July May met with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

As reported on wikipedia.org, May explained that she wished to "preserve this special union". Internally, May has also appointed new cabinet members. The Telegraph described this not only as "one of the most sweeping government reshuffles for decades" but also as "a brutal cull". However, despite such criticism, there are parts to be marveled at, most notably, the decisions made with Brexit in mind.

Although May supported to remain in the EU, the fact that the Leave group won had a major bearing on her Cabinet appointments. Key figures such as Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox (who all voted to leave) were all included, the BBC stated. According to the Guardian, "amid the most turbulent period in British politics", her rhetoric since day one as PM has been very good.

The call to "deliver Brexit", to heal the nation's divisions and to "build a better Britain" were all well received. With the nation needing "reassurance", many have claimed that May has delivered that.

Problems

However, despite such achievements, there have also been criticisms. One is that we have a leader leading the country out of Europe who did not originally support such a move. David Cameron resigned because of this, and irrespective of how many people she has around her advising her on such an issue, she did not support it. Furthermore, although May did include a few MPs in her Cabinet who voted to leave, the majority also appointed did not support such a move. This includes Philip Hammond, Michael Fallon and Amber Rudd.

How can a Cabinet be expected to act in such a way given that the majority do not believe in what they are being asked to do?

Finally, there is the democratic aspect. Theresa May was not appointed by the public; she was appointed by the party. That is a major risk in that it places too much power in an unelected official. Theresa May even responded to such claims, stating that, according to the BBC that there will be "no such election" to confirm her mandate. It is troubling in that she will be making critical decisions that may have a large impact on Britain itself, and she may not be the leader that the country actually wants.

Early doors

Overall, it must be said that it is early doors. Theresa May is only 113 days into her premiership and has already done a lot to calm the seas after Brexit.

She has acted efficiently in establishing the government that she wants. But she needs to act carefully going forward in maintaining the support of her party and the nation as a whole. These are difficult times for Britain. It is imperative that the right moves are taken, given what is at stake in this current political climate.












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Update from Arthur Smiths South African Endofari - AM Session Kapula Game Reserve, South Africa - After closing the 34th World Congress of Endourology and SWL in Cape Town South Africa, over a hundred of the worlds most distinguished Endourologists came together today to celebrate the Festschrift for Dr. Arthur Smith. A festschrift is a rare academic celebration of a distinguished academic career.

The festschrift is remarkable as it not only requires a distinguished and productive career, but is typically engendered by trainees who wish to celebrate their professor and contribute a manuscript to an issue of a major journal in his honor. Indeed, Dr. Smith has in every way earned this celebration having literally defined the field of endourology, and has trained and/or inspired many of todays contemporary leaders.



Dubbed the Endofari the two day meeting kicked off today at the Kapula game reserve, a pristine savanna of 150,000 square kilometers. After a three hour morning safari, the participants joined together to celebrate Dr. Smith with endourology presentations.



Hosted by Drs. Louis Kavoussi and David Hoenig from the Smith Institute of Urology, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, the morning session included twenty presentations on endourology related topics with safari related titles. Several morning presentations engendered lively discussion.



Dr. Clayman opened with Let the tribe decide  assessing manipulative skills of residency applicants. Dr. Clayman from the University of California, Irvine reported on the UC Irvine experience evaluating urology residency applicants. These medical students were videotaped performing a variety of technical surgical drills as part of their residency interview process. The videos were assessed using crowd sourcing and by expert reviewers. Four experts required twenty two days to review the videos, and over 3,000 crowd source workers evaluated the videos in less than four hours. Data clearly demonstrated that the expert and crowdsourced reviews were remarkably similar. Lively discussion included comments that training too many qualified surgeons could result in limited case distribution per surgeon. Other comments included possible pre-judging students who may excel in other aspects of urologic practice including cognitive function and creativity. Positive remarks included comments regarding how urology remains both cognitive and technical function and how this sort of assessment may become an important part of selecting residents in surgical fields in the future.



Dr. Evangelos Liatsikos from University of Patras, Greece challenged the commonly taught statement that access for percutaneous nephroloithotomy should be gained via a papilla. In this study entitled PCNL: Challenging the myth of the papilla puncture Dr. Liatsikos evaluated the blood supply around papilla using CT scans and suggested that there would be no difference in bleeding complications. Comments included Dr. Arthur Smith who stated that he was not certain if there was a difference, and Dr. Mahesh Desai stated that access was inferior when not gained in the traditional manner. Heated discussion made it clear that more data are needed.



In her presentation Ureteroscopic stone management: are we charmed by the snake, Dr. Margaret Pearl from the University of Texas, Southwestern noted that ureteroscopy is the most utilized modality for the management of upper tract stones. She reviewed contemporary ureteroscopy series and noted that stone-free outcomes are relatively poor when strict CT criteria are used. She and her team prospectively evaluated their ureteroscopy experience with complete fragment removal. Using CT criteria she treated 3.3 stones per patient with most stones being in the kidney. The average number of ureteroscope passes to remove stone fragments was 44, and despite these heroic efforts, the stone free rate was only 55%. She concluded that ureteroscopy results are disappointing, and that better stone management strategies are required. She also presented data from Northwestern showing that approximately 20% of patients with residual fragments in this setting require another intervention within 18 months. Additionally, she showed data that fragments greater than 2mm in size were most likely to place patients at risk for recurrence.



Dr. Stephen Nakada, Chairman and Service Chief of the Department of Urology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison presented, Quality of life studies in cystine stone formers. Dr. Nakada spoke on the importance of quality of life, particularly as it related to minimally invasive approaches, and how it has been an underutilized metric. Using the Wisconsin QOL survey he presented results from a prospective 2000 patient registry. Thirty five cystine stone patients from Dr. Nakadas practice were matched with non-cystine stone formers. Cystine stone formers had inferior QOL results in the majority of domains. He suggested that we need to develop better techniques to address the needs of cystine stone formers, especially given their young age of disease onset and the chronicity of this condition.



Written By: Jaime Landman Professor of Urology and Radiology Chairman, Department of Urology University of California, Irvine
The morning session of the endofari festschrift for Dr. Arthur Smith was remarkably full of outstanding academic presentations as well as touching stories regaling the audience with extraordinary stories of Dr. Arthur Smiths contributions and mentorship to individual leaders in endourology. While there was great science, there was also a bit of monkeying around.Dr. Robert Sweet opened the PM session with The advanced modular Manikin: training the next generation of the tribe. Dr. Sweet from the University of Washington emphasized how Dr. Smith has focused on training throughout his career, and that these efforts have been transformative to Urology, and that these efforts have influenced his current efforts in the development of training models. In his presentation Dr. Sweet presented a video which wowed the audience. Working with department of defense funding he created the advanced modular manikin, and phase one of this multiphase project has been completed. The existing manikin prototype has a modular platform which exchanges organ systems to suite the training needs. This is an open source platform which will allow each piece of the manikin to work with all the others. Individual components can work separately as well. The nature of the manikin was indeed Hollywood-like in its realistic nature. The physical manikin is correlated to a virtual model. An initial trauma model currently allows for an IV to be deployed with realistic feel, a functional pulse oximeter, realistic intubation and other interactive interventions that are connected to a physiology generator. Phase two of this project will be associated with a pelvic fracture model. Dr. Sweet emphasized that the current model crowdsources simulation development and will ultimately result in better training tools for Urologist.Dr. Marshall Stoller from the University of California, San Francisco came to the endofari to mix it up! He clearly wanted to stir up controversy and discussion with his presentation entitled Precursors to Randalls plaques. Dr. Stoller opened explaining how little we as a community know about the Randalls plaque. In 1994 Dr. Stoller and his team evaluated cadaveric specimens and demonstrated that there were long serpiginous calcifications going deep into the papilla. This stimulated his interest in looking deeper into the anatomy both literally and figuratively. Dr. Stoller and his team utilized high definition CT imaging to characterize the Randalls plaque as only the very distal component of a more proximal process that begins deep in the tubules. Using correlative microscopy the precise anatomy of the nephron can be better characterized and he has demonstrated that the initial insult resulting in the Randalls plaque is a vascular process. He hypothesized that there is intra-tubular obstruction of proximal tubule which results in change in the compliance and flow to the tip of the papilla. He suggested that we should better understand the concentration gradients and the pressure gradients in the nephron to improve our understanding of stone formation. Questions regarding papillectomy arose, but earlier work done by Dr. Stuart Wolf demonstrated that the procedure does not change stone disease in the longer-term.Dr. Gyan Pareek from the Miriam Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University presented, SWL can be saved! Fight the preditor. Starting with the comparison of apples and oranges, Dr. Pareek compared the efficacy and costs of SWL and ureteroscopy. He emphasized the minimally invasive nature of SWL and the fact that there was no need for the dreaded ureteral stent in the majority of cases. He presented cost data on SWL and demonstrated that it is more cost effective than ureteroscopy when you are successful 66% of the time or more. He then focused on techniques to improve SWL efficacy. With regards to lower pole stones, Dr. Pareek emphasized only doing SWL on stones smaller than 1cm. He also focused on the importance of lower Hounsfield units and a short (<10cm) skin-to-tumor distance. With regards to the actual technique he focused on ramping up of the shockwave power and slower rate which improve outcomes. His Triple D concept of lower density, small stone diameter and skin-to-stone distance were emphasized.Written by: Jaime Landman Professor of Urology and Radiology Chairman, Department of Urology University of California, Irvine
"Z Nation" is really a horse of a different color in comparison to all the other zombie venues offered up on TV today. Not only is "Z Nation" giving the viewers a look at post-apocalypse life, much like the other zombie-themed shows, but it adds humor along with some very original side plots.

10K takes a dip

As the A.V. Club suggests in a headline this week that "Z Nation" got its "gross groove back on," and they are right with that observation! We saw Murphy's Dr. Merch become zombie lunch in what looked to be a suicide attempt, but in the previews for this week, she's back.

Dr. Merch is banged up and bloody, but still with Murphy. The one person who did get away was 10K, as he opted to jump into that deep river with a water fall. The kid, as Doc calls him, found himself with zombies closing in from one side of a bridge while Murphy's bite-mark clan closed in from the other side! There was only one way left to go and that was down... into the violently churning water.

Pack of wolves stalk 10K

The Xfinity TV menu gives up a spoiler for this week's episode. When 10K vanished into the water, viewers weren't sure if he'd made it or not. That is the little cliffhanger fans were left with at the end of the episode. According to the Xfinity menu, this week 10K is alone and hurt and at the same time he is being stalked by a pack of wolves.

So it sounds as if he made it out of the water and "Z Nation" hasn't lost another regular...yet!

Murphy's kingdom of blends

Once Warren and her crew catch up to Murphy, it is going to be interesting to see how they reel him in. He is building a kingdom and he's already accrued a loyal following by biting them all. Apparently each time Murphy bites someone to turn them into a "Blend," it takes some of the strength out of him.

This is why he shut off those people waiting at the gate. All of those perfectly good humans wanting Murphy to take a bite out of them so they could join his kingdom spoke to Murphy's popularity in this new 'Z Nation' world.

Tooth pull gore!

Watching Addy get her tooth pulled with pliers by Dr. Sun Mei made your skin crawl. You could feel her pain!

Doc came through with the pain relief via his seemingly bottomless bottle of Oxycontin. With Addy feeling better and Warren over her shell-shock from the exploding zombie sent their way by the "red hands" they are on their way to find Murphy.

Love in bloom?

Does it look like love may bloom for Escorpion and Warren? He looked like he was going to crumble when Murphy was knocked out by the exploding zombie. Those bizarre zombies wrapped with dynamite is just one way humans are learning to use the walking dead for their needs. Who will win out, Murphy and his Blends or will Warren, Doc, Addie and Escorpion save the day with their doctor in tow? Can they reel in Murphy, or will a kingdom of Blends grow out of control?

Either way there is only one person who all sides are invested in keeping alive on this "Z Nation" journey. That is Murphy, as he is needed for his strange new powers and his death resistance against a zombie bite.
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Viet Nam NewsIn three years, the merry expats behind last weekends Quest Festival have built it into something improbable, a force bringing sleepover music festival culture to Viet Nam and infusing it with Vietnamese culture. They also throw quite a party. Max Marshall has the story.

It was barely 10am when Ngoc Le began to see expats in their costumes again. Ngoc was sitting at the Quest Festival headquarters tent, wearing her green volunteer t-shirt and watching the second day crowd. She looked out at a queue of Australians, Americans, Irishmen and South Africans in neon tights, tie-dye shirts, fuzzy jumpsuits and/or full body makeup, and then she grinned. I feel like Im living in another country, she told me.

Quest is held at the Son Tinh campsite, an hour west of central Ha Noi. To the uninitiated eye, though, it probably looks like another planet. From November 4-6, this years three-day retreat featured 70 DJs, 35 bands, dozens of New Age workshops, a film contest, swimming, an obstacle course, a costume contest, a few pyrotechnic displays and a small parade. For the 3,000 attendees, the diversions blended into something almost psychedelic.

But where many expats are familiar with this wild kind of spectacle, Quest is a foreign concept in its host country. Outdoor, sleepover music festivals are a multibillion dollar industry in Europe and the Anglo-speaking world; in fact, they play a more regular role in todays Western youth calendar than they ever did in the Woodstock era. But for Vietnamese attendees like Ngoc  a third year student at Thai Nguyen University  theres no precedent.

Revelers: Quest Fest provides a chance for expats to dress up, party down and hit a globally-minded dancefloor with Vietnamese music lovers. -- VNA/VNS Photos James Fehrnstrom

Quest started in 2014 when 250 free spirited Ha Noi expats threw a party in the forest. Since then, though, the nouveau-hippies and their festival have turned into something improbable: a sprawling, tightly organised force for bringing festival culture to Viet Nam and fusing Vietnamese culture into a festival.

Its a community festival, so for us our goal is just to create a platform for creativity and connectivity. Were posting everything in Vietnamese and really trying to reach out to the Vietnamese audience, and in addition we want to provide a platform for really good local underground acts, because that platform doesnt really exist here yet, Malcolm Duckett, one of the festival's directors, said.

When it began two years ago, Quest probably looked a lot like a Tay Ho bar plus tie dye and foliage: expats getting wild in the wilderness. But as its grown, the festivals ambition, scope and local commitment have transformed.

Vinh Nam, who attended the first Quest with a German friend, remembers being one of the only locals there. This year, he looked around the festival grounds and felt like celebrating. Its more organised, more Vietnamese, more diverse, but the same amazing vibe and the same crazy, he said.

The shift is no accident. Before anyone could enjoy the crazy, the organisers at Venture North Productions toiled to make the festival its most organised. The festival has yet to turn a profit, but Duckett, the other directors and their rotating team of expats and locals collaborated on everything from international music booking to implementing a new cashless wristband system to cleaning out shrubbery in order to make room for over 700 tents.

Were setting up a small city for the weekend. Throughout the year, were sitting at the computer, typing, reaching out to people, organizing and setting up systems. We have to bring in toilets and electricity, all the infrastructure, restaurants and food. But the resulting city is beautiful, very different. Its a visual feast, Duckett said.

Fields of green:Quest not only offered 70 DJs, 35 bands and countless cultural offerings, it also gave festival goers a chance to enjoy Ba Vi Mountain and ong Mo Lake.-- VNA/VNS Photo James Fehrnstrom

At the Quest site, you see Ba Vi Mountain above you, ong Mo Lake beside you, and a sensory overload of festival colours and lights everywhere else. At night, all at once, you can eat chicken kabobs on a dock by the lake, watch strobe lights and fire dancers in the distance, and hear Bulgarian tech house in your left ear and Japanese post-rock in your right. The festival brings these weird and beautiful global moments, but you can also see it begin to make good on its local commitment.

Im really thankful that Quest is doing something for my home country, even if Im not living here, Phuong Le, one half of Vietnamese-Swiss house duo ME & her, said. Four years, two years ago, there were not so many Vietnamese people at Quest. But now you see it more and more, and I can tell that they are very motivated, they want to experience, they want to learn. I can feel that spirit and hope that everything will grow and blossom.

This year, Quest themed its costume contest around the Vietnamese legend of Son Tinh, the god of Ba Vi Mountain, and Thuy Tinh, the god of the sea. It brought in more Vietnamese volunteers, advertised through Vietnamese language media and attracted more Vietnamese acts. But its biggest draw was word of mouth.

We find that Vietnamese people who do come are blown away, and then they go back and tell all their friends. And then they come next year, Duckett said.

Back at the HQ tent, Ngoc seemed to show that theory in action. If this small weekend city felt like a foreign country, then she was also starting to feel at home.

This is the first time Ive heard of this kind of festival, but it only took a moment on the dance floor to know I love it. Absolutely, yeah, Im going to come home and tell my friends about what I saw, she said.  VNS
Government rules out one-off cash splash to fight rising cost of living Australians will not receive government cheques to relieve rising cost of living as Labor rule out a cash splash amid growing fears interest rates will continue to surge.

Taronga launches full review after lions escape and one cub is tranquilised An enclosure at Taronga Zoo will undergo a "full review" after a "significant incident" where five lions escaped, with one of the cubs shot with a tranquillizer gun hours before visitors were set to arrive.

IS families may not return to Victoria until after state election Details surrounding the return of wives and children of former Islamic State fighters to Victoria remains unclear, with suggestions a second group reportedly unlikely arrive until after the state election due to complexities of the cases.

South Korean PM apologises to Australia following horror stampede South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has apologised to Australia following the devastating Itaewon crush which killed more than 150 people including one Australian with the government pledging equal support for both foreign and local victims.
Hawkeye to host

an open house

WATERLOO -- Hawkeye Community College will host an open house exploring apprenticeships Tuesday.

The event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Buchanan Hall 121, will explore successful apprenticeship programs and provide information about creating new ones, including available funding.

Featured presenters are Josh Billings, Level 4 HVAC apprentice employed by Independence Plumbing, Heating and Cooling; John Johnson, apprenticeship program workforce development specialist, IowaWorks Cedar Valley; Rachel Faust, apprentice sponsor, Rainsoft of Northeast Iowa; Rhonda Hall, business services representative, IowaWorks Cedar Valley; and Jerry Orr, Hawkeyes trade and industry coordinator.

There is no cost to attend and a free lunch is provided. RSVP at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/go/explore-apprenticeships or by calling 296-4223. Hawkeye is at 1501 E. Orange Road.

Business Jelly

features speaker

JESUP -- The next Business Jelly will be 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Jesup Public Library Community Room, featuring Pat McIntosh of The Farmer's Wife.

A Jelly is a casual coworking event where entrepreneurs, freelancers, home workers and people running businesses meet in order to get out of their normal work space. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops and spend the morning working and networking outside their office and networking with other business professionals.

There will be free refreshments and wi-fi. McIntosh is the owner of a startup flower business in Jesup. At 11:30 a.m., she will discuss the decision process she followed to establish The Farmers Wife.

For more information, contact George Lake 334-7497, director@growbuchanan.com or Jesup Library Director Cindy Lellig, 827-4533.

Grundy hospital

receives award

GRUNDY CENTER  The Grundy County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is among the best in the nation for patient experience based on patient surveys compiled by the national health care consulting firm, Press Ganey.

The hospital received the 2016 Guardian of Excellence Award for ranking in the top 5 percent of more than 1,800 emergency departments nationwide. This marks the eighth year in a row the hospital has been recognized for consistently high levels of excellence.

GCMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital located in Grundy Center, serving Grundy County and portions of Butler, Hardin and Tama counties. The hospital is affiliated with UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, Waterloo.

Cancer Center

has open house

WATERLOO -- The UnityPoint Health Waterloo-Community Cancer Center is celebrating with a public open house and ribbon cutting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to tour the center, meet the care team and learn about the latest cancer treatments available.

The center is located at 3530 W. Fourth St., Waterloo.

Providers include Anusha Reddy Madadi, M.D., Wael Ghalayini, M.D., and Julie Gleason, ARNP.

For more information, call 233-2701 or go to www.unitypoint.org/waterloo.

Fall crop event

held in Tripoli

TRIPOLI -- Farmers and area agricultural industry members are invited to the free annual 2016 Fall Crop and Conservation Roundup from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Bremer County Iowa State University and Outreach office in Tripoli.

Topics and speakers will be covering results on grain crop production plus soil and water conservation efforts. Steve and Mark Mummelthei of Waverly will share the results from 82 corn and soybean varieties at the large Bremer Corn and Soybean test plot located along U.S. Highway 63, north of Tripoli.

Franklin council

elects 5 people

HAMPTON -- Five Franklin County residents were elected to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Franklin County Council in the Nov. 8 election.

They are Joseph DeVries, rural Sheffield; Elizabeth Carr, Hampton; Mercedes Guerrero, Hampton; and David Schoning, rural Sheffield. Sarah DeBour of rural Latimer is a member of the county extension council and was re-elected to a new four-year term.
WATERLOO  UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital officials and developer Ben Stroh are embarking on a project they say will provide the hospital some needed elbow room and generate spinoff commercial development that will revitalize the east side of Waterloo.

The project is Strohs North Crossing at the old Logan Plaza site.

I really think this story is about Ben and the commitment hes making, UnityPoint-Allen President Pam Delagardelle said. Hes purchased the property and been willing to work with us, after the plaza area was more or less stagnant for decades.

The plan, partially unveiled before the Waterloo Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission recently, calls for the construction of three medical buildings in the former Logan Plaza area, now dubbed North Crossing, at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 63 and Donald Street.

Two of the buildings, a 23,000-square-foot primary care medical clinic and a 10,260-square-foot building partially occupied by an urgent care clinic, would be completed in 2017, Stroh said. A future 35,000-square-foot building north of the medical clinic would house as-yet-undetermined ambulatory care services, Delagardelle said.

Delegardelle said the 23,000-squar-foot building would be UnityPoint Clinic, which is now currently within the hospital southwest of Donald and Highway 63. Also, she said patients currently both urgent care and emergency room recently go in the same entrance at the hospital, and urgent care patients who are sick should be separate from emergency room patients who may be coming in with traumatic injuries or more grave conditions.

Our plan is to decompress the campus here at the hospital, and spread it out, Delagardelle said. People have to pull up to our front parking lot and go five floors up or halfway across the hospital. We really wanted more of a retail approach to those ambulatory services to make it easier for our patients and their families to access the kind of services they need.

Also, she said, We have a lot of people accessing our emergency department who do not need emergency-level care. Getting an urgent care very close to our emergency department is a very high priority to us. It seemed to make the most sense to do that across the street, at the old Logan Plaza area, but they were never previously able to come to terms with prior property owners, out of town.

Thats when former Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark and Noel Anderson, the citys community planning and development director, approached Stroh, Delagardelle said. Current Mayor Quentin Hart, a former multi-term City Council member and Clarks mayor pro tem, followed through after taking the reins at City Hall in January.

Related medical or professional offices could spring up around those buildings, Delagardelle and Stroh suggested. Some traffic-generating commercial development would be located at the Donald/Highway 63 corner of the property, they said, and an upscale hotel  suited for patient families with extended stays or visiting families of professionals at UnityPoint  would be located east of the commercial development set back off 63 and at what was the south end of the old Logan Plaza strip mall.

Deleardelle said the hospital wants to have a working relationship with the hotel, and Stroh said hes looking at similar hospital-hotel developments for more information.

The entire 70-acre North Crossing site includes not just the old Logan Plaza area but land to the north, which was once considered as a possible location for a Menards building supply and housewares store. Stroh said hed like to see some kind of big box retailer on that property north of the mall.

Stroh noted the demolition work underway at the mall site is already generating curiosity  and interest from representatives of prospective tenants. Stroh noted hes had to do very little marketing to promote the project along U.S. Highway 63, which will be reconditioned in coming years.

Stroh similarly revitalized a strip mall development near Crossroads Center where a Kmart store once was located in the mid-1970s. It has seen new or relocated restaurants convenience stores and other businesses.

Delagardelle said shes confident as the old Logan Plaza project gets more attention, more business prospects will surface. Stroh hopes to be able to announce some initial commercial tenants in the old plaza area in a few weeks.

Stroh admitted he initially hesitated to involve himself with the project and kept city officials at bay with their overtures. I really didnt see the potential until Pam enlightened me on what could happen. And the rest is history in the making, I guess.

His success near Crossroads also boosted his confidence.

Im just excited to have such a nice transformation, Stroh said of the current project. A year from now its going to be unrecognizable. I wish I could just go to sleep for a year and wake up and see all the progress. Its going to look really nice.

Delagardelle noted theres significant advantages in working a local developer like Stroh, who grew up on the east side of town.

The city is providing $8 million in taxpayer-funded grants through its tax-increment financing district to the project in addition to future tax rebates.

In return, North Crossing bought and tore down Logan Plaza, bought property to the north for the city to develop and promises to construct at least $9.5 million in taxable medical offices and retail projects over the next three years.

The urgent care clinic must have a value of at least $1.5 million and be completed by the end of June. The 23,000-square-foot primary care clinic must have a value of at least $4.5 million and be finished by the end of October

The development agreement also calls for construction of a $2 million convenience store, retail building or clinic by the end of 2018 and a $1 million restaurant, retail or medical facility by the end of 2019.

Stroh praised city officials for their support. They want to see this done. Its impressive, the commitment they had to see this thing through. Its going to be great, and its going to pay off for the city in the long run.
DENVER  Faythe Stone-Brocka is uncorking a passion for Napa Valley wines from her Cedar Valley home.

The rural Denver entrepreneur markets her own cru9 WoMan line of pinot noir, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon wines in Iowa after having them grown, vinted and bottled to her taste in northern Californias Napa and Russian River valleys.

Stone-Brocka said the virtual winery allows her to maintain her Northeast Iowa roots and pursue her dream without sacrificing the products quality.

All the grapes are from California and production takes place in California, she said. Otherwise I would not be able to put Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on my bottles.

The business model is a growing trend, with industry magazine Wine & Vines noting virtual varieties now account for roughly one-fifth of the countrys 8,700 overall wineries.

Stone-Brocka provides input like her preferred toast on the French oak wine barrels and travels to California to check on the product and meet with friends and colleagues who make and bottle the wine.

I cant sell something Im not excited about and I dont want to drink myself, she said. If its not the crop that I want out of the vineyard then its just not going to go in a bottle, period.

Her son, Harry, runs the distributorship that brings the wine to Iowa while her husband, Mike, an engineer at Modus in Waterloo, holds the Iowa retail license.

While separating the manufacturing, distribution and retail businesses among three family members is driven by Iowa alcohol laws, Stone-Brocka notes the idea of family runs deep through cru9 WoMan.

The first wines were a tribute to my mom and her family, she said. The 2014 Marion Pinot Noir is named after Stone-Brockas mother while the 2014 Cole Sisters Chardonnay is named for her mother and three aunts.

The business also is helping families in trouble by donating a percentage of profits to House of Hope in Waterloo and Rubys Place in Hayward, Calif., both nonprofit agencies focused on helping homeless mothers with kids.

Theyre doing amazing things for people, she said. Any business that has a product sitting on a shelf has a really unique opportunity to put a message across and help somebody.

Stone-Brocka has an accounting degree and started a landscape contracting company. But her journey into the wine business started on a 2012 trip to California where she met friend and mentor Bob Roux, who provided the encouragement, connections and technical expertise.

While her education on the business side of running a winery remains a work in progress, Stone-Brockas enthusiasm for her product appears deeply ingrained.

Its nostalgic, she said. Wine is about the people, the place and the time youre having, about the conversation that youre having in that moment. Thats what makes your wine. You remember that.

Montage in Cedar Falls was the first local restaurant to put cru9 WoMan wines on its menu, and Happys Wine & Spirits is currently selling the 2014 pinot noir and 2014 chardonnay. A 2014 cabernet sauvignon and 2015 pinot noir are almost ready for release.

Wine also can be ordered through www.cru9woman.com.

Meanwhile, Stone-Brocka said her husband is preparing to open a tasting room soon in downtown Waterloo. The business, Legs, will sell and serve cru9 WoMan and other wines from a location in the 200 block of East Fourth Street.

Stone-Brocka had some of her retired, empty wine barrels hauled back to Iowa. While she said the barrels may be used to decorate the tasting room, she likes the idea of having them around for sentimental reasons.

For some people these are junk, but for me theyre special, she said. Theyre stained with my wine.
ISIS attack kills 50 at Pakistan shrine

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP)  The death toll from a bomb blast at a Sufi shrine in southwest Pakistan Saturday has risen to 50 people with more than 100 wounded, officials said.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.

The blast targeted worshippers as they were in the throes of their devotional dhamal dance, and the courtyard at the time was packed with families, women and children.

Clinton: Comey killed campaign

NEW YORK (WP)  Hillary Clinton blamed the renewed FBI inquiry into her State Department email system for blunting her momentum in the presidential election and the closure of that inquiry two days before Election Day for energizing voters for Donald Trump.

There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful, Clinton told top donors on a conference call Saturday.

But our analysis is that (FBI Director James B.) Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum.

The surprise announcement of a revival of the shuttered FBI inquiry came at a time when the campaign was riding high. Trumps performance in the Oct. 19 debate had been widely panned as Clinton was doing well in battleground state polls.

The news the probe had again been closed the Sunday before the election angered Trump voters and caused a spike in turnout, while Clintons projected turnout fell, she said.

Alaska officer

shot in ambush

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  An officer was shot multiple times in what police officials described as an ambush.

The attack happened early Saturday morning. The man suspected of shooting the officer was killed, and the officer is expected to survive.

The officer was responding to reports that a theft suspect was on foot and was pulling over his cruiser over when a man with a gun started firing. Police said the officer got out of his vehicle, and the shooter continued to fire as the officer was on the ground.

Another officer responded and returned fire at the shooter.

Mass grave points to ISIS horrors

HAMAM AL-ALIL, Iraq (AP)  For months, Islamic State group fighters drove thousands of civilians on forced marches across the Nineveh desert into the small town of Hamam al-Alil. Retreating ahead of methodical Iraqi advances on Mosuls southern approach, IS fighters converged here, rounding up men, women and children for use as human shields and killing dozens of others.

When Iraqi forces began to close in on this cluster of villages along the Tigris River valley, most of the militants fled into Mosul, taking thousands of civilians with them. But before the retreat, IS fighters also led hundreds to a garbage dump past an old IS training camp and shot them dead, leaving the bodies among the piles of trash.

A week after Hamam al-Alil was retaken from IS, and days after a delegation from the central government in Baghdad visited the site, about a dozen bodies remain strewn among piles of garbage on the western edge of the town. The bodies that remained were the ones family members were unable to identify. Some had been decapitated, others had hands and feet bound. Iraqi officials at the scene said the men were killed for alleged spying in aid of the operation to retake Mosul.
CEDAR FALLS  For the second consecutive year, Michele Maring Miller was invited to create the signature artwork for the Festival of Trees, beginning today through Nov. 20. Admittedly, it can be a challenge to create a holiday painting with universal appeal, but Miller had no such worries with this years theme, A Christmas to Remember.

I chose my own children playing at our cabin. Its based on a memory. We always celebrated after Christmas because nobody wanted to quit. Wed pack a present for each person, pack the leftovers, candies and goodies and went into the woods to finish out the holiday.

The children would find a tree, and wed make decorations. There were great sledding hills when it snowed. The sled is red  it was my dads. The festival people said remember, and I remembered, the artist said, laughing.

Miller captured the watercolor memory in every glistening, nostalgic detail. As always, shes tucked a few bright cardinals into the trees and bushes. They always seem so cheery, and I love that red against the snow.

Cardinals are a signature symbol in many of her paintings.

A former art teacher at Waterloo West High School, Miller works in her studio and gallery in the 1871 sandstone Old West Amana Church. She lives in the attached parsonage with her husband, David, and several years ago, they purchased an old washhouse near the Ox Yoke Inn and restored it as a second gallery.

She is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and sells her work at numerous other galleries. Her work also is featured in public and private collections. Miller enjoys donating her work to worthy events like Festival of Trees. I was gifted with this ability, and to me, this justifies my talent by giving it back to the community, the artist explains.

A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, she taught watercolor for 22 years. Although she retired in 2003, the artist appears to be working harder than ever.

I paint 200 to 300 paintings each year. Its amazing and its a little nuts, but its also fresh and exciting for me. My favorite medium is watercolor, but Ive been doing a good number of oils. I usually save those for winter because the paint takes longer to dry.

At last count, she has 20 or more sketchbooks going at all times and devotes at least 15 minutes each day to drawing. Her van is a rolling studio as she travels through Iowas rural landscape, with an eagle eye out for a scene worthy of painting.

The steering wheel is my easel, and the console holds my palette. Then all I need is music and my coffee, she says, laughing.

She sets a demanding pace for herself, but Miller confesses that it doesnt seem like work, not to mention that she sells out of her paintings each year. Her work is priced affordably because she wants to encourage people to buy and enjoy original fine art.

And I have so many other ideas I want to get going, that I need the space!

She adds, Its been a great life. My husband is retired, too, and we dream about slowing down, and we talk about making it stick, but were just too busy to stop.
WATERLOO  Waterloo Police on Sunday identified the woman shot in the head and killed while she sat in a car late Friday.

Talasa Wright, 19, died early Saturday at University Hospitals in Iowa City. No arrests have yet been made.

Residents called 911 shortly after 11 p.m. Friday after hearing shots in the area of near the intersection of Linn and Gable streets. Police are asking for the publics help in identifying the shooter. Contact the Waterloo Police Department (291-4340) or Cedar Valley Crimestoppers (855-300-8477).

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward. Police said Wright and two others were inside a silver Chevrolet Impala when she was shot. No other injuries were reported. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Iowa City.

It was the third homicide this year and the latest in a string of shootings. Otavious Brown, 21, was shot and killed while standing outside in the 800 block of Logan Avenue on July 17.

Four people have been charged in his death. Then on Oct. 26, 35-year-old William Frazier Barnes Jr. was shot in the leg while driving in the area of Willow and Beech streets. No arrests have been made in that case. A week later, on Nov. 1, Darrell Deshay Lanier, 22, was shot in the area of Rhey and Franklin streets as he was walking home.

He died in the hospital several days later. No arrests have been made. This article was updated Nov. 13 to correct the spelling of Talasa Wrights name.
CEDAR FALLS  The University of Northern Iowa presidential search committee has narrowed its list of finalists to four.

The committee met at a hotel outside of Minneapolis for three days to interview six semi-finalists they identified last month. They conducted interviews Friday and Saturday after deciding the questions to askThursday.

I can feel the excitement about the opportunity on the part of all of you to meet our semi-finalists today and tomorrow, said Jim McCormick of the committees consulting firm AGB Search as interviews were set to begin Friday.

The committee interviewed three candidates each day and advanced two candidates from each day. Each candidate will be named 24 hours in advance of a campus visit.

The first candidate is scheduled to arrive on campus Nov. 28 with most events Nov. 29. The second candidate will arrive a day later, the third candidate a day after that, and the fourth candidate would arrive Dec. 1.

Each finalist will have more than 12 hours worth of events meeting faculty, staff, student leadership groups and attending an open forum. The forums will include a candidate presentation, questions from campus leaders and questions from the audience.
WATERLOO  The Board of Education Monday will consider seeking state permission to allocate $46,338 in special education funds for 2017-18 administrative costs at River Hills School.

The board meets at 6 p.m. in the Education Service Center, 1516 Washington St.

Waterloo Community Schools is one of 30 districts that use River Hills, which is operated by Area Education Agency 267. The special education school serves students with moderate, severe and profound developmental disabilities.

Administrative costs contributed by each district are determined by the number of their students. Waterloo has the largest portion of students from a single district attending the school. Currently, that includes 31 of 105 students.

The school administrators salary is $134,631, according to a board memo. With Social Security and Iowa Public Employees Retirement System contributions, total compensation rises to $156,953.

If the board approves the application, it will be collectively presented along with other districts that use River Hills to the states School Budget Review Committee. Committee approval would allow for use of the money.
DES MOINES  For nearly two years, political experts in Iowa watched closely as the candidates barnstormed the state.

What did those experts, the people who have followed and analyzed the 2016 elections perhaps more closely than anyone else in Iowa, think when the results came in Tuesday night with a wave of Republican victories from Donald Trump at the top of the ticket to legislative races for the Iowa Capitol?

We asked them.

Here is what Iowa political experts had to say when we asked what stood out to them most about the 2016 election results.

Dennis Goldford of Drake University, who has written a book on the Iowa caucuses, said he was struck by Iowa Republican leaders' united support for Trump, even when Trump was criticized by many, even within the party, over things he said on the campaign trail.

The Republican establishment, led by Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. (Kim) Reynolds, and Sen. (Joni) Ernst, wrapped itself tightly around the Trump candidacy, Goldford said.

Goldford also noted Republicans seizing control of both chambers in the Legislature and the governors office, and the deep hole into which the Iowa Democratic Party has fallen.

Goldford said Democrats once again could not mount a competitive challenge for longtime U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley. He was taken by the amount of outside money poured into the 3rd District Congressional race to support Republican incumbent Rep. David Young against Democratic challenger Jim Mowrer. The Republican Party and a pro-Republican group both spent $1.8 million to defeat Mowrer, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Chris Larimer of the University of Northern Iowa said he was surprised by how dramatically the state swung for Trump after going twice to Democratic President Barack Obama.

In 2012, Obama won Iowa by 5.8 percentage points; last week, Trump won the state by 9.4 points. Thats a 15.2-point swing from one presidential election to the next.

Larimer said he also was surprised by how few counties Clinton won in Iowa: six of 99, including Black Hawk County.

And she probably won the six easiest to win, Larimer said, adding that the normal Democratic stronghold Dubuque County didnt even go for Clinton. The county voted for a Republican for president for the first time since incumbent President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.

For Steffen Schmidt of Iowa State University, drawing something that stood out to him Tuesday night was easy.

The collapse of the Democratic Party. Period, Schmidt said. The GOP just had to have a pulse and would win.

Schmidt also said because the Iowa Democratic Party was a de facto arm of the Clinton campaign, that hurt Democrats elsewhere on the ballot.

Robin Johnson of Monmouth College said he found turnout figures in Iowa interesting. He said Clinton struggled in counties with white, working-class, old-factory towns, including Dubuque.

The point is, the outcome played to the narrative that white, working-class counties made the biggest difference, Johnson said.

Brad Best of Buena Vista University said he also marveled at how Trump was able to flip Iowa, which had gone for the Democratic presidential candidate in six of the past seven presidential elections since President Reagan's re-election in 1984. Only President George W. Bush interrupted that string, defeating Sen. John Kerry in 2004.

He also noted how Trump flipped rural counties in eastern, northeast and central Iowa.

Best also said turnout was noteworthy.

The bottom line is that between 2012 and 2016, more than 150,000 Obama supporters migrated to another candidate or decided not to fill out a ballot in the presidential race, Best said. When lined up against the nearly 71,000 votes Trump added to Mitt Romneys total in 2012, Hillary Clinton faced long odds in Iowa.
CEDAR FALLS  Things couldnt have gone better Tuesday night for University of Northern Iowa student Regan Stevens.

In her first time voting for president, the 19-year-old Dubuque native watched her preferred candidate, President-elect Donald Trump, win nationally and in Iowa.

Stevens saw her hard work as a volunteer and as a turf organizer  working 30 hours a week for the last three months to elect Republicans  pay off.

I just really feel like this is my Reagan moment,  said Stevens.

She was named after President Ronald Reagan because of the patriotic feeling her parents had for the 40th president. I am ecstatic.

She added, So, hopefully, this is just a huge movement for our country, because he (Reagan) obviously went down in history as one of the best presidents ever.

1980 again

In Iowa, it seems much like 1980 all over again. Republicans saw gains, some of them massive shifts, in Tuesdays election.

When the final vote is counted, Trump seems likely to beat Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in Iowa by nearly 10 percentage points and more than 146,000 votes. Clinton won just six of Iowas 99 counties, grabbing

urban population centers like Black Hawk County.

That sort of margins havent been seen in Iowa since Reagans 12-point win in 1980 when he took all but four urban counties.

The margins didnt just elect Trump: three of Iowas four members of Congress remain Republican, as will its two senators. The Iowa House increased its Republican majority, and the Iowa Senate has a Republican majority for the first time in years.

Of course, we are very excited by Iowas role in electing Donald Trump to be our next president, and we are also sending (U.S. Sen.) Chuck Grassley and (U.S. Rep.) Rod Blum back to Washington, Greg Tagtow, of the Black Hawk County Republicans, said in a post-election Facebook message. All in all, an amazing night.

Swing state will?

In Northeast Iowas 1st Congressional District, many who supported Democratic President Barack Obama in his re-election bid in 2012 and voted for Trump on Tuesday.

Republican Mitt Romney won just three of 20 counties in the 1st District in 2012. This year, just two of the 20 counties went for Clinton. That means 15 counties that voted Obama in 2012 and went for Trump in 2016.

Trumps margins in some counties were greater than Obamas 2008 victory.

Even in Black Hawk County, which Clinton won, her total was lower than Obamas 2012 margin by about 9 points.

County Democrats message following the election was one of reflection and heartbreak.

It will take some time to process; it is discouraging and too simplistic to say that fear, hate and desperation ruled the day, read a message on the Black Hawk County Democrats Facebook page.

Though things seem bleak for Democrats, experts say Iowa remains a swing state. This time, it just swung toward Republicans.

One data point does not make a trend, said Donna Hoffman, University of Northern Iowa political science department head. We remain a competitive state. Should the next election and the even next election continue this kind of a trend, then maybe we have something there. But this is an unusual election that simply confirms that Iowa is up for grabs.

Hoffman said Iowas demographics may have played a role in the shift to Trump. His strongest support came from older, whiter and less-educated Americans, of which Iowa has a significant number.

Her colleague Justin Holmes agreed.

Theres something in the air right now, and I think to the degree that this is a fairly temporary phenomenon ... as frankly were the two Obama victories, Holmes said. I have a feeling we are sort of a national bellwether.

Holmes predicted the state swings in a slightly more Democratic direction in the future.

Red wave?

There was an Iowa swing toward Republicans, but Hoffman said that wave was missing nationally. Tuesdays results were surprising, not just because of the outcome but also because some of the down-ballot implications.

This did not make us a red country. It made us a divided country, Hoffman said.

The national picture is complicated. While Trump won the electoral vote, Clinton will win the popular vote by as many 2 million votes and more than 1.5 percentage points, according to the New York Times and other analyses.

The winning presidential ticket usually has coattails to add to the partys base in Congress. That didnt happen this time, Hoffman said.

Republicans will still control both the U.S. House and Senate, but by slimmer margins. Republicans are expected to lose two Senate seats and six House seats.

Whats next

There are more post-mortems to come, especially since so few polls correctly predicted Trumps win and his relatively large electoral margins. He could win as many as 306 electoral votes, where 270 are needed to win.

Democrats are looking at why things turned out the way they did. Republicans will do the same.

It looks like  Hillary Clinton underperformed Barack Obamas success in 12 and Trump outperformed Romneys success, and that was the ballgame, Hoffman said. She added the caveat that results are still pouring in and political scientists are still analyzing the results.

Stevens, meanwhile, is turning her attention back to school work. But shell continue working with the UNI College Republicans to reduce the stigma of being a Republican. And shes still celebrating the incoming Trump presidency.

Though she was hopeful, Stevens saw the same polls as others did and heard the media often dismiss Trump. Now that Trump has won, she makes the same plea Trump and the outgoing Obama did; she hopes to see the country unify.

I think people had such a bad idea of him, so if he can go out there and do what he said hes going to do and really help everybody and just prove everybody wrong, that will be enough for me, Stevens said.
Local authors release book

CEDAR FALLS  Eight Cedar Valley writers joined together to publish Exs, a collection of fiction and poetry.

The release of the book will be celebrated with a party and reading at 7 p.m. Monday at Octopus on College Hill.

The book is available for the Kindle Reader and in a limited edition print version by Final Thursday Press.

The collection brings together a group of regular contributors to the open mic events at the Final Thursday Reading Series, a monthly creative writing forum at the Hearst Center for the Arts.

Contributors are Adam Bolts, Hannah Carr-Murphy, Cody Chesmore, Michael Jackson, Travis Landhuis, Aaron McNally, Jim OLoughlin and Nick Roos.

Magistrate to be appointed Dec. 9

WATERLOO  The Black Hawk County judicial magistrate appointing commission will meet at 9 a.m. Dec. 9 at the county courthouse to appoint a magistrate.

The appointment is for a term from Jan. 2 to July 31. Applicants should be present for interviews.

The magistrate must be a resident of Black Hawk County or of a county contiguous to Black Hawk County, under age 72 and an attorney licensed to practice law in Iowa.

Application forms are available from the office of the Clerk of District Court from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The completed application form, with letter of interest and resume of qualifications, should be returned to the Clerk of District by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

Current salary is $39,438.00 per year.

The magistrate will work in other counties of the district when necessary, as assigned by the chief judge. He or she may be required to handle mental commitment hearings.

The person appointed will attend the annual school of instruction for magistrates.
Fifty or more years ago, that was never the case on the southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth. In fact, if we were half-done with harvest on Election Day, we were very lucky. Done by Election Day? No one we knew was ever that lucky.

Back then, in the 1960s, Election Day was like a Sunday. My mother, a poll judge, would put on a church dress to earn, maybe, $10 over the 13- or 14-hour day. (The polling place, in fact, was a church.) And like Sunday, work stopped long enough for you to do your sacred duty. Moreover, in Illinois then, when the polls were open the taverns were closed.

That was a minor distraction to a local deputy who was the Democratic precinct boss as well as the owner of a well-known local watering hole. Officially, it was always closed on Election Day; unofficially, its back door was always open to anyone who voted right.

Not surprisingly, most everyone, either out of blind loyalty or blind thirst, did vote right and the precinct never went Republican while that deputy (later sheriff) wore a badge, a gun and a knowing smile.

It took little convincing; most southern Illinois farm folks had been Democrats since the election of Franklin Roosevelt in 1932.

It was Roosevelt, after all, whose hopeful words carried them through the Depression; Roosevelt who brought electricity to their dark corner of nowhere; and, praise heaven, Roosevelt who delivered a monthly pension check so a lifetime of hard work left no one broken and broke.

That loyalty, like America itself, began to crack in 1968, the worst election year ever. The Tet offensive came that February, then Martin Luther Kings murder in April, and Bobbys in June. (My mother woke my siblings and me that awful morning with the shocked cry, They shot another Kennedy! They shot another Kennedy!) Summer ended in clouds of teargas and pools of blood at the Democratic convention in Chicago.

The ugly emptiness of the 2016 election might have been a bad dream, but by comparison 1968 was a bloody nightmare.

My father, a thoughtful, informed voter for almost 70 years, backed Richard Nixon in 1968 because Nixon had promised to raise milk price supports, a key ingredient in our farms main enterprise. You have to vote for a man who understands farming, offered my father.

Nixon kept his word; he increased milk price supports before announcing his re-election bid in 1972. Shortly thereafter, Watergate investigators discovered he had done so only after pocketing at least $1 million in unreported campaign cash from the dairy lobby.

My father never commented on Nixons criminal deeds or the dairy lobbys dirty schemes. I suspect, however, their corruption deeply offended him because he was a rules person. Rules, like fences, mattered. To him, breaking the rules to win wasnt winning. It was, in fact, losing because it meant you had first lost your dignity, then your honor.

Republicans didnt have the corner on the corruption market in the southern Illinois of my youth. Two years before Watergate, a well-known Illinois Democrat, Secretary of State Paul Powell, died after a brief illness. Within weeks, his executor discovered several shoeboxes filled with $800,000 in cash in Powells Springfield hotel room, as well as 49 cases of whiskey, 14 transistor radios and two cases of canned corn.

That was quite a haul for a southern Illinois boy who never made more than $30,000 a year as an elected official.

Powell, like Nixon and the vote right sheriff, werent  arent  the only scoundrels to hold public office. In fact, its quite likely we elected more than a few crooks, cheaters and knuckleheads this Election Day. We usually do. These folks, however, come and go.

We, the people, however, always persevere.
In 1956, a group of individuals holding the shared belief the creation of a community foundation would create a stronger community came together and acted on that vision. Today, that vision has been fulfilled and has grown into the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, an organization connecting generous, community-minded people across a 20-county region to nonprofits who are at the heart of strong, vibrant communities.

Because of the dedication, heart and love of community of so many individuals, CFNEIA has been able to grant more than $75 million to nonprofit projects impacting nearly every aspect of life in our communities, including art and culture, education, environment, health, historic preservation, human service and general community betterment. In 2015 alone, nearly 1,600 grants totaling more than $5 million were made to projects in these areas.

At the heart of the community foundation philosophy is endowed giving. Endowments allow gifts to continue in perpetuity, providing a financial safety net for the community. They are pooled and invested through professional management and oversight to achieve long-term growth by balancing principal protection with distributions to support local nonprofit organizations. Through this philosophy, CFNEIA has developed into a strong force for community good, holding more than $90 million in assets and managing more than 800 funds impacting communities as the donor intended. At community foundations, endowed gifts last forever.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa brings other unique strengths to the table for people looking to support where they live. CFNEIA was recently reconfirmed in its accreditation with the nations highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere. CFNEIA originally achieved national accreditation in 2003 and is the only local accredited community foundation. In Iowa, this accreditation also means gifts to qualified funds supporting Iowa charitable causes are eligible for the Endow Iowa 25 fund state tax credit.

As we enter the giving season, Americas generosity surges. Millions of people from every background will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. Theyll also look to ensure their heartfelt giving however they choose to give  will have the most impact. Thats why so many of them will choose to give to a community foundation.

A gift to CFNEIA or any of its 24 affiliate community foundations is really an investment in the future of your community. Donors can work with CFNEIAs professional staff to learn more about the different ways to make a gift that fits how they want to impact their community or the cause they care about, and can learn more about the needs of nonprofits and their local community.

During this Community Foundation Week, CFNEIA celebrates 60 years and gives thanks to all those, past and present, who have made it possible for us to be here for good.
Election aftermath

RONALD HETH

CEDAR FALLS  The elections for 2016 are over and the results are nearly all in. It is evident there will be a new president who happens to be of the Republican Party. The people have spoken, as well they should. The veterans of wars past and present have allowed the freedom to vote, which is a precious commodity in the world. Some countries do not allow elections, which is a shame.

Our future depends on the citizens of this great country, of which I am a veteran having served during Vietnam, another divisive time in our past, to unite us as never before. The evil in the world would like to snuff us out, and that cannot happen. Let us be as one as we have seen this great country unite around world wars, leveling of buildings on 9/11 and other events that would lead to our destruction. Now more than ever we need the presence of God in our lives to lead us into his future.

Put God first and all good things will follow. Our children and grandchildren are depending on us. I chose not to vote for either candidate.

No legal marijuana

WESTLEY DETERMAN, 12

CEDAR FALLS  Its sad to see some people are trying to legalize marijuana to become a normal thing. In school we are always hearing dont do drugs because it could ruin your life. We are taught drugs can impair your thinking, your driving, your fitness and your finances.

People on drugs usually do poorly in school, drop out or dont graduate. Drugs cause you to lose friends because youre always looking for your next fix. Drugs can get you into jail or into stealing and a life of crime. You may think marijuana is not a hard drug and is harmless. You may even think it is good for medical purposes. But a simple drug like marijuana can lead to harder drugs and really ruin your health. Drugs can ruin your whole life. Marijuana, or any drug for that matter, should never be legalized.

Sick of politics?

PAULA NICHOLSON

DENVER  It feels like the current election lasted 100 years. Voter fatigue is widespread across the country. I have determined this political cycle boils down to one question. Ask yourself, how can either candidate be elected with such low approval ratings? After having thought it over, I simply cannot come up with a reason to vote for these two, the Green Party or libertarians. I am going to vote for who I really want to be president and vice president by writing in my choice. The option has been there for a long time. We as citizens should not be forced into a decision of choosing the lesser or two evils, but for the greater good for all in this country. There were multiple candidates in the two major parties, perhaps one you would have chosen to vote for. You have that opportunity in Iowa, and the write-in ballots are counted. Instead of having to choose whats left, choose who you want. I sure am. My vote, my choice.

Climate change

DAVID VOIGTS

JESUP  Recently a letter to the editor put forth an argument atmospheric carbon dioxide is not causing climate change because ancient ice cores from the Antarctic seem to show warming temperatures happened before increases in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. If increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide cause temperatures to rise, increases in carbon dioxide should occur before increases in temperature, not after.

This seeming paradox was explained in an article in Nature (Shakun et al, 05 April 2012) that examined temperature changes shown in ice that was laid down 20,000 years ago (the last glacial-interglacial transition). In summary, at that time changes in the Earths orbit around the Sun caused the climate to warm and ocean temperatures to rise slightly. Since warmer water can hold less carbon dioxide (CO2) in solution, the warmer water caused more CO2 to be released into the atmosphere. Increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2 then caused more temperature increases, which caused more CO2 to be released, etc., until a new equilibrium was established.

Although orbital cycles caused the warming to begin, the researchers found more than 90 percent of the glacial-interglacial warming occurred after the increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Electoral

College

WILLIAM TEAFORD

CEDAR FALLS  Questions arise again about the Electoral College system for selecting our presidents. The 2016 winning candidate won a majority of electoral votes, and the losing candidate won a majority of the peoples votes. Are we a democratic republic or not?

Theres a movement based on the Constitution, Article II- Section1, Paragraph 2, which gives state legislatures the power to appoint state electors. Traditionally, as in Iowa, all of a states electors will vote for the states popular vote winner. Several states have decided to continue to appoint the two U.S. Senate electors this way but to appoint U.S. Congressional electors on the basis of the popular vote within in each congressional district. They argue this will bring the Electoral College vote more in line with the total popular vote, all true.

This is where gerrymandering rears its ugly head. State legislatures tend to gerrymander all districts, both state and congressional. They do this hoping to form a self-perpetuating one-party government, both state and federal.

Iowa has one of the two solutions. Our 1968 Constitutional Amendment prohibits gerrymandering. But isnt it long past time to mothball the 1789 Electoral College and elect our presidents democratically by popular vote?
Call the Courier

Q: Who is on the board of directors for AEA 267?

A: The board members, listed on the agencys website, are: Debra S. Rich of Sumner, president; Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson of Forest City, vice president; George North of Allison, Darshini Jayawardena of Mason City, David Giese of Marshalltown, Maureen Hanson of Hudson, Richard Vande Kieft of Cedar Falls, and Bryan Burton and Dennis Craun Jr., both of Waterloo. Each represents various school districts within the area education agency.

Q: Who was Ruby Giuliani seeing before he divorced his wife?

A: When he announced his separation from his wife in May 2000, she accused him of a long affair with former aide Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas. Shortly after that, his relationship with Judith Nathan, a drug company executive, became public  a judge barred him from taking her to the official mayoral residence while his estranged wife and their children continued to live there.

Q: Is it true people over age 75 are exempt from jury duty? If not, why not?

Q: They are not exempt. Theres absolutely no reason to assume every person over 75 is unfit to serve. People can ask the court to take their age into consideration and request to be excused, but thats not automatic.

Q: Regarding the article about the Board of Supervisors requiring reflective signs on rural properties in Black Hawk County: My understanding is the cities dont require this. Their emergency help can find where they are going. What is the difference between that and a rural area like Washburn, which already has street signs and numbers on houses but is being forced to put up the reflective signs?

A: Most cities do require buildings to have house numbers of a certain size to be visible from the street. Counties across Iowa requiring address signs usually mandate them to be at the roadside because homes often are a farther distance from the road. Washburn is not a city and is, therefore, governed by county ordinances.
UNITED STATES  The Interfaith Council for Greater Portland called to its community to gather Nov. 10 in the Pioneer Courthouse Square to rally for peace and inclusion. As Rabbi Ariel Stone said, Today we will seize the high ground to demand from ourselves and all others the ongoing awareness and action to demonstrate that kindness is our only hope, truth our rallying flag, and that we will never stop affirming that love trumps hate. The interfaith rally drew members of the areas Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, First Nations and Pagan communities, and was only one of many in the immediate area.

T. Thorn Coyle, who offered a prayer to Brigid during the event , said, The reason I wanted to be out last night is to make a clear statement that I stand with Muslims, with immigrants, with our trans siblings, with the poor, and with my black and brown and indigenous comrades. Leading up to and immediately following the election of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, hate crimes are on the rise in this country . We must work together in as many ways possible, to ensure the safety and well-being of those who are most at risk.

Coyle was joined by other Pagans, including Sister Krissy, Ravyn Stanfield, Blaedfyr, Crow Walker and Patrick Garretson. She noted that her aim is, as always, was to work for love, equity, and justice, and to counter hatred and oppression. What Coyle expressed and what is exemplified by this interfaith event is a genuine and visceral rising fear, one that was already keenly felt by many minority communities.

While the 2016 Republican platform officially reads, We oppose discrimination based on race, sex, religion, creed, disability, or national origin and support statutes to end such discrimination, the partys official statement did nothing to ease the growing stress found in marginalized communities; nor did it buffer or censor Trumps 2016 campaign rhetoric. (Republican Campaign Platform, p. 9)

The concerns expressed at the Portland rally are not limited to those attending individuals or any of the others protesting across country, blocking highways, and attending vigils. On Nov. 11, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) took out a full page advertisement in the New York Times, which states: If you do not reverse course and endeavor to make these campaign promises a reality, you will have to content with the full firepower of the ACLU at your every step.

In the wake of the election, the Southern Poverty Law Center has created an online petition calling for Trump to renounce his campaigns hateful rhetoric. According to the organization, there has been an unprecedented number of hate crimes reported since Nov. 9.

Similarly, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU) has said that it will work vigorously to oppose any attempts by the administration of Donald J. Trump to undermine religious freedom in the United States. In a Nov. 9 press release, AU executive director Rev. Barry W. Lynn said, Donald Trumps rhetoric shows a shocking disregard for core principles of religious liberty [] Religious freedom is far too valuable for us to lose and far too fragile for us to leave unguarded.

In both their public statements, the ACLU and AU noted specific campaign promises that have led to their organizations outrage. With regard to religious freedom, what were those promises?

In the section titled The First Amendment: Religious Liberty, the 2016 Republican Party platform begins by stating, The Bill of Rights lists religious liberty, with its rights of conscience, as the first freedom to be protected. Religious freedom in the Bill of Rights protects the right of the people to practice their faith in their everyday lives. (p. 11)

From there, the document continues on to discuss the ongoing attempts to compel individuals, businesses, and institutions of faith to transgress their beliefs and the misguided effort to undermine religion and drive it from the public square. More specifically, the platform urges the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, which would remove the 1954 IRS code restricting tax-exempt entities, including religious bodies, from engaging in partisan politics. (p. 18)

This is one of the issues raised by Americans United. As its press release states, the Johnson Amendment prohibits all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, including houses of worship, from endorsing or opposing candidates for office, thereby creating a definitive boundary, at least in law, between church and state.

Where does the Trump campaign and now administration stand specifically on this issue? According to Time, Republican platform committee member Tony Perkins said, [Repealing the Johnson Amendment] is a priority in the platform, and from the Trump folks, it is a priority of the campaign, and will be a priority of the administration.

The Republican Party platform goes on to endorse the proposed First Amendment Defense Act (HR 2802) (FADA) that addresses discriminatory actions against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction. The promise to support FADA includes a repeal of the IRS tax code, as noted above, as well as other protections for faith-based institutions. The platform reads, [the act would] bar government discrimination against individuals and businesses for acting on the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. As such, the platform condemns the Supreme Courts ruling in United States v. Windsor. (p. 11)

This is another issue specifically noted in the AU statement. As the watchdog organization suggests, FADA would allow people who hold the religious belief that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman, or that extramarital relations are sinful, to ignore laws that conflict with that belief. Individuals, businesses, healthcare providers, taxpayer-funded social service providers and even government employees would be allowed to use FADA to get around non-discrimination protections.

The FADA is similar in purpose to the decades-long RFRA movements around the country. Future Vice President Mike Pence has been a vocal supporter of that movement, having signed into law one of the most publicized and notorious of RFRA acts. It was the 2015 Indiana RFRA that sparked Wiccan and ATC High Priest Dusty Dionne to speak out publicly in order to defend religious freedom. In response to overwhelming criticism, Pence said, at the time, that the Indiana RFRA law was never intended to be used as a tool for discrimination. Under pressure, Indianas state legislature was forced to clarify its RFRAs original language, but those changes did not make any significant changes to the laws premise or application.

In his 2015 book Crippled America, Trump writes, What offends me is the way our religious beliefs are being treated in public. There are restrictions on what you can say and what you cant say, as well as what you can put up in a public area. The belief in the lessons of the Bible has had a lot to do with our growth and success. Thats our tradition, and for more than 200 years it has worked very well. (p. 132). In October of the same year, he reportedly told Iowa supporters, Im a good Christian [] If I become president, were gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store  You can leave happy holidays at the corner.

Returning to the 2016 party platform, religious language can be found in many parts of the document, even outside of those devoted specifically to First Amendment concerns. However, the platform once again directly addresses religious freedom in a discussion on foreign policy. It expresses support of governments and systems that protect the rights of all minorities and religions. (p. 47) The document reads:

The United States must stand with leaders, like President Sisi of Egypt who has bravely protected the rights of Coptic Christians in Egypt, and call on other leaders across the region to ensure that all religious minorities, whether Yazidi, Bahai, Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant Christians, are free to practice their religion without fear of persecution. (p. 59)

During the campaign, Trump himself was not silent on topics related to Daesh. He repeatedly proposed strong action against terrorism, even using the subject as a distraction during the debate. However, some of his statements veered drastically from the above stated ideal of ensuring protection for religious minorities. Americans United wrote, Trump has also proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States or subjecting them to heightened forms of scrutiny simply because of their faith. Such a policy would violate our nations fundamental commitment to religious freedom.

Since Trumps initial 2015 statement calling for a ban, Pence has said that the administration no longer wanted to impose a temporary ban on Muslim immigration. In July 2016, Trump clarified his plan, explaining that the original statement was about territory and not religion. More recently, Pence denounced the entire proposition, saying that this was no longer Trumps position.

Outside of policy promises, Trumps campaign rhetoric has been very clear in its religious focus. At a September rally in Iowa , for example, he asked his supporters to raise their hands if they were Christian conservatives. Everybody, he said. After cheers, he followed with, Raise your hands if youre not a Christian conservative. I want to see this? Right. Oh, there is a couple of people. Thats all right. I think well keep them. Should we keep them in the room? I think so.

Just before the November election, the campaign released one final commercial that fueled a heated- response from the Anti-Defamation League. This would not be the first time that Trump had been accused of using anti-Semitic rhetoric based on the false assumptions of a global Jewish conspiracy. After the Nov 8. election, ADL said in a press release that it cannot and will not simply ignore the fact that this campaign brought out many of the worst elements of our society. We saw a mainstreaming of anti-Semitism and a normalization of bigotry that deeply concerned us. [] We will not shrink from the fight ahead regardless of where it takes us.

At the same time, the ADL also shared words of hope, saying that it is prepared to work with the president-elect and his administration to seek the common ground and reconciliation that has been the hallmark of all presidential transitions that follow American elections.

While not a religious-based group, the NAACP has also stated that it is watching the incoming administration. As one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the U.S., the NAACP offered congratulations to the newly elected president, but added: [We] must bluntly note that the 2016 campaign has regularized racism, standardized anti-Semitism, de-exceptionalized xenophobia and mainstreamed misogyny.

While implementation of the more extreme policies and promises may not be possible and any attempts will quickly be countered by the many U.S. civil rights organizations, the rhetoric fueling Trumps success continues to linger in the minds of many Americans, who now are asking, Where do we go from here?

For Pagans, Lady Liberty League (LLL) stands behind its policies of inclusiveness and will stand ready to discuss any legal issues or religious freedom concerns that do arise in the coming months or beyond. Rev. Selena Fox added that LLL has seen an increase in reports over the past year and, as a result, LLL has been restructured in order to handle them. Anyone needing assistance can reach the organization through its website.

As unstable as the U.S. appears to be at this point, the NAACP ended its press release on a positive note, echoing an idea that is similar to the message coming out of the local Portland interfaith rally and the new hashtag action #lovetrumpshate. The NAACP wrote: Our beauty as a country shines brighter than the ugliness of this election. It is up to all of us to reveal the beauty of who we are as a people as we yet see the possibilities of the nation we can become.
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NEW YORK, NY, November 13, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- European Waterways has announced the launch of a new Culinary themed charter cruise for 2017 aboard the spacious 8-passenger Enchante, a stylish double-decker hotel barge cruising the renowned Canal du Midi in Southern France. Enchante features a demonstration galley that allows guests to see first-hand the culinary skills of the on-board master chef, who expertly prepares gourmet meals using fresh, locally grown ingredients. Culinary Cruises will be available throughout the year from March to October and European Waterways is offering 10% off charter prices for all March - May 2017 departures.



Enchante cruises the canal between the picturesque villages of Salleles-d'Aude and Trebes, located in the heart of the famed Languedoc vineyards. In addition to cooking demonstrations on board, Culinary Cruises feature expert wine and food pairings for every meal and a wide assortment of regional cheeses. Excursions include truffle hunting in the Minervois hills and a visit to a farm famed for its special Petit Gris variety of escargot. Guests will also visit an olive oil press and a goat cheese farm for private tastings, and enjoy several off-shore lunches, including one at a canal-side culinary school where they will do the cooking themselves to enhance the experience.



"Under the guidance of a master chef, our Culinary Cruises introduce guests to some of the wonderful gastronomic experiences that have always attracted visitors to the South of France," said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. "We are sure they will prove popular and are currently developing similar itineraries on other hotel barges in our fleet that will take full advantage of the epicurean traditions of each region."



Culinary Cruises aboard Enchante start from $38,790, with the 10% off. Prices include all gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, daily escorted excursions and local transfers. For more information about pricing, cruise schedules and to request a brochure, visit http://www.gobarging.com or call Toll Free 1-877-879-8808. Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter. You can also view their Youtube channel.



About European Waterways

The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, "gentle voyage of discovery" along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe, allowing a small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging group, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying over 2,000 passengers a year. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, today they own and operate a fleet of luxury barges and market cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to offer a cruise on the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, and through the "chateau region" of the Loire Valley. They are also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley.



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Nov 13, 2016 | By Benedict

British 3D printed prosthetics specialist Open Bionics has explained the thinking behind its open-source, child-friendly superhero prostheses. Founder Samantha Payne gave a talk about her companys 3D printed robotic hands at the WIRED Next Generation event on November 5.

Open Bionics founder Samantha Payne and 11-year-old prosthesis wearer Tilly / Images: Michael Newington Gray

There are several companies around the world whose goal is to increase the availability of affordable, DIY prosthetic devices for amputees and members of the limb-different community. Few, however, are quite as memorable as Open Bionics. The Bristol-based designer is known for its 3D printable Ada Hand, but has also produced a handful of incredibly eye-catching prostheses for children, including this Star Wars prosthetic arm and these Iron Man and Frozen prostheses. The 3D printing files and schematics for the Ada Hand are free to download, but the company also sells pre-built versions for 569 ($709).

Many people who require prosthetic limbsespecially childrencan be insecure about their prosthetic devices. As such, most prosthetic limbs are made to look as close to organic ones as possible, making them mostly unnoticeable. Open Bionics, however, has been looking at the issue in a different light: children who require prostheses are given an opportunity to completely reinvent themselves, and the scope of that reinvention is incredibly wide. Of course, some children will want to choose subtle and natural-looking prostheses, but other will want the exact oppositethey will want to become superheroes.

Speaking at the WIRED Next Generation event last weekend, Open Bionics founder Samantha Payne explained how her companys 3D printed, superhero-inspired robot arms are helping youngsters gain confidence and become the people they want to be. With designs inspired by Frozen, Iron Man, Star Wars, and more, limb-different kids have, rather than suffering any kind of setback, been able to forge powerful identities. Whos to say what your replacement hand should look like? Its an expression of yourself, Payne said at the event, before adding: We want to change children who have limb differences into bionic superheroes.

The 3D printed Ada Hand from Open Bionics

Thanks to 3D scanning and 3D printing technology, Open Bionics estimates that its bionic hands are around 20 times cheaper than those traditionally offered to people by doctors. This has given the two million upper limb amputees from around the world a chance to obtain a functional, high-quality prosthetic limbsomething that would have been unattainable for most of those people just a few years ago. These [prostheses] previously existed in science fiction but today theyre a reality, Payne said.

Open Bionics consists of a four-person robotics team that is able to produce customized bionic arms in just three days. Despite this rapid turnover, the team decided that the only way to provide everyone with attainable prostheses was to make the 3D printable devices open-source. This way, people from all over the world can build their own prostheses at any timesomething that Payne has found incredibly rewarding. On one occasion, an American veteran messaged the Open Bionics founder to tell her that he had printed and assembled his own prosthesis.

By making its 3D printed robotic hand design fully open, Open Bionics knows that designers will have a chance to tinker with the design to make it even better. According to the company, this process is invaluable, and will help to make the 3D printed devices as effective as they can possibly be. When youre open source you open your technology to millions of other people who want to improve it, Payne said. You advance it much faster than if there were just four of us in a robotics lab.

Open Bionics superhero prostheses for children

Since its inception in 2014, Open Bionics has grown at a rapid pace, even winning a $250,000 prize at Intels Make it Wearable challenge. No matter how big the company gets, however, Payne believes that helping children feel good about themselves is, and will always be, the top priority. These prosthetics enable children to do more of the activities their peers can do, but they also make them feel more empowered about what they can do themselves, Payne said.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Rep. Jamie Smith's campaign originally did not include the mailing addresses of his donors in violation of campaign finance law.
CHANGZHOU, China, Nov. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of Italian companies have set up operations in a smart manufacturing industrial park located within Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, in Changzhou, China, on the heels of an agreement signed between the park and the companies. Three of the Italian companies have already signed agreements to open operations within the park.

Since the first Italian firm, Raco Group, established a presence at Changzhou National Hi-Tech District in 2005, a large number of Italian firms, including Polynt, Vortice Ventilation System, Groppalli HVAC, Amer Electric Motion, BCS and Biesse Tape Solutions, have followed suit.

As a traditional leader in Europe, Italy boasts advantages in terms of a solid industrial infrastructure in the automobile, aviation, rail transit, precision machinery, machine tools, robotics and agricultural sectors.

With a number of Italian manufacturers having already set up operations at Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, other Italian firms are expected to follow suit, via a leasing agreement that allows them to quickly put in place production facilities and transfer production capacity with the goal of being able to get closer to the Chinese market and win local customers. In terms of business expansion, Italian firms are encouraged to buy their own plot of land and build their own factories. Doing so allows them to enrich product mix and expand production capacity.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/italian-companies-set-up-operations-in-a-smart-manufacturing-industrial-park-in-chinas-changzhou-national-hi-tech-district-300361871.html

SOURCE The Public Promotion Department of Changzhou Xinbei District Commission of CCP
Actor Eddie Redmayne caused havoc at customs with his wand.

The Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them star was forced to explain to border officers why he was carrying a really sharp, scary object in his luggage, which turned out to be the prop from the fantasy film, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

I brought it because I felt like it would be reassuring to have Newt`s wand, Redmayne said at AOL HQ in New York for live interview series BUILD Series.

But then we were coming through customs and I suddenly realise that a wand looks like a really sharp, scary object and then to try and explain it to a customs person, I was like, `Have you seen the  No? ` That was a bit disastrous, he added.

The 34-year-old actor now feels he cannot use a briefcase in real life as he doesnt want people to think he is copying his character, magizoologist Newt Scamander.

This is a case I use in life and now when I`m travelling I`m like, `Do I take the case with me?, Redmayne said.

Because now people are going to think, `Oh you were cast as Newt Scamander who has a case and now you walk around with a case`, he added.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Congress Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministrial candidate Sheila Dikshits son-in-law Syed Muhammed Imran was arrested on Sunday by the Delhi Police under the Domestic Violence Act filed by Dikshits daughter Litika.

The accused Imran and Dikshits daughter Latika had been living separately for last ten months and the couple have no children.

He has been booked under the Domestic Violence Act after the victim filed a complaint at the Barakhamba Road Police station and a case under relevant provisions of Domestic Violence Act was registered.

He was arrested from Bangalore two days ago and brought to Delhi on transit remand, said a senior police official.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Sunday claimed that he would release a list of bogus companies where black money of some people in the city was parked.

I will show the Shiv Sena president what a surgical strike on black money means, when I release the list next week, he said referring to Uddhav Thackeray daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct surgical strikes on Swiss banks to bring back black money.

Thackeray had spoken of public inconvenience following the Centres demonetisation move, saying it amounted to torture of people.

People have put immense faith in you (PM). Do not betray their trust or you will see the impact of peoples surgical strike against you, he had said.

Somaiya told that Mayawati, Mulayam and Uddhav Thackeray should clarify if they were worried about poor people or those with boxes of money.

When I release the list, the Mumbai mafia and the Congress and NCP will know where the black money is marked, he said.

The BJP MP has been using the term Mumbai mafia over the last several days to denote alleged corruption by Shiv Sena in BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Uddhav Thackeray will come to know where the Mumbai mafia money is parked, when I disclose the names of the companies concerned next week, Somaiya added.
Indias bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council has received a strong support from many UN member states, including the UK and France, who emphasised that the world bodys top organ must reflect the emergence of new global powers.

More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General Assembly session here last week.

Many favoured bolstering representation for such emerging powers as Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. While some spotlighted the progress made in recent years through the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform process, others voiced deep frustration that more had not yet been achieved, a summary of the November 7 meeting posted on the UN website said.

Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France.

UKs Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said at the session that Britain believes in a modest expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories is the approach that the UN member states should collectively pursue. The increase in membership should be such that it balances representation with effectiveness.

Rycroft reiterated his countrys support for permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, alongside permanent African representation.

Referring to British Prime Minister Theresa Mays visit to India last week, her first bilateral trip outside Europe since taking office, Rycroft said she discussed that very issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Our support is steadfast, and I look forward to working through all available avenues to reach the more representative and more effective Council that we seek, he said.

Frances Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamek said his country wished to see the Council reflect the emergence of new world powers, for which it supported the candidacies of Germany, Brazil, India and Japan and the increased representation of African countries in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.

The five permanent members should also refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities, a commitment that France had already made, he said.

German ambassador to the UN Harald Braun, speaking on behalf of the G4 Group of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, said Council reform was an urgent matter, saying the Council must be rendered fit-for-purpose in order to face the current global challenges of peace and security. He added that all regions must be adequately represented to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.

During the session, Indias Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, in a stinging criticism of the Security Council, had said that the 15-nation body is stuck in its own time warp and politics.

He had also lamented the never-ending carousel of discussions on UNSC reforms saying it is time to break the impasse to urgently reform the UN body that is unresponsive to the current global situation.
At least 52 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 others injured on Sunday in a suicide bombing at a popular sufi shrine in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.

The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called dhamaal at Dargah Shah Noorani.

At least 52 people were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.

The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place, Bugti said.

Some local media reports put the death toll as high as 62.

The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform dhamaal. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi. The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.

Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency.

35 dead and 95 wounded Shiite visitors inoperation attack by the Islamic State fighter that targeted a shrine in a city in Balochistan, the agency said.

The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy. Colonel Junaid Kakar of the Frontier Corps also told the media that it appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.

All evidences point to a suicide bombing, he said.

Rrescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area.

Women and children were among those killed in the blast.

The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals, said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.

Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.

It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site, he said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday the Obama administration would do everything it could to implement a global agreement to combat climate change before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Kerry made the comments during a visit to New Zealand just before setting off to Marrakesh, Morocco to take part in climate talks between 200 nations.

Donald Trump, who calls global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to a source on Trumps transition team.

Kerry declined to speculate on what Trump might do about the Paris Agreement and noted that there was sometimes a difference between campaigning and governing.

But the top American diplomat was clear he thought further action to prevent climate change should be a priority.

The evidence is mounting in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action, Kerry told journalists at a press conference in Wellington with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

Until January 20 when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet.

Kerrys visit to Wellington followed a two-day trip to Antarctica where he flew in a helicopter over the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which would add to rising sea levels if it melts, and spoke to scientists researching how fast climate change is likely to occur.

The US accounts for just under 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions is so considered a key player in the Paris Agreement, which has been ratified by 109 countries so far.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.
I didnt know who this person was at all besides that she is a friend of my friend, so I debated whether or not to reply. I could not let her grand and demanding statements be the last ones on the thread, so I chimed in. I said, Well, thank God some of them dont (deny services)! Thank God for doctors, health officials, and schools who are open-minded and more understanding that for some people  children and adults  cannot be vaccinated for either health reasons, personal reasons, or religious reasons. If you want to be vaccinated, go for it. No one is stopping you. But for those who have serious reservations about them or who have had serious reactions from vaccines (like my family members have), having the freedom to choose is a welcomed option.

Im not shocked. Not everyone believes in vaccine choice. This woman in particular very clearly did not. Her first comment was not only ignorant but also showed how insensitive she was. Without considering an individuals medical history or respecting that a persons religious belief can influences healthcare decisions, she said that the unvaccinated should be denied services from doctors, public health and from schools. She added that to be unvaccinated goes against the greater good and that in order to be able to mingle and interact in public, people should be vaccinated. To not be vaccinated is selfish.

I was tagged in a Facebook post last week. In the post was a link for an article about the Commonwealth of Virginias religious exemption. The religious exemption, for now, is safe . With how California managed to take parents rights away, I celebrated the victory. A woman who saw the post did not.

As honest and upbeat as I tried to be in my response, I wasnt surprised that I didnt make a new friend. The woman came back saying that as a believer in public health guidelines, those who do not abide (by those public health guidelines), even for religious reasons, are a danger. She went as far as to compare that danger to someone running around with a loaded gun. I found it somewhat ironic that she used a loaded gun as a comparison. I know many parents who compare vaccinating their children to that of playing Russian roulette.

When I see these sorts of ignorant blanket statements and the must-vaccinate-all-humans-no-matter-what mentality being shared by adults, I cant help but wonder something. Are the adults making ludicrous demands up-to-date according to the CDCs adult vaccine schedule? I tend to doubt that they are. But I wouldnt know if this gal was unless I asked.

Ive never asked other adults who come blazing onto a thread making generalized statements that we all need to be up-to-date, but I asked this one point blank if she herself was caught up with vaccines. She proudly claimed that she was.

I had to believe her.

Im not willing to play a show me your shot record and Ill show you mine game. She was a complete stranger who has no idea that my sons vaccine-injury made me a staunch supporter of vaccine choice. She was also still ticked that the Joint Commission on Health Cares vote last week was a big win in my eyes. It was a major win in the eyes of the hundreds of other parents whod shown up at each of the commission meetings that took place this year, too.

One would think that people could understand that a vaccine injury, like my sons, would be grounds to limit and even remove vaccine expectations. One would also hope that gaining knowledge of that injury would draw some sort of sympathy as well. But when people believe that vaccines are only safe and only effective, like this woman undoubtedly believes, they are incapable of mustering an ounce of sympathy. They will fathom that vaccines harm when their logic has been skewed by tunnel vision. That tunnel vision focuses only on the assumed benefits of a medical procedure that in actuality comes with risks. Unless they fall ill post-vaccination like my child did, which I would never wish upon anyone, they may never be able to fully grasp the severity of our situation. Our situation is unfortunate. Despite me sharing that on the thread, retelling our experience fell on deaf ears.

Because of what happened to Ronan, my main focus is on him and his siblings. Its on protecting our rights. Its on meeting my childrens individual health care needs. Right now, vaccines are not part of that plan. Ive done my homework on the subject. Ive prayed for guidance about it as well. Apparently thats not enough nor acceptable to some people including the woman that I talked to online late last week. She shared that it is in her quest to support legislation that would strip my rights and that would mandate vaccines. This womans got another thing coming to her if she thinks that Im going to let anyone in my family take a bullet for her or for the greater good. Weve already done that. Ill never let anyone do that to my family ever again.

Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 54F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
A Deserted Assyrian Town Near Mosul's Frontlines

Father Gabriel Dodftehm described the monastery as one of the holiest places for Iraqi Christians. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Although the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group was pushed back from nearby villages, the few people remaining in Saint Hormizd Monastery and the town itself are still living in a state of tension. The town, about 50km north of Mosul, is now largely deserted. The monastery, considered to be one of the oldest still standing in Ninevah province, is virtually abandoned, with no visitors and no masses. None of the archbishops live here any more, having fled alongside most of the town's residents when ISIL, also known as ISIS, took control of large parts of Ninevah. The monastery overlooks the Ninevah plains, and battles between the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi forces against ISIL can be watched from the top. "I just pray every day that all of this will end very soon. We have been living in fear of ISIL for more than two years now," said Matta Rammo, 49, one of two guards who remains at the monastery. Ghazwan Elias, 36, who heads a local community organisation for the less fortunate, described the situation as "catastrophic". "All my people have left the town. I refuse to leave," he told Al Jazeera. "I want my children to be raised here, in my country, here in Iraq." Al-Qosh was once the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It is also one of the closest towns in the Ninevah plains to the front lines with ISIL. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) The sound of artillery can be easily heard from the mountaintop of al-Qosh. Residents of al-Qosh, mainly Christians, fled the town after ISIL took control of Mosul in June 2014. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Monks and priests left Saint Hormizd Monastery when ISIL took control of large areas of Ninevah. The monastery has been tended by only two guards for the past two years. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Built on top of a chain of caves, the monastery was a place of worship for monks during the early years of Christianity in Iraq. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Many Christians from Ninevah have left Iraq in recent years for the United States, Canada and Europe. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Although ISIL has never controlled al-Qosh, most of its population fled to Erbil in northern Iraq, fearing a sudden invasion or attack by ISIL. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Saint Hormizd Monastery has been virtually abandoned for more than two years, yet the main facilities are still standing. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Saint Hormizd Monastery is also a resting place for some Assyrian fighters. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Amid persecution during the Assyrian Empire, some Christian monks used the natural caves in the mountains of al-Qosh as a hiding place. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Al-Qosh has been conquered many times throughout its history. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Ghazwan Elias, who has refused to leave the town, says: 'If we all leave, who will tell the story of our ancestors to the generations to come?' ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) Elias says that, with the current situation in al-Qosh, his local community organisation has stopped its activities 'because only a few families are still living in the town'. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera) The monastery is the resting place of nine archbishops who preached and lived in Iraq. ( Layth Mushtaq/Al Jazeera)
November 11, 2016

BAGHDAD  On Oct. 23, the Iraqi parliaments agricultural committee reported that Iraq imports more than 75% of its vegetables and animal products. Meanwhile, agriculture experts conducted a study that they presented to the Cabinet on Oct. 22, calling for organizing agricultural licensing rounds to save the agricultural sector from its miserable situation and putting an end to the foreign currency pullout by inviting foreign companies to invest in agricultural land.

On July 19, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated the cultivated land in the country for 2015 at nearly 6 million acres, while the overall arable land is 52 million acres. Agriculture contributes about 7% to the gross domestic product (GDP), which has reached, according to the World Bank, $168.6 billion; this is considered to be a very low percentage, especially since Iraq is classified as an agricultural, oil-rich country.

The person behind the idea of agricultural licensing rounds and inviting international companies to invest in Iraq, agricultural expert Riad Farhan Abdul Karim, told Al-Monitor, The country is suffering from the agriculture sectors failure because it still follows methods used by the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians when it comes to agriculture and irrigation. Developing this important sector is everyones responsibility.

He said, I have presented a comprehensive study to the government about agricultural licensing rounds. The government welcomed the idea and said it will be studying it in the coming days, but we are still waiting. For agriculture to prosper, we need to improve how workers do their jobs, increase land production and use modern methods. This can only be done by bringing in international companies.

Al-Monitor contacted the Ministry of Agriculture, asking the status of the proposal in the Cabinet. A senior adviser in the ministry told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that it has received the proposal and asked the council of ministers to discuss it in the Cabinet. He said the ministry approved the proposal and that it now needs Cabinet approval; then it could be passed by the parliament.

Iraq succeeded in organizing licensing rounds for oil in 2009, when it was exporting 1.9 million barrels per day, in an attempt to increase production in 2017 to about 13 million barrels per day. So far, it has only produced 4.7 million barrels a day.

Abdul Karim said, Iraq can be accessible to global agricultural companies; they can invest in livestock in addition to establishing plants for the processing of agricultural products. This can be achieved through the agricultural licensing rounds that will first begin in the safe areas such as the majority of south and central Iraq.

Abdul Karims plan put forward several ideas such as signing agreements with international companies for 25 years to cover domestic consumption and export the remainder by developing certain standards and laws in order to avoid the same mistakes that occurred in the oil licensing rounds.

He added, With such agreements that will take into account the interests of farmers, the state and the investing company without harming the countrys sovereignty, Iraq will become rich and the state's resources will grow stronger.

The revival of the agricultural sector could be impeded by many factors, such as the lack of water and the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the provinces classified as agricultural areas such as Ninevah, Anbar and Salahuddin, which have turned in recent years into an arena for battles with the Islamic State (IS). In addition, Iraq has been importing agricultural goods between 2003 and 2015 worth $54.1 billion.

Hisham al-Madfai, an expert on agriculture and water, fears incompetent foreign companies would invest in the country. Madfai told Al-Monitor, Agricultural licensing rounds will serve the country very much by bringing in global agricultural investment companies. He stressed, Arable land, water and a labor force are available in Iraq, and investment companies will only have to bring technology and experts.

He added, The Iraqi environment is all set for companies to invest, especially since Mosul is being liberated from IS. The state can eliminate the armed groups that blackmail companies.

Madfai continued, Foreign companies can lease large state land for 40 years to produce and export [crops] as well as develop local livestock production.

On Oct. 23, 2015, the Iraqi state amended the Investment Law No. 13 of 2006 by granting facilities to foreign investors, and the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture welcomed the idea of agricultural licensing rounds because there was zero foreign investment in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister Mahdi al-Qaisi told Al-Monitor, One of the possible solutions to save agriculture is foreign investment because they bring large amounts of money into the country, in addition to modern equipment for agriculture and irrigation." He saw licensing rounds as a means to do this.

He said, One of the obstacles impeding investment at the moment is the scarcity of water in the Euphrates, which will also affect the Tigris River after Turkey establishes the Ilisu Dam. He also said, The agricultural sectors contribution to the GDP has fallen in recent years from 11% to 7%.

Meanwhile, farmers expressed concerns about becoming unemployed if international investment companies come into Iraq and said they also feared that their crop production would not be able to compete with that of investment companies.

Jalil Abed, a farmer from Wasit province, in eastern Iraq, told Al-Monitor, We refuse to lease or sell our land to foreign companies because we could easily become unemployed overnight. We could, however, sell our agricultural products to foreign companies if they commit to paying us and giving us modern machines for agriculture and irrigation.

However, economist Salam Adel told Al-Monitor, Organizing agricultural licensing rounds is difficult at the moment because the agricultural areas are located in heated areas where security is unstable, specifically in the provinces of Ninevah, Salahuddin, Anbar and Diyala, pointing out that the global agricultural companies are looking for stable regions, which are currently difficult to find in Iraq.

He concluded, The staff of foreign companies operating in Iraq may be exposed to extortion and kidnappings due to the proliferation of armed groups, and especially since they do not operate in one place, but in open lands that are difficult to secure.

Finally, it seems that no one disagrees with the overall idea of agricultural licensing rounds. However, like any other project in Iraq, when it comes to implementation, it faces the lack of security that is a dead end for all projects in Iraq.
November 11, 2016

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has actively and discretely begun preparing for his first meeting with the next US president. He is counting the days until the end of President Barack Obamas presidency. Their relationship was in trouble beginning with their first meeting, when Netanyahu tried in vain to convince Obama about the legitimacy of the settlements, to the unprecedented clash between the two leaders when Netanyahu took sides with the Republicans in Congress on the Iran deal.

With President-elect Donald Trump, Netanyahu wants to start out on the right foot during a meeting that could take place at the end of March 2017 when the prime minister speaks at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference. He has instructed his diplomatic right-hand man (lawyer Yitzhak Molcho), the Israeli National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry to prepare policy papers for such a meeting in the Oval Office. In addition, the Israeli Embassy in Washington has been talking to Trumps advisers and with new senators of both parties in order to prepare the encounter.

A senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official dealing with Israel-US relations told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Netanyahu views his first meeting with the next president as critically important. The prime minister is somewhat traumatized by the relationship he had with Obama. He blames it all on the personality of the outgoing president, and he does not perceive this as a result of a fundamental interest clash between the two countries. Netanyahu, said the official, believes he can get along well with Trump.

According to the official, Netanyahu is expected to raise three major issues in his first meeting with Trump.

First, he will present Trump with a geostrategic analysis of the current situation in the Middle East. Netanyahu wishes to remove the resolution of the Palestinian issue from the list of elements necessary for regional stability and convince the new president that fundamentalist terror is the root problem of the region (and for world stability for that matter). Netanyahu will argue that the Islamic State, Hezbollah and Hamas are the real enemies of both Israel and pragmatic Arab countries. Thus, the region should align around the battle against Iranian-sponsored terror, not the Palestinian statehood issue.

The second topic for Netanyahus meeting with Trump would be, according to the Israeli side, the Iran deal. The prime minister intends to persuade the new president to cooperate closely with Israel on Iranian compliance with the agreement. He will encourage American deterrence against Irans long-range missile development and the sponsoring of regional and international terrorism. American sanctions against Tehran must therefore remain a realistic option, Netanyahu will claim.

Netanyahus third issue  the main aim of this meeting as far as the prime minister is concerned  would be preventing American and international pressure on Israel on the following points:

Settlement construction. According to the official, the prime minister will attempt to reach a tacit agreement with Trumps administration by which he will quietly restrain settlement expansion outside the settlement blocks, while the United States will express its opposition to any Israeli settlement expansion more privately than during the Obama administration.

Public assurances that the United States will veto any UN Security Council resolution critical of Israel or setting terms of reference for a two-state solution process.

European initiatives. The prime minister wants the new administration to foil any EU member state initiative on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the French initiative on a two-state solution.

In short, Netanyahu would like the next president to embrace and adopt Israels no on the Palestinian issue. To him, this will play an important role in securing his domestic position and the stability of his coalition.

In parallel, Netanyahu is preparing to galvanize the organized American Jewish community to his policy aims vis-a-vis the next administration. The Israeli Embassy in Washington, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry official, is in contact with US Jewish organizations that are able to influence the administration and Congress, primarily the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and AIPAC. The new US Congress will be the main focus of these organizations in order to spread Netanyahus gospel. According to the Foreign Ministry official, unlike during the presidential elections in which the prime minister was sworn to neutrality, in the case of Congress, Netanyahu prefers a Republican-led Senate. He knows that his fallout with Obama and the fight in Congress had a political toll among Democratic members of Congress.

In the new Congress, Netanyahu will make the case for fighting terror first and addressing Palestinians last, support Israel right or wrong and no international pressure on a two-state solution. The prime ministers office and the Israeli Embassy are preparing for a media blitz to reiterate his view of the Israeli cause.

Netanyahus peace process hands-off message will probably meet a fertile ideological ground with the new administration. In many ways, Netanyahu and Trump are ideological twins.
wylam shooting.JPG

Birmingham Police officers investigate shooting on Fifth Court in Wylam on Nov. 11, 2016.

(Jonece Starr Dunigan)

A man allegedly shot by his girlfriend Friday evening during a domestic dispute in Wylam died on Saturday, according to Birmingham police.

The man, identified as Anthony Ray, 44, was found lying on the ground suffering from an apparent gunshot wound outside of a residence in the 4300 block of 5th Court in Wylam at around 5:35 p.m. on Friday, police said.

Ray was transported by ambulance to UAB Hospital where he died at around 5 a.m. on Saturday.

His girlfriend, whose name hasn't been released, was taken into custody for questioning and hasn't been officially charged.

Police said the girlfriend is accused of shooting Ray during a verbal dispute "over some personal matters." The pair had been drinking earlier in the day, witnesses told police.

"The investigation will have to uncover why the suspect decided to involve a firearm in this situation." police said in a statement. "One thing is certain, a family has lost a loved one and that is never easy to deal with. We will work hard to get them answers."

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Birmingham Police Department Homicide Unit at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.
Update: The child has been found safe in Alabama. This story will be updated.

Alabama has issued a child abduction emergency amber alert for a Texas girl.

Texas authorities and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are searching for Zoey Rogers. Zoey is a 7-year-old black female. She is 3 feet, 6 inches tall and 70 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The child was last seen in Harker Heights, Texas, around 2:45 p.m. on Saturday. She is believed to be in extreme danger, ALEA officials said today.

Officials said Zoey's abductors are thought to be Bobbi White, a 36-year-old black female, and Tutankhamun Holt, a 34-year-old black male.

White and Holt are both from Harker Heights.

They may be traveling in a cream-colored Buick LaCrosse or Buick Regal with an unknown license plate; or in a red Dodge Charger, with red rims and an Alabama license plate.

Bobbi White is thought to be one of Zoey's abductors. (ALEA)

If you have any information regarding this missing child, please contact the Harker Heights Police Department at (254) 953-5400 or call 911.
Charlotte, the United States  In front of a glistening fountain in downtown Charlottes Marshall Park, local activist, Q, shouts through a megaphone to the crowd of roughly 100 people gathered around: Put your fists in the air to show that you care!

The October 22 rally was organised by Charlotte Youth United, whose aim is to empower local youth to voice community concerns. Qs group, the Charlotte JustUs League, a grassroots initiative to improve citizen security, took the stage to present an eight-point proposal to help the community police the police.

These points include: the compulsory wearing of body cams by all police at all times; making camera footage available to the public within 48 hours; a policy that police officers fire warning shots, and shoot to wound rather than to kill; and to have at least one out of every three police officers work in the neighbourhoods in which they live.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department officers are already required to wear body cameras when they are out on patrol, but under a new state law ( HB972 ) that went into effect on October 1st , police videos are not public record and can only be obtained with a written request and a court order.





City police must comply with that law, and larger rights groups like the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union are already planning to lobby the state legislature when it resumes its session in January to allow police departments to release videos when they are deemed in the public interest and to make copies of those videos available to those depicted in them, as well as to the attorneys and next of kin affected by related incidents.

Gloria Merriweather, a queer African American, stood among the crowd, complying with Qs calls to the protesters to raise their fists.

The 24-year-old activist was among thousands protesting in the streets after the fatal police shooting of 43-year-old African American Charlotte resident Keith Lamont Scott on September 20.

Dozens of rallies and protests have followed, and dozens more will likely continue as all across America people take to the streets to express their anger over the election of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, which many civil rights activists see as a step backwards in the struggle for civil rights.

READ MORE: To serve and record  When do US police use body cams?

Keith Lamont Scott On September 20, local police shot and killed 43-year-old African American resident Keith Lamont Scott while preparing to serve an arrest warrant on an unrelated suspect. Police say Scott left his vehicle carrying a handgun, backing away from the officers when they told him to drop the weapon,but not complying with their commands. His family says that he was carrying a book,not a gun, and neighbours say he had suffered brain damage in a previous accident, making it hard for him to communicate. His death unleashed massive protests against police brutality throughout the country.

Protesting outside the system

Merriweather opted to protest through civil disobedience against what the activist says is a fundamentally flawed police system that wont change without a radical change in community engagement.

We didnt move from the street when they said move, says Merriweather, who is helping to organise a social movement known as the Charlotte Uprising.

Some participants in the Charlotte movement believe in working within the system to bring about change, Merriweather says, while others have resorted to a range of civil disobedience tactics, like the refusal to move off of the streets.

If we were to look at this as a national health hazard, the police department would be considered a health hazard for people of colour, the activist told Al Jazeera.

The entire system under which we live is guilty. We have to get rid of it, eventually. But if we are to work within it, then we have to have community control of the police, Merriweather says.

But two weeks ago, the activist surrendered to authorities after receiving warrants for inciting to riot and a misdemeanour assault on a government official during the September protests.

If you ask me what my actions were in those first days, it was walking with my hands up  screaming that all lives will matter when black lives matter, says Merriweather.

It doesnt mean Im guilty; it means the police were hurt by what I did.

Remembering the protests

On the night of Scotts killing, protesters blocked police cars trying to leave the scene. Jasmine Wright, 24, a Charlotte Uprising activist, arrived within minutes of the initial protests after hearing the unusual commotion from her neighbouring apartment in a normally tranquil suburb on the outskirts of Charlotte.

Recalling that night, Wright says: These cops [were] about to leave, and thats when we stood in front of them. It just got bigger from there. First, there were 15 or 20 people, then 30 or 40, and next thing you know there was a line of riot cops, says Wright, a graduate student enrolled on a masters degree programme in political and civic engagement at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

In the hours that followed, some protesters were throwing rocks and water bottles and causing damage to property. The police began firing tear gas to break up the crowd. At least 16 civilians and police officers were injured on the first night of protests .

African Americans and police brutality According to The Guardians The Counted database, 24 percent of the 897 people killed by police in the US since the beginning of 2016 were African American. According to 2015 US Census data , African Americans make up just 13.3 percent of the population.

The next night, the protests moved to Charlottes commercial centre where the violence continued; some businesses were looted, and one protester, Justin Carr, was killed.

Police arrested 21-year-old Rayquan Borum for shooting Carr, but Merriweather, like others who were at the scene at the time, denies that, saying Carr was killed by police.

Following the second night of violence, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency and sent in the North Carolina National Guard , a move rarely seen since the most tumultuous years of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Here we are in 2016, and have the same types of vitriol, the same types of hate that I experienced in the 1960s, and my mother and father experienced well before, Charlotte NAACP President Corine Mack, 59, told Al Jazeera in a phone interview. Mack was a member of the Black Panther movement in the 1970s. Today, she is a minister who preaches nonviolence.

In 2013, Mack helped to found the SAFE Coalition, a grassroots programme to promote police accountability. A year later, SAFE successfully petitioned Charlottes City Council to adopt a resolution to start collecting demographic data on police stops and to train officers in de-escalation techniques that could bolster trust between civilians and law enforcement.

Black Lives Matter: What has the movement achieved?

The city commission unanimously approved what would become known as the Civil Liberties Resolution (PDF).

Demographic data for the first-three quarters of 2016 was posted on the CMPD website in October, and Mack says she learned through police that just 400 of its 1,900 officers had gone through workshops specific to that resolution.

Were angry. The system that we knew needed to be in place to safeguard all citizens was not there, says Mack.

Willie Ratchford, Executive Director, Community Relations Committee at City of Charlotte, told Al Jazeera that the departments police chief meets several times a month with civic organisations and that the CMPD has long held know-your-rights lectures at such groups and in local schools.

Jennifer P Davis, a CMPD human resources consultant who specialises in diversity training, has been offering similar workshops to officers for 22 years. It started as a black-white discussion and opened into a series of classes dealing about race, class, religion, gender, and disability.

Its not all about race, although the issues we have in our society tend to break themselves along racial lines, says Davis, who is African American. Its always about how to build good relationships and engage with the community so that we can serve them.

Deeper inequalities

There are many layers to the pain of African Americans in this country, says Mack, noting that much of the current civil rights discussion centers on changing public perceptions of why and how these incidents transpire. She says one tendency is to associate these killings by police with poor, high-crime neighborhoods.

Like most civil rights activists, Mack welcomes a larger dialogue on how to address socioeconomic realities since the US Census Bureau shows minorities face disproportionately higher levels of socioeconomic inequality than whites.

If you put a whole bunch of folk who are poor in one particular area, youll have more anger and frustration, and thats across the country no matter who they are, she says, however, she warns of the discrimination that notion can fuel.

The perception is cops are shooting black people who are involved in some kind of violent action, but the fact is many African Americans are killed by police going to work, playing with their toys, driving their cars, responding to cops commands by putting their hands up in full display, and the list goes on and on. You are black first in this country, no matter what position you hold.

WATCH: The Lives of Black Women

Civic engagement

In the aftermath of the riots and with the 2016 election race under way, all of these concerns were being raised in voter education, racial reconciliation, and youth engagement workshops sponsored by civic groups, such as the NAACP, Democracy North Carolina and even faith communities.

Shannon OToole, a public information officer with North Carolinas State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) , says civic engagement campaigns help civilians know their options for investigating law enforcement.

The family of Keith Lamont Scott was fortunate enough to find a lawyer who got them to the SBI, > which is conducting an investigation and will present its findings in the coming days.

People need redress, and they dont know whats available unless they know their rights, says OToole.

Back at Marshall Park, Merriweather is among the many activists who say they still plan to make use of the system through civic engagement and other actions, like voting.

I want to attack this from every angle, explains the activist. I would hate to say that social justice is a full-time job, but being black, being queer  it is.
Once ISIL is pushed out, the city will face the massive challenges of social, cultural and economic reconstruction.

As Iraqi forces press closer towards Mosul, ISIL fighters are digging in, displaying fierce resistance to the imminent recapture of their last urban stronghold in the country.

It could still take weeks or even months, but it is only a matter of time before the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group is driven out of Iraqs second-largest city, analysts say. The larger question then becomes: How will Mosul rise from the ashes of battle?

Since ISIL captured the city two years ago in a lightning sweep through Iraq and Syria, Mosul has descended into a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Although armed fighters had exploited the citys resources for years after the 2003 Iraq War, its fall to ISIL sent Mosul into a tailspin, according to a recent report by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, or UN-Habitat.

Its economy almost completely collapsed, its infrastructure and services declined, its public institutions were devastated and its history and cultural heritage tragically effaced, the report noted. The citys minority groups, and many others, were forcefully moved and displaced, and their abandoned properties were confiscated by ISIL. Most of those who remained in the city live in abject conditions, with limited access to basic needs and services, including food and water.

IN PICTURES: Anyone caught leaving Mosul will be executed by ISIL

Satellite images taken in August revealed that more than 135 locations in Mosul had been destroyed, a situation bound to deteriorate further as the fight moves towards the citys core. ISIL has looted Mosuls central bank, shuttered local businesses through extortion, seized and redistributed homes, and ripped up the citys governance structure in favour of its own regimen of strict social controls.

So far, from what we have seen in other cases, what is challenging is not actually the return to the city  but what is challenging is to somehow have a possibility to live inside the city [after it is retaken], Maria Fantappie, the International Crisis Groups senior Iraq analyst, told Al Jazeera.

The reconstruction process will be as delicate as the security operation  to really manage the ambitions of the different players who want to have an economic role inside the city.





Once a prominent commercial hub that exported oil and agricultural products, Mosul has long been a Sunni stronghold, but also housed Iraqis from a variety of other ethnoreligious backgrounds, including Kurds, Christians and Yazidis. ISILs takeover prompted many of Mosuls residents to flee, and the operation to recapture the city has intensified Iraqs displacement crisis.

Other areas of Iraq retaken from ISIL, such as Ramadi and Fallujah, have since struggled to rebuild and to reintegrate displaced civilians amid a climate of heightened sectarian tensions and profoundly strained financial resources.

Funding is not easy to come by in this economic climate, and even with the funds in place, there is always the danger that corruption and the often poisonous local rivalries can get in the way of implementation, as has happened in the stuttering reconstruction of Anbars cities, Fanar Haddad, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, told Al Jazeera.

One of the biggest challenges for post-ISIL Mosul will be the question of effective governance. With a variety of local, national and regional interests converging on Nineveh province, the city could be pulled in several different directions.

Acknowledging that a post-ISIL political plan was not resolved before the battle for Mosul began, senior Western officials told Al Jazeera that discussions have been under way between the UN, Iraqi forces and the US-led international coalition about how to address the issue of interim leadership.

In the meantime, the UN Development Programme has been preparing to restore power grids, reopen businesses and get local residents back to work, said Lise Grande, the UNs humanitarian and resident coordinator. In Tikrit, this type of stabilisation work took several months and cost around $8m.

I think we have to be prepared for the possibility that it will require a number of weeks, maybe even longer, to ensure that the city is fully safe, Grande told Al Jazeera, noting that there will likely be residual ISIL units or sleeper cells remaining inside Mosul after the battle ends. In this very sensitive period after a city has been liberated, violence, retaliation and revenge often occur.

Once by Nureddin

, we have to build a solid trust with the citizens, and to ensure their well-being. This is the only way to ensure stability again.]

Ranj Alaaldin, a Middle East scholar at the Brookings Institutions Doha Center, noted that ISIL fighters would likely blend back into the local population after Mosuls recapture and continue their battle via suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices, targeting both civilians and Iraqi security forces.

Expect revenge killings between the different factions and groups within and from Mosul itself, Alaaldin told Al Jazeera. ISIS could also splinter into different groups or align themselves with other extremist groups to mount a concerted challenge against the Iraqi security forces.

Relations will also likely be strained between civilians who stayed in Mosul during ISILs rule and those who fled, Fantappie said, citing a perception among some Iraqis that those who remained behind were cooperating with ISIL  even when they had nothing to do with the armed group and simply did not want to move away and lose their homes.

BATTLE FOR MOSUL: What ISIL left behind

From an economic perspective, meanwhile, one of the key post-ISIL issues will be sorting through property claims, with vast amounts of the citys property estimated to have changed hands since the 2014 invasion, according to Grande. Throughout Iraq, local adjudication systems for compensation claims by families who have suffered deaths, injuries or property damage have been overwhelmed, she added.

Mosul may face a nightmare on land and property rights, Grande noted.

In a broader sense, Alaaldin estimated that it would take hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions, to rehabilitate the towns and cities destroyed during the course of the campaign against ISIL.

Iraq lacks the resources to fund this reconstruction, and the international community and international organisations have constrained resources, he said. That will make it more difficult to stabilise the country, implement good governance initiatives and give people jobs and basic services.

Nureddin Qabalan, vice president of the provincial council of Nineveh, told Al Jazeera that the task of securing Mosul in the post-ISIL months would fall to local police and Iraqi security forces, in line with standard procedure. However, in terms of rebuilding the shattered city, the future remains murky.

Although there is a fund in Iraq to rebuild the recaptured areas from ISIL, sadly, until now, Nineveh province hasnt received any particular funds for rebuilding. But once ISIL is pushed out, I expect the donor countries might help us in securing funds, Qabalan said.

Stability can only be achieved through powerful leadership, law enforcement and setting aside all foreign agendas and political affiliation  Once Mosul is [recaptured], we have to build a solid trust with the citizens, and to ensure their well-being. This is the only way to ensure stability again.

None of this will be possible, however, until Iraqi officials nail down a post-ISIL governance strategy, Alaaldin said.

[It is vital to have] a legitimate political structure to replace ISIS in northern Iraq, as well as the capacity, political leadership and resources to rebuild the towns and cities destroyed, he said. At the moment, there is no political and humanitarian strategy or framework for the day after ISIS.

With a report from Salam Khoder

Follow Megan OToole on Twitter @megan_otoole
Millions of Poles, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and others fought against fascism in British army uniforms.

Jan Bienkovs journey to becoming a navigator in the British Royal Air Forces 305 Squadron during World War II reads like a Hollywood screenplay.

The young Pole began the war fleeing one of Stalins gulags in Siberia and then trekking thousands of miles to an Indian Ocean port, surviving wolves, robbers, and sub-zero temperatures.

Bienkov later took a boat halfway around the world and ended up in Britain where he signed up for the air force, taking part in bombing raids on Nazi-occupied Europe.

But when his grandson, British journalist Adam Bienkov, tweeted his grandfathers war photos last month , it wasnt just as a proud descendant of a war hero.

It came during a climate of increasing xenophobic hatred and violence against Poles and other foreigners in the UK after the country voted to leave the EU.

During the period, Poles and other recent immigrants have been physically attacked on public transport, verbally abused and even killed .

Brexit: The view from Englands Little Poland

The younger Bienkovs tweet was a reminder of how great a contribution those considered foreign had made to Britains war effort.

Its quite shocking, Bienkov told Al Jazeera.

Theres always been a sense of gratitude among the British people towards the Poles for their involvement in the war  Whats happened since the referendum is a turnaround in that were seeing attacks against Poles in the UK, he added.

Those historical ties between Poles and the UK have been forgotten.

More than half-a-million Poles served in the British armed forces. The vast majority were men who had fled Poland after it fell to Nazi and Soviet forces in the initial stages of the second world war.

Polish fighter pilots served with distinction during the Battle of Britain and played a pivotal role in the allied victory at Monte Cassino in Italy, among other battles.

Indian contribution

However, the Polish contribution to the British armed forces during the second world war represents just one segment of an effort as diverse as the UK is today.

In both the first and second world wars, Britain found itself fighting on a number of geographically separated fronts. Help came in the way of its colonies, chief among which was India.

Around 1.75 million soldiers from the subcontinent fought for the British during the first world war and 2.5 million during the second, forming the largest volunteer army in history.

Of those who signed up, 74,000 died in the first conflict and almost 90,000 in the latter.

The units that fought were religiously mixed and included Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, reflecting Indias ethnic milieu at the time.

Notable individual contributions included that of Noor Inayat Khan , the Muslim daughter of an Indian nobleman, who served deep in German-occupied France as a radio operator for the French resistance.

After betrayal to the Gestapo by a French woman, Khan was imprisoned, tortured, sent to the Dachau concentration camp, and later shot dead, refusing to provide the Nazis with information throughout the ordeal.

Other contributions included that of the Sikh soldier Naik Gian Singh , who single-handedly neutralised a Japanese anti-tank emplacement in Myanmar, earning a Victoria Cross for his efforts.

Like their Polish comrades, the efforts of Indian soldiers proved crucial in several campaigns, according to Oxford Universitys Yasmin Khan.

There are [Indian] war graves from both wars in 50 countries, Khan told Al Jazeera.

Certainly, in some key battles  recapturing Italy and Burma  and in the holding of North and East Africa at the Battle of Keren and the Battle of El Alamein  South Asian soldiers played decisive parts.

Khan further noted that while most soldiers joined up for the chance of stable employment and to visit new places, others were driven by a desire to defeat fascism.

Discrimination after war

The will to fight and die in the war against fascism did not spare ethnic minority soldiers from discrimination in the immediate aftermath of the war.

Jan Bienkov and other Polish soldiers were not allowed to attend victory parades because the British were averse to offending the Soviets.

For visible minorities, experiences were far more unappreciative. An essay on the website Black Presence described some of the racism soldiers of colour faced in the aftermath of the war.

One West Indian soldier was asked, When are you going home? immediately after he was demobilised.

Another wrote: It was as if it was OK to be over here while there was an emergency, but in 1945, we werent wanted anymore.

Such recruitment exposed the contradictions at the heart of the European empires, said Leeds Universitys Salman Sayyid.

Men were good enough to die for the mother country, but not good enough to enjoy full political and civil rights.

Grenades and napalm

In the years since the end of World War II, huge numbers of immigrants from India and the West Indies moved to set up new lives in the UK, many of them veterans.

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in interest in the contribution made by ethnic minority soldiers, with several documentaries on the topic on the BBC, and schools teaching the subject in history classes.

However, the idea that ethnic minorities fought for Britain in the two wars does not appear to have reached far-right groups in the country.

Related: Myanmars forgotten WWII heroes

In March 2015, the anti-immigration Britain First group was criticised for posting a picture of a large Muslim gathering with the caption meanwhile in Birmingham.

Comments underneath the picture suggested throwing grenades and napalm at the people in the picture. One user asked: Wheres a sinkhole when you need one?

The picture was taken from a Birmingham Mail report on the funeral of Sufi Muhammed Abdullah Khan, a 92-year-old, who fought for Britain in World War II and later migrated to the country.

A positive image

Further publicising the role ethnic minority soldiers played in the two world wars could help community cohesion and tackle the far-right narrative, according to Birmingham City Universitys Imran Awan.

The government can do much more in promoting positive messages and the role of Muslim, Hindu and Sikh soldiers who fought in the war, Awan said.

I think it can have a positive role in some respects in relation to community cohesion as it sends out a very strong message for those on the periphery of joining groups such as Britain First.

Adam Bienkov echoed the sentiment.

When people talk about the second world war, I think theres an airbrushing out of the involvement of other nations and races, Bienkov said.

Its something that isnt taught a great deal at schools, and its something a lot of people dont know about, he added.

It can be quite a powerful message that there is that unity across nationality and racial grounds.
The conflict has shuttered most of the citys schools, forcing many to study in cramped, private houses.

Taiz, Yemen  Fifth-grader Amr Khalil, 12, sits on the floor with about 30 other students. He stares at his teachers, his mind too busy to think about the pain in his back from sitting on the uncomfortable floor.

Khalil is one of the thousands of students in the city of Taiz who now study inside private homes after their schools were damaged by fighting, transformed into shelters for families displaced by the war raging in Yemen, or used by Popular Resistance militias fighting against the Houthi rebel group.

He is a student at the Nema Rasam School where more than 2,000 students were forced out by the Popular Resistance, which uses the school as a centre. Now, Nema Rasams students go to school in places that do not have the necessary equipment  not even chairs.

Due to violence and the closure of schools, more than 350,000 children were unable to resume their education in the past school year, bringing the total of out-of-school children in Yemen to over two million, according to UNICEF. The Nema Rasam school is one of 2,108 schools across Yemen that UNICEF believes can no longer be used as a result of the conflict.





After a month of study, some students started to suffer from pain either in their spines or legs, and this is because of sitting on the ground. by Naseem Salah, teacher

Khalil did not study last year because he did not find a safe school to study at, but this year, he insisted on attending school anyway.

I want to study. I do not prefer to stay at home, but I do not think I can continue as I am suffering from pain in my back and legs, he told Al Jazeera.

Naseem Salah, a teacher at Nema Rasam School, said the house where the school is now located is in a safe part of the city. But the rooms are small, and the building lacks a yard for the children to play in.

After a month of study, some students started to suffer from pain either in their spines or legs, and this is because of sitting on the ground, so I think chairs are a very important thing for students, she said. The students cannot find a good chance to learn in those houses as their thoughts are scattered, and they cannot even walk easily on the stairs.

There are more than 600 students in this house in total  the girls study in the morning and the children in the afternoon. It is difficult because this house was not designed to function as a school.

But Ahmed al-Qadasi, the schools principal, said there were no other options, and they did not want to stop the childrens studies. We held a meeting with students fathers, and they agreed about using those buildings, and they pay the rent of those houses, as the government did not help us, Qadasi told Al Jazeera. We bought some tools such as whiteboards at the fathers expense, but we still need a lot of tools, including chairs and textbooks. 

Ahmed al-Bohairi, the head of the Educational Media and Studies Center in Taiz, told Al Jazeera that although Taiz city contains 206 public schools, only 37 were able to open this year due to the war. Private schools also exist in Taiz, but most families cannot afford them, especially given the economic crisis in the country.

Many students in Taiz did not enrol in school last year, as only 12 schools were working in the city in 2015, and about 468 were closed in the whole province. The schools, which were partially damaged by the war [both in Taiz and rural areas], have reopened for study this year, Bohairi said.

According to a statement by UNICEF, on a normal day, the number of out-of-school children was over two million.

Some fear the school closures could put children in danger.  Children who are out of school are at risk of recruitment to fight,  said UNICEF Yemen Representative Julien Harneis. Since the Yemen conflict escalated in March 2015, the United Nations has verified that 1,210 children, some as young as eight years old, have been recruited to fight.

READ MORE: Yemen war: My children are starving to death

Harneis added that children have been killed on their way to school or while at school, and called on those involved in the war to  keep children and schools out of harm to give education a chance. 

The Popular Resistance has been using about 30 schools in Taiz city, including large schools such as Zaid al-Moshki and Nema Rasam in order to train their new fighters.

Taiz is under siege by the Houthis, so we do not have places to train the fighters. So we are using those schools, a source in the Popular Resistance told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to media.

The source confirmed that the fighters left some schools in the city this year and that they will leave the others as soon as they find other places for the Popular Resistance to train and live.

The students are our children, and we do not want to deprive them from learning, so we are cooperating with the education office to find alternatives to schools in houses, halls, or even hotels, the source said.

Students can study inside houses, but we cannot train inside them, and we also need yards for our military vehicles.
Trump wont bring more jobs to the white working class, but he will undermine socioeconomic gains by workers of colour.

Everyone is wondering how it happened. How could Donald Trump, a symbol of everything the US has supposedly worked to undo in its spoiled past, become its leader?

News outlets agree on one aspect of the answer: Election coverage splashes headlines that call this moment a working-class uprising, an outburst in response to economic inequality. The truth?

This moment is not a triumph of the working class. It is a proclamation of white supremacy. Not only is the implicit definition of the working class as white false, its also dangerous.

A growing working class of colour

In his final campaign speech, Trump announced today the American working class is going to strike back. Trump denigrates immigrants and people of colour, who comprise 40 percent of the working class in America, so who is it thats going to strike back?





Trumps working class comes right out of the long-standing ideology of the deserving poor, framed in this election as the white industrial worker disenfranchised by NAFTA. The corresponding undeserving poor are the immigrants and people of colour who are stealing jobs and opportunity from him. White people view themselves as the deserving. People of colour, on the other hand, are viewed as pathologically criminal: border jumpers, thugs, or terrorists.

Today, the American working class is 60 percent white. By the end of Trumps term, minorities will comprise 45 percent of working class America. By 2032, whites will make up less than half of the total share of the working class. White working class America is doing better than their minority neighbours, with unemployment at half the rate experienced by working class blacks and Latinos.

Breaking down the numbers further, poverty impacts communities of colour at a much higher rate than it impacts whites. In 2014, 10 percent of white America fell under the poverty line, in comparison to 26 percent of blacks, 23 percent of Latinos, and 12 percent of Asians.

This is not to say white poverty is a myth or that trade policies in this country havent gutted industrial and agricultural communities; it is real and there is no question that they have. Much of post-industrial America lacks basic infrastructure and badly needs resources such as access to healthcare and sustainable jobs.

Keeping workers of colour down

But this reality is not why white people voted for Trump. And rural whites arent the only ones who supported him. As the country grows increasingly diverse, rural areas along with suburbs have seen an influx of people of colour: both newly arrived immigrants and long-time residents who move from cities for a lower cost of living.

The New York City suburbs of Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island have seen a major rise in black, Latino, and Muslim enclaves, as people of colour experience class ascendance and as working-class minorities  who are priced out of an increasingly expensive New York City  settle just outside city limits.

OPINION: Trump Tribe  portrait of the New Americans

Long Island hosted several rallies in support of Trump with up to 10,000 people in attendance. One of these rallies was held yards away from where Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorean immigrant, was killedin 2008 in what the police concluded was a hate crime. Suffolk County, which has an average household income of $88,000, a third higher than the national average income, is also home to a swelling Ku Klux Klan membership. These places are not the Appalachian hollers or depressed factory towns depicted in election coverage, but they are Trump territory.

Not only does proximity to communities of colour make white people feel generally uneasy, it makes them feel insecure. Despite consistently earning less than their white counterparts, people of colour have experienced comparative gains in income while white people  white men in particular  have remained economically stagnant. In other words, the gap has narrowed even as it remains pronounced.





Trumps grandiose economic policies wont especially help white people get more jobs or better jobs. But they will absolutely undermine and suppress any gains, economic or social, made by people of colour.

And thats what a Trump vote means: Its not about bringing up white people; its about keeping people of colour in their place. Its about ensuring that even if the deserving poor never get what they need, at least the undeserving poor will get less and less.

It is dangerous to affirm the narrative of the working class as a white monolith. It erases the reality of many poor and working people of colour across the country. It creates a false pretence that racial minorities arent living outside city centres, in Trump Country  and as a result, arent receiving the brunt of vitriolic hate thats become increasingly normalised just in the past few days.

Conversely, it makes the assumption that all Trump supporters are working class when that has been proven to be false time and time again. It is dangerous to imply that Trumps policies can or will do anything in the interest of the working class rather than in the interest of assuaging white fear. Worse yet, it delivers on Trumps promise to white America: that white people are the embattled, the justified, the deserving.

Lena P Afridi is an independent writer who specialises in income inequality and racial and economic justice. She holds a Masters in Regional Planning from Cornell University.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Allison Thompson is one of the most outspoken campaigners in the fight to save the rhino from extinction. A clue to her passion is the name she chose for the organisation she founded  Outraged South African Citizens Against Poaching  OSCAP.

She recalls the incident that led her to set up OSCAP about six years ago. A young rhino was left bleeding and mutilated after poachers cut off its horns.

That animal was still alive when its having its face hacked off. You feel the anger  its just dreadful. Very little was being said or read about it both locally and internationally. Outraged was exactly how I felt at the time.

There was an online appeal for practical help to save the rhino. The animal died after two days, but from that anger, OSCAP was set up.

Most of Thompsons fury now is directed at the corruption which she says perpetuates the poaching.

Our corruption is endemic in every sphere of the wildlife industry. We have pilots involved, we have vets involved, weve got rangers involved. Weve had a really highly respected section ranger from Kruger National Park recently arrested.

Thompson is referring to a case which caused genuine shock in conservation circles. In July 2016, a regional ranger with 15 years experience, Rodney Landela, was arrested in the Kruger National Park after rangers heard shots. They found a dead rhino and arrested two men in the immediate area. Rodney Landela has denied charges of poaching and is awaiting trial.

In other ongoing trials, vets and pilots, connected to privately owned game farms, are facing multiple charges of poaching and accused of being part of highly sophisticated, well-funded criminal networks.

Even when people are initially charged, cases often fail to reach court with no obvious explanation. People released on bail frequently disappear. Convicted poachers escape with small fines and return to the kill.

The core of our problem is that the justice system lets us down all the time, says Thompson. She wants much tougher sentences to act as a deterrent.

During our investigation, we heard about bribes paid to conservation officers who issue permits to private game reserves allowing them to keep rhinos and other endangered species, including those which aren't native to South Africa, such as tigers. by Al Jazeera Investigative Unit

Another major issue has arisen when foreign nationals have been charged, mainly from China and Vietnam. The courts cant find enough reliable translators. In some cases, resident Chinese and Vietnamese have refused the work saying theyve been threatened by criminal gangs if they help the police. In other cases, translators have deliberately falsified evidence or passed details back to the criminal bosses running the networks.

One of the most common accusations is that police officers take backhanders to let suspects escape or that they are even more directly involved in the poaching. When horn is seized in police raids, it frequently goes missing from supposedly secure police storerooms. One local middleman Al Jazeera spoke to claims that he buys horns directly from corrupt police officers, who themselves have stolen it from poachers. Occasionally, police officers have been convicted, but its a rare event.

The corruption is evident in other areas too. During our investigation, we heard about bribes paid to conservation officers who issue permits to private game reserves allowing them to keep rhinos and other endangered species, including those which arent native to South Africa, such as tigers.

READ MORE: How conservationists saved one young rhinos life

Money can also change hands when export licences are requested. Both Vietnam and China have imported rhinos from South Africa, ostensibly for private safari parks or rhino farms. Conservationists are generally opposed to the idea that any of Africas endangered species should end up in the very countries which regard horn, ivory, lion teeth or pangolin scales as a commodity.

Thompson sums it up when she says: Organised crime can only flourish in a corrupt environment, and until we can fix our corruption here, we will never ever stop the poaching.
Malcolm Turnbull announces one-off agreement under which the US will take some refugees from offshore prisons.

Australia has reached a resettlement deal with the United States for refugees who are being held in offshore prisons after having tried to reach Australia by boat.

The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among a group of almost 1,300 people held at on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Rights groups have been scathing about conditions at the prison camps.

Another 370 who came to Australia for medical treatment and then refused to return to the islands would also be eligible.

I can now confirm that the government has reached a further third-country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres. The agreement is with the United States, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told a press conference in Canberra on Friday.

READ MORE: Nauru  A place of abuse and desperation

Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed the deal with President-elect Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday.

We deal with one administration at a time and there is only one president of the United States at a time, Turnbull told reporters, adding that the deal was reached some time ago.

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed that the US had agreed to consider referrals from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.

We are going to work to protect vulnerable refugees around the world, and well share that responsibility with our friends in the regions that are most affected by this challenge, Kerry said.

Australia has refused to resettle any refugee that arrived by boat since the tough policy, widely criticised by rights groups, was announced in July 2013. It instead pays Nauru and Papua New Guinea to keep them in prisons and has been searching for countries that will resettle them.

Few refugees have accepted offers to resettle in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia. Any refugee who refuses to go to the US would be given a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, a tiny impoverished atoll with a population of 10,000 people, immigration minister Peter Dutton said.

READ MORE: Nauru  Leak reveals children sexually abused at prison

US Department of Homeland Security officials are expected in Australia this week to begin assessing refugees.

Turnbull would not say how many refugees the US might take, but said the most vulnerable would be given priority.

Our priority is the resettlement of woman, children and families, Turnbull said. This will be an orderly process. It will take time. It will not be rushed.

The agreement, to be administered with UNHCR, is available only to those currently in the processing centres and will not be repeated, according to the government.

Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said ships had been positioned to turn boats back if people attempted to reach Australia in the hope of being sent to the US.

Full of holes

The Human Rights Law Centre said the deal was full of holes, lacking both concrete numbers and a timeframe.

David Manne, the executive director of Refugee Legal, said the deal was long overdue and that Australia had failed to live up to its legal obligation to offer asylum to refugees.

The real question here is that whether these people have had a fair hearing in relation to their cases for refugee protection as there are very serious concerns that they might not have, he told Al Jazeera.

It is fundamental that we ensure that any of those people that are not immediately the recipients of the US deal have had their cases fairly and properly reviewed because we know that if we get it wrong on decisions about refugees status, the consequence can be extra ordinarily grave.

READ MORE: Australia weighs law banning refugees from returning

While noting Australias detention policy had caused immense harm to vulnerable people, UNHCR said it would endorse referrals made from Australia to the US.

Some 675 asylum-seekers on Manus and 941 on Nauru out of more than 2,000 applications have been successful in obtaining initial or final refugee status, the immigration department said earlier this month.

Canberra has long defended its policies, saying they have prevented deaths at sea.
PM says Israeli citizens complain about excessive noise coming from loudspeaker systems for calls to prayer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he backs a bill limiting the volume of calls to prayer from mosques, a proposal government watchdogs call a threat to religious freedom.

Israeli media reported on Sunday the bill would stop the use of public address systems for calls to prayer.

I cannot count the times  they are simply too numerous  that citizens have turned to me from all parts of Israeli society, from all religions, with complaints about the noise and suffering caused them by the excessive noise coming to them from the public address systems of houses of prayer, Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

While the draft bill applies to all houses of worship, it is seen as specifically targeting mosques.

Discrimination accusations

Israels population is roughly 17.5 percent Arab, most of them Muslim, and they accuse the Jewish majority of badly discriminating against them.

East Jerusalem is also mainly Palestinian and traditional calls to prayer by muezzins through public address systems can be heard in the city.

The Israel Democracy Institute, a non-partisan think-tank, has spoken out against the proposal.

On Sunday, one of the groups officials accused Israels right-wing politicians of dangerously using the issue to gain political points under the guise of improving quality of life.

Nasreen Hadad Haj-Yahya wrote in Israeli newspaper Maariv the real aim of the bill is not to prevent noise, but rather to create noise that will hurt all of society and the efforts to establish a sane reality between Jews and Arabs.
First year students at University of Pennsylvania were added to a chat group and subjected to threats of lynching.

Black students at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) have said they were afraid to attend classes after a number of undergraduates were added to a chat group that subjected them to racial slurs and threats of lynching.

The incident comes amid a spike in hate crimes and racist behaviour in the United States after the election of Republican candidate Donald Trump as president on Tuesday.

Officials at the University of Oklahoma on Saturday announced they had suspended one of its students for alleged involvement in sending racist messages, as US media reported the FBI was helping UPenn to investigate the matter.

Messages in the group referred to black people as n******, c***s, and dumb slaves, while one read: All heil TRUMPMEISTER.

Those behind the group also posted pictures of historic murders of black people in the US, and created an event titled Daily Lynching, further asking the students if they were going?.

READ MORE: Black Americans fear racism, police violence post-Trump

Al Jazeera spoke to several black students and alumni at the university who expressed their sadness and anger over the incident.

I was horrified, outraged, disgusted, said UPenn biology senior Sarah Gubara, who blamed the election for emboldening the racists.

This incident showed me that Trump had empowered a lot of people to feel more comfortable being hateful and violent towards black people.

Gubara told Al Jazeera many of the affected students had only started university two months ago, and the racism had already marred their experience.

I dont know if there could have been a worse way to start off a college education for the freshmen.

Theyve only been on campus for two-and-a-half months, have just started to become comfortable, their support networks are so small.

Gubara said the weeks events had also taken a toll on her own ability to study.

I have an exam on Monday and I am so scared that I am going to fail because I was not able to dedicate myself to my studies. I was busy comforting and supporting my community, my only safe space, my family.

Larger problem

Gubara and others said this particular racist outburst was part of a bigger picture of tensions at the university.

I think that racism didnt just appear on campus, said Maryam Alausa, a board member of Umoja, a black student umbrella organisation.

Its been here but previously it has been expressed in implicit ways or in the form of micro-aggressions.

I think a group of people who havent been able to speak their mind are now emboldened to do as they please  and that is what were seeing the results of.

Students of all schools gathering to protest the racist attacks on UPenn freshman #UPennWeGotUs pic.twitter.com/lOSWlz8Q1T  FJ Thee REAL Racist (@FeministaJones) November 11, 2016

Sydette Harry, a UPenn alumnus, said there was a sense on the campus that black students did not truly deserve to be in such a reputable institution.

Upper tier universities have that dynamic, Harry said.

Penn is an Ivy League university so Penn, Harvard, Brown, and Columbia have a very specific kind of tension because theres always this expectation or assumption that you [as a black person] are not supposed to be there.

Harry, who works on Mozillas Coral Project, also raised questions about how sensitive information, like the students phone numbers, were obtained by those behind the chat group.

Theres also an informational security issue. How were they able to isolate black students and put them in a group.

University response

In a statement released on Saturday, University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann said she was absolutely appalled by the incident.

The racism of this GroupMe message is profoundly inimical to what we stand for as a university, Gutmann said.

We will take every step possible to counteract its appalling bias.

And we all stand together in solidarity with our black students who have been so terribly targeted.

However, the impact of the messages on racial tensions on campus may be hard to reverse, according to students Al Jazeera spoke to.

I am the minority in most of my classes, how could I possibly sit there knowing there may be people in the room that think its okay to lynch black students? Gubara asked.

For Harry, such thoughts represented an unfair burden on black students.

Its not your responsibility to decode which of your classmates is racist or not, Harry said.

They [students] are like I dont know whos racist and whos not, and I dont know how were going to move forward, and how were going to heal.

She said as victims it wasnt the responsibility of the targeted students to reconcile with the perpetrators.

My message to them is that it is your responsibility to be safe, secure, and try to finish your education and do the best you can. We are here for you, alumni are here to help.
Conservative PM steps down after his partys candidate suffers heavy defeat in presidential vote to pro-Russia general.

Bulgarias prime minister has stepped down after his presidential nominee suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a Moscow-friendly general backed by the opposition.

The resignation of conservative leader Boyko Borisov on Monday is expected to trigger early elections in spring.

In the first working day of the parliament we will tender the government resignation, Borisov had told reporters on Sunday.

After congratulating the election winner, socialist-backed opposition candidate Rumen Radev, Borisov acknowledged that the outcome means his party had lost its majority of support.

The results clearly shows the governing coalition has no majority and cannot pass the [upcoming] budget, he said.

READ MORE: Bulgaria opposition candidate tops presidential poll

Radev, who has called for an end to European Union sanctions against Russia, won nearly 60 percent of the vote, according to partial official results.





Radevs victory over pro-EU ruling party candidate Tsetska Tsacheva and the collapse of Borisovs minority government is likely to result in months of political uncertainty  and bring the country politically closer to Russia.

Its a victory for all Bulgarian people. Democracy has beaten apathy and fear today, Radev told public broadcaster BNT.

Radev, a 53-year-old jet fighter pilot and novice to politics, tapped into public anger with political elites and fears about immigration, and vowed not to make the Balkan country a migrant ghetto.

The country of 7.2 million people already has warmer ties with Russia than most of its EU peers.

Radev has made it clear he believes NATO member Bulgaria should focus more on its economic and political ties with Moscow, which has been under EU sanctions since it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Under Bulgarias constitution, the presidents job is mostly ceremonial, but whoever holds the post can influence policy, veto legislation and sign international treaties.
Colombias government and the countrys biggest rebel group have signed a new, modified peace accord following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum.

The latest agreement, signed on Saturday in Cuba, aims to address some of the concerns of opponents of the original accord, who said the deal was too lenient on the FARC rebel group, which they allege committed kidnappings and war crimes.

President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed an initial peace deal on September 26 to international fanfare after more than four years of negotiations. But voters rejected it on October 2 by just 55,000 votes, dealing a stunning setback to Santos who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end Colombias conflict.

The agreement that was signed in September was, according to studies, one of the best in recent history, Santos said in a televised address. But with all humility, I want to recognise that this new agreement is a better agreement.





This [new] peace agreement with the FARC takes and reflects the proposals, the ideas, of everyone who participated in this great national dialogue, Santos added. It answers and clarifies the concern that many had towards the text, the meaning of the agreement, or its implementation.

The new deal is an opportunity to clear up doubts, but above all to unite us, said government negotiator Humberto de la Calle, who signed the accord along with rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez, moving to end a half-century-long conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives and driven almost eight million people from their homes.

I think we have to remember [that] when the [October 2] plebiscite happened, the accord had been agreed to less than a month earlier, Virginia Bouvier, senior adviser at United States Institute of Peace, told Al Jazeera.

There was one month for people to get to know a really complex document of 127 pages. With the outcome of the plebicite [and the rejection of the peace deal], people recognised [that] the opportunity for peace might [have been] lost. People from both sides of the aisle came out, and there is a constant mobilisation calling for a new accord to be reached.

New agreement

De la Calle described the text of the modified accord as much better than the previous one, but didnt say if or how it would be submitted again to voters or to Congress.

Some modifications made were related to justice, punishment for combatants accused of war crimes and reparations for the conflicts victims.

Negotiators had worked out the details of how and where those responsible for crimes would serve their sentences, addressing complaints by opponents that rebels accused of atrocities would not be imprisoned but submitted to alternative punishments, according to De la Calle.

OPINION: Why Colombians opposed the peace deal with FARC

Other modifications include requiring the rebels to present an inventory of acquired money and holdings, and the provision of safeguards for private owners and property during reforms carried out in the countryside.

Cases of conflict participants accused of drug trafficking would be dealt with under Colombias penal code and be heard by high courts.

The government negotiators in Havana are expected to fly back to Colombia and meet some of the leaders of the No camp, who rejected the September peace deal, to address their concerns and provide reassurances about the new agreement.
Iraqi troops push from Mosuls south against ISIL held-territory securing villages on the edge of historic Nimrud city.

Iraqi forces have captured two villages on the outskirts of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud as they move ahead to drive Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters from Iraqs second city Mosul.

The 9th division of the Iraqi army on Sunday advanced on Nimrud and Numaniyah villages on the edge of the main city, military officials told Al Jazeera. Earlier reports said the entire 3,000-year-old city  about 30km south of Mosul  had been captured by the army.

Nimrud  once the capital of an empire stretching across the ancient Middle East  is one of several historic sites looted and ransacked by ISIL fighters, who deem the countrys pre-Islamic religious heritage as idolatrous.

ISIL still controls other Assyrian landmarks, including the ruins of Nineveh and Khorsabad, as well as the 2,000-year-old desert city of Hatra.

READ MORE: How will Mosul rise from the ashes of battle?

Four weeks into the campaign to crush ISIL in Mosul, the city is almost surrounded but the armed groups defences have so far been breached only to the east, where they have battled elite troops for control of about a dozen districts.



Mosul: A look inside ISILs extensive tunnel system

The fight for Mosul, the biggest city held by the armed group in Iraq, is the largest military operation in a decade of turmoil unleashed by the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Iraqs government, which has assembled a 100,000-strong coalition of troops, security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, and mainly Shia militias  backed by US air power  said the battle will mark the end of ISIL in Iraq.

But it acknowledged that the fight will be a long one.

Meanwhile on the frontline, an army special forces officer said his men aimed to target Hadba, the first neighbourhood ahead of them within city limits. The district was visible from his position in the village of Bawiza, Reuters news agency reported.

Brigadier Ali Abdulla said ISIL fighters had been pushed out of Bawiza and another village, Saada, although forward progress had been slowed by the presence of civilians.

Our approach will be very slow and cautious so that we can reach the families and free them from Daeshs grip, Abdulla said, using the Arabic name for ISIL.

IN PICTURES: A deserted sanctuary near Mosuls frontlines

The urban warfare tactics were similar to those deployed to lethal effect in the east of Mosul against elite Counter Terrorism Service forces and an armoured division.

In some districts, control has changed hands three or four times as ISIL fighters  using tunnels and exploiting the presence of civilians as cover  have launched nighttime attacks and reversed military gains of the previous day.

More than 54,000 people have been forced to flee their homes so far in the Mosul campaign.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday that tens of thousands of people lack access to water, food, electricity and basic health services in areas recaptured by the army in Mosul and surrounding towns and villages.

Ultimately, 700,000 people were likely to need shelter, food, water or medical support, it said.
Iraqi Kurdish forces have unlawfully destroyed Arab homes and villages in northern Iraq over the past two years in what may amount to a war crime, the rights group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), said on Sunday.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are part of a 100,000-strong Iraqi alliance, helped by US-led air raids and military advisers, that is battling to retake Mosul from Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The New York-based rights group said in a report that violations between September 2014 and May 2016 in 21 towns and villages in disputed parts of the Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces had followed a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions.





The areas are nominally under the jurisdiction of Baghdad but are de facto controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which pushed ISIL (also known as ISIS) from swathes of northern Iraq it seized in 2014. The KRG has since accepted more than 1 million refugees  mostly Sunni Arabs  fleeing the fighting.

Dindar Zebari, head of the high committee to respond to international reports told Al Jazeera that there was [not a] single intention for the destruction of Arab houses.

What has happened is, because ISIL members have taken positions they have fought Peshmerga forces, plenty of TNT and explosives [were] planted in those houses, and whatever destruction happened was a consequence of the war with this terrorist organisation, he said.

HRW said the report was based on more than a dozen field visits and interviews with over 120 witnesses and officials. Analysis of satellite images suggests property destruction targeted Arab residents long after any military necessity for such actions had ended, it said.

In village after village, in Kirkuk and Nineveh, KRG security forces destroyed Arab homes  but not those belonging to Kurds  for no legitimate military purpose, Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW, said.

KRG leaders political goals dont justify demolishing homes illegally.

HRW said the satellite imagery showed destruction in 62 other villages after their capture by Kurdish security forces, but that a lack of witness accounts made it difficult to determine cause and responsibility in those cases.

READ MORE: Kurds deny forcing Arabs from Iraqs Kirkuk

Kurdish officials have stated their intention to absorb land recovered from ISIL into their autonomous region and prevent Arab residents from returning to areas Arabised decades ago by Saddam Hussein.

These areas that the Peshmerga have captured are part of Federal Iraq and numerous Kurdish officials, from Marsoud Barzani all the way down, have voiced their intent on integrating into Iraqi Kurdistan, Patrick Martin, lead Iraq researcher at the Institute for the Study of War, told Al Jazeera.

Its effectively created an ethnic fault line between the Peshmerga and the federal government. At some point after the recapture of Mosul, and probably before then and definitely afterwards, theres going to be a very serious debate between Iraqi Kurdistan and Baghdad of who actually has control over these areas and the return of Sunni Arab IDPs [internally displaced persons] to their homes in the Peshmerga-held areas. This has the potential to be a very serious flashpoint that could degenerate into violence.

KRG and Peshmerga say their forces often need to destroy homes because ISIL rigs them with explosives before it retreats.

But demining experts who spoke to HRW said the demolitions were inconsistent with accepted practices and that uncontrolled explosions risked dispersing explosives throughout rubble, making the area and later cleanup extremely unsafe.

In some cases, the destruction of homes and villages took place weeks and months after Kurdish forces retook control of the areas, indicating that eliminating ISIS-planted explosive devices was not essential to KRG military operations and did not meet the test under international humanitarian law of imperative necessity as a justification for attacks on civilian objects, HRW said.

In other instances, according to the report, Peshmerga demolished buildings in villages that ISIL never controlled. In some of those cases, KRG officials said their forces destroyed homes because one or more of the inhabitants supported ISIL.

Last month, the London-based rights group, Amnesty international, released a report accusing Kurdish forces of destroying Arab homes and forcing Arab residents out of the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk, which is under the de facto control of Kurdish forces.

Additional reporting by Dylan Collins: @Collinsdyl
Benjamin Netanyahu tells Israeli ministers and MPs to stop making statements about Donald Trumps US election victory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for ministers to refrain from commenting on Donald Trumps presidency, after right-wing politicians said his election win put an end to a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu has been cautious in his comments since Trumps stunning United States presidential victory on November 8, simply sending his congratulations and pledging to work with him.

But other right-wing politicians have used Trumps win to promote their cause, with some calling for the end of the idea of a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the basis of years of negotiations.

OPINION: To some, ignorance is bliss

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, said last week the era of a Palestinian state is over.





Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting on Sunday: President-elect Trump and I decided to meet soon in order to discuss all of the important issues on the agenda between the US and Israel.

I request that all ministers, deputy ministers, and [lawmakers] allow the incoming administration to formulate  together with us  its policy vis-a-vis Israel and the region, through accepted and quiet channels  and not via interviews and statements.

Trumps win is seen as likely leading to a far more favourable US policy toward Israel, though many analysts have cautioned his thinking remains unclear and he has proven himself to be unpredictable.

Netanyahu was among the first leaders Trump spoke to after his election victory.

At the same time, Israel is concerned that President Barack Obama may seek a UN resolution on its conflict with the Palestinians, which the Jewish state opposes, before he leaves office on January 20.

READ MORE: As America votes, a voice from Palestine

Obamas administration has intensified its criticism of Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank.

In recent years, we have wisely and responsibly managed our relations with the United States  the greatest and most important of our allies  and we will continue to do so in the coming months and years, Netanyahu said.

The prime minister added Trump had expressed very deep friendship for Israel, a friendship which has characterised him and, I must add, also the team around him, for many years.

The US grants Israel more than $3bn per year in defence aid.
Citing satellite imagery, Human Rights Watch says more than 400 buildings destroyed in the restive Rakhine State.

Satellite images show that several Rohingya village in Myanmars Rakhine State have been burned to the ground in recent weeks, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Saturday.

The New York-based rights group urged authorities to invite United Nations investigators to look into the destruction of a total of 430 buildings in three villages in the northern Maungdaw district between October 22 and November 10.



Myanmar soldiers allegedly killed Rohingya villager

New satellite images not only confirm the widespread destruction of Rohingya villages but show that it was even greater than we first thought, Brad Adams, HRWs Asia director, said in a statement.

According to HRW, the damage took place in the villages of Pyaung Pyit, Kyet Yoe Pyin, and Wa Peik.

The allegations come at a time of heightened tensions between the authorities and the ethnic Rohingya community that has seen the government arm non-Muslim civilians in Rakhine and renewed crackdowns on the Rohingya.

Troops started pouring into Maungdaw in October after the killings of nine border police in three attacks along the countrys northwestern border with Bangladesh.

Security crackdowns have led to at least 3,000 Buddhist Rakhine fleeing their homes in Maungdaw township, with dozens of fighters allegedly being killed in the fighting.

Most people in the area are Muslim Rohingya, a stateless minority whom Buddhist nationalists vilify as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh  even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations.
Amid growing political scandal, Park will be the first sitting president questioned by prosecutors in a criminal case.

South Korean prosecutors will question President Park Geun-hye over a burgeoning political corruption scandal engulfing her presidency.

It will be the first time a sitting South Korean president will be interviewed by prosecutors over a criminal case.

It is correct, we are planning to question the president, but the date is undecided, an unnamed official at the prosecutors office told Reuters news agency on Sunday.





We need to question the president Tuesday  or Wednesday at the latest, Yonhap News Agency also quoted an official with the Seoul prosecutors office as saying.

The official added they had sent a notice to her office and were waiting for a response.

Hundreds of thousands marched in the capital of Seoul on Saturday demanding Park resign, saying she was unfit to rule.

Public support for her has dropped to the lowest point ever, 5 percent, for a democratically elected South Korean leader.

The scandal centres on Parks shadowy confidant, Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of using her ties with the president to strong-arm local firms into donating millions of dollars to two non-profit foundations used by Choi for personal gain.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Park exerted improper pressure on company bosses to raise funds for the two foundations, Yonhap reported.

Bosses questioned

Prosecutors have already interviewed the de facto head of Samsung Group, Jay Y Lee, and the chairmen of Hyundai Motor Group and Hanjin Group over the scandal.

Parks office said it would be Tuesday at the earliest before it will have a position on the prosecutors plan and was considering retaining a lawyer for the president.

South Korea: Seoul rally urges Park Geun-hye to resign

While some previous South Korean presidents have been mired in scandals or allegations of wrongdoing involving family members during their terms, none were directly questioned by prosecutors while they were in office.

Under South Korean law, a sitting president has immunity from prosecution except in cases of treason, but many scholars say a president can still face investigation.

Park has 15 months left in her term. If she steps down before the end of it, an election must be held within 60 days.
Government forces say they are preparing a major offensive, while rebels say such messages are psychological warfare.

The Syrian government has sent text messages to residents and rebels in eastern Aleppo telling them to leave the area within 24 hours.

Government forces said that they were preparing a major offensive to push opposition fighters out of the besieged eastern half of the city.

To the armed people in the neighbourhoods of east Aleppo, we are giving you 24 hours only to decide if you are leaving. Your leadership abroad is incapable of getting you out. Whoever wants to stay alive must drop his weapons and we will secure his safety. After the 24 hours is up we will implement a strategic attack using highly sophisticated weapons, the messages read.

The opposition leadership that stays in hotels and castles enjoying a luxurious life doesnt care about the poor Syrian citizens in east Aleppo. They are using you for their personal benefit. We are giving you, the sick and the wounded, 24 hours to exit if you want.

The move comes as Russia continues to build its naval presence off the coast of Syria, and as major Russian aircraft carriers arrive off the coast.

This could be an all-out assault in the next 24 hours, Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border, said.





Messages from the government have been sent to eastern Aleppo residents before, but usually in leaflets dropped from the sky, or on loudspeakers.

This is part of the psychological warfare being waged on the besieged city, Bin Javaid reported. Rebels say it is one of the tactics the government uses to draw them out and make them use their weapons.

Starvation warning

Speaking on the situation inside eastern Aleppo, Bin Javaid said that the people living there are desperate.

Residents are making fun of text messages being sent, because there is no electricity to charge their mobile phones and no way to add credit to their phones, Bin Javaid added.

More than 250,000 people are tightly packed into the besieged eastern part of Aleppo, and the United Nations has warned of potential mass starvation there.

Russian and Syrian government forces say rebels are to blame for the inability of humanitarian groups to deliver food and aid, particularly during an earlier ceasefire.

For the last two weeks, rebels have been trying to break the government siege of eastern Aleppo, but their gains were reversed after troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad recaptured districts of western Aleppo, which is largely controlled by government forces.
US president-elect, in his first interview since victory, says he plans to deport or jail undocumented foreigners.

US president-elect Donald Trump said he planned to immediately deport or jail as many as three million undocumented immigrants, as he set out his priorities in the first television interview since his election.

The interview with CBSs 60 Minutes was broadcast on Sunday, with millions tuning in for clues on how the billionaire businessman-turned-politician will govern the country.

Since Tuesdays election triumph, Trump had appeared to tone down his rhetoric, notably suggesting he might be willing to reconsider a pledge to scrap President Barack Obamas signature health reform, the so-called Obamacare.





He made clear, though, in excerpts of Sundays interview that he still intended to crack down on undocumented immigrants in the country, focusing on people with criminal records.

What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers  probably two million of them, it could be even three  out of our country, or we are going to incarcerate them, Trump said.

Trumps stance on his deportation plans stood in opposition with comments by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said on Sunday the focus under a Trump administration would be on securing the border, not rounding up immigrants.

Trump also said he would keep his promise to build a wall along the US border with Mexico, but said part of it could be a fence, as some members of Congress have suggested.

There could be some fencing, he said in the interview, but in other areas a wall is more appropriate.

READ MORE: Can Trump build a wall?

Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington DC, said there was no question about having a barrier on the border or not, but the discussion was about what form it would take as Trump had previously insisted it would largely be a physical wall, not a fence.

The issue of a strong border is important for many Republicans, and indeed many Democrats. But the differences are as to what form it takes. There are already fences in large areas of the border at present, which the Congress approved, Hanna said.

If Donald Trump wants to get his wall, he needs the Republican-majority Congress to approve the expenses for it. He alienated many there during his campaign.

Separately, 50,000 people in the US have signed a petition asking Trump to openly reject hate and bigotry.

It was set up following more than 200 reports of intimidation and harassment since election day. Some of those cases have been highlighted on social media.

Trumps campaign was marked by derogatory comments about race, religion, gender and disability.

However, in his victory speech, he vowed to be a President for all Americans.
A look at the invisible weapon of Bashar al-Assads regime: the kidnapping and torture of tens of thousands of Syrians.

When Syrians first protested in the Spring of 2011, their only weapons were banners and songs and a deep desire for freedom. Syria has been ruled by a strong, strict and often merciless regime, handed down from father to son since 1970.

We, the old guard, couldnt believe it. Protests like that? In the state of Hafez al-Assad? In Syria? For the old guard, it was impossible. Forty-five years of rule had brainwashed us. When the revolution began, our orders were to shoot, says Munir al-Hariri, a former member of the Syrian intelligence service.

The regime silenced the revolution and the country has sunk into civil war and chaos. Without boundaries, the government started to use different tactics and all of its military might to suppress any possible uprising to maintain power. One such tactic involves the arrest and forceful disappearance of people accused of opposing the regime.

The countless disappearances reveal the relentless death machine secretly set up by the government in Damascus: teenagers are rounded up in their schools, protesters are sent in trucks to unknown destinations, and passers-by are arbitrarily arrested.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, more than 65,000 people have vanished in Syria since 2011. Beyond this, over 200,000 people are currently being detained by the Syrian regime. Arrested for various reasons, these detainees are secretly being held on police or army bases, and even schools or warehouses that have been turned into detention centres.

It was worse than hell

In March 2016, Rowaida Kanaan was released after three months in detention. Fear and uncertainty led her to leave Syria one month after her release and she now lives in Gaziantep, southern Turkey.

For Kanaan, the memories of pain, smells and overcrowded cells are vivid.

I often felt I could have killed the prison guards  because they were so evil. Whatever anyone says, nothing can ever describe what went on in there. I wont say it was hell, it was worse than hell, Kanaan says.

Detention always started with torture. They torture you, then interrogate you. Women are less tortured than men  They were a little more merciful with me  they didnt hang me up. But while I was being interrogated, they beat me again and again and again, she adds.

Kanaan was arrested on her way to Ghouta, the outskirts of Damascus. At a roadblock just outside of Damascus, the secret police saw her press card and arrested her. To them, a press card meant that she was working for Al Jazeera  a network they considered to be subversive.

Kanaan says that in some cases they used loved ones to make things even more terrible. They would torture fathers in front of their sons, and vice versa, knowing the implications and effects that this would have.

READ MORE: Monitor: 60,000 dead in Syria government jails

Kanaan was one of the lucky few to get out. She got out in a prisoner trade and although she rejoices in her freedom, she still remembers those left behind.

Some women have been there for three or four years. They are being kept for exchanges and they are all innocent. But the court is keeping them to bargain with, she says.

According to Amnesty International, tens of thousands of people in Syria have been forcefully disappeared. Amnesty describes this process as the process where a person is arrested, detained or abducted by a state or agents acting for the state, who then deny the person is being held or conceal their whereabouts, placing them outside the protection of the law. The disappeared are cut off from the outside world, packed into overcrowded, secret cells where torture is routine, disease is rampant and death is commonplace.

Lessons in torture

Throughout the Middle East, the Syrian secret police is notorious for its intelligence gathering techniques and no tolerance towards the opposition. For this reason, high-ranking officers that defect tend to stay out of the media for their own safety.

Munir al-Hariri is a former chief of the so-called political security, a branch of the domestic intelligence service. He defected in November 2012 and speaks out for the first time.

Syrias Disappeared Enforced disappearances were a major human rights concern during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, who was president of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, but numbers have risen since 2011. More than 65,000 people have vanished in Syria since 2011. Over 200,000 people are currently detained by the Syrian regime. Officers are trained on various interrogation techniques in Eastern Europe and Russia. In 2013, a forensic photographer for the secret police defected and smuggled out a total of 55,000 photos of dead detainees. The families of those that have been taken are often denied any information about their whereabouts or conditions.

The most terrible thing in Syria is to be detained. The martyr is dead, may God bless his soul. The wounded, may God heal them. But the detainee dies a hundred times a day from the physical and psychological torture inflicted on him, Hariri says.

He explains that the torture techniques used by the police are extensive and there are special schools where the secret police are trained in torture methods. According to him, the instructors are trained in these techniques in Eastern Europe and Russia.

They use every torture method and tool available. Sticks, whips, the wheel, they German Chair which breaks your back. They hang you from a wall and they electrocute you, he says.

These tortures are not designed to kill in the act, but this does not mean that they dont die afterwards.

Tarek Matermawi, a former detainee, was released after five months. He explains that, after interrogation, they would bring the detainee back to the small room in which many men were squished, and they would leave the suffering person in the back of the crowded room where there was the least air. Often, this would lead to death.

Nothing but numbers

Every Syrian knows about the thousands of people illegally detained in their country, but usually we refrain from talking about detainees, and thats why theyve become nothing but numbers, says one Syrian woman on Kanaans radio show tackling detentions in Syria.

In almost every city still under the control of the Assad regime, there may be one or several detention centres. Damascus, the capital, has the largest number of them and there are roadblocks everywhere, controlled by the secret police, the army, or armed militias.

There are thousands of detainees. Its impossible to count them. Let me give you an example: There is a detention centre that should hold around 200 people. It now holds 4,000. Theyve even taken over schools and turned them into detention centres  There are over 200,000 detainees in Syria, says Hariri.

On Syrian state-run television, the regime is presented as the defender of the people, a holder of Syrias unity. But it has used its military might against its own population and the government depends on fear and intimidation.

The aim is not to kill. Its to prove the strength and tyranny of the state. And that everyone who dares to rise up against the government will be crushed. The aim is to kill one person in order to teach another a lesson, says Hariri.

The photos that reveal all

In August 2013, a Syrian military forensic photographer, known as Caesar, defected from the regime. He smuggled out of 55,000 photos, he had taken of dead detainees since 2011.

In 2015, a selection of these photos was put on display at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Since then, a group of Syrians and international NGOs have been trying hard to identify these victims who, in the pictures, are only identified by a number.

The pictures reveal the evil techniques, mainly starvation, used to torture those of all ages until eventual death.

Its madness.Torturing children and the elderly is crazy  every aspect of these photos show extreme suffering. Each crime is worse than the next. The main form of torture seen in these photos is extreme starvation. Almost 50 percent of the victims died of starvation  These photos along with prisoners accounts show that the regime carries out systematic torture and murder of prisoners, in Damascus and elsewhere, says a member of the Syrian Association for Missing and Conscience Detainees.

Nadim Houry from Human Rights Watch explains that since the release of these pictures, they are able to form a two-part theory: the first being that they can now identify these photographs as a form of record-keeping by the military, and secondly what the pictures reveal about what happened to the bodies.

They leave the corpses in the detention centres until they rot and the stench starts to spread to teach the detainees a lesson. It scares them and spreads disease.They transport the bodies in container trucks to mass graves. That way the people cant be identified. They are buried in mass graves in different places. Never in precise locations so that theyre hard to find for families, says Hariri.

In the past, it was more difficult to identify the individuals, places or what may have happened to them. But today, as Houry explains, they have enough answers that make it easier to do something about the situation.

Today, we know what is happening real-time. We know where these detention facilities are; in many cases, we know the names of those responsible for the detention facilities. In many cases we know exactly where the detainees are, we have testimonies indicating what happened to them. We know geo-location  and yet nothing is done, Houry says.

Despite all the evidence over the past few years, Bashar al-Assads regime continues to deny the facts on the ground. And despite all the killings, it still remains in power in Damascus.

We talk about this as though it was in the past, or just another story  But almost 200,000 people are still living it for real. The tragedy goes on in the most horrific way, says former detainee Tarek Matermawi.










English News Chinese enterprises eye Latin American Internet market

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Novembre 2016



Huawei, Chinese telecommunication giant, has already grown into a big partner of major local operators after it accessed to Brazilian market as early as 1996. The firm is now the biggest network equipment provider in Brazil with a 40-plus-percent market share.

By Wang Hailin from Peoples Daily Chinese businesses have increased their efforts to explore the Latin American Internet market in recent years. Industry insiders believe that a potential increase in consumers brought by Latin Americas population dividend, the growing coverage of networks, the popularization of social media, as well as its lagging technological innovation offers Chinese enterprises golden opportunities.



The GSMA, the international association of mobile service providers, estimated that the number of people across Latin America using their mobile devices to access the Internet is set to grow by 50 percent by the end of the decade.



China proposed a new mode of production capacity cooperation dubbed "three times three" last May, calling on China and Latin America to construct three passages for logistics, electric power and information, launch sound interaction among the three entities of the private sector, society and the government, as well as expand three financing channels including funding, credit loans and insurance.



Collaboration on information technology is rightly part of this mode. With advanced telecommunication equipment, search engine technologies and e-commerce management systems, Chinese enterprises have advantages in the booming Internet economy on the Latin American continent by engaging in the latters information industry and network construction.



Global Web Index data showed that with 110 million smart phone users as well as a potential market value of 250 billion dollars, Brazil is now the worlds second fastest growing Internet market. In addition, Brazilians top the list for the amount of time spent using mobile Internet.



Chinas Internet companies have stretched their coverage to this huge market. The Internet search provider Baidu, for instance, launched the Portuguese version of it search engine in Brazil in 2014, while internet tycoon Tencent has tested the waters there with messaging service WeChat. Qihoo 360, another industry leader, also invested a cloud-based online security company in this Latin American country and launched a series of antivirus products.

Huawei, Chinese telecommunication giant, has already grown into a big partner of major local operators after it accessed to Brazilian market as early as 1996. The firm is now the biggest network equipment provider in Brazil with a 40-plus-percent market share.



Besides the network construction, Chinese companies also extended their share in cross-border e-commerce industry. AliExpress, the global sales platform of Alibaba, is an example.



According to data released by Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE), AliExpress has grown into the biggest global sales platform in Brazil, with its orders well ahead of second-placed B2W group, an old local brand.



Amanda, a junior studying in Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, told the Peoples Daily that she bought cosmetics and accessories via AliExpress as the latter provides cost-effective products. El Pais, a mainstream newspaper in Argentina, even commented that about 80 percent of the online shopping packages delivered by local postal offices are from China.



Back in 2014, by applying Chinese technology, experience and capital, Baidu founded Latin Americas first business community for online-to-offline (O2O) companies, the Brazil O2O Association by teaming up with over 80 local business leaders.

This September, the internet search giant set up Brazils first internet investment fund called Easterly Ventures. The Sao Paulo-headquartered venture, as the first investment fund established by a Chinese internet company in Brazil, will provide and fund technology for local traffic and industry expertise for Brazilian startups.



We hope to learn from Chinas successful experience as e-commerce is a new thing for many Latin American countries, said Marcos Pueyrredon, president of the Latin American Institute for Electronic Commerce.



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English News Chinese Presidents Chilean trip to deepen bilateral cooperation: Foreign Minister

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Novembre 2016



In the past 10 years, Chilean food exports to China have grown tenfold, and the South American country has become Chinas major supplier of blueberry and cherry, Munoz said. Salmon from Chile now makes up 77 percent of Chinas imported salmon as well.

By Yan Huan, Hou Lulu from Peoples Daily Chinese President Xi Jinpings upcoming state visit to Chile is of vital significance as it will bring both countries new opportunities to deepen their political, economic and cultural cooperation, Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz told the Peoples Daily before Xi kicked off his tour.



Munoz lauded the host of firsts created by Chile in its exchanges with China, illustrating that the country was not only the first South American nation to establish diplomatic ties with China, but the first country that reached a bilateral agreement on Chinas accession to the WTO, the first to recognize Chinas full market economy status, and the first to sign a free trade agreement with China in Latin America.



China opened the first clearing bank for transactions in renminbi (RMB) in Latin America in Chile's capital Santiago last year, he elaborated, concluding that Chile, also known as ends of the earth, has been a pioneer in developing ties with China.



Over the past decades, Chile and China have set up an unbreakable strategic partnership featuring mutual trust, and such ties have brought tangible benefits to their further development, the foreign minister said.



He believed that under current circumstances, the mutual understanding, mutual respect and effective interactions between Chile and China will bring them more chances in reinforcing ties.



Munoz stressed that his country expects more Chinese investment, and hopes to benefit from Chinas rich experience in infrastructure construction, citing the construction of a binational tunnel linking Chile and northern Argentina as an example.



According to him, as Chile began to assess bids for the construction of the Agua Negra tunnel in October, it also looked forward to the participation of Chinese enterprises in this corridor connecting the Pacific and Atlantic.



Chile also expects more Chinese investment in its energy and high-end tourism industries, the minister underlined, explaining that its abundant tourism resources like Easter Island and Torres del Paine National Park, nice delicacies and competitive infrastructure are ready for tourists from worldwide.



Praising bilateral trade, the diplomat said that the trade volume between Chile and China grew fourfold in the past decade, with important breakthroughs made in non-mineral fields.



He further explained that copper dominated Chiles export products in the past years, but as Chile diversified its export products based on agriculture and processing of agricultural products, its export portfolio has extended to fruits, wine, lumber, chemicals as well as other derivative products.



In the past 10 years, Chilean food exports to China have grown tenfold, and the South American country has become Chinas major supplier of blueberry and cherry, Munoz said. Salmon from Chile now makes up 77 percent of Chinas imported salmon as well.



The two countries are now discussing on the possibilities to further upgrade their free trade agreement, noted the minister.



During Xis upcoming visit, Chile hops to deepen dialogues with China, expand bilateral exchanges, bolster bilateral cooperation in all fronts, and yield more fruits from pragmatic cooperation in talent training, technology, space exploration, new energy development, protection and studies of Antarctica, coping with climate change and natural disasters, modernization of agriculture and mining as well as tourism, Munoz expressed his countrys expectation towards Xis trip.



We believe that both countries will further expand two-way trade, and China will maintain its position as the largest trading partner of Chile. We will make more efforts in investment as well, the diplomat concluded at last.



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English News Review of Chinese President Xi Jinpings Important Remarks at APEC

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Novembre 2016



China has been an active participant and contributor, playing a significant role in promoting the construction of the family Asia-Pacific. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly elaborated his views on regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and pointed out the direction for APEC's development and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Peoples Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Economic Leaders' Summit in Lima, Peru from November 19 to 20. China has been an active participant and contributor, playing a significant role in promoting the construction of the family Asia-Pacific. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly elaborated his views on regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and pointed out the direction for APEC's development and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.



1. To create favorable conditions for the eventual economic integration in the Asia Pacific

As the top-level, broadest and most influential economic cooperation organization in the Asia Pacific, APEC should play a leading and coordinating role in promoting information sharing, transparency and openness among the various free trade arrangements so that they could learn from one another, promoting, reinforcing, and complementing one another to create favorable conditions for the eventual economic integration in the Asia Pacific.

Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a joint written interview to media from Indonesia and Malaysia before his state visits to these two countries, and attendance to the APEC leaders' meeting in October 2013.







2. Common development, open development, innovation-driven development and interconnected growth

"Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind." Like a vast ocean, the Asia Pacific offers enough sailing space for us to make progress together. Each and every APEC member has a stake in the future development of the Asia Pacific.

First, an Asia-Pacific region that seeks common development.

Second, an Asia-Pacific region that stays committed to open development.

Third, an Asia-Pacific region that promotes innovation-driven development.

Fourth, an Asia-Pacific region that pursues interconnected growth.

On Oct. 7, 2013, President Xi Jinping attended the APEC CEO Summit in Bali, Indonesia, and delivered an important speech "Deepen Reform and Opening up to Build a Better Asia-Pacific",



3. We should strengthen the sense of community of common destiny

The Asia-Pacific economies are interdependent on each other, with shared interests and common destiny. The success or failure of one may ultimately lead to success or failure of all. In this chain of dynamic interactions, one economy's development will have a knock-on effect on other economies. We should strengthen the sense of community of common destiny, contribute to other's development with that of one's own, tap fully into our respective strengths through coordination and interconnection, pass on positive energy and achieve sound interactions and coordinated development among all economies.

On Oct. 7, 2013, President Xi Jinping attended the APEC CEO Summit in Bali, Indonesia, and delivered an important speech "Deepen Reform and Opening up to Build a Better Asia-Pacific",



4. To create and fulfill an Asia-Pacific dream

The development prospect of our region hinges on the decisions and actions we take today. We are duty-bound to create and fulfill an Asia-Pacific dream for our people. This dream is about acting in the spirit of the Asia-Pacific community and out of a sense of shared destinies, following the trend of our times, i.e. peace, development and mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly working for the prosperity and progress of our region. It is about staying ahead of global development and making greater contribution to the well-being of mankind. It is about having more economic vibrancy, free trade and investment facilitation, better roads, and closer people-to-people exchanges. And it is about ensuring greater security and prosperity for our people and giving our children a better environment to grow, work and live.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks when addressing the APEC CEO Summit in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2014.



5. Only the reformers and innovators will emerge stronger and win

Life never favors those who always follow the beaten path and content themselves with the status quo. Instead, life saves opportunities for people who are willing and able to reform and innovate. In this new round of global growth, only the reformers and innovators will emerge stronger and win. We need to be courageous and pioneering, vigorously pursue reform and innovation, actively explore a new path and model that meet our own development needs and look for new growth points and impetus.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks when addressing the APEC CEO Summit in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2014.



6. To draw a blueprint for comprehensive connectivity

We need to draw a blueprint for comprehensive connectivity. Connectivity and infrastructure building in the Asia-Pacific is not only a necessity to achieve regional economic integration, but more importantly, it bears on the long-term development of all economies. We should work together to bring about connectivity covering both sides of the Pacific, which includes: hardware connectivity that brings the economies closer and paves the way for an Asia-Pacific connected with each other and the world; software connectivity that enhances alignment and coordination of policies, laws and regulations and creates convenient and efficient supply chains; and human connectivity that promotes people-to-people exchanges and fosters trust and friendship.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks when addressing the APEC CEO Summit in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2014.



7. To build an Asia-Pacific partnership of mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win progress

We are all members of the APEC community. It meets the common interests of us all to foster an open economy in the Asia-Pacific featuring innovative development, interconnected growth and converging interests. To achieve this goal, all the economies in the region need to work together to build an Asia-Pacific partnership of mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win progress, and this will inject new energy into the economic development of both the Asia-Pacific and the world.

On Nov. 11, 2014, President Xi Jinping delivered an opening remarks at the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing.



8. FTAAP will deliver gains to all economies on both sides of the Pacific

We have decided to start and advance the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and approved the Roadmap for APECs Contribution to the Realization of an FTAAP. This is a substantive move we have made towards the FTAAP. It marks the official launch of the FTAAP process and demonstrates the confidence of APEC members in promoting regional economic integration and their commitment. It will take regional economic integration to a new level, deliver gains to all economies on both sides of the Pacific and inject new impetus to the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and common development of APEC members.

 On Nov. 11, 2014, President Xi Jinping delivered a Closing Remarks at the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.



9. The Asia-Pacific remains the locomotive of the world economy

The Asia-Pacific is a mirror of the world. Against the backdrop of sluggish recovery, weak demand and divergence in the world economy, Asia-Pacific economies are also confronted with such challenges as shaky foundation for growth, transition from old to new drivers and incomplete structural adjustment. That said, the Asia-Pacific remains the locomotive of the world economy. We should proceed from the reality, look into the future, and make full use of the important platform of APEC to advance win-win cooperation, thus enabling the Asia-Pacific to continue to be the engine of global growth.

On Nov. 19, 2015, President Xi Jinping remarked at Session One of the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Manila, Philippines.



10. To have an ambitious program and aim to fulfill its grand vision

We should improve the strategic framework for medium- to long-term cooperation in the Asia-Pacific with the eyes on the future. A great thinker in ancient China said, "Without a clear vision, nothing can be accomplished." Just like a person must have a dream, cooperation must have a direction. Asia-Pacific cooperation should be forward-looking to shape the future. It should have an ambitious program and aim to fulfill its grand vision.

We should continue to carry out strategic, forward-looking and progressive cooperation, and identify the goals, measures and timetables of cooperation in priority areas.

On Nov. 19, 2015, President Xi Jinping remarked at Session One of the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Manila, Philippines.



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If there is one thing that President-elect Trump may do right, it is apply some Realpolitik to the Mideast. It may be the only possible way to deal with the matter.

For far too long, the world has tried to solve the Mideast morass from a position of morality. However, when the competing sides have completely opposing moralities, there can be no common ground. Out of the frustration arise completely wild-eyed proposals that have absolutely no hope of working.

The Arabists are now proposing a one-state solution, where both Jews and Arabs would be equally enfranchised inside a secular state. Even were one to assume that such a proposal is morally defensible, does anyone seriously believe that Israel's Jews will ever allow themselves to become hostage to a Muslim Arab demographic that could possibly outnumber the Jews at some point.

The most famous proponent -- not the only one -- of this one state solution is Ali Abunimah at the Electronic Intifada, who wrote One Country : A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse. The proposal is neither bold, nor new. The Arabs put forth the same proposal during the 1947 United Nations debate on the partition of the Palestine Mandate. The Jews were adamantly against it. They wanted their own Jewish majority state. What the Jewish community rejected in 1947, they will reject now; and pretty much for the same reasons. Muslim constituencies and polities are insane.

On a basic level, this is not even a question of right or wrong, but of reality. Yet, Mr. Abunimah is a star on the college lecture circuit, where he pedals this flat-earth solution to navigating the hazards of the Mideast, to academic applause.

On the Israeli side, there are dozens of theorists who concoct equally absurd solutions. One favorite idea is that the Arab denizens -- in the legal sense of a disenfranchised inhabitant of a region -- of Judea and Samaria would be tendered only residency rights, while Israel could control the security borders; and the Arabs' legal citizenship would be settled with Jordan.

Did anyone ask if Jordan would agree to this? Apparently not!

Over the past few decades, the Jordanians' biggest nightmare has been the talk about resettling the Palestinians in the kingdom by turning them into permanent citizens. The talk about turning Jordan into a Palestinian state has also created panic and anger among Jordanians. -- Gatestone Institute

As wonderful as the pro-Israel proposal may be on paper, Jordan will not commit suicide to help Israel.

Equally deranged are those who propose that the Palestinians be given Sinai. Egypt would no more cede its territory to the Palestinians than Israel would cede the Negev to them. The last thing Egypt's Sisi administration wants is 2 million Hamas-affiliated Gazans given an independent state adjacent to Egypt; or worse yet, absorbed into Egypt.

I understand the Jewish desire to redeem the land, but it should not cloud their reason. The Arabs are not eager that the Zionist endeavor succeed, and will do nothing to help it along. Any proposal predicated on group Arab assistance is delusional, and should not be entertained.

Sadly, the Palestinians are Israel's problem.

Beyond comprehension, is the suggestion of the otherwise reliable Michael Curtis:

The Palestinians would do well to honor the 100th anniversary of the [Balfour] declaration. -- American Thinker

Hasn't Mr. Curtis read the founder of right-wing Zionism, Ze'ev Jabotinsky? who speaking of the Palestinians Arabs, wrote:

The native populations, civilised or uncivilised, have always stubbornly resisted the colonists, irrespective of whether they were civilised or savage. -- The Iron Wall/Jewish Virtual Library

One thing about Jabotinsky, he was clear headed. He did not seek Arab approval. Likewise, President Trump should dispense with moral considerations, and deal with the reality on the ground.

He should deal with the Mideast on these terms:

- Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Israel does not want to divide the city. This is a de facto reality. He should move the embassy to the capital, Jerusalem, which is the norm for American embassies.

- President Trump should stop pressuring Israel to divide Jerusalem or to divide Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]. It should be apparent by now that Israel will not divide either. President Trump should stop the pressure, for no other reason than it is a waste of money. Again, not a moral decision, but a practical one.

- President Trump could, if he wants, use the embassy move as a bargaining chip to get Israel to issue more building permits to Palestinian Arabs in the eastern side of the city. Israel is rather heavy handed with the issuance of building permits to Arabs and the assigning of fees. For example: Jews who build in Jerusalem may have some of the burdensome local construction fees subsidized by the state, while the Arab residents have to pay them. Israel would consider the presence of the US Embassy in Jerusalem more important and Trump could get a symbolic minor concession in return which would, in no way, diminish Israeli sovereignty, the recognition of which is what Israel really wants.

- President Trump could declare that the peace process is over. It never had a chance. No need to assign blame, just announce that it is a waste of money. Ignoring morality, frankly, neither side wanted to give up land, or recognize the sovereignty of the other in the land. President Trump could say that he will use the money to rebuild Detroit, which has enough Arabs of it own from nearby Dearborn. It would help take the pressure off of Israel. And the president could maintain the fiction of neutrality.

- President Trump could say he will cut down or cut out all subsidies to the Palestinian Authority. This would be a mixed bag. A lot of the those subsidies are spent by the Palestinians purchasing Israeli products, such as food, or consumer goods, and Israeli workers would lose jobs. Both sides would be hurt. But it would cost the USA nothing.

- President Trump could, as much as is possible, work to undo the damage of Obama's deal with Iran. Unfortunately, this cannot be fully undone. The cat cannot be put back in the bag; and Russia and much of Europe will not toe the line. But US manufacturers, oil companies, and banks could be prohibited from dealing with Iran. It would cost nothing and have a major effect.

- President Trump could agree to stop trying to overthrow Assad, in return for Putin breaking economic concessions with Iran. Highly unlikely, but some arrangement could be worked out.

- President Trump could inform the world that he will not pressure Jews to stop building in Judea and Samaria. He will spend his time trying to re-build Newark, New Jersey, instead. Let Europe pressure Israel if they want; and bear the expenses.

- As a balance, he could also inform Israel that while he will not interfere with the "redemption of the land," neither can he stop the world from protesting Israel's actions. If Israel wants all of the land -- which the right wing in Israel does -- then Israel has to finally deal with the Palestinian issue on realistic, not delusional, terms. Israel cannot continue its present practice of doing nothing, stalling, denying the ugliness of maintaining millions of people under martial law for decades, while hoping the problem disappears.

In basic terms, President Trump could present Israel with two options.

A) Since Israel does not want to surrender the land, Israel must either slowly start to enfranchise and assimilate the Palestinians Arabs, forgetting this nonsense about Jordan or Egypt absorbing them, and stop this stalling;

- or -

B) Make arrangements with individual Arabs, especially the females, to reimburse Arab individuals to leave. This will not be cheap, and Israel must be prepared to pay the expenses. It would have to be on a discrete individual basis, as no Palestinian group would sign on.

If the Israelis choose Plan B, President Trump should put massive pressure on other Arab states to accept and naturalize these Palestinian Arabs who come in with money. If the Arabs states prove recalcitrant, as they will inevitably be, the US should bring all diplomatic, economic, and cultural pressure to bear on the unwilling. Immigration quotas should be cut off; no financial aid. The US should convince Europe to do likewise.

If that fails, as it might, Indonesia and, Malaysia could be pressured to accept their fellow Muslims. South America, which has a history of assimilating Arabs, might be convinced to accept some of the Palestinians, if they were selected from only the most peaceful, with an eye to preferring females.

President Trump can do all of this without moralizing and without much cost. Many of these suggestions do not involve directly imposing American policies on anyone, and would only require a few phone calls.

We do not have to do anything to ignore Jewish settlements, without criticism. Shutting down a futile peace process would cost us nothing. It costs nothing to tell Morocco to accept some Palestinians or we will not accept Moroccan immigrants.

This would all proceed from a simple Realpolitik philosophy, which would seem to be agreeable to his "whatever works" personality. It avoids the trap of ridiculous ideas, and just acts to solve the problem in an effective, if amoral basis. If it brings some peace to the Mideast, it would be the most moral option.

Mike Konrad is the pen name of an American who is neither Latin nor Arab. He runs a website, http://latinarabia.com, where he discusses the subculture of Arabs in Latin America.
There's a really interesting story in the Old Testament that richly illustrates how God sometimes uses people who do not necessarily belong to him to further his goals for the human race. The book of Isaiah, chapters 44-45, talks about the restoration of the nation of Israel after its 70-year Babylonian exile, which Yahweh had decreed because of Israel's idolatry.

For centuries, the prophets delivered Yahweh's pleas to his chosen people to abandon their idolatrous ways or face serious consequences. The Jews refused to listen, and judgment came. They lost everything: their temple was razed, their land was confiscated, and their right to exist as a free and independent people was revoked.

However, in one of the most remarkable passages in the Old Testament, Isaiah, the "prince of prophets," identifies Cyrus II (aka "Cyrus the Great"), creator of the largest empire the world had yet seen, by name 150 years before the prophesied event. He calls Cyrus "my shepherd," "my anointed," and "my servant:"

Thus says the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that makes all things... that frustrates the words of the liars, that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish... that says to Jerusalem, thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah (Israel), Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof...that says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,... For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me (excerpts from Isaiah 44:24-45:4).

Though thou hast not known me. Trump is like Cyrus in some ways. He is a canny, powerful, acquisitive, almost hypnotically persuasive figure who has had a golden touch his entire working life. He inherited an empire of his own, in a manner of speaking, but parlayed it into something much larger and greater.

Trump is a person who is obviously poorly versed in scripture ("two Corinthians"), but he is giving America a chance to rebuild herself when many of us considered the country virtually a lost cause. If you care to look at it a certain way, God has used Donald Trump to frustrate the schemes of the liars, and make foolish the wisdom of wise men. To people of faith, God's hand is all over the election of Trump. Donald Trump is in the process of smashing the false verbal taboos of political correctness, of lancing the boil of our grievance culture, and of exposing the tenuousness of a political party that has surrendered over 1,000 state and national level elective offices during the last six years as a stinging rebuke to the extreme leftism of our current president.

My wife and I were watching Trump and Obama at their brief press avail after meeting in the Oval Office for what was supposed to be an informal ten-minute discussion and which turned out to be an hour and a half event. "Obama looks scared," my wife said.

"Of course he looks scared," I said. "He just got exposed. His legacy is in ruins. And now he looks as if he has just been reamed out by the guy he was accusing last week in multiple venues of colluding with the KKK. Look at Trump -- he's looking right through Obama. Trump's a force of nature. Obama's a chicken at heart. He's no match for the guy."

That Obama canceled the traditional photo op with Trump and their wives also told me something had happened in their private meeting not to Obama's liking. You might say, well, they were running late. Fair enough. But if they allowed a short meeting to stretch into a 90-minute showdown, Obama could have tacked on an extra five minutes for a photo op. I think there were two reasons he canceled the photos: one, he was trying to spite Trump. And two, he didn't want to stand next to a guy who is physically a massively larger presence than he is.

Also noteworthy was that Obama wasn't pulling any of that first name monkey business he uses to show disrespect to and assert his dominance over fellow pols, most distressingly in his overseas trips ("Angela," "David," et al.). Thus, "Donald" became "president-elect Trump."

Boy, after eight years of almost nonstop bad news, politics is fun again.

Thank-you Cyrus the Great -- er, Donald the Trump.

Dan Truitt lives in Greece and writes web content for a tourist corporation.
United States defense policy toward Taiwan must change. Now there is a rare opportunity to make that happen with the election of Donald Trump. But everyone knows he lacks experience in foreign affairs, although he is a man with great instincts. If he can prevail over the established litany, there is a chance that Taiwan can stay independent. But if he follows the "party line" from the State Department and their supporting chorus in parts of the Pentagon, Taiwan is a goner. It is only a question of time.

Taiwan is an island that lives next to a behemoth in the form of China. It is a democracy and, with its new government with a very strong domestic mandate, intent on maintaining its independence and democratic system. For China, democracy is the enemy as they have just demonstrated again in Hong Kong where they blocked two elected officials from taking office. Democracy threatens the Communist party dictatorship, and China is yearning for it. That is what happened before at Tiananmen, where democratic dissent was ruthlessly suppressed. And across China that is happening every day, and China's government knows it. For them, the big thumb in their eye is Taiwan. They would take any opportunity to knock it off, and China has been building up forces to make it hard for the United States to come to Taiwan's defense. When China's forces reach a tipping point, and when they think America might back off, they will strike.

The question is not whether but when. America should be following a defense policy that pushes the "when" back to "whether" and puts a price on the "whether" decision that would make it hard for China's leaders to act, if they were unsure of the outcome.

Unfortunately, America's support of Taiwan has played directly into China's hands and put Taiwan at considerable risk.

Consider for example that Taiwan has been allowed to have only half an air force and half a navy.

What is meant by "half"?

A modern air force must be able to defeat an enemy air force before its planes and missiles bring death and destruction to its people. That means it must have strike capability.

Taiwan's air force does not have strike capability because Washington will not sell Taiwan strike aircraft such as the F-15 or advanced F-16s. Even the F-16s Taiwan was granted by George H. W. Bush are hobbled. The more modern multi-role models of the F-16 were not provided to Taiwan, and F-16 upgrades the Obama administration reluctantly approved for Taiwan do not include strike capability, meaning they are not multi-role and can't take the fight to China.

The result is that the Taiwan's air force (officially known as the Republic of China Air Force or ROCAF) lacks beyond visual range weapons and can only function as an interceptor against Chinese forces invading the island. The ROCAF F-16s have very limited value against a Chinese main force invasion of the island because their F-16s can't interdict their bases or zap them before they cross the Taiwan Strait.

There is also half a navy made up primarily of old rejected U.S. frigates. These Carter-administration FFG tubs are thin-skinned, slow and poor sea fighters. On the other hand, China has been rapidly expanding its blue water navy and its submarine force. Taiwan has two usable submarines and two post World War II Guppy boats that are museum pieces. Its usable submarines are badly in need of an upgrade and they are no match for China's nuclear and Kilo-class submarines that threaten the Island.

What all this means is that any fight that happens takes place in and over Taiwan, a great danger when one sees that most Taiwanese live near the coast and are exposed to attack. Taiwan has almost 24 million people but given that they are concentrated in narrow spaces and surrounded otherwise by mountains, any attack on Taiwan cities and towns will be highly destabilizing.

Which is why the right defense strategy for Taiwan is to give it the ability to take the fight to the enemy and not wait to get crushed at home. Could you imagine a U.S. Air Force that waited until Russian airplanes were over New York, Washington DC, or Chicago? It will never happen, because the U.S. Air Force is designed to strike at the enemy, liquidate his bases, and destroy his fighting capability. While Taiwan is a pinprick in size compared to China, an offensive capability is the only way to set back China's invasion plans.

The usual suspects in the State Department will say that China will object if the United States gave Taiwan a real defense capability. American companies and financial institutions will complain they will lose business if China gets mad at us. China may stop buying Treasury bonds. But we have ways to counteract China. Anyway, Mr. Trump is not so happy about American companies shifting their manufacturing and technology to China, so maybe this will be part of his planned wakeup call.

China's complaints can be managed because in the end China needs our market for China's regime to stay in power. No matter how excited they may get, that is the real bottom line.

Over the last twenty-five years America's support for Taiwan has been a lot of comforting words but also a dumping off place for a lot of military junk when the U.S. administration sells some hardware to keep Congress off its back. That policy has to be jettisoned because it is not in Taiwan's interest or in the interest of the United States.

Taiwan needs the other "half" of its air force, navy, and army in order to deter China. America needs Taiwan to stay safe and free or we lose all of our credibility in Asia.

It is one thing to blindly pursue a policy, but when the policy is ultimately self-defeating and ill suited, it needs to be changed. And soon.

It is inevitable that China will invade Taiwan because it is part of its strategic plan. But if China is forced to continually revise its schedule, then China will have to put its plan on hold or even give it up. That is exactly what America's strategic goal should be.

America needs a containment policy for China's rising power, and Taiwan is the right place to start implementing it.

President-elect Trump has a real opportunity to show China that America is not sleeping anymore.

Stephen Bryen served as a senior Defense Department official in the Reagan administration, He is the author of Technology and Security: Winners and Losers (Transaction Publishers, 2015)
On November 8, in a direct attack at the heart of Judaism and the Jewish People, the United Nations General Assembly passed two resolutions that mentioned the Haram al Sharif but not its Jewish synonym the Temple Mount as one of the holy places of Jerusalem. This followed an October 26 resolution by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which called Israel an occupying power of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall Plaza, and demanded that Israel stop building and excavating in the Old City of Jerusalem. These statements deny the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, and implicitly deny that the Jewish Temples ever stood on the Temple Mount, a canard known as Temple Denial.

According to a mix of Biblical history, recorded history and tradition, the Temple Mount was the location of the First Jewish Temple, built by King Solomon around 950 BCE and destroyed in the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 567 BCE, and the Second Jewish Temple, which stood from 516 BCE through the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Though Temple Denial reigns at the UN and within the Muslim world, statements by other Muslims and substantial archeological evidence show that the Jewish Temples did in fact exist.

Temple Denial within UNESCO

Muslim-majority countries exhibited Temple Denial by casting many of the ballots in favor of the UNESCO resolution. According to diplomatic sources, seven out of the ten committee members that voted for the October 26 resolution are from Muslim-majority countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Turkey. Of the twenty-four ballots cast in an earlier vote on the same resolution, fourteen were cast by Muslim-majority countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, and Sudan.

Temple Denial within the Palestinian Authority

Temple Denial is common within the ranks of the Palestinian Authority as well. Calling the UNESCO vote a victory for truth, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, the religious and Islamic affairs advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said that Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular, and the Al-Buraq Wall [the Western Wall] and the Al-Buraq plaza [the Western Wall plaza] are all purely Islamic and Palestinian assets and no one has the right to be our partner in that. In recent months, Fatah has repeatedly referred to the First and Second Temples as the alleged Temple. In 2010, 2012, and 2015, Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem appointed to his post in 2006 by Abbas, claimed that there was never a Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Both Abbas and past Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat have similarly voiced Temple Denial.

Muslims Recognition of the Temple Mounts Jewish Origin

But the Temple Denial of the Palestinian Authority and UNESCOs Muslim-majority countries stand in stark contrast to their Muslim predecessors who understood the Jewish origins of the Temple Mount. Umar ibn al-Khattab, the Arab conqueror of Jerusalem, ordered the Patriarch Sophronius to show him the sanctuary of David, according to Simon Sebag Montefiore, in his book Jerusalem: The Biography. Umar is linked to the building of the Dome of the Rock and its association with the Jewish Temple, according to a recently studied early Arabic (Kufic) inscription dated to the 9th or 10th centuries C.E. in a mosque near Hebron. The inscription states that this territory and its entire area, is an endowment to the Rock of Bayt al-Maqdis [Dome of the Rock] and the al-Aqsa Mosque, as it was dedicated by the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn al-Khattab for the glory of Allah. The Arabic Bayt al-Maqdis is an older Arabic term for Jerusalem which derives from the Hebrew Beit Hamikdash, meaning the Holy Temple. (The modern Arabic term for Jerusalem, al-Quds, is in turn a derivative of Bayt al-Maqdis.)

Additionally:

A commentary of an imam living from 1074-1144 reads: "The Holy Temple was the dwelling place of the prophets and the residence of the believers.

A guide to the Temple Mount, published in 1925 and 1929 by the Supreme Moslem Council, says that the substructure of the al-Aqsa Mosque dates probably as far back as the construction of Solomons Temple.

The 1932 version of the above-mentioned guide states: This site is one of the oldest in the world Its identity with the site of Solomons Temple is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

In 1951, Aref el-Aref, a historian and the mayor of Jordanian-occupied Jerusalem, said that the ruins of Solomons Temple are under al-Aqsa, and that Umar (mentioned above) built a mosque on top of the ruins of the Temple.

In a July 2006 interview, a former senior leader of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, the religious authority that manages the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, said that Prophet Solomon built his famous Temple at the same place that later the Al Aqsa Mosque was built. It cannot be a coincidence that these different holy sites were built at the same place. The Jewish Temple Mount existed. He was dismissed from his position after he had mentioned his beliefs on the Jewish connection to Temple Mount to his colleagues. He did not disclose his name in the interview because he believed that he would risk his life if he did otherwise.

The Waqf Discards Temple Mount Artifacts

Palestinian officials engaged in not only rhetorical, but also physical Temple Denial through grossly negligent excavation techniques of the Temple Mount. From 1996 to 1999, the Waqf removed via bulldozers and heavy machinery roughly 400 truckloads of dirt from the Temple Mount to build an underground mosque and a massive vaulted entranceway. These truckloads of dirt were dumped in the Kidron Valley. In 2005, the Temple Mount Sifting Project was created to find if there were any artifacts linked to the Temple Mount that were discarded in this process.

Archeological Findings Substantiate Existence of Jewish Temples

Archeological findings provide incontrovertible evidence that both Jewish Temples existed.

First Temple. In 2015, archaeologists near the Temple Mount discovered a seal belonging to King Hezekiah of the First Temple period, with the words Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah. In 2007, in a rare cooperation between Waqf and Israeli authorities, Muslim workers found artifacts which are believed to be from the First Temple, including animal bones; ceramic bowl rims, bases, and [bowl] sherds; the base of a juglet used to pour oil; the handle of a small juglet; and the rim of a storage jar.

In 2005, the Temple Mount Sifting Project discovered an incomplete clay seal with a partial Hebrew phrase that may spell out Belonging to Gaalyahu son of Immer, with Immer being a priestly family dating to the First Temple period and referenced in the Bible.

Second Temple. Perhaps the largest and most obvious remnants of the Second Temple are the Western, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Walls (including the Eastern Wall Seam), Robinsons Arch, and the Stairs of Ascent.

Other large physical evidence of the Second Temple exists. In September 2016, the Sifting Project discovered and restored part of the mosaic marble floor of the Second Temple. In 2009, archeologists discovered the Magdala Stone while excavating the Migdal Synagogue near the Sea of Galilee. The Magdala Stone is believed to be a contemporaneous depiction of the Second Temple and contains the oldest carving of the Second Temples seven-branched menorah. In 2007, archeologists found a quarry believed to be used by King Herod to renovate the Second Temple. In 1968, archeologists also discovered the Trumpeting Place inscription, a Second Temple parapet containing the Hebrew words to the place of trumpeting, and also connected to Josephus writings. In 1871 and 1935, full and partial Temple Warning Inscriptions were discovered, respectively, prohibiting non-Jews from entering the inner court of the Second Temple.

Additionally, archeologists have discovered many coins providing evidence of the Second Temple. In 2008, the Temple Mount Sifting Project found a silver coin minted during the Great Revolt (66-67 CE), with the ancient Hebrew inscriptions Holy Jerusalem written on one side and half shekel and the Hebrew letter Aleph (which is both the first letter and number in Hebrew, in this instance commemorating year one of the Revolt) written on the other side. This coin even contained fire damage that experts believe was from the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. In fact, many bronze coins found in the Temple Mount exhibited similar fire damage. The Sifting Project also uncovered a coin from the Great Revolt with the inscription Freedom of Zion.

There is considerable archeological evidence demonstrating the destruction of the Second Temple. The most famous is the Arch of Titus in Rome, which contains a relief of Roman soldiers carrying away the Second Temples seven-branched menorah, an event also recorded by Josephus in Antiquities and The Jewish War. In October 2016, archeologists found what they believe to be the Third Wall chronicled by Josephus, where the Romans breached the Second Temple, along with remnants of a protective tower as well as over 70 ballista and sling stones in front of the wall. In 2006, the Sifting Project also found an iron arrowhead used by the Romans during the siege of the Second Temple. Some of the most famous coins from the Second Temple period are the Judea Capta and Judea Devicta coins (Judea is Captured and Judea is Destroyed), struck in 70 CE and for 26 years thereafter. These coins feature profiles of Emperor Vespasian, or his sons Titus (who led the army that sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple) and Domitian, with a captive sitting under either a Roman soldier or a war trophy.

Conclusion

The United Nations votes to deny the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount is non-fact based political maneuvering on the part of the world body, and those countries that voted in favor of the resolution. Archeology and Muslim authorities not aligned with UNESCO and the Palestinian Authority provide evidence to support the claim that both Jewish Temples existed -- the claim that they didnt is blatantly implausible. The United Nations resolutions are is nothing short of a baseless attempt to rewrite Jewish history, and by extension, that of Western Civilization. In any future Arab-Israeli peace process, these resolutions will likely only harden the Palestinian Authoritys position on the Old City of Jerusalem without justly preserving Jewish rights there.
Not only were Hillary Clinton and the mainstream media solidly defeated on November 8, but so were the Democratic Party's aspirations for capturing the Senate.

From the start of this election cycle to its finish, the media mantra was that flipping the Senate to Democrat control was a near sure thing. This is because of the 34 seats up for election in 2016, 24 were held by Republicans. Well, things didn't turn out that way, and the GOP still holds the U.S. Senate with 52 seats.

Looking ahead to 2018, the shoe will be on the other foot. For then, of the 33 Senate seats up for grabs, only 8 are Republican and 25 are Democrat, which includes two liberal independents who caucus with the Democrats, one being crazy Bernie. Here is a full listing of those 33 seats.

To make matters worse for the Democrats, many of the seats they have to defend in 2018 are in Trump country  Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and so on. And if Mitch McConnell, love him or hate him, is half the master Senate tactician he is said to be, he should be able to engineer votes to make vulnerable Democrats even more vulnerable.

In fact, the pressure on these red-state Democrats might be so great that one or more of them might flip to become Republican, with Joe Manchin III (West Virginia) being a prime candidate for such a conversion.

So what have we? The forecast is good for Republicans. Barring a major catastrophe, it is hard to imagine the Republicans not significantly adding to their Senate majority in the next election cycle. And because the GOP has such a firm hold on the governorships, the offices of attorney general, and state legislatures, the odds of the Democrats taking the House are nil.

And if one wants to look out farther, note that the next census is scheduled for 2020. The resulting reapportionment and redistricting from that should add to the political power of the red states at the expense of the blue Democratic ones.

Donald Trump has advertised himself as a agent of change. With a Republican Congress to support him and a soon-to-be law abiding Supreme Court to back him, great strides can be made in restoring the American republic back to her founding principles and thereby Make America Great Again. Color me optimistic.
The staging never stops. Touching photo of Hillary accidentally bumping into a mother and child on a hiking trail in New York. Only it turns out the young mother is the daughter of a major Hillary contributor.

Then touching photos of children chalking messages of support on the sidewalk outside Hillarys Brooklyn headquarters. But can anyone imagine an eight year old in Scarsdale asking Mom can you drive me to Brooklyn so that I can chalk a message of love to Hillary on the sidewalk?

Breaking my Twitter silence to share this:



There are kids and families writing thank you notes in front of Hillary HQ.



 pic.twitter.com/CJQuityOdx  Mina Markham (@MinaMarkham) November 11, 2016

And

We should again ask ourselves why Leftist rioters smash and burn best in their own Liberal precincts. I believe its because they feel safe there. After all its difficult to imagine a thousand courageous rioters leaving Manhattan, which did vote for Hillary, and transferring their affections to Biloxi Mississippi which did not, but in which nearly every citizen owning a glass fronted shop on Main Street is armed to the teeth.

And

Rich Lowry had an op-ed in The New York Post on November 10th entitled Obamas main legacy: the collapse of the Democratic Party. But after what he tried to do to stop Trump and his readers response perhaps somebody should write one entitled Rich Lowrys main legacy: the collapse of National Review.
Hillary Clinton, who made history as the first woman to lose an American presidential election, blames FBI director James Comey for her defeat, saying,

... our analysis is that [FBI director James B.] Comey's letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum," she said. Clinton did say that what should have been good news essentially backfired. Comey issued another letter to Congress on the Sunday before Election Day, concluding that the nine-day examination of newly discovered emails had turned up nothing to change his earlier conclusion that there had been no criminal conduct. "Just as we were back up on the upward trajectory, the second letter from Comey essentially doing what we knew it would  saying there was no there there  was a real motivator for Trump's voters," Clinton said. A day earlier, Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri had told the same group of donors something similar  that the news angered Trump voters and caused a spike in turnout, while Clinton's projected turnout fell.

The following things did not have an effect on Mrs. Clinton's defeat:

1) Her numerous violations of the Espionage Act regarding, yes, the emails.

2) Her sloppy handling of national security secrets.

3) Her repeated lies about her sloppy handling of national security secrets.

4) Her solicitation of donations for her foundation while she was secretary of state.

5) Her ineptitude as secretary of state, which led to the death of our ambassador in Libya.

6) Her double standard about sexual harassment of women when it came to Donald Trump and her husband.

7) Her general lack of accomplishment after more than a decade in government office.

What is especially interesting is that Donald Trump won not by increasing the number of votes for the Republican candidate. In fact, he got about the same number of votes as the losing candidate, John McCain, did in 2008 (about 60 million).

The difference is that Hillary Clinton got way fewer votes than Obama did. In 2008, he received 69 million votes. Hillary got about 9 million votes fewer. People simply did not like or trust her. If she had not been so negligent, so illegal with her emails, Comey would have had nothing to write about.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
He would be a great choice to head the Department of Education -- if President Trump keeps that department.

Speculation swirls regarding whom President-elect Trump may choose to fill his Cabinet positions. One person who has been off the radar screen is former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. He is well qualified for several positions but among them would certainly be to head the Department of Education. Mike Pence, who is in charge of Trumps transition team, is personally close to his predecessor and would certainly be amenable to considering and endorsing Daniels for that post.

Mitch Daniels was the popular and very successful Republican Governor of Indiana from 2005 through 2013. During that time he pushed through changes in Indiana (including the right-to work law) that led to the boom in Indianas economy -- a boom that sucked in jobs from bordering blue states (such as Illinois). Growth rates climbed during his years, helping give a boost to Mike Pences campaign for governor in 2013. Indeed, Daniels was such a popular governor with a solid track record that he was touted as a prospect for president.

He chose to become president of Purdue University.

Under his leadership Prude has become a model of what all colleges and universities should aspire to become.

In an era of cry-ins, student riots, and identity politics demands, campuses have become safe havens for snowflakes. He rejects the cult of victimology and promotes the idea of earned success (in direct contradiction to Barack Obamas views).

He said at a recent commencement address:

Among many pernicious notions of our time, perhaps the most dangerous is the idea, sometimes implied and sometimes expressed, that life is more or less a lottery. That we are less masters of our fate than corks floating in a sea of luck. Or, even more absurd, that most of us are victims of some kind, and therefore in desperate need of others to protect us against a world of predators and against our own gullibility. I hope you will tune out anyone who, from this day on, tries to tell you that your achievements are not your own.

Safe spaces, therapy dogs, trigger warnings are out; learning, free speech, personal responsibility and duty are in.

But Daniels has gone beyond inspirational speeches. He has been a change agent, as he was when Indianas Governor. He instituted a tuition freeze that broke 36 years of non-stop price increases at Purdue.

Maureen Hayden writes of other changes Daniels has wrought

Daniels now enters his second year at the helm of Purdue with an expanded set of priorities but a continued commitment to cost cutting. For a land-grant university like Purdue, affordability is especially important, said Daniels, who earned the nickname The Blade as head of the Office of Management and Budget for President George W. Bush. We were put here to open the gates of higher education to people of all income levels. Daniels is no stranger to national attention; at one time he was a potential Republican candidate for the White House. But in recent months hes been appearing in the news sections of Bloomberg, Politico and the Wall Street Journal touting higher education reform. Last summer he was presented as a national thought leader at an NBC-sponsored education summit where he talked about college access as a remedy to income inequality. In January, the Chronicle for Higher Education described him as perhaps the most high-profile nontraditional college leader in the nation. You know me, Daniels said during a recent interview in his Purdue office. Im restless until I know weve got something big to move on. In his first year leading Indianas second-largest university, with more than 38,700 students, Daniels made big moves to rein in what he sees as the runaway costs of higher education. He instituted a two-year tuition freeze, which he now wants to extend into a third year, while calling for $40 million in university-wide spending cuts. He also emphasized his focus on holding the university accountable to students who shoulder heavy debt and face uncertain job prospects, by pressing the faculty and staff to come with up performance-based metrics on which they can be graded. He did so while often repeating the phrase, College costs too much and delivers too little. Daniels also enters his second year having quieted some his critics. When Purdue trustees named him to head the 145-year-old institution known best for its engineering, agriculture and veterinary schools, faculty leaders questioned picking a politician with a law degree as a university president. And they sharply criticized his record as a governor who reduced education spending and cut the state workforce by 7,000 employees. We couldnt be on more different planets politically, said David Williams, chairman of the facultys University Senate. But Ive come to believe hes the right man at the right time in the right place. Williams said he hopes that Daniels  once a top executive for the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co.  uses his business acumen and political expertise to help Purdue thrive as more colleges and universities show serious signs of stress. (snip) Meanwhile, he remains focused on the 10-point plan he crafted during his first year as president. The Purdue Moves plan calls for more private investment in research at a time of dwindling federal dollars. It pushes faculty to embrace technology in the classroom to catch up with tech-savvy students. And it commits the university to a new accountability metric designed to measure Purdues impact on graduates careers and quality of life. That new metric is called the Gallup-Purdue Index. Its the result of a partnership Daniels forged with the Gallup polling organization. Through it, researchers will collect data over the next several years from thousands of college graduates from Purdue and elsewhere. Beyond measuring what alumni earn, it will ask graduates about their well-being and workplace engagement to see how a college education impacts later happiness in life. Daniels won support for the index from the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation, the nations largest private foundation dedicated to increasing college completion. Lumina president Jamie Merisotis said the Index reflects Daniels willingness  not always welcomed by his peers  to upset the higher education apple cart. He dove into his new job without hesitation, Merisotis said, of Daniels willingness to acknowledge that universities are under increasing pressure to deliver much more for their students. Hes really grappling (with changes in higher education) in the best possible way. In an open letter to the Purdue community explaining his priorities, Daniels warned that the university cannot rest on its laurels: (H)istory is littered with extinct institutions, businesses, or entire industries that dallied in arrogant denial as the bases of their past success were undermined and washed away.

Daniels insists Purdue deliver value to taxpayers, students and taxpayers. He is not even among the highest earners at Purdue. He brings political acumen and financial talent to a place, a university campus, that not only sorely lacks those qualities but abhors them. Yet he has done it with such flair and concern that he has won over even skeptics and critics. He was an outsider who took on the establishment and was victorious. He has been glowing profiled in outlets as diverse as Bloomberg News, Inside Higher Education, and the Washington Post.

It is time to bring change not only to Washington but to college campuses across America.

Donald Trump may not be the only change agent coming to Washington.
In the machinery of politics, all cycles are spin cycles. And once the centrifugal force takes hold, the whirlwind will not easily come to an abrupt halt. So it is not surprising that after the most contentious presidential election in recent history, a lot of disgruntled Americans can still be seen spinning out of control.

The protests  some of them morphing into riots  were not unexpected. They have become a popular activity enjoined by mostly younger people who some suspect may not even have voted. Yet the irony of this is as lost on them as is their carrying placards saying "Love Trumps Hate" while they shout obscenities and make mischief.

In the past, protests and marches were staged with the expectation of achieving some kind of tangible result. Workers went on strike and picketed for higher wages and better working conditions. The disenfranchised marched for the freedom to vote. Protests and the like took place in order to right unconstitutional wrongs.

But the 2016 post-election protests haven't a prayer of changing anything. As one wag put it, you cannot question American democracy. Trump won this election fair and square. Nobody in authority contends otherwise. Yet despite the fact that both Obama and Clinton have urged a peaceful transition, the devastated liberal mob heeds only the call of the wild.

These are the whiners who sorely suffer from what I call "Post-Trumpmatic Stress Disorder," a self-induced disease that is void of physical manifestations other than those that spring like evil dreams from hyperventilating imaginations: coat hangers becoming the only obstetrical tool available in back-alley abortion abattoirs, same-sex unions dissolved; sick Americans, deprived of health insurance, untreated and dying on our streets; polluted air and water killing off the rest of us; hordes of hardworking immigrants hustled across the border, never to return.

Perhaps the protesters are too young and politically naive to understand that election outcomes in America are the result of our democratic process. Trump is not a banana republic dictator foisted on the people. He cannot be driven into exile by a chorus of shouted insults. Nevertheless, protests, per se, have become courts of first resort for many young people, even if participation in them leads to nothing more than national press attention and a party atmosphere with the like-minded. Their generation, after all, has been encouraged by role models to protest wherever and whenever possible, in the belief that unified venting, in itself, is a noble end.

Early on in their pampered lives, modern protesters learned the nature of parental indulgence. Their temper tantrums were endured, and even rewarded if thrown in public. Their progressive parents, harboring angst of their own, found it convenient to avoid disciplining their offspring lest it breed resentment. So if Junior felt in any way thwarted, he vigorously protested until some placating action or reward shut him up. Distraught parents learned quickly that the humiliation of a child's meltdown could be eased by a piece of chocolate melting in his mouth. They wanted their way and made trouble if they didn't get it!

Twenty or whatever years later, these disgruntled whiners are still up to their old tricks, even if there are no treats. As long as they can have their expensive smartphone on hand when they high-mindedly trot off to a protest, they can brave anything. And since they can expect little to change as a result of their action, they find satisfaction in thinking of themselves as a concerned part of history. Besides, isn't there safety in numbers? Well, at least until the shouting turns to shooting

Whatever their true motives  e.g., fear of being bumped from their parents' insurance before age 26  those suffering from Post-Trumpmatic Stress Disorder seek to disguise and ennoble the symptoms that cause them pain. Elevating the argument is not easy when you're carrying a placard that reads "This [p----] grabs back," but the supposedly high-minded point is that the protester expresses shock at Trump's past behavior and fears for the future of all women.

But not all the torrid Trump haters and craven Clinton lovers are marching in the streets. Some of them  my friends and family among them  are crying into social media outlets. Like the marchers, they view their after-the-fact anti-Trump protests as a virtuous expressions of concern for America's future. For them, Trump's election is a catastrophe over which they feel not just the need to vent, but to mourn, in a ritual transcending self and time. Hence my liberal correspondents "share" on Facebook their heartfelt concerns for the well-being of their children. They insist, for example, that their young kids are "terrified" of Trump and have nightmares of what he will do. The Donald the Ogre, it seems, is definitely Where the Wild Things Are.

Children do not arrive at such fears by watching Trump rallies on TV. They learn it from their partisan parents, who are not above sharing their qualms with their children, who are their "buddies," after all, and who can be used as emotional shields to for their own feelings.

Still, the real power driving the post-election spin cycle of fear and hate well beyond November 8 is not the parents. It isn't even George Soros and his endless supply of funds for anti-Trump agitation. It is the mainstream media and the professional prognosticators who out-and-out gulled hopeful Democrats into believing that Hillary Clinton would sweep to victory. The odds were even more lopsided than they had been for Brexit. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

Yet the hubris of information manipulators remains intact and limitless, even when proven wrong. If the unhappy protesters on the street or on social media are finding it hard to give up the post-election ghost, it's because they didn't have the time to prepare. Neither, apparently, did Time magazine. The mock-up of its election night issue that featured "Madame President" on the cover was ready to go to press.
I am not a believing man  or certainly not in the traditional sense of attending religious services, observing the holy days, studying theological texts (except for research purposes  I have a decent knowledge of the Bible, the Talmud, and the Koran), saying grace at table, or praying before bed. When it comes to a divinely ordained plan for the human drama, I recall Nobel physicist Richard Feynman's remark that the stage is too big for the play. The human presence on the planet strikes me as an evolutionary hiccup.

Nonetheless, when I regard the condition of the American Republic, it is hard not to believe that something like divine retribution, a force of cosmic or spiritual justice, has been slowly at work throughout its history, or at the very least since the middle of the last century. This is Jonathan Cahn's argument in his troubling volume treating the nature of the Shemitah, or sabbatical judgment (which I considered at length in a 2015 article for PJ Media).

A nation whose leaders, whose cultural elite, and a moiety of whose people have given themselves over to every conceivable form of corruption has been demonstrably faltering, its greatness, Ozymandias-like, a thing of the past. It is a nation that slaughters its unborn in an orgy of indifferent cruelty; that mercilessly extorts the living substance from those of its citizens who still struggle toward decency and the values of community; that sets bread and circuses over justice; that has invested its energies in raising a Tower of Babel rather than a Temple of Gratefulness; and that pays no heed to the noble intentions of its Founding Fathers. In his aptly titled book Coming Apart, Charles Murray concludes that "the American project is disintegrating." The four domains of happiness he identifies  family, vocation, community, and faith  "have all been enfeebled."

Is this plunge into the abyss merely a function of historical inevitability  all things human, great and small, must eventually decline? Or are Jonathan Cahn and those who share his thesis right? Is a devastating punishment being levied on a nation that has sold its soul, that has lost its way, that refuses to recognize an authority superior to itself and has sunk into a morass of pervasive immorality? What reasonable person cannot be troubled by the spectacle of shallowness, self-aggrandizement, utter ignorance, and sanctioned immorality that confronts and embraces us? These sound like quant notions that can appeal only to the naive and the zealots. And yet what conscientious person can say with absolute assurance that such is not the case?

Broadly speaking, these two explanations for cultural, national, and civilizational decline  the evolutionary-historical and the moral-theological  are similar in the effects they postulate, but they differ insofar as the latter allows for the tempering of justice with mercy  that is, for the mollification of a vengeful deity. The reversal of decline, a stay of execution, remains possible, assuming a people rethinks itself at the eleventh hour, repudiating its penchant for pandemic depravity, and seeks to restore a lost courage, honor, humility, and fundamental decency. The downward path is effortless, a law of cultural gravity; the upward path is arduous and against the national grain but theoretically possible. In secular terms, following the upward path is called wisdom or prudence; in religious terms, it is known as grace or salvation, the gift of divine concern. True, Abraham may have lost his bargain, but God was willing to listen. And perhaps still is.

It is always tempting for those of a certain cast of mind to discern the hand of God operating in human affairs. "There's a divinity that shapes our ends / Rough-hew them how we will," says Hamlet. If an eminent thinker like Adam Smith can propose an "invisible hand" operating in the economic realm, why cannot a brilliant theologian like Karl Barth affirm that "the best proof of God's existence is the existence of the Jewish people"? Can we not say the same of the improbable ascent and unique political character of the American republic in the history of the world? Perhaps the two domains of the empirical and the spiritual are not as distinct as we have been led to believe. May not the election of Donald Trump, coupled with the defeat of the most corrupt and vindictive political figure in the country, represent the intervention of the numinous in the life of a once-great nation that can be made great again? Who can say?

The questions we now face are crucial. Has America truly changed course at the pivotal moment, whether by sheer accident or transcendent guidance? Will it last? The Edomites are still swarming, and the rift between a part of the nation committed to the values of work, family, and creative expenditure and a part of the nation mired in ignorance, pride, and destructive sentimentality  in effect, between heartland and coast, rural and urban, conservative and left-liberal  is permanent. The attempt to heal the chasm, however laudable, is doomed to fail.

Questions persist. Might the spirit of irony ultimately prevail? Will Trump revise his stated principles for national recovery and accede to some of his opponents' policies and demands? Will the Electoral College "flip" on December 19 when it casts its vote, allowing Hillary Clinton to eke out a marginal victory? As Mac Slavo writes in Freedom Outpost, "[w]e expect that within hours or days the push from the liberal media will be widespread and the thousands of protesters taking over major cities across America will be calling for recounts, faithless electoral votes and revolution." The devil always finds a way to work his mischief; alternatively, Edgar Allan Poe's "imp of the perverse" abides perpetually in the human soul.

The hope is that the best part of the nation can survive the burden of its parasites and drones and still manage to prosper. Yuval Levin in The Fractured Republic sees America as essentially a "creedal nation" animated by "a love of the ideal that we have always held out before ourselves as the American possibility ... put forward in the Declaration of Independence," a nation "built up out of communities." Similarly, James Piereson in Shattered Consensus, though agreeing with Charles Murray that America is in "a process of unravelling," remains hopeful of a future trajectory opening the way "for a new chapter in the unfolding history of the American idea."

Considering the totally implausible result of the recent election, and assuming that the worrisome events mentioned above fail to materialize, may we not suggest that there were a sufficient number of the just and deserving, a saving remnant, for a "new chapter" to be opened in the history of the republic, or to put it another way, for the Abrahamic bargain to be won? Is there more to this election than meets the skeptical eye?

Mere speculation, of course.
On the campaign trail, Trump, a Republican, backed more fossil fuel production in the U.S. and vowed to cancel the Paris agreement. He has repeatedly suggested that climate change is a hoax. His Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton, in contrast, has called for urgent action on climate change.

There in a nutshell you have the difference between the two challengers for the Presidency of the United States of America.

Some apparently highly intelligent people constantly talk about tackling climate change. But is this intelligent? This is not a question of science, but a question of definitions and of the correct use of the English language.

Strictly speaking, to talk about tackling climate change is an affront to intelligence and an affront to language. How is climate defined? The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. So we see at once that climate is intimately connected to the weather.

Change is defined as make something different. So, what does all that mean? It means in a nutshell that all those who are fighting climate change want to make the weather static.

Can you imagine anything more ridiculous? It is like saying, I am against tomorrow. Only an imbecile would make such a statement. Yet we have world leaders, Presidents, Popes and Prime Ministers all trying to stop change.

Of course, the unDemocrats are rioting. They are burning effigies of Donald Trump. These unDemocrats are against democracy, even though they call themselves Democrats. We have the same phenomenon in England. A democratic referendum took place, where the majority wanted to leave the EU. So the unDemocrats are peeved. The same thing is happening on a bigger scale in the United States.

The American people should congratulate themselves in having elected indisputably the most intelligent of the contenders.
Theres always something interesting happening in the world of Android, and this past week has proven to be no different. While not really an Android device, a new ASUS Chromebook has surfaced in images this past week that has a metal body design with clean lines and a slim profile, codenamed Cave, which also features the same flip around design as the Chromebook Flip so the laptop can be used in a tablet-like fashion. Speaking of leaked images, a set of leaked renders has surfaced this past week of Samsungs folding Galaxy X smartphone based on the designs that were seen in the recently discovered patents that Samsung picked up.

Another unreleased Samsung device was in the news this past week, as there were more rumors surrounding the Galaxy S8, Samsungs next flagship set to release in 2017. According to the most recent rumors, the device will come with two screen size models, and both will feature curved edge screens. With the launch of Googles Daydream View headset now official, the application for the headset that makes it work as released into the Play Store this past week, and a new rumor popped up that states Samsung may be looking into developing and manufacturing its own fingerprint readers. When it comes to new devices, HTC officially launched the Bolt this past week, although this is an exclusive device for Sprint. If you happened to miss any of this past weeks top stories, you can find them in the links below.

ASUS Cave, AKA C302CA Breaks Cover In New Photos

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Renders of Foldable Galaxy X Smartphone Appear

AT&T Debuts Stream Saver, Will Downgrade Video Quality

HPs Hybrid Smartwatches Expand to Ferrari, Hugo Boss Brands

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Samsungs Android Nougat Galaxy Beta Program Now Official

Googles Daydream App Is Now Available In The Play Store

Rumor: Samsung Preparing Its Own Fingerprint Reader Sensors

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HTC Bolt Now Official & Available From Sprint For $599

Rumor: Both Galaxy S8 Models To Ship With A Curved Display

Google to Offer SDK for Assistant in December
APEC Sets Sights Beyond 2020: A Conversation with APEC 2016 Senior Officials Chair Luis Quesada and Executive Director Alan Bollard

Soon after APEC was established more than two decades ago, Economic Leaders committed to the goal of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by no later than 2020, also known as the Bogor Goals. As APEC finds itself a few years from the target year in a continuously evolving regional architecture, it now seeks to bolster its efforts to achieve these goals. Part of this is developing a post-2020 vision that reinforces and adds value to the overall objective of improving the lives of people in the Asia-Pacific region through sustainable economic growth fueled by integrated economies.

APEC: Peru and other APEC economies are four years from their deadline to achieve the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment by 2020. What are your thoughts on APECs progress toward meeting these objectives?

Dr. Alan Bollard (AEB): Weve made a lot of progress over the last nearly 20 years but we still have quite a way to go, so weve got a big work program to keep progress going over the next couple of years until 2020. Free and open trade are quite big thresholds to achieve. On some areas, we are well on track while on others, we still have work to do.

Ambassador Luis Quesada (LQ): I think the progress has been immense, I wouldnt say that it has been absolute, of course. It is very difficult to measure against the objectives described in the Bogor Goals targeting free trade and investment for this Asia-Pacific region. But if we look back to 1994 bearing the fact that the world of trade and investment has changed, APEC always been able to adjust to changes.

APEC: Describe APEC economies policy priorities for the region during Peru 2016 and how these priorities fit with its strategic goals heading into 2020?

AEB: Peru has a number of priorities this year. The most important is the one that we always had  regional economic integration. There is a lot of work going on continuing the APEC story about opening up trade at the borders and also making it easier to get regulatory reforms behind the borders and helping supply chains go across borders as well. The important thing for this year is the study on Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). We will be presenting to Leaders in Lima in November some suggestions about how that can go forward.

In addition, there are themes on human development, which are made possible by a capacity building policy that were also working on. We have significant themes on education and food security. In addition, we continue last years work of modernizing small and medium enterprises  a lot of work going on there.

LQ: There is a very strong link between the priorities and the Bogor Goals. The most important one is economic integration and the fact that we are very close to finalizing our analytical study on how to deal with this issue. This is one of the most important achievements this APEC year. We are also doing the roadmap on services and with trade and investment changing, services is certainly a new area of work. The internationalization of small and medium enterprises is also key to our prosperity. Of course, we should not forget that education is a new issue recently introduced in the agenda. Food security is also a key issue, especially that food tariffs have not gone down exactly in accordance with what we have done with other sectors in APEC. So we have a lot of work to do there.

APEC: How do you see the role of APEC evolving with the start of a new decade, taking into account the emergence of other multilateral bodies?

AEB: Economies are changing. We are more middle class than we used to be but growth is slowing compared to what used to happen. And so we are looking at new growth drivers and that means domestic demand, the role of SMEs, and the role of services. It also means continuing this work on freeing out traditional trade and investment. But there are some big challenges and were going to have to do it with less of a demographic wave to help us and with big technical changes that are also going on. Senior Officials got a special section to discuss all of that.

LQ: First of all, APEC has been the incubator of most free trade agreements and the general architecture of the region. I would say that the challenge for APEC is now the recent trends on anti-globalization around the world. Some politicians, unfortunately, participate in delivering this message to the public. I think this is worrisome, and I trust that APEC will be driving forward against these tendencies. In the end, open trade and investment have given APEC members tremendous benefits.

APEC: Peru is one of several emerging APEC economies chairing APEC. The Philippines in 2015, Viet Nam in 2017 and Papua New Guinea to follow. How do you see this line-up impacting the regions policy agenda and potential outcomes?

AEB: APEC is a mixture of small and big economies, developed and developing markets. And over the last couple of years and going forward, we have been hosted by a number of developing economies that have put more focus on capacity building. So we know that we cant take it for granted, and we can put in place technical changes that will have immediate effects for member economies. In addition, the host economies have put much more focus on inclusiveness - on whos getting the benefit of growth, not just to assume that opening up trade helps economies grow but who gets to benefit from that as well.

LQ: What I can see since last year as the influence of the emerging economies is the introduction of social issues in the APEC agenda. It is not trade and investment by itself, but also how they are linked with the lives of people and alleviating poverty in the region. Now we have been discussing issues that are social and human, like education and labor. APEC is not an exception to that. These issues have definitely reached our agenda.

APEC: What will be the key indicators of success in APEC for Peru in 2016 and beyond?

AEB: Peru is hosting this year and quite rightly keeps going a number of big initiatives and the big ones, from my point of view, are connectivity, the FTAAP study, modernizing SMEs, and growing the area of services. But in a way, the intangible deliverable we hope to achieve will be for Leaders and officials to understand the benefits from continued openness and economic integration around the Pacific. That includes finding better ways of communicating with the general public because we are, of course, hearing a quite big story about anti-globalization. Sometimes, we hear stories about jobs, about opening up markets, and migration. We know there is quite a strong feeling about these in some developed economies, so we do need to address this.

LQ: I speak in the case of Peru, for instance. APEC has taught us - as an emerging economy participating alongside economies that are more developed in different fields. We learned and saw how things were done in the other parts of the world in terms of opening up markets, etc. APEC was a good example because we were doing it together with the other economies. So I am very optimistic - there will be challenges after 2020 and many things will change that we cannot even tell now. So I think we have to keep up and be alert to whats going on and work together collectively as we have done in the past at APEC.
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The Japanese American National Museum isnt really Takeis museum, but hes donated 300 linear feet of bankers boxes worth of relics from his eight decades of life as an actor and activist.
Pizzagate -US Political Elite Pedophile Ring - The scandal that will take down the US Federal Government or will it be another coverup like The Franklin Scandal?

For those many citizen journalists who are in the know, Pizzagate was immediately recognized as the scandal that will literally take down the U.S. Federal Government, after it dissolves the Democratic Party.

Thats all about to change

By Anonymous Patriots

Engaged citizen journalism around the world is going full force and the globalists and elites are getting nervous. We are uncovering hard circumstantial evidence that needs to be followed up by law enforcement authorities who have not, themselves, been corrupted by the

. People, especially those who have been involved with the child pornography-sex scandal-satanic rituals blackmail and pizza parties need to start coming forward as humanity cannot make spiritual progress as long as these satanic forces lurk behind compromised politicians, government officials, church and community leaders, and, most especially, the elite who continue to rule and enslave

We The People

from their lofty thrones of power and money.

Citizen journalists (CJs) have uncovered a tremendous amount of information since the

story of Comet Ping Pong

was released this week. The question is whether there is anyone left in LAW ENFORCEMENT that has not been blackmailed, co-opted, or life-threatened to make a simple inquiry into the U. S. Passport Office that will begin to solve this crime.

CHECK THE PASSPORTS OF ANTHONY WEINER AND JOHN AND TONY PODESTA TO SEE IF THEY WERE IN PORTUGAL IN MAY 2007, AT THE TIME OF MADELINES ABDUCTION.

We now have circumstantial evidence of the striking resemblance between the photographs and the police sketches for the Podestas and Anthony Weiner.

We also see that there appears to be emails deleted from Podestas email account during the time of Madelines disappearance on May 3, 2007. Did he wipe his emails to destroy evidence of his links to Portugal and the McCanns?

, which alone does not show his visit to Portugal in May 2007, but it would warrant any ROOKIE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT to check the passports of both Podestas and Weiner in May 2007.

Where is LAW ENFORCEMENT in the United States, England, and Portugal? Must citizens do the job of both reporters and investigators?

We want to know about the

Comet Ping Pong Pizza Restaurant

in Washington D.C. We want to know if the Podestas and Weiner were in Portugal in May 2007.

We want to know about the

underground tunnels that connect the Comet Ping Pong

to other stores in the Washington area.

We want to know why

Nancy Pelosi is associated with a pizza a restaurant

called the GOAT HILL (goat is a reference to the devil, folks) in San Francisco.

We want to know what in the hell is happening in this country that demons have law enforcement, politicians, and officials so compliant to their evil that children are being sacrificed upon their altars in the worship of Satan. Is there anyone in the FBI and NYPD that has the morality and decency to bring these matters to light? If so, just know that

******************************************************************************Benghazigate Broke Open Emailgate,Emailgate Broke Open Servergate,Servergate and Emailgate Broke Open Weinergate,Weinergate Broke OpenISISGATEAnd It Doesnt Get Any Bigger Than ThatThis epic and rapidly unfolding crime spree has all the elements to incriminate many leading politicians and D.C. power-brokers, well-known globalists and Beltway lobbyists. Truly, this is the scandal that the American people have been waiting for.Of all the scandals that end in Gate, it is the Pedophiliathat has the potential to do the most damage to the existing criminal power structure that was shoehorned into power in Washington D.C. by the(WSG).The political power structure that has been recently dominated by the Podestas and Pelosis, the Obamas and Clintons, the Reids and Ryans has been fastidiously kept in check via an extremely effective strategy that irreversibly compromises and corrupts the political class. Of course, this is done by setting up the politician with lurid sex crimes, especially those with child sexual abuse and trafficking.Even many good politicians are lured into attending an event that is presented in one fashion, only for them to be treated to a Satanic child sex ritual late in the night when they should have been home in bed. Their very attendance at such a scandalous crime scene allows them to be blackmailed and/or bribed over the rest of his or her political career. Do you see how Congress is forever kept in perfect check by their globalist overlords, Zionist plotters and Jesuit masters? And why Congress never really investigates itself or prosecutes the President, except to root out the really good guys and gals.The recent exposure of Pizzagate has changed the whole Washington control dynamic. With each odious revelation this secret sub-culture within the Beltway has been exposed in ways that are both shocking and earth-shattering. Citizen reporters who are researching this story are zealous and resolute in their journalistic pursuit of the truth. Many of them have children and will not let this multi-decade crime spree go unreported, in all of its grisly detail.For those who are uninitiated in this realm of pedophilia in the corridors of power, the following links will provide a quick primer for what is about to explode in the mainstream media (MSM). Yes, the WSG has been extremely successful in keeping these sordid details out of the MSM, as they did with the Franklin scandal many years ago, but there wasnt an Internet back then.First and foremost, the serious investigator is highly advised to watch the following video:Then there are these recent important exposes:What the reader has been exposed to by way of the preceding exposes is citizen journalism at its very best. Each of these Alt-Media warriors has had the courage to view the underbelly of American political life. In so doing they are freeing the many sexually abused children who have been held victim over their respective lifetimes by their serial abusers and captors.The following article by the Anonymous Patriots expresses a dire need at this critical time of American (and world) history. Every reader is highly encouraged to take to heart the plea that is made. For it isthat now possess the power to break the back of the repugnant conspiracy that has controlled the U.S. Federal Government for so many decades.If you really want to take your power back from these criminally insane psychopaths, this is perhaps the best way to begin.November 12, 2016~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~___
Mumbai: Ahead of Tata Motors' crucial board meeting on Monday, two unions of the company representing around 16,000 employees have written to the management expressing their support to Ratan Tata in the ongoing spat with ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.

In a letter to Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, Tata Motors Employees Union, Pune expressed "deep concern" over the rift between Tata Sons and the leadership of Tata group companies.

"Moreover, the once cordial relations between Tata Motors Pune plant management and the employees have taken a downward turn since the last 14 months over various negotiable issues," said the letter in an indirect dig at the company's leadership under Mistry's chairmanship.

Backing the new leadership of Tata Sons led by interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the letter said: "However, during this time of turmoil we reiterate our complete and dedicated commitment to the decisions taken by Ratan Tata over the change in leadership of Tata Sons Ltd."

Stating that Tata Motors has "grown in leaps and bounds under" Tata's "visionary leadership", the workers union of Pune plant further said: "We wish to commit our whole-hearted support to Mr Ratan Tata's decisions in future and greatly respect his leadership."

On the other hand, in a letter to the plant head of Tata Motors' Jamshedpur unit, Telco Workers Union termed Ratan Tata as "our another great leader" and invoked his saying "if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to walk far walk together" to express their support.

While also recollecting what another "pioneer" JRD Tata said -- "to be a leader you have to lead with human affection" -- Telco Workers Union said: "These inspiring sentences (are) always inspirations for us and we always try to follow these footsteps."

Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman Cyrus Mistry and independent director Nusli Wadia.

Besides, Tata Sons also has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meetings to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards. The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Cyrus Mistry from the chairmanship of group companies and has already fired him as chairman of TCS. However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Nusli Wadia, has been able to hold on to his position as chairman of Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
Mumbai: Post withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs1,000 notes, banks have disbursed nearly Rs 30,000 crore cash in bills of lower denominations and the newly-introduced Rs 2,000 currency over the past three days, the apex body for lenders said today.

The government on November 8 demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in a step to curb black money. Following the move, banks were closed on November 9 to stock lower value notes and exchange the defunct ones.

"In the last three days of working, nearly Rs 30,000 crore cash has been disbursed in currency notes of lower denominations and newly introduced Rs 2,000 notes. The ATMs are being recalibrated to handle new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes," Indian Banks' Association (IBA) said in a statement.

From November 10, customers are allowed to exchange Rs up to Rs 4,000 in cash at any bank branch with valid identity proof. They can also withdraw cash against withdrawal slip or cheque, subject to ceiling of Rs 10,000 a day, within an overall limit of Rs 20,000 in a week (including withdrawals from ATMs) up to November 24, after which these limits shall be reviewed.

IBA said the banks are making all-out efforts to ensure currency requirements of customers are met within the limits prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. It, however, appealed to the public to use alternative modes of payments like debit and credit cards.

"In addition, payments could be made through electronic channels like RTGS (real-time gross settlement systems), NEFT (national electronic funds transfer), IMPS (immediate payment service), net banking, UPI (unified payments interface). Electronic wallets provided by banks may also be used extensively for making payments," it suggested.
Due to health reasons, she wanted to step down long back but the senior party leaders insisted that she continues till polls.

Sonia Gandhi is likely to resign from the post of Congress President after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi is likely to resign from the post of Congress President after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab due to health reasons.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Sonia wanted to step down from her position long back but the senior leaders in the party insisted that she waits till the polls in the two states.

She (Sonia) is most likely to step down after the election. She is not in favour of completing the full tenure [of her extended 1-year term as party president], sources told the news daily.

The sources also said the process of appointment of Rahul as the party president has been initiated, but he will be promoted only after the polls. Partys young workers and Congress Vice-Presidents core team had been demanding that Rahul be given charge of the party.

The Congress Working Committee, earlier this month, unanimously voiced "strong sentiment" for his elevation.

It was party veteran A K Antony who set the ball rolling at the meeting, which lasted for four hours, when he spoke about the need for Rahul to take over the mantle of the 130-year-old party from her mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. All other members, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh followed suit.

Antony said all members including Manmohan Singh, insisted it was "high time" Rahul took over as party chief and the Congress mobilised "all forces" to take on "anti-people and dictatorial" policies of the Modi government.

Rahul, who presided over the meeting as Sonia Gandhi was reportedly indisposed, said he was ready to accept whatever responsibility is bestowed upon him by the Congress president and the CWC, in "fighting for the idea of India."
The RLD faces the burden of having allied with the BJP in the past

Lucknow: The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has been trying to position itself as a viable alternative to the Bahujan Samaj Party in western Uttar Pradesh, particularly for Muslim and Jat voters. The RLD faces the burden of having allied with the BJP in the past and Muslims are sceptical of the RLDs secular credentials. It was this that prompted the party to look for an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

We did support an alliance with the Samajwadi Party because we wanted to build up a secular front. We are aware that SP is not on firm footing in west UP and Muslims are angry with SP but the party has no history of hobnobbing with BJP. The Samajwadi leaders, however, are over-confident of the abilities and popularity, and want every decision on their terms, said an RLD MLA.

A section of the RLD feels that an alliance with the Congress will be better because the Congress is more acceptable to Muslims than SP or BSP.

The BSP is a strong force but Muslims feel that Mayawati can again form government with BJPs support because she has done it thrice in the past. However, the Congress must put up strong candidates to get the Muslim votes or else the BSP will be the best choice in the absence of an option, said the MLA.

The Muslim concentration of population in west UP is about 26 per cent  higher than the rest of the state  and after Muzaffarnagar riots, the community is highly polarised against the BJP.

The RLD leaders, while trying to win over Muslims in west UP, have also been making concerted efforts to regain lost ground among Jats.

Former RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary has been holding small meetings in every village, meeting local Khap leaders and explaining the partys position to them.

Jats, who had gone with the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, are now upset with the Modi government over the reservation issue. Jats leaders in Haryana have already asked their community not to vote for the BJP.

Besides, there is sympathy for Mr Ajit Singh after the Modi government turned down his request for a memorial for his father, late Chaudhary Charan Singh, and got his bungalow vacated.

The Jat leaders in the BJP, including union minister Sanjeev Baliyan and Satyapal Singh, have limited areas of influence and Jats could be in a mood to forgive the RLD. If that happens Mr Ajit Singh may see an upswing in his partys fortunes, said Prof. Devrat Tyagi, a faculty member at Meerut University. Jats constitute about 17 per cent of the population in West UP and play a deciding factor in about 40 Assembly seats in the region.
The Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides and not binding.

New Delhi: The landmark civil nuclear deal signed with Japan has a "termination" clause that the government in New Delhi insists is not binding on India.

In the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, there is a note on "Views and Understanding" wherein the Japanese side has cited India's September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will terminate.

The Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides.

"That note is simply a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It is not the NCA (Nuclear Cooperation Agreement) which is what is binding," said a source here.

"On termination, there is no change from the US template," the source added.

The sources maintained that the views of Japan, "on when they can ask for it", is "their national prerogative".

Japan, the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear attacks, has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India, despite it being non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

After the Indo-Japan deal was signed, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said it is strikingly similar to atomic agreements India inked with the US and most of the other countries, having provisions like 'termination' clause.

In the 123 Agreement between India and the US, there is a clause for termination but it mentions that if India conducts a nuclear test, the two sides will initiate discussions immediately to understand the reasons for it. The discussions have to be concluded within a year, inferring that till then the nuclear deal will not be called off.

During the joint media interaction along with Modi after the deal was signed, Abe had referred to India's declaration of September 2008 with regard to voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.

"This agreement is a legal framework that India will act responsibly in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also in Non-Proliferation regime even though India is not a participant or signatory of NPT," he had said.
Sharbat Gula is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C, besides having some other health issues.

New Delhi: Afghan woman Sharbat Gula, the iconic face of refugee struggle who was deported from Pakistan a few days ago, will soon travel to India for a medical treatment.

Ms Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on the charges of falsifying identity papers on Wednesday.

In her 40s now, she has been offered free treatment  reportedly by a Bengaluru hospital  a decision praised by Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali, who has also expressed gratitude to India. The iconic Afghan, Sharbat Gula, will soon be in India for a free medical treatment  Thank you India for being a true friend! Afghan ambassador to India, Shaida Abdali, tweeted.

Ms Gula, popularly known as the Afghan girl, is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C, besides having some other health issues, according to news agency reports. After fleeing Afghanistan as a young child, Ms Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on the charges of possessing fake identity documents. Ms Gula, a mother of three, is said to undergo treatment at a Bengaluru hospital.

Ms Gulas image, with striking green eyes, photographed by award winning photographer Steve McCurry, had made her the face of refugee crisis in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has been criticised for deporting Ms Gula.
Finance ministry said that in four days around Rs 3 lakh crores of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes were deposited in the banking system.

People queue up at out side of banks ATM to get money in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The finance ministry on Sunday raised cash withdrawal limits from recalibrated ATMs from the existing Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per day to deal with the cash crunch.

The weekly limit of Rs 20,000 for withdrawal from bank accounts has been hiked to Rs 24,000, while the limit of Rs 10,000 per day has been removed. People can now take Rs 4,500 by exchanging old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 from bank counters. The earlier limit for exchange over the counter was Rs 4,000.

These measures were announced Sunday night after the ministry reviewed the availability and distribution of banknotes in different parts and regions of the country. A meeting was held amid the unprecedented rush at bank branches across the country, with people jostling to get new cash particularly due to the holiday in many parts of India on Monday for Guru Nanak Jayanti.

The last date for submission of annual life certificates for government pensioners, that has to be submitted in November every year, has been extended up to January 15, 2017.

The finance ministry said that in four days around Rs 3 lakh crores of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes were deposited in the banking system. About Rs 50,000 crores have been dispensed to customers by either withdrawal from their accounts or withdrawal from ATMs or by exchange at bank counters. In three or four days, the banking system has handled about 18 crore transactions.

It also said issuance of the new series of Rs 500 notes has already begun.

The finance ministry said it has been reported that certain business houses, including hospitals, caterers and tent houses, among others, were not accepting cheques, demand drafts and online payments by customers. It is advised that in such cases customers make a complaint to the concerned district magistrates or district authorities for action against such establishments, it said.

The ministry said all banks were told to arrange mobile banking vans to the extent possible at major hospitals to carry out emergency banking transaction for patients. Banks were advised to make arrangements for separate queues for senior citizens and disabled persons. Separate queues will also be arranged for exchange of cash and transactions against bank accounts. Instructions had been issued to all banks and post offices to ensure the proper distribution of all denomination notes. Banks have been specially advised to ensure the availability and distribution of small denomination notes.

The chief secretaries of the states have been requested to identify rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to banks and post offices to ensure the last mile distribution of small denomination of notes is done through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents, the ministry said.

The last date for submission of annual life certificates for government pensioners, that has to be submitted in November every year, has been extended up to January 15, 2017.
The murmurs of an alliance have made local leaders very angry.

New Delhi: The Congress campaign in Uttar Pradesh seems to hit a roadblock. The meeting between Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Congress strategist Prashant Kishor has sent confusing signals to Congress cadres and supporters in the state. The murmurs of an alliance have made local leaders very angry. A local Congress leader who does not wish to be named said that the campaign of the Congress started very well, but with this alliance talk, we are sending a non-serious image. An image that we are not confident. He added that this has dented all the good work done by the party in the state in the last four months.

It was the first to get off the block for campaigning in the race for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Unlike previous Congress campaigns, this one saw the announcement of the chief ministerial candidate at an early stage. The new state chief and committee chiefs were also announced well in advance. Yatras were also planned months in advance, of which four have been completed, inlcuding one led by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Party president Sonia Gandhi also did a roadshow in Varanasi.

However, the Congress is now shouting from the rooftops that Mr Kishor was not authorised to hold talks with Mulayam Singh Yadav. Congress campaign committee chief in Uttar Pradesh, Sanjay Sinh, said, Any tie-up with the Samajwadi Party will not be beneficial for the Congress. But others behind closed doors are asking why the Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh met JD(U)s Sharad Yadav. The JD(U) has been calling for a Bihar-like grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

Those aspiring for Congress tickets have also started developing cold feet. They are unsure whether they will get tickets if an alliance is formed and the confusion has led to a section of Congress leaders in UP targeting Mr Kishor.

Many plans which had been made have gone awry. For instance, there is no update on the kisan maang patras which were supposed to be filled by farmers. There are no new yatras which have been planned for the state. The Indira Gandhi birth anniversary programme is being held in Delhi, not in Allahabads Anand Bhawan.
Japanese are very particular that India should not conduct any nuclear test for civil nuclear cooperation to continue.

New Delhi: The termination clause in the main agreement for the India-Japan civil nuclear agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, is binding on India but not a separate note in which the Japanese recorded their views on possible reasons for termination given its special sensitivities, government sources said Sunday. PTI reports said the note is on Views and Understanding, with the Japanese side citing Indias September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will be terminated. Indian government sources said the note also records Indias position on this issue, which is a reiteration of the September 2008 commitments which were made at the time of the NSG waiver. No change is envisaged from those commitments and no additional commitments were made by India, government sources said.

Japan is the only country in the world to have suffered a nuclear attack and the Japanese are very particular that India should not conduct any nuclear test for civil nuclear cooperation to continue. With Indian government sources in New Delhi making it clear only the main agreement is binding on India and not the separate note, there could be some differences in perception between the Indian and Japanese sides. However, both nations are keen that the deal be successful, with no possibility whatsoever of India conducting any nuclear test now or in the near future.

Government sources said: The Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with Japan follows the same template (as the ones India signed with other countries) but compresses the developments which have taken place since 2007. It reflects commitments which were made at the time of the NSG waiver in 2008, many of which were unilateral in nature. The termination clause is there in other NCAs we signed, including with the US (Article 14). However the circumstances triggering a possible termination are never sharply defined. Consideration also has to be given to mitigating factors.

The government sources added: Given Japans special sensitivities as the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, it was felt that their views should be recorded in a separate note. The note is a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It states, on one hand, what could be Japans views in advance on what is a hypothetical situation; that is their national prerogative. At the same time it also records Indias position on the same issue, which is a reiteration of the September 2008 commitments. No change is envisaged from those commitments and no, repeat no, additional commitments have been made by India.

Japan has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India despite New Delhi not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Security sources said these currencies were on its way and were expected to reach banks in the next few days.

Guwahati: The Centres decision to demonitise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes has hit the operations of insurgent groups of north-eastern states holed up in Myanmar.

Security sources said the ministry of home affairs has alerted security agencies of large amounts of currency being transported to frontier states in the Northeast from Myanmar to be exchanged. Security agencies told this newspaper that NSCN and Ulfa(I) rebels are carrying consignments of cash to deposit them in bank accounts of their sympathisers.

Referring to intercepted communications, security sources said that the Ulfa(I) and the Khaplang faction of NSCN rebels were in touch with their sympathisers to deposit these currencies. Though sources refused to speculate the exact volume of such currency stashed in Myanmar, they said that it may be in the region of several thousand crores.

Pointing out that elaborate arrangements have been made to confiscate currency notes that are no longer legal tender, security sources said that militant groups plan to deposit these notes in the bank accounts of tribal civilians. The frontier state of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, being tax-free for its tribal citizens, security sources said militants intend to take advantage of this facility.

Indicating that militants were also offering a handsome commission for exchanging currencies of higher denominations, security sources said that the ministry of home affairs has shared with respective states specific inputs that it intercepted from communication networks of militant groups.

Asserting that militants would not succeed in regularising these currencies through banks, security sources said that fear of losing money has created a visible panic among militant leaders who were monitoring the transportation of the cash from Myanmar.

Security sources said these currencies were on its way and were expected to reach banks in the next few days. The ministry of home affairs has also alerted the banks in the frontier states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to foil such attempts by outlawed organisations.
US tops list with 25 pending requests, UAE 2nd with 24.

New Delhi: Response to letters rogatory (LRs) or judicial requests through Interpol by the CBI, the nodal agency in the country for the purpose, is a crucial cog in its wheel when it comes to probing high-profile cases with fugitives or information about them lying in other countries. And, official sources reveal, most of those wanted by law in India seem to be headed to the USA. The country, dealing with maximum number of requests from the agency, has responded positively.

Sources said the USA tops the list of countries in terms of numbers of LRs awaiting response, despite also being the country to have responded to maximum number of requests. Some of these LRs have been pending for several years, while the reply in many others is being awaited for the last few months. The LR is a formal request issued by a competent court to a foreign court and processed by the Ministry of External Affairs on behalf of the investigative agencies to obtain information about individuals and entities.

The maximum number of CBI requests, around 25, is pending with the USA. But at the same time, it has executed agencys 28 LRs, which too is maximum, sources said. In fact, in certain cases, the response from the US has been very quick, they added. Delays in response on LRs prove to be a major stumbling block in agencys investigations in many high profile cases. The second on the list is the UAE with highest number of pending LRs. It seems to have history of sitting on the LRs, sources said. As per latest figure, the UAE has 24 LRs pending. Despite repeated reminders by New Delhi through diplomatic channels, the UAE authorities have not responded, sources said.

As many as 165 LRs from India are pending with various member countries. Delays in the execution of pending LRs by the member countries, are proving to be a major stumbling block for the probe agencies, especially the CBI, in completing investigations in several high profile cases, sources said.

Authorities in Singapore have also not executed several LRs pending with them for the last several months, sources said adding that Mauritius has also not replied to several requests pending with them so far.
Growing identity consciousness brews hostility towards tourists.

Bhopal: An age-old myth, coupled with growing consciousness about their identity, has made tribals in remote pockets of Madhya Pradesh shun cameras, sometimes, creating a hostile situation for tourists visiting their areas.

In March 2015, Bhil tribals celebrating their famous Bhagoria festival in Jhabua, MP, resisted some foreign tourists from taking their pictures, leading to an unpleasant situation. But they relented when the foreign nationals promised them not to project their culture in a negative way and also not to misuse the photographs.

Similar incidents were witnessed during the famed tribal festival in other districts, Alirajpur and Dhar, in March, leaving the tourism department officials worried.

The colourful Bhagoria festival, celebrated by Bhil and Bhilala tribals, attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and abroad. Of late, incidents of tribals resisting visitors from taking pictures have been reported, though not many such incidents have happened, an MP tourism development corporation official said.

Growing awareness about their identity has led to the situation. Tribals feel that tourists are not able to fathom the spirit of their culture and, most of the time, project it in a negative way, state tourism development corporation joint director R.S. Tripathy said.

The festival marks the elopement of young tribal boys and girls after they choose their partners. This interesting ritual prior to their elopement involves the boy splashing red colour on the face of his chosen partner, inviting her to give her consent to elope with him by reciprocating the gesture. A hint of reluctance on part of the girl makes the male try harder to win her consent.

Tribals are becoming conscious about their identity and are averse to being projected in a negative way, particularly by the western media, ex-director of Manav Sangrahalaya Ashok Tiwari said.

A noted ethnologist Mr Tiwari, who travelled extensively in tribal belts in MP in the past three decades, said tribals in some remote pockets in the state still shunned cameras fearing that they would be cast black magic spells with the help of their pictures.

An age-old myth is still prevalent among some tribal groups residing in remote areas that their souls will be stolen if their pictures are taken on cameras, he said.
A senior Delhi police officer confirmed the arrest on Sunday and said that Mr Imran was arrested from Bengaluru.

New Delhi: The son-in-law of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating property belonging to his wife, stealing from her and committing adultery.

The victim, Ms Dikshits daughter Latika, has also accused her estranged husband Syed Mohammad Imran of subjecting her to violence, almost choking her to death on one occasion.

A senior Delhi police officer confirmed the arrest on Sunday and said that Mr Imran was arrested from Bengaluru two days ago. In her complaint, Ms Latika has also named a female relative of hers who has also been booked in the case as a co-accused. She approached the police this June. Mr Imran and Ms Latika got married in 1996 and have been living separately for the past few months. In her purported statement to the police, the victim has claimed that Mr Imrans behaviour changed since her mother lost elections as he turned aggressive and rude, something that rocked her marriage.

She further added that the two accused have been in an illicit relationship for the past two years and since early last year, she noticed that some of the belongings kept in her Hailey Road House had gone missing and whenever she asked, he would give evasive replies. She said that he also took jewellery and other expensive items from the house.

One of the allegedly stolen articles that the victim highlights in her complaint were papers pertaining to a land in Nainital she owns. She said that Mr Imran took away the papers despite having been told not to do so. This happened in May and in the following month, she approached the police with her complaint which also enlists the articles missing and documents the alleged violence that she was subjected to. The victim also claimed that not only was Mr Imran defiant, but also threatened to spread rumours about her brother and mother.
Mamata Banerjee spoke to the leaders of several parties to devise a joint campaign against demonetisation.

Kolkata: A day after calling on all Opposition parties, including bete noire CPI(M), to jointly protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday and later said he had agreed to meet the representatives of political parties over this issue later in the week.

Ms Banerjee tweeted: The Honourable President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how the common people are suffering because of demonetisation. I thank him for agreeing to meet representatives of political parties on November 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation. Sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat, said the CM will travel to New Delhi on Tuesday. She has cancelled her Bankura tour that was due on November 15 and 16.

Ms Banerjee spoke to the leaders of several parties on Sunday to devise a joint campaign against demonetisation and for a meeting with the President. Sources at Nabanna said she spoke to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Mr Yechury, sources said, reportedly told Ms Banerjee he would talk to senior party leaders before taking a call on a joint movement with her.

[Sources in the CPI(M), however, clearly said that their party would not take part in any joint movement or protest alongside the Trinamul supremo and her party.]

In a series of tweets, Ms Banerjee again appealed to the Narendra Modi government to withdraw this hasty move, and put a proper plan of action in place. She said: This is not an ego battle. I humbly appeal again to the Govt at the Centre. Save common people from more suffering, and the country from financial catastrophe, by withdrawing this hasty decision. First please put a proper action plan in place. Breathing space for people.

On her talks with several political leaders, she wrote: Today I spoke with several political leaders regarding a joint movement and to meet Rashtrapatiji together. Let us all fight this together to give relief to common citizens, the poor, and stop this financial anarchy.

A Trinamul MP who will accompany Ms Banerjee to Delhi on Tuesday said she plans to hold talks with Mr Kejriwal and some others on Tuesday evening before meeting President Mukherjee on Wednesday or Thursday. The CM had said on Saturday that if need be her party would also speak to the Congress, CPI(M), Mayawati (BSP) and Mulayamji (SP) urging them to join forces. If we do not join hands for this greater cause, then the country will be sold off, she had warned.

The West Bengal CM has been describing the Centres demonetisation move as a surgical strike on the common people in the name of unearthing black money, and called it dangerous, draconian and disastrous. A close aide of the Trinamul supemo said she is also trying to rope in Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, who had earlier welcomed the demonetisation move.
Traders have abandoned around 70,000 to 80,000 trucks that travel to and fro Mumbai.

Traders warn that there could be a shortage of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicines from Monday.

Mumbai: Come Monday and it is likely that essential commodities wont reach you. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) that supplies essential commodities to the state has said that supplies like milk, vegetables and medicines will soon see a crunch in the local markets.

Traders have abandoned around 70,000 to 80,000 trucks that travel to and fro Mumbai, as they do not have enough cash to pay octroi and daily wages to the labourers after the Centre banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The government has waived off toll collection across the country but the truckers claim that they need cash to pay octroi, daily labourers and money to fill fuel.

The AIMTC has said that that Rs 1,194 crore cash is required on a daily basis by the transport sector for its operations. As per the IT Act, Rs 35,000 per truck per trip is allowed for en route expenses. As a result, small operators having 10 trucks would require Rs 3.5 lakh per day which is difficult to arrange given the current situation where Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are banned.

AIMTCs member Malkhit Singh said, As trucks arent moving the stocks available are depleting and new stocks arent coming in. For example, vegetable supply from Malegaon and Nashik has already stopped. The shortage of vegetables will be seen immediately.

When contacted, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, We have got no such intimation but this is arm twisting. It seems some people still feel that with such tactics they will be able to save black money. They are the ones instigating such acts.

Traders say the impact is not only on goods vehicles but even passenger vehicles, as each vehicle has to pay taxes in cash while crossing state borders. Mr Singh said that there would be a shortage of essential commodities like medicines and milk from Monday or Tuesday. Medicine stocks coming from Gujarat will soon be depleted as the traders from there have stopped sending their trucks out from their warehouses.

A majority of the traders are worried that with the truck drivers and cleaners abandoning the trucks on highways, the goods could be robbed. The traders have sought loan from the state and Centre till they have liquid cash but no decision has been taken as yet.
Private airline organises joyride for kids from 3 NGOs in the city ahead of Childrens Day

Children from Save the Children India, Nanhi Kali and Shelter Don Bosco NGOs were present for the joyride. (Photo: Mrugesh Bandiwadekar)

Mumbai: With Childrens Day just a day away, a private airline organised a special joyride for almost 110 kids from three different NGOs. Children from Save the Children India, Nanhi Kali and Shelter Don Bosco NGOs were present for their flight of fantasy.

These children reached the domestic terminal of international airport terminal two T2 around 12.30 pm. Later they checked-in for flight 9W 9828, which took off from Mumbai airport around 3.45 pm. After an hour of flying over the Mumbai city the flight returned to Mumbai airport again. It was organised by Jet Airways.

Kalyani Agavane, a special child and a student of class five, praised the beauty of the picturesque western coast in sign language.

Another special child with hearing disability Naseer Idari (13) told this paper, I was trying to find my house from the aircraft, but I couldnt find it. Everything appears small from here and my house is already small.

Saba Sarin (16) a specially-abled girl with learning disability, who is doing a beauticians course said, I enjoyed it. I want to travel more, and dont want to go back.

Father Roshan Gonsalves of Don Bosco said, These children are seeing an aircraft from such close quarters for the first time, and so they are excited.

Vinaya Shirdhankar coordinator of Nanhi Kali, said the kids belongs to lower middle class and poor families. Their parents work as domestic help and private drivers mostly. When in October the airline approached us for the ride and we informed the kids, they were very excited.

Naseem Warunkar of Save the Children said, In 2014 too the airline had organised a similar ride. Since then our children have been keen to go on the joy ride. Thirteen-year-old Annapurna Ingle a special child, after seeing the aircraft taxiing on the runway thought the plane only moves on the ground, but once it took off, the girl screamed in fear.

Riddhi Halwai, a 10-year-old girl who was sitting next to Annapurna, immediately told her to calm down and asked her to enjoy the view of Juhu beach. Nidhi Yadav and Mehak Barde, students of class five, were thrilled to get an aerial view of Mumbai from the sky. I want to be a pilot and fly everyday.

Eight-year-old Arshad Shaikh and Jishan Qazi on the other hand wondered why they were unable to see stars despite being in air and so close to the sky.

Samir Shah and Varsha Jagdhane were loved the ride so much that they refused to alight after landing.

Meena Beda, another 10-year-old, asked this newspaper, if her mother could also travel in an aircraft. She works hard as a domestic help after my father left her and me, so I want to her to ride in the flight, because it looks amazing, she said.
The Saki Naka police revealed the suicide note made clear allegations against Mangeshs family members.

Mumbai: A 40-year-old man committed suicide after allegedly poisoning his three daughters  a four-year-old girl and one-year-old twins. The man, a Saki Naka resident, left behind a note blaming his father, brother and sister-in-law, alleging that he took the step since they were harassing him to vacate the house he stayed in.

The deceased have been identified as Mangesh Anerao, Harshita and twins Ananya and Aarohi. The family of five including the survivors Madhura, Mangeshs wife, and a son Amey (7) stayed in a one-storey house in Vitthal Chawl, near Mohali pipeline in Saki Naka.

According to the police, Mangesh who was unemployed had sent Madhura and Amey to collect money from a family friend in Virar Saturday morning.

The police suspects he murdered the girls and killed himself soon after. At 6.30 am, he called his sister Usha, who works in Ghatkopar, to come to the house urgently. When she reached she found the door slightly ajar and all the deceased lying on the floor, said senior police inspector, Saki Naka police station, Avinash Dharmadhikari.

We think the time of the incident is between 7 am and 9 am, said Mr Dharmadhikari.

The Saki Naka police revealed the suicide note made clear allegations against Mangeshs family members. The suicide note stated, I have spent a lot of money on my mothers cancer treatment but my father Rajaram Anerao (75), brother Narendra Anerao and sister-in-law Sarika say that I havent. Now they are asking me to leave the house since it belongs to my father. Where will I go? They are responsible for my death.

Prashant Jadhav, a close of friend of Mangesh said that a hearing held at the Women and Senior Citizen Redressal Cell of Saki Naka police station on Friday afternoon had upset his friend. Mangesh was informed that he would have to vacate the house, since it was owned by his father, within a month. This upset him and also made him panic as he had no job and would soon have no house, Jadhav said.

He added that he met his friend last at 10.30 pm on Friday and reassured him that they would find a way to get over the problem.

Neighbours while remembering the daughters as playful and mischievous, said Mangesh rarely spoke. He was an alcoholic and would be found sitting and smoking outside the house, said a neighbour.

The police, which has sent the bodies to Rajawadi Hospital for a post-mortem, has till now registered a case of accidental death.
Cassandra De Pecols trip is carefully designed for sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.

This woman is just a few steps away from becoming the first woman to visit all 196 countries in the world. Fifteen countries in 40 days, to be exact.

Cassandra De Pecol is coming to the final frontier of her journey, Expedition 196, having visited 181 countries, starting with the Pacific island of Palau in July last year.

The 27-year-old has to tick off the final few in just under six weeks in order to break the Guinness World Record for fastest person to travel to all Sovereign States plus an additional 11 countries.

She writes on the blog of her expedition website, As a young woman, Id always dreamed to travel to as many countries as possible and make our world a better place. It bothered me though, that I could never figure out how to ignite this inner fire and make it happen.

After years of travelling, living abroad, transforming herself into a sustainability consultant, achieving her Masters degree, and even being filmed in a jungle in Panama for a channel, the young entrepreneur bought a large map of the world and began to plan her trip.

Now, almost two months and 18 countries in, my priorities have shifted for the better. I want nothing more than to give myself to the lives of others and our world.

The initial goal of traveling to every single country is not nearly as meaningful as was at the start. Looking into the eyes of the youth and hearing them realise their potential and limitless possibilities through listening to me speak  this is what I live for.

Although the trip costed an estimated $200,000 dollars so far, it has been almost entirely funded by sponsors. Its also carefully designed to fit into the parameters of sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.

De Pecol, from Connecticut, U.S, is also travelling as an Ambassador for Peace and Global Citizen via the International Institute for Peace through Tourism.

(Source: www.indy100.com)
Canada: Outraging the modesty of a woman, a rape victim who was asked by a judge 'if she tried keeping her knees together when the attacker was raping her', was again asked questions about the size of her attacker's penis.

Alexander Scott Wagar, 29, had been arrested for sexually assaulting a woman over a sink at a party in 2014. However, he pleaded not guilty and alleged that the sexual encounter was consensual.

During the trial of the case, Camp had asked the girl, "Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?". He also further asked her, "Why didn't you just sink your bottom down into the basin so he couldn't penetrate you?"

Camp has since been suspended from hearing cases. The panel at the Canadian Judicial Council will decided if Camp should be allowed to remain on bench of the Federal Court judges.

During a retrial of the case, the lawyer representing the accused had asked the victim offensive questions about the attacker's penis size, to which the victim said 'No'.

However, the lawyer argued that the sexual act was consensual and alleged that the victim and her attacker had engaged in 'aggressive foreplay'.

In his statement at the court this week, Wagar said that " I am not a f***ing rapist,' he protested. 'If she would have made any sort of objection, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, swear on the Bible, I am a Christian."

"My mother put it in my mind since I was a kid that if a woman says no, it means no," he added.

"She (the victim) grabbed my penis and complimented the size of it," Wagar was quoted as saying in a report.
Gula arrived in Kabul last week days after she was detained by Pak authorities allegedly for obtaining fake Pak national identity card.

According to her lawyer, Gula, who is in her 40s, suffers from Hepatitis C.

Dhaka: Afghan woman Sharbat Gula, the iconic face of refugee struggle who was deported from Pakistan a few days ago, will travel to India soon for medical treatment.

Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers.

In her 40s now, she has been offered treatment free-of-cost by the government for which Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali expressed gratitude to India.

"The iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost--Thank you India for being a true friend!," Afghan ambassador Shaida Abdali tweeted.

Gula, popularly known as the 'Afghan girl', is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues.

After fleeing Afghanistan as a young child, Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on charges of possessing fake identity documents.

Gula, a mother of three, is said to undergo treatment at Bengaluru hospital.

Gula's image, with striking green eyes, photographed by award winning photographer Steve McCurry had made her the face of refugee crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been criticised for deporting Gula.
United Nations: India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council has received a strong support from many UN member states, including the UK and France, who emphasised that world body's top organ must reflect the emergence of new global powers.

More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General Assembly session here last week.

"Many favoured bolstering representation for such emerging powers as Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. While some spotlighted the progress made in recent years through the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform process, others voiced deep frustration that more had not yet been achieved," a summary of the November 7 meeting posted on the UN website said.

Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said at the session that Britain believes in a modest expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories is the approach that the UN member states should collectively pursue. The increase in membership should be such that it balances representation with effectiveness.

Rycroft reiterated his country's support for permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, alongside permanent African representation.

Referring to British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last week, her first bilateral trip outside Europe since taking office, Rycroft said she discussed "that very issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"Our support is steadfast, and I look forward to working through all available avenues to reach the more representative and more effective Council that we seek," he said.

France's Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamek said his country wished to see the Council reflect the emergence of new world powers, for which it supported the candidacies of Germany, Brazil, India and Japan and the increased representation of African countries in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.

The five permanent members should also refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities, a commitment that France had already made, he said.

German ambassador to the UN Harald Braun, speaking on behalf of the G4 Group of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, said Council reform was an urgent matter, saying the Council must be rendered fit-for-purpose in order to face the current global challenges of peace and security. He added that all regions must be adequately represented to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.

During the session, India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, in a stinging criticism of the Security Council, had said that the 15-nation body is "stuck in its own time warp and politics."

He had also lamented the "never-ending carousel of discussions" on UNSC reforms saying "it is time to break the impasse" to urgently reform the UN body that is "unresponsive" to the current global situation.
by Mathias Hariyadi

A child among the wounded. AsiaNews sources: the author was stopped by the crowd and arrested. A strategy of tension that finds its roots in a blasphemy accusation against governor of Jakarta. The real goal: to topple President Joko Widodo.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A homemade bomb exploded in front of the church in Oikumene Sengkotek (Samarinda), in the East Kalimantan province. Four people, including a child, were injured and there was damage to motorcycles parked there. It is the first time that such an incident of this nature has taken place in the provincial capital of East Kalimantan.

The police chief General Safarudin, confirming the incident, spoke of Molotov cocktail thrown by persons unknown, at 10.30 local (30.09 Jakarta time).

A local source informed AsiaNews that some people present at the scene said that the author was stopped and detained by the crowd after attempting to escape by jumping into the nearby river.

The motive for the attack is unknown. The author is a resident of Bogor, in West Java province.

The political situation

It is likely that the attack is the result of the tension clouding Jakarta. Society is divided in two. One part believe the accusations of "blasphemy" made against the Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian. This part of society would include radical Muslims and other groups, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

The other camp defends Ahok. These include academics, Muslim religious, the two most numerous Islamic organizations in the country - the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah - and other civil society groups. These state that Ahok was targeted on purpose by some radical fringe, manipulating an apparent case of "religious blasphemy" to destabilize the administration of President Joko Widodo.

Radical groups staged demonstrations and clashes last November 4 and are preparing another for November 25 next. Their design is to force Widodo to resign after organizing widespread chaos. A similar thing happened in 1998, when a kind of "civil war" broke out between different sectors of society, forcing then-President Suharto from power.
The Jubilee of the socially excluded celebrated on the day when the Holy Doors close across the world . "Those who follow Jesus do not listen to the prophets of doom, the vanities of horoscopes, to sermons and predictions that engender fears, distracting from what matters."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - By pretending to be unaware of the excluded and rejected, we "turn our face away from God" who never, "stops at our outward appearance, but turns His gaze" on the humble and those who have a contrite spirit "on the many poor Lazarus of today". A call not to exclude God and others from our lives, "the most valuable assets," which remain, while the rest passes, was the warning that Pope Francis addressed during Mass for the Jubilee of the Socially Excluded.

The last celebration before the close, next Sunday, of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy gathered the "discarded" to St. Peter's Basilica: the homeless, the poor, people in some way central to the teaching of Pope Francis.

In the Angelus reflection following the Mass the Pope noted that, "human constructions, even the most sacred, are transient and we should not place all of our trust in them. How many alleged certainties in our lives that we thought were definitive, proved ephemeral! On the other hand, how many problems seemed without solution and then were overcome! Jesus knows that there is always those who speculate on the human need for security. Therefore he says, "Take heed that you not be deceived," and warns of the many false messiahs who will present themselves. He adds not to be terrorized and disorient by wars, revolutions and disasters, because they too are part of the reality of this world. "

Those who follow Jesus - he said during the Mass  do not listen to the prophets of doom, the vanities of horoscopes, to sermons and predictions that engender fears, distracting from what matters. Among the many things we hear, the Lord invites us to distinguish what comes from Him and what comes from the false spirit. It is important to distinguish the wise call that God addresses to us every day from the clamor of those who use God's name to scare, feed divisions and fears. Jesus urges them not to fear in the face of disasters of all times, even in the face of the severe and unjust trials that overtake his disciples. He asks you to persevere in the good and to put full confidence in God, who never disappoints, "Not a hair of your head will be forgotten". God does not forget his faithful, his precious property, which is us. But He challenges us today about the meaning of our existence. "

"What remains, what is of value in life, what is the wealth that does not disappear? Definitely two: God and neighbor. These are the greatest assets, of love. Everything else - the sky, the earth, the most beautiful things, this Basilica - passes; but we must not exclude God and others from our life. Yet today, when we talk of exclusion, concrete persons immediately come to mind; not unnecessary things, but precious people. The human person, placed by God at the height of creation, is often discarded because they prefer things that pass. And this is unacceptable, because man is the most precious thing in God's eyes. And it is serious that we become used to this waste; it should worry us, when our consciousness is anesthetized and the suffering of our brothers and sisters alongside us or to the serious problems of the world are no longer concerns, but already heard refrains on the news".

Turning, then, to the "socially excluded", "Today - he said - when we speak of exclusion, we immediately think of concrete people, not useless objects but precious persons. The human person, set by God at the pinnacle of creation, is often discarded, set aside in favour of ephemeral things. This is unacceptable, because in Gods eyes man is the most precious good. It is ominous that we are growing used to this rejection. We should be worried when our consciences are anaesthetized and we no longer see the brother or sister suffering at our side, or notice the grave problems in our world, which become a mere refrain familiar from the headlines on the evening news. Your presence here helps us to be attuned to Gods wavelength, to see what he sees. He sees not only appearances (cf. 1 Sam 16:7), but turns his gaze to the humble and contrite in spirit (Is 66:2), to the many poor Lazaruses of our day. What harm we do to ourselves when we fail to notice Lazarus, excluded and cast out (cf. Lk 16:19-21)! It is turning away from God himself. It is the symptom of a spiritual sclerosis when we are only interested in objects to be produced rather than on persons to be loved. This is the origin of the tragic contradiction of our age: as progress and new possibilities increase, which is a good thing, less and less people are able to benefit from them. This is a great injustice that should concern us much more than knowing when or how the world will end. Because we cannot go about our business quietly at home while Lazarus lies at the door. There is no peace in the homes of the prosperous as long as justice is lacking in the home of everyone.

Today, in the cathedrals and sanctuaries throughout the world, the Doors of Mercy are being closed. Let us ask for the grace not to close our eyes to God who sees us and to our neighbour who asks something of us. Let us open our eyes to God, purifying the eye of our hearts of deceitful and fearful images, from the god of power and retribution, the projection of human pride and fear. Let us look with trust to the God of mercy, with the certainty that love never ends (1 Cor 13:8). Let us renew our hope in the true life to which we are called, the life that will not pass away and that awaits us in communion with the Lord and with others, in a joy that will last forever, without end".

The Pope also spoke of the closing of the Holy Door to the 60 thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus.

"Standing firm in the Lord, walking in hope, working to build a better world is what really matters, despite the difficulties and the sad events that mark us in a personal and collective way. It is how the Christian community is called to mark the 'Lord's Day'. Precisely in this perspective we want to place the commitment resulting from these months in which we have lived with faith the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which concludes today in the dioceses of the whole world with the closing of the Holy Door in the cathedral churches. The Holy Year has urged us, on the one hand, to keep our eyes fixed toward the fulfillment of God's Kingdom and on the other, to build the future of this land, working to evangelize the present, so that it becomes a time of salvation for all. "

"Jesus in the Gospel urges us to keep firmly in mind and heart the certainty that God leads our history and knows the final end of things and events. Under the merciful gaze of the Lord history unfolds in its uncertain flow and in its interweaving of good and evil. But all that happens is preserved in Him; our life can not be lost because it is in His hands. "
How To Find And Stimulate The Male G-Spot

Your Guide To The Male G-Spot And The Greatest Orgasms Known To Man

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

If youve trained yourself to be more of a giver than a receiver, then its highly likely that your partner applauds your dedication to her pleasure. But while being a selfless lover often ensures your other half's happiness  both in and outside of the bedroom  knowing your own erotic triggers and zones is crucial, too. Why? As much as she enjoys your attention to detail, endurance and curious, ambitious nature to improve your sexual repertoire, she also wants to make sure youre satisfied, too.

You probably have your go-to blow job requests and certain sexual positions that really turn you on, but have you ever ventured into an unknown zone that you may never have considered, well, erotic? Trust us, once you allow yourself to explore your own G-spot, youll wonder what you were so afraid of before. Men can (and should) encourage their female partners to stimulate their down-there region. From using hands and toys to lubricants, here are all the ways to find and stimulate the male G-spot tonight?

RELATED: Letting Her Play With Your Backside

1. What Is The Male G-Spot?

Everyone has a G-spot, male and female alike. An easy way to think about it is to consider those goosebumps you get on your skin when youre surprised, a cool air runs through or you get scared. While uncomfortable at first, the sensation itself is enjoyable if you embrace the unfamiliar territory. Those goosebumps come from a shift in your nerve endings, and when you target the G-spot, youre putting pressure on your most sensitive body part. Sexpert Coleen Singer explains that a German gynecologist named Ernst Grafenberg was the first to discuss this area, and thus, its named after him. This wasnt until 1950  so if youre still getting on the bandwagon, youre likely not alone. It is commonly thought that a greater concentration of nerve endings are contained in both male and female G-spots which, when stimulated properly, can lead to intense orgasms in both genders, Singer says.

2. Where Is The G-Spot?

There are many ways to ignite the pleasure of the male G-spot (more on that, erm, below) but first, you need to know where it is. Singer explains that you might be surprised to discover this special place is actually located inside of the male prostate. Its a gland about the size of a walnut, and its located right under a mans bladder, she says.

When you start to seek it out, proceed with caution and dont go too hard, too fast. The prostate is located behind the anal wall in the direction of your belly button (two to four inches from the sphincter). Be careful  the prostate is very sensitive. Do not poke and prod, but instead caress and stroke. Press gently. Use feather-light touches, Michael Alvear, founder of CallMeMaybe.us, says. Youre looking for a walnut-sized fleshy ball hiding behind the anal wall. Finding it is a little like playing hide-and-seek, only youre using your finger rather than your eyes."

3. How Is The Male G-Spot Different From The Female One?

When you discuss a womans G-spot, youre likely on a mission to not only find the sucker, but to work your best at pushing her to the brink of an orgasm. Every woman reacts differently to their G-spot being stimulated  some might find it incredibly intense to the point where its not comfortable, while others encourage their partners to go there as often (and as thoroughly) as they can. A males G-spot is pretty similar, and Singer notes that there is little scientific evidence to suggest much difference between either sex.

The female G-spot is a sensitive area of the anterior wall of the vagina believed to be highly erogenous and capable of ejaculation. Also referred to as the 'Skene's gland' and the 'urethral sponge', the 'female prostate' is an accepted term. The male prostate is biologically homologous to the Skene's gland and has been unofficially called the male G-spot because it can also be used as an erogenous zone, Singer explains. So, although very little scientific consensus exists on exactly what the female versus male G-spots actually are, they are similar in many regards, most importantly in that stimulation of both can lead to explosive orgasms for both men and women.

4. Why Should You Investigate Your G-Spot?

Just as you appreciate when your partner takes the time to direct you around her body, your female counterpart will enjoy the process of practicing something new on you that will make your orgasms and thus, your sex life, even hotter. Plus: theres something incredibly sexy and empowering about being unafraid to change the way you get to your personal finish line. Masturbating has long been thought of as a way to not only relieve stress and tension as a solo act, but lead to a more fulfilling sexual intercourse experience due to your ability to maintain endurance and better understand how to turn yourself on. The same goes for the G-spot: Why not add another layer of expertise to your already-overflowing sexual database?

Stimulating the male G-spot can be an intensely empowering experience, whether for a man doing it himself or a woman giving him a helping hand. Sometimes the greatest pleasures are the ones we deny ourselves, and the male G-spot is the forbidden fruit of a mans erogenous zones, Singer says. If you havent explored that part of your own anatomy  maybe youre used to being on top  it might be taboo and a bit freaky. And thats what makes it so hot!

5. What Your G-Spot Can Help With

In addition to benefiting your overall experience under the sheets, massaging and stimulating your G-spot can also help relieve other troubles you could be experiencing. As an example? If you struggle with rising to the, erm, challenge and you havent been able to find anything that works to maintain your sail, try targeting your attention to the G-spot. If youre both in the mood but he has some performance problems, try massaging his prostate. You might find that sexual arousal from G-spot stimulation helps him to relax and get an erection, Singer notes.

6. How To Gently Stimulate It

If youre still a bit freaked out by exploring past your typical stroking-one-out, then start small. And by small, we mean by simply using your own fingers after you shower to find your area. The easiest way to stimulate the male G-spot is to press gently on the skin between his balls and anus, known as the perineum (or, the taint). You can do this by yourself when masturbating, Singer explains.

RELATED: Sex Toys For Men

If youd like your girlfriend to help you take that initial plunge into the G-spot unknown, get her to stimulate it while youre having sex. As Singer details, Your partner can massage this area during sex or apply rhythmic pressure with her fingers to add to your pleasure. Giving this spot extra attention right before you climax will add some mind-blowing intensity to your orgasm.

7. Dont Be Afraid Of Using A Toy

To no fault of their own  and as no sign that they cant enjoy G-spot orgasms  some men might not be able to reach their own prostate, simply because their fingers arent long enough or because their prostate sits higher. Alvear says: The prostate lies 2 to 4 inches into your rectum (towards your belly button). If your prostate is positioned higher than average and/or your fingers are shorter than average, it can get a little tricky.

If this is the case for you (or even if you just want to use toys rather than your fingers), it's time to go shopping. There's no need to be coy. Take a look online, where many goodies for your sex toolbox are waiting. In this case, you need to opt for toys that can give you the extra reach back into your G-spot that you (or your partner) cant reach on your own. Depending on your flavour, preference and kink level, use one of these vibes to get your party started:

His Prostate Training Kit

So let's say you're a beginner at this whole G-spot thing and you're a bit nervous. Just like when you have sex for the first time, learning the ropes is part of the process and it's normal to be a little puzzled about how to start your intimate play. That's why this kit for novices is a great buy. It includes a bubble plug with ripples (so you can control the level of insertion), a multi-speed stimulator, and a good old fashioned silicone anal probe.

26.05 at Amazon

Dash 10 Function Vibrating Butt Plug

This toy makes getting down to business as easy as a push of a button  quite literally. There's a pointed tip so it's easy to insert, which means you can ease your way into this new sensation, with 10 different vibrating functions. And with its remote, you can give the control to your partner when youre ready to pass over the reigns.

24.99 at Lovehoney

Lelo Hugo SenseMotion Prostate Massager

For something different, try this toy which is designed for an entirely personalised experience. Its SenseMotion remote responds to the movements of your hand with six different settings, and though it's smaller (and perhaps less intimidating), it still packs a pleasurable wallop once it's up there and turned on.

152.10 at Lelo

Intimate Organics Soothe Anal Lube

You never want to have too many ingredients in your lube, especially if you're prone to reactions or conditions. Try this organic lube, specifically made for your backend, to make getting going a more seamless, enjoyable experience.

10.94 at Amazon

ID Lubricants Assortment

Not sure what you like in an anal lube? Go for this assorted kit from a super-trusted brand. That way, you can figure out what makes you most excited (and your partner, for that matter), and what is optimal for your next romp.

9 at Amazon

8. What If It Doesnt Feel Any Different?

Just like you probably struggled with finding her G-spot, you might have trouble finding your own, even when youre working as a team to stimulate it. Alvear explains that its important that youre already stimulated in some fashion  aka turned on!  before you go on the G-spot hunting mission. Why? Just like your penis becomes erect, so does your prostate, and thus your G-spot is easier to locate.

During arousal the prostate fills with semen fluid. The closer you get to orgasm the firmer the prostate becomes and the easier it is to find and stroke, he says. You can also try different positions. For example, some guys have better luck laying on their left side and putting their right hand behind their back while bending the knee of the top leg.

9. Add The G-Spot To Oral Sex

Once you feel comfortable with where your G-spot is located and how to get yourself going, ask your girlfriend to get in on the dirty work. One powerful way to ignite your passion and to have an explosive finish is to do double duty: a blow job while touching your G-spot will send you over the moon. Basically, its the same idea of you going down on her and fingering her at the same time, except this time shes doing it to you.

For even better access to the male G-spot, she can insert a finger into your anus. This is a bit more of an advanced technique than pressing on your taint, so its important to take precautions to ensure she doesnt hurt you. These include trimming and filing her nails to avoid scratching you, and making sure your anus is clean (an enema is best) to avoid getting anything unintended under her fingernails, which could later spread bacteria, Singer notes. And another thing? Be sure to use lots of lube!

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Stephenson Harwood has decided to strengthen its commitment in Southeast Asia with its own office in Myanmar, ending its two-year alliance with local firm U Tin Yu & Associates.It is expected that Stephenson Harwood will launch its own office in the country by the end of this year, although it has not yet been confirmed.The UK-headquartered law firm already has offices and associations giving it local capabilities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Jakarta.Herbert Smith Freehills chose Armistice Day as a fitting time to announce its support for a UK-based initiative to support service personnel.The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to treat both serving and ex- services personnel and their family fairly. HSFs chief information officer Haig Tyler is a former Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force and is pleased with the law firms commitment to the covenant."I spent 12 years in the RAF firstly studying for a degree and then as an engineering officer. I was surrounded by a tremendously supportive culture, an ethos of absolute focus on delivery, and a wonderfully resilient and flexible group of friends and colleagues. All of these elements transfer well into civilian lives and careers. I'm proud not only of the time I spent serving but also that HSF is actively involved in this important scheme."The potential for a jury trial following a class action lawsuit filed against the next US president, Donald Trump, may not happen.At a hearing, US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel rejected a request by Trumps lawyers that comments he made in his election campaign should be disregarded by the jury. He also said he would not want to delay the trial from its November 28planned start date.However, he conceded that the president-elect was likely to be busy in the run up to his inauguration and agreed that his evidence can be via video-link.Donald Trump is key to the trial as it is claimed by plaintiffs that he personally had control over decisions of his real estate university, which they say misrepresented its ability to teach students how to profit from property. Donald Trump denies the allegations.Judge Curiel told the hearing that it would be wise for both sides to look closely at trying to resolve this case given all else that's involved."
Hello all,



I am holding 457 visa and now working in Australia. My family is still in Viet Nam.



In June 2016, I submitted visa application for my family. At that time, my wife was pregnant so she could not provide chest X-ray to complete her application. We then decided to split application thus I could receive my visa granted for traveling to Autralia and start my work in time.



Now, I want to apply visa for my wife and my new born son. Please clarify me the two following confusing points:



1. Do I correctly understand that I need to start a new Subsequent Entrant Visa Application for my new born son?



2. As I mentioned above, I wrote a letter to request split my wife's visa application from mine, thus my visa could be granted in time. Now, her application status is incomplete due to she have not provided x-ray result yet. Can we continue with her application by providing the health evidence? Do I need to write any letter to proceed her application again?



Please advise.



Thank you.

Hoa Ngo
The Czech brand has no plans of launching a traditional coupe , because the market for this kind of body style is limited, but a four-door coupe would fit the bill for the automaker owned by the Volkswagen Group.The latest speculation regarding Skodas future models announces a four-door coupe that could be based on the platform of the Superb.Volkswagen, the main brand of the German corporation that owns Skoda, has successfully offered a four-door coupe in its range using the same platform as its mid-size model, the Passat. Skoda could follow a similar route with the Superb . Volkswagens model was called CC, and the designation came from Comfort Coupe.The idea was to employ a different design on the Passat platform, which would be complemented by an improved interior. The first generation of the Passat CC, which was the name of the first generation of the CC, used to be offered in a four-seat configuration. Eventually, a three-seat rear bench was provided instead of the two-seat unit that used to be the only possibility.Skoda has always been the practical cousin of Volkswagen, with its models offering more room than their equivalents from the VW range, and the new roomier coupe might stick to the same trend. Evidently, that would mean it will be more spacious than the Volkswagen CC, but do not expect a seven seater here.If this idea gets the green light from the board of Skoda, expect it on the market within three years from the time of approval. However, the recent troubles of the Volkswagen Group have led to many exciting projects getting the ax, so the potential of a four-door coupe in the Skoda portfolio might have to wait until the storm caused by Dieselgate wears off.
By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 32 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry on November 13.

The Armenian army was using mortars.

The Azerbaijani army positions were fired from the Armenian army positions located near to the occupied Chilaburt village of Tartar region, Garagashli, Sarijali villages of Aghdam region, Horadiz village of Fuzuli region, as well as the nameless hills in Goranboy, Tartar and Fuzuli regions.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2016 11:58 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, chief of the administration's foreign relations department Novruz Mammadov has expressed hope that his country`s cooperation with the USA will further develop. Relations between our countries have a good base and there are no reasons for them to worsen, he said, Azertac reported.

Mr Mammadov said that in his congratulatory message to US President-elect Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hailed cooperation between the two countries. We have maintained good cooperation in all areas, and in some spheres we have elevated it to a strategic level, he said.

Mr Mammadov said that President Ilham Aliyev also gave a message that as an OSCE co-chair the USA must contribute to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Mr Mammadov pointed to Azerbaijan`s well-balanced foreign policy. Although located in a complicated region, we have managed to build and maintain relations in all directions.

On the reasons for the delay in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, he said the co-chair countries are now dealing with their own problems. But if superpowers want to get global influence, they should ensure fair settlement of conflicts in small countries. This will increase confidence in them, Mr Mammadov added.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Member of the Board of Directors of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Wang Shihong has expressed his company`s interest in playing a wider role in the projects carried out by Azerbaijan`s state oil firm, SOCAR. He was part of a Chinese delegation including representatives of financial institutions, banks,investment and insurance companies that had a meeting with SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev in Baku, Azertac reported.

Shihong hailed the importance of a SOCAR-CNPC project to build a gas processing and petrochemicals complex in Azerbaijan. He said the Chinese government and financial institutions andinvestment companies attach great importance to this project.

Abdullayev hailed relations between Azerbaijan and China, particularly cooperation in energy sector. He highlighted SOCARs long-term cooperation with Chinese companies and financial institutions.

Abdullayev also provided an insight into favourable business and investment climate created in Azerbaijan.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2016 15:22 (UTC+04:00)

Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh has said the two countries enjoy a very positive political environment, Azertac reported.

Speaking to journalists, he said Iranian and Azerbaijani public and private sectors can take advantage of this and embark on reciprocal investment projects. Common cultural, historic and religious values shared by Iran and Azerbaijan pave the way for further development of economic relations between our countries, he said. We can develop agricultural and commercial relations in frontier districts. Organizing reciprocal visits to study the existing potential will be enough for this, the ambassador said.

Jahangirzadeh added that Iran wants to build a pharmaceutical plant in Azerbaijan. An agreement has already been signed, and work will start in the near future.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2016 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkey will decide whether or not to reinstate the death penalty, not the West, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, Anadolu reported.

The issue of the death penalty is already on the government's agenda. I have said that I will approve it if the parliament takes this decision, Erdogan told a crowd in Turkey's northwestern province of Sakarya during the funeral of Muhammet Fatih Safiturk, the governor of Mardin's Derik district, who succumbed Friday to wounds sustained in a PKK terrorist attack.

We will take the decision on this, not the West, Erdogan said.

The European Union -- to which Turkey is a candidate -- warned Ankara over the reinstatement of capital punishment saying it would end the membership process.

Since the foiled putsch, which martyred 246 people and wounded nearly 2,000 others in Turkey, officials have voiced calls for the death penalty to be reinstated for the putschists.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which have orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey and be behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year. Since then, more than 300 civilians and nearly 800 security personnel have been martyred. Around 8,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
From the Facebook page of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

The state of New York has a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation, and that is more important today than ever before. As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign.

So let me be absolutely clear: If anyone feels that they are under attack, I want them to know that the state of New York  the state that has the Statue of Liberty in its harbor  is their refuge. Whether you are gay or straight, Muslim or Christian, rich or poor, black or white or brown, we respect all people in the state of New York.

Its the very core of what we believe and who we are. But its not just what we say, we passed laws that reflect it, and we will continue to do so, no matter what happens nationally. We wont allow a federal government that attacks immigrants to do so in our state.

We are a state of immigrants. We are the state that raised the minimum wage to $15. We are the state that passed Paid Family Leave. We are the state that passed marriage equality. We are New York, and we will stand up for you. And on that, I will never compromise. Count on it.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Cloudy and windy at times with occasional rain...mainly this evening. Low near 50F. NW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy and windy at times with occasional rain...mainly this evening. Low near 50F. NW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
ABOUT THIS PROJECT

This project results from a years-old venture  the Center for Health Journalism Collaborative  that currently involves The Bakersfield Californian, Radio Bilingue in Fresno, Valley Public Radio in Fresno and Bakersfield, Vida en el Valle in Fresno, the Voice of OC in Santa Ana, the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, La Estrella de Tucson and CenterforHealthJournalism.org.

The collaborative is an initiative of the Center for Health Journalism at the University of Southern Californias Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

You can view our previous work on valley fever at http://www.centerforhealthjournalism.org/valleyfever.

Next in this series: Promise and challenges with a new skin test for valley fever
Vera Sidika flaunts her new Range Rover Vogue to the haters who always talk ill. She also introduced her brand new lover after she was thrown out by the Nigerian Tycoon. Vera now introduced the Kenyan Man who licks her P***y.According to the sources, the young man bought a brand new Vogue for her at least they rhyme. The young man is a son of a very rich politician in Kenya and he studied in one of the universities in the United Kingdom. She has been seen making men from Thailand and Russia wag their tails after she visited Moscow and Bangkok.The Hot Kenyan socialite is preparing to launch megaprojects in Kenya. According to the bana sources, She is preparing to launch a large boutique mall here in Nairobi which will serve East Africa. Another project that she is eyeing to do in Kenya is supporting youth and fans who have supported her in her socialite carrier.A video showing that she was sxually satisfying herself leaked online. The video shocked many as they believed Vera has enough men to do such and act. The explicit video shows how she get R0mant!c when she does it to herself.This Video below was shared by Trendingpost Kenya.
Lincoln City's Holiday Fest Kick-Off a Central Oregon Coast Favorite

Published 11/13/2016 at 5:23 AM PDT - Updated 11/13/2016 at 5:25 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Lincoln City, Oregon)  One central Oregon coast town really starts to light up for the holidays on November 25 and 26. That weekend is the official yuletide season kickoff event for Lincoln City: the fifth annual Tree Lighting Party & Santa Sale at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. It is two days of free family fun during Thanksgiving Weekend  and it's free.

This festival of frivolity will begin with with an ornament workshop, live music, a visit from Santa, yummy cakewalk and a vendor sale of handmade goods. The event will be open from noon to 7 pm on Friday, November 25, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 26. Admission and parking are free.

This festival of frivolity will begin with with an ornament workshop, live music, a visit from Santa, yummy cakewalk and a vendor sale of handmade goods. The event will be open from noon to 7 pm on Friday, November 25, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 26. Admission and parking are free.

The two-day event is a gift to the community from the Lincoln City Cultural Center, its staff and volunteers, along with generous sponsors from the local business community. The tree will be provided by Noble Creek Tree Farm, felled by Capt. Jim Kusz of the North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District, and transported by Lincoln City Towing. Once at the center, the 20-foot Noble Fir tree will be installed by local crews from Pacific Power and decorated by Chessman Gallery director Krista Eddy, with help from event manager Judy Hardy, information center volunteer Dawn Bredimus and a crew of LCCC volunteer elves.

This year, the tree will be located on the northwest corner of the center property, near the auditorium. It will first be illuminated at sunset on the day after Thanksgiving and, weather willing, it will shine with holiday spirit every evening through the month of December. This year, the LCCCs community holiday display is being greened with renewable energy by the Pacific Power Blue Sky program. The utility has pledged to acquire renewable energy certificates, equal to the amount of power required for the five-week lighting display.

Friday Events:

At noon, it's time to shop the Santa Sale vendors, the Chessman Gallery and the LCCC Members Gift Shop (inside the historic Delake School building at NE Sixth St. and Hwy. 101).

From 2-5 pm, kids of all ages are invited to Krista Eddys famous Make-and-Take Ornament Workshop. Here, you can design and assemble your own cardboard Christmas snowflake ornament. Then, you can glue it together and adorn it with your choice of glitter sparkles. All ages are welcome, but kids under the age of eight should be accompanied by an adult.

At 5 pm, Kennys IGA will provide cookies and hot chocolate, while talented Sweet Adelines offer their annual gift of Christmas carols. At around 5:15, around the tree on the northwest lawn, Mayor Don Williams will lead the crowd in the countdown (if the weather is too stormy, the countdown and singing will take place indoors, in Margarets Meeting Room).

After the tree is illuminated and the crowd sings another carol, Santa Claus will arrive via fire engine, making his way to the center's auditorium state where he'll hear wishes and give away candy canes until 7 pm. The annual Tree Lighting Party Cake Walk, featuring tasty donated cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods, will begin at 6 pm in the dance studio.

Saturday Events:

It all starts at 10 a.m. Among the attractions will be:

The Chessman Gallery will feature a show with artist Kate Saunders, who has created small houses made from fused glass and textural mixed media, representing people or groups of people.

The (Not Quite 11th Hour) Santa Sale, a tradition on the central Oregon coast launched more than a decade ago, features a show of 24 artists offering handmade gifts, from ornaments and rugs to jewelry and wearable art. Youll find wreaths, nuts, knitted items and more, all through the auditorium and hallways. 541-921-4716.

The LCCC Members Gift Shop, have have festive linens, ornaments, cards and other holiday gifts to place under your tree. Youll find ceramics, table runners, photo cards, dolls, paintings and more. Purchase your gifts through this shop, and youll benefit both the local artisan and the Cultural Center. Face Painting by Julie Fiedler, offering the beautiful, artistic decor that will brighten your holiday. Julie has made her reputation at the Lincoln City Farmers Market, and will offer face painting for all ages, by donation.

The Lincoln City Cultural Center is a non-profit center for community and creativity, inside the historic Delake School building, at the corner of NE Sixth St. and Hwy. 101. The center, which is also home to the official Lincoln City Visitor Information Center, is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day except Tuesday. For details, head to www.lincolncity-culturalcenter.org, or call 541-994-9994. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour. More on LIncoln City below and at the Vritual Tour.















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Beaumont police arrested a man who barricaded himself inside his home near Lamar University with a shotgun and a handgun after reportedly shooting at a group of people.

Kareem Ephraim, 18, was at home when a group arrived to confront him about a burglary from early Wednesday, Officer Tony Harding said.
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The Man From U.N.C.L.E star Robert Vaughn has died of leukaemia at the age of 83.

Vaughn played suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s TV series and was also well known for portraying the skittish gunman Lee in the original The Magnificent Seven film.

He died after a brief battle with acute leukaemia after being treated in hospitals in New York and Connecticut, his spokesman confirmed to the Press Association.

Manager Matthew Sullivan, who represented him for 30 years, said Vaughn was "the most wonderful human being" and confirmed he died with his family around him.

Vaughn was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar and Golden Globe for his early role in The Young Philadelphians and in 2012 he became the first major American star to feature on Coronation Street.

He played Milton Fanshaw, a wealthy American who met Sylvia Goodwin, played by Stephanie Cole, on a cruise.

He became a familiar face on British television with his role in the BBC show Hustle where he played conman Albert Stroller from 2004 to 2012.

Mr Sullivan added: "He had a blast doing Hustle for the BBC, he loved that show and him and Linda loved living in London, it was one of his greatest joys doing that show.

"Even at 83, women would still come up to the table to talk to him."

His Hustle co-star Adrian Lester called Vaughn a "real gent" and revealed he used to tell tales on set about film stars including Marilyn Monroe and Steve McQueen.

Lester said: "Old school charm in a three piece suit. He did everything on set and off with a twinkle in his eye and never once pulled rank or status or claimed he was too tired or just forgot. He set the standard that we all tried to match.

"I'm going to miss his stories, about Monroe, McQueen, (Charles) Bronson, (James) Coburn ... and his jokes. His very silly, very funny jokes.

"A generous, kind, example of statesman like skill. We were all blessed to have known and worked with him. The last 'Magnificent' to leave us.

"They really don't make them like him any more.

"Marc Warren called him 'The Legend'. The rest of us just called him 'Sir'.

"All our thoughts now are with Linda and the family."

The Man From U.N.C.L.E saw Vaughn's Solo paired with David McCallum's blond Russian Illya Kuryakin, in roles that were revived by Superman actor Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer for Guy Ritchie's big screen reboot in 2015.

Mr Sullivan said Vaughn enjoyed seeing a new version of the spy story that made him famous. He said: "He and Linda were living in Connecticut and the studio hired out an entire cinema for them to watch the movie.

"He did enjoy it. He loved passing on what was next."

The actor is survived by wife Linda, son Cassidy and daughter Caitlin.

Vaughn, who was the last surviving member of The Magnificent Seven, also had a starring role in Bullitt, again opposite McQueen and appeared in TV series Columbo.

A spokesman from Coronation Street said: "Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Robert Vaughn and we offer our condolences to his family.

"Robert was a terrific actor. We were privileged to have him join us on the cobbles."

He carried on working well into his 80s, playing a dying father in Gold Star and starring opposite Matthew Broderick and Camilla Belle in The American Star, which were both released this year.

Gavin Free, who worked with him on Hustle said: "Aw.RIP Robert Vaughn. I got to work with him on Hustle 5 years ago. He did his own slow mo stunts that day while in his late 70s."
Missing Londonderry woman Marie Doran (46) has been located, local reports confirm.

Ms Doran had been missing since Saturday and her concerned family believed her to have travelled to the Republic of Ireland.

She has been found after police re-issued an appeal for information on her whereabouts on Sunday.
Ash performed their debut album 1977 after winning this year's Oh yeah Legend Award

Northern Ireland rockers Ash have said they were honoured to receive this year's Oh Yeah Legend Award.

The Co Down band picked up the accolade, which recognises the "exceptional contribution" of a musician or a music industry figure from Northern Ireland, at a special event in Belfast.

After being presented with the prize, Ash performed their debut album 1977, which was released 20 years ago, at the Mandela Hall in Belfast.

Frontman Tim Wheeler said: "Northern Ireland always has punched above its weight."

He recalled memories of progressing from gigging in Downpatrick, to Belfast bars, to supporting U2 and lauding the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement on stage with Nobel Laureates John Hume and David Trimble.

He joked: "Despite being legends we won't be resting on our laurels ... we will be back in 20 years time as demagogues."

Ash formed at Downpatrick High School in 1992 and secured two Number One albums in the UK during their career, as well as 18 Top 40 singles, including Oh Yeah in 1996.

Wheeler won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Pop Song in 2001 for Shining Light. They have sold over eight million records worldwide.

Previous winners of the Oh Yeah Legend Award include The Divine Comedy, Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones and Terri Hooley.

The Legend Award announcement comes as Ash embark on a tour to mark the 20th anniversary release of 1977.
A police investigation is under way after a house in Belfast was targeted in a petrol bomb attack

A house in east Belfast has been damaged in a petrol bomb attack.

It happened at Madrid Street in the Short Strand area sometime between 8.50pm and 8.55pm on Saturday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said its reactive and organised crime unit was investigating and have appealed for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1239 12/11/16.
A man died in an accident as he was removing a hedge trimmer from a tractor

A 43-year-old man has died after a farm accident in Farranfore, Co Kerry.

It happened shortly after 4pm on Saturday as the man was removing a hedge trimmer from a tractor.

He was treated at the scene by the emergency services but was pronounced dead a short time later.

His body has been taken to the morgue at University Hospital Kerry in Tralee where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Gardai said officers examined the scene and the death is being investigated in accordance with the Coroners Act.
A European version of the US visa waver programme will be a "valuable additional piece of the jigsaw" in the war on international terrorism, the British diplomat heading up security in Brussels has said.

Sir Julian King, European commissioner for the security union, said plans to introduce an electronic system for travel authorisation - known as an Esta in America - will help identify potential troublemakers before they arrive at border control gates.

The US scheme requires international travellers who are exempt from visa requirements to apply for an Esta and pay a small fee - around 10 - before entering the territory.

In his first British interview since taking up the role in September, Sir Julian said proposals for a European pre-clearance system would be presented this week.

He told the Press Association: "We think this is going to be a valuable additional piece of the jigsaw because it will allow us to know more about the people who are planning to come to the EU in advance so that if necessary they raise questions about either security or in some cases migration.

"We'll be able to intervene even before they arrive in some cases."

Plans had been mooted over the summer that suggested Britons would have to apply for visas to travel throughout continental Europe once the UK leaves the EU.

The scheme suggested the 26-nation passport-free Schengen zone, which does not include the UK, could operate a visa programme similar to the US waiver.

Currently British passport holders can travel throughout member states without having to apply for short-term visas, but Britain's decision to leave the EU has left question marks over the criteria needed for UK nationals to visit the Schengen zone.

The Esta proposals are part of a broader response to calls for greater security across the continent following recent terror attacks in Europe - and comes one year on from the Paris atrocities.

Sir Julian said: " The fact that we're having this conversation now is unfortunately timely, because Sunday is one year on from the horrible attacks in Paris which were part of a series of attacks that shocked France, shocked the whole of Europe.

"It's that level of present, persistent, indiscriminate threat that led to 80-plus percent of European citizens saying they want more action in this area.

"There are a number of elements at the heart of this task - tackling terrorism is one, but not the only part of it. There's work that needs to be done on cyber crime and attacks, and serious and organised crime.

"On terrorism there were a number of things already in hand."

This includes making it more difficult to get hold of deactivated firearms in the EU, as well as plans to criminalise travel to and from Syria and Iraq, and making changes to checks at passport control that are designed to increase the amount of information known about the traveller without slowing down the process at passport control.

He said further meetings are also planned with Internet Service Providers (IPSs) in an attempt to reduce the emergence of homegrown terror cells.

Sir Julian said: "T here is (content) on the internet that isn't illegal but is extremely unpleasant and prejudicial.

"We are working with the ISPs to identify stuff and talk to them whether according to their rules and procedures it should be taken down. Part of Europol, the internet referral unit, has referred thousands of items over the last 12 months and in nine out of 10 cases ISPs have taken it down.

"But we need to reinforce that because thousands is great, but there are hundreds of thousands of such items on the net. We have a meeting next month of the EU internet forum which is designed to have a discussion with ISPs on how best to build our cooperation.

"But there is also, crucially, day in day out, work in the community. Unfortunately Daesh (Islamic State) and some of their agents are working in the community to try and spread their message and try and radicalise individuals - we have to work against that.

"That's not in many cases going to be national authorities - certainly not police authorities - it's not going to be people coming from Brussels, because the people we are trying to reach - often young people - feel alienated from authority.

"The most effective way to reach them is the civil society, grass roots actors, often other young people.

"We can help and support, sometimes by funding, but also by creating networks so that all across Europe people who are doing this work can help each other, learn from each other and support each other.

"We had such a meeting yesterday in Brussels of the radicalisation awareness network where we had hundreds of people from across the EU engaged in this work with prisoners, young people, people in rehabilitation, exchanging best practice."
Nick Alexander was killed in the terrorist attack at the Bataclan club in Paris a year ago (PA/Foreign Office)

Tributes at Place de la Republique in Paris to mark one year since the Paris terrorist attack. Sunday November 13, 2016. On November 13 last year, 89 people were killed in a massacre at the venue where Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, including Briton Nick Alexander. Catherine Wylie/PA Wire

A tribute at Place de la Republique in Paris to mark one year since the Paris terrorist attack. Sunday November 13, 2016. On November 13 last year, 89 people were killed in a massacre at the venue where Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, including Briton Nick Alexander. Photo credit should read: Catherine Wylie/PA Wire

French president Francois Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo unveil a commemorative plaque next to the A La Bonne Biere cafe and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street in Paris (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

The people of Paris have marked the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks that left 130 dead in a series of emotional ceremonies.

President Francois Hollande led commemoration events at the sites hit by Islamic extremists, including the Bataclan concert hall where Briton Nick Alexander was among 89 music fans killed in a massacre.

Suicide bombers - Frenchmen Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Amimour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23 - stormed into the venue where the Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, while attackers also targeted cafes and the Stade de France on November 13 last year.

Mr Alexander had been on tour with the American band selling merchandise, and tried to play dead when he was approached by one of the gunmen, who opened fire.

After former Police frontman Sting re-opened the Bataclan on Saturday night, Mr Hollande joined survivors and victims' families on Sunday morning, where a plaque was unveiled and the names of those who died were read out.

Mourners arrived all day to leave flowers and candles beneath the plaque, with many walking away in tears.

In the afternoon, in Place de la Republique, people paid their respects by writing hopeful messages on heart-shaped pieces of paper.

Artist Morvan Christelle had laid out 130 potted pansies, representing the 130 victims, and asked people to tuck their messages into the pots.

She said she hoped for messages of "peace and love".

Later, dozens of red, white and blue lanterns were sent drifting down Canal Saint-Martin.

Looking on at the scene as night fell on the City of Light, a woman who gave her name as Gabrielle said two of her friends managed to get out of the Bataclan alive.

"I think it's a good thing to remember, but when you were in there it's hard as well," she said.

Her friends were in the front row at the concert and escaped through an emergency exit.

Gabrielle, 27, said she herself is a big fan of Eagles Of Death Metal, but happened to be in London on the weekend of the attacks.

"I would have been to the concert," she said, adding: "It puts everything into perspective. We all know somebody who knows somebody who was there."

Meanwhile, a pianist outside the Bataclan brought back memories of the mysterious musician who captured the hearts of millions hours after the attacks took place last year.

Andrea Lucca, from Udine in Italy, received huge applause after he played Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi.

The 23-year-old, who is in Paris studying finance, said he joined a number of other musicians and recalled how his music brought one woman to tears.

"There was a woman who said 'thank you'. She was crying. It was really touching, really emotional. I didn't expect such a big reaction," he said.
Parliament is set to debate calls for criminals who attack police dogs or horses to face the same punishment as those who injure officers after more than 100,000 signed a petition calling for the law to be changed.

Under current rules criminals who attack police animals are prosecuted for causing criminal damage, but campaigners want the creatures to be given the same status as injured officers.

The proposed Finn's law is named after a Hertfordshire police dog who needed surgery after being stabbed several times while chasing an armed suspect.

Conservative MP David Mackintosh, who is presenting the debate on Monday as he sits on the Petitions Committee, said the law should reflect the status "of our brave and courageous animals".

He told the Press Association: "When you look at their current status, assaults on police dogs and horses are treated in the same way as criminal damage.

"We are putting police dogs and horses on the same level as police cars and riot vans, and I think that's wrong.

"This should be looked at in a way that reflects the status of our brave and courageous animals who help us fight against criminality."

In some parts of the US attacks on dogs are treated the same as attacks on their human handlers.

Mr Mackintosh said ministers should look at giving greater protection to animals, although he said there would be problems giving them the same status as humans.

Retired police dog handler Neil Sampson, 56, from Swindon, said he would be dead if his trusted dog Anya had not fought off a knifeman.

Mr Sampson was stabbed seven times during the attack in January 2008 and Anya was knifed in the chest.

He said: "Police dogs and police horses are living, breathing creatures. And whilst they are the property of the police force, to call a dog or a horse just property and the offence criminal damage is not good enough.

"Because there is this love of animals that runs throughout the UK I'm hoping the Government will look upon it in a different light and say yes, these creatures are helping us and we should recognise their duty and try and help them."
The Ecuadorian government has welcomed moves by the Swedish authorities to interview Julian Assange inside its embassy over a sex allegation.

Representatives from the Swedish prosecutor's office and the Swedish police will be present while questions are put to the WikiLeaks founder by an Ecuadorian official on Monday.

Mr Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador and has been living inside the embassy for over four years.

He believes that if he leaves the embassy he will be extradited to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks.

He denies the allegation against him and has been offering to be interviewed at the embassy.

Guillaume Long, Ecuador's foreign minister, told the Press Association: "We are pleased that the Swedish authorities will finally interview Mr Assange in our embassy in London.

"This is something that Ecuador has been inviting the Swedish prosecutors to do ever since we granted asylum to Mr Assange in 2012.

"There was no need for the Swedish authorities to delay for over 1,000 days before agreeing to carry out this interview, given that the Swedish authorities regularly question people in Britain and received permission to do so on more than 40 occasions in recent years.

"Ecuador has never sought to stand in the way of any legal process in Sweden.

"What we have asked from Sweden, and the UK, are guarantees that Mr Assange will not be extradited to a third country, where he could be persecuted for his work as as a journalist.

"The Ecuadorian government granted asylum to Mr Assange in 2012 given the risk of such political persecution and we believe that this threat remains very real."

The Swedish assistant prosecutor, chief prosecutor Ingrid Isgren, and a Swedish police investigator will be present at the interview and have said that providing Mr Assange gives his consent, a DNA sample will also be taken.

The results of the interview will be reported from Ecuador to the Swedish prosecutors in a written statement. After this report, the prosecutors will take a view on the continuation of the investigation.

Ingrid Isgren will not give interviews during her stay in London, it was made clear.

"As the investigation is ongoing, it is subject to confidentiality. This confidentiality also applies according to Ecuadorian legislation for the investigative measures conducted at the embassy.

"Therefore, the prosecutors cannot provide information concerning details of the investigation after the interview," said a statement.

"I welcome the fact that the investigation can now move forward via an interview with the suspect," said director of prosecution Marianne Ny, who is responsible for the investigation.
At least 10 people died in a blast in Pakistan

The death toll from a bomb blast at a Sufi shrine in south west Pakistan Saturday has risen to 50 people with more than 100 wounded, officials said.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani in the south western province of Baluchistan.

Abdur Rasool, an official at the province's home ministry, said rescuers were transporting the wounded to hospitals and the dead to local morgues, but were struggling in the difficult mountainous terrain, some 217 miles south of the provincial capital, Quetta.

The blast targeted worshippers as they were in the throes of their devotional "dhamal" dance, and the courtyard at the time was packed with families, women and children.

The Islamic State group's statement on the IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency said the suicide attack had targeted "Shiites".

The shrine is frequented by both Pakistan's Sunni Muslim majority and Shiite minority. IS considers all Shiite Muslims heretics.

The blast comes ahead of the prime minister Nawaz Sharif's pre-planned trip to the province on Sunday, where he will see off the first Chinese shipping consignment to Africa from Gwadar port.

Baluchistan home minister Sarfaraz Bugti, citing a lack of mobile phone services in the affected area, said the situation will be much clearer in the morning. He said over 500 people were present in the courtyard of the shrine when the blast happened.

Abdul Hakim Lasi, an official with the Edhi Foundations rescue service, said many of the injured were wounded in a panicked stampede after the blast.

One female witness, who was not identified by name, told the GEO television channel that a "big bang" took place in the midst of the dhamal dance in the shrine's courtyard.

"I don't know how I escaped unhurt," she said. "It was like a hell all around."

A doctor at an area hospital told a local television station that the number of wounded being brought in had overwhelmed the hospital's capacity.

"We don't have sufficient space so several people were treated outside on the ground," the doctor said adding that: "Several wounded people have lost limbs."

A military statement said that four army medical teams and 45 army ambulances had been dispatched to the scene to assist.

Last month IS claimed responsibility for an attack in which three Islamic militants stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing 61 people, mostly cadets and trainees. Later, the banned sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed joint responsibility.

For over a decade, Baluchistan province has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency by nationalist and separatist groups demanding a bigger share of regional resources.

AP
Hillary Clinton during her speech in New York where she conceded defeat to Republican Donald Trump (AP)

Immigrants and their supporters have added their voices to those who have been marching and protesting over Donald Trump's presidential win.

Organisers said the protest scheduled for Sunday afternoon local time in Manhattan was about speaking out against President-elect Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

It was the latest in days of demonstrations across the country. Other protests were expected Sunday in San Francisco, St Louis Philadelphia, Denver and more.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched on Saturday to condemn what they saw as Mr Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Protests also were held in Detroit, Minneapolis and others. More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA".

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations.

One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested over Mr Trump's election as the next American president outside the US Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Mostly, the demonstrations were peaceful. However, in Portland, Oregon, a man was shot and wounded on Saturday morning during a confrontation. Police arrested two teenagers in the shooting.

Protesters have gathered since Wednesday at Mr Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Police in the city arrested five people during an anti-Trump protest that wound down in the early on Sunday.

Four adults were arrested for vandalism and a teenager was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer.

AP
Jackie Chan said he had achieved "a dream" as he was awarded an honorary Oscar.

The 62-year-old Hong Kong actor and martial artist was honoured at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles, where his Rush Hour co-star Chris Tucker and Tom Hanks paid tribute to him.

British film editor Anne V Coates, documentary maker Frederick Wiseman and casting director Lynn Stalmaster were also recognised at the ceremony.

"It's a dream," Chan said on stage.

"After 56 years in the film industry, over 200 films, I broke so many bones, finally this is mine.

"Thank you Hollywood. For all those years you taught me so many things and also you made me a little bit famous.

"Friends, fans around the world, because of you I have a reason to continue making movies, jumping out windows, kicking and punching and breaking my bones."

At the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, Chan revealed he first held an Oscar when he visited Sylvester Stallone's house 23 years ago.

"I touched it, kissed it, smelt it," he said. "I believe my fingerprints are still on it. Then I told myself; 'I really want one'."

He also thanked Hong Kong, which he described as his "hood", and said he was "proud to be Chinese".

Paying tribute to Chan, two-time Oscar winner Hanks said: "It's especially gratifying to be able to acknowledge Jackie's enormous creativity, his enormous gift for physical performance and incredible dedication to his work with this Governors Award.

"Great acting comes in many different forms but when you're an actor you always know it when you see it."

Tucker, who starred in three Rush Hour movies with Chan, said: "Working with a living legend was amazing. Every day I couldn't wait to get on the set to see Jackie Chan.

"Jackie, it was an honour working with you and I can't wait to work with you again."

Chan starred in more than 30 martial arts films in his native Hong Kong before achieving worldwide fame in Rumble in the Bronx in 1996.

He went on to star in a string of Hollywood films including the Rush Hour trilogy, Shanghai Noon and its sequel Shanghai Knights starring Owen Wilson, Around the World in 80 Days, 2010's The Karate Kid and Kung Fu Panda.

Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicole Kidman, Warren Beatty and Richard Gere were among the star-studded audience at the ceremony.

Coates, 90, was honoured for a career spanning more than 60 years which saw her win the 1963 Oscar for film editing for Lawrence of Arabia.

She earned four more Academy Award nominations for her work on the films Becket, The Elephant Man, In the Line of Fire and Out of Sight starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.

She also worked on Murder On The Orient Express, Richard Attenborough's Chaplin, Erin Brockovich and Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Australian star Kidman said: "Anne V Coates is not a great female editor, she is a great, great editor.

"She's not trailblazer for women, she's a trailblazer for all of us. Anne has left her mark on some of the greatest films of all time."

Gere, whose 2002 film Unfaithful was edited by Coates, described her as "one of the great giants of our industry".

"The greatest of the great, great, great film editors," he added.

Accepting her award, Coates, from Reigate, Surrey, said: "Can you imagine a job where you're actually paid to look into the eyes of George Clooney, Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton, Peter Finch, Sean Connery, Albert Finney, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere, Daniel Craig, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Fifty Shades Of Grey himself Jamie Dornan?

"Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. But of all those I still have to say my three greatest productions are my three wonderful and talented children.

"Thank you once for this very special award. I have to say I never suspected I'd be holding one of these in my hand again."
Protesters hold up cards during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul on Saturday (AP)

Prosecutors are likely to question South Korean President Park Geun-hye over suspicions that she let a shadowy long-time confidante manipulate power from behind the scenes, a news agency has reported.

It would be the first time that a sitting president has been questioned by prosecutors.

The scandal is the most serious challenge for Ms Park, whose public apologies have done little to calm public anger.

The state-run Yonhap agency quoted a Seoul central district prosecutors' office official as saying that the questioning is most likely to take place later this week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The presidential Blue House had no immediate comment on the Yonhap report.

In addition to allegedly manipulating power, the president's confidante, Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader who emerged as Ms Park's mentor in the 1970s, is also suspected of exploiting her presidential ties to bully companies into donating tens of millions of dollars to foundations she controlled.

Ms Choi was formally arrested on November 3 on charges of fraud and abuse of power. Prosecutors have until November 20 to formally charge her.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded Seoul's streets to demand Ms Park's resignation in what may be South Korea's largest protest since it shook off dictatorship three decades ago.

In an attempt to stabilise the situation, Ms Park said on Tuesday that she would let the opposition-controlled parliament choose her prime minister.

Opposition parties say her words are meaningless without specific promises about transferring much of her presidential powers to a new number two.

Under South Korean law, the president has immunity from prosecution except in cases of treason, but she can be investigated.

Ms Park has 15 months left in her term. If she steps down before the end of it, an election must be held within 60 days.

AP
The violence comes a day after government troops repelled a rebel offensive on western parts of Aleppo city launched in late October

At least seven children were among 23 killed on Sunday in northern Syria as pro-government forces kept up their campaign against opposition areas in the country's north, while rebels shelled a government-held district in Aleppo city.

At least another eight were killed in a suspected airstrike on a crossing point connecting Kurdish-held areas with rebel areas in northern Aleppo province, the Kurdish security force said.

The violence on Sunday comes a day after government troops repelled a rebel offensive on western parts of Aleppo city launched in late October.

State news agency Sana said the shelling of a western Aleppo district killed four, including two women and a child.

Aleppo has been deeply divided since 2012. The faltering rebel offensive was designed to break the siege on opposition-held eastern Aleppo.

The government siege left an estimated 275,000 people trapped, with no aid allowed in since July, amid a punishing bombing campaign.

The rebel offensive started after Russia, a major Syrian government ally, said it would halt airstrikes to allow rebels and supporters to leave eastern Aleppo.

The rebels refused to take up the offer and the United Nations failed to negotiate allowing in aid to the besieged area, amid wide anticipation of an imminent pro-government offensive.

Residents of eastern Aleppo on Sunday said that for days they got text messages urging them to leave in the next 24 hours. It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the messages or who sent them.

Government aircraft had previously dropped fliers on the eastern districts, also urging residents to leave and make use of the Russian-declared passageways to evacuate the besieged district.

Three residents said they received the messages on Friday and Sunday throughout the day, denouncing the opposition and threatening residents with an attack.

Later on Sunday, the Aleppo Media Centre and the Syrian Civil Defence in eastern Aleppo said artillery shelling by the government hit a car and killed 11 people, many of them children.

While airstrikes on eastern Aleppo city have subsided, aerial bombings of rebel-held western parts of Aleppo province continued.

The Syrian Civil Defence, which operates in opposition-held areas, said one of its centres was bombed in rural Aleppo and put out of service in airstrikes on Atareb town. The strikes also killed three people, including two children.

AP
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CBS's Leslie Moonves said Trump was good for business

[Speaking Truth To Power]

So a xenophobic, racist sexist who bragged about grabbing women "by their pussy" has just been elected president behind 53 percent of the White female vote.

Apparently, racism is a White American team sport that trumps sexism. Now that this bigoted buffoon has been elected president, those who created this monster and caused this debacle are pointing fingers at everyone except themselves. The mainstream media and the Democratic Party are the primary culprits here.

Media enabled this monster with their constant coverage of Trump, which signified legitimacy in the minds of many Americans.

They covered everything he did. By contrast, media hardly covered Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders even though his campaign events were often more packed with people than that of anyone else running. But Senator Sanders' message of economic equality is not one the corporate media is interested in hearing.

The Democratic Party's behavior was less than democratic when it undermined the Sanders campaign which had sparked youthful enthusiasm, among other things; instead, the coronation of a seriously flawed candidate occurred.

Party leaders were acting as if Secretary Clinton was the presidential candidate way before any primary vote was taken. The conduct of the Democratic Party leadership is unforgivable.

Democratic voters must now purge some of these people in future primaries. It must now be demanded that Senator Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren become the voices of the party and quickly promote new young latented leaders.

Now, since Tuesday, there is a school of thought, among some White academia, which argues that those who voted for Trump did so largely because of economic insecurity, and that racism played only a minor role.

What these folks seem to forget is that American economics, from nearly the beginning, has been joined to the hip with racism and White supremacy. History tells us this.

For one thing, the enslavement of Africans for economic profit was justified by racist ideology that held them as lesser human beings if not beasts.

We also know that several of America's race riots happened at times of economic distress. For example, the racial upheaval of the 1919s Red Summer, where upwards of 300 Black people were lynched and killed in several cities, was sparked when existing racial tensions were mixed with the period's financial instability. At that time, many Whites felt Blacks were the cause of them not having jobs, because of those Blacks who were then migrating from the South.

For generations, whenever Whites felt financial distress they frequently blamed Blacks, not the crooked capitalist economic system, for their problems.

The driving force behind the 1921 mass murder of Blacks and the bombing and burning of Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as Black Wall Street, was the jealousy of those Whites who resented the economic success of Tulsas Black community. After all, these White people had been taught they were superior to these Blacks who were financially flourishing while they were struggling.

The need of White people to scapegoat Black people and nowadays, the Mexicans, Muslims and such whenever economic hardship is upon the nation is not new.

Economic elites like this; because by blaming these "others: for America's financial problems, instead of the elites themselves, that racist divisiveness maintains the economic status quo. Also, historically, many labor unions like the AFL fought against unifying with African-Americans.

Several historians have made the point that in the years after the infamous 1676 Bacons Rebellion where poor White indentured servants and Black slaves, in Virginia, engaged in armed insurrection against the Virginia government that America's elites decided racial division had to be rigorously legislated and enforced.

For America's economic elites, any future coalition between poor Whites and Blacks had to be discouraged if America's unequal economic system was to be maintained.

As a consequence poor Whites were indoctrinated with the poison of their supposed superiority, because of White skin. Ever since then, poor and working-class Whites have been the impediment to real economic change in America.

Racism and White supremacy, at its core, was always about protecting economic inequality.

Therefore, the notion that Tuesday's vote had to do with just economics and not racism shows a lack of understanding about the essential interplay between American economics and racism.

Tuesday's vote was a perverse manifestation of the economic anxiety and White supremacist thoughts of a vast segment of White America.

For centuries, racism has been the central tactic used to created division between working-class Whites and Blacks.

Today, this division also includes these "others" that Trump attacked every chance he got. This is why he smeared Mexicans, calling them murderers, rapists and drug dealers while promising to build the wall to keep them out.

The same holds true for his slanderous attacks against Muslims, especially, when he vowed to ban all Muslims.

African-Americans should also take note of the so-called progressive Whites, many of whom will not suffer the brunt of a Donald Trump presidency like Black people will so, they have the luxury of being idealistically self-righteous in defending their protest vote stance about not being able to vote for the lesser of two evils.

Let's be clear here: these folks will be safe and sound in their communities when racist police, emboldened by the presence of a Trump White House --once dismissed as fantasy-- decide that it will be open season on Black people in the streets.

Let's talk further about the majority of White women who just voted for this sexist.

What are we to make of the fact that 53 percent of White women decided a sexist who thinks nothing of denigrating and assaulting women was a more acceptable choice than electing the nation's first female president, who is also White?

The excuse that Secretary Hillary Clinton was untrustworthyany more so than this foul-mouthed serial liar just won't cut it. Neither will any talk about e-mails.

Many of these White women have daughters and granddaughters. Have they really considered the message they have just sent with their votes?

When their daughters and granddaughters face sexual assault and rape will they reflect on their vote? How can White women now chastise a young man for sexist behavior when a majority of them just voted in a president who bragged about grabbing women by the pussy?

Another reason we will now have this racist opportunist in the White House is the conduct of the craven corporate media, not just Fox News, but even NBC who made Trump a reality television star.

These networks gave this jackass wall-to-wall coverage and legitimized him to millions of ignorant Americans who became star struck by the mythology behind the man. Because many saw him daily on T.V. they assumed that he must be doing great things.

Let's remember what CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said earlier this year about their constant coverage of Donald Trump "It may not be good for America, but its damn good for CBS. [T]he moneys rolling in [T]his is going to be a very good year for us. Its a terrible thing to say, but bring it on, Donald. Go ahead. Keep going."

The great irony here of course is conservatives and Republicans are constantly complaining about some liberal media slant against them.

But their new champion is a man whose ascension was made possible by those media entities, like CBS and NBC, who Republicans label as the liberal media.

Republicans are probably secretly thanking these same networks for their invaluable help in electing Trump.
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A 23-year-old Dawson Bay man is dead following a hit-and-run collision near Mafeking on Thursday morning.

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The chairman of RBS has warned that banks could pull out of Britain unless Theresa May secures a post-Brexit transition plan.

Howard Davies said American and Japanese banks are very concerned at the prospect of a hard Brexit and are drawing up contingency plans.

He urged the Prime Minister to offer the City some reassurance and certainty by negotiating a transitional deal which will allow firms based in Britain to continue to be able to operate in the rest of the EU.

He told ITV's Peston On Sunday show that jobs could be lost to Europe and to Ireland.

He said: "I think it is damaging if we don't get a transitional deal because I think you will then see banks and financial institutions making decisions on the basis of uncertainty.

"They will not wait because they have to make a decision which will allow them to be, to continue to function in the event of a hard Brexit if that's a possibility.

"So they will not sit back, they are currently making contingency plans and once you've got a contingency plan - hey, there is a risk you might implement it one day.

"And therefore I think that it is quite urgent."

Financial firms fear they could lose membership of the single market and their passporting rights, which allow companies in the UK to operate across the European Economic Area.

Howard said the Government does not need to detail its full negotiating position, but needs to reassure the City so Britain does not encounter a "jerky and sudden" departure from the EU.

He said: "What is really important is the transitional arrangements.

"So what we are particularly focused on in the City at the moment is to try to get an understanding that actually allowing a cliff edge departure from Brexit would be damaging for everybody, because about three quarters of all European capital transactions take place in London - often by French banks or German banks etc - but they take place in London.

"If you suddenly broke that off it would be destabilising for the whole of the European financial markets.

"So what we need is a transitional arrangement, as the Article 50 process starts, so we can say 'look, here is the way in which things are going to work in the medium term'.

"In the long term, of course, I think there will be some movement of activity."

Howard said he is optimistic transitional arrangements can be drawn up as it is in the interests of the remaining EU states as well as Britain.

His warning came as Boris Johnson snubbed an emergency EU foreign ministers' meeting called to discuss Donald Trump's shock US election victory.

Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson, who branded vocal European concern about the US election result as a "whinge-o-rama", was dismissive of the need for a special EU meeting.
Update: The one-year anniversary of the Paris attacks was observed during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Glasnevin ceremony in Dublin today.

A special monument to honour the French and Irish men who fought together during the first and second world wars was officially unveiled during this afternoon's service.

The sculpture was crafted by students at l'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Minister for Arts and Heritage Heather Humphreys, said some of the students involved in the project lost a friend in the attack on the Bataclan music venue in Paris last year.

Earlier:

Moments of silence have been held at ceremonies to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The services in Dublin, Belfast, Enniskillen and across the UK are held to remember veterans and war survivors.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have laid wreaths at cenotaphs in Northern Ireland, while Minister Heather Humphreys has attended a ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery.

Wreaths will also be laid in memory of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts.

Meanwhile in London, a two-minute silence led by the Queen has been held to honour the war dead as the nation's leaders gathered at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

(left to right) Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Prime Minister Theresa May and former Prime Minister Sir John Major during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London, today. Picture: PA

The Queen was joined by Prime Minister Theresa May for the annual service in central London in memory of those killed in past and present conflicts.

More than 750 Armed Forces personnel were applauded by the gathered crowd as they marched to form a hollow square around the memorial.

As Big Ben struck 11am, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War-era guns to mark the beginning and end of the reflection in the heart of Whitehall. The Last Post was then sounded.

Dressed in black, the Queen laid a wreath of poppies at the memorial for "The Glorious Dead" while Mrs May and leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn followed suit.

In keeping with tradition, the Queen was joined by senior members of the royal family including the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales, who also laid wreaths.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and other royals watched on from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Crowds of poppy wearers lined Whitehall, which was closed to traffic, hours ahead of the service to pay their respects.

This year's service is especially poignant as 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland, the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War and the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.
Immigrants and their supporters have added their voices to those who have been marching and protesting over Donald Trump's presidential win.

Organisers said the protest scheduled for Sunday afternoon local time in Manhattan was about speaking out against President-elect Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

It was the latest in days of demonstrations across the country. Other protests were expected Sunday in San Francisco, St Louis Philadelphia, Denver and more.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched on Saturday to condemn what they saw as Mr Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Protests also were held in Detroit, Minneapolis and others. More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA".

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations.

One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested over Mr Trump's election as the next American president outside the US Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Mostly, the demonstrations were peaceful. However, in Portland, Oregon, a man was shot and wounded on Saturday morning during a confrontation. Police arrested two teenagers in the shooting.

Protesters have gathered since Wednesday at Mr Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Police in the city arrested five people during an anti-Trump protest that wound down in the early on Sunday.

Four adults were arrested for vandalism and a teenager was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer.
Nigel Farage said Donald Trump's support for the UK-US relations is "very strong" after he become the first British politician to meet the tycoon since he became US president-elect.

The pair met at Trump Tower in New York and spent over an hour discussing the president-elect's victory, global politics, and the status of Brexit, according to Ukip.

Mr Farage "stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship" - and asked Mr Trump to return a bust of Winston Churchill to the White House Oval Office, a party spokesman said.

The statue was removed under Barack Obama's administration and Mr Trump was said to have "expressed excitement " over the idea.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Farage said: "It was a great honour to spend time with Donald Trump. He was relaxed, and full of good ideas.

"I'm confident he will be a good president. His support for the US-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business.

"I was especially pleased at his very positive reaction to the idea that Sir Winston Churchill's bust should be put back in the Oval Office."

The encounter will be seen as a major political coup for the interim leader of Ukip and came after he used the American media to warn Theresa May she needed to "mend fences" with Mr Trump.

Asked on Fox News why the president-elect should meet the PM after the things senior Tories had said about him, Mr Farage said: "I think he has got to meet her.

"Mrs May's team have been quite rude about Trump, so there are some fences to be mended.

"Trump is an Anglophile, he understands and recognises what our two great nations have done together between us. And, thank goodness, we are coming towards the end of an American president who loathed Britain.

"One of the things we can do - we can have between us a sensible trade relationship (and) cut tariffs. We are massive investors in each other's countries. There's a bright future."

Downing Street moved to play down the significance of the Ukip leader's meeting with Mr Trump.

A spokesman for Mrs May said No 10 "has been consistent that Mr Farage has no role" in the British government's relationship with the in-coming US administration.

The interim Ukip leader has suggested that "insulting" comments about Mr Trump by senior Tories may have been the reason why Mrs May was only 10th on the president-elect's list of foreign leaders to call after his surprise win last Tuesday.

Mr Farage's remarks came after it emerged Mrs May's two joint chiefs of staff had attacked Mr Trump on social media before taking up their current posts.

Fiona Hill posted last December: "Donald Trump is a chump", while her colleague Nick Timothy wrote in March: "American politics was depressing enough before Trump took off."

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was scathing about Mr Trump's attitude to Muslims while he was mayor of London last December, saying: "I think Donald Trump is clearly out of his mind if he thinks that's a sensible way to proceed, to ban people going to the United States in that way, or to any country.

"What he's doing is playing the game of the terrorists and those who seek to divide us. That's exactly the kind of reaction they hope to produce.

"I think he's betraying a quite stupefying ignorance that makes him frankly unfit to hold the office of President of the United States."

While pushing for a meeting between the president-elect and Mrs May, the interim Ukip leader appeared to make light of a now infamous 2005 videotape of Mr Trump in which he boasted about being able to grope women because of his celebrity.

"I will be encouraging him to make the UK his priority. I am now going to become a diplomat - 'Come and schmooze Theresa, don't touch her for goodness' sake'. If it comes to it I could be the responsible adult and make sure everything's okay," he told TalkRadio.

Only 15% of Britons think that Mr Trump will make a good president, according to a new poll.

Just over half of voters, 53%, believe he will do the most powerful job on Earth badly, the ComRes survey for The Sunday Mirror and The Independent reveals.

And 40% believe his occupancy of the White House will be bad news for Anglo-American relations, compared to 29% who think it will have a positive impact.

An overwhelming majority, 66%, believe Mr Trump will make the world a more dangerous place, with just 10% saying he will make things safer.

- AP
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National Australia Bank is eyeing a lift in home loan revenue thanks to a recently-completed technology overhaul, which it says is already turning more customer inquiries into loan sales.

As most banks look to plough more capital into home loans, a key project for NAB in recent years has been the mass roll-out of the platform used by thousands of staff use to open up new bank accounts, loans and credit cards.

Another round of rate changes by NAB and other lenders. Credit:Bloomberg

The new system, which has in recent months been rolled out in NSW and Victoria, is forecast by the bank to cut costs by automating manual processes, which analysts say could lead to job shedding. It is also leading to a higher proportion of loan inquiries being converted into sales.

It comes as all banks are forced to spend heavily on replacing their technology systems to compete with online lenders, which in some cases use algorithms to approve customers for unsecured credit within minutes or even seconds.
For years I've wondered how America's business elite could grab almost all the proceeds of the country's growth, leaving real wages permanently stagnant, without having ordinary workers rioting in the streets.

Now I know. The anger kept building until a political huckster called Trump found the way to exploit it for personal advancement.

The bitter joke is that the populist promises he made to keep out Muslims, Mexicans and Chinese imports would do little to make the mug punters better off, whereas many of his more conventional economic policies will do much to further fatten the pockets of the 1 per cent the punters so resent.

While we wait to see which promises he acts on, the best guess is he'll implement those of his policies that fit with Republican orthodoxy.
German discount supermarket Aldi is set to enter China, and broader Asia, using Australia as a springboard.

Aldi plans to sell groceries and wine online to China, the world's most populous nation, in the first half of next year. It is also expected to build physical stores there.

The site will sell "non-chilled" groceries and wine, and the "majority of these products will be sourced from Aldi's existing Australian suppliers," a company spokeswoman said.

She did not answer when asked how many Australian suppliers would be supplying the Chinese site.
Climate models may be underestimating how sensitive the planet is to rising greenhouse gas levels, with new research suggesting the pace of global warming is about to quicken.

Scientists have long known that adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere warms the globe. The so-called greenhouse gas effect, though, may be amplified the higher the mercury climbs, according to a study published recently in Science Advances.

The researchers examined seabed sediment and ice cores to determine how the climate had changed during the past eight glacial cycles, covering about 784,000 years. They then used air bubbles trapped in those ice cores to calculate the Earth's energy balance  whether the planet was adding or losing heat to space  over the period.

Axel Timmermann, a co-author of the study and professor at the University of Hawaii, said they found the climate's response was disproportionate as temperatures rose.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has used the striking of a refugee resettlement deal with the United States as an opportunity to heap praise on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and his predecessor in the portfolio, Treasurer Scott Morrison, who he says have been unfairly maligned.

The two men, the main standard-bearers of the Coalition government's hardline border policies since 2013, "have suffered from constant, often vicious attacks, claims that they lack compassion, that they lack heart", the Prime Minister said.

Announcing the "one-off" deal with the Obama administration, Mr Turnbull said the "ability to ensure that compassion is available is only there because of the strength of character of Peter Dutton, his predecessor Scott Morrison and the remarkable men and women that Peter leads".

The arrangement seeking to empty the Manus Island and Nauru detention centres will resettle an unspecified number of refugees - with priority placed on women, children and families - in the US.
The seeds of disquiet that helped deliver Donald Trump his shock victory in the United States are growing in Australia, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has warned.

In an address to Labor Party faithful playing directly to a traditional industrial base, Mr Shorten has claimed the Australian economy is no longer working in the interests of ordinary people, with falling living standards, rising inequality, deteriorating job security and a generation of people clamped out of the housing market.

"Understand that whilst we are a different country  some of the seeds of the disquiet we see overseas are present and growing in this country," Mr Shorten told the ALP state conference.

Mr Shorten last week came under fire for branding the US President-elect "barking mad".
Not a moment too soon, Malcolm Turnbull has delivered a pathway to end the suffering of more than 1600 refugees who have spent more than three years in tormented limbo on Manus Island and Nauru.

The details are unclear, but the take-out is not: this is the beginning of the end of a shameful chapter in this country's history, where vulnerable people have knowingly been subjected to all manner of human rights abuses in order to deter others from attempting to come to this country

The key point, despite the deliberate equivocation of Peter Dutton during the announcement, is that it applies to those who have been found to be refugees on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea as well as those on Nauru.

This would have been unlikely without Turnbull recognising that the damage to refugees in both Nauru and PNG has to end before more tragedies unfold.
Washington: Canberra's get-out-of-jail card on the future of the hundreds of Australia-bound refugees on Nauru and Manus Island may have a very short shelf-life, with the head of a prominent US anti-immigration think tank warning: "This is the kind of thing the Trump administration will nix on Day 1."

At the weekend, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull revealed a "one-off" deal with Washington, under which, for 1800 detainees in the Australian operated detention facilities, resettlement in the US would be an alternative to returning to their home countries or remaining in Nauru indefinitely.

Washington has not confirmed the deal publicly. But, after a brutal US election campaign, in which "illegal" immigration was the most bitterly contested policy, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the influential Centre for Immigration Studies, predicted a "firestorm" of opposition from anti-immigration activists.

"It's so difficult to justify," he told Fairfax Media. "I don't expect any Republicans will defend it. I can't see a lot of Democrats defending it either. My sense is that when the word gets out on this, it'll be dead on arrival."
When I was seven, I stole a book. It was just a pamphlet of baby names but, as kids sometimes do, I wanted it so I took it. My father Joseph realised what I'd done and furiously marched me back to the shop to return it and apologise to the owner. It was ironic, given that a few years later he started robbing banks.

Dad carried out 11 robberies in the summer of 1994, after losing his job in a car factory. He'd walk into a bank and slide a handwritten note across the counter: "This is a robbery, give me all the bills in your drawer."

Is there anything wrong with being average? Credit:Stocksy

When the police eventually caught up with him, he was sitting in a bar, drinking a beer and eating a sandwich. I was 13 and my sister Boo was 15, and his crimes were a complete surprise to us. We didn't know he'd lost his job, so didn't question where his money was coming from.

My mum Nora had divorced him in 1989. She suspected something but never confronted him as she didn't want to get involved.
Following in the footsteps of Australia's "I'll ride with you" social media movement after the Lindt Cafe siege, some Americans are wearing safety pins to stand in solidarity with immigrants and other minorities.

As anti-Trump protests around the county continue, the campaign encourages those wanting to fight against intolerance to wear a safety pin on their jackets and shirts to show solidarity with women, the LBGTQ community and groups alarmed by Donald Trump's election win and the vitriol both he and some of his supporters displayed during the gruelling campaign.

The movement is an American interpretation of what many Britons did in the aftermath of the shock Brexit decision.

"So I have an idea similar to #ridewithme to help protect those eing [sic] abused as result of Brexit referendum - but I need your help," @cheeahs, the Twitter user who launched the trend, said back in June.
Like Donald Trump's presidential victory, the savage backlash against the Nationals in the Orange byelection caught most by surprise.

Internal polling was showing a big swing against the Nationals, but not enough to lose them the seat. And certainly not to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

Was the emphatic rejection of the party a consequence of the NSW government's aborted bid to ban greyhound racing - brought forward by Nationals leader Troy Grant - or its decision to force local councils to merge - led by another Nationals minister, Paul Toole?

Or, given the unexpected success of Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Philip Donato, have we witnessed a hyper-local version of the global rejection of mainstream political parties being blamed, at least in part, for the Trump result in the United States?
Police have charged a man with unlawful wounding after an alleged stabbing at a Gold Coast playground on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old Coolangatta man will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on December 12.

Police charged a 19-year-old man on Sunday after a stabbing at a Gold Coast playground. Credit:Glenn Hunt

He was charged after a 19-year-old Currumbin Waters man was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle at a Gold Coast Highway playground in Palm Beach.

Police said the victim saw the man smashing beer bottles at the playground about 9.30pm and asked him to stop.
South-east Queensland is in for another round of severe thunderstorms after being battered on Saturday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds and large hailstones about 3pm, as a storm cell moved over Strathpine.

Brisbane may be in for more storms on Sunday after another hot day in the city. Credit:Nick Moir

The cell was forecast to affect Brisbane Airport, Nudgee and Boondall by 3.55 pm and Double Island Point and southern parts of North Stradbroke Island by 4.25 pm.
Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has again rejected claims the social network affected the US presidential election, saying it is "extremely unlikely" news hoaxes changed the outcome.

Ensnared in a string of content controversies in recent months, Facebook is insisting it is a technology company, not a media firm. But scrutiny of the site has heightened since the surprise election of Republican Donald Trump, with critics alleging the site helped spread lies via fake news stories and hoaxes.

Zuckerberg vehemently defended the network against such criticism at a news conference on Thursday and then echoed the same stance in a post late on Saturday, though he said the company would do more to prevent fake news.

Such hoaxes represent a sliver of content shared on Facebook and because they are not limited to partisan views or politics, it is unlikely they could have changed the election's outcome, Zuckerberg said.
That's it for Melbourne Express today.

Expect to see a bit about actress, director and producer Goldie Hawn who is turning her hand to activism for children. She is in Melbourne to promote her project MindUp, a teaching program that helps children with emotional intelligence and behaviour.

Thanks to Jean Pierre for the pictures of the truck that crashed into the tram stop on Lygon Street, North Carlton.

We will be back on deck tomorrow. Check in then.
Baghdad: Iraqi soldiers have captured Nimrud, the site of an ancient Assyrian city overrun by Islamic State militants two years ago, a military statement said on Sunday.

"Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings," the statement said. The town of Nimrud lies 1 kilometre west of the ruins of the 3000-year-old city.

The soldiers also captured the village of Numaniya, on the edge of the city which was once the capital of an Assyrian empire stretching from Egypt to parts of modern-day Iran and Turkey.

The Iraqi government says Nimrud was bulldozed last year as part of Islamic State's campaign to destroy symbols which the Sunni Muslim zealots consider idolatrous.
Gwadar, Pakistan: Pakistan's prime minister and army chief welcomed on Sunday the first large shipment of Chinese goods through the renovated port of Gwadar, part of a trade link between western China and the Arabian Sea.

The deep-water port in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan is key to the $US46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that also encompasses roads and energy projects.

A Pakistan Navy ship berth at Gwadar port. Credit:Anjum Naveed

"Pakistan is located at the intersection of three engines of growth in Asia - South Asia, China and Central Asia," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at a ceremony on Sunday.

"CPEC will help in integrating these regions into an economic zone offering great opportunities for people of the region as well as investors from all over the world."
Demonstrators march up 5th Avenue in New York during a mass protest against the election of Donald Trump. Credit:AP Lincoln won only about 40 per cent of the popular vote and was not even on the ballot in some Southern states. Spontaneous protests broke out across the country after the Lincoln victory, Brinkley said. For many of those who have turned out for the current protests, it has been a kind of group therapy, and some seem to be cementing new, cross-sectional liberal coalitions. Filmmaker Michael Moore joins the demonstrators during a protest against the election Donald Trump on 5th Avenue near Trump Tower. Credit:AP People with "Nasty Women" T-shirts have stood with signs that read "Climate change is real". Black Lives Matter protesters have marched alongside those proclaiming themselves "Undocumented and Unafraid".

Most of the gatherings have remained peaceful, but tempers have flared sporadically. Demonstrators burnt trash cans in Oakland on Wednesday night, and tried to block a highway on Thursday before the police intervened. Ellen Marius, right, and Majo Orozco chant slogans as they demonstrate during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York. Credit:AP In Portland on Thursday night, one marcher was shot, according to local reports. And after the protest there thinned out, dozens of people the police described as anarchists remained in the streets, clashing with officers. Car windows were smashed and smoke filled the air during what the police deemed a riot. Demonstrators chant slogans as they march up 5th Avenue during a protest against the election of Donald Trump. Credit:AP

But beyond the commotion in the streets, activists are pursuing strategies for what they think will be tumultuous times during a Trump administration. In Wisconsin, the Latino rights group Voces de la Frontera has scheduled forums to provide emotional support to Latinos and other minorities and to brainstorm ways to help immigrants fight policies that might hurt them. Cat Brooks, a co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project in Oakland, said her group and other leaders in the city were planning to raise money to provide direct services for social programs they feel certain will be cut under a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. They were making plans, for example, to find ways to offer diabetes testing and counselling if the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, is repealed. Ron Gochez, an organiser with Union del Barrio, an immigrants' rights group in Los Angeles, said it would gather community organisations to discuss what to do if mass deportations occurred.

It would also train undocumented immigrants to use their mobile phone cameras if immigration enforcement agents show up at their doors and would help people set up emergency phone lists so they could call neighbours if they are picked up for deportation proceedings. "It's not just saying that we're against Trump. We have to defend ourselves against the policies he's promising to create," he said. In New York on Saturday, protesters were quick to describe their motivations for marching. Fin Justin Ross, 20, a transgender man from New Jersey, said he had woken up about 3.30am on Saturday to pick up friends for the rally. "When Trump won, my first thought was I needed to go back into the closet," he said. Virginia Jimenez, 45, a Mexican-American from Long Island, said she came to the protest to show that "not all Mexicans are bad people", adding, "I raised three sons without asking for any handouts."

Lisa Harris, also of Long Island, spoke about her father, a Holocaust survivor. "I know hate," she said. Many protest leaders had supported Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary race and either did not vote or chose a third-party candidate in the general election, said Ben Becker, an organiser with the Answer Coalition, an anti-war and anti-racism activist group based in New York. Their anger, he said, had been exacerbated by the conciliatory tone shown to Trump by President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton after Clinton's defeat. More protests are planned for the coming days, and preparations are under way for a large demonstration at Trump's inauguration in January. Leaders from several black civil rights groups such as the National Action Network and the NAACP have been holding conference calls to form a legislative strategy, the Reverend Al Sharpton said. They plan to lobby Congress on criminal justice reform and expanding voting rights, highlighting what they believe are the negative effects of voter identification laws and reductions in early voting periods, Sharpton said.

They hope to use the stories of millions of newly insured Americans to highlight the devastating consequences of repealing the Affordable Care Act. They will fight any new stop-and-frisk policies in court, Sharpton said, and bring witnesses to congressional hearings to challenge cabinet appointments they see as questionable. Their efforts will kick off with a rally and a march in Washington for the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, just days before Trump is inaugurated, Sharpton said. "We're not going to go away and say, because we lost an election, that we, therefore, lost our right to stand up for civil rights and civil liberty," he said. "This, in many ways, we feel is bigger than one election." As the protest began to wane in Los Angeles, Jay Brown jnr, 42, surveyed the large group around him. "If you look around, there are a lot of families out here," he said. "That should say something to you. People are trying to teach their kids what's acceptable."
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More than 60 years ago, as Bristol struggled through another heatwave, two young children suddenly disappeared.

June and Royston Sheasby  aged just seven and five  disappeared without a trace after happily leaving their Stapleton home to go and look at some horses on Thursday 20, June 1957.

For nearly two weeks the whole city was on alert, searching for the youngsters, and then at around 9pm on July 1, a police constable made a startling discovery.

READ MORE:The unsolved murder of woman strangled and dumped on canal bank

PC Jefferson Brough saw a small hand coming from the undergrowth near the river at Snuff Mills Park. It was little Royston's. And hidden underneath it was the body of his elder sister June.

Police soon declared at a press conference "this is murder" and the pair's head injuries showed they had been brutally bludgeoned  thought to be with a blunt instrument  leaving them with skull fractures.

The murders became the subject of one of the biggest police investigations the country had seen  with a mental institution at the focus of it  and 60 years later it remains unsolved.

The children had lived on Brockworth Crescent with mum Barbara and dad Jesse when they went hand in hand to see the horse at a nearby field.

Distracted by decorating, Barbara realised her children had not come home at 7pm and immediately contacted the police.

Thousands of people volunteered - and police officers gave up rest days - in the search for the missing children.

It was days after they disappeared the Bristol Evening Post received an intriguing letter saying the children were alive and a 200 ransom demanded.

The letter writer said his brother would collect the money "but if he should be detained I shall kill the children after two hours from the time he leaves here".

Head of Bristol's CID M. Phillips described the letter as a "wicked and cruel hoax" and the search for the missing children continued.

Tracker dogs from Dorchester and police divers went into the River Frome all in the hope they would find the children alive.

Firemen even pumped out the water from the deep Duchess Pond below Stoke Park Hospital  a popular spot for children to play in those days.

Woodland, ponds and outhouses all within a five mile radius of their home were searched and 11 days later all hopes of finding the brother and sister alive were shattered when PC Brough made the horrific discovery.

The murder enquiry soon focused on a person known as "the man in the blue suit".

Aged between 45 and 50, with fair and greying hair, he had spoken to an off-duty fireman at the beauty spot while two children  thought to be the Sheasby kids  played at the riverside.

Despite 25,000 people having been questioned and more than 2,000 statements taken by police  the man in the blue suit was never identified.

Another focus of the police attention was some of the 5,000 patients based at Stoke Park Hospital.

Numerous false confessions came from nearby mental institute while police checked patients' histories for violence.

Among those questioned was a patient known as The Storyteller, who used to sit by the river and tell children tales of Wild West hero Davy Crockett and Swiss hero William Tell, before they came to the conclusion he was a harmless old man with a genuine love of children.

A 25-year-old nurse was held for 32 hours for questioning during the enquiry, but eventually released, before he said he would be forced out of Bristol over accusations he was a child murderer.

An anonymous handwritten letter, written on pale blue paper, sent to the police was said to contain "vital information about the murder". It was then a blue suit was recovered from a storeroom at the Bristol Mental Hospital and another patient was questioned multiple times, but again to no avail.

It wasn't until 1964 a real breakthrough in the case was thought to have come when Home Office psychiatrist Dr Hyatt William, said a man jailed for a minor offence confessed he had killed two children, never been charged and since died.

"I believe that he was killed by his own conscience," concluded the psychiatrist.

But he refused to name the children or prisoner citing confidentiality.

Afterwards reporters were told the victims were a boy and girl, with the Sheasbys being the only unsolved murder of the type.

Despite constant requests to see the prisoner's confession, by Bristol's Chief Constable, George Twist, it was never disclosed and the murder remained unsolved.

Jesse Sheasby, the children's father, said at the time: "This confirms what I already know. I was told unofficially by a policeman a few years ago that a man they suspected of murdering my children was dead."

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Latest News Broker backs government schemes to help first-home buyers Single parents can secure property with 2% deposit

NAB to lift variable mortgage rates The change will take effect next week

The market share of new residential home loans originated by brokers and aggregators increased to 53.7% in the first quarter this year, according to a new report by the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia ( MFAA ).This was an increase of 1.9% from the previous quarter and represented an average growth rate of 21.5% over the prior three years.However, despite this upward trend, the total value of broker-originated loans across the country dropped by 1.5% from just over $92 billion in the six months prior to the end of March 2016 to $93.4 billion in the six months prior to the end of September.Growth rates over the same six month time period across the different states and territories can be found below:The size of the broker community also grew by 6% to 14,379 from September 2015 to March 2016. This data is based on information gained by the MFAA from Australias 13 biggest aggregators which cover 16 mortgage broking businesses.With the MFAA estimating that these 13 aggregator groups make up 95% of the industry, this means there are approximately 15,000 brokers in Australia.In the September to March period, 750 new brokers entered the industry while 1,044 left or moved between businesses.NSW was the best state for brokers: accounting for 42% of all new lending originating from brokers despite only having 35% of the total national broker population. Victoria was in more of an equilibrium: accounting for 28% of all new lending as well as 28% of the total broker population.More women are now entering the broker community as well, the MFAA has found. While 28% of the broker community from September 2015 to March 2016 was female, women made up 32% of new brokers recruited in the same time period.Lastly, the MFAA split brokers up according to productivity and found that 21% settled more than $10 million worth of loans in the six months prior to March 2016. This included 4.6% of brokers who settled more than $25 million.At the lower end of the scale, 22% settled less than $1 million worth of new loans in this same time period. The MFAA also found that 17% of brokers were passive in that they failed to settle any loans during the stated six month period.
Commercial property lender Thinktank has successfully closed its first public commercial mortgage backed securitisation (CMBS) transaction of $280 million.The milestone, which occurred on 4 November, represents the lenders second pure small ticket CMBS transaction in Australia since 2007. It follows on from Thinktanks first privately placed securitisation in July 2014.The interest registered by investors has genuinely exceeded our expectations and is indicative of the broad based demand that has developed for alternate assets and the associated yield they can offer, said the lenders CEO, Jonathan Street.The Commonwealth Bank acted as arranger as well as joint leader manager along with Deutsche Bank.The success of this transaction has been made possible through the long standing support and guidance of our arranger and JLM, Commonwealth Bank along with key input from Deutsche Bank who have been closely involved with the business over the past three years, said Street.We look forward to keeping in close contact with our expanded group of investors and progressing onto our next transaction in around twelve months time.Tim Richardson, head of Pacific ABS at Deutsche Bank, said the nature of Thinktanks conservative SME commercial mortgage collateral makes it perfect for securitisation.The success of the upsized transaction and extent of investor engagement, both domestically and offshore, was certainly pleasing and positions the Thinktank SME CMBS program well for further issuance in 2017 and beyond as the business grows, he said.Thinktanks portfolio of first mortgage commercial property advances which support the CMBS transaction includes 513 loans of an average size of around $545,800 and a weighted LVR of 64.2%.The loan advances are predominantly to self-employed SME borrowers, comprising of 77.3% full documentation (including 15.2% self-managed superannuation fund borrowers) plus 22.7% carrying alternate verification requirements.Finally, loans to property investors make up 53.6% of total advances while no loans were in arrears on the date of settlement.
Single parents can secure property with 2% deposit

The change will take effect next week
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is in talks with its lenders to settle the issues related to repayment of loans, at a time when the offshore drilling contract business has been highly competitive and almost half of its rigs are idle at present. Outstanding payments from Iran is around $250 million as of September, this year, said senior management officials of the company.

It is expected to repay $120 million this year and plans are to pay back $130-140 million in FY18. According to reports in September last year, the company had a total debt of around $2.2 billion.

Responding to a question by analysts in an earnings call, on whether there is a need to restructure the company's debt repayment obligation to manage the debt given that it is very low principal payments, S Srinivasan, senior vice president, Ltd, said the company is in constant discussion with its lenders on how to address the issue.

There has been some delay in repayments because the collection has also been delayed from Iran, the market size is down, among other issues. "We have been discussing with the bankers to see how it can be done," he said. However, he refused to reveal more on the talks, stating that nothing has been finalised yet.

The company has nine out of 18 rigs working while othrs are idle. The market continues to be sluggish because of the oil prices and the company is facing extreme competition in terms of bidding, he added.

"We are incurring some losses on idle rigs, which is less than $10,000 per rig for idle rig. We have oncycled the rigs, so it can go for any work, small or long term at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. This year, the company is repaying debt of about $120 million and in FY18, it is expected to pay around $130-140 million.

While it is getting some amount of payments from Iran, which was earlier facing a sanction, but still it has to receive a large sum from that country, he added.
Frances Tech plans to sell its captive unit here, including the shifting of a little over 1,000 employees, to a bidder which will get a five-year $500 million outsourcing deal to manage its information technology (IT) and network infrastructure.
Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek's founder Nadiem Makarim is in awe of the talent density of India, especially Bengaluru, where the company has based its India headquarters. Last week, Go-Jek acqui-hired Pune-based LeftSHift, an app development start-ups, its fourth in the country. The hyperlocal transport, logistics and payments start-ups, with investors including Sequoia Capital and DST Global, plans to stay out of the market in India but looks to double the India team. Edited excerpts of his interview with Anita Babu.
In a volatile day of boardroom drama last Friday, a statement by the independent directors of board to give a clear picture to all shareholders about the goings-on in the company was first adopted unanimously by the independent directors but was shelved as three directors backed out.
Tata Sons claim that Tata Motors market share in commercial vehicles under former chairman Cyrus Mistry hitting an all-time low is evident from the handsome gains made by rivals. Commercial vehicles (CV), the mainstay of Tata Motors domestic business, have conceded ground to rivals like Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Ashok Leyland and Force Motors in three of the four segments over the past two-three years. Tatas leadership is now restricted only to the goods carrier medium and heavy CV segment.


On Tuesday, the US voted into office. Great. Fine. Lets cut to the chase: What the hell does it mean for Indian startups?


Nusli Wadia, an independent director on the board of Tata Motors, will back deposed chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry at the board meeting on Monday, in an independent directors board meeting on Monday. Mistry is the chairman of board.
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Chaotic scenes outside banks, automated teller machine (ATMs) kiosks and regional offices of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continued on Sunday, as people queued up hoping to get some cash.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Sunday assured public that enough cash in small denomination is available and hoarding of the notes should not be done.
Amid India's efforts to woo investors, Japanese industry has sought early passage of the amended Land Acquisition Bill and further relaxation of "restrictions" on foreign financing in certain sectors to ensure "free and smooth" corporate business activity by its companies in India.

The recommendations have been made in a joint report of 'India- Business Leaders Forum' 2016 which was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe here on Friday.

The Japanese Inc has also suggested reforms in the tendering processes in the infrastructure sector in India by introducing and expanding use of a comprehensive evaluation system, allowing one company bids and some other measures.

"The business communities of India and will continue to cooperate in strategic areas such as the promotion of economic partnerships, improvement of the business environment, and infrastructure development, and on issues of a global scale.

"In so doing, they will cooperate with the governments of both nations from a business standpoint to ensure that the Indian and Japanese economies will grow together and continue to act as growth engines in the global economy," the report said.

In its recommendations, the report said, "In India, free and smooth corporate business activity, including by Japanese companies, requires the development of systems for the prompt and smooth introduction of a GST and the steady implementation of the Agreement between and the Republic of India on Social Security.

"In addition, the following are also essential: the early passage of a bill for amendment of land acquisition laws; the organisation, streamlining and international conformity of permanent establishment (PE) taxation, transfer pricing taxation, standards and certification systems, and intellectual property systems; further relaxation of restrictions on foreign investment and financing in the distribution sector and other sectors; and appropriate levels of service taxes in industrial complexes, etc."



The report added that the business leaders of the two countries "strongly urge the Indian government to step up its approaches on these issues and the Japanese government to cooperate in their improvement."



To ensure "fairness, transparency, and predictability" in administrative procedures in India, they called for the establishment of an Administrative Procedure Act and the simplification and expedition of the various procedures.

The Act would provide for common rules concerning procedures for penalties, etc by administrative bodies and the procedure for establishing Administrative Orders, said the Forum in its report.

Regarding national taxes, an Act on General Rules for



National Taxes should be established, and similar state legislation should be enacted in each state for regional taxation, it further recommended.

The joint forum report referred to projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) as symbols of the cooperation between India and Japan and called for the continued advancement of infrastructure development, including roads, railways, ports, airports, electric power and smart grids, water treatment, and industrial complexes.

At the same time, it said, Business leaders of Japan and India, from the stand point of promotion of development of high quality infrastructure through public private partnership, asks Indian government to implement the following:



"Introduction and expanded use of a comprehensive evaluation system in tendering process to reduce life cycle cost and to correctly evaluate technological value; rationalisation and optimisation of risk and role sharing between public and private sectors in public private partnership (PPPs) projects including provision of government guarantees; allowing of one company bids when deemed necessary; and implementation of tenders in a whole and thorough way per each project."



Welcoming the civil nuclear cooperation agreement, the joint business forum said stronger engagement is needed between Japan and India in high-technology areas, based on an agreement between the two countries in the area of defence and security.

"Strengthening of India-Japan economic cooperation through Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership must be implemented based on free and open trade and investment framework. The result would enhance the economy of Asia and Pacific region, which would in turn contribute toward sustainable growth of the world economy," the report said.

"Business leaders of India and Japan recognise that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would contribute toward expansion of regional production network and strengthen supply chains through not only liberalisation of trade and investment but also through integration of rules of origin and introduction of regional cumulative rules," it added.

The forum said these measures would contribute toward fulfillment of Modi's "Make in India" policy.

"For this purpose, RCEP should be concluded swiftly, in a comprehensive manner with setting high standards. Business leaders of the two countries agreed to continue in taking joint initiatives toward this end," it said.
After Rs 2,000 currency notes, the government has launched a new series of Rs 500 notes, even as people are stand in long serpentine queues awaiting their turn at bank branches across the country.
India, Myanmar and Thailand Friendship Motor Car Rally, 2016 Flagged-off

The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya flagged off a Friendship Motor Car Rally from India Gate lawns in Delhi to Bangkok today. His Excellency Chalit Manityakul, Ambassador of Thailand was also present on the occasion. The objective of the rally is to improve connectivity by road in the South-East Asian region and to sensitize the stakeholders of India Myanmar and Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement regarding potential benefits of such a regulatory regime.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Mandaviya said that this rally will also play an important role in developing the economic, transport and cultural relations between the three countries. He said that this rally will give a boost to the PM Narendra Modis Act East Policy and will improve our relationship with our neighbouring countries. A commemorative stamp for IMT Rally, 2016 was also released on the occasion. The rally caravan will cover a distance of 5,722 KMs along the IMT Trilateral Highway with about 80 participants from all the three countries, in 20 Indian made vehicles on a journey from Delhi to Bangkok over 19 days. Ceremonial flag off will also be held in other cities and state capitals enroute like Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Patna, Siliguri, Guwahati, Shillong, Kohima and Imphal and Began and Yangoon in Myanmar and Bangkok in Thailand. The rally that will conclude at Bangkok on 2nd December, 2016, will further cement cultural and economic ties among the three nations and highlight the potential benefits of connectivity and integration in the region and in keeping with Indias focus on its close neighborhood. The basic purpose of this rally would be to sensitize people about the fact that an all weather road , connecting New Delhi and Bangkok would soon be operational . With the opening of Trilateral highway, it would become a reality to travel from New Delhi to Bangkok by road. A trial run of passenger vehicles on the IMT Trilateral Highway up to Naypitaw in Myanmar was carried out during 9-14 November, 2015 in which Indian vehicles travelled to Myanmar on Imphal -Mandalay -Bagan- Naypitaw route and back and Myanmar vehicles joined the Indian vehicles on the return journey from Naypitaw to Imphal and returning to Myanmar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PM lays foundation stone for development projects in Goa

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today unveiled plaques to mark the foundation stone laying of Mopa Airport, and an Electronic City at Tuam, during a function at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Goa.

The Prime Minister also unveiled plaques to mark the inauguration of Infrastructure for building Mine Counter Measure Vessels; and inauguration of commencement of Construction of five Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister began by congratulating the team which enabled India to successfully host the BRICS Summit in Goa a few weeks ago. The Prime Minister appreciated the State of Goa, for its progress.Talking about the Airport project, the Prime Minister said he is happy that the promise made by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being fulfilled. He said this will benefit Goa, and give an impetus to tourism.Referring to the Electronic City project, he said a digitally trained, modern and youth driven Goa is being shaped today, which has the power to transform India.

Referring to the recent decision of the Union Government on demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000 currency notes, the Prime Minister said that on 8th November many people of India slept peacefully, while a few are sleepless even now. He said the Union Government has taken a key step to help the honest citizens of India, in defeating the menace of black money. The Prime Minister thanked all those who have been contributing to ensuring the success of the demonetization exercise. He said he also feels the pain, and these steps taken were not a display of arrogance. He said that he has seen poverty, and understands peoples problems.He recalled that in 2014, people had voted to free the nation from corruption. He also mentioned the various steps that have been taken by the Union Government to curb black money.The Prime Minister said that if any money has been looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it. He said that he was not born to sit on a chair of high office, adding that whatever he had, including his family, and his home, he had left to serve the nation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Presidents greetings on the eve of Guru Nanak Jayanti

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has sent his greetings to fellow citizens in India and abroad on the eve of birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.

In a message, the President has said, On the auspicious occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad. The universal vision and humanism of Guru Nanak Devji have been an inspiration to people everywhere regardless of caste, colour or creed. May each one of us endeavour to follow the Gurus profound teachings in our daily lives and work to strengthen the bonds of togetherness and mutual goodwill. On this most revered day, let us all unite to bring happiness in the lives of the suffering and strive for the betterment of humanity".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage visited at his home on Saturday, after suggesting he could act as a go-between to help smooth British relations with US president-elect.
British and French foreign ministers are to miss special talks with their EU counterparts on Sunday to discuss Donald Trump's US election win in a sign of divisions over how to deal with the new president.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini had summoned the ministers for dinner in Brussels after Republican Trump stormed to victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton on a platform which questioned America's commitment to Europe.

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson will not attend the meeting which is seen in some quarters as unnecessarily casting doubt on the result of an election in the country that has been closely allied to Europe for decades.

"We do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the US election timetable is long established," a British Foreign Office spokesman said, adding that Johnson would attend a scheduled full meeting of ministers tomorrow.

"An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain."

Britain will be seeking the incoming Trump administration's backing as it negotiates its exit from the EU following June's Brexit referendum vote.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will meanwhile be "absent for agenda reasons", a French source told AFP, although his absence from a crucial meeting called by the EU's own foreign policy chief will also raise questions.

Britain and France will instead be represented by their ambassadors to the EU.

Trump's victory has already been greeted coolly by a bloc shaken by Brexit and other crises, with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warning the billionaire president-elect to get up to speed quickly on transatlantic ties.
US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we're on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

"The majority of the American people believe that is in fact happening and want to see us address it."

Trump has pledged to ditch Washington's policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric.

"Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said.

Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet or more to the current sea level," he said.

He said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

Kerry said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week.

"Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.
At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), were killed on Saturday in two (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria.

British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.

After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.

Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.

The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.
On Rajat Sharma's show Aap Ki Adalat on India TV, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley mentioned thrice that shops of a particular industry were open till very late in the night after Narendra Modi' s demonetisation announcement . He was obviously referring to jewellers who were selling gold by accepting withdrawn currency notes, which has continued.
Shocked by the gruesome murder of journalist Dharmendra Kumar Singh by unidentified assailants at Amra in Bihar on Saturday, the Arunachal Pradesh press fraternity condemned the incident with strongest term and urged the Bihar government to bring justice to aggrieved family members.

Singh, who was working with a prominent Hindi newspaper, was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants on Saturday morning, making it the second murder of a journalist in the state in the past six months.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the Arunachal Press Club (APC), Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) expressed deep shocked at killing of fierce journalist, who take on powerful local mafias in many occasions through his writings.

The fraternity termed the incident as "cowardice attempt" to muzzle down the freedom of speech. The fraternity urged the Bihar government to come up with a mechanism to protect scribes in the state so that crusaders of freedom of speech should not be cowed down.

"The murder of the journalist reflects the law and order situation of the state, and it is duty of the welfare government of Bihar to protect the press fraternity and ensure safety to all scribes in the state," they said in a statement.

The statement further added that perpetrators should be brought to justice and should be awarded exemplary punishment, so that it sends message across.

Expressing solidarity with the media fraternity in Bihar as well as with aggrieved family, the APC, APUWJ and AEMA stated that courageous and fierce writings of late Singh would embolden and inspired working journalists across the India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a first, a State Bank of India branch in Bhopal on Sunday rolled out the first set of the newly issued Rs. 500 notes.

"With this the people will have some respite. The work will be faster now. Till now, we were only giving Rs. 100 notes. It was also taking up a lot of time. The people were really excited to receive the new 500 rupee note. It is a historic moment for all of us," an employee with the SBI told ANI.

The people have been facing inconvenience as they stand in long queues outside the banks and ATMs to exchange the old currency or withdraw cash after Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised Rs. 500 and Rs 1000 notes in a bid to curb black money.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said there is enough cash available in small denominations at banks, adding that the people must not be anxious and need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw and hoard cash.

"The Reserve Bank of India assures members of the public that enough cash in small denominations are also available at the Reserve Bank and banks. The Reserve Bank urges that public need not be anxious; need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw and hoard. Cash is available when they need it," the RBI said in a statement.

The RBI's announcement comes as anger intensified on Sunday with banks struggling to dispense money following the government's decision to withdraw large denomination notes in an attempt to curb black money.

Earlier on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a major step and announced demonetisation of Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said people holding notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move, the government later decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photos: 2 Arrested As Hundreds Return To The Loop To Protest Trump Presidency

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Nov 13, 2016 2:34PM



For the fourth time since Donald Trump, accused racist, admitted groper of women, was elected president of the United States on Wednesday, Chicago protesters gathered in the Loop Saturday morning to protest the election outcome.

As they have in previous days, the protesters chanted "not my president," and carried signs with slogans such as "Love will change the world bigly" and "Hands off my country," while snarling traffic through Chicago's busy downtown streets.

Over a thousand people joined in the protests, which were meant to express dissatisfaction with Trump's election and solidarity with protesters around the country who have also been organizing. Two were arrested for obstructing traffic, police told the Tribune; one officer told the Tribune that the protest was peaceful:





[It went] fantastically, said Chicago police Lt. Godfrey Cronin, who was stationed at Federal Plaza around 3 p.m. A bunch of young people got together, they didnt know each other, they controlled the crowd wonderfully and everybody peacefully protested, got their message out.



The bulk of the group marched from just before 11 a.m. to around 2 p.m. after linking up with another group of protesters protesting the high-profile and controversial Dakota Access Pipeline that would destroy Native American land.
Following years of negotiations and a half a century of conflict, Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC) rebel group signed a revised peace accord.

The new deal was announced by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in a TV address saying that it will build a "broader, deeper peace," reports the CNN.

Colombian voters had unexpectedly defeated a peace deal in October that was negotiated earlier this year with the FARC rebels.

Negotiations continued for a peace deal after the defeat with rebels and those opposed to the original agreement.

Santos said that compensation for victims is amongst the new provisions of the deal that will come from FARC's assets and money.

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Santos for "his resolute efforts" to end the country's civil war this year.

A political party can still be formed by the FARC in accordance with FARC and the members with minor offenses can apply to get their records cleared.

"The new peace accord is the victory for Colombia," said Ivan Marquez, one of the chief negotiators of the FARC guerrilla movement, in a tweet.

US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated the government and people of Colombia on achieving a revised peace agreement.

"President Santos and his negotiating team, those from the 'No' campaign, and other important sectors of Colombian society deserve credit for engaging in a far-reaching and respectful national dialogue following the plebiscite," Kerry said.

He said that he full implementation of the final peace agreement will be supported by the United States.

Congratulating the government of Colombia for reaching the deal, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice in a statement said, "We appreciate how difficult and complicated the negotiations have been and recognize that the new provisions, while an important step forward, will not necessarily satisfy everyone.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a major political development since demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 on November 8, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday made a phone call to her arch rival Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, saying that they should join hands against the Narendra Modi government's recent move and should also meet President Pranab Mukherjee in this regard.

"This is not an ego battle. I humbly appeal again to the Government at the Centre to save the common people from more suffering and the country from financial catastrophe by withdrawing this hasty decision. First, please put a proper action plan in place, and breathing space for people.

"Today, I spoke with several political leaders regarding a joint movement and to meet Rashtrapati Ji together. Let us all fight this together to give relief to common citizens, the poor and stop this financial anarchy," Media Trinamool quoted Mamata as saying.

According to sources, Yechury told her that he was in Tamil Nadu, and would look into her proposal after having consultations with his Bengal colleagues when he returns to Delhi.

Sources said the CPM Politburo will discuss the matter tomorrow, following which Yechury will address a press conference around 12.30.

However, in a bid to assuage the building frustration among people who have been fuming over dry ATM machines and serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs, Union Finance Minster Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the Finance Ministry is monitoring currency replacement constantly and added that it would take two to three weeks approximately to recalibrate 2 lakh ATMs across the country.

Jaitley also acknowledged that people are getting inconvenienced to replace currency notes and said that currency replacement of this magnitude would take time.

"When the government decided to replace 500 and 1000 notes, there were expectations that in couple of days, people would queue up to replace significant part, 86 per cent. It is a massive operation. There are challenges in execution. People are turning up in large numbers, so they will keep coming in the next few days. The government requests them that the deposit time is till December 30," he said.

The government, Jaitley said, has directed the Bank officials on helping senior citizens in the smooth exchange of notes.

Listing out facts in which the banks are undertaking currency exchange, Jaitley said that Rs. 7,868 crore have been deposited in the SBI. The bank exchanged notes of 58 lakh people. 22 lakh people operated at ATMs, 33 lakh have withdrawn from SBI, which handles 20-25 per cent of total banking. Till 12.15 p.m. today the bank conducted 2.28 crore transactions. He said five modes of transactions are involved in banks, cash deposit, withdrawal from cash, cash to cash exchange, ATM cash withdrawal and cash deposit machines being used.

The finance minister also appealed to the business community to avoid using cash and start using digital payment gateways.

"Government appeals to those in businesses to start using digital payment gateways, cards and banking system. Life will become simpler, in new financial system that is only viable option," Jaitley said.

Jaitley rejected allegations that the information with regard to demonetisation was leaked two months prior to the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Some were alleging that the bank deposits increased from July to September, alluding to the fact information on currency exchange was leaked. However, as per RBI records, in last one year, there was spike in deposits in September only. It was due to disbursal of pay commission arrears," he said.

"Today our energy is concentrated on smooth and quick replacement of money. Enforcement Directorate and other departments concerned are keeping close watch on any illegal activities," Jaitley added.

There are approximately two lakh ATMs across the country.

Many ATMs, which was reopened after the Prime Minister Modi's demonetisation decision, were forced to shut down after it ran out of cash.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Union Finance Ministry on Sunday advised the banks to increase the cash withdrawal limit at ATMs from the existing Rs. 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per day in the recalibrated ATMs and to increase the exchange limit over the counter from the existing Rs 4,000 to Rs. 4,500.

The ministry further advised the banks to increase the Business Correspondents limit to Rs 2,500 for withdrawal from bank accounts and also the weekly limit of Rs. 20,000 for withdrawal from accounts has been increased to Rs. 24,000, removing the limit of Rs.10,000.

The decision came after the Finance Ministry reviewed the position regarding availability and distribution of all denomination of bank notes.

Furthermore, banks have been advised to increase the issuance and use of mobile wallets and debit/credit cards as also to provide them to those customers and establishments not having access to these non-cash means of payment and the last date for submission of the annual life certificate for the government pensioners, which is to be submitted in November every year, has been extended up to January 15.

In a statement, based on the reports received from the states, banks and other sources, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, noted that in the first four days - November 10-13 up to 5 pm - about Rs 3 lakh crores of old Rs 500 and Rs. 1000 notes were deposited in various banks and about Rs 50,000 crores dispensed to customers either by withdrawal from their accounts or ATMs or by exchange at the counter, whereas during this period, the banking system handled about 21 crore transactions.

The statement said coordination is being continuously done by the ministry with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks and post offices to make all denomination notes available at all locations and instructions were given to the banks and post offices to ensure proper distribution of all denomination notes. Banks have also been especially advised to ensure the availability and distribution of small denomination notes.

Further, the states' chief secretaries have been requested to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and post offices in order to ensure the last mile distribution of small denomination of notes is done through mobile banking vans and Banking Correspondents (BCs).

It has been reported that certain business houses such as hospitals, caterers, tent houses etc are not accepting cheques/demand drafts and online payment transfer from customers. It is advised that in such cases customer can make a complaint to the concerned District Magistrates/District Administration for action against such establishments, the ministry said.

The ministry said the Government of Assam has arranged mobile banking vans with support of banks and state government staff at certain hospitals for carrying out emergency banking transactions. All banks have now been advised to arrange mobile banking vans to the extent possible at major hospitals to carry out emergency banking transaction for patients.

Moreover, the banks have been advised to make arrangements for separate queues for senior citizens and Divyangs. Separate queues will also be arranged for exchange of cash to cash and transactions against bank accounts.

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has made special arrangements like cash deposits /withdrawal and opening of new bank accounts in the remotely located areas with the help of banks and state government staff, said the ministry, adding that the state governments have been requested to facilitate opening of new bank accounts as a part of financial inclusion programme.

The Finance Ministry said the issuance of the Rs. 500 notes has already commenced.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Making an appeal to people of Tamil Nadu to vote for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the by-elections, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Sunday said she has taken a rebirth with the prayers of people and party cadres and nothing can harm her with their love.

"I have taken a rebirth with the prayers of people and party cadre. What can harm me with the love of you? I am waiting to completely recover and resume my work for the people," Jayalalithaa, who has been admitted to Apollo Hospital here since September 22 with complains of fever and dehydration, said in a statement.

"I don't know what is taking rest, and hard work can't be left. Ever since MGR (M.G. Ramachandran) inducted me to politics, I have always been working for people. I heard many committed suicide for me. I want each of you to work for the people. Can't lose you," said the chief minister.

As she has been recovering from the ailments, Jayalalithaa said requested people of the state to vote for AIADMK in Aravarankurichi, Thiruparankundram, Pondicherry and Thanjavur. "Though I am unable to come in person and campaign, my heart is there," she said.

In a message to the party cadre, she asked them to work hard to make AIADMK win these elections with huge margins.

"I request people to keep in mind the schemes brought in by my government while voting. I am eagerly waiting for the victory of AIADMK with huge margins," she added.

AIADMK leader C.R. Saraswathi had on November 4 told ANI: "We are so happy to hear that Pratap C. Reddy (chairman of the Apollo Hospitals) has said that the chief minister is very well. She is fully satisfied. We are so happy about it. All the people have prayed for Amma. All the religions-Christianity, Islam, Hindu.everyone prayed for Amma. God has given a very good result for that. I thank all the doctors for taking care of our chief minister."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has completely recovered and is understanding what is going on around her.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taking strong exception to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley labeling the opposition as "irresponsible" on the issue of demonitisation, Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid said on Sunday that if the general public is being inconvenienced by the government's decision, the finance minister cannot shrug of his responsibilities by making such statements.

"Well it is easy for me to say what he has done is irresponsible. It is not an answer, we must engage in actual debate and discussion. We are saying that enormous inconvenience has been caused to the ordinary citizen who does not deserve this. They are enormous queues, people are lining up, they are screaming because they don't have food at home. All this, is something that Jaitley, as a responsible minister, has to give a reply to. He can't shrug his shoulders like that," Khurshid told ANI.

He said the present 'financial chaos' has been caused because the government has failed to gauge the impact of their decision.

Similarly, fellow Congress member and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the opposition parties are not against the government's decision but are concerned with its unpreparedness in mitigating the currency crunch.

"Nobody is against the demonetisation, but they haven't thought it through. They did not pay attention to it and everyone is complaining about that. There are such long queues at the ATMs, in villages where there are no banks, or even if they are, it is 20-25 km away," Kharge told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Congress Party has decided to raise the demonetisation issue in Lok Sabha.

Congress party's leader Anand Sharma has given a suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion on the issue of demonetisation.

Earlier, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) also gave a notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes on November 16 and said it would bring an adjournment motion on the subject in the Lok Sabha on the same day.

The Winter Session will commence on November 16 and will be in session till December 16.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taking exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's jibe at him for visiting bank to change old notes, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday in turn mocked the former for turning emotional during his speech in Goa, saying "first laughter now tears! Mediocrity comes face to face with reality".

Taking to his official Twitter account, Rahul again posted, "Modi laughs as poor cry".

Prime Minister Modi turned emotional while saying that he left his home and family for the nation.

As Prime Minister Modi mocked Rahul, saying those involved in "big scams" now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4,000, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tweeted, "Someone has said scamsters are queuing front of bank ATM's. Are these poor people in queue scamsters?"

On Friday, Rahul visited State Bank of India's Parliament Street branch to exchange demonetised currency notes with new ones.

However, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "They (govt) have informed their corporate friends earlier, and only the common man is suffering. We will raise the issue in Parliament under rules 56 and 193."

Training his guns on the opposition, Prime Minister Modi had said he was extremely aware of the fact that they might ruin him because their loot of 70 years is in trouble.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi said after laying the foundation for two major projects here.

"I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble but am prepared," he added.

Earlier on November 8, Prime Minister Modi took a major step and announced demonetisation of Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said people holding notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move, the government later decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.
Speculations are rife that General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf has intensified efforts for unification of different factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) as the former military dictator is keen on becoming their leader.

The speculation comes after unexplained visits of two senior MQM leaders to the United Arab Emirates in a short span of time, reports the Dawn.

Reportedly, senior MQM leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui flew to Dubai on Friday where he met the former military dictator who is more than willing to unite the Dr Farooq Sattar-led MQM and the Pak Sarzameen Party led by former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal.

Before Dr Siddiqui, MQM-Pakistan head Dr Sattar also visited Dubai and returned on Friday. He told reporters at Karachi airport that he met neither Musharraf nor former governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad during his stay in the UAE.

A spokesperson for the MQM, Aminul Haq, rejected reports of the meeting and said Dr Siddiqui was in Pakistan, adding, "He did not meet any politician, including Gen Pervez Musharraf."

He, however, confirmed that Dr Siddiqui, MQM's deputy parliamentary party leader in the National Assembly, visited Dubai for "less than 24 hours", but said his trip was strictly personal in nature.

A couple of days ago, the MQM, however, confirmed that its leader Khwaja Izharul Hasan met the former military dictator in Dubai.

The meeting took place after Ahmed Raza Kasuri, a trusted aide to Musharraf, suggested that different factions of the MQM, other than the one being led by Altaf Hussain, accept the former president as their leader.

The MQM-Pakistan had rejected the proposal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Baloch nationalist leader Naela Baloch on Sunday blamed Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif for the attack on Shah Noorani shrine in Balochistan.

Naela said this is an endeavour of the Pakistan Government to help Daesh strengthen its roots in Balochistan.

"The Shah Noorani shrine hold great importance, people from across the world come here to pray. It is a very sacred soil. This is an endeavour to help Daesh strengthen their roots in Balochistan. And even the Pakistani Army and its government are also trying to help Daesh to spread their wing across Balochistan. This attack on Shah Noorani is done by Raheel Sharif and Nawaz Sharif," she said.

At least 52 people were killed and over 100 others wounded when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up in a packed-to-capacity courtyard of the Shah Noorani shrine in theremote mountainous region of Khuzdar district of Balochistan yesterday evening.

According to reports, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Prime Minister will today attend a ceremony to commemorate the first Chinese trade convoy being exported to the Middle East and African countries through the Gwadar Port developed under the controversial China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Meanwhile, the first trade convoy carrying goods for export through the western route of the CPEC and a Chinese ship arrived at the Gwadar Port on Friday, while second trade convoy comprising over 100 containers, arrived yesterday, reports the Express Tribune.

The goods would be exported through Gwadar port to the Middle East and African countries.

The ceremony will be attended by Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and ambassadors of 15 countries.

The proposed CPEC is about 3,000-kilometre long and will consist of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China's Xinjiang province to the rest of the through the Gwadar port.

Meanwhile, the Baloch people and activists are continuously and consistently protesting against the CPEC, alleging that Pakistan is only concerned about exploiting the resources of Balochistan for Beijing and its advantage.

Considered to be a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion CPEC will cover significant parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through disputed PoK.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After a gap of 26 years, Sri Lanka and Turkey held trade talks on Friday as Colombo's trade with Ankara surged by more than 130 percent.

Sri Lankan Minister for Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Turkey Minister for Education Ismet Yilmaz led their respective sides to the talks.

"Turkey is a very important trading partner for Sri Lanka. The strong relationship between the two countries has grown steadily over the past years," the Colombo Page quoted Minister Bathiudeen as saying in the opening statement at the Second Session of the Sri Lanka-Turkey Joint Committee Meeting of Technical and Economic Cooperation in Ankara on November 11.

Recalling that Sri Lanka and Turkey have enjoyed 68 years of formally established diplomatic relations in the recent history, Bathiudeen described the initiative to establish the Sri Lanka-Turkey Joint Committee in 1991 as a landmark in the partnership between the two countries.

Bathiudeen said even though the joint committee between Sri Lanka and Turkey has not been convened for 26 years, the relation between the two sides has flourished, especially since the setting up of resident Diplomatic Missions in Ankara and Colombo in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Asserting that Sri Lanka's economy offers a great opportunity for both investment and trade within the country and avenues to penetrate the huge South Asian market, he said they aspire to rebuild the country and develop its economy in partnership with friendly countries such as Turkey.

"As a developing middle income country, and considering our strategic location, Sri Lanka will continue to follow open and free market economic policy to promote and expand trade and economic links with the outside world, and work towards being a foremost centre in the region," Bathiudeen said.

The Turkish Minister Ismet Yilmaz suggested the two countries should target a trade volume of US$ 500 million by 2020.

"Relations between both countries span a broad range of aspects. During today's meeting we finalised many areas of cooperation, which is a positive development," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Officials and residents in many parts of China gathered Saturday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth.

Born in 1866, Sun is the forerunner of China's democratic revolution and an instrumental player in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and ending feudalism in China.

In Zhongshan City in south China's Guangdong Province, his birthplace, more than 300 people, including relatives of Sun and his followers and many from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, gathered at Sun's former home to pay their tributes.

They presented flowers and bowed three times before Sun's statue.

In Guangdong provincial capital Guangzhou, senior officials and representatives of the public gathered at the Sun Yat-sen memorial hall to commemorate Sun.

Guangdong's Party chief Hu Chunhua said in his speech that people in Guangdong are proud that such a great man was born here and the great spirit of Sun will encourage local people to move forward.

Hu and other senior officials laid flowers in front of a statue of Sun.

In Shanghai, local authorities held a conference to commemorate Sun.

In his address to the gathering, Shanghai's Party chief Han Zheng called local officials to inherit Sun's precious spiritual heritage and push forward the reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

Shanghai should take the lead in terms of reform and innovation, Han said.

Local officials and residents also gathered at Sun's former home in Shanghai and bowed three times to pay respects.

In Nanjing, nearly 200 officials and residents visited Sun's mausoleum to pay their tribute.

"The Communist Party of China shared the same dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Sun," said Yu Weigang, a professor with East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

"We have made great leap forwards in the infrastructures, people's living standard and the country's international status," said Yu. "But we should never forget our dream and gather greater courage to move forward."

In Taiwan, Hung Hsiu-chu, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party unveiled a special exhibition marking the 150th anniversary at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.

Events were also organized in Hong Kong and Macao to commemorate Sun's birthday anniversary.
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appeal to the people to cooperate with him for 50 days in implementing demonitisation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday hit back at him saying "will the common man continue to suffer till then".

Continuing his tirade, Kejriwal said Prime Minister Modi's statement is mocking the people who have been languishing in serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs.

Kejriwal said he received a lot of calls, and there is a sense of panic among people after hearing Prime Minister Modi's speech in Goa.

"I felt sad when I heard the kind of language used by the Prime Minister against people who have been standing in queues. He has mocked the people and must apologise immediately," Kejriwal said, while addressing the media here.

"We demand from the Government to take this issue seriously and come out with a solution to deal with the law and order situation," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal further said if the Prime Minister is serious about tackling the menace of black money, then he must take action against his "corporate friends."

During his speech, Prime Minister Modi turned emotional and said he was voted to power by people to fight corruption and if people feel that he had made a mistake then he was ready to face any punishment.

"I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the problems of the people," he added.

Prime Minister Modi said that he was extremely aware of the fact that they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi said after laying the foundation for two major projects here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Adamant on its stand, the Baloch National Movement on Sunday asserted that it would resist the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at any cost as it is a matter of life and death, while urging the community to come forward and act against Pakistani designs and help the Baloch people.

"Today Nawaz Sharif is going to Gwadar to inaugurate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor once again to appease China for 46 million dollars. We have a clear message to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani Army and the entire Pakistani establishment that Balochistan belongs to Baloch people. No matter how many innocent civilians you kill, no matter how many innocent political, activists, teachers, doctors, intellectuals and literary persons.you abduct, torture; we will resist the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor at any cost. It's the matter of our life and death," Baloch National Movement foreign spokesperson Hammal Haider Baloch told ANI.

Haider said India and the United States must know that Pakistan, which has nefarious designs in Balochistan, is creating and nurturing Islamic religious groups in Balochistan in order to counter the Baloch national movement.

"Yesterday, the ISIS killed more than 50 innocent Baloch people. In the last three months, the same ISIS has killed more than 300 Baloch civilians. ISIS is a ruthless religion, which is not only a threat for ethnic groups like Baloch but also a threat for the as well. That's why Balochistan is a very sensitive region and the must should come forward and act against Pakistani designs and help the Baloch people," he added.

Resonating similar sentiments, Baloch Republican Party member Jawad Baloch said, "We strongly condemn the inauguration at the Gwadar Port, which gives official access to China to Baloch land. We request all those ambassadors and foreign guests, who are joining this inauguration ceremony to avoid it because it's built on blood of the Baloch people. This is against the will of the Baloch people."

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will today attend a ceremony to commemorate the first Chinese trade convoy being exported to the Middle East and African countries through the Gwadar Port developed under the controversial CPEC.

The ceremony will be attended by Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and ambassadors of 15 countries.

The proposed CPEC, which is about 3,000-kilometre long, will consist of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China's Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through the Gwadar port.

Considered to be a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion CPEC will cover significant parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through disputed PoK.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of angry people on Sunday broke locked gate of a bank and forcibly entered the premises in Bihar's Gopalganj district after they were told that there was no cash, the state police said.

People, angry at having to go without small denomination currency notes after demonetisation, protested and tried to ransack banks at several places across the state as they failed to get cash despite standing for hours in long queues since morning.

"People forcibly entered a Punjab National Bank's branch in Mirganj after they broke the locked gate and staged protest against failure of banks in providing cash," a district police official said.

The police have resorted to lathicharge to disperse angry crowds.

Two groups clashed at a bank in Narkatiaganj area of Champaran district after some people who were standing in long queues, fell into a drain.

Protests by people angry over cash crunch in banks were reported in Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts.

The fight for cash is likely to continue for a few more days as nearly five per cent ATMs in the state are not operational, officials said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll in a horrific bombing in a Sufi shrine in Pakistan's Balochistan province rose to 52 on Sunday, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility, the media reported.

Women and children were among the dead, officials said, adding that around 100 others were maimed in the gruesome attack.

Authorities fear the toll might go up further.

The teenage bomber targeted a crowd of devotees performing 'dhamaal' (devotional dance) at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Noorani, some 750 km south of provincial capital Quetta.

"The bomber appeared to be 14 to 16 years old," a media report quoted a local official as saying.

Dawn quoted police officer Jafar Khan as saying that around 1,000 devotees were at the shrine when the bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body.

"Every day at sunset there is a 'dhamaal' session," one witness said.

Chief military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said troops and medical teams were dispatched but "difficult terrain and long distance" were hampering their progress.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the suicide bombing could be a reprisal for the killing of a senior commander of a banned militant organisation.

Jundullah chief Saqib, alias Arif alias Anjum Abbas, was killed in a gunfight with security forces on Friday. His wife and nine-year-old son were also injured in the clash.

The carnage came a day before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was to flag off the first shipment of trade goods from Gwadar port to international markets, marking the historic launch of trade activity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the Balochistan government had no helicopters to ferry the casualties.

The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq, its official news agency.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence and a separatist insurgency.

Local militants claiming to work with the IS attacked a police academy in Balochistan last month, killing 61 people.

In August, a suicide bombing at a Quetta hospital claimed by the Islamic State and a faction of the Pakistani Taliban killed 73 people.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday said the 42 Congress legislators -- who have since submitted their resignations from the assembly -- must attend a one-day special assembly session to chalk out a concrete strategy to protect the state's waters.

The Congress legislators in Punjab had, on November 11, submitted their resignations to protest a Supreme Court verdict on a presidential reference that said a 2004 law passed by the state assembly to end a water-sharing agreement was unconstitutional.

Badal told the media in Rakhra village in Patiala district that the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was not a political issue but a matter involving the lifeline of Punjab.

"In the larger interest of Punjab, the Congress MLAs must ensure their presence during the special session. ... a message be conveyed to the entire country that whole of Punjab is united on this emotive issue ... A united house must resolve to protect the state's waters at all cost."

Badal said he will soon meet the President of India and apprise him of the depleting water level in Punjab.

He accused the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of indulging in political gimmickry on the river water issue.

"The Congress is the perpetrator of this sin against the state and its people. Likewise, the AAP government in Delhi had submitted an affidavit against the state in the Supreme Court on the issue. Both are now trying to mislead people," Badal said.

"Any move to share Punjab's river waters will be disastrous as it will ruin the state. While inking an agreement on the SYL canal, the then Congress government at the Centre completely overlooked the universally accepted Riparian Principle on river water sharing. Every Punjabi is duty-bound to oppose this move and all of us should pledge to protect Punjab's waters," the Chief Minister said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the wake of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday rejected apprehensions that farmers depositing money in banks will be subjected to tax.

Addressing the 'International Conference and Exhibition on Sugarcane Value Chain - Vision 2025 Sugar' here, he also said that announcing the demonetisation move before November 8 would have defeated the very purpose - of fighting corruption.

"An illusion is being spread, farmers are being misled that because of demonetisation, farmers depositing money in banks will have to pay taxes on them. I want to assure all the farmers, no tax will be levied on you. This country is yours, the money is yours, these banks are yours and so is Modi," he said.

"We could not have done it before November 8 otherwise there were chances of information being leaked. If the information was leaked, then the very purpose of the demonetisation would have been defeated as the hoarders would have found ways to get rid of the money," he said.

Asserting that the move was imperative to fight corruption as well as extremists and terrorists groups, Modi reiterated his passionate plea to the nation -- made earlier in the day at an event in Goa -- to give him 50 days to weed out ill-gotten wealth in India.

"Our enemies, more than their own currency, print our currencies and indulge in games of infusing fake notes to our economy. Extremists groups, be it Naxals (Maoists) or the terrorists, they hide this money and buy arms. It was essential to cut this supply of money to them. So we took this very big decision of demonetising.

"The value of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes alone is around Rs 14 lakh crore. Our enemies, corrupts and anti-socials have been exploiting them. Yes, there will be hardships, but this will pave way for getting rid of a 70-year-old malady. This will open avenues for the coming generations, for the poor," said Modi.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Filling around 200,000 automated teller machines with the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 currency notes nationwide is a mammoth task for the companies offering such services.

That's because the machines have to be reconfigured to dispense the new notes while retaining the ability to dispense old ones, such as Rs 100 and Rs 50.

The challenge is even greater for "white label" ATM operators (not attached to any banks) as they would have to get cash in these difficult times. Such operators maintain around 13,000 ATMs across the country.

"It is a massive and challenging exercise. First we had to evacuate the Rs 500/Rs 1,000-rupee notes from the ATMs and then fill them with lower denominations at regular intervals as the machines get empty soon owing to the demand as well as the lower value," V. Balasubramanian, President of white label ATM operator, Financial Software and Systems (FSS), told IANS.

The government declared on November 8 that the two higher denomination notes would no longer be legal tender and new notes with value of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 were being issued. Although the banks have been giving customers Rs 2,000 notes since Friday, the ATMs are yet to start dispensing them. The new Rs 500 notes are yet to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

Balasubramanian said some ATMs will start offering Rs 2,000 notes on Sunday or Monday. FSS is the largest provider of ATM portfolio management for Indian banks, handling around 40,000 ATMs for over 30 public and private sector banks.

Talking about the complexity of the operations, he said that on a normal day the ATM back-end operations would be run with around 200 persons. But with enhanced requirements now, he would need about 1,000 persons.

"Further, the vans have to make multiple trips to refill the ATMs as they get empty soon because of the lower denominations of Rs 100 being offered now," he said, adding that the value of each refill was around Rs 500,000.

He said with the advent of new notes, the machines need to be configured at the field level, although some configuration for existing notes can be carried out at the central level. The persons loading the machines would be doing the reconfiguring.

According to K. Srinivas, Managing Director and CEO of BTI Payments Pvt Ltd, the challenge of reconfiguring and refilling the machines in rural areas was even more acute.

"The first step we took was to shut down all our ATMs immediately on hearing of the government's decision. We worked with our cash management companies to empty out the ATMs," Srinivas said. He did not want to say how much money was retrieved.

BTI Payments operates around 4,200 ATMs in the country.

He agreed it was difficult to get enough number of 100 rupee notes from the banks to fill up his company's ATMs as the banks themselves have to fill up their own machines.

"We have written to RBI to supply cash and are yet to hear from them," Srinivas said.

Agreeing that digital transactions will increase, Srinivas said that there are already demands for more ATMs. "The business of white label ATM operators is also set to grow," he said.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar says movies have become easy targets for people who want to grab eyeballs.

Time and again, people, organisations and groups raise their voice against films and makers of movies that may touch upon issues deemed controversial by them. Whether it's trouble with the censor board or by way of petitions from individuals, this has become rampant over the years.

Asked about what has changed about the film industry, Farhan told IANS: "It depends from film to film. As creative people, we will abide by whatever the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting says. Their requests and recommendations are served to us through censor board.

"Films can become an easy target to create eyeballs because you are taking on a really popular person with nothing to lose. I do feel the government is the one who gives clearance to release your film, so it's also at some level has a duty to protect you," he added.

Farhan, who has directed films like "Dil Chahta Hai", "Don" and "Lakshya", has featured in "Rock On 2". He says he is happy with the kind of scripts he is getting as an actor.

"There are different phases in life and right now, the kind of work that I am getting to do as an actor, I am happy doing that. There is a script called 'Lucknow Central' which I am doing and these are the scripts where I can't be involved as a director. I am enjoying this experience as an actor," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Communist Party of India-Marxist veteran and former MP Dipen Ghosh breathed his last here on Sunday morning. He was 82.

The former editor of CPI-M mouthpiece 'Ganashakti' was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1981 and served for 12 years. He was also leader of his parliamentary party between 1984 and 1986.

A prolific writer, he contributed to numerous magazines and periodicals and served as the editor of 'Ganashakti' from 1998-2002.

Ghosh remained the editorial board member and a regular columnist of CPI-M state committee's weekly mouthpiece 'Deshhitaishi' till his death.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Surya Kiran-X", the 10th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise, culminated in Nepal on Sunday with a 72-hour-long outdoor exercise on counter-terrorism and disaster management, the Defence Ministry said.

Surya Kiran-X provided an ideal platform for troops of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-terrorist operations and disaster management, a Defence Ministry statement said.

The exercise was conducted at the Army Battle School at Nepal's Saljhandi from October 31 to November 13 where the troops of Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment and Nepal Army's Jabar Jung Battalion participated, it said.

The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being conducted bi-annually, alternatively in Nepal and India. Among the exercises undertaken by various countries, Surya Kiran series is the largest in terms of troop participation.

"Other activities conducted during training included basic familiarisation with each other's weapons and equipment and concepts while operating in counter-terrorism environment," said the statement.

"The training culminated with a 72-hour outdoor exercise in which troops of both the contingents carried out a cordon-and-search operation in a mock village," the statement added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Children's Day special initiative by an Indian retail eyewear chain, starting Monday, will enable mass vision screening for children in schools across the country, ensuring healthy eyes.

Titan Eyeplus has announced the launch of Sparkling Eyes Programme on the occasion of Children's Day, on November 14. It aims to inform, educate and spread awareness in the society about eye health among children.

The month-long campaign will roll out in 172 cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, providing free vision screening for children at various schools.

Titan Eyeplus will be covering over 50,000 children by conducting screenings in over 250 schools in the age group of six years and above.

Ronnie Talati, CEO, Eyewear Division, Titan Company Ltd, said in a statement: "Given their growing phase, kids between the age group of six and 14 are more prone to eye-related problems.

"It is our endeavour to ensure early detection of eye problems in children, generate awareness about eye health of children in the country and sensitize parents about the importance of keeping a check on the vision of their kids."

Optometrists from Titan Eyeplus will be visiting schools and use the Titan Eyeplus Vision Screening Kit aka Tevis, which is especially designed for the campaign.

"We intend to replicate this initiative in Tier-II and Tier-III cities leading to optimal vision for children thus helping them build a bright future," said Sujay Dangi, Chief Optometrist and Head Technical Services, Eyewear Division, Titan Eyeplus.

--IANS

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the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) on Sunday condemned the murder of a journalist in Bihar and appealed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

"The Indian Journalists' Association condemns the murder of journalist Dharmendra Singh, who became a victim at the hands of a stone-crusher mafia at Sasaram, the headquarters of Rohtas district in Bihar on Saturday," said IJA President Sekhar Sengupta.

"I appeal to the Bihar Chief Minister to ensure the criminals are nabbed and punished. If this is not done, I fear, crime will spread across the state borders," he said.

The Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar's correspondent was shot dead outside a roadside tea shop in Sasaram. The victim's family said he was threatened by stone-mining mafia.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dullan Mahto is a labourer from Bihar's Nawada district who used to earn Rs 300 a day, spending half of it on food. Since the demonetisation five days back, he is virtually starving.

His hands folded, the frail 59-year-old man, whose home is a pavement near the Dr Hedgewar Hospital in east Delhi, despairs that he is now getting no work.

"We used to earn around 300 rupees a day. But we haven't got any work for three days. We are forced to go hungry," Mahto told IANS, referring to the severe cash crunch in the city since the government spiked 500 and 1,000 rupee notes on November 8.

Mahto -- who says he has no cash with him -- is not the only one suffering.

An IANS correspondent who went around parts of Delhi found that many labourers from other states seem to have been hit much more hard than even the lower middle class.

A few said they have no option but to starve or go back to their villages.

According to them, the contractors who used to hire them have said they cannot give them work as they are out of cash. The contractors are saddled with the spiked currency or finding it difficult to get enough 100 rupee notes.

"I have been hungry for two days as we are not getting any work," moaned Rambhagatji, a migrant labourer from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

"Earlier, once in a day or two, some people used to come and offer us food. But this has stopped," he told IANS. "The government is meant to be for the poor but we are suffering."

Mahto asked pointedly: "Is this our 'acche din' (good days) that (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi had promised? Did we vote him to go hungry? Do we poor have a right to live or not?"

Since the demonetisation was announced to check black money and corruption, hundreds of thousands of people across the country have waited in serpentine queues for hours outside banks and ATMs to either withdraw cash or deposit or exchange their now worthless currency.

Surender Thapa, a labourer from Jharkhand's Goda district, who too lives on a pavement near the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in east Delhi, echoed the same complaint -- no work, no money.

He wife and four children in his village rely on his income. "As I am unable to earn now, I am tense. What do I do?

"Sometimes I think I will go back (to my village) but I can't even so that as I have no money to buy a train ticket."

Even the beggars are feeling the pinch.

Ramdin, who is in his 70s and begs near the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place in the heart of the capital, told IANS: "No one is offering us alms these days.

"Earlier we thought we were the poorest. But it seems everyone has become poor now," he added.

Delhi is said to be home to over 100,000 migrant labourers who spend their night on the pavements. As it is, they lead a tough life.

Most of them are hoping and praying that the crisis ends soon. Will it?

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as one of the jewels of his cabinet, who worked tirelessly resolving long-drawn contentious issues.

"When it comes to Akbar, they say his team had nine jewels and his rule was praised because of their calibre. I am grateful that I also have many jewels in my team.

"But among them a bright jewel was given by Goa and that jewel is called Manohar Parrikar," Modi said, speaking at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium near Panaji where he digitally laid the foundation for a new greenfield airport and an electronic city in north Goa.

Parrikar was a former Chief Minister of Goa, a state which heads for elections in early 2017.

"After many years, the country has got a Defence Minister who has solved problems of the armed forces which were pending for over 40 years. He has worked tirelessly," Modi said.

"The One Rank One Pension issue, which was leaving our soldiers in limbo, was resolved after 40 years by Manohar Parrikar. There was no Defence Minister in the past at whom a finger was not raised.

"Now we are taking quick decisions, safeguarding India's interests and in two and a half years no one has raised a finger on the functioning of the Defence Ministry," Modi added.

--IANS

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The rampant piracy in the Indian film industry has scared director Anubhav Sinha, who awaits the release of "Tum Bin 2" next week. He has approached government officials to help him fight the menace.

"Five films for hundreds of crores for Rs 100. The industry bleeds. I have a release next week. I am scared. These available everywhere," Sinha tweeted on Saturday.

"Sir CP Mumbai Police, love to hear from you on how can I help you help me on my film next week. This is extremely scary," he wrote alongside a photograph of a pirated DVD of films like "Tutak Tutak Tutiya", "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and "Shivaay".

The director also wrote to Minister Of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, urging him to look into the matter.

"Honourable Sir Rajyavardhan Rathore, a Friday release being sold at every nook and corner of the country on Saturday. Please look in to this," he wrote.

Sinha said that he would cancel all promotions until November 18 and will dedicate the whole week to preventing piracy. He has also hired a Singapore-based company for cyber surveillance of the film, from the date of the release.

"I want to do everything within my means to not let this happen to my film 'Tum Bin 2' Authorities please advise. Devendra Fadnavis," he added.

The second instalment of the 2001 film "Tum Bin" franchise, "Tum Bin 2" is written and directed by Sinha and jointly produced by him and Bhushan Kumar of T-Series music label.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister will arrive in Goa on Sunday on a brief visit to lay foundation for two major infrastructure projects, a greenfield airport at the Mopa plateau and an electronic city in Tuem, both located in North Goa's Pernem sub-district.

Modi during his three-hour visit to the BJP-ruled state, will also deliver a speech at a function organised by the state government at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium, on the outskirts of the state capital, from where he will remotely lay the foundation stone for the two projects.

This is Modi's second visit to the state in two months; he hosted the BRICS summit in October this year.

Of the two projects being kick-started by Modi, the Mopa airport is Goa's first civilian airport and is being developed by GMR Airports and the electronic city is expected to host manufacturing units for electronics components, envisaged under the Make in India scheme.

After delivering his address in Goa, Modi is expected to head for Pune, where is scheduled to inaugurate a four-day international conference and exhibition on enhancing the sugarcane value chain.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday greeted people in the country and Indians staying abroad on the birth anniversary of founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev, and urged them to follow his teachings.

"On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad," Mukherjee said.

He said the universal vision and humanism of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikh religion, had been an inspiration to people everywhere regardless of caste, colour or creed.

"May each one of us endeavour to follow the Guru's profound teachings in our daily lives and work to strengthen the bonds of togetherness and mutual goodwill. On this most revered day, let us all unite to bring happiness in the lives of the suffering and strive for the betterment of humanity," the President said.

The Vice President said: "Guru Nanak's virtuous life and divine teachings forever inspire us to follow the path of truthfulness and have compassion for all humankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion."

"Guru Nanak Dev ji is an icon of truth, compassion and righteousness. His virtuous life and his divine teachings forever inspire us to follow the path of truthfulness and have compassion for all humankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

"On this joyous occasion, I pray for harmony and peace in our country," the Vice President said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Rachel McAdams liked to meditate on the set of "Doctor Strange" by practicing medical stitches.

"My mum was a nursee and I just don't posess that gene so I was always fascinated. It's a job that takes so much guts. I shadowed a really great female neurosurgeon in Toronto and one in London, who taught me how to do stitches. It was very meditative, like knitting," McAdams, who plays Christine Palmer -- a doctor -- in the film, told LOOK magazine.

She added: "When I was bored on set, I would just pull out my... stitching wire. I don't even know what it's called, some doctor I am. But I would practise and it was great to jump into another world."

One of the actress' favourite things about her career is getting a chance to take a glimpse at others' lives and careers in her research for her characters, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I think it's the thing I love most about my job, that you get to live so many lives in one lifetime. I have a bit of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when it comes to things, so variety is the spice of life for me," she said.

But the actress also enjoyed the "weird" experience of working with so much special effects and computer generated imagery.

"When I read one of the scenes, I was simultaneously daunted and excited because it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was fresh and different and weird. It was like choreographing a dance. And Benedict was actually there for a lot of it, up on wires, flying around the room for hours on end," she said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a ceremony on Sunday launched trade cargo shipment from Balochistan's Gwadar port, a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Sharif marked the departure of the first major trade cargo from Gwadar port by emphasising Pakistan's commitment to China's One Belt-One Road initiative.

"We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the CPEC and all the projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time," the Prime Minister said, Dawn reported.

"This idea was conceived only two years ago, and this day marks the breaking of the dawn of a new era."

"CPEC is for entire Pakistan and no region or province will be left out of it," Sharif said, in an apparent attempt at putting to rest the reservations of smaller provinces that claim the project does not benefit them.

"The newly-constructed roads in Balochistan have opened up new areas that were inaccessible and deprived of development... and have brought peace to a volatile region," he said.

"The government of Balochistan and the army have been successful in making the local population a stakeholder in development... Development can never be sustainable if it creates islands of properity. It must reach the lives of those who have remained mired in a trap of poverty and backwardness," he said.

CPEC will help integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia and offer opportunities for people in this region, and investors all over the world, Sharif said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Shiv Sena has written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking him to stop treating every citizen like a "criminal" in the wake of the demonetization of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai, while lauding the government's intent on cracking down on black money, expressed concern over the manner in which each and every Indian was being viewed as a criminal.

"We are worried about the way each citizen has been viewed as a criminal by the government. The sudden declaration of the currency notes as illegal has rendered millions of people and households in chaos," Raut and Desai said in a letter to Jaitley released late on Saturday night.

The two urged the government not to "criminalise the citizens" and add to the woes of the commoners as they have had enough and said the government should have given the masses enough time and taken them into confidence since this was a democracy.

In view of the sufferings of the people, they sought extension of the time limit of the use of these cancelled currency notes for paying all types of utility bills and also healthcare, transport, at cremation/burial grounds, petrol stations and grocery stores till December 30.

"We hope the government will be sensitive to the woes of the people and not view them in the same lens as those who have black money in Swiss Bank accounts," said Raut, the Sena group leader, and Desai.

Two days ago, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray denounced the manner in which the people were being harassed and said demonetization would prove disastrous for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the elections.

--IANS

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More than 100 students of Visvesvaraya Technical University (VTU) sat on a hunger strike on Saturday alleging a cock-up in the checking of their papers by the examiners, resulting in an unusual number of students failing.

The students demanded that those failed be advanced to the next year since there was a major mistake made during the checking of the paper across courses during July semester.

"Close to half of the total 4.5 lakh students here across all courses were failed. Many of those who had got marks in single digits, ended up scoring 65 or even more upon re-evaluation of the marks," Manan, a National Students Union of India (NSUI) member told IANS.

"Since this is a screw-up on the university's part, for which students are forced to shell out Rs 700-1000 in each paper's re-evaluation, the least they can do is let students advance to the next year," he said.

However, VTU Registrar, H. N. Jagannath Reddy said there's nothing unusual in the number of students who have failed and the authorities will call a meeting and address the students' concerns.

"The number (of students who failed at least one exam) is far lesser than what the students are saying. It's no more than the annual average of the University, nothing unusual in the number of applications for re-evaluation either," Reddy told IANS.

"There may have been some human error or even technical error during checking. Every year about 17 per cent of total papers come for re-evaluation, this number is same for July semester as well. We appeal all the students to call-off their strike," Reddy added.

--IANS

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Surgical robots are suitable for complicated surgery but they would not replace human surgeons any time soon, said experts present at the bi-annual Robotic Surgeons Council (RSC meet), initiated by the Vattikuti Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation.

A Surgical Robot is especially suitable for complicated surgeries and situations needing reconstruction of body parts as it leads to significantly lower complications, readmissions and mortality as compared to traditional open surgery.

Experts allayed fears that a surgical robot may some day replace surgeons, saying that robots will not replace a surgeon anytime soon because a surgeon's experience and surgical judgment cannot be replicated by a machine.

Today, nearly 500 robotic surgeries are conducted every month in India, ranging from removal of cancerous tissues to reconstruction of organs damaged by cancer as well as the removal of organs such as the kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, prostrate, and uterus.

A Surgical Robot scores over conventional modes of surgery as it leads to minimal blood loss, quick healing and less pain, leading to shorter hospital stays. Surgical Robots are being used in almost all specialties involving soft body tissues.

"Surgical Robots are changing the method of accessing the interiors of the body by unambiguously identifying and removing cancerous cells and retaining good cells," said Catherine Mohr, Vice President for Strategy Intuitive Surgical Inc at the event.

"At this year's RSC we brought in more experts in the emerging areas for Robotic Surgery -- Colorectal, and Head and Neck surgery. Indian surgeons are now devising new techniques for complex robot-assisted surgeries in these areas. Robotic Surgery results in superior patient outcomes," said Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of Vattikuti Foundation.

--IANS

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed a call from US president-elect for unity after what has been described as a bitter and divisive presidential campaign.

In a phone call on Friday afternoon when anti-Trump protests were underway across the United States, Ban congratulated Trump again on his election as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America, Xinhua news agency quoted UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric as saying.

"The Secretary-General welcomed President-elect Trump's calls for unity following a hard-fought election," the spokesman said.

Since Trump's election victory on Wednesday, people took to the streets in such US cities as Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco to protest the billionaire's election. The protests continued into Friday night.

"The Secretary-General expressed confidence that US and the UN would maintain their traditional strong ties of cooperation to advance peace and security throughout the world," the spokesman said.

Ban is to leave his office on December 31, 2016 at the end of his two five-year terms while Trump is to be sworn in as the US President on January 20, 2017.
Actor Vijay Sethupathi, who has had six releases this year so far, has signed yet another Tamil outing. He will be seen playing a cameo in Vishnu Vishal-starrer upcoming Tamil comedy "Kathanayagan".

"Vijay has agreed to play a cameo due to his friendship with Vishnu. It will be a special role and one that will appeal to audiences across all sections," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

Directed by Muruganandam, the film features Catherine Tresa as the female lead and has music by Sean Roldan.

Vishnu Vishal will be bankrolling the project under his home banner.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On November 8th evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his third attack on black money and went off to Japan to ride the bullet train. The first attack was a law in 2015, which turned out to be a damp squib even though it was draconian in scope. The second attack was the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), which met with far greater success. The government legitimised over Rs 65,000 crore of cash and assets and collected about Rs 30,000 crore of taxes. The third attack is the demonetisation of currency, which surprisingly included the ubiquitous notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. This exposed a lack of proper planning and preparedness with the Reserve Bank of India and banks being caught without an adequate number of smaller denomination notes. This badly affected the poor, the sick, the elderly, the hawkers, the traders and businessmen. But the PM is no mood to let up his attack on black money.
Know your customer has become knife your customer. I seek the indulgence of readers for a brief exposition of my treatment at the hands of a large, global, commercial bank. The bank in question is HSBC India, of which I have been a customer for more than two decades. On our return to Delhi from Holland after five years in June this year we were asked to update the KYC details on our account. This we duly did, but this did not prevent the bank from threatening to close the account via a letter in mid-July. We pointed out that we had in fact complied, and this fact was acknowledged in a letter dated September 8. That September letter, however, noted that there was additional personal information that was required by the bank. The information required was not detailed. Instead, I was asked to contact the relationship manager (RM), who hardly ever picks up his phone.
The battle at Bombay House has become a favourite topic of discussion on Delhi and Mumbais cocktail circuit. The other day, the CEO of a prominent business group was heard telling others how Ratan Tatas tryst with Ms continues.
M Venkaiah Naidu might not be considered a great orator, but the analogies he uses tend to be interesting. Explaining the governments recent move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had three missions in life: swachh mann (clean heart), swachh tan (clean body) and swachh dhan (clean money).
BJP President Amit Shah with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: PTI) The chance of a Bihar-type pre-poll alliance to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in Uttar Pradesh, where legislative Assembly polls are due early next year, appears dim.

In the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, an alliance between the Janata Dal-U, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress was successful in stopping the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Prashant Kishor, appointed an advisor to the JD-Us Nitish Kumar after the latter became the Bihar chief minister for a third term, had been hired by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to devise a strategy in UP.

Over recent weeks, Kishor held separate meetings with the ruling Samajwadi Partys supremo, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and his son, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. After which, the SP chief declared his party would have no truck with anyone.

Netaji has set the record straight. We will go to the polls on our own. We will have no alliance with anyone. If someone wants to merge their party with the SP, they are welcome, Naresh Aggarwal, the partys Rajya Sabha member, told this newspaper.

Without taking names, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Congress general secretary in charge of UP affairs, hit back by saying an ocean never merged with a river or a drain.

In reality, though, the Congress is fourth among the major political players in UP  after the SP, Bahujan Samaj Party and BJP. In the earlier Assembly poll, it got no more than 28 of the 403 seats.

Sources in the JD-U said they were still hopeful of a pact with the Congress and Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). However, the JD-U has negligible presence in UP, while the RLD influence is limited to the states western parts.

Kishors meetings with the SP leaders had riled the state Congress leaders who are dead against any truck with the SP, which has grown over the past two decades at its expense.

Till a few weeks earlier, Congress managers were watching the Yadav family feud in UP with keen interest. And, had even said Rahul might like to go along with Akhilesh if the latter parted ways from his father, Mulayam Singh.
Kamala Harris, the state of Californias attorney general, has become the second woman of African-American origin to be elected to the US Senate. She is also the first Indian-American to claim this office.
The Narendra Modi government has called the customary all party meeting on the eve of the winter session of Parliament that starts Wednesday. The opposition, particularly the Congress and Trinamool Congress, are set to raise the issue of demonetization and how it has inconvenienced common people.

But opposition ranks lack unanimity as several of the parties do not want to be seen opposing the move lest they are painted as defending black money and corruption.
Parliament will meet for the winter session from Wednesday. The two Houses normally meet for the winter session towards the end of the third week of November and adjourn sine die before Christmas. This time, however, the winter session has been advanced by a week so that the government can later advance next years Budget session and get more time to roll out the Goods and Services Tax regime from April 1. The new regime will subsume excise, service tax and other local levies, including VAT and octroi.
Some facts about the age profile of MPs in the current Parliament are interesting. The current Lok Sabha is the second oldest house of independent India; the first was the previous Lok Sabha (15th).
A 13-year-old boy was killed and three others were seriously injured, including his parents, when a speeding car they were travelling in overturned in Mat area on Yamuna Expressway, police said today.

"The accident occurred last night at around 2.00 AM when the car hit a divider and overturned resulting in injury to four persons," Dy SP Sanjay Kumar said, adding the vehicle was on its way from Allahabad to Noida.

The injured - Umesh Shukla (60), his wife Kiran Shukla (50), son Rishi Shukla and a friend 40-year-old Anand Jaiswal, hailing from Himmat Nagar in Allahabad - were rushed to district hospital here.

"Since their condition was critical, they were referred to S N Medical College in Agra," Dr Dharmveer of the hospital said.

As their condition turned serious, they had to be admitted to Nayati Multi Super Speciality Hospital in Mathura. However, Rishi succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital, PRO of the hospital Shivani confirmed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least seven people, including five policemen, were killed and five others injured when a police van collided with a fertiliser-laden truck on a highway in northwestern Bangladesh, officials said today.

"The accident took place last night near (northwestern) Bogra. Four of them died instantly and others succumbed to their wounds as they were rushed to the hospital," Officer-in-Charge of the nearby police station Aslam Ali said.

He said the rest two of those who lost their lives in the crash were the driver of the hired police van and a cleanliness worker of police department.

The policemen, he said, were posted in the communication wing of the law enforcement agency while they were going to join their new assignment in Dhaka.

In the accident three policemen including two injured who are to be treated at a Bogra facility.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Aiming to become a major financial centre in the Middle East region, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is wooing Indian businesses with incentives like zero tax for 50 years and full ownership.

The key officials of ADGM are on a 10-day visit to India and meeting businesses at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

"We have a very good legal and regulatory platform. We can offer a quick and efficient set-up in a well regulated international business platform. We allow for full foreign ownership, we have zero per cent tax regime for 50 years, no withholding taxes, one-stop-shop. So, we facilitate every aspect of a set-up," Martin Tidestrom, Business Development Director, ADGM said during an interaction.

Tidestrom said ADGM aims to become a major financial centre in the Middle East and targets countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (an alliance of six Middle Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) besides India and those in northern Africa.

"With incoming Place of Effective Management (PoEM) rules and the renegotiation of the Mauritius Double Tax Treaty, the global tax landscape for Indian businesses is evolving.

"We believe that ADGM offers an attractive, tax efficient jurisdiction that is well positioned in the current environment to serve Indian businesses when structuring global operations," he said further.

He said Abu Dhabi is in the centre of the UAE region, near to India and the north Africa--the countries that show lot of promises and lot of growth in many key industries.

"There are a number of regions that are of importance to us. So, we see great opportunities for the financial services in the long-term and Abu Dhabi and the ADGM is the best platform for that," he added.

Acknowledging global challenges in the current scenario, Tidestrom said solutions are being worked out and with the kind of growth presently, ADGM is in a very good position to be a truly international financial centre in the next 5-10 years.

Further, he said the UAE offers better terms than many of India's other taxation treatment, for example, on interest payment which opens up to quite interesting opportunities to bring in firms.

ADGM opened for business in 2015 as a key initiative to catalyse economic development and diversification.

It is a standalone jurisdiction within Abu Dhabi that operates under English Common Law.
Film and television actress Rekhan Mohan was found dead in an apartment at the posh Sobha city complex here, police said today.

The 45-year-old actor was staying alone in her flat as her businessman husband was away in Malaysia.

When Rekha failed to respond to his calls last night, he alerted his friends who informed the police.

Police reached the spot and found her dead inside the flat.

Only a postmortem will reveal the exact cause of her death, police said.

Rekha was known for her roles in films like 'Udhyanapalakam' 'Ne Varuvolam' and 'Yathramozhi'.

She had acted in several television serials, including 'Mayamma'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China's second richest man has been moved by the plight of a young kid - his look-alike - and has decided to financially support the eight-year-old's studies.

Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, himself was an English translator before he shot to fame with the company that placed him among the richest persons on the planet.

His was a quintessential rags-to-riches story.

Ma was moved by the plight of Fan Xiaoqin, or "mini Jack Ma", who lives in Yongfeng County in east China's Jiangxi Province. The kid's photo became an instant hit on Internet with netizens comparing him to the billionaire businessman.

The child's family circumstances are unfortunate as his mother suffers from poliomyelitis (polio), his father a missing leg and his grandma from Alzheimer's disease.

Last year, a villager posted a video of "mini Jack Ma" online and the Internet exploded in remarks over how similar the boy looked to Ma.

With the coming of double-eleven (11/11 Singles Day) sales of Alibaba, "mini Jack Ma" won hearts on the Internet once again, and netizens urged Ma to support the kid, given his family circumstances, state-run People's Daily reported.

The buzz caught Ma's attention and he saw the similarities between himself and the boy. He later announced to financially support the kid until he graduates from university.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Veteran actor Anupam Kher today praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to abolish Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency in a war against black money.

The 61-year-old actor agreed that people are facing trouble due to the sudden decision but backed the government, saying any kind of change requires people to step out of their comfort zone.

"The intention of demonetisation is to end black money. This is the intention. In its implementation you can say that there are few loopholes I agree that there should not have been any problem to people.

"They (the government) should have planned it a little better. But how can a revolution come in this country overnight. Of course, it will be uncomfortable," Kher said while addressing a session at Sahitya AajTak event here.

Blasting those opposing the demonetisation, the actor said some people have suddenly realised that lower sections are facing troubles.

"Some people have suddenly got worried about their servants. But if they are really concerned about them, they should be standing in queues for them. They should help them. So, it's very easy to criticise.

"I'm not here to defend the government, it is powerful enough to defend itself. There are enough ministers, who are powerful enough."



Kher also took a dig at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was pictured standing in a queue outside a bank to exchange invalid currency notes.

"Those who never went to bank, if they stand in queue outside an ATM, it raises doubts about their intentions. I wonder have they been to their own constituencies after this decision (demonetisation)?



"Has one of our special MPs (referring to Rahul Gandhi) gone to Amethi after demonetisation decision to see what sort problems people in his constituency are facing? Have you done anything for those people, who have been constantly voting for your party for past 50 years," he questioned.

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Kher said, "Somewhere deep inside, I am very disappointed with Arvind Kejriwal. The kind of majority he got in Delhi, he could have done so much.

"It is not the first time that he has spoken a bogus thing," Kher said of Kejriwal's questioning of demonetisation move before adding, "Kejriwal compares himself with Modi. I can compare myself with Marlon Brando. But, I am happy to be Anupam Kher. Kejriwal should be happy being Kejriwal."



While big industry names including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, south superstar Rajinikanth, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan among others have lauded PM Modi's decision, celebrities like Arshad Warsi and Vishal Dadlani have slammed the initiative.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag today concluded his three-day official visit to Nepal during which he assured the country's leadership of India's commitment to capacity and capability building of Nepal's army.

During his visit, Gen Singh held bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Gen Rajendra Chhetri and other senior government officials on military and security issues.

He was visiting the Himalayan nation, leading a delegation of the Indian Army at the invitation of Gen Chhetri. The visit was aimed at boosting India's military and security ties with the landlocked country.

During his stay, Gen Singh paid a courtesy call to President Bidya Devi Bhandari and met Defence Minister Balkrishna Khand.

He also called on Prime Minister Prachanda.

"Army chief assured him that we are committed to capability and capacity building of Nepal Army," according to Indian Army sources.

Yesterday, he visited Rupandehi district in western Nepal yesterday, where he observed "Surya Kiran" - a joint military exercise held between Nepal and Indian armies, according to a statement issued by the Nepal Army Headquarters.

Such high-level visits by top Indian military officials have helped deepen military ties between the two countries as well as expand cooperation, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President-elect Donald Trump greets his running mate Mike Pence during his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, November 9, 2016. [Photo/China Daily]

Donald Trump has been elected the 45th President of the United States and will succeed Barack Obama in January 2017. In line with the tradition of American politics, an eight year administration of the representative of one party is followed by the victory of the nominee of the other. Nevertheless, most Western media have been caught by surprise. As their coverage of the pre-election campaign had been based on data of questionable reliability, they were continuously presenting Hillary Clinton as the predicted winner, even hours before the announcement of the official result.

As opposed to conventional wisdom, the victory of Trump can be hardly considered as shocking for three main reasons. First, polling companies failed to approach the profile of ordinary Trump supporters, who are not necessarily keen on participating in surveys or revealing their voting intentions. Second, the current era is marked by an anti-system or anti-status quo tendency. This means that voters prefer to choose something different than establishment candidates or usual policy options. The result of the U.K. referendum on June 23, which opened the door for Brexit, was indicative. And third, Trump inspired more confidence in Americans - in comparison to Clinton - with his economic policy. The economy plays a catalytic role for the final decision of the electorate in all polls.

Looking towards the future what now matters more is how Trump will behave as the new president of his country. The period until his inauguration in January will be a transition one giving some insights whether his pre-election rhetoric will be followed by deeds. To start with the domestic front, Republicans have retained control of both chambers of Congress but this does not necessarily mean that cooperation between the new U.S. president on one hand and the House of Representatives and the Senate on the other will be harmonious. Disagreements in the Republican Party have been evident for years and uncontrollable in recent months.

Continuing with international challenges, different themes require different answers. Trump has promised to employ a new, friendlier approach vis-a-vis Russia. This promise has generated provisionary enthusiasm in Moscow as reflected in the interpretation of the election result by Russian media. Trump will have to explain how he will diplomatically engage with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Trump has also strongly criticized NATO and American support of its traditional allies both in Europe and Asia. Last but not least, he has stigmatized China on economic issues and has said he plans to increase American military presence in South China Sea. It is time for him to clarify the way he will apply his pre-election program by also accommodating China's interests, acknowledging the constraints of economic interdependence and avoiding the risk of a regional conflict.

Above all, Donald Trump is encountered with a reality that can be regarded a double-edged sword in his future course as American president. His atypical rhetoric and character have helped him to be widely considered a "different" politician who might bring real change. Nonetheless, it also facilitates his theoretical association with some radical, right wing politicians. It is not a coincidence that leader of "Front National" Party in France, Marine Le Pen, and founder of the "Party for Freedom" in the Netherlands, Geert Wilders, were among the first to congratulate him. Hence, the most challenging mission for Trump will be perhaps to show to elite and the public that he will be an anti-system president.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
At least three Indian-Americans have won from their respective states in the Assembly elections that were held along with the general elections this week.

San Jose Councilman Ash Kalra of Democratic party pulled off an upset win over his party colleague Madison Nguyen in the 27th Assembly District of California.

Kalra has become the first Indian-American to be elected in the California Assembly election receiving 52.4 per cent of the total votes polled as against 47.46 per cent of Nguyen.

He was also the first Indian-American to be elected to the San Jose City Council.

25-year-old Niraj Atani of the Republican Party was re-elected to the 42nd Assembly District of Ohio with a massive difference of more than 25 percentage points.

"I look forward to returning to the Ohio House of Representative as its only Indian American member, and continuing my fight for the American Dream," Atani said.

In North Carolina, Democratic candidate Jay Chaudhuri was re-elected for the state Senate by a voting margin of 30 per cent.

Chaudhuri's parents settled in Fayetteville in 1972, where his father worked at the Veteran Administration Hospital before entering into private practice.

Pramilla Malick and Neil Kakhija lost their bid from New York and Pennsylvania state Senate respectively. Mudita Bhargava lost the election for Connecticut state Assembly.

Syed Taj lost the race to be the Supervisor of Canton township in Michigan to Pat Williams of the Republican Party whereas Viru Patel was re-elected to the Woodbridge City Council in New Jersey.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc said today that Australia's embattled batsmen have been told to score "ugly runs" amid the fallout over yet another batting collapse in the Hobart Test.

Starc, who gave the home side a glimmer of hope by taking three wickets in 10 balls in South Africa's 171 for five on Saturday after the Aussies were routed for 85, said his team-mates had to curb their natural attacking tendencies.

The Australian team has been heavily criticised during the current series against the Proteas for their inability to bat to the circumstances.

Starc said captain Steve Smith's message to the Australian batsmen during the Hobart Test had been clear.

"One thing he said was you've got to be happy to score ugly runs sometimes," Starc told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Whether it's inside-edging a few runs to fine leg to get off strike or something like that, you've just got to find a way to score runs.

"You don't have to look good doing it, you've just got to get the runs on the board."



Starc admitted to conflicting instincts on whether to attack or defend during his brief knock of four runs while batting in Australia's ill-fated innings.

"That did come into it, but for me you're in between a little bit," Starc said.

"You want to dig in for your team, but you want to play your natural game as well where you feel comfortable, and feel like you're going to spend as much time as you can out there."



Starc said the South African openers "probably chose their shots a bit better than we did" during their innings Saturday.

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The Australian prime minister today confirmed that he did not tell President-elect Donald Trump that the United States had agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing at Australia's expense in Pacific island camps.

In announcing the deal yesterday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed it with Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday.

"We deal with one administration at a time and you don't discuss confidential matters with one administration with a future administration," Turnbull told Nine Network television.

Turnbull could not say whether the refugees would be resettled before the Trump administration takes over on Jan. 20. The numbers and timing would be decided by the United States.

The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among almost 1,300 asylum seekers held at Australia's expense on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Another 370 who came to Australia for medical treatment and then refused to return to the islands would also be eligible.

Trump has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Turnbull said negotiations on the deal began with a conversation he had with President Barack Obama in January.

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed that the United States had "agreed to consider referrals" from the United Nations refugee agency on Australia's refugees.

"We are going to work to protect vulnerable refugees around the world, and we'll share that responsibility with our friends in the regions that are most affected by this challenge," Kerry told reporters in New Zealand.

Australia refuses to resettle any refugee who has arrived by boat since the date the tough policy was announced on July 19, 2013.

Any refugee who refuses to go to the US would be given a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, a tiny impoverished atoll with a population of 10,000 people, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

The Refugee Council of Australia, an advocacy group, welcomed the deal as a vital first step in ending the indefinite detention of asylum seekers on the islands. The London-based rights group Amnesty International accused Australia of taking "an extreme step in shirking responsibility."



Turnbull announced at Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia would participate in the US-led program to resettle Central American refugees from a camp in Costa Rica. Australia would also increase its refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 a year.

Turnbull said at the time that the agreement to resettle Hondurans and Salvadorans was "not linked to any other resettlement discussions" involving Australia's refugees getting to the US.

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A Bangladeshi court today issued arrest warrants against 22 opposition leaders and activists for indulging in arson, violence and subversive activities in the capital.

Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court here passed the arrest warrant against the 22 accused showing them as fugitives.

The 22 members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also include Barkatullah Bulu, vice-chairman of BNP and Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, personal assistant to the party chief and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Former BNP lawmaker Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia, Maruf Kamal Khan, Khairul Kabir Khokon, former BNP ward councilor Md Kaiyum are among the other accused in the case, the Daily Star reported.

The court also fixed January 22 as the next date of hearing in the case.

The accused are facing charges for allegedly throwing petrol bombs on a vehicle in Shantinagar area of the capital in February last year.

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Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said Congress MLAs must attend the special session of state assembly for chalking out a concrete strategy to protect waters of the state, asserting that Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal is not a political issue but a matter involving the lifeline of Punjab.

Punjab government has convened a special session on November 16 following the Supreme Court verdict on the water issues. After the verdict, all 42 Congress MLAs have tendered their resignations from the state assembly.

Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of a function to mark 20th death anniversary of Subedar Bapu Kartar Singh, father of Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, here, the Chief Minister said that in larger interests of the state, the Congress MLAs must ensure their presence in the special session.

Badal said it was the need of the hour so that the message was conveyed to the entire country that whole Punjab was united on this emotive issue.

He said this was fight of every Punjabi and a united house must resolve to protect the waters of state at any cost.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that neither NDA government nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi has any role in this matter as the ball is now in the court of President, to whom the Apex court has given advice on SYL issue.

He said that they would soon meet the President and apprise him about the depleting water level in the state.

Badal said that "we are duty-bound to protect waters of state and every option will be explored to save it".

On queries pertaining to protests by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, he said that both these parties are indulging in political gimmickry on this issue for their vested political interests.

He said Congress was the perpetrator of this sin against the state and its people.

Badal said that AAP government in Delhi had submitted affidavit against the state in Supreme Court on this issue.

"But now both of them are trying to mislead people through such tantrums", he added.

He assailed the opposition parties for allegedly misleading the people on this sensitive issue.

He said that not even a single inch of land for this canal was acquired during his regime adding this canal was a conspiracy against the state which was planned and executed by the Congress party.

Badal said that while the then Giani Zail Singh



government had given its administrative approval, the Congress government headed by the then Chief Minister Darbara Singh had organised a "ground breaking ceremony".

"Darbara Singh, heading the Congress goverment in Punjab had taken back the case filed by him, as Chief Minister of state, in the Supreme Court, challenging this accord.

Urging the people of Punjab and Haryana to exercise restraint, the Chief Minister said there was no animosity between the common people on this issue.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, the chief minister, while asserting that SYL would never become a reality, exhorted the people to make every sacrifice to protect the river waters of the state.

Badal categorically said that Punjab doesn't have a single drop of spare water for anybody adding that SYL agreement was a grave injustice done by the successive Congress governments with the state.

He said that Akali Dal was opposed to this agreement, which robbed the water of state, from day one, adding that now also they were firm to their stand to not allow the construction of this canal at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that ironically, Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and other Congress leaders who hailed the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for laying foundation stone for this project in 1980s, were now resorting to tactics like resignations and protests just to mislead the people.

However, he said the wise Punjabis know that those who who ignored the interests of the state for their political future are the real culprits.

Badal said it was high time that every Punjabi must rise on the occasion to prevent the construction of the canal, which would ruin the state.

He said that while signing the agreement of the SYL canal, the then Congress government at the centre completely overlooked the universally accepted Riparian Principle on river water sharing.

"Every Punjabi is duty bound to oppose this move and all of us should pledge to protect the waters of the state at any cost," added Badal.
A 45-year-old senior cashier with State Bank of India died after he experienced chest pain at its Ratibad branch here today, police said.

Purshottam Vyas experienced chest pain and uneasiness little after 5 PM, following which he was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

According to police, he probably died while on way to hospital.

"We have registered a case and started investigation," police officer C Mewade said while confirming the incident.

He said Vyas' body has been sent to Hamadia Hospital for postmortem to find out exact cause of his death.

Banks were open today as per government's order following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 bank notes.

People are queueing up outside banks and ATMs across country to either deposit or withdraw the scrapped notes or exchange them for lower value tender.

Bank employees too are putting extra hours to cater to the rush of people.

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Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, All India Gramin Bank Workers Organisation today said it has decided to defer the nationwide dharana it has called earlier.

Representatives of the All India Gramin Bank Workers Organisation and All India Gramin Bank Officers Organisation had given a call for a nationwide dharana on November 21, December 5, 6, and 7 and a nationwide strike on February 13.

"Unions welcome revolutionary decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes... In view of this decision on November 8, the unions have decided to defer the agitation programme," the All India Gramin Bank Workers Organisation and All India Gramin Bank Officers Organisation said in a joint statement.

The statement said nearly 88,000 employees are working in 56 Gramin banks in 28 states with a network of 26,000 branches in 645 districts.

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BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Sunday claimed that he would release a list of bogus companies where of 'some people' in the city was parked.

"I will show the Shiv Sena president what a surgical strike on means, when I release the list next week," he said referring to Uddhav Thackeray daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct "surgical strikes" on Swiss banks to bring back .

Thackeray had spoken of public inconvenience following the Centre's demonetisation move, saying it amounted to "torture" of people.

"People have put immense faith in you (PM). Do not betray their trust or you will see the impact of peoples' surgical strike against you," he had said.

Somaiya told PTI that Mayawati, Mulayam and Uddhav Thackeray should clarify if they were worried about poor people or those with boxes of money.

"When I release the list, the 'Mumbai mafia' and the Congress and NCP will know where the black money is marked," he said.

The BJP MP has been using the term 'Mumbai mafia' over the last several days to denote alleged corruption by Shiv Sena in BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

"Uddhav Thackeray will come to know where the Mumbai mafia money is parked, when I disclose the names of the companies concerned next week," Somaiya added.
BJP Parliamentary Party Executive, comprising top brass including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, will meet tomorrow to chalk out its strategy for the Winter Session starting on Wednesday with the opposition keen to target the government over issues like demonetisation and OROP.

The saffron party believes that the demonetisation of Rs 1000/500 currency notes has generated a positive public mood but inconvenience caused to the masses, who have been queueing up for hours outside banks and ATMs for cash, has become a handy issue for the Congress, the Left, TMC, SP and BSP among others.

"We have nothing to hide or to feel apprehensive about issues like demonetisation and OROP," a party leader said, claiming that a debate on the currency issue will help it in upcoming assembly polls.

In a clear indication of the party's line in Parliament, Shah had attacked opposition parties, saying they were against an exercise which has rattled those dealing in black money, fake currency, narcotics and such activities.

Congress has sought suspension of business on day one of winter session to discuss the demonetisation issue.

TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee too has expressed willingness to work with arch rival CPI(M) on the Centre's demonetisation of high-value currency notes.

She called CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury today, urging him to wage a "united fight" against the BJP and its "anti-people policies".

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Looking to transform into a total food company, Industries is planning to bring in new products, especially in the bakery segment, to fill gaps in its portfolio.

"We are looking at diversification. First diversification is going to be within the bakery area where in certain segments, we are missing. You would see in the next couple of months very hectic activity from our side," Industries Managing Director Varun Berry said.

He further said: "We are missing in few segments as cereal bar, croissant and we are going to evaluate all of this and certainly develop a strategy to move in those as well."



For that, the company is planning a series of launches and the earliest would be nine to ten months away.

"We would not take all of them together. It would be series of launches that we are looking at over the next one year or so," Berry said.

He further added: "Once the decision is taken then we would have to get the capex going ... The earliest launch which we are looking at would be in next 9 to 10 months."



On dairy segment, Berry said that it would take a decision in this regard by the end of this year.

"Dairy, I think we have to take the decision but I think we are very close to a decision...," he said.

Berry further said: "We would have a pan India presence as far as dairy is concerned but we would have to choose states for setting up operations. Probably, it would be Maharashtra, if we go forward with the investments".
 Flash

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Saturday that it has detained a group of terrorists on suspicion of plotting attacks in the capital city of Moscow and Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg.

With the help of counterparts from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, 10 people, some from Central Asia, who were planning high-profile attacks in Moscow and St. Petersburg, were detained in Saturday's special operations, the FSB said in a statement.

Improvised explosive devices stuffed with shrapnel, firearms, as well as remote control and communication devices have been found from them, it added.

The suspects have admitted their link to the Islamic State terrorist group, according to the FSB.
Actor Bryan Cranston says he had the best on set experience with James Franco while filming upcoming comedy, "Why Him?".

In the movie, Cranston plays Ned, an overprotective-but- loving dad who develops a rivalry with his daughter's socially awkward billionaire boyfriend, Laird (Franco), reported ET online.

"I can tell you unequivocally it was the most fun I've ever had shooting a movie," Cranston said.

The actors said that they both broke character several times while filming, but they explained that it's not always a bad thing.

"If you are actually cracking up on set and that's your job, it's amazing. But I never want to lose a great line or a great reading, so I really try not to laugh," Franco said.

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Bulgarians voted today in a high-stakes presidential run-off that could see centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's government fall if his handpicked candidate fails to defeat a Socialist-backed general.

The tough-talking premier has vowed to throw in the towel if his pro-EU protegee, parliamentary speaker Tsetska Tsacheva, loses to former airforce chief Rumen Radev, seen as friendly to Moscow.

A political novice, the 53-year-old fighter pilot stunned pollsters by sweeping 25.44 per cent of the vote to Tsacheva's 21.96 per cent in the first round of the election on November 6.

The latest polls show Radev is still the favourite as voters seek to punish the government over its perceived failure to tackle rampant corruption and poverty in the European Union's poorest member state.

Observers say the general's victory might tilt ex-communist and Soviet ally Bulgaria, which has long walked a tightrope between Moscow and Brussels, towards Russia's orbit -- a trend seen across eastern and central Europe amid rising euroscepticism.

Nearby Moldova also looked set to elect a pro-Russian president today.

Tsacheva, 58, has vowed to keep Bulgaria on a pro-European path and accused her rival of being a "red general".

But lacking charisma she has not inspired voters, in an embarrassing setback for the popular Borisov who became prime minister for the second time in 2014.

"Maybe I should have thought better when I staked the government's fate on my choice... I was wrong and I will take full responsibility," the burly ex-police chief said on Wednesday.

However, today's outcome could still be swayed with support from those who had voted for other first-round candidates, observers said.

The Bulgarian president's role is largely ceremonial but he or she - Tsacheva would be the first woman in the position - is nonetheless a respected figure and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT and will close at 1800 GMT, with first projections expected shortly afterwards.

If Tsacheva loses, Borisov could announce his resignation on today evening.

Fresh elections are likely to plunge Bulgaria into renewed turmoil.

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Traditional teahouses and fashion boutiques have sprung up in Bayi, one of the liveliest districts of Lhasa, and are owned and patronised by both Tibetans and Han Chinese. But some say increasing prosperity is just Beijing buying peace.

Tibet was China's fastest-growing region last year with expansion of 11.0 per cent -- albeit from a low base -- boosted by government subsidies and investment.

"I don't care about politics," said Gesan, a Tibetan tucking into a bowl of chilli fries in a Bayi tavern.

The 22-year-old spent two years in the Chinese army and now works for an insurance company. "My life's not so bad," he added, playing with his smartphone.

Chinese forces arrived on the "roof of the world" nearly seven decades ago, followed by waves of immigrants from China's Han majority.

More recently there have been financial inflows in the form of huge funding for roads, railways and hydropower.

"These investments are positive," another young Lhasa resident told AFP on condition of anonymity. "But it's also a way of buying social harmony, so that people don't rebel."



Beijing says its troops "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951 and that it has dramatically raised living standards -- life expectancy jumped from 35.5 years to 68.2 between 1951 and 2013, according to official figures, although the increase is smaller than the average for China as a whole.

But many of the profits from the region's natural resources go to companies from China's heartland, who bring in Han workers, and the Tibetan government-in-exile accuses Beijing of repressing Tibet's religion and eroding its culture.

"Lhasa jumped from the Middle Age into modernity" says Jens-Uwe Hartmann, a Tibet expert at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

"The point is the way to modernity was not decided by the Tibetans themselves."



In Bayi, several kilometres west of the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, a tearoom manager praised economic development, before declining to talk about politics to avoid "trouble".

Nearby, 18-year-old Niqu, who comes from Shigatse more than 200 kilometres away, shopped for dresses with her friends.

"I'm at university in Lhasa, it's cool," she said in perfect Chinese, learned at school along with her native Tibetan.

Linguistics are a crucial issue, say analysts.

Grievances she cited include the forced settlement of nomads, natural resources exploitation, the emphasis on Chinese-language education, and bans on photos of the Dalai Lama -- who fled to India after a failed uprising in 1959 but is still deeply revered by many Tibetans.

Talk of cultural genocide is no longer appropriate, says



Amy Heller, a Swiss-based Tibetologist and art historian, but added: "The threat today is rather to the language: university courses are generally taught in Chinese and Tibetan, while taught, is less valued in the labour market."



Mandarin is often indispensable for a civil service or teaching job, or simply to be able to do business with Han Chinese.

"Tibetans are aware of living in a Chinese colony," according to Katia Buffetrille, an ethnologist at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris.

Young people have been the main beneficiaries of economic development but "are still very aware" of Beijing's political clout, she said.

More than 140 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Beijing's rule, according to tallies from rights groups. Most have died.

But not all Tibetans resent Chinese rule. In a Bayi restaurant, Luosang, 67, wore a badge emblazoned with the image of Mao Zedong, who first sent troops into Tibet.

"My parents were serfs. Without this man, who abolished serfdom in 1959 in Tibet, we wouldn't be living as well as we are today," he explained.

According to Hartmann, before Communism Tibetans "belonged to their master and couldn't decide anything freely".

Today Tibet is officially an "autonomous region", but the Communist party retains an iron grip on power and its top official in the area is always a Han Chinese, with a Tibetan number-two.

Tibetans retain "a strong sense of identity" says ethnologist Buffetrille. "They show extraordinary resilience. And keep hoping that things will change one day."



In Bayi's main street, a well-dressed woman complained: "Tibetans can't obtain a passport, but Han can.
For the second time in less than a year, Compat has set aside the Competition Commission's decision to reject a complaint of alleged unfair business ways made against Warner Bros, Walt Disney, Fox Star Studios and four other entities.

The complaint filed by K Sera Sera Digital Cinema against the seven entities was rejected by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) after concluding that there was no prima-facie violation of competition norms. The watchdog dismissed the allegations twice, in April 2015 and June this year.

The seven entities are US-based Digital Cinemas Initiatives LLC, a joint venture, and its six stakeholder partners  The Walt Disney Company India, Fox Star Studios, NBC Universal Media Distribution Services, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Films India (respondents).

In a strongly-worded order, the Competition Appellate Tribunal (Compat) said CCI "committed serious error by declining to order an investigation".

"Rationally speaking, it would have saved time and efforts of all those involved in this matter if the Commission had ordered an investigation by the director general instead of once again more or less reiterating its earlier views," the Tribunal said in the order.

Compat said the "impugned order is set aside and the Director General is ordained to conduct investigation into the allegations contained in the information filed by the appellant (K Sera Sera)".

The investigation shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions contained in the Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2009, the Tribunal noted.

It was alleged that these entities indulged in anti-competitive practices in the digital cinema exhibition market.

In April 2015, CCI dismissed the allegations and K Sera Sera approached the Tribunal, which asked the regulator to reconsider the matter.

With CCI rejecting the complaint for the second time, the Tribunal was again approached following which the latest order has been passed.

Noting that the respondents' argument is "strange and prima-facie anti-competitive", the Tribunal said "on the one hand, the respondents claim that their technology is voluntary, on the other they create potential entry barriers by releasing their films only to those who opt for digital technology".

It noted that CCI has taken an "irrational position" on the relationship between non-availability of Hollywood movies and growth of K Sera Sera's business.

"The explanation for this view offered by the Commission smells of pre-liberalisation stance on size of business which are no more relevant unless the size of business is used to create abusive impact on competition in the market," it added.

Among others, it was alleged that Digital Cinema has been formed with an object to dominate and monopolise the market of digital cinema exhibition in India and elsewhere.
Impatience, disappointment and anger prevailed as people in the national capital continued to face hardship in exchanging demonetised currency notes and withdrawing money on a Sunday and struggled to procure essentials to meet daily needs.

People in large numbers queued up outside Banks and ATMs to get cash. Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in the ATMs and banks- and patience among public- ran dry as the day drew to an end.

Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur yesterday.

"Since it's a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs," said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks.

"I didn't get a chance to exchange the banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes despite it being my off day. I reached the bank at around 2.30 PM and there was a long queue waiting for their turn to come. I waited till 4.20 pm and returned empty handed," said visibly disappointed Ranbjit Mallick, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.

At many places, people were seen running from one ATM to other as the machines got cash-strapped.

Yesterday, there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur, and police urged people not to spread rumours and warned of strict actions.

A 68-year-old Manoj Singh expressed his frustration saying he was completely out of cash and had to borrow money from his neighbour.

"Even today there is no respite. I went to the bank and stood in the queue for sometime but then my legs began to hurt and I came back," he said.

Many people couldn't purchase milk, vegetables, medicines as they didn't have adequate Rs 100 notes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The central government's decision to demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee notes has hit hard those funding terrorism and trying to disrupt the country's economy, Union Minister Kalraj Mishra said here today, launching a scathing attack on Pakistan.

"Fake currency notes printed in the neighbouring country have become obsolete after the Narendra Modi government's demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," he said.

The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises appealed to the public to lend their support to the scheme aimed at fighting terrorism, black money, corruption and fake currency.

"I can understand the sufferings of the people and I even apologise for that. But I will ask them to lend their support to the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in this fight against terrorism, black money, fake currency and corruption to strengthen our nation," he said.

He appealed to the Reserve Bank of India and banks to make special arrangements for those in need of money for medical purpose and marriage.

He said, "I would make all efforts to apprise the Union Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) about people's problems and to work for solving those issues. I would try to meet and urge him to extend the date of scrapping of such notes and increase cash exchange amount at banks from the present Rs 4,000 limit."



Taking a jibe at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi who joined a queue to exchange Rs 4,000 at a bank in Delhi, Mishra said, "His family -- Sonia and Rajiv -- never visited banks and their son was standing in queue. We can understand what he was doing there."



He also attacked the state government. "Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav doesn't want development of the state so he and his machinery were obstructing the execution of the central government's development projects in the state," he said.

On a question on the killing of two journalists in Bihar, the Union Minister that journalists need to be given protection as they fearlessly carry out their duty.

He said that he would speak to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to come out with a stringent law to protect journalists and to maintain the freedom of expression in the country.

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BJP MP Subramanian Swamy today criticised the finance ministry alleging "lack of preparedness" in dealing with the demonetisation of two high-value currencies and said the ministry not being in loop of decision-making is "no excuse".

"I am appalled by the lack of preparation... We have been in power for nearly two and a half years. The finance ministry should have prepared for this from the very first day. It is easy to argue that the ministry was not in the loop, but that is no excuse for not having a contingency plan," Hong Kong's South China Morning Post daily quoted Swamy as saying.

Swamy is currently in Hong Kong and will deliver a talk on anti-corruption efforts in India at the Foreign Correspondents Club tomorrow.

The Harvard-educated economist further said, "Ad hoc roadside kiosks should have been set up for all and special kiosks organised for senior citizens. All these should have been planned as part of a contingency plan."



The Rajya Sabha member, who had consistently attacked former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and had also taken potshots at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said, "The previous government gave the contract for currency paper to the same London-based company that supplies currency paper to Pakistan, helping Pakistan counterfeit Indian notes and finance militancy in India at zero cost."



Asked why the government is yet to book anybody with foreign accounts said: "That question has to be directed at the finance ministry, not me. I have no clue why nothing has been done."



Yesterday, Jaitley had regretted hardships caused due to withdrawal of high denomination notes, but advised the public to be patient as the move will have larger benefits for the economy in the long term.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government's move to demonetise currency will impact the secondary steel sector as most of the business conducted by these mini mills and rolling factories is cash-based, which in turn would help the large producers, Tata Steel said.

Counted among the top 10 steel makers globally, the Mumbai-based firm said that demonetising will also temporarily impact steel demand in rural India as the business there is also mostly cash-based.

"We are watching secondary sector very closely because a lot of that business used to happen on cash. And maybe 60-70 per cent of the long products business is actually driven by the secondary sector.

"So it could have a significant positive impact on the long products business for the integrated or bigger players," Tata Steel India and South East Asia Managing Director T V Narendran said in an investor call last week.

Government demonetised Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes from the midnight of October 8 with the aim to fight black money and corruption.

"But in any case, market was shifting towards integrated sector because between JSW Steel, Tata Steel, RINL and JSPL and everyone else, lot more long products capacity is being added over last few years, which is encouraging the consumer segments to shift towards formal sector. But, demonetisation move should accelerate that process," Narendran said.

The secondary steel sector, which accounts for almost half the steel produced in India, uses sponge iron and scrap to make steel in small induction furnaces.

These producers generally procure sponge iron feedstock from nearby manufacturers and sell crude steel, mostly pencil billets and ingots, to re-rollers.

India, the world third largest steel maker, produced 89.58 million tonnes of the metal in 2015.

Tata Steel is also witnessing some impact on logistics as some movement of material got disrupted due to "confusion at the toll gates and excise points" which is getting "sorted out", Narendran said.

"Rural demand, which is largely cash-based, will get impacted temporarily. Our dealings with our distributors are largely on RTGS and the dealings of our distributors with their dealers is largely on RTGS. Its only the final consumers who tend to pay cash," Narendran said.

He further said: "So there could be some sort of hiccups there for sometime. But, I don't think, we see it as a big issue over a long period of time. We are interested to see what's happening in the real estate markets and the impact it will have there. But, otherwise, the rural markets, we think, will pick up very quickly.

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Two officials of a state-run bank here, were today booked on the charge of cheating and criminal breach of trust after they allegedly deposited Rs 6 lakh demonetised currency in the bank without ID proof and withdrew equal amount of new currency without intimating their manager, police said.

Mallesh, the clerk colluded with cashier Radhika, and deposited the demonetised currency amount yesterday without ID proofs and withdrew an equal amount of new notes, Saroornagar Police Station Inspector S Lingaiah said based on a complaint lodged by the bank manager.

"As RBI rules were not followed in connection with the deposit of the demonetised notes in the bank, the bank manager lodged a complaint with police today. Out of the new currency an amount of Rs 5.6 lakh was returned to the bank authorities by the clerk and the cashier," said the Inspector.

A case on charge of cheating and criminal breach of trust has been booked against the two bank officials, the police officer told PTI.

As per the police official, bank authorities have initiated disciplinary action against duo and a probe was on.

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 Flash

Four Americans were killed early Saturday morning in an explosion at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said.

"An apparent suicide bomber has taken the lives of two U.S. service members and two U.S. contractors working on the base," Carter said in a statement, adding that the explosion also wounded 16 other U.S. service members and one Polish soldier.

"Force protection is always a top priority for us in Afghanistan, and we will investigate this tragedy to determine any steps we can take to improve it," he said.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack. He twitted that the attack was part of the insurgent's yearly rebel offensive.

The blast on Saturday morning took place at Bagram Airfield, a main U.S. military base in Afghanistan over the past 15 years, located some 50 km north of the Afghan capital of Kabul.

On Thursday night, four Afghan security forces and three militants were killed and more than 130 residents wounded in a Taliban suicide truck bombing and ensuing gunfight against German Consulate office in northern Mazar-e-Sharif city.

These attacks highlight the rising insecurity in Afghanistan after the conclusion of the NATO-led forces combat mission in late 2014 and withdrawal of major parts of combat troops, analysts said.
A 69-year-old man, who was standing in a queue to exchange demonetised currency notes in Limbdi town of Surendranagar district in Gujarat, died due to a heart attack, police said.

Mansukh Darji, the senior citizen, was standing in a queue outside a Bank of India branch in Limbdi when he suddenly collapsed due to a heart attack, they added.

"Though he was rushed to the civil hospital by others in the queue, he died shortly thereafter during treatment. We learnt that he suffered a heart attack. His family members informed the doctors that he was a heart patient," said the Police Station Officer (PSO) of Limbdi, Navghanbhai.

A 47-year-old farmer had died yesterday after suffering a heart attack while standing in a queue for over two hours outside a bank at Tarapur town in the district to exchange demonetised currency notes.

Meanwhile, a large number of distressed citizens today continued to throng the banks and ATMs across Gujarat to get the new currency notes since the wee hours.

As the queues were getting bigger day by day, many complained of having to wait for hours. Several citizens also complained of returning empty-handed, despite standing in the queue for hours.

(REOPENS BOM 29)



"I have been standing in the queue for the last two days to exchange my old notes. Yesterday, I went back empty-handed as the ATM ran out of cash within a few hours. So, I stood in a queue outside a bank branch today. After waiting for three hours, I finally managed to exchange the notes," said Nilesh Koradiya, a resident of Naranpura.

However, the wait was only getting longer for many others in a desperate need of cash.

"I have tried two separate ATMs in the last two days to get some cash to meet my daily expenses. However, I had to return empty-handed as both the ATMs ran out of cash within a few hours. Despite wasting two days, I am still without cash," said Yogesh Shah, a resident of Ghatlodia.
EU foreign ministers were to hold special talks today on Donald Trump's stunning US election win as NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned bluntly of the dangers of American isolationism.

But the talks were to take place without the foreign ministers of Britain and France, apparently reflecting their concerns about over-dramatising European fears.

The informal dinner has been called by European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on the eve of a scheduled monthly meeting of foreign ministers.

An aide to Mogherini said the talks would simply be about "exchanging views on how to move forward" in EU-US relations.

"Whenever elections take place in a partner of such strategic importance as the United States, we obviously reflect on future cooperation," a senior EU official said.

Mogherini is to meet the press afterwards, at around 8.00 PM GMT.

The meeting takes place amid a surge of anxiety sparked by Trump's campaign-trail rhetoric, which questioned the seven-decade-old US commitment to Europe.

In an article in Britain's Observer newspaper today, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg warned, "We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation."



"This is no time to question the partnership between Europe and the United States," he said. "(...) Going it alone is not an option."



Stoltenberg added: "In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden.

"But above all we need to recognise the value of the partnership between Europe and America. It remains indispensable."



In London, a foreign office spokesman said British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson would attend Monday's scheduled meeting, but not the dinner.

"We do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the US election timetable is long established," a British Foreign Office spokesman said.

"An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain."



In Paris, the French foreign ministry said Ayrault was unable to attend the dinner as he had a "very important meeting" early tomorrow with incoming UN chief Antonio Guterres.

Ayrault and Johnson are expected to be replaced at the dinner table by their respective EU ambassadors.

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Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels oday announced a revised peace deal to end 52 years of armed conflict, after voters rejected a prior peace accord in a referendum.

"We have reached a new final agreement to end the armed conflict, which incorporates changes, clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups, which we have gone through one by one," said a joint statement read out by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the peace process guarantors.

"Building a stable, lasting peace must be the shared commitment of all Colombians, and one that helps polarization be overcome while including all social and political voices," the statement added.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos stressed that the new peace deal "is a better agreement."



"We made adjustments, tweaks and changes in 56 of the 57 issues that were addressed," Santos said, so "we can build a deeper and broader peace."



The modified agreement leaves intact the accord's major tenets, including the FARC laying down its arms and becoming a political party.

However, it includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original peace deal, according to the government's lead negotiator Humberto de la Calle.

In Bolivar Square at the heart of historic Bogota, dozens of people celebrated the with white balloons and Colombian flags.

The new accord was fine-tuned after the groups that opposed the original deal submitted proposed changes as starting points for negotiations.

"The tweaks and clarifications we have made do not undermine the issues we agreed on, which shaped the first peace deal," De la Calle said.

Santos acknowledged that a suggestion seeking to bar rebel leaders involved in serious crimes from elections was not part of the re-worked peace deal.

He also hinted that the new accord would maintain the provision that FARC rebels could avoid prison time by confessing and carrying out acts of reparation to victims.

But he added that there would be specifications concerning the "effective restriction of their freedom."



The agreement also states that foreign magistrates will not be allowed on special tribunals to hear cases about those involved in the conflict.

An upbeat chief rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez said "the only thing the new accord needs now is to be put into effect.

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Five Pakistani nationals including three children were detained by SSB officials for illegally entering India via the Indo-Nepal border at Rupaidiha village in Bahraich district, police said today.

Ashiq Hussain (45), his wife Shakila (45) and their children - Mariyam (11), Ayan (6) and Abdul (5) were detained at the Rupaideeha check post of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) last evening for entering the Indian territory without valid documents, SP Salikram Verma said.

During interrogation they said that they have a Pakistani passport and they had reached Kathmandu (Nepal) on a Nepali visa and were on their way to Kashmir, he said.

Investigation in this connection is underway, Verma said.

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After dragging for more than two years, state-owned gas utility India Ltd has scrapped a $7 billion tender for hiring newly built ships to ferry LNG from US after bidders did not agree to 'Make-in-India' terms.

GAIL, which was forced by the Oil Ministry to add the Make-in-India condition to its tender, will now hire the ships from the global spot or current market to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG), a top official said.

Two Japanese bidders -- a consortium of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)-Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Mitsui & Co and a consortium comprising Mitsubishi Corporation-Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (K Line) and GasLog, had sought several deviations from the tender conditions, which were not agreeable to .

"We discussed with both the bidder the deviations they sought for over six months but when they didn't agree, we were left with no option but to cancel the tender," the official said.

In the tender, sought to time-charter nine newly built LNG ships of a cargo capacity of 150,000-180,000 cubic meters to LNG it has tied up from Sabine Pass and Cove Point LNG projects in US, with supplies slated to start from December 2017.

Bids were sought in lots of three, with the condition that one of the three ship will be built at an Indian shipyard.

The official said since Indian shipyards neither had technology or experience of building the highly specialised LNG ships, the bidder sought sovereign performance guarantee for the ones built in India.

After postponing the deadline thrice, GAIL had in February last year scrapped the tender to hire nine LNG carriers to ferry gas from the US, with a caveat that three of them be made in India. At that point, no foreign shipyard was willing to share LNG ship-building technology.

Negotiations that followed saw Cochin Shipyard strike a deal with Samsung Heavy Industries to cooperate in construction of the vessels. It has also been licensed by GTT of France to build LNG carriers with the Mark III membrane containment system.

However, L&T Shipbuilding, which had a deal with Hyundai Heavy Industries, has pulled out of the bidding as it turns its focus to defence projects.

Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering has teamed up with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea for ship-building.

The tender was re-floated on September 15, 2015. After the deadline was postponed thrice, two consortiums put in bids on March 31 this year.

The official said according to the tender condition while two ships were to be built at the shipyards of their foreign collaborators, one carrier has to be built in India.

The tender document provides for the Indian shipyard taking 5 per cent to 13 per cent in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier that it will build. This condition was not there in the original tender floated in 2014.

Also, GAIL has a right to take up to 10 per cent equity stake in any or all of the nine ships. Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), which is to operate the carriers, will have a right to 26 per cent interest, according to the document.

GAIL has tied up 5.8 million tons per annum of LNG from the US which the newly built ships will ferry.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) today opposed the West Bengal government's decision to hold two-tier panchayat polls in Darjeeling Hills and said it will move Delhi with the statehood demand in December if the state went ahead with the elections.

GJM supremo Bimal Gurung said, "We are in favour of three-tier Panchayat polls as per the GTA Act."



If the three-tier Panchayat election demand was not met, "we will go to Delhi with the statehood demand in December," he said at a meeting, adding the Morcha may also move Calcutta High Court on the issue.

The meet was organised by GJM, Kalimpong Sub Division Committee.

The meeting also took stock of the new realigned political equations in the Hills with the GJM and its rivals, the CPRM, and the ABGL, opposing the move of two-tier Panchayat polls, while the Trinamool Congress and the GNLF said they favoured holding two-tier panchayat polls as early as possible.

The new Jana Andolan Party by Harka Bahadur Chhetri recenty said it was "shameful" that the state, the Centre and the Morcha had not yet resolved the impasse.

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An Indian-origin man in South Africa, who founded the internationally-lauded Gift of the Givers Foundation, has been awarded the prestigious Global Citizen Award for his "innovative and visionary" contribution to the global community.

Imtiaz Sooliman was honoured at the end of the 10th annual Global Residence and Citizenship Conference in London Friday.

The award consists a specially-made commemorative medal, an award certificate signed by the president of the independent Award Committee and a USD 50,000 monetary prize, of which USD 25,000 is donated to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Commenting on his return to South Africa, he dedicated it to the work being done by NGO's across the African continent.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the continent and all that we can do. Being honored with a prestigious award like this means we have the global stamp of approval which helps build faith and confidence in others to support African NGOs in the future," said Sooliman, who has garnered many national and international awards, including National Orders from the President of South Africa.

Speaking for the organisers, Christian Kalin, said the Global Citizen Award is given each year to an inspirational individual who has made an extraordinary contribution towards improving the global community.

"Sooliman is certainly a worthy recipient of the award as his work is innovative and visionary. He has demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment, and the work of his foundation has had a significant impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in our global community," Kalin said.

Since his foundation's beginnings in August 1992, Sooliman has grown the Gift of the Givers into Africa's largest disaster relief organisation, raising more than ZAR 2 billion (USD 150 million) in life-saving aid for 42 countries around the world, including war-ravaged states such as Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Bosnia.

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Textile leaders from across the world are slated to attend the annual conference of International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) due to be held in Jaipur in Rajasthan on November 17-19.

"At a time when the Union government is giving utmost importance to the textile sector, this meeting is crucial for future policies, including the New Textile Policy, which will be finalised in the next few weeks," the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said in a statement today.

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma will address the delegates of the conference, which will see industry leaders, senior officials and experts in attendance, it added.

Indian textiles is a USD 100 billion industry and the largest employer, providing jobs to 100 million people.

India is the second-largest textile exporter and among a few countries with a presence of the entire textile value chain, CITI said.

Domestically, textile has over 11 per cent share -- at USD 40 billion -- of total exports in 2015-16 and contributes 5 per cent of GDP, it added.

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The government may have to amend SEZ rules related to restriction on hiring of foreign lawyers and accountants for the smooth functioning of International Financial Services Centres, the first of which is being set up in GIFT SEZ, say officials.

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) is India's first global financial hub of the country.

According to SEZ Rules, legal and accountancy services cannot be outsourced from overseas entities in the Special Economic Zones.

The rules, however, permit host of other services like off-shore banking, professional services (excluding legal services and accounting) and courier.

"Many MNCs who would be setting up units in the financial SEZ would like to retain services of their accountants and lawyers as they will be more comfortable with them. But the SEZ rule do not allow that, so the government has to review this," an official source said.

GIFT city in Gujarat is conceptualised as a global financial and IT services hub, a first of its kind in India, designed to be on or above par with globally benchmarked financial centres such as Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, London Dockyards.

GIFT master plan facilitates multi-services SEZ with IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) status, domestic finance centre and associated social infrastructure.

In a slew of incentives for GIFT city, the government had announced that security transaction tax, commodity transaction tax, dividend distribution tax and long term capital gain tax would be waived off for units located in IFSC, and they would be subject to minimum alternative tax (MAT) of 9 per cent only.

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Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today extended their greetings to the people of the state on the eve of the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Devji.

In his message of greetings, the Governor described Guru Nanak Devji as an apostle of peace and tolerance whose teachings would continue to inspire generations, leading them to the path of righteousness and brotherhood.

He said that Guruji strove all his life for promoting social justice and equality and to bring about peace and harmony among the communities.

The Governor hoped that the celebration of this auspicious event would contribute towards strengthening brotherhood and communal harmony and would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the State.

The Chief Minister hoped that the auspicious occasion would further strengthen amity and secular traditions and would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

The Chief Minister also prayed for the well-being of the people of the state.

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 Flash

Thousands of protesters marched again on Saturday in major cities across the United States to demonstrate against the election of Donald Trump to be the 45th president of the United States.

The "we reject the president-elect" chant echoed far and wide again in New York City Saturday, as thousands of angry New Yorkers protested for the fourth consecutive day against Trump's win in Tuesday's presidential election.

The protesters, most of them young people, gathered at Union Square in force and soon marched towards the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, residence and campaign headquarters of the real estate mogul and reality show star turned politician.

Holding signs "Love trumps hate" and "Not my president," demonstrators filled the busy avenue famous for its high-end retail stores for almost fifty city blocks and cut off through traffic.

The police force of the city was on high alert, barricading the entrance of Trump Tower and many storefronts in case the protest turns violent.

"We are not trying to change the result, but to express our discontent and anger for this mistake made by many uninformed voters," said protester Chris Wells.

"This man is totally unqualified to be our president and I fear for our future," he added.

On the west coast, about 10,000 marchers poured onto the streets of Los Angeles, the state of California, to show their anger and frustration against the president-elect.

About 8,000 protestors gathered on Saturday morning at MacArthur Park, downtown Los Angeles, which has been the site of numerous demonstrations over the years.

Protesters were marching through downtown Los Angeles, chanting "not my president" and holding signs of "HATE NEVER MADE US GREAT!" and "United against HATE."

Various streets and freeways were closed in the city downtown area due to the protest, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) tweeted. "No arrests have been made."

During an anti-Trump protest that stretched from Friday night into early Saturday, several thousands of protestors marched through downtown Los Angeles when some of the demonstrators began vandalizing property, blocking main roads, assaulting, and interfering with officers, and refusing to leave when conditions became unsafe.

As a result, 187 adults and eight juveniles were arrested, according to the LAPD.

Los Angeles police have arrested hundreds of people over the last few days, including Wednesday night when some demonstrators blocked lanes on the 101 Freeway.

Trump's election victory has sparked four consecutive days of protests in the United States. Protesters also took to the streets of Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, Philadelphia, Louisville, Kentucky, Baltimore and other cities.
The house of a Hindu fisherman in Bangladesh was torched by miscreants again early today amidst the huge public outcry across the country following attack on temples and Hindu houses in the same area, police said.

Nasirnagar police station Officer-in-Charge Abu Zafar said that a group of miscreants set fire to a house of a Hindu fisherman Chhottu Lal Das at Paschimparha near the Nasirnagar town in Brahmanbarhia upazila around 5:30 am local time, Dhaka Tribune reported.

The attackers set fire to fishing nets worth around two lakh taka which were stored in a house of Das, he said adding that the fishing nets have been completely burnt.

After noticing the flame, neighbours rushed to the spot and doused the fire, said the police official.

He, however, said nobody was injured in the incident.

After visiting the spot, Upazila Vice-Chairman Anjan Kumar Dey said the people who attacked on Hindus and torched, vandalized and looted their houses on October 30, are involved in the incident.

Upazila Puza Udjapan Parishad President Kajol Jyoti condemned the incident and said such incident was repeated to hamper the trial of the culprits involved in the earlier incidents.

On October 30, a group of religious zealots vandalised at least 17 temples and made attacks on more than 58 Hindu houses after an alleged Facebook post hurting Islam.

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In a setback for India, the Hague-based International Court of Justice has rejected its plea for replacing the presiding judge of the arbitration panel looking into the Rs 22,100-crore retrospective tax case of Group of UK.

India had sought removal of Sir Franklin Berman as the presiding arbitrator of three-member panel as he was a British national and faced conflict of interest as is also a UK company.

The ICJ, which had originally named Berman as the neutral and presiding judge of the three-member arbitration panel, rejected India's plea, an official privy to the development said.

had initiated two separate arbitrations under the India-Netherlands Bilateral Investment Treaty and the India-UK Bilateral Investment Treaty against the tax notice linked to a legislation that gave the I-T Department powers to raise retrospective demand.

While appointment of arbitrators in the dispute raised under the India-UK treaty has not yet taken off, the two sides had named one arbitrator each under the Dutch treaty.

But when the arbitrators appointed by Vodafone and the Indian government failed to reach a consensus on selection of a presiding judge of the three-member panel, the British telecom giant in March moved ICJ asking it to make the appointment.

Vodafone International Holdings BV had on April 17, 2014, served a notice of arbitration under the Dutch Bilateral Investment Treaty seeking resolution of the tax demand imposed by India through a tax law with retrospective effect to sidestep a Supreme Court judgement that went in the company's favour.

Conciliatory proceedings were initiated to resolve the dispute, but differences led to a breakdown following which the arbitration was initiated.

The government had in June 2014 appointed former chief justice of India R C Lahoti as arbitrator while Vodafone named Canadian trial lawyer Yves Fortier as its choice.

The two had zeroed in on Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of ICJ as the presiding arbitrator.

However, Lahoti recused himself from the case in May 2015 and a month later, Yusuf too declined to be part of the panel.

Thereafter, India in July last year named Costa Rica- based lawyer Rodrigo Oreamuno to arbitrate on its behalf.

But Oreamuno and Fortier were not been able to decide on a presiding arbitrator, prompting Vodafone to move ICJ. ICJ appointed British barrister Sir Franklin Delow "Frank" Berman.

The government had raised a tax demand of Rs 7,990 crore on Vodafone for failing to deduct tax on capital gains made over its $11-billion acquisition of 67% stake in the mobile-phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007.

Vodafone in May had stated that it received a reminder of an outstanding tax demand of Rs 22,100 crore on February 4 this year. "The latest reminder threatens enforcement action if the demand is not satisfied," it had said.

The tax demand included interest and penalty.

On June 15, 2015, Vodafone had served a arbitration notice on the Indian government under the United Kingdom-India Bilateral Investment Treaty (UK-BIT) in respect of retrospective tax claims under the Finance Act, 2012.
Afghan woman Sharbat Gula, the iconic face of refugee struggle who was deported from Pakistan a few days ago, will travel to India soon for medical treatment.

Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers.

In her 40s now, she has been offered treatment free-of-cost by the government for which Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali expressed gratitude to India.

"The iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost--Thank you India for being a true friend!," Afghan ambassador Shaida Abdali tweeted.

Gula, popularly known as the 'Afghan girl', is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues.

After fleeing Afghanistan as a young child, Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on charges of possessing fake identity documents.

Gula, a mother of three, is said to undergo treatment at Bengaluru hospital.

Gula's image, with striking green eyes, photographed by award winning photographer Steve McCurry had made her the face of refugee crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been criticised for deporting Gula.

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As serpentine queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs across the country today, patience wore thin among the hassled public leading to heated arguments and jostling, with banks and cash vends running dry soon after they opened their shutters.

With banks scheduled to remain closed tomorrow on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti, people scrambled to withdraw new banknotes to meet their daily needs and exchange existing high value notes after demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.

In Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, angry people clashed with bank employees and threw stones at the branch at Sujru village, leaving three persons including a woman injured.

Police said as the branch ran out of new notes, the people who had gathered there in large numbers clashed with bank employees. Over a hundred people have been booked in connection with the incident.

In the national capital, people continued to face hardship as they queued up in large numbers outside banks and ATMs to get cash to meet their daily need.

Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in ATMs and banks ran dry as the day drew to an end.

Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur yesterday.

"Since it's a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs," said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks.

At many places, people were seen running from one ATM to other as the machines ran out of cash.

Long, snaking queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs in Mumbai with those facing cash paucity complaining about having to wait for hours as the bank branches themselves were running short of currency notes.

Longer queues were seen outside public sector banks where a sizeable number of account holders are retired persons and senior citizens.

There was increased anxiety among some customers as the bank staff took longer time to process their cash request.

Some people with accounts in cooperative banks in Maharashtra complained that they took longer time to get their money exchanged from such banks because of the cash crunch.

Meanwhile, workers from political parties including BJP, Shiv Sena, MNS and Congress came out to help the people standing in queues outside banks and ATMs in Mumbai, by offering them drinking water and refreshments like tea.

Though there has been some relief through such help from political outfits, the process of verification of notes, updating of accounts and printing it on passbooks were taking time, increasing the woes of people.

In West Bengal, people were in for a shock on a Sunday



morning as the sight of long queues in front of bank branches and ATMs across the state greeted them on the fifth day after Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes were demonetised.

With all bank branches open today as per the RBI directive to deal with the unprecedented situation, people formed serpentine queues in front of banks from as early as 6 AM to withdraw money.

Some people were lucky to have been able to withdraw money from a few operating ATMs, but given the huge demand for cash it proved to be just drops of water in a ocean.

There was also the unusual sight of large retail markets like Lake Market, Gariahat and Maniktala in the south and northern parts of the metropolis witnessing little footfall compared to the usual sight of heavy crowd on weekends.

A few shopkeepers in some markets are still accepting old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in view of the situation and to sell their fast perishable goods, but on condition that the transaction would be worth at least Rs 500 or in multiples.

But the most harassed of all remained those with medical emergencies as most medicine shops and many private hospitals refused to accept old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

While there were reports of chaos and commotion at some banks, some branches were thoughtful enough to offer seats to senior citizens and water to those waiting in queues.

Meanwhile, two sacks with torn and damaged currency notes of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 stacked in them were recovered from a garbage vat in the southern part of the city's Golf Green area this morning.

In North Dinajpur district in north Bengal, the police seized Rs 1.60 crore in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes from a private car on NH-34 under Itahar police station area.

In Kerala's Malappuram, a 65-year-old woman was arrested and fake currency notes with a total face value of Rs 37,000 were seized from her when she allegedly came to deposit the high denomination notes at an SBI branch.

The accused, Mariyamma, visited the branch at Kondotty yesterday to deposit Rs 49,500 of which bank officials found currency notes with a face value of Rs 37,000 to be fake. All the notes were of Rs 1000 denomination.

In Tamil Nadu, people continued to throng banks and ATMs to exchange or deposit scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for the fourth consecutive day, but many cash vending machines ran dry after a few hours.

People lined up before bank branches since morning and with several more ATMs dispensing Rs 100 notes, it came as a big relief to the harried public.

The RBI regional office here on Rajaji Salai attracted a continuing stream of people with the queue there extending to nearly a kilometre.

Some small traders and fish market vendors said they accepted old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from some of their buyers as they had only such scrapped notes.

"Several of my customers had only scrapped Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes. They said they could not exchange it in view of heavy crowds. If I turn them away I will lose business," a fish vendor, Devanesan Joel, said.
Welcoming India's decision to withdraw high-value banknotes as part of its fight to root out black money, the European Union has said ridding the financial system of "black component" and bringing transparency will strengthen Indian economy and spur growth.

Calling India one of the most attractive investment destinations globally, Vice-President of European Commission Jyrki Katainen also complimented the government for its resolve to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) soon, besides many other reform measures.

On a visit here to push for resumption of stalled negotiations on EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), he said fight against tax dodgers and those having ill-gotten wealth will pay dividends and strengthen the financial system.

"All the measures which will reduce black economy are always good for people and the financial system," he told PTI on government's decision to withdraw Rs 500 and 1,000 notes.

Referring to GST, he said it is a "very ambitious" and "very necessary" move to reform the tax structure in India that will further boost confidence of investors in India.

The top EU official said investors from European countries are bringing "white clean money" to India and there was a need to resume the talks on BTIA, popularly known as free trade agreement.

EU is one of India's leading trade partner and the two-way commerce in goods between India and the EU was USD 98.5 billion in 2014-15.

Katainen said flow of European investments into India is set to increase manifold if both sides were able to finalise the BTIA as it will protect the investments.

"EU investors are bringing white clean money into India and that is why the trade deal is very important as it will protect their investments," he said.

Katainen said India's existing trade and investment agreement with The Netherlands will come to an end in two weeks while similar pacts with several other EU countries will expire in coming months which will make it difficult for the European corporates to go for fresh investment in India.

He said without such pacts, the cost of capital for India will go up significantly.

As per European Union law, no member country now can go for bilateral trade and investment pact with India as the grouping is in negotiations for a EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). By end of 2017, India's trade and investment pact with 23 countries is likely to expire.

Exuding confidence that both sides will be able to



finalise the BTIA, he said India was a very attractive destination for European Union and that this year can be seen as a year of "restart and deepening" of bilateral ties.

The BTIA talks have been stalled since May, 2013, when both sides failed to bridge substantial gaps on crucial issues, including data security status for IT sector.

Launched in June 2007, negotiations for the proposed agreement have witnessed many hurdles as both the sides have major differences on crucial issues.

In the EU-India Summit in Brussels, the two sides had failed to make any announcement on resumption of the negotiations as many bottlenecks still remain.

The two sides are yet to iron out issues related to tariff and movement of professionals but the EU has shown an inclination to restart talks.

Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, the EU wants tax reduction in wines, spirits and dairy products, and a strong intellectual property regime.

On the other hand, India is asking for granting 'data secure nation' status to it by the EU. The country is among nations not considered data secure by the EU.
India came up with the concept of "the world is one family" thousands of years ago and its culture promotes liberalisation and globalisation, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said today.

"Indian soil and culture nurture liberalisation and globalisation...Nationalism and globalisation are not contrary to each other, but are same," Chouhan said at a three-day colloquium on "Nation First, Thinkers and Practitioners" here.

The event was jointly organised by the Department of Culture and other organisations.

He said India came up with the concept of "the world is one family" thousands of years ago and has always promoted freedom of thoughts.

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said nationalism encourages the concept of "the world is one family", whereas globalisation is an economic thought.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iraqi forces said today they had recaptured the Nimrud area, the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the jihadists south of Mosul.

The troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive launched on October 17 to recapture Iraq's second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014.

A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes.

Today Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) said troops had retaken the Nimrud area and another village southeast of the famed archeological site.

"Units of the 9th Armoured Division completely liberate the Nimrud (area) and raise the Iraqi flag over the buildings," the JOC said in a statement.

It did not specifically mention the Nimrud archaeological site, located a little more than a kilometre (less than a mile) west of the village that bears its name.

Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

In April last year, IS posted a video on the Internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in ancient Nineveh on the outskirts of Mosul, Hatra in the desert to the south and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but it has still sold artefacts to fund its operations.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation welcomed the of Nimrud's recapture.

"We welcome the that Nimrod, a UNESCO world heritage site, is back under the control of the Iraqi government," said spokesman George Papagiannis.

"We look forward to coordinating with the relevant authorities in Baghdad on providing support for any assessments that need to be done of the site, once the area has been stabilised."



The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Terming India as a "close friend", Israel President Reuven Rivlin has left for New Delhi on a six-day visit to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries that he said were places of "innovation and inspiration".

Rivlin, who is arriving with a large delegation of businessmen and academics, will join President Pranab Mukherjee in opening an agro-tech conference in Chandigarh, hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and visit several sites of cooperation and joint projects between the two countries.

He will also pay his respects at the sites of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and lay wreaths on the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi and at the memorial for Indian soldiers who fell in the WWI in combat in Israel and the Middle East.

Six Jews were killed at the Mumbai Chabad house during the Mumbai terror attacks which left more than 166 dead.

Rivlin, who will be accompanied on the trip by his wife, will also hold meetings with senior Indian officials and with leaders of the Jewish community.

"I am departing now on an important visit to India, an important ally and close friend of Israel, a state with whom we have much in common," Rivlin said just before leaving for New Delhi yesterday.

"Israel and India are both countries of innovation and of inspiration. Countries that have ancient traditions, but have built strong and thriving hi-tech economies, and now celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. This visit is a sign of the strong relations and friendship between our peoples, and I hope will plant the seeds for that friendship to grow closer and closer," he said.

The academic delegation accompanying Rivlin includes Presidents and senior representatives of 13 Israeli academic institutions who are expected to sign 15 separate agreements between Israeli and Indian educational institutions.

"The issue of cooperation in higher education and the expansion of academic ties between Israel and the world - in particular with India - is one of the central aims of the multi-year plan for higher education in Israel," said Yaffa Zilbershats, head the Council for Higher Education's budget committee.

The expansion of academic ties would include student exchanges, joint research projects and the founding of inter-institutional fora to promote academic cooperation between Israeli and India universities and colleges, he noted.

Rivlin, in the past, has complimented the Indian students in Israel, saying "they are among the best" of the lot.

"India represents a great challenge for Israeli manufacturers and this delegation will afford the opportunity to strengthen cooperation and partnership with their Indian counterparts," said Shraga Brosh, President of Manufacturers Association of Israel, who is heading the business delegation.

"I have no doubt that this will be a fruitful visit and forge long-lasting economic partnerships which will strengthen and help grow the bilateral trade between the countries", Brosh said.

Speculation is rife that Rivlin's visit would pave the way for Modi's visit to Jerusalem, the first by an Indian Prime Minister and is likely to take place next year when the two countries celebrate 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Israel has consistently remained the second largest supplier of defence equipment to India for many years and its "timely" supply of Indian requirements during the Kargil War has earned it the tag of a 'reliable' partner.

The Indo-Israel bilateral trade has also registered a remarkable growth reaching a figure of almost $5 billion starting from a humble $200 million in 1992.
Enzo Maiorca, a legend in free diving, died today in his native Sicily. He was 85.

Giancarlo Garozzo, mayor of Syracuse in Sicily, said Maiorca died there but didn't cite cause of death.

Maiorca's friendly rivalry with diver Jacques Mayol inspired much of a 1988 film, "The Big Blue," directed by Luc Besson. The two divers competed against each other starting in 1966, taking turns as the record holder for free diving.

When they reached 249 feet (about 73 meters) in 1970, the International Federation ruled the depths too dangerous and refused to accept further records.

Italian media, who had dubbed Maiorca the "lord of the abysses," reported that when Maiorca was 57 he dove to a depth of 101 meters (373 feet).

After quitting competitive diving, an Italian navy statement says, Maiorca dedicated himself to protecting the marine environment.

Maiorca has said he abandoned spear fishing after he felt the beating heart of a grouper he had speared and was trying to capture.

"I tried my best but the fish was simply fighting to survive," DIVER magazine quoted him as saying in 2014.

Maiorca was quoted as saying he did scuba diving into his 80s, but that his free-diving days were behind him.

The Sicilian newspaper Il Giornale di Sicilia said Maiorca learned to swim at age 4 but quoted him as saying he had "a great fear of the sea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 Flash

The Embassy of Pakistan hosted a High Level Women Delegation of entrepreneurs on November 11, 2016. This is the first ever women delegation arranged by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan on a visit to China, under the Directives of Prime Minister of Pakistan, for developing business and trade ties with Chinese side in multiple fields.

The Embassy of Pakistan hosted a High Level Women Delegation of entrepreneurs on November 11, 2016. This is the first ever women delegation arranged by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan on a visit to China, under the Directives of Prime Minister of Pakistan, for developing business and trade ties with Chinese side in multiple fields. The delegation consisted of ten (10) members, headed by Secretary TDAP, Ms Rabiya Javeri Agha. 38 Chinese companies dealing in textile, media, culture, trade and education were in the attendance.

The Commercial Counsellor Dr. Erfa Iqbal made the opening remarks, and invited Ambassador Masood Khalid to speak. The Ambassador welcomed the delegation and the Chinese guests and said that this is the first ever women entrepreneurs delegation on a visit to China in recent years and the timing is perfect for developing business links as we are celebrating the 65th anniversary of Pak-China Diplomatic Relations.

The Ambassador talked about a new era of cooperation between China and Pakistan in the wake of CPEC. The level of bilateral cooperation is poised to reach new heights with such growing interaction.

The Ambassador highlighted the role women are playing in the socio economic uplift of Pakistan.

The delegation members were introduced followed by remarks by the leader of the delegation who thanked the Pakistani Embassy for arranging such a fruitful session.

A business networking session between the Pakistani delegation and Chinese participants was held followed by a dinner.
US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea today for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled climate change a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we're on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

"The majority of the American people believe that climate change is in fact happening and want to see us address it."



Trump has pledged to ditch Washington's climate change policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric.

"Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said.

Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet (3.7 metres) or more to the current sea level," he said.

Washington's top diplomat said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

He said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week.

"Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.

The Marrakesh talks, which wrap up on November 18, are examining ways to implement the landmark Paris pact agreed to by 196 nations last year.

It undertakes to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for 1.5 C.

Without the United States - the world's second largest greenhouse gas emitter and a major donor to climate change mitigation funds - the task becomes much more difficult.

Kerry said he first became involved in the climate issue in the early 1990s and had seen scientific evidence of change grow to a level that was now overwhelming.

"The world's scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt, and the evidence is there for everybody to see," he said. "The question now, and which this administration continues to address, is how to implement the Paris agreement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Samajwadi Party Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body of the faction-ridden ruling party, met here today under the presidentship of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to discuss a gamut of issues ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and state party chief Shivpal Yadav were also present at the meeting.

Though there was no official word on the deliberations, party insiders said that appointment of a new leader of Samajwadi Party in the Rajya Sabha was on the agenda after incumbent Ram Gopal Yadav was expelled from the party.

Mulayam has to take a call on the issue before the winter session of Parliament commences on November 16.

SP has 19 members in Rajya Sabha and five in Lok Sabha.

Party sources said while Mulayam was in favour of his old socialist friend Beni Prasad Verma as party's new leader in the Upper House of Parliament, Akhilesh was batting for Naresh Agarwal.

Reoti Raman Singh is senior-most SP representative in Rajya Sabha, but his failing health may make Mulayam go for Verma, a veteran who had left the party a decade ago following differences with the SP supremo, only to return to the party fold earlier this year. He was soon sent to the Rajya Sabha.

Akhilesh, the sources said, favoured Agarwal as he has been a prominent speaker on behalf of the party in the Upper House where he was seen as the number two after Ram Gopal.

Amar Singh, who was also sent to the Rajya Sabha by Mulayam recently, is not comfortable with Agarwal due to his proximity with Ram Gopal.

Agarwal, who had been in Congress and Loktantrik Congress Party before he joined the SP, favoured declaring Akhilesh as the chief ministerial candidate during the public feud in the Yadav clan.

Sources said there was a vacancy in the Parliamentary Board after Ram Gopal's exit and there was speculation that Surendra Mohan Agarwal could fill the slot.

This is the first crucial meeting of the top leadership of the ruling party after Mulayam's recent announcement to go solo in the UP Assembly polls.

Mulayam has ruled out any alliance though he said he would welcome merger of outfits with his party.

Sources also said the meeting had been convened to discuss the preparations of the ruling party for the Assembly elections just a few months away.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With people continuing to queue up before banks and ATMs for new notes in Kerala, the ruling CPI-M-led LDF and Opposition Congress today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for causing "hardship" to the common man.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who left for New Delhi to apprise the Centre of the state's concern on the issue, said the sentiments and anxiety of residents in the post-demonetisation scenario would be conveyed to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

He said the decision had dealt "inexplicable hardship" to common man and wanted the Centre to extend till December 30 the use of old notes.

"The demonetisation of notes has caused inexplicable hardship to common people. Nothing has come to an order yet. No government should take such an indifferent stand," he told reporters at the airport here.

"Since the construction sector has come to a standstill, there is no wages or jobs for them and their families are starving," Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac said.

"An anarchy-like situation is prevailing in the country due to the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," he said while Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala compared Modi with erstwhile Mughal ruler Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

"Prime Minister Modi is the present day incarnation of emperor Tughlaq who pushed people to hardship through his wrong decisions," the senior Congress leader said.

Earlier, Vijayan had questioned the Centre's claim that demonetisation was to check black money, saying there were reports that black money lobbyists had got prior information about scrapping of the higher denomination notes.

He also alleged that "somebody" close to the Union government had received prior information about banning of the notes, and thus got the opportunity to take precautionary measures.

However, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, criticised Vijayan over the remark and demanded evidence from him in this regard.

Meanwhile, a 65-year-old woman was arrested and fake currency with a total face value of Rs 37,000 were allegedly seized from her when she came to deposit the high denomination notes at State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Malappuram district, police said today.

There was no end to the woes of the people as they continued to throng banks in the state.

At Thiruvanathapuram, 24-year-old Ancy Begum, who had given birth at a private hospital a week ago, was not discharged as her family was unable to clear the hospital bill of Rs 45,000 in new notes.

Shafiq, the woman's relative, said, "We got only Rs 4,000



standing in the queue for hours from a bank today. Hospital authorities are refusing to take the old notes saying only government hospitals are permitted to do so."



Migrant workers at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district and in high range district of Idukki said they were finding it difficult to send money home.

Demonetisation has also dealt a huge blow on the tipplers in the state, as Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited said that its revenue has taken a beating due to the move.
Literary agents are emerging as the new kingmakers in publishing, acting as commissioning editors and helping writers realise their dream besides taking care of packaging, sales potential and marketing as well.

According to Kanishka Gupta, who heads Writer's Side, an agent scours the market to find the best possible deal and editor for an author.

"An individual author, howsoever well-connected he may be, doesn't have this luxury. At Writer's Side, we handhold our authors right from the proposal development stage to contract signing, editing, publishing and even post-publishing activities," he told PTI.

Mita Kapur of Siyahi feels the scope for literary agents is on a steep incline with both authors and publishers preferring an organised and professionally nurtured relationship.

"An agent has the vision for an author's writing career and where-how-what-why of the industry which makes it a perfect combination," she says.

Publishers like HarperCollins India say they don't have any one preference - seeking new talent themselves or engaging literary agents.

"Agents regularly pitch books to us, and we find new voices and commission fresh work too," says its CEO Ananth Padmanabhan.

He also feels that new writers can get a fair deal if they approach a literary agent.

Denmark-based Tabish Khair, author of books like "The Thing About Thugs", "How to Fight Islamist Terror from the Missionary Position" and the recent "Jihadi Jane" was already an established writer in India, and with two novels published internationally by a major house, before he got agents.

"I cannot say to what extent agents help you break into print. But agents help me avoid the troubling business-side of writing, which they take care of, and for that I am most grateful. They also give good advice about where to publish, etc., because they know the market better than an isolated writer like me can," he says.

He feels it is always good to get another perspective, but finally any serious writer writes what he or she wants to write.

For Shruti Debi, agent to authors like Yuvraj Singh, the late Vinod Mehta and Aatish Taseer, agenting is a "wonderful profession for someone committed to the culture of reading and writing, very rewarding in an everyday sense, enriching" but for which "you have to have certain fine skills and a big heart".

She says while there is a great demand for content there is a slide in the habit of buying content and perhaps the hardest hit "content generator" is the author of books, whose income flows from royalties per sold copy.

"How do we sell more copies? This is the challenge,



fundamentally, and it is shared up and down the chain: author (and agent: I mean the brackets literally, to indicate that the agent is parenthetical), publisher, distributor, bookshop. We all worry about it and try to find inventive or innovative ways to meet this challenge," she says.

On whether we seeing more of new writers because of agents helping them structure stories, she says, "Probably not. In my experience publishing is an inclusive industry and publishers have always needed new writing. Books editors are very smart, generous people. A lot is owed to their hunger and commitment."



Renuka Chatterjee, who stopped being a literary agent in 2014 when she joined Speaking Tiger publishing house, says the past five-seven years, however, have not as such seen a growth in the number of agents - there are still only a handful, not more than 5 or 6 - whom you can regard as proper, professional agents.

"The real change that has happened is that more and more authors are now seeking representation from agents, rather than try and find a publisher on their own - as publishers tend to sit on slushpiles or unsolicited manuscripts, especially from first-time authors - whereas an agent will push for a response within a certain period of time; also, they find it easier to let the agent negotiate the money, contract, chase up advances and royalties and so on.

"This being the case, publishers have to deal with agents much more frequently than earlier, and because agents usually go in for a bidding process, and offer the manuscript to several publishers simultaneously, we also quite often have to pay a higher advance for a manuscript than we would have, if we really want it," she says.

For Palimpsest Publishers, which is relatively new on the Indian publishing horizon, submissions inbox remains its primary catchment area.

"But as our choices get more specific we are increasingly turning to agents to put on our counter what exactly we are looking for. Agents from London and New York are always in conversation with us. They do their research well and send you something keeping your market in mind. We have already picked up a couple of books from their tray," says Palimpsest CEO Bhaskar Roy.

"Regrettably I have not yet been able to say yes to anything offered by an Indian agent who has always been very supportive. I hope to do that soon," he adds.

Pan Macmillan says it seeks new talent themselves as well as engages literary agents.

"It's not a choice or a matter of preference; it depends on the idea, the manuscript, the writer in question," says Pan Macmillan India publisher Diya Kar Hazra.
London's technology sector is wooing Indian startups and software firms, which are among the key drivers of growth and jobs for the capital city and the wider UK economy.

"India is the second largest investor into London, after the US... Despite concerns over foreign investment inflows after the Brexit referendum, it will continue to be a top investor for us," Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor of London for business, told PTI here.

Agrawal also chairs London & Partners, the official promotional company for London.

The deputy mayor is visiting India on an international trade mission aimed at strengthening tech and trade links between London and India.

He revealed that London is home to 39 per cent of the fastest growing Indian companies based in the UK, compared to 25 per cent last year.

Technology is the top sector for Indian investment, accounting for 46 per cent of all Indian investments here over the last 10 years, according to research commissioned by London & Partners.

Pointing out that large corporations cannot innovate fast enough, he stressed that startups are key to new ideas and processes.

During his visit, the deputy mayor has been meeting with senior Indian business leaders and high growth companies to reassure them that London remains open for business.

"Over the last week, I have met leading figures from Indian politics and business, including some innovative tech companies, and discussed how we strengthen the relationship between London and India," he said.

Sectors like healthcare and financial technology are doing very well, he said.

London & Partners also recently announced that it will select and invite 20 of India's most innovative and high growth companies with global aspirations to set up operations in London.

The India Emerging 20 initiative will roll out its second edition this year. The 20 selected businesses will be given the opportunity to meet and learn from senior business leaders, venture capital investors and decision-makers from major global companies.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee over the Centre's demonetisation move and said representatives of political parties will meet him next week over the issue.

"The Hon President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation," Banerjee tweeted today.

"I thank him for agreeing to meet reps of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," she wrote in the microblogging site.

Upping the ante against BJP, Banerjee yesterday had said she is not averse to working with arch rival CPI(M) and other opposition parties like Congress, SP, BSP to fight against the "anti-people" Modi government which has imposed an "undeclared emergency".

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conducting a "surgical strike on the common people" in the name of unearthing black money, she had said the demonetisation move was taken without proper planning causing immense hardship.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Enraged people set two buses of the UP Roadways on fire near Bhensi village on the Delhi-Dehradun highway here after a man was hit by one of the vehicle, police said today.

Following the incident yesterday, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, Circle officer Hariram Yadav said.

40-year-old Bablu was critically injured after he was hit by a UP Roadways bus, angered over the incident, villagers set fire to the buses, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council has received a strong support from many UN member states, including the UK and France, who emphasised that the the world body's top organ must reflect the emergence of new global powers.

More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General Assembly session here last week.

"Many favoured bolstering representation for such emerging powers as Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. While some spotlighted the progress made in recent years through the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform process, others voiced deep frustration that more had not yet been achieved," a summary of the November 7 meeting posted on the UN website said.

Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said at the session that Britain believes in a modest expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories is the approach that the UN member states should collectively pursue. The increase in membership should be such that it balances representation with effectiveness.

Rycroft reiterated his country's support for permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, alongside permanent African representation.

Referring to British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last week, her first bilateral trip outside Europe since taking office, Rycroft said she discussed "that very issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."



"Our support is steadfast, and I look forward to working through all available avenues to reach the more representative and more effective Council that we seek," he said.

France's Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamek said his country wished to see the Council reflect the emergence of new world powers, for which it supported the candidacies of Germany, Brazil, India and Japan and the increased representation of African countries in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.

The five permanent members should also refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities, a commitment that France had already made, he said.

German ambassador to the UN Harald Braun, speaking on behalf of the G4 Group of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, said Council reform was an urgent matter, saying the Council must be rendered fit-for-purpose in order to face the current global challenges of peace and security. He added that all regions must be adequately represented to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.

During the session, India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, in a stinging criticism of the Security Council, had said that the 15-nation body is "stuck in its own time warp and politics."



He had also lamented the "never-ending carousel of discussions" on UNSC reforms saying "it is time to break the impasse" to urgently reform the UN body that is "unresponsive" to the current global situation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The continuing boardroom battle at the Tatas has brought mutual funds into a huddle, given their over Rs 20,000 crore investment in shares of listed companies of the conglomerate as also the huge amount of money parked by Tata firms in various debt and equity funds.

To safeguard the investors' interest, the fund houses are keeping a close watch on the developments and are looking to take a collective call on the resolutions to be moved at shareholder meetings of various listed Tata firms.

The main promoter entity Tata Sons has already proposed extra-ordinary general meeting of shareholders at some firms to seek ouster of from their respective boards.

Mistry was removed as Tata Sons chairman last month while his predecessor Ratan Tata was called back as the interim head, triggering a major boardroom battle in the group with a flurry of allegations and counter-allegations from the two sides.

Mutual funds, which have an exposure of over Rs 20,000 crore in shares of various Tata companies, are keeping track of the developments and are being wooed by both the camps for support, top fund managers said.

Foreign portfolio investors, who are also heavily invested in Tata shares, are also closely monitoring the moves and have approached the markets regulator Sebi, independent directors and management of respective companies to ensure the minority investors' interest is safeguarded.

The foreign and domestic institutional investors are worried about the plunge in share valuations after Mistry's abrupt ouster from Tata Sons and the subsequent boardroom battles at the group's various listed companies. The board members of some companies have already appeared to be divided.

Regarding mutual funds, a committee headed by chief of a leading private fund house is monitoring the developments related to the Tata-Mistry saga, sources said.

The committee comprises 19 members, including chief investment officers of various fund houses.

Given the sensitivity of the matter, none of the fund managers agreed to be named, but said they are still convinced about long-term returns from Tata stocks, but want to be assured that the short-term volatility gets contained. Some are also concerned about any possible redemption pressure by Tata group companies regarding their huge investments in various debt and equity schemes of various fund houses.

The fund houses with significant exposure to various Tata stocks include ICICI Prudential MF, Reliance MF, SBI MF, HDFC MF and Franklin Templeton MF.

In the past two weeks, Tata Group firms have witnessed a combined market capitalisation erosion of around Rs 50,000 crore.

"The exposure of fund mangers is scattered across several sectors that recent drop in stocks of Tata Group firms will not have any major impact on their investments in longer term," chief investment officer of a mutual fund house said.

The fund houses, as also other institutional investors, want an early resolution of the spat between the two warring camps -- the Tatas and the Mistrys.

State-owned LIC, which is also invested heavily in various Tata companies, as also various public and private sector insurers as well as the banks are also keeping a close tab on the developments, given their significant exposure to the group.

Mistry's family firm, Shapoorji Pallonji, is a construction major and a major individual shareholder in Tata firms with its over 18 per cent stake in Tata Sons, one of the main holding companies for various firms of the group.

However, Tatas-controlled Trusts have over two-third stake in Tata Sons.

Both the factions are trying to rally support of various institutional investors.
 Flash

A tow truck collided with a China Southern Airlines flight just before takeoff late Thursday night, resulting nearly 1,500 passengers grounded at Los Angeles International Airport.

The collision happened just before midnight on the tarmac between Terminal 4 and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

Photo from the scene showed the tow truck collided with the China Southern Airbus 380 aircraft on a runway at the Airport. The damaged tug vehicle under the front of the plane.

"This is an extremely rare accident," Lingzhi He, China Southern Airlines North America managing director, told Xinhua on Friday. "Officials are still waiting for the inspection results now."

It was an outbound China Southern Flight CZ328 scheduled to fly to Guangzhou, China, carrying more than 400 passengers. None of the passengers were injured, and the tow truck driver sustained minor injuries according to the LAX.

Three flights, the China Southern Airlines flight as well as two American Airlines flights at Terminal 4, were canceled. Two other flights were delayed. About 1,500 passengers were affected by the late Thursday accident.

"Passengers deplaned by using portable stairs and were returned to TBIT, and were accommodated via re-scheduling refunds or hotel rooms," LAX spokesman Frederick Badlissi told City News Service. "While awaiting accommodations and rescheduling, passengers were provided bottled water and snacks."
Mutual fund industry body AMFI has sought safeguards under the new GST regime as they believe that MF units could become more expensive due to increase in cost or compliances.

AMFI (Association of in India), along with PwC, made a representation to GST Commissioner Upendra Gupta last month and requested that securities should be excluded from the definition of goods or otherwise exempted from levy of GST.

Under the present VAT and service tax laws, transactions in securities are not taxed. If supply of securities is liable to new goods and services tax (GST) tax, the very existence of the MF sector would be jeopardised, it felt.

The industry body has requested that GST Model law should provide for centralised registration and reflect details of all the places of business. The current provisions of the law would impose an enormous burden of compliance on an assessee as he is required to register and file returns from more than one place of business.

The GST Commissioner is believed to have said the entire service industry is generally very late in representing to the government on their viewpoint and that due to paucity of time, many genuine aspects may not see the light of day.

But he agreed that single return compliance or centralised registration should be the order of the day for the financial services sector, and the central government has agreed to it.

Sources said the industry needs to approach state governments to sort it out. They also stressed that if the industry comes up with a solution which is a win-win for all, the proposal can be looked at.

As per the the Model law, GST is to be paid at the place where a service is deemed to be supplied. Besides, the head office and the branch of the asset management company will be treated as separate persons.

The asset management activity is normally undertaken by the AMC from its head office where the fund managers are located while the marketing of the schemes takes place all over the country through the head office and the branches.

AMFI believes that such provisions will impose an enormous burden of compliance on the fund houses.

According to the industry body, transactions between branches and headquarter of the AMC should not be treated as supply and credits accumulated at branches of the AMCs should be available to the MF sector. It requested that the fund and its AMC should not be treated as 'related persons' under the GST regime.

The MF sector, which plays an important role in the development of the financial system, should be liable to lower rate of GST.

"It is prayed that rate of tax be made applicable to the MFs so as to ensure the investors/unit holders are not deterred from investing in the MF sector due to high rate of GST and in favour of other avenues of investments where returns are not expected to be liable to GST," AMFI noted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed confidence that tourism industry would get a major boost in Goa after the commissioning of the Greenfield airport at Mopa in the state.

"For several years, people have been listening to the tales that the Greenfield airport will come up in North Goa. The promises were made during election and forgotten.

"I am happy that I am fulfilling the assurance which was given by (former PM) Atal Behari Vajpayee. With the commissioning of the airport, 50 lakh people will come to Goa (annually)," Modi said after laying foundation stone of the state's civilian airport at Mopa in North Goa's Pernem taluka.

"You can imagine how much tourism will increase due to the airport," he said.

He also said ample employment opportunities will be created during construction of the project and after it is commissioned.

The Prime Minister, who also laid the foundation stone for Electronic City planned at Tuem village in North Goa, said, "In the 21st century, I can see Goa which is digitally based, youth-driven and most modern state."



"The modern Goa will be technologically empowered. Goa will be the power house to change the face of India," he said.

In his hour-long speech, Modi congratulated Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for ending the long standing political instability in the state after the 2012 elections.

"The political instability had hindered the state's capability to grow. I congratulate Manohar Parrikar for bringing in the culture of political stability in the state," he said.

The BJP had come to power in Goa in 2012 with a clear majority under the leadership of Parrikar, who then became Chief Minister of the state before taking over as Defence Minister at the Centre.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Swiss major Molinari Rail will set up a manufacturing and assembly centre for auxiliary power units for diesel locomotives in India by next year.

Molinari Rail AG has entered into a strategic pact to design, manufacture and deliver the auxiliary power units (APUs) for 1,000 diesel locomotives to be built in India for Indian .

"We have a project for Indian and we will manufacture and assemble auxiliary power units here in India for the 1,000 diesel locomotive programme.

"With this component we are contributing highly to greener rail operations in India. By this, Molinari Rail is following the 'Make in India' strategy of creating new jobs and local expertise," Michele Molinari, President and CEO of the Molinari Rail Group said.

However, he declined to share details about the investment needed for the project.

Molinari, who is also the board member of SwissRail Industry Association, said the group will form a Lucknow-based company that will manufacture 100 auxiliary power units per annum, which can be ramped up later.

"We will have a company here in India which we will set up together with Prag Group of Industries at Lucknow and there we will combine long standing Indian and Swiss rail expertise as a new player in the Indian rail industry," he said.

"We are already assembling the first prototypes this year in Lucknow in collaboration with Prag. It will be a Molinari managed company" he added.

He said the company is eying some other projects in the sector as well.

"We are looking at Railways sector which is our speciality. There are interesting projects coming up that is where our focus is. We are looking at tenders of Indian Railways and other in the sector so that we can participate with our knowledge and expertise leveraging the new local set up in Lucknow," he said.

Molinari also said the SwissRail Industry Association is keen to invest in India. The association has 110 members and most of them are SMEs and family-owned .

"The members are all very innovative, competitive and delivering world class Swiss quality. Most of them are into exports and of course India is a natural place to work for us. Swiss industry and especially Swiss rail industry has always collaborated with India for a long time," he said.

"With the modernisation programme of Indian Railways and based on the Make in India policy, there are huge opportunities for us and for the Swiss industry," he said.

Headquartered in Switzerland and having major sites in Austria and Germany, Molinari Rail delivers customised solutions for the rail industry worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a scathing attack on detractors of the demonetisation move, especially the Congress, saying those involved in mega scams were now standing in queues to exchange Rs 4,000 and announcing that more anti-graft measures were on the anvil.

Modi, who got emotional while addressing a function at Panaji over the problems being faced by the people and the long queues in banks, urged them to bear with him till December 30, saying "I will give you the India you desired". He stressed the need to go cashless and adopt plastic money.

Making a combative but emotional speech, he said he was ready to face the consequences of his moves as certain forces are "up against me" as their 70 years of loot was now in trouble as a result of demonetisation.

"I know that (some) forces are up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared," Modi said in the speech which saw him getting emotional a few times.

"This government does not want to bother honest people but doesn't want to spare the dishonest. Bear with me for 50 days. Has India been looted or not? ..... I am not going to stop at this. I will expose the history of corruption of 70 years since Independence," Modi said.

"This (demonetisation) is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free. .... We will take action against 'benami' property. This is major step to eradicate corruption and black money ... If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he said in his speeches, both at Panaji in Goa and Belagavi in Karnataka.

Hitting out at the erstwhile UPA government for not fighting corruption, Modi said "those who were involved in the coal scam, 2G scam and other scams, now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4000.

"When Congress stopped 25 paise, did we say anything? You could dare to stop only 25 paise, that's what your power was limited to. But you did not make higher denomination currency notes illegal. ... We did it. People have chosen a government and they expect so much from it."



He said the people had voted against corruption in 2014. "I am doing what I was asked to do by the people of this country. This had become clear from the very first meeting of my Cabinet when I formed the SIT (on blackmoney). We never kept the people in dark.

"Soon after assuming power, a Supreme Court monitored



Special Investigation Team was formed to investigate the black money parked outside the country. Previous governments neglected this; Did I hide anything? We took a key step to help the honest citizens defeat the menace of graft.

"We collected Rs 67,000 crore under amnesty scheme. But in the last two years, through raids, surveys and declarations, the government has collected Rs 1,25,000 crore in its exchequer ... I kept on administering small doses of medicine to improve the economic situation of the country since I came to power," Modi said, referring to the Jan Dhan scheme aimed at financial inclusion.

Revealing the efforts behind the demonetisation move, the Prime Minister said it was "a secret operation I started 10 months back and had formed a small team.

"The secret operation was of course not the one like (Defence Minister Manohar) Parrikar had launched (surgical strike in PoK). We had to print new currency notes and take other steps in secret", otherwise the corrupt would have found other ways to deal with the situation.

Stressing the need to go cashless in transactions, he said "there is a talk about a cashless society and we should shift to plastic money. That's why we have removed all taxes from debit and credit cards in the budget."



He also asked to the people not to panic "by bartering Rs 500 for Rs 300" and get the full value of their hard-earned money. "There is pain due to demonetisation but more to gain."



Appealing to the people to bear with him for 50 days (till December 30), he said "if you find anything wrong with my intentions or my actions, hang me in public. I promise you I will give you the India which you desired. If someone faces problem, I also feel the pain. I understand their problem but this is only for 50 days and after 50 days we succeed in this cleansing."



"I am not born to occupy the high chair. I have left my village, my family for the sake of the country," Modi said.

Observing that the entire population, barring a few lakh of corrupt people, were working to make this move sucessful, he said on the night of November eight when he had announced the demonetisation plan, "crores of people slept peacefully, but a few lakh (corrupt) were going to buy sleeping pills as they had lost their sleep."



"You'll be shocked to know that many MPs asked me not to make PAN mandatory for any purchase of jewellery," he said, adding "today those who never used to take care of their widowed mother, are depositing Rs 2.5 lakh in her account."



"There are few who even dared to give me in writing (asking to relax it). The day I make their letters public, they will not be able to go to their constituencies," he said.

Referring to recent rumours about shortage of salt in the



country, Modi said "this is being done by those whose black money is being rendered useless."



"When common people are facing hardships, I too feel bad about it. Please don't consider the decision as my arrogance. I do understand the problems that the countrymen are currently facing but this inconvenience and suffering is only till December 30. Once the cleansing is over, not even a mosquito will be there," he said.

"I have prayers of the poor and blessings of mothers in this fight against black money and corruption which has become the driving force for its success," he said.

The Prime Minister said when his government made a law mandating that jewellers need to insist for PAN card on purchase of any gold of more than Rs two lakh, over half of the Members of Parliament approached him seeking relaxation.

The Prime Minister said the decision to impose excise duty on jewellery was met with a lot of opposition forcing the government to form an expert committee to study the implications.

"There were fears expressed that the jewellers would be harassed by Income Tax department. I gave them full confidence that no IT officer will trouble you. If anyone does that, record his conversation and give it to me, we will take action against him," he said.

Modi also appealed to the people to deposit stashed money in banks, and if required pay the fine and join the mainstream.

"If few people still think that they can wait, then they don't know me," he said.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg today warned Donald Trump that "going it alone" is not an option for Europe or America, amid concerns over the president-elect's position on the US-led military alliance.

In article in Britain's Observer newspaper, days after Trump's US election win, Secretary General Stoltenberg said, the West faced its greatest security challenge in a generation.

During his election campaign, Trump described Western military alliance NATO as obsolete.

He suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any NATO ally under attack if it had not paid its dues.

"We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation," Stoltenberg wrote while conceding that Trump had a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution, as the US currently accounted for almost 70 per cent of NATO spending.

But he added that American leaders had always recognised that they had a profound strategic interest in a stable and secure Europe.

"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden," the former Norwegian prime minister wrote.

"Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States. We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States."



The 9/11 attack on the US, Stoltenberg pointed out, was the only time that NATO had invoked its self-defence clause, which requires all members to come to the aid of one that is attacked.

"This was more than just a symbol. NATO went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since.

"And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A newspaper hawker was shot dead unidentified gunmen at Begumpur village under Nawkothi police station of Begusarai district today, the police said.

Sikandar Singh (42), resident of Chhatauni in the same police station, was fired upon near Ara mill and he died on the spot.

After getting the information, police reached the spot and recovered four empty cartridges.

Prima facie, the reason behind the hawker's murder was old enmity, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam came under attack from party MLAs at a meeting here on for trying to undermine their role in the organisation ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

"Ex-MLAs and sitting MLAs know the cadre who worked for them in the assembly elections and attempts to cut down on their influence in the district unit committees and parliamentary board is wrong," a party leader told PTI after the meeting yesterday.

"Nirupam was questioned how he has selected candidates without consultations in the district committees and parliamentary board. The issue came up because many aspiring candidates have reportedly set up their election offices. However, Nirupam clarified that process of candidate selection has not been done and the final decision will be taken in Delhi," the leader said on the condition of anonymity.

He said earlier Nirupam had announced block presidents without consultations with other leaders in the city unit.

AICC General Secretary in charge of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Gurudas Kamat was also present at the meeting.

He cautioned against division in the party rank and file.

"Nirupam will send his list of candidates to Delhi for approval and the blame will come on party Vice President Rahul Gandhi as the party is not expected to win many seats," the party leader who was present at the meeting, said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cash-starved people continued to queue up outside ATMs in Odisha even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said there is no need to panic as enough cash in small denomination is available in banks.

"Small denomination currency notes are available in required numbers. People have no reason to panic," a statement issued by the RBI, Bhubaneswar, said.

The bank advised people not to hoard money.

"As there is no shortage of money in RBI and other banks, there is no reason to keep additional notes in house. People can get money when they need it," said RBI Assistant General Manager R C Bal.

"We have asked all banks to cooperate with people and meet their requirement," said RBI GM R P Mohanty.

Sources said that about 3,000 of the total 6,028 ATMs in the state are not operating. Those which had cash ran dry within a few hours.

People complained that banks gave them soiled and mutilated notes in exchange.

"I got a bundle of Rs 50 from UCO Bank's CRP Square branch here. Of 100 notes, 12 were damaged. When I drew attention of the authorities, they asked me to take Rs 2,000 notes instead," said a customer.

Asked about the mobile banking facilities in tribal- dominated areas proposed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the RBI General Manager said: "We have not started it yet. But the people can take help of Bank Correspodents (BCs) in getting their notes exchanged.

(Reopens CAL4)



People faced inconvenience in buying essentials like milk, fish and vegetables due to non-availability of notes of small denomination. Many said that shop owners are not accepting new Rs 2000 notes.

When his attention was drawn to the problem, Mohanty said the RBI counter gives Rs 2,000 note and the rest are of small denomination.

At several places, daily wage earners were made to stand in queue as their employers paid them old Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 notes.

"I did not go to work for two days as the employer denied giving small denomination notes. For how many days can I sit idle? Therefore, I agreed to accept the old notes," said Sukanti Singh, a resident of Saliasahi slums.

Like Sukanti, many daily wage earners stood in the line to exchange old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Black Money Special Investigation Team Vice Chairman Justice Arijit Pasayat said the Centre took a bold step to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, but the problems people are facing could have been avoided.
Companies that drill black gold are going a little bit green-taking stakes in renewable energies that are growing rapidly, enabling oil firms to diversify revenue and show commitment to fighting climate change.

In the past, such swings have been written off by environmental campaigners as greenwash, and just as likely to be reversed once low oil prices go up again.

But analysts say that, even though only a tiny percent of oil majors' investment goes into renewables, the interest this time seems to be sustained, and underpinned by solid profit.

"It is not a purely economic trend" driven by low crude prices, said Francis Perrin, president of SPE, which publishes a number of energy-related publications.

"It's more profound- it's the adaption of certain oil industry majors to a certain number of energy and economic upheavals."



Perrin suggested oil companies were more cognisant of the threat posed by climate change and the potential that renewable energy will become big business.

Already present in the manufacturing of solar panels via its unit Sunpower, France's Total earlier this year invested in a US company that installs mini wind turbines for homes and businesses.

Italy's ENI plans to invest 1 billion euros (USD 1.1 billion) over the next three years in solar projects, while Shell, BP and Statoil are concentrating on wind power.

In the US, Chevron is switching its bets from geothermal to biofuels, although ExxonMobil remains lagging in the green energy field.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The world's oldest beer - recovered from a 220-year-old trading ship that had sunk on its way from India to Australia - has been recreated by scientists using yeast of the 18th-century brew.

The yeast was grown from the contents of a bottle of beer recovered from the wreck of the Sydney Cove, a British trading ship that got caught in a storm near the island of Tasmania, off Australia's coast, in 1797 while on its way from Calcutta to the prison colony at Port Jackson, now the city of Sydney.

The crew of the Sydney Cove survived by grounding the sinking ship on a tiny island off northern Tasmania, now called Preservation Island, which is part of the inspiration for the name of the recreated beer: Preservation Ale.

"It's got quite a sweet taste - some people have described it as almost a cider or fresh taste - which has come from the yeast," said project leader David Thurrowgood from the Queen Victoria Museum in Australia.

Researchers also found a historical account of an English beer from the time that was known for its sweet, cider-like flavour, similar to the beer brewed from the reanimated yeast.

"That was quite a surprise, but having found that reference, and to have that particular taste come out in the beer. It showed that the beer did actually have a distinctive taste at the time that we're only rediscovering now," Thurrowgood told 'Live Science'.

DNA tests show the shipwrecked yeast are related to species used in Trappist ales brewed in European monasteries.

The bottles may have contained a premium beer exported from England for military officers at Port Jackson, according to Thurrowgood.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Normal life has been affected in Nepal as a Maoist faction today imposed a nationwide strike to pressurise the government to ensure food security and lower the prices of essential goods, with police arresting more than 100 people for vandalising vehicles and forcing shops to close.

The strike was called by the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN (Maoist).Most of the educational institutions remained closed in Kathmandu and shops remained partially closed.

Most of the public vehicles including taxis were off the road.

Maoist cadres vandalised vehicles in different parts of the country.

The police arrested at least 100 cadres belonging to the CPN-Maoist (Chanda), a smaller faction of Maoist party, who were involved in vandalising shops and vehicles to enforce the shut down, the police said.

Media reports said that the party was demanding food guarantee of the people and opposing price hike of the consumer goods.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the capital city streets to prevent any untoward incident.

The agitators torched a parked taxi and two motorcycles as they defied the strike, according to the police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 12,000 Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force and paramilitary personnel were deployed today to maintain law and order as a large number of people queued up to withdraw money or get their notes exchanged at various banks and ATMs in the city.

Owing to a Sunday today, a crowd was more outside banks and ATMs, and personnel of Delhi Police, RAF and paramilitary forces were ensuring that people stay in queues and maintain law and order, a Delhi Police official said.

"More than 12,000 personnel of Delhi Police were manning banks and ATMs across the city. They were ensuring that people stay in queues. We are committed to maintain law and order in the city," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said.

Today also police control room received several calls from people complaining about they being jostled in the queue, ATMs running out of cash and overcrowding in the banks.

Police also issued an advisory on its Twitter handle, asking people not to believe on rumours, related to withdrawal of money and demonetised notes, spreading thick and fast.

It kept an eye on social media to identify the rumour mills.

Today a rumour started doing rounds that how one can withdraw money from Reserve Bank of India after getting a signed letter from the Deputy Commissioner of Police of your area.
More than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation across the US have been reported since Donald Trump won the presidential election, according to a group that tracks hate crimes in America.

"Since the election, we've seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr Trump's election," Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama, told USA TODAY.

"The white supremacists out there are celebrating his victory and many are feeling their oats," Cohen said.

The SPLC, which tracks hate crimes, said it has logged more than 200 complaints since the election, and while it could not provide a figure for the average number of complaints it takes in each day, Cohen assured that the number is much larger than what is typical.

Anti-black and anti-immigrant incidents are generating the highest numbers followed by anti-Muslim incidents, Cohen was quoted as saying.

Part of the reason it is happening is that hate group leaders are encouraging members to intimidate people, he said.

"Pulling from reports, social media, and direct submissions at the Southern Poverty Law Centre's website, the SPLC had counted 201 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation across the country as of Friday," the group said.

"These range from anti-Black to anti-woman to anti-LGBT incidents. There were many examples of vandalism and epithets directed at individuals. Often times, types of harassment overlapped and many incidents, though not all, involved direct references to the Trump campaign," it said.

In Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying it was working to find the source of racist messages sent to black freshmen, and in Syracuse, New York, a group of pickup trucks -- one draped with the Confederate flag -- drove through an anti-Trump rally.

In Columbus, Ohio, a man banged on the car window while a Muslim woman was driving, her children and elderly parents with her, and told her, "...You don't belong to this country," according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

All those were added to the list of incidents that included black children being told to get to the back of a bus and Latino children being taunted about the wall that Trump promised to build between Mexico and the United States.

CAIR also said it has seen an increase in complaints made to its offices.

Angry Americans have been staging nationwide protests against Trump's election victory shouting slogans like 'Not my President' and 'No Fascists USA'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Oxford college has become one of the first to introduce gender-neutral lavatories marked with a symbol that students hope will be adopted by all colleges in the prestigious UK university.

St. Catherine's College unveiled the new lavatories last month, according to 'The Sunday Times'.

The doors carry a sign combining the familiar scientific symbols for male and female and lead to more than 10 cubicles that can be used by men or women.

There are no urinals.

Alexander Langedijk, president of the junior common room at the college, said students first raised the question of gender-neutral lavatories in 2014.

"The fact we have taken such a long time to get this through the college is testament to the scrutiny this has received," he said.

"The college has other guests, not just students, and consideration had to be given to how people would react and whether they would understand the sign.

"The students were quicker to accept the idea than the college. We hope other colleges will adopt this," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The revamped Gwadar port, a strategic deep seaport in the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, today became operational in Pakistan's restive Balochistan after a Chinese commercial ship laden with around 250 containers set off for the Middle East and Africa.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the start of operational activities at the coastal town of Gwadar in southwestern Balochistan province, which saw an ISIS suicide bombing claim as many as 52 lives.

With the operationalisation of the revamped Gwadar port, the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking western China to the Arabian Sea, became a reality.

The USD 46 billion CPEC is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sparking concerns from India.

In his address, Sharif called the development as a "watershed" moment in the history of Pakistan and the entire region. He called it a symbol of Pakistan's commitment to China's One Belt-One Road initiative, of which the CPEC is a key port.

"We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the CPEC and all the projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time," he said.

Sharif also commented on the One Belt-One Road initiative by China and said that it integrates with Pakistan's Vision 2025 which seeks to transform the country into a hub of trade and commerce.

He said the CPEC would ultimately integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia, and offer opportunities for people in this region besides giving opportunities to investors from across the world.

Officials said a major trade convoy that started from Kashgar in western China on October 30 yesterday reached Gwadar, where Chinese vessels were ready to take the shipment of Chinese goods to Middle East and African countries.

"This is the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. It proves the connectivity of the local roads and the realisation of the concept of one corridor with multiple passages," Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong said at the inauguration ceremony.

He said it was the first time that the Gwadar port is



exporting Chinese containers to overseas destinations.

Top civil and military leadership, including army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Balochistan chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri besides business representatives from Pakistan and China attended the event.

Chinese ships currently use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, and the new route gives China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East which would not only save a lot of time but also money involved in the travel.

A representative of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) was quoted as saying by the Dawn that oil China imported from Saudi Arabia usually reached Shanghai in 25 to 30 days, while through the Gwadar-Kashgar route it would take about 12 days.

"The goods China imports through the Gwadar port will reach Kashgar in five days," the official said.

Not only would China save time by using this route but it would also be economically beneficial for both Pakistan and the neighbouring country, he added.
A young pregnant woman set herself on fire and later died after she was raped for revenge by a man on the order of a village council in Pakistan's Punjab province.

From her death bed at a Lahore hospital, the woman, who was in her 20s, told police that she got pregnant after being raped by the man on the order of a panchayat in Gujrat district five months ago.

She set herself ablaze two weeks ago at her in-laws house as she did not want to face her husband who had returned from abroad after a couple of years.

Policesaid the woman's father was caught attempting to molest a minor girl in their village. When the matter was brought before the panchayat it outrageouly decided that the father of the minor would rape the woman in revenge for her father's crime.

Police said they have arrested 10 people in connection with the incident and registered a case against them.

The woman's father denied he attempted to rape the minor.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Pakistani players and officials were shaken on Sunday when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch and its adjoining areas with manager Wasim Bari describing it as a terrifying experience.

"We are staying at a hotel in Nielsen, where we were playing our tour match but today when the earthquake came it was a terrifying experience as everything was shaking badly and we were safely escorted out of the hotel," Bari said from New Zealand.

"The hotel staff took great care of us and quickly evacuated us from our seventh floor rooms and have now taken us to a safe zone until the Tsunami warnings are over," he said.

Pakistan's only 3-day tour match before the first test at Christchurch from November 17 was also washed out on the final day on Sunday in Nielsen and Bari said this had deprived the players a great opportunity to acclimatise to the conditions in New Zealand.

"Most of the players were in their rooms watching the India and England test match when it came, the quake was a powerful one and the windows and doors were banging around and it was shaking as we were rushed out. But everyone has settled down now and we also called up the women's team in Christchurch to find out if they were okay," the former Test captain said.

Pakistan is in New Zealand for a two-test series while the women's team is also in New Zealand for a five match one-day series and are already three down in the rubber.

Bari said the Pakistan team would reach Christchurch on Monday and hoped the weather would hold up.

"It rained throughout our stay in Nielsen so we are hoping to see some sunshine and clear weather in Christchurch. Obviously, if conditions are wet it is not to our liking," he said.

Christchurch is the biggest city on New Zealand's South Island. A 6.3 quake there in February 2011 killed 185 people and caused widespread damage.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from Monday's quake.

Bari said that the Pakistani players were looking forward to the challenge of continuing their good test form in New Zealand and Australia as well.

"We have a very settled side for Tests and I think we are very well prepared this time for the different conditions even though our tour match was washed out completely," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President-elect Donald Trump's decision to empower his running mate Mike Pence to steer the presidential transition gives the soon-to-be vice president a powerful hand in shaping the incoming government and could foreshadow that he will play an outsized role in the White House.

Pence's ascension is in line with a recent trend toward influential vice presidents and appears similar to the last vice president who was handed the keys to a presidential transition: Dick Cheney.

As the nation was embroiled in the recount after the 2000 election, George W Bush informally entrusted Cheney to begin building the government even before the outcome was settled in favor of the Republican ticket. Some of the work was done sitting around Cheney's kitchen table in McLean, Virginia, remembered Ari Fleischer, who became Bush's first press secretary.

"This is a big test for Pence," Fleischer told The Associated Press. "If it goes well, it will portend a bigger job for him in the White House."



Cheney clearly passed that test and became one of the most powerful vice presidents in recent memory, particularly during Bush's first term.

Cheney not only ran Bush's vice presidential search team -- eventually picking himself -- he stocked the administration with veteran Republicans, many of whom he had known for years.

"The vice president was so influential he barely spoke in meetings because he knew he would see the president alone and could convey his thoughts privately," said Fleischer.

"Only the truly powerful can be that silent. And when he did talk, it was pretty impactful."



It is far too soon to say if Pence will have a similar voice in Trump's White House, but naming him the chairman of the transition team broadcasts to others in Washington that he will be a key player.

"If you're given an important role in the transition, it sends a signal to other people that you matter," said Joel K. Goldstein, a law professor at St. Louis University who is widely considered one of the nation's leading experts on the sometimes obscure history of the vice presidency.

"Other political actors want to deal with you due to your perceived access and influence to the president."



It also gives the vice president a chance to put his own stamp on the administration. While Trump ran as a political outsider and was not shy in burning bridges to establishment Washington, Pence is a popular GOP figure who may opt to select longtime allies for key roles.

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People continued to throng banks and ATMs in Tamil Nadu to exchange or deposit scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for the fourth consecutive day today, but many cash vending machines ran dry after a few hours.

People lined up before bank branches since morning and with several more ATMs today dispensing Rs 100 notes, it came as a big relief to the harried public.

Customers at PSU lenders, including SBI and Bank of Baroda besides private banks, said they were able to withdraw cash from ATMs and that they got the "crucial Rs 100," notes.

Coming out from a bank, V P Radhakrishanan, a private sector employee, told PTI, "I got Rs 100 notes ... The number of people waiting has also thinned down compared to morning."



The RBI regional office here on Rajaji Salai attracted a continuing stream of people with the queue there extending to nearly a kilometre.

People said they preferred to come to the Central bank's counters as currency of lower denominations including Rs 100 and Rs 20 were being dispensed for the scrapped notes.

In a press release, RBI said, "The Reserve Bank assures members of the public that enough cash in small denominations is also available at the Reserve Bank and (other) banks."



"Public need not be anxious, need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw (cash) and hoard, cash is available when (whenever) they need it," it said.

Several ATMs continued to be shut, while some ran out of cash shortly and a section of them had fewer people. However, traders and vegetable vendors at the Koyambedu Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Market complained of poor sale due to lack of sufficient change.

Meanwhile, some small traders and fish market vendors said they accepted the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from some of their buyers as they had only such scrapped notes.

"Several of my customers had only scrapped Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes. They said they could not exchange it in view of heavy crowds. If I turn them away I will lose business," a fish vendor, Devanesan Joel said.

He said that he could not "afford to lose business on a Sunday, wherein more people go in for non-vegetarian stuff."



Officials said banks in Tamil Nadu were receiving adequate cash inflows to cater to the needs of the people.

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A Peruvian judge has ordered former president Ollanta Humala to report to court every 30 days as a money laundering case in which he is a defendant is litigated.

Judge Richard Concepcion's ruling late Friday also states that the ex-president cannot change addresses and must post a $15,000 bail.

Prosecutors fear that Humala -- whose five year presidency ended in July -- might flee the country as the case winds through the courts.

Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia are accused of laundering some $1.5 million allegedly sent from Brazil and Venezuela to help fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.

In both cases Humala was candidate for the leftist Nationalist Party, which he co-founded with his wife Nadine.

The hearing on Friday lasted 10 hours. Humala, who was not in the courtroom, denies all charges.

If found guilty he and his wife could face between eight and ten years prison.

Prosecutors believe the Venezuelan funds came directly from the government of then-president Hugo Chavez, and the Brazilian money from two large construction firms, the Odebrecht Group and Construtora OAS.

Both Brazilian companies became ensnared in pay-to-play cases during the government of leftist then-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Odebrecht CEO Marcelo Odebrecht was arrested in 2015 on corruption charges, while Construtora OAS filed for bankruptcy amid a corruption investigation.

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Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting emotional over inconvenience caused to the common man over the government's demonetisation step, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the PM was now facing concrete reality.

In a series of tweets, the Congress vice-president said, "First laughter now tears! Mediocrity comes face to face with reality."



"If trucks go off the roads, supply of essentials across the country will be paralysed. Hope Mr Modi has a plan for this," he said in another tweet while pointing at the liquidity crunch.

Gandhi had earlier tweeted about a smiling Modi during the latter's visit to Japan recently.

"Modi laughs as poor cry," he had tweeted.

The Prime Minister got emotional while addressing a function at Panaji today over the problems being faced by people after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

He urged the people to bear with him till December 30, saying, "I will give you the India you desired."



Congress leader Anand Sharma, too, hit out at the PM and said, "He (Modi) has created a propaganda and scripted India's financial chaos and anarchy."



He also alleged that the Modi government had sounded off those close to them about the demonetisation move.

"PM is indulging in theatrics and drama. He is misleading people. His party and its leaders have thrived on black money. They are holders of illegal property and gold. I am levelling this direct charge on PM and his government that they made their own people know about the step," Sharma told a television channel.

The former Union minister also attacked the PM for calling majority of the country corrupt.

"In a country where majority of transactions are cash-oriented, is he trying to say that is black money? The farmers of this country, who sell and buy in cash, they work hard.

"Similarly, the unorganised sector, barbers, housemaids, construction labourers. PM is condemning the majority and mocking at them. He is calling three-fourth of this country corrupt," he said.

Sharma added that Modi was also in the wrong to deny the common man access to their own bank accounts.

(Reopens DEL 64)



Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Ahmed Patel also took jibes at the Prime Minister over his government's demonetisation move.

Tharoor hit out at Modi for talking about the need to shift to plastic currency.

"Our government wants to move towards a cashless economy. Great start: No cash in ATMs. No cash in banks. No cash with people. Successful PM!," he said in a tweet.

Patel tweeted a photograph of people in long queues at banks and ATMs and wrote, "Someone has said scamsters are queueing in front of banks, ATMs.
A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island early today, shaking residents awake, causing damage to buildings and prompting emergency services to warn people along the coast to move to higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck just after midnight in a mostly rural area close to the city of Christchurch, but appeared to be more strongly felt in Wellington, the capital, more than 200 kilometers to the north. The quake was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.

The quake temporarily knocked out New Zealand's emergency call number, 111, police reported. It caused items to fall from shelves and windows to break in Wellington, and forced hundreds of tourists onto the streets as hotels were evacuated. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries in the city.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management reported that a tsunami wave struck at about 1.50 AM and warned residents living in low-lying areas anywhere along the country's east coast to move to higher ground.

Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated that the tsunami waves could be highest around the South Island town of Kaikoura, at about 1.5 meters (5 feet).

The Hawaii-based center said it did not expect the quake to generate a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami.

Within New Zealand, there was confusion about the tsunami threat.

The ministry had earlier sent out a message on Twitter saying there was no tsunami threat to the country. But then it sent out another message -- "situation has changed - tsunami is possible" -- before reporting that a tsunami had hit. The ministry said people on the coast near the epicenter could expect waves of between 3 and 5 meters (10 and 16 feet).

While there were no immediate reports of any major damage or injuries in Christchurch, the quake brought back memories of a magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck the city in 2011, destroying much of the downtown area and killing 185 people in one of New Zealand's worst disasters.

Today's quake was centered farther away from Christchurch than the one in 2011, which caused an estimated USD 25 billion in damage.

As today's quake hit, Christchurch resident Hannah Gin had just sat down in her living room to watch a replay of this weekend's All Blacks versus Italy rugby match when her house started shaking. Upstairs, her mother let out a scream.

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Four persons, including former World Billiards Champion Michael Joseph Ferreira, have been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police in connection with binary scheme called QNET scam in which people were duped lakhs of rupees.

The four accused were arrested after an FIR was registered on the complaint of 16 people alleging that Vihaan Direct Selling India Ltd, Indian franchise of Hong Kong-based firm QNET, is involved in money circulation schemes and are trapping public on pretext of starting e-commerce business and later on forcing them to make more members in the scheme.

"Complainants lost money to the tune of Rs one lakh to Rs 10 lakh each," a release issued by the EOW said.

Those arrested are Vihaan Direct Selling India Ltd's stakeholders Ferreira and Malcolm Nozer Desai and its directors Srinivas Rao Vanka and Magaral Balaji.

Explaining how the scam works, the EOW said, one person convinces a victim to invest between Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh in his new business and organises meetings with his company after which the victim is explained a chain system and is trapped into making more members based on which a commission is assured to him.

"To create alibi of their illegal transactions, some vacation packages are shown purchased against the money given. However, those are never delivered to the victim," the police said, adding, "Once the victim is trapped into it, he/she either has to cheat others the same way to recover his/her money by commission or he/she has to forget the money."



In some of the cases Travel Packages are shown delivered to overseas fake addresses of Kazakhstan, Dubai UAE, etc., it said.

The release further said that during investigation, it was found that bank account of the company Vihaan Direct Selling India Pvt Ltd was opened in December 2015 and within a span of six months, about Rs 56 crore were deposited in this account from various sources.

"More than 16 bank accounts of the company Vihaan Direct Selling PVT Ltd, the Indian franchisee of Hong Kong based Qnet Company have been frozen so far and total amount frozen in the banks is about Rs 7 crore," it said.

More than 65 complaints have been received against QNET/ Vihaan and people have lost amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 11 lakh each, the police said.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today took stock of the prevailing situation in the country in the wake of demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes.

In an hour-long meeting, the two Ministers were briefed about the situation in different states where heavy rush were witnessed in banks and ATMs to change old notes and withdraw cash.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials of the Ministries of Home and Finance attended the meeting, official sources said.

The Centre has already asked all states to ensure proper security in all banks, ATMs and vehicles transporting cash in the wake of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

The Home Ministry has deputed three too officials to be in touch with state governments to ensure security of banks, ATMs and cash transporting vehicles.

The three officials are taking regular feedbacks from the Director Generals of Police and the situation in respective states, official sources said.

However, so far no report of any major violence or untoward incident has come from anywhere in the country.

"We have conveyed to the states that if they require any assistance, we will provide immediately," an official said.

The Central government is expecting the financial situation to be normal in next few days.

Two separate advisories were sent to all states in this regard, the official said.

The Reserve Bank of India had yesterday said that currency printing presses are running at "full capacity" to sustain demand for new notes.

Adequate stock of all currency notes has been kept ready at more than 4,000 locations across the country, and bank branches are linked to them for sourcing their requirements, RBI said.

Long queues were witnessed at bank branches across the country to withdraw money and also to exchange the demonetised Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes.

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Congress leader Salman Khurshid today urged all parties to refrain from playing politics over the SYL canal issue and instead try to resolve it together.

"All the political parties should refrain from playing politics over this issue.

"It would be better if they get together and resolve it or they will have to go by the SC decision," the former external affairs minister said at a function at a private school here last evening.

After the Supreme court decision against the Punjab government's 2004 law to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water-sharing agreement with its neighbouring state, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh had resigned from his Lok Sabha seat, Amritsar and all 42 party MLAs quit their assembly seats.

On reports of infighting between Amarinder and Pratap Singh Bajwa, Khurshid said that Congress high command was aware of the situation and will take apt measures when required.

"Captain's hardwork and the enthusiasm of the cadres will lead Congress to a thumping victory in Punjab," he added.

Targeting AAP over SYL issue, Khurshid said, "AAP likes to point fingers at others, but it doesn't want to be questioned".

"Their leaders are used to giving irresponsible statements on serious issues," he said, adding, "This might have helped them in the past, but they stand exposed now".

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Rescuers and doctors were scrambling today to reach the remote Sufi shrine in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province as officials feared the death toll from the suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State may go beyond 52.

The third major terrorist attack in the province in a little over three months was believed to be carried out by a 14-year-old boy at Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district's Hub region. It killed at least 52 and wounded 102.

The attack happened when nearly 600 worshippers were at the popular shrine frequented by Iranian nationals as they enjoyed a Sufi dance called "dhamaal".

The dirt-poor mountainous terrain of the region, where medical facilities are limited, was hindering rescue efforts.

Security forces have established a cordon around the site of the blast and were scrambling to carry out emergency services. Further reinforcements and additional 45 army ambulances were also dispatched to the scene, with additional support from Sindh Rangers, local media reports said.

The army's media wing added that helicopter evacuation of the wounded will be attempted, as there is no airstrip nearby to land larger aircraft.

"The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals," said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.

An emergency has been declared in hospitals of Khuzdar and Karachi. The only hospital in the district is Civil Hospital Khuzdar, which is not equipped to handle a situation of this magnanimity, Dawn reported.

"The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has said.

The attack underlines an increasing presence of Islamic State in Pakistan, which has until now largely ignored the group's presence in the country and blamed terrorist attacks on home-grown outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhanghvi and others.

However, IS, while claiming yesterday's suicide bombing, said it carried out the attack with an intent of targeting Shia muslims.

The Express Tribune has quoted police sources as saying that the suicide attack was carried out by a 14-year-old boy.

"All evidences point to a suicide bombing," they said.

A day after the blast, questions have been raised over the security at the shrine. Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal has said the security arrangements at the shrine were not adequate.

"It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site," he said.

This was the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August. In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta. Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.

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Himachal Police today seized Rs 24.64 lakh in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, which has been demonetised by the government, from two SUVs at Banikhet toll tax barrier here, a senior police official said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dalhousie, Sagar Chander Sharma said that during a 'naka' (checkpost) set up by the police at Banikhet Toll tax barrier on the Chamba-Pathankot national highway, a sum of Rs 21.79 lakh was found in a Duster SUV.

Mixed currency notesof Rs 1000 and Rs 500 denomination were seized from the vehicle bearing a Chamba number.

In another Duster SUV, bearing registration number of Amritsar, Rs 2.85 lakh was recovered, the DSP said, adding these currency notes were in denomination of Rs 500.

The DSP said these currency notes were being handed over to the Income Tax department officials for further investigation.

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Bulgaria risked plunging into fresh political turmoil today after a Moscow-friendly general backed by the Socialist opposition won the presidential run-off, exit polls showed.

Ex-airforce chief and political novice Rumen Radev beat the handpicked nominee of centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov by a whopping margin.

Observers say the general's victory might tilt ex-communist Bulgaria, which has long walked a tightrope between Moscow and Brussels, towards Russia's orbit -- a trend seen across eastern and central Europe amid rising euroscepticism.

Nearby Moldova also looked set to elect a pro-Russian president today.

Radev swept just over 58 per cent of the vote to parliamentary speaker Tsetska Tsacheva's 35 per cent, according to the exit polls.

"It's a victory for all Bulgarian people. Democracy has beaten apathy and fear today," Radev told public broadcaster BNT today evening.

Borisov, who was re-elected premier for the second time in 2014, has threatened to step down if his pro-European Union candidate failed to win.

"We will not participate in any way in the government if we lose today," the burly premier said earlier today.

Radev's clear support for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine and ambivalent statements about the EU and NATO have prompted analysts to speculate that he could pursue closer ties with Moscow.

"I am convinced that the sanctions do not help but only harm... Russia and the EU countries are equally hurt," the jet fighter pilot said during the campaign.

The straight-laced Tsacheva meanwhile has failed to sway disgruntled voters seeking to punish the government over its perceived failure to tackle rampant corruption and poverty in the European Union's poorest member state.

"I voted against Borisov because I don't think that he's honest and he hasn't really done anything to improve our lives," said 52-year-old Zora Kardachka, a dry cleaner.

The Bulgarian president's role is largely ceremonial but the incumbent is nonetheless a respected figure and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Borisov's resignation could trigger early elections by next spring. The premier's popularity has waned and opinion polls suggest that his GERB party would fail to win an outright majority in early elections.

Prior to his re-election, the country went through a long period of upheaval involving mass protests and a string of polls.

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Senator Bernie Sanders, who lost to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, would have beaten Donald Trump by a historic margin if he had been the party's nominee, according to a pre-election poll.

The national survey of more than 1,600 registered voters, conducted by Gravis Marketing two days before the general election, found that 75-year-old Vermont Senator would have received 56 per cent of the vote while Trump would have won 44 per cent.

The poll was commissioned and financed by outgoing Florida Congressman Alan Grayson, a Democrat who endorsed Sanders in the presidential primary, The Huffington Post reported.

The last election result that decisive was Ronald Reagan's victory over Democrat Walter Mondale in 1984.

Crucially, independent voters, who made up nearly one- third of the general election voters this year, favoured Sanders over Trump, 55 per cent to 45 per cent, the poll found.

Clinton, by contrast, lost independents 48 per cent to 42 per cent, according to exit polls.

Although the Gravis poll did not show state-level results, it is safe to assume that any candidate with that type of lead in the popular vote would win the electoral college handily.

Of course, the poll results are an imperfect indicator of what would have occurred if Sanders had actually been on the ballot on election day.

The vast majority of polls had mistakenly predicted a Clinton victory in Tuesday's election. Prior to FBI Director James Comey's announcement that the agency was reopening the investigation of Clinton's emails at the end of October, Clinton even led Trump by as much as 13 percentage points, more than Sanders' margin of victory in the Gravis poll.

"As we contemplate the dark days ahead, and then as we suffer through them, we Democrats should remember that it could have been entirely different. All we had to do was to elect a progressive as president just as a large majority of Americans really wanted," Grayson was quoted as saying.

Sanders has not ruled out another run for the presidency in 2020, but for now he is focused on his Senate re-election campaign in 2018.

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Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor says he is looking forward to work with Deepika Padukone in "Padmavati".

Shahid and Deepika will be seen together on screen for the first time in the film.

Shahid plays Raja Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler and husband of queen Padmavati (Deepika), in the period drama, to be directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Ranveer Singh will be seen as Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan, who falls in love with Padmavati.

"I will start shooting for 'Padmavati' in a couple of weeks. I haven't started it yet, but it is an amazing honour to work with Bhansali ji. I love his films, I think he is a fantastic filmmaker," Shahid told reporters at the Lux Golden Rose Awards here last night.

"I am very excited about the role he has offered me. This is the first time that Deepika and I will be working together which is great. This is the first time me and Ranveer will be working together, which is great," he said.

The actor recently wrapped up his film with Vishal Bhardwaj, titled "Rangoon", which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut.

The 35-year-old actor feels he is in an "amazing" phase professionally as he is working with two great directors back-to-back.

"'Padmavati' is a really big film. It is a challenging film to do as an actor. After working with Vishal Bharadwaj, working with Bhansali is an amazing place to be. I feel very fortunate," he said.

While "Padmavati" will go on floors soon, "Rangoon" is scheduled to release next year in February.

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Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's son-in-law has been arrested on charges of theft, adultery and misappropriating his wife's property, police said today.

Syed Mohammad Imran was arrested two days ago from Bangalore and brought here on transit remand, said a senior police officer.

Latika, Dikshit's daughter, had also accused her estranged husband of subjecting her to violence, they said.

Latika and Imran got married in 1996 and living separately for the last 10 months.

In her complaint filed in June, Latika had alleged that Imran's attitude had changed towards her and became aggressive and rude to her after her mother lost in Delhi Assembly elections.

Latika had alleged that Imran took away papers of a piece of land owned by her in Nainital, despite having been told not to do so in May.

According to police, she also alleged that some of the belongings, kept at her Hailey Road House, had gone missing and whenever she asked, Imran was evasive.

She also alleged that he took away jewellery and other expensive items from the house.

Latika also accused one of her female relative of being "in connivance" with Imran, they said.

Imran has been booked under the relevant sections of law and IT Act, police said.

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Hitting the stage to the subdued crowd, musician has reopened Paris' Bataclan theatre with an emotional gig and paid tribute to the music legends David Bowie and Prince.

The 65-year-old British rocker began with remarks honouring the victims, who were killed when terrorists stormed the theater on November 13 last year during Californian rock band the Eagles of Death Metal concert, reported Billboard.

"We've got two important things to do tonight- first, to remember and honor those, who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago and to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue," he said.

also called for a minute of silence, saying "We shall not forget them."



He then began a list of musicians, who had lost their lives this year.

"David Bowie, Prince, Glenn Frey, Lemmy...," he said before the crowd shouted "Leonard Cohen!"



"And Leonard," he added. "This is for them."



The musician dedicated "Fifty Thousand" from his new album '57th & 9th' to the legends.

closed the gig performing a song on an acoustic guitar, which he had written in memory of James Foley, the journalist killed by Islamic State in Syria in 2014.

He told the audience that the song was "for everyone, who has lost someone."



"Keep my place and the empty chair, somehow I'll be there," the lyrics read.
The ongoing 'Streets of India Festival' here showcasing fashion and food festival, is a gastronome's paradise with mind boggling 170 varieties of rasogolla and 34 flavours of fusion icecream waiting to be savoured.

The rasogollas, a signature sweet of Bengal, is available in tangy pudina and dhaniya avatars, besides paan and yummy mixed fruit and pista crush.

"We have used natural colours for 170 varieties of rosogollas with no preservatives. In keeping with the fast food tradition there are varieties like cappuccino, phuchka and green chilli. Also there are fusions like golgappa rasogolla, a fusion inspired by a popular Delhi's fast food," its owner Swati Saraf told PTI.

She said in keeping with the theme of the event the sweets were given a different spin by introducing bitter and chilli tastes which became an instant hit with the visitors.

There was no dip in footfall despite the currency crunch, she claimed.

The lip-smacking fusion ice creams included the natural tender coconut flavor, caramel crunch, rose (sugar tree), south Indian coffee and kesaria rabri malai to fit the quick grab concept of street food.

"Anjeer (dry fruit) and seven varieties of paan flavoured icecreams are our signature items this festival. But yes we are a little way behind expected sales apparently due to crunch of big currencies," a stall spokesman said.

While a lady customer was seen paying through card for her choice of lemon grass icecream, another said she was not familiar with card or electronic wallet use and was finding it difficult to use her now demonetised Rs 1000 currency note.

Siddharth Jaitha, speaking on behalf of the organisers



said there are 45 food stalls, both street food cafeterias as well as dining places like Aminia and Hotel Sonnet at the festival serving popular quick grab food. There are 130 handicraft stalls as well and West Bengal Tourism Department has been taken on board.

On currency crisis, he said buyers are being asked to pay through cards as very few stalls are taking Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination currencies. "However, almost all the stalls have now opted for credit card machines."



Celebrated chef and a known face in reality shows Rongon Neogi held cookery workshops in the street food zone of the festival teaching ways to rustle up 'chatapata' refreshments.

Sale of handicrafts are not far behind. Decorative shoe maker Sudhendra Singh from Patiala said he had brought 300 pairs of ethnic, hand-made footwear Patiala gharana. Kolkata clientele has been very receptive as always to our own Patiala gharana of shoes.

"But sales have taken a hit due to paucity of currency notes," he said.

Ashis Biswas, an artisan from North 24 Parganas district and a participant, said a wide range of products ranging from jute bags, terracota artefacts, bamboo craft from Bankura, Odisha and other places were unsold due to the currency crunch.

In keeping with the Festival spirit simultaenous live music performance are being held. Street dance forms besides those of various provinces like garba, bhangra and Kolkata-Mumbai's idol immersion procession dance are being held, Jaitha said.

The three-day festival ends today.
People were in for a shock on a Sunday morning as the sight of long queues in front of bank branches and ATMs across West Bengal greeted them on the fifth day after Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes were demonetised.

With all bank branches open today as per the RBI directive to deal with the unprecedented situation, people formed serpentine queues in front of banks from as early as 6 AM to withdraw money.

Some people were lucky to have been able to withdraw money from a few operating ATMs, but given the huge demand for cash it proved to be just drops of water in a ocean.

The average Bengali bhadralok had to tweak their morning routine by first queueing up before an ATM rather than a milk booth or a fish market on a Sunday morning.

There was also the unusual sight of large retail markets like Lake Market, Gariahat and Maniktala in the south and northern parts of the metropolis witnessing little footfall compared to the usual sight of heavy crowd on weekends.

"Generally, I sell more than Rs 1 lakh worth of fish on a Sunday morning, but today I could manage to sell fish worth a few thousand Rupees," Apu Naskar, a fish seller at Lake Market, said.

A few shopkeepers some markets are still accepting old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in view of the situation and to sell their fast perishable goods, but on condition that the transaction would be worth at least Rs 500 or in multiples.

A fish seller at Kasba CIT market was even seen with a placard hung around his neck stating that he would accept Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 notes if the sale was worth at least Rs 300. Predictably, there was a large crowd of buyers in front of his shop.

But the most harrassed of all remained those with medical emergencies as most medicine shops and many private hospitals refused to accept old currencies of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination.

Exuberance of many people who could manage to withdraw money from bank branches found their joy to be shortlived as they could not get change for Rs 2000 notes at grocery shops or buying other materials of small price.

The scene was repeated across the state as people had little or no money with them or had Rs 2,000 notes which proved to be useless for want of change in the hands of the shopkeepers.

Payments could not be made for different needs of people ranging from buying things of daily needs to plumbing or small electrical works at households.

"I urgently need to do some plumbing work at my house



and clean the water tank but I have only Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes at home which are not legal tender now," said Manish Chatterjee, a resident of Barasat in the northern suburbs of the city.

Only those who were lucky to get Rs 100 notes from some branches could manage to continue with their daily chores, but only after spending hours at bank branches.

While there were reports of chaos and commotion at some banks, some branches were thoughtful enough to offer seats to senior citizens and water to those waiting in queues for hours.

"Though I had to wait over three hours to withdraw money, I was offered a seat and drinking water inside the branch," said P K Roy, a 75-year old customer at Kasba branch of State Bank of India in the southern part of the metropolis.
There was no let up in the rush for exchanging demonetised notes and withdrawing money with many people spending their Sunday queueing up outside banks and ATMs since early morning hours, even as some of the outlets were shut after being short on cash.

Delhiites started forming serpentine queues as early as 6 AM outside ATMs and banks to try to get cash. Security has been beefed up outside bank branches as people struggling to buy daily items lined up to get Rs 100 currency notes.

Yesterday, there were rumous of stampede, of people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur, following which police asked citizens not to spread such rumours and warned of strict action.

"Since it's a Sunday, we are expecting more crowd outside banks and ATMs. We have made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs," said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks to keep the situation under control.

"I didn't get a chance to exchange the banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as I was working. But today is my off day and so I rushed to the bank only to find a huge crowd of people waiting for their turn to come. The crowd is swelling by the hour," said Mohit Jha, a resident of Vikaspuri.

A 71-year-old Roopak Das said he had a harrowing time yesterday running from one ATM to another to withdraw money.

"I visited a number of ATMs to withdraw money yesterday but none of them were operational. I'm old and there is nobody at my home who can withdraw money on my behalf. I'm finding this extremely difficult. Today I woke up early and reached the ATM but then were was a long queue. I just hope that I am able to withdraw money today," Das said.

Another elderly resident expressed his frustration saying he was completely out of cash and had to borrow money from his neighbour.

"Even today there is no respite. I went to the bank and stood in the queue for sometime but then my legs began to hurt and came back.

"Arrangements should be put in place for the elderly and disabled people," he said.

(Reopens DES 36)



In south-east Delhi, a family had difficulty in paying to claim the body of an infant at a hospital which refused to accept the demonetised Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes.

"Our child died at the hospital but they refused to handover the body to us without money being paid. We had only Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination which they did not accept.

"We are poor and do not have a debit/credit card. We had to wait for several hours to finally get the body after we paid the money with the help of someone else's card," the uncle of the deceased said.
In her first direct communication since being hospitalised in September, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said she has taken rebirth because of people's prayers and urged them to vote for the AIADMK in the November 19 polls.

"I have taken rebirth because of your prayers and worship. I would like to share this happy with you in the first place," she said in a statement released by AIADMK here.

Stating that she does not have any grievances in view of people's "great love" for her, she said, "by God's grace, very soon, by recovering fully, I am waiting to resume work."



Exhorting party workers, she asked them to work in full swing for the victory of AIADMK in the November 19 polls for Aravakkurichi, Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope Assembly segment in Puducherry.

Though she could not directly meet cadres and functionaries working in these constituencies and the general public, "my heart and thoughts are with you always," she told them.

Without elaborating much, she asked party workers to "understand the nature of this statement and work with a sense of duty for making MGR's winning symbol two leaves bag a huge victory."



She said cadres should work for the victory of AIADMK nominees by a huge margin of votes. "Work with vigour and a passion for the goal, which is AIADMK's victory.

Jayalalithaa said the cadres should consider the party's victory as a victory for each one of them.

Quoting a lyric from an MGR era song, she said "AIADMK's victory should resound in all the directions. I am eagerly waiting for of such victory."



To voters, she recalled the slew of welfare schemes being implemented by her regime and urged them to "give your love and support to AIADMK in the present polls as well, remembering such innumerable schemes to enhance the people's standard of living."



The Chief Minister, who has been in hospital since September 22, said she has been slogging for the growth of the people of Tamil Nadu and her party from day one of her public life on the advice of her mentor and AIADMK founder chief M G Ramachandran.

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others.

Specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated her during the period.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of Tata Motors' crucial board meeting on Monday, two unions of the company representing around 16,000 employees have written to the management expressing their support to Ratan Tata in the ongoing spat with ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.

In a letter to CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, Employees Union, Pune expressed "deep concern" over the rift between Tata Sons and the leadership of Tata group .

"Moreover, the once cordial relations between Pune plant management and the employees have taken a downward turn since the last 14 months over various negotiable issues," said the letter in an indirect dig at the company's leadership under Mistry's chairmanship.

Backing the new leadership of Tata Sons led by interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the letter said: "However, during this time of turmoil we reiterate our complete and dedicated commitment to the decisions taken by Ratan Tata over the change in leadership of Tata Sons Ltd."



Stating that Tata Motors has "grown in leaps and bounds under" Tata's "visionary leadership", the workers union of Pune plant further said: "We wish to commit our whole-hearted support to Mr Ratan Tata's decisions in future and greatly respect his leadership."



On the other hand, in a letter to the plant head of Tata Motors' Jamshedpur unit, Telco Workers Union termed Ratan Tata as "our another great leader" and invoked his saying "if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to walk far walk together" to express their support.

While also recollecting what another "pioneer" JRD Tata said -- "to be a leader you have to lead with human affection" -- Telco Workers Union said: "These inspiring sentences (are) always inspirations for us and we always try to follow these footsteps."



Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman Cyrus Mistry and independent director Nusli Wadia.

Besides, Tata Sons also has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meetings to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards.

The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Cyrus Mistry from the chairmanship of group and has already fired him as chairman of TCS.

However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Nusli Wadia, has been able to hold on to his position as chairman of Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
Tata Motors, which had launched the country's first CNG bus fleet, is planning to commercially roll out eco-friendly truck by next year.

The company had made a pilot-run for the nation's first (liquefied natural gas) powered truck in Thiruvananthapuram last week and hopes to launch first in Kerala.

The company had unveiled the first truck at the Delhi Auto Expo, 2014.

"If all goes well, we are planning the commercial launch next April. We are working overtime to get regulatory approvals including those from ARAI," Tata Motors engineering head Ajit Jindal told PTI.

He, however, denied the plans that the company has inked an agreement with Kerala.

"We have not signed any agreement with Kerala as yet or any other state. Kerala is keen to place an order for 1,000 buses with us and we have offered to make 10 per cent of that (100) to be LNG-powered," Jindal said.

He said these fully-built buses will be produced at its Lucknow plant, where it makes the CNG buses also, and the body will be built at its Dharwar plant.

"Going forward, if the demand is good we can also offer just chasis," he said.

When asked about the advantages of LNG over CNG in terms ownership cost for a customer, he said, there is no significant cost advantage over CNG, but coastal states can gain considerably from fuel transportation cost.

From the point of view of diesel, the gains are huge as cost of ownership will be cheaper by around 30 per cent, while acquisition cost may be higher by Rs 4-5 lakh, he added.

In terms of ease of usage, the LNG buses offer a great advantage over CNG variants as the dead weight of a CNG cylinder and that of a cryogenic cylinder is huge apart from very low filling time, he said.

"With a full tank, an LNG bus can run as much as 700 km in one filling, while a CNG bus can at best deliver just about 200 km per cylinder," Jindal said.

He also said an LNG-powered bus (Tata LPO1613), is lighter in weight compared to buses powered by conventional fuels, and has enhanced levels of payload.

Jindal said they have not spent too much on developing this bus which will be sold initially as fully built units of 9 meters or 35 seaters and 12 meters or 50 seaters, the engines are same as that of its CNG buses.

About fuel supply, Jindal said the company is talking to Petronet LNG and Indian Oil to set up special filling stations.

But again he said, no agreement has been reached between them.

From the emission side, LNG being a cleaner fuel can reduce greenhouse gases by 30 per cent than diesel.

If it places an order, Kerala will be the first state to explore trial run of LNG-driven technology, he said.
Telecom tribunal TDSAT is likely to get next month a full-time chairperson, a post which is lying vacant since mid-June.

"TDSAT Chairman is expected to take charge next month," an official source told PTI.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has been passing only interim orders after Justice Aftab Alam retired on June 16.

Former Advisor Technology at Department of Telecom A K Bhargava recently joined the tribunal on October 19.

Various cases of telecom operators including extension of 3G licence in border area facing interference, interconnection charges payment etc are lying before the tribunal.

The tribunal consists of a Chairperson and two members.

The tribunal is flooded with disputes in broadcasting sector and telecom sector. Alam had flagged the issue of resource crunch at TDSAT and rise in disputes in both broadcast and telecom sector.

Last year 707 cases were filed before the TDSAT. Of those 593 were related to the broadcast sector.

In February, Alam had suggested setting up mediation centre for convenience of people who come to TDSAT from all across country for resolving small issues.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Blending emotion with aggression, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today mounted a counteroffensive against the opposition over demonetisation of high-value currency notes, promising more anti-graft measures in future "even if I am burned alive".

Taking the opposition, particularly Congress, head on for targeting his government over demonetisation, Modi said those involved in mega scams were now standing in queues to exchange Rs 4000.

"They thought if they pull my hair, I will stop and do nothing. I will not be cowed down. I will not stop doing these things, even if you burn me alive," Modi said addressing a function in Panaji, turning emotional and aggressive in turn.

Making an emotional but combative speech, he said he was ready to face the consequences of his moves as certain forces were "up against me" because their "70 years of loot" was in trouble as a result of demonetisation.

"I know that (some) forces are up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared," Modi said.

His lips trembled and there were long pauses when, fighting back tears, he said, "My dear countrymen, I gave up everything...My home, my family. I gave up everything I had for this country."



Under unrelenting opposition attack over demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes and the misery it has brought for the common people, Modi said,"This government does not want to bother honest people but doesn't want to spare the dishonest. Bear with me for 50 days. Has India been looted or not? ..... I am not going to stop at this. I will expose the history of corruption of 70 years since Independence."



The Prime Minister declared the war against corruption will not end with the current demonetisation exercise and that he would now target those owning benami property.

"This (demonetisation) is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free. .... We will take action against 'benami' property. This is major step to eradicate corruption and black money ... If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he said addressing functions in Panaji, Belagavi in Karnataka and Pune in Maharashtra.

Apparently tartgeting Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, one of the most vocal critics of his demonetisation exercise who vented his anger against the government action after exchanging money at a bank recently, Modi said,"Those who were involved in the coal scam, 2G scam and other scams, now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4000."



"When Congress banned 25 paise, did we say anything? You could dare to stop only 25 paise, that's what your power was limited to. But you did not make higher denomination currency notes illegal. ... We did it. People have chosen a government and they expect so much from it," he said.

Reaching out to the harried people, Modi said,"if you find anything wrong with my intentions or my actions, hang me in public. I promise you I will give you the India which you desired. If someone faces problem, I also feel the pain. I understand their problem but this is only for 50 days and after 50 days we succeed in this cleansing."



He said the people had voted against corruption in 2014 when they elected him to lead the country.

"I am doing what I was asked to do by the people of this country. This had become clear from the very first meeting of my Cabinet when I formed the SIT (on blackmoney). We never kept the people in dark.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The just-signed historic civil nuclear deal with Japan has a "termination" clause which the government here insists is not binding on India but merely records the "views" of the Japanese side considering its "special sensitivities".

The government insisted that India has made "no additional commitments" over the similar agreements signed with the US and other countries.

In the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, there is a note on 'Views and Understanding' wherein the Japanese side has cited India's September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will terminate.

Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides.

"The termination clause is there in other NCAs (nuclear cooperation agreements) we have signed, including with the US (Article 14). However the circumstances triggering a possible termination are never sharply defined. Consideration also has to be given to mitigating factors," a source here said.

"That note is simply a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It is not the NCA which is what is binding," the source said.

The sources added that given Japan's special sensitivities as the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, "it was felt that their views should be recorded in a separate Note. The Note is a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues.

"It states, on the one hand, what could be Japan's views in advance on what is a hypothetical situation; that is their national prerogative. At the same time it also records India's position on the same issue, which is a reiteration of the September 2008 commitments. No change is envisaged from those commitments and no, repeat no, additional commitments have been made by India."



"On termination, there is no change from the US template," the source added.

The nuclear agreement with Japan "follows the same template (as the US) but compresses the developments which have taken place since 2007. It reflects commitments which were made at the time of the NSG waiver in 2008, many of which were unilateral in nature," according to the source.

The four steps of the Indo-US deal which have been compressed and captured into a single stage are - 123 agreement (2007), NSG waiver (2008), Reprocessing pact (2010) and Administrative mechanisms (2013), sources said.

The sources maintained that the views of Japan, "on when they can ask for it", is "their national prerogative".

Japan has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India, despite it being non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

After the Indo-Japan deal was signed, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said it is strikingly similar to atomic agreements India inked with the US and most of the other countries, having provisions like 'termination' clause.

In the 123 Agreement between India and the US, there is a clause for termination but it mentions that if India conducts a nuclear test, the two sides will initiate discussions immediately to understand the reasons for it. The discussions have to be concluded within a year, inferring that till then the nuclear deal will not be called off.

During the joint media interaction along with Modi after the deal was signed, Abe had referred to India's declaration of September 2008 with regard to voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.

"This agreement is a legal framework that India will act responsibly in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also in Non-Proliferation regime even though India is not a participant or signatory of NPT," he had said.
Noting that have become "virtual hostages of whip-driven tyranny", former Union minister Manish Tewari has pitched for "liberating" them from party discipline except in cases of legislations that threaten the stability of a government.

Writing on the issue of whip and the need for "liberating the legislator", Tewari wondered whether the system had upended whereby choice lies with an individual elector but legislative power resides with political parties.

"...Rather than articulating the predilections and priorities of the territorial constituency that they represent, (lawmakers) have become but virtual hostages of a whip-driven tyranny," Tewari said in his book 'Decoding A Decade  The Politics of Policymaking'.

He insisted that a party whip directs its members which way to vote practically on each and every bill.

"This enforced adherence to the party line means that a member invariably ends up voting for a bill if he/she is on the treasury benches and against a bill if he/she is in the opposition," the Congress spokesperson said.

He said that this sometimes lead to an odd spectacle of parliamentarians voting against a legislative instrument which they had supported previously, depending on whether their party occupies the opposition or treasury benches.

"An unfortunate trend that has recently manifested itself is the use of House majorities to get even Private Members' Bills defeated at the introduction stage. It restricts whatever little space individual members have been left with for legislative activity," Tewari wrote.

Arguing for selective issuance of whips, the former Information and Broadcasting Minister said little tweak restricting the rigours of the whip would free up the legislative space.

This can also ensure that every government strives not only for cross-party consensus on legislation but reaches out to individual also rather than just their leaderships, deepening participatory lawmaking in the process, he added.

The book is a collection of articles between 2006 and 2016 on subjects like the Constitution, role of media, political economy, the Modi regime, nuclear concerns, terrorism and Pakistan.

Tewari says that the compilation, even in its randomness, tells a tale of an eventful decade in India's public affairs  an era when the UPA government was charged with steering the ship of the Indian state and as it made way for the BJP-led NDA government in May 2014.
Tens of thousands of people marched in streets across the United States, staging the fourth day of protests of Donald Trump's surprise victory as president.

The protests - held in big cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa yesterday - were largely peaceful Saturday, although two police officers were slightly injured during protests in Indianapolis.

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump "step aside."



Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," she said.

"Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go - there's no place for racism in society in America." Trump's comments - particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women - sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into demonstrations following an election that ended with half of US voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis on Saturday threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including "Kill the Police," and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

"We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city," trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

Rowdy demonstrators marched through downtown Portland, Oregon, for the fourth night Saturday despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

Several hundred people took to the streets and Portland authorities made multiple arrests after protesters threw bottles and other items at officers in riot gear and blocked streets and light rail lines. The exact number of arrests wasn't immediately available.

The gathering came after a conference Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump's attorneys want the upcoming trial on Trump University postponed until after his swearing-in as the US President, a media report said today amid indications that the case could be settled out of court.

Trump's attorneys filed a motion last night in federal court in San Diego asking for the trial date to be continued from November 28 to a date after the Presidential inauguration on January 20, CNN reported.

They argue that such a postponement is most important for the President-elect because he must not be impeded from pursuing the arduous presidential transition.

"This is an unprecedented circumstance," the attorneys said in their motion.

Trump University is the defunct, for-profit real estate school accused by former students of fraud. Trump remains at the center of three civil cases filed against his controversial education business venture, including the one scheduled for trial in San Diego on November 28.

"The 69 days until inauguration are critical and all- consuming. President-Elect Trump must receive daily security briefings, make executive appointments (ultimately, thousands), and establish relationships with appointees, members of Congress, governors and foreign leaders. He must also develop important policy priorities," attorneys said.

"Now that the election is over, we submit that the President-Elect should not be required to stand trial during the next two months while he prepares to assume the Presidency. The time and attention to prepare and testify will take him away from imperative transition work at a critical time."



The motion says the plaintiffs have "a right to trial of their claims, but their rights will not be abridged if trial were continued to a date after the inauguration."



Trump isn't "seeking to stay this case indefinitely," but requests a "modest continuance" to after the inauguration, the motion said.

The lawyers also offered another recommendation: recorded testimony in January before the inauguration. It could be used for the November 28 trial and another case expected to go to trial while Trump is the sitting president.

The attorneys say they want to avoid Trump testifying on two separate occasions.

"In this way, the Court minimises the intrusion on the President-Elect, preserves his trial testimony, and guarantees plaintiffs their day in court without regard to a sitting President's unpredictable schedule," the attorneys said.

Just hours after Trump met with President Barack Obama on Thursday, lawyers for the President-elect appeared in court to prepare for the upcoming trial on Trump University.

US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel took a strong stance Thursday and recommended the parties settle the case to avoid the immense complications of a President-elect facing trial while preparing to take office.

"It would be wise for the plaintiffs, for defendants to



look closely at trying to resolve this case given all else that is involved," Curiel had said.

But Trump has previously refused to settle the cases and has defended the quality of the real estate programme, which enrolled about 10,000 students from 2005 until it closed in 2010.

"This is a case I could have settled very easily, but I don't settle cases very easily when I'm right," Trump had said in March.

However, Trump's top lawyer on the case, Daniel Petrocelli, alluded to a possible settlement Thursday, noting the unique responsibilities his client now carries.

"We are in uncharted territory," Petrocelli said. Later, he added at a press conference, "There are much more important obligations that President-elect Trump has and he will have to maybe be a little bit more flexible about the resolution of this case."



Petrocelli said he would "chat" with Trump about the prospect of a settlement, even while referring to Trump's desire to win the case outright.

In court, Petrocelli said he would soon file motions requesting to postpone the trial until after Trump's inauguration. But Judge Curiel recently denied a previous effort by the defense to shift the trial.

A lawyer for the former students, Patrick Coughlin, pushed back against the defense's desires to move the trial date and said Trump's election should not affect the case.

"We don't think it changes anything. He's the President- elect. He's not sitting in office," Coughlin said. Jury selection is set to begin at the end of November.
US President-elect Donald Trump today slammed the New York Times for what he said was "very poor and highly inaccurate coverage" of the 'Trump phenomena', as he claimed that the daily was losing thousands of subscribers because of it.

"Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the 'Trump phenomena'," Trump tweeted.

"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologising for their bad coverage of me. I wonder if it will change -- doubt it?" Trump said in another tweet.

The 70-year-old billionaire from New York, who has stormed the American political establishment with his roller coaster ride after joining politics some 17 months ago, has been very critical of the mainstream media for what he alleges as inaccurate and biased coverage of him.

During the election campaign identifying the media covering him as "most dishonest media" had become part of his stump speech.

Several times he had refused to provide credential to some of the top media outlets including The Washington Post. He had described CNN as the Clinton Network.

Today Trump did not identify the story of The New York Times that upset him.

The top American daily's website was leading Sunday morning with a story titled 'President-elect's inner circle includes a clash of visions'.

The two tweets from Trump came a day after he told the PBS that he would restrain from making tweets after becoming the President.

But he did say that social media was a very effective tool for him to fight the negative and biased media coverage.

Trump has some 28 million followers between Twitter and Facebook.

"I'm going to be very restrained, if I use it at all, I'm going to be very restrained. I find it tremendous. It's a modern form of communication. There should be nothing we should be ashamed of. It's -- it's where it's at," Trump said in the interview, excerpts of which was released yesterday.

"I really believe that -- the fact that I have such power in terms of numbers with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera, I think it helped me win all of these races where they're spending much more money than I spent," Trump said.

"And I won. I think that social media has more power than the money they spent, and I think maybe to a certain extent, I proved that," he said.

In all, he has 28 million followers between Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

"It's a great form of communication," he said.

In another tweet, Trump said Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate in 2012 polls, called to congratulate him.

"Mitt Romney called to congratulate me on the win. Very nice!" he said. Romney had opposed Trump during the presidential election.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After being sworn in as US President, would convene a special session of the US Congress to "repeal and replace" Obamacare, the signature healthcare initiative of the outgoing US President Barack Obama, a close aide to the president-elect said today.

"He (Trump) has talked about convening a special session on January 20th after he is sworn in as President of the United States to do this very thing, to repeal and replace Obamacare," the Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway said.

Conway said that the House and Senate under Republican control has repealed Obamacare dozens of times, but they never had a Republican president to go the next step.

"Trump has made very clear what his healthcare plan would look like and it would not look like the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare," she told the Fox News in an interview.

"It would do what Obamacare doesn't do: let you buy health insurance across state lines the way you can buy auto insurance and other goods and services. It would block grant Medicaid to the states. It would create health savings accounts to individuals, which is a very free market solution that works in the private sector in many places," she said.

Trump, she said, would also get rid of the Obamacare penalty practically on day one through his tax reform.

"So, what you see with is what you get, and I believe that's why the voters gave him this election and this mandate," she said.

In an interview to The Wall Street Journal, Trump had said that he would keep some provisions of the Obamacare.

This, he said, he decided after meeting Obama at the Oval Office on Thursday.

"I believe that Trump is being properly respectful to President Obama. But at the same time, this has been an incredibly important issue to millions of voters who have been disappointed in the ill effects of Obamacare. Their premiums have increased, their quality has gone down, it was a lie uttered dozens of times by the president and that if you liked your plan you can keep your plan, if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor," she said.

"And now with the Obamacare premium notices coming into your mailboxes in October, many Americans woke up and said, wait, now I have to make tough choices about every day affordability when it comes to paying the rent or mortgage, food, consumables and my health insurance," Conway noted.

"So, this is an issue that helped the Republicans win and keep the House and Senate in 2010 and 2014 in those off year elections, and in 2016, they went for a president who had Obamacare repeal and replacement as a centerpiece of his messaging," she said.

Conway said by giving Republicans a majority in both the House and the Senate, voters have also said, stop hiding behind divided government.

"That excuse has been removed and I think you're going to see him take some significant action on Obamacare and on these other issues that he talked about like tax reform, defeating radical Islamic terrorism, certainly energy and infrastructure investments, educational opportunities," she said.

Conway said that Trump is off to a great start when he said in his victory speech by saying he represent all Americans, even those who did not support him.

Trump, he said, is willing to work with everyone who is willing to work with him.
Two elderly men standing in seemingly unending queues at banks suffered heart attack and died in a tragic fallout of demonetisation of high-value currency notes as hassled people continued to descend on ATMs and banks in droves leading to arguments and scuffles.

A 69-year-old man died in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar town after suffering a heart attack while standing in a queue to exchange demonetised currency notes outside a bank here, police said today.

"We got the information that an old man (Vinay Kumar Pandey) suffered a heart attack while he was standing in queue outside a bank to exchange his demonetised notes. He was rushed to a private hospital where he died later during treatment," Police Inspector V S Chauhan said.

Another report of such death was received from Limdi town of Surendranagar district in Gujarat where a 69-year-old man died after heart attack.

Mansukh Darji was standing in a queue outside a Bank of India branch in Limbdi when he suddenly collapsed.

"Though he was rushed to the civil hospital by others in the queue, he died shortly thereafter during treatment. We learnt that he suffered a heart attack. His family members informed the doctors that he was a heart patient," said the Police Station Officer (PSO) of Limbdi, Navghanbhai.

As serpentine queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs across the country today, patience wore thin among the hassled public leading to heated arguments and jostling, with banks and cash vends running dry soon after they opened their shutters.

With banks scheduled to remain closed tomorrow on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti, people scrambled to withdraw new banknotes to meet their daily needs and exchange existing high value notes after demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.

In Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, angry people clashed with bank employees and threw stones at the branch at Sujru village, leaving three persons including a woman injured.

Police said as the branch ran out of new notes, the people who had gathered there in large numbers clashed with bank employees. Over a hundred people have been booked in connection with the incident.

In the national capital, people continued to face hardship as they queued up in large numbers outside banks and ATMs to get cash to meet their daily need.

Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in ATMs and banks ran dry as the day drew to an end.

Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur yesterday.

"Since it's a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs," said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two women drug peddlers were arrested and over 11 kilogramme of cannabis were recovered from their possession in the Jammu city, police said today.

Two women carrying black bags were stopped near the KC Colony area of Jammu city yesterday, the officer said, adding on search, 11 kilogramme of cannabis was recovered from them.

The two have been idenfied as Kamli and Roopa both natives of Rajasthan and at present at Qasim Nagar Narwal, he said.

Both the accused were arrested and booked under various sections of the NDPS act, he said, adding that further investigations have been initiated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Britain's Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn today told US President-elect Donald Trump to "grow up" over his controversial stance on immigration and his proposed ban on Muslims entering America.

A visibly angry Corbyn told BBC that his Mexican wife Laura Alvarez and her family felt "absolute anger and outrage" at Trump's proposals to build a wall at the US-Mexican border.

"Donald Trump should grow up and recognise the American economy actually depends on migrant labour.

"The treatment of Mexico by the United States, just as much as his absurd and abusive language towards Muslims is something that has to be challenged," he said.

The Labour leader said "anger and left-behind America" had led to President-elect Trump's surprise victory last week, especially inOhio and the other deindustrialised states in America's rust belt.

"Trump decided to use the populist agenda. He blamed Muslims Mexicans, he blamed Muslims, he blamed women, he blamed anyone he could think of, except the very corporate America that in many ways he actually represents," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Notwithstanding the ban on ivory trade in India, Uttar Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board is inviting people to buy items made from elephant tusk at the ongoing Khadi Mahotsav here.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which India is a signatory, trading in ivory is banned in order to send a strong message against poaching of tuskers.

In a press release issued today, UP Khadi Board's Deputy CEO A K Shukla said during the fortnight-long event that ends on November 24, various items made by rural artisans will be on sale. These will include a variety of items made from elephant tusk, he said in the release.

In India, poaching of tuskers was at its peak during the 1980s and 90s in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu where 2,000 pachyderms were killed during the two decades.

Last year, there was again a surge in poaching with around 30 tuskers having been felled to cater to the demand for ivory.

India is estimated to have about 30,000-35,000 elephants, though not all male elephants have tusks.

Karnataka is estimated to have the largest quantity of ivory in India followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Odisha as they have the largest number of tusker population.

The country has 30 tonnes of ivory, as per a rough estimate. The opinion is divided on burning down the stockpile like in Kenya, which recently set on fire over a hundred tonnes of it, in the largest ever pile of ivory set alight anywhere in the world.

It was done as a demonstration against illegal ivory trade and poaching claiming 30,000 elephants every year.

Experts are divided over whether India should also be following the African model, with a well-known expert on Asian elephants suggesting that part of the stock should be used for scientific research work and DNA barcoding by institutions.

Some wildlife conservationists say it was a good idea to destroy it because ivory had no use apart from ornamental purposes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US Embassy in Afghanistan has closed following deadly insurgent attacks on a German Consulate and an American military base.

In a statement late day, the embassy says it will be "closed for routine services" today "as a temporary precautionary measure."



The unusual decision comes after four Americans, two soldiers and two contractors, were killed in a suicide attack Saturday on the Bagram Airfield near the capital, Kabul.

Two days earlier, insurgents attacked the German Consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing six people and wounding more than 100.

The US Embassy in Kabul regularly warns Americans against travel to Afghanistan, where a Taliban-led insurgency is in its 16th year.

The insurgency has become more virulent since most international combat troops withdrew in 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man was murdered allegedly by some persons of another community here which led to arson and stone-pelting, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in the city today.

The man was allegedly stabbed to death by members of another community over an old enmity yesterday.

Violence erupted when the body was being brought home after postmortem this morning. Around three thatched houses were torched. Besides, three persons were injured in the stone pelting under Kotwali police station area, police sources said.

"Curfew has been imposed in the city limits of the district at around 12.15 PM," Collector Anil Suchari told PTI.

"The city is tense and we are bringing the situation under control by asking people to remain indoors," he said.

An hour before clamping the curfew, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC. However, when the things didn't improve, the curfew was enforced.

Police yesterday booked and arrested 13 persons in connection with the murder.

Vidisha is the Lok Sabha constituency of Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

(Reopens BOM7)



Later in the day, additional police force from Bhopal



reached Vidisha and were deployed in sensitive areas.

Meanwhile, North Bhopal MLA Arif Aqueel appealed to people to maintain peace in town in the wake of the communal tension.

"The victims of arson should make a representation to the competent authority for compensation," said Aqueel who is the lone Muslim legislator in MP.
Actress Radhika Apte says she was amazed to know that the people of a remote village in Maharashtra liked her film "Parched."



"I was astonished to see in one of the villages in Maharashtra, the villagers told me they watched 'Parched' and liked it," Apte told PTI in an interview.

The 31-year-old actress, who was in the city for the launch of Craveller's digital platform, said she enjoyed playing her part in the film.

"Parched," directed by Leena Yadav, starring Apte, Surveen Chawla and Tannishtha Chatterjee, is produced by Ajay Devgn.

Asked if she has seen the one of the most praised films of the year, "Pink," Apte said, "I am really going to disappoint you because I haven't seen the film owing to hectic schedule of my movie promotions and a lot of travelling. 'Pink' is on my top priority list to watch."



Talking about her upcoming projects the actress said she has three films in her kitty, of which two are indo-foreign films including "Ghul," in which she plays an army officer.

"There are three films yet to be released. One is 'Ghul' where I am playing a military officer. There is another big project which I cannot talk about at this point of time," Apte said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hardening its stand, Tata Sons today said its management will do whatever is required to deal with the situation arising out of the ouster of and wanted its independent directors to ensure future of Tata companies and interest of all stakeholders is protected.

In a late-evening statement, Tata Sons said in its statement on November 10, 2016, it has already put forward facts so that the decision of the Tata Sons board "to replace Cyrus P Mistry as chairman is seen in the desired perspective".

"The Tata Sons management will do whatever is required to deal with the situation," it said.

Last week, the promoter company of the major operating Tata group firms had accused Mistry of betraying trust and trying to seek control of main operating companies of the over $100 billion group.

It had also punched holes into Mistry's performance over four years and listed Tata Steel Europe, DoCoMo-Tata Tele joint venture and Tata Motors' Indian operations as "problem companies" where there was no "noticeable improvement in operations" and the situation has worsened with widening losses, increasing debt and declining market share.

Referring to the changes announced in the management roles of the company on November 4, Tata Sons asked its board of group firms and independent directors to keep the interest of the group as priority.

"In light of the developments since November 4, 2016, Tata Sons reiterates that it is crucially important for boards, including independent directors, to consider that their views and positions ensure the future of Tata companies is protected, taking into consideration the interest of all stakeholders," the statement said.

On November 4, Tata Sons had announced organisational changes bringing in S Padmanabhan as the group human resources head. Besides, former Tata brand custodian under Mistry's regime Mukund Rajan has been given the responsibility of overseeing operations of the overseas representative offices of Tata Sons in the US, Singapore, Dubai and China.

This is in addition to his existing responsibility of ethics and sustainability.

Harish Bhat, who is responsible for marketing and customer centricity, will henceforth also be responsible for managing the Tata Brand.

The Tata Sons statement comes days after independent directors of IHCL came out in support of Mistry while Tata Chemicals independent directors also showed their support to him.

Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extra-ordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman and independent director Nusli Wadia.

Besides, Tata Sons has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meeting to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards.

The board room battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24. The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Mistry from the chairmanship of group companies and has already fired him as chairman of TCS.

However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Wadia, have been able to hold on to his position as chairman in Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
A 65-year-old woman was arrested and fake currency notes with a total face value of Rs 37,000 were seized from her when she allegedly came to deposit the high denomination notes at an SBI branch in Malappuram district, police said today.

The accused, Mariyamma, visited the branch at Kondotty yesterday to deposit Rs 49,500 of which bank officials found currency notes with a face value of Rs 37,000 to be fake.

All the notes were of Rs 1000 denomination.

SBI officials immediately informed police.

When questioned, the woman had stated that her children who were in the Gulf had sent her the money, police said.

On the basis of the bank manager's complaint, the woman was arrested and has been remanded to judicial custody, police said.

A case has been registered under IPC section 489 (B)(C) (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency or bank notes, possession of forged or counterfeit currency or bank notes), they added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Suvashree Choudhury and Sanjeev Miglani

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Reserve Bank of India on Sunday urged savers to not hoard money as public anger mounted over the government's shock decision to withdraw large denomination notes in an attempt to clean up the country's black economy.

Thousands of people were again standing outside banks across the country trying to change 500 and 1,000 rupee bills the government abolished on Tuesday, in an effort to crack down on corruption.

The banned rupee notes made up more than 80 percent of the currency in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt.

As banks struggled to dispense money, the RBI said small denomination currency notes were available with both the central bank and with other lenders.

People "need not be anxious" and should not hoard bank notes because "cash is available when they need it", the RBI said in a statement.

The Times of India reported that the central bank's office in the western city of Ahmedabad was handing out coins in return for the old notes because it didn't have enough of the valid tender.

It showed a picture of a man emerging with plastic packets of coins of 10 rupees, underlining the banking system's struggle to make the transition to the new series of notes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, facing criticism from opposition groups for putting ordinary people into difficulties, promised further steps to rid the country of graft.

"We have taken a key step to help the honest citizens of India defeat the menace of black money," he said in a speech in western seaside resort of Goa. The decision to demonetise the high value notes was planned in secrecy over the past 10 months, he said.

Modi came to power in 2014 with a mandate to boost economic growth and fight the corruption that taints large parts of India's political and business life.

So far, despite the rising difficulties people are facing, his crackdown on corruption is supported particularly among the middle-class which want action against the political and business elite for wrongdoing.

Anil Dalavi, a 32-year-old Mumbai resident with 20 rupees in his pocket who was waiting outside a bank, said he supported Modi's efforts to go after people with ill-gotten wealth.

"It has been tough for middle class people like us because we were caught completely unaware. But since this is a good move to flush out black money, I am willing to bear the pain."

The "black economy", the term widely used to describe transactions that take place outside formal channels, could account for as much as 20 percent of gross domestic product, according to investment firm Ambit.

POLITICAL BACKLASH

Modi's political opponents said they were going to unite to fight the demonetisation move which had made lives difficult for millions of ordinary people.

"The government has spread anarchy in the country, the common man cannot buy daily products," said Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of Samajwadi party, as crowds formed outside banks in Lucknow, the capital of the country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh. Yadav demanded Modi withdraw the decision to cancel the bank notes.

Uttar Pradesh, which holds state elections early next year, sends the largest number of legislators to India's national parliament.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state, said the situation was "nothing short of an emergency" and pledged to unite opposition parties against the government's decision.

"I have never seen such a thing. People have money in their accounts but can't access it. They can't pay for treatment of a family member in hospital, weddings have been put on hold, daily business has taken a beating," she said.

(Editing by Stephen Coates and Jane Merriman)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government is looking into sudden 'popping up' of money into zero-balance Jan Dhan accounts, after an unprecedented Rs 2 lakh crore of cash flooded the banking system within just two days of demonetisation of high value currency.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said law enforcement agencies are keeping a hawk eye on illegal currency changers, offering to change the junked 500 and 1000 rupee notes, as well as those investing their money in gold and bullion to hide unaccounted wealth.

"We are getting some complaints that suddenly monies have popped up in the Jan Dhan accounts, so there is a misuse and that is why the rationing in initial days takes place," he said, adding that the departments concerned will act if anything improper is found in the deposits.

The government is focusing on ensuring that replacement of currency notes withdrawn, with new legal tender, takes place smoothly and quickly so that inconvenience to people is minimised, Jaitley said, adding "the Enforcement Directorate and revenue department are keeping a close watch".

Cautioning those indulging in illegal usage of the demonetised currency, he said authorities will not hesitate to take action against any unlawful activity.

His statement comes amid reports that the old high denomination notes had been used to buy gold or were being exchanged for a premium.

ED is scrutinising as many as 67 foreign exchange dealers and Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence is also monitoring prominent jeweller and bullion traders.

The Finance Minister said India as a country should move towards plastics currency and more and more use electronic modes for transactions.

Country's largest lender State Bank of India has got Rs 47,868 crore cash deposits during the last two-and-a-half days and since SBI accounts for about 25 per cent of the banking system, the total cash mobilised by all banks put together could be around Rs 2 lakh crore, said.

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on the night of November 8 announced withdrawal of 500 and 1000 rupee notes but allowed people to deposit them in their bank accounts or exchange them with new Rs 2000 and Rs 500 notes till December 30.

To give comfort to honest taxpayers, it has said deposits of up to Rs 2.5 lakh in accounts of housewives and farmers will not be reported to Income Tax authorities.

"The objective of the scheme was to get the idle cash into the banking system and if you multiply it (SBI's deposits) by 4-5 times, about Rs 2 lakh crore has become part of the banking system," Jaitley said.

He said the government had factored in that inconvenience may be caused in first few days but the long term advantages for the overall economy were far more, he said.

Businesses, he said, should brace for transacting through digital mode, cheques and payment gateways so that their lives remain simple going forward.

"As far as fake currency is concerned, government agencies are keeping an eye on that," he said.

Jaitley said banks have expressed concern about managing crowds and also that some customers are asking for smaller denomination currency.

"Even though large quantum of currency is available, in the given branch that particular choice may not be available.

And therefore, I would appeal to people to take whichever currency is available rather than insist on a particular choice," he said.

Jaitley hoped that with the passage of time banks will service more people and the crowds will then start thinning.

"The RBI and banks are in readiness... The situation now is peaceful, there are long queues but very orderly queues," he said, adding that there is no limit on the number of times you can exchange currencies.

In some parts of the country banks would remain closed on Monday on account of Guru Nanak Birthday. They will, however, remain open in Western and Southern India.

As much as 86 per cent of the currency or about Rs 14 lakh crore was doing rounds in the economy in the form of high denominations 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

While demonetising Rs 500/1,000 notes, the government had announced it would bring in new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes of different design and colour.

A lot of security features have been put into the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes so that counterfeiting becomes impossible, Jaitley said.

The government, Jaitley said, will consider suggestions on whether to remove surcharge on card transactions as it aims to move towards a less cash economy.

Giving an example of the country's largest lender SBI, which controls 20-25 per cent of banking business, he said that in two-half days it has done 2.28 crore transactions.

"You can make an estimate that total banking system would have done about 4-5 times of that of SBI which is about Rs 2 lakh crore," he said.

In the last two-and-a-half days, he said, SBI received deposits worth Rs 47,868 crore.

SBI alone has exchanged notes of 58 lakh customers, while 22 lakh customers have used ATMs and 33 lakh have withdrawn cash.

"4,000 currency chests have adequate amount of currency ... Currency exchange of such a massive magnitude cannot happen mechanically overnight," Jaitley said.
| BY Ricki Green |

Ipsos has announced the appointment of Liz Harley as managing director of Ipsos Connect, the media and brand expression specialist division of global market research company Ipsos.

Harley has 20 years experience in consumer, media and advertising research and was most recently head of research and insights at Mindshare.

In addition, Ipsos head of business development Brian Hogan has been promoted to executive director, emma (Enhanced Media Metrics Australia), reporting to Harley.

Harley began her career in the media department of London agency KHBB before moving into media research. She has worked with BMRB (TGI) in London before relocating to Sydney to join research firm TNS and then Millward Brown specialising in advertising effectiveness research.

Says Simon Wake, CEO, Ipsos ANZ: We are delighted to welcome someone the calibre of Liz to Ipsos Connect. She has extensive experience and skills in communications evaluation, audience research and nearly a decade at the leading edge of the recent revolution in digital media and advertising. Lizs role will include leading our advertising tracking and copy testing business, advanced analytics, media research and providing strategic direction in the evolution of emma. Having worked with Liz before, I know she will make an invaluable contribution to the business.

I would also like to congratulate Brian on his new role leading emma, as we continue to position emma as the best cross platform audience insights metric in the country.

Says Harley: The modern media and consumer landscape makes it a really exciting time to work in media and brand research as companies seek new ways to engage audiences. Im looking forward to working with the team and growing our business.
Most of those already there were scheduled to fly back on Monday night. Mr Smyth stays with Mr Barr until Wednesday. The men are expected to take part in a commemorative wreath-laying, and a lunch meeting with the mayor, and Mr Smyth said they would "raise a toast to the people of Wellington using Canberra beer in a local pub", then leave the rest of the Canberra Week beers for Wellington to enjoy later.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
BMW is reportedly preparing to debut the G31-generation 5-Series Touring at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2017.



BMW Blog asserts that the Tourings debut will follow on from the 5-Series sedan, tipped to make its public premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

As one would expect, the 5-Series Touring will bare many design similarities with its sedan sibling, albeit with a different roofline and tailgate. In fact, recent spy shots of prototypes wearing minimal camouflage suggest that the model is in its final stages of development and testing.

It should come as no surprise that the model will share its family of engines with the sedan. That means the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-pot and electric motor of the 530e sedan will be available to 5-Series Touring customers, too, delivering an identical 249 hp, while the rest of the range will include 2.0- and 3.0-liter petrol and diesel units.

The range-topping variant can be expected to receive the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 of the M550i xDrive while all versions, bar probably the basic 520d, will come coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Rendering via Theophilus Chin

PHOTO GALLERY
You could have the missing piece of the puzzle that will help the RCMP put someone behind bars. Here are some recent crimes that Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers hope you can help solve by calling our anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown.

CRIME: THEFT OF FUEL

DATE: November 5, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-66528

On November 5th around 4:00 p.m. a man noticed what he thought was a male fueling an excavator at a construction area on Tyndall Road in Lake Country. He then noticed a blue compressor hose running from the excavator into the tank of the new light coloured Ford F350 Platinum Edition truck. When the man realized he was discovered, he quickly closed the gas cap and took off at a high rate of speed. The witness then followed the direction of the truck, but lost sight of it. The truck then returned, passing the witness and clipping his vehicles side mirror. The driver of the Ford F30 is described as a 50 year old Caucasian male with dark hair wearing dark-rimmed eyeglasses and well dressed in a black coat and pants. The suspects vehicle may have had Alberta license plates and had an LED light bar installed on the front grill above the bumper. Another complainant called in this vehicle for dangerous driving near the Shanks Road/ Glenmore Road intersection.

Photo: Crime Stoppers

If you know anything about this crime, or any other crime, call the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net. Your information will be kept confidential and could lead to a reward of up to $2000.00.

CRIME: SEARCH FOR STOLEN CAMERA

DATE: October 1, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-59329

The victim of a vehicle break and enter is asking for help to recover a stolen camera and the memories it holds. On October 1st thieves took a Garmin portable navigation system and a red Nikon SLR camera from a vehicle located at a complex on the 11,000 block of Bottom Wood Lake Road in Lake Country. The family would like to at least recover the SD card from the camera which contains family photos from the Oregon Coast.

Photo: Crime Stoppers

You can help catch these suspects and qualify for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Contributed

We remembered our veterans Friday  as we should all year not just Nov. 11  but today, I want to share a letter Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons, wrote to MPs about the history of the Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower.

Speaker Regan wrote:

"On the morning of Nov. 3 when the original Centre Block was destroyed in the fire of 1916, Canada was in the midst of the First World War.

"Construction of the new Centre Block began almost immediately, and its architect John A. Pearson designed it to be a call to parliamentarians to remember that, in a time of war, they had been chosen to represent Canadians, and that they were duty-bound to live up to that honour.

"Four years later, the House of Commons would meet again on Parliament Hill, in a building still not completely finished, and by the end of the war, a plan was put in place for the construction of the Peace Tower, dedicated to the fallen of the First World War.

"At its heart, the Peace Tower houses the Memorial Chamber, a space of remembrance and reverence that pays tribute to the sacrifices of Canadians, the cost of peace and a legacy of hope.

"It is unlike any other space in Centre Block, as the stone used for its floor and walls comes directly from Belgium and France. The stone for the altar upon which the First World War Book of Remembrance is displayed comes as a gift from Great Britain.

"In the Books of Remembrance are set down the names of all those that we have lost. Their pages are turned every morning at eleven o'clock in a solemn ceremony, which allows for each page in each Book to appear at least once in the course of the year.

As a veteran, it is a deeply moving experience to visit the Memorial Chamber to reflect, remember and to honour those who never returned.

The seven Books of Remembrance commemorate the lives of more than 118,000 Canadians who, since Confederation, have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in uniform.

For those unable to travel to Ottawa, the names inscribed in the Books of Remembrance can also be found in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial at www.veterans.gc.ca and family members are welcome to contribute digital files that will help tell the story of each of the deceased.

The passing of remembrance to younger generations is a sign of keeping the faith with all who died.

Whether we pin a red poppy to our lapels, or light a candle for a Canadian soldier, our acts of remembrance and our commitment to remember is our ongoing tribute.

On Nov. 11, I hope you remembered the 1.5 million brave Canadians who served and continue to serve our country at home and abroad and the more than 118,000 men and women who died so that we may live in peace and freedom.

They were young, as we are young,

They served, giving freely of themselves.

To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,

To carry their torch and never forget.

We will remember them.

Stephen Fuhr is the member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Twitter - CTV

Delta firefighters battled a large fire in a commercial complex Saturday afternoon.

Thick, black smoke and flames billowed from the building, which housed a deli market, at 93A Avenue and 119B Street, on the border of Delta and Surrey.

The structure was heavily damaged in the blaze.

Firefighters fought the blaze from the ground and with aerial ladder trucks.

There's no word on what may have caused the fire, or if anyone was injured in the blaze.
Photo: Instagram

Warm weather is shattering records across the Lower Mainland.

Tuesday was the hottest Nov. 8 on record in several cities.

"In Abbotsford, the high temperature for the day was 22.4 C, said Environment Canada meteorologist David Jones. There were 20 days in the heat of the summer where Abbotsford wasn't as warm."

The pineapple express system continues to bring unseasonably warm weather.

So far in November, temperatures have been about five degrees above average.

That comes on the heels of an October that brought more rainy days to the region than any on record  28 out of 31 days.

A return to more normal temperatures is expected soon, according to Environment Canada.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Facebook

Hundreds of people mourned the 13-year-old victim of an Abbotsford high school stabbing on Saturday.

Crowds packed Central Heights Church to remember Letisha Reimer.

Reimer was killed Nov.1 when an intruder at Abbotsford Senior Secondary stabbed her and a 14-year-old friend. The second girl survived with serious injuries.

Its like there's a big hole in our church, and on our mission trip, friend Jonathan Goldschmidt told CTV. Its like a big hole where she should have been.

Pastor Matt Ewert said: This is obviously unimaginably difficult for them to walk through ... but certainly we have heard from them  that being part of a church family has been something. They're unsure how they'd be where they are right now without having that support.

Reimer was well known and loved, said Jon Wiebe, her former youth pastor.

Her laugh would light up the room, he told CTV. She was filled with joy and energy.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
UPDATE: 5:10 p.m.

Police in New Zealand say one person died in the small coastal town of Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the country. There were also reports that several people had suffered minor injuries in Kaikoura, police spokeswoman Rachel Purdom said.

The quake completely cut off road access to Kaikoura, said resident Terry Thompson, who added that electricity and most phones were also down in the town of 2,000, a popular destination for tourists taking part in whale-watching expeditions.

Thompson was out of town but managed to reach his wife by cellphone during the night before her phone died.

"She said the glass exploded right out of the double ranch-slider," he said. "The neighbour's chimney was gone, there were breakages and things smashed everywhere."

His wife helped a 93-year-old neighbour and a tourist into her car and drove to higher ground, he said.

"They stayed in the car all night but couldn't sleep," Thompson said. "They're all very, very tired and concerned about the state of their property."

Prime Minister John Key was travelling to Kaikoura to survey the damage Monday afternoon. The prime minister said waves of about 2 metres (6.6 feet) hit the coast but the tsunami threat had since been downgraded to coastal warnings.

He said authorities had no reason to believe the death toll would rise above the two reported fatalities.

"On the very best information we have at the moment, we think it's only likely to be two. But of course there are isolated parts of the country which we don't have perfect eyes on, so we can't be 100 per cent sure," he said.

Key said officials had decided not to declare a national emergency because the nation's regions were able to adequately cope with the situation.

UPDATE: 10:40 a.m.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says at least 2 people were killed in the powerful earthquake.

More to come.

UPDATED: 8:45 a.m.

A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island early Monday, shaking residents awake, causing damage to buildings and prompting emergency services to warn people along the coast to move to higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck just after midnight in a mostly rural area close to the city of Christchurch, but appeared to be more strongly felt in Wellington, the capital, more than 200 kilometres (120 miles) to the north. The quake was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.

The quake temporarily knocked out New Zealand's emergency call number, 111, police reported. It caused items to fall from shelves and windows to break in Wellington, and forced hundreds of tourists onto the streets as hotels were evacuated. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries in the city.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management reported that a tsunami wave struck at about 1:50 a.m. and warned residents living in low-lying areas anywhere along the country's east coast to move to higher ground.

Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated that the tsunami waves could be highest around the South Island town of Kaikoura, at about 1.5 metres (5 feet). The Hawaii-based centre said it did not expect the quake to generate a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami.

Within New Zealand, there was confusion about the tsunami threat.

The ministry had earlier sent out a message on Twitter saying there was no tsunami threat to the country. But then it sent out another message  "situation has changed - tsunami is possible"  before reporting that a tsunami had hit.

The ministry said people on the coast near the epicenter could expect waves of between 3 and 5 metres (10 and 16 feet).

While there were no immediate reports of any major damage or injuries in Christchurch, the quake brought back memories of a magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck the city in 2011, destroying much of the downtown area and killing 185 people in one of New Zealand's worst disasters. Monday's quake was centred farther away from Christchurch than the one in 2011, which caused an estimated $25 billion in damage.

The quake was centred 93 kilometres (57 miles) northeast of Christchurch, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS initially estimated that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 before revising it to 7.8. It said the quake struck at a depth of 23 kilometres (14 miles), after initially putting the depth at 10 kilometres (6 miles). Earthquakes tend to be more strongly felt on the surface when they're shallow.

New Zealand sits on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.
Photo: Thinkstock.com

The death of a single wild animal is not usually significant, but, for an endangered species of killer whales, the loss of a young female has some experts worried that the population may reach a point where it stops growing.

There are only 80 killer whales among the southern residents  a clan of orcas that live in the waters off southern British Columbia and Washington State  and the death of each female is a lost opportunity to increase the pod.

Ken Balcomb, senior scientist for the Centre for Whale Research, said the recently deceased orca called J28 follows a trend of females dying either late in pregnancy or not long after giving birth.

"The population is not going to recover if we don't have reproductive females," he said.

J28 gave birth to a male calf in October last year. Researchers noticed something was wrong last January, Balcomb said, when she began losing weight.

The 23-year-old orca died in October near the Juan de Fuca Strait separating Vancouver Island from Washington state. Her new-born calf also looked thin, and Balcomb said his survival without a mother was unlikely.

J28's body was not recovered, so the cause of death remains uncertain, but Balcomb said he suspects an inadequate food supply and toxins are to blame.

The whales  and their neighbouring northern residents which ply the waters off B.C. and Alaska  rely predominantly on chinook salmon but also eat chum and coho.

Balcomb said in years chinook and other fish stocks are poor, the orcas are forced to metabolize their blubber, releasing toxins into their blood and organs.

Another female orca died over the summer, and more than 50 per cent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

But Lance Barrett-Lennard, director of cetacean research at the Vancouver Aquarium, said aerial photos he has been collecting on southern residents don't show the appearance of starving whales, despite a poor chinook run this year.

While the population of the southern residents is down, Ford said they aren't in crisis yet with their numbers stronger than they were in the 1970s when they dwindled to only 71 orcas.

Northern residents are faring even better, with a population of about 300.
Photo: The Canadian Press

South Korean prosecutors want to question President Park Geun-hye this week over suspicion that she let a shadowy longtime confidante manipulate power from behind the scenes, an official said Sunday.

It would be the first time that a sitting South Korean president has been questioned by prosecutors. The explosive scandal is the most serious challenge for Park, whose public apologies have done little to calm public anger.

Prosecutors are seeking to question Park face-to-face on either Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, a prosecution official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was underway, said prosecutors conveyed their position to Park's office and were awaiting a response.

The president's office said earlier Sunday that it can work out its position on a Park investigation as early as Tuesday. It said it needs time to review when and how Park should be investigated.

In addition to allegedly manipulating power, the president's confidante, Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader who emerged as Park's mentor in the 1970s, is also suspected of exploiting her presidential ties to bully companies into donating tens of millions of dollars to foundations she controlled.

Choi was formally arrested on Nov. 3 on charges of fraud and abuse of power. Prosecutors have until Nov. 20 to formally charge her.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people flooded Seoul's streets to demand Park's resignation in what may be South Korea's largest protest since it shook off dictatorship three decades ago.

In an attempt to stabilize the situation, Park said Tuesday that she would let the opposition-controlled parliament choose her prime minister. But opposition parties say her words are meaningless without specific promises about transferring much of her presidential powers to a new No. 2.

Under South Korean law, a sitting president has immunity from prosecution except in cases of treason, but many scholars say a president can still face investigation.

Park has 15 months left in her term. If she steps down before the end of it, an election must be held within 60 days.
Queen Elizabeth II led the royal family, political leaders and veterans in a solemn service to honour Britain's war dead Sunday, as Britons across the nation paused for a moment's silent reflection to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The monarch laid the first wreath of red poppies at the foot of central London's Cenotaph war memorial in an annual service to remember all those killed in past and present conflicts.

A hush fell over the capital as those gathered observed a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918  when guns on the Western Front fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Remembrance Sunday is held each year on the second Sunday in November.

Later, crowds lining the streets of Whitehall cheered as some 8,500 veterans and servicemen and women marched past to music played by military bands.

Remembrance events this year are especially poignant because 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. The British Army suffered almost 60,000 casualties on the first day of the Somme battle alone, and more than a 1 million men would be killed or injured on both sides over the course of the offensive.

Britain holds great importance in paying tribute to those who fought in the two World Wars as well as the thousands killed or injured in conflicts since 1945.

Prime Minister Theresa May said this year's tribute should also be a time to remember British forces fighting the Islamic State group, those combating piracy or taking part in peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Leon Russell, who sang, wrote and produced some of rock 'n' roll's top records, has died. He was 74.

An email from Leon Russell Records to The Associated Press says Russell died in Nashville "last night." The email cites Russell's wife as the source of the information. Russell had heart bypass surgery in July and was recovering from that at the time of his death. He had been planning on resuming touring in January, the email said.

Russell's official website says the musician died Sunday, also citing his wife as the source of the information.

Besides his music, Russell was known for his striking appearance: wispy white hair halfway down his back and that covered much of his face.

He wrote Joe Cocker's "Delta Lady" and in 1969 put together Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour, which spawned a documentary film and a hit double album.

As a musician, primarily a pianist, he played on The Beach Boys' "California Girls" and Jan and Dean's "Surf City." He also played guitar and bass.

Russell produced and played on recording sessions for Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones and many others.

He recorded hit songs himself like "Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue" and participated in "The Concert for Bangladesh." John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison played on his first album, "Leon Russell."

His concerts often ended with a rousing version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash." In 1973, Billboard Magazine listed Russell as the top concert attraction in the world. About this time, he was the headline act on billings that included Elton John and at other times Willie Nelson.

In a 1992 interview with The Associated Press, Russell said music doesn't really change much.

"It's cyclical, like fashion. You keep your old clothes and they'll be in style again sooner or later.

"There are new things, like rap. But that's a rebirth of poetry. It's brought poetry to the public consciousness."

In 2011, Russell was chosen for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also was honoured with an Award for Music Excellence from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He and Elton John released "The Union," a critically received duo album in 2010.

"He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me," Elton John said in a Facebook post Sunday. "Thank God we caught up with each other and made 'The Union'. He got his reputation back and felt fulfilled. I loved him and always will."

Russell, born in Lawton, Oklahoma, began as a nightclub piano player in Oklahoma at the age of 14, also backing touring artists when they came to town. Jerry Lee Lewis was so impressed with Russell that he hired Russell and his band for two years of tours.

He relocated to Los Angeles in 1959, where he became known as a top musician, and later to Nashville.

In the early 2000s he began his own record label, Leon Russell Records.
Photo: Contributed

The last major storm in an long series of warm storms will move into British Columbia today, bringing more days of rain.

Environment Canada reports that heavy rainfall is expected along the coast with lesser amounts inland, and heavy winds for coastal sections.

Freezing levels for the Coast Mountain Range will start at 1500 metres and increase to 2100 m during the peak of the warm sector, whereas the Columbias and Kootenays will remain close to 1200 m and 1400 m, respectively.

The weather forecast for the entire week in the Okanagan calls for grey, cloudy conditions with varying chances of rain.

For the first time this season, Friday's Kelowna forecast even mentions the word flurries. Friday night is currently forecast as cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of rain or flurries.

Two weaker, slightly cooler systems will follow in behind on Monday evening and Tuesday, but will only affect the southern third of the province.

Rain will continue through the night Monday for southern B.C. with significant rainfall amounts through Howe Sound and the North Shore Mountains, writes Environment Canada.

A cool, dry airmass will move into B.C. Wednesday through Friday bringing partly cloudy to mainly cloudy conditions.

For more information on driving in wet winter conditions, click here.

For up to date details on highway conditions and road closures check DriveBC.

You can also monitor Environment Canada for alerts, warnings and updated forecasts.

For your local weather forecast click here.
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An impressive wall display at TTM Technology in Chippewa Falls contains several dozen tributes to service men and women, past and present.

Its all done in the form of what resembles military dog tags, with photos and service information, that either represent TTM employees or their family members.

Included among the 60 or so on the wall is a picture of Joseph Carpenter Quiner, a private in Company B of the 16th Wisconsin Infantry, who was just 28 years old when he died of wounds sustained April 6, 1862 in the Battle of Shiloh (Tenn.).

The others are all more recent than the Civil War, but they all amount to tributes to veterans that have been part of TTMs efforts every November in honor of Veterans Day.

Displays like this one have been going on for the better part of a decade at TTM, and lately they have expanded their connection to veterans by teaming up with the American Red Cross.

Chuck Daly, manager of environmental health and safety, worked with the Red Cross to set up the programs.

Its a nice opportunity to get our employees involved in the service projects, he said.

Holidays for Heroes is billed as a way for Americans to Give Something That Means Something this holiday season. TTM employees are able to sign cards of support that will then be delivered to service members next month.

There also is an oversized card for employees to sign, before the card is delivered to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls.

Its a chance for us to convey our appreciation for their service, Daly said.

Another program is Adopt a Deployment, where employees at TTM can donate a variety of items that will then be packaged and sent to service members overseas. The items can be anything from games and puzzles to personal hygiene items or foods and snacks.

TTM is also collecting financial donations from workers, and the company has agreed to match those donations.

Members of the Veterans Wall Committee are Lynette Bleske, Dan Elwood, Judy Schneider, Greg Witt, Denise Wohlbier and Michele Zimmerman.

Were never going to be happy until we have this whole wall filled, said Witt, the department lead for security and a member of the U.S. Air Force since 1991. Until you can walk through it, not into it.
Our successful statewide nutrition education program is getting a new name to make it relevant and accessible to more audiences.

FoodWIse, formerly known as the Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program, or WNEP, has a long legacy of providing nutrition education to Wisconsin families and individuals with limited incomes. While the program remains strong, much has changed at the national, state and local level since it first began.

We wanted to move away from an acronym that holds little meaning for program partners and our target audience, says Amber Canto, the state coordinator for the program. Our goal was to move closer to an action-oriented name that reflects our purpose and intended outcomes, as well as focus on a relevant digital presence.

FoodWIse, University of Wisconsin-Extensions nutrition education program, is a federally funded effort that seeks to empower Wisconsin residents with limited incomes to make healthy choices to achieve healthy lives and reduce health disparities. Program funders include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

UW Extensions nutrition education program works in 66 of the 72 Wisconsin counties and has been in Dunn County for 20 years. FoodWIse nutrition educators work out of county Cooperative Extension offices and employ a combination of tested educational strategies designed to help people choose healthy foods and become more food secure by spending dollars wisely. To learn more, visit http://fyi.uwex.edu/foodwise/

Countdown to Thanksgiving: Plan Ahead

Food safety questions are the most frequent types of inquiries that come to my office. With Thanksgiving coming soon, here are some guidelines on thawing and cooking your turkey:

Refrigerator (40F or below): Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Thaw in the refrigerator on a tray or pan to catch drips. Allow 24 hrs for each 4-5 pounds of turkey to thaw. Once completely thawed, the turkey may be stored in the refrigerator an additional 1 to 2 days before cooking. Allow 4-5 days to thaw an average 20-pound turkey in the refrigerator.

In cold water: It is best to keep the turkey in the original package. Completely submerge the turkey in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Allow 8 to 10 hrs to thaw a 20-pound turkey in cold water. Cook your turkey immediately after thawing.

Microwave oven: Check your owners manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave, the minutes per pound and the power level to use for thawing. Remove all outside wrapping and place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Cook your turkey immediately after thawing.

A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165F as measured with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and the thickest part of the breast. For safetys sake, dont rely solely on the turkeys pop-up doneness indicator.

For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. If you choose to stuff your turkey, loosely fill the turkey cavity. Cook the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F.

Go to the following links for more information on food safety for your Thanksgiving meal:
Just Fix It was echoed from every corner of the state Sept. 29, 2016, when thousands of local government leaders and concerned citizens brought attention to an issue that has moved to the forefront on their to do list  namely finding a sustainable solution to our transportation woes.

Turnout for Transportation was hosted by local government officials in 70 different locations around Wisconsin. A statewide local government meeting like this had never occurred before in Wisconsins 168-year history. That alone should tell people something. The level of frustration over our collective inability to address this most basic function of government spurred our county supervisors, city alderman, village trustees and town supervisors to provide leadership to move the dialogue in a positive direction.

In the 70 separate meetings held around the state there were, of course, many issues voiced unique to the specific area, but there were also some common themes that we heard again and again.

Some of those themes:

Local governments dont have the resources to sustain local roads, harbors, and bus systems. This creates inefficiencies by requiring more frequent repairs and shortening the overall life of the road.

The worsening condition of our highways and streets is a drag on the local economy.

In the face of stagnant state transportation funds and property tax limits, local leaders are forced to use less than ideal options to simply maintain what they have, including borrowing money and asking our grandchildren to pay for our roads today.

The longer we delay these improvements the more we jeopardize safety.

Local leaders support efforts to streamline the regulatory process in order to make sure every single dollar is used efficiently and effectively.

Attendees also shared significant concerns about mobility options for seniors and people with disabilities. With the obvious demographic shifts upon us, this demand will grow appreciably.

What was also interesting about these meetings was that many business and civic leaders who are not locally elected officials took the time to turnout for transportation as well. Our agricultural community, tourism community, manufacturers, realtors and loggers showed up and shared their frustrations with the condition of both our state and local roads.

Local officials in Wisconsin run on a nonpartisan ballot. In a time when it seems that elected officials all line up on one team or the other, local governments are still about problem solving. They are too busy worrying about the 911 center, garbage pick-up or plowing the streets to view everything through an ideological lens.

Probably the single biggest thing we heard from both our members and the citizens from all the different business sectors that participated Sept. 29 was that this is a problem we all see and all want resolved. It really shouldnt be this hard. We are in this together, from Superior to Kenosha. Our transportation system is just that  a system. We need the first and last mile maintained properly, along with bus systems, freight infrastructure and major highway corridors. It cannot be an either-or situation.

Our state elected officials have plenty of thorny issues that lend themselves to legitimate ideological and partisan divide. Finding a sustainable solution to our transportation system should not be one of them. Thanks to our local elected officials, citizens all across this state had the opportunity to show up in September and share their stories and suggestions. But they also sent a very clear message that we plan to continue to carry to Madison: Just Fix It.

The Wisconsin Counties Association, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the Wisconsin Towns Association and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin coordinated the statewide event.
When Lake Hallie resident and Village Board member Mark Perry woke up Wednesday morning, he had a huge grin on his face and was confident the country was heading in a new direction.

I was so confident (Donald) Trump was going to win that I went to bed at 10:30 Tuesday, Perry said. When I saw he took Ohio and Florida, I knew he had it wrapped up.

In Perry's hometown, 53 percent of voters chose the Republican nominee. Perry, a home improvement contractor, has been a Trump supporter since the beginning of the presidential election. For him, and many Americans, Trump is synonymous with two things: different and change.

Hes different because hes not a politician and he spent his own money; he wasnt bought and paid for like the other candidates, Perry said. Americans have said theyre sick and tired of Washington D.C. and politics as usual.

In Chippewa County, Trump won 57 percent of voters, compared to Hillary Clinton's 38 percent. In Wisconsin, this was the first time the state overwhelmingly voted for a Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Trumps promise to Make America Great Again, to bring back American jobs to the country, strengthen the military and secure borders, was a big reason Perry voted for him.

Perry also likes Trump plan to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the country, saying Trump proved neither party should have to worry about them.

I cant think of any one of his campaign promises Id disagree on, Perry said. Hes saying whats needed to be fixed for years.

Forty minutes north of Perry, Holcombe resident Craig Aune awoke pleasantly surprised Wednesday morning. Having gone to bed early the night before, he thought it looked like Trump wasnt going to win.

A retired manufacturing manager of 30-some years at Thermo King in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aune knows all about losing jobs overseas.

Aune went to high school in Holcombe and came back after he retired in 2001, but the landscape in his community has changed since then. Now, he said Holcombe has a lot of retirees.

We were all employed during a period of time where the economy was growing, Aune said. Toward the end of my career we saw plants closing, jobs going overseas. The younger generation cant stick around in these small communities, they have to go someplace theres employment.

Aune thinks Trump will bring those jobs back into communities like Holcombe, Chippewa Falls and even Eau Claire. Not just flipping burger jobs, but meaningful jobs like the ones he had 15-20 years ago.

Aune was skeptical about Trump at first, with some of his statements regarding women, minorities and people with disabilities. But throughout the campaign, he feels Trump has changed his discourse.

I believe the man deep down is very concerned about people whether theyre black, white, Native American or whatever, Aune said. He said some things he probably didnt mean early in his campaign, but he came around and recognized that. He supports all races.

As the country remains divided with protests happening throughout the country, such as those in Washington D.C. and Minneapolis, Aune said he understands why people are upset their candidate lost.

He was upset and surprised, too, when President Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain in 2008. But he doesnt think they need to protest.

These people surely have a right to be upset, their candidate didnt win, but if you go back in (John F.) Kennedys time, he tried to bring the country back together again, Aune said. He did it successfully and Im hoping Trump can do the same thing. There are many of us that want to see the country go in the direction Trump is going to lead it.

Up in Rusk County, Ladysmith resident Travis Ewer didnt feel Trumps rhetoric divided the country. In his eyes, Trump is focused on all American people regardless of race.

Ewer chose to watch videos and live streams of Trump rallies rather than listen to what news outlets said because he thought that took Trumps words out of context.

He said some things that were uncomfortable about people there, but I dont think its divisive, Ewer said. He doesnt look at people as groups, but as people. Jobs are good for every group, border security good for every group and defeating ISIS is good for every group. He just wants one America.

While Ewer was originally on board with Gov. Scott Walker, when he dropped out of the race, Ewer said supporting Trump made the most sense. He agrees with his more traditional values Trump holds as well as his support of the Second Amendment.

A Republican House, Senate and president means the Supreme Court judge position will be filled with a more conservative judge, and Ewer thinks they will uphold constitutional principles.

Its exciting to see a movement basically no one saw coming and no one predicted, Ewer said. As soon as I heard, I realized something unexpected and far out of the norm in American politics just took place. And I couldnt be happier.

He also feels Trumps Christian values means churches will have a place in politics again.

There are many others, though, who would have liked to see the first female president. Chippewa Falls resident Nicholas Schneider, a 38-year-old licensed social worker, his fiance and some of their friends were glued to the T.V. in the early hours of the morning.

Schneider realized early on it wasnt going to happen. Though he wasnt happy with the outcome, Schneider, an active Democrat in the community, took a proactive approach almost immediately.

Im attempting to reach out to some of my Republican and Trump-voting friends, sit down with them and just have a conversation, Schneider said. (This election) could be an opportunity for what appears to be two very different ideologies to come together and talk.

This election has brought out the worst in people on both sides, Schneider said. He worries the negative rhetoric will divide the country even more than it already has been this last year.

Hes worried about how women will fair under a Trump presidency, with all the negative rhetoric his supporters allowed him to use during the campaign, as well as minorities. As a member of the LGBTQ community, he also worries about his own rights.

My fiance (Jason) and I are getting married next fall and he has not spoken favorably of policies that have given us many of the same rights as heterosexual couples, Schneider said. I worry some of the progress made in the LGBTQ community could be reversed.

Still, Schneider is hopeful and optimistic about the results of the election. He hopes others with his viewpoint will also be open and willing to have constructive conversations.

Thats the only way he can see getting past this.

I want Trump to be successful, not necessarily in all the ways hes talked about but I believe he loves this country, he said. I take him at his word when he says, lets unite, and those of you who didnt support me, I want to hear from you.

Schneider will make his voice heard.
With plans like the new Chippewa Riverfront and Irvine Park and Zoos new Welcome Center, Chippewa Falls has a bright future ahead of it. With that, Xcel Energys community service manager thinks its also important to memorialize the past.

Bob Schultz, who has worked with Xcel for about 35 years, is excited to have the chance to do that this month by helping relight the iconic Northern States Power Company sign above the hydro plant near the dam.

Back in the day, Highway 29 was the main corridor into the city, Schultz said. Everybody recognized that sign, it was kind of an icon as you entered downtown.

The NSP sign was refinished earlier this month and the letters were re-installed Monday afternoon. They replaced the old neon light bulbs with energy-efficient LED ones.

Mayor Greg Hoffman said hes heard several residents express how happy they are to see the sign being redone. He himself is excited to have it be a part of downtown.

A lot of businesses wouldnt do something like this, Im impressed (Xcel) was willing to have it up and reworked, Hoffman said. Im sure they made a sizable investment to get it up and going.

Schultz said they are planning a relighting event closer to the end of November, and hopes the sign will be lit  for the first time in around a decade  in December.

With all the downtown revitalization going on, it adds another feature to the community, and it has such historic value, Schultz said.

While Xcel Energy is the brand name, Schultz said its operating company name is still the Northern States Power Company. There were concerns about funding for a sign that uses initials they no longer go by, but he said because of the historic nature of the sign, they were able to follow through within the company.

Schultz said the idea came about back in 2013 when they did major roof replacement on the hydro dam. Personnel inspected the sign infrastructure and noticed its integrity was still there. It was the hydro maintenance personnel who suggested re-purposing and lighting the sign some day.

When the company began work on the Chippewa Riverfront, they sought interest from the community in relighting the sign. Schultz said city officials such as Mayor Greg Hoffman and City Planner Jayson Smith were all on board.

It was a good partnership all the way around between the community and our company to make this happen, he said.

The original dam was built in 1928 on the old lumber mills site. The original sign on top of the hydro facility spelled out the name of the plant: Chippewa Falls Hydro Plant Northern State Power Company.

The sign was downsized to NSP in 1968 and remained lit for several decades. No one knows for sure when it went out, but Schultz estimates around 10 years ago, prior to changing the companys brand name to Xcel Energy.
The traditionally roasted and presented bird will please family and guests looking for that Norman Rockwell moment. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

Roasting a turkey, like hosting Thanksgiving, is all about compromise. When you gather extended family members together for a meal, any personal ideas of perfection get tossed in favor of accommodation.

How does this relate to turkey? You've probably heard it a hundred times: The white meat and dark meat of a turkey cook at different rates, so by the time the legs measure 165, the breasts are way past done. This is kind of an issue when they both are attached to the same set of bones. So you overcook the white meat to finish off the dark meat  a compromise that ensures half the bird is dry.

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The best way to solve this conundrum is to cut the turkey into pieces and roast them precisely. As soon as the breast hits 155, simply yank it out of the oven. What could go wrong? Plenty. Go this route, and you risk alienating the contingent of your family that demands the presentation of a gloriously browned whole bird on a shiny platter like in some Norman Rockwell fantasy.

Yet, you no doubt have sane family members who don't care what the turkey looks like as long as it tastes good. The battle between traditional and practical continues. But what if you could have the best of both? What if you could roast two turkeys  one traditional and one focused solely on flavor?

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Here's a wild thought: You can.

The idea came from Anthony Bourdain's latest cookbook, "Appetites." In the Thanksgiving chapter, Bourdain (the host of "Parts Unknown" on CNN) suggests cooking two turkeys, which he refers to as a "stunt turkey" and a "business turkey." This way you can proudly present a whole, intact turkey, while also making sure you have another perfectly cooked bird waiting in the wings. (You still can eat the stunt turkey, though it may have drier breast meat.)

It's not as crazy as it sounds. Instead of springing for the largest turkey possible (18 pounds or more), go with two smaller birds (8 to 12 pounds). You'll end up with approximately the same amount of meat.

Bourdain still calls for keeping the business turkey whole, but I took the idea one step further and decided to break down the business turkey into parts.

Here's how it works. Leave one turkey whole, roast it simply and then garnish the living daylights out of it. For the other bird, you're going to get crafty. You'll cut it up into pieces, rub it with a flavorful spice mixture and then roast the pieces until each is exactly the temperature you want it. This means you'll need an accurate meat thermometer, preferably a good-quality digital one.

I can't guarantee this will solve all of your Thanksgiving-related issues, but at least the turkey will be delicious.

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @nickdk

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Regular turkey

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Makes: 8 to 12 servings

1 small turkey (8 to 12 pounds), not kosher or pre-brined

4 tablespoons kosher salt

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1/4 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnishes:

Fresh herbs including rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, sage leaves

Oranges, quartered

1 Remove giblets and neck. Using a sharp knife, remove wing tips and wishbone. Set all aside to use for stock and gravy, if you like

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2 Using your fingers, loosen skin from the meat around the breasts and legs, being careful not to rip the skin. Season the turkey all over with the salt, including some underneath the skin. Transfer to a large V-rack set over a rimmed baking sheet; place in the fridge overnight.

3 The next day, heat oven to 425 degrees. Remove turkey from the fridge; drizzle with the canola oil. Place sheet pan in the oven; pour 2 cups of liquid (water, broth, etc.) into the pan. Cook, rotating it around the oven so that it roasts evenly, until the thigh registers 165 degrees on a meat thermometer, 1 1/2 hours or more, depending on size of the bird. Remove, set aside to rest before slicing. Serve, garnished with fresh herbs and oranges.

The cut-up bird cooks more quickly, and the meat remains moist if you can pull the parts out of the oven as they reach the right temperature. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

Cut-up turkey

Prep: 40 minutes

Cook: 30 to 40 minutes

Makes: 8 to 12 servings

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1 small turkey (8 to 12 pounds), not kosher or pre-brined

4 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon garlic powder

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1/4 cup canola oil

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1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

4 fresh rosemary stems

2 bunches fresh sage

1 Remove giblets and neck; set aside to use for gravy, if you like. Cut turkey into eight parts: 2 wings, 2 thighs, 2 legs and 2 breasts. Using a sharp knife, remove each wing and set aside for stock. Cut around the base of each leg to remove from the main body. Separate the thighs from legs by slicing in between them. Cut out the backbone. Remove the breasts by cutting along the rib cage of the turkey. The breasts should be boneless. Set the turkey carcass aside to make stock.

2 In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and garlic powder. Stir until combined.

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3 Transfer the thighs, legs and breasts to a rimmed baking sheet. Using your fingers, loosen skin from the meat around the breasts, thighs and legs, being careful not to rip the skin. Carefully rub spice mixture underneath the skin of the turkey pieces. Set baking sheet in the fridge overnight.

4 Heat oven to 425 degrees. Remove turkey from fridge. Drizzle with the canola oil. Scatter rosemary, thyme and sage leaves around turkey pieces. Transfer baking sheet to oven. Make sure to have a meat thermometer handy. Breasts are ready to be removed when they reach 155 degrees, 30 to 40 minutes. Thighs and legs are ready at 165 degrees, also 30 to 40 minutes. (Temperatures will continue to rise in the meat as the parts rest.)






Jane Smiley and Margo Jefferson, two interlocutors of America's heartland, gathered on stage at the Chicago Temple on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by stained glass and a curious congregation.

The women received the 2016 Chicago Tribune Heartland Literary Prizes; Smiley for fiction for "Golden Age," the final novel in a triptych beginning on Iowa soil and sprawling across America, and Jefferson for nonfiction for "Negroland," a memoir rooted in the upper echelon of Chicago's postwar black society. The writers would be celebrated for writing of Midwestern worlds all their own.

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Prodded along by Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, Smiley began the morning conversation  part of the Chicago Humanities Festival  with the machinations behind "Golden Age," her second Heartland award winner after the Pulitzer-Prize winning " A Thousand Acres." She spoke about the bits of life that have helped weave her compelling fiction together.

Smiley grew up in Webster Groves, Mo., where she remembers her mother, once the women's page editor of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, as always having her typewriter on the dining room table.

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"I was one of those kids who takes the flashlight and goes under the covers and reads lots of books," Smiley said. "And she pretended that I wasn't allowed to do this. But she did not stop me."

Smiley considers herself, along with all novelists, a result of the moment she grew up in. "Nobody said 'No,'" Smiley said about her time at Vassar, where Meryl Streep was a classmate.

In eighth grade, Smiley's history teacher wrote on her report card: "She only does what she wants to do." She credited her interest in writing to her curiosity, which led her all the way to her first novel, "Barn Blind," in 1980. A prolific career has followed.

In "Golden Age" and the preceding novels, which cover the 100 years leading up to 2020, Smiley wanted to look at how time passes and, growing up near the food industry monopolizer Monsanto, write about the industrialization of the food supply. She originally wanted to call "Golden Age" "A Bad End" or "Uh Oh." Both were turned down by publishers. But the dedication to her four husbands made it in.

"The things that seemed enormous when you were 30 ... went away," Smiley said. "One thing I keep saying at readings is climaxes come and go."

Smiley spoke of driving to the airport from her California home the day after the election and noticing fog. It "was as beautiful as I'd ever seen it," she said, painting it with her hands and looking out at the crowd. She asked her husband: "How can the world be this beautiful after what happened last night?"

"It always is," he said.

The final question of the talk came from an audience member: Is there a Midwest aesthetic that exists?

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"You'll be amazed at how different it all is," said Smiley, imagining a hypothetical road trip spanning from Iowa to Chicago and everywhere in between.

Later in the day, fellow Pulitzer Prize-winner Margo Jefferson was joined by the Tribune's Dahleen Glanton to talk about "Negroland," a "state of mind" far from Smiley's Iowa, set in the Chicago neighborhoods of Park Manor and Hyde Park in the '50s and '60s.

Jefferson began by reading an early selection of her poetic retelling of the world that "made and maimed her."

"I was taught to avoid showing off. ... But isn't all memoir a form of showing off?"

The contradictions and boundaries of class, race and gender throughout Jefferson's childhood fascinated her. The fight for civil rights coexisted with upper-class condescension. Championing black culture was matched with a desire to assimilate into white spaces. Her father would present himself as Dr. Jefferson for a hotel check-in, only to be told there were no rooms for a Mr. Jefferson. She would come home from a nice day at the University of Chicago's Lab School and the Little Rock Nine would be on TV.

"You are always representing your people," said Jefferson, who called it a combination of "social realism" and "practical paranoia."

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"It can, particularly if you're a writer, impose internal censorship," she said.

The idea of someone having to prove their legitimacy led Jefferson to comment on President-elect Donald Trump and his crusade against Barack Obama's citizenship.

"That's the essence of bigotry and racism," she said. "It is telling another people or another individual: 'You are not fit, you do not deserve anything that this particular world or society has to offer.'"

Obama became president the year Jefferson began writing "Negroland."

What was the lesson to be found in Jefferson's novel, Glanton asked in her final question.

"We so valorize and mythologize our individuality," Jefferson said. "We are all made by social forces and cultural forces and political forces."

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And by the end of the afternoon, two writers had shared an hour each of secrets to their success. Victories worth celebrating.

mgreene@chicagotribune.com
Trevor Noah speaks at the Chicago Humanities Festival at the Music Box in Chicago on Saturday November 12, 2016. (Chicago Tribune)

The American political scene is looking very familiar to Trevor Noah, the "Daily Show" host said from the stage at Chicago's Music Box Theatre on Saturday afternoon.

"We already elected our Donald Trump," he said of his South African countrymen and women. "We already made this mistake."

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That would be Jacob Zuma, the two-term president of the country once run by Nelson Mandela.

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"The parallels between him and Donald Trump are ridiculous," Noah said during his Chicago Humanities Festival hour, one of the last events of this year's fest.

Both men have faced sexual assault allegations, he said. Both faced charges of corruption or fraud and both spoke to the "not well-educated" and "preyed on their fears."

"In a powerful and impressive way, they've both discredited the media," he said.

A key difference? "I don't know what happens when you add in nuclear weapons," Noah said.

He saw parallels, too, between the end of apartheid and the election of President Barack Obama.

"Freedom is actually the beginning of the journey," Noah said. "The hard work really begins when you achieve your goal."

Trevor Noah speaks at the Chicago Humanities Festival at the Music Box in Chicago on Saturday November 12, 2016. (Chicago Tribune)

In South Africa, he said, "we started turning on ourselves because who do we blame for this fairy tale that never came to be?" The Trump election following two terms for America's first black president, he was suggesting, is putting U.S. Democrats and progressives in a similar place.

Jon Stewart handed over Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" to him in September 2015 with advice to "make the show that you feel needs to be made," Noah said. "And now I know" what that show is.

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"I am born of protest," he said, and so "in many ways this (the U.S., post-election) is a world that I now fully understand 

"Resistance mode: Activate," he instructed himself.

The crowd Saturday was still raw and edgy from Tuesday's election of Trump, and Noah, whose job is to satirize American politics, was welcomed with frequent laughter for his comic lines and applause for his more philosophical ones on race, intolerance and the importance of trying to understand the other.

Although just 32, he was a more thoughtful, wise man than the one you might have thought you knew from his somewhat embattled show, which has struggled to win over viewers still pining for Stewart. At Noah's best, the show has brought his outsider perspective to "The Daily Show": Early on in the campaign, he was comparing Trump to an African dictator, and Noah made the comparison work.

But he has always been an outsider, he said, even in his home country.

The event was ostensibly meant to promote Noah's autobiography, which comes out Tuesday, called "Born a Crime." His onstage questioner, superb, was Chris Jackson, his editor for the book, published by Spiegel & Grau, a Random House imprint.

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The onstage interview served the book well. Noah was funny and poignant reading some of it and recounting some of its lessons, which he described as a "love letter" to his mom, one he didn't realize he was writing until after he had finished the book.

He called his mother a "hero," a black woman at the end of South Africa's apartheid era who made, and maintained, a family with a white man when doing so was, as the book title says, illegal. In public, he said, he would pretend a family friend, light-skinned, was his mother, while his real mother walked behind like household staff; his father once ran from him at a playground so that authorities would not connect the man and his son.

"This was a book about me," Noah said. Only at the end "I realized I was just lucky enough to be in the shadow of a giant, and that giant was my mom."

The event also, no doubt, persuaded a lot of people in the sold-out theater to give Noah's version of the show that Stewart made essential political viewing a second chance.

He called the media ignorant throughout the Trump campaign, unequipped to read signs that Trump was reaching the people who would elect him. "You just said the polls were wrong," he said, speaking to the press, post-election. "'Yes, but these polls tell us why we were wrong.'"

Asked what advice he would give Trump, he responded, "resign. It's not too late. You can still walk away. Nobody will hold it against you."

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Seriously, though, he said to Trump, when making policy, think of your daughters, "think of your best black friend, if you have one  Omarosa will do.

"Don't be afraid to change."

sajohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @StevenKJohnson

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
In 2003, About Face Theatre produced an early version of an unusual solo play called "I Am My Own Wife" at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Starring the actor Jefferson Mays, who then was little known, "I Am My Own Wife" was the compelling story of a self-described German transvestite. The subversive heroine of this impressionistic biography, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, had somehow survived both the coming of the Nazis and the attention of the Stasi, the German secret police.

Thirteen years later  and in a week of much worry among the transgender community  Doug Wright's Tony Award-winning "I Am My Own Wife" made a very welcome return to the city of its gestation with a transgender performer, Delia Kropp, in the central role. In a heightened atmosphere Friday night, the show partly felt like a portrait of a formidable survivor, a reminder of the necessity for personal force of will, and partly a reminder of the random nature of who is allowed to continue unabated with their life and who is carted off to death or destruction.

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As this play makes very clear, oppressive societies invariably invest power in those on the ground making the life-and-death decisions. A smile can win the sympathetic ones over, or, flashed in the wrong direction, intensify a living hell.

But there is a lot more to this piece. Von Mahlsdorf, the founder of a small museum of everyday objects in Berlin, played a crucial role in the history of transgender Europeans, and her museum provided a safe meeting place for gays and lesbians in East Berlin prior to the collapse of the wall. But she survived, in part, by whispering a few names in a few ears. (She preferred not to write them down.)

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That quiet resolution and complexity is at the core of Kropp's understated performance, which dominates director Andrew Volkoff's new production at About Face, the same company, albeit under different leadership, that worked on this show in 2003 with director Moises Kaufman. Not only does Kropp look very much like the photos of Von Mahlsdorf, but she evokes that personality of the determined rebel laced with a smidgen of expediency.

This is a smaller and less formal production than the original, exquisitely designed staging, which cast Charlotte inside a giant collection of the objects that filled her museum and contained a central performance of such depth as to be intimidating in its theatricality. The other change that will surprise those who've seen this work before is the presence of four actors  which makes the show less of a solo tour de force, of course, but also lightens some of the narrative burden for Kropp, removing the need to play other roles and thus allowing the performer to focus on the nuances of character. Scott Duff, Ninos Baba and Matt Holzfeind all are there to support Kropp.

That said, I prefer the one-person version, and there were things about that 2003 show (and bravura performance) that I've never forgotten. But the presence of Charlotte felt welcome this past weekend, and there is much to admire in how Kropp takes a very different tack from Mays. In this new show, Kropp works to express this character's quotidian side, her determination to keep calm and carry on, even as the uniforms change, and to keep finding transgressive spaces and making a small difference in that which she can control.

Of course, all of that came at a price, for few of us are as pure and uncompromised as we like to pretend on Facebook.

By all means go, especially if you have not previously had the pleasure. I think you'll watch and listen to this story of one of Berlin's most remarkable citizens and conclude that she moved the world forward in a positive way.

On balance.

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter@ChrisJonesTrib

Review: "I Am My Own Wife" (3 stars)

When: Through Dec. 10

Where: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Tickets: $40 at 773-975-8150 or theaterwit.org
I recently was scheduled to fly from Washington to Chicago on American Airlines. The night before my Friday flight, I went online to check in and noticed that my flight had been canceled. During the next five hours, I tried repeatedly to get hold of customer service and finally was told that the flight had been canceled because of bad weather, so I would need to pay for the extra night's stay at a hotel and any other expenses.

American re-booked me one day later on a Saturday flight. Imagine my surprise Friday afternoon when I started receiving notices from Google calendar that the original flight was delayed (since it was still on my calendar). I called American and was told that the flight had been reinstated.

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At this point, it was too late for me to make it to the airport to try to make that flight. I wrote to customer service and requested that American give me a $500 travel voucher to cover my time and additional expenses, including my $193 hotel bill for the extra night. American said it would provide no compensation. Can you help?

 Dale Reed, Chicago

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A: This is a curious case. If American Airlines canceled your flight because of the weather, then it owes you nothing. It is, in legal-speak, an "act of God" outside the company's control. If, however, the flight was canceled for operational reasons  what's referred to as a "mechanical" delay  then it does indeed have to provide for an overnight hotel stay and meal vouchers.

Details can be found at American's contract of carriage: www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/support/conditions-of-carriage.jsp.

Technically, American is both right and wrong at the same time. Right, in the sense that it owes you nothing for a weather-related cancellation. But wrong, in the sense that it has completely let itself off the hook.

I wouldn't necessarily blame American for failing to re-book you. Airline reservation systems can automatically re-book you on a reinstated flight, but you'd already made plans to fly the next day, so it wouldn't have recognized your reservation as one that needed to be re-booked.

"In the unlikely chance we do reinstate a flight, we do try to contact the traveler to let him or her know about the change," an airline spokesman told me. "Most times, travelers are already booked on other flights with different connections, if they are connecting."

Question is, should this extra overnight stay be treated like a weather delay or a mechanical delay? American wants to treat it like a weather delay. My inner consumer advocate says: mechanical delay.

This is definitely the kind of question you should bring up with American in writing, and if it can't help, appeal to a customer-service executive. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of American's executives on my advocacy site: http://elliott.org/company-contacts/american-airlines.

I contacted American on your behalf. The airline agreed to reimburse you for your hotel and offered a $200 voucher "due to the circumstances."

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Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of "How to Be the World's Smartest Traveler." You can read more travel tips on his blog, www.elliott.org, or email him at chris@elliott.org.

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The Rev. Michael Pfleger, of St. Sabina Church, shown first, and the Rev. Julian DeShazier, of the University Church of Chicago, help parishioners make sense of Donald Trump's election on the Sunday after the election, Nov. 13, 2016. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

As Elizabeth Wilkins walked out of the sanctuary of University Church of Chicago on Sunday, she paused to grasp the Rev. Julian DeShazier's hand with both of her own.

"Thank you," she said, looking up at him. "We needed to hear that today."

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Wilkins, along with about 150 fellow worshippers, gathered at the beautiful old church in the Hyde Park neighborhood hoping to hear something that would help them make sense of  and move forward from  an election result that many of them thought was impossible.

And they got what they wanted.

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As protests against the election of Donald Trump continued to erupt across the nation  along with reports of harassment of minorities and voters on both sides of the political spectrum  DeShazier led worshippers through a time of reflection and prayer in which they acknowledged the anger and disbelief the presidential election has caused for many.

"It has come to pass what none had thought could come to pass," DeShazier said, as he addressed the sense of denial that some in his congregation may have been feeling. "A liberal joke has become the reality of a nation."

But, he said, "Do not drive deeper into isolation. Where is the empathy for an entire part of the country that we have forgotten?"

Feelings of rage are understandable, he said.

"Some were happy about the results, many were afraid, many were angry that the filters for bigotry seem to have failed us, that it was not by coercion, not by a dictator, but millions of people voted for this to come to pass  millions more now live in danger, angry that they didn't do enough, angry that we didn't do enough."

DeShazier said the church, however, must not react with anger or cynicism but instead must redouble its efforts to reach out to those with whom they disagree and work to protect the most vulnerable.

"Wednesday marked the beginning of a new world; old systems that seemed to be dying off potentially given new life," he intoned. "Don't call it evil, and don't call him evil. If you are a child of God, Donald Trump is a child of God. ... Give him a chance, and demand that he give us a chance. Let us commit to erasing the lines of us and them, let us use our faith, not only to lament, but to push forward."

Wilkins, 88, of Hyde Park, said she was grateful for DeShazier's words.

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"I thought it was very necessary for the healing process," she said as she ate a postservice potluck dinner with other churchgoers in the church cafeteria. "He always can touch our feelings, especially on a day like today when we're all wondering what happened and are grieving."

Sitting next to Wilkins was Isaiah Blakey, 16, of the Bronzeville neighborhood, who said the pastor's words helped him see a more peaceful path forward.

"It kind of changed the way I feel about the whole outcome of the election," he said. "I went from feeling so angry that America could let this happen. Like when he said you can't go forward in isolation. ... It was a more peaceful and inviting way for me to go about the situation instead of being so hostile."

A few miles south at St. Sabina Church, the Rev. Michael Pfleger was less conciliatory as he delivered a blistering rebuke of the president-elect and said he'd heard from many parishioners who felt frightened and anxious about what Trump's presidency would mean.

"Those fears that people have are especially voiced by those who were attacked by Mr. Trump in this campaign," Pfleger said during his sermon. "They are the voices of black and brown people who fear their children will be further targeted by militarized police departments. Those fears are felt by Hispanic pastors who are dealing with terrified undocumented families. Those fears cause many of our Muslim brothers and sisters to wonder if this country can be a place where they can live anymore."

But Pfleger cautioned worshippers about thinking of Trump's victory in overly religious terms.

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"Some have called me and said, 'My faith is shaken. Why would God allow this, why would God do this?'" Pfleger said. "God did not elect Donald Trump. We did. A country that has become so full of itself and drowning in its ego, its arrogance and in its self-righteousness, that's who elected Donald Trump."

In response, Pfleger urged parishioners to practice their faith with more vigor, promise to protect people who have been discriminated against, and push back against injustice and intolerance.

"We, the church, must be willing to confront powers and principalities that are using (Donald Trump) for their agenda," he said. "We must face violence with peace. We must face injustice with justice. We must face fear with faith. We must declare we will fight until righteousness flows like a river and justice like a mighty stream. Don't hang up your hearts. Pick them up. Put on your armor. Get ready to fight."

mwalberg@chicagotribune.com

cdrhodes@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @mattwalberg1

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Arturo Reveles, 39, faces charges after someone fired shots at a man while he was parking at about 1 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2016, near 24th and Rockwell streets in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. (Chicago Police Department)

A Southwest Side man has been charged with firing a gun at someone parking his car early Saturday in the Little Village neighborhood after officers caught the attacker speeding away from the scene, police said Sunday.

Arturo Reveles, 39, faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, as well as a misdemeanor criminal damage to property charge, after the incident at about 1 a.m. Saturday near 24th and Rockwell streets. Reveles was ordered held in lieu of $750,000 bail in a hearing midday Sunday before Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas, but was being held without bail Sunday in Cook County Jail because he is on parole in an unrelated 2011 drug case.

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Officers went to 24th and Rockwell after someone called 911 about shots fired in the area and saw "a car speeding away from the scene," according to a release from Chicago police.

The officers stopped the car Reveles was driving while other officers found the man who had been shot at, police said. The man told officers that he was parking his car when someone shot at him but that he wasn't hit.

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The officers who arrested Reveles were members of a strategic anti-violence initiative in the Ogden District, part of the Police Department's efforts to combat the rise of violence in Chicago.

The victim identified Reveles as the person who fired at him, according to police.

Police described Reveles, who lives in the 3300 block of West 60th Street, as one of the "most dangerous offenders" in the Ogden District. Reveles has previously served time in prison in three felony drug cases dating to 1995, as well as a felony weapons charge, and is on parole in two drug cases dating to 2011, according to state corrections records.

Reveles was scheduled to appear in Cook County bond court midday Sunday.
Elmos Covington, 90, was last seen about 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 2016, in the Morgan Park neighborhood, according to Chicago police.

A 90-year-old man who disappeared from the Morgan Park neighborhood midday Friday has been found dead in south suburban Hazel Crest, apparently of natural causes, police said.

Elmos Covington was last seen about 11 a.m. Friday in the 11500 block of South Halsted Street, according to Chicago police, who on Monday updated information released Sunday.

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On Monday, Covington was found dead, apparently of natural causes, in Hazel Crest. Hazel Crest police are investigating, according to Chicago police.

Anyone with information about Covington is asked to call 911 or call Area South special victims unit detectives at 312-747-8274.
An interfaith rally supporting Muslims living in America was held at First United Methodist Church on Nov. 12, in Oak Lawn. Following a Jewish Shabbat service in the parking lot, speakers were given an opportunity to talk out about the rise of Islamophobia in the United States. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune) (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune Exclusive)

Karen Danielson just wanted to have a dialogue.

She was frustrated by the anti-Muslim rhetoric of the election season and of how President-elect Donald Trump had called for a ban on Muslim immigration in the U.S.

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She was hurt by the hateful language so much that during a recent visit to Navy Pier, she suddenly froze with fear. Could somebody, she wondered, sneak up and push her into the water because of the veil that hid her hair?

Danielson, who was raised Catholic and converted to Islam in college, initially wanted to hold an interfaith gathering denouncing Islamophobia before the election, but had worried it would be mistaken for an anti-Trump rally. But after Trump won the election Tuesday, Danielson, an interfaith and outreach director for the Muslim American Society, knew it was time to pull the community together.

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"I don't think bigotry won the election," she said. "But we do know bigotry played some role."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 A group holding signs promoting peace and support for Muslims in America gathers during an interfaith rally at First United Methodist Church, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Oak Lawn. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune)

On Saturday, more than 100 people of different faiths crowded the parking lot of First United Methodist Church in Oak Lawn to denounce the anti-Muslim vitriol spurred by the election season. Community members listened to Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders speak and brought signs sprinkled with hand-drawn hearts that read, "We stand with our Muslim neighbors!" and "United against hate."

After a brief rally, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and other interfaith groups, community members split up into teams and traveled to businesses across Oak Lawn, asking owners to post signs in their windows that read "We support our Muslim neighbors."

Those who spoke at the rally congratulated Trump and commended the democratic process. But they demanded Trump's administration denounce the verbal attacks on Muslims and revoke his pledge to deny entry to the country to all Muslims. Religious tolerance, they said, is among America's core values.

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In recent months, Trump had suggested that instead of banning all people of the Muslim faith, he would target those from countries connected to terrorism. However, initial statements regarding the proposed ban were on his campaign website in days after the election, and on Thursday he walked away from reporters who asked whether the plan was still on his agenda.

Michael Kooy, of the Oak Lawn Clergy and Religious Workers Association, said it's important for his fellow Christians to stand alongside those of other religions because it makes them more compassionate. Working with Muslims, he said, has made him a "better Christian."

"Certainly it's the job of the government to protect us from violence  the violence of terror, the violence of religious profiling, the violence of defamation, the violence of assault," he said. "And some perceive they are threatened or see the harm that may come their way. Mercy urges me to stand up with people who are threatened in these ways."

Barbara Lyons, a 79-year-old member of Jewish Voice for Peace who works on its anti-Islamophobia committee, led a group of 10 community members up and down 95th street, visiting businesses and asking their employees to post fliers supportive of Muslims in the windows of their shops. An employee at Chimera's Comics said the business has several Muslim customers, and that they should always feel welcome.

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Lyns said community members should make every effort to support those who feel attacked or marginalized, no matter their religion.

"Anything you can do can make a difference," she said. "The difference between doing nothing and doing something? It's everything."

meltagouri@chicagotribune.com
People embrace after leaving Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, N.Y., after reports of gunfire inside, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. The Albany Times-Union says hundreds of people were evacuated and the mall was locked down. (Mike Groll / AP)

GUILDERLAND, N.Y.  Hundreds of shoppers at a crowded shopping mall fled in panic amid gunfire that erupted near an Apple store in this town near Albany.

There were no immediate reports of injuries in the violent Saturday melee at the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, near Albany, said Guilderland Police Chief Carol Lawlor.

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More than 100 officers with assault rifles were deployed "because a shooter may still be in the mall," she said about six hours after the shooting.

Witnesses told law enforcement authorities they heard one, possibly two, shots fired at about 2:30 p.m. near the Apple store on the street level, Lawlor said.

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Authorities with SWAT teams were searching for suspects into the night, the chief said.

Police locked down the mall, one of the largest in New York, with 250 stores and restaurants. Both shoppers and employees already inside businesses were instructed to shelter in place. A police helicopter flew overhead while investigators checked security cameras for clues they hoped would lead to suspects.

They were examining footage that showed a man in a white shirt and black hoodie near the shooting scene.

State Police Maj. Bill Keeler told the Albany Times-Union that reports suggested a possible confrontation between two men who fled.

Mall management is working with authorities, Lawlor said, "and hopefully we'll bring this to a successful conclusion."

She said the mall could open Sunday, "but we're not done yet."

Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.  Police say a University of Alabama student accused of raping a teenage girl in a dorm room has been arrested.

Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit Capt. Gary Hood tells Al.com on Sunday that 19-year-old Joseph Tyler Pitts is charged with first-degree rape. Hood says an 18-year-old female, also a student at the college, told police she was drinking with Pitts and lost consciousness.

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Hood says the teen said she was awakened by two friends, who saw Pitts on top of her and having sexual intercourse with her. The teen told Tuscaloosa investigators about the incident at DCH Regional Medical Center early Saturday.

Pitts is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $30,000 bond. It's not clear if Pitts has an attorney.

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Associated Press
NEW YORK  Donald Trump may take a victory tour to states that elected him president, an aide said Saturday, as boisterous protests unfolded outside the tower where he holed up with members of his transition team and fielded calls congratulating him.

While he's announced one decision  putting Vice President-elect Mike Pence in charge of the transition instead of Chris Christie  Trump must identify other people for top White House jobs and Cabinet posts. The president-elect remained out of sight at Trump Tower, with streets outside swarming with thousands objecting to the results of Election Day.

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At one point, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, a liberal critic of Trump who nevertheless had predicted his victory, entered the tower lobby with a camera crew in tow and asked to see Trump. "I just thought I'd see if I could get into Trump Tower and ride the famous escalator," said Moore, who did just that until he reached the fourth floor and the Secret Service told him he could go no higher.

Kellyanne Conway, who was Trump's campaign manager and is almost surely in line for a prominent job in his presidency, told reporters in the tower lobby that Trump's choice of a chief of staff was "imminent," though not coming Saturday. Whoever fills that post will set the tone for Trump's White House and be a main conduit to Capitol Hill and Cabinet agencies.

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Trump is said to be considering Steve Bannon, his campaign chairman and a conservative media executive, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus for the job. Neither has significant policy experience, though Priebus is well-liked in Washington and has ties with lawmakers.

Conway said Trump's next public appearance was expected "in the next couple of days." When asked if he'd take a victory tour soon, she said: "It's possible. It's possible. We're working on the schedule."

She described his day as "meetings, phone calls, conversations, interviews. What you would expect from a normal presidential transition."

Filmmaker Michael Moore joins the demonstrators during a protest against the election of President-elect Donald Trump on 5ht Ave near Trump Tower, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in New York. (Mary Altaffer / AP)

In one gesture of normalcy, Trump pledged to be "very restrained" in the White House with his use of Twitter, "if I use it at all." But he did not sound convinced that he could leave it behind, when asked in a "60 Minutes" interview to be broadcast Sunday. Some of Trump's most inflammatory comments, in a campaign loaded with provocation, came in his late-night tweets.

"I have a method of fighting back," Trump said of social media. He said Twitter is "tremendous" and helped him win races in states where he was vastly outspent. He said he thinks he's proved that social media can be more powerful than money.

Moments after Moore's uninvited visit to Trump Tower, Nigel Farage, head of the "Leave" movement that won Britain's vote to exit the European Union, also arrived. Trump frequently linked his campaign to the Brexit movement.

"It was a great honor to spend time with Donald Trump," Farage said of his hourlong meeting with Trump, according to a statement from his UK Independence Party. "He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good president. His support for the U.S.-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business."

For Trump, who ran on a pledge to "drain the swamp" of Washington insiders, the transition team is strikingly heavy on those with long political resumes.

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Another apparent contradiction emerged Friday as Trump, who repeatedly vowed to achieve the repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law, said he would be open to maintaining portions of it.

Christie was a loyal adviser to Trump for much of the campaign, offered a key early endorsement and came close to being the businessman's pick for running mate. But Trump ultimately went with Pence, Indiana's governor and a former congressman with Washington experience and deep ties to conservatives, to take the transition forward.

Christie will still be involved in the transition, joining a cluster of other steadfast Trump supporters serving as vice chairmen: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.

In addition, three of Trump's adult children  Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka  are on the transition executive committee, along with Jared Kushner, Ivanka's husband. Kushner was an influential adviser in Trump's campaign.

U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he arrives at Trump Tower, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in New York. (Evan Vucci / AP)

The children's inclusion raised questions about Trump's ability to sever ties between the administration and the sprawling family business  after the billionaire repeatedly said during the campaign that his grown children would not follow him to Washington but instead run the Trump Organization.

Trump told The Wall Street Journal that after speaking with Obama at the White House, he was considering keeping the provision of the health law that allows children to stay on their parents' insurance policies until they turn 26. He said previously he may also keep the prohibition against insurers denying coverage because of patients' existing conditions.

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Presidents-elect don't often appoint their running mates to lead their transition team. Trump and Christie grew apart through the last stretch of the campaign.

Associated Press
Pieces remain from the Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archive, although the museum is gone. (Denise Crosby / Beacon News) (Chicago Tribune)

Back in the spring of 1992, during my inaugural week with The Beacon-News, the first place a group of reporters wanted to take me was the Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archive on Kendall Street on the city's Near East Side.

As a proud and animated Smith, a Purple Heart recipient, gave us a tour of his eclectic folk-art museum that also doubled as his home and studio, I remember being fascinated by the hundreds of sculptures he'd created from concrete, plaster and wood-pulp that depicted the history of African-Americans, starting with the slave ships that brought them here and including such iconic figures as Dr. Martin Luther King and Michael Jordan.

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I recall one thought stood out above all else as I made my way through the jam-packed building and grounds while listening to this passionate Marine Corps veteran turned artist: This is going to be a great community to cover.

It was. And it still is.

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Last week, I returned to 126 S. Kendall St. for the first time in almost a quarter century. Only this time the circumstances were completely different: I had to make my way in the dark through piles of rubble that filled the dilapidated house, carefully stepping over sculptures that lay indiscriminately on or under fallen debris.

My tour guide this time was Ricky Rodgers, executive director of African-American Men of Unity, who is spearheading an effort to restore this unique museum that has struggled since its 1986 inception to find a place of honor here in the city where it was born.

There have been other attempts.

In 1999, the Art Institute of Chicago designated his museum as a Millennium Site. And a few years later, The Kohler Foundation of Wisconsin purchased 800 of Smith's pieces and distributed half of those to museums throughout the country, including The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.. But after 2002, when Smith moved to his hometown of Hammond, Louisiana, to be with his mother as she battled Alzheimer's, officials began fielding complaints about safety issues regarding the property.

Smith, working with Aurora Township and Kane County, addressed those concerns and refurbished the site, and the county approved a special use variance to bring the museum more into the mainstream. Then in 2004, there was a grand reopening that, according to a newspaper account, "attracted a multicultural crowd of locals, out-of-towners, supporters, art students and history buffs."

But over the years, struggles to maintain the property continued. In 2007, when members of then-Sen. Barack Obama's office toured the site, a reporter noted "shoulder-high weeds crawled over the wide-eyed sculptured figures" that stood outside the museum. And Mother Nature did not let up.

Rodgers said the county was even ready to condemn the property until officials were informed of the house's significance. For him that was a signal: It was well past time to step forward and begin the effort to save both property and art. And Rodgers, whose youth group has been keeping up with outside maintenance for several years, says that takes on even more urgency as The Kohler Foundation prepares its large exhibit of Smith's work next year that will only make him more well-known throughout the country.

"This is Dr. Smith's legacy and it behooves us to make sure it does not fall by the wayside," Rodgers said. "Kohler has seen the significance of his work. This community has an obligation to try and restore this museum and make it into the landmark status it deserves."

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Smith, who told me he's in the process of paying off the back taxes on the property, is excited about the prospects of this grass-roots movement coming together to preserve his original museum  he opened a similar one in Hammond  and is especially pleased "young men are going to be involved."

The artist, who visited the property two months ago, sees it as a cultural bridge. For him and Rodgers both, it's about teaching African-American youth the importance of their culture, to share the story of where they came from in order to give them a better perspective of where they can go. It's about helping instill a much-needed sense of self-esteem, unity and pride.

Rena Church, director of the Aurora Public Art Commission, agrees, and was delighted when the city received 25 pieces from The Kohler Foundation that are on permanent display on the third floor of the commission's gallery in downtown Aurora.

"It's so important," she said, "that we share these stories."

The museum could play a significant role, especially for youth right here in Aurora, Smith insists, recalling the years he lived on Kendall Street when it was dominated by gangs and gunfire. But even the thugs respected Dr. Smith's museum, officials have told me: In that time, even when it was abandoned, there were never any police calls to the property.

Rodgers, who said he's seen the demeanor of these young boys and men change as they view Smith's art work, described it as "a weapon against ignorance and poverty."

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And if "we don't do something soon," he added. "it will be lost."

dcrosby@tribpub.com
After a week in Mount Greenwood that saw protests and heightened racial tension, residents came together at a local Catholic church and prayed for peace in their neighborhood and an end to racism and intolerance.

Demonstrations erupted during the past week there after off-duty police on Nov. 5 fatally shot Joshua Beal, a 25-year-old black man from Indianapolis, following a funeral procession. Beal, who police said displayed a gun, was in town for the funeral of a cousin who had been slain in Indianapolis.

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But this south side community, home to many retired and current Chicago police and firefighters, is "not the way it is being portrayed," the Rev. Thomas Conde, pastor at St. Christina, said Saturday night as he urged people in attendance to focus on all the "kindness and goodness" that happens in the community, and to keep God's light shining in their hearts.

"It's not about one color of lives that matter. All lives matter," Conde said, to a round of applause. "We have more in common than we want to admit."

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Through scripture readings and songs Conde's message was one of light and hope, peace and unity.

They prayed not to be misled by ignorance, to temper justice with love, and to be instruments of peace. They were reminded to "love another."

"I needed to hear this," said Mary Jo Papaleo, of Beverly. "No matter how much we talk, nothing happens. Maybe if we come together in prayer, something will happen."

Tammie Swierczyna, of Crestwood, one of a handful of African-American people in the predominantly white crowd, said she came to "show solidarity."

"We are all one in God and that's all that counts," she said.

Maureen Dunn came to the service Saturday night, citing all the unrest locally and nationally.

"I hope we can all heal," she said.

One young mother, who asked not to be identified, said she brought her young children to set an example, and teach them tolerance, love and peace.

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Conde said he was "thrilled" to see so many children at the service because they are the community's "future."

After the service, Conde said he knew he needed to do something because the incident touched everyone in the community. St. Christina's School was on lock down, and children were kept indoors for recess. Marist High School canceled classes Friday, after Black Lives Matter Youth planned a protest there in response to a group of female students who made racist remarks on social media. The protest also was canceled.

"Something had to break the spell. No one knew what to do," he said.

On Thursday, when one parishioner suggested a prayer vigil, "my heart melted," Conde said. Priests from at least eight other local churches also participated.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

About 200 people attended the hour-long service, coming from all over the area. It concluded with people lighting candles they brought with them and singing, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

With a hurricane lamp as a prop, Conde told the congregation that sometimes soot collects on the lamp's glass, just as hatred and sinfulness collects in people's hearts and makes it difficult to see the flame.

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Conde urged people to light the candles at home, and place them in an obvious spot, to serve as a reminder that the light of Christ burns in their hearts every day.

As participants left the service, they thanked Conde for his inspiration. He admitted that the mood was initially tense, "with a small T," but then lightened up with prayers and songs.

That tension might have been fueled in part by a couple who were handing out fliers to people as they entered the church promoting another protest at 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at 111th and Kedzie, opposing what they considered to be "white supremacy" and "racist mob threats in Mount Greenwood."

Conde said they prayed for peace in "all neighborhoods," not just Mount Greenwood, but all areas affected by gun violence.

slafferty@tribpub.com
Nigel Patrick discusses the federal lawsuit his attorney has filed after street gang racketeering charges against him were dismissed. He had spent three months in Lake County Jail following his 2014 arrest. (By Jim Newton / Lake County News-Sun)

A Zion man arrested and jailed as part of a major street gang racketeering enforcement operation in Lake County is seeking more than $2.5 million in compensation and damages in a federal lawsuit filed after his case was dismissed.

Nigel Patrick, 45, was one of several defendants arrested in late fall 2014, and charged under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ( RICO ) Act as part of a major, multi-jurisdiction operation primarily targeting the 4 Corner Hustlers street gang.

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Although 20 of the initial 27 defendants have already been convicted, most through negotiated guilty pleas, charges against Patrick were dismissed by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office on Jan. 27, 2015, after Patrick had spent three months in the Lake County Jail.

In an interview Sunday, Patrick acknowledged that he has prior drug convictions in his past, but adamantly denied having any connection to the 4 Corner Hustlers, and said that he is now a business owner and ordained deacon who had left his previous lifestyle behind years before he was arrested on the RICO charges.

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Patrick was indicted on street gang-related racketeering and conspiracy charges and delivery of cocaine, officials said. Both Patrick and his attorney, Jed Stone, said there never was any evidence linking Patrick to the street gang or the crimes alleged.

"I was terribly surprised," Patrick said of his arrest and incarceration. "I was never a member of the 4 Corner Hustlers. That's the crazy thing about it."

Patrick said the hardest part about his three months in jail was not being able to help his wife recover from surgery prior to his arrest. He said it also resulted in major financial losses for his family-owned and operated non-emergency medical transportation service.

"There was never any evidence against me," he said.

The lawsuit, filed by Stone in the federal Northern District of Illinois Court in Chicago, seeks $500,000 each for five separate counts, including violation of his constitutional rights, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, defamation and the deprivation of companionship suffered by his wife.

Defendants in the lawsuit include an assistant state's attorney and two investigators, one from the Mundelein Police Department and one from the North Chicago Police Department.

The suit also seeks attorney fees, and states that the defendants are indemnified by their employing agencies, which may be liable for payment of any damages awarded. Patrick has requested a jury trial, and an initial status date is scheduled in January, Stone said.

State's Attorney Michael Nerheim declined to comment on the lawsuit last week, noting that it is pending litigation.

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The local RICO effort that led to the arrests, dubbed "Operation Shut Down the Hustle," included the participation of the FBI, the DEA, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Mundelein, Zion and Waukegan police departments, as well as the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG).

The months-long investigation led to the recovery of large quantities of drugs, as well as weapons and cash, authorities said.

Stone said Patrick was arrested, charged, incarcerated and publicly labeled "an adviser" to the street gang by investigators who didn't have "a stitch of evidence to support the charges. They knew he wasn't a 4 Corner Hustler."

The lawsuit says that in "his youth," Patrick actually "was associated" with a street gang that was known to be a rival of the 4 Corner Hustlers.

Patrick said Sunday that while he does know one of the primary defendants arrested during the operation, he (Patrick) has no connection to the gang or the crimes alleged, and was concentrating on his business, spiritual and family life while the investigation was under way.

In addition to facing Patrick's civil suit, authorities involved with the case have also appealed a Lake County Circuit Court ruling earlier this year that struck down wiretap evidence from the RICO operation.

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The ruling sided with a motion filed by attorney Douglas Roberts, representing defendant Gregory Harris Sr., which stated that the Lake County State's Attorney's Office did not properly obtain approval for telephone overhears used to collect evidence in "Operation Shut Down the Hustle."

The ruling, from Judge George Strickland, ordered the suppression "any and all" information gathered through wiretaps in the investigation.

The appeal to that ruling is being heard by the state's 2nd District Appellate Court.

Following the 20 convictions and the dismissal of Patrick's charges, six defendants are still in active pre-trial status as a result of the RICO operation.

jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
Police are investigating a homicide that occurred in Waukegan Friday evening.

Waukegan Police Department Commander Joe Florip said Sunday that he could confirm there was a shooting fatality in the city Friday, but that no further details would be released until Monday.

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Officials with the Lake County Coroner's Office also said Sunday afternoon that they could not yet comment on the case.

A spokesman with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said that group has not been called in to the investigation, but said it is not unusual for Waukegan to handle its own murder investigations.
The Lake County Board has overwhelmingly approved a $503 million budget for next year, choosing to un-freeze the county's property tax levy due to uncertainty stemming from Springfield.

The budget was approved as proposed  no changes were made during Tuesday's meeting, according to Jennie Vana, the county's communications manager.

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"It is a balanced, sustainable budget," said Mike Rummel, chair of the board's finance committee, during the budget hearing.

The budget's $326 million operating fund  which doesn't include debt service, certain public works dollars or internal funds like health insurance  remains flat compared to the current year's budget, with an increase of less than 1 percent. The overall budget's growth was similarly modest at less than 2 percent.

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Preparation of the spending plan was marked by a request from the County Board that all departments cut 2 percent or more from their budget requests in the wake of uncertainty resulting from the state budget stalemate in Springfield, Rummel said.

"While they (the state) saddle us with a number of unfunded mandates and new things to pay for, they have not lifted one responsibility that we have," Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor said during the hearing.

That's one of the reasons, Lawlor said, that the county is increasing its share of the property tax levy, a departure from the board's decision last year to freeze it. It's a relatively small increase  it will raise $1 million total across the county, or an extra $3 to $5 annually for the owner of a $250,000 home, according to county Finance Director Gary Gordon.

Lawlor anticipated the need to guard against cuts in the county's state funding once lawmakers come to a budget agreement in Springfield.

"While I do not revel in the idea" of increasing the levy, Lawlor said, "I think it is important."

Outgoing board member Bonnie Thomson Carter, who represents Fox Lake, agreed.

"For us to know what's ahead of us  what could be ahead of us  with the state right now, I think we are foolish not to take what we should be taking," Carter said.

Interestingly, Judy Martini  who would replace Carter on the 21-member board if unofficial vote totals from Election Day hold up  said Friday she disagreed with the board's decision.

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"We should follow the lead of other counties to freeze that levy," Martini said. "If that means we have to cut costs somewhere, then we have to do that." She acknowledged that the increase to the levy was small but noted it adds up if every taxing jurisdiction makes the same decision.

Before the vote, board members Sandra Hart (District 13) and Steven Mandel (District 11) voiced similar concerns, announcing they would vote against the budget because of their opposition to increasing the tax levy.

"As you look out there today and listen to the anger of the residents, it doesn't go by me very easily," Mandel said.

Mandel is set to depart the board, as well, and Paul Frank, who would replace him if unofficial vote totals hold, said he supported Mandel's position.

"I'm against an increase in the county's property tax rate at this time," Frank said Friday.

Terry Wilke (District 16) also voted against the budget.

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Transportation projects

In a news release, the county updated the status of three area transportation projects. One is complete, one is nearly done and another is slated to finish next year.

Lake County's joint project with the Village of Mundelein to completely reconstruct Hawley Street is finished, the county said. The project resulted in a new water main and sanitary sewer, upgraded traffic signals, a new sidewalk and a bike path.

The resurfacing of Ela Road from Route 22 to Cuba Road is "nearly complete," the county said. That project includes a new sidewalk, as well, and added bike-friendly shoulders. Additional landscaping work is set to wrap up soon.

Finally, county crews plan to finish the east retaining wall on the $35 million Washington Street underpass project at the Canadian National Railway tracks in Grayslake before the winter. That leaves only the structural work on the north side left to complete. There are no more road closures planned for the project, according to the release.

The county plans to shut down the project during the winter and pick back up in the spring.

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Political makeup of board unchanged

If unofficial vote totals hold up, it looks like the political makeup of the Lake County Board  at least by party affiliation  will remain unchanged next year.

Both Mandel and his replacement, Frank, are Democrats. Carter and Martini are both Republicans.

All other members of the board up for election were either fending off their challengers, unofficial vote totals showed, or running unopposed.

Before the election, there were seven Democrats on the County Board and 14 Republicans.

lhammill@tribpub.com

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Twitter @lucashammill
North Shore Gas volunteers place plastic film over windows to stop air gaps, which should trap heat in the home and keep cold out, as part of a program to winterize the homes of low-income senior citizens in North Chicago Saturday. (Michael Joyce / Lake County News-Sun)

A partnership between North Shore Gas and the Community Action Partnership of Lake County saw 10 low-income and senior citizens' homes weatherized throughout the North Chicago area over the weekend.

One of those homes belonged to Wanda Williams, a senior and North Chicago resident. Williams was introduced to the program by her sister-in-law, Marsha Belcher, who works as the fund development administrator for the Community Action Foundation of Northern Illinois.

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Belcher said efforts are made to make the application criteria very simple.

"You have to be a senior, and a North Shore Gas customer, and your gas has to be connected," Belcher said. "We try to make it as easy as possible. Then we come in and try to help save energy with things like programmable thermostats, energy efficient showers, switching out CFL bulbs and stuff like that."

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A North Shore Gas volunteer applies heat to windows covers, making an airtight seal around the edges, as part of a program to winterize the homes of low-income senior citizens in North Chicago Saturday. (Michael Joyce / Lake County News-Sun)

Other families were identified through Shields Township and the Catholic Charities Senior Program.

Williams says that because the process was so straightforward, she decided to apply.

"I said, 'Why not come on out here,'" said Williams. "They talked to me, told me everything they were gonna do. I'm (searching) for words. They tell me I'm a senior, and I was like, 'Oh, I forgot that I'm a senior,'" joked Williams. "I'll be saving money and saving energy. I get a paper every other month or so telling me how much I use. They're telling me I can use less."

Williams explained that any savings she can realize on her energy bill will be very helpful to her.

"You know when you're (on a) fixed income, it's kind of hard to pay some of the bills and stuff," she said. "The bills go up and down a lot in the summer and winter. But these things they've done should help me save some money."

Williams wants to use money she saves on her energy bill to help pay for a visit to her granddaughter in Miami, who will be graduating from college next year.

Michelle Rindt, vice president of customer service for North Shore Gas, said the initiative has been going on for the past 13 years.

"Every year a group of volunteers gather," she said. "This year we have 25. We go into low-income and elderly homes to put sheeting on the windows, caulking, weather stripping and just to really help winterize their homes for them. We've done over 500 homes in the past several years, so it's been a big impact to the community.

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"Today was North Chicago," Rindt said. "Last week was the south and west parts of Chicago."

Rindt said the total work done in the homes adds up to between $100 and $200. Work is typically done in the fall because officials want to make customers mindful of what they need to do when winter comes.

"It's been a mild fall so far, but winter is certainly coming," she said.

Those interested in applying for the program may can contact Marsha Belcher at 847-249-4330 for more information.

Michael Joyce is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
The Ministry of Commerce said Saturday that the European Union should avoid abusing trade remedy measures, after the latest decision by the European Commission to impose anti-dumping duties on some Chinese steel products.

The European Commission Saturday decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of seamless steel tubes from China for six months.

China is highly concerned about the increasing steel trade protectionism from the EU, and hopes the EU will strictly respect relevant World Trade Organization rules, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The "analogue country" investigation method used by the EU, a practice using price data in a third country to calculate the value of products from a non-market economy country, is unfair and unreasonable and has seriously damaged the interests of Chinese companies, it said.

It reiterated that the root cause of Europe's steel industry woes was not imports from China but weak economic growth.
There are now more than 1,400 Przewalski's gazelle, a species even more endangered than the giant panda, living around a lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, its only habitat.

According to a survey by Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve, there were 1,464 gazelle living around the lake, around 200 more than the number recorded last year.

He Yubang, with the reserve, said the survey, which was conducted in August, recorded 324 fawns born this year and 1,140 older gazelle, consisting of 445 males and 695 females.

"This is a record high since our surveys began," He said.

Years of protection has seen the gazelle population quadruple in the past 20 years and lowered its status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species from "critically endangered" to "endangered."

The local government has set up watering places and supplied foraging food in the winter, and dismantled barbed wire fences, once used to restrict the movement of livestock and mark ownership of the grassland.

The sharp, barbed fences have killed many of the gazelle's in the past, as the animals tried to jump them.

The provincial forestry authorities tore down 515,000 meters of fencing or barbed wire across four counties around the lake from 2009 to 2015 and lowering the height of the remaining fences from 1.5 meters to 1.2 meters.
 Flash

Public anger exploded on the streets over a scandal involving South Korean President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil, who is alleged to have meddled in state affairs from the shadows and peddling undue influence for personal gains.

Ranging from couples with their babies and children to students in school uniforms and grey-haired old men, ordinary South Koreans crowded the streets in central Seoul on Saturday as seen in the previous two weekends.

Protesters shouted for the scandal-hit president's resignation, with a wider array of posters in their hands reading "Park Geun-hye, step down," "Incompetent president destroys country," "Is this called a country?" People marched in the evening with paper cup-wrapped candles in hand.

Banners along the road varied, demanding President Park distance herself from all state affairs, including diplomacy and defense. One banner from the minor Justice Party proposed a roadmap of Park's resignation, the forming of interim cabinet and early presidential election.

The embattled president made public apologies twice and accepted a coalition cabinet formed by the parliament, but people get infuriated further on growing views that Park has yet to sincerely confess to her sins.

As Donald Trump's presidential win in the United States caused security uncertainties on the Korean Peninsula, people call for Park's rapid resignation as she already lost credibility and authority in the diplomatic stage.

"(Park) has yet to sincerely apologize. (Park) can no longer govern our country as she already lost credibility and authority," said Shin Yoon-seo, a 17-year-old high school student attending the rally with fellow students.

Choi, whose friendship with President Park dates back to the mid-1970s, is suspected of pulling government strings behind the scenes. Allegations range from selecting wardrobe to be worn by the president in official events to the editing of important presidential speeches and the appointment of senior government officials.

Some local media outlets even speculated that Choi may have engaged in the July decision to deploy a U.S. missile shield system in southeast South Korea by the end of next year. It was a surprising decision because Seoul had previously refrained from even raising the issue.

During Saturday's rally, dissatisfactions with Park's business-friendly policies also burst into a fit of rage especially among workers and farmers. At least 100,000 members and supporters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the country's two umbrella labor union groups, joined the protest.

The Park Geun-hye administration has been criticized for labor policies that allow companies to fire regular employees more easily and increase irregular workers more comfortably. The number of irregular workers has increased since the Lee Myung-bak government that ended in February 2013.

"Under the governments of Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, regular workers fell and irregular workers rose. Park Geun-hye is seeking an illegal alteration in administrative directives to produce more irregular workers, which is in violation of labor law," said 44-year-old Choi Dong-sik, a KCTU participant in the rally.
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The number of Bangladesh students appearing in the HSK, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi or the Chinese Proficiency Test, has shot up.

Scores of students on Saturday appeared in different levels of HSK examinations held at the Dhaka University Confucius Institute in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

"Today we conducted HSK level 2, 3 and 4 examinations," Zhou Mingdong, director at Dhaka University Confucius Institute told Xinhua.

She said some 63 students from the Dhaka University Confucius Institute and other Bangladesh educational institutes appeared in the examinations Saturday.

She said more and more students have been showing interest to learn Chinese language and appear in different levels of HSK examinations to test their Chinese ability to face practical and real-life situations.

The Dhaka University Confucius Institute has become a prime destination for Chinese language learners, she said.

"We'll hold another HSK examination next month for students of other levels," she added.

The HSK, designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University, is one of the most important academic testing systems in relation to Chinese language study around the world.
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The Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange, celebrated in 2016, has strengthened ties of friendship and cooperation between the two sides, a Mexican expert on international relations.

The progress made this year opens the door to a new and more fruitful phase in bilateral ties, Tannia Luna, of Mexico's National Autonomous University.

"These exchanges have met all expectations and even surpassed them," said Luna.

As a result, "this new China-Latin America relationship goes beyond political and economic negotiations," Luna added.

As part of this year's activities, performances of Peking Opera were held at Mexico City's leading opera house, and works by world-renowned Colombian painter Fernando Botero went on display in Shanghai, bringing peoples on both sides of the Pacific closer together.

Art and artists traveled in both directions, taking Latin America to the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and provinces including Jiangsu and Guangdong, and bringing China to countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica and Peru.

The initiative reflects the importance China confers on its ties to the region, said Luna.

"China not only values political ties worldwide, but also promotes and develops a solid cultural and creative industry, which allows the Asian country to export its fascinating and millenary culture," said Luna.

The effort has paid off in stronger bilateral ties, said Luna, suggesting that to further strengthen the relationship the two sides should increase academic exchange.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a week-long visit to Latin America starting next week, to boost the comprehensive partnership of cooperation between the two regions.

At the invitation of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Xi will pay state visits to the three countries from Nov. 17 to 23.

During the tour, Xi will attend the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 19 to 20 in Lima, capital city of Peru.
SYDNEY - China's flag carrier Air China welcomed a major flight between Sydney and Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Saturday.

An Airbus 330-200 plane flying Sydney's first direct route from China's fourth-largest international airport touched down at Sydney Airport, marking the start of a service running three times a week that is expected to bring 23,000 Chinese visitors and A$89 million ($67.27 million) of their expenditure to the New South Wales (NSW) economy.

"Chengdu, the land of abundance and capital of Sichuan province, is a city proud of its natural endowment, historical heritage, cultural diversity and hardworking people. The city and its surrounding area are leading other cities in China's west in economic development and have been working to build and strengthen their ties with Australia," Consul General of the Consulate-General of China in Sydney Gu Xiaojie said at an event in Sydney Airport welcoming the new route.

"Air China's direct flights will help to strengthen Chengdu and Sichuan's cooperation with the most dynamic and prosperous city in New South Wales, hence creating new opportunities for the Chinese and Australian people to deepen mutual understanding, friendship and economic cooperation."

The consul general said the Chinese and Australian economies are "highly complementary", with recent years witnessing "rapid growth in bilateral trade and investment, tourism, education, science and technology".

New South Wales is the destination of more than half of Chinese investment and students and 40 percent of tourists to Australia, "and we value our friendly relationship with the state very much", he said.

Chengdu is Air China's second-largest hub offering connections to more than 40 destinations within China and international cities such as Frankfurt, Paris and Rome. The new flight, which offers 237 seats on the aircraft, will help Sydney Airport host seven airlines flying to 13 Chinese cities by the end of the month, said Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather.

"In the year ending June 2016, New South Wales welcomed almost 640,000 people from China and they spent some A$2.1 billion in our local economy, which is very welcomed. The partnership with Air China will help continue to grow that, for our local economy, and likewise, we will look forward to sending more people to Chengdu and China," NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism Jonathan O'Dea said.

The managing director of Air China's Southwest Branch Liu Yong said the Chengdu-Sydney flight will establish a new "bridge in the sky" to help boost economic, trade and cultural exchanges.

"The weather forecast said there'd be rain, but it turned out to be nice and sunny, a very smooth first flight. It's a good sign for our new link and I'm confident of it," Liu said.

"Chinese nationals continue to be our largest foreign contributor in inbound passengers and this new service will drive further demand," Mather said.

As part of continued efforts to meet that demand, Sydney Airport has rolled out a number of initiatives to welcome Chinese passengers. These include Mandarin-speaking "ambassadors" to help visitors, as well as retail, food and beverage offerings tailored to Chinese travelers, and a presence on Chinese social media platforms to ensure that passengers are kept up to date, she said.

"It's going to be great for Sydneysiders as well. Chengdu is one of the fastest developing cities in the world and an ideal destination for people who want to explore western China," she said.

"It's famous for the giant pandas and for Sichuan cuisine, which is personally my favorite. I'm sure Sydneysiders will love Chengdu as much as I do."
China's internet economy is enjoying strong momentum, highlighted by technology upgrades, business innovation and big acquisition deals in 2016. Let's take a look at the major internet events of the year.

Google's Go-playing computer program AlphaGo claimed a historic victory in the ancient Chinese boardgame over Go grandmaster Lee Sedol of South Korea in March. The computer program won four games to one in the best-of-five series.

The victory has fuelled a growing interest in artificial intelligence and boosted Chinese companies' investment in the sector.
The office of a tech park in Skolkovo Innovation Center, Moscow. [Photo/Xinhua]

Both nations see huge potential to develop expanding scientific and tech centers

As the two countries agreed to push the coordination of the Eurasian Economic Union and Belt and Road Initiatives, Chinese science and technology parks are now seeking opportunities in Russian markets.

TusPark, a science park under Tsinghua University, didn't want to miss the opportunity. After signing a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Skolkovo Technology Park, witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2014, TusPark is maintaining close connections with its Russian counterpart.

Yuri Saprykin, vice-president of the Far East division of Skolkovo, told China Daily cooperation with Chinese science parks has already started, as they have signed agreements with both Z-Park and TusPark allowing companies from either park to use Skolkovo as a window and gateway to the Russian high-tech market.

Moreover, science park cooperation is expected to evolve as he said a joint investment for a science park in Moscow is being planned, and will be further discussed in the coming meeting of the two prime ministers in November.

Medvedev said the country has carried out a major innovation project in Skolkovo, which is claimed to be the largest science park in Europe, and has already had cooperation and dealings with Chinese science parks and high-tech companies.

In late September, he said, the country welcomed foreign investors. "Now in Moscow there are 26 science parks, and a number of science parks operate in other places," he noted. "Still advanced knowledge and equipment from other countries are needed, and different models and forms of innovation from different territories, such as special economic zones, scientific parks and innovation clusters from China and other countries, are needed."

Saprykin revealed Chinese companies, such as TusPark and Z-Park, had both shown great interest in the Russian market, and started negotiations with Russian local high-tech startups.

Herbert Chen, vice-president of TusPark, said China and Russia enjoy a great potential of cooperation in the field of science parks with their various advantages as political relations push broader bilateral cooperation.

Chen said the international business strategy of TusPark is made under the reference of China's Belt and Road Initiatives, and their strategy has been more friendly to Russian markets in recent years.

"Chinese science parks have established connections with Russian parks over the past 10 years, and Russia has been a key area when making the international strategy," he said.

"In the future there will be more Russian elements in their plan."

Zheng Xiaodong, managing director of international operation of Z-Park, said there is huge potential of innovation cooperation between China and Russia.

"On one hand, such cooperation has gained full support from both governments in the policy aspect," Zheng said. "On the other hand, both sides are actively seeking a new direction of opportunities."

"In the past the direction was energy cooperation, and then military cooperation, now we can see more cooperative points in innovation," he said.

"We can't ignore the fact that the current excellent Sino-Russian relations and policy support from governments help to boost our business links with China," Saprykin said. "But as a businessman, we prefer saying that we want to cooperate with China because we really see lots of potential, and there will be a win-win for both countries."
Yu Xu, a female J-10 fighter pilot, died in an accident during a routine flight training on Nov 12, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Yu Xu, a female J-10 fighter pilot, died in an accident during a routine flight training on Saturday, an Air Force spokesman said.



Born in 1986, Yu was from Chongzhou city in southwest China's Sichuan Province. She joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force in September 2005, and was serving as a flight squadron leader.



All servicemen of PLA Air Force were deeply regretful and mournful of Yu's unfortunate death, said Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke.



The Air Force will continue to conduct training by the highest standards and faithfully fulfill its mission, Shen said.
More than 40 million yuan ($5.87 million) worth of fraud cases involving over 1,900 victims have been dealt with by the capital's courts over the past three years, it was revealed on Friday.

In that time, courts at all levels have handed down sentences ranging from eight months to 20 years in jail to 326 defendants, Beijing High People's Court said in a statement.

Most were either convicted of forgery, identity theft or misuse of telecommunications equipment.

"Crimes related to telecoms scams or online fraud have risen 20 to 30 percent every year since 2013, and brought great economic losses to residents," said Luo Pengfei, a judge with the criminal tribunal of the high people's court.

"Those defendants who repeatedly offended or led an organization to cheat others were given the heaviest penalties, to thoroughly root out their fraud links."

Luo said that residents could protect themselves by verifying the identity of any stranger who calls.

"If a caller says he or she works for legal authorities or governmental departments, which we often see in telecom scams, it is better to verify what they have said with the related authority," he said.

Residents were also advised to be careful when clicking links in text messages, especially ones mentioning prizes, so as to avoid economic losses.
China has surpassed what is required to meet their fair share on climate change mitigation, according to a review on pre-2020 targets in the Paris Agreement.

As the two-week United Nation Climate Change Conference went half way through, an independent review released on Friday shows there is great disparity across countries based upon what they have put forward so far to cope with climate change challenges.

China has pledged to do much more to cut emissions than what it should shoulder, against a 2020 emissions benchmark required to limit temperature rise below 1.5-degree in the second half of the century, the report said.

China pledged to cut 40-45 carbon intensity, or emission per unit of GDP, by the year 2020, compared with 2005 levels, in the Paris pact.

In comparison, developed countries, including the United States, Japan, face a big gap between what they have pledged to cut emissions indicated in their national determined goals in the Paris Agreement and what they should bear, in terms of responsibility and capability.

The report said wealthy countries should urgently shift domestically to low-carbon economies, and strengthen cooperation with developing countries on mitigation efforts before 2020, "as the pre-2020 period will define the post-2020 reality."

Sivan Kartha, a senior scientist at Stockholm Environment Institute, said that developed nations not only need to raise their ambitions, but also improve financial support to developing countries to deal with climate change.

The independent review on carbon emission targets is supported by environmental NGOs all over the world.
Gathering supports interpretation on taking oath of office

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents join a rally Sunday afternoon outside the Legislative Council complex to show support for the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law. Roy Liu /China Daily

Hong Kong saw an outpouring of patriotism on Sunday in a mass demonstration calling for disqualifying the lawmakers-elect who have refused to pledge allegiance to the nation and the city's Basic Law.

Organizers said more than 40,000 people turned up from an alliance of 1,000 organizations across the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Gathered outside the city's Legislative Council complex, they condemned in particular Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, two lawmakers-elect, for their separatist stand and bad manners and obscenities while taking the oath of office on Oct 12.

Demonstrators also supported the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in its latest interpretation of the Hong Kong Basic Law and clarification of the oath-taking procedures for all senior officials, lawmakers and judges of the SAR.

Ng Chau-pei, one of the organizers of the gathering and also chairman of Hong Kong's largest labor group, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said there were also about 10,000 people who couldn't fit in the limited space of the protest zone.

On Nov 7, the NPC Standing Committee delivered its interpretation of Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, requiring senior officials, legislators and judges to pledge allegiance to the country and the SAR, and to take their oath in an accurate, sincere and solemn manner, under penalty of their disqualification.

It was the fifth time that the Standing Committee made an interpretation of the Basic Law since Hong Kong's reunification with the motherland in 1997.

Hong Kong's High Court has yet to hand down a decision in the judicial review mounted by the SAR government. The government seeks to have the oaths taken by the pair declared invalid and their seats vacated.

Maggie Chan Man-ki, president of Small and Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong, praised the interpretation as an effort to prevent possible instability caused by the pro-independence activists.

Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan, a lawmaker from the city's largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the interpretation also protects the normal operation of Hong Kong's business environment.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, made a speech on Saturday saying that, in words and in deeds, the separatist advocates acted seriously counter to the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and challenged national sovereignty.

Therefore, Zhang added, it has become necessary for the NPC to use its legitimate power in its latest Basic Law interpretation.

Zhang said the NPC empowers Hong Kong courts with rights to interpret the Basic Law, but that does not supersede nor restrict the NPC Standing Committee's authority to interpret the Basic Law, especially when the issue of sovereignty is at stake.

Contact the writer at stushadow@chinadailyhk.com
China's flag carrier Air China welcomed a major flight between Sydney and Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Saturday.[Photo/Xinhua]

An Airbus 330-200 plane flying Sydney's first direct route from China's fourth-largest international airport touched down at Sydney Airport, marking the start of a service running three times a week that is expected to bring 23,000 Chinese visitors and 89 million Autralian dollars of their expenditure to the New South Wales (NSW) economy.

"Chengdu, the land of abundance and capital of Sichuan province, is a city proud of its natural endowment, historical heritage, cultural diversity and hardworking people. The city and its surrounding area are leading other cities in China's west in economic development and have been working to build and strengthen their ties with Australia," Consul General of the Consulate-General of China in Sydney Gu Xiaojie said at an event in Sydney Airport welcoming the new route.

"Air China's direct flights will help to strengthen Chengdu and Sichuan's cooperation with the most dynamic and prosperous city in New South Wales, hence creating new opportunities for the Chinese and Australian people to deepen mutual understanding, friendship and economic cooperation.
ISLAMABAD - At least 40 people were killed and over 100 others injured after a suicide blast hit a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan district on Saturday night, local media and officials said.



Local Urdu TV channel Abb Takk reported that 40 people including women and kids were killed, adding that the blast targeted devotees who played Dhamal, a kind of mystic dance, at Shah Noorani Shrine located at a hilltop in Hub town of the province's Kalat region.



However, the officials put the death toll figure at 30.



Hashim Galzai, the Commissioner of Kalat said that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who blew himself up at the place where the devotees were dancing.



He said that there were over 500 people, coming from different parts of the country, inside the shrine when the blast happened.



Rescue work by Army, government and non-profit organizations is underway, and altogether 87 ambulances carrying doctors and paramedics have been dispatched to the blast site, as there is no major hospital in the remote area where the shrine is located.



Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the spokesperson of the Balochistan government, said that they have dispatched 50 ambulances to the shrine.



The Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistani Army's media wing, said that 25 ambulances with doctors and paramedics have left for the blast site and an emergency has been imposed in military hospitals in Kalat region and Karachi.



Hamkim Lasi, head of a non-profit organization Edhi Foundation in the area, said that they have dispatched 12 ambulances to the blast site.



He said that the blast site is hard to access as darkness and tough mountainous terrain is a hindrance to the rescue teams, and the nearest major hospital is in downtown Hub, which is located some 120 km from the blast site.



Superintendent Police Muhammad Jafar said that police and paramilitary troops reached the blast site and cordoned it off.



No group has claimed the attack yet.



Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to eradicate militancy from the country.
NEW DELHI -- India's sudden move of scrapping currency notes of higher denominations to curb the menace of black money seems to be a nightmare for the country's poor and the middle class.

Long queues of people stayed outside banks and automated teller machines (ATMs) for depositing as well as swapping with new notes the scrapped notes of 500 Indian rupees ($7.5) and 1,000 Indian rupees ($15) to run their lives.

Anger is brewing with the queues getting longer with each passing day, and the banks and ATMs are running out of cash and limits of daily cash withdrawals make matters worse.

"I stood in a queue for over three hours and when I reached the ATM counter, I came to know that it's out of cash. Weekends are a time to relax but my Sunday is ruined due to improper arrangement by the banks. I have no valid cash in my purse," said Sanjay Singh, an IT professional in Delhi.

Local TV channels reported stories of desperate people trying to scramble to get rid of black money by burning sacks of ill-gotten cash as well as throwing currency notes away in garbage dumps as well as rivers across the country.

On the other hand, there are stories of people facing harrowing time as they are unable to pay for cremations and hospital admissions.

"I am left at the mercy of the hospital authorities who are refusing to admit my wife who had sustained injuries in a road accident," said Ram Lal, a laborer.

Some people welcomed the Indian government's move, but blamed it for lack of proper planning and execution to save the common men from having a harrowing time.

"No doubt the move is aimed at tackling corruption and tax evasion. But many low-income Indians, traders and ordinary savers who rely on the cash economy have been badly hit. Moreover, there are not enough cash at ATMs and there is a limit daily cash withdrawals," said Sunita, a housewife.

With ATMs running out of cash and people out of patience, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday evening addressed the nation to try to douse people's anger.

He regretted inconvenience caused to the people, adding that the "long-term advantages of this are to the overall economy".

"ATMs had not been adjusted to handle new currency notes prior to the announcement in order to keep it under wraps. Recalibration of ATMs will be completed within two weeks," he said, trying to justify the government's sudden move.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the currency ban is the "biggest cleanliness drive" against black money hoarders, opposition parties tried to exploit the situation by pointing out the inconvinience caused to the general people.

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called it a "huge scam".

However, experts have welcomed the government's "bold move", saying though consumer spending would likely to dip in the short term, the decision would boost India's gross domestic product in the long run.

The government banned currency notes 500 rupees and 1,000 rupees Tuesday and asked people to exchange the old notes by December 30.

Withdrawals from banks have also been limited to Rs 10,000 ($150) a day and in ATMs, there is also a withdrawal restriction.
SEOUL -- South Korean prosecutors on Sunday summoned Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics' vice chairman, for questioning over a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidante, Yonhap news agency reported.

Lee was summoned in the afternoon by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the scandal of Choi Soon-sil suspected of using her close friendship with the president to win personal gains.

Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud. The 60-year-old is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won ($66.3 million) to two nonprofit foundations presumably controlled by Choi.

President Park held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of the country's conglomerates on July 24, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

The Samsung vice chairman is being grilled by prosecutors over the closed-door meeting and why Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Choi-controlled foundations.

Lee has actually run Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, since his father Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, was hospitalized for heart attack in 2014.

Prosecutors also reportedly questioned Lee about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros (about $30 billion) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.
SEOUL -- South Korean prosecutors plan to investigate President Park Geun-hye early next week over Park's biggest political scandal involving her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil suspected of intervening in state affairs behind the scenes and peddling undue influence for personal gains.

A man waves A man waves a national flag as people march toward the Presidential Blue House during a rally demanding President Park Geun-hye to step down in central Seoul, South Korea, November 12, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

According to local media reports, a special investigative unit under the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the case has delivered to the presidential Blue House its request to investigate the scandal-plagued president on Tuesday or Wednesday.

If realized, Park would become the first South Korean president to be investigated by prosecutors as incumbent leader. Under the country's constitution, a president is free from criminal indictment, but some of law experts claim a criminal investigation is possible if the indictment is suspended until the end of presidency.

Park, who took office in February 2013, has about 15 months left in her single, five-year term.

Face-to-face investigation is preferable in principle, the prosecution said, but details haven't been decided upon where and how to prove the embattled president. It added that President Park would be a reference witness during an investigation.

The scandal-hit president made public apologies twice since the scandal came into focus last month, but public anger hasn't been appeased.

The largest mass rally in three decades was held on Saturday night to demand Park's immediate resignation. Organizers said about 1 million protesters took to the streets in Seoul alone, the biggest since the identical number of people protested against the military dictatorship in June, 1987.

Police estimated that around 260,000 people turned out in Seoul. Police estimates are usually far lower than the figures released by organizers as people coming back home after early participation are not included in calculations.

Thousands of people are expected to continue rallies in major cities nationwide, including Seoul and the southern port city of Busan where some 30,000 residents marched to call for the president's resignation the previous night.

Meanwhile, prosecutors summoned chiefs of key conglomerates, who are alleged to have closed-door meetings with President Park last year, over the weekend.

The first South Korean female leader held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of conglomerates on July 24 last year, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and chiefs of LG Group and CJ Group were summoned on Sunday afternoon. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo and two heads of Hanwha Group and SK Group were grilled on Saturday over the behind-the-scenes meetings with President Park.

Choi Soon-sil, 60, is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won (66.3 million U.S. dollars) to two nonprofit foundations she actually controls. Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, with 12.8 billion won, 11.1 billion won, 7.8 billion won and 2.5 billion won each donated by Hyundai, SK, LG and Hanwha. The donation scale is roughly in line with rankings in terms of wealth.

The Samsung vice chairman has also been questioned about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros (about 30 billion US dollars) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.
(Photo : Getty Images) A woman holds a Chinese flag during demonstrations against corruption in China.

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A corrupt former Chinese official, who has been on the run, has surrendered to the Chinese government after over 15 years in New Zealand and Australia, according to a statement issued by the government on Saturday.



According to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the former head of the Tonghua Golden-Horse group Yang Yongming has finally surrendered to authorities. An investigation is ongoing into his charges.



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"Yan surrendered to police and was returned to China in cooperation with New Zealand authorities," the CCDI said. "There is still no word on what charges he might face."



Yan fled to Australia back in 2001 after he was arraigned for fraud and embezzlement. He later became a New Zealand citizen under the name William Yan, according to Xinhua News Agency.



Yan is the 34th person on China's list of 100 most wanted fugitives to be returned to the country under the government's 'Sky Net' operation.



The Sky Net operation officially kicked off in April 2015 with the main aim of "capturing fugitive officials, cracking down on underground banks, and confiscating misappropriated assets."



The operation is under the supervision of the Communist's Party organizational department, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Bank of China.



A large number of the suspects on the 'Sky Net' list are believed to be in the US and Canada. New Zealand is the third most preferred destination for Chinese fugitives. It is believed to be home to about 11 Chinese culprits, according to Caixin.



Yang's assets, which were valued at over $31 million, have been seized. In a statement, the New Zealand government said that the assets had been acquired through illegal means in China. Some of Yang's assets include $2.8 million among other items seized.



This is the biggest seizure that New Zealand has ever had in its history.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan this week.

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Japan will fail in making India a pawn against China, Chinese state-owned tabloid Global Times said in an editorial on Friday, claiming that the Indian government's foreign policy is multi-faceted and seeks to benefit from both countries.



Global Times, which is known for its nationalistic views, published the editorial on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to Japan.



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The editorial claimed that the relationship between India and China is just too strong for Japan to exploit the differences between two countries.



"China and India have many problems between them, however, Sino-Indian relations are improving. National leaders frequently meet and are securing the right direction in bilateral ties," the editorial said.



It, however, shied away from taking an in-depth view on several contagious issues that has plagued the bilateral ties between both nations in recent months.



The Chinese tabloid also took a swipe at the historic indo-Japan civil nuclear deal.



It editorial claims that Japan wants to use the civil nuclear deal as a ploy to convince the Modi government to intervene in the South China Sea dispute.



"Japan wants to use the disputes between China and India to court India to help contain China. Japan seeks to urge India to meddle in the South China Sea issue, even at the cost of changing its long-held position of reducing nuclear usage to offer special benefits of civil nuclear cooperation with India," the Global Times said.



The Chinese government has been keeping a close eye on Modi's visit to Japan, mainly due to New Delhi's aggressive posturing on the South China Sea issue. Several media reports ahead of Modi's visit indicated that New Delhi might== align with Tokyo to back the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling on the South China Sea dispute.



The Indian government so far has opted to intervene indirectly in the maritime dispute, mainly by offering military and financial assistance to claimant countries.



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(Photo : Getty Images) China's proposed cyber security law continues to be lambasted by critics.

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A group of over 40 foreign business and technology companies on Friday spoke out against China's new security law. They argued that the new law will only strengthen the barrier between China and other countries.



If the new law becomes fully effective, then companies would be required to localize data and be put on surveillance.



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In a letter written by the group addressed to the Chinese Communist Party Central Leading Group for Cyber Space Affairs, they argue that if the new law comes into effect, China would easily create trade barriers along national boundaries.



"The cyber security law would also burden industry and undermine the foundation of China's relations with its commercial partners," the letter reads.



The companies added that even if the laws are to be implemented, it does not necessarily guarantee that their cyber security needs would be fully met.



The letter was signed by the Information Technology Industry, the Australian Industry Group, Business Europe, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among others.



U.S. Senator and Colorado Republican Cory Gardner told Reuters that the new law is something to be worried about.



He noted that the law would only violate people's privacy and damage their relationship with other nations



"I have spoken with Chinese officials in regards to the matter during my last visit and will push the Obama administration to address Bejing's broader actions in cyberspace," he said.



The new law, which is expected to take effect in June next year, was openly condemned by foreign including business and human rights groups.



Chinese cybersecurity experts, however, claim that foreign companies are exaggerating the matter and that no international barriers would be broken when the new laws come into effect.



"They are synonymous. This kind of misunderstanding is a kind of prejudice," said the director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Zhao Zeliang.



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(Photo : getty images.) Work has been suspended on the controversial Myitsone Dam Project since 2011.

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Myanmar is set to make a decision on whether to restart construction work on the Chinese-backed Myitsone dam project, China's state media reported on Thursday. The project has been surrounded by controversy since the Myanmar government halted construction work in 2011 due to growing public uproar.



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A special advisory commission submitted its report on the controversial dam project to the Myanmar government on Friday, a state-owned newspaper Global New Light reported. The newspaper said that final decision would be taken after taking into consideration environmental cost and public opinion as well as its possible impact on foreign investment.



Analysts say that the final decision would not be an easy one for Aung San Suu Kyi, the de-facto leader of the country. She will be under immense pressure to respect the local sentiment against the project, but cannot leave the Chinese leadership unhappy either.



The Chinese government attaches immense importance to multi-billion dollar project. This was underscored by Suu Kyi's historic visit to China earlier this year, when the Myitsone dam project emerged as one of the main talking points.



The Chinese leadership including President Xi Jinping reportedly urged Suu Kyi to resume work on the dam project as soon as possible.



The $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project has come to symbolize China's overt economic domination over Myanmar. Additionally, Suu Kyi government is immensely dependent on China to work out a sustainable peace process with ethic rebel militias settled around the China-Myanmar border.



Foreign experts say that Suu Kyi cannot afford to leave Chinese leadership miffed, even if she wants to be swayed by popular sentiment against the controversial dam project.



The Myitsone dam project has faced opposition not only due to environmental concerns, but also due to lack of transparency and also for the possible impact of flooding on residents.



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TagsMyanmar, Myanmar and China, Myitsone Dam Project, Aung San Suu Kyi, china
(Photo : YouTube) Hyundai's Ioniq Hybrid Blue is looking to beat the Toyota Prius as America's most eco-friendly car.

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South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai has announced that the company's new Ioniq Hybrid Blue, which is expected to hit the market early next year, has an estimated EPA rating of 57 miles per gallon for city, 59 miles per gallon for highway, and a combined rating of 56.



Although Hyundai has dodged several speculations about the Ioniq Hybrid Blue, it is clear that the car is looking to beat the Toyota Prius as America's most eco-friendly car, according to CNet.



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The Ioniq Hybrid is a slipstream five-door car with a direct injected 1.6-liter gas engine capable of outputting up to 103 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque, according to Forbes. The mechanical engine is backed up by an electric motor that can give out 43 horsepower. The electric motor uses a 1.56-kWh lithium ion battery. The Ioniq Hybrid has a combined output of 139 horsepower, beating the Toyota Prius which has a rating of 121 horsepower.



Unlike most hybrid cars which use a continuous electronic variable transmission, the Ioniq Hybrid has a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. This type of transmission is more commonly used by performance-oriented cars. Hyundai said that the Ioniq would be available in pure electric and plug-in hybrid configurations.



With the current surge of demands for cars that offer better mileage, the Ioniq is a potential moneymaker for Hyundai. Moreover, cars that run on alternative fuel are yet to dominate the market, and it will be quite a while before they do.



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TagsHyundai, hyundai ioniq, ioniq hybrid, hyundai hybrid, hybrid cars, eta, eta rating
(Photo : ScottOlson/GettyImages) Audi is set to start building luxury cars in China.

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China's SAIC Motor Corp has inked a deal with Audi AG, which may see the Chinese company producing the luxury cars. The deal was signed on Friday and is likely to be announced on Monday.



According to Sina, the deal will lead to a joint venture where SAIC and Audi will have an equal stake. The deal will also let SAIC manufacture Audi models as an OEM. The first shipment is expected to reach the market by April next year.



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Audi currently builds cars in China through its joint venture with FAW. The cars are manufactured in Foshan and Changchun. The company produces the A3 compact car in Foshan while the A4 and A6 variant is produced in Changchun. Both FAW and SAIC have a joint venture with Volkswagen as well.



However, the new deal has allegedly sparked anger among Audi dealers. The Audi Dealers Association has reportedly issued a statement that "the interests of Audi dealers will be further damaged if you set up a new sales company." The association also claimed that some of the dealers are saddled with high inventory.



Audi has been a leading player in luxury car market in China. However, recently, it has been losing market share to its competitors. Its turnover has also been affected by the Chinese government's crackdown on luxury cars.



The company sold 440,233 units so far this year in mainland China and Hong Kong, showing a 6.2 year-over-year growth. Its competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz saw their sales grow by 10.6 percent and 29.5 percent year-over-year respectively.



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TagsSAIC Motor Corp, Audi AG, Foshan, FAW
COLUMBUS  In an online world, small, locally owned stores are finding it harder to make ends meet.

That's why the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce works each holiday season to highlight the benefits of staying in town to shop.

Youre not just supporting a business, youre supporting the family who owns it and your friends and neighbors who are employed there, said Sandie Fischer, the chambers retail developer. You really are supporting the whole community.

Cindy Gasper, who has owned Party Palace Gifts & Screen Printing Co. for 19 years, said it gets a little tougher each year to compete with online retailers.

My biggest competitor is online, Gasper said.

The chamber, for the eighth straight year, is encouraging people to buy from local businesses through its program #shopsmall.

Youre helping pave a street, put up a new streetlight or even buy a new book for our library. It all goes back into the Columbus economy, Fischer said, referring to the sales tax revenue generated by local businesses.

The #smallshop effort challenges people to shop locally during the holiday season, whether it's for one item or their entire gift list.

The chamber is offering a chance for shoppers to win a $500 shopping spree, along with a 10 percent discount for those who use Columbus Bucks on Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 26.

According to Chamber President K.C. Belitz, more than $43,000 in Columbus Bucks were sold in just four hours last year, beating the 2014 total by 15 percent.

For every $100 in Columbus Bucks purchased, the chamber and its sponsors kick in an additional $10 for purchases up to $500. Columbus Bucks don't expire and can be used year-round at any business that's a chamber member.

Gasper said she purchases Columbus Bucks each year. However, even she forgets about the small businesses located outside the downtown area  although she owns one.

When Im thinking of what stores to shop at, Im thinking along the lines of main street. I dont think of anything outside of that, and here I am outside of that, said Gasper, whose business has been located in the Northtown Mall behind McDonalds for the past 15 years.

Gasper said she's expanded her business over the last year to attract more business by offering items like custom T-shirts and gift items to go along with a selection of greeting cards, holiday decor and colorful balloons.

People get bored of the same stuff, and these new items give us a chance to offer something different, she said.

Other businesses included in the Small Business Saturday special are Js Hallmark, Tooleys, Doozys, Barbara Jeans, Treasures, Nebraska Sports, Imagine That, Lavender Thyme, Columbus Music, Sip Espresso, KC Auto, Eakes, Season's Floral, Red Apple Farmers Market and Greiner's.

Columbus Bucks can be purchased at Santas House in Frankfort Square from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 26 and a map of the participating businesses will also be available.

Businesses that would like to participate in #shopsmall can still do so by calling the chamber office at 402-564-2769.
(Photo : UrielSinai/GettyImages) China played a leading role in getting support for the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

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The election of Donald Trump is expected to catapult China to the top spot in climate control field. The country has warned Trump that he should reconsider his vow to step away from the Paris climate after he assumes presidency of the United States.



China played a leading role in getting support for the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Beijing collaborated with the United States. The agreement was supported by nearly 200 countries.



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However, the agreement is threatened as the new President-elect of the United States has expressed skepticism about the agreement. It is likely that Trump may decide to withdraw the US from the accord once it comes to power.



The Deputy Director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy, Zou Ji, told Reuters that "Proactively taking action against climate change will improve China's international image and allow it to occupy the moral high ground."



Currently, there is a two-week climate talk going on in Marrakech, Morocco. China has pledged to take more stringent actions to combat climate change. Xie Jinqiao, deputy chief of the Chinese delegation to COP22, said, "Many cities promised they can reach their peaking before 2030, and a few cities try to achieve the target around 2020."



The Paris Agreement focuses on phasing out net greenhouse gas emissions by the second half of this century. It also seeks to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In case of the US withdrawal, China may get to assume a leadership role in the discussions.



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Tagsdonald trump, Greenhouse gases, National Center for Climate Change Strategy
(Photo : Getty Images) North Korean soldiers near their country's border with China.

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China has reportedly embarked on expanding its military facilities along its common border with North Korea.



Chinese military authorities have reportedly been relocating people at Kaishantunzhen in Longjing City, north of China's border with North Korea. The move is reportedly being carried out to accommodate heavy construction equipment at the site.



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These latest developments come at a time when tensions in the Korean peninsula have peaked following North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests.



The relocation of people along the North Korea border reportedly began in August to prepare for the construction of a large-scale military base in the area.



"The Chinese leadership seems to be preparing for the collapse of the North Korea regime," a Korean-Chinese source in Longjing told the media.



North Korea has reportedly responded to China's activities by posting approximately twenty soldiers in the area.



Pyongyang has reportedly also erected an observation post at the top of a mountain across the border. The post will apparently be used as a monitoring site on Chinese activities on the other side.



Although Beijing has been rigorously opposed to North Korea's missile tests, it has continued to support its neighbor.



Efforts by the US, the United Nations (UN) and South Korea to impose bans on North Korea have been met with stiff resistance from China.



Recently, North Korea said that US President-elect Donald Trump would have to face the consequences of President Barack Obama's policies.



An editorial in the country's Rodong Sinhum said that the Obama administration has "put the security of the US mainland in the greatest danger."



Trump is yet to outline the approach he intends to take on the North Korea issue.



However, in June during a campaign rally in Atlanta, he said that he would welcome North Korea leader Kim Jong-un if he visits the United States.



"If he came here, I would welcome him," Trump said.



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Tagschina, North Korea, donald trump
(Photo : Indian Navy) Naval version of the Tejas LCA undergoing flight tests at the Shore Based Test Facility.

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India's indigenous HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will serve aboard the nuclear powered supercarrier, INS Vishal (currently under development), but will first see active service on the INS Vikrant now being fitted out and due to join the Indian Navy in December 2018.



The naval version of Tejas is the only fixed wing combat aircraft confirmed as part of both carriers' combat air groups. Its key role will likely be as an attack aircraft launching precision guided missiles and bombs at enemy warships or ground targets.



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Two Tejas naval prototypes successfully conducted test flights at the "Shore Based Test Facility" (a full-scale model of an aircraft carrier deck) in Goa.



The Ministry of Defense recently approved the acquisition of 40 Tejas' for the IN and 83 for the Indian Air Force.



Tejas is a single-seat, single-jet engine, multi-role light fighter designed by HAL's Aeronautical Development Agency for the IAF and the IN. Stealth features have been designed into Tejas, which can carry up to 4,000 kg of bombs and missiles and is armed with one GSh-23 twin-barreled autocannon.



The air group on the INS Vishal will consist of up to 55 aircraft: 35 fixed-wing combat aircraft and 20 helicopters. The fixed wings will be launched using a catapult assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft launch system with the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) technology.



The technology is from U.S. defense contractor, General Atomics, which also produces the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) and is producing a version of an electromagnetic railgun for the U.S. Navy.



The role of aerial superiority fighter for the INS Vishal is up for grabs but what is certain is it won't include the Mikoyan MiG-29K multirole fighter to be deployed aboard the INS Vikrant.



Leading contenders for this key role on the INS Vishal include France's Dassault Rafale, a naval version of which (the Dassault Rafale M) already serves aboard the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, as part of French Naval Aviation (Aeronavale).



The Indian Cabinet last September approved a deal to buy 36 Rafale fourth-generation, multirole jets from Dassault Aviation as part of the air force's ongoing force modernization program. IAF Rafales will be able to carry nuclear bombs.



The Rafales give India a weapon potent enough to deal with Pakistan's U.S.-made General Dynamics F-16 air superiority fighter jets and the PAC JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighters produced jointly by Pakistan and China.



The United States' fifth generation stealth fighter, the Lockheed Martin's F-35C Lightning II, and the combat proven McDonnell Douglas F/A 18 Hornet that serves aboard all of the U.S. navy's 10 Nimitz-class supercarriers, are also in contention for the role of air superiority fighter aboard the INS Vishal.



On the other hand, the INS Vikrant will carry 15 MiG-29Ks and 15 Tejas'. There will also be 10 rotary wings aboard this carrier, including the Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning and control helicopters; the indigenous HAL Dhruv utility helicopter and the British-built Westland WS-61 Sea King transport utility helicopters.



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TagsINS Vishal, INS Vikrant, HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Indian Navy, CATOBAR, EMALS, Dassault Rafale
(Photo : PLAAF) PLAAF fighter pilots march like soldiers.

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Training that still emphasizes blind obedience to the commands of their ground controllers means today's young fighter pilots of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aren't going to last very long in combat against the maverick fighter pilots of the United States Armed Forces trained to value initiative, aggressiveness and an intense desire to destroy the enemy.



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Think of Tom Cruise as Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the 1986 Hollywood hit movie "Top Gun" to picture today's U.S. fighter pilot. Think of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) when you picture today's PLAAF fighter pilots.



The UCAV analogy is apt because this machine will only do what its operators (normally two pilots in a ground control station) tell it to do. A UCAV can't think. It can only react. Much like a PLAAF fighter pilot that has to ask permission from his ground control before he does anything.



News the PLAAF wants its fighter jocks to fight more like traditional fighter jocks suggests the PLAAF can overcome its six decades of addiction to ground control, and almost overnight transform its army of zombie fighter pilots into actual thinking machines. Good luck with that.



A report by American global policy think tank RAND Corporation claims a new PLAAF fighter pilot training regime will focus on "actual combat conditions ... manifested in training scenarios meant to mimic or simulate real-world battle conditions."



This new training doctrine will include an emphasis on "free air combat" and "unscripted scenarios," phrases meaning initiative and quick thinking as alien to the PLAAF as mom's apple pie.



The qualities, which continue to receive emphasis at the U.S. Air Force's and U. S.Navy's fighter weapons schools, are a reason American fighter pilots are dominant in air-to-air combats, which the public still equates with the mano-a-mano dogfights of the Second World War where getting on the other guy's "six o'clock" was the overriding aim.



The RAND's report saw PLAAF "shortfalls in pilot performance, including insufficient flight-lead skills and autonomy, lax discipline during daily training, poor tactics, and a lack of coordination with other PLAAF branches."



PLAAF's fighter jocks have their work cut out when they finally face their U.S. foes over the South China Sea beyond the reach of their ground control.



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TagsPeople's Liberation Army Air Force, fighter pilots, Tom Cruise, Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Top Gun, unmanned combat aerial vehicle, UCAV
(Photo : Getty Images ) China will take part in a joint military exercise with India this month.

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China's People Liberation Army (PLA) is set to take part in a joint military exercise with India's armed forces. The Indian Army on Saturday announced that the armed forces of India and China have agreed to conduct a joint training exercise from November 15 to 17 in western Indian city of Pune in Maharashtra.



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The Army said in a statement that the aim of the exercise is to share the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency expertise.



"The aim of the joint training is to share the expertise in drills and practices while tackling insurgency and terrorism, thereby promoting healthy military to military relations between the two armies and developing joint strategies for conducting operations in a counter terrorism environment," the statement said. "Forming part of the different levels of the military to military engagement across the entire spectrum of operations, this exercise will enrich the two contingents in further honing basic military skills."



The joint drills, named Exercise Hand in Hand 2016, is a part of a series of joint military exercise between the two Asian powers. The two armies have been conducting annual joint exercise since 2007. The first training exercise was conducted in Kunming city of Yunnan province in 2007. Last year, the armed forces of the two nations took part in the fifth edition of the military drills in Kunming.



India and China have been engaged in a bitter border dispute over the demarcation of Line of Actual Control (LAC). Last month, the armed forces of two sides were engaged in a major stand-off in Ladakh region on the Indian side of the border.



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TagsIndia, china, Indian Army, PLA, joint military exercise, Joint Drills
(Photo : Getty Images) Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang has admitted that China has no idea what US President-elect Donald Trump will do about Sino-US trade relations

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Chinese political experts and policymakers are going through the campaign speeches of US President-elect Donald Trump to look for hints about his future trade and foreign policies that would define his administration's stance on economic relations in Asia.



China's foreign affairs ministry said on Friday that Vice Premier Wang Yang is set to confer with US officials in Washington on November 21-24 in the latest high-level economic talks between the two nations.



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Wang is scheduled to hold talks with Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and US Trade Representative Michael Froman. Members of the Trump transition team are likely to join the discussions.



Sino-US trade relations



Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesperson, however, did not confirm that there will be possible talks between Wang and the Trump representatives but said that Beijing is ready to cooperate and make joint efforts with the new president to improve the development of Sino-US trade and economic relations.



Lu said that if Wang and the Chinese delegates hold talks with Trump's team, the vice premier would have the opportunity to find clues about the president-elect's future foreign policy on trade.



The spokesperson said Trump had made ridiculous policy pledges during his campaign including promising to impose a 45 percent tariff on imported Chinese-made goods.



Decode



Beijing is very much in the dark on what Trump could do as it scrambles to gather information and attempts to decode every word and action of the president-elect.



"We, like other countries in the world, will wait and see what kind of policies the new U.S. government under the leadership of Mr. Trump will adopt," Lu said.



Professor Shi Yinhong of the Renmin University of China said Beijing could suffer heavy trade damage if Trump pursues his brand of protectionism.



"Trump's brand of protectionism will likely make American economic policy more self-centered than it is now," he said.



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TagsUS President-elect Donald Trump, Vice Premier Wang Yang, high-level talks, Trump transition team, Sino-US trade relations, china
(Photo : SeanGallup/GettyImages) ZhongAn is looking to expand its horizons through ZhongAn Information and Technology Services Co.

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Leading Chinese online insurance company ZhongAn has announced that it is establishing a new technology company. The newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary will be involved in diverse fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain.



ZhongAn is looking to expand its horizons through ZhongAn Information and Technology Services Co. The technology subsidiary will offer its service to financial as well as healthcare industries. The company will use Anlink, a Blockchain cloud platform, to roll out its services.



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Xing Jiang, chief technology officer of ZhongAn and Chairman of ZhongAn Technology, said, "With the creation of ZhongAn Technology, we are developing a new fintech ecosystem, integrating technological research with financial innovation. We aim to be an accelerator for both finance and healthcare sectors."



The technology subsidiary will be involved in integrating different technology modules into the core business of ZhongAn. The company is also going to collaborate with Fudan University School of Computer Sciences and Technology to set up a blockchain and information security lab.



This development highlights the latest trend in financial services industry. The industry is increasingly concerned about the threat posed by technological companies. The global insurance industry is said to be worth close to $5 trillion.



ZhongAn is a joint venture between Tencent Holdings and Ant Financial. The company was formed in 2013. Its parent company Ant Financial was featured in the annual FinTech 100 report this year. China is one of the leading nations in the fintech area. The FinTech report listed four Chinese companies among the top five incumbents.



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TagsZhongAn, ZhongAn Information and Technology Services Co., Ant Financial
(Photo : Getty Images) Pro-Chinese demonstrators marched in Hong Kong on Sunday.

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Thousands of pro-Chinese demonstrators took to the streets in Hong Kong on Sunday to give a much-needed backing to China amid a strong wave of pro-democracy sentiment sweeping across the city.



Hordes of Chinese flags were unfurled by demonstrators, while several chanted "oppose Hong Kong independence; support Beijing's ruling" during the protest rally.



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There is no official figure of to how many people gathered at Sunday's rally. But organisers of the rally claim that about 40,000 people thronged to the rally outside Hong Kong's parliament, while local police claim that nearly 28,500 people gathered at the rally during the peak hour.



Maggie Chan, a spokeswoman for the group that organized the rally, spoke to BBC News about Sunday's protest.



"So many people are very angry because the pro-independence force is a destructive force that is against the rule of law in Hong Kong," Chan said.



Critics have alleged that Sunday's pro-China rally was a "sponsored protest," and several protestors were paid money to take part in the rally.



Chan refuted these allegations, describing them defamatory claims and said that allegations were levelled with the aim to "lower the alliance standing."



Organizers have urged protestors to be aware of groups attempting to lure them and take photographic evidence if someone approaches them with money.



The semi-autonomous city has been on a the edge since last week, with scores of citizens protesting against China's intervention in Hong Kong's constitution. The protests followed a landmark ruling that barred two pro-independent legislators from taking office.



Two pro-independent legislators - Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung - are at heart of the ongoing tension. The two legislators allegedly used derogatory words and also unfurled anti-Chinese banners during an oath taking ceremony on October 12.



Their oath was eventually overruled as "illegal" by Chinese officials.



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TagsHong Kong, Hong Kong pro-democracy, china, China and Hong Kong
home World Christians unhappy as Colorado approves legalization of assisted suicide

On Election Day, Colorado voters decided to approve the proposal to allow assisted suicide for the terminally ill. But Christians and others who opposed the ballot warned that the new measure will have grave consequences for the vulnerable.

The proposition was approved by Colorado voters by a margin of 65 percent to 35 percent. The day after the vote, the Colorado Catholic Conference issued a statement saying, "The mission we have as citizens of Colorado should be to help people live with dignity a not to offer them more options to kill themselves."

It added that the passage of the measure was "a great travesty of compassion and choice for the sick, the poor, the elderly and our most vulnerable residents."

The Colorado End-of-Life Options Act, which is modeled after a 22-year-old Oregonian law, uses the language of "medical aid in dying." The law allows an adult who is mentally competent to request a lethal prescription from a physician. Two physicians must diagnose the patient as having six months of fewer to live.

The drug known as secobarbital, which is also used in lethal injection in some states, has to be administered by the patient. The underlying condition of the patient will be listed as the cause of death instead of assisted suicide.

Barbara Coombs, president of legal assisted suicide advocacy group Compassion and Choices, hailed the vote as "tremendous victory" for the terminally ill.

The Colorado Catholic Conference denounced the idea of assisted suicide as a private choice, saying, "Killing, no matter what its motives, is never a private matter; it always impacts other people and has much wider implications."

Jeff Hunt, vice president of public policy for Colorado Christian University, has expressed his disappointment about the passage of the measure and vowed to keep fighting.

"We are deeply disappointed and concerned about Colorado legalizing doctor-assisted suicide. The fight is not over," he said, as reported by the Denver Post.

The supporters of the measure raised $4.8 million for the "Yes on Colorado End-of-Life Options" campaign. In contrast, the opponents contributed $2.3 million, including donations from the Dioceses of Denver, St. Louis and Arlington.
Android 7.0 'Galaxy Beta Program' news: Sneak peek for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge available

Android 7.0 Nougat launched for Google's flagship phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, but it has not yet been made available for other smartphones using Android OS. Samsung S7 and S7 Edge users can now, at least, get a preview of Android 7.0 with the launch of the "Android Beta Program."

As per Samsung's official website, this serves as a preview allowing S7 and S7 Edge users to first try out Android 7.0 Nougat before it officially launches in mid-December. This beta program has already been made available in South Korea and is now open in the US and the UK. It is going to launch in China soon.

"Applicants are currently being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis," explained Samsung. "Throughout the 'Galaxy Beta Program' period, users can get a feel for Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung's latest UX, and can provide feedback on performance, reliability and usability."

Those interested must first check if they meet the requirements, and they must have an active Samsung account. If the applicant is eligible, they can then download the "Galaxy Beta Program" app from the "Galaxy Apps" option or the "Samsung Members" app.

It is also noted that this is not the first time Samsung allowed its consumers to try the latest Android before it was made officially available for their phones. Last year Samsung launched the 'Beta Program' back when Android 6.0 Marshmallow first released.

By using the sneak peek program users can get a feel of what Android 7.0 introduces and what it changes. Consumers can also submit reports regarding bugs, glitches, and lacking features so that the official version can address these problems.

No official release date has been announced for Android 7.0 Nougat for other brands although it is expected to become available for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge before the end of the year. Other devices are speculated to get their Android 7.0 support by January or later.
According to state law, fines, penalties, and license money shall be appropriated exclusively to the use and support of the common schools ... . An exception is fines for overloaded vehicles. Seventy-five percent of those funds go to state highways; 25 percent go to the county general fund where the fine or penalty is paid. Fifty percent of money forfeited or seized in enforcing drug laws goes to counties for drug enforcement. Vehicles seized in drug law cases may be used by law enforcement agencies or sold with the proceeds going to schools.

County Court

Traffic Sentences

Brad Barbre, 49, 1854 Sunset Lane, prohibited lane change and no seat belt, $50 fine and $48 court costs.

Beau Wattlier, 18, Silver Creek, speeding, 75 mph in a 65 mph zone, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Vincent Denny, 30, Schuyler, disorderly conduct, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Maikel Amador Florat, 33, Miami, Florida, speeding, 104 mph in a 65 mph zone, $300 fine and $49 court costs.

Brett Strong, 31, Rising City, speeding, 65 mph in a 50 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Abby Kelley, 35, 2118 Ninth St., improper turn, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Roberto Castillo, 47, 2160 26th Ave., child restraint violation, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Bryce Preister, 35, Humphrey, speeding, 72 mph in a 60 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

John Dvorak, 66, Elgin, speeding, 65 mph in a 50 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Darcy Kleinschmit, 49, Norfolk, speeding, 75 mph in a 60 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Colleen Kapels, 58, Creston, speeding, 49 mph in a 35 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Jon Smedly, 21, Rushville, stoplight violation, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Matthew Loseke, 20, 2811 35th St., failure to maintain control, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Ralph Crabtree, 56, Creston, speeding, 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, $125 fine and $49 court costs.

Greycy Cruz-Lopez, 24, Schuyler, speeding, 85 mph in a 65 mph zone, $125 fine and $49 court costs.

Juan Lasso Velasco, 18, 4423 60th St., driving on the shoulder, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Karina Garcia-Ortiz, 18, 3052 48th Ave., No. 13, failure to yield right of way, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Daniel Vasallo Castro, 19, 2322 17th St., speeding, 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, and a no passing zone violation, $225 fines and $49 court costs.

Parker Hughes, 22, 208 30th St., speeding, 80 mph in a 65 mph zone, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Patrick Zwiener, 42, 135 S. Roselane, commercial cargo tank violation, $100 fine and $49 court coss.

Miguel Ayala-Zavala, 21, 1602 20th St., no operator's license, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Layne Janssen, 19, Platte Center, speeding, 79 mph in a 55 mph zone, and no seat belt, $225 fines and $49 court costs.

Criminal Sentences

Dak Dak, 19, Omaha, leaving the scene of an accident, $75 fine, $171 bond forfeited and $49 court costs.

Luis Garcia, 28, 3417 13th St., leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving, 30 days in jail, $1,000 restitution and $68.50 court costs.

Alexander Nathan, 19, Stanton, minor in possession of alcohol-under 19, $250 fine and $49 court costs.

Hortencia Nava, 38, Carriage House Estates, No 77, no proof of insurance, $50 fine and $49 court costs.

Jorge Santos, 26, 2647 47th Aven., No. 7, attempted possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a police officer, 18 months probation, $250 fine and $49 court costs.

Brittney Valdez-Wages, 22, 2670 47th Ave., No. 7, driving under the influence, six months probation, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 60 days and $49 court costs.

Trystan Blezek-Martin, 20, 959 20th Ave., driving under the influence, 30 days in jail, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for six months and $49 court costs.

Noelle Johnson, 48, 2422 19th St., domestic assault causing injury, six months probation, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Eleazar Oceguera Jr., 36, 1632 Behlen St., attempt of a Class IV felony, 18 months probation and $49 court costs.

Kerry Korn, 48, David City, second-offense theft-shoplifting $0-$500, 75 days in jail and $49 court costs.

Joshua Lantis, 25, Lincoln, possession of K2 or marijuana-one ounce or less, $300 fine and $49 court costs.

Claudine Briggs, 42, 1352 36th Ave., no proof of insurance, $50 fine and $49 court costs.

Tylor Cemper, 23, Bellwood, driving under the influence, six months probation, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 60 days and $49 court costs.

Kristy Graham, 36, 2456 E. 12th Ave., compulsory education-education required, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

James Richey, 31, 2114 Eighth St., criminal mischief, $50 fine, $58.85 restitution and $49 court costs.

Ricardo Romero-Hidalgo, 28, 1003 Eighth St., destruction of property by an animal, $25 fine, $518.90 restitution and $49 court costs.

Anthony Sierra, 33, 3103 E. 25th St., refuse to submit to a test, six months probation, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 60 days and $49 court costs.

District Court

Criminal Sentences

Adan Cruz, 31, Platte County Detention Facility, domestic assault-threatening intimate partner, one year in prison, credit for two days served and $145 court costs; terroristic threats, three years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision, credit for 141 days served and $525 court costs.

Jonathan Jacobson, 38, 1442 E. 53rd St., fourth-offense driving under the influence, 90 days in jail, credit for one day served, four years probation, $2,000 fine, operator's license revoked for 15 years and $49 court costs.

Joshua Knight, 25, Platte County Detention Facility, delivery of a hazardous drug, 30 months to five years in prison, credit for 107 days served, and $152.50 court costs.
Oklahoma Rejects Proposal to Allow Use of Government Property for Religious Purposes

Residents of the state of Oklahoma in the United States have rejected a proposal to allow the use of government property for religious purposes.

Results of the Nov. 8 elections showed that majority of Oklahomans voted against State Question 790, which would have repealed a provision in the Oklahoma State Constitution, which "prohibits the government from using public money or property for the direct or indirect benefit of any religion or religious institution."

According to a report by Christian News, the ballot question explained to voters that even if the measure was approved, the Oklahoma government "would still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma welcomed the decision of the voters to reject the proposal, describing it as a "dangerous and misguided attempt by politicians to strip away one of our most fundamental protections in exchange for cheap political points."

"Politicians should take note that attempts to manipulate the law to protect only the rights of a chosen few cannot be tolerated," ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel told Christian News.

The debate on whether state property in Oklahoma should be allowed for religious purposes started when the ACLU demanded last year that a Ten Commandments monument be removed from the State Capitol grounds. In the midst of this debate last year, a Satanic group also asked one of their statues to be placed near the capitol.

The Ten Commandments was ultimately removed from the capitol grounds after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 7-2 that the display violated Article 2, Section 5, of the Oklahoma Constitution, which states that property cannot be used to promote a "church denomination or system of religion."

If State Question 790 won in the last elections, it could have paved the way for the return of the monument.
Two people were critically injured Friday night after a motorcycle they were riding crashed into a short pole alongside a northwest Houston road.

The male bike driver and his female passenger were headed east around 9:30 p.m. on Thornwall, which has a sharp curve along the edge of Langwood Park.
This story appeared in the Houston Chronicle on May 6, 1919. The headlines and words are reprinted as they ran then.

The Bishop of Galveston, Catholic clergy from the entire city and from many parts of the state and Louisiana, the mayor of Houston, leading doctors and many other citizens gathered at St. Joseph's Infirmary Tuesday to assist in the dedication of the new $350,000 wing to the hospital and to pay tribute to the labors of the sisters who have been associated in hospital work for 32 years in Houston.

These labors have become glorious in the annals of the city. Recorded in the minute books the city council is a tribute to the work of the sisters in the ravaging smallpox epidemic of 1890 and 1891. The present generation remembers the heroism of two of the sisters, when the old infirmary at Caroline and Franklin burned, who lost their lives in their effort to see that every patient left the building. For 24 years the sisters have been expanding their buildings and increasing their service at their present location on Crawford Street, between Calhoun and Pierce, and the annex which was dedicated Tuesday was the crowning achievement of their work and gives to Houston one of the finest hospitals in the South.

The history of the establishment and its power for good, were traced by the Very Rev. Father James M. Kirwin, vicar general of the diocese and director of St. Mary's School at LaPorte, who made the principal address.

Bishop Byrne Dedicated Annex.

The dedicatory services were conducted by Bishop Byrne in person. Every corridor in the massive structure was visited by the bishop and his procession which included many of the most representative members of the clergy in this section.

Sister Theresa, mother general of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who has been closely associated with the life of the hospital, directed by that congregation, was also present.

Acting as a deacon and sub-deacon to the bishop where the Very Rev. Dean E. A. Kelly of Beaumont and the Rev. Father J.C. Creamers of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Rev. Father Morgan J. Crowe, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church and chaplain of the infirmary, was the master of ceremonies.

Among the out of town priests present for the ceremonies were: Rev. Father J.C. Fuller, C.M., of Dallas; Very Rev. Father H.A. Constantineau of San Antonio, Rev. Father George Willheim of Palestine, Rev. Father L.J. Reicher of Galveston, and many others.

Description of Building.

The addition of the hospital runs the length of a city block on Calhoun Avenue and is five stories in height. It contains 116 private rooms, which increases the capacity of the hospital to 300 patients, has four main operating rooms, two emergency operating rooms and three rooms for operations of specialists.

Furnishings for most of the rooms were given by friends of the hospital and nearly every door bears a brass plate naming the donor. One of the rooms is given by the present bishop in honor of the memory of Bishop N.A. Gallagher who died last year.

"You have set the dedication of this magnificent building and consecrated it to the service of the mercy on the ministry of pain upon the feats of St. John and to those who knew the strenuous labor and farseeing vision of Mother St. John it is an act of remembrance and a sign of recognition of the days of old," said Father Kirwin in beginning his address.

"Today we gather round holy memories of pure and virginal and heroic women. We might turn our vision to the dawning of the sixteenth century and dwell upon the mysticism and illumination of the life of Jeanne de Matel, the saintly soul who founded the order of the Incarnate Word. Later the order walked in the land of desolation and exile while the French revolution spent itself in its own excesses. At Limoges the vows were once again pronounced and the Incarnate Word began anew its glorious work, the education of poor children, the care of the sick and the service of the poor. Eventually it found its way to Lyons and in 1852 with the formal consent of the holy see at the request of Monseigneur Odin the first bishop of Texas, it sent its spiritual children across the seas and began its labors in Texas.

"In 1866 Monsignor Dubuis, the second bishop of Galveston, besought Mother Anguelique at Lyons to train subjects who would be able to care for the sick and the orphans of his vast diocese. Their labors began in Galveston and the three young French women bearing the names of Sister Mary Blandine, Sister Mary Joseph and Sister Mary Ange and through the humble cottage at Eighth and Market. From this small beginning in scarcely half a century they have developed materially so that great institutions like unto this bless Beaumont, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Texarkana, Alexandria and Temple, who render allegiance to the mother house of God was done. A branch founded from Galveston, with headquarters at San Antonio and pursuing the same blessed work, has flourished even more abundantly.

Founded in Houston in 1887.

"In 1887, at the request of the Rev. Thomas Hennessey, and with the approval of the late lamented bishop, they opened a small hospital in Houston. At the northwest corner of Caroline and Franklin streets a two-story wooden structure was entered into and here Mother St. Louis and Mother Theresa, now mother general of the congregation and whose presence here today adds interest and sympathy to these ceremonies, started St. Joseph's Infirmary.

"If this were a little community isolated in history and locality it would still be worthy of study and sympathy because wherever pure hearts and loving souls and gentle minds unite them selves for any human and worthy purpose there is interest; there is power, there is charm. But this is not an isolated phenomenon. It's a worldwide fact. Not a few gatherings of concentrated women like vestal virgins here and there, but great armies organized into regimens and battalions and companies with a thousand uniforms and many leaders looking toward one invisible captain and working in the service of man as Christ himself worked.

"Texas owes a debt of gratitude to France for the foundation of this community, but the daughters of Erin form the legions of today. They heard the Macedonian cry of Mother Benedict, the youthful and saintly daughter of Erin, and they came in numbers and they have labored earnestly with generous Celtic souls for this growth and development which we see today."

Mayor Speaks for City.

The bishop spoke briefly, declaring that the nature of the work called for the blessing of the church ritual on the building.

Mayor Amerman asserted that Houston owed a vast debt to the sisters at St. Josephs and that the city appreciates the assistance, which both in the past and in the present have been given it by the hospital.

Dr. S.C. Red spoke in behalf of the staff of physicians and surgeons of the hospital.

The morning services were closed by the "Star Spangled Banner," and were followed by a luncheon given in the new building in honor of the bishop and the visiting clergy.

The hospital will be thrown open to the public for a reception from 4 to 9 o'clock today.

The sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who own and operate the hospital, number 26 in Houston. There are more than 40 young nurses, graduates of this school who assist in the work for the hospital.

Equipment Inferior to None.

No modern appliance in any hospital in the United States exceeds those adopted for the infirmary, it is said. Everything that human skill has been able to devise for the aid of the sick has been installed in this new building.

There is a new building, a drug store, enormous store rooms, a laboratory, sterilizing plants for mattresses and instruments, lounging rooms for doctors, with big quarters, where they can make their changes for operations.

Every room has connection with a bathroom. There is elevator service in the building. In the basement there are big kitchens for the special preparation of food for the sick, as well as dining rooms for the sisters and nurses. The building also contains its own refrigerating plant. The boiler room and power plant are contained in a separate structure erected to the rear of the hospital.

One of the features of the hospital in the electric signaling system. At the head of every bed, within reach of the patient, is a system of push buttons for signaling the nurses on the floor. Electric lights flash the words to the nurse and the bell ringing system is eliminated.

Sister Michael is in direct charge of the hospital.
Emalee Diehl is the employee of the month of November for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. Diehl works the night shift in the sheriff's dispatch center in Liberty.

Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader's "Employee of the Month" selection committee has once again tapped one of the behind-the-scenes employees who are so vital to the operation of the agency but rarely gets the recognition that is so well deserved, according to Capt. Ken DeFoor, spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

"The first thing one might notice about Emalee is what some people might describe as a 'sunny' personality. It is obvious that the public service the sheriff's office has to offer and 'her' deputies' safety is paramount in her goals and objectives and she is quick to express those feelings," DeFoor said.

Having graduated from Hardin High School in 2011, Diehl quickly entered Lee College and earned as associate degree in safety management, a career field that she felt, at the time, would be her life's calling. However, it seems that her stronger desire was to help people and that desire found her spending five years as a volunteer with the Richmond, Texas, fire department while earning a basic certificate as an EMT.

Later she progressed to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher for a year and a half, and it was at that point in her life that she decided to put her degree in safety management to work for her.

"This effort was somewhat short-lived as her goals of helping others were not being met, so for the past three months, the sheriff's office has had the good fortune of having Emalee Diehl back on the mike doing the type of work she truly loves," DeFoor said.

When any sheriff's employee is nominated for this monthly honor, the person who nominates a particular employee describes the outstanding qualities of the nominee.

"The list that was submitted with Emalee's nomination reads in such a way that would make any agency proud to have an employee that demonstrates these features. She is described as dependable, loyal, she always takes the initiative and never complains regardless of how difficult the task may be and she performs best when under pressure," DeFoor said. "Emalee is her own biggest critic as she avoid mediocrity and constantly strives to improve herself. She is further described as being the glue that holds her shift together and many times, appears to be even psychic due to her ability to anticipate what is needed before it is actually needed."

When asked about the most chilling 911 call she has ever received, Diehl quickly points out it was a case where a little 4-year-old girl called the dispatcher at about 11 p.m., telling Diehl that her mother and father were fighting.

"Deputies arrived on the scene and quickly settled the family dispute but then Emalee, concerned about the little girl's welfare, ran a check of the cell phone the little girl used and found that the child was now across the road from her sleeping parents' home and it was nearing midnight. Much too late for this small child to be out on the streets," Diehl said. "Again, the deputies returned to the scene and assured that the little girl was placed safely back home for the night. It's this type of going the extra mile that makes dispatcher Diehl an exceptional employee."
The sign-up period for next year's ObamaCare plans is under way. Phone calls and emails are flooding in from angry constituents over how unaffordable health insurance is now for families and small businesses.

In Crockett, for example, Joni's health insurance costs next year will rise by over 70 percent, costing an additional $3,300 in monthly premiums on top of a $6,500 deductible. For a small business person raising her grandchildren, this is simply not affordable. And her example is not the worst! Increases in Affordable Care Act plan costs are accelerating, with no end in sight.

As insurance companies like UnitedHealth Group, BlueCross BlueShield, and Aetna flee government-run exchanges, Texans and many Americans are facing fewer options at shockingly higher costs.

Next year, most Texans will be forced to pay an average of 42 percent higher premiums than they paid this year for ACA health insurance. The alternative for families who cannot afford this overpriced, limited-coverage health care: pay a penalty to the IRS.

ObamaCare supporters in Congress and the White House assure Americans "Don't worry, other taxpayers will subsidize you more" for these higher monthly premiums. But who ends up paying the higher deductibles that can easily exceed $10,000 or more a year? It is you, of course.

Instead of just more ObamaCare, Americans deserve a patient-centered healthcare system that delivers affordable, quality options, and that's exactly what House Republicans have developed in our Better Way solutions you can review at waysandmeans.house.gov/healthcarereform.

***

My family and I never moved to Washington. We live here in Texas and I commute to work in Congress each week. That keeps me grounded, and I hear more from my constituents about the real-life challenges they face.

For the past few years they've told me how many suspicious calls they now get from someone supposedly with Internal Revenue Service, which sounds to them like a scam. And they are right.

Nearly two million people have reported scammers calling claiming to be the IRS. Sadly, nearly 10,000 were tricked, and collectively lost millions of dollars. One victim even paid over $130,000 of their hard-earned dollars believing they had no choice but to pay the IRS.

Finally, steps are being taken by the government to bring to justice these scammers who stole from innocent taxpayers.

Over five dozen individuals have now been charged in a federal court here in Texas. This is the result of a broad investigation that includes federal investigators, local Texas sheriffs, district and county attorneys, police departments and sheriffs' departments across the country.

Know this: the IRS will never call you to make arrest or imprisonment threats - or offer short-term loans or grants with a "good-faith deposit" and processing fee. Nor will they take iTunes cards for payment of taxes, fees or penalties. If you believe you may be the victim of fraudulent IRS activity, report it now to the IRS or to our office.

***

Over the last weekend my Service Academy Nomination Board and I interviewed hard-working, dedicated young men and women who want to serve their nation by attending one of our country's military academies.

And this weekend we will honor the millions of Americans who kept our country free as veterans.

There is much to be grateful for here in America.
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Veterans Day serves as a reminder of the dedication, honor and sacrifices made by United States soldiers in foreign wars. On Nov. 11, American Legion Post 629 gathered at the San Jacinto County courthouse to remind not only what qualities veterans have but also what freedoms they defend.

County Judge John Lovett began a presentation honoring veterans for their service while also providing some history and interesting facts about the United States military.

"We're blessed to enjoy unrivaled security and freedom in this country thanks to the men and women who have sacrificed so much to make that possible," he said. "So today on Veterans Day we remember and celebrate all who have proudly served in the U. S. Armed Forces and who devoted their lives to safeguard our liberty through selfless service and courageous sacrifice."

Lovett addressed other important areas of the United States military such as the 241st birthday of the Marine Corps, which was formed on Nov. 10, 1775.

"The Marine Corps birthday brings leathernecks back to a time surrounded by their brothers and sisters," said Lovett. "It serves as more of a nostalgic day that reflects both Memorial Day and Veterans Day."

The United States military is composed of both men and women with nearly 200,000 female veterans living in Texas alone. One of these veterans is Major General Angie Salinas of the United States Marine Corps.

Salinas is described as having quickly risen through the ranks of the Marine Corps.

"She was the first Hispanic woman to become a general officer in the Marine Corps, the first woman assigned as a combat service support ground monitor and the first woman to command one of the Marine Corps' two recruit depots," said Lovett.

Lovett continued by stating Salinas' journey through the Marine Corps is not an easy one but it is a testament to her dedication.

"Her great achievements came from perseverance and hard work," said Lovett. "Her impressive career serves as just one example of the admirable qualities that distinguish our nation's veterans."

Dale Everitt of Post 629 followed Lovett with a presentation of his own in regards to recent issues in politics.

"I don't know how many of you realize there was an election this week," said Everitt. "In Nicaragua."

The Nicaraguan election had incumbent President Daniel Ortega reelected into his position. Everitt explained that bringing up the election is not a joke as an important lesson can be learned from Nicaragua.

Everitt told a story of his own past experiences in Nicaragua during the year 1979 when he and a few other individuals were attempting to start some schools in the nation.

"Most of the Indians there did not know how to read or write," said Everitt.

Everitt rode on a plane back to the nation's capitol of Managua. He had his pilot fly him over a volcano so he could take photographs.

Everitt noted how this decision proved to be very beneficial for him in the long run.

"That may have saved me a long prison time," he said.

The year 1979 also marked the beginning of the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. Everitt soon saw its effects upon reaching the airport in Managua. He was reported by an unknown individual for photographing Russian airplanes and was subsequently arrested.

Everitt's arrest allowed him the opportunity to meet Ortega face-to-face. Ortega's men returned Everitt's camera and he eventually made his way back to the United States.

"I watched that revolution come into Managua, Nicaragua," said Everitt. "I watched how it developed."

The revolution had a number of negative effects on communication with a new government in power.

"There was no way to communicate out of Managua, Nicaragua unless you went through the new government," said Everitt.

Everitt emphasized that the reason why he told this story is because the United States benefits from the First Amendment's right to freedom of speech and therefore should be appreciated.

"Be ever vigilant to keep it that way," said Everitt.
We all understand that Canada is a neighboring country, but why must all of the election-sick Americans move there?

Air New Zealand is offering a pretty sweet deal for those wanting to get away from all the election drama by giving Americans the opportunity to fly one-way for just $399. The offer flies to Auckland from select cities including Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. New York City is included, but with an upped rate are $874.
A Texas mother who allegedly scammed a California man out of an exotic kitten is facing felony charges after police say she endangered her 14-year-old daughter by letting pet tigers and monkeys - as well as a cougar, fox and skunk - roam freely through the family's Houston home.

The catty chaos kicked off in August, when Trisha Meyer, 34, promised to sell an exotic Savannah kitten to a California man for $3,000, according to documents filed in Harris County court.

More than five days after the cat-loving Californian wired the first $1,500 to a bank account belonging to Meyer's daughter Serena, the would-be kitten owner was disappointed to discover that his meowing package had still not arrived.

HOME SWEET HOME: Dangerous animals find a place in Texas

The Golden State man sent along the other $1,500 - to the same bank account - but after initially telling him the kitten was sick, Meyer eventually stopped answering her phone, documents allege.

About a month later, an officer with the HPD Major Offenders Animal Cruelty Squad showed up with a Texas Game Warden at Meyer's door.

They were greeted by the sight of three tiger cubs and a skunk roaming through the living room, bedroom, kitchen and front door entrance - while Meyer's 14-year-old daughter petted the exotic beasts.

UP CLOSE: Places Texans can go to be near nature

In addition to the trio of cute cubs, Meyer had a large male tiger - and she admitted to officers that, at their ages, the animals could be dangerous.

Meyer also has "several monkeys," including some that she admitted are "vicious" and one that attacks people.

She told police she usually lets her animals - which also include a cougar, fox and skunk - wander freely through the home and only locks up the tigers when she leaves.

UP FOR GRABS: Hunter's paradise for sale for $6.2 million

"It should be noted that the defendant homeschools her children," according to the court documents.

Now, the Houston mother is facing felony charges for theft and endangering a child.

The landlord at the tiger-filled home told the Chronicle that he didn't find out about his tenant's exotic pets until police contacted him - and he booted her out.

"She only stayed there for three weeks before I found out," said property owner Binh Truong.

"I don't know how someone can put that much damage in three weeks."

After she left her Houston home, Meyer ran off to Las Vegas with all her animals, according to a BARC spokeswoman.

Once authorities located her in Las Vegas, she fled to Pahrump in Nye County where she was finally picked up - and her tigers confiscated - on November 7.

As of Sunday, she was still awaiting extradition back to Texas.
Metro Video

A Missouri City family escaped to safety after an attic fire threatened their brick home Sunday, according to authorities.

Just after midnight, Missouri City Fire Department responded to a house fire on Waterside. Firefighter located the blaze in the attic of the garage and quickly doused the flames.
McALLEN -- The foundation of president-elect Donald Trump's unlikely rise was laid upon his pledge to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico, quickly becoming a rallying cry for his supporters and fueling the contentious debate over border security.

But as the results of Tuesday's election began to sink in, border residents were left to ponder what their future in the shadow of the wall might look like.

"If they do build that wall right through my property I just want access to whatever is left on the south side," said Ruperto Escobar, a 72-year-old rancher in the tiny hamlet of Escobares. He worries that a wall through his property, which abuts the Rio Grande, would cut off his access to the river, the lifeblood of his farming operation. "But, hey, if that's going to help our country grow and be a better place to live, then I'm for it."

A decade ago, President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law during a frenzied push to crack down on illegal immigration and police the border. The ambitious plan called for 670 miles of border fence, including nearly 56 miles of fence and wall stitched across the Rio Grande Valley. While fencing and barriers already stretch across much of the border from California to El Paso, if Trump's "big, beautiful" wall is built, much of it would land in the long swath of the Texas-Mexico border that remains open.

In the view of many U.S. Border Patrol agents, a wall is an important component of the infrastructure that compliments the manpower and technology, but isn't a panacea to stopping illegal immigration and securing the border.

"A wall is one of the tools we use, but by no means is it all inclusive," said Chris Cabrera, a Border Patrol agent and vice president of the local National Border Patrol Council. "It's not going to stop everybody from coming across."

In fact, agents have found ladders hidden in the brush near sections of the existing border wall and there are places where tunnels have been dug under sections of the wall to gain access to the United States.

Though apprehensions of Central Americans have been surging in recent years, immigration apprehensions are far below the 1.6 million caught in 2000, and Mexican immigrants make up around half of those caught today. Meanwhile, spending on narcotics interdiction has done little to reduce U.S. drug addiction rates.

For Cabrera and many of his fellow agents, it's not so much that Trump will build his wall - they believe that it could be beneficial in some areas - it's that in him they believe they now have a voice they didn't have before at the highest levels of government.

"You need the political will," Cabrera said on his return from a Trump celebration party in New York City. "It seems right now that we're getting that political will to make a change."

Othal E. Brand Jr., president of the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District 3, and a lifelong border resident, grew up along the banks of the river. The water district he manages is on the south side of a section of fence, and requires a pass key to get to the pump house. He believes the wall has a place on the border, but that place is limited in scope.

"I've lived along the river," Brand said. "So I don't want anyone who hasn't lived down here to talk to me about problems on the river."

And yet, if additional miles of wall are destined for the Texas border a number of legal obstacles remain in Trump's path, not to mention cost, which some have estimated will run into the tens of billions of dollars.

When the 18-foot rust-colored fence was built in deep South Texas, the meandering geography of the Rio Grande and a treaty with Mexico ensured the structure was not built along the banks of the river. Instead the fence cut through communities, agricultural land and wildlife refuges, marooning large tracts in a virtual no man's land. The path of the fence sparked a tangle of lawsuits, which the federal government pushed aside through the use of eminent domain.

During the last effort to build a border wall, the government faced very significant opposition from property owners, especially in Texas, where nearly all of the land by the river is privately owned.

"Perhaps the most important impediment to quick border wall construction is the fact that the government has to take private property owners' land in order to build on it," said Denise Gilman, director of the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, and a member of the UT Working Group on Human rights and Border Wall. "The government sued people to take their land, and those were protracted and costly proceedings."

In the Rio Grande Valley, only Starr County is without a border fence, at least for now. Joel Villarreal, the mayor of Rio Grande City, the county's largest city with around 15,000 residents, can't imagine how a wall would be any more efficient than the so-called virtual wall, made up of ground sensors, thousands of cameras and a bevy of state and federal law enforcement.

"I do not believe it will be effective. People are going to go over it, through it or under it," Villarreal said. "There's no doubt it will impact our area. When you're looking at the environment and ranchers, how is it going to be feasible?"
As we know, Griff may or may not be a right-on activist but he certainly has some seedy-looking friends who are all going to a gig. Peter h...
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A missing Bell County 7-year-old sparked an Amber Alert still active as of Sunday morning.

Authorities said Zoey Rogers went missing from Harker Heights, a town about 160 miles northwest of Houston.

She is described as 3-foot-6 and about 70 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Authorities are searching for two suspects in the possible child abduction, according to the Department of Public Safety.

One is Bobbi White, a 36-year-old believed to be driving a cream-colored Buick with black and red rims and Alabama plates.

The second suspect is Tutankhamun Holt, a 34-year-old man.

The child went missing Saturday afternoon, according to authorities. Police believe she may be in grave or immediate danger.

Anyone who spots the missing girl or the suspects can call 911 for help.
Nature-loving Texans have an extra way to enjoy Veteran's Day weekend this year, as Texas State Parks are waiving entrance fees all day Sunday.

"This is our way of giving thanks to the service that veterans and active military personnel have dedicated to our country," Brent Leisure, director of the Parks and Wildlife Department's State Parks Division said in a release.
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.
This 3.2-megawatt power generation plant is located on land leased from the City of Thunder Bay at the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility. The plant draws methane gas to fuel two engine-driven generator sets and is designed to generate enough electricity to power 2,000 houses. The project annually converts 263 million cubic feet of methane gas that would have otherwise been released into the environment.
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Dismayed Democrats, wondering if Bernie Sanders might have fared better against Donald Trump than Hillary Clinton did, should be sobered by what happened in Sanderss home state. True-blue Vermont, ranked by Gallup as Americas most Democratic state, nonetheless elected a Republican governor on Tuesday, when small businessman and stock-car racer Phil Scott, the states lieutenant governor, cruised to victory against Democrat Sue Minter, its former transportation secretary.

Scotts win was part of another significant Election Day at the local level for Republicans, who have made massive gains in the states throughout the Obama years. On Tuesday, in addition to Vermont, the GOP flipped party control of the governors mansion in New Hampshire and Missouri, while defending every seat it held, except perhaps Pat McCrorys in North Carolina, where the election remains too close to call. In addition, the GOP seized control of the legislatures in Kentucky and Iowa. When the dust clears, Republicans will hold at least 33 governors mansions, up from 22 when Obama took office. Thats the most GOP governorships in 95 years. Republicans will also boast control of as many as 33 state legislatures, up from just 14 in 2008. In more than half of all states, Republicans now own a trifecta, that is, control of the governorship and both legislatures. Democrats have a mere six trifectas.

Republicans are now winning big even in places that still vote Democratic in presidential elections. Theres no mystery about that. Presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton can promise free stuff to people and pay for it by running up the federal deficit or promising to tax someone elsethe rich! But local voters know what it means when a candidate declares support for more investment and bigger government: property taxes, sales taxes, and the fees that government charges for drivers licenses and the like are all going up.

The state Republican tsunami began after Democratic governors, seeing Obamas 2008 victory as a sign that big government was open for business again, raised taxes dramatically. In 2009 alone, states hiked taxes by $29 billionthe largest aggregate state-tax increase on record. Voters revolted. Republicans running on fiscal restraint won a net of seven new governorships in 2009 and 2010, picking up crucial states like Florida, Wisconsin, and Ohio. They kept their momentum going in key 2012 and 2014 races.

The 2016 election continued the trend. In Vermont, Scott promised to ease governments burden on individuals and businesses. I will not propose or sign a budget that grows faster than the economy did in the previous year, or wages grew in the previous year, he said. He pledged not to raise taxes. His campaign benefitted from the mess that outgoing governor Peter Shumlin made of Obamacare. Vermonts health-care exchange has cost some $200 million to construct and still isnt fully operable. By contrast, Scotts opponent, Minter, proposed ambitious new spending and business regulations, including free public-college tuition, to be paid for with new business taxes. She also wanted to put mandates on private businesses to provide paid family leave for employees. Many Vermonters just werent in the mood for that message. The money issues far surpass anything else, wrote local political analyst Mike Smith the day before the election.

Obamacare and recent Democratic tax increases were also behind Chris Sununus victory in New Hampshire. Sununu criticized the cost of health insurance for state residents and pledged to work to end Obamacare, advocating instead for a system that allows insurers to compete across state lines. Declaring that New Hampshire would be open for business under him, Sununu also said that he would seek to institute right-to-work to let employees opt out of joining a union if they wish, and that he would look to cut corporate taxes.

Republican Eric Greitenss victory in Missouri, a state that already has a GOP legislature, was one of Tuesdays most unusual. While its too early to call Greitens, who has never held office, a rising GOP star, his resume trumps just about every other Republican officeholder. A Rhodes Scholar and former Navy SEAL who won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Greitens founded the nonprofit The Mission Continues, which helps veterans adjust to life back home through community service. Time political correspondent Joe Klein profiled Greitens in his 2015 book, Charlie Mike: A True Story of Heroes Who Brought Their Mission Home, and called Greitenss achievements, which included volunteering with Mother Theresa in India, stratospheric. A Democrat turned Republican, Greitens shook up the political establishment in Missouri, winning the GOP nomination with just 35 percent of the vote. While the St. Louis Post-Dispatch described Greitenss agenda as checking the usual Republican boxes, calling for right-to-work legislation, holding down taxes and supporting law enforcement, a number of typically Republican-leaning groups, like the states agricultural interests, declined to support him. Echoing Trump, Greitens accused them of being insiders who dont want this game to change. Among other things, Greitens also becomes Missouris first Jewish governor.

For eight years, Republican control of state governments has proved a check on the Obama presidency, especially as the president pushed to extend the power of the federal government through executive decree. Republican governors have resisted the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare, and GOP-led states have forged the opposition to federal rules on local power plants and on granting legal work status to some illegal aliens through executive action.

Going into Tuesdays election, with Clinton as the odds-on favorite of most pundits, the Republican Party invested heavily to defend the gains it has made in the states as an essential restraint on Washington. Now, suddenly, the bulging crop of GOP governors and state legislators find themselves with something theyve not had for eight yearsa president and Congress of the same party, intent on changing things in Washington.

Steven Malanga is the senior editor of City Journal, the George M. Yeager Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and the author of Shakedown: The Continuing Conspiracy Against the American Taxpayer.

Photo by @TeamGreitens
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Hillary Clinton fails to break the Oval Office glass ceiling.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Did Hillary Clinton's loss to Donald Trump demonstrate the proverbial Oval Office glass ceiling is shatterproof, like its windows? Or did it just demonstrate that a woman who isn't a flawed candidate like Clinton, needs to be nominated?

Hillary Clinton wore suffragette white on the night she accepted Democratic Party nomination for president. But on election day, the majority of white women voters wore Trump red.

While Clinton won 54% of women overall, 53% of white women voted for Trump. By a slim margin, the majority of women with college degrees voted for Clinton. But 45% with degrees still voted for Trump. Sixty-two percent of women without college degrees voted for Trump. That's 9 points higher than Clinton won women with degrees.

Only 6% of African-American women voted for Trump. Twenty-six percent of Latin women voted for Trump. The majority of Republican women stayed with the party. The election revealed a country divided and white and African-American women divided.

Clinton's loss really didn't surprise me, because there were plenty of signs she was vulnerable, besides her slim 3 point poll lead going into election day. What did surprise me is that Clinton's pioneering nomination didn't generate more enthusiasm and unity among women to elect her first female president.

Even Republican women, I expected, would vote for Clinton, putting aside party loyalty to make history. That prospect didn't seem unrealistic because Clinton was, for the most part, a Conservative Democrat and she was running against a blatant misogynist that had once been a liberal Democrat. That didn't happen, Republican women chose party over gender.

Women in general, chose personality and positions on issues, over gender. Only 54% of all women ended up voting for Clinton. Compare that to Obama winning 93% of the African-American vote in his history-making election.

A "Million Women March" in Washington D.C. is being planned for the day after Trump's inauguration to protest his election. An election made possible by millions of women voting for him. An election made possible by the leadership of the first female Republican campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway. Give those facts, it will be interesting to see the actual turnout for the march.

Last week I watched post-election interviews one of the networks did with voters in Dublin, Georgia. They talked to people in a diner who voted for Trump. Several of them were Democrats. I was surprised when I heard an older woman say that she voted for Trump, in part because she thinks the president needs to be a man. I'd like to think that in 2017, that's not the reason more women didn't vote for Clinton.

Both Clinton and Trump had among the highest unfavorable numbers of any two candidates ever to be nominated. And those poor ratings and nothing to do with their gender.

The Oval Office glass ceiling isn't shatterproof. Four or eight years from now, someone like Elizabeth Warren or Michelle Obama may prove it.
Trump Health Overhaul

Donald Trump's election ushers in a time of high anxiety for people with health insurance under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.

(Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press)

A record number of consumers enrolled in Obamacare after Donald Trump won the election. Rudy Giuliani discusses his vision for Trump's administration. A Russian diplomat says Trump's campaign had contacts with Russian government officials. Read more in today's Politics Extra.

Record Obamacare signups: More than 100,000 consumers signed up Wednesday for Obamacare plans than any day since open enrollment started Nov. 1, President Obama's administration announced Thursday, according to USA Today. The record number of people submitting applications and choosing a health plan came in the aftermath of Donald Trump winning the presidential election. The President-elect has vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and Republican members of Congress like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have declared their intention to do so as well.

Obama's legacy: In addition to Obamacare, which Trump has called "a disaster," there are other defining Obama policies which would be in peril in a Trump presidency, reports Politico. Obama has also advanced regulations to address climate change, which Trump has labeled as a Chinese hoax, and to rein in Wall Street, to which Trump has said "We're too involved in regulation of the banks." Also up for discussion will be Obama's executive actions protecting children of undocumented immigrants and tightening restrictions on gun sales.

Transition of power: Obama and Trump Thursday made a public display of putting their bitter differences aside after a stunning election upset, reports The New York Times. The Oval Office meeting brought together a president who has darkly warned that Trump could not be trusted with the nuclear codes and a successor who rose to political prominence questioning Obama's birthplace and legitimacy. Trump, who said he never met Obama before, said it was a "great honor" to sit with the president for the unexpectedly long meeting.

"I want to emphasize to you, Mr. President-elect, that we now are going to want to do everything we can to help you succeed because if you succeed, then the country succeeds," Obama told Trump after the meeting.

Lock her up? Two Trump loyalists, Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, on Thursday raised doubts about Trump's campaign promise to put his former rival, Hillary Clinton, in jail, reports CNN. "I think it's a tough decision," Giuliani said on "New Day." "I think it's a tough one that should be given a lot of thought and shouldn't be an off-the-cuff answer." When asked about the issue on NBC's "Today" show, Christie said, "I haven't spoken to [Trump] about that. I will tell you they had an enormously gracious conversation with each other Tuesday night," he said. "Again, politics are over now, people have spoken, time to move on."

Build the wall: In the same interview, Giuliani said Trump will keep his campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S. southern border, but cautioned that it would not happen overnight, reports CNN. "The wall is going to take a while. Obviously he's going to build it," Giuliani said. "He can do it by executive order by just reprogramming money within the, within the immigration service," he added, when asked about bipartisan opposition in Congress. "And not only that, they have actually approved a wall for certain portions of the border that hasn't even been built yet. So you could take a year building that out, with what has been approved."

Giuliani as AG? Giuliani, who has been rumored to be near the top of a list of potential replacements for current Attorney General Loretta Lynch, said Thursday that "there's probably nobody that knows the Justice Department better than me," reports Politico. The former mayor refused to say outright whether he would accept the job, telling CNN's "New Day" that he would take it only "if it really was just me and I couldn't point to three others that would be just as good or better."

Giuliani's gamble on Trump: The New York Times examines Giuliani's career and how it led to his seemingly strange decision to become one of Trump's most vehement supporters.

Trump's favorite phrase: House Speaker Paul Ryan has shifted from barely saying Trump's name when he was a presidential candidate, to parroting Trump's campaign phrase Thursday, according to Politico. "Let me just say how excited we are about these opportunities for the country," Ryan said on Capitol Hill after meeting with Trump for a lunch meeting. "And we are now talking about how we're going to hit the ground running to make sure that we can get this country turned around and make America great again."

Women in Trump's cabinet: John Sununu, a former chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush, discussed Thursday the possibility of a woman in Trump's cabinet, reports CNN. "Oh, I'm sure there probably will," he said on CNN's "New Day." The Trump supporter also said the President-elect has to prioritize appointing a national security adviser, chief of staff, secretary of state, secretary of treasury and director of the Office of Management and Budget. "And in those places, there's certainly room for talented women, not only in those places but across the cabinet."

Campaign connection with Kremlin? Russian government officials had contacts with members of Trump's campaign team, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday, according to The Washington Post. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said in an interview with the state-run Interfax news agency that "there were contacts" with the Trump team. "Obviously, we know most of the people from his entourage," Ryabkov said. "I cannot say that all of them but quite a few have been staying in touch with Russian representatives."

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks denied that there were interactions between Russia and Trump's team before Tuesday's election. "The campaign had no contact with Russian officials," she said in an email.
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For many families, shopping after the Thanksgiving feast has become a new tradition. That tradition, however, may be reverting to something more old-fashioned: Staying at home. Recently, national mall operator CBL & Associates announced it will close all 72 of its malls across 30 states for the Thanksgiving holiday. "We looked at it last year and we decided this year it was the right thing to do," CBL & Associates Properties President and CEO Stephen Lebovitz told CNBC's "On the Money" in an interview. CBL had been opening at various hours during Thanksgiving evening since 2013, a practice replicated by a number of big retailers hoping to juice holiday sales figures. In recent years, hordes of Thanksgiving shoppers leaving their homes to take advantage of salesoften trampling and fighting with others along the wayhas been a source of growing controversy. "We have 1500 CBL employees, and almost 100,000 employees for our stores across our portfolio, and we think that they deserve Thanksgiving off." Lebovitz told CNBC. Workers have told him "how they appreciate getting the day off, how there are so few family days that are out there anymore and Thanksgiving really is special," he added.

People carrying shopping bags walk along Fifth Avenue in New York. Getty Images

CBL's announcement came just days after the country's largest shopping center, Minnesota's Mall of America said it would be reversing course by closing for Thanksgiving for the first time in its 24 year history. Black Friday door busters used to kick off to the holiday shopping season. Over the last several years, retailers have jumped the gun by opening their doors first at midnight and then encroaching earlier into Thanksgiving day to get a head start on those holiday shoppers. Lebovitz told CNBC since the Chattanooga, TN-based company made their announcement, "the reaction's been incredibly positive" from customers. "They're appreciative. They say we'll come to your mall on Black Friday. We don't want to shop on Thanksgiving." That may come as cold comfort to the estimated 35 million shoppers that hit stores on Thanksgiving day last yeara big incentive for retailers to open their doors to those dollars. Macy's, Kohl's, Target and Walmart are among retailers to open on the holiday. Yet Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, Apple, Barnes & Noble have opted to keep their doors closed this Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, CBL's top two competitors, mall operators Simon Property Group and General Growth both announced they will open their malls on the holiday. According to IBISWorld, Simon has a 41 percent market share and General Growth Properties has 19.1 percent of the market. CBL is a distant third with 9.1 percent. However, Lebovitz said "we don't feel we're putting our retailers at a disadvantage" by not being open. "A lot of our malls are the only mall in their market or in their community. So we're not competing with other malls, per se." There is a loophole: CBL malls, which are concentrated in the South and Midwest, has anchor stores that may opt to open on Thanksgiving. "They can and they will [be open], and that's their decision," Lebovitz said. But the interior mall portion, the specialty stores , those will be closed and that's where most of our business is done." Citing support of the mall's retailers, Lebovitz said they agreed "employees deserve the day off and they wanted to see this happen." Lebovitz called the increase in stores opening on Thanksgiving as a "knee-jerk reaction to online shopping" that has stolen the thunder of brick-and-mortar retail shopping. He said that if more stores closed on Thanksgiving, it could "restore the luster back to Black Friday." The CEO told CNBC it's too early to know if they'll do the same thing in 2017, "but for this year it's definitely the right thing."


The U.S. has agreed to resettle refugees held by Australia in two offshore detention centers, although the number of people to be offered resettlement was not revealed.

Under Australia's strict border protection laws, any person who attempts to reach the country by boat is sent to the centers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and the small South Pacific island nation of Nauru, while their claims for asylum are processed.



Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull revealed the U.S. deal on Sunday, saying, "This opportunity will be only available to those accepted by the United States on Nauru and Manus now."

"It will not be available to anyone who seeks to come to Australia by people smuggler in the future," Turnbull added.



The U.S. would decide which refugees it took, and would cover the cost of resettlement, according to reports, while no time-frame was given for the resettlements.



It was unclear on Sunday how the deal with the U.S. may be impacted by the policies of President-elect Donald Trump, who took a strict stance on immigration issues during his campaign, including proposing to implement a complete ban on Muslim immigration.

According to reports, Australian PM Turnbull was questioned about the potential impact of Trump's election win, but refused to be drawn on the issue, saying that the deal had been done with the current U.S. administration. Trump will be inaugurated on Jan. 20
"The Scream" on display at Emojicon. Deborah Findling | CNBC

Ancient Egyptians had their hieroglyphics. Now, millennials and technophiles have their own modern-day version of an esoteric code that's hard to decipher. Emojis have become the universal way the digital world communicates with each other  as well as a staple of smartphones, tablets and even Apple's new laptop. They've been around for years, but a recent San Francisco-based conference, dubbed "Emoijcon," shone a spotlight on how important the quirky characters are becoming to major brands, tech enthusiasts and those who create them. The conference was organized by Jeanne Brooks, Jennifer 8. Lee and Yiying Lu, founders of "Emojination," a campaign that works with Unicode, the international computing standard for use of different languages or scripts. Last week, the consortium approved 51 new characters for use in mobile devices. Most of the world's writing system includes Unicode, and every character receives a different number, which has extended to emojis. Emojination has designed a dumpling, chopsticks, fortune cookie and a takeout box, and has submitted them for consideration. Underscoring how the characters are becoming both a social phenomenon and branding opportunity, sponsors like GE , Adobe and Baidu already use emojis in their businesses. Domino's Pizza lets its Twitter followers order by emoji, while Coca-Cola 's #ShareaCoke campaign automatically generated a custom emoji.

'Every character in the world'

Screens of the KIMOJI app Source: iTunes

Tayfun Karadeniz, a mobile app entrepreneur and CEO of EmojiXpress, is one of the voting members of the Unicode Consortium and part of the group's Emoji Committee. EmojiXpress is the company behind one of the most downloaded emoji keyboards that combines emojis and stickers. Unicode wants to "include every character in the world and make sure to look at the existing characters in the world, they assign it a unique code so different devices can communicate to each other," said Karadeniz "Then an Android device knows what the text message that an iOS device sent means." Karadeniz explained that the idea for emojis originated in the 1990s, when early Japanese telecom providers let users send pixelated faces to each other, which gradually evolved into a wide array of faces, gestures and animals, among other things. Unicode has become an unexpected arbiter, but not in the business of creating emoji images. Instead, the group looks at what exists, then decides on whether the popularity is enough that it should be considered for the universal standard. When it created the iPhone in 2007, Apple made its own emojis to comply with this code. "To them, this was just another alphabet they had to support," said Karadeniz. "Originally when the iPhone originally came out, the emoji keyboard was only available to the Japanese region." What seemed like something only Japanese users would use, quickly grew in popularity with Americans and other smartphone users around the world. With Apple's iOS5 operating system, the emoji keyboard is now unlocked for all users.





Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple Inc., speaks during the Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian make customized emoji keyboards, which are actually considered "stickers" or images instead of numbered characters like emojis. Using stickers rather than emojis can come in the form of animations or still images, and they only work on select platforms  much like Facebook messenger stickers that you can only send on the social network.

Though emojis are generally known as nondescript yellow faces, in recent years there has been a push by consumers for more diversity. Apple introduced diverse emojis last year allowing users to choose between different skin colors and more. One of the contenders approved by last Tuesday is a character wearing a hijab, or a scarf worn for religious reasons by Muslim women. The idea came from Rayouf Alhumedhi's hijab emoji, and is part of a wide-ranging effort to make emojis more ethnically diverse. As a 15-year-old Saudi teen living in Germany, Alhumedhi didn't see herself in the emojis that are currently available. "There are millions of hijabi women like me who use digital media avidly," she told the Emojicon conference. "If there are four emojis, four spaces on the keyboard reserved for the four stages of a mailbox, why on earth isn't there one for a hijab for the 500 million" hijab-wearing women, she added.

With the help of some of the industry's players, she polished her proposal, inspired by a "how to" guide on proposing an emoji she found on Snapchat.

Miguel Medina | AFP | Getty Images
Despite the campaign by the House of Representatives, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and other financial bodies against the viral Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Movement, MMM, it has has continued to flourish due to the seeming hunger to make quick money.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON MMM

MMM rides on the wings of belief, greed and a failing economy to flourish in Nigeria despite its negative history and bad publicity as a Ponzi scheme.

Nigerians have found solace in the scheme in the face of scathing economic hardship that has compounded the woes of the masses. As at today  11th of November, 2016, MMM Office which is the basecamp of the pyramid community became the 6th most visited website in Nigeria according to Alexa.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON MMM

Google.com ranked as the most visited site in Nigeria according to Alexa ratings. This was followed by Google.com.ng, Youtube.com, Yahoo.com, Facebook.com and MMM Office gallantly occupies the 6th position.

This is a yardstick to measure the heavy patronage enjoyed by the website which promises a 30% return on investment for Nigeria running helter-skelter for financial cover.

It would be recalled that online money making ventures, whether genuine or not, seem to always find entry and acceptance within the Nigerian populace. Several systems have come and gone, with over 90% of them ending up as well orchestrated scams, yet every new entry finds a way of being embraced by Nigerians.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON MMM

MMM has since being banned in China and South Africa for monumental fraud.
Foundation adds another $25M to Kinder Institute

The Kinder Foundation is giving the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy another $25 million, bringing its total to $60 million.
The following companies are subsidiares of Archer-Daniels-Midland: 3 Grain Elevators, ACT Exportacao Ltda., ADGENE LABORATOIRE, ADM (Dalian) Animal Health & Nutrition Co. Ltd., ADM (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., ADM (Thailand) Ltd., ADM AGRO S.R.L., ADM Ag Holding Limited, ADM Agri Services Greece MEPE, ADM Agri-Industries Company, ADM Agricultural Commodities Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Agriculture Limited, ADM Agro Iberica S.L.U., ADM Agro Industries India Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Kota & Akola Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Latur & Vizag Private Limited, ADM Agroinvestimentos Ltda., ADM Alliance Nutrition of Puerto Rico LLC, ADM Americas S. de R.L., ADM Andina Peru S.R.L., ADM Animal Health & Nutrition (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Cambodia) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Xiangtan) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Zhangzhou) Co. Ltd., ADM Antwerp NV, ADM Arkady Ireland Limited, ADM Armazens Gerais Ltda., ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. Ltd., ADM Australia Holdings I PTY Limited, ADM Australia Pty. Limited, ADM Bazancourt SASU, ADM Besin ve Tarim Anonim Sirketi, ADM Bio-Productos S.A. de C.V., ADM Bio-Science & Technology (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Bulgaria Trading EOOD, ADM CARIBBEAN INC., ADM Chile Comercial Limitada, ADM Clinton BioProcessing Inc., ADM Czernin S.A., ADM DO BRASIL LTDA., ADM Direct Polska Sp. z o.o., ADM Dominican Holdings Inc., ADM Dominicana S.A., ADM EMEA Corporate Services GmbH, ADM Edible Bean Specialties Inc., ADM Egypt LLC, ADM El Salvador Ltda. de C.V., ADM Europe Holdco S.L., ADM European Management Holding B.V. & Co. KG, ADM Expatriate Services Inc., ADM Export Co., ADM Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ADM Food Technology (Pinghu) Co. Ltd., ADM France, ADM Fuels Company, ADM German Holdings B.V., ADM Germany GmbH, ADM Grain Costa Rica S.R.L., ADM Grain River System Inc., ADM Grain de Venezuela C.A., ADM Guatemala Limitada, ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft, ADM Holding (Thailand) Ltd., ADM Holdings LLC, ADM Honduras S.de R.L., ADM INGREDIENTS S.R.L., ADM Inca S.A.C., ADM Industries Centers Ltd, ADM International Holdings Inc., ADM International Sarl, ADM Investments Limited, ADM Investor Services Inc., ADM Investor Services International Limited, ADM Ireland Receivables Company Limited, ADM Israel, ADM Italia S.r.l., ADM Japan Ltd., ADM Latin America Inc., ADM Logistics Inc., ADM MANAGEMENT LTD., ADM MOROCCO S.A., ADM Mainz GMBH, ADM Malbork S.A., ADM Medsofts Sarl, ADM Mexico Inc., ADM Mexico S.A. de C.V., ADM Milling Co., ADM Milling Limited, ADM Myanmar Company Limited, ADM New Zealand Limited, ADM Nicaragua SA, ADM Nutrition Holding d.o.o. Beograd, ADM Olomouc S.R.O., ADM PORTUGAL SA, ADM Panama S. De R.L., ADM Paraguay S.R.L., ADM Participacoes Ltda., ADM Poland Sp. z o.o., ADM Protexin Inc., ADM Protexin Limited, ADM Pura Limited, ADM Razgrad EAD, ADM Receivables LLC, ADM Rice Inc., ADM Ringaskiddy Unlimited Company, ADM SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., ADM STF DMCC, ADM STF Pte. Ltd., ADM STF Switzerland Sarl, ADM Services B.V., ADM Slovakia s.r.o., ADM Specialty Ingredients (Europe) B.V., ADM Spyck GMBH, ADM Sweden AB, ADM Szamotuly Sp. z o.o., ADM Trading (UK) Limited, ADM Trading Australia Pty. Ltd., ADM Trading Company, ADM Trading Cote D'Ivoire, ADM Transportation Company, ADM Trucking Inc., ADM Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ADM Uruguay SCA, ADM Ventures Investment Corp., ADM WILD Europe GmbH & Co. KG, ADM WILD Nauen GmbH, ADM WILD Netherlands B.V., ADM WILD SEE Kft, ADM WILD Valencia SAU, ADM Wild Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, ADM Wild UK Limited, ADM Worldwide Holdings L.P., ADMEcuador CIA. Ltda., ADMIS Holding Company Inc., ADMIS Hong Kong Limited, ADMIS SINGAPORE PTE. LIMITED, AGRANIX, AIC Seguros SRL, AMT West LLC, AOR, AT Holdings II Company, Agri Port Services Brasil Ltda., Agri Port Services Investments Ltd., Agri Port Services LLC, Agricolas Madagascar SARLU, Agrinational Insurance Company, Agriserve, Agrograin Ltd., Agrograin Ltd. Sucursal Uruguay, Alfrebro LLC, Alfred C. Toepfer International Exportacao e Importacao Ltda., Alfred C. Toepfer International Netherlands B.V., Alimenta USA, Alimentos Texo SA de CV, American River Transportation Co. LLC, Ameriseed, Anco Animal Nutrition Competence GmbH, Archer Daniels Midland (UK) Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Asia-Pacific Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Company South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Erith Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Europe B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Europoort B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Korea LLC, Archer Daniels Midland Nederland B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Singapore Pte. Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Vietnam Company Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Wild Nigeria Ltd., Archer Financial Services Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Philippines Inc., Arinos Unlimited, Aston Foods & Food Ingredients, BIOPOLIS S.L., BQ Railroad Company, BTECH Tecnologias Agropecuarias e Comercio Ltda., Balanceados Nova S.A. Balnova, Balto Holdco LLC, Barbados Mills Limited, Bela Vista Bio Etanol Participacoes Ltda., Belize Mills Limited, Belwood Company S.A., Benson-Quinn Commodities Inc., Bern Aqua, Bifodan Inc., Biopolis, CONTROLADORA ADM S.A. DE C.V., Campa Sued GmbH & Co KG, Caribbean Agro-Industries Limited, Casablancas sweetener plant, Cattleman's Choice Loomix LLC, Chamtor, Ci ADM Colombia Ltda., Columbia & Willamette Maritime Services Inc., Comhan, Compania ADM S.A. de C.V., Crosswind Petfoods Inc., DE Holdings LLC, DP Holdings LLC, Daavision B.V., Deerland Europe ApS, Deerland Holdings Inc., Deerland Ireland R&D Limited, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes A/S, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes Inc., Eaststarch, Eatem Corporation, Eatem Foods, Elstar Oils, Empresa de Transporte La Estrella S.R.L., English River Pellets Inc., Epicore BioNetworks Inc., Epicore Ecuador S.A., Epicore Networks (U.S.A.) Inc., Erich Ziegler GmbH, Evialis (Shandong) Co. Ltd., Evialis France, Evialis Galicia S.A., Evialis India Limited, FINANCIERE FRANCO MAGYAR POUR LA NUTRITION ANIMALE - FFMNA, FISA Andina S.A.S., FISA Aromas S.A.S., Fasco Mills Co., Federation Sahanala Vanille, Filozoo SRL, Flavor Infusion, Flavor Infusion International S.A., Florida Chemical, Florida Chemical Company LLC, Flotek Flavor & Fragrance LLC, GLOBAL COCOA HOLDINGS LTD., GP Blanching Inc., GPC Trucking Inc., GROUPE PILARDIERE, GUYOKRMA spol. s.r.o., Golden Farm Production & Commerce Company Limited, Golden Peanut Company, Golden Peanut Company LLC, Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Seed SA (Pty) Ltd., Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts S.A., Green Bison Soy Processing LLC, Group Lysac, Guyomarc'h - VCN Company Limited, Guyomarc'h Vietnam Co. 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Trumps speech is hardly bristling with complexity. Rather, his vocabulary is extremely simple, almost to the point of being childish, and his use of incomplete thoughts and sentence fragments has an unmediated, stream-of-consciousness feel. It is this combination  the hint of menace beneath the surface added to what appears to be an unpolished immediacy  that millions of listeners take as evidence of Trumps authenticity and spontaneity. Indeed, the way he talks reminds them of the voice inside their own heads  a rich and sometimes dark stew of conversational snippets and memory scraps, random phrases and half-thoughts  and, by extension, it somehow seems as if theyre hearing the voice inside his head.

Gwenda Blairs take on the way that Trump speaks is worth bearing in mind as one probes what he has actually said about NATO, rather than what others say he has said. So: he has said that I dont want to pull [America] out, but that the distribution of costs has to be changed and that I think NATO as a concept is good, but it is not as good as it was when it first evolved. Asked in a later interview whether America needs to rethink U.S. involvement in NATO, he said: Yes, because its costing us too much money, but in the same interview also said: not decrease its role but certainly decrease the kind of spending. We are spending a tremendous amount in NATO and other people proportionately less. No good.

Later, during another interview, the President-elect said: I think NATO may be obsolete. Asked for clarification over whether NATO should be abolished, Trump replied: Its possible. Its possible. I would certainly look at it. And Id want more help from other people. The one thing definitely  were paying too much. As to whether or not its obsolete, Ill make that determination. In the wake of these interviews, he said: And the press, which is so totally dishonest, the press goes headlines the next day Trump doesnt want NATO, wants to disband. Thats not what I said. I said youve got to pay your bills. And you know what? If they cant pay their bills, honestly there should be  theyve got to go. Because we cant do this.

Later still, in a speech, he said: The countries we are defending must pay for the cost of this defense, and if not, the U.S. must be prepared to let these countries defend themselves. We have no choice. So the President-elects position seems to be as follows: NATO was originally a good idea, but times have changed  and other members must pay more for their own defence. So far, so good: the anger that many Americans feel about these other countries taking them for a free ride is justifiable, and that it doesnt always register here makes it no less so. Other candidates would have put the point more tactfully, but Trump is not like other candidates, which turned out to be his main electoral strength.

However, the President-elect, as we have seen, has gone further. He has also suggested that NATO should be ended; then claimed that the media falsely reported that he thinks America should leave it; then suggested that it is not America that should leave it, but other countriesand then said very clearly in a speech  not an interview  that it is America that may have to leave after all. Furthermore, he has refused to confirm that, under his presidency, America would fulfill its NATO obligations if Russia attacks the Baltic States. You must judge for yourself whether Blair, his biographer, is also right when she says that Trumps rambling verbal style conceals consistent political purpose. But it is worth quoting him at length to get the feel of how he speaks  and may act.

You may object that some of his predecessors  George W.Bush, for example  are not exactly models of verbal clarity. But Bush had served as Governor of Texas before becoming President. Trump has been a Republican, a member of the Reform Party, a Democrat, a Republican again, an independent, and then a Republican for a third time. He has never held elected office. It would be very foolish indeed to assume that Trumps musings-aloud are simply campaign bluster, and that he will now become a conventional politician. A conventional politician would not have phoned Irelands Prime Minister before Britains in the wake of an election win. A conventional politician would have dropped Nigel Farage, and not made a point of meeting him again, as he did yesterday.

UKIPs former leader, of course, shares Trumps regard for Putin. And there is a purple party-type tendency to go even further. Estonia, it holds, is not worth the healthy bones of a single Pomeranian grenadier  or rather a British one. Or Latvia. Or Lithuania. But where does that logic end? Western Ukraine? Poland? Putins Russia may not be the Soviet Union, but an invasive Russia would upend European stability none the less. Those other NATO members should up their military spending sharpish , and Phillip Hammond has another budget headache as he prepares for the Autumn Statement. But there is a possibility that even a hike in European defence spending may not be enough to guarantee a clear Trump commitment to NATO.

In a world in which he can win the presidency, we must tear up the rule book. From within the EU, Britain has been a fierce opponent of a European Army, seeing it as a dangerous distraction from NATO  not to mention a paper tiger, since our European neighbours wont pay for their own defence in the first place. Once outside the Union, we may have to think again. Western Europe needs collective security. If  and it is still only an if  America turns its back on providing it, it will have to do so itself. That would mean paying for it. It would be a project from which Britain, even if only for its own self-interest, could not turn aside. But this sulphurous cloud has a silver lining. That EU countries may need us more for defence and security will be a plus in the Brexit negotiations.
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In a study at UCLA, teenagers had their brains scanned while viewing pictures they had submitted. The more likes their photos had received, the more the reward circuitry in their brain lit up like a firework, much in the way that same area responds to chocolate, sex, and hard drugs. For people, attention (validation's slutty sibling) can easily turn into pleasure-seeking behavior and, eventually, full-blown addiction. To our poor, stupid monkey brains, this is completely tribal. We see how many likes and comments and shares our posts get compared to those of other people, and we measure ourselves against them. If we have more, we are the king of the jungle. That social media stimulates this primal, addictive part of the brain is no coincidence. Companies like Facebook have never been coy about creating "obsession loops" that keep their users hitting refresh like it's the button that releases the morphine.

JaysonPhotography/iStock

Admit it. You want to click those so badly.

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However, unlike drugs or cigarettes, there doesn't seem to be anything inherently harmful from getting some internet thumbs-ups, so why aren't we all walking along like smiley happy people, having discovered a whole new way for us to feel good about ourselves? Because internet affirmation is an empty high, a whole lot of baby formula with not a lot of cocaine. According to Dr. Larry Rosen, professor of psychology at California State University at Dominguez Hills, real-life empathy is six times more effective at making people believe they are being supported. And our monkey brain is still advanced enough that it can tell the difference -- so even a retweet storm will often leave us feeling hollow and emotionally malnourished. But on the flip side, a lack of likes hits just as hard as any real-life rejection. Not getting an instant positive click from a friend can quickly lead to feelings of resentment and anger. Many a Kimber-on-Kimber fight has broken out because of a poolside pic that was left unliked.
Six databases from FriendFinder Networks Inc., the company behind some of the worlds largest adult-oriented social websites, have been circulating online since they were compromised in October.

LeakedSource, a breach notification website, disclosed the incident fully on Sunday and said the six compromised databases exposed 412,214,295 accounts, with the bulk of them coming from AdultFriendFinder.com

Its believed the incident happened prior to October 20, 2016, as timestamps on some records indicate a last login of October 17. This timeline is also somewhat confirmed by how the FriendFinder Networks episode played out.

On October 18, 2016, a researcher who goes by the handle 1x0123 on Twitter, warned Adult FriendFinder about Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerabilities on their website, and posted screenshots as proof.

When asked directly about the issue, 1x0123, who is also known in some circles by the name Revolver, said the LFI was discovered in a module on AdultFriendFinders production servers.

Not long after he disclosed the LFI, Revolver stated on Twitter the issue was resolved, and ...no customer information ever left their site.

His account on Twitter has since been suspended, but at the time he made those comments, Diana Lynn Ballou, FriendFinder Networks' VP and Senior Counsel of Corporate Compliance & Litigation, directed Salted Hash to them in response to follow-up questions about the incident.

On October 20, 2016, Salted Hash was the first to report FriendFinder Networks had likely been compromised despite Revolvers claims, exposing more than 100 million accounts.

In addition to the leaked databases, the existence of source code from FriendFinder Networks' production environment, as well as leaked public / private key-pairs, further added to the mounting evidence the organization had suffered a severe data breach.

FriendFinder Networks never offered any additional statements on the matter, even after the additional records and source code became public knowledge.

As mentioned, earlier estimates placed the FriendFinder Networks data breach at more than 100 million accounts.

These early estimates were based on the size of the databases being processed by LeakedSource, as well as offers being made by others online claiming to possess 20 million to 70 million FriendFinder records - most of them coming from AdultFriendFinder.com.

The point is, these records exist in multiple places online. They're being sold or shared with anyone who might have an interest in them.

On Sunday, LeakedSource reported the final count was 412 million users exposed, making the FriendFinder Networks leak the largest one yet in 2016, surpassing the 360 million records from MySpace in May.

This data breach also marks the second time FriendFinder users have had their account information compromised; the first time being in May of 2015, which impacted 3.5 million people.

The figures disclosed by LeakedSource on Sunday include:

339,774,493 compromised records from AdultFriendFinder.com





62,668,630 compromised records from Cams.com





7,176,877 compromised records form Penthouse.com





1,135,731 compromised records from iCams.com





1,423,192 compromised records from Stripshow.com





35,372 compromised records from an unknown domain

All of the databases contain usernames, email addresses and passwords, which were stored as plain text, or hashed using SHA1 with pepper. It isnt clear why such variations exist.

Neither method is considered secure by any stretch of the imagination and furthermore, the hashed passwords seem to have been changed to all lowercase before storage which made them far easier to attack but means the credentials will be slightly less useful for malicious hackers to abuse in the real world, LeakedSource said, discussing the password storage options.

In all, 99-percent of the passwords in the FriendFinder Networks databases have been cracked. Thanks to easy scripting, the lowercase passwords arent going to hinder most attackers who are looking to take advantage of recycled credentials.

In addition, some of the records in the leaked databases have an rm_ before the username, which could indicate a removal marker, but unless FriendFinder confirms this, theres no way to be certain.

Another curiosity in the data centers on accounts with an email address of email@address.com@deleted1.com.

Again, this could mean the account was marked for deletion, but if so, why was the record fully intact? The same could be asked for the accounts with "rm_" as part of the username.

Moreover, it also isnt clear why the company has records for Penthouse.com, a property FriendFinder Networks sold earlier this year to Penthouse Global Media Inc.

Salted Hash reached out to FriendFinder Networks and Penthouse Global Media Inc. on Saturday, for statements and to ask additional questions. By the time this article was written however, neither company had responded. (See update below.)

Salted Hash also reached out to some of the users with recent login records.

These users were part of a sample list of 12,000 records given to the media. None of them responded before this article went to print. At the same time, attempts to open accounts with the leaked email address failed, as the address was already in the system.

As things stand, it looks as if FriendFinder Networks Inc. has been thoroughly compromised. Hundreds of millions of users from all across the globe have had their accounts exposed, leaving them open to Phishing, or even worse, extortion.

This is especially bad for the 78,301 people who used a .mil email address, or the 5,650 people who used a .gov email address, to register their FriendFinder Networks account.

On the upside, LeakedSource only disclosed the full scope of the data breach. For now, access to the data is limited, and it will not be available for public searches.

For anyone wondering if their AdultFriendFinder.com or Cams.com account has been compromised, LeakedSource says its best to just assume it has.

If anyone registered an account prior to November of 2016 on any Friend Finder website, they should assume they are impacted and prepare for the worst, LeakedSource said in a statement to Salted Hash.

On their website, FriendFinder Networks says they have more than 700,000,000 total users, spread across 49,000 websites in their network - gaining 180,000 registrants daily.

Update:

FriendFinder has issued a somewhat public advisory about the data breach, but none of the impacted websites have been updated to reflect the notice. As such, users registering on AdultFriendFinder.com wouldnt have a clue that the company has recently suffered a massive security incident, unless theyve been following technology news.

According to the statement published on PRNewswire, FriendFinder Networks will start notifying affected users about the data breach. However, it isnt clear if they will notify some or all 412 million accounts that have been compromised. The company still hasnt responded to questions sent by Salted Hash.

Based on the ongoing investigation, FFN has not been able to determine the exact volume of compromised information. However, because FFN values its relationship with customers and takes seriously the protection of customer data, FFN is in the process of notifying affected users to provide them with information and guidance on how they can protect themselves, the statement said in part.

In addition, FriendFinder Networks has hired an outside firm to support its investigation, but this firm wasnt named directly. For now, FriendFinder Networks is urging all users to reset their passwords.

In an interesting development, the press release was authored by Edelman, a firm known for Crisis PR. Prior to Monday, all press requests at FriendFinder Networks were managed by Diana Lynn Ballou, so this appears to be a recent change.
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You didnt ask me about the future, Shanna Melton says, meaning her own, as she escorts a visitor from her apartment in Bridgeports well-known Reads Artspace building.

So Melton declares ambition No. 1: I want to be a poet laureate.

She says it a little shyly because to be a laureate entails winning recognition from publishers, and so far she is self-published. But it also means being recognized as a champion of poetry. By that standard Melton is halfway home, because she has been championing poetry in Bridgeport for a long time.

Most recently, she was named Ambassador for Poetry at Housatonic Community College, a post that requires her to curate readings. Her appointment is an extension of readings  or performances  she initiated a decade ago under the rubric Lyrical Voices. She also leads a writers group and has coordinated visits of the POEMobile, the van from New Yorks City Lore program that broadcasts poetry, to Bridgeports summer Arts Fest.

Outside of Bridgeport, where Melton, 37, has lived most of her life, she has an association with the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Manhattan venue famous for defining urban poetry. Meltons own writing fits into that loose category.

Poems dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Trayvon Martin (the Florida teenager whose killing anticipated the Black Lives Matter movement) are among the three dozen she included in Unraveling My Thoughts.

At a recent reading at the Norwalk Public Library, hosted by the citys new poet laureate, Laurel Peterson, Melton said she wrote the Maya Angelou poem on her phone after her death in 2014. I spoke it because I couldnt see it for crying, she says.

Reading another poem, If a Woman Falls, Melton paused to warn her audience, Get ready, you all. Here it comes, of a graphic passage about the female body. An earlier passage referred to slavery and exploitation.

For years, I have been placed on platforms/ from auctions to stages/ expected to perform to my minimum, it reads.

In her book bio and on her website, PoeticSoulArts, Melton identifies herself as a poet, painter and arts consultant, but as the list suggests, poetry has priority. She cant quickly recall the contest-winning poem she wrote at age 13 that her grandmother mailed off for her. But she has a clear memory of her first public reading, at Southern Connecticut State University, where the headliners were the Last Poets.

At the time I didnt have a full understanding of who they were, Melton says, explaining, They get credit for the roots of hip-hop. They actually just got inducted into the Smithsonian. She also didnt realize they were to go on right after her.

It was one of those moments where youre physically present, but you transcend a little.  I figured I did good because the whole time I could hear the Last Poets off to the side saying, Yeah, go ahead sister. Thats right. So that was affirmation when I was so nervous.

There was more affirmation the next day in English class, where she was greeted as Hey, poet, and again years later, when she brought some of the Last Poets, including Abiodun Oyewole, one of the originals, to a reading at Housatonic. It was full circle, she says. It really showed me how far I had come.

Melton studied poetry, but her verse is free form, often demanding to be spoken or chanted like a song lyric, and like her painting, mostly self-taught. Now she says a painting might inspire a poem or a poem a painting.

At the Norwalk reading, where she appeared with another self-published poet, Jerry T. Johnson, Melton said she couldnt wait for independent validation partly because recent deaths of people close to her or those she admired made her acutely aware of time running out. Melton published her volume of poetry on March 5, her birthday. But around that time her grandmother was in hospice and Melton was thinking of the recent deaths (she calls them transitions) of inspirations like Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee.

It was all these people leaving and all you have left is their art and their words, she says.

At the Norwalk reading, she quoted a line from her poem about Angelou she said came from Angelou: Mrs. Flowers was right you know/how she said you wont fall in love with poetry/until it passes through your lips.

Later, Melton explains what she thinks the line means about poetry and being a poet.

There is definitely a difference between hearing it in your head and hearing it in the world. Right?, she says.

No one should deprive themselves of hearing it in the world. And it doesnt necessarily have to be in front of a bunch of people or one other person. It can be just you and the room.

Joel Lang is an award-winning Connecticut journalist.
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For educators throughout Southwestern Connecticut Wednesday was a crash course in Trump 101.

Many teachers spent the day trying to explain the election to students. Some college presidents took time to reassure their students  particularly international students  that they would be safe.

Shaun Mitchell, an English teacher at Central High School in Bridgeport and a 2016 runner up for Connecticut Teacher of the Year, went online to read Trumps 100 Day Play for the first time.

Mitchell saw a couple of things he liked and many he didnt. In the like column was Trumps vow to dismantle the Common Core.

Common Core, that was a disaster, Mitchell said, echoing Trumps statements on on the curriculum road map adopted by many states including Connecticut.

Trump said the Common Core was created to keep people in Washington employed. That wasnt Mitchells concern, however, he just thinks standards are too rigid.

Students learn in many non-standard ways, Mitchell said.

But the power to do away with Common Core lies with the states, not Trump, said Morgaen Donaldson, director of the University of Connecticut Neag School of Educations Center for Education Public Policy. Some states,though not Connecticut, have already jettisoned it.

School choice

Trumps 100 Day Plan, calls on Congress to pass the School Choice and Education Opportunity Act, which would allow parents of low income students send their child to the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school of their choice using public funds.

His plan would spend $20 billion to expand school choice and leverage additional state investments in school choice of up to $110 billion nationwide. Some fear he would get the money by re-prioritizing federal funding from a federal Title 1 grant that districts like Bridgeport rely on to provide extra support to disadvantaged students.

Public schools will be detrimentally undermined, underfunded, and underappreciated as a result, Mitchell said. The message this sends is that we as a country don't value our public schools. Instead of having school choice, we need to strengthen our public schools, not disenfranchise them.

Other Trump talking points during the campaign: ending gun-free school zones and eliminating the Department of Education.

Higher Ed

On the higher ed front there are also questions about financial aid, research dollars and protecting students.

Trump pledged to make two and four year colleges more accessible and affordable. How? He doesnt say.

Many of his proposals are so skimpy on the details, Donaldson, from UConn, said. He doesnt offer ideas on how that might happen.

Donaldson hopes Trump  who is embroiled in a lawsuit charging he defrauded students at his now defunct Trump University  will continue the Obama Administration efforts to clamp down on higher education that doesnt serve students well.

During his campaign, Trump has called for the federal government to get out of the student loan business, but he also broached a loan forgiveness plan. Last year in Iowa, Trump told a town hall meeting he would start "some governmental program" to help college students with a ton of debt.

"We're going to do something very big with loans because you have to get these people going, Trump said at the time. They really feel down and out.

Trump told a crowd this fall in Pennsylvania he would force colleges to spend more of their endowments on students.

Colleges, like the University of Bridgeport which has students from over 80 countries, are concerned that Trumps tough immigration policies will impact international students.

The universitys president, Neil Salonen ,sent out a an email to to the school community on Thursday reassuring the student body they were safe.

As I walked around campus and talked with many of you yesterday, I found that many, perhaps most, were not only stunned and disappointed by the results but in some cases worried and even fearful of what might happen next, Salonen said. Here at UB we pride ourselves on being a global mini-society with mutual respect for all regardless of our many differences.
Democrats saw a surge in new voters in Pennsylvania as midterms near
American presidential elections are traditionally like a race between thoroughbreds. But this year, it was more like a contest between a thoroughbred and a donkey  and the donkey won.

As outgoing President Barack Obama said repeatedly during the campaign, the choice was between the most qualified person to run for President in generations, in Hillary Clinton, and the least qualified  Donald Trump.

It was a choice between Clinton, a woman of proven experience and ability to be leader of the free world, and Trump, a man whose resume consisted of a chequered career as a businessman and a reality television star who blurred the line between fact and fiction.

President Obama branded Trump the least qualified person to run for President in generations

I should declare straight away an interest in all this. A long-standing supporter of the Democrats, I spent my holiday this year working during the US primaries to get Hillary Clinton elected as the Democrats presidential hopeful.

She was clearly someone who had the right temperament to be the next President and, more importantly, commander in chief of the United States Armed Forces.

As a former First Lady, a two-term Senator and the Secretary of State, Clinton offered a wealth of experience to deal with the issues facing America, both abroad and at home, from day one.

The contrast with Trump was almost comic, with his campaign speeches showing he was totally out of his depth. Put simply, Trump is temperamentally unfit to be President.

As Hillary herself said, if he can be provoked by critics into posting outrageous tweets at 3am, then one shudders to think how he will react to criticism as President when the nuclear button will be at his fingertips.

Equally worrying is his lack of a grasp of facts as well as the outright lies that he propagated in his campaign speeches, particularly regarding FBI involvement in the Clinton email saga.

Trump may not choose to accept it but the FBI cleared Clinton of any criminal wrongdoing.

Hillary Clinton was clearly someone who had the right temperament to be the next President

Then there is the mans appalling attitude to women. He regards them as objects to be rated on a scale of one to ten, calling some of them pigs and slobs. And as for Trumps approach to minorities, he seems to be essentially against them while his avowed support of using torture for suspected terrorists is a crude sop to racial and religious fears.

The President-Elects economic policy is based on generous tax cuts for the rich, which is hardly surprising as he would benefit, but provides little help for the struggling middle classes. And when it comes to the difficult and delicate area of foreign policy, which has a direct bearing on Britain, his ill-thought-out approach is akin to a bull in a china shop. It may play well in rural America but God help the rest of us.

Of course, we are where we are and the American people have made their decision.

We will have to live with their verdict because the decisions taken by the President of the US affects us in Britain almost as much as they do the Americans.
I've long suspected that people are inherently cruel and nasty, and generally ill-informed. It's in evidence every time I screech to a halt in the middle of the road to rescue a hedgehog, rabbit or, as happened last week, a hare.

The verbal abuse, the shaking of fists, the flashing of headlights and beeping of horns is astounding. I once chased the driver of a Range Rover who had swerved to deliberately decapitate a pheasant.

When I caught up with him at traffic lights, and banged on his window to tell him off in front of his awful brood on the back seat ('What sort of example are you setting?'), he could only cower, open-mouthed, as a female dared to admonish him.

Last week, online trolls rose as one to protest not that Donald Trump is a misogynist and a racist, but that the urban fox  portrayed as sweet and playful on a trampoline in the new John Lewis Christmas ad  is, in fact, a mange-riddled monster that 'gets into next door's house and mauls a baby's face off'.

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Well done John Lewis! Foxes and badger trampolining in the new ad

All the venom of the trolls' sorry, boring, pointless, meat-chomping lives is directed at creatures who, as usual, cannot fight back or speak for themselves. The Times actually joined in on Friday, calling the fox 'hideous'. You might think such choice of words lazy, but I think it's propaganda, much in the same way the people of the Congo were labelled 'lazy' by that very same newspaper during the reign of King Leopold II. As Trevor Williams, of The Fox Project charity, which takes in and treats 700 foxes a year, points out: 'People who don't like foxes might consider who does the most to control rodent numbers. It isn't cats. The fox is your main ally.'

It always makes me laugh when fox-haters bring up slaughtered chickens as evidence that the fox is inherently heartless. These are the same people who care not a jot that even Happy Eggs are laid by chickens who, despite being depicted in their TV ad dancing to the theme tune to Chariots Of Fire, are gassed at just 68 to 72 weeks old. (Productivity falls off, and it's claimed mechanical packing machines can't cope with the thinner shells of eggs laid by geriatric hens.)

When I lived in Somerset a few years ago, I kept a few rescued hens. I would shut them in their house at dusk in case of foxes, who were becoming increasingly 'bold', for which read 'hungry'. One afternoon, in broad daylight, I returned home to find two of my last three hens upside down in a hedge: dead.

It always makes me laugh when fox-haters bring up slaughtered chickens as evidence that the fox is inherently heartless

Too traumatised to retrieve them, I left them there, returning the next day with a box and a blanket, intending to give them a proper funeral. Only a couple of feathers remained: the vixen, eager to feed her cubs, had returned in the night. I was glad, in a way, they hadn't died in vain. So I'm ecstatic that John Lewis has chosen to champion much-beleaguered wild animals  alongside the foxes in the advert are a badger and a grey squirrel  which, because they are not endangered, are seen as worthless and even a danger.

And in contrast to Lloyds Bank  which donated not one penny to equine charities despite depicting the horse in battle and pulling the plough in its own tearjerker of a commercial  I'm delighted that, when I asked John Lewis if it has any donations in the pipeline for animal charities, the answer was a resounding 'Yes'.

From the sale of each soft toy based on characters from the advert, the store is donating ten per cent to the Wildlife Trusts. Now that makes the toys a gift worth giving.
Students at some liberal US universities have been so distressed by the election of Donald Trump that special rooms have been laid on with counsellors, puppies and soft toys. Many of their professors are in a state of grief, too.

Some, including Simon Schama, detect the thud of the fascist jackboot behind the rise of Trump, Farage, Marine Le Pen in France and Dutchman Geert Wilders. But perhaps the defeat of Hillary Clinton can be seen differently  as Americas and the Wests great escape.

For all his bluster, perhaps President Donald Trump will make the world a safer place by halting the slide towards international confrontation.

It is telling that many on the ideological Right are not happy with a Trump presidency either.

For all his bluster, perhaps President Donald Trump will make the world a safer place by halting the slide towards international confrontation

These neo-cons dont normally mind the thud of boots, preferably into Arab faces, and believed the hawkish Clinton would continue their evangelical warmongering. And just look how that turned out.

Since 9/11, the US has acted as a Globocop in the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan. The result has been the death of millions, the rise of Islamic State, failed states, the spread of terrorism and a flood of refugees destabilising Europe.

This chaos has compounded the effects of digitisation and globalisation on ordinary working people and no ones job is safe. Computers, industrial robots and outsourcing have destroyed many livelihoods.

Unprecedented levels of migrants only adds insult to injury. Thats why I believe the liberal hysteria about Trump is misplaced.

With a promise to militarily intervene only when US national interests are at stake, he could be just the right President for our times. The outcome could be a new, multipolar, world order.

New world orders have usually been built in the aftermath of cataclysmic war, as happened in 1648, 1815, 1918 and, above all, in 1945.

Now we face a disintegrating Middle East, a poor but assertive Russia, a China that will soon be (and on some indices already is) the worlds largest economy, and regional powers such as India or Iran who want their voices heard.

Times have changed and international politics must change with it.

The key problem is how to accommodate the widespread desire to reshape global institutions the wartime victors imposed in 1945. Then, only America could afford to be the worlds policeman.

But now, with the US in debt to China to the tune of 1.2 trillion, its underwriting of the defence of the Western and Pacific world is becoming increasingly resented by the American public. China wants to take over running UN peacekeeping missions.

It already contributes the largest contingent of troops, and is the second highest contributor to the 6.3 billion budget.

Unlike Hillary Clinton, who would have clashed with Vladimir Putin from the outset, Trump says he wants to establish better relations with Russia.

He is right that the Russians could join the US (and others) in destroying IS.

With intelligent advisers he might discover that a relatively Westernised Iran is a better ally than the Saudis, who have spent the past four decades propagating Islamist extremism.

But all this will come at a cost. We will have to accept that we can no longer export our ideas of human rights and democracy to the rest of the world. These new authoritarian powers believe no one should interfere in a states internal affairs.

Unlike Hillary Clinton, who would have clashed with Vladimir Putin from the outset, Trump says he wants to establish better relations with Russia

They believe in the diversity of civilisations and traditional values  code for stopping the proliferation of Western-backed revolutions and the spread of European liberalism, which the Russians call Gayropa.

Indeed, a large part of Putins appeal to ordinary Russians is based as much on conservative Orthodox Christianity as Russian nationalism.

The new world will include some bizarre alliances. An officially atheist China is already in league with an aggressively Christian Russia, the Iranian Shia theocracy, and the Sunni Saudis, with African, Asian and Latin American add-ons. They actively assist each other too.

Instead of threatening military force, we should encourage these powers to engage in common institutions and to observe the rules, even if that means parking some of our own beliefs outside the door.

But it is important we dont make compromises at home. Western admirers of Putin and the rest should just think about what being Russian, Chinese or Iranian would mean for you, with your future decided by corrupt oligarchs, party officials or clerics.
Do you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, left incensed by your partner's snoring and often embroiled in a game of duvet tug of war?

If this sounds all too familiar, it may be time to consider sleeping in a separate room or bed to your loved one.

Indeed, a study has found that 29 per cent of people said that their partners were the reason they couldn't get a good night's sleep.

Are you struggling to share a bed with your loved one? Research has found that poor sleep can wreak havoc with our skin, mood and career so Dr Guy Meadows has shared his top tips for coping with co-sharing

With research proving that poor sleep increases the risk of depression, heart disease, stroke, respiratory failure and increases the risk of divorce and suicidal behaviour, experts say it may be worth considering other options in the bedroom.

The survey was undertaken by the University of Leeds and Silentnight.

Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan said: 'Almost a third of Brits say they can't get a good night's sleep because they are disturbed by their partner. So for many people it's clear that sleeping in separate rooms might make for a better more restful sleep.'

Poor sleep also totally wreaks havoc with our skin, according to a study conducted by University Hospital Case Medical Centre in Ohio.

They found that poor quality sleepers lost 30 per cent more water 72 hours after a skin barrier disruption, such as exposure to UV light than those who regularly have good quality sleep.

Do you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, left incensed by your partner's snoring and often embroiled in a game of duvet tug of war? You may want to take note of Dr Guy's tips

Crucially for women concerned with the signs of ageing, poor sleepers had twice the amount of intrinsic signs of ageing such as fine lines, reduced elasticity and uneven pigmentation, as well as recovering slower from sunburn.

Lack of sleep also puts many of us in a bad mood - and it's all down to science.

There is an almond-shaped structure located deep in the brain that is believed to play an important role in our emotions and anxiety levels.

A study found that participants who had been sleep deprived for approximately 35 hours showed a greater amygdala response when presented with emotionally negative pictures when compared to those who had not been sleep deprived. This, in turn, can cause us to make erratic decisions at work and lash out at co-workers without reason.

Dr Guy Meadows, sleep expert for Bensons for Beds and founder of the Sleep School, said: 'Its rare that you find two people with the same sleeping habits and so sharing a bed can be a difficult and potentially a sleep depriving process.'

If you don't have access to a spare room or single bed, Dr Guy has shared his top tips for managing it.

He says that many bedtime battles are the result of variations in bedtime routines.

'Whilst some people like to read a book, others love to watch TV. Compromise is the key and so find a routine that works for both parties. If that doesn't work, it may be a case of using ear plugs and eye masks to block out any unwanted noise and light,' he said.

Speaking about sharing a bed with your partner, Dr Guy Meadows said: 'Its rare that you find two people with the same sleeping habits and so sharing a bed can be a difficult and potentially a sleep depriving process'

He also draws attention to the important of monitoring your body temperature, explaining: 'Traditionally, women feel the cold more than men, leading to variations in bedding and room temperature requirements. Using multiple blankets rather than a single duvet can help as it allows each person to easily change temperature according to their needs throughout the night.'

Sleep disorders, Dr Guy notes, can also affect both of you. The most common problem is snoring, which affects 40 per cent of the population.

He suggests having the snorer sleep on their side and avoiding sedatives such as alcohol and antihistamines (cold and flu remedies) to help to improve airflow and limit snoring.
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These beautiful images of Antarctica show just how difficult it is to survive in some of the coldest, windiest and driest conditions on the entire planet.

As the continent suffers through the effects of global warming and melting ice caps, six different teams of scientists head to one of the coldest spots to study different areas filmed for the National Geographic documentary aptly titled 'Antarctica'.

The breathtaking images revealed in the documentary show a vast ice-covered land mass that stretches out for 14 million square kilometres that's home to some of the most stunning views of bright blue skies and crisp white snow.

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The vast ice-covered mass of one of the coldest places on earth is breathtakingly beautiful - with the bright blues of the sky contrasting against the soft white peaks of snow

In one image, scientists journey through ice caves to squeeze themselves through the natural formations to get a close up of the landscape.

The continent, which has six months of daylight and six months of nightfall, displays electric blue skies reflected in pools of water in another striking image.

The six-part series takes viewers on a journey to Antarctica to experience the world's most extreme wilderness, to see the massive undertaking it is to support human life there, and to chronicle the world-changing science being done.

The show also takes viewers behind the scenes at Scott Base, the hub of Antarctica New Zealand's missions. The teams based there embark on missions on the ice, underneath it, and atop some of its peaks.

Scott Base can be seen in the background of this landscape of the approaching clouds in the sky and the jagged sheets of ice jutting at different angles from the ground

Scientists exploring ice caves in the first global long form documentary series filmed in Antarctica. They don protective climbing gear to squeeze through the trechearous terrain

The Antarctic Peninsula Team is looking to tag whales and track their movements. Each team's results could have massive implications to better understanding how climate change is affecting life around the world

Wildlife such as penguins and whales thrive in the extreme weather - but scientists need to keep track and so tag them to record important data about their activities

Each team studies different aspects of the continent from the inner workings of Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on the planet, while another is traversing onto the Ross Ice Shelf

The scientists and survival experts join forces to fight brutal conditions to help change the world, pictured above in images taken by the teams.

There are jutting ice cliffs with the odd penguin dotted around, while whales swim the treacherously cold seas.

Each team studies different aspects of the continent and arrive after years in the planning and millions of pounds of expense.

In the first episode, one team has come to study the inner workings of Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on the planet, while another is traversing onto the Ross Ice Shelf, a floating piece of ice the size of France.

Antarctica has six months of daylight and six months of nightfall, which means stunning views like these cannot be seen for half of the year. On the right, members of the Ross Ice Shelf team in an ice cave

When storms hit the crew are grounded on Antarctica. The Scott Base in New Zealand stops all trips out to the continent when the weather is poor

Global warming has affected a large portion of the Antarctica, with ice shelves continuously melting and drifting away revealing large water lakes

Two thousand miles away, the Antarctic Peninsula Team is looking to tag whales and track their movements. Each team's results could have massive implications to better understanding how climate change is affecting life around the world.

While scientists deployed to Antarctica are accustomed to frigid temperatures, few have experienced the condition one storm that is sweeping over Scott Base and the Ross Ice Shelf.

In the second episode, a condition one storm is categorised by visibility less than 100 feet, wind speed over 60 miles per hour or air temperature less than negative 100 degrees.

Scientist Christian Ohneiser, one of the team members taking part in the documentary, can be seen, left, leaning up against a warning sign. On the right, another scientist on the Ross Ice Shelf walks through heavy snow

Scientist Michelle Ryan, Raki Ryan, Wolfgang Rack, and Ethan Dale in a tent on the Ross Ice Shelf. When bad weather hits they hunker down to keep safe, dry and, most importantly, warm

The consequences can be deadly. Scott Base shuts down all missions and flights to and from western Antarctica; leaving them more isolated from the outside world than ever.

The scientists - already 60 miles away from the safety of base on the Ross Ice Shelf - have no choice but to stay in their tents and hunker down until the storm subsides.

Those on the water aren't faring any better; 2000 miles away, a team studying Minke whales is stranded from their main vessel because of snow reducing visibility, and the US Coast Guard en-route to help resupply the continent is nearing the perpetual weather system that swirls around Antarctica.
Criminal lawyer and reality TV star Gina Liano says the secret to aging gracefully is loving the skin you're in.

Gina, who rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Melbourne, said that at 50 years old she is feeling more body confident than ever.

She told Stellar Magazine she is hoping to inspire other middle-aged women to stop shying away from the spotlight and to embrace their glamorous sides.

Confident: Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano said she felt more body-confident than ever

Beauty: The criminal lawyer and businesswoman is known for her stylish appearance on the red carpet

Known for her stylish appearance on the red carpet, Gina said she had not always been so comfortable posing for the camera.

'If I was in my 30s, I probably wouldn't do it,' she told Stellar after stripping off for a brave photo shoot.

'But I'm 50 and, if I do a glamorous shot, I think it can be quite inspiring for women of my age.'

Among all the cattiness and infighting that occasionally comes with reality TV, the mother-of-two said she paid little attention to what others had to say about her.

'I try not to take on board what is being said about me by other girls,' she said.

'Because I don't always value their opinion.'

Double life: Gina Liano works as a barrister by day, and a reality TV star by night

Glamorous: Gina hoped that her own stylish photo shoots would inspire other women

Busy: The mother-of-two also has her own line of jewellery, shoes and ever her own fragrance

In addition to her work as a high-profile criminal barrister, Gina is also a qualified art curator and a successful property developer.

She has her own line of jewellery, shoes and she recently launched her own Fearless fragrance.

While some may describe the businesswoman as overly ambitious, Gina previously told Daily Mail Australia she had tonnes of fun shouldering the workload.

'It's actually a bit crazy isn't it,' she said.

'I think God always had a really busy life and I've always done a lot. I don't think I feel overly ambitious either.

'If I see something that I want to do and I just do it.'

Real Housewives of Melbourne will soon begin filming its fourth season, with Gina hinting that she would 'probably' return to the show.

Fearless: The legal eagle recently launched her second fragrance




Six years ago when Cardigan was at rock bottom and his doctors feared he might end it all, Joanne, 52, a beautiful, intelligent woman from Arizona, appeared in his life and has stayed there as he tried to turn his fortunes around (Pictured with daughter, Sophie)

When her daughter, Lady Sophie, was eight months old, Joanne, Countess of Cardigan, took her to a local playgroup. All the mothers were standing around talking to each other. One came up to me, said she hadnt seen me before and asked where I lived. I answered, Savernake Forest. She drew in her breath and added, That crazy Earl must be your landlord. 

Actually, that crazy Earl  David, Earl of Cardigan  is Joannes husband, as she swiftly pointed out. But then her husband does have something of a reputation.

The illustrious family name may have been immortalised by an earlier Lord Cardigan  a distant cousin who led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War  but little in its 1,000-year history can match the drama of the recent events in the life of the 63-year-old Earl, ones that have cast him in an unfavourable light.

He is estranged from his daughter, Lady Catherine Brudenell-Bruce, better known as Bo Bruce, a former star of the TV programme The Voice, and has no regular contact with his son and heir Thomas, Viscount Savernake, both children of his first marriage to Rosamond Winkley, a cookery writer who died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.

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Between 2013 and 2015, the old Etonian, whose family name is David Brudenell-Bruce, was also in and out of court 16 times, accused of a string of offences by the trustees of the 4,500-acre Savernake Estate in Wiltshire, which has been in his family since 1067 and includes the only privately owned forest in the country.

He is still trying to sue one of the trustees for allegedly failing to maintain some properties. Cardigan has emerged victorious, but the battles have meant that the Earl, who depends on income from the estate, was reduced to penury.

The path to their unlikely marriage began in 2011 in the decidedly unromantic environment of the Trauma Resolution clinic in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the US after she was raped and stabbed by a stranger in Phoenix, Arizona in the mid 1990s

So much so that social services offered me vouchers to take to a food bank, he reveals. I couldnt bring myself to accept.

The latest, considerably happier twist in his story is no less dramatic. Six years ago when Cardigan was at rock bottom and his doctors feared he might end it all, Joanne, 52, a beautiful, intelligent woman from Arizona, appeared in his life and has stayed there as he tried to turn his fortunes around. Not only that but, a little over three years ago, at the age of 48, Joanne became pregnant naturally and gave birth to a baby girl.

We knew each other's worst stuff before anything else

Only now, with all the trappings of parenthood apparent at the family home  the buggy in the hallway and pink toys scattered around  can she start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Joanne says: The odds on me getting pregnant were against me because of my age, and it was a real shock when I made it. I had a natural birth but she was six weeks premature and only weighed 4 lb.

When I found out I was pregnant, I told David that I couldnt do it alone and he said he would be fully involved. The only thing I knew about him as a parent were the negative things his kids had said, so I wasnt sure what to expect. In fact hes been brilliant.

Savernake Lodge looked as if it had just been abandoned by a small army of squatters, with electric wiring pulled from the walls and rain pouring into the house from leaking ceilings

We dont have a nanny and he will change nappies, play with her, everything really. Im now using birth control because although Id like another, its not fair for any of us.

This happy turn of events has also helped Joanne put her own troubled past behind her. For in this, her first full interview, she reveals the extraordinary story of how a vicious attack by a stranger ultimately led her to meet  and then marry  one of Britains most colourful, and controversial, aristocrats.

The path to their unlikely marriage began in 2011 in the decidedly unromantic environment of the Trauma Resolution clinic in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the US.

In the mid-1990s I was raped and stabbed by a stranger as I was walking back to my car in Phoenix, Arizona, Joanne reveals.

I didnt think I would survive my ordeal and went to see a psychiatrist, who prescribed Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug. I took loads of pills rather than address what happened, and became addicted. It took me years before I sought help, but the clinic diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and helped me stop taking Xanax.

My attackers DNA is on police records, but he has never been caught and I like to think he is dead. Joanne was going through divorce proceedings at the time, and it was the sudden breakdown of the Earls 25-year marriage that brought him to the clinic, too. Furthermore, he was traumatised by his daughter Bos experiments with drugs in her teens that led to an accidental overdose.

David was also diagnosed with PTSD, says Joanne, who was a businesswoman at the time. We attended the same group therapy sessions, so we both knew each others worst stuff before we knew anything else.

Stuff you would never dream of telling anyone you were starting a relationship with. You lay yourself bare and if someone still wants to be with you, its really something.

When they left the clinic, they stayed in touch as friends. Cardigan spent time with his sister Carina on the island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. Joanne, who has a son Wolfy, now 18, went home, but love gradually developed between them.

Joanne was perplexed to find herself thrust into the realms of the English aristocracy. After we married, another big problem for me was feeling I had to behave and look like a countess, but I didnt know what that was, she says

Far from a Cinderella tale, however, the relationship was fraught with difficulty. It was a fate even her own mother warned her about.

Joanne says: My mother, who was in her mid-70s, pleaded with me not to come over to England to be with him. She said, Dont marry a penniless Earl and move to a crumbling house. I replied, I cant help it, Im madly in love with him.  She looks directly at Cardigan and beams. I still am.

Indeed, by her own admission, you would have to be madly in love with him to put up with the events that followed. In 2011, the Earl brought her to see his home in Britain  Savernake Lodge, one of 15 properties on his vast estate.

I learnt how to be a countess by watching Downton Abbey

To her astonishment, it looked as if it had just been abandoned by a small army of squatters, with electric wiring pulled from the walls and rain pouring into the house from leaking ceilings.

The lodge was also a far cry from the grandeur of Tottenham House, the 100-room, Grade I listed, 19th Century Palladian mansion, which was later sold to a property developer for a little over 11 million, despite Cardigans efforts to keep it in the family.

I thought aristocrats were wealthy with huge homes, she says. Instead I had left my son to arrive in a strange place where I was always cold, had no friends, no money, and worried where the next meal was coming from. It was like walking into a battlefield with his family and trustees.

But Joanne did not turn heel and return to Arizona. The first couple of years were rough and I didnt think we would make it through. Harassment, arrests over nonsense, people telling you how awful he is, and finding nasty things about him on Google. No one in their right mind would do it. The stress has been enormous.

My son, who has started university, came over during the summer. He liked it here but thought the house was a bit creepy. I had to agree.

Joanne was perplexed to find herself thrust into the realms of the English aristocracy. After we married, another big problem for me was feeling I had to behave and look like a countess, but I didnt know what that was, she says.

The lodge was also a far cry from the grandeur of Tottenham House, the 100-room, Grade I listed, 19th Century Palladian mansion, which was later sold to a property developer for a little over 11 million, despite Cardigans efforts to keep it in the family

I learnt a little by watching TV series Upstairs, Downstairs and more Downton Abbey and thought I had to be quiet and reserved, not wear my heart on my sleeve, and definitely not wear jeans.

It was the Earl, she says, who put her mind at ease. He thinks I am beautiful and wanted me to be myself even when I really needed to lose weight, whereas in America everyone was trying to look younger and slimmer. In return, she is immensely loyal to him. I am proud that when we absolutely had no money and he had to claim Jobseekers Allowance at 71 a week, after a few months he found a low-grade job delivering food for a catering company because we needed to put food on the table, she says. One day he was given a 20 tip. I bet they didnt know he was an earl.

But it was her daughter Sophie who put everything into perspective. She prevented the couple from sinking into despair. Cardigan certainly seems more adjusted to domestic duties, even mopping the kitchen floor where the youngster had spilt water during my visit.

Even in our darkest point when we had no money and no heating, Sophie was such joy, says Joanne.

And the house is more habitable. The trustees have finally released some money that has enabled building work to begin and the heating, which hasnt worked for years, will be restored. The ongoing feud between Cardigan and his two older children, however, still upsets Joanne. I have tried to help, she says. I saw his daughter, Bo, in the ladies two years ago when David successfully went to court to remove John Moore, one of the trustees.

I said to her, Your dad loves you. All parents make mistakes. You now have a half-sister if you want to get to know her. You could also meet me without David. She hasnt taken me up on it, which makes me sad because she has also lost her mother. I wish she could forgive.

The Earl wasnt invited to Bos wedding earlier this year and had not heard the news of his daughters pregnancy. I am thrilled for her, he says, and hope the birth may lead to a reconciliation.

Given this troubled background, might Cardigan leave his percentage of the estate to Sophie rather than his son, who refuses to have anything to do with him? Of course not, he says. It has gone from father to son for 30 generations and I wouldnt break that, but I will of course leave provision for her.

Joanne says she has gradually learned to feel more comfortable in her new life. At first I felt very shy and that people would have preconceptions of me, she says. The English are so reserved but now I have loads of friends.

In August 2015 we had a barbecue for all the children and parents in Sophies nursery. I asked the school to email everyone for me. They sent an incredibly formal invitation, Lord Cardigan cordially invites and they all came dressed-up expecting a butler and champagne, whereas we were in our jeans.

I love our increasingly peaceful, simple life. Sophie goes to nursery in the afternoons, otherwise we spend all day together, which not many fathers get to do. We are getting to the end of our struggle.
Celebrity parents Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake have been criticised for splashing photos of their two-year-old boy Sonny all over social media.

The Australian golden couple have been accused of 'sharenting', which was recently defined by the Collins English Dictionary as 'the habitual use of social media to share news and images of one's children'.

Between comedian Blake and author Foster-Blake, photos and videos of adorable Sonny are regularly posted to more than one million fans on Instagram.

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'Sharenting': Celebrity parents Zoe Foster-Blake (left) and Hamish Blake (right) have been criticised for putting photos of their young boy Sonny (centre) on social media

Smile for the camera: The couple frequently share photos of their son with a combined one million followers on Instagram

Writer, Angela Mollard, said it was only a matter of time before Sonny's cute pictures led to creepy fandom  or worse.

'Before long Sonny had more than a million fans even though he was not an actor or related to Beyonce or the Royal Family or even the Trumps,' she wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

'Sonny appeared to have a happy life and his parents were talented and hardworking and they made lots of people laugh in that nice way that isn't mean.

'Besides, it was hardly their fault that other people were fetishising their baby.'

Attention: Angela Mollard said there was no telling what impact growing up in the spotlight could have on young Sonny

Privacy: Sonny (left) could one day resent losing his privacy at such a young age, Ms Mollard said

In October, Sonny was pictured alongside his mother in a specially-designed upcoming cover of Elle Magazine.

Gushing about the picture to her 445,000 Instagram fans, Foster-Blake wrote: 'This one is an EXCLUSIVE limited edition cover just for you guys, featuring an adorable intruder named Sonny.'

While Sonny appeared to be a happy boy who enjoyed the attention, Ms Mollard said there was no telling how he might react when he grew older.

'We also don't know if this first generation of social media kids are going to grow up and resent the invasion of their privacy,' she said.
From the Furbee to the Elsa Doll, every Christmas there's one toy that becomes so popular it sells out in every high street store making it every parents' worst nightmare.

For Christmas 2016, the latest toy craze to hit the market is the Hatchimal - and it's already sold out.

The in-demand toy is a 59.99 egg that contains an interactive furry bird - and it has sent every keen shopper into a blind panic that they won't get it in time for December 25th.

The Hatchimal is the must-have toy that is every parents' nightmare this Christmas - because it has already sold out

The Hatchimal has already proven to be so popular that it's sold out online and stock is running very low in most toy stores in the run up to Christmas. (Right) YouTube blogger Tiana Wison, aged 8, plays with the Hatchimal

There are five different species to collect - Pengualas, Draggles, Owlicorns, Burtles, or Bearakeets - and the lucky owner won't know what they have until it hatches.

The toy - which once hatched will learn to walk, talk and play games - has sold out online, with parents being told to 'check in store' if they want to get their hands on one.

The toy has become so sought-after that stock is running worryingly low and according to the manufacturer, Spin City, they have taken steps to up deliveries to stores in time for Christmas.

James Martin of the company told The Observer: 'There is stock heading to all the retailers around the world on a weekly basis until January.

'We are not playing a numbers game. We have no desire to keep the product from kids,' he reassured.

The stress of Hatchimal hunting has sent keen shoppers into a blind panic as they try and search the high street to purchase the sought after toy for their children

Those who know the demand for the children's toy have been quick to snap them up and then put them on eBay for several times the actual price

Most stores are showing they are out of stock online but Toys 'R' Us suggest visiting in store to check for stock of the toy which retails at 59.99

But for now it seems those on the hunt for the creature have hit a snag as high street stores are coming up empty.

'All my son wants is a Hatchimal and even the manufacturer is sold out. Apparently there isn't 1 within 100+ miles of me,' an aggrieved parent complained on Twitter.

'Hatchimal hunting is ruining my life,' said one distraught parent on Twitter.

Others are taking the failure to extremes: 'I'm running around London trying to find a bloody Hatchimal for my niece, I feel like punching someone. Somebody save me,' said one.

'The stress of trying to locate a Hatchimal is honestly going to send me into panic', added another, with one mother writing: 'Need to track down a Hatchimal. Me and apparently every other parent out there #parentfail'.

'This years hot impossible-to-get Christmas gift for the kids is a thing called a Hatchimal. And my daughter wants one. Im doomed,' one worried father said.

Even celebrities are struggling to locate the Hatchimal as US reality star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has discovered along with plenty of other parents

It seems not even celebrity status will get you the fluffy chick, which is apparently flying off shelves, as US reality star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has discovered: 'Anyone know where I can find a damn Hatchimal?! They're sold out everywhere.'

The mystery egg containing the self-hatching bird had been teased throughout the year, gathering speed with a viral marketing campaign before the contents of the egg were revealed at it's launch in October.

One store owner, Gary Grant, founder of The Entertainer, told The Observer that the demand was so huge that there was a rush at one of his stores from people trying to get their hands on the toy.

'I've been selling toys for 35 years. Even with Teletubbies and Cabbage Patch Kids, I've never known anything quite like Hatchimals. It's unprecedented. People will drive 100 miles for one,' he said.

MOST-WANTED CHILDREN'S TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2016 The annual Dream Toys top 12 list suggests the predicted best-selling toys this year, which include: SelfieMic, 20 - features an adjustable selfie stick with a karaoke microphone so budding pop stars can sing, lip sync and perform to thousands of songs. Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Fighter from Lego, 70 - includes four big engines, an opening minifigure cockpit with transparent lower observation window and opening side doors with pull-out stud shooters. PAW Patrol Air Patroller, 40 - the TV show spin-off toy transforms from a helicopter into a plane with real lights and sounds. Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike Blaster, 60 - one of the fastest motorised dart blasters on the market from Nerf, fire five darts per second at targets up to 90 feet away. Lego Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster, 90 - construction fun with rollercoasters, queue up at turnstiles and take control of the rides. Advertisement

The Tamagotchi-style egg needs to be nurtured before it will hatch and the official site for the toy says this can take any time between 10 minutes and 40 minutes, as long as it's rubbed, patted and tapped.

Only then will the animal feel ready to peck its way out of the hard shell and reveal itself to its owner who must then care for it as it goes through three life stages - baby, toddler and child.

Most stores are showing they are out of stock online but Toys 'R' Us suggest visiting in store to check for stock of the toy which retails at 59.99.

Those who know the demand for the children's toy have been quick to snap them up and then put them on eBay for several times the actual price.

The team behind the product have advised shoppers to be patient and not spend more money than necessary: 'This is a special time of year and we dont want anyone to be disappointed, nor do we support inflated prices from non-authorised resellers.
Forking out more than 25million in divorce settlements across three failed marriages could leave anyone feeling extremely bitter about life.

It certainly seems to be the case for Monthy Python star John Cleese, who has hit out at his ex-wives for costing him so much money - and prompted him to wish they would all die.

They are not the only women to incur his wrath, the star, 77, is not happy with his two daughters either - Camilla and Cynthia Cleese - as they have turned out like their mothers and he complained that he wished he'd never had children.

John Cleese joked during an appearance on Conan O'Brien that he wished his two former ex-wives dead and that he wished he'd never had children

John Cleese with his daughter Camilla Cleese (left) and his fourth wife Jennifer Wade, who he married in 2012

(Left) Cleese pictured with first wife Connie Booth, in a scene from TV series Fawlty Towers. (Right) The Monty Python star with his second wife Barbara Threntham at a Rolling Stones concert at Wembley Stadium

Outspoken Cleese made the remarks during an appearance on US chat show Conan O'Brien alongside his comedy partner Eric Idle, where the two were discussing the secrets to a long-lasting marriage.

'I have been married for 34 years. To four different wives,' he said before referring to his second wife Barbara Threntham, who died from complications with leukemia in 2013, 'One of my ex-wives died. You know what? It was very sad because it was the wrong one.'

Conan chuckled along with the actor and comedian before he asked: 'Do you have any real anger or hatred towards your ex-wives?'

This gave Cleese, who is currently married to fourth wife Jennifer Wade - who is 32 years his junior, ample opportunity to hit out at his former wives who are still alive - Connie Booth and Alyce Cleese.

'No, I mean, I am quite happy if one or two of them would be dead. But I don't have anything against them as people.

'I wish them dead in the nicest possible way,' he said before adding, 'Not dead in a slow agonising death over a number of years. Something quick like a tree falling on them.'

The comedian appeared on the US chat show with his comedy partner Eric Idle to talk about the secrets to a long marriage

John with his daughter Cynthia Cleese whose mother was his first wife, Connie Booth, who he starred with in Fawlty Towers

Cleese with third wife, Alyce Cleese. He said of both his living ex-wives that he hoped they would die 'in the nicest possible way'

While his Monty Python co-star Idle, who has been married 40 years to his Californian wife Tania Kosevich, said his secret to a lasting marriage was 'two separate countries'.

Cleese darkly said: 'I think the secret is not to have children. Children are the cause of most of the misery in the world.

'They cost you a fortune, you worry yourself sick and then they grow up like their mothers. Cats are the answer. You can feed them twice a day.'

Jennifer Wade is the comedy icon's fourth wife, she is 32 years his junior. They got married in 2012 in a private ceremony on the picturesque Caribbean island of Mustique Read

Cynthia Cleese is from the comedy icon's marriage to his first wife Connie, while Camilla's mother was Barbara.

The Fawlty Towers star, who is in the US with Idle to promote their north American two-man comedy show 'Together Again at Last... For the First Time', also hit out at the new American president Donald Trump.

He said it was a difficult situation to make jokes about because of the 'sense of hopelessness'.

'I mean, what do you do with the oldest guy who has ever been elected, who is clearly unqualified for the job?'
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An article last week said the Department for International Development (DFID) gave 5.5 million in UK foreign aid for schools in Uganda which the Ugandan government has now closed. In fact the donation was to Bridge International Academies which is worldwide, not just in Uganda.

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Q Like most people, I take an over-the-counter painkiller for aches and pains. Now, recent headlines say that these can cause a heart attack. Can you clarify this and suggest any safe alternatives?

A Warnings about these painkillers are not new. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that taking common, widely available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen (both available without prescription), increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. They may also raise blood pressure and cause heart failure.

Warnings about these painkillers are not new. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration warned that taking common, widely available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen increase the risk of having a heart attack or strok

The warning followed the revelation that Vioxx, a prescription NSAID, had caused 140,000 heart attacks in the US over five years. It was withdrawn in 2004. NSAIDs were first launched over a century ago and most of them were registered at a time when there were few requirements for safety documentation. However, since the Vioxx scandal, there has been much more research, which showed that the risk is linked to all NSAIDs.

In 2015, the FDA strengthened its warnings, emphasising that the risk increases even with short-term use and, although greater for people with heart disease, may affect those without it, according to Harvard Health Publications. (Aspirin is an NSAID, but is not included in the warning.)

The latest research was based on data from almost ten million NSAID users in four European countries, which found that common NSAIDs raise the risk of users being admitted to hospital for heart failure. NSAIDs have also been known to cause stomach problems from digestive upsets and heartburn to bleeding ulcers and, most seriously, stomach cancer.

Because we can buy them so easily and there is no explicit warning about potential risks, it fuels the common misconception that NSAIDs are harmless drugs that are safe for everyone, says the British Medical Journal, which published this latest study. Many experts are calling for regulatory authorities to restrict their availability.

Taking the occasional NSAID is unlikely to cause problems for most people. However, people with diagnosed heart disease, gastric ulcers or bleeding are generally advised not to take NSAIDs at all. They may also exacerbate other conditions. If in doubt, consult your doctor or a pharmacist.

Many doctors recommend paracetamol as an alternative painkiller, but only one in three users or fewer are likely to benefit. Studies show that it is minimally effective for joint pain and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) does not recommend paracetamol for lower back pain. Plus, taking more than the recommended maximum dose can cause serious liver complications in otherwise healthy people.

One option for some aches and pains is to use a topical NSAID, which minimises the risk of harm as your system absorbs less than it would with oral formulations. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

If you prefer natural products, pharmacist Shabir Daya recommends the following:

For headaches: Life-Flo MigraZap Magnesium Roll-On (9.50).

For neck and shoulder pain: Napiers Capsicum & Ginger Warming Cream (9).

For lower back pain: Better You Magnesium Oil Sensitive Spray (12.20).

For joint pain: Superior Joints (30 for 60 capsules).

For period pain: Bio-Health Periagna Agnus Castus Fruit (10.75 for 60 capsules).

All available from victoriahealth.com

Bill, 89, who is registered with impaired vision, tested The Good Life Guide High Vision Reading Light for YOU. This floor-mounted lamp, with a flexible arm, comes in three pieces and is easy to assemble with clear instructions, he says. The near-daylight bulb covers a large area. It is excellent for all my needs. 49.99, goodlifeguide.co.uk; 01635 588370. Available in beige or black.

Every office should have a Back Nodger Self-Massager (24.99, backnodger.tv), according to my colleagues at YOU.

The Back Nodger Self-Massager is perfect for an at-desk knot buster

This simple invention, based on shiatsu massage, is perfect for those knots under your shoulder blades caused by too much time spent bashing at a computer, says one devotee.
When ANNE-MARIE COCKBURNs only child Martha died from an accidental ecstasy overdose, her world fell apart. Here she reveals how exchanging searingly honest letters with the young dealer who supplied the drug helped her cope with the pain

Eight months after losing her 15-year-old daughter, Anne-Marie Cockburn looked across a courtroom into the eyes of the boy who sold Marthas friend the lethal drugs that killed her.

If she was hoping he would be given a long prison sentence, no one could have blamed her.

A single mother in her early 40s, Anne-Marie lost her entire world on 20 July 2013 when her only child collapsed and died after taking ecstasy.

Martha at home in Oxford, age 11

There have been times since, she admits, when she has wondered how she can carry on without the bright, lively girl with whom she had shared everything, and in whose future her own was inextricably interwoven.

Martha loved music, especially Arctic Monkeys (her mum had just bought her a ticket to see them) and fashion (with a quirky twist), and she was bright (she had just taken two GCSEs early  Anne-Marie would collect her grades, an A and a B, after her death). Mother and daughter had travelled the world and had had fun together: they didnt have a TV, so their evenings were spent chatting or playing board games.

But despite all she had lost with Marthas death, the thoughts going through Anne-Maries mind were not of anger or revenge. She knew how young the boy in the courtroom was  just 17  and she noticed he had brought a small bag with him into the dock. I thought, hes had to go through the emotions of packing a bag thinking he might be going to prison, she says. She had already decided it wasnt what she wanted. I knew a prison sentence would only make him more likely to get pulled into a life of crime, she says. And my big hope was that he would find it in himself to make amends for what he had done. I felt very strongly that he owed it to Martha, and to me, to do that because it was the only fitting tribute to her, that he could turn his life around.

Anne-Marie had already conveyed her feelings, via lawyers, to the judge; so she wasnt surprised when the boy, Alex Williams, was told he would be spared prison and instead given a youth rehabilitation order, which meant he could continue going to college, and which would also have less of an impact on his future employment prospects.

His parents, who were in court, were clearly relieved, and Anne-Marie remembers it was all over very quickly. But over the next few days she realised that although she didnt want Alex to be sent to prison, she did want something from him: she wanted a connection, an exchange. I wanted to meet him, she says. I wanted to know what this experience had been like for him. I wanted to know what he felt about Marthas death.

Anne-Marie and Martha on holiday in Sicily, 2008

Alex and Martha never actually met but in July 2013 he had sold a friend of hers a gram of ecstasy, for which she had paid 40, later splitting it with Martha. But the powder was 91 per cent pure  far stronger than most of the drugs available in Britain  and when Martha took it with friends in a park two days later, she collapsed within minutes.

For Anne-Marie, it was every mothers worst nightmare: while out shopping she noticed an unfamiliar number flashing up on her mobile; and then a strangers voice told her that her daughter was gravely ill, and that paramedics were doing all they could to save her. But Anne-Marie says that she knew the moment she saw Martha in casualty that she wasnt going to make it, even though hospital staff were still desperately trying to revive her. Fifteen years earlier I had brought my daughter into the world in that very same hospital and now, with a mothers instinct, I knew she was leaving it, she remembers.

It was a harrowing, appalling loss; a loss so terrible, Anne-Marie thought afterwards, that there was no word to describe who she had now become: a single mother who had lost her only child. She wasnt a widow, nor an orphan; she remained and always would be a mother, but now she had no living child.

In a way the lack of a name was apt because the feeling of loss was indescribable: friends and family did what they could to support her but sometimes all she could do was cling on and get through the day. Some days she just stayed in bed; others she couldnt get off the sofa. Work was impossible, but writing about and to Martha was the only thing that began to help. (Anne-Maries book 5,472 Days: A Mothers Journey Through Loss was begun within hours of Marthas death, and charts her grief in real time.)

Anne-Marie with her book about Martha's life and the journey of her loss

In some ways you would think the very last person who could help her would be the boy who had caused her pain. But what Anne-Marie realised, to her surprise, was that he was perhaps the only person on the planet who could help her. So when a member of the youth offending team told her about the possibility of an exchange of letters with Alex under a scheme known as restorative justice, Anne-Marie knew this was something she wanted to happen.

The focus of restorative justice is the rehabilitation of offenders, a way of teaching them to appreciate the human cost of what they have done by enabling contact between a criminal and his or her victim. But it can also help victims by mitigating some of the psychological effects of crime.

Its all done carefully, in a well-organised way, with staff from the youth offending team acting as the go-between, says Anne-Marie. Alex, who was living at home with his family in Oxford, was cooperative, and word came back via the team that he wanted to be in contact.

Not surprisingly, it turned out to be what she calls a very intensive journey. The first letter came from Alex. Its contents, says Anne-Marie, were carefully couched and neutral. He didnt say sorry, she says. But then again, I believe sorry is an action, not a word. We say sorry so often and so easily in our culture. In other cultures they dont say it so much, but theres a view that you can tell by someones actions when theyre truly sorry. I like that approach.

Anne-Marie has pledged never to reveal the exact contents of the letters  either his to her or hers to him  but about six letters passed in each direction. And about halfway through the exchange, I realised there was a shift in the dialogue, she says. I could see he had taken responsibility for what he had done and it was weighing heavily on his young shoulders. It showed me Marthas death was not something he took lightly; and that for me was such an important moment because I realised I needed it to be acknowledged in a tangible way. I didnt want Alex to suffer, but I did need him to acknowledge that Martha, my wonderful daughter, had lost her life. Weve both suffered, me and Alex, and he told me in his letters that he felt devastated by what happened, and that it had a massive impact on his life. But what it came down to, what I really needed, was to know that he understood that a girl aged 15 had died, and that nothing could ever change that.

From the outset, says Anne-Marie, she was acutely aware of Alexs state of mind, and did everything she could not to tip him over the edge. I was very conscious that I was the adult, he was very young and vulnerable. I was never angry in my letters; I was honest and straightforward. What I said was, life will never be the same again for me  which of course it wont be, it cant be.

Anne-Marie with Martha aged three

At the start of their correspondence, the idea was that Anne-Marie and Alex would eventually have a face-to-face meeting. We talked about it in our letters, and I knew it would be a very important event for me, she says. I had these big hopes that we could work together and do some good with what had happened to Martha. I thought we could make a big impact if the two of us told our stories, side by side.

And then something happened that Anne-Marie had always known was a possibility given the proximity of their lives: she bumped into Alex in the supermarket. Or at least, she saw him  he didnt notice her. I knew it was him straight away, I remembered him from court, she says.

My first thought was, he looks like a nice young man. He didnt see me and I was glad about that  it wasnt the right moment to meet.

The letters continued and, with just six weeks to go to the end of Alexs 18-month supervision order, Anne-Marie wrote to say she wanted to go ahead with the meeting. I told him, Im ready to meet you; I think it would help both of us. But it was a blow when a member of the youth offending team came back with the message that Alex didnt feel ready. It felt like a missed opportunity. I think we could have helped one another a great deal. I respect him for writing to me and I know it cant have been easy, but on the other hand, this was the one thing I ever asked of him, and in the end he turned me down.

A realisation struck Anne-Marie. I had this moment when I thought: its up to me to reconcile things inside myself. So I decided to close the door on the idea of meeting: Ive got to get on with my life. I dont want any ambiguity. So I told the team firmly: we will not meet. And now I know we never will. I felt my life had so much uncertainty in it at the time, and this was one thing I could control. Hed had his opportunity, and decided against it. For me it had to be finished so I could move on.

But the experience of being in touch with Alex had changed things for Anne-Marie. She had always imagined them going into schools and prisons together, each telling their side of the story. We would have been a very powerful team, she says. And now, if she couldnt do it with Williams, she decided she would do it on her own, with the spirit of Martha by her side.

A few months later, Anne-Marie found herself in a prison for the first time in her life, talking to inmates and taking part in a restorative justice workshop run by The Forgiveness Project, an organisation that works in conflict resolution, reconciliation and victim support.

Anne-Marie at No 10 Downing Street, handing in a petition on behalf of Anyone's Child

I was terrified, she remembers. I was completely tense and stiff. But it was a life-changing experience: the thing about being in prison is that its human to human, everyone is very exposed emotionally. I had my book with me, with Marthas picture on the front, and I told her story. When I looked round all these grown men  with hard faces and tattoos up their arms  were weeping. Afterwards some of them hugged me. One took my hand and said simply, thank you. Some said they had thought drug dealing was a victimless crime, just supply and demand  Marthas story, they said, had shown them this wasnt true.

Today, three years after Marthas death, Anne-Marie is helping to establish The Mint House, Oxfords Centre for Restorative Practice and, as well as speaking in schools, she takes part in restorative justice workshops in prisons across Britain, working with prisoners to help them understand the impact of crime on victims lives.

But its a two-way process: what its all about, she says, is walking in one anothers shoes. She listens to the prisoners stories, just as they listen to hers. So many prisoners have been raised in care, theyve been neglected, theyve had difficult lives, she says. It doesnt excuse what theyve done, but its important to think about where theyve come from, and not to judge them. And then they turn round and say things to me like, Im writing a poem for Martha. I take Marthas Converse trainers with me and I put them on a table in the middle of the room. Thats a powerful symbol  trainers are very important to prisoners, theyre among the few personal belongings they are allowed in prison and theyre about status, so that gives them extra resonance.

Almost always, she says, there are prisoners who come up to her at the end of a session and say, thats it, theyre never going to deal in drugs again. And who knows, she says, maybe they wont. Recently, 50 female prisoners at Peterborough Prison were so moved by Marthas story that they ran a sponsored mile for her, raising 800 for Anne-Maries charity, What Martha Did Next.

Today, Anne-Marie is devoted to the aims of promoting restorative justice and trying to reduce the harm caused to young people by illegal drugs. She backs a move by the House of Commons select justice committee to give all victims of crime the right to contact with offenders, since she knows from experience how cathartic and positive it can be. At the moment its offered piecemeal, but studies show it reduces the frequency of reoffending by 14 per cent, and Anne-Marie believes it also saves the NHS money in reducing long-term health risks to victims that can result from stress, depression and unresolved anger.

She recently moved house, and though it was searingly painful to have to sort through Marthas belongings, she recognises that it was an important stage on her own onward journey. Living her life to the full, she says, is the best tribute she can give to Martha, and though its sometimes hard seeing Marthas friends growing up, she is happy to see their lives moving on and pleased that she is still in touch with them. Theyre all going off to university now, and thats what Martha should be doing, she says. I have to allow myself a moment to grieve and to think how wonderful that would have been, but then I bring myself back to the present: my life must go on.

One thing she doesnt do when shes visiting a prison is mince her words. I tell them I was a mother of one; now Im a mother of none. Without the realisation of what a difference Marthas story could make, and without the chance to exchange those letters with Alex, Anne-Marie isnt sure where she would be now. The truth is, I believe restorative justice has saved me, she says. I think if I hadnt gone down this road, my family would have attended my own funeral by now. Realising the power of Marthas story, and using it for change, has put something positive back into my life. And theres very little positive you can get out of losing your only child, so thats quite something.
Watching the victory of Donald Trump and the sense of confusion that followed, the sheer hollowness of a liberal class surprised that it was no longer at the centre of the world, I thought nostalgically of an old teacher, the political scientist Rajni Kothari.

Kothari established at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) after discussions with Robert Dahl and Myron Wiener.

It became one of the great psephology centres, an institute where elections and politics came alive through the acuteness of everyday commentaries on them.

Victory of Donald Trump led to a sense of confusion and revealed sheer hollowness of a liberal class

Kothari, along with his colleagues Bashiruddin Ahmed, Ashis Nandy, DL Seth and Ramashray Roy, provided a chorus of interpretations which made politics alive, fascinating and muscular, a panchayat of debate that was wonderful to watch and listen to.

Complexity

Kothari, for all his investment in psephology, would warn that psephology was a limited world which lacked the complexity of politics.

He emphasised that unlike in science, prediction was not an index of understanding or explanation.

One needed a thick description of politics, a scholarship that combined the nuances of an anatomy, a physiology and a psychology of politics.

I remember he discussed an old colleague saying that he understood politics in microcosms, with an ethnography that grasped the real world.

Hillary Clinton, accompanied by her husband former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) and running mate Senator Tim Kaine, addresses her staff and supporters about the results of the U.S. election at a hotel in New York

The latter never used technical worlds but everyday language which provided leads to everyday life.

He did not judge or condemn but merely sought to explain. No form of politics was seen as alien.

I remembered these moments in recent times when psephology failed to grasp the trends of the global world, whether it is Brexit, the rise of Modi or the emergence of Trump.

The psephologist muffed all three not because his techniques were wrong but that his sense of politics, his worldview was little in sync with this world.

Psephology presents itself in mathematical terms, but often ignores the fact that people often create simpler pictures of the world.

The hard hat politician like the hard hat voter has a simplified picture of a complex world.

The experts variables do not quite capture this simplified world.

Simplified pictures do not fit an experts world and yet they make sense to the helpless voter.

U.S. President Barack Obama greets President-elect Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office in Washington,

The likes of Trump create a politics of empowerment where the voter feels he can affect politics.

This sense of a graspable politics is what makes Trump such a potent figure.

His is world of cliches and quotes, but these become powerful mnemonics in an expert world where technocrats tend to run away with politics.

While Hillary Clinton sticks to an intellectuals idea of political theory and the correctness of gender and liberalism, Trump is an obscene and obvious and as potent as an obscene joke.

He provides each man a dart board of his favourite victims. He creates a politics of desire, of revenge out of the people you hate the most.

It is not the remoteness of politics that makes sense but politics as it is understood in a bar, a church or a pool table.

Metaphors

The metaphors are equally down to earth. The power of Trump lay in his ability to realise that people harassed by helplessness and complexity of a global world often operate with simplified models of politics.

The power, the real magic of Trump, lies in making these little worlds become real and alive.

The alienated worker now feels a part of the real politics of America once again.

It is a symbolic empowerment which goes beyond voter rights or representation.

Such a world, as Kothari used to say, eliminates the middleman both from politics and its interpretations.

Hillary was the high priestess of politics outwitted by a clown, a jester and a trickster

Hillary speaks more the language of World Bank, development and liberalism. It is a policy world.

Trump speaks the quick reactive language of a Punch and Judy show. She is remote while Trump has the simplified and possesses impact of a slapstick show.

For this, one does not need area expertise but common sense and a folk wisdom, a feeling that common man and the politician are wired by the same language and mental makeup.

Such an insight goes beyond maths. It is the return of common sense to the democratic imagination.

The middleman and the expert retreat in silence. Politics is now not alien but looks more accessible and citizen-friendly.

Profound

One senses an even more profound fact that politics of the establishment had become alien and inscrutable and what the voter was searching for was a voter-friendly politics.

Trump made electoral democracy more meaningful by providing this simplified, accessible, empowering picture of the world.

His brilliance lay in understanding that someone new might be more welcome than someone whose political correctness is remote.

Trump won because he understood politics in a way few psephologists could.

This was his final Trump card. Hillary had no answer to his simplistic world. She was the high priestess of politics outwitted by a clown, a jester and a trickster.

It is this that she and other liberals will find hard to digest over the coming decade.

Watching Trumps triumph, Kothari might have wryly commented: In politics but not in psephology or policy, ignorance is bliss.

He might have added: The sadness was that in an expert Clinton crowd, few had the wisdom to understand it.
With the menace of diabetes growing in epidemic proportions across India, diabetic retinal blindness is emerging as a major cause for irreversible blindness.

According to experts at the AIIMS, about 40 patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, turn up every week.

But, the hospital claims that there are not enough eye surgeons in India, to deal with this condition.

Experts say one out of every five people with diabetes in India, has some degree of diabetic retinopathy

Experts say one out of every five people with diabetes in India, has some degree of diabetic retinopathy and an estimated 6 million people have severe form of the condition, known as vision threatening diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy leads to micro-vasculature of the retina, damages the blood retinal barrier, retinal ischemia and vision loss.

Dr Atul Kumar, Chief of AIIMS Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Science and Professor of Ophthalmology, told Mail Today: Every week, we receive at least 40 new cases of patients suffering from retinopathy. A majority of patients lose their vision due to this problem.

Theres a two-time increase in diabetic retinopathy among urban children who are diagnosed with diabetes. (Picture for representation)

"This is because most patients report their condition very late and come to the doctor only when the condition worsens.

He added theres a two-time increase in diabetic retinopathy among urban children who are diagnosed with diabetes.

In our country, there is a shortage of eye surgeons with good medical skills. There are just about 2,000 retinopathy eye specialists, he said.

The WHO recognises diabetic retinopathy as a major eye disease that requires urgent attention from professionals and governments.

However, according to experts, India has about 11,500 ophthalmologists against six million people facing the disease.
As panicked people throng banks and ATMs to deposit currency notes banned by the government and withdraw money to run their lives, a network of 40,000 trained men and women work round the clock to replenish cash.

Its 1 pm on Saturday and Rituraj Sinha, President of the Cash Logistics Association of India (CLAI) that has taken up the job of reloading ATMs, has not slept for 72 hours.

We have told our employees to come with their toothbrush and change of clothes to office, he said.

People queue outside a bank to deposit and exchange 500 and 1000 currency notes, in New Delhi

Its a massive task to ensure 2.2 lakh cash machines in 650 districts, which are now fully functional for the public.

While an estimated 22 lakh crore old notes are in circulation in India, the ATMs have around 14 lakh crore of these old bank notes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise announcement this week that the government is scrapping all larger denomination currency notes in a move to stop counterfeiting and clamp down on the black economy.

Anger and impatience rose across the country as banks struggled to cope with the rush of people wanting to exchange junked notes, while more than half the ATMs remained out of service for the fourth day in a row and the operational ones ran out of cash within hours.

On Saturday, Delhi Police received nearly 4,500 calls as violence broke among cash-strapped people standing in long queues outside the banks and ATMs.

CLAI is the industry body for all cash logistics companies in the country.

Our first task is to withdraw the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency in the ATMs. We have now been able to extract almost 90 per cent of such notes.

"But the next step is to refill the ATMs. Each ATM has up to Rs 40 lakh cash capacity, but since we can only put Rs 100 notes, for now, the capacity has been reduced to Rs 10 lakh, Sinha said.

About 8,800 cash vans, which are used to supply money to 25,000 ATMs every day, are now speeding to meet the shortfall at 72,000 ATMs daily.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing members of Indian community at Kobe Museum in Japan, hailed Indians for their support in Swachh Rupaya Abhiyan (clean money campaign)

Such is the workload that a special pandal has been erected with padded mattresses inside in the compound of Sinhas office for employees to take a quick nap.

Piping hot aloo parathas and chai is being served to the staff members, who are constantly on the move.

Every second counts when hundreds with urgent needs are lining up outside their neighbourhood ATMs to withdraw cash.

We fill one ATM in 20 minutes, which goes dry in three hours, said Sinha.

Footfalls at each cash machine have gone up from 100 to 3,000 people per day. We are facing a shortfall of over 40,000 trained men.

"The problem is you cant hire just anyone due to the sensitive business without a proper background check and prior approval by banks.

All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which represents 93 lakh truckers, said acute financial crunch has hit the movement of trucks and supply of essential items

Traders in Delhis main vegetable market said they were considering shutting down the market as cash was running out and banks were dispensing a limited amount.

Also, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which represents 93 lakh truckers, said acute financial crunch has hit the movement of trucks and supply of essential items.

We might have to close down until the situation stabilises, said Metharam Kriplani president of the Chambers of Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that while the ATM withdrawal limit of Rs 2,000 per day for each person has been set to ease dispensation, it will take at least four weeks to re-configure each cash machine to take out higher denomination notes.

For now, the ATMs which have the Rs 2,000 withdrawal limit for the next week will not dispense the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes.

However, customers who managed to withdraw the Rs 2,000 denomination notes also felt harassed as some small shops, fuel pumps refused to accept high denomination notes in the absence of sufficient amount of change.

Men, women and even kids started reaching bank branches and ATMs early in the morning as they were facing problems in purchasing day to day items, including vegetables and milk.

When the decision was announced, R Gandhi, the Deputy RBI Governor was in a meeting and he told us that this is a service to the nation.

Mr Gandhi told us to set aside all the limitations and that's what we are trying to do, said Sinha, before ducking back into the central monitoring room to get bi-hourly update of the ATM refill drive across the country.

Arvind Kejriwal demands a roll back

Terming demonetisation of high-value currency notes a huge scam, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Narendra Modi government had warned its friends beforehand.

Kejriwal demanded its immediate roll back. The BJP immediately hit back, saying that AAP is siding with black money hoarders.

Kejriwal said the Centres decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is a surgical strike on the common mans small savings and not on black marketeers.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal demanded immediately roll back on demonetisation

To substantiate his claim, he alleged that Sanjeev Kamboj, who heads the BJPs Punjab legal cell, was seen with new notes of Rs 2,000 on social media days before the PM announced the scheme.

On November 8, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will not be legal tenders any more, all its friends and party members who actually have all the black money were informed in advance.

"Those who had large amounts of black money got enough to time to take care of it, Kejriwal alleged.

The BJP should disclose a list of all its friends whom it had told about the demonetisation much before the PMs announcement, he added.

Referring to a news channels report, which claimed high jump in deposits at the banks during the July-September quarter, Kejriwal said: In the last three months, money has been deposited in the banks on a large scale, running into thousand of crores of rupees.

"This arouses suspicion. When the deposits in quarters before that were in the negative or there was no growth, how were such high deposits made all of a sudden between July and September? Whose money is this and how did such large-scale deposits happen?

However, the BJP retaliated saying that every allegation made by Kejriwal is completely baseless.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said Kejriwal, who claims he is against corruption and black money hoarders, has shifted to the other side.

Kejriwal is siding with black money hoarders. The chief minister is criticising a move which has largely been hailed as a reform and a frontal attack on corruption and black money, he said.
Amit Shah confirms that BJP has not yet decided its CM candidate for UP

BJP national president Amit Shah confirms that BJP has not yet decided whether it would go into the crucial Uttar Pradesh (UP) state assembly polls with a chief ministerial face or not.

Mail Today had reported in August-September that the political outfit as well as its ideological mentor, the RSS, had found it difficult to zero in on one particular leader who have a pan-UP appeal among the electorate.

Moreover, the internecine political war in Mulayam Singhs family, the spike in Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity in the wake of the surgical strikes and the most recent black money washout has further added to the distinct possibility of the party going into state polls in Modis name.

In several states like Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh no one was projected as the CM face.

"The party has not yet decided whether it will go to the polls projecting a CM face or not, Shah said in Lucknow.

Attacking the Samajwadi Party, Shah said: Government in UP should be for people, not for a family, BJP stands for politics of performance, not appeasement.

The BJP is likely to highlight the clash between UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle

Claiming that law and order situation in BJP-ruled states was much better as revealed by the recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

BJP believes in politics of performance and not appeasement, he said spelling out three priorities for UP- infrastructure development, youth-oriented employment facilities and better law and order.

The BJP as well as the RSS have conducted several rounds of surveys up till the district level of the party organisation to elicit the probable names for the CM candidate.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and VHP chief Champat Rai had camped in Lucknow and Allahabad, respectively, to brainstorm over the issue though their sojourns had been downplayed as pre-scheduled visits.

Shah spoke in the context of the names of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party MP Yogi Adityanath for the key post.

Singh has been wooed by the party to take the charge of election ever since the Allahabad executive meeting was held. But, the leaders has so far been reluctant.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was one of the key contenders for the CMs post

Mail Today has also reported that Adityanath had been considered along with MoS Railways and Telecom Manoj Sinha and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma.

Party insiders told Mail Today that Sinha is favoured by the selectors, but his clout is restricted to eastern UP.

Besides, his proximity to the Modi-Shah duo, and his unflinching loyalty towards them, Sinha's clean image and blot-free career track has made him the front runner.

Sinha's image, after assuming charge of the Telecom Ministry recently, has emerged as one of an efficient leader and administrator.

Yogi Adityanath too has been seen as having strong presence in and around his constituency, but it is restricted only till there.

He too is not seen as a pan-UP leader with strong footing in western parts of the state.
Two elderly men standing in very long queues at banks suffered heart attacks and died in a tragic fallout of demonetisation of high-value currency notes as hassled people continued to descend on ATMs and banks in droves leading to arguments and scuffles.

A 69-year-old man died of a heart attack in Madhya Pradeshs Sagar town while standing in a queue to exchange demonetised currency notes outside a bank, police said on Sunday.

Vinay Kumar Pandey was rushed to a private hospital where he died later during treatment, Police Inspector V S Chauhan said.

Two elderly men standing in very long queues at banks suffered heart attacks and died in the tragic fallout of PM Modi's war on black money and the demonetisation of high-value notes (file pic)

Another report of such death was received from Limdi town of Surendranagar district in Gujarat where a 69-year-old man also died of heart attack.

Mansukh Darji was standing in a queue when he suddenly collapsed. Though he was rushed to the civil hospital by others in the queue, he died shortly thereafter during treatment.

His family members informed the doctors that he was a heart patient, said the Police Station Officer of Limbdi, Navghanbhai.

As long queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs across the country on Sunday, patience wore thin among the hassled public leading to heated arguments and jostling, with banks and cash vends running dry soon after they opened their shutters.

As long queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs across the country on Sunday, patience wore thin among the hassled public leading to heated arguments and jostling

With banks scheduled to remain closed on Monday on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti, people scrambled to withdraw new banknotes to meet their daily needs and exchange existing high-value notes after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.

In Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, angry people clashed with bank employees and threw stones at the branch at Sujru village, leaving three injured.

Police said as the branch ran out of new notes, the people who had gathered there in large numbers clashed with bank employees.

Worthless: A man sells garlands made of Indian currency notes at a market in Jammu, India

Over a hundred people have been booked in connection with the incident. In the national capital, people continued to face hardship as they queued up in large numbers outside banks and ATMs to get cash to meet their daily need.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshits son-in-law Syed Mohammad Imran has been arrested for allegedly subjecting his wife to domestic violence.

Imran was arrested from Bengaluru two days ago after Sheila Dikshits daughter Latika filed a case of domestic violence case against him at the Barakhamba police station.

Imran was arrested from Bengaluru and brought to Delhi on transit remand, said a senior police official. The accused and Dikshits daughter Latika had been living separately for the last ten months.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshits son-in-law Syed Mohammad Imran has been arrested for allegedly subjecting his wife to domestic violence.

The arrested son-in-law of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had begun torturing his wife after Dikshit lost power in Delhi during the 2013 elections.

Dikshits daughter Latika has alleged that her husband Syed Mohammad Imran had been living happily since their marriage in 1996 but things went awry after her mother lost the elections.

"Imrans behaviour changed suddenly after my mother lost the elections. He turned aggressive and rude and subjected me to torture," Latika reportedly said in her complaint to Delhi Police which arrested Imran on charges of domestic violence, theft and adultery.

One of the allegedly stolen articles that the victim highlights in her complaint were papers pertaining to a land in Nainital she owns.

The arrested son-in-law of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit had begun torturing his wife after Dikshit lost power in Delhi during the 2013 elections (picture for representation only)

On the instance of Latika, police have also arrested a woman in the case with whom Imran had allegedly developed an illicit relationship.

Delhi Police confirmed the arrest on Sunday. A senior police official said Dikshits daughter accused Imran of subjecting her to violence, almost choking her to death on one occasion.

She alleged that the two accused have been in an illicit relationship for the past two years.

She told police that jewellery and other valuables had been missing from her Hailey Road house and whenever she asked Imran about their location, he would only give evasive replies.

Police has also charged him under several sections of the IT Act.

Imran had been living in Bengaluru until Delhi police arrested him.

Latika along with her two children was living with Sheila Dikshit in her Delhi house.

A senior police official said Dikshits daughter accused Imran of subjecting her to violence, almost choking her to death in one occasion (picture for representation only)

According to an official of Barakhamba Road police station, Latika had lodged criminal complaint against Imran in June this year.

"We contacted Imran several times to come to Delhi for investigation. He was ignoring our calls repeatedly. Following directions from senior officers, a team was sent to Bengaluru which arrested him there, an official said.
We round-up the Sunday newspaper share tips. This week, Midas looks at newly floated Van Elle while The Sunday Times highlights wine retailer Majestic.

FINANCIAL MAIL ON SUNDAY - MIDAS

Last weeks shock victory for Donald Trump in the US Presidential election is likely to fuel market volatility over the coming months, particularly when combined with persistent concerns about the impact of Brexit on UK businesses.

But Van Elle should deliver strong growth, despite political and economic uncertainty. The company is a highly successful, hard-working British business, specialising in ground engineering services that make it safer and easier to build railways, roads, houses and a range of other buildings.

A private business for 32 years, Van Elle listed on AIM on October 26 at 100p. The shares are now 101p and should make strong progress over the next few years.

Van Elle was founded in 1984 by Mike Ellis, a structural engineer by background. In 1986, his first engineering employee was Jon Fenton, a former member of staff at Norwich City Council. Keen for a new challenge, Fenton joined Elliss fledgling business working from a tiny office above a stable in Derbyshire.

In 2011, Ellis, then in his late 60s, handed over the day-to-day running of the firm to Fenton and today, Ellis is non-executive chairman and Fenton is chief executive.

Having operated successfully as a private business for more than 30 years, the decision to float was not made easily. However, the group is keen to expand and being listed provides extra credibility with customers and potential acquisition targets.

Ellis also wanted to sell some shares, though he and his family retain 20 per cent of the business, while Fenton is the biggest individual shareholder with a 7 per cent stake.

Turnover and profits are expected to grow by more than 10 per cent in the year to April 2017, with double-digit growth likely to continue in the subsequent years as well.

There will be a small dividend next year, Van Elles first as a public company, but payouts should rise steadily thereafter.

Midas verdict: Van Elle is a strong, well run business with a reputation for getting the job done quickly, effectively and efficiently. The shares are a buy.

>> Read the full Midas column

THE SUNDAY TIMES - INSIDE THE CITY

Sample the share price of Majestic Wine in recent years, and one will have noted strong accents of wet cardboard, perhaps even vinegar. If youre not an oenophile, heres a hint: thats not good.

It has been a difficult run for Britains biggest seller of fermented grape juice. Since 2014, the stock has halved, closing Friday at 285p. A series of profit warnings led to the departure of chief executive Steve Lewis, who was replaced last year by Rowan Gormley when Majestic bought his company  Naked Wines.

Since the South African took over in April last year, he has been frantically trying to turn round the enlarged group. By 2019, Gormley has pledged that Majestic will generate 500m in turnover  up from just 402m last year.

Hes not set a profit target. Its just as well. In September the company warned it would fall short of City expectations after a failed 1m direct mailing campaign.

At Majestics interim results on Thursday, the onus will be on Gormley to reassure investors that, despite the hiccups, his three-year turnaround plan is on track.

I am always leary of companies that set revenue rather than profit goals. Amazon does that. Majestic is no Amazon. But Gormley is confident enough to have struck to his pledge to resume dividends next year. After an extended rough patch, Ill punt his turnaround will bear fruit. Buy.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - QUESTOR

TalkTalk and Vodafone both report interim results this week, and all eyes will be on how new bundled pricing has affected the pair.

The four big telecoms groups  BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media  now offer four-way deals covering broadband, landline, mobile phone and TV, increasing competition in the market. Vodafone is a relative newcomer in this, offering Now TV and broadband with some packages.

Analysts have suggested that this move is already paying dividends for companies profits, as bundled pricing has enabled them to keep their prices higher. In the coming months there is likely to be a focus on faster speeds, although Barclays warned that TalkTalk and Vodafones increasing cross-selling of convergent products  removing differences between mobile and fixed phone lines  could create some uncertainty.

TalkTalk, which has positioned itself as the sectors value offer, will face some cost pressures in the near future. It is likely to have to invest in new fibre-optic broadband technology to retain customers, up to a value of 100m, according to Macquarie.

The company has lost almost 27pc of its share price since a high of almost 273p in April, trading at around 200p at the end of last week. But new packages should bump it higher. Hold.

Vodafone has also repositioned its packages, offering new customers a significant discount. This seems to suggest that it is keen to move into the discounter section of the market, and could mean market share growth in the coming months.
California's ban on single-use plastic carryout bags will stay in effect after voters narrowly approved the policy.

Plastic bag industry supporters placed Proposition 67 on Tuesday's ballot hoping there wouldn't be enough voter support to keep a ban approved by the state Legislature two years ago.

Now, shoppers will have to use their own bags, or buy a recyclable paper bag or a reusable plastic bag for at least ten cents, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The measure was approved by 52 percent of voters.

California voters have narrowly approved a statewide ban on single-use plastic carryout bags. Proposition 67 was placed on the Tuesday, ballot by plastic bag industry supporters to try to overturn a ban approved by the state legislature two years ago (file)

In 2007, San Francisco banned plastic shopping bags, setting off a movement that led nearly half the state and its biggest cities to do the same.

Two years ago, the Legislature passed a statewide ban that Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law.

More than 150 California communities already have local plastic bag bans in place, and the passage of Proposition 67 extended the ban to the remainder of the state. The law took effect immediately.

Sadie Hodge, a Friday shopper at a Compton Food 4 Less, told the newspaper: 'I was just in this store a couple of days ago and today I'm back and I had to buy bags.

'I was used to the convenience of not having to think about this, and that has just stopped.'

Jack Mingo holds an armful of bags before entering a grocery store in Alameda, California, in this September file photo

Another store shopper, Ida Prince, told the LA Times: 'People just throw the bags on the ground when they were done with them. So I don't mind this at all. I think it is a good thing.'

Environmental groups and other critics say the issue was put on the ballot to confuse voters.

'California voters have taken a stand against a deceptive, multi-million dollar campaign by out-of-state plastic bag makers,' said Mark Murray of Californians Against Waste, co-chair of the campaign.

'This is a significant environmental victory that will mean an immediate elimination of the 25million plastic bags that are polluted in California every day, threatening wildlife.'

A coalition of environmental groups, grocers and others led the campaign to uphold the statewide ban.

Plastic companies and bag manufacturers spent more than $6million to place Proposition 67, and a tandem measure, Proposition 65, on the ballot.

Lee Califf, the executive director of the American Progressive Bag Alliance, which led the campaign to repeal the statewide ban, issued a concession statement.

'With the narrow approval of Proposition 67 California voters have unfortunately set themselves up for a serious case of buyer's remorse,' Califf said.

A plastic bag sits along a roadside in Sacramento, California, in this October 2013 file image

'Plastic bag bans don't meaningfully reduce overall waste or litter or provide a positive environmental impact, but they do threaten tens of thousands of American manufacturing jobs, hit consumers in the wallet and drive people to use less environmentally friendly carryout options.'

California voters also rejected Proposition 65, which would have funneled bag fees to a fund to support environmental programs in the form of grants administered by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Califf said.

'Now, instead of bag fees going to an environmental fund, grocers will keep hundreds of millions of dollars in new profits without providing any public benefit.
Women anxious that a Donald Trump presidency in the United States could set back or destroy many of their rights are planning a massive march in Washington one day after he is sworn in, organizers said on Friday.

On Facebook, where the 'Women's March on Washington' (originally called 'Million Women's March') is being organized, some 35,000 people said they would attend within the first 24 hours after it was announced, said Bob Bland, an organizer based in New York.

Scroll down for video

A woman makes her disapproval of President-Elect Donald Trump clear with the message on her forehead while she marched in a protest in New York City on Sunday

Veda Bartels, 3 (left), and Edie Marshall, 4, hold up signs while taking place in an anti-Trump march through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Sunday

Clinton, above, won the popular vote but not the election, and protests have broken out across the country

A protester pays homage to Hillary Clinton, whom Trump called a 'nasty woman' during their third debate

The national Facebook page now has over 60,000 women confirmed as going to the event with 150,000 interested. There are also pages for each state.

'March from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House to show our strength, power, and courage, and to demonstrate our disapproval of the new President's agenda of fear, hate, misogyny, discrimination, and his values,' the national page states.

The march is open to all supporters, whether male or female.

A woman holds an anti-Trump sign during a protest in New York City over the weekend - her sign refers to Trump saying the part of a woman's anatomy he would 'just grab' when caught on hot mic during an Access Hollywood taping

The march comes as protests have broken out across the country in response to Trump's attitudes toward women that emerged during his campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton, Bland told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The Republican Trump insulted female reporters, a female political rival and other women over their looks, and a video surfaced in which he could be heard bragging about groping women and making unwanted sexual advances.

A women's march on Washington DC is planned for January in protest of President-Elect Donald Trump, who has made waves with his anti-women remarks during his campaign

Protesters marched to Trump Tower on November 3 in the wake of Trump's presidential upset

The video prompted several women to say publicly that Trump had groped them.

Trump denied their allegations and dismissed his words as 'locker room talk.'

During the campaign Trump also said abortion should be largely banned, that the US Supreme Court ruling Roe v Wade legalising abortion should be overturned and that he would appoint an anti-abortion justice to the nation's highest court.

He said women who had abortions should be punished, but later retracted this, saying that doctors who perform abortions should be punished.

Bland said plans for the march kicked off on Thursday, two days after Trump won the US presidential election in a widely unexpected victory.

'A lot of women got up the second day with the same idea' for a march on Washington, and they coordinated on social media, she said.

A woman holds a 'My Rapist Supports Trump' sign in a march from Union Square to Trump Tower in New York City on November 9

'We need to be working together in a coherent, supportive way over the next four years, to activate more women into leadership positions, to be more politically active,' Bland said. 'We cannot allow ourselves to give up, put our heads down and not hold this administration accountable for any violation of human rights or women's rights.'

The march is being organized by volunteers state by state, said Fontaine Pearson, 54, a coordinator in Memphis, Tennessee.

'We have a huge groundswell of women,' she said. 'This is growing faster than anyone expected.'

The march is planned for 10am on January 21, 2017, the day after Trump is to be sworn into office, at Washington, D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial.

Organizers are advising people to book hotel rooms as soon as possible, as they will already be limited due to the inauguration.
Germany reported a new outbreak of a severe strain of bird flu in the latest in a series of cases across Europe.

The H5N8 virus has also been found in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Croatia.

In Germany, the state of Schleswig-Holstein reported one case of bird flu confirmed at a farm where 30,000 chickens would now be culled.

The state's agriculture ministry said an area of 1.2 square miles around Grumby had been sealed off.

This red sign outside the village of Grumby in northern German warns of an outbreak of bird flu

In Berlin, the federal agriculture minister, Christian Schmidt, said the government had set up a crisis management desk.

A second outbreak in Austria at a chicken farm in its western Vorarlberg province close to the German and Swiss borders was not yet clearly established following the analysis of a second sample, the provincial minister of agriculture said.

While samples taken on Thursday detected the virus, samples on Friday failed to deliver a clear result, minister Erich Schwaerzler said. "I ordered new samples be taken for another analysis and I expect a clear result on Monday."

An Austrian poultry farm close to the chicken farm had tested positive for H5N8 on Friday.

Employees of a disposal company walk towards a chicken coop in Grumby, Germany. It remains unclear how the pathogen infested the closed chicken coop

A protection zone with a radius of at least two miles and a surveillance zone with a radius of at least eight miles around the two holdings have been created to keep migrating birds from transmitting the disease to farm poultry.

Bird flu was also confirmed in dead birds along Lake Geneva in Switzerland on Saturday.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the emerging scenario in the state can be addressed best by following the vision of late CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

She asserted that her partys agenda has always been dialogue and discourse and not warmongering.

My partys agenda has always been dialogue and discourse and not warmongering. The emerging scenario in J&K and the subcontinent can be addressed best by executing and following the vision of late Mufti sahib, she said.

Mehbooba Mufti asserted that her partys agenda has always been dialogue and discourse and not warmongering

Addressing a meeting of the partys district and zonal presidents of Jammu province in Jammu, she said that the situation in the past few months in the state and the consequent acrimonious relations between India and Pakistan could be resolved by implementing the political philosophy of Mufti Mohammad.

She reminded the delegates that since its inception in 1999, the party has always stood for dialogue, peace and harmonious relations with Pakistan.

Kashmiri children shake hands with an Indian paramilitary soldier as they return from tuition to their homes during curfew in downtown area of Srinagar

Wars have nowhere in the present world solved any problem, rather compounded them, she added.

She said the problems faced by people of border areas also underscore the need for pushing for a dialogue to resolve issues and maintain peaceful relations.

She said the objective of Mufti Mohammad was to provide people a platform where they could express themselves freely.
'The Wolf' built up a massive world-wide following on a fetish website and published a book about what he claimed were his sexual exploits.

Now, after being charged with raping a woman in a Kings Cross hotel, he's been revealed as Sydney man Liam Gordon Murphy, 41.

British-born Mr Murphy was arrested in October and police seized several computers as part of an investigation, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Sydney man Liam Gordon Murphy, 41, who goes by the pseudonym 'The Wolf' online

Mr Murphy also published a book about his alleged sexual exploits under the name The Wolf

He was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault after meeting a woman he met on FetLife, a social media website which describes itself as: 'Like Facebook, but run by kinksters like you and me'.

On the site, which has almost 5.4 million members, Mr Murphy posted as The Wolf and built up a following.

Men wanted to emulate him and he referred to women as his 'maidens', the Herald reported.

His profile is believed to no longer be active and his 140-page book, 'Show Me Who You Really Are' is reported to be no available.

Social media network FetLife describes itself as: 'Like Facebook, but run by kinksters like you and me'

A description online for his book read: 'Sexual dominance is not a work of fiction, a paperback novel, or 50 shades of anything for me; it's my life. From a very young age, I felt an overwhelming, sometimes crippling urge to dominate girls and women. To take, to own, to push them until they show me who they really are. But that urge was countered by an equally powerful desire to protect and cherish them.

'This book is a collection of true-life short stories from my early years, grappling with the duality of what I often regarded as my twisted being into adulthood, when I finally learnt to embrace and revel in it. It details some of the amazing sexual encounters I've enjoyed with the spectacular women I've known, and my often conflicted thought processes throughout them.'

People who associated with Mr Murphy in real life said he protected his identity.

One woman said on FetLife that she and two others who often met up with him and only knew his last name because he once accidentally revealed it.

Even the contact number they had for him was one only used for FetLife encounters.

Mr Murphy was granted bail and is due to appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court in December.

His bail conditions require that he does not access FetLife.
Mr MacKenzie said the incident was 'all a misunderstanding', it was not domestic violence and he remained with his partner for the next 12 years

The pair made up two days later and no conviction was recorded

Court details also revealed he beat her head against a tiled floor

Incident involved his then-partner who he reportedly headbutted in a fight

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie (pictured) pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner in 1997

A New South Wales mayor who admitted to assaulting his partner almost 20 years ago has caused controversy by naming a local domestic violence shelter after himself.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie was given a 12 month good behaviour bond in 1997 and an apprehended violence order after an incident with his then de facto partner, reported the Daily Telegraph.

This week, the town announced they would be setting up a shelter in Raymond Terrace to cater for victims of domestic violence.

Mr MacKenzie said he would be naming it the Bruce MacKenzie Centre for victims of domestic violence.

Details from Raymond Terrace Court in the incident in 1997 reveal Mr MacKenzie 'headbutted his de facto wife until his nose bled' and 'beat her head against a tiled floor' during an argument.

Mr MacKenzie maintains he 'tackled' his partner instead, and said the pair made up two days later. No conviction was recorded.

'It was all a misunderstanding - there was no headbutting, no bleeding. I pleaded guilty to tackling her.

'It wasnt domestic violence. I was with her for 12 years after that.

'Domestic violence is a shocker. I stand up for what Ive done. No one does more than me and Im very proud of this centre,' Mr MacKenzie said.

The domestic violence shelter in Raymond Terrace (pictured) is being named after the mayor. The NSW Domestic Violence chair said was 'wrong on so many levels'

The current facilities include child, youth and family counselling and casework services, early childhood groups and programs, parent groups, parenting and domestic violence programs, Aboriginal groups and an onsite lawyer.

Domestic Violence NSW chair Jan McDonald described the move as 'wrong on so many levels' and said centres were traditionally named after women.
Police were able to identify her by

A Brooklyn woman died after she leapt from her apartment building.

Officials said the 41-year-old woman landed on the top of the building's garage.

She was found dead next to her seven-story apartment building on Nostrand Avenue near Avenue T in Sheepshead Bay, police told the New York Daily News.

Police said they found the woman around 11.45pm on Friday.

A Brooklyn woman died after she leapt from her apartment building. Officials said the 41-year-old woman landed on the top of the building's garage. She was identified by a prescription bottle that was found near her body; however authorities have not disclosed her name

She was identified by a prescription bottle that was found near her body. Authorities have not disclosed her name.

Police told the newspaper that the woman's neighbors said she suffered from depression.

New York's suicide rate has risen dramatically over the past several years, according to the Daily News, which reported that nearly 565 people died by suicide in 2014.

Earlier this month, a Queens woman jumped from a rooftop bar in Midtown Manhattan minutes after her credit card was declined.

Last month, a 16-year-old boy on his way to school jumped in front of a subway train in Midtown on Tuesday morning.

Also in October, a man died when he jumped from a New Jersey bridge while holding his two children, but the youngsters somehow survived.
NYPD looking for suspect accused of choking man on subway Friday

Both are accused of punching a man in Meriden after giving him the finger

Two supporters say they were attacked in New York and Connecticut

Two Trump supporters say they were attacked in Connecticut and in New York over the past 24 hours.

Two men were arrested in Meriden, Connecticut Saturday and are accused of punching and kicking a man holding a Trump election sign.

New York police meanwhile are looking for a suspect accused of choking a man wearing a red 'Make America great again' hat on the subway Friday.

The two alleged attacks happened as Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters are butting heads across the country at rallies against the president-elect.

Wilson Eschevarria (left), 32, and Anthony Hobdy (right), 36, both of Meriden, Connecticut were arrested Saturday and are accused of beating up a man with a Trump election sign

Wilson Eschevarria, 32, and Anthony Hobdy, 36, both of Meriden, were arrested Saturday, WTNH reported.

A man waving an American flag and holding a Trump sign was standing on a traffic island around noon when the two suspects got out of their car and began punching him, Meriden police said.

A police lieutenant witnessed the situation and stepped in to arrest the men, according to authorities.

The Trump supporter said the two suspects gave him the finger before attacking him, and that he replied: 'Same to you.'

Police in New York are looking for a man suspected of choking a Trump supporter wearing a red 'Make America great again' hat (file picture) on a Bronx-bound subway train Friday

He declined medical attention. Eschevarria has been charged with third-degree assault and his bond has been set at $500.

Hobdy had 54 bags of heroin packed for sale at the time of the arrest, police said. He was wanted on several other warrants and has now been charged with possession of narcotics, third-degree assault and second-degree failure to appear.

His bond came to $540,000.

In New York, police are looking for a man accused of choking a Trump supporter Friday afternoon in a Bronx-bound subway train.

The 24-year-old man was wearing a red 'Make American great again' hat, the New York Post reported.

The suspect asked him if he was a Trump supporter, to which the man said yes, police said.

'Oh great - another white Trump supporter', the suspect replied according to authorities.

The suspect, thought to be in his thirties, put his hands around the Trump supporter's neck, officers said.
Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump's campaign manager, has said that the announcement for the White House chief of staff is 'imminent'.

Conway told reporters late Saturday night that there are 'several people being considered' for the position, according to ABC News.

But, she added, 'it's Mr Trump's decision ultimately'.

She said that she thinks 'Reince Priebus has expressed interest in the position' as well.

Kellyanne Conway (pictured), Donald Trump's campaign manager, has said that the announcement for the White House chief of staff is 'imminent'

Conway told reporters that she believes RNC chairman Reince Priebus (left) has expressed interest in the position. Steve Bannon (right), campaign CEO for Trump is also being considered for chief of staff

Conway may also being in the running for a senior position, according to Fox News.

But she has said that a future job in the White House was 'not a big priority' for her.

She told reporters that they could expect Trump's next event 'in the next couple of days'.

Trump is considering a conservative bomb-thrower and the face of the GOP establishment, among others, for White House chief of staff  a major post that could set the direction for his presidency.

The Republican president-elect is days away from naming his chief of staff.

No position is considered more important than chief of staff, a behind-the-scenes power player who typically controls access to the president, guides the enactment of his policy priorities and oversees White House hiring.

Trump has already narrowed his list to a handful of high-profile loyalists that includes Republican National Committee Chairman Priebus, campaign CEO Steve Bannon and Conway.

Trump has already narrowed his list to a handful of high-profile loyalists that includes Republican National Committee Chairman Priebus, campaign CEO Steve Bannon and Conway

DONALD TRUMP'S POSSIBLE CABINET PICKS Secretary of State: 1. Sen Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 2. Newt Gingrich, a former US representative, is said to be interested 3. John Bolton, the former US Ambassador to the UN Treasury Secretary: 1. Steve Mnuchin, formerly of Goldman Sachs and Trump's finance chairman. 2. Jamie Dimon, J.P. Morgan chief 3. Rep Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House of Financial Service Committee Department of Defense: 1. Sen Jeffrey Sessions, the Republican from Alabama, may be in the running 2. Lt Gen Mike Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Attorney General: 1. Rudy Giuliani, former NYC Mayor 2. New Jersey Gov Chris Christie has been said to be a top contender 3. Sen Sessions, who is close to Trump, has also been mentioned for this position 4. Trey Gowdy, the SC congressman is reportedly in the running 5. Pam Bondi, the Florida attorney general may also be a contender White House chief of staff: 1. Steve Bannon, the conservative media executive and the campaign CEO 2. Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee Homeland Security: 1. David Clarke, Milwaukee sheriff and regular Fox News guest made the pick list 2. Michael McCaul, congressman & chair of House Homeland Security Committee Secretary of Interior: 1. Forrest Lucas, 74, the founder of Lucas Energy Inc, seems to be the favorite 2. Sarah Palin, the former Alaska Governor Secretary of Energy: 1. Harold Hamm, CEO of Continental Resources Inc, is the leading candidate 2. Robert Grady, the head of Gryphon Investors, has also been given mention Secretary of Agriculture: 1. Rick Perry, former Texas Gov 2. Sam Brownback, the current governor of Kansas 3. Dave Heineman, the current governor of Nebraska 4. Ted McKinney, who ran Indiana Dept of Agriculture under VP-elect Mike Pence Secretary of Commerce: 1. Wilbur Toss, campaign economic adviser and billionaire 2. Dan DiMicco, top trade adviser and the former CEO of steelmaker Nucor Corp Secretary of Health and Human Services: 1. Betsy McCaughey, former NY Lt Gov was one of Trump's earliest supporters 2. Ben Carson, surgeon and former 2016 presidential candidate Education Secretary: 1. Ben Carson may also be considered for this position 2. Williamson Evers, education expert at the Hoover Institution Secretary of Veterans Affairs: 1. Jeff Miller, retired chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Labor Secretary: 1. Victoria Lipnic, Equal Employment Opportunity commissioner Sources: Multiple Media Outlets Advertisement

The incoming president repeatedly vowed to 'drain the swamp' during his campaign's final weeks, yet both Priebus and Conway have operated for years in that same Washington 'swamp'.

Bannon, by contrast, would represent a dramatically different direction, having spent recent years leading a conservative news site that fueled conspiracy theories popular with the 'alt-right' movement of white nationalists.

Trump ran as an outsider, but some suggest it would be risky to tap another outsider to serve as his right hand in the Oval Office.

'I'm trying to think of who was successful as chief of staff as an outsider and I can't think of one,' said John H. Sununu, the former New Hampshire governor who served as chief of staff for the first three years of former President George H.W. Bush's administration.

A president's chief of staff sets the tone for the White House, guarding who has access to the president and what problems land on his desk.

The role blends both policy and politics, working with congressional lawmakers and Cabinet officials.

An individual holding the chief of staff position is also typically among the closest advisers to the president, providing counsel on domestic and foreign policy decisions.

Trump has only about 70 days to form a new government, including hundreds of senior-level employees across various federal agencies.

Trump has only about 70 days to form a new government, including hundreds of senior-level employees across various federal agencies. The jobs  and the selection of his Cabinet  will be filled only after a chief of staff is selected. Bannon is pictured leaving the Trump Tower

The jobs  and the selection of his Cabinet  will be filled only after a chief of staff is selected.

And with so many questions about Trump's specific priorities as president, his early personnel decisions become major signals of his intentions.

The leading candidates for chief of staff include Priebus, who has served as chairman of the RNC since 2011.

The Wisconsin native is close friends with House Speaker Paul Ryan and also popular among RNC members.

Preibus is perhaps Trump's most trusted member of the GOP establishment, having traveled with him often during the campaign's final weeks.

Bannon joined the Trump campaign in August after a second major staffing shakeup.

He has little national profile, but became well-known among Washington's conservative fringe as the combative head of Breitbart News, a pro-Trump website that frequently targeted Republican leaders like Ryan and promotes false conspiracy theories.

Conway is a veteran Republican pollster who took over as Trump's campaign manager at about the same time Bannon was hired.
The incident took place about 10pm on Pacific Highway in Charmhaven

his ear bitten off during a brawl on Saturday night

A 28-year-old man had the top part of his ear bitten off after an argument turned violent late on Saturday night.

Police were called to a licensed premises on the NSW Central Coast about 10pm on Saturday night, after reports of a group of people brawling.

When police arrived at the venue on the Pacific Highway in Charmhaven, the group became aggressive and had to be subdued with pepper spray.

A 28-year-old man has had the upper part of his ear bitten off in a brawl on the New South Wales Central Coast (stock image)

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene and a 25-year-old man was arrested at a service station a short distance away.

The pair were taken to Wyong Police Station and are assisting police with their inquiries.

Five people were treated at the scene for injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics, including the man who had his ear bitten.

Five people were treated at the scene for injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics, including the man who had his ear bitten. The man and a 44-year-old female security guard were taken to Wyong Hospital (pictured) for further treatment

The man was taken to Wyong Hospital with a 44-year-old female security guard who had injuries to her ribs and ankle.

Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the event to contact Wyong Police Station.
Hillary Clinton may still be coming to terms with her election defeat, but she's already figured out who to blame.

Clinton blamed FBI Director James Comey's decision to revive the investigation into her emails just days before people went to the polls as the reason for her loss.

On a call Saturday with top campaign donors, Clinton said her campaign was winning until Comey sent his letter to Congress on Oct. 28 announcing that the FBI had uncovered emails possibly related to its earlier probe into her use of a private server as secretary of state.

'Our analysis is that Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum,' Clinton told donors, according to the New York Times.

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Hillary Clinton (pictured after giving her concession speech) has blamed FBI Director James Comey for her election defeat

The new examination was sparked by an unrelated investigation into former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of her top aide, Huma Abedin.

The investigation was sparked by a DailyMail.com report that revealed Weiner had been sending explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl.

The emails in question were found on Weiner's laptop.

Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state and was tied in Arizona, a traditionally Republican stronghold, until Comey released his letter.

Clinton blamed FBI Director James Comey's decision to revive the investigation into her emails just days before people went to the polls as the reason for her loss

Comey (pictured) announced new emails had been discovered on October 28. However, he said the emails accounted to nothing a week later

THE CLINTON EMAIL CONTROVERSY January 13, 2009: Hillary Clinton's aide Justin Cooper sets up clintonemail.com domain. Huma Abedin signs off on it February 2, 2009: Clinton is sworn in as Secretary of State March 18, 2009: Clinton stops using her BlackBerry email account and switches to the newly created hdr22@clintonemail.com account. The domain is hosted on her own private email server, set up by her aide Bryan Pagliano September 11, 2012: Four Americans are killed in attack on a U.S. base in Benghazi, Libya including Ambassador Chris Stevens January 23, 2013: Clinton responded forcefully to intense questioning on the September attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in Benghazi, Libya, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC February 1, 2013: Clinton steps down as secretary of state Above then-Secretary of State Clinton checks her Blackberry from a desk inside a C-17 military plane upon her departure from Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, bound for Tripoli, Libya on October 18, 2011 October 28, 2014: State Department demands Clinton's work-related correspondence as part of a congressional investigation into Benghazi Fall 2014: Clinton's lawyers deletes 33,000 emails which they claim are 'personal' December 5, 2014: Clinton's legal team provide roughly 30,000 emails to the State Department when they are demanded by a congressional investigation into Benghazi. March 2, 2015: The New York Times breaks the news that Clinton used a personal email account to conduct government business while secretary of state July 25, 2015: Clinton says she is confident none of the emails on her private email server were classified at the time of sending and receiving Above Clinton responded forcefully to intense questioning on the September attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in Benghazi, Libya, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC August 4, 2015: The Washington Post reveals the FBI has begun looking into the security of Clinton's private email set-up September 10, 2015: Bryan Pagliano formally asserts his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than answer questions from a Republican-led House committee on her email arrangements July 6, 2016: The Justice Department closes Clinton email probe and FBI Director James Comey announces the FBI won't prosecute. The decision was made by Comey because Attorney General Loretta Lynch had to recluse herself after a secret meeting with Bill Clinton October 7, 2016: WikiLeaks begins release of thousands of emails hacked from the Gmail account of John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chair October 28, 2016: FBI reopens its investigation into Clinton's server November 6, 2016: FBI announces it will not change its original decision not to charge Clinton Advertisement

'We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing,' Hillary said, according to the newspaper.

The campaign also said the letter was particularly damaging with white women, who they believed were on the fence until Comey's announcement pushed them onto Team Trump.

White women voted for Trump in surprising numbers, and were a major factor in deciding several of the key swing states that put Trump in the White House.

Clinton's campaign said white women were swayed to vote Trump by Comey's letter, which potentially decided the election

Significantly more white women voted for Donald Trump than expected. Pictured are a group of women at a rally on Monday in North Carolina

ANTHONY WEINER SEXTING SCANDAL The FBI, the New York Police Department, and US attorneys in New York and North Carolina opened investigations into Weiner's conduct in late September, after DailyMail.com exclusively reported on Sept. 21 that the former politician carried on a months-long online relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl. Weiner exchanged flirtatious and sexually-charged messages with the teen for months after the girl struck up a conversation with him on Twitter in January. Weiner told the girl he woke up 'hard' after thinking about her, sent her shirtless photos, and complimented her body. He also encouraged her to talk to him on the video-chat application Skype. The girl alleged that during these Skype conversations, Weiner asked her to get undressed and touch herself. She claimed he also asked her to dress up in school girl outfits and pretend he was her teacher and brought up 'rape fantasies.' Weiner issued a statement to the Dailymail.com apologizing for 'repeatedly demonstrate[ing] terrible judgment about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent.' In one particularly lewd message, he told the teen: 'I would bust that tight p***y so hard and so often that you would leak and limp for a week.' Advertisement

Trump's campaign and Republican supporters seized on the news, even though it was unclear whether Clinton's correspondence was tied up in the probe.

Comey told lawmakers the Sunday before the election that the bureau had found no evidence to warrant criminal charges. His 'all clear' message only served to further motivate Trump supporters, Clinton told donors on the call.

In the nine days between Comey's initial statement and his 'all clear' announcement, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That was roughly 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

While Clinton accepted some blame of her loss, according to donors who listened to her call, she made little mention of the other factors driving Trump's victory: A desire for change by voters, possible sexism, the difficulty of a political party winning a third White House term, her campaign's all-but-dismissal of white working class voters and flaws within her own message.

Democrats have spent much of this week reeling for their loss, with many in the party beginning a process of soul-searching designed to sort out what exactly went wrong.

Liberals like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren say Democrats must embrace a more aggressive economic message  one Clinton largely shied away from during her campaign.

Clinton's blaming of Comey echoes what her aides have said in the days since the election.

Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state prior to the Comey letter

About 24 million people early voted in the days between when Comey announced the investigation had been reopened and when it was again closed

'We believe that we lost this election in the last week. Comeys letter in the last 11 days of the election both helped depress our turnout and also drove away some of our critical support among college-educated white votersparticularly in the suburbs,' Navin Nayak, head of Clinton's opinion research division, wrote in a letter obtained by Politico.

'We also think Comeys 2nd letter, which was intended to absolve Sec. Clinton, actually helped to bolster Trumps turnout.'

Weiner conduct came under investigation in late September, after DailyMail.com exclusively reported on Sept. 21 that the former politician carried on a months-long online relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl.

An investigation into Anthony Weiner's explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl sparked the reopening of the investigation into Clinton's emails. Weiner is the estranged husband of top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin

Dailymail.com exclusively published reports of Weiner's most recent sexting scandal in September

He exchanged flirtatious and sexually-charged messages with the teen for months after the girl struck up a conversation with him on Twitter in January.

The disgraced former congressman told the girl he woke up 'hard' after thinking about her, sent her shirtless photos, and complimented her body.

He also encouraged her to talk to him on the video-chat application Skype.
Boris Johnson last night appeared to have won the battle of Brexit Towers after an extraordinary row involving Theresa May over the Governments palatial grace-and-favour stately home Chevening.

In a panicked announcement rushed out by Downing Street at 6pm, the Prime Minister offered the keys of Chevening to Foreign Secretary Johnson alone.

The dramatic U-turn marks a humiliating rebuff for fellow Brexit Ministers David Davis and Liam Fox. When Mrs May entered No 10 in July she said the three rivals would have equal access to the 115-room mansion in Kent. It was seen as a way to curb Cabinet jealousies.

Boris Johnson last night appeared to have won the battle of Brexit Towers after an extraordinary row involving Theresa May over the Governments palatial grace-and-favour stately home Chevening

David Davis (left) and Liam Fox (right) had effectively been banned from Chevening because of a fierce row with its trustees

But the Prime Minister backed down after The Mail on Sunday discovered Mr Johnson, Mr Davis and Mr Fox had effectively been banned from Chevening because of a fierce row with its trustees. The trustees sent a formal complaint to Mrs May, saying Chevening was intended for a sole senior Cabinet Minister and that giving it to the trio was a breach of convention. They refused to allow three official nominees.

The four-month stand-off meant none of the three Brexiteers has visited Chevening since Mrs May gave it to them.

When The Mail on Sunday first contacted Downing Street on Friday, Mrs May refused to back down. A spokesman made it clear she was adamant all three should have equal use of Chevening.

However, after frantic talks, Downing Street caved in yesterday and agreed to the trustees demand to have a sole Cabinet nominee  Mr Johnson. As a face-saving measure, the spokesman said that Mr Johnson would agree to let Brexit Secretary Davis and International trade Secretary Fox use it if necessary.

But the compromise did not conceal the fact Johnson seems to have won the battle of Brexit Towers and gained control of Chevening.

A well-placed source said: Saying Davis and Fox can use it is meaningless. Boris is the winner. He can let anyone use Chevening.

The four-month stand-off meant none of the three Brexiteers has visited Chevening since Mrs May gave it to them

A Government source said: All three will have access to the house but the Foreign Secretarys name will be going forward to the trustees. It is not clear whether the trustees will accept the deal.

The embarrassing row was seized on last night by Labour as evidence of Government incompetence over Brexit. If these clowns cant even sort out who can use a grace-and-favour home, how on earth are they going to negotiate Britains way out of the EU? said a party official.

If the row had continued, Chevening could have been given to a senior Royal instead. Strict laws governing its use say that if no member of the Cabinet occupies the home, it must be offered to a descendant of George VI.

In theory, Prince Harry, the only senior Royal without a substantial home, would qualify. He currently lives in a small cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

Under the Chevening Estate Act 1959, the Prime Minister decides the nominated person to occupy the house, although since 1981 it has been the Foreign Secretarys official country residence.

Set in 3,500 acres, Chevening was designed by Inigo Jones and built in the 17th Century. It was entrusted to the Government in 1967 on the death of the 7th Earl of Stanhope.

When The Mail on Sunday first contacted Downing Street on Friday, Mrs May refused to back down

David Cameron agreed a joint tenancy during the Coalition to allow Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to share it with Foreign Secretary William Hague to stop a similar turf war.

Mr Clegg and Hague were uneasy co-tenants. They never stayed there at the same time and their private staff had to make complex arrangements to make sure they didnt bump into each other. But Chevenings trustees are understood to have drawn the line at it being extended from what one source called a joint Cabinet tenancy to multi-occupancy with the Brexiteers.

A source said: Chevening was never meant to be used as part of Cabinet horse-trading or to soothe inflated Ministerial egos. It is a cynical abuse.
The last boss of BHS has been arrested by tax officers over a firm linked to the retail giant.

Dominic Chappell  the playboy businessman who bought BHS from billionaire Sir Philip Green for a token 1  was arrested by HMRC officers as part of an investigation into the tax affairs of his family firm, Swiss Rock.

The Mail on Sunday understands the disgraced millionaire was arrested at his country bolthole near Blandford Forum in Dorset. The property was also searched by investigators, it is believed.

Dominic Chappell was arrested by HMRC officers as part of an investigation into the tax affairs of his family firm, Swiss Rock

The arrest of the 49-year-old comes amid reports that he owed HMRC more than 500,000 in unpaid Corporation Tax and VAT following the collapse of BHS and the closure of its 164 stores.

The troubled chain was placed into administration in April after 88 years trading with the loss of 11,000 jobs and a half-a-billion pound pensions black hole.

Last night HMRC refused to comment, but sources said the arrest took place on November 2. They said the probe relates to Swiss Rock, which is insolvent.

A spokesman for HMRC said: We do not comment on identifiable cases, but can confirm we arrested a 49-year-old businessman.

Chappell refused to comment when approached by The Mail on Sunday at his 1.5 million Dorset mansion. He said: I dont have time to talk to you. Please leave my property.

His arrest follows a damning Parliamentary inquiry into the collapse of BHS, which condemned Chappell for his systematic plunder of the retail chain before its closure.

BHS went into administration  the biggest collapse in the British retail sector since the closure of Woolworths at the height of the financial crisis

It also comes amid investigations by several other law enforcement and government bodies, which include the Serious Fraud Office.

Chappell, a serial bankrupt, bought BHS from Sir Philip in March last year, through a consortium called Retail Acquisitions. He promised to inject millions of pounds into the ailing retail giant, which had become one of the most well-known names on the High Street.

But 13 months later, BHS went into administration  the biggest collapse in the British retail sector since the closure of Woolworths at the height of the financial crisis.

It was later revealed that, far from injecting cash into BHS, Chappell and his firm had extracted 17 million, although it is understood 10 million was later returned. The millionaire awarded himself 2.6 million, including his 600,000 salary.

He also gave a loan of 1.5 million to his father Joseph, 78, from BHS funds, which he later defended during an interview on BBC Newsnight. Chappell, who was scheduled to meet with his lawyers on Friday, said last month he planned to file a new set of accounts for Swiss Rock.

Chappell bought BHS from billionaire Sir Philip Green (pictured) for a token 1

He is due to meet insolvency firm David Rubin & Partners to discuss the matter this week.

Chappell, who was born in Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, had no retail experience before he bought BHS and has been described by MPs as a Sunday League retailer, a chancer, and a Walter Mitty fantasist.

He was declared bankrupt three times before he bought BHS, one of which was an individual voluntary arrangement.
IVF clinics are profiteering from desperate couples by selling expensive treatments that do not improve the chances of conception, experts warned last night.

Fertility centres are pushing the techniques 'whatever the level of evidence' behind them, say critics.

Patients are paying for the extras  which can cost more than 1,000 a time  in their efforts to start a family.

IVF clinics are profiteering from desperate couples by selling expensive treatments that do not improve the chances of conception, experts warned last night

Fertility pioneer Dr John Parsons said doctors were failing to tell their clients the whole truth about whether these treatments, designed to increase the chances of a woman becoming pregnant, really worked.

Couples should remember that clinics were businesses that existed to make money, he added.

Yacoub Khalaf, medical director of Guys and St Thomas NHS Assisted Conception Unit in London, warned that the evidence that such treatments helped women to become pregnant was by no means robust.

The two men were speaking at the Fertility Show in London, where dozens of clinics from the UK and abroad exhibited in the hope of attracting couples.

The experts believe the commercial nature of the industry, which is thought to be worth more than 1 billion a year in Britain alone, tempts some doctors to put profit before patients.

Dr Parsons said: Its an expensive business running an assisted conception unit Theres a risk that market forces push practitioners to use treatments and techniques, whatever the level of evidence.

UK clinics typically charge about 3,000 for a single treatment cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), where eggs are extracted from a woman, fertilised with sperm in a test tube, and resulting embryos implanted in the womb.

But they can boost their profits with a bewildering array of add-ons. They include immunology, where a woman is given drugs to stop her rejecting the foreign embryo; an endometrial scratch, where the womb lining is nicked to help embryos implant; and pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), where embryos are checked for major genetic abnormalities so that only good ones are implanted in the womb.

Fertility pioneer Dr John Parsons said doctors were failing to tell their clients the whole truth about whether these treatments really worked (stock image)

All the treatments sound plausible, and individual studies indicate that they can boost pregnancy rates among some groups of women.

But Mr Khalaf said: Although some fertility providers point to scientific research [of effectiveness] on all these add-ons, the evidence is by no means robust enough to be taken on by patients without careful consideration of their value.

Mr Khalaf claimed that immunology, which is based on the unproven theory that some women rejected healthy foetuses because of faulty immune cells, had been over-hyped, exploited and exaggerated by some fertility specialists.

WE SPENT 3,000 ON TESTS THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE Natalie Fitzpatrick and her husband Alex spent 3,000 on a battery of tests to see if she was miscarrying because of a problem with her immune system. The 29-year-old had miscarried after IVF treatment on three previous occasions, prompting doctors to suggest that immunotherapy could help. But the tests and subsequent treatment made no difference. Natalie, from Bolton, who has undergone a total of five courses of IVF, said she felt compelled to try add-ons. You put your trust in these doctors, she said. If they told me that wearing pink on a Tuesday and red on a Wednesday would increase the chances of me having a baby, Id do it. Last year she had 28 vials of blood taken for immunological testing, while her 34-year-old husband had 14 taken, costing them 3,000. The couple, who run a business supplying conveyor belt parts, are now set to try another round of IVF. And Mrs Fitzpatrick is still considering other add-ons, such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGS). But she said: Im going to do my homework first. Advertisement

He said the evidence behind an endometrial scratch, which costs 150 to 300 a time, was also weak.

Dr Parsons added that a review of studies published last year found it helped only a small number of women  those who had been implanted with embryos on at least three prior occasions.

Nonetheless, fertility clinics liked it because it was quick and profitable, he claimed. The beauty of the scratch is it takes two seconds, said Dr Parsons. Its a really nice number, because you can charge 150 for it, or even more.

Dr Parsons compared some fertility doctors to car mechanics: They take your car, they fix the insides, they give you a whopping bill, and youve no idea what they have done to it, he said.
Nick Clegg has accused a leading pro-Brexit Cabinet Minister of misleading Parliament over trade deals with Brussels after we leave the EU.

The former Liberal Democrat leader has attacked International Trade Secretary Liam Fox after he told MPs that a deal could be struck in a simple one-off negotiation with the EUs ruling Council of Ministers.

Dr Fox made the claim to the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee on October 26, saying it could be achieved with the minimum of fuss.

Nick Clegg has accused a leading pro-Brexit Cabinet Minister of misleading Parliament over trade deals with Brussels after we leave the EU

He was speaking shortly after the signing of the CETA free trade agreement between the EU and Canada was held up due to the objections of the Wallonia region of Belgium.

Now, Mr Clegg has written to Dr Fox asking him to clarify those assertions.

He says: I am concerned that you may have inadvertently misled Parliament and the country. Mixed agreements like CETA are... ratified not just by the European institutions, but also by the parliaments of the member states. Without the consent of every member state parliament, such agreements cannot be ratified.

The former Lib Dem leader has attacked International Trade Secretary Liam Fox after he told MPs that a deal could be struck in a one-off negotiation with the EUs ruling Council of Ministers

Mr Clegg, a leading supporter of the pro-single market Open Britain campaign, added: You seem to be saying that a UK-EU free trade agreement could be agreed only by the Council of Ministers. This appears to be in direct contradiction to your governments own Command Paper on the process for withdrawing from the European Union.
MPs will this week demand that the RSPCA stops routinely prosecuting animal owners for cruelty.

The move from a powerful Commons committee follows a string of controversial cases brought by the charity, which has led to accusations that it 'bullies' owners.

A hard-hitting report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee will tell the RSPCA to pass on evidence to the independent Crown Prosecution Service, rather than bring cases to court itself.

Traumatic: Eloise Byrnes with cat Claude, who was put down by the RSPCA

Owners have long complained that the charity uses the threat of prison and fines to force them to hand over their pets  or even to have them put down.

However, critics fear the charity will simply ignore the demands of MPs, who have no formal power to impose a change.

Last night, the RSPCA vowed to continue prosecuting animal welfare cases, saying: 'It is the right for anyone to take a private prosecution in England and Wales, and we would not want to see any organisation prevented from doing this for no good reason.'

A spokesman added: 'The key test is would such a recommendation improve animal welfare. We believe the answer in this case would be no.'

MPs do not believe the charity should be stripped of the right to prosecute but will urge it do to so only in exceptional cases. If the charity ignores the recommendations, the committee could urge the Government to change the law.

A spokesman for the Self-Help Group, which helps owners prosecuted by the RSPCA, said: 'We'd be thrilled if the CPS was to handle RSPCA cases. But we are cynical this will ever happen.

'The RSPCA can just ignore the MPs. We are also worried about RSPCA investigations. If someone is bullied and had to hand over their animal, it may be put down by the time the CPS gets an evidence report.'

In 2013, the RSPCA seized Claude, a 16-year-old cat, for being too thin and having matted fur. Within 24 hours he had been put down, against the wishes of owners Richard and Samantha Byrnes, whose children Dominic and Eloise were denied the chance to say goodbye to their pet.

CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL PUPPY SMUGGLERS MPs are calling for a law making the sale of a puppy illegal unless the animal is seen with its mother by the buyer. The aim is to clamp down on the illegal smuggling of puppies, mainly from eastern Europe. The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Government is also being urged to ban puppies being sold by pet shops and dealers on the internet. MPs believe this would curb puppy-farming. The radical plans are included in an animal welfare report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, set to be released on Wednesday. Responsible breeders will always show prospective buyers a new puppy or puppies with their mother. It is also a condition for those registered with the Kennel Club's assured breeder scheme for pedigree dogs. Advertisement

Charges against the couple were eventually overruled by the CPS and the charity publicly apologised.

Mr Byrnes, of Tring, Hertfordshire, said last night: 'This is very encouraging news from MPs. My family and I were treated like criminals by the RSPCA. It is not fit to conduct private prosecutions.'

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the RSPCA should root out animal welfare problems but leave the processing of evidence and decisions about prosecuting to the CPS. The CPS would not comment before the report's publication on Wednesday.
Australia and the United States have agreed to a 'one off' immigration deal that will see about 1800 refugees in offshore detention centres sent to America.

The deal was finally announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday after weeks of speculation.

Under the agreement, the detainees on Nauru, in the South Pacific, and Manus Island, in Papua New Guinea, could be moved to the United States.

However Mr Kerry told a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand, he couldn't ensure the deal's future once Donald Trump - an opponent of refugee resettlement to the US - comes to power.

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John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State, agreed to an immigration deal with Australia on behalf of the Obama-administration on Sunday

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) said the deal was key to ensuring Australia's borders remain 'secure', however it's unclear whether president-elect Donald Trump (right) will honour the agreement when he comes to power

'We in the United States have agreed to consider referrals from UNHCR on refugees now residing in Nauru and in Papua New Guinea,' he said.

'We are encouraging all countries to work with UNHCR ... to find a durable solution for these refugees.'

Asked about the specifics of the deal and whether an agreement can be overturned by Mr Trump, he said he could not comment.

Talking in Canberra, Mr Turnbull said the 'one-off' deal was key to ensuring Australia's borders remain 'secure'.

'The Government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres... with the United States,' he said.

'It is a one-off agreement. It will not be repeated. It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centres.

The deal will see up to 1800 refugees from Nauru, in the south pacific, and Manus Island, in Papua New Guinea (pictured), resettled in America

Earlier on Sunday Mr Turnbull and Immigration minister Peter Dutton (left) toured Australia's maritime border command centre in Canberra

'It will not be rushed. It will be administered with the UN High Commission on Refugees and we'll continue to engage with the UNHCR on its implementation.'

Mr Turnbull said 'women, children and families' would recieve priority treatment to be resettled.

He also defended the deal against suggestions that people smugglers would now market the prospect that asylum seekers could find their way to the US, saying the border policy 'has not changed'.

Reports that New Zealand, Canada and Malaysia would also be involved in a deal were refuted by the prime minister.

Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton said the Government was in a 'position of strength' since coming into power as a result of their hard line of turning back boats belonging to people smugglers.

'Whilst ever we are without world peace, whilst ever families will seek a better opportunity for their families, there will always be irregular movement of people,' he said.

'We are only here because for 840 days we have been able to stare down the threat of people smugglers.

Any new agreement would effectively end the offshore detention of asylum-seekers

'We make this announcement today from a position of strength.'

In New York in September, Mr Turnbull announced that Australia would take refugees from Central America as part of its annual intake.
Disgraced Labour MP Keith Vaz claimed expenses for a journey from London to Leicester when he was 1,400 miles away in North Africa.

The MP for Leicester East filed a return for 81.90 for the UK trip, The Sunday Mirror reported.

Mr Vaz, the former chairman of the powerful Home Affairs Committee, submitted the mileage claim on September 3, 2015. But far from being in the UK, Mr Vaz was actually in Tunisia on a four-day trip.

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The MP for Leicester East filed a return for 81.90 for the UK trip whilst he was in North Africa

His team admitted an error was made and have informed the expenses watchdog.

Adam Swidzinski, an aide to Mr Vaz, told the Sunday Mirror: 'I am responsible in this office for making travel claims.

'Mr Vaz does not prepare, approve, or submit the claims. This is an error, the claim should be for the fifth of September 2015 not the third.'

He was in Tunisia to engage with holidaymakers after 30 British citizens were killed in a bloody terror attack in Sousse.

Pressure is mounting on Mr Vaz to now step down from the Commons justice select committee after police launched a probe into alleged drugs offences in connection with the MP's encounter with two male prostitutes.

Mr Vaz was filmed at his flat with two Eastern European men last month. He told the young men he was a washing machine salesman called 'Jim'.

Mr Vaz was in Tunisia to engage with holidaymakers after 30 British citizens were killed in a bloody terror attack in a Sousse hotel (pictured)

The married father-of-two casually discussed drugs, unprotected sex and money, unaware that their conversation was being secretly recorded.

The rent boys spent 90 minutes in the north-west London flat owned by Mr Vaz.

It put him in an impossible position to carry on as chair of the home affairs committee, which is due to publish a long-awaited report into prostitution.
Police chiefs have warned Ministers they cannot cope with further savage cuts and may need to stop looking for missing people or taking patients to hospital, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

A leaked document sent by chief constables and crime tsars to the Treasury claims that forces are spending 620 million a year on looking for missing people  many of whom have run away from hospitals or childrens homes.

It tells how constables are being forced to wait at A&E departments for more than three hours at a time with injured patients because there are not enough ambulances or doctors.

Police chiefs have warned Ministers they cannot cope with further savage cuts and may need to stop looking for missing people (file photo)

The top-secret briefing says austerity cuts mean other public services are increasingly looking to the police to fill the gaps. Meanwhile, forces are taking ever more 999 calls as violent crime starts to rise again along with sex abuse, fraud and terrorism.

It can also be revealed that the true number of frontline officers is at its lowest for 30 years and chiefs are even struggling to find enough detectives to staff elite units tackling serious crime and terrorism.

Last night Paddy Tipping, Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, said: The police cant do everything and there has to be a debate about their priorities. If youve got professional bodies running hospitals and care homes and people are going missing, questions should be asked of them.

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, added: The police are left picking up the pieces where we should be concentrating on keeping the public safe.

But former Home Office Minister David Mellor said the police could easily carry on their core functions by scrapping some senior ranks or avoiding wasteful investigations. He said: The police are very badly run and instead of getting their own house in order, theyd rather scare the public.

New figures published by the House of Commons last week reveal that the true number of frontline police officers across England and Wales was 118,779 in March this year  the lowest level since 1985 if it takes into account those on career breaks or maternity leave.

This is far lower than the 124,066 claimed by the Home Office. There has been a fall of 19,670 officers since 2010 as police lost 2.2 billion in Home Office funding. Now they are braced for fresh cuts of 1.3 per cent a year.

The true number of frontline police officers is at its lowest for 30 years (stock photo)

But as they prepare for Chancellor Philip Hammonds Autumn Statement on November 23, chiefs have told him less must be expected from the police.

The 16-page report, written jointly by the National Police Chiefs Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, shows chiefs are particularly concerned about the burden of non-crime work.

Forces carried out 250,000 investigations into missing people in a year  costing an estimated 620 million, the document states.
Thousands of children's teeth are rotting away as local councils buckle under public pressure and remove fluoride from drinking water.

Queensland health data showed 3,223 children aged 10 or less were hospitalised for tooth decay in 2013-14 - far higher than the national average.

More than half of five to 10-year-olds seeing public dentists in 2014-15 had decay in their baby teeth, with an average of four per child.

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Thousands of children's teeth are rotting away as local councils buckle under public pressure and remove fluoride from drinking water

Queensland health data showed 3,223 children aged 10 or less were hospitalised for tooth decay in 2013-14 - far higher than the national average

Tooth decay rates in five to 10-year-olds was 20 per cent higher than national averages to 2012-14 and 33 per cent higher in the permanent teeth of those aged nine to 14.

About three quarters of the state has fluoride in its water, up from five per cent when it was made compulsory in 2008, but has slipped since 2012 legislation allowed councils to opt out again.

Only a third of Queensland's local councils still put fluoride in their water supply.

Anti-fluoride activists claim is a harmful chemical, buoyed by controversial figures like celebrity chef Pete Evans (pictured) who refuses to drink tap water

'Were spending a fortune on general anaesthetics for kids with dental decay, its stupid. Water fluoridation saves truckloads of money in saved dental costs,' Australian Dental Association's Michael Foley told the Courier Mail.

The skyrocketing rates of tooth decay in children come as councils across the state are under pressure to take fluoride out of water supplies.

Anti-fluoride activists claim it is a harmful chemical, buoyed by controversial figures like celebrity chef Pete Evans who refuses to drink tap water.

WHAT IS FLUORIDE?

Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in rock, air, soil, water and plants. It is credited with helping prevent tooth decay and cavities and is also found in toothpaste. Anti-fluoride activists have said the mineral contributes to arthritis, kidney disease and bone cancer. One activist group, Queenslanders for Safe Water Air and Food, claim drinking one litre of fluoridated water increases the risk of bone fractures and promotes a $300 filtration system to 'clean' tap water. However, there is no scientific evidence for fluoride having any negative impact on health Advertisement

The My Kitchen Rules judge last year threw his support behind Fluoride Free WA, which claims the chemical has harmful health effects.

Gladstone, Aurukun and last week Mackay councils have stopped putting fluoride into their water supplies, leaving only 23 of Queensland's 77 councils still using it.

Aurukun, in Cape York, was considered especially concerning as 71 per cent of Aboriginal children aged four to 15 at public dentists in 2015 had tooth decay.

Mackay's decision came after a phone survey showed 39 per cent of people supported fluoridation, 46 per cent opposed, and 14 per cent were undecided.

Australian Dental Association state president Julee Birch said smaller councils were being 'bombarded with misinformation about water fluoridation'.

'This is part of a highly coordinated national and international campaign to get them to remove fluoride from water supplies,' he said.

It only costs about $1 per person each year to fluoridate water, and Townsville council estimates it is as low as 60c.
Theresa May has opened up a fresh rift with Chancellor Philip Hammond by planning a pre-Christmas bonanza of new economic policies, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Among the ideas being drawn up by No 10 are a crackdown on foreign takeovers and the naming and shaming of fat-cat bosses.

Treasury officials are alarmed by the extent No 10 is driving economic policy  in stark contrast to the freedom they enjoyed under George Osborne.

Theresa May has opened up a fresh rift with Chancellor Philip Hammond by planning a pre-Christmas bonanza of new economic policies, The Mail on Sunday has learned

They are also struggling with Mrs Mays enthusiasm for more interventionist action.

The Prime Minister will set out her economic priorities during a speech to the CBI annual conference on November 21  only two days before Mr Hammond delivers his Autumn Statement detailing the state of the public finances. Officials working for Mr Hammond claim that No 10 is trying to hog the limelight, while Mrs Mays advisers complain the Chancellor has been trying to interfere in too many issues of broader policy.

While Mrs Mays team is preparing a conveyor belt of policies to help families on low incomes, insiders who have seen drafts of the Autumn Statement proposals describe them as thin, claiming the only stand-out offering is to invest an extra 5 billion in road and rail projects.

The tensions follow revelations last month that friends of Mr Hammond, who supports a soft Brexit, feared that he could quit the Cabinet after clashes with hard Brexiteers

The tensions follow this newspapers revelations last month that friends of Mr Hammond, who supports a soft Brexit, feared that he could quit the Cabinet after clashes with hard Brexiteers.
A woman with diabetes has died during a self-healing retreat where participants were slapped until they were black and blue  after apparently failing to take her insulin.

Danielle Carr-Gomm was found dead in her bedroom just hours after taking part in one of the healing workshops at Cleeve House country hotel in Seend, near Melksham in Wiltshire.

It is understood she had such faith in the controversial alternative treatment that she may have gone to bed without taking her insulin.

Mrs Carr-Gomm had diabetes but is thought to have skipped her insulin as she had such faith in the controversial slap therapy treatment. Police are treating her death as suspicious

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with the suspicious death of the 71-year-old, a divorced grandmother of four from Lewes, East Sussex.

A spokeswoman said: We are currently treating her death as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing. Three people  a 64-year-old woman, a 51-year-old man and a 53-year-old man  have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

An inquest into Mrs Carr-Gomms death was opened and adjourned at Salisbury Coroners Court on Friday.

The week-long Self-Healing Workshop, costing up to 750, was run by Hongchi Xiao, a self-styled Chinese healer from Beijing.

Mr Xiao believes toxins causing illness can be eradicated from the body by hard, repeated slapping and painful stretching on a bench, a technique called Paida-Lajin.

The treatment also involves fasting for days on end.

Mr Xiao has previously been questioned by Australian police over the death of a seven-year-old diabetic boy during a workshop in Sydney  but no charges were brought  and fined by Taiwanese authorities for promoting folk remedies.

Carlo Zacca, manager of Cleeve House, said yesterday that Mrs Carr-Gomm was found dead after going to bed. He said she was found at around 3am by a woman who was also on the workshop, and with whom she was sharing a room.

The Wiltshire retreat was the second run by Mr Xiao that Mrs Carr-Gomm had attended this year, according to a detailed blog she wrote in August about her battle with diabetes.

In July she went to one in Bulgaria, where she owned a home. She wrote that at the end of her first Paida slapping session large areas of my body were bruised and blue which indicated that a lot of sha or poisoned blood and toxins had been released.

Chinese therapist Hongchi Xiao advocates the use of slapping therapy

The following day she endured two minutes of Lajin  forcible stretching on a bench  which felt like agony and an eternity. For the next two days she decided to stop taking insulin, the hormone that many diabetics must take to regulate blood sugar levels. Missing doses can be fatal.

After discovering her blood glucose readings were sky high she resumed her insulin injections. Undeterred, she wrote: My hope is that a second and perhaps third group workshop will help me to heal completely.

Mrs Carr-Gomm, who had type one diabetes, wrote about how she had tried alternative therapies such as a seven-day fruit fast, Chinese herbal remedies, acupuncture, and a costly stem cell transplant in Germany.

Last night her son Matthew, 43, claimed his mother had been a victim of false hope and added: I am certain that if she hadnt gone on this course, she would still be alive today.

She was convinced this alternative treatment was going to have a positive effect.
Britain is to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russians border for the first time since the Cold War.

The long range rockets will be moved to Estonia next year amid fears Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning to invade the country.

The rockets are part of a huge military build-up by NATO countries in order to defend the Baltic States.

Around 800 UK troops will deploy to Estonia next year as part of a 15-nation force, including soldiers from the US, France and Denmark.

Britain is to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russians border for the first time since the Cold War (file photo)

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) fire as many as 12 missiles per minute and are capable of blowing up Russian tanks over a range of up to 45 miles.

The 200lb warheads are guided towards their targets by GPS and are fired from missile launchers bolted onto armoured vehicles. At least 25 Royal Artillery soldiers are expected to deploy to Estonia to operate the GMLRS systems.

The rockets were used with devastating results in Afghanistan from 2007 to blast open Taliban bunkers. Some 410 missiles were fired at the jihadis tunnel networks in Helmand Province during the campaign.

Britains GMLRS systems will be complemented in Estonia by a UK force of drones, RAF Typhoon jets and Challenger 2 tanks.

Concerns for the security of Estonia and other Baltic States have grown following the US Presidential Election. During the campaign Donald Trump challenged a NATO Article 5 principle that the alliance will defend any members from military aggression.

The rockets will be moved to Estonia next year amid fears Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning to invade the country

President Elect Trump suggested that in the future US protection for the Baltic States would depend on these countries meeting NATO defence spending targets.

Last night, former British Army commander General Sir Richard Shirreff, an expert on Russian affairs, told The Mail on Sunday that he believed that it would be necessary for hundreds of UK troops to remain in Estonia for the foreseeable future in a bid to thwart Russian aggression.

He said: Unless it is a permanent force then it is not credible. The 800-strong UK deployment is a start, but just that. I would also like to see Britain taking the lead in the protection of the Baltic States, in particular after Brexit. NATO as a whole must make a statement that it is willing and capable of defending these countries.

I fear that unless President Elect Trump reaffirms the USs commitment to Article 5 that Russian will exploit this situation, absolutely certainly it will, and this could include Russian adventurism in the Baltic States.
The United States has agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing in Pacific island camps after they were turned away under Australia's strict border protection policies, officials said on Sunday.

The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among almost 1,300 asylum seekers held at Australia's expense on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Another 370 who entered Australia for medical treatment and then refused to return to the islands would also be eligible.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed the deal with President-elect Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday.

The Obama (left) administration agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees who were turned away by Australia (right, PM Malcolm Turbull)

'We deal with one administration at a time and there is only one president of the United States at a time,' Turnbull told reporters.

Trump has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

At a press conference in Canberra on Friday, Turnbull said the one-off deal would not apply to new asylum seekers making their way to Australia.

Under a strict policy announced in July 2013, Australia pays to send and house any refugee who has arrived by boat to the two islands while their asylum claims are processed.

Even when people are found to have genuine asylum claims, they are not allowed to settle in Australia, although they have the choice to stay on Nauru or Papau New Guinea.

Few refugees have accepted offers to resettle in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia because most hope that Australia will eventually take them in.

Any refugee who refuses to go to the U.S. would be given a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, a tiny impoverished atoll with a population of 10,000 people, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials are expected in Australia this week to begin assessing refugees.

'We are going to work to protect vulnerable refugees around the world, and we'll share that responsibility with our friends in the regions that are most affected by this challenge,' Secretary of State Kerry told reporters in New Zealand.

Turnbull would not say how many refugees the United States might take, but said the most vulnerable would be given priority.

'Our priority is the resettlement of women, children and families,' Turnbull said. 'This will be an orderly process. It will take time. It will not be rushed.'

Refugees who arrive in the future will not be sent to the United States, he added.

'We anticipate that people smugglers will seek to use this agreement as a marketing opportunity to tempt vulnerable people onto these perilous sea journeys,' Turnbull said.

'We have put in place the largest and most capable maritime surveillance and response fleet Australia has ever deployed.'

Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said ships had been positioned to turn boats back to Indonesia if asylum seekers attempt to reach Australia in the hope of being sent to the U.S.

No people smuggling operation has successfully delivered asylum seekers to Australia by boat since July 2014.

Turnbull announced at Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia would participate in the U.S.-led program to resettle Central American refugees from a camp in Costa Rica. Australia would also increase its refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 a year.

Turnbull said at the time that the agreement to resettle Hondurans and El Salvadoreans was 'not linked to any other resettlement discussions' involving Australia's refugees getting to the U.S.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said some refugees on Nauru were 'hopeful' of resettlement in the United States, but were frustrated by the lack of detail. There seemed no short-term hope for asylum seekers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, a male-only camp holding 873 men.

'There are some people who if the United States is offered to them, certainly they will take it,' Rintoul said, adding that several would prefer Australia where they had family.
Meghan Markle could only spend two days in London with her prince

Prince Harry's new girlfriend hasn't had enough time to meet the Queen because of her acting commitments.

Meghan Markle's work meant she could only spend two days in London with her prince.

The 35-year-old has jetted off to Canada to continue filming the legal drama Suits and wasn't around to link up with Harry and attend England's rugby match against South Africa yesterday evening.

Markle's visit to London followed Harry's own trip to Toronto to spend Halloween with his new girlfriend.

A source close to the prince, 32, told the Express: 'It was only a mini-break because she's got filming commitments.

'There's been a lot of talk of her being introduced to the Queen and Prince Charles but there simply hasn't been time.'

The Mail exclusively revealed images of Meghan this week out in Kensington, near Harry's home at Kensington Palace.

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The 35-year-old has jetted off to continue filming the legal drama Suits and wasn't around to link up with Harry and attend England's rugby match against South Africa yesterday evening

Markle's visit to London followed Harry's own trip to Toronto to spend Halloween with his new girlfriend

Harry had to make do with sitting next to Princess Charlene of Monaco, 38, during the Autumn International - which England won 37-21.

Bookies slashed their odds that the prince and the US actress would be seen together at the 82,000-seater stadium to see the squad take on the Springboks after Ms Markle was spotted in Kensington on Thursday.

The pair are said to have been dating for several months but have not been seen in public together.

While she was shopping, Harry, 32, was at a solemn ceremony at the Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey.

Prince William was also attending a Remembrance event at nearby Kensington Memorial Park.

The Mail exclusively revealed images of Meghan this week out in Kensington, near Harry's home at Kensington Palace
Theresa May was humiliated by Donald Trump last night after Nigel Farage became the first British politician to meet the President-Elect since his historic US election victory on Tuesday.

In a major political coup, Mr Farage discussed 'freedom and winning' with Mr Trump when they met for an hour at his headquarters in New York.

Mr Farage is also expected to be invited to his inauguration in Washington in January.

Ukip financial backer, Arron Banks (second left) with Donald Trump, Nigel Farage (centre right) and Raheem Kassam who pulled out of the Ukip leadership race last month

Last night, Mr Farage  who is also thought to be the first non-American politician to meet the President-Elect  said: 'It was a great honour to spend time with Donald Trump. He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I am confident he will be a good President.'

Mr Farage also posted pictures on Twitter of them laughing and joking together.

During their exchanges, Mr Farage asked Mr Trump to return the bust of Sir Winston Churchill to the Oval Office  it had famously been removed by Barack Obama when he became President eight years ago.

Mr Farage added: 'This is a man with whom we can do business.

'I was especially pleased at his very positive reaction to the idea that Sir Winston Churchill's bust should be put back.'

A Trump aide noted: 'I think they enjoy each other's company and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what all this means for the world.'

The meeting at Trump Tower  the acting Ukip leader's reward for helping Mr Trump to achieve 'Brexit plus, plus, plus'  is a blow for Mrs May. She has already been embarrassed by being only the tenth world leader to speak to Mr Trump after his triumph last week.

It came after Downing Street reacted furiously to claims that Mr Farage will be their 'go-between' with the new President.

Nigel Farage tweeted this amazing photograph with the President-elect Donald Trump

Pictured: Interim Ukip leader Nigel Farage is pictured in an elevator with fellow party member Raheem Kassam during a visit to Trump Tower in New York

The interim Ukip leader said Mr Trump had a 'very positive reaction' to the idea of returning a bust of Sir Winston Churchill to the Oval Office

Mrs May has criticised Mr Trump in the past, saying he was 'absolutely wrong' to claim that parts of Britain were no-go areas for the police because of their predominantly Muslim population.

Last night, Downing Street tried to play down the significance of Mr Farage's meeting, saying No 10 'has been consistent that he has no role' in their interaction with the incoming US administration.

But it came as a leaked memo from the British Ambassador to Washington was revealed to have recommended that Mrs May should launch a diplomatic offensive to win over the new President.

Sir Kim Darroch sent a memo to the Government shortly after the Trump victory. It declared that the 'electoral earthquake' which had propelled the 'unknown quantity' to power had led to 'fear and loathing' in Washington.

But Sir Kim added that Mr Trump 'will surely evolve and, particularly, be open to outside influence if pitched right'.

Mr Farage publicly supported Trump's Presidential campaign and joined him on the trail at a rally in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was introduced by his friend as 'Mr Brexit'

Mr Farage posted a number of tweets about his time with Mr Trump. He said the President-elect was 'a man with whom we can do business'

In an attempt to regain the diplomatic initiative, Mrs May will tomorrow use a major speech to declare that Mr Trump's victory shows that 'change is in the air'  and will pledge to respond to the electoral forces that swept him to power.

The Prime Minister will argue, in her first detailed response to the Trump phenomenon, that much of his support came from the victims of globalisation  typically the working classes who have seen their jobs disappear.

During her speech at London's Mansion House, she is expected to stress that her Government's policies  such as her plan to bring back grammar schools and curb immigration  should be directed at helping those left behind by the changes.

The Prime Minister will say: 'Change is in the air. And when people demand change, it is the job of politicians to respond.' She will add: 'There have been downsides to globalisation people see their jobs being outsourced and wages undercut. They see their communities changing around them and don't remember giving their permission for that to be the case.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn echoed Mrs May's words in a speech yesterday, describing Mr Trump's election as a 'global wake-up call'.

Mr Trump's success has created alarm among Mrs May's close advisers, some of whom had publicly disparaged the billionaire businessman during his incendiary campaign.

Boris Johnson, however, does not seem to have been wrongfooted. He was the first overseas politician to take a call from the Vice-President-Elect, Mike Pence.

Mr Johnson, who described European concern about the outcome as a 'whinge-o-rama', will today snub an emergency EU foreign ministers' meeting called to discuss the shock US election result. A spokesman for the Foreign Secretary said there was 'no need for an additional meeting'.

Meanwhile, during a third night of rioting in the US after Mr Trump's victory, police fired tear gas and hurled flash grenades in response to protests in Portland, Oregon. And more than 1,000 protesters took to the streets in rallies across California on Friday.

The protests came as Mrs Clinton blamed the FBI probe into her emails for costing her the election. She said the decision by FBI chief James Comey stopped her momentum. Until then, Mrs Clinton had held a 12-point lead in the polls.

A new best friend... and a VERY boozy night

Like so many of the big events in Nigel Farage's life, his 'special relationship' with Donald Trump was the product of a boozy night out.

It was 4.30am in Cleveland, Ohio, and Farage was in an 'iffy' bar, having watched Trump accept the Republican nomination in the city a few hours earlier on July 21. At that point Farage had never met Trump. And virtually no one outside Washington had heard of Brexit.

Farage was sitting at an outside table of the bar with close aide and businessman Andy Wigmore, smoking a cigarette. They went back inside to order one last round  and triggered the events that have put Farage closer to the new White House than Theresa May.

Like so many of the big events in Nigel Farage's life, his 'special relationship' with Donald Trump was the product of a boozy night out

Farage bumped into a group of drunken Republicans who worked for Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, a Trump cheerleader.

One of the Republican revellers, Bryant aide John Bartley Boykin, invited Farage to meet his boss in Mississippi. A month later Farage, accompanied by Wigmore and Ukip donor, millionaire Aaron Banks, jetted back to the US to meet Bryant and attend a private Trump fundraising event.

After three 'cappuccino martinis' each  a favourite Farage 'sharpener'  at Heathrow and four bottles of red wine between them on the flight, they were driven to Governor Bryant's official mansion in Jackson.

After a 'great Southern feast' hosted by Bryant, the Governor took Farage and his male guests to his 'man cave'  a converted garage full of motorbikes, old Chevy cars, comfy chairs, and a bar.

According to Banks's book, The Bad Boys Of Brexit, it was only then that Bryant told Farage he had arranged for him to address 15,000 Republicans at a much bigger, second Trump event the following day.

Bryant told Farage he had arranged for him to address 15,000 Republicans at a much bigger, second Trump event the following day

Farage was in a side room with a gin-and-tonic in hand when Trump walked in, gave him a bear hug and congratulated him on 'a great job winning Brexit'. Banks says Trump was so impressed by Farage's performance at the fundraiser, he asked him to introduce him at the rally  to the fury of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was bumped off to make way for Donald's new best friend.

Introducing Farage, Trump praised him for 'winning back Britain's independence'. A Trump election victory would win back America's independence, he said.
The FBI reportedly operated almost two dozen child pornography websites hidden on the dark web to lure and catch predators.

Unsealed documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union revealed investigators had the authorization to run 23 such websites.

It had already been known that the agency ran the website, Playpen, to help identify users.

The FBI reportedly operated almost two dozen child pornography websites hidden on the dark web to lure and catch predators

The sites were, 'dedicated to the advertisement of child pornography, the discussion of matters pertinent to child sexual abuse', according to Ars Technica.

The agency's sites also monitored: 'methods and tactics offenders used to abuse children, as well as methods and tactics offenders used to avoid law enforcement detection while perpetuating online child sexual exploitation crimes.'

The FBI hoped to distribute malware to users of the sites so that they could be identified.

The new documents also revealed the trap sites were ran out of a government facility, and they were able to learn the identities and IP addresses of users.

The FBI sites were reportedly, 'dedicated to the advertisement of child pornography, the discussion of matters pertinent to child sexual abuse'

The new information was found in documents that were obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union

Cybercrime expert Fred Jennings told Ars Technica there is: 'no other way to read (the documents) than websites 1-23 were hosted at a government facility, with the FBI's knowledge and to the FBI's informational benefit.

'It's clever phrasing on their part.'

An FBI spokesman said he was unaware of an operation with 23 websites, according to a statement given to the website.
It's not often people get the chance to help out a legendary rock star like Bruce Springsteen.

But a few veterans got that chance on Friday when they spotted Springsteen on his broken down motorcycle on the side of the road in Freehold, New Jersey.

A group from the Freehold American Legion was riding after a Veterans Day event when Dan Barkalow says he saw a stranded motorcyclist up ahead near Allaire State Park in Wall Township.

'Bikers gotta stick together,' Barkalow said. 'I stopped to see if he needed help, and it was Bruce.'

A group from the Freehold American Legion was riding after a Veterans Day event when Dan Barkalow (left) spotted Bruce Springsteen on the side of the road

Barkalow says they tried to help get his bike (pictured on Nov 1) running, but when they couldn't, Springsteen  wearing a brown riding jacket and a red handkerchief  hopped on the back of Ryan Bailey's bike and they headed to a local bar

Barkalow says they tried to help get his bike running, but when they couldn't, Springsteen  wearing a brown riding jacket and a red handkerchief  hopped on the back of Ryan Bailey's bike and they headed to a local bar.

'We sat there and shot the breeze for a half hour, 45 minutes till his ride showed up,' Barkalow said. Springsteen left the group a $100 in appreciation for their help.

'Nice guy, real down to earth. Just talked about motorcycles and his old Freehold days.'

Springsteen was raised in Freehold and still lives in New Jersey.

'It was nice to help out,' Bailey said. 'One Freehold person helping out another.'

The American Legion Monmouth Post 54 wrote on Facebook that Springsteen is eligible to join since his father was a veteran.
The social workers were not monitoring John Torney for two months

Mr Holden was alleged to be a drug dealer in court who sold to Ms Francis

Ms Francis had claimed she was buying drugs when daughter Nikki died

Mr Holden says Peta-Ann Francis wasn't at his when her daughter died

A claim by witness Daniel Holden has cast doubt on an alibi after a murder

A witness claims murdered toddler Nikki Francis-Coslovich's mother was not at his house when the girl was beaten in August 2015.

Daniel Holden, 36, said the day Nikki died in her Mildura home he was in hospital preparing for surgery.

Peta-Ann Francis had earlier said she had been at his house buying drugs but Mr Holden told Herald Sun: 'Was she at my place? Hell no. No chance of it.'

'If she was at my place then I must be Santa Claus.'

Mr Holden denies being a drug dealer. His brother is reported to have backed up his claim that Ms Francis wasn't at his house.

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Peta-Ann Francis has not been charged over her daughter's death and police do not believe she killed Nikki

The battered body of Nikki Francis-Coslovich (pictured) was found by police inside the roof cavity of her mother's home in Mildura, north-west Victoria

John Clifford Torney walks free from Mildura Magistrates Court after a jury found him not guilty of the murder of his two-year-old de-facto stepdaughter Nikki Francis-Coslovich

Police haven't charged Ms Francis over her daughter's death, do not have evidence she did so and do not plan to, either.

It's not suggested Ms Francis killed Nikki.

Mr Holden, who is friends with Ms Francis' parents, also denied her claims in a police interview.

'The last time I had any contact with Peta was on the Monday before the death of baby Nikki,' his statement reportedly read.

While he admitted to smoking 'bongs' with Ms Francis, he said he wasn't a drug dealer.

Claims have been made that Nikki was living in an unsafe home and child protection workers knew about the vulnerable situation.

Child protection workers were not monitoring John Torney's access to the two-year-old toddler even though social workers were concerned after learning about his past.

A Department of Health and Services report showed workers were aware John Torney had a criminal history, but the mother advised workers he was not living at the home, according to The Herald Sun.

Social workers reportedly believed Ms Francis and closed the case on July 13, but nearly one month later on August 17, Nikki's father, Nick Coslovich, texted a Mallee Family Care social worker claiming Mr Torney was using ice.

Eight days later after the text, Nikki was found bashed to death with fatal blunt force trauma injuries.

The publication claims case workers found 'serious concerns' over Mr Torney's past and that the young two-year-old was living in an unsafe environment.

A report also claimed workers had issues with Ms Francis.

A review of Nikki's case is reportedly with the Minister for Children and the coroner will be looking at Nikki's file surrounding her death and the system's shortcomings.

The Daily Mail is not suggesting Mr Torney is responsible for Nikki's death.

A jury has found him not guilty of killing her.

Mr Torney, 32, admitted to hiding her body in the roof the cavity of the home but maintained his innocence throughout the three-week murder trial

Supporters were seen looking solemn outside of the Supreme Court after hearing the verdict

Torney was followed by media carrying a plastic bag filled with his belongings after the supreme court sitting at Mildura Magistrates Court

Torney maintained his innocence throughout a three-week murder trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.

He was escorted from Mildura Magistrates court by two uniformed police officers on Wednesday afternoon, showing off tattooed arms as he wore a tightly-fitting black singlet and held a plastic bag filled with his belongings.

The pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Nikki said the fatal blunt force trauma injuries inflicted on her were akin to those seen in high-speed vehicle accidents or a fall from a great height.

Nikki died as a result of repeated blows to her abdomen and chest.

Her liver was split in several places and she lost between one quarter and one third of her total blood volume.

The crown said the damage was caused by the repeated infliction of a clenched fist to the abdomen and chest of the child.

Three supporters linked arms after the not guilty verdict was handed down

Throught the three-week murder trail in the Victorian Supreme Court he maintained his innocence

Nikki's body was found in the roof cavity of the family's Mildura home in August last year (pictured is a scene outside of the court on Wednesday afternoon)

During the trial, Mr Torney accused his ex-girlfriend, Ms Francis, of murdering her daughter before asking him to hide her body in the roof cavity.

The court also heard Mr Torney claimed Ms Francis demanded sex from him shortly after the toddler was murdered.

In a video played to the jury, Mr Torney had claimed he 'freaked out' and hid Nikki's body in the roof because he wanted her to be found quickly.

Torney had been dating Ms Francis for about five months at the time of Nikki's death.

The court previously heard secret recordings from an undercover police officer named 'Steph' who befriended Ms Francis, The Age reported.

In the audio, Ms Francis was heard speaking to 'Steph' about having to 'get her story right' when asked about irregularities in her explanation of events.

After parts of the recording played in court, Mr Torney's lawyer asked the mother if she was a 'clever, cunning person'. Ms Francis disagreed.

She was also suggested to have sounded 'emotionless' while talking about her dead daughter.

Ms Francis agreed, but said it was because she'd shut out her emotions.

Torney had been dating Ms Francis for about five months at the time of Nikki's death

Then, referencing emotion exhibited before the court, Mr Torney's lawyer suggested Ms Francis was manipulative in order to get sympathy from the jury, but the woman rejected the suggestion.

The court also heard Sergeant Kaare Anderson, who responded to the missing person report, thought it was 'very odd' that Ms Francis was smiling and appeared happy when telling police her daughter was missing.

A recording of her triple zero call to report Nikki missing also revealed her giggling while she spoke to the operator.

Ms Francis told the trial 'having the cops at my house makes me nervous'.

'It's a nervous smirk that I have,' Ms Francis said.

She denied Ms Condon's assertion that she referred to her daughter as 'the little cow'.

Ms Francis had told the court earlier she sometimes psychically disciplined her children but never laid a hand on her two-year-old daughter.

'Not hard, it was just a tap. I've never hurt my children,' Ms Francis said.

JOHN TORNEY'S CONFESSION TO POLICE Police: Gerard said you wanted to speak to us about something? John Torney: Yep. Police: What's the go? Mr Torney: Peta killed Nikki. The mother killed her. Police: Her mother killed her? Mr Torney: Yeah. Later in the conversation Police: What are the circumstances John? Mr Torney: She killed her, then asked me to help her get rid of the body. Police: How did this all take place? Mr Torney: It was whilst we were laying down on the bed that she goes: 'I've gone a bit too far with Nikki' and then 'she's dead'. Later Police: Did she say how, or? Mr Torney: She just said that she threw her on the bed, that, that could I help her get rid of the body... Police: OK, and what did you do? Mr Torney: I put Nikki in the manhole. It's eating me up inside. I can't hold back anymore. I've got to get it out. Later Police: When did you decide to that you'd come clean and tell us what actually happened? Mr Torney: I've been wanting to tell youse for the last two days. Police: Mmm. Mr Torney: I've been having nightmares, waking up in hot and cold sweats. I've got to get it off my chest. Police: Mmm. Mr Torney: It's killing me inside. I loved that little girl like she was my own. Advertisement




Megyn Kelly says Donald Trump tried to give her gifts, including a free stay at his Florida estate and one of his hotels, in a bid to shape news coverage during the race for the White House.

The Fox News Anchor also insists that she wasn't the only journalist the president-elect tried to influence in the months leading up to his election win.

In her memoir Settle for More, to be released Tuesday, Kelly says the billionaire real estate mogul routinely tried to curry favor with other reporters and commentators.

She also believes that Trump was tipped off about a question she was going to ask at the first Republican presidential debate.

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Megyn Kelly says Donald Trump tried unsuccessfully to give her a free hotel stay as part of what she called his pattern of trying to influence news coverage of his presidential campaign. She is pictured posing for a portrait in May

Her book also details the insults and threats she received after Trump's tirades objecting to her reporting.

'This is actually one of the untold stories of the 2016 campaign: I was not the only journalist to whom Trump offered gifts clearly meant to shape coverage,' Kelly said.

He also attempted to woo them with praise, she said, adding, 'This is smart, because the media is full of people whose egos need stroking.'

'Trump tried to work the refs, and some of the refs responded,' she said.

Kelly's memoir Settle for More, details the insults and threats she received after Trump's tirades objecting to her reporting

When it became obvious that some reporters were 'in the tank' for Trump, she alleges in one chapter, 'certain TV hosts' would work with the candidate in advance on occasional Trump criticism so they would appear unbiased.

She didn't identify them by name or media outlet.

Resisting Trump's attempts to buy her goodwill with an offer to comp her 'girls' weekend' stay at his downtown New York City hotel or fly her and her husband to visit his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida was an easy ethical decision, Kelly wrote.

Harder still was rejecting the ratings bonanza that the colorful GOP contender could deliver with his 'unscripted, unguarded' approach that made for great TV but was the equivalent of 'television crack cocaine,' Kelly wrote.

She and her producer agreed they had to provide balance and be judicious in their coverage, asserting this was not a 'directive to cover Trump negatively or to ignore him'.

It was at the first GOP primary debate last August that Kelly questioned Trump about derogatory comments he'd made about women.

Kelly was cast by Trump as his nemesis after the first GOP debate in which she asked him about labeling women as 'fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals'

Trump is pictured at the first GOP debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 6, 2015. Kelly claims in her book that the then-Republican presidential candidate was tipped off about the first question he was going to be asked

The day before, Trump had called Fox News executive Bill Sammon to say he had heard that Kelly's first question would be a pointed one aimed at him, she wrote.

'"How could he know that?" I wondered,' Kelly said, not answering the question but clearing her Fox colleagues on the debate team of any suspicion of leaking it to him.

Trump was agitated out of proportion in the phone call, she wrote, calling it 'bizarre behavior, especially for a man who wanted the nuclear codes'.

Kelly tweeted on Thursday: 'For the record, my book "Settle for More" does not suggest Trump had any debate Qs in advance, nor do I believe that he did.'

Kelly was cast by Trump as his nemesis after the first GOP debate in which she asked him about labeling women as 'fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals'.

Megyn Kelly is pictured on Live with Kelly next to host Kelly Ripa

Kelly tweeted on Thursday: 'For the record, my book "Settle for More" does not suggest Trump had any debate Qs in advance, nor do I believe that he did'

Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly are pictured together in a file photo

In an interview with CNN's Don Lemon, Trump called her questions ridiculous, adding, 'You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.'

Before another Fox debate, Kelly recalled being backstage with her family and getting an unsettling insight on how her children were being affected by the harsh rhetoric.

'I'm afraid of Donald Trump. He wants to hurt me,' she quoted her five-year-old daughter, Yardley, as saying.
Son was hit in the shoulder and chest; delivered in emergency C-section

Bullet hit Sims in the lower back and came out through her belly

Two gunmen also hit two men; Sims likely wasn't the target, police said

A newborn child survived miraculously after being shot in the womb.

Vanessa Sims, 21, went out one night to get fried rice in Baltimore, Maryland. She was eight months pregnant and was craving the dish.

Two hidden gunmen sprayed bullets from behind a wall, according to a 911 call. Sims, who was hurt as well as two other men, wasn't the intended target, authorities believe.

A bullet entered her lower back and came out through her belly. It traveled inside her, hitting her unborn son in the shoulder and in the chest.

A baby boy who was shot inside the womb on Father's Day survived after his mother was taken to the Johns Hopkins Hospital (pictured) in Baltimore, Maryland

The .40-caliber bullet broke the baby's collarbone, the Baltimore Sun reported. Sims was a six-minute ambulance ride away from Johns Hopkins Hospital when she was hit.

An ambulance arrived at 12:23 am. A doctor asked Sims to move her feet to rule out paralysis. She had a spine fracture but was able to move her limbs.

Her baby's heartbeat, meanwhile, was unstable. Dr Kent Stevens, who ran the trauma service that night, and Dr Dylan Stewart, a pediatric surgeon, took on the case, which surpassed everything they had seen previously.

A scan showed blood in Sims' uterus. Doctors performed a C-section and delivered the baby boy at 1:18 am.

Chance, who was born six weeks premature, weight six pounds and four ounces. He didn't cry.

Doctors gave him a breathing tube one minute after birth. His heartbeat weakened, prompting doctors to perform chest compressions.

On a child this small, they had to use their thumbs, hoping to revive the little boy's heart, which at this stage was the size of an egg.

Chance still losing a lot of blood. Doctors feared the bullet had hit an artery and took him to the operating room.

There, they explored the bullet path and repaired the torn blood vessels. The bullet had missed his artery and heart by milliliters.

'It was like a one-in-a-million shot that you could go through and through the uterus, actually hit the child and not kill him. It's just luck  the grace of God,' Stewart told the Baltimore Sun.

Dr Kent Stevens (left), who ran the trauma service that night, and Dr Dylan Stewart , a pediatric surgeon, took on the case and saved the little boy's life

The little boy required almost twice the amount of blood contained in his body - meaning he lost it all and doctors compensated with blood transfers.

Sims meanwhile had two rods and four screws inserted in her spine. Her son spent 33 days at Johns Hopkins Hospital after the Father's Day shooting.

Chance and Sims' two daughters went to stay with their grandmother while Sims recovered from her injuries, which left her unable to pick them up. She visits them every week.

The little boy's heart and brain emerged unharmed but some nerves were severed in his shoulder, meaning he can't move his left wrist so far.

Chance has been working with a therapist who tracks his progress. Doctors will have the option to perform surgery to graft his nerves - but Chance might not recover a normal range of motion or strength even after the procedure.

Authorities have not identified any suspect in the shooting, which remains unsolved.
Disease causes muscle weakness and progresses to a full body

A rare neurodegenerative disease is slowly killing the occupants of a remote tropical Northern Territory island.

Machado Joseph Disease, a hereditary neurodegenerative condition that causes muscular weakness and eventually leads to a permanent physical disability, is affecting people living on Groote Eylandt, reported Perth Now.

The remote tropical island, home to the Anindilyakwa people, is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

A rare neurodegenerative disease is slowly killing the occupants of a remote tropical Northern Territory island (pictured)

Machado Joseph Disease, a hereditary neurodegenerative condition that causes muscular weakness and eventually leads to a permanent physical disability, is affecting people living on Groote Eylandt off the coast of the NT (pictured on the map)

The Northern Territory has the highest concentration and the most severe strain of MJD in the world.

An estimated 654 residents, most of who live on the island, are officially at risk and more than 100 currently display symptoms.

There is no known cure for the disease.

MJD Foundation chief executive Nadia Lindop told Perth Now carriers of the disease in Arnhem Land die much sooner from the disease than anywhere else.

'It used to be people in their 30s or 40s first getting symptoms. now we're seeing teenagers in wheelchairs,' she told Perth Now.

'Were still investigating. We dont know why its so prevalent.'

The remote tropical island (pictured), which is home to the Anindilyakwa people, is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria

According to the MJD Foundation the disease occurs because of a fault in a chromosome that results in the production of an abnormal protein. This protein causes nerve cells in the brain to die prematurely.

The damage to the cerebellum initially causes muscular weakness and progresses over time to a total lack of voluntary control and very significant permanent physical disability.

In the later stages, the person cannot move or talk but remains fully alert - often referred to as 'locked in syndrome'.

An estimated 654 residents, most of who live on the island, are officially at risk and more than 100 currently display symptoms. There is no known cure for the disease

Daniel Lalara, 31, was diagnosed with the disease in 2008 and gradually found it harder and harder to do his job as an NT Parks ranger.

He now lives in assisted housing. His speech is difficult to understand and he now needs help showering.

The father-of-two is also now unable to play with his children, who visit him every afternoon.

Ms Lindop said the disease progression is more accelerated in younger people, especially people that get it in their teens on 20s.

'In some families you have parents with MJD caring for their children with MJD.'
Police are searching for a suspect after hundreds of shoppers were rushed out of an upstate New York mall when reports spread about possible gunshots being fired near retail stores on Saturday.

Guilderland Police Chief Carol Lawlor says no one is in custody yet but are looking for one suspect, News 10 reported.

State Police Maj Bill Keeler told the Albany Times-Union that reports came in around 2.30pm at the Crossgates Mall, suggesting the shots were linked to a possible confrontation between two men who fled the scene.

Authorities with SWAT teams were searching for suspects into the night, the chief said.

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Police are searching for a suspect after hundreds of shoppers were rushed out of an upstate New York mall when reports spread about possible gunshots being fired near retail stores on Saturday

Video courtesy of Claudia HD:

Guilderland Police Chief Carol Lawlor says no one is in custody yet but are looking for one suspect, unclear if in the Crossgates Mall (pictured) or not

Lawlor confirmed that two suspects who were detained earlier, were not involved in the shooting and have been released

Investigators were examining a video that showed a man in a white shirt and a black hoodie.

Police locked down the mall, one of the largest in New York, with 250 stores and restaurants.

Lawlor said the mall could open Sunday, 'but we're not done yet'.

Police say they responded to the mall after witnesses heard shots fired near the Apple store.

Lawlor confirmed that two suspects who were detained earlier, were not involved in the shooting and have been released.

Law enforcement officials ordered an evacuation of the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, about a dozen miles northeast of Albany, after police were alerted to one, or possibly two, shots being fired.

Several stores and employees remained on lockdown inside of the mall as they waited for police teams to evacuate them out safely.

On worker told News 10 that they immediately took shelter.

Police say they responded to the mall after witnesses heard shots fired near the Apple store

Law enforcement officials ordered an evacuation of the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, about a dozen miles northeast of Albany, after police were alerted to one, or possibly two, shots being fired

'We were huddled together and sobbing pretty much.

'We were all on our phones trying to reach out to loved ones and we were just trying to stay as quiet as we could,' Boo Morgado, a Lush employee, told the station.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and no suspects in custody.

Police could not independently confirm those reports.

Officers with assault rifles positioned around the mall were searching the property and checking security footage.

'Right now we are in the process of evacuating the mall safely under our plan that we've drilled for before,' Lawlor told Time Warner Cable News Service.

'We have not come across a victim yet,' Lawlor said.

Authorities did not have anyone in custody as of late afternoon.

Mall management is working with authorities, Lawlor said, 'and hopefully we'll bring this to a successful conclusion'.

State Police Maj Bill Keeler said the reports came in around 2.30pm suggesting shots linked to a possible confrontation between two men who fled the scene
In 2008, the mystery death of traveller Britt Lapthorne while on a gap year adventure to Croatia shocked Australia.

The 21-year-old disappeared while partying in the coastal town of Dubrovnik, only for her body to be discovered by fishermen on a nearby beach more 18 days later.

Just last week, in eerily similar circumstances, 20-year-old Elly Warren was murdered in Mozambique.

Ms Warren, from Melbourne, was letting her hair down after a six-week volunteer trip when she went to a beach party, only to be found dead by fishermen in a toilet block hours later.

And now, some eight years after losing their own daughter, Britt Lapthorne's parents have told Daily Mail Australia of their sadness at hearing of Ms Warren's death.

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Britt Lapthorne (pictured) was mysteriously found dead on a beach in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in 2008 while aged 21 on an overseas gap year holiday to Europe

Just last week Elly Warren, 20, also from Melbourne, was found murdered while holidaying in Mozambique

'I got goose pimples reading about it, it's basically the same age and same story,' Elke Lapthorne told Daily Mail Australia.

'Like Britt she was on her gap year, on a break, an adventure and when I saw her father being interviewed and saying to his daughter "stay safe" I just had flashbacks.'

In the days following news of Britt's disappearance, Mrs Lapthorne and her husband, Dale, waited with baited breath for news in Melbourne.

Years later the case is still open, but the couple 'never expect to hear anything'.

While even an inquest has left the questions surrounding Britt's disappearance unanswered, Mr Lapthorne admits the early days were among the hardest.

'The really hard part for everybody who loses somebody overseas is just being so remote and feeling so helpless,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'You feel helpless and you're going out asking people for help, and not knowing adds to the stress of the situation for the family.

'They're (Ms Warren's family) are in a situation where their daughter's body has been found, but I can imagine they'd just feel totally helpless.'

The parents of Ms Lapthorne (pictured) have told Daily Mail Australia that when they heard about the death of Ms Warren in eerily similar circumstances they were left devastated

Mr Lapthorne told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Warren's parents must be feeling 'helpless'. However he said that while they may want to rush over and search for answers about the death of their daughter, the most important thing is bringing her body home

Ms Warren (pictured) had been in Africa for six weeks as part of a volunteer conservation group. She had left the group and gone to spend her last night at a backpacker hostel, before she was found dead in a toilet block just hours later

Exactly what happened to Ms Warren last Wednesday night Australian time remains unclear.

Having spoken to sources in Mozambique, Daily Mail Australia understands after six weeks as part of the Underwater Africa dive group, Ms Warren planned to stay a few days at a nearby backpackers before heading home.

Dropping her bag at a hostel, she then went off to meet friends at a party where she stayed for a few hours before leaving alone.

Not long after she was found murdered in the toilet block of a busy market place, with reports varying about whether she was raped before she died.

In the hours after being told of their daughter's death, both Ms Warren's parents said they planned to get on one of the first flights to bring their daughter home.

Mr Lapthorne said while it was important to bring her body home, he warned her parents of becoming over involved in the 'energy sapping' investigation into what happened.

'Im not sure if I'd say to them go over now. Do they need to relive what happened?' he said.

'A lot of people rush over there because they want to do something, but they get there and don't know what to do, but I still think its important they bring their daughters body back.

The parents of Ms Warren (far right) are desperate for information about their daughter's death after mixed reports about whether she was raped before she died

An inquest into Ms Lapthorne's death failed to provide any answers for her parents, who have criticised the handling of her disappearance by Croatian authorities

'By staying home initially they can get the media on to the case and also get support from the Government, which we did from Kevin Rudd.

'We were able to fly back with Britts body which was very comforting and people weve spoke to in the same situation who didnt bring the body back all regretted it.'

Mr Lapthorne said that when young travellers head off overseas, they, and their parents, often take life in Australia for granted.

He said not only is it harder to communicate and get information, but as Ms Warren's parents have found out, dealing with authorities is also difficult.

'When you need assistance in a different part of the world, in places like Germany, the UK, France, Sweden, etc, you're going to feel relatively comfortable,' he said.

Ms Lapthorne was last seen at the Latin Club Fuego, in Dubrovnik, where she was partying with about 10 other backpackers

Daily Mail Australia understands that Ms Warren dropped her bags at the Wuyani Pariango backpacker hostel in Tofo Beach, Mozambique, before heading off to a party. Just hours later she was found dead and never stayed a night at her accommodation

'Talking to Croatian police was like talking to a brick wall and I assume they'd be having difficulties in Africa too.'

As the world becomes the oyster of so many young people, Mr Lapthorne said it was easy to become complacent.

But he urged parents to emphasise to their children just how important it is to be cautious when travelling.

'We always try to stress to our children to be careful and they say, "Don't worry, we'll be fine",' he said.
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Police hurled flash grenades and used tear gas on protesters on Saturday night as anti-Trump demonstrations continued across the country in the fourth night of unrest since his shock election victory.

Seventy-one people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, where crowds threw burning road flares at officers.

Hundreds gathered outside City Hall in Los Angeles to face off against riot police after a daytime march with drew 8,000 people.

Other rallies took place in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Washington DC, and Phoenix, as the anti-Trump backlash continued to grow.

In Indianapolis, crowds chanted 'kill the police' as they threw rocks at officers in a separate protest.

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Crowds fought through tear gas in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday night as they clashed with police in the fourth night of protests since Donald Trump's election victory

Heavily armed police in riot gear were forced to use flash grenades on the crowds after coming under fire from rioters throwing rocks, bottles and burning road flares at them

Thousands of people marched through Los Angeles in a peaceful protest on Saturday during the daytime. It descended into a more sinister scene later, with armed police patrolling the streets

Protesters also marched through the Las Vegas strip as the nationwide unrest continued to grow

Police also used pepper spray to fight off crowds as others wrestled with officers who officially declared riots earlier in the week

Protesters run from plumes of tear gas in Portland, Oregon, on the fourth night of chaos since Trump's election

Crowds run from tear gas in Portland, Oregon, where protesters showed no signs of relenting their efforts

Police in Portland revealed they had used flash grenades on crowds after being attacked by burning road flares

In Portland, officers battled crowds for the fourth night in a row and were forced to resort to using flash grenades to control them.

The department revealed on Sunday that 71 people had been arrested throughout the night. They were transported to precincts on an arranged bus.

A police vehicle was also spray painted with an anti-Trump message. Among those arrested was an 18-year-old who was charged with possession of a concealed weapon.

The Oregon city has played host to some of the worst of the riots since Trump's shock election win. A man was shot overnight on Friday as crowds marched around him.

Police are still sharing CCTV images of vandals smashing store fronts and car windows to try to identify those responsible for the chaos.

Indianapolis saw pro and anti-Trump voters clash, with one bold Republican driving a military truck through crowds wielding a 'Trump Pence 2016' sign.

There were also protests in Chicago, where thousands marched through the streets of downtown and rallied outside Trump's hotel in the city.

In Los Angeles, police said 8,000 people had gathered to march peacefully during the day.

Protesters spray-painted police patrol cars in Los Angeles with anti-Trump graffiti as the protests raged through Saturday night

In Los Angeles, protesters complained about the electoral college process which does not take into account the popular vote

Riot police in Los Angeles controlled crowds outside City Hall where scores had gathered with signs after an earlier march saw 8,000 take to the streets

The heavily armed police were called to control the crowd of around 300 people who had gathered at the scene

In New York, marches continued into Sunday afternoon where hundreds took to Washington Square Park

Others flocked to Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue for another day of protesting outside the President-elect's Manhattan home

Children were among those at the demonstration in New York on Sunday where protesters labeled Trump 'racist, sexist and anti-gay'

Later, a smaller crowd of around 300 gathered outside City Hall to carry on the protest but were dispersed by heavily armed officers.

No one was arrested at either event and police commended the crowds for their 'unity'.

'LAPD continues to work tirelessly to protect the 1st Amendment Right of the people today and always. Be safe and peaceful!' read a tweet posted early on Saturday.

Later, officers continued: 'Approximately 8,000 protesters in DTLA today exervising their 1st Amendment Right. No arrests have been made. United we stand divided we fall.

'Approx 1100 protesters in the DTLA area continue to express their freedom of speech and assembly peacefully. Thank you for the unity.'

The presence of heavily armed squads made for a sinister atmosphere in the city.

In Washington, two animated demonstrates high five as cars pass through crowds of chanting Clinton voters

Protesters wore masks favored by hacking group Anonymous in Miami where the same 'dump Trump' and 'not my president' signs were carried

A large crowd of protesters is seen gathered in Indianapolis on Saturday night during demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump

A young woman is seen in Indianapolis holding a sign that reads, 'Not My President', as she is surrounded by other protesters

More protesters in Washington march to tell Trump they are his 'worst nightmare' in the fourth night of chaos since his shock election win

A woman is arrested by an Indianapolis Police Officer and walked in front of mounted officers during a rally against Donald Trump on Saturday

Aiyana Stanley-Jones leads a rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States in Indianapolis

A Donald Trump fan was seen driving towards protesters in Indianapolis in a military-style truck with a 'Trump Pence 2016' sign on the side of the vehicle

David Jackson (C), who voted for Donald Trump, has a discussion with two protesters who oppose Donald Trump in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday night

A woman who did not want to be identified is dragged back from the street during a rally against Donald Trump in Indianapolis

A man is seen carrying a sign that reads, 'no human being is illegal #notmypresident', among many other protesters in downtown Indianapolis

Protesters hold signs during an election protest in Lafayette Square Park in front of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 12

Washington DC was another city where protesters marched against President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday night. Pictured are two women holding anti-Trump signs

Crowds of people are seen on both sides of the street outside a hotel in downtown Indianapolis during anti-Trump protests on Saturday night

Protesters against President-elect Donald Trump chant in front of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on November 12, 2016

In Las Vegas, hundreds marched through the strip carrying signs with similar messages as the protests continued

Massive crowds of protesters took tot he streets in Las Vegas - joining a host of other cities across the country to stage demonstrations

The massive crowd of anti-Trump protesters marched along the Strip on Saturday night, many carrying signs and banners

Demonstrators gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday to protest against Donald Trump's election victory over Hillary Clinton

A crowd of protesters staged a rally outside the Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City on Saturday

Demonstrators gather in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States in Salt Lake City, Utah

A man at the protests in Salt Lake City wears a hat that reads, 'Immigrants Make America Great'. It mocked Donald Trump's campaign slogan

A man is arrested outside the Indiana State House in Indianapolis during a rally against the election of Donald Trump on Saturday night

Jocelyn Dominguez, 9, sits on the shoulders of her father Moises during a rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump in Indianapolis on Saturday night

After getting her Trump sign knocked out of her hand, Kelly Cummins (L) yells at a protester marching against the Republican's election win

Protesters are seen in Miami, Florida, upset with Republican nominee Donald Trump's election win on Tuesday over Hillary Clinton

Protestors attend a rally in Wynwood, Miami to protest against President-elect Donald Trump

Meanwhile in New York, Liberal film-maker Michael Moore made it to the fourth floor of Manhattan's Trump Tower in his bid to confront President-elect Trump and call on him to step down, before he was stopped by Secret Service guards.

Moore, who had been a vocal critic of Trump during the election, joined thousands of people in protesters in Manhattan on Saturday morning, before he managed to get inside Trump Tower.

After making his way into the Donald's Central Park skyscraper, Moore attempted to get to Trump's office.

Kansas City, Missouri, was another city that saw more protests against Donald Trump on Saturday. An anti-Trump crowd is seen in the city

A demonstrator who painted her face in the colors of the American flag holds up a sign heading, 'Stop Trump', in Kansas City on Saturday

People attend a protest against the election of President-elect Donald Trump Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Kansas City outside of City Hall

People protest against the election of Republican candidate Donald Trump in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday afternoon

A large crowd of demonstrators hold anti-Donald Trump signs during a Missouri rally against the President-elect

Donald Trump supporter Kern Carlos Huerta stands in front of the Utah State Capitol building doors as demonstrators protest against the election of Republican nominee

Film-maker Michael Moore has called on Donald Trump to step down as President-elect before he even takes office, after joining in protests in New York City

The award-winning film-maker managed to scale Trump's famous escalator, however he was stopped from going any further by security guards on the fourth floor.

Moore was then escorted back down to the lobby, however before he left he wrote a note to Trump.

'Mr. Trump. Im here. I want to talk to you,' the note read.

Moore then left the building and tweeted: 'I'm in the middle of thousands -tens of thousands?- of American voters outside Trump Tower demanding he step aside. He got the least votes.

Michael Moore holds up his phone to broadcast his appearance at an anti-Donald Trump rally in New York on Saturday

Moore scaled the famous escalator inside Trump Tower in an attempt to reach the President-elect's office, but he was stopped by security

Moore's face is seen on the screen of his phone, while standing among a crowd of thousands of protesters in New York

'I was able to get into Trump Tower & deliver him a message: "You lost. Step aside." SS took the note I wrote up & went 2 give it to him.'

Moore broadcast his journey into Trump Tower on Facebook Live.

After leaving the building, he spoke with protesters outside for more than an hour.

British right-wing politician Nigel Farage arrived at Trump Tower shortly after Moore left. He was allowed up to Trump's office.

Filmmaker Michael Moore walks inside Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016

Moore is seen leaving a note for Trump before he left the Tower. The note reads: 'Mr Trump. Im here. I want to talk to you'

After being escorted out of the building, Moore tweeted about the note he wrote Trump

Michael Moore talks to a film crew as he is blocked exits to an elevator inside Trump Tower by Secret Service officers

Demonstrators hold signs during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, Nov. 12

Thousands of protesters march up Fifth Avenue to Trump Tower to protest against President-elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan

About 2,000 protesters have been marching along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan shouting "not my president" and other slogans.

The protesters rallied at New York's Union Square on Saturday before picking up steam and taking their cause into the street and toward Trump Tower.

Fifth Avenue was crowded with protesters for blocks. Police lined both sides, following along on foot and on motorcycle, but the group remained peaceful.

There were protests in other parts of the country as well, with the largest taking place in Los Angeles, where several thousands marched.

New York police officers block demonstrators during rallies outside Trump Tower in Manhattan on Saturday night

Protesters are seen in the streets of New York during an anti-Trump demonstration on Saturday night

Ellen Marius, right, and Majo Orozco chant slogans as they demonstrate during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, Nov. 12

There were also protests against Trump in Los Angeles on Saturday, with thousands seen marching through the streets downtown

Anti-Trump demonstrators hold a U.S. flag upside-down as they march in a rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, to protest against President-elect Donald Trump

Protesters were denouncing his campaign pledge to deport people who entered the US illegally and his crude comments about women.

Cheers, chants and flag-waving mark Saturday's procession, which stretched for blocks through the Civic Center.

No arrests were made even though the train of demonstrators occasionally snarled traffic.

The mood seemed enthusiastic rather than angry. There are no reports of vandalism or fire-setting, which have marred previous demonstrations around the nation.

Earlier in the day, Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway was seen at Trump Tower in New York.

She spoke briefly with reporters before taking an elevator to the President-elect's office.

A protester is seen walking along the street in New York carrying a sign during an anti-Donald Trump rally on Saturday

Protesters carry American flags, one of which was modified to include the 'Peace' Symbol, during demonstrations against Donald Trump in New York

Chong Cha demonstrates with her dog, Zuzu, during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016

Kellyanne Conway was seen earlier in the day arriving at Trump Tower for meetings with the President-elect

British far-right politician Nigel Farage visited Trump Tower on Sunday shortly after Moore left. Farage was allowed up to meet with Trump

Moore came under fire last month for calling Trump supporters 'legal terrorists' in an interview with Rolling Stone.

In the interview, he said Trump would 'blow up the system' and his voters would 'participate in the detonation'.

Moore also compared Trump to a pedophile, saying voters had to protect America from the GOP nominee the way children should be protected from molesters.
A young woman wrote a poem revealing she feared for her life before she was found dead in a Gold Coast apartment alongside her heavily-tattooed bikie ex-boyfriend.

Shelsea Schilling, 20, outlined her fear in the poem when Bronson Ellery, 24, was in jail.

She was found dead in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Southport on Friday, alongside Ellery, also known as 'Lizard Man'.

Miss Schilling's poem about her violent relationship in Queensland was heartbreaking.

'The man I want was the man I had,' it said.

'He made me happy but loved to make me sad.

'Dreams of shadows becoming clear.

'The man of my dreams is my biggest fear.'

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Ellery (pictured) , 24, is a former Bandido bikie associate who had in recent years been in and out of jail

Bronson Ellery and his former partner Shelsea Schilling (pictured), 20, were found dead on Friday

Shelsea Schilling's mother Bonnie Markwell Mobbs' Facebook post revealing her daughter's fear of being killed

Her mother Bonnie Markwell Mobbs revealed her daughter's fear in a Facebook post.

'I'm sorry to be so negative but I want everyone to know that if I get hurt or die Bronson Ellery is responsible,' she said, revealing Miss Schilling's note.

'To all the girls suffering from domestic violence please speak up.

'Be brave, because at any moment anything can happen.'

THE POEM SHELSEA SHILLING WROTE The man I want was the man I had. He made me happy but loved to make me sad. Dreams of shadows becoming clear,The man of my dreams is my biggest fear. As cool as can be, nothing gets to him. The ice runs deep from limb to limb. He compliments me and thinks of ways to see my teeth. But I know he only wants what's beneath. Am I the one he wants to keep? He's got me questioning if our love is ocean deep I stayed and I waited Cause I didn't want to walk alone But the longer I stayed, the less it felt like home His first language is liar, not something I desire The man I had has changed me He had hopes to derail me Box me up and chain me The man I had I don't even know anymore So easily he would throw me to the floor and watch me pour Without hesitation, he's unpredictable What he's done is unforgivable Threats and accusations Thought it was all miscommunication Still I think of him, because he's the man i wanted all to myself Girls be careful what you wish for, you might wish for hell He's sitting in a cell I had no other optionI ask myself: Was it all worth it in the end? Will he understand, can we make amends? You won't know until the time has come Where he's looking at you from behind a gun. He showed me the real world and taught me that bad people are out there doing bad things. And what consequence brings How to get away with it Make everyone scared All while pushing away the only ones who cared He's got me wondering how long I've got to live Will It depend on what he's willing to give The crazy lifestyle is more than just a look It's not something you can read in a book Some people are born this way And love every minute of every day They think they're living life right All they want to do is win the fight There's people that act and people that do People that follow through Follow through with thoughts they have in their head The type of thinking where people end up dead

The man I want was the man I had. Advertisement

A former bikie enforcer known as 'Solitary Son' (right) and his ex-girlfriend (left) have been found dead in a Gold Coast apartment

Former bikie enforcer Bronson Ellery (pictured) known as 'Solitary Son' and his ex-girlfriend have been found dead in a Gold Coast apartment

Ellery was a former Bandido bikie associate who had in recent years been in and out of jail, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

He was known to police as 'Lizard Man' because of his heavily tattooed face.

Their sudden deaths in Southport have sparked a homicide investigation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Ward said police believe the pair died in 'unknown circumstances' at the ground floor unit, between a cafe and an industrial area.

'We don't have any information (regarding their deaths) at this stage apart from the fact that we have a female and a male within the address,' he told reporters on Saturday.

'Anything is possible. We're appealing to anyone with knowledge of the persons who occupied this address or who were associated to this address.'

No weapon has been found at the crime scene.

It has been reported Ellery (left) had many enemies through his association with Gold Coast underworld figures

In March 2015 Ellery (pictured left with ex girlfriend Shelsea Schilling) spent four months in custody for trying to bully a man into withdrawing a complaint to police

Ms Schilling's grieving mother took to social media in a chilling Facebook post following her daughter's death.

'B****** had no life took his and my baby girl. Rot in hell Bronson. Let my angel be safe,' Bonnie Markwell Mobbs wrote.

In the days leading up to Ms Schilling's death, Ms Markwell Mobbs was desperately trying to find her daughter.

'Please help! Has anyone seen my daughter Shelsea Schilling since 9th Wednesday afternoon? Feared missing. In Labrador. A missing persons has been filed,' she wrote on Facebook.

Ellery (pictured right with ex-girlfriend Shelsea Schilling) was known to police as 'Lizard Man' because of his heavily tattooed face

In the days leading up to Ms Schilling's death, Ms Markwell Mobbs was desperately trying to find her daughter

Bronson Ellery, who is covered head-to-toe in tattoos and his ex-girlfriend, 20, were found dead in Gold Coast apartment on Friday

It has been reported Ellery had many enemies through his association with Gold Coast underworld figures.

'I used to have links to the Bandidos. I hate them now,' Ellery told Noisey in an interview last year.

Following his death one Facebook user wrote: 'Anyone sympathising for Bronson Ellery kindly remove yourself from my Facebook as I hope he rots in his grave.'

Another said: 'R.I.P Bronson Ellery you colossal s***bag. The world is now a better place.'

In March 2015 Ellery spent four months in custody for trying to bully a man into withdrawing a complaint to police, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in Southport District Court.

Police said Ellery hoped his arrest would be covered in the media to get more exposure for his album Searching Souls, which he released in 2015.

Bronson Ellery 24 (right) is pictured with his ex-girlfriend Shelsea Schilling, 20

Police said Ellery hoped his arrest would be covered in the media to get more exposure for his album Searching Souls, which he released in 2015
Saturday Night Live opened in somber fashion, with Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton character performing Leonard Cohens Hallelujah to start the show.

McKinnon wore one of Clintons trademark white pantsuits as she played the late-Cohens iconic song on piano in-front of the studio audience.

The Emmy-winner appeared to get emotional during some of the more poignant moments in the song, many that could be related to Clintons election defeat at the hands of Donald Trump this week.

Saturday Night Live opened in somber fashion, with Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton character performing Leonard Cohens Hallelujah to start the show

Alec Baldwin's Donald Trump character did not make an appearance during the opening segment.

However, after reaching the end of the song, McKinnon closed with a positive message.

Im not giving up, and neither should you, McKinnon said, before kicking the show over to comedian Dave Chappelle for his opening monologue.

You know, I didnt know Donald Trump was going to win I did suspect it, Chappelle said.

McKinnon wore one of Clintons trademark white pantsuits as she played the late-Cohens iconic song on piano in-front of the studio audience

Alec Baldwin's Donald Trump character did not make an appearance during the opening segment

I know the whites, you guys arent as full of surprises as you used to be.

But Americas done it, weve finally elected an internet troll as President.

And white people were furious, I havent seen them this angry since the OJ verdict.

I havent seen this before I watched a white riot in Portland, Oregon, the other night. The news said they did a million dollars worth of damage, all the black people were watching like, amateurs.

So, Im going to take a knee like Kaepernick and let the whites figure this out amongst themselves.'

The Emmy-winner appeared to get emotional during some of the more poignant moments in the song, many that could be related to Clintons election defeat at the hands of Donald Trump this week

Im not giving up, and neither should you, McKinnon said, before kicking the show over to comedian Dave Chappelle for his opening monologue

McKinnon then kicked the show over to Dave Chappelle (pictured), for his opening monologue

Chappelle, who continued to smoke throughout the show, then turned his attention to other to other issues across the country.

'Don't forget all the things that are going on. Shootings. What do you think about that? All these shootings the last year. The worst mass shootings in the history of the United States,' he said.

'Pulse nightclub which she said ISIS did. Turned out that wasn't exactly what happened.

If that is what happened, then ISIS is scarier than I thought, because they have very deep cover operatives. "Going out deep for this one, I might have to get a Grindr account...".

'What happened was he pledged allegiance to ISIS before he did what he did. Which is not the same as being in ISIS, you know what I mean?

'You know, I didnt know Donald Trump was going to win I did suspect it, Chappelle said. I know the whites, you guys arent as full of surprises as you used to be'

But Americas done it, weve finally elected an internet troll as President,' Chappelle said during his opening monologue

'Like I was going to have sex with a girl, right before I did I screamed out "Wu-Tang". That doesn't mean I'm in the Wu-Tang clan.'

Chappelle then pivoted again in the skit, switching to the serious topic of police shootings of black people.

'Why do we have to say that black lives matter?' the comedian asked the crowd.

'Now I admit that is not the best slogan. But McDonald's already took, "You deserve a break today".

'And I guess it's kind of catchy because everyone else is biting it. Even the police bite it. "Blue lives matter".

'What, was you born a police? That is not a blue life, it's a blue suit. You don't like it? Take that blue suit off, find a new job.'

He then turned back to politics to close the monologue by telling a story about his recent visit to the White House.

Chappelle closed his opening comments by saying: 'I'm wishing Donald Trump luck. And I'm going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too'

'Everyone there was black and it was beautiful... At the end of the night everyone went into the west wing of the white house and it was a huge party,' he said.

'Now, I'm not sure if this is true, but to my knowledge the first black president that was officially invited to the white house was Frederick Douglass.

'They stopped him at the Gates. Abraham Lincoln had to walk out himself and escort Frederick Douglass into the White House. It didn't happen again as far as I know until Roosevelt was president.

'Roosevelt was president, he had a black guy over. And got so much flack from the media that he literally said, I will never have a n****r in this house again.'

Thousands of protesters gather in front of Trump Tower during an anti-Trump demonstration in Manhattan

Ellen Marius, right, and Majo Orozco chant slogans as they demonstrate during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, Nov. 12

Chappelle then moved his monologue back to Trump's election win.

'I looked at that black room... These people who had been historically disenfranchised,' he said.

'It made me feel hopeful and it made me feel proud to be an American and it made me very happy about the prospects of our country.

'So, in that spirit, I'm wishing Donald Trump luck. And I'm going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too.'

Earlier in his performance, Chappelle referenced the ongoing protests in New York against Trump.

Documentary Filmmaker Michael Moore joins the thousands of protesters marching on Trump Tower to protest against President-elect Donald Trump

Protesters take to the streets following an anti-Trump demonstration in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan

'This is not a joke... they're marching up the street right now as we speak,' he said.

Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in New York City as the anti-Trump protest made its way along Fifth Avenue.

During the demonstration, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, who is a Trump critic, entered the lobby of Trump Tower with a camera crew in tow and asked to see Trump. He was denied.
Grand jury indicted Duval for second-degree murder in October; she will be extradited to Hawaii

Duval was charged with murder but judge dropped charge for lack of proof

The twins' SUV plunged off cliff at nearly 50 miles per hour in Maui, Hawaii

Was wanted for murder in connection with the death of her sister in May

Alexandria Duval, 37, was arrested on Friday at a home in Albany

A Yoga expert accused of killing her identical twin by driving their SUV off a cliff in Hawaii has been arrested on murder charges in upstate New York after new evidence in the case emerged.

Alexandria Duval, 37, was taken into custody Friday after cops found her in a home in Albany - six months after sister Anastasia was killed when their car plunged 200ft in Maui.

Authorities had been trying to locate her since the beginning of the month, after a grand jury indicted her for second-degree murder.

Duval was arrested and charged with murder in June over her sister's death, but a judge dismissed the charge for lack of evidence.

A grand jury however indicted Duval with second-degree murder in October, reopening the case and prompting a manhunt on the mainland, Hawaii News Now reported previously.

Alexandria Duval (pictured left in her latest mugshot), 37, was arrested Friday at a home in Albany, New York. She was wanted in connection with her sister's death after a car crash in Maui (Duval is pictured right being airlifted)

A state police investigator located Duval in Albany, prompting state troopers and Albany officers to patrol the residence, where they found her standing outside.

Duval tried to flee, state police said in a release, but she was taken into custody and arraigned.

She is now awaiting extradition to Hawaii.

Witnesses said after the crash in May that the twins were fighting inside the SUV moments before the crash and reported seeing the passenger pulling the driver's hair.

Anastasia (left) and Duval (right) were arguing inside their SUV moments before the crash in Maui, Hawaii, witnesses said. Duval's sister died at the scene

Duval (pictured with her sister) was charged with murder once before in June but a judge dropped the charges for lack of evidence. A grand jury indicted her in October

The vehicle accelerated and took a sharp left over the cliff, Maui Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emlyn Higa said after Duval's first arrest.

Duval, who at the time appeared in court with her arm in a sling, was held without bail before a judge dropped the charge against her.

'The judge understood the factual and legal circumstances. He got it right. Allison did not harm the person she was closest to and loved the most in the world,' Duval's attorney told DailyMail.com at the time.

Duval was grateful the court dismissed the charge, but remained traumatized by her sister's death, the car crash and the ensuing case.

The twins' SUV (pictured after the crash) accelerated and took a sharp left over the cliff, Maui Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emlyn Higa said after Duval's first arrest

The sisters (pictured), who used to be known as Alison (Alexandria) and Ann (Anastasia) Dadow, had two yoga studios in Palm Beach County, Florida, from 2008 to 2014

Two months after the murder charge against her was dropped, Duval was arrested again in New York state for drunk driving.

Her blood alcohol level was 0.26, more than three times the legal limit during her arrest in Stamford, police said at the time.

Duval pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated and walked free in September after posting bail.

The sisters, who used to be known as Alison (Alexandria) and Ann (Anastasia) Dadow, grew up in New Hartford, New York.

They had two yoga studios in Palm Beach County, Florida, from 2008 to 2014 before moving to Park City, Utah.

Their time in Utah included arrests for five separate incidents linked to alcohol. \

There, they opened a new yoga studio that offered, among other classes, yoga for dogs.
A father jailed for pimping out his daughter to paedophiles has been using taxpayer dollars to fund his appeal.

The 42-year-old Perth man, who cannot be named, is appealing his sentence  claiming 22-years in prison is too severe.

His appeal was granted last month and will be paid for by taxpayer funded Legal Aid WA, Sunday Times reported.

The man sexually assaulted and pimped out his daughter to other paedophiles (stock image)

The man also received the legal aid before he was sentenced to 22-years in June after pleading guilty to 61 charges for sexually assaulting his daughter and pimping her out to paedophiles dubbed the 'evil 8' when she was between 11 and 13.

She is now 14-years-old.

The man was approved legal aid despite property records showing he owns a northern suburbs Perth home.

Alfred John Impicciatore, 46, will face trial after pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting the girl

Mark Wesley Liggins (left) was sentenced to more than two years in prison. David Volmer (right) was jailed for 10 and a half years

Legal Aid WA business services director Malcolm Bradshaw told Sunday Times applications were judged on legal merit and inability to pay for representation.

'Even though a matter may be considered to be abhorrent by the community that should not necessarily come into the consideration of whether or not we would grant funding for an appeal,' he said.

Mr Bradshaw said rejecting people's cases based on the nature of their crimes could lead to miscarriages of justice.
A driver accused of being three times over the legal blood alcohol limit has been charged with punching a police officer in the face following a pursuit through picturesque coastal towns.

The Saturday chase began about 3pm after the man, 34, allegedly did a burnout in front of police at Shoalhaven Heads, on the New South Wales South Coast, police said.

The pursuit continued through beachside Gerringong and north on the Princes Highway before ending at Albion Park train station.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with punching a police officer in the face following a pursuit through the New South Wales South Coast on Saturday afternoon (stock image)

The accused drove more than 20 kilometres from near Kiama, to Albion Park, despite police road spikes damaging his car's tyres, police said.

Before being ordered to get out of the car, the driver allegedly threatened police with a knife before placing it on the roof of his Ford Fairlane luxury sedan.

As he was being arrested afterwards, the man allegedly punched an officer in the face.

The officer suffered minor bruising.

The man, who was allegedly three times over the legal limit, started the chase when he did a burnout in front of police at Shoalhaven Heads, police claim (stock image)

The driver was taken to Lake Illawarra police station, where he blew 0.136, which is almost three times the limit blood alcohol limit of 0.05.

He was charged with c harged with assaulting police, a police pursuit, mid-range drink driving, doing an aggravated burnout in front of a traffic patrol vehicle, resisting arrest and stealing.
A father and son have died after falling off a cliff during a hike.

The two plunged to their death while on a trail next to Shaver Lake in Fresno, California.

Though deputies attempted to get to the hikers, there was a helicopter power failure during a refueling and they made an emergency landing, meaning they couldn't get to the pair, ABC 30 reported.

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A father and son fell off a cliff while hiking and died on Saturday. KSEE tweeted this photo on Saturday, writing: 'Two people died after falling down cliff near Shaver Lake. Helicopter makes emergency landing during rescue'

The report said a search-and-rescue crew is going out Sunday morning for the two victims' bodies.

The names of the father and son have not been publicly revealed.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to an early Sunday morning email seeking comment from DailyMail.com
Aboriginal children living in a remote Western Australian town claim they have been relentlessly targeted by white men who chase them off the road as they ride their bikes.

Several children, aged between 10 and 18, who are living in Kalgoorlie, 600km east of Perth claim they have been the subject of racial attacks and have even been photographed by people who accuse them of stealing their bicycles, according to Perth Now.

It comes less than three months after the death of Aboriginal teenager Elijah Doughty, who was run down and killed while riding a bike police allege was stolen close to his Kalgoorlie home.

Multiple Aboriginal children living in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia have reported being chased or followed by white people in cars as they ride their bicycles less than three months after 14-year-old Elijah Doughty (pictured) was hit by a car and killed

The 14-year-old's death on August 29 incited a violent clash outside of the Kalgoorlie courthouse (pictured) after a 55-year-old man, who cannot be named, was charged with the manslaughter of Elijah, not murder

About 200 people stormed the area and threw bottles and rocks through the courthouse's windows (pictured)

The 14-year-old's death on August 29 incited a violent clash throughout the town after a 55-year-old man, who cannot be named, was charged with the manslaughter of Elijah, not murder.

Elijah's best friend, Jasseppie Garlett, told Perth Now he has been traumatised by his friend's death and has been a target of such attacks repeatedly.

'When we're walking along or riding bikes,' says Jasseppie, 'people are yelling, "That's my bike, you little black c***." I've been chased a lot of times.'

A local couple, Leigh and Dianne Smith, said they have seen violent attacks like those Jasseppie claims.

The Smiths were pulling up to a nearby pub sand said they saw lots of children around.

Elijah participated in the Kalgoorlie City Football Club and was living with his grandfather at the time of his death

Police said they were alerted to Elijah's body in bushland near the corner of Clancy Street and Ivanhoe Street (pictured) about 9am on August 29

Members of the Kalgoorlie City Football Club pay their respects to Elijah (pictured)

'There were a heap of kids about. There were kids on motorbikes and this bloke came up the street swerving at them,' Mr Smith said.

'This bigger kid came off his bike and hit the gutter. He was forced off the road. I thought he'd killed him. The kid said he didn't want to go to police because they were already onto him over motorbikes. The bloke was laughing when the kid came off. I was dumbfounded.'

Tensions reached a breaking point after Elijah's death and 200 people stormed the Kalgoorlie Courthouse after several Aboriginals were not allowed inside as the 55-year-old was charged over the 14-year-old's death.

Demonstrators were seen carrying Aboriginal flags, as well as banners that read: 'All Lives Matter, Save Our Kids'.

Tensions reached a breaking point after Elijah's death and 200 people stormed the Kalgoorlie Courthouse after several Aboriginals were not allowed inside as the 55-year-old was charged over the 14-year-old's death (pictured)

Photos from the scene shows dozens of people marching through the streets outside the building (pictured)

A woman is seen here standing on top of a police car at the protests (pictured)

Police handcuff a protester outside the courthouse on Hannan St (pictured)

The crowd could also be heard chanting: 'We want justice'.

Rocks and bottles were hurled at the courthouse and smashed large windows in the front of the building. Five cars were also destroyed.

One police officer needed medical attention and another 11 were injured during the violent clash.

Riot police were called to the courthouse and arrested several people in 'relation to assault police and disorderly offences,' officers said.
Teenage pregnancies in Australia are at an all time low with less than three per cent of all births in the country attributed to mothers aged 19 years and under.

According to the latest figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women aged between 15 and 19 made up just 2.8 per cent of all births in 2015, compared to 3.1 per cent in 2014 and a staggering 24 per cent in 2005.

President of the Australian Young Pregnant and Parenting Network Lyn Allison said that Australia's teen pregnancy rate still lagged behind other Western countries.

Teenage pregnancies in Australia are at an all time low, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (stock image)

'In some western European counties, their figure is half of ours and we can certainly improve and we know that it's worthwhile to do so,' she told the Canberra Times.

The teenaged fertility rate of 11.9 births per 1,000 women stacks up pretty evenly with Canada (at 11.1), but iss significantly less than New Zealand (18.5) and England and Wales (14.5).

Executive director of Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT Tim Bavinton told the publication there were a number of reasons for the declining birth rate.

'It's partly in effect due to better sex education and contraceptive information and schools are taking that job seriously now with the national curriculum,' he said.

'I don't think we'll see any substantial changes up or down in the trend.'

The teenaged fertility rate of 11.9 births per 1,000 women is similar to Canada and less than New Zealand and England (stock image)

Beidar Cho from the ABS said the low share of births to teenage mothers in 2015 broke the previous record low of 3.1 per cent set in 2014.

'The fertility rate for 30-34 year olds was the highest of all age groups, followed by 25-29 year olds,' Ms Cho said.

The ACT had the lowest teen pregnancy figures of any state at 1.28 per cent of all births, while the Northern Territory recorded the higest rate with 6.66 per cent.
The offender fled but Police caught the 19-year-old man and charged him

He was then stabbed in the neck with a bottle by the Coolangatta man

The victim allegedly punched the other male in the face at a playground

A fight broke out between two 19-year-old men on the Gold Coast

An altercation at a playground has seen a 19-year-old man allegedly stabbed in the neck with a bottle.

The argument broke out at a playground in the Gold Coast at 9.30pm when the 19-year-old Currumbin Waters man told another man, 19, to stop smashing bottles at a Palm Beach playground.

The 19-year-old victim allegedly punched the Coolangatta man in the face before he was stabbed causing a serious gash.

An altercation at a playground has seen a 19-year-old man allegedly stabbed in the neck with a bottle

The 19-year-old victim allegedly punched the Coolangatta man in the face before he was stabbed causing a serious gash

The Currumbin Waters victim was rushed to hospital and is in a stable condition.

The Coolangatta male fled the scene, but police found the man later on.

The alleged attacker was charged with unlawful wounding on Sunday and will face Southport Magistrates Court on December 12.

The Currumbin Waters victim was rushed to hospital and is in a stable condition
But the company has made more 'upsetting' moves this week to cut costs

Ranked in the Forbes top 50 most powerful women she has earned around 100million in the last six years since the snack giant took over Cadbury

The boss behind the changes to Toblerone Irene Rosenfeld has earned around 100million in the last six years despite cost-saving cuts being made to the company's products.

Mrs Rosenfeld, 63, from Chicago, in the United States of America, is chief executive of US snack giant Mondelez, the company behind the take-over of Cadbury in 2010.

Currently ranked 32 in Forbes The World's 100 Most Powerful Women in the last six years her salary has maintained a level of between 10million to 25million as well as bonuses, according to filed proxy statements shared online, because of her success turning around the profits for Cadbury.

As a result the married mother-of-two has earned around 100million in the last six years.

Mother-of-two Irene Rosenfeld, 63, who lives in Chicago, USA, is believed to have earned at least 100million in the last six years whilst working for Mondelez International which took over Cadbury in 2010

Mondelez International and Mrs Rosenfeld made headlines this week when chocolate fans were left in shock at the news Toblerone was changing.

The company announced that the gaps between the bar's iconic triangles are to be increased as a cost-cutting method to reduce to weight of small and large bars.

The controversial UK-only change to the Swiss chocolate bar was made because of the 'higher costs for ingredients' - such as cocoa - but Mondelez International denied the change was made 'as a direct result of Brexit', but it pointed out the exchange rate was 'not favourable'.

Chocolate fans have vented their fury after Toblerone increased the gaps between the bar's iconic triangular chunks to reduce the weight of the popular treat

The move by the company, formerly known as Kraft, has resulted in the weight of the 400g bars being reduced to 360g and the 170g bars to 150g, while the price remains the same.

Hundreds took to social media to voice their 'disgust' at the bigger spaces between the Toblerone peaks, although the packaging will remain the same size.

Including comedian Ricky Gervais who said: 'First Brexit and now this.'

Comedian Ricky Gervais lead the outrage, saying: 'First Brexit and now this'

In a statement, a spokesman for Mondelez International said: 'Like many other companies, we are experiencing higher costs for numerous ingredients.

'We carry these costs for as long as possible, but to ensure Toblerone remains on-shelf, is affordable and retains the triangular shape, we have had to reduce the weight of just two of our bars in the UK, from the wider range of available Toblerone products.'

Mondelez confirmed to MailOnline that the change came as a result of the increasing price of cocoa.

The move has resulted in the weight of the 400g bars being reduced to 360g and the 170g bars to 150g, while the price remains the same

The price of cocoa hit a 39-year high just days after the results of the Brexit vote was announced.

Cocoa traded in London denominated in sterling rose to 2,495 a tonne by early July, the highest level since 1977 as the pound hit a 31-year low.

Mondelez has previously come under fire for 'ruining' much-loved Cadbury's products.

Consumers have also complained about Daily Milk bars being given rounded edges, bars shrinking and the axing of Cadbury chocolate coins.

Robert Haigh, director at consultancy Brand Finance, said the change to the Toblerone bars was 'quite risky' and could be seen as 'deceptive'.

Mondelez confirmed to MailOnline that the change came as a result of the increasing price of cocoa, pictured is the original bar

He said: 'They have tinkered around with some products with mixed success. Creme Egg sales plunged when they changed the recipe, for example.

'Not changing the packaging could be seen as deceptive and we will wait to see whether it has a negative effect.

'Like Marmite, Toblerone has an impact on the cultural consciousness that far outweighs its actual popularity.'

After being approached about Mrs Rosenfeld's pay a spokesman from Mondelez International said: 'Our executive compensation programs are well-aligned with shareholders and are strongly based on pay for performance.

'With respect to our Chairman and CEO, her compensation is publicly reported every spring in the companys Proxy Statement, which can be found on our website at under SEC Filings.

'As you will see in these public documents, 85 percent of Ms. Rosenfelds compensation is incentive or at-risk pay, and more than 70 percent is based on long-term performance.

'I would also highlight that under Ms. Rosenfelds leadership, Mondelez International has delivered industry-leading total shareholder returns (TSR) that are well above the S&P 500 and our consumer staples peers, despite the highly volatile macroeconomic environment.

'In fact, over the last three-year period (2013-2015), Mondelez International has delivered annualized TSR of 18.6 percent.'
Letters, photographs and memoirs donated by parents whose sons were killed on the Somme have been released to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The Imperial War Museums (IWM) has revealed documents and pictures commemorating soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the bloodiest clash in the First World War.

The collection includes a farewell letter written by a soldier who died on the first day of the battle and a photograph of two brothers thought to have died in each other's arms.

Frederick Bertram Key (right) wrote a letter the day before he died to his parents, saying 'if you receive this you will know that I have unfortunately been "bowled out" middle peg, however you may be sure I battled well'. Shown left are brothers Leonard and Arthur Tregaskis (front)

Cardiff-born Second Lieutenant Leonard Tregaskis and his brother Lieutenant Arthur Tregaskis were both killed in Mametz Wood, on July 7 1916.

It is said they were within 50 metres of each other when one was wounded and the other rushed to his aid and was shot.

They died in each other's arms and their mother received one telegram in the morning informing her of one son's death, and later the same day, another telegram telling her the other son had died.

Their father sent the IWM a photograph of his sons and information including comments from Major Smith OC of the 16th Battalion Welsh Regiment, who said: 'They were both among the noblest and bravest of our valiant officers.

Among the letters is the story of Cardiff-born Second Lieutenant Leonard Tregaskis and his brother Lieutenant Arthur Tregaskis were both killed in Mametz Wood, on July 7 1916

The brothers were said to have died in each other's arms. Their father wrote a note about the two boys, including comments from their Major

'I always found them true hearted men. The whole Battalion regarded them with deep affection and real pride.'

A farewell letter from Second Lieutenant Frederick Bertram Key, from Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire, was donated by his father, along with a portrait taken when he was on leave in December 1915.

The letter written on the eve of the Somme, the day before he died, said that 'if you receive this you will know that I have unfortunately been "bowled out" middle peg, however you may be sure I battled well'.

Frederick also wrote that 'if some have to die and if I am one, well I can't grumble, I have had 26 years of a quiet, easy life, I certainly ought to have spent it better, but we all say that'.

Archie Brammer (left) died on the first day of the battle, and his parents received a letter from a friend of his. John Woodall Marshall (right) received a Military Cross and the exhibition includes a letter from his mother

The documents originally formed part of the IWM's Bond of Sacrifice collection, dating back to the museum's foundation in 1917, and will now be part of the Lives of the First World War digital memorial to those who took part in the conflict.

Advertisements in newspapers from September 1917 until April 1920 asked people to contribute photographs and biographies of their loved ones who had died in the war, and hundreds responded.

They also include letters from soldiers' comrades and memoirs written by parents about their children.

Private Archie Brammer's father sent the IWM a photograph, a biography and a letter from friend and comrade Albert Gutrum

In the letter, Gutrum wrote 'trusting you will find comfort in his brave sacrifice for his country and more so in his good life in the best of his religious principles'

Charlotte Czyzyk, project manager for Lives of the First World War, said: 'These powerful photographs and letters were donated to IWM by families in tribute to their loved ones who were lost in the bloodshed of the Battle of the Somme.

'Now, for the first time through IWM's Lives of the First World War, we can share these poignant stories online and ensure that these men are remembered 100 years on.'

Another soldier who died on the Somme on July 1 1916 was Lieutenant John Woodall Marshall, who received the Military Cross for his service in the First World War.

Another soldier who died on the Somme on July 1 1916 was Lieutenant John Woodall Marshall, who received the Military Cross for his service in the First World War

In a letter by Marshall's mother, she told how her son's lieutenant colonel had written about having 'the highest opinion of his bravery'

In her letter to the IWM, his mother said that his lieutenant colonel had written: 'I had the highest opinion of his bravery and capability and he will be a great loss to me and the battalion.'

Private Archie Brammer was also killed on the first day of the battle and his father sent the IWM a photograph, a biography and a letter from friend and comrade Albert Gutrum, who said he did not know what had happened to Archie in the battle.

'Trusting you will find comfort in his brave sacrifice for his country and more so in his good life in the best of his religious principles,' Albert wrote.
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has warned that, following the election of Donald Trump, the West faces 'the greatest challenges to our security in a generation'.

During the presidential campaign Trump threatened to downgrade American support for Nato allies in eastern Europe, which has led to alarm bells going off in Poland, Romania and the Baltic states, who remain terrified of the Russian bear next door.

Nato chiefs fear Vladimir Putin will bully the Baltic states and other countries in eastern Europe, as it has in the Ukraine, leading to a potentially explosive situation.

Putin's aggression has been underlined in recent months as Russian jets have tested Nato's air defences in the North Sea and also in the Baltic.

The Sun today claimed several Russian nuclear submarines were being hunted off the British coast.

HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate (pictured), is reportedly hunting Russian submarines off the west coast of Scotland

Three RAF planes and the anti-submarine frigate HMS Sutherland were searching for the Russian subs off the west coast of Scotland.

In an interview with The Observer, Mr Stoltenberg said: 'This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States. Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States.'

He said: 'We have implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence since the cold war.

'And the United States has significantly strengthened its commitment to European security, deploying a new armoured brigade to eastern Europe and delivering equipment and supplies to support future reinforcements if needed. This is deterrence, not aggression. We do not seek to provoke a conflict, but to prevent a conflict.'

British diplomats fear Donald Trump (left) and Vladimir Putin (right) share a simplistic view of the world and have little truck with political correctness or even human rights

'Nato battalions numbering thousands of troops cannot be compared with Russian divisions numbering tens of thousands just across the border. Our response is defensive and proportionate. But it sends a clear and unmistakable message: an attack against one will be met by a response from all.'

It comes as it was revealed the British ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, had urged Theresa May to get in early and try to tame Trump.

The Sunday Times reported Sir Kim's memo said: 'It bears repeating that this soon to be president-elect is above all an outsider and an unknown quantity, whose campaign pronouncements may reveal his instincts, but will surely evolve and, particularly, be open to outside influence if pitched right.'

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) pointed out Nato had only once invoked its self-defence clause and that was after 9/11

Britain's 'special relationship' will the United States is facing its biggest test for a generation after Donald Trump showed increasing signs of cosying up to Vladimir Putin and disagreeing with his Nato partners over Syria.

Trump thanked the Russian President for sending him a 'beautiful' letter, congratulating him on defeating Hillary Clinton - who had been set to take a hawkish line with Moscow - and suggested he agreed with Putin's strategy in Syria.

Mr Trump said he wanted the Americans to join forces with Russians to 'knock the hell' out of ISIS, which would mean bolstering the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

His attitude is in stark contract with Theresa May who has said Assad's regime has been responsible for 'atrocious violence' and Syria's long-term future should be 'without Assad'.

Vladimir Putin (pictured, inspecting an anti-submarine warfare ship) has increased Russian military spending and helped bring about a new 'cold war' in Europe

There are fears that Putin will seek to exploit divisions between Trump and his Nato allies over Syria and also over the Ukraine, where ethnic Russian rebels remain in control of large swathes of the east of the country and Russia itself annexed Crimea in 2014.

Sanctions were placed on Russia shortly after Moscow annexed the Crimea peninsula and are rolled over for six-month periods.

A European diplomat told Reuters: 'The roll-over in December should still happen. There is no change on the ground in Ukraine...there is really no argument not to extend them.

'But then, after Trump's inauguration, who knows where he takes us. It may become way more difficult.'

European foreign ministers are meeting in an 'emergency' meeting today to discuss the ramifications of Trump's election.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has accused his European counterparts of over-reacting and has said he will snub the meeting.

But Johnson has spoken out over Syria recently, accusing Russia of perpetrating war crimes over the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Aleppo.

The horrific death toll on civilians in Syria has had little impact in the United States and Trump's main reference to the crisis on the campaign trail was to point out he would not allow any Syrian refugees into the US, for fear that they may be infiltrated by ISIS sympathisers.

Earlier this week Sir Michael Graydon, the former head of the RAF, said: 'If the US leaves Nato it would be absolutely disastrous and just what Vladimir Putin would like. If a situation occurs in the Baltic where we need to take a firm stance, the credibility of this would be lacking without the US.'
Gable Tostee has attempted to explain why he recorded audio of his Tinder date and told his version of the night Warriena Wright plunged to her death from his 14th floor Gold Coast balcony.

In a paid, tell-all interview, the 30-year-old carpet layer said he recorded audio of his date with the New Zealand tourist 'just in case'.

'The question isn't so much why I did that, but why wouldn't you,' Tostee told Nine Network's 60 Minutes which aired on Sunday night.

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Gable Tostee 30, has done a paid tell-all interview to tell his side of the story after his Tinder date Warriena Wright, 26, (pictured together) plunged to her death from his Gold Coast balcony

'It's more of a just-in-case thing, because you're better off having something [recorded] and not needing it, than needing something and not having it.

'Just in case  well, you know, the thing that happened on August 8, 2014, is a perfect example.'

He had recorded about three hours of audio on his smart mobile phone, and it was played back to him through the interview.

His lips quivered as Warriena could be heard screaming 'no' 33 times and begging to go home.

'You're lucky I haven't chucked you off my balcony, you God damn psycho little b****,' Tostee could be heard saying in the audio.

He said that was merely a 'horribly unfortunate choice of words'.

'I didn't intend it as a threat. I intended it as a figure of speech that she was lucky I was tolerant.'

She had allegedly grown violent and he eventually 'bundled her up and carried her out the nearest door' in order to 'de-escalate' the situation.

Tostee is rumoured to have been paid $150,000 for the tell-all interview

Tostee had locked Warriena Wright (pictured) on his 14th floor balcony when the pair had an altercation. She climbed over the balcony in an apparent attempt to escape

But Tostee could not detail how he restrained the 26-year-old.

'I can't remember exactly,' Tostee said. 'I don't remember exact hand positions.'

He denied he choked Warriena at any point and said he used her size to force her out onto the balcony.

He is six foot three. Warriena was just five foot four.

Less than 30 seconds later, Warriena fell to her death and her final scream could be heard in the audio recording - but Tostee denied hearing it.

'I didn't hear her with my own ears,' he said.

'All I saw was her on the other side of the balcony, and then she vanished.'

He said he could not have predicted she would climb over the balcony 'to nothingness'.

'There was no threat to her,' he said.

'I didn't do anything to make her fear for her life.'

Tostee rejected the characterisation he was a 'playboy', and said sleeping with 180 women 'is not really a surprising figure' nowadays

He could not detail how he restrained the 26-year-old and said he did not hear her scream when she plunged to her death that night, in August 2014

Another 30 seconds later, Tostee tried to phone his lawyer. He did not call for an ambulance or look over the balcony but tried to work out the most 'rational' response.

'Instinctively, I knew that if I ran out there and somebody saw me looking over the edge and she had actually fallen all the way, it would look like, you know, it would not look good,' Tostee said in the interview.

'Looking over the edge, you know, it doesn't help anybody. There's no purpose to it.'

He said it would have been a 'knee-jerk curiosity' to peer over the edge to check if Warriena was okay.

Tostee left the apartment building, exiting through its basement, six minutes later. He then went and had a slice of pizza and phoned his father before they got onto his lawyer.

He said he ordered the pizza to sober up.

'There was nothing happy, casual or indulgent about it.'

In the interview, Tostee rejected the characterisation he was a 'playboy', and said sleeping with 180 women 'is not really a surprising figure' nowadays.

Tostee said he recorded audio of the Tinder date 'just in case'

Tostee's father Gray and mother Helene are pictured during the interview

He described himself as a 'pretty normal kind of guy' who is kind 'to the people I care about,' Tostee said.

Tostee's mother Helene said she believed he behaved appropriately. His father Gray said he believed the 30-year-old would have acted differently with the benefit of hindsight.

Tostee said despite how his actions appeared, he had been 'terrified' for Warriena.

'Of course I was worried for her,' he said about the moments after she fell.

'I hate the last thing Warriena experienced was an argument.

'That was, that night, that was the most scared I've ever been. It's the most distraught I've ever been in my entire life.'

He is rumoured to have been paid $150,000 for the tell-all interview, the first time the public has heard his explanation.

He used his right not to testify during his trial.

'Nobody's trained for a situation like this. It's like being hit by lightning,' Tostee said in the interview

Snippets of the interview had been aired in the lead-up to the program on Sunday night.

The clips had previously revealed Tostee was no longer on the dating app, Tinder, was 'still traumatised' and had attempted to reach out Warriena's family.

He attempted to explain why he left his apartment building to eat pizza and called his father rather than phone triple-0.

'What happened, had happened  there was nothing an ambulance could do,' Tostee said, a promotional video played earlier in the week revealed.

'Nobody's trained for a situation like this. It's like being hit by lightning.

'There's no right or wrong to proceed from there.'

He said he was 'still traumatised' and wanted to speak with Warriena's family and had put in a 'formal request' through the Queensland Courts, but 'they weren't interested in anything he had to say'.

A policewoman is pictured impersonating Warriena Wright in a police recreation of her death

Tostee had locked the New Zealand tourist on his balcony when the pair fought while intoxicated on their date in August, 2014. Warriena climbed over the balcony in an apparent attempt to escape but plunged to her death.

Tostee pleaded not guilty and was cleared of murder and manslaughter last month.

He was criticised for using his right not to testify during the trial.

The jury had deliberated for four days, and Tostee said they made the 'right decision' at the end of the day.

'It doesn't matter how innocent someone is,' he said. 'There is no comfort in being on trial for murder.'

He was interviewed by Liam Bartlett, who earlier revealed Tostee wanted a chance to clear his name.

'I honestly believe for him now, a major motivator to go public, to actually front up full stop is his motivation that he recognises that a lot of people perceive him as a bit of a monster,' he said.

'I'm sure he regrets the entire night, but I'm not certain whether that's more about his personal regret, or whether that regret hinges more on his personal future and less on what happened to her.'

The Gold Coast apartment building Warriena fell to her death from in August 2014

The 14th floor Gold Coast balcony Warriena fell from in August, 2014

Bartlett said he was clearly an intelligent man but wasn't convinced of his 'emotional intelligence'.

The journalist said he had been to the Gold Coast apartment and the balcony was so high you would want to be a 'champion cirque du soleil' gymnast to attempt to climb down sober.

A snippet of the 60 Minutes interview had been released earlier in the week, and revealed Tostee maintains he was trying to stop Warriena from 'attacking him'.

'I don't know what else to do. I wanted it to stop,' Tostee told Bartlett of the pair's altercation.

In an audio recording taken by Tostee, Ms Wright can be heard yelling 'no' more than 30 times, to which Tostee responds she was 'certainly trying to make a lot of noise.'

The interview had already incited social media backlash from viewers who criticised Channel Nine over the paid interview.
Already concern about conflict between Muslim and non-Muslim convicts

Some of Britain's most dangerous convicts, including convicted murderers, have set up sinister gangs to 'protect' themselves from Muslim inmates.

One new network, Death Before Dishonour (DBD), has reportedly prompted a security warning to governors after recruiting members from Close Supervision Units, which house the most violent prisoners.

There are fears the gang could lead to existing tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim inmates escalating 'beyond all control'.

Some of Britain's most dangerous convicts, including convicted murderers, have set up sinister gangs to 'protect' themselves from Muslim inmates. File picture

A source told The Sunday People: 'There have been top-security briefings warning of this organisation being set up and focusing on Close Supervision Units.'

The newspaper reported DBD has been linked to three convicted murderers.

With thousands of Muslims behind bars, officials are said to worried the group could seriously increase tensions.

The source added: 'Clearly there is a deep concern that this group could expand and the conflict could escalate out of all control.'

There have also been reports of another anti-Muslim group operating in UK jails, which calls itself 'the Piranhas'.

This was created after extremist Muslims began attempting to force other prisoners to adopt their faith.

One piranha member, convicted killer Christopher Ashton, 33, appeared in a sick anti-Muslim video shot behind bars

One piranha member, convicted killer Christopher Ashton, 33, appeared in a sick anti-Muslim video shot behind bars.

He has also reportedly been handing out postcards carrying a piranha image urging prisoners to fight back.

Ashton was given a life sentence in 2006 for killing Leon Small, 21, whose burnt body was discovered by a dog walker near the River Mersey in 2004.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman would not comment on DBD but said: 'Safety in prisons is fundamental to the proper functioning of our justice system.

'We do not tolerate violence or bullying in prisons and will always take action against any kind of discrimination.'

The reports come after a troubled week for British jails, which have faced intense criticism following a riot and a break-out on two consecutive days.

One prisoner, James Whitlock, 31, remains on the run after breaking out of HMP Pentonville with fellow inmate Matthew Baker, 28, on Monday.

They were discovered missing just before midday on Monday after an audacious Alcatraz-style break out.

Ashton has reportedly been handing out postcards carrying a piranha image urging prisoners to fight back

The men used diamond cutters - reportedly sent in by a drone - to break out of their cell and left mannequins in their beds in a bid to avoid detection.

Baker had been awaiting sentencing after he was found guilty of attempted murder two weeks ago for stabbing a man in Dagenham, east London.

Whitlock was on remand having been charged with conspiracy to burgle over 19 alleged ATM thefts.

Baker has been arrested by Whitlock remains on the run. Police have warned the public not to approach him.

And on Sunday, Bedford jail went into lockdown as 200 inmates, some wielding knives, went on the rampage for more than six hours.

Matthew Baker (left) and James Whitlock (right) fled Pentonville on Monday. Baker was later caught by police after dying his hair, a court heard. Whitlock is still at large.

Footage showed prisoners raising their hands in triumph after guards 'abandoned' their posts in the chaos.

There were reports of explosions heard from inside the prison as specialist security teams swarmed outside in a bid to regain control.

The two incidents came a week after the chair of the Prison Officers Association, Mike Rolfe, warned British jails had been engulfed by a 'bloodbath'.

Justice Minister Liz Truss has promised to invest 100 million in recruiting 2,500 new prison officers to help increase security.
Sir Kim Darroch, Britain's ambassador in Washington, sent an urgent diplomatic memo to No 10 this week after Mr Trump's shock White House win

Theresa May has been urged to get in early and influence Donald Trump amid fears the President-elect will be too close to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Sir Kim Darroch, Britain's ambassador in Washington, sent an urgent diplomatic memo to No 10 this week after Mr Trump's shock White House win and said while he was an 'outsider' he would be 'open to outside influence'.

But fears were growing today of the closeness between the Republican business tycoon and Mr Putin, after Mr Trump thanked his Kremlin colleague for a 'beautiful letter' congratulating him on his victory.

Eyebrows were raised this week when Mrs May was only the 11th world leader to speak to Mr Trump.

The race is now on for the Prime Minister to be the first European leader into the Trump White House while Britain is also prepared to roll out the red carpet for him to visit.

Tensions in Westminster were raised further today after Nigel Farage fulfilled his ambition to be the first British politician to meet the President-elect.

In his secret memo to Downing Street, revealed today by The Sunday Times, Sir Kim told Mrs May 'Trump did the apparently impossible' in winning the White House.

He said: 'It bears repeating that this soon to be president-elect is above all an outsider and an unknown quantity, whose campaign pronouncements may reveal his instincts, but will surely evolve and, particularly, be open to outside influence if pitched right.'

Sir Kim urged Mrs May to build on the 'special relationship' between Britain and America in the memo, which was written on Wednesday as the results were still coming in.

Theresa May, pictured with her husband Philip at last night's Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, has been urged to launch an early diplomatic offensive to mould Mr Trump

Mr Trump, pictured at the Capitol building with his wife Melania after his shock victory, is in the process of introducing himself to world leaders

The ambassador advised the PM: 'Having, we believe, built better relationships with his team than have the rest of Washington diplomatic corps, we should be well placed to do this.'

Mr Trump used his first TV interviews as President-elect to make a point of thanking Mr Putin for sending him a 'beautiful letter' of congratulation.

A Western alliance fighting ISIS in Syria and aiding rebels opposed to president Bashar al-Assad are poised for a significant policy shift in case Mr Trump backs the Russian support for the existing regime.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was made allegations of Russian war crimes in support of Assad, is expected to fly to the US before Mr Trump takes office in January to make the case for the existing policy.
Flora Mascolo, widow of Toni&Guy founder Guy Mascolo, pictured with their daughter Emmanuella

A multi-millionaire businesswoman who says she was duped out of more than2million by a 'celebrity chef' she was dating is now suing her ex in the High Court.

Flora Mascolo, 50, is the widow of Toni&Guy founder Guy Mascolo, and lives in a 5million Chelsea house next door to Charles Saatchi.

London's High Court heard how the wealthy widow had an 18-month relationship with Swiss-born 'celebrity chef' and restaurateur Michael Riemenschneider.

During the relationship she claims she bought him a 150,000 Mercedes and gave him 2.12m to invest in two new restaurants.

But she now says Mr Riemenschneider is a 'liar' and a gold-digger who 'used the restaurants as a front' to obtain her millions.

She alleges he spent the money on a 'lavish personal lifestyle', including luxury cars, expensive watches, and private jets.

She says he falsely 'led her to believe that he was a well-connected chef with a Michelin star grading' when he was in reality a 'professional conman'.

Mr Riemenschneider, who has a string of UK restaurants, denies all the allegations against him, and says he is not being given a fair chance to defend himself.

He insists he acted honestly and both a personal and business relationship with Mrs Mascolo before their romantic relationship came to an 'acrimonious' end.

Rupert D'Cruz, Miss Mascolo's barrister, told Mr Justice Supperstone that she and Mr Riemenschneider were in a relationship between September 2014 and April 2016.

London's High Court heard how the wealthy widow had an 18-month relationship with Swiss-born 'celebrity chef' and restaurateur Michael Riemenschneider (pictured)

She says she gave him 2.128m during that period to invest in two restaurants, Atellier Wilma, in Germany, and Zum Tischlerwirt, in Austria, on the basis that she would be paid back from the profits of the venture.

But when Zum Tischlerwirt folded after just six months, she 'became concerned' about what he was doing with her money, and at the end of 2015 put a private investigator on her then-boyfriend's tail.

She says the private eye discovered that Mr Riemenschneider was 'dishonest', had 'misrepresented his experience and credentials as a chef' - including pretending he had a Michelin star - and had a 'long history...of failed hotel and restaurant projects.'

She also became alarmed about Mr Riemenschneider's romantic credentials, after finding out that he had 'been engaged at least four times since 2009 and obtained financial backing or support from most if not all of his ex-fiancees.'

Her investigator reported back that her boyfriend was a 'professional conman' who had duped her out of millions, Mr D'Cruz told the court.

Mrs Mascolo says that the money she gave Mr Riemenschneider was 'an investment by way of a loan', and she now wants the court to make him give her it back.

She has already been granted a worldwide freezing order over some of his assets, the court heard.

And she is now asking for a further order forcing him to hand over his 'fleet of classic cars,' including the 150,000 Mercedes Benz AMG GTS Edition 1 Carbon Keramic she says she bought him, plus a collection of expensive watches, or be banned from defending her claim against him.

At the time of his death from a heart attack in 2009, Mr Mascolo was estimated to be worth over 250m

Mr D'Cruz told the judge that Mrs Mascolo needs the order as she believes her ex is now seeking to dissipate his assets and avoid his debt to her by fleeing to Dubai.

The barrister said that private investigator Julian Lloyd had concluded: 'Mr Riemenschneider is a professional conman who relies on third party investors to provide substantial investments, ostensibly for various restaurant businesses, which he then uses to finance a lavish personal lifestyle.'

He added that Miss Mascolo now believes her ex 'has a modus operandi of uprooting himself and absconding with investors' money.'

Mr D'Cruz told the court Miss Mascolo believes the chef has been 'calculatedly emptying his bank accounts', and 'moved cash across borders' into Dubai during a recent trip, with a view to 'taking up a position as a celebrity chef in one of the big restaurants over there.'

But Huw Davies QC, for Mr Riemenschneider, accused the furious multi-millionaire of 'oppressive behaviour' towards him, and asked for an adjournment to prepare the restaurateur's case.

He told the judge: 'The parties were involved in a personal romantic relationship. In addition to that relationship they entered into a business relationship.

'The parties' personal relationship has now ended acrimoniously. Miss Mascolo's primary claim is in deceit (but) the pleading of the case is unsatisfactory.

'He has not been dissipating the cash in his possession. The restaurants are being managed properly and with professional accounting assistance. He does not own a fleet of cars and he was in Dubai for good reason, not to dissipate cash.

'Much of the relief sought by Miss Mascolo is draconian in nature', he added.

Miss Mascolo is the widow of Guy Mascolo who, together with his brother Toni, was the founder of Toni&Guy (stock image)

He slammed the order sought by Miss Mascolo for 'delivery up of all Mr Riemenschneider's watches and classic cars,' saying: 'There is no legal basis for such an extraordinary order.'

'It in effect constitutes final relief before Mr Riemenschneider has had an opportunity to prepare and serve his defence,' he added.

'There is no reason why such an order is required now in advance of trial,' he said, demanding that the chef 'must be given time' to fight her claims.

Mr Riemenschneider 'intends to plead an agreement by the parties, governed by German law,' he added.

Miss Mascolo is the widow of Guy Mascolo who, together with his brother Toni, was the founder of Toni&Guy.

Their globally renowned hairdressing company was launched in Clapham in South London in 1963 when the brothers were still in their late teens.

At the time of his death from a heart attack in 2009, Mr Mascolo was estimated to be worth over 250m.
More than 16,000 signatures on petition asking for an apology to Price

A petition with more than 16,000 signatures is demanding The Project offers Steve Price an apology after he was unfairly ridiculed after the show's U.S. election debate.

Steve Price was at the epicentre of public debate when he mixed heated words with former Labor staffer Jamila Rizvi on Ten's The Project last Wednesday night following the shock U.S. election result.

The pair clashed after Price claimed Rizvi interrupted him as the panel discussed Hillary Clinton's loss.

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Broadcaster Steve Price (left) has shared a tense exchange with former Labor staffer Jamila Rizvi (right) following the shock US election result

Appearing on Channel 10's The Project on Wednesday night, the pair seemed to clash after Price claimed Rizvi interrupted him as the panel discussed Hillary Clinton's loss

The petition, calling for a public apology by the hosts, outlines that Price was abruptly cut off and 'insulted' by Jamila who was speaking with an 'outrageous tone'.

The petition is rallying for the freedom of speech for everyone, regardless of what side of politics you fall on.

It claimed Price was silenced for the remainder of the discussion due to the 'abuse' and 'degradation' he suffered on that night.

With more than 16,000 online signatures the petition only has 8,500 to go to reach its target.

The heated exchange last Wednesday was in the aftermath of Donald Trump winning the U.S. election.

The show's host Carrie Bickmore (right) was forced to intervene in the verbal stoush, telling Price off for using 'that tone'

Wearing a t-shirt with Hillary Clinton's logo, Ms Rizvi said she was in 'shock' at the result and 'sad' the US hadn't voted in a female president.

After host Carrie Bickmore outlined how women had voted, she seemingly directed to Ms Rizvi for comment - however Price interjected, saying the breakdown showed the underlying discontent within non-metro America.

'Well what that shows you is the people in real America, small town America, weren't buying the bulldust coming out of the elites,' Price began to say, before he was cut off by Rizvi.

'Sorry can we cut this bull**** about the idea of there being a real America,' the news.com.au columinst said.

Price attempted to jump back in, however his efforts were ignored as Ms Rizvi continued to lambaste Price's idea of a 'real America'.

'All America is real - and the question I believe was to me - if you live in a city or you live in a small town you're still American,' she said.

One Ms Rizvi had finished talking, Price then went on the attack.

'This is the reason why Donald Trump won, because people like you lecture and heckle people,' he said.

Clearly taken aback by Price's comments, Ms Rizvi 'apologised' as the studio audience let out a collective 'woah', before host Carrie Bickmore intervened.

'Pricey, we were talking to Jamila and you don't need to keep that tone,' Bickmore said.

Rizvi pointed out the question was initially addressed at her as the studio audience let out a collective 'woah'

Rizvi later took to social media to defend herself against broadcaster Ben Fordham who criticised her for interrupting Price

'I apologise, I thought I was on to be interviewed, so...' Ms Rizvi said.

Never one to back down from his views, it was the former shock jock Price who had the last word against Kevin Rudd's former media assistant.
Anglicare Victoria chief executive: 'the money doesn't go far enough'

Premier Daniel Andrews: 'it begins with getting people off the streets'

More housing for rough sleepers, the homeless, the young and veterans has been promised as the Victorian government spends big to help the state's most vulnerable.

Over the next five years $109 million will be poured into the effort.

The package announced on Saturday will help 19,000 people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a $109 million package that will help the homeless and vulnerable people in the state

The package will help 19,000 homeless and vulnerable by building and improving housing and accomodation

It includes building or improving 120 houses and providing accommodation for those with severe mental illnesses, women and children.

'It begins with getting people off the streets and into a home,' Premier Daniel Andrews said on Saturday at the Labor State Conference.

A recent City of Melbourne survey said 247 people were sleeping rough in the CBD, up from 142 two years ago.

Mr Andrews said there are thousands more who aren't visible because they're sleeping in their cars, on friend's couches or in hostels, caravan parks and temporary accommodation.

Anglicare Victoria's chief executive Paul McDonald the money doesn't go far enough and fails to extend support for foster care, kinship and residential care for 18 to 21-year-olds

About $10 million will go to help young people leaving state care to pay for board, housing subsidies and leases until they are 21.

Anglicare Victoria's chief executive Paul McDonald says the money doesn't go far enough.

'It falls well short of the most obvious, cost-effective and desperately needed measure for the children, which is extending support for foster care, kinship care or residential from the age of 18 to 21,' Mr McDonald said.

The government has also promised to build a new crisis accommodation facility in Melbourne's west and 30 new homes for vulnerable women and children.
Donald Trump must 'grow up' about immigration and drop his plan to build a wall across the US-Mexico border, Jeremy Corbyn demanded today.

The Labour leader said he Mexican wife and her family were 'outraged' at the Republican tycoon's victory in the race for the White House.

Mr Corbyn claimed the election was a cry for help from 'left behind' communities and warned there were similar problems caused by globalisation in Europe.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr, Mr Corbyn said Donald Trump must 'grow up' about immigration and drop his plan to build a wall across the US-Mexico border

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr, Mr Corbyn insisted the only effective answers could be found from the left of politics and claimed Bernie Sanders could have beaten Mr Trump last week, unlike his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

Mr Corbyn said: 'I'm looking forward to the conversation between my wife and Donald Trump. She is a proud Mexican, she is proud to live here as well, and all of us want to live in a world of tolerance and where we live with each other.'

Asked for his wife's reaction to the wall, Mr Corbyn said: 'Absolute anger and outrage. Donald Trump should grow up and recognise the American economy actually depends on migrant labour.

'Last year there was a day without Mexicans, they certainly noticed it.

'I think the treatment of Mexico by the United States just as the absurd and abusive language towards Muslims has to be challenged and should be challenged.'

Mr Corbyn said his wife Laura Alvarez, pictured together at the Labour conference in September, was outraged at Mr Trump's election and his plan to build a wall

Mr Corbyn said there had to be a rejection of economics pioneered by Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s and adopted by Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.

He said: 'It's time to move from the third way, from the New Labour agenda, from the agenda that was essentially an incorporation of free market, liberal economic thinking that actually processed de-industrialisation in Britain and to a lesser extent in Germany but a greater extent in France.

'What's now happening is a much stronger left movement across the United States and across Europe. Bernie Sanders guided a very large number of votes.

'Could he have won? Yes I think he probably could have won.'

Mr Trump, pictured at the Capitol in Washington DC, plans to build a wall across the US-Mexican border to try and halt illegal immigration

Mr Corbyn insisted he had the right answers for Britain and pointed to a tiny council by-election in Wandsworth, where the Labour vote rose by 10 per cent, as evidence his message was working.

The Labour leader said he understood the concerns about immigration but said intolerance was not the right solution - but said his policies would bring numbers down.

'Blame should be put where it belongs and that is the corporate investment decisions that have done so much damage to industry all over Europe,' Mr Corbyn said.

'We also have to be aware that we have to deal with undercutting, Len McCluskey amde good points about this last week, companies that bring in wholesale migrant Labour to detroy local working agreements.

'That has got to end. That's why I have supported the Agency Workers Directive and why in the referendum campaign I put a great deal of emphasis on the posting of workers.

'Where there has been a big impact on local communities, it is local government that needs to be properly funded to meet the needs.'

Mr Corbyn insisted he had the right answers for Britain and pointed to a tiny council by-election in Wandsworth, where the Labour vote rose by 10 per cent, as evidence his message was working

Mr Corbyn claimed he was already working on 'potential trade agreements' with left wing politicians around the world.

He said 'fair trade' was crucial to address problems caused by imported goods, insisting anything shipped into Britan should be produced to the same environmental and workers rights standards as are enforced here.

Mr Corbyn said: 'We have to invest in new industries, we have to have an investment strategy and I have put forward a national investment bank to promote good quality manufacturing industry.

'We also have to have fair trade agreements so when we import goods they are produced to the same environmental standards as we respect.

'It's not about closing down trade, it's about fair trade.'
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A two-minute silence led by the Queen has been held to honour the war dead as the nation's leaders gathered at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

The head of state was joined by Prime Minister Theresa May for the annual service in central London in memory of those killed in past and present conflicts.

More than 750 Armed Forces personnel were applauded by the gathered crowd as they marched to form a hollow square around the memorial.

As Big Ben struck 11am, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War-era guns to mark the beginning and end of the reflection in the heart of Whitehall. The Last Post was then sounded.

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The Duchess of Cambridge is joined by Camilla and a tearful Sophie, Countess of Wessex as the Royal family led the nation is honouring the war dead

The Queen has led the nation in honouring its war dead as she laid the first of many wreaths at the Cenotaph today

The Queen stands in front of the Cenotaph, as the nation came together for the annual Service of Remembrance

Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge look on silently as today's Remembrance event is played out in front of them

Prince Charles (shown right) laid a wreath at the monument as the country fell silent for Remembrance Sunday

Prime Minister Theresa May (right) and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn among those to carry wreaths to the Cenotaph

Holders of the Victoria Cross, Chelsea Pensioner Bill Speakman and Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry attend the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall

Queen Elizabeth ll laid a wreath at the monument, followed by other senior members of the Royal family

Members of the King's Troop, Royal Artillery fire on Horse Guards Parade to mark the end of the two minutes silence

The Queen led several politicians and other members of the Royal family in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph in London

Dressed in black, the Queen laid a wreath of poppies at the memorial for 'The Glorious Dead' while Mrs May and leader of the Opposition and noted pacifist Jeremy Corbyn followed suit.

In keeping with tradition, the Queen was joined by senior members of the royal family including the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales, who also laid wreaths.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and other royals watched on from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Crowds of poppy wearers lined Whitehall, which was closed to traffic, hours ahead of the service to pay their respects.

Following the ceremony, thousands of veterans and servicemen and women paraded down Whitehall past the Guards memorial.

Heir to the throne Charles took the salute at the march past of veteran and civilian organisations on Horse Guards Parade.

Military veterans dressed in all their finery lead the nation in honouring the war dead as the Queen prepares to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday

Veterans wait on Horse Guards Parade for the start of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Westminster

Serving detachments from the Armed Forces marched to the Cenotaph in Whitehall where they formed a hollow square for the nationis most solemn annual event

Proud former servicemen and women prepare to take part in a walk past the Horse Guards parade earlier this morning

The head of state will be joined by Prime Minister Theresa May for the annual Remembrance Sunday service in central London in memory of those killed in past and present conflicts

About 8,500 veterans took part in the march past, down from the usual 10,000-strong participants after the Legion introduced more rigorous eligibility criteria for participation this year.

Bob Gamble OBE, who heads up commemorative events at the RBL, denied family members had been told they could not march, saying instead various associations had been trying to prioritise veterans.

He said: 'By the time Charles stops saluting I think he'll tell you there were plenty of veterans here today.

'The numbers were less this year than last, next year I am very confident we will be back up to our usual 10,000, but it will be veterans. The crowds come to see veterans. It's about veterans.

'We just need to make sure all those that have served, both civilian and military, men and women have an opportunity to come and do this thing. It's for them.'

Military veterans from across the armed forces were out in large numbers to pay their respects to their fallen comrades

Thousands of people gathered together in central London to pay their respects during the two-minute silence

Former Prime Minister David Cameron (left) walks through Downing Street on his way to the annual Remembrance Sunday Service, while Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (right) is joined by wife Marina near House Guards Parade

As Big Ben struck 11am, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War-era guns to mark the beginning and end of the reflection in the heart of Whitehall. The Last Post was then sounded

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair walk through Downing Street, while current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also made his way to the Cenotaph

Following the ceremony, thousands of veterans and servicemen and women will parade down Whitehall past the Guards memorial

'Lest we forget': Remembrance Sunday is marked around the rest of the UK and beyond

Remembrance Sunday has been commemorated across the globe today, as millions paid tribute to those killed in past and present conflicts.

This year, remembrance events will be especially poignant as 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland, the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War and the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.

The British Army suffered almost 60,000 casualties on the first day of the Somme battle alone and more than a million men would be killed or wounded on both sides over the course of the 141-day offensive.

On June 30 and July 1, members of the royal family attended commemoration services in France and across the UK to mark the beginning of the bloody battle.

A member of the armed forces weeps as they gather to commemorate the sacrifice of servicemen and women who fought in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts at Fort William, Scotland

Veterans brave the rain to pay tribute at a Remembrance Sunday service in Fort William town centre

One young girl proudly displays medals belonging to a relative as she looks at the small clay models exhibition in Bristol

Walkers look at the War Memorial after a two minute silence at Bradgate Park in Newtown Linford

Members of Scotland's armed forces and veterans gather to commemorate and pay respect at Fort William in Scotland

A Canadian soldier salutes as he and his colleague help a woman lay a wreath at the memorial during the Remembrance Day service at the War Cemetery in Nairobi, Kenya

Canadian soldiers attend a ceremony on Remembrance Sunday at the British embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan

Former servicemen perform a salute during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore

A veteran proudly displays his medals on his jacket as he attends Remembrance Sunday in Hong Kong, China

Bagpiper Frank Hunter plays during the ceremony for Remembrance Sunday at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Hodogaya, Yokohama, Japan

Members of a Kenyan military band sound bugles to mark the start of two minutes' silence on Remembrance Sunday at the Nairobi War Cemetery in Kenya
Council workers were criticised by social media users for doing 'lousy job'

Grit is usually spread by men using shovels as they walk in front of digger

Two men were filmed inside the scoop of a digger in Kaluga, Russia

These street gritters came up with a very creative way to do their job - by sitting in the scoop of a digger as they chucked salt onto the ground.

The two men were filmed hitching a ride on board the digger as they threw grit onto the pavement in front of them in Kaluga, south-west Russia.

Social media users have criticised the council workers for doing a 'lousy' job, with some calling for them to be fired.

Two street gritters were filmed hitching a ride on board the digger as they threw salt onto the pavement in front of them in Kaluga, south-west Russia

Council workers usually scatter the mixture of salt and sand using shovels while walking in front of the digger.

Footage shows the men carelessly scattering the grit onto the ground in front of them as they enjoy the ride.

The incident was recorded by surprised onlookers and widely shared online. Officials said they were investigating the incident.

They confirmed that the digger driver had broken the law by driving on the pavement.

The incident was recorded by surprised onlookers and widely shared online
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Pope Francis held a special mass for homeless people in the Vatican where he criticised the world's treatment of the poorest in society.

Francis had invited homeless and impoverished people to one of his last Masses during the Holy Year of Mercy he established to stress that virtue. The Holy Year ends on November 20.

Along with cardinals and other prelates dressed in impeccably pressed, bright green vestments, homeless people sat near the ornate central altar. Some of the homeless sported straggly beards or torn and stained clothing. One man's large tattoo on his scalp was evident when he bowed his head in prayer.

Pope Francis, pictured, invited homeless people into the Vatican today for a special Mass this morning

Pope Francis welcomed the homeless people into the Vatican for the Mass which was part of the Holy Year of Mercy

Pope Francis, pictured, spoke of social inclusion especially when it concerned migrants or people from different races

One priest took the opportunity of the special Mass to take a photograph of Pope Francis on his mobile phone

In his homily, Francis said God and neighbor are the most valuable riches in life.

'Everything else  the heavens, the earth, all that is beautiful, even this basilica  will pass away, but we must never exclude God or others from our lives,' the pope said.

The pope elaborated on his recent comments encouraging social policies of inclusion, amid a backdrop of the rising popularity of politicians advocating exclusionary policies toward migrants of other religions, races or ethnicities in several developed countries.

'It is ominous that we are growing used to this rejection,' the pope said. 'We should be worried when our consciences are anesthetised and we no longer see the brother or sister suffering at our side, or notice the grave problems in the world, which become a mere refrain familiar from the headlines on the evening news.'

He called it a 'symptom of spiritual sclerosis' when people focus on producing goods instead of loving others.

'This is the origin of the tragic contradiction of our age: as progress and new possibilities increase, which is a good thing, fewer and fewer people are able to benefit from them,' the pope said. He called that contradiction a 'great injustice.'

'There is no peace in the homes of the prosperous as long as justice is lacking in the home of everyone,' he said.

The Mass was the final event of the Jubilee of the Socially Excluded Persons year which ends later this month

Pope Francis invited homeless people into the Vatican for the special mass this morning to encourage social inclusion

Despite the special mass there were still homeless people sleeping on the streets of Rome near the Vatican today

Pope Francis criticised society's desire for goods rather than helping other people or helping with their spiritual wellbeing

Pope Francis warned that people should never exclude God from their lives during this morning's special Mass
A Russian tycoon who owns homes in Brighton and Scotland has demanded his estranged wife returns 800,000 worth of antiques and sculptures.

Sergey Fedotov, 39, is involved in an acrimonious divorce from Kira, who he has accused in a High Court writ of taking Salvador Dali sculptures, suits of armour and antique furniture without permission.

He claims she hired removal men to transfer some of them to her home in Switzerland and auctioned off those she did not want to keep.

Among the items which have gone missing are three bronze sculptures by Salvador Dali, worth 95,000 each, a Lorenzo Quinn bronze worth 30,000 and paintings and prints by Savid Lachapelle worth 100,000.

Sergey Fedotov (pictured), who was arrested in Moscow ine June accused of embezzlement from the Russian Authors' Society, is involved in an acrimonious divorce from his wife Kira

Mrs Fedotov is also accused of taking 26,000 worth of antique furniture, as well as the logbooks for his vintage collection of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars.

He is now suing Mrs Fedotova, who he married in 2013, in the High Court for return of the property.

The Daily Telegraph said Mrs Fedotova is thought to deny her husband's claims and plans to contest them in court.

One of his British homes is Castle Grant in Moray, an 16th century A-listed pile, which he bought for 1million in 2014 after it was repossessed from the former owner of Glasgow Rangers FC, Craig Whyte, after he failed to keep up with mortgage payments.

Russian police started investigating Mr Fedotov last year after concerns were raised about where he got the funds to buy the castle and other properties in Brighton.

Mr Fedotov is a businessman and former head of the Russian Authors' Society (RAO), a non-governmental organisation created in 1993, which collects royalty payments on behalf of writers.

In June he was arrested in Moscow and accused of carrying out a 6 million fraud by embezzling royalty payments to buy and sell a number of commercial properties.

Prosecutors have alleged Mr Fedotov profited from the scam by selling the properties to fake firms and claim he misled members of the RAO board.

One of Fedotov's homes is Castle Grant (pictured) in Morayshire, in the Scottish Highlands

Mr Fedotov bought Castle Grant, on the outskirts of Grantown-on-Spey, in September, 2014, after it was repossessed by the Bank of Scotland.

He told estate agents he had grand refurbishment plans for the property after it fell into disrepair during Whyte's ownership.
Fellow prisoners planned to murder serial killer Fred West by giving him poisoned alcohol in his cell, it has been revealed

Fellow prisoners planned to murder serial killer Fred West by giving him poisoned alcohol in his cell, it has been revealed.

Phone taps had already alerted officers at HMP Birmingham to a conspiracy to smuggle spirits and drugs into the jail in plastic water bottles.

But as prison staff played back the tape they also overheard a plan to kill 'house of horrors' murderer West using poisons they had already obtained for the purpose.

Eavesdropping revealed the staff car park behind the mess at the prison, in Winson Green, west Birmingham, was being used for drops of drugs and spirits.

A trusted inmate given access to the grounds collected the contraband and gave it to others working unsupervised as chefs and waiters in the officer's mess.

The inmates with the most privileges, called red bands, were then able to distribute the bottles throughout the jail, including alcohol spiked with poison to West's cell.

Hidden documents to be revealed in a new book include records of phone intercepts, secret memos to the Governor about the plot, and cell searches.

Red bands are supposedly well-behaved convicts and often work unsupervised in prison offices, the staff mess, the stores, or reception.

Phone taps had already alerted officers at HMP Birmingham to a conspiracy to smuggle spirits and drugs into the jail in plastic water bottles. Pictured is Fred and Rosemary West

An internal investigation was launched after the prison communications room intercepted a call to one of the orderlies at 11am on May 19 1994.

There is reference to drugs and spirits being brought into the establishment via the mess red bands, the transcript warned the Governor.

There is talk of poison, samples of which are alleged to be available, and attempts on West presumably to kill him.

Officers were immediately ordered to search the cells of all the inmates working in the officers mess plus West's own cell - in search of the poisoned booze.

A search of all the cells the same day recovered contraband including plastic bottles smelling of alcohol, cigarette lighters, black market phone cards, and razor blades.

The orderly who had been allowed limited access to the prison grounds was immediately sacked from his trusted post and given work back inside the prison.

But as prison staff played back the tape they also overheard a plan to kill the 'house of horrors' murderer. Pictured is the West's former home, 25 Cromwell Street

At the time of the plot, West was awaiting trial for the murders of 12 young girls, most of which were committed with wife Rosemary.

He was hated as a child killer and child abuser by his fellow inmates and was segregated from the rest of the prison population at Winson Green.

YORKSHIRE RIPPER CALLED A BROTHEL FROM HIS NEW JAIL Peter Sutcliffe called a brothel from prison when he was trying to contact a relative. The Yorkshire Ripper, who killed 13 women - including sex workers - was trying to get in touch with his niece using a number on HMP Frankland's approved list. But Sutcliffe, who was previously at Broadmoor, went through to a brothel instead, The Sun reported, prompting claims there had been a mistake with the approved calls list. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said there had not been a mix-up. Advertisement

He was given a cell on a landing above the prison's convicted sex offenders where prison authorities believed he would be safe.

He lived in fear of being killed but after being taken off suicide watch he hanged himself in his cell on New Year's Day 1995.

His prison files were originally to be sealed for 84 years but after his death some of the documents were released into the public records office at Kew.

Prof Tom Clark, of Sheffield University, has been researching the prison files of Britains most notorious serial killers for a book due out next year called The Sociology of Evil.

He said: 'Fred West loved his booze so the inmates had hit on the perfect plan to catch him off guard.

'West was seen as a hate figure on a par with Ian Brady when he was first on remand because a lot of his crimes involved children.

'Later things calmed down because he came across as so simple minded. They nicknamed him Digger and joked about asking him to lay a patio for them.

Peter Sutcliffe called a brothel from prison when he was trying to contact a relative

'But initially he was regarded as a high profile target and poisoning was probably the only way they could get at him.'

According to Parliament, although prison phone systems are designed to record all prisoners' calls, only about five per cent a day are actively monitored.

Prof Clark added: 'It was a total fluke the prison control room happened to intercept a call which caused the whole plot to unravel.'
' is actually helping customers with some items being 20 cheaper elsehwere

Online giant Amazon is launching a massive 12-day sale starting tomorrow and culminating in Black Friday, when prices traditionally plunge for 24 hours in a shopping frenzy.

Ahead of Black Friday, one of the busiest times of the year for online sales, the Governments Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is warning online sellers that discussing and agreeing price levels with competitors is illegal, and can result in serious penalties.

CMA have written to a number of online companies which may be denying customers the best available deals and reminding them of their obligations under competition law. The CMA has also engaged with online marketplace providers which are helping make the CMAs advice available to online sellers.

Online sellers are being warned about competition law ahead of the Black Friday rush. Pictured Amazon warehouse in Milton Keynes

This follows the CMAs recent decision, in one particular case following an 8-month investigation, which imposed a fine of over 160,000 on an online seller of posters and frames, Trod Ltd, for agreeing with a competitor, GB eye Ltd (trading as GB Posters), not to undercut each others prices when selling on Amazons UK website. GB eye escaped a fine by reporting the cartel under the CMAs leniency programme.

In an investigation The Sunday Times has claimed some independent retailers who sell via Amazon Marketplace platform are matching the prices of their rivals on products to suggest a bargain for shoppers.

The Parrot Bebop Drone (yellow) is being sold on Amazon currently at a price of 249 by sellers whilst Argos is offering a price of 199, a 50 saving for online shoppers

Left: You could save 22.94 on this Roberts classic Blutune radio currently being sold on Amazon at 89.94 but available at Oldrids & Downtown for 67. Right: A Le Creuset Cast Iron Wok 32cm will set you back 154.34 on Amazon but Kitchen Kapers could save you 14.34 with their price of 140

For beginners this Christmas there is the Fender Esc80 education guitar with an Amazon price of 77 but a saving of 17.76 if bought from Zings at 59.24

But in fact some of these products can be found cheaper on other online stores including on occasions the Amazon sellers own website.

The investigation raises questions over whether the competition expected on Amazon is really helping customers get the best deal.

There is no evidence that the retailers or Amazon are acting unlawfully.

According to The Sunday Times one seller has claimed in an online forum that there are unspoken agreements between some rivals not to undercut prices, but there are always one or two nitwits who ruin it.

On some of the most popular items that could be purchases this Christmas, shoppers could save themselves on average 20 or more by checking other websites to Amazon and even by checking the Amazon sellers own website.

On Monday CMA shared information that includes an at-a-glance summary for online sellers that explains what constitutes price-fixing and what they can do to avoid it.

In the Trod/GB eye case, both companies used automated re-pricing software to implement their agreement not to undercut each others prices.

Left: Shoppers could save 61.01 on a Smeg stone grill PGF30B, which has an Amazon price of 380 but is available at 318.99 at The Gas Superstore. Right: Hotpoint dishwasher LTB4BO19 has a current price of 299 on Amazon but can be purchased from 259.99 at Powerdirect, saving you 39.01

CMA'S KEY WARNINGS TO ONLINE SELLERS ARE: Agree with their competitors what prices they will charge, or that they wont undercut each other on price. Discuss their pricing intentions or strategies with competitors. Advertisement

Stephen Blake, Senior Director of the CMAs Cartels and Criminal Group, said: Online markets are a hugely valuable tool for consumers to shop around and find the best value products, making the most of effective competition. But these benefits for shoppers are put at risk if the suppliers seek to restrict competition between them.

The CMA is strongly committed to tackling anti-competitive behaviour in online markets. Entering into agreements that limit price competition cheats consumers, is illegal and can have serious consequences for the companies and individuals involved.

Left: Amazon sellers show a price of 69.99 for the Akai microwave A24006 but you can save 13.99 with a price of 56 at Zavvi. Right: Ruark black MR1 active wireless speakers are being sold for 299 on Amazon but you can save 60 at Ortons Audio Visual with their price of 239

We recognise that the majority of online sellers want to comply with the law. As we enter the peak shopping months of November and December, sellers should make sure they have read our advice so they dont get caught out. The consequences for those who dont can be serious.
At 27 years of age, Karina Irby owns a global bikini business empire that rakes in millions of dollars and is just days away from a 50,000-piece summer launch.

But just six years ago the introverted Gold Coast entrepreneur was fired from a casual retail job at a local surf shop and borrowed $800 from her single father.

Using her self-taught skills in coding, the driven blonde took a leap of faith and created a website for her brand new business: Moana Bikini.

Now, with over 400,000 Instagram followers and loyal customers from every corner of the globe - Ms Irby is the face (and derriere) of a designer swimwear company that has become a household name for women across Australia.

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Gold Coast entrepreneur Karina Irby, 27, owns global swimwear empire 'Moana Bikini'

But just six years ago she was fired from a casual retail job at her local surf shop

Asking her quadriplegic father for an $800 loan, she created her own website and then launched a designer swimwear brand offering customers cheeky-cut bikini styles

Ms Irby said being fired from a retail job for sending customers to competitor brands was the kickstart that she needed to chase her dreams

Ms Irby said being fired from a retail job for sending customers to competitor brands was the kickstart she needed to chase her dream of starting her own brand.

'Everyone had always said to me I should do my own bikini line, so that's what I did,' she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Everyone had always said to me I should do my own bikini line, so that's what I did

Drawing creative inspiration from a previous trip to Hawaii, she borrowed money from her quadriplegic father Patrick and headed off to Indonesia with her designs.

Eventually an Australian in Indonesia agreed to help her manufacture her bikinis which, once launched, unexpectedly sold out very quickly.

'This was when the plan came about  it was, let's just order some more, double it, and we'll see if it's as popular or if it was a one-off thing,' she told the Bulletin.

'We're hoping to drop 50,000 pieces for our launch this month. Dad has only just let me pay him back three months ago.'

Now the global bikini business empire rakes in millions of dollars and is just days away from a 50,000-piece summer launch

Moana Bikini has 413,000 followers on Instagram and thousands of women upload photographs online under the hashtag #moanabikini (pictured)

Ms Irby said her father only let her pay back the $800 loan three months ago

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia earlier this year, Ms Irby said her cheeky-cut bikini style struck a chord with women sick of being told how to dress.

'I always liked the cheekier styles that were sold in beautiful places like Hawaii but couldnt be found in Port Macquarie, she explained.

Moana Bikini's social media accounts are filled with photographs of stunning models dusted with white sand while posing on beautiful beaches.

The social media-savvy 'surfer girl' says she owes a lot of her success to advertising online.

She said: 'I love my customers I like to take the time to talk to people. That's why I take it to heart when I disappoint them.'

'People have contacted me on Instagram angry or disappointed that the designs have been sold out. So we're hoping to be able to expand this year,' she said.

With 78,000 Facebook fans, 200,000 Snapchat followers and 413,000 Instagram followers (including an additional 379,000 on Ms Irby's personal account) - it's fair to say Moana Bikini has a firm grip on the market.

A quick look on the company's website shows all but one of 32 products totally sold out.

The new 'Island Time' range will launch on November 16 and a link to the 27-year-old's online shop can be found on her Instagram profile MOANA BIKINI.

The social media-savvy 'surfer girl' says she owes a lot of her success to advertising online

Moana Bikini's social media accounts are filled with women flaunting the stylish swimwear

'I love my customers I like to take the time to talk to people,' said Ms Irby
A woman who pushed a five-year-old girl from the upper floor of a theatre was a mental health patient enjoying time out of the clinic where she was being treated, it emerged today.

The middle-aged lady targeted the youngster while she was watching a concert with her mother at the theatre in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

The youngster plunged around 20 feet, but miraculously escaped serious injury after landing on a man watching the show on the ground-floor.

Five-year-old girl thrown off balcony by woman believed to have had schizophrenic attack during a show at ND Theatre. Pictured on stretcher after incident

Witnesses said yesterday how the woman began shouting about God before picking up the youngster.

Today it was reported locally the woman responsible was allowed to leave the Morano Neuropsychiatric Clinic in Buenos Aires for short periods occasionally and was on one of her nights out when she has an episode.

The shocking incident happened around 9pm on Friday at the citys ND Theatre.

Gabo Ferro, a well-known Argentinian poet and musician who was performing to a packed crowd, stopped the show immediately after he heard screaming.

The child, known only as Carolina and described by local press as the daughter of a friend of the one of the shows producers, was attended to by paramedics at the scene before being stretchered away wearing a neck brace.

She was kept in hospital overnight for observation, although she is not said to have suffered any serious injury and is expected to be allowed home shortly.

The female attacker, who reportedly tried to escape under cover of darkness before the lights went on, was taken away by police and paramedics.

Another woman watching the show is said to have hit her with a chair to stop her getting away.

The concert ended up being suspended.

Witnesses said today how the woman began shouting about God before picking up the youngster and hurling her around 20 feet to the ground floor

Two people slightly injured after being hit by the child that landed on top of them, including the unidentified man who cushioned her fall with his shoulder, were treated at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.

A spokesman for the theatre said in a statement issued immediately afterwards: 'Following what happened during Gabo Ferros concert, we can inform you that three people hurt during an incident caused by a member of the audience were assisted by medical personnel.

'Two were given the all-clear at the scene and the third person remains under medical observation.

'The person responsible for the incident was removed from the theatre under police custody with the assistance of medical staff.

The shocking incident happened around 9pm on Friday at the citys ND Theatre (pictured from outside)

'We deeply regret what happened, which defies all logic and was not something any of us could have anticipated.'

A witness known only as Manuel told a local TV station: 'The concert had only just started. The second song had just come to an end when it happened.

'We thought at first a light had fallen from the ceiling or it was part of the show.

'Then there was lots of shouting and the music stopped and people started panicking.

'Then a woman came down who looked as if she was having a panic attack asking after her daughter.'
A cash machine user could not believe his luck when an ATM spat out a flurry of bank notes at his feet.

CCTV footage shows the man in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, bending down to scoop up the cash after looking around to check no-one is looking.

The amount spewed out by the cash machine is believed to total RM10,000 (1,800).

A cash machine user could not believe his luck when an ATM in Malaysia spat out a flurry of bank notes at his feet

The man had just finished withdrawing cash from the machine and was putting his wallet away when he was greeted with the unexpected surprise.

It is not clear what made the ATM suddenly churn out dozens of bank notes, or whether the man actually kept the money.

However, social media users have suggested that he would not be able to keep his unexpected windfall even if he wanted to.

The man had just finished withdrawing cash from the machine and was putting his wallet away when he was greeted with the unexpected surprise

One person wrote: ' He cannot get away with the money, very easy to track down. They have his account number from his card and they have the time used!

'You cannot cheat a bank so easy! They will get you in many ways, it's matter of time only.'

Another added: 'Don't worry, the bank promptly deducted the money from his account within one business day.'
Thousands of tourists flock to Freshwater West Beach in Wales each year to leave tributes, including socks, to the mischievous but loyal character (pictured inset left). The mock grave (pictured left and right) sits above the Pembrokeshire beach where Dobby's death was filmed (pictured inset right: Dobby being buried by Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson), but concerns about high visitor numbers and pollution led to a survey on its possible relocation. Some locals had branded the attraction an 'eyesore' and compared it to a landfill site, while fans of the show said it 'brings happiness to so many children', labelling 'haters' of the memorial as 'killjoys'. The National Trust had considered removing the tribute, which is constructed from hundreds of painted pebbles, stones and socks, but ultimately ruled it can remain in place on the protected beach for the time being. Dobby was a key character in the Harry Potter films in the struggle against he-who-must-not-be-named, aka Lord Voldemort, and died at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange after rescuing Harry and friends from Malfoy Manor in the Deathly Hallows film. A sculpture was engraved with the words 'Dobby is a free elf in Pembrokeshire' at the spot, however it became the subject of a consultation due to the high number of visitors flocking to Freshwater West Beach to see the 'grave'.
A woman firefighter, 24, has been seriously injured by a burning branch that fell eight metres as she fought off an out-of-control bushfire.

Nadia Knox, a volunteer at Loftus Rural Fire Brigade, suffered a broken collarbone when the branch hit her shoulder at the Londonderry, northwest Sydney, blaze.

She was taken to Nepean Hospital in 'good spirits' after the accident, about 4pm on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Rural Fire Brigade (RFS) told Daily Mail Australia.

'It looked a bit ugly because of how it hit her, but she's okay,' the spokesperson said.

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Volunteer firefighter Nadia Knox, 24, was hit by a burning branch and suffered a broken collarbone

The fire tore through about 270 hectares in northwest Sydney on Sunday

Ms Knox was in her first season of volunteer firefighting.

'Nadia was the girl in this video that had a huge branch fall from a gum tree which ended up breaking her shoulder blade today,' her father wrote on Facebook.

'So proud of our wonderful daughter out giving up her time volunteering in the RFS. Praying she has a speedy recovery and is back to her wonderful self soon.'

The fire, which tore through Castlereagh Nature Reserve near Penrith, was downgraded to 'watch and act' level about 5pm.

Evacuated residents were allowed to return home about 7pm. Those who had chosen to stay became trapped in their homes when the threat became too serious.

'It doesn't get much more intense than this,' an RFS spokesperson said.

'It's happened so quickly that people have not had time to evacuate.'

Crews were continuing to black out and mop up areas on Sunday night.

The fire had burned about 270 hectares and threatened lives and homes.

On Sunday evening, fire crews began blacking out and mopping up affected areas

Evacuated residents were allowed back to their homes about 7pm

The flames had been fanned by an average wind speed of 30km/h but gusts of up to 50km/h have been detected in the area.

The wind was also blowing thick smoke over surrounding suburbs and could be seen from the Blue Mountains.

A very high fire danger rating was in place for the Greater Sydney region.

More than 250 firefighters worked hard to gain an upper hand and are working into the evening to control the fire.

They had been assisted by waterbomber 'Thor' and an air tanker which holds 44,000 litres of water, as well as helicopters.

A huge bushfire has ripped through a reserve in northwest Sydney, threatening lives and homes in its path

The fire at Londonderry, near Penrith in Sydney's northwest, was downgraded to 'watch and act' level

The NSW Rural Fire Service has at least a dozen fire trucks on site at Castlereagh Nature Reserve where the blaze is still out of control

The fire was burning in the Castlereagh Nature Reserve in the vicinity, Fourth Avenue, Fifth Ave, Sixth Ave, Seventh Ave, Eighth Ave, Ninth Ave, Terrybrook Road, Third Ave, Second Ave, Douglas McMaster Place, South Creek Road, Whites Road, Shane Park Road, Palmyra Ave, Spence Road, Spinks Road, Doak Avenue, Stanley Street, Llandilo Rd, Old Llandilo Road, Galvin Road, Sunnymeade Road, St. Mary's Road, Judd Street, Ninth Road, Dodford Road, Government Road, Barnes Road, Sirius Road and Mayo Rd.

The fire, which started about 11.30am on Sunday, is the second large blaze to hit the area this month.

On November 4, a fire allegedly started by a 16-year-old boy in the neighbouring suburb of Llandilo destroyed one home, damaged several properties and burnt 300ha.

Fire crews are assisted by waterbomber 'Thor' and the huge McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (pictured) very large air tanker 'Southern Belle', along with helicopters

The wall of fire and smoke heading for homes in Sydney's outskirts

Fire crews deal with one of many spot fires ahead of the main fire front

The fire ripped through Castlereagh Nature Reserve and moved east through bushland to Government Road

The smoke plume was so thick it was picked up on the weather bureau's radar
Dramatic footage has emerged showing the moment a Kurdish peshmerga unit surrounded a group of ISIS fighters in a building on the outskirts of Mosul.

The video shows the Kurds shouting at the jihadists: 'Come out, we won't kill you.'

They try to persuade the Daesh fighters to surrender, telling them 'we have your friends here' and giving their names, to prove they have not killed them.

One of the ISIS men, looking dirty and bedraggled and wearing a long beard, eventually comes out with his hands over his head.

He holds up his camouflaged t-shirt to show he is not wearing a suicide bomb vest.

The Kurds drag him around, out of sight of his comrades, and interrogate him about who is still inside the building. He tells them: 'There are three, maybe four inside. They're still alive. They don't want to surrender.'

The Kurdish peshmerga unit clearly have the ISIS fighters surrounded in the building on the left. But they are not taking any chances

Eventually after giving the names of ISIS fighters who have already surrendered, they persuade this man to give himself up

Iraqi soldiers today recaptured the ruins of an ancient city from the brutal clutches of ISIS, as they battle a wave of car bomb attacks while trying to advance further into Mosul.

The Iraqi military said soldiers had recaptured the Nimrud area, home to the site of an ancient Assyrian city that was blown up by Islamic State zealots.

But it warned that its forces were facing waves of car bombs as the Islamic State sought to inflict maximum casualties and slow down the assault.

Major General Sami al-Aridi, commanding special forces, said today: 'There are so many civilian cars and any one of them could be a bomb.'

The bedraggled and heavily bearded ISIS fighter (right) was captured by Kurdish fighters but warned them: 'There are three, maybe four inside. They're still alive. They don't want to surrender'

An Iraqi special forces fighter, his face covered by an intimidating balaclava, walks through the ruins of eastern Mosul during battles with ISIS today (left) while his comrades, in more conventional uniforms, fire a mortar towards Daesh positions in Bawiza (right)

A dummy tank, built of wood (pictured), which had been used by ISIS fighters defending Bawiza, near Mosul, as a diversionary tactic

An Iraqi soldier holds part of a mannequin which had been used by ISIS, with the dummy tank (right), to scare off attacking troops

Nimrud, which was founded in the 13th century BC, became capital of the Assyrian empire and was one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East, known as the 'cradle of civilisation'.

The Assyrian built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists from around the world for more than 150 years.

But in April last year ISIS posted video on the internet of its fighters sledgehammering monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

The ruins of the ancient city of Nimrud (right) were the centre of the Assyrian Empire. ISIS militants blew up the ruins in 2015 (left). They claimed they were 'removing signs of idolatry and spread monotheism'

Many of the winged bulls with human faces, known as lamassu (pictured), were destroyed by ISIS. But now Nimrud has been liberated

It was part of a campaign of destruction by the jihadists against heritage sites under their control that also took in ancient Nineveh on the outskirts of Mosul, Hatra in the desert to the south and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

Under ISIS's brand of extremist Islam these ancient cultures are heretical and their gods were deemed to be offensive to the worship of Allah.

Among the statues destroyed by ISIS were the winged bulls with human faces, known as lamassu, which stood at the entrances to the palace of Ashurnasirpal II, king of Assyria in the 9th century BC, and nearby temples.

But the Iraqi Army said today: 'Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings.'

Iraq's deputy culture minister Qais Hussain Rasheed said recapturing the remains of Iraq's rich heritage from the jihadists was a triumph for the whole world.

He said: 'Liberation of ancient Iraqi archeological sites from the control of forces of dark and evil is a victory not only to Iraqis but for all humanity.'

North of Mosul, Iraq special forces commander, Brigadier Ali Abdulla, said ISIS fighters had been pushed out of the village of Bawiza and nearby Saada, although progress had been slowed by the presence of civilians who were being used as human shields.

An Iraqi soldier stands next to an armoured vehicle used by ISIS at Bawiza

He said their approach to the district of Hadba, which is inside Mosul's city limits, would be 'very slow and cautious'.

One man who escaped from Saada with his young son and daughter said they had moved from house to house and hid among sheep at one poitn to avoid being caught by retreating ISIS fighters.

Another Iraqi officer, Captain Oqba Nafaa, said the militants were still fighting in Saada, using a network of tunnels to carry out surprise strikes on the attacking forces.

As the offensive against ISIS positions in Mosul continued today, Human Rights Watch has accuses Iraq's regional Kurdish government of destroying Arab homes and even some villages in areas it has retaken from ISIS.

A girl, injured by fighting between the Iraqi forces and ISIS militants, rests after receiving treatment on her foot at a field hospital in eastern Mosul

Human Rights Watch says Kurdish forces destroyed Arab homes in disputed areas of Kirkuk and Nineveh governorates, while Kurdish homes were left intact.

It says the demolitions - prior to May this year - took place in area which are disputed between Kurds and Sunni Muslim Arabs.

The Kurds say the areas are historically Kurdish and they intend to incorporate them into the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

ISIS overran swathes of territory in Nineveh and Kirkuk in June 2014.

But Kurdish forces have regained most of the area and Mosul is now the last Iraqi city held by ISIS.

A man injured in fighting between the Iraqi forces and ISIS militants screams in pain as he is treated at a field hospital in eastern Mosul
A mother is urging people to get the flu jab after catching it suddenly left her in a coma fighting for her life.

Doctors gave Laura Spacagna a 20 per cent chance of survival after her common flu progressed into a series of frightening and life-threatening complications.

The 32-year-old mum-of-one, from Torbay, in Devon, had been feeling unwell for two days before her GP diagnosed her with flu and sent her home with cough medicine and paracetamol.

Mother-of-one Laura Spacagna, 32, from Torbay, in Devon, had to be put in a coma after she caught the common flu but it suddenly left her in a life threatening condition

But within 24 hours the flu had become potentially fatal - and the healthcare worker was struggling to breathe and her fingers and lips had turned blue.

Previously fit and healthy Miss Spacagna was rushed to Torbay Hospital A&E, in Torquay, South Devon, where she suffered from double pneumonia, her oxygen levels plummeted and organs failed.

The series of frightening complications forced doctors to place her into an induced coma for two weeks and transfer her to Papworth Hospital, in Cambridge.

Previously fit and healthy Miss Spacagna was rushed to Torbay Hospital A&E where she suffered from double pneumonia, her oxygen levels plummeted and organs failed

An ECMO machine kept Miss Spacagna alive by pumping oxygen in her blood until she recovered from the deadly virus.

On Christmas morning, she was woken up from her coma surrounded by machines.

Since her ordeal in December 2014, Miss Spacagna had to undergo intensive rehabilitation in order to walk again after her muscles wasted and she lost a stone and a half.

She said: 'Everyone who is offered it should get the jab.

'If not to prevent yourself from getting the flu, to prevent spreading it to your loved ones or anyone in our care at the hospital - remember that the flu vaccine can save a life.

'I want to raise awareness to everyone to say that if you are offered the flu vaccine please take it because it doesnt matter what age you are or how fit and healthy you think you are.

'The fact that you are offered it is because you are at greater risk and I wouldnt want to see this happen to anyone else.

'Ive only had my flu jab when I was pregnant with my daughter and I didnt have it that year.

'Maybe if Id of had the flu jab I wouldnt of ended up the way that I did.

'I just thought I dont really get ill so I wouldnt normally have it.'

Miss Spacagna had worked in Torbay Hospital as a healthcare assistant for ten years before she contracted the virus, and had never heard of it affecting anyone so badly.

She first fell ill in December 2014 while she was on holiday in France with her family.

She said: 'I just wasnt feeling right, I felt exhausted and had to return to our hotel room during the day to rest.

Both Miss Spacagna and her mother Jan (pictured left) worked in the health service but neither of them had heard that this could happen before

'I went to the doctors in the UK and she told me I had flu and to take ibuprofen and paracetamol, just to get me through and signed me off work for a week.

'Im not normally ill and when I do get ill I just keep going.

'The following day I became really ill but I thought I just had really bad flu so I just carried on with it until I went to the toilet and I noticed my lips had gone blue.

After being in intensive care for weeks, she was woken up on Christmas Day in 2014

'I was confused and I didnt really know what was going on.

'I remember being transferred to ICU and they put me on a CPAP mask to try and help me breathe and it wasnt working, and thats all that I remember.

'All my organs were failing and they gave me a twenty per cent chance and they said to my family I might not make it.

'They woke me up on Christmas morning, I asked for my daughter first.

'It took me a while to come round and understand what had actually happened, I didnt understand why I was in hospital on Christmas day.

'I couldnt walk when I woke up, I had to learn to walk again and have physiotherapy.

'When I first woke up I couldnt walk, I had pins and needles in my feet and that sensation still hasnt gone.

'Those pictures dont seem real, it seems weird looking at them.

'My dad and my sister looked after my little girl, but she still gets worried now if Im ill or even get a small cold, she remembers it.'

was discharged from hospital on 5 January 2015, but had to be looked after by her family at her parents house as it was going to be a long, slow recovery ahead.

Now Miss Spacagna (left), a health care assistant at Torbay Hospital, is urging others to get the flu jab. Pictured with her mum, Jan Spacagna ,a Laparoscopic Nurse Practitioner at Torbay Hospital, (right)

Miss Spacagna's mother, Jan, 59, is a Laparoscopic Nurse Practitioner at Torbay Hospital.

She said: 'When we found out how seriously ill Laura was we were devastated, the whole family was devastated.

'Mylie, Lauras daughter, was only three years old at the time. We just couldnt believe what was happening and the thought of her not surviving.

'There was so much disruption to family life over the Christmas and the New Year period - we were told we shouldnt leave her as she was critical.

Laura Spacagna receiving this year's flu vaccination as shocking figures claim 8,000 people die from the flu in England each year

'My husband and other daughter looked after Mylie the whole time as I was at Lauras bedside with her fiance, Torryn.

'Christmas Day - well it was the best present we could have ever wished for - Laura was off the ventilator and awake, it was just wonderful!

'The care given by every single person throughout Lauras treatment was outstanding and we are eternally grateful to them for Laura still being with us today.

Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Lauras story clearly demonstrates how important it is for those eligible to receive the flu vaccination to vaccinate themselves.

'Flu can be incredibly serious and affect even the fittest and healthiest of people yet a lot of people assume that they will be fine and "its only flu".'

Public Health England estimated that an average 8,000 people die from flu in England each year. Some years that figure reaches 14,000.
Using your mobile phone while on the move is significantly changing the way you walk, according to scientists.

Researchers at the University of Delaware placed reflective markers on 22 volunteers and asked them to walk on a treadmills with their phones while their movements were monitored.

When they were asked to dial a number they started to walk with a strange, exaggerated stride as if expecting to trip over something.

When people walking while texting, researchers found they develop a strange, exaggerated stride as if expecting to trip over something (stock image)

Their knees began bending to peak position and their ankles were fully flexed.

It is thought that you unconsciously adopt the posture when using a mobile phone as your brain realises you are at greater risk of falling over.

The exaggerated stride potentially helps compensate for the diminished vision while staring down at a screen.

Researchers also found that very few mistakes were made when typing the number in, suggesting the volunteers were prioritising the typing over walking.

Author Kelly Seymour, of the department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware, told the Telegraph: 'Our results suggest that when dialling a phone while walking, healthy adults adopt a more cautious gait pattern, which may limit the risk of falling.

'Dual tasking resulted in increased stride width in our participants. This may represent compensation for a feeling of instability during dual task walking by increasing the base of support.'

Volunteers took significantly longer to complete an obstacle course while using their phones, compared to just walking (stock image)

Last year the University of Bath asked 30 volunteers to walk through an obstacle course while walking normally; texting and walking; and walking while completing a simple maths test.

They found that volunteers took significantly longer to complete the course while texting and doing the maths test, compared to just walking. Texting decreased step frequency and a person's ability to walk in a straight line.

But the researchers also discovered we are getting good at multi-tasking with our phones.

Dr Polly McGuigan, lecturer in biomechanics at Bath, said: 'On campus, in the City and all over the world you encounter people texting and reading their phones while walking and we were curious about how this affected the way they walk and potentially their risk of having an accident.

'We asked the participants to walk around an obstacle course in the lab rather than just in a straight line or on a treadmill. The obstacles were based on everyday things that you might have to navigate whilst waking around town: a curb, steps, bollards, people.

'We found that our participants were very good at adapting the way they walk to limit their risk of injury, and there were very few occasions when a participant hit an obstacle.

'This may be because many of the participants had grown up using a mobile phone and are very used to multi-tasking.'




New details have emerged about the ordeal of a woman who was chained up inside a shipping container by the South Carolina serial killer accused in seven killings.

Todd Kohlhepp was charged with kidnapping after investigators found 30-year-old Kala Brown  who had been missing for two months  chained up 'like a dog' inside a storage container on his property in rural Woodruff.

In a '48 Hours' special that aired on CBS on Saturday, it was revealed that Brown was kept in a cage inside the container, bound by her neck and feet  and fed just once a day.

The container was dark most of the time, but Kohlhepp would let her out occasionally to walk around.

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New details have emerged about the ordeal of Kala Brown (right) who was chained up inside a shipping container by Todd Kohlhepp (left), who is accused in seven killings

Brown was kept in a dark cage inside a shipping container (pictured), bound by her neck and feet  and fed just once a day

Brown told her family that Kohlhepp once dragged her to graves on his property and threatened that she would end up in one of them if she tried to escape, CBS News reports.

She and her boyfriend Charles Carver had been missing since Labor Day weekend.

After Brown's rescue earlier this month, authorities found the body of 32-year-old Carver and another missing couple on Kohlhepp's property.

Kohlhepp, a real estate agent, also confessed to gunning down four people at a motorcycle shop elsewhere in Spartanburg County in 2003, Sheriff Chuck Wright said.

He is charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of owner Scott Ponder, his mother Beverly Guy, Brian Lucas and Chris Sherbert,

Investigations are still underway in the other three killings.

The shipping container, where suspected serial killer Todd Kohlhepp is believed to have held Kala Brown, on his property in Woodruff, South Carolina

Brown was kept inside what Sheriff Chuck Wright described as a 'shark cage that you would put underwater' and 'distraught' when police found her

Brown was kept inside what Wright described as a 'shark cage that you would put underwater' and 'distraught' when police found her.

'She was bound,' Wright told CBS reporter David Begnaud. 'There was a chain from the top of the cage to something else that went around her neck.'

Dan Herren, who was once in a relationship with Brown's mother, told CBS that Brown had opened up about her ordeal, but did not reveal if she had been sexually assaulted  and he'd not asked.

'She goes 'I was locked up in this metal container he had chains around my neck and I was in the dark almost the entire time.'

He added: 'Her words were, 'And then Todd dragged me over to somewhere on the property where he showed me three graves that had to be  or that appeared to be people buried in them.'

'And Todd said to her, 'Kala, if you try to escape, you're going directly into one of those graves.'

Kohlhepp's mother Regina Tague said her son had taken care of Brown by bringing her food and drinks as well as something to lie on

Authorities have yet to release further details about Brown's ordeal, but Kohlhepp's mother Regina Tague insists he did not sexually abuse Brown.

'He said he did not,' she told CBS. 'He promised me. And believe me, he woulda told me.'

Tague added that her son had taken care of Brown by bringing her food and drinks as well as something to lie on.

But she added: 'I want her to know how sorry I am. And I think Todd is, too. Because he didn't wanna hurt her, he just didn't know what to do.'

Asked why her son had tied up the woman, she told CBS it was because she 'saw him kill her boyfriend, and he didn't know what to do with her. Couldn't turn her loose. She'd go get the police.'

Tague says Kohlhepp told her he killed Carver 'because he got nasty and was smart mouthed'.

As to why he'd killed the owner and employees at Superbike Motorsports in Chesnee, Tague said Kohlhepp wanted to return a motorcycle and 'they laughed at him, made jokes at him.'

Tague also insisted that her son is not a monster, but just 'very misunderstood'.

Kala Brown (left) and her boyfriend Charles Carver (right) had been missing since Labor Day weekend. Carver's body was found in a shallow grave on Kohlhepp's property

She said: 'Todd is not a monster. He's not even close to it. He wasn't doing it for enjoyment. He was doing it because he was mad and he was hurt.'

But Tom Lucas, the father of slain service manager Brian Lucas, said he's heard differently.

'I think he had a purchase of a bike that didn't go well. He messed it up and ended up getting it stolen and came in and bought another bike,' Lucas told the AP.

'They were kinda playing with him, laughing at him, saying, 'You gonna mess this one up?' or something like that. Something that small just set him off. Nobody deserves to die over a comment like that.'

Lucas said Kohlhepp's name was among a list of customers he gave authorities more than a decade ago - but he never heard Kohlhepp's name as a suspect until last week.

'That's a huge, huge weight that's been lifted,' Lucas said.

But he wonders, 'how many more victims  how many more families are sitting worried to death about their loved one and have no answers?'

Scott Ponder (right) and his mother Beverly (left) were found dead at the bike shop in 2003

Service manager Brian Lucas (left) and mechanic Chris Sherbert (right) also died in the 2003 massacre

Taken to the Woodruff property last Saturday, Kohlhepp showed investigators two gravesites.

Authorities identified the people buried there as 25-year-old Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie and her husband, 29-year-old Johnny Joe Coxie, of Spartanburg. They had been missing since December.

Tague said her son told her there are no more bodies on his property.

'There's nothing else you have to worry about,' Tague says Kohlhepp told her.

But she's defended her son before.

At age 15, he was sentenced to 15 years in an Arizona prison for binding and raping a 14-year-old neighbor at gunpoint.

His mother asked for leniency, according to court records obtained by WHNS-TV in South Carolina.

'Todd knows he did wrong and he's sorry, but they won't even give him a chance to make a good life out of this. ... They don't even stop to think that he even walked the girl home. Does that sound like a dangerous criminal?' she wrote to an Arizona probation officer in August 1987.

Kohlhepp's parents divorced when he was an infant. He moved in with his father in Arizona around age 12.

Meagan and Johnny Joe Coxie (pictured) had been missing since last December. Their bodies were found and identified this week

Kohlhepp had psychological problems from a young age, records show.

An Arizona judge wrote in 1987 that he was 'very bright' but also 'emotionally dangerous' and preoccupied with sex.

A memo detailing a psychiatric evaluation notes that he grew up in South Carolina and Georgia and had counseling from around age nine.

The memo, with a Phoenix hospital's letterhead, states that as a juvenile he threatened suicide, destroyed his bedroom with a hammer, hit other children and killed goldfish with bleach.

A 1987 pre-sentencing report says a neighbor described Kohlhepp as a 'devil on a chain.'

A probation officer wrote that the neighbor said 'Todd locked her son in a dog kennel cage and rolled it over and over. Despite the fact that her son was crying and screaming, Todd was laughing.' Another time, she said Kohlhepp banged her son's head against clay pipes.

Court documents show that Kohlhepp's father, mother and stepfather all had difficulty raising him.
House Speaker Paul Ryan tried to reassure elements of the public who are flipping out over the election of President-elect Donald Trump, stressing repeatedly that they should put their minds 'at ease.'

Ryan appeared on Sunday news shows for the first time since Trump's stunning electoral victory over Hillary Clinton  while Republicans maintained control of the House and Senate, giving them the ability to push his agenda through.

Asked on CNN's 'State of the Union' about angry confrontations between pro and anti-Trump forces in the streets, and those who might be 'terrified' of living under a President Trump, Ryan said he wanted to 'put their minds at ease. Were going to get to work at solving the country's big problems.'

'People should really put their minds at ease. We are pluralistic. We are inclusive,' he said.

Asked about some hateful graffiti and other intimidation that has sprung up since the election, Ryan said: 'Thats terrible. Thats awful ... People who espouse those views  we dont want them in our party even if theyre thinking about it.'

House Speaker Paul Ryan tried to put people's minds 'at ease' following the election of Donald Trump

Ryan got asked about Trump's campaign promise to establish a border 'deportation force' that could send millions of illegal immigrants living here to their home countries.

'I think we should put people's minds at ease that is not what our focus is,' Ryan said. 'Our focus is securing the border.'

'We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trump is not planning on that,' he said.

On Obamacare, which Trump said in a recent interview that he wants to 'amend,' repeal, and replace, Ryan, like Trump, said a pair of popular aspects could remain.

'We need to have a solution for people with preexisting conditions,' referencing a provision that protects people from getting excluded from private plans if they are sick.

But for details, he referenced to a plan on the website of the House Republican Conference  an indication of how the incoming Trump administration will rely on work set in motion by congressional lawmakers.

Ryan got asked by CNN host Jake Tapper about some Americans who are 'terrified' of Trump taking over the government

Ryan met with Trump in his Capitol office last week  and pointed out Trump's hard-to-miss luxury hotel in the skyline

Asked about a specific provision in Obamacare that allows coverage of abortion and birth control, he said: 'I'm not going to get into tall the details of these nitty gritty things.'

Pressed, he said: 'Youre asking me details about legislation that hasnt been written yet.'

'I think he's very much of a mindset that there is a need to unify this country, to heal the division in this country, but also there's a mandate, and a desire and a commitment to fix the problems as we laid the solutions out,' he said.

Ryan also got asked whether he had concerns about Stephen Bannon taking over as chief of staff or filling another senior post, told that conservatives and Republicans have criticized Breitbart news for mainstreaming 'white supremacist views, anti-semitic views, racist views.'

'Ive never met the guy. I dont know Steve Bannon, so I have no concerns. I trust Donalds judgement,' Ryan said. He said Trump would pick who he thinks best serves him.

Ryan said that he was 'very encouraged' his friend and 'great conservative' Vice President-elect Mike Pence was running Trump's transition team.

Ryan clashed with Trump at times during the campaign. He said Trump's comments about a judge with Mexican-American judge fit the definition of 'textbook racism,' and Trump was uninvited from a late election rally by Ryan.
Former Sydney bikie leader Wayne Schneider, 37, was kidnapped and murdered in Thailand in November last year

A key witness to the kidnapping and murder of a former Sydney Hells Angel bikie in Thailand has mysteriously disappeared - and police now fear he may have been paid off or murdered.

Wayne Rodney Schneider, 37, was found naked with a broken neck and buried in a two-metre deep grave in roadside bushes near his home in Pattaya on November 30.

Australian man Antonio Bagnato, 27, Mr Schneider's former body guard and business associate, was arrested in Cambodia's capital city and charged with his abduction and murder.

Police also arrested American Tyler Gerard, 21, who admitted his involvement in the kidnapping and murder during interrogation.

Gerard led local police to the reservoir where the gang of five suspects had dumped Mr Schneider's clothes after he was killed.

A security guard who was working at Mr Schneider's luxury estate on the night he was abducted remains one of the key witnesses but has vanished.

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His body was found buried in a shallow grave in roadside bushes near his home in Pattaya

Mr Schneider's former body guard and business associate, 27-year-old Australian man Antonio Bagnato (right) has been charged with his abduction and murder. Police also arrested American Tyler Gerard, 21, (left) as he tried to cross over the Thai border to Cambodia

Thai police sources told AAP there are concerns over the whereabouts of the security guard 'who saw it all unfold'.

'This is concerning  he hasn't turned up, they don't know where he is. They can't find him, cannot locate him,' the source said, amid fears for the guard's personal safety.

They said the guard's testimony could have an impact on the outcome of the case.

'A concern is he has met with foul play, or he has been paid off  he has disappeared,' they said.

Now one of the case's key witnesses - a security guard police believe watched the abduction unfold - has mysteriously disappeared

Bagnato was arrested in a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city in December last year

Two security guards working at the housing estate previously told police they'd been threatened by a man with a gun and were warned to stay away.

The guards then heard Mr Schneider calling for help and told police they saw five men with scarves tied across their faces bashing him.

Blood and bullet casings, as well as paraphernalia used for taking crystal meth, were found at the scene and police have been reviewing CCTV cameras.

Mr Bagnato and his victim had reportedly been drinking together on Sunday night in the tourist resort town.

Thai police believe the other three suspects, two Australians and one American, fled the country shortly after the murder.

Bagnato has denied all of the charges.

From 2007, Mr Schneider was for 18 months on NSW's most wanted list for a Sydney shooting

Two security guards working at the housing estate previously told police they'd been threatened by a man with a gun and were warned to stay away on the night of the abduction

Mr Schneider was well known to Australian police and from 2007 he was for 18 months on NSW's 'most wanted' list.

He was wanted over the shooting of a bouncer in the knee outside the Sapphire Suite nightclub in Kings Cross in 2006.

He turned himself in to police and denied he was one of the group of men claiming to be Hells Angels who tried to force their way into the club.

Mr Schneider showed up in Thailand a month ago, paying $5,000 to rent a villa for half a year.

Thailand authorities have in recent years been keeping an eye on the activities of Australian bikie gang members with business interests in the country.
Donald Trump's lawyers are asking for a fraud lawsuit against his defunct university to be delayed until after he is sworn in on January 20

Donald Trump is attempting to postpone fraud lawsuits against his defunct real estate school, claiming the impending legal action will distract him from his new duties as President-elect.

The billionaire is being sued by former students of Trump University who say they were duped into paying for expensive courses.

There are three separate cases in motion; two in California and one in New York, which accuse Trump of deceiving prospective students into paying up to $35,000 a course.

His attorneys filed a motion at San Diego's federal court on Saturday asking that one of the trials, which had been scheduled for November 28, be postponed until after his inauguration on January 20.

They said his recent election victory made for 'unprecedented circumstances' and requested that he be sworn in to the presidency before having to face court.

'The 69 days until inauguration are critical and all-consuming. President-Elect Trump must receive daily security briefings, make executive appointments (ultimately, thousands), and establish relationships with appointees, members of Congress, governors and foreign leaders.

'He must also develop important policy priorities.

'Now that the election is over, we submit that the President-Elect should not be required to stand trial during the next two months while he prepares to assume the Presidency.

'The time and attention to prepare and testify will take him away from imperative transition work at a critical time,' the documents, that were obtained by CNN, said.

They also suggested he testify only once in a taped recording to be used at both California trials to minimize his court appearances.

Former students say they were lured by false promises that Trump had 'handpicked' tutors for courses in real estate.

Trump (left launching the university in 2005) is being sued by former students who say they were duped into paying for expensive courses. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel (right) is residing over the two California civil cases

Trump (above with the university president) is fighting the claims which date back to 2010

Seminars were more akin to infomercials, they said, and they were never given access to the businessman and his industry 'secrets' as promised.

Their complaints date back to 2010 and refute Trump's claim he had little to do the university's operations.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is residing over the two California civil cases.

Earlier this week he advised both parties to settle as the chaos of Trump's election win swept America.

Curiel said he was not likely to postpone the case but allowed lawyers from each side to present briefings on the matter. He has already made concessions for Trump in light of his new role as President-elect, agreeing to allow him to appear by video-link.

Trump's legal team earlier tried to have comments he made throughout the election excluded from the trial, claiming his tweets and outlandish remarks towards women, minorities and other groups could affect his credibility. Their motion was denied.

In June, Trump said he was being unfairly persecuted by the judge because of his Mexican descent.

He said Curiel was a 'hater' who disapproved of his immigration policies and was personally biased because he is 'Hispanic'.

Trump University was launched in 2005 and closed five years later amid growing legal troubles.
American Muslims are reeling following the election of Donald Trump, whose presidential campaign was rife with anti-Muslim rhetoric and proposals that included banning all Muslims from entering the country.

Now, among many of the 3.3million Muslims living in the United States, there is significant fear - along with some reports of harassment.

One hijab-wearing student at San Diego State University said she was briefly choked by suspects who made remarks about Trump's victory.

And on the morning after the election, Alia Ali said had a sickening feeling as she headed to her job as a secretary at a New York City public school, her hijab in place as usual.

She's a Muslim who lives and works in one of the most diverse places in the nation - and yet the ascension of Trump to the White House left her wondering how other Americans really viewed her.

American Muslims are reeling over Donald Trump's victory, wondering what the next four years will bring. Above, Enas Almadhwahi, a 28-year-old Yemeni immigrant who has been in the US since 2008, but became a citizen this year and voted for the first time

'Half of America voted one way and half of America voted the other, and you're like, 'Which half am I looking at?'' she said.

'You become almost like strangers to the people you've worked with. Is this person racist? Do they like me? Do they not like me? Because that's what this election has done.'

'There are lots and lots of people who aren't going out of the house,' said Eboo Patel, a Muslim who heads the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based organization that works with colleges and government officials to build interreligious relationships.

At New York University late last week, hundreds of people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on a grand staircase of a student center to express solidarity after the word 'Trump!' was scrawled on the door of a Muslim prayer space at the school.

Students spoke of friends who wore headscarves or other traditional clothing and were afraid to take public transportation home for fear of being harassed.

Sana Mayat, a 21-year-old senior who wears the hijab, said the election made her realize 'there was a large part of this country that didn't want me here'.

Rami Nashashibi, a father of three and executive director of Chicago's Inner-City Muslim Action Network, said: 'There is an intense state of anxiety about the future.'

The Network has been inundated with calls seeking support since Election Day.

'I grappled with the conversation I had to have with my children,' he said.

In this Wednesday, November 9, photo, Eeman Abbasi speaks during a protest on the University of Connecticut campus against the election of Trump

The outcome was especially bitter following an unprecedented voter registration drive by American Muslims, including get-out-the-vote sermons at mosques and the creation of a political action committee, Emerge USA, to mobilize Arabs and Muslims.

Enas Almadhwahi, a 28-year-old Yemeni immigrant who has been in the US since 2008, became a citizen this year and voted for the first time.

To mark the occasion, she brought her seven-year-old daughter, along with some co-workers.

'At that moment, I was so happy,' said Almadhwahi, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works at an Arab-American community organization.

The next day, when she told her daughter Trump had won, the girl cried.

A friend had told the little girl that if Trump won, it would mean they couldn't talk anymore.

Enas Almadhwahi (pictured) said that when she told her seven-year-old daughter that Donald Trump won, the girl cried. A friend had told her if Trump won, they couldn't talk anymore

Elizabeth Bushnell, center, who identifies as Muslim, is embraced by Conner Crenshaw, left, and Jamal Edwards, right, next to a projected upside down U.S. flag during an anti-Trump protest at Lee Circle in New Orleans

'Everything feels like it's upside down,' Almadhwahi said. 'I still like to hope Trump will change his words about Muslims.'

Trump's policy plans remain a mystery, but his administration could radically reshape the Justice Department, which has been an ally under President Barack Obama in protecting Muslim civil rights.

Trump could also repeal a key Obama program that prevents the deportation of some immigrants, including Muslims, living in the country illegally.

Muslims had far from a perfect relationship with the Obama administration.

For years, the president kept the community largely at arms-length, sending surrogates to meet with them amid a stubborn misapprehension, fueled in part by his critics, that Obama, a Christian, was secretly Muslim.

Many American Muslim leaders were uncomfortable with his foreign policy in Iraq and elsewhere, and objected to his program to fight extremism at home, saying the focus on Muslims ignored other threats from right-wing, anti-government extremists.

Still, Muslim leaders had built solid ties with many government officials. Now, they face not only the loss of those connections, but potentially a closed door to their concerns.

Ashfaq Taufique, president of the Birmingham Islamic Society, kneels in prayer at the group's mosque in Hoover, Alabama. Taufique said some members are worried because of Trump's campaign rhetoric concerning Muslims

'The friends we have are going to be fewer,' said Farhana Khera, president of the California-based civil rights group Muslim Advocates, which has represented clients suing over the New York Police Department's surveillance of American Muslims.

'I think we'll be very much in a defensive posture.'

Since the election, mosques and Muslim groups have organized community meetings and conference calls focused on how to move forward.

The Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America, the largest communal Muslim group in the US, issued a statement inviting Trump to engage with the community.

It said 'many American Muslims are traumatized by the result of the election and the fear of what is to come.' The group said there was no immediate response from Trump's office.

Sheik Omar Suleiman, resident scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, Texas, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an anti-defamation group, distributed suggested sermons for juma - or Friday prayers - at mosques, stressing Quranic verses about remaining strong in the face of hardships.

'Have hope in the people because Allah may turn their hearts toward you,' was among the verses they cited.

President-elect Donald Trump, left, stands with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in New York on Wednesday after his election

Faisal R. Khan, founder of a youth advocacy and peace organization near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attended four Trump campaign rallies over the last year, in part to protest but also to speak with the Republican's supporters.

Khan lived years ago in the Midwest, where he knew people who had grown resentful over losing Rust Belt jobs, and said he understands what drew so many working-class whites to the president-elect.

He has created a Facebook page called 'Talk To Me America,' hoping to start a conversation that can combat anti-Muslim bias.

'Peaceful protest is good, but at a certain point, we have to sit down and talk,' he said.
Marks & Spencer's could face 'massive gaps' on the shelves after it claimed it was likely to drop and not raise prices in the face of the pound's plunge.

The retailer is facing a backlash from small suppliers after its new boss Steve Rowe promised to protect shoppers from the slump in sterling.

It comes as households are warned by Brexit doom-mongers of massive price hikes in electrical goods, with the cost of energy and fuel also expected to rocket.

UK electrical giants such as John Lewis are preparing to dramatically increase prices, which it claims is to offset higher import costs.

Marks & Spencer's could face 'massive gaps' on the shelves after it claimed it was likely to drop and not raise prices in the face of the pound's plunge post-Brexit (stock image)

The industry is among the hardest-hit following the drop in sterling as much of the stock is imported, with tech giants such as Samsung being based in South Korea.

However companies have been accused of 'Brexit profiteering' by attempting to increase prices drastically, with American brand Apple among those to come under fire.

The company's latest range of notebooks were announced last month, with the cheapest option coming in at 1,449 in Britain and $1,499 in the US.

The pricing means customers in the UK will pay 218 more than their American counterparts after converting the two currencies.

The retailer is facing a backlash from small suppliers after the new M&S boss Steve Rowe (pictured) promised to protect shoppers from the post-Brexit slump in sterling

John Lewis had warned following June's Brexit vote that the drop in sterling may 'feed through' to its prices of household items such as televisions and washing machines.

Electrical website AO said prices may go up by between four and six per cent next year, while Dixons Carphone is also thought to be considering hikes.

Petrol prices are also set to rise after campaign group FairFuelUK claimed suppliers are failing to pass on a wholesale price drop estimated at 80million a week.

While the cost of a litre of unleaded fuel has dropped by 5.8p, prices have risen by 3.5p to 1.20.

Electricity bills in the UK will not fare any better, according to analysts, with wholesale prices set to rocket after a combination of freak events abroad.

Twenty of French energy giant EDF's nuclear reactors were shut down over safety concerns, while similar closures in Belgium have aided disruption.

With Norway and Sweden experiencing issues with energy production, prices at which companies are buying their power have gone skyward.

Prices are not expected to go up at high street retailer M&S, however, which claimed it was actually more likely to cut the damage to customer's pockets.

Among the most high profile fall-outs came after Tesco was asked to stomach a 10 per cent hike in the price of Marmite by Unilever, which blamed the move on Brexit

M&S boss Steve Rowe claimed it would offset the damage by 'optimisation of our supply base' and by selling in larger volumes, a strategy described as 'rubbish' by one supplier.

Writing to the Sunday Times, the supplier, who provides 'over a dozen' products to the retailer, said: 'By taking this position he has, he forces us, and probably others, to cease supplying M&S.

'So at a time when he is looking to develop his food offering, he will be left with massive gaps on his shelves.'

The dispute is the latest in a long line of breakdowns between retailers and suppliers after the country voted as a whole to leave the European Union on June 23.

John Lewis had warned following June's vote that the drop in sterling may 'feed through' to its prices of household items such as televisions and washing machines (stock image)

Among the most high profile fall-outs came after Tesco was asked to stomach a 10 per cent hike in the price of Marmite by Unilever, which tried to blame the move on Brexit.

But Marmite is made in the UK and the row, which was resolved within a day, became one of the most controversial since the decision to leave the EU.

Unilever, which is behind a host of household brands, has since warned that the prices of products will rise as a result of the collapse in sterling.

Last month the boss of Typhoo Tea claimed the cost of a cuppa was set to rise as a result of the supposedly disastrous consequences of Brexit.

The announcement by the companys chief executive, Somnath Saha, followed other price hikes introduced by firms such as Apple.

Petrol prices are also set to rise after campaign group FairFuelUK claimed suppliers are failing to pass on a wholesale price drop estimated at 80million a week (stock image)

Mr Saha said the cost of importing an 80 kilo bag of tea had soared by 50 per cent  from 100 up to 150 since the beginning of the year.

But the economy has so far confounded the doom-mongers, despite former Chancellor George's Osborne claiming Brexit would spark an 'immediate' recession.

Official figures last month showed economic growth hitting a respectable 0.5 per cent in the third quarter of this year, leaving the UK on track to be the fastest growing economy in the G7.

Other experts, including the Bank of England and the International Monetary Fund, have also been forced to upgrade their economic forecasts for next year after being proved wrong.
Two of the stars of 'Silicon Valley' have tweeted about being confronted by two Trump supporters at an upscale bar in Los Angeles.

Kumail Nanjiani and Thomas Middleditch, who star in the HBO show, said they were out together on Saturday night when the two men in their early 20s aggressively approached them.

'Out with @kumailn; for no reason two dudes came at us with Trump right wing s***, calling us "cucks". Never in my life. I hate this. Week 1,' Middleditch wrote on Twitter.

Nanjiani elaborated on the incident more and tweeted that the men said they were 'big fans' of theirs and then turned to Middleditch, telling him they had 'trolled him' on Twitter the day before.

Kumail Nanjiani (left) and Thomas Middleditch (right), who star in the HBO show 'Silicon Valley', have tweeted about being confronted by two Trump supporters at an upscale bar in Los Angeles

They then went on to tell the actors how they are 'wrong about Trump'.

Nanjiani and Middleditch have been outspoken about their support of defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on social media.

Nanjiani said he tried to tell the men he and Middleditch weren't interested in talking about politics.

That's when the men grew hostile.

The actors tweeted that they were out together on Saturday night when the two men in their early 20s aggressively approached them

'His friends goes "oh they're cucks." Then starts yelling at us. "CUCKS CUCKS CUCKS!"' Nanjiani wrote.

'Cuck' is a term used as a pejorative in the alt-right community and is short for 'cuckold', which is defined as a man who has been cheated on by his wife.

The Trump supporters then started getting aggressive with Nanjiani and Middleditch and 'got in their faces', Nanjiani wrote.

In order to stop the man from becoming more hostile, Middleditch placed his hand on the man's chest who had gotten too close to Nanjiani and was acting hostile, he wrote.

Nanjiani said the bouncer then noticed the behavior of the Trump supporters, walked over and kicked them out.

Nanjiani elaborated on the incident more and tweeted that the men said they were 'big fans' of theirs before becoming aggressive

The men said they were left rattled, realizing if that kind of behavior could occur at an upscale bar around dozens of people, that it must be even worse in more remote areas.

'We can't let hate/racism/bigotry/sexism be normalized. If something happens, be safe, but let it be known we won't stand for this.

'Many ppl are like "just cuz I voted for Trump doesn't mean I'm racist/sexist." Ok, but at best, you ignored it, you overlooked it,' Nanjiani said.

While Nanjiani and Middleditch were met with sympathy by many on Twitter, some claimed their story was made up.

Nanjiani and Middleditch have been outspoken about their support of defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on social media

'Damn you. It's real. Wake up. Bouncer removed these people. Shame on you. What is happening?!' a distraught Middleditch wrote to a user who claimed their story was false.

Nanjiani also posted about people not believing the story.

'I like the ppl that don't believe me, as if I'm like "it's great that I'm on an HBO show but my true passion is to be yelled at in a bar",' he wrote.

While Nanjiani and Middleditch were met with sympathy by many on Twitter, some claimed their story was made up

Although there is no arrest record or additional stories to corroborate the men's account, reports of hate crimes after Trump's election reached a fever pitch worse than post-9/11 America, according to USA Today.

Representatives who track reports of hate crimes told the paper: 'Since the election, we've seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr. Trump's election.'
Nigel Farage has insisted he was only 'joking' about getting a job with Donald Trump after no offer was made during his meeting with the President-elect.

The interim Ukip leader was unable to contain his excitement at being the first UK politician to meet Mr Trump, posing for pictures in a gold-encrusted elevator at Trump Tower in New York last night.

Despite there being no job for him at the White House, Mr Farage insisted today No 10 was being 'short sighted' in not using his contacts to build ties between the new president and the Government.

The morning after his big meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Nigel Farage told Sky News (pictured) it was short sighted to dismiss his connections with the President-elect

Mr Farage and Mr Trump posed together in a golden elevator at Trump tower last night

Theresa May's team have dismissed out of hand the idea of using Mr Farage as it scrambles to build ties with the new administration.

A Cabinet row over the relationship exploded today, as an unnamed minister accused International Trade Secretary Liam Fox of 'treason' for undermining the US Ambassdor Sir Kim Darroch by making his own approaches to Mr Trump.

Mr Farage is far away from the the rows at home as he spends time in New York meeting Mr Trump's team and touring the TV studios.

Asked if he had been offered a job at his meeting last night, the Ukip leader told Sky News: 'I joked about it - I am aware in the modern world telling a joke is a mistake - I am not going to be working for the American administration, of course I'm not.'

Mr Farage quipped he could be Mr Trump's ambassador to the European Union in a series of interviews as the US election results became clear.

But he insisted he stood ready to serve Mrs May's Government.

Mr Farage said: 'If I could be useful in any way to the British Government then I would be very happy to do so - but it would appear the apparatchiks in Downing Street keep saying very negative thins about me.

Mr Farage took his top team with him to meet the President-elect, including (from second left) Aaron Banks, Mr Trump, Mr Farage, Andy Wigmore and Raheem Kassam

Mr Farage was delighted with last night's meeting at Trump tower and tweeted details about the encounter, including Mr Trump's reaction to his call for a Churchill bust to be put in the Oval Office

'I would have thought that was just a little bit short sighted, frankly.

'If we are honest there are a lot of people in this Conservative government and senior staff in Downing Street who were very rude about Mr Trump and I think it is time to mend some fences.

'If I could help do that, I certainly would.'

Both of Theresa May's chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill (pictured arriving at No 10 on Friday) posted critical tweets about Mr Trump during the election campaign

Senior Conservative Crispin Blunt today rubbished claims Mr Farage would serve as an unofficial intermediary between Donald Trump and the Government.

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee said it is 'completely implausible' the Ukip leader would take up such a role.

It comes after a beaming Mr Farage became the first British politician to meet Mr Trump after his election victory.

Mr Blunt told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: 'I think there's a fantastic opportunity actually for a decent relationship for the United Kingdom with the new administration - and no need for Nigel.'

He also said the Prime Minister has been 'extremely wise in having been very reserved and guarded about her comments about Donald Trump right from the beginning, unlike many'.

Questions have been raised over whether Britain and the US will continue to have a 'special relationship' when Mr Trump takes over at the White House.

Theresa May was only the eleventh leader the president-elect called after his victory.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson openly mocked Mr Trump while in his former role as London Mayor, accusing the billionaire of 'stupefying ignorance' that made him unfit to be president.

Mr Farage campaigned for Mr Trump and appeared at a rally for the Republican in August

Mr Blunt played down fears that Mr Johnson's previous undiplomatic comments could pose problems for Britain.

He said Mr Johnson is 'wonderfully charming and entertaining' and has rowed back from his earlier remarks.

Following last night's meeting at Trump Tower, Mr Farage disclosed members of the president-elect's inner circle remain sceptical about the UK government, though Mr Trump told him he had a 'nice conversation' with Mrs May.

'He said he had a nice conversation, although some of his team had reservations about what members of the Cabinet have said during the election. Believe you me, his team are conscious of the comments,' Mr Farage told the Daily Telegraph.

Asked why the president-elect had agreed to meet him, Mr Farage said: 'He was very grateful I put my head over the parapet and he recognised that.

'His whole team are pro-Britain. I am extremely optimistic about Britain's future.'

Senior Conservative Crispin Blunt today rubbished claims Mr Farage would serve as an unofficial intermediary between Donald Trump and the Government

The pair met at Trump Tower in New York and spent over an hour discussing the president-elect's victory, global politics and the status of Brexit, according to Ukip.

Mr Farage used US media appearances to warn Mrs May that she needed to 'mend fences' with Mr Trump after the 'quite rude' things said about him by leading Tories.

A spokesman for Mrs May told the Press Association that No 10 'has been consistent that Mr Farage has no role' in the Government's relationship with the incoming US administration.

The interim Ukip leader has suggested that 'insulting' comments about Mr Trump by senior Tories may have been the reason why Mrs May was only 10th on the president-elect's list of foreign leaders to call after his surprise win last Tuesday.
Iraqi women have celebrated being liberated from the rule of ISIS regime by throwing off their hated niqabs in parts of the city of Mosul.

'Today I feel reborn,' said one woman as she threw off the hated symbol of oppression by ISIS, who are known by their enemies in Iraq as Daesh.

Brutal ISIS makes the wearing of a niqab or burka mandatory for women, and they face severe punishment if they refuse.

The group had claimed the oppressive laws were not a restriction on womens freedoms, but were to prevent them from falling into humiliation and vulgarity or to be a theatre for the eyes of those who are looking.

Women in Mosul hang up their unwanted burkas after being liberated

A video has emerged of women in brightly coloured dresses and scarves discarding the dreary, black niqabs, which they had been forced to wear by their ISIS overlords.

The women are seen hanging up the black clothes, which are then seen hanging on a fence.

Under the ISIS regime, women are also not allowed to wear branded or masculine clothes, or clothes with designs that would attract attention from men.

Muslim women in the West say they wear the burka or niqab out of free choice and as part of their culture but in occupied areas of Iraq and Syria there is no choice.

Earlier this year there were similar scenes after ISIS were driven out of the city of Manbij in Syria.

Crowds of delighted women and children took to the streets there, cheering and clapping as a bystander set her burka ablaze.
Police in Shiyan, China, arrested woman after tracing her using CCTV

Mother reportedly left him with waitress after she offered to look after him

CCTV footage shows woman walking out of restaurant with baby

This is the chilling moment a waitress allegedly kidnapped a customer's baby from a restaurant.

CCTV footage shows the woman walking out of the restaurant carrying the 10-month-old boy in the city of Shiyan, central China.

The baby's mother had reportedly left him with the restaurant worker after she offered to look after him briefly.

CCTV footage captured the moment a waitress allegedly kidnapped a customer's baby from a restaurant in Shiyan, central China

Police managed to trace the woman and child within two hours using surveillance footage

However, the boy's mother returned several minutes later to find her son and the woman had disappeared, CCTV News reported.

Police managed to trace the woman and child within two hours using surveillance footage.

She was arrested by police and remains in custody after admitting to taking the baby boy.

CCTV footage appears to show the waitress (centre) bending over the counter to look at the baby, who was being held by a colleague (circled) as his mother (far right) watched on

The woman can be seen carrying the baby out of the restaurant. She later said she took the baby because she liked him and wanted to adopt him

The waitress said she took the baby because she liked him and wanted to adopt him.

CCTV footage appears to show the woman bending over the counter to look at the baby, who was being held by a colleague.

Further surveillance footage shows her look around as she carries the baby out of the restaurant before carrying on down the street.

Police confirmed that their investigation is on-going.
Terry Foster was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007 but battle back to survive

A father who was told he had just hours to live was cruelly sacked when he reported back to work after beating his battle with cancer.

Terry Foster, 58, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007, while his wife, Melanie, was pregnant with their first child.

He spent 19 days in intensive care and at one point was placed in a side room to die after he was given just 48 hours to live.

But the father-of-one, from Southport, Merseyside, fought back and doctors were surprised when his condition improved to the point he could be sent home.

Terry told the Liverpool Echo: 'I was given the all clear to go home and die at home, but I just continued to get better and I began working from home.'

After the birth of his newborn daughter Sophie, now six, Terry was keen to get back to work as a refrigerator engineer so he could support his family.

However after meeting up with his manager about returning to his job at CIAT Ozonair, he was shocked to hear he was being sacked.

A letter from the company said: 'It was good to see that your current condition had improved greatly and you had defied all the medical evidence on your chances of survival but your kidneys are still only operating at 30 per cent.

'To this end the company feel it would be negligent to subject you to undue stress and pressure... which will further delay or affect your recovery and also you mentioned that you will be having a bone marrow transplant at some point next year which could prove hazardous with a lengthy recovery period.'

After the birth of his newborn daughter Sophie, now six, Terry was keen to get back to work as a refrigerator engineer so he could support his family

Terry said: 'Initially my line manager was supportive when I told him I had cancer - he said they'd continue to pay me and to take any time off I needed.

'When I returned to work, my laptop broke and I rang the head office and they advised me to drive to Glasgow to collect a new one.

'I arrived and I knew something was wrong when there was no laptop for me, I just a meeting with my boss.

'He brought me in and told me they were sacking me, he made it very clear it was because I had cancer and was expected to die.'

He added: 'I went into a state of shock. When I told my wife she burst into tears, it was awful, we had a newborn baby and it was the most horrible time for both of us.

'We really struggled financially during this period and the stress and worry of it all impacted on my recovery.'

Terry took the company to an employment tribunal and won, being awarded more than 62,000 by the court.

He is now clear of his cancer and attends hospital every six months for a scan.

According to new research by Macmillan Cancer Support, his story is not uncommon.

However after meeting up with his manager about returning to his job at CIAT Ozonair, he was shocked to hear he was being sacked

Terry took the company to an employment tribunal and won, being awarded more than 62,000 by the court

Around 2,300 of people diagnosed with cancer in the North West alone will face some form of workplace discrimination.

The estimates are based on new research by Macmillan and YouGov at the World Cancer Congress in Paris.

The research found nearly a fifth of people, 18 per cent, who return to work after being diagnosed with cancer in the UK say they faced discrimination from their employer or colleagues.

In addition, more than 35 per cent) reported other negative experiences, such as feeling guilty for having to take time off for medical appointments and a loss of confidence in their ability to do their job.
Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Sunday that instead of blaming the FBI for her historic loss, Hillary Clinton should 'look in the mirror.'

'I just can't believe it's always somebody else's fault. Sometimes you just have to take a look in the mirror and reflect on what went wrong,' Conway told NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

Then she went into her own diagnosis: 'What about the fact that they just got it wrong? What about the fact they weren't in touch with Americans, and the culture zeitgeist, and what motivates many Americans?' she asked.

'They misread America. They did not have her in red states. They were pretending they were going to turn red blue. They were pretending,' she added.

Conway was referencing Hillary Clinton's statement to supporters that FBI Director James Comey 'stopped our momentum' with his bombshell announcement on October 28 that the bureau was taking another look at Clinton's emails.

Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway remarked on Hillary Clinton's recent statement that FBI Director Comey 'stopped our momentum' in the campaign, saying 'sometimes you just have to take a look in the mirror'

Then two days before Election Day, Comey essentially let Clinton off the hook with another letter  that that news development had the effect of forcing the scandal back onto front pages again during Clinton's final election push.

Comey in July had recommended against charging Clinton with a crime for her handling of classified information and use of a private email server.

Conway also was referencing the Clinton camp's inability to garner President Obama's turnout in heavily Democratic urban areas and counties, as well as Trump's ability to run up huge margins in rural and more conservative areas.

For example, she got 43,000 fewer votes than Obama did in 2012 in Milwaukee County, contributing to her loss in Wisconsin.

Whatever the causes, Clinton was unable to break the highest 'glass ceiling'  although as 'Meet the Press' moderator Chuck Todd noted in the interview, she became the first female campaign manager to help capture the White House.

Clinton blamed FBI Director James Comey's decision to revive the investigation into her emails just days before people went to the polls as the reason for her loss.

Conway appeared on NBC's 'Meet the Press' after Donald Trump's historic win

Hillary Clinton (pictured after giving her concession speech) has blamed FBI Director James Comey for her election defeat

On a call Saturday with top campaign donors, Clinton said her campaign was winning until Comey sent his letter to Congress on Oct. 28 announcing that the FBI had uncovered emails possibly related to its earlier probe into her use of a private server as secretary of state.

'Our analysis is that Comey's letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum,' Clinton told donors, according to the New York Times.

As Democrats continued to try to pick up the pieces, President Obama prepared to address the Democratic National Committee in an afternoon phone call. Hillary Clinton plans to address House Democrats in a separate call.

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The new examination was sparked by an unrelated investigation into former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of her top aide, Huma Abedin.

The investigation was sparked by a DailyMail.com report that revealed Weiner had been sending explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl.

The emails in question were found on Weiner's laptop.

Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state and was tied in Arizona, a traditionally Republican stronghold, until Comey released his letter.

Clinton blamed FBI Director James Comey's decision to revive the investigation into her emails just days before people went to the polls as the reason for her loss

Comey (pictured) announced new emails had been discovered on October 28. However, he said the emails accounted to nothing a week later

THE CLINTON EMAIL CONTROVERSY January 13, 2009: Hillary Clinton's aide Justin Cooper sets up clintonemail.com domain. Huma Abedin signs off on it February 2, 2009: Clinton is sworn in as Secretary of State March 18, 2009: Clinton stops using her BlackBerry email account and switches to the newly created hdr22@clintonemail.com account. The domain is hosted on her own private email server, set up by her aide Bryan Pagliano September 11, 2012: Four Americans are killed in attack on a U.S. base in Benghazi, Libya including Ambassador Chris Stevens January 23, 2013: Clinton responded forcefully to intense questioning on the September attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in Benghazi, Libya, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC February 1, 2013: Clinton steps down as secretary of state Above then-Secretary of State Clinton checks her Blackberry from a desk inside a C-17 military plane upon her departure from Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, bound for Tripoli, Libya on October 18, 2011 October 28, 2014: State Department demands Clinton's work-related correspondence as part of a congressional investigation into Benghazi Fall 2014: Clinton's lawyers deletes 33,000 emails which they claim are 'personal' December 5, 2014: Clinton's legal team provide roughly 30,000 emails to the State Department when they are demanded by a congressional investigation into Benghazi. March 2, 2015: The New York Times breaks the news that Clinton used a personal email account to conduct government business while secretary of state July 25, 2015: Clinton says she is confident none of the emails on her private email server were classified at the time of sending and receiving Above Clinton responded forcefully to intense questioning on the September attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in Benghazi, Libya, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC August 4, 2015: The Washington Post reveals the FBI has begun looking into the security of Clinton's private email set-up September 10, 2015: Bryan Pagliano formally asserts his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than answer questions from a Republican-led House committee on her email arrangements July 6, 2016: The Justice Department closes Clinton email probe and FBI Director James Comey announces the FBI won't prosecute. The decision was made by Comey because Attorney General Loretta Lynch had to recluse herself after a secret meeting with Bill Clinton October 7, 2016: WikiLeaks begins release of thousands of emails hacked from the Gmail account of John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chair October 28, 2016: FBI reopens its investigation into Clinton's server November 6, 2016: FBI announces it will not change its original decision not to charge Clinton Advertisement

'We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing,' Hillary said, according to the newspaper.

The campaign also said the letter was particularly damaging with white women, who they believed were on the fence until Comey's announcement pushed them onto Team Trump.

White women voted for Trump in surprising numbers, and were a major factor in deciding several of the key swing states that put Trump in the White House.

Clinton's campaign said white women were swayed to vote Trump by Comey's letter, which potentially decided the election

Significantly more white women voted for Donald Trump than expected. Pictured are a group of women at a rally on Monday in North Carolina

ANTHONY WEINER SEXTING SCANDAL The FBI, the New York Police Department, and US attorneys in New York and North Carolina opened investigations into Weiner's conduct in late September, after DailyMail.com exclusively reported on Sept. 21 that the former politician carried on a months-long online relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl. Weiner exchanged flirtatious and sexually-charged messages with the teen for months after the girl struck up a conversation with him on Twitter in January. Weiner told the girl he woke up 'hard' after thinking about her, sent her shirtless photos, and complimented her body. He also encouraged her to talk to him on the video-chat application Skype. The girl alleged that during these Skype conversations, Weiner asked her to get undressed and touch herself. She claimed he also asked her to dress up in school girl outfits and pretend he was her teacher and brought up 'rape fantasies.' Weiner issued a statement to the Dailymail.com apologizing for 'repeatedly demonstrate[ing] terrible judgment about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent.' In one particularly lewd message, he told the teen: 'I would bust that tight p***y so hard and so often that you would leak and limp for a week.' Advertisement

Trump's campaign and Republican supporters seized on the news, even though it was unclear whether Clinton's correspondence was tied up in the probe.

Comey told lawmakers the Sunday before the election that the bureau had found no evidence to warrant criminal charges. His 'all clear' message only served to further motivate Trump supporters, Clinton told donors on the call.

In the nine days between Comey's initial statement and his 'all clear' announcement, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That was roughly 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

While Clinton accepted some blame of her loss, according to donors who listened to her call, she made little mention of the other factors driving Trump's victory: A desire for change by voters, possible sexism, the difficulty of a political party winning a third White House term, her campaign's all-but-dismissal of white working class voters and flaws within her own message.

Democrats have spent much of this week reeling for their loss, with many in the party beginning a process of soul-searching designed to sort out what exactly went wrong.

Liberals like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren say Democrats must embrace a more aggressive economic message  one Clinton largely shied away from during her campaign.

Clinton's blaming of Comey echoes what her aides have said in the days since the election.

Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state prior to the Comey letter

About 24 million people early voted in the days between when Comey announced the investigation had been reopened and when it was again closed

'We believe that we lost this election in the last week. Comey's letter in the last 11 days of the election both helped depress our turnout and also drove away some of our critical support among college-educated white votersparticularly in the suburbs,' Navin Nayak, head of Clinton's opinion research division, wrote in a letter obtained by Politico.

'We also think Comey's 2nd letter, which was intended to absolve Sec. Clinton, actually helped to bolster Trump's turnout.'

Weiner conduct came under investigation in late September, after DailyMail.com exclusively reported on Sept. 21 that the former politician carried on a months-long online relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl.

An investigation into Anthony Weiner's explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl sparked the reopening of the investigation into Clinton's emails. Weiner is the estranged husband of top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin

Dailymail.com exclusively published reports of Weiner's most recent sexting scandal in September

He exchanged flirtatious and sexually-charged messages with the teen for months after the girl struck up a conversation with him on Twitter in January.

The disgraced former congressman told the girl he woke up 'hard' after thinking about her, sent her shirtless photos, and complimented her body.

He also encouraged her to talk to him on the video-chat application Skype.
Three teens were arrested after a mob-style attack left six people, including an off-duty police detective and his wife injured, police said.

A large crowd of about 50 teenage boys were in downtown Philadelphia around 6pm Saturday when they randomly started assaulting people on the street, police said.

The 55-year-old off-duty police detective tried to intervene, but was punched from behind and suffered an orbital fracture to his right eye

Three teens were arrested after a mob-style attack left six people, including an off-duty police detective and his wife injured, police said (pictured, the scene after the attack)

The 55-year-old off-duty police detective tried to intervene, but was punched from behind and suffered an orbital fracture to his right eye (pictured, the scene on Saturday night)

On Saturday evening, there was a large group of boys around 16th and Walnut streets, a popular spot for dining and shopping.

The off-duty policeman, 55, tried to arrest one of the offenders when he saw a man, 20, and a woman, 21, being assaulted, police said.

But he was punched from behind by several people, and his 53-year-old wife was also punched in the face when she splashed water on someone in an effort to stop them from attacking her husband, police said.

Witness Dwight Magood told WPVI-TV that he feared for his safety when the large group of teens appeared, and he saw other people running into nearby stores to escape.

A witness who did not want to be identified told NBC at least three people were bleeding from their heads.

All of the offenders eventually fled, and police said a 28-year-old was attacked around the corner.

One victim declined medical treatment, but the other five were taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

One victim declined medical treatment, but the five others were taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Other than the police detective, the victims had minor injuries.

'It's crazy out here,' said Magood. 'I don't know if they were trying to protest or 'flash mobbing.' But it's not the right way to do it, whatever it was.'
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Spectacular photographs of the biggest supermoon for generations are already being captured - and the best is yet to come.

The satellite is orbiting as close to Earth as it has done for almost 70 years tonight, but Monday is expected to be the best evening for capturing a rare close-up of the moon.

Although the countryside is the best place to see the night's sky in all its glory, there was still some stunning scenes over London landmarks such as Canary Wharf and the Eye.

A man stands on a balcony of a building of Madrid (left) as the moon rises in background and a picture of the supermoon above the Statue of Liberty in New York City (right)

Although the countryside is the best place to see the night's sky in all its glory, there was still some stunning scenes over London landmarks such as the Eye

The satellite is orbiting as close to Earth as it has done for almost 70 years tonight, but Monday is expected to be the best evening for capturing a rare close-up of the moon

There was also a stunning scene behind Canary Wharf as the supermoon emerged this evening when the Sun went down

The capital's centre, including The Gherkin, can be seen here underneath the supermoon. Gazers in the south-east of England in particular are advised to get out tonight while they can still enjoy a clear night

The moons orbit is elliptical rather than perfectly circular, so as the moon moves around the Earth it is sometimes a little bit closer and sometimes a bit further away from us. It is seen here above the 02 Arena, south-east London

The supermoon can be seen here through the clouds behind the Emirates Air Line cable car, in London's Docklands

A funfair ride spins around in London, with the enlarged lunar shining in the background

A commerical jet flies in front of the moon on its approach to Heathrow airport in west London on. The moon can be seen in incredible detail behind it

The differences in apparent size and brightness amount to few percent but they can enhance the already beautiful sight of the full moon, pictured here rising near Glastonbury

Spectacular photographs of the biggest supermoon for generations are already being captured, such as Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire - and the best is yet to come

Other photographers took the opportunity to clamber up rural landscapes like Beacon Hill near Loughborough to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon

WHAT IS A SUPERMOON? Supermoons are new or full moons that occur when the orbit of the moon brings it particularly close to Earth. For this reason, it appears to be bigger than normal - by about 10 per cent. We usually get between four and six supermoons a year, but this November is special because the moon will be closer to Earth than at any time this century, and we won't get as near again until 2034. Advertisement

Other photographers took the opportunity to clamber up rural landscapes like Beacon Hill near Loughborough to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon.

And it was not just Brits who were getting in on the act, with the supermoon also snapped above America and a host of other countries.

A Met Office spokesman told MailOnline the best time to observe it would be on Monday night, but large areas of the UK may have their views spoiled by cloud.

While areas to the east of hills and mountains, such as the Pennines, eastern Scotland and eastern Wales, may benefit from breaks in cloud.

However, gazers in the south-east of England in particular are advised to get out tonight while they can still enjoy a clear night.

There will be a shorter gap until the next time you will be able to see it so close up though, with another supermoon expected in 2034.

The supermoon was also seen on the other side of the Atlantic - pictured here above the US Capitol building

Many things will be changing at the White House over the next few months. Barack Obama was at least able to see the moon closer than any president will for 18 years

Its glow can be seen here over the Manhattan Bridge, New York. It could be even bigger tomorrow night if the clouds can stay out of the way

We usually get between four and six supermoons a year, but this one is special because the moon will be closer to Earth than at any time this century, and we won't get as near again until 2034 (again seen here above Washington DC)

The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage behind the head of the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle, New York

One of the earliest photographs to be taken of the supermoon in America was this one in Central Park, which was captured just as it appeared

The moon rises beyond flags atop Fraser Hall on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas

Residents in Washington DC (left) Longport, New Jersey (right), were also able to catch a good glimpse of the phenomenon

Visitors enjoy an unobstructed view of the spectacle as it ascends over the Lake Michigan shoreline in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A SUPERMOON PERFECTLY Bill Ingalls, Nasa's senior photographer Bill Ingalls, Nasa's senior photographer, says composition is key. 'Don't make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything,' he said. 'I've certainly done it myself, but everyone will get that shot. 'Instead, think of how to make the image creativethat means tying it into some land-based object. 'It can be a local landmark or anything to give your photo a sense of place.' Is it hopeless to attempt a supermoon image with a smartphone camera? Ingalls says, it's all relative. 'For me, it would be maddening and frustrating - yet it may be a good challenge, actually. You're not going to get a giant moon in your shot, but you can do something more panoramic, including some foreground that's interesting. 'Think about being in an urban area where it's a little bit brighter.' To get the right light balance of the moon on newer iPhones and other smartphones, 'Tap the screen and hold your finger on the object (in this case, the moon) to lock the focus. 'Then slide your finger up or down to darken or lighten the exposure.' For digital SLR photography, Ingalls uses the daylight white balance setting for capturing moonlight, since sunlight is being reflected. Advertisement

The moons orbit is elliptical rather than perfectly circular, so as the moon moves around the Earth it is sometimes a little bit closer and sometimes a bit further away from us.

'If a full moon happens to occur when the Moon is also at its closest point then it will look slightly larger and brighter than usual  this is what is popularly known as a "supermoon",' Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich told MailOnline.

'Its a natural part of the moons cycle and happens around once a year.

'The differences in apparent size and brightness amount to few percent but they can enhance the already beautiful sight of the full moon, making a supermoon worth looking up for.'

Supermoons are new or full moons that occur when the orbit of the moon brings it particularly close to Earth. For this reason, it appears to be bigger than normal - by about 10 per cent

The moons orbit is elliptical rather than perfectly circular, so as the moon moves around the Earth it is sometimes a little bit closer and sometimes a bit further away from us (pictured here above Sydney, Australia)

The supermoon rises above the Motherland Calls statue on top of the Manayev Kurgan commemorating the WWII Battle of Stalingrad

The supermoon in all its glory as Brazilians flock to a beach in Rio de Janeiro to see it shimmering in the night's sky

The silhouettes of two men can be seen posing for surreal-looking images in Istanbul, Turkey, where one man looks as though he is floating

The supermoon rises above Hefer Valley, in Israel, this evening as photographers all over the world took the opportunity to capture it

And it was not just Brits who were getting in on the act, with the supermoon also snapped above Russia, such as this example over a statue of Lenin

The moon behind this castle in Madrid appears up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than an average full moon

The moon rises behind a sculpture of Don Quixote De La Mancha in Munera, near Albacete, Spain

The supermoon photographed without anything blocking it over perfectly clear skies in Austria's capital, Vienna

For this reason, it appears to be bigger than normal - by about 10 per cent.

We usually get between four and six supermoons a year, but this one is special because the moon will be closer to Earth than at any time this century, and we won't get as near again until 2034.

During the event, it will appear up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than an average full moon.
Chappelle and Rock break out in

Saturday Night Live have taken aim at white privileged Democrats' incredulous reaction to Donald Trump's victory.

Guest host Dave Chappelle and former cast member Chris Rock joined SNL for a sketch mocking the stunned white Hillary Clinton voters who simply couldn't fathom that their candidate had lost on Wednesday.

'Oh my god, I think America is racist!' one Clinton supporter, played by Cecily Strong proclaims after Trump won the election.

'Oh my god!' mock Chapelle and Rock, who were not the least surprised that the majority of America had voted for the divisive Republican.

'You know I remember my great great grandfather told me about something like that,' Chappelle added. 'But he was a slave or something.'

Another white liberal, showing an embarrassing lack of self awareness, announced: 'This is the most shameful thing America has ever done' - to the amusement of Chappelle and Rock who burst out laughing.

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SNL mocks overconfident Hillary voters in election night sketch

'Don't worry, it's going to be all white,' Rock joked.

The sketch opened with a group of excitable Clinton supporters at an election night viewing party, discussing the 'historic night' as they speculated Hillary would win by a landslide.

'My friend at the Huffington Post says she wins by five points,' says Strong. 'Oh I don't know my friend at Slate says she'll win by three,' Vanessa Bayer replied.

The group are so certain that Clinton will win, they describe their 'nightmare scenario' as Hillary winning and Trump winning the popular vote - in reality the results were reversed.

While the Clinton supporters even anticipate that there may never be another Republican president, Chappelle and Rock counselled them not to get ahead of themselves.

'Yep, this might be a historic night, but don't forget this is a big country,' Chappelle said.

As the results began to come in, the Clinton supporters watched in growing horror.

'I'm going to grab a Xanax from the bedroom,' Bayer announces.

The sketch opened with a group of Clinton supporters at an election night viewing party

Sitting in an apartment, the friends excitedly discuss the 'historic night' as they speculated she would win by a landslide to become the first female president

Yet, while the Clinton supporters anticipate that there may never be another Republican president, SNL host Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock counselled them not to get ahead of themselves

'Will you grab me six?' Aidy Bryant asked.

'Yeah, I'm just going to bring the whole bottle.'

As Kentucky was announced in favor of Trump, they tried to rationalize the win.

'Well, of course he won Kentucky. That's where all the racists are!'

Chappelle's response is priceless; 'All of them are in Kentucky?' he asked incredulously.

A little unnerved, the group''s belief in Clinton is unshaken as they wait for Florida's results to come in - announcing that the state will be blue because they assume Latinos must be voting Democrat.

The white liberals even decide to toast 'to Latinos' at the party, while Chappelle looks on in amusement.

As the results began to come in, the Clinton supporters watched in growing horror

'I'm going to grab a Xanax from the bedroom,' Vanessa Bayer (right) announced

After another cast member states, 'This is the most shameful thing America has ever done,' Chappelle and Rock simply break out in laughter

But after Florida was announced, and key state after key state fell, the group became desperate.

'You never know guys, Alaska's still out there,' Beck Bennett said in desperation, before Alaska was announced for Trump.'

When it becomes clear that Trump is winning, the confused Clinton supporters asked, 'Why aren't people turning out for Hillary the way they did for Barack Obama?'

'I mean, maybe because you're replacing a charismatic 40-year-old black guy with a 70-year-old white woman,' Rock replied. 'That's like the Knicks replacing Patrick Ewing with Neil Patrick Harris.'

'I don't get you ladies. The country is 55 percent women. If the country was 55 percent black, we'd have tons of black presidents. I mean, Flavor Flav would be president,' Rock joked.

When Trump finally won, the group was devastated.
Helen Andre and Davy Moakes' wedding day

A couple who were forced to call off their engagement because the bride's parents did not approve of the groom have finally tied the knot 65 years later.

Davy Moakes, 86, and Helen Andre, 82, met and fell in love at art college and Davy proposed in 1951.

But his fiancee's parents would not give their blessing to the union - fearing Davy would struggle to provide for his family if he pursued a career as an artist. The wedding was scrapped two years later.

Helen went on to be widowed three times, while Davy has lost two spouses.

But the pair are now 'madly in love' after being reunited last year with the help of Helen's daughter, Debbie Williams, and social media.

They married in a quiet register office ceremony at Ripley, Derbyshire, on Friday, watched by Helen's three children and a handful of close friends.

Talking from their honeymoon in Cyprus yesterday, Helen said: 'I couldn't be happier, all my dreams have come true.

'When I was 19 and my mother and father stopped me marrying him I was heartbroken and I never stopped loving him. Really, they wanted to decide who I married - not me.

'They were quite Victorian like that.

'I have loved Davy my whole life. But now I've got him. I'm enjoying every minute of it. I feel like a teenager again, it really is like nothing's changed.'

Helen Andre (left) roller skating around the time she met Davy Moakes

Davy, who finally became an artist in his late 60s after a career teaching art and then in design, first met Helen when he was 21. They became engaged the following year and planned to marry when Helen was 19 - until his prospective in-laws intervened.

Three years later, in 1956, the pair were on the verge of rekindling the relationship, when Davy's father bought both tickets for a local dance - but Helen's parents, Aaron and Gertrude West, became aware of the event and locked her in her bedroom to stop her from attending.

Davy, who by then was engaged to Rosemary Latham, a cooking teacher, described their objection to him was 'very unfair, because I never said I wanted to be an artist'.

He added: 'But there was nothing we could do about it, unless we were to run away, so we drifted apart.' Davy married Rosemary in 1957 and moved to Plon, Germany, three years later to teach crafts to forces children.

Davy Moakes around the time he first met Helen Andre in the 1950s

Helen Andre's first wedding to Tony Rollings who passed away at the age of 62 with cancer

Helen's parents, Gertrude and Aaron West about the time of the family feud

Helen qualified as a dress designer and set up her own business before marrying Tony Rollings in 1960. They went on to have three children together, bringing them three grandchildren and five great grandchildren, but twice bumped in to Davy at Round Table dances in Sheffield in the mid-1960s after he had returned to the UK.

Davy, by then living in Doncaster and teaching art, said: 'We realised we were very much still in love. But we both had children and were married, and so we agreed that we could not be together.

'After that, we didn't see each other again - we knew it was best for our families that way.' Rosemary died in 1996 following a stroke. Davy married Margaret Horsnall, a mature student of his, the following year.

Helen Andre (left) in a sports car which was paid for by Davy Moakes's father to meet Davy at a ball in 1953

Helen Andre's third wedding to Dennis who passed away in 2010 also with cancer

Helen was first widowed in 1992. She married Raymond Freeman, a property developer, in 2000, but he died of cancer in 2002.

She met third husband, Dennis Andre, in 2004. After Dennis's death in 2010, Helen - who is registered blind - moved in with her daughter, Debbie, in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Contact was established with Davy again following a visit to nearby South Normanton - where Helen and Davy had first met. Helen had noticed a sculpture of a clock with the signature Adrian Moakes on it, and told Debbie. After a search on social media she discovered Adrian, 57, was Davy's youngest child.

Helen Andre's first wedding to Tony Rollings. She has now finally married the first man she fell in love with

Debbie made contact with Davy, who was still living in Doncaster, but nothing further happened because he was nursing wife Margaret, who had Alzheimer's disease. Following her death 18 months ago, Davy moved to live with family in Manchester, until Debbie made contact again to pass on their condolences.

But the love Davy always felt for Helen remained, and the artist - who has two children from his first marriage, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren - decided to move near to Helen in Alfreton, Derbyshire. He proposed 'over a kiss' in October.

Davy said: 'It's so strong, the love between us.

'Even after all this time, it still feels the same. It's just perfect, it's just how it was.' Debbie said the relationship has given her mother a new lease of life, adding: 'It's so lovely, the whole family is so supportive of them both and what they've been through.'
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has emphatically denied that fake news posted on the social network swung the election for Donald Trump.

Zuckerberg shared his thoughts in a lengthy post on Saturday night after he said many people questioned whether fake news contributed to the shocking result  and what the platform's role was to prevent hoaxes from spreading.

He claims that more than 99 per cent of content on Facebook is authentic and 'only a very small amount' make up fake news and hoaxes.

And they're not limited to one partisan view, or even politics, according to the tech billionaire.

'Overall, this makes it extremely unlikely hoaxes changed the outcome of this election in one direction or the other,' he said.

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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (above, on Thursday) has emphatically denied that fake news posted on the social network swung the election for Donald Trump

The majority of Americans  six in 10  have said they get at least some news from social media, mainly Facebook, according to the Pew Research Center.

Much of this comes from established outlets, but misinformation spreads on Facebook just as information does, shared by users, recommended by software and amplified by both.

Sources of spurious information have ranged from news articles produced by 'content farms' for the sole purpose of getting clicks, to 'hyperpartisan' sites from both sides of the political spectrum, churning out stories that are misleading at best.

A case in point - 'FBI AGENT SUSPECTED IN HILLARY EMAIL LEAKS FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE'  a fabricated headline from a fake news site called the Denver Guardian, which was shared thousands of times in the days leading up to the election.

Zuckerberg insisted that he doesn't want any hoaxes on Facebook  and says he's launched work enabling users to flag hoaxes and fake news.

Zuckerberg claims that more than 99 per cent of content on Facebook is authentic and 'only a very small amount' make up fake news and hoaxes

However, he believes that they must be cautious as 'identifying the 'truth' is complicated.'

While some hoaxes can easily be completely debunked, he notes that articles from mainstream sources may have some details wrong or omitted.

And users may flag opinion pieces as inaccurate simply because they express a view that they disagree with.

Overall, Zuckerberg says he is 'proud' of the role Facebook played in giving people a voice.

'Our goal is to give every person a voice. We people deeply in people,' he wrote.

'Sometimes when people use their voice though, they say things that seem wrong and they support people you disagree with.'

He added that Facebook helped two million register to vote and estimates that a similar number were encouraged to go vote who otherwise may not have.

'We helped millions of people connect with candidates so they could hear from them directly and be better informed,' he wrote.

Zuckerberg shared this picture of himself watching the election results with his baby daughter

The Facebook founder said he was 'feeling hopeful' after the result adding that he 'thought about all the work ahead of us to create the world we want for our children'

'Most importantly, we gave tens of millions of people tools to share billions of posts and reactions about this election.

'A lot of that dialog may not have happened without Facebook.'

He added: 'This has been a historic election and it has been very painful for many people.

'Still, I think it's important to try to understand the perspective of people on the other side.

'In my experience, people are good, and even if you may not feel that way today, believing in people leads to better results over the long term.'

Adam Mosseri, the executive in charge of Facebook's news feed, said in a statement to the tech blog TechCrunch this week: 'We take misinformation on Facebook very seriously.

'We value authentic communication, and hear consistently from those who use Facebook that they prefer not to see misinformation.'

Facebook acknowledges that it has more work to do, and it seems to be putting a lot of faith in the power of data, artificial intelligence and algorithms as the solution.

Over the summer, Facebook fired the small group of journalists in charge of its 'trending' items and replaced them with an algorithm.

The catalyst appeared to be a report in a tech blog, based on an anonymous source, that the editors routinely suppressed conservative viewpoints.

Subsequently, fake stories ahead of the election began to trend.

But in an interview with 'The Facebook Effect' author David Kirkpatrick on Thursday, Zuckerberg said the idea that voters were influenced by fake news is 'crazy.'

He said the idea that people voted the way they did because of bogus information on Facebook shows a 'profound lack of empathy' for supporters of Trump.

'Voters make decisions based on their lived experience,' he insisted.

In the aftermath of Trump's victory, Zuckerberg took to Facebook to say he was 'feeling hopeful.'

He said that holding his baby daughter Max, he 'thought about all the work ahead of us to create the world we want for our children.'

Zuckerberg added: 'The work is bigger than any presidency and progress does not move in a straight line.'

MARK ZUCKERBERG'S FULL POST I want to share some thoughts on Facebook and the election. Our goal is to give every person a voice. We believe deeply in people. Assuming that people understand what is important in their lives and that they can express those views has driven not only our community, but democracy overall. Sometimes when people use their voice though, they say things that seem wrong and they support people you disagree with. After the election, many people are asking whether fake news contributed to the result, and what our responsibility is to prevent fake news from spreading. These are very important questions and I care deeply about getting them right. I want to do my best to explain what we know here. Of all the content on Facebook, more than 99% of what people see is authentic. Only a very small amount is fake news and hoaxes. The hoaxes that do exist are not limited to one partisan view, or even to politics. Overall, this makes it extremely unlikely hoaxes changed the outcome of this election in one direction or the other. That said, we don't want any hoaxes on Facebook. Our goal is to show people the content they will find most meaningful, and people want accurate news. We have already launched work enabling our community to flag hoaxes and fake news, and there is more we can do here. We have made progress, and we will continue to work on this to improve further. This is an area where I believe we must proceed very carefully though. Identifying the "truth" is complicated. While some hoaxes can be completely debunked, a greater amount of content, including from mainstream sources, often gets the basic idea right but some details wrong or omitted. An even greater volume of stories express an opinion that many will disagree with and flag as incorrect even when factual. I am confident we can find ways for our community to tell us what content is most meaningful, but I believe we must be extremely cautious about becoming arbiters of truth ourselves. As we continue our research, we are committed to always updating you on how News Feed evolves. We hope to have more to share soon, although this work often takes longer than we'd like in order to confirm changes we make won't introduce unintended side effects or bias into the system. If you're interested in following our updates, I encourage you to follow our News Feed FYI here: http://bit.ly/2frNWo2 Overall, I am proud of our role giving people a voice in this election. We helped more than 2 million people register to vote, and based on our estimates we got a similar number of people to vote who might have stayed home otherwise. We helped millions of people connect with candidates so they could hear from them directly and be better informed. Most importantly, we gave tens of millions of people tools to share billions of posts and reactions about this election. A lot of that dialog may not have happened without Facebook. This has been a historic election and it has been very painful for many people. Still, I think it's important to try to understand the perspective of people on the other side. In my experience, people are good, and even if you may not feel that way today, believing in people leads to better results over the long term. Advertisement




The rumored ringleader of a $13million maple syrup heist in Canada has been found guilty of theft after admitting he switched barrels with water to fool regulators.

Richard Vallieres, a black market syrup dealer who describes himself as 'Maple Man', was arrested alongside 25 others in connection with the 2012 heist.

Together, they are accused of orchestrating the theft of 3,000 tonnes of syrup worth $18.7million Canadian dollars ($13million US) from a Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup warehouse in 2012.

The theft was reported when officials carrying out a routine check realized dozens of the barrels had been swapped with water.

Richard Vallieres was convicted of theft, fraud and trafficking stolen goods for his role in the 2012 heist of $13m of Quebec maple syrup

Vallieres, a 'barrel roller' who is known in the area for bypassing the federation and buying syrup directly from manufacturers to sell to buyers, received the stolen goods from an as yet unnamed accomplice.

He said the man, whose identity is being protected until he faces trial himself, drew a gun on him and threatened to harm his family unless he went along with the theft.

After receiving the shipment in marked federation barrels, Vallieres drained them and filled them with water to return to the warehouse.

He said he did so out of fear his young family would be hurt unless he complied and later faced death threats.

Vallieres sold the syrup on to Etienne St-Pierre, a private buyer in Kedgwick, New Brunswick.

Regulators realized the syrup was missing as they performed a routine inventory check at the warehouse. Quebec has strict product laws for maple syrup (file image above)

St-Pierre repackaged it and passed it off as local produce, said prosecutors. During the trial he told prosecutors: 'You can't prove what tree the syrup came from,' according to CBC.

Vallieres sold the syrup on to Etienne St-Pierre, a private buyer in Kedgwick, New Brunswick (pictured)

Both men were convicted of fraud and trafficking stolen goods on Saturday. Vallieres was also convicted of theft. H

His father Raymond was found guilty of possessing stolen goods and fraud with intention to traffic while a fourth man, Jean Lord, was acquitted.

They will be sentenced in January when another five of those accused of involvement in the heist will stand trial.

St Pierre admitted to buying syrup Vallieres before and after the heist.

Prosecutors described how he likened the federation to the 'mafia' and had thrown previous subpoenas and legal documents from them away.

He had been in court 45 times already over his dealings in the industry.
Lee Francis, 39, broke into his 66-year-old victim's home

A crazed burglar who bit a pensioner during a break-in has been jailed - after police found his dislodged tooth.

Lee Francis, 39, broke his 66-year-old Ronald Parker's home and was found rummaging through an upstairs bedroom.

The pensioner bravely tackled Francis to the floor, but during the struggle Francis bit him with such force the man was left with a fractured finger.

Francis attacked the pensioner's 93-year-old mother, who hit him with a walking stick, before fleeing the house in Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, with items worth 2,000.

But astonishingly police caught Francis after his victim was doing his laundry and found the thug's tooth in their washing machine on July 18.

West Midlands Police forensics team identified the DNA and arrested Francis, who was also found with a small cannabis factory in his home.

Former IT consultant and grandfather-of-three Mr Parker, 66, retired seven years ago to move in with his mother, Rose, 93, after she suffered her second stroke.

He told of how he wrestled with Lee Francis on May 8 while Ms Parker, who used to help out at an old people's home, battered the thug over the head with a walking stick.

He said: 'It was about 10.30pm when I came back and mum was watching TV.

'I could see her bedroom light was on, which is never on day or night, so I thought my brother Philip was home.

Francis attacked the pensioner's 93-year-old mother Rose (left), who hit him with a walking stick. Right: Ronald Parker

'I walked in and called upstairs to him when suddenly there were the two or three massive bangs and this man was running down the stairs.

'He took huge strides and threw his hands in the air like a matador and shouted and growled at me like an animal.

'Then he just launched himself at me and my immediate reaction was to just grab him.

'I pulled on his lapels and we fell down together and rolled along the hallway.

'My mother, who struggles to walk, wondered in wandering what was going on. I shouted at her to dial 999.

'At this point he got up and gave her a smack and sent her flying into the wall.

'Then he came back at me and we wrestled to the floor again, we were grappling on the kitchen floor and everything was breaking around us.

'Mum managed to crawl using her arms back to the phone and dial 999. She then managed to get herself upright by crawling onto a chair.

'She made her way into the kitchen with her father's old walking cane and at this point I was on top of him, then he grabbed my hand and started biting.

'I heard this almighty crack like a dog biting a bone and I felt sick. I thought he'd bitten my fingers clean off.

Left: The wreckage left in the home of Ronald Parker. Right: The tooth left by Lee Francis when he bit Ronald Parker

'At that moment my mum whacked him across the head with my father's walking cane.

'It had a bone handle that came right off, she really thwacked him.

'I shouted: 'Call an ambulance, he's bitten my fingers off.'

'I managed to get my fingers out of his mouth, but then he just sunk his teeth into the side of my chest and ripped off the flesh.

'All this time he was growling like an animal and he pushed me over and started to throttle me saying: 'I'm going to kill you'.

I heard this rattling in the machine... and found a whole tooth

'Mum hit him again and said, "Get off him," and he said, "Not until I've killed him."

'Mum then very cleverly went to the door and said: "I'm letting the police in," even though they weren't there.

'He jumped up and ran straight out, sending her flying again.'

The police arrived shortly after and they were taken to hospital where Ron discovered he had a fractured finger.

He said: 'We didn't want to touch all the mess in the kitchen.'

'There was a load of linen and we swept it all up and put it in a linen basket.

'Then months later I finally decided to wash it. I heard this rattling in the machine and thought it was a pound coin, then discovered it was a whole tooth.

'I thought there's only one place that could have come from, and sure enough when I gave it to police they identified it as Lee Francis's.

The bite mark left on Ronald Parker by burgar Lee Francis

'We have mixed feelings about him going to jail. Mum is still very worried about people coming round and we do fear for our safety.

'He definitely needs to be behind bars, because he's dangerous. But we feel sorry for his family, and we strangely do feel bad about him having to go to jail.

'We wouldn't wish it upon anyone and have sympathy for his loved ones.'

Francis, of Shard End, Birmingham, admitted burglary, assault and drugs production.

He was jailed for six years and four months at Birmingham Crown Court on November 3.

Solihull Police Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Tagg, said: 'During the scuffle a washing basket was upended and it seems that one of Francis' teeth which fell out due to the ferocity of the bite ended up mixed in with the dirty washing.

'It stayed undetected for several weeks until the residents heard it rattling around in the washing machine. Initially it was unclear if it was a human or animal tooth but when it was ground down and analysed by forensics it identified Francis as the former owner.

'This was a really nasty incident: the man described hearing a crunch when Francis bit his finger and suffered a fracture and tendon damage. At one stage he also grabbed him around the neck and threatened to strangle him.
Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison is backed by Bernie Sanders, Harry Reid, and Elizabeth Warren to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Ellison, an African-American who became the first Muslim elected to Congress, has not officially announced his candidacy and said on ABC's This Week the decision would come 'real soon'.

The Democratic Party faces a crisis after the Republicans swept the presidency along with the Senate and House of Representatives.

Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison has not officially announced his candidacy for DNC chair, but heavyweights in the Democratic party were enthusiastic about his leadership

Sanders announced his endorsement and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Ellison was 'a strong progressive who knows how to get things done'

Sanders (pictured, his website) said Ellison was 'someone who would be enormously effective in leading the Democratic Party against President Donald Trump'

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid endorsed Ellison on Sunday, calling him a 'terrific leader and a strong progressive who knows how to get things done.'

He also added: 'Now is the time for new thinking and a fresh start at the DNC. Now is the time for Keith.'

Sanders also announced his endorsement in a letter to supporters and said: 'The Democratic Party needs to look itself in the mirror and work tirelessly to become once again the party that working people know will work for their interests....

'Thats why I believe that Rep. Keith Ellison is the right person to lead the Democratic National Committee.'

Former DNC chair Howard Dean (pictured) is also in the running

'Keith is one of the most progressive members of Congress, and he was an early supporter of our political revolution.

'He is a co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus, a strong believer in grassroots politics, and someone who would be enormously effective in leading the Democratic Party against President Donald Trump.'

Senators Charles Schumer and Elizabeth Warren also backed Ellison, along with organizations like MoveOn.org and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Warren told MSNBC: 'I really, really like Keith. I think he's terrific and I think he would make a terrific DNC chair.'

She was not as enthusiastic in her support for former Vermont governor Howard Dean, saying: 'I haven't talked to him. Fine. I'd like to hear what his vision is. But I want lots of Democrats in, engaged and ready to go."

Dean, who served as the DNC chair when President Barack Obama was elected, has also thrown his hat in the ring, championing a 50-state strategy, which targets the entire country rather than concentrating on specific areas.

Dean told MSNBC Friday that Ellison is 'a very good guy' but said: 'Theres one problem: You cannot do this job and sit in a political office at the same time. Its not possible.'

That's how Democrats got themselves in this mess in the first place, he assessed.

Former Maryland Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley says he's also interested in the job, with more names to be expected in the running.

But Ellison remains a favorite, with many turning to him as someone who can energize voters and lead a grassroots movement.

Since July, when then-DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned the day before the party's week-long presidential nominating convention began, progressives have told DailyMail.com they favor Ellison for the job.

Ellison was hailed in conversations as a 'bridge builder' who holds a leadership post as deputy whip and endorsed Sanders. And, he's Muslim, they pointed out, a nod to the party's efforts to promote diversity.

On Sunday, Ellison appeared on 'This Week,' giving an analysis of what went wrong for his party. He urged the party to 'animate and empower [working class] at the grassroots level'

A new chairmain will be elected in 2017 to succeed Interim chair Donna Brazile (left), who took over after Debbie Wasserman Schultz (right) resigned

On Sunday, Ellison appeared on 'This Week,' giving an analysis of what went wrong for his party and how to turn things around.

He said: 'I love the donors and we thank them, but it has to be the guys in the barber shop, the lady at the diner, the folks who are worried about if their plant is going to close -- theyve got to be our focus.

'They have got to be a laser-beam focus on everything we do, and everything we do should animate and empower them at the grassroots level for working people across this country. Thats how we come back.'

Ellison says fewer Democrats voted in the 2016 presidential election than four years ago because the party's message of strengthening the middle class "didn't come through" in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania and other states.

A new chairmain will be elected in 2017 to succeed Interim head Donna Brazile, who was mired in controversy after emails published by Wikileaks revealed she had leaked questions for CNN-sponsored events to the Clinton campaign.
Josh Goudswaard, 32, (pictured) has been missing after he travelled to Bali with a woman he met on match-making app Tinder

A 32-year-old man who was on a romantic getaway in Bali with a woman he met on Tinder has disappeared, leaving his family and friends fearing he may have met with foul play.

Josh Goudswaard was expected to return home to Perth on the evening of November 6 after telling his colleagues he was travelling with a woman known only as Anita.

The New Zealand national, who lives in Cottesloe, Western Australia, had met the woman on the match-making app just two days before he embarked on his trip to Indonesia.

However, his friend Aaron Smith said loved ones are now fearing he may have met with foul play after he failed to board his flight home.

'It's totally out of character. He has never done anything like this before and he has left a lot of things in limbo,' Mr Smith told 9 News.

'We just hope we find him soon. I just hope there's no foul play at foot.'

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Loved ones have set up a social media campaign in a desperate effort to track him down

Immigration officials have confirmed he never left Bali and a missing persons report has been placed with the New Zealand Police.

The last transaction on his bank statement was made on November 5 as authorities claimed his account has links to the UK.

'Phones been disconnected & not replying to emails,' Mr Smith wrote on Facebook.

'The last transaction on his bank statement was for a small amount registering in Stroke On trent in the UK.'

Family and friends are unaware of where Mr Goudswaard was staying in Bali and his phone has since been disconnected after he failed to contact anyone.

During his trip, he told friends he might be out of reach for a couple of days because he was going trekking.

The alarm was raised after Mr Goudswaard, who runs a fitness business in Armadale, failed to show up at work after telling his colleagues about his flight home.

The New Zealand national met the woman on Tinder two days before he embarked on his trip

Loved ones don't know any other details about the woman but suspected she was from the Cottesloe area.

'There are a few things that don't add up, or make sense,' Mr Smith said.

'They took off together to Bali on the 26th of October and was due back on the 30th then extended his trip to the 6th Nov.

'No one has physically spoken to him since the 30th Oct. No one has met the girl supposedly named Anita nor do we know her surname.

'It was an off the cuff impromptu whirlwind dash to Bali.

His baffling disappearance has prompted an extensive search, as friends launch a social media campaign in a desperate effort to track him down.
Asra Nomani (pictured), 51, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, who is a Muslim immigrant, has spoken out about why she decided to vote for Donald Trump

A Muslim woman who immigrated to America from India as a child has spoken out about why she decided to vote for Donald Trump - and has received threats and hate in the process.

Asra Nomani, 51, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, made her support for Trump clear in a Washington Post Op-Ed on Thursday.

In the piece, titled 'I'm a Muslim, a woman and an immigrant. I voted for Trump', she details the reasons she didn't vote for Hillary Clinton.

'I am a single mother who can't afford health insurance under Obamacare. The president's mortgage-loan modification program, "HOPE NOW", didn't help me.

'Tuesday, I drove into Virginia from my hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, where I see rural America and ordinary Americans, like me, still struggling to make ends meet, after eight years of the Obama administration,' she wrote in the article.

Nomani said she knows Trump can be ineloquent at times but said she has no fears for herself in Donald Trump's America.

'The checks and balances in America and our rich history of social justice and civil rights will never allow the fear-mongering that has been attached to candidate Trumps rhetoric to come to fruition,' she wrote.

She said what 'poisoned the well' for her support of Clinton was when leaked emails from the Clinton Foundation alluded to a financial connection between the organization and Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Nomani goes on to say several reasons pushed her to vote for Trump.

The first being her experience with Islamic extremism.

'As a liberal Muslim who has experienced, first-hand Islamic extremism in this world, I have been opposed to the decision by President Obama and the Democratic Party to tap dance around the "Islam" in Islamic State,' she said.

Nomani said she voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 but has not been won over by him during his presidency.

She said what 'poisoned the well' for her support of Clinton was when leaked emails from the Clinton Foundation alluded to a financial connection between the organization and Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

She said she knows Trump isn't Islamaphobic or racist but can be insensitive, but she said his insensitivity reflects people's genuine fears

After that, she was on board to 'make America great again'.

Now, however, she has received threats and been called a traitor for making her allegiance public.

'As you can tell I don't have horns on my head, right, but nonetheless I am now being (characterized) as a traitor, to my own liberals as an idiot, names that I can't even repeat on air,' she told Fox News.

She said her fellow Muslims have told her Allah will 'send her to the gates of hell'.

However, Nomani said she feels confident that many Muslims feel the way she does and has received many responses of people thanking her for going public.

She said she knows Trump isn't Islamaphobic or racist but can be insensitive.
Police are now treating the deaths of Shelsea Schilling and former Bandidos gang member Bronson Ellery as suspicious after early stages of the investigation suggest a double homicide, not a murder-suicide.

Schilling was found dead in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Southport on Friday, alongside Ellery, also known as 'Lizard Man'.

It was also claimed that the pair had gone 'off the grid' and could not be contacted by friends or family in the days before they were found dead. A post mortem is expected to be carried out on both bodies on Monday.

Schilling, 20, earlier had outlined her fear in the heartbreaking poem about her violent relationship when Ellery, 24, was in jail.

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Ellery (pictured) , 24, is a former Bandido bikie associate who had in recent years been in and out of jail

Bronson Ellery and his former partner Shelsea Schilling (pictured), 20, were found dead on Friday

Shelsea Schilling's mother Bonnie Markwell Mobbs' Facebook post revealing her daughter's fear of being killed

'The man I want was the man I had,' it said.

'He made me happy but loved to make me sad.

'Dreams of shadows becoming clear. The man of my dreams is my biggest fear.'

Her mother Bonnie Markwell Mobbs revealed her daughter's fear in a Facebook post.

'I'm sorry to be so negative but I want everyone to know that if I get hurt or die Bronson Ellery is responsible,' she said, revealing Miss Schilling's note.

'To all the girls suffering from domestic violence please speak up.

'Be brave, because at any moment anything can happen.'

THE POEM SHELSEA SHILLING WROTE The man I want was the man I had. He made me happy but loved to make me sad. Dreams of shadows becoming clear,The man of my dreams is my biggest fear. As cool as can be, nothing gets to him. The ice runs deep from limb to limb. He compliments me and thinks of ways to see my teeth. But I know he only wants what's beneath. Am I the one he wants to keep? He's got me questioning if our love is ocean deep I stayed and I waited Cause I didn't want to walk alone But the longer I stayed, the less it felt like home His first language is liar, not something I desire The man I had has changed me He had hopes to derail me Box me up and chain me The man I had I don't even know anymore So easily he would throw me to the floor and watch me pour Without hesitation, he's unpredictable What he's done is unforgivable Threats and accusations Thought it was all miscommunication Still I think of him, because he's the man i wanted all to myself Girls be careful what you wish for, you might wish for hell He's sitting in a cell I had no other optionI ask myself: Was it all worth it in the end? Will he understand, can we make amends? You won't know until the time has come Where he's looking at you from behind a gun. He showed me the real world and taught me that bad people are out there doing bad things. And what consequence brings How to get away with it Make everyone scared All while pushing away the only ones who cared He's got me wondering how long I've got to live Will It depend on what he's willing to give The crazy lifestyle is more than just a look It's not something you can read in a book Some people are born this way And love every minute of every day They think they're living life right All they want to do is win the fight There's people that act and people that do People that follow through Follow through with thoughts they have in their head The type of thinking where people end up dead

The man I want was the man I had. Advertisement

A former bikie enforcer known as 'Solitary Son' (right) and his ex-girlfriend (left) have been found dead in a Gold Coast apartment

Former bikie enforcer Bronson Ellery (pictured) known as 'Solitary Son' and his ex-girlfriend have been found dead in a Gold Coast apartment

Ellery was a former Bandido bikie associate who had in recent years been in and out of jail, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

He was known to police as 'Lizard Man' because of his heavily tattooed face.

Their sudden deaths in Southport have sparked a homicide investigation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Ward said police believe the pair died in 'unknown circumstances' at the ground floor unit, between a cafe and an industrial area.

'We don't have any information [regarding their deaths] at this stage apart from the fact that we have a female and a male within the address,' he told reporters on Saturday.

'Anything is possible. We're appealing to anyone with knowledge of the persons who occupied this address or who were associated to this address.'

No weapon has been found at the crime scene.

It has been reported Ellery (left) had many enemies through his association with Gold Coast underworld figures

In March 2015 Ellery (pictured left with ex girlfriend Shelsea Schilling) spent four months in custody for trying to bully a man into withdrawing a complaint to police

Ms Schilling's grieving mother took to social media in a chilling Facebook post following her daughter's death.

'B****** had no life took his and my baby girl. Rott (sic) in hell Bronson. Let my angel be safe,' Bonnie Markwell Mobbs wrote.

In the days leading up to Ms Schilling's death, Ms Markwell Mobbs was desperately trying to find her daughter.

'Please help! Has anyone seen my daughter Shelsea Schilling since 9th Wednesday afternoon? Feared missing. In Labrador. A missing persons has been filed,' she wrote on Facebook.

Ellery (pictured right with ex-girlfriend Shelsea Schilling) was known to police as 'Lizard Man' because of his heavily tattooed face

In the days leading up to Ms Schilling's death, Ms Markwell Mobbs was desperately trying to find her daughter

Bronson Ellery, who is covered head-to-toe in tattoos and his ex-girlfriend, 20, were found dead in Gold Coast apartment on Friday

It has been reported Ellery had many enemies through his association with Gold Coast underworld figures.

'I used to have links to the Bandidos. I hate them now,' Ellery told Noisey in an interview last year.

Following his death one Facebook user wrote: 'Anyone sympathising for Bronson Ellery kindly remove yourself from my Facebook as I hope he rots in his grave.'

Another said: 'R.I.P Bronson Ellery you colossal s***bag. The world is now a better place.'

In March 2015 Ellery spent four months in custody for trying to bully a man into withdrawing a complaint to police, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in Southport District Court.

Police said Ellery hoped his arrest would be covered in the media to get more exposure for his album Searching Souls, which he released in 2015.

Bronson Ellery 24 (right) is pictured with his ex-girlfriend Shelsea Schilling, 20

Police said Ellery hoped his arrest would be covered in the media to get more exposure for his album Searching Souls, which he released in 2015
President-elect Donald Trump named Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus as his chief of staff, his transition team announced Sunday  while also elevating Steven Bannon, who helped chart Trump's rise to victory with relentless attacks on his opponents to a prominent role as 'chief strategist.'

The duel appointments signaled the real estate mogul's desire to reassure the Republican Party as he gets closer to governing, while not walking away from members of an angry, anti-establishment voters who helped him take over.

The news of the appointment of Priebus, one of the most important moves of Trump's new transition, signals a more traditional approach to governing  though it might not be what some of Trump's millions of fed up supporters were expecting when the candidate promised to 'drain the swamp' in Washington by taking on entrenched forces.

'I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,' Trump said in a statement.

Safe choice: Reince Priebus will be named Donald Trump's White House Chief of Staff according to sources close to the President-elect

'Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.'

'Reince is a superstar,' Trump said during his election night victory speech.

The official release mentioned Bannon's appointment first, followed by that of Priebus.

Political kremlinologists were left to guess whether Bannon's appointment meant Trump was unwilling to relinquish some of the brass tacks tactics that got him elected.

Neither man has served in government previously. Priebus has held a variety of party posts in Wisconsin and in at the RNC.

Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon, the former boss of Breitbart, was in Trump Tower when he was named vice-president of the transition team. He will serve as a senior advisor and counselor to Trump

Trump's transition team made the news in a release that mentioned Bannon's role first, and future White House chief of staff Reince Priebus second

Donald Trump's pick to be White House chief strategist and counselor Steve Bannon, who served as Trump's campaign CEO, attends a campaign rally at the W.L. Zorn Arena November 1, 2016 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Although the release didn't describe the counselor role, it is one that has been filled in the past by George W. Bush political guru Karl Rove, and by President Barack Obama's political mind David Axelrod.

It was still to be determined what if any blowback Trump might encounter from more mainstream conservatives for the elevation of Bannon, who helped design his stunning electoral victory, but made his mark at a political website that has been criticized as home to anti-immigrant and anti-semitic 'alt-right' sentiment.

According to the southern poverty law center: 'T he outlet has undergone a noticeable shift toward embracing ideas on the extremist fringe of the conservative right. Racist ideas. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant ideas  all key tenets making up an emerging racist ideology known as the 'alt-right.''

'The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant America,' tweeted GOP strategist John Weaver, a leading advisor for Ohio Governor John Kasich, who lost to Trump in the primaries.

Priebus, who helped negotiate the 'pledge' about supporting the ultimate winner during the contentious GOP primary and who stood by Trump even as other powerful members of the establishment kept their distance, emerged as a leading choice immediately after the election.

Another leading candidate thought to be under consideration for the chief of staff post was Bannon, the campaign CEO, former Goldman Sachs banker and chief of Breitbart News.

The selection of Priebus suggests a more conventional approach to governing. With Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, the GOP has an opportunity to ram through an agenda.

GOP strategist John Weaver blasted Trump's elevation of Steven Bannon as 'co-eqaul' to the chief of staff

Trump hailed Priebus during his election night speech

Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, takes over one of the most challenging jobs in government

Back in 2008, Breitbart News Daily host Stephen Bannon live on air at SiriusXM Broadcasts' New Hampshire Primary Coverage

In an unorthodox move, the official release named Bannon first.

'President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced that Trump for President CEO Stephen K. Bannon will serve as Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to the President, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will serve as White House Chief of Staff,' his office said.

Bannon helped forge Trump's stunning victory from the inside, and was behind to some of Trump's brash campaign moves, like bringing Bill and Hillary Clinton accusers to a presidential debate and heading to the U.S.-Mexico border.

After Paul Ryan was elected House Speaker, Bannon was quoted in a leaked email obtained by The Hill as saying 'long game is him gone by spring.'

Also spotted at Trump Tower Sunday was RNC official Sean Spicer, in another indication of the Priebus pick. Trump is ' taking the counsel of many people. I think he can't go wrong with the decision,' said his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, who herself has been mentioned for a number of prominent roles, speaking to reporters at Trump Tower on Sunday before Trump's transition made the announcement.

Throughout the campaign, Trump and the Party had complicated relationship. Past presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush didn't endorse him and didn't attend the Republican convention.

Prior presidential nominees Mitt Romney and John McCain also kept their distance, while multiple sitting senators and leading elected officials denounced one part of Trump's agenda or another.

A waive of lawmakers condemned his comments on the infamous 'p****' tape, though some ended up coming back his direction.

Through the tense times, Priebus tried to navigate through it all, mindful that if Trump underperformed it could doom Republicans down ballot.

The role of chief of staff is always critical, and even more so in administration that shunned planning for the transition by design, and with a candidate who has no government experience who has taken conflicting positions on an array of issues.

Trump is already experiencing the challenges of trying communicate his priorities now that he faces the challenge of actually assuming office. He told the Wall Street Journal Friday he would 'amend' Obamacare, but has also called for repealing and replacing it.

House Republicans have their own plan to replace Obamacare, while Speaker Ryan has put forward a plan to force massive entitlement changes, something Trump has said he wouldn't do. Part of the chief of staff's role is selecting priorities, negotiating with Congress, and mapping out a strategy that can work.

'It is truly an honor to join President-elect Trump in the White House as his Chief of Staff,' said Priebus in a statement released by the Trump presidential transition team.

'I am very grateful to the President-elect for this opportunity to serve him and this nation as we work to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism,' he said, using a favorite phrase of Trump's.

Said Bannon: 'I want to thank President-elect Trump for the opportunity to work with Reince in driving the agenda of the Trump Administration. We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.'

Trump held meetings and took calls Sunday as he has for several days  including one from primary rival Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who he labeled 'low energy,' and Carly Fiorina, who he got caught ridiculing for her appearance 'that face' in a Rolling Stone interview.

'He's very busy up there meeting with different people and receiving many different phone calls. He's taken calls in the last couple of days from Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, from governor Jeb Bush,' Conway told reporters.

Of the Bush call, she said, 'They had a very productive call and governor Bush was extremely gracious congratulating Mr. Trump on his victory and wishing him well as our next president.'

Trump also has connected with Ohio's Republican Governor John Kasich, who didn't vote for Trump or have his organization work for him  although Trump won Ohio anyway.

Bannon has been a source of speculation since his name was floated for the job in the New York Times on Friday.
A list of towns, cities and suburbs where Marks & Spencer stores are thought to be most vulnerable to closure has been released.

The retailer is to close 30 of its large stores in what will be a devastating blow to the communities involved.

Another 45 will be downsized or replaced by small Simply Food outlets.

Marks & Spencer is planning on closing approximately 30 of its largest stores

The Local Data Company has compiled a list of the stores which could be at risk of closure

Some 45 stores are going to be downgraded and turned into Simply Food outlets

Retail analysts say the towns involved are expected to fight to keep the stores, some of which have been open for decades.

M&S has not yet named the stores set for closure, which means thousands of workers are waiting to know if their store will go.

However, experts at the Local Data Company have compiled a list of areas that it thinks are vulnerable.

This list is not from M&S and it does not mean the stores involved form part of the official closure programme.

Rather, it is a list of vulnerable stores identified by the LDC, which uses a series of sophisticated measurements to understand the economic health of high streets.

There is evidence that shoppers are moving away from high streets towards retail parks. As a result, M&S is likely to put up the shutters on some town centre locations after opening outlets in nearby retail parks with plenty of parking.

The LDC says there are many areas where M&S has too many stores. London, which has 27, will inevitably lose some. At least one of the six in Glasgow appears vulnerable.

Areas such as Blackpool, Bolton, Boston and Hereford could lose their stores

M&S has not announced which of its stores faces the axe as part of the review process

LDC director Matthew Hopkinson said: There are 35 towns and cities that have more than two M&S stores either on the high street, in a shopping centre or on the edge of town in a retail park.

If one removes the large urban centres such as London, Glasgow and other cities, there are 22 towns where one might question the need for two stores. Examples include Milton Keynes, Bournemouth, Durham, Fareham, Stockton-on-Tees, Swindon and Chichester.

Stores which are vulnerable because the town centre is already in serious decline include Blackpool, Bolton, Boston, Hereford, Mansfield, Stoke and Sunderland.

Other town centres said to be weakening include Carlisle, Kings Lynn, Macclesfield, Kettering, Maidstone and Bridlington. A separate heading covers stores where a high number of outlets within a 200-yard radius have already put up the shutters. These include Blackburn, Rochdale and Basildon.

Mr Hopkinson stressed there are many other ways to measure the performance of a town and store, which could produce different lists.

He said that, as retailers face fierce competition and falling profitability, having the right shop in the right place with the right product and a loyal customer is what will ensure survival and indeed success.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull endured a much more bruising interview on Today than he expected, finding himself 'interrogated' about the U.S. refugee deal.

Host Lisa Wilkinson immediately tried to get a firm answer from Mr Turnbull about the precise number of asylum seekers who would be transferred.

The PM refused to give a figure, but Wilkinson pressed him on the issue multiple times in an attempt to get a straight answer as Mr Turnbull fumbled over his words.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull endured a much more bruising interview on Today when he was on the U.S. refugee deal

'Thanks very much for the interrogation,' an increasingly frustrated Mr Turnbull said as it became clear Wilkinson wasn't going to let up.

But the veteran presenter's hard-hitting style on the usually light morning show did not sit well with many of Today's viewers, who flooded social media with complaints.

The audience appeared to take exception with Wilkinson interrupting Mr Turnbull when he wouldn't give a number, and was accused of talking over him.

'Lisa you are so rude. You will not let our prime minister finish answering you question before you rudely interrupt him,' one viewer wrote on Today's Facebook page.

Host Lisa Wilkinson immediately tried to get a straight answer from Mr Turnbull about the precise number of asylum seekers who would be transferred

Wilkinson later defended herself on her own Twitter, blaming a communication delay between herself and Turnbull

'She was so disrespectful. Interrupted him at every chance she could, aggressive in her manner and voice. Who do you think you are Lisa? He is our Prime Minister. Would you speak like that to your parents?' another wrote.

'I find it really rude that you would talk over the Prime Minister when he is answering your questions. You wouldn't do it to another guest, it's completely inappropriate to do it to him,' a third wrote.

Wilkinson later defended herself on her own Twitter, blaming a communication delay between herself and Turnbull.

'Re my [interview] with PM, we had awful delay making the back & forth difficult, but since when is it not ok to ask 4 real detail on policy?' she wrote.

The veteran presenter's hard-hitting style on the usually light morning show did not sit well with many of Today's viewers, who flooded social media with complaints

Viewers went on to say her probing style didn't make her look like a 'tough' interviewer, and instead just made her look rude and disrespectful.

'So frustrating to watch. There is a line between hard-hitting and rude,' a viewer summed up on Twitter.

'For crying out loud, Lisa - let him finish speaking!! We'll never get an answer if you keep rudely interrupting and talking over him!' another complained.

One viewer went as far to demand Today issue an apology on air, and questioned if Wilkinson was past her 'use by date'.

Even those who did not agree with the Turnbull Government's policy on refugees thought the interview was 'terrible' as interrupting people was 'rude'.

Viewers went on to say her probing style didn't make her look like a 'tough' interviewer, and instead just made her look rude and disrespectful

Others pointed out that Wilkinson's line of questioning did not appear to get results.

'Gee wiz Lisa what do u want Malcolm Turnbull to tell you?? I'm not sure how many times you can ask the same question in a different way to get the same answer,' one wrote.

But Wilkinson did get support from some of the audience who were frustrated that Mr Turnbull would not answer a simple question.

'Why don't politicians ever give straight answers? They are working for the people so just tell the truth!' they said.

One viewer went as far to demand Today issue an apology on air, and questioned if Wilkinson was past her 'use by date'

Others pointed out that Wilkinson's line of questioning did not appear to get results

Even those who did not agree with the Turnbull Government's policy on refugees thought the interview was 'terrible' as interrupting people was 'rude'

Wilkinson did get support from some of the audience who were frustrated that Mr Turnbull would not answer a simple question

Mr Turnbull claimed the reason he could not put a number on how many of the 1,600 refugees on Manus Island and Nauru would be transferred was because the U.S. had to check them.

'The Americans will assess the refugees from a security and health point of view as referred to them ... but ... a substantial number would be eligible for resettlement in United States,' he said.

The PM also defended why he had not discussed the issue with President-elect Donald Trump, who is opposed to Muslim immigration.

'You did talk to Donald Trump and other issues came up. Why isnt this important enough?' Wilkinson said.

'You dont discuss confidential matters with one administration with a future administration. Look, its fairly straightforward,' Mr Turnbull replied as he stumbled over his words.
Gable Tostee has been labelled a 'walking timebomb', a 'malignant narcissist' and a 'psychopath' by social media users in the wake of his 60 Minutes interview.

In the paid, tell-all interview the 30-year-old carpet layer from the Gold Coast discussed the night New Zealand tourist Warriena Wright plunged from his 14th floor balcony to her death during a Tinder date.

Mr Tostee was in October acquitted of her murder and manslaughter, but it didn't stop people from unleashing their anger after the interview.

One Twitter user called him a psychopath, said he was 'dangerous to women' and that he should be 'locked up in a mental illness hospital'.

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Gable Tostee 30, has done a paid tell-all interview to tell his side of the story after his Tinder date Warriena Wright, 26, (pictured together) plunged to her death from his Gold Coast balcony

People took to social media to express their feelings about Gable Tostee's interview with 60 Minutes

Another called him a 'f***ing dog', while one woman said he was a 'walking timebomb' and an 'animal'.

He was also branded a 'despicable malignant narcissist'.

Others said he may have not been guilty, but was still 'sh***y, uncaring guy' and 'socially inept'.

Gable Tostee had attempted to explain why he recorded audio of the night and told his version of the night Ms Wright died.

He said he recorded audio of his date with her 'just in case'.

'The question isn't so much why I did that, but why wouldn't you,' Tostee told Nine Network's 60 Minutes which aired on Sunday night.

Social media users labelled Mr Tostee a 'walking timebomb', an 'animal' and his parents 'cold hearted'

Tostee is rumoured to have been paid $150,000 for the tell-all interview

Tostee had locked Warriena Wright (pictured) on his 14th floor balcony when the pair had an altercation. She climbed over the balcony in an apparent attempt to escape

'It's more of a just-in-case thing, because you're better off having something [recorded] and not needing it, than needing something and not having it.

'Just in case  well, you know, the thing that happened on August 8, 2014, is a perfect example.'

He had recorded about three hours of audio on his smart mobile phone, and it was played back to him through the interview.

His lips quivered as Warriena could be heard screaming 'no' 33 times and begging to go home.

'You're lucky I haven't chucked you off my balcony, you God damn psycho little b****,' Tostee could be heard saying in the audio.

He said that was merely a 'horribly unfortunate choice of words'.

'I didn't intend it as a threat. I intended it as a figure of speech that she was lucky I was tolerant.'

She had allegedly grown violent and he eventually 'bundled her up and carried her out the nearest door' in order to 'de-escalate' the situation.

People expressed a range of opinions about Gable Tostee's interview and Ms Wright's death

But Tostee could not detail how he restrained the 26-year-old.

'I can't remember exactly,' Tostee said. 'I don't remember exact hand positions.'

He denied he choked Warriena at any point and said he used her size to force her out onto the balcony.

He is six foot three. Warriena was just five foot four.

Less than 30 seconds later, Warriena fell to her death and her final scream could be heard in the audio recording - but Tostee denied hearing it.

'I didn't hear her with my own ears,' he said.

'All I saw was her on the other side of the balcony, and then she vanished.'

He said he could not have predicted she would climb over the balcony 'to nothingness'.

'There was no threat to her,' he said.

'I didn't do anything to make her fear for her life.'

Tostee rejected the characterisation he was a 'playboy', and said sleeping with 180 women 'is not really a surprising figure' nowadays

He could not detail how he restrained the 26-year-old and said he did not hear her scream when she plunged to her death that night, in August 2014

Another 30 seconds later, Tostee tried to phone his lawyer. He did not call for an ambulance or look over the balcony but tried to work out the most 'rational' response.

'Instinctively, I knew that if I ran out there and somebody saw me looking over the edge and she had actually fallen all the way, it would look like, you know, it would not look good,' Tostee said in the interview.

'Looking over the edge, you know, it doesn't help anybody. There's no purpose to it.'

He said it would have been a 'knee-jerk curiosity' to peer over the edge to check if Warriena was okay.

Tostee left the apartment building, exiting through its basement, six minutes later. He then went and had a slice of pizza and phoned his father before they got onto his lawyer.

He said he ordered the pizza to sober up.

'There was nothing happy, casual or indulgent about it.'

In the interview, Tostee rejected the characterisation he was a 'playboy', and said sleeping with 180 women 'is not really a surprising figure' nowadays.

Tostee said he recorded audio of the Tinder date 'just in case'

Tostee's father Gray and mother Helene are pictured during the interview

He described himself as a 'pretty normal kind of guy' who is kind 'to the people I care about,' Tostee said.

Tostee's mother Helene said she believed he behaved appropriately. His father Gray said he believed the 30-year-old would have acted differently with the benefit of hindsight.

Tostee said despite how his actions appeared, he had been 'terrified' for Warriena.

'Of course I was worried for her,' he said about the moments after she fell.

'I hate the last thing Warriena experienced was an argument.

'That was, that night, that was the most scared I've ever been. It's the most distraught I've ever been in my entire life.'

He is rumoured to have been paid $150,000 for the tell-all interview, the first time the public has heard his explanation.

He used his right not to testify during his trial.

'Nobody's trained for a situation like this. It's like being hit by lightning,' Tostee said in the interview

Snippets of the interview had been aired in the lead-up to the program on Sunday night.

The clips had previously revealed Tostee was no longer on the dating app, Tinder, was 'still traumatised' and had attempted to reach out Warriena's family.

He attempted to explain why he left his apartment building to eat pizza and called his father rather than phone triple-0.

'What happened, had happened  there was nothing an ambulance could do,' Tostee said, a promotional video played earlier in the week revealed.

'Nobody's trained for a situation like this. It's like being hit by lightning.

'There's no right or wrong to proceed from there.'

He said he was 'still traumatised' and wanted to speak with Warriena's family and had put in a 'formal request' through the Queensland Courts, but 'they weren't interested in anything he had to say'.

A policewoman is pictured impersonating Warriena Wright in a police recreation of her death

Tostee had locked the New Zealand tourist on his balcony when the pair fought while intoxicated on their date in August, 2014. Warriena climbed over the balcony in an apparent attempt to escape but plunged to her death.

Tostee pleaded not guilty and was cleared of murder and manslaughter last month.

He was criticised for using his right not to testify during the trial.

The jury had deliberated for four days, and Tostee said they made the 'right decision' at the end of the day.

'It doesn't matter how innocent someone is,' he said. 'There is no comfort in being on trial for murder.'

He was interviewed by Liam Bartlett, who earlier revealed Tostee wanted a chance to clear his name.

'I honestly believe for him now, a major motivator to go public, to actually front up full stop is his motivation that he recognises that a lot of people perceive him as a bit of a monster,' he said.

'I'm sure he regrets the entire night, but I'm not certain whether that's more about his personal regret, or whether that regret hinges more on his personal future and less on what happened to her.'

The Gold Coast apartment building Warriena fell to her death from in August 2014

The 14th floor Gold Coast balcony Warriena fell from in August, 2014

Bartlett said he was clearly an intelligent man but wasn't convinced of his 'emotional intelligence'.

The journalist said he had been to the Gold Coast apartment and the balcony was so high you would want to be a 'champion cirque du soleil' gymnast to attempt to climb down sober.

A snippet of the 60 Minutes interview had been released earlier in the week, and revealed Tostee maintains he was trying to stop Warriena from 'attacking him'.

'I don't know what else to do. I wanted it to stop,' Tostee told Bartlett of the pair's altercation.

In an audio recording taken by Tostee, Ms Wright can be heard yelling 'no' more than 30 times, to which Tostee responds she was 'certainly trying to make a lot of noise.'

The interview had already incited social media backlash from viewers who criticised Channel Nine over the paid interview.
A Thomas Cook plane bound for London was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing last week when it flew into a large flock of storks.

The Airbus A321, which was carrying 170 passengers from Banjul airport in Gambia, suffered damage to both engines and the landing gear when it ingested at least 13 of the birds shortly after taking off.

'We heard big bangs and felt the entire aircraft shake,' Berkshire-based flight attendant Kayleigh Loveridge wrote of the incident on Facebook on Friday, adding that the pilot shut one of the engines down before making a safe landing back in Banjul.

The Airbus A321 suffered damage to both engines and the landing gear, pictured, when it ingested at least 13 of the birds shortly after taking off

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook confirmed reports of the incident to MailOnline on Sunday, praising the crew's 'extremely professional' handling of the situation.

Ms Loveridge, whose post garnered more than 1,000 'reactions', claims that at least 13 storks were confirmed dead but said there were probably 'many more' not on the runway.

'Tuesday 8th November was not "a typical day in the office"', she wrote, 'We took off, and on our climb we went through a flock of approximately 50 storks, causing a bird strike to both engines - meaning that both engines were damaged and not functioning the way they should have.

'We heard big bangs, felt the entire aircraft shake, shortly followed by one of our emergency commands from the flight deck.'

The pilot shut down one of the engines before making a safe landing back in Banjul, and at least 13 storks were confirmed dead as a result of the collision, pictured

Flight attendant Kayleigh Loveridge wrote of the incident on Facebook on Friday, pictured

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook praised the crew's 'extremely professional' handling of the situation, confirming that the plane's 170 passengers were unharmed (stock image)

She added that the crew were then briefed for an emergency landing back in Banjul, as well as the passengers.

'We emergency landed, rolled at a very high speed and for a very long time with the fire engines following our trail until the aircraft eventually came to a halt,' Ms Loveridge wrote.

'We had landed. We awaited for the command to brace and evacuate - it never came. Our flight deck had managed to land the aircraft safely, without hesitation.'

Ms Loveridge concluded: 'In all, I cannot fault the team work on this rare and eventful day. It has not made me scared to fly again or work as cabin crew.'
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These haunting photographs chart the steady decline of America's poorest urban areas.

Shot by Chilean-born photographer Camilo Jose Vergara - who has spent four decades revisiting the same streets and buildings again and again - they document the metamorphosis of segregated neighbourhoods in cities like Detroit, Chicago and New Jersey.

Mr Vergara, who is based in New York, started photographing and talking to residents about the changing face of their communities in the early 1970s, and continues to this day.

'Along the way I became a historically conscious documentarian, an archivist of decline, a photographer of walls, buildings, and city blocks,' he explains.

'I discovered information about people who lived in the locations I photographed, read about events such as crimes, fires, and stores and institutions coming in or abandoning the area, and learned about historical events that had taken place nearby.'

But it's not all doom and gloom. Mr Vergara, whose photos of Michigan appear in a book called Detroit Is No Dry Bones, has also captured cityscapes which have improved over the years, as we'll see in this series of thought-provoking images.

Chilean-born photographer Camilo Jose Vergara has spent four decades revisiting the same streets and buildings to chart their rise and fall - pictured, the dilapidated Ransom Gillis Mansion in Detroit, built in 1876 and seen here in 1993

Six years later in 1999 and its roof has all but collapsed in on itself, with its imposing front section now hardly even visible

In 2000, only a year later, its brick chimney stands triumphant but alone as the rest of the mansion is swallowed by weeds

The following year, 2001, and the large house is once again revealed, the wintry trees bare around it as it sits still abandoned

Last year, Mr Vergara returned to find the building being restored, with the grass-lined pavement substantially neatened up

By the end of 2015, the makeover is complete and its looming turrets have been reinstalled, with the house split up into rental apartments

Shot here in 1981, the Holy Raiders Revivals Church on Chicago's West Madison Street is fronted with a colourful painting

Two years later in 1983 and the church has had itself a design overhaul - its name much bigger and bolder and the illustration changed

By 1988, it's been stripped of its front entirely, with the faded red front doors and its cross-shaped glass windows the only surviving features

When Mr Vergara returned in 2003, the building was in new hands and is now the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Stripped down to bare bricks and a single peak above the front doors in 2014, it's hardly recognizable compared to how it was

Vyse Avenue in South Bronx, New York, was home to large block of apartments back in 1980, fronted with stone steps

Only two years later, in 1982, the entire complex has been abandoned, its windows either smashed or sealed with metal

In 1986, it was knocked down and reduced to a sad pile of rubble, with only a burnt out corner surviving from a building that once housed 400 residents

By 1994, however, a neat new row of two-story houses have replaced the old apartment block as the surrounding neighbourhood transforms

Mr Vergara started photographing Fern Street in New Jersey's Camden suburb in 1979, and here it looks fairly respectable

Almost a decade later in 1988, the street has clearly declined, with some of the houses entirely demolished leaving wide gaps

By 2003, the house on the right hand corner has been painted a vivid pink hue and now borders an empty space for parking

In 2014, the same house has gone from pink to blue and a number of trees have sprung up which weren't there before

In New York's Harlem, this building was once a colourful maroon bar called Purple Manor, photographed here in 1977

A year later in 1978, it's been repainted in a glossy black shade but still looks fairly shabby and beaten-up

By 1980, the building appears to have been split into two, with the left side now occupying a fish and chips eaterie, and the bar having changed colour once again, this time to red

Three years later in 1983, it's safe to assume that the bar has officially bitten the dust, with shutters now fronting the building

In 1990, it's all changed again - this time the left building is a kitchen cabinets store and the right one is a small grocery shop

More than a decade later in 2002, nothing remains but a boarded-up exterior, with no clues as to what it will re-open as
Finally, some family time.

Naomi Watts took a break from promoting her film, Shut In, filming the upcoming Netflix series Gypsy, and working on at least five other projects she has coming out in the next year in order to spend some quality time with her sons.

The 48-year-old leading lady shared a sweet photo of herself with her two boys, nine-year-old Alexander and seven-year-old Samuel, with her half a million Instagram followers.

Where are they? Naomi Watts spent a day outdoors with her two young boys on Saturday

The little family seemed to be enjoying the great outdoors on Saturday morning - except, wherever Naomi her sons are, it's apparently well into Sunday already.

'Oh hello,' Watts captioned the cute shot, before tagging it 'Sunday funday.'

The trio were all smiles as they cuddled up in a sand dune, dressed for warmth.

The King Kong starlet covered up with a nude-and-black striped sweater which matched her nude socks that featured a tiny black bird pattern.

Good time: The trio were all smiles as they cuddled up in a sand dune, dressed for warmth

She wore on-trend blue jeans that cut off above the knees, and black velco-strap Converse.

A black beanie and black scarf shielded her from the temperature, while thick black Shauns sunglasses shielded her from the sun.

Her boys were both in puffer down coats.

Alexander's was a camouflage pattern, and his younger brother wore camoflauge printed pants, while his coat was sapphire blue.

Good dad: Liev Schreiber loaded his sons onto his bike on Tuesday to teach them about their patriotic duty to vote

The boys were seen in New York earlier this week joining their father Liev Schreiber at the voting booths.

Watts and Schreiber separated as a couple after 11 years in September, but put aside their differences to be together as a family for the sake of their children.

Watts is taking a much deserved break from filming Gypsy and promoting her new film, Shut In.

Happy together: Watts and Schreiber separated as a couple after 11 years in September, but put aside their differences to be together as a family for the sake of their children

The thriller was released on Friday, November 11, to lukewarm reviews.

'As thrillers go, "Shut In" is conspicuously short of thrills,' writes film critic Joe Leydon.

'To give Watts fair credit, she is frequently compelling and altogether credible as Mary,' he added, giving the starlet a compliment for carrying the film/

Hard at work: Watts is shooting the upcoming Netflix psychological thriller series Gypsy

Meanwhile, Watts is shooting the upcoming Netflix psychological thriller series Gypsy.

She stars alongside actor Billy Crudup, who plays her husband Michael in the psychological thriller.

A ten-episode first series is set to arrive on Netflix sometime during 2017, though no exact release date has been publicized.
After ten years of heartache and family feuds, nightclub tycoon Robin Birley has returned to his fathers greatest legacy  Mayfairs famous Annabels club  now owned by his biggest business rival.

I was startled to see Robin at the club for the launch of Sir David Tangs new book, Rules For Modern Life.

Annabels was founded by Robins father Mark, and Robin ran the clubs day-to-day operations.

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Nightclub tycoon Robin Birley returned to his fathers greatest legacy  Mayfairs famous Annabels club  now owned by his biggest business rival

Kate Moss and Sir David Tang: Robin was at the club for the launch of Sir Davids new book, Rules For Modern Life

But after father and son fell out  and Mark sacked Robin  five Birley-owned clubs, including Annabels, were sold to Richard Caring in 2007 for more than 90 million.

With his hopes of owning the family business crushed, Robin opened a competitor  5 Hertford Street.

It is now more popular than Annabels, much to Carings chagrin, and the two have been in and out of court over various issues ever since.

Caring missed his rivals visit, but Robin told me: I only came for David. This the first time Ive stepped inside for ten years. I can still walk around it with my eyes closed.

Andre Balazs, Sir David Tang and Edite Ligere with Freddie Forsyth and his wife Sandy Forsyth at the 'Rules for Modern Life' by David Tang Book Launch Party at Annabel's

Is Anais Gallagher following in the wild footsteps of her parents, Oasis star Noel Gallagher and his ex Meg Mathews?

Anais posted this picture at a company bash with the emphatic caption Yes!

At just 16, Anais has been sinking exotic-looking drinks at New York club Soho House  possibly defying the citys legal drinking age of 21.

Anais, signed to the Select modelling agency, posted this picture at a company bash with the emphatic caption Yes!  but later claimed the cocktail was non-alcoholic.

Strangely, when I called the bar, they told me that there are no non-alcoholic drinks on their menu.

Thrust into the spotlight after becoming a model at just 13, Anais once said: [My parents] took a lot of persuasion to let me go to parties.

'Im like any normal teenager and my parents dont like me going out.

Zac Goldsmith is rallying his showbiz friends to attend a march along the river Thames next month in support of his bid to win back his Richmond parliamentary seat.

The dashing former Tory MP, 41, stood down from the seat last month in protest at the Governments decision to approve a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

He now hopes to be re-elected in December as an independent candidate.

Leading the march, Im told, will be his sister Jemima Khan and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
He's renowned for his forthright views  and ability to expound them at length in his own charmingly forceful and loud fashion.

Yet it seems there is someone who can stop motormouth Jeremy Clarkson in his tracks  the equally intimidating wife of scandal-hit tycoon Sir Philip Green.

Lady Green took exception when Clarkson made a public quip about her husbands knighthood  and phoned him to deliver an awesome ear-bashing.

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Lady Green (right) took exception when Clarkson (left) made a public quip about her husbands knighthood  and phoned him to deliver an awesome ear-bashing

The former Top Gear frontman, who has offended everyone from caravan owners to Argentina, dropped his bombshell while presenting The Whos Roger Daltrey with an award at a music industry bash attended by other knights of the realm, including Sir Tom Jones and Sir Peter Blake.

Cheeky Jeremy, 56, said: Theyve given knighthoods to Philip Green, Fred The Shred, Jimmy Savile, then Rogers sitting down there with a CBE. I mean come on!

Hearing of the remark at the Music Industry Trusts Awards, Lady Green tracked down his phone number and unleashed her wrath on the presenter, whom she had previously considered an acquaintance.

My source said: Jeremy told friends, I got such a shouting at by Tina Green because of the Roger Daltry thing. She gave me a right earful. 

The Grand Tour: Jeremy, paid 10 million a year for his new car show on Amazon Prime

Jeremy, paid 10 million a year for his new car show on Amazon Prime called The Grand Tour, moves in similar celebrity circles to the Greens. They have attended the same charity events and the presenter is a regular at the grand prix in the Greens base of Monaco.

Lady Green is said to be extremely unwilling to give up her title as Sir Philip battles to keep his knighthood amid the storm over the sale and collapse of BHS, which was part of his Arcadia Group.

MPs have passed a motion calling for Sir Philip to be stripped of the honour.

His wife of 25 years, Monaco resident Tina is crucial to the empire. The Arcadia companies are in her name, allowing them to enjoy the principalitys tax regime.
Earlier this year, Jessica Rowe slammed her longtime rival and former boss, Eddie McGuire, after he jokingly said he'd pay $50,000 to watch journalist Caroline Wilson 'drown.'

And this week, the Studio 10 co-host revealed to News Corp that she has absolutely no regrets about making the controversial comments.

The 46-year-old jounalist told the publication she 'took that power back' in standing up for what she believed in.

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Speaking up: Jessica Rowe revealed on Sunday she has no regrets about slamming rival Eddie McGuire after he made comments and joked about paying to watch journalist Caroline Wilson 'drown' (Pictured in May)

The mother-of-two has not been a fan of the broadcaster and former Nine boss since she was let go from the network in 2006, in what's now the infamous 'boning' incident

Jess revealed in her interview with the publication, her lash out at Eddie over the comments - which aired on her morning show - wasn't scripted or planned.

The TV personality believed she did the right thing after people contacted her saying she spoke up for the down and out.

'But what emboldened me after Id done that was the number of people who knew me, and others who didnt, who either emailed me or messaged or stopped me in the street and said "that was so good because we all have had moments in our lives where we felt like we cant speak up, or we cant say what is wrong, or get the chance to take that power back," Jessica said.

Rivals: The mother-of-two told the publication she 'took that power back' in standing up for what she believed in (Pictured with Eddie McGuire in July 2006)

Controversial: The comments about The Age sports journalist, Caroline Wilson (pictured) were allegedly made in jest by Eddie during his breakfast radio show

'So for me, it was just wonderful to go "right, this is me" and for a lot of people, women especially they felt it could have been them too.'

The blonde journalist added that she now feels content in both her personal and professional life and is confident in herself, nearly ten years after the Channel Nine saga.

'This is me and if you dont like it, well off you go, politely,' she said with a laugh.

Earlier this year, Jessica slammed Eddie for his comments about Caroline during an episode of Studio 10, saying: 'I think it is time people called him out. He is someone who I think is a protected species.'

Happy: The blonde journalist added that she now feels content in both her personal and professional life and is confident in herself (Pictured on Studio 10)

'He has said inappropriate things about me  which he denies saying  and he has also said inappropriate things about Adam Goodes.'

Also during the smack down, she added: 'If we think this is appropriate behaviour, heaven help us. Im really sick of these posturing blokes thinking they can get away with stuff because they think its funny'.

The blonde beauty then challenge the Collingwood President donate money, as a form of apology, to White Ribbon - a foundation helping to raise awareness about violence against women.

Despite his comments being said in jest, Eddie made headlines at the time in June for his breakfast radio antics, on Triple M Melbourne.

'I reckon we should start the campaign for a one-person slide next year. Caroline Wilson,' Eddie said.

'And Ill put in ten grand straight away- make it twenty. And if she stays under, fifty,' he said, when talking about Caroline possibly taking part in a fundraiser called the Big Freeze event, where people jump into a freezing pool.

An AFL selector, Danny Frawley, on the show at the time joked about 'helping' the journalist stay underwater, which he later apologised for.

'I think it is time people called him out': Earlier this year, Jessica slammed Eddie for his comments about Caroline. Jessica and Eddie's rivalry stems back to 2006

Eddie and Jessica's rivalry stems back to 2006, when he allegedly made sexual comments about her.

Former Nine News Director Mark Llewellyn revealed in 2006 that Eddie, who was the network's CEO at the time, said while referring to Jessica's future at the Network: 'What are we going to do about Jessica? When should we bone her? I reckon it should be next week.'

Earlier this year, Eddie spoke to GQ and denied ever saying the word 'bone.'

'I checked myself, as it was a word that was bandied about  but it was a Sydney term and it was one that Mark Llewellyn, and others, used quite regularly. I use the term 'burn',' he told the publication.

That wasn't the only controversy Eddie addressed in the interview.

The Millionaire Hot Seat host confessed when he made offensive and 'racially vilifying' comments about Sydney AFL star Adam Goodes three years ago, he was affected by prescription drugs.

Another of his targets: Eddie has also said controversial things about AFL star Adam Goodes (pictured)

Eddie had suggested that Adam should be used to promote the musical King Kong just days after a 13-year-old Magpies fan called the Sydney Swans star an 'ape'.

'I haven't really said this before, but I was on massive painkillers and crutches for an infection in my knee,' Eddie told GQ.

'I was on heavy-duty painkillers, antibiotics and steroids.'

Jessica responded on her show to Eddie's GQ comments about her, saying: 'It upsets me enormously to hear this again.'

Family: Jessica is married to Peter Overton and the pair share two daughters together, Giselle (left) and Allegra (right) (Pictured in July)

'It was a terrible time in my life, and it was not helped by public abuse, abuse from within the network that I worked at and abuse from someone who was in charge of that particular network.'

'It was horrific,' she added.

'It pre-empted then a very dark period in my life. A whole lot of factors contributed to be a perfect storm during that and it just makes me terribly sad.'
He's been helping her through one of the hardest times in her life - losing her mother Belinda to cancer.

And Georgia Love has praised her boyfriend Lee Elliott recently, after the new couple were plunged straight into the deep end at the start of their relationship.

The former Bachelorette told The Sydney Morning Herald: 'Neither of us wanted to be thrown into something like this - it was just 24 hours after our relationship was made public - and we have already had the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.'

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'I can't imagine anyone else who would have been as supportive as he has': Georgia Love has praised her Bachelorette boyfriend Lee Elliott for his support throughout her mother's death

'I can't imagine anyone else who would have been as supportive as he has.'

'I feel very lucky to have him,' the former TV journalist added.

Despite the turn of phrase, The Bachelorette's comments do not appear to be any kind of swipe at runner-up at Matty J.

Tough: Georgia added it was tough for everything to happen all in the same week - with their relationship going public two days before her mother's death

Runner up: Despite the turn of phrase, The Bachelorette's comments do not appear to be any kind of swipe at fan favourite Matty J

Georgia put on a brave face when she stepped out at the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards 2016 on Thursday, where she presented an award and spoke about her late mother.

'It's especially poignant for me to be here today... less than two weeks ago I lost the most important woman in my life,' Georgia said, holding back the tears.

The reality TV star's attendance at the event was her first public appearance since she tragically lost her mother Belinda to pancreatic cancer.

Smiling through the pain: Georgia put on a brave face when she stepped out at the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards 2016 last week, where she presented an award and spoke about her late mother

The 60-year-old died just days after The Bachelorette finale aired, losing her battle to the disease shortly after giving her seal of approval to her daughter's new love.

The family - and Lee - farewelled the mother-of-two in an intimate service recently, with Georgia sporting a purple ribbon to raise awareness of the disease, especially given it's pancreatic cancer awareness month.

Taking to Instagram following her loss, Georgia thanked fans from around the world for their well wishes.

Describing the loss of her beloved mother as 'gut wrenching' in the lengthy post, Georgia said: 'One thing my mum taught me was to believe in paying it forward and that from every negative can come even the slightest positive.'

Sad: The 60-year-old died just days after The Bachelorette finale aired, losing her pancreatic cancer battle not long after giving her seal of approval to her daughter's new love

'I hope my family's gut wrenching loss can create some awareness of the brutal disease that is pancreatic cancer and hopefully do some good in helping to find a cure,' she noted.

Just before Belinda's passing, Lee broke his social media silence to express his love for the brunette beauty and his sadness for their family's struggle.

'I could not be any more saddened by what you and your family are going through right now,' he wrote in part of the Instagram post.

'It most certainly puts everything else into perspective and has only reiterated just how much I absolutely want to be there for you & be your rock as you have been mine today and always,' part of it continued.

Last week, he gushed about Georgia again, thanking fans for their support and condolences, writing in part of his post: 'In the face of adversity and despite everything else you have had to deal with you have somehow managed to always be there for me.'

'I am in absolute awe of you and could not be prouder to call you mine!'
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The happy couple got engaged in July and since returning to Sydney have been living in Bondi.

But it seems media power couple Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys will soon call Double Bay home, after the lovebirds purchased a new property together in the exclusive Sydney suburb.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the new luxury two-story abode within the cosmopolitan eastern suburbs cost the couple $2.7 million.

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Setting up home: Recently engaged Pete Stefanovic and fiancee Sylvia Jeffreys have reportedly purchase a $2.7million home together in Sydney's eastern suburbs

Happy couple: Until now, the couple have been living in a multi-storey white brick Bondi house, which it's understood they also own

It last traded for $1.94 million, with the latest upgrades propelling the 2005-built property to almost $3 million.

The 180sq m home has a sophisticated open-plan design with elegant interiors and modern finishes.

Pete and Sylvia will have plenty of space to grow, with two master-sized suites and two slightly smaller bedrooms.

The large masters also appear to open up completely with sliding glass doors to private balconies.

Luxury digs! The property last traded for $1.94 million, with the latest upgrades propelling the 2005-built property to a value of almost $3 million

Crisp interiors: The 180sq m home has a sophisticated open-plan design with elegant interiors and modern finishes

What's cooking? The lush kitchen is kitted with a chef's gas stove, luxury marble surfaces and a walk-in pantry

Marketed by Ray White Double Bay's Gavin Rubinstein as a 'family home', he described the property as spacious, with 'seamless flow-through living areas' with its open-plan living.

The home is fit for entertaining with large living and kitchen areas, which flow through to a sun-soaked terrace which has a unique feature wall with trickling water.

They will likely stay in their Bondi residence until the final settlement is completed in 2017.

Pete and Sylvia currently reside in a multi-storey white brick home, which they're believed to have purchased soon after Pete returned to Sydney following his stint as a foreign correspondent for Nine.

Room to grow: Pete and Sylvia will have plenty of space to grow, with two regular bedrooms and two master-sized suites with private balconies

Family-friendly: The real estate agent has described the property as a 'family home' with plenty of space to entertain and a sun-soaked terrace which includes a unique feature wall with trickling water

Sylvia has previously discussed with The Sydney Morning Herald that she had met her fiance while working together at Channel Nine.

'Yes, we met hosting the weekend show over the Christmas period a few years ago.

'That was the first time we met face to face and it was soon after that that we started courting,' she said.

In July, Pete proposed to the blonde beauty during a romantic European getaway.
She's expecting her third child this coming January.

And Katherine Heigl showed off her growing baby bump as she stepped out for a birthday party in Los Angeles with her family on Saturday.

The 37-year-old looked to be in good spirits while out with adopted daughters Naleigh, seven, and Adalaide, four, and husband Josh Kelley, 36.

Baby on board: Katherine Heigl showed off her growing baby bump as she headed to a birthday party in Los Angeles with her family on Saturday

Katherine wore a loose-fitting, sleeveless black turtleneck top, teamed with a figure-hugging black and white striped maxi dress.

The floor-length dress hugged Katherine's curves, showing off the star's burgeoning baby bump.

She finished off the look with a pair of black and white low-top sneakers, and carried a large, black handbag.

Sophisticated: The mom-to-be wore a figure-hugging, black and white striped maxi dress that highlighted her growing bump

She wore her short, blonde tresses slicked back and out of her face, and hid her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses.

The Grey's Anatomy alum accessorized with large, gold earrings as well as a coordinating bracelet.

Daughters Naleigh and Adalaide could be seen juggling gift bags and balloons as they walked alongside their parents in Los Angeles.

Growing family: The Grey's Anatomy alum was joined by her two daughters Naleigh, seven, and Adalaide, four

They've got their hands full! Katherine's little girls juggled big gift bags as well as a collection of balloons

Josh, who sported a white, short-sleeved T-shirt, grey shorts, and grey loafers, had his hands full as well.

Katherine and Josh announced that the actress was pregnant with her first child back in June, revealing to People that they are having a boy.

The pair tied the knot in 2007, and later welcomed adopted daughters Naleigh - in 2009 - and Adalaide - in 2012.

Lending a hand! Josh had his hands full as well, as the family all helped out while heading to the birthday party on Saturday

Meanwhile, the mom-to-be has been busy working on upcoming CBS drama Doubt, which also stars Laverne Cox and Elliott Gould.

On the upcoming series, per CBS's description, Katherine plays Sadie Ellis, a brilliant attorney at a boutique firm who starts to fall for her charismatic client, Billy Brennan, an altruistic pediatric surgeon accused of murdering his girlfriend 24 years ago.
The Crown star Matt Smith is planning a romantic trip to New York with girlfriend Lily James for Christmas  with pals certain hes preparing to pop the question.

A friend of the couple said: Matt is chomping at the bit to propose and New York is the ideal place.

'He cant wait to make a commitment. He was waiting for the fuss around The Crown to die down and, now that the series has aired, hes focusing on his love life.

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The Crown star Matt Smith is planning a romantic trip to New York with girlfriend Lily James for Christmas  with pals certain hes preparing to pop the question

When Doctor Who met Lady Rose: Matt, 34, and Lily, 27  Lady Rose in Downton Abbey  have been smooching on red carpets for two years now and seem to be the perfect match

Matt, 34, and Lily, 27  Lady Rose in Downton Abbey  have been smooching on red carpets for two years now and seem to be the perfect match.

The success of the TV drama about the Royals means Matt will have plenty of cash to take Lily shopping for diamonds on Fifth Avenue...

A friend of the couple said: Matt is chomping at the bit to propose and New York is the ideal place'

Newly single Princess Beatrice has moved back to the UK for good and is now working flat out... on her figure.

Newly single Princess Beatrice has moved back to the UK for good and is now working flat out... on her figure

I can reveal she has been training at Londons most extreme gym  Barrys Bootcamp  where the circuit training classes can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour.

Bea  who spent much of last year in New York with then-boyfriend Dave Clark  was spied at the gym a few days ago, where she complained about being tired because building work at St Jamess Palace was disturbing her sleep.

Welcome back to London life, Bea.

So excited for my pal Noelle Reno, who has given birth to her first child  a boy.

The 32-year-old entrepreneur and her city trader boyfriend Nick Perks have named him Xander, which means Defending men.
The actress and presenter has been in the public eye since she appeared on reality talent competition Popstars in 1999.

Since then, Sophie Monk has enjoyed film and television appearances, magazine photo shoots and presenting gigs.

But the 36-year-old told The Daily Telegraph she thinks success in her career might be the reason behind her current single status.

Independant woman: Sophie Monk has suggested her self-sufficiency is sabotaging her love life as she returns to the single life following her split from former NRL player Eric Grothe Jr

She has challenged the idea men are looking for 'powerful women', and says her own experience reflects the opposite.

'I'm not saying that I'm powerful, but I earn my own money, pay my own bills and am very self-sufficient,' she said.

Every guy thinks they want that, but then when they do [get it], it can be emasculating I think.'

Dishing the goss: Sophie told Kyle and Jackie O she had been dating the NRL player 'on and off for a couple of years' before their split

Working girl: Sophie has enjoyed a high profile since her debut on reality talent show Popstars in 1999, coming full circle this year as a judge on Australia's Got Talent

Sophie's grim outlook follows her recent split from former Parramatta Eels player Eric Grothe Jr.

Earlier this month, she spoke on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show about her relationship.

The bubbly blonde said she had split with Eric, who she says she had been dating 'on and off for a couple of years', before rumours emerged he was 'sexting' a younger woman.

She explained that her high profile status and constant travelling made it difficult to maintain a relationship - but even then, she's not too invested in the idea.

Better on her own: Sophie explained that her high profile status and constant travelling made it difficult to maintain a relationship

'I'm just not good at relationships. It's hard public with everyone knowing your stuff,' she said.

'I work heaps and travel all the time, it's not normal. I am too fussy to be honest.

'But I'm happy being single at the minute.'

The work hasn't stopped for Sophie either, who is set to fill in again for Kyle and Jackie O over the summer, reforming with Matty Acton for The Summer Fling on KIIS FM.
They have been friends for five years but now I hear whispers that Prince William is phasing out Ben Fogle and his wife Marina.

Royal insiders tell me William fears TV presenter and adventurer Fogle, 43, is too often encouraged to talk about him in public and thinks its best to put some distance between them.

They are not thought to have seen each other since September.

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Royal insiders tell me William fears TV presenter and adventurer Fogle, 43, is too often encouraged to talk about him in public

I hear whispers that Prince William is phasing out Ben Fogle and his wife Marina

Marina had grown close to Kate after their children shared play dates, but they too have seen little of each other of late.

William feels his name crops up in Bens media appearances too often to be tasteful, says my source.

Ben is being kept at arms length for now.

Thats him off the Christmas card list then!

Tracey Emins beloved mother Pamela Cashin has passed away at 88, I am sorry to report.

Artist Tracey, 53, ventured out last week to Annabels nightclub where she shared the news with friends, telling them she was struggling without her supportive mother who appeared in a video installation for her 1997 show I Need Art Like I Need God.

Filming for the new movie Paddington 2 began in London last week  and my marmalade-sarnie-munching movie sources tell me the budget will be a whopping ten times bigger than the original movie.

The blockbuster is said to be costing 210 million  even more than a Harry Potter film.

Stars Hugh Bonneville and Julie Walters may not be aware theyre working with such huge sums.

Filming for the new movie Paddington 2 began in London last week - and the budget will be a whopping ten times bigger than the original movie

When my spies saw scenes being shot last week, Paddington was just a plastic head on a stick as he chased a bike down a road in Londons trendy Little Venice.
The glamour model has lived a luxurious life with long-term partner Kyle Sandilands, who often spoils her with opulent gifts.

And it appears that's not going to change any time soon, with Imogen Anthony sharing a photograph of herself posing in front of the radio shock jock's Rolls Royce.

Despite recently receiving a brand new Jaguar, she claims Kyle has handed off his beloved car to her after deciding it was 'too girly'.

New wheels! Glamour model Imogen Anthony took to social media to flaunt the Rolls Royce her boyfriend Kyle Sandilands gave her after he reportedly decided it was 'too girly' for him

Imogen claims it was Kendall Jenner whom she owes thanks to for her boyfriend's giving mood.

It's believed Kyle decided the hot wheels were now emasculating after the model received one among her birthday gifts.

'K came to me the other day and said "Babe, Kendall got a Rolls for her birthday, so now it's too girly for me and I need something more masculine. I'm giving it to you",' the 25-year-old captioned the post.

She shared the image with her Instagram followers on Sunday morning, and in the second half of the caption had joked about grabbing the keys and leaving.

Good looking couple! Imogen and Kyle have been dating since 2012 and live in LA and Sydney

The photo showed the designer leaning back on the car, wearing an oversized white hoodie over what appeared to be a long white t-shirt.

She paired the thigh-skimming outfit with a pair of fishnet tights and lengthened her legs with heeled thigh high boots.

Imogen completed the thuggish look with a white cap worn under the hood of the jacket.

What about the baby? Imogen received a new Jaguar from her beau just six weeks ago, and it remains to be seen what will become of it

Just six weeks ago, the budding fashion designer shared a video of her ecstatically sitting in the brand new Jaguar bought for her by Kyle, 45.

'When #Bae knows how much you love Jaguars (especially the F-type) and you come home to one in your driveway ,' she captioned the clip, shared with her 128,000 Instagram followers.

It is not known if the high-profile couple have swapped cars or if Kyle is now in the market for a more 'masculine' vehicle.

Both Kyle and Imogen have been contacted for comment.
They formed a strong friendship when they appeared on The Bachelor together, earlier this year.

And Noni Janur, Megan Marx and new girlfriend Tiffany Scanlon enjoyed some time together soaking up the sun at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach.

On the Saturday outing, Noni showed off her sun-kissed curves, stunning in a nude bikini and shorts.

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Bikini babe! The Bachelor's Noni Janur (pictured) joined Megan Marx and new girlfriend Tiffany Scanlon as they enjoyed some time together soaking up the sun at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach on Saturday

Looking incredibly tanned, the brunette beauty appeared to be make-up free as she joined the girls sunbathing on the sand.

The swimwear designer and model wore her hair out and over her shoulders in lose tousled curls and added a blue and white playsuit on top.

She later changed into high-waisted denim shorts which she teamed with a brown and white body suit.

Working on their tans! Looking incredibly tanned, brunette beauty Noni appeared to be makeup free as she joined the girls sunbathing

Three's a crowd! Noni joined Megan (centre) and Tiffany (R) while they were in Sydney

Hot to trot: Noni later changed into high-waisted denim shorts which she teamed with a brown and white body suit

Megan and Tiffany meanwhile matched wearing tiny black bikinis, with Megan wearing a white top and skirt, while Tiffany sporting a loose pink play suit.

The girls appeared relaxed on the day and later enjoyed some downtime at the beachside bar, The Bucket List.

Noni shared a shot to her Instagram of the trio smiling for the camera, writing: 'Long overdue catch up with these cuties.'

Noni - who previously lived on The Gold Coast - earlier this month revealed on Instagram that she had officially relocated to Sydney.

She's a local: Noni - who previously lived on The Gold Coast - earlier this month revealed on Instagram that she had officially relocated to Sydney

Covering their curves: Megan and Tiffany meanwhile matched wearing tiny black bikinis, with Megan wearing a white top and skirt, while Tiffany sported a loose pink play suit on top

'Today's the day I'm moving to Sydney. All types of emotions going on but it's definitely going to be a great adventure,' Noni wrote online at the time.

'Change is always good plus I get to live with one of my besties. Summer in Bondi, let the good times begin!'

Noni is now living with fellow Bachelor reject Kiki Morris.

Meanwhile, Perth-based Megan and Tiffany only recently confirmed their romance, having been rumoured to have been dating for months.

Where's her roommate? Noni is now living with fellow Bachelor reject Kiki Morris

Happy: Meanwhile, Perth-based Megan and Tiffany only recently confirmed their romance, having been rumoured to have been dating for months

'This is more': On Friday, the busty girlfriends officially confirmed their romance at the Maxim Hot 100 party at The Star, Sydney

On Friday, the busty girlfriends officially confirmed their romance at the Maxim Hot 100 party at The Star, Sydney.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the event, Tiffany confessed that the pair fell in love during a holiday in Bali, Indonesia in June.

'While we were in the show, it was just a friendship. It probably wasn't until we were in Bali together that it was like ''Oh, this is more'',' said Tiffany.

Megan also confessed she wasn't expecting to fall for another woman while filming the TV dating series, starring Richie Strahan.

A long-time coming! Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the event, Tiffany confessed that the pair fell in love during a holiday in Bali, Indonesia in June

A surprise: Megan also confessed she wasn't expecting to fall for another woman while filming the TV dating series, starring Richie Strahan

'We had very different experiences when we were on the show. Obviously I found Tiffany very attractive but I was there to get to know Richie,' she said.

'But instantly we knew there was a very strong connection. I was so excited to meet her in Bali,' Megan added.

The couple revealed 'no one seemed to notice' they had become more than friends during that fateful holiday - and it took 'months' for anyone to find out.

'It started in June and it wasn't until October that people noticed! So it was quite a long time,' Tiffany revealed.

Under wraps: The couple revealed 'no one seemed to notice' they had become more than friends during that fateful holiday - and it took 'months' for anyone to find out

The pair admitted their fellow contestants had a feeling something was going on between them during filming.

'It's been interesting talking to other girls on the show, because they just knew something was going on,' Megan said.

Tiffany added: 'We were on our own wavelengths. We found each other hilarious but other people didn't kind of get us.

'Like we'd do weird things and thought it was funny, but nobody else did.'
They're known for choosing bold red carpet looks.

And Emma Stone and Michelle Williams did not disappoint on Saturday as they arrived dressed to the nines for the eighth annual Governors Awards in Hollywood.

The actresses wowed in shimmering statement dresses with bold lipstick for the awards ceremony.

Stunning star: Emma Stone looked incredible in a paisley printed frock for the eighth annual Governors Awards in Hollywood on Saturday

The event, which took place at the Hollywood and Highland Center, was organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Emma, 28, chose a fitted paisley patterned frock that featured black, white and silver hues.

The star's mermaid-style number featured spaghetti straps, a flouncy hemline and silver beading.

The Crazy, Stupid, Love actress paired the elaborately designed dress with red lipstick, wavy tresses and embellished heels with a ribbon accent.

Michelle looked incredible in a black cut-out frock with a sparkly patterned overlay that cascaded elegantly to the floor.

Sparkling: Michelle Williams, 36, looked incredible in a black cut-out frock with a sparkly patterned overlay that cascaded elegantly to the floor

The 36-year-old star's gown had cut-out detailing beneath the sheer layer, revealing her flat midriff and a hint of her toned legs.

Michelle styled her platinum pixie locks swept to one side while rocking mauve lipstick and kohl-lined lids.

Lily Collins looked like a classic movie star in her silky gold dress, which featured an asymmetrical neckline.

Good times: The 36-year-old star's gown had cut-out detailing beneath the sheer layer, revealing her flat midriff and a hint of her toned legs; seen with director Kenneth Lonergan, actors Casey Affleck and Lucas Hedges

Absolutely breathtaking: Lily Collins looked like a classic movie star in her silky gold dress, which featured an asymmetrical neckline

The Love, Rosie actress, 27, showed off her sculpted back in the fluttering bold hued frock.

The beautiful star wore her brunette tresses half-up, half-down with waves, adding brown shadow on her lids and red lipstick on her full pout.

Kate Beckinsale stepped out in a white embellished frock; the 43-year-old chose an off-the-shoulder dress that had a cinched waist and flared skirt.

Lupita Nyong'o wore a flower patterned dress with sheer elements and a voluminous skirt.

Fancy: Kate Beckinsale stepped out in a white embellished frock for the awards ceremony

Strike a pose: The 43-year-old actress chose an off-the-shoulder dress that had a cinched waist and flared skirt

The 33-year-old Academy Award winner paired the light hued frock with criss-cross strapped heels and diamond jewelry.

Amy Adams, 42, glowed in a gold and white polka dot gown featuring ruched detailing and a belted waist.

Felicity Jones donned a black gown with gold and pink floral beading by the neckline.

Floral lady: Lupita Nyong'o wore a flower patterned dress with sheer elements and a voluminous skirt

Elegant: The 33-year-old Academy Award winner paired the light hued frock with criss-cross strapped heels and diamond jewelry; pictured with Mira Nair and David Oyelowo

Reunited: Lupita posed with David on the carpet- her co-star in the film Queen Of Katwe

Bold: Amy Adams, 42, glowed in a gold and white polka dot gown featuring ruched detailing and a belted waist

Glow: Felicity Jones donned a black gown with gold and pink floral beading by the neckline

Marion Cotillard covered her baby bump in a black lacy dress; the piece had sheer sleeves and neckline.

The actress, 41, paired the long-sleeved look with dark heels, pulled back hair and rosy makeup.

Hailee Steinfeld stunned in a white lace gown; the 19-year-old's floor-length gown was slightly sheer with textured lace.

Nicole Kidman wore a charcoal and black gown that showed a hint of her cleavage; the Lion actress added strappy black heels.

Looking incredible: Marion Cotillard covered her baby bump in a black lacy dress; the piece had sheer sleeves and neckline

Goddess: Hailee Steinfeld stunned in a white lace gown; the 19-year-old's floor-length gown was slightly sheer with textured lace

Blonde beauty: Nicole Kidman wore a charcoal and black gown that showed a hint of her cleavage; the Lion actress added strappy black heels

Nicole wore several diamond rings and large earrings for added sparkle.

The 49-year-old styled her light hued tresses in waves with a center part.

Gorgeous: Nicole wore several diamond rings and large earrings for added sparkle

Ageless: The 49-year-old styled her light hued tresses in waves with a center part; pictured with her Lion co-star Sunny Pawar

Catching up: Nicole posed with Laura Dern and her daughter Jaya Harper

What a great time: Nicole posed for pictures with Laura before heading inside the venue

Nice to meet you too! Nicole greeted actor and musician Common on the red carpet

Ryan Reynolds arrived on the red carpet in an emerald blazer with black trousers, a white button-up and a bow-tie.

The handsome star was joined at the awards show by the equally dapper Miles Teller and Andrew Garfield.

Naomie Harris, 40, showed off her decolletage in a blue and white strapless gown while toting a structured clutch.

Helen Mirren wore a classic black dress with dazzling diamond jewelry; the 71-year-old donned earrings, a necklace, bracelets, rings and an encrusted belt.

Handsome: Ryan Reynolds arrived on the red carpet in an emerald blazer with black trousers, a white button-up and a bow-tie

Good looking men: The equally dapper Miles Teller (l) and Andrew Garfield (r) donned a black suit with a white collared shirt and a bow-tie

Having a laugh together: Andrew was seen grinning ear to ear as he greeted Lucas on the red carpet before heading inside

Bold: Naomie Harris, 40, showed off her decolletage in a blue and white strapless gown while toting a structured clutch

Shining star: Helen Mirren wore a classic black dress with dazzling diamond jewelry; the 71-year-old donned earrings, a necklace, bracelets, rings and an encrusted belt

Janelle Monae looked pretty in a black and white strapless dress; the look had a cinched waist with a voluminous top and skirt, and she completed the ensemble with a Naeem Khan clutch bag and some glamorous jewelry.

Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 33, wowed in a silver dress, which had beading across the torso and over her mid-section.

Mark Wahlberg and Casey Affleck dressed up in black and white suits, adding a tie and matching dress shoes.

Laura Dern happily posed with her date - her 11-year-old daughter Jaya Harper; the lovely mother-daughter duo coordinated in dark hued ensembles.

Good choice: Janelle Monae looked pretty in a black and white strapless dress; the look had a cinched waist with a voluminous top and skirt

What a beauty: Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 33, wowed in a silver dress, which had beading across the torso and over her mid-section

Dapper: Mark Wahlberg and Casey Affleck dressed up in black and white suits, adding a tie and matching dress shoes

Happiness: Laura Dern happily posed with her date - her 11-year-old daughter Jaya Harper; the lovely mother-daughter duo coordinated in dark hued ensembles

Chris Pine and Ben Foster, both sporting scruffy faces, looked almost identical in their black and white suits with a bow tie.

Octavia Spencer looked great in a blush-toned ruched dress, opting for loose tresses to finish off her look.

Leslie Mann and her producer husband Judd Apatow posed together on the red carpet.

The actress, 44, wore a strapless dress with branches and birds emblazoned all over.

Pharrell Williams paired jeans with a dark hued jacket while his wife Helen Lasichanh wore a black dress.

Armie Hammer looked handsome in his suit as he posed with his pregnant wife Elizabeth Chambers.

Pals: Chris Pine and Ben Foster, both sporting scruffy faces, looked almost identical in their black and white suits with a bow tie

She's got a glow: Octavia Spencer looked great in a blush-toned ruched dress, opting for loose tresses to finish off her look

Power couple: Leslie Mann and her producer husband Judd Apatow posed together

Smile: The actress, 44, wore a strapless dress with branches and birds emblazoned all over

In love: Pharrell Williams paired jeans with a dark hued jacket while his wife Helen Lasichanh wore a black dress

Happiness: Armie Hammer looked handsome in his suit as he posed with his pregnant wife Elizabeth Chambers

Warren Beatty, 79, wore a suit and bow tie while his wife Annette Bening, 58, showed off her incredible figure in a sheer lacy dress.

Jeff Bridges and wife Susan Geston Bridges coordinated in dark hued looks; Susan added a pop of color with a maroon clutch.

Common, Brett Ratner and Hugh Grant arrived wearing black blazers with matching trousers and bow ties.

Sylvester Stallone posed on the carpet with his wife Jennifer Flavin, who donned a textured blush frock.

Staying close: Warren Beatty, 79, wore a suit and bow tie while his wife Annette Bening, 58, showed off her incredible figure in a sheer lacy dress

Giddy: Jeff Bridges and wife Susan Geston Bridges coordinated in dark hued looks; Susan added a pop of color with a maroon clutch

Similar idea: Common, Brett Ratner and Hugh Grant arrived wearing black blazers with matching trousers and bow ties

Date night: Sylvester Stallone posed on the carpet with his wife Jennifer Flavin, who donned a textured blush frock

Jackie Chan and fashion designer Tom Ford arrived to the awards ceremony in dark hued ensembles.

Director Ava DuVernay wore a shimmering silver and black frock with bold red lipstick.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Tori Amos decided to go for dark colored dresses.

Ready for fun: Jackie Chan and fashion designer Tom Ford arrived to the awards ceremony in dark hued ensembles

Shine: Director Ava DuVernay wore a shimmering silver and black frock with bold red lipstick

Time to enjoy the show: Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Tori Amos decided to go for dark dresses

Arnold Schwarzenegger donned a black blazer and trousers with a white button up and blue tie.

While on the carpet, he was seen greeting fellow actor Richard Gere.

Actress Ruth Negga sported a dress featuring a snake design while the CEO of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Dawn Hudson wore an all red look.

Grinning: Arnold Schwarzenegger donned a black blazer and trousers with a white button up and blue tie

Shaking hands before heading in: While on the carpet, he was seen greeting fellow actor Richard Gere

Bright: Actress Ruth Negga sported a dress featuring a snake design while the CEO of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Dawn Hudson wore an all red look

Jonah Hill looked like a classic movie star in his bow tie, blazer and trousers; he rocked shoes that his initials emblazoned on them.

Vince Vaughn and Lin-Manuel Miranda also attended the Governors Awards.

Meagan Good wore a black dress with a sheer panel that showed off her cleavage while posing with her husband DeVon Franklin.

David Oyelowo wore a white blazer and trousers while Mahershala Ali chose black.

Cool guy: Jonah Hill looked like a classic movie star in his bow tie, blazer and trousers; he rocked shoes that his initials emblazoned on them

Classic: Vince Vaughn and Lin-Manuel Miranda also attended the Governors Awards

Loving couple: Meagan Good wore a black dress with a sheer panel that showed off her cleavage while posing with her husband DeVon Franklin

Focused: David Oyelowo wore a white blazer and trousers while Mahershala Ali chose black

Smiling wide: Laura Dern and her father Bruce Dern presented an award during the ceremony

Hi there! Jeff Bridges was seen waving to the crowd as he made his way to the microphone

Gliding: Nicole Kidman headed to the microphone to present an award

Shimmering: Nicole spoke to the crowd as she sparkled in her ensemble

In the moment: Helen Mirren spoke on stage inside the Ray Dolby Ballroom

Happy day: Honoree Lynn Stalmaster accepted his award onstage

Delighted: Heather Headley greeted the crowd on stage while sporting a shimmering white frock and dangling earrings

Not expecting it: Richard Gere appeared surprised as he appeared on stage

Still good looking: Tom Hanks hit the microphone to speak during the ceremony

Reunion: Chris Tuck presented Jackie Chan with his award onstage; the twosome starred in the Rush Hour franchise together
It's been almost two years since the Olympic athlete revealed he was gay.

Now comfortable with his sexuality, Ian Thorpe has expressed his want for others to feel confident growing up as a homosexual.

And on Sunday the 34-year-old and his partner, Ryan Channing, got behind Australia's Marriage Equality campaign to make same-sex marriage legal.

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'It's time, Australia!' Ian Thorpe and partner Ryan Channing wear their hearts on their sleeves as they post snaps in Australian Marriage Equality slogan T-shirts in Sydney on Sunday

The happy couple both posted an image of themselves in Sydney sporting T-shirts with a multi-coloured Australia with the words 'Equality' printed below.

Ian's swimwear model boyfriend perched upon his back for the playful piggyback snap, while the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House were visible in the background.

The world champion swimmer uploaded the happy moment to Instagram, captioning the post: 'It's time Australia... Marriage equality is a human right for all.'

His partner then followed suit, by sharing the same image with a simple, direct message with all the hand-holding emojis : 'IT'S // TIME.'

'Marriage equality is a human right for all': Ian and model boyfriend Ryan have been dating since February and openly support the move to legalize same-sex marriage

The T-shirts are similar to the 'Say "I do" Down Under' slogan T-shirts created by Pop icon Kylie Minogue and her fiance Joshua Sasse.

Created to call for equal marriage rights in Australia, the Hollywood couple have previously set they wouldn't say 'I do' until same-sex couples could.

Other well-known Australian celebrities to support the cause by sporting the shirts are, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia, Rebecca Rigg, Rove McManus, Sam Frost and Simon Baker.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve: The T-shirts worn by the happy couple are similar to the 'Say "I do" Down Under' slogan T-shirts created by Pop icon Kylie Minogue (pictured) and her fiance Joshua Sasse

The Australian sporting star, who never had a boyfriend prior to revealing he was gay - is currently enjoying his life with 26-year-old Ryan.

The pair were first pictured kissing and holding hands in Sydney in February.

Months later the pair shared loved-up snaps from the Rio Olympics where Thorpe gushed that life with his younger partner made him very happy.

Happy couple: The Australian sporting star, who never had a boyfriend prior to revealing he was gay - is currently enjoying his life with 26-year-old Ryan

But it wasn't always easy for Ian, admitting in an interview with British talk show host Michael Parkinson he spent years denying his homosexuality.

'I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay,' he said in the interview.

In a recent episode of Silvia's Italian Table, he touched upon the subject of same-sex marriage with celebrity chef Silvia Colloca.

'The vast majority of people now support gay marriage'.

However, he added that a plebiscite would 'divide' the community.

'I don't want people to feel the same way I did': Ian has admitted he spent years denying his homosexuality before publicly announcing he was gay (Pictured with his bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics)

The national icon, affectionately known as Thorpedo, made headlines in 2014 when he came out as gay in 2014 - admitting he had struggled with his sexuality for many years.

After years of denying his homosexuality, Thorpe told the world he was gay in an interview with British talk show host Michael Parkinson.

'I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man,' he stated.

'I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay.
On Saturday, celebrities converged on the Los Angeles home of Absolut Elyx CEO Jonas Tahlin for a party thrown by the Weinsten Company.

The studio was honouring the cast of its upcoming adventure film Gold, which is slated for release on Christmas Day in the US and February 3rd in the UK.

Bryce Dallas Howard, who features in Gold, dazzled in cocktail dress that accented the figure she's trimming back into shape after gaining about two stone for Black Mirror.

Belle of the ball: Bryce Dallas Howard was a showstopper at a party The Weinstein Company threw commemorating their adventure drama Gold

Glinting black frond patterns were splashed across the Persian blue backdrop of her dress, which was cut off at mid-calf.

She stood for the cameras in a sitting room, the walls of which were spattered with leafy designs. One one wall, in lights, was the Scandinavian toast: 'SKAL.'

The 35-year-old spent a bit of time mingling as well, posing alongside her Gold co-star Matthew McConaughey and their host for the evening.

McConaughey, who himself has lost the roughly three stone he'd put on for Gold, cut a dapper figure in a navy suit.

Dynamic duo: She stood for photos alongside her Gold co-star Matthew McConaughey

Host: The actors also posed with Absolut Elyx CEO Jonas Tahlin

He'd left a couple of his white dress shirt's buttons open over his chest, and allowed a bit of stubble to grow onto his face.

The 47-year-old's wife of four years, Camila Alves, was a showstopper in a cleavage-baring black gown that was, in several areas, rather sheer.

Solid black patterns swirled across the dress' translucent arms, which matched the neckline and waist.

Man and wife: The 47-year-old put an arm about his spouse of four years Camila Alves

When you got it: The 34-year-old's largely sheer black dress bared her cleavage and offered a view of her exquisitely toned legs

Beneath the waist, the fabric was similarly see-through, giving a view of the 34-year-old's smashing legs.

The Dallas Buyers Club star also stood for duo photos with Tahlin, who'd teamed a black tuxedo jacket with a matching jumper and tight, pale grey jeans.

Quite the social butterfly that evening, the Failure To Launch star also managed to be photographed with a pair of other actors.

Location, location, location: The party was held at Tahlin's Los Angeles home

Edgar Ramirez, whom he played alongside in Gold, wore a chic silver and dim orange checked suit over a tawny dress shirt.

Nicole Kidman let her wavy platinum blonde hair fall free over a white dress speckled with small streaks of red, green and yellow.

Her impressive diamond drop earrings glimmered under the lights as she posed for pictures with Harvey Weinstein himself, who'd buttoned up his suit but decided to go without a tie.

Trio: The Dallas Buyers club star posed with his Gold colleague Edgar Ramirez as well as with Nicole Kidman
The Real Housewives of Sydney star has been very vocal online in her support of President-elect Donald Trump.

And it appears that support extends from the screen to the bedroom, with Lisa Oldfield confessing she asks her husband David to wear a comb over to bed 'quite often'.

The politically conservative woman has previously joked about spending a night with the Republican nominee, but says she hasn't yet had 'the good fortune of meeting him'.

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Dreaming of Trump: Real Housewife of Sydney Lisa Oldfield has been cheering on President-elect Donald Trump throughout his campaign and says she 'might' try something on with him if he came to Australia - but doubts it would be reciprocated

When asked if she would try and make a move on the 70-year-old business mogul, Lisa laughed and admitted her flirtations would likely not be returned.

'I might [try something on] but I think he's a man of honour,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I don't think he grabs p***y that much anymore.'

Despite her anticipated rejection, Lisa and David say they would be 'delighted' to have Mr Trump and his wife Melania over for dinner when they visit Australia.

'We'd probably take him for a shoot, we'd bond over a barbeque - he isn't a drinker so we could have a carafe of left wing tears,' she said.

Always welcome: Lisa said she and her husband David would love to have The Donald over for dinner when he comes to Australia, and would love to drink a 'carafe of lefty tears' with him

The soon-to-be reality television star says the world would have been a 'very scary place' under a Clinton presidency.

'The world would be a very scary place under Clinton... the previous Obama administration had let relations with Russia rot and I think they're a very important ally when we've got Islamic extremism all over the world, whether it's Al Qaeda, ISIS or Boko Haram,' she explained.

Lisa was also not shy to share her disdain for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and her supporters.

David Trump? The mother-of-two admitted she asks her husband David (right) to wear a comb over to bed 'quite often'

'All of the insults that Hillary Clinton and her ilk levelled at people, misogynist, sexist, racist - it's just a lazy argument,' she said.

'I'm not any of those things. A lot of people who support Trump are not those things.'

She believes Mr Trump was so successful because he wasn't bothered with political correctness.

'It's been a good year, we've had Brexit, we've had Trump... if the left want to blame anyone for this election, they should blame themselves,' she said.

'You can't just keep insulting, ridiculing and labelling people and expect them to come to your way of thinking.

No better than a housewife: Lisa admits some of the things the President-elect said during his campaign were 'vulgar' but says it's 'no different to the banter of some of the Real Housewives of Sydney'

'Their political correctness has embarrassed people to the point where they don't feel they can talk about things that concern them.'

Lisa said self-censorship and political correctness were not just issues in the election, but issues in her own life too

While she admits some of the things said by Mr Trump were 'vulgar', Lisa claims it's 'no different to the banter of some of the Real Housewives of Sydney'.

'I wish I could teach that to my fellow housewives - they LOVE to be offended. We have this snowflake generation where everything that isn't PC is going to offend somebody,' she moaned.

'Why should we censor ourselves?'

The Real Housewives of Sydney will premiere on Arena in 2017.
Australian media and music identity Molly Meldrum has had a number of health scares in recent years and several highly publicised falls.

But despite the set backs, Molly, 73, has said that he's not 'winding back' anytime soon and is planning to have a Christmas party and visit his family in Bangkok.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, Molly revealed the importance of being around his family and has no plans of letting his health interfere with living his life.

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Icon: Australian media and music identity Molly Meldrum has vowed not to slow down despite a number of health scares in recent years and several highly publicised falls

'No, I'm not winding back,' he told the publication before adding, 'I'm having a Christmas party'.

The successful 73-year-old also said that he has made plans to go to Bangkok and then Saigon to see his son Morgan and his beloved grandchild Jason.

Earlier this month Molly's assistant revealed to New Idea that he had another secret fall in Thailand, which occurred in between the 2011 and early 2016 accidents.

Yael Cohn told the publication that Molly 'broke his back' when he tripped on his grandson's toys.

'No I'm not winding back': But despite the set backs, Molly, 73, has said that he's not 'winding back' anytime soon and is planning to have a Christmas party and visit his family in Bangkok

'He tripped over one of Jason's toys beside the swimming pool,' Yael said of the incident.

She added that Molly has been left with numerous 'health issues' after the falls and sometimes struggles to walk.

'He can't do long walks anymore, so I sometimes have to hire him a wheelchair, which he hates, because he's too proud and annoying!' she said.

'He tripped over one of Jason's toys': Molly was injured after taking another tumble over his beloved grandson's toys - but insists he is fine to not let the injury get in his way

Meanwhile, Molly joked about his funeral to the publication, saying he wants to be placed in an Egyptian sarcophagus.

'People keep telling me I've got to make a will, but I reckon there's plenty of time for that,' he said.

In July this year, Molly was forced to cut short a 10-day cruise on board a luxury yacht after injuries he suffered after his fall in January and 2011 flared up.

'People keep telling me I've got to make a will': Meanwhile, Molly joked about his funeral to the publication, saying he wants to be placed in an Egyptian sarcophagus

Dr Brian Pliatsos told The Daily Telegraph at the time: 'After struggling with an acute health issues whilst overseas, Molly Meldrum has been safely returned home.'

The Australian music legend was enlisted as the DJ on board the five-star Seabourn Odyssey - dubbed the 'Love Boat'.

In January in Thailand, the record producer and entrepreneur dislocated one of his shoulders and fractured several ribs when he slipped while getting out of a taxi.

'He can't do long walks anymore': The Australian music legend was enlisted as the DJ on board the five-star Seabourn Odyssey - dubbed the 'Love Boat' - when he had another injury

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph following the accident, Molly revealed that he came close to having his arm amputated and turned to alcohol to cope.

He also came dangerously close to being paralysed in the legs.

The former Countdown host also suffered a life-threatening fall when he fell while putting up Christmas decorations in 2011.

It left him in a coma for five weeks and he suffered a brain injury among other injuries.
Wolverine hunk Hugh Jackman and pop icon Madonna were spotted cosying up at the UFC lightweight title fight on Sunday.

Catching up in New York, the pair watched Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez battle it out in one of the most anticipated fights in mixed martial arts history.

The Australian actor appeared over the moon to be mingling with the Material Girl hitmaker, and took to social media to express his excitement.

Cosying up! Hugh Jackman and Madonna were spotted together at the UFC lightweight title fight in New Yow on Sunday

'Just a "normal" Saturday night in NYC!!! @ufc fight night with the legendary Madonna,' Hugh captioned a photo he shared on Instagram.

Sporting his trademark beard, the Hollywood star put his arm around the pop princess as the pair flashed broad smiles while posing for a selfie.

With a full face of makeup, Madonna let her signature blonde tresses cascade over her slender shoulders in loose curls.

'Just a "normal" Saturday night': Hugh appeared over the moon to be mingling with the pop princess

Trademark: Madonna let her signature blonde tresses cascade over her slender shoulders in loose curls

The fight was a one-sided affair, with Irish icon Conor knocking out his opponent in the second round to win the title.

Meanwhile, Hugh's illustrious acting career is showing no signs of slowing down.

He confirmed he would play Wolverine for the last time in his upcoming film, Logan 3, which is set for release in March next year.

Hugh and Madonna watched Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez battle it out in one of the most anticipated fights in mixed martial arts history

Keeping busy: Hugh confirmed he will play Wolverine for the last time in his upcoming film, Logan 3

But as the famed actor prepares to farewell his most-loved character, his wife of 20 years, Deborra-Lee Furness, said he'll be keeping the costume.

'We'll bring it out at Halloween, even when he's 70', she joked with 2Day FM's Rove and Sam.

'We'll dress him up and send him out.'

Logan 3 will hit cinemas in Australia in March 2017.
Kerri Anne Kennerley's husband John broke his neck in a freak accident earlier this year.

And the popular TV personality has confessed she is struggling to come to terms with his devastating injury.

'I hate this new life to be quite frank. I just hate it. It's awful,' the 63-year-old revealed to Channel Seven's Sunday Night.

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'I hate this new life': Kerri Anne Kennerley has spoken candidly about her husband's tragic injury

Struggling: the popular TV personality has confessed she is struggling to come to terms with his devastating injury

'I think right now, the most difficult thing... is not being able to talk to him,' she added.

John, 76, slipped while at a social gathering in Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales north coast.

'It wasn't a particularly big fall,' he told the program. 'It was only about 800mm, but I just landed on my head and neck - there was a crack.

Breaking down: The bubbly blonde broke down as she spoke to the camera

'I couldn't move anything': John was left permanently paralysed after a fall earlier this year

'I remember coming to... I couldn't move anything. I couldn't move my arms, I couldn't move my legs.

'And Kerri was with me within a second and I remember saying to her "I think I'm paralysed, I can't move." Soon after that, I fainted.'

Kerri Anne, who has been married to John for 32 years, confessed the tragic incident has taken its toll on her.

'I think I'm paralysed': The 76-year-old revealed he fainted shortly after he fell and broke his neck

'I want my old life back. And I want my husband back. I have my husband, we're just different now.'

She added: 'A whole chunk of me just doesn't exist anymore. There's just a whole big chunk that he used to fill.'

John praised the TV presenter for her love and support throughout his recovery.

'I want my old life back': Kerri Anne revealed she was struggling to come to terms with the injury

By his side: John praised his TV presenter wife for her support throughout his recovery

'She was there when I woke up and she's been with me every day. Every single day,' before adding: 'I have appreciated it... She's never faltered. Never faltered,' he said.

When the accident occurred, Kerri-Anne was seen heading to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, where she held vigils for her beloved husband.

John is now back at the couple's Sydney home after eight months in hospital.

Doctors have revealed the 76-year-old is lucky to be alive.

Tragic: John broke his neck after an innocuous fall in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast
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It's been a tough few weeks on site of The Block in Melbourne.

But on Sunday, nearly-broke couple Will and Karlie were crowned this year's winners of the renovation series, taking home a whopping $815,000 in profits and prize money.

The couple sold their stunning apartment for a large $2.6million, after having their reserve price set at $1.885million.

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Winners are grinners: Will and Karlie were crowned this year's The Block winners after taking home a whopping $815,000 following the auctions

After the sale of their renovated area, the pair made a profit of $715,000 and were later granted an extra $100,000 for coming first on the leader board.

Upon discovering the sale price of their apartment, the couple both broke down into tears and jumped high with joy.

Through the emotions, Will commented: 'We are happy with $715,000...We never thought of this figure.'

Coming on top: The couple sold their stunning apartment for a large $2.6million, after having their reserve price set at $1.885million

Money in their pocket: After the sale of their renovated area, the pair made a profit of $715,000 and were later granted an extra $100,000 for coming first on the leader board

Karlie added: 'This relives the pressure so much. We are just so happy and really proud of our agents and proud of our tradies.'

After the auction, they told Nine.com.au they couldn't believe their success from the show.

'We were hoping for anything over $100,000,' Will admitted candidly.

Emotional: Upon discovering the sell price of their apartment, the couple both broke down into tears and jumped high with joy

Future: Through the emotions, Will commented: 'We are happy with $715,000...We never thought of this figure'

Their aim: After the auction, they said they couldn't believe their success from the show: 'We were hoping for anything over $100,000'

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Karlie gushed: 'We are over the moon and just cannot believe what happened.

'When we applied to be on the show we didn't think we'd get on.

'As a young couple struggling financially, winning The Block is going to set us up for the rest or our lives,' she concluded.

Happy: Karlie gushed: 'We are over the moon and cannot believe what happened. As a young couple struggling financially, winning The Block is going to set us up for the rest or our lives'

No shocker: But it wasn't a surprise the engaged couple won the Block after they impressed the judges from week one and took out multiple room wins in the process

Reputation: At the end of the series, their apartment offered an elegant and expensive decor, using plenty of dark neutrals to tie in each room's looks to the next

Will later told news.com.au: ' We're a young couple and we'd put our lives on hold.

'We'd just bought our first home and struggling to pay our mortgage while being on was very difficult.'

Karlie added: 'For our [lost] wages and the amount of savings that we'd dipped into on, we thought anything over $100,000 would be great. Anything over $200,000 we'd be ecstatic with.'

Loveable: During the competition, judge Shaynna praised their overall colour palette of their apartment working flawlessly through all of their rooms

But it wasn't a surprise the 25-year-old engaged high school sweethearts won the Block after they impressed the judges from week one and took out multiple room wins in the process.

At the end of the series, their Melbourne apartment offered an elegant and expensive decor, using plenty of dark neutrals to tie in each room's looks to the next.

One of their many triumphant wins included their winning kitchen, which they were scored a perfect 30/30 for.

Second place: Melbourne couple Julia and Sasha just missed out on winning, trailing behind Will and Karlie's profits by $55,000. However, they still walked away with a cool $660,000 worth of prize money

Highest scoring rooms: Julia and Sasha's vibrant terrace and master bedroom were the couple's highest scoring rooms of their renovation journey, but their other rooms always delivered well with the show's three judges

Urban jungle! The sun-drenched terrace incorporated a barbecue, pot plants and leaf design pillows, which the judges praised as: 'This is what you expect a terrace to be in these apartments'

Judge Shaynna praised the colour palette of the kitchen design, adding 'it works so well with what they've been doing in the other rooms'.

The pair also made use of their ground-floor apartment, by using the extra outdoor space to install a spectacular terrace that the other couple's couldn't compete with.

Last week, the furnished and finished rooms were unveiled to the public and potential buyers.

Suspenseful: Perth couple Dan and Carleen walked away with $525,000 in profits, despite their auction stalling at one stage

Comeback! Dan and Carleen managed to turn their luck around and received top ratings for their kitchen, living and dining area and main bathroom

The five teams' tireless work has transformed the once derelict building into 'the biggest luxury apartments ever seen' according to the Nine Network.

Melbourne couple Julia and Sasha were seen on-screen with tears, tantrums and tiffs with fellow contestants and tradies, but the rooms always delivered with the judges.

Their hard work led them to second place with a whopping $660,000 in profits and prize money.

Modern! Entering Dan and Carleen's modern dining and living room, judge Neale said: 'They've actually taken the deco theme and turned up the dial... But overall the space feels very modern'

Their vibrant terrace and master bedroom were the couple's highest scoring rooms of their renovation journey.

The sun-drenched terrace incorporated a barbecue, pot plants and leaf design pillows, which the judges praised as: 'This is what you expect a terrace to be in these apartments.'

While their elegant eye for detail throughout their apartment had the look labelled 'Hollywood Regency.'

Thrilled! Teachers Ben and Andy were ecstatic to take home $510,000 after auction, despite going on the show with no prior renovating experience

Pricey bachelor pad? The judges did note on more than one occasion that the boys' apartment felt like it was designed for males in mind, calling their master bedroom resembled a bachelor pad

Middle-aged Perth couple Dan and Carleen came in at third place with an impressive $525,000 profit, despite their auction stalling at one stage.

Despite failing to impress the judges at the beginning of the series, they managed to turn their luck around though and received top ratings for their kitchen, living and dining area and main bathroom.

Their entire apartment subtly hints at the original art deco theme of the building, while adding equal masculine and feminine tones throughout.

Simple touches: The guys chose a minimal design for their terrace, but Judge Darren thought it was 'an outdoor space made by two men, for a group of men.'

Their unusual bathroom textiles were also praised by judge Darren: 'They've done a great job of getting all the trend notes touched and still delivered something that feels like it's from a bygone era.'

Ben and Andy, young teachers and best friends from Victoria, were ecstatic to be taking home $510,000, after initially hoping for a modest 'teacher's wage' of $64,000 in profits.

They claimed on the show to not 'know what they're doing' and were often awarded low scores for their room reveals.

Delighted: Chris and Kim came in at last place with their apartment fetching the least over reserve, although they still earned $425,000 in profits and prize money

Exposed brick: Chris and Kim chose to make a repurposed brick feature wall in their living room, but the judges were less than impressed

Spacious! Scoring high in the judges' books was the team's MASSIVE master bedroom, complete with a walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and lounge room combo

While their furnishing choices were questioned by the judges, it appears their core, modern and functional elements would still win them over with buyers or investors.

The judges did note on more than one occasion that the apartment felt like it was designed for males in mind.

Parents Chris and Kim walked away with a total of $425,000 in prize money after their apartment fetched $2,305,000 at auction.

Their apartment featured possibly one of the largest master bedrooms of the series' history, which included a walk-in wardrobe and a lounge room combo as well as an ensuite.

Judge Darren's initial reaction to the massive master was 'this is insane', which also led to high votes from the fellow judges.

Triumph: Following the successful auction, it was announced that The Block will be back for its 13th series next year
He's admitted that he finds it 'difficult' to work with co-judge on the X Factor Iggy Azalea in the past.

And on Sunday night, Guy Sebastian bit back at the confident judge after host Jason Dundas revealed Iggy is in a strong position as the swing vote for the semi finals.

Iggy has no contestants left in the running and therefore holds the vote which could make or break the final five competitors.

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Controversy: X Factor's Guy Sebastian bit back at the confident judge after host Jason Dundas revealed Iggy is in a strong position as the swing vote for the semi finals

'Iggy, all your acts are gone on the show. You know are in a very powerful position, you are the unbiased judged,' said Jason.

'Guy should have sucked up to me a little bit harder,' she responded quickly.

Guy who didn't seem unimpressed by this added, 'Revenge? Is that what it is?'.

Jason continued: 'You have the very powerful swing vote,' to which Iggy responded, 'I do.'

Swing vote: Iggy has no contestants left in the running and therefore holds the vote which could make or break the final five competitors

'Guy should have sucked up to me a little bit harder': Iggy joked with her fellow judge saying he should have been nicer to her to win over her vote

'Are you excited about the new role on the panel?' asked Jason.

Guy, who mentioned that he let Iggy have 'a mouthful' for sending Chynna home, said: 'I think the title is "The loser", the first "loser" of X Factor.'

'You will be the second loser. I will make sure that he is on the loser team,' she quipped.

Although the banter appeared to be all in jest, Iggy and Guy have been thrown into the spotlight before, with Guy admitted he finds it 'difficult' to work with her.

'I think the title is 'The loser', the first 'loser' of X Factor': Guy, who mentioned that he let Iggy have 'a mouthful' for sending Chynna home, jokingly reminded her that she had lost

Not happy! Although the banter appeared to be all in jest, Iggy and Guy have been thrown into the spotlight before, with Guy admitted he finds it 'difficult' to work with her

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Guy questioned the blonde haired rapper's interest in the show, saying her behaviour says otherwise.

'I think it reflects poorly on the show when it seems someone is not invested in it. That's as narky as I'm going to get,' he said last week.

Meanwhile, judge Adam Lambert told Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa that Iggy is a 'little crazy'.

'She's just a tough nut to crack... and she is a nut! She's a little crazy,' he said.
He's Australia's hottest export, often seen stunning in couture garments or posing topless for well-known labels photoshoots.

But on Sunday, Australian supermodel Jordan Barrett cut a casual figure in a navy sweatshirt and shorts as he arrived back to his home town Sydney.

Walking through Sydney airport the 19-year-old blonde Adonis beamed at photographers ahead of the GQ Men of the Year awards.

Casual: Australian supermodel Jordan Barrett cut a casual figure in a navy sweatshirt and shorts as he arrived back to his home town Sydney

His chiselled and youthful features stunned, despite his laid back attire and unkempt blonde locks.

A pair of headphones stuck out from the young models pocket and a silver chain was seen dangling around his neck.

The blonde heartthrob was seen carrying a large duffel bag as he walked from the terminal into the car park of the airport.

Laid back: The blonde heartthrob was seen carrying a large duffel bag as he walked from the terminal into the car park of the airport

Jordan paired the outfit with a white T-Shirt, black shoes, and a small bronze ring on his left hand.

Jordan recently posed in a bizarre photoshoot at Miami beach and posted an Instagram snap from the shoot holding a jigsaw Tyrannosaurus Rex.

The genetically blessed supermodel stunned as he cast a smouldering gaze in the selfie while soaking up the Miami sun.

Genetically blessed: Jordan recently posed in a bizarre photoshoot at Miami beach and posted an Instagram snap from the shoot holding a jigsaw Tyrannosaurus Rex

Glamour: In another snap to Instagram the blonde haired hunk was seen lazing in the back of a luxurious boat as he pouted at the camera

Jordan is often seen beachside, at glamorous events and jet setting across the world for his career.

In another snap to Instagram the blonde haired hunk was seen lazing in the back of a luxurious boat as he pouted at the camera.

The 19-year-old supermodel made his name after being scouted by IMG Australia at the age of 14.

A thing for older blondes? The Calvin Klein star was spotted being fawned over by Kate Moss, 42, at the launch of Coachs latest line in London in June

Common interests? In the past Jordan has been linked to Paris Hilton and Hailey Baldwin (pictured)

He's now walked runways for Tom Ford, Calvin Klein and Versace to name a few.

In the past Jordan has been linked to Paris Hilton, Hailey Baldwin and has been spotted fawned over by Kate Moss.

When asked about Paris - who is 16 years his senior - Jordan told The Daily Telegraph that the 35-year-old was 'a nice chick, but there is nothing more to it'.
Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has never met her 11-month-old secret granddaughter, the baby's mother revealed.

Devastated Laura Cross, 34, claims the soap star, 59, doesn't even know that her grandchild Harrie exists - despite living just down the road from her in Manchester.

The mum, who shares Harrie with the actress' stepson Jon McEwan, 27, said she had made numerous failed attempts to contact the family and added that it 'broke her heart' that Beverley had never met the tot.

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Secret family: Coronation Street star Beverley Callard, 59, has never met her one-year-old secret granddaughter, the baby's mother Laura Cross revealed

Beverley - who plays barmaid Liz McDonald on the ITV soap - has publically stated that she misses her 'two' grandchildren and described them as the most 'handsome (boys) in the world'.

But mum-of-two Laura Cross says her comments 'hurt' - because Beverley and her family have never met her 11-month-old daughter.

During the ITV Loose Women show, Bev told panellists Coleen Nolan, Kaye Adams and Linda Robson she missed her two grandchildren, who live 200 miles away in London with her daughter, actress Rebecca Callard.

Upset: Devastated Laura Cross, 34, claims the soap star, 59, doesn't even know that her grandchild Harrie exists - despite living just down the road from her in Manchester

Harrie's mum Laura fought back tears as she watched the show, knowing that Bev's secret granddaughter lives just down the road from the Coronation Street Star in Manchester.

She hopes that one day Beverley - who is married to Harrie's grandfather also called Jon McEwan, will dote on Harrie as her own granddaughter and is reaching out to the actress' family.

Laura said: 'My friend called me and told me to turn over to ITV and my stomach flipped. It was obvious how much she doted on them and loved being a Nan.

Heritage: Laura has a child with Beverley's stepson Jon McEwan, 27 - the son of her husband who is also named Jon (pictured together in September)

Sad: Beverley - who plays barmaid Liz McDonald on the ITV soap - has publically stated that she misses her 'two' grandchildren and described them as the most 'handsome (boys) in the world'

'When she revealed that she and Jon were the naughty grandparents who treat their grandkids I had to bite back tears.

'Harrie might not be her biological grandchild but she's her husband's blood relative. I can't see why they've not reached out.

'She spoke about how much she missed her grandchildren when she has a granddaughter just down the road in Manchester who's crying out for time with her.'

Remarkably, Beverley's character on the ITV soap - barmaid Liz - is also having a secret grandchild.

Never met: Mum-of-two Laura says her comments 'hurt' - because Beverley and her family have never met her 11-month-old daughter

Liz's son Steve is expecting a baby with Leanne Battersby - while his unsusupecting wife Michelle is also pregnant.

Laura, a careers adviser, has already reached out to Harrie's father- one of Beverley's three stepchildren with husband Jon McEwan, 51 - to be a part of daughter Harrie's life after she fell pregnant during a one-night fling last year.

Jon McEwan, who runs a recording studio with his father, made it clear that his family didn't want any further contact with Harrie.

Jon explained that he felt trapped by the situation, because the child had come from a one night stand. He started paying child support once the DNA test proved he was the father, four months after Harrie's birth.

Harrie's first birthday looms and Laura fears her daughter will never receive a birthday card from McEwan or Beverley.

Speaking from her home in Manchester, Laura - who also has a 15-year-old daughter, Abbie, said: 'All I want is for my daughter to have a relationship with Jon, his dad and Beverley.

'She's an innocent child and just as much Bev and Jon's grandchild as the rest.

'For me she was a miracle baby and couldn't have been more wanted. It breaks my heart that the rest of the family don't feel the same way.'

When Laura and McEwan started chatting through Tinder in January 2015, she believed she was infertile following major surgery on her fallopian tubes the previous year.

Heartbreaking: Harrie's first birthday looms and Laura fears her daughter will never receive a birthday card from McEwan or Beverley (pictured, Beverley with Kym Marsh on Corrie in 2006)

During their first date the following month, she says McEwan never mentioned his famous stepmum - who married his dad in 2010.

It was only when he took her back to their home in Salford - where he lives with Jon and Beverley - that she discovered the link.

Laura said: 'There were photos of Beverley and the rest of the family around the place. I'm not a huge Corrie fan but I recognised her as Liz McDonald straight away.'

The pair had unprotected sex but Laura admits things 'fizzled out' as they had little in common. The following month, Laura discovered she was pregnant.

'Having been told I was unlikely to conceive, I was over the moon. It felt like a miracle I'd fallen pregnant.

'I knew the baby was Jon's and hoped he and I could have a mature and civil relationship moving forward.

'But when I sent him a text asking him to call me, explaining it was important, he refused so I had to break the news via text and send a scan picture. I didn't want a relationship with him, I just wanted my baby to have a dad.'

Throughout the pregnancy, Laura claims she repeatedly tried to contact McEwan and she even tried to make contact with his father, Jon, but to no avail.

Ironic: Beverley's character on the ITV soap - barmaid Liz - is also having a secret grandchild. Liz's son Steve is expecting a baby with Leanne Battersby - while his unsusupecting wife Michelle is also pregnant

Harrie was born in November 2015 and she texted the news to the father, but had no response: 'I text Jon to tell him he had a daughter but got no response. The prospect of bringing Harrie up without the support of her father and his family was daunting.

'But I hoped that when they started to think of her as a real baby with a name they would love her as much as I did.'

It was the actress's comments on Loose Women on Friday that prompted Laura to speak up.

Laura said: 'I've been desperate to forge a relationship for the sake of my daughter.

'What am I supposed to tell Harrie when she asks about her daddy, granny and granddad? Every time I see Beverley on Corrie it hurt.'

Laura admits she's not certain if Beverley's husband and stepson have kept her in the dark about her granddaughter's existence given her well-publicised battle with clinical depression.

She said: 'I have struggled with depression myself and have every sympathy for what she's been through. But my priority is my daughter and making sure she has a stable family unit.'

After the show, Laura tweeted the actress, writing: 'break my heart that my baby has no contact with her dad's family at the best of times @loosewomen today was a tough watch @Beverleycallard'

She added: 'Harrie's an innocent baby and if Beverley is the grandmother she claimed to be on Loose Women she and her husband will reach out.'

Beverely was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Nicole Kidman has been run off her feet with a never-ending list of guest appearances.

And on Saturday, the 49-year-old actress stunned in two outfits as she attended two separate functions.

When arriving at The Governors Awards in Los Angeles, the Australian beauty flashed her cleavage as she dressed in a plunging see-through gown.

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Sheer delight: Nicole Kidman flashed her cleavage as she dressed in a plunging see-through gown at the The Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday

The long-sleeves garment hugged tightly around her slender figure and featured sheer panel across her chest, back and down one arm.

While half the dress was a silk black material, the other half was a silver pleated panel that wrapped over her shoulder and down the front.

Nicole paired the stunning garment with a pair of black peep-toed heels and matching coloured drop-earrings.

On show: The long-sleeves garment hugged tightly around her slender figure and featured sheer panel across her chest, back and down one arm

Fine details: While half the dress was a silk black material, the other half was a silver pleated panel that wrapped over her shoulder and down the front

Finishing touches: Nicole paired the stunning garment with a pair of black peep-toed heels and matching coloured drop-earrings

While wearing her blonde hair out with a wave, she kept her makeup natural with a light brush of black mascara and a nude gloss lipstick.

Later in the evening, the Rabbit Hole actress slipped into a white Gabriela Hearst dress as she attended The Weinstein Company party in Los Angeles.

The round-collared garment featured three-quarter sleeves and a floral pattern embroidered all-over as it fell inches below the knees.

Natural beauty: She wore her blonde hair out and styled them with a natural wave

Keeping it simple: The actress also kept her makeup natural with a light brush of black mascara and a nude gloss lipstick

Making the switch: Later in the evening, the Rabbit Hole actress slipped into a white Gabriela Hearst dress as she attended The Weinstein Company party in Los Angeles

Smart and elegant: The round-collared garment featured three-quarter sleeves and a floral pattern embroidered all-over as it fell inches below the knees

Matching: he mother-of-two again kept her makeup simple with a nude lipstick but she added a tight curl to her shoulder-length locks

The ensemble highlighted Nicole's curves as it was tailed tight around the waistline.

She swapped her black accessorises with silver heels and matching drop diamante earrings.

The mother-of-two again kept her makeup simple with a nude lipstick but she added a tight curl to her shoulder-length locks.

Candid chat: The actress chatted with reporters candidly as she sat for the film's photocall

Strike a pose: The Hawaii-born screen star smiled as she posed for photographers outside

What a jewel! She looked decidedly glamorous with her choice of jewellery, which included elaborate chandelier earrings

Co-star: British actor Dev Patel was also on hand for the high profile photocall

Unbuttoned: Looking casually cool for the event, he wore his black shirt unbuttoned at the top
Rock and Roll legend Phil Collins has labelled himself 'a bastard' for cheating on his ex-wife, Jill Tavelman.

The Genesis frontman and acclaimed solo artist told Channel Seven's Sunday Night he regretted the affair, which ultimately ended his second marriage.

'I was following my heart. But it turned out I was being a bit of a b******,' the 65-year-old revealed.

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Confessions: Rock and Roll legend Phil Collins has labelled himself 'a bastard' for cheating on his ex-wife, Jill Tavelman

Phil, who has sold more than 150million records worldwide, has recently rekindled his romance with his third wife Orianne Cevey - after the pair divorced in 2008.

'I'm back with my third wife now, which people find strange. But to me, I think it's wonderful,' he told the program.

'We got divorced... I paid her a lot of money. But that's divorce, you know. We realised it was a mistake and now we're back together and everything's great.'

Bitter ending: Phil and Jill divorced in 1996. The severance cost Phil nearly AUD$30million

Phil and Orianne's love story began in 1994, after his marriage with Jill broke down in bitter circumstances.

When they met, Orianne was just 21. Two years later, Phil and Jill were divorced, a severance that cost him nearly AUD$30million.

Notoriously, Phil's decision to split was said to have been delivered to Jill by fax.

'I was being a bit of a bastard': The rock icon said he regretted cheating on his second wife

The Invisible Touch hitmaker has famously paid well over $50million in divorce settlements.

In his new autobiography titled Not Dead Yet, he opens up about his failed marriages.

'I am disappointed I've been married three times... I'm even more disappointed that I've been divorced three times,' he wrote.

Rough: Phil's decision to split with Jill was said to have been delivered by fax

Rekindled: Phil and Orianne recently revealed they are back together after divorcing in 2008

'While three divorces might seem to suggest a casual attitude towards the whole idea of marriage, this couldn't be further from the truth.

'I'm a romantic who believes, hopes, that the union of marriage is something to cherish and last.

'Yet certainly that trio of divorces demonstrates a failure to co-exist happily and to understand my partners.

Happy birthday! Phil pictured with his daughter Lily Collins and her mother Jill Tavelman, during Lily's birthday celebrations in 2012

'It suggests a failure to become and stay, a family. It shows failure, full stop.'

Orianne spoke to Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick earlier this year about her rekindled romance with the iconic musician.

'Our separation was the wrong decision. I now call Phil my husband again,' she revealed.

'I'm a romantic': Phil has previously expressed his regret over his three failed marriages

'We are so close that it does not actually make a difference if we are married or not, but we are determined to get married for a second time one day.'

She continued: 'We were always very close, because of the children... just last year, I realised that he is indeed the man of my life.'

After their divorce - nearly a decade ago - Phil spiralled into the depths of alcoholism and famously quit the music industry.

'I am disappointed': In Phil's new autobiography Not Dead Yet, he opens up about his failed marriages

He revealed to Sunday Night his addiction nearly killed him.

'I was in intensive care - cables coming out of my neck... I finally got better, but they said I was going to die.'

Meanwhile, the rock icon told the program he is coming out of retirement after a eight year hiatus.

'I was going to die': Phil spiralled into the depths of alcoholism and famously quit the music industry

'I'm terrible at retirement. I've changed my mind. I'm not retired,' he said.

'I don't so much miss it (performing), but when you have it, you think, "oh, that's nice."

'When you go on stage and people stand up and they say, "Thank you for coming back. I love you," that's a lovely feeling.'
Michelle Keegan is reportedly house-hunting in South Africa as she prepares to spend eight months away from her husband Mark Wright.

The brunette beauty is said to be looking for a swanky pad in Cape Town where she films the third series of the hit BBC drama Our Girl, in which she plays the role of Georgie Lane.

The 29-year-old wants a 'modern, airy flat' in Sea Point, Clifton or Camps Bay areas of Cape Town, according to The Sun on Sunday.

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Jetsetter: Michelle Keegan is reportedly house-hunting in South Africa as she prepares to spend eight months away from her husband Mark Wright

A source told the newspaper: 'The producers have warned that filming could take as long as eight months so she doesn't want to be stuck in hotels like she was during the second series.'

Despite having to spend so long away from home, Michelle - who celebrates her second anniversary with Mark in May - is looking forward to reprising the role of Georgie for her second turn in the BBC drama.

The source said: 'Michelle is looking forward to getting started. She gets on really well with the crew and has become one of the lads onset, so being away from home for so long shouldn't be a huge deal.

New horizons: A source told The Sun On Sunday: 'Mark comes to visit occasionally but Michelle tends to get so immersed in the filming that I think she's happy to be left alone'

Tough gal: The former Coronation Street star is expected to fly out to South Africa in March and will reportedly be filming the 10-episode series until November

'Mark comes to visit occasionally but Michelle tends to get so immersed in her character and the filming that I think she's happy to be left alone for the most part.'

A representative for Michelle Keegan has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The former Coronation Street star is expected to fly out to South Africa in March and will reportedly be filming the 10-episode series until November.

Michelle previously admitted to being overwhelmed by the positive response to Our Girl from the public.

She said: 'The reaction to the show has been overwhelming and I'm really thankful to everyone who's watched and supported it.

'It was an amazing experience filming with such an incredible group of people and I can't wait to do it all over again.'

Army chic: Michelle was said to get on so well with the Our Girl crew that it stopped her feeling homesick

Meanwhile after taking on a number of projects since her 2014 departure from Coronation Street, Michelle has revealed that she's eager to play a villain next.

During a Facebook live appearance for Glamour Magazine UK on Wednesday, the brunette beauty expressed a desire to dent her popularity, explaining: 'I want to do a really dark role next, not a villain but something dangerous.

'Ive always been a well liked actor and I would love to make people hate me.'

She also spoke about her acclaimed turn as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, and what fans can expect in the upcoming season.

'Its going to be 10 episodes,' she said. 'Last series was only five, its going to double. It will be set abroad.

'Im the only who has been signed, we dont know whos coming back, but hopefully the boys will be. I want them back.'

Trouble in paradise? The pairs 18-month marriage came under scrutiny this year as Michelle filmed Our Girl over several months in South Africa  away from Mark

Away from her busy filming schedule, the screen star is also enjoying a happy home life with her husband Mark.

The former TOWIE star has promised her an 'amazing' Christmas with all the trimmings in his native Essex - and with recent claims that she's 'broody', it could be their last alone.

The Mancunian beauty and her other half have vowed to spend the holiday together with Mark declaring it will be one to be remembered.

Most recently, Michelle admitted that she was starting to feel broody, one year into their marriage.

She said on the red carpet at last week's Pride Of Britain Awards: 'I love children. I always say I'm broody. We're not planning anything just yet.'

Mark's assurance comes hot on the heels of wife Michelles assurance that all is well within the pairs 18-month marriage which came under scrutiny this year as the former Corrie star filmed Our Girl over several months in South Africa  away from Mark.

'Fun in the sun with this one': Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan enjoyed a holiday away together in October

I find the speculation frustrating, Michelle told The Mirror, adding: Yeah, I did get married, but I can work as well.

Speak of a split comes after rumours surfaced claiming Michelle was growing increasingly close to her Our Girl co-star Luke Pasqualino, who plays maverick Special Forces officer Elvis Harte.

The show launched at a swanky bash in London in September, where the stunning actress ensured her wedding ring was in full focus during the recent launch party, Luke, who is reportedly dating Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, was nowhere to be seen.

Reports surfaced claiming Luke had dodged the premiere in a bid to avoid questions about their union, although representatives for BBC and Luke told MailOnline his absence was down to work commitments.

'One of the lads': A source said Michelle got on really well with all the male characters on the army drama
Amy Childs has allegedly fled Manchester after a man threatened to punch her outside an event.

The former TOWIE star's attacker reportedly waited outside The Ideal Homes Show at Christmas where she was displaying her own product range this weekend.

The pregnant 26-year-old was said to be 'too scared' to go back out in the city and cut the trip short to return to her native Essex.

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Ordeal: Amy Childs, 26 has allegedly fled Manchester after a man threatened to punch her outside an event in the city over the weekend

A source told The Sun: 'She had a security scare while attending the show.

'A man was threatening to punch her. He waited for her outside the show Amy was forced to step up security.'

The former reality star reportedly beefed up her security at the event, but was too scared to remain in Manchester.

The insider added: 'She was too scared to go back out in Manchester, following a series of fun evenings with family and friends, and returned back to Essex early.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative of Amy for comment.

Security scare: The pregnant 26-year-old was said to be 'too scared' to go back out in the city and cut the trip short by returning to her native Essex

Meanwhile Amy is expecting her first child with on/off love Bradley Wright next year.

She confirmed the pregnancy to OK! magazine that she was expecting her first child with jailbird boyfriend Bradley Wright last month - revealing she was 'shocked but happy' as she did not think she could get pregnant.

The pair, who met in a pub in Essex two years ago, had been trying for a baby for some time before their efforts were put on hold when Bradley was sentenced to 16 months in prison for handling stolen goods.

However the jailbird, who is already father to daughter Lexi from a previous relationship, only served five months of his sentence as he was released early for good behaviour leading to their eventual reunion.

Mother-to-be! Amy is expecting her first child with on/off boyfriend Bradley Wright next year

Amy gushed to the magazine: Weve wanted a baby for so long, so were happier than weve ever been. We were both so shocked, so emotional and so happy at the same time.

Before a delighted Bradley, 25 added: Im so excited, I cant wait until the baby is born.

The star then hinted that she was expecting a girl when she appeared on ITV's This Morning last week.

Glowing: She revealed that she was 'shocked but happy' as she did not think she could get pregnant

Amy said: 'I have already given it [the gender] away by accident but I don't want to say just yet. I'm worried I am accidentally going to say it.'

When asked by the show hosts if she would ever let her child undergo the same cosmetic surgery she had across her life, the star appeared to let the secret slip.

The redhead said: 'They are not allowed to go down that route. My daughter... if I have a daughter... there will be no surgery.'
She struck up a friendship with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2014, when she sought his advice on her animal rights charity.

And it seems Pamela Anderson's bond with the Australian journalist is stronger than ever as she visited him laden with snacks at the Ecuadorian embassy in London on Sunday, despite previously saying that her vegan treats were 'torture' to him.

The Baywatch star, 49, wore a form-fitting yellow knit dress for the trip to the embassy, where Julian has been hiding since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden.

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How thoughtful: Pamela Anderson, 49, visited WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy laden with snacks

The former Playboy model showcased her youthful physique in the skintight lemon yellow dress, which she teamed with nude patent courts.

Wrapping up against the November chill, she slung a long-line camel coat over her shoulder and shielded her eyes with square frame shades from Grey Ant.

Her trademark blonde locks were styled in a sleek shape and she plumped her pout with a taupe lipgloss.

The mother-of-two's arms were kept full, as she juggled a straw bag, coffee shop carrier bag and a tray laden with treats like fruit salad and vegetarian burgers.

Who knew they were friends? The Baywatch star wore a form-fitting yellow knit dress for the trip to the embassy, where Julian has been hiding since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden

Don't drop it! The mother-of-two's arms were kept full, as she juggled a straw bag, coffee shop carrier bag and a tray laden with treats like fruit salad and vegetarian burgers

Pamela set up The Pamela Anderson Foundation at the start of 2014 with the goal of using her celebrity to help environmental causes and to protect vulnerable people and animals.

Since then she has raised awareness for organisations such as PETA and Mercy For Animals, and joined initiatives that seek to protect the Arctic, halt deforestation and speak out against the force feeding of ducks and geese, a practice used in the production of foie gras.

In August 2014 fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood introduced Pamela to Julian.

Unlikely pals: In August 2014 fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood introduced Pamela to Julian and said they 'got on very well'

Speaking to The Mail On Sunday shortly after the meeting, the fashion designer explained the meeting of minds.

'I was supposed to take Pamela to see Julian in the embassy but she got the date wrong, so she went on her own the day after me. She told me afterwards that they got on very well.

'Julian was just brilliant... Pamela's trying to help people with her new trust and he gave her some ideas on how to do that.'

It comes as bizarre rumors spread that Mr Assange may have died after a visit from Pamela in October.

The blonde bombshell walked into the Ecuadorian embassy in London clutching bags from Pret A Manger.

Worried: After her last visit in October, the former Playboy model said the WikiLeaks founder was doing 'really well' but expressed concern for him and his family

She said afterwards she was worried for his health and when a series of mysterious tweets were sent by WikiLeaks on Sunday his fans feared that he had perished after eating her food.

Assange, 45, who has been hiding in the London embassy since 2012 to avoid sex crime allegations in Sweden, is alive and well according to the embassy and now appears to be the victim of a cyber attack.

At 6.30am this morning WikiLeaks tweeted: 'Julian Assange's internet link has been intentionally severed by a state party', with conspiracy theorists claiming that it is linked to John Kerry's visit to London to meet Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

WikiLeaks say they 'have activated the appropriate contingency plans' as they try to restore his internet link.

In her hands were two bags from Pret, a popular sandwich shop chain based in the UK. Anderson, an advocate for animals' rights, later said that she brought Assange 'a nice vegan lunch'.

Controversy: Julian has been living in the embassy for over four years to avoid sex crime allegations in Sweden and has been granted political asylum by Ecuador

'He said I tortured him with bringing him vegan food,' she then joked.

The former Playboy model said the WikiLeaks founder was doing 'really well' but expressed concern for him and his family.

The Australian has been living in the embassy for over four years and has been granted political asylum by Ecuador.

He is due to be questioned over a sex allegation in Sweden - which he denies. Mr Assange believes that if he goes to Sweden he will be extradited to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks.

The ex-Baywatch star told the Press Association: 'I really believe in him and think he's a good person, and I'm concerned about his health, his family, and I just hope that by some miracle he's set free.'
She's used to being a devoted stay-at-home mum who is rarely seen without her brood.

But Coleen Rooney kicked up her heels for the second night out since Thursday, on a well deserved girl's night at new venue Neighbourhood in Liverpool.

The TV presenter flashed the flesh in an off-the-shoulder top and a black and silver mini-skirt as she headed out with close pals including Wayne's cousin Claire Rooney.

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Disco diva! Coleen Rooney looks glam on second night out in a row as mum-of-three flashes flesh in an off the shoulder top

Coleen looked every inch the disco diva as she turned heads in her flirty black top that showed off the efforts of her grueling gym regime three times a week.

The Lycra top clung to her womanly curves and flattered her washboard stomach.

Her post-baby body was on form despite giving birth to her youngest Kit at the start of the year.

She made the most of it as she showed off her toned legs in a black mini skirt with silver detailing on it.

She walked tall on a pair of black patent stilettos and carried a smart tuxedo jacket on her way in.

Coleen's flowing brunette locks were swept up into a high ponytail with a plenty of volume at the front to give off a sixties vibe

Coleen's flowing brunette locks were swept up into a high ponytail with a plenty of volume at the front to give off a sixties vibe.

The beauty ramped up the glam when it came to her make-up too - opting for long and full eyelashes, which she offset with a nude lipstick.

A hint of shimmery powder was swept across her cheekbones over her pink blusher for added effect as she joined her gal pals on a fun night out.

It was Coleen's second night out at the venue that had its official launch on Thursday night.

Coleen looked chic in a military style little black dress as she joined pals for the opening earlier in the week.

The menu must have ticked all the right boxes for Coleen to return, two days later.

The restaurant, which is described as bringing a little Miami to Liverpool, served their signature American style dishes including Wagyu burgers and lobster tacos to guests.

Just a few weeks ago, the doting mum enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday with her brood.

Now she's back to the school run and enjoying the odd well deserved night with her friends in Liverpool.

Hot mama: She is best known for being a devoted mother to her sons Kai, 7, Klay, three, and ten-month-old Kit - often posting sweet family photos on social media (above)
French actress Marion Cotillard has admitted that she sometimes struggles to strike a healthy balance between her work life and her home life.

The 41-year-old - who co-stars opposite Brad Pitt in their new movie Allied - has revealed she can't help put mull over her on-screen characters even when she's not on the set of the film she's working on.

And this is a particularly tricky trait because she is typically drawn towards playing 'disturbed or dramatic people'.

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Finding the balance: Marion Cotillard - who co-stars opposite Brad Pitt in their new movie Allied - has revealed she can't help put mull over her on-screen characters even when she's not on set

She told the Sunday Times: 'It is about finding the right balance between work and coming home without anything from the character.

'And it's really hard because, when you spend two months on a project, you process in your dreams what you have lived during the day... and I have a tendency to choose disturbed or dramatic people.'

The film star also drew on her fears and the fears of other public figures, confessing that she finds it odd seeing herself age onscreen.

'When you see yourself ageing on screen, it's really weird,' she said. 'It's interesting to experience, and I guess it could be scary, as you have a magnifier on your evolution, what you become.

Baby chic: Pregnant Marion has spoken about juggling her professional and personal life

Expecting: Marion confirmed her pregnancy with partner of eight years Guillaume Canet in September

'It's going to mess you up, as sometimes you are not as strong as you should be. A lot of people live with poison in their head.

'Fear is the most effective poison in this world. Fear of ageing. Fear of the other. Of the unknown... Fear of tomorrow... Fear of death. Because it all ends there.'

In promoting Allied, Marion has faced a backlash as the movie's release has clashed unfortunately with the announcement of co-star Brad's separation from wife Angelia Jolie.

And while Marion's relationship with Brad is strictly professional, there has been a slew of negative press about their on-screen dalliances.

Marion though has turned her attention to welcoming her first child.

Work and play: 'It is about finding the right balance between work and coming home without anything from the character' said the actress

Famous fears: The film star also drew on her fears and the fears of other public figures, confessing that she finds it odd seeing herself age on a cinema screen

Strictly business: While Marion's relationship with Brad is strictly professional, there has been a slew of negative press about their on-screen dalliances

Back in the spotlight: Brad returned to the red carpet this week for the first time since his wife Angelina Jolie filed for divorce

On Wednesday night she joined Brad on the red carpet at the Allied premiere in Los Angeles.

She gave maternitywear a red carpet makeover, deciding on a chic, navy blue gown that skimmed over her baby bump.

The sleeveless dress simply featured a neat, sweeping train and a high collar.

Marion confirmed her pregnancy with partner of eight years Guillaume Canet in September.

Taking a back step: Marion denied any allegations of an affair in an Instagram post in September

It was a simultaneous announcement, tainted by her denial about alleged relations with 52-year-old Brad, said to have taken place as they filmed the WWII drama.

'This is going to be my first and only reaction to the whirlwind news that broke 24 hours ago and that I was swept up into,' she said, referring to Angelina's decision to divorce Brad.

'I am not used to commenting on things like this nor taking them seriously but as this situation is spiraling and affecting people I love, I have to speak up'.

Married: In the film Allied, the pair are locked in a passionate yet suspicious relationship during WWII

Is she or isn't she? Brad's character suspects that his wife is a Nazi spy

She went on: 'Many years ago, I met the man of my life, father of our son and of the baby we are expecting. He is my love, my best friend, the only one that I need.'

Marion went on to wish Brad and Angelina 'peace in this very tumultuous moment,' in her lengthy Instagram response.

Angelina, who has six children with partner-of-12-years Brad, filed for the divorce the day after an alleged altercation between Brad and their eldest son Maddox.

On the same day of the premiere, Brad was cleared for attacking the child on a private jet; an incident which was at the time thought to have prompted their separation in September.

Relaxing: During the Q&A that day, Brad seemed to relax slightly more

Talking shop: It was originally thought that the actor would cancel his promotional duties as his messy divorce gets more complicated

Actor Brad, looking drawn and visibly slimmer, returned to the red carpet that evening to thank his fans for their ongoing support.

He told E! news: 'It's really sweet, everyone has been really kind out here. It's really nice to have all the support.'

The red carpet was lined with baiting fans and Brad even appeared more relaxed when he sat down for a Q&A with the cast, later that night.

In his role: Brad has been heartbroken by accusations of child abuse, that he was cleared of on Wednesday

Talking shop: The actors were in conversation with director Robert Zemeckis

Dignified: She has wished Angelina and Brad 'peace' during their tumultuous divorce

Brad was previously thought to have cancelled many of his promotional duties for Allied while his custody battle with Angelina rages on.

In the film, he plays Canadian intelligence officer Max Vatan who meets and falls in love with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (played by Marion) during the second world war.
She's danced her way out of two previous dance offs.

But Daisy Lowe's luck ran out on Sunday night as she was voted off Strictly Come Dancing, a week before the anticipated Blackpool Tower Ballroom special.

The model's Saturday night salsa to Groove is in the Heart with her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec failed to win over the public, and the couple found themselves in the bottom two against Olympian Greg Rutherford and Natalie Lowe, with both couples receiving the same score the night before.

Out: Daisy Lowe's luck ran out on Sunday night as she was voted off Strictly Come Dancing, a week before the anticipated Blackpool Tower Ballroom special

After hearing she was facing the dreaded dance off yet again, Daisy told host Tess Daly: 'I'm just hoping it's not the third and final one! I love that dance,' before turning to her partner Alkaz and telling him 'I'm sorry.'

'I think you did an incredible job', he told her. 'And we're gonna do it again.'

Judge Darcey advised Daisy to soften her knees and work on her balance issues but mostly to 'sell it and embrace it with that wonderful confidence you gave on Saturday night.'

Bottom two: The model's Saturday night salsa to Groove is in the Heart with her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec failed to win over the public

First dance off: he couple found themselves in the bottom two against Olympian Greg Rutherford and Natalie Lowe, with both couples receiving the same score the night before

Greg meanwhile looked relatively calm ahead of his debut dance off where he performed his Pasa Doble again, telling Tess 'we'll hopefully get through any of the mistakes we had during the first try.'

Both Daisy and Greg got emotional as they expressed how much they wanted to make it Blackpool, with Greg saying 'it's hard to put it into words. It would be amazing to make it to next week.'

In the end the judges vote saw Craig and Darcey vote to save Greg, with Craig exclaiming that he and Natalie had 'totally and utterly nailed the dance,' the second time around.

Emotional: After hearing she was facing the dreaded dance off yet again, Daisy told host Tess Daly: 'I'm just hoping it's not the third and final one!'

Second time around: Greg meanwhile looked relatively calm ahead of his debut dance off, telling Tess 'we'll hopefully get through any of the mistakes we had during the first try'

Tense: Daisy, Aljaz, Greg and Natalie waited nervously after their dances as the judges voted

Bruno though voted for Daisy, declaring the dance off to be a 'clash of titans,' which resulted in head judge Len having the casting vote.

Len explained: 'Obviously because it's a split decision that shows the closeness of this competition. However I have to go with my brain and not my heart and my brain says the most polished and technical performance is Greg and Natalie.'

'I've loved every minute,' Daisy said after the decision. 'Thank you so much for everything...and this one, my dear friend,' she added as she hugged Aljaz, who told Daisy:

Close call: In the end the judges vote saw Craig and Darcey vote to save Greg, while Bruno went for Daisy, leaving the casting vote with head judge Len who voted for Greg

Going out on a high: 'I've loved every minute,' Daisy said after the decision. 'Thank you so much for everything'

Saying goodbye: Daisy hugged Greg as she prepared to head to the dance floor one last time

'Thank you, you've been the most joyous in rehearsals, you've taught me so much. You're the most beautiful person inside out, you're a beautiful dancer..

'Thank you for making this Strictly experience unforgettable for me.'

Meanwhile Ed Balls exclaimed 'we did it' as he and partner Katya Jones made it through after leaving viewers, and the judges, speechless with their Gangnam Style salsa the night before.

Flower power: Daisy ensured she gave it her all as she performed an energetic salsa to Groove Is In The Heart on Saturday night

Impressive: Tied with the same number of points was Greg and Natalie who performed a powerful Pasa Doble

Daisy ensured she gave it her all as she performed an energetic salsa on Saturday night.

After Aljaz warned 'we're both quite tall so its sometimes tricky to get the lifts quite right', viewers were watching with baited breath, but needed not to worry.

Despite some wobbles, their salsa proved to be drama free and they recieved positive comments from the judges.

Head judge Len Goodman was particularly positive, exclaiming: 'Who better to give us some flower power than a Daisy!'

Crowd pleaser: Meanwhile Ed Balls exclaimed 'we did it' as he made it through after leaving viewers, and the judges, speechless with their Gangnam Style salsa the night before

He continued: There was a little mistake but you carried on so well done to you!'

Meanwhile, Bruno referenced the fact the BBC's most beloved baker in the audience as he said: That salsa... I'm sure Mary Berry would approve wouldn't you darling!'

Craig Revel Horwood wasn't quite as forthcoming, pointing out: 'The footwork was haphazard and continually disjointed, the lifts were great but transitions were sticky.'

He did heap on some praise, however, as he continued: 'My darling, you are so supple, I love those leg extensions!'

Lost for words: The standout moment of Saturday night went to Ed

Tribute: Sunday's show also featured a moving dance telling the story of Madge and Basil Lambert, who met and fell in love during WW2

And whilst it may not have been her best score, Daisy still earned a respectable 31 points.

Danny Mac's Argentine Tango with Oti Mabuse which some of the judges deemed too 'aggressive', was the top performing routine of the night.

Whilst Darcey and Craig believed the dance had too much attack and scored the pair nine points each, Len and Bruno were in awe of the routine, both scoring 10.

Closing the show was Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton, who outdid themselves with their American Smooth.

Too much? On the other end of the spectrum was Danny Mac's Argentine Tango with Oti Mabuse which some of the judges deemed too 'aggressive'

Bruno remarked: 'You looked the part and the danced the part!'

But whilst Len remarked that they could expect a 'big score' the pair failed to top the leaderboard with just 37 points, which lead to their fellow dancers screaming the pair had been 'undermarked'.

The standout moment of the night went to Ed Balls, who performed a show-stopping salsa to Gangnam Style with Katya Jones.

Claudia announced after Ed had made it through that during next week's special in Blackpool, the former MP will jive to Great Balls of Fire, after being lowered from the ceiling playing a piano.
Their 21-year marriage ended months ago, with reports he moved out of their family home.

And now Woman's Day claims that Karl Stefanovic has had a texting and FaceTime relationship with a 27-year-old brunette, and phone records were discovered by his estranged wife Cassandra Thorburn following their split.

'He's been FaceTiming and texting this woman for weeks - multiple times each week,' a family friend told the magazine.

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'Devastated': Woman's Day claims Cassandra Thorburn is 'devastated' after discovering her husband Karl Stefanovic's texts and FaceTime calls from another woman after their shock split

Woman's Day claims that Cassandra, 44, was unaware of her husband's calling and messaging until recently.

'Cass is just devastated,' another source claimed to the magazine. 'I don't think anyone understands what he's put her through.'

Meanwhile, Woman's Day also claims they made contact with the young woman with whom Karl has reportedly been calling and messaging.

Making new friends? The 42-year-old Today host reportedly struck up a friendship with the 27-year-old woman from Melbourne after she made a guest appearance on the show

'We've become good friends': Karl's younger female pal told Woman's Day their relationship is purely platonic (pictured with his Today co-stars Sylvia Jeffreys and Lisa Wilkinson)

'We've become good friends and yes we text and FaceTime each other,' the Melbourne-based female reportedly told the publication, while confirming that her relationship with the 42-year-old TV presenter is purely platonic.

'I don't believe my relationship with Karl is at all inappropriate - I didn't know him when he was with his wife,' the woman said.

According to the magazine, the pair struck up their friendship after the woman made a guest appearance on Today, and were still texting each other while Karl travelled to the US to cover the election last week.

Keeping in touch? Karl and his female friend continued texting throughout the TV star's trip to the US to cover the election last week

It's also claimed the charismatic TV host introduced the woman to his circle of friends at a private Melbourne Cup party earlier this month.

Last week, Channel Nine boss Darren Wick confirmed the morning TV host will be taking at least a month off work as he deals with family issues.

And according to Karl's manager the TV star is 'happy' about the break.

Taking time out: Channel Nine boss Darren Wick confirmed to News Corp last week that Karl will be taking at least a month off work as he deals with family issues this summer (pictured on a night out with model friends Jessica and Ashley Hart)

'I think any of us would be happy to take a holiday at the end of the year,' he said.

Darren said that Karl needs a break to spend time with his family as they face a difficult time.

'Previously what we've done with Karl is that he has often shot 60 Minutes stories over the summer,' added Darren.

'Just have a break': Darren insisted Karl's much-needed break will ensure he comes back 'fresh' next year

'We don't want him doing that this year  just have a break. Obviously what he's working through with his family situation ... he needs to have a break and just rest and spend time with his family.'

'He's going to do that and come back fresh next year,' he continued.

According to News Corp, Karl will be rested from November 26 - the date when the ratings year ends.

Reports emerged back in September that Karl had separated from Cassandra, a former ABC journalist, after 21 years of marriage.

'Come back fresh': Channel Nine boss Darren believes Karl's upcoming break will ensure he returns to work 'fresh' in the new year (pictured here at the Logie Awards in May)

'If she really wanted to tip the bucket on Karl, she could': An insider has hinted that their dicey relationship may become a lot uglier as the pair prepare to split their assets

An insider has hinted that their dicey relationship may become a lot uglier as the pair prepare to split their assets in divorce proceedings.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, a 'long term associate' of Karl and Cassandra said: 'If she really wanted to tip the bucket on Karl, she could... Cassie really is holding the cards in this... it is going to cost Karl a lot of money.'

A source previously told New Idea that Cassandra plans on fighting to keep the $7 million mansion the pair purchased a month before splitting.

It is understood the Logie-winning presenter moved out of the family home.

Up for grabs: A source previously told New Idea that Cassandra plans on fighting to keep the $7 million mansion the pair purchased a month before splitting
He shocked the world when he announced his 2020 presidential bid during an acceptance speech at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

But for once the usually fame-hungry Kanye West dodged questions about his future plans while heading to LAX on Friday, as captured byTMZ.

Following on from Donald Trump's shock election win, the 39-year-old simply ignored questions regarding his own political plans.

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Mum's the word! Kanye West didn't respond when he was asked on Friday at LAX if he still planned on running for president in 2020

Big announcement: Back in August 2015 Kanye announced during his acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award that he planned on running for president in 2020

Despite ignoring the question, the father-of-two was fan friendly, and paused to sign autographs before continuing into the airport.

He was likely heading somewhere chilly as he sported a black, fleece-lined leather jacket over a purple crew neck sweatshirt.

Not in the mood: The rapper kept quiet, avoiding the question on everyone's mind

Keeping it casual: On the bottom, the Yeezy designer opted for a pair of simple black sweatpants with a red detail down each leg

In good spirits! Kanye showed off a smile as he walked into the airport, before he was asked about running for president

The idea of Kanye as president first emerged during his acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award during the 2015 MTV VMAs.

'If my grandfather was here right now he would not let me back down! I don't know I'm fittin' to lose after this,' Kanye said, toward the end of his 11-minute speech.

'It don't matter though, cuz it ain't about me. It's about ideas, bro. New ideas. People with ideas. People who believe in truth.'

Feeling a chill? The rapper bundled up in a black fleece-lined leather jacket and a purple crew neck sweatshirt

What's the deal? It's been a while since the designer has spoken about his plans to run for president

He concluded the passionate speech by shocking everyone - including wife Kim Kardashian - as he added: 'And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.'

'Were numb to places on the Earth that we dont live  like our life is okay but its okay for other peoples lives to not be okay,' he later explained of his inspiration for the speech, in an interview with BBC Radio 1.

He added: 'When I talk about the idea of being president, Im not saying I have any political views, I dont have views on politics.'

Not ready to talk? Kanye seemed irritated as he gestured at someone while hurrying through the airport

Traveling solo: The performer was spotted without wife Kim, who has been holed up at their LA mansion since returning after her traumatizing Paris robbery in October

'I just have a view on humanity, on people, on the truth. If there is anything that I can do with my time and my day, to somehow make a difference while Im alive Im going to try to do it.'

Meanwhile, his wife Kim Kardashian, 36, has been holed up at the couple's LA mansion following the much publicized theft of her jewelry in Paris.

Friends and family have been pitching in to manage her website and app - brother Rob Kardashian and his fiancee Blac Chyna have taken over this week - as she tries to recuperate from the traumatizing ordeal.
They recently enjoyed a holiday to the Maldives together.

And as Elizabeth Hurley jetted back home to London and hit the red carpet on Sunday night, there was only one man by her side - her son Damian, 14.

The actress, 51, wowed in a sultry black gown as she enjoyed the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the Old Vic Theatre.

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Her number one man: Elizabeth Hurley hit the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the Old Vic Theatre on Sunday night with her son Damian, 14

Elizabeth put in an eye-catching appearance, displaying her jaw-dropping body in a plunging black dress.

The semi-sheer number descended in a flamenco-style skirt, which featured a thigh-high slit at the front, allowing her to display her tanned and toned pins.

And she had the ultimate date for her night out on the town, attending with her son Damian.

Dazzling: Elizabeth put in an eye-catching appearance, displaying her jaw-dropping body in a plunging black dress

Her boy: And she had the ultimate date for her night out on the town, attending with her son Damian

The handsome teen, whose father is billionaire Steve Bing, looked stylish as he walked the red carpet with his mother in a dapper black tuxedo.

Last month Liz was put on a spot during an interview on This Morning, in which she was quizzed about an apparent photoshopped image of her son.

Back in July, a picture of 14-year-old Damian at a wedding appeared in Hello! magazine, which appeared to be doctored to remove a champagne flute, with a bread roll placed in his hand instead.

Showing some skin: Liz, 51, looked incredible in her low cut gown which showed off her holiday tan after her recent trip with Damian to the Maldives

Suave: The handsome teen, whose father is billionaire Steve Bing, looked stylish as he walked the red carpet with his mother in a dapper black tuxedo

Leggy: The semi-sheer number descended in a flamenco-style skirt, which featured a thigh-high slit at the front, allowing her to display her tanned and toned pins

Right at the end of the interview, Phillip Schofield asked the 51-year-old if Damian had been drinking and Elizabeth appeared a little flustered.

Clearly uncomfortable with Phillip's jovial but unrelenting line of questioning, The Royals star attempted to dodge the subject, saying:

'I cant see a thing from here because Im completely blind.'

EVENING STANDARD THEATRE AWARDS 2016 - THE WINNERS Best Actor: Ralph Fiennes, The Master Builder (Old Vic) & Richard III (Almeida) Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress: Billie Piper, Yerma (Young Vic) Best Play: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, co-written by Jack Thorne, JK Rowling & John Tiffany (Palace) Best Musical Performance: Glenn Close, Sunset Boulevard (Coliseum) Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical: Jesus Christ Superstar, Regents Park Open Air Theatre Milton Shulman Award for Best Director: John Malkovich, Good Canary (Rose Kingston) Best Revival: No Man's Land, Wyndhams (dir Sean Mathias) Best Design: Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin (sound design), The Encounter (Complicite/Edinburgh International Festival/Barbican) Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright: Charlene James, Cuttin It (Young Vic/Royal Court) Emerging Talent Award: Tyrone Huntley, Jesus Christ Superstar (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) Beyond Theatre Award: Sir David Attenborough for his contribution to broadcasting Editor's Award: Good Chance Theatre Lebedev Award: Sir Kenneth Branagh for his Plays at the Garrick Advertisement

Fancy seeing you here! The actress also ran into Dame Joan Collins, her co-star on The Royals

Kiss me quick: The old pals leaned in for a warm embrace on the red carpet

But as the veteran presenter pushed for an answer, Elizabeth relented and admitted that she did think the images had been changed.

The Bedazzled actress, who was on the show to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, admitted: 'I think he was handed a glass of champagne.

'Hes not allowed to drink when Im looking, but he probably was handed one and held it to join in.'

Fashionable crowd: Liz also posed for snaps with her good friend David Furnish

Winner! Timothy Sheader, winner of the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award For Best Musical award for Jesus Christ Superstar, posed with Liz, Joan and Andrew Lloyd Webber

Glam duo: Liz and Joan joined forces on stage to present one of the night's awards
Kerry tells Trump that Americans want climate action

US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea Sunday for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled climate change a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we're on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, pictured in Antarctica, said most Americans wanted the problem of global warming addressed Mark Ralston (POOL/AFP)

"The majority of the American people believe that climate change is in fact happening and want to see us address it."

Trump has pledged to ditch Washington's climate change policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric.

"Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said.

Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet (3.7 metres) or more to the current sea level," he said.

Washington's top diplomat said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

He said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week.

"Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.

The Marrakesh talks, which wrap up on November 18, are examining ways to implement the landmark Paris pact agreed to by 196 nations last year.

It undertakes to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for 1.5 C.

Without the United States -- the world's second largest greenhouse gas emitter and a major donor to climate change mitigation funds -- the task becomes much more difficult.

- 'Beyond any doubt' -

Kerry said he first became involved in the climate issue in the early 1990s and had seen scientific evidence of change grow to a level that was now overwhelming.

"The world's scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt, and the evidence is there for everybody to see," he said.

"The question now, and which this administration continues to address, is how to implement the Paris agreement."

He cited Pacific island nations threatened by rising seas, more intense and damaging storms, as well as greater frequency of wildfires and flooding.

Kerry said the United States spent $8.0 billion last year alone cleaning up after storms whipped into unprecedented ferocity by the changing climate.

He said it was an issue that leaders could not ignore.

"The evidence is mounting, in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," he said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry tours the New Zealand run Scott Base beside the Ross Sea in Antarctica Mark Ralston (POOL/AFP)
UK Brexit campaigner Farage meets Donald Trump

Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has become the first British politician to meet with Donald Trump since his US election win, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) confirmed late Saturday.

The US president-elect hosted the euro-sceptic leader at his New York residence Trump Tower where they spent over an hour discussing the Republican's "victory, global politics, and the status of Brexit", according to a UKIP statement.

The meeting will be seen by some as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May who spoke with Trump by telephone this week, but has yet to meet him in person.

The interim-UKIP leader said it was "a great honour" to spend time with Trump, describing him as "relaxed, and full of good ideas" Daniel Leal-Olivas (AFP/File)

Downing Street has denied reports that Farage will act as a "go-between" in British relations with the new US administration.

Farage stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship and asked Trump to return the bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, the statement said.

The interim-UKIP leader said it was "a great honour" to spend time with Trump, describing him as "relaxed, and full of good ideas".

"I'm confident he will be a good president," Farage added.

"His support for the US-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business".

Farage threw his support behind the billionaire businessman during the US election campaign, attending a rally in Jackson, Mississippi in August and likening it to his own campaign to leave the European Union.
Does Donald Trump's victory spell the end of the West?

Donald Trump's election has thrown key US alliances into doubt, but could it yet destroy the liberal world order and the West as we know it?

If you thought President Barack Obama's White House sit-down with Donald Trump was awkward, wait for Obama's menu of meetings with foreign leaders next week.

During a three-nation foreign trip, Obama will meet the leaders of Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Peru among others.

US President Barack Obama must now try to reassure allies that Donald Trump's America will not bring the global order crashing to the ground Jim Watson (AFP/File)

Most of them will have similar questions: "How on Earth did this happen? What do we do now?"

Obama has spent a year telling interlocutors that the Republican billionaire would never be elected and that he was a threat to American democracy and the global system.

Now Obama will try to reassure allies that Trump's America will not bring the global order crashing to the ground.

- Just another Republican? -

Trump has vowed to rip up trade deals, questioned support for allies whose security depends on American military largess and warmly embraced Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Seen from the Obama White House or European capitals, the best case scenario is that Trump's is just another Republican White House.

Insiders point to Trump's disinterest in policy as evidence that he plans to be a titular or ceremonial president.

Vice President Mike Pence, they argue, will be the real president or at least behave like a prime minister.

He and the constellation of Washington-based advisors already gathered around Trump -- possible secretary of state Newt Gingrich, possible secretary of defense Jeff Sessions -- will crank out orthodox Republican policies.

But for European capitals that kind of Trump administration would still mean a return to the deep differences seen during Bush administration.

Trump would be political kryptonite in Europe, avoided like the plague by leaders like Francois Hollande or Angela Merkel who are seeking reelection. But at least the sky wouldn't fall.

Yet some see that outlook as hopelessly optimistic.

- The Imperial presidency -

Once he gets his feet under the Resolute Desk, is Trump -- an alpha male chief executive all his life -- really likely to shrink into the background?

And if not, the world's preeminent economic and military power would be run by a capricious leader with questionable respect for the rule of law.

In his first week as president-elect, Trump changed course on his opposition to Obamacare and decried "professional protesters, incited by the media" in a Tweet before reversing himself.

Those asking what Trump thinks about North Korea or Syria might get a different answer depending on what day he is tweeting.

Insiders say he knows little to nothing of world affairs, even on fundamental issues such as the Iran nuclear deal that he vowed to scrap during the campaign.

Japan, South Korea and other Asian allies America has vowed to defend have long doubted whether a US president would actually risk a nuclear war with China or North Korea to fulfil that vow.

Under a president Trump it would be close to strategic negligence to assume America's security umbrella was ironclad.

Shinzo Abe's Japan has already been moving gingerly toward military self-sufficiency. If that trend speeds up considerably, or Tokyo develops a nuclear weapon -- as Trump has suggested it should -- the impact vis-a-vis China would be profound.

- Passing the torch -

In Europe there is a similar sense we may be seeing the end of Pax Americana.

Merkel -- arguably the world's second most powerful democratic leader -- responded to Trump's election by making it clear she believes this is not business as usual.

"Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views," she said, reminding Trump of common values that normally go without saying.

She also made clear the relationship is conditional: "I offer the next President of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values."

Obama likes to describe American democracy as a relay race.

If he handed the baton to Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, then his meeting with Merkel in Berlin may be the passing of the liberal democratic torch.

But for the first time since the Cold War or World War II, there are serious doubts the flame will endure.

Merkel may now be the de facto "leader of the free world," but Europe remains deeply divided.

Germany has economic and political power, but military and diplomatic power rests in London and Paris.

Last March commentator Anne Applebaum warned "we are two or three bad elections away from the end of NATO, the end of the European Union and maybe the end of the liberal world order as we know it."

That was before Britain's vote to leave the European Union and Trump's election. In the next year Merkel and Hollande face their own far-right challengers.

So far on Applebaum's scorecard it's two down, two to go.

A more uncertain world Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel responded to Donald Trump's election by making it clear she believes this is not business as usual Tobias Schwarz (AFP/File)
Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz dies aged 70

Iconic Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, who starred in more than 90 feature films and worked under some of Egypt's most celebrated directors, has died aged 70.

Aziz died on Saturday evening "in hospital in Cairo, at the end of his fight against illness," Sameh al-Sirity, from the Egyptian Actors' Syndicate, told AFP.

His funeral will be held on Sunday in a mosque in a suburb of the capital.

Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz acknowledges the audience after receiving a life achievement award during the 15th annual Murex d'Or awards ceremony, in Maameltein, north of Beirut, in 2015 Joseph Eid (AFP/File)

Born in 1946 in the coastal city of Alexandria, Aziz cut his teeth in a string of television series before making the leap to the big screen.

He was most known for his role in the 1991 film "Al Kit-Kat", where he played an eccentric blind man who dreams of riding a motorcycle.

Although a comedy, the film, directed by Egyptian realist filmmaker Daoud Abdel Sayed, was critically acclaimed for its searing social commentary.

In 2001's "The Magician", Aziz plays a single father who falls in love with his next-door neighbour, whose husband has recently left her to raise her son alone.

Aziz, who was admired for his ability to reinvent himself throughout his career, took a controversial role in "Raafat El-Hagan", a 1980s television drama depicting the life of an Egyptian spy in Israel.
Thousands attend pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong

Thousands of people attended a pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong Sunday in support of China's decision to effectively bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office, as fears grow of the city's freedoms being under threat.

Beijing's ruling last week preempted a decision by the Hong Kong courts over whether lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching should be disqualified from parliament after deliberately misreading their oaths of office, inserting expletives and draping themselves with "Hong Kong is not China" flags.

Beijing's interpretation of the city's constitution issued on Monday said that any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of the oath, "or takes the oath in a manner which is not sincere or not solemn", should be disqualified.

A girl waves the Chinese flag in Hong Kong on November 13, 2016, during a rally in support of Beijing's decision to bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office Isaac Lawrence (AFP)

On Sunday rowdy crowds, waving Chinese flags, surrounded the government's headquarters in a show of support for Beijing's unprecedented decision, slammed by pro-democracy activists and legal experts as a massive blow to Hong Kong's judicial independence.

Supporters chanted slogans such as "fight against Hong Kong independence, support the interpretation" at the rally, which was attended by pro-Beijing legislators.

"The cancer cells are those who are promoting Hong Kong independence... we will fight them to the end," lawmaker Michael Tien told the crowd who cheered loudly in response.

"China will never, ever tolerate the splitting of the nation," Tien said.

Priscilla Leung, another pro-China legislator who attended the rally, said the lawmakers' behaviour at the swearing-in ceremony "humiliated all of the Chinese people".

Police said that 28,500 people attended the rally.

The Hong Kong High Court's decision into whether Leung and Yau should be disqualified is still pending.

Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal which protects its freedoms for 50 years, but there are growing concerns those liberties are disappearing.
Briton sets off to swim across Atlantic, after delay

After a delayed start, a former British policeman aiming to swim across the Atlantic finally set off Sunday from Senegal, bound for Brazil more than 3,000 km away.

"Here we go," said 38-year-old Ben Hooper, as he tugged on his goggles and said goodbye to loved ones and supporters on the beach of an hotel in Hann Bay, in the east of Dakar.

"To the whole world thank you very much for your support," he said, before striding into the waves at the start of the record-breaking attempt, expected to take nearly five months.

British amateur swimmer Ben Hooper at Bel Air beach in Dakar on November 13, 2016 Seyllou (AFP)

Hooper was supposed to leave Africa's western coast from Dakar, Senegal at the start of November but delayed his departure due to a problem with the support vessel. He postponed it again several times, until actually setting off on Sunday.

He has been preparing for over three years for the immense journey that will see him swim up to 10 hours a day across the Atlantic. "It has been a long time coming," he said.

Hooper was inspired to attempt the feat by two fearless English explorers: Ranulph Fiennes, who reached both the North and South poles overland, and Vivian Fuchs, the first man to cross the Antarctic on foot.

The Briton will rack up 1,635 nautical miles, equal to nearly 1,900 land miles (3,000 kilometres) over the course of the journey, while taking in up to 12,000 calories a day.

Hooper's journey will be observed by a Guinness World Records representative who will join a crew of 10 supporting the swimmer.

His crossing will be filmed and can be tracked on his "Swim the Big Blue" website.

Only one man has achieved a comparable feat before: Frenchman Benoit Lecomte, who swam across the Atlantic in the other direction in 1998, from Cape Cod to Quiberon in northwestern France.
Lesotho parliamentary rebel calls for new coalition

In a new blow to the stability of Lesotho, a leading parliamentary rebel called Sunday for a new ruling coalition in the mountain kingdom, gripped by political crisis for two years.

Monyane Moleleki, who quit the government earlier this week, said the landlocked country needed a broad-based and "strong" government of national unity to replace the "rotten" current administration.

"I invite all parties represented in the national assembly including the opposition to approach us to talk about how we can take this country forward," he said.

Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, seen in 2011, sacked four government ministers in one week, which immediately triggered the departure of four others, including a leading parliamentary rebel Monyane Moleleki Stephane de Sakutin (AFP/File)

The current prime minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, heads a coalition government that took power after snap elections in February 2015.

On Thursday Mosisili sacked four ministers, immediately triggering the departure of four others including Moleleki, while 20 lawmakers from the ruling group announced they were quitting the fragile parliamentary majority.

The departures were officially due to disagreements over economic policy, according to local media.

Moleleki was speaking from his stronghold of Machache, about 40 km from the capital Maseru, in front of several thousand supporters dressed in the red colours of his party, an AFP journalist said.

Lesotho has been gripped by crisis since a failed coup d'etat in June 2014, which led to the elections in early 2015.

The All Basotho Convention (ABC) party of then premier Thomas Thabane was beaten by the Democratic Congress (DC) of former Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, who formed a slim majority with several small parties controlling 65 seats in the 120-member parliament.

On Sunday several ABC members joined the DC rebel group, confirming that alliances could be completely rebuilt in parliament, threatening the current government.

Completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho is one of the world's poorest countries and its economy is heavily dependent on its larger neighbour, to whom it exports water and hydroelectric power.
Israeli ministers approve draft bill to legalise outposts

Israel's ministerial committee for legislation on Sunday approved a controversial draft bill aimed at legalising wildcat Jewish settlements built on private Palestinian land, parliamentary sources said.

The bill must now pass through three readings in parliament and also be ratified by the supreme court before it can become law.

Sunday's vote was rushed through the ministerial committee in an attempt to prevent the evacuation of the Jewish wildcat outpost of Amona in the Israeli-occupied West Bank by the end of the year.

The Israeli supreme court has ordered the Jewish settlement of Amona, built on property privately owned by Palestinians in the West Bank, be evacuated by December 25, though a new bill rushed to parliament November 13 seeks to legalise the settlement Abbas Momani (AFP/File)

The supreme court has ordered the evacuation of settlers from Amona and the demolition of their homes by December 25.

Amona, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, is home to about 40 families and was built on land privately owned by Palestinians who had petitioned the court for the outpost to be removed.

The international community considers all Israeli settlements in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank to be illegal, whether they are authorised by the government or not.

They are also seen as a major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

The bill approved unanimously on Sunday stipulates that the government could order the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land in exchange for compensation.

It was at the centre of a row between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had sought to delay the vote and hardliners in his ruling right-wing Likud party.

One, Education Minister Naftali Bennett who heads the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, succeeded in rallying support for the vote leading to Sunday's endorsement of the bill.

The anti-settlement Peace Now movement denounced the vote.

"It is a shame: the government is backing a law that will allow the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land in order to build settlements," said Hagit Ofran, one of the watchdog's leaders.

According to Ofran, around 2,000 homes have been built on land owned by Palestinians in the West Bank, and therefore the draft bill could retroactively legalise these dwellings.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit warned the ministers that he would be unable to defend the bill before the supreme court.

A statement by Mandelblit said the bill "undermines private property and is contrary to Israeli law and international law", public radio reported.

Mandelblit also warned that if the bill were to become law it could spur many people to lodge official complaints with the International Criminal Court.

The passing of the draft bill came just days after Bennett, who champions settlement expansion, said that the idea of a Palestinian state was over after Donald Trump's election as US president.

"Trump's victory is an opportunity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state in the centre of the country, which would hurt our security and just cause," he said on Wednesday.

"The era of a Palestinian state is over," he said.

Netanyahu on Sunday urged ministers to refrain from commenting on Trump's presidency.
UN 'concerned' at DR Congo foreign media decree

The United Nations is "concerned" by a new decree affecting foreign broadcasters in DR Congo, given the political crisis gripping the country, a senior UN representative said on Sunday.

The decree was signed Saturday by the minister for media and government spokesman Lambert Mende, and mostly affects broadcasters like Radio France International (RFI), Voice of America and the BBC.

"We are concerned" by the decree, which was published as a UN Security Council delegation arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said Alexis Lamek, co-leader of the delegation.

Democratic Republic of Congo Media Minister Lambert Mende, seen in 2012, signed a decree November 12, 2016 giving foreign media companies 30 days to restructure in a way that gives "majority participation by Congolese in the capital of said company" Junior D. Kannah (AFP/File)

"We raised our concerns about the political process under way and discussed with Congolese authorities confidence-building measures which seem necessary to us at this time," he said after visiting Kinshasa on Saturday.

The new decree "in no way goes in the direction of the confidence-building measures we are talking about," Lamek, France's deputy representative at UN headquarters in New York, said in Beni, in the east of the country.

The decree states notably that foreign companies can operate in DR Congo "with a majority participation by Congolese in the capital of said company".

It gives foreign radio and TV outlets 30 days "to come into line" with the new rules -- or until December 12, eight days before the end of the mandate of President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001 and is constitutionally barred from standing for election again.

The DRC's political crisis deepened last month after a presidential election, which had been due before the year's end, was postponed until April 2018.

The opposition has accused Kabila of manipulating the electoral system to stay in power after his second term ends on December 20.

The signal of RFI, one of the most popular stations in francophone DRC, has been blocked since earlier this month, when an opposition protest was due to take place.

Rights group La Voix Des Sans-Voix (The Voice of the Voiceless) condemned the blockage, which it described as an "inadmissable attack on freedom of the press".

Kabila's government has frequently interfered with RFI broadcasts over the last two years -- blocking transmissions any time opposition supporters have organised protests against the president.
Clinton blames FBI director for presidential election loss

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hillary Clinton is blaming the FBI's decision to revive its examination of her email accounts for her devastating defeat in the presidential election.

On a call Saturday with top campaign donors, Clinton said her campaign was winning until FBI director James Comey sent a letter to Congress on Oct. 28 announcing that the FBI had uncovered emails possibly related to its earlier probe into her use of a private server as secretary of state. The new examination was sparked by an unrelated investigation into former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of one of her top aides.

The surprise announcement by the FBI came after three debates in which Republican Donald Trump was widely panned for his performance. Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state and was tied in Arizona, a traditionally Republican stronghold, until Comey released his letter.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton walks off the stage after speaking in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. Clinton conceded the presidency to Donald Trump in a phone call early Wednesday morning, a stunning end to a campaign that appeared poised right up until election day to make her the first woman elected U.S. president. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump's campaign and Republican supporters seized on the news, even though it was unclear whether Clinton's correspondence was tied up in the probe.

Comey told lawmakers the Sunday before the election that the bureau had found no evidence to warrant criminal charges. His "all clear" message only served to further motivate Trump supporters, Clinton told donors on the call.

In the nine days between Comey's initial statement and his "all clear" announcement, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That was roughly 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

While Clinton accepted some blame of her loss, said donors who listened to her call, she made little mention of the other factors driving Trump's victory: A desire for change by voters, possible sexism, the difficulty of a political party winning a third White House term, her campaign's all-but-dismissal of white working class voters and flaws within her own message.

Donors on the call were not authorized to discuss her comments by name and requested anonymity to describe them to The Associated Press.
Colombia's government, rebels sign modified peace agreement

HAVANA (AP)  Colombia's government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord in Havana on Saturday following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum.

The latest agreement aims to address some of the concerns of opponents of the original accord, who said the deal was too lenient on a rebel group that had kidnapped and committed war crimes.

"The new deal is an opportunity to clear up doubts, but above all to unite us," said government negotiator Humberto de la Calle, who signed the accord along with rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez, moving to end a half-century-long conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives and driven almost 8 million people from their homes.

Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, from left, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and Humberto de La Calle, head of Colombia's government peace negotiation team, applaud after the signing of the latest text of the peace accord between the two sides in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Colombia's government and the FARC signed a new, modified peace accord on Saturday following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)

De la Calle described the text of the modified accord as "much better" than the previous one, but didn't say if or how it would be submitted again to voters or to congress.

President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia inked an initial peace deal on Sept. 26 amid international fanfare after more than four years of negotiations. But voters rejected it on Oct. 2 by just 55,000 votes, dealing a stunning setback to Santos who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end Colombia's conflict.

Santos immediately began looking for ways to rescue the deal and the sides extended a cease-fire until Dec. 31 to get the modified deal done. The rebels insisted they wouldn't go back to the drawing board and throw out years of arduous negotiations with the government.

"The meetings with the FARC delegation were intense," said De la Calle. "We worked 15 days and nights to reach this new agreement."

De la Calle said some modifications made were related to justice, punishment for combatants accused of war crimes and reparations for the conflict's victims. He said negotiators had worked out the details of how and where those responsible for crimes would serve their sentences, addressing complaints by opponents that rebels accused of atrocities would not be imprisoned but submitted to "alternative punishments."

Other modifications include requiring the rebels to present an inventory of acquired money and holdings, and the provision of safeguards for private owners and property during reforms carried out in the countryside.

Cases of conflict participants accused of drug trafficking would be dealt with under Colombia's penal code and be heard by high courts.

In a televised address Saturday night, Santos said he had instructed De la Calle and the negotiating team to return to Bogota to explain the details of the new accord to the "no" campaign led by conservative former President Alvaro Uribe.

Santos said that an issue where negotiators did not achieve advances was on the insistence by opponents of the peace deal that guerrilla leaders not be allowed to run for elected office.

"We won't have assigned legislative seats. To the contrary, they will have to participate in elections. Nor will they have positions in government, as has occurred in other cases. But yes they can be elected," he said.

FARC negotiator Marquez said "the implementation of the accord is all that remains for the construction of the bases for peace in Colombia."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Colombians, including Santos and those from the "no" campaign, for reaching the new peace deal.

"After 52 years of war, no peace agreement can satisfy everyone in every detail. But this agreement constitutes an important step forward on Colombia's path to a just and durable peace. The United States, in coordination with the Government of Colombia, will continue to support full implementation of the final peace agreement," he said in a statement.

Hours before the deal was announced, Uribe, who was Colombia's president from 2002 to 2010, had asked that it "not be definitive" until opponents and victims of the conflict could review the text.

Following a meeting with Santos, Uribe read a statement to reporters saying he had asked that the "texts to be announced from Havana" not be official until they had been reviewed.

Uribe and his supporters had demanded stiffer penalties for rebels who committed war crimes and criticized the promise of a political role for the FARC, a 7,000-strong peasant army that is Latin America's last remaining major insurgency. They didn't like that under the old deal guerrilla leaders involved in crimes against humanity would be spared jail time and allowed to enter political life.

Colombia's government is also seeking to hold peace talks with the country's second-biggest rebel group. But Santos wants the National Liberation Army, known by its Spanish initials ELN, to first free a former congressman it has held captive for six months before holding negotiations.

The ELN is far smaller than the FARC and was founded in the same year, 1964. Inspired by the Cuban revolution, it is ideologically more doctrinaire and recalcitrant than the FARC. It has fewer than 2,000 fighters, making it less than one-third the size of the FARC.

Humberto de La Calle, head of Colombia's government peace negotiation team, right, and Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, left, sign the latest peace accord between the two sides as Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, looks on in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Colombia's government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord on Saturday following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)

Humberto de La Calle, right, head of Colombia's government peace negotiation team, right, shakes hands with Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, as Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, watches, after the signing of the latest peace accord between the two sides in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Colombia's government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord on Saturday following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, file photo, Humberto de La Calle, left, head of Colombia's government peace negotiation team, listens as Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reads a joint statement in Havana, Cuba. The country's government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord on Saturday, Nov. 12, following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. De la Calle and rebel negotiator Luciano Marin, alias Ivan Marquez, signed the deal in Cuba, moving to end a half-century-long conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan, File)
Speaking out for drug war victims, Filipina goes into hiding

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  When police shot to death Harra Kazuo's common-law husband and his father following a drug raid in the Philippines, she sought one thing: justice.

In a television interview shortly after their deaths in July, the 26-year-old mother accused two officers of killing them in cold blood. She then recounted the allegations before a Philippine Senate committee investigating the country's brutal drug war in testimony broadcast nationwide.

What Kazuo has gotten instead, though, is a life lesson in the consequences of speaking out. Today, she lives with her three children in hiding, sheltered by an extraordinary witness protection program run by the country's independent Commission on Human Rights, which has feared for her safety while it investigates the case.

In this Sept. 7 photo, Harra Kazuo, live-in partner of alleged drug pusher Jaypee Bertes, covers her face to protect her identity during an interview at the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines. Bertes was allegedly shot to death by police with his father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

That such a program exists is powerful indictment of the lack of trust many here have in the country's notoriously corrupt police, who are spearheading an anti-drug campaign that has left more than 4,000 people dead in just a few months. It also illustrates the failures of a broken justice system few believe can hold anyone to account.

Kazuo said she is pushing the case because "what is happening is not right."

"I want them to feel how they treated my husband," she told The Associated Press. "I want them to feel what it's like for a family to lose a loved one."

Although both officers have been suspended and have attended preliminary hearings, city prosecutor Orlando Mariano said they remain free and neither has been indicted. If prosecutors determine the evidence is too weak, both men could be end up being absolved.

Jose Luis Martin "Chito" Gascon, who directs the Manila-based rights commission, said no police have been charged criminally in court since the drug war began despite persistent reports of security forces summarily executing drug suspects. National police spokesman Dionardo Carlo, however, said police have been arrested and charged, but he could offer no details.

Either way, the killing of Kazuo's family members "is the highest profile case we've had so far, and it's not even in court yet," Gascon said. "So what do you think's going to happen to the rest  the ones that got no attention and have already been forgotten?"

President Rodrigo Duterte unleashed his campaign to rid the country of narcotics immediately after taking office June 30. The effort has been praised by a population exasperated by corruption and crime, but it has been condemned by the United Nations, foreign governments and activist groups because of its staggering death toll and apparent disregard for human life.

Kazuo acknowledges that her husband, Jaypee Bertes, was small-time methamphetamine dealer. But she insists he only pushed the drug because he could find no other work.

Just before midnight on July 6, police raided their tiny one-room apartment in a Manila slum. The officers could not find any drugs, but they hauled 28-year-old Bertes away anyway, along with his father, 49-year-old Renato. When Kazuo visited them a police station the next morning, both men were severely bruised. Hours later  after she left  they were shot dead at the end of a narrow corridor, each three times.

Police said the men were killed after one of them attempted to grab a firearm belonging to the officers. But commission officials, who conducted their own forensics investigation, said the detainees had been beaten so badly that they could not have done so. One of Jaypee's arms, they said, had been broken.

It wasn't the first time a drug suspect was fatally shot in police detention. Last week, a town mayor detained for illegal drugs and gun possession was killed by officers in a purported gunbattle in his jail cell in central Leyte province. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former national police chief, called for an investigation and suspects the mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed to prevent him from implicating other officials to illegal drugs.

Gascon said the officers in Kazuo's case may have killed her husband to cover any links that could connect them to drug crimes. Kazuo said Jaypee had met the two officers she accused at least once before, when he bribed them to get out of a previous drug charge.

The families of most victims in the drug war have stayed silent for good reason. Philippine media reported the story of one man who had doggedly pursued justice for months for his sister, who had been killed by unidentified gunmen in Manila. The man, who was not under the commission's protection, turned up dead in late October.

The death fits a pattern that has characterized Duterte's "war:" those who speak out against it, or are perceived as doing so, often face consequences. They include journalists who've been attacked with hate mail and death threats by internet trolls, and foreign governments, rights groups and critics Duterte has lambasted personally.

After Sen. Leila de Lima launched congressional probe into reports of extrajudicial killings and called Kazuo to testify in August, Duterte suggested she resign and hang herself.

De Lima was later kicked off the probe by Duterte's legislative allies, a move Human Rights Watch slammed as "a craven attempt to derail accountability." Shortly afterward, she told journalists she feared for her own life. "Can I rely on the regular authorities in government? ... Can I rely on the (police) for my security?" she asked.

Carlo, the police spokesman, dismissed accusations the drug war was fueling a climate a fear. But he said Kazuo had done the right thing by speaking out, because it helps authorities "go after the policemen involved."

Kazuo said she is now cut off from friends and family and does not even dare call them for fear her conversations could be tracked. On the few occasions she has met relatives, she's done so at the offices of the rights commission, which delivers groceries every week so she does not have to go out.

"I rarely go outside anymore," she said. "I stay inside the house, sometimes I read books, love stories ... I don't even want to go outside and walk."

Kazuo, who has a 2-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son, gave birth to a boy in September. During a visit for a pre-natal checkup, someone recognized her, prompting commission officials to switch hospitals.

The commission is now protecting at least seven other witnesses in similar circumstances, several of which also have children. Its investigators are combing over 250 cases, many involving allegations that police carried out extrajudicial killings or other abuses.

They've received little cooperation from police, though, who've refused to release records for each death recorded so far. An investigator on Kazuo's case said police had refused to release their autopsy report, so the commission conducted its own.

"It'll get worse before it gets better," Gascon said. "While Duterte is president, I do not believe people will be charged and held to account ... so what we need to do now is to prepare the evidence for the time we can have a proper reckoning."

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano contributed to this report.

In this Sept. 7, 2016 photo, Harra Kazuo, live-in partner of alleged drug pusher Jaypee Bertes, gestures during an interview at the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines. Kazuo's husband was shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Sept. 7, 2016 photo, Harra Kazuo, live-in partner of alleged drug suspect Jaypee Bertes, wears a rosary on her hand during an interview at the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines. Bertes was allegedly shot to death by police with his father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Sept. 15, 2016 photo, widows of alleged drug suspects, cover their faces to protect their identity during a senate investigation on drug related killings in Pasay, north of Manila, Philippines. Harra Kazuo's live-in partner was allegedly shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Nov. 11, 2016 photo, a resident enters a dark alley near the apartment where Harra Kazuo, live-in partner of slain alleged drug suspect Jaypee Bertes, used to stay with her family in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. The family has moved to another location after Kazuo's partner was allegedly shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Nov. 11, 2016 photo, a young resident walks beside the apartment where Harra Kazuo, live-in partner of slain alleged drug suspect Jaypee Bertes, used to stay with her family in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. The family has moved to another location after Kazuo's partner was allegedly shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Commission on Human Rights has feared for her safety while it probes her case and has put her under an extraordinary witness protection program. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Sept. 7, 2016 photo, Philippine Senator Leila de Lima gestures during an interview in Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines. De Lima launched a congressional probe into reports of extrajudicial killings and called Harra Kazuo to testify in August, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte suggested she resign and hang herself. Kazuo's live-in partner was allegedly shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing anti-drugs campaign of Duterte. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

In this Sept. 9, 2016 photo, Jose Luis Martin "Chito" Gascon, chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) answers questions during an interview in Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines. The CHR has placed Harra Kazuo under an extraordinary witness protection program for fear of her safety as they continue to probe her case. Kazuo is the live-in partner of a slain alleged drug suspect that was allegedly shot to death by police with her father-in-law following a drug raid which is part of the continuing "Drug War" campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Iraqi troops enter town of famed ancient ruins near Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq (AP)  Iraqi troops entered a town south of Mosul on Sunday where Islamic State militants destroyed artefacts at a nearby ancient Assyrian archaeological site, while special forces fended off suicide bombers during a cautious advance into the northern city.

The push into Nimrud was the most significant gain in several days for government forces, potentially opening up the area for teams to assess the damage done to the famed ruins just outside the town.

Troops are converging from several fronts on Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and the biggest urban area under IS control, as part of an offensive launched last month.

Displaced Iraqi boys, who fled from Mosul with their families, carry food and other aid supplies at a camp for internally displaced people in Hassan Sham, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. The urban landscape inside Mosul proper makes defense easier for the Islamic State group, eager to hold on to the last major Iraqi stronghold of their self-styled caliphate. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The special forces have advanced the farthest so far, and hold a handful of districts on the city's eastern edge, but their progress has slowed in the face of fierce resistance in dense urban neighborhoods full of civilians.

The operation's commander said troops took Nimrud, some 19 miles (30 kilometers) south of Mosul, after heavy fighting. It was unclear if they had liberated the nearby 13th-century B.C. archaeological site, which IS destroyed with explosives according to videos they released.

"The 9th division of the Iraqi army has liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties," Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah said in a statement.

The late 1980s discovery of treasures in Nimrud's royal tombs was one of the 20th century's most significant archaeological finds. The government said militants, who captured the site in June 2014, destroyed it the following year using heavy military vehicles.

Video footage released by the jihadis at the time showed bearded men hammering, bulldozing and ultimately blowing up parts of the ancient Iraqi treasure, ripping down huge alabaster reliefs depicting Assyrian kings and deities. They claim the artefacts promote idolatry that violates their fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law.

Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for the U.S.-led forces operating the air campaign assisting the operation against IS, said few airstrikes were used near Nimrud, and the advancing Iraqi troops had moved in carefully.

"It's an important gain," he said, but warned that IS often leaves behind some combatants. "As Iraqi forces get closer to Mosul, everything becomes more difficult as they like to leave behind a few fighters to spoil the advance."

In Mosul itself, the special forces said they have cleared the Qadisiya and Zahra neighborhoods, and are planning to advance farther in the coming hours. Over the past week they have inched forward slowly, trying to avoid casualties among their troops and civilians as suicide bombers in armor-plated vehicles charge at them from hideouts in densely populated areas.

"The only weapons they have left are car bombs and explosives," said Iraqi special forces Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi as he radioed with commanders in the field. "There are so many civilian cars and any one of them could be a bomb," he said.

Troops were building berms and road blocks to prevent car bombs from breaching the front lines. Since last week's quick advance into Mosul proper, they have struggled to hold territory under heavy IS counterattacks.

Several suicide car bombers attacked the advancing special forces on Saturday, wounding around a dozen troops, three civilians, and killing a child, officers said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief reporters.

The Iraqi armed forces do not release official casualty figures, but field medics have noted dozens of killed and wounded since the operation to liberate the city began on Oct. 17.

Civilians are paying a heavy toll in the battle for Mosul, with nearly 50,000 forced from their homes, most living in displaced persons camps. The Norwegian Refugee Council said Sunday that conditions were worsening for non-combatants, especially over the past week.

"Civilians have told us of horrific stories from inside Mosul," said Wolfgang Gressmann, the group's Iraq director. "They have given terrifying accounts of IS moving them from neighborhood to neighborhood, and from house to house, in tactics identical with being used as human shields."

Meanwhile, a leading U.S.-based rights group released a report alleging that security forces of Iraq's regional Kurdish government had routinely destroyed Arab homes and even some whole villages in areas retaken from the Islamic State group over the past two years.

The Human Rights Watch report said that between September 2014 and May 2016, Kurdish forces advancing against IS destroyed Arab homes in disputed areas of Kirkuk and Ninevah provinces, while Kurdish homes were left intact. It says the demolitions took place in disputed areas in northern Iraq which the Kurds want to incorporate into their autonomous region over the objections of the central government.

Sunni Arab politicians have previously accused the Kurds of seeking to recast the demographics of mixed areas in northern Iraq. The struggle is particularly intense in the oil-rich Kirkuk region.

"In village after village in Kirkuk and Ninevah, (Kurdish Regional Government) security forces destroyed Arab homes  but not those belonging to Kurds  for no legitimate military purpose," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "KRG leaders' political goals don't justify demolishing homes illegally."

All sides fighting in the battle for Mosul have been accused of human rights abuses, with the worst allegations attributed to IS.

Kurdish forces have been accused of destroying Arab homes before, with a report last year by Amnesty International alleging that the peshmerga carried out the attacks in retaliation for what they said was the Arab communities' support for IS.

Kurdish authorities say they abide by human rights laws and deny having any strategy to destroy homes. But they say some villages in which the population fought alongside IS have suffered extensive destruction because of the ferocity of the battles.

"There was a large presence of IEDs placed in these areas," said Kurdish official Dindar Zebari, referring to Sunday's report. "I have to say this was a huge cause of the destruction following the liberation process."

Also Sunday, a wave of attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 23 people and wounded 70 others, inflaming already combustive sectarian tensions in the country.

Police and health officials said many of the attacks struck Shiites on their way to an annual pilgrimage, with the deadliest bombing taking place in Baghdad's northern Shaab neighborhood. There, an explosives-laden car parked near a checkpoint killed a policeman and two civilians, and wounded 12 others.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

The capital has seen near-daily bombings since the Mosul operation began, but no large-scale attacks. Militants frequently target security forces and the Shiite majority as part of its campaign to destabilize the country.

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Rohan reported from Baghdad. Associated Press writers Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad, and Fay Abuelgasim in Irbil, Iraq, contributed to this report.

Displaced Iraqi citizens who fled from Mosul, wait to receive aid and food supplies, at a camp for internally displaced people in Hassan Sham, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. The urban landscape inside Mosul proper makes defense easier for the Islamic State group, eager to hold on to the last major Iraqi stronghold of their self-styled caliphate. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A displaced Iraqi man, who fled from Mosul,carries bags of flour at a camp for internally displaced people in Hassan Sham, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. The urban landscape inside Mosul proper makes defense easier for the Islamic State group, eager to hold on to the last major Iraqi stronghold of their self-styled caliphate. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, file photo, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters gather near a frontline during fighting with Islamic State militants in Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq. Human Rights Watch is accusing the security forces of Iraq's regional Kurdish government of destroying Arab homes and even some villages in areas retaken from the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
US Embassy in Afghanistan closes after attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan has closed following deadly insurgent attacks on a German Consulate and an American military base.

In a statement late Saturday, the embassy says it will be "closed for routine services" Sunday "as a temporary precautionary measure."

The unusual decision comes after four Americans  two soldiers and two contractors  were killed in a suicide attack Saturday on the Bagram Airfield near the capital, Kabul.

The US Embassy in Afghanistan closed following the deadly attack at Bagram Airbase (pictured)

Two days earlier, insurgents attacked the German Consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing six people and wounding more than 100.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul regularly warns Americans against travel to Afghanistan, where a Taliban-led insurgency is in its 16th year.
As Israel remembers Rabin, Netanyahu denies he incited

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied he incited against Yitzhak Rabin in the months leading up to his 1995 assassination, as the country marked the anniversary of the former leader's killing.

In a Facebook post, Netanyahu seized on the moment and rejected longstanding accusations that he contributed to the climate of violence before Rabin's killing.

"Rabin's assassination was a shocking political assassination that we all renounce. Since the assassination there have been ongoing attempts to distort the historic truth and to attribute the incitement that preceded the assassination to me," he wrote.

He then posted old videos of his denunciations of the incitement, adding: "judge for yourselves."

Rabin was shot dead after a peace rally on Nov. 4, 1995 by Yigal Amir, who opposed Rabin's policy of trading land to the Palestinians for peace. Repeated attempts to make peace since then have evaporated, leaving bouts of violence in their wake.

In the months before the killing, political hard-liners branded Rabin a traitor and some extremists called for his death. Critics charged that the climate of incitement inspired Amir to kill Rabin. In one famous incident, Netanyahu, then the opposition leader, addressed a protest in downtown Jerusalem where demonstrators held posters portraying Rabin in an Arab headscarf or Nazi uniform.

Netanyahu claims he didn't see the banners or hear violent chants.
The Latest: Floating lanterns mark Paris attack anniversary

PARIS (AP)  The Latest on the anniversary commemorations of the Paris attacks on Nov. 13, 2015 (all times local):

6:30 p.m.

Hundreds of paper lanterns are floating down Paris' Canal Saint-Martin as crowds look on in silence to mark one year since deadly Islamic State attacks rocked the city.

People release balloons outside Paris 11th district town hall, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

The lanterns are lit with red, white and blue lights representing the French flag.

Hundreds of people  many families with children  are watching in silence beside the canal and on bridges spanning it.

A special Mass is being held in Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral to mark the anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks, which killed 130.

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5:20 p.m.

The lead singer of Eagles of Death Metal is denying that he was refused entry to the Paris club where the band was playing when it was stormed by suicide bombers a year ago.

Jesse Hughes, speaking in Paris on Sunday, said he is here to pay tribute to the Nov. 13, 2015 attack victims, and called this city "a shining example of really the best possible way to react to something that's awful and evil."

Hughes has criticized the Bataclan concert hall over the past year, notably questioning its security measures. A report by news agency AFP cited Bataclan co-director Jules Frutos as saying that he denied entry to Eagles band members at its reopening concert Saturday night.

Hughes told reporters Sunday that he went to the Bataclan because "I just wanted to see the place open. But I never actually tried to go into the show. ... I don't know what he's talking about. It's going to be a little bit harder to get rid of me than that, you know what I mean? I love this place."

Bataclan management would not comment on the report.

The Nov. 13, 2015 attacks killed 130 people at cafes, the national stadium and the Bataclan, where 90 died.

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3:10 p.m.

Some people cried, others simply lit candles or laid flowers at the Paris sites where Islamist extremists struck a year ago, killing 130, in coordinated attacks.

After a solemn and somber anniversary ceremony led by President Francois Hollande, people have paid respects to the dead at the Bataclan concert hall where 90 were killed, and restaurants and bars dotting a lively neighborhood.

Hannah Schumann, a nurse, says that "everybody is emotional. I'm crying."

In a sign of hope, several hundred balloons have been released from the nearby town hall in the presence of Hollande, and lanterns are to be floated along the Canal Saint-Martin as dusk nears.

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11:25 a.m.

French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo have unveiled two plaques at the Bataclan concert hall, the final stop in a somber anniversary commemoration of the 130 victims of the attacks.

The 90 names of those killed at the Bataclan were read out before a minute of silence was observed. It came after the dead and injured were honored at the six other sites attacked by Islamist extremists.

The Bataclan attack was the bloodiest and the longest, beginning at 9:40 p.m. and ending at 12:23 a.m. after a group of concertgoers taken hostage were freed. The youngest and oldest victims of the Paris attacks were a 17-year-old and a 68-year-old, both killed at the Bataclan.

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10:30 a.m.

French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo are visiting each site struck by Islamist extremists in the capital on the night of Nov. 13, 2015 to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks that killed 130 people.

In silence, Hollande is pulling French flags from plaques commemorating the victims at five bars and restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall and the national stadium, where the first attack occurred as the president watched a France-Germany soccer match. The names of the victims were being read out at each site.

There were no deaths at the Comptoir Voltaire brasserie except for suicide bomber Brahim Abdeslam, a 31-year-old Frenchman. He was the older brother of Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor among the three attack teams and who is now jailed in France.

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This item has been corrected to show that France was playing Germany, not Sweden at the Stade de France.

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9:35 a.m.

French President Francois Hollande has opened a national day of commemoration in France, one year after the Paris attacks that killed 130.

Hollande unveiled a plaque covered by a small French flag at the national stadium in memory of the single person killed there, Manuel Dias, and the numerous wounded.

Hollande remained silent at the ceremony outside the Stade de France and he wasn't expected to speak as he unveils plaques at the seven sites hit by Islamic extremists.

Instead, the victim's son Michael spoke, saying his Portuguese-born father was "proof that integration is possible, necessary" to fight the stigmatization that leads some youth into violence.

It was a reference to the attackers who were European citizens of foreign descent. He said: "Long live tolerance, long live intelligence, long live France."

People prepare to release balloons at Paris 11th district town hall, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

A woman lays flowers next to the memorial plaque for the 90 victims at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. French President Francois Hollande has opened a national day of commemoration in France one year after the Paris attacks that killed 130. The plaque reads : In memory of the wounded and assassinated victims of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks. To the 90 people killed.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Members of the band Eagles of Death Metal, Jesse Hughes, left, and Dave Catching attend Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 a ceremony at Paris' 11th district town hall, held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

People pay respect in front of a commemorative plaque outside the restaurant Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia) and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. A year ago the Islamic State group brought its extremist war to Paris, seeding terror with attacks on a rock concert, the national stadium and bustling sidewalk cafes. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A man places a rose next to the wall of the restaurant Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia) and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. A year ago the Islamic State group brought its extremist war to Paris, seeding terror with attacks on a rock concert, the national stadium and bustling sidewalk cafes. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

People gather at the attack side of Carillon Hotel in Paris, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. French President Francois Hollande has opened a national day of commemoration in France one year after the Paris attacks that killed 130. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive to unveil a commemorative plaque next to the "La Belle Equipe" bar and restaurant in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveil a commemorative plaque next to the "A La Bonne Biere" cafe and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street, in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

A commemorative plaque unveiled by French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is seen next to the "A La Bonne Biere" cafe and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street, in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. The plaque reads : In memory of the wounded and assassinated victims of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, hidden by a Republican guard, lay a wreath of flowers as they unveil a commemorative plaque next to the "A La Bonne Biere" cafe and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street, in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Francois Hollande and Saint-Denis mayor Didier Paillard, right, unveil a commemorative plaque outside the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

Police officers guards the attack sites at restaurant Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia) and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, prior to the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to unveil a commemoration plate, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. A year ago the Islamic State group brought its extremist war to Paris, seeding terror with attacks on a rock concert, the national stadium and bustling sidewalk cafes. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French President Francois Hollande and Saint-Denis mayor Didier Paillard, right, unveil a commemorative plaque outside the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, during a ceremony held for the victims of last year's Paris attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall as well as a series of bars and killed 130 people. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

A police officer controls a woman with flowers at a checkpoint at the attack sites at restaurant Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia) and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, prior to the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to unveil a commemoration plate, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. A year ago the Islamic State group brought its extremist war to Paris, seeding terror with attacks on a rock concert, the national stadium and bustling sidewalk cafes. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Police officers guards the attack sites at restaurant Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia) and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, prior to the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to unveil a commemoration plate, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. A year ago the Islamic State group brought its extremist war to Paris, seeding terror with attacks on a rock concert, the national stadium and bustling sidewalk cafes. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

In this Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 photo provided by Universal Music France, British musician Sting, center, performs on stage at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. A concert by British pop legend Sting is marking the reopening of the Paris' Bataclan concert hall one year after suicidal jihadis turned it into a bloodbath and killed 90 revelers. (Boris Allin/Universal Music France via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Queen leads UK in honoring war dead on Remembrance Sunday

LONDON (AP)  Queen Elizabeth II led the royal family, political leaders and veterans in a solemn service to honor Britain's war dead Sunday, as Britons across the nation paused for a moment's silent reflection to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The monarch laid the first wreath of red poppies at the foot of central London's Cenotaph war memorial in an annual service to remember all those killed in past and present conflicts.

A hush fell over the capital as those gathered observed a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918  when guns on the Western Front fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Remembrance Sunday is held each year on the second Sunday in November.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Later, crowds lining the streets of Whitehall cheered as some 8,500 veterans and servicemen and women marched past to music played by military bands.

Remembrance events this year are especially poignant because 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. The British Army suffered almost 60,000 casualties on the first day of the Somme battle alone, and more than a 1 million men would be killed or injured on both sides over the course of the offensive.

Britain holds great importance in paying tribute to those who fought in the two World Wars as well as the thousands killed or injured in conflicts since 1945.

Prime Minister Theresa May said this year's tribute should also be a time to remember British forces fighting the Islamic State group, those combating piracy or taking part in peacekeeping efforts in Africa.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, center, and Sophie Countess of Wessex watch the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Prince Harry, centre, salutes during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk out to take part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, right, with the Leader of the Opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn, 2nd left, stand during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Prince William is handed his wreath which he will lay on the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, talks to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, center, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex as they watch the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Members of the clergy walk out to the cenotaph to take part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov.13,2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
IOC backs Craig Reedie for new 3-year WADA term

DOHA, Qatar (AP)  The IOC is backing Craig Reedie's bid for a new three-year term as president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, despite the tensions that broke out between the two sides over the Russian doping scandal.

The support for Reedie to continue in his role came after he assured the International Olympic Committee that he would "respect the rules and responsibilities of WADA and its stakeholders," suggesting the agency will refrain in the future from publicly calling for a nation to be barred from the Olympics, as it did with Russia before the games in Rio de Janeiro.

Reedie, a Briton who has been WADA president since 2013, is up for re-election at agency meetings in Glasgow, Scotland, next weekend. No other candidates have been put forward.

The backing for Reedie was contained in a letter from the IOC to all of its 98 members. A copy of the letter was obtained Sunday by The Associated Press.

The letter was sent following a private meeting of the IOC executive board on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland. Reedie briefed the board at that meeting.

"Sir Craig Reedie committed to respect the Olympic Charter and respect the rules and responsibilities of WADA and its stakeholders, including the catalogue of points put forward by the Olympic Movement three years ago," the letter said.

"On this basis, the IOC will encourage the Olympic Movement representatives on the WADA foundation board to approve the re-election of Sir Craig Reedie as WADA President, as well as inviting them to speak to their government counterparts concerning a reform of the system for electing the WADA President."

Under current rules, a WADA president is elected for three years, with the option of a second three-year term. The presidency rotates between representatives of governments and sporting bodies.

WADA and the IOC came into sharp conflict before and during the Rio Games following a report by WADA investigator Richard McLaren that detailed state-sponsored doping in Russia, including manipulation of samples at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and cover-ups of positive tests across dozens of summer and winter Olympic sports.

WADA recommended that the entire Russian team be excluded from Rio. The IOC rejected the proposal and instead let international sports federations decide which athletes should be eligible to compete.

During meetings in Rio, IOC members accused WADA of failing to act sooner on Russian doping and criticized the agency for releasing the McLaren report so close to the games.

The sides appeared to bury the hatchet last month at an Olympic summit in Lausanne, where IOC leaders backed WADA to continue to oversee worldwide anti-doping efforts and gave the agency increased powers to lead the fight. All parties agreed that an independent body under WADA's umbrella should be set up to carry out global drug-testing.

Critics have accused Reedie of having a conflict of interest in his IOC and WADA roles. In addition to WADA president, he was an IOC vice president and member of the rule-making executive board until the Rio Games. However, Reedie's term as vice president and board member has expired, and he is now a regular IOC member without a policy-making role.

The IOC letter also said the board agreed to a request from Reedie to match government contributions and provide $500,000 to the agency's special investigations fund. It said this was on condition that WADA provides a "detailed breakdown of costs" of McLaren's upcoming final report and that McLaren "actively cooperates" with two separate IOC investigations into Russian doping.

McLaren's latest report, which is expected to focus on doping at the Sochi Games, has been delayed until next month, which the IOC said "makes cooperation more difficult" with its own probes.
Trump's views appeal to Americans looking for 'common sense'

CHICAGO (AP)  The voters who made possible Donald Trump's victory included people who consider themselves moderates and came around to Trump after supporting other candidates.

Some live in the "blue wall" of states in the Upper Midwest that, until Tuesday, backed every Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton won the presidency in 1992. Some voted for Democrats in the past. Some kept their Trump support secret until after the election to avoid scorn from acquaintances and co-workers.

Here's a look at voters who helped usher in a Trump presidency, and why they did so:

In this Nov. 8, 2016 photo, Patrick Burke is interviewed on Election Day in St. Clair Shores, Mich. Burke supported Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the GOP primary but "jumped on in full support" of Trump as he bested the field. (AP Photo/Ed White)

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In Michigan, Patrick Burke supported Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the GOP primary but "jumped on in full support" of Trump as he bested the field.

The 60-year-old automotive and business consultant lives in suburban Detroit's Macomb County, which was home to the "Reagan Democrats" in the 1980s. In 2012, Obama carried Macomb County by 4 percentage points. Trump enjoyed an 11 point-plus margin there.

Trump stands for "making sure that if you work hard that your government is there to help you rather than hurt you," Burke said, noting that Trump's message "of prosperity and reducing the debt and a strong military and reforming immigration really resonated" with blue-collar workers.

A drive through Burke's city Wednesday found more Trump signs than Hillary Clinton, and some took their allegiance to the extreme: One home's front lawn featured a large wooden basket with life-sized, scarecrow-like people sticking out and a sign labeling it "The Deplorables,"  a reference to Clinton's description of half of Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables." The lawn display also featured a sign that reads: "Climb In There is Room For All."

Trump's vitriolic volleys are well-known  his declaration that Mexico was sending "rapists" across the border, and a tape that emerged last month on which Trump bragged about grabbing women's genitals.

Burke said Trump isn't perfect, but he believes the most divisive and vulgar rhetoric "was just all talk."

"I like the fact that he's been successful. He has built some incredible things. He has had his failures but he's had huge successes," Burke said. "I think that Trump has the vision that we need to have now to get us pointed back in the right direction."

___

Iraq War veteran Rebecca Zbichorski, 28, of Milwaukee, is a first-time voter who supported Trump because "America needs a kick in the behind."

A factory worker who gets her health care through the Veterans Health Administration, Zbichorski enlisted in the military at 18 and served nearly eight years as a Marine. She said she sees Trump as a "regular type of guy" who doesn't care what anyone thinks, which made him the best candidate to give U.S. government the "shake-up" she thinks it needs.

Health care was her top issue as a voter, she said. Identifying neither as liberal or conservative, she would prefer Canada-style national health care. She notes Trump once spoke favorably of Canada's system before his current support for working with Congress to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. Her family, she said, has had a "nonstop hassle of getting insurance" under Obama's health care law.

She discounted the women who came forward to say Trump made unwanted sexual advances.

"In the military, that's a common situation," she said. "It's what happens with a man in power and a woman who comes in who's gorgeous and attracted to money and power. ... I don't know the full facts. The only people who know are the women in question and the man himself."

She unapologetically keeps a copy of Trump's book "Crippled America" in full view of her co-workers. It was a way to broadcast her position, which she sums up with a social media meme, minus the hashtag: "I'm voting for Trump. SorryNotSorry."

"He's the slap in the face. He's the wakeup call," Zbichorski said. "Let the man do what he's got to do."

___

Eileen Barlow, a 56-year-old small business owner and part-time bartender, voted for Trump because he's a businessman and not a politician. He's also not a Clinton.

"My grandfather always said that what we need is a businessman in the presidential office, and that's what Donald Trump is," Barlow said as she stood behind the bar at the local American Legion post in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, Illinois, readying for a busy night that included a meat raffle.

In her voting lifetime, Barlow says she supported Republicans about 60 percent of the time and Democrats roughly 40 percent. Most of her family members are Democrats. But Bill Clinton was her "tipping point." Barlow voted for him twice. Then came the scandal over his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky

"After what happened with him, it turned me off the Clintons permanently. Not just that he did it. But admit it. Don't stand there and lie to us," she said.

Obama's signature health care law was another reason.

Both Barlow and her husband are small business owners, and between them have three adult kids. Come Feb. 1, they will be paying just shy of $1,400 per month in health insurance premiums for the two of them, with a $2,500 deductible per person.

"The Affordable Care Act is a mess," she said. "We're trying to save for retirement. We paid for our own kids' college  we're still paying for it because we didn't want our kids to be loaded down with debt. And now (Democrats) are talking about giving away free college? Who's going to pay for that?"

Like a lot of Trump supporters, she said, she kept quiet about backing Trump: "You don't want to be ridiculed, mocked, told you're stupid."

Illinois is a reliably left-leaning state, and Clinton, who was born in suburban Chicago, easily won it Tuesday. She also won DuPage County, where Barlow lives. But Trump resonated with voters elsewhere in a way Mitt Romney didn't, taking 12 more Illinois counties than the 2012 GOP nominee.

___

At Anthony's Barber Shop in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, owner Anthony Canamucio's customers range from doctors to lawyers to retired steel mill guys of all races. Most of them, like Canamucio himself, voted for Trump.

"We were sick and tired of elitist and career politicians," he said.

Canamucio, who typically votes for Republicans, supported Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker early in the crowded GOP primary, but as that battle stretched on, his choice shifted.

"You could see who was just a career politician trying to move up the ladder  Walker included," he said. "And then there was Trump."

Trump "spoke like people speak here when they're in my barber chair" and had positions on issues that the 50-year-old barber said mirror most of "middle America."

Take immigration: Canamucio said it doesn't make sense to him that states are issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally or that Syrian refugees are coming to this country rather than going to neighboring Arab states. In Trump, he found someone who felt the same way.

"He was the first person who seemed to have some common sense," he said.

Now, it's important for Trump to follow through on his campaign promises, he said. "I think people are expecting him to do what he says he's gonna do. They're just sick of having smoke blown up their you-know-what."

Clinton won Middletown Township and Bucks County. But Trump outpaced Romney's performance in the suburban Philadelphia county and shaved Clinton's winning percentage from just over 50 percent for Obama in 2012 to roughly 50 percent this year.

___

Associated Press writers Jeff Karoub in St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Mike Catalini in Middletown, Pennsylvania; and Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

In a photo from Nov. 11, 2016, a supporter of Donald Trump displays signs supporting the President-elect in St. Clair Shores, Mich. The front lawn features a large wooden basket with life-sized, scarecrow-like people sticking out and a sign labeling it "The Deplorables," a reference to Hillary Clinton's description of half of Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables." The lawn display also features a sign that reads: "Climb In There is Room For All. (AP Photo/Jeff Karoub)

In this Nov. 9, 2016 photo, Eileen Barlow, of Naperville Ill., poses for a photo at the American Legion in Naperville. Barlow, a small business owner and part-time bartender, supported Donald Trump because she believes the country needs a businessman in the White House and she wants him to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which she calls a "mess." (AP Photo/Sara Burnett)
Ex-cop was spurred on to take on

A former police officer hopes to make history by swimming every mile of the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America.

Ben Hooper set off yesterday from Dakar, Senegal, and has a swim of 1,635 nautical miles, or nearly 2,000 land miles ahead of him.

The British ex-policeman, 38, has been preparing for the challenge for three years.

Ben Hooper set off yesterday from Dakar, Senegal, and has a swim of 1,635 nautical miles, or nearly 2,000 land miles ahead of him

Flanked by two boats and a crew of less than a dozen, Hooper aims to be the first person to swim every mile of the Atlantic Ocean from continent to continent, stepping on land again in March

'This is for my daughter,' said Hooper, who filled a water bottle with sand to keep for the 8-year-old who he said inspired the swim. 'It's been a long time coming.'

His journey began on Sunday around 10:30am on the beach outside the Monaco Plage hotel in Dakar and he aims in finish in Natal, north east Brazil in March 2017.

Flanked by two boats and a crew of less than a dozen, Hooper aims to be the first person to swim every mile of the Atlantic Ocean from continent to continent, stepping on land again in March.

As well as training extensively Hooper has also gathered a crew for the Big Blue, the main boat on which he will eat and sleep when he is not swimming.

He will spend about eight hours each day powering through waters infested with sharks and jellyfish.

Water has played an a surprisingly important role in Hooper's life. 'I nearly drowned when I was 5 in a swimming pool in Belgium,' he said. 'Ever since I've had this affinity with water. It was the calmest I've ever felt.'

Hooper said he experienced a bout of depression about three and a half years ago and decided to turn his life around for his daughter. So he looked to water.

'Nobody had swum a full ocean,' he explained. 'More people have landed on the moon than have tried this, so at that point I thought maybe this is my calling.

As well as training extensively Hooper has also gathered a crew for the Big Blue, the main boat on which he will eat and sleep when he is not swimming. He will spend about eight hours each day powering through waters infested with sharks and jellyfish

Inspired by British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hooper said he hopes to motivate others, especially children, to swim

Hooper's journey began on Sunday around 10:30am on the beach outside the Monaco Plage hotel in Dakar and he aims in finish in Natal, north east Brazil in March 2017.

'If I can inspire myself, other people and raise money for charity, why not do it?'

Inspired by British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hooper said he hopes to motivate others, especially children, to swim.

Funding for the expedition has taken time, and the launch was set back several times as various crew members dropped out and the boats faced mechanical issues.

'See you in Brazil,' Hooper said to supporters as he stood in sea at Dakar, before eventually swimming off into the sunlit waters toward his goal

'This will be a major achievement overall,' said Nigel Taylor-Schofield, the captain of Big Blue. 'If anybody can accomplish this, it would be Ben. He is very determined.'

The crew, including a paramedic, will track the miles, and Hooper has said if he gets to Brazil with the help of currents, he will swim until he fulfills the full Atlantic mileage.

The challenges - be it marine life, dehydration, and more - will be vast, but Hooper says his biggest fear is letting the team and his daughter down.

For motivation he will listen to a playlist on customized earphones that he said will include eurotrash music, Eminem and The Script's Hall of Fame.

Hooper will also wear various gear that helps camouflage him from sharks and a tracking device so supporters can follow his nearly five-month swim online.
Egypt detains 200 alleged Islamists over protest calls

CAIRO (AP)  Egyptian officials say some 200 supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood have been detained in connection with calls by the Islamist group for street protests against price rises.

The officials say 229 people were detained Friday, but an unspecified number of minors and bystanders were later released. Those arrested came from seven provinces, with 78 from the capital, Cairo, 104 from the northern Beheira province and 21 from Minya, south of Cairo.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Sunday because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Only several hundred Brotherhood supporters responded to the calls, staging flash protests in poor areas of Cairo and other cities on Friday.
White House to honor nation's oldest LGBTQ youth drama group

BOSTON (AP)  A Boston-based youth theater group is being honored at the White House this week.

True Colors: Out Youth Theater, the nation's longest-running LGBTQ youth drama group, is among the recipients of the 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.

First lady Michelle Obama will present the award to True Colors in a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday.

The award is considered the country's highest honor in creative youth development.

The Boston theater troupe specializes in performances based on the personal stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth.
BC-US--Changing Culture Wars,1192, US

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FILE - In this Thursday Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, from left, Celeste Ramirez, 20, Erin Ckodre , 21, Ronald Elliott, 18, Patricia Romo, 22, and Rose Ammons, 18, hold up signs during a rally at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, to protest Donald Trump's presidential election victory. For the combatants in America's long-running culture wars, the triumph of Trump and congressional Republicans was stunning _ sparking elation on one side, deep dismay on the other. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

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NEW YORK (AP)  For the combatants in America's long-running culture wars, the triumph of Donald Trump and congressional Republicans was stunning  sparking elation on one side, deep dismay on the other.

Advocates of LGBT rights and abortion rights now fear setbacks instead of further gains. But the outcome emboldened the anti-abortion movement and breathed new life into the religious right's campaign for broad exemptions from same-sex marriage and other laws.

Kelly Shackelford, head of First Liberty Institute, a legal group that specializes in religious freedom cases, said that, for his cause, the environment will transform from "brutal" under the Obama administration to friendly given GOP control of both Congress and the White House. His clients include two Christian bakers in Oregon who were fined for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding.

"Many of us who fight for religious freedom have felt in the last four or even eight years there was a lot of overreaching that was wrong," said Shackelford, who was among hundreds of religious conservatives who met with Trump last June. "To have someone who is president-elect, who says I'm going to put an end to this ... we're going to go back to a country built on religious freedom. That makes us very hopeful."

Among the election's repercussions will be a renewed campaign, in state legislatures and in Congress, to pass tough anti-abortion legislation. Religious conservatives will press for far-reaching conscience protections and a repeal of regulations they said violated their religious liberty. And the push to let transgender students use the bathroom of their choice at school, strongly backed by President Barack Obama, may wither in the face of GOP resistance.

"There's no question a lot of transgender students and their parents woke up Wednesday morning really scared," said Sarah McBride, a 26-year-old transgender activist who gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention. "I'm feeling the way a lot of folks are feeling  worried that the heart of this country isn't big enough to love us, too."

Comparable worries surfaced among abortion-rights supporters.

"My colleagues across the country are deeply disheartened," said Dr. Willie Parker, an Alabama-based physician who provides abortions in three Southern states. He predicts intensified efforts to lay the groundwork for a challenge of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision establishing a nationwide right to abortion.

"We're disappointed, but not defeated," said Parker. "Like the civil rights movement, we're in it for the long haul."

Anti-abortion leaders initially were wary of Trump, who in the past had supported abortion rights. They rallied behind him  and launched a massive door-knocking campaign in several battleground states  after he pledged to support several of their key goals. These include defunding of Planned Parenthood, a ban on most late-term abortions, and the appointment of Supreme Court justices who might weaken or reverse Roe v. Wade.

Marjorie Dannensfelser, leader of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, hailed the GOP sweep as "an historic moment for the pro-life movement," putting its goals within reach.

Yet some wariness remained.

"We are well aware that promises are not deeds," said Troy Newman, the president of Operation Rescue. "We will work to hold the new administration's feet to the fire throughout Trump's presidency, to ensure that promises are kept."

Planned Parenthood, whose services include birth control, sex education and abortions, has been a longtime target of Republican politicians, and is now bracing for intensified challenges.

"There are almost no words to capture the threat that this election result poses," said the organization's president, Cecile Richards. "We will not give up, we will not back down."

On social media, many women were broaching the option of acquiring long-lasting intrauterine devices as their form of birth control, on the possibility that birth-control pills would no longer be available free if Obama's health care act is repealed.

The GOP triumph was a heavy blow to the Human Rights Campaign and other gay-rights organizations which had worked vigorously on behalf of Hillary Clinton. They embraced her campaign as unprecedented in the breadth of its outreach to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

"It hurts," said Rachel Tiven, CEO of the LGBT-rights group Lambda Legal. "Our beautiful, slowly improving, two-steps-forward-one-step-back country took a giant step backward."

LGBT activists are now wondering if same-sex marriage  legalized nationwide by a 2015 Supreme Court ruling  is in jeopardy given the prospect of Trump appointing conservative justices who might reconsider that decision.

Activists also are worried by news that Ken Blackwell, a former Cincinnati mayor, was being tapped to handle domestic issues for Trump's transition team. Blackwell is a senior fellow with the Family Research Council, a staunch foe of same-sex marriage and other LGBT-rights causes.

On same-sex marriage and other issues, the Obama years brought one defeat after another for religious conservatives, who saw the president and his supporters on an inexorable march to curtail the rights of people of faith.

Liberals considered these fears overblown and said the First Amendment already offered significant protection for religious groups. But conservative Christians were deeply anxious about their future. Their only major victory came when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled two years ago in favor of Hobby Lobby, the Christian-owned arts and crafts chains with faith objections to the birth control coverage requirement in the Affordable Care Act.

Now, advocates see a transformed landscape.

"We now have more equilibrium between the so-called competing sides  between the LGBT rights movement and the religious freedom proponents," said Tim Schultz of the 1st Amendment Partnership, a Washington-based group which advocates for religious exemptions.

In a letter last month to Catholics, Trump decried what he called hostility to religious freedom and pledged, "I will defend your religious liberties and the right to fully and freely practice your religion, as individuals, business owners and academic institutions."

During the campaign, he promised to repeal the Johnson Amendment, an IRS rule barring pastors from endorsing candidates from the pulpit.

Due to the election results, Schultz expects the Justice Department will be friendlier to religious conservatives, and Congress more willing to enact legislation that advances conscience protections.

Retired Navy Chaplain Wes Modder, a Pentecostal minister, was the target of a complaint that he was disrespectful in counseling gay sailors when discussing his religious opposition to same-sex relationships. The First Liberty Institute took him on as a client and successfully challenged the complaint as a violation of Modder's religious freedom. The case became a rallying cry for Christian conservatives upset about the Obama administration's support for LGBT rights.

"No military chaplain should have to go through what I went through," Modder said of his fight to avoid being ousted from the Navy.

Modder, among military veterans who met with Trump in September, said he was very hopeful that Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, a religious conservative, will advance policies that would prevent recurrences of what happened to him.

Trump "understands the importance of religious liberty," said Modder, who recently retired from the military to become a pastor in Chicago. "The team that he is assembling, the people he is surrounding himself with, I think are going to give him the right messaging."

FILE - In this Wednesday Nov. 9, 2016 file photo, a construction worker exchanges a fist pound with a demonstrator, as pro-Trump supporters gather to cheer his election as president, outside Trump Tower in New York. Among the election's repercussions will be a renewed campaign, in state legislatures and in Congress, to pass tough anti-abortion legislation. Religious conservatives will press for far-reaching conscience protections and a repeal of regulations they said violated their religious liberty. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 file photo, a pro-Trump supporter, right, attacks an anti-Trump protester at Lee Circle after the protester grabbed his Trump flag from the truck in New Orleans. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, the pro-Trump supporter made several circles in his vehicle and incited protesters with his pro-Trump flag and rhetoric. (Matthew Hinton/The Advocate via AP)

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, two of a few thousand protesters, one holding a rainbow-colored flag, march up State Street from UW-Madison's Bascom Hall to the State Capitol, protesting President-elect Donald Trump in Madison, Wis. The GOP triumph was a heavy blow to the Human Rights Campaign and other gay-rights organizations which had worked vigorously on behalf of Hillary Clinton. They embraced her campaign as unprecedented in the breadth of its outreach to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. (Michael P. King/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)
Israeli bill to recognize West Bank outposts approved

JERUSALEM (AP)  An Israeli committee on Sunday approved a bill that if adopted would legalize outposts built without government permission in the West Bank, territory Palestinians demand for their future state.

It still needs to pass several stages before it can be adopted. A first reading is expected in parliament on Wednesday.

"The state of Israel today began an historic process of regulating the settlements in Judea and Samaria," Cabinet minister Naftali Bennett, head of the pro-settler Jewish Home party, that promoted the bill said, using the biblical names for the West Bank.

The bill was in part meant to stop the looming evacuation of the Amona outpost. The Supreme Court has ruled it was built on private Palestinian land and must be demolished by Dec. 25.

Amona's fate threatens to destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line coalition.

Amona is the largest of about 100 West Bank outposts built without permission but generally tolerated by the government. These are in addition to 120 settlements that Israel considers legal.

In 2006, Israeli police demolished nine homes at Amona, setting off clashes pitting settlers and their supporters against police and soldiers. Several dozen trailers have remained.

Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, condemned the bill calling it "a legal stunt designed to legally sanction takeover of Palestinian land in the West Bank. "
Pat Perez rallies to win OHL Classic at Mayakoba

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP)  Pat Perez won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba on Sunday in his third start since returning from shoulder surgery.

Perez closed with a 4-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over third-round leader Gary Woodland on the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleon course. Perez finished at 21-under 263.

"I had an attitude that I can't really repeat, but I had a lot of thoughts going on," Perez said. "The main one was I wanted to stay aggressive. I knew if I just stayed aggressive I was seeing the line great on the putting green. ... This type of grass and these greens, if you can get it on line you can make them.

Pat Perez of the United States holds up his trophy after he won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba golf tournament in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Israel Leal)

"I just saw the line, I thought I could make them all and I just had a confidence. I had an entirely different attitude than I would have had a few years ago. It was definitely a different win than last time. Last time, I was a little more scared coming down the stretch. I didn't really believe and this and that. This time, I really had like this calmness, kind of like a madness to get it done."

Perez had surgery on his shoulder in February. He returned with a tie for 33rd in Malaysia, and tied for seventh last week in Las Vegas.

"When you hit 40 and then you have surgery, it's like 'Oh, God, you know, what are we going to do?'" Perez said. "I had sleepless nights, I had a lot of sleepless nights wondering, 'What are we going to do? How are we going to do this? What's going to happen here? What would happen here? Because all you do is sit around and think. That's all you have time is to sit around. You're just sitting in a sling doing nothing and you can't hit balls for five months. I had a lot of time to think about a lot of things."

Perez shot a 62 on Saturday to pull within a stroke of Woodland. The 40-year-old former Arizona State player birdied five of the first eight holes and had a bogey on the par-4 12th.

"In a lot of ways, when you win you've got to have a lot of things go your way," Perez said. "You've got to make a lot of putts, you need some help from other players. It's everything. It's so hard to win. But I just had this different look about it this week and I'll hopefully carry that through for a while."

He also won the 2009 Bob Hope Classic.

"I guess I'm just one of those late-maturers," Perez said. "I know I was sort of a punk and all that early on, but I think I learned a lot about myself in the last nine, 10 months and it just paid off this week. I couldn't be more excited about what's going on."

Woodland birdied the final two holes for a 70.

Russell Knox was third at 18 under after a 66.

"I wasn't all that comfortable out there." Knox said. "This course kind of makes you put the steer on sometimes, but I made seven birdies. A couple mistakes, but overall starting the day I would have taken 66."

Chez Reavie (67), Kevin Streelman (65) and Scott Piercy (70) were 17 under.

"Great first, third and fourth rounds, just struggled there on Friday, which cost me winning the tournament, but a lot of good stuff," Streelman said, pointing to a second-round 73. "Obviously, it's early in the year and real excited."

Pat Perez of the United States celebrates with his wife after he won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba golf tournament in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Israel Leal)
Flash mob attacks in Philadelphia send 4 to hospital

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Six people, including an off-duty police detective and his wife, were injured after a "flash mob" attack by some among a crowd of juveniles in downtown Philadelphia, police said.

Police said a large crowd of juveniles were at 16th and Walnut streets, a popular spot for dining and shopping, at about 6 p.m. Saturday when some people began randomly assaulting people on the street.

A 55-year-old off-duty police detective saw a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman being assaulted and tried to arrest one of the offenders. He was punched from behind by several people, police said.

The detective's 53-year-old wife splashed water on the offenders to try to stop them from attacking her husband, and she was punched in the face, police said. All of the offenders then fled. The four victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

Immediately afterward, there was another assault by several juveniles nearby, and two 16-year-old youths were arrested, police said.

In all, six people were injured.

The police detective had an orbital fracture to his right eye while the others had minor injuries.

One man told WPVI-TV that he feared for his safety when the large group of teens appeared, and he saw other people running into nearby stores to escape.
Marine Le Pen claims no difference between her policies and Ukip's

The leader of France's far right National Front has said there is not a "hair's breadth" between it and Ukip.

Marine Le Pen said it was "ridiculous" for Nigel Farage and others in Ukip to pretend otherwise.

Pressed on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show about why Ukip refuses to associate itself with the National Front, Ms Le Pen said: "Sorry, no, but objectively, there is, on the topic of immigration and the European Union, there is not a hair's breadth of difference between what Ukip thinks and what the National Front thinks, let's be truthful here.

Marine Le Pen compared her party's platform to Ukip's

"Maybe Ukip is trying to counter the demonisation they are victim of by saying 'we are the good guys and the National Front are the bad guys', they can do so, but I don't feel obliged to follow this strategy, because, frankly, I feel it's a little bit ridiculous. "

Ms Le Pen, who has led a number of polls ahead of next spring's French presidential election, denied that her party is racist, claiming that was a charge from the "elites".

The far right leader claimed that the rise of nationalism across Europe was not a mirror of the 1930s.

"What doesn't work is when you impose the same drugs on everyone, when clearly, if you will, the different countries are not suffering from the same disease, or that you want everyone to wear the same suit, but the suit will be too small and too big for everyone, except possibly for Germany, as they tailored it."

Ms Le Pen predicted her election as French president next year will be the third act of a "global revolution" which has seen Brexit and Donald Trump's seizure of the White House shake the world.

The National Front lender defended her party borrowing money from Russian banks as she praised Vladimir Putin.

She said his model of politics is "one of reasoned protectionism, looking after the interests of his country, defending his identity".
MSPs urged to back Scotland remaining within EU single market

MSPs have been urged to unanimously back Scotland's continued membership of the EU single market in a Holyrood debate.

Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown wants the Scottish Parliament to "show consensus" over the issue so it can present a united front in calling on the UK Government to look at options to protect Scotland's access to the single market during Brexit negotiations.

The Scottish Government has said it will bring forward proposals to keep Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK was not part of the trading agreement.

Keith Brown wants the Scottish Parliament to "show consensus" over the issue

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Brown said: "The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain within the European Union, and it is vital that any Brexit negotiation acknowledges and respects that choice.

"This is why I am asking the Scottish Parliament to show consensus on this issue, so we can unanimously call on the UK Government to explore all avenues to protect this access, rather than dragging Scotland out against our will.

"The EU is a vital trading body for Scotland. It's the destination for 42% of our exports, is a market nine times bigger than the UK's alone, contains eight of our top 12 export destinations and contributed 11.6 billion to the economy in 2014."

He said Scotland's membership of the single market is a "key factor" for international firms based in the country, and losing membership would put the free movement of EU citizens at risk.

Mr Brown added: " Cutting ties with the EU single market would seriously threaten Scotland's attractiveness as a place to do business, remove several vital streams of funding, and endanger the security of jobs, businesses and services across the country.
Children's terror attack fears revealed in calls to NSPCC's Childline

Children as young as nine have been left "petrified" that Britain could be hit by a terror attack, a leading charity has warned.

Youngsters contacting the NSPCC's Childline service have suffered panic attacks, anxiety and insomnia triggered or exacerbated by atrocities around the world.

In the last year, the facility has handled 660 counselling sessions about terrorism, with children discussing conflicts in the Middle East and often mentioning Islamic State - also known as Isis.

The charity said youngsters have been left "petrified" that Britain could be hit by an attack

It is the first year the service has specifically recorded contacts concerning terrorism after a surge in the wake of the Paris massacre. Extremists killed 130 people in mass shootings and bomb attacks in the French capital a year ago.

Subsequent atrocities in Brussels, Orlando and Nice all triggered a higher volume of calls to Childline.

Where the age was known, a fifth of contacts about terrorism were from children aged 11 and under, while girls were twice as likely as boys to seek support from the service.

Many youngsters feared the outbreak of war and frequently reported that they were afraid of a terror attack hurting their families.

One 11-year-old boy said: "I'm so scared at the moment with everything going on.

"I constantly feel anxious about terrorism and think that Isis is going to attack the UK soon. I am really worried that they will get someone in my family. I haven't been sleeping because it is all I can think about."

A girl, 14, said: "My anxiety is becoming worse after the terrorist attacks. I'm really worried something like this could happen in London."

Attacks overseas in recent months have heightened fears Britain could be targeted. The official threat level for international terrorism in the UK is severe, meaning an attack is "highly likely".

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: "These vicious attacks have seared themselves into the consciousness of children, who tell us how petrified they are of these sadistic atrocities happening on UK shores.

"The past 12 months have been stained by these bloody events and it is little wonder that young people are so frightened about terrorism.

"Sadly we now live in a world where the months are punctuated by these inhumane attacks, so it is vital that we do not brush young people's fears aside.

"Instead, we must listen to their worries and reassure them that there are people doing everything they can to keep us all safe.

"Childline is always hear to listen to a child, and our helpline can offer adults advice on how to comfort and talk to children about difficult topics."
Ex-BHS boss Dominic Chappell 'arrested over unpaid tax'

The former bankrupt who bought BHS from Sir Philip Green for a pound has been reportedly arrested over unpaid tax.

Dominic Chappell, 49, is alleged to have been arrested by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for failing to pay more than 500,000 in tax on money from the department store chain, according to the Sunday Times.

A HMRC spokeswoman said: "We do not comment on identifiable cases, but can confirm we arrested a 49-year-old businessman".

Dominic Chappell bought BHS from Sir Philip Green for 1

She said the arrest was made on November 2.

The same day, the Pensions Regulator began enforcement action against Sir Philip and Mr Chappell ''to seek redress on behalf of the BHS pension schemes''.
Families pay tribute to Croydon tram crash victims

The families of two men named as victims of the Croydon tram crash have paid tribute to them.

Donald Collett and Philip Logan, along with four other men and one woman, were killed when the tram derailed and flipped on to its side.

More than 50 people were injured in the crash that occurred during the morning rush hour on Wednesday.

Floral tributes and Crystal Palace football colours left near the scene where a tram crashed, killing seven people, in Croydon

The driver of the tram was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and questioned by police before being bailed until May.

On Saturday British Transport Police released the final three names of the victims after consultation with the Coroner.

The family and friends of Mr Collett, 62, from Croydon, south London, said they were "struggling to deal with this tragic news".

"Don was a well loved, funny and generous man, who could light up a room with his smile. He is tragically leaving behind a loving family, partner, adored friends and work colleagues," they said in a statement.

"Please rest in peace and know you are truly loved and greatly missed."

The family of Mr Logan, 52, from New Addington, south London, said he would be "immensely missed by all that knew him".

"Philip Logan known to all who knew him as Loag, a loving husband to Marilyn, brother to Susan, father to Lee, Tracy, Lisa and Adele, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a true family man and generous friend to all with a magnificently dry sense of humour.

"Phil was a man with more love compassion and zest for life than words can express."

Police said Robert Huxley, 63, from New Addington, also died in the tragedy, along with mother-of-two Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, from New Addington; Mark Smith, a 35-year-old from Croydon who had an 18-month-old son; Philip Seary, 57, a grandfather from Croydon and Dane Chinnery, 19, from New Addington.

On Saturday a group of up to 100 mourners marched to the scene and held a vigil where flowers and tributes have been left in memory of the victims.

The wrecked tram had earlier been removed from the site by lorry and taken away to be checked by investigators.

BTP detectives and officials from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) are probing what led to the two-carriage tram leaving the tracks near Sandilands station at around 6.10am on Wednesday.

Officials said the tram was travelling at a "significantly higher speed than is permitted" as it entered a tight bend before flipping on to its side and sliding for a distance.

The driver, a 42-year-old man from Beckenham, south London, was arrested at the scene. It is understood that establishing if the driver was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry.
European version of US visa waiver 'valuable weapon in anti-terror fight'

A European version of the US visa waver programme will be a "valuable additional piece of the jigsaw" in the war on international terrorism, the British diplomat heading up security in Brussels has said.

Sir Julian King, European commissioner for the security union, said plans to introduce an electronic system for travel authorisation - known as an Esta in America - will help identify potential troublemakers before they arrive at border control gates.

The US scheme requires international travellers who are exempt from visa requirements to apply for an Esta and pay a small fee - around 10 - before entering the territory.

Sir Julian King is in charge of tackling terrorism across the European Union

In his first British interview since taking up the role in September, Sir Julian said proposals for a European pre-clearance system would be presented this week.

He told the Press Association: "We think this is going to be a valuable additional piece of the jigsaw because it will allow us to know more about the people who are planning to come to the EU in advance so that if necessary they raise questions about either security or in some cases migration.

"We'll be able to intervene even before they arrive in some cases."

Plans had been mooted over the summer that suggested Britons would have to apply for visas to travel throughout continental Europe once the UK leaves the EU.

The scheme suggested the 26-nation passport-free Schengen zone, which does not include the UK, could operate a visa programme similar to the US waiver.

Currently British passport holders can travel throughout member states without having to apply for short-term visas, but Britain's decision to leave the EU has left question marks over the criteria needed for UK nationals to visit the Schengen zone.

The Esta proposals are part of a broader response to calls for greater security across the continent following recent terror attacks in Europe - and comes one year on from the Paris atrocities.

Sir Julian said: " The fact that we're having this conversation now is unfortunately timely, because Sunday is one year on from the horrible attacks in Paris which were part of a series of attacks that shocked France, shocked the whole of Europe.

"It's that level of present, persistent, indiscriminate threat that led to 80-plus percent of European citizens saying they want more action in this area.

"There are a number of elements at the heart of this task - tackling terrorism is one, but not the only part of it. There's work that needs to be done on cyber crime and attacks, and serious and organised crime.

"On terrorism there were a number of things already in hand."

This includes making it more difficult to get hold of deactivated firearms in the EU, as well as plans to criminalise travel to and from Syria and Iraq, and making changes to checks at passport control that are designed to increase the amount of information known about the traveller without slowing down the process at passport control.

He said further meetings are also planned with Internet Service Providers (IPSs) in an attempt to reduce the emergence of homegrown terror cells.

Sir Julian said: "T here is (content) on the internet that isn't illegal but is extremely unpleasant and prejudicial.

"We are working with the ISPs to identify stuff and talk to them whether according to their rules and procedures it should be taken down. Part of Europol, the internet referral unit, has referred thousands of items over the last 12 months and in nine out of 10 cases ISPs have taken it down.

"But we need to reinforce that because thousands is great, but there are hundreds of thousands of such items on the net. We have a meeting next month of the EU internet forum which is designed to have a discussion with ISPs on how best to build our cooperation.

"But there is also, crucially, day in day out, work in the community. Unfortunately Daesh (Islamic State) and some of their agents are working in the community to try and spread their message and try and radicalise individuals - we have to work against that.

"That's not in many cases going to be national authorities - certainly not police authorities - it's not going to be people coming from Brussels, because the people we are trying to reach - often young people - feel alienated from authority.

"The most effective way to reach them is the civil society, grass roots actors, often other young people.

"We can help and support, sometimes by funding, but also by creating networks so that all across Europe people who are doing this work can help each other, learn from each other and support each other.
Paris marks first anniversary of terror attacks with emotional ceremonies

The people of Paris have marked the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks that left 130 dead in a series of emotional ceremonies.

President Francois Hollande led commemoration events at the sites hit by Islamic extremists, including the Bataclan concert hall where Briton Nick Alexander was among 89 music fans killed in a massacre.

Suicide bombers - Frenchmen Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Amimour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23 - stormed into the venue where the Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, while attackers also targeted cafes and the Stade de France on November 13 last year.

French president Francois Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo unveil a commemorative plaque next to the A La Bonne Biere cafe and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street in Paris (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Alexander had been on tour with the American band selling merchandise, and tried to play dead when he was approached by one of the gunmen, who opened fire.

After former Police frontman Sting re-opened the Bataclan on Saturday night, Mr Hollande joined survivors and victims' families on Sunday morning, where a plaque was unveiled and the names of those who died were read out.

Mourners arrived all day to leave flowers and candles beneath the plaque, with many walking away in tears.

In the afternoon, in Place de la Republique, people paid their respects by writing hopeful messages on heart-shaped pieces of paper.

Artist Morvan Christelle had laid out 130 potted pansies, representing the 130 victims, and asked people to tuck their messages into the pots.

She said she hoped for messages of "peace and love".

Later, dozens of red, white and blue lanterns were sent drifting down Canal Saint-Martin.

Looking on at the scene as night fell on the City of Light, a woman who gave her name as Gabrielle said two of her friends managed to get out of the Bataclan alive.

"I think it's a good thing to remember, but when you were in there it's hard as well," she said.

Her friends were in the front row at the concert and escaped through an emergency exit.

Gabrielle, 27, said she herself is a big fan of Eagles Of Death Metal, but happened to be in London on the weekend of the attacks.

"I would have been to the concert," she said, adding: "It puts everything into perspective. We all know somebody who knows somebody who was there."

Meanwhile, a pianist outside the Bataclan brought back memories of the mysterious musician who captured the hearts of millions hours after the attacks took place last year.

Andrea Lucca, from Udine in Italy, received huge applause after he played Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi.

The 23-year-old, who is in Paris studying finance, said he joined a number of other musicians and recalled how his music brought one woman to tears.

"There was a woman who said 'thank you'. She was crying. It was really touching, really emotional. I didn't expect such a big reaction," he said.
Queen leads ceremony at Cenotaph to remember Britain's war dead

The Queen led the nation in tribute as the country paused for a two-minute silence to remember its war dead.

The head of state was joined by Prime Minister Theresa May for the annual service at the Cenotaph in central London - one of many taking place around the country in memory of those killed in past and present conflicts.

More than 750 Armed Forces personnel were applauded by crowds of poppy wearers as they marched to form a hollow square around the memorial in Whitehall.

The Queen before laying a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph

As Big Ben struck 11am, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War-era guns to mark the beginning and end of the reflection in the heart of Whitehall.

The Last Post was then sounded before the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres, led a service.

Dressed in black, the Queen laid a wreath of poppies at the memorial for "The Glorious Dead" while the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Mrs May and leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn followed suit.

Mr Corbyn joined in with God Save The Queen after previously attracting criticism for not singing the anthem at the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemorations last year.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall watched on from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair and Sir John Major were also present, along with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Ahead of the service, wreaths of life-jacket-orange poppies were laid by campaign group Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants to commemorate the thousands of people who have died in the last year trying to reach Europe.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Scotland at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers.

Hundreds gathered outside St Giles' Cathedral on the capital's Royal Mile for the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial event organised by veterans' charity Legion Scotland.

This year's Remembrance Sunday is especially poignant as 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland, the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War and the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.

The British Army suffered almost 60,000 casualties on the first day of the Somme battle alone and more than a million men would be killed or wounded on both sides over the course of the 141-day offensive.

Alex Saridis, great-grandnephew of Jack Cornwell, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions on board HMS Chester at Jutland aged just 16, said it was "amazing" to be at the Cenotaph with so many people.

Cornwell was stationed at a gun in an exposed position and was seriously injured when the ship was hit by 17 shells in the space of three minutes.

He continued to stand alone at his post with shrapnel in his chest until the end of fighting, dying days later in hospital shortly after his 16th birthday.

Wearing his Royal Navy uniform, Mr Saridis, 23, from Epsom, Surrey said: "I'm here today to remember my great great uncle Jack, also known as John Travers Cornwell, who is the youngest VC (Victoria Cross) winner within the Royal Navy.

"It's a sad thing knowing that a family member passed on at such a young age, but it's also an incredible thing knowing that I have such a legacy to be able to look up to and be able to reach for.

"Remembering not just my great great uncle Jack but everyone ... is an incredibly important thing because it enables us to not just see what happened but also to learn from their mistakes so we can better ourselves, and to be able to keep on living and improving."

Following the ceremony, about 8,500 veterans and servicemen and women were cheered on as they started parading down Whitehall to music played by military bands. Heir to the throne Charles took the salute at Horse Guards Parade.

In what has become an annual tradition, London black cabs provided free transport to participating veterans from the main London train stations to Whitehall as a mark of gratitude.

Numbers were down from the usual 10,000-strong participants after the Legion introduced "more rigorous eligibility criteria" this year.

Bob Gamble OBE, who heads up commemorative events at the RBL, denied that family members had been told they could not march, saying instead that various associations had been trying to prioritise veterans.

He said: "By the time Charles stops saluting I think he'll tell you there were plenty of veterans here today.

"The numbers were less this year than last. Next year I am very confident we will be back up to our usual 10,000, but it will be veterans. The crowds come to see veterans. It's about veterans.

"We just need to make sure all those that have served, both civilian and military, men and women, have an opportunity to come and do this thing. It's for them."

Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge salute during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London. (Sgt Ross Tilly/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The Prince of Wales lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts. (Sgt Ross Tilly/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The Queen lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

The annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts. (PO(Phot) Owen Cooban/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The Duke of Edinburgh lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London. (Sgt Ross Tilly/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Former prime minister Tony Blair, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Cabinet minister Liam Fox, ex-PM Sir John Major and Prime Minister Theresa May during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

The Queen lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London. (Sgt Ross Tilly/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Chelsea Pensioners at the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Members of the armed forces and veterans march during a Remembrance Sunday service in Fort William town centre, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts.

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

First Minister Arlene Foster and Taoiseach Enda Kenny at a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Military personnel pay tribute at a Remembrance Sunday service in Fort William town centre, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts.

A soldier stands by poppies during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lays a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan makes his way through Downing Street on his way to the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Former prime minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair walk through Downing Street on their way to the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

Former prime minister David Cameron walks through Downing Street on his way to the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

The annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London, held in tribute for members of the armed forces who have died in major conflicts.

Veterans parade during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

Veterans parade during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Veterans parade during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London.

Veterans parade during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.
Banks could quit Britain with no post-Brexit transition plan, warns RBS chairman

The chairman of RBS has warned that banks could pull out of Britain unless Theresa May secures a post-Brexit transition plan.

Sir Howard Davies said American and Japanese banks are very concerned at the prospect of a hard Brexit and are drawing up contingency plans.

He urged the Prime Minister to offer the City some reassurance and certainty by negotiating a transitional deal which will allow firms based in Britain to continue to be able to operate in the rest of the EU.

RBS chairman Sir Howard Davies urged Theresa May to negotiate a transitional deal so firms based in Britain can keep operating in the rest of the EU

He told ITV's Peston On Sunday show that jobs could be lost to Europe and to Ireland.

He said: "I think it is damaging if we don't get a transitional deal because I think you will then see banks and financial institutions making decisions on the basis of uncertainty.

"They will not wait because they have to make a decision which will allow them to be, to continue to function in the event of a hard Brexit if that's a possibility.

"So they will not sit back, they are currently making contingency plans and once you've got a contingency plan - hey, there is a risk you might implement it one day.

"And therefore I think that it is quite urgent."

Financial firms fear they could lose membership of the single market and their passporting rights, which allow companies in the UK to operate across the European Economic Area.

Sir Howard said the Government does not need to detail its full negotiating position, but needs to reassure the City so Britain does not encounter a "jerky and sudden" departure from the EU.

He said: "What is really important is the transitional arrangements.

"So what we are particularly focused on in the City at the moment is to try to get an understanding that actually allowing a cliff edge departure from Brexit would be damaging for everybody, because about three quarters of all European capital transactions take place in London - often by French banks or German banks etc - but they take place in London.

"If you suddenly broke that off it would be destabilising for the whole of the European financial markets.

"So what we need is a transitional arrangement, as the Article 50 process starts, so we can say 'look, here is the way in which things are going to work in the medium term'.

"In the long term, of course, I think there will be some movement of activity."

Sir Howard said he is optimistic transitional arrangements can be drawn up as it is in the interests of the remaining EU states as well as Britain.

His warning came as Boris Johnson snubbed an emergency EU foreign ministers' meeting called to discuss Donald Trump's shock US election victory.
Julian Assange was finally quizzed yesterday over claims that he raped a woman  but Swedish prosecutors were barred from asking him questions.

In farcical scenes, investigators travelled to Ecuadors London embassy where the WikiLeaks founder has been holed up since jumping bail in 2012.

But Swedens assistant prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and police inspector Cecilia Redell were only allowed to listen as the fugitive was asked pre-prepared questions by an Ecuadorian government representative.

Scroll down for video.

Julian Assange was finally quizzed yesterday over claims that he raped a woman  but Swedish prosecutors were barred from asking him questions

It came just 24 hours after Assanges celebrity friend, former Baywatch star and Playboy model Pamela Anderson, 49, was seen delivering snacks to his hideout.

The interview will influence the decision over whether the Swedish inquiry will continue. It is not clear whether Assange consented to a DNA sample being taken.

The extraordinary situation could help break the deadlock over Britains most expensive and unwelcome house guest.

The Australian hacker has been living in a cramped room in the diplomatic mission in Knightsbridge, central London, since June 19, 2012, after claiming asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden to face the claims. Meanwhile the taxpayer-funded bill for police posted outside the building around the clock topped 12.5million.

But even after that vigil ended last year, Assange remained inside  saying he fears American authorities would try to extradite him to the US to be quizzed for leaking secret military documents.

Assange is accused of raping a woman, named in legal papers as SW, at her home in August 2010. He denies the claims, which relate to a visit he made to Stockholm in August 2010 to give a lecture, and believes they are politically-motivated after WikiLeaks released covert files on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Swedish prosecutor Ingrid Isgren arrives at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where Mr Assange will be quizzed over rape allegations

The Swedish prosecutor and other officials will be present when Mr Assange is quizzed inside the embassy in Knightsbridge

Last night Wikileaks released a statement saying Assange had co-operated fully after Sweden took his statement on the allegations for the first time ever. But in an odd agreement thrashed out with Ecuador, the Swedes were not allowed to question the rape suspect directly. Instead questions were submitted in Spanish and put to him by an Ecuadorean prosecutor. No follow-up questions were allowed.

Results of the interview will be sent from Ecuador to the Swedish prosecutors in a written statement. After this report, the prosecutors will take a view on the continuation of the investigation.

Ecuadors UK ambassador Carlos Ortiz was in the embassy during the interview, which lasted nearly four hours, as well as Assanges lawyers. But frustration is mounting at how long the stand-off has lasted. A Whitehall source said: This has already cost the UK a huge amount, has been dragging on for years and he is facing very serious charges. This impasse has got to end.

It came just 24 hours after Assanges celebrity friend, former Baywatch star and Playboy model Pamela Anderson, 49, was seen delivering snacks to his hideout

As prosecutors arrived at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, supporters of Mr Assange also gathered

Many of his supporters tied banners to the fence of the building calling for the WikiLeaks founder to be freed

Police officers outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London where Swedish authorites are interviewing Mr Assange

And Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: The law is the law and Assange has got to go through due process but the fact is that sheltering Assange has incurred huge costs to the UK.

After the interview, a statement from the Swedish prosecutors said the probe was subject to confidentiality. But Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny, leading the inquiry, said: I welcome the fact that the investigation can now move forward via an interview. Guillaume Long, Ecuadors foreign minister, said: This is something that Ecuador has been inviting the Swedish prosecutors to do ever since we granted asylum to Mr Assange in 2012. There was no need for the Swedish authorities to delay for over 1,000 days.

A WikiLeaks statement said: For the first time since August 2010, Mr Assange was finally able to give his statement in relation to this allegation. He has done so in part to ensure the Swedish authorities have no further excuse not to discontinue their preliminary investigation.

Assange denies the allegations but if convicted, he could face up to six years in jail. A European Arrest Warrant for him remains in place and can be enforced as soon as he steps out on to the street.
Germany's Vonovia faces strikes in coming weeks, union says

BERLIN, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Staff in the property management division of Germany's Vonovia are prepared to strike in the coming weeks to protest over wage contract talks and worsening conditions at the real estate group, the Ver.di trade union said on Saturday.

A substantial number of Vonovia Property Management's 600 employees are ready for industrial action, Ver.di director Andrea Becker told Reuters by email.

Ver.di, one of Germany's largest unions, said the Vonovia division is refusing to enter wage contract negotiations with the union and denounced deteriorating conditions at the company.

"There is massive pressure from the employers at present to stop workers from going on strike," Becker added. She said the strike would take place before the end of the year, but declined to give an exact date.

No one was immediately available to comment at Vonovia, Germany's biggest property group with around 340,000 apartments and listed on the blue-chip DAX index.
Britain's Brexit firebrand Farage meets Trump in New York

By Daniel Wallis and Kylie MacLellan

NEW YORK/LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage visited Donald Trump at his home on Saturday, after suggesting he could act as a go-between to help smooth British relations with the U.S. president-elect.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is not expected to meet the incoming leader until early next year and Farage has suggested her criticisms of Trump in the early days of the campaign could damage ties with Washington.

"We're just tourists!" Farage, head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), told reporters as he waited for an elevator to take him up to the meeting at Trump Tower in New York City.

He later tweeted a photograph of himself with Trump standing in front of a pair of golden doors and smiling broadly, the president-elect giving the camera a thumbs-up.

"It was a great honor to spend time with @realDonaldTrump," Farage tweeted. "He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President."

Trump's election campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said: "I think they enjoy each other's company, and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what this all means for the world."

In a separate photograph posted on Twitter, UKIP donor Arron Banks, Breitbart London Editor in Chief Raheem Kassam, and Gerry Gunster, an American whose advocacy firm worked on the Brexit campaign, were also pictured with Trump and Farage.

May - who spoke to Trump by phone on Thursday - and her predecessor David Cameron last year described Trump as "divisive" and "wrong" over his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. At that time he was not considered likely to win the presidency.

In a leaked diplomatic telegram, sent on Nov. 9 and printed in the Sunday Times newspaper, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, said he believed Britain had built better relationships with Trump's team than other foreign diplomats.

"(Trump) is above all an outsider and an unknown quantity, whose campaign pronouncements may reveal his instincts, but will surely evolve and, particularly, be open to outside influence if pitched right," he said. "We should be well placed to do this."

"GROW UP"

While the British government has congratulated Trump on his election, the head of the opposition, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he should "grow up" on the immigration issue and recognize that the U.S. economy depends on migrant workers.

"The treatment of Mexico by the United States, just as much as its absurd and abusive language towards Muslims, is something that has to be challenged and should be challenged," Corbyn, whose wife is Mexican, told the BBC on Sunday.

UKIP, which has only one member of parliament in London, said Farage and Trump spent more than an hour discussing Trump's victory, global politics and Brexit.

A UKIP official has suggested Farage could even be the next ambassador to the United States, but British media reported that May's office rejected the idea of any role for Farage, citing unnamed sources who described him as an "irrelevance".

A day after Trump's election victory, Farage called on the real estate mogul to reverse "loathsome" Barack Obama's policy by making Britain his top priority.

Farage said he had been pleased at Trump's "very positive reaction" to the idea that a bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill be put back in the Oval Office.

He has also joked about sexual assault allegations against Trump, urging him to "schmooze" May but not touch her. He proposed that in any meetings between the British and American leaders, he could attend to be the "responsible adult to make sure everything is OK."

Farage, who spoke at a Trump rally during the election campaign, had predicted the former reality TV host would tap into the same dissatisfaction among voters that led to Britain deciding on June 23 to leave the European Union.

Trump made repeated references to Brexit during his campaign, saying it had highlighted the desire for change among voters frustrated with traditional politics.
England redeemed themselves after Bangladesh fiasco, says Cook

By Sudipto Ganguly

RAJKOT, India, Nov 13 (Reuters) - England's prospects in India were in doubt after their dismal tour of Bangladesh but the touring side proved themselves by running their hosts close for a draw in the opening test, captain Alastair Cook said on Sunday.

India captain Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 49 in a tense final session to deny England, who fell four wickets short of clinching a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Cook and his men landed in India with bruised egos, having lost the second test in Dhaka inside three days to settle for a 1-1 share of the series against Bangladesh, the world's ninth-ranked test team.

However, they scored four hundreds in the match against world number one test side India and looked like the only team who could force a win in the contest.

"We probably proved to everyone else that we can play," Cook told reporters. "I said at the beginning of the tour that we have got some very talented players.

"Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, for example, and Joe Root is world class. The hundreds we set up, obviously it was a good toss to win, but the way we played to get 530 showed the character on a different wicket.

"To score those runs was very pleasing and then we did 160 overs of hard graft to keep India below us. We did a lot of very good things, just couldn't quite get over the line."

England had lost 10 wickets in a session in Dhaka, exposing their frailties against spinners on turning wickets.

With India boasting the world's top-ranked bowler in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Cook admitted before the start of the series that his side were the underdogs.

"As a group after what happened in Bangladesh I keep saying that if we play on those wickets we need to readjust," said the 31-year-old, who scored his 30th hundred in tests on Sunday.

"On these wickets, it takes a bit of time to turn and it was pretty flat to start with.

"I am confident we will score the runs and confident we can bowl well enough to put India under pressure if we hit the same standards."

It was Cook's sixth test hundred against India and he declared his team's second innings on 260-3 to set India an improbable target of 310.

Asked if England could have declared earlier, Cook said he did not want to give their opponents a sniff at victory.
Socialist ally Rumen Radev wins Bulgaria presidency-exit polls

BUCHAREST, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Former Bulgarian air force commander Rumen Radev won the decisive round of Sunday's presidential elections in Bulgaria, exit polls by Alpha Research and Gallup International showed.
French journalist deported from Turkey after earlier arrest

PARIS, Nov 13 (Reuters) - French journalist Olivier Bertrand has been released, his employer said on Sunday, following his arrest in Turkey which had drawn condemnation from the French government.

Bertrand, who works for French news website lesjours.fr, was detained on Friday while reporting in the town of Gaziantep, just north of Turkey's border with Syria.

"Our journalist Olivier Bertrand is free, he is in a plane en route for Paris," lesjours said on its official Twitter page.

Earlier on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault had demanded that Bertrand be set free. The Turkish government has been cracking down on the media following a failed coup earlier this year.

The authorities have detained tens of thousands of people over alleged links to Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in the United States who is accused of masterminding the abortive putsch - something he denies.

The EU official in charge of relations with Ankara said earlier this month that Turkey's quest to join the bloc would probably fail unless it reversed its clampdown on civil rights, press freedoms and the judiciary.

France had also expressed "serious concern" this month at Turkey's arrest of Kurdish lawmakers, while Ayrault voiced concern on Sunday over signs that Turkey could bring back the death penalty, something which Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said is a possibility.
Migrants stopped at Serbia's border with Croatia

ZAGREB, Nov 13 (Reuters) - A group of migrants who had marched for two days from the Serbian capital Belgrade were stopped on Sunday at the border with Croatia, a European Union member which said would not allow illegal crossings. Some 150 migrants, reported as being mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, left Belgrade on Friday to walk about 125 km (80 miles) to the Croatian border, demanding free and secure passage to Western Europe. Due to exhaustion and cold weather, some decided to give up the march, media reported. But most of them, arriving at the Serbian border town of Sid, said they would wait until the frontier with Croatia was opened and refused to be accommodated in the reception centre. "There is not a single reason why anyone should enter Croatia illegally. Croatian police will protect the border from such attempts," Croatia's Interior Minister Vlaho Orepic said on Sunday after a visit to the Tovarnik border crossing near where a group of migrants was stranded on the Serbian side. According to the U.N. refugee agency, around 6,400 migrants from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently registered in Serbia, a candidate for EU membership. Local non-governmental organisations say their number is close to 10,000 and they mostly arrived from Bulgaria and Macedonia. Last month, another group tried a similar march toward the Hungarian border but eventually decided to return to Belgrade. Hungary, another EU member, has practically sealed its borders to migrants. Last year, a total of 579,518 migrants and asylum seekers were registered arriving in Serbia, out of more than a million who made it to Europe by land and sea. A deal between Turkey and the European Union, struck in March, has largely shut off the flow of people reaching Greece and the Balkans. Austria began consultations with Balkan states this month to see what measures can be taken if the deal collapses. (Reporting by Igor Ilic; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Broken rules at $11 bln Formosa mill triggered Vietnam spill, report says

By Jess Macy Yu and Faith Hung

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, Nov 14 (Reuters) - More than 50 violations at a steel mill run by Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group, including the unauthorised use of a dirtier production process, led to Vietnam's worst environmental disaster, according to an internal government report.

The July report, reviewed by Reuters, is the first official document to emerge publicly since the April accident, when a toxic leak sullied over 200 km (125 miles) of coastline, killed more than 100 tonnes of fish and left thousands jobless.

After months of popular outrage against both the Hanoi government and one of the communist state's largest investors, Formosa agreed in June to pay $500 million in compensation.

The report, signed by Vietnam's environment minister and written after consultation with an unidentified panel of international experts, said Formosa did not keep to production plans agreed in original environmental assessments made for the $10.6 billion project.

Begun in 2008, the plant was still ramping up at the time of the spill and working at less than 25 percent of total capacity, according to a Formosa Ha Tinh Steel official.

But it was not using the processing system agreed with Hanoi authorities, the report said.

Formosa was using 'wet' coking - a system which uses water for cooling and is considered more polluting, as it generates more emissions and wastewater containing compounds including cyanide.

The alternative 'dry' process, widely used in modern plants, is costlier and does not use water. That proved critical when a power cut disabled the plant's waste processing equipment, spilling contaminated water into the sea, according to the report.

Formosa officials agreed it was using the dirtier process but said it had until 2019 to switch to cleaner methods.

"We are following their instructions and trying our very best to do what is required," Formosa Ha Tinh Steel (FHS) executive vice president Chang Fu-ning told Reuters.

Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment did not respond to written questions and requests for comment on the report or the plant.

Chang said Formosa had rectified 45 of 53 violations cited since the July report. Seven more will be fixed by the end of the month he said, without giving details.

The plant was now scheduled to begin full commercial production in the first quarter of 2017, subject to approvals, Chang added.

RESTARTING?

Thousands of people from the affected regions have criticised the government for its handling of the disaster and the payment of compensation, and accused the police of heavy-handed measures to break up demonstrations sparked by the spill.

In a rare criticism from an active parliamentarian, Tran Cong Thuat, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Quang Binh, one of four affected provinces, said this month that everything would be need to be "clear" before FHS scaled up.

"No one (from the government) has ever stepped up to take responsibility over the illegal discharge by Formosa," he said in televised comments. "If the issue is not made clear and violations are not resolved, we must resolutely not let Formosa operate."

Formosa has plans to expand the steel plant to become the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia, including a deepwater port and 1,500-megawatt thermal power complex.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has threatened to close down the Formosa plant if there is a repeat.

The report said Formosa's failures included omitting a planned water storage dam, a measure which according to experts could have kept tainted water out of the sea even during a power outage.

FHS's Chang said the company had committed to build a facility to gather and hold waste water.

Friedhelm Schroeder, an academic who was among a group of foreign experts invited by the Vietnam government to assess the damage, said experts had identified other failings.

"What the company should have done was shut off all the production of coke, so the toxic substance would not reach the sewage plant," said Schroeder, from the Institute Coastal Research in Germany.

An FHS official declined to comment on that aspect and the report by the foreign experts has not been made public.

The lack of information released about the accident has galvanised many Vietnamese and mobilised demonstrators on a scale not seen before in the controlled, one-party state that tolerates little dissent.

Anger and mistrust mounted after the government initially said the mass fish deaths could be the result of "red tide", when algae blooms and produces toxins, or a release of toxic chemicals by humans, but there was nothing linking FHS to it.

"We see there is some cover up for Formosa, which is completely opposite from governments in other countries," said Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop, the head of the Catholic community in several provinces which have been fighting to protect the environment.

"Until now Formosa and the government haven't used any advanced technology to clean up the Vietnamese sea, and haven't been able to say when the central region's sea will be clean as before."

A state television broadcast last week highlighted how the government was reimbursing seafood businesses and promoting tourism in areas affected by the spill.
A mother and two children aged 10 and 08, had been hacked to death at Kanniya in Uppuveli today, the Police said.

They said the victims, Rajalakshman Nitya (32) and her two daughters, Gayathri (08), Sandya(10) were killed using a sword.

The Uppuveli Police had arrested a suspect who is said to be the husband of the woman.

Video by Mangalanath Liayanarachchi
Exploitation of government funds and national resources for their personal wealth and political power, is permitted

watched with absolute disgust and frustration a video of a media briefing sent to me where Prof. G.L. Peiris, assisted by tutor-turned politician Bandula Gunawardena accusing the Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe that he is solely responsible as an accomplice for the serious crimes allegedly committed by the former CBSL Governor Arjuna Mahendran. The duo while attempting to white-wash their past sins of the previous regime, decried that a perpetrator of an enormous financial crime, very serious in nature, is being protected by the Premier under the present regime. They argued that the country had suffered a loss, which exceeded Rs.125 billion due to the infamous Bond scam. The duo demanded PM should resign to pave the way to hold an impartial investigation into it.

However, the two persuasive speakers became thunderstruck finally at the media briefing. Why? Because, they couldnt invalidate the arguments put forward by journalists, who were present. The journalists, in other words, demanded that all those others similarly placed should also follow suit. They also queried whether there had been a single politician who had resigned in their government on similar circumstances.

"As citizens, shouldnt we show our displeasure and disrespect towards the politicians in Sri Lanka whatever party they belong to because they are the two sides of the same coin. They are all wolves in sheeps clothing "



It is however heartening that those two courageous journalists repetitively raised blistering questions whether the former higher-ups, other Cabinet colleagues too had been accessories, persons who had assisted to commit grave financial crimes, corruption, fraud etc., done by every single politician in the last government.

The two veteran journalists alleged that there had been massive corruption during the MR regime too. One of them had also pointed out that a good number of COPE reports etc had been swept under the carpet. He further said that the Supreme Court rulings too had been disregarded. It appeared that the two journalists determinedly attempted to convince the two parliamentarians that they too had robbed peoples money and deceitfully crafted destruction to the countrymen. Let me add that the two, GL and Bandula (both had defected from the UNP and joined the UPFA, became Cabinet Ministers, in the previous regime, which became the largest in the world!) looked as if they were at a loss for words. They were nearly dumb-founded.

They all had collectively weaved a tangled web. They also gave undue protection to fraudsters, corrupt politicians, mavericks, sycophants and, particularly those who had misused public money in billions extravagantly. Amusingly, Bandula opined that Bond fraud had taken the country backwards and destroyed the state economy having wrecked the investor confidence! Sadly, the duo made a valiant effort to trade falsehood.

As responsible and dutiful citizens, we should congratulate the relevant journalists, who made use of the favourable environment that exists at present, thanks to the present government, to raise these issues boldly. They also acknowledged that they could not have done so under the previous regime. They therefore, confronted the two former Cabinet ministers in an open debate in a democratic society by promoting coherent monitoring systems. Shouldnt we be proud that they were trying to expose corruption using investigative journalism to dig out inequities, and violations and reinforce social values to reduce incidence of corruption in governments.

"Achieving increased performance, efficiency and ensuring accountability subject to ethical behaviour and professional integrity are not their major goals. These areas need innovation and reform. Such imperatives have become increasingly urgent"



In my view, both journalists made a heroic shot to stress that it was highly immoral and unethical for them to be partisan, crafty and manipulative. They have however been just that in the past few decades. The two storytellers too said the untruth because they now live in fear of losing control further. They know that they have also been equally at fault having aided and abetted to cover up corruption.

The dutiful media men were fulfilling a social obligation to satisfy the peoples thirst for information. They pointed out that nothing substantial had been done to bring the perpetrators to book by all governments. As citizens, shouldnt we show our displeasure and disrespect towards the politicians in Sri Lanka whatever party they belong to because they are the two sides of the same coin. They are all wolves in sheeps clothing.

I do not think that the duo succeeded in defending themselves and their cronies at the press briefing. They created a mess - an apologetic impasse in front of the media personnel. They must now be made aware that the time has come to recognise the importance of open governance. Why do all politicians act in a devious manner and fail to be truthful, responsive and transparent? Shouldnt they understand transparency, accountability and participation are essential tools in promoting open governance?

The duo seemed to be unhappy, uncomfortable and yet unapologetic going by their body-language. As a critical strategy, an effective media is an urgent need in our path to curb corruption because it helps to educate people about the types of corruption, within their social, political, economic and other areas. Empowering media is a dynamic strategy to hold politicians accountable and educate people in the anti-corruption activities for the benefit of the people.

This was somewhat new to the country. Serious corruption allegations against several politicians with big names began appearing before the Commission. This was the first-time the sharks were taken up first having given sprats lesser important priority. Corrupt politicians knew it was harmful to them. Did they work overtime to stop corruption investigations? Our elected representatives abuse political power for personal gains. Parliament is therefore far behind times, awfully wasteful, corrupt and needs vast improvements  bureaucratically engineered white  elephant. Achieving increased performance, efficiency and ensuring accountability subject to ethical behaviour and professional integrity are not their major goals. These areas need innovation and reform. Such imperatives have become increasingly urgent.

"It is the media personnel who are now responsible to keep the citizens informed whether there had been irregularities, how government funds had been disbursed and more particularly whether the funds had not been properly used for the benefit of the people"



It is therefore imperative that we should hold the elected representatives to account through the media by denouncing instances of malfeasance to fight corruption. The media personnel should be encouraged to question corrupt politicos on behalf of the people. The media in a democratic society act as a neutral and impartial watchdog. It is the media personnel who are now responsible to keep the citizens informed whether there had been irregularities, how government funds had been disbursed and more particularly whether the funds had not been properly used for the benefit of the people. Ours is a kleptocracy; literally rule by thieves, which permits exploitation of government funds and national resources to extend their personal wealth and political power.

Former and present parliamentarians accused the earlier regime on issues of huge corruptions running into pages and pages in the Hansards. They had alluded on the floor of the House that issues pertaining to corruption had not been investigated and all that had been swept under the carpet. Bandula Gunawardena himself had accused that leaders in the previous regime were even worse than Marcos in Philippines. Sadly, this kind of rhetoric does not however appeal to the voters now. They cannot be fooled any more!

Victory of Donald Trump should be an eye-opener for this country and to our dirty politicians.

Conclusively, We are poor because our politicians and bureaucrats waste our resources.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Poppy Ceremony organised by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemens Association was held at the War Memorial, Vihara Maha Devi Park today. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who attended the event paid floral tributes at the memorial.Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Once when the Buddha was staying at the storeyed monastery house built by MigaraMatha, in the East Park of Shravasti, a Brahmin Accountant named Moggallana, paid a visit to the Exalted One.

The Brahmin having paid due respects sat down before the Buddha and raised a point pertaining to their course of studies according to Vedas.

He said, Worthy Master, just as one gets a gradual view of this storeyed building, a progress, a graduate path and so on right up to the highest of the stair case. Just so, is the progressive training we Brahmins receive in our course of study in the Vedas.

Sir, just as in the course of archery, with us the Brahmins training, the progress, the approach is step by step.

For instance, in counting when we take a private pupil we make him count as One One, Twice Two, Thrice Three, Four time Four and so on up to one hundred.

Now Sir, is it possible for you to point to a similar progressive training on the part of your followers in your Dhamma?

Elementary Lessons

The Buddha replied, Brahmin it is so and cited the case of a cleaver horse  trainer. At first he takes the thoroughbred in hand, gives him his first lesson with bit and bridle and then proceeds to the further course.

Just so, Brahmin, the Tathagata takes in hand a man who is to be trained and gives him his first lesson.

Come thou brother! Be virtuous. Abide, constrained by the restraint of the obligation. Become versed in the practice of right behavior, seeing danger in trifling faults, you do undertake the training and, be a pupil in the moralities. Dhamma is morality. Morality is Dhamma.

No sooner he has mastered all that, the Tathagata gives him his second lesson.

Come thou brother. Seeing an object with the eye, be not charmed by its general appearance or its details.

Persist in the restraint of that dejection that came from craving, caused by the sense of sight uncontrolled, these ill states, which would overwhelm one like flood. Guard the sense of sight, win control over the sense of sight. Accordingly, so do with the other organs of sense.

When you hear a sound with the ear or smell scent with the nose, taste a taste with the tongue or with body touch things tangible, and when with mind you are conscious of a thing, be not charmed with its general appearance or its details.

No sooner he has mastered all that, the Tathagata, gives him further advice.

Come thou brother, Be moderate in eating, earnest and heedful do take your food, not for sport indulgence, not for adding personal charm or comeliness to body, but do it for the bodys stabilizing, for its support, for protection from harm, and for keeping up the practice of the righteous life with the thought;

I check my former feeling. To no new feeling will I give rise, the maintenance and comfort may be mine.



Watchfulness

Brahmin, once he had learnt to moderately consume food, the Tathagata gives him the lesson on watchfulness.

Come Thou, brother, Abide given to watchfulness.

During day time when walking or sitting purify your mind from thoughts and events that may hinder. At night spend the First Watch, pacing too and fro or sitting mindfully.

During Second Watch lie down on the right side in the posture of a lion, placing one foot upon the other mindful and self possessed. Thus set your mind positively on the idea of exertion.

During the Third Watch, rise up and walking up and down, or sitting keeping mind away from negative thoughts.



Mindfulness & Self Control

Then Brahmin, once the brother is thorough to watchfulness the Tathagata teaches him how to be possessed of mindfulness and self control.

In going forth or going back, have yourself under control. In looking forward or looking back, in bending or relaxing, in wearing robes or carrying robe and bowl, in eating, chewing, tasting, in easing yourself, in going , standing, sitting, lying sleeping or waking, in speaking or keeping silence have yourself under control.

Practice of Ecstasies

Then Brahmin, when he is possessed of self-control, the Tathagata gives him a further lesson thus: Come thou, brother! Seek out a secluded lodging, a forest or root of a tree, a mountain or a cave or a mountain grotto, a charnel field, a forest retreat, the open air, a heap of straw. And he does so. And when he has eaten his food he sits down cross-legged, and keeping his body straight up, he proceeds to practice the four ecstasies.

Now, Brahmin, for all brothers who are pupils, who have not yet attained mastery of mind, who abide aspiring, for such is the manner of my training.

But as to those brethren who are arhants, who have destroyed the asavas, who have lived the life, done their task, laid down the burden, won their own salvation, utterly destroyed the fetters of becoming, and are released by the perfect insight, for such as those these things are conducive to ease in the present life and to mindful self-control as well.

Out in a secluded lodging, a forest or foot of a tree, a mountain or a cave or a mountain grotto, a charnel field.

Do All Attain the Sublime State?

Then the Accountant Moggallana, raising a point querriedMaster Gautama, do the disciples of worthy Gautama do all of them attain the Sublime Bliss?

The Buddha replied some of my disciples thus trained and adviced by me, do so attain the supreme goal, some do not.

When there is Nibbhana and when we have the path to Nibbhana and when we have the worthy Gautama, to instruct what is the reason for some disciples thus advised and trained do attain Nibbhana, while others do not attain?



Buddhas Clarification

Then the Buddha replied Brahmin, before I answer to you, could you answer to my question first?

Q. Brahmin are you well skilled in the road to Rajagaha?

A. Ven. Master, certainly I am skilled. Well then brahmin, when you instruct a person the proper way to Rajagaha is North and yet he takes wrong way and goes to West.

Then a second person who comes to you for your instructions for the same request, follow your advice and safely reach Rajagaha. Brahmin, Tathagata expounded the Dhamma and he shows you the path to Nibbhana. By oneself alone evil is done: by oneself is one defiled. By oneself alone is evil avoided: by oneself alone is one purified.

Purity and impurity depends on oneself. No one can purify another (Dhammapada)

Buddhism appeals to the intellectual mind. MagnaCarta of Buddhism is mindfulness, a Buddhist is totally independent to exercise his free will and embrace the Truth. Besides Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its followers. The Buddha exhorted his disciples to seek the Truth, and not to heed mere persuasion even by superior authority.

In the Majjhima Nikaya the Buddha emphasized that One thing only does the Buddha teach, namely suffering and cessation of suffering

This doctrine is profound, hard to see, difficult to understand calm, sublime, not within the sphere of logic, subtle.

To be understood by the wise, As the wise test gold by burning, cutting and rubbing it on a piece of touchstone, so are you to accept by words after examining them.

Well expounded is the Dhamma by the Exalted One.

To be self realized with immediate fruit, inviting investigation, leading on to Nibbhana,

To be comprehended by the wise, each for himself

On another similar occasion, Kalamas a group of Brahmins from Kesaputta, visited the Buddha. Kalamas said that many ascetics and Brahmins who preached to them used to exalt their own doctrines and denounce those of others and that they wish to clarify, which of those sayings were right.

Yes, O Kalamas, it is right for you to doubt, it is right for you to waver. In a doubtful matter, wavering has arisen, remarked the Buddha and gave them the following advice which applies with equal force to modern rationalists as it did to those sceptic Brahmins of yore.

Come, O Kalamas, Do not accept anything on mere hearsay (i.e., thinking that thus have we heard it from a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition (i.e., thinking that it has thus been handed down through many generations). Do not accept anything on account of rumours (i.e., by believing what others say without any investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not accept anything by mere supposition. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the appearances. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable.

Do not accept anything thinking that the ascetic is respected by us (and therefore it is right to accept his word.)



But when you know for yourselves  these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things are censured by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to ruin and sorrow  then indeed do you reject them.

When you know for yourselves  these things are moral, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness  then do you live and act accordingly.

Most Ven. Narada Maha Thera, explaining the characteristics of Buddhism writes, Buddhism is neither totally pessimistic nor totally optimistic but realistic.

One would be justified in calling the Buddha a pessimist, if he had merely emphasized the truth of suffering without suggesting a means to end suffering and gain eternal happiness.

The Buddha prescribed a remedy for this universal sickness of humanity the highest conceivable happiness the total extinction of suffering. Conquering of suffering results in eternal happiness.

Suffering leads to Confidence (Saddha); Confidence to Rapture (Pamojja); Rapture to Joy (Piti); Joy to Tranquility (Passaddhi); Tranquility to Happiness (Sukha); Happiness to Concentration (Samadhi); Concentration to Knowledge and Vision of things as they truly are (Yathabhutananadassana); the Knowledge and Vision of things as they truly are to Repulsion (Nibbida); Repulsion to Non-attachment (Viraga); Non-attachment to Deliverance (Vimutti); Deliverance to the Extinction of Passions (Khaye-Nana); i.e, to Arahantship.

This important passage clearly indicates how suffering can lead to happiness and ultimately to Sainthood. The Buddha stressed that Santutti Paramam Dhanam (Happiness is the greatest wealth). As such Buddhist are not expected to be constantly brooding on the ills of life and make their life unhappy.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica Pessimism is thus described.

Pessimism denotes an attitude of hopelessness towards life, a vague general opinion that pain and evil predominate in human affairs. The original doctrine of the Buddha is in fact as optimistic as any optimism of the West. To call it pessimism is merely to apply to it a characteristically Western Principle according to which happiness is impossible without personality. The true Buddhist looks forward with enthusiasm to absorption into eternal Bliss.

I first heard this teaching of beginning again a few months ago taught by meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg, towards whom I have the greatest respect. It made so much sense to me. Practicing beginning again has also helped me tremendously in the way I act and deal with almost every situation in life. Reality and living is not a fixed unshakable entity. One can always improvise in life and improvising here would mean beginning again.

For example, lets say, two people are having a conversation and one of them says something hurtful to the other. In my instance, the more a person tries to hurt me, the more compassionate I become. In my heart I have already forgiven the person for trying to hurt me. And I practise forgiveness. I also practise being extra kind to that person. -In a way, I am beginning again. Im re- building the relationship. However, it is important to acknowledge that Ive been hurt. And its important to let the other know in a kind and gentle way that one has been very hurt.

In relation to the topic of anger, I am reminded of the story of the angry demon.Once upon a time, there was a kingdom governed by a very wise king.One day an enormously huge, ugly and ferocious demon broke into the kingdom and entered the palace. The guards tried to stop him, but he was too powerful for the whole lot of them. He broke into the palace and entered the congregation hall where the king was holding a meeting with his ministers. He exhaled fire and threatened to bring the whole kingdom down to ashes if the king didnt resign his throne and kingdom to him. Now the king was a very wise king. He first asked the demon,  You look very tired and exhausted, would you like a cup of tea? the demon was enraged. Cup of tea my foot. I dont need no cup of tea, was his response. But the king didnt stop there. The demon was frothing with anger and was spitting out fire. The king then spoke and said,  Please take a seat- your feet must be hurting with all that standing. Now all the other ministers were clever enough to realise that the king was practising loving kindness towards the demon. They took his queue and one of the ministers held the demons hand and helped him to take a seat on the throne. The demon at that started shrinking in size. Another minister came and started massaging the demons feet. He was doing it so well that the demon was in bliss. And whats more he started shrinking rapidly. Another minister gave him a shoulder rub. Another sponged his face of all the sweat. The demon, shrank and shrank and finally became so small, he was hardly visible to the onlookers, and suddenly disappeared into thin air. That was the end of the angry demon, and the kingdom was saved thanks to the very wise King.

The moral of the story is that anger can never be successfully overcome with anger. As the Buddha said, anger can be conquered only by loving kindness or metta. Metta is a very powerful thing, Once again, its a practice of beginning again. When the demon entered the palace and threatened everybody, the king began again by practising loving kindness. The ministers  began again  by being kind and compassionate to the demon. Beginning again doesnt have a time. One can begin again at Any Time. Thats the beauty of it. You can always, begin again in life. Its a conscious decision one can do over and over and over again. Beginning again implies initiating a new stream of events with the conscious decision to change the present situation or to improve a current situation in ones life.



In reference to the word demon - there are demons in our minds. Anger is just one of them. There could be other demons like jealousy, annoyance, irritation, envy etc. What is important is to acknowledge whatever demon arises and be mindful that it has arisen and not act it out. That is the hard part. Using loving kindness towards oneself in this instance would be very helpful. Loving kindness is not a mushy thing. It is Very Hard to practice at times. One should never underestimate the effort that is needed to practice loving kindness.

If a person is angry, normally the other person will likewise react with anger. However, if one has been successfully practising loving kindness towards all, then the immediate response is forgiveness and love. Where there is forgiveness and love, something amazing takes place, and that is that there isnt any propagation of unpleasantness. Instead, theres this beautiful feeling of love and oneness. If the compassionate person refuses to react negatively with anger, then the problem should naturally resolve by itself and theres peace there. Very Real Peace.Where there is loving kindness there is also forgiveness and peace. There is also equanimity there. Equanimity can be interpreted as Right Balance. Seeing things in perspective. Not getting deluded by Ignorance.

In a world with so much to fear, violence unsurpassed, its not easy to be always forgiving. However, one can always be kind. Even in thought towards those who inflict harm on others and more so on themselves. Karma in Buddhism states that there are consequences to ones actions be they good or bad acts, in thought word or deed and one has to suffer the consequences. Its always good not to have a mean bone in ones body. ( Metaphorically speaking.) As a mother, if someone harms my son, its not going to be at all easy for me to think kindly towards whoever who has harmed him. Its going to take a lot of strength on my part to even practice forgiveness. However, Id rather practice forgiveness than burst out in anger because thats only going to make matters worse with no real solution. I can practice forgiveness in my heart and take appropriate action to protect my son in the future from similar people.



As children, we take our cues from our parents and elders. We emulate those who make an impression on us while growing up. As parents, its our collective duty to teach our children not to hate. Hate doesnt do any good whatsoever. Hating is a very destructive emotion. We should be kind towards all without hating anyone. If someone hates us, its going to be very hurtful to one.

For example, there are problems and issues among siblings. Theres jealousy and anger. There are misunderstandings. I am an only child and I dont know what its like to have siblings. However, when I see conflicts among siblings in other peoples lives, I somehow cant help thinking that personally - and I repeat, personally its bliss being an only child. I doubt Id be happy to have a sibling who hated me for no real reason of my own.One can make up ones mind not to act out in anger and cause hurt to a loved one in future. Especially a loved one.

What I keep telling myself and others is that its always good to be good. Its not easy. At times, one can be severely challenged. However, practising virtues and living a noble and healthy life, not harming others is truly the way to live. We should show kindness not only towards human beings but towards all life as well, and this includes all of Mother Nature. We need plants and animals for our survival.With out either, life would be so monotonous and would come to a halt. They add beauty and depth and should be a priority in peoples lives.

All that Ive mentioned above are qualities I myself strive to practice in my own life. I hope theyll help you in your own.



Anger is not appeased by anger,

By love alone is anger appeased-

The Buddha

We cherish each other when we treasure ourselves.-Harold W. Becker

Sending many loving wishes to you and yours.

A happy and peaceful Poya to you all !
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, in an ocean of flashlights and confetti.

But behind the joy and hope of unification lurked the pain of actually merging the two Germanys.

When the process began in 1990, East Germany had a per capita GDP of around $11,800 while West Germany's was $27,000.

To bridge that chasm, chancellor Helmut Kohl privatised some East Germany's state-owned enterprises, which wiped out four million jobs over five years.

Over the next 25 years, the former West Germany reportedly bled out two trillion euros to the East in transfer payments.

It took deep reserves of that famous German grit and about painful 20 years for the country to not just recover, but emerge as the world's fourth largest economy and a shaky Europe's chief economic engine.

Defining changes do not come without some pain. When Manmohan Singh took up the computerisation of banks as RBI governor in 1982, the powerful bank unions and lakhs of ban employees feared huge job losses.

Slowly over time, and not without pain, the sector got computerised and revolutionised.

PM Narendra Modi. (Photo credit: PTI)

Exactly 27 years after the fall of the Berlin wall came PM Narendra Modi's strike on fake currency and black money - unparalleled in its scale and scope - from November 9.

It may make us stand for hours in queue or hold on to the small notes till the chaos in banks and ATMs settle down, but given what it has already achieved and promises to do, the nation must bear a couple of weeks of inconvenience patiently.

And although TV cameras will only show the queues and angry people, my sense is that a majority of honest Indians are happy, a bit vicariously, that billions worth black money has been wiped out in one swing of the wand.

Watchmen, cooks in little restaurants, carpenters, maids, shopkeepers, sweepers almost all the people I have spoken to in the last three days have a calm, mature understanding of the effect this will have on the corrupt.

But these voices don't make good television. Countries like Zimbabwe, Singapore, Fiji and Philippines have demonetised for different reasons.

India had a very compelling reason too. Enough for Modi to take the massive political risk of angering the BJP's traditionally core constituency - the Banias, or the trading class.

Also, his rivals have been quick to fuel and magnify public annoyance over the teething problems.

The government could not have reconfigured ATMs without the corrupt getting wind of the announcement and overnight getting much of their illicit wealth converted to white.

But if the government does not invest all its energies into replenishing and recalibrating ATMs, festering inconvenience can undo some of the good work.

It will also give the caught-off-guard Opposition a stronger foothold to launch attacks.

But, right now, the BJP looks very confident. Party chief Amit Shah has dared rivals to take it up as an election issue in UP, Punjab and other states going to polls in a few months.

In one stroke, the PM has killed several thousand crores of illicit cash and fake currency, jolted rival parties' election spending, made funding of terror and insurgency extremely difficult, and pushed more Indians into the banking system and transparent financial transactions.

While a limited number of Rs 2,000 notes have been floated, there will always be great fear of hoarding cash now. Who guarantees that those notes too won't be barred in the future?

Demonetisation is not a foolproof measure against black money. But it attacks the problem with unprecedented force and at multiple layers.

It will be even more effective if the government follows this up with electoral reforms and a strike on dubious land and asset holdings.

With better planning and intense, follow-up awareness campaigns, the government can have people on its side even during the initial hardship.
When leaders in power fail to sense the pulse of the society they rule, when their frame of reference becomes too narrow to conceive the chemistry behind common man's fight against the process called life, good actions without vision happen, like what is going on in the country today.

I am an ordinary Indian citizen with high expectations from a Prime Minister who has been known for the simplicity of his parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and, indeed, a proven administrator with some remarkable credentials of better governance. But, I am unable to sync with the present chaotic situation the country is witnessing today.

No doubt, November 8 was a historical day for Indian economy, when PM Narendra Modi, in a surprise move, announced a "surgical strike" against black money and corruption by demonetising 500-and 1,000- rupee notes.

The world lauded it, corporate honchos showered praise on Modi, and economists across the globe pledged their unconditional support to clean the system.

I have no intention to question the agenda of the PM, but demonetisation has turned out to be a reform he drastically failed to visualise the consequences of; in other words, he and his team didn't get the idea of how common people are running the process called life and the importance of liquid money in their lives.

It was a good action implemented without proper planning. The common man is getting irritated in a big way - when I went through the long queues outside the banks, people were seen highly disappointed with the Modi government, and they expressed it openly.

The upper middle class and the elite ones may be happy, because they can access services without liquid money as they have access to electronic payment systems to make their life comfortable. But this is not the case with the common man; most of them are spending a full day outside ATMs and banks. Reform is something that simplifies the life of people, not make it complex. Note that nine out of ten transactions in India are made in cash.

I completely agree with Chetan Bhagats rant against demonetisation. (Photo: India Today)

I completely agree with Chetan Bhagats rant against demonetisation. As he said, while demonetisation might be well-intentioned, poor execution such as empty ATMs may lead to a lot of suffering for ordinary citizens.

To queue for several hours to find an empty ATM for Rs 2,000 of your own money is no fun. Execution of an idea as important as the idea, Indias popular writer tweeted.

As I said earlier, execution is the issue. The scale of this kind of reform is too large; issues in execution will lead to an anarchy-like situation.

I am a staunch advocate of a cashless economy and greatly interested in Modis Digital India mission. But I had to compromise my half day to get my hard-earned Rs 2,000 yesterday. We dont have electronic payment facilities in kirana outlets or small scale hotels or ration shops. The e-payment ecosystem is still at the nascent stage, and the government has to implement it at a faster pace before going on with this kind of adventurist measure.

And, please never take on those who criticise the execution with the patriotic card. Patriotism has nothing to do with it.

As Bhagat said: Dont use patriotism as an excuse for bad operations research type planning. Whats not going well has to be told, in national interest.
Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, electronic, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Business and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization services, settlement and funding services, customer support and help-desk functions, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security services, consolidated billing and statements, and on-line reporting services. This segment also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added services, such as point-of-sale solutions, and analytic and engagement tools, as well as payroll and human capital management services. The Issuer Solutions segment offers solutions that enable financial institutions and retailers to manage their card portfolios through a platform; and commercial payments and ePayables solutions for businesses and governments. The Business and Consumer Solutions segment provides general-purpose reloadable prepaid debit and payroll cards, demand deposit accounts, and other financial service solutions to the underbanked and other consumers, and businesses under the Netspend brand. It markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America and internationally. It operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. The company provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT) systems, X-ray systems, and detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; integrated interventional systems; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; proprietary software to enable diagnostics and intervention; and enterprise diagnostic informatics products and services. It also offers acute patient management solutions; emergency care solutions; sleep and respiratory care solutions; and electronic medical record and care management solutions. In addition, the company provides power toothbrushes, brush heads, and interdental cleaning and teeth whitening products; infant feeding and digital parental solutions; and male grooming and beauty products and solutions. It has a strategic collaboration with Ibex Medical Analytics Ltd. to jointly promote the digital pathology and AI solutions to hospitals, health networks, and pathology laboratories worldwide, as well as a strategic partnership agreement with NICO.LAB. The company was formerly known as Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. and changed its name to Koninklijke Philips N.V. in May 2013. Koninklijke Philips N.V. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ally Financial Inc., a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services to consumer, commercial, and corporate customers primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through four segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers automotive financing services, including providing retail installment sales contracts, loans and operating leases, term loans to dealers, financing dealer floorplans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to automotive retailers, and fleet financing. It also provides financing services to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles, and vehicle-remarketing services. The Insurance Operations segment offers consumer finance protection and insurance products through the automotive dealer channel, and commercial insurance products directly to dealers. This segment provides vehicle service and maintenance contract, and guaranteed asset protection products; and underwrites commercial insurance coverages, which primarily insure dealers' vehicle inventory. The Mortgage Finance Operations segment manages consumer mortgage loan portfolio that includes bulk purchases of jumbo and low-to-moderate income mortgage loans originated by third parties, as well as direct-to-consumer mortgage offerings. The Corporate Finance Operations segment provides senior secured leveraged cash flow and asset-based loans to middle market companies; leveraged loans; and commercial real estate product to serve companies in the healthcare industry. The company also offers commercial banking products and services. In addition, it provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company was formerly known as GMAC Inc. and changed its name to Ally Financial Inc. in May 2010. Ally Financial Inc. was founded in 1919 and is based in Detroit, Michigan.
Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Devon Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company was incorporated in 1971 by John Nichols and his son J. Larry Nichols and later went public in August 2000. The company has since grown to be included in the S&P 500 and is one of the first energy companies to introduce resolutions requiring the company to monitor its impact on global warming. One time a major player in the global oil market, Devon has since sold off its offshore holdings in an effort to focus on US production and its transition to a lower-carbon future.

Devon Energy merged with WPX in early 2021 in an all-stock merger of equals. The new company is primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the US midwest. The company operates more than 5,100 wells in Oklahomas Delaware Basis, Eagle Ford Group, and the two locations in the Rocky Mountains. As of late 2022, the company laid claim to 1.625 million barrels of reserves including 44% petroleum, 27% natural gas liquids, and 29% natural gas. Daily production was running in the range of 300,000 BPD in petroleum liquids, 125,000 BPD in natural gas liquids, and 920 million cubic feet of natural gas.

Rick Muncrief, formally CEO of WPX, is now the head of Devon Energy. Mr. Muncrief comes to the table with more than 40 years of experience including 27 years with one of the US Big Three Oil Companies. WPX Energy (Williams Production and Exploration) brought properties in the Williston and Permian Basins to the combined company. Its proven reserves were roughly 527 million barrels of oil and equivalents. The company also owns and operates a midstream network of pipelines and storage facilities it uses to market and deliver its products.

Devon Energy Corporation has pledged to reduce its GHG impact to net zero by 2050. This will be done by a variety of methods that include improving efficiency and leakage, a reduction in flaring, and the electrification of its operations. Near-term goals include a 50% reduction in GHG by 2030 including a 65% reduction in methane release and a 100% reduction in flaring. The company is also focused on reducing its environmental impact by relying on recycled water wherever possible and plans to reduce freshwater usage by 90% in the most active areas. Total greenhouse gas emissions have been in decline since 2018 and fell 17% between 2018 and 2020 alone.
RICHMOND  More than 60 years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools must be desegregated, the number of public schools that are isolated because of poverty and race in Virginia is growing, according to a new study by The Commonwealth Institute.

The number of Virginia schools that are isolated rose from 82 in 2002-2003 to 136 in 2013-2014. The number of Virginia students affected more than doubled to 74,515 in that time, including 17 percent of all black students and 8 percent of all Hispanic students.

Locally, 24,200 students were served at 29 schools in Richmond, seven in Henrico County, seven in Petersburg and two in Chesterfield County deemed as segregated, according to the study. In 2002-2003, 37 area schools were considered isolated. The increase largely is because Henrico didnt have a single segregated school in 2002-2003, said Chris Duncombe, a policy analyst with the institute and one of the studys authors.

Nationally, 4.3 million more students attended racially and economically segregated schools in the 2013-2014 school year than during the 2000-2001 school year.

The study looked at how students at schools segregated because of race and poverty have fewer resources available to them than their counterparts at schools from wealthier areas. The study also examined how the disparity can be addressed.

This is alarming because schools with high concentrations of students of color and from low-income families face significant challenges in attracting high-quality teachers, overcoming the influence of low-achieving classmates, and providing sufficient resources for students, the studys authors wrote.

The unfortunate result is that too many students in our schools do not receive the level of education our state is capable of providing, diminishing the opportunities available to these students and weakening our states future economic prospects overall.

The reports authors found that schools with high levels of poverty have myriad fundamental problems that make it difficult for them to turn around. Those schools, according to the study, offer fewer math, science and college preparatory classes and have higher rates of students suspended or expelled.

The schools also have a difficult time attracting and keeping qualified teachers, meaning that schools in urban areas have less experienced teachers and face higher rate of turnover, disrupting the school environment.

Those issues are coupled with the fact that urban school districts are more likely to have school facilities in dire need of repair and maintenance.

This experience is well known to residents of the City of Richmond, where crumbling facilities regularly make news, the studys authors wrote.

To help address the issues at these schools, The Commonwealth Institute recommends that lawmakers target more resources to districts with the highest concentrations of students living in poverty.

The authors believe that the resources can help reduce class sizes and attract teachers. It could also help buy supplies and equipment for career and technology classes that are in demand by employers, they wrote.

At the local level, the report calls for districts to implement enrollment policies that encourage diverse, balanced schools.

In particular, regional strategies of controlled choice enrollment could be used to promote choice and diversity within public schools, they wrote. The state and local school divisions can play a role to support and diversify Virginia's public schools so that every student has an equal opportunity at success.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Sherman Brown faces some hurdles if he is to be cleared by the Virginia Supreme Court for the murder of a 4-year-old Ivy boy who was stabbed to death in 1969.

But what may prove the toughest obstacle was overcome two years ago by a private investigator and a persistent University of Virginia Medical Center employee who scaled warehouse ladders, searching shelves and poking into long-closed boxes with a flashlight in a hunt for a microscope slide almost a half-century old.

When I found it, I got it out of the drawer, I said, Yes! recalled Kimberly Crawford, an administrative assistant in the hospitals pathology department.

She had cause to be thrilled: A supervisor explained, We only need to keep those for five years  so that is actually quite a miracle.

The case for Browns guilt in 1970, as well as his pending innocence claim, ride in large part on whether the slain boys mother, knocked unconscious in the attack, was sexually assaulted.

The discovery of the womans vaginal smear slide illustrates the challenges in locating decades-old evidence and also raises a question about why a 1969 report identifying sperm on the slide did not surface at Browns trial.

* * *

Sometimes old evidence sought for DNA testing is found where it is least expected, where it shouldnt be or even after it has been said to be destroyed, said Deirdre Enright, director of investigation for the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic, which has been involved in Browns case for five years.

With limited budgets, the staff and volunteers of innocence projects often have to coax, cajole and otherwise persuade clerks, police and others  under no obligation to help  to look for evidence thats decades old and that records and officials may incorrectly say no longer exists.

Youre always playing in this world of what appears to be real, may not be real, Enright said, adding, Were in a mental place where suspicion is warranted.

In 2001, inquiries by the Innocence Project in New York led to the discovery of a trove of old biological evidence where it should not have been: taped inside the old paper files of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Richmond.

The bits of fabric cuttings and swabs thus far have cleared 11 Virginia men wrongly convicted of sexual assaults.

Had the forensic labs policy  which called for such evidence to be returned to police agencies not necessarily obligated to save it  been followed, the truth may never have come out.

Enright said evidence searches can go on for years but often happen in spurts, as in Browns case.

* * *

Now 69, Brown is 46 years into a life sentence for the murder of the boy on the afternoon of Oct. 1, 1969.

Authorities alleged he killed the child to eliminate a witness to the rape or attempted rape of the boys mother, who was knocked unconscious and repeatedly stabbed. She survived and identified Brown.

The Innocence Project, which uses DNA testing to clear wrongly convicted persons, says Brown first contacted them seeking help in 2000. At the time, the New York-based organization was helping Earl Washington Jr., wrongly sentenced to death for a rape and murder in Culpeper. Washington was exonerated by DNA.

Brown also was sentenced to death but was spared execution when in 1972 the U.S. Supreme Court halted executions. The death penalty was reinstated in 1976, but by then, Brown and 11 other condemned Virginia inmates had been re-sentenced to life terms.

Susan Friedman, a staff attorney with the Innocence Project and one of Browns lawyers, said Brown was accepted as a client in 2005. Efforts began to find biological evidence, which, if subjected to DNA testing, might support or prove his innocence claims.

With the agreement of the Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, examination and testing of crime scene evidence entered at Browns trial began in 2008 and stretched into 2012.

The items included the mothers bathrobe and nightgown, a knife blade, knife pieces and a paper cup believed to have been handled by the assailant, with many of the items failing to yield meaningful results.

While Browns DNA was not found on crime scene evidence and the victims DNA was not found on his clothing, the absence of DNA in and of itself does not prove innocence.

* * *

In 2011, the Innocence Project contacted the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic. Enright, along with Lisa Inlow, a private investigator who works for the innocence clinic, began investigating and interviewing witnesses.

Enright said they talked with Browns family, who stood behind him, went to the crime scene and talked to a rescue squad worker who had responded to the scene.

In 2012, Inlow and Stephen Rosenfield, a Charlottesville lawyer, began looking for any further evidence that might be tested but found nothing. The next year, Albemarle Sheriff J.E. Chip Harding pitched in to search but also was unable to find anything else.

In April 2014, the Innocence Project in New York asked the law schools innocence clinic to look for hair slides and a sweater that was discussed at trial but was not entered into evidence. But on June 27, 2014, the commonwealths attorneys office reported that no more physical evidence had been found.

Enright said, I gave up 20 different times ... feeling like we were never going to be able to deliver. I kept thinking the real problem is: Everybody likes him and his case so much and believes him, and nobody wants to say, We just cant deliver.

Everyone wanted to avoid that hard conversation with somebody everybody has grown to love, Enright said. But, she said, Lisa would never allow that.

Inlow, owner of A Matter of Fact LLC, said, I couldnt give up.

* * *

Olga Akselrod, at the time a staff attorney at the Innocence Project, suggested contacting the university hospital. She recalled trial testimony about a gynecological examination conducted at the emergency room where the mother was brought to treat her stab wounds.

There was a slim, highly unlikely chance it still existed. But if it did, DNA testing of any sperm on it might be highly relevant evidence.

I started harassing the hospital, Inlow said.

I went around in circles. One person would say, I dont think we would have anything, but you could try this person in this department and try this, she said.

Inlow was looking for anything that might remain of a physical evidence recovery kit, or PERK, or a sample left from a sexually transmitted disease test the hospital might have conducted.

The investigator was told in July 2014 that the hospital keeps PERK kits forever, but officials needed to know more about the patient to find it.

Inlow collected the information and sent it to the hospital. Then on Oct. 9, she was told that PERKs did not exist in 1969.

Nevertheless, on Oct. 21, 2014, more than 45 years after the crime, a copy of a department of pathology report, dated Oct. 2, 1969, and written by Dr. A.E. Sproul, was sent to Inlow from the hospital.

The report said: The specimen is received on a glass slide. This is labeled vaginal smear.

Under DIAGNOSIS, the report concludes, Vaginal smear: Sperm present.

So, we have a report, but we dont know if the slide still exists, Inlow said.

She faxed the report to Crawford, at the pathology department, to see whether it could be found, and she waited.

* * *

Crawford, employed at the department for almost 10 years, said, We get requests a lot. Thats part of our job here.

But, she added, This was the oldest and [most] unusual thing that Ive ever had to get.

All she knew was that a slide needed to be located for a person who was in prison who believed it could prove he was innocent.

Because it was a cytology slide  a branch of pathology  it was unlikely it would have been kept, Crawford said.

It was almost one in a million that you would find it, she said. I asked God, I said, God, please, please, you know where that slide is at, please help me.

She said it was the most intense search she ever had performed. It required her to go to a secure, dusty warehouse on state property, away from the hospital, for four days in a row.

The hunt involved tracking numbers, climbing a heavy, movable ladder and opening old, large cardboard boxes in search of information that would lead to the slide.

Its a lot of boxes. I got to looking and looking. It was like an hour a day I spent digging through things.

The box in question was at the top of some high metal shelves and buried under other boxes. Once she chased down the correct number, she was able to go to a bank of old metal shelves holding microscope slides.

Then I had to go to the drawer that it was actually in and hoping it would be there  and it was!

Oh, my gosh, I was so excited, she said.

Marilou Maglione, administrative director of anatomic pathology at the hospital, said, She actually had to use a flashlight, as well, to look into these boxes because its so dark in there.

Maglione said, It was actually quite an amazing find because thats way beyond the length of time that were required to keep anything.

But, she said, Because we have the space we keep as much as we can and hopefully it will help somebody  and in this case, it really paid off.

I would just like to say how proud I am of Kim for her tenacity in continuing to look for this slide. I think it really shows how much she cares about people and doing the right thing and looking in that warehouse. Its daunting, and she could have given up, but she kept at it because she realized how important this was.

* * *

The Innocence Project, with the agreement of the commonwealths attorneys office, obtained a court order to test the material on the slide.

The testing turned up the DNA profile of a single male who is not Brown and  with a better than 98 percent probability  not the womans husband at the time, who now is deceased.

Armed with the test results, the Innocence Project filed a petition for a writ of actual innocence with the Virginia Supreme Court last month. Also involved in the case is the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project in Washington and the Washington law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

The case is on hold until January in the hope that further testing can completely eliminate the former husband as the source of the male DNA found on the slide.

Browns lawyers also have filed a civil appeal of his conviction contending his constitutional rights were violated by scientifically invalid expert trial testimony on hair and fiber evidence  the only forensic evidence linking Brown to the crime.

Brown was not charged with rape, but the presence of the DNA profile of an unknown male in the vaginal smear taken from the woman  who had a monogamous relationship with her husband  is powerful evidence that Brown did not commit the crime, argue his lawyers.

The Virginia Attorney Generals Office will have a chance to weigh in on that with the Virginia Supreme Court and may take a different view.

At the trial, authorities alleged Brown sexually assaulted the woman and then killed the boy and attempted to kill his mother to eliminate witnesses. In his closing argument, Downing Smith, one of the prosecutors, argued that Brown tried to rape that mother or did rape her. We will never know.

The woman was unconscious during the attack. But among other things, her underpants, which had been on when the assailant arrived, were off when she was found.

A surgeon, Dr. E. Merdith Alrich, testified he was called to the emergency room at the UVa hospital around 6 the evening of the crime.

He said that when he first saw the mother, she was conscious. But he said she was in shock and in critical condition, suffering from serious stab wounds to her torso. She also had head lacerations from blows rather than knife cuts.

While describing the various actions taken to treat her, Alrich testified, At the instruction I guess of the sheriff, we called the GYN service to make an examination before she left the operating room.

Evidence is taken from the vaginal/cervical area in rape cases with a swab and then used to create a microscope slide that is viewed to determine whether sperm is present. As the Oct. 2, 1969, report notes, sperm was found in the slide.

Neither the pathology report nor the slide were introduced at the trial  something defense attorney Robert P. Boyle noticed. If he knew about it, he feigned ignorance when attacking the prosecutions case in his closing argument.

Boyle reminded the jury that Dr. Alrich testified that when he finished, they sent her to the GYN man.

But he inspected her and no semen. You can be certain if they found it, they would have been here to testify to it. No semen, and the motive was supposed to have been rape, Boyle argued.

The judge, the prosecutors and the defense lawyers all are deceased.
On Oct. 31, a jury in Charlottesville, Virginia reached a verdict in the Rolling Stone defamation case. The case stems from the infamous article A Rape on Campus, which was the cover story in the November 2014 issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

The article, since retracted, was based in large part on the story of Jackie, whose claim of a gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity house has since been discredited. The story included several passages detailing how Jackie claimed to have been treated by Dean Nicole Eramo who, at that time, was in charge of dealing with students claims of sexual assault.

Dean Eramo sued over the articles portrayal of her as being uncaring and actively discouraging Jackie from going forward with her claims.

The jury sided with Eramo on the merits of the case, and in a second phase of the case awarded her $3 million in damages. (Eramo had sought $7.5 million.)

The verdict will surely generate a spate of articles and blogs decrying the death of the First Amendment. While the potential chilling effect on journalists is clear, there are aspects of this case that members of the media should find encouraging.

Judge Glen Conrads instructions to the jury properly reflected the incredibly high standard set forth in the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan that the evidence must meet in order to find Rolling Stone acted with actual malice

[The] plaintiff  has the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that a defamatory statement was made by one or more defendants with actual malice, that is, with knowledge of the statements falsity or with reckless disregard of whether or not it is false.

Reckless disregard means that the defendant had a high degree of awareness of the probable falsity or must have in fact entertained serious doubts as to the truth of the publication. 

Actual malice is not negligence. Reckless conduct is not measured by whether a reasonably prudent person would have published, or would have investigated further before publishing.

A failure to investigate does not establish actual malice. It is not enough for plaintiff to prove that defendant did not conduct a thorough investigation of the facts or that a defendant was careless in the way the defendant wrote or edited the article. Likewise, it is not enough for plaintiff to prove that the defendant departed from accepted standards of journalism in the reporting, editing, or fact-checking of the article. In order to recover, plaintiff must prove that the defendant knew that the complained of statements were false or in fact entertained serious doubts as to whether they were false or not.

Given these instructions, many might question whether the jury properly applied them to the evidence presented in court. Undoubtedly, the answer to that question will be debated for some time, perhaps even in appellate court.

In the meantime, journalists should not fear that they are under some new or heightened legal threat. This decision does not represent a change in the law or the high standard that must be met to prove actual malice.

In the event that the Rolling Stone verdict is appealed and affirmed, it will represent that rare case when the evidence proved actual malice  not an invitation to bring weak defamation claims. Judge Conrads instructions saw to that.

Joshua Wheeler is executive director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, located in Albemarle County.
TEXAS - USA - Art critics and gallery owners all over the world are coming together to discuss the paintings that former U.S. president, George W. Bush has been doing recently.

They have a certain effervescent uniqueness, child like yet with some experience of life and its traumas, Lewis Gagassian, a New York gallery owner revealed after seeing some of the paintings last week.

The Crisco gallery in Londons Bond Street is keen to talk to Mr Bush and maybe offer him a deal.

Certainly the painting of Mr Bush in the Bathroom looking into the mirror and seeing the face of a wounded Iraqi girl who had both of her parents shot and killed in front of her by American GIs really got me. I immediately thought to myself that the artist is feeling every brush stroke. Here is a man who is trying to clean himself but the blood just wont come off.





The other painting that Mr Bush is touting is another bathroom scene where he depicts his feet in a bath, but a haunting image of an injured Iraqi girl floats above the water and the peaceful scene is seemingly ruined with bloody water.

Bush is telling the viewer here that he is washing in the bath and wherever he looks he sees his crimes. I would hate to see what a Dick Cheney painting would look like, but these are the paintings of mass murderers and criminals who have overseen the squalid deaths of millions of people, Genevieve Valeuse, a Paris gallery owner revealed after seeing the GW Bush paintings.
Primele reactii la alegerea lui Donald Trump se lasa asteptate din partea estabilishmentului european. Oficialii Uniunii Europene nu s-au pregatit pentru acest deznodamant al alegerilor din SUA. Mai mult, unii lideri de la Bruxelles si-au exprimat sustinerea, in social media, pentru Hillary Clinton. Europarlamentarul Ramona Manescu, intr-un editorial scris pentru DCNews, in limba engleza, arata care sunt implicatiile votului din SUA pentru tara noastra.

Ramona Manescu recunoaste ca schimbarea, de anvergura tectonica, intre marile puteri a inceput de ceva vreme. Retragerea SUA din prim plan, in unele zone, a lasat loc pentru afirmarea unor actori cum ar fi UE sau tarile Uniunii. Totusi, Statele Unite raman primul garant al securitatii si integritatii teritoriale a Romaniei. Parteneriatul nostru strategic dateaza de peste un deceniu, iar relatiile de prietenie intre cele doua tari de peste o suta de ani, neexistand indicii ca lucrurile se pot modifica, altfel decat in sens pozitiv.

SUA sunt singura putere care poate garanta Romaniei granitele si stabilitatea in zona, americanii aducadu-si cea mai importanta contributie la bugetul NATO (75% din total). De asemenea, a sprijinit efortul Romaniei de inaintare spre valorile democratice, criticand deschis atunci cand ne-am abatut din directia buna.

De cealalta parte, Romania s-a remarcat drept un partener de incredere al Washingtonului. In ultimul an a facut efortul de a aloca 2% din PIB pentru aparare, ceea ce nu fac toate tarile membre.

Donald Trump este un lider pragmatic, scrie Ramona Manescu, capabil sa impuna reguli si limite in relatia cu Rusia, preocupare deosebit de importanta pentru noi. Este de dorit ca relatia cu Statele Unite sa se dezvolte, mai ales pe linie economica, adauga Manescu, prin cooperari in industrii strategice sau infrastructura, cel mai bun exemplu fiind Portul Constanta, punct cheie la Marea Neagra.

Iata integral editorialul scris de Ramona Manescu:





Romania  US relations in Trump era. Where to?

To clarify from the very beginning: there is no question here, even if in the Romanian media I saw a lot of questions in the last four days.

Between Romania and the USA, there is a Strategic Partnership which already dates back 20 years. This Strategic partnership did not come from nowhere. It is backed by 135 years of diplomatic relations and a collaboration that brought the two countries closer and closer from 1990 and further on.

This relation went through four, and now five, US presidents, two democrats and three republicans, and four Romanian presidents, with very different political backgrounds and views. Still, despite these political variations, things went only on a positive direction. New components are constantly added to the relation between the two countries.

There is nothing out there that can make me think that the Romania  USA relation will have a change for the worse in the predictable future. Actually, it is going for the better!

Over time, the two countries showed each other constant mutual support in all major international topics, from security to trade and from environment to human rights. Today, USA is the first and most important guarantor of Romanias security and territorial integrity. If we walk on the streets of Bucharest and we randomly ask the people: which is the first name that pops in mind regarding the security issue, it will not be Germany, it will not be France, it will not be the EU. It will be USA and NATO.

Nevertheless, the support goes much further than just security. A percentage of Romanias democratic system, bigger or smaller, is the direct result of the constant and openly expressed support of USA for the democratic values in the country, combined with an equally open criticism when derails from these values were pointed out.

The leadership change that we see nowadays in the United States is the result of the democratic will of the American people and a fully functional democratic system. There is no doubt about this! Despite rumours and conspiracy theories, which will never stop to emerge, we cant not notice that USA keeps on being an inspiring model of functional democracy for the whole world.

The USA is not the country where the Constitution is changed to allow unlimited mandates of a President. It is not the country where the opposition leaders die by order hits. It is not the country where the President is beyond any juridical enquires.

Still, on the Global level, things are changing, not just in the last days, but in the last years. A tectonic shift of the major powers started some time ago. In the last years, USA began to show less interest into some areas. This was followed by a decreased presence, which lead in the end to a diminished influence. China is emerging as the new first economic player and Russia is trying to overcome internal economic and political problems by muscling into the global geopolitical game.

Where USA showed signs of withdrawing, the empty space was filled up, not by the European Union or by some Member States. All the back steps of USA were followed by front steps of Russia, China or regional wannabe powers like Iran.

If we look at the areas where USA lost some of its influence, we can identify the Middle East, Europe as a whole and the eastern flank of NATO, down to the Black Sea.

In the case of the Middle East, even if Romania is not directly and immediately affected by the way things will be settled in the regional confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, on medium and long term, our country has an interest in the region. We used to have a good economic relation with that whole area and it is in our interest to bring that back.

Further north, in the greater area of the Black Sea, Romania (but also the whole European Union) has a direct interest in growing a healthy and close relation with the South Caucasus countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia, and even further, towards Central Asia republics like Turkmenistan. Such a relation is the answer to the European need of diversifying and securing energy sources and routes. It is the gate for a functional Silk Road on the shortest path between China and EU.

Continuing with the eastern flank of NATO, I believe that both Romania and the Republic of Moldova would have something to lose if todays path of our neighbours will be diverted, with some help from Moscow, towards the Russian vision of a Eurasian structure. The frozen conflict in Transnistria can, at any time, become warm again and what we saw in Crimea can be cloned on the eastern border of Moldova. For some, it is just like a game between gangs in the suburbs, where any sign of weakness of one is followed by take-over by the other.

The interests of Romania in preserving a good and close relation with the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, or in creating an area of development and cooperation in the Black Sea region, can be ruined if countries, which today are stable and flourishing, are pushed overnight into chaos. We know who is capable of doing so. We have the Ukrainian example. Nevertheless, we know it can happen again, especially where Russia is maintaining frozen conflicts.

The only way to discourage further defiance of international law and borders, is a greater power, present in the area, capable and willingly to exert its influence. Unfortunately, such power does not come from the United Nations. Not even from the European Union, which has direct interests.

We must admit that today, the only super-power capable to guarantee (at least for its friends) the security and borders inviolability is the USA and the alliances network represented by NATO (where USA represents 75% of the effort, and not even UK meets the 2% of GDP target contribution).

USA is a strategic partner of Romania and in the same time, Romania is a trustful partner of the United States. While we saw some relations with USA shaking all over the world, from the Philippines to France and from Turkey to Germany, the Romania-USA partnership it just growing stronger.

And this direction can and must continue!

I cannot speak for the American part. But, in what concerns Romania, I believe that a more active role is highly advisable. Important steps are already happening.

The continuous Romanian presence in conflict zones like Afghanistan is highly appreciated. It costed our country 28 lives until now and we all must be grateful for this supreme contribution the Romanian army has brought in. The outcome is that today, Romanian army is at its best for the last 25 years  both in terms of readiness and capabilities.

The financial contribution of Romania is also on a positive trend. In 2016, the defence budget grew with 10% but is still under the target of 2% of GDP written in the NATO engagements. In 2017, it is mandatory for Romania to show its commitment by fulfilling the goal of 2%. It is not the amount which matter, but the commitment. And these are facts that matter a lot to our partners.

At the end, I cant stress enough the importance of asserting our interest and commitment into the Strategic Partnership with the USA. Sometimes, I have the feeling that it is taken for granted. And this is wrong. It is a highly valuable position, achieved with effort, envied by many. There are forces, working as we speak, at undermining this Partnership. These forces are feeding the public with distorted, manipulative, fake stories, meant for the mind of uninformed and unaware ones. There are important resources involved into this pervert efforts which try to create fractions, disbelief and even rejection. And the target is not only Romanias relation with the USA, but also our European membership and value system.

Each of us must do more to expose such efforts which are opposed to the national interest, but I expect the most from our leaders and from the institutions our country built for its own protection.

To grow this partnership, the relation Romania has with the USA must evolve beyond the security topics. We already have the framework set by the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between the United States of America and Romania, adopted in 2011. The Declaration states clearly: We continue to support opportunities for increased trade and investment, cooperation between our business communities, and the development of deeper industrial and technological cooperation.

I consider that Romania can and must play a more active role in this direction. We, as a country, must come up with proposals of specific, sustainable projects of investment, development and partnership. There are many areas, where I see fit for such a purpose. Beyond the defence industry, there are the major infrastructure projects where Romania still has great need, and USA can bring in both the expertise and the actors capable of running such tasks. I know for a fact that Romania would greatly benefit from an American investment in the Port of Constanta  a strategic gateway to Europe, or from a development project along the Danube River.

Expanding Romania  USA alliance towards a broader economic relation means investments, know-how transfers, jobs and a more solid foundation for our Partnership. It is in the interest of both and I am sure that Romania would greatly benefit of it.

I believe in the Strategic Partnership Romania has with the USA, in its beneficial outcome for both parts The power change happening these days at the Washington is not a threat for this Partnership. On the contrary, I see in it an opportunity for some needed clarifications and a repositioning on the global map. I see in President Trump a pragmatic leader, capable to state clearer the rules and limits of its countrys relation with Russia. Making America Great Again can go beyond the borders of the USA. It can be also about being the greatest military and economic power of this century. And could definitely be about exerting this power within the limits of international law and helping for these limits not to be bent by any leader who tries to cover internal problems with imaginary external enemies.

It is a change in the USA,  a change that, I believe, will bring good things, I would say, including the Romania  USA relation.

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The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

Mumbai: Ahead of Tata Motors' crucial board meeting on Monday, two unions of the company representing around 16,000 employees have written to the management expressing their support to Ratan Tata in the ongoing spat with ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.

In a letter to Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, Tata Motors Employees Union, Pune expressed "deep concern" over the rift between Tata Sons and the leadership of Tata group companies.

"Moreover, the once cordial relations between Tata Motors Pune plant management and the employees have taken a downward turn since the last 14 months over various negotiable issues," said the letter in an indirect dig at the company's leadership under Mistry's chairmanship.

Backing the new leadership of Tata Sons led by interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the letter said: "However, during this time of turmoil we reiterate our complete and dedicated commitment to the decisions taken by Ratan Tata over the change in leadership of Tata Sons Ltd."

Stating that Tata Motors has "grown in leaps and bounds under" Tata's "visionary leadership", the workers union of Pune plant further said: "We wish to commit our whole-hearted support to Mr Ratan Tata's decisions in future and greatly respect his leadership."

On the other hand, in a letter to the plant head of Tata Motors' Jamshedpur unit, Telco Workers Union termed Ratan Tata as "our another great leader" and invoked his saying "if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to walk far walk together" to express their support.

While also recollecting what another "pioneer" JRD Tata said -- "to be a leader you have to lead with human affection" -- Telco Workers Union said: "These inspiring sentences (are) always inspirations for us and we always try to follow these footsteps."

Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman Cyrus Mistry and independent director Nusli Wadia.

Besides, Tata Sons also has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meetings to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards. The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Cyrus Mistry from the chairmanship of group companies and has already fired him as chairman of TCS. However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Nusli Wadia, has been able to hold on to his position as chairman of Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
"We are looking at diversification. First diversification is going to be within the bakery area where in certain segments, we are missing. You would see in the next couple of months very hectic activity from our side," Britannia Industries Managing Director Varun Berry

New Delhi: Looking to transform into a total food company, Britannia Industries is planning to bring in new products, especially in the bakery segment, to fill gaps in its portfolio.

"We are looking at diversification. First diversification is going to be within the bakery area where in certain segments, we are missing. You would see in the next couple of months very hectic activity from our side," Britannia Industries Managing Director Varun Berry told PTI.

He further said: "We are missing in few segments as cereal bar, croissant and we are going to evaluate all of this and certainly develop a strategy to move in those as well."

For that, the company is planning a series of launches and the earliest would be nine to ten months away.

"We would not take all of them together. It would be series of launches that we are looking at over the next one year or so," Berry said. He further added: "Once the decision is taken then we would have to get the capex going ... the earliest launch which we are looking at would be in next 9 to 10 months."

On dairy segment, Berry said that it would take a decision in this regard by the end of this year. "Dairy, I think we have to take the decision but I think we are very close to a decision...," he said.

Berry further said: "We would have a pan India presence as far as dairy is concerned but we would have to choose states for setting up operations. Probably, it would be Maharashtra, if we go forward with the investments".
New Delhi: Textile leaders from across the world are slated to attend the annual conference of International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) due to be held in Jaipur in Rajasthan on November 17-19.

"At a time when the Union government is giving utmost importance to the textile sector, this meeting is crucial for future policies, including the New Textile Policy, which will be finalised in the next few weeks," the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said in a statement today.

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma will address the delegates of the conference, which will see industry leaders, senior officials and experts in attendance, it added.

Indian textiles is a USD 100 billion industry and the largest employer, providing jobs to 100 million people. India is the second-largest textile exporter and among a few countries with a presence of the entire textile value chain, CITI said. Domestically, textile has over 11 per cent share at USD 40 billion -- of total exports in 2015-16 and contributes 5 per cent of GDP, it added.
The India Emerging 20 initiative will roll out its second edition this year.

Mumbai: London's technology sector is wooing Indian startups and software firms, which are among the key drivers of growth and jobs for the capital city and the wider UK economy.

"India is the second largest investor into London, after the US...Despite concerns over foreign investment inflows after the Brexit referendum, it will continue to be a top investor for us," Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor of London for business, told PTI here.

Agrawal also chairs London & Partners, the official promotional company for London. The deputy mayor is visiting India on an international trade mission aimed at strengthening tech and trade links between London and India.

He revealed that London is home to 39 per cent of the fastest growing Indian companies based in the UK, compared to 25 per cent last year. Technology is the top sector for Indian investment, accounting for 46 per cent of all Indian investments here over the last 10 years, according to research commissioned by London & Partners.

Pointing out that large corporations cannot innovate fast enough, he stressed that startups are key to new ideas and processes. During his visit, the deputy mayor has been meeting with senior Indian business leaders and high growth companies to reassure them that London remains open for business.

"Over the last week, I have met leading figures from Indian politics and business, including some innovative tech companies, and discussed how we strengthen the relationship between London and India," he said.

Sectors like healthcare and financial technology are doing very well, he said. London & Partners also recently announced that it will select and invite 20 of India's most innovative and high growth companies with global aspirations to set up operations in London.

The India Emerging 20 initiative will roll out its second edition this year. The 20 selected businesses will be given the opportunity to meet and learn from senior business leaders, venture capital investors and decision-makers from major global companies.
AMFI has requested that GST Model law should provide for centralised registration and reflect details of all the places of business.

New Delhi: Mutual fund industry body AMFI has sought safeguards under the new GST regime as they believe that MF units could become more expensive due to increase in cost or compliances.

AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds in India), along with PwC, made a representation to GST Commissioner Upendra Gupta last month and requested that securities should be excluded from the definition of goods or otherwise exempted from levy of GST.

Under the present VAT and service tax laws, transactions in securities are not taxed. If supply of securities is liable to new goods and services tax (GST) tax, the very existence of the MF sector would be jeopardised, it felt.

The industry body has requested that GST Model law should provide for centralised registration and reflect details of all the places of business. The current provisions of the law would impose an enormous burden of compliance on an assessee as he is required to register and file returns from more than one place of business.

The GST Commissioner is believed to have said the entire service industry is generally very late in representing to the government on their viewpoint and that due to paucity of time, many genuine aspects may not see the light of day.

But he agreed that single return compliance or centralised registration should be the order of the day for the financial services sector, and the central government has agreed to it.

Sources said the industry needs to approach state governments to sort it out. They also stressed that if the industry comes up with a solution which is a win-win for all, the proposal can be looked at.

As per the the Model law, GST is to be paid at the place where a service is deemed to be supplied. Besides, the head office and the branch of the asset management company will be treated as separate persons.

The asset management activity is normally undertaken by the AMC from its head office where the fund managers are located while the marketing of the schemes takes place all over the country through the head office and the branches.

AMFI believes that such provisions will impose an enormous burden of compliance on the fund houses. According to the industry body, transactions between branches and headquarter of the AMC should not be treated as supply and credits accumulated at branches of the AMCs should be available to the MF sector.

It requested that the fund and its AMC should not be treated as 'related persons' under the GST regime. The MF sector, which plays an important role in the development of the financial system, should be liable to lower rate of GST.

"It is prayed that rate of tax be made applicable to the MFs so as to ensure the investors/unit holders are not deterred from investing in the MF sector due to high rate of GST and in favour of other avenues of investments where returns are not expected to be liable to GST," AMFI noted.
Banks have witnessed a significant growth in deposits during the last few days.

Mumbai: Banks would be required to raise additional capital to meet the capital adequacy requirement under the Basel III norms if lending picks up momentum amidst a sharp growth in deposits following the demonetisation of the high denomination currencies.

While large PSU banks such as SBI, PNB and BOB and private sector lenders are in a much better position to grow their business, experts said the small and medium PSU banks would have to raise additional capital.

Banks have witnessed a significant growth in deposits during the last few days with the largest state lender SBI receiving close to Rs 40,000 crore in just the first two days post the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Under the current Basel III norms, banks are required to maintain a minimum capital adequacy of 9 per cent and a Tier-I ratio of 7 per cent. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the ratio of bank's capital to its risk.

The credit demand from corporates still remains subdued. So everything would depend on how credit appetite improves in the coming days. If the opportunity for loan disbursement increases, the bank will have to bring in additional capital to meet the CAR requirement, said a senior executive director of a public sector bank.

Senior officials at SBI said that the banks cost of funds would come down in the coming days due the sudden spike in inflows into the current and savings account. This according to them would lead to a reduction in the deposit as well as lending rates.

Global rating agency Fitch in a recent report warned that the capital adequacy at Indias state banks remains a key theme against deteriorating asset quality and weak earnings, with some banks at risk of breaching their capital triggers.

Fitch estimates that Indian banks would require a fresh capital infusion of $90 billion to adhere to the Basel III norms and fulfil their ongoing capital needs.

It would be the small and medium-sized PSU banks that would require additional capital if they want to grow their books, noted Siddharth Purohit, senior research analyst at Angel Broking.

Some of the large PSU banks are in a better position. Similar is the case with private sector banks. So I dont think they will have many problems in growing their business in the event of a pick-up in credit demand, he said.

While the credit dema-nd from corporates has failed to take-off amidst sluggish private CapEx, Mr Purohit pointed out the credit to the retail segment is growing steadily. We will have to wait and watch if this move would impact demand from the consumer side.
Mumbai: Deepika Padukones pictures in a deglam look with acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi are breaking the internet and the actress says the details about the same will be revealed soon. Deepika went almost unrecognised in the salwar kurta sans make-up avatar, and the pictures sparked the rumours that she is collaborating with Majidi for his next directorial venture.

There have also been reports that the almost day-long shoot was held only for Majidi to gauge if Deepikas look suited a prime character in his film. When asked about it the 30-year-old actress told reporters, You will know soon. Deepika was speaking at the red carpet of Lux Golden Rose Awards held here last night.

She recently shot for a Lux advertisement with superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and noted actresses Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. The actress said it was an honour to share screen space with the two divas. I have grown up watching Madhuri ji and Sridevi ji and to share screen space with them and to be with them was a huge honour. Its been nine years and I feel I have a long way to go. It was fun doing the ad, she said.

Deepika is gearing up for the release of her maiden Hollywood debut, xXx: Return of Xander Cage. When asked if her co-star Vin Diesel and the rest of the cast will come for its Indian premiere, Deepika said, Hopefully they all will be here. I have spoken to them a lot about India and they know a lot about our country.
Mumbai: Deepika Padukone says she is excited for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus 'Padmavati', and feels it is going to be one of the most challenging experiences of her career.

Deepika plays Queen Padmavati in the film, which also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.

"I don't feel I have completed nine years, I feel I have just started off. I feel I have a lot more to give and I think I am ready for more challenging roles and films, and I am excited about one of those experiences, as 'Padmavati' is going to be extremely difficult. But I am ready for that experience and journey," she told reporters here.

The 30-year-old actress was speaking at the red carpet of Lux Golden Rose Awards, here.

The actress, who made her international red carpet debut at the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards, said she enjoyed her time at the event, watching global artistes perform live.

"It's exactly the same (walking Indian and international red carpet). It's fun to get up and get ready and interact with the media and fans. It was amazing watching international artistes perform. I learnt a lot by just watching them," she said.

It's been nine years since the release of Deepika's debut movie 'Om Shanti Om' and recently director Farah Khan revealed that the film is being made into a Japanese musical.

When asked about it, Deepika said, "It's going to be a Japanese play, I don't think a film. Farah told me they liked the film and they are having a play there (in Japan). The premiere will be in July next year, most probably Farah and I will be going there (Japan)," she added.
Mumbai: Arjun Rampal on Saturday supported the Centre's decision of scrapping Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes, however saying the movie has suffered because of demonetisation.

"Producer of my film 'Rock On 2' and the film has suffered because of this as well. But sometimes you have to make some sacrifices.

The backbone of people, who stash black money or involved in drug trafficking, terror funding are broken or at least injured due to this," Rampal told ANI.

The 46-year-old actor further asserted that there will be chaos but support the government's move to maintain secrecy, saying there was no other way to announce it.

"I believe and hope that this decision is beneficial in long run; it's time when we must stand together and support the government's decision." he added.

While makers of films 'Saasein' and '30 Minutes' decided to postpone their release, the makers of 'Rock On 2' stuck to their release date.

'Rock On 2' had one of the worst openings of the year collecting barely Rs.2.2 crores on

Friday, as reported by film critic Taran Adarsh. Occupancy at theatres remained poor across the country despite Book my show, Paytm running some offers for cine goers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the government had decided to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to tackle the menace of black money.
Mumbai: Varun Dhawan along with Alia Bhatt has been rigorously shooting for their next project together Badrinath Ki Dulhania which is being directed by filmmaker Shashank Khaitan.

On November 12, the team wrapped up the films shoot in Singapore and the movies leading star, Varun, before saying adios to the country; he took to the dance floor and had a fun wild night.

Varun actor celebrated films wrap up by shaking a leg on peppy music, surrounded by good friends at a club in Singapore. At the bash, Alias sister Shaheen Bhatt was also there.

The actor shared pictures from Saturday night's party on his Instagram account. After partying till late hours, the actor started his morning on a fruity note by having fruitloops for breakfast. He even shared a picture on his profile with caption,"Breakfast for champions.lets get loopy #fruitloops."

While the franchises first film, 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania' was shot entirely in India, the team flew to Singapore for a two-week spell to shoot for the romcom.

Unlike HSKD, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, which film is about a Jhansi boy named Badrinath and his lady love Vaidehi, is said to be a dark love story with unexpected twists and turns. KJos next venture is slated to release on March 10, 2017.
S Ve Sekar, a member of CBFC is also the producer of Manal Kayiru 2, which stars Ashwin (his son) and Poorna in the lead roles. The film was issued U/A certificate by the board citing that it has scenes displaying a condom and the use of the word figure to refer women. As a producer he is against the decision and has taken to Facebook to reveal that Manal Kayiru 2 deserves a U certificate.

Speaking to DC, Sekar says, Firstly, there shouldnt be any discrimination against big and small time producers and actors. If one can issue U certificate for a film which has lip-lock scenes, why not for my film? In fact, I have not shown condom at all. This explains that the regional officer is misusing his power. I was selected as a member of the CBFC by PM Narendra Modi, so I will serve my position with honesty. The regional officer thinks he has all the power and people fear to voice their opinion against him thinking that he would outcast them. I will definitely take this issue to Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

The Jeans actor also added that producers get affected by poor monitoring  I still dont understand how Kabali, which dealt with violence got a U certificate. Certainly, there is a third party influence in this. Such acts will only affect small-scale producers. The Producers Council should take necessary action to curb this, he adds.

Sekar also reasons that TN governments tax exemption policy for U-rated films pushes people to go to any extent  There are separate screenings for the CBFC members and TN government  which is just a waste of time. Also, the tax exemption does not help the cine goers. I suggest we decrease the ticket rates and let the common man enjoy. I have addressed these issues to CM J Jayalalithaa, but I am not sure if it has reached her.

Meanwhile

Director Ananda Krishnans Metro released after five months of struggle with the CBFC. Though the movie received excellent reports, it is not being issued a TV censor certificate. The director took to social media and posted, In spite of appreciation from audience, media, critics, IPS officers, and even judicial representatives now METROs TV Censor Certificate is REFUSED by the same officer who refused the movie for the theatrical release initially. In spite of 22 voluntary cuts, they say the theme is same. So Metro will not be telecasted in any channel until this issue gets resolved. (sic)
A report published this month by researchers from the UoH, led by Dr. Niyaz Ahmed, found multiple drug resistant Helicobacter pullorum (H.pullorum) bacteria in samples of broiler chicken and free range chicken from the city. 100 samples were taken from various markets and areas across Hyderabad. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: Country chicken or natu kodi, as it is popularly called in Telugu, is often looked at as a healthy alternative to broiler chicken. However, thanks to growing contamination, even natu kodi is having drug resistant bacteria.

A report published this month by researchers from the UoH, led by Dr. Niyaz Ahmed, found multiple drug resistant Helicobacter pullorum (H.pullorum) bacteria in samples of broiler chicken and free range chicken from the city. 100 samples were taken from various markets and areas across Hyderabad.

Dr Ahmed, a teacher of the biotechnology and bioinformatics department, UoH, is now serving as senior director at the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research in Dhaka.

The H.pullorum bacteria isolated from chicken samples by researchers was found to be resistant to four major classes of antibiotics, viz. fluoroquinolones, cephalo-sporins, sulfonamides and macrolides.

H.pullorum is a zoonotic bacterium, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. This happens frequently through poultry birds.

H.pullorum is already known to be carrying a toxin that can interfere with the cell cycle causing damage to the DNA, leading to cancer.

The presence of multiple drug resistant bacteria in broiler and free range chicken points towards two major issues  indiscriminate use of antibiotics by humans on animals and unsanitary conditions in cities.

While broiler chickens are given high doses of antibiotics directly, free range chicken pick up antibiotic residues from the environment as they live in unsanitary human habitations and are exposed to human and animal waste containing antibiotic residues or resistant micro-organisms.

Dr Ahmed said, With the risk of zoonosis and its ability to spread antimicrobial resistance, H.pullorum could be emerging a food borne human pathogen that needs to be deciphered at the genomic and molecular levels.

He added, There is no harm to public health as long as the chicken is cooked properly. It is better to avoid liver and intestines as H.pullorum is found mainly in these organs.

No law yet to regulate antibiotic use in poultry

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in poultry birds is a serious concern in the country, yet there is no legislation by the government to regulate the trend.

As of now, there are only two advisories by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), released in June and December 2014, which restrict the use of antibiotics in feed and feed supplements.

Apart from this, the FSSAI has also advised that any antibiotic use on animals must be carried out under veterinary supervision.

Last year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India released draft rules in which the two advisories were made mandatory. However, there has been no change since and the rules continue to be in the draft stage.

Amit Khurana, programme manager with food safety and toxins division, Centre for Science and Environment, said: Antibiotics have therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses in the poultry industry. While the therapeutic use is required for the healthcare of the birds, non-therapeutic use is where antibiotics are used as growth enhancers in chicken. It is a known fact that a major use of antibiotics in poultry industry is for non-therapeutic purpose, which needs to be curbed but there exists no rule against it till now.

Dr Niyaz Ahmed, a teacher at the biotechnology and bioinformatics department, University of Hyderabad, who published a study recently regarding the finding of multiple drug resistant bacteria in chicken samples across the city, said, "Poultry farm owners should stop adding antibiotics to feed. Also, feed manufacturers should not use antibiotics as additives in feed formulae. There should be some regulation on feed composition."

Telangana is one of the top producers of poultry products in India. The monthly poultry output from Telangana is around 4 crore kg of chicken and 90 crore eggs.

The recently published Sample Registration System Baseline Survey 2014 data by Census of India said Telangana has the maximum non-vegetarians in the country, with 98.8 per cent of men and 98.6 per cent of women in the state being confirmed, frequent non-vegetarians.
Its also possible that for some yet-unknown reason, women with shorter telomeres are more likely than women with longer ones to have children.

For the study, the researchers analysed information from 1,556 U.S. women ages 20 to 44 who took part in a national survey from 1999 to 2002, which involved giving blood samples.

The researchers looked at the genetic material inside the womens cells, specifically the length of their telomeres. These are caps on the ends of chromosomes that protect the chromosomes from damage. Telomeres naturally shorten as people age, but the structures dont shorten at the same rate in every person. The longer a persons telomeres are, the more times their cells could hypothetically still divide, research has shown. Thus, telomeres are considered a marker of biological age  that is, the age of a persons cells, rather than the individuals chronological age.

Women in the survey who said theyd given birth to at least one child had telomeres that were about 4 per cent shorter, on average, than those of women whod never given birth. The findings held even after the researchers took into account other factors that could affect telomere length, including the womens chronological age, body mass index and smoking habits.

These findings suggest that a history of live birth may be associated with shorter telomeres, the researchers wrote in their abstract, which was presented this week at the meeting of the American Public Health Association in Denver.

The study was not designed to determine the reason behind the link, the researchers said. But one hypothesis is that having children increases stress levels, and high stress has been linked with shorter telomeres, the scientists said.

It is possible that pregnancy, birth and child-rearing can induce chronic stress, leading to shorter telomere length perhaps through an inflammatory pathway, study researcher Anna Pollack, an assistant professor and environmental and reproductive epidemiologist at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia, told Live Science. However, because the survey was conducted at a single point in time, the researchers cannot determine which came first in the womens lives  giving birth or having shorter telomeres. Its also possible that for some yet-unknown reason, women with shorter telomeres are more likely to have children, Pollack said.

More studies are needed, that follow women over time and measure the length of their telomeres before, during and after their pregnancy, she said.

It would be interesting to see how telomere length changes during pregnancy, after birth and during the child-rearing years, and how these changes compare to women who do not have children, Pollack said.

Source: www.livescience.com
Several thousand of Rome's homeless were given pride of place in the front rows of the large auditorium (Photo: AFP)

Rome: Homeless people were the guests of honor on Saturday night at a special benefit concert in the Vatican conducted by Oscar winning composer Ennio Morricone.

Morricone, 88, who won this year's Academy Award for "The Hateful Eight," premiered a new, short composition for the event called "God, One of Us," and also conducted the orchestra in some of his most famous film sound tracks.

They included three tracks from one of his most evocative sound scores, for the 1986 film "The Mission," by Roland Joffe and one from Sergio Leone's 1984 film "Once Upon a Time in America".

Several thousand of Rome's homeless were given pride of place in the front rows of the large auditorium where Pope Francis holds some of his general audiences. Diplomats, Vatican officials and other VIPs were behind them.

"I live in a tent. It was something else for me to be in the front row here," said Attila, a 48-year-old Hungarian man who lost his construction job in Rome and was brought to the concert by a Catholic charity.

The pope is due to say a special Mass in honor of homeless people on Sunday as part of the Roman Catholic Church's Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Morricone, one of the world's most prolific composers of film scores, is best known for the music that accompanied Italian director Sergio Leone's so-called Spaghetti Westerns, such as "A Fistful of Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More," and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

Donations made at the concert, where entry was free, will go to help build schools and churches in Uganda and Burkina Faso.
Police got information that Satvinder Singh and Dadu were roaming in the area along the international border in Suchetgarh sector and were taking pictures of the security establishments. (Photo: file)

Jammu: Two persons were arrest from along the RS Pura sector on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly spying for Pakistan and sharing secret information on social networking app Whatsapp, police said on Sunday.

Police got information that Satvinder Singh and Dadu were roaming in the area along the international border in Suchetgarh sector and were taking pictures of the security establishments, a police officer said.

Acting swiftly, both of them were nabbed and during their questioning they revealed that they were collecting the secret information regarding the locations of the Army and other security forces, and sharing the same with Pakistan through Whatsapp, he said.

Both of them have been arrested and booked under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), the officer said, adding further investigations were on.
The couple had frequent tiffs over domestic issues, including the custody of their child and Imran used to make abusive calls to Latika regarding the same, the police said. (Representational image)

BENGALURU: Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's son-in-law was arrested by the Delhi police in Bengaluru for allegedly subjecting his wife to domestic violence. According to the police, Syed Imran was arrested from a hotel on M.G. Road on Friday.

The police officials said that Imran and Latika, who have approached a court in Delhi seeking divorce, were separated 10 months ago and since then, Imran had been living in Bengaluru. He was working at a software firm in the city.

The couple had frequent tiffs over domestic issues, including the custody of their child and Imran used to make abusive calls to Latika regarding the same, the police said.

Although Imran had moved to Bengaluru and was living at an apartment in Domlur after the couple separated, he used to regularly call Latika and the couple fought over various issues. When the phone calls became frequent, Latika filed a dowry harassment case at Barakhamba police station in Delhi, the police said.

The city police said that based on the call detail records of Imran, the Delhi police traced Imran and arrested him from a hotel on M.G Road. Following a courts permission, Imran was taken to Delhi, the police maintained.
The bank has suspended the two officials. The two accused, bank clerk V. Mallesh and cashier Radhika of the Kamalanagar branch of the Syndicate Bank have been booked. (Representational image) (Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: The Saroornagar police booked a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against two bank officials who took Rs 6 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes without submitting proof and in violation of RBI guidelines.

The bank has suspended the two officials. The two accused, bank clerk V. Mallesh and cashier Radhika of the Kamalanagar branch of the Syndicate Bank have been booked.

Saroornagar inspector S. Lingaiah said, V. Mallesh took Rs 6 lakh worth of new currency from Ms Radhika without any valid ID proof. The head of the department suspended both and filed a criminal complaint with us.

The inspector said Mallesh had returned Rs 5.6 lakh and said that the remaining had been spent. He is claiming that the demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were his but we are trying to find out who they belonged to. A complaint has been filed by manager D. Narasaiah, the inspector said. Police is likely to pick up the duo for questioning.

LB Nagar assistant commissioner of police P. Venugopala Rao said, The fraud was detected during verification by the bank manager. Banks are collecting the ID proofs but they are not entering them into the systems. This is leaving scope for fraud.

Police said they had received reports of this happening at several banks.
Bengaluru: A case has been registered against a local journalist and his cameraman on a complaint filed by Karnataka minister Tanvir Sait, who was allegedly filmed by the duo watching sleazy pictures on his phone at a public function.

"A case has been registered against the district reporter and cameraman of a news channel based on the complaint by the Minister," senior cop officer SB Patil said. The two have been charged under Indian Penal Code section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).

Sait, who is the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, landed in a controversy on Thursday after a video footage emerged showing him purportedly watching sleazy pictures on his mobile on stage at a public function to mark Tipu Sultan's anniversary celebrations in Raichur district.

Responding to a question on the case being registered against journalists and action against the minister, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was not aware of the issue. "I will speak to him (Sait)... I'm not defending anyone, what is important is whether the mistake has been committed or not. I don't want innocents to get punished, whoever it is, whichever party the person may belong to," he said.

Asked who has been asked to submit a report, Mr Siddaramaih said, "I will get report from Tanvir Sait, but I will get it inquired. Will not accept the report he submits as it is."

He also said Mr Sait, who spoke to him, has claimed that he was only scrolling through messages received on WhatsApp and someone had posted the pictures there purposefully.
Mumbai: Maharashtra government on Sunday asked private hospitals to accept cheques from patients in case of emergency treatment.

The development comes after the death of a newborn boy after being allegedly refused treatment at a private hospital since the family had the scrapped Rs 500 notes to pay the bill. A police case was registered against a Govandi doctor over the death.

The state government has issued strict instructions to all private hospitals of the state to accept cheques from patients in case of emergency treatment, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

"Health Department officials are keeping a close watch on the situation round the clock so that no inconvenience is caused to citizens of Maharashtra," Fadnavis tweeted.

"And if any person comes across any kind of difficulty or non-cooperation from any hospital, he can dial our helpline number 108 for help," the Chief Minister said.

"Patients or relatives are requested to note phone/mobile number of concerned person of hospital who must be contacted for acceptance of cheque," he said.

Fadnavis also decided to reimburse an amount upto Rs 10,000 per patient from Chief Minister's Relief Fund, in case the cheque given to the hospital is bounced.
Though the RBI had already printed the new Rs 2000 currency notes, the Rs 500 notes were not available for circulation. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In a relief to cash strapped banks, the Currency Note Press (CNP), Nashik, has reportedly dispatched fresh batches of newly printed Rs 500 notes to the Reserve Bank of India.

According to a report, another dispatch of five million pieces will be sent on Wednesday.

The CNP has already sent the first consignment of five million pieces of the new Rs 500 note and another five million pieces are to be dispatched by Wednesday, the report said, quoting an official.

The Central government, last Wednesday, announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in a move to bring black money into the books.

The announcement was followed by a mad scamper to the banks, which saw frustrated citizens in long serpentine queues waiting through the day to have their old currency notes exchanged.

Though the RBI had already printed the new Rs 2000 currency notes, the Rs 500 notes were not available for circulation.

The Rs 500 notes are being printed in two presses in Nashik and MPs Dewas region. In addition, the Reserve Bank has also made arrangement for the noted to be printed at its two printing units in Mysore. The RBI aims to print 400 million pieces of the Rs 500 notes by the end of the financial year.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the Hindustan Times, the demonetisation have thrown the RBI into confusion over managing the dead currency.

In a statement, Union Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday that deposits worth Rs 2 lakh crore has been received by the banks, not taking into account the notes pouring in at post offices.

The defunct currency notes will be returned to the RBI, but a time lag means the old currency, or the dead cash, has to be stored temporarily, which is posing a huge problem for the banks.

Over the last 48 hours cash logistics companies have brought back old high denomination bank notes from more than 90% of the ATMs. Bank currency chests do not have adequate storage capacity to hold the volume of currency. Cash logistics companies that manage cash supply to ATMs have about 250-300 vaults across the country. Besides, the banks also have their own currency chests. This is not enough to store the pile of cash that is coming back to us, an official was quoted as saying.
Chennai: In her first direct communication since being hospitalised in September, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday said she has taken rebirth because of people's prayers and urged them to vote for the AIADMK in the November 19 polls.

"I have taken rebirth because of your prayers and worship. I would like to share this happy news with you in the first place," she said in a statement released by AIADMK in Chennai.

Stating that she does not have any grievances in view of people's "great love" for her, she said, "by God's grace, very soon, by recovering fully, I am waiting to resume work."

Exhorting party workers, she asked them to work in full swing for the victory of AIADMK in the November 19 polls for Aravakkurichi, Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope Assembly segment in Puducherry.

Though she could not directly meet cadres and functionaries working in these constituencies and the general public, "my heart and thoughts are with you always," she told them.

Without elaborating much, she asked party workers to "understand the nature of this statement and work with a sense of duty for making MGR's winning symbol two leaves bag a huge victory."

She said cadres should work for the victory of AIADMK nominees by a huge margin of votes. "Work with vigour and a passion for the goal, which is AIADMK's victory.

Jayalalithaa said the cadres should consider the party's victory as a victory for each one of them. Quoting a lyric from an MGR era song, she said "AIADMK's victory should resound in all the directions. I am eagerly waiting for news of such victory."

To voters, she recalled the slew of welfare schemes being implemented by her regime and urged them to "give your love and support to AIADMK in the present polls as well, remembering such innumerable schemes to enhance the people's standard of living."

The Chief Minister, who has been in hospital since September 22, said she has been slogging for the growth of the people of Tamil Nadu and her party from day one of her public life on the advice of her mentor and AIADMK founder chief M Ramachandran.

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others.

Specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated her during the period.
Police at the encounter site at the hillocks of Acharpura village after the STF killed 8 Students of Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists who escaped Central Jail killing a security guard in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday announced cash rewards for several villagers for tipping off the police on the 8 SIMI activists, who were later killed in an encounter, despite the inconsistencies between the calls' records and official version events.

Eight activists of the banned terror outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were killed on the outskirts of Bhopal last month following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bed sheets in the wee hours of October 31.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the police control room received four calls from villagers at around 11pm, tipping off on the SIMI activists.

Of the four calls, three were made while the encounter was underway. Two of these calls were made back-to-back at 11:09pm.

One of the callers from Khijradev village even told police that he was following the fugitives towards the hills.

This input disputes the official version of events that claim that the encounter took place between 10.45am and 11.45 am.

The inconsistencies in timing has been brushed aside by authorities and villagers as just coincidence, with officials refusing to comment on why villagers were being rewarded despite calling way long after the encounter began.

Separate probes have been ordered into the jail break and alleged encounter of the 8 men.
Dehradun: Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetising high value notes, BJP president Amit Shah today described it as a major blow to hoarders of black money and wondered why the Congress, SP, BSP and AAP were crying over a move they should have welcomed.

"Demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupees currency notes is a courageous and historic step taken by Narendra Modi government. With one stroke of a pen Modiji has destroyed black money worth lakhs and crores of rupees being used to fund terrorist activities. Those sitting over heaps of black money have been made destitute with just one stroke of a pen.

"Tell me shouldn't all political parties hail this step? But how will they? They are also in trouble. All they hoarded over the years has been destroyed too," Shah said while addressing a rally before flagging off the party's Parivartan Yatra in Uttarakhand.

He said people understand very well why there is commotion in the Congress, BSP, SP and AAP ranks in the wake of the Centre's crackdown on black money.

"I want to ask these parties where exactly does it hurt them? Why are you so agitated Rahulji? What is amiss? People know everything," he said.

Advising Rahul Gandhi to stop projecting himself as a sympathiser of the crowds queueing up outside banks following the Centre's demonetisation move, Shah said the Congress vice president should not to try to mislead the people.

"Rahul Gandhi went in a car worth Rs 4 crore to exchange Rs four thousand in a bank a couple of days back. Who were you trying to fool Rahul ji? You should at least have taken a cheaper vehicle for the purpose," he said.

Stating that each BJP worker stood in sympathy with the people inconvenienced by the demonetisation move, Shah appealed to them to see the larger picture and swallow the bitter pill in national interest as it was a big blow to black marketeers and hawala operators.
New Delhi: The landmark civil nuclear deal signed with Japan has a "termination" clause which the government here insists is not binding on India.

In the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, there is a note on "Views and Understanding" wherein the Japanese side has cited India's September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will terminate.

The Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides.

"That note is simply a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It is not the NCA (Nuclear Cooperation Agreement) which is what is binding," said a source here.

"On termination, there is no change from the US template," the source added.

The sources maintained that the views of Japan, "on when they can ask for it", is "their national prerogative".

Japan, the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear attacks, has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India, despite it being non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

After the Indo-Japan deal was signed, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said it is strikingly similar to atomic agreements India inked with the US and most of the other countries, having provisions like 'termination' clause.

In the 123 Agreement between India and the US, there is a clause for termination but it mentions that if India conducts a nuclear test, the two sides will initiate discussions immediately to understand the reasons for it. The discussions have to be concluded within a year, inferring that till then the nuclear deal will not be called off.

During the joint media interaction along with Modi after the deal was signed, Abe had referred to India's declaration of September 2008 with regard to voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.

"This agreement is a legal framework that India will act responsibly in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also in Non-Proliferation regime even though India is not a participant or signatory of NPT," he had said.
HYDERABAD: Information Technology minister K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday vowed to make Hyderabad one of the top startup destinations in the world. He said that youngsters from Telangana are making their mark in IT world and T-Hub provided a launchpad for such brilliant minds. Mr Rama Rao was speaking at a programme to mark the first anniversary of T-Hub, his brainchild, the fastest growing startup engine in the country.

Very soon we are going to lay foundation stone for T-Hub phase-2. The aim is to give an impetus to more new innovations, especially rural innovations, he said. Mr Rama Rao said, There were many questions about how we will create a mark in the startup world when T-Hub was established a year back. But looking at what we have achieved makes me proud. Today the world wants to connect with Hyderabad, and know about investments. Through T-Bridge we will access and bring the best to you to scale up the ladder and make the city one of the top startup cities in the world.

The event witnessed signing of six MoUs with several strategic partners, corporate partners besides announcement of partnership programmes. Among those present were T-Hub Board of Directors, IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Cyient executive chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy and Peepul Capital MD and founder Srini Raju as well as T-Hub COO Srinivas Kollipara and CEO Jay Krishnan.

Pharma city project makes some headway:

The TS government's ambitious Pharma City project made some headway on Saturday. Industries minister K.T. Rama Rao held a meeting with consultants from Singapore-based Surbana Jarong and senior officials of his department after which he declared that the project will be of international standards.

New TSIIC chairman G. Balamallu also took part in the meeting. The consultants briefed the minister on the designs and plans for the project, which will be shown to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao later. Disclosing details, Mr Rama Rao said that the Phama City will have an airstrip for flights. It will have transport connectivity through rail, road and air, he said, adding that the master plan for the prestigious industrial project will be readied in the near future.

In the meanwhile, steps are being taken for land acquisition, the minister said. Also, Pharma City will be connected with State and National Highways besides the Outer Ring Road and Regional Ring Road, he said. Meanwhile, Mr Rama Rao directed industries department officials to ensure Protocol for the new chairman. He told them to utilise the good offices of Mr Balamallu in land acquisition task since he has good contacts with people in the right places.
Mumbai: BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Sunday claimed that he would release a list of bogus companies where black money of 'some people' in the city was parked.

"I will show the Shiv Sena president what a surgical strike on black money means, when I release the list next week," he said referring to Uddhav Thackeray daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct "surgical strikes" on Swiss banks to bring back black money.

Thackeray had spoken of public inconvenience following the Centre's demonetisation move, saying it amounted to "torture" of people.

"People have put immense faith in you (PM). Do not betray their trust or you will see the impact of peoples' surgical strike against you," he had said.

Somaiya told PTI that Mayawati, Mulayam and Uddhav Thackeray should clarify if they were worried about poor people or those with boxes of money.

"When I release the list, the 'Mumbai mafia' and the Congress and NCP will know where the black money is marked," he said.

The BJP MP has been using the term 'Mumbai mafia' over the last several days to denote alleged corruption by Shiv Sena in BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

"Uddhav Thackeray will come to know where the Mumbai mafia money is parked, when I disclose the names of the companies concerned next week," Somaiya added.
Bengaluru: The government on Sunday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the two stuntmen who drowned last week at the TG Halli reservoir during the filming of an action sequence for a Kannada film.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Anil and Uday, officials said.

The incident occurred on November 7 when Anil and Uday, along with popular actor Duniya Vijay, were performing a stunt to shoot the climax of "Maasthi Gudi" for which they had to jump from a helicopter into the reservoir, but it went awry.

Their bodies were fished out after an intense search operation that went on for a couple of days involving the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Fire department, locals and scuba drivers.
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modis warning on Sunday that he would take action against benami properties is not just an emotional speech.

The series of notifications issued by the Income-Tax department since October 25 regarding rules to curb benami properties and forming of an adjudicating authority reveals that a solid ground has already been prepared to take action under the amended Act, as the offence is punishable for one year, which may extend to seven years imprisonment and a fine which may extend to 25 per cent of the fair market value of the benami property.

Mr Modi said in Goa on Sunday, This (demonetisation) is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free... We will take action against benami property. This is a major step to eradicate corruption and black money.

Act banning benami deals came into effect on November 1

Most significantly, the amended Act of Prohi-bition of Benami Pro-perty Transactions has come into effect on November 1.

The government, in its notification on October 25, said the adjudicating authority and the appelate tribunal appointed under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 act shall perform similar functions under the benami Act too.

Ms Meenakshi Gosw-ami, commissioner of Income-Tax (media & technical policy) and spokesperson of the Central Board of Taxes, said, The PBPT Act prohibits recovery of the property held benami from benamidar by the owner.

Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the government, she added. An I-T joint or additional commissioner, an assistant or deputy commissioner and a tax recovery officer in each region have been notified to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the approving authority, initiating officer and administrator, respectively under the PBPT Act.

The Act states that any person who is required to furnish information and who knowingly gives false information faces rigorous imprisonment for six months to five years and be liable to a fine.

If any person enters into a benami transaction in order to defeat the provisions of any law or to avoid payment of statutory dues or to avoid payment to creditors, the beneficial owner, benamidar and any other person who abets or induces it will be guilty of the offence of benami transaction.

What benami means
Gula, popularly known as the Afghan girl, is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues.

New Delhi: Afghan woman Sharbat Gula, the iconic face of refugee struggle who was deported from Pakistan a few days ago, will travel to India soon for medical treatment.

Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers.

In her 40s now, she has been offered treatment free-of-cost  reportedly by a Bengaluru hospital  a decision praised by Afghan Ambassador, Shaida Abdali, who expressed gratitude to India.

The iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost. Thank you India for being a true friend! the Afghan ambassador tweeted.

Gula, popularly known as the Afghan girl, is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues. Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on charges of possessing fake identity documents.
Hyderabad: The Telangana state government has pegged the loss on account of the heavy rain that lashed the state in September at Rs 2,740 crore. The loss includes the damage caused to crops, roads, houses, electric poles and other infrastructure.

Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma submitted a report to this effect to the Inter-Ministerial Central team which arrived in state on Sunday to take up a two-day tour of rain-hit districts to assess the damage.

The Chief Secretary told the team during a detailed Powerpoint presentation that the municipal wing suffered losses of Rs 848 crore, agriculture Rs 192.77 crore, irrigation Rs 112 crore and panchayat raj Rs 290 crore.

He said several roads were badly damaged, electric transformers got burnt, large extent of crops damaged and houses collapsed or partly-damaged.

He urged the team to ensure release of some portion of funds immediately as an interim relief to take up relief and rehabilitation.

Union home joint secretary Dilip Kumar, who is heading the team, assured Mr Sharma that they would recommend the Centre to provide maximum possible assistance as interim relief.

The teams left for Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Karimnagar and Siddipet districts to assess the damage. The team will tour Hyderabad on Monday and examine the damage caused in the city.
Chennai: Is Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa getting discharged from Apollo Hospitals in a week? The social media was abuzz with this piece of news on Wednesday after a senior of the IT wing of the AIADMK quoted UK expert Dr Richard Beale as saying this in his tweet.

The tweet by Tamilarasan, district president of the AIADMK IT Wing of Kancheepuram West, quotes Dr Beale, who examined Ms Jayalalithaa at the Apollo Hospitals four times in less than a month, as saying that the Chief Minister will return home in a week.

Chief Minister Amma will return home in a week, says Dr Richard Beale, the tweet by Mr Tamilarasan says. The tweet has been given some credence with school education minister MaFoi K Pandiarajan and AIADMK IT wing secretary G Ramachandran retweeting it.

Mr Tamilarasan further tweeted that London-based Tamil Duraikannan and a few others had met Beale on Wednesday during when he made the comments.

The Chief Minister was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on September 22 and was treated by Dr Beale, experts from AIIMS and doctors of the hospital.

Apollo Hospitals chairman Prathap C Reddy had on Friday last said that she has recovered and she would decide when to return home.
Madurai: All India Network of NGOs and Individuals working with National and State Human Rights Institutions (AiNNI) has expressed serious concerns over the appointment of Avinash Rai Khanna, vice-president of BJP, as a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

In a representation sent to the President of India Pranab Mukherjee, AiNNI said that while the post is sought to be filled by a person with no political affiliations, the appointment of Khanna would send a wrong message to the people of India and challenge the independence of NHRC which the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GA-NHRIs) through its Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) highlighted in 2011. .

This appointment is contrary to the universally accepted human rights standards evolved under the aegis of the United Nations. It will erode the public faith in the institution, which has been declining steadily over the past ten years, the AiNNI told the President in its letter signed by nine senior AiNNI advisors, including Henri Tiphagne, national working secretary of the AiNNI.

Any candidate who is part of the political party of the ruling government, should not be appointed as member of NHRC because this institution is responsible to examine complaints of rights violation by functionaries of the government, the AiNNI said, adding it was dismayed that after keeping the post vacant since March 2014, the government has now chosen to fill it with a person with clear political affiliation.

AiNNI believes that the appointment of the new member in a non-transparent and non-consultative manner also directly contradicts the UN Paris Principles that provide the guidelines for appointments in national human rights institutions. As per Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 (PHRA), this position has to be filled by those having experience and knowledge of human rights, it said, adding that the members of the Appointment Committee were not even told that the man they had chosen was an office bearer of the ruling party.

The AiNNI pointed out that it had been more than 12 years since NHRC had a woman member on board. This goes against the principles of plurality and diversity in composition as mentioned in the UN Paris Principles, it cautioned and said it would be apt to appoint a woman from civil society, preferably from dalit, tribal or minority community, who has substantial knowledge and experience in the field of human rights. Such a move would also ensure that India abides by the principles of pluralism as laid down in the UN Paris Principles and also the May 2011 SCA's recommendation to India.

NHRC India is scheduled for its periodic review for its accreditation by the SCA of the GA-NHRIs on November 22 at Geneva, AiNNI reminded the President.
Chennai: With the public worrying about Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaas health, chairman of Apollo Hospitals Dr Prathap C. Reddy said CM is much better and may be shifted to another room based on her convenience.

The infection with which she had come is completely cured, he stated.

What is required is for her to reinvigorate herself to get back to normal, said the doctor, adding that she eats the food of her choice and is recuperating.

When she feels she is physically fit and that the hospital has given her enough then she will be discharged, he added.
Chennai: Cash-starved local bodies in TN breathed easy with tax payments pouring in through the demonetised notes on Saturday. Tiruchy and Nagercoil corporation saw a total revenue generation of Rs 3.5 crore on a single day and with the Chennai corporation announcing 446 special counters to function on Sunday, the tax collection is likely to witness an all-time high, informed official sources told DC.

In an effort to facilitate the citizens who are encountering problems with paying bills after the demonetisation the Greater Chennai Corporation has made special arrangements and will open 446 special counters in all wards on Sunday and Monday, corporation commissioner D. Karthickeyan told DC. As part of the arrangement, old currencies of higher denomination will be accepted from public to pay property, commercial and professional taxes, he said.

It could be noted that the civic body has stopped accepting cash as a payment mode since 2002 and mandated payments only through cheque and online. However, as cash flow has become a serious difficulty after demonetisation of notes, the corporation has now decided to accept cash until November 14 of this month in all its 200 wards.

Public can now visit ward/zonal offices, Ripon buildings, TACTV centres for the tax payment. For registering complaints and for assistance, public can contact corporations helpline number 1913, a press release from Ripon Buildings said.

Meanwhile the public has started paying their the electricity bills in advance using the scrapped notes. However, there is no surge in transactions, TNEB sources said. There was no surge in the number of transactions happening at EB counters as we have already extended the date for payment to the end of the month. But it has been helpful for people that we have been accepting old `500 and Rs 1000 notes, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) managing director M. Saikumar told DC.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday over the Centre's demonetisation move and said representatives of political parties will meet him next week over the issue.

"The Hon President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation," Banerjee tweeted today. "I thank him for agreeing to meet reps of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," she wrote in the microblogging site.

Upping the ante against BJP, Banerjee yesterday had said she is not averse to working with arch rival CPI(M) and other opposition parties like Congress, SP, BSP to fight against the "anti-people" Modi government which has imposed an "undeclared emergency".

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conducting a "surgical strike on the common people" in the name of unearthing black money, she had said the demonetisation move was taken without proper planning causing immense hardship.
Chandigarh: The All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF), a radical outfit, has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to pass a resolution in the Assembly to challenge the Supreme Court decision on Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

In a letter to Badal, the outfit's president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad said that "with the November 10 decision of the Supreme Court on SYL canal, the people of Punjab have exhausted all legal remedies available...to secure their Riparian rights over the water resources of their homeland".

Terming the Supreme Court's decision on SYL canal as "blatant contravention of international laws and denial of riparian rights" of Punjab, he demanded that the Assembly pass a resolution to challenge the verdict before the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

The Punjab government has convened a special session of the Assembly on November 16 following the Supreme Court verdict on the water-sharing issue.
Panaji: Asserting that the nation has elected him to fight corruption and questioned if he should not do it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned emotional on Sunday and said that he left his home and family for the nation.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking for the first time on demonetisation after announcing the decision on November 8, also used the occasion to hit back at those questioning his bold and effective step to combat corruption and menace of black money.

"I also want to talk about something else in Goa...on 8th November many people of India slept peacefully and a few are sleepless even now. We took a key step to help the honest citizens of India to defeat the menace of black money" he said.

"This is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money but some people are lost in their own world. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he added.

Silencing his critics, the Prime Minister said that his decision was not a display of arrogance but aimed at fulfilling the commitments made to the nation.

"I was not born for sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the problems of the people," he added.

Training his guns on the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said that he was extremely aware of the fact that they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi said after laying the foundation for two major projects here.

"I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble but am prepared," he added.

Earlier on November 8, Prime Minister Modi took a major step and announced demonetisation of Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said people holding notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move, the government later decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.
Hyderabad: TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy told party cadre across the state to hold protest demonstrations and burn the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for the total failure of the NDA government on the demonstration.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said demonetisation had brought misery to the poor, middle class, and housewives across the country. The Congress was against black money but the manner in which Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes had been demonetised without application of mind and planning had resulted in chaos, he said.

He said the protest demonstrations and effigy-burning will be held in all district headquarters on Monday, and appealed to cadres to participate in large numbers.
Hyderabad: TD working president A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday made an offer to leaders who left the party and wish to rejoin it that they would get the same honour and posts they were holding earlier.

Readmitting Mr Kodali Ravi Kumar and Mr Seshu, TRS leaders from Serilingampally Assembly segment into the party, Mr Revanth Reddy said they would get their previous party posts in the TD youth wing.

At a function at the NTR Trust Bhavan office on Sunday, Mr Revanth Reddy said a few leaders who had joined the TRS from the TD were feeling suffocated as there was no one to support them and due to the failure of the government to bring any development activity in the capital.

Accusing Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of damaging the prospects of Telangana state, and his son K.T. Rama Rao of ruining Hyderabad city, the TD leader said there was no improvement in the city after the devastating rains of September due to their negligence. He said only the Telugu Desam could work for development of the state.
Hyderabad: Minister T. Harish Rao on Sunday conveyed the concerns of farmers over the Centres decision to demonetise high-value currency notes, and the curbs imposed on withdrawal of cash, and requested it to take immediate steps to help them overcome their difficulties.

Mr Harish Rao, the minister for marketing and irrigation, said that due to regulations imposed on withdrawal of money, many traders had stopped buying the produce from farmers who had come to market yards across the Telangana state with their produce.

He said farmers normally sell their produce and invest the money for raising the new crops. Due to regulations on money withdrawals imposed on November 8, traders across the state had stopped buying the produce, thereby causing immense hardships to the farmers.

Mr Harish Rao suggested to the Centre that all the agricultural produce be purchased by Central government agencies by opening more buying points at all market yards.

The minister also appealed to the Centre to enhance the withdrawal limit for farmers and traders so that at least some of the hardships they are facing can be mitigated.
In todays multipolar world stamped by an asymmetrical power distribution, Tokyo and New Delhi figure on every analysts list of major power centres. The relationship between the two nations impacts the Asian power balance, in the backdrop of Chinas economic and military rise and a marked tendency to assert itself. Hence, Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Japan, November 11-12, was imbued with considerable significance. The visit was the occasion for the third India-Japan annual summit during the Modi governments two and a half-year-long tenure so far. With the two Prime Ministers having met for the eighth time, the relationship has advanced noticeably in this period. The question to ponder is as to what additionality was achieved in Tokyo last week. It has produced tangible results. The most salient gain is the conclusion of the agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

This was pending for several years, causing much uncertainty. It now opens the way for cooperation involving Indian, American and Japanese companies in the field of civil nuclear cooperation. Both India and Japan seem to have shown flexibility to ensure a positive outcome. Besides, nine other agreements and MoUs were signed covering diverse fields. The future of Japan-India partnership, Mr Modi stated, is rich and robust. Another notable feature is the progress registered on one of the mega projects, namely the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. Consultancy work is set to begin next month; construction will commence in end 2018, and the operation starts in 2023. The 58-para joint statement, issued on November 11, is significant for its several elements. It highlights the synergy between Indias Act East Policy and Japans Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. The partnership between India and Japan brings peace, stability and balance in the region.

The para on countering terrorism is very strong and explicit, with India and Japan calling on Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Pathankot in 2016. India reciprocated this by showing ample sensitivity to Japans need for security in its neighbourhood. It joined the Japanese government in condemning in the strongest terms North Koreas continuing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. With the right protocol followed, the C word does not figure anywhere in the joint statement, but many of its paragraphs will be of special interest to Beijing. One in particular is directly addressed to it where India and Japan speak clearly about the commitment to respecting freedom of navigation etc., based on the principles of international law. Specifically, on the South China Sea, the two countries have called on all parties to show utmost respect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to resolve the disputes by peaceful means.

Post visit, India-Japan relations need to be assessed from two principal perspectives, namely of the recent history and the changing geopolitics in Asia. First, the backdrop of developments in the past one and a half decades confirms an ascending trajectory. Since PM Yoshiro Moris visit to India in 2000, the two nations began shaping what they called a global partnership. During PM Manmohan Singhs 10-year long innings, the concept evolved significantly as the two governments, with Shinzo Abe as PM in Japan, upgraded the relationship to global and strategic partnership in 2006. The year 2014 was of special significance.

Mr Abe, PM again, visited India in January to hold discussions with the Manmohan Singh government, following the maiden visit of Emperor Akihito in end 2013. A few months after Mr Abes visit, PM Modi visited Japan, his first foreign tour outside South Asia. This is when the relationship was elevated to the special strategic and global partnership. Mr Abe was in India again in December 2015 to craft, along with the Modi government, the India-Japan Vision 2025 that reflected the shared view of a long-term strategy towards peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region and the world. The Modi-Abe discussions in Tokyo last week revealed a deep sense of mutual satisfaction over the current state of cooperation, with its twin focus on strategic and economic facets. Second, the changing dynamics of Asian geopolitics make it evident that Chinas assertive policies since 2009, particularly on the South China Sea/East China Sea issues, reached a new watermark in 2016. With the US preoccupied with its presidential election and developments in other regions, President Barack Obama came up with a weak-kneed strategic response. The US policy of pivot/rebalancing proved ineffectual.

Consequently, Asean went into a disarray. Smaller countries (viz. Laos and Cambodia) chose to join the China camp. The Philippines performed its own pivot, announcing its separation from the US. Other member-states hunkered down, beset with anxiety as well as an instinct to explore accommodation with Beijing. One thus sees the contours of an emerging alliance of angst, with Japan, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and probably South Korea as its key constituents. How does the US view the fast changing geopolitical scenario in East Asia? We will have to wait for a few months to know the answer. President-elect Donald Trump has been ambiguous in articulating his Asian view and his likely China policy. His constant refrain during the election campaign about making Japan pay for its security and about getting back US jobs that were lost to China and India, will now face a reality check. Experts are agreed that, given Indias strengthened relations with the US and Japan and escalating tensions in Chinas relations with India and Japan, Asias largest democracy  India  and the oldest and most prosperous democracy  Japan  are natural partners. The Tokyo summit last week was a confident step in guiding the two nations towards the desired direction.
Nearly a week on, the decision to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes  on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared these would cease to be legal tender from midnight that date  mocks India. For a start, they are still legal tender. They can be used for buying railway and airline tickets, milk from government outlets, paying for petrol and medicines, and tendering tax. The government had obviously anticipated adjustment pains, but nothing on the scale that is being reported. It is evident people cannot yet exchange their old notes for new ones. The RBI hasnt supplied new paper money in adequate quantities. In fact, enough havent yet been printed. The finance minister has admitted that the misery will continue for three more weeks. On current evidence its likely that Arun Jaitley will be proved wrong.

Trade in everyday goods for ordinary people has, meanwhile, shrunk to a fraction because people dont have cash. Farmers cant buy seeds as they cant pay for them. The country has slowed down. There have been a few deaths of people waiting in queues. When all these problems are pointed out, BJP president Amit Shah says the Opposition leaders have been exposed for supporting black money. Speaking to NRIs in Japan, the PM said more steps to cause pain to holders of black money arent ruled out. The BJP used to oppose demonetisation while in Opposition. But now, before the crucial UP Assembly elections, the device is being pitched as a moral crusade which only a resolute and clean government could unfurl. There is sanctimony abroad. Propaganda has upended facts.

The facts are, of course, revealing. According to the data, only two or three per cent of money that has escaped taxation  in other words black money  is in the form of `500 and `1,000 currency notes. A good part of this is likely to be with ordinary citizens, such as farmers, labourers, small shopkeepers and traders, teachers. This suggests that the drive initiated by the government with a messianic message is a dud. If it doesnt know this, ignorance has crossed all bounds. Away from the drama, almost all black money has already been converted into real estate, gold and jewellery, and siphoned off as foreign currency  away from the prospect of demonetisation. Most of the stashed demonetised notes are with politicians and their parties. The allegation is that the BJP had advance intimation and converted its share into acceptable notes well before November 8. Hows that for operating smartly?
The election of Republican Donald Trump as the next US President has triggered a political storm there but there are many in India who are cautiously optimistic about India-US ties during his presidency. In this email interview, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal talks with Sridhar Kumaraswami on what Mr Trumps victory indicates and its implications for India.

What does the victory of Donald Trump represent in the internal evolution of the United States? Is this a whitelash?

One would have thought that the election of Barack Obama  the first black President of the US and his re-election  represented a fundamental evolution of race relations in the country. Obviously, this was a misreading. There is certainly a white backlash in the country, fed by insecurities that the white working class of the country is prey to because of the loss of manufacturing jobs in America. If income inequalities in the US had not expanded, if economic growth in the US had picked up faster, if those unemployed had been re-trained for jobs in other sectors and so on, the white backlash may not have occurred to the degree it has. Now we see the surfacing of a strong anti-immigrant and racist sentiment amongst the white population. The country is divided today, but not entirely along racial lines. Many whites too are strongly anti-Trump for what he stands for. The issue is complex.

Hillary Clinton ran a fierce campaign but she failed to shatter the glass ceiling. Even after 240 years, the US is yet to have a woman President. What explains this?

Well, if the woman had not been Ms Clinton she might have won. It is Ms Clintons background, personality, her association with Wall Street money, the taint of corruption that damaged her campaign explains her defeat, not to mention the scandal of emails, the seamy financial side of the Clinton Foundation and funds received by it from the Gulf countries that allegedly influenced her decisions on the conflicts in West Asia.

The WikiLeaks exposure of her emails certainly damaged her. Beyond that many may have felt that her claims on the presidency was dynastic in character and that Bill Clinton might get a backdoor entry into the White House.

Do you actually expect the Trump presidency to place severe restrictions on Muslims entering the US or was that mere poll posturing?

He had begun moderating his posture during the campaign itself after his initial call for banning the entry of all Muslims into the US. He has signalled further modification of his position by removal of such statements from his website. But Mr Trumps statements on entry of Muslims reflected a wider political mood in the country as many American states had voted against the entry of refugees from West Asia into their territory after the terrorist attacks in Europe by local Muslims and some by refugees from West Asia. Incidentally, Mr Trump has large financial interests in the Arab world. There is a conflict of interest there. Judging from what some Arabs are saying they are not too worried, believing that all what Mr Trump was saying was election posturing.

How do you feel things will pan out in South Asia? Is Pakistan expected to face the heat or will Islamabads politics of nuclear blackmail with the West once again prevail?

Mr Trumps hard posture on Muslims and terrorism and some negative references to Pakistan during the election campaign could mean a tougher posture on that countrys support for terror groups operating against India and Afghanistan. Already, under Mr Obama, pressure on Pakistan on the issue of terrorism had grown, with some withholding of economic assistance and withdrawal of financial subsidy for the sale of F-16 aircraft. Such economic and military pressures may grow under Mr Trump.

Our accusations against Pakistan for supporting terrorism against India may receive better hearing from him. Our counter-terrorism cooperation may further improve. But I dont think even Mr Trump will be ready to declare Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism or impose serious sanctions on it as the US did in the case of Iran or Russia. Pakistans ability to blackmail the West on nuclear issues is back-stopped by China. With that support continuing, I dont foresee any change in Pakistans nuclear policies. As it happens, Mr Trump also has a more relaxed posture on the nuclear question, even suggesting that Japan and Saudi Arabia could go nuclear for their own defence.

Is a likely US-Russia convergence of interests going to make things much easier for India? Will the Trump-Putin bonhomie mean New Delhi will not have to worry about Moscow when it comes to growing ties with Washington?

Yes, if US-Russia ties improve, it will ease some pressure on India. Russia will have less reason to be suspicious of improved India-US strategic understanding if its own relations with the US become de-stressed under Mr Trump. This may also slow down the embrace of China by Russia, which again is to our advantage. By strengthening ties with China, Russia is enabling it to challenge the US even more strongly, thereby adding to Chinas stature and its room for geopolitical manoeuvring, to the detriment of our geopolitical interests. One fall-out of improved India-US ties and more strategically oriented Russia-China ties is Russian overtures to Pakistan. Russia has also wanted to profit from growing Pakistani alienation from the US. This dynamic may also change.

How will the Asia-Pacific rebalance policy of the US change after the Trump victory? Should Indias strategy of dealing with China be reconsidered?

Mr Trumps statements on the Asia-Pacific rebalance have been contradictory. He wants to generally reduce US military entanglements abroad. He wants Japan to contribute more financially for its defence by the US. He is open to Japan going nuclear to defend itself against China. At the same time, he seems willing to be more active in defending US interests in this region.

If Mr Trump decided to pressure China, essentially economically and not militarily, then the joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions that we signed with Mr Obama would get hollowed out, the trilateral US-Japan-India cooperation will lose steam and the Quad, with the inclusion of Australia will be off the agenda. The expansion of India-US naval exercises in the Indian Ocean will lose their geopolitical salience and the rationale for signing the Lemoa with the US will become questionable. This is the worst case scenario. I dont think this is how things will pan out.

Do you anticipate any tensions with India over protectionist economic measures by the Trump presidency? Will India be equated along with China and Mexico?

We are ourselves not a manufacturing country and so US job losses in manufacturing is not on our account. China and Mexico are the targets of Mr Trumps ire in this regard. Some outsourcing of US jobs has occurred in the services sector, and if Mr Trump tightens up on H1B visas our IT sector will suffer. On pending issues like the social security related totalisation agreement, on which we have not got satisfaction so far, we should not expect any change. On the other hand, Mr Trumps criticism of trade agreements for damaging US interests and benefiting others will mean the dumping of TPP and TTIP agreements.
With the Samajwadi Party facing an informal split of sorts, ministers in the Akhilesh Yadav government are tripping over each other to profess their loyalty to the chief minister, lest he gives them marching orders. Recently, UP minister for jails Balwant Singh Ramoowalia crossed all limits when he called over about 120 schoolgirls to his official residence and made them hold up placards praising the CM. The schoolgirls were also made to shout slogans like Hamare neta kaise ho, Akhilesh bhaiyya jaise ho.

The minister did not leave it at this  he gave a lecture to the schoolkids on the achievements of the Akhilesh government and the need for the state to repeat the government by voting it back to power. Later, when asked by mediapersons, the children simply said they did not know why they had been brought to the ministers residence. The minister, on the other hand, said he had visited schools a few days ago and the children seemed inquisitive about the policies of the government. The length that some politicians will go to save their positions in the government is best seen in UP on election eve.

Babas theory on corruption

Odishas saffron-clad Biju Janata Dal Lok Sabha member from Bhubaneswar Prasanna Patsani never knows what he says in public meetings. He goes on making garrulous speeches, which often lack coherence and subject. Nor does the MP care about what the world thinks of him if he makes mistakes while giving sound bites to the electronic media. When journalists covering a vigilance week ceremony asked him to explain why high-salaried government officers were accepting bribes and getting caught by state vigilance sleuths, Mr Patsani, who is fondly called as Baba, proffered his own and yet strange understanding on the subject.

I think wives of senior officers are to some extent responsible for their husbands becoming corrupt. When they (wives) become more demanding and spend lavishly on their fashion needs, their husbands indulge in corruption to buy peace with them, the BJD leader said. The leaders of womens wings of the BJP and Left parties immediately lapped up the issue and said the BJD leaders remark was against their dignity and honour. They demanded an immediate apology from him. Mr Patsani had no other option than yielding to the demand.
Bangladesh's central bank has retrieved just under a fifth of the $81 million that was stolen from its account at the New York Federal Reserve in February, a Bangladesh Bank official said on Saturday.

Philippines authorities handed over $15.25 million to Bangladesh's ambassador to the Philippines, said the Bank's deputy governor Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hassan, who heads its financial intelligence unit.

The money should be credited to the Bank's Fed account on Monday, he told Reuters, adding: "We will now go for the rest of fund."

In February, unknown hackers used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials to try to send three dozen SWIFT messages to transfer nearly $1 billion from its Fed account. They succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp in Manila.

Most of the money was laundered through casinos in Manila and remains missing.

A Bangladesh Bank delegation went to Manila this week to work on moving back part of the funds.

A Philippine court in September adjudged that Bangladesh Bank was the rightful owner of around $15.25 million surrendered by casino boss Kim Wong and his Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company, according to a court order.

Wong, who returned $4.63 million and 488.28 million pesos ($10.05 million) to Philippine authorities from millions of dollars he took from two Chinese high-rollers, has denied any role in one of the world's biggest cyber heists.

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Alexander Scott Wagar, 29, had been arrested for sexually assaulting a woman over a sink at a party in 2014. (Representational image)

Canada: Outraging the modesty of a woman, a rape victim who was asked by a judge 'if she tried keeping her knees together when the attacker was raping her', was again asked questions about the size of her attacker's penis.

Alexander Scott Wagar, 29, had been arrested for sexually assaulting a woman over a sink at a party in 2014. However, he pleaded not guilty and alleged that the sexual encounter was consensual.

During the trial of the case, Camp had asked the girl, "Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?". He also further asked her, "Why didn't you just sink your bottom down into the basin so he couldn't penetrate you?"

Camp has since been suspended from hearing cases. The panel at the Canadian Judicial Council will decided if Camp should be allowed to remain on bench of the Federal Court judges.

During a retrial of the case, the lawyer representing the accused had asked the victim offensive questions about the attacker's penis size, to which the victim said 'No'.

However, the lawyer argued that the sexual act was consensual and alleged that the victim and her attacker had engaged in 'aggressive foreplay'.

In his statement at the court this week, Wagar said that " I am not a f***ing rapist,' he protested. 'If she would have made any sort of objection, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, swear on the Bible, I am a Christian."

"My mother put it in my mind since I was a kid that if a woman says no, it means no," he added.

"She (the victim) grabbed my penis and complimented the size of it," Wagar was quoted as saying in a report.
Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week. (Photo: AP, Representational Image)

Washington: A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf "isn't allowed anymore".

Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

"Mrs Teli, your head scarf isn't allowed anymore. Why don't you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it," the note scribbled in black ink said, signed "America!", the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community. Spreading hate isn't going to "make America great again," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note.

"We take a threat against a staff member a serious matter," Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note. It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trump's election to the presidency, but Teli's post on Facebook assumed as much.

"I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him," she said.

Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab.

The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls.
Police locked down the mall, one of the largest in New York, with 250 stores and restaurants. (Representational image)

Guilderland: Hundreds of shoppers at a crowded mall fled in panic amid gunfire that erupted near an Apple store in suburban Albany.

There were no immediate reports of injuries in the violent melee yesterday at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, Police Chief Carol Lawlor said.

More than 100 officers with assault rifles were deployed "because a shooter may still be in the mall," she said about six hours after the shooting.

Witnesses told law enforcement authorities they heard one, possibly two, shots fired at about 2:30 PM near the Apple store on the street level, Lawlor said.

Authorities with SWAT teams were searching for suspects into the night, the chief said.

Police locked down the mall, one of the largest in New York, with 250 stores and restaurants. Both shoppers and employees already inside businesses were instructed to shelter in place.

A police helicopter flew overhead while investigators checked security cameras for clues they hoped would lead to suspects.

They were examining footage that showed a man in a white shirt and black hoodie near the shooting scene.

State Police Maj. Bill Keeler told the Albany Times-Union that reports suggested a possible confrontation between two men who fled.

Mall management is working with authorities, Lawlor said, "and hopefully we'll bring this to a successful conclusion." She said the mall could open today, "but we're not done yet."
US President Barack Obama and Republican President-elect Donald Trump shake hands during a transition planning meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on November 10, 2016 in Washington,DC. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: It was supposed to be his grand valedictory tour. Now President Barack Obama must use his last major trip abroad to try to calm shocked world leaders about the outcome of the US election, and what comes next when Donald Trump is president.

Trump's unforeseen victory has triggered pangs of uncertainty at home and grave concerns around the world. Though Obama has urged unity and said the US must root for Trump's success, his trip to Greece, Germany and Peru forces him to confront global concerns about the future of America's leadership.

"In some ways, there's nothing to say," said Heather Conley, a Europe scholar at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Conley said Obama's trip, planned when it seemed certain Hillary Clinton would win, had been designed to reassure the world that the US had regained its footing after a toxic campaign that unnerved foreign capitals. "Now the president has the unenviable task of telling his counterparts and explaining what Europeans are now coining 'the Trump effect,'" Conley said.

For months, Obama lent credence to those concerns as he urged Americans to reject Trump. Standing alongside Singapore's prime minister in August, Obama said Trump was "woefully unprepared" because he lacked "basic knowledge" about critical issues in Europe, Asia and the Mideast. And during a visit to Japan, Obama said he wasn't the only world leader worried about Trump.

"They're rattled by him, and for good reason," Obama said in May.

"Because a lot of the proposals that he's made display either ignorance of world affairs, or a cavalier attitude, or an interest in getting tweets and headlines instead of actually thinking through what it is that is required to keep America safe and secure and prosperous, and what's required to keep the world on an even keel."

Now, Obama must pivot and reassure the US and other countries that somehow, it will all be OK.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said the president fully expects Trump's election to be a dominant theme of the trip, but would emphasize his plans to keep carrying out his approach until Trump takes over. He said Obama would argue that basic US principles like honoring treaty commitments have historically survived even the most dramatic changes of administrations.

"He'll want to use these conversations with leaders to express that view that given all the important issues that we face, no matter what our preferred choice may have been in the election, right now we as Americans have a stake in seeing this next administration succeed," Rhodes said.

Obama departs Monday on the six-day trip, stopping first in Athens, where he'll tour the Parthenon, meet with the prime minister, and give a speech about democracy and globalization that will take on new relevance in light of Trump's election. He'll use his visit to Berlin to show gratitude to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, his closest foreign partner, and to meet with key European leaders.

In Peru, he'll attend a major Asian economic summit in Lima, and also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull.

For the most part, foreign leaders have politely if cautiously congratulated Trump on his victory, in public statements and phone calls.

A few have been more effusive, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose perceived sympathies for Trump became an election issue and who now says he wants to fully restore US relations under President Trump.

In Europe, where Obama has sought unity with allies to counter Russia's growing influence, NATO members are alarmed by Trump's suggestions that the US might pull out of the alliance if other countries don't pay more. Many of the same nations are wrestling with whether last year's historic climate change deal can be salvaged after Trump's threats to pull the US out.

Conversely, Trump's "America first" motto has resonated deeply with nationalists and skeptics of globalization who see Trump as a kindred spirit. After all, it was Trump who dubbed himself "Mr. Brexit" after the U.K.'s vote to leave the European Union.

America's Mideast allies are unsure what Trump's victory means for the nuclear deal with Iran, a foe of US partners Saudi Arabia and Israel, considering Trump's repeated but vague pledges to renegotiate that deal. And misgivings about Trump will certainly follow Obama to Latin America, where Trump has turned off many with his hard-line immigration stance and description of Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists.

Asian leaders who painstakingly negotiated a landmark free trade deal with the US are swallowing the reality that Congress will not approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership any time soon. Obama planned to meet with TPP country leaders Peru, but the White House acknowledged the deal is all but dead because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has ruled out a vote on it before Trump takes office.

Trump is vehemently opposed to TPP and similar deals. That could benefit China, which is eager to fill any void in regional leadership left by a US withdrawal and has its own competing free trade scheme. Yet Beijing has reason to be wary, too: Trump has threatened a trade war with China and vowed to go after the Asian powerhouse for what he deems currency manipulation.
Farage, 52, later posted a picture on Facebook and Twitter of him with Trump, who gives a thumbs-up for the camera. (Photo: Twitter)

New York: Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit movement, has become the first British politician to meet with US president-elect Donald Trump, for a "very productive" meeting where they talked about "freedom and winning and what this all means for the world".

Farage, the head of the UK Independence Party, was spotted in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. "We're just tourists!" when reporters asked what he was doing there.

Later, Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, said the two met in the President-elect's residence inside "I think they enjoy each other's company, and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what this all means for the world," Conway said.

Farage, 52, later posted a picture on Facebook and Twitter of him with Trump, who gives a thumbs-up for the camera.

"It was a great honour to spend time with Donald Trump today. He was relaxed, and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President," read the caption.

"His support for the US-UK relationship is very strong.

This is a man with whom we can do business," Farage wrote. A longtime Trump supporter, Farage introduced 70-year-old Trump at a rally in Mississippi in August and later worked in the spin room as a surrogate after the second presidential debate in October.

Trump made frequent references to Brexit throughout the campaign, saying it demonstrated the wish for change among voters frustrated with establishment politics.

The Trump-Farage meeting will be seen by some as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May who spoke with Trump by telephone this week, but has yet to meet him in person.

In London, Downing Street said Farage had "no role" in the government's relationship with the incoming US administration.

May will not be meeting Trump until next year - yet a UK opposition politician has already popped in for a chat, the BBC reported.

There are political dangers for the British Prime Minister. May certainly will not be welcoming this opportunity for UKIP to bask in the reflected glory of a Trump victory, the report said.

The shock outcome of the US election led many experts to draw parallels with Britain's June 23 referendum after Trump said the vote would be "Brexit plus plus plus".
Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France. (Representational photo: PTI)

United Nations: India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council has received a strong support from many UN member states, including the UK and France, who emphasised that world body's top organ must reflect the emergence of new global powers.

More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General Assembly session here last week.

"Many favoured bolstering representation for such emerging powers as Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. While some spotlighted the progress made in recent years through the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform process, others voiced deep frustration that more had not yet been achieved," a summary of the November 7 meeting posted on the UN website said.

Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said at the session that Britain believes in a modest expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories is the approach that the UN member states should collectively pursue. The increase in membership should be such that it balances representation with effectiveness.

Rycroft reiterated his country's support for permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, alongside permanent African representation.

Referring to British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last week, her first bilateral trip outside Europe since taking office, Rycroft said she discussed "that very issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"Our support is steadfast, and I look forward to working through all available avenues to reach the more representative and more effective Council that we seek," he said.

France's Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamek said his country wished to see the Council reflect the emergence of new world powers, for which it supported the candidacies of Germany, Brazil, India and Japan and the increased representation of African countries in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.

The five permanent members should also refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities, a commitment that France had already made, he said.

German ambassador to the UN Harald Braun, speaking on behalf of the G4 Group of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, said Council reform was an urgent matter, saying the Council must be rendered fit-for-purpose in order to face the current global challenges of peace and security. He added that all regions must be adequately represented to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.

During the session, India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, in a stinging criticism of the Security Council, had said that the 15-nation body is "stuck in its own time warp and politics."

He had also lamented the "never-ending carousel of discussions" on UNSC reforms saying "it is time to break the impasse" to urgently reform the UN body that is "unresponsive" to the current global situation.
Canberra: The United States has agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing in Pacific island camps in a deal that is expected to inspire more asylum seekers to attempt to reach Australia by boat, officials said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed the deal with President-elect Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday. The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among almost 1,300 asylum seekers held at Australia's expense on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

"We deal with one administration at a time and there is only one president of the United States at a time," Turnbull told reporters, adding that the deal was reached "some time ago."

Trump has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Australia refuses to resettle any refugee who has arrived by boat since the date the tough policy was announced on July 19, 2013.

Australia pays Nauru and Papua New Guinea to house boat arrivals and has been searching for countries that will resettle them.

Few refugees have accepted offers to resettle in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia because most hope that Australia will eventually take them in.

Turnbull said the United States had only agreed to resettle refugees already on Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Refugees who arrive in the future would not be sent to the United States.

"We anticipate that people smugglers will seek to use this agreement as a marketing opportunity to tempt vulnerable people onto these perilous sea journeys," Turnbull said.

"We have put in place the largest and most capable maritime surveillance and response fleet Australia has ever deployed," he added.

Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said ships had been positioned to turn boats back to Indonesia if asylum seekers attempt to reach Australia in the hope of being sent to the US.

No people smuggling operation has successfully delivered asylum seekers to Australia by boat since July 2014, but 29 boats have been turned back to Indonesia by the Australian navy.

Turnbull announced at Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia would participate in the US-led program to resettle Central American refugees from a camp in Costa Rica.

Australia would also increase its refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 a year.

Turnbull said at the time that the agreement to resettle Hondurans and El Salvadoreans was "not linked to any other resettlement discussions" involving Australia's refugees getting to the US.
The security service released video footage of its black-clad officers in balaclavas holding two suspects facedown on the street. (Representational image)

Moscow, Russia: Suspects detained by Russian authorities were plotting simultaneous "Paris-style" attacks on Moscow and Saint Petersburg, local media reported on Sunday, the first anniversary of the massacre in the French capital.

The FSB security service, the KGB's successor, announced Saturday it had detained 10 citizens of Central Asian states who planned "high-profile acts of sabotage and terror" in the two Russian cities.

Saint Petersburg's Fontanka.ru news site reported Sunday that the seven people taken into custody in the city were suspected of planning attacks on two large shopping centres, citing official sources.

Government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported late Saturday, citing security service sources, that the detainees "were planning terror attacks according to the Paris scenario" referring to ISIS group attacks a year ago that killed 130 people.

France was holding sombre commemorations Sunday for the victims of the November 13, 2015 assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers on night spots, the Bataclan concert hall and outside the national stadium.

"Several explosive devices were supposed to trigger simultaneously in busy places. At the same time in different parts of the cities some of the terrorists... were going to open fire with machine guns on crowds," the paper reported, referring to the Russian plot.

Rossiiskaya Gazeta called the attackers "a professional terrorist group."

The FSB said it confiscated four homemade bombs as well as trigger devices, guns, ammunition and communications equipment.

Authorities did not say when the attack plot was to take place.

Tip led to arrests

The security service released video footage of its black-clad officers in balaclavas holding two suspects facedown on the street.

Another video shows a stash of Kalashnikovs in a flat and detainees lying facedown on mattresses on the floor.

The FSB said the raids were carried out in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's law enforcement authorities.

Impoverished majority-Muslim Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both say they are battling Islamist extremism.

Tajikistan says that up to 1,000 of its nationals are fighting with radical groups in Syria and Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan says that some 500 of its citizens have gone to fight alongside jihadists.

The Tajik interior ministry said it learned of the planned attacks from an alleged local accomplice of the group and passed the information to Russia.

The FSB released footage of a handcuffed suspect -- apparently a teenager -- who says he is a Tajik citizen.

He says he wanted to commit a "terrorist attack" in Moscow and that his brother is taking part in "jihad" in Syria.

Fontanka reported those detained in Saint Petersburg "devotedly follow the ideology of Islamic State group (ISIS)" and one said he had fought in Syria.

"The majority are admitting guilt," Fontanka reported.

Membership of a "terrorist organisation" is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Russian law while leading one is punishable by up to life in jail.
Islamabad: Pakistans top civilian and military leaders travelled to the countrys southwest on Sunday to open a new international trade route by seeing off a Chinese ship thats exporting goods to the Middle East and Africa from the newly built Gwadar port.

The first convoy of Chinese trucks carrying goods for sale abroad has arrived in Pakistan amid tight security using a road linking Gwadar to Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region, the government said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan will provide best possible security to foreign investors to enable them to use the Chinese-funded port for international trade.

Amid security concerns for foreign workers, the Pakistani army has created a special force to guard the new trade routes and the port, which is located in insurgency-wracked Baluchistan province where an overnight blast at a shrine killed nearly 50 people.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group and Pakistani officials said it was aimed at harming the Chinese-funded projects in the southwest and elsewhere in the country.

China is building a network of roads and power plants under a project known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that is expected to absorb $46 billion in Chinese investment in the coming decades.

China and Pakistan have long maintained close political and military relations, based partly on mutual antipathy toward neighbor India. Gwadar port is located on the Arabian Sea and it occupies a strategic location between South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. The port is also located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, just outside the Straits of Hormuz.

China is seeking convenient and reliable access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Chinese ships now use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. The proposed new route would give China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.
The group said in a statement that a suicide bomber attacked the shrine with the intent of killing Shiite Muslims and issued a picture of the attacker. (Representational Image)

Islamabad: The Islamic State group is increasing its presence in Pakistan, recruiting Uzbek militants, attracting disgruntled Taliban fighters and partnering with one of Pakistan's most violent sectarian groups, according to police officers, Taliban officials and analysts.

Its latest atrocity was an attack Saturday on a Sufi shrine in southwestern Pakistan that killed at least 50 people and wounded 100 others. The group said in a statement that a suicide bomber attacked the shrine with the intent of killing Shiite Muslims and issued a picture of the attacker.

When IS circulated a photograph of one of the attackers in last month's deadly assault on a police academy in southwestern Baluchistan province, two Taliban officials told The Associated Press that the attacker was an Uzbek, most likely a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. More than 60 people, most of them police recruits, were killed in that Oct. 26 attack when three assailants battled security forces for hours before being killed or detonating their suicide vests.

The Taliban officials, both of whom are familiar with the IMU, spoke on condition of anonymity because their leadership has banned them from talking to the media.

Authorities initially said the police academy attack was orchestrated by militants hiding out in Afghanistan and blamed Pakistan's virulently anti-Shiite group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. But IS later claimed responsibility and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi spokesman Ali Bin Sufyan said they partnered with IS to carry out the assault.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the extremist group has adopted the name the Islamic State in Khorasan - a reference to an ancient geographical region that encompassed a vast swath of territory stretching from Turkmenistan through Iran and Afghanistan.

IS in Khorasan has set up its base in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, and while it has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, it remains unclear whether there are direct operational or financial links between the two.

According to police, Afghan officials and IS media outlets, the majority of Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan are Pakistani nationals, mostly from the tribal regions. Disgruntled Taliban fighters from Pakistan and Afghanistan have joined along with foreign fighters, mainly from central Asia. The group's leader until his death in July in a drone strike was Hafiz Saeed Khan, a former Pakistani Taliban commander. IS has never acknowledged Khan's death, which was confirmed by both the Afghan and U.S. militaries.

Counterterrorism officials in Pakistan say that IS has begun reaching out to local militants through its rich social media presence.

"They are inspiring the like-minded youth in Pakistan through their strong social media propaganda," said Junaid Sheikh, a senior counterterrorism commander in the southern city of Karachi.

"There is evidence that militants of other organizations like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent and other Sunni extremist organizations switched their ideology toward Daesh and acted like their activists," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. The recruitment of Uzbek militants is particularly worrisome and a "significant threat to our national security," he added.

He said Uzbek fighters have carried out numerous major attacks in Pakistan, including a 2011 attack on a naval base and a 2014 attack on the Karachi Airport. Local militant groups provided the intelligence to carry out the attacks, he said.

A resident of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution said he spoke with two Iranian Islamic State members late last year. Unlike the Pakistani and Afghan insurgents, the resident, who fled to Pakistan after his home was overrun by IS fighters, said the foreign fighters were friendly and engaged with local residents. One Iranian fighter said he was recruited for his computer skills, the resident said.

Previously, Uzbek insurgents normally allied with the Pakistani and Afghan branches of the Taliban, having sworn allegiance to Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar. However, many Uzbek fighters split from the Taliban and declared allegiance to IS last year after it was revealed that Taliban officials had hidden the fact that Mullah Omar had died two years earlier.

A senior police official in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, where several militant groups are headquartered, said the IS group is firmly entrenched in Pakistan and its roots are growing stronger as it aligns with Pakistan's Sunni Muslim extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. The police official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The official also said that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had largely relocated from Punjab to Baluchistan province in the face of a major military campaign.

"Pakistani Taliban factions that have sparred with the parent Pakistani Taliban have tended to express public support for ISIS," said Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at the U.S.-based Wilson Center. "I could certainly envision collusions materializing between disaffected Pakistani Taliban fighters now aligned with ISIS, and Uzbek militants with preexisting ties to the Pakistani Taliban. Either way, at the end of the day, all of these terrorists are cut from the same cloth ideologically and so we should never rule out operational partnerships."
n this file photo taken on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, Pakistan's Inam Khan, owner of a book shop shows a copy of a magazine with the photograph of Afghan refugee woman Sharbat Gulla, from his rare collection in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo: AP)

Dhaka: Afghan woman Sharbat Gula, the iconic face of refugee struggle who was deported from Pakistan a few days ago, will travel to India soon for medical treatment.

Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers.

In her 40s now, she has been offered treatment free-of-cost by the government for which Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali expressed gratitude to India.

"The iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost--Thank you India for being a true friend!," Afghan ambassador Shaida Abdali tweeted.

Gula, popularly known as the 'Afghan girl', is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues.

After fleeing Afghanistan as a young child, Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on charges of possessing fake identity documents.

Gula, a mother of three, is said to undergo treatment at Bengaluru hospital.

Gula's image, with striking green eyes, photographed by award winning photographer Steve McCurry had made her the face of refugee crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been criticised for deporting Gula.
Lahore: A pregnant woman set herself on fire and later died after she was raped in revenge by a man on the orders of a panchayat in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The woman passed away at a hospital in Lahore.

A panchayat in Gujrat city asked a man whose minor daughter was raped to rape the daughter of the assaulter in revenge for the crime, Geo News reported.

The woman was married and pregnant.

In a statement she gave to the police from her death bed, the woman said she was raped on the orders of a panchayat.

Her husband refused to register a case against the perpetrators. "I don't want to register a case. Only Allah will give me justice," he said, according to the report.

Eleven members of the panchayat have been detained for interrogation, police said.
The insurgency has become more virulent since most international combat troops withdrew in 2014. (Photo: AP)

Kabul: The US Embassy in Afghanistan has closed following deadly insurgent attacks on a German Consulate and an American military base.

In a statement late Saturday, the embassy says it will be "closed for routine services" Sunday "as a temporary precautionary measure."

The unusual decision comes after four Americans - two soldiers and two contractors - were killed in a suicide attack Saturday on the Bagram Airfield near the capital, Kabul.

Two days earlier, insurgents attacked the German Consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing six people and wounding more than 100.

The US Embassy in Kabul regularly warns Americans against travel to Afghanistan, where a Taliban-led insurgency is in its 16th year.

The insurgency has become more virulent since most international combat troops withdrew in 2014.
There it was found that his entry was banned in Pakistan and he had been deported earlier for his involvement in anti-Pakistani activities. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have denied entry to a Sikh pilgrim at the Wagah border for carrying a passport with a dubious expiry date. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials said they deported an unwanted Indian national who was trying to enter Pakistan in the disguise of a Sikh pilgrim.

Around 2,008 Sikh pilgrims reached Pakistan through Wagah railway station on Saturday to participate in the three-day annual celebration of 548th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak.

The officials said  during security check and immigration process  identified one Indian, Gurmeet Singh, who had been blacklisted by the Ministry of Interior.

They said during the entry process, immigration staff felt that Mr Singhs visa was tempered. They later shifted him to Wagah check post for investigation and inspection of his documents. There it was found that his entry was banned in Pakistan and he had been deported earlier for his involvement in anti-Pakistani activities.
It is not uncommon to call America a centre-right country. Indeed, it used to be a cliche. From the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, up until the election of Barack Obama in 2008, one can argue plausibly that America was in the clutch of the right-wing or, alternately, the conservatives.



The election of Bill Clinton may have been fortuitous given the split in conservative votes in the 1992 election, and even he was beholden to conservative forces in Congress.

His wife, Hillary Clinton, was vilified for attempting to reform a healthcare system that is widely known to deliver sub-par results at super high costs, a reform that was put on the backburner until 2008 delivered a stunning mandate to an electrifying centrist by the name of Barack Obama.



All the conservative forces, from Ronald Reagans time up until Mitt Romneys, however, have been of the principled conservative variety. Now, America has chosen someone else  an outsider  not even a right wing, principled conservative but rather a reactionary bigot to be their leader.



Unprecedented as it is, nearly every pundit in America got Donald Trump wrong. Every pundit, including the famed Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight, misread the Republican primary electorate, and even Nate Silver, the best of the pundits, gave him only a 35% chance of winning the general. The less said about the other pollsters, the better, who were giving Hillary Clinton a 98 or 99% chance of winning.



What explains this remarkable turn of events? It is nearly impossible for me to not read Donald Trump, the reactionary capitalist, as being the prophet of a false consciousness that has spun its magic wand around the illiterate, uneducated, disillusioned white electorate into voting against their own interests.



Indeed, he has vowed to repeal and replace Obamacare, something that all Republicans have vowed, although Trump in particular has taken to misleading the masses into voting against their interests to another level altogether with his ludicrous tax plans. It may only be a coincidence that he is himself the paragon of American capital itself.



Of course, there are other interpretations. The Republican base has been lied to time and time again by the party, mainstream politicians vilified and nearly every poll likens the approval rating of Congress somewhere between a cockroach and a bumblebee.



This to some extent explains Trump, the outsider, winning, though Trump, the embodiment of nativist forces in America, is something that must be ascribed to a combination of an electoral triumph of the tea-party movement and a reaction to an African American progressive sitting in the White House.



Indeed, the fact that a significant number of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim shows how deep the divide between the elite opinion and the grassroots really is. Trump himself started the rumour that Obama was born outside the US, and the fact that this very same reactionary has now taken the White House seems to be the ultimate vindication of the fact that he had the pulse of the nation far better than the Washington elites.



Authoritarian rhetoric



Another reading is the strongman interpretation that bunches Trump with Putin, Erdogan and Modi. His authoritarian rhetoric of banning Muslims, building a wall, deporting illegal migrants are in this interpretation representative of an authoritarian streak in the man.

However, it remains to be seen how many of these policies will be implemented and how many were simply said to whip up the base in campaign rhetoric; indeed, how much was election jhumla.



From the cultural interpretations come the economic ones. Hillary Clinton was too pro-free trade, she was the embodiment of the elite opinion, the same elite opinion that let the country down during the financial crisis that led to a Black being elected president.



Her husband signed NAFTA and repealed the Glass-Steagall Act that removed the speed limit on Wall Street. The blue-collar workers in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have punished the Clintons, forever treacherous in their dealings, along with the elites for not saving their back when they needed it most.



Trump, the businessman, presumably is the perfect person to bring back jobs, particularly manufacturing, and take growth back up to 4% per year. If the entire political spectrum has let you down and the American dream is dead, why not entrust a businessman to revive it. Give the devil his due, he hit upon a theme that no one else noticed, the fact that the American dream was indeed dead.



Finally, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem to be trying to tide America over these dark times with messages of having an open mind to Trump, and of all now being in the same team. These words are in stark contrast to the sharp words of rebuke they offered this same man during the election campaign and it is hard to reconcile them.


At least 52 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 others injured today in a suicide bombing at a popular sufi shrine in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.





The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called "dhamaal" at Dargah Shah Noorani.



At least 52 people were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.



"The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place," Bugti said. Some local media reports put the death toll as high as 62.



The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform 'dhamaal'. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi. The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.



Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency.

"35 dead and 95 wounded Shiite visitors in...operation attack by the Islamic State fighter that targeted a shrine in a city in Balochistan," the agency said.



The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy. Colonel Junaid Kakar of the Frontier Corps also told the media that it appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.



"All evidences point to a suicide bombing," he said. Rrescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area. Women and children were among those killed in the blast.



"The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals," said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.



Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.



"It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site," he said.



He said the devotees take part in the 'dhamaal' everyday after sunset and the blast took place close to where they were dancing inside the compound of the shrine.



President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast and directed authorities to speed up the rescue activities.



This is the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August. In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta. Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.
Did the government fail to factor the state of ATM machines all over the country resulting in the lack-of-cash mess?





These machines could not be calibrated earlier for the new notes as that would have compromised on the secrecy necessary before the demonetisation drive was announced on November 8, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.



Officials say the problem is bit more complex. There are over two lakh ATM machines, which were so far programmed to recognise only the old Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.



Though the ATMs were shut for November 9 and 10 for calibration, only 80,000 of them could be readied by November 11 morning when people rushed to draw money.



A change in the programming of ATM machines all over India couldnt be done within a short span of 48 hours, admit officials.



What is re-calibration



A typical ATM has four cassettes or slots in it. The money that a ATM dispenses is kept in cassettes. Each cassette holds 22 packets of notes. Each packet has 100 notes in it. Notes of one denomination are placed in one cassette with sensors that recognise the denomination.



When a person selects the denomination, sensors ensure that only the desired amount of money is dispensed by the ATM machine.



After demonetisation, an engineer has had to visit each ATM, spending at least three to four hours to change or adjust the sensors.



An added issue was that the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes are of different design and size. A senior manager in Canara Bank said the currency notes require caskets that match their size and upgradation of software.



Size-mapping is going on as engineers are at work. This will not happen immediately. It may take at least a month to six months. Necessary changes may be done easily in the cities, but it is a difficult task in the rural areas, said the

manager.



In an interaction with DH, ATM managing company AGS Transact Technologies CMD Ravi B Goyal said, We are working closely with our partners and banks to replace and refill currencies for seamless customer transactions.



When asked about the software and hardware changes to be made, he said the Switch, a software that controls the ATM, is being configured.



Also, when ATMs stored Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, they could hold cash amounting to Rs 88 lakh.



Only Rs 100 notes



But authorities decided that ATMs across the country will dispense only Rs 100 notes for the next few weeks. So, with most ATMs dispensing Rs 100 notes, the maximum each ATM could hold was Rs 8.8 lakh.



If each person using an ATM draws to the upper limit of Rs 2,000, it works to 20 notes. That in turn means each ATM can handle a maximum of 440 transactions per day.



If you have waited in queue at an ATM in the last couple of days, you would have probably realised that there are more than 440 people waiting to draw cash and you can be sure it gets exhausted soon, explained an official. No wonder, many people left ATMs empty handed.

DH News Service



Violence erupts as cash flow dries up at banks, ATMs



With violence erupting in some places over people's inability to get cash even four days after demonetisation of high value currency, the Centre is keeping a close watch on the law and order situation and has asked the states to be on high alert, DHNS reports from New Delhi. Apart from anticipating attempts by criminal gangs to loot cash vans moving in Maoist-infested areas and insurgency-hit north-eastern states, security agencies are also now looking at the possibility of people getting restive if they do not get cash from banks or ATMs, which are fast running out of cash reserves.



Incidents of violence have been reported from Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, where people failed to get money even after waiting in long queues in front of banks and ATMs. The glass door of a bank in Keralas Kollam was broken while clashes with bank officials erupted in Gujarat. When a fair price shop did not supply rations due to shortage of cash, irate people at Bardaha village in Chhattarpur of Madhya Pradesh looted groceries from the outlet. There was ruckus outside an SBI branch in Haryanas Nuh while police resorted to lathicharge in Gujarats Shihori. In Abdasa in Kutch, people clashed with bank officials.



Official sources said the states have been assured all help in dealing with any untoward situation.
When eight Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi) operatives were gunned down barely eight hours after their sensational escape from high-security prison in Bhopal, it once again brought focus on Madhya Pradesh and the states link with the Simi. For a state that has never seen a terror strike, Madhya Pradesh strangely seems to be a breeding ground for the banned outfit as Simi terrorists keep getting arrested here.



The encounter got mired in controversy as two top officialsIG Bhopal Yogesh Chaudhary and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Sanjeev Shami, both of whom had visited the site of the encounter, took conflicting stands. While the ATS chief said that Simi men were unarmed, IG claimed that they were armed. Opposition and activists raised questions on how security of such a prison that has housed underworld dons, extremists and top Maoist leaders, could be breached with such easeneither the 32 ft high wall (scaled by ropes made by sheets within jail), nor the cameras (that went dysfunctional) could stop them.



Lawyers representing Simi activists claim that cases against most of these eight persons were weak--many of them would have been acquitted in as trial progressed. Usually, those suspected for links with Simi are charged with Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. But many of those described as dreaded operatives or terrorists have been getting acquitted by courts in different parts of the state in the past. Several other cases have ended with light sentences. For example, Bhopal-based Munir Deshmukh was the Simi general secretary in MP and after a long trial, he was acquitted in 2012.



In 2014, a court in Narsinhgarh acquitted former Simi chief Safdar Nagori and four others in a case of sedition. In another incident, Babbu, 21, was arrested along with some other youths in Khandwa. However, after his arrest police realized that he was not even a Muslim (Babbu was Christian). Another person, Azhar, from Khandwa was killed in encounter in adjoining Mahrashtra and was initially termed a dreaded Simi shooter. But later MP ATS top official accepted that he was a sweet-seller (not a shooter) and had no case against him.



Many others are charged in cases ranging from robbery to Arms Act. Incidentally, the MP police maintain that some of the escaped Simi operatives were involved in Manappuram bank robbery in Bhopal though local police had earlier cracked the same case with the arrest of another gang of criminals.



Even after acquittal or completion of sentence, it is difficult for them to get released. The rhetoric has reached such level that anyone whose name gets associated with Simi--irrespective of the fact whether he was even a member or not and could be facing charges ranging from putting up an inflammatory poster or giving a speech, is a terrorist even before trial, says a senior lawyer, who doesnt want to be quoted.



There is truth in it. Lawyers, who appeared for Simi operatives in MP in the past, have been assaulted. Lawyer Parvez Alam, who represented the Simi members, says, There are just 3-4 lawyers in MP who take up Simi suspects cases because there are various factors. Even after they are acquitted, it is immensely difficult to get them out of jail due to opposition outside, he said.



In Ujjain jail, when prisoners got annual remission of sentence for a certain period as per due process, the Simi members whose jail term was ending also got released (in 2011). However, right-wing groups raised a hue and cry. Immediately, top officials like Director General (Jail) V K Panwar and Principal Secretary Sudesh Kumar were removed from their posts for the lapse.



Some of the Simi operatives in the state have been booked for serious charges too that include killing ATS personnel Sita Ram Yadav and attack on a jailer. One of those killed in the encounter was linked to Ahmedabad blast too. But lawyers insist that most cases are not strong and flimsy evidence was used to build up cases. They claim that the arrest of Simi men always helped police divert attention from crimes and confessions were made under duress.



Not involved

Many youths arrested in the name of Simi were not involved in terror acts. Once we planned to hold an event to raise the issue in Bhopal, we got the message that it was too risky and we should avoid taking it up, lest we may get booked or termed a Simi-sympathiser or affiliate, said a Bhopal-based activist.



Madhya Pradesh hasnt seen any terror strike ever. If there was a big blast case in MP, it was in Petlawad last year, where nearly 90 persons were killed--it had no Simi link. In this incident, Rajendra Kasawa was the main suspect, who was later believed to have died in the same explosion. Apart from Simi, MP-based members of some right-wing groups have been caught for engineering blasts in different parts of country--Malegaon, Hyderabad, Samjhauta Express and Ajmer blast (all outside MP).



Many of the main accused in these cases were never arrested and some got bail without fuss. Social activists and lawyers blame a section of the local media for branding arrested Muslim youths as terrorists even before trial. After the encounter, Muslim leaders led by Shahar Qazi, Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi etc had signed a statement along with other influential clerics, urging media to stop terming undertrial prisoners as terrorists.



In the last 10 years, in speeches after speeches, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has claimed credit for ending the Simi network in the state. Political watchers say that the Simi rhetoric is used for political benefits. After the jailbreak and encounter on Oct 31, Shivraj asked people during a public event that wasnt it good that the durdaant atankwadi (dreaded terrorists) were killed, many among the crowd raised their hands and replied in affirmative. It is a different matter though that when order for judicial probe was issued, the term used was vicharadhin bandi (under-trial prisoners).

In political circles it is felt that Chouhan who had the image of a soft politician among other rival BJP leaders in the state and was facing opposition from Sangh cadre lately, has again strengthened his position after the encounter.



[The writer is a Bhopal-based senior journalist)
When Sangeeta, a resident of Uttar Pradeshs backward, remote and Maoist-infested Sonebhadra district, about 450 km from Lucknow, decided to apply for the post of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), she was little over eight months pregnant.





Her job would have taken her to Tedhiten, a remote village, which was situated at a distance of 55 km from Chopan Block of the district. Reaching there involved arduous journey on foot for several kilometres.



Married in 2001 at a young age, Sangeeta wanted to supplement the family income, which owned just a few bigas of un-irrigated land and some head of cattle. She even had to borrow Rs 3,000 from her mother to send the application form. Sangeetas desire to work and help the family triggered a huge uproar in her husbands family, which felt that women should remain confined to house and only men should work. They strongly opposed her decision.



There was no support for her even from the husband, who was unemployed. To her shock and horror, he even resorted to violence to prevent her from working. But all these only made Sangeeta more determined and she stuck to her decision.



In 2006, she was selected as an ASHA. Within a month of delivery, she started working despite her husband refusing to support her. Sangeeta would leave the child in a temple and request neighbours to keep an eye on the baby until she completed the survey of a few households, predominantly tribal and Scheduled Caste communities.



Tedhiten is about 80 km from Robertsganj, the district headquarter of the Maoist-infested Sonebhadra district bordering Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.



Poor connectivity

The village has a population of 2,500 and 268 houses. The nearest railway station is Khuldil Road and one has walk for two hours to reach there.



The only train which takes Sangeeta to Chopan arrives at 5 am. To take the train she has to leave her house at 3 am. The same train brings her back well past midnight. She stays at the railway station until the day break before she begins her trek back home.



This exercise she has to undertake thrice in a month to attend official meetings, cluster meetings and training.



I used to take my three children when I attended training and meetings earlier. It has changed now as my elder daughter is nine years and she stays at home, Sangeeta says.



Despite all this hard work, Sangeetas unemployed husband never appreciated her. What made things worse was that she was often thrashed by him because her payments are not credited on time.



She is yet to receive the payment for her services during Mission Indradhanush last year and Pulse Polio since 2014, and filling of forms for Samaj Pension Scheme for which ASHAs had been promised Rs 12 per form.



How can I be blamed for the delay on the part of officials. It is not my fault, she said. Her husband, who is an alcoholic, would not listen to any of her explanations. All he wants is a lions share of his wifes hard-earned money.



Now I am so attached to my work that I will never give it up, she says.



Sangeeta is also unable to perform her duties because the system would not let her.

She travels for two days to inform the villagers about immunisation days, village health and nutrition days and other dedicated days but ends up facing flak because the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) and anganwadi worker (AWW) may not even turn up.



If people travel 8 km to reach the venue only to find that there are no ANMs and AWWs then they take out their anger on meand they have some justification for doing so, she points out.



She needs at least three days only to inform people as there is no public transport available.



No ambulance

Sangeeta gets money only for mobilisation. She is unable to provide condoms and contraceptives because the supplies do not reach her. Almost all deliveries take place at home as ambulances do not reach the village due to lack of road connectivity.



Even if they reach some point, they charge between Rs 500 and Rs 600 and an equal amount is demanded at the hospital. The anganwadi centre remains closed most of the time and is used as a cattle shed.



As there is no educated woman in the village, ANMs and AWWs were selected from Chopan, who rarely visit Tedhiten, thereby depriving the villagers of services and benefits. Sangeeta tells women about the benefits of cord cutting, breastfeeding and daily bathing of newborn but it is the untrained dai (midwife) who actually delivers.

Sangeeta knows well that there will be no end to her problems in the near future and yet she has not given up hope.



I want to do as much as I can. I am ready to face difficulties. I want my children to study and become good citizens. I will do everything to help them realise their dream, she added.



For the officials Sangeeta may only be an ASHA worker but for the residents of the village she is the real asha (hope).


Two brothers working at a metal box producing factory sustained 100% burn injuries when a furnace exploded on Saturday afternoon in outer Delhis Sirsapur area during the working hours.





Another factory worker sustained injuries after the factorys roof collapsed on him due to the explosion impact.



Fire officers say that all the three workers were trapped under the tin roof of the factory which collapsed after the explosion and had to be pulled out by the rescue teams.



The incident took place around 3pm, when all the men were working at the factory. Witnesses and locals told police that they heard a loud sound and rushed to the spot. When they arrived, they saw Dalip, 28, and his brother Vipin, 18, who were working near the furnace, were lying unconscious on the floor and had received severe burns. Immediately the fire department and police were informed about the matter and the injured were rushed to hospitals.



The two men were rushed to Harish Chandra Hospital where the doctors declared that they have received 100% burns. They were then referred to Jai Prakash Narayan hospital for treatment. None of them were declared dead till late Saturday night. Another person who jumped off the roof of the building to escape burns, injured himself badly and was taken to Ambedkar Hospital. He was identified as Ramakant, said a senior police officer.



Other workers who were working at the factory and had a narrow escape, told officials that the impact of the blast was such that the roof collapsed and the labourers were trapped underneath. It was only after about an hour long effort by the other workers, police and locals that they could be pulled out of the debris.



Officers from the Delhi Fire Services who reached the spot said that five fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately and the situation was brought under control. Our men worked efficiently and prevented the fire from spreading to the other parts of the factory or to adjoining buildings. Efforts to find the real cause that triggered the blast, are being probed into, a senior officer said.



Police said that a case has been registered and the family members of the injured were informed about the incident. The owner of the factory is being traced and further actions will be taken as required, the police said.
Keeping in view the rumours surrounding the shortage of salt in the national capital, two high-level meetings were held in Delhi on Friday and Saturday, chaired by Delhi's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain and cautioned people not to believe such rumours.





Rumours of shortage, hoarding and over-pricing of salt went wild on social media and other portals after similar reports emerged from Uttar Pradesh on late Friday evening.



The government also cautioned people to not believe such rumours and assured that sufficient quantity of salt is available in the city.



Imran Hussain, along with senior government officials, conducted surprise inspections in Old Delhi region during late hours and reported no such incident of over-charging at the time of visit. Shopkeepers also informed the minister that they have sufficient stock of salt, which can be replenished accordingly.



Officers of the Delhi governments department of weights and measures also visited several areas of the national capital on early Saturday morning to take cognizance of the rumours. They reported no such incident of malpractice.



Hussain further directed Commissioner (Food and Supplies) to constitute team comprising of officials from the Food and Supplies & Weights and Measures departments to inspect and tap the sale of salt by shopkeepers and prosecute violators on the spot.



The Delhi government has also activated a helpline  01123370841 --- for people to register their complaints regarding overcharging of food products above the MRP.
A couple of days before a planned countrywide protest by Jawahar Lal Nehru Students Union (JNUSU) and other student organisations over the disappearance of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, Delhi Police transferred the case to its Crime Branch on Friday.





A special investigation team (SIT) of the Delhi Police had been probing the case till now. The move is to investigate the case afresh, and look at it from a different perspective, says a senior police officer.



Najeeb has been missing from the university campus since October 15, a day after he had a scuffle with three Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students on the campus.



In the investigation, police found out that on October 14, three students had gone to the hostel where Najeeb was staying for campaigning. At the hostel, an argument took place between them and Najeeb, following which Najeeb allegedly slapped one of the students.



Soon afterwards, a group of ABVP students arrived at the hostel and allegedly manhandled and threatened Najeeb.



An agitated Najeeb called up his mother and told her about the incident. His mother, who lives in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, had reached at Anand Vihar bus station when he left the campus the next morning. He allegedly left in an autorickshaw, without his phone and wallet. He didnt carry any clothes as well. Since then he has remained untraceable.



Soon the missing case took political overtones with the opposition parties accusing the Delhi Police of doing little to find the JNU student. The pressure led to the formation of the SIT and the launch of one of the biggest search operations in Delhi.



More than 200 cops fanned out to different parts of the country in search of Najeeb. Recently a police team was sent to Darbhanga in Bihar following a claimed sighting of Najeeb there. However, the lead turned out to be wrong and the team returned empty-handed.



"Whenever and from wherever any information comes about Najeeb, teams are sent there. A team was also sent to Darbhanga, a senior police officer says.Police had on November 4 announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for anyone who gives information on Ahmed, and put up 20,000 posters of the missing student across the capital.



Police are scanning records of hospitals, police stations, railways stations and night shelters, and have even looked at highways and forested areas in Delhi and its neighbourhood, they say.



Police say a total of 52 officers across the 11 police districts have been tasked to check all the unidentified bodies, accident cases and unconscious patients brought to hospitals.



Police team also camped around JNU and in cities like Ajmer, Aligarh, Badaun and Bareilly where Najeeb has lived and studied. Police have to rely mostly on human intelligence as Najeeb was not carrying mobile phone when he went missing.



Police found that Najeeb was undergoing treatment for depression since 2012 at his hometown Badaun. A team has been sent to Badaun to question the doctor to know about Najeeb's personality, his behaviour and his thought process.



Without any concrete lead on his whereabouts, investigators have created a profile of Najeeb which showed his deep attachment to his mother.



The investigators found out he was receiving psychiatric help at Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health (VIMHANS), a premier mental health institute in Delhi. He was essentially being treated for depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).



According to police, Najeeb may be biding his time in anonymity, waiting for the situation to cool down.



The timing is also key here. Investigators say he left the hostel room when his mother was less than an hour away from him. It is possible his mother was coming to take him home. The police expect he will try and contact his mother sooner or later.



Police are also mulling the possibility of seeking the help of mental health expert to decode Najeebs personality.



We are thinking about making the investigating officer, Najeeb's mother and a psychiatrist sit together and do a construction of Najeeb's personality, says a police officer.



Police are also considering issuing an appeal from Najeeb's mother to urge him to come back.



A senior Crime Branch official now probing the case says special emphasis will be put on the reconstruction of the incident and of his personality to assess the different dimensions of the case.
The row triggered by some anti-India sloganeering on the campus has died down but the JNU is already plunged in yet another controversy. This time it is over the disappearance of a student called Najeeb Ahmed



Is the Najeeb Ahmed episode marring the image of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, which had barely recovered from a row over the February 9 event against the hanging of a terror convict? Many students and professors think so.



Not just the opposition student groups, ordinary students and teachers are now questioning how the JNU Students Union (JNUSU) has handled the case of Najeeb Ahmed, now missing for nearly a month.



Many critcise the manner in which the case has been approached as a Hindu-Muslim conflict. At the heart of the matter there seems to be a fight in Najeebs hostel room on the night of October 14  after which he went missing. There are many versions of the brawl. But the most widely reported one is that Najeeb slapped one of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members campaigning for a councillors post, triggering the brawl.



But JNUSU general secretary Satarupa Chakraborty argues that it was more than a brawl. Never has a tussle taken place in the campus because of someones identity. Najeeb was brutally attacked by an ABVP mob because he was a Muslim. The next day on a desk in Mahi Mandavi hostel, it was written that Muslims are terrorists, says Chakraborty.



She claims it was members of the Bharatiya Janata Party-affiliated ABVP who first gave the case a communal tone. They said that Najeeb hit one of the ABVP boys because he was wearing a kalava (a sacred thread). But no one saw that and Najeeb is not here to present his statement, says the leader of the Left union. And everyone saw how badly Najeeb was beaten by a mob, she says.

Eyewitnesses from both Hindu and Muslim communities say they heard communal abuses being hurled at Najeeb. We will send you to your 72 virgins in heaven, was one of them, according to Shahid, who says he was there.But Shahid says some on the campus wont believe him because he is Muslim and they feel that is why he is speaking for Najeeb.



The height of politics around Najeebs disappearance was reached on November 2, when Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders came to the JNU campus and spoke against the Centre for not doing enough in the case.



Prakash Karat, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)  the parent organisation of All India Students Association which dominates JNUSU  did not speak of Najeeb as much as he spoke of an undeclared Emergency in which Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was detained by Delhi Police when he joined a protest over the suicide of an army veteran.



"When CPM leaders, who are blamed for causing atrocities many a times, but are speaking for their students, it reflects badly on the students union. In a matter which concerns a student of the university, why should political leaders use it to their benefit, says JNU professor Avijit Pathak. It is a bad time for JNU, he says.



Rahul Punaram, a presidential candidate in the 2016 election for JNUSU from Ambedkarite group BAPSA, says one does not have to invite political party leaders and organise such a meeting to bring back Najeeb. Political leaders should volunteer themselves for any student issue in the country.



According to ABVPs Saurabh Sharma, it was a move which AISAs parent party had decided upon. The miscommunication between the JNUSU and many ordinary students is leading to chaos on the campus, claims Pathak. The campus is always politically charged, there is nothing new in that, he says. That is the beauty of the place, according to him.



When we were in college we were also part of many political parties, starkly divided as Marxist, leftist, centrist and rightist, but we always had a dialogue with each other. Every problem was sorted out after seeking one anothers opinion, he said.



But now there is no communication now amongst students about issues of the nation and critiquing the JNUSU is taken as an anathema, he says.



Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) has been supporting JNUSUs cause from the beginning in Najeebs case. But when they gheraoed their VC Jagadesh Kumar along with the proctor and the rector, we were not happy, he says.



He says this kind of political drama is detrimental to the image of the institution."The February 9 incident has already left an impression that this university is not functioning as an academic institution, whereas it has one of Indias best social sciences community," he says.



When on February 9, students raised slogans for Afzal Guru, who was convicted in the Parliament attack case, they spoke of definition of democracy, nationalism and freedom of speech, according to many students.



But on the protests over Najeebs disppearance, many ordinary students accuse the JNUSU of not even informing them of their plans and inviting their supporters from other universities to make up the crowd.



One such event took place on October 20, when dissenting students, some from other student outfits like Democratic Students Federation and Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, charged that the JNUSU was politicising the Najeeb issue.



Ordinary students clashed with JNUSU that day and mediapersons were threatened not to shoot the scene. A woman photographer was threatened that her camera would be damaged.



The JNUSU representatives did not attend the recent Academic Council meeting which was to address other campus issues such as the dropout rates and accommodation for students. This was not in the students interest, said a student.



Now when anyone criticises the JNUSU they are called ABVP supporters or right-wingers, says Pathak. Many others agree that the issue has become undeniably politicised.



But the JNUSU disagrees, saying it is politics for a specific purpose. Politics has been used (in an effort) to bring back Najeeb but it has also made the case lose its humanness, says Pathak.



ABVPs Sharma says that JNUSU has been interested only in getting ABVP members sacked and arrested, whereas Najeeb also slapped one of their members. But when he was called `accused in a press statement by the VC instead of `victim, they protested, says Sharma..



JNUSUs Chakraborty claims they did not use politics at all. We have approached the ministries at the Centre that we do not endorse ideologically at all, to seek their support. And we will continue to do so.



Police claim their investigation remains unaffected by the continuous protests and internal politics of the students. Najeebs family members say the protests have only increased the chances of finding Najeeb.
Ahead of Tata Motors' crucial board meeting on Monday, two unions of the company representing around 16,000 employees have written to the management expressing their support to Ratan Tata in the ongoing spat with ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.





In a letter to Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, Tata Motors Employees Union, Pune expressed "deep concern" over the rift between Tata Sons and the leadership of Tata group companies.



"Moreover, the once cordial relations between Tata Motors Pune plant management and the employees have taken a downward turn since the last 14 months over various negotiable issues," said the letter in an indirect dig at the company's leadership under Mistry's chairmanship.



Backing the new leadership of Tata Sons led by interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the letter said: "However, during this time of turmoil we reiterate our complete and dedicated commitment to the decisions taken by Ratan Tata over the change in leadership of Tata Sons Ltd."



Stating that Tata Motors has "grown in leaps and bounds under" Tata's "visionary leadership", the workers union of Pune plant further said: "We wish to commit our whole-hearted support to Mr Ratan Tata's decisions in future and greatly respect his leadership."



On the other hand, in a letter to the plant head of Tata Motors' Jamshedpur unit, Telco Workers Union termed Ratan Tata as "our another great leader" and invoked his saying "if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to walk far walk together" to express their support.



While also recollecting what another "pioneer" JRD Tata said -- "to be a leader you have to lead with human affection" -- Telco Workers Union said: "These inspiring sentences (are) always inspirations for us and we always try to follow these footsteps."



Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman Cyrus Mistry and independent director Nusli Wadia.



Besides, Tata Sons also has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meetings to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards. The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Cyrus Mistry from the chairmanship of group companies and has already fired him as chairman of TCS.



However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Nusli Wadia, has been able to hold on to his position as chairman of Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
More than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation across the US have been reported since Donald Trump won the presidential election, according to a group that tracks hate crimes in America.





"Since the election, we've seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr Trump's election," Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama, told USA TODAY.



"The white supremacists out there are celebrating his victory and many are feeling their oats," Cohen said.



The SPLC, which tracks hate crimes, said it has logged more than 200 complaints since the election, and while it could not provide a figure for the average number of complaints it takes in each day, Cohen assured that the number is much larger than what is typical.



Anti-black and anti-immigrant incidents are generating the highest numbers followed by anti-Muslim incidents, Cohen was quoted as saying. Part of the reason it is happening is that hate group leaders are encouraging members to intimidate people, he said.



"Pulling from news reports, social media, and direct submissions at the Southern Poverty Law Centre's website, the SPLC had counted 201 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation across the country as of Friday," the group said.



"These range from anti-Black to anti-woman to anti-LGBT incidents. There were many examples of vandalism and epithets directed at individuals. Often times, types of harassment overlapped and many incidents, though not all, involved direct references to the Trump campaign," it said.



In Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying it was working to find the source of racist messages sent to black freshmen, and in Syracuse, New York, a group of pickup trucks -- one draped with the Confederate flag -- drove through an anti-Trump rally.



In Columbus, Ohio, a man banged on the car window while a Muslim woman was driving, her children and elderly parents with her, and told her, "...you don't belong to this country," according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).



All those were added to the list of incidents that included black children being told to get to the back of a bus and Latino children being taunted about the wall that Trump promised to build between Mexico and the United States.



CAIR also said it has seen an increase in complaints made to its offices. Angry Americans have been staging nationwide protests against Trump's election victory shouting slogans like 'Not my President' and 'No Fascists USA'.
Swiss major Molinari Rail will set up a manufacturing and assembly centre for auxiliary power units for diesel locomotives in India by next year.





Molinari Rail AG has entered into a strategic pact to design, manufacture and deliver the auxiliary power units (APUs) for 1,000 diesel locomotives to be built in India for Indian Railways.



"We have a project for Indian Railways and we will manufacture and assemble auxiliary power units here in India for the 1,000 diesel locomotive programme.



"With this component we are contributing highly to greener rail operations in India. By this, Molinari Rail is following the 'Make in India' strategy of creating new jobs and local expertise," Michele Molinari, President and CEO of the Molinari Rail Group, told PTI here.

However, he declined to share details about the investment needed for the project.



Molinari, who is also the board member of SwissRail Industry Association, said the group will form a Lucknow-based company that will manufacture 100 auxiliary power units per annum, which can be ramped up later.



"We will have a company here in India which we will set up together with Prag Group of Industries at Lucknow and there we will combine long standing Indian and Swiss rail expertise as a new player in the Indian rail industry," he said.



"We are already assembling the first prototypes this year in Lucknow in collaboration with Prag. It will be a Molinari managed company" he added.



He said the company is eying some other projects in the railways sector as well.

"We are looking at Railways sector which is our speciality. There are interesting projects coming up that is where our focus is. We are looking at tenders of Indian Railways and other companies in the sector so that we can participate with our knowledge and expertise leveraging the new local set up in Lucknow," he said.



Molinari also said the SwissRail Industry Association is keen to invest in India. The association has 110 members and most of them are SMEs and family-owned companies.



"The members are all very innovative, competitive and delivering world class Swiss quality. Most of them are into exports and of course India is a natural place to work for us. Swiss industry and especially Swiss rail industry has always collaborated with India for a long time," he said.



"With the modernisation programme of Indian Railways and based on the Make in India policy, there are huge opportunities for us and for the Swiss industry," he said.



Headquartered in Switzerland and having major sites in Austria and Germany, Molinari Rail delivers customised solutions for the rail industry worldwide.
The 2003 India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement has virtually become redundant with a whopping 286 incidents of firing and shelling along LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani troops that resulted in death of 26 people, including 14 security personnel, since the surgical strike on terrorist launch pads in PoK.





There have been 186 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the over 190km International Border (IB) in Jammu frontier, while 104 violations of the agreement took place along the over 500km Line of Control (LoC).



"There has been 182 ceasefire violation by Pak Rangers along IB targeting civilian areas and BoPs in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts since the surgical strike on the intervening night September 28 and 29," a senior BSF officer told PTI here today.



They also resorted to firing of 120 mortar bombs and from automatic weapons very heavily in which civilians and security personnel were killed and a large number of people including women and children suffered injuries, he said, adding that a large number of cattle perished in the shelling and huge damage was caused to houses.



A large population was forced out of their homes, harvesting of paddy crops halted and marriage season was badly affected in the border areas due to heavy shelling and firing.



The officer said there have been 85 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu region falling under 16 Corps area and 19 ceasefire violations have been recorded along the LoC in Kashmir region falling under 15 Corps area.



India and Pakistan entered into no-firing agreement along Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir in 2003.



On November 25, 2003, the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan agreed to observe a ceasefire along the International Border, Line of Control and Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir.



The worst-ever Pakistani shelling targeting civil population took place on November 1 when eight persons, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 others injured along the IB and the LoC in five sectors of J&K, forcing Indian troops to give befitting reply by destroying 14 Pakistani posts and killing two of their troopers.



A total of 26 people, including 12 civilians, were killed and more than 85 suffered injuries in Pakistani shelling and firing along IB and LoC in Jammu.



The state government had closed over 400 schools along the broder in Jammu region in the wake of the ongoing heavy cross-border firing.



On a visit to the state in the first week of November, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had asked the army personnel posted along the Line of Control to remain alert and give a befitting response to any "misadventure" from across the border.



"While complimenting their valour and fortitude, which Parrikar said was the entire nation's pride, he also impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across," an army officer said.

There has been 583 ceasefire violations in 2014 and 405 in 2015.



In 2014 and 2015, there were 153 and 152 such violations respectively on the LoC managed by the Army.



The ceasefire violations on the International Border under the control of Border Security Force in 2014 and 2015 were 430 and 253 respectively.


Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and calling his emotion-laced speech in Goa as drama, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to join people queuing up outside banks to find out whether they were all scam-tainted.





He claimed 50 per cent of the country's black money was going to BJP's coffers.

Stepping up his attack on Modi on demonetisation, Kejriwal demanded immediate roll back of the "poorly implemented scheme" before "situation goes out of hand" and said the Centre should bring some remedial measures in the next 24 hours to arrest the country's "rapidly sliding" economy.



"People are more nervous after his speech. Either he is unaware of the situation or the situation has gone out of his hand and he is giving emotional speeches. Keep ego aside, roll it back before things spiral out of control. It is a very poorly implemented scheme.



"What about gold conversion and dollar conversion? Where is the amount going? It is going through backdoor and coming out as Rs 2000 notes. The brokers are in the ruling party. 50 per cent of the entire black money amount is going to BJP...fake Rs 2000 notes hit the market in 24 hours because they are friends with them," he alleged.



Addressing reporters at his residence, Kejriwal said panic has set in across the country after Modi sought 50 more days from people. People are not even ready to wait for 50 hours as "suicides are happening, hospitals are refusing treatment, families are having to hungry", he said.



"The kind of language he used for people standing in lines is deplorable. He said 2G and coal scam tainted are standing in lines. Mr Prime Minister, you should yourself stand in the queue and find out who actually are there. He sees Raza, Kanimozhi and Kalmadi in them. The PM should apologise to the people for making fun of those standing in lines," Kejriwal said.



Kejriwal wondered why the country's 125 crore people were being targeted instead of the "few lakhs" who, according to Modi, are corrupt. Kejriwal alleged, "The present government is friends with the corrupt, counterfeit currency makers and Swiss bank account holders.



Calling Modis emotional speech in Goa a drama, Kejriwal said corruption cannot be contained by changing the notes or resorting to "theatrics".



"Why is he targeting 125 crore people and not the few lakhs he spoke about? Why is he friends with those few lakhs? You had said you will send those like Robert Vadra and those having Swiss bank accounts to jail. What happened to that? You did not even try to bring back a paisa from Siwss banks. Now you are friends with them. There's a list of 648 people...what did you do?" said Kejriwal.



Earlier, in an address at Panaji, which was laced with emotion, the Prime Minister said his hot pursuit of corruption and black money will continue even if "I am burned alive".



Kejriwal demanded that the government take action against 648 Swiss bank account holders" and rubbished Modi's remarks that "forces" are against him and may not let him live.



"Who is he facing threats from? I want to understand. So SPG, IB, RAW are ineffective? Stop this drama," Kejriwal said.
In line with his hardline immigration stance, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying "we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate".





"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told CBS News.



"But we're getting them out of our country, they're here illegally," the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.



However, House Speaker and top Republican leader Paul Ryan, striking a different tone, said that despite Trump's campaign rhetoric, lawmakers are not prepared to form a deportation force to round-up and deport undocumented immigrants.



"We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trump's not planning on that," Ryan told CNN.



"I think we should put people's minds at ease: That is not what our focus is. That is not what we're focused on. We're focused on securing the border. We think that's first and foremost, before we get into any other immigration issue, we've got to know who's coming and going into the country -- we've got to secure the border," he added.



During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to the people of those countries.



There are an estimated 11 million documented immigrants in the country. Several hundred thousand are believed to be Indian-Americans.



The President-elect said he would take a call on the fate of the rest of the illegal immigrants, after the border is secured. "After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, they're terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that," Trump said.



"But before we make that determination...it's very important, we are going to secure our border," he said in response to a question.



Trump insisted that he is determined to fulfill another campaign promise of building a wall along the Mexican border. "For certain areas I would, but certain areas, a wall is more appropriate," he said. "I'm very good at this, it's called construction," Trump said.



Since Trump's election on Tuesday night, the realities of actually building that wall have begun to set in and the Mexican government has publicly reminded him that Mexico will not pay for the wall.



Asked about the wall, Trump transition co-chair Newt Gingrich said the wall was "a great campaign device".



During his election campaign, Trump articulated a strong and tough immigration policy, which was quite opposite to that of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, which was based on compassion and providing a pathway to nearly 11 million illegal immigrants.
One of the much awaited events in the city, the bangaloREsidency, organised by the Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, is underway once again. A host of choreographers, artists, dramaturges, activists, stage designers, architects and photographers will present diverse projects, just as interesting as their work.





Each one is involved in a different area of the arts, each will live and work with one of our 26 bangaloREsidency hosts and leave a creative mark on the cultural canvas of the city during their stay here, said Maureen Gonsalves, cultural co-ordinator of the institute.

Intimate interaction and exchange with Bengalureans is one of the highlights of the programme.



To kickstart this process, the six artists from Germany presented a rapid fire, multimedia presentation during the Spot on bangaloREsidents.



Spot on bangaloREsidents is designed to offer a brief glimpse into the artistic background of the artists shortly after they arrive in the city, and acts as a curtain raiser to the projects they will realise along with their hosts, who are important players in the citys cultural landscape. This rounds hosts include 1 Shanthi Road, Srishti Institute of Art, Technology and Design, Blank Noise, Infinite Souls Artists Retreat, Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Natya and STEM Dance Kampni and Sandbox Collective.



Each artist is allowed seven minutes to speak and show slides, videos or music clips. The event serves as a platform which leads to creative and spontaneous collaborations between the bangaloREsidents and the local cultural community, not only during their one or two month stay in the city but in the future as well.



Karin Apollonia Muller, a photographer from Dusseldorf and resident at 1 Shanthi Road, focusses on how man interacts and struggles to fit into the urban and natural landscape.

She gave an engaging presentation on the same. Frauke Frech, resident at Blank Noise, runs an art studio that engages refugees as beauticians and other artists.



She laid emphasis on the issues of empowerment and gender equality.



A vibrant dramaturge, Kris Merken highlighted his long-term collaborations with theatre practitioners and directors and what has inspired his work till date. He is a resident at Infinite Souls Farm and Artists Retreat. Meanwhile, dancer and choreographer Katerina Valdivia Bruch with Natya and STEM Dance Kampni, focusses on dance in public spaces and visual artistes, musicians and non-dancers. She does projects dealing with improvisations on stage and her presentation showcased an interesting video dance piece at an airport in Berlin. Henrik Schrat, a graphic designer assigned to Srishti Institute, presented some serious comic strips with some image and text combinations. Its fantastic to be here. I want to see how this works in Bengaluru.



For Eduardo da Conceicao, an architect and artist residing at Sandbox Collective, its all about the excitement of coming up with a Portable Museum and The Generator in the next few weeks.



The first part of his video showed his work as an architect, not very traditional, who deals with temporary spaces, pop-up spaces, instant urbanisation and installations. The second part brought to light his set design projects related to theatre in Europe.



Fabien Proville, a dancer and choreographer, to reside at Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, will arrive in the city next week. The presentations were followed by lively interactions between the audience and the artists.


Homegrown Tata Motors, in a bid to lap up more market share and grow in the Indian passenger vehicles market, has bet big on aftersales service  an area of concern influencing most customers wanting to select a car.





The company boasts of 581 total service touchpoints  a mix of dealership service centres and TASCs (Tata Authorised Service Centres)  and wishes to add 50 more by the end of March, next year.



Referring to the growth of the Tata Motors brand, and explaining the service components contributions to the same, Tata Motors Head  Customer Support (Passenger Vehicle Business Unit) Dinesh Bhasin said, Brand proposition is not something that can be built in a year or so. Our vehicles sales for at least eight months, or even prior to that, is seen on an upswing. Last month alone, in passenger vehicle sales, we grew by a whopping 28%, and this trend is being seen for the last six to eight months. Last month, we could also muster a healthy market share of 5.9%. One of the reasons that this has happened is because customers have begun coming back from the workshop into the showroom, stating their satisfaction with our service.



In the last 12 months, we introduced car pickup and drop, irrespective of the distance. Over 70% of our workshops are open on Sundays, and we also commenced 90-minute-service on appointment (oil change, filters change, belt change, coolant, lubricant, etc), mega service camps, besides mobile service vans in few major cities, Bhasin told DH, adding that the company has also launched an app for customers.



Reduced complaints

Accordingly, complaints have come down by around 16% in the last one year. Even if a few complaints come, we want to resolve them within 24 hours. Since last year, weve managed to resolve 90% of complaints in 24 hours itself, he said, adding that the companys four warehouses, help deliver parts and spares within 24 hours across the country.


The infighting within the cellular operators association is showing no signs of let-up, with newcomer Reliance Jio deciding not to participate in COAIs quarterly executive committee meeting held late last week.





Jio decided against attending the November 11 meet on the ground that its participation was possible only once the association rehauls its proportionate voting right rules that is currently based on revenue of member companies.



Sources said that Jio wrote to COAI on the issue ahead of the meeting and decided to stay away in absence of a favourable response to its demand.



COAI Director General

Rajan Mathews confirmed that Jio representatives did not attend the meeting.

Unfortunately, Jio did not attend the meet. However, all other members were present.



The issue was also discussed at the executive committee and other members expressed satisfaction with the functioning of COAI and its voting norms. They unanimously agreed that there is no need for changing voting rules, Mathews said.



The meeting also discussed matters pertaining to electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) awareness programme, GST and progress in cell tower rollout, among others.



In September, Reliance Jio, also a member of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), demanded a revamp of the industry bodys voting rules alleging that they only served vested interests of three incumbent dominant operators (IDOs) even as the association hit back at that point, dubbing Reliance Jio as a back door operator (BDO).
Hillary Clinton got closer than any American woman to the nations top job, but her loss this week has thrown a spotlight back on the question: Why has the United States lagged behind so many countries around the world in choosing a female leader?





Tiny Sri Lanka became the first to shatter the political gender barrier more than a half-century ago, when that island nation was known as Ceylon. Its giant neighbour, India, followed a few years later. Since then women have attained top leadership posts  president, prime minister or its equivalent  in more than 70 countries in Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific. Today, women run two of Europes most powerful nations, Angela Merkel in Germany and Theresa May in Britain. So why not the US?



Historians have offered a range of reasons. Many of the earlier womens pathways were eased because their husbands or fathers were autocratic or charismatic leaders first. Some were chosen via parliamentary deal-making, not direct elections. Others were tapped as temporary leaders. Some scholars say that European democracies may view women as more suited to high political office because their governments are known for generous social-welfare programmes, something that seems maternal. In contrast, the president of the US is primarily seen as commander in chief, which is a frame more difficult for women to fit into.



Sue Thomas, a senior research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Santa Cruz, California, said that unlike political leadership posts elsewhere, the American presidency is seen as a very masculine institution that for historical reasons is extremely hard for a female to approach.



Gender was never far from the surface in the protracted presidential campaign, but experts cautioned against seeing the election as merely a referendum on the idea of a female president. Its hard to build a generalisation about women candidates based on Hillary Clinton, said Timothy Garton Ash, professor of European studies at Oxford University. She is such a special case and unique figure, having been around for so long. Did people vote against her because she was a woman or because her name is Clinton? Of course, it could be both.



Still, many experts see an underlying bias that has discouraged American women from seeking political office, impeding the flow of potential female presidential candidates. Even after the ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, some states restricted their right to be candidates; Oklahoma did not allow women to seek executive office until 1942.



Shauna Shames, author of Out of the Running, a forthcoming book about why relatively few millennials  especially female ones  want to run for office in the US, said many women are put off by the fund-raising that can eat up to 70% of a candidates campaign time, and the media scrutiny. Her research showed many women expected to face discrimination in what is still very much seen as a mans world. They think they wont get a fair shot and so many dont try, Shames said.



The US ranks 97th among 193 nations worldwide in the percentage of women in the lower house of Congress, according to data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Six of the 50 state governors are women, as are 20 of 100 US senators.



Susan Carroll, a political science professor at Rutgers Universitys Centre for American Women and Politics, noted that other countries have quotas for the proportion of women who serve in office, which both fills the pipeline and gets voters used to seeing women on ballots. Rwanda, for example, added a 30% female quota with other constitutional changes in 2003, and it now has women filling two-thirds of the seats in the lower house  the highest percentage worldwide.



The earliest examples of female leaders in modern politics abroad  as in the US  derived from family relationships. Take Sirimavo Bandaranaike, that pioneer leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. She got into politics after the assassination of her husband, and not only became the worlds first female head of state in 1960 but also served two more times, from 1970 to 1977 and 1994 to 2000 (she is also the mother of Sri Lankas only female president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, who served from 1994 to 2005).



In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the first female prime minister of India, the worlds largest democracy. She was, of course, the daughter of Indias first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. She held the office until 1977 and then again from 1980 to 1984, when she was assassinated by her bodyguards. Four years later in neighbo-uring Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, another daughter of a former prime minister, became the first woman to head a Muslim-majority country.



Indira Gandhis ascent is widely regarded as a seminal event in the history of women in politics. She displayed toughness in war, ordering the invasion of Pakistan in support of the creation of Bangladesh, and decreed martial law when unrest and charges of corruption threatened to topple her administration.



Another stereotype-defying woman leader was Golda Meir, who was prime minister of Israel when war erupted in 1973. She was known for pithy quotes about women in politics. Womens liberation is a just a lot of foolishness, she once said. Its the men who are discriminated against. They cant bear children.



The Iron Lady

Perhaps the best known modern female wartime leader was Margaret Thatcher, Britains prime minister, who was known as the Iron Lady. Europes first elected head of government, Thatcher ordered Britains military into war against Argentina in 1982 over islands that Britain called the Falklands and Argentina the Malvinas. While Thatcher was reviled among Britains working classes for her economic austerity and conservatism, she was admired for her tenacity in the Falklands war, which the British won.



In Africa, women have ascended politically as peacemakers. The most prominent example is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work in healing that country from civil war wrought by her predecessor.



Although female leaders abroad are no longer rarities, men still far outpace women in politics: 22.8% of the worlds parliamentarians were women as of June 2016, according to the United Nations, up from 11.3% two decades ago. Among the 193 member states of the United Nations, 18 women now serve in the top leadership positions. Executive positions are the hardest for women to crack, said Thomas, of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Thats true in business, true in politics.



Tuesdays election not only failed to break the glass ceiling and put a woman in the Oval Office, but it elevated to that throne a man accused of multiple sexual assaults who has made degrading comments about women.


The highpoint of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Japan was the signing of the India-Japan Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA). The deal is historic; this is the first time that Japan has signed an NCA with a country that is a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The India-Japan NCA is no small achievement. It was not easy reaching it, given Tokyos insistence that India must first sign the NPT and India unwilling to do so. Six years of difficult negotiations have borne fruit finally. The NCA paves the way for India to access Japans advanced civilian nuclear market. With Japan supplying fuel, equipment and technology to Indias nuclear power sector, Indias civilian nuclear programme will get a substantial boost. The agreement will ease the way for Indias nuclear trade with other countries, too. Companies like Westinghouse, for instance, which is owned by Toshiba and from whom India is purchasing nuclear reactors, use Japanese components and these would not have been forthcoming without an India-Japan NCA. The India-Japan agreement is also expected to improve Indias chances for entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. With Japan, a major opponent of Indias nuclear programme now signalling confidence in it, several other naysayers, too, could come on board.



That India managed to clinch a nuclear agreement with Japan without agreeing to sign the NPT is a victory for Indian diplomacy. However, India appears to have accepted curbs on its nuclear sovereignty to clinch this deal. The India-Japan NCA has a nullification clause, according to which the agreement stands automatically cancelled should India conduct a nuclear test. Such a nullification clause restricts Indias decisions and options. Of course, India had voluntarily committed itself to a freeze on nuclear tests back in 2008. But that was a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests that India gave to the NSG. What India has agreed to now is a pre-condition for cooperation with Japan in the nuclear field. This is the first time that India has tied its hands on nuclear testing in a bilateral deal. This is a significant step down for Indias nuclear autonomy.



While their shared concern over a rising China is an important factor behind the India-Japan cooperation, their bilateral bond is not just about China as evident from the agreements signed during Modis visit. These agreements will promote Japanese investment in Indias infrastructure sector, expand cooperation in space and agriculture, and boost bilateral people-to-people contacts through facilitating visa processes, encouraging tourism, etc. India and Japan must ensure that their cooperation is not a narrow, single-issue focused one. Broad engagement is less likely, too, to trigger Beijings anxieties.
With thousands of tuberculosis patients going undiagnosed, the Union health ministry plans to purchase more than 100 additional Gene Xpert machines next year for speedier detection so that more people can be brought under the treatment net.





In addition, the ministry intends to carry out a special 15-day door-to-door campaign in January during which health workers will visit urban slums and other risk areas to find out if there are people with TB symptoms but without a medical diagnosis.



Out of 28 lakh estimated TB patients in India in 2013, only 53% (more than 14 lakh) are registered for treatment at the government-run clinics whereas 45% (above 12 lakh) finished the treatment and only 39% (10 lakh) experienced recurrence free survival after one year.



The treatment efficiency will improve if we move away from smear test and use modern molecular tools that can give test results within 90 minutes rather than waiting for days as was the case with previous diagnostic techniques, said Barry Bloom, distinguished service professor at the Harvard University and one of advisers to Indian TB researchers.



We currently have more than 600 Gene Xpert machinesone each for every district. We plan to buy 104 more and also share some of them with the private sector, Sunil Kharpade, deputy director general at the Central TB Division at the health ministry told DH.



Absence of Gene Xpert machines in the private sector is a major cause of worry for the public health workers as a large number of patients, even from poor backgrounds, seek TB care from the thriving private healthcare sector.



But since the private sector is not eligible for concessional pricing for Xpert, the manufacturers set higher prices for reagents and instruments for private laboratories.



There are additional costs (like import duties) and commercial margins, as a result, TB diagnosis becomes expensive in the private sector (Rs 2,000). There are about 100 machines in the private sector.



The TB community needs to come up with a private sector access plan to ensure that good TB tools are also available and accessible in the private sector (where patients often begin their pathway to TB care), commented Madhukar Pai from McGill University, Canada.



The special drive will take place between January 1-15, 2017, to find out more of missing TB cases. Initially, this will be only for 15 days but after six to seven months, we can have it on a larger scale, Khaparde added.

DH News Service


A 30-year-old street vendor was hacked to death by his friend over business rivalry at Jayanagar on Sunday night . The victim was identified as Syed Aslam, a resident of Iliyasnagar.





The police have launched a search operation to arrest the victim's friend Shamsheer, 33, also a resident of Iliyasnagar. Aslam and Shamsheer were roadside vendors in Jayanagar 4th block, selling cloths.



The duo had differences over the space. The two had an argument over the same on Sunday night. Shamsheer attacked Aslam and fled from the spot around 9.30 pm.



Aslam was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police said.



The jurisdictional police have registered a case and investigations are on.

DH News Service
Over the last few days, Urvashi Chakma, who works at Canara Bank, Cantonment branch, has been unable to reach home before sunset. Besides managing the unusual rush and impatient crowd, she is also sacrificing her personal and family time. But the young officer has no complaints.





Post-demonetisation, unending queues have become a common sight at banks, ATMs and post offices in Bengaluru and elsewhere. The situation remained the same on Sunday. Bank staff see no let-up in the next few weeks.



We are doing our best to clear the rush. Sometimes, people get impatient and pick an argument, but we calm them down, Chakma said. They have many legitimate questions and our job is to answer them.



She further said that, given the hectic workload, she had postponed her household chores, such as washing clothes, to the next weekend. Her colleague, Smrithi K R, recalled the frenzied activity on Thursday and Friday when banks opened after a two-day break following demonetisation. Many members of the staff burnt the midnight oil. There was a sort of panic in the beginning, which is now dying down slowly. People are becoming co-operative, she said.



Nanjundaiah, branch manager, State Bank of India, MG Road, said they had set aside regular work to clear the rush. Pramod Kumar Gupta, assistant general manager, Corporation Bank, gave credit to his staff for working patiently. About 90% of our staff are women. To manage the rush, we have set up separate counters for withdrawal, deposit and exchange of notes, he said. I feel like a soldier fighting against black money. There is pressure, but we are not complaining.



Geetha S Kumar, special assistant at State Bank of Mysore, MG Road, echoed him. Radha Krishna Murthy, another employee, said that roughly about 500 people were visiting the branch every day to swap the old notes. This is in addition to people who want to deposit old notes and withdraw cash. The rush has come down but we expect more visitors over the next few days, he said.



Ravi Das, Postal Inspector, General Post Office, Bengaluru, said the number of customers had increased manifold. We are working till 8.30 pm to check the daily accounts. There was no let-up on Sunday, he said.



P V Kamath, assistant general manager, Canara Bank, Cantonment branch, said that though they were coping well, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) must provide banks notes of smaller denomination. People want notes of smaller denomination for their daily needs. Its difficult for them to get change for a 2,000-rupee note. The RBI should supply more 50- and 100-rupee notes, he noted.



The demonetisation seems to have helped open more new accounts. An industrialist who usually pays his labourers in cash come to our bank on Sunday and explained his problem. I advised him to open bank accounts for his 150 employees. He agreed.



From now on, he will pay them through the bank, Kamath said.

DH News Service
We all should follow the message of veteran poet Kuvempu on 'Universal Man' (Vishwa Manava) and put into practice live and let live in our lives, catholic priest Fr Faustine Lobo said.





He was speaking at Hussain Day, an annual convention on the theme A Message of Peace, which was organised here on Sunday.



We do not trust others nor do we openly socialise with people in our neighbourhood. There is an element of doubt in everything that we do. This should be overcome, Fr Lobo advised.



There is no peace and unity in the modern world. Even the work of spreading peace is not taken seriously. In such a state, this programme gives me a hope of better world. Religion is being used for political gains and this is a dangerous sign. Some politicians and the media are misleading people, he said.



International Sikh Forum founder member Apinder Singh Malik called upon people to live in unity. Moulana Dr Syed Kalbe Sadiq, vice president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and Shanthinagar MLA N A Haris also spoke on the occasion.

DH News Service
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait, who is caught in a controversy over watching porn on his mobile phone during Tipu Jayanti, on Sunday said that he would abide by the decision Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take with regard to the incident.





Sait met Siddaramaiah on Sunday, for the first time after he was caught on camera viewing porn during Tipu Jayanti celebrations at Raichur on November 10. The minister offered his explantation to the chief minister, who has sought details of the incident from the police top brass.



On Saturday, Sait had said that he would not step down as minister as he had not committed any offence. He had also declared that he is capable of handling the onslaught of the Opposition parties in the legislature session scheduled to be held at Belagavi, if the issue is raised in the House.



Referring to his complaint with the police against a television channel for telecasting him watching porn, Sait told reporters, I have nothing against the media. I wanted to get all the details. I never downloaded any clippings or photos as reported. I was just glancing through the photos I had received.



Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, who was present when Sait met Siddaramaiah, defended his Cabinet colleague as an honest worker of the party.


Members of the Indian Medical Association will stage dharna for two hours on Nov 16 against the formation of the proposed National Medical Commission.





IMA state president Dr Rajashekhar S Bellary said that the proposed commission would be fatal for the medical sector in the country. He said that the Centre should bring in amendments to the Medical Council of India Act, ensuring its autonomous nature. He also sought a ceiling on the compensation that could be awarded under the Consumers Protection Act in cases of complaints against doctors.
The Mahamastakabhisheka for the statue of Gommateshwara in Shravanabelagola, held once in 12 years, will be conducted from February 7 to February 26, 2018. This will be the second Mahamastakabhisheka of the century. The first one was held in 2006.





Shravanabelagola seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami announced the dates at a meeting held here on Sunday. Jain seers, elected representatives and devotees were present in the meeting. The seer said that the rituals for the ceremony will begin on February 7 while the Mahamastakabhisheka will be performed on February 17. He said that cultural programmes will be held on all the 20 days of the mega event.



Hassan district in-charge Minister A Manju said that more than 30 lakh people were expected to take part in the event.


Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshits son-in-law was arrested by the Delhi Police in Bengaluru on Friday in a case of domestic violence.





The Delhi police arrived in the city after Sheilas daughter Latika lodged a complaint with the Barakhamba Road police station in the national capital, accusing her husband Imran of harassment. Imran and Latika, who have a one-year-old child, had been living separately due to lack of compatibility. According to the police, the couple has moved a family court in Delhi, seeking a legal separation.



Imran had moved to Bengaluru about 10 months ago and was working for a software company. He was staying at an apartment in Domlur here.



Police said the couple would often fight over the custody of their child. Two weeks ago, Imran called up Latika and abused her. She approached the police and lodged a complaint. Based on Latikas statement, the police picked up Imran from MG Road and produced him before a court. Later, he was taken to Delhi.
The state government will present the Karnataka State Film Awards on April 24, the birthday of thespian Rajkumar, every year.





Speaking after conferring the state film awards for 2014 and 2015 here on Sunday, the chief minister said that the government will also provide subsidy of Rs 10 lakh each to 125 films, instead of the present 100. The objective of this decision is to motivate movie makers to come up with quality films having messages to society, he said.



Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda, who spoke on the occasion, exhorted film makers to make movies depicting the rich heritage and culture of Karnataka. I also request the people from Kannada film industry to contribute for society, actively, Gowda said.



While Thithi won the best movie award for 2015, the best actor and best actress awards were bagged by Vijay Raghavendra and Malashree. Harivu' secured the best movie award for 2014 while Sanchari Vijay and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy got the best actor and best actress award.



The lifetime achievement awards for 2015 were conferred on Harini (Dr Rajkumar award), Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar (Puttanna Kanagal award) and Rajan (Dr Vishnuvardhan award). Basanthkumar Patil, Baraguru Ramachandrappa and Suresh Urs got the respective awards for 2014.



Noticing that most of the audience left the venue after the awards were conferred, the chief minister, on a lighter note, said that from next year, he would deliver his speech first and awards would be given later.



Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for families of Anil, Uday

The state government has declared a compensation Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Anil Kumar and Raghava Uday, the two actors who drowned in the Thippagondanahalli reservoir during the shooting of a film.

Expressing his grief over the deaths, the chief minister blamed the stunt director and film director for the accident.

From the clippings of the incident, it is clear that safety measures were not in place. Such accidents should not happen in future, he said.






With tempers raging over the limited availability of cash, the government on Sunday night eased key restrictions, including raising the daily withdrawal limit from bank counters and ATMs.





It also hiked the amount of old and now defunct currency notes that can be exchanged. To augment cash supplies, newly printed hard-to-fake Rs 500 notes were also released in market.



The finance ministry, which reviewed the situation regarding the availability and distribution of notes of all denominations, said the limit of old and now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that can be exchanged for freshly minted Rs 2,000 and new Rs 500 notes was increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 per day.



Cash withdrawal limit at ATMs was hiked to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 a day. The weekly limit of Rs 20,000 for withdrawal from bank counters has been increased to Rs 24,000. The maximum limit of Rs 10,000 per day on such withdrawals has been removed, the ministry said in a statement.



Instructions were issued to banks and post offices to ensure proper distribution of all notes, including smaller denominations, up to the last mile through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents to ease pressure. The finance ministry is coordinating with RBI, banks and post offices to make all denomination notes available at all locations, read a statement from the ministry.



Further, chief secretaries of the states have been directed to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and post offices in order to ensure the last mile distribution of small denomination of notes is done through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents, it said.



With complaints that some business houses like hospitals, caterers and tent houses, among others, are not accepting cheques/demand drafts and online payment transfers from customers, the government said in such cases the public can complain to the district administration concerned for immediate action against the guilty.



All banks have been advised to arrange mobile banking vans to the extent possible at major hospitals to carry out emergency banking transactions for patients.



State governments have also been requested to facilitate opening of new bank accounts as a part of the financial inclusion programme.

DH News Service



Banks, post offices open today

Banks and post offices will remain open on Monday and function as usual, reports DHNS from Bengaluru. The establishments were supposed to be closed on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.



*Move to tackle limited cash availability

*Currency exchange limit increased to Rs 4,500 from existing Rs 4,000

*Cash withdrawal limit at ATMs increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 in recalibrated ATMs

*The weekly limit of Rs 20,000 for withdrawal from bank accounts has been increased to Rs 24,000

*The limit of Rs 10,000 per day has been removed

*Banks have been told to arrange mobile banking vans in major hospitals

*Separate queues in banks for exchange of notes and withdrawal of money from accounts

*The last date for submission of the annual life certificate for government pensioners extended to January 15, from existing November
15 Times SRK Romanced A Girl Who Was Already Taken Or Engaged!
4 takeaways from Fox News town hall with Tim Ryan, J.D. Vance

Republican J.D. Vance and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan participated in a town hall in Columbus hosted by Fox News Tuesday night.
Pfizer offers discounted Prevnar 13 for humanitarian programmes

A month after the global charity Medecins Sans Frontieres publicly turned down the offer of a million free Prevnar doses by Pfizer, the drug giant on Friday announced a ''major expansion'' to its humanitarian assistance with the vaccine.

To help during emergencies, Pfizer would reduce the price of its pneumococcal blocker Prevnar 13 to the ''lowest prevailing global'' cost of $3.10 per dose in such cases. And that was not all, for the first year of the programme, the company would donate all proceeds ''to humanitarian groups undertaking the difficult work of reaching vulnerable populations in emergency settings,'' according to a statement.

The move comes after repeated calls over years by MSF, on Pfizer and London pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline to lower their prices.

For starters, Pfizer will offer a ''short-term'' donation of single-dose Prevnar 13 vials and in 2017, the pharma giant will supply a multidose vial containing four doses in the same size container.

The new formulation is ''designed to address the unique conditions and challenges experienced in developing world settings and can help health workers in humanitarian emergencies,'' Pfizer said in its statement.

In July, when Pfizer announced that the WHO had backed the multi-dose vial, the company said the formulation vial could cut temperature-controlled supply chain requirements, UNICEF shipping costs and storage requirements, all by 75 per cent.

The programme comes after an initiative by UK drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, which stated in September that it would cut the price of its pneumococcal vaccine, called Synflorix, to $3.05 when it came to humanitarian crises.

The vaccine was approved by the EU in 2009, and the shots are used extensively in over 150 countries worldwide, including the US, Japan, Australia or Canada, against pneumococcal viral problems.

The safety precautions that need to be observed are that the vaccine should not be administered to people who had had severe allergic reactions, as well to children with unsteady immune systems.
The stories of three Donegal residents feature prominently in a unique book of memories of the roll-out of the Rural Electrification Scheme across the country 70 years ago this month.



Then There Was Light is a collection of tales of the time when Ireland left the dark ages as the ESB brought electricity to even the most remote communities in the largest ever undertaking by the fledgling independent nation.



John McArt is originally from Raphoe but now lives in Sligo. He recalls how his father Pat got a two-week start from a kind boss and ended up working for 40 years in the ESB.

Creeslough resident, Moira Gallagher now lives in Lifford and her contribution is a moving poem entitled Measuring The Poles, where she focuses on her blind granduncles reaction to the coming of the light around their home.



Malin Head-Cardonagh native Des Doherty is a former ESB manager. His story, The Donegal Coasters, explains how the poles sourced for the Rural Electrification Scheme, mostly from Scandinavia, landed in western ports that were often too small for the size of ship trying to dock with the poles on board.



This book, co-edited by PJ Cunningham and Dr Joe Kearney, contains scores of stories celebrating the 70th anniversary of the scheme that eventually wound up in the late 1970s.



The stories for this collection come from eyewitnesses, ESB employees and the general public as they recall the suspicions, worries and welcome the scheme faced during arguably the most important rural Ireland undertaking in our history.



They are diverse in subject matter and geographical spread and encapsulate the pioneering work carried out on what became a rapidly changing rural landscape.
Aside from creating memories on the new places I visit, I also want to leave an impact on the people and the places I meet along my travels.

An online movement to inspire, enable and empower travellers AirAsia and partners pledge to jointly tackle responsible tourism by launching the #HowIFly campaign.

How I fly call s for responsible travel, and the value of generating a positive impact on communities, wildlife, and the environment. Over 1.5 billion travellers are expected to travel each year by 2020.

#HowIFly is a call or challenge through social media and will take via Instagram. It challenges travellers who wish to participate to post a 15 o 30-seconds video on how they fly responisble and to tag three or their friends to do the same. Among the participants, three winners will be randomly chosen from the pool of entries. To know more about the campaign visit @AirAsiaPh on Instagram and Viber Public Chat.

During the launch, representatives and officers from Sibaltan Heritage Council led by its president Enrico Cabiguen, OceanQuest Southeast Asia training director and conservation photographer Reggie Reyes, DOT Assitant Secretary for Mindanao Eden David and AirAsia CEO Comendador Signed the #HowIFly travel manifesto to signify the commitment to the proeject.

Heres a theatrical shadowplay presentation of the #HowIFly campaign by El Gamma Penumbra

How about you, what kind of traveller are you? While you have collected so many stamps on your passports and managed to travel more than three times a year have you left an impact on where you have been and when?

One of my most favorite travel this year was when we visited a very secluded island in Casiguran Aurora. The place is a surfing haven, not many know the place yet and I wish it remains as sacred as we saw it. I was there with the brand FreeWaters and I was given an update this week that 20 filters systems have been donated to 2,200 residents of 4 baranggays in the area with the Freewaters #FeelsGood to be Part of the 1,000 campaign. Casiguran Aurora was one of the places badly hit by Typhoon Haiyan and their fresh water supply was badly affected. With the water filters we gave them they now enjoying fresh water wherever they are.

This is the kind of story the #HowIFly campaign wants if you have the same story, share it and inspire people to become a responsible traveller and not just for photo ops.

Incidentally, Up to 3 million promotional seats are up for grabs in AirAsia Groups final Free Seats promotion of the year.

The AirAsia Group serves the most extensive network with over 100 destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Since the inception of AirAsia in 2001 and AirAsia X in 2007, the group has carried over 330 million guests. AirAsia has grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 170 A320s and proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, India and Japan.

From 14 November 2016 (0001h GMT +8) to 20 November 2016 (2400h GMT +8), guests can explore domestic destinations including international routes such as Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea and Malaysia from the Philippines and extending as far as Mauritius, Maldives, Delhi via Fly-Thru and much more with all-in-fares one-way from as low as P202 during the 1 May 2017 to 6 February 2018 travel period.

This promotion is available on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app.

Guests travelling on AirAsia X will also be able to enjoy its award-winning Premium Flatbed to Chongqing, Chengdu, Gold Coast, Perth and Sapporo on promotional sale.

AirAsia BIG members will be given priority access to the promo seats on 13 November 2016 (0001h GMT +8). Booking can only be made through the website at airasia.com, one day before the promotion opens to the public. Sign up now at airasia.com to enjoy this priority access.

Members of BIG Prepaid Mastercard and AirAsia-Citi Credit Card will also enjoy priority access to promo seats.

Stay gorgeous everyone!
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Last week, Republican Kelly Ayotte narrowly lost her U.S Senate seat in New Hampshire to Democratic challenger, Gov. Maggie Hassan. Although Hassans victory is good news for the lone 48 Democratic Senators standing up to a Republican majority and President-elect Donald Trump, Ayottes loss means that the GOP senators have one less member who believes that human activity causes climate change.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte lost her seat to Gov. Maggie Hassan in a closely-watched contest on Nov. 8. Flickr

Sen. Ayotte is no environmentalist, per se. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gives her a dismal lifetime score of 35 percent for her environmental scorecard. However, as a Republican Senator who actually believes in climate change and one who voted in favor of President Obamas historic Clean Power Plan, shes somewhat of a unicorn.

Even though the majority of Americans accept the scientific consensus that climate change is real, a majority of Republicans in office do not. A report from the Center for American Progress Action Fund found that 59 percent of the House Republican caucus and 70 percent of Senate Republicans refuse to accept this reality.

Why? Lets follow the money. Charles and David Koch of Koch Industries have played an outsized role in opposing climate change legislation. Their deep-pocketed network has dumped wild sums of money on conservative causes and campaigns, with more than $88 million in traceable funding to groups attacking climate change science, policy and regulation.

So did Ayottes against-the-grain views cost her a set of billionaire oil barons? The Intercepts Alleen Brown argues that the former incumbents stance cost her millions in campaign funding.

See this graph from the Center for Responsive Politics:

The New Hampshire race is the only one among eight considered to be the most competitive that has not benefited from outside spending from the most important Koch-affiliated organizations, Brown wrote.

Browns article points out that the Kochs nonprofit Americans for Prosperity previously poured in $1.2 million in August on attack ads against Gov. Hassan but after Ayotte voted for the Clean Power Plan in October, the funds dried up.

The Kochs did not respond to The Intercepts request for comment but other reports indicate that the Kochs disagreement with Ayottes various policy stances led to a fallout.

Per POLITICO:

Shes bucked the party line by endorsing the presidents Clean Power Plan, backing paid sick leave and giving same-sex couples full access to government benefits.

While Ayotte has historically aligned with Americans for Prosperity, she has sharply broken with the Koch-backed outfit over the past six months over clean power regulations and reviving the Export-Import Bank. Thats good for her brand as a Republican rooted in the partys center, but bad for her hopes of air cover from the conservative powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the senators and representatives who have voted in line with Koch-backed policies swam with donations and support for their campaigns.

Kochs Dump Trump to Fund Climate-Denying Senators in Ohio and Nevada https://t.co/LYmZ3EWGMW @KOCHexposed  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) June 29, 2016

For instance, for incumbent Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomeys campaign, Koch-backed organizations spent more than $9 million for him to keep the seat. These organizations also allegedly used data to identify 600,000 unenthusiastic or undecided Republican-leaning voters and then deployed Americans for Prosperity volunteers to knock on those voterss doors.

Regardless, the Koch brothers are probably sitting happy following last weeks surprise election results that clearly swung red.

Meanwhile, Ayottes name is still in the hat. Rumor has it that Trump might tap her for Secretary of Defense. If she indeed secures the role, her views on climate change might be good news for our countrys safety. Climate change, after all, is one of the gravest security threats we face.
The government plans to use both its ranking and grading systems to sort universities and grant them autonomy depending on which tier they belong to, announced Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar at a conference in Delhi recently. Both National Institutional Ranking Framework ( NIRF ) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) rankings would be considered to categorise universities, he said. There will be good, average and bad ones, with nearly full autonomy to the first category. There will be 50% regulation and 50% autonomy for average ones. The lowest tier will experience 90% regulation and 10% autonomy.



Speaking at the FICCI Higher Education Summit 2016, the minister also spoke about measures to retain the best brains in the country. We are finalising the contours of a new scheme, GRIN  Global Research Interactive Network. Under the initiative, the government proposes to create good research infrastructure and tie up with the best foreign labs, which Indians registered for PhD programmes in the country will be able to use. Students will return to India and receive their doctorates here. The minister said the government planned to expand the PMs scholarships for the best of such talent.



During the summit, speakers from government, academia, industry and other fields discussed what internationalisation of higher education means, learning in India and providing talent to the world, research in the country, and more. This year, the key participants included a 50-member delegation from the European Union and 10 Israeli institutions. For the first time in India, there was an Israeli Academic Pavilion at the venue.



Yoav Taubman, senior coordinator, budgeting of Universities and Research Funds, Council for Higher Education, Jerusalem, said the Israeli government would award 45 new fellowships to Indian and Chinese students in 2017-18.



On the second day of the event, there were discussions on international students coming to India compared with more than 3,00,000 Indian students going abroad annually. The speakers talked about how to make India international students preferred choice.



The crises of inflow of international students to India is because of a shortage of international faculty, rigid and outdated curriculum, lack of autonomy, and separation of research in private institutions, said G Vishwanathan, chancellor, VIT, during a panel discussion, adding that the country did not attract many overseas students.



There were panel discussions on new higher education models as well with panellists discussing the need to invest more at tertiary level against the current level of 1.1% of the GDP, which further impacted access and equity.



Liang-Gee Chen, political deputy minister, ministry of education, Taiwan, said that to create empowered citizens for a skilled India, his country was planning to contribute to the vocational training sector here.
A Canadian university has taken an initiative to create awareness about prosthetic medicine. Mina Hoorfar, professor and director of the School of Engineering, University of British Columbia ( UBC ) Okanagan campus, conducted two workshops at two Mumbai schools recently.

The workshop focused on human hands -- what we use them for, what they are made of and how we are able to move them. Hoorfar discussed how prostheses are engineered and why they are important. Students were taught how to make a prosthetic hand using basic material such as plastic, elastic bands and string. The activity gave them an opportunity to be in the shoes of engineers and learn how to improve the design of the helping hands.

One of the objectives of the workshops is to get more international students interested in engineering. The second objective is to get more female students interested in engineering. People in this industry design devices for healthcare and these are among the most important commodities in any country. Thus, we need more people working in this sector, said Hoorfar, who has conducted such events at schools in Canada as well.

Hoorfar, along with her PhD student, Mohammad Paknahad, has designed a small microfluidic breath analyser that can detect consumption of a variety of drugs. The product is now being tested for ketones (molecules produced by the liver). This means diabetics may eventually be able to take a breath test instead of a finger-prick blood test to monitor their glucose levels. She is also working on research focused on cancer cell detection. She has developed a device that separates cancer cells from the blood making it easier to later examine the cancer cells.
The general belief is that a career in the culinary industry means being a chef . This is not true. There are a number of job roles that one can opt for. An upcoming niche segment is food media, which covers food photography, food description, food writing, food styling, social media and more.



A number of courses are now offered to help students to make a career in food media. The field focuses on how to communicate about food. Social media, which is a part of everybodys life, has led to the beginning of a new career. Food media uses the same technique -- writing, pictures or video -- to convey a message.



Apart from this, there are other avenues. This is a slow but steady career; you need to find your way up. If you are not good in the kitchen and still wish to work in this field, then you can focus on working in the management part of the industry. Most fresh graduates aiming to be chefs start as commis. It would help to gain experience and build your expertise if you keep experimenting and trying new cuisines during your academic years. Learn and work on your skills in the early years of your career. This would help you hone your skills more quickly and allow you to explore new things.



It is critical to be patient in this field. You interact with a number of people every day. Different people have different tastes and likings. It thus becomes hard to please everybody. However, with patience and experience, you can resolve all issues. You would learn something new every day and that makes this industry dynamic. It does take some time to master the skills and acquire knowledge. People who are patient usually succeed. The career requires you to be a jack of all trades, a little bit of an engineer, scientist, biologist, etc.



The remuneration for a fresh entrant depends on the place of work. It could be anywhere between Rs 15,000 and Rs 40,000 per month.
Even as collaboration between UK and India was repeatedly highlighted at the recently concluded technology summit in Delhi, the British visa policy for international students and professionals remained the most debated topic. Figures have shown that Indian students opting for higher studies in the UK have drastically reduced, causing concern among the British academic world. Many academics are being vocal about their views and are campaigning hard to woo back Indian students to their universities.

Keith Burnett, president and vice-chancellor, University of Sheffield, said: There is dismay among the Indian community as we talk stronger trade ties and further collaboration between the countries; they ask, UK wants our trade but not our children? He further added that education is and must remain without borders.

Echoing similar views, Charlie Jeffery , senior vice-principal , University of Edinburgh , added, How can you talk about free trade and curb the mobility of people? Mobility is vital for any successful international engagement.

To reassure international students that they are welcome in the UK, Sheffield launched `WeAreInternational.' Now over 100 universities and organisations across the UK have joined forces to advocate for international students, staff, research and collaborations in higher education.

The campaign states: We are committed to ensuring our universities remain diverse, inclusive communities of international scholarships open to students and staff from across the world. We will continue to ensure our research knows no geographical boundaries and our students and staff from around the world are able to celebrate their own cultures and friendships.

The Edinburgh University Students Association runs a project titled EUSA Global, which aims to enhance the global community for all students on campus, in the city and beyond. The blog shares global stories of the university community both on campus and overseas.

Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice-chancellor, University of Glasgow, is optimistic that a post-Brexit UK will be forced to take a more liberal stand to meet its economic goals. Post-Brexit, higher education should be in the forefront. And since we are talking stronger trade ties, you have to encourage the flow of people, ideas and talent.



Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor of London for business, said: In the aftermath of Brexit, it is more important than ever that companies in London and across UK have access to global talent that is needed for economic prosperity.



Recently, the UK announced changes in the tier 2 intra-company transfer category where professionals have to meet a higher salary threshold which may impact a large number of Indians especially in the IT sector. Agrawal has requested Theresa May, British Prime Minister, to relax the rules on Indian visas for highly skilled workers going to Britain. He further added that London had benefitted a lot from international students and professionals and the city would continue to welcome them.

The academics and Agrawal reiterated that international students should not be included in the migration targets. According to a recent report by the Universities UK (UUK), At a time when Britain is seeking to promote industries that can take advantage of global growth driven from beyond Europe, our higher education sector should be challenged and supported to increase its share of the rapidly expanding international student market. This is why it was always a mistake to include the student migrant flow within a target to reduce total immigration numbers.

The report reveals that there is strong public support for international student migration, and that people seem to understand the economic and educational benefits brought to Britain by those who come to study. The report says that 75% think that international students should be allowed to stay and work in Britain after graduating from British universities, using their skills for the benefit of the economy, for at least a period of time.

Around 59% of the public says the government should not reduce international student numbers, even if that limits the governments ability to cut immigration numbers overall, while only 22% take the opposing view.
>SOCIAL SCIENCE

Avnita Bir

Director-principal, RN Podar School, Mumbai

Students need to read the question bank first and then the chapter. Marking notes in the textbook helps them revise faster. These highlights help make last minute revision easier while they go through all the chapters.

Social science subjects comprise of history, geography and political science. No selective study should be done. Students should go through every chapter of social science subjects. The subject requires students to break each chapter into smaller sections and then study the same. It is essential for students to prepare themselves through self-assessments. Attempting mock tests multiple times will help.



>Maths

Jiji Francis

Harvest International School, Bangalore

Practice makes you perfect. Maths is an important subject and cannot be ignored. To master the subject, students are required to practice regularly. Three months away from the exam, students still have the time to practice and must make optimum use of the same. While practicing, students should not work on a single question for a long time. Every question must be completed within a stipulated time period. Students must first start with difficult topics, consult their teachers or supervisors for solutions and then move on to pursuing the easier question. Mock tests help students understand the paper format and encourages them to complete the exam within a given time frame. It also helps them understand where they stand in terms of their scores. It is advisable to refer to NCERT books since a majority of the questions revolves around these books.

>Science

Sangeeta Srivastava

RSKV School, Trilokpuri, Delhi

It is essential for students to follow a time table. Students need to devote time judiciously to all the chapters. One must start solving old test papers to evaluate themselves. Equal time must be devoted to physics, chemistry and biology, in no particular order to start with. Once you start, you must complete a given module before going on to another to avoid confusion. Focus on basic concepts and build a strong foundation of the concepts learned. Creating a separate list of important formulae and laws will help last-minute revision.

>English

Mukta Sharma

HoD ( English ), Ahlcon International School, Delhi

Teachers look for good language skills, appropriate vocabulary (avoid using the same verbs/ words), quotes and creativity. Scoring an A1 in the class X English (communicative) board exam is an achievable task provided you know how to present your answers in the best manner possible.

Section A (reading), 8+12 marks

Comprehension passages test your understanding of concepts, analysis, interpretation and vocabulary. Read the passage thoroughly, about two to three times, and then read the questions to find the key question words. You need to go back to the passage and locate the key word to find the answer. Use your interpretation skills for word attacks and to find the right meaning. Read one sentence preceding the word and the sentence following the designated word. This will help you to guess the overall meaning of the word.



Section B (writing and grammar), 25 marks

Article/ diary entry/ formal letter (five marks) are short compositions meant to test your ability of expression, using the content with accuracy and fluency. Generally, the topic is related to the themes from main course books. It is important to flavour your write-up with references to contemporary news (include statistics) and quotes, within the relevant format.



Story writing, 10 marks

Reading good books (novels and short stories by famous authors) will help you appreciate the nuances of good storytelling and will further enable you to weave a unique story around the story prompt given in the question paper. While coming up with the story idea, remember that the dialogues, setting and plot should lead the reader to an intriguing climax. Only the steady wins the race in the grammar section. Hence, consistent grammar practice is a must. Solving one module of integrated grammar every day can help you focus on errors/ omissions, which are generally of prepositions, followed by verbs. Reported speech and passives are the other two areas that must be practised.



Section C (literature textbooks), 25 marks

Literature is the most scoring part. Read the textbooks to the extent that you are confident to quote bits from the stories to substantiate your answers. For long text reading, make notes chapter-wise and highlight the names of various characters. If you want to answer the question on any incident, the notes come handy. When you write about a character, use various incidents to highlight the qualities of your character.

 Compiled by Sonali Sharma

and Rahat Bano
Val Kilmer slurs and wipes his drool while explaining about his swollen tongue in his latest public appearance in the heights of rumors that he is undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

The 56-year old actor is speaking in front of the cameras and bravely showed his speech difficulty during the screening of the film version of his one-man play, Citizen Twain in Los Angeles this week.

As seen in the video posted in Mirror, the actor is explaining how his swollen tongue made him decide to cancel the tour for the promotion of the play and that he is still "recovering" and that is why he appeared in front of the crowd in "showing this."

The actor's recent statement followed after he announced on Facebook that the rumors about his health said to be spread by Michael Douglas are false saying that Douglas is 'misinformed.'

The post went on to cite a situation that happened two years ago when Kilmer solicited advice from the cancer survivor to refer him to a specialist who can diagnose the lump in his throat. Despite such misunderstanding, the actor still thanked Michael Douglas and adding a few good words saying "he's a loving and devoted friend."

The actor further cleared the issue saying that he is still having a swollen tongue and is "rehabbing steadily."

During the press meeting, the atmosphere loosened up as the 56-year old actor shared jokes and talked about politics in his home state of New Mexico particularly mentioning that his hometown voted for Hillary Clinton in the recent poll, Radar Online reported.

It was on December last year that Val Kilmer's health issues got prominence in the spotlight as he was seen with a breathing aid around his neck while heading to a grocery store, Mail Online said.

The breathing aid is installed after a tracheostomy to facilitate the patient's breathing.
Madonna joined other celebrities who expressed their grievance online regarding the election of Donald Trump in the US presidency seat.

Madge took an artistic twist and posted a videoclip which she entitled "Fight for the Right to be Free" on Thursday, a move that followed after the songstress previously joined protesters in New York City after the election results were released. She has been a staunch supporter for Hillary Clinton in the entire election season.

According to Perez Hilton, the video is a collaboration of the Queen of Pop and director Steven Klein. The video shows a montage of scenes of a dancer who looks Asian and who sit beside a Black American person. Then, it flashed another image showing police brutality and then returned to the dancer who seemingly struggles in expressing his thoughts. In the entire clip, Madge voice can be heard in the background as she calls people to unite and stand for freedom. Her teary-eyed face can be seen before the clip ended.

A more graphic and violent-laden video was posted in Steven Klein's face with the Queen of Pop, in skimpy clothes and a pair of stilettos, struts across the floor and gun down every person that she feels like killing. The video's black-and-white atmosphere added to its surreal atmosphere.

Aside from Madonna, Katy Perry, Chelsea Handler, Macklemore, Christina Applegate, Todrick Hall and Holland Taylor also talk to social media airing their disappointment for the majority's decision to elect Donald Trump, ET Online reported.

As Macklemore posted on Instagram, he was 'disappointed, shocked and shaken at my core' for the unexpected turnout of the election saying that his family had prepared for a win for Hillary.

Holland Taylor did not exactly spell out Trump's name in her Tweet but implicitly made a comparison between 'an incompetent' and an "extremely competent woman."

Steven Seagal, a fervent Donald Trump supporter, on the other hand, talked about congratulating his presidential bet.

Meanwhile, Heatstreet remembered that Donald Trump had actively participated in one of Madonna's auction to raise funds for the Malawi Foundation in 2008. At that time, Trump bid USD 120,000 that entitled him and his spouse, Melania Trump to a luxurious trip to Paris including a lavish tour of the famous Chateau Latour vineyard. During that trip, the couple then joined actress Salma Hayek and her husband, the French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault for a meal.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will hit theaters this month and rumors about the young Dumbledore's sexuality spread like wildfire when JK Rowling hinted that, in the movie, he will be gay.

On Thursday's press conference, director David Yates, producer Heyman and screenwriter/author teased what to expect in the upcoming HP installment. Rowling, particularly, perked the audience's attention when she hinted Dumbledore's identity crisis referring to it as "the formative period of his life."

In a report from Time, it was said that the author candidly advised fans to check about the wizard's sexuality saying "Watch this space."

Albus Dumbledore's sexuality started to be an intriguing subject matter since Rowling's statement in 2007 in an interview at Carnegie Hall.

Back then, the British writer was more straightforward with her comment about the two wizards' relationship and that even with Grindelwald's evil nature, Albus still have that 'blind' love for him, according to Slashfilm.

During the interview, she further revealed that the headmaster was "very drawn to this brilliant person, and horribly, terribly let down by him." Sounds like she is preempting a rift that would cause them to fall apart.

So, since the movie will feature a young Dumbledore, the next question would be as to who will play the part of the Hogwart headmaster's role.

Here are some possible options presented by Vulture who said that the candidate will possibly be in his mid-40s, Albus' age when Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) found the magical suitcase.

The news source brought up Hugh Laurie as a possible candidate. In an interview, director David Yates said that the actor is "not a bad idea" considering his experience working with him in the BBC's adaptation of The Young Visiters.

Damian Lewis was also brought up but the director hinted that Lewis is "too young" for the role. Ciara Hinds, who played as Dumbledore's younger brother Aberforth in the previous HP movies, may also be an option considering its resemblance.

Heyman, however, discarded that possibility immediately saying that Hinds is "too old."

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is set to hit theaters a few days from now, on November 17.
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Almost all small-business owners dream of the day when they can expand nationally. This has proved to be a unique challenge for those in the marijuana industry because the products they create are illegal under federal law and because the checkerboard of states that permit marijuana sales have complex and constantly changing regulations.

Dixie Brands, a company in Denver that creates drinks and other products using marijuana, is aiming to navigate those hurdles and become one of the first companies in the industry to build a national presence.

Voters on Tuesday brought that dream a little closer to reality. California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada approved adult-use (a new term for recreational use) marijuana. Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota and Montana voted to legalize or expand medical marijuana use. Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia now have some sort of allowed use.

The legal cannabis industry is dominated by small businesses operating in individual states, so these new laws could open significant prospects for entrepreneurs. And for the companies that can figure out how to operate in multiple states, the opportunity is tremendous.

GreenWave Advisors, a financial research and advisory company based in New York, estimates that marijuana product sales in the U.S. will be

$6.5 billion this year and about $30 billion in 2021, if products derived from marijuana are legalized in all 50 states in some capacity.

Chuck Smith and Tripp Keber, who founded Dixie Brands seven years ago, have been taking steps to be at the forefront of the growing market.

The company makes Dixie Elixirs, bottled beverages infused with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It also makes THC-infused chocolates, drops and lotions. All are sold at licensed recreational pot shops and medical marijuana dispensaries. Low-dose awakening and relaxing mints containing 5 milligrams of THC (half a serving) are among the companys top sellers. Most of the companys revenue comes from Colorado.

Because of federal laws on controlled substances, one challenge to expansion is that products cannot cross state lines, so a pot brownie baked in Oregon, for example, cannot be sold in neighboring Washington, even though the product is legal in both places.

Add the complications of financing as well as unique packaging, distribution and marketing laws for each state, and establishing a national brand seems daunting and expensive. Some states require marijuana businesses to be owned by in-state residents, further impeding multistate expansion.

Also, because the industry is in its infancy, rules are changing constantly, including regulations governing packaging, food production and agriculture management. When Colorado recently required all marijuana food products to be stamped with a THC symbol, Dixie Brands had to create new molds for its chocolates and discontinue its Dixie Roll product, which is similar to Tootsie Rolls, because it could not be stamped efficiently. The new rule requires a THC stamp on all packaging as well.

These changes are costly for small businesses, said Joe Hodas, chief marketing officer for the company.

In addition, because of federal laws, marijuana companies cannot open bank accounts, use credit cards or deduct business expenses from their federal taxes. Giant safes full of cash and pickups by armored cars are the norm.

Many companies in the marijuana industry had been started by product aficionados with little business experience. As legalization spreads, the industry is quickly drawing more business professionals, as evidenced by Smith and Keber, who began their endeavor with experience in corporate finance, marketing and management.

When recreational marijuana joined medical marijuana as a legal market in Colorado in 2014, they were poised to expand Dixie Brands by adding to their line of products. Since that time, the number of employees has expanded from 20 to 100, and sales have increased about sixfold.

Expanding beyond Colorado, however, has taken creativity. Two years ago, in their first move outside the state, the pair found a licensing partner to produce Dixie products in California. After a year, the founders decided to take a more hands-on approach.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Our partner wanted to manufacture other companies products as well as ours, and we wanted more focus on absolute quality and consistency, Smith said. To have total legal, financial and operational control, we decided we would need to control the manufacturing and distribution facilities in any state we expanded to.

To make this happen, Smith had to find a way to work within regulations that require owners of marijuana businesses to be residents of the state. He decided that Dixie Brands would own and run anything that did not touch the plant and therefore was not subject to local ownership regulations. A local partner would grow and process the marijuana, but only for Dixie Brands and only under the companys strict instructions.

Consistent product quality is critical, Smith said. Coca-Cola in Denver and Seattle taste exactly the same, and we want Dixie Elixirs and our other products to have that reputation.

Each new manufacturing site will cost about $2 million, according to Smith. The Dixie holding company will own and control a building that it will rent to the partner as well as the equipment that will be leased to that partner.

All the noncannabis raw materials and packaging, along with accounting, marketing and legal services, will be provided by Dixie Brands.

The state-based partner will own the marijuana itself and employ the personnel who work with the marijuana in any form: plants, concentrates, finished products and the like. This will allow Dixie to control the business while maintaining a clear separation from the federally illegal aspect of it. That separation also protects investors and gives the company flexibility to react to changing state and federal regulations.

Very few brands have made it to multiple states in the fragmented legal marijuana industry, so Dixie Brands is being watched closely. We were pioneers to begin with seven years ago, Smith said, and I think we are well positioned to take this leap.
I have a photograph of two men, and on the back is a processing label: Guaranteed for life/Border foxtone. There is a picture of the store on eBay titled 1922 Photograph Foxtone-Border-Prints-San Antonio-Texas-Photography-Studio-/3000963028936. Do you know when this store first opened in San Antonio and was it the only one?

 Dan Peavy

Your photo must have been one of the world-famous round-cornered Foxtone border prints produced during the first half of the 20th century by the Fox Co., later Fox-Stanley Photo Products Inc. On the back of every print from the Fox Co., a 1922 newspaper advertisement promises, is the name of Foxtone, which means pleasingly soft pictures, perfect in detail and color values. Customers were advised to Look for the Foxtone stamp of quality on the back of your Kodak (brand film) pictures. Judging from the logo on the back of your picture, it probably was made between the mid-1930s and the mid-40s. Earlier company logos had the owners name, Carl D. Newton, above the running fox; later versions streamlined the representation of the eponymous animal.

Border prints from Fox featured linear, Art Deco-influenced designs on a white border around the printed image through the early 50s. Your photo, at least in the digital image you sent, doesnt have this, although the one you saw online did. Given the style of dress in your photo, its almost surely a much older photo, photo-copied by Fox. The company advertised that We can restore any old or new picture to its original charm; the companys store at 215 Alamo Plaza made a specialty out of copying old photographs, says an advertorial in the San Antonio Light, June 5, 1937. With the assistance of its expert retouch department, special features can be brought out or restored.  The old photo is not damaged or marred in any way.

The companys name and symbol originated with the Fox Photo Studio, opened in 1906 on Alamo Plaza by Arthur C. Fox, who sold out in 1909 to Newton  described in company lore as a native of Canada  for $700. The business was then one of several photo studios here, selling cabinet photos (affixed to a card) for $1 and gift coupons for photo sessions, while developing customers photos for 10 cents a roll. From that modest start, Newton developed one of the largest Kodak businesses in the country, retaining the Fox name to emphasize quickness as he expanded the company thanks to his adoption of a patented process of rapid developing and printing, according to his obituary in the Light, Nov. 19, 1932.

Newtons other successful strategy was to offer a camera free to anyone buying three rolls of film and prepaying developing and printing charges on it. Within a few months, his successor, Carl D. Newton II, told the San Antonio Express, Nov. 2, 1958, thousands of families suddenly were hooked on taking pictures  and taking their film to Fox to be developed.

To its downtown store at 215 Alamo Plaza, Fox added another at 1732 Broadway. The original location catered to professional and amateur photographers, selling cameras, developing chemicals and photo paper as well as a retail trade in picture frames, fountain pens, housewares and gift items. The company not only developed and printed pictures, it branched out to offer custom greeting cards, enlargements, celluloid-covered faux-antique miniatures, cut-out statuettes and other photo novelties.

By the mid-30s, the company advertised itself as the worlds largest Kodak finishers and promised Films in before 8 a.m., ready at 12 noon; films in before 1 (p.m.), ready at 5. The processing plant operated around the clock; additional facilities eventually were opened in Dallas, Houston, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Fox photos dominated the region: Almost always when a famous southwestern personality is written up in a national publication with photos showing his childhood days, those round-cornered photos appear with Fox in the corner, says the Light, Nov. 15, 1964. The latest was that of President (Lyndon) Johnson in Life magazine.

Additional retail outlets opened here in the 1950s. From the 60s onward, Fox grew beyond original Newtons wildest dreams through a series of mergers and acquisitions. Keeping the companys headquarters at 1734 Broadway after a 1961 merger with the Stanley Co, a St. Louis-based photo finisher, Fox-Stanley acquired similar companies in Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois and Tennessee, building to 12,000 dealers nationwide. Discount stores and drugstores with photo drop-off service sent the film to Fox, and the company opened its own Fotomats and Photo Squares, drop-off/pick-up kiosks that offered one-hour service, mostly in strip shopping centers.

In 1986, the former family business  by then publicly traded  was sold to Kodak, which kept the processing plants and sold off the retail stores to interests headed by Carl D. Newton III. Known again as Fox Photo, the stores went through several changes of hands, ending up with Wolf Camera, later Ritz Camera, which was reorganized and much diminished. The Fox name and logo are now historical.

Anyone who has classic round-cornered, Foxtone border prints to share may scan and send them to this column for future publication.

historycolumn@yahoo.com

Twitter: @sahistorycolumn

Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
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AUSTIN  Bexar Countys roster of lawmakers in the Texas House is finally set after almost two years of near-constant flux.

Julian Castros appointment to the Obama administration in mid-2014 sparked a flurry of ambitious moves by San Antonio lawmakers that helped reshape the local delegation in the Legislatures lower chamber.

Add to that: two veteran San Antonio House lawmakers have resigned in the last 15 months, creating a dash among competitors in respective East and South side legislative districts to fill those spots.

The end result for Bexar County voters has been a seemingly never-ending cascade of special elections. Tuesdays election officially ends all the jostling as Bexar County voters solidified their team in the House for the upcoming legislative session.

And decades of Democratic experience in the House has been swapped out for a slew of fresh faces. Six out of 10 lawmakers representing Bexar County in the House will either be legislative freshmen or sophomores when session convenes in January.

Christian Archer, a Democratic political consultant, said Bexar County now has a very strong, young bench in the House, but it comes with a trade off.

For Democrats this is a shot in the arm because you have a bunch of new, young members representing Bexar County. The downside is weve lost a lot of seniority, Archer said. When you trade seniority for energy, itll take some time to reestablish that level of experience.

Diana Arevalo, the executive director of a nonprofit who ran unopposed in the general election, will succeed Trey Martinez Fischer, who served for 16 years and developed a reputation as a brash and principal figure for House Democrats.

Tomas Uresti, the brother of state Sen. Carlos Uresti, will take over for Joe Farias, whose decade-long career representing a South side legislative district was marked by being a leading advocate for veterans.

And Barbara Gervin-Hawkins will replace Ruth Jones McClendon, who tenaciously championed social justice reform during 19 years as a state lawmaker representing district 120.

Democrats Diego Bernal and Ina Minjarez won their spots in the House during special elections held during the legislative session in 2015, respectively replacing Mike Villarreal and Jose Menendez. They were both re-elected Tuesday. And Phillip Cortez, a former city councilman and ex-state lawmaker, recaptured his seat to represent District 118.

Elected in a 2005 special election, Republican House Speaker Joe Straus is now Bexar Countys most veteran lawmaker in the lower chamber. Lyle Larson, a Republican, and Democrats Roland Gutierrez and Justin Rodriguez each carry multiple legislative sessions of experience.

Come January, the delegation will have to tackle a number of big-ticket items for the city and county, including local control issues and annexation.

Straus said hes confident the new team will represent the county and city well.

Our delegation is full of energy and ideas, and while there are disagreements on some issues, we wall want whats best for our Bexar County, Straus said in a statement. Our community will continue have a number of strong voices in the Texas House.

The shuffling of local House seats started back in May 2014 when Castro, then the citys mayor, decided to accept a position as the Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

It opened the door for former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Villareal, then a state House lawmaker, to resign their spots in the Legislature to run for mayor. That in turn created an opening for Jose Menendez and Martinez Fischer, both House lawmakers at the time, to run for Van de Puttes state senate seat.

Farias, who represented District 118, retired last year. McClendon, who was the former Dean of the House delegation, retired earlier this year.

Each individual move touched off multiple special elections, including runoffs, that first started in January of 2015.

Its a part of the process, said Gutierrez, who was elected in 2008 and is now the most veteran House Democrat in the Bexar County delegation. Opportunities are always going to come knocking. Talented people move up.

Gutierrez said delegation members with more experience will have to help guide the newcomers. As part of that, he said he recently sent out an invitation to the entire Bexar County House team for a bipartisan delegation dinner.

Its important for us to work as a group for interest that matter to the city but also do the good work of the state of Texas, Gutierrez said. Traditionally the San Antonio group has been pretty unified, and were going to have lot of work to do this session. We need to be prepared.

drauf@express-news.net
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Always the optimist, Bexar County Democratic Chairman Manuel Medina viewed last weeks watershed election as a sign that the red state of Texas gradually is turning blue.

Despite Tuesdays hard-fought national loss for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and the West Texas drubbing sustained by Democratic congressional candidate Pete Gallego in District 23, Medina saw a lot to like in the local voting numbers  especially the way Clinton dominated Donald Trump in San Antonio and helped many downballot candidates prevail as well.

That and Clintons strong performance in other Texas big cities gave Medina hope that statewide elections in 2018 and beyond will bring Democrats better odds after two decades of GOP dominance.

Now we want to pinpoint what we did right and follow it in future elections, he said.

Medinas Republican counterpart, Bexar GOP Chairman Robert Stovall, emerged from the election with an uneasy smile and myriad concerns.

Even though Trump beat Clinton nationally and U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Helotes defeated Gallego, many local Republican candidates took a drubbing, epitomized by Sheriff Susan Pamerleaus surprising loss to Democrat Javier Salazar, the defeat of several Republican judicial candidates and losses by various GOP hopefuls for state and county offices.

Although the countys strong GOP incumbents, including U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith and Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, easily won re-election, the party that only a few years ago had a tsunami of votes that swept most county offices now was assessing the damage from a walloping Democratic wave.

Leaders of both local parties were analyzing the record-high election returns looking for strengths and weaknesses as they immediately shifted their focus to the next battle fronts, including city elections in May and the 2018 statewide contests for governor, U.S. Senate and other offices  races that will unfold next year.

One of the party leaders guides was a red-vs.-blue map showing Trump and Clinton strongholds in Bexar County, with Clinton dominating in the citys center and Trump coasting in the northern suburbs.

Compared to previous presidential years, the Democrats showed broadened geographic support  doing better in some northern areas outside Loop 410  but the GOP upped the ante with better turnout on the far North Side, similar to Mitt Romneys performance there four years ago.

For Medina, the outcome was strongly tied to record straight-ticket voting by Democrats. Many voters were laser-focused on the presidential contest, but their straight-ticket votes helped other Democratic candidates even if the voters had no idea who they were. The phenomenon helped Democrats including Salazar and hurt GOP hopefuls hoping to capture legislative and judicial seats.

The election was a first step toward turning Texas blue, Medina said. Certainly weve got a lot to celebrate. We won 47 of 51 races, all 16 countywide races, picked up three state representative seats and even elected a new sheriff in town, Medina said.

Analyzing North Side turnout, Medina said the blue, or Democratic, areas went farther outside Loop 410, and thats a good sign because we keep going out further every election. I would not be surprised if we voted 50,000 straight-ticket votes on the North Side, he said.

Countywide, Democrats had 195,215 straight-ticket votes compared to 137,368 for the GOP. Also, the Democrats fared better than usual during early voting  that was something unique this time around, Medina said.

He attributed Clintons dominance in Bexar  319,191 for Clinton to 240,161 for Trump  to her longstanding ties to San Antonio going back to her voter registration efforts here in the 1970s.

She was bound to do well, and all of our candidates owe her a debt of gratitude for having that history here that led to coattails all the way down the ballot, Medina said.

Now his party will try to build its following on the far North and far West Sides and develop strong candidates for the next several election cycles, Medina said.

It will solidfy this county as blue. It will start providing the margins we need to see out of Bexar County to win statewide, Medina said.

His confidence was met by similar enthusiam on the GOP side, which delighted in recapturing the White House and retaining control of Congress but disappointed at many local outcomes.

Victory in Hurds re-election bid in District 23 was the Bexar GOPs biggest prize as Bexar and Medina counties once again helped him narrowly win in the sprawling, 29-county district.

Were pretty happy about that, Stovall said. The loss for Pamerleau, on the other hand was very difficult. he said. We just got outpolled with the straight-ticket lever, and Susan was a casualty of that, Stovall said.

Losses sustained by several GOP judicial candidates and two Republican members of the Texas House  state Reps. John Lujan and Rick Galindo  hit hard as well, he said. On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott came to San Antonio to campaign on their behalf and Hurds, touting the trio as fresh new faces of the Texas GOP.

Stovall said the GOP was hoping to build on its string of victories in recent years, such as Lujans win in a District 118 special election to fill the unexpired term of a Democratic predecessor. But Lujan was toppled by Democrat Tomas Uresti.

We worked it hard. In the 2014 election we did so well and weve had victories since then. We really felt that we had some good momentum going, Stovall said.

For both parties, one negative factor in downballot races was the preponderance of under-votes, when voters made no selection in a race  often after making a pick in only the presidential race. Some contested judicial races in Bexar County recorded 30,000 or more under-votes.

They just wanted to go in there and vote for the president and then stop, Stovall said.

He also noted that third-party candidates impacted some of the races, such as the 5 percent drawn by Libertarian and Green candidates in the sheriffs race, which was decided by less than 1 percent.

If there was no Libertarian, Susan would have taken those 19,000 votes, Stovall said.

Now his task is to regroup for future elections, Stovall said. Since Tuesday hes been conferring with state elected and party officials.

We are going to make sure were ready in 2018, said Stovall, whos Hispanic.

We were some of the most vocal Trump supporters in the state. Hispanics will have a seat at the table with the Trump administration, he said.

RELATED: See how the states voted:





jgonzalez@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnwgonzalez
The Rev. Sallie Watson knew that Wednesday would be tough no matter the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

She prepared a sermon titled Wednesday to help mend divisions, heal wounds and encourage grace in both defeat and victory.

Throughout the city, faith leaders  who largely didnt take public stands on the election  have been thinking about what to say to their congregations today and beyond, to move past the most contentious political season in memory, replete with name-calling, derogatory remarks and hate-mongering.

A half-dozen such leaders, among them a Catholic priest, a Protestant pastor, an imam and a rabbi, have been drawing on ancient texts, modern wisdom and theological insight. Theyve sought to soothe fears, urge peace and keep open avenues of dialogue. Theyve been telling the faithful that while theyre allowed to grieve, they also must get to the work in front of them.

Without exception, they sang from the hymnal of Lennon and McCartney that love is all we need.

This is an opportunity for the church to be the church, said Watson, general presbyter of Mission Presbytery, the regional authority of the Presbyterian Church USA, which oversees more than 140 Texas churches.

Not only can we pull together on issues of common interest, like feeding the hungry and poor, its also an opportunity for the church to have more of a role in society, she said.

Her sermon turned to Chapter 12 in Romans, in which Paul delivers a laundry list to his brothers and sisters. It calls for humility and for a rejection of pride and revenge. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good, it says.

Its important to go back to the teachings of Christ, said Greg Neuberger, president of the San Antonio North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which has 3,500 members and is one of seven similar stakes in the city.

Love our neighbors, support and love each other, go out and serve the community together, he said. Democracy doesnt mean you always agree, but we work to make changes through the system.

His denominations 12th article of faith can be useful during these trying days, he said. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.

Defeat is always difficult, Neuberger said. But tomorrow is a new day, and you can go out and continue to strive to make your community better. Love your neighbor. Love the stranger. Do community service. They help heal.

Mehmet Oguz, an imam and executive director of the Dialogue Institute Southwest, said dialogue is essential to moving forward. Hell emphasize that his congregation pray not only for each other but for the unity of the country.

Whatever the results, he said, the country belongs to all of us.

Oguz sounded a tone of forgiveness, too. While Muslim Americans throughout the country were stunned by then-candidate Donald Trumps call to ban Muslims from entering the United States, Oguz said he thinks it was more an appeal to Islamaphobic voters, not truly a policy intent.

Rabbi Mara Nathan of Temple Beth-El spoke on the eve of the local Jewish communitys commemoration of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass in Germany in 1938, when Nazis trashed and burned thousands of Jewish businesses, synagogues and schools. Its widely considered the start of the Holocaust.

Its our job to be kind, Nathan said. I dont think its hard. Its a challenging time for some and not for others, but our message remains consistent. Love thy neighbor as thy self.

More connects us than divides us, she said. In the end, what people want is for our country to be stronger and better and that more people have what they need.

Mary Beth Fisk, executive director and CEO of the Ecumenical Center, acknowledged that healing will take longer this time, a sentiment shared by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller.

Getting past the vitriol, he said, will demand humility from everyone, the president on down. It will require patience, too.

We were not that divided when the campaign started, Garcia-Siller said. We ended up very divided and in a very dark state.

Whatever people do, they cant give up, he said.

We have to contribute instead of disengaging. We have to participate instead of being aloof, Garcia-Siller said. Look at Christ. He forgave. He loved to the end.

Best-selling Christian author Max Lucado of Oak Hills Church might be the most famous among San Antonio pastors to speak out on the presidential race. In February, he wrote an essay for the Washington Post titled, Decency for president, critical of Trumps tone.

Everyone has voted for a person that did not win, Lucado said. They feel sad the day after, a little bitter and forgotten.

Theyll find a way to move past the pain, he said. As Christians, we have another tool thats called the sovereignty of God. Everything falls under his care.

Theres also hope.

Trumps insensitive, sometimes crass language was replaced last week with what Lucado described as a more conciliatory tone.

So, were off to a good start, he said.

eayala@express-news.net

Twitter: @ElaineAyala
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has set out the priorities needed to deliver a thriving animal health sector following the UKs exit from the EU.

Commenting after its Board meeting on 1 November, NOAH Chair Cat Sayer said the UK must continue to be a 'vibrant and innovative' animal health market, providing opportunities for animal medicines businesses to thrive.

We are in a strong position in the UK to be a global centre of excellence for animal medicines, supporting both innovative product developments and a regulatory model to benefit both local and international trade. We need to ensure that our industrys needs and priorities are included in discussions on how the UK exit develops, she said.

Following the UKs exit from the EU, NOAH has emphasised the need to ensure that measures are in place to facilitate trade and innovation in the animal medicines sector. Future UK regulation of veterinary medicines 'must incentivise' product research and development  an environment where companies are encouraged to do business in the UK, the organisation says.

'High welfare must be safeguarded'

The health and welfare of British animals, as well as our public health and food safety need to be safeguarded  our vets and animal keepers need to continue to have access to a wide range of appropriate animal medicines.

And we must not forget our people. The animal medicines industry has many highly skilled roles. Businesses will continue to need to be able to recruit the best, said Ms Sayer.

NOAH has formed a Brexit Task Force from members of its Board, covering the breadth of the UK animal medicines sector which is working to identify the risks but also the opportunities offered by the UK post EU Exit for its members. It includes both UK based and global company heads. The Task Force will represent members views and drive policy forward at this crucial time.

NOAH is collaborating with partners across the animal health sector, including veterinary, human health, agricultural and pets and engaging with relevant government departments to ensure that veterinary medicines are included in future government industrial strategy.

In the UK consumers both encourage and expect high standards of animal welfare in food production and pet owners also want prompt and effective care. UK veterinary surgeons and animal owners need access to a full range of medicines and vaccines to protect animal welfare by preventing disease and treating illness effectively, added Cat.
Farming Minister George Eustice has attempted to calm fears about access to foreign labour following Brexit.

Mr Eustice appeared at the annual Egg and Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) in Wales, where he sought to calm farmers worries over the possibility of reduced access to foreign labour in post-Brexit Britain.

In the egg sector, it is estimated that EU migrants currently account for 40 per cent of total farm labour. They account for 60 per cent of total labour in packing centres. Poultry industry leaders are concerned that access to that labour force may be lost when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, although the Minister said it may be possible to create visas to cover skills shortages following Brexit.

Presidents of the four UK farming unions said continued access to a 'flexible, competent and reliable' workforce is vital

Poultry producers are reliant on non-UK staff throughout their businesses, whether it is in the office, hands on work, or to helping getting turkeys ready for Christmas.

George Eustice also addressed fears about cheap, lower welfare standard egg products possibly being allowed into the UK as a result of future trade deals with countries outside the UK. He said he wanted the UK to set an example on animal welfare.

Essentials for the sector

Farming unions have reiterated that it is essential for the sector to maintain 'full, unfettered' access to the single market while having continued access to a 'flexible, competent and reliable' workforce.

This is the message from the Presidents of the four UK farming unions (NFU, UFU, NFU Scotland and NFU Cymru) following a meeting with agricultures largest processing customers last week.

The farming sector has increasingly become worried. Chairman of the NFU horticulture board, Ali Capper, said working in the UK was worth less. She urged the government to set up a permit scheme for seasonal farmhands.

"People in Romania are now looking for 9/hour for seasonal work to make up for the travel and uprooting their lives.

However, Migration Watch UK says Brexit should be seen as a chance to improve productivity and raise wages for British-born agricultural workers, a paper by the group concluded.

The briefing paper, released by Migration Watch UK, says leaving the EU is a chance to improve wages and conditions for agricultural workers. The plentiful supply of cheap foreign labour on British farms 'all but destroys any incentive producers have of becoming more competitive', the thinktank says.

The paper says when the UK leaves the EU, the current supply of labour from the EU will not disappear overnight, and instead calls for the industry to implement reforms to ensure "longer-term sustainability while also benefiting UK-born workers", the briefing paper stated.
The value of pork exported from the UK during September was up 16% on the year, reaching the value of 21.7 million, according to AHDB figures.

This increase occurred despite volume being down 9%, at 16.4 thousand tonnes. A 26% rise in average unit prices supported total export value, aided by the weak the pound which shielded most importing nations from the price rise; in euro terms the price was only up 7%, for example.

Significantly, shipments to China during September showed no growth on the same period in 2015 - the first month for a year with no expansion in Chinese shipments. The closely related Hong Kong market also showed a significant 37% decline in volume, while exports to Denmark and the Netherlands, likely for re-export, were back 20% and 22% respectively.

Increasing competition from Brazil and the US, coupled with the beginnings of recovery in Chinese pork production, are likely hindering further growth in this market. There was a 12% rise in UK pork exported to Germany during September. This likely reflects the increase in sow slaughterings seen during the month, alongside declining German production.
"This is not rocket science - to work towards a flourishing pastoral industry for the future, we need to invest now, DAFWA needs to expedite the process and get funds to where they are needed," Dr Jacobs said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits troops at Fort Bragg

The commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps said, "Welcome Home," to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when he arrived on post Tuesday.
LIVE: Chris Martin of Coldplay performs "Suzanne" in memory of the late great Leonard Cohen #AtlasOnTour #RIPLeonardCohen pic.twitter.com/BDzUTfzUmE  Atlas Project (@ColdplayAtlas) November 11, 2016

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin played tribute to the late Leonard Cohen this week (November 11), taking to the stage at the band's gig to perform his own rendition of Cohen track 'Suzanne'.

The song was performed as part of the band's encore as they took to the stage one final time at the London Palladium, with Martin singing the track solo at his piano before saying he was "sending my love to Mr. Leonard Cohen for those amazing songs, you changed my life".

Cohen passed away on Monday, November 7, and Rolling Stone learned from Cohen's son Adam that he died peacefully in his home "with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records. He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humour."

Legions of musicians and fans have been paying tribute to Cohen over the past week, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noting "Canada and the world will miss him", whilst Lily Allen thanked him and tweeted "Rest In Peace".

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Jesse Hughes and one of his fellow Eagles of Death Metal bandmates were reportedly denied the opportunity to enter Paris' Bataclan venue this weekend (November 12), when the location was hosting its re-opening gig with Sting.

Jesse Hughes

Playing at the venue on November 13, 2015, Eagles of Death Metal were witness to gunmen entering the building, before the terrorists took the lives of 89 concert-goers and staff.

Speaking in an interview earlier this year, Hughes hinted that he believed security at the Bataclan were complicit with the terror attack, saying: "When I first got to the venue and walked in, I walked past the dude who was supposed to be the security guard for the backstage.

"He didn't even look at me. I immediately went to the promoter and said, 'Who's that guy? I want to put another dude on.' He said, 'Well, some of the other guards aren't here yet.' And eventually, I found out that six or so wouldn't show up at all Out of respect for the police still investigating, I won't make a definite statement, but I'll say that it seems like they had a reason not to show up."

Later apologising for his comments, he went on to make similar ones in another interview later on, which then saw the band kicked off the bill at multiple French festivals that summer.

Explaining the decision to not allow Hughes and his bandmate entry to the re-opening gig, Bataclan co-director Jules Frutos said: "They came, I threw them out - there are things you can't forgive.

"He makes these incredibly false declarations every two months. It is madness, accusing our security of being complicit with the terrorists Enough. Zero. This has to stop."

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Upendra has surprised his fans and audiences with his decision. Just when we thought that he would start shooting for Dr Modi next, as announced, he has silently started shooting for different project directed by Naganna.

The film is tentatively titled as Kanneshwara, and the team has started shooting in Bangalore. Director confirms that even though the title sounds to be tailor-made for a devotional flick, this will be an out and out commercial entertainer.

Neither the producer nor the director has not confirmed the star cast but we hear that film has a couple of big names in star cast. Also as publicized, this is not the remake of Hindi film Special 26, and will be an original subject.

Mohanlal, who made his Kannada debut with Mythri (his role in Love was more of a guest appearance) will be sharing screen space with Upendra for the first time. It will be nothing less than feast for fans to see two superstars together on silver screen.

Vedhika, who made a strong comeback to Kannada film industry with Shivanna's Shivalinga, will play the female lead in this film. It is said that Vedhika has got a role, which is as important as Uppi's role in the film.

With Uppi, Mohanlal and Vedhika, who are popular in multiple languages are coming together, and we can expect the makers to plan the film in multiple languages to make use of the star cast to the maximum extent.

Naganna and Upendra combo, have given the blockbusters like Kutumba and Gowramma. They last collaborated for Dubai Babu, which was a flop. All the three films were remakes and it is interesting to know that, both are collaborating on a straight subject this time.

Upendra just has a few days of pending work for Upendra Matthe Hutti Baa and he will complete his work by end of November. After that he will completely dedicate his time for Kanneshwara.


THOUSAND OAKS (dpa-AFX) - Amgen's (AMGN) phase III study of investigational drug Romosozumab in men with osteoporosis has achieved the primary endpoint.



In the study, dubbed BRIDGE, Romosozumab demonstrated significant increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck compared to placebo at six and 12 months.



Romosozumab is being co-developed by Amgen and UCB. This compound is under FDA review for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fracture, with a decision expected on July 19, 2017.



In other news, the company won the European Commission's nod for Parsabiv for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in adult patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Parsabiv was turned down by the FDA in August of this year.



AMGN closed Friday's trading at $149.04, down 1.67%.



AstraZeneca PLC's (AZN) SYMBICORT, an asthma and COPD treatment, has demonstrated its appropriateness as step-up therapy in pediatric patients between 6 to <12 years of age with asthma in a phase III study.



As you may know, the FDA, in April 2009, had turned down the company's request to approve SYMBICORT for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in pediatric patients ages 6-11 years as no adequate data was furnished then.



In the recently completed phase III study, dubbed CHASE, SYMBICORT significantly improved lung function in pediatric patients between 6 to <12 years of age with asthma compared to asthma drug Budesonide.



SYMBICORT was approved in the U.S. in July 2006 for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older and in February 2009 for the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.



AZN closed Friday's trading at $27.98, up 1.08%.



Eagle Pharmaceuticals (EGRX) has agreed to acquire privately-held Arsia Therapeutics for $78 million, thus marking its entry into biologics, the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceuticals market.



As per the agreement terms, Eagle will pay approximately $30 million at closing and up to $48 million in additional payments upon the completion of certain milestones. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur within the next week, subject to the satisfaction of various customary closing conditions.



EGRX closed Friday's trading at $79.50, down 5.60%.



Shares of PTC Therapeutics Inc. (PTCT) jumped over 88% on Friday as CHMP's recommendation of the conditional marketing authorization of Translarna has removed the uncertainty over its continued availability in the European Union.



Translarna, which was given conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged five years and older in August 2014, has been available in the European Union since December 2014.



However, with the CHMP issuing a request for supplemental information, including a request categorized as a major objection, last month, many were expecting a withdrawal of the marketing authorization for Translarna.



Now that the CHMP has issued a positive opinion in favor of the renewal of Translarna's marketing authorization, PTC Therapeutics can breathe easy.



Translarna recorded net sales of $22 million in Q3, 2016, representing 125% year-over-year growth. The company expects Translarna net sales to be in the middle of its guidance of $65 to $85 million for full year 2016.



PTCT closed Friday's trading at $11.30, up 88.33%.



Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE) has withdrawn its conditional Marketing Authorization Application from the European Medicines Agency for Aceneuramic Acid Prolonged Release for the treatment of adult patients with GNE Myopathy.



GNE Myopathy, also known as Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy, is a rare, severe, progressive, genetic neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to slowly waste away, leading to severe disability.



The decision to withdraw the application was based on the observation of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which pointed out that the Phase 2 study of Aceneuramic Acid Prolonged Release was encouraging but did not provide a sufficient amount of evidence to support an approval at this time.



Ultragenyx intends to obtain additional efficacy data from its fully-enrolled global phase 3 study to confirm the effects of Ace-ER, and plans to submit an MAA for full approval after data from this study are available in the second half of 2017.



RARE closed Friday's trading at $82.06, up 4.24%.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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DUBAI, UAE and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

37 Irish companies visiting KSA and the U.A.E.

Charlie Flanagan TD, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has arrived in the region to begin Enterprise Ireland's Trade Mission to the Middle East.

Minister Flanagan will travel to Riyadh (12 & 13 November), Abu Dhabi (14 November) and Dubai (15 November) to meet senior Government Ministers and to facilitate talks with a wide range of local businesses and participating Irish companies, as well as announcing a number of new contract wins and partnership agreements.

37 Irish companies are taking part in the trade mission, spanning a number of key sectors including education, healthcare, digital media, ICT and telecoms, financial services, aviation and agri-technology. The visit is organised by Enterprise Ireland Middle East, the regional arm of the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.

The visit comes as Ireland continues to strengthen industry links with the region. Exports of Enterprise Ireland backed companies to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states increased by 12% in 2015 to over 507m with further strong gains projected this year.

Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "I am delighted to be here with such a wide range of innovative Irish companies who are forging successful partnerships with prominent entities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Middle East is a very important region for us and there are significant opportunities for even more Irish companies to do business here in the future".

Mr. Joe Breslin, Regional Director, S. Europe, Middle East, Africa & India at Enterprise Ireland said: "We are very pleased with the progress so many leading Irish companies are making throughout the GCC. The region is full of opportunities and local businesses definitely recognise the value of Irish expertise and innovation across a wide range of sectors, resulting in an impressive number of fruitful partnerships. We expect to see more of these successful collaborations in the near future".

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the trade and technology agency of the Government of Ireland that links Irish enterprises and overseas partners to build mutually profitable international business. The agency has a national network of nine regional offices throughout Ireland and over 30 international locations, including offices in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

For the latest information on Enterprise Ireland MENA, follow us on Twitter @EI_Abudhabi, or connect with us on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Enterprise-Ireland-MENA-4188132)

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com


In Marsabit, Northern Kenya, a small aircraft flies over a bulging river snaking through a spectacular landscape of clumps of shrub like woody trees surrounded by volcanic hills on the horizon. Two young elephants stop briefly for a drink from a gurgling stream formed after the recent rains in this otherwise arid stony landscape. A year old elephant calf gambols between its mother's legs, ramming her playfully, while she feeds on freshly-sprouted grass. Soldiers protecting these elephants also see the funny side. But on another day they find a recently-killed bloating carcass of an old matriarch. She has toppled over on her right side. One leg is stretched out while another is slightly curled. Her hacked trunk smeared in blood is lying like a dead snake slightly away from her body. A swarm of flies is buzzing over the lifeless still body. The soldiers notice a hole pierced by a bullet that went straight to the elephants heart. It must have been a swift but a gruesome end to a magnificent animal. This is the fate that ruthless poachers want for elephants in Africa and Asia in their greed for ivory.

Adorable playfulness of young calves, touching family ties, and heart-wrenching scenes of brutally-killed elephants are part of the real-life espionage thriller, The Ivory Game, which premiered on 4 November on Netflix last week. The Ivory Game is an epic documentary that goes undercover into the dark and sinister underbelly of ivory trafficking. Award-winning director Richard Ladkani and Academy Award nominated Kief Davidson filmed undercover for 16 months in China and Africa with a crack team of intelligence operatives, undercover activists, passionate frontline rangers and battle-hardened conservationists, to infiltrate the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking.

The film has two narratives running parallel to each other. One tracks the poachers wreaking havoc in the bushes in Africa. The beautiful wild places turn to macabre killings and supply locales. The other investigates the glitzy shops, in China and Hong Kong, where beautifully-carved ivory pieces are displayed for astoundingly high prices that the rich buy to embellish their homes. This ravenous demand from the Eastern countries is driving the killings in Africa. The film also follows undercover investigators who risk their lives to capture, on hidden cameras, the incredible stockpiles of ivory stored as contraband in villages and godowns in and around Hanoi in Vietnam. These are the storage and transit spots that feed the shops displaying ivory as well as hubs of illegal trade in ivory.

The film opens with Elisifa Ngowi, who heads the Intelligence, National & Transnational Serious Crimes Investigation Unit in Tanzania, leading a police squad to raid a hideout used by a gang affiliated to Boniface Mariango, alias Shetani, The Devil. Shetani ran a network of around 15 syndicates engaged in killing elephants for ivory across Tanzania and parts of Kenya. In subsequent years, he spread his network as far as Zambia and Mozambique in Southern Africa. He is single-handedly believed to be responsible for killing over 10,000 elephants in the past decade, becoming the most notorious elephant killer in history of Tanzania.

In Ngowis raid that night, he finds a crudely made gun for killing elephants. The man caught has scrape marks on his shoulders from carrying heavy load of ivory (a big tusk can weigh around 15 kgs). Such scenes depict how deep rooted wildlife crime is. It also shows the ease with which people can be lured into killing animals for a quick buck, despite over 90 percent of profit being pawed by the trader.

The Ivory Game is an epic documentary that goes undercover into the dark and sinister underbelly of ivory trafficking

Craig Millar, Head of Security, and Richard Bonham, Director of Operations, Big Life Foundation are flying in a small plane over the Amboseli area in southern Kenya. This is a beautiful landscape of riverine swamps in middle of dry open scrub forest. From the plane, the two are tracking movements of an elephant herd headed for the maize fields belonging to a human settlement. Such areas form epicenters of human-elephant conflict as elephants are attracted to the agricultural fields for food and water. The farmers value their crop in an already unproductive landscape. Instances such as these lead humans to poison or kill elephants in retaliation. These can be initial steps in becoming an active poacher. Later that night, the herd end up in the farms with Craig and his team only just managing to pacify the antagonised villagers. He promises them to electrify the boundaries of the fields, keeping elephants out and humans in. The villagers buy his word this time but warned if he differs from his promise theyd have no hesitation in killing the elephants.

Most of the demand for ivory comes from China. The world thinks Chinese will kill, buy and eat anything that slithers, crawls and moves. An unlikely hero of this film is Hongxiang Huang, an investigative Chinese journalist, who is out to prove that the Chinese can also be the good guys in this fight against the ivory trade. Due to his nationality, none of the ivory traders suspect his intentions. Huang plays an important role in posing as a prospective buyer and enabling the police in apprehending traders in Kampala and later gathering crucial undercover information in Vietnam. Other seasoned investigators like Andrea Crosta of Wildleaks in their own investigations find top Chinese military and police officers closely involved in perpetuating illegal ivory trade in China and other Asian countries.

Towards the end of the film, Shetani and his affiliates had spread their nefarious network in Zambia around 2014. Until this time, Zambia hadnt seen the ill-effects of elephant poaching. Ngowi alerts his counterpart in Zambia, Georgina Kamanga, about Shetanis footsteps entering Zambia. With her own intelligence network, she raids a house in Lusaka. She catches ivory traders red handed with stock of tusks from which elephant blood has not even dried. Shetani is eventually caught by Ngowis team in Dar-es-Salam after being on the run for over three years.

In the past five years, nearly 1,50,000 elephants have been slaughtered for their tusks. Over 1,000 soldiers have lost their lives in protecting the elephants from the poachers. If this rate of killing continues, the world will lose African elephants in the next 15 years. The Ivory Game with its fantastic natural shots and real-life tradings of ivory hopes to spark an emotional outcry among opinion leaders, politicians and audiences around the world in saving an iconic species of the natural world.
The Ministry of Finance reviewed its position regarding the availability and distribution of all denominations of bank notes. According to a the ministry's press release, in the first four days after the surprise announcement was made to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, about Rs three lac crores were deposited in the banking system and Rs 50,000 crore were dispensed to customers, by either withdrawal from their accounts at banks or from automated teller machines (ATMs). The banking system has handled transactions worth Rs 21 crore.

The Reserve Bank of India and the finance ministry are coordinating with banks and post offices continuously in order to make notes of all denominations available at all locations. Banks have also been given special instructions to ensure that all denomination notes are distributed properly and to ensure the availability of small denomination notes. Chief secretaries of the states have been requested to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and Post Offices in order to ensure the last mile distribution of small denomination of notes is done through mobile banking vans and Banking Correspondents(BCs).

The issuance of the new Rs 500 notes has already commenced.

Complaint redressal

The ministry and RBI have taken cognisance of the matter that certain business houses like hospitals, caterers etc. are not accepting cheques or demand drafts and are requesting online payment transfer from customers. In such cases, customers should make complaints to the district magistrates/district administration who will take suitable action against the service providers.

Mobile banking vans

Government of Assam has arranged for Mobile Banking Vans with support of banks and state government staff at certain hospitals for carrying out emergency banking transactions. All banks have now been advised to arrange mobile banking vans to the extent possible at major hospitals to carry out emergency banking transaction for patients.

Senior citizens get separate queue

Banks are supposed to make separate queues for senior citizens and disabled persons. In addition to this, separate queues will also be arranged for exchange of cash to cash and transactions against bank accounts.

Increased limits on withdrawals

Business correspondents can now withdraw up to Rs 2,500. Now, you can exchange Rs 4,500 from the existing Rs 4,000 over the counter. At re-calibrated ATMS, you can withdraw up to Rs 2,500 per day. Weekly limit of Rs 20,000 has now been increased to Rs 2,4000. The limit of Rs 10,000 per day has also been removed.

More mobile wallets and debit/credit cards

Banks have been advised to increase the issuance and use of mobile wallets and debit/credit cards and to provide them to those customers and establishments not having access to these non-cash means of payment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop this emotional atyachar. The buck really stops here. All around there is pain, suffering and anarchy. He just has to see the obvious and take note. Empathise, help and act instead of making more promises and rolling out new threats.

All around there is anarchy. Life has come to a standstill. Bazaars are shut, malls vacant, roads empty, squares where unorganised labourers gather for their daily employment resemble Babylon. Every day, people get up in their ghost towns and, like zombies, pursue just one thing: some bank notes, their own hard-earned money, to run their daily lives. But there is none.

Banks have no money. ATMs have no currency notes. Their cassettes can't accommodate the new currency. Their staff can't service the eager mob. Everyone is a pauper, a mendicant seeking his own money as alms. And, while the common man suffers, gets beaten in queues for cash, inspectors unleash a raj of raid, fear and insecurity. Definitely not the time to warn of more hardships in December. Threaten to look into records right up to 1947. Thank you!

He need not cry for the sacrifices he has made for the country. We respect them. He needs to cry for the sacrifices India's masses are making every day because of the ill-planned scheme that has been unleashed.

He needs to listen to the battle cry on the streets. People are calling the state their enemy. This could turn out to be his Waterloo.

His threat of a new war in December is like the promise of another glorious war from the ramparts of Tokyo while the Battle of Stalingrad rages at home. People first need to come out alive of this mayhem. December is far away. It is, like the World War bridges of Arnhem, too far.

Yes, there was a need to go to war against black money. But, what was the tearing hurry to implement it without printing adequate currency notes, getting banks and ATMs ready? Without thinking through the pain and misery that would disrupt life?

He has rushed in where economists fear to tread. Without any plan. Without any strategy. Like an impatient general launching a strike without adequate ammo, without manpower, without supplies, without any regard to the foot soldiers of India and their lives. Just to create a big bang sound economics has been replaced with dramatics.

He demands more suffering and promises the India of dreams in return. Like Swachh Bharat? Like Smart Cities? Like the promise to tame Pakistan with surgical strikes? Like the promise of Rs 15 lakh in every account? Like Namami Gange? Like the new dawn in Kashmir?

Okay, let's go back into history, right down to Independence. Let us start with 2016. What did this government do about the Panama Paper leaks which named tax-evaders from India? How many of them were caught and penalised?

How much of the Rs 90 lakh crore money parked in illegal offshore accounts was identified and brought back to be distributed in every Indian account, Rs 15 lakh per head?

What is the status of the promises made in 2013-14?

Let's go farther back a bit. Now that every penny spent since 1947 would be accounted for, we should know how the BJP financed its poll campaign in 2014. Where did all that money come from? Throw open accounts of political parties since 1947 to public scrutiny. Let's see where the 3-D holograms, jets, rally funds came from. Let's see how the jumla parties in 2017 elections in UP and Bihar would be organised.

Let's start the cleaning where it should begin first: At home.

How does India become a sapnon ka Bharat (India of dreams) if every aam aadmi is forced to seek testimonials to honesty by queuing up at banks, lining up dry ATMs to get his white recycled through the government machine as white? If malls, shops are raided by hungry, when there is chaos, fear and dread of the unknown? When accumulated savings suddenly turn into illegal stash. Where everyone with cash in the pocket becomes restless, fearful and a potential target for your inspectors?

When the chants of har, har turn into the dirge of ha-ha kar?

We realise he is playing the old Ameer-Garib game. Like Manmohan Desai, he is writing a script where every aam aadmi thinks he is the baddie beating up the rich man with kaala dhan stashed in his mattress. And where they feel like the hero--Coolie, Mard Tangewala-- by making them believe their sacrifice is a part of the fight against the real thugs with money. And the aam aadmi is queuing up to buy the tickets.

We know he is trying to do an Indira Gandhi to India. Like her, he is trying to crack down on the new monarchy, abolishing their privy-purses, so to speak, to give the man on the street the feeling that guillotine of your monetary revolution is falling on the 'Monied Antoinettes' of the country. Apres moi, les deluge of money?

He promises there would now be no hoarding of cash since notes of higher denomination are out. Perhaps the new Rs 2000 notes would auto combust after a certain date.

He promises terror-financing would end. Perhaps wire transfers, hawala would go out of fashion.

He promises counterfeit currency would disappear from the market. Perhaps, the neighbours do not know the art of producing the new Rs 2000 notes.

As Faiz said, Hum Dekhenge! (We will see!)

We will see if prices come down, education and health care become more affordable and accessible to all as a right, if job opportunities rocket, the GDP zooms, bureaucracy gives up its principle that corruption is an inbuilt incentive for development.

For the moment, all we can see is the misery of people desperate for cash. The unorganised labour waiting for someone to hire them for the day. The small traders seeking cash to replenish stocks. The housewives waiting for new notes to pay for vegetables, milk and other household essentials. That old woman with fears of her Rs 15000 she had stashed in her flour basket for the rainy day becoming kaala dhan.

Ask the machinery to run faster, infuse more cash, end the humiliation of people being caned for withdrawing money from their own accounts.

Ab ki baar no emotional atyachar!
Indian banks are supposed to have already received 2 trillion rupees of cash post the governments 8 November surgical strike on high-denomination banknotes to turn the economy squeaky clean.

The State Bank of India alone, the countrys largest bank accounting for 20-25 percent of the nations banking system along with its associates, got deposits worth 478.68 billion rupees, or so the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley proudly informed the press on Saturday.

The sudden move to demonetise was doing what it was meant to and had already begun to bear fruit. India, it was implied, was well on its way to being cleansed and purified.

But I, a senior citizen, who have spent what I had thought was a blameless life, working only in jobs where tax was deducted at source, opting to forego holidays rather than buy train tickets on the black, forswearing first day first shows rather than enrich scalpers, is feeling soiled and besmirched.

Because an infinitesimal portion of those supposedly ebony-hued trillions waiting for a gigantic bonfire to be lit by the prime minister on some auspicious day, belonged to me. Money earned through sincere labour if not very hard labour (journalism does not demand much sweat of ones brow, not in the way it is practised in brightly lit, air conditioned offices).

Money that employers had deposited straight into my account and were withdrawn by me as and when and kept in the Godrej almirah in the bedroom because I have an even more elderly mother at home and medical emergencies can come unannounced at unearthly hours and Kolkatas declining fortunes have driven most family members to greener pastures far away.

Yes, I do have credit cards and debit cards and cheque books (more than one of each in fact), but experience, bitter experience, has taught me not to rely wholly on the digital way of life in India. So, a stash of money for emergencies had seemed like a wise and practical thing to do.

But come 8 November and I found myself the mortified possessor of what in sarkari parlance was deemed black money. Overnight, I was no different from those fatcats and filmstars and pols we had looked down upon as corrupt and hence reprehensible.

True, my crisis cache was well below the small amounts the finance minister promised would be beneath the taxmens contempt but still, it did open one up to the prospect of unwelcome brushes with the authorities to explain away the unaccounted money.

With one audacious and visionary announcement (going by bhaktspeak), Narendra Modi had turned me into a criminal or at least made me feel like one. And even if I knew I wasnt one and the government would not find me to be one, I was furious to be made to feel like one even for a split second.

Yes, the prime minister and his team have reassured me that the innocents would not be penalised but why should I even have to prove my innocence to anyone? And would they be convinced? How does one do that? Would I have to provide documents? What documents? Not the most organised of persons, Ive never bothered to save any for such an eventuality.

Those five hundred and thousand rupee notes seemed to acquire a life of their own, wriggling and writhing in my cupboard like some revolting insects. I couldnt wait to get rid of them, put them into the bank asap and cleanse my home of such polluting, tainted stuff.

I couldnt bring myself to wait longer, to heed the finance ministers voice of sweet reason advising us not to flock the banks rightaway but stagger it over the 50-day window provided by the government for the purpose. Instead, I gamely queued up at my bank branch even though I could see the queue had snaked out of the premises and was winding down an adjacent lane.

The guard at the door took pity on my grey hair and asked me if I was a customer. On being told yes, I am, he opened the door a fraction and allowed me to slip inside. Indoors, it was all calm and orderly with a separate queue for priority customers of which I happened to be one.

And, wonder of wonders, there were only a handful of people in that queue. The fortunate are always few. The milling crowds were in the two other queues made up of the banks non-priority customers or non-customers.

My business was quickly done, I felt lighter, ready again to hold my head high (though a niggling fear remained about unspecified future consequences). But as I walked past the anxious, tired faces of the unfortunate many I felt guilty again, at how easy it all was for me. Even though these men and women, waiting patiently for their turn, did not look enviously at me but were, as always, resigned to their lot in life.

The bhakts blessed with the ability to see the bigger picture may ridicule us (e.g. onrush of concern among the chattering classes for their maids and maalis, in the words of one such in todays Times of India) but they still havent explained why men with such foresight couldnt have managed things better. For us and them.
I have no objections at all of the demonetisation of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and the government has its reasons as explained by the Prime Minister and later on daily basis, by you. The PM does not have to be in India to manage the aftermath, as carping critics have demanded, because he has other things to do  the nuclear deal with Japan, for instance.

He has left you to deal with the matter, which is appropriate, you being the finance minister. However, things are not working as they ought to have, for the 'disruption' has turned into a chaos, and a new development on the political firmament which says much of what was intended may come to a naught. Politicians have found a way to keep unaccounted wealth in circulation among themselves.

That is by distribution of gold, not money in bags as in the past to buy votes, and this should raise the doubts, serious doubts among the patient but suffering citizens. To what purpose, asked a friend in an early morning call, "this charade" of demonetisation? He has a point, though targeting black money is not the only purpose. Greed will ensure the system to find ways to beat the current operation.

I'd like to believe that Narendra Modis promise in Japan, speaking to Indian audience that there could be fresh moves to deal with black money, materialises quickly enough to ensure that a new cycle of black money generation and management does not start. It is critical that it happened, because otherwise the common man is bound to believe that the current operation was a jugaad that was a jumla.

Now, about the manner in which the demonetised notes are being dealt with by the banking system. To say the least, it is a scandal and the patience of the citizens who said it was a good thing on Day 1 while in queues in banks may be wearing thin. If it has not already, that is. The problem lies in the logistics, admittedly gigantic, though the numbers you announce or are announced on your behalf seem, only seem, to sound good.

Seven crore transactions from 9 November to midday of 12 November, amounting to Rs 2,00,000 crore is fine, but it is only a tiny part of what remains to be done  upwards of 80 percent of currency in circulation or held hidden without taxes paid on it. But the logistics have not been handled well at all and this is where the ire pops up and threatens to snowball. Whoever planned the logistics needs to have his head examined, or far worse.

It cannot be that only or mostly Rs 2,000 notes are handed over in exchange or mostly in that denomination when withdrawn by cheque because it remains a dud in a market where lower denominations are far from enough. Those who hold such new notes would be like Henry Adams, the hero in Mark Twains The Million Pound Bank Note. Because he had the currency note of that denomination in Victorian London, people respected him, and allowed consumption on credit.

That is not happening. A ration shop was looted in a village because the people had not useable cash to purchase with. Even at chemists, one is asked to but other items  hair shampoo and such like  because the Rs 1,000 note was too high a denomination and so was the Rs 500. He had no change, so would the buyer please lengthen the list of items? How utterly helpful to ask them to accept demonetised note, and how utterly ill-advised to ensure there were no lower value currency around.

Those who have the 100s and the 50s are hoarding it for 'appropriate use', much like the venal hoarded the now-demonetised currency. Most of commerce is at low volumes. My vegetable vendor tells me that he has no cash to pay the wholesaler who has to pay the farmer in cash and therefore, unable to get his requirement for his retail shop. Credit and debit cards are being used, but some retailers are adding 4 percent to the bill before swiping the card.

It cannot be that only or mostly Rs 2,000 notes are handed over in exchange or mostly in that denomination when withdrawn by cheque because it remains a dud in a market where lower denominations are far from enough

How could it be that you initiate a complex process without proper preparation? On Saturday, it was said that, "such a massive currency replacement cannot take place mechanically overnight. It takes time". But it cannot be a long process, which has enabled, so try and game the system. One  jewellers sold gold at premium prices and collected old currency at a discount, two  agents popped up, according to media reports, to use Jan Dhan bank accounts.

Yes, overnight replacement is unlikely, but why is it that it was not planned that all ATMs are fit to deliver Rs 100 currency notes? Of course, two lakh machines require time to be recalibrated. But the Reserve Bank of India was in the loop and it had months ago asked banks to bring into play more of smaller denomination notes, but apparently, that did not happen. Couldnt that have been ensured? If RBI had insisted on the fiat being respected, it would not have meant indicating a demonetisation ahead.

Those who told you and the PM that such a huge demonetisation operation could be carried out with just half the number of functional ATMs are the culprits. You with an incisive mind and a no-nonsense prime minister thought it was possible is a matter of surprise. The time lag in completing the replacement of invalidated currency gives the mischievous the opportunity to plan ways to beat your purpose. First, it was booking railway tickets, to later seek refunds, remember?

When utterly cashless, and being turned away from banks, become routine, the spirit of accommodation will wane, as it already is evident. The citizen may, like the worm, decide to turn. It cannot be that a bank in Connaught Circle runs out of cash and a post office virtually next door is without any new currency to dispense. Or only half the ATMs function, when all ATMs have to function at all times  no working hours for them even in normal times.
Amid rising anger among people across India over exchanging the scrapped currency, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday regretted hardships caused due to withdrawal of high denomination notes but advised the public to be patient as the move will have larger benefits for the economy in long term.

He said it may take up to 3 weeks for all the 2 lakh cash vending ATMs to operate normally as each one has to be calibrated individually to dispense new sized notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 besides lower denomination currency of Rs 100.

Assuring that RBI and banks have stacked up enough currency to replace the Rs 14 lakh crore worth of Rs 1,000/500 notes that have been declared invalid, he said the government is constantly monitoring the situation as it is a "massive operation".

As banks have been asked to remain open this weekend to cope with the rush, the Finance Ministry held a video- conference call with top Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials to assess the emerging situation and coordinate currency distribution across the country.

At a hurriedly called press conference, Jaitley urged people not to flock the banks to exchange the now-defunct banknotes, asking them to stagger it over the 50-day window provided by the government for the purpose.

The briefing, second in three days, was called after anger and chaos over never-ending queues were witnessed at banks that struggled to exchange old notes and give out newer INR 2000 notes and smaller denomination currency.

Hardly 40 percent of the ATMs were operating in the country and they too ran out of cash within hours. The new INR 500 note was available only in Delhi and Mumbai and RBI has already started releasing soiled Rs 100 notes to cope with the demand.

"ATMs could not have been calibrated (before the announcement) because of secrecy issue. Thousands of people are involved in recalibration exercise (and) secrecy could not have been maintained. Recalibration takes at least 2-3 weeks," he said.

Terming demonetisation as a massive operation, he said there will be inconvenience in the first few days "but the long term advantages of this are to the overall economy".

"It is a regret that people are being inconvenienced.

Because a replacement of this magnitude will cause inconvenience as you have to go to the bank, you have to stand in a queue," he said.

In the short run, he said, some "obvious" disruption will be caused in the short term.

"But once the money is available both in the system and more so in the banking system, the advantages of that to the economy and businesses will be far more. The capacity of the banks with all this additional capital to lend and support businesses is going to be far higher.

"And therefore medium term and long term advantages to the economy as against this temporary inconvenience or disruption, are far too many," he said.
After a surprise announcement by prime minister Narendra Modi on 8 November to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy made his unhappiness with the government very clear. He told South China Morning Post that the confusion over currency and chaos at banks at automated teller machines (ATMs) and banks was because of poor planning and execution on the government's side.

CNN News18 reported that Swamy said that while excuses can be made for ministries not being in the loop, it was inexcusable that they did not have a contingency plan. "Ad hoc roadside kiosks should have been set up for all and special kiosks organised for senior citizens. All these should have been planned as part of a contingency plan, Swamy was quoted as saying, by the CNN News18, in Hong Kong. Swamy was present there to give a talk about the anti-corruption efforts that India is currently engaged in.

Banks have struggled to dispense cash following the government's decision to withdraw large denomination notes in an attempt to uncover billions of dollars in undeclared wealth. Tempers frayed as hundreds of thousands of people queued for hours outside banks for a fourth day to swap 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes after the notes were abolished earlier in the week. The banned bills made up more than 80 percent of the currency in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt.

"There are around 125,000 branches of public, private, regional and rural banks across India and 20 RBI regional offices from where currency chests are dispatched to all these locations. But that is not happening quickly enough although RBI has received full currency stocks from the printing presses," said All India Bank Employees Association vice president Vishwas Utagi. The situation was worse in small towns and far-flung rural areas where there were few bank branches and very limited ATMs and people were unable to exchange old notes or carry out banking transactions, he said. In Patna, a group of angry people broke the locked gates of a bank and forcibly entered it in Bihar's Gopalganj district after being told there was no cash, police said.

Amid this on-going unrest around ATMs and banks, on Saturday, finance minister Arun Jaitley said that though people will face an inconvenience in the beginning, the long terms benefits are much larger. He also said that it would take ATMs two or three weeks to function properly as they have to be recaliberated to dispense the new currency. This statement has not sunk well with people as it will delay getting liquid cash. Jaitley said that it would take an estimate of 21 days in order to recalibarate all the 2 lakh ATMs in the country.

Modi on Sunday sought 50 days to tide over the nationwide cash crisis. Addressing a public rally in Goa, Modi made an impassioned plea to citizens to give him until December 30 to weed out the ill-gotten wealth in India. "I know what kind of powers I have taken on. I know the kind of people who will be against me now. I am looting what they had accumulated over 70 years," Modi said at an indoor stadium in Bambolim village near Panaji.

"They will not leave me alive. They will destroy me. Let them do what they want. (For) 50 days, help me. The country should just help me for 50 days.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested Modi to roll back the scheme and first jail those with illegal Swiss bank accounts. The Aam Aadmi Party leader warned that if the massive cash crunch continued, it could lead to law and order problems that could spiral out of control. He took on Modi for demanding 50 more days to streamline the system. "Does this mean that the markets will remain closed for the next 50 days? How can farmers survive? Will people keep standing in queues for 50 days? He is only giving an emotional speech."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been very critical of the demonetisation, called for an opposition front against Modi and even telephoned CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury. She said she and other political leaders would meet President Pranab Mukherjee over the issue this week.

With inputs from agencies
Reserve Bank of India has put up the designs of the new 500 and 2000 notes on its website. They confirm what many feared  that this design overhaul will be used to push certain iconographies that suit the incumbent BJP government. The difference between the old design and the new seem to be centered on three things: Hindi, Delhi and Narendra Modi.

The new currency notes introduce numerals in Devanagri script, the present script of Hindi. This was not the case in earlier version of the currency notes. Is it the case that the government thinks that only Hindi people should be able to read the numerals in a script they are familiar with while the rest of us, the non-Hindi majority, would not need to read numerals in our languages? Was there any complaint from any quarter than the stand-alone Arabic (or Hindu-Arabic as it is sometimes called) numerals in English script were not being able to do the job? Why was there no Hindi-Devanagri numeral before this? May be because it is actually unconstitutional and in contravention of a Presidential order. Article 343 of the Constitution of the Indian union states in no uncertain terms that, [t]he form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the union shall be the international form of Indian numerals. The only modification to this comes in the form of the 1960 Presidential order, which allows for the use of Devanagari numerals, in addition to the international numerals, in the Hindi publications of the Central Ministries depending upon the public intended to be addressed and the subject-matter of the publication. For scientific, technical and statistical publications the international numerals should be adopted uniformly in all publications.

The present Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India should explain how all-India currency bank-notes fall within the category of Hindi publications of the Central Ministries and how does the choice of Devanagari satisfy the clause of depending upon the public intended to be addressed. Does the Government of India, and RBI exist to serve only Hindi speakers? They might believe so. But non-Hindi linguistic groups are bound to Hindi people and to each other, only by the compact of the constitution and not by the Hindi imperialist whims or ideologies of the union government and its agencies. Policies that make a majority of the population feel like second-class citizens in their own homeland have typically had very bitter outcomes. The example of Pakistans imposition of Urdu vis-a-vis the marginalisation of Bangla is close at hand. If the government actually cared about the numerical readability of the numbers, they could have opted for the Euro model.

A proportion of the currency notes could have had numerals in Devanagari, a proportion could have had Bangla, a proportion could have had Tamil and so on, based on population proportion of citizens using those languages. This is the model of the Euro, where it is a single currency, but there are specific variants to accommodate the diverse stake-holders. But doing that or even the present usage of Devanagari would need a constitutional amendment. The BJP, in its efforts to impose Hindi, is reopening the wounds of 1965 anti-Hindi imposition struggles that have not been forgotten by non-Hindi peoples. In this regard, the British had done a much better job, where numerals all many South Asian languages were given equal footing in font size, vis-a-vis English. Thus English, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, etc all had same font size numerals on bank notes as evidenced in the 10-rupee currency note of 1910.

The new notes also have the new Indian currency sign. That sign, derived from the R letter in Devanagari, was not chosen with the consent of the people. In my language Bangla and also in Assamese, the word for the currency unit is Taka or Toka. That starts with T. How can then the R sound be a general stand-in for all of us? And how did this get into the new currency note? How would have R people felt if a symbol for T sound were used instead? How is the sound of the currency name for Hindi people more important than the sound for Bengali or Assamese people? One might argue that it is called Rupees in English and that has R. That too is without consent of non-Hindi people and is a term handed down by the British. In Bengal, almost everyone grows up calling their currency as Taka, same as what they call it in Bangladesh.

Such words are not categories of nationalism but words of everyday use. By downplaying them, a whole people are classified as second class. While English is a foreign language for all, Hindi is also a foreign language for all non-Hindi people. The historic judgement of the Gujarat High Court in this regard must be remembered which stated that Hindi was a foreign language vis-a-vis the state of Gujarat. While Hindi and English are both foreign to all non-Hindi people, Hindi is foreign only to non-Hindi people but to Hindi people, it is their own. In a diverse, federal Union of States, like the Indian Union, the legendary Tamil Nadu leader and Chief Minister had laid down a principle that every citizen must share advantages and disadvantages equally. The usage of Hindi/Devanagari violates this fundamental principle of peaceful coexistence and cooperation as it is not equidistant from all stake-holders and give undue advantage to those for whom this is the mother-tongue and standard script. English provides that equal distance. The Indian union itself is the product of coordination and cross-linking of disparate ethno-linguistic nationalities mediated by English knowing elites of their respective groups. Most trans-linguistic discussions on political issues in the Indian union happen in English.

Thirdly, the actual proportion of area or real-estate on the currency note that is given to Devanagari vis-a-vis other language scripts has gone up. This is a very serious affair. The relative space and size of Devanagari-Hindi things vis-a-vis our non-Hindi mother tongues reflects exactly what New Delhi thinks of the rest of us vis-a-vis Hindi. And there is a temporal pattern to it that has gone from equality to inequality. About 100 years ago, when the British ruled South Asia from their capital in New Delhi, they introduced the one-rupee currency note in 1917.

It is quite unfortunate that British colonisers treated our languages at a more equal footing than those they transferred power to  this is true for the post colonial fragments that came to be known as India and Pakistan. If after 1947, the absence of a British referee becomes a reason for Hindi to be imposed by brute force of union government majority, nothing can be a greater betrayal to the anti-colonial ideals of the freedom struggle of which resistance to forcibly imposed culture was an important component. This marginalisation of non-Hindi languages has continued unabashed. The equal proportion to all South Asian languages in the 1917 bank note as well as the 1940 bank note was replaced by a currency series that continued for the longest time after the 1947 transfer of power that privileged Hindi over everything else. 1947 sadly marks the watershed year for the loss of status for non-Hindi languages. In all the subsequent currency notes of the RBI, the proportion of space given to non-Hindi languages has shrunk progressively. This is not by accident and is my conscious policy of Hindi imposition that is evident in all actions of the union government and its agencies, since 1947. The pace of that has visibly quickened with a militant edge under the present BJP regime in New Delhi.

Thus, in RBI issued currency notes, Hindi-Devanagari words are big and are supposed to carry information. Non-Hindi language scripts are progressively smaller and are basically decoration with no practical use except for non-Hindi citizens to console themselves that diversity is alive, though certainly not kicking. The Indian union might want to take lessons from Singapore where the Chinese ethnicitys (at 75 percent of the population) Chinese characters and less than 10 percent Tamil ethnicitys (at less than 10 percent of the population) Tamil characters find equal font size and space on the Singapore Dollar. Hindi speakers in the Indian union form a minority of the Indian union population. Hindi mother tongue people form about 25 percent of the Indian population - that number too is arrived at after counting various linguistically non-Hindi languages as Hindi, because New Delhi orders so according to its political agenda.

Fourthly, the new currency notes do not have all the scripts of all the languages recognised in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution. Santhali is an example of an VIII Schedule language with its own Olchiki script that remains unrepresented in the currency note. Sanskrit with less than 20000 self-reported speakers is represented while Santhali with nearly 70 lakh speakers is not. The same goes for Meiteilon (Manipuri), which is an VIII Schedule language with its own script. The new currency note was an opportunity to include Santhali and Meiteilon but clearly Hindi and its expansion is the only driving force in the linguistic changes. People should know that the Indian union government considers languages to be a security issue! Which is why language groups and their scripts have to have their official stamp of recognition and approval from the Union Home Ministry.

This apparently innocuous fact shows how the Union Home Ministry views the linguistic diversity of the Indian  as a security issue where it dictates rules. Deep down, it views diversity as a threat to the idea of India, in spite of its public posturing of unity in diversity. As we speak, the union government is forcing small linguistic groups to adopt Devanagari as their official script and withholding recognition if they dont agree. Thus, we find the absurd situation where speakers of Bodo, whose territorial homelands are not connected to any Hindi region, have been forced to adopt Devanagari. Thus, Hindi majority bureaucrats in the union government are killing the autonomous choice of a linguistic group in deciding their own future. And the government is shameless enough to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

The old currency notes tried to avoid location-based political symbolism except for the Parliament House in the denomination of 50 that arguably is for all. However, the Red Fort of Delhi in the new 500 denomination touches a raw nerve for many. The Red Fort was the political headquarters of the Mughal Empire for a long time. Indian union came into existence in 1947. It is not a successor state to the Mughal Empire. The Red Fort is a sign of pre-British Delhi-based imperialism, signifying the power of imperial invaders who attacked the countries of Bengalis, Marathis, Axomiya, Odiyas and many others. Our ancestors resisted such invasions but Delhi won by brute power. Imperial Delhi ruled by posting mostly Hindi/Urdu speaking military people in our homelands. Delusions of civilisational continuity premised on imperial occupation do not help cooperation, slogans of cooperative federalism notwithstanding. What does the Government of the Indian Union want to remind the people who were conquered and defeated by the forces headquartered in the Red Fort by putting this picture on the bank note?

The use of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India expedition) logo accompanied byits Hindi slogan in Devanagari script crosses all limits of propriety. Never before has a government put one of its own schemes on something as non-partisan and common as a currency note. This mischief would basically result in an advertisement of the present government for all times to come, till these currency notes are withdrawn. This is certainly not illegal but not all shameless things arent illegal. This starts a very unhealthy precedent. Now, nothing stops any later day union government to use currency notes as their pet scheme advertising billboards. The abuse started earlier during the Congress regime with the use of the face of MK Gandhi, who was associated with a particular party that is still in business and were opposed by other parties who are also still in business.

Narendra Modi announced the new currency notes after the 500-1000 demonetisation announcement. His address was in Hindi, without any subtitles and then in English, with Hindi subtitles. So, the union government does care whether Hindi speakers comprehend the English speech but doesnt care whether the majority of the citizens, that is, non-Hindi-English speakers understand anything at all. This imperial attitude, that treats a majority of the citizens as second class, was furthered by all PSU (that is New Delhi controlled) banks that mostly did not care to print any information for the public in their mother tongues. Last heard, the new currency notes do not match the structural specifications of the ATM machines all over. Since the top-down imposition of currency notes by New Delhi is sacred, all the ATM machines have to be structurally changed to match and fit what New Delhi has produced. New Delhi wont change what it produces to match what already pre-exists all over. And that is a good analogy of how New Delhi frames its policies in all matters regarding non-Hindi people, currency notes included.
Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) brought out amruta, the elixir of life. Narendra Modi's quest is no less ambitious. He expects the manthan of India's financial system to throw up black money. He perhaps forgot that the road to hell is always paved with good intentions. Modi's attempt to become India's Lee Kuan Yew may have landed India's cash-based economy in a crisis so intensely traumatic that at this stage, nobody has the stomach or forbearance for a rational discussion on long-term benefits.

It hasn't taken long for the initial euphoria to die down in favour of impatience and panic. When ATM doors are locked and banks become a war zone, no amount of sage advice from the government serves any purpose.

The harrowing faces of helpless citizens queuing up for hours, only to be denied, countless tales of the economically-disempowered working sections of the society (plumbers, maids, drivers, masons) offering a line of credit to their affluent clients, many anecdotes of the sick and infirm being turned away from hospitals, people collapsing due to exhaustion amid naked fear-mongering by opportunistic political leaders paint a picture of anarchy. This might be a mess too big for even Modi to tackle, who still enjoys a formidable political capital.

The goodwill is fast evaporating as people's anger grows due to a broken system and the administration's apparent inability to preempt the magnitude of the problem despite  as finance minister Arun Jaitley put it on Saturday  the government factoring in inconvenience during assessment.

The problem stems from the fact that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes formed a significant part of India's cash economy. A Business Standard report, quoting RBI data, pointed out that the proportion of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were 86.4 percent of total value of notes in circulation on 31 March, 2016, amounting to Rs 14 trillion. According to the report, the growth rates in these notes were 76 percent and 109 percent, respectively, in the last five years versus overall currency in circulation going up by 40 per cent.

If higher denomination notes formed nearly 87 percent of India's currency value (10.4 percent of the economy), it indicates a very high degree of liquidity. That would also justify Modi's idea of performing a surgical strike on the higher value banknotes. Where, then, did the government go so wrong?

Not for the first time has the NDA government fallen prey to its habit of getting its communication strategy wrong while implementing a good idea. Economists have largely welcomed the move with some forecasting a greater collection of taxes that may go a long way towards bridging the fiscal deficit, while some reckon that the parallel economy will take a crippling hit. But before we come to that eventuality, there is a small matter of managing the needs of our daily existence. People have shown enough fortitude and patience and have so far been largely supportive of the government's chemotherapy, but patience is a fickle virtue.

With the ATMs still dry due to a recalibration error, the entire banking sector came dangerously close to imploding on Saturday, with skirmishes being reported from several areas of the country.

In Kolkata, for instance, employees of a nationalised bank on Saturday found it difficult to turn on their automated systems which remained in weekend shutdown mode. By the time the systems got going, an impatient crowd had downed the shutters, forcing police to rush to the spot. It is inexplicable while these technicalities were kept outside the ambit of assessment.

Frustration levels soared due to unavailability of cash in ATMs which were supposed to be functional by Saturday. It later emerged that the machines had to be individually recalibrated by engineers to dispense the new notes which are different in dimension.

Amid widespread discontent about why such a move was kept till the last minute, FM Jaitley offered an explanation.

"The recalibration could not be done before the announcement, in view of the secrecy that was required till the Cabinet decision was made. If we had started the process of recalibration before, we would have risked a leak of the information, which would have rendered the whole exercise pointless," said Jaitley at a news conference on Saturday. He added that it would take at least two to three weeks for the machines to start running.

The already creaking banking system may not survive till ATMs are restored to full health. We might be staring at a disaster.
Given the weight of expectations over the civil nuclear agreement between India and Japan, it is but natural that signing of it would dominate the headlines. Yet, lopsided focus on the much-anticipated deal may undermine the depth and gamut of Indo-Japan strategic embrace that we got to witness as Narendra Modi schmoozed with Shinzo Abe in Tokyo during the annual bilateral summit.

The kumbaya on display wasn't superficial. Ever since Modi stepped onto Japanese soil in 2014 and caught Abe in a warm embrace, Indo-Japan relationship has become stronger in scope and wider in mutual interest. The atmospherics around Modi's visit this year, coupled with the revised global order following Donald Trump's rise in the US have clearly put the partnership on steroids. There has never been a shortage of mutual admiration between the two leaders, but both now evidently realise that the time is ripe to take the alliance beyond the borders of shared interest and strike a greater geostrategic understanding.

It is largely due to this compulsion that the civil nuclear agreement finally saw the light of day after breaking a six-year-old shackle of hesitancy, which Japan as the sole victim of nuclear weapons had to get over after working through a minefield of domestic ethical boundaries in inking such a deal with a non-NPT signatory country in India.

But it still happened, and came about at an opportune moment for India, which now has the ability to exploit the success of this deal and enjoy a greater moral authority in calling for a berth in the exclusive NSG club, members of which are shortly going to ponder over India's inclusion during a meeting in Vienna. Japan backed India's candidacy and ensured that four stages of the entire deal was squeezed into a single agreement unlike with the US where signing of the 123 agreement in 2007 was followed by NSG clearance in 2008, reprocessing in 2010, and inking of the administrative arrangements in 2015.

This deal will also make it more difficult for China to keep India out of the NSG club because terms of the civil nuclear deal with Japan, de facto brings India within the NPT framework. The "termination and cessation clause" built within the agreement permits signatories to stop nuclear cooperation in case India conducts nuclear tests and hence the need for NPT is much reduced.

Foreign policy isn't built on the bedrock of friendship but shared mutual interests. If Abe walked an extra mile to ensure signing of the agreement, it may have something to do with the decreased domestic demand, since the 2011 Fukushima disaster that is forcing Japan's nuclear industry to increasingly look for markets abroad. Close on the heels of Vietnam scuppering a deal, the agreement with India gives Prime Minister Abe the necessary breathing space.

It is this dovetailing of interest that came through as India and Japan jotted nine other agreements and then in the joint declaration, proceeded to address the $10 trillion gorilla in the room  China.

Right from the moment that Modi set about in his journey, the dragon's shadow loomed large. China's nervousness about a greater Indo-Japanese synergy has remained latent, but this time the gloves were off as its state-controlled media came out with a scathing series of editorials, nakedly warning India against toeing Japan's line on South China Sea and issuing an open threat that were such a thing to happen, New Delhi will stand to greatly lose by way of trade and commercial relations.

In the intriguing world of foreign policy, such naked threats are more a signal of nervousness than strength. India and Japan both understand this, and therefore Modi and Abe's joint statement pressed down hard on Beijing's South China Sea wound, making no bones about the fact any maritime or territorial disputes must be solved without the "use of force" and in accord with UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for free and fair navigation and commerce.

Ever since Modi stepped onto Japanese soil in 2014 and caught Abe in a warm embrace, Indo-Japan relationship has become stronger in scope and wider in mutual interest

India and Japan, read the statement, "urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions Regarding the South China Sea, the two prime ministers stressed the importance of resolving the disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS."

For a country that regularly provokes Japan over the Senkaku islets and claims almost whole of South China Sea through a self-styled "nine-dash line" in flagrant violation of the Hague tribunal ruling, China would quite possibly be furious with India's stand. So far, Modi has shown himself to be insular to threats and his 'look East policy' is a barely concealed effort to balance China's many machinations.

Similarly, the confrontational stance taken by both India and Japan vis-a-vis Beijing is the greatest indication that both countries now want to extend their partnership between the booming trade and share economic interests into a greater geostrategic alliance. China is aware of such a curve in India and Japan's trajectory. A recent editorial in China's state-controlled Global Times elaborates on a "strategic diamond" that Japan is trying to engineer along with India, Australia and the US.

"For Japan and India, technological cooperation will enhance their cooperation in security, a critical way for Japan to contain China's growing strength. At the beginning of his term, Abe envisaged a strategic diamond involving the US, Japan, Australia and India, and attempted to draw India over to his side so as to encircle China. In the second half of the year, he invited the top leaders of a number of countries to visit Japan, many of them China's neighbors. India is relatively powerful, and is of vital importance to Abe's strategic diamond. Therefore, Japan has made particular efforts to enhance its diplomatic ties with India.

One crucial arm of this "strategic diamond", US, may fall off the radar with conjecture gaining ground that Trump might make America look a lot more inwards and reduce its strategic footprint in Asia. If that happens, Asia's fate will depend on how quickly and effectively India and Japan balance out China's assertive territorial and geopolitical ambitions. Modi and Abe have shown a good understanding of this changed reality.
There are over 200 trains going from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The first one leaves just after midnight and the last one leaves just before. So there are trains going through the day to cover the 524 km distance.

There is an airport in Ahmedabad from where there are about 10 daily flights to Mumbai. Ahmedabad and Mumbai are part of the Golden Quadrilateral highway network with six lane expressways on which travel by road is as fast as travel by train. It is possibly the best connected route in India.

I am writing this because prime minister Narendra Modi is in Japan, where he finalised a deal for a bullet train with Japanese leader Shinzo Abe. The train will run from Ahmedabad to Mumbai and design work will begin in a few days.

The project will cost around Rs 1 lakh crore. The cost is officially said to be Rs 97,636 crore, but reports said a Rs 10,000 crore additional cost may be incurred.

To put the figure in perspective, we should know that it is three times the size of India's health budget. India is a country where 38 percent of all children are malnourished and stunted at the age of two. This means they will have less physical and intellectual capacity than healthy children and they will never be able to lead a fulfilling life. The bullet train will cost more than we spend annually on the education budget of India. Again, we have some of the lowest literacy rates in the world. And we have a very poor quality of literacy, about which I have written before.

The other aspect is that even within the transport industry, our investment does not seem to be made with any sort of attention to the poor and those most in need. In 2005, the BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh shut down the state transport bus system. The reason was that the buses did not make a profit  but how are the poor expected to travel? Of course this profitability is not expected of the bullet train and other projects because, like the giant statues of Vallabhbhai Patel and Chhatrapati Shivaji coming up in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, these are projects that will add to national pride.

One justification for the bullet train is that it will also service two other Gujarati cities on the route  Vadodara, which is 110 km from Ahmedabad and Surat, which is another 120 km down the road. Vadodara also has many flights to Mumbai. I used to regularly visit my parents in Surat because there was a single flight from Bangalore, but now I cannot because there is no flight. On 6 November, 2014, a SpiceJet Boeing had an accident at Surat airport. A report said the plane "hit a buffalo that had strayed on to the runway because of a hole in the airports boundary wall. The engine of the Boeing 737 aircraft was severely damaged by the hit and the plane stopped. The buffalo was killed".

The report added that the "civil aviation ministry has ordered two inquiries, by the director general of civil aviation and the Airports Authority of India. A perimeter security review of airports across the country has been ordered" and "minister Ashok Gajapati Raju held a 2-hour meeting this morning and ordered, sources say, that all airports should be secured by a concrete boundary, not fencing or brick walls".

The government seems to be keen on spending money for the transport of the rich, on the assumption that this will grow the economy and ultimately benefit the nation. If so, it will help to have a functional and safe airport in Surat that connects it to the rest of the world, rather than a bullet train taking one only to and from Mumbai.

This buffalo episode highlights the inability of India to secure and sanitise spaces. That additional cost of Rs 10,000 crore referred to earlier is for an elevated corridor, meaning the bullet train will run high above the chaos of India. It will be a vanity project, sucking money that could be used for health and education. And of absolutely no use to the vast majority of Indians. It will be of no particular use even to those living in and between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, already the best connected part of India.
Those who think that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would falter big time on demonetisation may rue their political assessment sooner than later.

There is no doubt that Modis profound understanding of Indian social psychology certainly entails risks. It can either go horribly wrong or succeed like never before. And there are all indications that he has been striking the right chord.

His tearful expression of emotions at Goa, after successfully concluding the nuclear deal with Japan was clearly calculated to take the battle several notches up by making it look like a crusade against corruption. He articulated his selflessness by saying that he was not born only "to be the prime minister". Of course, his well-crafted exposition in Goa with a deft mix of theatrics projected Modi as a leader with messianic zeal.

An astute leader that he is, Modi while his three-day sojourn in Japan, where he flew to a day after announcing the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, had kept his ear to the ground in India. He was aware of the attempts by his political rivals to fuel social resentment to build a movement against his move. Falsehood and half-truths were paraded through social media as calculated gambit to stoke social unrest at large scale.

Herein lies Modis political genius that has often seen him through many such fiercely-fought battles. Ever since he declared his scheme, Modi was unambiguous in his assertion that his move would cause discomfiture to the common man. But he appealed to the collective goodness of the society to put up with this discomfort for a large social and national cause. In a clever move, he framed the demonetisation issue in a binary: a battle between the honest and the dishonest.

Apparently, Modis moves are calculated to rope in the common man and raise their collective stake in the drive against corruption. This follows a familiar pattern. Modi has maintained time and again that no government decision would succeed unless people have their stake in it. In this sense, those forming queues outside ATMs and banks to get cash for their daily existence would turn out to be visible stakeholders in Modis scheme. In Modis understanding, India has an inherent strength which politicians tend to ignore. Here is an instructive piece of Modis mind in an interview that I conducted with him in the February 2011 issue of Governance Now when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

So you do not subscribe to the theory that the society in Gujarat is more receptive to your model of development than in rest of the country, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal?

This impression is utterly wrong. This country has a strength which has to be recognised.

You mean the hidden strength...

No, I mean the overt, visible strength. During the kumbh mela, each day a population equal to that of Australia gathers, performs religious rituals and disperses in the most disciplined manner. If policy-makers realise this strength, it will be easier to make people understand and accept their models of development.

This is the precise reason why Modi has initiated this scheme with clearly laying out the objectives for common people. For the first time after Anna Hazares movement, he has rekindled the collective spirit of people to fight against corruption at a social level. But unlike Hazares movement led by NGO and activists, the involvement of common people in this government scheme gives a sense of purpose to participants. At the same time, Modi has conjured up a dream of a "prosperous, corruption-free and strong India" after passing through this ordeal.

Though Modis formulations are perfectly in sync with social psychology which yearns for a leader with messianic zeal to free society of evils, he runs the risk of falling far short on delivery if the demonetisation drive fails. Those analysing financial markets feel that the government has been banking heavily on windfall benefits that it would accrue on account of this scheme. On the face of it, the scheme may unlock a huge amount of capital stashed away in the homes of the middle-class and upper middle class families across the country. The exemption of Rs 2.5 lakh deposit to each housewife was aimed at mopping up this locked capital. Similarly, the ill-gotten money if distributed through poor peoples account (Jan Dhan account) would also collect a huge sum of money and infuse them in the banking sector.

According to financial analysts, the government would be hugely benefitted if those who earned ill-gotten money decide to use it as waste paper for fear of retribution by the tax authorities. "It would drastically reduce the liability of the Reserve Bank of India," they point out, adding that the government would mop up enough cash in the system to take of fiscal deficit for next two years. At the same time, the governments capacity to spend would be enormously increased.

Of course Modis move is extra-ordinarily audacious as it entails enormous political risk if the script goes haywire. But given his past, Modi is a conscious risk-taker and guided by his instincts which have rarely let him down.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to turn his war against corruption, black money, fake currency, hawala, drugs and terror financing to a movement for the coming 50 days till 30 December.

He is aware of the kind of hardship that common people are facing every hour and every day due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and standing for long grueling hours at a bank to get a fraction of the money, which is theirs. He is also aware that anger has started building up even among those who vociferously supported the Prime Ministers 8 November surprise move due to the unforeseen difficulties they are facing in their daily life due to cash crunch. It was thus very important for the Prime Minister seek their support and blessings for a month-and-a-half.

He also seemed to have taken note of all kind of filthy abusive messages against him by individuals, including one by a person standing with Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh at a five-star hotel porch that have been circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. That could have hurt him, pained him, angered him. His voice chocking with overflow of emotions: "I was given a mandate to fight against black money and corruption in 2014 and I am doing that. I was not born to hold chair. My countrymen, I left my family, home and everything else to serve the nation."

Modi sought to turn this whole thing into a kind of 'us' versus 'them'; millions of honest citizens versus a smaller but highly-motivated corrupt black money hoarders.

On his return from Japan on Saturday night to New Delhi, Modi made an early landing in Goa to be part of a public function and pour his heart and mind out. There he made best use of his masterful oratory to show his courage and conviction over the use with a mix of facts, emotions, charge, counter charge and asking the audience to bless him by standing and clapping. It looked as though he had waged a war against seen unseen forces and was now asking people to be tough stand behind him in what could be a testing time even for the honest. Modi was yet again presenting himself to them, not just as a dreamer but also a hard-boiled executioner  someone who was bent to take a thing to its logical conclusion if he thought it was for the good of the nation.

The approving roar from the audience, everyone standing and clapping for minutes was an indicator that he had the first part of it, building public perception for him and for the shocker he gave to the nation four days ago.

"Mai janta hun kaisi kaisi takhto se maine ladai mol li hai, mai janta hun kin kin logon se ladai kar li hai. Satar saal se ye desh ko loot rahe hain, ye mere khilaf hai, ye mujhe jinda hani chorenge, ye mujhe barbad kar ke chodengeaayeye iss imandari ki pahal me mera saath dijiyeYe Hindustan ke har inmandar ki ladai hai.muje 50 din dijiye agar aapko koi kami lagti hai toh kisi caurahe par desh ki janata jaisa saja degi kabool hai [I know with what kind of forces I have picked up a fight, I know with what kind of people I have picked up a fight. They have been looting the country for last 70 years. They are against me. They will not let me live alive. They would be bent to destroy me. ..come support me in this initiative. This is fight of every honest Hindustanigive me fifty days, till 30 December, and if you think I have failed then I am will willing to accept any penalty that people may like to impose on me]," Modi thundered.

The 70-year reference was for all the corrupt forces, but it was more than clear that he was hitting hard at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi with dipping sarcasm. "You have seen what kind of people, 2G scam, coal scam, millions billions, you know that, you know that story and today one is standing the queue [Rahul Gandhi] to exchange Rs 4,000 currency notes."

But he was not stopping there. He had much more ammunition to fire. It had a strong warning. "Kuch log agar sochte hai ki aage dekha jayega [if some people think that they can handle it for now] then they dont know me. I will bare their kachcha chitta [secret books] on their deeds since independence. All these days they had not understood me. Lately, with strong action coming their way they may now have understood a bit. This is no full stop, several things are going in my mind as a follow up action and the country will see that in due course."

Goa has always been significant for Modi and his testing times. When times were difficult for him as Gujarat chief minister, a BJP conclave in Goa proved to be a turning point, in 2013 it was in Goa where it was declared that he would lead BJP in the 2014 parliamentary polls and in November 2016, after two-and-a-half years in power at the Centre with his biggest and most decisive decision rolled out affecting every single citizen of this country in whatever ways, he landed in Goa make a forceful speech and to seek popular blessings. Modi should note that Goa has not ever disappointed him.

A WhatsApp message doing rounds reads "Na chitting na sandesh, desh ko like me khada kart um chale gaye pardesh [Japan]. On his return, his first day first show proved that he has returned all the more convinced and with many more tricks up in his sleeve.
Even during this, easily the most trying time of his tenure, Narendra Modi's political rivals and detractors have not been able to answer a simple question. What prompted the Prime Minister to take such a huge risk? Modi has always been a polarising figure. But even his biggest critic won't underestimate him as a fool. Would he have not known the enormity of the gamble he was about to take by wiping out 86 percent of the total currency in circulation?

The dramatic demonetisation drive to corner black money hoarders, cut corruption and bust fake currency rackets has prompted the media in Singapore to call him India's Lee Kuan Yew. But in playing the reformer, was Modi unaware of the incompatibility of his action when he wanted India, at one stroke, to become Singapore with the infrastructure of Rwanda?

Given the logistical nightmare, and the 100 percent chance that this will result in sheer chaos, anarchy and anger his vote base (since traders will be the worst hit) why did Modi commit political suicide? If the Prime Minister did it for election gains (as some political rivals and some in the media have suggested), he must be the biggest dunce the world, has ever produced, who drives the common man to tears and still expects them to vote for him. What explains this?

None of his critics, with their repertoire of dramatics, semantic jugglery or rhetorical gymnastics has been able to satisfactorily crack this puzzle. And yet this is the only question worth pondering over that should give us a peek into the mind of a man who is so consumed with an idea that nothing seems to deter him  not even the prospect of a brutal thrashing at the hustings.

Political leaders of every hue never make the mistake of irking their core vote-banks. This is the same principle that forced Mamata Banerjee to support the regressive custom of triple talaq or made Mayawati remain quiet when BJP leader Daya Shankar's wife and daughter were being openly harassed in public by an irate mob. Despite knowing that he is playing poker with a financial system still not ready to absorb a shock of this nature and fully aware that this action won't go down well among the community of traders who have never let the BJP down, Modi went ahead and implemented an idea breathtaking in audacity and stunning in ambition.

Few politicians have the courage and conviction to stay true to a promise when the downside involves risk that may end up exhausting even a formidable capital. If the PM took such a risk, it shows his supreme confidence and a quid pro quo of deep trust between Modi and his electorate. He, as Swapan Dasgupta writes in his column for The Times of India, would have calculated that the electorate, though being made to go through utter inconvenience and hardship, will "appreciate forthrightness and loftiness of purpose."

But he would be hurting. No matter how strong the conviction and unshakable the trust, Modi isnt blind to the factors at play  the market slipping into a recession, daily lives suspended in a surreal act of faith and common man getting increasingly restive as the days tick by and the system near a total collapse.

It is this realisation, that the nature of the crisis is such that it has put even the strongest of bond between a leader and his citizens to test, that Modi sought to reach out and reassure the people on Sunday, begging for a little more time to set the house in order.

"This is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free... Cooperate with me and help me for 50 days and I will give you the India you desired," Modi said, after laying the foundation stone of Mopa greenfield airport and launching work on electronic city project in Goa.

"I know that [some] forces are up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared," Modi said in a speech which saw him getting emotional a few times.

Modi reminded people that this wasn't a unilateral "tughlaqi" decision that he imposed on people, rather he was following the command that had put him on Prime Minister's chair.

"I am doing what I was asked to do by the people of this country and it had become clear from the very first meeting of my Cabinet when I formed the SIT (on black money). We never kept the people in dark."

Those who accuse Modi of taking a decision in haste weren't paying full attention when the calibrated steps were taken. If creating the Jan Dhan accounts and linking them to Aadhar and mobile phone was the first step, the bringing back of Rs 13,000 crore from overseas account was the next. The voluntary disclosure scheme came next, which mopped up another Rs 65,000 crore till the last quarter and Modi had reminded people that black money hoarders should get ready for stringent action post 30 September, when the IDS came to a close.

Charges of random action, therefore, reflect a poor understanding of the process at work. But politics has an enmity with rationality because it more often than not appeals to the base emotions. The opposition had initially been caught on the wrong foot but as inconvenience grew, many like Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee accused Modi of being drunk in power and making life hell for the poor.

#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi seeks blessings from the people to defeat the menace of corruption. pic.twitter.com/SXnpZ5mjqI<http://pic.twitter.com/SXnpZ5mjqI>  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

#WATCH: PM Modi breaks down, says I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home-I left it for nation pic.twitter.com/7I5meQz1tZ<http://pic.twitter.com/7I5meQz1tZ>  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Modi's emotional reaction may have something to do with the fact that he understands the unpopularity of his decision and can only gamble on his electorate to have a better understanding of the higher national purpose.

I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home  I left it for nation, he said in Goa. "Why do we have to put the future of our youths at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so."

He said he feels the pain, not as someone who needs to woo the public, but someone who has experienced it. "Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand people's problems."

An orator knows when to reserve his punches and when to pull them. But though a master communicator, we didn't see an orator at work. Modi's clarion call that he is ready to "face consequences" of his action came from a rawer emotion. On Sunday, we saw the strong leader being reduced to vulnerable heap of emotions armed with nothing but his conviction. Will his believers stick to him? Even Modi seemed unsure of the answer.
New Delhi: The just-signed historic civil nuclear deal with Japan has a "termination" clause which the government here insists is not binding on India but merely records the "views" of the Japanese side considering its "special sensitivities".

The government insisted that India has made "no additional commitments" over the similar agreements signed with the US and other countries.

In the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, there is a note on 'Views and Understanding' wherein the Japanese side has cited India's September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will terminate.

Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides.

"The termination clause is there in other NCAs (nuclear cooperation agreements) we have signed, including with the US (Article 14). However the circumstances triggering a possible termination are never sharply defined. Consideration also has to be given to mitigating factors," a source here said.

"That note is simply a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It is not the NCA which is what is binding," the source said.

The sources added that given Japan's special sensitivities as the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, "it was felt that their views should be recorded in a separate Note. The Note is a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues.

"It states, on the one hand, what could be Japan's views in advance on what is a hypothetical situation; that is their national prerogative. At the same time it also records Indias position on the same issue, which is a reiteration of the September 2008 commitments. No change is envisaged from those commitments and no, repeat no, additional commitments have been made by India."

"On termination, there is no change from the US template," the source added.

The nuclear agreement with Japan "follows the same template (as the US) but compresses the developments which have taken place since 2007. It reflects commitments which were made at the time of the NSG waiver in 2008, many of which were unilateral in nature," according to the source.

The four steps of the Indo-US deal which have been compressed and captured into a single stage are  123 agreement (2007), NSG waiver (2008), Reprocessing pact (2010) and Administrative mechanisms (2013), sources said.

The sources maintained that the views of Japan, "on when they can ask for it", is "their national prerogative".

Japan has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India, despite it being non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

After the Indo-Japan deal was signed, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said it is strikingly similar to atomic agreements India inked with the US and most of the other countries, having provisions like 'termination' clause.

In the 123 Agreement between India and the US, there is a clause for termination but it mentions that if India conducts a nuclear test, the two sides will initiate discussions immediately to understand the reasons for it. The discussions have to be concluded within a year, inferring that till then the nuclear deal will not be called off.

During the joint media interaction along with Modi after the deal was signed, Abe had referred to India's declaration of September 2008 with regard to voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.

"This agreement is a legal framework that India will act responsibly in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also in Non-Proliferation regime even though India is not a participant or signatory of NPT," he had said.
It is ironic that the first mystery story featuring an Indian detective I ever read was written by an Englishman.

I was 12 when I first encountered Inspector Ganesh Ghote. I confess, I was hooked. Not only was Ghote a very likable protagonist, woebegone, henpecked, harassed as only a true Indian husband can be, with intrusive neighbours and a wife, whose sole purpose seemed to be to berate him constantly, but somehow, in A Perfect Murder, HRF Keating managed to get 1980s Bombay perfectly right: the corruption and the endless bureaucracy, the vibrancy of the packed streets and the distinct patois of Bombay-wallah English, even that sense of relentlessly sweaty optimism that was so prevalent before the dawn of liberalisation  it was all spot-on, capturing the city of my childhood with a panache that was blindingly intoxicating.

You can scarcely imagine my surprise when I discovered that Keating had never even set foot in India, that he had depended entirely on hearsay and old colonial geography books to recreate Ghote's Bombay. It was a mind-boggling realisation, and one that made me understand a great and ineffable truth, that books are more than mere words and paper. They are the ultimate form of escapism. A well-written book can transform a reader, transport them to a different country, a different world, even a different time.

For the next 11 weeks, while my friends played Mortal Kombat and flirted with girls, I read every mystery I could get my hands on. There was a lending library across the street which stocked tattered dog-eared copies of old potboilers which I could borrow for 5 rupees apiece. It was there that I discovered Poirot and Miss Marple, Simon Templar and Inspector Maigret, Nero Wolfe and Father Brown, Lord Peter Wimsey and Roderick Alleyn.

My only lament was that there did not seem to be quite enough detectives from India. Other than Satyajit Ray's extraordinary Feluda, and characters like Byomkesh Bakshi and Kakababu, the pickings were all too sparse. There was Paul Mann's Anglo-Indian cop George Sansi, and Hugh and Colleen Gantzer's JAZ, who was a sort of an Indian James Bond, and Kalpana Swaminathan's Lalli series, but crime fiction seemed to be the neglected sibling of Indian writing in English, doomed to be largely ignored. In many ways, that struck me as the most peculiar mystery of them all. How could it be possible that in a nation of nearly a billion people, there wasn't a single uniquely Indian sleuth to be found?

It has taken more than two decades for that idiosyncrasy to change, but now, even as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie's birth, it seems that crime fiction in India is finally coming of age.

With the international success of Tarquin Hall's Vish Puri sequence, Barbara Cleverly's Joe Sandilands series, and Shamini Flint's Inspector Singh Investigates, at long last crime aficionados are seemingly spoiled for choice.

This year, amongst the most interesting releases were Bhaskar Chattopadhay's cerebral thriller Patang, and Vaseem Khan's The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown, the latest in the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, which chronicles the adventures of retired Inspector Ashwin Chopra, and his baby elephant. Also, Susan Oleksiw's female sleuth, Anita Ray, returned for her fourth adventure with When Krishna Calls, and Anita Nair's Bengaluru-based Inspector Gowda returned in Cut-Like Wound, floundering through the hidden world of child trafficking in India.

Even better, as 2016 draws to a close, a host of new detectives of Indian origin are all set to make their presence felt globally.

Among the most exciting are Ravi Chandra Singh, a London-based religious-scholar-turned-private-investigator, who makes his debut in Her Nightly Embrace by Adi Tantimedh, the first of a trilogy which is already being developed as a TV series starring Sendhil Ramamurthy of Heroes fame.

Ambai, the celebrated Tamil author, is set to introduce us to her detective, Sudha Gupta, an Indian version of Miss Marple, in A Meeting on the Andheri Overbridge, and very soon, Gauri Sinh, India's answer to Camilla Lackberg, will debut her beauty-queen-turned-investigator, heralding the arrival of a new generation of strong female protagonists.

When it comes to historical detectives though, sadly options in India are still somewhat limited. In the west, it is an enormously popular genre, with best-selling stalwarts like Lindsay Davis's Falco series set in Flavian-era Rome, Jason Goodwin's Yashim the Eunuch series set in Ottoman Turkey, Boris Akunin's Ernst Fandorin sequence set in Imperial Russia, and CJ Sansom's Tudor detective Matthew Shardlake, not to mention authors like Paul Doherty, Margaret Frazer, Ruth Downie, John Madox Roberts, Steven Saylor, Jacqueline Winspear, and Sulari Gentill, all of whom are have dedicated legions of loyal followers.

In India, it was Madhulika Liddle who pioneered historical detective fiction with the Muzzafar Jang cycle, comprising the novels The Englishmans Cameo, Engraved in Stone and Crimson City, all of which are set against the picturesque backdrop of the 17th century Mughal Empire. Other than that, there are a few experiments in Sherlockiana that have been well received, chiefly Jamyang Norbu's The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes, which chronicled Sherlock Holmes's adventures in Tibet after his apparent demise at Reichenbach Falls, and Vasudev Murthy's excellent Holmes: The Missing Years, of which two volumes have been published so far; the first set in Japan and the second in Timbuktu. Another interesting series worth reading is Brian Stoddart's police procedural sequence set in 1920s colonial India, featuring Superintendent Le Fanu of the Madras Constabulary, of which three episodes have been published so far, A Madras Miasma, The Palampur Predicament, and A Straits Settlement.

This year as well, there have been several notable historical mysteries published, perhaps the most acclaimed of which is Abir Mukherjee's A Rising Man, which won the Telegraph Harville-Secker Crime Writing Competition a few years ago. It is the first in a series featuring Sam Wyndham, a veteran of Scotland Yard and the First World War, who arrives in India in 1919 to join the Calcutta Police, and follows his struggles to forget his personal ghosts while navigating through the treacherous underbelly of the decaying years of British India.

My own humble attempt at creating an authentic Indian historical detective series hits the shelves this very month with A Very Pukka Murder, published in India by Harper Collins and in the United States by Poisoned Pen Press. Set in the fictional princely state of Rajpore, deep in the heart of British Punjab, it is the first installment in a trilogy introducing Sikander Singh, a Maharaja with a passion for solving mysteries.

On the first morning of 1909, the British Resident of Rajpore is found dead in his bed. The authorities are all too ready to dismiss it as a case of suicide, but the Maharaja, who cannot resist an enigma, decides to investigate. Despite the objections of the local Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, he deduces that the Resident was poisoned by a massive dose of strychnine. Even as the British dispatch their own investigator from Simla, Sikander overcomes obstacles, false trails, and the growing hostility of the English Establishment, all while discovering that Major Russell was not as pukka, as proper, as he liked to pretend.

Needless to say, regardless of whether you prefer classical whodunnits or contemporary psychological thrillers, one thing is certain; that now is undoubtedly an exciting time to be a fan of Indian crime fiction. If one last great barrier remains unbroken, it is the cross-over from book to screen. We can only hope that producers will wake up to the realisation that the great Indian crime renaissance has begun, and in the near future, we will soon be able to enjoy a host of original Indian detectives on television as well, right up there, next to shows like True Detective, Broadchurch and Luther.
In a biographical note for The New American Poetry edited by Donald Allen, the poet Peter Orlovsky wrote, "Stare at my feet too much and need to undue paranoiac sudden clouds. Enjoy mopping floors, cleaning up cat vomit. Enjoy swinning underwater. I want the moon for fun.

Orlovsky fiddled and had fun in the meta as much as his did in the texts that did not exactly become a legacy of sorts in literature after him. Fun, here, is not the expedient emotion that connects what is felt, to what is emoted in language. Not that alone at least. It is beyond the linkage, the rhetoric of an approach that militarises language with a sentiment that comes close to self-referencing, self-satirising wit, but refuses to be restricted to that walled identity.

In the preface to his collected poems, My Sunset Marriage (2016), selected and edited by Kazim Ali, published by Navayana, Hoshang Merchant writes, "Everyone tumbles through these pages: parent and prostitute, lover and charlatan, Persia and Palestine, Jew and Turk, madman and saint, fornicator and abstainer, the geisha and the devadasi as well as the Mumbai starlet and, oh my God, the Star herself!

A potent mixture of deprecatory intent and divisiveness that stems from a curated view of the world makes for enjoyable reading, and we are not even past the preface yet.

Merchant is known most commonly as Indias "first openly gay poet", a label that has at times serviced and served him his fair share of criticisms. As the man who is read because of what he happens to be rather than the other way round  something he mentions in his preface as well. The most endearing feature of a collected issue is the opportunity to see a writer; more so, a person in transformation. Something which makes the role of the editor even more important than it otherwise might be. To say that Merchants poems are scathing or snarky is to undermine the postulation of what this wonderful writer understands is so critical to poetry  its direct, spontaneous diction.

In The Loneliness of the Long Distance Lover he writes:

There is no telephone to Heaven: That is the longest distance, of all, the most desired place

Merchant introduces desire and then dismantles the construct with twitchy-eyed pragmatism that is common in this, his early poems, an evidence of which appears later in the same poem in:

What the long distance runner and the lover and the poet Hold in common is their record love: OF DEATH.

The word love, carefully placed as only Merchant would to pat the cheek, he will, in due course, slap gently. Among other things, Merchant is a highly referential writer. He refers to texts, people, places and events on the go, at times oversubscribing to that method to the point that a poem can feel like an assemblage of comments posted under a viral article. Some of these, are though, highly, almost crucially effective. In The Ballad of the Poor H.M. he writes:

Eternity is as solid as your ass And you can ride it to the Bo-tree In Benares

Merchant is also a brilliant writer on the arts. He writes of song and dance through his poetry like no other poet perhaps has, since perhaps, Tagore. In Anais Nin Watches Uday Shankar Dance he writes:

Shankar stands erect His own Meru and Kailas Pavlova cannot fathom Kathak after the Russian ballet Shes retreated into the shadows He is the sun

The extremes in this little passage give the reader the idea of scale, and image in tandem. The forthright manner in which Merchant addresses transitions without filling in the actionable blanks is characteristic of his style, which is curt and would perhaps be inconceivable had he not been as referential as he is. But it is still the ironic, scathing and at times effectually offensive Merchant that is so much fun to read, as he is at times to hate. In Yusufs Women he writes:

Namita Gokhales Paro Blows the lid off as never before Opening her cunt in a 5-star hotel, she yells: Fuck me fuck me Im a 5-star whore

The template here is Bukowskian, while the sympathetic, even apocalyptic nerve extends from the Ginsberg school of poetry. His self-referential poems are particularly painful, if read in context. In Four Poems of Illumination he writes:

I ask him what he dreams; He says, Heaven is here And all the boys I do not know if I am betrayed or am I the betrayer?

Merchant has always used love as his central inspiration. Around this he weaves people, places and occasions, even the arts to a degree that he comes across as a tenor, whose music is crafted as much by his opinion of musicians as it is crafted by the instruments they play. In that way solely occupies the dictation; the flow of ideas. There is very little, even in the margins to build upon in terms of ideas or even opinions. At times, therefore he can seem obscure, or unwilling to engage. Perhaps that is what he even prefers. Given that he has often seen himself through the incentivised identifications of others, even the most seasoned of writers can eventually unknowingly cant help but be shaped by them to an extent. He is also a writer, on evidence of the new poems in his books, matured, yet not held the fort with distinction. At times he has, perhaps, unnecessarily proceeded to provoke rather than poke. In Ashes of Gandhi he writes:

As on your grave waves a strand of sad homespun, left there by some Italian virgin who became and Indian widow

Not to say that poetry is prohibited from invoking the forbidden, but this is impossible to read without distaste being the after. In contrast he does it better in Pounds Mr Gandhi:

What do Gandhi, Chaplin and Mickey Mouse have in common?  They entertained the poor of Londons East End...

In all, Merchants identity shall always remain unique, thankfully more for his poetry than everything else. He writes like only he can. And in perhaps a world where the likes of Orlovsky and Ginsberg are feted (one which exists not far away from our land) he would have had a reputation, to go along with the burgeoning bustling personality that he is often the recommendation of, as the writer you should have read. Let's hope he still will be. Until then he has a world of poems illuminated by the self as in Letter from Bellagio:
There is no end to the gaffes strung out by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers, on all kinds of issues, international and domestic. The latest instance of such a gaffe  which some might even find a bit sinister  is BJP Home Minister Rajnath Singh's comment about how Americas President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to follow in Narendra Modis footsteps.

As reported in The Indian Express, at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh earlier this week, Singh said: "America, jo duniya ka sabse taqatwar desh mana jaata hai, wahan rashtrapati ka chunav ho raha tha. Ek Mrs Clinton thi aur ek Mr Trump. Trump card. Taash wala trump card nahi. Trump. Mr Trump. Mr Trump ne chunav kaise lada hai? Trump ne apne America mein kaha hai ki agar main America ka rashtrapati ban jaata hun toh America mein jo Shri Narendra Modi ki neetiyan hain unhi neetiyon ke aadhar par main aage kaam karunga. Us Trump ko vijay haasil hui hai [There were presidential elections in America. There was one Mrs Clinton and one Mr Trump. Trump card. Not the one found in a deck of cards. Mr Trump. How did he fight elections? He said that if he became President, he would work keeping in mind the policies of Narendra Modi. That Trump has won]."

If this in itself wasnt ridiculous enough, the Home Minister also told the gathering that Trumps adulation of Modi was indeed "an honour for the people of India". It seems Singh is either unaware of or simply not bothered by knowledge of how many sections of America dislike and fear the Presidential-elect. He would do well to remember that Trumps Democratic Party adversary Hillary Clinton even won the popular vote in this election. However, cynics may underline that the Home Minister was indeed speaking the truth  that Trump and Modi are truly bonded by their shared espousal of majoritarian politics and in their marginalisation of minority communities. While Trump has consolidated the racist politics of white supremacy, Modi has done the same with Indias majority community of Hindus.

Adding more fodder to the growing list of such irresponsible outlandish remarks, is the latest statement by Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, the very man the media praised nineteen to the dozen when he was Goa Chief Minister, first between 2000-2005, and then 2012-2014. Addressing a gathering at the launch of Brigadier (retd) Gurmeet Kanwals book The New Arthashastra, Parrikar said: "Why a lot of people say that India has No First Use policy. Why should I bind myself to a I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly. This is my thinking. Some of them may immediately tomorrow flash that Parrikar says that nuclear doctrine has changed. It has not changed in any government policy but my concept, I am also an individual. And as an individual, I get a feeling sometime why do I say that I am not going to use it first. I am not saying that you have to use it first just because you dont decide that you dont use it first. The hoax can be called off."

Parikkars words seem to be inspired by the sort of rhetoric that came from Donald Trump during his election campaign. A report in UK-based The Telegraph on 3 August, said, "Donald Trump asked a foreign policy expert three times why the United States couldn't use nuclear weapons if he becomes president, it has been claimed." The report went on to say, "Mr Trump, the Republican nominee, was said to have posed the question during an hour-long briefing on foreign affairs, saying: If we have nuclear weapons why can't we use them?

His disturbing statement has however fuelled controversy about Indias tradition NoFirstUse (NFU) Nuclear doctrine even as the Defence Ministry clarified that the Minister had made that comment in his personal capacity. In its 2014 election manifesto, the BJP had pledged to study in detail Indias nuclear doctrine, and revise and update it, to make it relevant to challenges of current times.

In times as extraordinary as these, with aberration becoming the new normal, one seriously wonders what to make of these bizarre statements  especially when they emanate from offices as powerful as those of the Defence and Home Minister. Do these words stand for benign, comic interventions  or do they portend even darker days ahead of us?
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation policy, it was termed as a master stroke by many. But after his return from two-day visit to Japan, he must have realized that the rapid strike rate of his decision is proving to be a problem for many of his countrymen. With millions running to the bank and forming long queues for exchanging/depositing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, many people are questioning the move and the unpreparedness of government. The opposition has also started attacking the government by claiming that the demonetisation policy is a political stunt by BJP, with an eye on the upcoming UP elections.

Modi responded to the situation and the attack of political opponents at a public meeting in Goa. Modi said that he is aware of the little trouble people are facing but said that he wants only 50 days from the honest citizens to expose the dishonest and the corrupt. Modi even choked momentarily saying he had offered his entire life for the country and he would see to it that he did what the country demanded of him, come what may, because according to him the country had chosen him for the very purpose of ending corruption and wrongdoing.

"Respected dignitaries seated on the dais, Governor of Goa, Mridula Sinhaji, Popular Chief Minister Laxmikantji, my union cabinet colleague Manohar Parrikarji, Ashok Gajapati Raju, Sirpad Naikji, Jayant Sinhaji, Deputy CM of Goa Mr Francis DSouza, minister in Goa Government Mr Rajendra Arlekarji, Member of Parliament Mr Narendra Savaekarji and my dear brothers and sisters of Goa present here in large numbers.

Laxmikantji was telling you that I only returned late last night from Japan. That's true, but here I am at your service this morning. From here, I will go to Karnataka, then to Maharashtra and will attend a meeting late night after reaching Delhi. Goa is the only place where I had spent more than a night for the first time ever after taking over the job of Prime Minister of India.

Today, I personally would like to express my gratitude towards the people and residents of Goa and the Government of Goa and Laxmikantji, Parrikarji. A very large scale world event BRICS was successfully organised. It was organised so well that world leaders are talking only about Goa. For that, I congratulate the people of Goa, Laxmikantji, Manohar Parrikarji, and praise their team from the bottom of my heart.

This has made Goa and the whole of India proud. The credit goes to you. Brothers and sisters, this is a matter of extreme joy for me, as Goa was under an epidemic of political unstability. It had ruined Goa. You all know what was going on. Leaders shifted from here to there, almost on their whims and fancies. This political unstability did not allow Goa or the people of Goa to prosper. I especially congratulate Manoharji for bringing political culture of stability in this state. He had to suffer for his dedication. He lost friends as they parted from him.

He developed a political culture that has worked for the people of Goa. The fruits of political stability that Goa is reaping today is because the people of Goa had voted for it. The voters have a choice of electing a stable government. They did that in 2012. I congratulate them and the party which is running the government in Goa.

I am very happy today. I am PM of the country, you know which political party I belong to. Manohar Parrikarji is also from BJP, Goa CM Laxmikant is also from the same party. We are not praising each other because we are colleagues. There's a reason behind the praises showered.

An international research agency, a large media house did a study on the status of small states, surveyed on different parameters. Their study has established that Goa is a bright star among smaller states. Be it any sector, health, education, electricity, Goa ranks first. This was not possible without contribution from people of Goa. My words of praise may not be enough today to congratulate people of Goa for what they have achieved.

Today I will reveal a secret. When I was Chief Minister of Gujarat and Manoharji was CM here, he generally speaks less and can convey a ten-line message in one line. He is an IITian and I am a layman. I used to observe his schemes as CM. He formulated schemes for the poor. And it was later taken forward by Laxmikantji.

Grih Adhaar Yojana, Rs 1,500 for women with an annual income of less than 3 lakh. Senior citizen scheme. Under Dayanand Saraswati Suraksha Yojana, senior citizens get Rs 2000 per month. More than 1.5 lakh senior citizens benefit from this scheme. Brothers and sisters, these schemes are not available anywhere in the country except Goa. There are states in the country which haven't heard about such schemes either.

Goa launched Ladli Laxmi Yojana alongwith Madhya Pradesh. Amount of Rs 1,00,000 was distributed to girls attaining 18 years of age, 45,000 girls benefited under this scheme in Goa. It is result of Manoharji and Laxmikantji's foresight, that as we are laying foundation stone of Electronic City, workforce for the same is ready under Cyber student scheme. These leaders trained youths of Goa for connecting to the digital world.

Under 'Deen Dayal' health scheme, 2.25 lakh people, almost whole of Goa has been covered. We understand how tough it is for any family, especially for poor families to fight any illness in todays circumstances. I feel proud to bow before Goa for the way it has excelled. Today I feel content in finishing what Atal Bihar Vajpayee had started.

Over 50 lakh tourists are expected to visit Goa. It is three times the population of Goa. If tourism is boosted in Goa this would reflect on overall tourism in India. We understand the potential of Goa in tourism industry. Thousands of youths would get employment in construction of the airport, later many others will find employment because of the airport. The meaning of electronic city is not just manufacturing of electronic items.

I can see the laying of foundation of digitally trained youth, driven and technologically enabled Goa. I can see a great Goa of 21st century being built. Mark my words, this is not just for Goa, it will become power station that can create a lasting impact on Indian perspective. The third sector would be the Defence sector. 70 years have gone by since independence but now we dont want to be dependent on any one else. We will live on our own, die for our dear ones and for our pride.

Why does a country with 800 million youth under the age of 35 has to import defence equipments? Today Goa is taking a big step towards maritime security with the help of Make in India scheme. Brothers and sisters today I would like to express my gratitude towards Goa. Akbar had nine jewels in his team. He was known for his work because of these jewels. Today, I also have a jewel who belongs to Goa.

This defence minister has gone all-out to fulfill 40 year-long pending demands of our Army jawans of OROP. No defence minister has gone without a graft allegation in history. We have been dealing with the world in defence. But one can't even point a finger at him. I thank again the people of Goa for creating such honest politicians and I am proud to work alongside him as cabinet colleague.

MCNP is a historic step towards self-reliance on maritime security. This will not only help India become stronger but also provide great opportunity for people of Goa in terms of employment. Dear brothers and sisters of Goa, I would also like to share something more. On 8 November, at 8 pm many people went to a sound and relaxed sleep. At the same time many people rushed for sleeping pills but are unable to find one.

My dear countrymen, On 8 November at 8 pm, I announced a decisive step towards the fight against corruption that you, I and the whole country is fight long. But some are lost in their own fantasy world. They have their own scale to judge others. If you dont fit in that scale they discard you. If the economists of this country or the experts who have been analysing pulse of the people had timely changed, after I arrived in the scheme of things, their scale of measurement, then this problem wouldnt have come. They must understand that this government has been chosen out of expectations to perform.

Now, you tell my dear brothers and sisters, didnt you vote me into power to fight against corruption? Didnt you choose me to curb black money? By electing me you had asked me to act against it. How can I avoid it. At that time you also knew that if I act against these menace you would face some problems. Didnt you know ? All knew there would be hardships.

We constituted SIT under SC monitoring as soon as we took charge. This team reports to the Supreme Court every six months about Black Money heavens and deposits from all over the world. You must understand that if I had taken such a big step in my first cabinet then to what extent will I got to fulfill my promise. It was evident from the day one of my government that how hard will I go against corruption and Black Money. I gave no signal to be lenient. I have always openly and honestly stated my plans.

The second hurdle was agreements with others nations. Following which we cannot have names, cant take action against culprits under the clauses mentioned in these bilateral tax agreements with different nations of the world. I was able to convince USA. Similarly I have been able make arrangements to get information of money flowing out of India with many countries. We are still in talks with many countries on mutual agreements about black money information.

You must be knowing about the benami property. This undisclosed property belongs to the country and its poor citizens. My government is working day in and day out for the poor. We will not leave any benami property, it is our new target. These corrupt people also buy jewelry without disclosing. Despite opposition from many MPs my I passed rule to submit PAN on purchase of jewelry more than worth Rs 2 lacs. More than half numbers of members of parliament expressed their opposition. Many dared to oppose in written. The day I will release these letters in public, they might not be able enter their constituency.

We are just asking for PAN to get account of these illegal transactions. Brother and sisters this is 70 year old epidemic that I need to wipe out in 17 months. Earlier, jewellers didnt had to pay excise duty. Their number is thin but they are very powerful as many politicians are on their payrolls.

I was pressurised from my own people as well others when I put excise on them. I constituted a expert committee on this to advise and also suggested them to record any extortion from Tax officers.

Previous governments had to backtrack on such decisions. Earlier governments didnt even think of doing so. But I have been taking strict steps to curb corruption and black money since day one. Didnt they had any idea about what I am upto? I want to govern the country honestly. These people think that Modi is like any other politician and would finish his tenure as others did.

Brothers and sisters, I was not born to capture power. My dear countrymen, I have left my home, my family, everything for the nation. Some do it out of pressure. A large number of my countrymen want to be honest. I gave them chance to declare unaccounted money.

Smart businessmen declared 67,000 crore rupees and deposited to the government along with penalty. In the last two years 1.25 lac crore has been submitted to the exchequer under various survey, raids and declarations. This is account of my two years of work, which I am declaring in front of the country from Goa. We opened Jan Dhan accounts. Needless to remind how I was mocked inside the Parliament. They thought Modi would break down.

But I won't even if I am burnt alive. Rich people already have many accounts. They carry at least 2-3 debit cards. 20 crore PM Jan Dhan accounts. Now they understand the importance of these accounts. These poor people have been provided with Rupay Debit cards one year ago. Poor people can now make purchase from these debit cards. These were smalls steps taken towards cleaning India.

It's like curing an epidemic with small medicine doses. Now the country is being cured. Jan Dhan account holders are poor. But they have deposited 45,000 crores in Jan Dhan Bank accounts. This is the power of common Indian. Still some people are not believing me. They kept playing political games. Though I cannot perform surgical strikes as Manohar Parrikarji can.

I constituted a small team 10 months ago to execute a big operation. It was a humongous task, to print currency notes, distributing them to different banks. Had to keep it under the curtain very carefully because the corrupt have strong sources within the government. If the information got leaked, they would have settled their accounts.

I took a bold step with an aim to lighten up the future of this country on November 8, at 8 pm. I had very clearly stated on 8th November in my address that you must be ready to face the hardships. I am witnessing thousands of countrymen standing in queues for saving their country. I also congratulate all the bank employees. They have put more efforts during the last week than any bank employee does in the whole year.

I also came to know through social media about retired bank employees offering their services at many places. I want to thank those as well. I want to thank youth serving water to people standing in queues.

The reason for success of this decision is not Narendra Modi. 125 crore people of India minus few corrupt. Leave this aside. You have been part of voter list preparation exercise at some level or the other. Be it any political party, election commission employees, bank employees, teachers and others. Still there are discrepancies found when you go for vote on the D-day.

The election process is just for going to the polling booth and casting your vote. Still it takes 3 months of preparations. It involves all government machinery. Political activists of different parties. They work in tandem for 90 days for this process non-stop for election.

I had just asked for 50 days for demonetization work. Dear country men please give me these 50 days. I am not demanding anything else. If you face any difficulty after that. If you find me dishonest in my effort. You can punish me in whatever way you would wish to at any crossroad of the country.

But my dear countrymen, please keep in mind that the world is progressing. We are still lacking behind because of this. 65% of the population under age 35 are unsure of their future. For their bright future I need your 590 days. I promise to give you the country you expect from me. Let others create ruckus. Do politics. Malign me. But I will fulfill my promise.

I am also pained if anyone of you are in trouble. It is not a matter of my personal ego. I am eyewitness to the problems and difficulties of my countrymen. But these are just for 50 days. Once the country is clean during these 50 days than we need not be worried even about a single corrupt mosquito.

My dear brothers and sisters, I have full faith on the power and strength of honest people. I have initiated this war with faith on honest people of this country. You can just imagine what kind of cases are surfacing. Those who didnt throw a penny in Ganga Waters are submerging their bundles into it.

Son and daughter-in-law of old widows are depositing Rs 2.5 lakh in the name of widow mothers. Blessings from such poor old mothers will make this scheme successful. You are now witnessing people accused of 2G scam and Coal Scam are standing in queue to exchange their currency and get Rs 4,000. It is the love and faith of 125 crore countrymen that we are sustaining despite all kind of people. People suggesting me to launch a war do not know its consequences. Its easy to declare something but implementing it needs guts.

People are making brave faces and praising this step. But are involved in spreading rumours as they have got vested interest. Rumours were spread that salt has gone dearer. Can you imagine people using their big currency notes to buy salt. Even beggars are refusing to tender 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes.

Brothers and sisters, the honest need not fear. They should not give ears to those saying that value of their 500 note is now 450. I would like assure you that you will get full value return of your 500 rupees. Some people are sending others to exchange notes. Please dont get involved in such practices.

And even those who dont have accounts cleared for their cash, which was kept with them by some relative, should declare and pay penalty. All should join the mainstream. This is for good of all. Those who are waiting for some right opportunity must keep me in mind. Till now they must have understood the kind of person I am. No one will be spared. Even if I need to employ one lakh youth for managing these corrupts, I won't hesitate to do so. But hopefully now they will improve after a long time because of this heavy dose.

Mind you, this is not the end of the road, this not the full stop. I have got many projects lined up to curb corruption and dishonesty in the country. These measures are inevitable if the condition of honest and poor people of the country is to be improved. This I will implement for poor, for better health, for better education, for household, for providing medicine to old age.

Please bless me with your claps. The country will witness that there is no dearth of honest people. Come please support me in this honest work. Thank you Goa, this is not the voice of just one state, but the voice of all honest people of the country. Honesty will prevail. I tell you, only I know, I am looting their 70 year corrupt earnings, they will destroy me, they can kill me. Let them do whatever they can.

Brothers and sisters, please accept my appeal to cooperate for just 50 days. Thanks a lot." (Translated from Hindi by Firstpost)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned on Sunday from a two-day trip to Japan. He returned to a very different country than the one he left behind two days ago. When he left on the tour his war on black money was being hailed as a master stroke unprecedented in Indias fiscal history. When he returned he was being roasted over the coals for not planning the execution with millions of citizens stranded without legitimate currency for buying essential daily goods and services. He responded to the situation and the attack of harassed citizens and political opponents fare and square at a public meeting in Goa. While asking for 50 days moratorium from the honest citizen to expose the dishonest and the corrupt, Modi even choked momentarily saying he had offered his entire life for the country and he would see to it that he did what the country demanded of him. Come hell or high water.

Watch the video of PM Modi's emotional appeal to the public to support his strike on the black money hoarders.

Watch full video of his address in Panaji here:
New York: Donald Trump's presidential upset win sparked a fourth day of protests across the United States, with tens of thousands of protesters marching and railing against him.

Saturday protests  held in big cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa  were largely peaceful, although two police officers were slightly injured in protests in Indianapolis.

Demonstrators rallied at New York's Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump "step aside."

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," she said. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  there's no place for racism in society in America."

Trump's comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into demonstrations following an election that ended with half of US voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis on Saturday threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including "Kill the Police," and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

"We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city," trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

Rowdy demonstrators marched through downtown Portland, Oregon, for the fourth night Saturday despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

Several hundred people took to the streets and Portland authorities made multiple arrests after protesters threw bottles and other items at officers in riot gear and blocked streets and light rail lines. The exact number of arrests wasn't immediately available.

The gathering came after a news conference Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

Friday night, police used flash-bang grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds in the downtown area. Seventeen people were arrested and one man was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries in what police described as a confrontation with gang members. Two people were arrested on attempted murder charges.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: "Legalise weed but not my Mom?"  a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalising recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

"We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God, but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me."

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a glittery sign that said "Love Trumps Hate."

"What he's been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder," he said. "If you're gay, if you're LGBT, if you're Muslim, if you're Latin, if you're special needs, if you're female, it's a much unsafer place now."

"What is happening today is going to be the normal for a while," he said of the demonstration, "because we're not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away."

Meanwhile, several dozen Trump supporters gathered at his vandalised star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to urge the protesters to give him a chance. One person held a cross that read "All lives matter to me."

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

"Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be," he said. "There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong."

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to protest a jury's failure to reach a verdict in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Several hundred anti-Trump protesters joined the trial protesters and marched through downtown Cincinnati.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here" Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honor the popular vote and elect Clinton.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trump's election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trump's election.
By Wa Lone

| YANGON

YANGON Eight people died and 36 were arrested in clashes between the Myanmar army and what the government believes are Rohingya Muslim militants in northern Rakhine State, state media said on Sunday, in the largest escalation of the month-old conflict yet.Skirmishes took place throughout Saturday in villages in the north of Rakhine, leaving one officer and one soldier dead. Six bodies of attackers were recovered in the aftermath, while 36 other people believed to be involved were arrested.About 60 attackers armed with guns, knives and spears ambushed government troops on Saturday morning, the state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar said. The army returned fire, but at one point asked for army choppers to reinforce because its troops were outnumbered, the paper said.Soldiers have poured into northern Rakhine, close to the border with Bangladesh, since Oct. 9, after an insurgent group of Rohingyas that the government believes has links to Islamists overseas launched coordinated attacks on several border posts.The military has blocked access to the area for journalists and aid workers. Residents and human rights advocates have accused security forces of summary executions, rapes and setting fire to homes.

The government and the army have rejected theaccusations, saying they were conducting the "clearance operation" in the villages in accordance with the rule of law.

The troops at one point were shot at by about 500 men, state media said. Ye Naing, director of the Ministry of Information, contacted by Reuters on Sunday, said the insurgents were hiding among the villagers and not all of the 500 people were militants.Security forces recovered a weapon and ammunition similar to arms taken away by the attackers on Oct. 9, state media reported. The violence in recent weeks is the most serious to hit Rakhine since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in 2012.

Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims are the majority in northern Rakhine but they are denied citizenship, with many majority Buddhists regarding them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. They face severe travel restrictions. (Reporting by Thet Oo Mg Mg; Editing by Antoni Slodkowski and Stephen Coates)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
LONDON Donald Trump's U.S. election was a victory of the people against the elite, France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Sunday, adding she hoped the French would follow suit next year and make her president.Opinion polls show National Front leader Le Pen likely to win the first round of voting next April but lose the runoff in May to whoever should be her opponent.Asked during an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr show if Trump's victory made her own election win more likely, Le Pen said: "He made possible what had previously been presented as impossible so it is really the victory of the people against the elite.""So if I can draw a parallel with France then yes I wish that in France also the people up-end the table, the table around which the elites are dividing up what should go to the French people," she said, according to a translation into English provided by the BBC.

Le Pen said she hoped all EU citizens could get the chance to express their views on the European Union through a referendum like Britain's June 23 vote, adding that "the elites would be in for another surprise" if they did ask the question.She also said there was no reason for Europe to be scared of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We'd better, if we want a powerful Europe, negotiate with Russia, and have cooperation agreements with Russia, commercial agreements with Russia," she said, adding that it was the EU that was destabilising Europe, not Russia."The model that is defended by Vladimir Putin which is one of reason, protectionism, looking after the interests of his own country, defending its identity, is one that I like."

Le Pen said her party had borrowed from a Russian bank but only because French banks had refused to lend to it. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Governments engaged in bilateral and regional trade investments should ensure that these agreements do not include provisions that impinge on the right to health, and as a first step should undertake public health assessments "that are transparent and made publicly available", India said in a strong statement delivered at the WTO highlighting a longstanding fight by India to sustain its generic drugs industry.

These impact assessments should verify that the increased trade and economic benefits are not endangering or impeding the human rights and public health obligations of a nation and its people before entering into commitments," India said on 9 November at a discussion on the report of the UN Secretary-General's (SG) High-Level Panel on access to medicines at the WTO's Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council.

Governments and the private sector must refrain from explicit or implicit threats, tactics or strategies that undermine the right of WTO members to use TRIPS flexibilities. Instances of undue political and commercial pressure should be formally reported to the WTO Secretariat, an Indian delegate said speaking in the context of proliferating mega trade deals that often contain provisions that prevent national governments from legislating in favour of public health measures or protecting the environment.

What is TRIPS?

TRIPS is an international agreement administered by the WTO that sets down minimum standards for many forms of intellectual property (IP) regulation as applied to nationals of WTO members. This agreement contains flexibilities that were enhanced and clarified during the 2001 Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health. It says, for instance, that for pharmaceutical patents, there is a flexibility to interpret and implement TRIPS provisions in a manner supportive of the governments right to protect public health.

Other provisions in the international agreement state that appropriate measures may be needed to prevent the abuse of IPRs by right holders, or to prevent resorting to practices which unreasonably restrain trade or adversely affect the international transfer of technology. The provisions also allow governments to amend their laws and regulations adopting measures to protect public health and nutrition and promote public health in sectors that are vital to their socio-economic and technological development provided that the measures are consistent with the agreement.

TRIPS and developing nations

However, in practice, many developing countries either lack the technical capacity to implement TRIPS flexibilities or are challenged both legally and politically by powerful governments and multinational companies upon using these flexibilities that are available to them through the TRIPS agreement.

For instance, a leaked memo from April  first posted by the think tank Knowledge Ecology International  suggested that Columbian officials were concerned that lowering the prices of a major cancer drug called Gleevec manufactured by Novartis may jeopardise American funding for peace talks in the war-torn South American nation.

"A slew of regional trade agreements containing TRIPS-plus standards of IP protection and enforcement have the potential to significantly undermine the effective and full use of the TRIPS flexibilities," India argued.

Referring to investor-state disputes under regional or bilateral investment protection agreements as a major emerging challenge to the use of TRIPS flexibilities in the public interest, India urged governments to "respect the letter and spirit of the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health".

India also made a range of recommendations to enhance the use of TRIPS flexibilities.

Governments should adopt and implement legislation that facilitates the issuance of compulsory licenses, India stated.

Compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner. In India, this is administered under the Indian Patent Act, 1970 under section 84, which stipulates that a compulsory license to manufacture a drug can be issued after three years of the grant of a patent on the product if the product is still not available at affordable prices.

India and TRIPS: A generic drugs industry

In 2012, India had first made use of this provision when the Indian patent office cleared the application of Hyderabad's Natco Pharma to sell generic drug Nexava to treat renal and liver cancer which was a copy cat version of Bayer's patented anti-cancer drug, slashing drug prices by about 97 percent.

On 10 November, India denied a patent to Xtandi (Enzalutamide), a high-priced drug for the treatment of prostate cancer, thus opening the way for generic drugs which will be less than half the price.

Such legislation must be designed to effectuate "quick, fair, predictable and implementable compulsory licenses for legitimate public health needs, and particularly with regards to essential medicines" and the issuance of compulsory licensing "must be left to the discretion of governments", India further added.

It urged the WTO members to "adopt a waiver and permanent revision" to the agreement in order "to find a solution that enables a swift and expedient export of pharmaceutical products produced under compulsory license".

Indian generics account for 20 percent of global exports in terms of volume making it the largest provider of generic drugs globally earning it the popular moniker "pharmacy of the poor". Its patenting decisions affect global supply of generic drugs.

In May this year, for instance, India's decision to grant a patent to US-based Gileads Sovaldi  its drug for hepatitis C for which the company charges $1,000 per pill in the US  was met with much opposition from patient groups and international humanitarian organisations. Though the cost of treatment for the Indian patient will not rise due to the availability of generics, the decision will block the flow of raw materials (APIs) for producing the drug in poorer countries, where they are most needed like Egypt and Bangladesh.

UN on runaway drug prices

To address the problem of runaway drug prices that have come to hit patients in the developing as well as the developed world, the UN SG established a high-level panel (HLP) on access to medicines in 2015 to assess policy incoherence between rights of inventors and the need to address public health through the lack of access to essential medicines.

Its report was released on 14 September this year, which met with much opposition from the US and the EU where many of the pharmaceutical and technology companies are based.

The Panel recommends the establishment of a binding research and development (R&D) treaty that delinks the cost of R&D from end prices to promote access, more transparency in terms of production, pricing and distribution of health technologies and R&D costs. It also sought disclosure of unidentified data from all completed and discontinued clinical trials, regardless whether the results are positive, negative, neutral, or inconclusive, the establishment of a Global Health R&D Observatory to provide data on R&D activities and allow the identification of R&D gaps and the expansion of the WHO Global Price Reporting Mechanism (GPRM), among other recommendations.

The US and the EU had avoided any reference to the United Nations HLP during negotiations at multilateral forums before the report was released.

Has WHO betrayed its own goal?

India, along with 13 other countries, including Brazil, South Africa and Iran, on 12 September had requested the WHO to include an item entitled Report of the UN Secretary-Generals High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines in the agenda of the upcoming 140th session of the WHO Executive Board in January 2017.

However, WHO Director-General (DG) Margaret Chan, and five other officials on WHO's Executive Board, on 28 September, rejected the request. The rejection was particularly surprising because the UN SG Ban Ki-moon had established the UN HLP and access to essential medicines is supposed to be a core concern of the WHO.

Seventeen international humanitarian NGOs and think tanks, including Knowledge Ecology International, Peoples Health Movement, Third World Network, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Malaysian AIDS Council, wrote a strong letter to the DG marking their protest at this rejection.

This rejection represents a slap in the face to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons efforts to comprehensively review and assess 'proposals and recommend solutions for remedying the policy incoherence between the justifiable rights of inventors, international human rights law, trade rules and public health in the context of health technologies'," the letter said

This rejection calls into question your commitment to WHO's Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, the follow-up of the report of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the realisation of the right to health," it added.

India along with China, Brazil and South Africa then took the matter to the WTOs TRIPS Council to have two dedicated sessions on the UN HLP report on 8 and 9 November  a request that was accepted.

WHO chose to make a statement on this forum and called the conclusions of the UN HLP report "sobering".

"The report thus echoes conclusions of previous reports done under the auspices of the WHO, which draw attention to disparities in the R&D system and lack of access to essential medicines," WHO said.

"With respect to R&D, production, pricing and distribution of health technologies, we welcome the call of the Panel for more transparency of production and R&D costs, including contributions of the public sector," the UNs health agency said.

"WHO will consider expanding the GPRM to include more patented essential medicines," the UN official added.

According to a report by IP-Watch, the US said at the TRIPS Council discussion that it was disappointed with the report which it found "distracts rather than benefits" the objective of achieving universal health although it is strongly committed to increasing access to life-saving medicines in the world.

The EU said that the Panels work starts with an assumption that there is a "policy incoherence between the justifiable rights of inventors, international human rights law, trade rules and public health".

"Due to its limited mandate, the HLP has focused its proposals exclusively on addressing an alleged conflict between a research and development model that (partially) relies on intellectual property rights and the possibility of providing affordable medicines," the EU delegate said. Due to this, the Panel has missed an opportunity to provide a "more balanced, comprehensive and workable solutions to the problem of access to health".

No conclusions could be reached with the support of all members of the Panel as highlighted in the dissenting commentary attached to the report, the EU noted.

The CEO of GlaxoSmithKline was one of the members of the UN HLP on access to medicines. He gave a dissenting commentary on the Panel report.

Switzerland, Japan and Korea also underlined the "narrow scope" of the report, and remarked that the use of compulsory licences must not discourage innovation, IP-Watch reported quoting a source.
London: Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Donald Trump on Sunday that "going it alone" is not an option for Europe or America, amid concerns over the president-elect's position on the US-led military alliance.

In article in Britain's Observer newspaper, days after Trump's US election win, Secretary General Stoltenberg said, the West faced its greatest security challenge in a generation.

During his election campaign, Trump described Western military alliance Nato as obsolete.

He suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any Nato ally under attack if it had not paid its dues.

"We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation," Stoltenberg wrote while conceding that Trump had a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution, as the US currently accounted for almost 70 per cent of Nato spending.

But he added that American leaders had always recognised that they had a profound strategic interest in a stable and secure Europe.

"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden," the former Norwegian prime minister wrote.

"Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States. We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States."

The 9/11 attack on the US, Stoltenberg pointed out, was the only time that Nato had invoked its self-defence clause, which requires all members to come to the aid of one that is attacked.

"This was more than just a symbol. Nato went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since.

"And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States."
Carlisle Police (243-5252)

A fanny pack was mislaid and stolen in the 200 block of South West Street between Nov. 8 and Nov. 9. The fanny pack had multiple bank cards and gift cards. Someone later attempted to use the bank cards at Orrstown bank ATM in the first block of South Hanover Street at 4:10 a.m. Nov. 9. No money was obtained, but the person was seen wearing a gray hoodie, a maroon scarf and sunglasses.

A handgun and $325 in cash were stolen from a dining room of a home in the 100 block of Church Avenue. Police said the victim had left around 1 a.m. Nov. 9, and another tenant woke up at 8:30 a.m. that day to find the couch cushions flipped upside down. The kitchen window was found to be compromised. The handgun was a Taurus Millennium G2 9mm handgun.

Shippensburg Police (532-7361)

A beer bottle was thrown at a vehicle parked in a driveway in the first block of North Earl Street between 9 p.m. Nov. 10 and 9 a.m. Nov. 11. The beer bottle fractured and damaged the vehicle.

Upper Allen Township Police (795-2445)

Christopher J. Cheirs, 25, of Harrisburg, was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after an incident about 8:15 a.m. Nov. 3 at a business in the 600 block of Independence Avenue. A police investigation indicated Cheirs had assaulted a fellow employee, which caused bodily injury. Cheirs had left the scene after being removed from the building. After an arrest warrant was issued, Cheirs turned himself in on Nov. 8. Cheirs was released on $15,000 unsecured bail, and a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 14.
It's been a tough couple of years for Michael Kors Holdings (CPRI 1.80%), as the luxury retailer has faced extremely tough conditions in the industry. Yet recently, the stock has started to rebound, and coming into Thursday's fiscal second-quarter financial report, Kors investors were cautiously optimistic that they might see signs of continued improvement even if results didn't bounce back immediately. Kors' report wasn't entirely bad, but it did point to the idea that weakness in the top line could persist throughout the remainder of the current fiscal year. Let's look more closely at Michael Kors with an eye toward figuring out what its latest results say about its future.

Kors can't get itself to move higher

Michael Kors' fiscal second-quarter results were somewhat disappointing for those expecting a faster turnaround. Total revenue was down almost 4% to $1.09 billion, which was almost exactly in line with what most of those following the stock had expected. Net income fell by 17% to $160.7 million, and that produced earnings of $0.95 per share. That figure was down from year-ago levels, but it was still far better than the $0.88 per share consensus forecast among investors.

Taking a closer look at how Kors did, there were several areas of weakness. Even though retail net sales were up 12%, comparable sales were down by 5.4%. As we've seen in past quarters, the reason for the movement in opposite directions was the fact that Kors made acquisitions that accounted for two thirds of the gain of almost 200 net new store openings since the year-ago period. Meanwhile, wholesale net sales were down an even sharper 18%, and revenue that Kors earned from licensing arrangements were down more than 10%. The negative impact of foreign currency that plagued Kors for years has now almost entirely disappeared, leaving the retailer with one less excuse to use for its sluggish top-line performance.

Moreover, the home Americas market for Kors continued to underperform its international operations. Revenue in the Americas was down 11% from the year-ago period. By contrast, sales in Europe were up 2%, and Asia-related revenue came very close to doubling from year-ago levels, again because of the acquisitions in Greater China and South Korea.

CEO John Idol was actually pleased with the company's performance. "We continued to deliver innovative luxury fashion product," Idol said, "and further expand our footprint worldwide." The CEO also pointed to the debut of its Wonderlust fragrance, new handbag collections for the fall, and more products on the men's side of the business.

Can Kors bounce back?

Nevertheless, even Kors understood that it faces ongoing challenges. As Idol explained it, "Our results continued to be impacted by the declines in mall traffic and tourism in certain major cities, as well as our strategic decision to reduce sell-in of inventory to the U.S. wholesale channel."

Kors' guidance reflected some of those concerns. For the fiscal third quarter, Kors set expectations for revenue of between $1.365 billion and $1.38 billion, which is less than the $1.4 billion consensus forecast among investors. Comparable sales are likely to fall by mid-single digit percentages compared to the year-ago period, and earnings of $1.61 to $1.65 per share would be far below the $1.79 per share that most investors are looking to see.

Similar issues affected Kors' guidance for the full year. The company cut its adjusted earnings projections by about $0.20 per share, with a new range of $4.37 to $4.43 per share. Expectations for a mid-single digit percentage drop in comparable-store sales for the full year shows that it will take longer than most had hoped for Kors to bounce back fully.

Kors shareholders weren't happy about the report, sending the stock down more than 4% in after-market trading following the announcement. Until the luxury retailer can demonstrate its ability to recover fully from poor industry conditions, Michael Kors will have to overcome skepticism among many investors who've gotten burned by the stock in recent years.
Imagine that you're an automaker with some very popular models. In fact, they're much more popular than you expected -- your dealers can't get enough of them.

What do you do?

Well, if you're Honda Motor Company (HMC 0.66%), and the popularity of your crossover SUVs has caught you by surprise while sales of your longtime mainstay sedan have slumped, you do the obvious: You shift things around to make more SUVs.

As a Honda executive said this past week, that's exactly what's going to happen.

What Honda said about making more SUVs

Toshiaki Mikoshiba is CEO of American Honda Motor Company, Honda's business unit for North America. In an interview with Reuters, Mikoshiba said that Honda will make several changes to its North American production plan early next year in order to get more SUVs to U.S. dealers.

Honda's factory in Lincoln, Alabama currently makes the Honda Pilot crossover, Ridgeline pickup truck, and Odyssey minivan, and the Acura MDX crossover. It will stop making the MDX so that it can make more of the other three models.

At about the same time, Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant will begin producing the MDX.

Honda's plant in Greensburg, Ind., currently makes the Civic sedan. It will add production of the white-hot CR-V crossover, which shares the Civic's architecture. The Civic and CR-V are also made at Honda's plant in Alliston, Ontario.

Honda's factory in El Salto, Mexico, currently makes the Fit subcompact, the small HR-V crossover, and about 63,000 units of the CR-V a year. It will stop making CR-Vs so that it can make more HR-Vs.

If it turns out that Honda needs even more CR-Vs (or Civics), it will import them from Japan.

Why Honda is making these changes

It's pretty simple.

Honda's existing production plan for North America has a roughly 50/50 split between car models and what Honda calls "truck" models, meaning its SUVs, the Odyssey minivan, and the Ridgeline pickup. But through October, about 59% of Honda's U.S. sales have been trucks, up from 55% a year ago.

Here are two numbers that tell much of the story: Through October, sales of the small HR-V crossover are up 92.3% from a year ago. But sales of the one-size up CR-V are up just 1.8%.

The problem with the CR-V isn't demand -- it's now Honda's best-seller in the U.S., handily outselling Honda's longtime top-sellers, the Civic and Accord sedans. The CR-V's sales growth has been constrained by supply: Honda's existing CR-V production lines are maxed out. That will change soon.

That's good news for Honda shareholders: Because SUVs generally carry higher profit margins than similarly sized sedans, these changes could give Honda's bottom line a boost. Honda reported strong results in the third quarter thanks in part to its already-good sales of SUVs; if demand stays strong, Honda's profits could grow further in 2017.

What's next for Honda

If Honda makes these changes in January, we should start to see the effects showing up in Honda's U.S. sales numbers by spring, and in its profits in the second quarter of 2017. We'll be watching.
When coatings giant Sherwin-Williams (SHW -0.11%) wanted to buy Mexican paint retailer Comex a few years ago, antitrust regulators south of the border feared that the size and reach of the combined company would hurt competition, and they killed the merger. Now Sherwin-Williams' newest attempt at buying a rival is also said to be criticized by regulators, but this time, they're apparently waiting to see what big-box do-it-yourself retailer Lowe's (LOW -0.72%) thinks about the acquisition.

Cover the world

The paint specialist announced back in March that it wanted to buy rival Valspar (VAL) in a deal valued at $11 billion, including debt, in a bid to expand its geographic reach. Where Sherwin-Williams generates some 84% of its revenues from domestic markets, Valspar derived 46% of its $4.4 billion in annual revenues last year from international markets.

That was also part of the rationale behind the Comex bid, but antitrust regulators blocked the deal.

The Valspar deal also faces some antitrust hurdles. First, Sherwin-Williams sells most of its paint through its branded retail stores, and then mostly to professionals, but in a deal with HGTV two years ago, it began selling paint in Lowe's DIY centers, which gave it greater access to the consumer markets.

That came just as Valspar began losing sales at Lowe's, and in its fiscal 2016 third quarter that ended July 31, it said that $39 million, or 40% of the $96 million drop in sales it has experienced year to date, has come from adjusting its product line at the DIY center, a reset that's been going on for well over a year now.

The problem for Valspar's merger with Sherwin-Williams, then, is that it will combine Lowe's two paint sellers into one, and according to the New York Post late last month, the Federal Trade Commission has not yet heard from the retailer how it feels about the deal.

A narrow palette to choose from

Although about 60% of all paint purchased in the U.S. is bought by professionals, Lowe's and rival Home Depot (HD -0.02%) are among the biggest retailers to the consumer market, along with mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart, an outlet Sherwin-Williams lost in 2010 when Akzo Nobel, which made Dutch Boy brand paints, beat out the coatings specialist, a loss of about $250 million worth of revenue at the time.

PPG Industries (PPG -0.16%) ended up buying Akzo's North American coatings business in 2013, and that put its Glidden brand in place at Wal-Mart, but also at Home Depot, and the Akzo acquisition gave it access to the home center's professional paint business, too.

There are a lot of moving parts in the coatings industry and, as is apparent, there has been a bit of consolidation underway. Both Sherwin-Williams and Valspar did expect there would be some resistance from regulators to their merger as the deal between them said they'd be willing to divest assets worth up to $650 million of Valspar's 2015 revenue.

However, the deal also said that if Sherwin-Williams was required to divest assets that accounted for more than that, the offer price would fall from $113 per share to $105 per share. Further, if divestitures of more than $1.5 billion were required, Sherwin-Williams would have the right to back out of the deal completely.

A closer look

Back in May, the FTC extended its review of the merger and wanted more information, sending a second request for information, a not-unheard-of circumstance and one that's by no means a deal-killer. Last year, for example, Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD 1.94%) was asked for more information regarding its merger with Miller that was ultimately approved, albeit with more asset sales demanded and greater restrictions imposed. That could happen here as well, which may change the color of the agreement between Sherwin-Williams and Valspar.

What they may not have counted on, though, was Lowe's being the linchpin to the deal, as the Post story says if the retailer objects to the merger because they would gain too much pricing power, it might cause antitrust regulators to spike the union. While Sherwin-Williams and Valspar say there's nothing to the story, you can bet they'd see red if the FTC blacks out the merger.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information about Sherwin-Williams' presence in Mexico.
Grosjean, who had qualified a season-best seventh at Interlagos, lost control heading up the hill into the final turn, hitting the barrier and causing significant damage to his cars front-left suspension. The Frenchman was unhurt in the incident.

. @RGrosjean has gone off at Turn 14 on his formation lap. He's out of the car. #BrazilGP

With conditions this treacherous, it is highly likely the race - which could decide the 2016 drivers title - will begin behind the safety car on full-wet tyres. The start has currently been delayed by 10 minutes by race officials.

For the latest news, following our exclusive Live Commentary.



WATCH: Grosjean's race over before it's begun in Brazil
Having to eat crow in the wake of a presidential election prediction goes with the job. I got this one wrong. But its a double disappointment when an abiding faith in the judgment of the American voting public gets flushed down the tube in a mob-driven frenzy.

The votes have been cast; the Electoral College has yet to make it official, a decision I honestly feel will put our much-cherished democracy  for which so many thousands have sacrificed their lives and honor  at mortal risk. The nightmare looms, that this republic could fall prey to an authoritarian regime eager to discard constitutional restraints.

We heard much way too much  in the 2016 campaign of the middle-class anger over how the elite political establishment and media have disregarded the feelings of Next-door Joe; of how Nov. 8 was Joes chance to get even, even if it meant shaking hands with the devil.

Joe, you belong in that special line in the high-discount stores. You know, the checkout lane in which your crowd can rant to the heavens that your life sucks and its the other guys fault? Seems you couldnt get a grip on reality, failed to inform yourself and were so angry that you were willing to gamble the future of your children and grandchildren on the chance that the warnings that you were being conned by a master was just so much political rhetoric.

Well, now the Big Con is on. We risk being taken to the cleaners by a master. Meanwhile you have lots of time to consider what to tell your grandchildren when they ask what in the hell you were thinking of Nov. 8, 2016.

Meanwhile, those of you basking in the apparent triumph of Donald Trumps P.T. Barnum-like humbuggery, might want to hold the celebrations down to a dull roar. There are pipers to be paid and individual freedoms to be lost if your president-elect of the moment has his way. Many other Americans, dismayed by the election result, simply arent having it.

Rumblings in the streets are growing. The protest wave this time is from West to East. The leaders of the California Assembly and Senate said in a joint statement that on Election Day, ...Americans expressed their views on a pluralistic and democratic society that are clearly inconsistent with the values of the people of California. Those views also are inconsistent with the values of most American voters, as the popular vote for Hillary Clinton indicates.

Anti-Trump demonstrations erupted from San Francisco to New York to New Orleans and in other major cities and on university and college campuses nationwide. In Portland, Oregon, alone, some 4,000 people took to the streets, clashing with police who used pepper spray and flash-bang devices.

Racism, bullying, misogyny and outright indifference to the Constitution seem to have had their day last Tuesday. But an outraged citizenry that feels wronged and ashamed of that outcome has ways of expressing its will.

America, it seems, is in for one rough ride.

William Parkinson has spent more than 48 years as a reporter and editor at newspapers, the Associated Press and United Press International in this country and abroad. Hes mad about cats  and words. His column appears on Mondays. Email him at wparkinson@cumberlink.com.
Remember when Thanksgiving meant fun times and good food with family and friends? These days, most of us barely get a chance to digest our turkey before heading out to stores or going online in an attempt to snag some coveted goods at a discount. And though the idea of rising at the near-crack of dawn and battling crowds at popular retailers is enough to make most of us want to stay in bed, these days, you don't even need to leave your house to get in on the Black Friday action. An estimated 205 million Americans went shopping last year over Black Friday weekend, slightly more than half of whom limited their purchases to those acquired online. But while Black Friday may be known for offering the lowest prices of the year, in reality, it's one of the worst times to shop.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

The lure of Black Friday

You've got to hand it to the folks who market those Black Friday deals -- they're generally pretty good at what they do. The goal of a typical Black Friday retailer is to attract customers by offering a few key products at a so-called discount. Then, once those "deals" run out, the retailers have still got you in their hooks because you're already in their stores or on their sites, at which point you're more likely to buy something else -- even if it's not on sale.

One thing to keep in mind about Black Friday is that the advertised "deals" tend to be very limited in quantity. Even if you're willing to camp out in a store parking lot to be one of the first people in line when the doors open, you might still lose out on the products you were hoping to buy. And that's when Black Friday retailers really start to capitalize.

Speaking of deals...

So let's talk about those bargains that are too good to pass up: a flat-screen TV for $200 that normally goes for $400! A gaming system for $150 that usually sells for double! How can retailers afford to part with these products for such little money?

The answer is: They can't, and they don't. See, what many retailers do is offer lower-quality versions of popular products specifically for Black Friday. These inferior versions are known as derivatives, and they're typically made with cheaper materials and parts that enable retailers to offer them at such low prices. Purchasing a derivative means running the risk that a so-called name-brand product will fail you the minute its warranty runs out, so be sure to do your research before you buy. Specifically, you may want to think twice about buying a TV on Black Friday,especially one that's only available at a single retailer and whose model number has magically never existed before.

What about the savings?

Of course, not all products sold on Black Friday are derivatives. A lot of the products you'll see online and in stores are the same items you'll see year-round, in which case it probably pays to jump on what could be the lowest prices of the year, right? Wrong. The Wall Street Journal studied pricing data across a wide range of product categories, and it found that most items are offered below Black Friday price points at different times throughout the year. For example, there's data suggesting that you're more likely to get a better deal on a new car in April than on Black Friday. Meanwhile, flat-screen TVs often get discounted the most the week before the Super Bowl. And if you're buying jewelry for that special someone in your life, you'd best wait till after Valentine's Day, when you're likely to score the deepest discount.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and if you play your cards right, you might come away with a deal so fabulous you'll need to resist the urge to tweet about it. But if your plan for Black Friday is to visit your favorite retailers, either in person or online, and snatch up every product in sight, there's a good chance you'll wind up overpaying for most items and busting your budget in the process.

Remember, buying an $80 toaster oven you don't need for $40 isn't saving $40; it's wasting $40. So if you do insist on doing some Black Friday shopping, make a list and stick to it. Otherwise you might come home with a mountain of debt, and that's no way to ring in the holiday season.

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Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) knows a thing or two when it comes to brewing a beer that's closer to being a vintage port, an old sherry, or fine cognac. Its $200-a-bottle Utopias, of which only 15,000 bottles are sold every two years, are high-proof beers that have been banned by more than a dozen states because of their alcohol content. So maybe it ought to give up the pretense of being "just" a brewer and also become a distiller of fine spirits.

And considering a few whiskeys that are now hitting the market -- their own Samuel Adams beer, Angry Orchard cider, and Twisted Tea -- Boston Beer seems to be creeping ever closer to doing just that.

Boston Beer produces a beer that's nearly a fine spirit, but a recent collaboration with a craft distiller indicates a path the brewer could take to ignite new sales growth. Image source: Getty Images.

A spirited diversion

Several years ago, Boston Beer agreed to collaborate with craft distiller Berkshire Mountain Distilleries to develop small-batchwhiskiesinfused with various brands of the brewer's beer. Now, after they've aged for around four years, the craft whiskies are coming to market.

Shay's Rebellion American Whiskey was released this past March after Berkshire triple-distilled Samuel Adams Cinder Bock beer (a limited-release rauchbier with a distinctive smoky flavor) and then aged it for three-and-a-half years in Samuel Adams Utopias casks. Berkshire describes it as finishing with "port and dried fruit notes" that come from the Utopias casks, but also offering the intense, mature, and complex flavors of a craft whiskey.

That spirit has now been followed by Two Lanterns American Whiskey, which this time triple-distilled Samuel Adams Boston Lager before barrel-aging it in vintage bourbon casks. It reportedly took almost 25,000 gallons of Samuel Adams to produce 1,000 gallons of whiskey. The aging barrels are going to be returned to Boston Beer to be used to age an as-yet-unnamed beer in the future.

Because Boston Beer keeps dabbling around the edges of the craft whiskey market, it should probably take the plunge and begin distilling its own line of spirits.

Image source: Getty Images.

Over a barrel

And why not? Craft distilleries are exhibiting the same signs of growth the craft beer industry did at its start 20-plus years ago. According to the American Distilling Institute, there are 760 craft distilleries operating in the U.S. today, up from 60 in 2003, and there are around 200 more under construction.

Still, it is a niche market where some 95% of the distilleries operating produce fewer than 50,000 cases annually (the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States defines small distillers as those producing under 100,000 nine-liter cases annually). Analysts estimate the niche represents around 2% to 3% of the total spirits market by volume and value.

That's still a long way from the 12% share craft brewers own of the total beer market, but the American Craft Spirits Association says crafts spirits are growing much faster than craft beer did at the same point in its infancy.

Moreover, the big distillers like Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) and Beam Suntory are taking notice. Constellation has created an in-house venture firm that's already taken stakes in two craft distilleries, while Beam is exploring the potential for making acquisitions.

And therein lies the strategy Boston Beer could use. It already has a craft incubator in place through Alchemy & Science, which it has used to launch small shops like Angel City Brewery, Concrete Beach Brewery, and Traveler Beer. But it's also used A&S to branch out beyond just beer, with Coney Island Brewing developing a hard soda brandas well as the hard seltzer, Simply Sparkling.

Image source: Pixabay.

A hard choice to make

Taken together with its hard ciders and teas, it's clear Boston Beer has no qualms about straying from the craft beer path. A craft distillery would allow it to tap into America's growing love affair with whiskey just as craft beer slows and its own sales falter.

According to the Brewers Association, craft beer growth will dim to around 8% this year, the first time it's been below double-digit rates in recent memory, and Boston Beer's depletions, or sales from distributors to retailers, a reliable industry proxy for consumer demand, have fallen by 5% across 2016.

It could use Alchemy & Science to acquire an existing distillery, like Berkshire Mountain, or develop one in-house. In either case, it could spark new growth for the brewer that it would otherwise be hard-pressed to achieve.

With these small-batch whiskies Boston Beer has coming to market using its beer, the brewer ought to use this moment as a stepping stone to further expand its portfolio while further burnishing its craft reputation.

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Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Boston Beer. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
In this clip from Industry Focus: Energy, Motley Fool analysts Sean O'Reilly and Taylor Muckerman look two of last week's big stories from the world of oil.

First, they discuss why ExxonMobil(NYSE: XOM) might have to cut the value it's placing on its reserves by a whopping 19%, and where the cuts would be if they do. Second, they consider the reasons why the price tag for Chevron's (NYSE: CVX)Gorgon LNG project in Australia has gone from an estimated $35 billion to an actual $54 billion.

A full transcript follows the video.

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Sean O'Reilly: I wanted to get your thoughts on a couple of oil majors.ExxonMobilhad the potential accounting scandal --I don't know how to describe it.

Taylor Muckerman:Yeah, the SEC said they were investigating.

O'Reilly:Yeah. And it is kind of wild that theiroil reserves haven't really come down in light of oil prices in the past few years. However, on the other hand, Exxon is known for its conservatism in estimating reserves. So, what's going on here?

Muckerman:So they say.

O'Reilly:Ah, so they say.

Muckerman:They're known for what they say.

O'Reilly:That being said, Exxon might have to lower its reserves.

Muckerman:Yeah, they say they might lower them about 19%. This isn't going to be a global reduction in reserves. This is going to be predominantly coming out of their Kearl Canadian oil sands operations,lowering the expected reserves from that by about 75%.

O'Reilly:Andis that price based, meaning, you and I both know the costsassociated with oil sands.

Muckerman:Yeah,oil sands is one of the most expensive, outside of deep water.

O'Reilly:Stop me if I'm wrong, but it's like $80 to $90 a barrel.

Muckerman:It's close,if you really get into the high tailof the Canadian oil sands. And you saw Royal Dutch Shellsell $1.4 billion of Canadian oil sands assets, maybe a month or so ago. So,just trying to trim down on these higher-cost projects. They'realso going to trim a little bit of reservesfrom other North American fields. Pretty much all coming from North America, predominantlycoming from the Canadian oil sands. This is after they released a38% drop in third-quarter earnings, right along there withTotalandChevrondisplaying lower earnings in this latest third quarter. It isinteresting that they're now sayingthey might lower their reserves. And 19% is no small amount. But then again, they can raise the reserves again once oil prices rebound, if they do.

O'Reilly: For sure. So,really quick, what did you think of Chevron's cost overruns at itsAustralian LNG operations? That'ssupposed to be the growth business, so that's unfortunate.

Muckerman:They'reheavily invested in AustralianLNG, multiple projects, Wheatstone and Gorgon being two of the largest, if not the largest projects, in the whole Australian LNG scene. And yeah, you're looking at total in Australia's LNG market, $50 billion in cost overruns.

O'Reilly:Woah.

Muckerman:Yeah. You're talking about $5 billion more from Chevron, they just announced, on their Wheatstone LNG. Butthe largest by far, you look at its Gorgon project, and that was projected to cost $35 billion, it's now right around $54 billion.

O'Reilly:It was a gorgon when it was supposed to be $35 billion. Now it's a Gorgon.

Muckerman:Now it's a GORGON,every single letter is capitalized. That's not only the most expensive projected, but it's also the most expensivenow being realized--

O'Reilly:Were there hints of this stuff happening?

Muckerman:Theyslowly announced these things, $1 billion at a time,until all of a sudden, you're like, "Holy smokes,that almost doubled the priceof what they were expecting." Granted, these projects supposedly have 30, 40 year lifespans. But you look at the price of LNG in the stock market, when some of these projects were announced back in 2012-13...

O'Reilly:It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Muckerman: ...and it's, like, 2/3 lower now. So,not only are you spending more, but you're not makingas much if you're selling LNGright now. So, they're definitely hoping for a rebound. But they're not the only one.Woodside cancelled a $40 billion project that they were partnering withBPand Shell on.

O'Reilly:There's these capex cuts again.

Muckerman:And Shell cancelled a $20 billion project, the Arrow LNG project. At least they're not overrunning, they're just scrapping them altogether.

Sean O'Reilly has no position in any stocks mentioned. Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Total. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Will Donald Trump follow through on his threat to shut down imports from Mexico?

Right now, it's not clear exactly what kinds of programs President-elect Trump will choose to push once he takes office, or how far he'll be able to get with some of his more outside-the-box ideas.

It seems pretty clear, though, that he'll try to deliver in some way on one of his most frequently repeated promises: to renegotiate or dismantle the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

If he succeeds, that will be a costly headache for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), General Motors (NYSE: GM), and just about all of the other big global automakers. Here's why.

GM's factory in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico builds Chevrolet Silverados and other GM trucks. It's one of many Mexican auto factories that currently send vehicles to the United States. Image source: General Motors.

What Trump has promised to do about NAFTA

First, let's look at what President Trump might try to do. In his 7-point trade plan, Trump said that if elected, he would:

Trump also, famously, castigated automakers generally and Ford in particular for building new factories in Mexico and not in the United States. He even suggested that he'd try to enact a 35% tax on vehicles imported from Mexico.

One way or another, it seems clear that Trump will try to end free trade between the U.S. and its southern neighbor. That means (again, if he's successful) that vehicles coming into the U.S. from Mexico would face a tariff, probably a steep one.

That would disrupt a lot of commerce, and impact a lot of automakers.

There are a lot of vehicles coming into the U.S. from Mexico

Since official reports of exports and imports are tallied in terms of financial value, it can be hard to tell exactly how many cars and trucks are imported into the U.S. from other countries.

But we know there are a lot of them: According to figures from the Mexican Automotive Industry Association, about 79% of the 2.9 million vehicles built in Mexico this year through October were exported. About 86% of those exports, just under 2 million, went to North America, and the vast majority of those were sent to the U.S.

There are more coming: According to a recent report from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), new factories that are under construction in Mexico will push the country's total production capacity over 5 million vehicles a year sometime in 2018.

Those factories are getting built because right now, it makes very good business sense for American automakers to build cars and trucks in Mexico and then import them into the U.S.

Why automakers have been building factories in Mexico

The list of auto factories in Mexico is a long one, and it has been growing quickly in recent years. Just since 2014, Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen and Audi, and Hyundai and Kia have all opened plants in Mexico. There are more on the way: Ford, Nissan, BMW, Volvo, and Toyota all have Mexican factories under construction or in the works now. They'll join GM, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU), and other vehicle manufacturers that have had factories in Mexico for several years.

But why Mexico? Lower-cost labor is part of the story, but there's quite a bit more to it:

Free trade with other countries: Thanks to free-trade deals, exports from Mexico are exempt from tariffs in 44 other countries, including the European Union (counted as one "country"), versus just 20 from the United States. That makes it an appealing base for any company that wants to produce goods (global small-car models, for instance) for export.

Thanks to free-trade deals, exports from Mexico are exempt from tariffs in 44 other countries, including the European Union (counted as one "country"), versus just 20 from the United States. That makes it an appealing base for any company that wants to produce goods (global small-car models, for instance) for export. Free trade with the U.S. -- and easy shipping: One of those 44 countries is the world's second-largest auto market, the United States. Because it shares a huge border with Mexico, shipping vehicles from Mexican factories to U.S. dealers is relatively simple and inexpensive.

One of those 44 countries is the world's second-largest auto market, the United States. Because it shares a huge border with Mexico, shipping vehicles from Mexican factories to U.S. dealers is relatively simple and inexpensive. Lower-cost, but highly qualified, workers: Yes, Mexican workers are paid less, averaging a little over $8 an hour in wages and benefits while their American counterparts make about $46. But they're also well-qualified: Mexico has made huge strides toward an educated workforce, with over 90,000 engineers and technicians graduating annually.

Yes, Mexican workers are paid less, averaging a little over $8 an hour in wages and benefits while their American counterparts make about $46. But they're also well-qualified: Mexico has made huge strides toward an educated workforce, with over 90,000 engineers and technicians graduating annually. Robust existing infrastructure: The number of factories already operating in Mexico means that the country has a rich network of suppliers, logistics firms, and other resources that automakers seek. Mexico also has good deep-water ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating longer-distance exports.

Long story short: If you're manufacturing vehicles that can be sold in many global markets -- in particular, small cars, small SUVs, and heavy trucks -- and you do business in the U.S., there's a strong business case for building those vehicles in Mexico.

But that business case changes in a hurry if NAFTA goes away and the U.S. imposes tariffs on Mexican-made vehicles.

How a tariff would put Mexican-made cars at a huge disadvantage in the U.S.

While Mexico's free-trade agreements and established infrastructure are a big part of why automakers are attracted to Mexico, the cost advantage is real. But it might not be as large as you think.

Here's a real-world example. For a while, Ford built Fusions for the U.S. market in two factories, one in Michigan and one in Mexico. Not everything is cheaper in Mexico: Labor and locally made parts cost less, but some other things (including shipping to U.S. dealers) cost more. Overall, CAR estimated that the Fusions built in Mexico cost Ford $1,200 less per car than the ones built in Michigan.

That difference in cost is profit for Ford -- or looked at another way, it's margin that Ford can use to price the Fusion more aggressively, as it is doing now.

At the moment, competition in the Fusion's segment (midsize sedans) is fierce. The Fusion's average transaction price is about $22,500 right now, according to J.D. Power data made available to The Motley Fool. That's still higher than the average of the Fusion's competitors (about $21,800), reflecting Ford's pricing discipline and the fact that the Fusion was recently revamped.

The Ford Fusion is one of many familiar vehicles made in Mexico for the U.S. market. Image source: Ford Motor Company.

But Ford probably isn't making a ton of money on Fusions at that price, even Mexican-built ones. Profit margins on individual products are closely held secrets, but we can estimate that Ford's overall profit margin on the Fusion is probably around 8% right now, or in the neighborhood of $1,800 per car. (Its profit margins on smaller vehicles are almost certainly thinner.)

A 35% tariff would add an average of $7,875 per car, leaving Ford deep in the hole. Ford can't just pass that on to consumers, because the Fusion competes (fiercely) with vehicles made in the U.S. and elsewhere. Even adding a few thousand dollars to its price would drop it out of consideration for a lot of potential buyers.

So why can't Ford just live with the $1,200-per-car cost disadvantage and make those Fusions in the U.S.?

Why the Detroit automakers don't want to build new U.S. factories

The short answer is that Ford doesn't have room: Most of Ford's U.S. factories, and those of its rivals, are running near full capacity. Most are making (more profitable) trucks, SUVs, or luxury vehicles. (Ford no longer makes Fusions in Michigan; that assembly line now builds more-profitable Lincoln Continentals instead.)

If Ford was forced to build Fusions in the U.S., it would have to build a new factory. But here's the thing about auto factories: They cost a lot of money no matter how busy they are, and the market for new cars is cyclical.

It can cost a billion dollars or more to build a new auto factory -- but that's just the beginning. The industry rule of thumb is that an auto factory becomes profitable when it's at or over 80% of "capacity," which in the industry's lingo means two shifts working five days a week. Most of Ford's (and GM's, and Fiat Chrysler's) U.S. factories are at or above capacity right now, because the U.S. new-car market is very strong. That's why Detroit's profit margins in North America have been so high.

Fiat 500s at an FCA factory in Toluca, Mexico. Image source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

But it won't last. Remember, history shows us that the new-car market is cyclical. In fact, we're probably past the peak of the current cycle, which means that sales (and therefore production) will drop at some point.

By limiting the number of factories it operates, and running them flat-out when times are good, Ford (and GM, and the others) can keep most of them above that break-even line when sales drop, as in a recession.

If the recession is prolonged or severe enough, some will fall below that 80%-of-capacity break-even line. When that happens, a U.S. factory will lose more money per day than a Mexican factory, because its fixed costs (including labor) are higher.

Also, because of Mexico's network of free-trade agreements, it's possible that Ford (or whoever) could keep a Mexican factory above break-even during a steep U.S. recession, by building products for export to some of those 43 other markets with which Mexico has free-trade deals. That's harder to do from the United States.

The upshot: An end to NAFTA would be expensive and disruptive

To sum up: Right now, if the automakers are going to build factories to supply the U.S. market, it makes much more sense to build them in Mexico instead of the U.S.

Changing that by taxing vehicles imported from Mexico, as President-elect Trump has said he will do, would force the automakers to spend billions on new U.S. factories, depleting their cash reserves and exacerbating their losses when the economy turns south.

It would increase the costs of manufacturing small and midsize mass-market vehicles for the U.S. market. Some of those costs would be passed on to consumers, making the least-expensive new vehicles more expensive than they are now.

On the other hand, it would create U.S. manufacturing jobs -- assuming the automakers don't find ways to bring the cars in from elsewhere, or to increase the use of automation in their existing factories.

Will it be worth it? We may find out.

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John Rosevear owns shares of Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. The Motley Fool recommends BMW and General Motors.

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An alleged topless photo of Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle has been leaked.

A link to the photo was posted on naughtygossip. The racy pic was supposedly sent via Snapchat.

The 32-year-old royal confirmed his relationship with the "Suits" actress in a statement last week in which he criticized the British media.

The past week has seen a line crossed, read the Kensington Palace statement that Prince Harry asked to be issued. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public  the smear on the front page of a national [British] newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments. Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markles safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm."

The British press were quick to point out that Markle, 35, has an African-American mother.

She just spent a week in London with Prince Harry.

It was also announced on Saturday that Prince Harry's Invictus Games - a global sporting competition for wounded veterans - has picked Sydney as host city for 2018.
Silicon Valley stars Kumail Nanjiani and Thomas Middleditch both took to Twitter Saturday morning to recount their experience being harassed by two Donald Trump supporters in a Los Angeles bar.

Was at a bar last night with @Middleditch. At the end of the night, 2 white dudes, 20s, whod been there for hours came up to us, Nanjiani began, adding that they said they were fans, but thought they were wrong about Trump.

I go Hey we dont wanna discuss politics right now. His friends goes oh theyre cucks. Then starts yelling at us. CUCKS CUCKS CUCKS!,' Nanjiani continued. He starts getting in my face. Thomas puts his hand on the dudes chest to stop him. Dont touch me you cuck. Wanna go outside? At this point, the bouncer runs over, grabs them, kicks them out. The bartender is awesome & apologetic. Thomas & I are stunned.

The actor went on to write that he cant imagine what it must be like for people who look like him considering the incident happened in a crowded bar in gentrified Los Angeles.

We cant let hate/racism/bigotry/sexism be normalized. If something happens, be safe, but let it be known we wont stand for this, he wrote. Many ppl are like just cuz I voted for Trump doesnt mean Im racist/sexist. Ok, but at best, you ignored it, you overlooked it. We thought Internet would give us access to ppl w different points of view. Instead it gives us access to many ppl w the same point of view.

Middleditch also tweeted about the incident, writing Btw, cuck is an Alt Right term. Look it up, its not positive, and later tweeted Cuck. Its the new term Trump bigots use. with a wikipedia link to the word Cuckservative.
Back in May, I declared my support of now President-elect Donald Trump as the right candidate to tackle Americas drug epidemic.

Now, more than ever, I think that as we watch this revolution evolve, it will bring a lot of positive change to our health care system  not only by way of repealing ObamaCare, but in how we care for our communities for many years to come.

Here is a look back at what I said during Trumps run up to the White House earlier this year:

America is in the midst of a drug and mental health epidemic. The crisis before us has spiraled completely out of control under the Obama administration, and the numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths nearly quadrupled between 2002 and 2013, with more than 8,200 deaths in 2013. While the headlines tend to focus on the rising levels of heroin addiction, this one drug is not acting alone. All around us opioids, prescription drugs and other illegally purchased drugs are claiming the lives of mothers, fathers, children, neighbors and teachers at alarming rates.

If we do not act quickly to get a handle on these issues, they will endanger our future generations to come. I know that the solutions will require input from physicians, pharmaceutical companies, health care workers, church leaders and the like, but we will need the voice of a true unifying leader to make any one policy work. I believe that voice is Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Before I am attacked for believing that Trump is the best-suited candidate to tackle this issue, let us first consider the facts. At a speech in Maine, Trump stood with Gov. Paul LePage and blamed the lax southern border security for the states raging heroin problem. He said his immigration policies will stop the drugs from reaching our small towns. He vowed the same thing ahead of the New Hampshire primary, and asked the public to have confidence in his plan to solve the problem.

At a rally in Iowa, a father whose son died two years ago from a heroin overdose in upstate New York asked Trump how he would stop the drug from spreading. He told the man that his plan to build a wall will stop heroin from pouring across the border, and that the greatest thing the country can do to honor his dead son is to work to get addicted people off of the drug. Many scoff when they hear about Trump touting a wall at the border, but they fail to realize that the wall is more than just a physical presence. Hes not going to build the wall and walk away, it will be manned with expert intelligence and security to improve efficiency, which is the only way we will conquer this issue.

I agree with Trump, and I, along with the father who asked the question, believe that he is going to be the man thats going to help stop the infiltration of heroin and other drugs into this country. It is ignorant for us to argue that border security issues are not largely contributing to the drug crisis. It seems like every week a new tunnel is discovered or haul of drugs is seized by border security, and lets not forget about what snuck by before we were on high alert. Just last week, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Nogales arrested four individuals during multiple smuggling attempts involving cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine. They also seized more than 137 pounds of illegal drugs.

Its also important to consider the amount of red tape an issue brought before Congress faces before any action is taken. The very last thing that the drug abuse epidemic needs is another career Washington bureaucrat. We are inundated with the bureaucratic process that time and time again delays action on pressing issues that must be addressed. In typical Washington fashion, the issue goes before a committee that takes months to talk about it before creating a subcommittee to plan policies that will then be reviewed by yet another committee before any action is even taken.

I believe that Trump is the type of manager who, through his business experience, has learned to listen, and then very quickly execute an idea to get immediate results. Hes also a great delegator, and knows how to choose the right people to formulate the best team possible. This is exactly the type of commander that the war on drugs will require. How many more headlines do we have to read regarding the overdose-related death of an entertainer, celebrity or powerful businessman before we start acting for the hundreds of thousands that dont receive the media attention?

Every so often, we see a viral video of a no-name person on a subway or a bus requiring the life-saving antidote after overdosing on drugs. But what about the hundreds who pour into emergency rooms with near-fatal overdoses, or the cops who administer the antidote on a daily basis? How do we acknowledge them? And now, with the introduction of newer, more powerful drugs like fentanyl, which looks just like pharmaceutical grade pills and are between 50 to 100 times as powerful as morphine, think about how many lives will be lost before any bureaucratic action is taken. Are we willing to sacrifice the lives of those everyday people?

This hidden cancer of drug abuse must be brought to light, and I think Trump is the boisterous leader to do that. I know that we elect presidents and political leaders in this country sometimes out of individual concerns. Some may vote based on economic concerns, while others may choose based on fears of terrorism. Heres whats so dangerous about the drug epidemic: It leaks into every other issue. You can bet that its affecting our economy, and you can be sure that it feeds into illegal activity which ultimately feeds into potential enemies of this country. Dont fool yourself, this is as important of an issue as any other in this election cycle, and I believe in Trump more than any other candidate to tackle it.


The recent election ended in a virtual tie, as did the election of 2000. Approximately half of the voters selected each of the two major candidates. According to the New York Times, Clinton may have received as much as many two million more votes than Trump. This may turn out to be an exaggeration, but she certainly won the popular vote. Trump received more electoral votes. If 70,000 more of Clintons popular votes had been cast in Pennsylvania, 120,000 more in Florida, and 15,000 more in Michigan, she would have had more than the 270 needed to win the presidency.

That's how close the election was. I predicted an unpredictably close vote back in August when Clinton was way ahead in the polls. This is what I wrote in my Ebook, Electile Dysfunction:

Think about the vote on Brexit. Virtually all the polls including exit polls that asked voters who they had voted for  got it wrong. The financial markets got it wrong. The bookies got it wrong. The 2016 presidential election is more like the Brexit vote in many ways than it is like prior presidential elections. Both Brexit and this presidential election involve raw emotion, populism, anger, nationalism. (Britain First, America First), class division and other factors that distort accuracy in polling. So anyone who thinks they know who will be the next president of the United States is deceiving themselves.

To be sure, the Electoral College vote is sometimes less difficult to predict than the popular vote, because it generally turns on a handful of closely contested critical states, such as Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. But in this election, there could be surprises in states that are usually secure for one party or the other. So even the electoral vote will be more difficult to predict than in previous elections.

One reason for this unique unpredictability of the unique unpredictability of Donald Trump himself. 

Hillary Clinton is more predictable, but her past actions may produce unpredictable results.



A final reason why this election is so unpredictable is because the voter turnout is unpredictable.

In an election that was as unpredictable as this and that turned out to be a toss-up, any one of many factors may have determined the outcome. FBI Director Comeys ill-advised letter to Congressional leaders on October 28, telling them, and the voters, that new emails had been discovered that might be pertinent to the investigation, may will have made the difference.

In a series of TV appearances, I had urged Comey to do what he eventually did:

The FBI knows how to work that fast. They should get 100 FBI agents working 24 hours a day

for three days .. and in 72 hours at least release something the indicates whether there is anything, whether there is even probable cause. If there is nothing the public has to know that.[1]

I worried that Comey may not have considered the unintended consequences of his letter:

What if his statements about the emails produce a victory for Trump and it then turns out that there was nothing of significance in them? Or that they were merely duplicates of what had already been produced?

And Ive urged him to explain the scope of his investigation.

Silence is no longer an option for Comey He cant any longer by silence allow his last statement to influence this election. Look how close its becoming since that statement was made. To have the FBI influence the outcome of an election and then nothing turn up would be an absolute disgrace to democracy.

On Sundays CNN Tonight. Don Lemon credited me with predicting what Comey would do:

Alan. To you. You hate to say I told you so, but you told me and everyone who would listen last week that this would happen. That Comey would have to speak out before the election.

Comey did finally speak out, but it may have been too little, too late. Millions of votes were cast

between Comeys two statements. Those votes  based on a misperception that the emails were pertinent to the investigation -- may have made the difference between a Clinton or Trump victory. No one can ever know for certain, but the election was so close, it is highly probable.

So Trump's narrow victory doesn't tell us much about the past or the present. Even if Trump had lost by a narrow margin, the fact that he got nearly 60 million votes would still be significant -- as significant as his narrow victory-- in telling us about the current mindset of the American people.

But the fact that Trump won tells us a great deal about the future, because a Trump presidency promises to be very different than a Clinton presidency would have been.

A Clinton presidency  coupled with a Republican Senate and House  would have been subject to the checks and balances of our constitutional system of separation of powers. A Trump presidency will not be subject to those constraints. There will be less gridlock, although the Senate filibuster may impose some constraints on President Trumps expressed desire to pack the Supreme Court with Scalias.

Just as it was impossible to predict this election, it is impossible to predict the precise dimensions of the Trump presidency. If he is smart, he will reach across the aisle, as well as across genders, ethnicities and religions. A successful president must be different than a successful candidate. Only time will tell whether Donald Trump acts on this historic truth.

In the meantime, the loyal opposition must remain both loyal and opposed to policies and appointments that are inconsistent with our values. We must cooperate when cooperation is warranted, but when it is not, we must use all available lawful options  political, judicial, media, academic and economic  to serve as checks and balances on a president who tries to exceed his authority. This is not the time for liberals or Democrats to become immobilized with despair, nor is it the time for violence or unlawful actions. It is a time to become energized and proactive.
And here they come.

The presidential election commanded nearly every cubic centimeter of news oxygen available the past few months. But believe it or not, dozens of new members of Congress -- House and Senate -- are poised to arrive this week in Washington for orientation sessions, vote in internal, party leadership elections and figure out the congressional geography.

And for many congressional neophytes, their first introduction to Washington will come from the much-maligned press corps.

A squadron of scribes will stand outside a Capitol Hill hotel just up from the Library of Congress to greet the new lawmakers-elect. Some members-elect will arrive with a coterie of staff.

Others will take the subway from Reagan National Airport and lug a suitcase on wheels and a duffle bag up the street from the Capitol South Metro stop. The questions from the reporters will flummox those who arent used to all of the attention.

Others are more genial and prepared to chat. Some are more than willing to talk. They want to make sure reporters know who they are, where theyre from. Sure, I can go on your morning program at 5:30 a.m. Heres my card. My cell phone number is on the back. Call or text me any time.

Who are all of these people?

Certainly, there are the celebrity newcomers. Theres Sen.-elect Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada. Shes the first Latina senator. Masto too the seat of retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid in a hard-fought battle against GOP Rep. Joe Heck. Then theres New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat who unseated Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., in a tough race, too.

In the House, journalists will focus on Rep.-elect Charlie Crist, D-Fla.

Hes the former Republican Florida governor who tried for Senate, morphed into an independent, and finally transmogrified himself into a Democrat.

Crist defeated GOP Rep. David Jolly in a redrawn congressional district. Theres also Rep.-elect Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., son of former Congressman and former everything-Washington Leon Panetta.

In Wyoming, Rep.-elect Liz Cheney, a Republican, succeeds retiring GOP Rep. Cynthia Lummis. Cheneys the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Her father represented Wyomings at-large congressional district for a decade. He even ascended to the leadership post of GOP Whip before President George H.W. Bush tapped him to become Defense secretary.

Lots of journalists will focus on these folks. Theyre easy to pick up. They offer compelling narratives. Make good story lines.

Then there are those few outside of their districts have ever heard of. Try Rep.-elect Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., who succeeds retiring Democratic Rep. Lois Capps. Maybe Rep.-elect Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., or Rep.-elect Scott Taylor, R-Va.

There are some old but new members this Congress.

Rep.-elect Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., emerged victorious in a fourth-consecutive race against incumbent GOP Rep. Frank Guinta.

Guinta unseated Shea-Porter in the 2010 GOP wave. Shea-Porter vanquished Guinta in the 2012 presidential election. Guinta rallied in 2014. And now Shea-Porter is back after the 2016 presidential election.

Rep.-elect Brad Schneider, D-Ill., unseated Rep. Bob Dold, R-Ill., in 2012. Dold came back in 2014. Now Schneider defeated Dold in 2016.

Notice a trend here?

Rep.-elect Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, also returns to Congress.

She lost the Democratic primary against Sen. Brian Schatz in 2014 and left the House. Rep. Mark Takai, a fellow Democrat, won Hanabusas seat in 2014 but died this past summer. Hanabusa will now succeed Takai.

Its unclear if former lawmakers returning to Congress view attendance at the orientation sessions as the same as repeating a grade in school.

House Republicans will pitch their new members immediately into a candidate forum and Tuesday votes for leadership elections.

Just a few weeks ago, there was chatter about the future of House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

The question focused on whether Ryan could win a vote on the House floor in January to return to his leadership post.

Ryan feuded openly with President-elect Trump. Some pro-Trump Republicans argued the Wisconsin Republican wasnt doing enough to elect the GOP nominee.

But Trumps victory ironically seems to have now quashed those concerns. Ryan last week even showed Trump around his Capitol Hill office and took him out onto the Speakers Balcony of the Capitol, which overlooks the stage now under construction for the late-January inauguration.

Then theres the office lottery for House members.

That wont come until early December. Incoming lawmakers always angle for the biggest office possible. Returning members like Shea-Porter and Schneider typically skip ahead in the line. New senators work out of cramped quarters in the basement of the Russell and Dirksen Senate Office Buildings for a few months before moving into their swing offices.

These are regular Senate offices. But not the full office those senators will occupy for the balance of their six-year terms.

Three lawmakers-elect are expected to join the House ahead of some of their colleagues. Not only did they win election to a full, two-year term on Tuesday, but they also won special elections to succeed lawmakers who either died or resigned.

Hanabusa will take Takais seat early. The House will also swear-in Kentucky GOP Rep.-elect James Comer -- not James Comey -- to take the place of GOP Rep. Ed Whitfield, who resigned.

The House will also seat Pennsylvania Democratic Rep.-elect Dwight Evans -- not the former Boston Red Sox star -- who won the district represented by former Rep. Chaka Fattah, a fellow Democrat.

Whitfield resigned amid an ethics inquiry. Fattah quit after his conviction on federal corruption charges.

At that point, the House will be at full membership of 435 -- 247 Republicans and 188 Democrats. Of course, the House and Senate may be at less than full membership in January. Its inevitable that the incoming presidential administration will tap at least a few House or Senate members for Cabinet or other administration posts.

This time of year on Capitol Hill is always a period of change. Expect to hear copy machines on the fifth floor of the Cannon House Office Building running non-stop as junior aides and interns fine-tune resumes. Furniture, file cabinets, broken lamps and wooden desks that look like they were commissioned during the Eisenhower administration will litter the congressional hallways as new members move in and retiring or defeated lawmakers exit.

And those lawmakers who arent sticking around?

Theyre relegated to the grandiloquently-named Departing Member Services Center, in the Rayburn House Office Building. The cramped joint is stocked with a few desks, file cabinets and phones. Its equipped with just the basics for lawmakers as they finish their final weeks in Congress.
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House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy vowed Sunday that his Republican-led chamber will indeed repeal and replace ObamaCare, after Donald Trump appeared last week to backpedal on a campaign promise by saying he will consider keeping parts of the health care law.



We will repeal and replace ObamaCare, McCarthy, a California Republican, said on Fox News Sunday. It has to change.

McCarthy, the chamber's No. 2 Republican behind House Speaker Paul Ryan, spoke one day before Congress returns to Washington for a so-called lame duck session, which will include passing a budget to avoid a looming government shutdown and preparing for several of Trumps Day One promises when assuming office January 20.

Those vows include scrapping ObamaCare and starting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep out illegal immigrants.

Trump said last week after meeting with President Obama at the White House that he would consider amending the president's struggling health care law.

Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Sunday earlier in the show that Trump will make the consideration out of respect for the outgoing president.

McCarthy said some of the ObamaCare changes suggested by the Trump team -- including allowing people to enroll with pre-existing health conditions -- are already part of the Republican ideas that the party couldnt get passed in Congress and signed by Obama.

Americans should be a leader in health care and not have continual rise in price, he said.

McCarthy said GOP's agenda this session will not include further investigations of defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server system while secretary of state.

House Republicans launched their own probe of Clinton after the FBI in July declined to recommend criminal charges.

And the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held several high-profile hearings on her server before the election

Ryan returns to Capitol Hill this week to face some rank-and-file conservative members upset that he kept Trump at arms length throughout much of the campaign, a political stance that is expected to cause some internal GOP struggles over at least the next couple of months.

McCarthy on Sunday said that congressional Republicans will, upon returning to the Hill, begin working on such issues as tax reform, infrastructure and border security, in addition to ObamaCare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act.

There are so many places we can come together, even bipartisan, McCarthy said. We're not waiting for the inauguration.

He said that the United States has to put up a wall to secure the countrys southern border -- a promise Trump made on the first day of his campaign.

You do have to put up a wall, said McCarthy, while also arguing stretches in remote regions could be done with virtual walls like airplanes or drones.

"I think that is very doable and one of the first things that needs to be done," McCarthy said.

He said plans to deport illegal immigrants will be a difficult task without first securing the border.

McCarthy acknowledged that the county needs better trade deals, as Trump argued on the campaign trail. But he suggested scrapping them could lead to an international trade war, taking the position of many fiscal conservatives.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Opponents to Donald Trumps presidency are planning large-scale demonstrations in the nations capital in January when the Republican president-elect is sworn in on Inauguration Day, with police apparently expecting tens-of-thousands of protesters.

Trumps surprise win Tuesday over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton has already sparked smaller protests across the county. However, demonstrations being planned for Inauguration Day weekend, which includes the Jan. 20 swearing-in on Capitol Hill, have the potential to be much larger.

One protest is being organized by the group ANSWER, for Act Now to Stop War & End Racism.

The groups Facebook page announcing its Protest at the Inauguration: Stand Against Trump, War, Racism and Inequality" event on Saturday showed that nearly 7,000 people have already committed to attending and 24,000 more have expressing interest in the event.

A Metropolitan Police Department officer said Friday that officers have already been briefed about the proposed demonstration and to prepare for at least 30,000 protesters.

An MPD spokesman on Saturday declined to discuss the matter, saying the agency doesnt talk about deploying resources.

He also suggested that the event was too far off to provide specifics but added the agency will plan accordingly.

And a pro-Clinton group named RoaRR 4 Hillary is planning a Million Women March on Jan. 21.

ANSWER, started roughly 15 years ago, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, and has the potential to attract hundreds of thousands of protesters.

In January 2013, the group led an antiwar protest that it says brought 200,000 people to Washington, D.C. And two months later, ANSWER helped organize a similar worldwide event that is considered the biggest anti-war protest in history.

Trump was criticized during his historic outsider campaign for comments about women and illegal Mexican immigrants and for his proposal after recent terror attacks connected to radical Islamists to temporarily ban Muslims trying to enter the United States.

Already this week, a man was shot in Portland, Oregon, when he got into a confrontation with a protester.

Portland police said the person who was shot was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said they were looking for the shooter, who apparently fled in his vehicle after the attack early Saturday morning.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to "burning projectiles" thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday. In Washington, protesters burn at least one U.S. flag, which resulted in confrontation with a military veteran.

And people continue to protest at Trumps new luxury hotel in Washington, Trump International, just blocks from the White House.

A mainly peaceful protest by about 3,000 people ended in Los Angeles early Saturday with about 200 arrests for failure to disperse after police broke up the lingering demonstration.

Hundreds joined a Friday afternoon "love rally" in Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

"Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be," he said. "There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong."

More than a thousand protesters took to the streets across California after night fell including downtown Los Angeles, where over 200 were arrested a night earlier. In Bakersfield, where Trump is far more popular than in most of the state, some held signs reading "Anti-Trump, Pro-USA."

Small protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington and Iowa City.

More than 200 people, carrying signs gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic. A protest also occurred in Minneapolis.

In Chicago, multiple groups planned protests through Saturday.

Ashley Lynne Nagel, 27, said she joined a Thursday night demonstration in Denver.

"I have a leader I fear for the first time in my life," said Nagel, a Bernie Sanders supporter who voted for Hillary Clinton.

"It's not that we're sore losers," she said. "It's that we are genuinely upset, angry, terrified that a platform based off of racism, xenophobia and homophobia has become so powerful and now has complete control of our representation."

Demonstrations also were planned Saturday in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other areas.

Previous demonstrations drew thousands of people in New York and other large urban centers. The largely peaceful demonstrations were overshadowed by sporadic episodes of vandalism, violence and street-blocking.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly looking at ways for the U.S. to back out of a landmark climate pact, which would defy an agreement to cut carbon emissions across the globe.

A source on Trumps transition team told Reuters that the team was looking for ways to bypass the procedure to leave the Paris accord, which was agreed upon last December. Trump has previously stated his disbelief in global warming. Other global governments, including China, have expressed their reaffirming support for the deal.

"It was reckless for the Paris agreement to enter into force before the election, the source told Reuters on Tuesday.

One of the alternatives he said was to withdraw from the 1992 Convention that was a parent to the 2015 Paris accord. It would void U.S. participation in the deal in a years time. Trump could also delete the U.S. signature from the deal.

Other nations still hope Trump comes around on the climate deal. However, one Moroccan official said that even if the U.S. does pull out it wont hurt the deal.

"If one party decides to withdraw that it doesn't call the agreement into question," Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said.

U.N. climate chief Patricia Espinosa was still hoping to build a solid relationship with Trump.

"The Paris Agreement carries an enormous amount of weight and credibility," she added.

Click for more from Reuters.
President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday appointed Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus as his White House chief of staff.

Trump also announced that campaign CEO Steve Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart News, will be his chief strategist and senior counselor.

Trump said that Priebus and Bannon will work as equal partners" -- as they did in the campaign -- to make the federal government much more efficient, effective and productive.

Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory, Trump said. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.

The appointments suggest Trump appealing to traditional Republican circles and the party's anti-establishment wing, which helped fuel the businessman's political rise.

Bannon thanked Trump for the job, saying he and Priebus will extend their partnership in Washington to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.

Priebus said Trump will be a great president for all Americans and expressed his gratitude for the being able to serve the president elect and the rest of the country in helping create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace ObamaCare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism.

Priebus was one of Trumps most loyal lieutenants during the real estate mogul's up-and-down campaign that resulted in many Republicans, particularly GOP candidates seeking reelection, distancing themselves from Trump.

In Trumps victory speech after his upset win over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, he notably praised Preibus efforts and loyalty.

Reaction to Trumps picks from both parties was quick.

Choice of @Reince as COS over Bannon seems like a strong signal that @realDonaldTrump is taking a more conventional, conservative path, tweeted David Axelrod, a top campaign and White House adviser to President Obama.

South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was vanquished by Trump in the Republican presidential primaries and did not support his campaign, tweeted, Congrats to @realDonaldTrump for outstanding choice @Reince to be Chief of Staff. This shows me he is serious about governing.

However, California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff tweeted: Selection of Steve Bannon for senior WH role unsurprising but alarming. His alt-right, anti-Semitic, misogynistic views don't belong in WH.

And John Weaver, a Republican strategist who worked for Ohio Gov. John Kasich's presidential campaign, tweeted, "The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant, America."

Priebus, an attorney, is a former RNC general counsel and chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party. He was elected RNC chairman in 2011 and has deep ties to GOP congressional leaders, particularly House Speaker and fellow Wisconsinite Paul Ryan.

Under Bannon's tenure, the Breitbart News site pushed a nationalist, anti-establishment agenda and became one of the leading outlets of the so-called alt-right -- a movement often associated with white supremacy and a defense of "Western values."

Bannon, who became campaign CEO in August, pushed Trump to adopt more populist rhetoric and paint rival Hillary Clinton as part of a global conspiracy made up of the political, financial and media elite, bankers bent on oppressing the country's working people -- a message that carried Trump to the White House but to some, carried anti-Semitic undertones.



An ex-wife of Bannon said he expressed fear of Jews when the two battled over sending their daughters to private school nearly a decade ago, according to court papers reviewed this summer by The Associated Press. In a sworn court declaration following their divorce, Mary Louise Piccard said her ex-husband had objected to sending their twin daughters to an elite Los Angeles academy because he "didn't want the girls going to school with Jews."



A spokeswoman for Bannon denied he made those statements.

Neither Priebus nor Bannon bring significant policy experience to their new White House roles.

Bannon was notably given top billing in the press release announcing the appointments, a curious arrangement giving that White House chief of staff is typically considered the most powerful West Wing job.

Chiefs of staff in particular play a significant role in policy making, serving as a liaison to Cabinet agencies and deciding what information makes it to the president's desk. They're often one of the last people in the room with the president as major decisions are made.

Fox News' Carl Cameron, Danny Jativa and Joseph Weber and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thousands took to the streets Saturday across the United States as demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump, with many suggesting they would prolong the fight as much as possible to keep him out of office.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

MASSIVE ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS PLANNED FOR INAUGURATION DAY, POLICE ON ALERT

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: "Legalize weed but not my Mom?" -- a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

"We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me."

'BYE, TRUMP LOVER': VIDEO SHOWS MOM SCOLDING SON, 8, FOR VOTE

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before picking up steam and taking their cause toward Trump Tower. Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go -- there's no place for racism in society in America."

The fourth day of protests was mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Oregon, a man who was participating in a march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting early Saturday. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to "burning projectiles" thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest Saturday and held a glittery sign that said "Love Trumps Hate."

"What he's been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder," he said. "If you're gay, if you're LGBT, if you're Muslim, if you're Latin, if you're special needs, if you're female, it's a much unsafer place now."

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

"Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be," he said. "There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong."

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters had already taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest the jury's deadlock in the trial of a former white police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Anti-Trump protesters had joined up with trial protesters and marched through downtown.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trump's election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trump's election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An 18-year-old Michigan man now faces murder charges after the 64-year-old man hes accused of brutally beating in a road-rage assault died from his injuries on Oct. 31, WOOD reported.

Prosecutors enhanced the charges against Christian William Hillman on Nov. 1 to include second-degree murder. He had originally been charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. Hes also accused of being under the influence of marijuana at the time of his arrest.

William McFarlan was found lying on a Caledonia Township road with multiple face and rib fractures and bleeding on the brain, probable cause documents stated. One witness claimed to have seen Hillman kick a helpless McFarlan several times and then use an obscene taunt.

Hillman told deputies he acted in self-defense after McFarlan grabbed his neck, according to the probable cause document. Hillman said he had to make sure [McFarlan] was completely immobilize so he didnt hurt (him). Police said Hillman claimed to be an ex-heavyweight boxer and admitted he lost his [expletive].

One witness told police he arrived at the scene when the assault had concluded and Hillman asked him to take a picture of his bloody hands. Police have said theyre in possession of that photo.

Hillman is jailed on $100,000 bond and has his next court appearance Dec. 1, WOOD reported.
Several people were arrested, including two involved in a shooting that left one protester injured, during an anti-Donald Trump demonstration on Saturday night in Portland, Ore.

Police arrested Steffon Marquise Corothers and Shamar Xavier Hunter, both 18, in the shooting on the Morrison Bridge, according to The Oregonian. The two were charged with attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon, police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. Corothers also received one count of attempted murder and Hunter was charged with six counts of attempted murder.

Corothers and Hunter were originally two of four people who were detained early Saturday after an off-duty police officer saw them in a suspicious vehicle, Simpson said.

The wounded victim was suffering from non-life threatening injuries, police said. The victim wasnt identified.

Authorities in Portland were forced to arrest and use some force against aggressive groups over the night. Police arrested 19 people and there were a few instances of protesters assaulting others through the night. Protesters were also seen throwing burning road flares at police.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales expressed his frustrations with the four nights of protests, which has seen plenty of vandalism and violence on the streets.

Going to the streets for another night is not going to keep Donald Trump from taking office. It isnt going to change anything, he said.

Hales also those who are opposed to President-elect Trump shouldnt be destroying the city or targeting law enforcement.

There has been great unrest about this election. And there are people who are profoundly concerned about the future of our country. Im one of them. But heres my message. That is not the work of four days. That is the work of four years, Hales added. Get involved. But dont come participate in a protest in downtown Portland that has been taken over the last three nights by people who simply want to fight with police.

Portland was just one city that saw another night of protests. Tens of thousands of people marched in streets across the U.S.  including in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, and the smaller cities such as Worcester, Mass and Iowa City, Iowa.

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis on Saturday threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including "Kill the Police," and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

"We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city," trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: "Legalize weed but not my Mom?"  a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

"We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God, but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me."

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico.

About 300 people protested Trump's election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trump's election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The new guns on the Navy's biggest and most advanced destroyer are going to be firing blanks if the Navy can't find cost-effective projectiles.

The GPS-guided, rocket-powered projectiles developed for the new 155mm Advanced Gun System currently cost about $800,000 apiece, nearly as much as a cruise missile, making them too expensive for the Navy to buy in large quantities for the stealthy USS Zumwalt, according to officials.

The projectiles were supposed to be less expensive than missiles, providing a cost-effective way to pummel targets from 70 miles away and clearing the way for amphibious landings.

But the current price compares with $1 million for a cruise missile, which has a range of 1,000 miles. And the price grow, officials said.

For now, there are no plans to buy projectiles beyond the initial purchase of 90, according to the Navy's draft 2018 budget. The Zumwalt is supposed to be stocked with 600.

It's stunning news for a program plagued by growing costs.

"Congress is going to want to know how the Navy could get so far down the road without realizing that the price tag on these projectiles is so high," said Loren Thompson, defense analyst at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Virginia.

The Navy is evaluating alternatives for ammunition for the Zumwalt and two other ships in the class that are under construction at Bath Iron Works in Maine. Those options include both conventional and hyper-velocity projectiles, said Navy Capt. Thurraya Kent.

Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, which developed the 155mm projectiles, blamed the low production rate of ships  only three are being built, compared with the 32 originally envisioned  for driving up costs of the guided munitions. The defense contractor is working with the Navy with options, a spokeswoman said.

The Navy has been struggling to reduce costs because of budget limits, but those constraints could be eased when Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office. He has vowed to boost defense spending and to increase the size of the U.S. fleet.

The 610-foot Zumwalt, the first ship in the class, was commissioned into service last month and is currently en route to its home port in San Diego.

The destroyer features electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, and a deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The 155mm Advanced Gun System was designed by BAE Armament Systems.

The ships weigh in at nearly 15,000 tons, about 50 percent heavier than current destroyers. But the crew size is half of the 300 personnel of other destroyers, thanks to automation.
California police on Sunday captured a "known criminal" accused of shooting a sheriff's deputy twice in the head at point-blank range after the officer discovered the suspect in a stolen vehicle.

Multiple tactical units had been engaged in the manhunt for David Machado, 36, who is alleged to have carjacked a driver in Keyes just minutes after he murdered Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace on Sunday morning.

"We know the gun used in the crime was in direct contact with [Wallace's] head when the trigger was pulled twice," Sheriff Adam Christianson said during a news conference. "This was a direct execution."

Machado was already wanted on a felony warrant for unspecified criminal activity when Wallace, in his uniform and driving a marked police vehicle, entered the Fox Grove Recreation and Fishing Access park at 8:24 a.m. Wallace spotted a suspicious vehicle and, after a dispatcher told Wallace the vehicle was stolen, he requested backup.

Moments later, Wallace was dead.

By the time backup arrived, the suspect was gone. The subsequent carjacking of a Kia Rio occurred at 8:40 a.m. local time. The carjacking victim identified Machado as the man who stole the car, police said.

Machado later abandoned the stolen van and carjacked an escape vehicle in the nearby city of Keyes, according to the sheriff's department. He was arrested hours later 150 miles south of Hughson in the town of Lindsay after he tried to steal a woman's purse at a convenience store, Christianson said.



The woman fought Machado and called Lindsay police, prompting him to run from the scene. Officers chased after him on foot and took him into custody without incident, Christianson said.



Lindsay officers didn't initially recognize Machado as the suspect in the killing of Wallace. But once he was in custody, they identified him through tattoos and a photograph and immediately contacted the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, Christianson said.

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department confirms deputy killed in Hughson is Dennis Wallace, a 20-year veteran of the force. pic.twitter.com/SrjnwyyU95  The Modesto Bee (@modbee) November 13, 2016

Wallace, 53, was a 20-year veteran of the department who Christianson said was well known for his involvement in community programs such as D.A.R.E.

"Unfortunately, we do this far too often here in California and nationwide," Christianson said. "You have to ask yourself the question: 'Where does it stop, where does it end?'"

Wallace is the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in SCSD history, according to the department's website. The previous death occurred in April 2012 when Deputy Sheriff Robert Paris was gunned down while serving an eviction notice.

Stanislaus County is located in the Central Valley of California. The county seat is Modesto.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Police say a University of Alabama student accused of raping a teenage girl in a dorm room has been arrested.

Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit Capt. Gary Hood tells Al.com (http://bit.ly/2eQWt2k ) on Sunday that 19-year-old Joseph Tyler Pitts is charged with first-degree rape. Hood says an 18-year-old female, also a student at the college, told police she was drinking with Pitts and lost consciousness.

Hood says the teen said she was awakened by two friends, who saw Pitts on top of her and having sexual intercourse with her. The teen told Tuscaloosa investigators about the incident at DCH Regional Medical Center early Saturday.

Pitts is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $30,000 bond. It's not clear if Pitts has an attorney.
In the center of downtown Ironton is a special place for children of all ages to have fun called "Imagination Park."

Taking up a small corner patch of land that was once nothing more than a community eyesore, the park opened to the public on Oct. 28 and now provides a wonderful splash of color, creativity and fun for everyone. Within the fenced area there is a well-constructed and attractive play area with slides and swings, a splash pad and comfortable benches where folks can take a load off their feet for a bit.

There wouldn't be an "Imagination Park" if not for attorney Brian Parker and his wife, Emily, an Arcadia Valley native who is also a gifted pianist. The couple moved to the valley from Chicago seven years ago with a keen desire to raise their family in a small town atmosphere far removed from bumper-to-bumper traffic and big city crime.

Brian Parker opened his law practice in town and was eventually elected county prosecutor. Emily taught piano and performed recitals throughout the area to the acclaim of all who heard her play. In the meantime, the couple also became the parents of a daughter and son  Nadia, 7, and Benjamin, 3. The Parkers ended up buying the old Ironton Lodge Hall on Main Street and spent many months revitalizing and restoring the historic building into a music studio for Emily and an upstairs home for the family.

The idea for Imagination Park came about because of the downtown location of their business and home.

"I think Nadia came up with the idea, actually," Emily said. "When we finished doing our renovation, she kept asking where she was going to play. Nadia designed a whole playground complex of what she wanted her play space to look like.

"Even if we did only a small portion of that, it would fill up the yard and we were going to have to put a fence in order to try to keep our kids out of the street. I started thinking that, if we were going to go to that level of trouble, we might as well do something that everybody can play in and enjoy.

"Brian and I were looking out our window one day and saw this lot and we thought it might work with a little sprucing up. There was a pink metal building here that was totally rotten and falling apart. So, we were able to buy it and it fell down after one hour's effort  it was ready to fall. Then we spent the last six months making this."

The couple is quick to explain that the big job of turning a sore spot into an attractive downtown park was taken on by local resident and contractor, Roy Dereskey, who is rightly proud of all his hard work.

"I just came to help a friend," he said. "It was more work than I anticipated, but I have to tell you that it was well worth it. We started in on this in May and it took a little while. I think we did something good for everybody in town and as long as we did that, then we did well."

"He put all of this together without charging for any of his labor," Brian Parker said. "Roy is an incredible guy."

Responding to the compliment, Dereskey said, "Everything is not about money. I told Brian and Emily that many times. It's more about helping people  giving back a little bit."

Dereskey added that he wanted to thank his 15-year-old son, Brendon Collins, who helped him on the project throughout the summer.

"Brendon worked more than anyone will ever know," Dereskey said. "He's a very good young man."

The results are impressive indeed and certainly something you won't find in most small towns. And because of Emily's love of music, Imagination Park has something that is very unique.

"I originally wanted some musical instruments in here, but as I was looking at them I thought, 'Ah, no, we'll just keep it simple," she said. "Brian is always the visionary between us. He's the one that always comes up with the great ideas. He said, 'No, you've got to have musical instruments. So, we found this set. They are all tuned to the same key, so if you play them at the same time it sounds really good. He insisted and I think it was a good choice."

When it's all said and done, the Parkers want the park to be used by people living in the community  no matter their age.

Brian said, "On our posted rules it says the wooden playground is only supposed to be for children 3 to 10, but there are other pieces of play equipment in here like the splash pad that anybody can play in and benches that people can sit on and enjoy. I took it very much to heart when we put in the rules that the benches are for ages 0 to 117 and I would hope the same thing for the splash pad. Anybody who wants to enjoy it should."

Emily added, "We're excited about this for the community. We hope it can be something that can really bring joy  especially to the children of the Arcadia Valley."
A Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputy was shot twice in the head and killed Sunday while responding to a call about a suspicious car and person, authorities said. The suspect in the killing has been arrested.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Deputy Dennis Wallace, a 20-year- veteran, was shot at point-blank range as he checked on a report of a suspicious car and person near a fishing access spot outside the city of Hughson, about 10 miles southeast of Modesto.

"He was executed," Christianson said. "We believe that Dep. Wallace was killed outside of the car, and we know for a fact that the gun used in this crime was in direct contact with his head when the trigger was pulled twice."

Dispatch told Wallace the car was stolen, which prompted the deputy to request backup. A second deputy arrived and found him wounded. He was transported to a hospital where he died, the department said.

The suspect, who has been identified as 37-year-old David Machado, abandoned the stolen van and carjacked an escape vehicle in the nearby city of Keyes, it said.

Machado was arrested later Sunday in Tulare County, the department said, adding it wouldn't release details on his arrest at this time.
Four people, including an off-duty police detective and his wife, were taken to a hospital after a "flash mob" attack by some among a crowd of juveniles in downtown Philadelphia, police said.

Police said a large crowd of juveniles were at 16th and Walnut streets, a popular spot for dining and shopping, at about 6 p.m. Saturday when some people began randomly assaulting people on the street.

A 55-year-old off-duty police detective saw a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman being assaulted and tried to arrest one of the offenders. He was punched from behind by several people, police said.

The detective's 53-year-old wife splashed water on the offenders to try to stop them from attacking her husband, and she was punched in the face, police said. All of the offenders then fled.

One of the five people assaulted there declined medical treatment, but the other five were taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for treatment. The police detective had an orbital fracture to his right eye while the others had minor injuries.

Immediately afterward, there was another assault by several juveniles nearby, and two 16-year-old youths were arrested, police said. The victim had minor injuries and didn't seek medical attention.

One man told WPVI-TV that he feared for his safety when the large group of teens appeared, and he saw other people running into nearby stores to escape.

"It's crazy out here," said Dwight Magood. "I don't know if they were trying to protest or 'flash mobbing.' But it's not the right way to do it, whatever it was."
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Immigrants and their advocates are taking to the streets of New York City to add their voices to those who have been marching and protesting Donald Trump's presidential win.

Organizers say the protest scheduled for Sunday mid-afternoon in Manhattan is about speaking out against Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

It's the latest in days of demonstrations across the country. Other protests are expected Sunday in San Francisco and Philadelphia.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.
The Latest on nationwide protests against President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST):

3:30 p.m.

Throngs of people supporting immigrant rights are marching in Manhattan to protest against Donald Trump's presidential win.

Demonstrators are holding signs in English and Spanish, saying things like "Hate won't make us great." They're chanting, "We are here to stay."

Organizers say they're speaking out against Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

Other protests are expected Sunday in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver and other cities. They're following days of demonstrations across the country.

Mostly, the demonstrations were peaceful. However, in Portland, Oregon, a man was shot and wounded Saturday morning during a confrontation. Police arrested two teenagers.

Los Angeles police arrested five people downtown during an anti-Trump protest that wound down early Sunday. An estimated 8,000 had marched.

___

1:58 p.m.

Immigrants and their advocates are taking to the streets of New York City to add their voices to those who have been marching and protesting Donald Trump's presidential win.

Organizers say the protest scheduled for Sunday mid-afternoon in Manhattan is about speaking out against Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

It's the latest in days of demonstrations across the country. Other protests are expected Sunday in San Francisco and Philadelphia.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.
A Muslim woman said Sunday that her viral article explaining why she voted for Donald Trump has angered her liberal pals as well as other Muslims.

Asra Nomani declared herself one of President-elect Donald Trumps silent supporters in an opinion piece she wrote in the Washington Post Thursday called "I'm a Muslim, a woman and an immigrant. I voted for Trump."

As you can tell I dont have horns on my head, right, but nonetheless I am now being [characterized] as a traitor, to my own liberals as an idiot, names that I cant even repeat on air, she told "Fox & Friends."

The former Wall Street Journal reporter also said fellow Muslims have told her they hope Allah sends her to the gates of hell.

But you know none of that matters to me because Im getting more responses than in my 30 years in journalism from people who are saying, Thank you, because they too are fed up with the polarization, she said.

The 51-year-old woman wrote in the Post that she voted for President Obama in 2008 and 2012, but she became a Trump voter over the issue of Islamic terrorism.

As a liberal Muslim who has experienced, first-hand Islamic extremism in this world, I have been opposed to the decision by President Obama and the Democratic Party to tap dance around the Islam in Islamic State, she wrote.

Nomani told "Fox & Friends" she knows Trump is not an Islamaphobic or a racist or a bigot.

He is insensitive at times with what he says and his proposals are tough, but they reflect a reality of concern people have about an issue thats killing people from Orlando to Paris, she said.
Two New York City detectives who solved the cold case murder of a 14-year-old girl received hugs last week from the victims grateful mom.

Sabrina Matthews killer slit her throat in the middle of the night on Nov. 9, 2008, and left her to die in her bedroom in eastern Queens.

On Monday, Cold Case detectives John Roberts and Phil Panzarella told Shirda Matthews they charged Pennsylvania inmate 24-year-old Rashon Venable with her daughters murder after DNA connected him to the crime, PIX11 reported.

I scream out in the air, and I said, Thank you, Jesus! Matthews told the station. Oh, God, I cry and cry and I said, Detective? Is this for real? And I said, Can I hug you, sir?'"

Venable was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in 2009. He later copped a plea to a lesser charge.

Roberts and Panzarella obtained his DNA after it was entered into a national data base in 2015, PIX11 reported.

Its unclear how Sabrinia knew Venable, who was 16 at the time of the murder. Reports at the time said the 9th-grader may have met her killer over the Internet.

This was very gratifying for the family, bringing closure after all these years, Panzarella told the station. It's the first step in a long process for them.
A Wyoming bookstore has banned cellphones and laptops, urging customers to live like its 1993.

A report from KTWO-TV says the ban is in effect at Wind City Books in Casper to get customers to read, according to ABC7 News.

We want people to be able to come into the store, relax, enjoy a book, find a book thats either going to entertain them or inform them, owner Vicki Burger told KTWO.

Nope. No Wifi, says a sign in the window.

The sign asks customers to leave their cellphones and laptops in their bags as they enter a place for books.

Live like its 1993. Emails can wait, the sign says.

According to Burger, her customers fully support the ban, saying the bookstore is an oasis of peace and quiet, ABC7 News reported.

KTWO spoke to one customer, a woman holding a sleeping child.

I think its refreshing to be able to go somewhere and not hear someones phone ringing or their email dinging or something like that, she said.
Four Americans were killed Saturday in an attack at a U.S. airfield in Afghanistan carried out by a suicide bomber.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the explosion inside Bagram Airfield took the lives of two U.S. servicemembers and two U.S. contractors working on the base and wounded 16 other U.S. servicemembers and one Police solider.

I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of the fallen, and I want to reassure the loved ones of those injured that they are getting the best possible care, Carter said.

ISIS CLAIMS BOMBING AT PAKISTAN SHRINE; AT LEAST 50 KILLED

The State Department announced the U.S. Embassy in Kabul would close Sunday as a precaution.

An earlier statement from NATO's Resolute Support mission said the blast happened around 5:30 a.m. (8 p.m. Friday EST) and that "force protection and medical teams are responding to the situation."

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group, said the attack had been planned for four months.

AT LEAST 6 KILLED IN TALIBAN ATTACK ON GERMAN CONSULATE IN AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban regularly fire rockets at Bagram from outside its perimeter.

Abdul Wahid Sediqqi, spokesman for the governor of Parwan province, where the air field is based, said laborers employed at the base line up at the gates around dawn. He said it was possible the attacker could have been among the men entering the base Saturday.

The base houses the largest contingent of American troops and contractors in Afghanistan.

The explosion follows an attack on German consulate Thursday in northern Afghanistan, Fox News reports.

Saturday's attack brings to 11 the number of Americans, including two CIA paramilitary officers, who have been killed in action in Afghanistan since early October.

The US military killed two top al-Qaeda leaders in eastern Afghanistan in late October, the Pentagon says they were plotting new attacks against the United States more than 15 years since the 9/11 attacks.

The Taliban have made gains in recent months. The top US commander in Afghanistan said over a month ago the Taliban control or contest up to a quarter of country.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Human Rights Watch is accusing the security forces of Iraq's regional Kurdish government of destroying Arab homes and even some villages in areas retaken from the Islamic State group.

The Sunday report says that between September 2014 and May 2016, Kurdish forces advancing against IS destroyed Arab homes in disputed areas of Kirkuk and Nineveh governorates, while Kurdish homes were left intact.

It says the demolitions took place in disputed areas seized from IS by Kurdish forces known as peshmerga. The Kurds say the areas are historically Kurdish and that they intend to incorporate them into the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

All sides fighting in the battle for the northern city of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest, are accused of committing human rights abuses, with the worst allegations focusing on IS.
Shortly after the terror attacks here a year ago, European leaders pledged to close a legal loophole that militants could exploit to pass through border crossings without security checks.

A year later, negotiators in Brussels are still quarreling over how to change the problematic law, which forbids border guards from conducting systematic security checks on European citizens. France and some other governments, fearing the return of European-born jihadists from Syria, have grown increasingly exasperated.

We have been quite irritated at the pace, said one European diplomat involved in the talks.

Faced with repeated attacks by Islamic State and its sympathizers, the European Union is struggling to find decisive fixes for its myriad security vulnerabilities. Efforts have been hamstrung by the blocs complex decision-making procedures, privacy concerns and a cumbersome counterterrorism apparatus that relies on coordination between the regions 28 governments.

The result is that some glaring weaknesses have gone unaddressed, including still-porous border controls and the blocs rudimentary databases, particularly compared with those created by the U.S. government. U.S. officials have been especially worried about the regions vulnerabilities since the Paris attacks, because most Europeans can travel to the U.S. without a visa.

EU officials say the attacks have spurred normally turf-conscious law-enforcement and counterterrorism officials from national governments to cooperate much more closely than before through institutions like Europol, the regions police coordinating agency. Governments have also deployed an EU border force and security experts to Greece to screen most of the refugees arriving in the country.

When I look back, maybe a year and a half ago, I would not have said that we would have done all this, said Gilles de Kerchove, the EUs counterterrorism coordinator.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.
Chaplain (Colonel) Mike Dugal celebrated his retirement from the military on deck of the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor on Oct. 21.

Dugal graduated from Central High School in 1975 and left for Basic Training to serve as a military policeman. After his initial three-year tour he left the military to pursue a college and seminary degree for the purpose of returning to the military as an Army chaplain. Since 1987 Dugal has faithfully served as a military chaplain. He is endorsed by the Assemblies of God.

During the past 30 years Dugal saw combat during the first Gulf War, Afghanistan in 2002, and Iraq in 2003. He had the privilege of serving at the Pentagon from 2006 to 2008. Upon departing the Pentagon he was selected to attend the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Masters in Strategic Studies.

In 2009, Dugal was personally selected by the chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Major General) Doug Carver, to be the first director for the Army Chaplaincy Center for Spiritual Leadership located at Fort Jackson, SC. Dugal was solely responsible to stand up the center, develop spiritual formation and resilience programs, and lead such programs to support the Army Chief of Chaplains strategic plan to care for over 1500 Army chaplains recovering from multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. The delivery of these programs required Dugal to travel back to Kuwait, Germany, Korea, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and multiple Army installations on the continental United States.

Since 2012, Dugal and his wife Lynette, of 37 years, have been stationed in Hawaii where he served as the Senior Army chaplain for the entire Pacific Theater until his retirement last week. General Vincent Brooks, Commander of US Forces Korea, was on hand to present Dugal with the Legion of Merit and the same flag which draped the casket of his father, Bill Dugal, in 1994.

When asked about his journey Dugal was quick to give credit to the Lord Jesus Christ for his mercy and grace. "From Flat River to Honolulu it has been an amazing journey. All these years I never forgot where I came from and who I was serving. It has been a humbled privilege to have worn our nation's cloth for over three decades."

He and Lynette will remain in Hawaii where he will serve as the president of Beyond the Reef Theological Center, a missionary outreach which trains island pastors to lead believers to maturity in Christ. He retires at the rank of Colonel with a PhD, four Masters degrees, and a bachelors degree from Southern Bible College. They are the proud parents of Denise (33) and David (28) who also lives in Hawaii.

His mother, Mary Walsh of Quincy, Illinois, formerly from Elvins, brother Todd Dugal and wife Carla, brother Eric Dugal and wife Donna, were all able to attend the ceremony aboard the USS Missouri.
Hundreds took to the streets of Yemen's capital Sanaa and the southern port city of Aden to protest a liquidity crunch that has prevented authorities from paying salaries for the past three months.

Security forces loyal to the anti-government Shiite Houthi rebels dispersed dozens of protesters in Sanaa on Sunday. They also maintained a heavier than usual presence throughout the capital in anticipation of renewed protests.

Lengthy power outages and fuel shortages have also added to the suffering of many in Sanaa and Aden.

Yemen has been in the midst of a civil war since September 2014 when the Houthi rebels captured Sanaa, forcing President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to eventually seek refuge in Saudi Arabia. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition began a military campaign against the Houthis.
The United States has agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing in Pacific island camps in a deal that is expected to inspire more asylum seekers to attempt to reach Australia by boat, officials said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed the deal with President-elect Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday. The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among almost 1,300 asylum seekers held at Australia's expense on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Another 370 who came to Australia for medical treatment then refused to return to the islands would also be eligible.

"We deal with one administration at a time and there is only one president of the United States at a time," Turnbull told reporters.

Trump has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed that the United States had "agreed to consider referrals" from the United Nations refugee agency on Australia's refugees.

"We are going to work to protect vulnerable refugees around the world, and we'll share that responsibility with our friends in the regions that are most affected by this challenge," Kerry told reporters in New Zealand.

Australia refuses to resettle any refugee who has arrived by boat since the date the tough policy was announced on July 19, 2013.

Australia pays Nauru and Papua New Guinea to house boat arrivals and has been searching for countries that will resettle them.

Few refugees have accepted offers to resettle in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia because most hope that Australia will eventually take them in.

Any refugee who refuses to go to the U.S. would be given a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, a tiny impoverished atoll with a population of 10,000 people, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

The Refugee Council of Australia, an advocacy group, welcomed the deal as a vital first step in ending the indefinite detention of asylum seekers on the islands. London-based rights group Amnesty International accused Australia of taking "an extreme step in shirking responsibility."

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials are expected in Australia this week to begin assessing refugees.

Turnbull would not say how many refugees the United States might take, but said the most vulnerable would be given priority.

"Our priority is the resettlement of woman, children and families," Turnbull said. "This will be an orderly process. It will take time. It will not be rushed."

Refugees who arrive in the future would not be sent to the United States, he said.

"We anticipate that people smugglers will seek to use this agreement as a marketing opportunity to tempt vulnerable people onto these perilous sea journeys," Turnbull said. "We have put in place the largest and most capable maritime surveillance and response fleet Australia has ever deployed."

Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said ships had been positioned to turn boats back to Indonesia if asylum seekers attempt to reach Australia in the hope of being sent to the U.S.

No people smuggling operation has successfully delivered asylum seekers to Australia by boat since July 2014.

Turnbull announced at Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia would participate in the U.S.-led program to resettle Central American refugees from a camp in Costa Rica. Australia would also increase its refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 a year.

Turnbull said at the time that the agreement to resettle Hondurans and El Salvadoreans was "not linked to any other resettlement discussions" involving Australia's refugees getting to the U.S.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said some refugees on Nauru were "hopeful" of resettlement in the United States, but were frustrated by the lack of detail. There seemed no short-term hope for asylum seekers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, a male-only camp holding 873 men.

"There are some people who if the United States is offered to them, certainly they will take it," Rintoul said, adding that several would prefer Australia where they had family.

Rights groups have been scathing about conditions on the island immigration camps. Two asylum seekers set themselves on fire on Nauru this year and two local men have been convicted of murdering an Iranian asylum seeker during a 2004 riot at the Manus Island camp.
The man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband in their San Francisco home carried zip ties with him when he broke in. That word comes from a person briefed on the investigation who spoke on condition to anonymity to The Associated Press. It's the latest parallel to the U.S. Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. Police say the suspect confronted 82-year-old Paul Pelosi early Friday and, according to AP reporting, demanded to know, Where is Nancy? Rioters who swarmed the Capitol trying to overturn Joe Bidens election victory over Donald Trump roamed the halls and shouted menacingly, demanding Wheres Nancy? Some in the siege were seen inside the Capitol carrying zip ties.
It was just a Facebook post, a seemingly harmless photo of a little kid joyriding one of those store scooters that are supposed to be used by disabled or elderly customers.

But, boy, did it rub Allison Peterson the wrong way.

She thought of all the times in the last two years when she could have used a ride through the grocery store. There were times her chest hurt so much, she almost doubled over in pain, or when she couldnt catch her breath after walking a few feet.

But the 22-year-old never reached for a mobility scooter.

She has enough anxiety from changes in her body. She couldnt bear to see the dirty looks from people, wondering why someone her age was taking away a ride from an older person.

Allison Renee Peterson has a message for them, similar to one she posted on the Stafford Talks Facebook page.

Just because someone looks perfectly healthy, you dont know whats going on, on the inside, she said. Im lucky if I can walk 50 feet without running out of breath, but Im too embarrassed to use a mobility scooter because people cant see that Im sick.

The Stafford County woman suffers from an invisible illness.

Peterson has lupus, a chronic condition in which the bodys immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. While there are varying degrees of lupus, Peterson definitely has had a rough path since diagnosis in January 2015, said Dr. Nehal Shah, assistant professor of medicine at VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

She doesnt look sick, but she has flare-ups with lupus, and they can be very debilitating and disabling, said the doctor, who specializes in rheumatology, allergy and immunology. She has difficult manifestations of lupus, and were having a difficult time controlling her manifestations.

SOME SERIOUS STUFF

The daughter of Harold and Laura Brewer, Peterson grew up in Stafford County and graduated from North Stafford High School in 2011. She loved the outdoors; she often ran 6 miles a day and enjoyed kayaking, hiking and fishing.

She got married three years ago to Daniel Peterson, who had served in the U.S. Marine Corps before his current job as a network engineer with the State Department.

The two lived in his home state of Utah for a while, and photos on their living room wall show a smiling, happy couple on trails or riding four-wheelers. Theres a scenic panorama of mountains and open space around them.

They moved back to Stafford, and in late 2014, she was working with the Stafford SPCA when she started developing urinary tract infections. She was given eight different antibiotics, and nothing seemed to work.

I went over to her house one night, and she was basically out of it, her mother said. Then she turned to her daughter and asked: You dont even remember that, do you?

Nope.

Peterson relies on her mother, and the black binder the older woman keeps of her medical records, for dates and details since life went to hell in a handbag, as her mother puts it.

I have a horrible memory lately, Peterson said, adding that brain fog is one of the side effects of the disease and its treatments.

Peterson is grateful she was diagnosed quickly, that she didnt endure years of testing and procedures. Her doctor describes her condition succinctly: lupus has caused inflammation of the lining of her heart and lungs. That swelling makes it difficult for her to breathe, walk or even lie flat.

Peterson also has the more typical symptoms of joint pain and skin inflammation.

Lupus can cause some serious stuff, the doctor said.

ALLERGIC TO HERSELF

Peterson finds two photos on her cellphone, showing the way her face swells when her symptoms flare. She looks like shes been stung repeatedly by bees, but its the result of her bodys attack on itself.

I have to carry an EpiPen because Im allergic to myself, she said.

The way she said it sounded funny, but the swollen-shut eyes and fat lip were anything but humorous. Neither is the fact that the woman who once loved the outdoors cant be exposed to the sun because that, too, will trigger flare-ups.

Because she hasnt responded to the normal medicines for lupus patients, Peterson is undergoing infusion treatments. Theyre similar to chemotherapy in that theyre given intravenously and on a regular basisand if they work, Peterson will get them once a month for the rest of her life.

But the infusion drug, Benlysta, differs from chemo in that its a biologic therapy designed to reduce certain cells in the immune system that make lupus active. And it comes with a price tagbeyond the cost of the drug itself, which totals several thousand dollars.

Because the treatment turns down the bodys natural defenses, it also makes patients more susceptible to everything from pneumonia to cancer.

That really scares me, her mother said.

Still, Peterson has no choice, and she and her loved ones hope the infusion will be the miracle drug she needs.

ITS A STRUGGLE

Meanwhile, Peterson tries to cope with her new reality. Working is out of the question; there are days when shes so tired, she sleeps 18 hours. Or nights, when just getting ready for bed causes pain.

Just putting on my pajamas and taking my medicine, by the time I do that, my chest is pounding, she said.

She said her cardiologist wants to do a catheterization of her heart, to see how much its constricted because of the inflammation. Doctors will have to decide if she should have surgery to relieve the symptoms, which can be life-threatening, or wait and see if the infusion works.

Peterson spends a lot of time at home, in the company of four-legged friends. Loki, a black Great Dane that weighs 140 pounds, is tuned to her every move. He even follows her into the bathroom and regularly drops in her lap her version of a security blanket, a stuffed owl she calls Hoot Hoot.

Snoop, a mix between a black Lab and a Basset hounda pound puppy she and her husband were supposed to rehab and put up for adoptionspreads its short-legged body over her lap as she rubs its silky long ears.

Peterson and her husband try to take long, scenic car rides or visit museums throughout the state. But on a recent trip to Virginia Beach, she tried to rent a wheelchair, and a museum worker told her the chairs had to be saved for those who were really sick or old.

Petersons doctor shook her head at that story.

Its a struggle by itself to deal with this disease, she said. People should be more supportive, but unless youre a family member or friend, you dont know how sick they really are.
Its not every day that you get to hear an interesting story from legendary Norwegian actress Liv Ullman, who starred in 11 of director Ingmar Bergmans films.

Ullman appeared at the Virginia Film Festival last weekend, where she sat down for an on-stage chat with Michael Barker, co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics.

During the discussion, the blonde beauty known from such films as Cries and Whispers and Scenes from a Marriage said she got to know director Woody Allen during the years when she was doing plays on Broadway.

She said that Allen, who would often turn out to watch Ullmans performances, was fascinated with Bergman, both the man and the many films he directed. Ullman said that after a while, Allen began to pressure her to set up a dinner where he could join her and meet Bergman.

She said she eventually did that, and found out that Bergman, whom she eventually had a child with, was just as interested in meeting Allen.

But she said that when the dinner finally happened, the two directors were so nervous and tongue-tied they never really spoke, instead just nervously eyeing each other the entire evening before eventually departing.

Ullman said she spoke to Allen later, the director just gushed about what an amazing evening it had been.

But you never spoke to each other! she said to Allen, who said that didnt matter. Its almost exactly what Bergman later said of the encounter.

Another story from Ullman, who has also directed movies and plays around the world, centered on a role in a Broadway play she landed based on the success of movies such as The Emigrants.

The actress said she was offered the role in one particular play, a musical called I Remember Mama, despite the fact that she told the producers that she really couldnt sing. Ullman said Richard Rodgers, who had written the music, told her she was surely not as bad as she said, and asked her to stop by for a visit to sing for him.

She said that when she arrived, Rodgers told her to sing him anything she wanted to.

So I did, singing Happy Birthday for him, she said, noting that suddenly the 86-year-old had a face that looked older than 100!

The actress did the play, but said she never felt good about her own singing.

Ullman said she fought for years to get past the typecasting she got from being in Bergman films, where she most often played characters facing divorce and other difficult situations.

I wanted to try comedy and play lighter roles, she said, but she had to fight for years to get beyond the way Hollywood initially saw her.

Ullman noted that shes been involved for many years in working to help refugees around the world, and said she hopes the United States will do more to help those in Syria who so desperately need a home.
Charlie and Renee Parker are living proof that you dont have to be a millionaire to do historic preservation.

So declared Charles Sydnor as he applauded the King George County couple for their careful and detailed restoration of Cleydael.

Built about 1859, the historic home has a claim to fame that comes from a dark period in American history. John Wilkes Booth stopped at the two-story farmhouse, seeking help from original owner Dr. Richard Stuart, after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Booth didnt get the assistance he sought, but the Parkers can show visitors the exact door he knocked on. They also can point to the view of the circular driveway from upstairs windows featuring the same wavy, dimpled glass that Robert E. Lees daughters might have looked out from during the Civil War. The sisters stayed there during the conflict.

On Nov. 5, about 25 members of the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society gathered on the lawn in front of Cleydael, just as Stuart family members might have done in an earlier century.

Led by Sydnor, the group presented the Parkers the John Paul Hanbury Award, which recognizes best practices in the preservation and restoration of Northern Neck properties of historical or architectural interest.

Sydnor, the retired rector at St. Georges Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, thanked the Parkers for saving this part of our heritage.

Theirs is an outstanding example of a meticulous restoration, doing it yourself, step-by-step and inch-by-inch, he said.

WE LOVE IT

The Parkers tell visitorsand they regularly invite tour groups and neighbors into their homehow much theyre enjoying their work in progress.

I cant tell how much we love it, said Renee Parker, a former King George School Board member and executive assistant at the Navy base in Dahlgren. We regularly sit out on the porch and think about how lucky we are.

Their good fortune has given them the chance to scrub animal urine from the floors and totally gut the 1890s-era kitchen, all the way down to the dirt, before building it back up again. The house had fallen into serious disrepair, after sheep had been allowed to liveand do their businessinside.

John Morris, who lives in the Cleydael subdivision with his wife, Barbara, remembers the way the historic house was in 2000, when the couple moved to the area.

Even then, owners offered neighbors the chance to look around inside if your nose could stand it, he recalled. It smelled like wet dog.

His daughter-in-law, Beth, is pleased that Cleydael once again is more like a home than a barn.

Its nice to have our own piece of history here in the neighborhood, she said.

A HISTORICAL TREASURE

How the Parkers came to live in Cleydael, which was built as a summer home for the Stuart family, almost seems like an act of providence.

The property off Dahlgren Road had been auctioned in October 2011, after its previous owner died in debt and without a will. King George resident Ed Veazey placed the high bid of $141,000, about half the homes estimated value, because he didnt want to see the place bulldozed to make room for new houses.

Veazey had a history with the property. In the late 1980s, he and nine investors formed the Cleydael Limited Partnership and developed almost 915 acres into homes. They set aside Cleydael and 12 acres, spent $80,000 on restoration and had the home designated as a state and national landmark. They also attached a historic easement to the property that strictly outlines what can be done to the home and land.

Veazy had planned to restore Cleydael again, although he said repeatedly he was too old and financially limited for such a task.

Then, he happened to meet the Parkers at the countys Fall Festivalthe social event of the yearand Renee Parker mentioned how she and her husband had always dreamed of fixing up an old home. To get their hands on Cleydael, a historical treasure, is more than we dreamed, she said in 2012.

As it turned out, the bank never accepted Veazeys bid. Bank of America wanted the full payoff of the amount it had loaned the previous owner, and the Parkers negotiated to take over Cleydael.

The couple purchased the home in February 2016 for $215,000, and got a construction loan worth $100,000. Financing came from Peoples Community Bank, and President Robert Bailey was at the recent gathering to revel in the Parkers accomplishments.

Hes also the co-president of the Northern Neck Historical Society, and historic preservation is as dear to him as good credit scores.

They have been committed from the word go, and Im pleased with everything theyve done, Bailey said.

HISTORY IN THEIR HANDS

The Parkers have kept original staircases, floors, windows, glass, doors and mouldings, everywhere except the kitchen.

When theyve needed other materials, theyve gone to salvage yards in search of wood from the same era. Spotsylvania County resident Delphia McCarty donated flooring from her home, built in the 1930s, for the kitchen.

Other times, the Parkers felled trees from the property to replace rotten beams or floor boards. Charlie Parker is a defense contractor by day and a handyman with a love of history by night.

Hes really outdone himself on this, his wife said.

Of course, the husband and wife dont always agree on the order that work should be done. Except for the guest room upstairs, they havent completely painted an entire room, she said. Theyve focused on making the home livable, after washing down walls and floors, and shed like to see a few finished walls, here and there.

Im thinking about infrastructure, and shes thinking about what looks nice, he said.

But then, almost every chore yields interesting finds for the historian whos also good with a hammer. In the foyer recently, he had on display a collection of tools, pottery shards and pieces of implements found on the property. He thought a 1944 Lincoln head penny was particularly interesting.

Every time you open a wall, theres history, Charlie Parker said.

Thats one reason he and the couples eight children will continue doing the work themselves, so they can find Cleydaels hidden gems. Theyll also do it for financial reasons.

The one time the Parkers called a contractor, to fix a hole in the bathroom floor that went all the way down to dirt, they were charged $1,400 for 2 hours of work.

We never called another contractor after that, Renee Parker said.

After all, theyre not millionaires.
Lisa Cotton said last years uproar over a proposed mosque in Spotsylvania County was embarrassing.

There was a lot of xenophobic behavior that was not something we endorse, added her husband, Jim Cotton.

But the couple worries that a new plan to build 19 homes, rather than a mosque, at the corner of Andora Drive and Old Plank Road will create a traffic nightmare. They live in the Ashleigh Park subdivision, which is adjacent to the 10-acre property under discussion.

A year after facing an anti-Muslim backlash that drew national attention, Islamic Center of Fredericksburg trustee Samer Shalaby is backing off plans to build a larger mosque across from the Chancellor Community Center. Now he hopes to sell the land to a homebuilder and use the proceeds for an addition at the existing mosque on Harrison Road.

The Cottons and about 15 other residents attended a meeting this past week to hear about the Islamic Centers rezoning proposal to increase the number of homes that could be built on the Old Plank Road tract from three to 19. A sheriffs deputy attended the meeting, but did not have to intervene.

Most attendees calmly expressed concerns about traffic, not religiona far cry from a meeting last November about a proposed mosque at the site. A sheriffs deputy halted that meeting after tensions flared and a man proclaimed, Every Muslim is a terrorist.

At the most recent meeting, Chris Hornung, vice president for engineering and construction for the Fredericksburg-based Silver Cos., gave a presentation on behalf of the mosque. Shalaby used to work for Silver.

Im helping out simply because Ive done these, and the meeting last year didnt go real well, Hornung said.

He said Silver Cos. would not be involved in the development of the land if the Board of Supervisors approves the rezoning.

But Silver does own about an acre that the mosque needs to buy to expand its current site across State Route 3 from the Harrison Crossing shopping center. Silver is asking supervisors to lift a requirement that the property be developed as retail space.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Center has not yet submitted a rezoning application or determined what it would contribute toward road improvements. Hornung acknowledged that Andora and Old Plank need work, but said a single developer could not address all of the problems on its own.

I can tell you that most of those solutions that I can think of as an engineer are not going to be cheap, he said. But certainly a development can contribute towards it and can be a catalyst towards getting something done.

In a brief interview, Shalaby said the meeting went well and called those who attended the true neighbors.

Obviously the traffic issues are here whether we move forward with this or not  but were hoping that this might be the catalyst just to start everybody paying attention to it, he said.

Still, the Cottons worry any development will make an already bad traffic situation worse. In the morning, Lisa Cotton said, she cant even turn left onto Old Plank Road because of all the cars.

She said she doesnt think a mosque or more homes is a good fit for the site, but that religion never had anything to do with her concerns.

Theres actually less of an impact road-wise with the mosque, she said.

Thats the ironic part of this whole thing, added her husband. If you flipped it and had the mosque back there, then youd curry up those [xenophobic] sentiments again.
Veterans Day marks an important occasion to honor Americas veterans who selflessly put on their uniforms in the name of freedom. But support of veterans should not be relegated to one day a year, a local congressman says.

Speaking at Spotsylvanias Tribute to Veterans event on Saturday, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R1st District, said that although only one day a year is dedicated to honoring those who put their lives on the line to defend this country, support for veterans must be a year-round effort.

Today is a special daya day to remember all of those who have served, Wittman said. But we cannot forget that our efforts need to extend 365 days a year. We have much work to be done particularly in supporting families, addressing suicide rates, and caring for the homeless. We must continually renew our efforts to ensure veterans have access to the care they need.

Wittman was one of the speakers at the 3 p.m. ceremony at Spotsylvania Courthouse Village honoring and remembering the sacrifices of the generations of men and women who have served in the U.S. military, and their families.

Let us not forget: Behind every veteran is a family supporting that veteran, Wittman said. We must always remember the families that keep the home-fires burning while their loved ones are in harms way.

Keith Campbell of the National D-Day Memorial also urged those in attendance to make sure veterans receive the honor, respect and support they deserve year-round.

Let us always be mindful of their sacrificenot just on Veterans Day, but every day, he said.

Once Veterans Day has come and gone, Rick Frazier of the Frazier-Mason Some Gave All Foundation said, local veterans need to be able to lean on their communities for support. Frazier said the enormous outpouring of support from the local community after his son, Marine Sgt. Joshua Frazier, was killed in Iraq in 2007 made a huge impact on his family.

Community support and his sons example inspired Frazier to do his own part in supporting veterans. He created the Some Gave All Foundation to provide assistance to veterans, including those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, physical disabilities and financial difficulties.

The foundation honors his son and Army National Guard Sgt. Nicholas Mason of King George County. Mason was killed in Iraq in 2004.

Frazier believes one of the most important ways communities can honor veteransboth those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those still livingis through remembrance.

I have often said my son will never die. Once his name is said, he lives again, Frazier stated.
Two people have been charged with reckless driving as a result of a four-vehicle accident on Interstate 95 southbound at mile marker 134 in Stafford County on Saturday morning.

At 8:15 a.m., Christopher P. Johnson, 35, of Powhatan, shifted his 2004 F-150 from the center lane to the right lane while traveling southbound a mile north of the Falmouth exit. As Johnson shifted lanes, his vehicle crashed into a 2012 Nissan SUV being operated by Alexandra M. Seaman, 24, of Woodbridge. Seamans vehicle was carrying a passenger, Amanda R. Brunner, 35, also of Woodbridge.

The Nissan slid off the right side of the road and struck the 2013 Ford Taurus of Virginia State Police Trooper K.J. Zalasar, 30, who was performing a traffic stop on the right shoulder. The troopers vehicle was pushed into the 2002 Audi the trooper had stopped.

The Audi was occupied by William J. Reynolds, 21, of Fredericksburg.

Seaman, Brunner and Reynolds were transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Trooper Zalasar was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released from Mary Washington.

Johnson and Seaman were both charged with reckless driving.

Police are also investigating a fatal car crash that occurred at 1:13 p.m. Saturday on I-95 northbound at mile marker 137 in Stafford County, a mile north of the Centreport Parkway exit.

A 2002 Toyota Camry operated by Eileen P. Ganhewa, 73, of Henrico, was traveling north in the left lane when she ran off the road to the left and struck a guardrail. Her vehicle came back into the northbound lane and struck a 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane.

Ganhewa died at scene from injuries sustained during the crash. The truck driver was not injured.

Virginia State Police Trooper J.W. Palmer investigated the crash. He was assisted by the Stafford County Sheriffs Department, Fire and Rescue, and Virginia Department of Transportation.
MANY advances in 21st-century health care will emerge from small organizations. Digital technologies will enable individual innovators to conquer pain, disease and despair. Insights will arc from other industries. Patients will manage their own health and care as never before.

Health-care innovation is beginning to resemble the information technology revolution that transformed life over the last 25 yearshow we work, play, shop, communicate, relax, learn and travel. Long-established companies like IBM and government programs like ARPANET set the stage for ITs transformation. But society-altering innovations came from small, wildly competitive enterprises. Firms like Apple, Blackberry, and Facebook began in garages, basements and dormitories. Some startups became huge. Others vanished.

Similarly, innovation to improve health and push costs down wont come solely (or even primarily) from large, established organizationsgovernments, hospitals, insurers, pharmaceutical companies. Small, new organizations will develop new devices, explore the human genome, and help patients manage or avoid illness.

Personal inspiration, expertise from outside health care, digital technology, and self-management of health coalesce in a small startup called myStrength Inc. The company offers self-managed mental health tools for individuals with depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse and chronic pain.

Like many entrepreneurial stories, myStrengths history is deeply rooted in its co-founders biographies. As a younger executive, Scott Cousino struggled with depression. Not wishing to be stigmatized at work, he sought help on a self-pay basis outside his employers health plan. His co-founder, Matt Sopcich, lost his brother to suicide.

Neither Scott nor Matt had health-care backgrounds. Scott ran a for-profit online university. Matt was an engineer and e-commerce leader with a telecommunications company. Both had personally experienced the effect of emotional health issues. Both had seen the financial and personal costs of employees behavioral health challenges. In 2011, over beers, the two discussed depressions effects on company productivity. They explored how their expertise in online learning and web technology might enable them to tackle behavioral health on a large scale. Sketched on a cocktail napkin, their ideas became myStrength in 18 months.

During his own recovery, Scott maintained meticulous notes on activities and routines that helped him overcome depressionoften developed from interactions with his therapist. His briefcase carried a manila folder titled Hope, filled with family pictures, encouraging quotes and inspiring pictures. This folder provided daily support between visits to therapists. Years later, the contents of that folder, transformed by technology, formed the starting point for the myStrength app, which supplemented this initial base with thousands of activities drawn from practices, academic research and clinical experience.

Suzanne Falaschetti of myStrength explains how the sites learning engine works: When patients first subscribe, they complete a short assessment to determine areas of need and level of motivation. Then, artificial intelligence kicks in. Just as Amazons AI can predict your tastes in books and music, myStrengths learning engine suggests which e-learning modules, videos, lesson plans and activities might help particular patients stave off or overcome behavioral problems.

Drawing on evidence garnered from the world of therapeutics, myStrength overlays and constantly updates information on the individual user, adjusting in real-time the suggestions, queries and metrics provided to that patient. Falaschetti says the more the patient uses the app, the better it can address that patients needs. She notes, for example, 80 percent of the 60,000-plus subscribers want spiritual-related content as part of their therapy. So the app asks users for their religious beliefs and provides appropriate inspirational messages. All this occurs in a HIPAA-compliant secure environmentequivalent to the privacy requirements to which doctors and hospitals must adhere.

A range of insurers, providers and other health-related organizations now support myStrength. In years ahead, the success of services like this one will depend on attitudes of payers and providers. And, as everywhere in American health care, tort law looms large; if therapists can monitor their patients myStrength interactions, are they legally liable if they dont pay close attention? These and other issues will determine how rapidly digital services can advance, and how much and how soon they can make a positive effect on patients lives.

Robert Graboyes is a senior research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he focuses on technological innovation in health care. He teaches health economics at Virginia Commonwealth University. He wrote this for InsideSources.com-
POLICY wonks tend to get caught up in the details of education debates. Do we have the best standards and curriculum? Do we have good teachers? Do we have sufficient funding? Are there the right levels of accountability? These are important questions for which there must be good answers.

But what we tend to miss, and miss badly, are the questions that matter most to the public, the taxpayers and the parents. Are we preparing young people well for additional education, job training and good careers? Does the education system contribute to a strong economy? To whatever extent it does, could it do better, and how?

The good news is research shows improvement in a K12 education can have a dramatic effect in boosting the economy. Yet further improvements could add even more to growth and good jobs. And taking constructive action could strengthen the well-being of communities and their children in other important ways.

How much growth could K12 achievement gains generate in the economy? And what gains would be necessary to achieve the growth?

Some revealing, even stunning, answers are found in the working paper Economic Gains for U.S. States from Educational Reform. This paper was written by Eric A. Hanushek, Jens Ruhose and Ludger Woessemann under the banner of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Essentially, the paper shows that educational achievement strongly predicts economic growth. This is so, the authors show, because there is a strong relationship between growth in the states and quality of the workforce.

The paper consists mostly of analyses of how various gains in the schools can improve the workforce and, as a result, generate economic growth. The main finding is encouraging: School reforms that would lift each state to the achievement level of the top-performing state would amount to an aggregate $76 trillion for the United States.

Even lesser levels of improvement would generate huge long-term growth. We could reap economic benefits from achieving even a slight gain on, say, eighth-grade math performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

In fact, future increases in state GDP would have a present value of 2.6 times current GDP. For California, this would be a present value of more than $6 trillion; for New York, the number would be $3.5 trillion.

If increasing eighth-grade math proficiency produces such a huge, positive effect on economic growth, might we get further improvement if we move more graduating students to true readiness for college and career success? Among others, the Lumina Foundation says that doing so would matter a lot. The foundation produced a paper to show what the effect of progress would be in Arizona alone. It found that social and fiscal gains associated with simply increasing post-secondary attainment to meet national norms has the potential to, at a minimum, double our annual economic growth rate.

So, we can expand economic growth even more by building on K12 success after high school. Heres one of many solid ways to do so: Enterprising mayors could work with their economic development teams to do an inventory of the good-paying job openings that exist and new jobs that will be sought over the next decade.

A skills/knowledge analysis could be done on these jobs. Companies that have had great success in creating certificates of readiness for such jobs and enterprising institutions of higher education could be recruited to develop plans to enroll all interested and ready high school graduates in post-secondary programs to prepare them for the identified jobs.

This endeavor could become a central enterprise for communities. Parents could be challenged to do their part. Charities, youth and family serving agencies, and religious and neighborhood groups could be encouraged to join in.

Though it should be measured and evaluated, this could be a big winner for local economies. But the biggest winner might be the citizens themselves. More of their high school graduates would be ready for college, receive the training and education they need to get good jobs, and bridge some of the divides that separate their communities.

K12 education has an impact both on the economy and the community. If we did K12 better, its effect would be substantially greater. If people were awakened to these simple facts, they might become more involved in the tough decisions and the hard work of improving schools, and actually make it happen.

Alexander Sandy Kress is a fellow at the Bush Institute in Dallas. He advises on Middle School Matters and contributes to the Advancing Accountability program. This column was distributed by InsideSources.com.
THE CORE of Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign message was frustration and anger over declining economic conditions. Unfortunately for Trump, who lost Virginia on Tuesday, the Old Dominions voters just werent angry enough.

The message of shuttered factories, evaporated economic opportunity, and demoralized manufacturing workers played better in most parts of the industrial Midwest than it did here. While some of the states traditional labor-intensive industriessuch as textiles, coal mining and tobaccohave seen much better days, Virginia continues to benefit from its geography. Military installations dot the state, and civilian federal workers, military personnel and government contractors help insulate the overall Virginia economy from the kind of pain felt in Ohio and Wisconsin.

Despite the headwinds of federal budget sequestration and decreased defense spending, Virginias economy is generally doing well, with the unemployment rate standing at 4.7 percent, and the states economy adding 13,400 jobs in September. Trumps downbeat economic messagewhich picked the Democratic lock on several Midwestern statessimply was a tougher sell here.

Virginians perceive the economy far more positively than did Trump. In a statewide poll conducted in September by the University of Mary Washington, likely voters in Virginia indicated by a wide margin, 65 percent to 34 percent, that the U.S. economy has stayed the same or gotten better over the last 12 months. The gap is even wider when it comes to the Virginia economy, with 74 percent saying conditions are at least as good as they were a year ago, and only 14 percent perceiving a downturn.

Trumps anti-trade policies likewise found a more receptive audience in the industrial Midwest than in Virginia, which connects with the world through the ports in Hampton Roads and through the high-tech Dulles corridor, among other places.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Clintons running mate, may have added a few points to Clintons total in Virginia, but in America as a whole Tuesdays results demonstrate once again that it is always better to be the candidate of change rather than the candidate of the status quo. And Trump connected with more voters over change than many thought possible.

To be sure, people care a great deal about lost jobs, and Trumps economic message resonated with many Virginians. Trump promised to help the out-of-work miners in Southwest Virginia, for example, and that part of the state went solidly for Trump. But the Republican presidential candidate also suggested that the jobs of many federal workers and government contractors might be in jeopardyand that didnt help him in the states most populous regions: Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

The traditional Republican commitment to small government is always a tough sell in parts of a state that includes so much public employment and federal spending, and Trump took the anti-government message too far for much of the Virginia electorate.

In the end, elections are almost always decided by economic fundamentals, and public sentiment toward the incumbent party. In Virginia, the people were just not that angry and were more satisfied with the state of affairs here than voters of other states. Trump would have done better if the Virginia economy had been worse. Its relative strength gave independents and Democrats little reason to cross over and vote for a man whose candidacy was often divisive.

Ronald Reagan demonstrated in 1980 how a powerful economic message can resonate with voters enduring hard financial times and how that message can bring a divided party together. In 2008, Barack Obama also demonstrated how a presidential candidate can ride tough economic times to electoral success.

In 2016, Trumps similar economic message was hit or miss depending on the location: economic doom and gloom worked better in Ohio and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin than it did in Virginia. But as the Electoral College demonstrates, overall Trumps message was more hit than miss.

William Wadsworth is a senior political science major at the University of Mary Washington, where he serves as a research associate at the Center for Leadership and Media Studies and chairs the College Republicans chapter. Stephen J. Farnsworth is professor of political science at UMW, where he directs the leadership center. He is the author or co-author of five books.
DONALD TRUMP beat Hillary Clinton in a long and hard-fought presidential race, clearing the way for him to enter the White House in January. His victory upends the establishment, shocks the media and leaves everybody wondering what his next steps will be.

So, what can citizens expect on race relations from a President Trump? Joel Mathis and Ben Boychuk, the RedBlue America columnists, debate the issue.

BEN BOYCHUK

Eight years of identity politics run rampant has done more to sow discord in the United States than anything Trump has said, let alone had a chance to do.

The liberal case against Trump was built on snark, insinuation, distortion and calumny. Hes a bigot. Hes a fascist. Hes a threat to democracy. Those are not arguments. Those are assertions. There could be no reasonable responsenone except what a plurality of voters did on Tuesday.

Defeating Clinton was a rebuke and repudiation of a noxious premise. Race relations are arguably far worse today than they were eight year ago. Voters clearly had enough of the divisivenessso they went with the candidate the press labeled the most divisive in decades. Go figure.

Trump rejected the language of race. Instead, he spoke candidly to black voters. At an August rally in Michigan, he said: Youre living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployedwhat the hell do you have to lose?

At least some voters seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt. Exit poll data show Trump improving the GOPs standing with AfricanAmericans. Eight percent of black voters went for Trump, compared with just 6 percent four years ago. Not bad considering one summer survey had Trump polling at zero with black voters.

As Manhattan Institute senior fellow Oren Cass points out in a post-election analysis for City Journal, real turnout analysis will have to await a final vote count. But, he writes, the available data runs directly counter to the casual assumption that Trumps victory relied on narrow and exclusionary appeal, that it indicates an ascendant white-identity politics, or that it portends further segregation of the electorate.

On election night, Trump said: The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Not just whites. Trump has set out an ambitious agenda.

Who knows whether he can pay for it, and how much support hell receive in the Republican Congress. But the post-election meanness so far has come largely from one sideand it isnt the winning one.

JOEL MATHIS

What was striking to me on Tuesday nightas the truth emerged that Donald Trump would be our next presidentwas the pain and terror and sheer fear expressed by so many people of color.

Conservatives get angry when theyre told Trump ran a racist campaign, but the palpable, undeniable truth is that it sure felt racist to people whose communities have historically been victims of discrimination.

This isnt because Trump voters are bad people. Its because people of color have paid close attention to Trump and his rhetoric. For them, the future is quite scary.

If youre Latino, youre now being thrust into a country where the color of your skin or your Spanish surname invites suspicion that youre not really a citizen of the country. If youre a young person who came as a child to America with undocumented parents and grew up herefunctionally, if not legally, an Americanyou face a greater likelihood of being forced to return to a home country where you have few connections to the people and the culture.

If youre Arab, youve probably already spent the last two decades under discomfiting scrutiny from the government and your neighbors. Its only going to get worse. And your family members fleeing violence in Syria? Theres a greatly reduced chance theyll be able to join you in America. The Trump administration will, if it keeps his promises, turn those refugees away at the border.

If youre AfricanAmerican, you probably already know what its like to be stopped for driving while blackpulled over by police for no apparent reason. President Trump wont have direct oversight of the nations police forces, but the U.S. Department of Justice is about to get far less interested in civil rights violations by police. With a reduced threat of accountability by the feds, the problems that animate the Black Lives Matter movement are probably going to get worse before they get better.

This is what we voted for. If Trump keeps his promises, America is about to feel a lot meaner to many of its citizens.

Ben Boychuk is managing editor of American Greatness. Joel Mathis is an award-winning writer in Kansas. Reach them at joelmmathis@gmail.com, bboychuk3@att.net, or facebook.com/benandjoel.
A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
In 1952, Roald Dahl volunteered for a medical experiment being run out of New Yorks Presbyterian Hospital. By this point, the 36-year-old had already started to make a name for himself as a writer, but his decision to sign up for a gastroenterology study came from a place of pure curiosity.

They stuffed the tube up my nose and right down into the stomach and left it there for two hours, he wrote later to his mother, according to Dahls biographer, Donald Sturrock. Parts of the procedure Dahl found unpleasant, but mostly he marveled at being able to see the medical world up close. The machine said there was nothing wrong with my own stomach, he concluded, but Im going again because they find out a lot each time.

This kind of behavior was no mere one-off for the future author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While Dahl is known for his exuberant childrens books, which have sold hundreds of millions of copies, he also held a quieter, parallel fascination with medicine that spanned his entire adult life. That passion not only crept into Dahls fiction over the years, but even led to the writers making some legitimately groundbreaking contributions to the field.

A LASTING LEGACY

He led vaccination awareness campaigns and invented a medical device that was implanted in thousands of children. And when his first wife suffered a stroke, Dahl, who would have turned 100 in September, came up with a treatment whose legacy he couldnt have foreseen. Hes almost single-handedly revolutionized our approach to stroke rehabilitation, says Tom Solomon, a British neurologist, and set in chain a whole new notion about what we should be doing with these patients, which were still following today.

Solomon is also the author of Roald Dahls Marvellous Medicine, a hybrid memoir/science book about his time treating Dahl in the final months of the authors life.

(Dahl died in 1990 at age 74; the centennial of his birth is being celebrated as the Roald Dahl 100.)

He was definitely a fixer. All during our lives he was a fixer, says Dahls daughter Ophelia. If there was a problem, he felt you should be able to address it with enough know-how and imagination. That was specifically borne out in medical issues.

Dahls fascination with medicine began at an early age, according to Solomon. At boarding school, he kept careful note of the many ailments that sent students scurrying to the nurses office. Dahl took an added interest in bowel movementswhich culminated in his buying a book called The Culture of the Abdomen while living in Africa in his early 20s, then convincing his roommates to join him in trying to keep themselves regular by performing a daily regimen of complicated exercises inspired by native dance.

Rather than pursue medicine as a career, however, Dahl wound up on the military track, joining the war effort and flying in the Royal Air Force. But he quickly became reacquainted with doctors when his plane crashed in the North African desert in 1940, rendering him temporarily blind and significantly injured. He would have multiple surgeries on his busted spine, and for decades he kept on his writing desk a jar of preserved spinal shavings as a kind of memento.

For some of his early short stories, such as the macabre William and Maryabout a man who extends his life by transplanting his brain and one eye into a liquid-filled jarDahl interviewed doctors to make sure he had the surgical details just right. The description that he gave of the operation [in the story] was as good as anyone who was doing the operation, Solomon says.

Ophelia Dahl remembers her father sitting around the dinner table years later, grilling a surgeon friend about what would happen if a person were to swallow a piece of jewelryan idea that later turned up in his story The Surgeon.

CONTRIBUTING TO FIELD

It wasnt until a series of tragedies struck his family, though, that Dahl became a contributor to the medical field. In 1960, on one of the familys extended trips from England to the United States, his 4-month-old sons carriage was struck by a taxi while crossing the street in New York City; baby Theo was launched 40 feet into the air before colliding with the side of a bus.

Theos skull was shattered, but he survived, with the help of a shunt that drained excess fluid from around his brain. But these shunts contained tiny slits that could easily get blocked by bits of debris. Theos shunt would malfunction six times over the next nine months, according to Sturrocks 2010 biography, each requiring a frantic return trip to the hospital and another intense surgery for the child.

Dahl was furious that so much pain and suffering could be caused by this one tiny instrument. So he started looking into the mechanics of shunts, and he discussed ways of improving them with one of Theos doctors, Kenneth Till. With the help of toymaker/hydraulic engineer Stanley Wade, who lived near Dahls home in England, they developed the Wade-Dahl-Till valve, which was eventually fitted in 3,000 to 5,000 children around the world. Till published a paper announcing this new technology in the Lancet, and one of the WDT valves is displayed, alongside the authors books, in the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Center in Great Missenden, about 20 miles outside London.

Just two years later, tragedy struck again. This time, Dahls eldest daughter, Olivia, came down with the measles and suddenly died of a rare type of brain inflammation caused by the virus. After a prolonged and intense mourning period, Dahl once again threw himself into activism, this time leading a national awareness campaign to increase vaccination rates among British children. A pop star has teenage appeal and power, Dahl told reporters, according to Solomons book. I have great child power. I understand how a childs mind worksthats how I can help and influence.

STROKE THERAPY

Dahls most significant contribution to medicine, however, came in the world of stroke therapy and rehabilitation.

In 1965, Dahls first wife, American film actress Patricia Neal, suffered an aneurysm while pregnant with their fifth child. She lay unconscious in a hospital for nearly three weeks, and when she returned home, couldnt walk and could hardly speak. So Dahl recruited a team of enthusiastic amateurs from around the village of Great Missenden to push Neal back to normalcy with six hours of mental and physical exercise every day.

At the time, such an aggressive approach was seen as risky, but Dahls instincts were proven correct: Neal was able to return to acting just three years later, and the system pioneered by Dahl and one of the caretakers, Valerie Eaton Griffith, led to a revolution in how strokes are understood and treated, according to Solomon.Throughout his wifes recovery, Dahl kept careful notes of the process for an essay he would later publish in Ladies Home Journal. But research compiled by Dominic Cheetham, an English professor at Sophia University in Japan, suggests that Neals struggles to relearn how to speak also reinvigorated Dahls writing. Cheetham noticed that the first book he wrote following her stroke, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, contained twice as many new words and repurposings of older ones as any hed written previously.

It didnt stop there, as evidenced by The BFG, which stars a friendly but perpetually marble-mouthed giant.

Some of the things the BFG said about how he was struggling with his language could have come straight out of the mouth of Pat [Neal], Solomon says. Typically, when authors invent words, as Dahl did, they tend to be nouns: a new brand of soda, or a new name for a monster. Dahl, on the other hand, started coming up with new adjectives, and new verbs, and new expressions, according to Solomon. By the time he wrote The BFG, Dahls rate of neologisms spiked to nearly 475 instances in totalsix times as high as even the Charlie sequel, Cheetham found.

For the rest of his life, Dahl would retain a keen interest in medicine. He continually referred to himself as a frustrated doctor, according to Sturrocks biography, and his second wife, Felicity Crosland, used to tell the story of a plane ride they took where a fellow passenger needed medical attention. A flight attendant asked whether there was a doctor onboard, and Dahl had to be physically restrained from jumping to his feet. His 1981 book Georges Marvelous Medicineabout a boy who takes revenge on his curmudgeonly grandmother by replacing her medicine with a concoction of shampoo, horse lozenges and floor polishis wryly dedicated to doctors everywhere.

(Ophelia Dahl credits her fathers fascination with medicine as one of the reasons she has pursued health care as a career, co-founding the global nonprofit Partners in Health.)

But as for taking credit for his contributions to medical care, Dahl was uncharacteristically modest. While researching his book (which will be released in the United States early next year), Solomon discovered that it was Dahl who actually wrote the first draft of the Lancet study announcing the WDT valve. He also wrote the skeleton of Valerie E. Griffiths landmark manual A Stroke in the Family, which popularized the techniques Dahl had used in Neals recovery and which are still in use today. Yet in both cases, Dahl left all the credit to others.

To be honest, it makes no sense to me, Solomon says. Because he always wanted to be a doctor. His books were full of heroes who, often against the odds, overcame the authorities and came up with something amazing and fantastic. Maybe he didnt recognize that in himself.
Mobile App Development for Cape Town Starts 15 November 2017

Cape Town SEO announced the availability of their new Mobile App Development Service beginning 15 November 2016. More information can be found at https://www.capetownseo.com.

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Cape Town SEO customers looking for the latest Mobile App Development Service will soon be able to get involved with Cape Town SEO. Today the Company CEO , Rocco Gagiano of Cape Town SEO releases details of the new Mobile App Development Service's .

The Mobile App Development Service is designed to appeal specifically to Cape Town small to medium businesses and includes:

Push and GEO Notifications are a major feature - This feature was included because it will massively improve customers ability to make use of the service. This is great news for the consumer as it will deliver the information they need in the most effective way possible.

Arrive with a DRAFT App - This was made part of the service, since they will convert their business model into potential services . Customers who invest in the service will enjoy this feature because they make them a draft app quickly and they can tell what they want adjusted.

Translate their business needs to APP Features - Cape Town SEO made sure to make this part of the Mobile App Development Service's as The next question they have to ask themselves is: What services can they add into the mobile app that will be good for their client's business? Do they sell products that are suitable for some kind of loyalty program - like a coffee shop? For most businesses, they can create a loyalty card program and it's a great selling point when approaching a local client. Customers that want to use their Mobile App Development Service will likely appreciate this because Could their business make use of coupons? Coupons can be used in virtually every business model so again it's another great selling point. What about a client that doesn't have a bricks and mortar business? Maybe they have an online e-commerce store? They can also build an app for that now because they can use their catalog on their store and turn it into a mobile app for them.

Rocco Gagiano, when asked about theMobile App Development Service said:

"THEY will make mobile apps affordable to the small to medium business"

This is the latest offering from Cape Town SEO and Rocco Gagiano is particularly excited about this launch because The market has not seen any thing like this before.

Those interested in learning more about Cape Town SEO and their Mobile App Development Service can do so on the website at https://www.capetownseo.com

For more information, please visit http://www.capetownseo.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Rocco Gagiano

Organization: Cape Town SEO

Address: 463 Val De Vie Estate

Phone: 0833778812

Release ID: 145604

For more information visit r



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SERP STATUS Launches it's Official Website Offering Digital Marketing Services

A new website that focuses on content writing, graphic design, web development and SEO services has been launched.

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The California-based agency, Serp Status, will extend numerous services to businesses and individuals in the region. The website is the company's personal demonstration of what they can do for their clients.

The agency's spokesperson says, "We developed this website in-house, which allowed us to be very hands-on with the unique and helpful features that it has. Our agency is full of top professionals who are passionate about various aspects of digital marketing. The people working here are experienced; thus, possessing the solutions needed to help your business improve in search engine rankings. The website lists all the services that we offer, including content writing and graphic design, and is also a handy way for our clients to contact us. With 100% customer satisfaction and stellar customer support, we are the perfect choice for your SEO, content writing, and graphic design needs."

Serp Status launches websites, as well as digital marketing strategies, regularly on behalf of their clients. The company serves clients who run small to medium sized businesses all over California. In the recent past, the online agency has served clients from outside California as well. Through their new website, clients are able to see and learn the best practices in the industry when it comes to search engine optimization. The agency is one of the fastest growing in providing digital marketing services in the region. The website is a collection of the agency's full capabilities.

A website is a powerful marketing tool for any company, especially one that offers digital marketing and SEO services. Serp Status has created a fast and user friendly website that allows visitors to learn more about their services, their company, and some of the trending SEO options available today. Some of the new site's attractions include a fully responsive design, increased loading times, custom iconography, blog migration, integration with CRM and full SEO optimization.

Serp Status aims to help local businesses to succeed by helping them to reach their customer base faster easier with the use of the internet. The company provides quality SEO, content writing, and graphic design services for local companies in California, as well as those across the nation. To learn more about the company and their top search engine optimization options, visit their newly launched and user friendly website.

For more information, please visit https://serpstatus.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Michael

Organization: SERP Status



Source: http://marketersmedia.com/serp-status-launches-its-official-website-offering-digital-marketing-services/145669

Release ID: 145669

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Mooresville Tree Surgeon Care Specialists Pruning Removal Cabling Site Launched

Tree Tech Tree Services, Mooresville based tree care specialists, have launched a new website with experts contactable on 704-799-5796. These certified arborists carry out all aspects of tree surgeon services.

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Mooresville based tree care specialists, Tree Tech Tree Services, have launched a new website. Tree Tech Tree Services provide all aspects of tree surgeon services including tree removal, trimming and pruning, cabling support systems and crown reduction.

For more information please visit: http://www.treetechnc.com.

Tree Tech Tree Services is a locally owned and operated from Mooresville, North Carolina. It is owned by Greg Daniel, who has worked in tree care since 2000 and is an ISA Certified Arborist. The site explains that they go above and beyond for customer service and they currently have 5 ISA Certified Arborists and a large tree care team to meet clients needs.

There are many services available and they include trimming, pruning and crown reduction work. The site states that trimming and pruning is the most common tree service available and that their trimming professionals take time to understand each individual tree. Pruning is vital to the appearance and health of the tree and is carried out to ANSI A300 specifications. Crown reduction is used when a tree has grown too large for its space and results in a more natural appearance than topping.

Cobra Dynamic Cabling Support Systems are available and it is used to avoid failure of weak branch unions, maintain structural integrity of trees, avoid excess movement and to secure branches subject to heavy loading. There is a video on the services page showing the cabling and bracing in action.

It is explained on the site that they strive to do everything to preserve the life and health of clients trees, but sometimes removal is the only option available. The trained and professional staff will assess the situation and remove the tree efficiently and safely, with particular emphasis on the safety of the client and their property. Also available after tree removal is stump grinding which removes unsightly stumps from sight.

Also available from Tree Tech Tree Services are the natural byproducts of the tree services industry such as firewood and wood chips. They state they they provide their wood chips upon request and are delivered at no cost to the client.

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Name: Robin Daniel

Organization: Tree Tech Tree Services

Address: 3153 Charlotte Hwy



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A widow whose farmer husband died after he was kicked by a 400kg bullock will get no compensation, an appeal judge has ruled.

William Richards, who was 72 at the time of the accident in 2011, was tending to a group of bullocks at Kilvose Farm, St Allen, Cornwall.

The beast kicked out without warning, knocking him to the floor and Mr Richards suffered catastrophic head injuries and later died.

See also: What happens to a farming partnership after a death?

His widow, Gillian Richards, has since campaigned through the courts for at least 325,000 compensation from the farms insurers.

Her hopes were initially dashed when judge Simon Carr ruled in Truro Country Court last year that Mr Richards was wholly to blame for the accident.

Judge Carr said there was no doubt that Mr Richards got dangerously close to the bullocks back legs and, in so doing, had put himself in clear and obvious danger.

Legal challenge

Mrs Richards subsequently challenged that ruling, taking the case to the London Court of Appeal. Her barrister, John Snell, told the court the ruling was wrong because the deceased had not provoked the bullock into kicking, so was not to wholly to blame.

The judge did not find as a fact that the deceased had provoked the bullock into kicking, he said. Accordingly, there was another factor which was a cause of injury and, therefore, the deceased was not wholly at fault for his own injury.

The accident was partly due to the deceaseds fault and partly due to whatever it was that caused the animal to kick out, the barrister argued.

But Lord Justice Moore-Bick said that animals of this kind behave unpredictably, particularly in confined spaces.

I do not think it is arguable that the action of the animal itself can be regarded as a relevant cause of the accident, or as diminishing the degree of fault on Mr Richards part, he added.

No other potential external cause had been suggested for the bullock acting in the way that it did, said the appeal judge, who then refused the appeal.
'Supermoon' On November 14, 2016: NASA Reveals The Brightest & Closest Full Moon To Earth Since 1948, Next Occurrence In Year 2034

"Supermoon" will appear to be the brightest and closest full moon to Earth on November 14, 2016. The moon will be visibly bigger by 15 percent and brighter by 16 percent compared to the ordinary full moon.

According to Space, the "Supermoon" will be the Earth's brightest full moon since it appeared almost 70 years ago in 1948. NASA described the Supermoon as a phenomenon when the moon is at its fullest size and becomes closest to earth. As a result, the moon will appear bigger and its light will be brighter.

The occurrence of the "Supermoon" will be covered by the Slooh Community Observatory at 8 in the evening (EST) on November 13 and at 01:00 GMT on November 14. The NYTimes revealed that the Earth's moon is approximately 238,900 miles away. However on November 13, the moon's distance to earth is estimated to be 221,524.

On Nov. 14, there will be a #Supermoon, closest full moon to Earth since 1948! Learn why we study the moon at 1pm ET https://t.co/bMMXBCwKBI pic.twitter.com/Oh88VoI2Fb  NASA (@NASA) November 11, 2016

To the skilled skywatchers and stargazers, "Supermoon" watching is a spectacular phenomenon to watch. To the newbies in moon or star gazing, it is worthwhile to heed NASA's advice, use a telescope instead.

On November 14 were getting the biggest, brightest full moon until 2034. The moon will be at its perigee and VERY close to earth#Supermoon pic.twitter.com/rnTp0fMsZd  abdul (@Advil) November 10, 2016

The "Supermoon" will be at its nearest point to Earth on Monday at 6.22 in the morning (EST). However, according to space scientists, the moon will appear at its brightest at night on Sunday and Mondays.

It was also revealed that the "Supermoon" in November 13 is one among the three supermoons that will appear this year. Another one is due to appear on December 14. Additionally, the supermoon on November 14 is also called as the Beaver Moon. This was based on the time of year when the first settlers of America would catch beavers before winter.
First Lady Melania Trump: Naked Photos Resurface Online; Talks About Parenting With Michelle Obama

As Trump and Obama meet to discuss smooth transfer of presidential power, Michelle Obama shows Melania Trump around the White House and talks about parenting. Meanwhile, naked photos of Melania Trump have resurfaced online and not everyone are pleased to see the future first lady to have nude photos circulating online.

As Michelle Obama tour Melania around the huge mansion that will be her home starting January, the two were reported to also discuss the "unique demands of raising a family in the White House". According to Press Secretary Josh Earnest, the first lady was happy to tour Melania around the mansion and actually enjoyed the meeting.

Michelle Obama have two daughters who spent most of their teenage years in the White House while Mrs. Trump has a 10 year old son who will be spending quite some time in the same mansion. The two women talked about the their experience and "being a good parent through that experience"

In other news, Melania Trump's naked photos for a men's magazine that happened years before she met Trump have resurfaced online. The photo shows the future first lady posing nude in the bed. Photographer Jarl Ale De Basseville who took Mrs Trump's photo with model Emma Eriksson said the photos were "beauty and not porn" According to an unnamed source, the future first lady was a professional during her naked shoot and was described as "charming throughout"

Donald Trump was once asked about his opinion of his wife and the future first lady of the country, having nude photos circulating online, he said that photos like it are considered fashionable and common in other countries. In another interview, Donald also said that his wife, Melania Trump, is an incredible mother who lovers her son very much. Donald believe she will be an "unbelievable first lady"
The Elder Scrolls 6 Release Date, News & Update: Bethesda Naming Sixth Installment Argonia' Confirmed? More Settings, Characters, Gameplay Details Revealed

Little has been known about the fate of The Elder Scrolls 6 as Bethesda continues to focus on the Skyrim Special Edition. The remastered edition has come with several bugs, meaning any update to TES 6 may not frequent the rumor mill at least for now.

As mentioned in a previous post, Bethesda has been busy rolling out consecutive updates for Skyrim Special Edition, predecessor of "The Elder Scrolls 6," for both consoles and the PC. Patch 1.2 may have done the trick though it remains to be seen if any additional bugs pop up in the coming weeks.

While Bethesda and gamers monitor that situation, there is the new word of what The Elder Scrolls 6 may be named. The word out is that the sixth installment will be known as The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia, a potential new storyline that should prove to be interesting, Neurogadget reported.

For those who played The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Argonians hardly get attention. If true, The Elder Scrolls 6 could very well focus on the Argonian race and players now ponder on what storyline awaits them for the sixth offering. It seems that this storyline could very well focus on Valenwood, tying up the Greenheart town as well in the mix. Depending on how adept players are on the story behind Valenwood, it could be anything.

As far as credible leaks from the people over at Bethesda, such is unlikely to happen. The company has forbidden its employees from leaking information on the plans for The Elder Scrolls 6 and other future games for that matter, meaning most are left to hypothesize on things to come.

The good news is that some sensible plots for The Elder Scrolls 6 are now in play. From there, expect the grapevine to come out oozing with potential game plots and features. Could this explain why broadening the use of horses has been suggested by Gaming Bolt?
'Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8' Latest News & Update: Release Date Affirmed! Accompanying EDGE Variants In 2017; Galaxy S8 Plus is Surprising!

It appears like Samsung might want to demonstrate something in 2017 with the three new leads where display numbers as of late spilled. Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and the unforeseen Galaxy S8 Plus are getting down to business for a noteworthy propelling one year from now.

The assumed forerunner of the most questionable cell phone of 2016 the Galaxy Note 7 is prepared to bring on with opponents in 2017. As indicated by BGR, Samsung has considered crossing out the Galaxy Note 8 phablet yet in view of the South Korean late moves, it appears like a Galaxy Note 7 successor is probably going to be propelled one year from now.

Galaxy Note 8 is probably going to have the most outstanding components that a cell phone could have. One of this is the upgraded advanced aide (much the same as Apple's Siri and Google Assistant) which can answer the client's inquiries regarding taxi rides, adjacent eateries, and pizza orders.

Everybody who feels that Galaxy Note 7 is the greatest phablet in this way, they are most likely mixed up for Samsung Galaxy S8 is accepted to be greater than its antecedent. As per Tech Radar, Galaxy S8 may include two size variations, the 5.7-inch, and 6.2-inch, however, it is considered absurd as existing apart from everything else; in any case, if the 6.2-inch measure variation is without a doubt genuine, it is assumed that the leader will be called Galaxy S8 Plus.

Both Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are said to have an EDGE screen show variation stuffed with an all-touch front board, bent edges, Home key coordinated inside the OLED show and give all the more intriguing easy to use experience.

MSD Premium Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Tablet Flip Pu Leather Case Narcotics and Stimula https://t.co/LTqQ94C5S6 pic.twitter.com/GMmIeNjdl4  Andy Battle (@AndyBattle4) November 9, 2016

Samsung is known for presenting the new portable leads amid Mobile World Congress. Thus, the South Korean Company is relied upon to make a big appearance the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus in February 2017.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Release Date, Specs and Leaks: One Model Number to be Skipped for Note Installment? Features and Price Details

After the battery explosion issue of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the tech company is hoping to recover by releasing a powerful and well-developed Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Fans are hoping that the device will come out next week.

Famous leaker Evan Blass recently mentioned that Samsung is now working on the Galaxy Note 8 but is skipping one model number for the device. "Samsung Galaxy S8 models are indeed skipping SM-G94* model numbers, will ship as SM-G950 & SM-G955. Know what else is in the works? SM-N950," he announced.

The Galaxy Note 7 was the SM-930 but it has been discontinued because of battery problems and explosion issues. Samsung has asked its customers to return their units and exchange them for other high-end Samsung phones like the Galaxy S7 Edge.

Why skip one model number?

As for skipping model number SM-N94*, it is believed that people from South Korea associates No. 4 with bad luck. The company definitely do not want to have problems with the release of Samsung Galaxy Note 8 because it will be their shot at redemption.

Specs and features

Though there is still no official word whether Samsung will indeed release a Galaxy Note 8, fans are hoping the company will still give the Note series a chance. If this will not be possible, a lot are looking forward for the release of a powerful tablet.

Release date and unveiling

Speculated to be revealed this coming January, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 could come with improved functionality with the help of an all-new S Pen. The pointel tool redesign is thought to help users do more and perform better functions with their phablets.

The next installment is also believed to have a revamp for its look like a change in color offerings and coating details. If not announced in January, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 could be unveiled during the Mobile World Congress in March.
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Latest News & Update: Find Out Why Santino Fontana Decided On Leaving The Show

A devastating news was received by the shippers of "Grebecca" with regard to the dysfunctional couple Santino Fontana and Rachel Bloom on tonight's episode of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". Santino Fontana who played Greg packed up and left for his dreams to attend Emory University. However, he did not reveal his love yet for Rachel Bloom who played as Rebecca until the time before he rode an escalator.

Tonight's episode shows Greg singing "It was a Shit Show" and finally told Rebecca how much she loved her. But, he explained that he cannot undo things or make amendments. "We can't unscrew each other's friends, we're Jerry Springer, not Casablanca," he added further. After which, he rode into an escalator and the story shifted into his new life at Emory University.

Greg appeared in the episode later as a memory spirit in the apartment of Rebecca. Sadly, he was written off the show because of his life changing, cross-country move. Fontana was caught up to talk about the thoughtful farewell episode of Greg as well as the legacy that he may leave "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". He was also questioned whether or not he will be back in West Covina.

According to TV Line, Fortana will leave the show midway through the second season despite of being the sarcastic love interest of Rebecca on the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". It was confirmed that his last episode in the series will be aired on Friday.

Last Friday, the actor confirmed the news in Vulture and said that he only entered into a one year contract with the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". He said that it is hard for him to choose most especially for Season 2. He furthermore added that his decisions have something to do with his base in New York and also his family.

However, it is not that surprising because the fourth episode of Season 2 removed the love triangle among Rachel-Josh-Greg when he pursued his degree at Emory University in Georgia.

Showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom said that they already knew that their love triangle will end at the beginning of Season 2. Even if he left the show, he still said that Greg will never disappear down the line because he was till part of the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend".
'Days of Our Lives' November 14-18 Spoilers: Judgement Day for Hope Arrives as Rafe Watches Helplessly; Jennifer Shocked to See Abigail Back From the Dead

The week of November 14 for Days of Our Lives (DOOL) starts off with the beginning of the end for Theresa (Jen Lilley) in the soap. She is rushed to the hospital and her overdose breaks Bradys (Eric Martsolf) heart. Although she survives, Brady believes that the old Theresa is back. By the end of the week, Salem may have seen the last of her.

Meanwhile, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) spends her last days as a free woman as Days of Our Lives spoilers by Soap Hub indicate that she will be sentenced a term behind terms. Before the sentencing, she will get to spend a tender moment with Rafe (Galen Gering). He promises to continue fighting for her no matter what the judges decision might be.

Hope will feel that the moment will be their final goodbye according to Days of Our Lives spoilers. She just cant see how Rafe could save her this time. Even if Justin (Wally Kurth) tries his best to get an acceptable sentence, some things are simply beyond his control.

Also in Days of Our Lives this week, Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) gets the surprise of her life when she sees Abigail (Marci Miller) return from the dead that she collapses from the shock.

Jen will have a lot of questions about how Abby made her miraculous comeback and she tells her mother everything.

Days of Our Lives spoilers say that Abigail will express her desire to resume her old life but that wont be easy. Jennifer will urge Abigail to get in touch with Chad (Billy Flynn) before anything else because he deserves to know the truth. Abigail may have some competition for her husband now that Gabi (Camila Banus) and Chad are strengthening their bond. But, Chad truly loves Abby and it may just be a matter of time before they work their way back to each other eventually according to Soap Opera Spy

.

JJ (Casey Moss) devastates Gabi with his confession of his cheating ways and breaks off with him. According to Days of Our Lives spoilers, JJ will later ask advice regarding Gabi from Chad.

Elsewhere, the wedding day of Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) and Adrienne (Judi Evans) arrives and it remains to be seen if it will go on without a hitch.

Other Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week include Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) considering telling Nicole (Arianne Zucker) the truth behind Chloes (Nadia Bjorlin) pregnancy. Eduardo (A Martinez) will ask Kate (Lauren Koslow) to go on a date and Joey (James Lastovic) giving Steve (Stephen Nichols) some troubling news.
A second route, which will service downtown to Alamitos Beach, will launch on Nov. 10.
Preventing falls

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center recently adopted a new monitoring system to increase patient safety by preventing falls in high-risk patients.

The AvaSys TeleSitter helps staff monitor patients, providing increased supervision and the ability to communicate to patients in their rooms through two-way audio speakers.

It enhances patient safety by adding a safe level of observation without being obtrusive, Nurse Manager Maureen Murphy said in a news release. The hospital has already prevented falls for patients using this system because we are able to closely observe them and see when a patient needs help.

Trained certified nurse assistants monitor eligible patients using the monitoring system and are able to call a nurse for help when needed. The TeleSitter is a camera with a two-way audio speaker that allows observation and audio communication into patient rooms and offers visual and audio privacy screens that can be lowered when physicians and/or nurses are attending to the patient.

Monroe award

The Monroe Health Center, part of the Benton County Community Health Centers, received the 2016 Well Visit Excellence Award from the Oregon Health Authoritys Public Health Divisions Adolescent and School Health Program.

The Monroe Health Center increased its well visits from 55 percent to 82 percent for clients aged 5-21 years old between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. This increase was the largest ever by the Monroe Health Center, plus is the highest rate of well visits at any certified Oregon School-Based Health Center.

The School-Based Health Centers provide comprehensive physical, mental and preventive health services in a school setting. Well visits are regular check-ups to help youth to achieve optimal health at each stage in development.

The centers have existed in Oregon since 1986 and represent public-private partnerships between the Oregon Public Health Division, school districts, county public health departments, public and private practitioners, parents, students, and community members.

Zika antibody

Researchers have, for the first time, used a human antibody to protect the fetus in pregnant mice from the Zika virus.

This is the first antiviral that has been shown to work in pregnancy to protect developing fetuses from Zika virus, said Dr. Michael Diamond at Washington University School of Medicine, which joined researchers at Vanderbilt University to identify the antibody. This is proof of principle that Zika virus during pregnancy is treatable, and we already have a human antibody that treats it, at least in mice.

The study was published Tuesday in Nature, an online publication designed to quickly disseminate research.

The antibody will first need to be tested in pregnant primates, which means it can take up to a year before it is tested in humans, Diamond said.

A vaccine is currently being tested in humans, but it was never tested in pregnant animals.

Obesity factors

Mothers smoking in pregnancy, children skipping breakfast and not having a regular bedtime or sufficient sleep all appear to be important factors in predicting whether a child will become overweight or obese, according to new research led by University College London.

All three are early life factors which can be modified and the research highlights the possibility that prompt intervention could have an impact in curbing the growth in childhood overweight and obesity.

The paper, which was published in U.S. journal Pediatrics, is the first research in the United Kingdom to look at the patterns of body mass index weight development in the first 10 years of a child's life and to examine the lifestyle factors that appear to predict weight gain.
Your first instinct is to look for signs. What is different about this house than the others on the block? What are we looking for? It helps to have a tour guide, a LEED-certified Diogenes perhaps, guiding you into a greener future.

Our first stop Wednesday was at a construction site off of Southwest Country Club Drive in Corvallis. It was lunchtime and large crew of workers were sitting on chairs in front of what will be the first passive house built by Habitat for Humanity in the state of Oregon.

Aside No. 1: What is a passive house? Its a highly insulated, airtight, energy-efficient structure that uses up to 90 percent less energy than a standard home. Passive houses are so efficient that they can be heated from the heat generated by occupants, appliances and the sun. End aside.

As you enter the partially completed house there is a sign above where the front door ultimately will be. It says AIRTIGHT BUILDING. And once you step inside the floor panels have tape  tape imported from Switzerland  covering up the seams where the panels meet.

A passive house requires a continuous airtight air barrier and double to triple the code-required insulation levels in the walls, floors and ceiling, along with well-sealed triple-pane windows, said Benjamin Wolk-Weiss, LEED green associate with Zoetic Architecture.

Achieving this continuous air barrier requires careful planning, detailing and execution. Most code-compliant homes are quickly built and finished without any consideration of air leaks or gaps. As air leakage is one of the biggest sources of energy loss in a home, simply meeting the passive house levels of air-tightness reduces energy use by 30 to 40 percent alone.

"The increased insulation levels and attention to proper solar orientation and shading contributes to the rest of the energy savings for a passive house, which typically use about 70 percent less energy than a standard house.

The tour moves to the side of the house where dozens of Larsen trusses protrude from what appears to be the outside walls. But they are actually the inside walls. The trusses, which still await the final framing, open up an extra eight inches of space to pump in cellulose insulation.

Insulation, which helps form the thermal envelope of a house and reduces heat transfer, is a critical piece of the passive house approach.

We use one-third more (than a normal house) in the floor, two-thirds more in the walls and three times more in the ceiling, said Kevin Groh, Benton Habitats construction manager.

Lunchtime is over and crew members re-enter the house and start working on the ducts that will be part of the third key element of the passive house  the HRV or heat recovery ventilator. Its another import, this time from Germany.

Its basically a fan, some filters, ductwork and a heat exchange core that continuously brings in filtered fresh air and exhausts the stale air from the house, said Wolk-Weiss.

The HRV, combined with the added insulation and the air-tight and water-tight nature of the building, keep the inside temperature moderate, reducing heating and cooling costs, with the side benefits of no mold or rot in the wood and healthier air inside for those with asthma and allergies.

Speaking of costs  the answer is yes, this approach does cost more, about 15 percent more per house. But the crew of 10 to 12 putting together the Habitat passive house are volunteers. Labor cost: zero.

We take the labor costs out of the equation, said Karen Rockwell, executive director of Benton Habitat. For us it was a natural tie to join environmental sustainability with our projects because building to a higher standard allows our homeowners to have more financial freedom when it comes to utility costs.

When the homeowner, Monica Morton, moves in next spring, Benton Habitat estimates her annual utility bill will be $400.

The finished product

Less than four miles away, in the Oakmont subdivision, is tour stop No. 2, the home of Corvallis native Carl Christianson and his family. Christianson, whose home contains the energy-saving features of the Habitat house plus solar panels on the garage, pays just $10 per month for energy.

Even that 10 bucks is misleading. The house essentially is a net-zero house, meaning it produces more energy than it uses. The $10 is basically the fee to be hooked up to the grid.

Christianson, president of G. Christianson Inc., a company his father Greg started in Corvallis in 1986, decided to put his money where his heart was and build a passive house, the first such dwelling in city of Corvallis.

Christianson and his production manager, Trent Suing, employed virtually all of the energy-saving features that Benton Habitat is using on its house: an airtight and water-tight envelope, thicker than normal insulation, and an imported HRV unit.

Christianson and Suing, however, used cork installation instead of cellulose. They installed a trap door near the front door to show off the cork and also have a cross-section of the wall on the porch that they use to explain their concepts.

And showing off and explaining are part of the drill. You cant have two passive houses until you have one and you cant have two until others can see the advantages. As a result Christianson, Suing and the rest of their company are serving somewhat as proselytizers for passive.

I live here, said Christianson, a Crescent Valley High School and Oregon State University graduate. I had to try this out on my own home.

Its very exciting to have the first one in the area, Suing said. Thats bragging rights. Ive always had a passion to do the most advanced stuff. As code increases and people become more energy-conscious its going to take off. People are asking about it, but its going to take a year or so. Most people dont even know about it yet.

There is a learning curve to the process.

You have to have attention to detail on every bit, Suing said. Its a little slower to build the first one, but now that Ive done it  the more people that are building to a higher standard the better it will be for the community.

Otherwise you are just driving nails."

Inside the 1,950-square-foot home are $25,000 worth of imported triple-pane windows, a Zehnder HRV unit, a super-efficient heat pump water heater and LED bulbs.

Aside No. 2: Why all of the imported goodies? Because energy costs are so much higher in Europe they have been doing this for 30 years, said Suing. End aside.

Christianson noted that a standard home the size of his usually has a carbon footprint of 20 tons per year. The energy-saving features (except for solar) brings it to four tons. With solar it goes to zero.

Ninety-two percent of your heat stays in, Suing said. And a lot of that is body heat. If you have eaten a bunch of sugar  it starts getting hot in here.

Other approaches

There are many other ways to advance environmentally friendly construction below the passive house level.

The typical new house in the mid-Willamette Valley is far more environmentally friendly than a few decades ago  or even just 10 years prior  said Mike Goodrich, vice president of Legend Homes.

Things have changed dramatically, added Glenn Waer of Oregon City, who independently verifies the energy efficiency of homes.

Legend Homes offered solar panels as a standard amenity and as an option with some of its previous subdivisions, and buyers thought they were an interesting idea. But the mainstream demand simply wasnt there, Goodrich said, and solar panels tend to occupy a niche market.

When it came down to spending money up front, it wasnt as important to them as the other features in the home, including finishes and surfaces, he added.

Marble countertops, in other words, were more critical when people brought out their checkbooks.

Legend Homes recent changes toward increased energy efficiency started in 2004, when the company revamped how it installs windows, siding and more to prevent leaks that led to drafty houses, water infiltration, mold and other problems.

Window leaks were a particular concern for Legend. We went from dozens of complaints in every major storm to almost none, Goodrich said.

Heating and air conditioning systems are far more efficient than a decade ago, and compact fluorescent lights are now commonplace, he added.

In the next year or two, youll see a huge switch to LED lights, Goodrich said.

Duct tape has been replaced with rubber mastic nowadays and many home builders are moving duct work and furnaces inside the house, rather than keeping them in the garage.

Third-party inspections and certifications also are becoming more common, Goodrich said. Legend Homes uses an Energy Trust of Oregon Energy Performance Score on every new home. During that process, the home and duct work are checked for leaks before sheet rock is put on the structure.

A lot of the industry is really starting to embrace having that expert put another set of eyes on whats going on, Goodrich said.

The attention to detail adds to the cost of building homes  and the resale value  but Legend Homes and other companies that use the Energy Performance Score also get rebates back from the Energy Trust of Oregon, Goodrich said.

The practices that go above and beyond building code have become normal construction costs for Legend Homes and other companies, Waer said after completing tests on a Legend Homes house in south Corvallis.

Based on Energy Performance Scores, Legend offers a 3-year guarantee of what homeowners will pay for natural gas and electricity. Lee Eckroth, principal broker at Town & Country Realty, said customers are particularly interested in that detail, which acts almost like a miles per gallon sticker on a car.

With its next subdivision, off of Research Way, Legend Homes is adding tankless water heaters, which heat up water as its being used and will increase energy efficiency, Goodrich said.

Real estate market

Eckroth, the exclusive listing agent for Legend Homes, said that homebuyers are starting to get more interested in energy-efficient homes.

We see people asking about solar, but usually about upgrade options, or making sure they have the ability to do those sorts of things later, he added.

Adam Hearn, a broker with Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers in Albany, agreed that people value energy efficiency and smart technology to save resources in their homes.

I think people are still thinking about money a little bit. People value this when the opportunity or the affordability presents itself, he said. People want to know how that will affect their bills, what their heating payments will be like.

Theres more of a market for environmentally housing options in Benton County, rather than Linn County, Hearn added.

Steve Redman, owner and principal broker with Windermere, said that the addition of low-energy vinyl windows and high-efficiency heating systems could add about 6 percent to the value of a house. On a $350,000 home, that is $21,000.

Pete Sekermestrovich, another principal with Town and Country, said energy-efficiency has not reached must have status yet.

If there were two homes that were similar in all respects, if the more energy-efficient home was priced the same, then I believe a lot of our buyers would indeed select it, Sekermestrovich said. But if it happens to be more expensive, some will pay more, but how much more is really up to the individuals perception of value, and that absolutely varies from individual to individual.

Builders also note that the cost factor affects even those with good intentions.

Virtually every client asks about green techniques and building practices, said one builder. That said, not a single client has ever asked me to install solar panels or a true thermal heat transfer type system after researching the costs and the overall cost/benefit tradeoffs.

Others offer differing perspectives, particularly given the scientific consensus on climate change.

The truth is we live in an incredible time to do great things, said Devon Krukiewicz of Blue River Building in Blodgett. Krukiewicz said that lumber can last forever in the right conditions but too often we treat our homes like muddy boots by letting water in.

What I am trying to say is if we use small amounts of this stuff in the right ways we will use far less of it overall in time. Maybe were being over optimistic here, but what are the alternatives?
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Holding cell next to San Quentin prison's brand new death chamber. Even as California displayed its progressive streak across much of the ballot on Tuesday, one issue notably bucked the trend. Even as California displayed its progressive streak across much of the ballot on Tuesday, one issue notably bucked the trend.





Asked whether the death penalty should be abolished, voters said no by a solid margin.





To be honest with you, it was a surprise, said Terry McCaffrey of California People of Faith , a group that lobbied for abolition.





A Field Poll in late October gave supporters of the repeal, known as Proposition 62, cautious optimism as just 45 percent of likely voters said they were opposed.





That prediction, it turned out, was nowhere near the percentage of no votes on Tuesday: 54.





California has only carried out 13 executions since the 1970s, but it has nearly 750 prisoners on death row, more than any other state. The debate over the repeal campaign often centered on the billions of dollars that the state has spent on capital punishment in recent decades.





Hestrin Michael , the district attorney of Riverside County, who opposed Proposition 62, said Californians have consistently favored keeping the death penalty. He cited an earlier failed repeal proposition in 2012.





Its very easy to paint California as a very progressive state, but on certain issues they lean law and order, he said.





While eight states have ended capital punishment since 2000, all of them did so through elected officials and courts.





In California, death penalty opponents convinced that public opinion had shifted their way were searching for answers. Some contended that a dueling capital punishment measure on the ballot may have confused voters. (Proposition 66, which promised to streamline the death row appeals process, still remained undecided ).





Sharon Dolovich , a U.C.L.A. law professor whose research has focused on prisons and punishment, said she wondered whether the countrys anxious political mood could have had a role.





Its a scary time, she said. When people are scared, that fear can manifest as a punitive impulse.





Prop. 66 to speed up death-row appeals

San Quentin Prison's death chamber

Inmates sentenced in Kings County could return to local courts

Some death row inmates sentenced in Kings County may soon return to local courts following the passage of Proposition 66, which seeks to reduce delays in the states death penalty process.





About 51 percent of voters approved Proposition 66, which requires the state court officials to expand the number of attorneys who can represent death-row inmates. Once an attorney is appointed, inmates and courts will have five years to review any appeals challenging a death sentence.





Proposition 62, which would have repealed the death penalty, failed with nearly 54 percent of Californians opposing it.





According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California has 750 inmates on death row. Seven of those inmates were sentenced in Kings County, with the oldest sentence dating back more than 20 years.





Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes said: Were going to give these people due process. Its not very fair that were sitting here 20 years later and theyre still filing petitions.





The death penalty can only apply to convictions of first-degree murder with special circumstances, such as killing for financial gain, torturing the victim, lying in wait or committing more than one murder.





Kings Countys oldest death-row inmate is Clifton Perry, who was sentenced to death in July 1996. Perry and his accomplice, Leon Noble, were found guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree robbery for killing Saeed Nasser during a July 1995 armed robbery of Nassers Hanford convenience store. Noble was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.





Perry was sentenced to death on July 26, 1996, and the California Supreme Court affirmed his sentence in 2006. He remains housed at San Quentin State Prison with a petition for habeas corpus pending with the State Supreme Court.





Fagundes said prisoners file the petition if they believe they are being held in custody illegally. Defendants use the petitions to inform the courts that their attorney was ineffective or that they would not have been sentenced to death if the jury had been aware of additional information.





Prop. 66 requires habeas corpus petitions to be heard in the trial court where the person was sentenced.





Fagundes said he was not sure how many death row inmates from Kings County would be brought back to Kings County for further proceedings.





Jeff Lewis, court executive officer for the Kings County Superior Court, could not be reached for comment Thursday.





According to the states official analysis for Prop. 66, 930 people have been sentenced to death in California since the current death penalty law was enacted in 1978. Only 15 have been executed, while 103 have died prior to execution.





California currently executes condemned inmates by lethal injection. However, no inmates have been executed since 2006 due to legal issues surrounding that method. Prop. 66 also requires inmates to file challenges to the method of execution in the court where they were sentenced.





If an inmate successfully challenges the method, the trial court would have to order a valid method of execution.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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Source: The New York Times , Mike PcPhate, November 11, 2016Source: The Sentinel , Mike Eiman, November 11, 2016
The exterior of the former Bermico Building is seen Friday afternoon in West Bend. John Ehlke/Daily News
Throw Paint at Cancer is a free peer to peer support program for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers to express themselves through art, brought to the community by The Cancer Research and Resource Center of Southern Virginia, an outreach arm of VCU Massey Cancer Center.

The group now accepts Spanish-speaking residents.

The next eight-week session begins on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History Swanson Studio.

No previous art experience is required. There is no cost to sign up and all supplies are provided.

The instructor is artist, preservationist and cancer survivor Cynthia Hubbard.

Throw Paint at Cancer is made possible with the support of Danville Regional Medical Center and hosted at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History.

Space is limited. For more information, call the Cancer Resource Center at (434) 421-3060 or email cllitzenberg@vcu.edu.
In the days leading up to the presidential election, Americans were told history was going to be made Tuesday. Most of the people saying that were referring to the possible election of the first woman president in American history.

But Donald Trump made some history of his own Tuesday. Trump is the first modern president-elect never to have held public office or to have served in the military.

In the Dan River Region, the results came in as expected. Democrat Hillary Clinton won 58.4 percent of the 18,925 votes cast in Danville, while Donald Trump won 68.4 percent of the 31,781 votes in Pittsylvania County.

This has been a particularly divisive political campaign, but as weve said many times before in this space, the American political system was designed to handle political disagreements by accepting multiple ideas, encouraging discussion and choosing the best course of action for the most people. After elections, we are supposed to rally around the winners and move forward.

To his benefit, Trump will have a united Congress and a Supreme Court where the majority of justices were appointed by Republican presidents. He will appoint one  and maybe as many as three or four  Supreme Court justices. It will be one of those rare times when one party has complete control over all three branches of the federal government.

Given that advantage, there should be no reason why Trump shouldnt get his agenda passed during the next four years, because even congressmen who didnt support Trumps campaign will realize many of their constituents supported the president-elect.

However, Congress is made up of 535 politicians with agendas of their own who already are looking forward to their next election. Trumps skills as a negotiator and marketer  which helped him in business  now will be put to the test in an entirely different role.

In retrospect, Democrats will have to wonder why they embraced a candidate with the political baggage Clinton brought to this presidential race. While she won the popular vote, a presidential election is about winning enough individual states to come up with at least 270 electoral votes. People inside and outside of the party had a lot of complaints about Hillary Clinton; those negatives finally mattered Tuesday.

Republicans who never thought Trump would stay in the race, much less win a primary or effectively compete in a two-way, national election, have been proven wrong at every juncture. They now will be challenged by Trumps voters to steer the GOP  and the country  in an entirely different direction.
Its frightening to contemplate how close we came to having the Clintons in charge again. Did we learn nothing from the first time around? We can expect President Barack Obama to pardon her for her many sins, in self-defense if nothing else. I believe he was in on the illegal server early on, and no telling what other dirt the Clintons have on him. They dont play nice, they play to win. If he doesnt pardon her, I wouldnt be surprised if Trump does. Theres a lot more important work to be done, repairing the damage done in the last eight years. Its time to get on with it. Its time to get behind Donald Trump and fix this country.
The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main St., will meet at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday with speaker Patrick Womack talking on the histories of the Womack family papers.

The event is open to public.

The Hillsborough, North Carolina, writer will discuss his new book, A Son of Pittsylvania County Joins the Confederacy (And Other Adventures). The non-fiction book chronicles the history of the Womack family of Southern Virginia during the period before, during and after the Civil War.

The book is centered on the experiences of one James Womack, a youth, who fought with the Virginia Cavalry from 1861 to 1864. Womacks epic and tragic adventures as a southern soldier are recounted here for the first time through his previously unpublished wartime letters and diaries.

Womack has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor at several weekly publications located in Virginia and North Carolina, including the Chatham Star-Tribune of Pittsylvania County.

He is a graduate of High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history.
My god, you are right!!!





We should get rid of competing car companies and have Government Motors make only a few select cars specific to the needs of the American people. This way the state could determine what vehicle were needed and by whom. This would not only do away w/ the greedy sales man and his commission, but those selfish capitalists who are constantly steeling from the workers. Most of all we could do away w/ that pesky choice that is plaguing the American people constantly. I mean how often do you buy a car? Every five years or so?



We could then apply this model to everything. Clothing, shoes, electronics, housing. Damn!!! Why didn't you make this point earlier? This could have saved so many people so much time and energy had you just made us aware that the state is so much more superior to the market. That if only we relinquished our choices to the state everything would be so much more efficient and effective.



You may have a future in this. Keep up the good work.
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Order an immediate review of all U.S. cyber defenses and vulnerabilities, including critical infrastructure, by a Cyber Review Team of individuals from the military, law enforcement, and the private sector. The Cyber Review Team will provide specific recommendations for safeguarding different entities with the best defense technologies tailored to the likely threats, and will followed up regularly at various Federal agencies and departments. The Cyber Review Team will establish detailed protocols and mandatory cyber awareness training for all government employees while remaining current on evolving methods of cyber-attack.



Instruct the U.S. Department of Justice to create Joint Task Forces throughout the U.S. to coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement responses to cyber threats....

This has been a year of major government surprises.First there was the shocking Brexit vote in the United Kingdom (U.K.).Next, during an unprecedented U.S. presidential election campaign, hacked government and personal Hillary Clinton emails released by WikiLeaks became a significant part of the global narrative.And this week, Donald Trump shocked the world when he was elected to become the next president.Throughout Tuesday night as the votes were counted nationwide, the stock market futures sank, signaling a big drop on Wall Street. But after a negative open, more surprises unfolded over the next three days as the stock markets rallied strongly over the next three days  heading to record highs Are more post-election surprises coming? I think so.Commentators were very surprised when the transition began well with President-elect Trumps meeting with President Obama at the White House  setting a positive tone. Also, early comments by the president-elect softened some aspects of campaign pledges, such as perhaps keeping parts of Obamacare.Despite election result protests in many major cities and concerns for the future by some, the nation can look to the next four years with hope in many areas. Lets discuss one of them.Areas of policy that are somewhat unknown for the coming Trump administration include technology and cybersecurity policies within the public sector. While Hillary Clintons views in this area were widely studied, not nearly as much is known regarding where the new Trump administration intends to go regarding these vital topics to our nations economic and homeland security success. Also, how will the relationship go with the tech industry?Here is what the Trump-Pence website says on Donald J. Trump's vision for cybersecurity . Some of the items include:As a reminder, here are some of things that Trump said over the past few months on cybersecurity. During one debate , President-elect Trump said this: Wired magazine offered this piece on what they think President Trump will do on cyber  with an emphasis on the fact that Silicon Valley is worried. Heres an excerpt:Thearticle goes on to encourage Americans to use more encryption and more privacy tools to protect themselves from government surveillance.One more. Engadget.com offers:  The consequences of the Trump presidency on cybersecurity . This piece is pretty negative in my view, and like so many other articles written on this topic, comes from an anti-Trump perspective. The article quotes Trump from 2015 and more recently:Last month,magazine offered this view from thethat both Clinton and Trump lacked tech and cybersecurity savvy . Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have said nary a meaningful word on cybersecurity during the campaign. Both chose instead to talk about the military, national security and terror prevention as if this were a decade ago. And for good reason: They wouldnt have the faintest idea what to say.I must admit that I dont know the details of what a Trump administration will actually do on cybersecurity policy, but I do know that many bipartisan leaders in Congress are leading voices on cyber for our nation. Their voices will be heard and listened to by the new administration. Donald Trump's style in business has been to delegate to the best and brightest.There are too many vital interests at stake for our country for meaningful action not to occur in this hot security area. Furthermore, as a business leader, Donald Trump has dealt with global cybersecurity issues for decades in a pragmatic manner.I am more optimistic about President-elect Trump regarding cybersecurity than these other commentators referenced above. Just as I said with President Obama in 2009 , I think we should give our new president-elect the opportunity to lead in meaningful ways with his cyberplans and platform. He deserves an open mind and public- and private-sector leaders need to come together to offer workable recommendations. The challenges are certainly huge moving forward, but I am confident that President-elect Trump will surround himself with the best experts to lead the charge.I plan to return to this topic again over the next two months with my list of specific ideas that make sense regarding new federal cybersecurity policy and/or keeping some current policies. There are many different perspectives on where our new president-elect should go regarding cybersecurity policy , and I will cover a range of options from numerous sources, including recent cybercommissions.But in the meantime, I will reiterate my view that Trump will likely surprise us (in a positive way) on cybersecurity. In a year of surprises in other areas, President-elect Trump is not to be underestimated.Lets start with a hopeful outlook as we head toward Thanksgiving.America's best days are yet to come. Our proudest moments are yet to be. Our most glorious achievements are just ahead. Who said that? Ronald Reagan in 1992.
Toto Wolff has played down the controversy about his phone call to Max Verstappen's father.

Red Bull chiefs Helmut Marko and Christian Horner lashed out as they revealed the Mercedes chief had phoned former F1 driver Jos Verstappen to urge his son against intervening in the title fight between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

Marko told Wolff's Mercedes colleague Niki Lauda: "Your drivers should have their own race at 11am if they want no other cars on the track."

Wolff confirmed he made the call, but argued he is free to phone whoever he wants.

"Yes, we talked on the phone," he told Bild newspaper. "Just as we often do.

"We have known and understood each other for a long time. I called Jos and the main message was that I think it's better for Max if he (Jos) is back at the races," Wolff added.

Wolff also confirmed that he and Verstappen snr discussed the 19-year-old's recent controversies and the Mercedes title fight.

But Max himself also played down the saga.

"The whole story has been overblown," the young Dutchman is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Jos also confirmed the call took place, but did not want to comment.

Wolff continued: "In large letters, I regret nothing.

"I've known the family for a long time, I like them and I'll call whoever I want.

"I had a very good chat with Jos, as I have on several other occasions, about racing, drivers, young talent, even his daughter in karting. I've even had them for dinner at my house. So I don't understand all this nonsense," he added.

(GMM)
The method could be used as an automatic tool, and could act as an early warning system for dangerous pollution levels and potential technical problems, said Assistant Professor Ying Sun from the Universitys Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division.

A new statistical method developed by researchers at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia) can detect abnormal ozone levels within large bodies of monitored data. The monitoring methods can quickly and accurately detect ozone anomalieslocalized spikes in ozone concentration indicated by sensor data.

Ozone is the reactive form of oxygen that contains three atoms per molecule (O 3 ) rather than the normal two. Ground-level ozone is created by chemical reactions between other pollutants, especially oxides of nitrogen and carbon-based compounds released in vehicle exhausts and by many industrial processes. The reactions that create ozone are promoted by bright sunlight, often leading to photochemical smog. Exposure to ozone can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other health problems, and may also harm crops and other vegetation.

The complexity of ozone (O 3 ) formation mechanisms in the troposphere makes the fast and accurate modeling of ozone very challenging. In the absence of a process model, principal component analysis (PCA) has been extensively used as a data-based monitoring technique for highly correlated process variables; however, conventional PCA-based detection indices often fail to detect small or moderate anomalies. In this work, we propose an innovative method for detecting small anomalies in highly correlated multivariate data. The developed method combines the multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA) monitoring scheme with PCA modeling in order to enhance anomaly detection performance. Such a choice is mainly motivated by the greater ability of the MEWMA monitoring scheme to detect small changes in the process mean. Harrou et al.

In the KAUST teams approach, a MEWMA control scheme is applied on the ignored principal components of the PCA model (which have smallest variances) to detect the presence of anomalies.

To test the method in the field, the KAUST researchers collaborated with a French team with access to data from a network of air quality monitoring systems in Normandy.

The results in France confirmed that the PCA-based MEWMA anomaly detection scheme can offer improvements on existing methods, but further work is needed to reduce the level of errors that might spark false alarms.

Sun and her colleagues also hope to apply their data analysis techniques to dust pollution, another major environmental issue in Saudi Arabia.

Resources
LEBANON  Lebanon Firefighters were called to the 400 block of 11th Street about 6:11 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters found heavy fire blowing out the side and rear of the structure with floor-to-ceiling flames and worked to knock down the blaze from the exterior of the structure in what is known as a transitional attack, according to Division Chief Jason Bolen.

According to a Lebanon Fire District report, this tactic allows firefighters to safely and quickly cool the interior atmosphere from the outside before entering the structure to conduct searches and continue to battle flames.

The fire was controlled at 6:31 a.m. and was out at 8:36 a.m.

Both units of the duplex were occupied, although the fire was contained to the rear unit by the aggressive tactics of firefighters. Three occupants evacuated the front unit and were uninjured.

In the rear unit, an adult male was awakened to find heavy smoke and high heat in the apartment. He alerted another adult male who evacuated the structure, but received minor burns to his hands and wrists when he came into contact with the superheated interior walls of the structure.

It is unknown if there was a working smoke detector inside the apartment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and members of the Lebanon Fire District's Fire Investigation Team were summoned to conduct an investigation.

The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind the public that smoke detectors can save your life, but they must be present and operable in order to do so. Make sure that your home has at least one working smoke detector and check its function and batteries on a regular basis.

Oregon law requires landlords to provide a working smoke detector for all tenants. If you live within the boundaries of the Lebanon Fire District and need a smoke detector but are financially unable to obtain one, contact the LFD Fire & Life Safety Division for assistance at 541-451-1901.

The Lebanon Fire District had three engines, a truck, a medical unit, two water tenders and four division chiefs at the scene with an additional medical unit assisting from Albany Fire Department.
NYSEV-VIF has $9 million available in voucher incentives for all-electric battery vehicles. The vehicle must be domiciled (registered and garaged) and operate 70% of the time in one of New York States 30 counties currently in non-attainment.

Orange EV, a manufacturer of battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, announced that fleets in the state of New York can now save up to $150,000 per T-Series pure electric terminal truck (the 160 kWh model; the 80 kWh model is approved for a $123,960 voucher). Discounts are enabled by the New York State Electric Vehicle  Voucher Incentive Fund ( NYSEV-VIF ). Vouchers may be requested through December 31, 2016.

To be eligible for the NYSEV-VIF grant, a vehicle must be a new Class 3-8 all-electric vehicle truck or bus. Other approved vehicles are BYD buses (up to $150K); Motiv Power electric F450s ($90K); New Flyer buses ($150K); Proterra buses ($150K); Trans Tech buses ($90K); Workhorse vans ($60K); and Zenith Motors vans (up to $57,436).

Orange EV electric terminal trucks are commercially deployed and have been operating up to 24+ hours per charge at sites from single shift to 24x7 in: railroad inter-modal, LTL freight, manufacturing, retail distribution, waste management and warehouse container handling facilities.

Under this program, fleet customers receive a discount at the point of sale from Orange EV. After delivering purchased trucks, Orange EV redeems the voucher incentive. In this way the total fleet capital outlay is directly reduced. For the Chicago, California and New York programs, fleets contact Orange EV to submit requests and help manage the process. Fleets have a little under a year to complete deployment of funded trucks.

For each of the nations top three commercial regions including New York state, Chicago and all of California, fleet managers can deploy Orange EV electric trucks while paying about half the price. Fleets taking advantage of the discounts avoid the financial and operational burden of Tier 4 diesel emission systems while saving up to 90% net in fuel, and more in a broad range of other areas. Mike Saxton, Orange EV chief commercial officer

Fleets operating Orange EV trucks under moderate conditions can realize fuel and maintenance savings of $10,000-$30,000 per truck per year; heavier use can generate savings of $30,000-$60,000 per truck per year. Additionally, with electric trucks, fleets avoid the higher cost to purchase, operate and maintain Tier 4 diesel emission systems.

Because total cost of ownership is often less than for a diesel, fleets have begun deploying Orange EVs electric trucks even without incentives, using existing capital and expense budgets. Traditional equipment financing programs are also available. Companies electing to use incentive programs however are renewing fleet assets and lowering annual operating costs with a significantly lower capital investment.
A massive recall of sleep apnea machines is expected to drag into next year. That's caused frustration for U.S. patients and led federal officials to consider rare legal steps to speed the replacement effort. Dutch manufacturer Philips has recalled more than 5 million machines worldwide due to foam that can deteriorate, releasing potentially harmful byproducts. While customers were supposed to receive new machines within a year, the company says shipments will continue into 2023. That's left many U.S. patients to choose between using a recalled device or trying other risky remedies. U.S. regulators have warned they may take the unprecedented step of ordering Philips to step up its effort.
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GREENWICH  When seventh-grader Natalie Shell took the SAT on Oct. 1, the buzz of a fly circling her desk distracted her. Periodically, the looming high school junior in the desk next to her released a noisy, no-hold-back sneeze, breaking her concentration each time he sprayed his germs in the air.

Regardless, the precocious 13-year-old that day scored a 740 on the math section of the exam, putting her in the 98th percentile of all SAT takers, despite the fact that she has not taken any of the requisite courses for the test.

Do you think you could have done better without the fly? mother Wendy Cheng asked her daughter last week.

Oh yes! said Natalie. I could have done better.

Natalies confidence may come from the fact that she has been doing math since she was a toddler.

Her mother, a University of Cambridge economics graduate, had Natalie acting as the banker in Monopoly by age 4 or 5. In the car, Cheng would ask Natalie to calculate the number of exits they had to drive by before they reached their home in Greenwich.

These days, the straight-A student takes coding classes on Sundays. She regularly competes in math contests.

I got five out of seven correct, she bubbled, unable to hold back about her score in her last competition. The average score was one question correct out of seven, she said.

Last year, Natalie memorized 230 digits of pi for her school Greenwich Academys Pi Day celebration. She began to recite the digits again last week, before her mother shushed her. She can still remember 100 digits, she said.

Last summer, before heading to Spanish camp in Madrid for two weeks, Natalie attended the Summer Institute for the Gifted, an academic camp for children who have scored in the 95th percentile or above on a national standardized test or have otherwise been identified as gifted.

At the camp, Natalie learned a few chapters of algebra, a subject often not introduced until high school. She took the workbook home and, although she said she loathes the book, practices problems out of it occasionally.

Wendy Cheng decided to have her daughter take the SAT as a seventh-grader because middle school SAT scores are erased when the student goes to high school so universities cannot see them.

Its actually a really great way to get practice so that in a few years time, when she does the PSAT or SAT, shes not going to be nervous, she said.

Cheng was also interested in pursuing the test because it can help Natalie get into more gifted and talented programs. She is interested in the Duke Talent Identification Program or the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth for Natalie, perhaps next summer.

Well, I think it would be good for my future and it would help me get into a good university, Natalie said.

Natalies father wants her to attend Stanford University; her mother is rooting for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before taking the SAT, Natalie completed three or four practice tests to prepare. When she came across unfamiliar problems, she just logicked her way to the answer, she said.

Her scores on the test  the 740 in math and a 620 in critical reading  both out of 800  place her well above the mean scores of 496 in math and 493 in critical reading for women. Her performance prompted an invitation to the Study of Exceptional Talent program, an educational group for whiz-kid students, at Johns Hopkins University in 2017.

When she got the results back, her family was elated. After all, learning is a family affair in the Cheng household: Natalie and her mother regularly compete against each other on math tests and then teach each other the solutions to questions they got wrong.

Competition is something Cheng supports in her daughter.

As a girl, I always tell her, go beat the boys, she said.

Cheng said she was the only girl in her top level math class in London as a child, and remembers the male students doubting her smarts.

My pet peeve a lot times is I hear a girl or her friends say, Im not so good at math. Oh, but Im great at reading and thats enough,  she said. I grew up in China, in Hong Kong, and the girls there are just as competitive, just as good. So I think there is no reason not to be. I feel it is a nurture thing, not a nature thing.

Despite her emphasis on academics, Cheng is quick to point out that she does not push her daughter to succeed at the expense of other important parts of life.

I always try to foster a love of learning in math and science and making it relevant, fun and cool for Natalie, she said. I want Natalie to succeed academically but more importantly, I want her to be happy, social and well adjusted.

Indeed, in some ways, Natalie seems just like any other teenage girl: She played Pokemon Go on her mothers cellphone during a recent interview, likes to do her homework with a red, sparkly pen and is thrilled to be having 12 girls to her sleepover birthday party coming up.

But Natalie is also a seventh-grader whose scores qualify her for admittance at top universities.

Maybe after eighth grade, Ill just go to college, she joked.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson
Thirty-two students, the maximum possible, crowd into each of Andrew Peterson's two small engines classes at South Albany High School.

He could fill classes all day long if South could pay for more than a part-time instructor, Principal Brent Belveal said. But right now, Peterson is needed for other classes  and anyway, he doesn't have the certification necessary to expand into auto mechanics, which is the direction Belveal really wants South to go.

Ideally, the career and technical education bill, known as Ballot Measure 98, which Oregonians just passed last Tuesday, would help with both situations.

Belveal and his fellow educators are hopeful. But they're not holding their breath.

"I love the thought process of encouraging CTE programs," Belveal said.

However, he added, "For us, it probably won't make a huge difference, because there's no additional funds for us."

About Measure 98

A citizens initiative meant to cut down on dropouts and promote readiness for college and careers, Measure 98 was passing by a healthy margin in unofficial returns late last week.

The measure requires Oregon lawmakers to set aside at least $800 for each public high school student each year, assuming the cash is available.

The money goes into a new fund called the High School Graduation and College and Career Readiness Fund. Money from the fund is to be used to start or support programs that help kids stay in school, learn a trade or prepare for college.

Oregon spends less on kindergarten through 12th grade education than the national average, according to figures from the National Center for Education Statistics. Data reported in January for the 2012-13 school year showed the national average at $10,763 and Oregon at $9,092, 40th in the country.

Some believe the funding level is directly responsible for Oregon's abysmal four-year graduation rate (74 percent for 2014-15) and chronic absenteeism (nearly 20 percent for the 2015-16 school year).

That was the thinking that led to Measure 98, said Don Cruise, a member of the Oregon School Boards Association board of directors and vice chairman of the Philomath School Board.

Cruise stumped for Measure 98 for weeks before the election. Career-related classes interest students and have direct impact on their potential futures, driving interest, engagement and attendance, he said.

"One of the things we all know: Opportunities across the state for kids are not equal," he said. "We just want every high school student to have access to these kinds of programs."

The money for the set-aside fund isn't new revenue, however. It's coming from economic growth, which admittedly is up  but costs keep rising, too, particularly for the public employees retirement system.

Plus, voters said no to the corporate tax initiative known as Measure 97, which leaves K-12 education  the lion's share of the general fund at nearly 40 percent  in an even more uncertain position.

The measure doesn't kick in if revenue doesn't grow by $1.5 billion next biennium, so lawmakers aren't locked into the $800 figure if it isn't there to provide. But if it is, it's now legally required to be spent on approved Measure 98 plans.

Working out regulations

That concerns superintendents who don't necessarily want to be expanding woodshop at the expense of, say, an additional third-grade teacher for an overcrowded class.

"We are waiting for the regulations that come with 98, and the proposed budget for the new biennium," said Gary Tempel, superintendent of the Scio School District. "We are very concerned that it might get taken out of our K-12 funding, or our roll-up costs."

The Oregon Department of Education is still working out those regulations. As of Wednesday, the day after passage of the measure, ODE said only that school districts will have to submit a biennial plan for spending from the fund, and that those plans must address CTE efforts, college education opportunities and dropout prevention to be approved.

Eligibility requirements, plan rules, reporting criteria and review procedures will be worked out by ODE and passed by the State Board of Education by next March. Money will be released for approved plans after next July 1.

What those plans will look like is anybody's guess. Right now, the mandate to reduce dropouts and provide college and career opportunities is broad enough that almost any high school class could qualify, from drama to culinary arts to remedial math.

Philomath, for instance, is looking possible summer school classes to help high school students not yet ready for algebra, Cruise said.

In Lebanon, Principal Brad Shreve has a wish list that includes remodeling "maker" spaces in shop, science and computer tech labs, and finding ways to strengthen connections between math and career classes such as electronics and construction.

He'd love to keep expanding the high school's welding program, which already has a line item in the district budget for new equipment if funding becomes available. And he'd like to give a boost to agriculture, adding classes in landscaping or horticulture.

At that rate, $800 per student doesn't go far, even if it did involve extra cash. Shreve also wants to make sure the money will be there to sustain any new efforts before moving forward.

"If there's no new money," Shreve said, "and we're just going to move money around  then there's a lot of questions with that."

Hope for the future

On balance, educators say they're glad to at least see traditional shop classes coming back in vogue.

They hope support will continue to grow and eventually restore long-defunct teacher training programs  because right now, even with funding, instructors are nearly impossible to find.

At South Albany, for instance, Peterson, a health and P.E. teacher, wasn't qualified initially for the small engines class, but agreed to get the training necessary to provide it.

Auto mechanics, however, was another matter. No college programs Belveal knows of are turning out new instructors, and no one with auto skills just happens to be sitting around waiting for a teaching job.

It's a similar situation for drafting teachers, he said. "I'm looking everywhere trying to find somebody."

Cruise said he's hoping passage of Measure 98 will lead to greater partnerships with local industries, trade schools and community colleges, both for instruction and jobs.

It isn't a cure-all for all of Oregon's educational ills, he acknowledged, but he believes it's a start toward reform.

"I think it really helps education build hope in our kids," he said. "I hope this opens some doors for kids across our state."
Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors have been all over the place, and some of them are pretty fascinating. No, we're not talking about the one where the internal model designations might be skipping a number.

No, we're thinking more along the lines of bigger displays - 5.7" and 6.2" in the S-series. Now, where does that leave the Note (as there will be another Note according to that same model naming rumor), we can't know, but we'll find out in due time.

A Samsung Assistant is in the works as well - you can't not have one, it seems, now that Apple and Google are fighting over which will offer the better AI. Samsung might.

A few Nokia phones surfaced this week. Two of those - the Lumia 1030 and 750 never got to see the light of day, unfortunately for every fan of the Finnish brand. But these folks now have something to look for and it's almost tangible - a metal phone casing with 'Nokia' prominently stamped on it is a promise we're all eager to see delivered upon.

In other news, HTC announced the Bolt in the US, Lenovo launched the Moto M in China, and a Snapdragon 821-powered OnePlus 3T is coming on November 15. Oh, and a Jet White iPhone 7 sounds like the most logical next step after the Jet Black one.

For more on these plus some other hot topics from the past week click through the links below.



No 4K screen on the Galaxy S8, but there will be an AI button The Galaxy S8 won't have a 4K screen but may have an AI button. Rumors warn of April delay.





Samsung shares some details about Galaxy S8's digital assistant "The new AI platform will enable [users] to order (or do) things directly without going through separate applications," the company says.





Samsung apologizes to its customers over Note7 Samsung issued an open letter of apology to all customers hurt by the Galaxy Note7 failure.





Samsung to start beta-testing Nougat for the Galaxy S7 on November 9 It will probably by a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge variant, aimed at the company's female user base.





Microsoft Lumia 1030 and 750: cancelled Windows Phones unearthed We missed out on a seriously good camera and a middling mid-ranger.





Photos of a Nokia-branded metal phone surface Renders of the same device show that there will be at least two versions.





Quick Charge 4.0 may provide up to 28W of power, smartly Google may throw a wrench in Qualcomm's plans if it mandates USB Type-C phones use Power Delivery.





Apple might add Jet White option to existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus flavors Jet White sounds a nice addition to the Jet Black, but is it coming with these iPhones or the next ones?





MIUI 9 update spotted in screenshots The Android 7-based ROM is however still under heavy development and a while away from release.





OnePlus 3T will be announced on November 15 The new flagship smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 chipset.





Samsung outs new promo video for the Gear S3, showing how it helps you stay organized Samsung is finally getting ready to release the Gear S3 smartwatch which it announced back at IFA at the end of August. Or rather, smartwatches, since we're dealing with two models here - the Gear S3 ...


This column was going to be about the proposal, floated in Portland after Tuesday's election, to have Oregon secede from the United States. Two Portlanders went so far as to submit the paperwork to begin the process to put the measure on the state's 2018 ballot.

Secession isn't that simple, of course, and it's not really a new idea: The notion that states, particularly in the West, need to withdraw from the United States has been kicking around for at least a century and, as you may recall, was the cause of a spat during the 1860s. Since the Civil War, the people trying to advance the idea of secession have been of many different political persuasions.

Most recently, of course, the momentum comes from the election of Donald Trump as president, an election which has given a boost to a similar secession proposal that has been floating around California. (The Oregon proposal called for a convention of states also considering secession; the original petition is attached to the online version of this column. It would make some sense for Oregon to hitch its secession wagon to California, which would have the sixth-largest economy in the world were it to pull out of the United States; if Oregon were to join that effort, the combination would make for, um, the sixth-largest economy in the world.)

Of course, secession isn't as simple as Oregonians going to the polls and voting yes on a measure that would say, in essence, "It's been real, United States, but it's over. It's not us, it's you." And, truth be told, the latest surge for interest in secession has more than a whiff of the West Coast saying to the rest of the nation, "We're taking our ball and going home."

In any event, on Friday, not 48 hours after those Portland residents filed the paperwork to launch the Oregon Secession Act, they withdrew it. And it's not because they came to the conclusion that it was a bad idea (although it almost certainly was).

It was because they started getting death threats.

Well, that was part of the reason, as The Oregonian reported on Friday. It also was because the two watched in horror as violence unfolded on the streets of Portland on Thursday night.

"That's not the kind of conversation we were trying to have," one of the organizers said Friday, "so we're pulling it."

As for those of you who are scoffing that anyone could take such a small thing as a death threat seriously, we refer you back to the streets of Portland in the early hours of Saturday morning, when a protester on the Morrison Street Bridge was shot in the leg by a gunman. The protester suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. At this writing, the gunman is still at large. Oregon now has the distinction of being the first state in which a shooting has occurred during the four days of nationwide protests that have followed the presidential election; let us hope that the rest of the nation does not follow Oregon's lead.

Look, it's been said before in many different forums, but the message might not be getting through in some quarters: One of the glories of the United States' political system is that we have peaceful transfers of power, and the word in that particular phrase that we seem to be stumbling over now is "peaceful."

This is not a mere nicety. Violence in our streets has a chilling effect on the discussions that are essential for a free society. We saw proof of that again last week in Portland when these two would-be reformers, horrified by what they were witnessing and experiencing, backed off their proposal.

It's hard to blame them. But we cannot allow the discussions we need to have to be silenced by violence or the threat of violence. Firmly but calmly, we need to say that we expect this nation to seek the higher road, even in difficult days. And each of us needs to be sure that we're on that higher road as well. (mm)




Haiti - Economy : All about trade flows between Haiti and DR





Over the past 15 years, Haiti has experienced a large deficit in its trade balance with the Dominican Republic, estimated in 2014: agricultural / agri-food products amount to $520 million (37%), textile / clothing products amount to $442 million (31%) and various products or $461 million (32%) for a total of $1,419 billion.



The 82-page report of the Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI), presented last September and released this week entitled "Trade Flows between Haiti and the Dominican Republic" presents the possibilities of rebalancing this deficit either by Import substitution or export development. Haiti has the potential to produce many of the products currently imported from DR, thus contributing to the creation of jobs and wealth in the country. At the same time, imports of DR goods in 2014 are valued at more than $17 billion, which is a huge market to exploit by Haiti.



Download the CFI study (PDF) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/flux.pdf



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Health : The Venezuelan medical brigade has left Haiti





Following the passage of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti, an international relief brigade of 40 Venezuelan doctors provided care to more than 6,000 Haitians. The medical brigade, who has completed its mission, returned to Venezuela on Friday 11 November, where it was received at Maiquetia Vargas International Airport (Central North), notably by the Executive Vice-President of Venezuela, Aristobulo Isturiz, the Minister of Health, Luisana Melo and the Ambassador of Haiti, David Lesly and other authorities.



"We welcome you on behalf of the Venezuelan people and President Nicolas Maduro. You are heroes of the Republic, you have done an extraordinary job and all our citizens are proud of your brigade which has been in solidarity with the people of Haiti," declared Vice-President Isturiz.



Meanwhile, Delia Mundaray, the Medical Representative of the International Rescue Brigade, declared that "The Haitian people received free medical care from us," assuring that "the army of white blouses has fulfilled the mission entrusted by President Nicolas Maduro [...] We have worked with our hearts for each of the patients we have assisted on behalf of our country, as the greatest legacy that left us the eternal Commander Hugo Chavez."



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2016/11/13 | Source

Budget carriers are feverishly launching new international routes as the domestic market has reached a saturation point.

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Jeju Air on Monday said it will launch four new international routes next month. They will include flights between Incheon and Sanya, China from Dec. 5, and flights from Busan to Tokyo, Saipan and Phuket from Nov. 15. The airline will also increase the number of flights between Busan and Fukuoka from seven to 10 per week.

Korean Air's no-frills carrier Jin Air will launch three international routes next month. It is set to operate flights from Busan to Kitakyushu, Japan on Dec. 1 and flights from Incheon to Kitakyushu on Dec. 13. It also offers flights to Cairns, Australia during the period between mid-December to early February to attract more winter holidaymakers.

Asiana Airline's new budget spinoff, Air Seoul, which was launched in July, started operating international flights last month. Most of them were routes operated by Asiana Airlines, but it added more routes.

Eastar Jet, which launched a route between Incheon and Hanoi early this month, will offer flights from Busan to Kota Kinabalu next month.

Budget carriers are mostly targeting niche routes flagship carriers do not offer, and many of them depart from Busan instead of Incheon in a bid to draw travelers in the provinces by decreasing their inconvenience of coming up all the way to Incheon to go overseas.

In tandem with this trend, the number of international passengers using budget carriers is increasing significantly. Budget airliners' combined share of international flights grew from 2.2 percent in 2010 to 14.6 percent in 2015.

"Travelers used to take a long break when they traveled overseas, but these days many of them tend to travel often and take a short trip for a couple of days, leading to an increasing demand for budget carriers due to cheaper prices", a Jeju Air staffer said.

Read this article in Korean
Published on 2016/11/13 | Source

Overseas spending reached a record in the third quarter, which encompassed the height of the summer holidays and the long Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving break.

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The Bank of Korea on Sunday said Koreans spent US$6.6 billion overseas from July to September. The figure does not include money spent abroad by students or expats. The previous record was a whole billion less.

According to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, 6.05 million Koreans traveled abroad in the third quarter, the first time that more than 6 million Koreans went overseas in a single quarter.

"Due to a growing number of budget airlines, overseas travel has become more affordable to a larger number of people leading to the increase", a government official said.

The number of foreigners visiting Korea also increased, but the money they spent has not grown at the same pace.

Some 4.89 million foreigners came here in the third quarter, up a whopping 68 percent from the same period last year, but they spent only 29 percent more money at $4.1 billion. That meant a $3.7 billion travel account deficit for the country, up 14 percent on-year.

Read this article in Korean
Published on 2016/11/13 | Source

Park Sae-eun, a member of the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet, was promoted to the rank of "premier danseur" on Saturday.

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She is the first Korean and second Asian to reach the second-highest of the troupe's five ranks for dancers: etoile, premier danseur, sujet, coryphee, and quadrille, in descending order.

Park joined the world's oldest ballet company in 2012 and attained the ranks of coryphee and sujet just the following year.
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.

09:44, 30 OCT 2022
MIAMI  Derek Auguste, a former Army sergeant, is used to following instructions. So by the time yoga instructor Molly Birkholm finished her relaxation session, he was at ease.

Auguste was one of 40 or so military veterans and community members practicing yoga and relaxation techniques at Warrior Wednesday, a monthly forum hosted by United Way of Miami-Dade as part of its Mission United veterans support group.

So far, topics have included transitioning back into civilian society and employment. The October session was devoted to mindfulness, a meditative technique that focuses on the present moment, through yoga.

"Anything that can help me deal with my anxiety is worth learning how to apply," Auguste said.

Birkholm, co-founder of Warriors at Ease  a yoga practice intended to help veterans deal with stress, trauma and combat injuries  led the group through a meditation session and Q-and-A discussion. Civilians and veterans alike found themselves dealing with common issues: busy minds and restless nights.

"The noise in my head just wouldn't shut up," said one participant after the session. Heads around the room nodded.

According to Mission United vice chair Tomas Erban, finding mutual ground through shared experiences is the goal. He said he wants the forums to help active-duty members and military veterans re-acclimate to civilian life through interacting with community members.

"I was very impressed with the level of honesty," Erban said of previous sessions. "It (gives) the veterans a chance to get together and discuss different issues that impact them."

Auguste, who served in Iraq and Haiti, said the sessions have helped him deal with the sense of isolation he felt after leaving the military.

"I felt alone a lot of the times. I thought I was going through it by myself."

Now, he says, he's learned there is a community for him.

"The thing that heals all of us is community," Birkholm said during her yoga session. "This community needs each other. This is yoga as well."

After the session, Auguste said he felt more rested and less burdened.

Brian Lynch, Mission United's director and a former major in the U.S. Marine Corps, said he plans on continuing the Warrior Wednesdays each month. The next session will feature Amishi Jha, a University of Miami associate professor of psychology who has done a lot of work with veterans and mindfulness training.

"It's inspiring and refreshing to see so many people in Miami come around for their veterans," Lynch said.
STATE ISSUES AIR QUALITY WARNING

A wildfire burns in the Lake Lure area. [PHOTO BY ASHLEY ELDER/Hendersonville Lightning]

The Henderson County Department of Health urged residents to take precautions related to the deteriorating air quality in Henderson County associated with a number of intensifying wildfires in the western North Carolina region.

Related Stories

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code Orange Air Quality alert until midnight on Sunday. Code Orange indicates that sufficient smoke is present to impact active children and adults and that air quality is unhealthy for people with respiratory diseases and heart disease.

It is important to remember that some people are more susceptible than others. Sensitive populations include:

Individuals with asthma or other respiratory disease

Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Individuals with airway hyper responsiveness

Individuals with cardiovascular disease

Elderly individuals

Young children

Pregnant women

Smokers



When smoke is present to the degree that it limits visibility, please consider taking a number of steps including:

Pay attention to local weather and news reports for changing conditions

Stay inside as much as possible with windows and doors shut

Limit physical exertion outdoors

Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan

Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water

For more information, please call the Henderson County Department of Public Health at (828) 692-4223.
Transcription

1 Journal of Geography and Geology; Vol. 7, No. 1; 2015 ISSN E-ISSN Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Does the Geography Major Fit in STEM? Md Rajibul Al Mamun 1, Trisha Jackson 1 & George White 1 1 Department of Geography, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA Correspondence: Md Rajibul Al Mamun, Department of Geography, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA. Tel: Received: December 29, 2014 Accepted: January 14, 2015 Online Published: February 8, 2015 doi: /jgg.v7n1p27 URL: Abstract STEM education plays a significant role in developing reasoning and technical skills among other benefits. Definitions of geography vary somewhat, but most of the sources define geography as a science. Geography relates to the STEM disciplines with application of geographical tools to solve problems. However, geography is not included as a STEM discipline by federal authorities in the United States (US). This paper presents evidence from US graduate and undergraduate geography programs demonstrating how geography qualifies as a STEM discipline, a qualification that could provide a variety of benefits for the programs and students alike. This research suggests that more than 50% of US colleges/universities confer Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degrees in geography and the distribution of these institutions occurs in most states. Therefore, geography has already been recognized as a STEM major by these US colleges/universities that offer STEM coursework including physical geography, Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, natural resources, environmental science, and atmospheric science. Hence, it follows that government authorities should recognize geography as STEM. Keywords: STEM, geography major, science, geographic education 1. Introduction 1.1 Geography and STEM Geography strongly links the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines with application of geographical technology/tools, which can provide a better understanding of cross-disciplinary phenomena to address important problems. However, geography is somewhat overlooked as a STEM field by government authorities (Dangermond, 2013). Misclassification of STEM majors, including geography, can detract from the concept of STEM. If a STEM field is classified as non-stem, then both local and international students will be deprived of opportunities and benefits such as salary increases and work extensions. For immigration purposes, foreign scholars can also lose opportunities to obtain visas and work permits because policymakers emphasize hiring workers skilled in STEM areas from abroad. In a time when geographical science is poised to address overarching issues to help society manage and adapt to the transformation of Earth s surface, (The National Academies, 2014) a federal classification of geography as STEM is overdue. The federal government has two authorities who maintain lists of majors that are classified as STEM: the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Unfortunately, geography is not listed in any of their STEM discipline lists. Thus, a chasm exists between the scientific practices and tools of geographers and how federal authorities classify geography majors. Here the authors explore this issue by considering the perspective of geography degree-granting institutions in the US. The degree requirements of these institutions help designate majors in geography that should be recognized as STEM majors by the federal authorities. By highlighting the lack of STEM classification for certain deserving geography majors, the authors hope to encourage a reorganization of the current NSF and DHS classification system. Appropriate classification of geography disciplines can have major impacts on the discipline, including but not limited to, increased funding opportunities, attraction of talented students, higher retention rates in STEM disciplines at the university level, and improved opportunities for foreign students. The objective of this paper is to provide evidence to support federal policy change to gain STEM classification for qualifying majors in undergraduate and graduate programs. In order to provide a holistic picture of geographic higher education as it relates to STEM, the authors collected information on the types of geography 27

2 degree programs offered in US colleges and universities. The authors make the assumption that BA and MA degrees generally emphasize language skills while BS and MS degrees generally emphasize science skills. The outcome of this research will support US authorities in policy updates and provide benefits to US geography programs, such as the likelihood for more funding opportunities. This process can be modelled by other countries that choose to participate in classifying STEM disciplines. 1.2 Defining Geography as a Science Science is a methodical approach to studying the world. Science provides us with a way to present ideas that can be tested, repeated, and verified (McLelland, 2006). Science provides a way of solving a large class of important and practical problems. The problems with which science can deal include those in which the predominant factors are subject to the basic laws of logic and are typically measurable (Weaver, 1948). According to Richard Hartshorne (1958, p. 107), three dominant geography predecessors, Immanuel Kant, Alexander von Humboldt, and Alfred Hettner were in essential agreement in their view of the position and character of geography as a science. Therefore, the establishment of the discipline of geography as a science started early in the field of geography. Definitions of geography vary somewhat, but all hold a common core (Table 1). According to Smith (1979), by seeking scientific laws and theories, by applying models and systems scientifically, or, at the very least, by testing hypotheses according to scientific criteria, geographers made geography a science. Alexander von Humboldt s many published works, especially the multi-volume Cosmos, which appeared in the mid-nineteenth century, sought to establish a systematic science of geography that could analyze the natural and the human worlds together and aspire to describe and explain all regions of the globe (Godlewska, 1999). By the end of the nineteenth century, the high-water mark of European imperial expansion, geography had become unquestionably the queen of all imperial sciences, inseparable from the domain of official and unofficial state knowledge (Richards, 1993: 13). Scholars continued to refine the definition of geography. According to MacKinder (1887), I propose therefore to define geography as the science whose main function is to trace the interaction of man in society and so much of his environment as varies locally. If I were asked to describe geography roughly I should venture on the assertion that it is the science of distribution, the science, that is, which traces the arrangement of things in general on the earth's surface. Gritzner (2007) explores this notion by stating that geography is the study of what, is where, why there, and why care? The definition possesses several key attributes. It recognizes geography as a methodology, a unique way of organizing and analyzing information pertaining to the location, distribution, pattern, and interactions of the varied physical and human features of Earth s surface. Moreover, it acknowledges, like William Morris Davis ([1899] 1954), that geography is made of two halves: theoretical and practical. An antipathy is implied between theory and practice, for in geography, as in all sound scientific work, the two advance most amiably and effectively together. According to Downs (2010), the goal of William Morris Davis was to ensure the full development of geography as a maturely organized science. Here the authors reiterate Davis idea of geography by suggesting that geography be characterized as a STEM discipline. Table 1. Partial list of geographers who classified geography as science Geographers Reference Immanuel Kant Hartshorne (1958) Alexander von Humboldt Godlewska (1999), Hartshorne (1958) William Morris Davis Davis ([1899] 1954), Downs (2010) Alfred Hettner Hartshorne (1958) Halford Mackinder MacKinder (1887) Neil Smith Smith (1979) Charles F. Gritzner Gritzner (2007) Thomas Richards Richards (1993) 2. Method (Supporting Evidence) In an attempt to estimate the number of programs that may be offering geography degrees deserving of STEM 28

3 classification, the authors collected types of degrees being offered in US programs, focusing on Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Science (MS). Data was collected from four sources, including Geography Departments of North America, a webpage managed by Oklahoma State University (2013), websites of geography departments, through direct communications with department officials, and from the Association of American Geographers (AAG) guide (Guide to Geography Programs in the Americas , 2012). In this data gathering mission, the authors also sought to determine characteristics of each bachelor s and master s degree where available, as an assumption that BA and MA degrees represent non-stem majors while BS and MS degrees represent STEM majors. The authors acknowledge that this generalization does not always fit individual degree programs; it is just meant to gain a broad picture of the situation. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees were not a focus in this study because the title of these degrees does not generally indicate whether the degree is in a science or arts discipline. During the data collection process, the authors concluded that if a college/university confers geography degrees in either BS or MS, the institution typically provides a program that would qualify as STEM. On the other hand, if a college/university confers geography degrees in either BA or MA, the program offered usually would not qualify as STEM. In cases where colleges/universities confer geography degrees both in BA & BS and MA & MS, then part of the geography program qualifies as STEM and part does not based on the institution s course content and research fields. 3. Results After completing the data analysis, the authors found that 265 colleges/universities confer a bachelor s degree in geography and 142 colleges/universities confer a master s degree (Table 2, Figure 1a and 1b). Out of these, 54.7% colleges/universities confer a BS degree and 57.7% colleges/universities confer a MS degree in geography. The high frequency of science degree offerings in geography demand consideration of this major as a STEM discipline. Table 2. Types of degrees conferred in geography in US colleges/universities Degrees Conferred Number of Colleges/Universities Percent Percent BS/MS BA BS BA+BS MA MS MA+MS Figure 1a. Distribution (by institution) of types of geography degrees conferred as BA and/or BS 29

4 Figure 1b. Distribution (by institution) of types of geography degrees conferred as MA and/or MS According to Figure 1a and 1 b, geography degrees conferred as BS and MS are well distributed in the US, supporting the argument that geography should be considered a STEM field, not only at the state level, but also at the federal level. Both NSF and DHS are federal authorities, therefore, distribution across most states demands geography majors in the STEM federally. Other countries, such as the UK have already recognized geography as a part-stem subject ( 4. Discussion (Recommendation to NSF and DHS) Based on the evidence from the literature review and by highlighting the STEM nature of many geography programs in US colleges and universities, the authors hope to encourage a reorganization of the current NSF and DHS classification system. According to NSF STEM Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) ( and geography is not listed as a STEM major. US colleges/universities confer geography degrees both in arts and science because of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary structure of how geographers approach the world; students typically take coursework emphasizing human/cultural aspects of geography (BA/MA) or the physical/technical aspects of the discipline (BS/MS). However, there are a few exceptions. Some liberal arts colleges including Carthage College, WI; Gustavus Adolphus College, MN; Macalester College, MN; Mount Holyoke College, MA; Ohio Wesleyan University, OH; and Vassar College, NY confer all of their STEM and non-stem majors as BA (electronic mail communication with the departments, September 2-6, 2013). The geography programs in these liberal arts colleges have substantial science courses including GIS and physical geography. However, they confer only BA degrees because they do not have authorization to confer BS degrees. The authors reviewed the research areas of the top ten geography programs based on National Research Council (NRC) rankings, 2010 (Appendix A). These sub-areas already considered as STEM by researchers because they relate to physical/technical (i.e., STEM) aspects: Physical Geography Biogeosciences, Climate & Surface Processes, Ocean Processes Earth System Science Human-Environment Relations/Environment-Society Relations GIS, Remote Sensing These sub-areas also should be considered as STEM even though they relate to human/cultural aspects because GIS and other geospatial technologies are being used in these sub-areas and, additionally, researchers in these areas also exercise scientific and numerical methodologies such as spatial analysis: Human Geography Cultural and Historical Geographies Globalization, Urban, Political and Economic Geographies 30

5 Even though the US colleges/universities confer both BA/MA and BS/MS degrees, it is very difficult to distinguish sub-areas in geography as STEM and non-stem. GIS, remote sensing and physical geography are classified as STEM by all researchers; however, the use of GIS, remote sensing, and data collection using GPS would not be something that stands alone. Geographers range from biogeographers and geomorphologists to historical geographers and economic geographers using geospatial technology as a tool. Additionally, graduate students use these same tools to accomplish in-depth statistical analysis in their theses/dissertations from physical geography to human geography. STEM-based government authorities, including NSF, fund geography programs (Appendix B). Therefore, the authors propose that NSF include the entire geography program as a STEM discipline. Currently, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for Geography and Cartography is with three subcategories ( (Geography) (Geographic Information Science and Cartography) (Geography, Other) Geographic Information Science and Cartography ( ) is a category already recognized as a STEM major by DHS. Unfortunately, few US colleges/universities confer degrees in Geographic Information Science and Cartography. Most of the colleges/universities have GIS, Remote Sensing, and Cartography coursework/research areas within geography majors. The authors recommend that the DHS consider the entirety of geography as a STEM major because most US Geography Departments offer STEM coursework including, but not limited to, GIS, remote sensing, natural resources, environmental science, atmospheric science, and meteorology. Furthermore, most research in Geography Departments in US colleges/universities is funded by government entities that promote STEM such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and so forth (Appendix B). Currently, international students in STEM fields in US colleges/universities receive a maximum of 29 months (12-months + 17-months extension) optional practical training (OPT) while a non-stem graduates get only 12-month OPT. Therefore, many students in geography are deprived of this opportunity because Geography (CIP Code ) is not listed in the STEM list based on DHS criteria ( For employment and immigration purposes, the federal government emphasizes the importance of STEM majors and, therefore, without recognition as STEM majors, both domestic and international students in geography become disqualified from certain opportunities. Therefore, to include geography in the STEM list will be a significant benefit to geography programs and students. 5. Conclusions Many authors throughout the geography discipline s history have considered geography to be a STEM field. This research suggests more than 50% US colleges/universities confer BS/MS degrees in geography and these institutions are well distributed, occurring in almost all states. So it follows that the NSF and DHS should recognize geography as a STEM major. Geography departments will benefit from this reclassification by attracting more students interested in entering a STEM field. Further delays in classifying geography as a STEM field only hurts the US in terms of competitiveness and innovation in STEM fields. Inclusion of geography programs as STEM by US Federal authorities will encourage other countries that are planning to classify STEM disciplines to include geography in the STEM list. Moreover, if a geography degree receives federal recognition as STEM, there will likely be more opportunities for funding and programs will attract more domestic and international students wishing to join a STEM discipline. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank faculty and graduate students of the Geography Department of South Dakota State University who provided comments in this paper, department chairs from other geography programs who provided information about their departments, and professors in many geography programs who shared their ideas including Dr. Mona Domosh, President of AAG, References Dangermond, J. (2013). GIS is STEM! Retrieved October 23, 2013, from 31

6 Davis, W. M. ([1899] 1954). The Geographical Cycle. Geographical Journal, 14, Reprint in Geographical Essays, edited by Douglas Wilson Johnson. New York: Dover Publications. Downs, R. M. (2010). Popularization of Geography: An Inseparable Relationship. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 100 (2/April), Godlewska, A. (1999). From Enlightenment vision to modern science: Humboldt s visual thinking. In D. Livingstone, & C. Withers (Eds.), Geography and Enlightenment (pp ). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Gritzner, C. F. (2007). What Is Where, Why There, and Why Care? Journal of Geography, 101(1), Guide to Geography Programs in the Americas (2012). Retrieved October 23, 2013, Retrieved from Hartshorne, R. (1958). The Concept of Geography as a Science of Space, from Kant and Humboldt to Hettner. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 48 (2/June), MacKinder, H. J. (1887). On the Scope and Methods of Geography. The Royal Geographical Society, 9, McLelland, C. V. (2006). The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method. The Geological Society of America. Oklahoma State University. (2013). Retrieved October 24, 2013, from Richards, T. (1993). The Imperial Archive: Knowledge and the Fantasy of Empire. London: Verso. Smith, N. (1979). Geography, Science and Post-positivist Modes of Explanation. Progress in Human Geography, 3, The National Academies. (2014). Retrieved July 29, 2014, from Weaver, W. (1948). Science and Complexity. Rockefeller Foundation, New York City. Appendix A Research Areas Research Areas in Geography - top ten universities based on National Research Council (NRC) Ranking, 2010 ( Universities (website) Boston University ( Research Areas in geography Biogeosciences, Climate & Surface Processes Energy, Environment & Society Geographical Sciences Geology, Geochemistry & Geophysics University of California Santa Barbara ( Biogeosciences Climate Cognitive and Behavioral Geography Geographic Information Science Human-Environment Relations Ocean Processes Remote Sensing Transportation University of Maryland ( Geospatial-Information Science and Remote Sensing 32

7 Research) Human Dimensions of Global Change Coupled Human and Natural Systems Land Cover Land Use Change Carbon, Vegetation Dynamics and Landscape-Scale Processes University of Colorado at Boulder ( hemes) Physical Geography Human Geography Environment-Society Relations Geographic Information Science University of Wisconsin-Madison ( y-speciality.php) Physical Geography People-Environment Geography Cartography and GIS Human Geography Area Studies University of California Los Angeles ( Biogeographic Processes Cultural and Historical Geographies Earth Systems Science Globalization, Urban, Political and Economic Geographies Population Movement and Flows Geographies of Nature and Society Hydrological and Geomorphological Processes Geographic Methods and Techniques Penn State University ( GIScience Human Geography Nature/Society Physical Geography Clark University ( y/graduate/index.cfm) Nature-society geography Urban-economic geography Geographic information science Earth System Science University of California Berkeley ( ram.php) Basic Physical Geography World Geography Regional Geographies Earth System Science Economy, Culture & Society Methodology Arizona State University ( Computational Spatial Science Cultural Geographies Place, Culture, Identity Earth Systems & Climate Science Sustainability Science & Studies Appendix B Research Funding Sources 33

8 Funding sources of Research Projects in geography programs four out of top ten programs based on NRC Ranking, 2010 (data was collected from websites on October 23, 2013) Research Projects in geography programs NASA NSF USGS NOAA USDA University of California Santa Barbara ( University of Maryland ( Clark University ( Arizona State University ( Copyrights Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license ( 34
Transcription

1 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia A GIS-BASED MULTI-CRITERIA EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR SELECTION OF LANDFILL SITES: a case study from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates S. M. Issa* and B. AL Shehhi* * Geology Department, Faculty of Science, U.A.E. University, Al-Ain, P.O. Box: 171, U.A.E. Commission II, WG II/7 KEY WORDS: GIS, Landfill siting, Multi-criteria, Solid waste, Site selection, Abu Dhabi, UAE ABSTRACT: Landfill sites receive 92% of total annual solid waste produced by municipalities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In this study, candidate sites for an appropriate landfill location for the Abu Dhabi municipal area are determined by integrating geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) analysis. To identify appropriate landfill sites, eight input map layers including proximity to urban areas, proximity to wells and water table depth, geology and topography, proximity to touristic and archeological sites, distance from roads network, distance from drainage networks, and land slope are used in constraint mapping. A final map was generated which identified potential areas showing suitability for the location of the landfill site. Results revealed that 3% of the study area was identified as highly suitable, 2% as suitable, and 4% as unsuitable. The selection of the final landfill site, however, requires further field research. 1. INTRODUCTION Evaluation of a new waste disposal site is a complicated process requiring evaluation of many different criteria and considerable expertise in diverse social and environmental fields, such as soil science, engineering, hydro-geology, topography, land use, sociology, and economics (Nair et al., 26 ; Chang et al. 28; Rahman et al., 28 ; Lunkapis 2; Nishanth 2). Environmental factors are very important because the landfill may affect the biophysical environment and the ecology of the surrounding area (Siddiqui et al. 1996; Kontos et al. 23; Erkut and Moran 1991). Economic factors must be considered in the siting of landfills, which include the costs associated with the acquisition, development, and operation of the site (Delgado et al. 28; Erkut and Moran 1991; Kontos et al. 23). Social and political opposition to landfill siting have been indicated as the greatest obstacle for successfully locating waste disposal facilities (Lober 199). The not in my backyard (NIMBY) and not in anyone s backyard (NIABY) attitudes (Chang et al. 28; Kao and Lin 1996; Erkut and Moran 1991; Kontos et al. 23; Lin and Kao 2) are becoming popular nowadays creating a tremendous pressure on the decision makers involved in the selection of landfill sites. It is evident that many factors, with spatial dimensions, must be combined into landfill siting decisions. Geographic information systems (GIS) are ideal for such studies due to their ability to collect, store, manipulate, process and analyze large volumes of spatial data from a variety of sources (Sener et al. 26). GIS have the capability to handle and integrate the necessary economic, environmental, social, technical, and political factors and constraints. Furthermore, many of the attributes involved in the process of decision making for the selection of sanitary landfill sites have a spatial dimension, which in the last few years has motivated the predominance of geographical approaches that allow for the integration of multiple attributes using geographic information systems (Kontos et al. 23; Sarptas et al. 2; Sener et al. 26; Gomez-Delgado and Tarantola 26; Delgado et al. 28; Chang et al. 28). Multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) is used to resolve conflicts and deal with the difficulties that decision makers encounter in considering large amounts of complex information. The principle of the method is to divide the decision problems into more smaller understandable components, analyze each component separately, and then integrate the components in a logical way (Malczewski 1997). The integration of GIS and MCE is a powerful tool to solve the landfill site selection problem because GIS provide efficient organization and handling of spatial data and MCE supplies consistent ranking of the potential landfill areas based on a variety of criteria (Carver, 1991 ; Sener et al. 26). The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has a Strategy that covers the management of all solid waste in the Emirate. The objective of this Strategy is to establish a sustainable world class waste management system to divert polluting waste away from landfill disposal and maximize resource recovery (CWM, 2). In order to improve waste management across the Emirate, the Government of Abu Dhabi has established the Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi (Center or CWM) in December 28 by Decree (Law 17). The Center is the lead agency responsible for controlling and coordinating waste management activities throughout the Emirate including the policy, strategy and contractual systems (CWM, 2). The CWM has conducted an inventory of solid waste generated in the emirate of Abu Dhabi; table 1(CWM 2) summarized the waste status in the emirate in late 28 and early 29. According to the results of the inventory, the amount of waste collected during the study period totaled about,14 million tonnes, with a daily average of 6,9 tonnes for Abu Dhabi city, 4,216 tonnes for the Western Region and 2,46 tonnes for Al Ain. About % of the total solid waste is generated by construction and demolition (C&D) operations. From these results, daily amount of municipal waste per capita in Abu Dhabi emirate was calculated as 6.6kg. 133

2 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia Table 1. Summary of waste situation in Abu Dhabi region (28/29). Source: SCAD 211. Total population (averaging 28 and 29 population) Amount of municipal waste collected (thousand tonnes/year) - Average amount of municipal waste per capita (kg/capita-day) Amount of municipal solid waste by destination (thousand tonnes/year) Controlled landfill(al Dhafra site) Sorting plant Composting plant Incineration Other Total 1,9,97 2, , ,4 There is one sanitary landfill, one composting plant, and one incineration plant. Of the 2,4 thousand tonnes of waste collected in Abu Dhabi Municipal area in 28/29, 92% was disposed in the controlled Al Dhafra landfill, 7.98% was disposed in sorting and composting plants,.2% was burnt in Al Ain incineration plant. This paper presents the methodology used in the assessment and selection of areas for solid waste landfill using multicriteria analysis and geographical information systems (GIS). The study area covers the administrative boundaries of the greater Abu Dhabi Municipality, the capital city of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is the biggest of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates. The study area (Abu Dhabi Municipality boundary) has a population of 1,9,97 producing an average daily waste of about 6,9 tonnes which yields about 2,4 thousand tonnes of wastes annually. The amount of Waste received at waste treatment and disposal facilities is calculated as 6.6 kg. Waste is mostly composed of C&D. Land requirement for the landfill site for Abu Dhabi area is estimated at around 4 sq. km. for a 2-year disposal period (Figure 1). GIS desktop software package ArcGIS 9.3 and its extensions were used as the GIS tools since it is able to perform suitability analysis using Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE). A multi-criteria evaluation analysis investigates a number of possible choices for a siting problem, taking into consideration multiple criteria and conflicting objectives. In order to use GIS for site selection, the available information for the study area was collected and stored in the geographic information system. All digital maps of the study area including topographical maps were registered to UTM coordinate system, zone 4, WGS84 datum. Data details are fully described and presented in Table 2. Table 2. Summary of data and data sources used in the analysis Data Type Date Resolution Source / Accuracy IRS image 2 meter Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) ADM Recent 1:, ADM boundary Slope ADM hsapefile UAE international boundary AD Roads/streets network UAE sea Shoreline AD Water table level AD Water wells distribution AD Geology AD Soils AD protected areas AD Drainage network AD population Recent 1:, Department of Municipal Affaires (DMA) Recent - DMA Recent 1:, DMA 27, 28, 29 27, 28, 29 - EAD EAD 27, 28, 29 EAD EAD EAD EAD SCAD 28/ Siting methodology and criteria Figure 1. Study area: Abu Dhabi Municipal area, UAE 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Methodologies used are normally based on a composite suitability analysis using map overlays and their extension to include statistical analysis. There are a number of integration models in GIS. Probably the simplest and best-known type of 134

3 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia GIS model is based on Boolean operation. It involves the logical combination of binary maps resulting from the application of conditional operators. If the criteria and guidelines have been established as a set of deterministic rules, this method is a practical and easily applied approach. The output is a binary map because each location is either satisfactory or not. In practice, it is usually unsuitable to give equal importance to each of the criteria being combined. Factors need to be weighted depending on their relative significance. Hence, each location will be evaluated according to weighted criteria, resulting in a ranking on a suitability scale, rather than simply presence/absence. This method is known as index overlay. In this method, each factor map will be assigned ranks, as well as the maps themselves receive different weights. All scored maps will be assigned to a common scale (e.g., ranging between to, where a score of indicates no constraint and a score of indicates a total constraint). Weights are generally assigned to these maps to express the relative importance. In order for the output map to be meaningful and consistent, map weights have to add up to % and the attribute scores have to be chosen using a scheme that is the same for each map. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A landfill must be situated and designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for preventing pollution of the soil, groundwater or surface water and ensuring efficient collection of leachate. Similarly, a landfill site should be kept as far away as possible from population density, for reducing pollution impact on public health. On the other hand, the landfill site should be placed as close as possible to existing roads for saving road development, transportation, and collection costs. Furthermore, difficult or steep terrains are not appropriate for hosting landfills. Eight suitability criteria (distance from urban areas, roads network, touristic & archaeological sites, wells, drainage network, water table, Geology, and land slope map) were used in this study and were partly based on the relevant Abu Dhabi Government Regulations, in addition to international practices that account for environmental, economic, social, and technical factors. A map was created for each suitability criterion and a final composite map was finally produced by simple overlaying of the individual maps. The layers, buffer zones used, rankings and layer s weights are summarized in Table 3. The weights were assessed by taking into account the possibility of modifying the natural conditions of the sites by appropriate engineering interventions, so as to increase their suitability (Delgado et al. 28). Likewise, criteria that are of less importance to the conditions of the UAE and its climate were given less weights. For example, high weights were given to the urban settlements, wells and water table. On the contrary, drainage network, and the roads were considered less important either, because of absence of water courses due to hyper arid climate of the UAE or, because they can be worked out and modified, if required by a given project. Furthermore, agricultural lands were neglected because the study area is a complete desert where greened areas (e. g., parks, artificial forests, farms, etc.) constitute part of the urban areas and thus are represented within the population factor. Table 3. Attribute ranking and Layer s weights for the maps used in the landfill site selection Layer/sub-layer Ranking Weights Urban settlements < 1 km 1-2 km 2-3 km 3-4 km 4- km -6 km 6-7 km 7-8 km 8-9 km 9- km > km Touristic &Archeological < m > m Wells < m > m Water Table < m -1 m > 1 m Geology/soils Sabkha, eolian Otherwise Drainage Network < m > m Slope > 1 % 1 % < % Roads < 1km 1-2 km 2-3 km 3-4 km 4- km -6 km 6-7 km 7-8 km 8-9 km 9- km > km Distance from urban areas: The landfill site should not be placed near a residential or an urban area, to avoid adversely affecting land value and future development and to protect the general public from possible environmental hazards released from landfill sites. In the same time, it should not be located too far to avoid extra transportation costs and environmental pollution. The landfill best location would be within km of an urban area (Baban and Flannagan 1998). However landfill shall not be located within 1, m of an urban area (Nas et al., 2). Distance from archeological sites: A landfill site should not be placed on a site close to historic/cultural/scenic sites. A buffer zone of m from such sites was used (a weighting of if a historic site is within m and otherwise, Lin and Kao 2). Proximity to wells: A landfill must not be located near wells, wetlands, nor should it be on shallow water table 13

4 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia depths. Proximity to wells was an important criterion to assessing the landfill site. Landfills create noxious gases and leachate that make them unsuitable to be in proximity to water wells (Dorhofer and Siebert 1998; Delegado 26; Despotakis 27; Nas et al. 2). A -m buffer would be placed and a buffer is created around each well using GIS. A weighting of is applied if < m away and for > m away from the wells. Proximity to water table: The study area s soils are made of sandy substrate, with no low permeability clay or silt layers to protect groundwater. The groundwater table is relatively shallow being -1m BGL (below ground level). Therefore, there is only a thin zone of unsaturated soil between the deposited waste and groundwater. The properties of the soils in the unsaturated zone (CEC, organic content) are such that they offer little capacity to protect the groundwater from any leachate which percolates downward from the waste. Groundwater beneath the site is therefore quite vulnerable to pollution. The underlying groundwater is highly saline and so its quality is such that it requires treatment before it can be used in agriculture or for drinking. It is understood that the general area may have been designated for future farm developments which would use treated groundwater for crop irrigation. However, the composition of the waste mass will be relatively inert provided a large proportion of the waste streams are properly treated in the Sorting Facility and Compost Plant before going to Landfill. Under these circumstances the chemical composition of any leachate generated is expected to be weak, i.e. of limited polluting potential. This is in contrast to typical leachate in other places in the world, which are strong and highly polluting liquors. A weighting of is applied if depth < m, if m < depth < 1 m, and if depth > 1 m. Geology and Soil conditions: Geologically, Abu Dhabi shares the northeastern corner of the Arabian Platform with Oman and has remained relatively stable for millions of years. The surface geology of Abu Dhabi is concealed under a cover of sands that form dune ridges reaching heights of about 1 m inland. Evaporated flats, Sabkha, extending more than 8 Km southwards into the sand deserts, dominate the coastal plains (EAD, 29). Soils are calcareous alluvial soils mixed with varying amounts of quartz sand. The latter is derived from the desert dunes/sandy soils, essentially of Aeolian origin/mud flat soils (playas), dominated by fine and medium textured loamy deposits with different degrees of salinity; deposited generally in ephemeral lakes. The best geological siting in the study area for landfill site was identified as Sabkha, calcareous and Eolian sand dunes (CWM, 211). Land slope: Lin and Kao (1998, 2) have suggested that the appropriate slope for constructing a landfill is about 1% because too steep of a slope would make it difficult to construct and maintain and too flat of a slope would affect the runoff drainage. Slopes above 1% would have created high runoff rates for precipitation. With higher runoff rate and decreased infiltration, contaminants are able to travel greater distances from the containment area. This subjects a larger environment to the dangerous chemicals produced within the leachate from the landfill, especially surface waters. The study area is dominated by sand dunes with no unstable slopes. The slope is too flat and a weighting of is taken if slope >1%, if % < slope < 1% and if slope < % (Allen et al. 23; Nas et al. 2; Nishanth 2). Proximity to drainage networks: A landfill must not be located near drainage channels, wells, wetlands or coastlines. A landfill must not be located within m of drainage channels or wadis (Lunkapis, 23; Agnes,27; Despotakis,27; CWM and EAD 211). A weighting of is then applied if < m away and for > m away. Distance from roads network: Aesthetic considerations would be of good practice for good planning, and based on this principle, landfills shall not be located within m of any major highways and city streets. On the other hand, the landfill site should not be placed too far away from existed road networks, to avoid the expensive cost of constructing connecting roads. Table 3 shows the distance of a landfill from roads and its weighting. The GIS spatial operation using map layers as specified in the constraint criteria worked very well using the ArcGIS 9.3 software. The GIS-MCE methodology presented here provided a more objective ranking of the appropriate sites. Figure 2 shows the final map generated when the constraint maps were subtracted from the map resulting from overlaying the ranked maps. As it can be seen from Figure 2, the area belonging to unsuitable class covers 4%, suitable class 2%, and highly suitable class 3% of the study area. The next step would be finalize the location of the landfill site based on the integrated GIS-MCE analysis provided under this research. Figure 2. Landfill site suitability in the study area 4. CONCLUSION A GIS-MCE integrated analysis was a good tool to help in finding suitable sites for landfill siting purposes. The use of GIS for evaluation of future waste disposal sites has shown to save time when there is a need for fast evaluation. Local governments generally lack sufficient funds and experts to implement a complete siting process that causes significant damage to the environment. The application of GIS-based models for waste management in the UAE is relatively new and the need to hire a technical workforce with adequate training is a must. In addition, the availability of detailed data in GIS ready format is limited or difficult to obtain because of bureaucracy or lack of regulations. 136

5 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia Some of the limitations to this kind of study and analysis are worth noting. A landfill siting process requires evaluating many factors and criteria and processing much spatial information. First and foremost, any GIS analysis is obviously limited to the data availability and data accuracy. Eight different thematic layers were considered in the analysis. There are certainly other factors, such as industrial areas, airports, flood plains, wind direction, and other social and economic factors. At the end of the analyses, suitable areas for appropriate solid waste landfill sites are identified. These sites generally satisfy the minimum requirements for new landfill sites siting. However, potential landfill sites should be selected throughout a careful field research. The selection of the final site, necessarily, requires further geotechnical and hydrogeological analyses towards the protection of groundwater as well as surface water. REFERENCES Agnes, N., P.J, O., A Spatial Decision Support Tool for Landfill Site Selection: Case For Municipal Solid Waste Management. Research Paper. Allen, A., Brito, G., Caetano, P., Costa, C., Cummins, V., Donnelly, J., et al., 23. The development of a GIS model for the location of landfill sites in Ireland and Portugal, Atlantic area. INTERREG-IIC Programme, Final Project Report, Project Ref. No. EA-B1IRENo 2.1. Carver, S., J., Integrating multi-criteria evaluation with geographical information systems. NorthEast Regional Research Laboratory, Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 7RU, U.K. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, : 3, pp Chang, N., Parvathinathanb, G., & Breden, J., B., 28. Combining GIS with fuzzy multicriteria decisionmaking for landfill siting in a fast-growing urban region. Journal of Environmental Management, 87, pp doi:.16/j.jenvman CWM_, 2. Operation, Maintenance, Monitoring and Control of Landfill at Al Dhafra and Transfer Station at Al Mafraq Report. CWM_1, 211. Abu Dhabi and Al Garbia integrated waste management document. CWM_3, 211. Waste Generation Study in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Report. CWM_4, (29) Inventory of waste presentation report, 29. Delegado, M., Tarantola, S., 26. GLOBAL sensitivity analysis, GIS and multi-criteria evaluation for a sustainable planning of a hazardous waste disposal site in Spain. International Journal of Geographical Information Science. ISSN print/issn Delgado, O. B., Mendoza, M., Granados, E. L., & Geneletti, D., 28. Analysis of land suitability for the siting of intermunicipal landfills in the Cuitzeo Lake Basin, Mexico. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 28, pp doi:.16/j. wasman Despotakis, V.K., and Economopoulos, A.P., 27. A GIS Model for Landfill Sitting. GIS Consultant, 4 Mastracha Street, Heraklion Greece. Environmental Engineering Dept.Technical University of Crete, Chania 731, Greece. Technical University of Crete, Greece, publisher, Global NEST Journal, Vol 9, No 1, pp Dorhofer, G., & Siebert, H., The search for landfill sites Requirements and implementation in Lower Saxony, Germany. Environmental Geology, 3(1), pp. 6. doi:.7/s EAD_2. Accepted Criteria for Landfill Operation and Design in Abu Dhabi Report. EAD_4, 27, Technical Guideline Solid Waste Landfill Management. Erkut, E., & Moran, S. R., Locating obnoxious facilities in the public sector: An application of the hierarchy process to municipal landfill siting decisions. Socio- Economic Planning Sciences, 2(2), pp doi:.16/38-121(91)97-e. Gomez-Delgado, M., & Tarantola, S., 26. GLOBAL sensitivity analysis, GIS and multi-criteria evaluation for a sustainable planning of a hazardous waste disposal site in Spain. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 2(4), pp doi:.8/ Higgs, G., 26. Integrating multi-criteria techniques with geographical information systems in waste facility location to enhance public participation. Waste Management & Research, 24, pp doi:.1177/ X Kao, J. J., & Lin, H., Multifactor spatial analysis for landfill siting. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 122(), pp doi:.61/(asce) (1996)122:(92). Kontos, T. D., Komilis, D. P., & Halvadakis, C. P., 23. Siting MSW landfills on Lesvos island with a GISbased methodology. Waste Management & Research, 21, pp Lin, H. Y., &Kao, J. J., 2. Grid-based heuristic method for multifactor landfill siting. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 19(4), pp doi:.61/ (ASCE) (2)19:4(369). Lober, D. J., 199. Resolving the siting impasse: Modeling social and environmental locational criteria with a geographic information system. Journal of the American Planning Association. American Planning Association, 61(4), pp doi:.8/ Lunkapis, G.J., 2. GIS as Decision Support Tool for Landfills Sitting. University Malaysia Sabah, Locked Bed 273, Kota Kinabalu. GIS development.net, Application, Urban Planning, Sabah, Malaysia. a4133pf.html 137

6 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXIX-B2, 212 XXII ISPRS Congress, 2 August 1 September 212, Melbourne, Australia Malczewski, J., Propagation of errors in multicriteria location analysis: A case study. In G. Fandel & T. Gal (Eds.), Multiple criteria decision making. Berlin: Springer, pp Nas, B., Cay, T., Iscan, F., and Berkta, A., 2. Selection of MSW landfill site for Konya, Turkey using GIS and multicriteria evaluation. Environ Monit Assess 16:491. DOI.7/s Nishanth,T., Prakash, M.N., Vijith, H., 2. Suitable site determination for urban solid waste disposal using GIS and Remote sensing techniques in Kottayam Municipality. India. International Journal Of Geomatics And Geosciences Volume 1, No 2, 2, ISSN Rahman, M., M., Sultana, K., R., and Hoque, M., A., 28. Suitable Sites for Urban Solid Waste Disposal Using GIS Approach in Khulna City, Bangladesh. Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 928, Bangladesh, Proc. Pakistan Acad.Sci. 4(1): Standford University, Libraries & Academic Information Resources, Sarptas, H., Alpaslan, N., & Dolgen, D., 2. GIS supported solid waste management in coastal areas. Water Science and Technology, 1(11), pp Sener, B., Suzen, L., & Doyuran, V., 26. Landfill site selection by using geographic information systems. Environmental Geology, 49, pp doi:.7/ s Siddiqui, M., Z., Everett, J., W., & Vieux, B., E., Landfill siting using geographic information systems: A demonstration. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 122(6), pp doi:.61/(asce) (1996)122:6(1). 138
It's been 125 years since Dracula was published. And it's still scary.
There was a lot of anger among Trump fans that so many of the GOP incumbents either opposed Trump directly-- the way Mark Kirk (R-IL) did-- or refused to overtly, publicly and enthusiastically back him-- think Pat Toomey waiting until 6pm on election day. This weekend, as we read the unlikely story , given Trump's well-known penchant for revenge, about how the transition team is considering defeated New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte for the Secretary of Defense job, we have to remember that shoe refused to endorse him. We his partisans in Belknap and Coos counties-- where he performed best, pissed off enough at Ayotte to cost her the election? The answer is no.





First of all Ayotte did better statewide than the unsuccessful Trump and just about the same vote as the successful Republican gubernatorial candidate, Chris Sununu.

However, in the two counties where Trump did best, he did outperform her, although very slightly-- maybe a Klavern's worth. In Belknap, where Trump took 19,315 votes (56.0%), Ayotte won 18,710 (53.8%). Same story in Coos County, where Trump won 7,951 votes (52.1%) and Ayotte got 7,537 votes (48.7%).





Illinois and Nevada, two states that Trump lost and where the GOP Senate candidates went down the drain with him, were also the two states were the Republican candidates were most explicit in saying that would not vote for Trump. In Illinois Trump did really badly-- 2,118,179 votes (39.4%). Mark Kirk didn't do well either-- but noticeably better than Trump-- 2,150,099 (40.2%). Trump had several pockets of strength though. His half dozen best-performing counties, Trump Country, were all tiny and rural:

 Wayne- 6,963 (84.3%

 Edwards- 2,777 (83.8%)

 Clay- 5,009 (79.8%)

 Pope- 1,678 (78.7%)

 Effingham- 13,613 (78.1%)

 Jasper- 3,973 (77.8%)

Trumpists in these far right bastions were significantly less enthusiastic about Kirk:

 Wayne- 5,612 (70.7%)

 Edwards- 2,321 (68.5%)

 Clay- 3,896 (64.0%)

 Pope- 1,279 (61.9%)

 Effingham- 12,497 (72.5%)

 Jasper- 3,310 (66.9%)

Had he not lost so many Trumpists would he have beaten Duckworth? Nope. In the bigger urban and suburban counties, he did far better than Trump, largely because he distanced himself from the unpopular fascist. In the biggest county in the state, Cook, Kirk won 512,164 votes (25.2%), much better than Trump's 440,213 (21.4%). It was pretty much the same in the next 5 biggest counties in the state, deep red McHenry County being the glaring exception.

 DuPage- Kirk: 190,201 (45.7%), Trump: 164,355 (39.8%)

 Lake- Kirk: 133,592 (45.2%), Trump: 108,608 (37.0%)

 Will- Kirk: 124,101 (42.8%), Trump: 129,726 (44.6%)

 Kane- Kirk: 87,153 (45.2%), Trump: 82.087 (42.4%)

 McHenry- Kirk: 57.923 (41.4%), Trump: 71,117 (52.6%)

Kirk's gamble to eschew Trump and his most rabid, racist fans paid off... just not enough. In Nevada the story was slightly different. Trump took 511,319 votes statewide (45.5%) and the anti-Trump (but not anti-Trump enough?) wishy-washy Heck took 494,427 votes (44.7%).





Trump won all the sparsely populated, rural counties and lost the two biggies, Clark (Vegas) and Washoe (Reno) to Clinton. Trump's two biggest counties were Eureka-- 723 (84.7%)-- Lincoln-- 1,671 (78.4%)-- and Esmeralda-- 329 (77.8%). Who cares when he lost Clark by double digits, 401,068 (52.4%) to 319,571 (41.8%). Catherine Cortez Masto didn't even win Washoe County-- just Clark. Compare Heck and Trump in the 2 biggest counties and in Trump's 3 best-performers, all tiny:

 Clark- Heck: 303,316 (40.4%), Trump: 319,571 (41.8%)

 Washoe- Heck: 97,226 (46.9%), Trump: 94,529 (45.2%)

 Eureka- Heck: 692 (81.5%), Trump: 723 (84.7%)

 Lincoln- Heck: 1,609 (75.9%), Trump: 1,671 (78.4%)

 Esmeralda- Heck: 312 (74.3%), Trump: 329 (77.8%)

Heck's win in Washoe, where's he's from, was significant but Trump voters seemed to have abandoned him consistently enough, not to make a difference in the outcome, but enough to make him question his ever-shifting strategy towards Trump.





Alaska had a unique situation,. The establishment incumbent, Lisa Murkowski, who was distinctly unenthusiastic about Trump, was more concerned with the Trumpist Libertarian candidate, far right-wing lunatic Joe Miller, than she was with a pathetically divided Democratic Party. Trump wasn't especially popular in a state where Romney beat Obama 136,848 (55%) to 102,138 (41%). Trump's victory over Clinton was 130,415 (52.9%) to 93,007 (37.7%). A less disliked Democrat would have come a lot closer to beating him and Bernie probably could have. The Senate race had the two Republicans with over 180,000 votes between them, around 50,000 more than Trump! Murkowski took 111,382 votes (44.3%) and Miller, the full-on Trumpist crackpot, took 74,245 (29.5%).





In Arizona, the antipathy between Trump and McCain was out in the open. McCain did better than Trump-- 1,085,285 (53.4%) to Trump's 1,017,166 (49.5%) In Colorado, the Republicans had nominated a fringe rightist Darryl Glenn it run against an unpopular Democratic incumbent, Michael Bennet. Bennet won but with a narrower margin than expected: 1,242,335 (49.1%) to 1,148,008 (45.4%), beating Trump's 1,136,354 (44.4%) statewide. Bennet also beat Clinton.





Down the road in Utah, Trump was the unloved victor with far fewer votes than the anti-Trump Governor or Senator. Trump only won 397,005 votes (46.6%). Trump-hater Senator Mike Lee took 571,781 votes (68.1%) and Trump-hater Gary Herbert won 564,563 votes (66.9%). For all the Sturm und Drang, Trump was a non-factor in Utah. Clinton beat him in Salt Lake County, 126,702 (44.9%) to 91,373 (32.4%). Again, his best-performing counties were all rural and numerically inconsequential. Compare his performance to Mike Lee's in Trump's 3 best counties:

 Piute- Trump: 537 (87.0%), Lee: 549 (91.2%)

 Emery- Trump: 3,402 (79.8%), Lee: 3.630 (86.0%)

 Duchesne- Trump: 5,505 (79.4%), Lee: 6,044 (87.8%)

I'll note in passing that the most outspoken Trump Senate candidate anywhere former KKK Grand Dragon or Wizard, David Duke, came in 7th in Louisiana, with just 58,581 votes. Trump, who won the state with 1,178,004 votes (58.1%), didn't do him much good. There were no bright spots for Duke anywhere in the state. Trump's half dozen best-performing parishes were La Salle (88.8%), Cameron (88.2%), Livingston (84.6%), Grant (84.0%), West Carroll (83.4%) Caldwell (81.5%) and the only ones of them where Duke climbed above his miserable statewide average were La Salle (8.1%) and Caldwell (7.9%). Duke's best-performing parish, the racist hellhole Avoyelles (median household income-- $23,851) was kind of average for Trump-- 11,163 votes (67.3%)-- while Duke came in 5th with 1,354 (8.9%). Trump wasn't much of a factor in the state.









But he sure was in Florida. Rubio-- who had, in Patrick Murphy, the weakest Democratic opponent of any major state-- very publicly held his nose and endorsed Trump, who he promised to fight when he steps out of line. Rubio out-performed Trump statewide-- 4,822,182 (52.0%) to 4,605,515 (49.1%). His native Miami-Dade was an important consideration for Rubio, of course. Trump fans in the really backwards little rural districts where Trump had his biggest wins were relatively unethusiastic about Rubio, but the voters in the big counties where are the voters are were more interested in electing Rubio than Trump. First the half dozen most Florida counties with the most voters:

 Miami-Dade- Trump: 333,666 (34.1%), Rubio: 419,623 (43.3%)

 Broward- Trump: 258,521 (31.4%), Rubio: 275,930 (34.1%)

 Palm Beach- Trump: 270,762 (41.2%), Rubio: 286,027 (44.2%)

 Hillsborough- Trump: 265,928 (44.7%), Rubio: 282,749 (48.1%)

 Orange- Trump: 195,091 (35.7%), Rubio: 224,710 (41.7%)

 Pinellas- Trump: 238,746 (48.6%), Rubio: 236,170 (48.8%)

In these 6 most crucial counties in the state, Rubio won 162,525 more votes than Trump. He beat Trump in every one of them except Pinellas and Rubio actually had a bigger portion of the vote in his contest there than Trump did. In the 6 most blue counties Rubio netted 1,725,239 votes, over 162,000 more than Trump's 1,562,714. It's the main reason Rubio did so much better than Trump statewide despite some Trump fanatics refusing to vote for Rubio. And these are the 6 most Trumpoid counties:

 Holmes- Trump: 7,476 (87.9%), Rubio: 7,032 (83.7%)

 Lafayette- Trump: 2,795 (82.8%), Rubio: 2,559 (76.5%)

 Baker- Trump: 10,294 (81.5%), Rubio: 9,901 (79.5%)

 Dixie- Trump: 5,822 (80.8%), Rubio: 5,040 (72.2%)

 Union- Trump: 4,567 (80.2%), Rubio: 4,312 (77.4%)

 Gilchrist- Trump: 6,740 (80.1%), Rubio: 6,301 (75.7%)

So in the 6 most redneck, backward counties in the state, 2,549 Trump fanatics skipped voting for Rubio. It sure didn't make any difference as Rubio crushed Murphy by over 700,000 votes, a lot more convincingly than Trump bested Clinton.





Ohio and Pennsylvania are two states were the GOP incumbents did't endorse Trump. Rob Portman (OH) said he wouldn't vote for him and Toomey played coy. Trump fans had no discernible impact. In fact, in Ohio, Portman out-polled Trump 3,048,467 to 2,771,984-- a 276,483 margin! In Pennsylvania, Toomey had a slightly larger portion of the vote in his race (48.9%) than Trump did in his (48.8%), although statewide Trump had 2,912,941 votes to Toomey's 2,893,833-- a minute margin of 19,108 Trump voters who didn't cast ballots for Toomey.





In Missouri, North Carolina and Wisconsin, the Republican incumbents all backed Trump. With the possible exception of Blunt (MO), he didn't do any of them much good though. Trump kicked ass in Missouri-- 1,585,753 votes (57.1%) while Blunt scraped by with just 1,370,240 votes (49.4%), so Trump might have been helpful. But in North Carolina, Burr got more votes than Trump-- 2,371,192 (51.1%) to 2,339,603 (50.5%). And it was the same thing in Wisconsin, where Ron Johnson got 1,479,262 votes (50.2%) and Trump barely won with 1,409,467 votes (47.9%).





As for Republican incumbents who lost their seats in the House, in Florida John Mica (FL) had endorsed Trump, while David Jolly and Carlos Curbelo had opposed him. Frank Guinta was a Trump supporter and he was defeated badly. Robert Dold (IL) and Cresent Hardy (NV) had opposed Trump, while Scott Garrett (NJ) played coy. Several Republican incumbents in tight races who either opposed Trump or refused to endorse him won, including Barbara Comstock (VA), William Hurd (TX), John Katko (NY), Erik Paulsen (MN), Bruce Poliquin (ME), David Blum (IA), Mike Bost (IL), Mike Coffman (CO), Scott Tipton (CO), Steve Knight (CA) and Dave Valadao (CA). Darrell Issa (CA), a big Trump supporter, is in a race that is still too close to call. Backing or opposing Trump doesn't seem to have been decisive in any races.
Captivating visuals combined with easy storytelling lead to canvases that highlight the age-old Gond art. More than 40 works in this traditional style, created by artist Bhajju Shyam, are on display as part of an upcoming exhibition in the city.

Portraying nature through fruit-laden trees, animals and birds, detailed single colour and ink works in black, the artworks are a treat to the eyes. I wanted to dedicate my first solo show to my mother. Hence the name Matre, says Shyam, who is exhibiting for the first time in India. He has previously showcased his works in countries such as Paris, UK and Germany.

Also on display is a special series of works in grey, something that the artist has attempted for the first time. Shyam fuses his perceptions of the modern world along with his tribes unique visual language. He says, I never set out to be an artist and would help my mother paint on the walls, as per the Gond tradition. When I was 16, I left my village and came to Bhopal in search of work. I almost took up the job of a watchman, but little did I know that my uncle Jangarh Singh Shyamjis influence on me would be so strong that I would become an artist.

Gond artist Bhajju Shyam, whose artworks based on the age-old tribal art form will be on display next week.

His works are also influenced by his upbringing in Pattangarh, Madhya Pradesh. Curated by Anubhav Nath, the show sees Shyam using inherited forms in quite current and expressive ways. He experiments with innovative subjects and new ideas. This works are displayed to promote tribal and traditional arts.

CATCH IT LIVE

What: Maa Matre

Where: Ojas Art, 1AQ, Qutub Minar, New Delhi

When: November 17- December 11

Timings: 11am - 7pm

Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar on Yellow Line
A lawyer for five suspected SIMI men who are currently lodged at Bhopal Central Jail was unable to enter the prison premises to meet his clients on Saturday, prompting him to approach the police.

The district and sessions court on Friday, allowed counsel Parvez Alam a 20-minute meet with five suspected operatives of the banned outfit in the jail. Judge Ram Kumar Chaube, while dismissing a revision petition filed by the Madhya Pradesh government, specified that the lawyer should stick to the rules of the state jail manual.

However, on Saturday, Alam alleged that the prison authorities demanded that he fill a form stating that Adil, Irfan, Javed, Zuber and Mohammed Sadiq, who he was to meet, were his relatives.

They are my clients, not my relatives. I dont understand why they (the prison authorities) are behaving like this, Alam told HT. They are now trying to frame me too as a SIMI activist, he said.

Alam registered a complaint at the Gandhinagar police station, alleging that the Bhopal Central Jail authorities denied him a meeting with his clients, despite permission from the judiciary. He also said that he has informed the matter to chief judicial magistrate Bhubhaskar Yadav.

The Honourable CJM was busy in the Lok Adalat and said that he will hear the matter on November 17, Alam said.

Meanwhile, jail superintendent Dinesh Nargave said his office was only going by routine formalities.

We took his identity proof, and also wanted him to fill up a form. It is a routine procedure. We never stopped him from meeting his clients, he told HT.
The rampant piracy in the Indian film industry has scared director Anubhav Sinha, who awaits the release of Tum Bin 2 next week. He has approached government officials to help him fight the menace.

Sir @CPMumbaiPolice love to hear from you on how can I help you help me on my film next week. This is extremely Scary.... pic.twitter.com/LseDn0XnHT  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 12, 2016

Honble Sir @Ra_THORe A Friday release being sold at every nook and corner of the country on Saturday. Please look in to this. pic.twitter.com/f1IWfQKZ8h  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 12, 2016

The director also wrote to Minister Of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, urging him to look into the matter.

Requesting all Honble Chief Ministers and DGPs to help us fight this. Will cancel all Promotions and work on this now until my release 18th pic.twitter.com/6HuUO7ZnvS  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 12, 2016

Sinha said that he would cancel all promotions until November 18 and will dedicate the whole week to preventing piracy. He has also hired a Singapore-based company for cyber surveillance of the film, from the date of the release.

5 films for hundreds of crores for Rs 100. The industry bleeds. I have a release next week. Am SCARED. These available everywhere. pic.twitter.com/Q7EEBOVvMN  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 12, 2016

When people do not have any money to buy food these are available at every train station. Who will buy our tickets and why? pic.twitter.com/CAfMPyMtut  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 12, 2016

The second instalment of the 2001 film Tum Bin franchise, Tum Bin 2 is written and directed by Sinha and jointly produced by him and Bhushan Kumar of T-Series music label.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Back when Ravi Subramanian was just a book old, a publisher sent him photos of a few American writers. They looked brooding, with a part of their faces in shadow. The accompanying note asked Subramanian if he would be so nice as to get himself shot looking like those American authors for his books back cover.

Subramanian refused, and lives to tell the tale, and write many successful books. But he could because he writes thrillers, most of them set in his home turf of banking. It would have been hazardous to refuse if hed been a writer of romantic fiction.

That is a genre where pretty girls and boys rule  some were born pretty, some were groomed to prettiness, and some have had prettiness thrust upon them. A top dog in a publishing house says his team, when looking at a proposal for a debut romance novel, instinctively does an image search for the writer on Google. Its like muscle memory.

Read:People shame you when you are ugly, and also when you are not: Author Nikita Singh

If you are a male writing romantic fiction, it will help to look like a Punjabi hunk even if you are not one, says Top Dog, and he is not even in marketing, he is in editorial. But this is where editorial and marketing merge, and mate with psychology.

The image of a writer as a stodgy fellow in a dusty room with a beam of sunlight filtering through a hole in the ceiling does not work in romantic fiction because readers of romantic fiction, without knowing it, begin to imagine the writer as a protagonist. The successful writers in this genre do not talk down to the reader, they do not tell the reader, My language is better than yours. Their positioning, ever so subtle, is that they express the readers emotions in the readers language.

What goads the readers on in imagining the writer as a protagonist is that some of the most successful romantic books in recent years have been autobiographical. None bigger than Ravinder Singhs debut, I Too Had a Love Story, in which he reduced readers to tears by talking about his dead fiancee.

She died. I survived. Because I survived, I died every day, says Singh in the books first-person narrative.

Read:The idea of forbidden love: In conversation with author Ravinder Singh

What readers want

Now think of the books reader. A young person  romance fiction writers are mostly young men and women  sees the cover. Under the title, there is a silhouette of a couple seated on a boat and leaning towards each other against the warm glow of the setting sun. If the reader turns to the back cover and sees the image of the author as a man who looks like he would have never sat on a boat with a young lady against the warm glow of the setting sun, the readers mind may do a back flip, and the book might slip out of her hands.

There is a romance writer who is getting on in years and her profile has become more of a mother. The consensus in the publishing industry is that her books now sell less because of that.

Remember that this is one country where the skin tone and hair matter so much that Bollywood does not make bald actors play romantic leads and male actors endorse fairness creams.

Author Ravinder Singh, who has 700,000 Facebook followers, says that he does not try to look any particular way. His style statement consists of jeans, shirt and Kolhapuri chappals. (Manoj Verma/HT Photo)

Ravinder Singh started the trend of misery literature in India, so he must look like someone you can feel for. However, speaking to HT, he says he does not try to look any particular way. He has released photos and videos of himself for the release and tours of his latest book, This Love That Feels Right, for two reasons. He can reach more of his 700,000 Facebook followers through a video than through stills and text  such is the intricacy of Facebooks algorithm. Secondly, Singhs publicists wont let him be. But he keeps it cool. All I need is a pair of jeans, shirt, Kolhapuri chappals, and spectacles; the clothes should be clean and nicely-ironed.

Singh is lucky  he does not have to try too hard. He looks every bit the Punjabi hunk Top Dog would want male romance writers to be. Others, less lucky with their gifts, have to work harder to groom themselves. And they do.

Read:Meet real Indian men who write real Indian romance

Look at the authors who are now successful. Almost all of them look good. At least, they look very good in their pictures, says Subramanian, the writer of banking thrillers. You might ask what writing has to do with looks. You cannot be a lousy writer and say your books should sell because you look good. He mentions a book launch at a mall in Kota, Rajasthan, where 1,200 people turned up for a good looking authors book, but only 120 bought a copy of the book. However, he agrees that being pretty/handsome helps. He met a reader recently who was in tears because Durjoy Datta had got married.

Author Durjoy Dattas persona works because he has got easy on the eye looks.

There is more to it. Earlier, the image of the writer was determined by the photograph on the back cover. Not anymore. These days the writer has to be conscious of the image she projects on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, at book launches, book signing events, television shows, and in videos and in photographs.

Going the extra mile

Some go the extra yard. Bhavna Arora, author of such delicacies as The Deliberate Sinner, Mistress of Honour, and Love Bi The Way, has a video that shows her grooming herself, dancing, playing the guitar next to a large Audi, and doing other cute things such as trying on a fedora. Her Facebook account has videos of her dancing some more, horse riding, and swimming in the wake of a motor boat.

Aroras mobile phone was switched off whenever HT dialled it, but other women writers present an interesting perspective. Nikita Singh, who, at 24, is a veteran of nine romantic novels such as Like A Love Song and Someone Like You, agrees that romance readers think of the writer as a protagonist, not least because writers these days write characters very close to them. So Singh should have an edge  she is naturally pretty. But she has mixed feelings about her looks.

People shame you if you are ugly, and also when you are not, she said over the phone from New York, where she has just finished a course in creative writing. Her thoughts go to the Ted Talk she did at IIM Kolkata a few years ago. The motto of Ted Talks is simple: Ideas worth spreading.

Yet, listening to her, people tried to dismiss her as someone whose books are read only because she is pretty. Singh found that unnecessarily mean. She was born in Patna and her family comes from Barwaha, a small town 60 km outside Indore. She says she did not receive the best of education. But she did not gatecrash the Ted Talk; IIM-Kolkata had invited her because she was a successful author with Love@Facebook behind her. And she was just 19. She looked and spoke in a certain way. Why punish her for that?

The stereotyping puts me off. I do not want those readers who go to a bookstore, look at the back cover, and buy the book for the authors photo, says Singh.

Writer Madhuri Banerjee, who has written steamy books such as Forbidden Desires, and Scandalous Housewives, says that she likes to be well-groomed and smell clean.

Does her exasperation make her try to look un-pretty? I struggled with it in the beginning. Maybe I should not wear this or that. It took me a long time to embrace the fact that I am interested in fashion, and I am okay being who I am. Singh goes to the extent of saying she is not the typical reader for the books she writes.

Anish Chandy, whose literary agency Labyrinth represents Singh, says the first thing you need in commercial fiction is a great concept, one that should hit the right zeitgeist. But if a writer says his main goal is that a million people should buy his book, Chandy will tell him to do a bunch of things. If a writer is not good looking, I will not tell him to get plastic surgery done. But I will tell him about grooming, hiring a good photographer to do a nice portfolio, and engaging with the reader on social media, he says.

Read:Theres no pressure to deliver bestsellers: Durjoy Datta

Madhuri Banerjee writes romantic fiction, but a lot steamier than Ravinder Singhs or Nikita Singhs. Three of her eight books are, Losing My Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas, Forbidden Desires, and Scandalous Housewives.

The way Banerjee looks, her photo on the back cover will not come in the way of the readers imagination of the protagonist, though Banerjee says that is not the reason she looks after herself.

I like to be well groomed. I am very finicky about hygiene. I would like to be well-dressed and smell clean wherever I go. I have been brought up to be well turned out, says Banerjee.

She is not sure good looks equal large sales of her books. But she does think looks give a peek into your personality and there is a chance some people, even a non-reader, may buy your book because of how you look or because you said something interesting. When you see Durjoy [Dutta] or Ravinder [Singh], they are easy on the eye, even though they are not going to date you.

In the mind of a young reader, anything is possible. Stretching the limits of that possibility, a new writer is playing on his average looks.

Author Rupesh Kumars debut novel  romantic fiction, of course  is called Im An Average Looking Boy ... Will You Be My girlfriend?

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BESTSELLER

The short answer is, be Chetan Bhagat. When a book of his comes out, every other significant book is put on hold for that month.

Some writers, since they cannot be Bhagat, have resorted to other means. The most common among them is to buy copies of their own book, directly or indirectly. In indirect buying, you can give money to people to buy your book, while making sure they buy from stores  online and offline  tracked by the Nielsen ranking.

Why would they spend money on buying their own books? That is because a successful book, say in the Nielsens Top 20, will ensure a fat advance for your next.

But publishers have seen through that game. Says one of them: If you look carefully, you can tell which books sales are being rigged.

So the way left with the writers is to create a noise around their books on social media, part of which is to present yourself in a certain image.

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At 24, Nikita Singh is already a veteran romance writer of nine books. She has been writing from the age of 18, when she was studying for a bachelor of pharmacy at the Acropolis Institute in Indore. She has just graduated from a course in creative writing in New York and is interning with a literary magazine.

How are you so prolific?

I always knew I was going to at write books one day, but did not know I was going to take writing up as a career. I did not want to do pharmacy for the rest of my life. So I asked myself why not right away. I had this idea that became my first book, Love@Facebook. I know it sounds silly now.

Read:I too wrote a pretty good bestseller:Inside the world of desi romantic fiction

How did you get it published?

I come from a conservative family from Barwaha, which is 60 km from Indore. We moved a lot, among Tier II and III cities. I did not get to study with the best schools. I did not have internet at home I when started writing. I visited internet cafes to submit my manuscript online with all the publishers. Pustak Mahal accepted two days after I sent it to them. My next book was with Penguin.

Why did you feel the need to study creative writing? With so many successful books to your name, you could have taught the subject.

I joined the course at 22. I am 24 now. I could have easily believed I know everything. But how can a 22-year-old claim to know everything about writing? I did not want to write the same book over and over again. I know how to be a successful writer in the commercial market, but I dont think I would have got any satisfaction out of that. I wanted to write better.

Read:Durjoy Dattas The Girl of My Dreams is a psychological thriller

But you are doing so well as a writer. Why do you feel the need to write better?

I am not the audience for the books I write. I exclusively read literary fiction.

I think Haruki Murakami has cracked the code. His books are literary, but so simple. Jhumpa Lahiri, too. These are writers I look up to and may follow them.

How important is it to be good looking to be a successful writer in India?

I know what is going on in India. For me, it is harder. People hold women to a different standard than they do men. I was doing an interview for Cosmopolitan today. The interview had a question: how was your first Ted experience? It reminded me why I stopped doing Ted Talks.

Why did you?

I was doing Ted talks at 19. I cant even listen to it myself. I remember the backlash I received. I agree I did not have perspective. But this was IIM Calcutta. Those people insisted that a 19-year-old girl come and talk about what she thought. That is what I did. I agree I was not a good speaker. But people said, Oh, she looks pretty, that is why people read her. That is so mean. These people are so cruel  so much older people commenting on a 19-year-old girl who did not receive the best education. People shame you if you are ugly, and also when you are not.

But you are naturally pretty, that must be an advantage.

I dont want readers who go to a bookstore, open a book, look at the back cover, and buy it for the photo. The stereotyping of it puts me off. I just want to be a better writer with each book. So when you ask what others are doing on social, I do not follow anybody.

Do you try to look less pretty?

I struggled with it in the beginning -- maybe I should not wear this. It took me a long time to embrace the fact that I am interested in fashion, and I am okay being who I am. A lot of people I look up to have helped me in that. Arundhati Roy genuinely does not care. You can love or hate her, but she is very charming, and she is happy. I wanna be that.

What do you think of having readers as fans?

A lot of this has to do with the aspiration of writers. People have made writing a glamorous career. I am far from it, except for social media. There are a lot of books right now that I cant say it is good that people are reading those books.

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Chinas second richest man was moved by the plight of a kid - his look-alike - and has decided to fund the eight-year-olds education till he graduates from college.

Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, was a translator before he started the company which placed him among the richest persons on the planet.

Ma was moved by the plight of Fan Xiaoqin, or mini Jack Ma, who lives in Yongfeng County in east Chinas Jiangxi Province.

The kids photo was an instant hit on the internet last year after a local posted it on social media platforms.

Xiaoqins mother is a polio victim, his father lost a leg and his grand mother has Alzheimer.

With the coming of double-eleven (11/11 Singles Day) sales of Alibaba, mini Jack Ma won hearts on the Internet once again, and netizens urged Ma to support the kid, given his family circumstances, state-run Peoples Daily reported.

Mini Jack Ma trended again on the internet this November following Alibabas double-eleven (11/11) sales day. This time many social media users urged Ma to support the kid.

The buzz caught Mas attention, who later announced his decision to support Xiaoqins education until he graduates from college.
Banks will remain closed in many parts of the country on Monday on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti, suspending the panic runs for money and giving bank officials relief for a day, almost a week after the government demonetised Rs 1,000 and 500 notes.

Chaos swamped banks -- both public and private -- as people queued up to exchange their demonetised money for valid denominations, including the new Rs 2,000 rupee note.

Read | Govt ups bank withdrawal limit to Rs 24,000; advises increase on ATM cap too

The rush remained over the weekend as banks functioned to facilitate the governments move to recover the high-value banknotes that make up about 86% of the Indian currency currently in circulation. (According to data from the Reserve Bank of India, Rs 500 notes amount to Rs 7.85 lakh crore, while Rs 1,000 add up to to Rs 6.33 lakh crore.)

People scrambled to cash in on Sunday as well, given the public holiday on Monday. Security was increased at banks and near ATMs as tempers ran high among the dozens who waited, in some cases upto an hour, to withdraw money. However, due to the rush, many ATMs ran out of cash, leaving dozens of others without money.

In the national capital alone, as many as 3,400 paramilitary and Delhi Police personnel were deployed with 200 quick reaction teams to handle anxious crowds swamping banks, post offices and ATMs.

Read | Modi scripted Indias financial chaos: Oppn rally against demonetisation move

There was some respite in terms of cash liquidity as the RBI introduced the new series of Rs 500 on Sunday evening. Many businesses have been unable to tender change for the new Rs 2,000 note that was brought into circulation last week.

However, the RBI, in a statement, assured the public of enough reserves of small denominations at banks, and urged people not to hoard cash.

Also read | Leaves cancelled, 7 am to 1 pm shifts: Bank officials rise up to the challenge

Banks have been working extended hours for the past five days as hundreds have turned up to exchange and/or deposit their demonetised notes.

Also read | Give me 50 days over scrapped notes, punish me if problems persist: Modi
Banks, post offices and companies that manage ATMs are grappling to keep up with the unprecedented demand for cash even four days after PM Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The problem does not end there. According to sources, as piles of dead cash start pouring in, banks and cash logistics companies are struggling to store these piles along with the new currency.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday that an estimated deposit worth `2 lakh crore has been received by banks. Besides, post offices have also been receiving deposits of defunct banknotes.

The old cash will eventually go back to the Reserve Bank of India for disposal, but the time lag means that facilities storing the dead currency now are bursting at the seams. Over the last 48 hours cash logistics companies have brought back old high denomination bank notes from more than 90% of the ATMs. Bank currency chests do not have adequate storage capacity to hold the volume of currency, Rituraj Sinha, president, Cash Logistics Association, told HT.

Read | No need to rush: 10 things finance minister Jaitley said about demonetisation

Ahead of the demonetisation exercise, `17 lakh crore of currency was in circulation in the country. Of this over 86% comprised high denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, in volume terms this makes for 22%. This means about Rs 15 lakh crore will be sucked out of the market.

Cash logistics companies that manage cash supply to ATMs have about 250-300 vaults across the country. Besides, the banks also have their own currency chests. This is not enough to store the pile of cash that is coming back to us, said a bank official, who did not wish to be identified.

While chiefs of public and private lenders said that they were adept at handling the pressure, things have gone out of hand with a mad rush to exchange the old notes. Banks are absolutely prepared to handle this pressure and we are monitoring the situation round the clock, but we have been maintaining that it will take about a week to 10 days for the situation to normalise, said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.

Read | Despite Rs 4000-cap on money exchange, loophole allows multiple transactions

Read | Anger grows in India as banks struggle to exchange banned notes
Given prevalent political funding practices; deeply entrenched role of cash in real estate transactions; and the sheer growing brazenness of those earning unaccounted incomes; demonetization seemed to be an impossible measure. But Modi has done it. He has surprised us all by taking this bold step, which some of us had suggested when he took office in 2014. The demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, that account for as much as 85% of total value of currency in circulation, will directly and significantly push back the parallel economy. In conjunction with the GST, it may result in a steadily declining role of cash, encourage credit and digital currency transactions and a rolling back of the black economy. Modi has walked the campaign talk. Cynics and critics rest in peace.

The mechanics of the measure are straightforward. From midnight of 8/9 November, existing Rs 500 and 1000 notes are illegal and valueless. They can however be used until 11th November for specified purposes like payment at hospitals, pharmacies, transport and funeral services and purchases at cooperative societies. Beyond the 11th they will be completely worthless.

However, the honest tax payers and white income earners have been protected. They can convert up to Rs. 4,000 in old high denomination notes for the same amount in new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes at any commercial bank or post office. Individuals can also deposit any amount (without any upper limits) of old currency in their bank accounts by giving an adequate ID proof and completing a requisition slip, specified by the RBI. In cases where appropriate know your client (KYC) information is not available, such deposits will be limited to Rs.50,000. These facilities are available until the end of 30th December 2016 and will be reviewed and extended if required.

This measure will, in one stroke, essentially kill the black economy, which is conservatively estimated at more than a fifth (20%) of the formal economy and up to 45% by some observers. Even at the conservative lower estimate, this amounts to a staggering Rs 30 lakh crore or about $400 billion. If even 50% of this is held in higher denomination notes, it will imply the injection of nearly $200 billion or Rs 15 lakh crore in the formal economy through bank deposits. These will be taxed, hopefully, at penal rates and thus provide substantial revenue additionality. Moreover, those depositing large amounts would surely be identified by the tax departments for inclusion in the direct tax net. Parallel economy operators would now rue not having taken the prime ministers warnings more seriously that penal action awaits those who fail to declare their unaccounted wealth under the IDS, which lapsed on 30th September.

The measure will directly affect real estate and land markets where cash transactions are rampant. Real estate will finally cease to be the conduit for money laundering by unscrupulous politicians and businessmen. This should result in a marked softening of house prices, which will benefit first time real buyers as opposed to investors who thrive in real estate speculation. Ostentatious consumption, incurred from ill-gotten and black economy activities, will also be curbed, thereby encouraging savings and capital formation. People have argued that large volumes of these high currency notes will be traded down to poor people who dont have Rs 4000 of their own to convert. Even if that is true, poor people will stand to make good money in this exchange, which can only improve equity.

Direct tax collections should increase significantly. Professionals, brokers and builders will be warier of being paid in cash. The move will reward those who have been honest tax payers and kept away from the parallel economy. This will encourage better tax compliance and help India improve its rather abysmal direct tax to GDP ratio. Thus, both the stock and flow of black money will be controlled. Government should now also move with alacrity to monetize gold stocks and identify those holding large quantities to further curb the space for black economy transactions.

It is well known that thousands of crores of unaccounted money is spent in cash by all major political parties for fighting elections. Political leaders are known to collect mountains of cash in individual contributions of less than Rs 25,000 as that is the official limit for cash donations. All these cash hoards are now worthless. Not surprising therefore, that the Trinamool Congress, and Rahul Gandhi have denounced the step and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The cynics will of course argue that the ruling party has perhaps gained an unfair advantage arising from advance information. This is pure speculation and unsubstantiated. It is also somewhat petty minded given the enormity of the measure now implemented.

Finally, a major blow has been dealt to the counterfeiters and fake currency dealers who fund terrorists, extremists and traffickers. New Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes will likely embody advanced technical features that will make counterfeiting far more difficult. The Jaish E Mohammed and Lakshar E Toiba will find it that much more difficult to subvert our democracy. This is a bold, historical measure with multiple positive impacts for which the Prime Minister deserves our congratulations and cooperation.

Author is Senior Fellow CPR and Founder Director Pahle India Foundation.
Ahead of Tata Motors crucial board meeting on Monday, two unions of the company representing around 16,000 employees have written to the management expressing their support to Ratan Tata in the ongoing spat with ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.

In a letter to Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, Tata Motors Employees Union, Pune expressed deep concern over the rift between Tata Sons and the leadership of Tata group companies.

Moreover, the once cordial relations between Tata Motors Pune plant management and the employees have taken a downward turn since the last 14 months over various negotiable issues, said the letter in an indirect dig at the companys leadership under Mistrys chairmanship.

Read | Boardroom battle intensifies: Tata Group seeks EGM to oust Mistry, Wadia

Backing the new leadership of Tata Sons led by interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the letter said: However, during this time of turmoil we reiterate our complete and dedicated commitment to the decisions taken by Ratan Tata over the change in leadership of Tata Sons Ltd.

Stating that Tata Motors has grown in leaps and bounds under Tatas visionary leadership, the workers union of Pune plant further said: We wish to commit our whole-hearted support to Mr Ratan Tatas decisions in future and greatly respect his leadership.

On the other hand, in a letter to the plant head of Tata Motors Jamshedpur unit, Telco Workers Union termed Ratan Tata as our another great leader and invoked his saying if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to walk far walk together to express their support.

While also recollecting what another pioneer JRD Tata said -- to be a leader you have to lead with human affection -- Telco Workers Union said: These inspiring sentences (are) always inspirations for us and we always try to follow these footsteps.

Read | Full statement: Tata Sons says its companies suffered under Mistrys leadership

Last week, Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Chairman Cyrus Mistry and independent director Nusli Wadia.

Besides, Tata Sons also has served notices to IHCL, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to convene shareholders meetings to oust Mistry and Wadia from their boards.

The boardroom battle in the Tata group has escalated ever since Mistry was ousted on October 24.

The Ratan Tata camp has been trying to evict Cyrus Mistry from the chairmanship of group companies and has already fired him as chairman of TCS.

However, Mistry with the support of independent directors, including Nusli Wadia, has been able to hold on to his position as chairman of Indian Hotels Co Ltd and Tata Chemicals.
Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating the development of its urban railway network, including its first metro line in this picture. Photo by VnExpress/Duy Tran

If approved, the metro line could open in eight years time.

Ho Chi Minh City will seek the central governments approval to build a $250 million underground metro line which will link Ton San Nhat International Airport to the citys planned metro system.

A two-kilometer line, named 4b-1, would link Vietnams biggest airport to Metro Line No.5 in Tan Binh District, the Giao Thong (Transport) news site reported on Sunday, quoting a pre-feasibility study that has recently been compiled by South Korean consultants.

The municipal government plans to borrow about $224 million for the project, while the remainder would be covered by the state budget.

City authorities aim to submit the feasibility study to the prime minister in the first quarter of 2018. They expect to kick off construction in the first quarter of 2019 and finish in 2024, the news site said.

Ho Chi Minh City is also seeking parliamentary approval to implement the first phase of Metro Line No.5 with total investment capital of VND41 trillion ($1.84 billion).

The municipal administration recently submitted a proposal to the government for Phase 1 of the urban rail project, according to the city's Management Authority for Urban Railways.

As one out of three urban railways that have been given top priority for 2016-2021, Metro Line No.5 would run for nine kilometers and connect Metro Line No.2 at Tan Binh District's Bay Hien Interchange with Metro Line No.1 at the Saigon Bridge Station.

The European Investment Bank alongside the German Reconstruction Bank have offered a combined $381 million loan, while the Spanish government has pledged $299.38 million, which would cover nearly 40 percent of the total investment.

The remainder will be provided by the Asian Development Bank ($517.11 million) and Vietnams state budget ($504 million).

Metro Line No.5 is scheduled to open by 2025, and will be able to withstand level-7 magnitude earthquakes.

Most of the line will be underground but 1.43 km will be along an elevated rail with six trains traveling at maximum speeds of 90km per hour.

Related news:

> Ho Chi Minh City proposes new metro line worth $1.84 billion
Economists would argue that demonetisation does little to curb black money, especially the reasons and practices that lead to its creation and accumulation. At best, it could help destroy a very small part of the black economy that is managed through cash. The fear of scrutiny may keep such people as real estate and construction contractors, traders and retailers, who hold a large part of their illegal wealth in cash, from turning over their dodgy holdings to banks. They will be forced to destroy a good part of it, a loss that will hurt them for a long time.

Given that these groups of people  the hardest hit by the surprise ban on 1,000- and 500-rupee notes  have been the ruling BJPs loyal voters for decades, many analysts wonder if Prime Minister Narendra Modi just committed a political blunder. Known to be a meticulous planner, Modi rarely makes a decision that is not well-thought-out. It is unlikely that he wouldnt have factored in the fallout  especially the risk of alienating the BJPs traditional support base.

What then explains his gamble?

To see the political rationale behind Modis demonetisation move, we need to understand the social re-engineering of the BJP in recent times. Once known as an upper-caste, Brahmin-Bania party, Modis BJP today is socially much diversified and nurtures ambitions of being a national party with credible influence across all social groups, especially those dominating the electoral arithmetic. This means there will be times when its actions will counter the interests of its traditional supporters, but the party will have to forge ahead. In opting for demonetisation, Modi has done just that.

And this is not the first time Modi has ignored the interests of BJPs core support base. The levy of 1% excise duty on non-silver jewellery in this years budget, relaxing FDI rules for multi-brand retailing and, above all, the push for a unified goods and services tax (GST) that would tighten the noose around the traders are examples of how Modis actions are no longer bound by the compulsions that once guided Advanis BJP. With big business and the super-rich firmly on his side, Modi does not need funds from traders and contractors to run his party. And to win elections, the BJP knows by now that its traditional vote base is not good enough. The 2015 assembly elections in Delhi, a city-state run by Brahmins and Banias, showed how the underclass can turn the tables. The BJPs electoral wins elsewhere bear this out. They have come on the back of a social realignment that now makes the BJP the party with the biggest representation of backward castes (OBCs)  a change that reflects in both the changing power equations within the party and the composition of BJP-ruled governments. One out of three in Modis council of ministers is an OBC and four of BJP state units saw their Brahmin presidents go this year, making way for new leaders from lower castes.

One could still ask how demonetisation helps the underclass. Well, it doesnt, not in the immediate context. On the contrary, the possible value destruction in the cash-driven informal sectors of the economy and a consequent contraction in demand will result in slowing growth and shrinking incomes, mostly for those at the bottom of the economic ladder. The move adds to the woes of labour intensive industries and services such as construction and retail trade. A clear winner from this will be the government. Any currency held by public is a liability on the books of the Reserve Bank of India. Hence, when any cash in circulation is destroyed and cannot be claimed, it helps cut RBIs liability, add to its profit and, therefore, also add to the government exchequer. The RBI can print new notes in place of those destroyed and these can be brought into circulation without any inflationary impact. To that extent these would help soften interest rates and push up demand, but that will happen only in the longer term. In the short term, however, liquidity will be hit, so will be demand, especially in sectors that generate most jobs for the poor and marginalised.

Yet, the have-nots appear to have endorsed the PMs decision. The cash hoarded by their immediate employers and exploiters is the most familiar imagery of black money for them. Hence, when that dodgy cash is destroyed they feel empowered. That is why they are cheering demonetisation, although they stand to benefit little from it.

There have also been suggestions that the chaos and hardship following the ban of 1,000- and 500-rupee notes, which account for 86% of the money in circulation, might undo the popular response that Modis decision got. In a country where citizens go without water and electricity for days, where standing in long queues is a daily routine for many, it would be naive to say the transitory inconvenience will have a political bearing.

For now, Modis play of optics seems to have worked.

The author is Chief Content Officer, Hindustan Times.

Follow the author @rajeshmahapatra

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The Rs 2,000 currency is designed keeping in mind to eradicate the black money issues using state-of-the-art indigenous nano technology, every Rs 2,000 currency note is embedded with a NGC (Nano GPS Chip)

How the embeded NGC Technology Works?

The unique feature of the NGC is it doesnt need any power source. It only acts as a signal reflector. When a Satellite sends a signal requesting location the NGC reflects back the signal from the location, giving precise location coordinates, and the serial number of the currency back to the satellite, this way every NGC embedded currency can be easily tracked & located even if it is kept 120 meters below ground level. The NGC cant be tampered with or removed without damaging the currency note

How will this help eradicate black money menace?

Since every NGC embeded currency can be tracked. The satellite can identify the exact amount of money stored at a certain location. If a relatively high concentration of currency is found a certain location for a longer period of time at suspicious locations other than banks & other financial institutions. The information will be passed on to the Income Tax Department for further investigation

Just a beginning of the end of black money in India.

Read: Narendra Modi embraces cashless economy, maybe a bit too fast

That was the message that did the rounds on WhatsApp (owned by Facebook) last week and many people believed it. Ive often found grammar and spelling to be a good bxxxxxxt indicator, just as Ive sometimes discovered implausible hoaxes packaged in grammatically correct writing, so I do not blame people for believing the message. Some in the Mint newsroom did too, but then did what all journalists should be trained to do  doubt; and ask questions. Many did not, which explains why some websites, newspapers and TV channels did stories based on what was essentially a WhatsApp message of unknown provenance.

That was on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday (in India), the day the US election results were expected, The New York Times carried a slick real-time forecasting graphic titled Live Presidential Forecast that started off the day by giving Hillary Clinton a 80% chance of winning. Indeed, her chances peaked at around 85%. By noon (India time), the two lines, for the two candidates, had intersected and then diverged in opposite directions. The new graphic gave Donald Trump a 95% chance of winning.

Read: Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg says fake news didnt drive US election

Everyone got it wrong, even the experts. Nate Silvers well regarded fivethirtyeight.com started off by giving Clinton an over 70% chance of winning. By around noon (India time) it was giving Trump 80%. When forecasts swing as wildly as they did that day it can mean only one thing: the original forecast was horribly off the mark. And maybe (just maybe) no one questioned them because they fit the prevailing popular narrative.

On Thursday (in San Francisco), Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg described theories attributing Trumps victory, at least in part, to fake stories on Facebook that praised him and dissed his rival as a pretty crazy idea. There is a profound lack of empathy in asserting that the only reason someone could have voted the way they did is because they saw fake news, The Guardian reported him as saying. Zuckerberg added that anyone who subscribed to the theory had failed to internalize the underlying message of the election results.

Read: Big Data and the US election

While on messages, I see four relevant to the media and anyone who consumes media in these anecdotes: One, it is possible for a media outlet to be wrong, very wrong, irrespective of whether it is a large newspaper or a niche (well, relatively niche) blog run by an expert; two, social media is increasingly becoming about news; three, there is a lot of fake news out there and it is very easy to spread such fake news; and four, fake news could change outcomes (although I doubt it really did in a US election where everyone but Donald Trump, it turned out, was completely out of touch with the real America).

I do not know the reach of social media in India when it comes to news. In the US, according to a May report by the Pew Research Center, 62% of people over the age of 18 get news from social media, with 18% getting this often. And Facebook, which is now probably the most powerful media company in the world (even if it sometimes behaves as if it is in denial of this), is ahead of every other social media company. According to the Pew report, 67% of US adults used it every day and 44% got news on it.

The problem with news on social media and from Internet searches is that (apart from running the risk of being taken in by fake news) users usually end up seeing news thats customised for them and which reinforces their existing outlook. Eli Pariser, the founder of Upworthy, called this the filter bubble in his book of the same name.

Read: Donald Trump pledges to be President for all Americans

 he was talking about how the personalised web  and in particular Googles personalised search function, which means that no two peoples Google searches are the same  means that we are less likely to be exposed to information that challenges us or broadens our worldview, and less likely to encounter facts that disprove false information that others have shared, Katharine Viner wrote of Pariser in The Guardian in July in a piece titled How Technology Disrupted The Truth.

Still, like all disruptions, that does provide an opportunity for anyone who can find the truth thats out there, and then make sure it reaches as many people as it should.

R Sukumar is managing editor, Mint.

Views expressed are personal

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Let me begin with a disclaimer. I am writing this piece not with the credentials of an economist but as the representative of the man on the street gripped by anxiety.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to ban the 500- and 1000-rupee notes has turned the life of people topsy-turvy. The market systems that were used to following a conventional path have been forced to tread the path less travelled.

This turmoil was expected but a matter of respite is that the peoples unrest hasnt yet been expressed through extreme means anywhere in the country. Should we assume that people born and bred in India are tolerant? Are they prepared to face every circumstance, whether it is a foreign invasion or any other emergency? To assume this will be to insult them. This is the India of the 21st century that has achieved the distinction of evolving from a poor, colonised nation to a rapidly emerging economy in just six-and-a-half decades.

Read: Ban cash donations to political parties: Former SC judge Santosh Hegde

Whatever happens, we Indians never let the flame of hope be snuffed out.

Here Narendra Modi deserves to be applauded. Even the opposition parties are not condemning this step openly. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, P Chidambaram and Arvind Kejriwal have all criticised the manner in which it is being implemented and have spoken of the troubles the people are undergoing but they havent been able to term it a wrong step unequivocally.

Despite having weathered 45% of his prime ministerial tenure, he hasnt let the voters confidence in him flag. If you recall, the statements he made in the first half of 2014 are still on peoples tongues like movie dialogues. The first was about the 56-inch chest and the second that said he would bring back all the black money deposited in foreign banks and deposit Rs 15 lakh in every Indians bank account.

Read: Ban on notes has affected common man, says Kejriwal

His rivals have been making fun of Modi but by conducting a surgical strike, he has declared that he is not one to keep silent. This government has the calibre to attack its enemy on their own terrain. The buzz around the strike is still in the air. So, when people began to hear at on November 8 that the Prime Minister will address the nation at 8 pm, it gave rise to speculation that the India-Pakistan tensions had crossed their limits.

As it turned out, the issue wasnt war but black money. Taking both his opponents and supporters by surprise is Modis signature style of politics.

Read: Rahul queues up at ATM, says it is to show solidarity with common man

Still, nobody would have imagined he would go to this extent. No wonder the opposition is still in shock. Reeling under the embarrassment caused by the uproar over the surgical strikes, the opposition parties are fumbling for issues they can adequately respond to. Anticipating this, Modi addressed the issues of cross-border terrorism and drug smuggling and took swipes at politicians, bureaucrats and affluent businessmen in his speech so that his rivals dont get a handle to raise the political temperature.

Before the surgical strikes, by extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan, he had succeeded in conveying an impression to the world that Indias intentions, unlike its neighbours, were benign.

The first to come was the disclosure scheme. During that time, Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley warned those with black money to declare their undeclared assets otherwise the law would have to take its own course. In this way, by taking the common man into confidence, he was preparing to strike when the iron was hot. Therefore, when he took that step, there wasnt as much uproar as some people had initially thought.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could not communicate what he did to the people. Unlike him, the current Prime Minister knows that he has to take the resonance of his achievements to the people. We need to understand this difference between an elected and nominated prime minister.

Read: We support the measures: IMF backs govts demonetisation move

It is a fact that Modi has broken the back of black money by banning larger currency notes. But it is also true that small businessmen and the man on the street are tremendously inconvenienced. The cash economy is a centuries-old tradition in this nation. Its collapse has taken a toll on people who cannot even dream of black money. They worship cash currency because it fulfils the basic necessities of their lives. Clearly, for this to be restored, banks will have to work round the clock. It neednt be reiterated that despite the advent of numerous private banks, nationalised banks still rule the real India. Their callousness is apparent around the world. If the lower-income groups and the middle class keep getting money 24/7 from the ATMs, banks keep exchanging currency and the wholesale traders business isnt hit, then their popularity can grow in this section of the population. These are the people who represent the real India as well as the voters.

Clearly, Modis actual work has just begun. History is looking at him with eager eyes. It has a bad habit of recording both the success and failure of politicians with equal ruthlessness.

I am sure Modi is aware of this.

Shashi Shekhar is editor in chief, Hindustan. Views expressed are personal.
Sunday turned out to be yet another nightmarish day for Delhiites as thousands queued up in front of banks and ATMs to exchange demonetised currency notes and withdraw money.

Tempers flared up as paper currency  and eventually the publics patience  ran dry in the end. Security was beefed up at bank branches due to rumours of stampedes and ransacking of a Seelampur mall that had cropped up the previous day.

The Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes banned by the Narendra Modi government made up for 86% of the currency in circulation, leaving millions without money and threatening to bring much of the countrys cash-driven economy to a halt. I have been waiting here since 4 am. I dont even have money to buy food, a man standing outside a Lajpat Nagar ATM said.

As many as 3,400 paramilitary and Delhi Police personnel, besides 200 quick reaction teams, were deployed at ATMs and banks to manage the anxious crowds. The longest queue  extending to 500 metres and comprising over 1,000 people  was probably witnessed outside the Reserve Bank of India building on Parliament Street.

As its a Sunday, we expected more people outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to prevent any untoward occurrence, said a senior police officer.

The situation was no different outside post offices, with several venting their anger on the authorities. They havent opened the gate in the last two hours, said Huma Nasreen, one among the multitudes waiting outside the Gol Dak Khana.

Thousands of people camped outside ATMs from Saturday midnight, keeping their eyes peeled for cash delivery vans. Many could also be seen running from one machine to another, hoping to strike lucky in their hunt for paper currency.

Prabhat Kumar, a college student who had to stand in a bank queue for six hours, was not impressed by the Prime Ministers emotional appeal to the public earlier that day. He is taking bullet train rides in Japan, and here you have old people knocking on bank doors for cash, he said, adding that Modi has made a terrible mistake.

A fight broke out outside a Bank of Baroda branch in Preet Vihar, and the situation inside turned chaotic despite the presence of security guards. While only a few were allowed to enter the place at a time, those waiting outside became impatient and started arguing with the guards.

Meanwhile, anxious citizens continued to form long queues outside the HDFC bank ATM in Panchsheel Park since the wee hours of Sunday. People have been thronging this place even though it has no cash, said Avinash Kumar, a resident.

(With inputs from agencies)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah launched a two-month long UP ke mann ki baat campaign in Lucknow on Saturday.

Through the campaign, the BJP wants to gauge the electorates mind.

From getting people to give a missed call on 7505403403  after which one will get a return call on which one can record their messages/views/aspirations  to setting up 15,000 akansha petiyan (aspiration boxes) in which people can drop their suggestions, the party has thought of several novel initiatives to understand UPs mood.

These aspiration boxes would be kept at tea stalls and other places to enable more people to share their thoughts with the BJP.

Shah flagged off video vans as well which would travel 2.25 lakh kilometres to cover all districts in the state.

These hi-tech, wifi-enabled, GPS vans would also have a life size cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help people take selfie with Modi.

The UP ke mann ki baat campaign would also be promoted on social media sites as well.

Shah said to understand what youth was thinking, the party would hold 1500 youth meets named yuva samvaad across the state.

The BJP plans to connect with nearly 5 lakh youths through these yuva samvaad meets which would be launched from November 19.

Similarly the BJP would also connect with women through video conferencing in nearly 1500 places.

A farmer-centric meeting would also be held. An alaav sabha in all villages, farmer meets besides door-to-door campaign by nearly 2000 motorcyclists is also on the anvil.
Anti-China sentiments in India have reopened a 54-year-old wound for the chief of an Arunachal Pradesh village close to the Tibet border in the eastern Himalayas.

Tapir Samchung was a porter with the Indian Army when Chinas People Liberation Army (PLA) attacked Nesanggang in mid-October 1962. Almost all Indian soldiers at Nesanggang, about 20km northeast of Mechukha, were killed.

Samchung, a Bokar tribal adhering to the indigenous Donyi-Polo faith, caught a bullet in his left thigh. His friend and fellow porter Cheda Naksang, a Buddhist Memba tribal, died after being shot in the chest.

I fell unconscious after getting hit. I woke up to find myself on a makeshift hospital bed. Some Chinese soldiers came and apologised for shooting me and killing my friend, Samchung, now the government-nominated gaonbura (GB, village chief) of Dorjeeling village, told Hindustan Times.

Tapir Samchung, a Bokar tribal adhering to the indigenous Donyi-Polo faith, caught a bullet in his left thigh when the Chinese Army attacked his village in 1962. (Rahul Karmakar/HT Photo)

Dorjeeling is 7km from Mechukha, a sub-divisional headquarters 492km northeast of Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar and 29km from the nearest point of the McMahon Line separating India and China-occupied Tibet.

Samchung remembers Naksang whenever winter arrives; the PLA had in 1962 entered Arunachal Pradesh on October 10 and withdrew by November 20. He also recalls the generosity and friendliness of the Chinese soldiers whose enmity is only with Indian soldiers.

The advent of this winter, for Samchung, happens to coincide with calls to ban Chinese goods in a bid to hit Beijing economically for backing terrorist-breeding Pakistan.

Some soldiers in the Chinese Army were our ethnic cousins and we could easily communicate with them. They said we were their own people and they had taken care not to kill or injure locals. They repented killing Naksang and shooting me, and let me go with gifts  after taking out the bullet lodged in my thigh  only after I was properly healed, Samchung said.

The language the tribes of Mechukha subdivision, particularly the Membas, speak is similar to the Tibetan language.

Sangey Khandu Sona, GB of Sanggang village near the 1080-km long border between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet, said the Chinese Army took over the rations depot of the Indian Army at Mechukha and advanced more than 100km inland.

The language the tribes of Mechukha subdivision, particularly the Membas, speak is similar to the Tibetan language. (Rahul Karmakar/HT Photo)

But they never misbehaved with the local people, and were courteous. They kept reminding us the locals were not their enemy. They remained in this area for some 45 days before packing up and leaving suddenly, Sona, an uncle of local MLA Pasang Dorjee Sona, said during an assembly of GBs during an adventure tourism festival at Mechukha from November 7-9.

Lack of communication, locals said, was the primary reason why the PLA overran the Indian Army in 1962. The Chinese built roads right up to the border years ago, but the first road to Mechukha from Aalo (West Siang district headquarters 190km south) was built only in 2005, Norbu Naksang, a social activist, said.

The condition of the Aalo-Mechukha road  lifeline for 13,310 people in the Mechukha subdivision  has deteriorated since. It takes locals Rs 500 per person in a Tata Sumo, the only means of public transport, and 12 hours to reach Aalo for healthcare and other basic necessities.

The advanced landing ground here was rebuilt and modernised last year but it is more for use by army and air force. The occasional private helicopter service is too expensive. Earlier, locals could fly in and out on the armys AN-32 aircraft at a nominal cost but the service has been discontinued, Mechukha Bazaar Committee secretary KL Mosing said.

New Delhi, he added, should give a thought to reintroducing such flight services to one of the most landlocked parts of the country.

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BJP Parliamentary Party Executive, comprising top brass including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, will meet on Monday to chalk out its strategy for the winter session starting on Wednesday with the opposition keen to target the government over issues like demonetisation and OROP.

The saffron party believes that the demonetisation of Rs 1000/500 currency notes has generated a positive public mood but inconvenience caused to the masses, who have been queueing up for hours outside banks and ATMs for cash, has become a handy issue for the Congress, the Left, TMC, SP and BSP among others.

We have nothing to hide or to feel apprehensive about issues like demonetisation and OROP, a party leader said, claiming that a debate on the currency issue will help it in upcoming assembly polls.

In a clear indication of the partys line in Parliament, Shah had attacked opposition parties, saying they were against an exercise which has rattled those dealing in black money, fake currency, narcotics and such activities.

Congress has sought suspension of business on day one of winter session to discuss the demonetisation issue.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee too has expressed willingness to work with arch rival CPI(M) on the Centres demonetisation of high-value currency notes.

She called CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday, urging him to wage a united fight against the BJP and its anti-people policies.
Authorities imposed curfew in Vidisha town on Sunday following arson and stone pelting mainly by Bajrang Dal supporters after one of their men was allegedly stabbed to death.

The 23-year-old Deepak Kushwah allegedly died of stab wounds at Baksariya. He was said to be attacked by a group of men around 3 pm on Saturday.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj represents Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency in Lok Sabha.

The administration has deployed heavy additional police force and a contingent of Rapid Action Force (RAF) as a precautionary measure in the area. Police in the neighbouring districts, including Bhopal have been asked to remain on standby to dash to Vidisha if required.

On Sunday, violence erupted when the victims body was being taken home for his funeral. Agitated Bajrang Dal supporters set afire three thatched houses in a slum belonging to the community of the main accused, two trucks and a jeep and indulged in stone pelting. At least three persons sustained injuries in the stone pelting.

Curfew was imposed in the city after arson and stone pelting. It had a communal angle too. As many as 11 people were arrested since yesterday. Now, the situation is under control, collector of Vidisha Anil Suchari told Hindustan Times.

According to police Deepak Kushwah allegedly involved in five criminal cases and had an old enmity with his attackers. About four days ago they had a clash but police failed to take action. Of the 13 accused, 11 have been arrested.

Had police taken action on time the incident of Saturday would have been avoided, said former Member of Parliament and Congress leader Pratapbhanu Sharma.

Locals say the immediate reason for the clash was sale of liquor but the genesis of tension between two communities can be traced to a row between two sides on construction of shops at the idgah and saffron brigades demand for action against Rajya Sabha MP Chaudhary Munabbar Saleem after his personal assistant was arrested on espionage charges recently.

Saleem is an MP from Uttar Pradesh elected on a Samajwadi Party but lives in Vidisha. He is considered close to SP leader Mohd Azam Khan.
Days after a controversial departure from Pakistan, it emerged that National Geographics famous Afghan Girl Sharbat Gula will be travelling to India for medical treatment.

Shaida Abdali, Afghanistans ambassador to India, announced on Twitter: The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost.

According to her lawyer, Gula, whos in her 40s, suffers from Hepatitis C. She is now scheduled to travel to Bangalore to receive treatment, according to Afghan news agency Khaama Press.

Gula became known worldwide after her photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine.

She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last week personally welcomed her upon her arrival in Afghanistan, offering her a furnished apartment after she was deported.

The woman who stands next to me became an iconic figure representing Afghan deprivation, Afghan hope and Afghan aspirations, President Ghani said.

The portrait of Sharbat Gula, whose sea-green eyes and piercing gaze, made her an international symbol of refugees when it first appeared on the National Geographic magazines cover in 1985.

Photographer Steve McCurry had clicked her as a young girl living in the largest refugee camp in Pakistan, where almost three million Afghans sought shelter in the wake of the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union.
A farmer was duped with a fake Rs 2,000 banknote in Karnatakas Chikkamagaluru district, in what is the first reported case of forgery barely a few days after the new high-value currency was launched.

The farmer, identified only as Ashok, was at the APMC market here on Saturday to sell onions. An unidentified person reportedly bought some his produce and paid with the fake note. Ashok only realised he was duped when he showed the Rs 2,000 banknote to some of his friends.

Read | Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes scrapped: 25 things RBI wants you to know

It was a photocopy of the original note... anybody can notice it easily, police superintendent K Annamalai was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

The farmer reportedly had not seen the new currency, which was launched only on Thursday.

The police have lodged a complaint against the unidentified person under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

Read | 21 ways to check if your new Rs 2000, Rs 500 notes are real

New Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 were launched after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the existing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will no longer be considered legal tender from November 9.

The Rs 2,000 notes, which are being introduced for the first time, are of magenta colour with the Mangalyaan imprinted on the reverse side. The high-value currency notes will have other designs, geometric patterns aligning with the overall colour scheme both on the obverse and reverse.

The Rs 500 banknotes will be stone grey in colour with a predominant new theme of the Indian heritage site Red Fort.
Da Nang urged to get real about rising drug use following 2 murders

Drug addicts in the city have increased by 60 percent since May 2014.

Da Nangs top leader has admitted that the plan to develop a city free of drugs has failed and is urging officials to be honest about the situation following two murders involving drug users.

Huynh Duc Tho, the mayor of the central city, said at a meeting on Saturday that local officials have been concealing drug use in their areas in an attempt to paint a positive image of the city.

Tho called the meeting after two people were murdered in separate incidents by men who were high on methamphetamine in October, and urged officials to take immediate action.

We cannot be soft anymore," he said. "We need to take bold and tough actions as the stakes are very high.

Under a local incentive scheme, wards receive awards and certificates of merits if they are found to be free from drugs.

In an attempt to make officials get real about the situation, Tho promised awards for the wards that arrest the most number of drug users and dealers as well.

Nguyen Van Chinh, deputy chief police officer of Da Nang, said the murders have really scared the public and should raise the alarm about security in the area.

A police report at the meeting showed that drug users in the city have increased 60 percent from May 2014 to 3,016 by the end of October. The city this year has recorded 2,190 drug users, and sent 500 into compulsory rehabilitation centers.

Vietnam has stopped treating drug use as a crime but addicts are sent to rehab centers. Drug smuggling, dealing and production are punishable by death.

Da Nang, Vietnams third largest city, set an idealistic goal of becoming a model city free of homeless people and drug users in 2001.

But the goal has been seriously challenged.

Earlier this year, police said the amount of heroin seized had increased more than five times since 2014, and blamed drug use for a 7.6 percent rise in street crimes.

The number of homeless people has also increased fourfold since 2014 to nearly 400 early this year, officials said.

Related news:

> Drug addicts overpower guards to escape rehab center in Vietnam, yet again

> Tension at Vietnam's drug rehab center caused by overcrowding: official

> Over 100 drug addicts escape rehab center in southern Vietnam, again
As serpentine queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs across the country on Sunday, patience wore thin among the hassled public leading to heated arguments and jostling, with banks and cash vends running dry soon after they opened their shutters.

With banks scheduled to remain closed on Monday on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti, people scrambled to withdraw new banknotes to meet their daily needs and exchange existing high value notes after demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.

Noida residents had to wait for hours at banks and ATMs for getting their currency exchanged. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

In Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, angry people clashed with bank employees and threw stones at the branch at Sujru village, leaving three persons including a woman injured.

Police said as the branch ran out of new notes, the people who had gathered there in large numbers clashed with bank employees. Over a hundred people have been booked in connection with the incident.

Long queue in front of the Reserve Bank of India at Parliament Street for new currency in New Delhi. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

An employee stacks old currency notes at a cash counter at Allahabad Bank in Parliament Street, Delhi. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

In the national capital, people continued to face hardship as they queued up in large numbers outside banks and ATMs to get cash to meet their daily need.

A senior citizen coming out after depositing the old currency at Indian Bank, Shanti Niketan branch in New Delhi. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in ATMs and banks ran dry as the day drew to an end. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur on Saturday.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Pphoto)

Since its a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs, said a senior police official.

The queue outside RBI building in Delhi. Probably the longest in Delhi. @htTweets pic.twitter.com/rU4i7cXqcL  Abhinav Rajput (@Abhinavstweet) November 13, 2016

At many places, people were seen running from one ATM to other as the machines ran out of cash.

Long, snaking queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs in Mumbai with those facing cash paucity complaining about having to wait for hours as the bank branches themselves were running short of currency notes.

Longer queues were seen outside public sector banks where a sizeable number of account holders are retired persons and senior citizens. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

There was increased anxiety among some customers as the bank staff took longer time to process their cash request.

Heavy rush inside the SBI bank for withdrawal as well to deposit the defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes at Sector 17 in Chandigarh. (Keshav Singh/HT Photo)

Some people with accounts in cooperative banks in Maharashtra complained that they took longer time to get their money exchanged from such banks because of the cash crunch.

Meanwhile, workers from political parties including BJP, Shiv Sena, MNS and Congress came out to help the people standing in queues outside banks and ATMs in Mumbai, by offering them drinking water and refreshments like tea.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a queue at a State Bank of India branch in New Delhi. (Arun Sharma/HT Photo)

Though there has been some relief through such help from political outfits, the process of verification of notes, updating of accounts and printing it on passbooks were taking time, increasing the woes of people.
With people facing inexplicable hardships due to demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday hit out at the Centre on the issue and asked the government to permit use of old notes till December 30.

The states sentiments and anxiety over the post-demonetisation scenario would be conveyed to finance minister Arun Jaitley, the chief minister told reporters at the airport here before leaving for New Delhi.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modis foreign trip soon after announcing the demonetisation, he said, When the country is facing such a stiff challenge and people continue to suffer, the Prime Minister is abroad.

The demonetisation of notes has caused inexplicable hardships to common people. Nothing has come to an order yet. No government should take such an indifferent stand, he said.

Read | Getting cash easier at Parliament banks, but access restricted

People should be permitted to use the old currency for transaction till December 30, the last date to exchange notes, to avoid difficulties faced by them, he said.

Vijayan also questioned the Centres claim that demonetisation was to check black money, saying there were reports that black money lobbyists had got prior information about scrapping of the higher denomination notes.

Those who keep black money have no issues but common people are the worst hit, he said.

The Union government should have made better preparations and put in place a proper system to ensure availability of enough currency for transactions before implementing such a crucial decision, the Chief Minister said.

He also alleged that somebody close to the Union government, had received prior information about banning of the notes and got opportunity to take precautionary measures.

Even after demonetisation, there are no issues for the availability of petroleum. Reliance is a major player in petroleum sector. Everybody knows the relation between Reliance and the Union government, Vijayan said.

Read | Demonetisation leaves lakhs of tea, jute workers in Bengal, Northeast unpaid

The Chief Minister said considering the plight of the people, the state government would extend the due date for payment of all service bills up to November 30.

The bills, including those of electricity, school, and water, can be paid without any fine till November 30, he said.

Meanwhile, state Finance Minister Thomas Issac today claimed that with the Centre withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, an anarchy like situation was prevailing in the country.

There is total chaos in the country. People are unable to pay wages. With construction work coming to a standstill, the workers have no work and wages and their families are starving..., Issac said in a Facebook post.

Shops where I normally go for a cup of coffee are closed ... What is the point of opening them, is what traders are asking ... The traders have also decided to down shutters indefinitely from November 15. Several marriages have been postponed..., the Finance Minister said.

Issac said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should call for an urgent meeting to find ways to address the situation.

Also Read | Cash crunch, ATM under-utilisation, logistical issues make demonetisation a pain
Rahul Patil, a State Bank of Patiala assistant manager, was to attend his best friends wedding this weekend. Call of duty forced him to announce his inability to attend the ceremony.

He was not the only one working on Sunday, a holiday. Bank officials and ATM managers across the country are working round-the-clock to help anxious people get new notes after the government scrapped the 500- and 1,000-rupee bills from November 9.

Bank officials leaves were cancelled and they were told to work on this Saturday and Sunday for a smooth transition from the old notes to the new, though peoples panic and rush have made the switch hardly the little inconvenience that it was supposed to be.

Rituraj Sinha, president of Cash Logistics Association of India and co-chairman at FICCI Private Security, said he made an emotional appeal to 35,000 staff members, asking them to come to work with extra clothes and toothbrushes to do their duty towards the nation.

The officials gave a spirited response to the call. They are trying their best, handling myriad teething problems and frayed tempers of people standing in long queues for hours.

I leave home at 5am from Thane every day to reach office at 7am. I leave office well past midnight, Siddesh Hardikar, cluster branch manager at ICICI banks Borivali East branch in Mumbai, described his routine after the governments midweek demonetisation announcement.

We have opened additional counters and separate queues for our own customers  they are more agitated, he said.

Security guards and office staff are pitching in with water and biscuits for people in the queues.

A Punjab National Bank zonal manager in Mumbai said they are trying to explain to customers the urgency of the situation.

It is difficult sometimes to handle an aggrieved customer. We have extra counters, separate for senior citizens and women, he said.

State Bank of India chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya on Friday announced separate counters for those opening new bank accounts. There is no need to panic. There is time till December 30, she said.
Londons technology sector is wooing Indian startups and software firms, which are among the key drivers of growth and jobs for the capital city and the wider UK economy.

India is the second largest investor into London, after the US... Despite concerns over foreign investment inflows after the Brexit referendum, it will continue to be a top investor for us, Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor of London for business, told PTI here.

Agrawal also chairs London & Partners, the official promotional company for London.

The deputy mayor is visiting India on an international trade mission aimed at strengthening tech and trade links between London and India.

Read | UK PM May says can deepen India trade ties before leaving EU

He revealed that London is home to 39 per cent of the fastest growing Indian companies based in the UK, compared to 25 per cent last year.

Technology is the top sector for Indian investment, accounting for 46 per cent of all Indian investments here over the last 10 years, according to research commissioned by London & Partners.

Pointing out that large corporations cannot innovate fast enough, he stressed that startups are key to new ideas and processes.

During his visit, the deputy mayor has been meeting with senior Indian business leaders and high growth companies to reassure them that London remains open for business.

Read | May comes calling: Post-Brexit Britain will need trade with India more than ever

Over the last week, I have met leading figures from Indian politics and business, including some innovative tech companies, and discussed how we strengthen the relationship between London and India, he said.

Sectors like healthcare and financial technology are doing very well, he said.

London & Partners also recently announced that it will select and invite 20 of Indias most innovative and high growth companies with global aspirations to set up operations in London.

The India Emerging 20 initiative will roll out its second edition this year. The 20 selected businesses will be given the opportunity to meet and learn from senior business leaders, venture capital investors and decision-makers from major global companies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet leaders from a range of political parties on Monday in a proposed move to counter the Oppositions growing criticism of his governments decision to scrap two high-value banknotes.

The Opposition piled pressure on the government, while peoples patience wore thin as they waited in long queues for hours outside banks and ATM kiosks to withdraw money after 500- and 1,000-rupee pulled out of circulation from November 9.

The government is bracing for a stormy winter session when Parliament sits from November 16.

Congress leader Anand Sharma has given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha for discussion on demonetization of the two notes. The issue is likely to be raised in the Lok Sabha too.

He (Modi) has scripted Indias financial chaos and anarchy, Sharma said.

Junior home minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Sharmas notice, saying the government would give a befitting reply.

Read | Govt ups bank withdrawal limit to Rs 24,000; advises increase on ATM cap too

The notes ban prompted Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to ring up arch-rival Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) to seek united action against the Centre. She also requested President Pranab Mukherjee to meet representatives of political parties on November 16 or 17.

Her Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), appears to be on her side.

Kejriwal mocked at Modis appeal to people on Sunday to give him 50 days to fix the problems and ease their hardship. Are the people going to remain hungry for the next 50 days, asked the Delhi chief minister, known to be a bitter rival of Modi.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi posted a series of sarcastic tweets on Modis emotional weekend speech in Goa. First laughter, now tears! Mediocrity comes face to face with reality.

These tweets were in sequence with a previous tweet about a smiling Prime Minister posing in Japan, the country he visited after announcing the demonetization scheme on Tuesday evening.

Modi laughs as poor cry, Gandhi wrote.

In pictures | Impatience, disappointment grows as chaos outside banks continues

Fellow party leader Ahmed Patel uploaded a picture on Twitter of a long queue outside an ATM, in response to Modis comments that scamsters were forced to stand in queues. Are these scamsters? he asked.

The banned bills accounted for 86% of the money in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt. Banks are working overtime to dispense cash, but the shortfall is too overwhelming.

The chaos, which the government promised will go away in about a month, has given BJPs rivals a platform to unite before Parliaments winter session.

West Bengal chief minister Banerjee is looking at an ambitious front comprising the Trinamool, Samajwadi Party, AAP, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Leftists to oppose the demonetization drive and demand a rollback.

Read | Currency ban: The politics behind Modis big gamble

Parties such the Janata Dal (United) and Biju Janata Dal supported the withdrawal of the high-value notes, which is aimed at weeding out corruption, black money, counterfeits notes, and terrorist funding.

Sources said Banerjee was trying to communicate with leaders of all opposition parties, including SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Yechury.

She was apparently willing to sidestep temporarily a deep-seated rivalry with the CPI(M) for a joint campaign on a pro-people issue. Yechury is believed to have told the Trinamool leader that he will discuss her proposal.

But the BJP can take heart from an apparent difference of opinion in the communist camp. A senior CPI(M) leader, parliamentarian Md Salim, termed Banerjees move a desperate call to save her own party leaders engulfed by corruption allegations.

Banerjee is the fountainhead of corruption. There is a nexus between Modibhai and Didibhai, he said.

For his part, President Mukherjee has publicly supported the governments move and appealed to the people not to panic.

Also read | With one deft stroke, PM Modi has broken the back of black money
Prime Minister Narendra Modi choked with emotion during an impassioned speech in Goa on Sunday as he appealed to people to give him 50 days to end their hardship after his government abolished high-value banknotes.

The BJP-led government pulled 500- and 1,000-rupee notes out of circulation from November 9 in a blitz against black money, counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding. But the switch hasnt been smooth with banks and ATMs kiosks recording long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit defunct notes and get new ones, triggering public anger and oppositions criticism.

Modi defended his governments decision on Sunday, saying this is an important step in my fight against black money and corruption.

I have asked the country for just 50 days. If after December 30, there are shortcomings in my work or there are mistakes or a bad intention found in my work, I will be prepared for the punishment that the country decides for me, he said.

His appeal is viewed as a counteroffensive to blunt the oppositions move to corner the government over the demonetization exercise.

Did you think Modi will just come and go like other political parties  I am not here for the qursi (high office). I left my home, family, everything for the country, he said.

I know what kind of powers I have taken on. I am aware they will not let me live. Let them do what they want  Brothers and sisters give me 50 days.

Read: Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes scrapped: 25 things RBI wants you to know

Modis political rivals called the governments decision anti-poor and anti-farmer, saying the poorest section of society is facing the maximum hardship as they often keep hard cash at home for various expenses.

The Prime Minister tried to allay the farmers fears, promising at a function in Pune later in the day that they wont be taxed when they deposit the defunct money in banks.

#WATCH: PM Modi breaks down, says "I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home-I left it for nation" pic.twitter.com/7I5meQz1tZ  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

This is a 70-year-old disease I have to eliminate in 17 months  I am looting what they had accumulated over 70 years, Modi said, underscoring that the step was aimed at people hoarding illicit funds and not the common man.

He reminded the opposition Congress of the scams and scandals during its 10-year rule before he came to power.

The kind of people who were involved in the coal scam and the 2G scam  now they stand in a queue to replace Rs 4,000, he remarked in response to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis move on Friday to queue outside a bank in New Delhi to express solidarity with the people.

Read: 21 ways to check if your new Rs 2000, Rs 500 notes are real

I know what kind of powers I have taken on. I know the kind of people who will be against me now. I am looting what they had accumulated over 70 years, Modi said in his speech at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium in Bambolim village near Panaji.

People wait in long queues exchange their scrapped Rs 500 and 1000 banknotes in Pahar Ganj, New Delhi. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

The Prime Minister warned of more projects to fight corruption to rid the country of black money and corruption, listing steps his government has already taken in the past two years.

#WATCH: PM Modi says, "Those involved in big scams, now have to stand in long queues to take out Rs 4000." pic.twitter.com/SA19ULRvMJ  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Read: Govt says deposits above Rs 2.5 lakh to be taxed: Your 4 questions answered

If any money has been looted India and left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it, he said.

The measures include a special investigation team to track illicit funds stashed abroad; signing bilateral agreements, including with the US, to track deposits of unaccounted Indian money; and opening 200 million Jandhan bank accounts for the poor.

They thought attack Modi and he will get scared. Burn him alive, but Modi wont back off, he said, underscoring how the opposition targeted him in Parliament over his Jandhan scheme.

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Two more children from India have been diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic disorder, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), in 2016, said the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF). Medical experts said India now has seven reported cases of HGPS and potentially 66 unreported cases.

Since 2013, 123 children with Progeria across the globe have been identified by PRF, which maintains a global prevalence database. Meryl Fink, president and executive director of PRF, in conversation with HT said that as of October 1, 2016, PRF knows of approximately 140 children living with Progeria worldwide. PRF shared the data exclusively with HT. Based on the prevalence of HGPS worldwide and the total population of India as of October 2016, we estimate that there are 66 children living with the classic form of Progeria in India, said Fink.

PRF said five-and-half-year-old Aditya Sahu, from Chhattisgarh, will travel to Boston for an all-funded clinical trial that they have been organising since 2007. Indias first identified case of Progeria, Mumbais Nihal Bitla, who passed away in May 2016.

Right from the first medical trial that resulted in increased weight and bone density and better heart functions in Progeria patients, the children are now participating in a new trial, started in April, which will study 10 candidates from two countries to measure effects of treatment on children, changes in health pattern and their survival rate, which is restricted to 15-17 years at the moment.

Clearly it is important that we make inroads to identify more children and provide them with opportunities through our programmes and the potential path to future treatments, Fink said.

Read | Nihal, face of rare genetic disorder progeria in India, dies at 15

Co-founder and director of Media Medic Communication, which is handling PRFs communication in India, Dinesh Chindarkar, said they have also come across another girl child from a village near Chennai, who is positively suffering from Progeria. We have sent her details to the PRF headquarters, if they confirm the case, it will be the third identified case of this year. Our Finding the other 60, awareness campaign under the banner of Team Nihal has helped us create awareness and reach out to patients, who are yet to be identified, said Chindarkar.

He said information about diseases like Progeria need to be spread across villages so that even the clinicians who come across such cases can be a part of the available treatment and medical resources. What we need is faster identification. Until now, we have noticed we have been able to reach to the child only after he or she is four years old. If the physicians or paediatricians read the symptoms and avoid misdiagnosis, it can lead to better quality of life of Progeria-affected children, said Chindarkar.

Commenting on the awareness Fink said PRF has many outreach efforts designed to create awareness among doctors, families and the general public. Our Find the Other 150 campaign is designed to do exactly that: search globally for the undiagnosed children with Progeria so that they too can have access to the unique care they need, and help advance clinical science for Progeria, said Fink.

Nihals father Sriniwas, who has been instrumental in creating awareness among the parents of children struggling from Progeria said that a major issue is the stigma faced by parents while in public. Nihal had to quit school after the Hindi film Paa was released because he was taunted and commented upon by his peers. We need to adopt some empathy and sensitivity towards children suffering from a physical and mental hardship as this and try to create a better world for them to survive longer, said Sriniwas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Goa on Sunday on a brief visit to lay foundation for two major projects, ahead of the state assembly elections early next year.

During his three-hour visit to the BJP-ruled state, second visit to the state in two months (after the BRICS summit last month), PM Modi will remotely lay the foundation stone of a greenfield airport at the Mopa plateau and an electronic city in Tuem - both located in North Goas Pernem sub-district.

The Mopa airport is Goas first civilian airport being developed by GMR Airports and the Tuem Electronic City is expected to host manufacturing units for electronics components, envisaged under the Make in India scheme.

Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said the prime minister is unlikely to make any election-related announcement in his address to a 10,000-strong crowd after laying the foundation stones from Shama Prasad Mukherjee stadium outside Panaji.

This is a government function, not an election campaign meeting. So, I dont expect him to make any election-related announcement, Parsekar told reporters on Saturday after inspecting the preparations for Sundays event, accompanied by defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

Modi will be arriving at the Dabolim airport hours after returning from his three-day Japan visit.

The chief minister said the government had distributed 10,000 invitations for the event, though the demand for the same was higher than that.

We need a bigger stadium for this kind of events. Our plan is to have an auditorium which can accommodate 15,000 people (in the future), he said.

The prime minister is scheduled to spend around two hours in Goa before flying to Belgaum in Karnataka and then, to Pune, where he is scheduled to inaugurate a four-day international conference and exhibition on enhancing the sugarcane value chain.
The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has sought reports on the demonetisation situation from banks and post office, amid reports of people having to wait long hours to withdraw or deposit cash.

Sources said a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter was likely to be held soon.

The Prime Minister is back in the country and he will be calling for a stock taking meeting with bank chiefs and other stakeholders... he has already sought a report (on the demonetisation exercise), a source who refused to be identified told Hindustan Times.

Read | Give me 50 days over scrapped notes, punish me if problems persist: Modi

Modi, who was out of the country on a three-day visit to Japan, returned on Saturday.

Modi, on November 8, in a surprise move announced withdrawal of all currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. While announcing the demonetisation exercise, he said ATMs and bank branches will be able to dispense the new currency notes by November 11. However, the situation is far from normal as people have to wait for hours to withdraw or deposit cash and most ATMs have run dry.

The Reserve Bank of India on Saturday issued a statement that there was enough money with the central bank, in an attempt to allay fears.

Read | No need to rush: 10 things finance minister Jaitley said about demonetisation

On Saturday, finance minister Arun Jaitley said more than two lakh ATMs in the country will have to be recalibrated to be able to accept the new banknotes that come with new features and designs. He said it may take two to three weeks for the situation to normalise.

Before the demonetisation exercise, Rs 17 lakh crore of currency was in circulation in the country, of which over 86% comprised high-denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

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Displeasure spilled onto the streets on Sunday as people stood in serpentine queues for hours despite banks working in overdrive to dispense cash following the Narendra Modi-led governments decision to withdraw large denomination notes.

Tempers frayed as hundreds of thousands queued outside banks and ATMs for a fourth day to swap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes after they were abolished in a move to tackle black money. Many said the queues had become longer as more people turned up at the banks and ATMs on Sunday.

The banned bills made up 86% of the currency in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt.

Read: Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes scrapped: 25 things RBI wants you to know

I have been waiting here since 4am; I dont even have money to buy food, a man outside an ATM in Lajpat Nagar told ANI.

Late on Saturday, customers argued and banged the glass doors at a Standard Chartered branch in south Delhi after security guards blocked the entrance, saying there were too many people inside already.

Nearly half of the countrys two lakh ATMs have been shut and those that are operating are quickly running out of the new notes as scores of people descend upon them. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said ATMs had not been adjusted to handle new currency notes prior to the announcement in order to keep it under wraps. Recalibration of ATMs will be completed within two weeks, he added.

The political tussle also intensified on Sunday, with the government and the Opposition trading barbs over the issue.

Read: 21 ways to check if your new Rs 2000, Rs 500 notes are real

There are enormous queues, people are lining up, they are screaming because they dont have food at home. All this, is something that Jaitley, as a responsible minister, has to give a reply to. He cant shrug his shoulders like that, Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid told ANI.

He said the financial chaos was caused because the government failed to gauge the impact of the decision to withdraw the high-denomination banknotes.

The Congress has decided to raise the demonetisation issue in Parliament. Congress leader Anand Sharma has given a suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion on the issue.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju responded to the notice, saying that the government would give a befitting reply to the Opposition on the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday he would pursue the fight against corruption and tax dodgers even if it meant scanning decades-old records.

Read: Infants death: Doc booked over claims of refusing treatment in Mumbai

He said he recognised people faced difficulties as the transition to the new series of banknotes takes place but was confident they would stand by the decision as part of the war against corruption and to rid India of endemic poverty.

He is taking bullet train rides in Japan and here you have old people knocking on bank doors for cash, said Prabhat Kumar, a college student who said he had spent six hours in the queue, told Reuters. He has made a terrible mistake.

Referring to inconvenience caused to public, Jaitley earlier said there could be some short-term disruptive cost to the economy due to the demonetisation drive but this would prove positive in the longer term.

Traders in Delhis vegetable market said they were considering shutting down the market as cash was running out and banks were dispensing a limited amount.

We might have to close down until the situation stabilises, said Metharam Kriplani, president of the Chambers of Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders.

Read: Govt says deposits above Rs 2.5 lakh to be taxed: Your 4 questions answered

People in Mumbai said grocers were charging 10 times the price of salt in return for accepting the old cash notes.

The government has asked people to exchange the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by December 30. The Reserve Bank of India said there was enough cash available with banks and that it had made arrangements to deliver the new bank notes across the country.

People swapping old notes will have to present proof of identity and depositors of abnormally large sums could be investigated by tax authorities.

Much of Indias rural economy is powered by cash, with few people regularly using a bank account.

In Dudko, about 75 kms (45 miles) from Delhi, villagers said they were finding it difficult to pay for food and fuel four days into the cash crunch.

Bank officials are saying they will give the money on Monday. How will we make purchases? said Sunita, a woman who was preparing for her daughters wedding later this month.
The once-popular boat route has been priced out by bus services.

Four hydrofoils operating between Ho Chi Minh City and the southern beach town of Vung Tau will stop operations in late December when their permits expire, local media reported on Sunday.

Authorities from both localities have asked the central government to extend the permits, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper said on Sunday, citing Vina Express JSC and Quang Hung Transport Limited Company - the two operators of the hydrofoils.

The service became a popular alternative to making the journey by bus for people commuting between HCMC and Vung Tau soon after it opened in the 1990s. During peak years, the service ran 21 hydrofoils and transported about 500,000 passengers a year.

But the number of hydrofoils operating on the route fell to just four from 14 in January 2014 when a Vina Express hydrofoil caught fire, forcing 85 passengers and seven crew members to abandon the burning boat.

Transport industry experts said the sharp decrease in the number of passengers using the hydrofoil service is due to fierce price competition from bus companies.

It costs just VND80,000 ($3.5)-VND90,000 ($3.9) to travel by bus from HCMC to Vung Tau in one hour and 45 minutes since the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Express opened in February last year.

The price for the hydrofoil service is much higher, at VND200,000 ($8.8)-VND250,000 ($11) per passenger, and takes one hour and 20 minutes.

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Yoga guru Ramdev has supported the governments decision to discontinue high-value notes but said the currency switch could have been smoother.

Tempers are running high as queues get longer at ATMs and banks five days after the Modi governments surprise decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that made up more than 80% of the currency in circulation.

Banks are struggling to cope with the cash demand and finance minister Arun Jaitley has said it will take at least three weeks for ATMs to come up to speed .

For the past 10 years, I have been waging a relentless war against black money and have conducted several public meetings across the country in this regard, Ramdev said on Saturday, responding to a question about unaccounted for wealth and the demonetisation move.

Ramdev was in the city for Hindustans Shikhar Samagam.

I support the governments decision to demonetise currency. This step is a big blow to black marketeers and those who have black money, he said. There is no objection to demonetisation. But the procedure could have been different. 

Pointing towards Congress leader PL Punia, sitting in the front row among the audience, Ramdev said, Ask Puniaji. No one is objecting to demonetisation. Difference of opinion is only over its procedure.

The opposition has criticised the governments move, variously describing it as economic emergency, a surgical strike against the poor and a scam. Demanding a roll-back, some opposition leaders have said the decision was helping the corrupt.

Announcing the decision on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the move would check black money and spread of fake currency that was being used for funding terror.

Ramdev, whose Patanjali group is one of the fastest growing FMCG companies in the country, said Ayurveda was getting popular. People are benefitting from Ayurvedic products by Patanjali. In the next five years, I will make Ayurveda more popular than allopathy, he said.

Over the next five years, Patanjali group would generate 500,000 jobs and also engage with 50 million farmers, he said.

Ramdev said he wanted to offer free yoga classes in every village. He also spoke about his plan for a chain of schools, Gurukul, that would impart both modern and traditional education.

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The BJP governments anti-corruption drive in Assam has netted its biggest catch so far with the arrest of the chairman of the states public service commission Rakesh Paul.

For eight years Paul, a notary who first became a member of the Assam public service commission (APSC) and later its chairman, decided the fate of thousands of job aspirants in Assam.

But his luck ran out last week when police arrested him for alleged involvement in a cash-for-job scam. Pauls appointment in December 2013 was approved by the previous Congress government led by Tarun Gogoi.

On Saturday, police arrested a deputy controller of examination of APSC, taking the number of those arrested to five.

The scam came to light following the arrest of an engineer from the town and country planning department who had taken Rs 10 lakh allegedly on behalf of Paul from a doctor for a government job. There have been many allegations against Paul over the past several years.

We have told the police to conduct investigations into the APSC scam without buckling under any political pressure. No tainted person will be spared, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters.

The Congress has termed the governments move as something akin to witch-hunt. The party said it welcomes the anti-corruption drive, but insists on impartial investigation and action based on proof.

The BJP-led government, which came to power by raising expectations sky high, has failed on all fronts. The so called anti-corruption drive seems to be a tactic to divert attention from issues like price rise and unemployment, senior Congress leader and former power minister Pradyut Bordoloi told HT.

Paul and the others nabbed in the APSC scam are not alone. Since coming to power in May, the Sarbananda Sonowal government has launched an anti-corruption drive that has trapped many government officials.

On Friday, a junior official of the social welfare department was arrested by anti-corruption officials after Rs 5 lakh of unaccounted money was allegedly found in his car.

The officials arrest came days after Sonowal ordered an investigation into a scam of Rs 2,250 crores in which Rs 150 crores were allegedly siphoned off during last 15 years of Congress rule in the name of 390 fake angandwadi centres.

Former social welfare minister Akon Bora insists that nothing irregular happened in the department while he was in charge.

Let the government prove the charges. No irregularities happened in social welfare department during my tenure, Bora said.

The anti-corruption drive started weeks after the first BJP-led government took charge in the state after 15 years of Congress rule.

One of the first major catches was a divisional forest officer in July. A sum of Rs 2 crore in cash and various wild animal parts including tiger and deer skins were seized from him.

The state government is also planning to plug manpower shortage in the vigilance and anti-corruption wing of Assam Police. Plans are also underway to enact a stringent law to target corrupt government employees.

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A member of the Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) was among three suicide attackers involved in a foiled assault on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Handwara on October 6, investigation revealed.

The JuD  a front of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group  is headed by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the Pakistan-based rabid anti-India fanatic wanted for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), the anti-terrorism agency formed after 26/11, found during its probe into the Handwara attack that one of the fidayeens was carrying a booklet with a Pakistani mobile number, 3022900405, written on its flap.

The number is associated with two Facebook accounts of Fahad Saqi and a Twitter handle, @saqifahad.

The profile picture of one of the Facebook accounts and the Twitter handle are identical. The alleged Saqi is seen in uniform and cap with Security JUDP  acronym for JuD Pakistan  inscribed on his clothes. The badge matches the JuDs insignia.

The profile picture matches with that of one of the dead attackers, a home ministry official said.

The attackers tried to raid a Rashtriya Rifles camp at Langate in Handwara, but they failed to breach the perimeter security and were killed.

The Truecaller application that connects contact lists of users and helps identify a phone numbers shows the number was issued by Pakistani mobile service operator Mobilink. The users name is Mnann, according to the app.

Most of the accounts followed by Saqi or his followers on Facebook and Twitter appear connected to the JuD. All three accounts were created much before the October 6 attack.

The NIA has sought details of these accounts of Twitter and Facebook, the ministry official said.

Besides, other indicators point to Saqi as one of the doomed attackers.

Investigators found a name, Fahadullah, written on the front and back pages of the booklet in English and Urdu. Fahadullah could be the code name given to Saqi by his handlers, the official said.

The booklet  titled Hasan-ul-Muslim and containing prayers from the Quran  has more evidence linking Saqi with the JuD.

It was published by Dar-ul-Andalus, whose website is www.dar-ul-Andalusia.com. The address is 4, Lake Road, Chauburji, Lahore which is also the address of Masjid al-Qudsia, a mosque where Hafiz Saeed is the chief patron.

The NIA inquiry found that Dar-ul-Andalus is the JuDs publishing arm and has long been printing its propaganda material.

Read: We will carry out surgical strike in Kashmir: JuD chief Hafiz Saeed

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The axe forgets but the tree remembers. - African proverb

If you were asked about the last time someone was mean to you, it wouldnt take you more than a minute to narrate the unfortunate incident. However, if you were asked about the last time you were unkind to someone, it is likely that you may not be able to think of a single instance for a long time.

Thats how human memory works. In our daily lives, we seldom acknowledge our random acts of unprovoked meanness, but we never forget when someone is unkind to us.

People usually talk about the kindest thing done to them or the nicest thing they recently did for someone but rarely do they discuss the commonplace, unthinking acts of selfishness. However, it is only by discussing how mean we really are that we can truly emphasise on the need for kindness in our everyday actions.

Today, on World Kindness Day, we reached out to a cross-section of people from across the country asking them to share their story of when someones unkindness really hurt them. Most of the incidents listed below happened years ago in the lives of the people mentioned but unsurprisingly, they never left them.

Attacking physical appearance

Some scars never heal. (Shutterstock)

Someone I had a crush on asked me if I had ever seen my face in the mirror. I was 13 then. Ive been insecure about the way I look ever since, says Shreya Chatterji, a 37-year-old associate professor at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar.

Nishi Dugar, a student at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, traces her story back to the time she was born. An aunt visited my mum in the hospital right after my birth. But when she saw me, she couldnt help saying to my mum, Cheeee Didi! She is sooo dark! My mother once told me this and even after all these years, I still cannot understand how someone can be so insensitive, says Dugar.

Apeksha Sethia, a Mumbai-based businesswoman, wasnt allowed to participate in a dance performance in school once because she was fat. The teachers wanted only good-looking girls to be on the stage. They did not even consider me, she says. Sethia suffered from serious anorexia post school and lost about 25 kilos in her first year in college.

When family hurts

It is usually our dear ones who end up hurting us the most. (Shutterstock)

Priya Mehta, a Jaipur-based fashion designer, recalls how her father did not visit the hospital to see her after she was born. I was his second girl-child. So he didnt bother, I guess. Hes been a great father to me and my siblings but I can never forget that he didnt want me, she says.

Tanmay Gupta, an Indore-based businessman, used to stammer as a child. My cousins, considerably older to me, would make fun of me all the time, so much so that I would try to not talk in front of people, he says. Gupta stopped stammering as he grew older but he still fears addressing people in crowds or talking on stage.

Arjun Pradhan, a Kolkata-based investment banker, still remembers the time when he was preparing for Class 12 Board exams. I wanted to get into Delhi University and was preparing very hard for it. My mother, however, didnt want me to leave home. She tried to convince me about it in several ways but I was adamant.

We had one of these discussions once again a month before my first exam. Seeing it wasnt going anywhere, exasperated, my mother told me she hoped I scored poorly in exams so that I would not make it to the cut-off list. Pradhan fell ill later that month and couldnt make it to DU.

Unyielding strangers

A random act of kindness is never lost. (Shutterstock)

73-year-old Ketki Khanna narrates an incident she says she wont forget, ever. While travelling by the metro once, I started to feel dizzy. Fearing that I might faint, I requested a young girl sitting to let me sit for a while. She looked at me as if she couldnt hear me and then looked away. The funny thing is, a few other women sitting around heard me too but none of them got up to offer their seat. This was about a year ago and Khanna has never taken the metro since then.

Rohan Sharma, a travel agent, did not have loose currency once. He had to pay a rickshaw-wallah. There were 20 other rickshaws standing there but not one had loose cash. I checked with a few departmental stores around. All of them refused. After toiling for about half an hour, I finally gave the rickshaw-puller a 100 rupee note and left, recounts Sharma.

The author tweets @sneha_bengani

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

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The state government has ordered private hospitals to accept cheques from patients in case of emergencies. The hospitals can face action if the patients are denied treatment for want of cash.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, after a high-level meeting with officials from the health department, said that the government has been keeping a close eye on the situation in private hospitals. The government has issued directives to all private hospitals to accept cheques from those being admitted in emergencies. The government has also taken the guarantee of up to Rs10,000 each for bounced cheques and said the amount will be refunded from the chief ministers relief fund.

Officials of the health department are keeping a close watch on the situation. The patients can phone our helpline 108 in case of non co-operation from the hospitals. The patients and their relatives should also phone us with the phone/mobile numbers of the officials of the hospital concerned so that immediate intervention is extended, Fadnavis tweeted on Sunday evening.

The steps were taken after an infant died after a private hospital in Govandi allegedly refused to admit the infant as the parents failed to produce low-denomination currency notes. After the central government denied permission to Maharashtra government to extend the facility of accepting the demonitised notes till midnight of November 14, the hospitals have stopped accepting them since November 11.

The directives are only for emergencies in which the patients life is in danger. The surgeries and treatments, which can wait are not covered under these directives. We have put 108 and 104 helplines operational for the benefit of the patients. Our top-level officials will coordinate with hospital administration if the need be to ensure that no patient in private hospital is left unattended, said Satish Pawar, director of health services.

About the action on the errant hospitals, Pawar, said, It is implied and reinforced time and again by the Supreme Court that no critical patient be refused treatment for not having money. We have initiated action against the Govandi hospital for refusing to admit the patient and also may also ask the Maharashtra Medical Council for the cancellation of the registration of the doctor concerned. If the need be, action will also be taken against the hospital under the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Act, he added.
A day before he killed his daughters and took his life, Mangesh Anerao had a fallout with his family, who had been asking him to vacate a Mohali village house belonging to his father Rajaram.

Rajaram wanted to sell the property and divide the money between the male members of his family.

Four to five days ago, Rajaram approached the women and senior citizen grievance redressal cell at the Sakinaka police station over the property dispute. The cell asked the family to visit the police station on Friday. Anerao, Rajaram, his brother Narendra and the other family members met the cell, which ultimately told Anerao to vacate the one-storied house within a month.

People gather outside Mangesh Aneraos home in Sakinaka, on Saturday. (Prashant Waydande / Hindustan Times)

He was disturbed by the whole tussle over the house. He lost his cool and told them he would move out in four days, said Prashant Jadhav, a close friend of Anerao.

Read: Man kills three daughters aged four and one, ends life

The house is the familys ancestral property. Rajaram, Narendra, and his wife Sarika moved out and shifted to Kalyan a few years ago. However, Anerao continued to stay there with his wife and children.

I saw him grow up in this house. I never thought such a day would come, said an elderly woman who lives next door to Anerao.

Aneraos family did not visit much, said neighbours. They would only visit him during festivals, another added.

In a page-long suicide note, Anerao blamed his father, Narendra and Sarika for his death.

I spent a lot of money on my mothers cancer treatment, but my father, brother and sister-in-law are saying I did not. Now they want to kick me out. I have nowhere else to go, wrote Anerao.

Police officers investigate the house where Anerao killed his minor daughters before committing suicide. (Prashant Waydande / Hindustan Times)

Aneraos mother died of cancer around four years ago. Police said her picture had been hung on the wall of house.

Police questioned Rajaram and Narendra on Saturday. However, no charges were pressed against them. Police said they will record the statements of those associated with the case before deciding on a course of action.

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Proving that the negligence of Dr Sheetal Kamath of Jeevan Jyot Hospital in Govandi is to blame for the death of an infant might be tough, claim experts, as the hospital has claimed they had conducted a primary diagnosis of the newborn child and the baby needed to be cared in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) -- a facility they did not have.

The childs parents alleged the hospital refused medical treatment because they had demonetised banknotes and the child died 36 hours after he was taken to the nursing home.

Kiran Sharma went into labour on November 9 and delivered the child in a toilet at home. When we called the doctor, she asked us to bring Rs6,000 along as the treatment charge, said Jagdish Sharma, the childs father, who works as carpenter.

As the family had managed to gather Rs3,500 in lower denominations, Jagdish asked other family members to take his wife to the hospital, while he tried to get the remaining amount.

When we reached the hospital, the doctor said she needed the entire amount in change and wont accept demonetised notes, said Sharma. The family then took the child home.

The next day, a general practitioner told us it would be better if we kept the child under medical observation, as it was a home delivery and the child weighed only 1.5kg, said Sharma.

Sharma said he decided to take the baby to Rajawadi hospital at 11.30pm on November 10, but the child died till then.

Dr Deepak Sawant, state health minister, said, We havent received the complaint yet. The committee will decide if we need to take action.

Anand Patwardhan, legal committee chairman for Council for Fair Business Practices and a medico legal expert, said, If the hospital didnt have an NICU and it referred the patient, prima facie, it doesnt amount to medical negligence.

Help from hospital said they didnt accept old notes: Cops

The statement of an aaya (help) from the Jeevan Jyot Hospital in Govandi may spell trouble for the doctor who is under scanner over the death of a newborn boy on Saturday after she allegedly refused treatment since the family had the scrapped Rs500 notes to pay the bill.

According to sources in Shivaji Nagar police, they have recorded a statement of the aaya working in the hospital stating that they were not accepting the notes. The help, around 50 years of age, told us that the hospital was not accepting the old Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes from patients after the ban. This is a violation of Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), said a police officer privy to the investigation. We hope she will stand by her statement in the future, added the officer.

Police stated that the statement of the aaya employed with the hospital is important evidence in the case. Apart from her statement, the police have recorded the statements of Jagadish Sharma, the father of the infant, and three women neighbours who rushed the mother, Kiran Sharma, to Jeevan Jyot Hospital on November 9 when she was allegedly refused treatment. The women neighbours, in their statement, stated that they took the child and the mother to the hospital where they were refused treatment, said the officer.

Dr Sheetal Kamath has denied the familys claims, saying the facts were manipulated and presented in a media report that blamed the hospital for not admitting the patient. According to the doctor, the hospital doesnt have Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) facilities and hence she gave a letter referring the baby and mother to Sion Hospital.

We are yet to recover the letter of reference issued to Sion hospital, said the police officer. The police will write to the Maharashtra medical council seeking their opinion. We will write to seek opinion in the case after which further course of action will be decided, said the officer.

The police are also scanning the CCTV footage to find further clues. Moreover, they are likely to record statements of other patients as well who have sought treatment at the hospital.
The demonetisation of currency of Rs1,000 and Rs500 may not destroy Indias scourge of black money; most of it, as economists have pointed out, have already been converted into land and gold assets that cannot be demonetised, or spirited abroad.

The sudden decision to trash notes of higher denomination has only punished those who were waiting for the right opportunity to convert their cash into property, expensive art, valuable metals and precious stones. Will this decision stop tax dodgers and criminals from hoarding black money in the future? Economists are not sure; it may scare them for some time but fresh hoarding will begin as soon as the Rs2,000 notes are out. This may also push owners of illicit cash to exchange it for gold, pushing up the price of the metal. This could lead to another set of problems  higher duties on import of gold and smuggling. And since India is, along with China, the biggest user of the metal, this could lead to an increase in its price worldwide.

So it remains vague whether the demonetisation will succeed in its main aim - the crippling of Indias illegal and untaxed economy. But people who lived in dread of being found in possession of a fake note are relieved by the demonetised notes.

Government data suggests that Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) of a value of about Rs400 crore were circulating in the money market . Between 2011 and 2015, law enforcement agencies seized 2.6 million FICN worth nearly Rs168 crore. It is estimated that there are 250 FICN for every one million notes and only a third of the counterfeit notes are intercepted and destroyed. This made it highly probable that you could encounter a fake note.

A few years ago, a friend who worked in an export house, was told that one of the Rs500 notes that he had deposited at the bank for a demand draft was counterfeit. He explained that his wife had collected the note from an Automated Teller Machine. They wanted to keep the note but I insisted that they return it, said the executive.

The bank staff knew him and allowed him to collect the note after it was marked as counterfeit. The matter ended there. Others who ended up with fake notes were not so lucky. The usual procedure in such cases is that after collecting the counterfeit, the bank issues a receipt that has to be marked with the customers signature. If the number of notes is more, the police are intimated about the fake notes and a criminal case  a first information report (FIR)  is registered. There is an investigation and the bank account holder will be interrogated by the police. The bank will not return the note and you lose the money. The friend, too, lost the money, but escaped the legal tangle.

Indias laws against fake notes criminalises both counterfeit makers as well as users, many of who could have been innocent possessors of the notes. Sections 489 B of the Indian Penal Code makes the use of counterfeit notes a criminal offence, punishable by a jail term or a fine. While the accused can argue that he or she did not know, or had no reason to believe, that they were using a fake note, the police could send the matter to a magistrate. It is up to the defence (lawyer representing the bank customer) to convince the magistrate that the accused did not know that the note was fake, said Vivian DSouza, a lawyer

Fake notes were a constant worry, said Dsouza, a lawyer. The scrapping of higher denominations will certainly solve this problem. That is one of the reasons why people are patiently bearing with the problems is this.

It could be just a few months before counterfeiters duplicate the design of the new notes that will be issued, but till then there is no worry of a counterfeit in your wallet.

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The proximity between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar was on display on Sunday, with both lauding each other despite the Bharatiya Janata Party and NCP being locked in a bitter fight in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration of an international conference on sugarcane value chain at Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) at Manjri near Pune, Modi called Pawar one of the most admired politicians. Pawar has completed 50 years of either being an MLA or MP, which is a legacy in itself in Indian politics. I have no hesitation in accepting that Pawar held my hand and taught me to walk in my early days in Gujarat, said Modi, adding he has always put farmers and agriculture first.

Modi congratulated the NCP chief in advance for completing 50 years in electoral politics, saying he had shown the way to lead political life. Pawar will be completing five decades in electoral politics in February 2017.

Pawar, too, praised Modi. I get surprised by the way Modi works. Yesterday, he was in Japan and in the morning he went to Goa. In the afternoon, Modi came to Belgaum and now he is at VSI. I dont know where he is going in the night, Pawar said, amid laughter from the audience. This shows his total commitment to the cause of the country.

This is the second time in two years that Modi visited an institution headed by Pawar and shared the dias with him. In February 2015, Modi visited Baramati, Pawars hometown, to inaugurate a Krishi Vigyan Kendra building and had lunch at Pawars home.

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A newspaper hawker was shot dead in Bihars Begusarai district, 130 km east of Patna, early on Sunday morning, just one day after two journalists were murdered.

Sikander Singh, 42, was distributing newspapers when unidentified assailants pumped six bullets into his body, killing him on the spot.

Preliminary investigations point to the deceased having a land dispute with a person at his village. We are trying to ascertain facts and police investigations are on, Begusarai superintendent of police Ranjeet Kumar Mishra told HT.

No arrests have been made so far.

A resident of Chhattauna village in Begusarai district, Singh began his daily routine at 4 am. He picked up newspapers for distribution from Manjhaul village and was at the border of Begumpur-Naokothi villages when he came under attack.

Station house officer of Naokothi police station Brajesh Kumar Singh said the body was sent for post-mortem examination at the Sadar Hospital, Begusarai.

Read | Two journalists shot dead in Bihar

Singh is survived by his wife, Mala Devi; daughters, Kajal and Komal; and son, Durgesh. While Kajal is married, the other two children are minors and studying at APS High School, Naokothi.

Barely a day before Singhs murder, on Saturday, two journalists were shot dead by unknown assailants in the state.

Dharmendra Singh, 35, a reporter with a vernacular daily, was shot by three bike-borne assailants when he was having tea at a roadside stall in Amratola locality under Muffasil police station of Sasaram on Saturday morning.

In the other incident, Ramchandra Yadav, a journalist-turned-mukhia of Kewatgama panchayat under Kusheshwar Asthan police station of Darbhanga, was gunned down by unidentified miscreants when he was returning home after attending a meeting with the local BDO.

The recent attacks came less than six months after the murder of Rajdeo Ranjan, bureau chief at a national Hindu daily, on May 13. He was shot dead near Siwan railway junction by bike-borne criminals when he was returning home from work.

Read | CBI questions prime suspect Beig in Rajdeo Ranjan murder case

These killings have been part of a series of attacks targeting journalists in Bihar.

Earlier, on January 22, Hindi news channel journalist Mukesh Kumar was brutally attacked in Tenibigha locality of Jehanabad. Journalist Shankar Prasad Thakur took suffered a similar attack at Darauli in Siwan on March 4.

On April 6, journalist Debbrat Tiwari was thrashed by miscreants at Kaimur, and Rakesh Singh escaped an abduction attempt in the state capital on May 28. Another journalist, Nagendra Narayan, was injured in an attack in Bagaha on June 15, and a photo journalists son was murdered in Patna on September 12.

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Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), arrives at Republican president-elect Donald Trump's Trump Tower in New York, U.S. November 12, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

Nigel Farage visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his home in New York City on Saturday.

Leading Brexit campaigner and UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his home in New York City on Saturday and a Trump aide said the pair had a "very productive" meeting.

"We're just tourists!" Farage joked with reporters after he was seen waiting for an elevator in the skyscraper's lobby.

In brief comments later to reporters, Kellyanne Conway, manager of Trump's election campaign, confirmed the pair met while the president-elect was upstairs in the Trump Tower, spending time with his family, receiving phone calls and visitors.

"I think they enjoy each other's company, and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what this all means for the world," Conway said of the Farage meeting.

Farage later tweeted a photograph of himself with Trump, both men standing in front of a pair of golden doors and smiling broadly, the president-elect giving the camera a thumbs-up.

"It was a great honor to spend time with @realDonaldTrump," Farage wrote on Twitter. "He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President."

Farage said Trump's support for the relationship between Britain and the United States was very strong. "This is a man with whom we can do business," he tweeted.

He had been especially pleased, Farage added, at Trump's "very positive reaction" to the idea that a bust of former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill be put back in the Oval Office.

A day after Trump's election victory, Farage told a British radio station he was "absolutely happy" and called on the U.S. real estate mogul to reverse "loathsome" Barack Obama's policy by making Britain his top priority.

He also joked about sexual assault allegations against Trump, urging him to "schmooze" British Prime Minister Theresa May - but not touch her. He said he could attend any meeting to be the "responsible adult to make sure everything is OK."

Farage has told the BBC he is willing to help May's government build bridges with the U.S. president-elect, and one UKIP official has suggested Farage be the next British ambassador to the United States.

Farage, who spoke at a Trump rally during the election campaign, had predicted the former reality TV host would tap into the same dissatisfaction among voters that led to Britain deciding on June 23 to leave the European Union, or Brexit.

Trump made repeated references to Brexit during his campaign, saying it had highlighted the desire for change among voters frustrated with traditional politics.

Related news:

> Joy, shock and bitterness: World reacts to US election result
Congress workers staged a protest here on Saturday and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to protest the governments failure to get a verdict in favour of Punjab in the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case.

They also took out a march in the markets. District Congress committee (urban) president Mohan Lal Jhumba said, The state government has failed in protecting the rights of Punjab and it did not contest the case in the Supreme Court seriously.

He alleged because of its nonchalant response, the state has to suffer. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal should resign on moral grounds, he said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday declared the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, as null and void. The act was legislated by the then Congress government and aimed to nullify all watersharing arrangements with its neighbouring states.
In the time of demonetisation, chaos and queues rule the city. Four days after the Prime Minister declared the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes defunct, people are facing harrowing times to exchange old currency with the new one or withdraw money from ATMs.

Young, elderly, working class and others, all could be seen standing outside banks for hours in queues, some of them stretching up to 20 metres. At places, people after waiting for hours get to know that the bank has run out of cash, leading to commotion, arguments and even scuffles. At a few places, police had to intervene to ensure law and order. I got a call from Industrial Area, Phase 2, and the caller complained that people were creating ruckus outside a bank. We went to spot and brought the situation under control, said a police official from Sector 31 police station.

Due to flow of cash less than the demand, ATMs run out of cash within hours daily. Also, only 40-50% of ATMs are functioning in the city, leaving people a harassed lot. Since ATMs are being stacked with Rs 100 notes only and the space is limited, they run dry within no time.

We did normal banking on Saturday. We have received money from the RBI and all ATMs will be filled by tonight, said a senior officer from Bank of India.

We were able to fill half of the ATMs located in the city as we have limited cash, said an officer from the State Bank of India.

Each ATM machine has 3-4 bins, which hold cash and each is configured to hold Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency. As there are no Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, only Rs100 notes are being stacked in the machines, they run dry quickly, said an officer from the SBI.

I was standing in the queue for the past half an hour and when my turn came, the bank ran out of cash. This is very irritating. Moreover, people are jumping the queues and there is no one to monitor them, said Sunita Gupta, who was standing in a queue outside the SBI branch in Sector 17.

Meanwhile, banks found it difficult to meet the rush of people looking to exchange or withdraw money. The rush is increasing every passing day as people have exhausted whatever money they had in smaller denomination

NO CASH IN ATMs THROUGH THE DAY

SAS Nagar: There was no end to the sufferings of residents here as ATMs of most banks didnt have cash during the day on Saturday. The cash in most of the ATMs was loaded in the evening. Residents kept hopping from one ATM to the other since morning but had to return disappointed. The bank officials said there was some technical snag due to which ATMs couldnt function.The private sector banks have updated their software for the new currency, but the public sector banks are yet to rise to the occasion, making it difficult for the customers. I had to stand in the queue for about two hours to get the old currency exchanged. Had ATMs been working, I could have at least withdrawn some Rs 100 notes, said Harmandeep Singh of Phase 7, SAS Nagar. I had to borrow money from my friend as the ATM I visited had no cash, said Hargunjit Kaur, a software professional.Sources said most banks were yet to update the software. Bank officials on condition of anonymity said they were not receiving currency as per the demand, leading to chaos.

NO END YET TO PEOPLES WOE

Panchkula: Even the weekend could not come to the rescue of residents as they found themselves standing in queues outside banks for second consecutive days. As almost all the ATMs in Panchkula remained closed on Saturday, people had a tough time waiting for their turn to exchange currency in banks.

Some residents said they had to go to Chandigarh to withdraw some money from the ATMs there, but even that too was not easy. Even branches of smaller banks such as Allahabad Bank in Sector 11 were crowded. All the 15 branches of different banks in the sector were flooded with people.

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Kya hoga aise Swarajya se jo Hindutva na hoga (Whats the use of a Nation that is not Hindutva?). Author Akshaya Mukul read out the lines of a poem from his book Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India, which was discussed at the final session on Day 2 of the Chandigarh Literature Festival. With an interesting and diverse line-up, the second day was a mixed bag.

Mukuls session, moderated by festival director Annie Zaidi, took the audience back to the past, traversing through to where we as a nation stand today and exploring the role of the Gita Press and its journal Kalyan in creating the idea of Hind and Hindustan.

Mukul, who worked on the book for five years, made headlines after he refused to share the same stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards recently. However, he refused to comment on his stance and merely focused on the book.

The Gita Press

He mainly talked about how two Marwaris, Jaya Dayal Goyandka and Hanuman Prasad Poddar, used the press to promote the principles of Sanatan Dharma. Poddar was the founding and lifetime editor of its noted magazine Kalyan.

Talking about why he wrote the book, Mukul said, Growing up in north India, it was almost impossible to escape the Gita Press. It made me curious how the brand worked and yet people know so little about it. He added its impact was beyond publishing. The most prominent leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, were contributing to Kalyan and the larger picture had to be put together to explore its role as a potent vehicle to spread the idea of a Hindu nation state. Talking about political involvement back then, he said, It was never repudiated by the Congress. It was very much hand-in-glove with the press. But Nehru never wrote for them, said Mukul.

Bhakti, gyan and vairagya

When asked about the core values of the magazine, he said the motto of the magazine was bhakti (devotion), gyan (knowledge) and vairagya (renunciation). Poddar laid it out clearly. They had grand designs to save Hindu society, with the usual communal talk, cow slaughter, the fact that we had a great Hindu past and how it was interrupted by the Muslim rule, he said.

They created such a strong ritualistic universe under the surface and brought it to the masses. Both, Poddar and Goyandka, would have been elated with whats happening now.

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Sukhbir Singh Badal,54, Shiromani Akali Dal

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. (HT Photo)

Constituency: Jalalabad

Education: MBA

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 76.5 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated independent candidate Hans Raj Josan by 50,246 votes

2007: Defeated Hans Raj Josan of Congress by 80,662 votes

Assembly record Deputy chief minister

Power punch SAD president; as fathers deputy, he runs the show

What next May choose to fight from two segments this time

How he performed

Sukhbir is the de facto chief minister, harping on the development plank across the state. He has been making rounds of his constituency all through his tenure, laying foundation stones and implementing works such as renovation of link roads, waterworks and community centres. Politically, he became accessible to the people cutting across caste or religion-based communities in this Rai Sikh-dominated constituency. His predecessor Sher Singh Ghubaya (now SAD MP) was known to be accessible to only Rai Sikhs. More than 90% sangat darshans of the deputy CM in Fazilka district were held in Jalalabad, where he focused on funding the villages, besides the town. Bureaucrats keep blank cheques handy at these sangat darshans.

Voter speak

Jalalabad witnessed a series of development works because Sukhbir was elected from here. We got a girls college, a 120-bed hospital and a flood-lit stadium.

Pawan Aggarwal, 32, businessman

The residents got say in the local as well as state administration as the deputy is our MLA. Development works, such as good roads, were carried out at a fast pace.

Sandeep Babber, 37, trader

By the way

Says he can read intentions from peoples faces

Joginder Singh, 58, Congress

Joginder Singh (HT Photo)

Constituency: Jaitu

Education: Class 5

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 2.5 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Gurdev Singh Badal of SAD by 3,489 votes

2007: He won from Panjgrain; this segment came up later in delimitation

Assembly record

Question asked: 41

Call attention moved: 2

Power punch Rose from being a labour union leader, now district Cong chief

What next Likely to be shifted to Nihalsinghwala this time

How he performed

Residents say he rarely visits the constituency. There were people-led agitations against the lack of basic civic amenities, but he was missing in action then too. The local Congress unit that he heads remains divided into factions, further blunting his powers while being in the opposition. For failing to do even basic development, there is anti-incumbency sentiment against him. He claims that the SAD-BJP government ignored his constituency and stalled all development works. Among the people, a section also says that he worked for his own interests using the party name. But the MLA now declares he will ensure development if and when the Congress forms the next government in the state.

Voter speak

No development has been done, and the MLA never stood with the people during agitations. There were several protests against the government, but he failed to join them.

Rakesh Kumar Gocha, 40, trader

Our MLA is not accessible to the people, and never even demanded anything from the government. He kept saying that he cant deliver because he is in the opposition.

Pargat Singh, 35, tutor

By the way

Once lived in abject poverty, now in mansion

Tomorrow: Bhucho Mandi, Bathinda-urban, Bathinda-rural, Talwandi Sabo
The effects of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes have been far-reaching, and the Chandigarh Literature Festival is no exception. Even something as basic as book sales, which otherwise one would think be high at a lit fest, have been affected.

A rather cornered book stall at the entrance to the festival venue at the Chandigarh Club over the past three days has been testimony to the impact of the note fallout.

Not only did HT witness various frustrated literature buffs turnaround from the stall, with no change to pay; even the book sellers were seen lamenting about the same.

Badhe Lal, a book seller at the counter, said, The demonetisation has impacted our sales. Earlier, there was a sale of about Rs 30-Rs 40,000. But, in past two days, we have earned only Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500.

Watch| CHD Lit Fest: Book sales affected by demonetisation

His comrade, Kanwar Singh, the book stall incharge said, Earlier there would be about 30-40 customers per day but this time, only 8-12 people have come to buy books in a day.

Ironically, even though they have kept a card machine, most people arent carrying their cards, they shared. Employees of the Capital Book Depot, Sector 17, said that the business back at the shop had also been adversely impacted and that it would take a while for it to resume.

Sameera, 23, a college student, said, Its just bad timing, I havent managed to withdraw cash and they arent accepting Rs 500 banknotes. What am I to do? Ill have to wait to buy the book I wanted.

Sanjay Singh, 55, who enjoys reading excerpts from the book the panellist is reading out during the session told HT, This is precisely why I like to attend literary fests and buy books from there itself but well, Modiji had different plans for us this time. I forgot to carry my card as well.

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The Japanese art of recognising beauty in broken things and three drafts is what it took poet and writer Janice Pariat to author Seahorse. In city to speak about her second text as part of the Chandigarh Literature Festival 2016, the award-winning writer deliberated upon the art of telling a story about love and loss.

In conversation with writer-editor Rahul Soni, Janices session perhaps left a lot of persons in the audience thinking perhaps about their own broken relationships. Reading out excerpts from her book, Janice reflected how Seahorse is steeped in art, music, literature, all of which require a certain involvement from her readers.

Seahorse is a contemporary retelling of a Greek myth concerning Poseidon, the god of the sea, and his relationship with a young beautiful male devotee named Pelops. Its set between Delhi of the 1990s, and modern day London, and travels to the quietest reaches of the English countryside. Seahorse is the coming of age story of Nehemiah, who, like all of us, falls in love, suffers loss, and searches for stillness, said Janice.

As with their namesake, the characters in Janice Pariats tell us that Seahorse seem adrift with heartstrings grasping like tails for those around them. As she says, they too, move in an intricate, bizarre waltz, from lover to leaver, men to women, past to present, New Delhi to London. Having lived in both Delhi and London, she was as drawn to them as she was repelled by them. Its like any relationship thats tumultuous, yet ultimately rewarding, said the beautiful Janice herself.

Also read| Note fallout hits Chandigarh litfest: Book sales nosedive

Pariat initially wanted to write a novella after her first book, the collection of short stories, Boats on Land. Seahorse was meant to be a novella but it just unfurled before me. There are some stories that cry out to be written longer, to have more space and to orchestrate the scenes on a more complicated scale. Some stories are quieter and are driven by fewer emotions, she said.

The author has written a lot of poetry in the past but none recently. I like to think there is a small poets voice that lives on in my prose, she says. Pariats prose certainly bridges that gap. In the book, Michelangelos Prisoners makes Nem think about unfinished chapters in life. We treasure the incomplete, for it lends us many lives - the one we lead and the million others we could have led, she said.

Responding to a question from Rahul on how her text is usually overwritten, an honest Janice said, I would end up picking up from stories I liked and rewrite them in my own way, initially. I wrote three very clean drafts for this text, A led to B which led to C, until I realised what am I doing. Then it was like taking a vase, and smashing it to the ground, she laughed and added, Thats how life is, about learning to pulling back together after youve fallen apart in pieces.

Commenting on the extensive use of water, she said besides the influence of her native place Shillong in her life, it represented fluidity in life and in relationships..

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After 37 days of suffering injuries, Gurdev Kaur, 70, a Dalit woman from Jhalur village, died at the PGIMER in Chandigarh on Friday night around 10:45 pm. Her death created tension in the region as labour and farmer organisations staged a protest outside the deputy commissioners office here on Saturday demanding the arrest of those, who attacked her. She had been in the hospital since October 5.

Tension had gripped Jhalur village in Sangrur in October after a clash between Dalits and landlords, which left 30 people injured. The clash took place over the common land between upper caste landlords, allegedly supported by local Akali leaders, and Dalits, who are members of the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee.

Also read| Dalit families leave Sangrur village after last weeks clash

On Saturday, hundreds of activists of the Sangharsh committee, Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan), BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union and members of some other organisations gathered outside the DC office and raised slogans against the state government and the police.

The landlords with the support of the police and political leaders assaulted Dailt families, but the police have not arrested them. Our around 17 members were arrested. The goons, who attacked Dalits and assaulted the elderly woman, are roaming free, only two persons were arrested, said a Sangharsh committee member, Gurmukh Singh.

He said, We demand immediate arrest of all the culprits, who attacked Dalits. They should be charged under Section 302 (murder) instead of 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Senior superintendent of police Pritpal Singh Thind, along with other police officials, who had not performed their duties, should be suspended, he added.

The protesters have decided not to cremate the body of the woman till the arrest of the accused. Around 150 protesters decided to spend night outside the DC office.

However, the body of Gurdev Kaur was not handed over to the family till late evening by the PGI authorities.

Senior superintendent of police Pritpal Singh Thind said, Police were not aware of whereabouts of the woman. We didnt know where she was during the past days but the police have started investigation and the accused will be arrested soon.
Apprehending law and order problem in the coming days over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, the Punjab Police has deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in parts of the state, sealed its border with Haryana and increased patrolling on the National Highway-1.

Inspector general of police, Patiala range, Paramraj Singh on Saturday told HT that four RAF companies, each comprising 175 personnel, have been deployed at Rajpura, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Mohali.

While Rajpura-based RAF company will keep tabs on the situation at Kapuri, the birth place of SYL canal, and Shambu barrier on the Punjab-Haryana border, another company has been stationed at the Patiala police lines to be deputed anywhere in Patiala and Sangrur districts, he said.

The RAF company at Fatehgarh Sahib will monitor the movement on the NH-1 and the SYL canal area in Ropar. The fourth company has been stationed at Mohali to handle any eventuality in the area.

Also read| SYL row: Punjab blames Union govt, may stop all water to other states

We have sealed all entry points on Punjab-Haryana borders. Police vigil has been enhanced on various points to check entry of mischievous elements to prevent any attack on vehicles coming from Haryana, the IG said.

He said all precautionary measures have been taken and the police are ready to tackle any situation.

Notably, the Punjab cabinet has called an emergency session of Vidhan Sabha on November 16, where the state government may decide to stop the existing flow of water to Haryana, by passing a legislation. This can lead to a law and order problem, police sources said.

They said Punjab has retained 10 companies of central forces, including four of RAF, which were called ahead of the proposed November 10 Sarbat Khalsa congregation by Sikh radicals, which was later cancelled.

Also read| SYL fallout: Haryana stops plying buses to Punjab

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) continued its morcha in protest against the Supreme Court verdict on the SYL issue at Kapuri.

AAP leaders at the morcha site criticised chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for not seeking intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue.

Instead of writing a letter to the President, Badal should have approached the Prime Minister as the President acts only on the advice of the council of ministers, said Dr Balbir Singh, Patiala district in-charge of AAP.

Why is he (Badal) shying away from taking up the issue with the PM strongly to make him understand the situation about availability of water in Punjab, he added.

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Two-year-old Roshni, who was kidnapped by three bike-borne youths from a stroller outside her house in Khothra village near Behram of SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) district on Friday evening, was found murdered in Nadalo village near Kot Fatuhi of Hoshiarpur district on Sunday morning.

The police said, Kidnappers who are in their twenties, had demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh from the family after killing the girl.

This ransom call gave a major lead to the cops as they apprehended the kidnappers after tracing their call. The accused had procured a SIM card from a friend for the call. As per information, the accused had information regarding the familys contact number as two of them are from Khothra village.

The accused have been identified as Goyal Kumar, Harman Kumar of the same village and a minor, who belongs to Todarpur village in Hoshiarpur.

They have been booked under Sections 364-A (kidnapping for ransom), 302 (murder), 201(causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 34 (acts done by several persons with same intention) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code. The accused, after kidnapping the baby were not able to keep her quiet as the baby kept on crying. Due to the fear of getting caught, the accused killed her. The kidnappers strangulated her to death and dumped the body in the fields.

On Saturday, the accused again came to the spot and tried to burn the body to hide the identity of the girl. But the body was not completely burnt. On Sunday morning, the cops took the accused to the spot and recovered the body in the presence of Garhshankar tehsildar Bhupinder Singh.

Later, the police sent the body to Banga civil hospital. Senior superintendent of police

(SSP) Naveen Singla said the accused will be taken on remand and others who are found guilty will be nabbed as soon as possible.

Roshini was abducted by three accused when her grandfather Ram Daresh Singh was taking her in stroller outside his house in Khothra village. Her father Ranjan had come from Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago. The marriage ceremony of Roshnis uncle was due on November 16.
Of the four Bigg Boss housemates up for eviction this week, one will be voted out Sunday evening. Lokesh Kumari Sharma, Manveer Gujjar, Navin Prakash and Rahul Dev were nominated for elimination and host Salman Khan has already said Manveer is safe this week.

As Colors sought viewers opinion, we at Hindustan Times asked our readers to pick their least favourite contestants. Our readers want Navin Prakash out of the house, with 52.73% of the participants voting in favour of his eviction.

Lokesh Kumari Sharma, who is second on the list of least favourite Bigg Boss contestants, didnt do so bad in our poll, with only 18.36% voters seeking her elimination. Rahul Dev was a close third with 17.42% votes. Manveer emerged the favourite of HT readers, with just 11.49% voting for his elimination.

Have you voted for your least fav contestant yet? Take our poll:

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Is it still possible for the electorate to choose Hillary Clinton as the US president instead of Donald Trump? An online petition on Change.org think so.

A petition initiated by Elijah Berg from North Carolina has asked the electoral college to make Democrat Hillary Clinton the US president on December 19, the day the president is legally elected, based on her scoring the popular vote.

The online petition has been signed by over 3.8 million people, and asks electors to ignore their states vote and choose Hillary instead of Donald Trump: The president-elect.

Mr Trump is unfit to serve. His scapegoating of so many Americans, and his impulsivity, bullying, lying, admitted history of sexual assault, and utter lack of experience make him a danger to the Republic, the petition reads.

Read | These have been very very tough days: Hillary Clinton on poll loss

The petition states that the former secretary of state and first lady lost the election to the Republican due to the electoral college, although popular votes were in her favour.

Hillary won the popular vote. The only reason Trump won is because of the electoral college... But the electoral college can actually give the White House to either candidate. So why not use this most undemocratic of our institutions to ensure a democratic result? the petition reads.

While Clinton was ahead on popular votes with 47.7% to Trumps 47.5%, Trumps total in the electoral college stands at 290 (against Clintons 228) with races in Michigan and New Hampshire yet to be called.

The November 8 election sparked protests against Trump, with thousands of demonstrators occupying streets of Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon to voice their anger at the billionaire Republicans controversial remarks about immigration, Muslims, and women.

Protesters march in reaction to the upset election of Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the race for president of the United States in Los Angeles, California. (AFP Photo)

If Clinton had won the election, she would have been the first woman president of the United States of America.

How the US polling system works

The president is selected by a college of 538 electors from the states. Each state gets as many electoral votes as it has members of Congress, and the District of Columbia gets three. To be elected president, the winner must get at least half the total plus one  or 270 electoral votes.

Most states usually give all their electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the states popular vote.

Read | Understanding the US presidential election: A guide to the process

Has this happened before?

There have been four instances so far in which a president was elected despite not winning the popular vote. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore narrowly won the popular vote but lost to Republican George W Bush in the electoral college with a difference of 5 votes (271-266).

Two other Republicans -- Benjamin Harrison and Rutherford B Hayes -- had claimed victory on similar grounds while the sixth US president, John Quincy Adams, was chosen by the House of Representatives after his rival Andrew Jackson garnered more electoral and popular votes but did not reach the 270 mark.

Thousands of protesters march against Donald Trump in Los Angeles, California. (AFP Photo)

Read | The 45th US President: Retracing Trumps path to the White House

(With input from agencies)

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Washingtons new power trio consists of a bombastic billionaire, a telegenic policy wonk and a taciturn political tactician. How well they can get along will help determine what gets done over the next four years, and whether the new presidents agenda flounders or succeeds.

President-elect Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell make up an unlikely alliance, one defined in advance mostly by Trumps opposition to the Washington establishment that Ryan and McConnell exemplify.

Trump and Ryan clashed throughout the campaign, with Trump taking offense when Ryan initially refused to endorse him and later distanced himself over the audio of Trump talking about groping women.

Paul Ryan, a man who doesnt know how to win (including failed run four years ago), must start focusing on the budget, military, vets etc., Trump groused over Twitter last month.

But that was then, this is now, as Ryan, the GOPs 2012 vice presidential nominee, said Thursday after meeting with Trump at the Capitol.

The past is in the past, Ryan said in an interview on Fox News Channel. This was an unconventional year, he was an unconventional candidate, but the point is we unified, especially at the right point, at the end. And it worked.

Indeed, thanks partly to Trumps coattails, Ryan and McConnell limited expected losses to their majorities and will enter the new administration with control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. For now the glow of victory appears to be soothing past tensions. And Republicans aligned with all three note they have something very important in common: They need each other.

Ryan needs Trump to accomplish his policy agenda, said GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, in comments that apply to McConnell as well. Trump needs Ryan to get things to his desk.

Read| In shakeup, VP-elect Mike Pence to head Trumps transition team

There are well-known policy disagreements to navigate on issues like trade, immigration, Medicare and Social Security, where Trumps proposals and campaign rhetoric often flew in the face of Ryan and McConnells standard business-friendly Republican approach.

But Trumps own unfamiliarity with the tedious business of legislating, and unformed policy positions in some cases, may give Ryan and McConnell a unique opportunity to fill in the details. That would be a welcome role for both - McConnell as a deeply experienced legislator and dealmaker, and Ryan as an eager wonk who chaired the Ways and Means Committee before becoming House speaker. Ryan is steeped in details on reforming taxes and reshaping entitlement spending  although Trump has been critical of Ryans past budget proposals.

I dont think theres any question that a President Trump will be looking for legislative expertise, said Josh Holmes, McConnells former chief of staff. Some of that comes from the staff that he hires, and some of that will come from allies on Capitol Hill.

Moreover, Ryans personal political future, including potential presidential ambitions of his own, may depend in part on how effectively he manages the relationship with Trump.

The speakers tepid embrace of Trump during the campaign angered some conservatives in his conference, stirring talk that he could face a challenge to his speakership.

But Ryans enthusiastic response to Trumps victory appears to have diminished any appetite for a leadership coup. The wide majority he will continue to enjoy next year  with at least 240 Republicans in the 435-member House, compared to 247 now  also reduces the potential for mischief by a small band of disgruntled conservatives.

Victory soothes lots of differences, said GOP Rep. Chris Collins of New York, a top Trump backer. The mood of us right now is we cant waste any time with recriminations and finger-pointing. My God, we won!

Unlike Ryan, McConnell was quick to endorse Trump as soon as he clinched the GOP nomination. McConnell never wavered on that, nor provoked Trumps ire over Twitter. At 74, McConnell has reached the long-sought pinnacle of his career as Senate majority leader, and unlike Ryan, 46, has no potential higher ambitions to manage.

Just as important, McConnell is known for professional relationships that are all business and have nothing to do with personality. So even though the closed-mouth Kentuckian would seem to have nothing in common with a freewheeling, thrice-married Manhattanite like Trump, allies say that doesnt matter to McConnell.

That said, both men could face opposition from members of Trumps inner circle, particularly Stephen Bannon. Bannon was chief executive of the conservative news site Breitbart before assuming a role in Trumps campaign and is under consideration for a senior spot in Trumps White House.

Just before Ryans primary race in July, with Bannon still at the helm of Breitbart, the site called the speaker a hypocrite for building a border wall around his Janesville, Wisconsin, mansion when he refused to support Trumps southern border wall proposal. Breitbart continued attacking Ryan this fall, publishing a lengthy post titled, Hes with her: Inside Paul Ryans months-long campaign to elect Hillary Clinton president.

Breitbart has also slammed McConnell, criticizing him over occasions where he bestowed lukewarm praise on Clinton and criticized Trumps undisciplined campaigning.

What position Trump gives Bannon versus Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, a Trump confidante and close Ryan ally, may be a signal as to how the incoming president plans to collaborate, or not, with the congressional leadership.

Read| The whos who of Trumps likely foreign policy team
As if South Koreas scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye didnt have enough to worry about with single-digit approval ratings and massive protests, she now has thousands of very disgruntled shamans on her case.

Practitioners of the centuries-old spiritual tradition are furious that their reputation has been tainted by association with the corruption scandal involving a close friend of the president, Choi Soon-Sil.

The daughter of a shadowy religious figure, Choi has been dubbed Koreas Rasputin and the presidents shaman adviser because of the influence she allegedly wielded over Park and reports linking her to shamanist rituals.

We are so angry. She made all of us look like corrupt charlatans, said Lee Won-Bok, head of the national association, Shaman Korea.

Whether Choi Soon-Sil is really a shaman or not, she soiled the reputation of genuine, hard-working shamans in this country. We are not like her, Lee told AFP.

Shaman Lee Won-Bok (2nd L) prepares for a ritual at a shamanic centre in Yangju, north of Seoul. (AFP)

Choi is under arrest for fraud and abuse of power, having allegedly used her long-time friendship with Park to force donations out of major companies to foundations she set up and used for her personal gain.

She is also accused of meddling in affairs of state, despite holding no official position.

Shamanism is deeply ingrained in Korean culture, and despite living in one of the worlds most technologically advanced countries, many Koreans still consult shamans -- as intercessors with the spirit world -- for medical reasons, divination, or just personal advice.

In this November 8, 2016 photo, shaman Lee Won-Bok (R) performs a ritual for her clients (L) at a shamanic centre in Yangju, north of Seoul. (AFP)

The rituals can be grisly affairs for the uninitiated, with the shaman plunging a pointed trident into the head of a dead pig, or biting the heads of live chickens while dancing in a trance-like state.

But the actual purpose of such ceremonies is benign and often very intimate -- wishing peace to the soul of a dead relative, or just courting good luck for an upcoming project.

Shaman Shin Joong-In (2nd R) prepares to stab a pig as he performs a ritual in which offerings are made to spirits, at a shamanic centre in Yangju. (AFP)

According to Lee, South Korea has around 300,000 registered shamans, or one for every 165 people in the country.

Joining their number requires a rigorous initiation process overseen by an experienced shaman and Lee said his members were adamant about defending the integrity of their profession.

Hundreds have signed a petition urging the media to cease describing Choi as a shaman, and some plan to join mass street protests calling for Choi to be jailed and Park to resign.

Choi has never publicly described herself as a shaman, and the media speculation seems largely founded on the idea that she inherited the mantle from her late father.

Shaman Shin Joong-In (R) and assistant Lee Sang-Ni (L) guide their client as they attach bank notes to the carcass of a pig as they make offerings of food to the spirits during a ritual at a shamanic centre in Yangju, north of Seoul. (AFP)

Choi Tae-Min was a charismatic pastor who had reportedly worked as a shaman before setting up his own cult-like group in the 1970s, combining tenets of Buddhism, Christianity and shamanism.

He became a mentor to Park after the assassination of her mother in 1974, and a US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks noted widespread rumours that he had complete control over Parks body and soul.

After her fathers death in 1994, Choi Soon-Sil remained close to Park and there were reports -- firmly denied by the president -- of shamanist rituals being performed in the presidential Blue House.

The mocking tone of much of the media coverage -- with Park being described as a puppet of a shaman-ruled kingdom -- has bothered people like Yang Jong-Sung, head of the Seoul-based Museum of Shamanism.

Yang said he was reminded of the language used during Japans 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula, when shamans had been dismissed as frauds and swindlers.

Shamanism had played an important role in our communities for centuries and then they were labelled as mere superstition to be eradicated, he told AFP.

A client kneels before shaman Shin Joong-In (top C) as he uses a chicken to perform a ritual in which offerings of food are made to the spirits at a shamanic centre in Yangju, north of Seoul. (AFP)

The practise survived the Japanese, the devastation of the Korean War and has thrived in the modern, high-tech, prosperous nation South Korea has become.

One of the biggest times for us is election season, Lee said. Many candidates want to know if they have a chance to become a city council, governor, or a parliamentary member.

But our role ends there ... we dont meddle with state affairs or extort money from companies, he said.

In recent years, there has been government support, with some well-known shamans and regional shamanistic rituals officially designated intangible cultural assets.

Min Hye-Gyeong, a prominent shaman, describes herself as a grass-roots servant for ordinary South Koreans seeking blessings for their harvests or better health for their communities.

Assistant shaman Lee Sang-Ni prepares the altar prior to a ritual at a shamanic centre in Yangju, north of Seoul. (AFP)

A big part of our job is soothing the pain and sorrow of ordinary people at times of trouble, and helping them find emotional comfort, said Min, 50.

Its infuriating that the political scandal overshadowed all the positive aspects of our role and made us targets of mockery, she said, while preparing to perform a ceremony for a 70-year-old widow in memory of her late husband.

Clad in layers of colourful traditional cloth and waving large swords and a bundle of bells, she danced, spun and leaped around to a high-volume, trance-like accompaniment of flute, drums and gong.

Her client wept, rubbed her hands together in prayer and bowed deeply as Min sang songs and recited verses to soothe the husbands soul and ensure the health of his living relatives.

I wanted to send this message to my late husband that I miss him so much and he does not need to worry about me as my children are taking good care of me, the widow, Kang Tae-Suk, told AFP.

I feel so much comfort now ... my heart feels lighter, my mind calmer.
Pakistans top civilian and military leaders travelled to the countrys southwest on Sunday to open a new international trade route by seeing off a Chinese ship thats exporting goods to the Middle East and Africa from the newly built Gwadar port.

The first convoy of Chinese trucks carrying goods for sale abroad has arrived in Pakistan amid tight security using a road linking Gwadar to Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region, the government said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan will provide best possible security to foreign investors to enable them to use the Chinese-funded port for international trade.

Amid security concerns for foreign workers, the Pakistani army has created a special force to guard the new trade routes and the port, which is located in insurgency-wracked Baluchistan province where an overnight blast at a shrine killed nearly 50 people.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group and Pakistani officials said it was aimed at harming the Chinese-funded projects in the southwest and elsewhere in the country.

China is building a network of roads and power plants under a project known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that is expected to absorb $46 billion in Chinese investment in the coming decades.

China and Pakistan have long maintained close political and military relations, based partly on mutual antipathy toward neighbor India. Gwadar port is located on the Arabian Sea and it occupies a strategic location between South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. The port is also located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, just outside the Straits of Hormuz.

China is seeking convenient and reliable access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Chinese ships now use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. The proposed new route would give China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.
Donald Trump plans to immediately deport or jail as many as three million undocumented immigrants, the Republican said on Sunday as he set out his priorities as Americas head of state in the first television interview since his election.

Millions were expected to tune in to Trumps full interview with CBSs 60 Minutes for clues on how the populist billionaire will govern, and how far he intends to convert his firebrand slogans into hard and fast policy.

Since Tuesdays shock election triumph, Trump had appeared to tone down his rhetoric, notably suggesting he might be willing to reconsider a pledge to scrap President Barack Obamas signature health reform.

But he made clear in excerpts of Sundays interview that he still intended to crack down on the undocumented, focusing on people with criminal records.

What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people -- probably two million, it could be even three million -- we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate, Trump said.

He also said he stood by his pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border, although he said it could include some fencing.

Read | US prof who predicted Donald Trumps win says he will be impeached

After the border is secure and after everything gets normalized, were going to make a determination on the people that theyre talking about who are terrific people, theyre terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that, he said. But before we make that determination...its very important, we are going to secure our border.

Experts estimate there are as many as 11 million foreigners living illegally in the United States, many of them central and southern Americans long-established in the country.

Trumps stance stood in opposition with comments by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said Sunday the focus under a Trump administration would be on securing the border, not rounding up immigrants.

We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trumps not planning on that, Ryan told CNN.

Appointment imminent

Since his election on the back of an incendiary anti-immigrant campaign, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets daily, worried that Trump will put his rhetoric into practice.

The billionaires Trump Tower residence in Manhattan was picketed for four straight days by, with similar protests across the United States.

A crowd marches from Union Square to Trump Tower in protest of new Republican president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday in New York. (AFP)

The tower has been a hive of activity as the real estate mogul huddles with his transition team to shape his cabinet -- appointments expected to play a crucial role in setting the tone of an administration led by a 70-year-old political novice.

Trump faces a colossal task in hammering out cabinet picks and filling hundreds of other top government jobs ahead of his January 20 inauguration.

Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has said the announcement of White House chief of staff -- the powerful gatekeeper to the president -- is imminent.

Top contenders include Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee, who Trump has credited for helping engineer his unlikely election win.

Read | US President-elect Trump looking at fast ways to quit Paris climate deal: Report

Hold him accountable

Democrats have been despondent in the wake of an election they were certain of winning, but vowed on Sunday to oppose Trump -- despite now being locked out of power not only in the House and Senate, but now in the White House as well.

Our job now is to hold him accountable, said Bernie Sanders, who lost to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic nomination race.

If Mr. Trump has the courage to take on Wall Street, to take on the drug companies, to try to work forward, go forward to create a better life for working people, we will work with him, issue by issue.

But if his presidency is going to be about discrimination, if its going to be about scapegoating immigrants or scapegoating African-Americans or Muslims, we will oppose him vigorously, Sanders declared.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll out Sunday shows that 74% of Americans accept Trumps election as legitimate, but that number fell to 58% among supporters of his defeated rival Clinton.

Some 60.3 million people voted for Trump in the November 8 election, fewer than the 60.8 million who chose Clinton. But Trumps strong showing in swing states including Michigan meant he triumphed in the Electoral College which ultimately picks the president.

Trump has shown some willingness to soften his more strident positions. His U-turn on Obamacare -- he now says he may simply amend a law he once branded a disaster on the stump -- was prompted by his White House meeting with the outgoing president earlier this week.

Trump, elected on Tuesday, said he looked forward to more meetings with Obama and said several matters were discussed, including difficulties. (REUTERS)

He told CBS and The Wall Street Journal he may maintain some of the programs more popular elements, such as a ban on insurance companies denying coverage because of so-called pre-existing health conditions.

Asked by the paper whether he would, as threatened, name a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton over her use of a private email server as secretary of state, Trump deflected, saying his priorities were health care, jobs, border control, tax reform.

Not long ago Trump was leading crowds in chants of Lock her up!

Hate groups

The Republican has yet to respond, however, to mounting calls to reassure Americans who fear a xenophobic crackdown under his authority.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which monitors hate groups, tracked more than 200 incidents of election-related harassment in the three days following the vote, with many more allegations emerging on social media.

Tens of thousands have signed an SPLC petition urging Trump to clearly distance himself from hate groups.

Read | Petition asks electors to make Clinton the US president instead of Trump
Hillary Clinton is blaming the FBIs decision to revive its examination of her email accounts for her devastating defeat in the presidential election.

On a call on Saturday with top campaign donors, Clinton said her campaign was winning until FBI director James Comey sent a letter to Congress on October 28 announcing that the FBI had uncovered emails possibly related to its earlier probe into her use of a private server as secretary of state. The new examination was sparked by an unrelated investigation into former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of one of her top aides.

The surprise announcement by the FBI came after three debates in which Republican Donald Trump was widely panned for his performance. Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state and was tied in Arizona, a traditionally Republican stronghold, until Comey released his letter.

Trumps campaign and Republican supporters seized on the news, even though it was unclear whether Clintons correspondence was tied up in the probe.

Comey told lawmakers the Sunday before the election that the bureau had found no evidence to warrant criminal charges. His all clear message only served to further motivate Trump supporters, Clinton told donors on the call.

In the nine days between Comeys initial statement and his all clear announcement, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That was roughly 18% of the expected total votes for president.

While Clinton accepted some blame of her loss, said donors who listened to her call, she made little mention of the other factors driving Trumps victory: A desire for change by voters, possible sexism, the difficulty of a political party winning a third White House term, her campaigns all-but-dismissal of white working class voters and flaws within her own message.

Donors on the call were not authorised to discuss her comments by name and requested anonymity to describe them to The Associated Press.

Democrats have spent much of this week reeling for their loss, with many in the party beginning a process of soul-searching designed to sort out what exactly went wrong. Liberals like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren say Democrats must embrace a more aggressive economic message  one Clinton largely shied away from during her campaign.
Should a doomsday agricultural crisis hit the worlds driest environments, scientists and farmers will turn to an up-and-coming research centre and seed bank in Morocco to restock their harvests.

Tucked away in the university hub of Irfane in Rabat, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, or ICARDA, hosts the largest collection of seeds in North Africa.

If for any reason, a particular community lost all their resources, we are capable of providing them with the seeds for restoration and rehabilitation, says Ahmed Amri, head of ICARDAs Genetic Resources Unit.

The crucial role of seed banks in protecting biodiversity is receiving increasing attention because of climate change, which threatens to wipe out crops as dry areas of the world get even hotter and drier. The impact on African agriculture is among the topics being discussed at UN climate talks taking place through next week in Morocco.

The site in Rabat has become ICARDAs primary centre of storage and research after its previous hub in Aleppo, Syria, was seized by an Islamist rebel group in September 2015.

We couldnt continue doing this work because of the situation in Syria, so we decided to make arrangements to move elsewhere to continue our work, says Amri, who used to work in Aleppo, but is now leading genetic research efforts in Rabat.

While many of the research activities moved to Rabat, 98% of the Aleppo centres seeds were safely transferred to ICARDAs center in neighbouring Lebanon. Duplicates were also sent to a doomsday seed vault in Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic, which serves as a backup for other seed banks worldwide.

Rebels from the ultra-conservative Ahrar al-Sham group have occupied the Aleppo centre since September 2015, cutting off access to its 75 employees. Amri has daily contact with the five staff members who remain in Aleppo, including associate scientist Ali Shehadeh.

With the ceasefire, its stable and unstable at times, Shehadeh told The Associated Press from Aleppo in a Skype interview facilitated by Amri.

Fatima Ezzahra Kibou carries a jar of lentils planted at the nursery of the seed bank. (AP Photo)

The Rabat centre holds tens of thousands of seeds spanning from wheat and barley to lentils and chickpeas inside a vault in near-freezing temperatures. The seed bank not only preserves these essential staples but develops them to become more resistant to disease and a warming climate.

Last year, Morocco faced an unprecedented drought that scientists and the government and have linked to climate change, with drier and warmer winters in Morocco and neighbouring countries.

Domestic grain production dropped, forcing the government to drop tariffs on imports to avoid shortages and stem rising prices. Last month, the government decided to temporarily remove import duties for lentils to lower the price just in time for the winter season  a time when lentils are widely consumed in Morocco.

Scientists at the Rabat centre work closely with farmers in Marchouch, a nearby rural town. The scientists provide seed samples to farmers who allocate about 2% of their own farm land to test the seeds and provide feedback to scientists.

We are looking for science-based solutions for farmers problems, says Shiv Kumar Agrawal, a lentil breeder with ICARDA. These problems include contending with droughts, invasive insects and increasing production.

Farmers report back to scientists on the results of the harvest yielded from the seed samples, after which further tests are conducted to improve the seeds durability and production yield.

Inaam El Meziani, assistant researcher at ICARDA, inspects seeds to ensure they are free from diseases in the Rabat seed bank, Morocco. (AP Photo)

Farmer Abdellah Slimani, 48, president of a farmers cooperative in Marchouch, believes the feedback loop has helped him and fellow farmers to improve their own methods as climate change continues to impact harvests.

We hope that this years harvest will be better, God willing, Slimani says.

Bruce Campbell of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres says the climate conference in Marrakech offers a unique opportunity to address the impact of climate change on African agriculture.

Considering all African countries have included agriculture in their climate adaption strategies, (the conference) will be the ideal setting to discuss how the most promising solutions can be deployed and indeed, funded, he says.

Ahmed Amri, head of ICARDA's Genetic Resources Unit, displays seed samples in the Rabat seed bank. (AP Photo)
As the first shipment of goods arrived from China, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the first trade pilot project in Gwadar port on Sunday, promising a golden period for Pakistan once China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project gets underway.

Today we are seeing the first step of a much larger project that my government inaugurated two years ago, Sharif told a gathering at the newly built Gwadar port. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the CPEC and all the projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time. 

CPEC is for all of Pakistan and no region will be left out of it, he said, apparently addressing reservations of smaller provinces that claim the project doesnt benefit them. Sharif claimed the government of Balochistan and the army have been successful in making the local population a stakeholder in development.

The government has spent Pakistani rupiah 49 billion on these projects and projects worth 200 billion will be launched next year, he added.

Sharif warned that those who opposed the project would be viewed as enemies of Pakistan. Anyone who is against the CPEC is against Pakistan, he said, referring to those who have consistently objected to the route of the project as well as the choice to site the allied industries.

Baloch nationalists have also opposed the project on grounds the people of Balochistan were not consulted despite the fact that the bulk of the CPEC highway runs through that province.

The top military brass were in full attendance at the ceremony on Sunday.

The Pakistan military has given its full blessings and support to the CPEC, say observers.

Earlier in the day, the first Chinese trade convoy arrived at the port through CPEC, with security provided by contingents of special security division of the Pakistan Army.

Starting its journey from Kashghar, the Chinese trade cargo reached Gwadar safely from Gilgit-Baltistan after travelling through the country.

The government has already allocated land for Gwadar Free Trade Zone and the government has also announced concessions for Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone in Balochistan.

The projects of Exclusive Industrial Park Processing Zone and Mineral Economic Zone are also being executed on priority basis.
A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf isnt allowed anymore.

Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

Mrs Teli, your head scarf isnt allowed anymore. Why dont you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it, the note scribbled in black ink said, signed America!, the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community. Spreading hate isnt going to make America great again, she wrote on her Facebook page.

Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note.

We take a threat against a staff member a serious matter, Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note.

It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trumps election to the presidency, but Telis post on Facebook assumed as much.

I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him, she said.

Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab.

The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential polls.
A countrywide general strike called by a splinter group of CPN (Maoist) has affected normal life across Nepal including the capital Kathmandu.

The bandh was called by the faction led by Netra Bikram Chand to protest against rising food prices and for ensuring food security.

Thousands of commuters faced hardship and security agencies escorted vehicles in highways to ease vehicular movement.

Only a few public transport vehicles are seen plying on the capital's roads, but many vehicles with private number plates operated unimpeded.Maoist cadre vandalised at least a dozen heavy and light vehicles across the country, police said.

At least 76 people were arrested from various parts of Kathmandu for trying to enforce the strike, said Pradyumna Karki, spokesman of the metropolitan police, Kathmandu.Shops and businesses are mostly closed, as were schools, colleges and other educational institutions.Police have arrested people trying to enforce the strike the moment they are seen on the streets.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the capitals streets to prevent any untoward incident.No incident of arson or violence by the Chand-led Maoist cadre has been reported yet.
Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential election confirms the ascendance of conservative politics in the world. Figures like Vladimir Putin in Russia and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been around for more than a decade but the shift to the Right in major countries has been more perceptible in recent years. Benjamin Netanyahu has been prime minister of Israel since 2009, Conservatives have been in charge in the UK since 2010, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt won both parliamentary and presidential election in 2011-12 (before being ousted in a coup), Shinzo Abes second stint as prime minister of Japan started in late 2012 and Narendra Modi was elected in India in 2014.

Read: Shiv Sena calls Donald Trump Americas Narendra Modi

Trump continues this trajectory but his victory signifies something different. By prevailing despite being a hate figure for much of liberal America, Trump underlines that right-wing populism is now a credible political response to the inequalities generated by globalisation. Put differently, the unnerving aspect about Trumps election is that his clones can now be elected or gain influence in any democracy in the world. Trump has shown that if a leader consistently panders to a majority that believes that it lost out in terms of job and opportunities as the world has globalised, and focuses his critique on liberals who allegedly control the establishment, and targets migrants and Muslims who are accused of changing a countrys character, it is possible to rally support  regardless of what the debate is about a candidates character.

Read: We dont know what this means: Shocked world reacts to Trump presidency

The Big Win

Trumps victory thus promises to embolden right-wing forces in countries that are grappling with the downside of globalisation. It is little wonder then that far-right leaders were among the first to congratulate Trump. The Dutch politician Geert Wilders who wants to shut down mosques in his country, ban the Quran and tax women for wearing the hijab, hailed Trumps victory as a patriotic spring and tweeted the people are taking their country back, so will we. Florian Philipott, a senior strategist for Frances National Front, tweeted, Their world is collapsing. Ours is being built. Matteo Salvini, the Italian far-right leader of the Northern League, tweeted, Americans, thank you, thank you and thank you!

Europe will be the continent to watch as the crisis of the Eurozone and the waves of refugees from West Asia are provoking heated debates about national identity and immigration in countries and bolstering conservative parties. It is worth clarifying that conservative parties in Europe are not of one stripe but span across the spectrum  from classic right of Centre formations to far-right, anti-Semitic groups, but in the current moment, hardline nationalists are prospering.

Eye On Europe

Netherlands, to begin, goes to the polls in March. Wilders Party for Freedom is anticipated to come first or second, notwithstanding his inflammatory views. France will also see heated debates on cultural issues during presidential elections due in April-May next year, with the National Fronts Marine Le Pen making a bid for the presidency. Le Pen secured 6.4 million votes in 2012; she is expected to come first in the first round this time and her competitors are not ruling out her chances of an ultimate win. Le Pen wants France to leave the European Union and has stood trial (but was acquitted) for comparing Muslims praying in the street to the German occupation of France in World War II. Harvard professor Theda R Skocpol has called Trumps election a crisis comparable to the [US] civil war  a Le Pen victory would be seen in similar terms as a catastrophic repudiation of the French revolutionary tradition.

The far-right has done well elsewhere too. Austria, which added 90,000 migrants last year to its population of 8.6 million, has seen the Freedom Party make big strides. Its candidate Norbert Hofer, who likes to carry around a pistol and says Islam has no place in Austria, lost the presidential elections in May by less than one percentage point but is due for a re-run on December 4, after a court upheld his partys appeal about election irregularities. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a fan of Putins Russia; he prefers an illiberal democracy, has firmly told Muslims they are not wanted in his country and has built a 100-mile long razor wire fence along the border with Serbia. The far-right, anti-Semitic party, Jobbik, is Hungarys third-largest party in Parliament. The Danish Peoples Party secured 21 per cent in the 2015 general election and is the second largest party in Denmarks parliament. One of its rising stars told an applauding audience that foreigners spread filth, they cheat, they steal, they rape and they kill.

Germany is the other major country where the far right is gaining ground through a party called Alternative for Germany. Its leader Frauke Petry, described as the countrys most talked about politician, wants to reverse Chancellor Angela Merkels migration and refugee policies. AfD seeks an end to EUs internal open borders policy and opposes the Islamification of Germany. For a party that began only in 2013, the AfD has done well in regional elections and is polling about 15 per cent nationally, making Merkel concede that it poses a challenge to us all. Right-wing parties are also gaining prominence in Italy, Greece, Sweden and Finland.

The Right Influence

Europe, to be sure, is not about to be entirely overrun by the far-right, even though it has made steady gains. For instance, Frances National Front is yet to win a majority in any of the countrys 13 regions even though it tripled the number of its regional councillors. What such parties are able to do though is push mainstream parties further to the Right  as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) did by forcing the Conservatives to commit to the Brexit referendum.

The anti-minority, anti-immigration rhetoric of the far-right is also shaping how other mainstream parties imagine the social contract. Speaking at her party conference in October, UK prime minister Theresa May spoke of a spirit of citizenship that would entail a commitment to the men and women who live around you, who work for you, who buy the goods and services you sell. That spirit, she said, means recognising the social contract that says you train up local young people before you take on cheap labour from overseas. May decried people in positions of power who behaved as though they have more in common with international elites than with the people down the road, the people they employ, the people they pass in the street. And to reiterate the nativist point, May said, If you believe youre a citizen of the world, youre a citizen of nowhere. You dont understand what the very word citizenship means.

Read: Trump may get caught between his promises and Republican ideology

Future Appeal

This then is what a world of want has done to conservatism. It invokes grand conceptions but shrinks them in application. Conservatives talk up the idea of community without allowing the word to breathe and envelop the world. They also do not have a rounded view of globalisation, despite bemoaning its effects. They do not generally direct their critique on structural factors like the disproportionate influence the financial sector has on the world economy and how it generates consequences like loss of jobs, inequality and the gaming of the political system (that sets up favourable tax regimes etc). Right-wing politicians would rather take the easy route and focus their attack on minorities, migrants, other vulnerable groups and enemies abroad.

That regressive trend just got a boost with Trumps election. As said, the next phase of nationalist churning is bound to be in Europe. How the Right will fare there may depend, to an extent, on how Trump starts out as President. If he is able to address white working class concerns without too much disruption domestically and internationally, then that would add to the Rights appeal. But if the internal climate in the US worsens with more racist rhetoric and instances of vigilante violence, then that could serve to rally liberals in Europe to avoid the weak voter turnout in the US that helped Trump win narrowly. In that sense, Trump is both an opportunity and a threat to conservatives elsewhere.

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Donald Trump is seeking quick ways of withdrawing from a global agreement to limit climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying widening international backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the US President-elect was chosen, governments ranging from China to small island states have reaffirmed support for the 2015 Paris Agreement at 200-nation climate talks running until November 18 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Trump, who has called global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to the source, who works on Trumps transition team for international energy and climate policy.

Read: A planetary disaster: Trump win raises questions on US role in climate deal

It was reckless for the Paris agreement to enter into force before the election on Tuesday, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Paris Agreement won enough backing for entry into force on November 4.

Alternatives were to send a letter withdrawing from a 1992 Convention that is the parent treaty of the Paris Agreement, voiding US involvement in both in a years time, or to issue a presidential order simply deleting the US signature from the Paris accord, he said.

Many nations have expressed hopes the United States will stay. Host Morocco said the agreement that seeks to phase out greenhouse gases in the second half of the century was strong enough to survive a pullout.

If one party decides to withdraw that it doesnt call the agreement into question, foreign minister Salaheddine Mezouar told a news conference.

The agreement was reached by almost 200 nations in December and, as of Saturday, has been formally ratified by 109 representing 76% of greenhouse gas emissions, including the United States with 18%.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.

UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa declined to comment on the Trump sources remarks to Reuters.

The Paris Agreement carries an enormous amount of weight and credibility, she told a news conference. She said the United Nations hoped for a strong and constructive relationship with Trump.

The Trump source blamed US President Barack Obama for joining up by an executive order, without getting approval from the Senate. There wouldnt be this diplomatic fallout on the broader international agenda if Obama hadnt rushed the adoption, he said.
Leaving behind the bitterness of the election campaign, US President-elect Donald Trump praised Hillary Clinton, whom he defeated in shocking poll results, calling the former secretary of state as very strong and smart.

In a television interview after Tuesdays win, Trump described Clinton, whom he had threatened to jail for unspecified crimes of corruption, as very strong and very smart and full of grace and decency.

In the interview excerpts of which were aired yesterday, he heaped praise upon Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, who was often the target of his attack as well.

Trump said he received a very lovely call from Clinton after she lost the election.

Read | Signalling shift, Trump goes soft on Obamacare, Clinton

Hillary called, and it was a lovely call, and it was a tough call for her, I mean, I can imagine. Tougher for her than it would have been for me. I mean, for me, it would have been very, very difficult. She couldnt have been nicer, he said.

With wife Melania and his four oldest children by his side, Trump described the phone call as incredibly pleasant and genial.

She couldnt have been nicer. She just said, Congratulations, Donald, well done. And I said, I want to thank you very much, you were a great competitor. She is very strong and very smart, he said.

The 70-year-old President-elect was also all praise for Clintons husband, who called him after the poll results, describing him as very talented.

He could not have been more gracious. He said it was an amazing run. One of the most amazing hes ever seen. He was very, very, really, very nice, Trump said.

Read | Trumps win to Hillarys concession speech: US elections as it happened

Well, hes a very talented guy, I mean, this is a very talented family, said the President-elect.

For the past several months, Trump had attacked the two and even going to the extent of appointing a special prosecutor against Clinton.

During the interview, Trump also indicated that he would keep certain provisions of the Obamacare, which would benefit the people of the country including coverage of people with pre-conditions and extended coverage of children living with parents.

Yes. Because it happens to be one of the strongest assets, he said in response to a question.

Were going to repeal it and replace it. And were not going to have, like, a two-day period and were not going to have a two-year period where theres nothing. It will be repealed and replaced. I mean, youll know. And itll be great health care for much less money, Trump said.
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With the growing friendship between President Elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, there seem to be mixed reactions from experts to the possibility of World War III.

Even as the immediate threat of a nuclear war has come down, the alliance between the Big Two makes the world a scary place, still. With world domination by the hegemonic nations, it could still mean World War III.

Worried about the situation, Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov and European Council President Donald Tusk express their anxiety.

Kasparov is the author of "Winter is Coming," which has slammed Putin for playing victim to the US. Many Russians are convinced that Washington was trying to "weaken, impoverish and humiliate Russia."

However, Kasparov has challenged Putin's claim. He has even charged the Democratic Party under outgoing President Barack Obama of being "guilty of chronic appeasement and weakness in letting bad guys like Putin stay in power."

Meanwhile, EC President Donald Tusk also points out that Trump as a president is a worrying factor in EC's transatlantic relations with the US. He said: "While respecting the democratic choice of the American people, we are at the same time aware of the new challenges that these results bring. One of them is this moment of uncertainty over the future of our transatlantic relations."

If the US pulls out of NATO, it would pose a real "nightmare" to the Baltic States, according to Dr Brian Klass of the London School of Economics. "I think we woke up in a much more dangerous world than the one we went to bed in," he said.

Hence, there seems to be a heavy possibility of war, with the future of NATO remaining in doubt and the long-standing western alliances remaining under pressure. It might also damage global trade. The world has become more unstable and volatile than it used to be, fear experts.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Since the end of September, Ab-Soul has released two new singles, Huey Knew, featuring Da$h, and Braille, featuring Bas, suggesting that his next album, DWTW, should be out soon. After all, his last album, These Days, was released in Summer 2014. Some fans had suspected that TDE was responsible for the absence of Soulos album  especially as he had expressed frustration about his place within the labels roster earlier this year. A couple of days ago, however, TDE CEO Anthony Top Dawg Tiffith let his followers know that he was tired of being blamed for the delay of DWTW, and he went on suggest that it was Soulos own fault that the album wasnt out yet.

@abdashsoul & @MixedByAli holding up his album, wrote Tiffith on Twitter, tagging both Ab-Soul as well as TDEs esteemed in-house engineer. Im done takin the blame they need 2 get da mixes right. Tiffith apparently unsatisfied with the DWTW mixes that Soulo and Ali have presented him with, even though he had said that he had received the albums final mixes in August.

Currently vacationing in the Bahamas, Tiffith also told Soulo and Ali that he wanted the album finished by the time he gets back to L.A. I just told my bosses (the fans) what the hold up is, he wrote to his two signees. Now Im about 2 put my foot down. Have it done when I get back.

Soulo has now responded to Tiffith giving him a public deadline, and he doesnt seem to be offended with his boss airing of the labels business on social media. In fact, he seems motivated to deliver Tiffith just what he asked for. He replied to Tiffiths tweet directly, writing, Yo @dangerookipawaa headed to the stu wit @MixedByAli and @MoosaTDE right now. In addition to Ali, joining Soulo in the studio was Tiffiths own son, Moosa.

Hopefully Soulo and his team will emerge from the studio with a completed body of work, though Tiffith will likely be the judge of that when he gets back home. In any case, DWTW seems to be almost ready to go. Watch the Huey Knew video below.

Ab-Soul
Taylor Gang is intent on having a strong finish to 2017. The label rolled out its TGOD Volume 1 compilation project about a month ago, and a new tape from its young Chicago signee JR Donato, Why So Serious?, arrived a few days after that. The latest Gang member to drop is Pittsburghs own Chevy Woods, who put out Gang Shit Only, his second project of the year  following Februarys And The Story Goes, on Friday. Of course, a tape called Gang Shit Only necessitates a collab with the TGOD leader, Wiz Khalifa. Though Gang Gang, their August collab with Casey Veggie, isnt on here, Gang Shit Only does bring with it a brand new track from the Steel City labelmates, Been Around, which is produced by Devin Cruise.

Chevy exercises his singing flow on Been Around, a slower track than he or Wiz is used to. With an immersive production made up of heavily atmospheric synths, the track is suited for rolling through the city late at night in a smoke-filled vehicle.

Head here to stream Gang Shit Only, which also features Hardo and Rich The Kid as well as production from C Note, Ricky P, and 808 Mafia.

Quotable Lyrics

Have sex in the bed, we smoke in the car

The life that I live, you know Im a star

Tired of paying for Ubers for broads

You aint got no cake, just stay where you are

 Wiz Khalifa
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The political season is over. Time to get down to business.

Donald Trump won the presidential election, but in a free market, governments don't control the economy or the means of production. Businesspeople engaging in commerce drive prosperity. Politicians can only screw it up.

Say what you may about the president-elect, his goal for the nation was written across his forehead on a gimme cap: "Make America Great Again." Trump wants what every president before him has ever wanted - to leave the country better off than how he found it.

My biggest complaint about Trump was the lack of specifics about how he'd accomplish this goal. He promised to bring tens of millions of jobs back to the U.S. and boost the economy by hundreds of trillions of dollars to pay for $10 trillion in tax cuts. His math was, to say the least, fuzzy.

America's business leaders will now come to him with a list of priorities and expectations for a plan that adds up.

Overhauling the tax code is the highest priority. The current system is a Frankenstein's monster of special-interest giveaways and leftist attempts at social engineering.

Trump promised his voters he would lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent. This may sound like a huge giveaway, but that depends on what he does with deductions and credits.

The Government Accounting Office reports that while 35 percent is the official tax rate, after deductions and credits, the effective tax rate is only 14 percent. If Trump simplifies the tax code by getting rid of deductions and credits, some businesses could see their rate tick significantly upward, while others see a cut.

Corporate lobbyists, though, will fight to keep those so-called pro-business incentives. If Congress decides to retain them, then the U.S. Treasury will collect far less revenue than Trump is expecting.

Trump has also promised to bring taxation on international profits in line with the rest of the world. That would be good thing, removing the advantages of moving corporate headquarters overseas.

Democrats have resisted the change because they fear it will encourage corporations to move more jobs overseas, which by the way, is what Trump campaigned against. Keeping both promises will be a tough needle to thread.

Companies desperately want to see regulations rolled back, particularly energy businesses. That should be easy since Trump and the majority of Republican officials reject climate change as a hoax and accuse the Environmental Protection Agency of overreach.

Many of Trump's populist voters, though, oppose pipelines and new oil drilling near their homes. Canceling the Clean Power Plan could also severely retard the development of the U.S. renewable energy sector.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and any company that does business overseas will watch Trump closely when it comes to trade.

Rejecting the Trans-Pacific Partnership and rewriting NAFTA are among Trump's marquee campaign promises, but they are also the ones that worry businesses the most.

The author of "The Art of the Deal" says he can persuade our trading partners to rewrite international treaties to benefit the United States, and if not, he'll impose tariffs.

Any rollback in globalization, though, will devastate the U.S. economy by driving up the cost of consumer goods and eliminating export-related jobs. Canceling trade deals will close off foreign investment in the United States, reduce U.S. opportunities overseas and damage the world economy.

Employers want Trump to bring down the cost of health insurance premiums. He has promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but neither he nor House Speaker Paul Ryan have explained what that means for the 20 million Americans who rely on the insurance exchanges and expanded Medicaid for coverage.

Most health care economists agree that adding more Americans to the ranks of the uninsured will only force doctors and hospitals to bill those with insurance more to cover losses. Enrolling more people into health care programs, where they can receive preventative care and avoid hospital emergency rooms, is critical to lowering costs for everyone.

Trump and the Republicans will have to do more than allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines to bring down the fastest-growing charge on most companies' balance sheets.

While immigration was Trump's top priority, it's a distant fifth for the business community. Employers don't want to hire undocumented immigrants, but neither do they want to lose their skilled workers who are using fake documents. Deporting all of them would create a massive labor shortage in the construction and restaurant industries, so they hope for immigration reform that will allow those to remain in the U.S.

His supporters tell me that President Trump will be very different from Candidate Trump; that in private he is a shrewd and pragmatic businessperson who will appoint an excellent staff and make well-considered decisions. For the sake of the economy, I sincerely hope they are correct.
Jason Nodler can hardly sleep these days. But when it happens, he gets to dream. And sometimes, in those dreams, he gets to visit his best friend. Jeff Silverman was a freckled, dark-haired boy who loved "Star Wars" and knew all of Nodler's secrets. He was a smartass, popular and lived six blocks down the road in their predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Maplewood West. The two looked and acted so much alike they were often mistaken for each other. Nodler calls him the twin brother he didn't meet until he was 5.

When they were 13, Jeff hanged himself from a tree in his backyard. No one told Nodler why. The adults in his life said it was an accident, but he knew they were lying. That's when Nodler learned to never trust authority, to avoid the false and the palatable and to realize that everything is temporary, even the people who were everything to him.

Nodler, now 47, never meant to live this long. He was supposed to die in his 20s, he says, referencing his earlier "nothing lasts" lifestyle that included drugs, alcohol and bouts of depression.

Sitting outside the Midtown coffee bar Double Trouble on a damp, noisy afternoon, Nodler, wearing a T-shirt that says "I Hate Theater," lets a cigarette burn out between his fingers as he reminisces about all of his friends who are gone. There were the three who died in 2002, then the two he lost five years later. "It just keeps happening," he says.

Now, when he's not dreaming about the friends he's outlived, he grapples with the questions Jeff left him. And he does something beautiful. He makes those dreams come to life. His thoughts manifest themselves into the one form that's come closest to offering an answer - theater.

More Information "My entire history can be summed up by saying, 'When I was 13, my best friend hanged himself. The following year, I discovered Samuel Beckett.' You can figure out the rest from there." Jason Nodler See More Collapse

"My entire history can be summed up by saying, 'When I was 13, my best friend hanged himself. The following year, I discovered Samuel Beckett.' You can figure out the rest from there," says Nodler, the artistic director of the Catastrophic Theatre and the bald, ragged, acerbic, trembling, charismatic, Kool Filter Kings-smoking man often described as one of the most daring theater makers in Houston.

Anger into art

Nodler is a manic depressive and an alcoholic, though he can't drink anymore because alcohol reacts poorly with the medication he's taking for Lyme disease, an illness that makes him nauseated, exhausted and suicidal.

Soon, he'll be headed to the best part of his day: rehearsals at the MATCH, where he directs the Catastrophic Theatre's Houston premiere of "Song About Himself," Mickle Maher's dystopian play exploring social media and Walt Whitman. The production, which opened this weekend, is playing through Dec. 3.

He's using just a bit of his limited energy today to talk about death.

"It was this seeking that I was obsessed with. I'm always in search of the meaning of life, for the answers to the great unanswerable questions, in music, with drugs," he says. "I didn't know where to throw my punches. If I had a choice, I'd throw them at God, except I didn't believe in him."

Look at the artists who inspire Nodler - playwrights Beckett, Wallace Shawn, Sarah Kane; musicians including Bob Dylan and Elliott Smith - and you'll see a common thread. It's the need to respond to the questions posed by Jeff's death, the kind of searching that, after a theater performance, often leaves audiences stunned in silence.

Grown-ups gave Nodler a false answer to his friend's death. Nodler, whose parents divorced when he was 5, has spent his life proving them wrong.

He thumbed his nose at authority in all facets of life, making theater for people who "hated theater" - his work embodying the anger and emotion of punk rock while diving into existential terrain through confounding, disturbing stage performances.

In the 1990s - after studying playwriting at New York University and, back in Houston, working for California Gov. Jerry Brown's 1992 presidential campaign - Nodler led a cohort of rebellious, drunken twentysomethings to make theater no one thought was possible or acceptable. Their company, Infernal Bridegroom Productions, put on shows in parking lots, punk-rock clubs and abandoned shopping centers.

With actors such as Tamarie Cooper and Greg Dean, Infernal Bridegroom wasn't the only renegade theater troupe in Houston, nor the first, but it drew a passionate crowd at a time when most theater companies seemed irrelevant to the angst of the younger generation. And, through partnerships with writers including Suzan-Lori Parks, it was the first avant-garde theater company of its kind to reach a national acclaim that even the city's theater establishment envied.

"Jason and his team were some of first innovative theater makers in the city," says Cynthia Williams, a former theater critic for the Houston Press. "They really challenged what a theater was supposed to look like."

Nodler was the one director in town most likely to deliver what playwright Howard Barker called the "catastrophic theater," which is theater that disturbs, befuddles or challenges audiences. He presented the modern-day version of the Theater of the Absurd, plays that dramatically abandon conventions such as traditional narrative and sensible dialogue. It was Nodler's response to not only the easy fiction of what grown-ups said about Jeff but of easy fiction in all forms.

Brazen and risk-loving, he took the anger and tragedy from his life and spun it into art. He found plays that spoke to him - "Woyzeck" by Georg Buchner, "Suicide in B Flat" by Sam Shepard, "Waiting for Godot," by Samuel Beckett - and staged them in unusual places for nontraditional audiences.

"Jason was an innate leader," says Jim Parsons. The Houston native and star of "The Big Bang Theory" joined Infernal Bridegroom's company after starring in its production of Beckett's "Endgame," staged at the "needle-addled" Commerce Street Art Warehouse in 1995.

"You were willing to dive in with this man who didn't have the answer because you know he's able to beat a pathway for you to discover it."

Nodler embraced the absurd and the avant-garde, Parsons says, and though the company rebelled against the pageantry and tradition of theater, Infernal Bridegroom made worthy theater nonetheless. It allowed its actors an honesty that no other theater offered.

"As a young gay actor who was not comfortable having everyone know, the kitchen sink dramas scared me," Parsons says. But with Nodler, "I felt free to really play as freely as I ever had in my life. There was no turning back."

Nodler's directing style used to be outside-in, which meant actors heard Nodler's ideas and channeled them with their performance. But his process became improvisatory, bare, inside-then-out, a Konstantin Stanislavski-style method that forces the actor to embody the character by using his or her own personal history.

"You boil it down to the true human aspect of the character," says Candice D'Meza, who was last seen in the Catastrophic Theatre's wrenching fall production of "Buried Child." "You start there, rather than with the theme."

Greg Dean, who has worked with Nodler since the beginning of Infernal Bridegroom (Parsons says he and other striving actors looked up to Dean while at the University of Houston), agrees. "He's gotten less attached to ideas about things," he says. "He'll try things out, then scraps it. It's like a palimpsest. It's written, erased and written on again. And all the traces remain."

By 2003, what used to be a ragtag group of kids was a professional nonprofit company with five full-time staffers and a budget of $350,000. Back in the 1990s, those who said, "I want to start a theater company" would be laughed at, Dean says. Nodler's company changed that, and he had become a public figure in the Houston arts scene.

But he was still the best friend of the boy down the block who hanged himself, still the manic depressive radical right-to-die guy who, years later, during an interview at Double Trouble, says: "We don't ask to be born. I don't feel we have an obligation to live. I was never angry with my friend for committing suicide. People get angry when friends do that; they say it's selfish. What I say back is, if someone is in such incredible pain that they have decided to end their own life, and you want them to stick around longer so you won't be upset, who's really selfish?"

A lasting legacy

In 2003, at the height of Infernal Bridegroom, Nodler, still struggling with depression, could no longer keep up appearances.

He told the community he was leaving Houston for various reasons, but it was really because "I couldn't keep it up anymore," he says. "I wasn't in a hurry to die. I was just finished with living."

He left town with plans of suicide. Not wanting family or friends to find his body, he drove to places such as Albuquerque, N.M., where no one knew him. He earned money as a technical writer and worked as a freelance director in Pittsburgh, in Atlanta and at a theater in Providence, R.I., called The Perishable Theatre. "It has since perished," Nodler says.

Things, apparently, did not go as planned. During his travels, he got distracted by whatever brought him joy - big or small.

"It was like, I could do it now, but in two months they're going to premiere the new Batman franchise," he says. "I'd like to see that before I die."

He fell in love and ended up back in Houston at the helm of Infernal Bridegroom. After the company went under due to a financial controversy in 2007, the Catastrophic Theatre emerged, with none of the anger, over-drinking and personal toil of a group of twentysomethings but all the same yearning for the truth.

In the early days, everyone knew what he and his company stood against, but what did they stand for? With youthful fury morphing into the calm sorrow of his 30s and 40s, Nodler inched closer to the answer.

That answer's not for everyone. Nodler doesn't care about appealing to everyone. Some may say the Catastrophic Theatre presents "depressing plays." "To us it's not depressing," Dean says. "It's taking the painful things you see around you everyday, the things you see in the world, and making something wonderful about it."

Nodler presents stories about isolation because if he can make one person feel less alone, then he's done his job. He'd rather make art for that one person than dumb down the content for everyone else.

Sure, many artists will tell you art saved their lives. But many of those life-and-art-affirming platitudes ring hollow compared to how Nodler talks about the Catastrophic Theatre, which is with warmth and dedication, the same way he talks about his boyhood "twin," Jeff Silverman.

No, Nodler rarely ever feels good these days.

The Lyme takes over his entire body, in spasms called herxing. "It's the urgent, desperate need to jump out of my own skin," he says. Other times, "It feels like I've lost my tether to the world. I've lost the ability to metabolize love." But during the three, four hours of rehearsal each day, he gets to have fun.

These rehearsals are the most joyous moments in his life. Nodler will often open up to his actors and leave the room in embarrassment, paving the way for the actors to access their own vulnerabilities to shape their performances.

And the Catastrophic Theatre, though informed by Nodler's worldview, might be the ultimate exception to what he learned about life when he was 13.

"Even though the first truth of my life is, 'All is temporary,' I think of this theater as something that won't be," he says, sipping his iced coffee, then grabbing another pack of Kools from his bag. "I hope it will last forever. I hope it will always be there. I won't know."
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West End Baptist Church, a century-old fortress of God, seemed headed to a bitter end.

Once, in the mid-1960s, the Houston Heights church boasted some 2,000 worshipers. It was a leader in Christian education and community service. By 2015, though, membership - buffeted by real estate and demographic changes - had dropped to fewer than 20.

City inspectors called for costly upgrades to West End's sanctuary. Players in the near-north side neighborhood's frenzied redevelopment offered millions for the church's choice Shepherd Drive property.

Only time, it seemed, stood between the church property and its rebirth as an apartment complex or parking garage.

Then a most remarkable - some say miraculous - thing happened.

Patrick Kelley, pastor of River Pointe Church, an evangelical mega-church with 6,000 members in Richmond and Missouri City, came looking for a Houston home. West End members, eager that their land be used in God's glory, gave him one. For free.

After $6 million in upgrades to the 62-year-old sanctuary, including new sound and lighting systems, the newly formed River Pointe/West End Church will launch its ministry Sunday morning.

Kelley, trained at a Southern Baptist seminary, said his pulpit messages will be evangelical, but denomination-neutral.

"I don't think people really think so much in terms of denominations, whether they be Methodists or Lutherans or Baptists," said Kelley, who hopes to craft a spiritual appeal to church-resistant millennials.

"We want to create an environment where people feel safe to be themselves. We want to invite people to come to figure things out, not to take them off guard, to ask them for money or embarrass them in any way. We want to provide a safe way for them to process their doubts."

Members of the old West End Baptist Church, many of whom have moved to suburban churches or joined their last pastor, the Rev. Michael Quintanilla, in a northeast side start-up church, expressed optimism that a new approach will draw young members.

"As we drop off and another preacher comes in, there's a possibility that younger groups will come," said Nancy Williams, who spent most of her 77 years as a West End member. "We were down to all senior adults. We didn't have any children in the church in the last three years. I have a nephew who's a preacher in Cleveland. He told me our church was not unique. It's happening all over the state."

Actually, declines in church membership are a national phenomenon, with more than a third of millennials identifying as "nones" - atheists, agnostics or "not much of anything." Pew Research Center reports U.S. church membership declined by 5 million between 2007 and 2015.

Southern Baptists this year reported a 200,000 drop in membership from 2014. Membership in the nation's largest Protestant denomination has fallen annually for nine years. Other denominations report similar declines.

Tracing its history to 1895, East End Baptist had seen once-suburban Houston Heights transformed into a center-city neighborhood. In the closing decades of the 20th century, the area filled with Hispanic families. Then, in the past few years, the area changed again as block after block was redeveloped for high-end housing for affluent millennials and empty-nesters.

The old West End congregation tried to draw young members, greeting new tenants at a Heights-area apartment complex with cake, coffee and an invitation to worship.

There were no takers.

Kelley said he draws on personal experience in trying to reach the unchurched.

"I didn't grow up in the church," he said. "As an adolescent, I didn't ask what life was all about. To me, it was about fun. I had a lot of fun. I smoked a lot of marijuana, drank a lot of beer. I chased girls and caught a few. But after a year of that, I said 'There's got to be more.' I had no idea what 'more' was. I was that far away from God."

Invited to church by a "pretty girl," Kelley was charmed by the congregation - until the sermon began.

"Then everyone seemed angry," he said. "They wanted everyone to behave. I never was interested in behaving."

Kelley finally came to Christ through a high school friend. "He was the first Christian who seemed normal," Kelley said. "He laughed at funny things. He asked if I knew Jesus, and I said I did. I knew Jesus as I did Gandhi or Abraham Lincoln - as a dead religious folk hero."

When the friend began talking about Easter, Kelley envisioned bunnies and egg-filled baskets. "Then he explained that Jesus was alive and wanted to be my friend," Kelley recalled.

Building a friendship with Jesus is core to the River Point/West End message, Kelley said.

Kelley's church began as a home worship session with four families in the mid-1990s. As membership grew, the congregation met in a series of schools. In 2005, the church moved into a permanent home in Richmond "and our membership just exploded," Kelley said. A second congregation, in Missouri City, was started in 2012.

When Kelley told Cliff McDaniel, an old friend from Houston's Second Baptist Church, that he hoped to open a satellite church inside Loop 610, the veteran real estate agent scoffed.

"I told him that the day of new churches inside Loop 610 had come and gone," McDaniel said. "Literally, I thought it was impossible. Still I told him I would help. 'If this works,' I said, 'It's because of God.' "

As the pair drove around early last year looking for likely church sites, a Catholic high school agreed to let Kelley hold interim services on its campus. Slowly over a period of months, membership grew to about 150.

Deeply religious, McDaniel schedules Bible study in his office on Thursday mornings.

During one session, a sales staffer mentioned that he had made a $6 million bid for a client on a Shepherd Drive church. If the sale went through, the building would be razed.

"I said, 'Oh, no. Back off!' " McDaniel recalled. When McDaniel and Kelley approached West End leaders, they were in for a big surprise.

"God wanted us to do something with the property," said Quintanilla, pastor at West End Baptist for almost a decade. "Giving it to them - that's what we finally ended up doing."

On Sunday, worshipers will find a church that - while acknowledging the legacy of West End Baptist - is designed for contemporary worship. Installed in the sanctuary are state-of-the-art lighting, sound and video systems.

Ceilings have been raised to provide worshipers a full view of the sanctuary's magnificent stained glass window, previously back-lit and visible only from the street. The church lobby has been expanded, its brick walls exposed, to provide a congenial setting for congregational mingling. A water heater, formerly a component of the church bapistry, has been refashioned as a lamp.

West End Baptist member Williams said the changes garnered support from the old congregation.

"We felt very strongly that it should be kept as a church," she said. "Now it's between the new congregation and God."
The signs of success were stacked in the back of a 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate station wagon.

Paul Gebolys had picked up the white Trump-Pence placards from outside a polling station to fulfill his civic duty to make The Woodlands tidy again the morning after a stunning election victory.

The lifelong Republican had no need for the yard signs. But they looked like trophies in his hands as he removed them from the car.

"I was holding my breath," said Gebolys, 71, a precinct chairman in this deep-red Montgomery County enclave. "I hadn't given up, but I knew it was going to be tough."

The elation, though, comes with uncertainty. While Gebolys said he hopes for great things under President Donald Trump, he doesn't know what to expect from a real estate developer with no government experience and a list of audacious campaign promises.

"I have reservations," he said. "So I'm going to watch him closely."

It's a sentiment shared by many Republicans in The Woodlands, a well-to-do suburb of some 110,000 residents. Trump wasn't their first choice. It was U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who called his primary rival "totally amoral" before dropping out of the race in May.

On Tuesday, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 73 percent of the vote in Montgomery County. But that sizable margin was narrower than the one posted four years ago by Republican Mitt Romney, who beat President Barack Obama with 80 percent of the vote. And Trump had the smallest share of votes by any GOP candidate since Bob Dole in 1996.

Trump had smaller margins in other suburban counties in Texas, as well, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University. That's because there was a subset of Republicans who supported Romney but couldn't bring themselves to vote for Trump and chose to cast ballots for conservative third-party candidates.

Trump won the White House by appealing to those who felt left behind in a changing America, particularly working-class voters troubled by lost jobs and stagnant wages in places like Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

There isn't much in The Woodlands to suggest hard times, with its high, handsome homes, luxury retailers and glass towers for oil and gas companies, investment bankers and law firms. The primary political debate at the local level is about how the leafy township should manage growth.

The sprawling suburb's congressman is Kevin Brady, an establishment-style Republican who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax and trade policy. He endorsed Trump and said in an Oct. 19 statement after the third presidential debate: "The choice couldn't be clearer. Donald Trump and his tax team have vowed to take up pro-growth tax reform in his first 100 days in office to grow our local economy."

Earlier in the campaign, the conservative Brady didn't attend Trump's June rally in The Woodlands and wasn't among the 20 congressional representatives who participated on the Republican presidential nominee's Texas strategy team.

'There was no choice'

Others weren't sure what to make of Trump, either. Some residents said theirs was a vote against Clinton, arguing that she couldn't be trusted and didn't share their cultural values or views on the role of government.

"There was no choice," said Bill O'Sullivan, a member of a Woodlands-based tea party group called the Texas Patriots. Clinton and Obama "think that our rights come from the government. But the Constitution enshrines the rights we already have."

At the tea party group's invitation, Trump made his first Texas appearance in April 2015 - six weeks before he rode down an escalator at Trump Tower to formally announce his candidacy.

'He loves America'

The fundraising event featured Trump taking questions from furniture magnate Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale before some 900 people in The Woodlands High School's auditorium. They talked about his childhood and business dealings, and the future candidate tried out some of the lines that would become the chorus of his campaign.

"If I ran and won, this country would be great again."

"We don't make good deals."

"If a Republican did what Hillary Clinton did, that person would already be in jail."

And Trump talked about building a border wall that would be paid for by Mexico.

"He has a lot of huckster and salesman in him," said O'Sullivan, who attended the talk. "But it was clear that he loves America."

O'Sullivan, 70, was born two months before Trump, and they grew up four miles apart in New York City. His family would drive through Trump's childhood neighborhood of Jamaica Heights to look at Christmas lights.

Despite the connection by age and geography, O'Sullivan said he was slow to embrace Trump as a presidential candidate. He favored Cruz because he sees the senator as an intellectual force on behalf of constitutional limits on federal power.

The Texas Patriots agreed, endorsing Cruz in the March primary despite Trump's appearance at the group's fundraiser. With its help, he beat Trump by 22 points in Montgomery County - a wider margin of victory than he had for the state as a whole.

Cruz, however, ended his campaign two months later after a string of losses. "Once he dropped out, the choice was clear," O'Sullivan said. "It was never Hillary, which meant we were going to help Trump."

Cruz for highest court

When it became plain early Wednesday that Trump would win the presidency, O'Sullivan summed up his delight in a two-word text to a friend: Supreme Court.

Whom should Trump nominate to fill the high court's current opening? "Cruz," O'Sullivan said without hesitation.

O'Sullivan said he also expects Trump to add jobs by cutting regulations and taxes for the benefit of small businesses. And he wants to see Trump, with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the health care overhaul popularly known as Obamacare.

At the same time, some supporters aren't taking literally everything Trump said during the campaign. Gebloys, for one, doesn't expect to see Mexico pay for a wall along the border, but wants the president-elect to end illegal entry into the U.S.

"I feel for those who come across and have to hide in the shadows," said Gebolys, who volunteers to teach citizenship classes to immigrants, most of them Hispanic. "That's not the American way."

His grandparents came from Poland. They didn't speak English or have any money, "but the system was set," and they were able to become part of the middle-class mainstream, Gebolys said. "Now we throw them out on the street."

Relief more than joy

Gebolys, who made a living in insurance, said he also doesn't mind Trump's bombastic style, believing that it likely works to his advantage in negotiations.

"Trump doesn't talk the normal political talk," said Gebolys, a respectful and earnest man who wore a pin with a cross flanked by the U.S. and Texas flags on his pressed oxford shirt. "It ruffles feathers, but they need to be ruffled, even within my party."

Even then, Gebolys and his wife, Diana, expressed more relief than jubilation when Trump won.

"He likes recognition, and this is a big job that he wants to get right," she said of Trump. "That's my prayer."

This article has been modified to reflect that U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady publicly supported Trump's fall campaign.
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When the news broke that three American soldiers had been killed Nov. 4 in Jordan, Melissa Moriarty felt paralyzed.

She couldn't eat. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't do anything until she heard her little brother, Jimmy, 27, a member of the Army's elite special forces, was safe.

So she wrote him an email.

"You are so loved," she wrote. "You are such a source of joy and laughter. I adore you. I am so proud of you. I love bragging about my bad ass brother."

About 30 minutes later, Moriarty's mother called, confirming her worst fears. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James "Jimmy" Moriarty was one of the three soldiers killed at the Jordanian military base.

On Saturday, Melissa, supported by her sister Rebecca, read the email to hundreds of Jimmy's friends, family members and fellow soldiers gathered for his funeral at Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston.

Details are still emerging about the incident that claimed Moriarty's life. The Washington Post reported Saturday the three fallen soldiers had been working for a CIA program to train moderate Syrian fighters when they were shot at a checkpoint at the Prince Faisal Air Base near Jafr, about 150 miles south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.

Moriarty's friends said during his funeral service that it's no surprise he was tapped to help train other soldiers. He was a natural born leader who excelled at just about everything.

"He was your shield," said Eugene Terry, a friend of Moriarty's from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory high school. "He allowed you to let go and live."

Terry and other friends described Moriarty's zest for life, a propensity for harmless mischief and his ability to live in the moment.

Sean Roberts, a friend of Jimmy's from middle school, told a story about how Jimmy convinced him and few other classmates to make a movie about the life of Genghis Khan for a history project.

Why Ghengis Khan?

It had a lot to do with the fact that Jimmy's mother had a bearskin rug and he thought he could wrap himself in it and look just like the Mongolian warlord.

It wasn't a great plan - Roberts ended up writing a paper for the group instead - but it did speak to the fact that Jimmy was a natural born leader.

"You felt lucky to be around him," Roberts said. "You felt exhilarated. I know I even felt a little intimidated to be around Jimmy."

Steven Geuther, one of Jimmy's friends from the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics, described a perfect spring day they once shared in Austin.

It was during Round Up, an epic celebration by UT's fraternities and sororities. Jimmy, who belonged to the Sigma Epsilon fraternity, and his friends were shirtless, surrounded by beautiful girls and enjoying some adult cold beverages.

"And Jimmy said, "Take me now Lord!" Geuther recalled Saturday.

Geuther and Jimmy's other friends also described Moriarty's impressive storytelling abilities. He could captivate a room with his tales, compelling his friends to laugh until they cried. And nobody laughed harder than Jimmy, especially when it came to his own stories.

His father, James, a Houston lawyer, said Jimmy inherited his love for shooting and blowing things up, his charm from his mother and a sense of refinement from his sisters.

Where Jimmy got his gift for storytelling remains a mystery, though it was apparent from a young age, his father said.

Moriarty's friends were not surprised he joined the military. Some were surprised, however, when he set the goal of becoming a Green Beret, which requires intensive training.

"I admit to being a little apprehensive about this dream of his," wrote Sam Pinkston, a college friend. "He certainly did not look the part of an elite military operator when we left the Sig Ep house and set off for Tyler. But that concern was foolish; I overlooked the mountain of a man that Jimmy was on the inside."

Moriarty, who lived his dream as a Green Beret, served three military tours overseas. During his career, he became a weapons specialist, worked as a sniper and helped train soldiers in the countries where he worked, fellow soldiers said.

Several members of Moriarty's 5th Special Forces Group attended the funeral to pay homage to their fallen brother.

One described Moriarty as a perfectionist who never cut corners when it came to his job.

Seeing Jimmy's fellow soldiers, as well has his friends from Strake, UT and Annunciation Orthodox School, gave the family some sense of comfort, his father said.

Since Jimmy's death, Moriarty said he's been thinking of the scene from the movie "Saving Private Ryan" where a dying Army captain played by Tom Hanks tells Private Ryan "Earn this. Earn it."

It's a good parable, Moriarty said. Everyone should earn the life they live, to be good and work hard.

"And Jimmy did that in ways that just stun me and I knew him well," Moriarty said.

Besides his father, James R. Moriarty, Jimmy is survived by his mother, Cindy Moriarty of Kerrville, Texas, and his sisters Rebecca Moriarty of Houston, and Melissa Moriarty of Bogota, Colombia.
The two police officers who came Monday morning and told Rhonda Parkton and dozens of other homeless people who had been living under U.S. 59 to move on were not mean spirited.

They gave ample notice, Parkton said, and time for people to gather their things. But they were insistent that everyone had to go, and Parkton, 29, like several others who had been living there thought they knew why: in less than three months the country's biggest sporting event - the Super Bowl - was coming to town, and nobody wanted to see Houston's gritty underbelly.

"That's what everyone's saying," Parkton said, of others who frequented the underpass

Not so, said officials with the Texas Department of Transportation, city of Houston, and homeless advocates Friday. TxDOT, which initiated the clearing and fencing off of that area, said it had heard safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians. Advocates also note Houston has done much to alleviate homelessness and it will continue its efforts regardless of Super Bowl LI.

But Parkton and others' concerns reflect a tension present in every big city during big-ticket events like the Super Bowl, when fans, celebrities and politicians from across the world descend on a place. In February, that place is Houston.

Before last year's Super Bowl near San Francisco, that city's Mayor Ed Lee told homeless camping along a main street there they would have to move.

More Information By the numbers 8,500Homeless individuals found on the street and in shelters in Harris County in 2011. 3,600Homeless individuals found in January this year. 7,500Formerly homeless for whom the city and other groups have provided supportive housing in the past five years. See More Collapse

During the Olympics in Beijing and Rio de Janeiro, officials cordoned or blocked off blighted, crime-ridden or impoverished neighborhoods.

On Friday, workers with the National Fencing Company were rigging up serrated wire across from Parkton's underpass. That area was surrounded by a chain-link fence.

Piles of clothes, cardboard boxes, shelves and seats and chairs lay scattered on the ground, remnants of the camp that advocates called one of several gathering places for homeless in the city.

Housing efforts work

Marilyn Brown, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless, said the city began an earnest effort to house the homeless more than five years ago, to great success.

In 2011, according to special point-in-time counts of homeless individuals, Brown said Harris County had more than 8,500 homeless individuals on the streets and in shelters.

In this year's count in January, they found just over 3,600. Over the last five years, the city and other organizations have placed more than 7,500 formerly homeless in supportive housing. Ninety percent of those provided housing were there two years later.

The coalition, which helps administer homeless-reduction efforts with the city, law enforcement, and dozens of other service providers said at no point has the Super Bowl been a cause for action.

"It has never been anything other than maybe the Super Bowl is a bit of a milestone for us," Brown said.

Despite the city's efforts, places like the underpass near the Wheeler Bus station remained, Brown said. One problem is lack of housing. Brown said local leaders are working on a capital campaign that could boost housing availability for the homeless.

Those living on the streets, and at the Midtown U.S. 59 underpass, also include complex cases where individuals might have severe mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.

Drug use prevalent

Marc Eichenbaum, the special assistant to the mayor for homeless initiatives, said the area was the biggest hot spot in the city for synthetic marijuana, also known as Kush. Clusters of overdoses continue to flare up.

Many of the individuals moved out of the area this past week did not even live in that area and only traveled there to deal or use synthetic marijuana, Eichenbaum said.

He said the city routinely visited the area to provide substance abuse, housing and other assistance to individuals in that area, and will continue to do so. Many, like Parkton, have moved to areas close by. Others are sought out.

TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez said "local law enforcement" asked TxDOT to look into a traffic safety issue at the location that endangered people crossing a nearby exit ramp as well as drivers using the off ramp. The area is a "state right of way" Perez said.

"The best means of keeping folks from crossing the ramp was to fence off the area under the freeway," Perez said.

Brown and Eichenbaum questioned how the homeless clearing was handled. Ideally, the city and service groups would know well ahead of time about the fencing to help displaced individuals.

"There definitely was a breakdown in communication," Eichenbaum said. "This is obviously not the way that the mayor would want to handle it, because we believe in doing a holistic approach, and not just moving problems around."

Successful approach

Perez responded to coordination concerns by stating TxDOT will "continue to work with our community partners to address traffic safety concerns."

Eichenbaum said the Super Bowl would definitively not factor into any city efforts to address homelessness, including the move of individuals from under U.S. 59.

"For the past four years the city has been leading the nation," he said. "We're going to continue doing what we've always been doing."
Drawn by sunny skies and balmy weather, thousands filled downtown's Discovery Green on Saturday. Kids paddled kayaks; dogs sprawled on lawns. State Rep. Gene Wu, though, had come to sound an urgent alarm.

Encircled by hundreds of disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters, the Houston Democrat thundered: "I'm here to tell you it's going to get darker. Winter is here!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"This is a wake-up call to get together," Wu continued. "There is not time for us to feel sorry for ourselves. If you think it's awful to have a racist bigot running our country, then work!" Cheers gave way to a rolling chant: "Love trumps hate!"

Saturday's event was the third anti-Trump rally in Houston since the Republican outsider unexpectedly triumphed in Tuesday's election. Contrasted to a Wednesday rally at the University of Houston in which protesters pummeled and ignited a Trump pinata and a Thursday downtown march that led to the arrest of five protesters, Saturday's event was a peaceful, Kumbaya moment.

The only apparent police action during the 90-minute rally consisted of enforcement of a city ordinance regulating the size of sticks attached to signs. The sign-carrying protester was allowed to carry her sign, sans stick.

Wu, who represents Harris County's 137th legislative district, was the most spirited of a handful of speakers addressing the crowd, which numbered about 300.

Stephen Abrams-Harrison, representing Greater Houston Democrats, a co-sponsor of the event, told the group that, despite national setbacks for Democrats, Tuesday's election was a cause for jubilation.

"When I woke up and saw the paper, I realized that Harris County had turned blue," he said. "All the district judges who ran as Democrats won. We have a Democratic sheriff, a district attorney, a tax assessor-collector. Hillary won here by 12 points. It was an enormous success."

Abrams-Harrison said his organization consists of four individuals but was able to galvanize a base of 3,000 volunteers to work for Clinton.

Central to the protest were Trump's inflammatory remarks regarding women, Muslims and Hispanics.

"Those who voted for Trump were looking for change, but you can't separate hate from the candidate; you can't separate hate from the rhetoric," said Veronica Moeller, who was among those at Discovery Green.

"I'm Mexican-American," she said, breaking into tears. "He grouped us all together. I take it personally. I found it very hard to get through this week. For the first time, I don't feel as if I belong here."
Two Texas Baptist churches may be expelled from the Baptist General Convention of Texas for their welcoming open-door policies toward LGBTQ people, reports say.

The Baptist Standard reports that Wilshire Baptist in Dallas and First Baptist in Austin received letters from BGCT officials stating that because the churches had affirmed themselves with the LGBTQ people, they were "no longer being in harmonious cooperation with the BGCT."

LOCAL LOOK: How Houston's LGBT community compares to other major U.S. cities

The BGCT is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention, which among its core beliefs is that homosexual behavior is a sin.

The Wilshire Baptist letter from the BGCT reportedly says, "Should your church choose to publicly affirm same-sex sexual behavior, the BGCT will no longer be able to accept funds from the church, seat its messengers to the annual meeting, allow the church to express affiliation with the BGCT or allow its members to serve on the BGCT boards, committees or other roles."

"The outcome is not yet known, and it will not be known until after the convention messengers are seated," Wilshire Pastor George Mason told The Baptist Standard. He also told them that his church plans to send messengers to the BGCT annual meeting in Waco, Nov. 14.

First Austin also received a similar letter from the BGCT, The Baptist Standard reports.

LOOKING AT TEXAS: These are the most and least LGBT-friendly cities in Texas

"We do not desire to argue over sexuality any further," a response letter sent to BGCT officials by First Austin reads. "As a church, we did our diligent theological work, being guided by the Spirit, meditating on scared scripture and hearing the stories and struggles of our own members. As a result of that thoughtful process, we are proudly and openly welcoming and affirming of all God's beloved children."

Back in 2010 was the last time the BGCT openly scolded a church over LGBTQ issues after Dallas' Royal Lane Baptist Church stopped receiving funds from the BGCT for appointing openly gay deacons.
WASHINGTON - They gathered in the November night chill beneath five billboard-size American flags.

They stood on the sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue, not outside the White House, but farther down America's Main Street, outside the hulking stone building bearing the name of the new president-elect: the Trump International Hotel - Washington, D.C.

They came to make noise, to voice discontent, to make clear that America's decision to elect Donald Trump president was, to them, far from all right. They hoisted a motley assortment of signs listing a variety of grievances: "You can not comb over racism," "This Is No Country For Old Men." "TRUMP: RACIST IN CHIEF," "Don't Tread on Me," "Party of Lincoln 1854-2016," "CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL," "Stop Trump, Stand Against White Supremacy, Islamophobia & Immigrant Bashing!," and "Trump Still Uses AOL."

Most were young, but some were silver-haired. Some wore black berets, green flak jackets and the garb of protest and resistance. Others came in business suits and trench coats, or black patent-leather pumps with a working woman's 2.5-inch heel. Some wore jeans and jackets, hats and other cold-weather gear. Others were in shirt sleeves and college sweatshirts but seemed undeterred, as the air temperature inched down toward 48 degrees. Neither was a man who passed on foot - white, muscular and perhaps in early 30s - who shouted his thoughts at the crowd.

"What a bunch of (expletive) idiots," he said without stopping. "Go home. Know your (expletive) place."

"Dump Donald Trump. Dump Donald Trump," protesters chanted in unison at 8:32 p.m.

The scene outside the Trump hotel Thursday night was in many ways a living, breathing capsule of our time. Trump and the just over 60 million Americans who cast the ballots that made Trump the nation's next president are in the midst of celebration. But for many of the 60,839,922 who voted for Clinton, especially for the millions who are black, Latino, Asian, Native American or Muslim, there is fear, there is anger, there is disappointment. There has been weeping and a surge in anxiety.

In cities across the nation, from Chicago and Baltimore to New York and Los Angeles, and, violently, in Portland, Ore., Americans distraught by the election outcome have poured into the streets.

But also over cups of coffee, in office break rooms, on planes, buses and trains, on college campuses and in community centers, there are Americans seeking a community of the like-minded, assurance that all hope is not lost. They are hoping that in Trump's America, their rights will not be abridged, that they or their neighbors will not be rounded up or detained, that their political views and goals will not be suppressed, that their citizenship will not be downgraded because of who they are or what they believe.

There is shock and fear and anger in the American progressive political valley, not just because of Trump or his policy goals, but directed at the more than 60 million mostly white Americans who heard and saw in Trump the promise of a better America, a different America, a country where their rights and needs and dignity are assured.

"Love Trumps Hate. Love Trumps Hate." -- chant at 8:41 p.m.

"I say this without any irony or exaggeration at all," said Bassam Shawl, a 23-year-old dressed in a black bomber jacket, skinny jeans and a black T-shirt featuring Teddy Roosevelt with a gold grill. "What you see here is a union of grave fear and grievances. People who are trying to come to terms with the very different America it seems we're going to have to live in. I think I need this, some of us need this. We have to be here to find a way to live with fear."

Since Election Day, Shawl has had conversations with family, friends and just people around town about what he sees as real and frightening possibilities.

"We not only have Trump preparing to be our president, but total Republican control of the House, the Senate, of the next Supreme Court appointment. The entire right-wing fantasy agenda is going to be enacted. It's completely possible that Muslims like me are being put on some list somewhere as we speak, or that we will all be detained, that my grandparents will be unable to even enter this country for a visit. That the Affordable Care Act will be crushed. That women's reproductive rights and health care eliminated or eroded. That is what's on my mind."

Talk to people protesting and you will hear much of the same. Peruse social media or news headlines and the bitter resignation of half the nation is clear.

To Jared Taylor, a self-described white rights advocate and editor of American Renaissance, a publication that bills itself as "America's premiere source for race-realist thought," it is ridiculous.

"Yes, if you visit [white nationalist] websites, you will see pretty much unalloyed joy about the election outcome," Taylor said. "But does this mean that every African American, Hispanic or Muslim should be cowering in unreasonable fear of being imminently removed from the country? No. Donald Trump is an American nationalist, he is not a racial nationalist, despite the best efforts of the media to cast him as a frothing bigot."

Taylor said that he does not believe Trump is a white supremacist. Trump does not "think in racial terms, despite every effort on the part of media to make it seem that he is taking secret instruction from people like me or David Duke," Taylor said.

Trump has promised to remove illegal immigrants from the country to keep Muslims out, to possibly create a Muslim watch list, something that has happened before, Taylor said. Trump plans to put an end to maternity tourism, to examine the terms of birthright citizenship and to render it impossible for immigrants who make use of welfare, to develop policies that rid the country of the burden of fighting wars to spread democracy, Taylor said.

Those are ideas "ordinary Americans" support, Taylor said. That is the same thought process that compels the majority of white Americans to move out of or avoid living in majority black or Hispanic neighborhoods, he said.

Taylor is firm in his support for Trump, clear that his reasons have to do with race.

"Yes, it's true, someone like me who does have a racial consciousness supports Trump and is pleased about his election for a simple reason," he said. "I support anyone whose policies will slow the dispossession of whites in the United States."

"Not my president. Not my president." -- chant at 8:54 p.m.

To some of those protesting outside Trump's hotel, only those who allow themselves to overlook America's past and dismiss the constancy of bigotry and exploitation in American life had real reason for surprise.

"Listen, what we really face at this moment is the most American thing in the world: the white backlash that always follows any movement towards something different, something that even approximates equality," said Alonzo Hunt, 18, a Howard University freshman and native of Los Angeles who came to the Pennsylvania Avenue protest wearing a black beret, with a dime-size Black Panther pin and trench coat. Hunt described himself as aligned with various "radical formations," along the lines of the Southern Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

"Trump is a fascist, and America has, from the beginning, been a settler colony, built on the expropriation of lands from first peoples and the theft of labor, energy and humanity from enslaved Africans," he said. "What we have here is a swing of the pendulum, a move a bit closer to the nation's roots."

Hunt did not vote in the general election, an activity he dismissed as the "most passive form of political engagement possible." Protest, he said, reflects a determination to speak truth to power, to engage in the political battle for equality and justice in a meaningful way. It is a display of resistance, of an unwillingness to capitulate in the face of a massive political and social push in a regressive direction.

That will sound to some Americans - particularly those who voted for Trump or Clinton - like the ramblings of a college student who has entered his radical phase, a young black man not grounded in the kind of political pragmatism that sent others aware of the nation's history to the polls. But there is some historical basis for his position.

In the years after Reconstruction - a period in which freed slaves and freeborn black men and women bought land, built businesses, voted and won congressional seats - came a wave of thousands of lynchings and the establishment of Jim Crow laws. In the years after World War II when the GI Bill's education and housing finance benefits seem poised to give all Americans a strong foothold among the middle class, senators from Southern states demanded state control of related programs and did not allow black veterans to reap the same rewards as white ones

Still, it is inside the New York and Washington offices where full-time civil rights activists do their work, where the election outcome has inspired less dejection and fear.

"Of course I feel the anger and pain," said Rashad Robinson, executive director of the civil right group Color Of Change. "But there are also a few things we should remember. A majority of Americans did not vote for Trump. That doesn't change the impact that the policies Trump has promised, the ideas that he has unleashed. They will have a real and deleterious effect on people's lives. But it does mean that those of us in this fight, those of us who plan to hold him accountable are neither small nor weak."
Voters in a Florida county were at odds on a ballot referendum this past Tuesday about whether to allow the first trial of mosquitoes genetically engineered to reduce populations of the species that spreads Zika.

That species, the Aedes aegypti, lives in homes and is difficult to root out with insecticides. In addition to Zika, they spread yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya.

In Key Haven, the town where the trial could be conducted, more than 65 percent of voters rejected the plan. In Monroe County, which includes Key Haven, more than 57 percent of voters said yes to it.

The ballot measure, sometimes referred to as a "straw poll," is nonbinding. A decision on the question will be made by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District Board, which is scheduled to meet Saturday to discuss the poll results and the results of five other surveys the county has conducted.

Oxitec, the company that developed the experimental mosquito," is owned by Intrexon Corp., a biotechnology firm focused on synthetic biology.

If the trial proceeds, the Britain-based company's mosquitoes would be released three times a week over the small peninsula. Key Haven has just 1,000 residences and a single gas station. The native mosquito population is insulated by seawater and the island's main highway, making for a perfect trial location, Oxitec said.

In the trial, the mosquitoes will breed with native females, the ones that bite. Both the genetically engineered insects and their offspring carry a fatal gene, and die quickly. Over time, the population would thin out.

"We're very happy with the results," Mosquito Control Board Chairman Phil Goodman said of the Monroe County vote. He thought Key Haven voters got bad information about the safety of the trial and expects the board will approve a trial, but somewhere else in the county.

The referendum has implications beyond a tiny section of the Florida Keys. Miami-Dade County, Florida's most populous county, has been watching closely and is considering using the genetically modified mosquitoes. But Key Haven is vastly different from the bustling tourist destination of Miami-Dade, home to 2.7 million people.

Since the genetically engineered mosquitoes do not by design produce offspring, the company would have to continually pump them into the environment.

"If you want to implement a male sterilization program, there are other ways to do that," said Durland Fish, a Yale University professor of microbial diseases, forestry and environmental studies, who questions the plan. "This is a business opportunity. This is expensive. And you can't stop doing it."

The Food and Drug Administration determined in August that the trial would have "no significant impact" on the environment. The World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization have tentatively recommended expanding trials, with the caveat that more clinical data is needed.

But it may not be so straightforward, Fish said. Eliminating Aedes aegypti from one ecosystem could lead to a reinvasion, or an invasion of another disease-carrying species, he said.

Luke Alphey, who engineered the mosquitoes and co-founded Oxitec, has a very different view. "Part of the motivation for this research was using modern genetics to provide the striking benefits of this kind of approach (sterilizing mosquitoes)," including the avoidance of insecticides and being able to target a specific species without harming others.
Thousands of demonstrators in cities across the country filled public squares, parks and streets Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump, part of a wave of national resistance not seen in recent election cycles.

In one of the largest anti-Trump demonstrations since his election Tuesday, a mass of people marched from Union Square in Manhattan to Trump Tower, the headquarters and home of Trump. Protesters marched around one of Trump's buildings in Chicago. In Los Angeles, thousands of people marched up Wilshire Boulevard, forming a crowd that stretched for nearly a dozen blocks.

The increasingly tense protests escalated early Saturday with a shooting in Portland, Ore., that left one man hospitalized and scattered panicked protesters.

Portland police said the shooter had no connection to the protesters, but after the fourth straight night of demonstrations in response to Trump's unexpected victory, city and police officials here appeared harried and frustrated.

At a news conference Saturday, they told protesters to "stay home." Mayor Charlie Hales said Portland has experienced "great unrest" since Tuesday night. While he shared the frustration over the election of Trump - who among other things has called for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. and the deportation of immigrants who are here illegally - he said changing the outcome "doesn't involve signs anymore."

Hales encouraged residents who oppose Trump to get involved with organizations that will work to thwart controversial promises Trump had made on the campaign trail.

"It is not the work of four days. That is the work of four years," the Democrat said. "Going to the streets for another night is not going to keep Donald Trump from taking office."

'Affront to their worldview'

On Saturday, a massive rally in Los Angeles began at MacArthur Park and snaked through a concrete canyon of downtown high-rises and through a quarter-mile-long tunnel en route to the Federal Building. Police estimated the crowd at 8,000, but organizers claimed the numbers were significantly higher.

Shouting chants such as "Hands too small to build a wall" and "Black Lives Matter," the gathering mass of demonstrators drew cheers from bystanders in the windows above and beeps of support from vehicles stalled in the river of protesters. No arrests had been reported by midafternoon Saturday.

Jessica Rodarte, a history teacher at an arts high school in Los Angeles, said many of her students are frightened at what a Trump presidency could mean for them.

"Some of them are scared of deportation, but I happen to work in a school that has a huge LGBT community  and this is a complete affront to their worldview," she said.

In Portland, the initially peaceful protests turned violent starting on Thursday night when a group the police identified as anarchists lit fires and smashed car windshields and business storefronts. Organizers of Portland's Resistance had scheduled a "heal-in" in front of Portland City Hall on Friday night, but before 9 p.m., the event turned tense when eager protesters shouted, "Let us march!" Hundreds of protesters stood off for hours with police in riot gear. For three more hours, police announced that the protest had become an unlawful assembly and deployed flash-grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

At the news conference Saturday, Portland Police Chief Mike Marshman said that the peaceful protests had been overshadowed by a "criminal element" who want to engage in a "battle with police."

After midnight, a crowd of remaining protesters marched across a bridge spanning the Willamette River, blocking traffic. A man driving a car got out and shot a protester before speeding away.

By Saturday afternoon, police spokesman Officer Peter Simpson confirmed that two people had been arrested in connection with the shooting. The gunshot victim was recovering.

Simpson said the shooter had no connection to the protesters and was not a "counterdemonstrator," but instead was "out looking for trouble." \

In a statement, the protest's organizers said they would not march Saturday night.

Just the beginning

Meanwhile in New York, demonstrators thronged the streets around Trump Tower, which has served as the headquarters for the president-elect's transition team. Filmmaker and activist Michael Moore walked into the building's lobby Saturday afternoon while shooting a Facebook Live video. He attempted to meet with Trump but was denied access.

T.V. Reed, a Washington State University professor and author of the book "The Art of the Protest," said the past few days could be just the beginning of broader signs of discontent. "We can be certain that these protests portend far larger ones in the future as social movement groups prepare to resist any policies of the new administration that threaten people stigmatized by Trump or that scientific evidence suggests will hasten environmental catastrophe," he said.

Many protest leaders had supported Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary race and either did not vote or chose a third-party candidate in the general election, said Ben Becker, an organizer with the Answer Coalition, an antiwar and anti-racism activist group based in New York. Their anger, he said, had been exacerbated by the conciliatory tone shown to Trump by President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton after Clinton's defeat.

More protests are planned for the coming days, and preparations are underway for a large demonstration at Trump's inauguration in January.
Look at the 2016 election map for the state of Texas, and it would seem that long-belaguered Democrats have become even more beleaguered. It appears they've been driven into a handful of redoubts, where, like Crockett, Travis and friends, they'll wage a last, desperate fight against extinction. A national map is similar - a few blue states in a sea of red, Democrats and progressives consigned to the coasts and fighting for survival.

Actually, both state and national maps are deceiving, even as we acknowledge the weakened condition of the Democratic Party, in Texas and across the nation. More Americans voted for the Democratic candidate for president than for the Republican who actually won, although that's small consolation for a party that has lost control of every branch of the national government, not to mention most state governments. Here in Texas, those small blue blotches are actually the most populous parts of the state - Harris (and Fort Bend), Dallas, Bexar, Travis and El Paso counties, among a few others. As Rice University sociologist Steve Klineberg noted the day after the election, Houston and Harris County - as well as their urban counterparts around the state - represent tomorrow's Texas, despite the state's fervid red hue today.

In our federal system, states are often described as laboratories of democracy. At times, they experiment with programs and policies that either get adopted nationwide or don't, depending on how they tested on a smaller scale. We would suggest that the Houston area, with population and economic prowess exceeding many states, could itself be a laboratory of democracy testing out progressive policies. Below are a few suggestions among many:

With a candidate, and now president-elect, whose campaign centerpiece was a full-throated nativist appeal to build walls against outsiders - Mexicans, Muslims and others - the first order of business for the most diverse city in the nation has to be to protect and reassure immigrants and refugees who have cast their lot with us. That means making it clear that insults and derision will not be tolerated - in classrooms, in our places of business and elsewhere.

It also means continuing our efforts to help refugees and immigrants find their way in their new home. These new Houstonians need to know that this city of entrepreneurs and risk-takers can be a place to start over, a place that welcomes their contributions, regardless of the message they're getting from Trump and his supporters.

Those most urgently needing to hear that message are refugees from Syria's brutal civil war. After experiencing the horrors of war, famine and rootlessness, the last thing they need are nativists among us urging that they go back where they came from. Official resolutions of reassurance from the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court would be in order.

With a new district attorney and a new sheriff in town, Houston should reinforce its commitment to criminal justice reform. From District Attorney-elect Kim Ogg and Sheriff-elect Ed Gonzalez, we're expecting a commitment to bail reform, more diversion programs and other initiatives to reduce overcrowding in the Harris County Jail.

We hate to say it, but things are likely to get worse for poor Americans, including Houstonians. Obamacare may disappear, which means that more than 20 million people who finally got access to health insurance, many just above the poverty line, will lose it. The hospital emergency room will again be their health care of desperate last resort. In addition, Trump's massive proposed tax cut, combined with House Republicans calling for a balanced budget, are incompatible. The end result will be drastic cuts in government assistance to the young and poor.

Along with renewed commitments to affordable housing and more job-training opportunities, increasing the local minimum wage would be one way to fight back against short-sighted economic policies in Washington. On Tuesday, four states - Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington - passed ballot measures that will raise the minimum wage by significant amounts by the year 2020. Arizona and Washington also passed mandated sick-leave measures. If Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his revanchist pals in the Legislature will leave Texas cities alone, Houston could approve similar measures.

Although the Legislature is likely to interfere, Houston also should push forward with its own clean-air and -water initiatives. The Environmental Protection Agency is unlikely to do much environmental protecting in the coming months and years and neither will its Texas counterpart. If we want a healthy Houston, we'll have to take care of ourselves.

"Harris County is where all of America and all of Texas is going to be as the future unfolds," Rice's Klineberg told Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenburg the day after the election.

In Houston and Harris County the future is now. We should make sure that tomorrow is in our hands, not Washington or Austin.
One way to think of the job journalism does is telling a community about itself, and on those terms the American media failed spectacularly this election cycle. That Donald Trump's victory came as such a surprise - a systemic shock, really - to both journalists and so many who read or watch them is a marker of just how bad a job we did. American political discourse in 2016 seemed to be running on two self-contained, never-overlapping sets of information. It took the Venn diagram finally meeting at the ballot box to make it clear how separate the two solitudes really are.

The troubling morning-after realization is that the structures of today's media ecosystem encourage that separation, and do so a little bit more each day. The decline of the mass media's business models; the continued rise of personalized social feeds and the content that spreads easily within them; the hollowing-out of reporting jobs away from the coasts: These are, like the expansion of the universe, pushing us farther apart in all directions.

There's plenty of blame to go around, but the list of actors has to start with Facebook. And for all its wonders - reaching nearly 2 billion people each month, driving more traffic and attention to news than anything else on earth - it's also become a single point of failure for civic information. Our democracy has a lot of problems, but there are few things that could impact it for the better more than Facebook starting to care - really care - about the truthfulness of the news that its users share and take in.

Some of the fake news on Facebook is driven by ideology, but a lot is driven purely by the economic incentive structure Facebook has created: The fake stuff, when it connects with a Facebook user's preconceived notions or sense of identity, spreads like wildfire. (And it's a lot cheaper to make than real news.)

One example: I'm from a small town in south Louisiana. The day before the election, I looked at the Facebook page of the current mayor. Among the items he posted there in the final 48 hours of the campaign: Hillary Clinton Calling for Civil War If Trump Is Elected. Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President. Barack Obama Admits He Was Born in Kenya.

These are not legit anti-Hillary stories. (There were plenty of those, to be sure, both on his page and in this election cycle.) These are imaginary, made-up, frauds. And yet Facebook has built a platform for the active dispersal of these lies - in part because these lies travel really, really well.

In a column just before the election, the New York Times' Jim Rutenberg argued that "the cure for fake journalism is an overwhelming dose of good journalism." I wish that were true, but I think the evidence shows that it's not. There was an enormous amount of good journalism done on Trump and this entire election cycle. For anyone who wanted to take it in, the pickings were rich.

The problem is that not enough people sought it out. And of those who did, not enough of them trusted it to inform their political decisions. And even for many of those, the good journalism was crowded out by the fragmentary glimpses of nonsense.

I used to be something of a skeptic when it came to claims of "filter bubbles" - the sort of epistemic closure that comes from only seeing material you agree with on social platforms. People tend to click links that align with their existing opinions, sure - but isn't that just an online analog to the fact that our friends and family tend to share our opinions in the real world, too?

But I've come to think that the rise of fake news - and of the cheap-to-run, ideologically driven aggregator sites that are only a few steps up from fake - has weaponized those filter bubbles. There were just too many people voting in this election because they were infuriated by made-up things they read online.

What can Facebook do to fix this problem? One idea would be to hire editors to manage what shows up in its Trending section - one major way misinformation gets spread. Facebook canned its Trending editors after it got pushback from conservatives; that was an act of cowardice, and since then, fake news stories have been algorithmically pushed out to millions with alarming frequency.

Another would be to hire a team of journalists and charge them with separating at least the worst of the fake news from the stream. Not the polemics (from either side) that sometimes twist facts like balloon animals - I'm talking about the outright fakery. Stories known to be false could be downweighted in Facebook's algorithm, and users trying to share them could get a notice telling them that the story is fake. Sites that publish too much fraudulent material could be downweighted further or kicked out entirely.

Would this or other ideas raise thorny issues? Sure. This would be easy to screw up - which is I'm sure why Facebook threw up its hands at the pushback to a human-edited Trending section and why it positions itself a neutral connector of its users to content it thinks they will find pleasing. I don't know what the right solution would be - but I know that getting Mark Zuckerberg to care about the problem is absolutely key to the health of our information ecosystem.

Benton is director of the Harvard University-based Nieman Journalism Lab. Before spending a year at Harvard as a 2008 Nieman Fellow, he spent a decade in newspapers, most recently at the Dallas Morning News. A longer version of the commentary appeared last week on Niemanlab.org.
It is strange that in America, the home to some of the top minds in the world, the political system is creaking along like a battered jalopy on its last legs. The just-concluded presidential election highlighted two major issues in the American political system. First, the American electorate is more fragmented than ever, but many voters felt disenchanted not merely with the candidates of the two parties but also with the system itself. Second, the structural failings of the American voting system make this disillusionment more, not less, likely to persist.

One of the great ironies of American presidential elections is that the people do not themselves directly elect the president. The 50 states (and the District of Columbia) elect the president via what is known as the Electoral College: 538 "electors," chosen by the states and equal to those states' representation in Congress. A simple majority, 270 votes, is required for a candidate to be elected to the highest office in the land.

The system dates back to the writing of the Constitution and was part of an agreement between states to "fairly" apportion representation as some states had more slaves than those eligible to vote. The institution of the Electoral College ensured that residents of smaller states were not ignored. Another role of the electors that now seems outdated: Electors were expected to cast informed votes, something the average American might have had trouble achieving in the pre-mass media age.

But that was in a different era, and now the Electoral College has multiple problems. Only by changing the structure of the way we elect our national leaders - from Congress to the president - can we accomplish a more equitable representation of the American electorate.

The much-maligned Electoral College, which divides the country into "safe" and "swing" states and diminishes the role of the popular vote, is only part of the structural problem. A much larger concern stems from the first-past-the-post, single-member-district, winner-take-all voting system we have in place in the United States for congressional elections that encourages the formation of what are called catch-all parties.

Party and conscience

Many times, voters are disappointed by either the choice of party candidate or the party platform itself but have little opportunity to express their preference for an alternative candidate for fear of wasting their votes. Some vote for the party whose platform comes closest to their beliefs, regardless of how they personally feel about the candidate representing the party. Others vote for the candidate whose position is most similar to their beliefs, sometimes crossing party lines to do so. In either situation, the voter often feels disillusioned or at least unsatisfied, settling for a fragment of a party platform or an imperfect candidate.

But what if we could vote both our conscience and our party preference? What if we could vote for a candidate we adore, but then also a party whose platform we admire? Surely such a system would be fair and more reasonable than the winner-take-all system we have now that creates such striking imbalances among parties and such partisanship among voters.

Such a system exists, and it goes by the tongue-twisting name of mixed-member proportional representation. Essentially, voters get two votes: one for a candidate running in a traditional district, and the other for a list of candidates chosen by a political party. Winners of the constituency vote get elected to represent their district, and parties get seats according to the proportion of votes they received on the second, party vote. Often, a minimum percentage of votes received is required for a party to garner representation via the legislature, which serves as a check against fringe parties. Parties are more representative of specific interests, and charismatic politicians make it in to power even if their party is small or weak.

Accountability

Can this system work? It sounds more than a little un-American, and it is too complicated and unworkable, even anti-democratic. But it can, and does, work in many countries with vibrant democracies around the world. Perhaps the most notable of these is Germany, the largest and most powerful state in a democratic Europe. With the two votes given to every German citizen via its mixed-member system, politicians and political parties are dually (and duly) accountable. Parties differ greatly in platform and position, but the vitriol that so marks contemporary American politics is largely absent. Not without reason does Germany celebrate its role as the most stable democracy in Europe since the end of World War II. And the most ironic part? The United States and the victorious Allies built it on the ashes of the Nazi regime as a way to consolidate a working democracy in the continent's most war-loving country.

The hurdles

Eliminating the Electoral College and changing the voting system would not be as difficult as reconstructing German politics from scratch after World War II. But it still would be difficult. It would require a constitutional amendment, with a two-thirds supermajority approval of both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Calls to change the system, as a New York Times article noted last week, took momentum after Al Gore's defeat (he narrowly lost to George W. Bush, splitting the Electoral College 266 to Bush's 271), but the push lessened after Bush and then Barack Obama won both the popular and electoral votes in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Changing the voting system from single-member districts to mixed-member proportional representation would be even more challenging, as it would have to occur on a state-by-state basis and would likely lead to chaos while being implemented piecemeal across the country.

This is not to say it should not be done. If we could rebuild Germany from a totalitarian dictatorship to the model of a modern democracy, we can refurbish this rickety relic we have here at home. The Electoral College and the American voting system have been broken for far too long. Now more than ever we need to change them both to something more modern and representative.

Mosser is assistant director of the Center for European Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
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How confident are you that your employees are staying engaged? Here are five of the most common signs that employee engagement is waning: 1. Productivity suffers. Engaged employees are all about going the extra mile and putting in extra effort. Employees who are not engaged are all about doing the absolute minimum. How are you measuring employee productivity and its close parallel to employee engagement? 2. Higher absenteeism. Companies with less engagement have employees take more sick time. In fact, one study by HR Zone concluded that companies with the lowest level (bottom 10%) of engagement, experience 2.3 times more absenteeism than those with average levels of engagement.1 3. Quality suffers. As disengagement spreads, you will start to see sloppiness creep into your employees work. Mistakes are made and customer complaints rise. This is one more reason to regularly survey your customers about the product quality and service they receive. 4. Employees disconnect socially from their coworkers. Employees who become disengaged tend to withdraw from their coworkers. For instance, they are less likely to join them for lunch or attend team meetings. Employee isolation is definitely a warning sign. 5. Workplace accidents increase. Engaged employees are safety compliant, disengaged employees are not. How are you measuring your safety compliance and safety outcomes? Are you tying them back to engagement levels? Keep an eye on these five me...
It is at once the silliest and most important debate going on in the field of human resources. Should business leaders seek to make their employees happy? Of course! Why not? Dont happy employees make for happy customers? Is it not  to borrow a term from the Declaration of Independence  self-evident? Yet some prominent figures argue employee happiness is a foolish goal. The idea of trying to make people happy at work is terrible, Gallup CEO Jim Clifton told Fast Company. His nephew, StrengthsFinder 2.0 author Tom Rath, argues the pursuit of happiness might do us more harm than good. . . . Despite Thomas Jefferson including it in the Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness is a shortsighted aim. Equating employee engagement and happiness makes my ears ring and my mouth twitch, wrote my fellow Forbes contributor Maren Hogan. Theres no proof that happy employees will do anything great for your company, she asserted. Writing for the Harvard Business Review, Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst asserted, Engagement isnt about being happy. Happy people may or may not be engaged in the business. The most important reason to make your employees happy is simply because they are your employees, people whose lives are affected for good or bad depending on the quality of leadership and managing where they work. This is, ad...
Giving positive feedback is always easy, but what about those times when an employee is not performing and you need to give negative feedback? That can be a different story, especially for those who do not like confrontation. Managers need to be careful when dishing out negative feedback, and need to make sure that it is done constructively. It is important to tread carefully in order not to demoralize the employee. Most importantly when having to dish out negative feedback, it is important to always try to also acknowledge any positives the employee may have achieved first. Dont be mean-spirited when offering criticism If you consistently give only negative feedback, people will distrust the criticism and it will become useless. Dont make employees feel like burdens and dont condemn them for their shortcomings. Business isnt just about business; it is people working with people. We need to be sensitive to the feelings of others and know that how we treat them will bounce back and hit usor at least it shouldand affect our feelings as well. Employees respond well to compliments and are far more likely to be open to and listen to criticism if their positives are also acknowledged. That way they are less likely to feel victimized and inadequate for their jobs. Acknowledge any positives the employee may have achieved first. Be tough, not mean. People naturally help those who support them.&...
He correctly forecast for Donald Trump to win the U.S. election, and now documentary filmmaker Michael Moore is predicting that the presidency will end with impeachment or resignation.

Heres whats going to happen, this is why were not going to have to suffer through four years of Donald J. Trump, because he has no ideology except the ideology of Donald J. Trump, Moore said Friday on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

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And when you have a narcissist like that, whos so narcissistic where its all about him, he will, maybe unintentionally, break laws. He will break laws because hes only thinking about whats best for him.

In a blog for The Huffington Post in July, Moore outlined five reasons why he believed Trump would win the presidential race  and he was right.

Since Trump's victory, the liberal, Oscar-winning filmmaker has released a five-point post-election plan that has gone viral, and called for active opposition to the new government.

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We are going to resist, we are going to oppose, he told MSNBC. This is going to be a massive resistance. Women are calling for a million-woman march on the Inauguration Day, and there is going to be the largest demonstration ever on Inauguration Day.

On Saturday, he entered Trump Tower in New York City with a camera crew and asked to see the president-elect.

"I just thought I'd see if I could get into Trump Tower and ride the famous escalator," said Moore, who did just that until he reached the fourth floor and the Secret Service told him he could go no higher.

Moore is not alone in his prediction that Trump will not last the full four years as U.S. president.

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Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University who has now correctly forecast nine consecutive presidential election results based on a model he created, is predicting that Trump will be impeached by the Republican Congress.

"They don't want Trump as president, because they can't control him. He's unpredictable," he told The Washington Post. "They'd love to have Pence  an absolutely down-the-line, conservative, controllable Republican. And I'm quite certain Trump will give someone grounds for impeachment, either by doing something that endangers national security or because it helps his pocketbook."

New York Times columnist David Brooks also wrote that "the guy will probably resign or be impeached within a year."

With files from The Associated Press

Also on HuffPost

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Five years ago, I was raped while a student at the University of Oxford. The day after, hungover and in shock, I sat down with a friend to try to find out what I could do: who I could talk to, what support I could access, how I could deal with the aftermath while trying to continue my studies. To our complete and utter surprise, we found absolutely nothing on the University website concerning sexual violence. My friend was from America, where universities had been engaging with the issue of sexual violence for years. I am from New Zealand, and remember seeing stickers and posters about sexual consent plastered across the campus when I was an undergrad. But in 2011, the UK didn't seem to be talking about it.

It was about the same time that the National Union of Students had identified the same problem, and started to campaign about sexual violence on campuses. And this year, half a decade later, we finally have recognition from Universities UK that universities have human rights and equality law duties to their students to address sexual violence on their campuses. It's an amazing step forward, and those of us campaigning have our fingers firmly crossed that universities will rise to the challenge, prioritising (and funding) preventive measures and better support services for those affected by sexual violence. But, the responsibility does not just lie with universities.

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During my five years campaigning, I have come to the conclusion that the most important thing that needs to happen is a shift in our cultural attitudes toward women and sex. Improved laws, better university policies, all of these things can help, but without broader changes in culture, we will always be fighting a losing battle. One-hour consent workshops are a start, but are hardly going to overthrow a lifetime's learning of sexual and gender narratives. We need as student communities to be having open conversations about sex and consent all the time, not just in freshers' week. We need to be bold enough to challenge our peers when they don't quite get things right. We need to be brave enough to ask questions when we don't quite understand.

And one of the most important aspects of sex that we need to be talking about is its relationship with drinking. It's a topic that's almost been taboo amongst campaigners on sexual violence, for fear that talking about drink will inevitably lead to victim-blaming. "Why was she so drunk?" Or that it will lead to excuse-making. "Well, he was drunk too." But we cannot afford to avoid the topic. Alcohol is a factor in so many instances of sexual violence on campuses. And our hook-up culture normalises sexual practices that are at best high-risk and, at worst, sexual offences. It's an uncomfortable truth we need to face. And if what I just said doesn't ring true for you, perhaps you don't understand consent as well as you thought. It is your duty to educate yourself, and then to educate others.

So, just in case, let's get technical for a second. Here are the basics on sex and drink.

A person can only consent to sex if they have the freedom and capacity to choose to have sex (this is in the Sexual Offences Act 2003). If they are very drunk, they might not have capacity to make this choice. It will always be a matter of degree. You can consent when drunk. But, at some point, a person becomes too drunk to consent - they lose capacity. And they can lose capacity well before they pass out (this is in the Court of Appeal decision of R v Bree). This means that if someone is very drunk - maybe they are sick, they are disorientated, they are having trouble walking - they might lack capacity to consent. In many cases, both people will have been drinking. In determining whether a sexual offence has occurred, it will always be a question, then, of whether or not each person had capacity to consent. If one person is so drunk they lack capacity to have sex, then they will be the victim. The person having sex with them might be drunk, but if they have not also lost capacity, then they will be the perpetrator. It is no defence to a sexual offence that you were also drunk.

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Trump is president and not since 9/11 have I seen even late night comedy hosts brought nearly to tears. In times like this folks turn to us for laughs and when we can't even provide that, they still turn to us for some reason. Maybe because we're pretty good at shooting straight and putting our feelings into words. But perhaps we got too good at this and we inadvertently helped fuel this fire.

It's been asked why so many comedians are left to left of centre a lot lately, and on the whole I'd say it's because we get to spend a lot of time hearing a lot of perspectives. What's more, comics talk a lot and mostly about taboo subjects. So one ends up spending a lot of time in cars with people of varying sexuality, ethnicity and gender and long before the advent of the camera phone I, for one got to hear and see that the black experience was very very different to mine. I soon found out not every gay guy wanted to shag me and that female comics, on the whole, got treated differently by audiences than male ones did. I've witnessed positive and negative discrimination first hand on a fairly regular basis.

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But this is important, I've had my mind changed, not had what I already felt was the right way to think confirmed. This is why people don't like liberals; we're annoying, sneery, condescending and above all, we take what we think as a given. And judgemental, oh how judgemental. Pouncing on anyone online who dares to ask a question, we delude ourselves we already know the answer to. Calling people homophobes, sexists and racists at the drop of a hat, all the while empowering the real sexists, homophobes and racists. Because, frankly, after a while, If the shoe fits, f*** you!

I have heard the term punching up and punching down a lot these past few years. And maybe, just maybe, if I'm someone that gets to make a living pursuing my dream, who lives a fairly comfortable middle class lifestyle, perhaps I shouldn't spend so much time mocking the fears and concerns of white working class people. Maybe that is the epitome of punching down? I'm not suggesting confirming people's fears and prejudices. But it's pretty common knowledge that for the past few years labelling UKIP voters (or even sympathisers) racist idiots was the cheapest hackiest laugh a comic could get without having to provide any real follow up. And somewhere in that, anyone even remotely right leaning in the audience felt belittled and ashamed. And when no one was watching, without really knowing what it meant, a lot of them voted Brexit. Because they wanted to tell us to go f*** ourselves.

And now the same has happened in the US. Donald Trump was funny to us, as were his supporters. We lumped them all in one massive racist, ignorant group and again, when no one was watching, although they never admitted it in the polls or the exit polls, they got to tick a box and say screw you, I'll show you what's racist, sexist and homophobic.

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I didn't really feel very funny on Wednesday. And I don't know what all this means. I remember after 9/11 every comedy club was full that weekend. For me comedian Ian Stone put it best when he said, "Most of the time as a comic you feel like it's a fairly pointless, selfish job but that was one night where you felt like the fifth emergency service. Like making people laugh at such a dire time was actually a selfless act" (Or words to that effect, he can't remember what he said and neither can I. We are, after all, professional idiots) Every comic was dreading going to work that weekend and I think a lot of us feel that way this week. Yes this is overseas but despite our greatest protestations we still look to America as the hub of western civilisation. And now mummy and daddy are fighting and a spiteful demagogue that doesn't really know very much has the nuclear codes. A lot of us that have never actually lived through one, fear a proper world war.

So I'm going to do the only thing I can, the only thing I'm even half decent at: I'm going to go to work this weekend and try and make blacks, gays, whites, browns etc... laugh their arses off.

But this time, I'm going to be a little less condescending about it. Because look how that turned out.

Brendon's tour show "Black Comedian" is on sale here

His regular podcast "Dumb White Guy' can be downloaded free here
I apologize for the length of this post; it is really two posts combined into one. Part 1 is Alan's Analysis of Election 2016. I open with my views as a historian, teacher, parent, grandparent, and citizen about what happened last week and my concerns about the future of the United States and the world. In Part 2 teachers partnered with the Hofstra University teacher education program discuss how they are addressing the election results in their classrooms.

Part 1. Alan's Analysis of Election 2016

1. I was surprised but not shocked by the Presidential election results last week. Donald Trump, the Republican Party candidate, was elected President of the United States with a majority of the electoral vote, although almost two million more people actually voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. The "split" suggests that Trump's election was a "correction" rather than a "mandate," although Trump and his supporters may not see it that way. Trump presented himself as the candidate of change who would "Make America Great Again." Clinton ran to continue a legacy that included economic stagnation for many Americans. More people voted for Clinton, but Trump won anyway.



2. The electoral vote is a vestige of slavery days. It was originally designed to separate the people from power and to "balance" the electoral power of Northern and Southern states in the new nation. According to the Constitution, eligibility to vote was decided separately by each state. The electoral vote system, which assigned a set number of votes to each state based on population with a minimum of three, meant no state could "stuff the ballot" by allowing a greater number of people, including women, Blacks, the poor, or non-citizens, to vote. The electoral vote system is an antiquated relic of an unjust past, but it is not going to change. That would require a Constitutional Amendment approved by three-fourths of the states, but the less populated states, and the Republican Party, that benefit from this system are not going to support a revision.



3. The United States is sharply divided geographically, racially, ethnically, economically, and by education. The Red and Blue electoral maps show the Northeast and the west coast going heavily for Hillary and most of the rest of the country voting Republican. Most of the states with big cities went Democrat. States dominated by rural voters went Republican. White non-Hispanic voters chose Trump over Clinton by 21%. Clinton held an 80% advantage among Black voters and took 65% of the Latino vote. Women supported Clinton by a significant, but not overwhelming margin (54% to 42%). Two-thirds (67%) of non-college educated Whites, especially White men, voted for Donald Trump. These divisions are not going to be easy bridge. It may never happen.



4. The problems and divisions facing the United States and highlighted in the Trump campaign, the issues that got him elected President, are genuine. But Donald Trump's very sketchy solutions do not address the magnitude of these problems in any realistic way. Coal is never going to be a major source of fuel in the United States again, unless Americans somehow decide to give up breathing. Meanwhile, Trump's proposal to ignore environmental concerns and expand coal production and use would undermine international efforts to slow climate change in dangerous ways.



A national survey reported that over seventy percent of Trump supporters thought American culture and its way of life had changed for the worse since the 1950s. One reason for this longing for the past is that it was an era of dynamic economic growth in the United States which meant good, higher paying jobs, at least for White men. But the economic conditions at that time were historically unique and will never return. The industrial capacity of Europe and Asia were destroyed by World War II. Not only did the United States have no economic competitors, but it had new markets for its goods as it rebuilt these regions of the world. Today the world suffers from a glut of manufactured goods, much of it produced cheaply in other parts of the world. A large number of new factories will not open in this country no matter what Donald Trump promises, and in the factories that do open, the assembly line will be "manned" robots and computers, not people.

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Longing for the 1950s also means longing for an era when women were subservient to men, Blacks were legally segregated from the rest of society, a new wave of post-1965 immigrants had not yet arrived in the country, and gays and lesbians were criminalized. Trump was able to mobilize his voters by raising legitimate economic hopes, but also by playing to bigotry.



5. Donald Trump is impulsive and irresponsible, but not ideological on most issues. The goal of "opposition" should be to prevent permanent damage to the environment, Constitutional Rights, especially for minorities and women, the economy, and global alliances. This will not be an easy task, especially because many of Trump's supporters are blind right-wing ideologues and they control Congress and will soon control the Supreme Court. While within the Republican Party there are irrational and dangerous groups like the "alt-right" which embraces racist and anti-democratic ideas, they do not define the entire party or everyone who voted for Trump. Hopefully it will be possible to enlist Republicans willing to put country before party, people like the Bushes, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice, to resist Trump's more outrageous policy initiatives, although I am not sure.

6. The Democratic Party must either change or become irrelevant. Republicans now control the Presidency, the Congress, and a large majority of state governments. The underlying message of the Democratic Party for the past forty years fails to inspire many voters and they need to change it. Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton each argued in some way that they were smarter, more experienced, and better qualified to be President than their opponent and that if elected they would govern better. In general, this was a losing message. Barack Obama won the presidency because his message was hope for the future. He was actually the less experienced of the candidates. The Democrats need to nominate candidates more like Barack than like Hillary. Part of the change is having a more left-progressive program a la Bernie Sanders and convincing people you will stand by it.



7. I am a big supporter of protest marches, I went to the one in Manhattan on Saturday. But protest marches are not a substitute for building a political movement. For the last fifty years I have swung back and forth between believing that leadership for political and economic change would only come from a new Third Party and the hope that somehow the left could capture the Democratic Party and transform it into a force for social change in the United States. At this point the political right, the Tea Party, and their network of allies, has demonstrated that you can take over and reshape a major political party. It appears to be the best way to win from the grass roots up, by taking local, municipal, and state offices and building a political movement within the existing electoral structure. I have decided to shift my party affiliation back from the Green Party to the Democratic Party. If no one else steps forward, I will consider running in the 2022 Democratic Party primary as a left-progressive against Chuck "Senator Wall Street" Schumer.

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Part 2. Teachers Discuss How They Address the 2016 Election Results

Teachers need to be clear about what they think and their goals for a lesson as they begin to plan. What you teach, and how you teach is going to be different depending on the age of your students. It also needs to reflect your understanding of who you students are. For younger children, discussions should center on fairness, how we treat each other, and that our classrooms and our country are governed by rules and laws, rules and laws that leaders must also follow. I want older students to examine the America political and economic system more critically, to define the kind of country they want to live in, to think of themselves as active participants in a diverse and democratic community, and also to experience civil discourse with respectful disagreement and views supported by evidence. A possible and definitely legitimate decision by students would be to become political activists.

Mike from Queens, NY wants teachers to help students "learn to deal with increasing intolerance and to resist." He expects "The Democrats will now move to the right and accommodate Trump and Republican rule." To help his students understand what is happening in the United States, Mike developed a series of research assignments for before and after the election for his high school students.

1) Students created informational pamphlets about the history of voting rights in the U.S. and current efforts to restrict voting rights and reported suppression of voting in some districts on Election Day.

2) Students examined the duties and responsibilities of the president and the role of money in elections

3) Students learned about the Electoral College, including examination of past electoral results. Students took part in the Great Electoral Vote Extra Credit Contest to pick winner and closest to the # of electoral votes

4) Students undertook a presidential debate project during which they wrote and presented candidate statements on a variety of topics

5) Students were given the opportunity to write and discuss their personal reactions to the election results.

6) Students conducted a demographic analysis of the results.



Rob, who teaches at a high school in Manhattan, wrote: "Despite personally being slightly terrified of what is going to happen over the next few years, keeping students calm by keeping yourself being calm is so important. The students in my school are all Dominican, Muslim, and Black so I tried to reassure them that everything is going to be okay. One of my Muslim students told me that I relieved some of her fears because she's nervous that Trump's election is going to embolden bigoted supporters. It was a pretty humbling moment as a young teacher.

Rich, a Long Island, NY middle school teacher created this activity for his students, who are almost all Black and Latino.

A. Donald Trump was elected President of the United States of America. Today we will examine (1) how Trump won; (2) discuss your feelings, concerns and reactions; and (3) examine what role we must play in our democracy.

For our first activity examine the election map.

Questions

1. List five states where Donald Trump was the winning candidate?

2. In your opinion, what are some reasons people may have voted for him?

B. Van Jones, An African-American political pundit on CNN, gave a heartfelt reaction to Trumps victory. Mr. Jones talked about concerns of parents and the role race played in the election. Watch the video.

Questions

1. Do you agree with Van Jones?

2. Van Jones also said, it was Mr. Trump responsibility to unite the country. What would he have to do to accomplish this?

C. In Donald Trump's speech he congratulated Hillary Clinton and said he would be the president to all people. He said, "Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division -- have to get together," he said. "To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."

Questions

1. What is your response? Do you think he can do this?

2. What power or responsibility do you have in a democracy if you have different beliefs or values than your President or Government?

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Mike from Brooklyn wrote: With all of my classes we opened by looking at the 2012 electoral map and comparing it to that of the 2016 electoral map, we discussed what the changes were and what may have led to these changes. We then watched excerpts of Trump's acceptance speech, and read a piece from the New York Times. To close the lesson we had a final discussion of their feelings about the election, and had a free write of their emotions.

My students are scared. They do not know what the future holds for them in the United States and if there is a place for them in the United States. The most powerful statement by one of my students was by an 11th grader of Mexican heritage. During class she shared, "I am really scared, because my mom is my only family and she is undocumented. If my mom would be deported, I would be alone in this country."

Derek wrote from Brooklyn, NY: I created a small package of lessons designed to accomplish two goals: instruct students on concepts necessary to assess the election on their own terms while also providing a forum for students to express their opinions in a comfortable and supportive environment.

The first lesson was centered on the campaign issues that dominated headlines for the last several months. For their "Do Now" activity, students were encouraged to create a list of these issues while also providing an explanation for why at least one of the topics they listed had become politically charged. Within minutes of sharing their responses, every one of my five global classes independently came to the realization that the campaign "issues" at the forefront of the election were closer to personal flaws among the candidates than true matters of importance.

After coming to this understanding, which many subsequently blamed on mainstream media outlets, the students were divided into groups and provided with documents and quotes which illustrated each candidate's position on topics ranging from immigration to tax policy. After completing their research, student teams educated one another on their respective candidate's position while a designated "neutral voter" oversaw the discussion and provided context to each issue. The lesson concluded with student teams sharing their newly developed opinions on each candidate based on information garnered from the activity; many students humbly admitted a change of perspective now that they had explored the actual policy statements made by the candidates.

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Originally, I had planned my first post-election lesson to address the inevitable student confusion that results from our complex and controversial Electoral College system. This lesson, based on the faulty assumption that Hillary Clinton would win the election, became obsolete the moment that Donald Trump shocked political pollsters and emerged as the victor. This turn of events completely up-ended my plans. How can students be expected to explore the somewhat mundane world of electoral votes when many of them had stayed awake all night and experienced a political upset with impacts that can only be guessed at?

Part of growing as a social studies educator is realizing that adaptability and a means of gauging the mood of your classes is just as critical as lesson preparation. It became clear that what my students required was a "safe-space" to discuss their post-election thoughts and feelings. I started my classes with an understanding that student emotion would be at a fever pitch that could quickly result in chaos; consequently, students' first task was to quietly and individually reflect on their feelings in a short written response which would become the basis of a later discussion.

To create an atmosphere capable of supporting appropriate and stable student conversation at such a sensitive and tense time, several steps had to be taken. Firstly, student desks were arranged into a large circle conducive to an extended dialogue. Second, students were reminded of discussion norms that had been developed throughout the term. Students were encouraged to provide responses supported by evidence and speak passionately, but also respect the sensitivity of the moment and be mindful of the feelings of other students.

What became clear from these discussions was that high school students are capable of reasoned and respectful discourse when given the opportunity. Throughout the course of the day, more than eighty students across five classes shared their emotions, fears, and insights. Some students questioned whether Trump was fit to be president despite his lack of political experience and "shameful" comments about women and minorities, while others praised his tax plan and willingness to "speak from the heart."

Some mourned Clinton's defeat and reflected on what they saw as a missed opportunity to improve the status of women in the United States, while others criticized her connection to Wall Street and inability to connect with voters. Perhaps the most reflective comments came from students whose background shaped their perspective on the election. One student explained that his support for Trump and his tough stance on immigration developed from watching his father, a Canadian immigrant, struggle to legally gain citizenship for several years as others "crossed the border with no problems". Another student replied by saying that her opposition to Trump and support of DACA was out of concern for her cousins who lack documentation, but are intent on attending college.

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These student-led conversations, brief though they were, provided a welcomed respite from the poor state of political and civic dialogue put forth in the build-up, culmination, and aftermath of the election. It is reasoned discussions like these which might help those of us suffering from disillusionment with the United States political system see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Demonstrators chant slogans as they march up 5th Ave. during a protest against the election of President-elect Donald Trump, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Those of us who have spent time in politics know that losing is part of the experience. Still, Secretary Hillary Clinton's defeat on Tuesday was a particularly difficult experience, heartbreaking and bewildering and indeed frightening all at once. I wanted to share some thoughts on how we must acquit ourselves in the days ahead.

As Clinton said, when Donald Trump takes office, we will owe him an open mind and a chance to lead. The fate of the ship always takes precedence over the identity of the captain, and we must loyally do our part to protect the ship.

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The night he became commander-in-chief, Donald Trump said he wanted to be President of all Americans. Despite the divisiveness of the campaign, he has an opportunity to live up to that promise by acting first on issues where there is common ground with his opponents. He said he wants to govern on behalf of forgotten Americans, and any time he does that, he can count on both Democrats and Republicans to help him achieve success.

Trump also said that he wants to rebuild America's infrastructure. In that effort, he will find New York a willing partner as the Tappan Zee Bridge, a new La Guardia Airport, a new cross-Hudson Tunnel, and a revitalized Penn Station continue to rise.



But while we honor America by honoring the results of the election, we will fight as fiercely as we can, at every opportunity that presents itself, to reject the hateful attitudes that pervaded throughout the 2016 campaign. We cannot unhear what we have heard. The voices of the Ku Klux Klan, white nationalism, authoritarianism, misogyny and xenophobia. A generally disdainful view of American ideals.

We all hoped that when we woke up on Nov. 9 the ugliness of this campaign season would finally be gone. But on the day after Election Day, a swastika and the words, "Make America white again," appeared, spray painted on a softball dugout in Wellsville -- in our state of New York.

I cannot and will not pretend that these things are normal, even if millions of Americans voted for a campaign either because of these values or in spite of them. I know there are millions more people like me -- both Democrats and Republicans who reject them. As I said on other occasions, this election was for the soul of America, and that is why today so many of us feel as we do today; we are soul sick. But as we accept the results of the election, we do not accept these positions.

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Americans fought these attitudes before the 2016 election, and we will fight them for as long as it takes to vanquish them. That is our mission, and our dedication to its success does not depend on the occupant of the White House. Americans pledge themselves to "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." One election does not erase that commitment.

We Democrats are not without resources. In Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, Democrats in Congress have leaders who are brilliant parliamentarians, and who will advance our causes even as they will provide a bulwark for our values. But let us also look to our state governments as places where progress can be made. One of the reasons why so many of the programs of President Roosevelt's New Deal proved effective is that he had tried them out while he was governor of New York. Initiatives like Marriage Equality were enacted in New York and other states before they became the law of the land. Congress has refused to act on gun control, but we enacted a tough law in New York, and California, Nevada and Washington strengthened their gun laws on Tuesday.

While the world struggles to come to consensus on how to combat climate change, we in New York have banned fracking and set a renewable energy standard requiring 50 percent of our electricity to come from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2030. This year in New York State, we enacted a $15-an-hour minimum wage, the nation's best Paid Family Leave program, and dedicated more funding to education than ever before. And in this state, we accomplished these successes with a divided legislature: Democrats and Republicans coming together, proving you can be progressive and bipartisan. Indeed, there is more than one path to progress.

Soon enough we will see what proposals will find their way into the President-elect's agenda. Already it seems almost every far-right Republican under the sun is seeing Trump's electoral college victory a mandate to enact sweeping ideas and radical proposals, regardless of the pain that is inflicted and the turmoil that is caused. I have great faith that common sense will eventually prevail, and that our traditional American values of justice, liberty and equality will eventually rule the day. In the end, they always have.

Both Democrats and Republicans have fought for these values throughout our nation's history -- from the time when Abraham Lincoln declared we were a nation with malice toward none and charity for all, to when a young Senator from the State of Illinois said: There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The way has not always been easy, nor has the cost been cheap; but for whatever this moment demands of us, we are ready.

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My father Mario Cuomo spent his entire life fighting against the death penalty, even when it wasn't popular, even when it cost him the governorship, because he knew it was right. I will fight against the targeting of Muslims, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and for the rights of all Americans every day I hold office and every day after that.
Conservative commentator David Frum has seemingly been as worried about a Trump presidency as any liberal. He tweeted something important a few days ago...

This idea reminds me of Y2K. For my younger Millennial friends out there who may be hazy on the details, a quick refresher. A quirk in programming made it possible that computer systems all over the world would glitch -- perhaps disastrously -- when the date switched to Jan 1, 2000.

After the ball dropped, the grid didn't go down and planes didn't drop from the sky. Phew. Many people said, in essence, "see, there was nothing to worry about." That was a deep misunderstanding of reality. Multinational companies and governments, with the help of thousands of programmers, had fixed the date tracking in computer systems globally.

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While it's possible the fears were overblown, a huge reason nothing went wrong was that a lot of people worked really hard on it.

For those 60 million of us who are very concerned about Trump's world view, beliefs, and lack of qualifications for the world's hardest, most powerful job, we may end up surprised. What if racial and income inequality don't get worse, global action on climate change continues, US emissions drop, companies continue to buy lots of renewable energy, and many more positive things happen?

There are plenty of reasons it could happen. Perhaps the economy and markets continue to progress toward a low-carbon world (i.e., Trump can't stop the clean economy). Or, as so many of us hope -- and many Trump voters i've heard seem to believe -- his positions in the campaign were mostly bluster (let's skip over the logic that the best case scenario then is that he was lying constantly). Or a 70-year-old narcissist under incredible stress has a change of heart.

All of that is possible I suppose.

But even if we end up doing ok, it does not mean that, as Frum says, "the danger was imagined." No, it's far more likely that we citizens will save the day, again.
It was the American people's intervention that prevented the annihilation of Trump. Haitian activists were pivotal in this. We ask that Trump do for us what we helped do for him, when he gets into office. He must stop the elitist establishment in Haiti from destroying the people's most popular candidate, whoever that turns out to be on November 20, 2016 in Haiti. ~~Ezili Danto Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network

It was the middle of September 2016 and the Haitian Sentinel ran a story about Donald Trump meeting with the Haitian-American community in Miami. Looking back, after an election that has upended both the Republican and Democratic parties, this meeting at the publicly funded Little Haiti Cultural Center was a seminal event that may have had a direct impact on Florida voters.

Trump was well behind in polling and it looked as if his chances of winning the Presidency were slim to none. It seemed an almost futile meeting for the Haitian-American community leaders who welcomed Trump to La Petite Haiti. The former Senate President of Haiti, Bernard Sansaricq, gave an impassioned account of Clinton Foundation abuses in Haiti, including drug money smuggled to lobbyists in cornflakes boxes, while Trump listened quietly. An industrial barrel, painted in the red and blue colors of the Haitian flag, doubled as a table in the front of the small room in the cultural arts center, a few blocks west of Biscayne Boulevard. The setting was a far cry from the opulence of Mar-a-Lago, just a short drive up the coast.

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The litany of Clinton Foundation abuses and failures in Haiti were all too familiar for many with knowledge of events since the 2010 earthquake. A plague of cholera, rigged elections, $13 billion in reconstruction aid that vanished, and a gold mining contract tied to Hillary Clinton's brother, were well known and well covered even before WikiLeaks exposed the inner workings of the Clinton Foundation. Still, the list of U.S. abuses in Haiti was not resonating with Americans, despite extensive coverage by the "paper of record," the New York Times.







In a three-sentence comment that reads like a lament, the Haitian Sentinel put the legacy of the Obama/Clinton years and the U.S. installation of Michel Martelly as President on the table.

"On the 5th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake, January 12, 2015, Haiti's parliament would fall for not having organized elections to renew lawmakers. Haiti went from a democracy of 5,000 elected officials, to a totalitarian regime ruled by Martelly in just 5 years. Martelly would be ousted without a successor on February 7, 2016 and the facts are, the next United States president, whether it be Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be sworn-in before Haiti has a legitimately elected president."

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Haitian-American activist Ezili Danto thinks the September meeting was the day that Trump was handed the election. In fact, the day before the election, Danto predicted that Trump would win, despite polls that showed him losing in a landslide. In an interview with Megyn Kelly after the election, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said that senior staffers were "the walking wounded," in the last days of the campaign due to the "avalanche" of personal attacks that flowed from the media. Certainly no one, not even the Trump campaign, expected or had predicted the outcome, except for a confident Danto.

So, what happened at the meeting in Little Haiti that opened the door for Trump in the all-important state of Florida so he could go on to win the Electoral College and become the 45th President-Elect of the United States? Did something more, something psychological, influence the electorate referendum against the Democratic Party, the Republican Party and the mainstream media, both conservative and liberal? Donald Trump ran under the Republican flag, but he was always closer to Bernie Sanders than Mitt Romney.

Not mincing words, Danto thinks that Trump's victory was indeed a psychological victory for the Haiti victims of what she calls the triumvirate of the "Bush dynasty, Clintons, and Obama-- going back to the end of the U.S. supported Duvalier regime."

The timeline of Haitian history, beginning with the 1492 landing of Christopher Columbus on the island of Hispaniola is one of occupation and subjugation by foreign powers. Flash forward to "modern" events and 1956 when Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier seized power in military coup and was elected president a year later. By 1964 Duvalier has declared himself "President for life" and established a dictatorship protected by the heinous Tontons Macoutes militia. His son, Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) succeeded him at the ripe age of nineteen and also declared himself president for life.

After Baby Doc fled Haiti in 1986, a governing council replaced him. By 1988 Leslie Manigat became president, but was ousted in a coup led by Brigadier-General Prosper Avril, who installed a civilian government under military control. History may appear tedious but Americans need to understand more than the isolated world they inhabit of like minded "friends" on social media.

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The 1990 election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti's first free election put Washington and the administration of George H.W. Bush on edge. Noam Chomsky wrote, "Washington was appalled by the election of a populist candidate with a grass-roots constituency just as it had been appalled by the prospect of the hemisphere's first free country on its doorstep two centuries earlier."

Within one year Aristide was ousted in a coup led by Brigadier-General Raoul Cedras, triggering sanctions by the U.S. and the Organization of American States. In 1994, during the Clinton years (1993-2001), the military regime relinquished power in the face of an imminent U.S. invasion while American interests "oversaw" a transition to a civilian government, opening the door to the return of Aristide.

Chomsky invokes historian Patrick Bellegarde-Smith: "The fear of democracy exists, by definitional necessity, in elite groups who monopolize economic and political power," whether in Haiti or the U.S. or anywhere else. From 2003 to 2004, President George W. Bush (2001-2009) authorized U.S. military intervention in Haiti to protect U.S. interests there.

When asked about the impact of the Haitian electorate Danto said, "In Florida, Haitian-Americans are the second most important group of American voters from the non-white immigrant community and they would not cooperate with the Democratic party and (all) vote the party line, although most Haitians in Florida probably did stay with the Democrats or a third party."

People reporting Haitian Ancestry from the 2015 Community Ancestry Survey are 1,062,550, +/-32,547 individuals. This diaspora has both historical and genetic memory of occupation and enslavement by U.S. and foreign interests. The foreign born from Haiti residing in the United States are most concentrated in Florida and New York. These two states are home to more than 70 percent of Haitian immigrants in the 2008-12 census period.

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So, is it possible that Haitian activists helped put a wrench in the media's solid wall of shaming people into not voting for Trump? "We freed honest people to look beyond the mainstream media's pundits, polls and predictions," Danto says.

Danto insists a significant number of Haitians abstained or voted for Donald Trump. "Once we created doubt of Hillary Clinton possibly not winning Florida, that reverberated and amplified a groundswell already under way throughout the United States," Danto said.

A Pew Research Report lends support to Danto's thesis.

"However, although Trump fared little better among blacks and Hispanics than Romney did four years ago, Hillary Clinton did not run as strongly among these core Democratic groups as Obama did in 2012."

In Miami-Dade County, Hillary Clinton pulled in 623,006 (63.7%), Donald Trump 333,666 (34.1%), and Gary Johnson 13,183 (1.3%) of the votes cast. The breakdown statewide as reported in the Miami Herald indicated underperformance in the African-American community.

"Exit polls found that Clinton performed worse with African-Americans than Obama in Florida -- 84 percent versus 95 -- and slightly better with Hispanics -- 62 percent versus 60 percent -- but she won just 32 percent of Florida's white vote, compared to 37 percent by Obama."

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Pew Research says, "Among whites, Trump won an overwhelming share of those without a college degree; and among white college graduates - a group that many identified as key for a potential Clinton victory - Trump outperformed Clinton by a narrow 4-point margin."

"The white working-class has been ignored and marginalized for too long by the political class. HRC called these folks Deplorables!" Monica Russo, executive vice president at 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said in an email reported by the Miami Herald.

How can one explain this growing alliance of white women, blacks and rural poor (black and white)?

Can we look at the Haitian diaspora as a microcosm for an American electorate that did more than choose between the "lesser of two evils?" Like Haitians, did the poor feel dispossessed and abandoned? What about the Black community?

"Well, the Democrats are reeling and they'll have to ponder the fact that the Black community they've taken so for granted did not fall in line to be taken for granted again. It's an epic blow for them," Danto says. "For now, it's a psychological victory for the Haiti victims of the Bush dynasty, the Clintons and Obama. We'll have to see that Trump doesn't do an Obama on us and put all of the Clinton-Bush people Americans just rejected back into government positions."

Analyzing articles written by Garrison Keillor, "Trump Voters Will Not Like What Happens Next", and "Deplorable Americans Decided to Drain the Swamp" by Todd Starnes; Danto offers an interesting thesis.

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"The Liberal/Neocon white guy is scared and resentful, and the country white guy is celebrating," Danto writes.

Neither want to talk to the other. Why? The U.S. leadership did not want to prepare the public for a possible Trump victory. Danto calls it "mis-leadership."

"Neither of the white guys writing these articles live in our world of the bipartisan U.S. liberal and neocon profit-over-people warmongering for resources and domination. But this Vodouist child of rural Haiti parents actually feels more sympathy for the obtuse country white guy in the Starnes article; the ones Hillary Clinton labeled the deplorable, irredeemable ones. That cowboy is made to feel shame for his gun, religion and open use of white privilege by a Duopoly that has a Kill List, uses religion and white supremacy to maintain permanent wars in the Middle East and across the planet.," Danto writes.

Danto understands being an outsider in more ways than one.

"We (Haitians) are the constantly underestimated ones, the vilified and defamed ones, so we understand Clinton's deplorables well. We understand that historically the rural white guy openly uses his white privilege to obfuscate the fact that the educated "yoga practitioners, Unitarians, bird-watchers, people who make their own pasta, opera-goers, the grammar police" uses the sons and daughters of the country white boy as cannon fodder in the US military and police departments to carry out the Liberal and Neocon white supremacist agenda."

Can't we all just get along? I am beginning to wonder.

Does the Trump victory suggest that the "country white guy" has more in common with the urban black community than anyone ever dreamed?

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"It seems to me there is a historic opportunity here for thinking Blacks in the U.S. to discuss our common ground with the country white guy and build on this coalition with him against the U.S. liberal/neocon warmonger making policies that destroy his community, the planet and especially the Black women's children everywhere," Danto says.

"Black people are not your enemies. The best option is to built on this outsider coalition."

It would be a denouement dripping with irony if voter analysis indicates that the Haitian/American electorate removed the shackles from closet Trump-leaning supporters in a Florida election. The verdict is still out, but it certainly appears possible that Haitians may have achieved some payback for an election rigged by Cheryl Mills and the Clinton State Department.

Hopefully President Trump will do all he can to uphold the results of the upcoming elections in Haiti next week. Presidential elections will be held on November 20 for the first round and a possible second round is scheduled to be held on January 29, 2017 if no candidate receives a majority (50 % plus one vote) of the votes in the first round.
President Elect Donald Trump is using Twitter to reassure all Americans that good things are in store for them. "This will prove to be a great time in the lives of ALL Americans. We will unite and we will win, win, win," he wrote Saturday. But it will take actions not tweets to begin to address the anxiety most Americans feel about Trump as president.

Hillary Clinton received the most votes in last Tuesday's presidential election, a higher percentage than Richard Nixon received in 1968, and Bill Clinton in 1992. But in the country where democracy was founded, getting the most votes does not mean victory. Trump was able to carry enough states to win the delegate count. He was helped by a depressed voter turnout, which always helps Republicans. Last Tuesday 57 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, compared to 58.6 percent in 2012, and 61.6 percent in 2008.

The depressed turnout may have been due to several key factors. FBI director James Comey sent a letter to members of Congress in October advising them that he was looking into Emails on former Congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop that may be pertinent to the Clinton investigation. Republicans seized on the ambiguous statement as if it was an indictment. Then two days before the election Comey advised members of Congress that the investigation found nothing after going through the additional Emails.

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This last minute reminder of Clinton's email problems could have helped depress turnout on election day, especially considering the fact that early voting was up over 2012. Clinton has mishandled her use of a private Email server, which Comey called reckless, and she played into perceptions that she cannot be trusted. It is worth noting that Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani told Fox News viewers something big was going to happen that would affect the election two days before Comey's first letter to Congress. Giuliani, a former United States Attorney from New York, later said that he never talked to anyone in the FBI about the matter. He now is the leading candidate to be U.S. Attorney General under Trump.

Prices for Obamacare increased substantially in some key states, including Arizona, just weeks before the election. The sticker shock eclipsed the good deeds the ACA is doing for millions of previously uninsured Americans. Obamacare has been the target of Republicans, and Trump has promised to repeal and replace it.

Hillary Clinton is not a great campaigner; she is no Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. While she put together a strong campaign team and a powerful ground game, Trump leveraged free media and kept driving the campaign conversation through his extensive use of Twitter. Trump is a good entertainer and a well-known personality, while Clinton is a long time member of the political establishment.

A number of states have added stricter voter identification standards, and have reduced polling places and the hours that they would be open. These changes discouraged the elderly, students and African Americans from voting. Republicans had made much of voter fraud in enacting these measures, even though there were only 31 cases of in-person voting fraud out of 1 billion votes since 2000 in all elections, national and local.

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National polls before the election showed Clinton ahead in many key state races, even after the latest Comey kerfuffle. Perhaps the Clinton campaign was too overconfident. But many of those who were polled may have misled pollsters about their intention to support Trump. On the other hand, most of the media failed to grasp the magnitude of Trump's support in sections of the country, especially rural. These supporters were not fair weather fans; rather they were devoted Trump loyalists.

President-elect Trump has been focusing on policy briefings, phone conversations with world leaders, and on deciding whom he will appoint to his cabinet. In order to win the presidency he overcame many controversial statements and actions that would have sunk any other candidate. He insulted his opponents in the harshest terms. He spoke and allegedly acted in a sexually offensive manner with several women, and he was even caught on videotape speaking in an inappropriate way. He called Mexican rapists and drug dealers, he threatened to ban Muslims from entering the country, he said women who have abortions should be punished, and he demeaned war heroes and veterans. Throughout the campaign he displayed ignorance on many key issues, national and foreign, and he lied early and often about himself, at times denying that he had said something earlier in the same interview. In short, he often acted like a schoolyard bully, and conducted himself foolishly.

The news media has been bashed by Clinton supporters for not challenging Trump earlier in his campaign. Trump received the equivalent of $2 billion in free airtime on cable and network news channels leading up to his election. Now the media should continue to pursue Trump's income tax returns that he alleges are under audit by the IRS. Further, new organizations should investigate how America's First Lady to be, Melania Trump, entered the United States. She was supposed to have a press conference last summer to show proof she did not enter the U.S. illegally. Further, the media ought to investigate the truth behind Trump's shoddy business practices and his many conflicts of interest with foreigners and governments he has borrowed money from to maintain his empire. His generous use of the EB-5 program, where foreigners who invest in U.S. capital investments, like real estate, are granted U.S. visas, would be a good place to examine.

The Electoral College will cast its vote for President-elect Trump in December, and he will be sworn into office in January. He will then be president, but many Americans are having trouble accepting that fact.
Donald Trump delivers his victory speech on November 9, 2016

Donald J. Trump is the president elect. In a few months, he will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. The media pundits are flabbergasted by his electoral triumph. Having repeatedly written him off, his improbable success on election night is inexplicable.

What exactly does Trump's electoral victory signify?

The liberal media has been quick to characterize the Trump victory as the last gasp of an angry white tribe lashing out in a final act of defiance against the demographic forces that are slowly changing the complexion of the U.S. electorate. To the left, Trump's victory is nothing less than a racist repudiation of the legacy of Barack Obama, America's first African-American president; a xenophobic defense of white privilege by a class that sees its political and economic power slowly and inexorably slipping away forever.

Indeed, the media largely portrayed the campaign in racist and misogynistic terms. To them, Trump was a candidate that routinely demeaned and insulted women and minorities, showed no respect for due process of law, and cultivated fear and hatred to mobilize his base. When Hillary Clinton referred to his supporters, "as a basket of deplorables," the media didn't criticize her; they largely agreed that her characterization of his base as sexist, racist and misogynistic was consistent with their description of his campaign.

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The difficulty with this narrative is that the exit polling indicates that these issues didn't weigh very heavily on the electorate. Trump did far better with women and Hispanics than the polls had predicted; and while the African-American vote broke overwhelmingly in favor of Hillary Clinton, Trump got a much higher percentage of that vote than Romney got in 2012.

There is, however, another way of characterizing this election, not in terms of xenophobia and race, but in economic terms. On November 8, an increasingly displaced blue-collar working class, a group ignored by both the left and the right, voted for their pocketbook. Their repudiation of President Barack Obama's legacy was not motivated by race but by the ineffectiveness of his policies. The aggregate economic indices notwithstanding, those policies have not eased the plight of the working class. They have not created more employment for them or improved their wages.

The 2016 presidential election was a populist election. Only a populist could have won it. The Republicans, to the consternation of the establishment nominated a populist. The Democrats, to the relief of the party elite, at least initially, opted against their populist. Whether Bernie Sanders could have defeated Donald Trump will never be known. The post mortem "what if" polling is about as useful as the polls that showed Hillary Clinton winning in a landslide with a 12-point margin. A Sanders-Trump election would have been a fascinating political drama, one that would have produced a very different political alignment.

I must give credit to Michael Moore, who called the election while most pundits were still debating the size of the anticipated Democratic landslide. I can't say that I agree much with Michael Moore, but I still respect him and his work. Yes, you can respect someone with whom you usually disagree. In the old days, we used to call this civil society. Unfortunately, it's all too rare these days and virtually extinct on college campuses. I'll even buy Michael a cup of coffee next time he is in Portland and give him a chance to explain to me why I am wrong on just about everything.

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Hillary Clinton campaigning in Tempe Arizona, November 2, 2016. Photograph courtesy G Skidmore

Donald Trump is an unlikely populist. It is ironic that a New York billionaire real estate developer would succeed in convincing America's blue-collar workers that he could be their champion and that he could restore their economic well-being. The challenge now will be to deliver on that promise. The economic dislocations transforming the blue-collar working class are not going to be reversed with a bully pulpit, the threat of higher tariffs on imports or tearing up free trade agreements.

Increasingly, in the Western world there are two different economies coexisting, the manufacturing based economy of tangible things and the digital economy of intangible products. Both economies have always existed, but of late employment in the intangible economy has been accelerating, while employment in the tangible economy has been shrinking. That development is driving a long-term political realignment in the Western world.

Take North American manufacturing. In the last two decades, this sector has lost over six million jobs; about one-third of manufacturing employment. In that same period the total economic value of manufacturing output increased by roughly 50 percent. Two-thirds as many workers produced 50 percent more than their fathers did. Nor are these types of economic trends unprecedented. A century ago half of all workers were employed in the agricultural sector. Today only about one percent of workers work in agriculture, while output has increased more than twenty-fold.

Globalization has seen governments around the world band together to create larger "free market" economic zones, like the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while simultaneously encouraging the free flow of labor/migration and capital around the globe. Seamless global supply chains, the impact of digitization, and cheap, instantaneous communications and data sharing has further encouraged this trend by making geography less of a limiting factor of commerce than it used to be.

The problem with globalism as an economic strategy for maximizing output and economic growth is that the costs and benefits of globalism fall disproportionately on different socioeconomic groups. Those economic sectors that decline, in North America and Europe these are principally lower skilled industrial manufacturing jobs, create unemployment, social and personal turmoil, and declining property and asset values, not to mention that they devastate those communities that are overly dependent on the industries affected.

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Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have dealt with this issue. Instead all Washington has been willing to do is to liberalize food stamp benefits and increase the term for unemployment insurance. The working class isn't looking for more food stamps and more unemployment benefits, what they are looking for is meaningful work they can be proud of. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders understood this. All the other candidates and the national media missed it.

Long-term these jobs would have disappeared anyway, but the economic, trade and foreign policies that encourage globalism invariably makes this happen faster. In turn this breeds resentment against the most visible manifestations of globalism, international capital, trade agreements and migration, both legal and illegal. Nor is globalization entirely at fault. Computer technology, inexpensive chips and ever more sophisticated software have driven factory automation and also reduced manufacturing jobs.

Since 2008, employment growth in the intangible economy has been growing faster than in the tangible one. Such claims are controversial because there is no standard definition of what constitutes the intangible economy. Some definitions are very narrow, focusing primarily on the "digital economy," while others are more expansive and include any employment that is not devoted to making "things," and includes the service sector. Regardless of the definition, employment in the tangible economy has been declining while that in the intangible economy has been increasing.

Senator Bernie Sanders on the camapign trail. Photo courtesy of G Skidmore

These economic trends manifest themselves politically in the divergence over key issues between the tangible and intangible economy. For example, take energy and global warming. The manufacturing sector represents roughly one-third of North American energy consumption. Energy costs are typically one of the top three cost items in manufacturing. Such costs are less important to the intangible economy. Not surprisingly, voters in the intangible economy are more willing to replace inexpensive hydrocarbon energy with more expensive "green" energy than workers in the tangible economy.

Immigration shows a similar fault line. Workers in the tangible economy see increased immigration as a competitive threat to their employment and wage prospects. In the intangible economy, immigration is a source of highly skilled and educated workers and cutting-edge knowledge.

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The debate over globalization has a similar division. In the tangible economy, support for free trade is inversely related to an industry's global competitiveness. The North American aerospace industry, for example, is cutting-edge and strongly supports free trade. The steel industry, on the other hand, often burdened by significant legacy costs and older technology, is far more protectionist. The intangible economy, not surprisingly, heavily dependent on scale, is far more supportive of free trade and globalization. This is especially true in the digital sector, where global distribution can be achieved with a mouse click.

The 2016 presidential election underscored the fact that the Democratic Party has emerged as the defender of the political and economic interests of the intangible economy, while the Republican Party has emerged as the standard bearer of the tangible economy. That's why Silicon Valley is a bastion of Democratic Party support and steel workers and coal miners increasingly vote Republican. It's also why those states where the intangible economy is growing rapidly, like California, Washington, Massachusetts, North Carolina or Colorado, are increasingly Democratic or have shifted from reliably Republican to swing states, while normally dependable Democratic states like Wisconsin and Michigan flipped Republican.

Blue-collar jobs are going to decline because the long-term economic transformation that is driving that trend will continue regardless of who occupies the White House. Moreover, protecting legacy industries risks holding back the cutting-edge industries of tomorrow. The challenge is to provide meaningful employment for displaced workers while still maintaining an economic environment that allows the innovative industries of the digital economy to flourish. Unfortunately, the Facebooks and Apples of the world that define our economic future have little need for unemployed coal miners and steel workers.

There are a few other conclusions that can be drawn from the 2016 electoral results. The great Roosevelt coalition that heralded the rise of the Democratic Party to national power is on its last legs. One-by-one, the pillars of that coalition, the elderly, rural households, southerners, industrial blue-collar workers, have peeled away. All that's left now is the urban centers and their inhabitants. A map of voting patterns by county is instructive-population dense urban oases of Democratic blue surrounded by a never-ending sea of Republican red.

Presidential election results by county. Democratic majorities in blue and Republican majorities in red. Image courtesy Ali Zifan

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The challenge for the Democratic party is to decide whether it should embrace the "progressivism" of the Bernie Sanders-Elizabeth Warren wing of the party and try to re-establish its credibility with America's industrial working class or whether it should put all its chips on the electorate of the digital economy. The latter represents its strongest long-term prospects, but at the risk of becoming a bi-coastal party with a much weaker political hand in the short-term as the shift in industrial and blue-collar workers turn reliably Democratic states in the Midwest into swing states if not Republican bastions.

The Republican Party is now the party of the blue-collar working class, having transformed in two generations the most stalwart of the Democratic Party's base. Should that trend continue, then the Electoral College map will undergo a tectonic shift, one that will eliminate the inherent advantage that Democratic candidates have enjoyed for the last half dozen election cycles. These short-term gains, however, come at the price of aligning the party with those economic sectors that will continue to be in a long-term decline. Incidentally, it also means that there is a fundamental disconnect between large segments of industrial union's rank and file and their pro-Democratic party union leadership.

Finally, the outcome of the election underscored the growing irrelevance of the national media. The issue is not just that the media got it wrong, it's that a large portion of the country, what liberals contemptuously dismiss as "fly over country," couldn't care less what the national media said or their characterization of the campaign.

Hillary Clinton made Donald Trump's fitness to serve as president the central theme of her campaign and the national media seconded that decision. That's why it felt that the national media was so biased in favor of Clinton, for the most part the media simply echoed and amplified the Clinton campaign's narrative. Trouble was that the Clinton campaign was preaching to the choir. A significant number of Americans never bought into that narrative, enough to give Trump the victory on November 8.

A generation ago, Walter Cronkite's reversal of his support for the war In Vietnam meant that the Johnston Administration had lost the support of Middle America. Today, the only people who truly care what network anchors have to say are their adoring neighbors on the Upper West Side and their Beverly Hills groupies.

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Even now, a week after the election, the national media still doesn't get it. Instead it seems determined to refight an election, that is now over and which it lost, by readdressing issues that the electorate has already dismissed as irrelevant. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the praise newspapers, like the Washington Post or the New York Times, heap on the rioters protesting Donald Trump's election victory or the prominence they give speculation on the inevitability of Trump's impeachment.

Had Hillary Clinton won the election and had it been Trump supporters rioting in the streets, they would have been branded as a proto-fascist mob and a threat to democratic order. Moreover, Trump would have been blamed for their violence and called upon to tell his supporters to go home.

Donald Trump campaigning in Phoenix Arizona, August 2016. Photo courtesy of G Skidmore.

Instead a bunch of coddled college students (I guess they are looking for a safe zone) and paid agitators are held up as an example of free speech and democracy in action. Why hasn't the national media demanded that Hillary Clinton tell her rioting supporters to stop destroying innocent people's property and go home? The hallowed distinction between the editorial page and the news pages has been forgotten. "All the news that's fit to print" has been replaced by "all the news that's fit to spin."

As for the Clintons, well I suppose they will just fade away into obscurity, sort of, and defend their ill-gotten gains. There's still money to be made preaching to the liberal choir, although I doubt anybody will be paying Bill Clinton million-dollar speaking fees to pontificate on the state of the world.

The Clinton Foundation can forget about all those fat foreign donations. The problem with a quid pro quo is that you need a quid to get a pro. None is available now, at least not until Chelsea runs for Congress. Sorry America, the Clintons aren't done with you yet. Still the next generation of Clintons may be better than the first. Hard to see how they could be any worse.

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One week into a presidential transition isn't much of a track record. Still, President-elect Trump is showing himself to be open minded and willing to listen. I've had my differences with Trump's policies, but I'm encouraged by what I see. I think he has the potential to be a pretty good president. There will be plenty of things on which to disagree with the Trump Administration in the future but for now Hillary Clinton's supporters and the national media owe it to the country to give the man a chance.
When it comes to the Middle East, the Islamic Republic of Iran is the linchpin and epicenter of many tensions and conflicts across the region. As an Iranian official stated, Iran dominates four Arab capitals. Countering Iran's military would lead to significant changes reducing the regional conflicts.

The Trump administration should pursue firm policies in countering Iran's militaristic, hegemonic and ideological ambitions. In the eight years of Barack Obama's presidency, Washington was hesitant to take robust stance against the Islamic Republic. It goes without saying that these appeasement policies have turned the regional tensions into conflagration. The creation of concepts such as "moderates" versus "hardliners" is a fallacy. In Iran, authorities do not use these concepts. Iran's politicians across the political spectrum might use different means but they try to achieve the same objectives: preserving the political establishment of the Islamic Republic, Velayate Faqih (the Supreme Leader) and the revolutionary principles of 1979.

Trump should observe and learn the bitter lessons derived from the two terms of the Obama administration. Iranian leaders learned that hardball tactics plays well with the US. Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism increased.

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Trump administration should take a three-pronged approach toward the Iranian government. Regionally speaking, Washington needs to hold Iran accountable for any aggression, anti-US and anti-Israeli rhetoric. Washington should take legal action when Iran violates UN security resolution such as test firing ballistic missiles or breaching the arms embargo.The US should stand with its Middle Eastern allies to counter the IRGC expansion of its stranglehold in the region and should drive the IRGC forces out of foreign territories. Financing of Iran's proxies and delivery of arms to them should be countered appropriately.

Domestically speaking, the US needs to publicly condemn Iran's increasing human rights violations. With regards to the nuclear agreement, the US should not solely rely on the IAEA to inspect Iran. Since Russia and China will support Iran, the US should take unilateral proportionate action such as re-imposing Obama's repealed sanctions on Iran.

______________________

For more details and nuances you can read full versionon Here.

You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on HERE.

Harvard-educated, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, president of the International American Council on the Middle East, business advisor, and best-selling author. He serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review.

Dr. Rafizadeh is frequently invited to brief governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as speak, as a featured speaker, at security, business, diplomatic, and social events. He has been recipient of several fellowships and scholarships including from Oxford University, Annenberg, University of California Santa Barbara, Fulbright program, to name few He is regularly quoted and invited to speak on national and international outlets including CNN, BBC World TV and Radio, ABC, Aljazeera English, Fox News, CTV, RT, CCTV America, Skynews, CTV, and France 24 International, to name a few. . He analyses have appeared on academic and non-academic publications including New York Times International, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Farred zakaria GPS, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, The Nation, The National. Aljazeera, The Daily Beast, The Nation, Jerusalem Post, The Economic Times, USA Today Yale Journal of International Affairs, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, and Harvard International Review. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Persian, English, and Arabic. He also speaks Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. More at Harvard.

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You can also order his books on HERE.

You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE.
Honey Bees.

The Paris Opera House, the Palais Garnier, is a proud producer of its own honey, thanks to a few bee houses of its very own historical rooftop. How very cool!

The multitude of tiny insects flying around the capital seems so country-like! And yet they do have the best viewing spot of the city. And they produced sought-after pots of gold.

I used to take dance classes at the famed Paris Opera - when I was a child with hopes of becoming a real ballerina - and we, children, used to sneak onto a part of the multi-level roof, accessed by the round windows with wide ledges.

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This was highly forbidden of course, but we were nimble little things with a fierce determination. There were no bees then.

The Opera National of Paris is known to shelter its "Petits rats" (or little rats, as the kids dancers are named), but also for a prime location for bees. Granted, all graceful beings.

Five bee houses offer exceptional breeding conditions for the bees. The fragrant nectar of the surrounding avenues many tall trees are vital for food. Thank to the local linden trees, the honey produced carries their fragrance in a strong taste.

Pure Gold.

The many trees of the capital, along with weeds and flowers, give the honey its fruity/nutty/green flavor, used by many of Paris chefs and pastry makers. Some half a million bees produce the most expensive but pure honey in the world.

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Most specifically, the environment on the roof has no pesticide or treatment of any kind. Natural bees, organic honey! While the opera bees are striving, in the past 10 years, France has lost 30 percent of its bee population, jeopardizing the very livelihood of many bee specialists.

According to Celine Ducruix, a pesticide scientist, the honey produced on the roof of the Opera only contains two of the 76 principal pollution agents categorized.

Looked after by the family-founded company MUGO, calling themselves editors of nature, they are urban bee-keepers and producers of the golden liquid.

The Paris Opera House is a 19th-century architectural masterpiece built by Charles Garnier . Inaugurated in 1875, it was commissioned by Napoleon III, as part of the city's master renovation plan carried out by architect Baron Haussmann.

The project was the subject of a design competition won by architect Charles Garnier (1825-1898). The foundation stone was laid in 1861, and the actual construction started in 1862.

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Madame!

An adorable legend is that the Emperor's wife, Empress Eugenie, asked the architect if the building would be of Greek or Roman style, to which Garnier proudly replied:



"It is in the Napoleon III style, Madame!"

The 2,200-seat historical monument is open to visitors during the day (every day tours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 11 Euros - free for the unemployed) and of course to music and dance lovers in the evenings. The magnificent ceiling of the main lobby was painted by Chagall.

More info here.

The honey (miel in French) is sold at the Opera house boutique (and at their online link as well) and at few gourmet shop around Paris.



Opera de Paris - Palais Garnier

8 Rue Scribe, Paris 9th. Metro stop: Opera.

15 Euros a pot.

Stay tuned, my next story will be about the Phantom of the Paris Opera.
If you're one of the millions of Americans unhappy with your choices and prices this year under Obamacare, there is a possible alternative that could give you the same kind of top-flight healthcare plan offered by many businesses to their employees - with a wide choice of physicians and hospitals, and excellent prescription benefits.

That's because of a little-known "quirk" in the Affordable Care Act that allows small businesses a chance to offer employees - even if as few as one employee enrolls - a job -based plan that is equivalent to the best deals offered by major insurers.

This Special Enrollment Period or SEP occurs each year from November 15th through December 15th, for coverage to start on January 1 of the following year. All insurance companies offering coverage on or off the marketplace agree to accept all small businesses that apply for coverage during this SEP. That means major insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana, among others, must accept even small businesses that might have just one employee!

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In many cases, the small business plans offer better benefits and lower costs than plans available to individuals on the Obamacare exchanges - especially now that many insurers have dropped out of the state exchanges, or raised prices and limited participating providers.

The concept is attractive to business owners, because they do not have to contribute to the cost of employees' healthcare. Instead, the employee pays the premiums - on a pre-tax basis, lowering the true cost of paying for this healthcare policy. And, because the premium cost is an employee deduction, the business owner saves on payroll taxes.

Best of all, because this small business incentive program is part of the Affordable Care Act, there is no impact on cost or acceptance because an employee may have pre-existing medical conditions.

Before you think about "creating" a small business this month to take advantage of this offer, be aware that the government will be checking that the business is truly in existence. But even if only one employee of a small business enrolls in the health insurance plan, the coverage must be accepted by the insurer.

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The plan chosen by the business may not be attractive to all the employees. For example, if an employee with a low income decides that the Obamacare exchange plans, including subsidies, will cost him or her less than the company's plan, the employee can buy one of those exchange plans. Remaining employees - even if only one -- can get the small business plan.

How do you find these small business plans? You'll likely have to go through an insurance broker.

Allen Wishner of Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (www.FlexibleBenefit.com) works with thousands of brokers helping their small business clients set up health insurance plans. And there's a year-end crunch, Wishner says, because business owners are suddenly facing unacceptable choices on the insurance exchanges.

One of those brokers, The Health Insurance Shoppe , (www.TheHealthInsuranceShoppe.com) located in Chicago, has registered insurance agents that will help business owners find a plan, and identify employees that might be better off with the subsidized exchange plans. Business owners know that they might be the only one covered under the plan - and still qualify for the small business deal created by the Affordable Care Act.
Japanese Eating Italian Food

Abruzzo in Japan, authentic Italy in the heart of Tokyo. We all know that Italy undoubtedly is on top of the list of most travelers' wishes and Italian cuisine is appreciated all over the world. The charm of Italy is timeless, but what do people actually know about the real Italy apart from the main touristic spots and the most renowned dishes? From North to South Italy is full of hidden treasures, and Regional cuisine is the most authentic expression of the Italian culinary heritage.

Watch the video of our Italian event in Tokyo

Abruzzo in Japan by Hidden Italy Tours

Hidden Italy Tours, an emerging Travel Company based in Abruzzo (Italy) knows it well, and with the goal of making travelers discover the hidden treasures and flavors of Italy, has just started to organize a series of promotional events around the globe together with renowned chef and food blogger Vincenzo's Plate. Francesca Cichella, founder of Hidden Italy Tours, and Vincenzo Prosperi are two passionate foodies and share the same passion for their native Region Abruzzo, one of the best kept secrets of Italy.

They have started their adventure in the Land of the Rising Sun with their first promotional event "Abruzzo in Japan", held in one of the best Italian restaurants in Tokyo, the "Trattoria dai Paesani", the one and only Abruzzese restaurant in Japan and the Asia-Pacific area.

The Trattoria, situated in the business district of Shinjuku in Tokyo, has been funded by Giuseppe Sabatino and Davide Fabiano, two passionate Abruzzesi who have brought a piece of Abruzzo in the heart of the metropolis.

In just a couple of years the Trattoria has become a point of reference for all those who love Italy and Italian food.

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The special travel & food event "Abruzzo in Japan" has been a chance for 120 lucky guests to immerse themselves in the authentic Italian atmosphere thanks to a selection of the best traditional dishes prepared by the Trattoria, and some of the best typical foods and drinks brought from Abruzzo.

The food, the art, the traditions and exceptional images of the iconic landscapes of Abruzzo who have been displayed during the events have made the participants forget they were in Japan for one night. The appreciation and the surprise effect seen in their faces show that Italy is a Country that has still a lot to offer to its visitors. A side of Italy made of picturesque villages, small historical towns, wineries, olive groves, mountains, castles, beaches and organic farms where it is still possible to live authentic experiences far from mass tourism.
K-State students get to 'Hang with Tang' on Tuesday

Cat Zone




iciHaiti - FLASH : Seizure of weapons, the government does not say everything ?





In a note, the General Administration of Customs (AGD), informs the population that "[...] during the control operations carried out by the customs officers in the ports of Port-au-Prince and certain provincial towns, significant seizures of weapons and ammunition illegally entered have been made."



It is worth to recall that over the last 3 months, only 3 seizures of weapons have been officially brought to the public's attention by the authorities :



On September 8, at the Port of Saint-Marc, seized more than 150 weapons and a large amount of ammunition... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18569-haiti-flash-worrying-seizure-of-weapons-from-the-usa.html



Monday, October 24 at the Port of Saint-Marc 4 weapons and ammunition https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18738-haiti-flash-2nd-seizure-of-weapons-to-st-marc-customs.html



Tuesday, November 8 at Port Lafito Global seizure of a dozen pistols and ammunition https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19168-haiti-flash-new-discovery-of-firearms-in-a-container.html



The AGD note suggests, without further clarification, that there have been several large seizures of weapons and ammunition should us deduce that many important seizure of weapons have not been brought to the attention of the public by the authorities concerned ?



The AGD concludes by recalling "Face this alarming situation, the AGD considers it appropriate to recall [...] that any import of weapons and ammunition, unauthorized and unreported, is considered as contraband activity a prosecution will be engaged against the offenders."



IH/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - Education : $1,5M to help the return of students to school





Hurricane Matthew destroyed a lot of schools. One of the most important parts of rebuilding southern Haiti and helping affected children is getting them back to school.



The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Haiti, in coordination with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF, is providing nearly $1.5 million to restore educational capacity in GrandAnse, Nippes, and South.



Across the three departments, this partnership will restore 50 schools and support the distribution of 45,000 kits to school-age children.



Schools will be equipped with instructional materials, furniture, school bags and 1,000 kits will be distributed to teachers.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19191-haiti-education-world-bank-donated-$30m.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19032-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19031-haiti-education-4-of-schools-across-the-country-damaged-or-destroyed.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18980-haiti-education-gradual-resumption-of-school-activities.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18952-haiti-petit-goave-54-schools-and-122-churches-damaged-or-destroyed.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18907-haiti-education-matthew-prevents-more-than-100-000-children-to-return-to-school.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















Vietnamese exhibitors are primarily showcasing farm and industrial products, tourism services, food, pharmaceutical products, education and employment consultation services, consumer goods and souvenirs.



While the Japanese booths feature agricultural products, seeds, lubricants, automobiles, education, pharmacy, employment opportunities, consumer goods, souvenirs, gifts, hotels and tourism products.



Two important economic events have been planned for the event. A Mekong Delta investment conference transpired on November 11 with the participation of around 80 foreign and 300 Vietnamese organizations.





The cultural exchange (Source: VOV)





The foreign organizations represented at the event include those from Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, Australia, the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, the UK and the Netherlands.A trade exchange forum takes place on November 12th involving 40 Japanese organizations involved in the agriculture, information technology, hotel, restaurant, production, trade, services, education and health segments.Visitors to the exchange will also have ample opportunities to gain better insights into the cultural identities of the two countries. An estimated 26 Japanese artists will join 103 Vietnamese artists in 33 planned performances.The program is expected to solidify the foundation for trade and investment between the business communities of Japan and the Mekong Delta region, according to Truong Quang Hoai Nam, vice chair of the Municipal Peoples Committee./.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the universitys foundation in Hanoi on November 12th, the PM urged the university to strongly innovate training programmes and teaching methods to train high-quality human resources.



Appreciating the NEU's achievements, he highlighted the importance of the change of education and training development mindset, saying that a modern university ought to simutaneously care about scientific knowledge, self-study methods and soft skills.





Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presents the Labour Order,

first class, to the university (Source: VNA)

He suggested the university develop it into a model of the self-control public university under the law on tertiary education, stressing that this will be key to improving the educational quality and renovating the tertiary education management.



It is necessary to ensure training quality to meet the demand in the labour market in the context of regional and international integration, he said.



The university should enhance links with enterprisers in applying results of science research and creating jobs for students after graduation, he noted.



He believed with its great achievements over the last six decades, the NEU will become a prestigious research-oriented multidisciplinary university in the region and the world in terms of economics and business administration.



As a leading university in the group of Vietnam economics universities, the NEU acts as a centre for training students in economics and business administration in bachelor, master and doctor training programmes in Vietnam. It also maintained connection with the Central Economic Committee and the National Assemblys Economic Committee via economic seminars and workshops.



The university built a scientific database system, which is shared widely with 40 universities, economics and business administrative academies nationwide.



It has also cooperated with many universities, research institutes and international organisations in the UK, France, the US, Sweden, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the UN Development Programme and the World Bank.





On the occasion, PM Phuc presented the Labour Order, first class, to the university for the second time./.
Imperial Valley News Center

Colombia Peace Accord

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "I want to congratulate the government and people of Colombia on achieving a revised peace agreement. President Santos and his negotiating team, those from the "No" campaign, and other important sectors of Colombian society deserve credit for engaging in a far reaching and respectful national dialogue following the plebiscite.

"This agreement has the benefit of many hours of discussion between supporters and critics of the original Peace Accords. After 52 years of war, no peace agreement can satisfy everyone in every detail. But this agreement constitutes an important step forward on Colombias path to a just and durable peace. The United States, in coordination with the Government of Colombia, will continue to support full implementation of the final peace agreement."
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Leon Russell's passing has brought great sadness to the American music community, thanks to his famed contributions 'Shine a Light' and 'A Song For You'.

Russell's colourful career saw him lead the famous Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, perform with George Harrison and Friends and tour with everyone from Sir Elton John to Willie Nelson, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Edgar Winter and The New Grass Revival. He was a longtime hero of Sir Elton and collaborated with him on a number of occasions.

Though inducted both into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2011, much of the musician's legacy has been felt not by his original recordings, but by the many covers and versions of his work recorded both by collaborators and admirers. Here are just a few.

'Delta Lady', as performed by Joe Cocker



'Delta Lady' marked Russell's first success as a commercial songwriter, which was performed by Joe Cocker and included in his self-titled 1969 album, alongside numerous covers of tracks by the likes of The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan. Russell also co-produced and arranged the album, preceding him organizing the 'Mad Dogs & Englishmen' tour.

'Superstar', as performed by The Carpenters



This 1969 track was written by both Russell and Bonnie Bramlett, with a songwriting credit also given to Delaney Bramlett; created at the time Russell played as part of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. However, the song's gained its popularity through a whole host of covers: including Rita Coolidge, Bette Midler, Cher, Peggy Lee, and Sonic Youth.

The most famous, however, is The Carpenters' version released in 1971.

'A Song For You', as performed by Amy Winehouse



Perhaps Russell's most well-known contribution, 'A Song For You' was called an American classic by Elton John, and has seen many different versions throughout the years; the track more recently featured on Lioness: Hidden Treasures, a posthumous compilation album of Amy Winehouse's unreleased work.

Winehouse's version specifically covered the Donny Hathaway version from 1971, with further covers having been produced by the likes of Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Donna Summer, and Christina Aguilera.

'Shine a Light', as performed by The Rolling Stones



Though the track which features on the 1972 album Exile on Main St. was largely written by Mick Jagger, as an ode to former Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones during the period in which his drug habit began to worsen, an early version was recorded by Leon Russell under the name '(Can't Seem to) Get a Line on You' in 1969.

'This Masquerade', as performed by George Benson



Russell originally penned the song as a B-side to his 1972 hit 'Tight Rope', but it found later fame in covers by George Benson and The Carpenters; as well as appearing in William Friedkin's 2006 horror Bug.

Russell died in Nashville on Sunday; His wife said that he passed away in his sleep, a statement posted on Russells website read.
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Fake news shared on Facebook did not contribute to the outcome of the US election because the hoaxes were not limited to one viewpoint, Mark Zuckerberg has said.

Facebooks co-founder and CEO has come under pressure to redefine the social network as a media company after false stories about the presidential candidates went viral in the run-up to the election.

But Mr Zuckerberg said only a small percentage of news posted on Facebook was deliberately fake and it was extremely unlikely hoaxes contributed to the surprise victory of Donald Trump.

 Clinton may have got the second-most amounf of votes ever despite losing

The hoaxes that do exist are not limited to one partisan view, or even to politics, he wrote in a reflective public post. Overall, this makes it extremely unlikely hoaxes changed the outcome of this election in one direction or the other.

The 32-year-old billionaire said more than 99 per cent of news shared on Facebook was verifiable, but acknowledged more could be done to flag fake stories which had been debunked.

We don't want any hoaxes on Facebook. Our goal is to show people the content they will find most meaningful, and people want accurate news, he wrote.

We have already launched work enabling our community to flag hoaxes and fake news, and there is more we can do here. We have made progress, and we will continue to work on this to improve further.

On 5 November, just days before polling stations opened, an article was published on a website of what appeared to be a local newspaper called The Denver Guardian.

FBI agent suspected in Hillary email leaks found dead in apparent murder-suicide, read the headline.

The article was shared more than 560,000 times on Facebook, according to online social media tracker Shared Count.

However, The Denver Guardian is not a newspaper, but a fake news site publishing made-up stories such as this one, which was quickly debunked by fact-checking site Snopes among others.

A picture of Mr Trump above a fabricated quote falsely attributed to People magazine has also been circulating online since October 2015, according to Snopes.

If I were to run, Id run as a Republican. Theyre the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and theyd still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific, reads the quote.

But no interview or profile of Mr Trump exists in which these words or anything similar is reported.

Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Show all 10 1 /10 Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Facebook's brand new office in Singapore A mural from local artist Justin Lee CK blending East and West. Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Visitors can leave a message on the 'Write-Something-Wall' Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Sign in here Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore The library space Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Teach gear vending machine where employees can tap their tags and get what they need in case they forgot to bring their equipment at the office. Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore An internal staircase, adorned with acrylic confetti by Singapore designer Dawn Ng, connects the four floors comprising the Singapore HQ Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Relax at the game corner Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore The hangout area, use your break to try the Instagram Anti gravity booth or the Facebook mahjong Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore The Instagram "gravity booth" that Facebook set at the hangout area for the athletes at the Southeast Asian Games that was held in 2015. The booth's furniture is set at a 90-degree angle rotated left, turn the picture to the right and it will look like you are floating. Facebook Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Drink in the beer garden anyone ?

The purpose of these fake news stories and images appears to be to influence political opinion  but many could be being created to make money instead.

More than 100 US political websites were found to be registered in one small town in Macedonia called Veles, according to Buzzfeed.

By publishing outlandish stories which are shared many times on Facebook, the sites creators said they were able to earn money through pay-per-click adverts on their website.

Amid calls for Facebook to be redefined as a media company, the sites leaders have insisted it is a technology platform and is not editorially responsible for what is posted on to the site by its users.

At a tech conference in California last week, Mr Zuckerberg called the idea that the social network may have influenced the outcome of the election a pretty crazy idea and said voters made decisions based on their lived experience.

And in his latest post on the subject, he elaborated on why the company should be extremely cautious about becoming arbiters of truth ourselves.

Identifying the truth is complicated. While some hoaxes can be completely debunked, a greater amount of content, including from mainstream sources, often gets the basic idea right but some details wrong or omitted, he wrote.

An even greater volume of stories express an opinion that many will disagree with and flag as incorrect even when factual. I am confident we can find ways for our community to tell us what content is most meaningful, but I believe we must be extremely cautious about becoming arbiters of truth ourselves.
He urged the facility to build strong research groups, while developing a number of major sciences, including computing, renewable energy, environment and maritime technology, thus enabling technology transfer and dealing with issues related to the environment, green growth and climate change.



Speaking at a ceremony on November 12th to mark the universitys 60th anniversary, he asked the university to further improve education and training quality to enhance the countrys human resources quality and meeting the requirement of the labour market.



It is crucial to design policies to attract high profile lecturers, while expanding external relations and creating favourable conditions for scientists to conduct research, he said.



Meanwhile, the university should also pay attention to build pure and strong Party organisation, increasing political awareness for students, lecturers and officials.

He requested other ministries, sectors and localities to support the university to promote its role as the leading research university in fundamental science of Vietnam, and enter top 100 Asian universities in 2020 and reaching Asian standard for a number of areas in 2030.





President Tran Dai Quang attends the ceremony (Photo: VNA)





The University of Natural Sciences under the Hanoi National University, formerly known as Hanoi University, was established in 1956, becoming the first university offering fundamental science courses in the northern region, with 430 students initially. Prof. Nguy Nhu Kon Tum was the first headmaster of the university.On December 10th, 1993, the university was named the University of Natural Sciences and put under the management of Hanoi National University. It was the first facility in the country offering programmes for high-school, post-graduate, Master and PhD levels as well as special bachelor science courses for talents.The facility has made excellent achievements during its 60-year operation, significantly contributing to the countrys education development as well as the national construction and defence.As a top facility for fundamental science training, the university has announced more than 200 scientific researches each year at prestigious international science magazines, including the Nature Magazine.At the ceremony, President Tran Dai Quang presented Ho Chi Minh Order to the university. This is the second time the facility has been honoured with the noble order../.
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Michael Moore has suggested Donald Trump is likely to be impeached because the Republican will break the law during his first term as President.

The Oscar-winning documentary-maker and left-wing political commentator, who in July correctly predicted the billionaire property magnate would win the presidential election, insisted Mr Trumps first term would be cut short.

Moore said the wave of protests which have erupted across America in the wake of his victory were not likely to die down anytime soon.

Heres whats going to happen, this is why were not going to have to suffer through four years of Donald J Trump, because he has no ideology except the ideology of Donald J Trump, he said on MSNBCs Morning Joe on Friday.

And when you have a narcissist like that, whos so narcissistic where its all about him, he will, maybe unintentionally, break laws. He will break laws because hes only thinking about whats best for him.

Moore also said he believed protests would snowball after Mr Trump started choosing who was in his cabinet and making his Supreme Court appointments.

We are going to resist. We are going to oppose, he said. Those demonstrations you're seeing on the streets. When it's in places like Milwaukee - that's not Berkeley and Ann Arbor. This is going to continue tonight and the next night. All he has to do is start nominating Rudy Giuliani as attorney general and things like that. Or [make] his Supreme Court [picks].

This is going to be a massive resistance. There's already - women are calling for a million woman march on the Inauguration Day. There's going to be the largest demonstration ever on Inauguration Day. We're also going to organise.

Moore has been wearing a safety pin fastened to his clothing - a gesture some people are taking to show solidarity with minority groups in the wake of Mr Trump's victory.

Moore is not the only one arguing Mr Trump will not last four years as President. Allan Lichtman, a history professor who has now correctly predicted nine consecutive presidential election results based on a model he created, has predicted Mr Trump will be impeached by the Republican Congress.
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As Big Ben struck at 11am and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War guns at the Cenotaph, silence ensued in the heart of Whitehall. Stood side by side in solemn silence, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn commemorated the servicemen and women who have given their lives in war.

The ideological gulf between the Prime Minister and the Labour opposition leader could arguably be glimpsed in the different messages they chose to write on their poppy wreaths. While Ms May appeared to emphasise defence, Mr Corbyn highlighted the need to foster a peaceful world.

In memory of the fallen and their selfless sacrifice in defence of our freedom. We will remember them, Ms Mays first poppy wreath personal message as Prime Minister read.

People news in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 People news in pictures People news in pictures 7 October 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in an ice hockey match between former NHL stars and officials at the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons EPA People news in pictures 6 October 2015 German designer Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne (C) appear at the end of his Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France Reuters People news in pictures 5 October 2015 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne addresses the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. The Fast and Furious star was killed when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California in 2013. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. AP People news in pictures 28 September 2015 Robert Mugabe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly. The leader of Zimbabwe reportedly exclaimed 'We are not gay!' as he criticised Western nation's "double standards and attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. In 2013 he described homosexuals as worse than pigs, goats and birds. Reuters People news in pictures 28 September 2015 South African comedian Trevor Noah hosts the first 'Daily Show' since taking over from Jon Stewart as host. Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 The Dalai Lama has said that Britain's policy towards China is just about 'Money, money, money.' And asked 'Where is morality?' People news in pictures 24 September 2015 Puff Daddy secured the number-one spot on the Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, with the publication calculating he made an estimated $60million (39m) between June 2014 and June 2015.

While Mr Corbyns read: In honour of those who must not have died in vain, we must bring about a peaceful world.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farrons poppy wreath said: Your courage and sacrifice in the face of evil secured our liberty and way of life. This will never be forgotten.

Angus Robertson, the Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party, wrote lest we forget in Gaelic, English and Welsh on his wreath. It was also written in Welsh because he is at the event on behalf of Plaid Cymru. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was not at the national service as she is attending the annual wreath laying and Remembrance Sunday service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The Queen led the commemorations, laying the first wreath, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. This year's commemorations come 100 years after two of the most brutal battles in the First World War - the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. On the first day of the Somme, more than 19,200 British soldiers died but by the end of the four-month long battle, more than a million soldiers from all sides had been killed or injured.
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Jeremy Corbyn has called for Western leaders to demilitarise the border between Russia and Eastern Europe or risk a new Cold War.

The Labour leader said he had some criticisms of Vladimir Putin, but that the West had to ensure it did not pile up forces on Russias border.

It comes after Nato, which Mr Corbyn has been a long-term critic of, announced a new deployment in Eastern Europe amid rising tension with Moscow.

Speaking to BBC presenter Andrew Marr, Mr Corbyn said: "I have many, many criticisms of Putin, of the human rights abuses in Russia, of the militarisation of society. But I do think there has to be a process that we try demilitarise the border between what are now the Nato states and Russia, so that we drive apart those forces and keep them further apart in order to bring about some kind of accommodation.

"We cant descend into a new Cold War. "

 Jeremy Corbyn reacts to Trump victory

In October, Nato revealed it is preparing to station 4,000 troops on the Russian border with the Baltic states in its biggest military build-up since the Cold War. The troops will be summoned from nations across the alliance, including the UK.

A Nato official said: "Nato is enhancing deterrence and defence across the board and this is a long-standing and ongoing effort. We are taking steps to strengthen our presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, including by deploying four battalions to the Baltic States and Poland. And our Spearhead Force of about 5,000 people is on high readiness, which can deploy anywhere in the Alliance on short notice. This is backed up by NATOs 40,000-strong Response Force, and military personnel from NATO Allies. Our forces in the east will train and operate with national home defence forces.

Mr Corbyn suggested in his interview that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes Russia, could replace Nato as a forum for solving issues in the region.

During the Leadership contest Mr Corbyn stoked controversy after refusing to directly back upholding Nato's article five, which commits countries to defend each other if attacked.
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A student at the University of Oklahoma has been suspended while the school investigates racist messages that included racial slurs and a daily "lynching" calendar that were sent to black students at the University of Pennsylvania.

Several black students were added to messages on the GroupMe app on Friday titled N****r Lynching, Mud Men, and Trump is Love. Following an investigation involving Penn Police and the FBI, Oklahoma University President David Boren sent an email to Penn administration announcing the students temporary suspension, The Daily Pennsylvanian reports.

"We are absolutely appalled that earlier today Black freshman students at Penn were added to a racist GroupMe account that appears to be based in Oklahoma," Penn President Amy Gutmann said, along with other officials, in an email to the community . "The account itself is totally repugnant: it contains violent, racist and thoroughly disgusting images and messages. This is simply deplorable. Our police and information security staff are trying to locate the exact source and to determine if any steps can be taken to block the account."

Authorities with Penn, OU and the FBI will continue investigating the messages to find out if more people were involved.

The incident comes amid reports of hate crimes against black and Hispanic Americans, migrant workers, Muslims, LGBT people and minorities following Donald Trump's shock election victory.
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Donald Trump is looking for a fast way to escape a global agreement to limit climate change, a source on his transition team has said.

The Paris Agreement won enough international backing to enter into force on 4 November, and since Mr Trump's remarkable victory more world leaders have backed the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

But Mr Trump, who once called climate change a hoax" perpetrated by the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non competitive, has pledged to quit the agreement.

Countries ranging from China to small island states reaffirmed support for the 2015 accord, at 200-nation climate talks running until 18 November in Marrakesh, Morocco.

But a source who is part of the team helping Mr Trump smoothly assume presidency, told Reuters he is considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord.

It was reckless for the Paris agreement to enter into force before the election on Tuesday, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Mr Trump could send a letter withdrawing from a 1992 Convention that is the parent treaty of the Paris Agreement, voiding US involvement in both in a year's time, or issue a presidential order simply deleting the US signature from the Paris accord, the source said.

Many nations have expressed hopes the United States will stay. Host Morocco said the agreement that seeks to phase out greenhouse gases in the second half of the century was strong enough to survive a pullout.

If one party decides to withdraw that it doesn't call the agreement into question, Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar told a news conference.

The agreement was reached by almost 200 nations in December and, as of Saturday, has been formally ratified by 109 representing 76 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, including the United States with 18 per cent.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.

Climate change naysayers Show all 12 1 /12 Climate change naysayers Climate change naysayers 270601.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270584.bin Climate change naysayers 270576.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270572.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270570.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270567.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270585.bin Climate change naysayers 270606.bin Climate change naysayers 270575.bin Megan Lewis / Reuters Climate change naysayers 270582.bin Getty Images Climate change naysayers 270611.bin Climate change naysayers 270569.bin

Current US secretary of state John Kerry said on Sunday that he would continue his efforts to implement the Paris agreement until Barack Obama leaves office on 20 January.

The evidence is mounting in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action, Mr Kerry said.

Now the worlds scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt. And the evidence is there for everybody to see."

UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa declined to comment on Mr Trump source's remarks to Reuters.

The Paris Agreement carries an enormous amount of weight and credibility, she told a news conference. She said the United Nations hoped for a strong and constructive relationship with Mr Trump.

The Trump source blamed U.S. President Barack Obama for joining up by an executive order, without getting approval from the Senate. There wouldn't be this diplomatic fallout on the broader international agenda if Obama hadn't rushed the adoption, he said.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Nigel Farage has hinted that ministers are sounding him out about dealing with Donald Trump, as he revealed the US president-elect's close advisers have reservations about Theresa May's government.

The interim Ukip leader, who became the first British politician to meet Mr Trump since his shock victory, insisted he would act as a bridge between Downing Street and Trump Tower if called upon to do so.

Asked if he had contact with Cabinet figures regarding his close ties to the incoming Republican president, Mr Farage told Sky News: I am not going to go into whatever private phone calls I may, or may not, have had with individual ministers.

In a pointed swipe at No 10 officials who have dismissed his links to Mr Trump, the Ukip leader said: It would appear that the apparatchiks in Downing Street keep saying very negative things about me. I'd have thought that's just a little bit short sighted, frankly.

I would have thought, in the national interest, they perhaps ought to bury their personal enmity towards me and we ought to have a constructive conversation.

Mr Farage disclosed that members of the president-elect's inner circle were concerned about unflattering comments made by British Cabinet ministers, though Mr Trump told him he had a nice phone call with Mrs May.

He said he had a nice conversation, although some of his team had reservations about what members of the Cabinet have said during the election. Believe you me, his team are conscious of the comments, Mr Farage told the Daily Telegraph.

The pair met at Trump Tower in New York and spent over an hour discussing the president-elect's victory, global politics and the status of Brexit, according to Ukip.

Mr Farage used US media appearances to warn Mrs May that she needed to mend fences with Mr Trump after the quite rude things said about him by leading Tories.

Asked on Fox News why the president-elect should meet the PM after the things senior Tories had said about him, Mr Farage said: I think he has got to meet her. Mrs May's team have been quite rude about Trump, so there are some fences to be mended.

Downing Street moved to try to play down the significance of the Ukip leader's meeting with Mr Trump.

A spokesman for Mrs May told the Press Association that No 10 has been consistent that Mr Farage has no role in the Government's relationship with the incoming US administration.

The interim Ukip leader has suggested that insulting comments about Mr Trump by senior Tories may have been the reason why Mrs May was only 10th on the president-elect's list of foreign leaders to call after his surprise win last Tuesday.

Mr Farage's remarks came after it emerged Mrs May's joint chief of staff, Fiona Hill, posted last December: Donald Trump is a chump.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was scathing about Mr Trump's attitude to Muslims while he was mayor of London last December, saying: I think Donald Trump is clearly out of his mind if he thinks that's a sensible way to proceed, to ban people going to the United States in that way, or to any country.

I think he's betraying a quite stupefying ignorance that makes him, frankly, unfit to hold the office of president of the United States.

Mr Farage said he stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship at the meeting and asked Mr Trump to return a bust of Sir Winston Churchill to the White House Oval Office, a party spokesman said.

World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty

The statue was removed under Barack Obama's administration and Mr Trump was said to have expressed excitement over the idea.

Mr Farage summed up the Trump team's mood on election night, saying: I wouldn't say they were surprised to win, but I think they were relieved to win.

Press Association
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Nato's secretary-general has responded to Donald Trump's criticism of the organisation by reminding him that member states came to the aid of the US after 9/11.

Jens Stoltenberg's intervention comes after the US President-elect sparked alarm across Europe by calling into question the bedrock Nato doctrine of collective defence during his campaign.

The head of the western alliance insisted that Europe and the US need to stick together as they face the greatest security dangers for a generation.

The only time Nato has invoked its self-defence clause, that an attack on one is an attack on all, was in support of the United States after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

This was more than just a symbol. Nato went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since.

And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the US.

World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty

Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States.

We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the US, the former Norwegian prime minister wrote in The Observer.

The Nato chief conceded that Mr Trump has a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution.

It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden. But above all we need to recognise the value of the partnership between Europe and America. It remains indispensable, he wrote.

The US President-elect claimed that Nato was unable to deal with terrorism and said he would be ready to tell allies who do not pay their way: Congratulations, you will be defending yourself.

Press Association
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Violence erupted in Stockholm on Saturday as neo-Nazis took to the capitals streets following Donald Trumps election victory.

As many as 600 far-right demonstrators from Swedens Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR) marched towards Swedens parliament in the historic district of Gamla Stan, in the biggest march in the groups history.

Five people were arrested and two were injured after violence broke out between the demonstrators and anti-fascist protest groups.

A police spokesman said a number of people were held due to aggression and that approximately 50 had been suspended or removed from the march.

At least one police officer was injured during the clash and several people were taken away from the scene in ambulances.

According to sources at the scene, the anti-racism protesters easily outnumbered the NMR marchers, and started pelting them with snowballs and fireworks.

Police officers treat an injured protester (Getty) (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

A lot of loose objects, including snow, ice, bangers and fireworks of various kinds have been thrown, a police spokesman said.

I have not heard that anyone has been harmed, but it is possible that they have been.

The NMR was set up in 1997 by former members of the White Aryan Resistance and employees of Folktribunen, a neo-National socialist magazine.

The group, which promotes openly racist and anti-Semitic views and vocally opposes non-white immigration to the country, is considered the figurehead for Swedens white power movement.

World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty

According to sources at the scene, the NMR announced Donald Trumps election was a sign that a world revolution was beginning.

Vera Oredsson, who was a member of the Hitler youth as a child growing up in Nazi Germany, was also said to have delivered a speech.

Reports also suggest the crowd chanted hang them, hand them when a speech was made about splitting up Bonnier, the Swedish media empire, owned by one of Swedens richest jewish families.

Norwegian neo-Nazis were also in attendance at the rally, who last month told a Scandinavian news channel they considered Adolf Hitler to be a role model and denied the holocaust ever happening.
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One of the survivors of last years deadly attacks at the Bataclan theatre has described the moment a terrorist posed as a member of the French security forces to get in the dressing room she was hiding in.

Three heavily armed Isis fighters launched an attack on the 1,500-seat Bataclan theatre on 13 November. In less than three hours, the men were dead, having killed 89 people at the concert hall and critically injuring dozens.

Kelly Le Guen, a music reporter for RockUrLife and Webzine, was among a group of 30 people trapped in what she described as a suffocating room for more than two hours before security forces stormed the hall.

Kelly Le Guen (Zlata Rodionova)

At first, the terrorists made several attempts to break down the heavy door.

We shielded the door with the furniture around us. I was standing behind a small fridge and with every loud knock the gunman gave on the door, I was pushing harder and harder against it, Ms Le Guen told The Independent.

After a long period of silence, a man said: Open the door, its the police, were here to rescue you.

It was a difficult decision, we were in doubt. After a vote by show of hands we decided against it, she added. The decision ultimately saved their lives.

Ms Le Guen,described the evening as a moment out-of-time: It seemed like time did not exist in that room. When the police finally arrived, I did not known if one or three hours had passed since we locked ourselves in.

I was not exactly afraid to die but those long periods of silence do make you think about life and people you might leave behind. Do I have any regrets? Why was it so short? What comes after? How great it has been.

 Concert-goer captures start of Bataclan attack

After a while I realised these thoughts were not helping and tried imagining myself getting out of this room instead.

When the police rescued the group, Ms Le Guen saw the full horror of the atrocity.

The first thing I saw was a body lying just in front of the door. Then we had to go through the Bataclans main room to get out," she recalled. "There were dozens and dozens of bodies everywhere and the room had absorbed the smell of dry blood.

A concert by British pop star Sting marked the reopening of the Bataclan on Saturday evening, with commemorations planned over the weekend. A year on, a single bullet hole in the wall of the front of the theatre serves as a reminder of the events of 13 November, as do the flowers still tied to barriers surrounding the venue

The event inspired Kelly Le Guens tattoo (Zlata Rodionova)

Ms Le Guen, who went back to work straight away after the attack, has tickets for the opening night. She is glad the venue is reopening.

I cant wait to go and I am so glad the show is sold out on Saturday," she said. "I know some people find it disrespectful towards the victims. But I disagree.

Imagine if every cafe and restaurant where someone was killed in Paris had to close. There would be no more cafes left to go to.

The Bataclan attack was the deadliest atrocity in an evening of horror during which 40 other people were shot dead and 413 wounded across Paris, many as they sat at cafes and on restaurant terraces.

More attacks followed in July when a truck driver killed 85 people as they celebrated Bastille Day on Nices Promenade des Anglais seafront. The same month, two French-born radicalised teenagers slit the throat of an elderly priest in Normandy.

In pictures: Paris attacks Show all 25 1 /25 In pictures: Paris attacks In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Vigipirate troops mobilize next to Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French soldiers mobilize near to the Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theatre EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks People react as they gather to watch the scene near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police secure the area outside a cafe near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers workers evacuate victims near the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French President Francois Hollande attending an emergency meeting at the Interior Ministry AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France after explosions were heard outside AP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A man lies on the ground as French police check his identity near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police officers man a position close to the Bataclan theatre AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Two men evacuate the Place de la Republique square in Paris as a police officer looks on AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Football fans are evacuated from the Stade de France stadium In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks An armed police officer Dan Gabriel In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France is evacuated after reports of an explosion In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police are seen outside a cafe in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris, In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers assist an injured man on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The scene at a restaurant in 10th arrondissement In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Bataclan theatre - where around 100 people are thought be held hostage In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France as it was evacuated In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Forensic experts inspect the site of an attack outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis AFP

On Sunday morning, President Francois Hollande and Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, will visit each of the sites of the attacks to unveil commemorative plaques, starting at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where the first suicide bombs were detonated.
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The US Secretary of State John Kerry says he will continue his efforts to implement the Paris Agreement on global warming, until the day President Barack Obama leaves office.

Speaking in New Zealand following a trip to Antarctica, Kerry said his administration would continue to do everything possible to meet its responsibility to future generations.

Kerry has long championed climate action but now his legacy is under threat.

President-elect Donald Trump has called climate change a hoax and said he would "cancel" US involvement in the landmark Paris deal.

Under the deal, which came into force this month, countries have agreed to limit global warming to 2C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving the goal will require a major shift away from fossil fuels.

Kerry said it would be up to the Trump administration to define itself on climate change. He said that sometimes there is a divide between what is said on the campaign trail and what is done in governance.

But Kerry appeared to take a swipe at Trump when he listed some of the ways in which global warming could already be seen. He said that globally, there were more fires, floods and damaging storms, and sea levels were rising.

Paris climate talks in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Paris climate talks in pictures Paris climate talks in pictures A man is covered with a multi-coloured banner with the message, "Climate" as environmentalists attend a demonstration near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) that meets in Le Bourget, December 12, 2015 Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures French President Francois Hollande (C) and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (R) applaud after a statement at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) speaks with China's Special Representative on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua (R) and officials at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Delegates and members of NGO's read and work on copies of 'The adoption of the Paris agreement' is pictured after the announcement of the final draft by French Foreign Affairs minister Laurent Fabius at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning Getty Paris climate talks in pictures UN climate chief Christiana Figueres (C) speaks with French President Francois Hollande (L), United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2ndL) and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (R) after a statement at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning Getty Paris climate talks in pictures A Swiss Dominican priest poses with activists dressed as polar bears as activists gather for a demonstration to form a giant red line at the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Activists hold up a giant banner reading 'Climate justice' by association 'ourpowercampaign' during a demonstration near the Arc de Triomphe at the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Representatives of indigenous peoples demonstrate in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Environmentalists demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Environmentalists demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Activists form a giant red line during a demonstration on the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images Paris climate talks in pictures The slogan "No Plan B" is projected on the Eiffel Tower as part of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris, France, December 11, 2015. Reuters

"The evidence is mounting in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," Kerry said.

He also made a point of crediting a previous Republican president, George H W Bush, with first joining the global effort to address climate change in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

"Now the world's scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt. And the evidence is there for everybody to see," Kerry said. "So we will wait to see how the next administration addresses this."

He said he thinks his administration is on the right track because the majority of Americans believe climate change is happening and want action.

 John Kerry: The US election is "downright embarrassing"

Kerry plans to fly this week to a global climate conference in Morocco, where he will give a major speech. Officials there have begun working on a "rulebook" to implement the Paris deal.

AP
It was a wet, dirty October morning when Jackie Sullivan finally arrived at the gates of Leinster House.

The year was 1966. By his side was an army of 30,000 fellow farmers from all across the country.

It took the Cork contingent 10 days to walk the 217 miles from Bantry to the capital.

By night they slept in cramped caravans set out at local marts in Tipperary, Laois and Kildare.

With the support of their families and communities, the defiant farmers, represented by more than 60 farm organisations at the time, demanded one thing from then minister of agriculture, Charles Haughey - recognition.

They remained there, sitting on the steps, for almost three weeks until their collective voice was finally heard.

Expand Close Jackie and his wife Mary. Jackie is one of the few surviving farmers who took part in the historic 'Long March' of 1966. Photo: Emma Jervis / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jackie and his wife Mary. Jackie is one of the few surviving farmers who took part in the historic 'Long March' of 1966. Photo: Emma Jervis

"It was our duty as farmers to take part in the 'Long March'. We wanted recognition more than anything else. We wanted to stand up to the government and get things done, to ensure that we wouldn't be doubled crossed. We wanted a united voice for all farmers," said Mr Sullivan, a native of Bere Island, who was honoured for taking part in the 'Long March' at a special IFA 50-year commemoration last week.

Farmers were frustrated because of low prices for cattle, and milk and very limited scope to expand production because of poor export markets and the burden of paying rates.

"It rumbled on for months but we walked away with a new sense of purpose, a collective strength. Haughey got shifted and little by little things improved," said the 77-year-old dairy farmer who worked 30 acres of marginal land on the island at the time.

Although money wasn't great, the father of five said the social side of farming on the 4,900 acre island made up for low turnovers.

Farmers generally weren't in debt, land was rented relatively cheaply and, during the winter months, many worked on construction sites in London or spent time scallop fishing to gather extra cash to extend their holdings.

"You'd have no more than 20 in your pocket but you didn't owe anything. There were 70 milk suppliers going to the creamery on the island so the social side was very good," he said.

In fact, looking back, Mr Sullivan believes farmers were better off during the 60s, 70s and 80s, than they are today.

"Things have gotten good in some ways but for many farmers the reality is they are going down more than coming up.

Expand Close Long March of 1966 when thousands of farmers walked from Bantry to Government Buildings in Dublin demanding better rights and incomes / Facebook

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"Times have changed a lot, we had little money but at least we owned the farms, the banks didn't," he said.

Coming from a farming family with a long history of emigration - long and short term - Mr Sullivan said it was much easier for his father and himself to work abroad and return home to farming.

Jackie emigrated to New York in 1949 with his mother and father. He was nine years old. They returned to Bere Island four years later during the Korean War. His parents were also worried about the emerging drug culture in NYC.

"We could emigrate to America or England but you could come back and farm again no problem.

"Now you can't do that because you have to have all sorts of Green Certs and everything else and that makes a big difference," he said.

"There are loads more complications and red tape for young farmer emigrants who want to come back with a family. The law is against them," said.

Although Mr Sullivan, who has grown his island farm from 30 to 100 acres, said joining the European Union in 1973 brought some vast and immediate improvements, he believes "we are in a very different EU today".

"When the Single Farm Payments came in it changed everything. It was paid out depending on stock, but since they changed it to paying on land there is no incentive, which is leading to disadvantaged areas being neglected and land abandoned," he said.

"There are more inspectors looking down your neck telling you to do. It's all about handouts rather than giving new incentives to work the land differently. It's crazy," he said.

He claims that farmers still need to have a second job outside the farm gate in order to supplement incomes.

"We joined a different Europe in 73, it's all about watchdogs today and Brussels is dictating everything we do on our farms," he said.

He is particularly concerned about the west coast of Ireland.

"It's getting worse all the time and you will have these areas going back to the hills. One time they were over grazed and over stocked. Now they are under grazed and under stocked and we can only burn them on EU calendar times because it effects the birds.

"It's time for us to seriously ask are the birds more important than people," he said.

Although two of his sons are currently involved in the family farm, Mr Sullivan is very concerned about agricultural opportunities on Bere Island for future generations.

The population of farmers on the island off the Beara Peninsula has dropped by 50pc since the historic 'Long March' of 1966.

"There are about 35 farmers on Bere Island now and I'm very worried about the future of farming on the island.

"It's costing too much to get stock on to it and to get them to the mart on the mainland, Kenmare is the nearest one," he said.

Hauling cattle from Bere Island to Kenmare takes about a day, with the stock losing about 20 kilos in transit.

The veteran campaigner is urging the Government and the Irish Farmers' Association to bring in new incentives that will encourage young farmers to work marginal lands.

"We have to do something in the disadvantaged areas with incentives for young people, there is no point in giving more money to the systems that are there, we need to create ways to get young farmers interested in farming in marginal areas.

"Leading by example is the best way of doing anything. We don't want disadvantaged landscapes to become hunting grounds for the rich," he said.

With world populations becoming increasingly urban and the recovery continuing to centre on life inside the M50, Mr Sullivan fears the country's rural fabric is slowly disappearing.

"On the whole of the Beara Peninsula right now there's only seven shops that sell groceries.People are living a lot longer now and what are they going to do if the small corner shop goes? There will be nothing left.

"There was 2,000 people on this island at one time but there is no more than 150 now and that is exactly what is happening all over the country in remote rural areas," he said.
A community has been left in "terrible sadness" after a 43-year-old farmer was killed in Co Kerry.

Father-of-three, Shane Foley (43) from Barnfield in Currow, Co Kerry was killed on Saturday in a farming accident.

The accident occurred at approximately 4pm where it is understood the man was removing a hedge cutter from a tractor when the accident happened.

Local councillor Brendan Cronin said that there is a terrible sadness across the whole community.

Its a terrible tragedy for the whole community, for his friends and for his family.

The community is shattered; its a devastating blow for his wife and young children.

I want to pass on my sincere condolences.

Cllr Cronin described Mr Foley as a great community man who was involved in all aspects of the parish.

He was a very well known man in the community. He was very involved in the parish and the local GAA club.

There is a terrible sadness across the whole community. Its absolutely devastating.

The 43-year-old was taken to University Hospital Kerry and a post-mortem is due to be carried out on the body.

Both the gardai and Health and Safety Authority are carrying out an investigation of the incident.

This is the second farm death to happen in Kerry in recent weeks.

Less than two weeks ago a 70-year-old farmer died in Lixnaw.

Farmers are eight times more likely to die in a farm accident than any other occupation and figures from the Health and Safety Authority show that working with machinery and animals are the two main causes of deaths on Irish farms.

This is the 15th death to happen on Irish farms this year and in recent years 19 people, on average, have been killed each year in farm related workplace incidents, with 194 farming fatalities in the last decade.
Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2016 shows the international forum on Tokyo trials and world peace is held in Shanghai, east China. The forum opened Saturday in Shanghai, attracting 25 famous jurists and historians from countries including China, the United States, Japan, Britain and New Zealand. The year marked the 70th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo trials.(Xinhua/Pei Xin)

An international forum on Tokyo trials and world peace opened Saturday in Shanghai, attracting 25 famous jurists and historians from countries including China, the United States, Japan, Britain and New Zealand.

The year marked the 70th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo trials.

"Tokyo trials were the kind that defended civilization," said Gao Wenbin, then a translator and secretary to Chinese prosecutors. "I am 95 years old this year, but history should not be forgotten and facts should not be distorted."

"I deeply believe that any schemes that go against historic trend will not succeed and justice will eventually prevail over evil," said Gao.

After WWII, the Allied Forces tried Japanese war criminals at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo. Known as the Tokyo trials, the proceedings played an important part in shaping the postwar Asia-Pacific order.

Zhang Jie, president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said Tokyo and Nuremberg trials were the attempts to avoid bitter wars by punishing war criminals.

"In many corners around the world, there are still many regional disputes and tensions and peace is still one that many people seek and aspire for," said Zhang.

The two-day forum, hosted by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has six panel discussions.
John Mullins' solar energy company Amarenco is in the middle of discussions with an institutional investor about raising strategic funding.

If completed, the deal's structure would see the investor take a stake in some of Amarenco's assets and release capital for Mullins' company to use in building out its pipeline in France, the Sunday Independent has learned.

Mullins, the former chief executive of Bord Gais, declined to comment on fundraising but said assets currently being built in France include an 11.6-megawatt project near Beziers and a 30-megawatt project near Gaillac.

He previously flagged the move to tap up institutions in an August interview with the Irish Independent.

"We're now moving into institutional capital, which raises the stakes completely. But you have to show a track record. We're confident we'll be in a position to announce a partner by the end of the year."

Cork native Mullins launched Amarenco in 2013 and has since then raised over 200m in debt and equity. Investors include Irish e-learning guru Bill McCabe.

In addition, Macquarie Bank has committed to investing up to 180m in Amarenco's plans to build solar farms in Ireland.

Mullins said in the summer that he hoped to encourage locals to invest in the operations, allowing them to take up to a 30pc stake in projects.

"We have 37 plants in motion now (in Ireland), which would be about 200MW," said Mullins. "All of them could have an element of community funding if there was enough demand."

"This has worked very well in countries such as Denmark and France," he added.

The outspoken Mullins has been a persistent critic of Irish policy towards solar energy. This country is widely expected to miss its 2020 renewable energy targets and Mullins said last week that he would have three plants ready to go if a subsidy for solar farms was introduced here.

Energy Minister Denis Naughten told the Dail in June that a new support scheme for renewable electricity was set to be introduced next year.

"While no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, the cost and technical viability of solar photovoltaics (PV), both roof-top and utility-scale, is being examined as part of the assessment process," Naughten said.

"The deployment of solar PV in Ireland has the potential to increase energy security, contribute to our renewable energy targets, and support economic growth and jobs. In addition, solar PV can be deployed in roof-mounted or ground-mounted installations, and in this way it can empower Irish citizens and communities to take control of the production and consumption of energy."
Businesses and financial institutions are being told to sharpen their cyber security measures after more than 50,000 was extorted from an education body.

The Central Bank of Ireland has warned financial institutions that cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, more targeted and more difficult to detect.

Business consultants have also warned that a relaxed attitude to cyber security leaves small and medium enterprises vulnerable to phishing scams and harmful software designed to extort money from vulnerable firms. Many businesses are affected as they take reactive action rather than work to prevent threats.

A Garda fraud probe is examining how the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, based in Co Laois, was hit for more than 50,000 in a scam. The Comptroller & Auditor General said the fraud was caused by a "control failure".

The education board was targeted two years ago when fake emails from a telecommunications provider were sent to organisations about bill payments. The fraudsters tried to extort money by asking firms to enter credit card details on a website.

Last week, Tesco Money in the UK was attacked by hackers who targeted funds from 20,000 accounts.

David Waldron, a senior business consultant with CloudStrong, which helps firms with cloud storage, said Irish companies were becoming increasingly aware of online security.

He said: "It was always very relaxed and has never been a huge concern. Small businesses were being hit by ransomware and various scams and ways of extorting money out of businesses."

He added the problem "is a massive threat and has not really been seen because it is not a great PR exercise for a company affected by it".

The Central Bank's director of policy and risk, Gerry Cross, said financial institutions were not doing enough to minimise the potential impact of an IT failure on the wider financial system.

The warning came ahead of the Dublin Info Sec 2016 cyber security conference at the RDS on Tuesday.

INM technology editor Adrian Weckler will be among the speakers. He said: "In the last year, global security incidents have risen by almost 40pc, according to PwC research. That includes some 400 million personal records that were exposed through breaches across the financial, business, education, government and healthcare sectors."

To get tickets for the Info Sec 2016 cyber security conference, call 01 7055787 or see www.independent.ie/infosec2016.
Dublin's InterContinental Hotel - formerly the Four Seasons - "fell off the radar" in the last number of years, according to its new general manager.

Nicky Logue - who has joined the hotel from the rival Gibson Hotel - will oversee the remaining half of a 5m renovation plan funded by the hotel's owners, telecoms tycoon John Malone, John Lally, and Paul Higgins.

The men bought the hotel from London & Regional Properties last year.

"I do sort of feel in the last couple of years it's gone off the radar. It went from Four Seasons, and I think there was a hold on spending with the recession and all that. It's come under the new ownership of MHL Hotels ... they're investing money in it," Logue told the Sunday Independent.

About 100 of the hotel's 197 rooms have been refurbished and the remainder will be renovated in the first half of 2017, Logue said.

Ten further rooms will be added via the conversion of an office block on the property's first floor. "There's only opportunity in terms of sales, profits, profile, standards, and to really put the hotel back on the map," he said.

"I think there were people who were coming here and going: 'Oh my god, the hotel has really deteriorated,' and I think that's done a bit of reputational damage."

"Really for me it's all about focusing on the customer," he added.
The managing director of Fortress Investment Group, the New York-based private equity giant that lost out to rival Cerberus in the competition to acquire Nama's 'Project Eagle' loan book, is understood to be among the leading contenders for appointment to the role of US ambassador to Ireland.

Described by sources as a "strong supporter from day one" of Donald Trump and a "very close friend" of the US president-elect's son Donald Jr and son-in-law Jared Kushner, Belfast-born Michael George emigrated to the USA in the late 1980s and has since gone on to enjoy a stellar career in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Fortress in October 2009, George spent 10 years as a managing director at Deutsche Bank in New York. Before that, he spent 13 years at Lehman Brothers in New York and London where he started his career.

An American citizen since the 1990s, he earned his MA in economics and post-graduate diploma in computer science from Cambridge University having entered on an academic scholarship.

Michael George's name will already be familiar to Taoiseach Enda Kenny given that he emailed the Taoiseach's then-chief economic advisor, Andrew McDowell, on February 13, 2014, asking how Fortress might become involved in the bidding for Nama's Northern Ireland loan book, code-named 'Project Eagle'.

In his email, George said: "We've heard that Nama/Dept of Finance is running a 'process' for the loans to NI borrowers. Being from the North, I've taken a keen interest in this 4bn portfolio and would like to throw our hat in the ring. Might you have any insight as to how we can get involved?"

McDowell responded saying he had asked Nama's official relationship manager Martin Whelan to put George in touch with the appropriate officials at the State agency, to which the Fortress managing director replied: Thanks Andrew. FYI Ive also reached out to Bren [McDonagh].

NAMA has insisted that it was George's direct contact with Nama CEO Brendan McDonagh as opposed to his email to the Taoiseachs office that led to the late invitation to Fortress to join the competition for Project Eagle.

McDonagh has said that he passed the request from George to Lazards, Nama's external advisor on the Project Eagle sale, which contacted Fortress the same day.

Fortress ultimately lost out to Cerberus in the bidding for Nama's Northern Ireland loan book.

Married with three children and living in New York, George is said to be a passionate follower of Irish rugby and to take a keen interest in Irish affairs. In 2012 he hosted the launch of a finance internship for Queen's University Belfast students in his Manhattan home. The event saw the unveiling of a portrait of senator George Mitchell, former special advisor to US president Bill Clinton on Ireland.
Deposit interest retention tax (Dirt) on interest earned on savings is 41pc, but is due to fall to 38pc next year, Noonan said in his Budget speech. Photo: Stock

The Government has delivered a cruel blow to those who are using a investment plan to save. This is because Finance Minister Michael Noonan has cut the tax rate on savings held in banks and credit unions, and plans to further reduce that tax.

However, the exit tax on savings policies bought through an investment or insurance firm has not been reduced, even though there was traditionally a correlation between the tax rates on both forms of savings.

Deposit interest retention tax (Dirt) on interest earned on savings is 41pc, but is due to fall to 38pc next year, Noonan said in his Budget speech.

The Dirt rate on interest earned on savings will then fall by two percentage points each year over the next four, until it goes to 22pc by 2020.

But the exit tax on life-insurance investments or funds sold by life insurance and investment firms remains at 41pc.

These policies are also subject to a 1pc levy on each contribution made into them. There is no levy applied to investments sold by stockbrokers and wealth managers. Insurance Ireland has called for the levy to be removed to help middle-income families invest for the college education of their children.

Savings and investment policies sold by life companies are a key element of long-term financial planning for middle-income individuals and families.

Having a higher tax rate on investment polices that applies on bank savings is discriminatory.

Many responsible people invest in funds, such as life assurance investment policies. They do this in knowledge that they are taking on more risk.

Traditional deposits pay close to zero in interest at the moment, and cannot be relied upon to produce sufficient growth to secure the money needed for a deposit for a first home, or to fund children's education, or build up a rainy-day fund.

In a Dail reply to Fianna Fail's Michael McGrath, Noonan said he decided not to cut the exit tax rate on life policies in a bid to save money.

He added that the Revenue Commissioners estimated that it would cost 14m a year to match the exit tax rate cut with the Dirt one, and about 56m a year by 2020.

"It was, therefore, too costly to the Exchequer to reduce the rates applying to these taxes in the same manner as the reduction in Dirt."

The exit tax paid on life assurance policies has spiralled from 43m in 2012 to 247m last year.

Lower Dirt tax is fine. But it is unfair and discriminatory not to reduce the 41pc exit tax on savings polices sold by life-insurance firms when cutting the Dirt rate.
Kevin Nowlan, right, CEO, Hibernia REIT and patron of the DIT Doctorate, presented the Community Benefit Project of the Year Award to, from left, Sean Quirke and Ger Penney of Sisk, Stephen Garvey of Bridgedale and Oaktree Capitals Justin Bickle. Pic: Iain White

It's prescient, perhaps, that this year's KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards, only in its second year, was held once again in Dublin's Convention Centre - the capital's standing testament both to the folly of the Celtic Tiger and its showcase for the incredible architectural heights inspiring design can achieve.

The black-tie gathering had its focus on excellence in all areas - from planning to building to sales, and 900 were present to enjoy the evening, which was also sponsored by Pinergy and solicitors Eugene F Collins. The winners emerged after the expert judging panel voted 'blind', before gathering to thrash out the finalists. There were 150 entries across 11 categories, with plenty of representation from Northern Ireland also.

Expand Close Ballymores Sean Mulryan, right, receiving the Overall Award at the Irish Independent Property Excellence Awards 2016 from INM chief executive Robert Pitt. Pic: Iain White / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ballymores Sean Mulryan, right, receiving the Overall Award at the Irish Independent Property Excellence Awards 2016 from INM chief executive Robert Pitt. Pic: Iain White

A number of last year's entries went on to win international awards elsewhere, an indication of both quality and the selection process. The INM-sponsored DIT Doctorate in Property Research launched last year is now fully up and running, having been awarded to Lorna Colley at the 2015 ceremony.

A smattering of the best-known property developers included all three Cosgrave brothers - the eco-friendly force in building - while Cork's Michael O'Flynn was spotted working the room.

Prof Dr Gunther Gruhn (aka Barry Murphy) entertained the gathering with his take on the Trump election with a swipe at Irish developers (well, they say you should know your audience).

While former Irish Presidential candidate Sean Gallagher wouldn't be drawn on his ongoing legal case against RTE, he was much more forthcoming on what was needed to get building moving here. "Land costs are very high. Developers can fund the building but not the land. If it has planning permission, the price is already factored in; if not, it's just a field," he said. "There's no urgency, strategy or unified approach [to building] by Government. There's a lack of courage at the centre."

Expand Close Pat Davitt, right, presents the Regional Excellence Award to Tony Joyce, left and Colm ODonnellan, ODonnellan Joyce. Pic: Iain White / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pat Davitt, right, presents the Regional Excellence Award to Tony Joyce, left and Colm ODonnellan, ODonnellan Joyce. Pic: Iain White

He said he believed Housing Minister Simon Coveney is "genuine, doing his best but this needs will across the board".

Michael Grehan, MD of Sherry FitzGerald, which won Residential Agent of the Year, added. "It's a challenging market but good, strict processes deliver for everybody. The biggest issue is increasing supply. There has to be greater emphasis on encouraging risk," he said.

Grehan also said that we need to shift our culture to one of renting. "At the height of the Celtic Tiger we had an 80pc home ownership rate. Now, we need to build to rent, and professional landlords are the only ones who can build to scale; it's the European norm. Nobody wants to see rents going up year on year."

Property Entrepreneur of the Year and Overall Winner is a familiar name in property circles - Ballymore's Sean Mulryan. With a slew of commercial and residential developments across Ireland, the UK and beyond, Mulryan consistently displays the highest level of quality. In 2016 he has been responsible for building family homes at Piper's Hill in Naas, Co Kildare, Royal Canal Park in Dublin, with 101 units coming on stream at St Marnock's Bay in Portmarnock. Dublin Landings, in conjunction with Oxley, shows how high-rise can also be highly stylish. The shy Mr Mulryan made a few quick comments before collecting his gongs.

Expand Close From left, Kathryn Meghen, CEO of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, who presented the Design Project of the Year Award to Roly Chamberlayne, Tara Clarke, Brian Foley, Chris Jones and Neil Burke Kennedy of Jones Investments Pic: Iain White / Facebook

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Whatsapp From left, Kathryn Meghen, CEO of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, who presented the Design Project of the Year Award to Roly Chamberlayne, Tara Clarke, Brian Foley, Chris Jones and Neil Burke Kennedy of Jones Investments Pic: Iain White

The full list of winners

Community Benefit Award

Bridgedale, Marina Village Greystones

Property Conservation Award

Kavanagh Tuite Architects, GPO Witness History Conservation Project

Design Project Award

Jones Investment Ltd, The One Building

Property Entrepreneur Award

Sean Mulryan, Ballymore Group

Expand Close James Duff from ARUP is presented with the Emerging Talent Award from Paul OConnell at the Irish Independent Property Excellence Awards 2016 Pic: Iain White / Facebook

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Whatsapp James Duff from ARUP is presented with the Emerging Talent Award from Paul OConnell at the Irish Independent Property Excellence Awards 2016 Pic: Iain White

Property Investment/Fund Manager Award

IPUT plc

Commercial Agency Award

Jones Lang LaSalle

Residential Agency Award

Sherry FitzGerald Ltd

Regional Excellence Award

O'Donnellan & Joyce, Galway

Contractor Award

John Paul Construction

Expand Close John Moran, MD of JLL, receives the Commercial Agency of the Year Award from president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Claire Solo. Pic: Iain White / Facebook

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Whatsapp John Moran, MD of JLL, receives the Commercial Agency of the Year Award from president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Claire Solo. Pic: Iain White

Emerging Talent Award

Dr James Duff, Lighting Designer, ARUP

Overall Winner 2016

Sean Mulryan, Ballymore Group
The company aims to begin a phase-3 study on the product in the first quarter of 2017, and hopes to be able to launch it on the market in 2019. Stock Image: PA

Dublin-listed Amryt Pharma is examining its options for a necessary fundraising at the end of next year.

Chief executive Joe Wiley said the company has enough money to develop its products until then and is "looking at all our funding options right now, actively, to fund the further development of our products".

"Given the late stage nature of our business, we have the opportunity to explore both venture debt options as well as equity," he added.

It aims to develop its lead product as a treatment for the rare skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa, made famous by the well-known Channel 4 documentary The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.

The company aims to begin a phase-3 study on the product in the first quarter of 2017, and hopes to be able to launch it on the market in 2019.

The product is already approved in Europe as a treatment for so-called "partial thickness wounds" - injuries involving the loss of skin down as far as a layer known as the "upper dermis".

Amryt went public via a reverse takeover of Fastnet Equity earlier this year.
The Irish Data Protection Commissioner says that it will be "months" before her office decides whether Facebook's controversial move to share data with Whatsapp is in line with Irish and European law.

"We have been engaged with them since Whatsapp announced the privacy policy change with Facebook," Helen Dixon told the Sunday Independent at the Web Summit in Lisbon. "We are still engaged in a fact-finding mission to understand what precisely the significance of that policy change was, what type of data is being transferred to Facebook Ireland and what the uses of the data are."

Facebook, which owns Whatsapp, recently tweaked the messaging service's terms so that personal data could be shared between the two services for advertising and other purposes. However, a backlash from European regulators forced the web giant to suspend its move last week. An adverse decision from Dixon's Irish office could force Facebook to drop the data transfer move or to significantly amend it.

Separately at the Web Summit, Facebook's chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer told the Sunday Independent that the company was working with the Irish office to make progress on the issue.

However, Facebook may have to wait until well into 2017 before it can start using Whatsapp users' data to sell ads on Facebook. "I think it's going to take us a couple of months to make an assessment as to whether this is compliant with Irish and European data protection law," said Dixon.

"Because we do have jurisdiction over Facebook Ireland, we want to make sure that we set about gathering the facts and that we do the analysis and application of the law carefully."

Dixon also said that it would be a matter of months before the Irish data regulator's office knows whether, or to what extent, Yahoo can be held accountable for a data breach that affected more than 500 million email users.

"We're in daily contact and in constant activity," she said. "That is the subject of significant activity for the office and is in fact a scenario that is changing day by day in terms of the information that we're gathering."

Last week, Yahoo filed a document with US authorities revealing that some staff knew of the data breach as far back as 2014.
Our Technology Editor reviews the Panasonic Lumix GX80

Price: 599 (plus lens) Compare prices

Rating: 5 Stars

There's so much competition for premium mirrorless cameras these days that it's difficult to know which one to choose. The short answer (and I'm not just saying this) is that they're all good. Their main advantage is that they give the same type of quality as big non-professional DSLR cameras in a much smaller body, meaning you can bring them about and use them without looking and feeling awkward.

If you want the latest model on the market, Panasonic's Lumix 16-megapixel GX80 ticks all the boxes. It's fast, compact, smart and takes very good photos. I used it for two weeks with two lenses, a 45-175mm (90-350mm equivalent) telephoto and a 12-32mm (24-64mm equivalent). This period included work assignments abroad at the Web Summit in Lisbon (for which, see my Twitter or Instagram feeds).

It barely let me down at all on any score. It can handle very low-light situations (its ISO now goes up to 25,600, a huge jump from the GX7) and its built-in stabilisation is about the best I've ever tested. Indeed, Panasonic now has stabilisation both in the camera body and in its newer lenses, meaning you really do have far less chance of blurry, hazy photos.

Like its predecessor, the GX80 has a flip-out screen, which is great when snapping something from down low or, in portrait orientation, at arm's length to your side (such as in a church aisle to get the bride's walk, unobstructed). It's nice and silent, too, meaning you don't make a racket when taking photos in hushed situations.

The GX80 has Panasonic's 4K Photo mode, which essentially lets you take stills from the camera's 4K video-shooting capabilities.

It goes without saying that the camera has Wi-Fi, too, which lets you send images to your phone or tablet automatically while shooting or transfer them afterwards.

There's even a new 'post focus' feature that lets you decide after taking the photo where you want the sharp bit to be. It's very smart, but takes a bit of setting up and is too slow (for me) to be very useful.

All of this comes at a price, of course: the GX80 isn't cheap. But it's a pleasure to use.
Nordstrom Rack, a subsidiary of the American retailer giant Nordstrom, drew criticisms and anger after selling a hoodie showing Japanese soldiers killing Chinese people during the Nanjing Massacre in World War Two.

The Andrea Hoodie, produced by the Happiness clothing company, prompted huge outrage online and was removed from sale later.

Writing on Nordstroms Facebook page, many customers called for a boycott of the chain and the brand, while others called the hoodie horrifying.

Chinese netizens were particularly furious after seeing the product put on sale on the Internet. One netizen said, Can you explain this? A picture of Nanjing Massacre on the back?

Floods of angry comments followed.When did Nordstrom hire a Nazi designer? One netizen commented.As a Chinese, I feel deeply insulted by Norstrom and the designer. Please share and boycott Nordstrom for selling such an outrageous design based on the Rape of Nanjing, another netizen complained.

The Nanjing Massacre was an episode of mass murder and mass rape committed by Japanese invaders against the residents of Nanjing in December 1937. Over 300,000 Chinese people were killed in the Massacre.

The hoodie design shows a scene taken from the film City of Life and Death, which told the story of the massacre. The eyes of the soldiers and civilians are scrawled out in red. Superimposed on top is an image of a woman on a bench, looking away, and at the top, in scratchy red writing, are the words Why indifference?
Compounding the problem is the need to reconfigure the countrys 220,000 cash machines so that they can dispense the new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes, which do not fit into the existing cash trays in the ATMs, according to Navroze Dastur, the managing director for India and South Asia at NCR. Photo: Getty

India's cash crisis stretched for days this week as ATMs ran dry and people stood for hours in long lines to exchange their now-defunct notes, while a government official said the shortages will continue into December.

India's banks have been caught out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unexpected and widely-praised announcement late on Tuesday of the withdrawal of 500 rupee (6.80) and 1,000 rupee notes, part of a crackdown on tax evasion and the underground economy. The now-worthless notes account for 86pc of money in circulation, leaving many Indians with little or no cash.

Printing of a new 2,000-rupee note is ongoing, but work has only just begun on the replacement 500 notes, said an official in the Finance Ministry, who asked not to be identified because the official isn't authorised to speak to the media.

Banknote shortages are likely to continue into next month, the official added. Finance Ministry spokesman DS Malik didn't respond to calls seeking comments. Armed soldiers and security officers were deployed outside banks to manage the growing crowds. Banks are restricting withdrawals to 4,000 rupees per person, adding to the cash shortages.

Pushpendra Pankaj, a worker at New Delhi's Municipal Council, said he had been waiting for one and a half hours at the Canara Bank branch near Parliament House to exchange his old 500-rupee notes. He said he had been told that the bank server had crashed, but he was prepared to stay in line as he needed money for household expenses.

"It's a good move by the government to curb black money, but it is full of hassles for common people like us," said Pankaj.

Compounding the problem is the need to reconfigure the country's 220,000 cash machines so that they can dispense the new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes, which do not fit into the existing cash trays in the ATMs, according to Navroze Dastur, the managing director for India and South Asia at NCR, which supplies about two-thirds of the country's ATMs. Dastur said it will take "some time" to adjust all the ATMs. Until then, the machines can only dispense low-denomination 100-rupee notes, which are increasingly in short supply.

The long queues outside India's banks are a sign that the government was ill-equipped to deal with such a huge transition, said Manoj Joshi, a fellow with the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation.

"The whole exercise is premised on the fact that you'll be able to implement it quickly and effectively. Governments in India simply don't have that ability."

(Bloomberg)
Money, money, money really must be funny," sang ABBA, one of Sweden's most iconic exports back in the 1970s. These days, what us Scandinavians find most peculiar in financial matters is the need to carry cash when venturing outside the Nordics.

Europe's first modern banknotes were issued by the Bank of Stockholm back in 1661. Now the country seems set to be the first in Europe to dispense with banknotes. Observers are predicting that, for all practical purposes, Sweden will be a cashless society within five years.

Here in Stockholm, we settle everything from coffee to cabs by phone or card. Retailers are no longer obliged to accept cash payments. Kids use debit cards. Slots for coins and notes have long been designed out of vending machines. Less than half of Sweden's 1,600 bank branches stock cash, and even churches request their flock donate by text.

The revolution has been enabled in part by iZettle, an app allowing anyone with a smartphone or a tablet to accept credit card payments on the go. It has brought Stockholm's homeless street traders bang up to date with 21st century ecommerce.

Swish, another Nordic innovation, allows Swedes to send money to friends and companies using only their mobile phone, so the app is perfect for splitting the bill at a restaurant or paying for a bargain at a flea market.

Then there's Swedish unicorn Klarna, which provides payment services for online stores, allowing consumers without credit cards to purchase simply by inputting their email and zip code. Having conquered Scandinavia, Klarna has its sights set on the US.

It's clear that Nordic fintech is in serious grow mode. Over the past five years, Stockholm has attracted 18.3pc of all European fintech investment, placing it second only to London.

Other Nordic nations are also at the leading edge. Investments in Danish fintech companies increased from 35.9 million DKK (4.8m) in 2014 to a billion DKK (134m) in 2015, and when the US organisers of Money 2020 brought the world's largest event for payments and financial services to Europe last year they chose Copenhagen.

It's also clear the industry is hungry for innovation. When Enterprise Ireland brought buyers representing some of the region's largest banks to Dublin last month, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, identity recognition, data analytics and regulations and compliance were among the Irish capabilities that whetted their appetites.

About 15 of Enterprise Ireland's fintech client companies are already engaged in the Nordic market, including names like Fenergo, Corvil, Rockall Technologies and Fexco. But we believe there is potential for twice that number to win business here.

New entrants will find Scandinavians like to communicate directly and get straight to the point. They provide open feedback and criticism. But this should be viewed as a sign of serious interest, not disrespect.

When presenting your business case, support presentations with facts and figures. Avoid exaggerating and be aware that Nordic business colleagues will wait until the presentation has finished before asking any questions. Finally, don't forget your bank cards.

Tom Holgersson is market advisor at Enterprise Ireland's Stockholm office @entirl
If youre not p****d right now, what is f**king wrong with you? What is wrong with you? shouted startup founder Dave McClure in front an audience of 7,000 people.

If anyone wondered who Silicon Valley favours politically, a walk around last week's Web Summit in Lisbon left no doubt. As news filtered through of Donald Trump's victory win, tech executives reacted with raw emotion.

"If you're not p****d right now, what is f**king wrong with you? What is wrong with you?" shouted startup founder Dave McClure in front an audience of 7,000 people.

"Stand the f**k up! Stand up and make a goddamn difference," he screamed at the crowd.

In Silicon Valley only Peter Thiel, the controversial billionaire who recently sued Gawker.com into bankruptcy, publicly backed Trump.

So it may come as some irony that technology companies are now in the firing line for the role they are accused of playing in helping to elect Donald Trump by creating polarised online platforms.

The biggest culprits, it is charged, are social networks. Facebook's algorithms ensure that you mostly see things you're already in favour of. Meanwhile, Twitter has become a cloud of filter bubbles where people earn points (retweets and likes) by shouting clever insults at opponents.

Thus, web-fuelled confirmation bias was at an all-time high for this US election: a civilised, give-and-take atmosphere of debate became a distant memory on online platforms.

"I'm sad, I'm ashamed, I'm angry," said McClure at the Web Summit when asked about what technology platforms are doing right or wrong. "Technology has a role in that we provide communication platforms. And we're allowing s**t to happen, just like cable news networks and just like talk radio. It's a propaganda medium and if people aren't aware of the s**t that they're being told, if they're not understanding that people are trying to use them to get into f**king office, then yes, a**holes like Trump are gonna take office."

While algorithms and filter bubbles are tricky enough to overcome for one-world types, the spread of fake news sites is making it even harder.

An interesting investigation by Buzzfeed's Craig Silverman unearthed a thriving industry in Facebook-fuelled sites posting made-up news to gain clicks. The majority of the sites, Silverman found, were targeted at right-wing political supporters and had names such as USConservativeToday.com, DonaldTrumpNews.co and USADailyPolitics.com.

Facebook has systems in place to try and prevent the spread of what it calls "inaccurate information" and "misinformation", but these are not enough to stop the fake news sites, which earn their Eastern European creators tens of thousands of dollars a year in advertising.

Facebook and other online platforms are here to stay. By and large, they have already replaced traditional media formats as the primary distribution channel for news and opinion. And because they are now capturing more and more of the advertising income that pays for media survival, traditional outlets are starting to follow suit, ditching impartial reporting for advocacy and punditry, talking to whatever market will click, watch or buy the product put forward.

Is a backlash against online social media platforms justified?

Few want to go back to the days where a handful of self-appointed media "gatekeepers" decided what was news and what wasn't.

But social networks have undeniably created a different type of discourse, one where moderation goes unrewarded and point-scorers are increasingly elevated.

For all the good they do in giving a voice to those previously silenced, honest attempts at discussion are now frequently met with sneers, sarcasm or withering dismissal. Everything becomes personalised. Vain searches for "likes" or "retweets" compete with honest attempts to engage in a constructive discussion.

As a result, potentially influential actors who don't possess the talent of epigrams or pithy put-downs back away into their own circles.

This appears to be most evident for those who hold centre-right views. Other than emboldened "alt right" pundits, few now appear willing to hazard opinions online that stray from a particular liberal orthodoxy. As someone who mostly believes in that liberal orthodoxy, this is hugely regrettable. We're not listening to the other side. Instead, we're screaming and shouting opponents down, belittling and insulting them. Even when we stop the slagging for a few minutes, the best we sometimes muster is a sort of pitying tone: that our counterparts simply don't know any better (they aren't "educated") and have some sort of false consciousness about their situation.

"I understand why you say you feel that way," we gently say to them. "But you're just falling prey to these societal conditions on which I'm about to educate you."

It's patronising, condescending arrogance. And it has undoubtedly contributed to the election of Trump. Without that sense of superiority from our side, how many people might have been enticed into a calm discussion as to what the real problems are and how society together can move forward to fix them? (Remember: Trump's electoral margin was 2pc.) Social networks are absolutely here for the long term. Maybe it's time that we start valuing engagement with opponents on a par with signalling our virtue.
Trump is talking about the potential for $3 trillion of infrastructure spending in the United States, so thats on bridges and roads as well as defence spending, said Brian Flavin, senior analyst with Goodbody Wealth Management.

Several Irish stocks may benefit from the Trump presidency, with companies in the areas of construction and healthcare among those expected to prosper under his policies.

CRH has already been given a lift by investors expecting Trump to spend on infrastructure, with global insulation company Kingspan also likely to benefit in the coming months and years.

"Trump is talking about the potential for $3 trillion of infrastructure spending in the United States, so that's on bridges and roads as well as defence spending," said Brian Flavin, senior analyst with Goodbody Wealth Management.

"You've seen all those stocks exposed to construction, engineering, defence move up strongly on the back of that and CRH is flying at the moment."

However, Flavin believes the markets may be 'running ahead of themselves'. As yet, there is no clarity on exactly what form Trump's policies will take. "He has to go to Congress and get their approval. There may be a Republican majority in both the houses, but it still takes time."

There is also no guarantee that Republicans will support Trump. For example, Paul Ryan, current Speaker of the US House of Representatives, does not favour increasing the US deficit. "If Trump's policies mean increasing debt, that may be a problem for some Republicans," said Flavin.

In any case, it would take some considerable time for new spending plans to be passed.

Healthcare stock has rebounded as there had been fears that Hillary Clinton would push through price controls on drugs if elected. However, Trump has not expressed any such concerns and, traditionally, Republicans are against price controls.

Financial stocks have also performed well in the wake of the election as Trump and the Republicans generally favour less regulation rather than more.

"The recovery in the markets has been quite remarkable," said Flavin. "But what the markets need to see now is who he actually appoints to his administration. We also need some clarity around his tax reform issues," he said.

Dr Owen O'Brien, business lecturer at University College Cork, said that he believes Trump's policies will be positive for the US, which could have a positive knock-on effect on the world economy.

However, he raised concerns about Foreign Direct Investment if corporate taxes in the US are reduced. This would be bad for Ireland.

"The whole idea that you can just import industry and commerce into a country endlessly is an unsustainable model," he said. "We have to start creating our own industry and employment."
For his mysterious hold over the tsar and his wife, Rasputin was murdered - then damned as a rapist and a quack. Helen Rappaport on the most comprehensive memoir on 'the mad monk' to date

Taking on Rasputin is something of a poisoned chalice for any historian. The epithet "the mad monk" and the words to that dreadful disco song by Boney M, "Ra- Ra- Rasputin, lover of the Russian Queen", are the most enduring of the tags that have been attached to him, but there are many others: dipsomaniac, orgiast, "servant of the Antichrist", charlatan, quack, rogue, rapist, false prophet, and even German spy.

By the time he was brutally murdered in 1916, his name had become luridly synonymous with every possible vice and depravity. Over the last 100 years, slander upon slander has continued to pile up against him, leaving Rasputin one of the most vilified, gossiped-about and misrepresented figures in Russian history.

Although there have been numerous books on Rasputin, many are sensationalist, and some utterly worthless. Hedged around by so much negative commentary, Rasputin's actual personality - extraordinarily charismatic but elusive - feels dauntingly inaccessible. To make sense of the vast folklore surrounding him requires considerable forensic skills. Douglas Smith, prize-winning author of Former People: the Last Days of the Russian Aristocracy, has certainly invested great scholarly energy in his dogged five-year quest, marshalling material from archives across the world.

Faced with mountains of conflicting evidence, Smith ably debunks the claims that Rasputin was a horse thief; that he was a secret member of the notorious Khlysts, a persecuted sect that had split from the Orthodox Church and practised ecstatic rites; and that he was a quack (his hypnotic or auto-suggestive healing gifts remain unexplained). It is good to see Smith also briskly dismiss the claims that Rasputin had sexual power over Tsaritsa Alexandra and even raped her daughters, the latter being the most degrading slur against him in a long history of character assassination.

Rasputin's roots lay deep in Siberian peasant culture; it is what the tsar and tsaritsa, Nicholas and Alexandra, so admired about him. He seemed to have a mystical connection with real people, with peasant Russia. A free spirit and a wanderer, he was a man of God in the traditional Russian sense of the strannik or pilgrim; he was also an earthy, sensual man who believed in the beauty of the natural world, and despaired at human rapacity. As Smith argues, in many ways Rasputin was "something of a Russian Rousseau with his praise of nature and the common man, his awe at the innocent purity of childhood, his distrust of the educated classes and the aristocracy, and his call for simplicity and the return to some original purity".

True, he often drank himself into a stupor and had a considerable sexual appetite - he certainly visited prostitutes. But it was his conviction that sin was a necessary stage on the path to God, an idea also embraced by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky - through sin lay repentance, through repentance salvation. "Drink, dance and God went hand in hand for Rasputin," argues Smith, and the monk saw no harm in touching, hugging and kissing his followers, which fuelled accusations of sexual predation.

The Russian press was full of talk of orgiastic rites. An incident at the Yar restaurant in Moscow in 1910, where Rasputin threw a wild party and allegedly bragged about his sexual relationship with Alexandra, became one of the most notorious of many entirely unauthenticated tales that were absorbed into Russian folklore. Smith concludes it was wildly exaggerated in an attempt to destroy him.

Rasputin undoubtedly inspired unhealthy, slavish adoration in many vulnerable women, who traipsed across Russia to hear his words, and waited on him. It is also clear that the tsaritsa was one of his most devoted acolytes. When she and Nicholas first met Rasputin in November 1905, they immediately warmed to him as a man of the people and rapidly put their trust in "Our Friend", as they called him.

It wasn't just his homilies that comforted them. Rasputin was the last of a succession of mystics and healers whose help they solicited in a desperate quest to keep their haemophiliac son Alexey alive. Although Rasputin's powers will never adequately be explained, it seems he possessed the skill, long known to Russian peasants, of "speaking the blood", an ability to stop bleeding in animals, a knack he had probably learnt from his horse-dealer father.

Alexandra came to rely on him heavily. "My beloved and unforgettable teacher, saviour and mentor," she wrote to him in 1909, "how tiring it is for me without you I can rest only when you, my teacher, are seated next to me, and I kiss your hands and lay my head on your blessed shoulders."

Nicholas's attitude to Rasputin was far more ambivalent. He often ignored his political advice, but he was deeply reluctant to rein in the highly neurotic Alexandra's relationship with her guru and ignored warnings of the dangers of their friendship. "Better 10 Rasputins than one of the empress's hysterical fits," he said.

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In 1914, in an apocalyptic gloom, Rasputin begged the tsar not to mobilise: "Dear friend, I'll say again a menacing cloud is over Russia, lots of sorrow and grief, it's dark and there's not a ray of hope Great will be the ruin, grief without end." His heartfelt words demonstrate the childlike sincerity that so appealed to the Romanov couple, but by then Rasputin and Alexandra had been damned as "Dark Forces", the scapegoats for everything that was corrupt in Russia and that had taken her to the brink of destruction. "My hour will soon strike," Rasputin warned.

In the face of mounting public anger, Alexandra clung to Rasputin while the extended Romanov family openly damned their tsar and tsaritsa as dupes who were wilfully endangering the throne. Soon two close relatives - Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich - began plotting.

Yusupov, who denounced Rasputin as "a lascivious, malicious satyr", later wrote a much-touted account of the murder, but it was not as he claimed. There were no cakes laced with cyanide; there was no superhuman "epochal struggle of good versus evil", as Smith convincingly argues. Three bullets killed him. Rasputin's death was inept and squalid but the plotters were celebrated as national heroes, Yusupov "inundated by congratulatory letters from well-wishers across Russia".

At 670 pages, Smith's book is not for the faint-hearted. At times, the narrative sags under the weight of information, and it could do with a glossary of names for readers less familiar with the period. But it is by far the most comprehensive account of Rasputin to date, brimming with complexities and fascinating detail, and stands as an enlightening re-evaluation of this crucial figure in Russian history.
Falling out: 'Strictly' star Laura Whitmore, pictured with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, complained about Katie Hopkins being given airtime on 'The Late Late Show' Photo: Guy Levy

TV presenter Laura Whitmore yesterday lashed out at The Late Late Show and Friday night's controversial star guest, Katie Hopkins.

The Wicklow-born star of Strictly Come Dancing was infuriated by the decision to give Hopkins airtime.

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RTE received more than 1,300 emails complaining about the decision to invite her on to its flagship show.

Yesterday, Whitmore tweeted a statement revealing why she was angry.

"I was booked to go on The Late Late Show a year ago to talk about my child sponsorship with Plan Ireland (I've sponsored a little girl for six years in the Philippines).

"I had made a trip a month before to raise awareness of the children, especially females, taken out of school too young to support their families. It was cancelled last minute and I was informed the charity had been told by the producer they don't like doing those 'charity pieces'.

"It angers me that certain other people who don't need such a platform are given it to spread negativity and absolute nonsense. It leaves me with little faith in the world."

Hopkins praised the election of Donald Trump: "What we needed in America was someone who was going to have a strong lead, who was going to stand up for white people, as well as black people."

Addressing Trump's attitude to women, she told host Ryan Tubridy: "Listen sweetie, I'd rather be grabbed by the p***y than have a p***y for president."

Fellow Late Late guest Colette Browne responded: "I think it is important to say first that real men don't sexually assault women.

"Real men don't grab women and real men don't behave like that."

A station spokesman said last night: "The Late Late Show does not comment on editorial decisions."

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However, sources close to the show pointed to a number of recent charity-related items, including an appearance by Johnny Sexton to promote Debra Ireland.
Keith Duffy sustained an unusual injury when an eager fan grabbed him in a particularly sensitive place during a performance on his Boyzlife tour in Leeds.

Duffys bandmate Brian McFadden opened up about the incident which saw the former Boyzone star leave the stage with a swollen testicle after a fan became particularly handsy.

Speaking to The Sun, McFadden said: This woman went to grab Keith by the neck but slipped and ended up grabbing anything she could. I know Keith got a swollen testicle from it. Did it hurt? Of course it hurt. Have you ever had your balls squeezed?

Meanwhile, the pair recently took a break to go on a double date with their partners in Dublin on Friday.

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Walking hand-in-hand with his new love Danielle Parkinson, McFadden went for dinner in Wishbone restaurant on Montague Street with Duffy and his wife Lisa.

The former Westlife stars ex-wife, presenter Vogue Williams, recently wished him well in his new relationship with Parkinson, who works as a PE teacher in Manchester and represented Britain in the heptathlon.

I heard that he was seeing someone and Im genuinely delighted for him, I really am. Were still on really good terms and I wish him all the best, she said.

This is his first serious relationship since splitting from his Howth-born model ex-wife. The pair were married for three years before deciding to call it quits in the summer of 2015, but have managed to remain on good terms and even spent last Christmas together.

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McFadden recently went public with his romance with British athlete Danielle, after confirming he was off the market on ITV's Loose Women last week.

Speaking to The Irish Sun earlier this week McFadden said: I didnt meet Danielle online. We were introduced through mutual friends at a social function in Manchester, we ended getting on so well, we took it from there.

Danielle is lovely and its great to have someone special in your life. She makes me really happy.
Last week, the Dublin band Fight Like Apes announced that they were calling time on their career.

Bands split up all the time, but what made the quartet's decision that bit more notable was the accompanying statement that laid much of the blame squarely on a culture where people are happy to pay their 10 quid a month for a music-streaming service, but don't wish to buy physical music or merchandise.

"A lot of people don't seem to understand that we can't keep producing records if you keep not paying for them," the statement reads. "Bands are having to sell beautiful albums for 2.99, labels can't give you as much support since they're losing income too and our alternative radio stations [a reference to the recently departed TXFM] are practically non-existent now, meaning so many wonderful bands will not get a chance to get played on radio as they'll be competing with huge pop acts."

The band, led by MayKay - aka Mary-Kate Geraghty - offered a few pointers that could help such small acts: "Please buy your music in independent record stores or directly from the band. Don't fool yourself in to thinking that your 10 subscription to Deezer and Spotify helps us at all. It does not. Look how many bands are on there and do the maths. Please go to gigs. Please buy merch."

This may be a great time for the music lover, who has a world of choice opened to them cheaply by the streaming services. It was certainly something I dreamt of in the 1990s when the high cost of CDs kept so much music out of reach, but there's been a huge impact. And many musicians who would have been able to make some sort of living from physical music sales 20 years ago, would find it virtually impossible today.

David Kitt, for instance, sold 60,000 copies of his wonderful 2001 debut album, The Big Romance. But by the end of the decade, he was shifting just 2,000 copies of his 2009 album, The Nightsaver. It's not like the quality had dipped - far from it, but the culture of getting to hear music for free, or for very little cost, had become the norm, and Kitt was just one of a legion of Irish acts who were having to work in a very different environment.

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At least he got to taste what life was like in the era before music got free, to paraphrase the title of Stephen Witt's absorbing book from earlier this year. But spare a thought for those acts who are having to euthanise their music careers way before they're ready. It really isn't a good time for them.

Pink Floyd's Nick Mason said as much in an interview with me last week: this generation's music talent faces a far sterner time of it than those who went before. Great as it is to have so much music at our fingertips, it's impossible to argue that it hasn't become devalued somehow. And it's not just the digital-native generation that might feel that recorded music should be free - or exceptionally cheap: that particular horse has bolted from fans of all generations.

It's little wonder that bands are doing anything they can to keep their heads above water. Delorentos and Le Galaxie, two of the savvier of the younger crop of Irish musicians, have licensed their music to TV ad campaigns. Previous generations might have thrown the 'sell-out' brickbat at them, but there's a realisation today that such labels don't really stick when many artists have few other legitimate sources of income. And, of course, it's only a handful of names who'll release songs to tickle the fancy of the ad agency creatives anyway.

Others have looked to crowd-sourcing campaigns when it came to making new albums, although Mary-Kate Geraghty told Hot Press she was surprised by the negative reaction from some quarters when Fight Like Apes also hit the Fund It trail for what turned out to be their final album. Crowd-sourcing makes a lot of sense, although five years after it became a thing for bands, there's a real feeling of ennui about it now. Still, Limerick band Windings were glad of the resource when it came to raising the modest sum of 3,500 to help record their new album - and the result, Be Honest and Fear Not, is an impressive piece of work.

Fight Like Apes, incidentally, play their final show in Whelan's, Dublin, on December 9. Appropriately enough, it's the venue where they played their first ever gig a decade ago.

* I attended the Mobo Awards in Glasgow last weekend and the rather humdrum event seemingly built around Craig David's comeback was enlivened when it was announced that WSTRN had been given the best song gong in error.

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But time spent in one of the UK's great music cities is never wasted, and anyone who loves the Blue Nile, Orange Juice, Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai and dozens of other products of its fertile music scene, could do an awful lot worse than sign up to the Glasgow Music Tour.

Run by Scotsman music critic Fiona Shepherd, the walking tour takes in the city's wonderfully rich legacy - from the Britannia Panopticon, the world's oldest surviving music hall, to the Barrowland, a much-loved, characterful venue that's celebrated for its Smiths and Oasis concerts (although the Saw Doctors hold the record for most gigs played there).

Shepherd has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Glasgow's music scene and I enjoyed her anecdotes about that hugely influential, if short-lived, indie label Postcard Records, and the artist-run resource, Transmission (a popular stomping ground for Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, and featuring in a line on that band's single, 'Do You Want To'). The tour offers a reminder about why Glasgow punches so far above its weight musically and why it's a Unesco World City of Music, an honour granted to just one other place in the UK, Liverpool.

Earlier, I got to try out bagpipes at the National Piping Centre, but the less said about my efforts there the better.
My first thought on hearing the radio news this Wednesday: well, that was a surprise.

Am I understating the case? Or maybe overstating it - Donald Trump is the new US President and I for one didn't see that coming, but on the flipside, a lot of people obviously did and voted accordingly.

It's hard sometimes, inside the bubble of liberal leanings, working in the media and living 3,000 miles from America, to remember there's a huge panoply of different viewpoints out there. I wouldn't vote for Trump if you paid me, but millions of people would, and did.

I wish they hadn't, to be honest, but I'm not going to castigate them, be simplistic and reductive, or hurl insults. (Pretty sure I'll be hurling a few at him over the next few years, but that's another matter.)

I don't know enough about it to take a hard line. I don't know why these folks voted for Trump, who they are, how they think, what they want. In fact, that might partly explain why this came to pass: people like me refusing to listen to the "man on the street", talking down, insulting, ignoring, lecturingordering them how to think.

Trump is a spoofer and flim-flam merchant of Olympian standard, but he at least pretends to care about the average Joe. Many of society's ruling classes - media, academia, tech/business gurus, politicians, even artists - display their contempt nakedly and aggressively.

Anyway, there it is: the people have spoken. And they did a lot of it on radio this week.

Fittingly for such an outlandish campaign, Irish stations went large on this one. Newstalk and Radio 1 broadcast from Washington - DC, not the mighty State which gave us grunge, Twin Peaks and Twilight - while Today FM's Matt Cooper was in NYC.

The week kicked off with an enjoyable High Noon (Newstalk, Mon-Fri), with George in his element hopping balls off Michael Graham and Victoria Jones. He's conservative, she's notI normally hate these contrived antagonistic set-ups, but this worked well.

Also good was The Last Word's interview (Today FM, Mon-Fri 4.30pm) with right-wing firebrand Ann Coulter. She comes across as a borderline sociopath, to be honest, but Cooper was well able for her. Besides, that's the point of radio in some ways: let all voices be heard.

From Tuesday afternoon coverage went into overdrive, though there's only so much prognostication and divination you can listen to. The real action came the following morning.

Morning Ireland (Radio 1, Mon-Fri 7am) and Breakfast (Newstalk, Mon-Fri 7am) both did a bang-up job covering this seismic result, with thorough reporting, analysis and updates. The usual liberal bias - I hate saying this because I am liberal, but media is meant to be objective, no? - seeped through a little, but only a little.

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So will Trump be good for America and the world? Probably not, but I haven't a clue really. What I do know is that the last few days proved that radio is unparalleled as a medium for capturing and recording historical moments.

Having said that, one thing all the coverage failed to capture is just how bizarre this is. Donald Trump is now the most powerful person on earth.

Donald Trump. Reality TV star. Appeared in Home Alone 2. The Simpsons joked about him becoming President. It's as if a cartoon character has stepped through the screen and into real life. We're through the looking glass.

That's the most weird, surreal aspect. If reality and fantasia can blur into each like that, you feel, anything is possible. Buckle up, this could be a bumpy ride.
People attend a protest against Donald Trump's presidential election victory near the Trump Tower in Chicago, the United States, Nov. 9, 2016. A number of U.S. cities on Wednesday witnessed protest against Tuesday's presidential election result. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday in major cities across the United States in a fourth day of protests against the election of Donald Trump to be the 45 president.

The "we reject the president-elect" chant echoed far and wide again in New York City Saturday, as thousands of angry New Yorkers protested against Trump's win in Tuesday's presidential election.

The protesters, most of them young people, gathered at Union Square in force and soon marched towards the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, residence and campaign headquarters of the real estate mogul and reality show star turned politician.

Holding signs "Love trumps hate" and "Not my president," demonstrators filled the busy avenue famous for its high-end retail stores for almost fifty city blocks and cut off through traffic.

The police force of the city was on high alert, barricading the entrance of Trump Tower and many storefronts in case the protest turns violent.

"We are not trying to change the result, but to express our discontent and anger for this mistake made by many uninformed voters," said protester Chris Wells.

"This man is totally unqualified to be our president and I fear for our future," he added.

A young black woman, in her 20s, said "We don't need somebody that's racist and sexist in the White House. To me, that's unacceptable behavior."

On the west coast, about 10,000 marchers poured onto the streets of Los Angeles, the state of California, to show their anger and frustration against the president-elect.

About 8,000 protestors gathered on Saturday morning at MacArthur Park, downtown Los Angeles, which has been the site of numerous demonstrations over the years.

Protesters were marching through downtown Los Angeles, chanting "not my president" and holding signs of "HATE NEVER MADE US GREAT!" and "United against HATE."

Various streets and freeways were closed in the city downtown area due to the protest, Los Angeles police Department (LAPD) tweeted. "No arrests have been made."

During an anti-Trump protest that stretched from Friday night into early Saturday, several thousands of protestors marched through downtown Los Angeles when some of the demonstrators began vandalizing property, blocking main roads, assaulting, and interfering with officers, and refusing to leave when conditions became unsafe.

As a result, 187 adults and eight juveniles were arrested, according to the LAPD.

Los Angeles police have arrested hundreds of people over the last few days, including Wednesday night when some demonstrators blocked lanes on the 101 Freeway.

Trump's election victory has sparked four consecutive days of protests in the United States. Protesters also took to the streets of Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Louisville, Kentucky, Baltimore and other cities.

While most protests have been peaceful, there have been reports of violence and at least one shooting.

A man was shot and injured during a protest march in the early morning hours of Saturday in the city of Portland, the U.S. state of Oregon, police said on Saturday.

The police said in a news release that the victim was participating in the protest march when he was shot, and he was continuing to recover from his non-life-threatening injuries.

Protests in downtown Portland, in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, entered into the third day on Friday night. About 4,000 people took part in the Thursday's protest march.

Police arrested 26 suspects on Thursday and 17 people on Friday for vandalism and throwing projectiles at law enforcement. Police announced a weekend curfew for kids under age 14 from 10:15 p.m. and for kids aged between 14 and 17 from midnight on Friday.

In the Saturday morning shooting, several witnesses told investigators that the suspect was a male, late teens, who fled the area likely in the vehicle described as a gray or silver sedan.

Later, an off-duty officer spotted the suspect vehicle, located and seized a firearm. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle and four people believed to be criminal gang associates were detained.
By the age of 50, George Orwell suggested, most of us get the face we deserve. Perhaps people get the political leaders they deserve, too, though that doesn't make Wednesday morning's presidential outcome in the United States any less scary.

Thankfully, some nicer Americans than Donald Trump were to be found in the previous evening's My Mother and Other Strangers (RTE1), which was set in 1943 on the shores of Lough Neagh and involved a US airforce base adjacent to the fictional village of Moybeg.

Created and scripted by former Horslips frontman Barry Devlin, this first episode of a five-parter was a handsomely filmed and very well-acted pleasure that conveyed a real and unfussy sense of time and place and had a storyline that was reassuringly, indeed comfortingly, old-fashioned in its clarity and simplicity.

This allowed character to come to the fore as the locals, some of them satisfyingly malevolent, found themselves in confrontation with unwelcome intruders from a swaggeringly brave new world across the Atlantic.

Devlin's deft script hardly put a foot wrong, but it was the performances that carried the drama, with a wrenching turn from Corey Cott as the young lieutenant who took an innocent shine to 16-year-old Emma (a sweetly engaging Eileen O'Higgins) and paid the price for it. But it was Hattie Morahan, as Emma's English-born mother Rose, who held it all together. Playing an outsider herself (even though married to the local grocery-bar owner), she managed to convey an air of amused scepticism at the antics of those around her that somehow wasn't at odds with either an unfulfilled emotional core or with the moral steel that was required at the story's end.

Her luminous performance should ensure a devoted following for a series that in its opening episode had considerable impact.

The first episode of The Crown (Netflix) had different virtues, and viewers who opted to binge-watch all 10 episodes of its opening season will already know whether it manages to sustain them. Personally, I prefer to approach such dramas one episode at a time and thus can't yet declare how satisfying this account of the life of the still-reigning British monarch turns out to be.

But it was immediately apparent that the huge money put into this enterprise, which is to run for six 10-episode seasons, has been well spent, with lavish visuals and star performances competing for your attention.

Among the latter, Claire Foy conveys from the outset all the resolve and unknowability that were to become synonymous with the queen's reign, John Lithgow is an arrestingly complex and needy Churchill, and Jared Harris offers a powerfully affecting George VI.

And Peter Morgan's script, while staying carefully clear of downright iconoclasm, has enough acerbity to engage even anti-royalists, though I'm not sure if I'll have the patience to persevere throughout even one season of this Crownton Abbey setup. Apart from anything else, we all know the outcome. Vogue Williams is back with another documentary series and in this week's Vogue Williams: On the Edge (RTE2) she talked to various people who weren't happy in their own bodies and decided to do something about it.

I came of age at a time when, as far as I was concerned, people were either straight or gay, and so my knowledge of gender fluidity would fit on the back of a postage stamp. For this reason, Vogue's encounters were an eye-opener - as they seemingly were to the presenter herself, who had always assumed that "penis equals male and pregnancy equals female". Yet here she was at a Gender Odyssey in Seattle, where "I was having all of my preconceptions challenged".

Mine, too, and I felt grateful for Vogue's lively and enquiring presence as she met up with a diverse "community of brave transgender warriors" who were intent on pursuing their personal quests both in Ireland and abroad.

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And if, at the end, I remained slightly baffled by some of what I'd been seeing and hearing, you can put that down to my own imaginative failings and not to Vogue's engagingly guileless curiosity on my behalf.

Ten years after Planet Earth comes Planet Earth II (BBC1), once again presented by David Attenborough, who's now a sprightly 90 and who, in the opening sequence, was to be seen flying over the Alps as he marvelled at the world's wonder while worrying about its fragility.

The sequence, though, that has gone viral concerned just-born marine iguanas on an island off the New Zealand coast. Up they came from their birthplace in the sand and tried to join the adult iguanas on the rocks by the seashore.

Waiting for them, though, were hordes of aptly-named racer snakes, who tore after them before throttling and devouring the unfortunates they caught. It was a terrifying sequence, so brilliantly edited that you felt your own heart racing, and you'll find it all over YouTube - in some cases with various irreverent soundtracks added to it.

However, the only heart racing throughout the first instalment of The Airport Up in Knock (UTV Ireland) may have been that of Michael O'Leary, whose Ryanair planes were to be seen in every second shot.

Airport documentaries have frequently featured on television, but this was a lacklustre contribution to the genre. Most of the staff were very pleasant and there appeared to be a genuine sense of camaraderie among them, but no one had anything interesting to say, and this opening half-hour never really got off the ground.
Sarah Kinlen dressed as a member of Cumann na mBan with Carmel O'Donoghue, Pauline McKenna and Teresa Quinn, look at a letter of surrender from Padraig Pearse at the GPO exhibition Photo: Gerry Mooney

A Dublin fine art firm is to apply for an export licence for the last surrender letter written by Patrick Pearse, after State cultural institutions declined to acquire it before it goes for public auction.

The hand-written letter dated April 29, 1916 was dispatched to a group of rebels in the Four Courts in Dublin. The document, which will be auctioned in December by James Adam, has a pre-sale estimate of 1m-1.5m and has already drawn international interest, particularly from the US.

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It was last sold to a private collector for 700,000 by James Adam in 2005 after the National Library declined to buy it privately for 50,000 before the sale.

The brief letter, given by Pearse to Capuchin priest Fr Columba to deliver to the rebels, reads: "In order to prevent further slaughter of the civil population and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers... commandants or officers commanding districts will order their commands to lay down arms".

The document will be sold at James Adam's Irish art and historical document sale on December 7 and is now on display in the GPO.

"It is absolutely essential that it should be held by an Irish cultural institution. It would be a terrible pity if it left the country," said leading historian Diarmaid Ferriter.

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"It is the last official document from Pearse and, after everything we have experienced this year, this document belongs here."

The historian said he had "mixed feelings" about historical documents coming up for sale at public auction but understood that the Government did not have unlimited funds.

However, he added that too much historical material had already left the country. "The only hope we seem to have now is that a wealthy individual will buy this and donate it to the State."

James Adam managing director Stuart Cole said that when it was last sold 11 years ago the owner of the letter was prepared to sell to the National Library for 50,000, although it was "worth considerably more".

He added: "The most the National Library were prepared to pay was 10,000, so he told us 'if they can't be reasonable' to go ahead and sell it and it achieved 700,000." The under-bidder was a collector from abroad.

Mr Cole added: "The reality is that someone outside the country will buy it. I have already been asked will I get an export licence for it and I have asked the department, as they are not interested themselves."

If the letter achieves its estimate price it will be the most expensive document ever sold at an Irish auction.
A street performer who was left blind in one eye after a brutal attack in Dublin has said that the attack destroyed [his] life.

Canadian magician Mark Beltran (29) is recovering in London after the September attack but has taken several trips back to Dublin to receive treatment in the Mater hospital.

Its hard coming back because Im reminded of what happened to me, he told the Irish Sun this week.

My life has been totally changed because of what happened to me but Im challenging myself and trying to look ahead.

Every day I am confronted with my fears and often feel paranoid. One deep cut was also just a few centimetres from the left eye so I could have been totally blind.

Mr Beltran also said that he could not forgive the people who attacked him.

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They didnt just destroy my eye  they destroyed my life. I wish I could forgive them but I cant  I just dont understand how they could do such a thing. It was just vicious and Im never going to get my eye back.

I want justice and I want these people caught because whats to stop them doing it to someone else? Its been two months now and these people are still roaming the streets he continued.

They are just vicious but Im determined to get closure on this as nothing like this has ever happened to me before.

Mr Beltran, who travels around the world with his act, was performing in Temple Bar in September when a teenager stole his amplifier. His friends chased the girl to Crown Alley and recovered the amp from her and her friends there.

Mr Beltran and his friends were attacked by the group two hours later on OConnell Street; one of them hit Mr Beltrans face with a bottle, leaving him blind in his right eye.

The investigation into the incident is being led by Gardai at Store Street Garda station, but they have not found the culprits.
A Belfast city councillor has been allegedly attacked while trying to stop youths defecating on a memorial.

Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) representative John Kyle confronted them at a memorial dedicated to his party's late leader, David Ervine.

A PU statement said the four youths were filming the incident on their mobile phones.

It said: "As Cllr Dr John Kyle was passing, he asked the thugs what they were doing, at which point one of them fly kicked John off his bike, after which they ran followed by John into the Short Strand.

"This mural has nothing offensive about it. It pays homage to a well-respected man by all sides of the community and four cowardly animals to do this whilst videoing themselves is unforgivable."

Sinn Fein's Niall O Donnghaile has condemned the alleged attack as "disgraceful".

The Irish Senator and former Belfast lord mayor said: "I have today spoken with Dr Kyle on a number of occasions to express our solidarity with him.

"This was a disgraceful attack on a memorial and Councillor Kyle should never have been subjected to what took place this morning."

The statement said the incident had been reported as a sectarian hate crime.

David Ervine, a former Ulster Volunteer Force member, led the PUP for five years from 2002 until his death in January 2007 and was a key figure in brokering the loyalist paramilitary ceasefire of 1994.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed they are investigating a report of an assault on a man in the Albertbridge Road on Sunday morning and a report of attempted criminal damage to a memorial.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Strandtown on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 470 13/11/16.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan, Minister of State for European Affairs Dara Murphy and Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Fine Gaels annual party meeting at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare. Photo: Gareth Chaney

EU foreign ministers have discussed the impact of Donald Trumps election on trade links with the US and the impact on relations with an increasingly belligerent Russia.

At informal dinner discussions in Brussels, the ministers discussed whether Mr Trumps campaign announcements  on security, rejection of international trade pacts and refusal to criticise Russian President Vladimir Putin  might translate into real policy.

Before the dinner, EU diplomats were at a loss to explain Mr Trumps stunning victory or understand yet what it might really mean. As Foreign Affairs Minister, Charlie Flanagan is in the Middle East, Ireland was represented by EU Minister, Dara Murphy.

Mr Murphy said the EU fully accepted the democratic choice of the US people. We agreed we must work together to promote our many shared values, he said.

At the same time, Finance Minister Michael Noonan will offer reassurances on Irelands enduring appeal when he meets potential investors in the United States this week.

The visit was planned following the outcome of the UK referendum on Brexit, which Mr Noonan said presented an important challenge for the Irish economy.

As well as representatives from large US companies which have bases in Ireland, the minister will also meet US treasury secretary Jack Lew and officials from the IMF and World Bank.

Mr Noonan said: Ireland has strong ties with the US and this is most evident in terms of inward investment from American companies.

President Barack Obama will seek to reassure European leaders panicked by the American presidential election during a farewell tour to mark the end of his time in the White House.

He will also look to preserve his legacy before Donald Trump begins to tear it up.

Mr Obama will fly to Greece, before meeting other European allies in Germany in a trip designed to bolster his foreign policy ahead of the Republican presidency of Mr Trump.

The trip will signal our solidarity with our closest allies in the world, Ben Rhodes, a national security adviser to Mr Obama, said last week. Mr Rhodes added that the visits would reinforce our support for the approaches that have been taken over the last eight years to try to promote economic growth, economic security, and global co-operation on a whole range of issues.

European leaders and senior former military officers called on Mr Trump to clarify his position on Nato, after he called the body expensive and obsolete and said its members were too reliant on America to fund their defence. But Mr Obama will counter Mr Trumps criticism by implying that he would be unable to undo an alliance that has endured for decades and that his own administration has taken steps to reinforce.

Making his first stop in Greece, Mr Obama will deliver a speech on the economy and trade aimed at finding common ground between his positions and those of the president-elect.

The president will then travel to Germany where he will meet Angela Merkel, the chancellor, whom the White House described as his closest partner during the entire presidency.

He will also meet British Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of France, Italy and Spain. The talks will focus on topics such as how to deal with Russia and the war in Syria.
James Moore and Albert Sutton who were awarded the Legion d'Honneur at the Dedication of a Clinchy Cross ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney

A new monument to Irish troops who died on the battlefields of France was unveiled at Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin today.

The monument was a gift from the people of France to Ireland to recognise and give thanks for the tens of thousands of young Irishmen who died defending liberty on French soil.

Expand Close The Clinchy Cross which was unveiled at a ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Clinchy Cross which was unveiled at a ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney

The new France-Ireland Memorial was officially dedicated by French Government Minister Jean-Marc Todeschini and Minister for Arts and Heritage Heather Humphries.

French and Irish soldiers took part in the ceremony.

The memorial, created by the Paris Fine Arts School, is more than seven metres tall and consists of a Celtic cross surrounded by several tall leaning rocks resembling ancient Irish and French dolmens. Three bronze battle helmets rest on nearby rocks.

The cross is a replica of a wooden cross created by men of the 16th Irish Division 100 years ago during the Battle of the Somme at the churchyard at Ginchy in France.

Expand Close Minister Heather Humphreys and French minister Todeschini lay wreaths at the Dedication of a Clinchy Cross ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Minister Heather Humphreys and French minister Todeschini lay wreaths at the Dedication of a Clinchy Cross ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney

The mayors of Ginchy and the nearby town of Guillemont joined Dublin Lord Mayor Brendan Carr at the ceremony.

Inscribed on the rocks at the cross, in Irish, French, and English, were the words of Supreme Allied Commander in the Great War, Marshal Ferdinand Foch, who declared Some of the flower of Irish chivalry rests in the cemeteries that have been reserved in France, and the French people will always have these reminders of the debt that France owes to Irish valour.

We shall always see that the graves of these heroes from across the sea are loveinly tended, and we shall try to ensure that the generations that come after us shall never forget the heroic dead of Ireland.

The monument also portrays French gratitude to the Irish men who fought for the freedom of France in World War Two and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.

The national anthems of France and Ireland and The Last Post resounded at the event. The haunting strains of a lone piper were also heard.

Three Irishmen who fought in France in the Second World War, Albert Sutton, James Moore, and Jack Allshire were awarded with the Legion of Honour by Minister Todeschini at the ceremony.

Albert Sutton (94) from Clontarf in Dublin, who lives in the suburb of Kilternan, was among the first troops into the Belsen concentration camp. He told Independent.ie how he helped supervise the burial of 7,000 Jewish victims of the Nazis at the camp.

James Moore (92), from Borrisokane, who lives in Coolbawn, County Tipperary, spoke afterwards of landing on a Normandy beach just a few days after D-Day when the Allies were still being bombed.

He said afterwards: The first dead German I saw was an airman who had been shot down and he seemed no more than 19 or 20. No one had a good word to say about him but I thought he was somebodys son.

Barbara Allshire accepted a posthumous award on behalf of her Cork-born husband Jack who died recently.

Glasnevin Trust Chairman John Green said the new monument recognised Irelands contribution to France and was a reminder of the frightful cost of war.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in Enniskillen where he joined Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster at a wreath-laying ceremony to remember the Irish war dead.

Mr Kenny has taken part in the ceremony every year since 2012 and laid a wreath of green laurels alongside the many red poppies at the Co Fermanagh town's war memorial.

Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald laid a laurel wreath at a remembrance ceremony in Belfast..

She said: "So many people across the island lost their lives; 50,000 families affected by loss of a loved one during the First World War.

"We have had a government minister here since 2012 and I think it is really important to come together, to remember together and to look at our shared histories."
The Irish nursing union was notified by nurses in Kerry General Hospital about the controversial legal memo that advised the use of "minimum force" on "trespassing" patients ready to be discharged.

The Irish Nursing and Midwives Association was contacted about the memo by concerned members at Kerry General on October 26, more than two weeks after it was drafted by the Health Service Executive's legal department.

The memo was "withdrawn" by the HSE two days later on October 28. But the INMO's Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the INMO continued to get concerned calls about the memo right up to last week from members "in various hospitals", suggesting that it remained in circulation.

The memo generated public outrage after a copy was leaked to RTE last week. The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, referred to it as "offensive" and Tony O'Brien, the director general of the HSE, apologised for it.

The memo offered hospitals guidance on freeing up hospital beds as they prepared for an increased demand for acute services over the flu season.

The INMO's director of regulation, Edward Mathews, outlined details of the memo in an urgent notice to members last week.

"The memo considers circumstances where a patient may refuse to leave a hospital bed, where they have been medically discharged, and advises that a nurse has lawful authority to move a person from a ward to ward within a hospital, regardless of the wishes of a patient, and further advises that the nurse has an equal right to remove the person from a bed improperly occupied. The advice continues that once a person refuses to leave, the nurse is entitled to remove the person as a trespasser, using minimum force to do so."

Tony O'Brien told an Oireachtas Committee last week that the legal advice did not reflect general policy and related only to the "very rare cases" where a patient refuses to move on to other forms of care after their treatment in a hospital bed has been completed.

Liam Woods said that the memo was a "briefing note" for senior management, and said that no patients were removed from their beds.

There are more than 500 patients occupying beds in acute hospitals even though their care has ended.

Senior health sources said this weekend that the hospitals are under pressure due to the shortage of step-down facilities but that legal action was rare.

One of the few known cases concerned a legal action to recover fees taken by St James Hospital in Dublin against an elderly patient who allegedly "refused" to be discharged.

It is understood the patient passed away while she was still a patient in the hospital that was suing her.

The legal action the hospital took against her concluded in the High Court in June last year. St James Hospital declined to comment on the outcome of the case this weekend.

However, in a detailed statement to this newspaper two years ago, the hospital said the patient in question was ready for discharge in May 2010.

The hospital said the patient "refused" to apply for the Fair Deal Scheme to avail of nursing home care and that the patient's "family also refused to pursue the patient's options under the scheme, after the patient was fit for discharge to a long-term care facility".

The hospital said its social work department "had been actively engaged in finding and offering long-term care options to the patient, but neither the patient nor her children will complete the necessary forms to enable her to avail of such options".

It continued: "If patients refuse to accept discharge from acute care, the hospital is obliged under the Health (Amendment) Act of 2005 and the regulations made under the Act to charge the patient for the bed being occupied."

St James Hospital issued legal proceedings against the patient in 2012 and got a High Court order for the fees a year later. The case was appealed by the patient who died before the appeal concluded.

Hospitals are under enormous pressure to free up acute beds. The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said earlier this year that the number of delayed discharges was far too high, and reducing the figure was "key to making progress in our emergency departments".

An extra 40m was provided under the Winter Initiative to reduce emergency department overcrowding and to provide extra home care packages.

However, he said last week that he was "furious" when he learned of the HSE memo which said that patients who were ready for discharge but did not leave were "trespassers" who could be lawfully removed by nurses.

He said he was informed about the existence of the memo on October 27, the day before it was formally rescinded by the HSE.
Drinkers earn more than teetotallers and heavy drinkers earn the most, a new study has found.

According to the study, heavy drinkers earn on average 12,400 more than non-drinkers, The Sunday Times reports.

Previous international research has generally found that moderate drinkers earn more but that the correlation tapers off for heavy drinkers.

We were surprised by the finding for heavy drinkers, said Gillian Ormond, co-author of the study and a lecturer at Waterford Institute of Technologys School of Business.

The study divided participants into four groups: those who never drank; non-drinkers; moderate drinkers, who drank up to 14 units a week (for women) or 21 units a week (for men); and heavy drinkers who drank more than that.

Those who never drank had an average annual income of 23,618, while the average for heavy drinkers was 36,097  a difference of 12,479.

This is the first piece of research of its kind specifically relating to Ireland.

Given that we have such an issue with high levels of consumption, it struck me that there was so much of these studies done in other countries, but not anything for Ireland, Dr Ormond said.

Their findings came from an analysis of the Slan national health and lifestyle survey from 2007, published by the Department of Health.

Dr Ormond told The Sunday Times that the data was still relevant, and went on to say that drinking habits in Ireland have not changed since the recession.

Previous studies have shown that moderate drinking improves health and that healthy people do better in the workplace, which Dr Ormond pointed to as a possible explanation for the findings.

She also mentioned a UK study which suggested that moderate drinkers are better at social networking, which helps them earn more.
A man injured in a bomb blast at a shrine, receives medical treatment at a hospital in Hub town, southwest Pakistan, on Nov. 12, 2016. At least 40 people were killed and over 100 others injured after a suicide blast hit a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan district on Saturday night, local media and officials said. (Xinhua/Stringer)

At least 40 people were killed and over 100 others injured after a suicide blast hit a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan district on Saturday night, local media and officials said.

Local Urdu TV channel Abb Takk reported that 40 people including women and kids were killed, adding that the blast targeted devotees who played Dhamal, a kind of mystic dance, at Shah Noorani Shrine located at a hilltop in Hub town of the province's Kalat region.

However, the officials put the death toll figure at 30.

Hashim Galzai, the Commissioner of Kalat said that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who blew himself up at the place where the devotees were dancing.

He said that there were over 500 people, coming from different parts of the country, inside the shrine when the blast happened.

Rescue work by Army, government and non-profit organizations is underway, and altogether 87 ambulances carrying doctors and paramedics have been dispatched to the blast site, as there is no major hospital in the remote area where the shrine is located.

Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the spokesperson of the Balochistan government, said that they have dispatched 50 ambulances to the shrine.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistani Army's media wing, said that 25 ambulances with doctors and paramedics have left for the blast site and an emergency has been imposed in military hospitals in Kalat region and Karachi.

Hamkim Lasi, head of a non-profit organization Edhi Foundation in the area, said that they have dispatched 12 ambulances to the blast site.

He said that the blast site is hard to access as darkness and tough mountainous terrain is a hindrance to the rescue teams, and the nearest major hospital is in downtown Hub, which is located some 120 km from the blast site.

Superintendent Police Muhammad Jafar said that police and paramilitary troops reached the blast site and cordoned it off.

No group has claimed the attack yet.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to eradicate militancy from the country.
A MAN has been killed in a road traffic collision.

The man in his 50s was fatally injured in the road traffic collision in Limerick on Saturday evening.

The man was the driver of a car which was involved in a collision with another car on the R524 at Coole West, Athea, Co. Limerick at about 9.30pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the second car was uninjured. A Garda investigation is underway to establish the cause of the crash and the road at the scene remains closed to facilitate a forensic technical examination of the area.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan says Ireland intends to build a "strong relationship" with the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Mr Flanagan also told the Sunday Independent that he intends to make an "early visit" to the US when President-elect Trump's administration is in place.

The Foreign Affairs Minister was dismissive of negative reaction nationally and internationally to Mr Trump's election. "We need to get on with it. Like Brexit, it's a democratic decision," he said of the outcome of the US presidential election.

Behind the scenes, however, there is understood to be huge concern within government circles that the stated policies of the president-elect will prove harmful to Ireland's economic interests.

These concerns relate to Mr Trump's stated 'protectionist' trade policies, his stated intention to dramatically cut the US corporation tax rate, his stated support for Brexit as well as about the future for the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US.

Yesterday, Mr Flanagan said that among his priorities when he meets the new US administration would be "to increase trade to support Irish jobs". He also said his priorities remained to "protect the welfare of our diaspora" and to "co-operate on shared foreign policy concerns".

This weekend, government ministers are on guard against making public comments which may adversely affect Ireland's relationship with Mr Trump's administration.

Last month, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor said of the then Republican candidate: "I think that it is totally unacceptable the way he talks about women. And what really disgusted me was the way he spoke about people with disability. It is reprehensible."

At the time, Mr Trump was mired in sexual misconduct allegations. However, Ms Mitchell O'Connor had also said: "But if I had to work with him, if he is the president of the US, I will absolutely work with him and I will have a working relationship."

Last week, after the election of Mr Trump and before a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, ministers received a government memorandum which stated: "Hi all, advice at this point is to make no public comment in relation to the outcome of the US presidential election. Language will be circulated ASAP in the course of the morning."

Yesterday, Mr Flanagan described as "important and significant" that Taoiseach Enda Kenny was the first leader in Europe who received a telephone call from Mr Trump after his election.

Mr Kenny had previously also criticised Mr Trump's "racist and dangerous" campaigning during the presidential election, but the Taoiseach was among the first leaders to offer Mr Trump "sincere congratulations" on his election.

Mr Kenny has also sought to play down his previous criticism, stating that Mr Trump's comments were made in the "heat of battle" in the election.

Both the UK and German leaders were last week reported to be "furious" that Mr Trump chose to receive a telephone call from Ireland first.

However, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, in a statement last week, stated that Germany and America were connected by "values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views", and added: "I offer the next president of the United States close co-operation on the basis of these values."

Yesterday, Mr Flanagan said: "The Irish Government has strong relationships with politicians of both parties in the US at all levels. The Vice President-elect, Irish-American Mike Pence, is well known to us and President-elect Trump's early call with the Taoiseach was important and significant.

"Following the election, it's a very good start for Ireland and we will build a strong relationship with the new administration."

The Sunday Independent understands that the telephone call between Mr Trump and Mr Kenny was organised by the Irish embassy in the US through Republican Congressman Peter King, a close friend of Rudy Giuliani, who is tipped to be Attorney General in Mr Trump's new administration.

During the 10-minute call with Mr Kenny, the president-elect is said to have praised the decisions taken by Mr Kenny's governments on the economy and confirmed that the US would continue to work with Ireland and would continue the St Patrick's Day tradition of inviting the Taoiseach to the White House.

The Taoiseach has said: "I had a very good conversation with the president-elect.

"He understands Ireland very well. He was complimentary about the decisions made about the economy here. He is looking forward to doing business with Ireland and I asked him specifically about Patrick's Day. He is looking forward to continuing that tradition over many years."

Subsequently, in the Seanad last week, Labour's Aodhan O Riordain said: "I'm embarrassed by the reaction of the Irish Government to what's happened in America. I can't believe the reaction from An Taoiseach and the Government.

"America has just elected a fascist, and the best thing good people in Ireland can do is to ring him up and ask him is it OK to still bring the shamrock on St Patrick's Day."

The president-elect and his advisers in recent days have backed away from some of the most sweeping pledges Mr Trump made on the campaign trail, which suggests that his administration may not deliver on some of his more controversial promises. However, in an interview since his election, Mr Trump has said he wants to solve "health care, jobs, border control, tax reform", which indicates that issues of concern to the Government here are still high on the agenda of the new US administration.

During the campaign, Mr Trump outlined a series of protectionist trade policies. The most immediate concern here, however, is the potential impact on the economy should he act on his stated intention to cut the US corporation tax rate from 35pc to as low as 15pc. The Irish corporation tax rate is 12.5pc. The IDA and the ESRI have sought to play down the prospect of US multi-national firms leaving Ireland, but the Central Bank here has said it is "way too early to tell" what kind of impact Mr Trump's presidency will have on the economy. There is also concern at Mr Trump's stated support for Brexit.

Last year goods worth 27bn were shipped from Ireland to the US, while Ireland bought 10bn from the US. The value of services sold from here to the US was 8.5bn in 2014, the most recent available figures. Also last year corporation profit tax paid to the exchequer rose by 50pc, or 2.4bn.

This windfall, mostly from US corporates, has already been allocated by the Government and is locked in to future spending commitments. Should US multi-nationals repatriate to the US, a huge hole would appear in the Government's finances.

Today, the foreign ministers of the EU are to hold a special meeting in Brussels to discuss the outcome of the US presidential election.

Last night, European Affairs Minister Dara Murphy said Ireland would use the meeting to emphasise the importance of Europe's relationship with the US: "From our point of view it is vital that the European Union continues to have a very strong relationship with the United States."
A lecturer who befriended Catherine Nevin as she prepared for her release from prison has spoken about her intention to help prisoners with addiction upon completing her sentence.

However, it appears unlikely she will get an opportunity to do so after it was confirmed she has just months to live after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Expand Close Catherine Nevin with husband Tom whom she had murdered Photo: COLLINS DUBLIN / Facebook

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Derek Byrne, a drug and alcohol policy lecturer in Maynooth University, met Nevin in 2014 when she enrolled in an adult education course in addiction studies.

He said her interest was sparked by her observations of drug use among women prisoners in the Dochas Centre at Mountjoy Prison.

Writing in The Irish Times, he said it was also clear she often found prison life difficult. "One night she arrived at class shaken, having witnessed a violent incident in the jail. She broke down in tears as she described the severity of the beating one woman had given another," he said.

Nevin was jailed in 2000 after she was found guilty of murdering her husband Tom. She became known as the 'Black Widow'. Nevin was granted regular periods of release from prison so she could attend classes. Byrne said she engaged well with her work and he was confident she would have had enormous potential to help prisoners after her release.

Nevin chose to leave the second year of the course early but the pair stayed in contact and became friends.

"She would often call me at weekends, for support with an assignment, and later might also call, for example, to ask how I was if she knew I had been ill. She also phoned to wish me a happy birthday when I turned 50 and arrived at class that week with a card and a three-dimensional drawing she had made for me."

He revealed that Nevin was due for release when she was diagnosed with a serious illness. "She has just months to live. Even a person convicted of an abhorrent crime can learn and make some positive contributions to the world."
Moldovan Voters queue at The Gresham Hotel, O'Connell Street today to vote in their Presidential elections. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

Hundreds of Moldovans queued outside the Gresham today to vote for their next President, 2,000 miles away.

All Moldovan citizens can vote in this election, and since Moldova does not have an embassy in Ireland, the community here booked a room at the Gresham to cast their votes.

One voter told Unimedia, a Moldovan news website: We woke up at 5 am, we travelled more than 600 km, but nothing scares us because we're excited and motivated. We care. We want a better future for our country."

This is the first direct Presidential election since 1996, following the Constitutional Courts decision that the indirect elections of 2000 were unconstitutional.

Expand Close Moldovan Voters queue at The Gresham Hotel, O'Connell Street today to vote in their Presidential elections. Photo: Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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Whatsapp Moldovan Voters queue at The Gresham Hotel, O'Connell Street today to vote in their Presidential elections. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The first round of voting left Igor Dodon of the Party of Socialists ahead with 47.98 per cent of the vote, and Maia Sandu of Action and Solidarity behind him with 38.17 per cent. Seven other candidates trailed the leaders.

Since no candidate secured a majority, all but the top two were eliminated and the second round between those two was conducted today.

This will be a significant vote for the country; Igor Dodon is more pro-Russian than his opponent Maia Sandu, who leans more towards the EU. Not only is this the first direct Presidential vote in 20 years, it could decide who Moldovas closer allies are for the foreseeable future.
Inspectors from England were present during the latest outbreak of violence at the Oberstown detention centre in north Dublin during which a member of staff was seriously injured.

Two members of staff were taken to hospital during the day-long episode of damage and violence at the centre. A male and female member of staff were injured and the man was detained in hospital overnight with head injuries.

There has been no let-up in the violence and disorder at the State's only detention centre for children under the age of 18 since the closure of St Patrick's juvenile prison in the Mountjoy complex in Dublin two years ago.

During the past two weeks, while independent inspectors have been investigating the running of the centre, there were a series of violent incidents, staff said.

One 'troubled' young inmate apparently tried to commit suicide and another, who has been persistently violent and troublesome, got hold of a metal bar and began threatening staff. It is understood that staff were forced to use a mattress in an attempt to corral the young man.

Further damage is believed to have been caused to one of the remaining units at the site. One was burned to the ground in the summer during a break-out attempt, with two others extensively damaged.

The two independent inspectors are understood to have been on the 'campus' during the latest violence but did not directly witness it.

Last September, in the face of increasing violence and damage at Oberstown, Children's Minister Katherine Zappone commissioned a review by two outside experts.

She appointed Professor Barry Goldson, a child law expert from the University of Liverpool, and Professor Nicholas Hardwick, who is chair of the UK's Parole Board, to visit the centre and report their findings by next month.

Despite Zappone's insistence that Oberstown is "fit for purpose", there are now questions over the actual design and construction of the centre.

The new 'Oberstown Campus' was built quickly to replace the old Trinity House borstal for boys and girls.

One member of staff said that while the building was fine for normal hostel accommodation, it was "more like a hotel building than a place to detain anyone, particularly not the big strong young fellas we have".

The source said that in several instances, youths had been able to break through partitions and hatches and pull out metal joists and rods which were then used as weapons against staff and other inmates.

"The build is wrong," the staff member said. "There are only three units functional now and the way things are going, the place is being gradually demolished. They're literally pulling it apart.

"The build is closer to what you would see in a hotel than in a prison.

"We've had the former governors of Mountjoy, Portlaoise and Wheatfield [prison in Dublin] to advise on security but as they pointed out to us, if you go down the way of wanting staff to have security equipment then you have to train them how to use it and that is a whole new ball game. I don't think anyone wants to go down that route.

"The way things were with six lads to a unit was just about manageable. You could do rehab work and get them into education and training. But since they went up to eight lads per unit it has become unmanageable and you are just working to keep order all the time instead of helping the kids."

People living in the Rush and Lusk areas adjoining the juvenile detention centre have complained to local politicians about the new complex, worried that there will be break-outs or possible hostage situations, one employee said.

Local garda resources have also been depleted, with only one squad car generally on duty most nights to cover the area of north county Dublin around Balbriggan.
The guns were ratcheting up for the War of Independence on November 10, 1916, in Ireland - in France, Germany and Belgium they had been pounding relentlessly for two years, and the slaughter of the Somme was still raging. Unforgettable history, into which was born a man who was to make unforgettable art.

Louis le Brocquy was born in Dublin on that day, so last Thursday was his centenary, although he died only in 2012, and worked with unflagging determination, inspiration and commitment until shortly before his death.

Along with his friend, the late Patrick Scott, he was one of our first modernists, and they remain the greatest. Le Brocquy's art was self-taught, and his early career flew in the face of his prominent business family's ideas on a suitable career for a young man; but his mother supported him in his early years, and in 1958 her faith in her son was justified, when his painting, A Family, was included in the exhibition of Fifty Years of Modern Art at the Brussels World Fair.

That was the year he left London, where he had spent the previous decade, and went to live in the south of France with his second wife, the painter Anne Madden, where they worked in a shared studio, and brought up their two sons, Pierre and Alexis (he had a daughter, Seyre, with his first wife).

The family was a frequent subject for his modernist brush, startling, thought-provoking images that asked questions of our pre-conceptions (A Family has hung in our National Gallery since 2001, when it was purchased and presented by the businessman Lochlann Quinn). He also had a long fascination with what is now called the Travelling community, and his extraordinary works from that period seemed to see into peripatetic life, with all its pride and insecurities, as well as its deprivations.

But Le Brocquy's painting instinct always saw behind; it is what makes the series of Heads such a spectacular insight into the souls of his sitters, who included James Joyce, as well as close friends such as Francis Bacon, Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, and in later years, even Bono. One of the remarkable facets of Le Brocquy and his vision was how aware he was of society and its movements. Even as he approached his 90s, he saw through a contemporary lens.

Nor would he permit old age to let his energy flag. Privileged as I was to know him well, during one visit to his and Anne's home, I saw he was limping. He was in his late 80s, and mentioned cheerily that he had climbed on a chair balanced on a table in his studio in order to photograph something, and ended flat on his back on the floor. He had a soft, elegant voice, which made his comment even funnier: "No fool like an old fool, Emer."

On a commercial level, he is quoted as the first-living Irish artist whose work has fetched in excess of 1m at auction. But there are better testaments, including a National Gallery publication for his 90th birthday, which included essays like 'Portrait of the Artist as an Alchemist', and 'Ireland's Prospero of Painting'.

His last major exhibition in his lifetime was typical: mounted at Gimpel Fils, his London gallery for many years, it was in 2007, and called 'Early Heroes; Homage to his Masters'.

And in this week of his centenary, his adored wife Anne was in her studio, working on a major exhibition of her own new work. He'd have liked that.
Bill Clinton is hoisted up high during his campaign at the bar

The Eire Pub, in the Adams Village section of Dorchester, is one of Boston's iconic workingman's bars. It is unpretentious and has standards. John Stenson, whose Irish-born father opened the pub more than a half-century ago, insists that his bartenders wear ties and foul language is frowned upon.

As yuppies and suburban empty-nesters flock to some of the newer establishments in the neighbourhood, paying downtown prices for drinks placed on marble counters, the Eire remains stubbornly old-school. It caters to cops and firefighters, teachers and tradesmen, not to mention a sizeable number of Irish-born construction workers.

The Democrats and Republicans have fought over the Eire the way the Americans and Japanese fought over barren islands in the Pacific during World War II. Claiming it was a symbol of working-class cred, of caring for the little guy, a political attribute that has swung elections in America for generations.

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan held a pint of Ballantine Ale aloft, claiming to have wrestled the lunch-pail Democrats who peopled the bar into the GOP fold.

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In the 1990s, Bill Clinton held a pint of Guinness high, reclaiming the Eire for the Democrats.

And in 2008, just days before he stepped down as taoiseach, Bertie Ahern drained a pint of Bass on what they call the Irish side of the bar at the Eire.

Politics oozes from the Eire and its denizens are unusually savvy, so it seemed more than just a passing remark when Paul Elwell, a sheet-metal worker, looked up at the TV screen a few months ago. The polls showed Donald Trump trailing Hillary Clinton badly.

"The polls are wrong," Elwell said. "A lot of people won't tell you they're voting for Trump because they don't want to be told they're racist or sexist or whatever it is you want to call them."

Elwell was Hillary Clinton's nightmare: a trade unionist who didn't trust her, who didn't trust the people around her, who believed that the Clintons, like the Bushes, had their time but it was time for someone else. A union guy who believed Trump would be better for the economy than his union bosses, who told their members to vote for Clinton.

"Do you know why he'll win?" Elwell said, turning to me that day. "Because people are tired of being talked down to."

There are many reasons Trump pulled off the biggest upset in modern, if not all, American politics, but the sense among those who voted for him that those who supported Clinton looked down on them was palpable, a coalescing force - despite Trump's incendiary, divisive rhetoric. Voting for Trump was a thumb in the eye to American elites, and many of those who voted for Trump relished that.

The exit polls showed what other earlier polling had suggested: that Trump did extremely well with less-educated white males, that African-Americans and Latinos voted overwhelmingly for Clinton.

But they also showed that Trump did much better than expected with educated white women, who were not put off by Trump's history of insulting women, judging them by their appearance and an audio tape in which he boasted of grabbing women by the genitals.

And he did far better than expected with people who traditionally vote for Democrats. In true-blue Massachusetts, Clinton crushed Trump, providing Clinton with the third-largest margin of victory among the 50 states. But listening to those who hail from traditional Democratic institutions, such as the labour movement and Irish-American communities, provides an insight that wasn't captured by polling.

Dorchester lies at the very top of the Irish Riviera. So-called because that stretch of sea-coast communities south of Boston contains populations where the majority are of Irish descent, the Irish Riviera includes the seaside town of Hingham.

Sitting in a coffee shop overlooking Hingham harbour, Tim Doherty appeared to be the least likely to vote for Donald Trump.

Doherty hails from a prominent Democrat family. His uncle was a close adviser to Jack, Bobby and Ted Kennedy. But Doherty works in property management and saw Clinton as just the latest of Democratic leaders who have punished the private sector with unnecessary regulation.

He has friends who have thrown up their hands in frustration, unable to open businesses because of what he considers unreasonable government interference.

He has more than one university degree, but identifies less with the East Coast elites whose backgrounds he shares, and more with those in the Rust Belt who voted in unprecedented numbers for Trump.

"The Rust Belt folks want a shot at a job and a little attention," Doherty said. "Globalisation has made crap we don't need at Walmart 6pc cheaper but has killed thousands of jobs and the people who lost those jobs can't afford to shop at Walmart."

Doherty bristled at what he said was the Clinton campaign class-baiting, pitting the less well-off against the well-off.

He considers that insidious, institutionalised begrudgery. He also thought it the height of hypocrisy, as Clinton accepted millions of dollars in speaking fees from Wall Street, saying one thing in private, another in public.

"It's like Bono says," he said. "Americans don't hate the man in the big house on the hill. They want to be the man in the big house on the hill."

And as someone whose ancestors came here from Ireland, he doesn't believe that Trump will launch a mass deportation of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the US, or ban all Muslims from entering the country, even though Trump repeatedly promised to do so.

"He'll deport the criminals, as he should," Doherty said.

"But on immigration and refugees, he'll be more measured and moderate than most people think."

It is noticeable that many of those who admire Trump for "telling it like it is" on immigration and the threat to American security from refugees in Muslim countries don't really believe he'll follow through on his rhetoric, even as they dismissed Clinton as being a two-faced congenital liar, a career politician whose first instinct is to lie.

They also seem unfazed by Trump's outrageous rhetoric about, and alleged sexual assaults of, women, either accepting the excuse that "all men talk like that in private", or doubting the credibility of women who came forward in the dying days of the campaign to allege that Trump had made unwanted sexual advances.

Trump won the White House by riding a sea of red down the midsection and southern gulf coast of the country, while managing to pick up crucial wins on the East Coast in Florida and Pennsylvania.

The Irish Riviera was a swathe of blue, from Quincy down to Marshfield, as Clinton won those cities and towns handily.

But even in those typically Democratic strongholds, the complaints from the Rust Belt echoed.

What the Irish Riviera doesn't have in large numbers, with the exception of Quincy, are those who feel most threatened by a Trump presidency: undocumented immigrants, minorities and Muslims.

Back at the Eire, Mike Rainey, a construction worker from Galway, thought Trump was a better choice than Clinton.

"He's what America needs," he said. "Someone who tells it like it is."

But as Bill Clinton once put it, in a caveat for the ages: "It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

Kevin Cullen is a columnist for The Boston Globe
Alexa Chung, it is entirely fair to say, is not your average woman. The rest of us do not date Alexander 'Tarzan' Skarsgard, have designer handbags named after us, or shoulder an 'It Girl' title.

But that's not to say she doesn't have a superb eye for crowd-pleasing fashion, as her second collection for Marks & Spencer proves. These wearable pieces - from the Archive by Alexa range - include velvet dresses and cable knit sweaters. The line could sell out quickly, so hurry.

BUY: Available at Marks & Spencer Grafton Street, Mary Street, Dundrum, Liffey Valley and Cork, and online at marksandspencer.ie

Wild thing

Everything local, seasonal, wild, traditional and delicious in Irish food is being celebrated at Wild & Slow, taking place in Wicklow's BrookLodge & Macreddin Village this weekend. There will be numerous workshops, such as 'blackberries and beyond', plus discussions on game. Places are subject to availability. The Wild Wood street market offers the chance to learn more about wild Irish foods and stock up on delicacies, such as rowanberry jam, and wild venison sausage hot dogs.

DETAILS: wildandslow.com

Raising the bar

If you've decided to have a dry November, best stop reading now, because Tippletown, the three-day festival dedicated to all kinds of interesting drinks, is coming to Dublin this Friday. It promises to be a lot of fun, with events including cigar and cachaca pairings and beer-pong.

DETAILS: wigwamdublin.com; brew-tonic.com

Get connected

Sate your bargain hunter appetite, while also doing your bit for a good cause, at a designer wardrobe rail sale. The event, taking place in Dublin today, is in aid of Minding Connections, a charity that tackles loneliness and isolation among older people in the community. Expect high-end labels such as DKNY and Chanel, high street items, and some vintage offerings.

DETAILS: Today, 12pm-3pm, Wigwam, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Admission 20. See makingconnections.ie

Tell us a story

The ancient art of storytelling gets some new life at the Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival, taking place in Kerry this weekend. The highlight of the festival is tonight's performance of the John B Keane classic The Matchmaker in the Sneem Hotel, with Mary McEvoy and former D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny taking to the stage. There's also a storytelling pub trail and walks in the countryside.

Info: sneemstorytellingfestival.com

Beautiful bling

If you've been exceptionally good this year, you should definitely put some Karon Jacobson jewellery on your Santa list in the hope that he will reward you. Karon started out making jewellery as a teenager in Toronto, launching her collection in Dublin's Brown Thomas and Havana boutique in 2012. Her style is a fusion of ethnic influences with a modern twist, using unique stones and materials, and all incredibly gorgeous.

BUY: Silk tassel and bead necklace, 350 each. karonjacobson.com

Nature of the beast

Seasonal Beast curates science and the natural world events in Ireland, from pop-ups to talks, film screenings, exhibitions and workshops in Ireland. It also has the most brilliant gift shop on its website where you can pick up presents-less-ordinary, ranging from telescope necklaces to 'phases of moon' prints. These cloud and constellation cushions (25) will add a celestial touch to any home.

BUY: seasonalbeast.ie

Next weekend

Roger that!

One of pop culture's perennially asked questions is: who was the best James Bond? Even the most avowed Sean Connery fans will be excited by the chance to see the other contender for the Best Bond title, Roger Moore, in the flesh. Sir Roger is appearing at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre next Sunday to discuss his life and his incredible 71 years in showbusiness, and there will also be the chance to ask him your own question at the end of the evening.

DETAILS: Tickets from 20; bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Christmas cracker

For those keen to get into the festive spirit, nothing says Christmas like The Nutcracker. Ballet Ireland is performing its interpretation of the classic in theatres all around Ireland until December 23. There are performances in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre this Wednesday to next Saturday, before the show moves on to Monaghan, Sligo, Cork and Galway this month. The international cast includes Irish dancers Hayley Cunningham and Cian Hughes, and the combination of a magical score, amazing costumes and the story itself all combine to make this an unforgettable experience.

DETAILS: balletireland.ie

hotlist@independent.ie

Upwards

Hasselback potatoes

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Fiddly to prepare, but so worth it. Jamie Oliver's version with Gorgonzola and honey will change your life.

Kilts

A little bit Outlander and a lot chic.

Work playlists

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Including Queen's I Want to Break Free - really does help you hoover more enthusiastically.

Lovely handwriting

It's only when you see it that you release what a forgotten skill this is.

Irish Oscar hopes

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Ruth Negga (above) for the win next February.

Onwards

Supermarket Christmas craziness

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Negroni flavoured crisps (Lidl) and mulled wine scented toilet paper (Tesco), anyone?

The lurgy

If you haven't gotten the malingering cold/flu affecting everyone right now, don't get too comfortable, because it is going to get you eventually.

Bright red lips

Your best and most stylish friend at the beginning of the night; your worst smeary enemy by the end of it.

Courier wait time

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Never will a clock tick more slowly than when you're expecting an Amazon or Asos parcel of goodness to arrive.

Fishnet dresses

We want to know how exactly you get in and out of them. Perhaps Kylie Jenner can enlighten us.
(File photo of Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski)

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski says China and his country are ushering in a new era of cooperation.

Kuczynski made the comment ahead of a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Latin American country.

Xi is also scheduled to attend this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held a week from now in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

Kuczynski suggests there are many things China and Peru could do together.

"We want to open up new markets, especially in agriculture, in China. We are also interested in scientific and technological development and we hope China will provide scholarship programs particularly in engineering and science. In addition, cultural exchanges and cooperation in archaeology and climate change also mean a lot to us."

Kuczynski paid a five-day state visit to China two months ago, shortly after he was elected.

He says he attaches great importance to the forthcoming second bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping to be held in his own country.

"I think the meeting with President Xi for the second time is quite critical, in particular when the international economic structure is changing and brimming with uncertainties. Apparently, that will be a topic high on my agenda for the APEC meeting."

China and Peru established diplomatic relations 45 years ago.

Bilateral relations were lifted to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013.

China is currently Peru's largest trading partner.

The Latin American country welcomed the arrival of the earliest Chinese immigrants back in the middle of the 19th century.
On October 31, I tweeted the following: "In 9 days' time could we be waking up to the realisation that Donald Trump is the new President of the USA? I have a sinking feeling."

I am no expert on American politics, nor am I psychic, but there was a raw energy about his campaign that worried me. I also was disappointed that Hillary never really went after him in the debates as I felt she should have. There was no slam-dunk moment when she dispensed with him as someone who so clearly outclassed and out-experienced him, should have.

And now, as we are all reeling from the result, the media is full of questions mainly asking how we didn't see this coming. How did the polls get it so wrong? Twitter is full of despair as to how America could have elected a man who has promoted violence and hatred and spread a gospel of intolerance and misogyny.

So, has America gone rogue? Is the country populated by a majority of people who fully support The Donald's attitude to women, to immigrants, to Mexicans, to Muslims? I don't think so. Sure, there are some mad Americans who have very dysfunctional thinking about all those issues, but there are mad people in every country. I don't believe that Americans in the main voted for Trump because they think it's okay to sexually assault women or even that they want to build a wall to keep out Mexicans.

Just like Brexit, I think that the people are angry; they feel unrepresented, ignored and patronised by the establishment. Along comes The Donald, all brash incoherent nonsense, and suddenly the people have a way to make their anger felt. They use the only power they have - the power of the ballot - in order to send a very clear message which, to borrow a phrase, is that they are "mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore".

This is not about Trump. This is about the people who voted for him. And that is where our focus should be. What has happened in the US (and indeed in the UK over Brexit) is a rebellion. The conversation should now focus on why such huge numbers of people in one of the most powerful, advanced countries on the planet, feel so disenfranchised, so left behind, so ignored.

Politics surely should be about serving the people, all the people, and it is clearly failing to do that in the UK and the US and other countries including Ireland. Could it be because increasingly our governments are focussed on running economies as opposed to societies?

And when we focus on running economies, much like when a country goes to war, the weakest and most vulnerable become 'collateral damage' which is considered justifiable in order to ensure the economy thrives.

We have lost sight of the huge pain that is inflicted on those who pay the highest price for austerity or the loss of industry and jobs. Whole communities were decimated in the US and they were then left to fester and make do, with no help to rebuild their lives. Similarly, here during the so-called austerity budgets, the highest price was paid by the weakest while those at the top in terms of wealth became wealthier.

The problem of the disenfranchised is compounded by the fact that they are rarely given a voice. In the aftermath of the US election, just like after Brexit, there is a rush to accuse voters of being stupid and uneducated, and to assume that is what led them to vote so seemingly recklessly. But that is to underestimate and misunderstand what has happened. We are not listening. Or maybe it is that we are not hearing. Was the media too quick to write off The Donald as a joke and then his followers as idiotic? Yes, most definitely. But equally, the media didn't capture what was happening at grassroots level until it was too late.

We have had two wake-up calls in quick succession this year. 2016, the year we commemorated our own Rising, will go down in history as the year that our neighbours on both sides experienced their own 'risings'. The big difference between becoming collateral damage in war and due to political decisions, is that in war you are dead and so cease to be a problem. But economic victims retain that most powerful of tools, their vote.

This is democracy in action and democracy is not like economics where the rules can be changed, such as happened here when it was decided that we should bail out the bondholders. The people have spoken, and they have delivered an earthquake to the political landscape in both the UK and the US. While the neighbours struggle with their new reality, we in Ireland would do well to take a long hard look at ourselves.
Fiction can provide deeper and more personal perspectives on travel than any guidebook, says Pol O Conghaile.

Talk about books and travel, and traditional guides spring to mind.

But travelling with a novel, scouting out the haunts of an author, or finding real-life locations where fictitious events took place can also be a thrilling inspiration for a trip... and a deeply personal one at that.

Think of Joyces Dublin, Lorcas Grenada or Garcia Marquezs Cartegena. Our travel pages feature several literary destinations this week, but really, any book or author with a powerful sense of place will do.

Ive felt that tingle in touristy places like Wordsworths Lake District, Hemmingways Madrid and New Yorks Chelsea Hotel, but Ive also felt it at smaller sites like Orhan Pamuks Museum of Innocence in Istanbul (pictured below, en.masumiyetmuzesi.org), or Swenys Chemist in Dublin (also below, sweny.ie).

Swenys featured in Ulysses, and remains a terrific time capsule  thanks to a team of volunteers who read from Joyce at lunchtimes.

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Of course, cultural tourism can also be crass. We all know the literary mugs and tea towels, the boozy bias towards dead (and mostly male) writers, the stereotypes that reduce rather than expand our knowledge.

But when literary landscapes are tastefully interpreted, rather than turned into theme parks, the effect can be amazing.

A good work of fiction offers perspectives youll never find in a guidebook; it ties the richly individual act of reading to actual places in surprisingly emotional ways.

Ireland is a world-class example. Think of Yeats Country, Patrick Kavanaghs Monaghan, or the new Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co. Derry.

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The only tool required for your next trip is imagination.

Literary travel websites

Literary tourism can sound like an elitist niche, but once you open the lid, all sorts of possibilities spill out. Take a look at literarytraveler.com, for instance  run by a couple who met while studying English in Boston. Recent articles range from Harry Potter in Universal Studios to Virginia Woolf in Sussex.

Closer to home, travel writer Muriel Bolger has a guide to Irelands literary landscapes on Irelands Blue Book website (irelands-blue-book.ie), while you can read more from author Michelle Jackson on her books and travels at michellejackson.ie.

Read more literary tourism:
Protest: Bringing their views to the street in San Francisco after the election

Just before I moved to San Francisco in 2014, one of my friends remarked to me that I would be in the States during Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Hillary's actual victory wasn't mentioned - not because we didn't think she'd win. Even in 2014, we knew she'd win. I just wouldn't be in the States for the election; I was meant to come back home after two years, months before the vote.

Two-and-a-half years on, I'm still in San Francisco. The election was this week. Hillary lost. To Donald Trump. Nothing is the way it's supposed to be.

For 18 hours after Trump was declared victorious, San Francisco was eerily quiet.

It had actually been quiet for about two hours beforehand, too, when it started to hit us that the impossible could be happening; that he actually could win. I was watching the results in a house filled with people I didn't know. My flatmate Ileana's boyfriend and his friends were having a "watching party". It wasn't much of a party.

When I arrived, Ileana was already on the verge of tears and the men who I didn't know were getting belligerent, their anxiety turning aggressive.

This was Hillary's fault, they argued. The Democrats' fault, the media's fault, no, definitely Hillary's fault.

It was the sound of panic rising, but it soon gave way to sighs. To gasps. To brief barks of mirthless, incredulous laughter. To silence. This was happening. And we could only watch.

When Trump hit 276 electoral votes, winning the election, I left the room, then the house. I sat on the steps outside. Cried. I could see three people across the road doing the same thing. No one said a word.

When I came back inside, Ileana had disappeared into her boyfriend's room. I left, alone. I didn't say goodbye to the men I didn't know.

Walking home down 24th Street in the Mission District, the six restaurants and four bars I passed by were quiet. Full, but quiet. People sitting and shaking their heads, people watching television screens, people staring into space.

Normally, people in the Mission nod to each other as we cross paths at night, smiling or murmuring a gentle "How are you?" It's a community thing, a sign of peace and safety. The neighbourhood is rapidly becoming more gentrified, and the Mexican people who have lived there for decades are getting evicted from their houses by landlords looking to get around rent control laws.

Being a white person who lives in the Mission, it's important to greet the people who have lived there forever, to shop in the local stores, to buy homemade lemonade from the adorable kids who set up stands. It demonstrates that you respect the history and community of the area, and want to support it. That you're not another white person looking to ignore the Mexican people who live here, nor erase their history.

The night Trump was elected, no one asked each other how they were as we passed on the street.

We already knew.

An entire country had just voted for a man who called Mexican people rapists and drug dealers, who threatened to deport them and their children, to build a wall keeping them out of a country they helped build. In the face of that hatred, a nod felt so embarrassingly lacking; asking how they were doing would have rang so horribly hollow.

Of course they're not fine. There's nothing to ask, nothing to say.

The day after the election, I spent the afternoon at home. Crying, writing, staring numbly into space. Later, I travelled to San Francisco State University to attend a panel on Asian American Sexualities. A group of students waited outside an empty conference hall. The speakers were late. We waited in silence. Five minutes. 10. 20. Finally, someone arrived, telling us that the panel had been cancelled; the speakers had not felt comfortable discussing the topic so soon after misogyny, homophobia and racism had been condoned by a nation. Our waiting group nodded without complaint. That seemed right. Silence seemed right.

The bus headed back home was full of students, though the usual soundtrack of laughter and gossip was on mute. A girl in front of me was drawing intensely.

After a few minutes, she silently held a placard above her head.

In beautiful lettering, it said "American Horror Story: Donald Trump."

I had to ask.

"Is there a protest?"

"Yeah," she replied.

"I didn't know. Where?"

"Market Street," she told me. "You can come with me, if you want."

There were only about 30 people on Market Street when we arrived. I thought we must have missed the march.

But the group started walking together, some small home-made signs waving quietly. And then.

"Who's Donald Trump?" yelled a woman.

"Not my president!" yelled back our tiny group.

As we yelled, people on the street turned to look. Offered high-fives. Started marching with us.

We merged with another group who had started on a different street. And another. And another. We grew louder. Car horns starting honking appreciatively as we marched by.

I texted Ileana to join us, and my phone immediately died.

As more people joined, the more chants echoed.

"Black Lives Matter!" we cried. "Trans Lives Matter!" we yelled. "Pussies Grab Back!" we howled.

"Take The Streets!" we promised.

There were thousands of us, laughing in delight as children waved from windows. Cheering as young gay couples kissed. Singing Spanish songs when we entered the Mission. Stopped, finally, for speeches full of determination and strength and assertions that we would all organise, we would all speak out, we would all support each other, and survive.

As we cheered, I suddenly felt myself being hugged. It was Ileana. We'd found each other, right at the end, right in our neighbourhood.

It was full of hopeful noise.
Premium

Dan O'Brien Opinion While we catastrophise about Covid, we ignore risk of running out of cash

We Irish view the world in an increasingly strange and unhealthy way. We catastrophise about Covid in a way other European countries do not. We focus on how bad the effects of the virus could get, on how many more restrictions might be imposed by Government and how helpless we are in the face of the virus.
Something quite bizarre and unexpected happened last week that took me completely by surprise. Forget about Donald Trump: I turned out to be right. That never happens. When Senior Counsel Sean Guerin issued a government report wordily entitled A Review of the Action Taken by An Garda Siochana Pertaining to Certain Allegations Made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe in May 2014, Alan Shatter was forced to resign. Guerin criticised him to the point that Taoiseach Enda Kenny, weary of a stream of apparent scandals emerging from the Department of Justice, informed the besieged minister that the jig was up.

In vain, Shatter appealed to the High Court that the report was unfair. Judge Seamus Noonan not only turned him down, but excoriated him for asking. All seemed lost. But last week, the Court of Appeal said Shatter was right. The Guerin Report was fundamentally unfair.

I'd said so at the time, but sure no one was listening. They were too busy cheering.

The media had got a scalp and the result it wanted. Meanwhile, a senior counsel happily admitted to me they were popping champagne corks in the Law Library. Shatter's efforts to reform the legal profession and judiciary were finished. His successor, Frances Fitzgerald, is not in the business of making powerful enemies.

While the vested interests partied on, I had read Guerin's report and was immediately disturbed by its methodology. Guerin had sat down for 19 hours over several days with Maurice McCabe and listened in detail to his various grievances about policing practices and his efforts to persuade the justice minister to take action.

Thereafter Guerin got dug into paperwork. Going through all the documents he repeatedly complained of being unable to find any rationale for Shatter's approach.

He remarked on " the near total absence in the papers I have seen of any submissions made or advice given to the minister", or "there is no record that I have seen" or "I have had difficulty finding material".

Faced with this information vacuum the obvious choice was to ask the minister why he had done what he'd done - or not done. Bizarrely Guerin didn't do so and instead went ahead and drew conclusions anyway. He said there was "cause for concern as to the adequacy of the investigation of the complaints made by Sergeant McCabe to the Department of Justice".

With these words, Alan Shatter's fine political career came to an end. The Taoiseach's patience ran out and without Kenny's confidence, Shatter resigned as a minister and lost his seat in Dublin South at the following election; which no one could deny was partly related to the condemnation in the report.

But there's a basic principle in law, which every parent, employer, lawyer, trade unionist or anyone in any position that deals with conflict instinctively understands. In the legal profession they call it "audi alteram partem". It means "hear all sides". It is manifestly unfair to listen to one side of the story and draw conclusions without hearing the other.

Furthermore, when the far more detailed investigation by Kevin O'Higgins into what the Department of Justice did or didn't do about Maurice McCabe's allegations was published, it cleared Shatter of any wrong doing and said that he had acted properly at all times. So this isn't a matter of defending Shatter on a technicality: both in process and in substance - he'd done nothing wrong.

But nobody really cares. That's for two reasons. First, Shatter's condescending tones got up people's noses. And secondly, it's all done and dusted. The political circus has moved on and the corpses, broken careers and wounded personalities are lost in the dust.

But we should care. We should care a lot.

We should care that the legal profession got away without reform - which even the IMF remarked upon.

We should care that the hysterics by the media around the McCabe allegations wilfully and consistently refused to distinguish between wild rumour and substantive complaint. We should care that popular and populist Opposition TDs made incredible allegations against Alan Shatter. As Shatter told Barry Egan last year "I was constantly being accused of lying about issues on which it has since been established in a calmer atmosphere, independently by respected, retired members of the judiciary, that I was telling the truth."

We should care that the commentariat genuinely accepts that the superficial rather than the substance counts. Whenever I put it to peers that Shatter was entirely innocent, they just shrug their shoulders and say "yeah, but it was his tone that did him in". So we're clear on that? The people who criticise politicians for only caring about how things look, rather than what they truly are, admit that indeed, perception is reality.

Even the Attorney General Maire Whelan was quoted in the Fennelly Report (there are so many) explaining that Shatter wasn't invited to a key meeting about the Garda Tapes with the Taoiseach because he was "part of the narrative".

It was a phrase I thought quite peculiar and we can't say for sure what she meant by it, but I understood it to mean the narrative that the Garda Siochana was corrupt to a man (or woman) and Shatter was either blind to their faults or actively engaged in a cover up. That was the narrative to which Shatter fell victim. It seems mad now, but those were heady days.

But it all turned out to be rubbish. For instance, remember the bugging scandal? A conglomeration of broadcast and print journalists were absolutely adamant that GSOC (The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission) was being bugged.

It all started when The Sunday Times published a story saying that GSOC had been "targeted as part of a sophisticated surveillance operation which used 'government-level technology' to hack into its emails, WiFi and phone systems".

"Government-level technology" clearly implied that the Garda was bugging the institution established to investigate it.

Alan Shatter insisted he had looked into it and the allegations couldn't possibly be true. But "the narrative" just absorbed this into the fairy story of his being a villain. Eventually, the Cooke report concluded that while you can never prove a negative, it was extremely unlikely anyone had accessed one of those clicky things you use for PowerPoint presentations (the "device" supposedly hijacked by nefarious elements) to download anything from a computer's hard-drive. The whole idea was just stupid.

Apart from the damage done to Shatter, which was considerable, what are the consequences of the entire affair?

For me, it means that when I turn on the radio and hear another breathless journalist loudly declare that the latest revelations from another whistleblower mean that the current Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan will be gone by the end of the week, I just don't believe them. They are the boys who cried wolf.

Maybe it will happen, but seeing is believing. I believe that attitude is shared by many of the public who place very little trust in the media.

I also believe that by consistently accusing all politicians of being corrupt on one level or another, the entire system of democracy is debased,

And what's the result of that? It means that when journalists try to explain to the people that a politician is telling them lies, they just don't believe them and elect them anyway.

At some point, lessons will have to be learned.
Last Sunday the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, wrote an article about my Judicial Appointments Bill.

Although many will have been surprised by Shane devoting such time and effort to an issue outside his departmental portfolio, I welcome the fact that he is interested in my legislation.

However, I was startled when I read Shane describing my legislation as "a judicial coup aimed at heading off serious reforms".

I was startled, because 10 days prior to his article Shane had stood up in Dail Eireann and congratulated me "for introducing a very constructive and radical departure for a major political party".

He also said, "the Bill tabled by Deputy O'Callaghan is a tremendous step forward".

I greatly appreciated his support. In fact, I was slightly embarrassed, particularly when Shane said: "It has taken a great deal of courage and imagination to put forward such an encouraging change. For a barrister to do it is remarkable and should be noted."

Why then did we have this remarkable change of heart by Shane in last week's Sunday Independent?

In his article he suggested he may have "been blindsided" by my Bill.

I find it hard to believe that Shane, an experienced and permanent member of the Oireachtas for the past 35 years, could be blindsided by a new member of only 35 weeks.

The manner by which judges are appointed needs to be reformed. At present, under our constitution judges are appointed by the President on the nomination of the government.

Before nominating people, the government must first consider a list of candidates recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB).

Members of government do not know, and cannot be expected to know, which lawyers will make good judges.

For that reason the JAAB seeks to recommend persons who are suitably qualified. The problem with the JAAB is that it recommends seven persons per appointment and gives no indication as to who are the best candidates.

Unquestionably, there have been occasions where very good candidates have not been appointed, whereas candidates with political affiliations have been.

This is not a widespread problem but it has happened and it is one of the reasons why I have sought to reform the system.

My proposal is that a new Judicial Appointments Commission would be established. It would recommend, and rank, three candidates for a judicial vacancy. In order to ensure that this legislation complies with our constitution, the government would still be given power to select any one of the three.

However, if the government refused to select any of the three and instead nominated a person who had not been recommended it must provide a reasoned explanation for so doing on the minister's website. (the Minister for Justice's that is - not the Minister for Transport's).

Shane and most members of the Oireachtas agree with the thrust of my proposal. Where there is disagreement between Shane and myself is in respect of the make-up of the Judicial Appointments Commission. Under my proposal, five of the 12 members of the commission would be judges - the Chief Justice and the four presidents of our other courts.

The reason I proposed them as members is because judges are more aware than most of how courts function and the characteristics and qualities required of lawyers who wish to be judges. It seems fairly obvious that, for instance, if a newspaper wishes to appoint an editor the interview panel must contain people who know how a newspaper functions.

The seven other members proposed for membership of the commission under my Bill are non-judicial members nominated by the Citizens Information Board, the Higher Education Authority, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Authority, the Bar Council, Flac and the Law Society.

Although Shane is now critical of the composition of my commission he has never specified who he believes should be recommending judges. In 2013 he introduced legislation proposing that judges would be selected by a Joint Oireachtas Committee, a majority of which must be made up of opposition politicians. These politicians in committee would then consider, in public, candidates recommended to them by a Judicial Appointments Council that, he said, should be "drawn from a broad spectrum in society".

To date, Shane has not identified who these people "from a broad spectrum in society" are. His proposal would make the process even more political than it is at present.

Aside from the membership of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Shane doesn't have any real opposition to my legislation.

Why then is he on a pretend crusade against what he refers to, Donald Trump-like, as "rotten" politics?

I suspect he is doing it for two reasons.

First, Shane is not aware of the real problem that exists at present in the area of judicial appointments. He thinks the problem is that people are made judges because they are insiders who are appointed by their friends.

That is not accurate. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of judicial appointments will know that the biggest problem at present is trying to attract a broader range of lawyers to apply for judicial appointments. My legislation, by making the criteria for appointment more transparent, will hopefully broaden the category of people who apply.

I suspect the second reason Shane is now opposing my legislation is that he wants to be seen as the person who reforms judicial appointments.

I don't care who reforms judicial appointments provided change happens quickly. Shane has now stopped the Government filling judicial vacancies. The people affected by this failure to govern are those who are trying to get their cases heard and, indeed, victims of crime who are waiting for prosecutions to commence.

Shane has failed to fill 35 vacancies on State boards under the control of his department. Having paralysed appointments in his own department, the public can legitimately ask why he has also sought to paralyse the appointment of new judges.

Perhaps Shane is afraid to govern.

Jim O'Callaghan TD is Fianna Fail's justice and equality spokesperson
There are memories tumbling out of the closet for so many of us this weekend. Because Leonard Cohen wasn't someone you just picked up by osmosis, or picked up through the radio, though maybe in latter years, as Hallelujah becomes destroyed by X Factor winners and vocal histrionics, he was.

But in my time, you were introduced to Cohen. You had to meet the right people, and they would be surprised and then delighted that you were inexperienced. And they would watch you as they popped your cherry, exhorting you to listen, to really listen. There might be a joint, and typically there would be the cliched red wine.

A bit like Leonard himself, I came to his music relatively late in life. I remember two introductions, both in my late teens. Staying at the house of a friend's older sister in Cambridge, and she had The Best of Leonard Cohen, which covered what was then regarded as his golden period up to 1975. Who knew in 1975 what was to come, for 40 more years?

I had never really listened to what I would have categorised as folk music back then. I was aware of Cohen but I would have lumped him in with Joni Mitchell and all these other people, 1960s/70s people. And then I listened, staying indoors on that sunny, summer weekend in Cambridge, listening again and again. And I had never heard anything quite like it.

He conjured stolen moments and those encounters with girls and women who left their mark on you, who gifted you something, who taught you something, who might make an impression in a night, or a few days, or a few years and who left you subtly changed. And he romanticised those moments and those encounters and imbued them with such meaning and beauty, and he taught you to be grateful. It was mindfulness before we knew what mindfulness was, this notion this guy had of dwelling in the eternity of those passing moments. And parting friends, and parting grateful.

I don't know if I even made a connection between that Cohen and the one I was introduced to in a bedsit by two girls in college who took me home one night and played me Jennifer Warnes's Famous Blue Raincoat and told me all about Cohen. And it was a Cohenesque 24 hours. I was young and tortured and they were nice girls who wanted to ease my torture, who seemed to enjoy staying up all night and into the next day to talk and drink and listen to music.

And then I found I'm Your Man. Unknown to me, as I was discovering this guy who seemed to have done his best work by the time I was a toddler, he had come back and was about to enter into a whole new phase. It should have been rubbish really. The 1960s/70s folksy guy in his 50s, releases album replacing instruments with at times cheesy 1980s synths and glossy production. But the songs, the songs. We could get into quoting sharp couplets here until the cows come home. And many others will do it. But from the bite of the first lines, uncharacteristically spat out, but in that mellow bass baritone that was only getting deeper: They sentenced me to 20 years of boredom/ for trying to change the system from within/ I'm coming back, I'm coming to reward them . . . First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin. I still don't know quite what he meant, but the essence of it made some sort of deep sense.

Most great artists, you will notice, do their best work in a decade of intense creativity that is often roughly around their 20s - look at David Bowie's extraordinary 1970s' output when he sometimes released two classic albums in a year. But here was Cohen, a guy who only really came to music in his 30s, now in his 50s, 20 years into his career, and he had produced one of his greatest albums. I'm Your Man was like Cohen's Thriller, practically every song on it a potential hit single. Ain't No Cure For Love, Everybody Knows, I'm Your Man, Take this Waltz, to a lesser extent Jazz Police, but then I Can't Forget and Tower of Song. It was, in its own way, as consistent as that Best of collection of his earlier phase. And this was Cohen out of the bedsit and engaging with the world too. Listen to Everybody Knows now if you don't know it. It is searing and apocalyptic and more relevant today than ever. Three decades before Occupy Wall Street, the one percent or Trump, he is singing how Everybody knows that the dice are loaded/ Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed/ Everybody knows the war is over/ Everybody knows the good guys lost/ Everybody knows the fight was fixed/ The poor stay poor, the rich get rich/ That's how it goes/ Everybody knows.

These songs would pass into cliche and in a sense become demeaned. Oh how we laughed at his Dublin gigs when he sang that line from Tower of Song, I was born like this/ I had no choice/ I was born with the gift of a golden voice. But where the rub really lies in that song is when I asked Hank Williams how lonely does it get/ Hank Williams hasn't answered yet. And in that line is conjured up the tragedy of the artist. It has set him apart. Has it just made everything into material? And that notion that he doesn't do this by choice. He has been forced to a be a receptacle for truth, a channel for these songs and these insights and this wisdom, and in one sense, it has ruined any chance of a normal life, and it leaves him alone, struggling for five years to get Hallelujah right. And you feel sorry for all these poor song-smiths, tortured and chipping away at the coalface to give the rest of us these dispatches from the extreme end of feeling.

When he came down from the mountain, forsaking his life of silent contemplation as a Buddhist monk to walk among us, a wonderful thing happened for Leonard. He might have started the gigs for the money but he seemed to stay for the communion, for the mutual love and respect. "Thank you friends" was his constant delighted refrain. The respect really was mutual. Not just us thrilled to see him but him thrilled to see us. The word humbled is overused now, but he seemed humbled by it all. And in his dignity, his respect, his courteousness, his charm and his sense of mischief, he became in recent years somewhat of a model for people of how to live a good life, a priest, poet and philosopher for his ageing audience and a shining example of cool for newer recruits.

As always with these things, it was a mixed blessing for all of those who had enjoyed a distant but intimate relationship with Cohen down the years. He became mainstream, nowhere more than Ireland, where his visits are remembered by a certain type of person similarly to the Pope's visit. In the wrong hands, like with people who are so fond of quoting the line about there being a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in, he almost became naff.

But he never could be naff. Because Cohen embodied in how he carried himself, a poise and a cool.

The world is a much poorer place without him. And we will not see his like again. You will read a lot this weekend about his final months. You will read the quotes from the New Yorker interview about how he was ready to die. And then about that press conference recently where he laughed that he would live forever. Do yourself a favour and look up that New Yorker interview and read it all, even the bit where he becomes angry at the writer and his friend for coming late one day.

It is a lesson in acceptance and resignation and joy in life and death. And then listen to his new album. And perhaps we realise now that the title track You Want It Darker was his Lazarus, his mischievous goodbye. Listen to I'm Your Man and marvel at how an album from 30 years ago can seem to address the world we live in right now. And then go back through all the richness of his earlier work, songs that are almost in our DNA.

His later work probably never reached the promise of I'm Your Man again but there are plenty of jewels in there too. And then could I recommend I'm Your Fan, a fantastic collection of people covering Cohen's songs with respect and a healthy disrespect. And finally, despite what everyone says, give a listen to Death of a Ladies' Man, dismissed by critics and fans alike as a glitch. It was produced by Phil Spector and is a sometimes painful marriage of Cohen and the wall of sound. Their relationship reached a low point when Spector held a gun to Cohen's head. Spector then allegedly took the tapes away and according to Cohen mixed it under armed guard. Listen in particular to Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On, which sees Cohen dragged into some whorehouse boogie and reminds us that a bit of bawdiness is part of a life well lived too. Even under those circumstances, literally with a gun to his head, Cohen never lost the poise and the mordant humour.

Like Bowie recently, Cohen has as much to teach us in death as he had in life. And perhaps his greatest lesson was that they are both part of the same thing. He was ready to die but equally he knew he would live forever.
I suppose I could go 'why oh why', like many of the people I know and most of the people popping up on social media feeds. I could proclaim the death of the age of liberalism.

The world is more complex. I would suggest the battle has only begun.

Tired and emotional: Former US president Bill Clinton is close to tears as he listens while Hillary addresses campaign staff after conceding defeat Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP

Donald Trump is President-elect of the United States of America. He is about to become the most powerful man in the world. And just like people who want the Brexit referendum re-run, those clinging to the 'Hillary won the popular vote he's not legitimate' mantra suggest that anti-democratic instincts don't just belong on the hard left and alt-right. If those in the centre can't abide by the people's will we are truly up the creek.

I agree it is important that journalism does not forget who Trump is and what he has said. The mantle of the Presidency does not magic away his history of misogynistic, ethnic and sectarian abuse and the damage that has done to the politics of America. Trump appealed to the worst instincts of the alienated because he knew it would work.

But only in accepting the fact of his presidency can we start to make sense of where Trump can take us all, and how states and individuals might respond.

That reality is potentially scary. I wasn't convinced by the acceptance speech with its praise for Hillary as a tough fighter who has given great public service. Nor was I comforted by the photo op with President Obama. It was as if President-elect Trump was daunted in those first days after victory, awed at the scale of power and responsibility that has fallen into his hands.

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The danger is that the very different personality shown on the campaign trail, the vast ego with all its bombast and taste for vengeance reasserts itself.

As for the promises of his campaign there are some basic assumptions that need interrogating. They have to do not just with America but the entire post-war western economic model. They are not just about Trump and his responsibilities. It is one thing to desire to go back to a time where work and a good standard of living were regarded as part of the manifest destiny of families, but quite a different thing to believe these are entitlements that politicians must or can deliver.

Suppose they cannot? Suppose that the burgeoning other world to the east has different ideas about who owns the prosperity of the future? Trade protectionism will not change the global reality. But it might just launch a trade war that makes everybody poorer.

As for Trump's vaunted infrastructure stimulus, Obama tried that and made some inroads on unemployment. But it is not a panacea because none can possibly exist to deliver the paradise Trump has promised.

The same with immigration and those citizens of other worlds to the south - in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America - who want some of our shrinking prosperity and political stability.

Trump's wall won't keep them out of America, no more than the barbed wire fences of Europe will end the daily migration across the Mediterranean.

People will wish to believe it will. Nothing is more pronounced in the condition of 21st century Western humanity than an aversion to unpleasant realities.

In foreign affairs we know even less about what to expect from President Trump. The campaign offered us soundbites. He will go after Isil. He will make friends with Russia. He will be the best friend in the White House Israel has ever had.

But this is not like the George W Bush presidency which seethed with the ideological fervour of the neo-cons. Trump has instincts not ideas. There is no Trump doctrine.

The people being touted for high profile roles in national security and foreign affairs are mostly from the Republican fringe or are old die-hards like Newt Gingrich and John Bolton (a relic of the neo-con age and as difficult a customer to deal with in the modern history of diplomacy).

Getting foreign policy right is damnably hard. Look at Obama and his failed 'red line' on Syria, or the faltering pivot towards Asia.

There are now vast swathes of the earth where American might is no long regarded with awe.

In the Kremlin and Beijing Obama was perceived as a weak President. Putin was emboldened to snatch Crimea and start a war in Eastern Ukraine because he correctly assumed Obama would do nothing. Still, Obama presided over the most powerful military machine on earth.

Trump inherits this power with a promise not to engage in overseas conflicts unless American interests are directly threatened. They will be. And repeatedly.

Can you picture what happens if there is another 9/11 style attack under a Trump Presidency? The natural response is to say it doesn't bear thinking about, but the prospect of goading America into a new 'war on terror' will be very tempting to the extremists.

Obama did not talk tough. He let his Special Forces and drone-deploying assassins do the killing. Trump has talked very tough and will be under pressure to match his words. If he gets it wrong the consequences for millions in the Middle East and elsewhere could be catastrophic.

The assumption that a new age of peace is about to break out with the Russians is naive. Putin may feel he has achieved his strategic aims, now that he has most of the states on his borders jittery in the presence of Russian power.

The Trump pledge to make Europe pay for more of its own defence has gone down well in the Kremlin. But this idea can also work against the Americans.

It isn't only the underfunded armies of Europe who lose out, initially at least, if America backs away. The USA will abandon its post-war status as defender-in-chief of the western democracies. It will encourage the expansion of European defence. This is not only a question of optics but of different balances of power.

The Chinese, always patient, always resourceful, will be watching that American retreat and wondering how it might be encouraged in Asia.

Already leaders in the Philippines (admittedly an unstable figure) and Vietnam have made unprecedented overtures towards Beijing.

Donald Trump will find that he cannot have the world he promised without big sacrifices. I am conscious I have been analysing the challenges we already know about. Every presidency is defined by how leaders respond to the unexpected. So I reach for Philip Roth's magnificent The Plot Against America (which imagines the victory of the right-wing populist Charles Lindbergh in a 1930s election) and the following words:

"And as Lindbergh's election couldn't have made clearer to me, the unfolding of the unforeseen was everything. Turned wrong way round, the relentless unforeseen was what we schoolchildren studied as 'History', harmless history, where everything unexpected in its own time is chronicled on the page as inevitable. The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic."

Fergal Keane is a BBC special correspondent
In 2009 concert promoter John Reynolds began talking to us about concerts at Lissadell. Constance (my wife) and I had reservations. He said, "look, think about it".

In January 2010 John called again, he had a proposal for what he said would be a magical concert - "Leonard Cohen". And with those words we knew immediately this was something which had to be done.

We knew that Canada's great poet and songwriter had a special affinity with Ireland's great poet, W.B. Yeats. We had spent years putting together a magnificent collection of first editions, and paintings by the Yeats family and were preparing an exhibition. We asked if Leonard would open it. The answer was no, he doesn't open exhibitions.

We greeted Leonard when he arrived in Lissadell, and left him in a series of rooms we had prepared for him, with William IV bookcases filled with first edition Irish poets, including a special first edition of the poetry of Eva Gore-Booth.

Then the call came; Leonard had wandered through his rooms down to the Yeats Gallery - he would open the exhibition, but in a quiet way.

So, the Lissadell Yeats Exhibition was opened. We gave him a first edition Yeats, and left him, respectful of his privacy, and were walking back to concert arena in a state of elation, when John Reynolds called - "Leonard wants to know why you didn't come back to the Green Room, he wants to take time to show you his hospitality".

We retraced our steps, mesmerised. As we arrived, we met the warmest welcome as he, the great master, poet, songwriter, legend, greeted us and asked us to pass some time with him. So, he said, he wanted to express his own personal appreciation for the welcome, and he loved the idea that we had taken the time and trouble to put together so much of the Irish poetry, and he had dipped into some.

We were enveloped by his sense of serenity, humility, charm and courtesy.

He was blown away by Lissadell, and he wanted to know why we had taken on this massive restoration project. He was genuinely interested - why were we so involved in restoration, in Yeats, Irish culture, poetry, the Celtic revival? He talked about our family, the children - he had his Lorca with him, and had met young Edward, just six.

He was so well informed about Ireland's literature. We chatted about Yeats's time in Lissadell, his time with Constance Gore-Booth (Countess Markievicz). He was fascinated by Eva Gore-Booth. He loved the setting and was so delighted to be performing on a stage under bare Ben Bulben's head, as immortalised by Yeats, and when he played he could see the Atlantic, in the shadow of that old grey mansion.

To hear Leonard recite the opening words of Yeats's poem on Lissadell brought a rush of emotion.

The light of evening, Lissadell,

Great windows open to the south,

Two girls in silk kimonos, both

Beautiful, one a gazelle.

He said: "I am so pleased to be here in

The shadow of the great house

Where the great Master poet walked, and fell in love, and broke his heart

And we're so privileged to be in a peaceful place like this

When so much of the world is plunged in chaos and suffering, so

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in."

Later that evening he graced a special dinner prepared for him and his band, before he retired to the Pier Head Hotel in Mullaghmore to prepare for his friends and next day's concert.

In memory his music will always be a testament to a less turbulent age, a more gentle time. In anyone's life there are few people who make a singular impression. Leonard Cohen was singular.

He was special.

He was sublime.
People from all walks of life in the New Territories of Hong Kong hold a vehicle parade on November 12, 2016 in support of last week's interpretation of Article 104 of Hong Kong's mini constitution. [Photo: CCTV News]

People from all walks of life in the New Territories of Hong Kong held a vehicle parade on Saturday, November 12 in support of last week's interpretation of Article 104 of Hong Kong's mini constitution, believed to help counter the advocacy of Hong Kong independence.

The participants in Saturday's parade expressed strong objection against so-called "Hong Kong independence."

"Delegates from more than 1,500 organizations have joined today's parade. Because we know we must call on all the residents in Hong Kong to support the NPC interpretation of Basic Law. That is very important to Hong Kong's future development. I believe most Hong Kong residents oppose Hong Kong independence."

"I'm here to protest against 'Hong Kong independence', whose advocates are bad, absolutely bad. We are living a good life now and what they have done undermines Hong Kong's stability. So I must come here to protest against them."

The procession of vehicles finally arrived at the headquarters of the SAR government. Some of their delegates handed in a petition to the SAR government to support the NPC interpretation of the Basic Law.

The latest explanation applies to an article relating to oath-taking by local officers in certain public institutions.

It requires an oath taker, when assuming office, to accurately, completely and solemnly read out the oath which includes the words: "uphold the Basic Law of Hong Kong and bear allegiance to the Special Administrative Region."

It's deemed as an obvious response to the provocative display by two elected lawmakers who publicly advocated "Hong Kong independence" and insulted the Chinese nation during a swearing-in ceremony last month.

The participants at Saturday's parade demanded the disqualification of certain legislators-elect.
In 1999 Leonard Cohen travelled to India to see a spiritual teacher named Ramesh Balsekar. Cohen was a man in search, if not exactly of faith, then of meaning. Ramesh had been educated at the London School of Economics and had worked as general manager of the Bank of India in Bombay before retiring to devote his life to propagating the teachings of advaita - a philosophy that teaches the idea that "I am the doer" of my thoughts, and actions should be constantly interrogated with the question "Who is this 'I'?". Cohen spent almost a year in Bombay, going almost daily to sit at Ramesh's feet.

A fascinating transcription exists of some of their conversations, in which Cohen talks of the difficulties in his life, his writing and the "chattering of the mind" that afflicted him, "sometimes in degrees of intensity that make one gasp or cry out for help". What Cohen seeks most of all, he says, is "peace".

It is Cohen's misfortune that he goes to his grave heralded as "the godfather of gloom". But the question he was constantly asking, in his songs, poetry and fiction was "Who is this 'I'?" - and what is this "I" supposed to be doing here, in this mess of dashed hopes, broken hearts and certain mortality?

Cohen came from a distinguished family of Montreal Jews. His grandfather, he told David Remnick of The New Yorker, in an interview four weeks ago, was a distinguished rabbi and "the most significant Jew in Canada" - a position Cohen would later assume himself. The legacy of Jewish teaching, lore - and melancholia - infused his work in ways that might not always have been obvious.

Cohen explored different paths - LSD, Catholicism, even Scientology. But the path that occupied much of his life was Zen Buddhism.

For 30 years he was associated with a Zen monaster y at Mount Baldy in California, and for almost six years in the Nineties lived there on and off as an ordained monk, under the tutelage of a Japanese Roshi (an honorific meaning distinguished teacher) named Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.

Cohen was known as Jikan, the "Silent One". He would rise each morning at 2.30, shovel snow, scrub the floors and spend half the day meditating.

When he ever talked about having experiences that suggested an illumination, Roshi would employ the traditional method of discouragement, beating him on the shoulder with a stick. People often described Cohen as a Buddhist, but he always denied it, saying he had "inherited an extremely good religion" - Judaism. Rather, his years with Sasaki Roshi had "provided a space for me to kind of dance with the Lord that I couldn't find in a lot of the other places I went to".

Cohen told Remnick how his search was still on going. He continued to read deeply in the Zohar - the principal text of Jewish mysticism - the Hebrew Bible, Hindu philosophy and Buddhist texts.

It is no coincidence Cohen's most famous song should be Hallelujah - a Hebrew word meaning "praise God", although Cohen maintained the song was a desire to affirm "my faith in life", not in an explicitly religious way "but with enthusiasm, with emotion".

"The only moment that you can live here comfortably in these absolutely irreconcilable conflicts is in this moment when you embrace it all and you say: 'Look, I don't understand a f**king thing at all! Hallelujah!' That's the only moment we live here fully as human beings." He once wrote that "a man or woman lays their work at the foot of their beloved - we do everything for love".

For all his songs and poetry, nothing in his life became Cohen more than the letter he wrote to his former lover and muse Marianne Ihlen on learning she would soon be leaving, dying of cancer: "Well Marianne, it's come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon.

"Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road."

Whatever the loss, whatever the "absolutely irreconcilable conflicts of the moment", whatever the darkness - as Leonard Cohen once sang, "There is a crack, a crack in everything/That's how the light gets in."
If you want an insight into how the Irish feel about Donald Trump, try holding his campaign poster aloft in Dublin city centre.

Within two minutes of taking this picture, a woman faced the photographer down to launch a foul-mouthed attack on America's next president.

Others simply eyed up the signs, some with visceral looks of hate.

So if you hold some quiet admiration for the businessman, it may be a little comforting to discover you are not alone.

The silent majority finally came out last week.

Every single group which the mainstream media, social-justice warriors and political elite claimed Trump hated carried him to victory.

The poor, blacks and Hispanics and yes - even 53pc of white American women - gave this election to Trump.

They rejected the suffocating political correctness in favour of tangible change: jobs, financial security and rebuilding the American economy.

If you are to believe The Washington Post this weekend, Bill Clinton must be kicking himself.

He is now credited as the man who gave Trump the idea of entering the US presidential race.

During a phone call two months before Trump's declaration, Clinton is said to have encouraged the businessman to play a more prominent role in the Republican Party.

In what reads like a plotline from House of Cards, Clinton supposedly felt that - if his wife ran as a Democrat against their old friend, the race would be a walkover.

Big mistake.

Not only did Trump take on the challenge - he employed the very slogan Bill had used.

In the words of his 1992 presidential campaign: "It's the economy, stupid."

The tycoon vowed to restore families' incomes to pre-crash levels, and to big businesses he pledged a cut to the 35pc corporation tax.

Leading lights such as US investor Wilbur Ross; Tom Barrack of Colony Capital - a major investor in the Irish economy - and business magnate Carl Icahn (he left Trump's victory party to bet $1bn on stocks - now how's that for a vote of confidence?) all put their faith in the Republican. Warren Buffet has added to the chorus of support, saying: Trump "deserves everybody's respect".

It's no wonder then his business smarts hit home with middle-America.

More than half of white female voters were more impressed with Trump's ability to get things done, than Clinton's candidacy as a woman. They didn't feel obliged to back her based on gender alone.

As someone who listened to the controversial Trump tapes and wondered if I was wrong not to feel deeply offended, it was refreshing to see Trump's comments put in perspective.

Yes, they were shocking and I don't condone what he said - but I could see it for what it was: meaningless banter between two men, showing off behind closed doors. To call it sexual assault is demeaning to women who have experienced the real thing.

Regardless, everything Trump said 12 years ago pales in comparison to Bill Clinton's actions as president, while Hillary subsequently gave him her unwavering support.

There's only one president whose penis size we now know, thanks to his indiscretions. And it isn't Donald Trump's.

(It's five and a half inches by the way, before you go to Google.)

What's more, Trump's record on women isn't all bad. He gave two women - Kellyanne Conway and Hope Hicks - top jobs on his team as campaign manager and press secretary respectively. The latter was a 27-year-old student with no previous political experience but Trump saw her talent and potential.

Meanwhile, those who label Hillary's failure as a seismic blow to the feminism are misguided. Most women don't need Hillary Clinton in office to feel empowered.

She was the wrong woman for the job and there will be another more worthy contender. But if the entire progression of the women's movement rests on one person, then we are in a sorry state.

In terms of Ireland's relationship with the US, I am still hopeful. Experts have been predicting a mass exodus of multinational companies, but corporation tax cuts will take time to implement and may not fall below 25pc - allowing Ireland to retain a competitive advantage.

And with Brexit in place, US companies will need access to the European market through Ireland.

Remember there are also an estimated 34.5m Irish Americans in the United States, many of whom went to the polls to back Trump. He will want to keep them on-side should he eye a second term.

But in the meantime, you'd wonder why we Irish feel we are in such a position to knock Trump.

Unlike many of our politicians, he is a straight-talker who doesn't care what anyone thinks. And I'll put it this way - when Ireland had to negotiate with Europe on a 200bn debt write down, who would you have preferred in your corner?

The billionaire businessman and expert negotiator or our two former school teachers?

When Enda Kenny is finished dusting off the harp to welcome Trump back, it would be worth his while asking Trump for a few pointers.

We would do well to have someone like him on our team.
If you want to know why Trump won, just look at the response to his winning.

The lofty contempt for "low-information" Americans. The barely concealed disgust for the rednecks and cretins of "flyover" America who are apparently racist and misogynistic and homophobic.

The haughty sneering at the vulgar, moneyed American political system and how it has allowed a wealthy candidate to poison the little people's mushy, malleable minds.

The suggestion that American women, more than 40pc of whom are thought to have voted for Trump, suffer from internalised misogyny: that is, they don't know their own minds, the poor dears. The hysterical, borderline apocalyptic claims that the world is now infernally screwed because "our candidate", the good, pure person, didn't get in.

This response to Trump's victory reveals why Trump was victorious. Because those who do politics these days - the political establishment, the media, the academy, the celeb set - are so contemptuous of ordinary people, so hateful of the herd, so convinced that the mass of society cannot be trusted to make political decisions, and now those ordinary people have given their response to such top-down sneering and prejudice.

Oh, the irony of observers denouncing Middle America as a seething hotbed of hatred, even as they hatefully libel it a dumb and ugly mob. Having turned America's "left behind" into the butt of every clever East Coast joke, and the target of every handwringing newspaper article about America's dark heart and its strange, Bible-toting inhabitants, the political and cultural establishment can't now be surprised that so many of those people have turned around and said well, it begins with F and ends with U.

The respectable set's allergy to Trump is fundamentally an allergy to the idea of democracy itself. To them, Trump's rise confirms the folly of asking the ignorant, the everyday, the non-subscribers to the New York Times, to decide on important political matters. They're explicit about this now.

In the run-up to election day, big-name commentators wondered out loud if democracy is all it's cracked up to be. Trump's ascendancy showed we need better checks and balances on "the passions of the mob", said Andrew Sullivan. We should "cool and restrain [these] temporary populist passions", he said, and refuse to allow "feeling, emotion" to override "reasoned deliberation". The little folks only feel and wail, you see, and it's down to the grown-ups in the system to think coolly on their behalf.

Elsewhere, a writer for the New York Times asked Americans to consider installing a monarchy, which could rise above the 'toxic partisanship' of party politics - that is, above open, swirling, demos-stuffed political debate.

In a new book called Against Democracy - says it all - Georgetown philosopher Jason Brennan argues for an epistocracy, an 'aristocracy of the wise', who might decide political matters for those of us who are "low-information" (that is, stupid).

This echoes the anti-democratic turn of liberals in the 2000s, when it was argued that daft, Bush-backing Americans increasingly made decisions, "not with their linear, logical left brain, but with their lizard, more emotional right brain", in Arianna Huffington's words.

Such vile contempt for the political, democratic capacities of the ordinary person has been in great evidence following Trump's win - across Twitter and in apocalypse-tinged instant responses - and it is likely to intensify. Anti-Trump will morph more explicitly into anti-democracy.

If this all sounds familiar, that's because it's the same kind of pleb-fearing horror that greeted the Brexit result four months ago. "Why elections are bad for democracy", a headline in the Guardian said.

The people are deluded and it is the task of those with 'reason and expertise' to "un-delude" them, said a writer for Foreign Policy. "What if democracy doesn't work? What if it never has and never will?" wondered a pained George Monbiot. Boom. That's it.

The secret and not-so-secret cry of the elites, experts and observers over both Brexit and Trump is precisely that: "What if democracy doesn't work?"

It's not so much Trump they fear as the system that allowed him to get to the White House: that pesky, ridiculous system where we must ask ordinary people - shudder - what they think should happen in the nation.

The anti-Brexit anti-democrats claimed they were merely opposed to using rough, simplistic referendums to decide on huge matters. That kind of democracy is too direct, they said.

Yet now they're raging over the election of Trump via a far more complicated, tempered democratic system. That's because - and I know this is strong, but I'm sure it's correct - it is democracy itself that they hate. Not referendums, not Ukip's blather, not only direct democracy, but democracy as an idea. Against democracy - so many of them are now. It is the engagement of the throng in political life that they fear. It is the people - ordinary, working, non-PhD-holding people - whom they dread and disdain. It is what got Trump to the White House - the right of all adults, even the dumb ones, to decide about politics - that gives them sleepless nights.

This nasty, reactionary turn against democracy by so many of the well-educated both explains the victory of Trump, which neatly doubles up as a slap in the face of the establishment, and confirms why democracy is more important today than it has ever been.

Because it really would be folly, madness in fact, to let an elite that so little understands ordinary people, and in fact loathes them, to run society unilaterally.

Now that would be dangerous, more dangerous than Trump.
Although the official Government line is that drugs decriminalisation "is not being discussed", the mounting evidence from its own research is that Ireland has lost the "war on drugs".

In 2000, the then Government ruled that research should begin into the drugs markets, and it set up the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA).

One NACDA report was released last week - the day after American states California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts voted to join Colorado, Washington State, Oregon and Alaska in legalising cannabis for recreational use. A total of 21 states have also now decriminalised cannabis use for medical purposes.

The decision by voters in California, which has the fifth-largest economy in the world, is probably the most significant in relation to Ireland, given that many of the hi-tech American companies here have their base in the state.

Historically, one of the main reasons for maintaining the ban on cannabis use here was that governments did not wish the Republic to be seen as a haven for drug users, as this could be a deterrent to investors. But that situation seems to have reversed if investors are coming here from a place where it is now fully legal to possess and consume cannabis.

While relatively little attention was paid to last week's report by the NACDA in Dublin, the advisory council's role is supposed to be to inform and direct the Government's policy on drugs. No mention of legalisation was made in the report or in its other major report last year, The Illicit Drugs Market in Ireland.

The illicit drugs report is the most comprehensive study of drug use and its effects in Ireland. It was carried out over three years by researchers Anne Marie Donovan and Johnny Connolly of the Health Research Board and gives the clearest insight yet into the impact of drugs.

One of the most striking findings of the illicit drugs report is that Garda action in seizing drugs is actually one of the main causes of violence in the drugs trade, as dealers assault and murder each other over loss of earnings.

The NACDA report also found that, despite up to 15,000 arrests each year by gardai and customs, the vast majority of arrests are of young people for simple possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use. More than 120,000 people have criminal convictions for drugs possession or supply over the past decade and the Garda continues to prosecute people at a rate or around 1,000 a month to meet its key performance indicators in its efforts to "reduce supply".

The research showed the proliferation of drugs in Irish society has increased significantly over the past decade. Interviews with residents of medium-sized towns such as Drogheda revealed the existence of drug-dealing zones more normally associated with inner cities; people afraid to go to certain areas at certain times of days; and high numbers of people who had seen drugs being used and needles discarded.

Between 70pc and 90pc of arrests are of people aged under 24 prosecuted for possessing cannabis with a value of 10 or less. Most arrests and seizures were as a result of the Garda's broad stop-and-search powers.

Heroin is cheaper and more available than ever before and the market for crack cocaine and crystal meth, though still expensive in international terms, is expanding due to the high profitability of sales.

Cannabis is still the most widely used drug and last week's NACDA report showed that 27pc of the population aged between 15 and 64 have tried the drug or use it regularly.

Professor Catherine Comiskey, of Trinity College Dublin and chair of the NACDA, said in her introduction to the report: "Approaches that seek to divert problematic drug users into treatment, that prioritise local community perspectives, and those that occur in collaboration with community-based structures and all relevant agencies, are more likely to be sustainable over time and to win public support."

This could likely develop only in a situation in which some form of legalisation has made drug addiction less of a criminal offence.

The NACDA said that despite all the State's efforts to combat drugs, the market remained "resilient" and continues to grow in all areas of the country.

The report stated the Government's National Drugs Strategy was meant to "disrupt the activities of organised criminal networks involved in the illicit drugs trade in Ireland and internationally, and to undermine the structures supporting such networks".

It concluded: "If basic market logic is applied, it could be assumed that a significant reduction in drug availability would mean an increase in prices and/or a reduction in drug purity. However, interviews with drug sellers, drug users and gardai suggest heroin and cocaine had become cheaper to buy in all four sites and at all market levels."
When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, many people viewed it as the culmination of a movement towards racial equality that had begun in the 1960s.

Eight years on, it is apparent that Obama's election also represented the high water mark of another socio-political movement, one where the parameters are more difficult to define but where the implications were further reaching.

I am writing of how the left won the US culture war and began, through its abuse of said victory towards progressive ends, to erode the political centre and polarise the nation to such an extent that its decent working-class base was willing to elect a reality TV star who picked up politics as a hobby a year ago.

The left, as a cultural force, is more than just the modern US Democratic Party. That is but one of its three wings. The second wing is academia and the third is the media.

Leftist professors have been shown to outnumber their conservative counterparts 12 to one on leading US college campuses. Conservative academics have reported feeling the need to hide their politics in order to achieve tenure. The mental gymnastics and intellectually lazy absolutism that these political echo chambers create produce ideologies far removed from those left of centre ones from which they are derived.

The danger of this is manifest. Third-level institutions serve as thought leaders for the left in much the same way as the Church has historically done for the right. But while the right has worked for two decades to overcome the lazy moral preening of its evangelical wing, the left has allowed the academic ideal of intersectional progressivism, whereby all human endeavours are reduced to a paltry game of winners versus losers, to overtake its message of socially equitable liberalism.

To claim allegiance with minorities, be they blacks oppressed by whites, women oppressed by men, or gays oppressed by straights, is to bask in a sense of unearned moral superiority and to change the question of policy into one of vaguely defined notions of good versus evil. Is it any wonder that out of such a Petri dish as the college campus comes the stories of the past few years, of deans stepping down over controversial Halloween costumes, or of racially segregated safe spaces to which students can flee if they feel their identity is being marginalised?

Thanks to Bill Clinton's 1996 Telecoms Act, six companies (Comcast, Disney, Fox, Time Warner, CBS and Viacom) own 90pc of the country's media outlets. With the exception of Fox, all of them are left leaning.

Donald Trump could hardly go a day during his campaign without mentioning how the media was biased against him but, unfortunately, this was not simply another of his mad assertions. For at least a decade, Americans have been turning away from mainstream media sources with complaints of obvious bias. What's more, like in academia, it is common for those working in the film and television industries to feel the need to hide their conservative allegiances in order to succeed professionally. Hollywood might know nothing of policy but it's good at creating a villain, and creating a villain is itself much easier than to create a hero at a time when one-issue voting is more prevalent than ever.

Obama's presidency was where these three wings met. Here was a cool young black man with little term experience and a unique ability (unlike Hillary Clinton) to galvanise every minority in the book. His election in 2008 spoke for itself, but in the following eight years divineness skyrocketed as it became more apparent that anybody who could possibly be oppressed was oppressed - and that everybody else was secretly an oppressor.

In this decade, the words racist, misogynist, homophobe and bigot have been thrown around ad nauseam. Steadily improving race relations have been set back at least two decades by a wave of dubious hate crime cases propped up by the media.

Obama has regularly spewed debunked statistics to make a case for minorities but, as Trump rightly pointed out, refused to use the words "Islamic extremism" in the wake of terror attacks for fear of any critique of Islamic doctrine or culture being conflated with a criticism of individual Muslims. Discussion of policy has simply ceased to matter.

Obama's approval ratings are higher than Ronald Reagan's were at the end of his administration, yet the election of his successor stands as the biggest repudiation of a two-term president for more than a century.

If Obama is wondering how he ended up being succeeded by a reality TV star, he need only look in the mirror. This might seem like an extreme characterisation, but, in an age where feelings seem to be the single most important factor in deciding legislation, it would behove us not to try to erase the experience of the working-class, non-college-educated white voter who for so long defined the centre of American politics, and the traditional pre-Obama backbone of the Democrat voting base.

Theirs was a feeling of being smothered by politically correct language, of being afraid to speak up as the media reflected back to them a world that they weren't necessarily ready to sign off on.

Trump's only real quality was a lack of sheepishness. He was the wolf who came along right after the left had cried wolf for the last time. The people who supported him knew what he was, but it was impossible to gauge how bad that was in a world where they also seemed to be bad by virtue of their existence. Trump did not win this election - the left lost it by creating the only political climate in which a joke candidate had a shot.

Joe Corcoran is a student at Trintity College, Dublin
A political earthquake was how this newspaper and others described our own election last February.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail got less than 50pc of the popular vote for the first time as Independents and left-wing parties made their presence felt. Then came the Brexit "shock". Few in the media predicted that the Brits could be so reckless.

And despite that twist we moved on to assess the US elections and concluded that Donald Trump was a joke candidate.

Now juxtaposed with the shifting of political plates to our east and west, our earthquake was barely a shudder. It was a mere warning that a new political order could take hold if ordinary people don't feel listened to.

In the US, readers are accusing media outlets of betrayal. Why did none of the "experts" foresee Trump's rise to White House supremacy?

Why weren't they warned? Maybe they could have done something about it.

The media has a case to answer but it is not alone. So, too, do the political leaders who have allowed populism overtake pragmatism.

And the voters who feel the need to be notified in advance of what the result might be must take some responsibility. They don't interact unless they have a genuine fear of the status quo being upset.

Trump tapped into a more organic type of fear. He spoke of pain suffered by a forgotten middle America, the danger felt by the white man who had lost his grip on power, and the harm caused by the political and media establishments.

Speaking to people in New York on polling day, it was obvious his message had not just broken through the din, it had hypnotised millions of new-found followers. Most Clinton voters cited her experience and the fact she wasn't Trump as the logic for giving her their vote but Trump supporters devoutly echoed his words.

Trumpites spoke of the threat of immigrants, of the need to stop the Washington elite and their want to "Make America great again".

Clinton's "Stronger Together" message was devoid in a campaign based on nasty, crude and offensive rhetoric.

Despite all his talk of building walls, deporting immigrants and grabbing women by the p***y, Trump was helped over the winning line by Hispanic and female voters.

Common sense suggests the vast majority of them should have lined up for Clinton but billionaire Trump did better among Hispanics than the 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Almost one in three voters who were born outside the US backed Trump.

Part of this might be explained by the fact that while some undereducated people were mesmerised by his stage performances, other sections of society felt able to pick and choose from his menu of extreme proposals. They could filter out the promises that offended them and focus on the bits that fitted their agenda.

Look at the quotes from some Irish expats elsewhere in today's Sunday Independent describing how they don't really believe the president-elect will follow through on his threat of mass deportations.

Strangely, Clinton drew a smaller percentage of women's votes than outgoing President Obama did in 2012.

Young people backed her in big numbers, but, as happens the world over, they were outweighed by their elders.

I'll never forget the scenes at what was meant to be Clinton's victory rally last Tuesday. Tears and fear, everywhere. It was the sort of debilitating grief normally reserved for the sudden death of a child rather than the termination of a decades-old political dynasty.

A 10-minute walk away in a hotel, Trump supporters were equally shocked as the results rolled in. Earlier in the evening, they had been spinning excuses to journalists for his close-but-no-cigar result.

Clinton chased easy wins while Trump went after a constituency that couldn't be relied on to vote. And in doing so she took many voters, including the Irish, for granted.

On the front page of its election supplement on Thursday, the New York Times reported how prominent supporters asked the former first lady to follow in the footsteps of previous presidential candidates and address a prestigious St Patrick's Day gathering at the University of Notre Dame. Barack Obama and Joe Biden had been keynote speakers in the past, as had Bill Clinton.

But Clinton's campaign declined the invitation, telling organisers that white Catholics were not the audience she needed to reach out to. She would have been glad of extra votes from them on Tuesday.

The risk is Trump's election is dismissed as a blip created by misplaced anger and an ineffective Clinton campaign. There is every possibility that Trump or the people around him will moderate his views once he takes over in January.

His gracious, if rambling, acceptance speech suggested that, as president, he will strike a more considered tone and try to reunite America.

On the other hand, his reaction to protests that have swept parts of the US was to attack the freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly. He tweeted: "Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!"

Admittedly, the protests are uncalled for, given that democracy has played out - and some did turn violent.

Although he did later send a tweet praising the protesters' "passion for our great country", it all encourages the divide and lack of sensible debate that has gripped America.

In response to some of what I've written about Trump, I've received emails accusing me of "typical left-wing bullshit". One writer said: "He is not at all racist. Islam is a real threat to the lifestyle of free speech you enjoy, trype (sic) as it is. You idiot. Open your eyes."

Another reader phoned to call me a Nazi for suggesting Trump acted like a modern-day demagogue.

The extreme is fast becoming the norm. Prolonged economic stagnation and the refugee crisis have seen the far right rise in many countries. It's not unimaginable that Marine Le Pen and France's National Front could rise to power. Austria has toyed with the idea, and Germany could go down that route too.

At home, too, we can see that the pendulum seems to be swinging in a different direction, and Sinn Fein or the Anti-Austerity Alliance could find themselves in government - if they'd actually step up to the plate.

So we must watch what Trump does carefully. Populism has take over America and it might just be coming for the rest of us.

INM political editor Kevin Doyle was in the US for the election
I voted for Donald Trump. My journey from Shannon to America last Monday morning was to do just that.

I cut my return trip to the US tight as my husband had recently broken his shoulder in Ireland and his recovery was slow. But, shoulder pain aside, we were not about to forgo our opportunity to put Trump right where he belongs - in the White House.

In the stark, cold dawn of Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary, my husband's niece, Saidhbh Sweeney, bundled us and our luggage into her tiny car and transported us to Shannon Airport.

But the journey to that vote was not all about the miles. It took 40 years of living and working, mostly as a trauma nurse, in America. I worked beside whites, blacks and Latinos, as friends and colleagues, witnessing the decline of America for the ordinary working man and woman.

Indeed, I witnessed that decline at the bedsides of my patients. Back in the 1970s, most of them could sustain a family of five or six with their salary.

But in the 2000s they were working two or three low-paid jobs and were still unable to afford their mortgage payments. Furthermore, I was seeing more sick, young people in the hospitals due to stress, burnout and the resulting family breakdown.

Expand Close Donald Trump holds up a crying young child from the crowd as he arrives at a Trump campaign rally in New Orleans, Louisiana last March. REUTERS/Layne Murdoch Jr / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump holds up a crying young child from the crowd as he arrives at a Trump campaign rally in New Orleans, Louisiana last March. REUTERS/Layne Murdoch Jr

Nursing the sick and wounded for that long span of time in the major hospitals of America, and walking the hospital corridors at dawn and in the dead of night, brought me literally into the hearts and minds of Americans.

I can still smell the mass of humanity in the hospital rooms. So I feel duty-bound, with the authority of experience, to state both the Democratic and Republican parties have not served the people of America well.

Enter Trump. Trump had the compassion and intelligence to find out for himself who was hurting in America. This revelation was a journey for him, too. But it was a journey he took alone and in turn fielded the heavy, low blows from the right and left of the political spectrum along the way, throughout his long campaign.

He hit back at the manipulative enemies of the people, and, yes, we saw some collateral damage.

But the lazy media sold out the public they are there to serve. They sold to the highest bidder to stay close to their paymasters and refused to analyse the unfolding drama. The drama is that the liberal elite is steering America down a dark path of societal and racial divisions in order to further an ideological vision.

No matter the price, this elite fakes grievous insult over pushbacks about genderless bathrooms while ignoring the collapse of the American family and the cost of that to society.

It all began in the 1980s under massive deregulation and corporate greed. I will add to that the deregulation and disrespect for the traditional family and the rise of neo-liberalism. It was a perfect storm.

It was lazy politics practised by lazy politicians pandering to special interests at the expense of people who contribute enormously to society. It facilitated this awful divide in America today.

Americans traditionally like to work. They live to work. They have to work and would not want it any other way. Trump's supporters are the sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, of the men who landed at the Normandy beaches and saved Europe from Hitler and fascism - blue-collar men, both black and white, who soldiered together and walked together into Auschwitz to shake hands with Jews. They were drafted into the army to fight the good fight and they were used as fodder to help keep the world safe.

Their descendants in the Rust Belt of America do not need lectures from the plutocrats or Brahmins from American and European society to tell them how to behave themselves.

The black and white working classes are very happy with each other, thank you. I witnessed it. But the liberal elite has to have a reason to exist, and those who are part of it are prepared to destroy America to validate their existence.

They sow seeds of division to stir trouble. They need to get another life.

The greed of the Clintons was enormous. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too. Hillary's disingenuous strategy to make this election about feminism, race and sexual identity in order to win was reckless and irresponsible.

The country was already up to speed on these issues and was dealing with them compassionately. The blacks deserve a lot better than the Clintons. As usual, when the truth finally comes out with a stunning election result like this, the media was behind the curve.

The moral of the story is this: power corrupts. Don't fall into its clutches. Franklin D Roosevelt did not, and Trump will not.
The election as US president of a man who presents himself to the public as a soft fascist is what happens when the establishment fails to even acknowledge its own failures, let alone correct them.

By the establishment, what is meant is the liberal elites across the political divide - on the right, the left and in the centre - who are now blaming each other for the rise to power of Donald Trump.

The truth is that classical liberals on the right, socialists on the left and social democrats in the centre are all to blame for the emergence of Trumpism. Classical liberals for their continued failure to address the raging issue of our time - economic and social inequality rampant since the Great Recession; socialists (or progressives) for aggressively arrogating to themselves the moral and intellectual high ground, insisting that anybody who disagrees with them must be backwards, medieval, and uneducated; and social democrats - the Third Way - for their failure to question their unregulated co-dependence on Wall Street and, worse, political cowardice since the Great Recession in the face of populism to introduce radical policies required to meet the new age, to be truly progressive.

The election of somebody like Trump happens when the liberal elites in the US and the UK carry on as though the Great Recession has changed nothing.

In the UK, the result was Brexit, the ugly face of Little England, in your face; and now in the US the election of Trump, which was an epic response to the hollowing out of white working class values and culture.

They still do not get it. In reaction, the US and UK liberal media are pouring out emotive scorn.

An elegant magazine editorial in the New Yorker has been hand-wringing on behalf of the cosmopolitan elite for "the African-American Other, the Hispanic Other, the female Other, the Jewish and Muslim Other", but did not refer in the same vein to what must be called "the male, working-class white Other". The Guardian in the UK did, in a column under the headline: "I've heard enough of the white male rage narrative". The liberal elites will continue to espouse self-serving nonsense and stroll home through Manhattan and Notting Hill, while the rest of us must turn to meet the challenge that has been thrown down by the election of Trump.

To do that, we must properly divine and correct the reasons for the election of such a man to the most powerful office, probably, in the world.

Let us start with the classical liberals, as represented by the Republicans in the US, who are now trying to coattail an outward soft fascist like Trump - as represented by the Conservatives in the UK on Brexit, as represented by the right wing of Fine Gael - with their regressive budgets and deep-seated contempt for the inner-city male.

While these parties clung to their divisive, comfortable, middle-class credo, their ideology became old-fashioned overnight, obsolete, in that it has failed to meet the challenges presented by the Great Recession. To this day classical liberals remain unconvinced that inequality really matters.

They espouse individual freedoms, self-government, and civil liberties, but, as admitted by the Republican speaker Paul Ryan, failed to even listen for, let alone hear, the voices that Trump so ruthlessly turned to his advantage.

The twin forces of globalisation and technical innovation may have narrowed inequality around the world - poorer countries began to catch up with richer ones - but income gaps have widened within many of those countries.

More than two-thirds of the world's people now live in countries where income disparities have risen since 1980 to an unprecedented level. In the US, the share of national income of the top 0.01pc (16,000 families) has risen from just over 1pc to almost 5pc. That is simply unsustainable.

Socialists, or those who call themselves progressives, have also failed to make this the issue of the age, to put a political narrative on the work of the French economist Thomas Piketty. Instead, they have chosen to go in another direction - to be, it has been said, completely freed from their circumstances, to be literally whatever they want and express whatever they feel, with no barriers or consequences.

In the US, progressives became so devoted to this ideal that they twisted and turned when a white woman, a civil rights leader, pretended she was black. Elsewhere, they are unanimous in affirming that you can literally choose whether you are a man or a woman.

These are the people who surround Hillary Clinton. That is all minority groupings, but not the blue-collar white male who was so long the bedrock of the Democrats.

Clinton did not bother to visit Wisconsin, until now a staunchly Democrat state, but when the results came in it was that State that pushed Trump over the line.

As a supporter of same-sex marriage, I pose another question. Eamon Gilmore said: "The right of gay couples to marry is, quite simply, the civil rights issue of this generation." It is a right, certainly, indeed a civil right - but the civil rights issue of the age? Some would argue that runaway inequality after the Great Recession was the greater issue for this generation.

But are you allowed to suggest that? Or to raise a question about immigration controls - the other issue that Trump so successfully campaigned on? Classical liberals say yes, you can discuss immigration, but they mean no. Progressives say no, but mean you are a racist. Centrists keep their head down and say nothing at all.

So the Third Way, as originally devised by Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and, to an extent, Fianna Fail, is also to blame This social democrat outlook failed to challenge the global financial system that took hold in the 1980s, which saw national politics recede, which led to a deregulated banking system and allowed privatisation to sweep the world. For two decades, this may have allowed centrist governments to keep the money flowing and the financial markets happy, to rebuild schools and roads and to open new hospitals, but it also led to a sea change in culture which allowed Wall Street to move in, followed by a sub-prime housing market crisis that caused international capitalism to be rescued by massive government bailouts.

There is a deep awareness of this failure within the centrist politics, but reluctance - fear - also exists to devise radical centrist big ideas, or true progressivism: an attack on monopolies and vested interests, transparency in government, and tax reforms - not to punish the rich but to raise money more efficiently and progressively.

As I have said before, for true progressivism to take root, new ideas related to inventiveness and productivity are needed - a future that focuses on science and engineering, that values higher education, but that also requires enterprise to offer apprenticeships to young men, to pay the living wage, and to pay taxes.

The failure to do this, and much more besides - the limitations of all orthodoxies and credos as we have known them until now - is what has led to the election of a man who presents himself as a soft fascist to the highest of high offices in the land. There is no upside to this, no bow with which to wrap it all up in, no reach to rainbow's end. This is the reach of an epoch's end.
What will President Donald Trump do after he's inaugurated on January 20? Rhetoric aside, what will the American right, now in total control of the Presidency and Congress, actually do now that they're sweeping into power?

And why did Enda Kenny seek to mislead us last week about what he said about Trump?

As far as I am concerned President-elect Donald Trump is a racist liar, a misogynistic crotch-grabber who's unfit for any position in which he might abuse power.

We know this because American politicians - mostly Republican - spent months saying it. Take, for instance, Congressman Jason Chaffetz. He has a 15-year old daughter and he said he couldn't look her in the eye if he backed the crotch-grabber.

Of course, when Trump went up in the polls Chaffetz shrugged and backed the crotch-grabber. Maybe he figured being able to look your kid in the eye is overrated.

A whole lot of outraged politicians disowned Trump - and now they crawl back, licking their lips at the prospect of power and influence.

So, what can we expect from Trump's America?

Sharpened racial conflict, for a start. Trump's victory, many agree, arose from the "economic anxiety" of white working class people.

Their trade unions weakened, they are powerless and pissed-upon. Political and economic elites treat them as disposable labour units, to be plugged in or discarded as required.

This, obviously, is true - but only part of the truth.

The economic hierarchy is one part of the equation. The racial hierarchy is another. And in the face of economic oppression, many find solace in their imagined racial status.

So, yes, a majority of working class whites backed Trump. So did middle class whites. The racial divide is stark. Eight years of a black dude in the White House? That hurt.

And, maybe another four years with a woman in charge? No thanks.

This simply went against deeply felt racist and sexist beliefs.

Simultaneously, the liberals had endorsed policies that many conservatives find offensive - to the point where it became uncomfortable to say what they really feel about gay marriage, gender equality and racial justice.

What many wanted was someone who restored the status of whites - and put down those snooty, "politically correct" types who get upset if you use the words you've always used to describe blacks, women and gays.

And the crotch-grabbing billionaire was just the man for the job.

His vulgarity, his lack of nuance, his unashamed narcissism, the disdain so many liberals obviously felt for him, only made him more suitable for the role of pushing back the years.

How will this play out?

What will Trump do? What will his fans do on the streets, in the schools? What will the Republican politicians, now enabled by Trump's victory, feel they can get away with?

We know what Trump wants - everything from the Mexican wall to expulsion of immigrants, round-ups of Muslims. We should not assume he was lying about this.

On the street, we already know how that's going. On the night of the count, as it became clear that Trump would win, a prominent American journalist named Peter Beinart tweeted his solidarity with American Muslims, in the best liberal Jewish tradition.

His timeline filled with anti-Semitism. "Kike". "Get out of our country, parasite."

Twitter insults are common, but these came complete with the Nazi signifiers - the "Juden" remarks, the reference to "Zyklon B", used by the Nazis in the gas chambers. "In the ovens you go."

In the past few days, correspondents in NBC and in the New York Daily News have chronicled an explosion of racist bullying on the streets and in the schools. Racial attacks and insults to Muslim women. In schools there have been "build that wall" chants at Hispanics.

It reflects precisely the UK experience after the Brexit vote. When racism is endorsed at the ballot box the racists genuinely believe their wildest fantasies have to be indulged.

We won, why are you still in my country?

Harry Reid, conservative Democrat senator, said: "I have heard more stories in the past 48 hours of Americans living in fear of their own government and their fellow Americans than I can remember hearing in five decades in politics.

''Hispanic Americans who fear their families will be torn apart, African Americans being heckled on the street, Muslim Americans afraid to wear a headscarf, gay and lesbian couples having slurs hurled at them and feeling afraid to walk down the street holding hands.

''American children waking up in the middle of the night crying, terrified that Trump will take their parents away. Young girls unable to understand why a man who brags about sexually assaulting women has been elected president." Politically, Republicans have signalled their determination to take America back to the 1950s.

Paul Ryan, House Speaker, wants to savage Medicare. The pension age may go up. They're planning tax cuts of over $6 trillion over the next decade - and that will require massive cuts in services and benefits.

Of the $6 trillion, over half of the tax cuts will apply to those in the wealthiest 1pc.

Newt Gingrich, who until now could only dream of real power, wants to revive the House Un-American Committee, last seen in the days of McCarthyism. The blacklists and the bullying of that era were long seen as a shameful episode in US history. Now, the right can be openly unashamed, even proud of such oppression.

What if Trump decides to round up immigrants?

Round-ups are not unknown in US history. Around 120,000 Japanese Americans, 80pc of them citizens, were interned for years in the 1940s - in the name of homeland security.

Again, this has long been seen as a shameful episode in US history. Again, the right now lacks shame.

For historical reasons, fascism dare not come forth under its own banner. It must borrow the emblems of faith and fatherland, accessorised with concerns about terrorism.

US democratic institutions have roots, we may not see a re-run of Nazi Germany.

But we may well see something resembling Erdogan's Turkey.

And, if the crotch-grabber begins flying out planeloads of immigrants, to be dumped God knows where, might we continue to facilitate him at Shannon?

Our Taoiseach's little helpers quickly spread the word of how they arranged for him to have a word in the crotch-grabber's ear last week, to let him know we are at his service.

At the same time, Enda had to cover his tracks. Hadn't he denounced Trump as "dangerous" and "racist"?

Ah, he said, "When asked if I would agree" that Trump's comments were racist and dangerous "I said 'yes', in respect of those comments".

That's not what the Dail record shows.

On May 31, Richard Boyd Barrett TD called Trump "racist and dangerous". Some time later, while dodging a question from Boyd Barrett on military use of Shannon, Kenny went out of his way to put this on the record: "If Trump's comments are racist and dangerous, as they are, there is an alternative to vote for."

At a time when Trump looked unlikely to win, there was political benefit in slagging him off and sucking up to Clinton.

Now, the facts must be rearranged.

People often wonder if they'd have behaved at their best, had they lived in difficult historical times. Well, folks, we're about to find out.
Andrea and Eoin from Kerry met 10 years ago while they were both in college and their first date was spent climbing trees in Fitzgerald's Park in Cork City. The adventurous pair have been exploring the world together since. In 2014, while road-tripping along the east coast of the USA and Canada, Eoin proposed to Andrea at Niagra Falls - taking her down a quiet lane with a view of Bridal Veil Falls.

Andrea and Eoin decided to create their own personal wedding ceremony, and where better to celebrate their nuptials than at Sundance Guest Ranch in Canada - where they were working at the time. Family and friends travelled from around the world to celebrate their magnificent day at Twin Pines mountain. Andrea rode up the aisle on her favourite horse Gunsmoke, to a stunning view of the Thompson River Valley, wearing a vintage cream silk gown from Dirty Fabulous in Dublin. And later on guests were treated to line dancing lessons.

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Andrea and Eoin got crafty for the big day, with friends from the ranch helping out too. The pair created, among other things, candle stands, signs, ceremony booklets, wooden frames, the wedding arch and the cake. They also made a bracelet for Andrea, using hair from the manes of Cloud and Gunsmoke, the horses which the couple rode on their wedding day.

For their honeymoon of a lifetime, Andrea and Eoin bought a Jeep and travelled through Canada and USA for five months, working with huskies in Canada, learning to sail in Florida and partying in Mardi Gras along the way.

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* Words by Dee Finnerty. Photography by Jelger & Tanja, visit jelgerandtanja.com. If you would like your wedding featured here, email

weddings@independent.ie

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The 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, to be held here next week, will connect Peru with the world's most important markets, Carlos Galvez, a Peruvian industrial leader, said on Saturday.

Heads of the world's leading economies are expected to attend the Nov. 19-20 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Galvez, president of the National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy, highlighted the fact that more than 1,200 business leaders from APEC's 21 member economies will also be attending the event, which includes a parallel business forum called the CEO Summit.

"APEC's CEO Summit is very important. It is fundamental because it connects us to the world, (and) it connects us to the most important markets that we can access," Galvez told Xinhua.

By bringing business leaders from China, Russia, the United States and other APEC economies to Peru, where they will meet with their Peruvian counterparts, the event will help promote trade and investment, said Galvez.

"In addition, it will lead to opportunities to attract investment from other parts" outside APEC, he said.

Galvez said he was confident of the global tendency toward more open markets and greater exchanges of goods and capital, despite Brexit and other signs of a backlash against globalization.

"Opening up to the world, increasing production, generating decent employment opportunities with increasingly better wages and full labor rights are what we need to be aiming for," he said.

One of the much anticipated figures attending the CEO Summit is Jack Ma, founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

His arrival "is precisely a sign of the interest they have in making our economies grow faster," Galvez said.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is also expected to attend the summit, according to organizers.

Emerging economies such as Peru need to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from other APEC members on how to spur development, said Galvez, noting education has been a key factor in Asian countries' development.

"We have said many times that what we have to do is to work a lot on education, to make a decisive change that will allow us to enter the era of knowledge," said Galvez.

"Information and communication technology is what can move us up to the level of the countries that today lead in this field," he added.

APEC represents a potential market of billions of consumers, including the Chinese market of 1.3 billion people, the industrial leader said.

Peruvian Second Vice President Mercedes Araoz said earlier this week that her country's relationship with China is a "priority," noting that bilateral cooperation is crucial to strengthening relations and boosting economic growth.
Trinny Woodall has addressed the public row she had with Charles Saatchi, during which she was photographed crying at the same restaurant he now infamously grabbed ex-wife Nigella Lawson by the throat.

A worried fan on Instagram asked the former What Not To Wear presenter: What happened at Scotts? Why were you crying?

She quickly replied, posting: Storm in a B cup, very happy.

Her response to the incident was a stark contrast to her partner Charles Saatchis.

When approached by The Mirror for comment about the distressing images, he apparently told a reporter: Why not send a photographer to Scotts tomorrow lunchtime and Ill give Trinny a good throttling in time for your deadline?

He has thus far declined to offer any further statement on the incident.

But it seems he has learned somewhat of a lesson about occasionally choosing a different restaurant to dine at. The art mogul was pictured eschewing Scotts in Mayfair yesterday for a local Italian eatery instead, where he ate alone.

As news of the distressing images broke on Sunday, the pair headed back to Scotts to put on a show of public affection in the very same spot they had been pictured in the midst of a heated exchange just days before.

Woodall, 50, was seen leaping out of her chair to confront the 70-year-old art collector. As the argument escalated, she was photographed wiping tears from underneath her sunglasses.

At the end of the meal, Saatchi got up left the table by himself.

He walked off in a huff and left Trinny on her own, The Mirror quoted one onlooker as saying.

Her hair appeared dishevelled and her eyes were red from crying. When she managed to compose herself, she walked up to him, but he ignored her.

The couple eventually left the restaurant in a taxi together.

The row painted a familiar picture to that of Saatchis argument with Nigella Lawson in June 2013, when he was photographed tweaking the chefs nose and grabbing her by the throat.

The dispute ultimately led to the end of the couples 10-year marriage. She filed for divorce after Saatchi accepted a police caution for the incident, which he initially dismissed as a playful tiff.
People evacuated from the Quest On the Terrace Hotel gather outside the hotel. Photo: Ross Setford/SNPA via AP

New Zealand police confirm that two people have been killed in the New Zealand earthquake.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said two people were killed in a powerful earthquake that the struck the Pacific nation early on Monday.

"We don't have any indications at the moment to believe it will rise, but we can't rule that out," Key told reporters in Wellington, adding that details of the casualties were still being confirmed.

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake and a series of aftershocks shook New Zealand in the early hours of Monday, generating a tsunami and sending thousands of people fleeing for higher ground.

Emergency response teams were dispatched by helicopter to the region that bore the epicentre of the quake, some 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch in the South Island, amid reports of injuries and collapsed buildings. There were no immediate reports of deaths.

Power was out and phone lines down in many areas of the country, roads were blocked by landslips and the Civil Defence Ministry warned that waves of up to five metres (yards) remained a risk for several hours.

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Whatsapp People evacuated from buildings along Dixon Street check their mobile phones while sitting on a bench in Wellington after a 6.6 earthquake based around Cheviot in the South island shock the capital, New Zealand. Photo: Ross Setford/SNPA via AP

"The first waves have arrived but we know that it is too early to say what the impact has been," said Sarah Stuart-Black, national controller at the Ministry of Civil Defence. "Our concern is what is coming. Future waves are coming that may be bigger than what has come before."

The first tremor, just 15 kms deep, struck the island nation just after midnight, jolting many from their sleep and raising memories of the 6.3 magnitude Christchurch quake in 2011, which killed 185 people. New Zealand's Geonet measured Monday's quake at magnitude 7.5.

Expand Close Part of a landslide along Kaikoura Road about two hours north of Christchurch after a major earthquake struck New Zealand's south Island Photo:AP Photo / Angela Morgan / Facebook

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New Zealand lies in the seismically active "Ring of Fire", a 40,000 kilometre arc of volcanoes and oceanic trenches that partly encircles the Pacific Ocean. Around 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur within this region.

St. John Ambulance said it was sending helicopters carrying medical and rescue personnel to the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura. It is completely cut off and officials said there are reports of a collapsed building.

Expand Close A large fissure runs along Kaikoura Road about two hours north of Christchurch Photo: AP Photo / Joe Morgan / Facebook

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"There are some reports of casualties but the picture will be clearer as day breaks," Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said.

In Wellington, there was gridlock on the roads to Mount Victoria, a hill with a lookout over the low-lying coastal city, as residents headed for higher ground.

"I'm just sort of parked by the side of the road and I think people are trying to go to sleep the same as I am," Wellington resident Howard Warner told Reuters after evacuating his seaside house.

Richard Maclean, a spokesman for the Wellington City Council, said there was structural damage to several buildings. Residents were advised to stay away from the central business district on Monday and the train network was closed for checks. Wellington international airport, however, was expected to open as usual on Monday.

In Christchurh, where tsunami sirens continued intermittently, three evacuation centres were accepting residents. Police have set up roadblocks to prevent people from returning to lower-lying coastal areas.

Pictures shared on social media showed buckled roads, smashed glass and goods toppled from shelves in shops in Wellington and the upper South Island.

"The whole house rolled like a serpent and some things smashed, the power went out," a woman, who gave her name as Elizabeth, told Radio New Zealand from her home in Takaka, near the top of the South Island.

There was initial confusion when emergency services first said there was no tsunami threat.

Christchurch Civil Defence Controller John Mackie said that while the earthquake was centred inland, the fault line extended offshore for a considerable distance. That meant that seismic activity could cause movement out at sea, leading to a tsunami.
Hillary Clinton during her speech in New York where she conceded defeat to Republican Donald Trump (AP)

Thousands of demonstrators protest over president-elect Donald Trump in New York (AP)

Immigrants and their supporters have added their voices to those who have been marching and protesting over Donald Trump's presidential win.

Organisers said the protest scheduled for Sunday afternoon local time in Manhattan was about speaking out against President-elect Trump's support of deportation and other measures.

It was the latest in days of demonstrations across the country. Other protests were expected Sunday in San Francisco, St Louis Philadelphia, Denver and more.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched on Saturday to condemn what they saw as Mr Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Protests also were held in Detroit, Minneapolis and others. More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA".

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations.

One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested over Mr Trump's election as the next American president outside the US Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Mostly, the demonstrations were peaceful. However, in Portland, Oregon, a man was shot and wounded on Saturday morning during a confrontation. Police arrested two teenagers in the shooting.

Protesters have gathered since Wednesday at Mr Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Police in the city arrested five people during an anti-Trump protest that wound down in the early on Sunday.

Four adults were arrested for vandalism and a teenager was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer.

AP
Honoree Jackie Chan with Sylvester Stallone at the 2016 Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jackie Chan said he had achieved "a dream" as he was awarded an honorary Oscar.

The 62-year-old Hong Kong actor and martial artist was honoured at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles, where his Rush Hour co-star Chris Tucker and Tom Hanks paid tribute to him.

British film editor Anne V Coates, documentary maker Frederick Wiseman and casting director Lynn Stalmaster were also recognised at the ceremony.

"It's a dream," Chan said on stage.

"After 56 years in the film industry, over 200 films, I broke so many bones, finally this is mine.

"Thank you Hollywood. For all those years you taught me so many things and also you made me a little bit famous.

"Friends, fans around the world, because of you I have a reason to continue making movies, jumping out windows, kicking and punching and breaking my bones."

At the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, Chan revealed he first held an Oscar when he visited Sylvester Stallone's house 23 years ago.

"I touched it, kissed it, smelt it," he said. "I believe my fingerprints are still on it. Then I told myself; 'I really want one'."

He also thanked Hong Kong, which he described as his "hood", and said he was "proud to be Chinese".

Paying tribute to Chan, two-time Oscar winner Hanks said: "It's especially gratifying to be able to acknowledge Jackie's enormous creativity, his enormous gift for physical performance and incredible dedication to his work with this Governors Award.

"Great acting comes in many different forms but when you're an actor you always know it when you see it."

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Tucker, who starred in three Rush Hour movies with Chan, said: "Working with a living legend was amazing. Every day I couldn't wait to get on the set to see Jackie Chan.

"Jackie, it was an honour working with you and I can't wait to work with you again."

Chan starred in more than 30 martial arts films in his native Hong Kong before achieving worldwide fame in Rumble in the Bronx in 1996.

He went on to star in a string of Hollywood films including the Rush Hour trilogy, Shanghai Noon and its sequel Shanghai Knights starring Owen Wilson, Around the World in 80 Days, 2010's The Karate Kid and Kung Fu Panda.

Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicole Kidman, Warren Beatty and Richard Gere were among the star-studded audience at the ceremony.

Coates, 90, was honoured for a career spanning more than 60 years which saw her win the 1963 Oscar for film editing for Lawrence of Arabia.

She earned four more Academy Award nominations for her work on the films Becket, The Elephant Man, In the Line of Fire and Out of Sight starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.

She also worked on Murder On The Orient Express, Richard Attenborough's Chaplin, Erin Brockovich and Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Australian star Kidman said: "Anne V Coates is not a great female editor, she is a great, great editor.

"She's not trailblazer for women, she's a trailblazer for all of us. Anne has left her mark on some of the greatest films of all time."

Gere, whose 2002 film Unfaithful was edited by Coates, described her as "one of the great giants of our industry".

"The greatest of the great, great, great film editors," he added.

Accepting her award, Coates, from Reigate, Surrey, said: "Can you imagine a job where you're actually paid to look into the eyes of George Clooney, Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton, Peter Finch, Sean Connery, Albert Finney, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere, Daniel Craig, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Fifty Shades Of Grey himself Jamie Dornan?

"Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. But of all those I still have to say my three greatest productions are my three wonderful and talented children.

"Thank you once for this very special award. I have to say I never suspected I'd be holding one of these in my hand again."
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters gather near a frontline during fighting with IS militants in Bashiqa, east of Mosul (AP)

A Iraqi special forces fighter walks with his rifle during flighting with Islamic State militants in eastern Mosul (AP)

Iraqi troops entered a town south of Mosul on Sunday where Islamic State militants destroyed artefacts at a nearby ancient Assyrian archaeological site.

Special forces fended off suicide bombers during a cautious advance into the northern city.

The push into Nimrud was the most significant gain in several days for government forces, potentially opening up the area for teams to assess the damage done to the famed ruins just outside the town.

Troops are converging from several fronts on Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and the biggest urban area under IS control, as part of an offensive launched last month.

The special forces have advanced the furthest so far, and hold a handful of districts on the city's eastern edge, but their progress has slowed in the face of fierce resistance in dense urban neighbourhoods full of civilians.

The operation's commander said troops took Nimrud, some 19 miles south of Mosul, after heavy fighting.

It was unclear if they had liberated the nearby 13th century BC archaeological site, which IS destroyed with explosives according to videos they released.

"The 9th division of the Iraqi army has liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties," Lt Gen Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah said in a statement.

The late 1980s' discovery of treasures in Nimrud's royal tombs was one of the 20th century's most significant archaeological finds.

The government said militants, who captured the site in June 2014, destroyed it the following year using heavy military vehicles.

Video footage released by the jihadis at the time showed bearded men hammering, bulldozing and ultimately blowing up parts of the ancient Iraqi treasure, ripping down huge alabaster reliefs depicting Assyrian kings and deities.

They claim the artefacts promote idolatry that violates their fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law.

Col John Dorrian, a spokesman for the US-led forces operating the air campaign assisting the operation against IS, said few airstrikes were used near Nimrud, and the advancing Iraqi troops had moved in carefully.

"It's an important gain," he said, but warned that IS often leaves behind some combatants. "As Iraqi forces get closer to Mosul, everything becomes more difficult as they like to leave behind a few fighters to spoil the advance."

In Mosul itself, the special forces said they have cleared the Qadisiya and Zahra neighbourhoods, and are planning to advance farther in the coming hours.

Over the past week they have inched forward slowly, trying to avoid casualties among their troops and civilians as suicide bombers in armour-plated vehicles charge at them from hideouts in densely-populated areas.

"The only weapons they have left are car bombs and explosives," said Iraqi special forces Maj Gen Sami al-Aridi as he radioed with commanders in the field. "There are so many civilian cars and any one of them could be a bomb," he said.

Civilians are paying a heavy toll in the battle for Mosul, with nearly 50,000 forced from their homes, most living in displaced persons camps. The Norwegian Refugee Council said Sunday that conditions were worsening for non-combatants, especially over the past week.

"Civilians have told us of horrific stories from inside Mosul," said Wolfgang Gressmann, the group's Iraq director.

"They have given terrifying accounts of IS moving them from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and from house to house, in tactics identical with being used as human shields."

AP
Firefighters work at the site of an oil well fire in Qayara, 50km south of Mosul. The well was set alight by Isil militants to reduce visibility Photo: Marko Drobnjakovic/AP

New reports have emerged of public killings and other atrocities committed against Mosul residents by Isil militants, including dozens of civilians whose bullet-riddled bodies were hung from poles after they were accused of using mobile phones to leak information to Iraqi security forces.

The UN human rights office said Isil fighters killed some 70 civilians in Mosul last week, part of a litany of abuses to come to light in recent days, including torture, sexual exploitation of women and girls, and the use of child soldiers who were filmed executing civilians.

The revelations are the latest reports of Isil brutality as the group retreats into dense urban quarters of Iraq's second-largest city, forcing the population to go with them as human shields.

In its report, the UN human rights office in Geneva said Isil shot and killed 40 people last Tuesday after accusing them of "treason and collaboration," saying they communicated with Iraqi security forces by mobile phone. The bodies, dressed in orange jumpsuits, were hung from electricity poles.

A day later, the extremists reportedly gunned down 20 civilians at a military base. Their bodies were hung at traffic junctions in Mosul, with signs saying they "used phones to leak information".

A Mosul resident, reached by telephone, said crowds had watched the killings in horror. One victim was a former police colonel, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.

The violence is part of a disturbing pattern. As the army advances, Isil militants have been rounding up thousands of people and killing those with suspected links to the security forces. Soldiers last week discovered a mass grave in the town of Hamam al-Alil, 20km south of Mosul, containing some 100 bodies.

At the same time, the militants have gone door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds of residents to march at gunpoint into the city. Combat in Mosul's dense urban areas is expected to be heavy, and the presence of civilians will slow the army's advance as it seeks to avoid casualties.

Isil militants have boasted of the atrocities in grisly online photos and videos. The UN has urged authorities to collect evidence of Isil abuses of civilians to use in eventually prosecuting the militants in tribunals.

Iraqi troops are advancing from four fronts on Mosul, the last major Isil holdout in Iraq. As Iraqi special forces battle in eastern suburbs of Mosul, Kurdish peshmerga forces are holding a line north of the city, while Iraqi army and militarised police units approach from the south. Government-sanctioned Shiite militias are guarding western approaches.

In the formerly Isil-held town of Bashiqa, north-east of Mosul, Kurdish commander General Hamid Effendi said his forces were working to secure the area but faced booby traps that were holding up the advance.

More than a thousand unexploded bombs are believed to have been buried in Bashiqa, Gen Effendi said. Over 100 Isil fighters have been killed in combat, he added, but wounded fighters probably remained in defensive tunnels built by the militants.

On Friday, teams went building by building into the night detonating explosives left behind in Bashiqa, which was deserted except for a few residents trickling in to check on their homes and businesses.

Among them was 60-year-old Khan Amir Mohammed, who discovered that his home had been turned into a mortar post by the militants, who dug seven tunnels on his family's property before retreating.

Ammunition tubes and English-language instruction pamphlets for launching mortars littered the floor in one room. Another had been turned into a makeshift mosque, with lines taped to the floor for worshippers to line up to pray.

A nearby shop where Mr Mohammed sold animal feed had collapsed from an apparent air strike. "What can I say? I feel powerless," he said, surveying the destruction.

Down the road, Kurdish forces were detonating bombs left behind by the militants. First Sergeant Ayub Mustafa said his unit alone had disabled some 250 bombs, the vast majority homemade explosives. "Apparently they have a smart electrician with them. They're well-made," he said.

Special forces troops entered the Qadisiya neighbourhood on Friday, the 26th day of the campaign to retake Mosul, exchanging small arms and mortar fire with Isil positions and advancing slowly to avoid killing civilians and being surprised by suicide car bombers, said Brigadier General Haider Fadhil.

Regular army troops control 90pc of the Intisar neighbourhood, said one officer, but progress had slowed because "the streets are too narrow for our tanks". He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Meanwhile, the UN cited new evidence that the militants have used chemical weapons, escalating fears that Isil will resort to chemical warfare to try to hold on to the city, still home to more than a million people.

Rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva that four people died from inhaling fumes after Isil shelled and set fires to the al-Mishrag sulfur gas factory in Mosul on October 23. She said reports indicated that Isil had stockpiled large amounts of ammonia and sulfur and placed them near civilians. "We can only speculate how they intend to use this," she said. "We are simply raising the alarm."

She also noted a video posted online by Isil last Wednesday showing four children, believed to be aged 10 to 14, gunning down four people accused of spying for Kurdish and Iraqi security forces.

The UN said about 48,000 people had fled Mosul since the government campaign began on October 17.

Associated Press
Tehran, Iran, November 13

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

A new power grid is being developed by Iran which will increase power trade with Turkmenistan to threefold, said Irans Deputy Minister of Energy Hushang Falahatian.

One of Irans highest priority plans is to increase its power trade with neighbors, especially the countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus, he told Mehr news agency.

The project consists of a 400-kilovolt line between Iran and Turkmenistan, he explained.

This line will come on stream in about two years, he said.

Iran and Turkmenistan are currently trading about 350 megawatts of power. Falahatian said once the new grid starts operating, the trade volume will increase to about 1,000 megawatts.

Falahatian recently said Tehran was in talks with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, aiming to connect their power grids, whereby Iran would be able to export power to European Union member states.

Iran exchanged more than 2,000 megawatts of power with its neighbors on October 8.

For the day, Iran exported 1,428 megawatts of power while importing 603 megawatts, adding up to 2,031 megawatts.

Iran exchanges power with Armenia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Demonstrators march up 5th Avenue in New York during a protest against the election of President-elect Donald Trump Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Hundreds of thousands of people are continuing to march across cities in the US in reaction to Donald Trump's stunning victory as President-elect of the USA. In Washington DC on Thursday and Friday, a crowd of around 1,000 was dispersed by US Secret Service outside the White House after police wrestled to the ground and arrested one of the protesters.

Crowds shouting "F*** Trump", "Pus** bites back", and "Not my President" have been marching every day, with over 100,000 gathering outside the President-elect's home in one of his omnipotent Trump Tower buildings, causing major disruption to the heart of mid-town Manhattan.

"I was at the Italian consulate to get my Italian passport and saw this protest and decided to join in," said 26-year-old Alison Cassileda, in Washington DC. "I can't stay here [in the US], this new environment is poisonous; all the racism and hatred, I can't take it." And 26-year old law student Arya said he's concerned at "what is being allowed" in society as a result of the "hatred spewed" during Donald Trump's campaign.

"I'm afraid of all the casual racism in the streets."

There are "folks on the fringe" in both camps, said David Urban, head of Trump's campaign in Pennsylvania - a State that characterised, perhaps more than anywhere else the 70-year-old tycoon's victory from under the feet of Democrats. While deemed a swing State, Pennsylvania hasn't voted Republican since 1988 until last Tuesday night.

These "far-left", "fringe groups" are upset with the Democrats because Bernie Sanders isn't their President, they're not protesting solely against President-elect Trump, Urban told the Sunday Independent. The misinterpretation of Trump voters as "hill-billies from the mountains" is completely inaccurate," he adds.

The notion that Trump rallies were "full of 'deplorables' that Hillary Clinton talked about" is untrue. There are fringe groups in every movement, he explained when asked about instances of racial hatred and misogyny present at Trump rallies, and just because "they agree with Mr. Trump, doesn't mean he agrees with them."

After what was roundly described as a positive, albeit awkward first meeting between President-elect Trump and US president, Barack Obama on Thursday, Trump immediately took to Twitter to ridicule his detractors saying "Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!"

Just as Trump's victory should have been predicted, given the overwhelming attendance at his rallies in often very rural parts of America, and the less-than lukewarm turnout for Hillary Clinton among certain vital constituencies - like the African American community in key battleground states like North Carolina during early voting - so too were protests of this nature in the aftermath of the elections, regardless of the outcome.

Donald Trump's consistent degradation of the media throughout the campaign, and regular claims that the system was rigged, would likely have triggered similar reactions from some of his supporters.

The fact that Hillary Clinton has won the popular vote, and Donald Trump the Electoral College, having collected over 270 votes to take the White House, some have been arguing points to a system that is indeed, rigged, or at least an affront to democracy.

The Electoral College system was set up to avoid instances where a majority vote can result in harm being done to the minority. It aims to balance the control small states have over larger ones, where if a harmful candidate is popular in places with larger populations like Texas, then they need not consider the well-being of smaller regions like New Hampshire, for example.

Trump's aides are also allaying deep concerns among the US's traditional allies such as the EU about what his presidency means for trade agreements, NATO and other areas of cooperation and interdependence.

Trump's anomalous relationship with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin is worrisome for most EU member states, at a time when European leaders are considering applying even more sanctions against the regime there in response to Russian aggression in Aleppo.

There are also major concerns about Russia's participation in future cyber-war activities against the US and its European and NATO allies, with several intelligence sources saying Trump's campaign and his constant reference to Putin and Russian in complementary terms, emboldened Russia to interfere in the US election.

During the week, Stephen Moore, one of Trump's most senior advisers, and one of many associated with the right-wing, conservative think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, said a major policy plank in tackling unemployment was repatriating jobs from American multi-nationals, many of which operate in Ireland, and are vital to Ireland's open economy.

"Mr Trump loves Ireland and the Irish people", "he'll take a look" to make sure deals are fair, and any deals where we're [America] going to be disadvantaged they're going to be renegotiated, said Urban.
Hillary Clinton is on course to receive more votes than any other US presidential candidate in history except Barack Obama  despite losing Tuesdays election to Donald Trump.

With the last remaining ballots still being counted, analysts expect the Democrat to pull clear of the new President-elect in the popular vote even though she lost the electoral college tally by some margin.

At least four million votes are yet to be counted in the Democrat-leaning state of California. These are a combination of postal votes and ballots cast by people whose voting eligibility could not be verified on the day.

Nate Cohn, an election analyst at the New York Times, estimates that once all votes have been counted, 63.4 million Americans will have voted for Mrs Clinton and 61.2 million for Mr Trump, giving the Democrat a winning margin of 1.5 per cent.

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That total would be more than the votes received by any other presidential candidate in history except for Mr Obama in 2008 and 2012.

The total number of votes cast is expected to easily exceed the 129 million from 2012.

However, it is not the overall number of votes cast for each candidate that matters in US presidential elections but the number of votes in the electoral college, which sees each state assigned a number of college votes that go to the candidate who wins the public vote in that state.

Mr Trump won the electoral college after unexpectedly taking states such as Michigan and Wisconsin that had previously been part of the Democrats firewall of safe states.

He finished with 306 electoral college voters to Mrs Clintons 232. More than 270 are needed to win the presidency, giving Mr Trump a comfortable margin.

The nature of the electoral college has led some people to suggest Ms Clinton could still become president if electors vote against the instructions given to them by the electorate in their state.

There have been 157 of these so-called faithless electors throughout history but they have never overturned an election result and it is unlikely to happen this year.

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The unusually high number of votes cast for Ms Clinton is partly due to the rising population of the USA, but also appears to undermine suggestions that, compared to previous candidates, she failed to inspire voters.

The sizeable margin by which Ms Clinton looks likely to win the popular vote will also fuel controversy about the fairness of the electoral college system.

Tuesdays election  the fourth in which a candidate has lost the popular vote and still won the presidency  has prompted renewed calls for the electoral college to be abolished in favour of a pure first-past-the-post system.

One petition demanding the electoral college is scrapped has attracted more than 700,000 signatures while another has over 300,000.

Mr Trump himself had previously called the electoral college a disaster for democracy after mistakenly thinking that Barack Obama had lost the public vote in 2012 but retained the presidency.

One reason the electoral college was created was to ensure no single region of the US could dominate, such as the North out-voting the South along old Civil War lines, for example.
'It turns out that love does not trump hate after all'. Photo: Getty Images

Hillary Clinton has blamed the FBI's decision to revive its examination of her email accounts for her devastating defeat in the presidential election.

During a phone call with senior campaign donors, Mrs Clinton said she was winning until FBI director James Comey sent a letter to Congress announcing that the FBI had uncovered emails possibly related to its earlier probe into her use of a private server as secretary of state.

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The new examination was sparked by an unrelated investigation into former New York politician Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of one of her senior aides.

The surprise announcement by the FBI on October 28 came after three debates in which Republican Donald Trump was widely criticised for his performance.

Mrs Clinton told the donors that her campaign was leading by large margins in nearly every battleground state and was tied in Arizona, a traditionally Republican stronghold, until Mr Comey released his letter.

Mr Trump's campaign and Republican supporters seized on the news, even though it was unclear whether Mrs Clinton's correspondence was tied up in the probe.

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Mr Comey told politicians on the Sunday before the election that the bureau had found no evidence to warrant criminal charges.

His "all clear" message only served to further motivate Trump supporters, Mrs Clinton told donors on the call.

In the nine days between Mr Comey's initial statement and his "all clear" announcement, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That was roughly 18% of the expected total votes for president.

While Mrs Clinton accepted some blame of her loss, said donors who listened to her call, she made little mention of the other factors driving Mr Trump's victory.

Democrats have spent much of this week reeling from their loss, with many in the party beginning a process of soul-searching designed to sort out what exactly went wrong.

Liberals like Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren say Democrats must embrace a more aggressive economic message - one Mrs Clinton largely shied away from during her campaign.

Tens of thousands of people marched in streets across the US on Saturday, staging the fourth day of protests against Mr Trump's surprise victory.

The protests - held in big cities like New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa - were largely peaceful, although two police officers were slightly injured in Indianapolis.

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue towards Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Mr Trump "step aside".

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," she said. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go - there's no place for racism in society in America."

Mr Trump's comments - particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women - sparked outrage during his campaign.

That spilled over into demonstrations following an election that ended with half of US voters choosing Mrs Clinton.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including "Kill the Police," and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

"We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city," trying to start a riot, Mr Riggs said.

Rowdy demonstrators marched through Portland, Oregon, again on Saturday night despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

Several hundred took to the streets and authorities reported at least one arrest after people in the crowd threw items at police in riot gear.

The gathering came after a news conference on Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

On Friday night, police used flash-bang grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds, and 17 people were arrested and one man was shot and suffered non life-threatening injuries in what police described as a confrontation with gang members. Two people were arrested on attempted murder charges.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through city streets on Saturday to condemn what they saw as Mr Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along city streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Demonstrations also took place internationally, including in Mexico City, while about 300 people protested against Mr Trump's election outside the US embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama travels to Berlin next week to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Mr Trump's election.
ONE of Donald Trump's leading economic advisors has said the US wants to emulate Ireland under the new President-elect's corporate tax policies.

Stephen Moore said today that the US has learned a lesson in business development and competitiveness from Ireland.

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We want to emulate Ireland... you have one of the lowest if not the lowest business tax of allwe want to be competitive with Ireland, he said on RTE Radio.

Weve learned that low taxes are a good way to stimulate development, so were very excited about this idea.

We do think that a lot of the companies that have left the United States will come back and they will come back from China and from Canada, Mexico and come back from Ireland."

He said lowering the corporate tax rate to 15pc is necessary to bring jobs back to the US.

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We need to do this, we need to bring back the jobs to Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. We need to bring back the jobs that have left.

I think overall the lesson that weve learned is that a good way to stimulate more business investment is to cut our business tax rate and we learned it from Ireland, he said.

Weve lots a lot of manufacturing, weve lost a lot of plants, most of them have gone to places to Mexico and Chine. We just havent been competitive in the United States, weve had very high taxes, weve had strangling regulations, weve got crazy climate change policiesAll of that is going to change in America. Were going to start producing things again in America and making things again," he told RTEs Marian Finucane.

Amid concern that a reduction in corporate tax in the US will damage Irelands Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities and lead to, as Mr Moore predicted, a flood of companies leaving Ireland, he said US growth will be good for everyone.

As we get it right in the United States I think thats going to lead not just to a prosperity here in America but itll be spread around the globe as there is a new appreciation of the power of free enterprise and free markets , he said.

I think when we get it right the whole world will see bigger export markets to the Unites States, I think trade will actually expand.
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, delivers a speech as Republican president-elect Donald Trump looks on during his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City. Donald Trump defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday picked Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, the favorite of the party's establishment and a low-key Washington insider, to serve in the influential position of White House chief of staff.

The choice of Priebus, a loyal campaign ally to Trump who has close ties with House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, signaled a willingness to work with Ryan and the Republican-led Congress to get his agenda passed.

The other front-runner for the job had been Stephen Bannon, Trump's campaign chairman and former head of the conservative Breitbart News. Trump named Bannon as his chief strategist and senior counselor.

The chief of staff position, which serves as a gatekeeper and agenda-setter for the president, is typically one of the most important early choices for an incoming president.

"I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country," Trump said in a statement. "Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House."

Trump, who will succeed Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, has been contemplating the candidates for top jobs in the White House and in various Cabinet positions since Tuesday's election win over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The selection of Priebus as chief of staff could anger some hardline Trump supporters who were counting on Trump to keep his campaign promise to "drain the swamp" of business-as-usual Washington insiders.

Trump and his advisers already have hedged on some of his major campaign promises, including on immigration, healthcare and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton.

Priebus is a longtime Wisconsin political operative who was credited with marshaling party resources for Trump's White House bid. The Republican National Committee stepped in and ran most of the party's get-out-the-vote effort this year in the absence of such an operation by the Trump campaign.

He frequently traveled with Trump on the campaign trail and was seen as a positive force who helped rein in the unpredictable Trump in the closing weeks. Trump made his high regard for Priebus known on election night when he pulled him to the microphone to take a bow for his campaign efforts.

Bannon is a firebrand outsider who as head of Breibart repeatedly attacked the Republican Party establishment including Ryan, alienating many veteran Republicans. Bannon showed his willingness to engage in brutal political tactics when he instigated the appearance before a presidential debate of three women who said they had been sexually abused by his Democratic rival's husband, former President Bill Clinton.

BORDER WALL

Trump backed away on Sunday from his promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border, saying some areas could instead be "fencing," and added he would move to deport up to 3 million immigrants in the country illegally who have criminal records.

Trump, whose pledge to force Mexico to pay for a border wall was a centerpiece of his White House, said in "certain areas" he would accept fencing instead of a brick-and-mortar wall, according to excerpts of his interview with the CBS program "60 Minutes."

"But certain areas, a wall is more appropriate. I'm very good at this, it's called construction, there could be some fencing," the New York real estate developer said.

In the "60 Minutes" interview, Trump sought to play down the divisive nature of his candidacy and said Americans alarmed by his election have nothing to fear. "Don't be afraid. We are going to bring our country back. But certainly, don't be afraid," he said.

Demonstrators in major U.S. cities took to the streets for a fifth straight day on Sunday to protest against Trump, decrying his campaign promises to restrict Muslim immigration and deport immigrants in the country illegally, as well as allegations that the former reality TV star sexually abused women.

Trump said in the interview that once he takes office he would remove immigrants with criminal records who are in the country illegally.

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate. But we're getting them out of our country," he told "60 Minutes."

During the campaign, Trump said he would deport the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally, most of whom are Hispanic. Trump said Mexico was sending criminals and rapists into the United States.

Ryan, who like Priebus is from Wisconsin and will play a key role in getting Trump's agenda through the Republican-led Congress, on Sunday backed away from Trump's promise during the campaign of a "deportation force" to round up and deport immigrants in the country illegally.

"We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trump's not planning on that," Ryan told CNN's "State of the Union" program. "I think we should put people's minds at ease. That is not what our focus is. That is not what we're focused on. We're focused on securing the border."

Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 House Republican, said on "Fox News Sunday" the wall with Mexico could in parts be a "virtual" wall patrolled by drones.
Donald Trump appears to be backing away from several election campaign promises - raising hopes that he could be more pragmatic in the White House than was expected, but also risking the wrath of his army of supporters.

The US president-elect has suggested that he could retain some elements of Barack Obama's healthcare reforms while one of his advisers appeared to tone down a pledge to "rip up" the Iran nuclear deal. And Trump has warmly described election opponent Hillary Clinton, whom he previously threatened to jail, as "very strong and very smart".
Tehran, Iran, November 13

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated several megaprojects during a trip to the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

Notable among the projects was the development of oil fields in West Karun, IRIB news agency reported November 13.

The projects concerned North and South Azadegan as well as North and South Yaran fields which will increase the countrys crude output by 300,000 barrels per day.

Shared with Iraq, West Karun is able to yield up to 1 mbpd.

Yadavaran was provided with a budget of $2.9 billion. It was meant to meet an output of 85,000 barrels per day, but the project carrier has managed to hit 115,000 barrels per day.

Another project that was inaugurated by Rouhani was a railway centralized traffic control (CTC) center.

Also, some 10 trillion rials ($313 million) was allocated to anti-poverty projects in the province, which include building schools, small stadiums, health centers, water distribution, and roads.

The president also announced the near-future start of more projects, such as building a second rail for the Ahvaz-Bandar Imam railroad as well as the Ahvaz-Andimeshk railroad.

The railroad is being reconstructed 50 years after it was first created.
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By Baba Ahmed, Associated Press

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - Two Tuareg clans in north Mali, whose fighting has upset an accord meant to bring peace to the country, have signed a new agreement, the main separatist group said Wednesday.

The Ifoghas and Imghad clans signed the new agreement after negotiations last week, said the spokesman for the Coordination of Azawad Movements, Almouzamil Ag Mohamed.

The Ifoghas clan is in the main separatist group. The Imghad clan is a part of the government-allied militia group GATIA.

The two clans have clashed several times since the initial accord was signed between the government, separatists and government-allied groups in late June, upsetting peace in the region. They have been at odds for years over who gets greater control over Kidal in the north and also over an alliance with the government.

"If the tribal militias are willing to speak with us and find a peaceful solution, it is well aligned with the Bamako accord," said Ag Mohamed. The agreement signed Friday between Ifoghas and Imghad is among several others being negotiated,"he said.

The government is helping with the negotiations.

"The support of Mali's government during the meetings among tribes is moral support," said Azaz Ag Loudagdag, a member of the government-allied militia, GATIA. He said he welcomes the accord.

Insecurity in Mali's north has caused tensions among Tuaregs, some of whom support a separatist movement some the government. Fighting broke out in August, and the clans have clashed several times since.

Mali's northern half fell to separatists, and then Islamic extremists following a military coup in 2012. A French-led military intervention drove the extremists out of major towns, but north and central Mali remain insecure.
Tehran, Iran, November 13

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Russian Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko arrived in Tehran November 13 and as first item on agenda, met with Iran Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

During the meeting the two sides discussed stronger bilateral relations, IRNA news agency reported November 13.

While in Tehran, Ivanovna will hold talks with other senior Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif, sources have said.

She is expected to discuss possible ways for fostering regional, international and parliamentary cooperation during her two-day visit.
Amid mounting anger over the acute shortage of currency notes across the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government could not have made a painless transition to new bills and that serpentine queues outside banks were inevitable. It will take about two to three weeks to see ATMs working to their full capacity, he said.

AFP

We could not have recalibrated the ATMs before the Cabinet decision was formally announced. It would have breached the secrecy, Jaitley said responding to a question on why ATMs were not prepared beforehand.

Appealing to people not to be in a hurry to visit banks to exchange cash, the finance minister called for patience for the normalisation of banking operations. He said it could take two to three weeks to reconfigure all the 2.5 lakh ATMs in the country so that they can dispense the new Rs 2000 notes.

For the time being, the ATMs will continue to dispense 100 rupee notes.

BCCL

Assuring that RBI and banks have stocked up enough currency to replace the Rs 14 lakh crore worth of Rs 1000/500 notes that have been declared invalid, he said the government is constantly monitoring the situation as it is a massive operation.

It is a regret that people are being inconvenienced. Because a replacement of this magnitude will cause inconvenience as you have to go to the bank, you have to stand in a queue, he said. In the short run, he said, some obvious disruption will be caused.

BCCL

The FM praised bankers for efficiently handling the transition to the new currency regime. The deposits till 12.15 pm on Saturday stood at nearly Rs 2 lakh crore, he said. The largest banker in the country SBI saw deposits of Rs 47,868 crore till Saturday afternoon. SBIs deposits are around 20 percent of the total deposits in all the banks.

Short On Cash, Public Loot Fair Price Shop

BCCL

ALSO READ: PM Modi Almost Broke Down, Requesting India To Help Him Fight Black Money

Enraged over not getting rations from a fair price shop due to a shortage of cash, people at Bardaha village, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly robbed the store of its groceries. A purported video of the incident shows villagers looting the shop. But the police said only a minor scuffle took place. Bardaha sarpanch said the villagers were upset as the shop owner had not been giving them food grains.

4 crore Of Scrapped Notes From Maha Trader

The police have seized cash worth Rs 4 crore in demonetised Rs 1,000 denomination notes from a Maharashtra-based trader at a check post in Burhanpur district in Madhya Pradesh. The seizure was made on Friday night, Burhanpur SP Anil Singh Kushwaha said. We seized the currency from Shabbir Hussain, a trader based in Malkapur in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, during a screening at the checkpost, the SP said.

Govt Looking Into Spurt In Jan Dhan Deposits

BCCL

The Centre is looking into sudden 'popping up' of money into zero-balance Jan Dhan accounts after an unprecedented Rs 2 lakh crore of cash flooded the banking system within just two days of demonetisation of high-value currency.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said law enforcement agencies are keeping a hawk eye on illegal currency changers, offering to change the junked 500 and 1000 rupee notes, as well as those buying gold to hide black money.
Hours after a newborn died at a Mumbai hospital after staff refused to accept Rs. 500 notes, police have lodged an FIR against the doctor who refused to admit the infant, the Hindu reported.

fastcompany/representational image

The FIR was registered against Sheetal Kamath, who refused to admit the infant at Jeevan Jyot Hospital and Nursing Home in Mumbai's Govandi. According to police, the baby's father, Jagdish Sharma, registered the complaint on Friday against Dr Sheetal Kamath.

According to preliminary media reports, the boy died one day after Jeevan Jyoti Hospital and Nursing Home in Govandi denied treatment because his parents wanted to pay a part of the deposit in Rs 500 notes.

Kiran, the mother of the child delivered the baby in the care of relatives and neighbours. Since the baby, weighing all of 1.6 kg, was born premature and Kiran lost a lot of blood during the delivery, the family decided to rush her to Dr Kamath. The baby was born prematurely and so needed treatment, which was refused on grounds of the family's inability to pay the full deposit.

However, Dr. Kamath's friend, Dr. Nandita Iyer, gave Kamath's side on Twitter.



People, please be a little patient before you circulate the untruth printed by Mumbai Mirror. This is the actual statement -Please read & RT pic.twitter.com/wPfff1EZuZ  Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) November 12, 2016

Dr. Sheetal told relatives with the old currency, they would have a problem with private NICU for which I had referred them to Sion Hospital  Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) November 12, 2016

you can omit any words you please and imply that doctor had problem w. currency. She was clear that she didn't have facilities for neonate.  Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) November 12, 2016

Inability to take a patient due to lack of facilities is NOT EQUAL to turning them down for money. How is that negligence?  Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) November 12, 2016
Reports started pouring in the minute Donald Trump was announced America's 45th President Elect. Reports of Trump supporters harassing American-Muslim women and the likes. Reports of frustrated citizens - who voted for the losing candidate, Hillary Clinton - protesting on the streets.

Twitter

An American citizen in his own right, Mr. Alexander shot a video where he strongly lashed out on his fellow natives for causing widespread destruction, preaching peace, and becoming the very symbol of Trump winning the elections.

This needs to go viral. Stop this madness pic.twitter.com/uztXs0Wyzo  Jaden (@JadenBell_) November 12, 2016

The tweet has gone viral with 17,000 retweets and 20,000 likes. People are identifying with the sentiment that Mr. Alexander shares in the video: "You didn't earn anything. None of you put on a uniform. But you are quick to disrespect the flag."
Tehran, Iran, November 13

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Five Iranian pilgrims died in Iraq on various occasions during the past few days, IRNA news agency reported November 13.

On one occasion, three elderly Iranians died in a crush in Kut, Wasit Province of Iraq on November 11.

Iranians are visiting Iraq in large numbers for the religious observance of Arbaeen, a Shia mourning held annually in Karbala.

The report added that currently measures are underway to take the three bodies back to their homeland.

Elsewhere, two Iranian pilgrims died on November 8 in a car accident.

According to the report, the two were replacing the flat tire of their van parked by the road when a pickup full of LPG cylinders collided with them.

The spokesman of Irans Central Staff on Arbaeen Hamid Reza Goudarzi said during the past few days 1.2 million Iranians have left the country for Iraq to attend the mourning rite.
The demonetisation of high value currency notes by the Modi government has suddenly made money-changers and 'entry-operators' active in managing black money.

Deposit and withdraw

BCCL

Money changers are reported to be using zero balance 'Jan Dhan' accounts, mostly held by BPL families, as a vehicle to convert old currency by depositing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes up to Rs 2.5 lakhs in these accounts. "I am getting handsomely paid for depositing up to Rs 2.5 lakhs in my 'Jan Dhan' account and withdraw money when the restrictions end," a tea stall employee standing in a queue outside a bank here said.

A small cut

Reportedly, money changers are taking 20-30 per cent cut for the entire transaction of changing old banned currency with new notes. There are more than 25 crore Jan Dhan accounts and the money changers and entry operators are tapping this segment to convert black money to legal currency.

BCCL

Not viable?

However, All India Federation of Tax Practitioner Vice-president Narayan Jain said such a tactic was not practical on a mass scale, although some of these accounts might be misused.

A building material supply syndicate member in the satellite township of Rajarhat told a news channel here that they were facing huge problem following the government decision "Most of our trade is transacted through hard cash. Now, we found out a way (through entry-operators). We manage to get Rs 70 lakhs for Rs one crore," he said.

Income Tax department sources said they were keeping an eye on such entry-operators and had tracked one in the city recently.

Double trap?

Jain cautioned that the people using entry operators to convert their black money might get double-trapped. "I-T will enquire once high value transactions take place, so it is advisable to disclose the source of the money officially," he added.

Reuters

The government is looking into sudden 'popping up' of money into zero-balance Jan Dhan accounts, after an unprecedented Rs 2 lakh crore of cash flooded the banking system within just two days of demonetisation of high value currency.

"We are getting some complaints that suddenly monies have popped up in the Jan Dhan accounts, so there is a misuse and that is why the rationing in initial days takes place," he said, adding that the departments concerned will act if anything improper is found in the deposits.

The government is focusing on ensuring that replacement of currency notes withdrawn, with new legal tender, takes place smoothly and quickly so that inconvenience to people is minimised, Jaitley said, adding "the Enforcement Directorate and revenue department are keeping a close watch".

ALSO READ: In Less Than 1 Week, Indians Have Deposited Over 2 Lakh Crores In The Bank!

Reuters

The Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in August 2014 with an aim to bring the poor into the fold of banking facilities, and empower them financially by encouraging savings, and easing loan delivery and direct cash transfer.
PM Modi's 'surgical strike on black money', the sudden overnight demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 generated anger from parties across the Opposition spectrum.

The Congress pointed out how the act will not phase out black money. Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP had attempted to benefit from the policy, and had in fact been in cahoots with Paytm, India's leading cashless services.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who immediately decreed it a 'Draconian decision' on Twitter one step ahead, claiming that she would even join hands with the CPM and Congress to fight the move. it is too late for that, considering how swiftly the new notes are being roled out across the country.

I have penned a poem on the #DeMonetisation issue pic.twitter.com/V7Rnhpyii6  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 12, 2016

So, in a feat of brilliant political acumen, she...wrote a poem. Yes, apparently people still do that in 2016, as if chanting slogans at JNU didn't prove to be ineffective enough.

So she wrote a poem criticising Modi's move - and then, in a cue to one of her favourite vote banks, said India will give him triple talaq.

The poem, in three stanzas, calls demonetisation cruel and thoughless, like a poisoned arrow, and then says it will turn people into beggars.

"You have turned everyone into beggars overnight, now you are an autocrat, you have implied poor people are black money hoarders, and you are king," it says.
The Reserve Bank of India on Sunday assured the people that enough cash in small denominations was available with the central and other banks urging that people should not draw and hoard cash.

BCCL

"The Reserve Bank urges that public need not be anxious; need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw and hoard; Cash is available when they need it," the central bank said in a statement to soothe tempers after government's demonetisation decision.

There was little respite for cash-starved people queuing up outside banks and ATMs on Sunday, with branches witnessing unprecedented rush since early morning.

Due to bank closure on Monday in some parts of the country, distressed people are thronging branches since most of the ATMs are out of cash.

BCCL

Much to people's dismay, only 60 percent of ATMs got valid currency feed five days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced surprise demonetization of two higher value currency notes. Even these 1.2 lakh ATMs (out of total 2 lakh) are running out of cash in few hours, leaving people frustrated.

BCCL

The government and the RBI have repeatedly assured the public that enough cash is available in the banking system and has urged people to have patience.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told a news conference on Saturday that it will take around two to three weeks to get the two lakh automated teller machines (ATM) fully functional.

ALSO READ: Heres How Money Changers Are Using Jan Dhan Accounts To Convert Black Money

Reuters

While regretting the hardship faced by the people who have to endure long queues at bank branches Jaitley said the long-term benefit of the move to demonetise some high-value currency notes was significant.
Days after a controversial departure from Pakistan, it emerged that National Geographic's famous "Afghan Girl" Sharbat Gula will be travelling to India for medical treatment.

Shaida Abdali, Afghanistan's Ambassador to India, announced on Twitter: "The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost."

Reuters

According to her lawyer, Gula, who's in her 40s, suffers from Hepatitis C. She is now scheduled to travel to Bangalore to receive treatment, according to Afghan news agency Khaama Press.

Sharbat Gula was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan on October 26 from her house in Peshawar for forgery of a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card.

She pleaded guilty to all charges against her and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and a fine of Rs 110,000 by a special anti-corruption and immigration court. Following the sentence, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial government offered to stop her deportation from the country but she refused to stay in Pakistan.

Reuters

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last week personally welcomed her upon her arrival in Afghanistan, offering her a furnished apartment after she was deported by Pakistan.

"The woman who stands next to me became an iconic figure representing Afghan deprivation, Afghan hope and Afghan aspirations," President Ghani said. "All of us are inspired by her courage and determination."

The portrait of Sharbat Gula, whose sea-green eyes and piercing gaze, made her an international symbol of refugees facing an uncertain future, first appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985.

Photographer Steve McCurry photographed her as a young girl living in the largest refugee camp in Pakistan, where almost three million Afghans sought shelter in the wake of the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union. In 2002, McCurry tracked Sharbat Gula down, now married and mother of five, and photographed her again. One of her children died.

Reuters

That photo has been likened with Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

National Geographic also made a short documentary about her life and dubbed her the "Mona Lisa of Afghan war".
Camilla Parker-Bowles, now known as the Duchess of Wales, has been offered a new security team. And every member of that team is a woman.

Instagram/The Clarence House

Yes, the wife of Prince Charles was provided with an all-women security team that wears traditional hijabs and abayas. The Duchess's special women force was introduced to the world on her recent Royal Visit to the UAE.

Her Royal Highness with her all-female protection team during #RoyalVisitUAE From left to right: Shaima al Kaabi, Basima al Kaabi, Hannan al Hatawi, Nisreen al Hamawi and Salama al Remeithi. Earlier this year Shaima, Nisreen and Hannan also achieved the remarkable feat of conquering Mount Everest. Clarence House A photo posted by Clarence House (@clarencehouse) on Nov 9, 2016 at 12:58am PST

This photo was shared by the Clarence House where the Duchess was pictured with her team outside Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace Hotel. The security staffers have been identified as Shaima al Kaabi, Basima al Kaabi, Hannan al Hatawi, Nisreen al Hamawi, and Salama al Remeithi.

According to Emirates Woman, these women are members of the UAE's presidential guard. Over 50 women make the ranks of the said guard and trained in martial arts.
Ten-year-old Mary Ezumezu got more than she bargained for when she resumed in a new private school two terms ago. A bright new chapter was supposed to have been opened in her life; meeting new friends and learning in a new environment conducive to learning.

But what followed was dark and shocking. The 10-year-old orphan never expected to go through an ordeal that may leave her scarred for a long time in her growing up years.

It started when the Year Four (Primary four) pupil was ordered by the proprietress of Daniella Montessori School, Mrs. Chichi Ishoka, to stay back after the normal school period.

Ezumezus offence was that she allegedly cheated during a French class work/test. And staying with the proprietress was supposed to be the punishment to teach her a lesson.

According to Ezumezus guardian, Mrs. Elizabeth Sanda, the 10-year-old was allowed to be disciplined by Ishoka because they felt she would help to mould the girls character.

Sanda further said she thought as a mother that Ezumezu was in safe hands with a fellow woman like her and also one she regarded as a family friend.

However, the lesson became too harsh because during her forced stay with the owner of the school, Ezumezu said she was starved for three consecutive days  between Wednesday and Friday  two weeks ago, and subjected to severe punishment.

Ezumezus starvation would have lasted more than three days if not for the intervention of a concerned person, who informed the girls guardian about her sorry condition before she was returned home.

When SUNDAY PUNCH visited Ezumezu at the home of her guardian, she said she would not like to return to the school.

Fidgeting with her skinny hands and looking distraught, she explained to SUNDAY PUNCH, They said I copied the work from my textbook. When she (proprietress) said I was not going home because of that, I thought she was joking. She kept me in her house and said I should not eat. I kept my load in the room, and sometimes I slept on the corridor. I stayed there for about two weeks. But on some particular days, I went hungry because I was not given any food.

The day she said I should not eat, she locked me in a room and said I should read my books. But I was hungry and I was looking for something to eat. That was when I saw a box containing biscuits. I opened it and ate one of the biscuits. Later in the night, she asked who took it and I said I was the one. She then said I should go on a dry fasting and that I would not drink water.

She said anytime I wanted to take my bath, they should tell someone to look after me, so that I would not drink water from the tap while bathing and the person should report me to her if I did. After bathing, I went back to the corridor and did some house chores till we were ready for school.

There was a Saturday the husband saw me and said she should give me food, but she refused. But I ate on that Sunday, she said.

Ezumezu told our correspondent that she stole a sausage on one of the days that she could no longer bear the hunger.

When I couldnt bear the hunger again, I stole a sausage roll. When they asked me who took it, I couldnt say I was the one because I was scared of what she (proprietress) would do to me. That was when she took me to the backyard and pulled off my clothe and punished me, she added.

She said the person who allegedly punished her was a personal assistant to Ishoka, one Miss Anu.

She (Anu) took a paint bucket and filled it with water, then turned me upside down and put my head inside the bucket of water. She did that three or four times until I said I was the one who stole the snack. One teacher saw her from the first floor of the school and cautioned her. She asked her to stop torturing me. Then, she ordered me to sit down. I didnt eat from Wednesday to Friday until I was brought back home, she added.

When SUNDAY PUNCH visited the school, on Wednesday, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State, Ishoka denied starving the pupil for days or ordering her torture.

The proprietress claimed that the pupil was only kept in a special boarding facility in the school, like other pupils during her stay there.

Ishoka stated, We have a special boarding facility, which has up to five pupils. We place boys and girls in separate places to correct erring children and help them improve on their academics. I never starved her. I fed her well and never ordered that she should be punished.

The proprietress also claimed that Ezumezu lied a lot and sometimes stole things, even from the home of her guardian.

Sanda said she was shocked when someone called her from the school and informed her of the condition Ezumezu was subjected to in the school.

She said they only allowed her to be in care of Ishoka because they trusted her as a close family friend.

Mary (Ezumezu) is my late brothers daughter. I took care of her from childhood,she said.

Sanda told SUNDAY PUNCH, I shed tears when I saw Mary that Friday when I got back home. I never expected that Mrs. Ishoka would do such to her. We were told she cheated in school during a French test, but the little girl only had the textbook on her desk. What does a little girl know about cheating? I also heard that she operated a boarding school and she had also done the same (keeping pupil back in school) to another pupil who couldnt write well, but that pupil only stayed with her for one day before the pupil was allowed to go home.

I went there to visit Mary after the first three days and was allowed to see her. But after then, each time we went to visit, we were not allowed to see her. They claimed that we would be distracting her from her school work. My sons children also attend the school; she is like one of our own children.

On the same day, it was a shouting match when Ishoka insisted on visiting the home of the Sandas to confront them on the girls allegation against her.

Ezumezu repeated the same lines of allegation.

On Thursday, when SUNDAY PUNCH visited the school for the second time, the personal assistant to Ishoka denied ever forcing Ezumezus head into a bucket filled with water.

Nothing of such happened, Anu said, with a look of feigned surprise on her face.

After much questioning, Ishokas story changed. She then pleaded with SUNDAY PUNCH not to go ahead with the story. She said she may not have fed Ezumezu with enough food as she was used to during those days, but didnt maltreat her.

I was pushed to a fault. But I did not starve her, she said, almost in tears.

Anu also said, Sometimes, I have a hot temper, the only thing I did to the pupil was pour water on her face. I did not force her head into a bucket of water.

The Executive Director, Centre for Childrens Health Education, Orientation and Protection, Betty Abah, said she was shocked that in the name of punishment, a 10-year old girl was enslaved and kept in dehumanisating conditions.

Abah said, We are shocked to know that a character like Ishoka would be allowed to run a school of young, impressionable minds in this age, with the allegations of cruelty and sheer dehumanisation of the pupil under her. They made her sleep outside with no bed or bedspread, starved her and ask her to be punished in the worst form, obviously taking advantage of her vulnerable condition of not having her mother around her.

How many more children has she tortured in this way? How many more could have been permanently scarred either physically or psychologically? The brazen wickedness and impunity is simply mind-boggling. She was meant to ensure they are taught, not tortured, for whatever reason. This is not even corporal punishment.

Abah said she was glad the little girl stood her ground and repeatedly recounted all that were done to her.

The child rights advocate promised to ensure that justice was served in the case, adding, We look up to the police to investigate this case. We expect the Lagos State Government to do what is right and ensure that more children do not have to endure this suffering in the hands of this woman or any other within Lagos State, and indeed Nigeria.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the matter had been reported to the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

When contacted on the telephone, the Public Relations Officer, WAPA, Mr. Femi Ogun, said the ministry would be on the case and take swift action on it.

Source: Punch
The mining of solid minerals including Diamond, Gold, Bitumen and Barite in Adamawa by a Swiss firm is to commence in December.

The state Commissioner of Solid Mineral Resources, Ms Shanti Shashi, made this known Saturday in Yola at the 4th Adamawa Community Dialogue organized by an NGO, the Adamawa Community Advancement Initiative (ACAI).

Shashi said the Swiss firm, BTP Swiss Sovereign Asset, and the Adamawa Mining Company would be involved in the mining of seven minerals comprising diamond, gold, zinc, bitumen, barite, uranium and platinum in the state under a three-year agreement.

Shashi said that the state government, which was committed to taping its solid mineral resources, had already acquired 12 mineral exploration licenses from the Federal Government.

While noting the numerous potentials of Adamawa in area of solid mineral resources, Shashi said the state was far ahead of other states in its level of preparation to exploit the resources.

Adamawa is the most organized state as far as solid minerals is concern. We have gone far in talks with Dangote Group on Guyuk Cement factory, Shashi said.

She lauded ACAI for organizing stakeholders dialogue with the theme Adamawa Without Oil Money: Meeting The Challenges of Sustainable Development Through Agriculture and Solid Minerals Resources Development , which she described as timely and assured the state government commitment to key in.
Iraqi soldiers have captured Nimrud, the site of an ancient Assyrian city overrun by Islamic State militants two years ago, a military statement said on Sunday, Reuters reported.

"Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings," the statement said. The town of Nimrud lies 1 km (less than 1 mile) west of the ruins of the 3,000-year-old city.

The soldiers also captured the village of Numaniya, on the edge of the city which was once the capital of an Assyrian empire stretching from Egypt to parts of modern-day Iran and Turkey.

The Iraqi government says Nimrud was bulldozed last year as part of Islamic State's campaign to destroy symbols which the Sunni Muslim zealots consider idolatrous.
According to reports by Reuters on Saturday, hundreds of Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered in Chad in the past month, security and U.N. sources said.

The surrender is a sign the military campaign against them is making headway.

They surrendered to our troops on the front line in Lake Chad, said Colonel Mohammad Dole, Chief Military Public Information Officer for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) headquartered in Chads capital NDjamena.

The surrenders are taking place because of the firepower of our operations. The groups, many of them armed, have been arriving since September and their number keeps increasing, he said.

Some 240 fighters, most off whom are Chadian, are now being held in detention along with their families, Dole said.

The MNJTF, with troops from Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin and intelligence, training and logistical support from the United States, launched a regional operation in July against the group, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

It has since continued patrols around the waterways of Lake Chad  one of the worlds poorest regions whose villages were last year regularly struck by fighters, sometimes aboard canoes.

Analyst and security sources think the fighters are probably recent recruits that Boko Haram has struggled to retain as it has ceded territory. Defections of Boko Haram fighters have been reported in Nigeria but are not known to have previously occurred on such a large scale.
Former US president George Bush posted a photo on Veterans Day which showed him painting portraits of those wounded in service to his country during his time in office.

Bush wrote:

Over the past several months, Ive painted the portraits of 98 wounded warriors Ive gotten to know  remarkable men and women who were injured carrying out my orders. I think about them on #VeteransDay and every day. Their paintings and stories will be featured in PORTRAITS OF COURAGE  a book and special exhibit  next spring, and I am donating all my proceeds to @thebushcenter and our Military Service Initiatives work to honor and support them.

Both Bush and his father George H.W. Bush phoned President-elect Donald Trump to the republican nominee on defeating Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night.

Bush seniors spokesman Jim McGrath told CNN that the two spoke for about five minutes. The elder Bush wished Trump good luck on your new challenge.

His son, Bush junior, also spoke to the president-elect.
Democratic Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton has reportedly blamed the Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) for her election loss.

Clintons decision to use a private server while she served as secretary of state led to concerns that she might have shared classified information.

Her emails became the subject of an investigation which eventually decided that there was no reason to press any charges against Clinton.

However, just a few days before the election, the FBI reopened the investigation over concerns that there might be new evidence.

It then began another review of her emails just a day before the elections.

Again, the FBI concluded that Clinton could not be charged. Hillary now believes that the timing of the investigation led to her election loss.

Several polls showed her in the lead just days before the election which she lost in stunning fashion to New York businessman, Donald Trump. Sources say Clinton blamed the FBI for the loss in a Saturday meeting with her top campaign donors.
Igbo traders in Lagos under the aegis of Igbo Traders in All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Lagos State Government to increase its interaction with them for better understanding.

The traders made the demand in a communique issued at the end of its maiden meeting in Lagos at the weekend.

They said increased government engagement with them would ensure better understanding of their needs and the challenges they were faced with at the various markets in the state.

According to the communique presented by Mr Erondu Chinedu, the Co-ordinator of the meeting, the traders sought an end to what they called discrimination against the igbos on levies and taxes at the various markets.

They also demanded for more inclusion of the Igbos in the political affairs of the state to give them a sense of belonging.

Chinedu said the members of the association were law abiding and they would continue to relate harmoniously with the people of the state.

Earlier, Chief Odus Ikejiobi, the President-General of the association. said the traders were in support of the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and the APC.

He said Igbo traders had contributed immensely to the state`s economy and were passionate about its development.

We are Igbo traders from all parts of Lagos. Some of us were born here, while others had their children here, so we are part of the state`s economy.

We believe Lagos is our home and we need to protect it.That is why we are pledging our unalloyed support to the administration in the state.

We also support our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he is a detrabilised Nigerian who has made Lagos a home for us all.

We are in support of his politics because we know he means well for the state and the nation.

We believe in the APC and we will continue to support the party both at the state and national level to take the nation to greater heights,he said.

Ikejobi said the traders believed in the Changeagenda of the Federal Government and urged other Igbo traders who were yet to join the train to support the current administration in its effort.

He urged the state government to reciprocate the traders` gesture by addressing the challenges faced by members in all the 52 affiliated markets in the state.

Mr Ganiyu Ajose, A representative of the APC at the meeting, commended the traders for declaring their suppport for APC and the state government.

He said the Igbos were part of the builders of Lagos and promised that the state government would continue to provide the right atmosphere for their businesses to thrive.

Ajose said he was impressed by the large turn out of traders at the inaugural meeting, adding that this was an indication that the traders had actually aligned with the ruling party.

He urged the traders to move beyond the declaration for the party and start working for the progess of APC in the state.

The Igbos are part of Lagos, we recognise you. I urge you to be resolute in your support for our party, the state government and our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu.

We will do all our best to provide the atmosphere for you to succeed. We are partners in progress and we will work with you to achieve a greater Lagos.he said.

The traders from markets across the the state attended the meeting.

Some of the markets represented by traders at the meeting included markets in Iyanapaja, Ajah, Apapa and Festac.

Source: NAN
The government of Ivory Coast has announced a ban on the production, importation and sale of alcohol in sachets.

The decision was taken following a cabinet meeting and was predicated on health grounds.

The government expressed a concern over the impact of alcohol on young people, especially the cheap alcoholic drinks sold in sachets.

Most of the alcohol sold in sachets are cheap and affordable for many of the countrys young people as well as low income earners.
South African President, Jacob Zuma has survived another vote of confidence in the South African Parliament.

Jacob Zuma is at the center of anti corrruption allegations as well as a recently published report tying him to the Gupta family.

It is the third time he is surviving a vote of no confidence seeing as his opponents do not have the majority needed to have him removed.

A recent report by South African prosecutor recommended Zumas investigation over what are believed to be inappropriate links to the prominent Gupta family.
Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, on Sunday disclosed that a pastor, Timothy Abiola, who allegedly killed his fellow pastor, Bamiji Ilori, in Ikire Local Government Area of Osun State, has been arrested

The CP who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Folasade Odoro, explained that Timothy allegedly killed Ilori of Olukunle village in Ikire and that the reason for his gruesome actions has not been assertained.

He said a relative of the deceased Adedeji Ajao, reported to the police that his uncle, Ilori who was 64-year-old was shot dead by his friend who is also a pastor, Timothy.

According to the CP, police detectives were deployed to the scene immediately and the remains of late Ilori was found with a gunshot injury on his head.

Source: Thisday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been asked by stakeholders to shift the date of the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

The election holds November 26 and Vanguard reports that stakeholders are mounting pressure on the electoral body to push the date foward as the three major political parties in the race  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Alliance for Democracy (AD)- are having legal issues concerning the nominatom of their candidates.

Stakeholders in the state have asked the electoral body to shift the date of the poll by at least three weeks to allow all court cases relating to the candidacy of the major parties to be resolved,reported Vanguard.

Only the candidacy of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Olu Agunloye is said to be free of legal encumbrance as his primary and that of his Deputy, Modupe Akindele, went peacefully.

The candidacy of the APC Candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu; AD Candidate, Olusola Oke; and PDP candidate Jimoh Ibrahim are being challenged.

Aides to the three challenged governorship candidates are unanimous that the poll be shifted to allow for the resolution of the cases.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Olusegun Agbaje has however insisted that the election would not be postponed, bit it seems recent developments as regards the court cases may necessitate a shift in the date.

According to Vanguard, Agbajes aides said they could not speak on the sensitive matter as the headquarters has the final say on the date of the poll.
At least four civilians were killed on Sunday after militants fighting in the city shelled a residential area in its western part, a militia source told RIA Novosti, Sputnik International reported.

On Saturday it was reported that militants' shelling killed two and injured 10 in Aleppo's residential area.

"At noon, terrorists opened artillery fire at the 'New Aleppo' district. Four killed people, including two women and a child, were killed," the source said, adding that a few people were also injured in the attack.

According to the source, the attack had inflicted damage on the district's infrastructure.

On Saturday, the Syrian army began an operation to liberate the last rebel stronghold in western Aleppo.
By Pamela Alton

I started in the self-storage business with my late husband in 1991. We sold real estate during the 1980s, and when the market took a downturn, we decided to get into property management. We didn't know much about the service other than we had used it a couple of times.

We started out as relief managers, working two days a week to help supplement our income. Within two months, we were offered a resident-manager position at a facility in Santa Barbara, Calif. Using the sales techniques wed learned as real estate brokers, we took that 477-unit property with 139 vacant units down to just nine within just three weeks. Our salary was $1,500 per month.

That was a long time ago, and many changes have happened in our industry. We now have offsite as well as resident managers, and wages have increased dramatically. Plus, many companies now offer bonus structures.

When it comes to building an attractive and fair manager-compensation package, there are many factors to consider. These include housing status, facility size and even the managers level of experience. Theres no one-size-fits-all approach. Below are some elements to think about as you build the program thats right for your business.

Sample Wages

Manager wages vary by city, facility and owner. While some owners pay on the high end of the scale, others are still at the bottom. Most land somewhere in the middle.

One factor to consider is whether youll pay your managers hourly or an annual salary. The new overtime rules from the U.S. Department of Labor have changed the minimum salary required for exemption from overtime pay. The new minimum salary threshold for employees to reach exempt status is now $47,476 annually, or $913 per week. Managers who make less than this are entitled to time and a half for every hour they work beyond a regular 40-hour work week. However, there are exceptions to the rule. If youre unsure about whether your staff is exempt, speak with your attorney.

Many facilities with resident managers still employ a two-person team and, in most cases, this type of situation pays a salary. However, there are exceptions. I recently placed a single resident manager just outside of Atlanta. He not only manages around 400 units but office suites as well. He earns $15 an hour plus bonuses based on a percentage of year-over-year revenue increase.

Another offsite manager near Orlando, Fla., earns $16 an hour plus a bonus, while a manager in Dallas makes $20 an hour. A husband-and-wife resident-management team near Seattle earns a salary of $4,000 a month, plus healthcare and bonuses. That same owner has a top-notch team who helps him with his other properties. He pays them $6,000 per month plus bonuses. He also throws them $500 here and there as a "thanks for the job you do for me" on top of handing out dinner certificates, little trips, etc. He does this because he respects his team, the job they do and the increase in income theyve earned him!

Minimum Requirements

Always be aware of the federal and state minimum-wage requirements. The national minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, or $15,080 annually. Thats $7,270 less than the federal poverty level of $22,350. Some states, such as Washington, have a minimum-wage requirement of $15 an hour. You can check the living wage for your state at http://livingwage.mit.edu. This site also lists the typical wage for various job titles.

Its important to note the minimum wage and living wage are two very different things. I don't know anyone who can live on $7.25 an hour, do you? Ask yourself, does the job of a self-storage managerrental agent, collection agent, salesperson, marketer, maintenance person and office managerdeserve more than a clerk at a gas station or McDonald's?

If you decide to pay a salary, make sure its at least the same as the national minimum wage or that of your state. Remember, you cant use housing to offset any minimum-wage deficiency. For example, you can't pay a husband-and-wife team $3,400 a month, and then charge them $1,200 a month for the apartment. Based on a 40-hour work week, that would make their wage $2,200 per month for two people, or $6.35 per hour for each employee, which is far below the federal minimum wage. Not only will you have a hard time finding and keeping quality staff, you could face penalties from the labor board.

Bonuses

Bonuses are definitely a grey area. The definition of a bonus is an amount of money added to wages on a seasonal basis, such as a holiday. It can also be issued as a reward for good performance or accomplishments such as increasing revenue or reducing delinquency. Essentially, its not part of a managers "normal" wages.

If offered, bonuses should be motivating, rewarding and obtainable. Never structure a program thats difficult for a manager to achieve. This will have the opposite effect on your staff, leaving them unmotivated. Also keep in mind that what motivates one person may not work for another.

Bonuses dont always need to be cash-based, either. It could be a free trip, extra vacation days, a new TV or a substantial gift card. Use your imagination. You can also ask your managers what types of bonuses will motivate them.

Paying a good manager top wages makes good business sense. Happy managers lead to a more successful self-storage facility and improved revenue. A great manager is worth his weight in gold! Pay your employees well, treat them with respect, and give them the authority to manage the property. Then put a motivating, obtainable bonus program in place, and itll be a win-win situation for you, your manager and your business.

Pamela Alton is the owner of Mini-Management Services, a company that has been placing self-storage managers in positions all over the United States since 1991. She also offers staff training, operational consulting, and facility audits and inspections. For more information, call 321.890.2245; e-mail [email protected]; visit www.mini-management.com.
Australias inaugural ambassador for cyber affairs has been appointed in a bid to further the countrys economic and security interests.Dr Tobias Feakin will take on his new role as the first ambassador for cyber affairs in January, 2017. He will head Australias international cyber efforts, driving cyber capacity building in the region and advocating against state censorship of the internet. He will be working closely with the special adviser to the prime minister on cyber security.The establishment of the position was one of the key initiatives of the Australian Governments $230 million Cyber Security Strategy, which encourages collaboration between the government, businesses, academia, and communities to strengthen cyber security.Julie Bishop, minister for foreign affairs, stressed the importance of Feakins new role, saying that Australia should work with other countries to boost the global response to cybercrime as this threat transcends national borders.Dan Tehan, minister assisting the prime minister for cyber security, said Feakin brings real cyber expertise in his new role. Feakin holds an honours degree in security studies and a doctorate of philosophy in international politics and security studies, both from the University of Bradford.Furthermore, he was part of the independent panel of experts that supported the Australian Cyber Security Review; and has been the director of national security programs at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute since 2012. Feakin also established the institutes International Cyber Policy Centre, and has held several research and advisory positions, including with the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, the Oxford University Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre, the Global Commission on Internet Governance, and the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace.
Ransomware attacks have quadrupled in 2016  and that means we can expect serious growth in the cyber insurance market in Australia.In the latest Breach Insights report, released by Beazley , it was revealed that ransomware attacks during the first nine months of the year had surged as the firm managed a total of 1,437 data breaches compared with 931 during the same period last year.Gavin Hayes, head of Asia Pacific at Beazley, told Insurance Business that the cyber market throughout the region is set to react to this increased threat and regulatory changes.As attacks proliferate, the market will continue to grow globally as well as in APAC and Singapore particularly, Hayes said.Hayes noted that mandatory breach notification laws, which are already in place in the United States, will have an impact on markets in Asia Pacific including Australia. The Privacy Amendment (notifiable Data Breaches) Bill 2016 was recently introduced to Parliament and is currently before the House of Representatives.Hayes said that passage of such a bill could prove to be a key driver of the market and will drive an increased uptake in cyber coverage once passage is confirmed.The firm noted that in July and August 2016, they had handled more ransomware attacks than throughout the entirety of 2015.Hayes stressed that the insurance industry has a key role to play in educating clients and businesses as cyber attacks continue to rise.The insurance industry can help clients by raising awareness of the risks themselves and by helping organisations recover after they experience a cyber attack or data breach, Hayes continued.Insurers are able to use their experience addressing specific risks to give their clients advice on how to plan for emerging risks like ransomware.The Breach Insights report noted that financial institutions are facing a high proportion of breaches utilising hacking and malware. The higher education and healthcare industries also came under the spotlight but Hayes was quick to note that this is an issue for all businesses.Cyber attacks are happening across all types of industries and organisations, from the largest international firms to small retailers and local police departments, Hayes continued.Its critical that organisations train employees to notice these attacks when they happen and that they have access to the resources and expert advice they need when they experience a data breach.
Flood-devastation in Picton, on the outskirts of Sydney, left many homes and businesses suffering extensive damage earlier this year.Reports soon emerged from locals who said one of the businesses affected was the local branch of IAG -owned NRMA Insurance , according to mybusiness.com.au.They said the branch found itself not covered because of a disputable clause around what constitutes flood damage versus storm damage, the mybusiness.com.au report said.The direct insurer had not responded to requests for comment on the matter.The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) had previously outlined the definition of flood damage for insurance purposes, but said many business owners were still being caught out on it, and other fine print clauses in their policies.The incident prompted a warning from risk management consultant Rick Stone, of Tigertail, about how important it was to fully understand the fine print before taking out a policy.The thing about insurance is it will cover only what you buy, so you need to be really careful and really clear about what you are insuring and what the coverage is, Stone said in the report.The insurance company is there to make money the same as the rest of us are, and we need to be aware of that: they are not a charity.I dont know about you, but Ive never seen an insurance company thats operating from a tin shed out of the back of a cheap block of land somewhere.Stone recommended speaking to specialist brokers to ensure cover is appropriate.
With Adelaide experiencing an unusually wet and cool spring, RAA Insurance is cautioning South Australians to not be bushfire complacent, urging them to start preparing for the later-than-usual bushfire season.Shaun Ryan, senior manager at RAA Insurance, said: Bushfire season normally starts now  around the end of October to early November.But following a spring that was much wetter and cooler than average, everything is still pretty green and the soil is damp in most places, which means the bushfire season will start about a month later and peak a bit later than normal.RAA is worried that some people will disregard the risks posed by bushfires because of the long, wet winter and spring seasons.Its hard to believe that many people are still mopping up from floods, and now they have to start preparing their property against bushfire, Ryan said.Late or not, the risks cant be ignored  bushfire season is on its way and now is the time to make sure properties are bushfire ready, and that youve reviewed your bushfire plan.Also bear in mind that the good rains throughout winter will lead to high growth in vegetation in summer  especially long grasses, so make sure you have a plan to keep them under control, said Ryan.Authorities have predicted a normal bushfire threat to most parts of South Australia, and have identified two areas as potential risks.The Mallee and Upper South East regions were exceptions to the generally high rainfall experienced during winter and spring. These regions actually experienced lower than usual rainfall during winter, and have been assessed as above normal fire potential this summer.People living in these areas are especially encouraged to begin their bushfire preparation now, said Ryan.RAA urges South Australians to be bushfire READY:ake up leaves, trim overhanging branchesnsure your hose reaches your perimetersre your gutters and roof free from debris?ont leave inflammable materials lying aroundoud better check your insurance is up to date
A South African-owned insurer lashed for dodgy sales practices in Australia and New Zealand has apologised to and reimbursed affected Aussie customers, it has been reported.Youi told The Courier-Mail that it had given affected customers individual, unreserved apologies, had their policies cancelled, and had refunds paid where money was debited.The insurer argued that the number of affected customers was minor, but refused to divulge total sales, only that the amount was 0.2% of total sales, the report said.Youi has pleaded guilty earlier this year to offences in New Zealand, and has so far been fined $100,000 by the Insurance Council of New Zealand, and is expecting a further $350,000 for Commerce Commission charges, The Courier-Mail said.The Commerce Commission has filed 15 charges against Youi, including debiting customers without permission for unsolicited insurance policies and making misleading claims about customers ability to obtain online quotes.Youi is currently being investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Accounts from Youis parent company, Outsurance, indicated how NZ staff had signed up customers to policies without their consent, and that Youi Australia has experienced similar sales breaches as the two businesses share common call centre infrastructure, The Courier-Mail reported.Outsurance denied allegations that Youi had misleadingly sold policies to thousands of clients, and said it had issued preventive and disciplinary actions in Australia. Youi also cited the latest Financial Industry Ombudsman statistics, which showed that its three main insurance lines have lower-than-average chances of customer dispute emerging.A Youi spokesman said the Australian problems were revealed from a mix of internal controls and customer feedback.We obviously dont review every call but every call is recorded so if we do become aware of an issue we can immediately look into it and resolve the issue, he said.
US President-elect Donald Trump said he wants to put an end to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Sputnik reported.

"That's the ultimate deal," Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, referring to the complex conflict as the "war that never ends."



Just one day after winning the election, Trump invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him in the US. "As a deal maker, I'd like to do the deal that can't be made.



And do it for humanity's sake," the president-elect told the WSJ. Trump noted that any deal should be directly negotiated between Israel and Palestine, but that his administration would play a "significant role in helping the parties to achieve a just, lasting peace," Israel's Hayom newspaper reported, according to the Times of Israel.



He also stated that Israel is a "beacon of hope to countless people," and that it shares the same values as the US, such as "freedom of speech, freedom of worship and the importance of creating opportunities for all citizens to pursue their dreams."

The Israeli right hopes Trump's election will end the animosity between Netanyahu's government and that of US President Barack Obama's administration, according to the Jerusalem Post.

However, two months are left before Obama leaves office. As US State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington, "I can't rule out that there may be a new initiative before the end of this administration."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Moscow as a venue for Israeli-Palestinian talks. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stated, "Our country is ready to act as a mediator."
Burma NLD Members Urge Party to Rethink Structure and Strategy

NLD party patron U Tin Oo speaking at the party headquarters in Rangoons Bahan Township on Saturday. / J Paing / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Several attendees at a central committee (CC) meeting convened by the National League for Democracy (NLD) urged the partys board to reorganize the township-, district-, and state-level working committees that had been terminated after the 2015 general election and to discipline unruly party members, sources told The Irrawaddy.

The conference, which took place at party headquarters in Rangoons Bahan Township on Saturday, marks as the first gathering of the NLDs central committee, which includes 110 members from across the country. Attendees were allowed to submit proposals, questions, and recommendations, with 10 minutes allotted to party leaders from each state and division to address specific concerns, according to the meetings agenda.

The Irrawaddy had a short conversation with the representatives from Kachin, Karenni, and Arakan States and from Taninthari Division during a lunch break on Saturday.

U Mya Thein, chairman of the NLD in Kachin State, said that some central committee members questioned whether the partys top leaders ought to take action against members who had allegedly violated rules, but the authority team did not immediately respond.

In October, the NLDs complaint-handling authority Dr. Myo Nyunt disclosed that they had received about 40 letters of complaint against NLD lawmakers and had forwarded them to the central executive committee (CEC) for disciplinary action, if supposed offenders were found to be guilty. But as of November it appeared that complaints had yet to be addressed.

As a result, U Mya Thein said, some attendees called for the creation of working committees for funding, research, and ethnic affairs at the township, district, and state levels in order to smooth out the efficiency of the partys working process.

U Tin Myint, NLD leader for Karenni States Loikaw Township, highlighted some of the key challenges facing the state during the meeting. This included illegal logging, unresolved land confiscation disputes throughout the state, and a lack of collaboration between elected NLD government officials and those officials still faithful to Burmas old government.

The [current NLD] administration is quite weak on problem-solving [in Karenni State], U Tin Myint said.

Tananthari Division Chief Minister Dr. Lae Lae Maw echoed these sentiments, pointing out that this lack of cooperation between the old and new guard has resulted in some matters being unnecessarily delayed when it comes to implementation. She added that some appointed ministers have been incapable of carrying out their duties because the government has decreased the size of some ministries, while others have been combined into one.

Asked about the level of ministerial representation from Tanintharyi Division, Dr. Lae Lae Maw said that she had made a case to increase the number.

Arakan States NLD representative U Min Aung said to The Irrawaddy that the local government in the Muslim-majority part of the state has primarily been focused on addressing the aftermath of attacks in early October that left nine border guard police officers in Maungdaw and Rathaedaung Townships dead, as well as on preparing for the coming by-election.

Some meeting participants, who asked not to be named, also mentioned that many chief ministers and house speakersfrom every state and every divisionwere recently promoted from the central committee to the central executive committee, although such promotions breach the partys rules.

We CC members are very unhappy with this. We asked for an explanation, but [the CEC] provided no answer, The Irrawaddy was told.

Several journalists waited near the NLD headquarters in Bahan Township from morning until the meeting ended at 5pm to ask about meeting outcomes, but no press conference was held immediately following the meetings conclusion.
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka does not welcome the possibility of deployment of the radar facilities of the United States on the territory of Czech Republic, Sputnik reported.

During the debates on local TV channel, Miroslava Nemcova, the former speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, said that she would be happy if US President-elect Donald Trump and President Milos Zeman met in the White House and signed an agreement on deployment of the US radar on the Czech territory.

Sobotka said that he negatively considered the idea and called it "a fantasy that would never come true."

"The radar [of the United States in the Czech Republic] would mean further escalation of the relations with Russia, but we need to use the opportunity linked with the election of Donald Trump to bring the United States and Russia to the negotiating table," - Sobotka said during the TV debates.

Sobotka noted that the initial aim of the US radar on the Czech territory was to repel possible threats from Iran, but the situation changed and the relations with Iran were getting more liberal.
After the fall of the infamous Samsung Galaxy S7, Apple's iPhone 7 took Samsung Galaxy 7's crown as the world's finest phone of 2016. A few weeks later, Google Pixel emerged and was believed to rival Apple's iPhone 7, but fell short after its release. Since then, Google Pixel has been receiving non-stop bad reviews and here is the latest:

Google Pixel Hacked In Less Than 60 Seconds At PwnFest 2106

According to a written article at BGR, the annual PwnFest was held in Seoul. This is a bug pwning "festival" for better security organized by PC with the help of sponsors, vendors, and judges. Don't worry, they don't aim to inspire people to be criminals and hack tech companies.

In the PwnFest hacking competition, a group of Chinese White-Hat hackers from Qihoo 360 presented the ability to achieve RCE (remote code execution) to gain control of the Google Pixel smartphone. To acquire the RCE, the group demonstrated a POC (proof of concept) that uses a zero-day vulnerability. They showed how easy it was for them to install malicious codes on Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. In doing so, the team was able to successfully launch the Play Store app before opening a webpage on Google Chrome that read "Pwned By 360 Alpha Team," and won a cash of $120,000.

There Is More To It

Despite how shocking it may seem (given that it has bad reviews), this is not the first time that the Google Pixel was hacked in a live event. During the Mobile Pwn2Own event in Japan, a group from Tencent, the Keen Team, demonstrated on how to hack the Google Pixel and gain the smartphone's data. Making the people realize how vulnerable the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones are.

What Google plans to do

Upon hearing this information, it is said that Google has already been informed and is planning to send a patch update for the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones. However, users of the Pixel phones are already growing impatient of Google's slow response. Aside from this "easily hacked" issue, there are already a number of issues that the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones has and has not yet been "fixed" by Google. Tech enthusiasts are already saying that Google's patch to fix the Pixel phone issues will be too late. And by that time, the Pixel phones will be a thing of that past and people will buy the upcoming smartphones instead.

If you want to know more of the issues about the Google Pixel phones, here are some of the many issues that smartphone has to offer according to QZ.
Turkeys Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning for the United States on Saturday amid ongoing anti-Trump protests, Anadolu reported.

In a statement, the ministry called on Turkish nationals to be cautious with regards to the protests against Donald Trump's victory in the U.S: presidential election.

Anti-Trump demonstrations have taken root in at least a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Seattle in the past few days.

The statement said that protests were ongoing especially in Portland, Oregon, adding that protesters and riot police were clashing occasionally and some had already been arrested.

The protest in this city [Portland] has been identified as a riot by the security forces, the statement said, adding one person was injured during the protests Saturday.

It has been understood from protesters' social media accounts that the protests would continue for a while, the statement added.

The ministry advised Turkish citizens to be calm with regards to possible xenophobia and racist abuses, and to contact local security forces in case of such incidents.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has accused the head of the European Parliament of defending the terrorist group PKK after the latter criticized the detention of journalists and opposition lawmakers on terror charges, Anadolu reported.

They are defending the PKK very well. Was there any statement from Schulz and those who think like him after our governor was martyred? Cavusoglu told reporters when asked about the European Parliaments President Martin Schulzs earlier remarks on arrests targeting journalists and lawmakers.

The Turkish minister was referring to Muhammet Fatih Safiturk, the governor of Mardin's Derik district, who succumbed Friday to wounds sustained in a PKK terrorist attack.

[Martin] Schulzs threatening statements have no effect on us, Cavusoglu told reporters in the Turkish capital Ankara following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

First, [he] should stop the activities of the PKK in the European Parliament, Cavusoglu said.

If he is strong enough, he should be using this discourse against those supporting terror in the EU member countries, he added.

The Turkish minister said that Schulz would do whatever was necessary to impose economic sanctions against Turkey.

Earlier this month, Martin Schulz, the European Parliaments president, reacted to the arrest of 11 journalists from the Cumhuriyet daily in Istanbul and Ankara as well as the arrest of lawmakers from Turkey's opposition Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) on terror charges.

Media reports said he had indicated that the EU could impose sanctions on Turkey following the anti-terror operations.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year. Since then, more than 300 civilians and nearly 800 security personnel have been martyred. Around 8,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended.
The latest update on "Rick and Morty" Season 3 is that it will air before the end of 2016, which means a December premiere. The show's writer said the cause of the delay was animation issues.

According to Cinemablend, there were reports that indicated the show would premiere before the end of 2016 on Adult Swim. But an exact date of the show's airing hasn't been given yet.

Writer Erica Rosbe updates that the "Rick and Morty" Season 3 has been completed "four weeks ago." The problem was animating the show, though, she did indicate that a portion has already been animated.

Creator Dan Harmon said that the "Rick and Morty" Season 3 animation team has taken its job seriously and the fans have regarded Rick and Morty for its high-quality production value. The show's animation process is difficult due to a process is known as "retroscripting", where animators work around primarily ad-libbed dialogue.

Once the animation is completed, the final step is for the screening of the show at the production offices. And if Rosbe's latest update about the "Rick and Morty" Season 3 are to be followed, it's safe to assume the show is nearing its completion and a December premiere could be expected.

GamesRadar updates that "Rick and Morty" Season 3 will have 14 episodes. Season 2 left off with Rick turning himself into the intergalactic police for the sake of Marty, Summer, Beth and Jerry.

Harmon's latest update on "Rick and Morty" Season 3 is that Rick won't be spending the entire season 3 in prison, indicating that an early escape is in the works. He said that "things should be okay pretty quickly."

But who will help Rick escape? There's a possibility that Evil Morty will make be one to help free Rick in prison, as he is already ripe for another appearance. With all this anticipation and speculation about what will happen in season 3, the premiere can't get here fast enough. Here's hoping that the latest update about "Rick and Morty" Season 3 airing on December proves to be true.
Kristin Scheve Eckart has joined Vela Strategic Marketing and Public Relations as a copywriter. She has a background in advertising, journalism and content marketing. Eckart has worked with clients including Fortune 500 companies, state and local educational institutions and high-end jewelry and furniture manufacturers.

HanesBrands, a leading global marketer of everyday basic apparel under world-class brands, has voluntarily disclosed its carbon emissions and related information for the CDP 2016 Climate Change Report and earned an above-average score of B. Hanes has voluntary reported its emissions data since 2010 to CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, for its report.

Mike Lewis Attorneys has been named a Best Law Firm in Personal Injury and Land Condemnation by U.S. News and World Report for 2017. This is the seventh year the firm has been honored.

The EnergyUnited Foundation presented a gift of $10,000 to The Salvation Army to assist with the needs of people who were affected by Hurricane Matthew. Almost 70,000 EnergyUnited members choose to round up their electric bills each month as part of a program called Operation Round-Up. This  members helping members program allows EnergyUnited members to round up their monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount. This money is granted to individuals and families who are suffering catastrophic, unusual or unexpected problems and are in grave need of assistance.

Christopher Seamster has joined Blanco Tackabery as counsel. He practices in the Renewable Energy, Securities Law, Business Law, and Commercial Real Estate and Development Groups. He practiced law in New York for more than 12 years as a corporate, securities and broker-dealer attorney. Seamster is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his J.D. from Touro Law School.

Surry Community Colleges Construction Management Technology Program was given a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck by Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation. The truck has a graphic wrap that promotes the program and will be used for transporting construction materials to and from such student project sites as the Habitat for Humanity home builds.

Pharr Law, PLLC has been ranked a Metropolitan Tier 2 firm in Construction Law, Litigation-Construction by U.S. News-Best Lawyers.
Q: Will any of the Moravian churches in town have sign language interpreters for the Christmas Lovefeast and Candle Services this year?

L.I.

Answer: We are not aware of any at this point.

Here is how Richard W. Starbuck, archivist of the Moravian Church, Southern Province, replied when we forwarded your question to him:

The Moravian Christmas (Eve) Lovefeast is very active in the congregation with serving buns, coffee and candles (often lighted)  all that while singing. Churches do help the hearing-impaired by providing odes with the hymns printed, although the words of choir anthems and ministers message often are not printed.

In a survey of 22 Moravian churches in the area, none has as yet responded that it provides sign language interpreters. However, several, including King, Oak Grove, Bethania, and Home, provide hearing aids to assist during the service.

Christmas Lovefeast involves all the senses, hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch, as we worship again the birth of the Christ Child. And so all of us are welcome to participate in the service even though we might be impaired in one sense or another.

If we hear from any churches that do have such plans, we will run an update.

Q: Now that the election is finally over, how long do campaigns have to take down their political signs?

S.F.

Answer: In general, campaign workers should take down any signs put up in the right of way on state-maintained roads by the 10th day after a primary or Election Day (this coming Friday), or they will be taken down and the campaign may be fined. However, if the signs are up on a persons private property, they can stay up as long as the owner wants them there. Signs can be up for 30 days before a primary or election day.

If there were any runoff elections taking place, the signs for those specific candidates could stay up until after the runoff.

Q: I live near the VA center and hospital in Kernersville, and Kernersville Medical Parkway has signs prohibiting trucks. But every morning and evening, numerous FedEx trucks use it as a short cut to the FedEx ground hub. Ive emailed FedEx with no success. Are they above local laws?

D.H.

Answer: FedEx Ground is committed to operating safely and lawfully, and as such, the company takes these reports very seriously, said a public relations specialist for the company. FedEx Ground contracts with independent businesses that provide transportation services on behalf of the company. These businesses are contractually obligated to meet the terms of our agreement, including compliance with all applicable laws related to road restrictions. We are in direct contact with the transportation service providers servicing the Kernersville area to address this matter.

Thanks

F.F. would like to thank the driver of a black sedan who paid for his breakfast in the drive-through line at the Chick-fil-A on East Hanes Mill Road on Wednesday morning. He said he was just paying it forward, F.F. said. It took me completely by surprise.
Police are investigating an armed robbery at Camp Smoke Shop at 1503 Waughtown St.

The store owner and two store employees were preparing to close the shop when two men reportedly entered the business around 8 p.m. Friday with guns, police said. The employees were thrown to the ground. One of the suspects reportedly said, You know what this is.

Money was taken from employees and the cash registers, police said.

The store owner told police as the suspects were leaving, he heard a "loud pop.

Police later discovered that one of the suspect had discharged his gun inside the business. The suspects were observed running from the business and getting into an unknown-type vehicle and fleeing.

No one was injured during the robbery, police said.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this crime to contact CrimeStoppers at 336-727-2800.
Visitors look at the artwork of Kader Attia - Arab Spring, 2014 - during the press preview day at ART Basel on June 16, 2015 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo : Getty Images/Michele Tantussi)

A new study conducted by the United Nations has the Arab Spring has cost the Arab countries a whopping $614 billion in terms of growth so far. The economic and political uncertainty in the Arab region following the 2011 transitions and turmoil still continues to holds back the growth, job creation and stability in the region, the report said.



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In its report, the United Nation's Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia suggests that the Arab countries lost $613.8 billion in economic development, roughly 6% of the region's GDP, between the period 2011 and 2015. The findings of the survey are based on the growth projections prior to the beginning of the upheaval in 2011.



The ESWCA report stated that economic expansion continues to be stalled in the region, with unrelentingly low global oil prices, which have augmented the regional economy's burden. At the same, the upheaval has constrained the growth as well as fiscal balances the countries, which had striking performances, thanks to huge oil exports.



The estimation takes into account the direct as well as indirect impact of the conflicts, which also includes the desperate journeys by the refugees and the decline in tourism in the region. The ESCWA survey found that ever since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, countries facing upheaval as well as those experiencing refugee influxes have together suffered $243.1 billion fiscal balance shortfall -- $217 billion more than the projected figure.



According to ESWCA, though there has been some advancement on social indicators, for instance gender representativeness, countries affected by political changeovers and conflict has moved back on various socio-economic indicators. The organization said that it will use the data from the 2015-2016 survey to assess the consequences of instability and conflict, and deal with the foregone growth and productivity in addition to the destructive effects during this period.



The Arab Spring dates back to December 2010, when Mohamed Bouazizi, 26, set himself on fire following the confiscation of his vegetable cart by a Tunisia official. The official also slapped him and spat in his face.



This incident brought to the fore people's frustrations over poverty, injustice and insatiability of the ruling elites. Consequently, people took to the streets to vent their anger, but their protests were subdued brutally, The Telegraph reported. The events in Tunisia sparked unrest in the neighboring regions, including Egypt, Syria, Libya and Yemen and is collectively referred to as the Arab Spring.



Watch what led to the Arab Spring:






Affordable Care Act workshops on Monday

Two workshops on the Affordable Care Act will be held at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Monday at Blue Moon Benefits Group in the Broyhill Office Suites, 3540 Clemmons Road, Clemmons. Information on changes in the ACA and what to expect for 2017 will be provided. Registration can be made by calling (336) 793-8041 or visit ACARenew.com.

Shepherds Center to sponsor day trip

The Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem will have a day trip Tuesday to Boone to visit the Art of Living Retreat and Meditation Center. The trip will include views of the mountains, fall foliage, a tour of the spa, the condos, the labyrinth and the grounds. There will be a vegetarian buffet lunch.

The cost is $30 and may be paid Tuesday, but preregistration is required and may be made by calling (336) 748-0217. The bus will leave the Shepherds Center, 1700 Ebert St. at 8 a.m.

Book club to meet Wednesday

The Third Wednesday Book Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday at The Shepherds Center, 1700 Ebert St. The book that will be discussed is The Time of Our Lives by Tom Brokow. For more information, call (908) 334-1851.

Center to offer relaxation program

The Shepherds Center of Winston-Salem will have Sound Journeys with Alexander Tuttle. He creates sound in a releasing and calming manner to support nine major energy centers in the body.

The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, Dec. 14 and 28, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15. A request of $10 is suggested but not required. Reservations may be made by calling the Shepherds Center at (336) 748-0217.

For more information, call Tuttle at (336) 830-4072.

Lunch & Learn for Caregivers scheduled

A free Lunch & Learn for Caregivers will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Senior Services, 2895 Shorefair Drive. The speakers will be representatives from Senior Services, Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem, and the Forsyth County Department of Social Services. They will provide information about community resources that are available to older residents.

Registration is required and may be made by calling (336) 721-6918.

Medicare enrollment workshop Friday

The Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem will have workshops Fridays during the Medicare Open/Annual Enrollment period to help beneficiaries choose the correct drug plan, Medicare Advantage plans and make changes.

Trained counselors from the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program will be available to assist with sign-ups.

Workshops will be held Friday and Dec. 2. One-hour appointments are available between 1 and 5 p.m. on those days. The workshops will be held at the Shepherds Center, 1700 Ebert St. Call the center at (336) 748-0217 to make an appointment.

Social club

to meet

The Friday Social Club of the Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem will meet at 2 p.m. Friday at the Shepherds Center, 1700 Ebert St. The speaker will be Christopher Hayes and the program will be Do You Hear What I Hear? It will be a presentation on how to get a caption phone.

A caption telephone works like any other amplified phone but have a large, built-in screen that displays captions for everything the other caller says. There is no charge for the club, but registration is required and may be made by calling (336) 748-0217.

Senior Services accepting vehicles

Senior Services Inc. is accepting donations of used cars, trucks or boats. The proceeds from vehicle donations will help provide food and care to homebound seniors.

Donated vehicles will be picked up, and the owners will receive a tax deduction.

To get the process started, call (855) 500-7433 or visit www.seniorservicesinc-cardonation.org.

Vehicle donations will help many seniors in the community through such programs as Meals-on-Wheels, Home Care, Williams Center and Help Line.

For more information, call Patty Mead at (336) 721-6908.

Center to offer Medicare workshop

The Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem will have a workshop for people turning 65 or are 65 or older to learn about the different insurance options available. The options include Original Medicare, Medicare prescription drug programs, Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans.

The session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Lewisville Branch Library, 6490 Shallowford Road, Lewisville.

There is no charge for the workshop, but reservations are required and can be made by calling the Shepherds Center at (336) 748-0217.

Senior Services, others plan phone survey





Senior Services, Forsyth Futures and other local organizations will be conducting a telephone survey to learn more about quality of life perspectives in Forsyth County. The responses from the survey will help plan programs to make Forsyth County more aging-friendly.

Forsyth County residents aged 60 and older may receive a phone call from a national research company. It will be identified as Forsyth Aging Survey on caller ID. The interviewers will ask a series of questions to get thoughts and views about how the community could improve services for older residents. Responses will remain confidential, and the survey will take roughly 30 minutes to complete. If needed, the survey can be paused and resumed at later times.

For more information regarding the survey, contact Kristen Perry with Senior Services Inc. at (336) 721-6959 or Theresa Hoffman-Makar with Forsyth Futures at (336) 701-1700, Ext.103.

Dementia caregivers can get support





Senior Services Inc. offers support groups for families and caregivers of people suffering from Alzheimers disease or other memory impairment.

The free meetings are held at various times at the Williams Adult Day Center, 231 Melrose St., in Winston-Salem.

For more information, call (336) 724-2155.

Arts festival needs volunteers





The Second Spring Arts Festival needs a volunteer literary arts coordinator and at least three judges.

The coordinator will organize and oversee the submissions and judging of the literary entries, including poetry, essay, and narrative/short story for the May 20. The coordinator will also accept entries, notify entrants of their receipt, log the entries into a spread sheet, and determine how the entries will be judged.

The festival also needs at least three judges with particular understanding of the literary genres that are being judged to work with the literary arts coordinator to review all submissions and choose the top three winners in each category.

For more information or to apply for this position or other positions that support the festival, contact Nancy Hall at nancappy@msn.com.

Compiled by Melissa Hall
Since Tuesdays monumental election, Khalid Griggs has heard constant disheartening reports of local Muslims being verbally attacked and insulted.

The hatred that has developed for minorities this election cycle is paramount to who holds the presidential office, Griggs said.

The greater danger is not (Trumps) presidency  checks and balances can take care of any of that ridiculousness  but that he has made it more acceptable to openly express hatred and bigotry, Griggs said.

Trumps projected ban of Muslim immigration and blanket statements generalizing all Muslims  a group that accounts for 23 percent of the global population  has villainized the religion and the people who practice it, Griggs said.

He fears with Trump at the helm, the future president will find a reason to attack the few Muslim countries that havent yet been invaded.

He made it very clear his disdain for Muslims, Mexicans and other groups, Griggs said. Im so disappointed that in 2016 the people of America would elect someone with these overt views.

Griggs said the coming years will likely be an uphill battle, but the way forward is channeling dissent through the construction of coalitions and reigniting involvement in social change and social justice.

I pray for our nation and really sincerely pray that what develops in this country is not as bad or as extreme as it seems, he said. I think, in the short-term, were in for some very difficult times.
For Rabbi Mark Cohn, his biggest concern with the presidential election isnt the candidate, but the climate of hatred that has taken hold as a result, he said.

I certainly dont speak for all of the Jewish community in Winston-Salem, but anytime theres someone in leadership who does not outwardly condemn sexism, racism and anti-Semitism, thats problematic, said Cohn, rabbi of Temple Emanuel. I think theres a lot of concern, not necessarily with Donald Trump, but with those who support him.

Earlier this week, a Philadelphia shop owned by a Jewish man was vandalized with swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols, emblazoned with Trumps name, on the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Kristallnacht was the night Nazis in Germany set fire and destroyed Jewish homes and shops.

I really dont believe Trump would condone that, but he needs to come out and say this is not what America is built on, Cohn said. Hate against anyone is wrong, but for us as Jews, it certainly stings a little more historically.

The next step for the country will have to be protecting minorities and for the future president to tread carefully not to cause more unrest, Cohn said.

Young children have learned the word misogyny. I had to go to grad school to learn that word, Cohn said. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we have to move forward to pursue a kind, compassionate and just America.
Community band

to perform

The Winston-Salem Community Band will have a free concert at 3 p.m. today at Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St. The program will include American Salute by Morton Gould, Hoagy Carmichael-An American Classic arranged by James Kessler and Waltz #2 by Dmentri Shastokovich.

Lewisville history group to meet

The Lewisville Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Lewisville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 6290 Shallowford Road in Lewisville.

The program will be on the Peace Haven Speedway, a race track that was developed on property that was the Burke Grove home place, located off of North Peace Haven Road in Forsyth County. Popular motorcycle and NASCAR sanctioned stock car races were held in the 1940s and 1950s at the track.

The program will be presented by members of the Beauchamp and Burke families whose relatives owned and operated the race track. There will be a social time with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Paws in the Park on Tuesday

Paws in the Park, a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Davie County, will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tanglewood Park. Stroll through the Festival of Lights before its official opening, with or without your dog. There will be a food truck rodeo, holiday shopping and live music. Tickets are $20 to $40 and are available at www.pawsinthepark.causevox.com or at the adoption center, 291 Eaton Road, Mocksville.

Program on quilts and Underground Railroad

Madeline Shepperson, a quilter and quilt collector will talk about the use of quilts as signals and directions for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad at the Walkertown Area Historical Society meeting.

The program will be at 6:30 Tuesday at the Walkertown Branch Library, 2969 Main St., Walkertown.

For information, visit walkertownareahistorical society.org.

Hospice offers tips to cope with holidays

The Grief Counseling Services of Hospice & Palliative CareCenter will offer two Coping with the Holidays programs in November for people dealing with the death of loved ones. The programs are free, but registration is requested.

The programs will be held at the Williams Education and Counseling Center, 101 Hospice Lane. The first will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday and is open to children 6 and older, teens and adults. The second program will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday and is open to adults.

For more information or to register, call (366) 331-1600.

Veterans coffee to be held this week

A veterans coffee will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Outback Steakhouse at 505 Highland Oaks Drive.

The veterans coffee events provide an opportunity for veterans, both men and women, to relax, connect with other veterans and enjoy free coffee, doughnuts and conversation.

There is no formal agenda, but organizations with veteran-support programs are invited to attend.

For more information, call Don Timmons at (336) 331-1309.

The coffees are hosted by Hospice & Palliative CareCenter & Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care.

Angel Tree program looking for sponsors

The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem needs corporate angels to take part in its annual Angel Tree program.

Companies can decorate a tree, box or barrel and collect toys at its location or email The Salvation Army and request the number of Angels they want to adopt.

More than 7,000 local children aged 12 and under receive Christmas gifts from the Angel Tree. The children are members of families that apply for Christmas assistance with The Salvation Army. All families are screened for eligibility prior to acceptance into the program.

To become a Corporate Angel contact Maj. Deborah Colbert at; deborah.colbert@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 336-723-6366 ext. 109

Literacy project to hold info sessions

The Augustine Literacy Project, a program of READWS, needs volunteers to serve as tutors to public school students. Information sessions about the program will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 360 Hopkins Road, Kernersville.

A five-day training session will be held beginning Jan. 5 at Cash Elementary School, 4700 Old Hollow Road, Kernersville. A 10-day training session is scheduled to be held beginning Jan. 23 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 520 Summit St.

For more information or to register, email pam@readws.org or call (336) 723-4391, ext. 1509.

Tax preparation volunteers needed

The Experiment in Self-Reliance needs volunteers to help with its free tax preparation program. The Forsyth Free Tax Program provides free tax preparation services for lowto-moderate income residents at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout Forsyth County. The program utilizes volunteer tax preparers who are certified by the IRS.

Volunteers will receive training to provide tax help to families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. Training is offered both online and in the classroom.

Volunteers will work at one or more of the tax sites according to their availability. Tax sites are generally open during the day, at night, and on weekends with flexible hours.

Positions include intake coordinator, tax preparer, quality reviewer and greeter. No prior experience is needed.

For more information, contact Delores McCullough at (336) 722-9400 ext. 172 or email delores.mccullough@eisr.org.

Group to provide Thanksgiving meals

Middle of the Root, a local non-profit organization, is selling turkeys to provide Thanksgiving meals for 25 low-income families.

The deadline for ordering a turkey is Thursday. For more information, visit middleoftheroot.org.

Friends of Library to hold book sale





The Friends of Central Library will hold its Annual Fall Book Sale from Friday to Nov. 20 at the former Forsyth County Environmental Affairs building at Sixth and Marshall streets. from noon-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 20. Shelves are restocked each day. Enter off Marshall Street.

On Nov. 20 items will be half price or $5 per bag; some exclusions apply.

The sale will include books, DVDs, CDs and other media in good condition.

There are books that are autographed by well-known authors or celebrities.

For more information, call (336) 761-0736 or email FriendsofCentralLibrary@gmail.com.

ReStores collecting food donations





Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County ReStores are accepting food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina through Nov. 30. Customers who bring three non-perishable food items will receive a 10 percent discount off their entire purchase; customers who donate six non-perishable food items will get a 20 percent discount.
Theres no question that Jane Austens Sense and Sensibility is a story of manners, though not necessarily always a comedy, and certainly not always mannered. Sometimes, public manners are belied by the lack of them in more private circumstances.

As its 82nd season continues, Twin City Stage opened its production of a play version of the tale, adapted by Jon Jory from Austens 1811 novel, on Friday night.

Director and scene designer Mark Pirolo has crafted a delicate and fast-moving production that makes very intelligent use of projections at the back of the stage. Because the action of the play moves rapidly from place to place and from city house to country cottage, the backdrops nicely help the audience keep up with where these folks are.

Sense and Sensibility deals with the travels and travails of Mrs. Henry Dashwood (Steffanie Vaughan), whose husband has inconveniently passed away. Shes left with three daughters and reduced income.

She has the misfortune of briefly having to share the familys former home, inherited by her easily influenced stepbrother John (Cameron Williams) and his sometimes overbearing and demanding wife, Fanny (Becky Proie). Williams and Proie have some delightful exchanges, particularly when they are alone.

The financially challenged Dashwoods accept an offer from Sir John Middleton (Mark March) and another demanding wife (Tara Raczenski) of a cottage in Devonshire.

The eldest daughter, Elinor (Linda Shillito)  the sense of the title  sets aside a budding romance with the shy, diffident Edward Ferrars (Bo Yokely) to make the move.

Middle daughter Marianne (Sarah Jones) meanwhile finds the older and somewhat undemonstrative Colonel Brandon (Patrick Meehan) there in the country, along with the younger and more enticing John Willoughby (Alex Nedvidek), who at first seems more suitable to her lively, romantic nature.

They also meet Mrs. Jennings (the always delightful Karen Robertson), whose niece Lucy (Heather Sullivan) seems to have a complicating relationship with Edward, who keeps showing up to visit Elinor anyway.

The cast is solid throughout, and beautifully decorated by Jeannette Brown with assistance from Tara Raczenski. Suzanne Vaughans lights very ably help move the tale along, especially when combined with the projections.

As is critical in a play of this sort, the cast also universally holds tight to the British accent that Miss Austen would expect to hear with her storytelling.

But at its very core, this story revolves around the high points and low points in the lives of two sisters.

As Elinor and Marianne, in a world where what is not said echoes as loudly as what is, Shillito and Jones provide a very believable relationship. Though it takes a beating midway, one senses a connection between the two that wont be dissolved.

That one comes to root and hope for the best for them is entirely a credit to their on-stage rapport and acting skills.
For many, Donald Trump ran on a platform of hope, guaranteeing he could bring more jobs and fix the economy.

The world held its breath as the riveting presidential race finally drew to an end with Trump emerging victorious.

Although there has been resistance, many have heralded Trump as a necessary change and a man of the people.

The thing that appeals to many voters is that he is not the run-of-the-mill politician, said Linda Petrou, local GOP vice chair.

He talked to Joe Six Pack, the man in the middle of the country who lost his job and was forgotten by Washington, she said. He speaks to the middle class and people are tired of all the bureaucracy.

In the days that followed the election, President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton urged people to unite to ensure the countrys success.

Even so, Trumps tumultuous election has sparked widespread protests around the country with some held closer to home, including on Wake Forest Universitys campus and in downtown Winston-Salem.

Petrou said although its well within First Amendment rights to protest, the civil unrest makes the U.S. look weaker to other nations.

I was upset in 08 because I didnt like Obamas policies, but we didnt go to the streets, she said. We cried in our beers at home and went on with life.

Throughout the election cycle, voters were showered with promises by both presidential candidates who painted rosy images of America under their reign amid a backdrop of endless scandals.

The many promises made by Trump are a tall order, but his outsider status and business experience will be invaluable in office, Petrou said.

She hopes to see him remove the shackles to creating small businesses and become the hero of the working class, bringing back jobs to the U.S., she said.

This election was a shock to people because they underestimated how much he resonated with the ordinary working class men and women who felt like nobody was listening, state Sen. Joyce Krawiec said. He told them I know theres no jobs for you, I know youre frustrated and Im going to help you.

Another point of contention throughout the election was Obamacare, which Trump has pledged to abolish.

While recent reports suggest Trump is going soft on his promises, Krawiec said that is not the case.

She said Trumps ideas are getting misconstrued because he wants to maintain that people can stay on their parents policy until age 26 and that coverage cannot be denied for a preexisting condition. Those have always been components of a new Republican health plan, she said, and he will still repeal Obamacare.

Mount Airy resident Angie Daoud said she cant wait for that day after seeing her insurance premiums skyrocket to $45,000.

We couldnt have four more years of that, she said. We needed a change.

While Trump was lampooned for a video showing him crudely talking about women, Daoud said shes tired of all the stereotypes.

People say he doesnt like women, hes a racist, hes this, hes that, but thats not the case, look at Kellyanne Conway, she said. Republicans are not the party of the KKK, we are not that kind of party.

Regardless of peoples opinions, Lexington resident Ann Stokes said everyone should respect the will of the people.

Stokes was a member of Free the Delegates, a political effort within the Republican Party with the goal of nominating a candidate other than Trump. Although she is not a supporter of Trump personally, he will have her support, she said.

I would like for him to honor those campaign promises repealing Obamacare, securing our borders, overturning the Iranian nuclear deal, she said. Sometime after Jan. 20, well see what hes made of.
RALEIGH  Some North Carolina Republicans criticized a legislative colleague who emailed them fake newspaper headline that said Trump forces black family from home and showed a picture of the White House.

The News & Observer of Raleigh obtained the emails, which it reported were sent to House Republican caucus members by Rep. George Cleveland of Onslow County.

I am not sure what point George is trying to make with the email below, but it is certainly in poor taste, House Rules Chairman David Lewis of Dunn wrote. There are forces at work following this election that I do not understand forces of hate and intolerance. I condemn those forces. I condemn the KKK and Black Panthers and any other group hell bent on dividing us. We must be smart enough to know our words and actions matter.

Rep. Bob Steinburg of Chowan County responded to Lewis: Amen David, Amen!! We need NONE of this even in a poor and in my view tasteless attempt at humor. We are better than that.

Cleveland defended the email and said he did not create the image or headline. It was a bit of humor that I thought was a good jab at the media, and that was it, he told the newspaper Friday. The media has been very biased in the campaign.

He said Lewis reaction was likely because the legislative leader is extremely sensitive to whats going on in the courts.

This is not the first time that Clevelands words  written or spoken  have attracted attention. In March 2012, Cleveland said at legislative meeting about the states pre-kindergarten program that no one in North Carolina lived in extreme poverty.

He said he was skeptical about a House committee report that read there are an increasing number of children living in extreme poverty. Government keeps redefining poverty to make sure that we have a poverty class, he said.

He defined extreme poverty as living on $1.50 a day.

On the email issue, one legislator drew college students into the discussion.

We need to set up a safe space for our people to go to after micro-aggressions, Rep. John Blust of Guilford County wrote. I see where N.C. State has done this in wake of the election for its students. They are even having grief councilors and granola bars. One cant help but wonder if such students should be home with their parents.

We are going to be hit and hit hard in the coming session over many things. Let us strive to develop some thick skin.
DURHAM  The general counsel for the state Republican Party has filed a formal complaint in North Carolinas tight governors race demanding that 90,000 Durham County ballots be recounted by hand in part because tabulations were manually entered into the state election system by local officials on election night with bleary eyes and tired hands.

Attorney Thomas Stark asked in the protest with the Durham County Board of Elections to recount the ballots before the countys canvass this coming week. Republican Gov. Pat McCrorys campaign released Saturday a copy of the protest, which was filed and signed Friday by the interim director of the Durham board.

Democrat Roy Cooper has already declared victory and said hes confident hell ultimately be certified the winner.
Democracy gives and democracy hath taken away! That is the perennial edict for the cyclical nature of politics. It is the epilogue for Donald Trumps stunning victory over Hillary Clinton.

Trumps victory is the greatest political upset in modern American politics. Unlike Harry Trumans 1948 victory over Thomas Dewey, when polling stopped sometime in September, Trump outperformed the polls that according to Real Clear Politics on Election Day gave him only a 17-percent chance of victory.

For roughly half the country, President-elect Trump is the outsider who will change the culture of Washington. To the other half, he is the Manchurian Candidate of unpredictability. Can a divided nation negotiate such polarities? I suspect, on the latter question, it would be no different had Clinton won.

The outcome notwithstanding, Trumps victory speaks well of our democracy. Clinton had all the mechanisms in place to assure victory. She possessed a superior ground game for getting out the vote, all-star surrogates, was flush with campaign funds and was running with the support of a popular president.

But Trumps victory demonstrates that all the structural advantages are no match when the people want change. And this proved to be a change election.

In a change election, there is not much interest in returning the same political party for three consecutive terms. In fact, it has only happened once since the ratification of the 22nd Amendment ratified, which in 1951 limited the president to two terms.

Trumps victory was the return of Andrew Jackson, Old Hickory from Manhattan. He spoke to those who were angry and frustrated with the current state of America in a key that was pleasant to their ear. In return, they rewarded him with the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Trump was pushed over the 270 electoral vote threshold by those who wanted no part of the Clinton brand. It was a Brexit redux.

Clinton took on the role of former Prime Minister David Cameron by telling a frustrated electorate to stay the course with little else to offer. As others have offered, she campaigned in prose, while Trump campaigned in poetry. In a change election, the latter usually proves victorious.

Moreover, Clintons failure to provide a concession speech Tuesday night was reflective of the brand that many who voted for Trump hold of her. With loyal campaign workers in tears and dismay before daylight Wednesday, Clintons no-show became the exclamation point for those who believe it was always just about her.

While she did speak Wednesday afternoon, she had legions of supporters who needed to hear from her in the moment. Think of the eloquence of John McCain in his 2008 concession speech.

But it wasnt just the Clinton brand that was rejected; it was old brands in general.

Hoping to reclaim the Senate, Democrats opted to put new tires on old cars in Wisconsin and Indiana. The voters in both states rejected the bids of former senators Russ Feingold and Evan Bayh, respectfully. In addition to seeking immediate gratification, Democrats must now do some soul searching in terms of the depth of their bench.

The Republicans victorious night does give cause for concern in terms of our democracy. In 2014, they were rewarded with gains in Congress after shutting down the government. Earlier this year, they ignored the Constitution by not holding hearings for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland and paid no price.

Is this the formula for victory? Are we collectively supportive of a concept that allows one to step outside the spirit of our constitutional values, if it meets with his or her short term desires? Or should we assume that victory covers a multitude of sins? Such questions potentially reflect the sinister side of cyclical politics.

Should key players within the Democratic Party hold a meeting on Jan. 20, 2017, committing to the ethos of obstruction? Would it be acceptable if Sen. Chuck Schumer, speaking at the Center for American Progress, suggests that the Democrats No. 1 priority is to make Donald Trump a one-term president?

Only time will tell if this is the unfortunate trend forward, or if citizens, regardless of political affiliation, will recapture a no tolerance policy when it comes to our cherished democratic values.

But Clinton was right to state during her concession speech, Our constitutional democracy demands our participation  not just every four years, but all the time.

Thats what will determine if our democratic values are preserved for posterity. Our collective civic participation cannot survive on a 48-month cycle, but only as an ongoing commitment.

In the meantime, we are all in the uncomfortable position, reminiscent of the closing scene in The Candidate, asking: What do we do now?
Ji Soo is a South Korean actor who starred in dramas such as 'Angry Mom' and 'Scarlet Heart Ryeo.' (Photo : YouTube/JTBC Drama)

South Korean actor Ji Soo recently revealed some interesting information about his love life. The "Scarlet Heart Ryeo" star even recounted dating a woman older than him, as well as shared his thoughts about age preference and ideal type.



Romance and dating are just some of the elements that makes the journey from adolescence to adulthood memorable. However, young celebrities would usually have a hard time dating other people given the constant scrutiny of avid fans and the press.



Advertisement

Recently, Ji revealed a few details about his love life and his experience dating an older woman. In an interview with Korea Herald, he recounted how the said relationship resembled a close friendship between a man and a woman.



When asked about age preference, the "Fantastic" actor commented that he would like to date a woman who is the same age as he is. Dating women who are a year younger or five years older than the actor is also feasible, according to the South Korean star.



In describing the actor's ideal woman, Ji admitted that he is drawn to ladies with pretty smiles. A person who is innocent and possesses a pure heart are traits that the South Korean celebrity also considers as attractive. He added, "[My ideal type is also] someone who is easy to talk to and who shares similar interests."



Meanwhile, the South Korean actor recently revealed the scene that he found memorable in the SBS drama "Scarlet Heart Ryeo." In an interview with MBN, as cited by All Kpop, Ji mentioned that the bathing scene that featured all of the princes was unforgettable for him given its nudity requirement.



With the actors tasked to go topless, Ji felt pressured since he was not confident about his body. The actor admitted that he was not as fit as his co-stars such as Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun and Yoon Sun Woo.



"Scarlet Heart Ryeo" ended its 20-episode run on Nov. 1, Tuesday. Watch Ji's memorable scene below:






NEW YORK  As I watched the returns at Donald Trumps celebration here Tuesday night, the hardest part was trying to reassure my seventh-grade daughter at home, via phone and text, that she would be OK.

She had expected to be celebrating the election of the first female president, but instead, this man she had been reading and hearing horrible things about had won, and she feared her own world could come apart.

Here is what Im telling her:

My wonderful daughter,

This is a sad day for our country. I want you to know that I did everything I could to prevent this from happening. My efforts and those of many others came up short.

Ive written about the dreadful things Trump said and did during the campaign, and about the still more terrible things he could do if elected. I wont lie: I am deeply worried for the nation.

But I am writing because I want you to keep those fears in perspective. We will be fine. Your daily life wont change. Youll go to school, go to parties with friends, enjoy the same activities and come home to a loving family. Next week, well celebrate your bat mitzvah.

Its important, on one hand, to accept that Trump won, fair and square. As Americans, we respect the office and we salute him. Honoring elections is the bedrock of democracy.

But his election, by itself, doesnt mean America wont be a safe place for immigrants, black people, Latinos, Muslims, Jews, gays and lesbians, or a place where women arent treated fairly. There has been a lot of talk about how the political professionals misunderstood the electorate. But thats not entirely true. Hillary Clinton, as of now, is leading in the popular vote. More Americans wanted her to be president than him. Its possible, as exit polls of voters suggest, that the FBI director, by causing the country to spend the final days of the election talking about her email, handed Trump victory. Well never know for sure, and theres nothing we can do about it.

What this means for sure is that Trump has little support to do the things he talked of. The exit polls show people supported him because they were bothered by Clintons emails or because they were worried about the economy and terrorists. CNNs exit polls show that:

Seventy percent of voters, including 29 percent of Trump voters, were bothered by his treatment of women.

Sixty-three percent, including 20 percent of Trump voters, said he doesnt have the temperament to be president.

Sixty-three percent, including 21 percent of his own voters, said hes not honest and trustworthy.

Fifty-seven percent, including 14 percent of his own voters, said they would have a negative view of Trumps victory.

Most Americans dont want a border wall, and only 25 percent of voters want him to deport illegal immigrants. They dont support ending Obamacare or free trade.

So what do we do now?

First, we must try to help Trump succeed. I urge Republicans of conscience to join his administration, to temper his worst instincts. Six years ago, the top Republican in the Senate said his top political goal should be defeating President Obama. I hope Democrats dont act that way. If Trump drops the crazy talk of the campaign, he could easily find compromises on the economy and immigration. Trump reinvented himself for this campaign. Hes capable of remaking himself again into a practical leader.

But if he doesnt, if he governs as recklessly and as divisively as he campaigned, there will be checks on his power. Stock markets will crash and a recession will come if he gets us into trade wars. If he doesnt change his views about foreign policy, hell get no support from allies.

If he uses the federal government to prosecute and jail his critics  well, then we would have a crisis. If he starts rounding up Muslims or inflames the anti-Semitism he stirred up in the campaign, I and many others  including many Republicans  will fight him with everything we have.

People joke about fleeing to another country, but America remains the greatest country on Earth. You are rightly scared that a man who talks about women the way Trump does was elected president. But we all know a woman will be elected president someday. Maybe it will be you.

At your bat mitzvah this week, we will end the service, as always, with a prayer for our country:

Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance.

May they govern with justice and compassion.

God bless you, my daughter, and God bless America.

All my love,

Dad
Kalvin Michael Smith told me recently hed cry when he won his freedom. He did just that in a Winston-Salem courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

Now the real work begins for Michael Smith and his supporters, that of finally securing his exoneration on his 1997 conviction of the severe beating of Jill Marker in the Silk Plant Forest store where she worked.

For the good of our justice system and public safety, and our trust in both, we need for him to continue that fight.

Smith, 45, wearing a tie on his white shirt, felt the love when he walked into that courtroom Wednesday after walking into so many courtrooms to have his liberty dreams crushed. This time, he saw a new look, a happy one, on the faces of the supporters, black and white, who have stood by him for years. As Forsyth County Superior Court Judge Todd Burke read the words that would seal Smiths release, Smith took off his glasses and wiped tears from his eyes.

The release would not become official until Thursday, but Smith and his old friends reunited in the courtroom rejoiced in a homecoming of sorts. Bailiffs let Smith hug family and friends before leading him away for his last few hours in prison.

Smith was freed after pulling almost 20 years in prison because Judge Todd Burke ruled that Smiths1997 sentencing failed to take into account mitigating factors of Smiths work history and family support that would have supported a lesser sentence. With that, Smith, who for the past year had been held at the Forsyth Correctional Center on work release, was saved from finishing a 24- to 29-year prison sentence.

His freedom, fought for so long and so hard by so many, was finally the result of a deal worked out through an effort led by local lawyer Walter Holton and the office of Attorney General Roy Cooper. David Clayton, who retired from the Winston-Salem Police Department as an assistant chief, helped out as well. Cooper, who apparently won a razor-thin victory over incumbent Pat McCrory in the governors race Tuesday, had faced mounting pressure, including from our editorial board, to bring Smith justice.

Despite strong evidence of his innocence, legal appeals in Smiths case had been defeated and all but exhausted.

But the pressure peaked in recent months as a series on MTV explored the Smith case and called for justice, as did the state NAACP. Smiths release followed years of questions being raised about the case. The final push was built on that work.

Investigations by the Journal, the Duke University Innocence Project, a committee appointed by the Winston-Salem City Council and by former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker uncovered big holes in the investigation of the case by the Winston-Salem Police Department and its prosecution by the Forsyth County District Attorneys office.

No physical evidence tied Smith to the crime. Most of the key witnesses against him recanted, saying they were pressured into their original statements.

Through it all, Smith has been buttressed by formidable supporters, most notably the Silk Plant Forest Truth Committee.

Smith has maintained his innocence to me and everybody else who would listen. His release Wednesday did not address guilt or innocence, nor does it preclude Smith from continuing to fight for exoneration.

I hope he does that.

There is powerful evidence that Smith is innocent of the beating of Marker and that another man, Kenneth Lamoureux, did it. Lamoureux died in 2011. He was white, as was the Winston-Salem Police Departments lead detective on the case, Don Williams. Marker is white as well.

One theory of the case says an insurance settlement for Marker would not have come through if the attack was not random, but by someone she knew. Lamoureux knew Marker. The settlement came through after Smiths conviction.

The record speaks for itself, Smith told me when I visited him in prison in August. You can pretty much tell who did it: Kenneth Lamoureux.

Marker was beaten so badly she suffered brain damage. If Smith is innocent, the public was in danger as long as the real assailant was on the streets.

Back in August, Smith told me hed never really cried about his imprisonment. Because I feel like thats the way I lose. Ill cry when I win my freedom.

Now hes won his freedom. Justice is another road. I hope hell continue to walk it. It will be a hard one. But he wont be alone. Cry freedom.
The last place a person with mental illness needs to be is in jail. A national initiative being honed in Forsyth County should make a difference.

Weve known for some time that our jails receive far too many inmates who suffer from mental illness or problems related to their mental illness, which may actually be contributing factors to their incarceration  and where theyre less likely to receive the resources they need to recover and return to productive lives.

In 2015, about 18 percent of new jail intakes were found to have mental-health issues, the Journals Jordan Howse reported last week.

So were grateful for the assistance of Forsyth Countys Stepping Up Initiative. The initiative has received a generous $36,363 grant from The Winston-Salem Foundation to provide programming and operation assistance to Forsyth County jail inmates who suffer from mental illness, the Journal reported. This will be combined with $50,000 approved by the county commissioners.

The first beneficiaries of the programming will be female inmates who have had chronic mental illness linked with substance abuse problems. Many of them have had past experiences with hospitalization or rehab. The groups relatively small size, under 100, makes it more manageable, Commissioner Gloria Whisenhunt, who is working with the initiative, told the Journal.

The program is voluntary. Once weve identified women, theyll be given counseling while theyre serving their sentence and well be their helping hand, Whisenhunt told the Journal. Once they get out, we will help schedule their doctor appointments and get them medications they need.

Program administrators will be developing practices and strategies to reduce the numbers of inmates with mental illness. As they calibrate the program, it can be adapted for more inmates.

Participation wont shorten any sentence, but its likely to help curtail repeat offenses and help repair damaged lives. Its especially noteworthy that the assistance doesnt end with a prisoners release, but will continue as she integrates back into life.

Such an effort is long overdue. Jails are often ill-prepared to deal with people with mental illnesses  and those people are often ill-prepared for jail. Its simply not an effective route for addressing their major difficulties.

The Stepping Up Initiative is a national program that aims to raise awareness of the factors that contribute to the problem and help reduce them. Its led by the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. Hundreds of counties across the country have realized its value, including 25 in North Carolina that have passed resolutions to support the initiative.

Keeping people with mental illness out of jail not only helps them to have productive lives, but it reduces the amount we spend on their confinement, allowing these resources to be used more productively elsewhere.

We appreciate the county, The Winston-Salem Foundation and all other contributors. Good luck to the participating inmates.
Janet Bealer Rodie, a weaver, sits before her loom, presses the treadle with her foot and throws the shuttle back and forth to create intricate patterns in her scarves, blankets, and liturgical vestments and banners.

Its kind of like a dance with the loom, said Bealer, who has been weaving for 40 years and is known as Janet Bealer. A member of Piedmont Craftsmen since 1998, she is returning to the annual Piedmont Craftsmen Fair after a 10-year hiatus.

Bealer will have her alpaca fiber blankets and scarves woven from silk and a blend of silk and wool at the booth that she will share with wool felt sculptor Laura Frazier. In her first time at the fair as an exhibiting member, Frazier will feature horse sculptures amid her selection of animals sculpted out of homegrown wool using the needle-felting technique. She also is premiering scarves that are made from needle felted homegrown wool that she eco-printed using flowers, leaves and other plant material.

The pair joins more than 100 artisans from across the United States at the 53rd fair in Winston-Salem this weekend. Craftspeople work in clay, wood, glass, fibers, leather, metal, photography, printmaking and mixed media to create one-of-a-kind handmade home goods, wearables, jewelry, furniture and decorative items. The fair will be held in the Benton Convention Centers newly renovated lower level, the first phase of the Centers renovation.

Piedmont Craftsmen Inc. holds such prestige in the fine-craft world, Frazier said in an email. This fair is always a celebration of sensory delight. Its a party where both the artists and the customers are center stage while the crafts and art are like a 4th of July fireworks extravaganza.

Meet the artists

Part of the fairs appeal is that it provides opportunities to meet the craftspeople, talk to them about their work and view demonstrations of craft techniques.

Bealers mother taught her to sew and knit, and she also enjoyed macrame before she started weaving. She studied piano and violin for seven years as a child and had a high aptitude for math, which could contribute to her fascination with weaving.

Once I did the weaving, I just really enjoyed it, she said. Its tactile. Im fussy about my fibers. I want to weave things that feel good. I like the designing part. I like the drafting. I love playing with the color, and I love playing with the pattern.

She used to design her patterns on graph paper, and now she uses a computer interface.

It was a real time saver, she said. It allowed more variety. It gave me infinite possibilities for each row. I was able to design more complex, longer patterns.

When I started weaving, I was taught tapestry, said Bealer, who teaches tapestry weaving at Sawtooth School for Visual Art. I was always interested in patterns.

Bealer, a member of PCIs board of trustees, and her husband, Chris Rodie, moved to Winston-Salem in 2014 after living in Atlanta. Shed become familiar with Winston-Salem during her previous participation in the fair. They appreciated Winston-Salems academic community, cultural opportunities, restaurants and comparatively little traffic.

Bealer met Frazier at Cobblestone Farmers Market, and they realized they shared a passion for fiber.

She spun some yarn for me, Bealer said. We met the sheep that provided the yarn.

Bealer and Frazier are looking forward to sharing a booth at the fair. Their work is different, but connected by fiber.

Since my return home to Winston-Salem from California after 10 years away, I began visiting the Piedmont Craftsmen Shop and Gallery to be inspired and to learn from the knowledgeable staff members about different forms of fine craft and artistic expression, Frazier said. The quality of work there and at the annual fair always blew my mind. Being part of that community of artists became a goal for me. I patiently put in the time and practice to reach a level of excellence in my sculpture that I thought might meet the tough standards of the guild. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to show and sell with Piedmont Craftsmen.

Piedmont Craftsmen was founded in 1963 by a group of craft artists and collectors to build an audience and appreciation for quality craftsmanship. Participating craft artists have undergone a rigorous two-part jury process to become exhibiting members of the guild.

I interviewed exhibitors about their booth arrangements and took photos of various types of booth furniture and hanging apparatus, Frazier said. These craftspersons are so adept at carefully exhibiting their work and were so very helpful to me. It was important for me to find a local fiber artist with whom I could share a booth because my work is so small and is so time consuming that I could never fill a whole booth on my own. Showing with Janet Bealer, who is a seasoned, talented weaver, is giving me such a boost of confidence and encouragement! I feel that I am ready to put my work before a larger audience.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
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By RFE/RLs Afghan Service

The leader of a fledgling womens militia in northern Afghanistan says dozens of volunteers have joined the fight since a handful of women recently took up arms to rebuff a Taliban attack on their community.

Women in the district of Darz-Aab, in Jowzjan Province, initially fought alongside local forces to prevent the antigovernment militants from overrunning the village of Shahtoot in late October.

Their ranks have since grown to as many as 45 women, locals say, many of whom have sold livestock to buy guns.

Fifty-three-year-old Zarmina, the wife of a local police officer who so far commands the female fighters, said she and the other women had no other choice.

The number of police personnel was too small, so we had to take up guns alongside our husbands, Zarmina told RFE/RLs Afghan Service. As the Taliban attacked a police post, I put aside my scarf and fired from different places.

I had 21 bullets and killed seven Taliban, she claimed.

The force comprises mainly ethnic Uzbeks and Aimaqs, a Persian-speaking minority in Jowzjan, a multiethnic province that borders Turkmenistan to the north.

Darz-Aab Governor Ramatullah Hashar said local officials, tribal elders, and villagers threw a ceremony in a show of support for the womens initiative.

The area where these women dare to fight against the Taliban is located about 20 kilometers from the district center, and we have encouraged them, Hashar said. They have been welcomed by villagers and elders of their tribes.

All-Female Militia

Halimah Sadaf, a member of the provincial council, told RFE/RL that some of the all-female militia members in Shahtoot are among the 51 women in the area who fought against Soviet troops in the 1980s.

Darz-Aab was one of the main areas where the [mujahedin] rose up against the Soviet invasion, Sadaf said, so the women in this area are able to fight, are able to lead, and they are courageous.

Local officials have urged the government to supply the female fighters with weapons and other equipment.

But more importantly, they said, the local police force needs reinforcement.

We have 1,600 police in Jowzjan, which is not enough, Mohammad Razaghafori, spokesman of the provincial governor, said. Conditions have changed now, and [the government] needs to increase the number of local and national police to ensure security in all districts so that women dont have to fight.

Security in the Darz-Aab district has been worsening in recent months, with the Taliban stepping up attacks on Afghan national forces across the country.

The Darz-Aab governor said last month that fighters affiliated with the militant group Islamist State (IS), which controls swaths of Syria and Iraq and claims to be creating a global caliphate, had also increased operations in that district and had captured several villages.

Afghan First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, who is currently leading the military campaign against the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, warned that IS is planning to bring 7,000 fighters to the countrys north.

This report was prepared by Alim Rahmanyar, translated by Safiullah Stanikzai, and written by Antoine Blua.

Via RFE/RL

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

======

Related video added by Juan Cole:

VICE from last year: Isobel Yeungs Debrief on the Ongoing Fight for Womens Rights in Afghanistan
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By Peter Certo | (Otherwords.org) |  

Trumps core supporters were so anxious about the changing face of America, they were willing to vote alongside the Klan.

An election that might have marked the ascension of Americas first woman president has instead proven historic for an altogether different reason. Namely, that Americans voted for the unabashedly anti-democratic alternative offered by her rival.

And they did it despite his almost cartoonish shortcomings.

Trump didnt just offend pious liberals with his hard line on immigration, disdain for democratic norms, and disinterest in policy. He transgressed standards of decency across all political persuasions.

He bragged about sexually assaulting women. He disparaged injured war veterans. He was endorsed by the KKK. And now hes Americas voice on the world stage.

How could that happen? Heres one theory you mightve heard:

After years of seeing their jobs outsourced, their incomes slashed, and their suffering ignored, the white working class threw in their lot with the candidate who cast aside political niceties and vowed to make their communities great again.

Its a nice story  I even used to buy a version of it myself. But while Trump surely did clean up with white voters, the evidence simply doesnt support the idea that they were as hard-up as the story goes.

For instance, Pollster Nate Silver found during the GOP primary that Trump supporters pulled in a median income of $72,000 a year  some $10,000 more than the national median for white households. And while many did come from areas with lower social mobility, they were less likely to live in the stricken manufacturing communities Trump liked to use as backdrops for his rallies.

So if it wasnt the economy, was it Hillary?

Clinton was clearly unpopular, in many cases for defensible reasons. She was cozy with Wall Street. She backed poorly chosen wars. Apparently people didnt like the way she emailed.

But when you consider that we chose to give the nuclear codes to a man whose own aides refused to trust with a Twitter account over a former secretary of state, it hardly seems like Trump voters were soberly comparing the two candidates.

Instead, Vox writers Zach Beauchamp and Dylan Matthews poured through scores of studies and found a much more robust explanation  and it isnt pretty.

Its what pollsters gently call racial resentment.

That is, Trumps core supporters were far more likely than other Republicans to hold negative views of African Americans, Latinos, and Muslims. They overwhelmingly favored the mass deportation of immigrants. And they were the most likely Republicans to agree that it would be bad for the country if whites comprised a smaller share of the population.

Whats more, another study found, racially resentful voters flocked to the GOP candidate regardless of their views about the economy. Their views on race drew them to Trump, not their job prospects.

Scores of other data back this up. Despite years of job growth and the biggest one-year bump in middle-class incomes in modern history, another researcher found, Republicans views of both African Americans and Latinos nosedived during the Obama years.

Not even a slowdown in immigration itself staunched the venom. Net migration between the U.S. and Mexico fell to 0 during the Obama years, yet Trump still launched his campaign with an infamous tirade against Mexican rapists and murderers.

None of that is to accuse all Trump voters of racism. But even if the bulk of them were just Republicans following their nominee, the social science strongly suggests that one of our major parties has been captured by whites so anxious about the changing face of America that they were willing to vote alongside the Klan.

That fringe has turned mainstream. The Trump years to come may herald any number of horrors, but the scariest part may be what weve learned about ourselves.

Via Otherwords.org

Via The Young Turks Racists Emboldened By Trump Victory 
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Maan News Agency |  

BETHLEHEM (Maan)  The government of Spain released a statement on Friday joining the United States in condemning Israels recent approval of the construction of 181 new housing units in the illegal Gilo settlement in the occupied West Bank.

The approval was the latest in a long line of settlement approvals in recent months that would see more than a thousand new settler units constructed on occupied Palestinian land.

The statement reiterated Spains disapproval of Israels settlement expansions, and like the rest of the international community, it considers Israeli settlements on Palestinian Occupied Territories to be illegal under international law.

The government also argues that these illegal settlements are an obstacle to the viability of a two-State solution, and accordingly, to peace, as set out in the report by the Middle East Quartet issued back in June, the statement continued.

The Spanish government also urged Israeli authorities to overturn their most recent settlement approvals.

After the Jerusalem Local Planning and Building Committee approved the new settler housing units Wednesday, United States Department spokesperson John Kirby quickly condemned the decision that evening, reiterating the United States disapproval of Israels settlement expansions, saying that Israels actions risk entrenching a one-state reality.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that the construction at Gilo was delayed for several months after beginning more than a year ago after several ancient graves were discovered at the site. Israeli ultra-orthodox Jews had demanded that the construction cease.

The settlement expansion plans were renewed after more funds were invested into the project, and the expansion was rerouted away from the ancient graves, according to Haaretz, and will now stretch into the Cremisan Valley, which separates the settlement from the Palestinian village of al-Walaja, which is surrounded by Gilo and the neighboring Har Gilo settlement.

According to Israeli human rights group BTselem, Israeli authorities have already confiscated half of al-Walajas land, some of which was used for the original construction of Gilo, and some seized by an Israeli military order which eventually saw the establishment of Har Gilo.

Israels separation wall also cuts village residents off from accessing their farmland, while the planned route of the wall is expected to completely encircle al-Walaja, with plans to construct a tunnel that residents can use to access the rest of the West Bank.

At least 30,000 Israelis reside in the Gilo settlement in contravention to international law, while some 1,300 reside in Har Gilo. Israeli authorities had construction tenders for 89 units in Gilo, when tenders were also opened in Neve Yaakov, Pisgat Zeev, and Har Homa.

The latest settlement approval in GIlo follows on the heels of a long line of Israeli settlement expansion plans. In October, the Israeli Civil Administration had advanced plans to construct a new Israeli settlement in the northern West Bank, likely to be used to relocate settlers residing in the Amona outpost following an Israeli Supreme Court decision to demolish the outpost by the end of this year.

There are an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 Israeli settlers residing in 196 illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, and a further 232 settler outposts considered illegal both by international law and Israeli domestic law, according to the Applied Research Institute  Jerusalem (ARIJ).

All of the settlements are considered by Israel to be suburbs of Jerusalem, as Israeli authorities have consistently expanded the Jerusalem municipality to include nearby illegal Israeli settlements located in the West Bank.

Human rights groups and international leaders have continued to strongly condemn Israels settlement construction, claiming it is a strategic maneuver to prevent the establishment of a contiguous, independent Palestinian state by changing the facts on the ground, while members of Israels parliament, the Knesset, have publicly announced their support for plans aimed to annex the entirety of Area C  the more than 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli military and civil control.

Via Maan News Agency
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By Elias Meseret, Associated Press

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopia's government is calling for international assistance to help feed 8.2 million people after erratic rains devastated crop yields.

Climate shocks are common in Ethiopia and often cause poor or failed harvests that lead to acute food shortages.

The government has allocated $192 million for food and other aid and is appealing for $596 million in assistance from the international community for the remainder of 2015, said Mitiku Kassa, secretary of the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Committee.

More than 300,000 children are in need of specialized nutritious food and a projected 48,000 more children under 5 are suffering from severe malnutrition, according to a government assessment conducted in September.

The situation is "incredibly serious," said John Aylieff, an official in Ethiopia with the U.N.'s World Food Program, who said Ethiopia needs the international community to help remedy the worst effects of El Nino conditions.

The conflict in South Sudan is also exacerbating the food insecurity situation, said Dennis Weller, the USAID mission director in Ethiopia. Since the outbreak of violence in South Sudan in mid-December 2013, hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees have fled to Ethiopia and are living alongside local communities.

"We are seeing malnutrition rates go up in some of the host communities. We are looking at ways of reducing the stress levels to the host communities in Ethiopia by providing supplementary feeding that could bring the malnutrition levels down," he said.
CNN Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley (L) and host Trevor Noah on 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' LIVE one-hour Democalypse 2016 Election Night special on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images for Comedy Central/Jason Kempin)

"The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, who took the Comedy Central show after Jon Stewart kicked off Miami Book Fair on Nov. 6, Sunday, at Miami Dade College. In his new memoir "Born a Crime," Noah, whose father is Swiss and whose mother is Xhosa tells his story growing up in South Africa when the law prohibited relationship between whites and nonwhites.



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Breaking the law means a five-year imprisonment. Hence, Noah and his father could not be seen together in public. When they went out together, his father would walk across the street, staying at a distance from him and his mom.



One day, Noah's father insisted to accompany him and his mom to Joubert Park, Johannesburg. As he walked ahead, little Noah called him "Daddy! Daddy!," running after him happily, thinking they were playing. His father fled, terrified.



Noah's book showed him as a proof of his parent's criminality, instead of love. His story is both horrifying and funny. The 32-year-old comedian's life growing up in South Africa was during the apartheid and its aftermath.



"Born a Crime" tackles racial injustice, poverty and an abusive stepfather who shot but did not kill his mother, but there is a tone of humor in it, Miami Herald reported. For instance, his grandmother and mother were always scared his grandfather's second family would kill them with poison.



The book does not cover the author's professional life though. Noah worked in South African TV and radio, then landed to stand-up comedy leading Noah to "The Daily Show" gig. Writing a book is not easy but it allows Noah to examine his backstory. However, the hosting job he took from the beloved Stewart's hands is tougher.



Since Noah took over "The Daily Show," the show has been struggling with plummeting viewership. While Stewart had years of reputation as a satirist, he barely has over a year. Specifically comparing the then candidate Donald Trump candidate to an African dictator was his most successful segment, according to Vanity Fair.



Noah compared Trump's controversial nature, boasting and "light xenophobia" to African autocrats. In his show, he wrapped up that while Trump is a bit scary or a bit exotic for some, he is out of America's comfort zone.



"But this great country is capable of bold leaps. It took one in 2008 when it elected its first black president," "The Daily Show" host said. "Now, in 2016, I say it's time to be bold once more, and elect America's first African president."



Watch Noah talks about Trump in his show below:







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[JURIST] Israels Ministerial Committee for Legislation unanimously approved [Times of Israel report] the Formalization Bill on Sunday, which will legalize outposts in the West Bank. These outposts had been previously built without permission from the Palestinians. In part, the bill was intended to stop the evacuation of Amona outpost, which the Israel Supreme Court [official website] ruled [JURIST report] was built on private Palestinian land and must be demolished by December 25. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [official profile] was against the measure, wanting to delay the vote until the High Court of Justice rules on the governments request to delay the Amona evacuation. This was the first of several steps before the bill would be adopted, the next of which is that it must pass in Parliament later this week.

Recent conflicts between Israel and Palestine [HRW backgrounder] over settlements in the occupied West Bank have raised concerns over possible human rights violations. In March the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said [JURIST report] that the office is concerned about the apparent extra-judicial execution of a Palestinian man in the West Bank. In January Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] urged [JURIST report] businesses to cease operations in Israel settlements. In August 2015 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged both sides of the conflict [JURIST report] to reconcile and move towards peace after an attack occurred in the West Bank village of Duma, where Jewish extremists allegedly set fire to a Palestinian home while the family slept. Last April HRW alleged [HRW report] that Israeli settlement farmers in the occupied West Bank are using Palestinian child laborers in dangerous conditions in violation of international laws.
[JURIST] Lawyers for President-elect Donald Trump [political website] filed a motion [text] with the US District Court for the Southern District of California [official website] on Saturday requesting that the trial pertaining to Trump University be postponed until after Trumps inauguration. They had previously requested that the trial be postponed until after the presidential campaign, so the trial is currently set to begin November 28. The lawyers now argue:

Now that the election is over, we submit that the President-Elect should not be required to stand trial during the next two months while he prepares to assume the Presidency. The time and attention to prepare and testify will take him away from imperative transition work at a critical time. We acknowledge plaintiffs have a right to trial of their claims, but their rights will not be abridged if trial were continued to a date after the inauguration to allow the President-Elect to devote all his time and attention to the transition process.

Defense counsel is proposing that Trumps trial testimony can be recorded by videotaped deposition prior to the postponed trial date. The trial is a consolidation of two cases, and the lawyers argue that Trump should not be forced to testify in person twice while preparing to assume the presidency.

Trump University was a real-estate educational program that operated [CNN report] from 2005 until its closing in 2010. Though the program had no physical location and was not licensed as an educational institution, it enrolled an estimated 10,000 students in classes geared towards achieving business success. Two class action lawsuits were brought [WP report] by two San Diego students who accused Trump University of making false promises to those that enrolled. In May, the District Court ordered [JURIST report] the release of internal documents pertaining to Trump University. In 2013, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman [official profile] brought [NYT backgrounder] a separate $40 million lawsuit against Trump University accusing the program of defrauding over 5,000 students.
Night Mode to come back to Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X (Photo : YouTube/ Google Nexus)

If reports are anything to go by, night mode feature will return to Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.



Recently, the search giant Google pulled the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X from its online store to provide vacancy for its new devices.



What's more, many features included in Android N operating system were absent in the update for the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X that was a disappointment for users who like night mode and fingerprint gestures found on the Pixel smartphones.



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According to Google+, the tech giant was not able to carry over the night mode feature for the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X because it needs a driver support not found on the smartphones. However, users still demanded for the feature.



At present, it appears that the search giant is pushing back. According to reports, an employee or a moderator who handles firmware problems has labeled the bug as closed, with a Future Release status.



This may be indicative that the feature will return to the Nexus devices, maybe through a software update. It is not known whether the night mode features needs a different driver to work or not.



Reports indicate that it is possible that the night mode was not carried over to prevent confusion with a virtually same feature on Pixel devices known as Night Light. If reports are anything to go by, the night mode feature will return.



The feature dims the phone's screen with a red tint during specific times of the day, especially at evening, to decrease blue light that has been proven to interrupt healthy sleeping patterns upon extended exposure.



For starters, the Nexus 5X, which has 2GB of RAM, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset.



Other features of the Nexus device include 16GB of internal storage, Android 6.0 operating system, 2700mAh non removable battery, 5-megapixel front shooter, 5.20-inch touchscreen display and 12.3-megapixel primary camera on the rear.



The Nexus 6P, which has 3GB of RAM, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset. Other features of the smartphone include Android 6.0 operating system, 12.3-megapixel primary camera on the back, 32GB of internal storage, 3450mAh non removable battery and a 8-megapixel front shooter.


Kylie Jenner and Tyga attend Harper's Bazaar's celebration of 'ICONS By Carine Roitfeld' presented by Infor, Laura Mercier, and Stella Artois at The Plaza Hotel on September 9, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris)

Tyga and girlfriend Kylie Jenner are reportedly ready to take their relationship to the next level. Latest reports claimed that the rapper wants to have a baby with the latter soon.







After the birth of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's baby girl, Dream Renee, Jenner was spotted having a great time with Tyga's four-year-old son, King Cairo. It is said that the brunette beauty's bonding with King Cairo has truly made her consider about becoming a mother.



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"Kylie and King have a special connection and it's really making her think of having a kid with Tyga," a source told Life & Style Weekly. "He told her one of his greatest joys is being King's father and that he's down to father a child with Kylie."



The source added Jenner told Tyga she could see herself being a mother. She reportedly explained to him that she wants to have a child while she is still young so she can have the stamina and energy to keep up with the kid, just like she is keeping up with King Cairo.



Tyga and Jenner's romance was introduced to the public in 2015. They had a brief split in May and shortly decided to get together again, E! News reported. During an interview with "Big Boy TV" in July, the "Rack City" hitmaker talked about the hardships of dating someone so well-known.



"Being in a very public relationship like that, it's hard for other people to see you differently," Tyga said. "It overshadowed a lot of my talents and a lot of things I worked hard for."



Tyga also addressed a few inquiries concerning his former fiancee Chyna. While the public expects intense drama between the former couple, the rapper said that whatever Chyna decides to do is her business.



For him, it does not matter who Chyna spends her life with, as long as he knows who is around their son. He added that everyone can choose to love who they want and start life with whoever they need.



Watch the music video for Tyga's "1 of 1" here:






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The Egyptian presidency held a meeting on Sunday with young representatives from 25 political parties to discuss the state's endorsing of volunteer work in the country.

The meeting came as part of the presidency's plan to communicate with Egyptian youth on the execution of national volunteer programmes approved at the first annual youth conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The first national project approved at the conference is the "Egypt Without Illiteracy" programme.

The presidency's media office said that the participant showed at Sunday's meeting their plans and views on the implementation of the "Egypt Without Illiteracy" programme, as well as their ideas on encouraging volunteer work in general.

The participants also agreed to present a comprehensive plan within 15 days, to be followed by a meeting with the ministerial group in charge of the volunteer work file, under the custody of the Egyptian presidency.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated last month the first annual National Youth Conference in the Sinai resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh with the participation of 3,000 youths from the countrys universities and political parties.

During his inauguration speech, El-Sisi said that the conference, the first session of which was focused on education in Egypt, should be used to have a dialogue and raise hope.

Regarding the education, El-Sisi said that the government cannot put an overhaul of the country's poor education system high on its agenda at the moment, as the country does not have sufficient resources to do so.

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Sherif Ismael says the government's three-year economic reform programme is not only about remedying the state budget deficit

Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said the country's economic reform programme is not merely aimed at propping up the state's budget but is meant to improve peoples living standards and make the Egyptian economy stronger.

Ismael's remarks came during a three-day economic conference arranged by Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper that kicked off on Saturday and was attended by a slew of ministers.

Ismael said the country's three-year economic reform programme is based on the four main facets of: improving the country's monetary policies by trimming budget and diminishing public debt, boosting investment and growth rates, introducing social solidarity measures as well as carrying out giant national projects including in housing, electricity and infrastructure.

The government's "economic reform programme should not be reduced to a mere series of decisions or actions to resolve problems dogging the state budget," Ismail said during his speech.

The reform measures are rather aimed at raising citizens' living standards, improving public services, developing a more effective subsidy system, curbing population growth and boosting investment rates, he added.

Egypt's slump in foreign reserves and its widening budget deficit have pushed the country to launch a reform programme to stabilise the economy. Last week, the central bank floated the pound and raised fuel prices. The government has also cut electricity subsidies and introduced a new Value Added Tax.

On Friday, the International Monetary Fund said its executive board has approved a three-year bailout programme totalling $12 billion to Egypt to support the country's flagging economy. Officials had said the move would restore investor confidence and boost the country's foreign reserves.

Also on Friday, global rating agency Standard and Poors (S&P) revised Egypts sovereign credit outlook from negative to stable due to the projected support by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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Naturopaths hate it when I draw attention to examples of patient harm resulting from naturopaths failing to uphold medical standards of care. The Ezekiel Stephan case was a prime example of the harm that can come from naturopaths trying to play doctor.

Nineteen-month-old Ezekiel Stephan died in 2012 from bacterial meningitis after his parents sought medical advice from naturopath Tracey Tannis. Per Tanniss recommendation, Ezekiels parents treated him with echinacea. Tanniss prescription fit right alongside the assortment of natural therapies Ezekiels parents had already been giving him. Further details about the case can be read here.

In April 2016 during a highly publicized trial, David and Collet Stephan were found guilty for failing to provide their son with the necessaries of life. They decided to appeal which will be heard next spring.

The Stephan case was devastating for the naturopathic community. In the trial, Collet recalled that Ezekiel was so sick by the time she sought help from Tannis that he was non-responsive and unable to bend his back to sit-up. These are ominous signs of meningitis.

Lexi Vataman, an employee at Tanniss office, recounted that Tannis recommended Ezekiel take the herb echinacea after Collet called the clinic seeking advice specifically for treating meningitis. While Vatamans memory of the events have been called into question, she maintains that her testimony is accurate. Tannis later disputed Vatamans account. Tannis claimed she advised the parents take Ezekiel to the emergency room, in addition to selling the tincture.

Vatamans testimony highlights a tragic outcome that can be traced back to the deficiency of medical training provided in accredited naturopathic programs in Canada and the United States. Outraged that a naturopathic doctor could provide such paltry medical advice, Canadian physicians wrote an open letter to the College of Naturopathic Doctors in Alberta demanding an investigation into what really happened in Tanniss office. Amongst other problems in the profession, the letter calls attention to the lack of standards of care in naturopathy. Naturopaths demand all the same rights and privileges of medical doctors. But when it comes to upholding professional standards of patient safety and medical care, naturopaths fail.

In response to the letter, the College for Naturopathic Doctors in Alberta opened an investigation into Tracey Tannis.

My former colleagues are in denial

I received a Facebook message today from a licensed naturopath in Washington. Lets call her Nanna Birsle. She and I went to Bastyr University together. On Facebook, Birsle has expressed her disdain for me and my opinions multiple times. Now, she has asked me to update my original blog post about Ezekiel to say that the Stephans were found guilty, and therefore, naturopaths are vindicated:

Hey Britt, did u hear that the family of little boy Ezekiel who died of HIB meningitis was charged as guilty. Maybe u should update ur blog about this, and how its not the NDs fault, its the parents fault for not vaccinating him and failure to provide him with medical care. It is in no way the NDs fault just as its not the pharmacist fault when a person purchases over the counter medications. For example, if Someone stops in the store to buy Tylenol for their sick child and they go home, and the child ends up dying, are u claiming that it is the persons fault who sold them the Tylenol? Wow thats pretty ridiculous just like your blog!

This message exemplifies typical patient blaming by naturopaths, and Birsle is obviously mad at me.

I agree with the courts decision that the parents did not provide their child with adequate medical care. The Stephans attempted to treat Ezekiels suspected meningitis for weeks before deciding to visit Tannis. But their guilty verdict says nothing about the role Tannis played in Ezekiels death.

Comparing Tanniss clinic to a store where one can buy over-the-counter products is a ridiculous analogy. Tanniss clinic was marketed as a medical office. Tannis called herself a doctor. As a patient, or Ezekiels mom, it is reasonable to assume that the advice and products offered in a medical setting by a doctor are safe and effective.

Like Tannis, Birsle says she specializes in naturopathic pediatrics. Her practice website is boiler plate. It lists many of the usual bogus naturopathic services, such as IgG food intolerance testing, genetic polymorphism screening, and heavy metal testing. She sells supplements directly out of her office. Her website page on supplement refills pictures products for sale including an echinacea tincturethe same remedy acquired by Ezekiels mom from Tracey Tannis.

I would guess that Birsle has also recommended echinacea instead of antibiotics for treating sick children. We were taught this at Bastyr. The reality is that Tannis, by selling an herbal remedy, did exactly as she had been trained to do. Thus, it likely that nothing will come of the investigation into Tanniss failure to act as a competent medical professional.

Since Tannis knew the child had suspected meningitis, she should have called emergency services. Perhaps Birsle is so upset because the Tannis case forces her to confront a very distributing reality  it could have been her or any other naturopath in Tanniss position. Naturopaths have no place providing health care to children.

Britt Marie Hermes is a former naturopathic doctor who blogs at Naturopathic Diaries.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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As of September 15, 85 children from 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have died due to infection with the flu during the 2015-2016 season.

Piper Lowery, who was a healthy and vibrant 12-year-old girl died from H1N1 Influenza almost one year ago. Her mother, Pegy Lowery, has gone public with her daughters story, to urge more parents to get flu shots for their children. I would like to help her spread this message, because I was devastated by the death of Piper and I miss her beyond words. Below is my reflection on my own grief as her pediatrician.

My dearest Piper,

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday as I gowned up to go into the OR and attend your delivery. The OB placed you in my arms, and you were so beautiful. I loved you from the moment you took your first breath. You were feisty, and had a good, strong cry. I knew we were going to be special to each other.

Over the last twelve and half years, I had the great privilege of watching you grow into a beautiful young lady. Whenever your name appeared on my schedule, it always put a smile on my face. You brought sunshine along no matter the reason you were visiting me. Occasionally, I bribed you with chocolate from my personal stash to assuage my guilt at having given you immunizations. I loved your hugs and your quiet smile. I miss those things most of all.

Being your pediatrician was priceless. I expected to take care of your children someday and knew you would make a wonderful mother by watching you care for your little brother. There would be many stories to tell your children about you as a little girl. I never thought it would end.

You are the first and only patient in 16 years of practice for whom I have signed the birth certificate and the death certificate. 100 years ago, country doctors did this sort of thing more frequently, but today, I suspect it is a rarer experience. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The last time I saw you, I knew you did not feel well. You kept asking to go home; you were pale but still had your sparkle. I repeated your vitals myself and spent extra time with you to ensure nothing was missed. I treasure our hug as you left; not knowing it would be our last.

You were ill with influenza, and I was so worried you might worsen over the weekend. Your mom knew to take you to the hospital if you deteriorated and she sent me a message the following morning that you were headed there. I told her I would be concerned all day until I heard back on your condition. She messaged back that you had said you loved me. Thank you for those final words dear child; they will be etched on my heart forever. I love you too, my little friend, I thought to myself.

You hated the thought of going anywhere but my clinic; you had never been to the hospital before. You asked your mother if I would be there by your side in the ER. You were disappointed when she told you I would not. Upon arrival, you collapsed in the hospital parking lot and had to be carried into the ER by strangers. I wish I had been there, though the outcome would have been no different. The doctors started trying desperately to save you. I could hear the word epinephrine in the background while on the phone with your mother during your resuscitation; I knew we might lose you.

You were not mine to lose in the parental way, but you see, that is how I always thought of you. My own daughter was not born until you were eight, so you were one of my first daughters. I had two sons already when I became pregnant for the third time. I assumed it would be yet another male child. Do you remember telling me you absolutely knew in your heart it was a girl this time? I can recall that conversation like it was yesterday. You were right, my sweet friend.

When I received the call from your mother that you died, I was overcome with disbelief and wanted so desperately for the outcome to be different. As I drove to your home afterward, I did not know what to say to your grieving family. We sat together and cried for what felt like hours. Your parents and brother felt more of a comfort to me than I was to them; though we were undoubtedly a comfort to each other. We told so many stories about you and your shenanigans. We laughed and cried that day. I sobbed the entire drive home.

At your funeral, I sat next to a mother of four whose children attended your school. They kept handing me tissues as I sobbed uncontrollably while taking in each picture of your smiling face over the years. I had known you at EVERY stage of your brief lifetime. Halfway through the service, the mother leaned over and said: I wish my children had a relationship with their pediatrician like Piper had with hers.

I thought to myself that I was the lucky one; to know you and to love you. I am so thankful to your parents for sharing you with me all these years and allowing me care for you. Not one day has gone by since your passing that I have not thought of you and longed to see your smiling face one more time. I will miss you more than you will ever know.

With love,

Your pediatrician and friend

Niran S. Al-Agba is a pediatrician who blogs at MommyDoc.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Overwhelmed by the insanity of the bureaucratic bungle surrounding the dispensing of narcotic pain medication, Im not sure where to begin. So I will begin with my experience.

I am a licensed physician in the state of Nevada. I retired from full-time practice in California and moved to Las Vegas, where I work part time. I have a friend who recently underwent a nephrectomy. She was discharged with a prescription phoned in for oxycodone, which was filled at her local pharmacy.

I accompanied her to an urgent care facility today because of a cough. She took her last oxycodone this morning. I asked the doctor seeing her to write her a prescription for more. She wrote a prescription, but informed me that most of the pharmacies in the city are out of narcotic medication. I called my friends pharmacy and was told that they could not disclose over the phone whether or not they had any in stock. We would have to come to find out.

By now the mornings pain medication had worn off, and my friend was in pain. Nevertheless, we drove to the pharmacy and were told that indeed they had no narcotic medication in stock. I asked her to call other pharmacies in her chain to find out which store had any. She told me that even the pharmacists were not permitted to tell each other about availability. We were told to come back in a few days and ask again.

Really? Patients in legitimate post-op pain need to wait until they can return another day to ask again if it is in stock? And what if it isnt? Go home, be in pain and wait some more? What bureaucrat dreamed up this scenario? Certainly no one with family members in need of pain control.

There had to be some way my friend could get medication. I called the pharmacy at the hospital where she had her surgery. The hospital pharmacist explained to me that he was not permitted to dispense medication from an outpatient prescription and that no hospital in the city could.

I called my pharmacist and was told that not only could he not tell me if it was in stock, but the prescription could be filled only at the original pharmacy. My friend would have to sign a contract with my pharmacy and never go back to hers again.

Bound and determined that my friend would not return home without pain control, I asked the pharmacist what other options there were. He then suggested that a prescription for tramadol could be phoned in and filled. I called the urgent care where she had been seen and asked that the physician who had seen her phone in a prescription, which she was kind enough to do. And my friend went home with tramadol. I hope it holds her pain.

Had I not been with her, my friend would have just been turned away with a shrug.

There is something seriously wrong with a system that punishes legitimate patients because of others who are abusers.

Yes, there are drug abusers who rob pharmacies for their narcotics. Yes, there is legitimate fear from those who dispense these medications. Yes, there needs to be a way to control the abuse, but not at the expense of the patients who really need it.

This is cold, cruel and unbefitting of the medical community. It demonstrates the willingness of those creating these rules to turn a deaf ear to the needs of the ill. Perhaps when it comes home to roost for them and their families, they will see the error of the ways. I would prefer it come sooner.

Judy Salz is an internal medicine physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Egypts military launched a new campaign two weeks ago against Islamist militants in North Sinai in response to a deadly attack against security forces

Egypts army announced on Sunday that it had killed 14 armed militants during a raid in several areas of North Sinai, bringing the total number of militant deaths during the past week to 40.

In an official statement by the army, a spokesman said army and police forces were able to kill 14 terrorist militants through a series of raids targeting hideouts in several villages in the vicinity of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid in North Sinai.

The spokesman added that the security confrontations witnessed heavy gunfire between the forces and the terrorist elements who took shelter in buildings and farming areas.

He said that the forces were able to destroy areas that the elements were using to hide and prepare their operations, as well as detonating 10 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a four wheeled armoured van and other vehicles used by them.

According to the statement, the law enforcement forces were bolstering their control through enforcing a tight security cordon to stop the infiltration of the trapped terrorist elements in the vicinity of the areas.

This is the latest statement that the army has released on their ongoing new operations in North Sinai.

Egypts army launched a new security campaign two weeks ago against Islamist militants in the governorate, killing over 50 in response to a militant attack three weeks ago that killed 12 soldiers and injured six others.

Over the past week, the army announced it has killed an overall number of 26 militants leading up to Sunday during raids on different weekdays.

In mid-October, Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended a state of emergency in designated areas of the North Sinai governorate for three months, starting 31 October.

The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, with the governorate witnessing renewed state of emergency decisions in designated areas since the spike of the battles in August 2013.

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After a wait of 33 years, a good natured Kilkenny resident was, last week, honoured for an act of incredible bravery.

Showing no regard for his own safety, then truck driver, Hugh Long, who now lives in Urlingford waded into the icy cold River Liffey to save a distraught woman - Even though he can't swim.

And he feels that a penny (dated 1935) given to him afterwards by the grateful lady has brought him good luck since as he recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with the love of his life, Patricia (Pat).

Now 73 years of age and originally from across the border in Gortnahoe, Co Tipperary, Hugh had forgotten the events of that day in February 1983 until he was contacted by TG4 for a documentary.

And when Irish Water Safety heard about it they felt it was about time he was rewarded for his selflessness.

Speaking in his kitchen last Friday afternoon, over three decades later, he recalled a woman alerting him to the fact there was a body in the river. He immediately left the cab of his truck, climbed over the river wall on Ellis Quay, Dublin down the safety ladder and waded out to bring the woman, who was face down in the water, to safety.

Last week, Simon Coveney, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government presented him with an award.

Full story in Wednesday's paper including how three men from Gortnahoe married three women from Clonaslee, Co Laois.
MILAN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The board of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena will meet on Monday to set the terms for a bond-to-equity conversion that is part of the lender's capital boosting plans, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

Italy's third-biggest bank is planning to lay off a tenth of its staff, shut branches and sell assets to win investor backing for a 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) cash call, its third recapitalisation in as many years.

To help limit the size of the share sale it is studying a voluntary conversion of its subordinated debt.

"The (conversion) operation will kick off after the shareholder meeting... and there will obviously be a premium offered to market price," the source said.

The conversion plan will also include the Fresh hybrid instrument used to partly finance the costly acquisition of rival Antonveneta in 2007, the source said.

Senior debt is not included in the plan.

The bank - assisted by JP Morgan and Mediobanca - is due to hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting on Nov. 24 to approve the turnaround plan that also includes the sale of some 28 billion euros in bad loans at below book value.

To underpin the cash call, management at the 544-year old lender has been on road shows to drum up support from potential anchor investors.

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has expressed a preliminary interest, sources said earlier this month. "Next week the road show will continue with a video call with U.S. and Asian investors," the source said.

On Sunday, Il Sole 24 Ore said the bank was reaching out to Asian investors, especially Singapore wealth fund Temesek.

According to the source, the board meeting on Monday will also take a decision on the sale of the lender's non-performing loans servicing platform known as Juliet.

Last week Italian Information Solutions company Cerved said it had presented an offer for the platform. ($1 = 0.9217 euros)

(Reporting by Paola Arosio, writing by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Kitsap sun file The Rich Passage 1 is expected to resume service between Bremerton and downtown Seattle in July, after voters approved a tax increase to pay for it.

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By Ed Friedrich of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON  Given the go-ahead, Kitsap Transit now has eight months to roll out cross-sound fast ferry service.

Proposition 1 opened an insurmountable 2,729-vote lead after late ballots were counted Thursday. The measure authorizes a three-tenths of 1 percent sales tax increase to fund passenger-only service from Bremerton, Kingston and Southworth to downtown Seattle.

Kitsap Transit plans to launch service from Bremerton in July, from Kingston in 2018 and from Southworth in 2020.

Transit already owns a boat for its Bremerton run. The Rich Passage 1 was designed and built to prove it could operate without discharging beach-damaging wakes. Next up will be constructing a high-speed, 150-passenger catamaran to sail between Kingston and Seattle in 33 minutes.

The agency will resume conversations with the Federal Transit Administration on grants for five new ferries and dock improvements, said executive director John Clauson. The estimated cost is $48 million over the first six years, 56 percent of which it expects from federal grants. Bonding supported by sales tax revenues would cover the rest.

Kitsap Transit will start negotiating a partnership with King County Marine Division to provide staff to operate and maintain the vessels. With routes from West Seattle and Vashon Island to downtown Seattle, King County already has a framework in place.

"We're excited to work with King County Marine Division, which runs a thriving water-taxi service with a proven track record of performance," Clauson said.

Paul Brodeur, director of the marine division, congratulated Kitsap Transit on the election outcome.

"That's a good thing for the commuters," he said of Bremerton riders. "They're going to be able to reduce their trips by half the time. With future connections from Southworth and Kingston, the rest of the county is going to enjoy that direct downtown service they haven't had."

Local sales tax changes take effect on April 1. Kitsap Transit wouldn't begin to receive the funds until July. That squares with the start of service, but set-up money will be needed earlier. Clauson will ask the transit board for permission to shift funds from the bus budget to ferries and reimburse it when ferry funds start flowing.

Kitsap Transit also will immediately begin recruiting for a ferry program director to lead the rollout of the new service as well as manage the existing foot ferries between Bremerton, Port Orchard and Annapolis. The ferry program will need a few "ambassadors" at the Bremerton dock to help with reservations and other issues, Clauson said.

They will be included in an amended budget the agency plans to submit to its board by January. The 2017 budget that was recently passed didn't include funds for cross-sound ferry service.

Money will be kept in separate ferry and bus accounts internally and with the county treasurer. Positions with overlap between the two will be analyzed to determine what percentage of their pay should come from each pot.

Besides negotiating an operating agreement with King County Marine Division, Kitsap Transit also must work out deals with the Port of Kingston to use its dock and Washington State Ferries to allow the fast ferry to share the Southworth car ferry slip.

A reservation system will be developed and public meetings held to officially establish the fare structure, as state law requires.

Proposition 1 also provides revenue for Kitsap Transit's existing foot ferries, freeing $1.5 million a year for bus service. The agency is bringing on a consultant to work with the community on how the additional funds should be spent, such as restoring Sunday service or extending hours of service on weekdays and Saturdays.

"It is our intention to deliver a seamless experience for our bus and ferry riders," Clauson said. "We have a lot of work to do, but I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has worked on the fast-ferry plan over more than a decade to make this vision a reality."
RICHARD THORNTON | JEWEL BOX THEATRE Pickles (Amanda Pugh, second from left) is stangled by the demon-possessed Jackie (Bruce Taylor) as (from left) Linoleum (Kathy Berg), Betty (Kim Hart), Rufus (Randal Powell) and Darlene (Jacquie Taylor) try to free her.

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By Michael C. Moore, mmoore@kitsapsun.com

POULSBO  The Jewel Box Theatre has created a tradition of sorts of presenting nontraditional holiday-themed fare as their warm-up to the holiday season. They get the jump on everybody else, opening before most folks even have their Thanksgiving turkey lined up, let alone the Christmas one, and they make sure that irreverence is the dominant tone.

And it's a good formula. For audiences already seeing  and often grumbling about  the early appearance of holiday decorations and copious sale circulars, a little tongue-in-cheek is just the right way to ease themselves. Sweet-and-sour goes down pretty well as an hors d'oeuvre for all the saccharine stuff coming in December.

The last couple of years, though  both with 2015's "Some Assembly Required" and the current "The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical," I've left the theater feeling like they might've gone to the well once  twice, rather  too often. In the case of "Trailer Park," a yuletide offshoot of the David Nehls-Betsy Kelso song-and-dance that the Jewel Box produced with some success in 2010  the continued adventures and foibles of the residents of the Armadillo Acres Mobile Home Park  the material just doesn't fit the occasion.

Too bad, because the sellout crowd came ready to laugh, and were lubricated for the opportunity with opening-night grub and vino. But most of what they found funny had more to do with the merry mugging of the cast of six marshaled by the show's co-directors, Gwen Adams and Tina Williams. The laughs that did come from the book and lyrics had way more to do with the liberal peppering of profanity and body-parts-and-functions jokes than they did with actual freshness or cleverness. It might be telling that a portion of them didn't come back from the intermission.

Adams and Williams' bunch did what they could with the show, and often elevated it with some general energy and well-placed asides. Several of the cast members  Kim Hart, Kathy Berg and Randall Powell (who's in for the first two weekends, with Dan Engelhard taking over for weeks 3-5) all seemed to know their characters pretty well, and what they wanted to do with them.

The show got a real shot in the arm from newcomer Amanda Pugh, who had a lot of fun  but still managed some restraint and subtlety  with dim-bulb unwed mother Donna (aka Pickles). She brought perhaps the show's best voice to bear, and found a lot of comedy in her character, without ever seeming like she was trying too hard.

In general, what the JB brought to the show worked pretty well. The set, lighting and sound all were pluses, except that the prerecorded soundtrack (a necessity since Adams, who doubles as pianist for the four-piece band, left town after the show for a three-year stint working for the Navy in Naples, Italy), was either a bit too loud (early) or muffled (later on). There might've been some laugh lines I missed because I couldn't hear them, and laugh lines are something this show can't afford to waste.

The basic idea for "Trailer Park Christmas" is a good one. Betty (Hart), Linoleum (Berg) and Pickles have a shot at winning a holiday decorating contest, but grouchy neighbor Darlene (Jacquie Taylor) wants nothing to do with it  until a bolt of electricity blows out her memory, and she's all of a sudden filled with Christmas cheer. The girls' assignment? Keep her cheery for the entire "Twelve Days of Amnesia."

Along the way, there are nods to both "A Christmas Carol" and "It's A Wonderful Life," along with snippets of several carols shoehorned into the songs. There's so many bits of this and that, and bringing them all to a conclusion makes the final half-hour see rather contrived and chaotic. Just because it's a wacky comedy doesn't mean it can't have a convincing structure.

The problem, if you haven't already been following me, is the show itself, not anything that the Jewel Box does with it. It's just that the "I'm not ready for Christmas" Christmas-show repertoire must be just as limited as one might think, and that the JB has hit that wall. In this case, the juxtaposition of holiday schmaltz and trailer-trash bawdiness just isn't enough to carry a whole show.

REVIEW

'THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL'

Who: Jewel Box Theatre

What: Musical comedy by David Nehls and Betsy Kelso

Where: Jewel Box Theatre, 225 Iverson St., Poulsbo

When: Through Dec. 11; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (no performance Nov. 25)

Tickets: $17-$15

Information: 360-697-3183, jewelboxpoulsbo.org. Brown Paper Tickets  800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com
The Egyptian parliament's General Committee said on Sunday that it has reviewed a complaint filed against MP Anwar El-Sadat  the former head of parliament's human rights committee  which accused him of leaking the government-drafted NGO law to a number of foreign embassies in Cairo.

Sources say Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali lodged the complaint in person against El-Sadat with parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al on Saturday.

Wali accused El-Sadat of exploiting his position as chairman of parliament's human rights committee in the first legislative season (January-September 2016) to leak the NGO draft law to a number of foreign embassies.

Sources revealed that the General Committee  composed of the parliament speaker, two deputies, and the chairmen of 25 committees  will launch an investigation into El-Sadat, who would be referred to the ethics committee if found guilty.

El-Sadat faced accusations from parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al in the first legislative season that he had exploited his position as chairman of the human rights committee to serve the agenda of foreign embassies in Cairo, particularly the US and British embassies, as well as Western human rights organisations that are "hostile" to Egypt, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

El-Sadat resigned as chairman of the committee in August.

In response, El-Sadat told reporters Sunday that "it is so easy for foreign embassies in Cairo to gain access to the draft NGO law from different sources."

"I did not leak the draft copy of this law because it has never been sent to parliament," Sadat told reporters.

El-Sadat added that he will be questioned first by parliament's internal bureau  including the speaker and his two deputies  and that this bureau has the right to decide whether he should be referred to the ethics committee.

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By Andrew Binion of the Kitsap Sun

PORT ORCHARD  When family members recall Ann Presler, they remember a woman who took to heart what she heard in church and who didnt drink or drive but was game for a ride on the back of motorcycle. And when she hosted family holidays at her Brasch Road house in Port Orchard, which was often, grandchildren would find a stockpile of their favorite cookies.

Other memories, kept away from younger children, are the stuff of nightmares.

In 1989, the petite 85-year-old was bludgeoned and sexually assaulted by 17-year-old Michael Monroe Furman, who had been going door to door, asking residents for odd jobs.

Now, 25 years later, Furman is heading back to Kitsap Superior Court  the same court where he was sentenced to die  to find out whether he will receive the possibility of parole.

Preslers family will be there, too.

This doesnt get any easier with time, Im finding out, said Peslers granddaughter, Jule Keller of Waitsburg in Walla Walla County, who attended much of Furmans aggravated first-degree murder trial in 1990. All these years weve been able to put it to the back of our lives. Now its full force in our faces again.

Its been 22 years since Furmans life was spared. The state Supreme Court prohibited the death penalty for crimes committed as a juvenile  the U.S. Supreme Court made the same ruling in 2005. As a result of the state court decision, in 1993 Furman received a mandatory life in prison without parole sentence.

Furman, now 43 years old, is one of 30 Washington state inmates who will be resentenced in light of another court decision, and this one may give him a chance at release. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited mandatory life sentences for juvenile offenders  all convicted of aggravated first-degree murder  without judges first considering the diminished culpability of youth.

Judge Anna Laurie will make the decision after reviewing the court file. A date for that hearing has not been set, but a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Former Sheriff Pat Jones remembered the Furman case as unusually vicious.

She was a nice little lady in the neighborhood trying to help this young man out, Jones said. It was just the wrong place at the wrong time. But he knew what he was going to do.

Even family members who werent old enough to understand why their grandmother disappeared from their lives feel like they are being brought back to the horror of 1989, the trial, the details of Preslers rape and bludgeoning with six different items, including Furmans fists.

Sometimes good people do something evil, said Amy Jones, of Port Orchard. Presler was her great-grandmother, but she knew her as grandma. He is an evil person who did an evil thing.

A psychologist testifying for Furman said he could feel remorse, but that he was impulsive. A juvenile probation officer said the murder went beyond violence and anger.

However, other testimony, which points to premeditation, found that while in Preslers house Furman used his knuckles to open drawers and doors as he searched for valuables so as to not leave fingerprints.

Jones was 9 years old when Presler was killed. After her father heard, he went to the school to pick her up. The school secretary was a church friend of Preslers, and Jones remembers the secretarys keening echoing down the hall and the look on her fathers face when he said, We need to go.

Its unbelievably painful, Jones said. Its almost like it happened yesterday.

Prosecutors plan to ask Laurie to reset the sentence so Furman remains in prison for life.

The defendant chose to commit a terrible crime, Deputy Prosecutor Breanna Eshghi wrote in an email. The repercussions of his acts are still felt by the family as well as our community. Twice a judge has ordered that Mr. Furman not be released back into this community. We believe those judges were correct and that Mr. Furman should remain in prison for the rest of his life.

Furmans attorney, Michael Ryan of the Kitsap Office of Public Defense, did not return messages seeking comment.

Laurie will rule on the minimum time Furman will spend in prison, but not the underlying conviction.

Also, the new law is not a promise that offenders will be made eligible for parole, said Nick Straley, a staff attorney at Columbia Legal Services, a law firm with offices around the state that advocates for social justice issues. Juvenile justice reform is one of the firms areas of interest, but it does not represent any of the 30 inmates who will have their minimum sentences reset.

Its really about the passage of time and the offenders ability to demonstrate remorse and demonstrate they have truly been rehabilitated and should be considered for release in the future, Straley said, noting that he was speaking about the law and not individual cases. It doesnt guarantee anybodys release.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision that started the process, Miller v. Alabama, found that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles violated the Eighth Amendment and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. The Legislatures action last year, which requires the resentencings, was taken to comport with the ruling.

What drove the change, Straley said, was recent research in human brain development, which found that brains dont reach full maturity until a person is well into their 20s.

In these cases, the adult court system expected juvenile defendants with limited life experience and developing brains to have the same faculties of an adult, meaning they were able to make decisions, understand consequences and empathize with others like an adult. The law now requires judges, in cases where life without parole is a possibility, to consider the age of the offender, their childhood and life experience, the degree of responsibility they were able to exercise and their chance for rehabilitation.

Children are fundamentally different than adults neurologically, Straley said, noting that these sentences assume a young person would never change. Who knows what would happen after 30 or 40 years.

Furman had run afoul of the law before Preslers murder, and his mother him sent to live with his father in Port Orchard after getting into trouble in Fresno, California. Leading up to Preslers murder, he had been using drugs and burglarizing homes. From 1990 to 1997, Furman went back and forth between state prisons in Shelton and Walla Walla. Since 1997, he has been lodged at Clallam Bay Corrections Center.

During the nearly 25 years he has been in prison, Furman has had a total of 29 infractions, said Norah West, spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections. Eighteen of those were considered serious, including destruction of property and an assault that did not result in hospitalization. However, all but one of the infractions took place before 1999. In 2012, he was found to have committed a general infraction, for not following rules, West said.

Former Kitsap sheriffs detective Jim Harris broke the case when, almost by luck, a friend in Port Orchard mentioned that a teenage boy had come to their door asking for work. Harris followed the trail of neighbors all the way to the house where Furman lived with his father of Griffith Lane.

His appearance is that of a pretty normal, straight-laced young man. A Dennis the Menace guy, Harris said. Hes someone you wouldnt suspect of doing this.

Harris added, There is a side of him that comes out at the wrong times.

Neighbors identified Furman as the teen who was asking for work, and he ultimately confessed to Harris, admitting that he had planned to rob Presler after she hired him to wash her windows.

The decision to give the young man a chance, Keller said, likely came from a sermon at church, where members were encouraged to help young people.

She believes Presler thought the church had sent Furman to lend a hand with chores.

I believe that is the only reason she let him in the house, Keller said. As far as we knew, she had never seen him before.

Following his 1990 trial, jurors deliberated less than two hours before finding Furman guilty. The two options at the time for an aggravated first-degree murder conviction were life in prison without parole or death.

.

Keller said she remains mixed on the death penalty, but at least she was able to move forward and not think about Furman, despite the nagging thought that part of the money she pays in taxes helps feed and shelter her grandmothers killer.

Its not a financial thing, she said. Its that he took so much from our family. Were just expected to be OK with that.

Like other sentencings, the resentencing process allows families to make statements at the hearing, something Straley noted.

Families who have loved ones who suffered terrible crimes have a particular perspective, one that needs to be heard and understood, he said.

Keller plans to attend as many hearings as she can, and make a statement at sentencing. But after so many twists and turns, and so much time taken off work to travel and attend hearings, many family members dont think their voice matters.

They say, They are going to do what they are going to do, Keller said.

Jones said he understands their frustration.

There is no closure, closure is a myth, said Jones, who served as Kitsaps sheriff from 1978 to 1998. You may get results after what happened, but as far as putting it out of your mind, I dont think you ever can.
Roy Cockrum Foundation awards multi-year grant to Carpetbag Theatre

NOVEMBER 13, 2016 at 2:18 p.m.





KNOXVILLE  The Carpetbag Theatre, Inc. has received a major multi-year grant awarded from The Roy Cockrum Foundation in support of the organizations 50th Anniversary Celebration Series.



The Carpetbag Theatre, Inc. will be utilizing the funds received to remount six of the most beloved plays from our past, as well as supporting the future creation and development of Carpetbags newest original work currently entitled, Bricks.



With generous support from The Roy Cockrum Foundation, Carpetbag will be remounting these original works as fully produced performances at fully equipped Knoxville and Maryville venues. The performances will take place over the course of the three years leading up to the Anniversary celebration (2017, 2018, 2019) with two productions per year. CBT will invite former ensemble members who have remained in the professional field to return as guest artists and directors of the project.



The scheduled plays to be presented are as follows: Between A Ballad and A Blues, Nothin Nice, Dark Cowgirls and Prairie Queens, Ce Nitram Sacul, SWOPERA (a Spoken Word Opera), and Red Summer. The development of Carpetbags newest work, Bricks will trace the history of the African American brick making industry and its significance to the Affrilachian community and the region.



The Carpetbag Theatre is a Professional African American Legacy Theater company with a rich history of service to diverse populations. As an intergenerational ensemble company, our efforts to engage communities of color and other disenfranchised communities have been constant. An ensemble company both artistically and administratively, CBT works collaboratively to fulfill our mission, to build communities and to develop social capital, emphasizing inclusion and cross-cultural dialogue.



Our mission is to give artistic voice to the issues and dreams of people who have been silenced by racism, classism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and other forms of oppression. Finding voice is not simply storytelling; it reveals an individuals power to make change in their own lives and the lives of their community. Our curatorial practice is rooted in these principles, selecting work that exemplifies an aesthetic that is inclusive and meets our standard of excellence.



The mission of The Roy Cockrum Foundation is to award grants to support world-class performing arts projects in not-for-profit professional theaters throughout the United States. Published November 13, 2016
SOLitude Lake Management offers free lake restoration for non-profits

NOVEMBER 13, 2016 at 1:27 p.m.





A before and after image of work by Solitude Lake Management. NASHVILLE  SOLitude Lake Management, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the United States, is seeking nominations to assist non-profit organizations across the country whose recreational lakes and ponds are in dire need of ecological restoration. To nominate a non-profit organization for the Love Your Lake initiative, email the name of the property, photos, contact information and the organizations story to info@solitudelake.com.



Through the Love Your Lake program, SOLitude has assisted non-profits in need with returning their lakes or ponds to healthy waterbodies fit for activities like swimming, fishing and kayaking. VFW Post 637, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization in Hopewell, Virginia, was the recipient of a recent lake makeover. The waterbody was infested with nuisance aquatic weeds, specifically Brazilian elodea, which negatively impacted the ecology of the pond and made it difficult for fish and other aquatic life to thrive. SOLitude joined forces with industry partners Crop Production Services and SePRO Corporation to perform a series of water quality enhancing treatments. The restoration efforts have allowed veterans and their families to have access to a cleaner waterbody that can once again be enjoyed for fishing.



As a member of the VFW Post 637 and on behalf of our membership, we would like to express our sincere appreciation, said Jim Cooper, property manager of the VFW Post. It is awesome to see companies such as SOLitude Lake Management and their partners support our nations veterans and their families.



Another Love Your Lake project that is currently underway involves the restoration of a pond at Lancaster Childrens Home in Lancaster, South Carolina. The Lancaster Childrens Home provides kids in distress a safe haven in which to work on the issues that have caused them to be placed in an out-of-home environment. All money raised by the organization goes directly to the children for food, housing and clothing. SOLitude and industry partner Nufarm teamed-up to treat the pond which is infested with the aquatic weed, watermeal, so that children at the home can use it for fishing and other recreational activities.



Love Your Lake is one of several initiatives of The SOLution, a company-wide program that encourages the company and all employees to strive to create a better world through volunteerism, community outreach, sustainability and environmental consciousness. SOLitudes company leadership feels it is important to not only be good stewards of the environment, but also to fulfill company core values to take action and be accountable and to protect and respect nature. To learn more, visit www.solitudelakemanagement.com/solution. Published November 13, 2016


















TBI accepting entries for 2017 National Missing Childrens Day poster contest

NOVEMBER 13, 2016 at 12:09 a.m.





NASHVILLE  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is calling all 5th graders from across the state to participate in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) 2017 National Missing Childrens Day poster contest by entering at the state level for a chance to be selected as the national winner and awarded a free trip to Washington, D.C. The purpose of the contest is to demonstrate Americas united effort to bring missing children home safely, while highlighting the importance of proactive education programs.



The U.S. Department of Justice, through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Preventions Child Protection Division, sponsors an annual Missing Childrens Poster Contest for 5th grade students to develop artwork that represents Americas united goal to bring missing children home safely. The poster contest provides teachers and parents with tools to educate children about safety and the prevention of child abductions. It also allows for peer education and students can explore the importance of the contests theme Bring Our Missing Children Home. The National Missing Childrens Day ceremony will be held on or around May 25, 2017. The ceremony will be a time to recognize people who work to bring missing children home safely and remember the children who remain missing.



Fifth graders in Tennessee can enter the poster contest by submitting them to TBI, where a panel of staff members will select a state winner to enter into the national contest. The winner of the Tennessees 2016 contest was Henry Zenor, a student at Christ the King School in Nashville. His winning design appears on this news release.



Additional details, rules, and resources are available online at www.tn.gov/tbi. Published November 13, 2016
The Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip will open for four days, starting from Monday till Friday, state owned MENA agency reported on Sunday.

According to the agency, the opening of the crossing comes based on orders by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The crossing will be open on both sides to allow humanitarian cases to cross.

Last month, the border crossing was also opened fon orders by El-Sisi to allow the entry of similar cases.

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Sinai is the only way for the 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been living under Israeli siege since 2006 to enter and exit the strip.

The border with Egypt has been kept closed for most of the time by Egyptian authorities on security grounds for three years. Cairo periodically opens the border for short periods to allow civilians with foreign passports, Palestinian students and those with medical needs to travel back and forth.

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"Cook, Ballmer not right CEOs to lead Apple, MS"



By Kim Tae-gyu



Microsoft and Apple are global leaders in the corporate world but both continue to lose dominance. A renowned journal attributes that to the faults of execution-oriented CEOs who succeeded visionary predecessors.



In its latest edition, the Harvard Business Review said that Apple and Microsoft face declines in their fates under the stewardships of Tim Cook and Steve Ballmer, who replaced Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, respectively.



"Tim Cook has now run Apple for five years, long enough for this to be his company rather than that of Steve Jobs. The parallel between Gates and Ballmer and Jobs and Cook is eerie," it said.



"In five years, the only new thing that managed to get out the door is the Apple Watch. With 115,000 employees Apple can barely get annual updates out for laptops and desktop computers."



Cook and Ballmer, which the magazine classifies as execution CEOs to follow the innovator chiefs of Jobs and Gates, have managed to improve their enterprises' top and bottom lines.



But the Harvard Business Review criticizes that they have failed to come up with game changers unlike their predecessors.



It predicted that Apple would be overtaken by competitors because of artificial intelligence (AI) just like it happened to Microsoft as Ballmer failed to read five most crucial technology trends of the 21st century  search, smartphones, mobile operating systems, media and cloud.



In particular, the journal that is published 10 times a year point out that Cook is not the right manager to breathe the innovative atmosphere into the tech giant, which is experiencing warning signals in its revenue and profitability.



"Apple brilliantly mastered user interface and product design to power the iPhone to dominance, But Google and Amazon are betting that the next of wave of computing products will be AI-directed services  machine intelligence driving apps and hardware," it said.



"The problem is that a supply chain CEO who lacks a passion for products and has yet to articulate a personal vision of where Apple will go is ill-equipped to make the right organizational, business model and product bets to bring innovative products to market."



It notes that when a visionary CEO is gone, most often innovation dies and the firm coasts for years on momentum and its brand. But it rarely regains its former glory.



It concludes that the post-visionary CEO syndrome should be dealt with via the departure of execution leaders and the advent of other innovation champion.



"Innovation CEOs are almost always replaced by one of their execution vice presidents," it said. "If they have inherited a powerful business model this often results in gains in revenue and profits that can continue for years."



"However, as soon as the market, business model and technology shifts, these execution CEOs are ill-equipped to deal with the change  the result is a company that is being made obsolete by more agile innovators and left to live off its momentum in its twilight years."




Moon Hyung-joo, a dentist and head of the Moon Dental Hospital, northern Seoul / Courtesy of the Moon Dental Hospital

By Lee Kyung-min

Recent studies show oral diseases can affect the health of not only the mouth but also the whole body. It is also known that a bacterium, Streptococcus gordonii, can cause blood clots and trigger life-threatening endocarditis, or inflammation of the heart.

Moon Hyung-joo, a dentist and head of Moon Dental Hospital in northern Seoul, has obtained a patent from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) for a toothpaste he developed, which is effective in killing the bacterium.

The toothpaste contains ingredients that are effective in detoxification and inflammation treatment. It has a mixture of neem oil and castor oil, combined with herbal extracts made from psyllium seed, Japanese star anise, trichosanthes seed, anemarrhena and Japanese cornelian cherry.

"Unlike most other toothpastes that use artificial chemical preservatives, this toothpaste is only composed of natural, organic compounds, which greatly reduces the risk of side effects," Moon said.

Using natural toothpaste is important, as the oral mucosa, which is far thinner than the skin, is more susceptible to absorbing harmful substances into the body, he added.

"People nowadays pay great attention to the ingredients of cosmetic products and food because they care what they are putting into their bodies. Toothpaste is not an exception," he said.

Through tests by his patients, Moon said he confirmed his toothpaste also helps relieve inflammation as well as treat sore gums and aching teeth.

"I hope my toothpaste with more health advantages will offer more options to consumers concerned with dental health," he said.

Dental health management for quality life

The idea for the new toothpaste came after a joint study by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Bristol in 2014 that Streptococcus gordonii can get into the bloodstream through bleeding gums.

According to the study, once making its way into the bloodstream, the bacterium causes blood clots because it activates platelets, the blood cells that help clotting. Due to the clots, the heart valves grow larger, blocking effective blood supply to the heart or brain, which can result in heart disease, a heart attack or stroke. The bacterium also protects itself from the natural immune system and antibiotics, according to Moon.

But he said that toothpaste developers so far have only concentrated on killing two major bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity - Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis - which are known to cause tooth decay and periodontal disease, respectively.

"Endocarditis is a serious disease treated only by surgery or strong antibiotics, which is becoming more difficult due to growing antibiotic resistance. Considering this, using my toothpaste will reduce the risks potentially caused by the bacterium. All it takes is simply brushing teeth with it," Moon said.

The toothpaste has not yet hit the market, and Moon is preparing for it.

Although people have been healthy in their young age, dental health is never to be overlooked, as it greatly affects the quality of health later in life, Moon added.

"I hear old patients saying all the time that nothing is more annoying than oral pain caused by weak gums and tooth loss. Brush your teeth every day and visit your dentist regularly."

His study on dental occlusion, jaw joints and the muscles that control jaw movement, and general body health was published in 2011 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Nearly 500 Korean Americans and overseas Koreans have participated in a rally in Los Angeles on Friday evening (local time) demanding that President Park Geun-hye resign over the influence-peddling scandal involving her close confidante Choi Soon-sil. / Yonhap



By Lee Jin-a

Koreans across the world held rallies to add their voices to the one million citizens gathered at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Saturday (KST) demanding that President Park Geun-hye resign over a scandal involving longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.

Rallies were held simultaneously in 10 countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Australia, and Japan on Friday and Saturday (local time).

In the U.S., candlelight rallies were held in major cities including Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles on Friday evening (local time).

While about 500 Korean Americans and overseas Koreans shouted "Park Geun-hye out!" in front of the Consulate General of Korea in Los Angeles, more than 200 people called on Park to resign at the entrance of Koreatown, Manhattan, New York. Twenty citizens also joined the protest in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.





Despite the rain, about 700 Koreans gathered at the Trocadero Plaza near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Saturday afternoon (local time) calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down. / Yonhap



Following the anti-president rally of Korean students from the University of California , Berkeley and Stanford University, students from Harvard University in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology also denounced Park.

Angry Koreans in Europe also held the rallies on Saturday (local time) to demand Park's resignation and to restore democracy.

In France, nearly 700 people, including local citizens, international students and tourists, took part in a rally calling on Park to step down.





Local citizens and international students shout "Park Geun-hye OUT" in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Saturday afternoon (local time). / Yonhap



In Germany, about 300 people protested at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin wearing the masks of Park and Choi. As well as demanding Park's resignation, they also called on the Korean government to investigate the case properly and punish the criminals.

Anti-Park rallies were also held in other cities including Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich and Bochum.

Meanwhile, about 800 Koreans in Australia joined a candlelight rally at the Hyde Park, Sydney, and 150 protesters picketed with signs at Aotea Square, Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday afternoon.

They demanded Park's resignation and a proper investigation of the influence-peddling scandal.

Protests were also held in Canada, England, Japan, India and Brazil during the two days.
By Yi Whan-woo

President Park Geun-hye is well aware of the severity of the Saturday's massive candlelit rally and is considering all measures to normalize state affairs, the presidential office said Sunday.





However, her initial reaction to the nation's biggest candlelit rally in decades shows that Park will not accept the people's calls for her to resignation.





Presidential chief of staff Han Kwang-ok and other senior presidential secretaries discussed, Sunday, ways to cope with the unprecedented rally, which organizers say was participated in by more than 1 million people demanding that Park resign.





"We take the public anger expressed in the rally very seriously, a presidential spokesman said after the talks.





"We are gathering ideas to come up with correct measures to resolve the current political chaos."





He said Park observed the rally from her official residence in Cheong Wa Dae, adding that: "President Park is at pains over how to fulfill her duty as president and normalize state affairs."





Analysts said Cheong Wa Dae was falling short of placating the public.





They said Park must step down or declare that she will give up much of her power as quickly as possible to minimize confusion at home and abroad.





With the prosecution's inquiry into Park's involvement in a corruption scandal appearing imminent, she is expected to issue another public statement this week  this time possibly including how to normalize state affairs.





Her previous two apologies over the scandal failed to calm public anger with fresh allegations surrounding her and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil surfacing almost every day.





Analysts said the rally at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, Saturday, indicated that the people had "crossed the threshold" in their tolerance.





They said public protest might spread further, pointing out that Saturday's rally was accompanied by other anti-Park protests in major cities here and abroad. Some analysts said resignation may be Park's only option.





"It even may be too late for Park to wait until the National Assembly-picked prime minister comes in to replace her in the job," said Shin Yul, a politics professor at Myongji University.





On Nov. 8, the President promised to appoint a prime minister recommended by the Assembly to oversee the Cabinet.





Her move was in line with a call for her to step aside from all state affairs and nominally remain in office until her term ends in February 2018.





Questioning her sincerity, several hard-line opposition lawmakers are still refusing to cooperate with the President and have asked her to resign.





After her apologies, Oct. 25 and Nov. 4, Park was criticized for failing to clear suspicions that Choi influenced her and meddled in state affairs to take illicit benefits.





She was also accused of falling short of explaining why she pushed to appoint Kookmin University Professor Kim Byeong-joon as the new prime minister to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn without consulting the Assembly.





"In this climate, not many people would buy her promise that she will not intervene in state affairs," Shin said. "Her resignation and an early presidential election may be the only viable choice she has left."





Im Tobin, a public administration professor at Seoul National Assembly, agreed.





"Her apologies only added fuel to the fire and any further apologies are expected only to deepen suspicions," he said, citing claims from political sources that Park may apologize again this week.





In a separate bid last week, the President said she would accept questioning by the prosecution if necessary.





Im said such possible cooperation will not be enough to win public trust. He referred to the people's distrust of the prosecution after a photo released by the Chosun Ilbo last week showed investigators seemingly going easy on Woo Byung-woo, Park's former senior secretary for civil affairs and also a former prosecutor.





Woo is suspected of having links to Choi in addition to his alleged embezzlement and abuse of power in a separate case. The prosecution summoned him last week for questioning.





"The President may not have known about all the allegations concerning Choi and her aides and may want to prove it before the prosecution," Im said.





"But it's unlikely to work considering the people have no faith in the prosecution. I think she may consider stepping down."





An estimated 1 million people took to the streets in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul in the biggest protest in Korea since June 1987 during the democratic uprising against military dictator Chun Doo-hwan.





From Friday to Saturday, smaller groups also held anti-Park rallies separately in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju as well as in 30 cities in 10 countries, including Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, Berlin, Paris, New Delhi and Sao Paulo.





The Gwanghwamun rally was the third in successive weeks. Another rally is expected on Nov. 19.





Park has been keeping track of the public protests from her home, according to presidential officials.




Saenuri Party lawmakers listen to Rep. Kim Moo-sung, a former party chairman who has been vocal against President Park Geun-hye, during an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly, Sunday. The party faction he belongs to urged the President to give up her hold on power, saying Park loyalists should give up their party posts immediately.

/ Yonhap



By Rachel Lee





Lee Jung-hyun

Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Lee Jung-hyun said Sunday the party should hold a convention in January to elect a new leader.

However, non-mainstream party member demanding Lee's immediate resignation criticized him for playing "tricks" to protect the scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye.

"The best way for now is to hold a national convention Jan. 21 to form a new leadership," Lee said. "I'm willing to step down early if a Cabinet supported by the National Assembly is formed before then."

The announcement came as patience is running out inside the ruling party with staunch Park loyalists and other pro-Park figures in leadership posts, with lawmakers from rival factions threatening to bolt if Lee keeps refusing to step down.

Lee's resignation is now only a matter of time as the party is struggling to cope with the corruption scandal involving Park and her long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Lawmakers who have turned their backs on Park have joined opposition parties to call on Park to give up power. They are also pressuring Lee, a die-hard Park loyalist, to resign as quickly as possible.

Lee said last week he would step down soon, but concerns are growing that the conflict between Park loyalists and the other factions may worsen over how to form the party leadership after Lee leaves.

Those loyal to President Park are making a push to hold an early national convention to elect a new leadership immediately after a nonpartisan cabinet is formed by the end of this year or early next year.

A lawmaker from the pro-Park faction said the party leadership, composed of Park loyalists, including the chairman, should step down and the party should immediately hold a national convention as soon as a nonpartisan cabinet is formed.

Some said the pro-Park group would "fully support whoever becomes the next chairman," naming lawmakers Rep. Kim Moo-sung and Rep. Yoo Seung-min.

Another loyalist called for a complete revamp under the new leadership, including the party's core values.

However, concerns are rising in the mainstream group over further possible trouble within the party if it is run too long by an emergency planning committee, which will be set up after Lee quits.

Those lawmakers insist that the chairman maintain his post until the nonpartisan cabinet is formed.

Pro-Park members reportedly fear that the committee, if led by the rival faction, could "purge" them.

Non-mainstream lawmakers are pushing for the transformation in the emergency party committee set-up before the party holds a national convention.

Former party Chairman Kim Moo-sung said last week that he rejected the idea of an early national convention, stressing a strong need to form the emergency planning committee first.

Rep. Cheong Yang-seog criticized the ruling party's idea of holding an early party convention for its "greedy desires to secure seats," calling for the leadership to resign and the emergency planning committee be formed with some members scouted from outside the party.

Potential nominees named for committee leader among the non-Park faction include former National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o.

The scandal, in which Choi, Park's longtime friend with no official government job, intervened in state affairs, has sent the party's approval rating plummeting to 17 percent last week, compared with 31 percent for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, according to a Gallup Korea survey.

Rep. Ha Tae-keung, a rival faction member, criticized the pro-Park leadership, taking issue with its defensive stance over the scandals surrounding the Mir and K-Sports foundations during the previous National Assembly audit.

The two non-profit foundations, which Choi controlled, collected about 80 billion won ($70.4 million) from the nation's major conglomerates, using her ties to the President.
Ban Jun-hwi, 11, makes a funny face during a photo shoot after class at Youngil Elementary School in Guro, southwestern Seoul, Tuesday. Ban is the top prize winner of the fifth Korea Multicultural Youth Awards.



Grand prize winner versatile in language, music, go

By Kim Bo-eun





Ban plays the violin during orchestra practice at the Guro Culture Center in Seoul.

/ Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chul

Eleven-year-old Ban Jun-hwi is observant, inquisitive and smart; but what makes the top prize winner of the fifth Korea Multicultural Youth Awards shine above all is his character.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ban was early for his orchestra class at a local culture center in Guro, southwestern Seoul.

Some students were there, practicing or talking to each other. But there were not enough chairs for all of the orchestra members.

Soon, Ban came with a stack of chairs, struggling to get the heavy load into the entrance.

"I jokingly refer to him as aeneulgeuni' (a precocious child), because he is such a mature and responsible child," Lee Sang-hyo, his violin teacher at Guro Culture Center, said.

After the orchestra practice was over, students of each section gathered to practice separately. Ban is part of the violin section.

Ban has been learning violin for six years, but modestly says he is not much good but likes playing with the orchestra because various instruments can complement each other harmoniously.

Classmates also recognize his consideration for others, and he was elected class president from his second to fourth years.



Background

Ban is a child of an interracial family, of which the number is growing but still remains a minority. In the highly homogeneous country of Korea, interracial children are sometimes bullied for their skin color or facial features, and can have difficult school lives at school.

In the case of Ban, born to a Korean father and Chinese mother, nothing visibly tells of his racial background. Ban says his classmates, who find out about his mother, want to know why she is Chinese and where he was born.

"I simply tell them I was born at the Korea University Guro Hospital," Ban said with a smile. "Then they stop asking."

Ban has lived in Guro all his life. His mother tongue is Korean, but at times he speaks with his mother in Chinese, which he continues to learn. When Ban was a second grader, he received the grand prize in a foreign language contest hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.





High achiever

Ban has a talent for math and science. He attends a math academy for the gifted affiliated with the Nambu District Office of Education in Seoul. Ban is also a member of a Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) science program for multicultural children.

Ban says his grandfather taught him math since he was six years old.

"I want to become a mathematician, who can refute existing math theories and formulas," Ban said, ambitiously.

In addition, Ban is a go player. In 2012 and 2014, he won nationwide go tournaments for interracial children organized by the Korea Baduk Association, as an individual player and on a team, respectively.

In his free time, Ban is immersed in books. After school, he often goes to the library in his neighborhood and spends hours there.

Although Ban is studious and mature, he is only 11 and is just like the rest of his classmates  he wants more time to play. "I like to play games and hang out with my friends," he said, beaming.
The T-50A trainer jet



By Rachel Lee

The T-50A trainer jet will have its first test flight in the United States this week, according to its developer, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Sunday.

The test flight will take place at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Pilot Training facility in Greenville, S.C., Thursday (local time). Officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and media will attend the event.

The T-50A, developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and KAI, is an upgraded version of the T-50 Golden Eagle. It had its first successful test at Sacheon in South Gyeongsang Province in June, boding well for KAI's bid to sell the T-50A to the United States, which is seeking to upgrade its trainer fleet.

Lockheed, teaming up with KAI, is offering the T-50A for the U.S. Air Force's T-X project to buy 350 trainer jets, in which it is contesting with BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman and Boeing-Saab Group consortiums, both of which plan to offer clean-sheet designs.

Initially, high-ranking South Korean officials, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo and Vice Defense Minister Hwang In-moo, had planned to attend the event, but cancelled due to the ongoing political turmoil here.

The T-50A follows on the success of the T-50, a supersonic, light combat jet which was developed in 2006. A single, large-area display (LAD) as well as an assimilated-training program are mounted on the plane.

The U.S. Air Force is expected to issue notice of bidding by the end of the year and sign a contract in 2017.
The cumulative number of North Korean defectors in South Korea has topped 30,000, the Ministry of Unification said Sunday.

The ministry said seven North Korean people arrived in South Korea via a third country Friday, raising the total of North Koreans defecting to the South to 30,005.

The cumulative number of defectors exceeded 10,000 in February 2006 and 20,000 in November 2010.

The annual number of defectors had steadily increased from 1,384 in 2005 to 2,914 in 2009 but fell between 2011 and 2015 due to the North's tighter border control and stronger punishment of those caught attempting to flee, according to the ministry data.

In the first 10 months of this year, a total of 1,155 North Koreans entered the South, marking an on-year growth of 18 percent.

Ministry officials attributed this year's growth to a combination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's reign of terror and tougher international sanctions on the North. Notably, there was a remarkable increase in the defections of elite North Koreans working overseas.

Data showed 71 percent of defectors are women, with the ratio further rising to 80 percent this year. Ministry officials explained women tend to be less under the Pyongyang regime's supervision.

By age, those in their 20s and 30s at the time of defection accounted for 58 percent of the total, the data showed.

The unification ministry will soon come up with comprehensive measures to support the resettlement of the defectors in the South, which may include expansions of jobs and education opportunities. (Yonhap)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will likely deliver his campaign pledge to press South Korea to bear a larger share of the costs in keeping American troops in the country, Victor Cha, a Korean-American academic well versed in Korean affairs, said Friday.



"Throughout the campaign, he has held to the view that allies need to pay their fair share, he espoused the view that the United States will treat allies fairly, but he also wants allies to treat the U.S. fairly," the chairman at the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a lecture at Seoul National University. He was a top advisor on North Korean affairs for former U.S. President George Bush.



The cost-sharing issue will be the first substantive issue challenging the U.S.-South Korea alliance under the Trump administration next year when the allies' five-year agreement will be up for renewal before its expiry in 2018, he said.



"It's about real money, so it's very difficult negotiations ... Trump feels allies should pay fair shares so I think the U.S will probably press Korea to pay more," he said.



Under the current the Special Measures Agreement, which is renewed every five years, South Korea foots more than 40 percent of the bill or around 1 trillion won ($859.8 million).



"My guess is that the U.S. wants Korea to pay more in a new co-sharing agreement," Cha said.



A Trump presidency would also dash South Korea's bid to join a U.S.-led multinational free trade pact Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), he said.



"He (Trump) said it's a bad deal, this reflects fundamental opposition to free trade agreements because it exports U.S. jobs and it causes U.S. companies to remove manufacturing bases overseas ... if it's (true) then I don't think it's about simply revising TPP," according to Cha.



"South Korea wants to be the first major economy to join the TPP after it goes into effect. I don't think it's an issue anymore because the TPP as we know it is not likely to continue in its current form under the Trump administration," he added.



Still, the plan to deploy the U.S. air defense system Terminal-High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) will remain unaffected in line with Trump's demand that "allies carry more burden," he noted.



In addition, the Trump administration is also expected to expedite Washington's transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean forces to Seoul, he said.



"If the U.S. wants Korea to carry more burden, the U.S. will seek the completion of OPCON transfer as a way of shifting the burden," according to Cha. (Yonhap)




South Korean parties continued to bicker over whether President Park Geun-hye should retain her control of foreign affairs and national security after she retreats from state affairs in the wake of a scandal involving her civilian confidante.

While rival parties agree that a new prime minister should be granted with more power, they have been at odds on how much mandate she should hand over.

"It is a matter of course that Park drop control over the military," Rep. Choo Mi-ae, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, said.

Park has been low-key since the outbreak of the scandal in which she allegedly let an old friend exert influence on state affairs.

Choo added Park must also step aside from diplomatic affairs, which is one of most important presidential duties in small countries, like South Korea, surrounded by bigger powers.

"The president who people are ashamed of should promptly stay away from state affairs," Choo said, adding the a new prime minister should exert more power than simply implementing presidential orders as stated by the Constitution.

The ruling Saenuri Party called the opposition party's proposal unconstitutional, arguing that the president should retain control over the military.

"Even though the country is facing problems, we should not violate the Constitution," Rep. Chung Jin-suk, the floor leader of Saenuri, said. "All political disputes must be settled within the boundaries of the Constitution."

Chung's remark targeted Moon Jae-in, a former head of the Democratic Party who is likely to run for presidency next year. Moon lost against Park in the previous race.

"I cannot understand why lawyer-turned-politician (Moon) is making such unconstitutional claims," Chung added. (Yonhap)
Chairman of the Egyptian parliament's human rights committee Alaa Abed said Sunday that a list of 134 individuals currently in detention pending investigation was submitted to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to see whether they are eligible for pardon.

We will not make the names of these 134 young people public so that some do not feel shocked if they find out that their names are not on the list, said Abed.

A committee reviewing the cases of youths detained for non-violent politically related crimes, which was formed after the National Youth Conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh in late October, met with El-Sisi on Saturday, after which committee member Karim El-Sakka confirmed to Ahram Online that 83 detainees will be released within a few days.

Abed also said that the committee will hold another meeting to prepare a new list of jailed individuals who have exhausted their court appeals.

Egypt's presidency announced on Saturday that the committee will expand its scope to include prisoners who have received final verdicts in crimes involving protest, publishing and expression. The review panel was previously only tasked with reviewing cases of defendants under precautionary detention.

President El-Sisi suggested that those serving final prison sentences also be included as part of his pardon initiative and in accordance with the Sharm El-Sheikh National Youth Conference, said Abed.

The five-member committee comprises prominent politician and member of the Free Egyptians Party Osama El-Ghazaly Harb, writer Nashwa El-Houfy, MP Tarek El-Kholy, National Council for Human Rights member Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, in addition to El-Sakka, a former member of President El-Sisi's electoral campaign.

According to the presidency's statement, the committee has been in communication with the National Council for Human Rights and the parliamentary human rights committee, as well as political parties, unions, rights organisations and the families of detainees. The committee is also coordinating with the interior and justice ministries.

Abed also disclosed that parliament's human rights committee will conduct field visits to a number of prisons in upcoming weeks to review the human rights situation of prisoners.

Officials with the interior ministry said they welcome any visits from parliament's human rights committee, said Abed.

In 2015, the president pardoned 100 prisoners, including dozens who were convicted of violating the controversial protest law during the 2013 Shura Council demonstrations and the 2014 Ittihadiya demonstrations.

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By Kim Jong-nam



Before becoming an independent consultant, I worked for corporations for 15 years. During that time, I participated in and led a lot of projects. Every time I worked with project participants who came from different departments and even careers, I saw conflict occurring between them. The main causes of these conflicts were participants' late outputs, irresponsible attitudes, and even absences from meetings.

When asked to explain themselves, the project members who had committed the blunders whether intentionally or unintentionallysaid that they were unable to act because they needed to receive permission from their bosses, who were the "final-decision makers." What's even more surprising about this response is that they were already managers, meaning that they had more than ten years of corporate experience and a wealth of knowledge about their fields.

Sometimes, these members even asked the project manager to persuade their bosses to cooperate with whatever the project needed because they had failed to do so. In order for a project to go forward, all departments must collaborate. However, since every department had different positions and situations, it was nearly impossible to finish projects without disruptions and fissures.

These days, when I visit client companies as a consultant, I sometimes see the same phenomenon. Many executives and CEOs I have met have expressed that they cannot understand why their employees are not enthusiastic about their work _ why they seem to take no ownership of it, and to feel no pride in it. Instead of making that work their own, they treat it as "just" something that their company has asked them to do. As a consultant, I always underline the importance of employees' having a "CEO mindset" and "behaving like they are the owner of the company" in terms of their investment and implementations of strategies. Sometimes, upon hearing this, higher-level corporate officers become upset because their employees do just the opposite: they are passive and withdrawn.

In order to figure out why this was so, I talked with the "problematic" employees during a workshop without their managers. They responded that they would love to behave "like CEOs" and become more autonomous, but that it was impossible given how little authority and decision-making power they were given. How were they expected to take ownership of something when they were not owners in the first place?

This changed my perspective. If CEOs and executives really want their employees to be more engaged and to show more self-determination, they need to be able to give their employees real power instead of empty verbal recognition. By doing so, employees will be truly empowered and will begin to behave like real owners of their company.

P&G, for example, already does this: they allow even their new hires to manage their products on their own. As a result, their new hires become committed to creating profits because of this right. Similarly, Zappos, the online shoes and clothing company, is famous for having open access to all documents and paperwork for all employees. Thus, their junior-level employees know what their senior executives are doing. Through this approach, Zappos has succeeded in creating a culture where employees believe that they know what is happening in their company and that everything is open to them regardless of their rank and title. How could you not feel like an owner of the company?

Asking employees to be "empowered" without actually giving them any rights or authority is nonsensical and even cruel. If they really feel that they are respected both verbally and in practice, they will become real "CEOs" who will be willing to be responsible. Horizontal culture will only develop if all employees are truly horizontal.

The writer is founding CEO of META, a corporate education company in Seoul. Write to jongnam@sas.upenn.edu.
Largest anti-president rally since 1980s puts pressure on Park



A massive crowd turned out in central Seoul once again Saturday for a march demanding that the scandal-hit Park Geun-hye resign.



Organizers said almost one million people took part in one of the biggest anti-government rallies since the pro-democracy demonstrations of the 1980s. It was not just local Koreans who have taken to the streets to condemn Park and her decades-long friend Choi Soon-sil, described in the foreign media as Korea's "shadow president." Overseas Koreans who feel ashamed of the President have also been taking part in anti-Park protests in major cities in the U.S., Europe and Asia.



The organizers are planning another demonstration on Nov. 26 and are planning to continue the protests until Park responds to their call for her to step down. Park cannot afford to dismiss the outpouring of furious chants for her resignation. The overwhelming consensus of the people is that Park no longer deserves to serve as President due to her role in the Choi scandal which seems increasingly pivotal in the latest findings of the prosecution after questioning Choi and Park's former aides. Opposition parties and many citizens are now calling it the "Park Geun-hye/Choi Soon-sil gate."



The country has been virtually without a President since the first reports of the misdeeds of Choi and her cohort. Park has not been able to carry out her routine duties and has cancelled public appointments. The Choi scandal has also affected Park's diplomatic capacity, as seen in Cheong Wa Dae's announcement last week that she will not attend the upcoming APEC summit in Peru. This is the first time for a Korean head of state to be absent from the summit since the first one in 1993. Given the grave disruption of state affairs, Park should think in earnest about what is best for the nation rather than what is convenient for her.



It is urgent for the President to show some sign that she is willing to take some of the public sentiment to heart. For this, we urge Park to deliver a third public apology to make up for some serious flaws in the previous two. The weekly protests calling for Park to quit have only grown larger despite the two apologies Park has made in the past three weeks in the wake of the scandal. The latest polls show that her job approval rating remains at 5 percent, the lowest for any president in modern Korean history.



The new message of apology should contain two definite messages. First, the public wants to hear clearly from her own lips that she will wholeheartedly undertake steps to dilute her power. Her second apology delivered Nov. 4 and a subsequent meeting with National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun were heavily criticized because she was vague about delegating her authority to a new prime minister. The anti-Park demonstrations will only become fiercer if she continues to fixate on maintaining power, which is seen by many as an attempt to use her status as President to avoid due punishment for irregularities that she has committed.



Another crucial message the people expect is that she is truly sorry for causing such huge distress and anger to them, and crippling state affairs.




By Andrei Lankov

The New Yalu Bridge separates the twin cities of Sinuiju and Dandong, lying opposite each other on the Chinese and North Korean sides of the Yalu River respectively.

The very existence of the bridge, however, is nowhere to be found in local Chinese media. State censors do not want a reminder of what is gradually becoming a chronic embarrassment; a living (and very expensive) symbol of the uneasy nature of Sino-North Korean relations.

Over the many decades since the Korean War, commercial traffic between Sinuiju and Dandong has been serviced by a 1943 bridge originating in downtown Dandong. The narrow passageway is used by both trucks and trains. Decades of heavy use and poor maintenance have made the one-time marvel of engineering dilapidated and unreliable. The New Yalu Bridge still accounts for about two thirds of all land traffic between North Korea and the outside world.

Thus, it seemed only logical when in 2009 during a visit of then-Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Pyongyang, North Korea and China agreed to build a second bridge, built with the very best materials and twenty-first century engineering, that would accommodate automotive and commercial traffic, while the old 1943 bridge would be rail only.

The project was expected to cost $150 million, the lion's share to be paid by the Chinese. The new bridge is located downstream from the city center but still within city limits, and is perfectly accessible from Dandong proper.

Construction of the new bridge brought much business activity to Dandong. A new commercial district began to grow nearby on the assumption that the area would become a major trade and investment hub. Some optimists even went as far to say the city was well on its way to being a "Macao of the North". Property investors invested piles of money constructing high-rise buildings where offices and flats of lucky businessmen and women were to be located.

With characteristic swiftness the Chinese nearly completed the bridge by 2014, less than five years after construction began. Its formal opening was highly anticipated, but as time went by no news about the bridge appeared in official publications in either country. Something was up.

Indeed, even though the bridge was more or less complete, it went nowhere. While the Chinese side had a large customs and freight processing complex built, connected with a system of roads leading to the bridge, on the North Korean bank the bridge ends abruptly, virtually in the middle of a field, with no signs of customs, immigration and other buildings in sight. There are no paved roads to the supposed North Korean terminal for the bridge.

Soon it was clear that the North Koreans, due to some unknown reasons, had decided not to complete their part of the project, even though their expected contribution was relatively tiny. There was complete silence on the matter in the media, but rumors claimed that the entire bridge project was initially the brainchild of Jang Song-taek, the uncle of the North Korean Supreme Leader. Jang was very publicly purged and executed in December 2013, and many projects he was associated with were shelved or delayed indefinitely.

There are other explanations too. A high-level Chinese analyst conveyed that his North Korean interlocutors claimed they were suspicious of China's true intentions. Accordingly,, the new bridge was too large for civilian traffic, and thus was probably designed to facilitate a Chinese invasion of North Korea (decision makers in Pyongyang, ever suspicious of their neighbors, believe that such invasion is not completely impossible). The above-mentioned analyst was told that the bridge "can be used by hundreds of tanks every hour".

Regardless of the true motivations behind North Korean dereliction, the city of Dandong was the biggest loser. Speculative investments in the bridge district did not pay off; most of the flats and nearly all offices remain empty, with little chance of being sold at an acceptable price.

Rumors surface from time to time about a North Korean change of heart, that construction will start on a customs office and on paved roads. The last time such rumors circulated, early this year, it was believed that work would resume in July. However, nothing happened. The massive nearly-complete bridge towers rise over the city for a fourth year, a vivid reminder of the risks of doing business with North Korea.



Andrei Lankov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and teaches at Kookmin University in Seoul. Reach him at anlankov@yahoo.com.
Infinite met Tom Cruise for the second time! The group met the Hollywood actor last year in Korea when he was promoting another film. This time, Tom Cruise was in Korea to promote his newest movie 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.' In the movie Tom Cruise's character Jack Reacheris accused of murder as he tries to uncover a government conspiracy.

Infinite performed their hit songs 'The Eye' and 'Bad' for the promotional movie event. After leaving the stage, Infinite gifted Tom Cruise and director Edward Zwick each with a signed copy of their latest album. With the help of a long selfie stick, they also got to take a group selfie with the actor!

Infinite is one lucky group! Do you think they'll meet again next year? Let us know in the comments!
The two draft laws come as the country looks to hold the first municipal elections in five years

Egyptian parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al announced in a plenary session Sunday that 14 government-drafted laws dealing with political, judicial and economic issues  most notably laws regulating elections  have been referred to parliament for approval.

The most important are two draft laws that aim to regulate the upcoming election of city councils and the National Election Commission, said Abdel-Al.

Abdel-Al said the law on the National Election Commission (NEC) will be discussed by three committees; the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, the Labour Force Committee and the Budget Committee.

According to Egypt's 2014 constitution, an independent National Election Commission should be created to take charge of all public elections presidential, parliamentary and local  and public referendums.

Articles 208 and 209 state that the NEC is to be in charge of all aspect of supervising elections, beginning with preparing voter lists, drawing districts, setting campaign rules, monitoring the polls and announcing the results.

The NEC will comprise 10 judges to be selected by the Higher Judicial Council from the courts of cassation and appeal, the state council and the administrative prosecution authority, states Article 209.

In his policy statement before parliament last March, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail vowed that municipal elections will be held by the end of this year.

Egypt's local city councils were dissolved after the 2011 uprising.

The new draft law regulates the selection of provincial governors and the election of city council members in a secret ballot every four years.

According to the constitution, one quarter of [local city council] seats shall be allocated to youth under 35 years of age and one quarter shall be allocated for women, and that workers and farmers shall be represented by no less than 50 percent of the total number of seats, and these percentages shall include an appropriate representation of Christians and people with disability.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has denied that an Australian company paid a bribe to win a mineral exploration contract.

Hun Sen said in a speech to businesspeople Tuesday that fees paid by the world's biggest mining company, BHP Billiton, in connection with obtaining a license for a bauxite exploration project in northeastern Cambodia went to a "social fund" that all foreign mining companies seeking exploration rights must contribute to. He said the money goes to irrigation, health care and school projects.

Last week, several Australian newspapers carried allegations that BHP Billiton paid a bribe of about $2.5 million to Cambodian officials for the exploration project. The company has acknowledged possible corruption, not necessarily in Cambodia.
The Egyptian parliament's Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee failed on Sunday to convene a long-delayed meeting to decide on the outstanding issue of implementing a court order to seat MP-elect Amr El-Shobaky due to the absence of deputy speaker El-Sayed El-Sharif.

In July, the Court of Cassation ruled that El-Shobaky was the real winner of the December 2015 parliamentary elections for the Dokki and Agouza district in Cairo instead of Ahmed Mortada Mansour, who was initially announced as the winner before El-Shobaky appealed the vote count.

El-Shobaky, a political analyst and chief consultant at the Ahram Centre for Strategic and Political Studies, said to Ahram Online that the committee has repeatedly delayed holding a meeting to implement the court order.

My lawyer, Essam El-Eslamboly, told me a week ago that a meeting would be held today and that the court decision should be implemented before the end of November, El-Shobaky said.

El-Shobaky blamed the delays on what he described as grandstanding in the house and parliament's disrespect for the judiciary's decisions, saying he would consider legal action against the house.

Around 100 public figures have signed a petition calling on the parliament to end all procrastinations in seating El-Shobaki and respect the decisions of the country's highest court and the articles of the constitution.

The signatories said that El-Shobaki's case should not be looked on by parliament as an internal matter, but as an issue of concern to all citizens to ensure faith in the political system.

The statement has been signed by prominent politicians, former government officials, academics, parliament deputies, journalists, members of various political parties, and activists.

Article 107 of the constitution stipulates that the Court of Cassation has the final say on appeals filed against the results of parliamentary elections.

In August, both the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Wafd Party issued statements in solidarity with the constitutional right of El-Shobaky to be seated in parliament, describing the delay as disrespect to the law and constitution.

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Against the background of the emergence of the Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump, as the president-elect of the United States, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to Nigerian Muslims to suspend planned trips to the US until they know which way the cat will jump.

It also advised immigrant Muslims residing in the US to return to their countries or be prepared for harsh treatments, including increased Islamophobic attacks.

Trump had defeated the Democratic Party candidate, Hillary Clinton, in the presidential election held on Tuesday.

In a statement, on Friday, by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said considering Trumps Americanisation of virtually everything and tortuous isolationism and a pathological obsession with Islamophobia, his emergence as the next president of the United States had serious implications for Muslims in that country and elsewhere around the world.



The contemptuous treatment of Muslims travelling in or out of America has long been a matter of serious concern to advocates of free movement and Allah-given fundamental human rights.

Coupled with this is the horrendous policy of rendition whereby Muslims are kidnapped en route other destinations and forcefully taken to the dreaded Guatemala to face Americas notorious waterboarding and other forms of inhuman treatment.

The advent of Donald Trump is the last straw that broke the camels back. The American president-elect has divided America along racial and religious lines. He threatened to close mosques. He also swore to give Muslims a special data base in order to control terrorism.

Trump may be an iconoclast but the Americans who voted for him were not deaf. They heard him loud and clear. They heard all his threats. The victory of Trump, particularly coming hot on the heels of Brexit, means that Western democracies are jettisoning globalization for nationalism.

MURIC respects the wish of Americans to stand by their national interest. We call on Muslims around the world to also respect the wish of the American people to be left alone.

Nonetheless, we reiterate our avowed rejection of racist and hate speeches. We disown violent groups like Al-Qaidah and ISIS who instigate Muslims to kill Americans and attack American and Western interests.

We urge Muslims around the world to nurse no malice against Americans over Trumps victory and the likely fallout. It should be noted that a few Americans support Trumps weird policies. He won the election via the Electoral College but received fewer votes than Hillary Clinton. The victory of Trump reveals the paradoxical underbelly of the worlds greatest democracy. American minority has had its way, MURICs statement said.

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The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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Question: Our homeowner associations board of directors is highly focused on keeping our development safe. Every board meeting they inform attendees of any crime in our area and any pedophiles that have moved to our neighborhood. Recently a registered pedophile purchased a condo in our development and we learned of this at the board meeting. The board publishes names and addresses of all pedophiles in the minutes so that owners can be aware. Is that legal?

And are pedophiles allowed to purchase property in homeowner associations? This association has lots of children that live here and many of us have toddler grandchildren that visit us. What can we do about having this pedophile move out? If he moves out, can he still own the condo and go to the meetings?

Answer: Your board is not prohibited from including sex offender information in its minutes. Megans Law is a federal law that permits authorities to release various details about registered sex offenders. The board probably obtained the information it is sharing from an online database that tracks the names, pictures, details of conviction and addresses of registered individuals made public under the law. Penal Code Section 290.03 allows the board to pass that information along to owners as long as it merely restates factual details.

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No law prohibits a registered sex offender from purchasing property in a homeowner association, but neither is there a law that prevents owners from declining to sell to these individuals if they happen to be aware of their inclusion on the database. A registered sex offender is not afforded special protections under the Fair Housing Act in the same way that women, the elderly and other protected classes are, according to published opinion No. 05-301 of the California attorney general.

However, the law is tricky. If a seller were to refuse to sell to a registered sex offender solely on the basis of that persons inclusion on the state database  and such a motivation could be proven  that would be a violation of California Penal Code section 290.039(j). Violations of this provision may entitle the registered individual to damages and payment of their attorneys fees.

In any case, neither you nor the association can force this new owner to move, provided that he is not violating any conditions of his status by living in his unit. Registered sex offenders have various restrictions on where they can live and how far they must be from parks, schools and day-care services  but no law prevents a registered offender from living next to or near children. Offenders must also notify the authorities whenever they move, which probably means that his current residence location has been approved.

But if you or the board still think that this person has moved into your development in violation of California or federal law, then consult with an attorney to review all guidelines and restrictions for sex offender housing. For example, it is possible that someone in your association is operating a licensed day-care center that was not considered when granting the sex offender housing, or that your community includes a public park that was not officially recognized. Even if this person were forced to move, however, he would not be prohibited from owning the unit as an investment property and attending board meetings.

Remember, though, that while boards are encouraged to share information with owners that may be relevant to their investment in the association, the dissemination of information on the sex offender database is not an excuse for directors or owners to take the law into their own hands. Indeed, the California Legislature was cognizant of the possibility of misuse of the database to harass or seek retribution against sex offenders.

Accordingly, use of the database information to harass a sex offender could result in a misdemeanor conviction subjecting the violator to a fine of $10,000 to $50,000.

Zachary Levine, a partner at Wolk & Levine, a business and intellectual property law firm, co-wrote this column. Vanitzian is an arbitrator and mediator. Send questions to Donie Vanitzian, JD, P.O. Box 10490, Marina del Rey, CA 90295 or noexit@mindspring.com

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The security forces of Iraq's regional Kurdish government have routinely destroyed Arab homes and even some whole villages in areas retaken from the Islamic State group over the past two years, according to a new report issued Sunday by Human Rights Watch.

The report says that between September 2014 and May 2016, Kurdish forces advancing against IS destroyed Arab homes in disputed areas of Kirkuk and Ninevah provinces, while Kurdish homes were left intact. It says the demolitions took place in disputed areas in northern Iraq which the Kurds want to incorporate into their autonomous region over the objections of the central government.

Sunni Arab politicians have previously accused the Kurds of seeking to recast the demographics of mixed areas in northern Iraq. The struggle is particularly intense in the oil-rich Kirkuk region.

"In village after village in Kirkuk and Ninevah, KRG security forces destroyed Arab homes  but not those belonging to Kurds  for no legitimate military purpose," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "KRG leaders' political goals don't justify demolishing homes illegally."

All sides fighting in the current battle for Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, have been accused of past human rights abuses, with the worst allegations focusing on IS.

Kurdish forces of have been accused of destroying Arab homes before, with a report last year by Amnesty International alleging that the peshmerga carried out the attacks in retaliation for what they said was Arab communities' support for IS.

Kurdish authorities say that they abide by human rights laws and have denied having any strategy to destroy homes. But they say some villages in which the population fought alongside IS have suffered extensive destruction because of the ferocity of the battles.

Kurdish officials could not be immediately reached for comment on the fresh allegations.

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Toyota Motor Corp. will pay up to $3.4 billion to settle a class action lawsuit brought by U.S. pickup truck and SUV owners who claimed their vehicles lacked adequate rust protection.

Court filings show that the proposed settlement covers 1.5 million vehicles, dealing a financial blow to the Japanese automaker, whose trucks were subject to corrosion that could harm their structural integrity. The settlement applies to Tacoma trucks made from 2005 to 2010, Sequoias from 2005 to 2008 and Tundras from 2007 to 2008.

The settlement estimates the value of replacing the frame at roughly $15,000 per vehicle. Plaintiffs lawyers had pegged the total cost at nearly $3.4 billion.

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Under the settlement, Toyota will inspect vehicles for 12 years from their initial sales or lease date to decide if the owner is eligible for a replaced frame or reimbursement.

The proposed settlement was reached Oct. 31 and filed Wednesday before U.S. District Court Judge Fernando M. Olguin in Los Angeles. Toyota didnt admit liability or wrongdoing in proposing the settlement.

We want our customers to have a great ownership experience, so we are pleased to resolve this litigation in a way that benefits them and demonstrates that we stand behind the quality and reliability of our vehicles, Toyota said in a statement.
Can Scarlett Johansson pull off the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi in the film adaptation of Ghost in the Shell? Many have made note of that fact that shes a non-Asian playing an Asian character  but fans of the manga series that inspired the live-action picture can come up with their own answer as the first trailer dropped Sunday.

Ghost in the Shell, due out March 31, is based on Masamune Shirows manga series of the same name. Its set in a fictional Japanese city and follows Major and members of a covert task force within the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. The task force, known as Public Security Section 9, takes on cybercriminals in a future where the line between technology and biology is blurred. Major is a member of this crime-fighting brigade but also is a symbol of the biotechnological future, as the character has gone through various mechanical upgrades that endow her with special abilities.

Joining Johansson in the cast are Beat Takeshi Kitano (Battle Royale series), Juliette Binoche (The English Patient) and Michael Pitt (Hannibal, Boardwalk Empire).

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The film has been part of the diversity conversation in Hollywood, with some saying its another example of the industry whitewashing roles and stories, in this case opting for a white actress to play an Asian character. (Add to that list Matt Damon saving China in next years The Great Wall.)

Get your life! Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson.
Months after weathering the tumultuous #OscarsSoWhite controversy  and just days after an earth-shaking and deeply divisive presidential election  Hollywood insiders largely set aside politics Saturday evening at the motion picture academys eighth Governors Awards to pay tribute to four very different talents: editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster, documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman and action-comedy star Jackie Chan.

A chance to honor filmmaking luminaries for their lifetime contributions to the art form and a key early stop on the awards season campaign circuit, the ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in the Hollywood & Highland Center brought together many of the industrys biggest power players as well as actors and filmmakers looking to gain traction in this years Oscar race.

While questions about Donald Trumps ascension to the presidency abounded on the red carpet, despite the controversies that have roiled the industry and the country at large over the last year, the mood at the non-televised ceremony was generally relaxed and upbeat.

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Director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann were all smiles as they mingled with Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda. Damien Chazelle, director of the much buzzed-about romantic musical La La Land, chatted warmly with 20th Century Fox Chairman and Chief Executive Stacey Snider. Young stars like Felicity Jones, Emma Stone and Greta Gerwig rubbed elbows with older ones like Helen Mirren, Bruce Dern and Warren Beatty.

1 / 15 Honoree Lynn Stalmaster, left, is embraced by presenter Jeff Bridges at the film academys 2016 Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom on Saturday. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 2 / 15 Honoree Anne V. Coates acknowledges the audience as presenter Richard Gere, left, looks on at the 2016 Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood on Saturday. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 3 / 15 Actor Chris Tucker, left, presents an honorary Oscar to actor Jackie Chan during the film academys Governors Awards in Hollywood on Saturday. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 15 Actor Jackie Chan accepts his Oscar during the Governors Awards. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 5 / 15 Honoree Jackie Chan, left, poses with Sylvester Stallone onstage at the 2016 Governors Awards on Saturday. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 6 / 15 Actor Tom Hanks speaks during the Governors Awards on Saturday. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 7 / 15 Actress Helen Mirren speaks during the Governors Awards in Hollywood on Saturday. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 8 / 15 Actress Michelle Yeoh speaks onstage during the film academys Governors Awards at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 15 Lupita Nyongo, left, Felicity Jones, Pharrell Willams and Helen Lasichanh. (Left - Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images; center and right - Jordan Strauss/) 10 / 15 Actress Emma Stone. (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 15 Actress Hailee Steinfeld. (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) 12 / 15 Actress Nicole Kidman. (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) 13 / 15 Ava DuVernay, left, Leslie Mann and Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Left and center: Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images; right: Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) 14 / 15 Actress Marion Cotillard. (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) 15 / 15 Actress Michelle Williams. (Valeria Macon / AFP/Getty Images)

At one point, Tom Hanks and Annette Bening began spontaneously dancing between the tables as a live band played swing music  a moment that seemed to encapsulate the evenings overall message that, for all the troubles in the world today, we still have the movies. (The country is in ruins! one young actress could be overheard saying with comically exaggerated horror during the cocktail reception, only to be reassured by her companion that at least her next film would still be coming out soon.)

Tonight is an opportunity to remind us of what we love about movies  not just the fact that they can entertain and enlighten us but how, in certain times, they can connect us, change us and unify us, academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the crowd in her introductory remarks.

While last years Governors Awards, which honored Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds and Gena Rowlands, were permeated with talk of the lack of diversity in the industry, Boone Isaacs pointed to progress that has since been made in terms of diversifying the ranks of the academy and launching initiatives aimed at bringing more inclusion to the industry.

Were not at the mountaintop yet, but we can see the peak up ahead, she said. Imagine the difference it will make when we open our industry to reflect the complete mosaic and diversity of our world and the movements and conversations it can trigger.

Introduced by actor Jeff Bridges as the master caster, Stalmaster, 88, became the first person ever to win an Oscar for casting in recognition of his work on classic films such as West Side Story, The Graduate, Harold and Maude and Tootsie.

I treasure the ongoing relationships Ive had with so many actors: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Dern, Andy Garcia, Martin Landau, John Travolta and Christopher Reeve, who I loved as a human being as well as his talent, Stalmaster said, his voice breaking with emotion. So many gifted individuals have touched my life.

A pioneer among female editors, the British Coates won an Oscar for her work on David Leans 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia and was nominated for four other films including The Elephant Man and Out of Sight. Accepting her award, she told the crowd that, at age 90, she felt blessed to have had such a fulfilling career.

Can you imagine a job where youre actually paid to look into the eyes of George Clooney, Peter OToole, Richard Burton, Peter Finch, Sean Connery, Albert Finney, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere, Daniel Craig, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mr. Five Shades of Grey himself, Jamie Dornan? she said wryly.

Wiseman was honored for his work illuminating various social, cultural and government institutions in renowned documentary films like Titicut Follies, High School, Law and Order, Public Housing and La Danse.

Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney told The Times that Wisemans fly-on-the-wall observational-style films offer compelling glimpses of everyday people struggling with varying degrees of success with societal issues.

Its really a revelation, and, even after Trumps election, it gives you a tremendous sense of hope, Gibney said. Because you see this kind of willingness on a local level to get together and solve some problems.

I think its as important to document kindness, civility and generosity of spirit as it is to show cruelty, banality and indifference, Wiseman, 86, said as he accepted the award.

Introducing Chan, whose blend of martial-arts prowess and Buster Keaton-style physical comedy has made him one of the biggest film stars on the global stage, Hanks acknowledged that the genres in which Chan works have been for some reason, shall we say, historically underrepresented at the Oscars.

Indeed, Chan, 62, said in his acceptance speech that getting an Oscar is the fulfillment of a dream he thought might never be realized  one that dated back at least 23 years to the first time he touched an Oscar at Sylvester Stallones house.

Standing here is a dream, he said warmly. After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.

josh.rottenberg@latimes.com

Twitter: @joshrottenberg
Cassidy Hill waited in line Saturday for the Camp Flog Gnaw music festival in Exposition Park when she said a twentysomething man knocked into her as he rushed by the gates.

Hill, 33, had come from Texas on a road trip to see the festival, which featured headliners like Lil Wayne, Chance the Rapper and festival founder Tyler, the Creator. The entry lines were crowded, so she didnt think too much of the guys brusqueness as first.

That is, she said, until the man turned around and yelled: Move, you black , adding a sexist slur to the racial reference.

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Its not news that some people have found a way to enjoy music made by African Americans while simultaneously holding racist views. But even at Flog Gnaw, a music festival in urban L.A. headlined by progressive black artists, some fans were left worrying about what the presidential election might portend for young people of color in America.

Sitting underneath a carnival ride by the L.A. Coliseum, Hill cited her run-in at the festival entry gates and said the election was already emboldening some people to express racism that has always existed but previously was hidden from public view. Its going to show white people this experience of racism that they always said was exaggerated. Now its all going to be so out in the open.

For five years, Camp Flog Gnaw has been Tyler, the Creators escapist fantasy. A mix of top-tier hip-hop, experimental indie rock and thoroughly wholesome carnival rides and county fair-type games, the event represents in many ways the best of L.A., where a talented young artist of color can create a 40,000-strong world of his own.

But on Saturday, it was impossible to shake the bleak mood that filtered into the corners of the young crowd.

Honestly, Im just starting to come out of my depression, said Julissa Martinez, a 26-year-old visual artist from L.A. She struggled to find a silver lining in Tuesdays election. Maybe all this emotion can feed into some new creativity. I dont know.

Amari Hollis, a 25-year-old from Dallas, said with a sigh, I dont know if theres anything to be done. Under President Obama, she said, she was optimistic that the country would see change. But what can we do now? Already Ive seen a new level of rudeness.

The grimness extended to the festival stages, where artists did their best to keep the energy alive while acknowledging the election.

DJ Mustard, usually a genial craftsman of radio-rap hits and EDM-festival wilding, had some harsh words of his own.

I know we just went through a letdown, letting that racist ... in, he said, using a profane term for Trump. But looking out there, I see black, I see white, I see brown. All I see is unity. Theres only one song I can play right now.

Then he cued up Kendrick Lamars Alright, the de facto anthem of the last years Black Lives Matter protests, and thousands of fans sung, hope against hope, that We gon be alright.

Optimism was otherwise hard to come by at Flog Gnaw, but some still found their release. We have to find ways to ease the stress, said Edwin Henry, 29, from Oakland. Coming after the first black president, people just dont understand this. But as minorities, weve been going through adversity our whole lives.

Hopefully with education we can come together and realize the power we have.

Back on the main stage, Chance the Rapper did his best to lighten  or at least uplift  the mood, rooting his set in gospel vocals and regal brass arrangements. But the tone shifted back when Tyler, the Creator played his own set. Tyler, one of raps most volatile performers, careens over stages with a gangly exuberance. But on Saturday, he was all venom, screaming into the mic with a new baritone fury.

No one was too surprised when he brought out the Compton rapper YG, whose song FDT has become the anthem of the Trump protest movement. During the first wave of rallies last week, the songs unrestrained Trump-loathing bumped from cars across L.A., spurring on the thousands of young people waving signs.

When Tyler and YG played it together on Saturday, it was a blast of catharsis for tens of thousands of Flog Gnaw fans, mostly of color, who were just starting to find a voice for their fear and rage.

As they performed, across main stage field, a ride called the Super Shot kicked into gear. A dozen young fans, strapped into a circle of seats, vaulted 50 feet off the ground to the top of a glowing tower. They screamed with delight as they reached the peak, taking in a view of the whole illuminated festival grounds. The riders paused in the air, and suddenly the bottom dropped out from under them.

Wars, recessions, its all going to happen again, but weve been through worse, Hill said. But Im a teacher. What do I say to all my black and brown students about whats going to happen to them? What do I say?

For breaking music news, follow @augustbrown on Twitter.
Carl Clines, a soft-spoken entrepreneur in a white lab coat, owns California Alternative Caregivers, a marijuana dispensary on the second floor of a funky two-story office building on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.

A banner hanging from the balcony announces the oldest and most female-friendly collective in the city of Los Angeles.

With only about 1,200 square feet, the dispensary is maze-like, with a reception area on one level and the cannabis display hidden in the back, up a short staircase.

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Thursday evening, I dropped by to get a sense of how marijuana legalization, approved by a wide margin Tuesday, might change his life.

A lot of people are calling, he said. Theyre asking, Are you letting people in now? Can anybody come in and buy weed? 

The answer is no.

Under Proposition 64, the states new Bureau of Marijuana Control will have to develop rules for retailers and other ganja-preneurs by January 2018. Clines will have to apply for a state license. And then it will be up to Los Angeles voters, who will decide in March whether to approve regulations for retail pot shops and other cannabis businesses.

To remain competitive, Clines knows he may have to make some changes, but he may retire instead.

I may move to a bigger place, or I may sell, said Clines, 75, sitting in his tiny office, a computer monitor showing feeds from security cameras. Its either grow or get out.

::

Two miles northwest of Clines collective, Santa Monica is among hundreds of California cities that must determine how, or even whether, to implement legalization.

Though medical marijuana was approved by state voters 20 years ago, only a few cities  San Francisco, Oakland and West Hollywood  have developed rational approaches to regulation.

Cities will have to figure out how to mesh rules for medical pot, if they have them, with rules for recreational pot, if they want them.

More than a year ago, the Santa Monica City Council took what City Manager Rick Cole described to me Friday as a cautious step forward.

The council agreed that two medical dispensaries could set up shop in the city. Before the city could award licenses, Proposition 64 qualified for the ballot, and the matter was put on hold.

Now, Cole said, his staff will present a proposal to the council in February. Well get some guidance from them about whether they want to go a step further and allow for retail operations.

::

In the marijuana industry, Chris Conrad has one of the more unusual jobs.

He is a court-qualified cannabis expert who trains attorneys and testifies for defendants charged with marijuana crimes.

He was deeply involved in the campaign for Proposition 64, which does more than legalize pot. It also wipes many marijuana crimes off the books, reduces marijuana-related felonies to misdemeanors and allows people who have been convicted of marijuana crimes to apply for resentencing or expungement.

Friday, on a Facebook page dedicated to California marijuana laws, Conrad wrote that he had just received a call from a potential client who was facing two pot-related felonies.

I told him they are both now misdemeanors! Conrad wrote. Unless he wants to fight them, he has no need to pay me, no need to pay an attorney.

Two other clients, he said, were facing third strikes over marijuana felonies  cultivation with intent to sell  and potentially 28  years in prison. Those crimes are now misdemeanors, punishable by fines of $500 and six months in jail. Both decided they could handle the cases on their own.

My income just took a big drop, he told me from his home in El Sobrante, near Berkeley. But its rare you can say, I am really happy about that. 

::

Early on, the political minds behind Proposition 64 tried to figure out how to tailor the initiative to allay voters greatest fears about marijuana. Keeping children safe and keeping stoned drivers off the road emerged as the top two concerns.

As it happens, theres no simple blood test to determine whether a driver is pot-impaired, and despite various claims, none is in sight. So the measures authors included a provision that will eventually give the CHP $3 million a year for five years to develop stoned-driving standards.

How, I wondered, was the CHP planning to spend it?

We are in the planning stages, said CHP Assistant Chief Omar Watson, who oversees personnel and training. There are certain things we want to do to keep the motoring public safe.

The department plans to expand its Drug Recognition Expert training program, an intensive course that helps officers recognize signs of impairment. More than 700 CHP officers out of 7,200 have had the training.

You are looking at a collection of things, he said. Elevated heart rate, their eyes. The odor of marijuana itself may be an indicator. But we have to look at other things besides possession, which is now legal.

::

I doubt most voters took the time to read the 62-page Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which spells out in detail how hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and fees should be divvied up.

One of many beneficiaries is the UC San Diego Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, which is to receive $2 million a year.

We think its quite important to look much more deeply at medical cannabis, said the centers director, Igor Grant, chairman of UC San Diegos Department of Psychiatry. Since its inception, the center has conducted several short-term studies with what Grant described as smallish groups of people.

Now we think its appropriate to do larger studies, especially on things like neuropathic pain and spasticity and MS [multiple sclerosis], he said. Hed like to focus, as well, on CBD, a nonpsychoactive compound in pot that has shown some promise in treating disorders like schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and a rare, intractable form of childhood epilepsy.

This month, the center will begin a study on stoned driving, trying to determine a relationship between THC and driving performance, whether saliva or breath can be used as substitutes for blood sampling, and whether an iPad can provide a useful tool for field sobriety tests.

Theres a lot of polarization of thinking about marijuana, Grant said. Some think its Gods gift to humanity, and others think its poison. The truth is probably in between.

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

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Not so long ago, Susana Terrones labored in the underground economy for a boss she said treated her poorly and paid her $7 an hour.

What choice did she have, she said, having been brought to the United States illegally by her mother from Mexico when she was but six-months old.

That changed the day her work permit and Social Security card arrived under Obamas signature immigration program granting people like her temporary immigration relief. An unfamiliar sense of freedom washed over her as she got work with a real social security number, under her real name and for an employer who treated her well and paid her fairly.

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I finally had the courage to say where I came from. I was finally open and not afraid to say Im undocumented, the 24-year-old college student from Los Angeles recalled.

Now Terrones and hundreds of thousands of immigrants confront the possibility having their immigration relief stripped away and returning to the more unsettled rhythms of their former lives when President-elect Donald Trump takes the reins of the White House on Jan. 20.

During the campaign, Trump vowed to do away with Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  better known as DACA  an executive action that provides a work permit and deportation reprieve to people who were brought to the U.S. as children and stayed illegally.

An estimated 742,000 so-called Dreamers  those given protection under the program  live in the U.S. Roughly one out of three lives in California.

Tuesday night and in the days following Trumps win, the programs recipients filled social media groups to express their fears that the president-elect would do away with the protection. And they wondered if the system that once gave them relief could now make it easier for immigration authorities to track them down and deport them to countries that most never called home because they left when they were just children.

For some of us, America is all weve ever known, Terrones said. I love America. We want to stay here. We want to be successful here.

During his campaign, Trump talked about building a massive wall along the border with Mexico and even suggested creating a deportation force to remove immigrants in the country illegally. But doing away with Obamas program would be relatively low-hanging fruit  an executive action that can be easily reversed without much expense and without the need of congressional support.

It would be the easiest way for him to immediately appease his base and show hes going to be as tough on immigration as he said he would be.

While it remains unclear just how much Trump will commit to his promises and rhetoric on illegal immigration once he becomes president, he named Kris Kobach, a well-known anti-illegal immigration politician from Kansas, to his transition team to help tackle the issue. Kobach has already told the media that the wall Trump promised would get built and said that president-elect could easily boost deportations by more than 75% in his first year in office.

That would meet the record set in 2012, at the end of President Obamas first term, a number that declined significantly after illegal immigration fell, and after agents were ordered to focus first on deporting criminals, repeat immigration violators and recent arrivals.

To make DACA vanish, Trump likely wouldnt have to do much but just direct U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to stop issuing work permits to the programs applicants and stop renewing applications, said Roy H. Beck, who heads NumbersUSA, an influential national advocacy group that opposes illegal immigration and believes in curtailing legal immigration. As for the work permits already out there, Trump is likely to just let them expire and have the program fade away, he said.

Beck, who has been in close communication with the Trump campaign on immigration issues, said he advised against going after the work permits that have already been issued. It would be too time-consuming and expensive to do such a thing, he said. It would also be too disruptive to many peoples lives and possibly lead to bad public relations and social unrest.

Instead, they would all have a couple of months to a year and a half or so, so they can have time to plan for this, Beck said. Many groups, like ours  were more in favor of incremental and steady kind of change.

When immigrants submitted to background checks under DACA, the paperwork assured them their information would not be used to deport them later. But the assurances are not legally binding  something that has provoked fear in immigrant communities.

In California, where immigrant rights groups are fielding an unprecedented number of calls, many advocates are urging program recipients set for renewal of their work permits to do so as quickly as possible.

Karla Navarrete, a staff attorney at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said all they stand to lose is perhaps the application fee if the paperwork doesnt get processed in time before Trump takes office.

Those people are already in the system and Homeland Security already knows about them, she said.

However, her group isnt accepting new DACA applications. The processing would take too long and its still up in the air whether the government will end up going after and deporting applicants if the program ends.

Mario Perez, a 28-year-old recipient of the program, said he renewed just a month ago and now has a permit for the next two years. Although he was initially upset about Trumps victory, Perez said he realizes his situation may not be as dire as someone who lives outside of Californiaa fairly progressive and immigrant-friendly state where he can easily tap into a network of people who are living in a similar situation.

Were definitely super privileged being here in California. I can only imagine the racism and anti-immigrant sentiment in some other places, he said.

Outside of California  especially in rural America and places where there are very few immigrants  being a Dreamer can be very isolating, said Roberto Gonzales, a Harvard University sociologist who has been studying DACA and its recipients throughout the nation.

In the absence of federal immigration reform states, counties and municipalities have been left to craft local solutions to a broken immigration system, Gonzales said. As a result, now, more so than ever before, where one lives is consequential to ones experience of integration or exclusion. If DACA goes, hundreds of thousands of families will be impacted, to be sure. But some will experience the pain and suffering more acutely.

Aide to Trump says chief of staff announcement will come soon 

He added that while mayors in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle have pledged to remain sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants, smaller rural areas will not be able to shield young people. And in less populated areas, young immigrants may be more vulnerable to apprehension and hate crimes.

Monserrat Ramirez-Perez lives in a small, conservative town in North Carolina. DACA gave her a sense of security in a place where people who looked like her were not as numerous as in other parts of the country. Shes able to work legally and drive without major worries.

The 20-year-old was brought to the U.S. illegally from Mexico City when she was 5. Almost no one in town knows that shes in the country illegally, and she feels as American as anybody. Now she worries about just how far Trump will go to fulfill promises he made.

Ever since Ive had DACA, I feel safe, Ramirez-Perez said. To me, DACA is a very important part of my life.

Eileen Truax, a writer who has researched the Dreamer movement since 2011, said that, as with other immigrants, its a resilient and resourceful population. But she said she is more concerned for those who benefited from DACA at a very young age.

We have many kids that are very young when they applied for DACA, so this may be their very first encounter with a real chance to be deported, Truax said. DACA gave this generation the opportunity to actually have a [Social Security] number and feel they belong. Theyve never really had the chance to organize and have something to fight for before. So theyll have to learn how to do that.

Though Terrones was initially in a devastated daze by Trumps win, by Thursday she had convinced herself everything would be OK.

When I woke up this morning, I told myself Why am I worried? There was a point where I didnt have DACA. I survived.

Her mother suggested returning to their home state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Terrones quickly shut the idea down, telling her mother she wasnt raised to give up.

Getting our things and leaving, thats the easy way out. We could have done that a long time ago, she told her mother. Were going to find a way. I still believe in the American dream.

Terrones plans to graduate from Cal State Los Angeles in May but will likely have to postpone graduate school for a year so she can take advantage of her work permit and put in as many hours as possible to save up money.

After, she said shell just go back to working under the table so she can provide for her family.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

Follow Cindy Carcamo on Twitter @thecindycarcamo

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The California bullet train agency has begun a legal effort to import a significant amount of foreign equipment for its future Los Angeles-to-San Francisco system, a move that could prove politically controversial.

The Federal Railroad Administration disclosed last week that the states High-Speed Rail Authority was seeking exemptions from the Buy American Act on more than a dozen critical train parts  including motors, gearboxes, axles, wheels, brakes, derailment mitigation devices, undercarriages and even the entire aluminum car body shells.

The rail authoritys 2016 business plan estimated the trains would cost about $3.4 billion, making them one of the most expensive parts of the system.

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While advanced bullet trains currently cannot be made in the U.S., the exemption could make it less likely that the country ever develops such an industry, according to academic experts and trade groups.

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said the train exemptions would fall into the same dynamic as Californias decision to use imported Chinese steel components for the Bay Bridge  a decision that caused engineering problems, delays and cost increases.

If this waiver is granted, it virtually guarantees that there will be no chance for a domestic high-speed rail industry to take root in this country, Paul said. California could be a nationwide leader in this industry.

According to the group, a collaboration of U.S. manufacturing companies and labor unions, the original intent of the federal government investing billions of dollars into the states high-speed rail program was to develop a domestic industry in the first place.

Importing something as important as the trains could further jeopardize any chance of additional federal funding, Paul said. I find it hard to believe that the Trump administration would fund a project that would be made in China, he said. Why not make it here?

In a Sept. 16 letter to Sarah Feinberg, chief of the Federal Railroad Administration, the rail authority said that the needed train equipment was not being manufactured in the U.S., that safety was at issue and trying to build the components here would increase the cost of each train.

The authority asked for a separate exemption for rail car bogies, the massive undercarriages that connect the wheels and axles to the car body. The request indicates that the rail authority plans eventually to assemble undercarriages in the U.S. with foreign-made parts. The exemption application for other parts does not make that explicit commitment.

The authority has always stated that this high-speed rail project and the Buy America provision will make it worthwhile for high-speed train manufacturers to transfer knowledge and be located in the U.S., create jobs and deliver 21st century, state-of-the-art trainsets, spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley said in an email.

The exemption request for high-speed electric train parts was the second one to land at the agency, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Officials granted Amtrak a waiver last year to purchase equipment to be used on its Acela line along the East Coast. The California authority cited the Amtrak exemption as a basis for its request. Amtrak had claimed setting up a domestic factory for the components would add $2 million to the cost of each train it purchased.

The authority said a review of potential risks and hazards associated with an imperfect transfer of technology could result in errors, arguing that the work should be conducted at existing facilities of foreign vendors.

Matthew Lehner, a spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration, said a panel of experts on safety, policy and legal matters would review the request. Even if the exemption were granted, the trains will still have to be assembled in the U.S., he said.

Lehner said the waiver represents likely less than 20% of the cost of each train.

The review includes a public comment period that closes Nov. 28, and federal officials could take months to reach a decision. That timing leaves it unclear whether the Obama administration will act on the request or leave it to the incoming Trump administration.

Richard Tolmach, president of the California Rail Foundation, said the 20% figure seemed low for the size of exemption request. He noted that the exemption granted to Amtrak, which was intended to hold down the cost of trains, failed miserably, because they will be the most expensive passenger trains ever built.

Siemens, a German conglomerate, has been seeking the California rail car business for years and said it would expand its existing plant in Sacramento. Tolmach said Siemens should be able to get close to complying with the Buy American Act.

The Bay Bridge often is held up as an example of a poor decision to use foreign suppliers for U.S. infrastructure projects.

Under a carefully crafted political deal, the bridge was divided into two separate projects  one under federal jurisdiction close to Oakland and a central span that the state would pay for. The move bypassed the Buy American Act for the central span and allowed the bridge sections to be outsourced to China. The attempt to save money backfired and contributed to a tripling of the cost to more than $6 billion.

Foreign nations often are more forceful in requiring U.S. companies to share their technology in exchange for supply contracts. Many experts say the U.S. should have even greater leverage, given the size of its economy.

A 2015 study led by Robert Pollin, a University of Massachusetts-Amherst economics professor, concluded that the Buy American Act could be a significant catalyst for strengthening U.S. manufacturing, including a rail car industry.

Of course, we can build high-speed rail trains, Pollin said. We have massive manufacturing capacity.

Obama administration officials have acknowledged that too many waivers had been granted in the past and that they intended to tighten the practice, Pollin said, adding he had found little documentation to show that that was happening. In general, state and local agencies want the waivers in order to get lowball bids on projects, he said.

The law should be seen as an opportunity to advance U.S manufacturing, he said.

ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @rvartabedian
They came by the thousands  women, immigrants, members of the gay community and people of different races and ages  to march through the streets of downtown Los Angeles in protest against President-elect Donald Trump.

Among the crowd of 8,000 was Kim White, 52, of Highland Park, fighting against misogyny. Noha Ayoub, 19, of Palos Verdes, fighting against racism. Maggie Flores, 28, of Westlake, fighting against deportation.

Saturday mornings march was one of the largest demonstrations nationwide. It marked the fifth day of protests since the presidential election  a rare outpouring of public frustration over the results of the voting, reflecting deep fears about what Trump will do in office.

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Demonstrators across the country have blocked highways, and students have marched out of classes. In Los Angeles, hundreds have been arrested in clashes with police during nighttime protests, prompting authorities to beef up their presence and organizers to urge respect and civil obedience.

1 / 39 Participants in the #UnitedAgainstHate march head toward the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles to protest the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 39 LAPD officers block an entrance to the 101 South Freeway at the corner of Los Angeles and Aliso streets to prevent protesters from walking onto the freeway. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 39 Protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 39 Melina Adragna, 22, of East Los Angeles marches in downtown L.A. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 39 Protestors gather in downtown Los Angeles to protest Donald Trump. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 39 A crowd marches along Wilshire Boulevard toward downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 39 Participants in the #United Against Hate march head toward the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, protesting the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 39 Participants in the #United Against Hate march head toward the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, protesting the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 39 Diane Suzuki, right, and Yael Pardess join protesters with #United Against Hate march in downtown Los Angeles, protesting the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 39 Anti-Trump protesters march through downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 39 USC student Alex Currie, 19, joins protesters marching against the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 39 Police surround a group protesting Trumps election in downtown Los Angeles Saturday night. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 39 A demonstrator is detained during a protest in downtown Los Angeles Saturday night. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 39 Protesters hold hands in front of police in downtown Los Angeles. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 39 Police cars follow protesters during a march through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 39 Protesters flash peace signs toward the police as they re-gather at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 39 Police move in on a crowd of protesters near City Hall. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 39 Protesters walk backward as police close in on the group during a march through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 39 Protesters demonstrating against the election of Donald Trump march through the streets of downtown Los Angeles late Saturday night. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 39 Police keep an eye on protesters marching down Wilshire Boulevard to protest the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 39 We Love Not Hate is the message this youngster was sharing with protesters marching down 3rd Street to protest the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 39 Traffic is stopped while protesters march down 3rd Street to protest the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 39 A protester makes his statement while marching down Wilshire Boulevard to protest the election of President-elect Donald Trump in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 39 LAPD Sgt. Vigueras keeps an eye on protesters making their way down Alvarado Street close to the end of a march to protest the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 39 Thousands of anti-Trump protesters peacefully march from MacArthur Park to the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 39 Protesters march through the 3rd Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles on their way to the Roybal Federal Building as they protest the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 39 Participants in the #United Against Hate march head toward the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, protesting the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 39 Participants in the #United Against Hate march head toward the Roybal Federal Building as they protest the election of Donald Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 39 A large crowd protesting the election of Donald Trump marches along Wilshire Boulevard on Saturday toward downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 39 Marchers head along Wilshire Boulevard toward downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 39 Police arrest about 150 anti-Trump protesters at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles in Saturdays early morning hours. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 39 Police prevent anti-Trump protesters from accessing the Harbor Freeway in downtown Los Angeles on Friday night. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 39 An anti-Trump protester scales a fence at Grand Park in Los Angeles to avoid being arrested by police in the early morning hours Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 39 LAPD officers circle a protester while he was being arrested during an anti-Trump protest Friday night. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 39 Anti-Trump protesters on the 101 freeway, in Los Angeles, California. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 39 Police arrest an anti-Trump protester in the early morning hours Saturday. The LAPD arrested about 150 people at Grand Park after a night of marching through downtown L.A. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 39 LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016: Anti-Trump protesters on the 101 freeway, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2016. ((Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)) 38 / 39 An estimated 3,000 people filled the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Friday night to protest the election of Donald Trump. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 39 On Friday night an estimated 3,000 people marched throughout downtown Los Angeles protesting the election of Donald Trump. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

On Saturday, the march was peaceful and emotional, a sharp contrast to the previous nights unrest. For many, the journey from MacArthur Park to the federal building downtown was a bright moment of unity in a dark week filled with shock, anger and uncertainty.

This is hope I see marching down our streets, said Graciela Zavala as she watched the masses pass by the restaurant where she works on Wilshire Boulevard. This is proof we can come together and do something about this injustice.

Protesters banged on drums, shouted through megaphones and used whistles to make noise as motorists honked their horns in support. They marched with their children, their parents and their pets. They carried flags, banners and signs, some reading: Make America Safe Again and Bump Trump. They chanted, over and over: Not my president.

On Saturday night, a smaller march of about 100 people that began at L.A. City Hall had a similar vibe, and the Los Angeles Police Department said it was tracking another group of about 200 gathering again at MacArthur Park. Some were seen being detained downtown on suspicion of vandalism, including one seen spray painting my body, my choice in the 3rd Street tunnel.

The marches underscored the likelihood that California will be a fierce adversary if Trump follows through on his campaign promises to deport thousands of immigrants and build a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

More than two decades ago, state voters approved hard-line restrictions against giving public assistance to immigrants living here illegally. That sparked a political backlash, which along with demographic shifts  Latinos now outnumber whites in California  has made the state one of the most hospitable for immigrants without legal status.

Many of the demonstrators Saturday said that Trumps rhetoric amounts to racism, and they vowed to fight his policies.

Maria Gudalupe Martinez drove from Ontario to take part in the daytime demonstration.

She threw on a long, ruffled folklorico skirt, a giant sombrero with flowers and climbed on top of a bus bench to wave two flags: one representing America and one Mexico. She shouted, Viva Mexico! Viva America! No Trump!

Each time the crowd caught sight of her, they roared and raised their fists in support.

Im out here for my countrymen, for all Americans, said Martinez, 56. Were all connected and, instead of making things worse, instead of going back in time, we should help each other.

Many others like her joined in to defend immigrants against the threat of deportation they now face under a Trump administration.

Jason Ramirez-Cabral, 24, came to the rally at 8:15 a.m., straight from his job as a night worker on the docks in San Pedro. He had paint in is tote bag, with plans to color his face with a peace sign.

I was sad the night it happened, the Fontana resident said about Trumps election. Now Im angry.

Some of his family members, he said, were here illegally.

I dont know what the future holds, he said.

Beatriz Devara, a teacher from Palmdale, marched while thinking of her 11-year-old granddaughter who lives in Oregon. She said the girls classmates have begun to worry about her, asking if shes going to be deported.

Shes third-generation, Devara said.

Others, like Sama Shah, 19, a Pakistani American, joined the protest out of concern over intolerance and hate. The USC student said she and her friends noticed in the news in recent days that people of color were being harassed and discriminated against.

We cant stand for that kind of hatred, Shah said. We must stand up for our Mexican, black, Muslim and gay brothers and sisters. For all women too.

Along the 2.5-mile route, some women made bold statements against the president-elect, expressing concerns about sexual harassment, workplace discrimination and a potential violation of their health rights. They wore Nasty Woman T-shirts and carried signs that referred to their vaginas and their right to not be grabbed.

Kellie Holm, a behavioral therapist from Van Nuys, took it further  she and two friends removed their shirts and bras. They covered their nipples with red hearts and marched down the street holding hands.

This is my body, and he threatens that, said Holm, 26. We are going to have a president that will make rape culture acceptable.

Standing outside the financial district, Carissa Mylin and a group of others lent their support from a distance, holding one hand over their hearts and other in the air, making a peace sign.

An interior designer from Oregon, Mylin, 34, was in town for a conference. As she looked at the hundreds of people marching before her, she wiped away tears.

Its painful to see what weve created, she said. The United States is a melting pot, yet this many people dont feel like they have a place here.

During the trek to the federal building, police in riot gear stood by, keeping watch. Many motorists got trapped in the chaos. Some locked their doors, rolled up their windows and ignored the protesters. Others got out of their cars and cheered them on.

Gaurav Shenoy, 27, of Sunnyvale didnt mind being stuck in traffic.

As long as its for democracy, he said.

The USC alumnus, who had been headed to the campus before being blocked by the rally, said he didnt like the divisive campaign Trump had run.

But now that he is the the president-elect, Shenoy said, he hopes Trump will do something to unite the country.

Kristy Lovich, 34, of Pasadena came to the rally looking beyond the next four years.

The artist and student organized 94 families to attend the march. They brought their children in strollers, wagons and carts. They carried water, first-aid kits and diapers.

Many times demonstrations dont take kids into account, Lovich said.

But theyre the ones that are going to inherit all the political chaos, she said. And all the consequences of whats happening right now.

Times staff writers Alene Tchekmedyian and Howard Blume contributed to this report.

esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com

deborah.netburn@latimes.com

ruben.vives@latimes.com

@LATBermudez, @DeborahNetburn, @latvives

UPDATES:

10:45 p.m. This article was updated with information about two demonstrations Saturday night.

This article was originally published at 6:40 p.m.
California led the way with Obamacare, signing up more people for health insurance than any other state.

Now with a possibility that President-elect Donald Trump will repeal the law, as he has promised, the stakes are higher here than anywhere else.

Weve basically cut the number of uninsured in a little bit more than half, which is enormous progress, said Dr. Gerald Kominski, head of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. But Californias huge gains also mean that if the Affordable Care Act is undone, we have the most to lose.

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GOP leaders have said theyll quickly repeal and replace President Obamas signature healthcare law after Trump takes office in January. But experts say its unlikely the entire law would be immediately overturned, in part because that would leave more than 20 million Americans without health insurance.

Instead, lawmakers will probably opt to dismantle the law piece by piece while a replacement is devised, experts say. But its unclear which provisions will end up on the chopping block and what alternative GOP proposals would be.

Until those conversations start, its really hard to predict what will happen, said California state Sen. Ed Hernandez, who chairs that chambers health committee. There are so many, so many outstanding questions.

That uncertainty has many Californians on edge.

Lisa Moore of Glendale worries that she wont be able to afford coverage for her son, Joe, if Obamacare is repealed. She pays $350 a month for his health plan through Covered California, the insurance exchange set up under the Affordable Care Act.

Joe, 26, sees multiple doctors a week to treat his schizophrenia and severe depression. Moore said that without constant medical care he wouldnt be able to function, and without insurance she wouldnt be able to afford his care. His medical bills typically total $1,000 a week.

I dont want to lose him, said Moore, 63. Its a horrible situation, Im terrified.

Currently, 4.6 million Californians health coverage is funded by Obamacare. They either buy insurance plans through Covered California, or were able to join Medi-Cal, the states low-income health program, when the health law provided money to the state to expand the program in 2014.

Those Californians could face life-or-death consequences if funding for Obamacare dries up, said Anthony Wright, head of the consumer advocacy group Health Access California.

The state would lose $20 billion in federal funding if Congress votes to undo the exchanges and the Medicaid expansions, according to state data.

Officials in the heavily Democratic state say they will fight to keep the programs alive, but agree that the shortfall is far too great for the state to overcome on its own.

California has a long and good tradition of going it alone, but theres a limit to what California can do without federal framework and funding, Wright said.

The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, has been highly controversial, and Trump repeatedly promised during his campaign to overturn it. Many have said that the health plans people are mandated to buy under the law arent affordable and that the law is an unsustainable expense for federal and state governments.

California, however, wholeheartedly embraced the Affordable Care Act.

The ACA has not been perfect, there have been challenges, said Sabrina Corlette, a senior research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms. But if there was one state where it was really working well ... it was California.

The state enrolled millions in Medi-Cal, and 13.6 million people  one in every three state residents  is covered by the program. Insurance premiums have not increased here as much as they have elsewhere, and the exchange still offers many options so consumers can shop around.

The percentage of uninsured working-age adults in California had dropped by more than half to 11% last year, according to federal data. Beyond signing up large numbers for coverage, state officials had also started improving the way medical care is delivered to patients, Corlette said.

When considering what the Affordable Care Act could accomplish, she said, California was held up as the gold standard.

Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that he might keep several provisions of Obamacare, such as barring insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. He also said he likes a provision in the law that allows young adults to remain on their parents health plans until they are 26.

But the rest is up in the air.

Lisa Selzer signed up for insurance through Medi-Cal when it was expanded under the Affordable Care Act. She works as a substitute teacher in San Diego and needs medicines for migraines and epilepsy.

Shes worried that if Obamacare is repealed she will lose her health coverage.

Theres absolutely no way I can go off the meds, she said. She cant afford her medications on her own, and shed likely start having seizures again if she went off them, she said.

She said her strategy for now is: Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Hilary Haycock, president of Harbage Consulting, said she thinks the law has been in place for too long for legislators to make changes that would significantly roll back coverage.

Im going to dare to be optimistic and believe that when it comes down to it, its going to be really hard for members of Congress to vote to take something away from people without having a credible alternative, said Haycock, whose national health policy consulting firm is based on Sacramento.

Many worry that the alternatives will not provide the same levels of coverage  what Corlette called a 6-foot rope in a 10-foot hole.

The questions around Obamacare under a Trump presidency have cast a shadow on the laws fourth open enrollment period, which began Nov. 1. Covered California officials said Thursday that they had already begun receiving calls from people asking about the future of their coverage.

Steve Halasz, who lives in North Hollywood, pays $278 a month for a Kaiser health plan through Covered California. Hes a comedian who had gone years without insurance before the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

He said that at a doctors appointment recently, I was literally sitting there half-naked in a gown and I was emotional. It had been so long since I had real care.

Halasz wants to keep his plan but isnt sure whether he should fill out the renewal paperwork.

Is this all for naught? Im going to sign up for this and then after inauguration in January are they going to call for an immediate session and just eradicate it with the stroke of a pen? he said. Its the not knowing thats the worst.

Covered California officials and consumer advocates urged people to choose plans for 2017.

In fact, more people purchased an Obamacare plan through the national insurance exchange HealthCare.gov the day after the election than any other day since this enrollment period.

Theres no downside to signing up, said Wright, with Health Access California. If it gets ripped away, at least you had coverage for the X number of months until then.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Twitter: @skarlamangla

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Conventional political wisdom may have been upended in the race for the White House, but when it came to funding for school construction, a little-known strategy worked like a charm:

Presidential elections are a good time to pass school bonds.

In fact, it was hard last week to find a school or education funding plan that California voters on the state or local level werent willing to pay for.

In liberal Los Angeles County, voters approved 28 of 29 school-funding measures. Kern County, a conservative bastion that voted 56% for Republican President-elect Donald Trump, approved 11 of 12 school bonds.

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On the statewide ballot, voters passed Proposition 51, which will provide $9 billion in school bonds to be used across California. Voters also approved Proposition 55, which called for extending a tax on the states wealthiest residents to provide an estimated $4 billion per year for schools and, to a lesser extent, healthcare.

Voters said they want to invest in their schools, said Dennis Meyers, assistant executive director of the California School Boards Assn. They want new schools. They want modernized schools. They want technology. And most of those local bonds are tied to a match from the state school bonds.

The electorate is particularly inclined to spend in a presidential election, which draws less frequent and more liberal voters, officials and consultants said.

Whenever you have a presidential election, thats when youre going to get the most voters out there, said Supt. Martin Galindo of the El Rancho Unified School District, which serves the city of Pico Rivera in southeast L.A. County.

In 2003 and 2010, local voters had approved bond measures to fund the El Rancho district, costing them as much as $120 a year per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Last week, Measure ER sought $200 million more in bonds, mostly for replacing the districts primary comprehensive high school. Nearly 68% of voters said yes.

District enrollment, which is now about 9,000, has declined between 150 to 250 students per year for the last 15 years. A new high school will offer an up-to-date learning environment, making El Rancho more competitive with nearby districts, Galindo said.

But a second measure  which would have taxed property owners for nine years at a rate of $99 per parcel, bringing in about $1.4 million annually  failed. That money could have been used for any purpose. Parcel taxes require a two-thirds majority, and the measure fell just short, with 65% of the vote.

We came really close, Galindo said.

In the nine-campus Los Angeles Community College District, voters approved funding despite problems with past allocations.

While money from a measure passed in 2008 delivered new buildings and needed repairs, the funds also paid for a video biography of the man in charge of construction. And officials had to spend $157,000 to fix a poorly built decorative clock tower. An additional $3.4 million was squandered renovating a theater that then was demolished because officials wanted a brand new one instead. The list of problems goes on.

Still, three in four voters agreed in this election to provide another $3.3 billion.

From fiber optics to air conditioning, things that most people think are basic to a learning environment, we havent always had that, said Joanne Waddell, president of Local 1521 of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents 5,000 district faculty members.

Weve been transforming our campuses, and this will take us to the next step, Waddell said.

The total of bonds approved for schools across Los Angeles County exceeded $8.2 billion.

L.A. Unified, however, chose not to join the election day sweepstakes because, officials said, it has $6 billion in voter-approved funds still available. The district also will derive some benefit from the new state money.

But with an estimated $40 billion in construction needs, we will need more in the future, said Tom Rubin, a consultant to the committee that oversees local bond spending.

In rural Kern County, the new school funding will surpass $1.35 billion. But the $110 million that McFarland Unified had sought to build a new high school isnt included.

The current campus was built more than 80 years ago to accommodate 600 students, but must house 900. And the school system is continuing to grow.

Local critics labeled the measure the most expensive in California because the annual tax rate would have been $240 per $100,000 of assessed property value for 30 years in the low-income community.

The high debt burden required a two-thirds majority rather than the 55% of a typical bond. In the end, 53% voted yes.

We knew it was an uphill battle, Supt. Victor Hopper said.

Now hes developing a less expensive back-up plan  to build a new middle school and convert the existing one into a high school.

The district should qualify for some of the new state bonds to cover part of the cost of his Plan B. But Hopper still would have to turn to voters for more money.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume

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Iraqi forces said on Sunday they had recaptured the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the Islamist militants south of Mosul.

The troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive begun on October 17 to recapture Iraq's second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014.

A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes.

"The villages of Al-Nomaniyah and Al-Nimrud and the ruins of Nimrud were recaptured," Staff Brigadier General Saad Ibrahim of the 9th Armoured Division told AFP.

Iraq's Joint Operations Command had announced earlier in the day that the entire Nimrud area was retaken, but later said that this was incorrect.

The village of Nimrud and the archaeological site have however been recaptured, the JOC said.

Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

In April last year, IS posted a video on the internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in Hatra in the desert south of Mosul and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but it has still sold artefacts to fund its operations.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization welcomed the news of Nimrud's recapture.

"We welcome the news that Nimrod, a UNESCO world heritage site, is back under the control of the Iraqi government," said spokesman George Papagiannis.

"We look forward to coordinating with the relevant authorities in Baghdad on providing support for any assessments that need to be done of the site, once the area has been stabilised."

The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) force has pushed into the eastern outskirts of Mosul, with heavy fighting in recent days.

CTS Staff Lieutenant Colonel Muntadhar Salem told AFP on Sunday that its forces were looking to move into a new eastern neighbourhood.

"Our goal today is to clear out IS from the western part of Karkukli," he said.

North of Karkukli in the neighbourhood of Arbajiyah, CTS forces were facing sniper fire as they moved street-to-street clearing houses.

On the edge of Mosul, dozens of civilians could be seen walking towards a gathering point from where they would be taken to a camp for the displaced. A dozen men swarmed around a barber shop for a shave.

In neighbouring Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance has moved to about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Raqa since launching its offensive a week ago.

Commanders have said the SDF is close to completing a first phase of the operation to surround and isolate Raqa before launching an assault on the city itself.

The jihadists are putting up fierce resistance in both Mosul and Raqa, and military commanders have warned of long and difficult battles ahead.

Turkey has launched its own operation against IS just south of its border in Syria, and a monitor said Sunday that Ankara-backed rebels had neared the IS stronghold of Al-Bab.

The rebels had moved to about two kilometres (just over a mile) from Al-Bab, as Turkish forces targeted the town with artillery and air strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Ankara launched its unprecedented cross-border operation saying it was targeting both IS and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, which has been a key opponent of the jihadist group and dominates the SDF.

Turkey considers the YPG a "terrorist" organisation, and wants to avoid the creation of a contiguous, semi-autonomous Kurdish zone along the Syrian border.

Kurdish forces have also played a major role in the battle against IS in Iraq.

Its autonomous Kurdish region has gained or solidified control over large areas claimed by both it and the federal government in Baghdad in the course of the war.

In a report on Sunday, Human Rights Watch said Iraqi Kurdish forces had demolished Arab homes and buildings in disputed areas in the country's north.

HRW found "a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions of buildings and homes, and in many cases entire villages, between September 2014 and May 2016", the report said.

It raised concern that the destruction was "for the purpose of preventing or dissuading Arabs from returning" to the homes in order to strengthen Kurdish claims to the areas.

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Los Angeles detectives are seeking help to identify a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a pedestrian Saturday.

The incident happened around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning, when Iris Davis, 50, was hit while crossing Adams Boulevard at Vineyard Avenue in the West Adams area.

The driver did not stop to offer help or speak to officers. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling east on Adams and may have been a newer model pickup truck of a light color.

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Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles Police Department or L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to lacrimestoppers.org.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume

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A Stanislaus County sheriffs deputy was shot and killed Sunday in an execution carried out by a wanted man who was caught hours later after he carjacked one motorist, robbed a liquor store and tried to snatch a purse from a woman in Tulare County, authorities said.

Deputy Dennis Wallace, a 20-year department veteran, was shot twice in the head shortly after coming across a stolen van in Fox Grove Park, just outside the city of Hughson, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told reporters at a news conference.

We know for a fact that the gun used in this crime was in direct contact with his head when the trigger was pulled -- twice, Christianson said, according to a video posted by news station KCR3. This was an execution.

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The suspect, identified as David Machado Jr., 36, fled before carjacking a 2009 white Kia Rio in the nearby community of Keyes, Christianson said. The van was abandoned nearby.

While on the run, Machado traveled at least 150 miles before committing an armed robbery at a convenience store in Lindsay, about 15 miles east of the City of Tulare in the Central Valley, Christianson said during another news conference announcing the suspects arrest. Then, shortly after noon, Machado tried to steal a purse from a woman, who fought back and called police, he said.

Police officers who responded to her report chased Machado on foot and took him into custody, the sheriff said.

He surrendered to those peace officers who were chasing him, Christianson said.

He said Machado was identified through his tattoos and a photograph that had been released to other law enforcement agencies.

Christianson said authorities have recovered a van Machado used to flee from Fox Grove Park as well as the Kia Rio he carjacked later.

Theres still much work to be done, Christianson said. We will be bringing Mr. Machado back here to Stanislaus County to stand trial and we will seek justice, and justice will be done in this case.

Christianson said the events that led to the shooting began about 8:24 a.m. when Wallace called in and was told by dispatch that a car he saw at the Fox Grove Fishing Access was stolen. Wallace asked for another unit but never responded to additional messages from dispatchers, Christianson said.

A second deputy discovered Wallace when he arrived. The gunman had fled, Christianson said. The carjacking in Keyes occurred about 8:40 a.m., the sheriff said.

Machado, he said, had an outstanding warrant in connection with another felony, but the sheriff did not elaborate.

He is a known criminal, Christianson said.

Wallace, he said, was well-known for working on anti-drug and early intervention programs. He was married with a family, the sheriff said.

Weve lost someone who is special to us.  Sheriff Adam Christianson

The killing was the second in four years for the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department. In 2012, Deputy Robert Paris, a 16-year department veteran, was killed along with a civilian when a gunman opened fire as authorities tried to serve an eviction notice at an apartment complex in Modesto.

Last month, four law enforcement officers were slain in California in a two-week period.

On Oct. 6, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Sgt. Steve Owen was shot as he responded to a burglary report in Lancaster. Authorities said Trenton Trevon Lovell, 27, shot Owen and then stood over the wounded lawman and pumped an additional four rounds into his body. Lovell, 27, has been charged with murdering Owen, attempted murder of a second sheriffs deputy and other charges.

Days later, Palm Springs police Officers Lesley Zerebny, 27, and Jose Gil Vega, 63, were shot and killed in what officials said was a planned attack. The Riverside County district attorney said John Hernandez Felix, 26, set a trap for officers and ambushed them as they stood outside his door. Authorities also said Felix used an assault rifle with an extended magazine and wore body armor during the shooting that he was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms because he was a convicted felon.

And on Oct. 19, Modoc County Sheriffs Deputy Jack Hopkins was gunned down while responding to a disturbance call. Modoc officials said Hopkins was killed as he entered a property about eight miles south of Alturas when he was confronted and shot by Jack Lee Breiner. The deputy was killed instantly. As he fled, Breiner, 47, engaged another deputy in a gunbattle and was shot and wounded, authorities said. He has been charged with murder and other crimes in connection with the killing.

On Sunday, Christianson decried having to face reporters again to announce the slaying of one of his deputies and called for a show of unity for law enforcement nationwide.

Unfortunately, we do this far too often here in California and nationwide, he said. You have to ask yourself the question: Where does it stop? Where does it end?

A vigil for Wallace was planned for Sunday evening in Hughson, some two miles from where the deputy was fatally shot. People were asked to wear blue and bring a candle to the event.

Meanwhile, others showed their support for the department by delivering flowers. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state also sent their condolences through social media.

The killing of Deputy Dennis Wallace has had a tremendous negative effect on all of the organization, Christianson said. Weve lost someone who is special to us.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

jack.leonard@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives and @jackfleonard on Twitter.

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UPDATES:

5:00 p.m.: This article was updated with background about other recent killings of law enforcement officers and details about the reaction to Wallaces death.

4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with more details about the arrest of Machado that were provided at an afternoon news conference.

2:35 p.m.: This article was updated with background information about other killings of law enforcement officers and a comment from the Stanislaus County sheriff.

1:10 p.m.: This article was updated to say that authorities believe they have Machado in custody.

This article was originally published at 12:55 a.m.
The Los Angeles Police Department said five people were arrested during a Saturday night protest against President-elect Donald Trump in downtown Los Angeles.

At least one juvenile was arrested on suspicion of battery on a police officer, and four other people were arrested on suspicion of vandalism, according to LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman.

The names of those arrested and details of the charges were not immediately available. Eisenman did not know the exact time the protesters were arrested.

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The number of arrests was far fewer than the previous few days of demonstrations in downtown, when LAPD officers arrested about 150 in the early hours of Saturday and about 185 the day before.

The small, boisterous protest Saturday night followed a larger, peaceful anti-Trump demonstration that police said drew a crowd of about 8,000 people. Demonstrators marched from MacArthur Park to downtown Los Angeles. No arrests were made in that protest, police said.

Eisenman said the later anti-Trump protest, which drew a crowd of about 100, was not planned. Protesters gathered at City Hall before marching through the downtown area, stopping traffic while whistling and cheering, at times weaving through moving cars.

Los Angeles police officers arrested at least two suspected taggers, including a woman seen spray-painting, My body, my choice in the 3rd Street tunnel.

Most protesters left voluntarily when police ordered them to disperse. But a dozen or so stayed behind, holding their hands in the air while chanting peaceful protest.

Apart from the five protesters, no other arrests were made.

Staff writers Katie Falkenberg and Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.
A 14-year-old boy was swept away by the rapid waters of the Pacoima Wash and pinned against a barrier before being rescued by police and firefighters Saturday.

Officers responded to calls of a boy in the wash around noon Saturday, said Sgt. Irwin Rosenberg of the San Fernando Police Department.

They drove to different points along the wash where people swept away by the waters typically end up. They located the boy against a wall near Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Rosenberg said.

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Police officers readied flotation devices and kept the boy calm until Los Angeles firefighters arrived to pull him out of the water. The boy was unharmed.

The Pacoima Wash is fenced off, and visitors arent permitted to venture in. But some still do.

People are swept away by the wash once or twice a year, Rosenberg said, and officers in the area get special water-rescue training.

Though there was no recent rain, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District sometimes releases water into the channel, which creates fast currents. There was only about 2 feet of water in the wash Saturday, but even that can be dangerous, Rosenberg said.

It can be very deceiving to people. But just a few inches of that water can sweep people off of their feet and cause serious injury, Rosenberg said.

frank.shyong@latimes.com

Twitter: @frankshyong
California is quickly becoming a battleground for immigration policy as a cross-section of leaders across the state vowed to fight any plans by President-elect Donald Trump to deport thousands of people in the U.S. illegally.



For the record: A previous version of this article misspelled Dolores Mission as Delores.

Trump said during the presidential campaign that hell build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and deport people in the country illegally. He is expected to unwind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an initiative by President Obama that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

California has some of the nations most liberal policies when it comes to handling immigrants here illegally. The state has allowed them to get drivers licenses, health coverage for children and in-state tuition. Institutions like churches also support immigrants.

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But the Golden State could be on a collision course with Trump if he pushes hard-line immigration policies enthusiastically backed by many of his supporters.

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez led an interfaith prayer service Thursday night in which he reassured immigrants in the country illegally that the church would continue supporting them.

In the past couple days since the election  we have children in our schools who are scared, Gomez told the congregation. They think the government is going to come and deport their parents.

At a hastily convened meeting Friday at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that the city will question Trumps decisions on immigration.

If the first day, as president, we see something that is hostile to our people, hostile to our city, bad for our economy, bad for our security, we will speak up, speak out, act up and act out, Garcetti said.

The mayor also said police would continue to enforce Special Order 40, which bars officers from asking people about their immigration status.

Kamala Harris, in her first appearance since winning her U.S. Senate race, also held an event Thursday at CHIRLA to announce her support for immigrants and criticize Trumps plan for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Several days of street demonstrations in Los Angeles and other cities have followed Trumps election, with protesters denouncing the Republicans views on issues such as immigration. About 200 people were arrested Thursday night in downtown Los Angeles, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im.

Another anti-Trump protest is planned Saturday for MacArthur Park.

Of the 742,000 people across the country protected under DACA, about 200,000 are in Los Angeles County, according to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

Angelica Salas, CHIRLAs executive director, said her office is being inundated with requests from immigrants about their status.

Marissa Montes, co-director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Center, helps run a weekly meeting at the Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights. She said twice as many people  about 40  showed up at this weeks forum Wednesday.

People came out because of fear, Montes said. It was incredibly heartbreaking to tell people that I couldnt tell them what was ahead.

Loyola Immigrant Justice Center has stopped filing DACA applications, she said, over concern how those applications will be used by the Trump administration.

Trump made illegal immigration a central issue of his campaign, arguing that people here without proper documentation are a drain on the economy and take jobs away from U.S. citizens.

Trump has not outlined any specific immigration policies since winning the election Tuesday.

But Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state and a member of Trumps immigration policy transition team, told The Times the U.S. easily could boost deportations by more than 75% in his first year in office.

Experts have said Trump could also reduce or slow down the process by which Mexicans get travel cards and visitor visas. But other Trump immigration ideas  such as building a massive wall along the border  are probably going to be more difficult to implement.

At the event Thursday with Gomez, Ernesto Vega, a Mexican immigrant who is the archdioceses coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for Adults, expressed fear about the fallout from the election.

Im close to becoming a U.S. citizen, Vega said. But I think of my brothers and sisters who have recently immigrated, who are barely learning the language and who are being punished because of the color of their skin.

When I came here to this country, I did feel discrimination  in the Catholic Church, in society and in school. But I thought that we had gone way ahead, Vega said. Now it seems like all this effort that society has done is in danger of being destroyed.

makeda.easter@latimes.com

dakota.smith@latimes.com

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A Bay Area high school teacher was put on paid administrative leave this week after comparing President-elect Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.

Frank Navarro, a history and special education teacher at Mountain View High School, was asked to leave during school hours on Thursday after the administration received an email from a parent concerned about statements he made in class, the Mercury News reported.

Navarro, who has taught at the school for 40 years, told the Mercury News that his lesson plan was based on historical fact and that Hitlers persecution of Jews and rise to power has remarkable parallels to the president-elects statements about Latinos, Muslims and African Americans during his bid for the presidency.

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He said he told school officials: Im not pulling these facts out of my hat. Its based on experience and work, and if Im wrong, show me where Im wrong. And then there was silence, the Mercury News reported.

Navarro is an expert on the Holocaust. He was named a Mandel Fellow for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1997 and has studied at the International Center for the Study of the Holocaust in Jerusalem.

Navarro also is Mexican American, according to the Mercury News, and has had Latino students come up to him and say they worry they will be deported because of Trump.

Mountain View-Los Altos High School District administrators said Navarro was placed on leave until Wednesday but could possibly return as soon as Monday. During the presidential campaign, Trump called for a wall to be built along the U.S.-Mexican border, an increase in deportations of people in the country illegally and a ban on Muslims from entering the U.S.

In an interview with Mountain View High Schools student newspaper, the Oracle, Navarro said he made connections between Trump and Hitler but did not equate them.

A senior in Navarros Civics and Economics class told the Oracle that Navarro asked students to find racist quotes from Trump and read them aloud.

I do agree with some of [Trumps] policies, and when I try to talk about it, [Navarro] just told me to shut up or said something super rude, the student told the Oracle.

Navarro denied telling any students to shut up.

A change.org petition calling for Navarros return had more than 6,700 signatures as of Sunday morning.

Navarros suspension came on the same day another Bay Area high school administrator was placed on leave for comments about Trump.

Milpitas High School Principal Phil Morales was placed on leave for shouting expletives about Trump during a walkout of about 250 students protesting the president-elect, according to the Mercury News.

Morales shouted,  Donald Trump in a speech recorded by a student and shared on Twitter. Morales told the Mercury News that as a Latino, he was scared by Trump.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson
A motion to delay the Trump University trial until after the presidential inauguration was filed in San Diego federal court Saturday night, arguing a few extra months would give both sides time to videotape Donald Trumps testimony or possibly reach a settlement.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel was put on notice Thursday during a hearing on the case that Trump would be seeking a continuance to the Nov. 28 trial in light of his election win.

In the motion, Trumps attorney Daniel Petrocelli lays out a detailed plan that would postpone the trial until sometime soon after the Jan. 20 inauguration to allow the president-elect to focus his time and energy on the transition to the White House.

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The motion also requests that Trump be excused from having to testify live or in person. Instead, his lawyers argue he should be allowed to be questioned by both sides in a videotaped deposition for trial purposes either shortly before Jan. 20  when his transition duties would be nearly complete  or at a later time. That video would then be played at trial.

Petrocelli asks that the specific date and location of the recording be kept secret, until trial.

Furthermore, the video testimony would be used not only in this case, but in a similar Trump University lawsuit also in San Diego that is not as close to trial  ensuring Trump wont have to testify twice.

The videotaped testimony will ensure no additional delay of trial based on future scheduling unpredictability, Petrocelli wrote. The breathing room also will permit the parties to explore alternative methods of resolving both cases. And the definite period after which to schedule trial safeguards plaintiffs rights and minimizes the prejudice to them.

If the judge denies the motion, Petrocelli requests an immediate stay of the proceedings so he can appeal to a higher court.

Attached to the motion are some 500-plus pages of government documentation and research detailing the duties of a president-elects transition period.

Petrocelli also points to Clinton v. Jones, a 1997 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that held that sitting presidents are not immune to lawsuits involving incidents that occurred before they were in office. The ruling stressed that, even so, federal courts must still afford the utmost deference to the president if he is being sued, giving him wide latitude in his scheduling and recognizing the importance of the office.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Paula Jones against then-President Bill Clinton, accusing him of sexual harassment when he was Arkansas governor. The case eventually settled out of court.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the Trump University case said Thursday that a delay in the trial would complicate matters and that it would be best to hold it before Trump takes office.

The class-action lawsuit, filed in 2010, accuses Trump and Trump University of misleading students who signed up for seminars that promised to teach insider secrets to real estate investing. The students claim they were told instructors were handpicked by Trump when they werent, and that the program falsely held itself out to be an accredited university when it was not.

The class-member representing California, Sonny Low, is from Chula Vista, while two other people represent members in Florida and New York. There are potentially more than 7,000 eligible class members.

Judge Curiel on Thursday urged both sides to revisit settlement talks with the help of a veteran San Diego judge who has offered his mediation services. Lawyers for both parties agreed they were willing to discuss that with Judge Jeffrey Miller.

Davis writes for the San Diego Union Tribune. Follow @lanow for breaking news.
A man shot and killed a deputy in what police termed an execution, then stole a car and drove 150 miles to a small central California town where he was arrested after trying to steal a purse from a woman, who fought back and called authorities.

Stanislaus County Sheriffs Deputy Dennis Wallace was shot twice in the head Sunday morning as he checked on a report of a suspicious van parked near a fishing access spot outside the city of Hughson, about 10 miles southeast of Modesto.

We believe that Deputy Wallace was killed outside of the car, and we know for a fact that the gun used in this crime was in direct contact with his head when the trigger was pulled twice, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told reporters. This was an execution.

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Wallace was alone when he came across the van. A dispatcher told him the vehicle was stolen, so he asked for backup. Another deputy found Wallace a short time later.

The suspect, identified as David Machado, 36, fled in the van and carjacked a white Kia sedan in the nearby city of Keyes, police said.

While on the run, Machado committed an armed robbery in the town of Lindsay, about 150 miles south of where the shooting occurred, Christianson said. Then, shortly after noon, he tried to steal a womans purse at a convenience store.

The woman fought Machado and called police. He ran away but was caught by officers a short time later.

The Lindsay police officers did not know Machado was the suspect in Wallaces killing until after he was taken into custody and they identified him through tattoos and a photo issued by Stanislaus County.

Christianson said Machado was wanted on a felony arrest warrant but did not say for what crime. Authorities have recovered the van and the Kia sedan as evidence in the investigation, he said.

Wallace, 53, is survived by his wife, Mercedes, and children. He was a 20-year department veteran who lived and worked in Hughson, where he was involved in youth soccer, refereed football games and taught schoolchildren how to avoid drugs and violence in the D.A.R.E. program.

He wasnt just assigned to Hughson; hes a fixture in Hughson. He was so well-loved, County Supervisor Vito Chiesa told the Modesto Bee.

Hundreds of people, including law enforcement officers, gathered at the park near where Wallace was shot to mourn his death.

His brother, Modesto Police Officer David Wallace, said all he and Dennis wanted to do was follow in their fathers law enforcement footsteps.

Dennis died doing what he loved, he said.

Wallace is the fifth law enforcement officer in California to die in the line of duty in the last five weeks.

The slaying comes after a deputy in Modoc County was killed while responding to a call about a disturbance, two Palm Springs police officers were shot to death during a domestic disturbance call, and a Los Angeles County sheriffs sergeant was shot and killed in the high-desert town of Lancaster while answering a burglary call.

This tragedy is yet another solemn reminder of the sacrifice men and women in law enforcement make each and every day when they put on the uniform and badge, not knowing if theyll come home to their families at the end of their shift, Attorney General and U.S. Sen.-elect Kamala Harris said following Wallaces killing.

Associated Press
The Battle of Midway was a major turning point in World War IIs Pacific theater. The remote atoll where thousands died is now a fragile sanctuary for millions of seabirds, and a new battle is pitting preservation of its vaunted military history against the protection of its wildlife.

Halfway between the United States and Asia, Midways three islets are surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and are home to the biggest colony of Laysan albatrosses on Earth. The large, white and black seabirds pair off and mate for life, nesting and raising their young on Midway.

President Obama recently traveled here to announce the expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, now the worlds biggest oceanic preserve.

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I look forward to knowing that 20 years from now, 40 years from now, 100 years from now, this is a place where people can still come to and see what a place like this looks like when its not overcrowded and destroyed by human populations, Obama said.

President Obama pauses at the Battle of Midway Navy Memorial in September as he tours Midway Atoll in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press )

The atoll is a place where many people have lived, and perished  almost 3,000 in the historic conflict with Japan. And the public has not been allowed to visit the refuge or the battle monuments for years.

Midway is now a mix of boarded-up buildings left over from the islands military heyday and freshly painted facilities still in use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fish and Wildlife has every right and obligation to protect the wildlife, but they also have an obligation to protect the historic sites and the meaning of Midway, said James DAngelo, founder of the International Midway Memorial Foundation. It is precisely because of the men that lived and died that that memory should never be forgotten.

Six months after the Pearl Harbor attack, American forces turned away the Japanese at Midway and went on the offensive. In all, 2,500 Japanese and 307 Americans were killed in the battle.

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1988 when the atoll was still under Navy control. In 1996, management was transferred to the wildlife agency with a mandate to maintain and preserve not only the wildlife but the atolls historical significance. The atoll is part of a chain of small islands known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, or Leeward Islands.

Since 2000, the site has been designated as a National Memorial to the Battle of Midway. The original seaplane hangar is deeply rusted and has shrapnel pockmarks. Behind it, a huge pile of desks, bicycles, rusting metal and broken speedboat engines await removal.

Midway sits amid a collection of man-made debris called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Along Midways paths lie piles of feathers with rings of plastic in the middle  remnants of birds that died with the plastic in their guts. Each year the agency removes about 20 tons of plastic and debris that washes ashore from surrounding waters.

The critically endangered short-tailed albatross can be found only on Midway and one other small Pacific island. Endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles also frequent Midways shores.

Two Laysan albatross do a mating dance on Midway Atoll. (Lucy Pemoni / Associated Press )

In 1996, the government reached an agreement with the Georgia-based Phoenix Midway Corp. to help operate the islands visitor program, with lodging, a restaurant, a dive shop and bowling alley, at no cost to taxpayers.

But, in its six years of operation, the company had only one profitable month, according to a document submitted to the Fish and Wildlife Service and provided to the Associated Press by the memorial foundation.

In mid-2001, the company pulled out. After that, there was either no visitor program or a limited one.

Its financial suicide for anybody to think that they can go in unless they were given the carte blanche rights to run the island, said Bob Tracey, Phoenix Midways former executive vice president.

In 2014, the Congressional Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing about Midway. Objective observers can certainly question whether it was a mistake to transfer this sacred ground to an agency that is far better equipped to maintain birds than visitors, said the chairman, Rep. John Fleming (R-La.).

The Government Accountability Office concluded in 2016 that the wildlife agency maintained most historic properties but tore down seven others without the required public notice.

But the GAO noted funding has been slashed from $4 million annually to less than $3 million, resulting in the end of public visitation in 2012.

Officials say more than $1 million a year would be required to reestablish a visitation program, excluding startup costs.

Matthew Brown, Fish and Wildlifes superintendent for the marine national monument, said sustainable tourism is feasible despite the challenges. Its a very logistically challenging place to do anything, he said.

Its World War II-era structures werent built to last, and some are coated in lead paint, Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Megan Nagel said, noting Laysan albatross ingest the paint chips, causing illness.

And too many visitors could disturb the delicate ecosystem, Nagel said. For example, some seabirds here are attracted to lights that would be needed for modern accommodations.

Some contend a private company could easily profit from a visitation program on Midway, but evidence shows that is historical fiction, Guam Rep. Madeleine Bordallo said at the 2014 congressional hearing. Preservation of historic resources is expensive. If we value it as a country, we should pay for it.

Jones and Lederman write for the Associated Press.

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Instead of the White House, now we have the black tower.

The 58-story Trump Tower on New Yorks Fifth Avenue has become the new power center of the United States, at least until Jan. 20 when Donald Trump swears to defend the Constitution.

The president-elect lives in a penthouse crowning his eponymous building, all shiny black reflective glass with a zigzagging facade. He has a private elevator to his offices on the 26th floor. In keeping with his affection for his flagship building, Trump announced his presidential run in June 2015 in the atrium escalators.

Since the election Tuesday, the building has started to draw processions of high-level job seekers, a pack of political reporters, curiosity seekers, celebrities, self-promoters, tourists, well-wishers  and, above all, thousands and thousands of protesters.

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Trump Tower is now the most powerful place in the world, said Robert Sandler, 25, an artist who was sketching the tower from across the street on an iPad. Although Sandler said he was not a Trump supporter, he said he couldnt resist the lure of the building. Im drawn like a moth to the flame.

It is immensely inconvenient that the tower is smack in the middle of Manhattan, creating a logistical nightmare for the New York City police and Secret Service. The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered pilots to avoid routes near Midtown when Trump is in residence. Just before the start of the Christmas shopping season and the lighting of the famous Christmas tree at nearby Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue has been closed on several occasions since the election, turning Midtown Manhattan into a mass traffic snarl.

On Saturday afternoon, 5,000 protesters were roped off behind the barricades screaming. Donald Trump, go away. Racist, sexist, anti-gay, some yelled. Others offered a variation on a familiar protest refrain: Hey ho, hey ho, Donald Trump has got to go.

In New York, police had closed off the city streets for a four-block radius around the tower, leaving Burberry, Channel, Dior, Louis Vuitton behind the front lines. Adjacent to the entrance to the Trump Tower, Tiffany & Co., which was festooned with Christmas lights  was almost entirely empty.

Not that Trump isnt a big draw. In just a few days it has become one of New Yorks top tourist attractions, the place to see and be seen and to take a selfie.

Before the streets were barricaded Saturday, one of the luminaries who showed up was filmmaker Michael Moore.

I just thought Id see if I could get into Trump Tower and ride the famous escalator, said Moore who was wearing a red 49er hat.

Holding a smartphone away from himself, apparently taking a Facebook Live video of his visit, he walked across the shiny marble floor of the atrium with reporters and photographers trailing. He got as far as the fourth floor when Secret Service agents stopped him and said he could not enter the elevators.

Moore rode back down and wrote a note for the doorman to give the president-elect: Mr. Trump, Im here. I want to talk to you.

More successful getting an audience with Trump was Nigel Farage, head of the U.K. Independence Party who pushed through Britains exit from the European Union.

Reporters who staked out the lobby elevators looking for potential cabinet appoints also spotted Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republic National Committee, through doors that opened momentarily. He is a leading contender for White House chief of staff.

The situation with the Trump Tower is aggravated by Trumps unpopularity in New York. Although he is a native New Yorker, Democrat Hillary Clinton garnered 79% of the vote.

Crowds of anti-Trump New Yorkers  parents with their kids on their shoulders, actors dressed in Trump costumes, artists with a home-painted banner  filled Fifth Avenue as far as the eye could see. The demonstrations were among many that erupted around the nation Saturday, in Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and elsewhere.

A demonstrator speaks with police officers as he protests against President-elect Donald Trump in front of Trump Tower in New York. (Kena Betancurkena / AFP/Getty Images )

He is not our president, said Sarah Ivey-Long, 25, a carpenter and actress from Brooklyn. I dont think the people will stop protesting.

Under normal circumstances, Trump would be expected to move into the White House at inauguration on Jan. 20, relieving New York at least of the security and traffic burden.

But there are fears that he might decide to fly home on weekends, not least of the reasons being that his youngest son, Baron, is a 10-year-old who might choose to finish the school year in New York. During the campaign, reporters covering Trump were surprised that the candidate flew back from across the country almost every night to sleep at his own home.

His three-story penthouse, designed as an homage to Louis XIV, is luxurious indeed with floors, columns and walls covered with marble, crown moldings and furnishing edged with 14-karat gold and the ceilings recessed with painted tableaus from Greek and Roman mythology. Trump last year invited photographers to shoot the family seemingly relaxed at home, the boy showing off a red toy Mercedes with personalized license plates.

Even before Trump became a presidential candidate, the tower was somewhat controversial because its construction required the demolition of the beloved art deco building that had housed the Bonwit Teller department store. The real estate site Curbed listed it as one of the 15 ugliest buildings in New York and quoted a commentator saying it screams 80s capitalism and excess. The late architecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable scorned its lobby as a pink marble maelstrom.

On days, when the building is not barricaded, that atrium is filled with tourists, both foreign and domestic. The atrium has a Starbucks and various Trump-branded businesses, a grill, cafe and ice cream shop. Display cases show various Trump-branded products, including a mens dress shirt with a label visible through the case identifying it as made in Bangladesh.

barbara.demick@latimes.com

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

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European Union foreign ministers will gather Sunday to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election on trans-Atlantic ties and whether it will complicate relations with an increasingly belligerent Russia.

At informal dinner talks in Brussels, well away from the media, the ministers will debate how many of Trump's campaign announcements  like isolationist positions on security, his rejection of international trade pacts and refusal to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin  might translate into real policy.

Before the dinner, EU diplomats were at a loss to explain Trump's stunning victory or understand yet what it might really mean.

Giovanni Grevi, senior fellow at the European Policy Centre think tank, said that "cooperation between Europe and the U.S. will not become impossible, but it will become much more difficult."

"Donald Trump has been putting America first ... in defining his foreign policy and it seems he is taking a very transactional approach to international affairs. This is very likely to apply also to trans-Atlantic relations. He will value Europeans in so far as they can match his priorities," Grevi said.

Given Trump's clear opposition to major trade pacts, EU officials are all but certain that the massive Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, will have to be renegotiated, if any life remains in the project at all.

"With the new president-elect we don't really know what will happen. There is strong reason to believe that there would be a pause in TTIP, that this might not be the biggest priority for the new administration," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said Friday.

Perhaps the most pressing problem though is to understand how Trump wants to deal with Putin.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea and destabilizing role elsewhere in Ukraine. Some of those measures, including asset freezes on individuals and organizations, come up for renewal in January.

EU leaders are due to discuss them at a summit in Brussels on Dec. 15-16, but any signal from Trump about a softening of U.S. relations with Russia is likely to embolden already-reluctant countries like Germany, Italy and others to push for an end the sanctions regime, diplomats said.

The EU foreign ministers will meet again formally on Monday, to discuss strained ties with membership candidate country Turkey, the conflict in Syria and Libya, and defense cooperation with the NATO military alliance.

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Tens of thousands of people marched in streets across the United States on Saturday, staging the fourth day of protests of Donald Trumps surprise victory as president.

The protests  held in big cities like New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Indianapolis, Ind., Worcester, Mass., and Iowa City, Iowa  were largely peaceful.

Protesters rallied at New Yorks Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

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The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump step aside.

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, she said. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Indianapolis, Ind.

Demonstrators against Donald Trump in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday. (AJ Mast / Associated Press)

Protests were mainly peaceful, but a few demonstrators threw rocks at police in Indianapolis, slightly injuring two officers, according to Police Chief Troy Riggs.

Some protesters began chanting threats including Kill the Police, and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city, trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

Portland, Ore.

Police wearing riot gear watch as demonstrators protest against Donald Trump in Portland (Ankur Dholakia / AFP/Getty Images)

Rowdy demonstrators marched through downtown Portland again Saturday night despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

Several hundred people took to the streets, and authorities reported at least one arrest after people in the crowd threw items at police in riot gear. The gathering came after a news conference Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

Friday night, police used flash-bang grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds in the downtown area. Seventeen people were arrested and one man was shot  suffering non-life-threatening injuries  in what police described as a confrontation with gang members. Two people were arrested on attempted murder charges.

Elsewhere in the U.S.

People protesting both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the election of Donald Trump pass by the Chicago Theatre during a march from Federal Plaza to Trump Tower in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be, he said. There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Olympia, Wash.; Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington State Capitol. The group chanted Not my president and No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to protest a jurys failure to reach a verdict in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Several hundred anti-Trump protesters joined the trial protesters and marched through downtown Cincinnati.

In Chicago, hundreds of people, including families with small children, chanted No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here, Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honor the popular vote and elect Clinton.

Women arent playthings. Journalists arent pawns. People of color are not commodities. Marriage equality is not up for debate, Spray said.

Ashley Lynne Nagel, 27, said she joined a Thursday night demonstration in Denver.

Its not that were sore losers, said Nagel, a Bernie Sanders supporter who voted for Clinton. Its that we are genuinely upset, angry, terrified that a platform based off of racism, xenophobia and homophobia has become so powerful and now has complete control of our representation.

Around the world

A small group of people protest against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the steps of the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City on Saturday. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press)

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at a statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One schoolteacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Obama meets in Berlin next week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and he is expected to confront global concerns about Trumps election.

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Weve seen two Donald Trumps in the past week. Which one will arrive at the White House on Inauguration Day?

The combative Trump who called President Obama a disaster and Hillary Clinton a criminal, or the gracious Trump who praised them after he won?

The vengeful Trump who vowed that Paul Ryan would pay if he didnt support him fully, or the party-unifying Trump who met cordially with Ryan last week?

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The prickly Trump who tweeted on Thursday about professional protesters, incited by the media, or the statesmanlike Trump who tweeted on Friday that he loved the demonstrators passion?

We wont know for a while. Its possible that Trump hasnt decided yet.

More than most presidents-elect, Trump is still something of a blank slate  despite the millions of words he has spoken over the last year. Hes never held public office. Hes still an outsider in his own party. His attachment to his purported policies is unclear and subject to constant revision.

Trump was remarkably flexible during the campaign... But in the weeks before his inauguration, he has to make real decisions that arent so easily undone.

Almost the only thing we know for certain about Trump is that he is driven by a boundless will to win whatever competition hes in. My life has been about winning, he told an interviewer last year.

But winning was easy to define in the heat of a presidential campaign, with an election as its goal.

The test Trump faces now is an essay question, not a zero-sum contest: What will his definition of winning be once hes president?

Well get an early clue from one of his first decisions: whom he names as White House chief of staff.

Trump aides last week said two of the leading candidates were Stephen K. Bannon, the chief strategist for his presidential campaign, and Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

They represent a clear choice between two versions of Republicanism in the new Trump era. Bannon, head of the Breitbart News organization, is an apostle of the downmarket, blue-collar populism that helped Trump win millions of votes in the Rust Belt  and a defender of the alt-right camp that attracted white nationalists to the campaign. Priebus, by contrast, is a more conventional conservative, a Wisconsin party operative who built an effective organization at the RNC. Bannon has suggested that Ryan should be ousted as speaker of the House; Priebus is a Ryan fan.

The divide is more than ideological. Bannon and Priebus represent competing definitions of what a Trump presidency would be about and how it would govern.

Long before Trump, Harvard political scientist Joseph Nye argued that there are two kinds of presidencies: transformational and transactional. Transformational presidents seek to change the political landscape in fundamental ways; transactional presidents seek to manage the landscape pretty much as it is.

If Trump chooses Bannon, that will suggest that he wants to be a transformational president  that he wants to remake the Republican Party, and that he wont hesitate to clash with Ryan and GOP congressional leaders if they get in his way (for example, by trying to rein in his plans for a big-spending infrastructure program).

If he chooses Priebus, that will suggest that hes chosen a less disruptive transactional strategy, and that hell be willing to bargain with GOP leaders in Congress over priorities and spending levels. Indeed, some Republican establishment leaders are still hoping that Trump will subcontract much of his legislative agenda to Ryan and Senate leader Mitch McConnell.

Bannon would be a deeply polarizing figure; Democrats  and many Republicans  already think hes an extremist. His appointment would launch the Trump administration into a virtual civil war within the GOP. By the end of last week, Republicans in Congress were lobbying against his selection, arguing that hed mire the new president in a conflict he doesnt need. (Indeed, one aide suggested to me that Bannons name had been leaked to make the eventual appointment of Preibus  or anyone else  more palatable.)

Trump was remarkably flexible during the campaign, even on issues at the core of his candidacy. His proposed ban on Muslims entering the United States turned into a milder suggestion for extreme vetting. His vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants became a decision for a later date. His threat to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe, he said, was mostly a negotiating chip.

But in the weeks before his inauguration, he has to make real decisions that arent so easily undone: the appointments to his White House staff and other top jobs. An ancient rule in Washington holds that personnel is policy. Through his choices, we will soon discover what kind of president this chimerical man may turn out to be.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @doylemcmanus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Theres America, and then theres California. Golden State residents know that their state is a different political animal from their nation, but just how different may not have been fully apparent until Tuesdays election.

Californians voted for Hillary Clinton at a rate (61.5%) higher than any other states, save Hawaii. They voted to extend progressive tax rates, restrict ammunition sales, legalize weed and ban plastic bags. They appear to have given the Democrats a two-thirds supermajority in the state Assembly and perhaps, pending the final vote count in one district, a supermajority in the state Senate. Even Orange County, once the seedbed of Goldwaterism, voted Democratic in the presidential race  for the first time since Franklin Roosevelts landslide victory in 1936.

This time around, of course, Orange County went against the national tide. On Nov. 8, even as the white working- and middle- class of the once-industrial Midwest provided the votes to make Donald Trump president, California  a far more racially diverse state than any in the Rustbelt  continued on its own, far more liberal course.

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California cant erect a wall to keep Trump administration policies from eroding some of the states liberal landmarks.

In recent years, the state has enacted a $15 minimum wage and its own clean energy standards, established an automatic retirement savings plan for workers, and extended Obamacare eligibility to immigrants in the country illegally. A number of California cities have mandated paid sick days for workers and limited their police departments interactions with federal immigration authorities.

But California cant erect a wall to keep Trump administration policies from eroding some of the states liberal landmarks. Neither Obamacare, much less the ability of California residents here illegally to buy into it, are likely to survive. Sanctuary cities may be threatened with a loss of federal funds. A Trump withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords wont negate Californias environmental standards, but California by itself cant shift the planet away from reliance on fossil fuels. The states pro-worker positions, mandating higher wages and decent benefits for millions of Californians, may be eroded in the long run by whats sure to be Trumps war on unions.

When a Trump nominee takes his or her seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, that court will likely rule that public employees who dont want to join their unions dont have to pay a single cent in dueseven though those unions are legally obligated to bargain for them and represent them in any dispute with management.

Such a ruling could decimate unions that have played a decisive role in moving California leftward. The Service Employees International Union, for example, originated and sustained the Fight for 15 campaign, absent which the minimum wage hikes of recent years would not have been enacted.

Abetted by such wealthy liberals as Tom Steyer, these unions have also funded and waged registration drives that have seen the Democratic share of California registered voters increase from 43% to 45% since 2012, while the Republican share has dropped by 29% to 26%. (Of course, the GOPs social conservatism, anti-feminism and adamant opposition to immigration reform are responsible for the widening gap too.)

Even if Trumpism doesnt affect the Democrats hold on California  as it likely wont  unions are necessary to keep the state Democratic Party truly liberal.

As the state GOP has subsided into complete ineffectuality, business, real estate interests and wealthy conservatives who in other states would support Republican candidates have directed their donations instead to moderate Democrats in the legislature, city halls and school boards. On Tuesday, thanks to the states top-two primary system, Democrats backed by business faced off against Democrats backed by labor in a number of legislative contests. For the most part, the business Democrats prevailed, though two Assembly members with major funding from oil companies lost to Democrats backed by unions and environmentalists. On social issues like reproductive rights and immigration, however, business and labor Democrats form a united liberal front.

In the short term, California will play the role of progressive outlier in a Trumpified United States. In the long run, however, as the nation becomes more racially diverse and as the liberal millennial generation plays a larger role in national politics, chances are good that America will move closer to Californias standards of tolerance and egalitarianism. Just how long that long run lasts will determine how much damage the nation will sustain, and how well California will be able to resist it.

Harold Meyerson is executive editor of the American Prospect. He is a contributing writer to Opinion.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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When Audrey Kaatz and Ashley Wright finally decided whom to support for president, they kept the choice to themselves.

They admired his business sense and blunt-spoken style. But voting for Donald Trump was not something the two were comfortable discussing before the election. Not with their friends. Not with their boyfriends.



For the record: An earlier version of this article described Tucson as three hours from the Mexican border. It is one hour from the border crossing at Nogales.

Certainly not with their boss, a Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton.

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People were scared to say they were voting for him, Kaatz, 27, said as she stepped away from the bang of a cash register and the thrum of hair dryers at the upscale salon in Scottsdale where the two women work.

Even now when people hear she supported Trump, said the 28-year-old Wright, They think, Oh, so you must be a racist, and that isnt fair or true.

Days after the Republican businessman and reality TV star pulled off one of the most astonishing political upsets in the countrys history, Americans are still trying to sort through the implications.

Trying to understand how it happened. Trying to understand each other. Trying to fathom the yawning gap between two Americas.

To his many critics, Trump is a racist, a bigot, a misogynist and a clown. The thought of him becoming the most powerful person on the planet is enough to produce stomach-churning anxiety, to bring sleepless nights and induce tears.

But more than six dozen conversations with Trump voters across the country  Democrats, Republicans, political independents  turned up a thoroughly different perspective.

They see an outsider unbeholden to a corrupt and rotten political system and brave enough to stake bold positions. They consider him fearless enough to defy the confines of political correctness. They view him as a vastly successful businessman, but possessing a common touch: a workingmans billionaire.

His victory brought euphoria, relief.

Edith Gatewood, 72, felt like twirling across the floor of her home in a Denver senior complex. Norman Gardner, 67, who runs a mobile home park in Shelbyville, Tenn., wanted to go outside and holler at the moon.

Joyce Riley, 65, who sells real estate in Floridas Panhandle, hadnt realized how bad she felt about the direction of the country until she saw the prospect of things getting better. This is the first time Ive been optimistic about the country in many years, she said. Ive been walking around singing, Happy Days Are Here Again.

Sure, Trump said some vile things during an exceedingly nasty campaign, sometimes acting in ways they wouldnt want their children to behave. But for those who supported him, that was part of what made him an unconventional candidate  he wasnt the typical stamped-from-the-mold politician.

Trump was misunderstood and maligned by an arrogant and biased news media, his supporters say, and many of them feel misunderstood and maligned as well.

::

Contrary to perceptions, it wasnt all angry white men, terrified of the countrys changing hue, who swept Trump into office.

Kaatz, the Arizona hairdresser, for instance, is dating a black man she expects to marry next April and looks forward to raising their mixed-race children. Wright lives in a multicultural community in the Phoenix suburbs and welcomes the Muslim and black children who scamper through her front yard.

I dont look outside and think my neighbors are going to bomb me, Wright said  though she welcomed the notion of a wall along the border with Mexico, an hour drive from her parents home in Tucson.

 People were scared to say they were voting for him, Audrey Kaatz, 27, said about President-elect Donald Trump as she stepped away from the bang of a cash register and the thrum of hair dryers at the upscale salon in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she wo

The notion of two Americas, one ascendant, the other convinced it is slipping ever further behind, has become a staple of the countrys politics and its national narrative as well.

Many Trump supporters belong to the latter America, an America of dislocation and loss: lost jobs, lost opportunities. A lost sense of belonging. A sense of no longer mattering.

In Shelbyville, a town of about 20,000 near the center of Tennessee, Gardner, the mobile home park operator, spoke of the businesses that have vanished: The company that built fireplaces. The factories that made pencils. The textile mills.

Nothings come in to take their place, he said. We need to bring industry back and I think [Trump] can do it.

Trumps economic nationalism resonated with Emmett Lawson, an African American who fled Cleveland for Orlando, Fla., after losing his job in a steel mill. He blames the North American Free Trade Agreement, which President Clinton signed into law and Trump derides as the worst bargain in the history of creation.

Now, at age 58, Lawson drives a semi-truck hauling housing debris across Florida. It was bad and Trump exploited it, Lawson said of NAFTA. He saw it and spoke about it. That spoke to me.

Trump is a business guy, Lawson said. Thats the change thats needed.

 Anthony Miskulin wants a better-paying job. He wants a stronger economy. He wants, among other priorities, for President-elect Donald Trump to deal with illegal immigration, which Miskulin blames for soaring housing prices and a drain on public serv

In Huntington Beach, Anthony Miskulin, 37, used to make six figures as a loan officer, until the Great Recession hit. Now he toils in corporate sales, making $26,000 a year. He shares a house with four other people and commutes three hours by bus, having given up his car. He shoulders $57,000 in student-loan debt.

I never anticipated being in this situation, he said, soaking up the sun  one form of recreation he can still afford  on an 80-degree day on the Orange County coast. My vote for Donald Trump, it wasnt out of bigotry. It wasnt out of hatred. It was about survival.

Miskulin wants a better-paying job. He wants a stronger economy. He wants, among other priorities, for Trump to deal with illegal immigration, which Miskulin blames for soaring housing prices and sees as a drain on public services.

Ive been to the welfare office before, and a lot of people who go there dont speak English, Miskulin said. Most of the people who go there, theyre not white. Theyre not even black. The most people you see there are mostly Mexican.... They are illegal and they dont belong in our country.

Those racial undercurrents were an undeniable part of the Trump wave.

For some, making America great again means returning to a time when it was whiter, more male-dominated and more in line with what the religious right and its political allies consider traditional family values.

Margo Miko, 62, a former nurse now living on disability in Ohio, was among those drawn by Trumps promises to build an impenetrable wall along the Southern border and to keep out Muslim immigrants.

She blamed her states governor, Republican John Kasich, for allowing an influx of refugees that has made her feel like a stranger in her Columbus neighborhood. She cited an encounter on a hot summer day.

She was out in shorts and a top when she ran into a woman in full Muslim garb. She looked me up and down and said, You really should cover yourself, Miko recounted. I told her, You need to take some clothes off. I bet youre really hot. She was quite nasty.

Tonya Register, a 57-year-old Trump supporter in Fountain Valley, said she has nothing against Mexicans  they were in Southern California long before she was, she noted  or the Asian immigrants filling up her Orange County neighborhood.

It was plainly wrong though, Register said, to see the White House lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Courts legalization of same-sex marriage. That was not cool to me, said Register, whose disability check helps care for an adult daughter and two grandchildren living with her. And Im an American, too.

To paint everyone who voted for Trump as a racist, or homophobe, or woman-hater, or to stuff every one of them into a basket labeled deplorable, to use Hillary Clintons infelicitous term, ignores and delegitimizes a deeply held sense of abandonment, these voters contend.

Everyone who voted for Trump is being called names, said Janet Flanigan, 54, as she stood outside a Thai restaurant and sushi bar in the courthouse square in Newnan, Ga., a former cotton town about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. Were called redneck, ignorant, racist, haters.

The freelance writer went on, waving her hands in frustration. Thats not true, she said. People voted for Trump because they felt they have not had representation in Washington for a long time.

Janet Flanigan is a freelance writer from Newnan, Ga., who voted for Trump. (Jenny Jarvie / Los Angeles Times )

::

Change, of course, entails risk, and many readily concede there is considerable risk in handing the country over to a man who has never served in the military or spent a moment in government  something the country has never done in its entire history.

But theres always risk, they said, and with four years of Hillary Clinton they figured it was pretty clear what the country could expect: more economic inequality, more bloated government, more taxes, a continued loss of respect around the world.

She has a proven track record, said Nancy Lewis, 58, who works for a medical answering service in Mendenhall, Miss., and it wasnt a very good one.

Many liked what they saw early Wednesday morning, when Trump, apparently as surprised as most others, laid claim to the White House. He seemed more serious, they said, more responsible and sober, and they expect that to continue as the weight of the office settles on his shoulders.

His mouth gets him in trouble, said Wayne Lee, 64, a truck driver from Palmetto, Ga., who acknowledged it was somewhat nervous-making to think of Trump with his finger on the nuclear trigger. But I think his behavior is going to change. All these outbursts  theyre not going to happen anymore. I think hes going to take it seriously.

That, of course, wont be known for some time.

It is clear what Trump supporters expect, in keeping with the grand though often contradictory promises he made during the campaign.

A stronger economy that will produce more jobs with better pay. Lower taxes. Less bureaucracy. Cheaper and more widely available healthcare.

A reversal of the decades-long decline in the countrys manufacturing industry, and a revival of the struggling coal and steel industries. Better and safer airports, roads and bridges.

A muscular foreign policy that will deter aggression and make the country stand taller in the eyes of both friend and foe. A fail-safe policy that will keep people from entering the country illegally and, especially, keep terrorists offshore.

Anthony Miskulin, relaxing under the Huntington Beach Pier, discusses his reasons for voting Trump. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times )

I finally feel optimistic, said Miskulin, who earlier had watched the Veterans Day celebration in Huntington Beach. I think Donald Trump is not only going to be great for the country but also great for the American people, not a small minority of bureaucrats and labor union members.

To hear them tell it, Trump supporters want a government that no longer works to make the rich even richer, offers handouts to the undeserving and caters to the whims of Washingtons army of lobbyists and special interests.

Perhaps more than anything, they want a president who pays attention to the half of the country bereft of hope: That, they said, would truly make America great again.

Barabak reported from Las Vegas and Duara from Scottsdale, Ariz. Times staff writers Kurtis Lee and Matt Pearce in Los Angeles, Melanie Mason in Sacramento, Seema Mehta in Huntington Beach, Michael Finnegan in New York, David Montero in Provo, Utah, and correspondent Jenny Jarvie in Newnan, Ga., contributed to this report.

mark.barabak@latimes.com

Twitter: @markzbarabak

nigel.duara@latimes.com

Twitter: @nigelduara

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Donald Trump made his first significant moves as the nations president-elect on Sunday, naming two campaign insiders with sharply contrasting approaches as his top White House aides while also signaling that he will seek to promptly deport up to 3 million immigrants with criminal records who are in the U.S. illegally.

The rapid-fire developments highlighted the challenges Trump faces in reconciling the rhetoric that helped propel him to victory with how he is prepared to govern.



For the record: An earlier version of this article identified House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy as a Democrat. He is a Republican.

The tension between passion and pragmatism played out vividly with Trumps selection of his often-provocative campaign operative, former Breitbart News executive Stephen K. Bannon, as chief strategist and senior counselor to the president. In the same announcement, Trump named Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, known as a more collegial figure, to be White House chief of staff.

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A news release issued by Trumps presidential transition office said Bannon and Priebus will serve as equal partners. Neither position is subject to Senate confirmation.

Bannon, 62, was executive director of Breitbart News when he took a leave of absence in August to lead Trumps campaign. Bannon also has produced several documentary films, served as a naval officer and was once an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. Priebus, 44, first established himself in Wisconsin politics, where he worked as a legislative aide and, later, as a lawyer with a Milwaukee firm.

I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country, Trump said in the news release. Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory.

The naming of Priebus as chief of staff was quickly interpreted by some on Capitol Hill as a sign of Trumps willingness to work collaboratively with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to achieve policy goals.

Bannon, on the other hand, has a record of savaging non-ideological Republicans who favored more moderate approaches to issues such as immigration.

Publicity for a 2010 documentary that Bannon directed and produced, Battle America, described it as a searing look at the ongoing conflict between Constitutional Conservatives and an out-of-touch, arrogant and ever-expanding central government. In comments in January to the Washington Post, Bannon described what Breitbart News was offering under his leadership:

We call ourselves the Fight Club. You dont come to us for warm and fuzzy. We think of ourselves as virulently anti-establishment, particularly anti-the permanent political class.

Breitbart is also known for its darker undercurrent, giving voice to the so-called alt-right, a loose collection of extremists that includes openly racist or anti-Semitic activists. Given his leadership there, Bannons ascension to the White House was immediately condemned on both sides of the aisle.

Be very vigilant America, Republican consultant John Weaver warned on Twitter. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the ranking member on the House intelligence committee, called the move unsurprising but alarming, saying Bannons views have no place in the White House.

The appointments of Bannon and Priebus resemble, at least in part, former President Reagans decision at the start of his presidency to split power in the White House between James A. Baker III, who served as chief of staff and had close ties to the GOP establishment, and Edwin Meese, a more ideological figure who had longstanding ties to Reagan going back to his tenure as California governor. The rivalry between the two and their aides became a constant of Reagans first term, so much so that Reagan at a Cabinet meeting once appealed for an end to internal sniping.

Trump, in an interview broadcast Sunday night on CBS 60 Minutes, appeared to adjust expectations for how he will implement immigration policy, one of his signature election themes. Though he backed prompt deportations for those in the U.S. illegally who also have criminal records, Trump also said he will defer the far wider exclusions he called for during the campaign until after the border is secure.

What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records  probably 2 million, it could be even 3 million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate, Trump said.

After the border is secure, and after everything gets normalized, were going to make a determination on whether to deport others, he said.

Trumps estimate of how many immigrants have criminal records exceeds what others have found. About 820,000 people in the U.S. illegally have criminal convictions, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, a group that is funded by Fortune 500 companies, major foundations and the U.S. and more than a dozen foreign governments.

In an immigration policy speech in August, Trump said about 2 million criminal aliens lived in the U.S., a calculation made by the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit group that seeks to lower immigration levels. The organization said it was citing a Department of Homeland Security report that counted 1.9 million removable criminal aliens. That cohort, however, includes people who are legal permanent residents or have temporary visas.

Trump did not provide a timetable for when this second phase of determinations might unfold. Asked about his oft-repeated pledge to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by building a wall, Trump said that he would consider sections of fencing, as preferred by some members of Congress. About 650 or so miles of fencing is already in place along the border.

As for another pledge he made during the campaign  to seek prosecution of Hillary Clinton related to her handling of sensitive government information  Trump said, Im going to think about it.  She did some bad things. Yet Trump also seemed reluctant to follow through against his vanquished rival and, by extension, former President Bill Clinton.

I dont want to hurt them, Trump said. I dont want to hurt them. Theyre  theyre good people.

In a related vein, Trump said he did not yet know whether he would seek the resignation of FBI Director James Comey, whose public comments about aspects of the investigation of the emails ignited controversy in the campaigns late stages.

I havent made up my mind, Trump said. I respect him a lot. This is a tough time for him, and I would like to talk to him before deciding.

Trump was less equivocal in commenting on his running refusal to release any of his federal income-tax returns. He will make returns public, Trump said, at the appropriate time.

Nobody cares, Trump said, adding, Obviously, the public didnt care because I won the election very easily. So they dont care. I never thought they did care.

Trump also told 60 Minutes that he considers gay marriage to be the law of the land. Its settled in the Supreme Court, he said. I mean, its done. Im fine with that.

Trumps comments on immigration were echoed Sunday by other Republican leaders. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, appearing on CNNs State of the Union, said, Were focused on securing the border. Were not planning on erecting a deportation force.

Newt Gingrich, who served as House speaker in the 1990s and who is assisting Trumps transition, told CBS Face the Nation that the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally who have criminal pasts would be the new administrations priority.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a close Trump ally whom the president-elect may appoint as U.S. attorney general, said his administration would have to be very careful regarding immigration from terrorism-prone regions of the Middle East.

I think this is going to be a country-by-country decision, Giuliani told CNN, saying that much will depend on the extent to which each country cooperates in sharing information.

One clear exception, Giuliani suggested, would be prospective immigrants from Syria, because of the possibility that terrorists might be planted among refugees.

We would be foolish to allow these people to come into the United States, Giuliani said, adding that U.S. authorities already have 1,000 investigations of radical Islamic terrorists in the United States.

Under Obama administration policy, Syrian refugees applying for asylum in the U.S. undergo an 18- to 24-month vetting process, some of the most stringent examinations the government says it conducts in considering whom to allow in the country.

Giuliani also addressed the extent to which Trump will seek to insulate official government decisions from any perceived conflicts of interest with his business empire. Giuliani said the president-elect could so by pledging, in writing, to maintain no more than a passive interest in his private holdings. Such a pledge would avert the need to create a blind trust, he said.

Theres no perfect way to do this, Giuliani said. You have to have some confidence in the integrity of the president.

Also Sunday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), indicated that lawmakers would not pursue another investigation of Hillary Clinton, saying that Republicans were focused on job creation and healthcare.

I leave that portion to law enforcement, McCarthy said on Fox News Sunday about a potential Clinton inquiry. Thats just the way I do it. Keep politics out of it.

david.willman@latimes.com

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6:15 p.m.: This story was updated with comments from Trump and background.

This story was originally published at 11 a.m.
Although Donald Trumps victory stunned true-blue California, Democratic strategists in the state are grappling with another reality: Relying on anti-Trump sentiment as a strategy to launch more Democrats into the state Legislature doesnt appear to have delivered as theyd hoped.

In the final weeks before the election, Democratic party leaders and consultants doubled down on the effort to tie GOP candidates to Trump in campaigns up and down the state, placing his name and image on mailers, television ads and lawn signs.

So far, although it appears Democrats will pick up three seats in the Assembly, there were four races in which the anti-Trump strategy was used and didnt work. And the Democratic victors appear to be winning by closer margins than pollsters had expected.

The overall impact was kind of a dud, said Andrew Acosta, a consultant for Democrat Dawn Ortiz-Legg. In the race for the Assembly, Ortiz-Legg compared her Republican opponent, Jordan Cunningham, to Trump, emphasizing his stances on womens reproductive issues.

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Ortiz-Legg lost to Cunningham by nearly 10 points in the 35th Assembly District on the Central Coast, despite the fact that state Democrats vastly outspent Republicans to help her.

We rolled with the Trump hit, and it obviously didnt have the impact we were hoping it would, Acosta said.

Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-Dublin) survived a challenge from Democrat Cheryl Cook-Kallio, even after her rival took pains to compare the socially moderate Republican to Trump on gun policy and equal pay. Democrats ignored that Baker had said early on she would not vote for Trump. The Republican incumbent won by 12 points even though Democrats enjoy a 12-point advantage in voter registration in her Bay Area district.

The Trump effect also failed in Democratic attempts to flip U.S. House seats. The most vulnerable Republican, Rep. Steve Knight of Palmdale, who denounced Trump and said he couldnt support his partys nominee, coasted to reelection with an 8-point victory. (After the campaign, Knight said he had voted for Trump, after all.)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had spent big in an attempt to link Knight to Trump. The strategy also failed in two Central Valley districts.

In Southern California, where the tactic was aggressively pursued, Republican Dante Acosta prevailed in his Assembly race despite his opponents frequent efforts to compare him to Trump. Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) is ahead by 4 points and, if trends hold, will likely hold on to his seat against Democratic challenger Abigail Medina, who called Trump and Steinorth two sides of the same coin.

Abigail Medina tried to compare Assemblyman Marc Steinorth to Trump. (Courtesy Medina campaign) (Courtesy Medina campaign )

Honestly, it was just a really lazy way of political consulting, said Jessica Patterson, CEO of the California Trailblazers program, which grooms Republican candidates for office.

Patterson said the campaign against Acosta and other Republicans was ineffective because the candidates her program recruits are deeply embedded in their communities. They tried to meld their faces together, called them two peas in a pod. At the end of the day, everyone knows Dante Acosta, the Gold Star father and city councilman for Santa Clarita.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said he thinks the Trump strategy was effective and that capturing three Assembly seats is no small feat. We were taking on incumbents. The fact that we knocked off three is remarkable, Rendon said. I think we did exceptionally well, and I think that strategy helped.

But even in the most competitive races where Democrats appear to have come out ahead, they didnt win by the wider margins that might have been expected in a high-turnout year.

In Orange County, for example, Assemblywoman Young Kim (R-Fullerton) is losing to Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva. With ballots still being counted, Kim trails by just 1,500 votes in a district that has added more than 14,000 registered Democrats since January alone and where the Democratic voter registration edge has grown to 9 percentage points from less than 2 in 2014. Quirk-Silva made Trump such a central part of her campaign that she filed papers with the FEC as an independent expenditure committee opposing him.

(Courtesy of Sharon Quirk-Silva campaign)

Democrat Al Muratsuchi defeated Assemblyman David Hadley after spending months tying the Republican to Trump through lawn signs and the hadleytrump.com website. Although unofficial results showed Muratsuchi winning the coastal L.A. County district by 6 points, voter registration favors Democrats 41% to 30%, a gap thats widened by 3 points since two years ago.

Democratic consultant David Jacobson, who said last month it would be political malpractice for any down-ballot Democrats not to capitalize on Trumps dismal approval ratings in California, helped run Medinas campaign and said polls indicated the anti-Trump message was resonating with independent voters in that race.

But Jacobson added that those models depended on high Democratic turnout in California, typical of presidential election years.

With more than 4 million ballots left to be counted  1 million of them in Los Angeles County  its not entirely clear yet whether Democrats suffered from lower-than-expected voter turnout.

What we do know, Acosta said, is that there are a whole bunch of Republicans that didnt get knocked out of the state Legislature.

Times staff writers Javier Panzar and John Myers contributed to this report.

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc.

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Live California election results

Updates on California politics

UPDATES:

Nov. 14, 1:45 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that Rep. Steve Knight said after the campaign that he had voted for Trump, despite saying he couldnt support the GOP nominee.

This article was originally published at 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 13.
Ballot measures are referred to by some observers as Californias fourth branch of government, a 105-year-old system for citizen approval of laws and constitutional amendments that is baked into the states political DNA.

And even though they grumble, voters generally like them. Seventy-nine percent of voters in a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times post-election poll said voting on one or more of this falls propositions was important to them.

The nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California has found six in 10 likely voters think they do a better job at enacting laws than do legislators in Sacramento.

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Voters were put to the test last week, on issues from legalizing and taxing marijuana to whether actors must use condoms in pornographic movies. If current tallies hold, two-thirds of the 17 propositions will have passed. And while it wasnt the longest ballot in history (there were 48 propositions in 1914), this years were decidedly more complex and required a record-setting 224-page voter information guide.

Support for the system, though, didnt stop Californians in groups small and large this election season from wondering why their elected representatives couldnt have handled all of these issues. And heres the answer: In many cases, proposition proponents never take their issues to the state Capitol.

Of the seven November ballot measures that couldve been enacted by the Legislature, backers of all but one went straight to the voters. That includes the condoms initiative, Proposition 60, and the effort to limit state government spending on prescription drugs, Proposition 61. Both were championed by a Los Angeles health activist who opted out of the state legislative process. So, too, did backers of marijuana legalization and those who wrote the two initiatives to change the death penalty.

Political Road Map: Election day has become election month in California 

Eight of this falls propositions were constitutional amendments and could be made only by voters. But here, too, lawmakers were skipped. Some of the measures, like Proposition 56s tobacco tax hike, couldve been drafted as simple state statutes but included constitutional provisions to tightly control the revenues. That was also true of the extension of current income tax rates on the wealthy, Proposition 55.

And when an interest group loses a statehouse fight, it can appeal to voters to overturn that decision through a referendum. Plastic bag manufacturers tried, and failed, to do that with Proposition 67. They then added a political twist, gathering signatures for Proposition 65, that would have swiped new fees on paper bags from grocers. They lost that battle, too.

California election results 

Support for the initiative process notwithstanding, voters have said some improvements would help, like more disclosure of who funds the campaigns that this year set a new record. Polls also show support for helping citizen groups without big bank accounts get their ideas on the ballot.

One recent change, allowing initiatives to be withdrawn at the eleventh hour if supporters strike a deal with lawmakers, helped stave off a blockbuster battle over raising the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour. Voters may be skeptical of lawmakers tinkering too much with the initiative process, but few would probably object to changes that speed up finding solutions to Californias biggest challenges.

Widespread consensus exists for making changes, a PPIC report on ballot measures in 2013 found. And reforms are likely to pay large dividends.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

ALSO:

There are still more than 4 million ballots left to count in California

Californias fall voter guide is a record-setting 224 pages

Updates on California politics
TRAVEL

Presentations

Travel experts Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, Rachel Woodward of Silversea Expeditions, and others will discuss vacation destinations and travel trends

When, where: 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles

Info: Free. (818) 936-2000

POLAND

Presentation

Bill Altaffer will discuss the historical charm and modern aspects of Poland.

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When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

BACKPACKING

Workshop

REI experts will discuss backpacking in Southern California as well as tips on trail etiquette and Leave No Trace principles.

When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the REI store in Tustin, 2962 El Camino Real

Admission, info: Free. (714) 505-0205

JOSHUA TREE

Fine-art Photography

Explore the relationship between photography and art in a workshop that includes sunrise, morning and sunset shoots. Camping (optional) in Lost Horse Campground.

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Nov. 20, Oasis Visitor Center

Admission, info: $160. (760) 367-5535

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
Here are opportunities for high school students to prepare for life outside the classroom.

Name: www.unearthedtravel.com

What it does: Unearthed Travel leads school groups on eight- to 21-day all-inclusive trips, with 15 destinations to choose from across Southeast Asia, India and Nepal, Africa, Central and South America. The programs aim to increase mindfulness, resilience and leadership skills in students through a challenging global adventure.

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Whats hot: Unearthed Travel refers to the tours as expeditions. Students attend a training workshop that addresses leadership roles and responsibilities, risk management, and destination research and logistics. Students also are actively involved in managing parts of the budget, purchasing transportation, choosing local restaurants within the food budget and organizing some of the accommodations. I especially liked that the travel experiences include a community project, outdoor trek and a cultural exploration. Some of the projects have included building projects with Tibetan communities and supporting indigenous jungle villages in Borneo.

Whats not: I couldnt find price information on the website or the brochure. However, I received more info when I called and got immediate help. Prices are all-inclusive and start at $2,500 for programs in Latin America and reach more than $5,000 for 21-day expeditions in India, Nepal and Southeast Asia.
Missing the boat

In the last several Sunday Travel sections of The Times, we have been treated to two full pages of bad travelers who overstayed their visas or didnt check on proper exiting protocol and proceeded to whine about their silly predicaments [No Way Out?, Oct. 9]. Recently there was also an article [Teach Teenagers About Borders, On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, Aug. 14] about a minor traveling to Mexico without a passport and having trouble returning to the U.S. Really? My teenagers had a few laughs about that.

Then we get the special Hawaii issue on Oct. 16, which mentions Molokai but not one tidbit about the main reason most people visit: the former leper colony now turned national historical park, for which Belgian priest Father Damien is now recognized as a saint for his work there.

And then the Washington, D.C., issue [Oct. 23], which has nary a mention of the vibrant immigrant community and the variety of ethnic foods one may sample there. D.C. has the largest ex-pat community of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia and a great wealth of cuisine and culture. In addition, the Afghan community has a renowned restaurant near the Pentagon called Kabob Palace, open 24 hours for the best kabobs around.

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Come on guys, you need some new writers/travelers.This is one pathetic travel section.

Mary Kaye Ashkenaze

Laguna Niguel

A simple line to LAX

I was recently in Portland, Ore., for a weekend meeting.

I rolled my bag off the Southwest flight, through the concourse, down the escalator, out of the terminal and in a few steps I was at the Max light-rail station.

I bought a ticket and in less than 40 minutes was downtown, where I exited the train and walked two blocks to my destination.

On Saturday afternoon, I wheeled my bag three blocks up the street to one of the downtown stations, where I bought another ticket, boarded the train and was back at the airport in less than 35 minutes.

No muss, no fuss.

I still dont understand why its said the Green Line cant be run directly to LAX for security reasons.

In San Francisco, BART runs right to San Francisco Airport. In London, the Blue Line goes to Terminal 1 at Londons Heathrow, and theres another rail line to Victoria Station.

In Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland, both light rail and the intercity lines go to a station directly under the airport.

Dont the same security concerns apply in those cities?

My consumer behavior professor taught us: Make it easy for the consumer to buy or use your product or service and you will be successful.

Why havent the Metro planners learned that? I hope there is time for them to change their drawings and connect the Green Line directly to LAX.

Daniel Fink

Beverly Hills

Onboard olfactory assault

Thank you for the article titled Passengers Have to Pass the Smell Test [Elliott Hester, Oct. 30]. I was flying back from Europe and had a layover in Geneva, Switzerland.

While walking along the corridor, a horrible smell overcame me from a sharply dressed man in a suit. I had never smelled body odor like this. I prayed that he was not on my flight and was happy when he passed the gate.

To my horror, he returned and sat down at the gate. I spent the next two hours trying to figure out what to say to the flight attendant. I knew that if we were on the same flight he would be seated next to me.

Fortunately, he was not seated near me.

Maybe airports should screen these passengers at security and refer them to a shower room or bathroom so the pressure is not on the captain and the crew.

Beth Hyatt

Los Angeles
Thousands of people attended a pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong Sunday in support of China's decision to effectively bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office, as fears grow of the city's freedoms being under threat.

Beijing's ruling last week preempted a decision by the Hong Kong courts over whether lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching should be disqualified from parliament after deliberately misreading their oaths of office, inserting expletives and draping themselves with "Hong Kong is not China" flags.

Beijing's interpretation of the city's constitution issued on Monday said that any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of the oath, "or takes the oath in a manner which is not sincere or not solemn", should be disqualified.

On Sunday rowdy crowds, waving Chinese flags, surrounded the government's headquarters in a show of support for Beijing's unprecedented decision, slammed by pro-democracy activists and legal experts as a massive blow to Hong Kong's judicial independence.

Supporters chanted slogans such as "fight against Hong Kong independence, support the interpretation" at the rally, which was attended by pro-Beijing legislators.

"The cancer cells are those who are promoting Hong Kong independence... we will fight them to the end," lawmaker Michael Tien told the crowd who cheered loudly in response.

"China will never, ever tolerate the splitting of the nation," Tien said.

Priscilla Leung, another pro-China legislator who attended the rally, said the lawmakers' behaviour at the swearing-in ceremony "humiliated all of the Chinese people".

Police said that 28,500 people attended the rally.

The Hong Kong High Court's decision into whether Leung and Yau should be disqualified is still pending.

Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal which protects its freedoms for 50 years, but there are growing concerns those liberties are disappearing.

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The government of Colombia and the countrys largest rebel group announced a revised peace plan on Saturday, barely five weeks after voters rejected an earlier deal that would have ended more than a half century of bloody civil war.

Representatives of the government and the left wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia  known by its Spanish initials as the FARC  had been negotiating a revised peace deal since its narrow, and surprising, defeat of the deal in a national plebiscite on Oct. 2.

We are convinced that  this document signals a viable and possible way to end so many decades of conflict, the chief government negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, said in a statement as the new plan was unveiled.

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The Colombian daily El Espectador, likening the event to the selection of a new pope, reported: White smoke in Havana. There is a new peace accord.

Exact details were still a bit vague. The two sides made the surprise announcement of the pact late Saturday in Havana, where negotiations had been ongoing.

Today with humility I recognize that this accord is better, said De la Calle, who alluded to critiques of the initial deal. That pact was announced by Colombian government and FARC representatives in September to worldwide acclaim.

The new plan, De la Calle said Saturday, resolves many of those criticisms and insatisfactions, but he added: Its acceptance will not be unanimous.

Public opinion polls leading up to the vote indicated the measure would pass, but it failed by the narrowest of margins  a defeat that stunned Colombia and many foreign observers, but reflected a belief among many Colombians that the deal was too lenient on the FARC, a peasant-based revolutionary group that emerged during the Cold War and has engaged in a 52-year-long insurgency against the government.

The plebiscite was nonbinding, and President Juan Manuel Santos had the authority to negotiate and sign a deal on his own. Still, Santos said before the election that he wanted the Colombian people to approve the plan to move forward and warned that he would not renegotiate the deal.

This time around, according to reports, Colombias Congress, not voters, will be asked to approve the accord. Analysts in Colombia immediately predicted that the revised plan would also have its share of critics, and that passage was far from guaranteed.

Voters rejection of the plan last month was a major blow for Santos, whose government finalized a peace deal with the FARC in September after years of negotiation. That accomplishment prompted global praise for Santos and his negotiating team. Not long after, Santos was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Colombias conflict had cost the lives of at least 220,000 people and displaced almost 6 million, the Nobel committee noted in granting the award to Santos.

Leading the no campaign  those opposed to the original peace blueprint  was former President Alvaro Uribe. He assailed the deal as too forgiving for a rebel group that had been implicated in kidnappings, bombings, executions and other acts of violence. His comments resonated with many Colombians still bitter at what they viewed as the FARCs decades of war crimes.

Among other criticisms, detractors of the initial plan assailed what they viewed as lenient sentences imposed on FARC fighters implicated in crimes. Proposals for financial aid for demobilized guerrillas also drew harsh condemnation from some Colombians.

Other voters objected to monthly stipends for rebels who gave up their arms, as well as the deals guarantee that at least 10 seats in Congress would go to the FARC.

On Saturday, as news of the new accord spread, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry praised the revised deal. Washington would continue to support full implementation of a final peace agreement, Kerry said.

President Santos and his negotiating team, those from the no campaign, and other important sectors of Colombian society deserve credit for engaging in a far-reaching and respectful national dialogue following the plebiscite, Kerry said in a statement. After 52 years of war, no peace agreement can satisfy everyone in every detail. But this agreement constitutes an important step forward on Colombias path to a just and durable peace.

The FARC once boasted about 20,000 militants and controlled vast swaths of Colombian territory and profited from its links to the drug trade. Its now a reduced force estimated at 7,000 fighters, and many ex-guerrillas have been demobilized.

McDonnell reported from Oaxaca, Mexico, with contributions from Sanchez of the Times Mexico City bureau and from Bogota special correspondent Chris Kraul.

UPDATES:

7:40 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional background and comments from U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry.

This article was originally published at 4:25 p.m.
South Korean prosecutors want to question President Park Geun-hye this week over suspicion that she let a shadowy longtime confidante manipulate power from behind the scenes, an official said Sunday.

It would be the first time that a sitting president has been questioned by prosecutors. The explosive scandal is a serious challenge for Park, whose public apologies have done little to calm public anger.

Prosecutors are seeking to question Park face-to-face on either Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, a prosecution official said.

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The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because an investigation was underway, said prosecutors conveyed their position to Parks office and were awaiting a response.

The presidents office said earlier Sunday that it could work out its position on a Park investigation as early as Tuesday. It said it needed time to review when and how Park should be investigated

In addition to allegedly manipulating power, the presidents confidante, Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader who emerged as Parks mentor in the 1970s, is also suspected of exploiting her presidential ties to bully companies into donating tens of millions of dollars to foundations she controlled.

Choi was formally arrested on Nov. 3 on charges of fraud and abuse of power. Prosecutors have until Nov. 20 to formally charge her.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded Seouls streets to demand Parks resignation in what might have been South Koreas largest protest since it shook off dictatorship three decades ago.

In an attempt to stabilize the situation, Park said Tuesday that she would let the opposition-controlled parliament choose her prime minister. But opposition parties said her words are meaningless without specific promises about transferring much of her presidential powers to a new No. 2.

Under South Korean law, a sitting president has immunity from prosecution except in cases of treason, but many scholars say a president can still face investigation.

Park has 15 months left in her term. If she steps down before the end of it, an election must be held within 60 days.

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UPDATES:

3:45 a.m.: This article was updated with information from an unnamed prosecution official.

This article was originally published at 12:30 a.m.
United States-backed Syrian forces began marching last week on the northern city of Raqqah, the de facto capital of the Islamic State groups self-styled caliphate.

The offensive promises to divert Islamic State fighters from Mosul, the much larger extremist-held city in northern Iraq, which has been the target of a massive operation launched by Baghdad last month. But long-running tensions between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish-led forces leading the assault on Raqqah could complicate the battle and buy Islamic State more time.

Here is a closer look at what the new offensive means:

Who is leading the offensive?

The Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, have emerged as principal players in the countrys multi-sided civil war. They are recognized by the U.S. as one of the most effective fighting forces against Islamic State and have captured large swaths of northeastern Syria from the extremists.

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The force is dominated by the Syrian Kurdish group the Democratic Union Party, or PYD, which aims to defend Kurdish areas of Syria. Despite occasional flare-ups, the PYD has had a tacit nonaggression pact with the Syrian government since the start of the civil war and is seen by some rebels as a quiet ally of President Bashar Assad, accusations the PYD denies.

Why might Turkey object?

Turkey views the PYD as an extension of the Kurdish insurgency raging in its southeast, and often speaks of the PYD and Islamic State as similar threats.

Turkish forces and thousands of allied Syrian opposition fighters launched their own offensive in northern Syria this year, clashing with both the PYD and Islamic State. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested that his forces and allies should liberate Raqqah, and has also demanded a greater role in Mosul, angering Iraq.

The U.S. wants all of its allies to set aside their grievances, at least temporarily, and focus on Islamic State, but a series of visits by top officials in recent weeks has yielded no major breakthroughs. Turkey has yet to comment publicly on the Raqqah offensive.

How soon until Raqqah is freed from Islamic State?

The Raqqah offensive is likely to take months, and the SDF has said the early stages will focus on sweeping the countryside on its outskirts and gradually isolating the city.

The SDF says it has 30,000 fighters assigned to the campaign, but senior SDF officials have warned progress would be halted if Turkey and its allies advance on other Kurdish-held territory.

If Mosul is any indication, the battle for Raqqah will be a long and grinding one. Nearly four weeks after launching the long-awaited push on Mosul, Iraqi forces have only entered the eastern edge of the city, and have met with stiff resistance in the form of suicide car bombs, rocket attacks and booby-trapped buildings.

Would the loss of Raqqah mean the end of Islamic State?

The loss of Raqqah would deal a major blow to the extremist group.

Raqqah is the seat of power for its self-described caliphate and is probably home to top Islamic State leaders. It is also where the militants are believed to have plotted attacks on Western nations, including last years assault on Paris.

But Islamic State has already begun preparing its followers for the potential loss of territory, and if it is driven from Raqqah and Mosul, it will probably return to its insurgent roots. As forces close in on the two cities, many fighters are expected to melt into the civilian population, with some forming so-called sleeper cells that could hatch new attacks.

What about Syrias civil war?

The war between Assad and the rebels fighting to unseat him is centered on the divided northern city of Aleppo, where Islamic State has no presence.

The government and its ally, Russia, have vowed to launch a new push to retake eastern Aleppo, held by the rebels since 2012. If that succeeds, it would free up thousands of government forces that could be sent to other fronts, perhaps to battle Islamic State.

But since the start of the conflict, Assad and his allies have been more focused on battling Syrian rebels, who are concentrated in the countrys main cities in the west, than the Islamic State group.

Thats unlikely to change, especially if other forces are willing to battle the extremists.
The headless body was lying in a pool of blood in the street, partially covered by a tan blanket.

An Iraqi military commander said the man was one of eight Islamic State fighters killed while trying to infiltrate Mosuls eastern Zahra neighborhood. But his neck appeared to have been cleanly severed, raising questions about the commanders account.

Allegations of extrajudicial killings by Iraqi government forces surfaced recently, nearly a month after the offensive to recapture this northern city began.

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A video shared widely on social media Friday appears to show Iraqi men in uniforms shooting and then driving a tank over a youth they accuse of fighting for Islamic State.

It was not clear where the video was recorded, and its authenticity could not be verified. Iraqi officials said the uniformed men were from Islamic State, not the army.

The video belongs to the Daesh mobs and it becomes clear through analyzing the scene, which shows individuals who wear non-military clothes, different from that worn by the Iraqi army, Maj. Gen. Najim Jabouri said in a statement released by the Iraqi War Media Office, using an Arabic acronym for the extremists.

He also noted that guns used in the video are the same guns used by Daesh militants.

The day before, Amnesty International called on the government to investigate reports that fighters wearing Iraqi federal police uniforms tortured and killed people suspected of collaborating with the Sunni Muslim extremists in villages south of Mosul.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi rejected the allegations of unlawful killings as false information.

The truth is that they were local residents who killed Daesh militants, Abadi said of the deaths.

Belkis Wille, a senior Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch, advised extreme caution when assessing videos like the one that surfaced last week. We know that Islamic State previously produced fake videos showing Iraqi forces committing abuses, she said.

She noted that the tank in the video did not have any type of flag on it, and no other armored vehicles could be seen in the area. Also, only one man in the video is wearing an Iraqi uniform, she said.

Still, she said the video should be investigated, and if the men in it prove to be Iraqi forces, authorities should take swift action against them.

Unfortunately in the battle to retake Fallujah, weve seen multiple instances of abuses perpetrated by pro-government forces against the civilian population, she said of another recent offensive. There is an extreme concern that this may happen again in Mosul.

Human Rights Watch reported that at least 37 men suspected of being affiliated with Islamic State had been detained by Iraqi and Kurdish forces from checkpoints, villages, screening centers and displaced persons camps around Mosul.

Relatives did not know where most of the men were being held and had not been able to contact them, according to the report, which warned that such conduct significantly increases the risk of other violations, including torture.

Iraqi soldiers have shown the Los Angeles Times the bodies of several alleged Islamic State militants since the offensive began.

In the village of Gogjali, east of Mosul, an Iraqi special forces commander pointed out the body of a white man he said was a foreign fighter killed while fleeing after a gunfight. The man was unarmed, dressed in civilian clothes and had been shot in the head.

Soldiers elsewhere in Gogjali showed The Times two burned bodies of men they said had tried to assist an Islamic State suicide bomber.

The soldiers said the men were armed with a machine gun, so they shot them with a bazooka, which set the men on fire. The machine gun had vanished. The soldiers said they took it.

The decapitated body that was lying in the street Saturday belonged to a bearded man, who was wearing a brown T-shirt, fingerless gloves, tan pants and combat boots.

When soldiers lifted the blanket that was covering him, the head was next to the body. But there was a pool of blood on the stomach that suggested the head had initially been placed there.

Islamic State militants often stage their victims that way in photographs circulated online.

A piece of string lay by the mans left hand.

Maj. Ahmed Mahmoudi did not want to stay long. There were snipers in the area, he said.

Asked how the man and the seven other Islamic State fighters caught the night before had died, he said, All of them died because of the clashes, including a suicide bomber who blew himself up.

Was the man in the street beheaded?

No, it was because of the firing, Mahmoudi said.

What about the string? Had the man been bound or dragged?

We didnt drag him, Mahmoudi said. We are not dealing with Daesh as Daesh is dealing with us.

How did the body end up there?

Okay, we dragged him, he said. But about his head, it was because of the shooting.

Then the major offered another possible explanation: You know, animals, dogs, at night

Mahmoudi said Iraqi forces had taken a number of Islamic State fighters prisoner during this and past offensives. We are not here to take revenge or to execute people, he said.

On Thursday, soldiers in Gogjali allowed one such captive, an admitted Islamic State fighter, to talk with The Times and be photographed before taking him away for further questioning. He appeared unharmed. But The Times was not able to speak with the man again or to verify where he had been taken.

Mahmoudi said he and his men captured another militant who was dressed in street clothes and tried to blend with civilians. The man admitted to fighting for Islamic State, he said, and they handed him over to military intelligence.

Mahmoudi said his soldiers come from different sects and were professionally trained.

We would not cut the head off, he insisted. Our mission is to free people.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

Twitter: @mollyhf

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Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone has caused outrage by changing its iconic triangular shape on its chocolate bars. Thus, this caused chocolate lovers to be furious, as many of them could not tolerate its new shape. They had blamed Brexit for the alteration of the chocolate's new look and lessened weight.

Despite of the announcement that circulated a month ago about the changes, the changes still didn't sit well with chocolate lovers. On Twitter and Facebook, a lot of people posted complains and blamed Brexit. Gemma Pryor, the head of the external affairs for Britain at Mondelez International, told The New York Times in a report by Time that though it was whimsical and ironical, it would be innate to relate between this and Brexit.

Meanwhile, Toblerone stated on their Facebook page that like many other companies, they had experienced a higher costs for the number of ingredients. It has confirmed that the slit between the segments of the bar would be wider.

It has been cited as well that they would reduce the weight of the 400g bars to 360g, while the 170g would become 150g. The packaging size would remain the same, as affirmed on the company's post.

On the other hand, Mondelez International's spokesman failed to inform the BBC that the changes in weight and form would only affect the UK market, contrary to larger European markets.

Despite that, the spokesman did not miss to size up that the changes made in the chocolate's weight and form was not a consequence of Brexit.

Moreover, people in the UK were unhappy of Toblerone's new shape. They seemed hesitant to embrace its configuration in which the peaks are slimmer and the valleys are larger, according to The Kitchn.

Most of all, what made it more disappointing is that the cost of the bar remained the same, but the weighs lessened. Though chocolate lovers would conceive it the same for it has remained its packaging.
To cash Donald Trump's election success, a Russian-Italian company named Caviar has come-up with an all-new "Trump iPhone 7." The maker of the gold-plated Vladimir Putin iPhone has unveiled its new product named after the newly-elected US president. The Russian-Italian company has taken the gadget world by storm after releasing gold-plated Putin iPhone.

According to GameNGuide, the luxurious Trump iPhone was made by the same company that designed the gold Putin iPhone.The Republican Party candidate has recently won the presidential election and became the president-elect of the USA; soon he will take the oath of 45th president of United States. The phone's design is similar to the Putin's model. The company might be hoping to give one phone to Trump.

Caviar's new gold-plated Trump iPhone is now a new product in brand's luxury Supremo Collection. Trump is now a part of "great men" collection with other leaders like Vladimir Putin and IIham Aliyev. The company once said that buying a Putin-design iPhone is the best way to show patriotism.

According to BusinessInsider, the custom iPhone 7 is outfitted with a gold plate on its back. While Trump's face is stamped on the upper side of the phone with the full name "Donald John Trump" encircles his portrait.

According to International Business Times, the maker has also included Trump's election tagline, "Make America Great Again," placed at the bottom of the device just below the "TRUMP" branding. The US's coat of arms is also placed at the middle of the golden slab masking the back of the headset.

According to some reports, the phone is priced at around USD 3,000. The phone is actually cheaper than the Putin and Aliyev iPhone model. Putin designed phone cost around USD 3,700 while Aliyev iPhone costs USD 3,857.

The gold-plated iPhone is surely a good choice for Trump followers.
Suspects detained by Russian authorities were plotting simultaneous "Paris-style" attacks on Moscow and Saint Petersburg, local media reported on Sunday, the first anniversary of the massacre in the French capital.

The FSB security service, the KGB's successor, announced Saturday it had detained 10 citizens of Central Asian states who planned "high-profile acts of sabotage and terror" in the two Russian cities.

Saint Petersburg's Fontanka.ru news site reported Sunday that the seven people taken into custody in the city were suspected of planning attacks on two large shopping centres, citing official sources.

Government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported late Saturday, citing security service sources, that the detainees "were planning terror attacks according to the Paris scenario" referring to Islamic State group attacks a year ago that killed 130 people.

France was holding sombre commemorations Sunday for the victims of the November 13, 2015 assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers on night spots, the Bataclan concert hall and outside the national stadium.

"Several explosive devices were supposed to trigger simultaneously in busy places. At the same time in different parts of the cities some of the terrorists... were going to open fire with machine guns on crowds," the paper reported, referring to the Russian plot.

Rossiiskaya Gazeta called the attackers "a professional terrorist group."

The FSB said it confiscated four homemade bombs as well as trigger devices, guns, ammunition and communications equipment.

Authorities did not say when the attack plot was to take place.

The security service released video footage of its black-clad officers in balaclavas holding two suspects facedown on the street.

Another video shows a stash of Kalashnikovs in a flat and detainees lying facedown on mattresses on the floor.

The FSB said the raids were carried out in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's law enforcement authorities.

Impoverished majority-Muslim Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both say they are battling Islamist extremism.

Tajikistan says that up to 1,000 of its nationals are fighting with radical groups in Syria and Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan says that some 500 of its citizens have gone to fight alongside jihadists.

The Tajik interior ministry said it learned of the planned attacks from an alleged local accomplice of the group and passed the information to Russia.

The FSB released footage of a handcuffed suspect -- apparently a teenager -- who says he is a Tajik citizen.

He says he wanted to commit a "terrorist attack" in Moscow and that his brother is taking part in "jihad" in Syria.

Fontanka reported those detained in Saint Petersburg "devotedly follow the ideology of Islamic State group" and one said he had fought in Syria.

"The majority are admitting guilt," Fontanka reported.

Membership of a "terrorist organisation" is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Russian law while leading one is punishable by up to life in jail.

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Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage visited Donald Trump at his home on Saturday, after suggesting he could act as a go-between to help smooth British relations with U.S. president-elect.

Prime Minister Theresa May is not expected to meet with the incoming leader until early next year and Farage has suggested her criticisms of Trump in the early days of the campaign could damage ties with Washington.

"We're just tourists!" Farage, head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), told reporters as he waited for an elevator in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City.

He later tweeted a photograph of himself with Trump standing in front of a pair of golden doors and smiling broadly, the president-elect giving the camera a thumbs-up.

"It was a great honor to spend time with DonaldTrump," Farage said on Twitter. "He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President."

Trump's election campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said: "I think they enjoy each other's company, and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what this all means for the world."

In a separate photograph posted on Twitter, UKIP donor Arron Banks, Breitbart London Editor in Chief Raheem Kassam, and Gerry Gunster, an American whose advocacy firm worked on the Brexit campaign, were also pictured with Trump and Farage.

May - who spoke to Trump by phone on Thursday - and her predecessor David Cameron last year described Trump as "divisive" and "wrong" over his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

At that time he was not considered likely to win the presidency.

While the British government has congratulated Trump on his election, the head of the opposition, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he should "grow up" on the immigration issue and recognise that the U.S. economy depends on migrant workers.

"The treatment of Mexico by the United States just as much as its absurd and abusive language towards Muslims is something that has to be challenged and should be challenged," Corbyn, whose wife is Mexican, told the BBC on Sunday.

UKIP, which has only one member of parliament in London, said Farage and Trump spent more than an hour discussing Trump's victory, global politics and Brexit.

A party official has suggested Farage be the next ambassador to the United States but British media reported May's office rejected any the idea of any involvement by Farage, citing unnamed sources describing him as an "irrelevance".

A day after Trump's election victory, Farage called on the real estate mogul to reverse "loathsome" Barack Obama's policy by making Britain his top priority.

Farage said he had been pleased at Trump's "very positive reaction" to the idea that a bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill be put back in the Oval Office.

He has also joked about sexual assault allegations against Trump, urging him to "schmooze" May but not touch her. He said he could attend any meeting to be the "responsible adult to make sure everything is OK."

Farage, who spoke at a Trump rally during the election campaign, had predicted the former reality TV host would tap into the same dissatisfaction among voters that led to Britain deciding on June 23 to leave the European Union.

Trump made repeated references to Brexit during his campaign, saying it had highlighted the desire for change among voters frustrated with traditional politics.

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The United Nations on Sunday appealed for $152 million to provide shelter, sanitation and food for a huge influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

Pakistan has stepped up the pressure for its 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees to return home, citing security concerns.

Refugees and others see Islamabad as driven by a strengthening in Afghan-Indian relations while its own ties with India are fraying.

Thousands are crossing the Torkham border with Pakistan each day, said the World Food Programme, the UN's food assistance branch.

Last month, the U.N. said nearly 170,000 Afghans had returned this year, many of them citing harassment by Pakistani authorities.

The flow of returnees from not only Pakistan, but also Iran, is straining the capacity of the government and aid agencies as yet more Afghans are uprooted by the war between Taliban insurgents and Afghan troops.

"We need sufficient and timely funds, in the coming weeks and months, to ensure that we can help returnees as rapidly and efficiently as possible," said Mick Lorentzen, WFP's country director in Afghanistan.

"A quick and focused response to this crisis will ensure that more people do not fall into chronic food insecurity."

WFP officials have warned that a funding squeeze caused by the spread of crises across the Middle East and Africa, threatened its operations in Afghanistan, where 40 percent of people are estimated to face "food insecurity".

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Nov 12, 2016, 5:01pm ET

French investigators may launch criminal probe into Renault diesels

The engines in question had code that allegedly creates far greater NOx emissions on the road than in the lab.

Though the news of Volkswagen's emissions scandal has been dominating headlines, Renault is now facing its own criminal probe regarding its diesel engines.

France's consumer watchdog agency, Direction Generale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes, or DGCCRF, has sent prosecutors documents detailing the ways in which Renault has allegedly installed cheat devices in some turbo-equipped diesels.

The item in question is actually code within the engine management computer that causes the EGR (exhaust gas recirculator) to shut down unless the engine is operating in a small "thermal window" reports Reuters. That window is about 63-95 degrees Fahrenheit, and for its part Renault says that the disablement of the EGR was conducted to reduce clogging of the turbo.

However, when testing in laboratory conditions the engines passed NOx emissions test, while real-world driving saw NOx levels go "sky high," according to the article. These results, along with materials seized by police during a factory raid and interviews conducted with employees, were all part of the report handed over to prosecutors. The prosecutors will decide whether to investigate formally, which could lead to a trial.

This makes Renault the second automaker charged with emissions violations in France, after Volkswagen.
A man who police said fired shots at a driver who struck him while crossing an Allentown street now is facing assault charges.

Hassan Matt, 29, of Allentown, around 2 p.m. Friday was crossing the street with his young daughter when he was struck by a car near 15th and Union streets, said Police Capt. Rick London.

Matt then fired five shots at the vehicle, striking the driver once, London said. The driver was the only person in the vehicle, according to police.

The driver then drove himself to St. Luke's Hospital at 17th and Hamilton streets with injuries that don't appear to be life-threatening, London said. Neither Matt nor the young girl were seriously injured.

Officers found "multiple" bullet casings, Assistant police Chief Glen Dorney had said. The driver, who police have not yet identified, is yet to face charges; London said the crash remains under investigation at this time.

Matt later Friday turned himself in at the Allentown Police Department, London said. He is facing charges of aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure.

Matt was arraigned before District Judge Jacob E. Hammond, who set bail at $250,000. In lieu of bail, Matt was taken to Lehigh County jail, where he remained Sunday.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Friday before Hammond.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Members of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party on Sunday afternoon rallied in support of President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the general election.

The rally was held at Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St. in Bethlehem, and was attended by roughly 50 people. Flags and signs in support of Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence were displayed throughout.

A speaker told the crowd she felt unity in the Republican Party when Trump announced he was running for president. There were no counter protesters at the event.

"We want to thank all of the volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls and who joined our 'Flash Mobs For Trump' in the Lehigh Valley," the organization posted on its website.

Ivanka Trump, Trump's daughter, on Nov. 6 hosted a coffee break and chat at the Best Western at Routes 22 and 512 in Hanover Township, Northampton County. She also thanked the volunteers in the Lehigh Valley for supporting her father.

"We couldn't do it without you,' " Ivanka Trump told volunteers in the audience prior to the election. "And we're so deeply grateful."

Scroll through photos at the top of this post for a look at some of the scenes of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party rally.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A bank and a hospital sank $2 million over 10 years into fixing up Easton's distressed West Ward.

But that money is gone now. Easton's mayor thinks the city ought to hire a consultant to study the West Ward before figuring how much the city should spend there and where it should be spent.

"Do we want it to be physical improvements? Do we want it to be community engagement? Do we want it to be housing rehab? What do we want it to be?" Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. asked city council last week.

Young people help plant flowers in the 600 block of Northampton Street during a program with the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

The money from Easton Hospital and Lafayette Ambassador bank funded the nonprofit West Ward Neighborhood Partnership. The organization limped along for a year after the grants expired. Its operations are suspended, with its two employees working sporadically on a freelance basis.

Panto doesn't favor funding the partnership without further study. His proposed budget includes $35,000 to pay the salary of a to-be-determined West Ward booster position.

He said he figures the city will have a working plan midway through 2017, and the salary could fund the position for half a year.

Or, the city might combine that job with its recreation director job and create a neighborhood program services position. The recreation director position was vacant as of Nov. 10, the last day on the job for Erik Daly. He quit to take a job elsewhere.

"To put money in for the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership right now without a plan just doesn't seem to be right," Panto said at Wednesday's city council meeting. "But I am committed to having a program in the West Ward. We just don't know what it's going to look like yet."

The city applied for a Northampton County grant to study the West Ward. Panto hopes to know this month whether the grant funding will come through.

He favors expanding the Easton Ambassadors program into the West Ward. The Downtown program employs red-shirted greeters who pick up trash and answer questions for tourists. Their salaries are funded through the Greater Easton Development Partnership.

Panto said the ambassadors help the police by watching for crime.

"It is really extra eyes and ears on the street. I agree that extending it in the West Ward is really an important goal," he said.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Ann Curtis of Tesco in Portlaoise is one of the big winners at the 2016 Tesco Ireland Values Awards for its staff.

Ann took home the coveted trophy for Community Colleague of the Year. This category recognises colleagues who go the extra mile to help the local community and support it through our community initiatives. T

Ann joined Tesco Portlaoise when it opened in April 2011 and quickly became the store Community Champion. Ann was nominated for this award by the store team in recognition of the positive impact she has on all of the store colleagues as well as the local community.

Famous for her endless enthusiasm and the infectious energy she brings to the role as Area Community Champion, she is constantly talking about community initiatives from promotion to getting colleagues involved in events.

This is the fifth year of the Tesco Ireland Values Awards, which took place at a special ceremony in the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Co. Dublin on Thursday, 10th November.

Voted for by Tesco colleagues countrywide, the awards recognise excellence amongst the retailer's 14,500 strong workforce across 11 different categories.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Cuba Tuesday as the breakthrough in US relations with the communist regime hangs in the balance following Donald Trump's presidential election win.

The prime minister's official visit comes 40 years after his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau committed to a lifelong friendship with Fidel Castro during a three-day trip to the Caribbean island.

According to his office, the goal is to "renew and strengthen" the bilateral relationship.

The visit will also provide an opportunity to "collaborate more closely on sustainable economic growth, inclusive governance, security, climate change, and gender equality," a statement said.

It is also possible to rile Washington.

Trump has sent mixed messages about the thaw in US-Cuba relations which was started two years ago by his predecessor.

He gave it a lukewarm welcome at first saying "50 years is enough," before vowing to reverse the new policies unless Cuban President Raul Castro agrees to democratic reforms and other demands.

Because US President Barack Obama used executive authority to enact the rapprochement, Trump could change course just as easily to reinstate financial, trade and travel restrictions.

While observers note that Cuba will probably not be a priority for Trump, it remains unclear how he would view a Trudeau-Castro photo opportunity.

The visit is primarily "symbolic," John Kirk, a politics professor and Cuba expert at Dalhousie University in Halifax, told AFP.

Canada, he noted, is the only country in the Americas, along with Mexico, to have maintained diplomatic ties with Havana after the revolution, "despite significant pressure from Washington" over the years.

Ottawa also remained steadfastly opposed to the American embargo, which remains in place due to the US Congress's rejection of Obama's signature Cuba rapprochement.

During a 30-hour stopover en route to Peru for an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leader's meeting, Trudeau is to meet with Raul Castro, who succeeded his ailing brother Fidel in 2008.

Officially, no meeting is planned with Fidel Castro, but "there's a chance" they will see each other, Cuba's ambassador to Canada, Julio Garmendia Pena, told Canadian media.

Kirk said the journey is a personal one for Trudeau who is retracing his father's footsteps, as well as a reminder to Washington of Canada's support for ending Cuba's isolation.

The Cuba visit will be the first by a Canadian leader since Jean Chretien in 1998.

Over the past decade, bilateral ties reached a historic low with former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper often siding with Washington in seeking to isolate Cuba on the international scene.

Yet it was also Harper who hosted secret talks between American and Cuban officials in 2014 aimed at ending half a century of discord.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau became in 1976 the first leader of a NATO country to break with allies and meet with Castro during the "Cold War," against Washington's expressed wishes.

Photos from the era show Fidel Castro in his trademark olive-green revolutionary uniform, holding in his arms Justin Trudeau's baby brother Michel, who died in an avalanche in 1998.

Decades later, Fidel Castro would be an honorary pallbearer at the funeral for Pierre Elliott Trudeau in Montreal.

Today, Cuba continues to welcome a huge influx of Canadian vacationers each year (1.3 million or nearly 40 percent of all Cuba tourists), but bilateral trade remains modest at less than US$1 billion annually.

Despite their warm diplomatic ties, many Canadian companies do not invest in Cuba over fear they will be blocked from the US market as a result.

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Yesterday, Scottish Liberal Democrats had their Autumn Conference in Dunfermline. Here is Willie Rennies leaders speech. The text is below.

You can imagine that this was not the speech I was expecting or hoping to deliver today.

The grief this week has been palpable.

Not just the fear of what a President Trump could bring but the sense of loss of what could have been.

The first woman president, committed to expanding healthcare, internationalism, equal rights, tolerance.

A president full of hope and opportunity  looking for the best in people, not the worst.

It was the same sense of loss, even of bereavement, that so many people felt after the Brexit vote.

The result was the opposite of everything we have worked for over the decades.

It made many wonder if they even recognise the country we live in any more.

So what do we do? How do we respond?

Of course we could turn our backs, cut the ties, walk away. We could partition the country and hope we live in the best bit.

But Liberals are not quitters.

I refuse to give up on America, I refuse to give up on Europe, I refuse to give up on the United Kingdom.

I am optimistic about our countrys future.

I want our relationship with others to be open and progressive.

I will not give up on that ambition.

Our country should not.

And our party will not.

On America, we need to use those old ties to encourage President Trump up a path of compassion and tolerance.

We should work within NATO, G8 and every other opportunity, including that Special Relationship, to steer President Trump in the right direction.

We must continue to believe in our relationship with the United States of America.

On Europe, when few, if any, Government ministers even now know what Brexit means it would only be right for the people of our country to have a say on the final deal agreed with Europe.

A Brexit deal referendum would be the democratic thing to do.

So we will use our power in the Houses of Parliament to give the British people their say on the Brexit deal in a referendum.

If there is no agreement to a Brexit deal referendum, we will refuse to vote to trigger Article 50 in the House of Commons and House of Lords.

That is the public service we will provide:

To fight our corner and promote liberal values. To persuade people to demand an end to the Brexit when the consequence of Brexit becomes most stark.

No matter how disturbed by the results in June and this week, as liberals, our response must be one of hope, not despair.

A mile from this venue is the Abbey Church, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce.

Perhaps we should be inspired by his relationship with that famous spider.

If at first you dont succeed, try, try and try again.

This is a Robert the Bruce moment for us.

Just because the progressives have failed on Europe and the United States does not mean that we give up on the USA, EU and UK.

We dont give up on people.

We must try, try and try again.

We can look to the other side of the Atlantic for hope.

Further north we saw the hopeful, inspired victory for the forces of progressive leadership in the election of Justin Trudeau.

A liberal to his core, a battler for his cause, our cause.

Winning from third place to defeat the forces of conservatism.

Giving hope that a positive, optimistic, progressive, internationalist vision can win and shape the nation.

Supporters of our liberal cause closer to home inspire me too.

Two weeks ago I was delighted to present our very own Ming Campbell with a lifetime achievement award.

Contesting the seat of Greenock twice, fighting three elections in North East Fife before eventually winning thirteen years later Ming was not handed success on a plate. He worked to win.

Alex Cole Hamilton fought elections for us for over a decade and lost every single one.

But not this year. His irrepressible nature is infectious.

Thats why hes a winner.

There are battlers like Ming and Alex across this party. Some who didnt win this year but whose time will come. Look at some of the successes.

From Tavish and Liam in the Northern Isles confounding the critics to win with almost 70% of the vote.

We had the biggest swing to us from the Conservatives for two decades in Witney with the brilliant Liz Leffman.

We have won over 20 by-elections across the country since May.

20,000 new members  many of them here today.

And Councillor Trish Robertson who came from fourth place to win in the Culloden and Ardersier by-election.

Well done Trish, well done everyone. Liberal Democrats, we are winning again.

And we can send a powerful message to the government on Brexit and Heathrow by helping Sarah Olney in the Richmond by-election.

If you have not already done so, please pledge your support for the campaign.

Visit, phone, donate money. Do what you can to help us win.

We won in May because we provided an optimistic, progressive and open voice for the country.

We told people about our passion for civil liberties, for the environment, for a transformational investment in education and for supporting people who need mental health services.

Standing up for optimistic, progressive, open liberal values whether its on a zip wire, a slide, a quad bike or clearing out a pig sty.

This is the speech I had intended to deliver; about our successes in May and since; about our optimistic campaign; and our plans for the future of our country.

We are winning again and in next years council elections we can win too.

People will have a choice.

They can choose a Liberal Democrat councillor who will be the local champion, work to fix the potholes, campaign for a new school, win home care for local people.

Or they can choose a nationalist who is obsessed with independence.

That is what next years elections will be about.

A champion for your community or a cheerleader for independence.

Put that on those Focus leaflets. Tell people on the doors. Stick it in the local papers.

Our success in by elections across the country shows we are winning again.

I want to see more Trish Robertsons winning across the country.

When this conference is over go out there and make it happen.

Last weekend, on a crisp clear winters morning on my way to a meeting of Argyll and Bute members I ran up the Cobbler in the Arrochar Alps.

Despite the snow, the wind, the hat, the hood and the scarf a walker spotted me at the top of the mountain.

Who says politicians arent accessible  they are even now available for consultation with a wind chill factor of minus seven!

The walker told me he was exasperated with the First Minister.

He said that his relationship with friends, family and neighbours had been broken because of the independence referendum and he did not want to go through that all over again.

And he is right.

We need to put an end to the division over independence.

We have had enough division this year already.

Let us unite the country not divide it.

And I want to be clear with you too.

I stood on a platform, which you voted for at this conference in the Spring, against independence and against another independence referendum.

We made this choice for inside or outside the EU, and before the case for independence was undermined by plummeting oil prices, which blew Scotlands finances apart.

I will be keeping my word with the voters as will every other MSP who stood on that platform

In all circumstances, I said No and I mean No.

I want a federal United Kingdom.

Federalism where power is transferred to the nations and regions of our country.

When I commissioned Ming Campbells report  Federalism the Best Future For Scotland  in 2011 I succeeded in bouncing the other parties to support radical and substantial change.

We are now delivering it through the results of the Smith Commission which is a major step towards federalism.

We need change towards federalism in the rest of the UK too.

I also want a written constitution.

I want proportional representation.

I want to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a democratic revising chamber.

I want a comprehensive package of reforms to modernise and open up our country.

To transfer power back into the hands of people.

To give them hope and optimism that change is possible.

I wont stop agitating, persuading, campaigning and reasoning until we get it.

That is my ambition and we will not stop until we get it.

Millions of people in America told the world that they felt left behind and voted for President Trump.

Millions of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Scots felt left behind too and voted for Brexit.

They were so desperate for change that they were prepared to put up with repugnant views in order to get that change.

Too many are left behind.

Too many people are forgotten.

It is the responsibility of the progressives to show a different way.

Hope, optimism and change. Just like we showed in May.

The Hailesland Centre is a small, unremarkable building in south west Edinburgh.

It is what happens inside that is inspirational.

In the midst of a noisy, electrically-charged community it is a peaceful oasis of calm.

The life chances of young children and families are transformed by this nursery school.

These are the centres, these are the children and families we must invest in so everyone can win.

That is why Liberal Democrats are dedicated to early years expansion investment like no other.

We made change for early years when in government in Scotland and in the United Kingdom.

In the last parliament we won the argument to expand the provision for two year olds.

We have stated our new ambition. Every child aged from two to four should receive 1000 hours of early years support within five years.

We have identified the funds to make it happen faster through our penny on income tax.

This is the kind of investment we need to make so that no-one is left behind.

Oak trees grow from little acorns.

That is how we deliver change.

More needs to be done.

Change is what we need because what the government provides now is just not enough.

It is little surprise that people reject government if government fails to deliver.

What we were promised has not been delivered by this SNP Government.

Look at delayed discharge  ministers said that would be gone by now but thousands are still stuck in hospital when they should be at home.

GPs  they said we have enough but too many people are waiting too long to see their doctor because of shortages.

Fuel poverty  that was supposed to be eradicated by now but it is getting worse.

On the Living Wage  giant companies like Amazon dont pay the living wage but still receive millions of pounds from the SNP government in grants.

Climate change  the government struggles to meet its own climate change targets but gives big tax breaks to airline big businesses.

The new Forth Crossing  it was supposed to open next month but is now so late the SNP are asking us to celebrate the fact that it is now the worlds biggest free-standing structure that is not a bridge.

And the great dereliction of duty. The dodgy deal with the Chinese state owned company CR3.

The SNP signed a deal with this Chinese company without checking who they were.

They denied it was a deal when we asked them about human rights.

Then they condemned us for killing the deal, which they had just said didnt even exist.

Then they say the deal actually wasnt dead.

But still havent checked who this Chinese company is.

Then, get this, they tell us the position is crystal clear . and that its all Westminsters fault anyway.

And this is a Government that wants to negotiate international trade deals for an independent country.

At this rate theyd end up buying bananas from Alaska.

Human rights get ignored whilst they pretend they know what they are doing.

Big business gets the breaks whilst everyone else gets left behind.

Public services get worse whilst they argue for independence.

And all along the SNP point the finger of blame everyone else but themselves.

No wonder people feel let down.

I have given you two speeches.

One on how we are winning again and have more to offer.

On how we have set the agenda from childcare to federalism.

How we are holding the SNP to their promises, for a strong future for Scotland.

We aspire to build an optimistic, progressive and open country.

On early education and childcare, on fuel poverty, on mental health, on house building, on attainment in schools  these are the building blocks for a liberal future for Scotland.

We are clear on a vision for Scotland, in a federal UK, in Europe and with the United States of America.

The second speech recognised the knocks that liberal values have had this year, and the hurt and the sorrow we share because of it.

The conclusion to each of those speeches is the same.

That we must pick up again.

That the world is better when it is tolerant and open, with people respected and their human rights and freedoms treasured.

To give people the life chances that they deserve.

We will take our part in making the case for those values.

We are battlers.

We take inspiration from those who have gone before us.

Use the energy from those who have just joined us.

Build on the success of liberal winners here and abroad.

We will not give up or compromise our values but will work hard to convince ever more people that they have the potential for so much good in the world.

That is how we respond, we grow, we unite.

Strong liberal voices, winning again.
IRISH Cement bosses have been criticised for playing a public poor mouth in Limerick after claiming jobs could be lost if the firm does not get permission to use alternate fuels.

In an interview with the Limerick Leader recently, the companys head of communications Brian Gilmore made the stark warning over the 80 roles at the vast factory in Mungret.

The firm is seeking to move away from burning fossil fuels to burning tyres and solid recovered fuel at high temperatures.

Concerns have been raised from a number of councillors and residents at the possible impact on the environment, with fears that burning these materials could produce a number of toxic emissions including dioxins, furans and sulphur dioxide.

Mr Gilmores comments have been criticised by a number of local councillors  and now the Limerick Against Pollution coalition has weighed into the row.

In a statement to the Leader, the group pointed to financial documents from Irish Cements parent firm, where it states continued growth is expected in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands through 2016.

It is rather obvious that the public poor mouth from Mr Gilmore does not tally with the figures from the accounts. It is in his interests to lower costs and maximise profits for his bosses so a bit of scaremongering is understandable, especially if it serves as a distraction from their stubborn refusal to hold public consultations or answer sticky questions, they said.

When asked why it would not hold a public information session, Mr Gilmore said it is easier for people to understand what is being proposed if they are taken around the plant in groups.

But Limerick Against Pollution say the company has not gone far enough in its engagement with the public, claiming just 500 leaflets were distributed.

Irish Cement has consistently stated that switching to alternative fuels will not bring about a rise in emissions into the local atmosphere, pointing to studies in Portugal.

Limerick Against Pollution say: There are studies which show that while greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide may go down, more toxic gasses such as nitrous oxides and sulphur oxides can go up. Even more pertinent, a recent Environmental Protection Agency test done at the plant this summer showed emissions almost 20% above the limits for nitrious oxides, they say.

The group added: Irish Cement would like the public to think this is good news and any critics are ill-informed blow-ins or Nimbys, we would like to point out if this factory were run to the same standards and regulated as thoroughly as a German plant, there would not have been 1,000 objections lodged with the EPA about their proposal.

Irish Cement was not available for comment.
A BOLD move by Limerick City and County Council will ensure Newcastle West will have a bright, illuminated Christmas this year and for years to come.

The council announced this week that it would buy outright the festive lighting system for the town and effectively donate it to the town.

The system was ordered last year in a joint venture involving the Newcastle West Business Association and the Newcastle West Chamber of Commerce and was expected to cost about 150,000 over three years.

But earlier this year, the plan ran into trouble as insufficient money was raised for the first years payment, despite a contribution of 20,000 from the council.

Now, following representations by councillors, the council has agreed to buy the system and sell it to the Business Association and Chamber of Commerce for 1.

The decision was announced at a meeting of Newcastle West Municipal District this Wednesday.

We are delighted to have this commitment from the council, Seamus Hunt, Newcastle West Business Association said. The contracts had still to be drawn up, he said, but it was very welcome news.

Meanwhile, that meeting also saw the first steps taken to rename the Square in Newcastle West as Con Colbert Square in memory of the West Limerick man who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. The proposal was made by Cllr Michael Collins and agreed unanimously by all six councillors.

Now the proposal must get the approval of the full council before it goes to public consultation and a plebiscite. Under the legislation, only those who pay rates or those who are residing in the Square either as owners or tenants, will be entitled to vote on the name change.

I think this is very apt, Cllr Collins said when he proposed the move.

I see this as unfinished work from 1966 which now needs to be completed.

Councillors were reminded that an attempt was made 50 years ago to name the Square after Con Colbert but it came to nothing.

The new proposal will go before the full council later this month, after which there will be a three-week period of consultation in the lead-up to a plebiscite.

The relatives of Con Colbert are very happy with the proposal, Cllr Collins said.

Meanwhile also, county councillors have agreed to fund a new impact study into the effect, if any, of a new swimming pool in Newcastle West on other pool facilities in the area.

The terms of reference for the impact study were agreed by councillors last month and director of services Gordon Daly said he hoped that the study would be completed within three to four months.

Such a study was needed, he said, before councillors could further consider any proposals for a new pool in the town.

I dont want this to develop into a brand new feasibility study, Cllr Seamus Browne of Sinn Fein declared.

It shouldnt be about the viability of site X or Y. It shouldnt be about a need for a pool.

Mr Daly reassured councillors, the study would be focusing on one element only, that of any possible impact on other facilities.

He expected the consultants would review the original report and if there were any other information or background material, that would be welcome, he said.

Cllr Michael Collins asked that the consultants for the original feasibility study for a pool would be contacted by whoever carries out the impact study.

It has come to my notice there are inaccuracies in that (feasibility) report, he said.

Cllr Jerome Scanlan also said there were glaring mistakes and inaccuracies in the feasibility report.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision that killed a local man in Athea on Saturday night.

The victim, aged in his 50s and named as Anthony Cooper, of Athea, was fatally injured after the car he was driving was involved in a collision with another car on the R524 at Coole West, Athea. The collision occurred at approximately 9.30pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the second car was uninjured. A garda investigation is underway to establish the cause of the crash. The scene of the collision was examined by Garda forensic collision investigators and the road has since reopened.

The body of the deceased was removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post mortem examination and the local Coroner had been notified.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses, they are particularly appealing to witnesses who may have left scene of the collision before talking to gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station 069-20650 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
Directed by Moritz Siebart, Estephan Wagner and Abou Bakar Sidibe, with the latter being also the protagonist of the story and one who filmed it, Those Who Jump has won eight awards and has been screened at 40 different film festivals around the world.



Its screening at the Panorama was accompanied by director Moritz Siebart, who attended one of the films two screenings and led a discussion after.



Those Who Jump tells the story of Abou Bakar Sidibe, an African migrant who lives on a hilltop overlooking the Spanish city of Melilla, and the journey he and hundreds of other African migrants took to literally jump over a fence into Europe. As such, Those Who Jump becomes a testimony to the stories of refugees and migrants and the current influx into Europe.



Moritz Siebart talked to Ahram Online about the story behind the film and the filming process.



Ahram Online (AO): What are your reasons for choosing to make a documentary on migration?



Moritz Sibart (MS): It is a topic I have been working with for the past 15 years. All of my films but two have been on migration. I was an activist, which was partially the reason I came to filmmaking, and in the early 1990s I worked a lot with refugee organisations. This is why the first film I made together with a friend, which was quite successful, was about refugees. Afterwards, I left the refugee issue and looked at different kinds of migrations, a frontier I returned to a while ago.



AO: How do you see Those Who Jump in the wider context on refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers?



MS: For me, the question of migration is not just about refugees; its about migration in general. I dont make these films only because Im interested in migrants, but also to observe how my society interacts with the question of migrants. I think you can see a lot about a society and its values through these interactions. You can see images of us, of Europe. These images do not tell you about the future but about how we see the subject today. We see it (migrants) as a problem.



AO: In Those Who Jump, Abou Bakar Sidibe films every scene in the film, sometimes passing the cameras to others to film himself as well. How did you meet Abou and how did he become a part of the filming process?



MS: Estephan Wagner and I, whom I met in film school, shared admiration of the strength and resilience of the people on top of Mount Gurugu in Morocco who were trying to make it to Europe and we wanted to make a collaborative film on the issue. We were referred to Abou by a journalist who lives in Melilla and has been working with migrants jumping the fence between the Spanish city and the Moroccan hilltop for 10 years. We gave Abou and another migrant a camera, some money, and instructions to film their daily lives.



However, upon watching the footage we got from Abou, we saw that he had disregarded our instructions and had instead used his own creativity to film scenes his own way. It was during the editing process of Abous footage when we realised this creativity and that perhaps he should be a director of the film alongside Wagner and I.



AO: Many filmmakers who have made films on migrants or asylum seekers gear their films towards critiquing the system of migrant resettlement and how international institutions deal with migration. What kind of addition to the conversation on migration do you think the film presents?



MS: We were aware of how many films were made on migration, but what we thought was missing was the perspective of the migrants themselves.



We didnt want to take away from the strength and perseverance that inspired us to make the film by filming the documentary ourselves. The power in filmmaking is on the side of the camera, which would have been in my hand.



We know that we had power in the editing process, but the power in the filming process was in Abous hands because he filmed all of the scenes.



Although some of our scene ideas are in that film, the gold for me was his imagination in filming the documentary, something I could have never imagined on my own, which was the whole point of the process.



AO: What kind of message did you intend for this film to send to audiences?



MS: The film speaks to us that this man, Abou from Africa, is not an animal. He is a man, like us. There is nothing that divides us except for borders and lines [on a map], which are all political. By chance, I was born on this side of the line, whereas Abou was born on the other side.



When Abou talks about Europe invading Africa in the past but preventing Africas migrants from coming to Europe today, he says, This is not possible. We [Europeans] like to think of refugees from civil war as good and migrants, who are from Sub-Saharan Africa, as bad. We always consider them as economic migrants, although a lot of them are war-refugees. For us [Europeans], it is politically challenging because Abou does not want to enter Europe for its luxuries, yet we consider that he does anyway.



AO: Do you see this film as inviting the international community to revisit the African migrant situation as an important issue of our time?



Id say Im not so naive to think that a single film will change how all of Europe sees its policies on migration. The film wants to show audiences that the migrants dont care how Europe sees them. Migration from Africa is a reality, regardless of what leaders from Europe say.



For 20 years, the European Union has been building more obstacles to stop migrants, but they continue take their right to live in Europe and find a way to jump or cross over.



However, the harder we make it for them, the more they die. And this is a question to my society that I pose.



We like to talk about the European community as a community of values, but for whom? Only for us who are lucky to live inside the fortress? Europeans built these obstacles, so the responsibility is on us.



We (the directors) want to participate in the conversation in Europe on migrants. Often you are sitting there and youre thinking to yourself that you disagree with what is going on, but you dont know what to do. And like I said, although we know a single film will not change how Europe sees migration, at least we made our point.

Check here the complete programme of Panorama for Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia and Port Said

Ahram Online is the media sponsor of the Panorama of the European Film and of Zawya

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By Boubacar Diallo, Associated Press

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) - European Union observers on Tuesday commended voters in Guinea for their enthusiasm and peaceful conduct during a presidential election despite logistical problems, and called for transparency as the electoral commission finalizes the results of the first round.

EU mission chief Frank Engel called for calm as the National Independent Electoral Commission finishes the vote count.

Many hope that political violence that killed at least three people in the run-up to the election in this West African nation - and that marred the first democratic election in 2010 - does not resurface.

Witnesses said demonstrations broke out in two of the capital's suburbs known as opposition strongholds but they were stopped by anti-riot police.

Opposition candidates said Monday they will not accept the results for Guinea's second democratic presidential election in more than 50 years, citing voting fraud. The government of President Alpha Conde, who is favored to win the election, denied that there was fraud.

Engel said it was vital that the election commission remain transparent in determining the results of Sunday's election. Provisional results are expected in the next few days.

Millions of Guineans voted in the second democratic presidential elections since the country's independence from France in 1958.

The opposition last week called for the poll to be postponed, but the electoral commission said everything was in order. Some polling stations remained open late, after voting materials arrived late or ran out.

Guinea has endured decades of corrupt dictatorship. In 2008, after the longtime strongman died, a military coup led to tumultuous rule until the junta's leader agreed to go into exile.
The Ministry of Culture announced on Saturday evening the death of Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz, one of Egypt's most renowned television and film actors in the past 40 years, after a long struggle with illness.

Abdel-Aziz was born in Wardeyan, Alexandria on 4 June 1946.

He graduated from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Alexandria University in the 1960s.

Abdel-Aziz came to the limelight in the 1970s' TV drama Al Dawama (The Whirlpool) where he co-starred with renowned actors Nelly and Mahmoud Yassin.

In the 1980s, he rose to stardom with successful roles in movies such as El Aar (The Shame, 1982), El Keef (Addiction, 1985).

Abdel-Aziz also captured millions of TV viewers' attention and admiration with his role as an Egyptian spy in Israel in the 1950s and the 1960s in the famous trilogy of Rafat El Haggan.

His other remarkable films include Kit Kat (1991) and Al-Saher (The Magician, 2001).

Throughout his decades-long career, Abdel-Aziz starred in over 100 movies and numerous television series.

Abdel-Aziz was married to Egyptian actress Poussy Chalabi.

He has two sons from his first marriage: Mohamed, a film producer and director, and Karim.

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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Find not too frequent updates from the Livesay family here
Marijuana use may be linked to a weakened heart muscle, a new studyfinds.

Researchers found that people who used marijuana were twice as likely to later develop a heart condition called transient ventricular regional ballooning (TVRB) than those who did not use marijuana. TVRB is a form of cardiomyopathy, which is a sudden weakening of the heart muscle that can mimic symptoms of a heart attack. The symptoms can include chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath, but the condition is often temporary.

The most surprising finding from the study was that the marijuana users in the study were the opposite of the people that TVRB tends to strike in several ways, said Dr. Amitoj Singh, a co-author of the study and the chief cardiology fellow at St. Lukes University Health Network in Pennsylvania. The condition tends to develop in post-menopausal women, he said. In the study, the marijuana users who developed TVRB were 44 years old, on average, and 36 percent were men. Among the non-marijuana users in the study who developed TVRB, the average age was 66, and just 8 percent were men. [10 Amazing Facts About Your Heart]

None of the people in the study who had used marijuana died from the heart condition after being admitted to the hospital, so the study does not link marijuana use to deaths, Singh told Live Science. However, people "should be aware that certain cardiovascular abnormalities and complications can occur from marijuana use," he said.

In the study, the researchers looked at data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, which includes data from community hospitals in 44 states. The researchers found 33,343 admissions for TVRB between 2003 and 2011, and that 210 of these patients had either reported that they had used marijuana, or had a marker of the drug in their urine.

After the researchers took into account a number of factors linked with TVRB, such as depression and anxiety disorders, the link between marijuana use and TVRB held, they said.

It isn't clear how the link may work. TVRB has only recently been recognized as a health condition, Singh said. Some research shows that that high levels of stress hormones are linked to the development of the condition. Moreover, studies have shown that stress hormone levels in the urine increase in people who smoke marijuana, he said. [7 Foods Your Heart Will Hate]

The researchers noted that their study was retrospective, and cannot establish that marijuana maybe be a cause of TVRB. Furthermore, the researchers did not have information on how long patients had been using marijuana, how much of the drug they used, or how that marijuana was ingested. (Marijuana can be smoked, or consumed in edible products, such as brownies or candies.)

Singh emphasized that he does not discount studies that have shown some of marijuana's positive effects of people's health. However, the drug needs much more study, he told Live Science. "We don't know everything about marijuana."

Originally published on Live Science.
Granard-based company Onesynergy were named runners-up in the Technical Innovation of the Year Award category at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2016 for the development of an innovative, energy-efficient air-system.

The revolutionary Onesynergy PAVEL system is an exhaust cowl that reduces the total energy consumption of an air extraction system.



The PAVEL accomplishes this through a proprietary technology  a uniquely designed and patented cowl that utilises The Coanda Effect - a combination of air inducement and vortices that generate a negative pressure at the neck of the cowl - thus drawing air from any connected duct or space and exhausting to the outside. This results in significant energy savings and a reduction in carbon emissions.



The Technical Innovation Award was sponsored by NSAI.

The Corrib Onshore Gas Pipeline won the overall Engineering Project of the Year, which is voted for by a panel of judges and the public. The Corrib Gas Field, approximately 83km off the coast of Mayo, has become a critical piece of national infrastructure that will produce much of Irelands future gas supplies over the next 15 to 20 years. It is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the states history, costing approximately 3.5 billion and will contribute some 6 billion to Irelands GDP.

The winners were announced at the seventh annual Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards, in association with ESB, at a special ceremony held in the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.

Pat ODoherty, ESB Chief Executive, said: I would like to congratulate all of the winners of this years awards. So many of the projects not only address a functional or commercial challenge, but wider societal issues. Whether it is climate change, food production or enhanced healthcare, engineers have an extremely important role to play in society. Thats why it is so important that we continue to promote engineering as a career choice and that we focus on diversity as a way of bringing new talent into the engineering profession.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in the InterContinental Hotel Dublin, Caroline Spillane, Engineers Ireland Director General, commented on the vast array of engineering talent that had gathered for the flagship awards ceremony.

The engineering profession is the real winner of this years awards. We in Engineers Ireland are delighted to showcase and celebrate the incredible achievements of some of the best engineering talent in the world. And the Onesynergy PAVEL system very much highlights the true creative talent and innovation that exists within the profession.

She continued: Engineers continue to make an incredibly valuable contribution to communities and economies worldwide. The work celebrated here embodies real engineering excellence and ingenuity and reflects the evolving nature of contemporary engineering today.
Longford has been given a 3m shot in the arm under a major housing investment plan announced by the Government.

The vast majority of that sum, approximately 2.8m, has been ring-fenced for 14 three bedroom houses in Drumlish.

The north Longford town's Mill Race Park has been chosen as the location with planning permission for the project having already received the green light.

A further 150,000, meanwhile, has been allocated to refurbish almost half a dozen vacant houses or 'voids' at MacEoin Park in Longford town.

Both announcements were made and given the seal of approval by Longford Westmeath TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

This is excellent news for those currently on the housing waiting list, said Mr Moran in connection to the proposed Drumlish development.

Planning permission for this scheme was due to expire in December and it was very important that the approval was given before then.

Mill Race Park is a new residential area which includes a prupose-built creche, a riverside walkway and a childrens play area. The new houses will complement and enhance the existing estate.

Turning his attention to the six figure sum set aside for refurbishment works at MacEoin Park, Mr Moran said the announcement underlined the Government's desire to address Ireland's broader housing crisis.

This is excellent news for the residents of MacEoin Park and reflects the Governments commitment to providing funding to local authorities to assist them in delivering key social housing proposals in line with Rebuilding Irelands targets and objectives, he said.

The Independent Alliance TD said the latest funding rollout was in addition to the near 600,000 already assigned to Longford County Council to restore 15 vacant units at the estate.
Concern Worldwide is urging the people of Longford to give up a habit or activity they normally do for 24-hours for the annual Fast campaign to raise vital funds for children dying from hunger.

Social media, television and video games are among the many things that people can forgo for a day as part of what is now one of Irelands longest running fundraising campaigns.

Traditionally, Concern Fast focused on giving up food, but it can now include any activity or habit, such as drinking coffee, smoking, driving, using smart phones or vocalised pauses, which are the fillers people use in sentences when they talk, such as um, ah and like.

The 48-year-old campaign, which began the same year the Irish aid agency was founded in 1968, takes place on Thursday, November 24 and the funds raised will help children suffering in countries like Ethiopia, Syria and South Sudan.

Concern Worldwides Director of Public Affairs, Richard Dixon, said: I have seen first-hand the incredible positive impact that our work has had on children and their families and we would not be able to do this without the generous donations received during campaigns like Fast.

It is unacceptable that about three million children die every year from under nutrition, which is an average of around 8,220 children a day or a child dying every 10.5 seconds.

The phenomenal support Fast has had over so many years has made a difference and is testament to the commitment Irish people have in raising funds for people suffering from hunger and poverty.

What am I doing? Im giving up my iPad for 24 hours. This might sound easy, but if you knew me, youd know that Im permanently attached to the device and a day without an iPad will be truly challenging."

Concerns Community Fundraising Manager, and coordinator of the Fast campaign, Jonathan Power, added: Concern Fast is a rewarding opportunity to challenge yourself for a very deserving cause.

We cannot thank the Irish public enough for their support and all of our dedicated volunteers who do street collections and other fundraising activities throughout the year."

Donations from Concern Fast will help provide high-energy therapeutic food for malnourished children and will also give families the long-term support needed to feed their children in years to come.

Concern, which is a member of Charities Institute Ireland, said a donation of 24 will provide enough to feed one child for a month.

The aid agency helped 22.6 million people in 28 countries in 2015 and responded to 42 emergencies thanks to funds received, including donations from Fast.

People can sign up for Concern Fast at www.concern.net/fast or by calling 1850 50 50 55  and participants can also engage with Concern on Twitter @Concern , Facebook, Snapchat and on Instagram.

TEN Concern Fast ideas for what to give up for 24-hours on November 24

Coffee Blackout  Have a no-coffee day

No-Butts!  Try giving up smoking for a day

Bus It!  Leave the car at home and try get around on public transport

Landline Only  Try going back in time and not using your smart phone

No TV!  A day without watching any television

Face-Off!  No Facebook use for 24 hours

Like, Eh!  Give up vocalised pauses, which are the fillers used in sentences, such as um, ah and like

Sweet-Free Day  Give up chocolate and other sweet treats for the day

Game Over!  If you are a gamer, try not playing any video games anywhere for 24-hours

Silence Please!  Try one day without talking
Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com

Columnists Press Releases
The previous deal was thrown out by the EU's top court in October 2015, leaving thousands of firms scrambling for legal ways to provide data on transactions ranging from credit cards to travel and e-commerce that underpin billions of dollars of transatlantic trade.

Under the Privacy Shield agreement that came into force in August, the United States agreed to limit the collection of and access to Europeans' data stored on U.S. servers because of EU concerns about data privacy and mass U.S. surveillance.

The European Commission has asked the United States about a secret court order Yahoo used to scan thousands of customer e-mails for possible terrorism links, following concerns that may have violated a new data transfer pact.

 Secret Court Order

Reuters reported last month that Yahoo had scanned all incoming customer e-mails in 2015 for a digital signature linked to a foreign state sponsor of terrorism, at the behest of a secret court order. That raised fresh questions about the scope of U.S. spying.

"The Commission services have contacted the U.S. authorities to ask for a number of clarifications," Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said.

The United States had pledged not to engage in mass, indiscriminate espionage, assuaging Commission concerns about the privacy of Europeans' data stored on U.S. servers following disclosures of intrusive U.S. surveillance programs in 2013 by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Two people familiar with the matter said the Commission had now asked the United States to explain how the Yahoo order fit in with its commitments, even if the program ran before the Privacy Shield was in place.

 Clarification Sought

The Commission was seeking clarifications on the nature of the court order itself and how targeted it was, said one person familiar with the matter. Another said it had also asked if the program was continuing.

"The U.S. will be held accountable to these commitments both through review mechanisms and through redress possibilities, including the newly established ombudsperson mechanism in the U.S. State Department," Wigand said.

Privacy Shield, which Yahoo has not signed up to, provides for a joint annual review to ensure the United States is respecting its commitment to limit the amount of data gathered by U.S. agents.

A senior U.S. government official said he could not confirm or deny the reports about Yahoo, but said if true the surveillance would have been targeted at identifying terrorists while protecting the privacy of others.

That would be "good intelligence work," he said.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Kobe : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned of further action against those with black money once the December 30 deadline expires for disclosing demonetised notes, saying they will have to "pay for" unaccounted cash. At the same time, he said honest people have nothing to fear from the government. He also made a veiled attack on the Opposition, saying a section of the people was "egging" others to speak against him on the scheme.

"I want to tell the people again and again that the government will do everything to protect the honest. But the dishonest beware, I will make you pay for it," he said addressing the Indian community here at a reception before winding up his three-day visit to Japan. In a speech laced with barbs and humour, Modi said opportunities were given to those with black money to come clean. "It is not as though opportunity was not given. Then also if you feel that it will be business as usual, I cannot be faulted.

"After December 30 scheme (the last date for depositing demonetised notes) if you feel that there will be no action, there is no guarantee that something new will not be introduced to punish you (thikane lagane ke liye)," Modi said. "The world has changed. I gave you time. Now it is up to you, think about your son's future," he said, amidst cheers from the audience.

PTI
Donald Trumps March to the Presidency

The near-impossible has happened, and Donald Trump is three months from being President Trump. From local elections to the presidency, this general election may have been the most vicious since Thomas Jefferson challenged John Adams in 1800. Both major candidates turned to attack ads to enhance their own campaigns.

Donald Trump flourished on the seeds of hate planted by the Tea Party, and then played out the dictum of Joseph Goebbels that if you keep telling lies long enough and blend them with propaganda, they will turn into truth. From the moment he entered the presidential race until his final triumph, he kept hammering on two themes. The first strategy was to push the premise that under President Obama the United States had lost its greatness and only Donald Trump could restore it. To this concoction he then brilliantly added fear to the mixture. Name a fearany fearand and it was probably in Trumps campaign rhetoric. The first part of that fear was immigrants bringing drugs and guns from Mexico and central America; the second part was that Radical Islamic terrorists were coming to America from the Middle East. He also instilled the fear that Hillary Clinton would take away the Second Amendment right if she became president, something no president could do under the Constitution. Finally he coated his campaign against Hillary Clintons with constant Benghazi and e-mail scandals and kept repeating it at every rally, and he had a product he force fed to a gullible public.Hillary Clinton improved her communication with voters near the end of the campaign, but for much of the campaign she was protected by a phalanx of assistants who kept her unapproachable except for photo ops. She should have shut down the e-mail and Benghazi scandals much earlier than she did; several Congressional hearings had already proved she was not at fault. The flip-flop press conferences by FBI director James Comey also led the voters to believe she may or may not have been at fault in both scandals.The Libertarian party cut into Trumps base, and the Green Party cut into Clintons base, but neither was strong enough to cost either candidate the election.The Establishment Media at first dismissed Trumps politics as just another sideshow. But, Trump kept making outrageous comments, and the media kept acting as his personal mouthpiece without doing much fact checking any of his rhetoric. Trump boosted his candidacy by using the media to attack what he continually called the lyin liberal media. He gained momentum with each tweet and every rally, proving he didnt need the establishment media to arouse a fan base.The Voters allowed themselves to be led by Trump who appealed to their frustration with establishment politics and their alienation from government. Trump emphasized he was an outsider, even though he and the SuperPACs were more inside the beltway politics than most candidates. Trumps core was white alienated males who didnt have college degrees; Clintons core was college-educated men and women.Each candidate relied on the power of outside organizations to further gain traction in the race to the presidency. For Clinton, it was primarily organized labor; for Trump, it was the Chamber of Commerce and the NRA.By Nov. 8, almost all polls had predicted Clinton would win the presidency. There was one problemthey were wrong. They underestimated the strength of rural America and overestimated the weakness of urban America.At the end of the day Clinton had had more individual voters, but Trump had more electoral voters and the presidency.The next campaign began Nov. 9.

[Dr. Braschs current book is Fracking Pennsylvania, which looks at the impact of fracking upon public health, worker safety, the environment, and agriculture. The book--available at local bookstores and amazon. com--also looks at the financial collusion between politicians and Big Energy.]

By Walter M Brasch PhD



http://www.walterbrasch.com

Copyright 2016 Walter M Brasch

Walter Brasch is a university journalism professor, syndicated columnist, and author of 17 books. His current books are America's Unpatriotic Acts , The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina , and Sex and the Single Beer Can: Probing the Media and American Culture . All are available through amazon.com, bn.com, or other bookstores. You may contact Dr. Brasch at walterbrasch@gmail.com

Walter Brasch Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Hillary Points Fingers the Wrong Way for Losing to Trump

Hillary consistently blames others for her deplorable public record as first lady, US senator and secretary of state - serious wrongdoing enough to land ordinary people in prison longterm for committing any one of her numerous high crimes.



In a Saturday conference call to donors contributing $100,000 or more to her campaign, she was at it again, blaming FBI director James Comey for reopening his investigation into her email scandal in late October after 650,000 new ones were discovered.

According to her assessment, whitewashing her wrongdoing a second time days later, after earlier in July, wasnt enough to undo damaging her politically.



There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful, she said. Our analysis is that Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum.



After Comey said we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton - less than 36 hours before polls opened for Novembers election - her spokesman issued a statement saying:



We were always confident nothing could cause the July decision to be revisited. Now Director Comey has confirmed it.



One news report said Hillary basked in the glow of vindication after hearing the good news, expecting an electoral triumph on November 8.



Vindictiveness and finger-pointing the wrong way followed defeat. We wereup in all but two of the battleground states, she said, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing.



An internal campaign memo said there is no question that a week from Election Day, Secretary Clinton was poised for a historic win. (L)ate-breaking developments in the race proved one hurdle too many for us to overcome.



The NYT cited unnamed Democrats, saying her instinct to shun any personal responsibility angered them. Campaign officials were so confident of victory, they celebrated with champagne before Tuesdays defeat.



According to Edison Research, exit polls found undecided voters choosing who they preferred in the final week before November 8 went for Trump by a 47 - 42% margin.



Before Comeys announced investigation into her email scandal, then reopening it a second time for a brief eight days, Hillary said (w)e felt so good about where we were. Wehad a real wind at our back.



In a Friday conference call with campaign volunteers, she said (l)ook, Im not going to sugarcoat it. These have been very, very tough days.



In earlier articles, I explained voters had to choose between the two most widely reviled presidential aspirants in US history.



Independents like Jill Stein have no chance to overcome a system rigged against them, duopoly power unchallenged, proving democracy in America is pure fantasy, power brokers and supportive media scoundrels keeping things this way.



The good news is Trumps triumph likely dodged a bullet - saving humanity from a possible nuclear war holocaust had Hillary defeated him.



Shes politically dead, but true to form, not going away quietly - discussed earlier post-election and today in a separate article.



Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.



His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

By Stephen Lendman

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com

His new book as editor and contributor is titled Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.

http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html

He lives in Chicago and can be reached in Chicago at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.



Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday through Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national topics. All programs are archived for easy listening.

 2016 Copyright Stephen Lendman - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




While he did not receive the credit he deserved at the time, the first man to stand at the North Pole is finally receiving recognition more than 100 years after his achievement.

On Thursday evening, Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) Executive Director Dr. Joe Keiper offered a presentation titled Matthew Henson: The first man at ninety degrees north latitude as part of the museums ongoing series of Second Thursday Science Talks.

While many are familiar with American explorer Robert Peary, fewer are familiar with Henson, who was Pearys right-hand man, Keiper said. Even though Henson arrived at the North Pole before Peary did, he did not receive the credit he deserved at the time, largely because Henson was an African-American.

Initially, Keiper said, he assumed that Peary himself had minimized Hensons accomplishments, but after doing more research, he discovered that Peary actually championed Henson and often said that he never would have reached the North Pole without him. Society, it seems, simply wasnt ready to accept that message in 1909.

Henson was born in Maryland in August of 1866, Keiper said. He was orphaned at the age of 11. He had a tough life to lead. By the age of 13, he found himself working as a cabin boy on a ship.  The fortunate thing for him was that the captain that he was taken in by was a very kindly man, and he taught Matthew a lot. Matthew had all these different chores to do that you can imagine a cabin boy has to do. He has to cook, he has to clean, theres boat maintenance and whatnot. But when theyre traveling, they travel the world.  He also learned about seamanship. He became quite skilled in these realms.

Unfortunately, Keiper said, the captain died in 1885, and Henson found himself without direction once again. He ended up working as a sales clerk in Washington, D.C., where he chanced to meet Peary.

At the time, Peary was preparing an exploratory trip to Central America to find a good location for a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Once he learned of Hensons seafaring expertise, he invited Henson to join him as a low-ranking member of the team.

Henson told him about his travels across the world and all of the sea skills he developed under the tutelage of this kindly sea captain, who also taught him how to read and write, Keiper said. He was quite literate and articulate. Peary saw something in him.

They surveyed Nicaragua, and Peary proposed creating a canal through Lake Nicaragua. Ultimately, another team discovered that Panama was the better choice, ultimately giving rise to the Panama Canal.

But Peary had another goal in life: He wanted to be the first man to the North Pole.

It was pretty clear to Peary that if hes going to go on any of these worldwide adventures, Hensons the guy to bring, Keiper said. He can hunt. Hes an expert carpenter. Hes got seamanship experience.

Between 1891 and 1902, Keiper said, Peary and Henson spent seven years in the arctic, forging a path upward through Greenland and getting ever closer to the Pole before being forced to turn back and re-assess.

While in Greenland, Henson became a friend to the native Inuit people, Keiper said, bonding with them, learning their language and teaching them his own.

Peary, unfortunately, was not so kind to the Inuit, Keiper said. He recognized that he would need their help and their knowledge of the harsh Arctic if he wanted to reach the North Pole, but he did not treat them with the same humanity as Henson.

For example, Keiper said, researchers had known for some time that the Inuit had access to iron. Often, they would hunt with iron-tipped narwhal tusks. However, no one knew how the Inuit were gaining access to iron.

Henson learned the answer, because he was willing to actually speak to the Inuit in their own language. He learned that the Inuit collected iron from a huge iron meteorite that had crashed to Earth thousands of years earlier.

In a troubling move, Keiper said, Peary collected the meteorite  the only source of iron the Inuit had since their arrival in Greenland generations earlier  and sold it to the American Museum of Natural History for $40,000, the equivalent of about $1 million today.

Peary also collected six Inuit and brought them back to New York, Keiper said. Four of them quickly died, and two were interred at the American Museum of Natural History for study  a jarringly unethical practice when viewed from the perspective of today.

In September 1908, Peary and Henson  along with a massive team consisting of Inuit, other explorers, and hundreds of dogs to pull sledges  departed for their final, successful push to the North Pole. On Feb. 28, 1909, they began marching from Greenland to the Pole.

The conditions were extraordinarily inhospitable, Keiper said. In his memoirs, Henson wrote of one night when it was 20 degrees below zero and the wind was not blowing. It felt quite comfortable out, Henson wrote, in comparison to the usual temperatures of 40 or 60 degrees below zero.

As the team traveled, they left food caches and camps behind for their return trip, the team growing smaller as they drew closer to the Pole.

t the final cache, Peary informed explorer Donald MacMillan that he would need to stay behind, Keiper said. Peary, Henson, and four Inuit would be the only ones making the final leg of the journey.

While MacMillan was heartbroken, Keiper said, he understood why he was the one being left behind rather than Henson. Henson was simply too skilled at Arctic survival to leave behind.

Traveling 45 minutes ahead of Peary, Henson crossed the North Pole on the morning of April 6, 1909, making him the first man at 90 degrees north latitude.

Its too bad that he didnt get the credit he deserved back during that time, Keiper said. He did not get the awards, he did not get the medals, he did not get the money.  They were given out to Peary.  However, over time, people began recognizing that Henson had a big hand in this. Not only that, he was the first one. He blazed that trail.

Over time, Keiper said, there were memorials made to Henson, and he was even invited to the White House by Dwight Eisenhower in celebration of his accomplishments. On the occasion of his 150th birthday this past August, Henson and his wife were re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

While it took many years for America to recognize Hensons contributions, Peary  in some ways, a forward-thinker for the time  always gave Henson the credit he was due.

In the forward to Hensons memoirs, Peary wrote the following:

It is an interesting fact that in the final conquest of the prize of the centuries, not lone individuals, but races were represented. On that bitter, brilliant day in April, 1909, when the stars and stripes floated at the North Pole, Caucasian, Ethiopian, and Mongolian stood side by side at the apex of the Earth, in the harmonious companionship resulting from hard work, exposure, danger, and a common object.
MARTINSVILLE  Nine-year-old Xzayevion Saunders found out Saturday that Indian-style lemonade is not his cup of tea, so to speak.

While attending the India Family Day at Piedmont Arts, the nine-year-old from Danville tasted shikanji, a drink made not only with lemon juice and sugar, but also salt and cumin. He quickly poured it into a restroom sink.

Shouldve gotten mango, he quipped.

Oh well, not all new experiences can be positive.

Saunders said he liked the festival overall, and he enjoyed participating in the arts and crafts activities.

Its helping us to learn things about India, like their culture and what they eat, he said.

That was the festivals purpose, according to Gayatri Titus, a Piedmont Arts board member who helped to organize it.

The organization wants to bring people together to celebrate other cultures, she said.

Much of the festival focused on Diwali, a five-day Hindu New Year festival celebrated around this time of the year. It also is called the festival of lights because it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair, according to Titus.

According to legend, she explained, Diwali gets its roots from the kidnapping of Sita, the wife of warrior Prince Rama, by Ravana, a wicked king with 10 heads and arms. After Sita was saved, her rescuers were welcomed by people who lit diyas, earthen lamps with cotton wicks that are used during special occasions.

Diwali also is celebrated with firecrackers, Titus said.

India Family Day attracted about 100 visitors from Martinsville-Henry County and nearby communities.

Among the activities, children made diyas out of paper and Rangoli coloring sheets, which are intended to bring good luck. They also made three-dimensional elephants and Indian architectural cutouts.

The event included a fashion show in which women and children displayed saris and other Indian-style clothing of many colors, along with the singing of Indias national anthem and dances native to the South Asian nation.

In addition to the shikanji, treats available for tasting included banana chips, cupcakes and coconut balls, plus some items less common in America, such as puffed rice and samosa, pastries stuffed with potatoes.

Titus said Piedmont Arts strives to hold an event to celebrate a different culture each year. Still, another India Family Day could be held in the future by popular demand.

Its so exciting having so many cultures coming together at the organization, said Kathy Rogers, its executive director.
STUART  A man who pleaded guilty to statutory burglary was sentenced recently in Patrick County Circuit Court to five years in prison, suspended on certain conditions, according to online court records.

The prison sentence of Stuart Alexander Tabor of Stuart was suspended for five years on conditions including one year of supervised probation and payment of $400 restitution. The offense allegedly happened Aug. 20, 2014.

In some other recent cases in Patrick County Circuit Court:

Michael Wayne Richards of Bassett pleaded guilty to felony shoplifting in connection with an incident on March 29. A presentence report was ordered and sentencing was set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Bond was granted for Daniel Carmen Salinas of Spencer on a charge of felony shoplift in connection with an incident on July 4. The trial is set for Dec. 19 at 9:45 a.m.

A charge of felony false statement against Dale Harmon Wade of Stuart was dismissed.

HENRY COUNTY GENERAL DISTRICT COURT

Gary Shawn Younger of Burlington, North Carolina, waived extradition recently on a fugitive charge.
MARTINSVILLE  Planning has begun for the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerces annual trade show next year.

Fast Track 2017 is to be held March 7-8. The chamber is trying to secure the former Sears department store at the Village of Martinsville (the revamped Liberty Fair Mall) as the location, President Amanda Witt told the organizations board on Thursday. The vacant building was the site of this years expo.

Approximately 5,500 people attended this years Fast Track, which featured exhibits by 127 area businesses, organizations and local governments, showcasing their products and services.

Over the years, Fast Track has become so popular that chambers elsewhere  after learning about its success  have modeled local trade shows after it.

Yet the Martinsville-Henry County show remains the largest one, chamber officials have said.

The chamber plans to distribute information about Fast Track 2017 to regular participants in the coming weeks, after a firm location is determined and plans are farther along, Witt said.

Kindred Hospital, a transitional care and inpatient rehabilitation center in Greensboro, N.C., recently joined the chamber with the intent of taking part in next years trade show, she said.

Chamber members pay less to participate than nonmembers.

Theyve heard about it, they see it as the regions premier trade show and they want to be part of it, Witt said of Kindred.

She estimated that roughly 5 percent of the chambers members are from outside Martinsville-Henry County. Most are based in surrounding areas such as Danville/Pittsylvania County, Franklin County and Patrick County, yet some are as far away as Lynchburg and Greensboro, she said.

Some do business with people here, while others want to participate in Fast Track in hopes of gaining local customers, she added.

The chambers board on Thursday approved Kindred and six other businesses being added to the membership rolls. Those businesses are Children First Pediatrics of Virginia, Church Without Walls Kingdom Minded Believers, Books & Crannies, Southern Nosh, Unique Styles and Designs and Kenny Webster Photography.

Two members  Woodalls Music and The Launch Place  were removed from the rolls.

Woodalls is going out of business, Witt said.

Formerly the Southside Business Technology Center, Danville-based The Launch Place provides business consulting services. Although it once had a Martinsville office, it no longer provides services locally, Witt said.

However, The Launch Place continues to have board members from Martinsville-Henry County, its website shows.

The chamber currently has 635 members.

Also Thursday, the chambers board learned that five new businesses that took part in Startup Martinsville, Virginia, have opened uptown. Witt said they are doing well.

Those businesses are Infinity Dancewear, Books & Crannies, A2Speed, Southern Nosh and Butchers & Brew. The latter two are restaurants.

Witt encouraged people to visit the businesses so they will continue being successful.

Startup Martinsville was an intensive, boot camp-style program for entrepreneurs that culminated with a business plan competition. Winners received grants to put toward their getting their businesses set up.

For 2017, the program will be opened to entrepreneurs interested in opening businesses citywide, not just uptown. It will be opened to people aiming to start businesses in Henry County the following year.

A2Speed, a performance automotive parts and software company based at the West Piedmont Business Development Center, plans to maintain an office there but move its manufacturing to a larger facility in the Collinsville area soon, Witt said.

That will enable space in the small business incubator  which is nearly full  to become available, she said.

The board also learned that the chamber and its affiliate, the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association, will host Small Business Saturday locally on Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Small Business Saturday is a promotion sponsored by credit card company American Express and designed to encourage people to shop in small, locally-based stores in smaller communities.

Uptown merchants participated last year. The program will be open to participation by merchants throughout the community this year, Witt said.

More information about the program will be released later this month, she said.

Mickey Powell reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at mickey.powell@martinsvillebulletin.com.
At this point in the investigation, authorities in Henry County believe a man who fatally shot another man early Thursday morning acted in self-defense.

A news release Thursday and media update Friday, both from the Henry County Sheriffs Office, allege the following:

During the investigation into the homicide of Michael Deangelo Graves, 28 of 1621 East Meadow Road, Eden, North Carolina, it was determined that Graves and his brother, Charles Rydell Flood Jr., had driven to 2052 Stoney Mountain Road (in the Axton area) to confront the occupants of the home about a domestic-related issue.

Upon their arrival at the home, Graves forced the front door open and entered the home armed with a handgun. Once inside, there was a confrontation between Graves and Markus Ugene Lampkins. Lampkins attempted to retreat to the rear of the residence but Graves pursued him.

Lampkins also was armed with a handgun and fired one round that struck Graves in the chest. After being shot, Graves retreated outside.

After Graves had been shot, Flood fired multiple rounds from a handgun into the home.

Flood transported Graves to Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden. Upon his arrival, Graves was pronounced dead.

After a review of the physical evidence, statements made by witnesses and consultation with Henry County Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Nester, it is believed that Lampkins shot Graves in self-defense.

Lampkins, 29, of 709 Highland Street, Martinsville, was charged with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony. He was jailed without bond. No additional charges will be placed against Lampkins at this stage of the investigation.

According to online court records, Lampkins was convicted of murder in Martinsville Circuit Court on April 16, 2004, in connection with an offense on May 15, 2002. According to a Feb. 11, 2003, Martinsville Bulletin article, Lampkins, then 15, and then of 5053 Martin Lane, Axton, was one of several people charged in the fatal shooting of Martinsville High School athlete Delvin Hairston.

That slaying occurred several hours after Hairston helped the Martinsville High School track team win the Piedmont District tournament at Laurel Park High School. The shooting was called the result of a long-standing disagreement between groups of young people tied, in part, to school rivalries.

Lampkins sentence in Martinsville Circuit Court on April 16, 2004, on the murder conviction was 20 years in prison, with 17 years and nine months suspended on conditions including a $500 fine, $7,829.03 in costs, and 10 years of supervised probation.

Lampkins was found not guilty of a charge of discharge firearm from motor vehicle in that case.

Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry said Friday that the fatal shooting incident Thursday morning was not related to the 2002 murder.

Perry declined to explain the the domestic-related issue about which Graves and Flood went to the home at 2052 Stoney Mountain Road to confront the occupants of the home about.

Perry said he wouldnt say a final decision has been made that the fatal shooting was self-defense, but it is looking that way. When someone forces his way into a home and has a gun, its not unreasonable to look at self-defense, Perry said. He added that all witnesses statements so far are consistent with self-defense.

Henry County Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Nester declined to discuss some aspects of the case because it is under investigation.

Joan Ziglar, former Martinsville commonwealths attorney, said a person has a right to defend himself but the amount of force used must be reasonable and not excessive in relation to the perceived threat. For example, if you did not bring on the fight or difficulty and someone approaches you with a firearm, you have a right to defend yourself with equal force, according to Ziglar.

Virginia jury instructions involving self-defense in homicide cases say:

 If you believe that the defendant was without fault in provoking or bringing on the (fight; difficulty), and if you further believe that the defendant reasonably feared, under the circumstances as they appeared to him, that he was in danger of being killed or that he was in danger of great bodily harm, then the killing was in self-defense, and you shall find the defendant not guilty.

 If the evidence that the defendant was to some degree at fault in provoking or bringing on the (fight, difficulty), but when attacked: (1) he retreated as far as he safely could under the circumstances; and (2) in a good faith attempted to abandon the fight; and (3) made known his desire for peace by word or act; and (4) he reasonably feared, under the circumstances as they appeared to him, that he was in danger of being killed or that he was in danger of great bodily harm, and that the killing may have been in self-defense, so you have a reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant, you shall find the defendant not guilty.

According to a Henry County Sheriffs Office news release, Flood was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was jailed without bond.

Anyone having information about the fatal shooting incident Thursday is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriffs Office at 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2,500 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.

Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin and can be reached at paul.collinsville@martinsvillebulletin.com.
TODAYS WORD is eximious (eg-ZIM-ee-uhs). Example: He was praised for his valliant and eximious behavior in the face of danger.

FRIDAYS WORD was ortanique (or-tan-nik). It is a hybrid of an orange and a tangerine. Example: The family tried something new for Thanksgiving this year, introducing ortaniques on the menu.

Having observed Veterans Day on Friday, the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia urges people to be careful when donating to charities for veterans. According to a news release from the organization, there are more than 45,000 organizations in the United States to choose from.

To help donors make informed decisions about their donations, the BBB offers the following tips:

 -- Get the charitys exact name. With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of charities have veteran in their name, for example, but no connection with one another.

 -- Resist pressure to give on the spot, whether from a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor.

 -- Be wary of heart-wrenching appeals. What matters is what the charity is doing to help.

 -- Check with state charity officials. In many states, charities are required to register before soliciting. In Virginia you can search the database at: vdacs.virginia.gov. Click on consumers and then charitable solicitations.

 -- Press for specifics. If the charity says its helping the homeless, for example, ask how and where its working.

 -- Check websites for basics. A charitys mission, program and finances should be available on its site. If not, check for a report at www.give.org.

 -- Dont assume that every soliciting organization is tax exempt as a charity. You can readily check an organizations tax status at apps.irs.gov/app/eos/

If youre anything like some members of the Martinsville Bulletin staff, you cant wait until Christmas. One of the best ways to get in the spirit is Piedmont Arts annual Holiday Pops Concert. This year, the show will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Broadway star Joy Lynn Jacobs will again perform with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the auditorium at Martinsville High School. Tickets cost $25 for reserved seats, $15 for adults and $5 for students; they may be purchased at Piedmont Arts, 215 Starling Ave., Martinsville, by calling (276) 632-3221, or online at piedmontarts.org.

Holidays are here

The Bulletins Accent Department is now accepting submissions for its Holiday Activities Guide. If you would like your churchs or non-profit organizations holiday events included, please send the information to accent@martinsvillebulletin.com of (fax) 638-7409 by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

TRIVIA QUESTION: The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade has been held in some form since 1924, when it was called a Christmas parade. In what year were the giant balloons added to the lineup?

FRIDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: With the kettle campaign starting, lets turn to the Salvation Army. What year was the kettle campaign started? Why was it started? According to the Salvation Army, the campaign began in 1891 in San Francisco. Salvation Army Capt. Joseph McFee wanted to feed the people of San Francisco a free Christmas dinner, and needed the funds to do it. He recalled Simpsons Pot at Stage Landing, which is what passers-by would drop money into to help the poor. He placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street, and put a sign beside it reading Keep the Pot Boiling. Six years later, the idea spread to the Boston area. Today, in the U.S., the Salvation Army assists more than 4.5 million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
On Being Italian.jpg

(The Republican photo)

Romola 'Mimi' Rigali and Joseph Carvalho will be on hand Saturday to sign and discuss the new book "On Being Italian: A Story of Food, Family and Faith."

The event will be held at the Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., South Hadley from 4 to 6 p.m. and will feature a special treat for attendees. The book is the latest in The Republican's Heritage Series, developed by executive editor, Wayne E. Phaneuf.

"On Being Italian" traces the history of Italian immigration in Western Massachusetts, stories of heroic families who settled here, well-known athletes, successful business entrepreneurs, politicians and educators in the region among many others.

Phaneuf has been a writer, editor and historian for over 45 years. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, he has written and contributed to more than 10 books and developed The Republican Heritage Series to further understanding the history of ethnic groups throughout Western Massachusetts. Other books have highlighted Irish, Hispanic, African American and other groups.

Rigali is a former managing editor at The Republican where she worked for over 30 years. Now a freelance editor and writer, she delights in her Italian heritage from which she developed and wrote many articles in the full-color publication. She is a graduate of Regis College and attended the University of Rome, Italy.

Carvalho has written or served as editor of over 40 historical, genealogical and reference materials including "The Guide to the History of Massachusetts." He has served as an author and editor for The Republican's Heritage Book Series.

Highlights of the full-color, 296-page book include historical pictures of Springfield's iconic South End by celebrated photographer, James Langone, features on Italian food establishments, servicemen, social clubs, historical high points and more.

For more information, please contact the Odyssey Bookshop, located at 9 College St., South Hadley, at 413-534-7307 or visit odysseybks.com

The hardcover books are available at The Republican offices at 1860 Main St. in Springfield or online at pediment.com/collections/the-republican-books
BOSTON - If you were within a 25 mile radius of Boston Saturday night, chances are you were probably wondering where all the screaming you were hearing was coming from. This is satirically speaking of course, but inside the Agganis Arena where Troye Sivan brought his Suburbia tour on Saturday night, it certainly felt like the screams from the crowd would carry on not just through the city, but down the east coast.

Sivan's performance at the iconic Boston University complex marks his first headlining arena performance in America, notably a successful one as well with hardly an empty seat in the house.

Before the performance, a quick walk through the streets surrounding the arena showed the remains of blankets, pillows, drinks, snacks and other assorted goods, seemingly at first glance the likes of vagabond types. Later investigation however, revealed that many of the eager concert-goers actually took the opportunity to camp out the night before in hopes of possibly meeting Troye, and getting an ideal spot in line before the concert.

Troye takes the opportunity in his performance to bring a positive light and inspiration to his fans, who are seemingly just as important to him as his music. A prominent member and voice in the LGBTQ community, he took a moment to address the current political climate in the country. "I understand it's a scary time for many of you... just know that no matter what happens in the future, you are loved, I love you, everyone here loves you. I just want this to be a place of acceptance tonight!"

Dedicating his next song "Heaven" to the crowd, they responded, using the colored paper placed under the seats before the show combined with the flashlights on their phones to create a glowing rainbow across the arena.

While his backing band is mainly stationary, his incredible stage presence leaves nothing to be desired from his performance. Consistently dancing and interacting with his fans throughout, his set lasting just over an hour seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.

Troye's most recent addition to his discography, Blue Neighbourhood, debuted in December of last year and immediately received the 2015 title of #1 album of 2015 by the Associated Press. The following world tour, of which he is currently on the American leg, has been wildly successful, with sold out dates across the globe.

Troye is supported throughout his tour by british recording artist Dua Lipa, who put on a well received performance of bits and pieces from her upcoming self-titled debut album which is set to release in 2017. Her leading single "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" was just released by Warner Brothers for radio play and has reached the Top 40 charts in the United States, the corresponding music video has over 14 million views on YouTube.

The Suburbia tour continues on for a two night stint at Terminal 5 in New York City on Monday and Tuesday nights before coming to a close on Nov. 18 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Ga.

Check out photos from the show above, and for more information about Troye Sivan and Dua Lipa, visit their official websites.
Police lights

(Associated Press)

WILLIMANTIC, CT - Connecticut State Police are asking for help to locate two men who are believed to be connected with a Saturday morning homicide in the central part of the state.

Juan Chach, 24, and Ignacio Chach-Aperez, 26, have been identified as "persons of interest" in the homicide that happened at 38 Pulaski Court, police said.

"It is believed they are no longer in the Willimantic area," State Police said.

At about 3 a.m., Willimantic Police responded to a call of a disturbance and found a victim suffering from serious injuries. They provided first aid until emergency medical services arrived and pronounced the man dead, police said.

The name of the victim has not been released until family members can be notified, police said.

The two men were seen running from the scene. They are described as Hispanic males wearing baggy clothing and one of may be injured and is bleeding, police said.

State Troopers from Troop K-Colchester responded and assisted Willimantic Police with securing the scene and searching the area. State Police K9 teams also assisted in searching for evidence and suspects.

The State's Attorney's Office, state police detectives from Eastern District Major Crime and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are all assisting Willimantic Police with the investigation, police said.

Anyone who believes they have any information about the homicide or the two possible suspects is asked to contact Eastern District Major Crime Detectives at 860-896-3230 or text TIP711 to 274637. All calls and texts will remain confidential.
cathychandler.jpg

Cathy Chandler is a licensed clinical social worker with Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts.

(Anne-Gerard Flynn photo)

SPRINGFIELD - No one likes to age, but aging even for senior citizens can be a productive and rewarding time.

It can also be a time of life when people, as in other chapters of life, need help with transitions and with juggling responsibilities, as in being an adult child caregiver to a parent whose once independent lifestyle is challenged by aging.

"I have people just working into retirement and struggling with what that means, and I have people in their 90s," said Cathy Chandler, a licensed clinical social worker with Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts.

Chandler counsels people at JFS' offices at 1160 Dickinson St., as well as older adults in their homes, including assisted living settings. She also facilitates a support group for caregivers in the Springfield area, and one for those in the Northampton area that meets at the Northampton Council of Aging & Senior Center, 67 Conz St., Northampton.

"I have people caring for parents, people caring for spouses and at one point, someone caring for a sibling," Chandler said. She added support group participants represent a variety of ages and include "people in their 50s and 60s, caring for an even older adult and there is a lot of stress that comes with that."

Chandler said the newly retired or about to retire sometimes seek counseling for "adjustment issues."

"Sometimes there is baggage that comes with retirement. Things you have to work through," Chandler said.

She added that "talk therapy can provide a place that is safe - where you can say the things you are thinking and don't even know you are thinking - and be heard."

"Therapy can help an individual see what it is that they are actual saying and struggling with. It might be a fear they won't have social contact anymore because the work environment was social. So, how do we put that in place ahead of time. Can you make sure you have a lunch set up with your colleagues?," said Chandler of possible issues and solutions raised with retirement.

"Or, it might be, 'Am I now going to be expected to take care of my grand kids?' Some people will say: 'I can't wait. Now that I am retired, I get to take care of my grandchildren.' Somebody else may say, 'They are going to use and abuse me if I retire.'"

She added, "Downsizing and what that means to people can be an adjustment issue too."

Chandler said the end result of counseling is to help someone identify and say "what the challenge is" and how they may want to address it.

"So much of what we do to ourselves is out of a belief that we are unique and alone in our mishugas (way of looking at life). So, it helps to have someone to say, yes, that is a normal way of processing it. Feelings aren't Moby-Dick (evil). Feelings are feelings," she said.

Chandler said the losses that aging brings tend to raise issues around companionship and productivity for many people, and how well people cope as they reach further into their senior years often depends on what support they have in their lives.

"There are people who age with resilience, healthfully with a good open heart and with a lot of support and aging can be a wonderful thing. Then there are others. Not so resilient maybe. Not so much support and it becomes a cycle of loss," Chandler said.

"Everyone around them has died. Their children, their siblings, their friends and they don't know how to make friends again, or they don't have the opportunity to make friends again and they are isolated in that way."

She added fitting in can be challenging "whether someone is in an independent living or assisted living" facility.

"Where people are all together a very middle-school like mentality tends to develop. This is my seat, these are my friends," said Chandler, adding "walking into a dining room by yourself is a really difficult thing."

Her advice to the newcomer in such a situation is: "You don't need a group of friends. You start with one."

She added that for people living on their own but no longer driving "transportation can be a huge issue" and "for people who led, or prided themselves on a productive life, they have no productivity now."

"They will say that I don't matter. What I do doesn't matter. That for me is the most powerful part," said Chandler, faulting "our society" to some extent.

"We don't know what to do about that because we have a lot of elders - and we are going to get there - who could still be productive in some way and feel good about that. Yet, they have nothing to do and no where to get there if there was something to do. Transportation is a huge issue."

Chandler said "when to ask for help and what does help mean" can become another adjustment issue for people living on their own.

"Adjusting to having someone come in is about changing the mentality of the person who is going to get help. From my perspective, this isn't about taking away your independence, but about giving you as much independence as possible. If this person comes in to help then you can stay," said Chandler about how she discusses the issue of additional help in the home.

Chandler added that she tries with her older clients to focus on "what strengths did they have."

"How do we build on the things that got you this far," Chandler said of her approach.

"You are 86 years old. You got here. That is a huge accomplishment. There are strengths there. You work on those and try to build that up. It is knowing that there are things available so if you want to do that let's see how we can get your there."

Chandler added that with older clients, "It really is about trying to find what still could give you joy and working toward helping them find that or be comfortable not."

Chandler said the issue of "not wanting to be a burden" especially to their adult children is important to many older adults, while the adult children, often raised to put their needs first by their parents' generation, struggle to accommodate the needs of their aging parents, particularly those who want care from them.

"It would be lovely if everyone had a supportive, loving, intact family, and some people do and that is terrific. But not everyone does and being a burden is huge, even for people with very supportive families," Chandler said.

"Sometimes it is harder for people with very supportive families because they are very insistent on not wanting to be a burden, while some people want to be taken care of and that struggle of having children who were in a sense brought up, and I am talking about 60-year-old children, who were brought up to come first and now all of a sudden that role is reversed. They are put in the position of having someone to take care of. Being able to do that without resentment, with love, whatever that means is huge."

Situations and solutions vary in complexity, but Chandler said counseling can help "an older adult to be able identify what it is they are asking for, what it is that they need."

"I have somebody whose son comes pretty religiously every Sunday and they have breakfast together. As he starts to leave she will ask him maybe to change a light bulb. She is 90 something and an amazing women," Chandler said.

"But she doesn't know what she needs to do to ask. She loves his company. That is a big part of it. She doesn't want to lose that and is afraid of stepping on toes, and she doesn't necessarily want somebody to think of her as not being able to do what she could once do."

Chandler said communication is key as aging changes roles change in life.

"Often what you will see is an attentive child who doesn't know what to do unless you ask. They will be happy to do what you want if you ask," said Chandler who suggested her 90-year-old client "make a list."

"Let's make a list that we can give to him at the beginning, so he knows exactly what you need by the end of the visit. A lot of it is just about the adjustment," said Chandler of what the woman now does.

"You don't change a personality in therapy, but we move toward what we think - that is how we function as human beings," Chandler said.

She added, "A lot of what we do in therapy is changing the thought behind it."

"It takes work. It is changing what we say to ourselves, so we can move toward that. If I think, 'I am afraid I am not going to get to the gym. I am going to be too tired.' Am I going to get to the gym? Absolutely not," Chandler said.

"You have just decided you are not going. What we want to do is change that voice to 'I love going to the gym. I feel so much better when I go to the gym,' and every time that other thought comes in you have to say, 'I love the gym.' You don't make a lie. You find the truth that is positive in whatever that statement is."

Chandler termed the need for more respite care for those who provide care for another a "huge issue across the country." She is able to provide in-home counseling to caregivers who can't leave the elder adult for whom they care unattended.

"Providing care for someone is almost always at the expense of yourself," Chandler said.

"You don't have time to go to the doctor, because you are busy taking someone else to the doctor. Someone asks how you are doing and you say, 'My mom is having such a hard day.' You totally get lost in this role. Having some kind of respite. Having someone come in. It is huge. People are exhausted."

What she hears in the caregiver support groups, Chandler said, is often "sibling strife because the one in the group is the one typically doing most of the care."

"You are the one who lives two hours away, and the one who lives 20 minutes away is the one who isn't doing anything. There is a lot of other sibling responsibility that comes up. How do you divide care and responsibility equitably if you can," Chandler said.

"There are strategies we talk about and things we can concretely offer but a lot of it is hearing that you are not alone in that. Your sister doesn't do anything either? She sabotages everything also? The normalization of feelings is a lot of what a support group does. It helps to hear someone else is feeling that way."

Chandler said caregivers, too, think about their future when their loved one is gone.

"Their feeling of a lack of a life for themselves. The lost of whoever that is even if the person is still there. This could be because of dementia or wondering what is life going to be like when I am not doing this. You go on that cliff, this has been my life. I have been doing this for 10 years. It becomes an investment at some point because this is what you do and you have a fear of that loss."

Chandler added some caregivers face "wanting something so much for someone else who doesn't want it for themselves," while others seek understanding for what they cannot do.

"The adult child is here wanting desperately for their parent to go to the senior center. They know they would love it, and there is this resistance to do that. They want - from someone who wants to live with them - the understanding that I can't do that. They want the person to accept that. It is dealing with feelings of guilt, resentment and love."

Chandler said she feels some people heading into retirement today "have it better than the generation before us in at least one aspect."

"We were brought up with the idea of hobbies or things other than our work that gave us pleasure. When you think about a gentleman in his late 80s, he had one job statistically, had little time with his family and no friends and no hobbies. It was a very different generation. He probably was interested in sports, but he probably watched it on television. It is a very different generation that way statistically," Chandler said.

"When you think of someone now in their 60s who went to a health club or went to committees or had three different jobs, their worlds were a little bit more expansive. They were able to travel a little more because travel was easier, so they are richer in their existence. We are also a generation with a louder voice and so maybe when we are in assisted living we might be able to say more about what would be more helpful. What we would want whatever that is."

However, the fact that people are living longer, Chandler noted, raises ethical and moral concerns in terms of "what quality of life is and how to give quality of life." She said many older adults are anxious, "worried about everything," while she believes the next generation of older adults may face more issues with depression.

"We are more narcissistic today and this is a set up for depression in the sense that if you don't get what you had then you are going to be upset about that," Chandler said.

"The positive is that we are much more a generation to reach out and get mental health, so maybe you can get that faster. This generation is anxious. They have lived different kinds of things than our generation. Yes, many are depressed but many more are anxious. They are worried about everything. That wears on your body."

She added, "Some people don't have resilience."

"That is the hugest thing that allows us to age healthfully. The ability to bounce back from whatever and how one does that is sort of the measure of how we are going to do as we age," Chandler said.

"Building up our ability to bounce back and to take strength from the times we do that and to hold that is the best thing we can do for ourselves. You will see that. Someone will have on paper the same experience and how they perceive that experience is hugely different. The glass half empty and glass half full concept, and those people who can see positively and can hold that do better."
Protesters plan on gathering at noon in Springfield's Court Square to protest the racially charged campaign of President-elect Donald Trump.

Over 1,000 people have indicated on Facebook that they will attend the protest, which is expected to include a march to historic sites around downtown Springfield.

With the demonstration, Springfield will join cities including Boston, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, which have all seen large-scale protests since Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the presidential election Tuesday night.

The majority of the protests have been nonviolent, with thousands of demonstrators holding signs and chanting "Not my president!" and other slogans. On Saturday, over 200 people gathered peacefully near City Hall in Worcester, holding signs reading "Hate has no place in America" and "Love thy neighbor."

But some have veered toward chaos. Dozens of protesters in Portland were arrested Thursday night after allegedly smashing windows, setting a dumpster ablaze and throwing objects at police. And two 18 year olds, described by police as having gang ties, were arrested in connection with the nonfatal shooting of a protester in Portland early Saturday morning.

On Facebook, organizers noted that the goal of the protest is not to contest Trump's election, which they recognize is final. Rather, demonstrators will peacefully voice opposition to Trump and his campaign's racially and sexually oppressive agenda, organizers said.

Springfield Police Capt. Cheryl Clapprood said she did not believe the protesters had been in contact with the department, but that police were aware of the demonstration and would have officers on hand.

MassLive will be providing live coverage of the protests, both on our Facebook page and through our reporters' Twitter feeds below.
Vermont State Police cruiser

(Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police)

VERSHIRE, VT - A hunter was taken to the hospital after he is believed to have shot himself in the foot early Sunday morning.

Patrick Dixon, 47, of West Chazy, New York, was with a group of family and friends who were preparing to enter woods in the area of Reed Road when he was injured, Vermont State Police said.

"Preliminary information suggests that while completing final preparations after being dropped off, Patrick sustained a self-inflicted accidental gunshot wound to his right foot," police said.

He was helped by friends and family to a nearby home. There emergency medical personnel brought him to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center by ambulance for treatment.

This shooting is being investigated by Game Wardens and State Police detectives. There is no safety risk to the public, police said.
WILLIMANTIC

, Conn. Police in Willimantic, Conn. are searching for two men witnesses said ran from the scene of a Saturday morning homicide.

The Hartford Courant reported that police responded to a report of a disturbance at 38 Pulaski Court at about 3 a.m. Saturday, to find a male victim suffering from apparent life-threatening injuries. Medical personnel later pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Police have not specified how the victim was killed. A determination of the cause of death will be made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Witnesses told police two men ran from the scene and one appeared to have been injured and bleeding.

At the request of the Willimantic Police Chief and the state's attorney, the investigation into the homicide will be conducted by Connecticut State Police detectives attached to the Eastern District Major Crime Unit.
73 West Main St. Ware, Mass.

The 73 West Main St. home in Ware was destroyed by fire in May 2015; the owner did not have insurance on the building

(Republican file photo)

WARE -- Voters at Monday's special Town Meeting will be asked to appropriate $70,000 to purchase and raze a home destroyed by fire back in 2015.

The owner of the home at 73 West Main St. did not have insurance on the building.

Town officials have been perplexed on what to do, saying it is an eyesore and questioning whether it is wise to pay for its demolition.

Selectmen voted 4-1 to recommend spending the money at their most recent meeting, but the Finance Committee and town manager recommended against the $70,000 cost.

"This article would fund the cost of removal of the house at 73 West Main St., which burned in 2015 and poses a health and safety concern," the Town Meeting packet states, adding: "The article will allow the town to acquire the property in order to demolish the building."

The special town meeting at Ware High School auditorium begins at 7 p.m. A quorum of 100 is required to conduct business.
yes.jpg

Michael Siciliano holds a No on question 2 sign outside the E.N. White School in Holyoke on election morning. (Dave Roback / The Republican)

In Tuesday's election Massachusetts voters sent a strong message on ballot Question 2 -- rejecting a proposal that would have allowed the state to approve up to 12 new or expanded charter schools a year - despite strong support from Gov. Charlie Baker and significant advertising dollars behind a "Yes" vote.

Several school districts across the state with existing charters -- including Somerville, Easthampton, Hadley, South Hadley, Greenfield, Holyoke and Adams/Cheshire -- viewed the charter school expansion most negatively, rejecting the proposal by a 70-30 margin on average vs. the statewide 62-38 margin.

Adams-Cheshire Regional School District -- comprising Cheshire Elementary, C.T. Plunkett Elementary School and Hoosac Valley Middle & High School -- was, at the start of fiscal 2016 planning, stuck with a "$1 million budget deficit, and already weighs in at about $1,500 below the state average for per pupil spending," according to The Berkshire Eagle.



Meanwhile, Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (BArT) -- located in downtown Adams, the heart of ACRSD -- siphoned as much as $700,000 from the ACRSD budget in fiscal 2015 and $894,000 more by the end of fiscal 2016.



Under a reimbursement formula, the state pays school districts 100 percent of per pupil revenue lost to charters in the first year and 25 percent for the next five years. This reimbursement softened the blow ACRSD would have suffered in fiscal 2016 by $119,000.

Even with a 2015 Proposition 2.5 override in Cheshire -- approved by a 65-percent majority in this rural community with a significant senior population -- the district needed to slash 12.5 teachers just to keep the fiscal 2016 budget flat.

Home to more than 230 students and 50-plus staff Cheshire Elementary School now faces a shut-down, which some school officials view as inevitable, despite the willingness of the residents to approve a tax increase in order to help the Cheshire Elementary School.

"We're always willing to give a little more to help the school," said longtime Selectwoman Carol Francesconi, in a MassLive interview Thursday.



Many town and school officials have repeatedly and directly blamed ACRSD's perennial budget problems on the elephant in the room: BArT. It's not the only factor straining budgets, but is certainly seen as the most unfair.



The officials also believe this view is why Adams and Cheshire voted so strongly against ballot Question 2 -- which proposed lifting the cap on charter schools -- in Tuesday's election.

"I would say it had something to do with it, absolutely," Adams-Cheshire Business Administrator Erika Snyder said Thursday.



The district's annual loss to BArT closely mirrors "the amount (ACRSD is) in deficit" each year, said Cheshire Elementary School Principal Peter Bachli. The $10,000-plus annual dollar figure attached to every student follows them out of their home school districts and goes to any other school they choose to attend.



Added Synder, "We've reiterated and stressed in all of our budget presentations the impact that (the charter school) has on our budget. We could be doing a great deal more with that money. I don't know how anyone can say (charter schools) aren't taking from the public school systems. The numbers are clear and direct and I'm watching the money go out (of the budget)."



BArT, on the other hand, in 2015 completed a $4.5 million expansion -- increasing the building's size by 25 percent -- and lifted its cap to admit more students, potentially siphoning more money away from local public schools.



Julia Bowen, Executive Director of BArT, told MassLive she wished the state reimbursed school districts more for students they lose to charters, to reduce the "tension" between charter and public schools.



"I wish there was a way to better fund (reimbursements)," Bowen said. "What I personally care about is providing families with another option. I wish money didn't have to get in the way."



She added, "I understand that it's difficult. But these districts are no longer serving the students (who attend charters), so they shouldn't be receiving money to serve those students."

The strong "No" votes in Adams and Cheshire conformed to a pattern observed by MassLive in the Question 2 returns generally.

It wasn't true in every case -- notably in Eastern Massachusetts, where opposition was not as strong as in the rest of the state -- but almost all of the fiercest Question 2 opponents were cities and towns whose public schools are losing money to charter schools.



Easthampton topped all Massachusetts municipalities in the strength of its opposition -- 76.2 percent voted " No," or 7,324 against 2,290 "Yes" votes -- and that city will lose $940,000 to its charter school, Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School, in fiscal 2016.



"It comes right off the top," Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux said Thursday. "If you're saying it doesn't cost us anything, then you need to explain why I'm $940,000 short."



Hadley and South Hadley also followed the pattern, voting "no" to the tune of 73.7 and 68.9 percent. South Hadley contains Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School and Hadley houses Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School.



Despite being located in Eastern Massachusetts, where opposition to Question 2 was not as high as in the rest of the state, Somerville also voted strongly against Question 2, with 71.2 percent of voters opposed. The city houses Prospect Hill Academy Charter School.



Greenfield, where Four Rivers Charter Public School makes its home, voted against Question 2 by 71 percent. In Holyoke, which contains Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School, 66 percent opposed.



One exception was Chelsea, which voted at a comparatively low general opposition of 55.2 percent, and contains the charter school Excel Academy.



"I can understand in big cities, maybe, where some public schools leave something to be desired, but here everybody sees the charter school taking money from the public schools, and without it the kids in the public schools would be getting better," Francesconi said.



Bachli said, "Community members and parents I talk to want to fight for the resources to improve the public schools we already have rather than opening more schools."



He added, "It's as if the refrigerator light went out and instead of fixing it you bought a new refrigerator."



Bowen pointed out that home districts lose student revenue to vocational and technical schools and when students choice into another district, but charters seem to bring about the most angst.



"(ACRSD's) budget is in trouble anyway. that could be why they are even more upset about us," she said. "The reality is if we weren't around they would be struggling mightily with their budget anyway."



Both Bachli and Cadieux said either state reimbursements need to increase or a the transfer of per pupil revenue to different schools when students leave their home districts should stop entirely, in favor of a new paradigm.



"(Charter schools do) negatively impact the budgets of the districts they are housed in, and is seen by residents as a problem," Bachli said.



Cadieux added, "The whole issue should never have been about raising the cap and allowing more charter schools. We're not even at the cap now. It should have been about changing the way charter schools are funded and held accountable."
In this photo taken on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, a woman sits next to her home with coals packed on her fire place, in the West Point area that has been hit hard by the Ebola virus, with residents not allowed to leave West Point, as government forces clamp down on movement to prevent the spread of Ebola, in Monrovia, Liberia. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa eventually could exceed 20,000 cases, more than six times as many as are now known, the World Health Organization said Thursday. A new plan released by the U.N. health agency to stop Ebola also assumes that the actual number of cases in many hard-hit areas may be two to four times higher than currently reported.( AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)

People stand on the shoreline near a sign reading 'NO DUMPING', amongst rubbish at West Point, a area heavily effected by the Ebola virus, with residence not being allowed to leave West Point, as government forces clamp down on movement to prevent the spread of Ebola, in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Health officials in Liberia said the other two recipients of ZMapp in Liberia i a Congolese doctor and a Liberian physician's assistant, have recovered. Both are expected to be discharged from an Ebola treatment center on Friday, said Dr. Moses Massaquoi, a Liberian doctor with the treatment team. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)

People gather as officials hand out food aid at West Point, an area that has been hit hard by the Ebola virus, with local residents not allowed to leave the West Point area, as government forces clamp down on movement to prevent the spread of Ebola, in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Health officials in Liberia said the other two recipients of ZMapp in Liberia, a Congolese doctor and a Liberian physician's assistant, have recovered. Both are expected to be discharged from an Ebola treatment center on Friday, said Dr. Moses Massaquoi, a Liberian doctor with the treatment team.(AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)

FILE - This Aug. 12, 2014 file photo shows a healthcare worker walking near a Ebola isolation unit wearing protective gear against the virus at Kenema Government Hospital in Kenema, Sierra Leone. Federal researchers next week will start testing humans with an experimental vaccine to prevent the deadly Ebola virus. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Thursday that it is launching the safety trial on a vaccine developed by the agencyis National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and GlaxoSmithKline. They will test 20 healthy adult volunteers to see if the virus is safe and triggers an adequate response in their immune systems. (AP Photo/ Michael Duff, File)

Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General, speaks to the media during a press conference about the WHO briefing on the Ebola roadmap. It outlines all actions that need to be taken by affected countries and partners to bring an end to the largest and most complex recorded Ebola outbreak in history, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, August 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Keystone/Martial Trezzini)

By Associated Press,John Heilprin,Krista Larson

GENEVA (AP)  The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is accelerating and could grow six times larger to infect as many as 20,000 people, the World Health Organization said Thursday. The U.N. health agency unveiled a new road map for containing the virus, and scientists are fast-tracking efforts to find a treatment or vaccine.

Ebola has menaced Africa for 40 years, but previously struck in remote villages and was contained fairly quickly. This time, it has spread to major cities in four countries, provoking unrest as whole neighborhoods and towns have been sealed to the outside.

An experimental vaccine developed by the U.S. government and GlaxoSmithKline will be tested on humans starting next week, the U.S. National Institutes of Health announced Thursday. The NIH trial will use healthy adult volunteers in Maryland, and British experts will simultaneously test the same vaccine in healthy people in the U.K., Gambia and Mali.

Preliminary results on the vaccine's safety  not its effectiveness  could be available in months.

Scientists also announced that they have mapped the genetic code of this strain of Ebola to better understand how it kills. In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, researchers traced an explosion of cases in this outbreak to a single funeral in Guinea in May.

They hope to use the genetic mapping to track mutations that could become more worrisome the longer the outbreak lasts, and make a difference in how doctors spot and fight the disease as vaccines are developed.

The outbreak has now killed at least 1,552 people among 3,069 reported cases in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria, and the real caseload in urban areas could be two to four times higher. Meanwhile, an entirely separate Ebola outbreak has killed 13 of 42 people sickened in a remote area of Congo, in Central Africa, the agency said.

With about a 50 percent mortality rate among those known to be infected, the overall death toll could reach 10,000 in the worst-case scenario.

"I think that's completely unacceptable," said the agency's emergency operations director, Dr. Bruce Aylward.

The WHO's new plan would cost $489 million to support 750 international health workers and 12,000 national ones. It aims to:

 stop Ebola transmission in affected countries within six to nine months

 prevent the spread of any new infections within eight weeks of a case being identified anywhere in the world

 and improve the public health responses to Ebola in any nation with major transportation hubs or borders shared with affected countries.

With the world's support, medical workers hope to take "the heat out of this outbreak" within three months, Aylward said.

The U.N. agency's announcement was immediately criticized by Doctors Without Borders, a medical charity running many of the treatment centers in West Africa.

"The WHO road map is welcome, but it should not give a false sense of hope. A plan needs to be acted upon. Huge questions remain," the charity's operations director, Bruce de le Vingne, said in a statement. "States with the capacity to help have the responsibility to mobilize resources to the affected countries, rather than watching from the sidelines with a naive hope that the situation will improve."

Containment is key, but it has to be done carefully, in ways that don't cause panic or hamper the response, the agency said.

The WHO has supported the quarantine of sick people, and said cordoning off entire neighborhoods can be useful, as long as civil rights are respected. But it has called on airlines to resume flights to affected countries, since Ebola is unlikely to spread through air travel. Health checks at airports should provide sufficient protection while still enabling humanitarian workers to get in.

"Right now there is a super risk of the response effort being choked off, being restricted, because we simply cannot get enough seats on enough airplanes to get people in and out, and rotating, to get goods and supplies in and out and rotating," Aylward said.

Ebola and the measures used to control it are making it harder for some of the world's poorest people to feed themselves and seek medical care. Many thousands of people have been cut off from markets; food prices have soared and farmers are separated from their fields. People now fearing hospitals are going without treatment for other diseases, like malaria, which kills around 600,000 each year, 90 percent of them in Africa.

The World Food Program says it needs $70 million immediately to help feed 1.3 million people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the coming months because control measures have threatened food supplies.

Nigerian authorities, meanwhile, confirmed their first fatality outside the commercial capital of Lagos, where a dying Liberian-American airline passenger infected others in late July. They said a man sickened after coming into contact with the passenger had evaded surveillance and infected a doctor in southern Nigeria, who later died.

---

Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Seth Borenstein in Washington; Bashir Adigun in Abuja, Nigeria; Sarah DiLorenzo in Dakar; and Maria Cheng in London contributed to this report.
Old Fort Elementary held a school-wide mock election on Monday, Nov. 7. Students went to the polling booths in the auditorium, chose a candidate, placed their ballot in our ballot box and received an I Voted sticker. I believe that teaching our students the importance of exercising their voting rights is important, said kindergarten teacher Taylor Bartlett. We had a total of 363 votes cast. Our student broadcasters announced election facts on the morning announcements each morning for a week prior to our mock election. The results of the mock election were Donald Trump with 269 votes, Hillary Clinton with 93 and one write-in.
On November 10, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov gave an interview to the Russian news agency Interfax.ru on Russia-U.S .relations and on the US presidential elections. The interview created a lot of interest in the U.S. media, which claimed that Ryabkov stated that Moscow had contacts with the Trump team during the electoral campaign. However, the U.S. media appears to have selectively translated Ryabkov's statements and sometimes took parts out of context.

Below are excerpts from Ryabkov's interview with Interfax:[1]



Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (Source: Russianembassy.org)

'There Are People Who Are So Suspicious Of Russia That They Attempt To Discern Something Else There'

Q: "Have we had contacts or are we going to establish contacts with Trump's associates or with Trump himself?"

Ryabkov: "We are working on it and we worked on it during the election campaign. Of course, people who are part of his inner circle are known to us, for the most part. They are people who have always been in the limelight in the USA, who occupied very important positions. Some of them, though not all, maintained contacts with Russian representatives.

"The problem at the current moment is that stating such seemingly obvious things, such natural circumstances, has all of a sudden become a topic of some odd discussions and speculations. No sooner had the Russian president congratulated Trump than the talking heads on European and American TV channels began speculating 'what it means, why it was like that, and what would have happened had it not been this way,' etc. It's not normal. The diplomatic protocol and centuries-old etiquette dictate that a congratulatory, welcoming message is sent in a situation like this. Certain ideas are added to the congratulations, confirming, in this case, as Vladimir Putin did, our readiness to normalize, to further develop our relations. Dmitri Medvedev did the same in his congratulatory message to [Vice President -elect Mike]Pence. It's normal. Yet, there are people who are so suspicious of Russia that they attempt to discern something else there. How can this be overcome - that's the big question.

"We are not rejecting any opportunity for dialogue and cooperation, and we will be ready to start working in this direction as soon as our American colleagues are ready. But we do not want to hurry, or spur anyone. Everything should be done at a leisurely pace, on the basis of clear tasks that transition teams are now facing. These teams will now be created in all American governmental agencies. They are already being created. Kerry, for instance, mentioned one in the state department.

"So, when Washington, roughly speaking, is ripe, then we will be ready to swing into action straight away."

Q: "Did we have any contacts with Trump's team?"

Ryabkov: "We did."

Q: "And will we have any now? They must be becoming more active?"

Ryabkov: "These are things in the works, and the sequence of actions depends on the situation and the questions we face. We will continue this work after the election, of course."

Endnote:
Russia This Week is a weekly review by the MEMRI Russian Media Studies Project, covering the latest Russia-related news and analysis from media in Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Russian foreign policy comment was not limited exclusively to Donald Trump as the Netherlands, Turkey and Israel also claimed attention. There was even some brave criticism of Putin's appearance before the Valdai Discussion Forum.

Cartoon Of The Week



Vitaly Podvitsky, Ria.ru, November 10, 2016

US Intelligence agents: "We do not understand what he is all about. And that scares me"

Zakharova Dixit

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova is one of the most-quoted Russian officials. She is known for using colorful language when describing Russian foreign policy in her weekly press briefings. The following are Zakharova's quotes of the week:



(Source: Instagram.com/mzakharovamid)

'Improving Bilateral [Russia-U.S.] Relations... Means An Immense Amount Of Work To Be Done By Professionals'

Question: "Does Russia feel optimistic or, perhaps, cautiously optimistic in connection with Donald Trump's election as US President? Will this lead to an improvement in Russian-American relations?"

Maria Zakharova: "...We should understand that improving bilateral relations (and in this case we are speaking not so much about improving relations as about leading them out of a deadlock) means an immense amount of work to be done by professionals. Of course, a dismissive and amateurish approach is out of the question here, because it is indeed a serious task that must be addressed. We are fully ready for this. Moreover, despite all the electioneering, before the vote and the declaration of the returns, we not just sent signals through our representatives or passed unofficial messages, we had a clear position ready, which consisted in that we were ready for cooperation and for developing normal relations and, most importantly, that we understood it was simply criminal to let this runaway train continue on its downhill plunge and watch it gain speed. I am referring not only to the ambitions of certain overseas politicians, who may have felt offended by something, although lacking any real reasons for that. The thing is that it is other people who fall hostage to these ambitions. You can see the slow-down in humanitarian projects (and "slow-down" is a mild word in this context). We see our Western colleagues pay a lot of attention to issues of culture and cultural cooperation. But was there any cultural cooperation in recent years? There were neither the prerequisites, nor the right atmosphere. Neither was there the relevant infrastructure, including legal guarantees. This is just one aspect out of many. I think that people are tired and want to 'shed the old skin' of aggression and lies."

(Mid.ru, November 10)

Quotes Of The Week:

Commenting on Trump's victory, Russian Professor at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Valery Solovei, said: "Putin and Trump are mentally alike. Both of them have this macho image, very muscular. Thus, psychologically they should suit each other. For example, Obama and Putin are total anti -pods. They did not like each other even on the personal level, to put it mildly. So, Putin and Trump may have quite good relations."

(Kp.ru, November 9)

Commenting on recent U.S. Presidential elections, the President of the Moscow-based Russian Center for Policy Research (PIR Center) is a Moscow-based PIR Center President Vladimir Orlov wrote: "It will be a reset in US-Russian relations, no doubt now. Simply because US people voted for it. Don't take me wrong: Russia was the last thing they thought about when they went to vote. But the result is crystal clear: There will be a reset in US dealing with the world. Unpredictable at times. Messy, quite frequently. But it will be a new, refreshing story, and it will affect Russia in this way.

"Will Russian-US relations win from yesterday's vote? Not necessarily. But they would have definitely lost if Hillary would have won. For Russia, it was a choice between 'bad' and 'even worse.' Oh yeah, it could have gone much, much worse from today's very low point.

Starting January 20, opportunities will be there. But both Moscow and Washington should be creative to avoid a messy, fruitless, disappointing reset.

For bilateral arms control, there definitely are positive options now. But no illusions! It would be a hard work, "for which both sides should yet to prepare and express political will. New templates will be needed. Arms control, whether one likes it or not, will be closely linked to other strategic bilateral agenda items.

"But now there is at least some chance, in bilateral strategic relations, to make a turn from crisis management to a dialogue on reducing confrontation."

(Pircenter.org, November 11)

Tweet Of The Week:

RT editor-in-chief and CEO Margarita Simonyan (@M_Simonyan) wrote on her Twitter account: "If Trump recognizes that Crimea is ours, agrees with us on Syria and set Assange free, I'll retire. Because the world will be beautiful."



(Twitter.com/M_Simonyan, November 9)

MI5 Director General Andrew Parker said recently in an interview with the British daily The Guardian that Russia poses an increasing threat to the stability of the UK. Parker said: "It [Russia] is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways - involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5's job to get in the way of that."

(Theguardian.com, November 1)

The Russian Embassy in the UK (@RussianEmbassy) has reacted to the interview in its twitter account as follows: "Director General of MI5 Parker interview for @Guardian: saddened to see a professional trapped to his own propaganda-created world." Underneath the Russian Embassy posted a poster of the1966 DeLuxe Color American Cold War spoof "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming."



(Twitter.com/RussianEmbassy, November 1)

Commenting on Parker's statements, Zakharova wrote on her Facebook account that that she had a question for The MI5 Director: "Does he think that Kremlin was behind the appointment of Boris Johnson as the head of the British Foreign Office?"

(Facebook.com/maria.zakharova.167, November 1)

In The News:

Russia's Reactions To Trump's Victory

See MEMRI Special Dispatch No.6672, Russia's Official Reactions To Trump's Victory - Part I, November 10 2016.

See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 6673, Russia's Official Reactions To Trump's Victory -Part II, November 11, 2016.

Russia-Netherlands Relations

Russia accused a Dutch submarine of spying on the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean. The Russian Ministry of Defense said: "[The Russian] Naval search-and-assault group of large anti-submarine vessels, 'Severomorsk' and 'Vice-Admiral Kulakov,' spotted the diesel-electric submarine (presumably 'Walrus') of the Netherlands' Navy, [which] tried to approach the carrier battle group of the Northern Fleet for monitoring." The Ministry of Defense also said that "awkward attempts to dangerously maneuver in close proximity to the Russian naval group" could lead to "serious navigation accidents."

(Rt.com, November 9)

Russia- Turkey Relations

On November, 1, the Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov met in Moscow with Turkish Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar to discuss regional developments including the Mosul operation and the situation along the Iraq-Turkey border. According to the Ministry of Defense press release this was a constructive meeting: "The sides have a mutual understanding regarding the promotion of further contacts between the General Staff directorates' and contacts at the experts' level".

(Ria.ru, November 1)

Colonel-general (ret.) Leonid Ivashov, President of the Academy of Geopolitical Studies, said: "Obviously, the Turkish General Staff is highly susceptible to the Pentagon and the US in general. We have to tear Turkey away from the adventurous US policy. They are shifting in choosing sides: on the side of the West, on the side of the US or to play an independent game. They try to play independently but they won't succeed. In order to stabilize the Middle East we need close cooperation between Russia, Iran and Turkey. Then we need to drag Egypt and other countries... They need to figure out on what side they play - with the West that is on the way out, or will they play independently with the Eastern forces Russia, Iran, China, India and others."

(Ria.ru, November 1)

Medvedev Visits Israel

On November 10, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Israel, to mark the 25th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Israel and Russia. During his meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Medvedev said:

"The 25th anniversary of restoring relations is a decent amount of time, but we should look ahead.

"Our countries are linked by common values. We have a shared understanding of the outcome of World War II, of the critical importance of the victory over Nazism, and of anti-Semitism and all xenophobia as unacceptable.

"However, we also face common challenges, primarily terrorism. Today it is threatening the whole planet but is particularly pronounced in this region. The Russian Federation also suffers from terror. This terror has the same roots, which is why we must counter it together. I'm referring to the coordination of our efforts to build up security and defence, which has been raised to a completely new level in recent time. The Russian Federation also opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We must work together (and we are ready to cooperate with all interested states) to destroy the core of terrorism, which is currently represented by Daesh or ISIS.

"Israel is our major trade partner in the region but we have done little so far to promote trade, economic and investment cooperation. Today we have signed documents to this end. We are interested not simply in increasing our trade, which went down recently, but in qualitatively changing the character of our relations...."

On November 11, Medvedev also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In an article, published in the Russian government's website, Medvedev wrote: "It is extremely important to expedite the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue in order to finally resolve the issue of the coexistence of two equal states. Moscow will never abandon this position of principle."

(Government.ru, November 10-11)



Medvedev with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (Government.ru)

Medvedev at the Western Wall (Gazeta.ru)

Medvedev with Abbas (Government.ru)

Reactions to Putin's Speech At The Valdai Club

On October 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the final session of the Valdai International Discussion Club's 13th annual meeting in a session lasting three-and-a-half hours.

On October 28, the opposition Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta published an article, by Russian columnist Kirill Martynov, commenting on the recent speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Valdai International Discussion Club's 13th annual meeting. According to Martynov, at the Valdai forum, Putin appeared to be an ambiguous peacemaker. Martynov wrote:

"The 'hawks' are upset, and this is definitely good news. Another good piece of news is that Putin's words [at the Valdai Forum] contradict, at least partially, his own statement made in one of his recent interviews - that he must be what the people want him to be. TV and propaganda experts have convinced Putin for many months that the people want to see him as a military leader waging a global armed struggle against all the forces of the West, and here he refuses to be one.

"The bad news is that the president's speech at the Valdai Discussion Forum, which was initially conceived as an open and modern platform for the exchange of expert opinions, can now be dedicated in all seriousness to such issues as war. Is Russia going to attack other countries? The president answers negatively, but nobody is surprised by the fact that this question is even asked. In this sense, we live up to the expectations of the Russian TV propaganda and even those of The Daily Mail. The word 'war', if you repeat it a thousand times, begins to seem quite ordinary. Another piece of bad news is that the president's line of reasoning is built upon pragmatic concerns only. We cannot win the war with NATO, they have more divisions, i.e. population. Besides, Russia does not have a propaganda machine that could equal that of the West, the president complains. The 'hawks' are having their wings clipped, but only because it's too early to fly? We don't know if this speech was intended for those who have the above-mentioned expectations or if Putin actually thinks this way...

"Putin's warning shout to 'hawks' has one specific feature that makes it stand out - he is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. People who dream about rattling their sabers will find it rather hard to pretend to be civil society or freedom-loving and democratically elected regional administrators. They will have to receive a direct and unequivocal order from the president.

"By the way, his speech hasn't stopped the movement of [the aircraft carrier] Admiral Kuznetsov across the Mediterranean, or the redeployment of the NATO troops, or the war in the Middle East. But what's more important - it has not made the world believe that the sheer madness of warmongers is forever excluded from the international political agenda. Perhaps the question should have been phrased more precisely. If Putin is firmly determined to be what the people want him to be, it is the people who have the right to say an emphatic 'no' to war."

(Novayagazeta.ru, October 28)

Strange But True

Hollywood movie star and martial artist Steven Seagal was granted Russian citizenship and may count on a pension worth about 5,000 rubles (or roughly $80). A representative of Russia's Pension Fund said: "He is entitled to receive a retirement pension but only when he attains the age of 65 and only if he has a registered place of residence in Russia. The minimum pension is about 5,000 rubles. But he will also receive an additional payment to meet the minimum pensioner's living standard in the region where he is registered."

Seagal's family on his father's side originally came from Vladivostok.

(Tass.com, November 3)
Premier Li Keqiangs week-long visit to Eurasian countries drew praise from foreign media, which said the visit has consolidated traditional friendship, pushed forward economic and trade cooperation, and manifested Chinas expanding global influence.

The visit is a historical event

In the Premiers first stop to Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar quoted one of the countrys political critics as saying that Premier Lis visit was to consolidate the strategic partnership between China and Kyrgyzstan, promote the implementation of bilateral cooperation plans, and add new impetus to the development of bilateral relations. The news agency also published an article titled Kyrgyzstan and China  two old friends, which summarized bilateral cooperation in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992.

As for the Premiers visit to Kazakhstan, Russian News Agency TASS, Spanish international news agency EFE and Russian news agency Sputnik all gave coverage about Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayevs saying during his meeting with Premier Li that China is an important strategic partner. Kazakhstan and China, as good neighborly countries, are a model of countries friendly cooperation.

Sputnik reported that Nazarbayev believed all the approved projects between Kazakhstan and China would attain high-quality and innovative implementation.

As this is the first time a Chinese premier has visited Latvia since the two countries established diplomatic ties 25 years ago, Russias Regnum News Agency quoted Latvian Foreign Ministry as saying that it is a historical event. In addition, Latvian economics minister stressed that Latvia will take the chance of the China-CEE summit to seek cooperation opportunities with China.

On the last leg of the Premiers trip to Russia, Russian Newspaper described the 21st China-Russia Prime Ministers Regular Meeting as conducted amid an atmosphere of Russia-China strategic friendship. Sputnik reported that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Premier Li that Russia and China are both partners and allies, and Moscow is prepared to discuss with Beijing any issues of common interest.

Russian News Agency TASS, Russian international news agency RIA Novosti, and Russian daily newspaper Kommersant all covered the China-Russia prime ministers meeting. The United States, Germany and Russia media extended their focus from the major projects concerning energy resources and transportation to the great importance that the two prime ministers attached to the bilateral cooperation on small and medium-sized enterprises.

New highlight of global economic cooperation

Foreign media were also closely concerned with Premier Lis attendance to the 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prime ministers meeting. The SCO has seen booming development, said TASS quoting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko. The SCO is not only helpful for consulting urgent political issues, but also avails to enhance its member countries cooperation on specific economic projects.

Reuters and Radio France Internationale reported that Premier Li expressed Chinas willingness to promote coordination and cooperation on security issues with other SCO members, carry out study of FTA, and further strengthen cooperation on currency swap and currency settlement.

The 5th Summit of China and Central and Eastern European Countries, especially the 16+1 cooperation mechanism, has received special attention from foreign media, being described as a mechanism which is conducive for promoting peace, stability and development of Central and Eastern European Countries, and the balance of Europe. Meanwhile, Premier Lis keynote speech at the Sixth China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum is considered to have demonstrated Beijings sincerity.

Reuters, EFE and BBC were concerned about the launching of a financial joint venture Sino-CEEF Holdings Co Ltd after Premier Lis meeting with leaders from the CEE countries.

Reuters analyzed that on financial cooperation, China will mainly support the purchase of Chinese equipment and products in connectivity and production capacity cooperation projects under the 16+1 framework and support the cooperation on expanding local currency settlement, a move to expand export markets for Chinese enterprises.

Germans Spiegel Online reported that the CEE countries agreed at the 16+1 summit that they should strengthen cooperation with China in any case, as bilateral cooperation is conducive to regional peace, stability and development.

A new highlight of global economic cooperation, commented Singapore newspaper Lianhe Zaobao on Chinas cooperation with CEE countries. The newspaper analyzed the 16+1 cooperation against the backdrop of the weakening European and American markets, believing that the economic and trade cooperation between China and CEE countries is mutually beneficial and avails to reduce the inner economic gap of Europe countries.
Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as an integrated healthcare services and products company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical, and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products. The segment also provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers for specialty pharmaceutical products; operates nuclear pharmacies and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities; repackages generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare products; and offers medication therapy management and patient outcomes services to hospitals, other healthcare providers, and payers, as well as provides pharmacy management services to hospitals. The Medical segment manufactures, sources, and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical, and laboratory products and devices that include exam and surgical gloves; needles, syringe, and sharps disposals; compressions; incontinences; nutritional delivery products; wound care products; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparels; fluid suction and collection systems; urology products; operating room supply products; and electrode product lines. The segment also distributes a range of national brand products, including medical, surgical, and laboratory products; provides supply chain services and solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers; and assembles and sells sterile, and non-sterile procedure kits. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arrow Electronics: A.E. Petsche Belgium BVBA, A.E. Petsche Canada Inc., A.E. Petsche Company, A.E. Petsche Company Inc., A.E. Petsche Company S De RL, A.E. Petsche SAS, A.E. Petsche UK Limited, ACI Technology, AKS Group Nordic AB, ARROWECS Portugal Sociedade Unipessoal, ARROWECS Sociedade Unipessoal LDA, ARW Electronics Ltd., ARW Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., ARW Portugal Unipessoal LDA, ASI Dedicated Services LLC, ASI Electrical Services LLC, ASI Managed Services LLC, ATM Electronic, ATM Electronic Corp., ATM Electronic Corporation (HK) Limited, ATM Electronics Hong Kong Limited, ATM Electronics Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd, Addex Distribution AS, Adilam Pty. Ltd, Aiqi Xinxing (Beijing) Information Technology Co. Ltd., Altimate Belgium BVBA, Altimate Group, Altimate ND Belgium BVBA, Altimate Netherlands B.V., Annuity Systems Pty Ltd, Arrow (Shanghai) Trading Co. 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Ltd., Richardson RFPD France SAS, Richardson RFPD Germany GmbH, Richardson RFPD Hong Kong, Richardson RFPD Inc., Richardson RFPD Israel Ltd., Richardson RFPD Italy Srl, Richardson RFPD Japan KK, Richardson RFPD Korea Ltd., Richardson RFPD Netherlands BV, Richardson RFPD Singapore, Richardson RFPD Spain SL, Richardson RFPD Sweden AB, Richardson RFPD Taiwan, Richardson RFPD UK Ltd., Richey Electronics, San Systems Pty Ltd, Schuylkill Metals of Plant City Inc., Seneca Data, Seneca Data Distributors Inc., Shared Technologies, Silicon Frameworks LLC, SiliconEgypt Technologies LLC, SiliconExpert Holdings LLC, SiliconExpert Technologies, SiliconExpert Technologies Inc., Sphinx CST Limited, Sphinx CST Networks Limited, Sphinx Group, Sphinx Group Limited, Sphinx Professional Services Limited, Spoerle Hungary Kereskedelmi Kft, Sun Chain Technology Corp., TLW Electronics Ltd., TechTurn, Titan Supply Chain Services Limited, Titan Supply Chain Services Pte Ltd., Trafomo AB, Trafomo ApS, Transim Technology, Transim Technology Corporation, U.S. Micro Operating Company LLC, UBM Tech Electronics Network, Ultra Source Electronics (SZ) Co LTD, Ultra Source Technology Corp., Ultra Source Trading Hong Kong Limited, United Technical Publishing Division - Hearst Business Media, Universe Electron Corporation, Verical, Verwaltungsgesellschaft Arrow Electronics GmbH, Wireless and Infrastructure Business Unit - Waching Company, Yongming Xincheng (Beijing) Technology Co., e-InfoChips, e-Infochips Private Limited, eInfochips, eMedia Asia Limited, immixGovernment Inc., immixGroup, immixGroup Inc., immixSolutions Inc., and immixTechnology.

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Brady Corporation manufactures and supplies identification solutions (IDS) and workplace safety (WPS) products to identify and protect premises, products, and people in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, IDS and WPS. The IDS segment offers materials, printing systems, RFID, and bar code scanners for product identification, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, and industrial track and trace applications; safety signs, floor-marking tapes, pipe markers, labeling systems, spill control products, lockout/tagout device, and software and services for safety compliance auditing, procedure writing, and training; and hand-held printers, wire markers, sleeves, and tags for wire identification. Its products also comprise name tags, badges, lanyards, rigid card printing systems, and access control software for people identification; and wristbands, labels, printing systems, and other products for tracking and improving the safety of patients. This segment serves industrial and electronic manufacturing, healthcare, chemical, oil, gas, automotive, aerospace, governments, mass transit, electrical contractors, education, leisure and entertainment, telecommunications, and other industries through distributors, direct sales force, and digital channels. The WPS segment provides workplace safety, identification, and compliance products, such as safety and compliance signs, tags, labels, and markings; informational signage and markings; asset tracking labels; facility safety and personal protection equipment; first-aid products; and labor law and other compliance posters for process, government, education, construction, and utilities industries, as well as manufacturers through catalog and digital channels. It also offers stock and custom identification products; and sells related resale products. Brady Corporation was incorporated in 1914 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through fossil-fuel, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and other renewable assets. This segment owns and operates approximately 698 distribution substations and 449,800 line transformers. The company's Gas segment purchases, stores, transports, distributes, and sells natural gas to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout Michigan; and sells storage and transportation capacity. This segment has approximately 20,000 miles of distribution mains; 1,304,000 service pipelines; and 1,305,000 active meters, as well as owns approximately 2,000 miles of transmission pipelines. The company's Power and Industrial Projects segment offers metallurgical coke; pulverized coal and petroleum coke to the steel, pulp and paper, and other industries; and power, steam and chilled water production, and wastewater treatment services, as well as supplies compressed air to industrial customers. Its Energy Trading segment engages in power, natural gas, and environmental marketing and trading; structured transactions; and the optimization of contracted natural gas pipeline transportation and storage positions. The company was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.
Oshkosh Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies worldwide. The company's Access Equipment segment provides aerial work platforms and telehandlers for use in various construction, industrial, institutional, and general maintenance applications. This segment also offers rental fleet loans and leases, and floor plan and retail financing through third-party funding arrangements; towing and recovery equipment; carriers and wreckers; equipment installation services; and chassis and service parts sales. Its Defense segment provides heavy, medium, and light tactical wheeled vehicles and related services for the department of defense. The company's Fire & Emergency segment offers custom and commercial firefighting vehicles and equipment; and commercial fire apparatus and emergency vehicles, such as pumpers, aerial platform, ladder and tiller trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, wild land rough terrain response vehicles, mobile command and control centers, bomb squad vehicles, hazardous materials control vehicles, and other emergency response vehicles. This segment also provides aircraft rescue and firefighting, snow removal, and broadcast vehicles, as well as command trucks, and military simulator shelters and trailers. Its Commercial segment offers front-and rear-discharge concrete mixers for the concrete ready-mix industry; refuse collection vehicles and related components to commercial and municipal waste haulers; and field service vehicles and truck-mounted cranes for the construction, equipment dealer, building supply, utility, tire service, railroad, and mining industries. Oshkosh Corporation provides its products through direct sales representatives, dealers, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Oshkosh Truck Corporation and changed its name to Oshkosh Corporation in February 2008. Oshkosh Corporation was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Despite Flipping in Surf 4 Times in a Year, Marines Say New ACV Is the Future of Amphibious Warfare

Some Marine veterans familiar with the vehicle and its operations have worried about the reliability of the ACV.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Spokesperson of the Defense Army of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) colonel Senor Hasratyan commented on the disinformation spread by the Azerbaijani side, according to which Karabakh has allegedly violated the ceasefire regime firing 60 and 82 mm mortar shells. He told Armenpress that the information does not correspond with the reality and is totally false. First we would like that the similar accusations against Karabakg side by the adversary had at least one evidence. As refers to the regular mortar shellings by the Azerbaijani troops, the Karabakh side is ready to present numerous proofs of it.

Second, if Azerbaijan is interested in ruling out similar incidents on the contact line, like the Armenian side it must also give consent to installing investigative mechanisms on the front line, which, by the way, was discussed in the Vienna and St. Petersburg meetings, but Azerbaijan does not do that.

And finally, Karabakh side is ready to conduct monitoring with the participation of the mediators at any moment and in any section of the front line, Defense Army spokesperson said.

Senor Hasratyan also mentioned that on the contact line of Karabakh-Azerbaijan troops the situation is calm at the moment. Karabakh Army has not suffered any serious losses or damages during the Azerbaijani shelling of the previous days.
Free agent starter Derek Holland is interested in signing with the Pirates, although the Bucs have not yet made Holland an offer, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Id say the Pirates are on our short list, says Hollands agent, Michael Martini.

Wed prefer a guaranteed spot, but Derek is not afraid to compete for a job, says Martini. Well see how the market develops, but we would be open to a one-year deal.

The Pirates appear likely to hunt for low-cost rotation help, since their starting pitching options beyond Gerrit Cole (including Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, Drew Hutchison, Trevor Williams and top prospect Tyler Glasnow) are mostly very young. They have a reputation for fixing pitchers, and various hurlers (including J.A. Happ, Edinson Volquez and, later this winter, Ivan Nova) have cashed in, or will cash in, on the free agent market after pitching well in Pittsburgh.

Holland was once an important cog in the Rangers rotation, but missed most of the 2014 and 2015 seasons due to injury and struggled to a 4.95 ERA, 5.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 107 1/3 innings in 2016 while also experiencing decreased velocity. The Rangers declined his team option for 2017. Holland would appear to be a candidate for the Pirates to cheaply gamble on this winter if they feel they can help him recapture something resembling his 2011-13 prime, when he pitched nearly 600 innings with an ERA below four.
ANN ARBOR, MI - When they made plans to get together on Sunday, Nov. 13, they were hoping it would be a victory party.

But the longtime members of the Hillary Clinton fan club in Ann Arbor will gather instead in the wake of an election that didn't go their way.

Janine Easter, who helped start the world's largest Clinton fan club chapter in Ann Arbor more than 22 years ago, said she and other club members are having a potluck Sunday afternoon "to celebrate an amazing woman who worked tirelessly to empower women and girls and actually got the most votes" in Tuesday's election in which Republican Donald Trump was elected president.

Easter has proposed that club members write notes of encouragement, appreciation and admiration to Clinton for having been such a strong supporter of women's rights and for empowering women and girls to reach their dreams.

"I will bundle them and send them next week," Easter said, adding she believes it will comfort Clinton as she recovers from the pain of losing the election and it may be cathartic for club members who collectively share so much sadness.

The fan club chapter that started in Ann Arbor in 1994 when Clinton was first lady -- one of dozens of chapters around the world -- was at one point the largest chapter of all, boasting more than 1,200 members.

They had enough clout to get the first lady to meet with them in Ann Arbor on two occasions -- once in January 1996 and again in April 1998. Club leaders also were specially invited to receptions hosted by the first lady at the White House in 1995 and 1996, and some have met Clinton on other occasions since then.

For more than 20 years, the club members in Ann Arbor have gotten together for a yearly potluck to celebrate Clinton's birthday, which is Oct. 26.

They actually didn't get together for Clinton's 69th birthday last month. Instead, they were waiting to have a post-election victory party.
ANN ARBOR, MI - A day after a University of Michigan student reported to police a man threatened to set her on fire if she didn't remove her hijab, 200 students, professors and Ann Arbor residents came together in unity.

Muslim, black, transgender, Asian and Latina students spoke about their experiences and urged everyone at the event 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 on the U-M Diag to speak out and take actions every day to fight bigotry and misogyny including reporting instances of intimidation.

"We're going to have to stick together to stop all kinds of racism," said Haleemah Aqel, a junior. "It's hard when your identity affects you every day."

U-M senior James Kilmeade organized the event after the U-M Division of Safety and Security sent out an alert just before 3 p.m. Saturday. Students brought signs and lit tea lights around the M in the Diag, and Kilmeade invited students to speak.

Aqel, a Muslim, encouraged everyone to think about how they could be an ally to marginalized groups of people by educating themselves, asking questions, listening and offering to walk someone home. She also noted the kind of attack is not new.

"This should have been done so many years ago," she said of the event.

Alyiah Al-Bonigin cried as she recounted her mother begging her not to wear her hijab in public. The hijab is part of her identity, she said, and she shouldn't have to adjust it to meet anyone.

"I'll put on a headscarf, and I'm proud to be Muslim," she said to cheers.

Arielle Chen, a senior from California, called upon people to speak out.

"Silence means you're allowing it," she said. "Showing up is continuous. Don't wait until it's your identity that's being attacked."

Elyakeem Avraham, a junior from Atlanta, said he almost didn't attend because he's tired of attending vigils and protests, but found he was glad he did.

When he was 12 years old, he said, he had to fight off six white men who beat him when he was walking down the sidewalk.

"If I can survive that, we can survive this election," he said. "Believe in each other."

Students and residents said there'd be another unity event at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Diag, and a march at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Ann Arbor.

The event ended with everyone there standing in a circle and saying their names.

"After these lights go out, is it still going to be burning within you?" Al-Bonigin asked.
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(File Photo)

DETROIT -- After a surprise inspection of its surgical instrument sterilization capabilities, the Detroit Medical Center has avoided losing out on federal funding.

This comes after being cited for health code and sterilization violations by the state earlier in 2016. The violations, brought to light by a Detroit News investigation, revealed issues surrounding DMC's sterile processing department.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports that it found no deficiencies during the Nov. 1 and 2 inspections, the Associated Press, via the Detroit News, reports.

The News reports that DMC could have lost $705 million in federal funding if its issues were not corrected.

The state began an investigation into the reports in late August. LARA's investigation revealed DMC did "not have a robust, consistent, repeatable, comprehensively documented, and well maintained training system for new and existing employees and management."

"Any evidence of training of employees and competencies on general and specific processes were listed on sign-in sheets printed and placed in either binders or folders for the corresponding year," LARA's report reads. "Nearly all of the trainings for 2015 and 2016 lacked associated content and subject matter materials, meaning only the sign-in sheets labeled with the subject matter were presented and kept in the binder. Only three trainings had attached or affiliated subject matter content.

"The majority of the training subject matter was unavailable, unable to be located, or not in the control of DMC or the CSP Department."

Most of LARA's issues concerned DMC's training, communication and lack of reports.

The Detroit News investigation highlighted hundreds of emails and 11 years of complaints concerning dirty, broken and misplaced medical instruments. Records and emails obtained by the News revealed that improperly sterilized tools caused complications in procedures stretching from spinal fusions to appendectomies.

One notable incident was the open-heart surgery on a 7-month-old girl that was halted due to a tube connected to a bypass machine clogged with another person's blood from another person's operation, the News reports. This is said to have occurred in January 2015.

DMC released a corrective plan of action, in which it directly addresses the violations and issues outlined by LARA and how it plans to correct them.

Some of the proposed -- and LARA approved -- solutions include an infection control officer and "preventionist" conducting weekly checks of operating rooms and the sterile processing department.
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(File Photo)

A bill has been introduced to the state Senate that would call for a new state flag design through a contest.

Sen. Steven M. Bieda, D-Warren, sponsored the bill that would create a flag commission to lead the Michigan flag design contest. According to the bill, the contest would run through January to July of 2018.

The required criteria for a submission is simple, it has to be an original work of the person who submitted it and the reverse side must be a mirror of the front.

The proposed flag commission would consist of 17 people appointed by various groups, branches of government and colleges. The Michigan Historical Commission will appoint three professional artists or state historian. The governor will also appoint two people to the board.

If a commission member leaves during the term, the new appointment will be done in the same way as the original selection, according to the bill. As for pay, the bill states that members "shall serve without compensation. However, members of the flag commission may be reimbursed" for expenses from official duties.

For the full list of the groups and universities with appointee responsibilities, click here.

Once the commission is filled, it will set the rules of the contest, open submissions Jan. 26, 2018 and "ensure that all copyright interests in design submissions have been relinquished at the time of submission.

The North American Vexillological Association, an organization that studies flags, rated Michigan's flag 59th out of 72 flags evaluated in a 2001 survey consisting of the 50 states, United States territories and Canadian provinces.

Michigan rated 3.46 out of 10, which put it behind Utah and in front of Maine in the rankings. Georgia's was rated the worst, New Mexico's the best and Ohio's - just because - 15th . The survey was conducted by 100 NAVA members and 300 people from 20 different countries, according to its website.
FLINT, MI--About a dozen young kids giggled with delight as Little Red adventured through the woods to grandmothers house, singing opera along the way. To many of the children, the fairytale was familiar, but the high-pitched notes and ballads were not.

"Opera is a really unique art form that brings music, acting and costumes together under a wonderful umbrella," said Josh May, who played the Big Bad Wolf in the performance. "It's like going into a magical theatrical experience."

The University of Michigan-Flint Opera Outreach Program hosted its live rendition of Little Red Riding Hood on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at the Flint Farmers' Market.

The Opera Outreach Program puts on a number of performances throughout the year and hopes to foster an appreciation for opera and the arts among its audience members.

"As a classical musician, it's very hard to reach a younger audience," said Jhane Perdue, who played Little Red in the performance. "The Opera Outreach Program is an opportunity to introduce a new art form to kids who haven't experienced opera."

Throughout the performance, the cast kept kids engaged by venturing into the audience and interacting from time to time.

"They walked away with smiles on their faces, humming the tunes that we sang," May said. "We hope we've encouraged them to be part of our artistic community in the future."
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November 13, 2016

Why Polls Fail

Today I discussed the U.S. election with a friend who studied and practices statistics. I asked about the failure of the polls in this years presidential election. Her explanation: The polls are looking at future events but are biased by the past. The various companies and institutions adjust the polls they do by looking at their past prognoses and the real results of the past event. They then develop correcting factors, measured from the past, and apply it to new polls. If that correcting factor is wrong, possibly because of structural changes in the electorate, then the new polls will be corrected with a wrong factor and thus miss the real results.

Polls predicting the last presidential election were probably off by 3 or 5 points towards the Republican side. The pollsters then corrected the new polls for the Clinton-Trump race in favor of the Democratic side by giving that side an additional 3-5 points. They thereby corrected the new polls by the bias that was poll inherent during the last race.

But structural changes, which we seem to have had during this election, messed up the result. Many people who usually vote for the Democratic ticket did not vote for Clinton. The "not Clinton" progressives, the "bernie bros" and "deplorables" who voted Obama in the last election stayed home, voted for a third party candidate or even for Trump. The pollsters did not anticipate such a deep change. Thus their correction factor was wrong. Thus the Clinton side turned out to be favored in polls but not in the relevant votes.

Real polling, which requires in depth-in person interviews with the participants, does not really happen anymore. It is simply to expensive. Polling today is largely done by telephone with participants selected by some database algorithm. It is skewed by many factors which require many corrections. All these corrections have some biases that do miss structural changes in the underlying population.

The Clinton camp, the media and the pollsters missed what we had anticipated as "not Clinton". A basic setting in a part of the "left" electorate that remember who she is and what she has done and would under no circumstances vote for her. Clinton herself pushed the "bernie bros" and "deplorables" into that camp. This was a structural change that was solely based in the personality of the candidate.

If Sanders would have been the candidate the now wrong poll correction factor in favor of Democrats would likely have been a correct one. The deep antipathy against Hillary Clinton in a decisive part of the electorate was a factor that the pseudo-science of cheap telephone polls could not catch. More expensive in depth interviews of the base population used by a pollster would probably have caught this factor and adjusted appropriately.

There were some twenty to thirty different entities doing polls during this election cycle. Five to ten polling entities, with better budgets and preparations, would probably have led to better prognoses. Some media companies could probably join their poll budgets, split over multiple companies today, to have a common one with a better analysis of its base population.One that would have anticipated "not Hillary".

Unless that happens all polls will have to be read with a lot of doubt. What past bias is captured in these predictions of the future? What are their structural assumptions and are these still correct? What structural change might have happened?

Even then polls and their interpretation will always only capture a part of the story. Often a sound grasp of human and cultural behavior will allow for better prediction as all polls. As my friend the statistician say: "The best prognostic instrument I have even today is my gut."

Posted by b on November 13, 2016 at 20:17 UTC | Permalink

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Burke Countys Most Wanted is partnering with Morganton Burke Crime Stoppers to pay for information that leads to the arrest of suspects on the Burke Countys Most Wanted list. Citizens with information can contact Burke County Crime Stoppers at 828-437-3333 anytime day or night. Without providing their name, the caller will be assigned a number. If the callers information leads to an arrest of the suspect, the caller will be paid a reward. A check will be issued to the callers number (not their name) and the caller picks up the check at a designated location.  Sheriff Steve Whisenant

Burke Countys Most Wanted Criminals

The following are the mug shots for Burke Countys Most Wanted individuals:

Name: Davy Leonard Goodman

Date of Birth: May 17, 1975

Race/Sex: White/Male

Last known address: 1890 Bristol Creek Ave., Morganton

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds an indictment on Goodman for felony possession of a controlled substance on jail premises.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 3

Name: Treyvon Thomas Eugene Goode

Date of Birth: Sep. 27, 1992

Sex: Male

Last known address: 200 Rocky Ford St., Morganton

Description: Goode is wanted for felony probation violation.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 3

Name: Scott Anthony Sanborn

Date of Birth: Nov. 4, 1965

Race/Sex: White/Male

Last known address:

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds an indictment for felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 3

Name: Travis Steven Helton

Date of Birth: Feb. 9, 1984

Race/Sex: White/Male

Last known address: 2320 Shade Tree St., #5, Hickory

Description: Helton is wanted from several counties in North Carolina. The charges range from felony larceny of motor vehicle and felony possession stolen motor vehicle to felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute methamphetamine.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 4

Name: Eric Seth Adams

Date of Birth: May 22, 1988

Race/Sex: White/Male

Last known address: 408 London St., Glen Alpine

Description: Adams has an outstanding order for arrest for probation violation on prior felony charges of larceny and possession of stolen goods/property.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 40

Name: Jim Zue Keu Moua

Date of Birth: Sept. 23, 1998

Sex: Male

Last known address: 2650 Old Blue Ridge Lane, Connelly Springs

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds a warrant for arrest on Moua for felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, misdemeanor simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 64

Name: Tong Xeng Yang Moua

Date of Birth: Sept. 17, 1976

Race/Sex: Asian/Male

Last known address: 2650 Old Blue Ridge Lane, Connelly Springs

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds a warrant for arrest on Moua for felony trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, and possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 64

Name: Dean Allen Yancey

Date of Birth: July 14, 1954

Race/Sex: White/Male

Last known address: 7890 Will Hudson Road, Connelly Springs

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds an order for arrest for failure to appear on felony charges, felony discharging a weapon at an occupied property and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 52

Name: John Yang

Date of Birth: Oct. 26, 1979

Race/Sex: Male

Last known address: 2871 Cougar Valley, Morganton

Description: The Burke County Sheriffs Office holds an order for arrest for felony failure to appear, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Weeks on Most Wanted: 49
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To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research.

Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
What is Charleston doing to combat sea level rise? Will it be enough?
The stage is being set for stronger oil prices.

What level prices reach largely depends on what members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries do when they meet later this month, said Tom Petrie, chairman, Petrie Partners LLC.a

Addressing the approximately 1,200 attendees at this weeks Executive Oil Conference, Petrie said OPEC  or at least Saudi Arabia  may be serious about cutting production.

(That) the Saudis are willing to take a production cut, to me thats a signal of behind-the-scenes moves, he said. I suspect they are very serious about having 5 percent of Saudi Aramco going public; thats a big motivation. Petrie also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has been running budget deficits of $100 billion the last two years and thats not sustainable.

Should OPEC enact its proposed production cut, Petrie said oil prices ranging from $55 to $60 a barrel by mid-2017 are likely as the world works off excess inventory.

He cautioned that a price overshoot to the $70s by 2018 is possible. Should oil prices reach $75 or $80 during that time, he said it would be self-correcting because the additional supply would send prices lower again.

The Permian Basin has been the poster child for American ingenuity, he told the audience of the areas development of unconventional shales and resulting surge in output. Domestic producers retain their ability to significantly increase production, and that could depend on energy policies from the incoming administration, he said.

Even so, other factors are working against global supplies, he said.

We are completing two years of intense capital starvation for the upstream industry, Petrie stated. Its surprising to me how quickly the price overshoot prompted markets to test $50, $40, even $30 oil.

He also pointed to what he calls the imbedded decline in conventional resources, which are significant. In mature basins, he said those declines are in excess of 4 million barrels and approaching 4 1/2 to 5 million barrels a day. In the U.S., production is down 1.2 million barrels a day from its 2014 peak, he said.

The possibility of supply disruptions in the Middle East and North Africa remain likely, he added. The Arab Spring skipped Arab Summer entirely and morphed into Arab Winter, he said of continued Middle East unrest.

Global inventory drawdowns show a more consistent decline, he said. But he cautioned, expect the unexpected.
SEPM to discuss natural fracture systems

Members of the Permian Basin section, SEPM will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Carrasco Room at Midland College.

Dr. John Lorenz, consultant, will present Natural Fracture Systems in the Spraberry Formation, Permian Basin.

Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Reservations can be made by calling 432-279-1360 or by emailing info@pbs-sepm.org. Online registration is also available at www.pbs-sepm.org and clicking on the Talks tab.

OPIS announces new natural gas price survey

From staff reports

The Oil Price Information Service on Monday announced a new natural gas spot price index with daily and monthly weighted average prices for several trading hubs in North America

The daily report will provide prices for next-day natural gas delivered to 88 trading points throughout the continental U.S. and Canada, according to a press release from OPIS, a division of analyst company IHS Markit. Prices will also include a basis value relative to Henry Hub, the national benchmark.

In addition to daily reports, OPIS also offers a monthly bidweek report, which will be released on the last business day of each month.

More information about this pay subscription service is available at http://www.opisnet.com/offers/reports/ngp16002.aspx.

ConocoPhillips cutting costs, spending to gird against volatile prices

By Collin Eaton

Houston Chronicle

ConocoPhillips has cut oil production costs by a third to less than $50 a barrel over the past two years, girding itself against falling crude prices.

At an analyst meeting, executives said the Houston driller plans to sell $5 billion to $8 billion in assets, buy back $3 billion in shares and cut spending and debt levels further next year.

Its an effort to prepare for lower and more volatile oil prices over the next year, said Ryan Lance, chief executive of ConocoPhillips.

You cant count on rising commodity prices to bail out your business, Lance said.

The company plans to invest $5 billion into the oil patch next year, down from its $5.2 billion budget this year, as it tries to raise production 2 percent or keep it flat in 2017. It also wants to cut its debt to $20 billion over the next few years as it aims to get a higher credit rating.

Nabors signs joint-venture pact with Saudi Aramco

By Mike D. Smith

Houston Chronicle

Nabors Industries has signed an operating agreement with Saudi Aramco in what the companies are calling an example of the Saudi governments push for economic diversification.

Nabors and Saudi Aramco will equally own, manage and operate onshore drilling rigs in Saudi Arabia. Operations are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2017.

Both companies will set up land rigs in the country and pledge money toward future rigs that will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco wants to create local industrial hubs, creating skilled jobs in areas including rig and equipment manufacturing to help make Saudi Arabias energy sector more competitive, according to a company statement.

Nabors, which has had a long presence in Saudi Arabia, calls the agreement one of the anchor projects in Saudi Aramcos effort.

Plains All American profits jump nearly 20 percent

By Jordan Blum

Houston Chronicle

Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline reported its quarterly net income jumped nearly 20 percent up to $297 million.

The crude oil pipeline giants revenues fell 7 percent to $5.17 billion for the third quarter, but cost cutting helped offset the decline.

Looking forward, we are encouraged by recent signals that indicate the current industry cycle has reached a bottom, Plains Chairman and Chief Executive Greg Armstrong said. He noted though that a challenging environment is expected to continue in the short term.

Plains is more crude oil-focused than most of its pipeline competitors, which funnel more natural gas, so Plains is uniquely situated to benefit from any upcoming rebound in the oil sector, Armstrong added.

In the third quarter of last year, Plains was impacted more by the immediate aftermath of an oil leak in California north of Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara. The pipeline remains out of service.
Wall Street investors have poured an unprecedented sum of cash into U.S. drillers this year, providing cover from low prices and a chance to rearrange the board in oil-rich West Texas and Oklahoma.

Oil extraction companies like Anadarko Petroleum Corp., RSP Permian and Oasis Petroleum have collected $28 billion in more than 60 secondary stock offerings this year, outpacing every other industry group except real estate investment trusts.

The latest batch of deals, more than a dozen in the past two months, includes Rice Energys $1.2 billion raise and Concho Resources $1.4 billion raise. Anadarko has collected the highest amount this year, drawing $2.2 billion from investors in September, to help fund its acquisition of property in the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, most of the cash drawn in the second half of the year, about $14.6 billion so far, have been tied to company efforts to snap up land, largely in the Permian Basin in West Texas, in the Scoop and Stack plays in Oklahoma and in the Appalachian region. The influx of fresh capital for mergers and acquisitions is another sign the industry plans to ratchet up drilling activity next year.

Companies making an acquisition have to get rigs on it to make it worthwhile, said Pearce Hammond, an analyst at Simmons & Company International in Houston, a Piper Jaffray subsidiary. The worst thing they could do is not drill for a couple of years. Investors dont want to hear that.

Simmons & Co. believes U.S. oil producers could hike domestic oil field spending 37 percent next year if crude prices hover around $50 a barrel. Whether oil prices can stay afloat largely hinges on a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries due at the end of the month. If Saudi Arabia and other large oil-producing nations can agree on how to curb global oil supply, shale drillers may be off to the races next year, Hammond said.

If OPEC doesnt go the right way, these guys will dial it back, he said.

Stock-market investors seem to be betting on an oil recovery. Oil explorers have raised $43.4 billion in stock sales since the beginning of 2015, the same amount they collected through the oil boom years of 2010 through 2014. Its also half the amount the industry raised from 1980 to 2014.

Though the public equity market has ebbed and flowed in its openness to the U.S. oil industry this year, activity has never really come to a screeching halt. Drillers pulled in less cash in July than any month this year, at $890 million, but thats still more than the sum companies raised in October, November and December 2015 combined.
James Durbin

West Texas energy companies are some of the biggest donors to the campaigns of Railroad Commissioners, according to a report released by Texans for Public Justice, a nonpartisan research group that tracks money in politics.

Earlier this month, the Houston Chronicle reported that the majority of money flowing into the coffers of Wayne Christian, a Republican who won Tuesdays election for an open seat on the commission, came from oil and gas interests.
Artist Dee Kemp grew up in South Texas as one of 11 kids. She is also an identical twin. The Texas Tech University earned her degree in petroleum engineering as well as meeting her now-husband, Giles. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law and a new grandson. To keep her sister company, Kemp joined her for a watercolor class which also kicked off her interest in painting. Today, she serves as president and board member of the Midland Palette Club and participates in the art co-op Artizen Outlet. She received the 2016 Celebration of the Arts Distinguished Volunteer award from Arts Council of Midland.

MRT: What has been your proudest achievement in art?

Kemp: My proudest achievement in art is when one of art pieces makes it into a home of a buyer.

MRT: What would you say is your best quality and why?

Kemp: Kindness and love. I want people to know they are accepted and loved.

MRT: What is the best thing you cook?

Kemp: That has to be Milanesa. It is a wafer-thin round streak that is dipped in seasoned cracker crumbs then fried in a shallow pan with very little oil. It is topped with homemade salsa and lime juice. Delicious!

MRT: What is your not-so-secret-indulgence?

Kemp: That would be Godiva chocolate.

What book do you always recommend?

Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk.
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Buckner benefit luncheon

Buckner Children and Family Services of Midland held its 6th annual Buckner Benefit Luncheon Nov. 3 at Midland Country Club. The event included a silent auction featuring jewelry and purses.

Guests dined on candied walnut salad with sliced pears and dried cranberries, topped with a lemon herb vinaigrette.; chicken florentine with garlic onion, and plated with a potato tower, baby carrots and pernod cream sauce; cheesecake or chocolate Snicker pie.

Author Renee Swope was the guest speaker for the event. Swope, author of A Confident Heart, talked about her adoption story.

Tatum Hubbard was emcee; Myndi Easter with Bucker, gave the invocation and Beth Vela, a Buckner foster parent, gave the benediction. The events presenting sponsor was Petroplex Pipe & Construction. Proceeds raised during the lunch go directly to benefit Buckner children and families in the Permian Basin.

DPS Foundation reception

The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation held a reception last month at the home of Modesta and Clayton Williams. Ernest Angelo Jr., a former DPS Commission chairman and foundation board member, co-hosted the event.

DPS director, Col. Steven C. McCraw of Austin, and Regional Commander Carey Matthews, were among the guests. McCraw highlighted DPS vast responsibilities, including border patrol, state highways, drug enforcement and human trafficking. He also described coordination between the DPS and other Texas law enforcement agencies. Matthews addressed more localized concerns, including crowded roads, oil field concerns and safety for his officers.

To have an event included in "Out and About," contact Julie Donnelly at mrtjulie@outlook.com.
New members inducted into Institute of ...
President-elect Donald J. Trump announced what he called his senior leadership team Sunday, naming his White House Chief of Staff as well as a "chief strategist and senior counselor."

Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus named Chief of Staff

Breitbart News Executive Chairman Steve Bannon named "Chief Strategist"

Both men will work as "equal partners" in administration

The announcement of Trump's White House Chief of Staff has been expected for most of the weekend. Trump named Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus to the post.



It is truly an honor to join President-elect Trump in the White House as his Chief of Staff, said Priebus in an official release. I am very grateful to the President-elect for this opportunity to serve him and this nation as we work to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism. He will be a great President for all Americans.



Trump also named Brietbart News Executive Chairman Stephen K. "Steve" Bannon as "Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to the President." Bannon previously worked with Trump as CEO of his presidential campaign.



I want to thank President-elect Trump for the opportunity to work with Reince in driving the agenda of the Trump Administration, added Bannon. We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.



Trump's statement on the appointments said the two men would work as "equal partners" within the administration, effectively continuing a partnership that began during the campaign.



Priebus and Bannon, according to the statement, would also aid Vice-President-elect Mike Pence to help lead the transition process in the run-up to Inauguration Day.
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You know youre in foodie territory when the free restaurant guide is nearly as big and glossy as the September issue of Vogue.

Aruba, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is among islands of the Dutch Caribbean close to Venezuela. In addition to movie set-ready beaches edging a sea resembling clear teal-colored tea, Aruba has a remarkably arid landscape dotted with volcanic rocks and towering cactus. The weathers reliably good and its location lies beyond the Caribbeans hurricane belt.

The official language is Papiamento, derived from African and Portuguese tongues. But youll do fine with English  and now with the culinary boom sweeping the island, everyone will understand when youre talking about food.

Small farms, greenhouses and farmers markets have cropped up across the island. A health food mart, Nuts Nuts, which sources organic whole foods and handcrafts healthy-tasty power drinks and snacks (truly good gluten-free cacao brownies!) quickly earned a huge following.

More Information If you go www.visitaruba.com www.arubamarriott.com www.lindas-aruba.com www.facebook.com/zeerovers See More Collapse

Frank Kelly, among culinary mavericks literally going back to the islands roots, forages edible flowers used for juices, cocktails and garnishes, wild salad greens and tasty seaweeds from beaches hidden between towering ledges of coral. Kelly showed me a basket of foraged flowers. Most were not only colorful, but delicious. Foraging is an art and science; he showed me one species fine for viewing but not eating: devils trumpet, associated with psychedelic and poisonous experiences.

The icing on Arubas culinary cake: some 200 restaurants. You can choose a chic resort restaurant serving globally inspired fare; a cunucu, a Spanish colonial farmhouse specializing in traditional island dishes such as funchi, a cornmeal mush thats much better than it sounds; or a locals beach shack like Big Mama Grill.

Dining al fresco is wildly popular here. Savor a meal on a deck overlooking the ocean or beneath the stars. Its romantic, even at tables for one.

You can find tables for one up to tables for destination wedding parties at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. The like-new resorts evolving eateries include poolside bar-and-grills, Ketsu Sushi Bar and La Vista and Atardi, recently revamped from high-design decor to menu.

Handmade pastas from hearty penne Alfredo to pumpkin ravioli, lightly fried artichokes and a triple chocolate mousse pie are among dinner creations now topping indoor and seaside tables at La Vista. The every-morning breakfast buffet and Thursday-through-Saturday dinner buffet are prompting wows and numerous return trips among diners of every taste, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan. Look for traditional Aruba fare too. Resort chef Miguel Garcia, who says he considers diners to be guests in his own home, spices up the menus with delicacies such as keshi yena (Gouda cheese shell stuffed with chicken, onions, peppers, celery, green olives, raisins and cashews, then baked).

Atardi is the Aruba Marriotts new fine dining outpost set on the sand between the huge pool oasis and the sea. Diners often dress up, but dont worry about shoes. Upon setting foot into Atardis private torch-lit beach, you stow footwear in little nooks. Take a seat, enjoy the sunset and starlight, and savor fresh-caught, made-to-order seafood, veggies steamed to showcase natural flavors, tropical martinis and mojitos, and wicked-good desserts.

Lindas Dutch Pancake House, tucked in Palm Beach, serves pizza-sized treasure chests filled with a choice of five dozen fresh ingredients in categories of sweet, savory and liquor. You can even opt for gluten-free and dairy-free batter. The pancakes are crepe-thin and rich in flavor. I topped mine with fresh coconut and blueberries, drizzled with coconut rum delivered in a shot glass.

Zeerovers, Dutch for sea pirates, serves fresh catch, thick fries, sweet plantains, and local brews in Savaneta, a village famous for its fishing piers. Eat at wood tables crowding a covered wharf or on a pier over the water. The menu is short, the quality high and the prices low. Often youll see locals playing domino.

De Palm Island, a coral isle a five-minute ferry ride off Arubas west shore, serves tasty Caribbean comfort food at breakfast and lunch buffets and, at snack bars, tropical cocktails and yummy hot fries. The all-inclusive ticket includes food and drink as well as fun activities such as water slides, banana boat rides, human foosball, salsa lessons and snorkeling (equipment included!) amid huge schools of blue parrotfish.

De Palm Islands add-ons include cool half-hour Sea Trek underwater walks. You put on big white helmets that pump in a constant flow of clean oxygen and have wide panoramic lenses. Then you stroll, in near-zero gravity, along a boardwalk 15 feet under the sea, guided by staff who lead you to fun stops like an old sunken bar occupied by fish and a junked jeep you can sit in. The guides attract colorful fish with squeeze-tubes of food and place sea creatures such as urchins in your hands to gently examine.

At Aruba Marriotts chic circular lobby bar, guests chat in various languages over local Balashi beer and veteran bartender Jayna Sisons Celebrity Aruba Ariba, Flirty Martini and Citrus Mojito. Jayna makes her Mango Tango with passion fruit and passion! says a frequent visitor. Later, Chef Miguel says passion keeps him cooking, talking about cooking and now teaching cooking classes at the resort nearly every day. At Lindas, staff beam with pride with every pancake placed before a patron.

Clearly, passion is a key ingredient in Aruba.

Robin, a writer-photographer based in the South, is at rsoslow@gmail.com.
New York

Thousands took to the streets Saturday across the United States as demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump continued in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and beyond.

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before picking up steam and taking their cause toward Trump Tower. Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  there's no place for racism in society in America."

Trump's comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: "Legalize weed but not my Mom?"  a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

"We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me."

"He doesn't realize all the families he's hurting," she said of Trump.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a glittery sign that said "Love Trumps Hate."

"What he's been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder," he said. "If you're gay, if you're LGBT, if you're Muslim, if you're Latin, if you're special needs, if you're female, it's a much unsafer place now."

"What is happening today is going to be the normal for a while," he said of the demonstration, "because we're not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away."

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Ore., a man who was participating in a march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to "burning projectiles" thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

"Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be," he said. "There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong."

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters had already taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest the jury's deadlock in the trial of a former white police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.
Washington

"Busy day planned in New York," President-elect Donald Trump said on Twitter on Friday morning, two days after his astonishing victory. "Will soon be making some very important decisions on the people who will be running our government!"

If anything, that understates the gravity of the personnel choices Trump and his transition team are weighing.

Rarely in the history of the American presidency has the exercise of choosing people to fill jobs had such a far-reaching impact on the nature and priorities of an incoming administration. Unlike most new presidents, Trump comes into office with no elective-office experience, no coherent political agenda and no bulging binder of policy proposals. And he has left a trail of inflammatory, often contradictory, statements on issues from immigration and race to terrorism and geopolitics.

In such a chaotic environment, serving a president who is in many ways a tabula rasa, the appointees to key White House jobs like chief of staff and Cabinet posts like secretary of state, defense secretary and Treasury secretary could wield outsize influence. Their selection will help determine whether the Trump administration governs like the firebrand Trump was on the campaign trail or the pragmatist he often appears to be behind closed doors.

"A new president is really vulnerable and open to all sorts of influence by strong-willed advisers," said Robert Dallek, a presidential historian. "Trump's appointments over the next six weeks will be very significant because they can show whether he wants to create some unity in the country, or whether he really intends to deliver on his ideas."

One of the influences on Trump could come from an unlikely quarter: President Barack Obama. Meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he looked forward "to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel."

Trump is drawing mainly from a pool of trusted aides and supporters, according to people familiar with the campaign. On Friday, he named three of his grown children  Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric  as well as his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to his transition team, an arrangement that rang alarm bells in Washington because they will also manage his businesses. The Trump family, it is clear, will wield unusual power in the composition of an administration that is already shaping up as remarkable for its clannishness.
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Disability Network of Mid-Michigan recently teamed up with Meijer Pharmacy to hold a mobile flu shot and vaccination clinic at DNMMs offices in Midland. For each flu shot administered, Meijer will be donating $5 to local area food banks through The Simply Give Program.

It was a terrific event. Patients were laughing and having fun together in the spirit of community. Meijers donation program made getting an annual flu shot actually feel good. It was a win, win for everyone, said Meredith Kuntzsch, communications and grant fund manager of DNMM.
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The victory of presidential candidate Donald Trump has a lot of people wondering, worried and wanting, but for Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter, he only has one request for the president-elect: Support.

From the top down, from the presidency of the United States, show support for law enforcement instead of turning your back on law enforcement, which weve had from (Barack) Obama, Painter told the Reporter-Telegram at Wednesdays Midland County Republican Women luncheon.

Its been a tumultuous year for law enforcement nationwide. Video recordings have captured officers shooting citizens and perceivably using excessive force, all the while attempting to maintain peace and safety as some protests in response turned violent and destructive. To Painter, Obama didnt give sworn peacekeepers his full respect.

Its been a sad state of affairs when he will ignore the funerals of law enforcement officers but will attend the funeral of a criminal that has been shot. I dont agree with him. I think he was going down a communist road and has driven this nation away from God and from law enforcement.

Painter would like the federal government to give back the decommissioned tracked armored personnel carriers (APCs) that it had given the sheriffs department and other local law enforcement agencies many years ago to maintain safety in extreme situations.

(Obama) saw an APC at a Ferguson, Missouri, riot -- where people were tearing stuff up, burning and looting -- and he saw a tracked military vehicle with people in it, but it was National Guard in it, not enforcement, he said. However, he had found out APCs had been given to law enforcement, and he ordered them taken away immediately. They need to be given back. Give us the opportunity to use something to protect our officers and protect our community to keep it safe.

As an example, Painter credits his offices APC for ending the 22-hour standoff between Victor White and law enforcement in 2010 in West Odessa. When we were over there and he was shooting at everybody, when that APC came up out of a draw, ran through the brush and jumped up on top of a hill right in front of him, he quit; he laid down and gave up right there because he knew he couldnt defeat it. Our guys dropped the door, ran out and captured him without resistance simply because we had the means to stop him, and he knew that.

White wounded several people and took out the Odessa Police Departments armored vehicle. He could have killed people, Painter said. Its amazing that more people didnt get hurt.

In the event of future dangerous situations, the longtime sheriff said he would also like help from the federal government through professional drone assistance or intelligence. They have to ability to listen to chatter on the radio, telephone -- whatever it is -- and coordinate and help us out. But the government shouldnt wait until the next big incident happens. Inside the United States right now, we know that there are terrorists here. We need to ferret those people out now, take them out, kill them, remove them -- whatever its going to take to get them to stop -- but we need to do that immediately.

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes.
Close to a thousand people are marching through the streets of Downtown to protest the election of Donald Trump.

It started with a few hundred gathered at City Hall Saturday afternoon with people eager to voice their opinions and reject what they feel is an unfair election.
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San Antonio police say four people were shot at a party on the Northeast Side Sunday morning and the suspects are still on the loose

Police say about 25 people were at a party about 2:40 a.m., Sunday, at The Heights at Midcrown apartments, 8000 Midcrown, when two suspects walked up to the unit and opened fire through a sliding glass door, hitting four people.
Julie Mota is no stranger to creative work, in fact, she has a degree in it. After graduating in fine arts at the University of Papua New Guinea she began working as an artist and writer, with her art exhibited and collected in major art galleries and museums in Europe and the United States.

And just as women play an overlooked but vital and often timely role in our domestic lives, this contribution to PNGs literary culture is just what we need to even the balance and add the right amount of spice to make a much more hearty home-made meal.

THIS MAY well be the first book-length poetry collection by a Papua New Guinean woman produced in the last decade.

Cultural Refugees  An Anthology of Poems , Julie Mota, CreateSpace, 2016, 56 pages, ISBN: 978-1539357619, US$8 plus postage from Amazon Books

Ms Mota is also a published writer and poet of considerable experience. Her achievements are characteristic of the quiet but dauntless confidence of many unannounced PNG women, successfully pursuing their dreams and ambitions.

In this anthology we are presented with a cultured balance of English and Tok Pisin poetry. Julies form is swift and fluid, and her words ring clear off the pages as if she is speaking to you in person.

The agenda she writes on is all-encompassing and her voice is that of woman, mother and artist who sees the changes that are happening in our country and wants us to take serious notice of them. This is a voice we should listen to.

As Ms Mota writes in her prologue:

We are sandwiched in time between two cultures our own indigenous Melanesian and the borrowed sweeping in. Even so, intermarriages between cultures give rise to an integration of cultures and indeed cultural immersion. This collection is an exploration on whether cultural immersions and transitional processes are producing cultural refugees in our midst. The different perspectives represented in this collection opens up the dialogue on how we Papua New Guineans look at our society, the changes that are happening and challenges us to discuss, embrace and pave a path forward for further exploration on the themes raised.

Julie Mota writes of simple truths, basics of life, down to earth emotions, sufferings, joys and expectations.

She writes in Pablik Hausik, of the familiar sight of mothers sitting in the tropical heat, nursing babies while waiting for service. Many of us may know this scene very well.

She writes of a husband, His gifted hands scorched by the hard work he does for his family. / Those gentle hands that play beautiful music on his guitar.

Ms Mota addresses serious social issues such as gender equity and domestic violence, and still celebrates the music in everyone.

Our poet also has a sly sense of humour.

When she speaks of the tax collector, Like a seductive temptress / slithering through his conscience / tagging his wallet. / Just a little tax she is saying / a pint would do.

This has an oblique familiarity, methinks.

Julie Mota raises the bar for both contemporary as well as academic literary pundits.

She does so by returning to our hearth, to our native soil and the tongues which evolved on this particular patch of dirt.

Julie has interpreted mourning performance poetry, called Kaita, from the Yegha people of Tufi, Oro Province.

Shes bringing back the good stuff folks!

Readers of PNG Attitude, welcome Julie Mota: PNG artist, writer and poet.
San Antonio police are searching for two suspects who opened fire on a couple around 3 a.m. Sunday on the North Side.

According to San Antonio police, a couple drove into a neighborhood near the 700 block of Rexford Drive when a car pulled up to them and two suspects opened fire. Both victims were shot in the back. They were transported to University Hospital in stable condition.
A fatal head-on collision on U.S. 281 Sunday morning shut down the highway for several hours, police say.

According to San Antonio police a man was traveling south on the north bound lanes of U.S. 281 just north of downtown about 6 a.m. when he slammed into a yellow vehicle head on.
Our City Council soon will vote on new contracts for ride-hail. This contract clearly has low-quality safety standards and allows limitless vehicles to be on our roads.

Apparently, when Uber, a $65 billion company, comes into town, certain members of our City Council forget all about our precarious position exceeding federal ozone standards. Nonattainment status means strict emission controls on business. We will potentially forgo full-time manufacturing jobs because cars are taking up the available emission units.

The SA Tomorrow plan states that ride-hail is inefficient for our city because it is sprawled out over 1,200 square miles. It also states that we should leverage the money gained from these companies to build our transportation future, but the $25,000 per year each company pays for their operating agreement does not remotely cover the cost of negative impacts.

The arguments for allowing these corporations to come here are framed around innovation and choice to avoid serious analysis and to signal to the tech lobbyists that we will allow the lowering of our community standards more so than other cities.

In doing research to understand how a new transit company could come here and circumvent city ordinances that all other taxi services work with, I read through at least 500 pages of public information responses. There are more, but Uber has sued the city of San Antonio and the Texas attorney general to withhold them. The responses detail lobbying and how Mayor Ivy Taylor was drowned in marketing materials and pressure  and its appalling. A lobbyist mentions 3,000 members of his unregistered tech lobbying group and dangles their support in front of the mayor and certain councilmen relentlessly.

In these emails, there are instances of favor asking, and lots and lots of access to councilmen through texts, meetings, phone calls, dinners, lunches and drinks  all done with an agreement for this lobbying to stay behind the scenes. Uber even expresses concern that the media will be in a key meeting. So what of checks and balances?

The lobbyists vision for San Antonio is conducive to maintaining our place as top in the nation for economic inequality, one where limitless vehicles further congest and pollute the city. This mentality is worsening the public safety of transit for women, and it is no coincidence that the only two women council representatives are for strengthening the safety of ride-hail through fingerprinting.

Lobbyists argue that ride-hail reduces drunken driving. Police Chief William McManus publicly refuted this. Ride-hail has only been back less than a year and there have been several allegations of sexual assault, as the boys club calls them. Lobbyists even argue that fingerprinting disproportionately locks out people of color, yet our local taxi drivers are mostly people of color and have had zero such incidents in five years.

Safe and sustainable mobility in our growing city is paramount. As one of only two women who own a small cab company here in town, a mother to three daughters and a professional environmental specialist, I agree with my fellow San Antonians when they respond to surveys in an overwhelming majority by saying we want safe mobility in trains, a better bus system, bike lanes and a more walkable city. Lets stay away from false transit choices that undermine our long-term goals of sustainability.

Keep the cap on taxis in San Antonio and place a cap on ride-hail vehicles. Both can be useful gap measures, but neither should detract from moving lots of people. Limitless auto fleets are not sustainable.

Our representatives have a chance to ask for sensible protections for San Antonio. Councilmen Rey Saldana, Alan Warrick, Robert Trevino and Ron Nirenberg, ask for a cap on all vehicle fleets in ride-hail because limitless auto fleets are not sustainable. Ask for mandatory fingerprinting coupled with background checks because we need the gold standard in deterring violent crime.

San Antonian Carol Fisher owns a small cab company.
JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

On behalf of the San Antonio Independent School District, I want to thank the community for supporting the two propositions on the Tuesday ballot. We are grateful to all SAISD voters who made the decision to invest in our approximately 53,000 students by approving a $450 million bond and a 13-cent increase to the maintenance and operations tax rate, which generates revenue for daily operations.

We knew we were up against a challenge in passing both measures at once, and were hopeful that the community would understand the great need and be willing to invest in our future. Stakeholder Engagement is one of our districts five pillars, and included in that is partnership. We see this as a tremendous partnership with the SAISD community  employees, parents, community members and business leaders  to move our district to levels it has never before seen.
The federal governments method of calculating Title I funding  intended to level academic playing fields for low-income students  is problematic.

The formula doesnt properly take into account the funding necessary per poor student. The result: School districts such as Somerset, with a 30 percent student poverty rate, are receiving less money per poor student than districts such as Northside, which has an 18 percent rate of student poverty.

A U.S. News & World Report analysis of U.S. Department of Education data showed districts in small cities and rural areas receiving less money per poor student. The disparity in Bexar County was spelled out in a recent Express-News article by Alia Malik and Vincent Davis.

To his credit, Northside Independent School District Superintendent Brian T. Woods gets the inequity.

Take a Title I kid at a school that has 20 percent Title I kids, he said. That kid is kind of surrounded by a community of kids that looks differently. Then take that same kid and put him in a school with 80 percent disadvantaged; those kids are essentially funded the same way, when the schools dont look at all the same. The schools are different, the dynamics are different, the needs are different.

He would like Title I to take concentrations of poverty into account in funding.

We agree.

Malik and Davis explained that Congress attempted this when it rewrote the No Child Left Behind Act. Large urban districts, with a higher number of poor students, won the argument. They didnt want less funding.

Somerset has about 4,000 students, Northside about 105,000. All of Somersets seven campuses are Title I schools; 49 of Northsides 115 campuses are.

And then theres the matter of outcomes. Only 30 percent of eighth-graders in Somerset passed the states standardized math exam, the lowest passing rate in Bexar County.

Somerset uses the Title I money for tutoring, parent liaisons, instructional aides, reading and math specialists, and reading instructional technology for English language learners. If there were extra money, the district would likely spend it on more intervention specialists and more instructional technology.

All poor students in all schools need this extra Title I help, but students in schools with higher concentrations of poverty need it more. As Woods noted, they are not surrounded by advantage.

Congress should fix this. Other area schools with higher concentrations of poverty  such as San Antonio ISD  would benefit.
The presence of the Texas A&M System in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is a welcome addition in an area that historically has been overlooked in higher education.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently authorized a Texas A&M academic center in McAllen. Construction of the $40 million building is scheduled to begin in December, but students wont have to wait to begin taking classes.

The university will start enrolling students next fall at a temporary facility where it will hold classes until fall 2018, when construction is completed. Initial enrollment is expected to be around 100 and grow to 750 by 2022.

Texas A&M-San Antonio started out much the same way, with classes on the Palo Alto community college campus. Enrollment at the university on the South Side grew rapidly. Unlike the San Antonio campus, which is an independent degree-granting school, the Rio Grande Valley school will be directly affiliated with the top-tier Texas A&M University in College Station as a satellite education center. Students will have to meet the entrance requirements for the College State university, and their diploma will come from that school.

Creating the school as an education center was the only way it could remain eligible for funding from the Permanent University Fund. Its status will be similar to that of Texas A&M at Galveston.

The higher education landscape in South Texas has undergone a magnificent transformation in the last two decades. It was not too long ago that students from the Valley had to travel to San Antonio to find the closest professional school. The state now boasts an A&M pharmacy school in Kingsville and a University of Texas medical school in the Rio Grande Valley.

Having the states two largest university systems expand their presence in South Texas bodes well for the economic future of a region that has some of the highest poverty rates in the country.
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ENLIGHTENED Christian Gathering Church leader Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, made a surprise private visit to Zimbabwe last week to spend days on hunting and shooting exercises.

There was drama at a local hotel where the prophet, referred by his followers as Major One, was staying after hordes of people thronged his room.

The hotel security had a torrid time to control the multitudes of people.

Prophet Bushiri, who has about 4 million Facebook followers, ignited a fierce debate last month when he prophesied that Zimbabwe would be transformed into a Dubai.

He claimed that God had shown him in a vision a new city which will look like the United Arab Emirates city  Dubai  in six years.

Weeks later, the clergy flew aboard his private jet and spent a few days in Harare and Buffalo Range.

He spent time at an exclusive lodge in the low-veld which previously hosted the likes of billionaire Bill Gates and musician Shakira.

ECG founders external media relations officer Mr Maynard Manyowa confirmed the visit.

Prophet Bushiri said, I really had a wonderful time in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe, this past week.

I took some time off for a small holiday and went out to Mabalauta Dumisa Camp site where I did some range shooting exercises and visited the National Parks in that area.

Its always good to take some time out, relax and enjoy the beautiful creation God has blessed us with. It is at such moments that you can hear the gentle whispers of God speaking to you.

He did this to me and I want to announce to you that God said this month will be a Month To Remember.

God is going to prove to the entire world that He is still in the miracle working business.

I see Him opening doors for you, elevating you, sanctifying you and setting you apart from your peers. The blessings coming to you will be so numerous!

Last month Prophet Bushiri challenged Zimbabweans to remember his prophecy six years from 2018.

He said, Remember my word, my prophecy, in the next six years from now, you will see something that looks like Dubai being built in Zimbabwe. I saw the roads in this city, I saw the buildings, wonderful things about this city.

God is about to do something, He will do it not with an individual but with Zimbabweans. Not one woman, not one politician but all of them together. God is doing a new thing in Zimbabwe.

Raise your hands and pray for the nation of Zimbabwe. I will bless Zimbabwe, says the Lord. God will rise in His power and bless the people of Zimbabwe.

They will not cry anymore. I see the land which will take away the shame of Africa.

Zimbabwe is about to be blessed. God is restoring Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a unique sleeping giant. Its not the first time that I have said this. God has remembered the apple of his eye and the country is now sitting on the foot of prosperity.

 SundayMail

Breaking News via Email
OUTSPOKEN Zanu PF legislator Joseph Chinotimba (Buhera South) has stirred controversy in the ruling party circles following a leaked video of him claiming that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was scheming to get rid of him as Member of Parliament.

Chinotimba made the remarks in a three-minute video seen by NewsDay. In the video, he is seen addressing Zanu supporters in Muchini village, ward 29, Buhera South constituency.

Chinotimba claimed that there were people who were being sent by Mnangagwa to decampaign him to ensure he does not retain the seat in the 2023 elections.

The word of God was preached here and people were liberated and there are people who are saying that Chinotimba should die. I did not elect myself to this position. Its you who elected me and l did not impose myself to the position, what have I failed to do so that I (should) be removed (from) my position? he said.

I have put electricity in most areas in my constituency and I have not stopped now Mnangagwa wants to send his people to remove me. This country was fought for by war veterans.

Chinotimba confirmed the recording when contacted for comment yesterday, but said it was taken out of context.

I am aware of the video and many people have called me over the video and my words have been twisted. I have told people to listen to it carefully, I want you to also listen to it, he said.

In the video, I was saying that there are people who are claiming to have been sent by Mnangagwa. That is what I was saying. I support my President.

In 2018, some war veterans in Manicaland accused Chinotimba of exhibiting G40 traits.

 NewsDay

Breaking News via Email
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When seabirds smell plastic in the ocean, they think its time to eat Los Angeles Times

U.S. banks post-election rally may be just an appetizer Reuters

Indian Banks Receive $30 Billion in Deposits as ATMs Run Dry Bloomberg

Former Autonomy CFO charged with wire fraud and conspiracy FT

That Big Berkshire Hathaway Railroad Deal Bloomberg

DAPL Ignores 2nd Army Corps Request to Stop Construction for 30 Days Indian Country

Brexit

Syraqistan

Colombia, FARC Rebel Group Announce New Peace Accord WSJ

Huge Anti-Park Rally Adds Pressure on Korea President to Resign Bloomberg

Can the India-Pakistan Ceasefire Survive? The Diplomat

Trumps America and Hong Kongs oath taking crisis: how they are linked South China Morning Post

War Drums

Trump Transition

Readers, I need to apologize for a Links section thats way too heavy on US election news. But we are dependent on the news flow, and the Trump Transition is dominating the news flow. More, the news flow is enormous  even if much of it is from institutions and individuals who have been, or at least should be, thoroughly discredited  and Im sure Ive missed important stories. So Im in the odd position of having both too many links and too few. lambert

Trump promises to make infrastructure a major focus PBS. Trump: Were going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it. Assuming that Trumps public-private partnerships arent colonized and deformed by cronies, and assuming the jobs are good jobs at good wages, this should go a long way toward solving any legitimacy issues Trump might face (at least after the stimulus kicks in). Something Trump should do but wont: Fly into Flint, promise a completely new and lead-free water system one (1) year, and then deliver.

Trumps Surprising Transportation Priorities Fortune. Not self-driving cars.

Obama Administration Gives Up on Pacific Trade Deal WSJ. So Trump deep-sixes TPP and the United States remains sovereign, he doesnt do a Syrian No-Fly Zone, so no war with Russia, and then he flames out in a legitimacy crisis (see the Prediction Professor below). Whats not to like?

Obama Lobbies Against Obliteration by Trump MoDo, NYT

14 Obama regs Trump could undo The Hill

Trump looking at fast ways to quit global climate deal: source Reuters. Interesting if true, like every story single-sourced by the hated press from the overly dynamic Trump transition team. Later addition by Yves: The howls from foreign governments say they believe this to be serious. But let us not forget that Obama was slow to join climate accords and embraced a boom in fossil fuel production in the US. Had he actually embraced combatting climate change, as opposed to giving it lip service, there would have been momentum and more public support, making it harder for Trump to reverse course.

The legacy of the 2011 debt ceiling fight is the biggest issue Trump will face on day one Business Insider. Maybe cutting a trillion from defense wouldnt be a bad thing

Prediction professor who called Trumps big win also made another forecast: Trump will be impeached WaPo (Furzy Mouse). In crisis, tail risk gets riskier.

Trump Lawyers to Begin Settlement Talks on Trump University ABC

Trumps Personal Investments Ride on Completion of Dakota Access Pipeline EcoWatch

Trumps potential conflicts Muckety. Handy mapping of relationships.

Bernies empire strikes back Politico (MR). The inside part of what I hope turns out to be an inside/outside strategy.

Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders duo will lead liberals in the Senate Boston Globe. Note that Warren was as invested as its possible to be in Clintons failed strategy of making the election about Trumps temperament and fitness for office, in great contrast to Sanders focus on policy.

Trumps Insurgency creates our Tahrir Square Moment Global Guerillas. This suggests that the next open source protest we are likely to see will form to force Donald Trump from the Presidency before the next election  a Tahrir square moment in cities all across the US. A massively and diverse open source protest that has one simple goal: the immediate removal of Donald Trump from office. The 2011 Tahrir Square protesters had one simple, unifying demand: Erhal! (Leave!). And they forced Mubarak from office. The difficulties came afterwards. Power was lying in the street, and the Army picked it up.

Moments of tragic optimism amid a Trump victory City Paper. Report from the ground of an anti-Trump march in Baltimore. Will the intersectional (here) protesters make the same mistake Occupy did, structuring meetings and organizing events so working people find it hard to participate?
Even Putin sends his best

(NaturalNews) It didn't take long for leaders around the world to congratulate President-elect Donald Trump following his stunning victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton on Tuesday. And what's more, many leaders of countries whose relationships with the U.S. under the Obama administration  and under the "leadership" of Clinton as his secretary of state  have deteriorated, have now shown a renewed desire to work with America to stabilize the world and promote peace and prosperity.The first leader to place a call to Trump was Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. reported that al-Sisi spoke to Trump by telephone, congratulating him and saying he looked forward to meeting the new U.S. leader in person.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has had a particularly rocky relationship with Obama and Clinton, thanks to the latter's preference for favoring terrorist-sponsoring states like Iran, called Trump a "friend of Israel," and said he looks forward to working with him to advance the security of Israel and the region.Hungary's leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, hailed Trump's win as a "great victory," writing on his Facebook page that it was "great news" that "democracy is still alive."French conservative leader of the National Front, Marine le Pen, applauded Trump's victory and the "free American people."One of the most significant world leaders to congratulate Trump was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who believes that a Trump administration will rebuild ties and trust with Moscow. "We have heard the pre-election statements by then-candidate (Trump), which were directed at rebuilding relations between Russia and the U.S.," Putin said during a speech before a number of ambassadors.Another leader who has been highly critical of the U.S., and with whom the Obama administration has been inept in its dealings, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, has said he is "looking forward to working with [Trump's] incoming administration." This is an important relationship for Trump to cultivate, considering that the Philippines is strategically located within the South China Sea, where a newly aggressive China has been allowed to build and arm fake islands throughout the region, which threatens a vital international trade route worth trillions a year.This praise from a number of world leaders is likely very unexpected from a lot of quarters, considering that the global powers that be have been aligned against Trump from the outset, and likely still are. Trump will have to find a way to reach out to these leaders, especially those who do not trust him yet, in order to create an environment of stability and peace.
(NaturalNews) Memo to the idiots who have been brainwashed by the Left into thinking you can say whatever you want about President-elect Trump because, you know, he's not President Obama or Hillary Clinton:. In fact, depending uponyou say, you might just find yourself being paid a visit by the Secret Service or the FBI  or both.I'll explain, but first, here's an additional shout-out to the Leftist, Kool-aid-drinking tech lords of social media: Not only are you monumental hypocrites, you're liable to be considered accessories to the alarming number of very public assassination threats against our next president of the United States.As noted by , Trump's unexpected election victory over the highly compromised and oft-investigated Hillary Clinton has brought out the worst behavior in far too many people. Most of them have limited their dissent to protests on campuses and in the streets of some major cities.Others have resorted to violence, physically and criminally assaulting Trump supporters and/or attacking police, painting graffiti and breaking windows.But some of the more vile Americans have resorted to calling for the unthinkable (and highly illegal): That Trump should be assassinated before he even takes office, and they are using social media  the same social media that has censored Trump supporters likeMilo Yiannopoulos  to do it.published a summary of the insane hatred towards Trump in the form of tweets including:-- "There's still 2 months for someone to assassinate Trump and Obama to pardon them"-- "someone's gotta take one for the team and assassinate donald trump before he starts f**king s**t up"-- "honestly if i had the ambition and wasn't afraid of jail i'd try to assassinate trump lol"-- "I don't really believe much in "God" but I'll pray this one time. I pray for nothing but death to Trump. Ok I'm done."-- "Trump ain't president 'til inauguration day lmao you guys still have time to assassinate BOTH Trump and Pence."And so on. But aspointed out, Facebook is equally guilty of allowing this treasonous, seditious trash: A screen grab of the Facebook search function with the word "assassinate" typed in showed several results as "popular" searches, including "assassinate Donald Trump," "assassinate Trump," and "assassinate." reported further that one user posted shortly after the Trump/Pence victory, "Can someone assassinate Trump and fix this huge mistake?"Note to the haters who think they're being cute or bold or whatever: Threatening the life of the president or vice president,the president-elect or vice president-elect, is a violation of federal law. Under 18 U.S. Code  871, persons found guilty of making such death threats shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. But more than that, this vile hatred of a man who hasn't even taken office yet is not only unwarranted, it's virtually unprecedented. There were plenty of Americans who were upset when then-Sen. Barack Obama was elected to his first term. But there was no mass movement among the dissenting population to assassinate him. What's more, there were no widespread protests or rioting where participants called for death to Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, burned things, smashed store windows and defaced public and private property with nasty, hate-filled messages.But the larger picture today is that the "social justice warriors" who founded today's most popular social media sites areby not shutting these haters down and eliminating their memberships. While it's very easy for someone who has been booted to re-sign under another alias using a different email address,The longer this goes on, the more Americans will learn who are theenemies of freedom, liberty and equality: The angry Left and their masters in the pop culture, media, political realm and in tech who tell them what to think, what to say and what to do. It truly is an example of mind-numbed zombie-like robots who are programmed to repeat certain talking points and oppose viewpoints they don't agree with, even to the point of making illegal threats on the life of our next president and vice president.Here's a prediction: The angry Left will continue to erupt in this manner throughout the duration of Trump's presidency, however long it may last. As long as it's just protests, that's fine: It's their right.But if this " assassination " stuff is allowed to continue, and social media sites serve as both a forum and an echo chamber for such talk,, especially if some idiot thug punk, at some point, is driven to 'act' by the idiots egging him or her on across the Internet.
Leftists are VICTIMS of journo-terrorism media hypnosis

Trapped in mental prisons carefully constructed by the journo-terrorism leftist media

Rachel Maddow is a journo-terrorist

The leftist media has tapped into the "zombie broadcast frequency"

Spewing bigotry and HATE while calling it news

How to solve this problem? It's simple: ARREST the journo-terrorists

Leftist journo-terrorist are plotting to sabotage America in order to harm President Trump

Leftists HATE democracy and do everything in their power to thwart it

(NaturalNews) Members of the leftist media smugly claim they advocate love, compassion and progressivism, but any honest analysis of their content leads to the conclusion that their reporters are. They deliberately fabricate falsehoods about their political enemies to effectively hypnotize their readers into being terrified of them. FALSE FEAR is the mantra of the journo-terrorists.This is exactly why there was so much intense hatred on the left for Donald Trump -- the media whipped it up on purpose by using false scare stories -- and why leftists who supported Hillary Clinton are now freakishly horrified at the outcome of the election.Many of them literally thinkunless the election outcome is reversed. The following extraordinary video from Melissa Dykes at The Daily Sheeple documents some of the incredible hysteria now sweeping across the horrified left... and yeah, it's clearly mental illness:As you can see,They are obviously traumatized by their own beliefs, and while many people might enjoy an uproarious evening of laughter just watching these lunatics totally freak out, the truth is thatTo these victims, you see, Donald Trump really is a horrible monster. They've convinced he's an evil, woman-hating, Mexican-beating, sexual predator who's deliberately going to destroy families across America because he's a cruel person. A friend of mine told me about a conversation he had with a Clinton supporter in California who insisted that Donald Trump only reads "Nazi propaganda books" which he keeps on his nightstand. Every pro-Trump argument my friend tries to make with this person was greeted with, "But he has NAZI BOOKS on his nightstand!"The leftist media, you see, has hypnotically implanted "Nazi books" into the minds of people like this guy. He now imagines Nazi books that don't exist, but in his mind they are real. The leftist media, in a very real sense, has prompted leftists across America to HALLUCINATE about horrible things that don't exist, all while thinking they're real.Here's another informative video from Rob Dew at Info Wars:These people are, of course,. Their minds have been programmed with so many layers of disinformation and fear that they can no longer recognize the difference between what's real vs. fiction. They are trapped in a mental prison of fear, carefully constructed by the leftist media for the sole purpose of exerting absolute control over the psychology of the electorate.Leftists who watch MSNBC, in other words -- and Rachel Maddow in particular -- have been swept into an(psychological operation) that might as well be called "journo-terrorism."The key terrorists in this propaganda assault on the American psyche include not just Rachel Maddow but people like Michael Moore, Anderson Cooper and George Stephanopoulos. Each of these people is, in their own way, simultaneously an info-terrorist and a social engineer.Their job in the leftist ecosystem of psychological warfare is tothat innocent American stumble into, setting them off and blasting apart their cognitive constructs. Once the old belief systems are eliminated, new beliefs are inserted through "info-doctrination" -- i.e. repeated, daily news streams consisting of fear and lies that create "trigger conditions" in the minds of those being hypnotized.It's fascinating that planting actual land mines on battlefields is often considered a "crime against humanity," but when journo-terrorists plantacross the psychological battlefield of America, it's all "fact checked" into reality by Politifact, Snopes or the Washington Post. Suddenly the land mines are perfectly acceptable to the leftists. It is these land minds that are right now responsible for the massive psychological trauma being experienced by the crying, wailing leftists whose brains have been shattered by journo-terrorism from MSNBC, CNN, the NYT, the LA Times and so on.It's almost like something ripped right out of Batman, where some evil mastermind villain has managed to turn the city's radio towers into a zombie broadcast frequency that controls all the citizens. After activating the signal, they are able to control the citizens as if they were puppets, telling them to vote for Hillary, or burn American flags, or march in the streets or almost anything they want.It's not much of a leap, by the way, for the same leftist journo-terrorists to tell their hypnotized followers to. This, of course, is where George Soros -- the terror funding money man behind the curtain -- ultimately wants to take us all. He wants awhere white people, gun owners and Trump supporters are beaten to death by enraged leftist socialists.Rachel Maddow, Charles Schumer, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Al Sharpton and other leftists are all. They script out the most horrifying fears that leftists might hold, then theythrough an obedient, state-run media that already has a hypnotic lock on their viewers.This was evident just recently, by the way, when Obama told an African-American audience that if Trump won, he would immediately start cancelling their Medicare or Medicaid coverage. It's classic leftist fear-mongering... or "journo-terrorism."Watch this liberal media meltdown from Next News Network:Rachel Maddow, a repugnant, conniving manipulator of the human psyche, is thrilled to use fabricated fear scenarios to keep her viewers glued to her hypnosis sessions masquerading as news on MSNBC. Her goal, just like that of Jon Stewart before he gave up the Daily Show, is toabout people on the right.The programming from Maddow is merciless, incessantly shaping her audience perceptions against gun owners, white people, southern people, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and a long list of others who are made out to be horrifying monsters. According to Maddow's viewers, Donald Trump is Adolf Hitler. Gun owners are trigger-happy rednecks who love to shoot black people. White males are stupid, bigoted racists. Cops are executioners of minorities. Scientists who disagree with the false climate change narrative are "deniers" who should be imprisoned. And so on.The result is thattend to become "radicalized" into a mindset of extreme fear, hatred and bigotry toward their named enemies. At the same time all this is being programmed into their heads, the leftist media throws a veil of "love, compassion and tolerance" over the entire hypnosis gig, making the world's most hate-filled bigots -- leftists -- believe they are the world's most tolerant progressives!Seriously: Racist, bigoted, hate-filled leftists literally think they represent LOVE for humanity. It's incredible...Check out this We Are Change video:It's time to stop pussy-footing around with real justice in America. If we love our fellow citizens,We must arrest these journo-terrorists for, inciting riots, and working deliberately to destroy the United States of America. CNN, for example,. The NYT was caught conspiring with the Clinton campaign to give her editorial control over their articles. MSNBC has been a bastion of racism and bigotry from its inception, and to this day, there are still shocking numbers of people who don't realize that the "MS" in "MSNBC" stands for "Microsoft."It's no exaggeration to say that these journo-terrorists like Maddow, just as Newt Gingrich correctly recommended earlier this year:Gingrich was referring to radical Islamic terrorists, but Michael Savage agrees with me that the HUAAC must now be applied to the anti-American radicals who are pretending to be journalists. Their very real goal, as is 100% obvious at this point since they won't denounce the violent leftist riots in the streets, is toand install a communist / socialist regime through a kind of "Cultural Revolution" violent uprising.Their goal, in other words, is to, and that's treason. It must be stopped, of course, and laws already exist on the books to stop them. (If those laws don't work, there's always the activation of the Second Amendment, which I call "America's immune system.")Leftist journo-terrorism -- deeply rooted in hatred for America -- isThese leftist journo-terrorists are, "poison pill" America before his inauguration, and cause America's cities to collapse into social chaos before Trump takes over. Their goals are deliberate, malicious and rooted in a criminal mindset.Remember: The very same reprehensible woman (Hillary Clinton) whoand demanded he honor the outcome of the democratic election is now refusing to tell her supporters to stop burning down their own cities. Astonishing. When leftists don't get their way in the elections,. Elections be damned! These people see elections as nothing more than a charade, for if they don't get the result they want, they will take to the streets to commitagainst their own citizens.As Matt Drudge posted on the Drudge Report, "HATE TRUMPS LOVE"What's obvious in all this is that leftists hate democracy. They hate law and order. They hate rules when those rules apply to them. And, of course, they hate America.Leftists have been so cognitively crippled by journo-terrorism that they actually. They think illegal aliens are their friends, while police officers in their own communities are their enemies. Leftists are racist, bigoted, hate-filled expressions of what happens when a nation allows journo-terrorism to undermine its cultural fabric.After January 20, when President Trump takes office, it's time to shut down the journo-terrorism operations across America. Arrest the journo-terrorists and prosecute them for crimes against America. Then begin the process ofon the left who need to be freed from the false hypnosis that has damaged their minds for the last eight years.
The arctic sea ice is responsible for keeping Polar Regions cool and helps moderate global climate. Now, can you imagine living on earth without these ice sheets?

A new study published in the journal Science revealed that CO2 emissions are accelerating the rate of sea ice loss in the arctic. If the ice melting would stay at this rate, we might have an ice-free Arctic Ocean by 2050.

Based on the researchers' calculations, for every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted, about three square meters of Arctic summer sea ice disappears. National Snow and Ice data Center revealed in their recent report that for October 2016, Arctic sea ice extent averaged 6.40 million square kilometers, the lowest October in the satellite record.

"Put simply, for each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted, the climate warms a little bit. To compensate for this warming, the sea ice edge moves northward to a region with less incoming solar radiation. This then causes the sea ice area to shrink. Simple geometric reasons cause these processes to combine to the observed linearity," explained Dr. Dirk Notz, lead author of the research at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Germany that studies sea ice said in a press release.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography reported on September that we have passed the earth's carbon tipping point for good. And that from then on, our monthly CO2 emissions value will remain or will be higher than 400 parts per million. This makes arctic sea ice more at risk of disappearing.

The linear relationship between Artic sea ice melting and CO2 emissions helps us underscore our role in the proliferation of global climate change and highlights the significance of lowering emissions to limit global warming to 1.5C.

Notz told Christian Science Monitor News in a separate interview that simply travelling via fossil-fuel powered car from one place to another is elevating levels of CO2 emissions.

"Our study now provides individuals with the sense that their own individual actions make a difference," Notz tells The Christian Science Monitor in a phone interview. "If I decide to drive my car a little less or to buy a car that uses less fuel, for example, all these little actions will make a difference for sea ice."

Meanwhile, the researchers also argued that climate models are underestimating the warming effect and sensitivity of Arctic sea ice to rising CO2 levels.
Over the past few months, there had been a number of reports regarding newly invented machinery that could potentially wreak havoc in the event a war comes in the future. One of the latest was a powerful unmanned drone introduced by China to the world just a few weeks ago.

And just recently, Russia has made their own war machine, a robot that could detect and kill humans within seconds. This killer robot not only detects humans; it can also target humans within a radius as far as four miles. But there is no cause for alarm. Even if this machine has been designed to kill humans, it will not be programmed to do so in the near future.

According to reports, it is within the plans of the Russian Defense Department to implement and employ this killer robot at the Russian border. It is aimed to detect low-flying drones, or other potential aerial weapons, that could cause potential harm to the country's citizens. It will be employed to monitor, track and send information to an operating base before fully implementing any harmful moves.

Dmitry Perminov, the Chief Project Engineer, has explained in an interview the procedure for which this device can function. First, it could detect a target whether a human or a vehicle. It then engages the target using an optical system taking note of the object's location, origin and movements. It then sends these data to the main operating base which controls all 'Killer Robots'. This device is so high-tech that the engineers of the project aim for it to be able to detect whether or not the chosen target is an enemy.

The function of this machine may not be entirely military. There can be possibilities where it could be used for security, especially for government related subjects.
We now know who are to blame for the modern genital warts. A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution has figured out the origin of human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world.



According to the study, HPV has been introduced to humans because Homo sapiens, our ancestors had sex with Neanderthals and Denisovans roughly around 100,000 years ago.

As explained by Science Alert, researchers from the National Centre for Scientific Research in France and Spain's Catalan Institute of Oncology ran 118 full sequences of HPV16 from five different subtypes of the virus to see how it evolved. HPV16 is the most oncogenic infectious agent among humans and responsible for most genital cancers. While much of the world is struggling to combat it, the sub-Saharan Africa are generally HPV16-free.

After analyzing the viruses' structures, they came up with a genetic timeline that shows how the virus has evolved through the years. The timeline showed that the HPVs go back almost half a million years, and likely arose within Neanderthal and Denisovan populations.

How did the virus spread? And why is the sub-Saharan Africa HPV16-free?

The researchers suggest that early humans already had their own strains of HPV. However, HPV16 specifically plagued the modern humans after our ancestors left Africa some 60,000 to 100,000 years ago and spread across Eurasia.

As they moved, they came across Neandethals and Denisovans who had already developed the HPV 16a after they have left Africa long before humans did. The early humans mated with them and that was when they acquired the HPV 16a.

"In those times, there was no safe sex, everything was transmitted," Ville Pimenoff, a genetics researcher at the Catalan Institute of Oncoloy in Spain told Vox.

The fact that we interbred with other species can explain how humans acquired new DNA after leaving Africa. But as Pimenoff said, "the real big picture is that our history, our evolutionary history is a lot more complex than we thought 5 to 10 years ago. And our history, is also the history of our pathogens."
Traumatic stress affects the brains of boys and girls in a different manner based on a new brain-scanning examination from researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study discovered structural differences between the sexes in a certain part of the insula, a region in the brain that identifies hints from the body and goes on to process empathy and emotions among adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Some of the important functions of the insula include integrating a person's feelings, actions and many other functions related to the brain. This is the first study that points out the differences between male and female PTSD patients. Victor Carrion, senior author of the study, said that the insula is the key factor that is responsible for the development of PTSD.

The difference between the brains of both the genders who have suffered from psychological trauma is crucial since it can assist in explaining the differences in the symptoms of trauma between the sexes, he added.

Young people who have become a victim of traumatic stress may develop PTSD symptoms while others do not. These patients may experience memories of past traumatic events and avoid people, places, and objects that tend to refresh their memory of the trauma. They may suffer from many other problems like difficulty in concentrating or sleeping and social withdrawal tendency.

Research done in the past has indicated that girls experiencing from trauma have a greater possibility of developing PTSD compared to their male counterparts; however, scientists have been unable to explain the reason behind this.

The team conducted MRI scans of the brains of 59 youths aged 9 to 17. Out of these 16 boys and 14 girls had shown traumatic symptoms while the control group that consisted of 14 boys and 15 girls had not. All participants had similar IQs and were more or less of the same age. Five participants from the traumatized group had experienced a single episode of trauma and 25 had experienced at least two episodes or had been a victim of chronic trauma.

There was no difference between the structure of the brain among both the sexes in the control group. However, there were some notable differences in a part of the insula among the traumatized girls and boys. Also, the surface area and volume of the affected brain region were high among traumatized boys compared to the girls.
Modern human life has relied on batteries for almost as long as we can remember. But lately, incidents of cellular phones and hoverboards exploding because of faulty batteries have people on edge. Technological power player Samsung was forced to recall 2.5 million of their latest Smartphone release, the Galaxy Note 7, after reports worldwide that many were overheating, or even blowing up. Self-balancing scooters or hoverboards were also recalled by 10 firms due to fire hazards. Professor Richard Williams, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, explained the main cause behind exploding devices in the Daily Mail.

In comparison to previous battery materials such as cadmium or lead, lithium-ion batteries are made with a lightweight metallic element that is less toxic than its predecessors. Williams explained that unlike earlier 'single use' batteries, they could normally be recharged thousands of times. The other clever innovation in lithium-ions lies in the detailed compact structural design of the layered battery. Smartphone batteries have a carefully planned structural design to optimize the thermal pathways. According to a report by European battery manufacturers, approved accompanying software-driven power system controls avoid overcharging and over-discharging the cells.

Most of these batteries can achieve an energy density of 100-watt hours per kilo to 270-watt hours per kilo. This translates to having far more power in a smaller space, a growing demand in the technological industry. The main issue is with more energy comes more heat. When the inside of a battery of a battery overheats, the packaging and physical space for expansion become increasingly critical. Production of batteries might have had insufficient consideration when it comes to heating issues. This can result in sudden friction or external heat that would lead to a spontaneous explosion.

In recent weeks, numerous airline passengers have had to surrender their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 since it was labeled as a fire hazard. Phones that had been left in baggage holds have delayed flights, creating a lot of chaos among passengers. On a similar vein, airlines had banned hoverboards a few months ago, again because their batteries were considered a fire risk.

Samsung initially said one battery supplier was to blame, though that's has been questioned in the weeks since, with phones sent out after the Note 7's original recall exhibiting the same problems. The company confirmed to MarketWatch that the faulty battery was indeed a lithium-ion one, though it declined to provide additional information. Market watch also warned consumers of exploding hoverboards, which also used faulty batteries.
A country doesn't just expand by acquiring new territory as Japan has just shared with the world. You can make new territory if you have enough volcanoes. Japanese coast guards and earthquake experts are finally going to visit an island in the waters to the far south of Tokyo that a volcanic eruption has raised.

For the first time since monitoring the volcano's eruption in 2013, Japanese researchers landed for the first time on what used to be a rocky outcrop called Nishinoshima. Found in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the incredible eruptions had formed an island 12 times its size.

Researchers from Japan's environment ministry swam the final distance from a small boat to the island so as to minimize biological contamination. They were the first people to step foot on the island in recent history. With little volcanic activity until 1973, the rocky outcrop was just a mere 650 meters long and 200 meters wide based on the researchers' data.

But a spectacular eruption nearby in November 2013 caught the attention of local scientists. Television footage had shown heavy smoke, ash, and rocks exploding from the crater and the coast guard had issued an advisory warning of heavy black smoke from the eruption. At the time, the volcanologist with the coast guard, Hiroshi Ito, did not discount the possibility that it was possible the new island might be eroded away. "But it also could remain permanently," he said.

But this particular eruption spewed out ash and rock for two years, creating an island that spanned 2.68 square kilometers. For comparison, that land mass is larger than the city-state of Monaco in Southern France.

Having given the island the name Rosario, researchers then collected rock, plant and insect samples for ecological study. Masked gannets, a large seafaring bird, were observed to have made the new island their home. One of the main goals of the research party was to study the process of growth of a volcanic island by analyzing different lava samples and accumulated volcanic ash for clues. Researchers had also installed several seismic monitors around the uninhabited island to record future geological activity.

Japan's chief government spokesman welcomed the news of, however tiny, new territory. "If it becomes a full-fledged island, we would be happy to have more territory," Yoshihide Suga stated.

Rosario Island is just off the coast of Nishinoshima, an unpopulated island in the Ogasawara chain or the Bonin Islands. Amounting to approximately 30 islands, they could be found 1,000 kilometers or 620 miles south of Tokyo. This new potential territory, along with the rest of Japan, makes up the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire" with more than 100 active volcanoes.
Chemical litter is sitting ominously at the bottom of the ocean. Is there destruction in the horizon? Scientists study the phenomenon.

According to a report from Hakai Magazine, an estimated one million tons of warfare chemicals are found in the ocean, which stretches long and wide throughout the world. In the Bari harbor in Italy, there have been reports of 230 sulfur mustard exposure cases in the past 70 years. On the other side of the world, sulfur mustard bombs have also appeared three times in Delaware.

"It's a global problem," sand Terrance Long, chair of the International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions (IDUM). "It's not regional, and it's not isolated."

But where did they come from?

In 1917, German soldiers used mustard gas against their enemies, a liquid chemical-warfare agent that shocked its victims: burned their skin, inflamed their eyes, and formed blisters on their genitals and arms. The use of the chemicals killed 90,000 soldiers in World War I, then in the second World War it was still being used despite the ban by the Geneva Convention in 1925.

When the war ended, disposal of the mustard gas became a priority - and a huge problem. To get rid of the chemical weapons, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States got creative; they all tossed all of their weapons on the ocean. Entire ships filled to the brim of chemical munitions and pushed the containers overboard.

Records of the location are inaccurate, but nowadays scientists are rushing to find them and catch signs of damage to the environment. Time is ticking as there is the possibility of the bombs rusting underwater, potentially leaking the harmful materials inside.

Jacek Beldowski, a geochemist at the Polish Academy of Science's Institute of Oceanography in Sopot, coordinated scientists to figure out how chemical weapons underwater could affect the environment and humans. He explained that while there's no evidence of marine life getting affected, they are concerned that rusting may happen simultaneously.

"We have the 'time bomb and catastrophe' approach versus the 'unicorns and rainbows' approach," Beldowski says. "It's really interesting at project meetings when you have the two sides fighting."
As the surprising presidential election results slowly start to sink in, folks in the Bay Area continue to express a variety of emotional reactions.

Thousands of people joined hands around Lake Merritt in Oakland Sunday afternoon during a peaceful demonstration, marking a fifth-consecutive day of protests centered around decrying president-elect Donald Trump's history of contentious behavior and pressing for national unity.

The demonstration, which started at 3 p.m., was designed to promote "healing and empowerment through standing together in solidarity," according to a Facebook event post.

Robin O'Donnell said he knew he had to take part in the event.

"I'm here because my heart brought me here," he said. "I see all these people who have the same hurt."

Robin Monte Rio brought a board for people to sign about the changes they'd like to see.

"Some people use violence to protest and express themselves," Monte Rio said. "I believe we can have other means, more peaceful means, to communicate."

Somatic therapist Allison White spearheaded the event after feeling "so deeply sad" following Tuesday's stunning turn of events in the political world. She regularly ventures around the roughly 3-mile-long loop that wraps around the lake and eventually felt compelled to stand up and orchestrate some change. Before she knew it, more than 7,000 people signed on to attend her peaceful protest.

"There is a lot of violence, a lot of racism, a lot of people not being accepting of others," White said. "We all need to be accepting of others."

Organizers wrote on the social media website that they would welcome any and all attendees, regardless of political affiliation. One of the main objectives was to "pray for peace, reconciliation and love" in addition to combatting "racism, sexism, homophobia and Islamophobia," according to those behind the gathering.

Before the official start of the demonstration, an "empathy tent" was set up to help aid in any needed healing and children flashed "Free Listening" signs for those desiring an open ear. A group of psychotherapists belonging to the group "Sidewalk Talk" were also on hand to listen to concerns in a neutral fashion.

The spirit of the afternoon held up to its goal.

Every time a bird flew up in the air, people clapped their hands and did the wave. One group brought a boombox and blasted "Love Train," a famous tune from The O'Jays. Others wore sticky notes with empathetic messages fastened with a safety pin, a new symbol of the movement. People simply want a safe place to live.

Among other planned protests across the region, folks are expected to gather in San Francisco for a peaceful procession.

Participants assembled at Pier 7 in the city by the bay at 11 a.m. before creating signs and marching through city streets, according to a Facebook event post.

"Now is the time to come together and lift each other up, especially the communities who are suffering from the bruises and alienation caused by the backdrop of 'isms' that have dominated this election year," organizers wrote on Facebook.

Thousands of protesters were already marching in and around Golden Gate Park Saturday morning and early afternoon chanting that Trump "has got to go," according to witnesses.

A couple dozen protesters were also spotted standing along a corner in downtown San Francisco.

For the past five days, protests scattered around the Bay Area have ranged from violence and tension to open dialogues and group hugs.

NBC Bay Area's Lisa Fernandez contributed to this report.
It's the first weekend after a bitter and divisive election season, and no matter their party affiliation, Bay Area residents are drained.

Some people in San Francisco decided to attend a group hug at Dolores Park on Saturday.

"We feel like the entire country needed a hug after the election," Sarah Wheeler said.

Wheeler, who organized the massive hug, said support can go a long way despite whether someone is relieved with the election results or needs to cry.

"There's just been so much nastiness and bitterness and disappointment and bad feelings all over," she said. "Hugs generally make people feel better."

The weekend could not have come sooner for Cheryl Dailey, who has turned to retail therapy for short-term relief.

"I'm a little bit nervous, lots of anxiety, physically ill because of just not knowing what's going to happen," the San Jose resident admitted.

Others picked up a frisbee.

"It's been a weird four days, so [it's] nice to come out here in the sunshine and throw it around and not think ... too much," Eric Roberts of San Francisco said.

Thousands banded together on Saturday as opposition to the newly minted President-elect unfurled across the United States, triggering yet another day of marches. Anti-Donald Trump protesters flooded streets in New York City, Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles.

In the Bay Area, more than a hundred people marched in San Jose on Saturday, carrying flags and signs, and chanting, "Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go!" The group did not disrupt traffic and stayed on sidewalks.

Meanwhile, the Pantsuit Nation, a group of Hillary Clinton supporters, hosted vigils in Dublin, Palo Alto, Pleasanton, San Jose and San Francisco Saturday night. In the East Bay, Oakland protesters gathered again for a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza. California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland were out in full force to quell any potentially violent behavior.

A Facebook event page indicates that over 4,000 people will join hands around all 3.4 miles of Lake Merritt between 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday. A "Love and United Procession" is also scheduled to take place Sunday morning on San Francisco's Pier 7.
One East Coast man lost his sister to a tragic drug overdose nearly two years ago. Dismayed by the loss, Brett Bramble knew he needed to do more than just honor his late sister with the touching words of a eulogy.

The Atlanta resident strapped on a pair of walking boots in Cape Henlopen, Del. on Mar. 15 and trekked his way west, eventually landing in San Francisco Saturday, all the while paying tribute to his deceased sibling and raising awareness about overdosing, the cause of death that snatched Brittany Leigh Bramble from his life.

"I feel really good about my accomplishments," Brett said. "I feel like I was able to reach many people and help make a difference by sharing my sister's story."

Toting a stroller filled with the bare essentials and journeying side-by-side with his pooch "Domino," Brett clung to a keychain with Brittany's face imprinted on it to help him prolong the physical grind.

"Love was by far the biggest thing that kept me going," he said. "I was able to keep my sister alive with her love. I made that peace out there and I know I will be okay."

As Brett adventured throughout the heart of America, he was pleasantly surprised to never find himself alone. Complete strangers opened their doors, filled his stomach with home-cooked meals and offered to send him off with freshly cleaned clothes.

"The love and support is something that I will cherish forever," he said.

Despite the appreciated hospitality, Brett was taken aback to discover just how damaging drug overdose can be.

"Nine times out of 10, the people I talked to were effected in some way by substance abuse whether it was them or somebody they knew," he said.

Brittany was just 28 years old when she passed, but Brett strives to focus on the fond memories he still treasures, such as how the dynamic duo was an unstoppable force during game night.

"If me and her were on the same team (playing) Cranium, you wouldn't win," he said. "She was the closest person to me."

The nearly eight-month-long walk culminated with Brett and some of his loved ones passing under the Golden Gate Bridge's high-arching towers and stepping foot on the cool Pacific coast sand. Brett capped off his journey by plunging into the ocean while his support team of family and friends bellowed cheers his way.

"I dove in and just washed it away and came back up a new man," Brett said.

Brett Bramble

After some much-needed rest, Brett plans to keep strolling with a book and speaking tour. Educating the public about the dangers of substance abuse remains his chief objective.

"I want to share this story," he said. "I want to keep my sister's legacy alive by helping others."

In the state of California, legislation has been implemented to partially protect those suffering from an overdose or those witnessing such an event. The 911 Good Samaritan Law, which was approved by Gov. Brown in 2012, spurs people to pursue medical attention following an overdose while providing some protections against criminal drug-related charges. The law came into being because some overdose witnesses were too afraid to call emergency services for fear of being punished.
Five men were killed and at least 32 other people were wounded in shootings across the city between Friday night and Monday morning, according to Chicago Police.

The most recent fatal shooting happened early Monday in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side, police said.

Officers responding at 3:40 a.m. to a call of a person shot found the 26-year-old lying on the sidewalk in the 2500 block of West 47th Street, police said. He had suffered gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and right leg and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

About 7:10 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 7200 block of South Phillips Avenue in the South Shore neighborhood and found a 25-year-old man unresponsive on the ground, police said. He was shot on the right side of his body and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Cook County medical examiners office did not immediately provide information on those fatalities.

Earlier Sunday, a man was shot to death outside a gas station in the South Austin neighborhood on the West Side. Officers responding at 1:59 a.m. to a call of a person shot in the 4800 block of West Madison found the man, thought to be in his 20s, with multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen and chest. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:37 a.m., authorities said. The medical examiners office has not yet released his name.

At 3:21 a.m. Saturday, a man was shot to death in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side. Officers responding to reports of shots fired found the 31-year-old lying in an alley in the 100 block of South California, authorities said. He had been shot in the head, left arm and left leg. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:53 a.m. His name has not been released.

Another 31-year-old man was shot to death a little more than an hour earlier in the West Lawn neighborhood on the Southwest Side. About 2 a.m., he was driving in the 6800 block of South Springfield when someone outside fired shots, hitting him in the chest, police said. He was driven to Holy Cross Hospital and was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released.

The weekends latest nonfatal shooting happened about 11:50 p.m. Sunday when a 46-year-old man was caught in crossfire in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. He was walking on the sidewalk in the 7300 block of South Stewart when two groups began firing shots at each other and he was struck in the left leg, police said. He took himself to Saint Bernard Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.

At least 31 other people were wounded in shootings between 10 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Sunday in Chicago.

Also this weekend, police announced a joint effort with the FBI, Illinois State Police and Cook County sheriffs office to target drug sales and gang violence on the South and West sides.

Last weekend, 51 people were shot in Chicago, nine of them fatally.
Thousands took to the streets Saturday across the United States as demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump continued in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and beyond.

Protesters rallied at New York's Union Square before picking up steam and taking their cause toward Trump Tower. Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  there's no place for racism in society in America."

Trump's comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trump's hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: "Legalize weed but not my Mom?"  a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

"We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me."

"He doesn't realize all the families he's hurting," she said of Trump.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a glittery sign that said "Love Trumps Hate."

"What he's been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder," he said. "If you're gay, if you're LGBT, if you're Muslim, if you're Latin, if you're special needs, if you're female, it's a much unsafer place now."

"What is happening today is going to be the normal for a while," he said of the demonstration, "because we're not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away."

Around 1,000 people gathered in downtown Chicago on Saturday to protest Trumps election victory for the fourth consecutive day. Demonstrators marched on Michigan Avenue and paused briefly near Trump Tower to chant before continuing north toward the Dirksen Federal Building.

Several hundred people have marched through Richmond, Virginia, in a demonstration began at Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday. Protesters carried signs and chanted "we reject the president elect" and "my fist goes up until Trump steps down."

Similar demonstrations took place in Providence, Rhode Island, Iowa City, Iowa, and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Oregon, a man who was participating in a Friday night march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to "burning projectiles" thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

"Going to the streets for another night is not going to keep Donald Trump from taking office. It isnt going to change anything," Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said at a Saturday news conference, NBC affilitate KGW-TV reported.

Still, several hundred protestors took to Portland's streets again Saturday, despite the mayor's words, and police made multiple arrests after protesters threw bottles and blocked streets and light rail lines. The exact number of arrests wasn't immediately available.

Authorities say nearly a thousand protesters marched on the Las Vegas strip sidewalks in an anti-Trump demonstration.

Las Vegas Police Captain Christopher Tomaino said late Saturday that seven people were arrested on charges that they blocked traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard after a vocal but otherwise peaceful demonstration at the Trump hotel.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

"Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be," he said. "There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong."

Protests also were held in Philadelphia; Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted "not my president" and "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters had already taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest the jury's deadlock in the trial of a former white police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Anti-Trump protesters had joined up with trial protesters and marched through downtown.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here" Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honor the popular vote and elect Clinton.

"Women aren't playthings. Journalists aren't pawns. People of color are not commodities. Marriage equality is not up for debate," Spray said.

Ashley Lynne Nagel, 27, said she joined a Thursday night demonstration in Denver.

"It's not that we're sore losers," said Nagel, a Bernie Sanders supporter who voted for Clinton. "It's that we are genuinely upset, angry, terrified that a platform based off of racism, xenophobia and homophobia has become so powerful and now has complete control of our representation."

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trump's election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trump's election.

___

Jablon reported in Los Angeles. Associated Press writers William Mathis and Jonathan Lemire in New York, Lisa Baumann and Phuong Le in Seattle, Carla K. Johnson in Chicago, Terrence Petty in Portland, Oregon, and David Rising in Berlin contributed to this report.
One girls sweet sixteen party came to a violent end in Bridgeport, Saturday night. Several teens were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after a fight broke out at the Italian American Club, Club Sportivo.

It was chaotic. It was very chaotic. They almost made you feel like the people were coming back to shoot some more, we didnt know, said Arthur West.

West, a church elder at Triumphant Christian Church, was holding a mens meeting with teen parishioners. As he talked to the teens about making good life choices, they heard gun fire erupt next door.

Young people running, crying, very upset, said West.

Police said a large group of unwanted guests crashed a sweet sixteen party around 10:30 Saturday night. Investigators said a fight broke out inside, and spilled out into the parking lot, where upwards of 300 teens had gathered.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a couple of people with one shot in the leg and then one shot in the wrist, said Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez.

The bullets injured five teens; one was hospitalized in serious condition. The four others had been released by Sunday morning.

Councilwoman Jeanette Herron lives five blocks away, and heard the gunfire.

This is sad. People dont have respect for each other anymore. These children should have been able to have fun without anyone invading their space, she said.

Police said at least two suspects were behind the gunfire that ruined the celebration. They hope surveillance video will help identify the suspects. So far, they believe the suspects fled in a silver Honda Crosstour.

Its all nonsense between kids. Theyre all kids. Kids with guns, stated the police chief.

The weapon recovered was a .45 caliber semi-automatic weapon, according to Bridgeport Police Captain Brian Fitzgerald.

It looks like the serial numbers may have been obliterated on it, said Fitzgerald.

West asked the teens how the fight started, They said it was the ends of town the north end the south end and different areas, came together here and a fight ensued.

Police said there was adult supervision at the party, but the cross-town rivalry was a recipe for disaster. They are investigating whether the fight was gang-related.

I am very confident that we will make an arrest this week, Perez added.

Police said the host renting the party room from the Italian American Club didnt need a permit because alcohol was not being served. Police said the clubs management will now require security when they rent out the facility.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bridgeport police at (203) 576-TIPS (8477).
More than 400 people in Dallas-Fort Worth area are protesting president-elect Donald Trump for a third night in a row.

In Dallas, around 400 people gathered at a downtown public park Friday night. Protesters chanted "we reject the president-elect" and carried signs that said "Not My President" as they marched through streets in the downtown area.

In downtown Fort Worth, more than 70 people gathered at the Tarrant County courthouse.

No arrests were reported Friday evening.

On Thursday, three people were arrested by Dallas police. Houston police arrested five anti-Trump demonstrators during a downtown protest Thursday.

Texas troopers in Austin on Thursday detained two demonstrators on the grounds of the Capitol.
What to Know The 94-foot Norway spruce was cut down upstate on Thursday morning

It was loaded onto a flatbed truck and hauled 140 miles to NYC, where it arrived on Friday night

It will be hoisted in place and covered in 50,000 lights ahead of a tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 30

This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrived in New York City on Friday night.

The truck carrying this year's tree drove over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan around 10 p.m.

The 94-foot Norway spruce, owned by Angie and Graig Eichler, was cut down Thursday morning in Oneonta. Two massive cranes moved the tree  the second largest to ever grace Rockefeller Center  onto a flatbed truck. It made the 140-mile trek from upstate to Manhattan in about a day and a half.

Eichler said Thursday his family was excited to donate the tree, adding it was a big deal for the Oneonta community. About 100 people turned out to watch the tree come down.



"We'll miss the shade but for the most part we're happy to gain the space back, because it did monopolize the entire yard," Eichler said.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree crossed the George Washington Bridge on Friday night as it finishes the final leg of its journey ahead of a lighting ceremony on Nov. 30.

On Friday night, people took photos and videos of the tree as it rolled down Manhattan streets and posted them on social media. Many said they were surprised to see the tightly wrapped spruce coming down the avenues with police escorts. At one point the tree passed anti-Trump protesters on Fifth Avenue, and they stopped to watch the tree go by, a Twitter user @jacktame tweeted.

"It's the Christmas tree, oh my God! It's the Rockefeller Christmas tree," Instagram user @billnakia said in a video as he watched the tree go down Amsterdam Avenue at West 126th Street. "There she goes. Now that's a good omen."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMspG2Ljbjy/

I JUST WATCHED THE ROCKEFELLER CHRISTMAS TREE DRIVE BY MY WINDOW pic.twitter.com/sLPcGwKVFR  Andrew Briedis (@AndrewBriedis) November 12, 2016

Crowds gathered at the Rockefeller Center Plaza on Saturday morning despite the 40-degree chill. Tourists excitedly snapped photos and posed in front of the second-biggest Rockefeller Center tree ever. Pockets of neon yellow could be seen through the leaves and branches as workers clipped stray leaves and began to string lights around the spruce's robust trunk.

At Rockefeller Center on Saturday, the Eichlers drove a spike into the trunk of the tree with a sledgehammer and it was lifted off the flatbed trailer by crane and hoisted into place. Then comes the painstaking job of installing its 50,000 lights.

The tree's lights will be switched on during a live television broadcast on Nov. 30. The spruce will stay on display until Jan. 7.

Rockefeller Center's trees are usually milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity after they're taken down.

This years tree is between 90 and 95 years old and weighs 14 tons. The 50,000 lights that will adorn it are on 5 miles of wire. The Swarovski Star that sits atop the tree has energy-efficient LED bulbs and 25,000 crystals with one million facets.

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up in 1931 by workers building the complex during the Great Depression. The first official tree lighting there was in 1933.

Mammoth 2016 Rockefeller Center Tree Readies for Spotlight
As the United States, and the rest of the world, tries to grapple with the reality of a Donald Trump election victory, a spike of racist incidents against minorities have been reported across the country.

One such incident was captured on video on the Bay Areas largest transit system Thursday night. An Assyrian-American woman was called a terrorist by another passenger on the train.

Ivet, who immigrated from Iran and asked that only her first name be used for this story, posted a cell-phone video on her Facebook page detailing her experience.

I was on the BART going home after a long day and this lady right here heard me talk Assyrian on the phone. You can see what happened next ... #TrumpSupporters #peopleneedtocalmdown #Idontfeelsafeanymore #really #GodhelpAmerica."

In the video, Ivet is seen talking to a woman sitting down on a BART car seat.

Go ahead, say it again, Ivet can be heard saying.

Trump might deport you, you are breaking the law right now, the woman says.

Oh wow, really, Ivet responds, Do you know Im recording you  its going to go on Facebook?

Go on Facebook, this woman is a stalker from the Middle East, shes a Middle-Eastern terrorist and shes terrorizing citizens like me and she will probably get deported, and these people in the back as well , the woman says, Oh you shut the f---- up, she says pointing to some people behind her. Youre all stalkers. Dont lie.

This is going on Facebook, just letting you know, Ivet reminds her.

I dont give a f----, the woman responds. Nobodys going to watch it on Facebook.

What I would like to say right now is this crazy person is stalking people with all these other stalkers, and anybody thats watching on a Facebook knows the ugly, dirty thing you do every year ... Youre playing the dead pool game  And youre standing here harassing me .. and I think youre an ugly, mean, evil little pig who might get deported, and I pray for you

Im a citizen, Ivet responds.

Oh well, youre okay, then, lucky you, youve made it, just under the wire.

The video had been viewed more than two million times and shared more than 20,000 times by Friday, prompting responses from people all over the country.

In an interview with NBC Bay Area, 24-year-old Ivet said she was so surprised by the rant, she was shaking.

"I did nothing to provoke the woman, but she just wouldn't stop," she said.

"This is crazy just crazy. I don't feel safe anymore that's all I can say I don't feel safe ... I don't want to take BART anymore," Ivet said. Tonight, she is calling on Trump to speak out agianst acts of hate taking place across the country.

Ivet said Trump needs to step up as president-elect. "He needs to say something about this. He has to stop people, this is just not right. People need to be kind. They need to spread love, not hate," she said.

The Assyrian American Association released a statement late Friday that said, in part: "This video does not represent the majority of American people."

The Assyrian American community, as a whole, has been part of the country's fabric for over a century and were "evenly balanced" while voting, the statement said.

"Looking forward, US Assyrians plan to align their votes to the candidates that best serve the Assyrian and American interests," the association said.

In emails to NBC Bay Area, BART regulars said a woman who strongly resembles the one in the viral video has been frequently chastised on a BART commuter community Facebook page, for similar rants.

BART spokesperson Alicia Trost said the agency is checking with BART police to see if any calls came in about Thursdays incident.

We ask our riders to be decent to each other and practice common courtesy. Folks should be able to get to their destination without being harassed or mistreated, Trost said. While free speech needs to be protected, threats to do harm and violence against our riders and employees will not be tolerated. We ask our riders to be our eyes and ears and report illegal activity to BART Police. We will send an officer right away to respond.

Trost said riders can also use the BART Watch App to report suspicious activity discreetly.

Just like the Trump election has sparked #NotMyPresident protests across America, the number of hate crimes and incidents has also gone up, according to media reports.

Esra Nur Altun, a 19-year-old psychology student at San Jose State University, was walking to her car on Wednesday, when she said an unknown attacker came up to her and tried to yank off her hijab.

He caused me to choke, the Uzbekistan-born student told NBC Bay Area.

In San Francisco, someone flew a swastika flag from his house, not as a form of support to the Nazis, but to warn the country against a Trump administration.

The Neo-Nazi website, The Daily Stormer, put out a call Thursday to harass Hispanic and Muslim immigrants and make them fearful. While Trump has not openly courted white supremacists, he has not asked them to stop their hateful rhetoric either.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has called on Donald Trump to reject hate and bigotry, as has Human Rights Watch.

Departing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid lashed out at Trump, saying he has "heard more stories in the past 48 hours of Americans living in fear of their own government and their fellow Americans than I can remember hearing in five decades in politics."

NBC Bay Area's Jodi Hernandez contributed to this story.
Los Angeles area anti-Trump protests continued Saturday as about 300 people staged an evening demonstration downtown following a morning protest that drew a crowd estimated at up to 10,000 people.

The evening protest was much smaller than demonstration earlier in the day that converged on MacArthur Park and embarked on an almost 4-mile walk downtown to the Edward Roybal Federal Building. There were no arrests in the morning in contrast to protests the previous evenings.

Some protesters vandalized vehicles and buildings and at least two people were arrested tonight, according to broadcast reports.

Police estimated 20 pro-Trump activists gathered today at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The daytime demonstration -- which started about 10 a.m. at MacArthur Park -- was organized by the Union del Barrio activist group and was joined by representatives of several other organizations.

The nightly protests led the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to postpone its 11th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Fundraiser at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel downtown, Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Organizers did not want to impact the protesters or the guests, Humphrey said.

There have been four consecutive days of anti-Trump protests on downtown streets.

A throng estimated at 3,000 people marched through downtown Los Angeles into Westlake late Friday night and back again early this morning, assembling in Grand Park.

At midnight, the protesters -- whose numbers had dwindled to less than a thousand at that point -- moved into Grand Park, across from City Hall, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im.

The LAPD then issued an order to disperse and began making arrests, Im said.

The final tally of arrests was 187 adults, plus eight juveniles, police reported.

The local demonstrations are among several that took place across the country. Protesters also demonstrated in Portland, Oregon where police made more than 20 arrests and used flash bang grenades and other less-than-lethal force to clear the streets.

Demonstrations also erupted in New York City, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Louisville, Kentucky and Baltimore.
About 600 people opposed to the election of Donald J. Trump as president gathered at an Ocean Boulevard park in Long Beach Saturday and began marching toward the city's downtown, authorities said.

The group gathered about 7 p.m. at Bixby Park at Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue, said Long Beach police Sgt. James Richardson.

"At 7:20 p.m. the group was moving west on Ocean Boulevard and no detentions or arrests of anyone in the group of protesters has been reported as of yet," Richardson said.

Officers were with the protesters monitoring their activities, Richardson said.

"The Long Beach Police Department will ensure the protesters' rights to free speech will be allowed,'' Richardson said.
On the year anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks that left 130 dead, Cal State Long Beach Sunday will honor Nohemi Gonzalez, the only American killed in the attacks.

Gonzalez, a 23-year-old El Monte resident studying abroad in Paris, was killed while eating with friends at a popular bistro in Paris called La Belle Equipe.

She was one of 17 students studying at Strate College of Design in Paris.

The terror attacks killed 130 people at Paris restaurants, a music hall and a stadium outside the city.

Since the attacks, Gonzalez has been awarded a posthumous degree, and a $100,000 design scholarship has been created in her honor.

The tree-planting ceremony honoring Gonzalez took place at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Department of Design on the Cal State Long Beach campus.

"It's still hard to believe what happened," her mother Beatriz Gonzalez told NBC4.

"I never say my daughter died. She just passed away."

Wearing the last piece of jewelry her daughter had on that night, Beatriz said her daughter is gone but will never be forgotten,

Her family said the university was her extended home.

"Since she was a little girl, she wanted to live in school. Now she's going to be here forever," Beatriz said.

When the leaves turn red, it will be a sign from Nohemi, Beatriz says, since that was her favorite color.

"It's going to be a very long wait ... but I'm going to get to see her one more time."
For the second straight night, protesters angry over the election of Donald Trump organized in South Florida.

Men and women of all ages, backgrounds and religious beliefs took to the streets of Wynwood in protest on Saturday night.

"If and when he does take the presidency I will fully support him. said protester Rachel Canfield. "I stand by what this country is all about, but right now I'm exercising my first amendment right to let the country know that I'm dissatisfied."

Donald Trump claimed the presidency early Wednesday morning. Since then, thousands of demonstrators have turned out in Chicago, Atlanta, Portland, Los Angeles and New York. Despite one protester being shot in Oregon Friday and hundreds of arrests, most protests have been peaceful.

I'm a woman; I'm a minority," said protest organizer Chelsea Hartley. "One of my best friends is Muslim and I'm terrified."

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton lost the election in the electoral college, but has a lead in the popular vote of more than half a million votes and growing.

Protester Jack Lieberman says that's the problem.

"The electoral college is an antiquated, undemocratic institution," he said. "It shouldn't exist. Donald Trump kept saying it was a rigged system and in the past he condemned the electoral college, so he's a hypocrite."

Saturday's protest comes after thousands marched through the streets of Downtown Miami and halted traffic on two major highways on Friday night.
Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters are marching down the streets of South Florida for a third straight night Sunday.

Protesters gathered around 6 p.m. at Huizenga Plaza in Fort Lauderdale, and marched east down Las Olas Boulevard to A1A until they reached Ft Lauderdale Beach.

Some at the protest say they were upset with the election results because Trump won the electoral college, but Clinton had a lead in the popular vote.

"If it were reversed would I be out here protesting no," said protester Mark Fearer. "The protest isn't about the electoral college really, nearly as much as it is about his policies, his attitude, his hateful speech. That is the opposite of what a president and of what the U.S. should be."

Police detained one person during Sunday's protest. 32-year-old Marah Lieberman was taken into custody after an alleged altercation with Trump supporters and charged with fighting, resisting arrests and posession of cocaine.

The protest is the latest in days of demonstrations in South Florida and across the country.

Dozens of anti-Trump protesters gathered in Wynwood on Saturday and thousands marched through the streets of Downtown Miami and even halted traffic on two major highways Friday night.

Other protests were expected Sunday in San Francisco, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Denver and more. On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in other big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller places like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

"What I am hoping is that the rest of the elected officials hear this and the rest of the population hear this, and go out and vote correctly in two years," said protester Brenda Sindicich.

marched through the streets of Downtown Miami and halted traffic on two major highways Friday night.
Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez's alleged corruption cases are returning to court after his convictions were overturned.

Pretrial discussions are scheduled Monday in Hartford Superior Court, where prosecutors are planning to retry Perez on charges of taking a bribe and attempted extortion.

The state Supreme Court in July ordered the two convictions overturned, saying two cases were improperly combined into one trial. Two new trials are expected.

Perez was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to three years in prison, but he has remained free pending appeal.

Perez, a Democrat, was Hartford's first Hispanic mayor, serving from 2001 to 2010. He resigned after being convicted of accepting a contractor's bribe of home improvements and trying to extort $100,000 from a developer.
What to Know Thousands marched up Fifth Avenue Sunday afternoon as anti-Trump protests continued for a fifth consecutive day

An estimated 25,000 protesters marched from Union Square to Trump Tower on Saturday afternoon

Donald Trump said in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday that he plans to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants

New Yorkers took to the streets for a fifth day in anticipation of a "60 Minutes" interview where Donald Trump said he intends to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants after he takes office in January.

Thousands of immigrants and supporters from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut swamped midtown to decry Trump's deportation plans, which could affect the 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants residing in the U.S.

A group of police officers formed three rows behind metal barricades as they watched thousands of prostesters march up Fifth Avenue. Protesters pumped their fists in the air as they slowly congregated between Trump International Hotel and Trump Tower.

A crowd of protesters was still chanting outside of Trump Tower late Sunday night as police stood by.

https://twitter.com/KeeganNYC/status/797901821486448643

"Hey-hey, ho-ho, Donald Trump has got to go!" they chanted along with a young lady who shouted through a bullhorn. Another woman banged a makeshift drum, made from a blue coffee tin, with a wooden spoon to each beat of the chant.

Children at the front of the crowd helped to hold a banner that read "Aqui estamos, no nos vamos" in black sharpie letters, or "We are here, we aren't leaving" in English.

No Human Is Illegal <3 #HereToStay (seen today at a Trump protest in NYC) <3 pic.twitter.com/5gRp2R2Eud  Michele In NYC (Another World IS Possible!) (@RebelWheelsNYC) November 13, 2016

Several protesters were in tears as they marched in hopes of sending the message that the president-elect's anti-immigrant rhetoric will and should not be tolerated.

"The absence of the people lost to facism is in me," said one protester, a wall street employee whose family was killed in the Holocaust. "We have to do everything we can to stop [Donald Trump]. We have to engage everybody, this is about building our power."

The #HereToStay protest comes on the heels of Saturday's colossal anti-Trump demonstration, where an estimated 25,000 people marched from Union Square to Trump Tower chanting phrases such as "We reject the president-elect." Protests also took place in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles throughout the day Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday morning.

There have been no arrests at the peaceful protest in New York City so far.
Most thieves covet money or jewels, but two burglars who broke into a Brooklyn taco restaurant simply wanted new wheels and some refreshment.

According to authorities, two men used an unknown object to break into the Nacho Macho Taco restaurant through the rear basement door between 12:25 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Monday in Prospect Heights.

Once inside, the thieves stole a bicycle, electric bicycle batteries, and a case of Tropicana orange juice, police said. The individuals fled the scene shortly after.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
For the fifth straight day, hundreds of people are marching through Center City to protest Donald Trumps presidential win.

It is the fifth straight day of protests around the country since Donald Trump won the presidential election. NBC10s Drew Smith spoke to demonstrators at a protest here in Philadelphia and he is in Center City where another protest is planned for Sunday night.

The protesters gathered at Thomas Paine Plaza on 1401 JFK Boulevard around 3 p.m. Sunday and began marching towards Independence Hall. The group then returned to Thomas Payne Plaza to hear from various speakers.

This protest is not focused a single person or issue, its represents all those that feel marginalized or threatened by a Trump presidency, organizers wrote. It stands in solidarity with many groups: people of color, women, trans people, immigrants and those who feel as though their voices are not being heard. It is our duty as Americans to exercise our constitutional right to peaceably assemble and and bring light to our grievances.

Protests in cities nationwide, including Philadelphia, have occurred since the election. So far all of the anti-Trump protests in Philly have been peaceful.

An important point to note that this protest in no way supports or encourages violence or the vandalization of property, organizers for Sundays protest wrote. We must recognize that although the 1st Amendment provides with the right to assemble, we must do so in a peaceful way so we can lay the foundation to continue peaceful demonstrations into the future.




Dr. Cindy Otto, whose work at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks inspired her founding of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, is the recipient of the 2016 Kennel Club of Philadelphia "Dogs Best Friend Award."

A tenured associate professor of critical care at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Otto is the sixth winner of the award, and will direct the resulting Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) $5,000 donation to the nationally-renowned Penn Vet Working Dog Center (WDC). Opened on September 11, 2012, the WDC is the nations premier research, training and educational facility dedicated to producing an elite group of detection dogs for public safety and public health (www.PennVetWDC.org).

Among the skills for which canines are trained at the WDC are Diabetes Alert, Ovarian Cancer Detection, Narcotics Detection, Explosives Detection, Law Enforcement and Urban Search & Rescue. Dr. Otto and WDC dogs will demonstrate some of those skills in the National Dog Show stadium show ring on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11:45 a.m. in a featured performance.

In addition to 9/11, Dr. Otto was deployed to Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She is one of Americas foremost authorities on search & rescue and detection dogs through her work at Penn Vet.

"It is an honor to receive this award, but it is really the other way around," said Dr. Otto. I feel like I have been privileged to have been befriended by amazing dogs throughout my life! I have connected with dogs for as long as I can remember and they have all impacted me in one way or another. The search and rescue dogs have worked their way into my heart and my soul.

"It is their inspiration that motivated me to learn to train my own dog and to dedicate my career to working dogs. Every day I am able to advance the research, training and care needed to ensure that all working dog heroes have the best opportunity to partner with us to save lives."

"As a Past Trustee of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine, I am very much aware of Dr. Otto's dedication, devotion and leadership at the Working Dog Center," said KCP President Wayne Ferguson. "The Kennel Club of Philadelphia is very honored to present the 6th Annual Dogs Best Friend Award to Dr. Otto."

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia created The Dogs Best Friend Award to inspire and motivate others to contribute to animal welfare in their community and to protect our regions dogs, whose service and companionship are a critical and enriching part of American life.

Past winners of the award are former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and his wife, Jen, for their establishment of the Utley Foundation; CBS3 meteorologist, animal enthusiast and TV personality Carol Erickson; Marian Marchese, the founder of New Leash on Life USA, which takes at-risk dogs into Philadelphia prisons to be cared for by inmates preparing for release back into society; Morris Animal Rescue of Philadelphia, Americas oldest such facility; and the Martin & Toni Sosnoff Foundation, which paid the medical bills of search and rescue dogs who worked at 9/11.
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Demonstrations both for and against Donald Trump continue nationwide in the aftermath of his stunning presidential win, including some in our area. In Easton, Pennsylvania Saturday, Trump supporters and protesters gathered in the downtown area to let their voices be heard.

The two groups stood opposite each other in the Easton Center Circle around noon. The dueling demonstrations were peaceful though members of both groups had plenty to say.

I think people have to respect democracy even if you dont agree with the result, one Trump supporter said.

The pro-Trump group told NBC10 they believe the country should give Trump a chance and put an end to the massive protests that have been occurring across the country.

I dont think they represent the real democratic people by protesting and doing what theyre doing, another Trump supporter said.

On the other side of the street however, hundreds of anti-Trump demonstrators denounced the president-elect.

I have a handicapped child and when you disrespect them like that, that puts me in rage, one protester said.

Some of the protesters told NBC10 they now live in fear because of what a Trump presidency could mean.

The Latinos, the African Americans, Muslim people and LGBT community now fear for their own basic human rights, one woman said.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto said President-elect Trump needs to come out and heal the nation.

President-elect Trump in the next two months really has to come out more publicly with what his issues are and how he wants to bridge the gap, Mayor Panto said.

Right after Panto made that statement, two demonstrators, one from each side, ran into the middle of the street and embraced.

People can be different and still be friends and get along, one of the demonstrators said.

It was a moment that hinted towards a more unified future amid a week of divisiveness.




A man who fatally shot the expectant mother of his child and a Pennsylvania police officer before killing himself apparently had tried to set off explosions in the house they were in and in a vehicle parked out front, police said Saturday.

Michael Cwiklinski, 47, opened fire with a rifle from a second-floor window on two Canonsburg police officers who were first to arrive in response to a 3:20 a.m. domestic violence call Thursday. Both officers were stuck; one of them died, Canonsburg police said.

Patrolman Scott Bashioum, 52, an officer for seven years and a married father of four, was struck twice. He returned fire, "emptying his duty magazine, striking multiple rounds in and through the window,'' Chief Alexander Coghill said.

Other officers got him into a patrol vehicle and took him to Canonsburg General Hospital, where he died. Patrolman James Saieva Jr. was struck by one round while still inside his patrol vehicle. He underwent emergency surgery and is "in excellent spirits'' and expected to be released soon, Coghill said.

Cwiklinski and Dalia Sabae, 28, who was three months pregnant, were later found dead. Police said she died of multiple gunshot wounds, and he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police said the gunman also fired at the parked sport utility vehicle, which he had loaded with gasoline, propane and acetylene tanks. At least two rounds struck the vehicle, but it didn't ignite.

A police robot sent into the home found two more propane tanks along with a lit acetylene torch inside the front door. Officials said the robot helped dissipate some of the gas, preventing an explosion.

State police Cpl. Kiprian Yarosh, asked why there was no ignition of fuel in either location, replied. "To be honest with you, luck.''

"I don't think it happened the way he planned it,'' said Yarosh, who is leading the investigation. "Had the vehicle been struck and ignited, yes, it would have been tragic.''

Sabae had filed an application for a protection-from-abuse court order last month in Washington County, saying Cwiklinski was drunk when he took her belongings and then called police when she broke down a door to retrieve them last month. "As he was leaving, he was saying that I and our baby that I am pregnant with have to die,'' she said in the application.

Bashioum's funeral is set for noon Wednesday at Church of the Covenant in Washington. A procession through Canonsburg also is being planned.
A traffic stop led to a police-involved shooting in the Olney section of Philadelphia Saturday night.

Investigators say officers were conducting a vehicle investigation at 4th and Lindley streets. As they approached the minivan a 20-year-old man with an object in his hand left the vehicle and ran westbound on Lindley Street, police said.

One of the officers ran after the suspect, caught up to him and pushed him into an unattended parked vehicle, causing him to fall to the ground, according to investigators. The suspect gathered himself and turned around with a gun in his hand, police said. The suspect then allegedly ran towards the officers partner.

The other officer took out his own weapon and opened fire, striking the suspect once in the back. The suspect fell to the ground and dropped his weapon, police said. He was then taken to Einstein Hospital where he is in critical but stable condition.




Police are searching for an elderly Philadelphia man who went missing Saturday.

Davis Hill, 77, was last seen leaving his home on 1100 Anchor Street at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Hill suffers from dementia. He was last seen wearing a 3-quarter length tan jacket, black suede shoes and blue jeans with bleach splatter on them. He was also wearing a wedding ring.

Hill is described as a partially balding man with grey hair. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police.




They are a ubiquitous and often an irksome part of suburban life in New Jersey, known for carrying rabies and tearing through garbage.

Now raccoons are at the center of a legal battle between animal rights activists and state regulators, one that may soon head to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

At issue is a Christie administration policy that allows the use of a controversial trap that led to the capture and killing of thousands of raccoons by fur trappers earlier this year.

The case hinges on whether "enclosed foothold traps'' approved for use last year by the New Jersey Fish and Game Council are similar enough to steel-jaw traps that were banned 32 years ago by lawmakers because they were considered "inhumane and cruel.''

The new traps will be used again when raccoon season begins on Tuesday after an appellate panel sided with Fish and Game last month, saying there was a enough of a difference in the two traps to uphold the policy. A coalition of animal rights and environmental groups will appeal the decision to the state high court this month, their lawyer said.

The traps are very effective. Used for the first time during the previous raccoon trapping season from last November through this past March, the traps helped catch 12,600 raccoons- a 77 percent increase from the year before and the most in 25 years, according to state trapping data.

Enclosed foothold traps act similar to a mouse trap with a steel bar in a baited, two-inch-wide cylinder snapping down on a raccoon or opossums' paw.

Opponents say they are essentially the same as the illegal jaw traps because they are excruciatingly painful to the animals that are caught in them.

"These traps snap on the animal just like the old ones did, and they suffer for days until the trapper comes around,'' Dante DiPirro, a lawyer representing the coalition, told The Record . "It causes the same exact kind of cruelty that the legislation intended to prohibit.''

Supporters of the trapping policy say the devices are more humane than the steel-jaw traps and are small enough to prevent dogs from being caught. They also argue that it will help contain a growing raccoon population.

"We are the most densely populated state, and we have some of the most densely populated pockets of wildlife,'' said Ed Markowski, legislative coordinator for the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. "When you put those together, you have a chance of some unpopular interactions.''

Animal rights and environmental groups have said policies like the raccoon traps and expansion of the black bear hunt this year are a capitulation to small, special interest groups whose activities are wildly out of character with an increasingly suburban state.

Hunting licenses, meanwhile, have dropped precipitously almost every year from a high of 186,774 in 1971, to 34,679 in 2015. Trapping licenses went from a high of 4,406 in 1980, to a low of 454 in 1992, but have slowly increased to 1,405 this year.

The raw-pelt value of all the raccoons caught during the 2012-13 season was $96,675 based on reported fur sales, according to a state report.

Still, state officials have argued that trapping is important to the state economy.

There is an "economic ripple effect'' because trappers buy traps, supplies, gasoline, clothing, said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the council.

Trappers say their activities are more than just a money-making venture, where pelts sell for about $15 each.

They are preserving a heritage, they say, that goes back to the earliest days of North American settlements and is often passed down through generations.

Markowski of the sportsmen's club federation said there is an important public health element to trapping: The raccoon population needs to be controlled to prevent the threat of rabies.

Indeed, raccoons account for 77 percent of animals diagnosed with rabies, according to the state Department of Health. And there have been some well-publicized attacks this year by rabid raccoons, including one involving a 6-year-old Elmwood Park boy in January and another on a 76-year-old Boonton man in July.

But the last time a human contracted rabies in New Jersey was 1997, said Donna Leusner, a health department spokeswoman. And that was from a bat. It was the first human case of rabies since 1971.

While the economic and health implications were mentioned in the appellate decision, the ruling came down to essentially what constitutes a banned jaw trap.

The three-judge panel said the new traps "are made of steel, but they do not operate as 'jaws,' having only one part that moves to ensnare the animal when the animal pulls on a lever with its paw.''

Like their fight to have a court overturn the bear hunt four years ago, animal rights groups have a high burden to challenge the trap ruling. The panel's decision noted that the state Supreme Court has ruled that an agency's determination must be upheld unless "it is plainly demonstrated to be arbitrary.''

Because of this the New Jersey Sierra Club is also pressing the Senate to pass a bill that would essentially ban the newer traps. The Assembly passed an identical bill overwhelmingly last month, but it has not gotten much traction in the Senate.

"It's clear the citizens of New Jersey and the Legislature do not want these traps,'' said DiPirro, the animal rights and environmental coalition lawyer. "The only way they could get away with this is to change the rules internally.''

Markowski said lawmakers should recognize that raccoons pose a constant threat to residents.

"Our legislators should be more concerned with human rights and human health than animal rights and animal health,'' he said
An investigation is underway after a black student at Villanova University told police she was attacked by a group of men who ran towards her while screaming, Trump.

The student told Villanovas Public Safety Department she was walking in the SEPTA tunnel between the universitys West Campus and Main Campus Thursday night. The student says she was then approached by a group of white men who ran towards her and knocked her to the ground, causing her to suffer a head injury. The student said the men were yelling, Trump! Trump! Trump, according to a source close to Villanova University.

Villanovas Public Safety Department contacted Radnor Police who are now handling the investigation. Police are searching for surveillance video of the incident and plan on interviewing the student. Villanova University is investigating the incident as well.

The University finds this conduct deplorable and considers this racist behavior that runs completely counter to our values, Jonathan Gust, Villanovas Director of Media Relations, wrote in a released statement. Actions such as this will simply not be tolerated at Villanova. Those found responsible for such reprehensible behavior will face serious consequences for their actions and will be disciplined appropriately. The safety and security of our students is always our primary concern. It is at times like this when we must come together in solidarity as a community against such actions.

Saturday night, Villanova President Peter M. Donohue also released a statement on the reported incident.

Over the past few days, I have been deeply disturbed by several reports of members of our community using our nations political process as a justification for behaviors and language aimed to intimidate or humiliate other people, he wrote. This type of behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated at Villanova. Anyone found to have engaged in such behavior will face serious consequences. I ask that anyone who experiences or witnesses such incidents to report it by contacting Villanovas Public Safety (610-519-4444), calling the local police if it occurs off-campus, or filing a complaint anonymously with Ethics Point.

The reported incident follows several acts of hateful messages and vandalism in the aftermath of Donald Trumps presidential win.

On Friday over 100 black freshmen students at UPenn received text messages from an account on the GroupMe app containing racist and violent images and statements, including photos of African-Americans hanging from trees by nooses from users like Daddy Trump. An event invitation called "Daily Lynching" also went out to the students added to the group message.

On Thursday students in Bucks Countys Council Rock High School North reported swastikas and threats linked to Donald Trump to school officials.

Finally on Wednesday, both pro and anti-Trump graffiti was spray-painted in Queen Village while Nazi graffiti was found in another South Philadelphia neighborhood.




A two-month-old baby was found safe Saturday after being kidnapped and taken to Mexico.

The boy's father, Jose Garcia, spent three long days searching for his son. Max Garcias mother took the baby and fled to Mexico.

The baby's father received a tip from Facebook from one of her ex-boyfriends that ultimately led to her and the baby.

Now, the father is faced with a new challenge: when he's going to get his son back.

Kidnapped baby found safe in Mexico. Now dad has new challenge- when he'll see his son again. #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/tjEUoz65Bl  Ashley Matthews (@ashleyNBC7) November 13, 2016

Garcia said his son is safe at a facility in Mazatlan and his ex-girlfriend has been released from custody. Garcia, relieved but frustrated that he has no clue when he'll get his son back, says he's heard next to nothing from law enforcement. "I think I have that right to know how my son is going to be transported back and where he's at and what time because he is a two month old baby," Garcia said.

The baby's mother, Erika Ramos Saucedo, is accused of kidnapping Max and taking him to Mexico. On Thursday, a county worker with Child Protective Services left max alone with Ramos; she then fled in her car. A Facebook tip led federal authorities to Mazatlan; a little more than one thousand miles from National City, where she has family. Jose Garcia is working with private investigator Bill Garcia, who found her car Saturday. "We did locate the car in the outskirts of Tijuana. In the furthest eastern most part of Tijuana," said Bill Garcia.

Documents from Child Protective Services regarding Ramos show the agency was worried that Ramos would flee with her child based on past behavior. There is also a long list of domestic violence cases against Ramos. Garcia is worried on the fate of his son once he gets back to the United States. Garcia added, my son is still going to cross the border and go back to CPS' hands, you know the people who are responsible who in fact lost my son."

Garcia told NBC 7 Ramos has five children and does not have custody of any of them.

National City Police will be working on a criminal case against Ramos, and submitting that to the District Attorney's office.

A warrant will be in the system for Ramos if or when she comes back to the United States.
The leader of a Boy Scout troop in San Diegos El Cajon community said it felt like a kick to the gut after someone vandalized more than a dozen American flags his troop had placed in the street in honor of U.S. military veterans.

Scoutmaster Laurence Ashbacher, who helps lead Troop 362, said the troop placed 170 American flags in drilled holes in sidewalk along Main Street Friday in honor of Veterans Day.

[It] didnt have anything to do with the election, it didnt have anything to do with politics, didnt have anything to do with anything except, yesterday, we were trying to honor the veterans of the country, Ashbacher told NBC 7.

Ashbacher said the display of flags is a show of patriotism his troop typically does on holidays like Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. He said they have never had a problem, but Friday was different.

Shortly after 8 a.m., Ashbacher said a man went down Main Street kicking the 12-foot-tall wooden flag poles, snapping 13 of them at the base. Many of the flags ended up in the road, where cars ran over them.

[Someone] just went by and mowed them down, he explained.

Officers with the El Cajon Police Department (ECPD) responded to the area of the vandalism, picking up some of the flags in the roadway. Witnesses pointed out the suspect, who was still in the area.

The suspect was, Jarred Jefferson, 22, was arrested for felony vandalism charges and two counts of obstructing an officer. Hes scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

After hearing about the vandalism, Ashbacher said the news felt like getting kicked in the stomach.

This display of flags is just a display of patriotism by the boys [in Troop 362], Ashbacher explained. And theyre very proud that of the fact that every national holiday, they put the flags up and down on Main Street.

The Scoutmaster sent a note to parents of the boys in the troop that read, in part: I am saddened to think that someone felt so much anger and hostility towards our display to attempt to mar it.

Ashbacher said the troop plans to replace the flags and continue the display, hoping the incident is a one-time act of vandalism.
Protesters marched from Larson Park in San Ysidro to the International Border Saturday, calling for justice for victims of what they say has been Border Patrol brutality.

They are fighting for all victims of brutality, but are focused on five specific families who say their loved ones were murdered by agents.

Shana Gutierrez says her husband was beaten by the border patrol in 2011, but no one was ever charged.

"These brutalities need to stop, Gutierrez says. Were here demanding justice and saying you need to reopen these cases and do something about it. It's apparent we have an issue at the border, a big issue, a problem."

Gutierrez says her husband suffers from seizures now and is a completely different person since he was beaten.

Organizers of the march say in light of Tuesday's election results, they need to organize and fight.
Two young children are critically injured after being stabbed in Prince George's County Saturday night, fire officials said.

The stabbing happened in the 1700 block of Dennis Court in District Heights, Maryland, according to Prince George's County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady. Police said the incident happened about 10 p.m.

Brady said the children have been taken to a hospital with traumatic injuries.

No further information has been provided at this time.
A man stabbed his two young children hours after he sexually assaulted a woman who lives in his home, police say.

Christian Dillard, 25, of District Heights, Maryland, was arrested Saturday after police were called to a home in the 1700 block of Dennis Court for the report of two stabbings about 10 p.m. When police arrived, they found two children younger than 5, with stab wounds.

The children were taken Children's National Medical Center by ambulance and are in stable condition, police said.

Dillard was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center with apparent self-inflicted wounds, according to charging documents.

Dillard is charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault and related charges.

He also has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman who lives in the home. Dillard's family told News4 that incident was consensual.

On Monday, a judge ordered that Dillard stay in jail with no bond.

Dillard's mother, Michelle Mattison, made a tearful plea in court, saying her son has always been a doting and devoted father.

Outside the courtroom, Mattison told news outlets Dillard didn't remember anything about the incident.

"I talked to Christian yesterday. He said, 'Ma, how are my children? What did I do?," Mattison said. "Christian doesn't remember doing anything, that's how I know this is not him. He just lost it."

"He's not a bad guy. He's an amazing father if you all can just believe me," said Dillard's brother, Ron Porter.

Mattison and other relatives said Dillard had been depressed and was on a downward spiral. She said after attacking the children, Dillard cut himself several times before she and Porter got the knife away from him.

"It was a terrible sight to see the stab wounds in my youngest [grandson] and my older [grandson] crying, Christian whispered in my ear 'Ma, take care of my kids.'"

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said the family is cooperating with the investigation.

Dillard is due back in court on Dec. 12.
A vigil was held in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., Saturday night to symbolize the pain they said the Trump campaign caused during the election.

Organizers said they didnt want to have a protest, as other locations across the country, but they said they did want to show love and solidarity with communities who were targeted by President-elect Donald Trump and his campaign for president.

I think in the (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, weve got enough legal protections, or weve made a lot of progress, at least, said Nick Cicchinelli, a vigil attendee. But Donald Trumps election, fair or not, validates a lot of racist and xenophobic attitudes.

People who attended the vigil said even though Trump won the election, their fight isnt over. Lafayette Square is north of the White House and can be seen from people inside the building.
A powerful earthquake that rocked New Zealand on Monday triggered landslides and a small tsunami, cracked apart roads and homes and left two people dead, but largely spared the country the devastation it saw five years ago when a deadly earthquake struck the same region.

Strong aftershocks continued to shake the country on Monday, rattling the nerves of exhausted residents, many of whom had spent a sleepless night huddled outside after fleeing for higher ground to avoid the tsunami waves.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the South Island just after midnight in a mostly rural area that's dotted with small towns. Near the epicenter, it opened up snaking fissures in roads and sparked landslides.

The quake caused damage in Wellington, the capital, more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) to the north. It was also strongly felt to the south in the city of Christchurch, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2011 that killed 185 people. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes.

Police said one person died in the small coastal town of Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort. Several other people had reportedly suffered minor injuries in Kaikoura, police spokeswoman Rachel Purdom said.

Prime Minister John Key flew over the destruction in Kaikoura by helicopter on Monday afternoon, as aftershocks kicked up dust from the landslides below. Cars could be seen lying on their sides and parts of the road were clearly impassable.

"It's just utter devastation. ... That's months of work," Key told acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee as they hovered above the damage. Key and Brownlee estimated the clean-up would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and clearing the debris and blocked roads could take months.

Defense force personnel were planning to take food, water and other supplies to Kaikoura on Tuesday.

The prime minister said waves of about 2 meters (6.6 feet) hit the coast but the tsunami threat had since been downgraded to coastal warnings.

He said authorities had no reason to believe the death toll would rise above the two reported fatalities.

"On the very best information we have at the moment, we think it's only likely to be two. But of course there are isolated parts of the country which we don't have perfect eyes on, so we can't be 100 percent sure," he said.

Key said officials had decided not to declare a national emergency because the nation's regions were able to adequately cope with the situation.

The quake completely cut off road access to Kaikoura, said resident Terry Thompson, who added that electricity and most phones were also down in the town of 2,000, a popular destination for tourists taking part in whale-watching expeditions.

Thompson was out of town but managed to reach his wife by cellphone during the night before her phone died.

"She said the glass exploded right out of the double ranch-slider," he said. "The neighbor's chimney was gone, there were breakages and things smashed everywhere."

His wife helped a 93-year-old neighbor and a tourist into her car and drove to higher ground, he said.

"They stayed in the car all night but couldn't sleep," Thompson said. "They're all very, very tired and concerned about the state of their property."

The main road to Kaikoura was blocked in places by landslides, and police were working to airlift out a few tourists stranded in their campervans to the north and south of the town, according to emergency services officials in the nearby Marlborough region.

Kaikoura suffered "major infrastructure damage" in the quake, the Marlborough Emergency Management Group said in a statement. Sewage and water supplies were knocked out, though power was gradually being restored Monday afternoon. Police were in radio communication with the town and mobile phone service was expected to be restored shortly.

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Video taken from a helicopter near Kaikoura showed three cows stranded on an island of grass in a paddock that had been ripped apart in the quake. The patch of grass was surrounded by deep ravines of collapsed earth, trapping the animals where they stood.

The quake temporarily knocked out New Zealand's emergency call number, 111, police reported. In Wellington, it collapsed a ferry loading ramp, broke windows and caused items to fall from shelves. It also forced hundreds of tourists onto the streets as hotels were evacuated.

Australians Paul and Sandra Wardrop and their children Alexander, 15, and William, 12, were on the 10th floor of the Park Hotel when the shaking began.

"We felt that the building was going to collapse," Sandra Wardrop said. "You could hear the sounds of the building shaking and see cracks appearing in the walls, in the plasterwork in the bedroom."

The family was among dozens of people who took shelter in the capital's parliamentary complex, which threw open its doors. It was William's 12th birthday, and while he didn't get to tour Wellington as planned, he did get to meet Key, who visited the displaced tourists.

New Zealand, with a population of 4.7 million, sits on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.

Monday's quake brought back memories of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Christchurch in 2011 and destroyed much of the downtown area. That quake was one of New Zealand's worst disasters, causing an estimated $25 billion in damage.

Monday's quake was stronger but its epicenter was deeper and much farther from major urban areas. Location, depth and other factors beyond magnitude all contribute to the destructive power of an earthquake.

The location of Monday's quake largely helps explain why the damage was so minimal compared to the 2011 temblor, said Mark Quigley, associate professor of active tectonics at the University of Melbourne in Australia. The 2011 quake was located almost directly beneath Christchurch, meaning tens of thousands of people were exposed to the most violent shaking at the epicenter. Monday's quake was centered in a rural area that is home to just a few thousand people.

The 2011 quake also had a tremendous amount of high frequency energy, including very strong vertical ground motions which felt "like you're being picked up by a giant and being shaken around," Quigley said.

But for those in Christchurch on Monday, the shaking felt very different  more of a rolling motion. "They were far enough away that a lot of that high frequency energy was dissipated," he said.

Authorities in Wellington told people who work in the city's central business district to stay home on Monday. Officials said some large buildings were showing signs of structural stress, and the quake would likely have caused a mess in some buildings. The city's suburban rail network was shut while crews checked tracks, bridges and tunnels.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management reported that a tsunami wave struck at about 1:50 a.m. and warned residents living in low-lying areas anywhere along the country's east coast to move to higher ground.

There was confusion about the tsunami threat throughout the morning. The ministry initially said there was no threat but later wrote on Twitter "situation has changed - tsunami is possible" before reporting that a tsunami had hit.

The quake was centered 93 kilometers (57 miles) northeast of Christchurch, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS initially estimated it had a magnitude of 7.4 before revising it to 7.8. It said the quake struck at a depth of 23 kilometers (14 miles), after initially putting the depth at 10 kilometers (six miles). Earthquakes tend to be more strongly felt on the surface when they are shallow.
New Hampshire police are searching for the man they say robbed the convenience store on the campus of Keene State College on Saturday in Keene.

Police said the man entered the campus store at 152 Winchester Street at 4:20 p.m. where he allegedly assaulted the store clerk.

The robber then left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, fleeing south onto the Keene State College campus.

Police said the clerk received minor lacerations to his face but declined transport to the hospital.

The robber is said to be between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall with a medium build and brown hair. He was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt and light colored jeans at the time of the robbery.

Police said the college was never placed on lock down during the incident and there is no information to believe the students are in danger.

Anyone with information on the robbery or suspect is asked to contact the Keene Police Department at 603-357-9813.
Frilsham's renowned Pot Kiln applies for guest rooms

VISITORS to a famous West Berkshire pub might be able to stay overnight if plans are approved.

Directors of the Pot Kiln in Frilsham want to demolish an open store and replace it with four-bedroom guest accommodation.

They also want to renovate and extend the kitchen and dining area and the pubs 13 car parking spaces will be expanded to 22.

A message from pub director and chef Mike Robinson, famous for his TV appearances and books on game cookery, said: This year sees our twelfth year at the Pot Kiln and we want to ensure that this wonderful community asset continues for many decades to come.

Today, country pubs, alongside great food, service and hospitality also need to provide quality accommodation if they are to remain viable.

It goes without saying that the bar and restaurant will stay the same and not lose their character.

Our rooms will be equipped to a fabulous standard, very much in keeping with the country feel of the pub.

The Pot Kiln was ranked in the top 50 gastropubs in the country in 2013 and regularly featured in the CAMRA good pub guide.

The pub was also placed sixth out of 15 of the top pubs in the country and in a feature promoting pubs with the prettiest walks in Britain.

The plans, submitted by Katherine Robinson, said that the Pot Kiln faced the challenge of depending on good weather and weekend trade to survive.

Accordingly, the Pot Kiln is determined to maintain an affordable communal inn for its locals and so believes that providing overnight accommodation, for its increasing national and international visitors, will help not only secure its future but provide a conservation opportunity to present its heritage and history to a wider audience.

Indeed, a Ramblers Package offering a Field To Table dining experience alongside an overnight stay in a quintessential English rural community is being envisioned by directors.

Pub partners are also seeking local support for the pubs nomination as an asset of community value.

To view and comment on the application enter 16/02795/FUL into West Berkshire Councils planning website.
M Rajendran By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Khadi India has tied up with global cloth majors Raymond and Peter England to hawk garments made out of Khadi in the international market. This is just one of the many innovative decisions taken by the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), as part of its brand promotion and series of innovations to promote Khadi.



The arrangement is, they (Raymond and Peter England) will buy Khadi from us and will design, stitch and whatever else they want to do, KVIC Chairman V K Saxena told The Sunday Standard. This public sector company under the Ministry of MSME has also recently received the nod to go in for e-trade too. KVIC will launch online sales of Khadi Products through Paytm as the first step in this plan.



In the next two months people will see Khadi India products designed by Raymonds, designed by Arvind and the finished products will be available in their, and our, stores, said Saxena.

Illustration: Amit bandre



KVIC expects sales and production to go up, which will help weavers and spinners get more worktranslating into more money in the hands of about 12.50 artisans. My target is to create and provide jobs to three lakh artisans, says Saxena.



The commission is also keen to set up more units to expand in urban markets. While, KVIC is reaching out to rural markets for procuring raw material, it is simultaneously working with the local administration to encourage youth in the rural areas to become entrepreneurs.

There is a huge untapped potential in rural youth and our aim is to bring them into the mainstream and make them into major businesses, said Saxena.

V K Saxena, Chairman, KVIC



KVIC has been primarily working with the rural artisans and farmers to procure the products that it brands and markets. Huge potential needs to be channelized through KVIC, it has taken the right decisions in the last few years, says Vijay Sardana, a rural economist.

KVIC is also transforming itself into a job creator and skill enhancer for youth, both in rural and urban India.



We are working with juveniles in many remand homes and hope to make them responsible and law abiding citizens, through workshops on charkhas, said Saxena.

To channelise the untapped energy of teenagers who had taken to crime, KVIC has provided charkahs (thread spinning wheels) to about 80 such boys. They earn `150 for seven hours of work and it also keeps them occupied.



Saxena says that when they are engrossed in work, they are not mischievous, since they understand that it not only gets them money but also prepares them for productive employment.

It is fascinating that many of them want to become entrepreneurs such initiatives will help in societal transformation, says Girija Nanda, who has worked closely with NGOs dealing with juveniles.



Employment is not the only aspect that KVIC want to push forward. It also wants to encourage children in schools and colleges to adopt Khadi as a favorite choice of garment.

It is not difficult. We have many public and private schools that are willing to partner with us, says Saxena.



KVIC wants to see Khadi as a major employment provider in the next three years. My target is to achieve it in next two years we are in discussions with the state governments to help us achieve this, he said.



The initiatives from both the government and the gung-ho KVIC is already pushing Khadi from just a nationwide small scale industry to achieving its planned destiny as a global brand that will revolutionise one of the oldest industries in the country.

NEW DELHI: Khadi India has tied up with global cloth majors Raymond and Peter England to hawk garments made out of Khadi in the international market. This is just one of the many innovative decisions taken by the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), as part of its brand promotion and series of innovations to promote Khadi. The arrangement is, they (Raymond and Peter England) will buy Khadi from us and will design, stitch and whatever else they want to do, KVIC Chairman V K Saxena told The Sunday Standard. This public sector company under the Ministry of MSME has also recently received the nod to go in for e-trade too. KVIC will launch online sales of Khadi Products through Paytm as the first step in this plan. In the next two months people will see Khadi India products designed by Raymonds, designed by Arvind and the finished products will be available in their, and our, stores, said Saxena. Illustration: Amit bandre KVIC expects sales and production to go up, which will help weavers and spinners get more worktranslating into more money in the hands of about 12.50 artisans. My target is to create and provide jobs to three lakh artisans, says Saxena. The commission is also keen to set up more units to expand in urban markets. While, KVIC is reaching out to rural markets for procuring raw material, it is simultaneously working with the local administration to encourage youth in the rural areas to become entrepreneurs. There is a huge untapped potential in rural youth and our aim is to bring them into the mainstream and make them into major businesses, said Saxena. V K Saxena, Chairman, KVIC KVIC has been primarily working with the rural artisans and farmers to procure the products that it brands and markets. Huge potential needs to be channelized through KVIC, it has taken the right decisions in the last few years, says Vijay Sardana, a rural economist. KVIC is also transforming itself into a job creator and skill enhancer for youth, both in rural and urban India. We are working with juveniles in many remand homes and hope to make them responsible and law abiding citizens, through workshops on charkhas, said Saxena. To channelise the untapped energy of teenagers who had taken to crime, KVIC has provided charkahs (thread spinning wheels) to about 80 such boys. They earn `150 for seven hours of work and it also keeps them occupied. Saxena says that when they are engrossed in work, they are not mischievous, since they understand that it not only gets them money but also prepares them for productive employment. It is fascinating that many of them want to become entrepreneurs such initiatives will help in societal transformation, says Girija Nanda, who has worked closely with NGOs dealing with juveniles. Employment is not the only aspect that KVIC want to push forward. It also wants to encourage children in schools and colleges to adopt Khadi as a favorite choice of garment. It is not difficult. We have many public and private schools that are willing to partner with us, says Saxena. KVIC wants to see Khadi as a major employment provider in the next three years. My target is to achieve it in next two years we are in discussions with the state governments to help us achieve this, he said. The initiatives from both the government and the gung-ho KVIC is already pushing Khadi from just a nationwide small scale industry to achieving its planned destiny as a global brand that will revolutionise one of the oldest industries in the country.
By PTI

BHUBANESWAR: Cash-starved people continued to queue up outside ATMs in Odisha even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said there is no need to panic as enough cash in small denomination is available in banks.



"Small denomination currency notes are available in required numbers. People have no reason to panic," a statement issued by the RBI, Bhubaneswar, said.



The bank advised people not to hoard money.



"As there is no shortage of money in RBI and other banks, there is no reason to keep additional notes in house. People can get money when they need it," said RBI Assistant General Manager R C Bal.



"We have asked all banks to cooperate with people and meet their requirement," said RBI GM R P Mohanty.



Sources said that about 3,000 of the total 6,028 ATMs in the state are not operating. Those which had cash ran dry within a few hours.



People complained that banks gave them soiled and mutilated notes in exchange.



"I got a bundle of Rs 50 from UCO Bank's CRP Square branch here. Of 100 notes, 12 were damaged. When I drew attention of the authorities, they asked me to take Rs 2,000 notes instead," said a customer.



Asked about the mobile banking facilities in tribal- dominated areas proposed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the RBI General Manager said: "We have not started it yet. But the people can take help of Bank Correspodents (BCs) in getting their notes exchanged."

BHUBANESWAR: Cash-starved people continued to queue up outside ATMs in Odisha even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said there is no need to panic as enough cash in small denomination is available in banks. "Small denomination currency notes are available in required numbers. People have no reason to panic," a statement issued by the RBI, Bhubaneswar, said. The bank advised people not to hoard money. "As there is no shortage of money in RBI and other banks, there is no reason to keep additional notes in house. People can get money when they need it," said RBI Assistant General Manager R C Bal. "We have asked all banks to cooperate with people and meet their requirement," said RBI GM R P Mohanty. Sources said that about 3,000 of the total 6,028 ATMs in the state are not operating. Those which had cash ran dry within a few hours. People complained that banks gave them soiled and mutilated notes in exchange. "I got a bundle of Rs 50 from UCO Bank's CRP Square branch here. Of 100 notes, 12 were damaged. When I drew attention of the authorities, they asked me to take Rs 2,000 notes instead," said a customer. Asked about the mobile banking facilities in tribal- dominated areas proposed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the RBI General Manager said: "We have not started it yet. But the people can take help of Bank Correspodents (BCs) in getting their notes exchanged."
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Over 200 people have been arrested in the last six days for illegally consuming liquor at public places, as part of Delhi government's drive against open drinking in the national capital.



Lauding the efforts of the Delhi Government Excise Department, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked them to continue the drive, which kickstarted on November 7, so that this menace which is taking a toll on the families and safety of women can be curbed.



Yesterday, 35 violators were arrested in various parts of the city while 26 were arrested on Friday for illegal consumption of liquor in the open, taking the total number of arrested persons to 210 in six days.



The action is being taken against the violators under the Delhi Excise Act and they have been handed over to police for further action as per law.



The Delhi Government had announced a threefold action plan for crackdown on illegal consumption of liquor and violation of the Excise Act.



A week-long awareness drive was launched in this regard recently after which arrests are being made.



The government had earlier said that anyone caught drinking publicly will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public will be fined Rs 10,000 and face arrest.

NEW DELHI: Over 200 people have been arrested in the last six days for illegally consuming liquor at public places, as part of Delhi government's drive against open drinking in the national capital. Lauding the efforts of the Delhi Government Excise Department, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked them to continue the drive, which kickstarted on November 7, so that this menace which is taking a toll on the families and safety of women can be curbed. Yesterday, 35 violators were arrested in various parts of the city while 26 were arrested on Friday for illegal consumption of liquor in the open, taking the total number of arrested persons to 210 in six days. The action is being taken against the violators under the Delhi Excise Act and they have been handed over to police for further action as per law. The Delhi Government had announced a threefold action plan for crackdown on illegal consumption of liquor and violation of the Excise Act. A week-long awareness drive was launched in this regard recently after which arrests are being made. The government had earlier said that anyone caught drinking publicly will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public will be fined Rs 10,000 and face arrest.
Malini Mannath By

Express News Service

Inspired by a moment from the Godfather, reads the caption as the film opens. While the first half of the bilingual (Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo in Telugu) is an eminently watchable love-friendship saga, the second derails as it moves into action mode and transforms into a suspense thriller.



Menons take on gender-relationships has always been classy. Here too the growing bonding between his lead pair is crafted with sensitivity and finesse. Simbu, whose character is unnamed almost till the end, is a livewire while Manjima (of the Malayalam OruVadakkan Selfie fame) is a delight to watch. The early scenes depict Simbu getting attracted to his sisters friend Manjima who comes to stay with them and her slow thawing as she gets to know him better. Its a cross country bike ride that the duo take and the unfortunate happenings which make the rest of the plot.

Film: Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada

Director: Gautham MenonCast: Simbu, Manjima

Mohan, Sathish,Daniel Balaji, Baba Sehgal



The technical side has coordinated ably. There are some exquisite visuals, the editing slick. Rahmans catchy songs and background score adds strength. A love-song pops in at an unlikely moment, when tragedy has just struck. Insensitive it may seem, but the way it has been picturised, it lends a melancholic-beauty to the moment.



While in the first half the director has managed to keep his viewers glued to the screen, he falters in the second as the situations look contrived. The lead pair find themselves victims of a hit-and run accident. And when more such unpleasant incidents follow, with a ruthless cop (Baba Sehgal) in the fray, the hero is determined to get at the truth. The flashback, narrated verbally and in montages, is complicated and slackens the flow. Too many characters enter the plot, their roles weakly etched. A splendid first half seems to have been mismatched with a second half that doesnt quite belong to it!

Inspired by a moment from the Godfather, reads the caption as the film opens. While the first half of the bilingual (Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo in Telugu) is an eminently watchable love-friendship saga, the second derails as it moves into action mode and transforms into a suspense thriller. Menons take on gender-relationships has always been classy. Here too the growing bonding between his lead pair is crafted with sensitivity and finesse. Simbu, whose character is unnamed almost till the end, is a livewire while Manjima (of the Malayalam OruVadakkan Selfie fame) is a delight to watch. The early scenes depict Simbu getting attracted to his sisters friend Manjima who comes to stay with them and her slow thawing as she gets to know him better. Its a cross country bike ride that the duo take and the unfortunate happenings which make the rest of the plot. Film: Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada Director: Gautham MenonCast: Simbu, Manjima Mohan, Sathish,Daniel Balaji, Baba Sehgal The technical side has coordinated ably. There are some exquisite visuals, the editing slick. Rahmans catchy songs and background score adds strength. A love-song pops in at an unlikely moment, when tragedy has just struck. Insensitive it may seem, but the way it has been picturised, it lends a melancholic-beauty to the moment. While in the first half the director has managed to keep his viewers glued to the screen, he falters in the second as the situations look contrived. The lead pair find themselves victims of a hit-and run accident. And when more such unpleasant incidents follow, with a ruthless cop (Baba Sehgal) in the fray, the hero is determined to get at the truth. The flashback, narrated verbally and in montages, is complicated and slackens the flow. Too many characters enter the plot, their roles weakly etched. A splendid first half seems to have been mismatched with a second half that doesnt quite belong to it!
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: A journalist working with a prominent Hindi newspaper was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Bihar on Saturday morning, making it the second murder of a journalist in the state in the past six months.



Dharmendra Singh, a 35-year-old Dainik Bhaskar reporter, was shot at close range when he stopped at a roadside tea stall during his daily morning walk near his house in the Amra Talab area in the south-western district of Rohtas. While police declined to speak about the motive behind the murder, sources linked it to the anger his reports had caused in the local stone chips mafia. He was writing frequently on the illegal stone chips units operated by a powerful local mafia.

This could be the motive to bump him off, said a police official in Sasaram on condition of anonymity. Police said three men on a motorcycle shot Singh and sped away. Singh, who received three bullets on his chest, was rushed to the Sadar Hospital in Sasaram and was referred to Varanasi. He died on the way to Varanasi, sub-divisional police officer Alok Ranjan said.



In May, senior journalist Rajdeo Ranjan was gunned down in the north-western district of Siwan allegedly at the behest of controversial former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin. The case is being investigated by the CBI. The murder in broad daylight, taking place when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is on his much-hyped Nischay Yatra tour, prompted the Opposition to reiterate that Bihar was under jungle raj.

This murder of yet another journalist shows how Bihar is under jungle raj. Nitish Kumar should tighten law and order in the state instead of engaging in his political tours, said BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain. The ruling alliance denied the allegations, saying the rule of law in Bihar was at its best and such murders were isolated incidents. , The allegations are far from the ground reality and politically motivated, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said.

PATNA: A journalist working with a prominent Hindi newspaper was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Bihar on Saturday morning, making it the second murder of a journalist in the state in the past six months. Dharmendra Singh, a 35-year-old Dainik Bhaskar reporter, was shot at close range when he stopped at a roadside tea stall during his daily morning walk near his house in the Amra Talab area in the south-western district of Rohtas. While police declined to speak about the motive behind the murder, sources linked it to the anger his reports had caused in the local stone chips mafia. He was writing frequently on the illegal stone chips units operated by a powerful local mafia. This could be the motive to bump him off, said a police official in Sasaram on condition of anonymity. Police said three men on a motorcycle shot Singh and sped away. Singh, who received three bullets on his chest, was rushed to the Sadar Hospital in Sasaram and was referred to Varanasi. He died on the way to Varanasi, sub-divisional police officer Alok Ranjan said. In May, senior journalist Rajdeo Ranjan was gunned down in the north-western district of Siwan allegedly at the behest of controversial former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin. The case is being investigated by the CBI. The murder in broad daylight, taking place when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is on his much-hyped Nischay Yatra tour, prompted the Opposition to reiterate that Bihar was under jungle raj. This murder of yet another journalist shows how Bihar is under jungle raj. Nitish Kumar should tighten law and order in the state instead of engaging in his political tours, said BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain. The ruling alliance denied the allegations, saying the rule of law in Bihar was at its best and such murders were isolated incidents. , The allegations are far from the ground reality and politically motivated, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said.
By Reuters

NEW DELHI: Anger intensified in India on Saturday as banks struggled to dispense cash following the government's decision to withdraw large denomination notes in an attempt to uncover billions of dollars in undeclared wealth.

Tempers frayed as hundreds of thousands of people queued for hours outside banks for a third day to swap 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes after the notes were abolished earlier in the week.

The banned bills made up more than 80 percent of the currency in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt.

"There's chaos everywhere," said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the premier of wreaking havoc on poor and working Indians while the wealthy found ways to skirt the new rules.

Customers argued and banged the glass doors at a Standard Chartered branch in southern Delhi after security guards blocked the entrance, saying there were too many people inside already.

Others turned on Modi, criticising his ongoing visit to Japan while ordinary people suffered at home.

"He is taking bullet train rides in Japan and here you have old people knocking on bank doors for cash," said Prabhat Kumar, a college student who said he had spent six hours in the queue. "He has made a terrible mistake."

Modi said he would pursue the fight against corruption and tax dodgers even if it meant scanning decades-old records.

"If unaccounted money is found out during the current clean up drive, accounts of tax evaders dating back to the country's independence in 1947 will be checked. If required I will hire people for this task," Modi told the Indian community in Kobe.

He said he recognised people faced difficulties as the transition to the new series of bank notes takes place but was confident they would stand by the decision as part of the war against corruption and to rid India of endemic poverty.

TRADERS STRUGGLE AS CASH CRUNCH BITES

Nearly half of India's 202,000 ATMs were shut on Friday and those that operated quickly ran out of the new notes as scores of people descended upon them.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said ATMs had not been adjusted to handle new currency notes prior to the announcement in order to keep it under wraps. "Recalibration of ATMs will be completed within two weeks," he added.

Referring to inconvenience caused to public, Jaitley said there could be some, short-term disruptive cost to the economy due to the demonetisation drive but this would prove positive in the longer term.

Traders in Delhi's vegetable market said they were considering shutting down the market as cash was running out and banks were dispensing a limited amount.

"We might have to close down until the situation stabilises," said Metharam Kriplani, president of the Chambers of Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders.

People in Mumbai said grocers were charging 10 times the price of salt in return for accepting the old cash notes.

The government has asked people to exchange the old 500 and 1,000 rupees notes by Dec. 30. The central bank said there was enough cash available with banks and that it had made arrangements to deliver the new bank notes across the country.

Modi's move was aimed at shrinking the "black economy", the term widely used to describe transactions that take place outside formal channels and which could be as high as 20 percent of gross domestic product, according to investment firm Ambit.

People swapping old notes will have to present proof of identity and depositors of abnormally large sums could be investigated by tax authorities.

India has unearthed 1.25 trillion rupees ($18.51 billion) of undeclared "black" money, including 670 billion rupees in the recent income disclosure scheme, since his government came to power in 2014, Modi said.

Much of India's rural economy is powered by cash, with few people regularly using a bank account.

In Dudko, about 75 kms (45 miles) from Delhi, villagers said they were finding it difficult to pay for food and fuel four days into the cash crunch.

"Bank officials are saying they will give the money on Monday. How will we make purchases?" said Sunita, a woman who was preparing for her daughter's wedding later this month.

NEW DELHI: Anger intensified in India on Saturday as banks struggled to dispense cash following the government's decision to withdraw large denomination notes in an attempt to uncover billions of dollars in undeclared wealth. Tempers frayed as hundreds of thousands of people queued for hours outside banks for a third day to swap 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes after the notes were abolished earlier in the week. The banned bills made up more than 80 percent of the currency in circulation, leaving millions of people without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt. "There's chaos everywhere," said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the premier of wreaking havoc on poor and working Indians while the wealthy found ways to skirt the new rules. Customers argued and banged the glass doors at a Standard Chartered branch in southern Delhi after security guards blocked the entrance, saying there were too many people inside already. Others turned on Modi, criticising his ongoing visit to Japan while ordinary people suffered at home. "He is taking bullet train rides in Japan and here you have old people knocking on bank doors for cash," said Prabhat Kumar, a college student who said he had spent six hours in the queue. "He has made a terrible mistake." Modi said he would pursue the fight against corruption and tax dodgers even if it meant scanning decades-old records. "If unaccounted money is found out during the current clean up drive, accounts of tax evaders dating back to the country's independence in 1947 will be checked. If required I will hire people for this task," Modi told the Indian community in Kobe. He said he recognised people faced difficulties as the transition to the new series of bank notes takes place but was confident they would stand by the decision as part of the war against corruption and to rid India of endemic poverty. TRADERS STRUGGLE AS CASH CRUNCH BITES Nearly half of India's 202,000 ATMs were shut on Friday and those that operated quickly ran out of the new notes as scores of people descended upon them. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said ATMs had not been adjusted to handle new currency notes prior to the announcement in order to keep it under wraps. "Recalibration of ATMs will be completed within two weeks," he added. Referring to inconvenience caused to public, Jaitley said there could be some, short-term disruptive cost to the economy due to the demonetisation drive but this would prove positive in the longer term. Traders in Delhi's vegetable market said they were considering shutting down the market as cash was running out and banks were dispensing a limited amount. "We might have to close down until the situation stabilises," said Metharam Kriplani, president of the Chambers of Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders. People in Mumbai said grocers were charging 10 times the price of salt in return for accepting the old cash notes. The government has asked people to exchange the old 500 and 1,000 rupees notes by Dec. 30. The central bank said there was enough cash available with banks and that it had made arrangements to deliver the new bank notes across the country. Modi's move was aimed at shrinking the "black economy", the term widely used to describe transactions that take place outside formal channels and which could be as high as 20 percent of gross domestic product, according to investment firm Ambit. People swapping old notes will have to present proof of identity and depositors of abnormally large sums could be investigated by tax authorities. India has unearthed 1.25 trillion rupees ($18.51 billion) of undeclared "black" money, including 670 billion rupees in the recent income disclosure scheme, since his government came to power in 2014, Modi said. Much of India's rural economy is powered by cash, with few people regularly using a bank account. In Dudko, about 75 kms (45 miles) from Delhi, villagers said they were finding it difficult to pay for food and fuel four days into the cash crunch. "Bank officials are saying they will give the money on Monday. How will we make purchases?" said Sunita, a woman who was preparing for her daughter's wedding later this month.
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: With the Bihar governments call for suggestions and feedback from the public on the controversial total prohibition law having drawn over 1,100 responses so far, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to hold face-to-face discussions with 50 selected responders on Monday.

Speculation is rife that Kumar could convene an all-party meeting after holding discussions with the responders. If the responders speak overwhelmingly in favour of the prohibition law, the CM may urge the Opposition parties to support the law in the interests of the states people. If the responders are found resentful of the strict provisions of this law, the CM may decide to amend the law in the upcoming winter session of the Assembly, said a source in the ruling JD(U).

The states excise department had put out advertisements in newspapers on November 1 seeking public feedback on the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, which has draconian provisions like the arrest of all adult members of a family in the event of liquor being found in their house and sending people found drinking to jail for ten years. Feedback was sought after a wave of criticism from Opposition parties and the liquor lobby.

More than 1,100 suggestions have been received till the deadline of November 12. As many as 542 suggestions came by SMS, 511 by email and 21 through postal services, said a senior official of the excise department. We have already invited the 55 selected responders to attend a face-to-face discussion with the chief minister, he added.

Nitish Kumar has been passionately defending the prohibition law in his speeches in his ongoing statewide Nischay yatra (Tour of Resolve). Discussions with the 50 responders scheduled for Monday would be the first occasion when Kumar would hold direct discussions with members of the public.

The invited responders include social activists, doctors, lawyers and doctors, and they are from both sides of the opinion barrier, said excise department officials. The government has also invited renowned surgeon Dr AA Hai and lawyer Narendra Sinha to attend the CMs discussions, they added.

PATNA: With the Bihar governments call for suggestions and feedback from the public on the controversial total prohibition law having drawn over 1,100 responses so far, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to hold face-to-face discussions with 50 selected responders on Monday. Speculation is rife that Kumar could convene an all-party meeting after holding discussions with the responders. If the responders speak overwhelmingly in favour of the prohibition law, the CM may urge the Opposition parties to support the law in the interests of the states people. If the responders are found resentful of the strict provisions of this law, the CM may decide to amend the law in the upcoming winter session of the Assembly, said a source in the ruling JD(U). The states excise department had put out advertisements in newspapers on November 1 seeking public feedback on the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, which has draconian provisions like the arrest of all adult members of a family in the event of liquor being found in their house and sending people found drinking to jail for ten years. Feedback was sought after a wave of criticism from Opposition parties and the liquor lobby. More than 1,100 suggestions have been received till the deadline of November 12. As many as 542 suggestions came by SMS, 511 by email and 21 through postal services, said a senior official of the excise department. We have already invited the 55 selected responders to attend a face-to-face discussion with the chief minister, he added. Nitish Kumar has been passionately defending the prohibition law in his speeches in his ongoing statewide Nischay yatra (Tour of Resolve). Discussions with the 50 responders scheduled for Monday would be the first occasion when Kumar would hold direct discussions with members of the public. The invited responders include social activists, doctors, lawyers and doctors, and they are from both sides of the opinion barrier, said excise department officials. The government has also invited renowned surgeon Dr AA Hai and lawyer Narendra Sinha to attend the CMs discussions, they added.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Amid unending queues of cash-starved citizens at banks and relentless attacks by the opposition, the government on Sunday announced an increase in withdrawal limits at banks and ATMs.



The Centre also urged the states to "facilitate the opening of new bank accounts" and last-mile distribution of small denomination notes as it announced that the new Rs 500 note had been issued.



The daily withdrawal from ATMs has now been hiked to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 and from bank counters to Rs 4,500 from Rs 4,000, the Finance Ministry said.



The limit of Rs 10,000 per day withdrawal has been removed, the ministry said in statement here.



The upper limit for weekly withdrawals from bank accounts has been raised to Rs 20,000 from Rs 24,000.



Following a review meeting, the Ministry decisions came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Japan and made an impassioned plea to the citizens while addressing public meetings in Maharashtra and Goa.



He sought 50 days' time until December 30 to tide over the cash crisis and weed out the ill-gotten wealth in the country's economy.



Lakhs of people have virtually mobbed banks and ATMs all over the country since Thursday when the banks opened after a day's closure, following Modi's dramatic November 8 night announcement to spike Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.



Banks have also been told to cater separately to senior citizens and the handicapped.



Under attack from regional satraps and Chief Ministers like Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, the Centre on Sunday also appealed to state governments to make the scheme successful and extend the currency reach to the rural and remote areas.



The state governments have been requested to facilitate opening of new bank accounts as part of financial inclusion programme.



"The Chief Secretaries of states have been requested to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and post offices in order to ensure last-mile distribution of small denomination notes through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents," it said.



The ministry urged the people to lodge complaints with the District Magistrates and district administrations if hospitals, caterers and tent houses refused to accept cheques, demand drafts and online payment transfer.



It said that from November 10 (when the banks reopened) till 5 p.m. on November 13, about Rs 3 lakh crore of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes had been deposited in the banking system. Within these four days, the banking system has handled about 18 crore transactions.



About Rs 50,000 crore had been disbursed to customers through account withdrawals or from ATMs or by exchange of old notes.



The statement said that various state governments have made elaborate arrangements to help the banks and post offices discharge their duties and dispense currencies.



The Assam government has arranged mobile banking vans with the support of banks and state government staff at certain hospitals for carrying out emergency transactions, it said.



The statement said that in the remote northeastern Arunachal Pradesh, special arrangements like cash deposits or withdrawal and opening of new bank accounts have been made with the help of banks and state government staff.

NEW DELHI: Amid unending queues of cash-starved citizens at banks and relentless attacks by the opposition, the government on Sunday announced an increase in withdrawal limits at banks and ATMs. The Centre also urged the states to "facilitate the opening of new bank accounts" and last-mile distribution of small denomination notes as it announced that the new Rs 500 note had been issued. The daily withdrawal from ATMs has now been hiked to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 and from bank counters to Rs 4,500 from Rs 4,000, the Finance Ministry said. The limit of Rs 10,000 per day withdrawal has been removed, the ministry said in statement here. The upper limit for weekly withdrawals from bank accounts has been raised to Rs 20,000 from Rs 24,000. Following a review meeting, the Ministry decisions came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Japan and made an impassioned plea to the citizens while addressing public meetings in Maharashtra and Goa. He sought 50 days' time until December 30 to tide over the cash crisis and weed out the ill-gotten wealth in the country's economy. Lakhs of people have virtually mobbed banks and ATMs all over the country since Thursday when the banks opened after a day's closure, following Modi's dramatic November 8 night announcement to spike Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Banks have also been told to cater separately to senior citizens and the handicapped. Under attack from regional satraps and Chief Ministers like Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, the Centre on Sunday also appealed to state governments to make the scheme successful and extend the currency reach to the rural and remote areas. The state governments have been requested to facilitate opening of new bank accounts as part of financial inclusion programme. "The Chief Secretaries of states have been requested to identify the rural pockets, if any, where availability of cash has been a problem and provide all support to the banks and post offices in order to ensure last-mile distribution of small denomination notes through mobile banking vans and banking correspondents," it said. The ministry urged the people to lodge complaints with the District Magistrates and district administrations if hospitals, caterers and tent houses refused to accept cheques, demand drafts and online payment transfer. It said that from November 10 (when the banks reopened) till 5 p.m. on November 13, about Rs 3 lakh crore of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes had been deposited in the banking system. Within these four days, the banking system has handled about 18 crore transactions. About Rs 50,000 crore had been disbursed to customers through account withdrawals or from ATMs or by exchange of old notes. The statement said that various state governments have made elaborate arrangements to help the banks and post offices discharge their duties and dispense currencies. The Assam government has arranged mobile banking vans with the support of banks and state government staff at certain hospitals for carrying out emergency transactions, it said. The statement said that in the remote northeastern Arunachal Pradesh, special arrangements like cash deposits or withdrawal and opening of new bank accounts have been made with the help of banks and state government staff.
By IANS

PANAJI: Barbs and criticism from the opposition do not scare me, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, claiming the success of his Jan Dhan Yojana was a testimony to his determination to pursue inclusive development.

"We started Jan Dhan accounts. When I came up with this scheme, I was mocked in Parliament... Even if you burn Modi alive, Modi does not get scared.

"Through the scheme we started bank accounts for the poorest of the poor. Now people will realise the importance of the bank accounts," Modi said.

He was speaking at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium in Bambolim village near Panaji where he digitally laid the foundation stone for a new greenfield airport at Mopa plateau and an electronic city in Tuem, both in north Goa's Pernem sub district.

"Rich people in India have bank debit and credit cards lined in their wallets. The poor do not know about such cards but under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana over 20 crore people got a Rupay debit card years back.

"If a person has money in the bank account, he can buy anything from the market today," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that his efforts at bettering India's economy and attacking black money was not a political agenda, but a cure which he was administering in doses to improve India's economic health.

"This was not politics. I was slowly trying to administer medicine to cure India's economic health. I was slowly increasing the doses," he said.

PANAJI: Barbs and criticism from the opposition do not scare me, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, claiming the success of his Jan Dhan Yojana was a testimony to his determination to pursue inclusive development. "We started Jan Dhan accounts. When I came up with this scheme, I was mocked in Parliament... Even if you burn Modi alive, Modi does not get scared. "Through the scheme we started bank accounts for the poorest of the poor. Now people will realise the importance of the bank accounts," Modi said. He was speaking at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium in Bambolim village near Panaji where he digitally laid the foundation stone for a new greenfield airport at Mopa plateau and an electronic city in Tuem, both in north Goa's Pernem sub district. "Rich people in India have bank debit and credit cards lined in their wallets. The poor do not know about such cards but under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana over 20 crore people got a Rupay debit card years back. "If a person has money in the bank account, he can buy anything from the market today," Modi said. The Prime Minister also said that his efforts at bettering India's economy and attacking black money was not a political agenda, but a cure which he was administering in doses to improve India's economic health. "This was not politics. I was slowly trying to administer medicine to cure India's economic health. I was slowly increasing the doses," he said.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit's son-in-law Imran was arrested on charges of domestic violence at Ulsoor in Bengaluru, recently.

Imran was married to Sheila Dixit's daughter Lathika and the couple were separated some time back. Imran was living alone in city for the past 10 months

According to police, Imran had allegedly assaulted Lathika in Delhi, where she was living. A complaint was filed in Delhi's Barakhamba police station soon after the incident, following which, the Delhi police arrested him on November 7. Further, the police produced him before Bengaluru local court and took a transit warrant.

"We did not have any information about Delhi police looking out for Imran or his whereabouts in the city. We came to know about the incident only when Delhi police produced him before the court, seeking transit warrant of the accused. Imran is in Delhi police custody. We were also informed that Imran was arrested on the charges of domestic violence and cheating. We also didn't know where he lived," said the Ulsoor police.

BENGALURU: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit's son-in-law Imran was arrested on charges of domestic violence at Ulsoor in Bengaluru, recently. Imran was married to Sheila Dixit's daughter Lathika and the couple were separated some time back. Imran was living alone in city for the past 10 months According to police, Imran had allegedly assaulted Lathika in Delhi, where she was living. A complaint was filed in Delhi's Barakhamba police station soon after the incident, following which, the Delhi police arrested him on November 7. Further, the police produced him before Bengaluru local court and took a transit warrant. "We did not have any information about Delhi police looking out for Imran or his whereabouts in the city. We came to know about the incident only when Delhi police produced him before the court, seeking transit warrant of the accused. Imran is in Delhi police custody. We were also informed that Imran was arrested on the charges of domestic violence and cheating. We also didn't know where he lived," said the Ulsoor police.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and calling his emotion-laced speech in Goa as drama, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to join people queuing up outside banks to find out whether they were all scam-tainted.



He claimed 50 per cent of the country's black money was going to BJP's coffers.



Stepping up his attack on Modi on demonetisation, Kejriwal demanded immediate roll back of the "poorly implemented scheme" before "situation goes out of hand" and said the Centre should bring some remedial measures in the next 24 hours to arrest the country's "rapidly sliding" economy.



"People are more nervous after his speech. Either he is unaware of the situation or the situation has gone out of his hand and he is giving emotional speeches. Keep ego aside, roll it back before things spiral out of control. It is a very poorly implemented scheme.



"What about gold conversion and dollar conversion? Where is the amount going? It is going through backdoor and coming out as Rs 2000 notes. The brokers are in the ruling party. 50 per cent of the entire black money amount is going to BJP...fake Rs 2000 notes hit the market in 24 hours because they are friends with them," he alleged.



Addressing reporters at his residence, Kejriwal said panic has set in across the country after Modi sought 50 more days from people. People are not even ready to wait for 50

hours as "suicides are happening, hospitals are refusing treatment, families are having to hungry", he said.



"The kind of language he used for people standing in lines is deplorable. He said 2G and coal scam tainted are standing in lines. Mr Prime Minister, you should yourself stand in the queue and find out who actually are there. He sees Raza, Kanimozhi and Kalmadi in them. The PM should apologise to the people for making fun of those standing in lines," Kejriwal said.



Kejriwal wondered why the country's 125 crore people were being targeted instead of the "few lakhs" who, according to Modi, are corrupt. Kejriwal alleged, "The present government is friends with the corrupt, counterfeit currency makers and Swiss bank account holders."



Calling Modis emotional speech in Goa a drama, Kejriwal said corruption cannot be contained by changing the notes or resorting to "theatrics".



"Why is he targeting 125 crore people and not the few lakhs he spoke about? Why is he friends with those few lakhs? You had said you will send those like Robert Vadra and those having Swiss bank accounts to jail. What happened to that? You did not even try to bring back a paisa from Siwss banks. Now you are friends with them. There's a list of 648 people...what did you do?" said Kejriwal.



Earlier, in an address at Panaji, which was laced with emotion, the Prime Minister said his hot pursuit of corruption and black money will continue even if "I am burned alive".



Kejriwal demanded that the government take action against 648 Swiss bank account holders" and rubbished Modi's remarks that "forces" are against him and may not let him live.



"Who is he facing threats from? I want to understand. So SPG, IB, RAW are ineffective? Stop this drama," Kejriwal said.

NEW DELHI: Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and calling his emotion-laced speech in Goa as drama, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to join people queuing up outside banks to find out whether they were all scam-tainted. He claimed 50 per cent of the country's black money was going to BJP's coffers. Stepping up his attack on Modi on demonetisation, Kejriwal demanded immediate roll back of the "poorly implemented scheme" before "situation goes out of hand" and said the Centre should bring some remedial measures in the next 24 hours to arrest the country's "rapidly sliding" economy. "People are more nervous after his speech. Either he is unaware of the situation or the situation has gone out of his hand and he is giving emotional speeches. Keep ego aside, roll it back before things spiral out of control. It is a very poorly implemented scheme. "What about gold conversion and dollar conversion? Where is the amount going? It is going through backdoor and coming out as Rs 2000 notes. The brokers are in the ruling party. 50 per cent of the entire black money amount is going to BJP...fake Rs 2000 notes hit the market in 24 hours because they are friends with them," he alleged. Addressing reporters at his residence, Kejriwal said panic has set in across the country after Modi sought 50 more days from people. People are not even ready to wait for 50 hours as "suicides are happening, hospitals are refusing treatment, families are having to hungry", he said. "The kind of language he used for people standing in lines is deplorable. He said 2G and coal scam tainted are standing in lines. Mr Prime Minister, you should yourself stand in the queue and find out who actually are there. He sees Raza, Kanimozhi and Kalmadi in them. The PM should apologise to the people for making fun of those standing in lines," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal wondered why the country's 125 crore people were being targeted instead of the "few lakhs" who, according to Modi, are corrupt. Kejriwal alleged, "The present government is friends with the corrupt, counterfeit currency makers and Swiss bank account holders." Calling Modis emotional speech in Goa a drama, Kejriwal said corruption cannot be contained by changing the notes or resorting to "theatrics". "Why is he targeting 125 crore people and not the few lakhs he spoke about? Why is he friends with those few lakhs? You had said you will send those like Robert Vadra and those having Swiss bank accounts to jail. What happened to that? You did not even try to bring back a paisa from Siwss banks. Now you are friends with them. There's a list of 648 people...what did you do?" said Kejriwal. Earlier, in an address at Panaji, which was laced with emotion, the Prime Minister said his hot pursuit of corruption and black money will continue even if "I am burned alive". Kejriwal demanded that the government take action against 648 Swiss bank account holders" and rubbished Modi's remarks that "forces" are against him and may not let him live. "Who is he facing threats from? I want to understand. So SPG, IB, RAW are ineffective? Stop this drama," Kejriwal said.
By PTI

KOBE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned of further action against those with black money once the December 30 deadline expires for disclosing demonetised notes, saying they will have to pay for unaccounted cash.

At the same time, he said honest people have nothing to fear from the government. He also made a veiled attack on the Opposition, saying a section of the people was egging others to speak against him on the scheme.

 I want to tell the people again and again that the government will do everything to protect the honest. But the dishonest beware, I will make you pay for it, he said addressing the Indian community here at a reception before winding up his three-day visit to Japan.

In a speech laced with barbs and humour, Modi said opportunities were given to those with black money to come clean.

 It is not as though opportunity was not given. Then also if you feel that it will be business as usual, I cannot be faulted.

 After December 30 scheme (the last date for depositing demonetised notes) if you feel that there will be no action, there is no guarantee that something new will not be introduced to punish you (thikane lagane ke liye), Modi said.

 The world has changed. I gave you time. Now it is up to you, think about your son's future, he said, amidst cheers from the audience.

Referring to his November 8 announcement cancelling the legal tender status of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Modi said the government had not done it all of a sudden.

The government, he said, had earlier brought out schemes for declaration of black money, the first of which fetched Rs 67,000 crores.

 Even then people said Modi has failed. In the last two years a sum of Rs 1.25 lakh crores has been unearthed, he said.

Modi said what the government has done was not to harass anybody.

 Difficulties have been there. I have given 50 days time for people to go and deposit their honest money. But I make it clear, that if anything unaccounted comes up, then I will dig the records since Independence.

 I will deploy as many people as required for this. Honest people will not face any problem. No one will be spared. Those who know me, they are intelligent as well... They think it is better to offer it to the Ganges than put it in banks people would refuse to put even 25 paise into the Ganges,Modi said.

He was referring to reports of the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes dumped into the river.

Then he asked the audience should stolen wealth not be brought out.

Modi termed the demonetisation as Swachhata Abhiyan and hailed the undaunting spirit of the people despite their hardship following its announcement on November 8.

 I salute my countrymen. People stood in line for four hours, six hours but accepted the decision in the national interest the way people of Japan tackled the aftermath of the 2011 disaster, he said.

 I thought long and hard about the possible difficulties and it was also important to keep it a secret. It had to be done suddenly but I never thought I will receive blessings for this, he said.

 I salute each and every Indian. Many families had weddings, health problems...yes they faced inconvenience but they accepted the decision, the prime minister said.

 Law should be equal to everyone. People are happy about the fact that even Modi's Rs 1,000 notes are not usable anymore, Modi said.

Talking about avoiding harassment of honest people, Modi said housewives have been allowed to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh in their accounts and there will be no questioning.

 We will not ask her where did the money come from. As a result of this, now you can see sons and daughters-in-laws are depositing Rs 2.5 lakh in the mother's account, who they had abandoned in old-age homes. Will the mothers not bless me? he asked.

Underlining that the world is acknowledging that India is the fastest-growing economy among the large global economies, he said the country is also receiving historically high FDI.

 The IMF, the World Bank all are saying in one voice. The IMF also said that India is a shining star. World economists believe India is growing at a very fast rate... I have my own definitions (of FDI). The first definition is First Develop India and the second is the Foreign Direct Investment. India is receiving historically high rate of FDI, he said.

KOBE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned of further action against those with black money once the December 30 deadline expires for disclosing demonetised notes, saying they will have to pay for unaccounted cash. At the same time, he said honest people have nothing to fear from the government. He also made a veiled attack on the Opposition, saying a section of the people was egging others to speak against him on the scheme. I want to tell the people again and again that the government will do everything to protect the honest. But the dishonest beware, I will make you pay for it, he said addressing the Indian community here at a reception before winding up his three-day visit to Japan. In a speech laced with barbs and humour, Modi said opportunities were given to those with black money to come clean. It is not as though opportunity was not given. Then also if you feel that it will be business as usual, I cannot be faulted. After December 30 scheme (the last date for depositing demonetised notes) if you feel that there will be no action, there is no guarantee that something new will not be introduced to punish you (thikane lagane ke liye), Modi said. The world has changed. I gave you time. Now it is up to you, think about your son's future, he said, amidst cheers from the audience. Referring to his November 8 announcement cancelling the legal tender status of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Modi said the government had not done it all of a sudden. The government, he said, had earlier brought out schemes for declaration of black money, the first of which fetched Rs 67,000 crores. Even then people said Modi has failed. In the last two years a sum of Rs 1.25 lakh crores has been unearthed, he said. Modi said what the government has done was not to harass anybody. Difficulties have been there. I have given 50 days time for people to go and deposit their honest money. But I make it clear, that if anything unaccounted comes up, then I will dig the records since Independence. I will deploy as many people as required for this. Honest people will not face any problem. No one will be spared. Those who know me, they are intelligent as well... They think it is better to offer it to the Ganges than put it in banks people would refuse to put even 25 paise into the Ganges,Modi said. He was referring to reports of the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes dumped into the river. Then he asked the audience should stolen wealth not be brought out. Modi termed the demonetisation as Swachhata Abhiyan and hailed the undaunting spirit of the people despite their hardship following its announcement on November 8. I salute my countrymen. People stood in line for four hours, six hours but accepted the decision in the national interest the way people of Japan tackled the aftermath of the 2011 disaster, he said. I thought long and hard about the possible difficulties and it was also important to keep it a secret. It had to be done suddenly but I never thought I will receive blessings for this, he said. I salute each and every Indian. Many families had weddings, health problems...yes they faced inconvenience but they accepted the decision, the prime minister said. Law should be equal to everyone. People are happy about the fact that even Modi's Rs 1,000 notes are not usable anymore, Modi said. Talking about avoiding harassment of honest people, Modi said housewives have been allowed to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh in their accounts and there will be no questioning. We will not ask her where did the money come from. As a result of this, now you can see sons and daughters-in-laws are depositing Rs 2.5 lakh in the mother's account, who they had abandoned in old-age homes. Will the mothers not bless me? he asked. Underlining that the world is acknowledging that India is the fastest-growing economy among the large global economies, he said the country is also receiving historically high FDI. The IMF, the World Bank all are saying in one voice. The IMF also said that India is a shining star. World economists believe India is growing at a very fast rate... I have my own definitions (of FDI). The first definition is First Develop India and the second is the Foreign Direct Investment. India is receiving historically high rate of FDI, he said.
Vikram Sharma By

Express News Service

JAMMU: Less than a fortnight after 14 Pakistani morchas and posts were blown to bits by Indias Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border (IB), the Pakistanis are rapidly rebuilding their border infrastructure. From the Indian side, men in uniforms and pathan suits can be seen stacking sandbags, raising tin roofing and cementing bunkers.



Some 14 Pakistani posts were destroyed along the border in the Ramgarh, Hiranagar, and Arnia sectors by Indian retaliatory fire on Nov. 1 after eight people were killed when Pakistan rained 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells on border hamlets and military posts along the IB and Line of Control in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts.



The posts are now being rebuilt. Top sources in the BSFs intelligence wing disclosed to New Indian Express that there has been hectic activity on the Pakistani side in the past one week. To the untrained observer, it is difficult to spot the Pakistani posts from the Indian side. Camouflaged by tall Sarkanda grass and wild vegetation, the Pakistani morchas are located in a single line. From the border, the Pakistani flag is visible only at some posts. But the Indian forces are equipped with the electronics to keep tabs on everything.



In contrast, all Indian posts and morchas are visible to the Pakistanis, for the wild bush on this side is regularly cleared so as to give no cover to infiltrating terrorists. It is only the Indian side which has to do border management, said a BSF official. The Pakistan side does not have to bother. Their preparation on the border is more war-like and they have always been in that mode.



Though Pakistani posts are camouflaged, the BSF has the technical equipment to detect their coordinates. We never initiate firing, we only retaliate, but we hit them with precision. Thats how we destroyed their 14 posts.



In fact, the day after the 14 posts were pounded by India, the Pakistan Rangers raised a white flag, signaling they wanted to talk. A meeting was fixed for the following day. But they did not turn up at the specified time. Perhaps, they had second thoughts,: said the BSF officials.



However, some chitchat does take place between border guards across the line. Its a regular feature during peace time, but it abruptly stopped after the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the LoC on September 29. But the talks back. Two Rangers greeted the BSF men along the IB on Friday.

JAMMU: Less than a fortnight after 14 Pakistani morchas and posts were blown to bits by Indias Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border (IB), the Pakistanis are rapidly rebuilding their border infrastructure. From the Indian side, men in uniforms and pathan suits can be seen stacking sandbags, raising tin roofing and cementing bunkers. Some 14 Pakistani posts were destroyed along the border in the Ramgarh, Hiranagar, and Arnia sectors by Indian retaliatory fire on Nov. 1 after eight people were killed when Pakistan rained 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells on border hamlets and military posts along the IB and Line of Control in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts. The posts are now being rebuilt. Top sources in the BSFs intelligence wing disclosed to New Indian Express that there has been hectic activity on the Pakistani side in the past one week. To the untrained observer, it is difficult to spot the Pakistani posts from the Indian side. Camouflaged by tall Sarkanda grass and wild vegetation, the Pakistani morchas are located in a single line. From the border, the Pakistani flag is visible only at some posts. But the Indian forces are equipped with the electronics to keep tabs on everything. In contrast, all Indian posts and morchas are visible to the Pakistanis, for the wild bush on this side is regularly cleared so as to give no cover to infiltrating terrorists. It is only the Indian side which has to do border management, said a BSF official. The Pakistan side does not have to bother. Their preparation on the border is more war-like and they have always been in that mode. Though Pakistani posts are camouflaged, the BSF has the technical equipment to detect their coordinates. We never initiate firing, we only retaliate, but we hit them with precision. Thats how we destroyed their 14 posts. In fact, the day after the 14 posts were pounded by India, the Pakistan Rangers raised a white flag, signaling they wanted to talk. A meeting was fixed for the following day. But they did not turn up at the specified time. Perhaps, they had second thoughts,: said the BSF officials. However, some chitchat does take place between border guards across the line. Its a regular feature during peace time, but it abruptly stopped after the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the LoC on September 29. But the talks back. Two Rangers greeted the BSF men along the IB on Friday.
By PTI

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Over a hundred people were booked for pelting stones and clashing with the employees of a bank in Sujru village in the district over exchanging of old currency notes, police said today.

Three persons including a woman sustained injuries in the clash that broke out after cash-strapped people gathered outside the bank, to exchange the now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes after the Centre's demonetisation move, turned violent, they said.

Police reached the spot and dispersed the angry mob. A case has been registered against more than a hundred people in this connection, a police official said.

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Over a hundred people were booked for pelting stones and clashing with the employees of a bank in Sujru village in the district over exchanging of old currency notes, police said today. Three persons including a woman sustained injuries in the clash that broke out after cash-strapped people gathered outside the bank, to exchange the now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes after the Centre's demonetisation move, turned violent, they said. Police reached the spot and dispersed the angry mob. A case has been registered against more than a hundred people in this connection, a police official said.
Harpreet Bajwa By

CHANDIGARH: To challenge Supreme Courts decision on Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute before International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, US based rights group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has asked Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to pass a resolution in the Special Assembly Session on November 16.

In a communique to Badal, SFJ states that with the November 10 decision of the Supreme Court on SYL Canal, the people of Punjab have exhausted all legal remedies available within the judicial system of India to secure their riparian rights over the water resources of their homeland. Now, the only recourse left for the people to secure their riparian rights on the water resources of their homeland is to challenge the court's decision before the International Court of Justice, the communique stated.

"If the Punjab Government failed to take SYL case before ICJ, SFJ with the support of the people of Punjab will challenge Supreme Court's decision before International Court in Hague", added attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed on the Punjab and Haryana border as it was sealed and patrolling increased on the National Highway-1. Four companies of RAF were deployed at Rajpura, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Mohali in Punjab. One company will keep a tab at Kapuri, the birth place of SYL canal and Shambu barrier on the Punjab-Haryana border, the other at Fatehgarh Sahib will monitor the movement on the NH-1 and the SYL canal area in Ropar.

Also the Haryana government has suspended operations of buses of Haryana Roadways plying to Punjab on long routes for security reasons. The buses from neighboring state are plying on short routes only. Badal has requested the Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to see to it that the bus services are resumed.

The Khaps in Haryana who had earlier threatened to disconnect Punjab from Delhi by blocking road and rail network have now decided to meet ML Khattar on November 16. They will and request him to get them an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in the SYL canal issue before taking a decision. We do not want to create any law and order problem in the state, said Tek Ram Kandela, convener of the Sarv Khap

Panchayat, Haryana.

With his decision to put off his proposed Punjab visit, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has sent out a clear and unequivocal message that he is not supporting the state on the SYL issue, Punjab Congress president capt Amarinder Singh said on Sunday.

Even as he continues to remain strangely silent on the Supreme Court verdict on SYL, Kejriwal has, expectedly, chosen to keep away from the state that is facing an imminent water crisis in the aftermath of the apex courts verdict on the critical issue, which has huge ramification for Punjab, said Amarinder Singh, adding that the AAP leaders behavior is totally in keeping with his habit of running away from problems.

CHANDIGARH: To challenge Supreme Courts decision on Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute before International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, US based rights group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has asked Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to pass a resolution in the Special Assembly Session on November 16. In a communique to Badal, SFJ states that with the November 10 decision of the Supreme Court on SYL Canal, the people of Punjab have exhausted all legal remedies available within the judicial system of India to secure their riparian rights over the water resources of their homeland. Now, the only recourse left for the people to secure their riparian rights on the water resources of their homeland is to challenge the court's decision before the International Court of Justice, the communique stated. "If the Punjab Government failed to take SYL case before ICJ, SFJ with the support of the people of Punjab will challenge Supreme Court's decision before International Court in Hague", added attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed on the Punjab and Haryana border as it was sealed and patrolling increased on the National Highway-1. Four companies of RAF were deployed at Rajpura, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Mohali in Punjab. One company will keep a tab at Kapuri, the birth place of SYL canal and Shambu barrier on the Punjab-Haryana border, the other at Fatehgarh Sahib will monitor the movement on the NH-1 and the SYL canal area in Ropar. Also the Haryana government has suspended operations of buses of Haryana Roadways plying to Punjab on long routes for security reasons. The buses from neighboring state are plying on short routes only. Badal has requested the Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to see to it that the bus services are resumed. The Khaps in Haryana who had earlier threatened to disconnect Punjab from Delhi by blocking road and rail network have now decided to meet ML Khattar on November 16. They will and request him to get them an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in the SYL canal issue before taking a decision. We do not want to create any law and order problem in the state, said Tek Ram Kandela, convener of the Sarv Khap Panchayat, Haryana. With his decision to put off his proposed Punjab visit, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has sent out a clear and unequivocal message that he is not supporting the state on the SYL issue, Punjab Congress president capt Amarinder Singh said on Sunday. Even as he continues to remain strangely silent on the Supreme Court verdict on SYL, Kejriwal has, expectedly, chosen to keep away from the state that is facing an imminent water crisis in the aftermath of the apex courts verdict on the critical issue, which has huge ramification for Punjab, said Amarinder Singh, adding that the AAP leaders behavior is totally in keeping with his habit of running away from problems.
By Express News Service

Longs queues outside the banks are to stay for a while as most ATMs will take at least two-three weeks to be fully functional. People with illegal money, however, have found various ways to go under the radar to convert black to white. Express captures the craft of laundering.

1) Educational institutions, hospitals, and other companies increased employees' salaries or gave them money to deposit in their accounts. Each handed Rs 2-5 lakh depending on their loyalty. The amount would be returned in cash for a small hike or commission.

2) As the income through agriculture is not taxable, many black money hoarders are tampering with their accounts to show income from agriculture. This has come as a blessing for politicians especially in Andhra where majority own agricultural lands.

3) The obvious is making use of domestic maids and other people from lower economic backgrounds. Enquiries made in Chennai showed how hostel owners in the city took a few such people to deposit amounts.

4)Some people are said to be giving interest-free loans as each individual can convert up to Rs 2.5 lakh without having to pay tax. People with black money will get their money back after few months or even years, while those taking loans would not have to pay any interest on such loans.

5) Some people are said to be giving interest-free loans as each individual can convert up to C2.5 lakh without having to pay tax. People with black money will get their money back after few months or even years, while those taking loans would not have to pay any interest on such loans.

6) In an educational institution group whose owner is into politics, students working for him during the general elections have been entrusted with the task of converting black money into white. In return, students are being offered pocket money. Students in charge of these transactions are promised two-wheelers just like during elections. Some institutions are offering gadgets like laptops.

7) The loans availed by self help groups, farmers are being cleared by black money holders. They will continue to pay instalments to the black money holder instead of banks.

8) Though gold price has doubled in the black market where it is being sold anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 65,000 per 10gm, the black money hoarders are making a beeline for the gold merchants.

9) Some are taking help from small family owned supermarkets. Like in the case of jewellery shops, transactions will be backdated with receipts and taxes.

10) Authorities suspect there are agents doing brisk business by taking commission of up to 50 per cent to convert black money to white. Those with black money do not mind paying commission.

Longs queues outside the banks are to stay for a while as most ATMs will take at least two-three weeks to be fully functional. People with illegal money, however, have found various ways to go under the radar to convert black to white. Express captures the craft of laundering. 1) Educational institutions, hospitals, and other companies increased employees' salaries or gave them money to deposit in their accounts. Each handed Rs 2-5 lakh depending on their loyalty. The amount would be returned in cash for a small hike or commission. 2) As the income through agriculture is not taxable, many black money hoarders are tampering with their accounts to show income from agriculture. This has come as a blessing for politicians especially in Andhra where majority own agricultural lands. 3) The obvious is making use of domestic maids and other people from lower economic backgrounds. Enquiries made in Chennai showed how hostel owners in the city took a few such people to deposit amounts. 4)Some people are said to be giving interest-free loans as each individual can convert up to Rs 2.5 lakh without having to pay tax. People with black money will get their money back after few months or even years, while those taking loans would not have to pay any interest on such loans. 5) Some people are said to be giving interest-free loans as each individual can convert up to C2.5 lakh without having to pay tax. People with black money will get their money back after few months or even years, while those taking loans would not have to pay any interest on such loans. 6) In an educational institution group whose owner is into politics, students working for him during the general elections have been entrusted with the task of converting black money into white. In return, students are being offered pocket money. Students in charge of these transactions are promised two-wheelers just like during elections. Some institutions are offering gadgets like laptops. 7) The loans availed by self help groups, farmers are being cleared by black money holders. They will continue to pay instalments to the black money holder instead of banks. 8) Though gold price has doubled in the black market where it is being sold anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 65,000 per 10gm, the black money hoarders are making a beeline for the gold merchants. 9) Some are taking help from small family owned supermarkets. Like in the case of jewellery shops, transactions will be backdated with receipts and taxes. 10) Authorities suspect there are agents doing brisk business by taking commission of up to 50 per cent to convert black money to white. Those with black money do not mind paying commission.
T J S George By

So America got a jaw-dropping shock. India got twothe jaw-dropping one plus the nerve-wracking rupee maha-shock. The impact of the former will take a few months to unravel. The impact of the latter was instant like an electric shock. Much of the panic it caused was unavoidable because demonetisation with a view to unearthing black money needs to be planned secretly and announced suddenly. In the event, the secrecy and the suddenness were both admirable. The boldest government initiative in recent decades, it directly targetted corruption and fake currency as well as the black economy. It is a master stroke that deserves to succeed.

In the nature of things, the announcement also disrupted life across the country. The sudden denial of everyday cash for everyday essentials dealt a raw deal to the poor, the old, the petty traders, the daily wage earners and the many who are too backward to know what bank accounts mean. It hit the urban middleclass, too, as was evident in banks, petrol bunks and railway ticket counters where chaos reigned. Closer attention by the planners could have saved ordinary people from much of the trouble.

Actually, ordinary people rose to the occasion in spite of the problems they faced. From across the country there were reports of citizens saying that they would put up with short-term inconveniences in the interests of the nation. Television channels broadcast pictures of people lining up at petrol stations and in front of petty shops, saying how vexing was their experience and how they would bear with it since the abolition of black money was in their interest.

Will worthy intentions lead to worthy results? High-value rupee notes were demonetised in 1946 and again in 1978. On both occasions, the intention was to wipe out the black market. Obviously both attempts failed. In recent years the parallel economy had grown to 23.2 per cent of the GDP according to World Bank estimates. That would translate to about $479 billion. The government itself will have to admit that black money could not have grown that big without the active support of politicians in power.

Besides, let us not underestimate the genius of Indians to circumvent laws. Politics, crony capitalism and entrepreneurship have grown in India on one simple principle: Where there is a law, there is a loophole. How Indian ingenuity flowers in the days ahead will be of interest to sociologists as well as to income tax collectors. Every citizen will wish the government success because the governments success against black money will be the peoples success. Meanwhile, former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi drew attention to the obvious when he said the currency reform would have a big impact on upcoming elections. In UP, for example, the Samajwadis and the Mayawatis will have no money to fight the elections. The BJPs victory is assured.

The rupee drama will be as transformative for India as Donald Trumps triumph has been for the United States. It wasnt a narrow victory for the man who ran a crude campaign. The support he received from voters must have astonished him too. The acceptance speech, however, was delivered by a new, born-again Trumpgracious and conciliatory. But the hatreds and resentments had gone so deep that an unprecedented Hes not my President movement has already started. A divisive America may be a fact of life for the immediate future.

In policy approaches, Trump is unlikely to be as abrasive as he sounded during the campaigning. While his campaign rhetoric will no doubt be softened by the realities of power and the constrictions imposed by Americas political-administrative establishment, the basic tenets of the Trump philosophy are unlikely to change. His primary article of faith will be America first. He will hold on to his view that allies must pay more for the US troops stationed in their region. He is also unlikely to give up on his stated opposition to the multi-nation pan-Pacific trade pact that was the thrust of Barack Obamas pivot to Asia policy. The military alliance with South Korea may survive.

Meanwhile, it is of interest to note that the six Indian-origin Americans who have got elected to the US Congress are all members of the Democratic Party despite the fund-raising celebrations conducted by the Republican Hindu Coalition. But the Coalition is far from discouraged. The Hindu Sena in Delhi distributed sweets when Trump won. A sizeable number of Indians seem convinced that Donald Trump is a BJP member.

So America got a jaw-dropping shock. India got twothe jaw-dropping one plus the nerve-wracking rupee maha-shock. The impact of the former will take a few months to unravel. The impact of the latter was instant like an electric shock. Much of the panic it caused was unavoidable because demonetisation with a view to unearthing black money needs to be planned secretly and announced suddenly. In the event, the secrecy and the suddenness were both admirable. The boldest government initiative in recent decades, it directly targetted corruption and fake currency as well as the black economy. It is a master stroke that deserves to succeed. In the nature of things, the announcement also disrupted life across the country. The sudden denial of everyday cash for everyday essentials dealt a raw deal to the poor, the old, the petty traders, the daily wage earners and the many who are too backward to know what bank accounts mean. It hit the urban middleclass, too, as was evident in banks, petrol bunks and railway ticket counters where chaos reigned. Closer attention by the planners could have saved ordinary people from much of the trouble. Actually, ordinary people rose to the occasion in spite of the problems they faced. From across the country there were reports of citizens saying that they would put up with short-term inconveniences in the interests of the nation. Television channels broadcast pictures of people lining up at petrol stations and in front of petty shops, saying how vexing was their experience and how they would bear with it since the abolition of black money was in their interest. Will worthy intentions lead to worthy results? High-value rupee notes were demonetised in 1946 and again in 1978. On both occasions, the intention was to wipe out the black market. Obviously both attempts failed. In recent years the parallel economy had grown to 23.2 per cent of the GDP according to World Bank estimates. That would translate to about $479 billion. The government itself will have to admit that black money could not have grown that big without the active support of politicians in power. Besides, let us not underestimate the genius of Indians to circumvent laws. Politics, crony capitalism and entrepreneurship have grown in India on one simple principle: Where there is a law, there is a loophole. How Indian ingenuity flowers in the days ahead will be of interest to sociologists as well as to income tax collectors. Every citizen will wish the government success because the governments success against black money will be the peoples success. Meanwhile, former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi drew attention to the obvious when he said the currency reform would have a big impact on upcoming elections. In UP, for example, the Samajwadis and the Mayawatis will have no money to fight the elections. The BJPs victory is assured. The rupee drama will be as transformative for India as Donald Trumps triumph has been for the United States. It wasnt a narrow victory for the man who ran a crude campaign. The support he received from voters must have astonished him too. The acceptance speech, however, was delivered by a new, born-again Trumpgracious and conciliatory. But the hatreds and resentments had gone so deep that an unprecedented Hes not my President movement has already started. A divisive America may be a fact of life for the immediate future. In policy approaches, Trump is unlikely to be as abrasive as he sounded during the campaigning. While his campaign rhetoric will no doubt be softened by the realities of power and the constrictions imposed by Americas political-administrative establishment, the basic tenets of the Trump philosophy are unlikely to change. His primary article of faith will be America first. He will hold on to his view that allies must pay more for the US troops stationed in their region. He is also unlikely to give up on his stated opposition to the multi-nation pan-Pacific trade pact that was the thrust of Barack Obamas pivot to Asia policy. The military alliance with South Korea may survive. Meanwhile, it is of interest to note that the six Indian-origin Americans who have got elected to the US Congress are all members of the Democratic Party despite the fund-raising celebrations conducted by the Republican Hindu Coalition. But the Coalition is far from discouraged. The Hindu Sena in Delhi distributed sweets when Trump won. A sizeable number of Indians seem convinced that Donald Trump is a BJP member.
Prabhu Chawla By

They are separated by history, geography and their lifestyle. Donald Trump is a businessman and TV anchor who zooms around the world in a private jet and lives in a tony tower. Narendra Modi doesnt have a house or a car to his name and used to live out of a one-bedroom house provided by the BJP. But it was these two men who dominated prime time debates and front page headlines across the globe last week. In the West, an aggressive and outspoken Trump trounced the politically-correct Hillary Clinton in the filthiest-ever battle for the 45th Presidency of the United States of America. He demolished credibility, acceptability and the dependability of the liberal American establishment.

Donald Trump

In the East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi burst the Indian movers and shakers bubble about their imagined control of the nations decision-making machinery with a 28-minute address to the nation. By withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, which account for over 85 per cent of the currency in circulation, Modi made one-third of Indias $2.5 trillion economy irrelevant.

But its not just their ability to surprise the public time and time again that unites Trump and Modi. Its also their outsider status. Trump, in spite of his opulence, has never managed to get his foot into the PLU (People Like Us) Club thats peopled by old money with multiple degrees from elite institutions. Modi too has been deprived of that privilege in India. Which is probably why both have become darlings of the commoners club, the PLTs (People Like Them).

Trumps election got much more global attention than Modis move to curb black money. But both have been the target of the most vocal and influential sections of the media and the ruling elite. There was hardly a media house in the US that didnt try to demonise Trump so that he could lose the elections. Hardly any opinion poll gave him even a slim chance of entering the White House. The scene was similar in 2014, when only at the fag end of the campaign did Indian pollsters wake up to the reality of Modi winning the majority for his party.

Narendra Modi

The desirability and, indeed, eligibility of both men to become chief executive of their respective nations were questioned by the ruling elite and establishment. The mens past deeds and misdeeds were dug up to portray them as monsters, while the mistakes of their rivals were skipped over during the narrative of the election campaign. In India, the established leadership of the BJP was unwilling to accept Modi as a leader who could convert the marginalised saffron organisation into a party that could rule without leaning on the crutches of regional bodies. Modi faced massive resistance from the old guards when he was nominated as the candidate for the prime ministership. Similarly, Trump had to cross many roadblocks and defeat conspiracies from within and outside to win his nomination. Like Modi, he had a controversial past and had to face the ire of many party supporters. Even some prominent Republican leaders disowned him during the campaign because they couldnt digest his style and his past.

Highly-paid experts were hiredin America and, earlier, in Indiato dig up dirt on the candidates. If the Gujarat riots were kept on the front pages to project Modi as a dangerous leader, many women and tax evasion documents were retrieved from the past to paint Trump as an undesirable law-breaker. Never did the media or the hired intellectuals speak about the questionable financial deals of the Clintons after they relinquished office.

After the results of the 2000 elections, Bill Clinton, the charming husband of the defeated Presidential candidate, said: The people have spoken, were just not sure what theyve said. He was reacting to the defeat of Democratic candidate Al Gore to Republican George W Bush. Sixteen years later, the Democrats and their promoters are still repeating the same line. They are unwilling to accept the changing contours of electoral politics and the emergence of a new leadership all over the world.

The fact is the formal party organisation, as an institution, is collapsing. It is being replaced by individuals who are crashing into the system, taking charge and rebuilding teams with new faces and new ideas. They have neither the time nor tolerance for insiders who are unwilling to create room for others, and are unable to think out of the box. Trump and Modi are the latest in the line of the outsiders coming in and taking over. In England when the Conservatives were failing to capture British sentiments, Margaret Thatcher took over the party and the government, and introduced economic reforms.

But once Thatcherism was replaced by pragmatism and conformist politics, the Tories once again lost acceptability and Labour became the flavour of new politics. In Communist Russia, Vladimir Putin was considered an outsider because of his social and economic background. But he was able to demolish the old hierarchy and dictate new terms and policies. In India, Congress hasnt been revived because insiders are still resisting change. Most of the leaders were born with a silver spoon, were brought up by well-paid maids rather than their mothers, and went to elite schools and universities abroad. Their cultural and class coalitions keep them from any breakout thinking.

The PLTs have infiltrated political parties in almost all the democracies of the world. The colour of their visible political affiliations or leanings may look different, but they wear their class comparability as a badge of pride.

The current angst against Trump and Modi is really a public manifestation of the PLUs fear of losing power to the PLTs, who place Nation First.

Both Trump and Modi are under attack by those who promote cultural and class monopoly. They forget that in a democracy, the battle is between two individuals. Class and caste dont count. Those who accept the outcome of a democratic contest only if it suits them are the real promoters of exclusive politics. Trump and Modi will have to purge the system of class and cultural oligarchies if they have to survive. And they shall.

Prabhu Chawla

prabhuchawla@

newindianexpress.com

Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla

They are separated by history, geography and their lifestyle. Donald Trump is a businessman and TV anchor who zooms around the world in a private jet and lives in a tony tower. Narendra Modi doesnt have a house or a car to his name and used to live out of a one-bedroom house provided by the BJP. But it was these two men who dominated prime time debates and front page headlines across the globe last week. In the West, an aggressive and outspoken Trump trounced the politically-correct Hillary Clinton in the filthiest-ever battle for the 45th Presidency of the United States of America. He demolished credibility, acceptability and the dependability of the liberal American establishment. Donald TrumpIn the East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi burst the Indian movers and shakers bubble about their imagined control of the nations decision-making machinery with a 28-minute address to the nation. By withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, which account for over 85 per cent of the currency in circulation, Modi made one-third of Indias $2.5 trillion economy irrelevant. But its not just their ability to surprise the public time and time again that unites Trump and Modi. Its also their outsider status. Trump, in spite of his opulence, has never managed to get his foot into the PLU (People Like Us) Club thats peopled by old money with multiple degrees from elite institutions. Modi too has been deprived of that privilege in India. Which is probably why both have become darlings of the commoners club, the PLTs (People Like Them). Trumps election got much more global attention than Modis move to curb black money. But both have been the target of the most vocal and influential sections of the media and the ruling elite. There was hardly a media house in the US that didnt try to demonise Trump so that he could lose the elections. Hardly any opinion poll gave him even a slim chance of entering the White House. The scene was similar in 2014, when only at the fag end of the campaign did Indian pollsters wake up to the reality of Modi winning the majority for his party. Narendra ModiThe desirability and, indeed, eligibility of both men to become chief executive of their respective nations were questioned by the ruling elite and establishment. The mens past deeds and misdeeds were dug up to portray them as monsters, while the mistakes of their rivals were skipped over during the narrative of the election campaign. In India, the established leadership of the BJP was unwilling to accept Modi as a leader who could convert the marginalised saffron organisation into a party that could rule without leaning on the crutches of regional bodies. Modi faced massive resistance from the old guards when he was nominated as the candidate for the prime ministership. Similarly, Trump had to cross many roadblocks and defeat conspiracies from within and outside to win his nomination. Like Modi, he had a controversial past and had to face the ire of many party supporters. Even some prominent Republican leaders disowned him during the campaign because they couldnt digest his style and his past. Highly-paid experts were hiredin America and, earlier, in Indiato dig up dirt on the candidates. If the Gujarat riots were kept on the front pages to project Modi as a dangerous leader, many women and tax evasion documents were retrieved from the past to paint Trump as an undesirable law-breaker. Never did the media or the hired intellectuals speak about the questionable financial deals of the Clintons after they relinquished office. After the results of the 2000 elections, Bill Clinton, the charming husband of the defeated Presidential candidate, said: The people have spoken, were just not sure what theyve said. He was reacting to the defeat of Democratic candidate Al Gore to Republican George W Bush. Sixteen years later, the Democrats and their promoters are still repeating the same line. They are unwilling to accept the changing contours of electoral politics and the emergence of a new leadership all over the world. The fact is the formal party organisation, as an institution, is collapsing. It is being replaced by individuals who are crashing into the system, taking charge and rebuilding teams with new faces and new ideas. They have neither the time nor tolerance for insiders who are unwilling to create room for others, and are unable to think out of the box. Trump and Modi are the latest in the line of the outsiders coming in and taking over. In England when the Conservatives were failing to capture British sentiments, Margaret Thatcher took over the party and the government, and introduced economic reforms. But once Thatcherism was replaced by pragmatism and conformist politics, the Tories once again lost acceptability and Labour became the flavour of new politics. In Communist Russia, Vladimir Putin was considered an outsider because of his social and economic background. But he was able to demolish the old hierarchy and dictate new terms and policies. In India, Congress hasnt been revived because insiders are still resisting change. Most of the leaders were born with a silver spoon, were brought up by well-paid maids rather than their mothers, and went to elite schools and universities abroad. Their cultural and class coalitions keep them from any breakout thinking. The PLTs have infiltrated political parties in almost all the democracies of the world. The colour of their visible political affiliations or leanings may look different, but they wear their class comparability as a badge of pride. The current angst against Trump and Modi is really a public manifestation of the PLUs fear of losing power to the PLTs, who place Nation First. Both Trump and Modi are under attack by those who promote cultural and class monopoly. They forget that in a democracy, the battle is between two individuals. Class and caste dont count. Those who accept the outcome of a democratic contest only if it suits them are the real promoters of exclusive politics. Trump and Modi will have to purge the system of class and cultural oligarchies if they have to survive. And they shall. Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla
By Express News Service

THRISSUR: Film and TV serial actor Rekha Mohan was found dead in a room in her flat in Sobha City near here on Saturday. Viyyur police said they reached the flat after her driver informed them that she was not opening the door.

She has been living alone in the flat. The body was found around 2 pm on Saturday. After inquest, the police sent the body to Thrissur Medical College Hospital for postmortem. Rekha, a native of Kodagara near here, had acted in films like Udyanapalakan and Nee Varuvolam and in several TV serials. Her husband Mohan Krishnan is a businessman based in Malaysia.

THRISSUR: Film and TV serial actor Rekha Mohan was found dead in a room in her flat in Sobha City near here on Saturday. Viyyur police said they reached the flat after her driver informed them that she was not opening the door. She has been living alone in the flat. The body was found around 2 pm on Saturday. After inquest, the police sent the body to Thrissur Medical College Hospital for postmortem. Rekha, a native of Kodagara near here, had acted in films like Udyanapalakan and Nee Varuvolam and in several TV serials. Her husband Mohan Krishnan is a businessman based in Malaysia.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR/JAJPUR: At least two pilgrims from Odisha were killed and 41 others injured after a private bus in which they were travelling overturned on Bhimshankar-Manchhar road in Pune on Friday night. The deceased have been identified as Prafulla Kumar Sahoo (40) of Nathasahi under Panikoili police limits in Jajpur district and Mamata Mishra (42) of Deogarh district.



Sources said the mishap occurred when a group of Odia tourists was returning after visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in two buses. The ill-fated bus carrying 45 tourists over-turned while negotiating a curve near Pokhri Ghat section, around 80 kms from Pune. The accident occurred at around 11 pm.

Pilgrims stranded after accident at Pokhri Ghat in Pune | Express



According to reports, Banamali Panda, a travel agent of Dasarathapur area in Jajpur district, took 100 people from across the State to Maharashtra on a pilgrimage last week. Sahoo was part of the team. They travelled in a train to Pune. After getting down at Pune railway station, they boarded two buses to pay a visit to Bhimsankar temple.



A team of Junnar police, led by Deputy SP Jayashree Desai, rushed to the spot and rescued the passengers. They were later joined by Ghodegaon police and para-medical staff of local health centres.

Sahoo and Mishra were pinned under the bus and by the time a crane came to lift the vehicle, they had succumbed. The condition of five tourists was stated to be critical. They have been shifted to a private hospital in Pune.



Police attributed the reason behind the incident to over-speeding and darkness. The Ghat is treacherous and someone not acquainted with the route needs to be extremely careful while driving. It was completely dark and the driver lost control while taking sharp turn, Desai told Express.



Rescue and relief operations were started within 30 minutes of the incident. The casualties would have been more, if the bus had plunged into the gorge of about 620 feet. Immediate response from local police and fire services staff managed to minimise the casualties. A case was registered by Ghodegaon police under Pune Rural SP while the bus driver arrested, Desai added.



On October 21 night, an Odia pilgrim, Sudhir Kumar Behera (25) of Aruha village under Dharmasala police limits in Jajpur district was killed and 11 others were injured when a private bus in which they were travelling collided head on with a tractor near the Debapur Ghati in Nasik district of Maharashtra. The bus was on its way to Nasik after the pilgrims paid a visit to Sai Baba temple at Shirdi.

BHUBANESWAR/JAJPUR: At least two pilgrims from Odisha were killed and 41 others injured after a private bus in which they were travelling overturned on Bhimshankar-Manchhar road in Pune on Friday night. The deceased have been identified as Prafulla Kumar Sahoo (40) of Nathasahi under Panikoili police limits in Jajpur district and Mamata Mishra (42) of Deogarh district. Sources said the mishap occurred when a group of Odia tourists was returning after visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in two buses. The ill-fated bus carrying 45 tourists over-turned while negotiating a curve near Pokhri Ghat section, around 80 kms from Pune. The accident occurred at around 11 pm. Pilgrims stranded after accident at Pokhri Ghat in Pune | Express According to reports, Banamali Panda, a travel agent of Dasarathapur area in Jajpur district, took 100 people from across the State to Maharashtra on a pilgrimage last week. Sahoo was part of the team. They travelled in a train to Pune. After getting down at Pune railway station, they boarded two buses to pay a visit to Bhimsankar temple. A team of Junnar police, led by Deputy SP Jayashree Desai, rushed to the spot and rescued the passengers. They were later joined by Ghodegaon police and para-medical staff of local health centres. Sahoo and Mishra were pinned under the bus and by the time a crane came to lift the vehicle, they had succumbed. The condition of five tourists was stated to be critical. They have been shifted to a private hospital in Pune. Police attributed the reason behind the incident to over-speeding and darkness. The Ghat is treacherous and someone not acquainted with the route needs to be extremely careful while driving. It was completely dark and the driver lost control while taking sharp turn, Desai told Express. Rescue and relief operations were started within 30 minutes of the incident. The casualties would have been more, if the bus had plunged into the gorge of about 620 feet. Immediate response from local police and fire services staff managed to minimise the casualties. A case was registered by Ghodegaon police under Pune Rural SP while the bus driver arrested, Desai added. On October 21 night, an Odia pilgrim, Sudhir Kumar Behera (25) of Aruha village under Dharmasala police limits in Jajpur district was killed and 11 others were injured when a private bus in which they were travelling collided head on with a tractor near the Debapur Ghati in Nasik district of Maharashtra. The bus was on its way to Nasik after the pilgrims paid a visit to Sai Baba temple at Shirdi.
By Express News Service

WARANGAL: Two prisoners, including one accused of murder, lodged at high security barracks of the central prison in Warangal escaped in the wee hours of Saturday. Police has launched a manhunt to trace the escaped prisoners.

Two special teams have been formed to nab the fugitives and the police has also alerted the police of the native villages of the duo. According to the jail authorities, Sainik Singh (28), of Kanker Khera in UP along with another convict, Rajesh Yadav (28) of Mubarakpur village of Arwal district in Bihar, escaped breaking the lock of their cells and used blankets to scale the prison walls.

Interestingly, even though the jail was surrounded with high rise jail walls, barbed with live electric wire, the police is clueless as to how the inmates managed to go over. Yadav, was convicted on the charges of murder by the Sivarampally court in Ranga Reddy district in 2014, whereas Sainik Singh, who was working as an electrician in the army in Secunderabad cantonment, was convicted on the charges of stealing a weapon. Both were lodged in Cherlapalli jail, and were shifted to Warangal Central prison just two months ago on September 10. According to Warangal Range DIG (prison) K Keshava Naidu, this has been the first time that prisoners have managed to escape the high security cell at the prison.

We are investigating the matter and are also trying to find out whether some other prisoners or the jail staff helped them to escape. Its a matter of concern that from such in a high security jail two prisoners have escaped without any difficulty. We believe that they covered the barbed electric wires with blankets and managed to cross the power line, Naidu said.

The DIG said that Sainik Singh, an electrician from army might have used his knowledge of electricity circuits to cross the barbed live electric wire. He said that the CCTVs installed in the jail premises were also not functioning which made their escape easier.

It is learnt that the live wire installed on the walls was not functioning when the two prisoners escaped. Meanwhile, jail superintendent K Newton, held meetings with jail officials and took stock of the situation.

WARANGAL: Two prisoners, including one accused of murder, lodged at high security barracks of the central prison in Warangal escaped in the wee hours of Saturday. Police has launched a manhunt to trace the escaped prisoners. Two special teams have been formed to nab the fugitives and the police has also alerted the police of the native villages of the duo. According to the jail authorities, Sainik Singh (28), of Kanker Khera in UP along with another convict, Rajesh Yadav (28) of Mubarakpur village of Arwal district in Bihar, escaped breaking the lock of their cells and used blankets to scale the prison walls. Interestingly, even though the jail was surrounded with high rise jail walls, barbed with live electric wire, the police is clueless as to how the inmates managed to go over. Yadav, was convicted on the charges of murder by the Sivarampally court in Ranga Reddy district in 2014, whereas Sainik Singh, who was working as an electrician in the army in Secunderabad cantonment, was convicted on the charges of stealing a weapon. Both were lodged in Cherlapalli jail, and were shifted to Warangal Central prison just two months ago on September 10. According to Warangal Range DIG (prison) K Keshava Naidu, this has been the first time that prisoners have managed to escape the high security cell at the prison. We are investigating the matter and are also trying to find out whether some other prisoners or the jail staff helped them to escape. Its a matter of concern that from such in a high security jail two prisoners have escaped without any difficulty. We believe that they covered the barbed electric wires with blankets and managed to cross the power line, Naidu said. The DIG said that Sainik Singh, an electrician from army might have used his knowledge of electricity circuits to cross the barbed live electric wire. He said that the CCTVs installed in the jail premises were also not functioning which made their escape easier. It is learnt that the live wire installed on the walls was not functioning when the two prisoners escaped. Meanwhile, jail superintendent K Newton, held meetings with jail officials and took stock of the situation.
Mithun MK By

Express News Service

Operations Smile and Muskan, conducted every six month, find a total of 167 children are being subjected to child labour at these brick kilns. District authorities plan hiring teachers who know Odia to teach kids of the kiln workers at onsite schools.

PEDAPALLI: Please dont talk to us, the employer will scold us, says Sulomi, a 32-year-old brick kiln worker from Ragavapur village of Pedapalli district in Telangana. Sulomi, along with her husband and two daughters, is one of the 13,000 odd migrant labourers from Odisha who are working in the brick kilns of Karimnagar and Pedapalli districts.

While Sulomi toils at the kiln, her five-year-old daughter Rukhmi could be seen picking up pieces of red bricks and dumping them in a pile, working alongside her mother. Rukhmi hasnt been to a school here, neither have the other children whose parents work at these kilns. Children as young as 5 years can be seen toiling along side their parents.

The five-year-old used to attend a lower primary school in Balangir, where the family hails from. But in Pedapalli all she does is lift bricks along with her mother. The children do work here sometimes but not always. There are no schools here for the children, said Sulomi.

What survey reports suggest

Operation Smile and Operation Muskan, conducted every six months, found a total of 167 children being subjected to child labour at these kilns.

Around 50 per cent of the children we rescued were from these kilns. We sent them back to their homes after giving stern warning to their parents as well as kiln owners. These children lived with their parents while working at the kilns, said Dr G Komuraiah, chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Karimnagar.

A bloody past

It was not long ago, 2015 to be precise, when a brick kiln supervisor beat a pregnant woman to death. This had triggered a protest from the migrant labourers who took out a walk to the Pedapalli labour office. However, this was not the end to it as there have been numerous reports of abuse against migrant labourers at brick kilns since then.

The former as well as present Karimnagar district collectors had issued stern warnings to owners, going as far as threatening them to shut down the kilns if they did not follow the law. However, on the ground level nothing much has changed in the lives of these workers.

When it rains, we will leave. We stay here for eight months. The owners have paid us `18,000 when we were in Odisha and dont pay us anything here, says Sulomi, looking over her shoulder, keeping an eye out for the supervisor or owner.

A potent barrier

The road leading to Ragavapur village is dotted with brick kilns along either sides. At regular intervals, labourers can be seen loading bricks on vehicles under the hawk-like supervision of a kiln staff.

No, dont talk to me, my owner will ask for me, said a man in his late fifties when the TNIE team tried to initiate a conversation at a tea shop. The man walked away looking around to see if anyone had noticed us attempt a conversation with him.

Speaking about the abuse happening at the kilns, collector Sarfaraz Ahmad came up with an interesting point. There is abuse happening at times or at certain locations but its something that we cannot prove in a court of law, the newly-appointed collector said. We are trying to ensure it does not happen. However, the greatest difficulty is a very potent language barrier existing between the people of the two states. The migrant labourers dont have a voice, added the collector.

Authorities mull schools for kids of kiln workers

The district administration is taking efforts to set up schools for the children of migrant labourers with the help of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The aim is to get teachers who know Odia. The SSA does provide Odia medium education as an option for students in Telanagna. However, the SSA report for Telangana in 2014 points out there has been Zero student enrollement for the Odia medium education in Telangana.

We will try to arrange access to the midday meal scheme for them, said Sarfaraz. The children may not be going to school right now but the issue is a little more complicated than that, he added.

Meanwhile, the administration had suggested the brick kiln owners to identify youths who have studied Class X or XII, to teach the children of migrant labourers. The onus to bring the teacher will be on the brick kiln owners. If a school is set up, there should be some benefit to these children and should not be just on paper, he added.

The collector said the salary for these teachers will come from SSA. One of the brick kiln owners did bring a Class X pass-out person to teach these children. However, the man didnt stick around for too long, said Prabhakar Reddy, a social worker with Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI), an NGO working with rescued child labourers in Karimnagar. No new initiatives were taken after that, he added.

Some of the migrants are registered in Odisha and the rest are registered in Telangana as there is a labourer MoU between these two states. The district administration has recorded as many as 12,000 to 13,000 migrant labourers in the bifurcated Karimnagar district alone. The administration has registered 5,000 migrant labourers recently and have warned brick kiln owners that unless the families were registered, they would not be allowed to operate.

The law says children below five years of age should not come but the problem is when the parents come here to work they may not be comfortable leaving their children behind, said Sarfaraz, I can close my eyes to it but I cannot a wish away a situation that is existing on the ground. For us to say that the child should go back is not possible, he added.

Operations Smile and Muskan, conducted every six month, find a total of 167 children are being subjected to child labour at these brick kilns. District authorities plan hiring teachers who know Odia to teach kids of the kiln workers at onsite schools. PEDAPALLI: Please dont talk to us, the employer will scold us, says Sulomi, a 32-year-old brick kiln worker from Ragavapur village of Pedapalli district in Telangana. Sulomi, along with her husband and two daughters, is one of the 13,000 odd migrant labourers from Odisha who are working in the brick kilns of Karimnagar and Pedapalli districts. While Sulomi toils at the kiln, her five-year-old daughter Rukhmi could be seen picking up pieces of red bricks and dumping them in a pile, working alongside her mother. Rukhmi hasnt been to a school here, neither have the other children whose parents work at these kilns. Children as young as 5 years can be seen toiling along side their parents. The five-year-old used to attend a lower primary school in Balangir, where the family hails from. But in Pedapalli all she does is lift bricks along with her mother. The children do work here sometimes but not always. There are no schools here for the children, said Sulomi. What survey reports suggest Operation Smile and Operation Muskan, conducted every six months, found a total of 167 children being subjected to child labour at these kilns. Around 50 per cent of the children we rescued were from these kilns. We sent them back to their homes after giving stern warning to their parents as well as kiln owners. These children lived with their parents while working at the kilns, said Dr G Komuraiah, chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Karimnagar. A bloody past It was not long ago, 2015 to be precise, when a brick kiln supervisor beat a pregnant woman to death. This had triggered a protest from the migrant labourers who took out a walk to the Pedapalli labour office. However, this was not the end to it as there have been numerous reports of abuse against migrant labourers at brick kilns since then. The former as well as present Karimnagar district collectors had issued stern warnings to owners, going as far as threatening them to shut down the kilns if they did not follow the law. However, on the ground level nothing much has changed in the lives of these workers. When it rains, we will leave. We stay here for eight months. The owners have paid us `18,000 when we were in Odisha and dont pay us anything here, says Sulomi, looking over her shoulder, keeping an eye out for the supervisor or owner. A potent barrier The road leading to Ragavapur village is dotted with brick kilns along either sides. At regular intervals, labourers can be seen loading bricks on vehicles under the hawk-like supervision of a kiln staff. No, dont talk to me, my owner will ask for me, said a man in his late fifties when the TNIE team tried to initiate a conversation at a tea shop. The man walked away looking around to see if anyone had noticed us attempt a conversation with him. Speaking about the abuse happening at the kilns, collector Sarfaraz Ahmad came up with an interesting point. There is abuse happening at times or at certain locations but its something that we cannot prove in a court of law, the newly-appointed collector said. We are trying to ensure it does not happen. However, the greatest difficulty is a very potent language barrier existing between the people of the two states. The migrant labourers dont have a voice, added the collector. Authorities mull schools for kids of kiln workers The district administration is taking efforts to set up schools for the children of migrant labourers with the help of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The aim is to get teachers who know Odia. The SSA does provide Odia medium education as an option for students in Telanagna. However, the SSA report for Telangana in 2014 points out there has been Zero student enrollement for the Odia medium education in Telangana. We will try to arrange access to the midday meal scheme for them, said Sarfaraz. The children may not be going to school right now but the issue is a little more complicated than that, he added. Meanwhile, the administration had suggested the brick kiln owners to identify youths who have studied Class X or XII, to teach the children of migrant labourers. The onus to bring the teacher will be on the brick kiln owners. If a school is set up, there should be some benefit to these children and should not be just on paper, he added. The collector said the salary for these teachers will come from SSA. One of the brick kiln owners did bring a Class X pass-out person to teach these children. However, the man didnt stick around for too long, said Prabhakar Reddy, a social worker with Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI), an NGO working with rescued child labourers in Karimnagar. No new initiatives were taken after that, he added. Some of the migrants are registered in Odisha and the rest are registered in Telangana as there is a labourer MoU between these two states. The district administration has recorded as many as 12,000 to 13,000 migrant labourers in the bifurcated Karimnagar district alone. The administration has registered 5,000 migrant labourers recently and have warned brick kiln owners that unless the families were registered, they would not be allowed to operate. The law says children below five years of age should not come but the problem is when the parents come here to work they may not be comfortable leaving their children behind, said Sarfaraz, I can close my eyes to it but I cannot a wish away a situation that is existing on the ground. For us to say that the child should go back is not possible, he added.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Even as general public struggled to no end and a mood of anger spread across all sections due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu hailed the move and said all the people are supporting it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated Swachh Bharat. He is now implementing it in all spheres. Demonetising of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is part of cleaning up of India in all aspects. Though people are facing problems initially, they will benefit from the PMs latest decision in the long run, said Venkaiah Naidu, while delivering a lecture on Black Money in Hyderabad on Saturday.

There will be no tax burden or problems for the farmers, the poor and the middle class. Only people with exorbitant amount of black money, earned from corruption and illegal sources, will suffer from the move. Demonetising will also help in controlling terror activities and corruption. Narendra Modi has taken a daring and historical decision, further said Venkaiah Naidu.

Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his intention to curb black money in the first meeting of the Union Cabinet itself after coming to power, union minister Venkaiah Naidu explained various steps taken by NDA government for controlling black money in the country.

The Union Minister also appealed to people not to go into panic over salt, saying that there is sufficient quantity of salt available in the country.

HYDERABAD: Even as general public struggled to no end and a mood of anger spread across all sections due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu hailed the move and said all the people are supporting it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated Swachh Bharat. He is now implementing it in all spheres. Demonetising of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is part of cleaning up of India in all aspects. Though people are facing problems initially, they will benefit from the PMs latest decision in the long run, said Venkaiah Naidu, while delivering a lecture on Black Money in Hyderabad on Saturday. There will be no tax burden or problems for the farmers, the poor and the middle class. Only people with exorbitant amount of black money, earned from corruption and illegal sources, will suffer from the move. Demonetising will also help in controlling terror activities and corruption. Narendra Modi has taken a daring and historical decision, further said Venkaiah Naidu. Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his intention to curb black money in the first meeting of the Union Cabinet itself after coming to power, union minister Venkaiah Naidu explained various steps taken by NDA government for controlling black money in the country. The Union Minister also appealed to people not to go into panic over salt, saying that there is sufficient quantity of salt available in the country.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

MECHUKHA (ARUNACHAL PRADESH): Tapir Samchung, 78, had fallen unconscious after being shot by Chinese soldiers in his left thigh during the 1962 India-China war. In a humane act amid war, the same Chinese soldiers treated him.

Samchung shows his scar from a

Chinese bullet during the 1962 war

Renewed tension between the two Asian nations has brought back Samchungs memories of the war. A native of Darjeeling village in Mechukha near the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh, Samchung said India and China should bury the hatchet and move on.

I was employed by the Indian Army as a porter. We were advancing towards the enemy when we came under a barrage of shots. Indian soldiers started retreating. I was escaping but a bullet hit my left thigh. I fell unconscious. Hours later when I regained consciousness, I found myself amid a group of caring Chinese soldiers, said Samchung, a village chief, on the sidelines of the 4th Mechukha Tourism Festival. The three-day annual festival is organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Tourism, Arunachal Pradeshs Department of Tourism and event partners.

Samchungs friend and fellow porter, Cheda Naksang, was shot in the chest and died instantly. A group of village chieftains, who had seen the war, said the Chinese had taken total control of Indian territories up to Tato, 60 km downhill from Mechukha. They were all over Mechukha but didnt misbehave with us. They told us not to fear as their fight was with the Indian Army. They retreated after 45 days, said Sangey Khandu Sona, Sang Gang village chief.

Maling Koje, a local BJP leader, said the last incursion by the Chinese Army was last year. PLA soldiers was spotted on our side. My brother-in-law, who was with them as a porter, rushed to the Chinese and spent time with them. He took photos and was also offered cigarettes. They then went back, Koje said.

Village chiefs assist the administration in tackling law and order problem and settling minor disputes. The chiefs are required to inform the Army, intelligence and administration if there is any Chinese activity on our side of the border, said Dorjee Purba Chukla, chieftain of Mangang village.

MECHUKHA (ARUNACHAL PRADESH): Tapir Samchung, 78, had fallen unconscious after being shot by Chinese soldiers in his left thigh during the 1962 India-China war. In a humane act amid war, the same Chinese soldiers treated him. Samchung shows his scar from a Chinese bullet during the 1962 warRenewed tension between the two Asian nations has brought back Samchungs memories of the war. A native of Darjeeling village in Mechukha near the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh, Samchung said India and China should bury the hatchet and move on. I was employed by the Indian Army as a porter. We were advancing towards the enemy when we came under a barrage of shots. Indian soldiers started retreating. I was escaping but a bullet hit my left thigh. I fell unconscious. Hours later when I regained consciousness, I found myself amid a group of caring Chinese soldiers, said Samchung, a village chief, on the sidelines of the 4th Mechukha Tourism Festival. The three-day annual festival is organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Tourism, Arunachal Pradeshs Department of Tourism and event partners. Samchungs friend and fellow porter, Cheda Naksang, was shot in the chest and died instantly. A group of village chieftains, who had seen the war, said the Chinese had taken total control of Indian territories up to Tato, 60 km downhill from Mechukha. They were all over Mechukha but didnt misbehave with us. They told us not to fear as their fight was with the Indian Army. They retreated after 45 days, said Sangey Khandu Sona, Sang Gang village chief. Maling Koje, a local BJP leader, said the last incursion by the Chinese Army was last year. PLA soldiers was spotted on our side. My brother-in-law, who was with them as a porter, rushed to the Chinese and spent time with them. He took photos and was also offered cigarettes. They then went back, Koje said. Village chiefs assist the administration in tackling law and order problem and settling minor disputes. The chiefs are required to inform the Army, intelligence and administration if there is any Chinese activity on our side of the border, said Dorjee Purba Chukla, chieftain of Mangang village.
Rakesh K Singh By

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the surgical strike on black money by scrapping high-value currency notes, various agencies of the government kept tabs on nearly 200 major hawala traders across the country. Bulk of the hawala traders under surveillance by the agencies included those from Kolkata, Mumbai and the national capital.

Some traders in B-grade cities such as Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, besides those in south Indian states, were also under the agencies scanner to check any possible high-value transactions through cash stashed by them before demonetisation came into effect from the midnight of November 8.

The recent crackdown on hawala traders and jewellers comes as a follow-up to the surveillance maintained by agencies such as the CBI, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate.

Sources said as many as 40 hawala dealers each from Delhi and Mumbai, and 30 in Kolkata were under watch by these agencies.

Five hawala dealers from Madhya Pradeshthree from Indore and one each from Bhopal and Vidishawere also under observation. Major money launderers in Pune, Ghaziabad and Noida were also being watched.

The agencies kept an eye on 10 to 15 hawala racketeers each from Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangaluru, Vishakhapatnam and Vijaywada.

Since the operation is continuing, the sources did not reveal the names of the black money racketeers, but added that the idea was to check any high-volume transaction by the hawala dealers during the window period of three-and-a-half hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 notes.

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the surgical strike on black money by scrapping high-value currency notes, various agencies of the government kept tabs on nearly 200 major hawala traders across the country. Bulk of the hawala traders under surveillance by the agencies included those from Kolkata, Mumbai and the national capital. Some traders in B-grade cities such as Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, besides those in south Indian states, were also under the agencies scanner to check any possible high-value transactions through cash stashed by them before demonetisation came into effect from the midnight of November 8. The recent crackdown on hawala traders and jewellers comes as a follow-up to the surveillance maintained by agencies such as the CBI, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate. Sources said as many as 40 hawala dealers each from Delhi and Mumbai, and 30 in Kolkata were under watch by these agencies. Five hawala dealers from Madhya Pradeshthree from Indore and one each from Bhopal and Vidishawere also under observation. Major money launderers in Pune, Ghaziabad and Noida were also being watched. The agencies kept an eye on 10 to 15 hawala racketeers each from Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangaluru, Vishakhapatnam and Vijaywada. Since the operation is continuing, the sources did not reveal the names of the black money racketeers, but added that the idea was to check any high-volume transaction by the hawala dealers during the window period of three-and-a-half hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 notes.
Aishik Chanda By

KOLKATA: Attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh are not new. Minorities of BangladeshHindus, Buddhists, Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslimshave been hounded for events in neighbouring countries, from the theft of Prophet Mohammads beard hair from Hazratbal, Srinagar, in the 60s to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 to the attack on Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar four years ago.

However, the Kali Puja attacks on Hindus on October 30 and fresh violence on November 5 was unprecedented in the way the mobilisation and attacks were carried outall circling social media.

A Facebook post of an image of Lord Shiva on Islams holiest site Kaaba Sharif posted allegedly by a Hindu man was the blasphemous cause of the fresh violence.

Soon after the post, radical Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islamwhich has quite a following in Brahmanbaria in Bangladeshorganised a mob of 3,000 people via WhatsApp and through blaring loudspeakers of local mosques on October 30 morning. Soon, Hindu localities Senpara, Daspara, Ghoshpara of Nasirnagar were attacked.

Houses were looted and burnt and temples vandalised. The violence spread to Sylhet, Jhenaidah, Jessore and Barisal districts. Some 34 people associated with the attacks have been arrested.

Bangladeshs Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Sayedul Haque justified the attacks on Malaun Hindus, which sparked more political blamegame. Malaun is an Arabic word for cursed, which the minority Hindus are often called in Bangladesh.

Following the attacks, social mediaespecially Facebookhas seen heated debates between Hindus and Muslims, with many justifying the attacks and comments of Malaun on Hindus and others calling for peace. Only a few were apologetic.

The attacks exposed the way social media can act as a parallel system, totally bypassing law and order mechanisms. The police, without any mechanism to grapple with free-flowing content, was caught as clueless as the victims.

In a country that has seen unprecedented rise of radical Islam over the past decade, social media has become a tool to hound the minority and even justify it. Unless the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League wakes up to the devastating power of social media, it may lose its largest block of loyal voters, the minorities, and make living in the country difficult for them. That may ring alarm bells in the Northeast, which is tense after the Centre wanted to allow migration of Hindus from the eastern neighbourhood.

KOLKATA: Attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh are not new. Minorities of BangladeshHindus, Buddhists, Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslimshave been hounded for events in neighbouring countries, from the theft of Prophet Mohammads beard hair from Hazratbal, Srinagar, in the 60s to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 to the attack on Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar four years ago. However, the Kali Puja attacks on Hindus on October 30 and fresh violence on November 5 was unprecedented in the way the mobilisation and attacks were carried outall circling social media. A Facebook post of an image of Lord Shiva on Islams holiest site Kaaba Sharif posted allegedly by a Hindu man was the blasphemous cause of the fresh violence. Soon after the post, radical Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islamwhich has quite a following in Brahmanbaria in Bangladeshorganised a mob of 3,000 people via WhatsApp and through blaring loudspeakers of local mosques on October 30 morning. Soon, Hindu localities Senpara, Daspara, Ghoshpara of Nasirnagar were attacked. Houses were looted and burnt and temples vandalised. The violence spread to Sylhet, Jhenaidah, Jessore and Barisal districts. Some 34 people associated with the attacks have been arrested. Bangladeshs Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Sayedul Haque justified the attacks on Malaun Hindus, which sparked more political blamegame. Malaun is an Arabic word for cursed, which the minority Hindus are often called in Bangladesh. Following the attacks, social mediaespecially Facebookhas seen heated debates between Hindus and Muslims, with many justifying the attacks and comments of Malaun on Hindus and others calling for peace. Only a few were apologetic. The attacks exposed the way social media can act as a parallel system, totally bypassing law and order mechanisms. The police, without any mechanism to grapple with free-flowing content, was caught as clueless as the victims. In a country that has seen unprecedented rise of radical Islam over the past decade, social media has become a tool to hound the minority and even justify it. Unless the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League wakes up to the devastating power of social media, it may lose its largest block of loyal voters, the minorities, and make living in the country difficult for them. That may ring alarm bells in the Northeast, which is tense after the Centre wanted to allow migration of Hindus from the eastern neighbourhood.
Ayesha Singh By

Its an international conglomeration of artistic convergence led by 500 artistes from across the worldall related to children. The 13th edition of Jashne Bachpan by National School of Drama (NSD) is on the verge of opening its gates to theatre groups displaying a prolific mix of talent. Some of the most eminent directors and actors will bring you acclaimed and upcoming narratives, and as a special and progressive effort, underprivileged children from NGOs have been invited to watch these dramas. The idea is to include them into mainstream society, allowing them an opportunity to enjoy the arts just like everybody else.

Waman Kendre

The festival was the first national theatre festival by the institute. It started in 1998 by Theatre In Education Company under NSD, to contribute to the growth and development of childrens theatre. Now its regarded as one of the largest and most important theatre festivals for children, says Waman Kendre, director, NSD.

Twenty productions from India and seven from countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Turkey, Israel, France and Switzerland will put fourth their ideas through their play. The idea is to make it an all inclusive programme. Childrens theatre is the most important aspect of theatre expression. Through Jashne Bachpan, we are trying to build the foundation of the art from the grassroot and inculcate interest about theatre amongst the children from their childhood, he says.

Twenty productions have been short-listed out of 149 entries. Some of the selected ones are showcasing talent from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Manipur and others. Look out for plays such as How to Run Away, Samanala Photha, Tees Maar Khan, Kabuliwala and Long, Short and Twisted. Children from various cultural and demographic backgrounds will interact and exchange ideas. In the process, they will make many friends. This is also a testing ground for world children theatre because if we succeed in generating interest, this will be an opening door for them for future theatre expression, says Kendre.

An interactive Directors Meet will also take place where you can exchange thoughts with artistes.

November 14 to 25: Tickets are priced `20 for children and `50 for adults. For details visit nsd.gov.in/delhi/

Its an international conglomeration of artistic convergence led by 500 artistes from across the worldall related to children. The 13th edition of Jashne Bachpan by National School of Drama (NSD) is on the verge of opening its gates to theatre groups displaying a prolific mix of talent. Some of the most eminent directors and actors will bring you acclaimed and upcoming narratives, and as a special and progressive effort, underprivileged children from NGOs have been invited to watch these dramas. The idea is to include them into mainstream society, allowing them an opportunity to enjoy the arts just like everybody else. Waman KendreThe festival was the first national theatre festival by the institute. It started in 1998 by Theatre In Education Company under NSD, to contribute to the growth and development of childrens theatre. Now its regarded as one of the largest and most important theatre festivals for children, says Waman Kendre, director, NSD. Twenty productions from India and seven from countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Turkey, Israel, France and Switzerland will put fourth their ideas through their play. The idea is to make it an all inclusive programme. Childrens theatre is the most important aspect of theatre expression. Through Jashne Bachpan, we are trying to build the foundation of the art from the grassroot and inculcate interest about theatre amongst the children from their childhood, he says. Twenty productions have been short-listed out of 149 entries. Some of the selected ones are showcasing talent from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Manipur and others. Look out for plays such as How to Run Away, Samanala Photha, Tees Maar Khan, Kabuliwala and Long, Short and Twisted. Children from various cultural and demographic backgrounds will interact and exchange ideas. In the process, they will make many friends. This is also a testing ground for world children theatre because if we succeed in generating interest, this will be an opening door for them for future theatre expression, says Kendre. An interactive Directors Meet will also take place where you can exchange thoughts with artistes. November 14 to 25: Tickets are priced `20 for children and `50 for adults. For details visit nsd.gov.in/delhi/
Kanu Sarda By

NEW DELHI: Strange it may sound, but the Supreme Court of India has seen only six women judges on its august benches since its inception in 1950. The first woman judge was Justice Fathima Beevi, who was appointed to the Supreme Court around six months after her retirement from the Kerala High Court in 1989.

Now, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court collegium meeting expected on November 15, when it is likely to consider the names of two women judges for elevation to the SC bench.

According to sources, one of the names which is being considered is that of Bombays Chief Justice, Manjula Chellur. Justice Chellur is due to retire in December 2017 if she continues in the High Court. Before she was transferred to Bombay, she was the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC.

Besides Justice Chellur, Justice G Rohini, the current Chief Justice of Delhi HC has also been considered. She has been serving as the Chief Justice of Delhi HC for more than two years. At present, Justice R Banumathi is the only woman judge in the Supreme Court of the total 25 judges. Since Independence, the apex court has seen just six women judges of the total 229 judges appointed from 1950. In 24 state high courts, nine High Courts did not have a single woman judge. Three high courts had only one woman judge.

The Bombay HC has the highest number of women judges at 10 followed by Delhi and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, both with nine woman judges each. There are just 62 women judges compared to 611 male judges in 24 HCs across India. On Friday, Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it has rejected 43 from the 77 recommendations of the Supreme Court collegium for the appointment of high court judges and approved appointment of 34 judges.

This is perhaps the first time that the government has returned such a large number of proposals for reconsideration. Under the present, Collegium system of appointing judges, the Centre can seek reconsideration but is bound to accept the proposals if the Collegium rejects the governments objections.

NEW DELHI: Strange it may sound, but the Supreme Court of India has seen only six women judges on its august benches since its inception in 1950. The first woman judge was Justice Fathima Beevi, who was appointed to the Supreme Court around six months after her retirement from the Kerala High Court in 1989. Now, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court collegium meeting expected on November 15, when it is likely to consider the names of two women judges for elevation to the SC bench. According to sources, one of the names which is being considered is that of Bombays Chief Justice, Manjula Chellur. Justice Chellur is due to retire in December 2017 if she continues in the High Court. Before she was transferred to Bombay, she was the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC. Besides Justice Chellur, Justice G Rohini, the current Chief Justice of Delhi HC has also been considered. She has been serving as the Chief Justice of Delhi HC for more than two years. At present, Justice R Banumathi is the only woman judge in the Supreme Court of the total 25 judges. Since Independence, the apex court has seen just six women judges of the total 229 judges appointed from 1950. In 24 state high courts, nine High Courts did not have a single woman judge. Three high courts had only one woman judge. The Bombay HC has the highest number of women judges at 10 followed by Delhi and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, both with nine woman judges each. There are just 62 women judges compared to 611 male judges in 24 HCs across India. On Friday, Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it has rejected 43 from the 77 recommendations of the Supreme Court collegium for the appointment of high court judges and approved appointment of 34 judges. This is perhaps the first time that the government has returned such a large number of proposals for reconsideration. Under the present, Collegium system of appointing judges, the Centre can seek reconsideration but is bound to accept the proposals if the Collegium rejects the governments objections.
Toby Antony By

KOCHI: Abdul Qadir might be having dreams every night about his home, relatives and friends. Over the last year or so, this 60-year-old from Balochistan, who is languishing behind bars of Ernakulam District Prison at Kakkanad, Kochi, has been waiting for someone to tell him: Baba, now you can go home.

In the international arena, Pakistan has been claiming Balochistan as its integral part, but the neighbouring nation till date has not initiated any steps to free Qadir from the prison.

Qadir was among the 12 persons (11 Iranians and one Pakistani) who were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard from an Iranian vessel which trespassed into Indian waters last year. In March this year, he and 10 others were acquitted and charges against them were dropped. Within a week, Iranians left for their country after the Embassy of Iran issued Emergency Travel Documents.

He is neither a convicted prisoner nor a pre-trial prisoner. He is forced to live in the jail due to delay from authorities in his home country in arranging documents to facilitate his travel. With the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Pakistan Embassy was informed about his situation but till now there is no communication, said an official of the district jail.

The jail officials believe that Indias verbal support to Balochistans effort to attain freedom can be a reason behind the delayed action in Qadirs case. His Pakistani citizenship was confirmed from an identity card issued by Gwadar Port, Pakistan.

At present, Qadir is the sole Pakistani living in a Kerala jail. He was taken to Tihar jail after the authorities informed the MHA about him in September.

KOCHI: Abdul Qadir might be having dreams every night about his home, relatives and friends. Over the last year or so, this 60-year-old from Balochistan, who is languishing behind bars of Ernakulam District Prison at Kakkanad, Kochi, has been waiting for someone to tell him: Baba, now you can go home. In the international arena, Pakistan has been claiming Balochistan as its integral part, but the neighbouring nation till date has not initiated any steps to free Qadir from the prison. Qadir was among the 12 persons (11 Iranians and one Pakistani) who were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard from an Iranian vessel which trespassed into Indian waters last year. In March this year, he and 10 others were acquitted and charges against them were dropped. Within a week, Iranians left for their country after the Embassy of Iran issued Emergency Travel Documents. He is neither a convicted prisoner nor a pre-trial prisoner. He is forced to live in the jail due to delay from authorities in his home country in arranging documents to facilitate his travel. With the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Pakistan Embassy was informed about his situation but till now there is no communication, said an official of the district jail. The jail officials believe that Indias verbal support to Balochistans effort to attain freedom can be a reason behind the delayed action in Qadirs case. His Pakistani citizenship was confirmed from an identity card issued by Gwadar Port, Pakistan. At present, Qadir is the sole Pakistani living in a Kerala jail. He was taken to Tihar jail after the authorities informed the MHA about him in September.
Pradip R Sagar And Rakesh K Singh By

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes may be causing inconveniences to the people, but the move has eventually halted all terror operations, especially in parts of the Kashmir Valley where nearly Rs 3,000 crore of hawala money in circulation is of no use.

The masterstroke by the government will also lead to a major shift in the terror infrastructure management and change the character as well as nature of terror funding in the country.

Besides terror, the four-month-long unrest in the valley, erupted after the killing of self-styled HuM commander Burhan Wani by security forces in July, is also expected to be wiped out in the absence of cash inflow, security agencies believe.

Major chunk of the hawala money is delivered to separatist leaders and local politicians to fuel protestors. According to Intelligence estimates, Pakistan pumps in Rs 800-1,000 crore annually for the separatist groups alone in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan pumps in Rs 800-1,000 crore annually for separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Intelligence estimates. This is apart from Rs 300-500 crore that is funded to mainstream politicians and local terror groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen.

Thirty per cent of this fund is paid to the beneficiaries in US dollars in bank accounts abroad. Half of the 70 per cent funds is paid in original currency, and the remaining in fake Indian currency.

Intelligence officials said that lack of hawala money inflow will majorly hit activities of Maoists and other insurgent groups in the northeastern states. These groups create a corpus of Rs 2,000-3000 crore annually from extortion, and buy weapons and explosives to carry out operations. They will be also be hit hard as the stocked currency has become useless and availability of new high-value notes is not in abundance.

Intelligence sources maintained that Kashmir has emerged as a prominent focus for hawala transactions, as extremist outfits in countries grouped under the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) send money to terrorist groups in the state. Intelligence agencies estimate that about 90-95 per cent of extremist funding comes through this channel, with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia the primary sources of these illegal flows. Some traders of Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Kolkata are hand in glove with Pakistans ISI operatives and play a key role in transferring hawala money to terror modules.

Between 2013 and 2016, 17 cases were registered and 37 persons were arrested in terror-funding cases in J&K, mostly in hawala and FICN cases.

An Army source said that cash convoy of terror groupsmilitants infiltrating the border with huge amounts of fake currency to support operationswill no longer be available. So far, this year, over 90 infiltration attempts by militants have been reportedly successful. Every infiltrated militants generally come with Rs 3-5 lakh of cash with high denomination to sustain, said an officer.

While mainstream politicians with Pakistan leanings and separatist groups backed by Islamabad will not be able to either fuel unrest in J&K or malign Indias image abroad, terror sleeper cells created by the neighbouring country in the hinterland will not be able to indulge in insidious agenda due to deprivation of funds owing to the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The level of terror conspiracy by Pakistan that used to be relatively simple in nature earlier is likely to become complex and multi-layered as its network of sympathisers and members of sleeper cells will be choked of funds as the number of higher denomination currency is currently limited in number. The end-user can be easily tracked down by the number series of the notes and bank branch of its origin. The agencies already maintain the list of suspects and criminals in different areas, a senior Intelligence official said.

In this backdrop, ISI will be compelled to shift to the organised crime networks for logistic procurement and funding for terror activities. With currency of higher denomination being limited in circulation, Pakistani agencies and terror affiliates will now have to rely on gold for conversion to Indian rupees. However, rules relating to purchase and sale of gold have also been made difficult as the sellers are required give declaration that it belongs to him or her, counter-terrorism expert Rituraj Mate said.

He added that Pakistan had created an elaborate but discreet network for logistics for terror activities and specific modules from a group of sleeper cells to execute terror such as bomb blasts. Both would disperse after playing their respective roles. This well-synchronised arrangement will now be shattered, and support from conventional criminal gangs and organised crime networks is likely to be sought by the ISI.

The demonetisation of the currency comes after a government crackdown on NGOs that were involved in terror funding, making the job of Pakistan-backed terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen and their affiliates such as Indian Mujahideen.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes may be causing inconveniences to the people, but the move has eventually halted all terror operations, especially in parts of the Kashmir Valley where nearly Rs 3,000 crore of hawala money in circulation is of no use. The masterstroke by the government will also lead to a major shift in the terror infrastructure management and change the character as well as nature of terror funding in the country. Besides terror, the four-month-long unrest in the valley, erupted after the killing of self-styled HuM commander Burhan Wani by security forces in July, is also expected to be wiped out in the absence of cash inflow, security agencies believe. Major chunk of the hawala money is delivered to separatist leaders and local politicians to fuel protestors. According to Intelligence estimates, Pakistan pumps in Rs 800-1,000 crore annually for the separatist groups alone in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan pumps in Rs 800-1,000 crore annually for separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Intelligence estimates. This is apart from Rs 300-500 crore that is funded to mainstream politicians and local terror groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen. Thirty per cent of this fund is paid to the beneficiaries in US dollars in bank accounts abroad. Half of the 70 per cent funds is paid in original currency, and the remaining in fake Indian currency. Intelligence officials said that lack of hawala money inflow will majorly hit activities of Maoists and other insurgent groups in the northeastern states. These groups create a corpus of Rs 2,000-3000 crore annually from extortion, and buy weapons and explosives to carry out operations. They will be also be hit hard as the stocked currency has become useless and availability of new high-value notes is not in abundance. Intelligence sources maintained that Kashmir has emerged as a prominent focus for hawala transactions, as extremist outfits in countries grouped under the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) send money to terrorist groups in the state. Intelligence agencies estimate that about 90-95 per cent of extremist funding comes through this channel, with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia the primary sources of these illegal flows. Some traders of Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Kolkata are hand in glove with Pakistans ISI operatives and play a key role in transferring hawala money to terror modules. Between 2013 and 2016, 17 cases were registered and 37 persons were arrested in terror-funding cases in J&K, mostly in hawala and FICN cases. An Army source said that cash convoy of terror groupsmilitants infiltrating the border with huge amounts of fake currency to support operationswill no longer be available. So far, this year, over 90 infiltration attempts by militants have been reportedly successful. Every infiltrated militants generally come with Rs 3-5 lakh of cash with high denomination to sustain, said an officer. While mainstream politicians with Pakistan leanings and separatist groups backed by Islamabad will not be able to either fuel unrest in J&K or malign Indias image abroad, terror sleeper cells created by the neighbouring country in the hinterland will not be able to indulge in insidious agenda due to deprivation of funds owing to the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The level of terror conspiracy by Pakistan that used to be relatively simple in nature earlier is likely to become complex and multi-layered as its network of sympathisers and members of sleeper cells will be choked of funds as the number of higher denomination currency is currently limited in number. The end-user can be easily tracked down by the number series of the notes and bank branch of its origin. The agencies already maintain the list of suspects and criminals in different areas, a senior Intelligence official said. In this backdrop, ISI will be compelled to shift to the organised crime networks for logistic procurement and funding for terror activities. With currency of higher denomination being limited in circulation, Pakistani agencies and terror affiliates will now have to rely on gold for conversion to Indian rupees. However, rules relating to purchase and sale of gold have also been made difficult as the sellers are required give declaration that it belongs to him or her, counter-terrorism expert Rituraj Mate said. He added that Pakistan had created an elaborate but discreet network for logistics for terror activities and specific modules from a group of sleeper cells to execute terror such as bomb blasts. Both would disperse after playing their respective roles. This well-synchronised arrangement will now be shattered, and support from conventional criminal gangs and organised crime networks is likely to be sought by the ISI. The demonetisation of the currency comes after a government crackdown on NGOs that were involved in terror funding, making the job of Pakistan-backed terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen and their affiliates such as Indian Mujahideen.
By PTI

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said as a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of the citizens to take care of minorities, as nationwide protests continued over the recent spate of attacks on Hindu temples and households.



Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony which should be maintained at any cost for development and brighten the country's image, Hasina said at a video conference with local representatives and officials of northwestern Rajshahi from her official Ganobhaban residence.



As a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of all of us to take care of the minorities, she said.



The prime minister added: You have to remain careful so that no such incidents, which are taking place sporadically in different parts of the country, take place anywhere in the country.



As many as a dozen Hindu temples and over 20 Hindu households at Nasirnagar area of Brahmanbaria were attacked and vandalised earlier this month after an offensive Facebook posting on Islam, allegedly by a Hindu, went viral.



The Hindu community leaders and civil society activists staged a series of protests in the capital and other major cities blasting the administration for failure to protect the minority community.



Authorities withdrew the local administrative chief and officer in charge of the local police station while over 50 suspected attackers were detained as part of the investigation.



The statutory National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its report said that the attacks on the Hindu temples and households were carried out under a well orchestrated plan by an orgainsed group.



It said near simultaneous attacks were carried out at several temples and Hindu households at different locations at Nasirnagar area.



Hindu community leaders have said that the attacks were carried out to forcefully evict Hindus from their own land by creating an atmosphere of fear.

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said as a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of the citizens to take care of minorities, as nationwide protests continued over the recent spate of attacks on Hindu temples and households. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony which should be maintained at any cost for development and brighten the country's image, Hasina said at a video conference with local representatives and officials of northwestern Rajshahi from her official Ganobhaban residence. As a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of all of us to take care of the minorities, she said. The prime minister added: You have to remain careful so that no such incidents, which are taking place sporadically in different parts of the country, take place anywhere in the country. As many as a dozen Hindu temples and over 20 Hindu households at Nasirnagar area of Brahmanbaria were attacked and vandalised earlier this month after an offensive Facebook posting on Islam, allegedly by a Hindu, went viral. The Hindu community leaders and civil society activists staged a series of protests in the capital and other major cities blasting the administration for failure to protect the minority community. Authorities withdrew the local administrative chief and officer in charge of the local police station while over 50 suspected attackers were detained as part of the investigation. The statutory National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its report said that the attacks on the Hindu temples and households were carried out under a well orchestrated plan by an orgainsed group. It said near simultaneous attacks were carried out at several temples and Hindu households at different locations at Nasirnagar area. Hindu community leaders have said that the attacks were carried out to forcefully evict Hindus from their own land by creating an atmosphere of fear.
By Associated Press

On the morning after the election, Alia Ali had a sickening feeling as she headed to her job as a secretary at a New York City public school, her hijab in place as usual. Ali is a Muslim who lives and works in one of the most diverse places in the U.S., and yet the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House left her wondering how other Americans really viewed her.

"Half of America voted one way and half of America voted the other, and you're like, 'Which half am I looking at?'" she said. "You become almost like strangers to the people you've worked with. Is this person racist? Do they like me? Do they not like me? Because that's what this election has done."

American Muslims are reeling following the election of Trump, whose campaign was rife with anti-Muslim rhetoric and proposals that included banning Muslims from entering the country and heightened surveillance of mosques across the nation. Now, among many of the 3.3 million Muslims living in the U.S., there is significant fear, along with some reports of harassment; one hijab-wearing student at San Diego State University said she was briefly choked by suspects who made remarks about Trump's victory.

"There are lots and lots of people who aren't going out of the house," said Eboo Patel, a Muslim who heads the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based organization that works with colleges and government officials to build interreligious relationships.

At New York University late last week, hundreds of people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on a grand staircase of a student center to express solidarity after the word "Trump!" was scrawled on the door of a Muslim prayer space at the school. Students spoke of friends who wore headscarves or other traditional clothing and were afraid to take public transportation home for fear of being harassed.

Sana Mayat, a 21-year-old senior who wears the hijab, said the election made her realize "there was a large part of this country that didn't want me here."

"There is an intense state of anxiety about the future," said Rami Nashashibi, a parent of three and executive director of Chicago's Inner-City Muslim Action Network, which has been inundated with calls seeking support since Election Day. "I grappled with the conversation I had to have with my children."

The outcome was especially bitter following an unprecedented voter registration drive by American Muslims, including get-out-the-vote sermons at mosques and the creation of a political action committee, Emerge USA, to mobilize Arabs and Muslims.

Enas Almadhwahi, a 28-year-old Yemeni immigrant who has been in the U.S. since 2008, became a citizen this year and voted for the first time. To mark the occasion, she brought her 7-year-old daughter, along with some co-workers.

"At that moment, I was so happy," said Almadhwahi, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works at an Arab-American community organization. The next day, when she told her daughter Trump had won, the girl cried. A friend had told the little girl that if Trump won, it would mean they couldn't talk anymore.

"Everything feels like it's upside down," Almadhwahi said. "I still like to hope Trump will change his words about Muslims."

Trump's policy plans remain a mystery, but his administration could radically reshape the Justice Department, which has been an ally under President Barack Obama in protecting Muslim civil rights. Trump could also repeal a key Obama program that prevents the deportation of some immigrants, including Muslims, living in the country illegally.

Muslims had far from a perfect relationship with the Obama administration. For years, the president kept the community largely at arms-length, sending surrogates to meet with them amid a stubborn misapprehension, fueled in part by his critics, that Obama, a Christian, was secretly Muslim. Many U.S. Muslim leaders were uncomfortable with his foreign policy in Iraq and elsewhere, and objected to his program to fight extremism at home, saying the focus on Muslims ignored other threats from right-wing, anti-government extremists.

Still, Muslim leaders had built solid ties with many government officials. Now, they face not only the loss of those connections, but potentially a closed door to their concerns.

"The friends we have are going to be fewer," said Farhana Khera, president of the California-based civil rights group Muslim Advocates, which has represented clients suing over the New York Police Department's surveillance of American Muslims. "I think we'll be very much in a defensive posture."

Since the election, mosques and Muslim groups have organized community meetings and conference calls focused on how to move forward. The Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America, the largest communal Muslim group in the U.S., issued a statement inviting Trump to engage with the community, saying "many American Muslims are traumatized by the result of the election and the fear of what is to come." The group said there was no immediate response from Trump's office.

Sheik Omar Suleiman, resident scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, Texas, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an anti-defamation group, distributed suggested sermons for juma, or Friday prayers at mosques, stressing Quranic verses about remaining strong in the face of hardships.

"Have hope in the people because Allah may turn their hearts toward you," was among the verses they cited.

Faisal R. Khan, founder of a youth advocacy and peace organization near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attended four Trump campaign rallies over the last year, in part to protest but also to speak with the Republican's supporters. Khan lived years ago in the Midwest, where he knew people who had grown resentful over losing Rust Belt jobs, and said he understands what drew so many working-class whites to the president-elect.

Khan has created a Facebook page called "Talk To Me America," hoping to start a conversation that can combat anti-Muslim bias.

"Peaceful protest is good, but at a certain point, we have to sit down and talk," he said. "At the end of the day, we're all human beings. We're all Americans."

On the morning after the election, Alia Ali had a sickening feeling as she headed to her job as a secretary at a New York City public school, her hijab in place as usual. Ali is a Muslim who lives and works in one of the most diverse places in the U.S., and yet the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House left her wondering how other Americans really viewed her. "Half of America voted one way and half of America voted the other, and you're like, 'Which half am I looking at?'" she said. "You become almost like strangers to the people you've worked with. Is this person racist? Do they like me? Do they not like me? Because that's what this election has done." American Muslims are reeling following the election of Trump, whose campaign was rife with anti-Muslim rhetoric and proposals that included banning Muslims from entering the country and heightened surveillance of mosques across the nation. Now, among many of the 3.3 million Muslims living in the U.S., there is significant fear, along with some reports of harassment; one hijab-wearing student at San Diego State University said she was briefly choked by suspects who made remarks about Trump's victory. "There are lots and lots of people who aren't going out of the house," said Eboo Patel, a Muslim who heads the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based organization that works with colleges and government officials to build interreligious relationships. At New York University late last week, hundreds of people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on a grand staircase of a student center to express solidarity after the word "Trump!" was scrawled on the door of a Muslim prayer space at the school. Students spoke of friends who wore headscarves or other traditional clothing and were afraid to take public transportation home for fear of being harassed. Sana Mayat, a 21-year-old senior who wears the hijab, said the election made her realize "there was a large part of this country that didn't want me here." "There is an intense state of anxiety about the future," said Rami Nashashibi, a parent of three and executive director of Chicago's Inner-City Muslim Action Network, which has been inundated with calls seeking support since Election Day. "I grappled with the conversation I had to have with my children." The outcome was especially bitter following an unprecedented voter registration drive by American Muslims, including get-out-the-vote sermons at mosques and the creation of a political action committee, Emerge USA, to mobilize Arabs and Muslims. Enas Almadhwahi, a 28-year-old Yemeni immigrant who has been in the U.S. since 2008, became a citizen this year and voted for the first time. To mark the occasion, she brought her 7-year-old daughter, along with some co-workers. "At that moment, I was so happy," said Almadhwahi, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works at an Arab-American community organization. The next day, when she told her daughter Trump had won, the girl cried. A friend had told the little girl that if Trump won, it would mean they couldn't talk anymore. "Everything feels like it's upside down," Almadhwahi said. "I still like to hope Trump will change his words about Muslims." Trump's policy plans remain a mystery, but his administration could radically reshape the Justice Department, which has been an ally under President Barack Obama in protecting Muslim civil rights. Trump could also repeal a key Obama program that prevents the deportation of some immigrants, including Muslims, living in the country illegally. Muslims had far from a perfect relationship with the Obama administration. For years, the president kept the community largely at arms-length, sending surrogates to meet with them amid a stubborn misapprehension, fueled in part by his critics, that Obama, a Christian, was secretly Muslim. Many U.S. Muslim leaders were uncomfortable with his foreign policy in Iraq and elsewhere, and objected to his program to fight extremism at home, saying the focus on Muslims ignored other threats from right-wing, anti-government extremists. Still, Muslim leaders had built solid ties with many government officials. Now, they face not only the loss of those connections, but potentially a closed door to their concerns. "The friends we have are going to be fewer," said Farhana Khera, president of the California-based civil rights group Muslim Advocates, which has represented clients suing over the New York Police Department's surveillance of American Muslims. "I think we'll be very much in a defensive posture." Since the election, mosques and Muslim groups have organized community meetings and conference calls focused on how to move forward. The Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America, the largest communal Muslim group in the U.S., issued a statement inviting Trump to engage with the community, saying "many American Muslims are traumatized by the result of the election and the fear of what is to come." The group said there was no immediate response from Trump's office. Sheik Omar Suleiman, resident scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, Texas, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an anti-defamation group, distributed suggested sermons for juma, or Friday prayers at mosques, stressing Quranic verses about remaining strong in the face of hardships. "Have hope in the people because Allah may turn their hearts toward you," was among the verses they cited. Faisal R. Khan, founder of a youth advocacy and peace organization near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attended four Trump campaign rallies over the last year, in part to protest but also to speak with the Republican's supporters. Khan lived years ago in the Midwest, where he knew people who had grown resentful over losing Rust Belt jobs, and said he understands what drew so many working-class whites to the president-elect. Khan has created a Facebook page called "Talk To Me America," hoping to start a conversation that can combat anti-Muslim bias. "Peaceful protest is good, but at a certain point, we have to sit down and talk," he said. "At the end of the day, we're all human beings. We're all Americans."
By PTI

JAKARTA: An explosion outside a church on Borneo island injured four children today, Indonesian police said.

Several motorbikes were also damaged in the explosion in the parking lot of the Oikumene Church in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan province, said national police spokesman Maj Gen Boy Rafli Amar.

The children, aged 2 to 4 years old, suffered burn injuries, Amar said. Media reports cited local police spokesman Lt Col Fajar Setiawan as saying the explosion came from a Molotov cocktail thrown by a man riding on a motorbike.

The man jumped into a nearby river but was captured by locals and handed over to police. TV footage showed the injured man lying on the deck of a motorboat. He was wearing a black shirt with the words "Jihad, Way of Life."

Amar identified the man as a 32-year-old former terror convict from the West Java town of Bogor who was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison over a 2011 terror attack and was released in July 2014. He moved to East Kalimantan about a year ago.

It was the second explosion at a church in Indonesia this year. In August, a would-be suicide bomber failed to detonate a bomb during a Sunday Mass in a church in Medan, the provincial capital of North Sumatra in western Indonesia, but he managed to injure a priest with an axe before being restrained.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has carried out a sustained crackdown on militant networks since the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.

JAKARTA: An explosion outside a church on Borneo island injured four children today, Indonesian police said. Several motorbikes were also damaged in the explosion in the parking lot of the Oikumene Church in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan province, said national police spokesman Maj Gen Boy Rafli Amar. The children, aged 2 to 4 years old, suffered burn injuries, Amar said. Media reports cited local police spokesman Lt Col Fajar Setiawan as saying the explosion came from a Molotov cocktail thrown by a man riding on a motorbike. The man jumped into a nearby river but was captured by locals and handed over to police. TV footage showed the injured man lying on the deck of a motorboat. He was wearing a black shirt with the words "Jihad, Way of Life." Amar identified the man as a 32-year-old former terror convict from the West Java town of Bogor who was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison over a 2011 terror attack and was released in July 2014. He moved to East Kalimantan about a year ago. It was the second explosion at a church in Indonesia this year. In August, a would-be suicide bomber failed to detonate a bomb during a Sunday Mass in a church in Medan, the provincial capital of North Sumatra in western Indonesia, but he managed to injure a priest with an axe before being restrained. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has carried out a sustained crackdown on militant networks since the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.
By AFP

BOGOTO: Here are five key points on Colombia's five-decade conflict, after FARC rebels and the government reached a new peace accord.

- Disputed origins -

There is disagreement on when and why war broke out.

In a country covered in mountains and jungle, where the government's presence is often weak, rural poverty has played a central role.

Most historians trace the conflict to the 1960s, when several leftist guerrilla groups rose up against a government they accused of subjugating peasants and the poor.

Some go back to the 1940s and a period known as "La Violencia" (The Violence), an eruption of bloodshed following the assassination of leftist presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan. Others date it to peasant uprisings in the 1920s.

- Key actors -

Founded in 1964, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is the country's oldest and largest leftist guerrilla group. But there have been many players in the conflict.

Others include:

- The National Liberation Army (ELN). Still active. Has agreed to peace talks.

- The April 19 Movement (M-19). Demobilized in 1990.

- The People's Liberation Army (EPL). Demobilized in 1991.

- In the 1980s, a right-wing paramilitary group, the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), began fighting the guerrillas. Funded by large landholders, these groups sometimes collaborated with the Colombian army. They were disbanded between 2003 and 2006, though remnants continue to operate as criminal gangs.

- Drug cartels have also fueled the violence since the 1980s.

- Atrocities on all sides -

Massacres, kidnappings, scorched-earth campaigns and extrajudicial killings have been hallmarks of the conflict.

Atrocities have been committed on all sides.

The most notorious crimes include:

FARC

- Massacres such as the one in the town of Bojaya in 2002, when guerrillas killed at least 79 people sheltering in a church.

- Kidnapping and holding hostages, such as then presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, abducted in 2002 and rescued in 2008.

- Accusations of a 2003 car bombing at the El Nogal social club in Bogota, which killed 36 people.

ELN

- Mass hostage seizures such as the hijacking of Avianca Flight 9463 in 1999.

- Massacres such as the one in Machuca in 1998, when rebels dynamited an oil pipeline. Burning oil set the village alight and killed 84 people.

M-19

- Besieged the Supreme Court building, the Palace of Justice, in 1985, leaving some 100 people dead.

Paramilitaries

- Wiped out entire villages, often blasting loud music as militia members killed and raped victims. In one gruesome case, the El Salado massacre in 2000, 60 people were killed.

Army

- Executed hundreds of civilians and reported them as rebels killed in combat in the so-called "false positives" scandal.

- Long list of victims -

The conflict has killed 260,000 people and forced 6.9 million from their homes in the past five decades. An additional 45,000 are missing.

- Peace efforts -

After three failed efforts and four years of new talks, the government and FARC in September signed a full peace accord, which stipulated that the agreement must be ratified by voters in a referendum.

But on October 2, Colombian citizens reject the accord by a razor-thin majority of about 56,000 votes in a shock result.

Colombia's government and FARC rebels on Saturday announced a revised peace deal, which President Juan Manuel Santos called "a better agreement".

The new accord includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original.

At the moment, neither side has made any mention of the updated peace deal being put before a new referendum vote.

BOGOTO: Here are five key points on Colombia's five-decade conflict, after FARC rebels and the government reached a new peace accord. - Disputed origins - There is disagreement on when and why war broke out. In a country covered in mountains and jungle, where the government's presence is often weak, rural poverty has played a central role. Most historians trace the conflict to the 1960s, when several leftist guerrilla groups rose up against a government they accused of subjugating peasants and the poor. Some go back to the 1940s and a period known as "La Violencia" (The Violence), an eruption of bloodshed following the assassination of leftist presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan. Others date it to peasant uprisings in the 1920s. - Key actors - Founded in 1964, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is the country's oldest and largest leftist guerrilla group. But there have been many players in the conflict. Others include: - The National Liberation Army (ELN). Still active. Has agreed to peace talks. - The April 19 Movement (M-19). Demobilized in 1990. - The People's Liberation Army (EPL). Demobilized in 1991. - In the 1980s, a right-wing paramilitary group, the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), began fighting the guerrillas. Funded by large landholders, these groups sometimes collaborated with the Colombian army. They were disbanded between 2003 and 2006, though remnants continue to operate as criminal gangs. - Drug cartels have also fueled the violence since the 1980s. - Atrocities on all sides - Massacres, kidnappings, scorched-earth campaigns and extrajudicial killings have been hallmarks of the conflict. Atrocities have been committed on all sides. The most notorious crimes include: FARC - Massacres such as the one in the town of Bojaya in 2002, when guerrillas killed at least 79 people sheltering in a church. - Kidnapping and holding hostages, such as then presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, abducted in 2002 and rescued in 2008. - Accusations of a 2003 car bombing at the El Nogal social club in Bogota, which killed 36 people. ELN - Mass hostage seizures such as the hijacking of Avianca Flight 9463 in 1999. - Massacres such as the one in Machuca in 1998, when rebels dynamited an oil pipeline. Burning oil set the village alight and killed 84 people. M-19 - Besieged the Supreme Court building, the Palace of Justice, in 1985, leaving some 100 people dead. Paramilitaries - Wiped out entire villages, often blasting loud music as militia members killed and raped victims. In one gruesome case, the El Salado massacre in 2000, 60 people were killed. Army - Executed hundreds of civilians and reported them as rebels killed in combat in the so-called "false positives" scandal. - Long list of victims - The conflict has killed 260,000 people and forced 6.9 million from their homes in the past five decades. An additional 45,000 are missing. - Peace efforts - After three failed efforts and four years of new talks, the government and FARC in September signed a full peace accord, which stipulated that the agreement must be ratified by voters in a referendum. But on October 2, Colombian citizens reject the accord by a razor-thin majority of about 56,000 votes in a shock result. Colombia's government and FARC rebels on Saturday announced a revised peace deal, which President Juan Manuel Santos called "a better agreement". The new accord includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original. At the moment, neither side has made any mention of the updated peace deal being put before a new referendum vote.
Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: Famed Afghan national Sharbat Gula, who was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan last week, will be travelling to India for free medical treatment after she was found to be suffering from Hepatitis C and other health issues.

Afghanistan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali thanked Indian government for the offer.

The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost - Thank you India for being a true friend!, Abdali tweeted.

Gula, in her 40s was deported after it was found that she was residing in Pakistan for last three decades on false documents. Gula along with her three sons was received in Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani.

It is reported that Gula will be treated at a Bengaluru based hospital. She gained global recognition after her picture was featured in National Geographic in 1985 while she was residing in Pakistan.

Large numbers of Afghans come to India for medical treatment. Earlier this year, a special pact with inked between Kabul and nine renowned Indian hospitals to provide economical access for Afghan patients to Indian health services.

As per agreement, Afghan patients are now charged as per the charges applicable to the Indian patients. The Indian hospitals would also provide assistance to Kabul in areas of capacity building of countrys health professionals, pharma sector, telemedicine, tele-radiology, medical tourism, consultancy and public private partnership.

NEW DELHI: Famed Afghan national Sharbat Gula, who was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan last week, will be travelling to India for free medical treatment after she was found to be suffering from Hepatitis C and other health issues. Afghanistan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali thanked Indian government for the offer. The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost - Thank you India for being a true friend!, Abdali tweeted. Gula, in her 40s was deported after it was found that she was residing in Pakistan for last three decades on false documents. Gula along with her three sons was received in Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani. It is reported that Gula will be treated at a Bengaluru based hospital. She gained global recognition after her picture was featured in National Geographic in 1985 while she was residing in Pakistan. Large numbers of Afghans come to India for medical treatment. Earlier this year, a special pact with inked between Kabul and nine renowned Indian hospitals to provide economical access for Afghan patients to Indian health services. As per agreement, Afghan patients are now charged as per the charges applicable to the Indian patients. The Indian hospitals would also provide assistance to Kabul in areas of capacity building of countrys health professionals, pharma sector, telemedicine, tele-radiology, medical tourism, consultancy and public private partnership.
By AFP

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Kurdish forces have demolished Arab homes and buildings and in some cases entire villages in disputed areas in the country's north, Human Rights Watch said on Sunday.

Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region has gained or solidified control over swathes of territory claimed by both it and the federal government in Baghdad in the course of the war against the Islamic State group.

While the Iraqi federal and Kurdish regional governments are both fighting IS, there are long-running disputes between them over territory and resources, as well as Kurdish mistrust of Baghdad and the country's Arab majority rooted in Saddam Hussein's brutal treatment of their community.

Human Rights Watch found "a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions of buildings and homes, and in many cases entire villages, between September 2014 and May 2016," it said in a report.

The destruction occurred "in 17 villages and towns in Kirkuk and four in Nineveh governorate," HRW said, adding that it was carried out "by fire, heavy equipment and explosives."

Satellite imagery provided evidence of destruction in another 62 villages after Kurdish forces recaptured them, but HRW said the lack of available witness testimony precluded "definitive conclusions" in those cases.

IS overran swathes of territory in Nineveh and Kirkuk and other provinces in June 2014.

But Iraqi federal and Kurdish forces have since regained most of the areas, and the northern city of Mosul is now the last held by IS in the country.

- Territorial dispute -

Who controls that territory will be a major source of contention going forward, with the Kurds saying they aim to keep areas they retook, while the federal government has long insisted that disputed areas belong to Baghdad.

HRW said it had presented its findings to the Kurdistan Regional Government, which announced an investigation and responded to some but not all allegations.

Kurdish authorities said that much of the destruction was caused by US-led air strikes as well as artillery fire, while some buildings were said to have been blown up to deal with bombs planted by IS.

HRW said that areas could have been cordoned off for later clearance, and that blowing up the houses could scatter explosives over the area, making it more dangerous.

And it noted that Kurdish forces had destroyed buildings in places that IS had never captured, making it unlikely they would have been rigged with bombs by the jihadists.

HRW said that Kurdish leader Massud Barzani said he does not intend to allow Arab residents to return to areas where they settled under Saddam's efforts to change the demographics of Kurdish areas of the country.

Barzani told HRW in June that Kurdistan "would not allow Sunni Arabs to return to villages that had been 'Arabised' by former President Saddam Hussein. He said these were, in his view, rightfully Kurdish lands," the report said.

"Such territorial claims lend credence to the belief of many Arabs that KRG security forces may have carried out demolitions for the purpose of preventing or dissuading Arabs from returning there," HRW said.

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Kurdish forces have demolished Arab homes and buildings and in some cases entire villages in disputed areas in the country's north, Human Rights Watch said on Sunday. Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region has gained or solidified control over swathes of territory claimed by both it and the federal government in Baghdad in the course of the war against the Islamic State group. While the Iraqi federal and Kurdish regional governments are both fighting IS, there are long-running disputes between them over territory and resources, as well as Kurdish mistrust of Baghdad and the country's Arab majority rooted in Saddam Hussein's brutal treatment of their community. Human Rights Watch found "a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions of buildings and homes, and in many cases entire villages, between September 2014 and May 2016," it said in a report. The destruction occurred "in 17 villages and towns in Kirkuk and four in Nineveh governorate," HRW said, adding that it was carried out "by fire, heavy equipment and explosives." Satellite imagery provided evidence of destruction in another 62 villages after Kurdish forces recaptured them, but HRW said the lack of available witness testimony precluded "definitive conclusions" in those cases. IS overran swathes of territory in Nineveh and Kirkuk and other provinces in June 2014. But Iraqi federal and Kurdish forces have since regained most of the areas, and the northern city of Mosul is now the last held by IS in the country. - Territorial dispute - Who controls that territory will be a major source of contention going forward, with the Kurds saying they aim to keep areas they retook, while the federal government has long insisted that disputed areas belong to Baghdad. HRW said it had presented its findings to the Kurdistan Regional Government, which announced an investigation and responded to some but not all allegations. Kurdish authorities said that much of the destruction was caused by US-led air strikes as well as artillery fire, while some buildings were said to have been blown up to deal with bombs planted by IS. HRW said that areas could have been cordoned off for later clearance, and that blowing up the houses could scatter explosives over the area, making it more dangerous. And it noted that Kurdish forces had destroyed buildings in places that IS had never captured, making it unlikely they would have been rigged with bombs by the jihadists. HRW said that Kurdish leader Massud Barzani said he does not intend to allow Arab residents to return to areas where they settled under Saddam's efforts to change the demographics of Kurdish areas of the country. Barzani told HRW in June that Kurdistan "would not allow Sunni Arabs to return to villages that had been 'Arabised' by former President Saddam Hussein. He said these were, in his view, rightfully Kurdish lands," the report said. "Such territorial claims lend credence to the belief of many Arabs that KRG security forces may have carried out demolitions for the purpose of preventing or dissuading Arabs from returning there," HRW said.
By Associated Press

MOSUL: The Iraqi military says its forces have retaken the town of Nimrud, some 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Mosul, in their push to drive Islamic State militants from the country.

The Commander of the Mosul Operation, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah, says the troops took the town after heavy fighting.

He says in a statement that "the 9th division of the Iraqi army has liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties."

The town is near the famed ruins of an ancient Assyrian capital that dates back to the 9th century B.C. The Iraqi government said last year that the militants destroyed the site using heavy military vehicles. It was not immediately clear if Iraqi forces had retaken the archaeological site.

___

Noon

Iraqi forces trying to advance further into Mosul are battling waves of car bombs sent by the Islamic State group.

Iraqi special forces Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi said Sunday that "there are so many civilian cars and any one of them could be a bomb."

Iraqi forces say they have cleared the neighborhoods of Qadisiya and Zahra and are now planning to move deeper into the city. They are building sand berms and road blocks to prevent car bombs from breaching the front lines.

Iraqi forces pushed into Mosul earlier this month but have struggled to advance in the face of heavy resistance from militants in neighborhoods still populated by civilians.

___

8 a.m.

Human Rights

MOSUL: The Iraqi military says its forces have retaken the town of Nimrud, some 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Mosul, in their push to drive Islamic State militants from the country. The Commander of the Mosul Operation, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah, says the troops took the town after heavy fighting. He says in a statement that "the 9th division of the Iraqi army has liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties." The town is near the famed ruins of an ancient Assyrian capital that dates back to the 9th century B.C. The Iraqi government said last year that the militants destroyed the site using heavy military vehicles. It was not immediately clear if Iraqi forces had retaken the archaeological site. ___ Noon Iraqi forces trying to advance further into Mosul are battling waves of car bombs sent by the Islamic State group. Iraqi special forces Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi said Sunday that "there are so many civilian cars and any one of them could be a bomb." Iraqi forces say they have cleared the neighborhoods of Qadisiya and Zahra and are now planning to move deeper into the city. They are building sand berms and road blocks to prevent car bombs from breaching the front lines. Iraqi forces pushed into Mosul earlier this month but have struggled to advance in the face of heavy resistance from militants in neighborhoods still populated by civilians. ___ 8 a.m. Human Rights
By AFP

MOSUL: Iraqi forces said Sunday they had recaptured the Nimrud area, the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the jihadists south of Mosul.

The troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive launched on October 17 to recapture Iraq's second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014.

A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes.

On Sunday Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) said troops had retaken the Nimrud area and another village southeast of the famed archeological site.

"Units of the 9th Armoured Division completely liberate the Nimrud (area) and raise the Iraqi flag over the buildings," the JOC said in a statement.

It did not specifically mention the Nimrud archaeological site, located a little more than a kilometre (less than a mile) west of the village that bears its name.

Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

In April last year, IS posted a video on the Internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in ancient Nineveh on the outskirts of Mosul, Hatra in the desert to the south and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but it has still sold artefacts to fund its operations.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation welcomed the news of Nimrud's recapture.

"We welcome the news that Nimrod, a UNESCO world heritage site, is back under the control of the Iraqi government," said spokesman George Papagiannis.

"We look forward to coordinating with the relevant authorities in Baghdad on providing support for any assessments that need to be done of the site, once the area has been stabilised."

The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) have pushed into the eastern outskirts of Mosul, with heavy fighting in recent days.

Staff Lieutenant Colonel Muntadhar Salem of the CTS told AFP on Sunday that its forces were looking to move into a new eastern neighbourhood.

"Our goal today is to clear out IS from the western part of Karkukli," he said.

North of Karkukli in the neighbourhood of Arbajiyah, CTS forces were facing sniper fire as they moved street-to-street clearing houses.

On the edge of Mosul, dozens of civilians could be seen walking towards a gathering point from where they would be taken to a camp for the displaced. A dozen men swarmed around a barber shop for a shave.

In neighbouring Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance has moved to about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Raqa since launching its offensive a week ago.

Commanders have said the SDF is close to completing a first phase of the operation to surround and isolate Raqa before launching an assault on the city itself.

The jihadists are putting up fierce resistance in both Mosul and Raqa, and military commanders have warned of long and difficult battles ahead.

Turkey has launched its own operation against IS just south of its border in Syria and a monitor said Sunday that Ankara-backed rebels had neared the IS stronghold of Al-Bab.

MOSUL: Iraqi forces said Sunday they had recaptured the Nimrud area, the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the jihadists south of Mosul. The troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive launched on October 17 to recapture Iraq's second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014. A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes. On Sunday Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) said troops had retaken the Nimrud area and another village southeast of the famed archeological site. "Units of the 9th Armoured Division completely liberate the Nimrud (area) and raise the Iraqi flag over the buildings," the JOC said in a statement. It did not specifically mention the Nimrud archaeological site, located a little more than a kilometre (less than a mile) west of the village that bears its name. Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years. In April last year, IS posted a video on the Internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up. It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in ancient Nineveh on the outskirts of Mosul, Hatra in the desert to the south and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria. IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but it has still sold artefacts to fund its operations. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation welcomed the news of Nimrud's recapture. "We welcome the news that Nimrod, a UNESCO world heritage site, is back under the control of the Iraqi government," said spokesman George Papagiannis. "We look forward to coordinating with the relevant authorities in Baghdad on providing support for any assessments that need to be done of the site, once the area has been stabilised." The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north. The elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) have pushed into the eastern outskirts of Mosul, with heavy fighting in recent days. Staff Lieutenant Colonel Muntadhar Salem of the CTS told AFP on Sunday that its forces were looking to move into a new eastern neighbourhood. "Our goal today is to clear out IS from the western part of Karkukli," he said. North of Karkukli in the neighbourhood of Arbajiyah, CTS forces were facing sniper fire as they moved street-to-street clearing houses. On the edge of Mosul, dozens of civilians could be seen walking towards a gathering point from where they would be taken to a camp for the displaced. A dozen men swarmed around a barber shop for a shave. In neighbouring Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance has moved to about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Raqa since launching its offensive a week ago. Commanders have said the SDF is close to completing a first phase of the operation to surround and isolate Raqa before launching an assault on the city itself. The jihadists are putting up fierce resistance in both Mosul and Raqa, and military commanders have warned of long and difficult battles ahead. Turkey has launched its own operation against IS just south of its border in Syria and a monitor said Sunday that Ankara-backed rebels had neared the IS stronghold of Al-Bab.
By IANS

CAIRO: At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), were killed on Saturday in two Islamic State (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria.



British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.



After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.



Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.



The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.

CAIRO: At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), were killed on Saturday in two Islamic State (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria. British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported. After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area. Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory. The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.
By AFP

CHISINAU: Moldova went to the polls on Sunday to choose between pro-Moscow and pro-European candidates in a runoff vote for the next president of the impoverished ex-Soviet country.

It marks the first time in 16 years that Moldova -- wracked by corruption scandals in recent years -- is electing its leader by national vote instead of having parliament select the head of state.

Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, the tiny nation is caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the West.

Polls opened at 0500 GMT, with the central electoral commission saying that all the polling stations were open and working normally.

According to preliminary information on the commission's website, more nearly six percent of the electorate had voted by 0700 GMT.

In the first round vote on October 30, Igor Dodon, the pro-Moscow head of the Socialist Party, came out on top with 48 percent, followed by pro-European Maia Sandu, a centre-right former education minister who worked for the World Bank, with 38 percent.

The two runoff candidates have diametrically opposed visions for Moldova's future.

Moldova signed an historic EU association agreement in 2014 despite bitter opposition from Russia, which has responded with an embargo targeting its key agriculture sector.

The polls will close at 1900 GMT with a preliminary count to be announced early Monday.

Dodon -- who served as economy minister under a communist government between 2006 and 2009 -- is calling for deeper ties and boosting trade with Moscow.

"Life in Moldova has become unbearable, our partnership with Russia has been destroyed, we lost access to a massive market," he said in a campaign speech.

He also wants to annul a law against discrimination based on sexual orientation adopted in 2012 as a condition for visa-free access to the European Union.

During the campaign, he has criticised his opponent Sandu for not being married or having children. Sandu on the other hand is urging a path toward Europe.

The EU association agreement "is the basis for the country's development," she said in a televised debate.

"It means reforms and fighting corruption, and without this, the country cannot develop, it has no future."

- Corruption scandals -

She is also calling for the withdrawal of thousands of Russian troops from the Russian-speaking separatist region of Transdniester, which broke away in the early 1990s after a brief civil war.

The country of 3.5 million has been rocked by corruption scandals and political turmoil in recent years.

In 2014, $1 billion mysteriously disappeared from three banks, prompting street protests and the arrest of the former prime minister Vlad Filat, who has since been convicted of corruption and abuse of office.

A recent report published by Transparency International Moldova called the country "the regional launderer for money of dubious origin."

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 7 approved a three-year loan programme worth $178.7 million (165 million euros) to help strengthen the country's economy.

It said that "continuous political support, together with judicial reforms, will be essential" to ensure the programme is fully implemented.

Moldova's current prime minister, Pavel Filip, who has served since January, is pro-European and introduced political changes including the direct presidential vote.

Analyst Anatol Taranu of think tank Politicon said that while Dodon had 140,000 more supporters in the first round, Sandu could draw on a reserve of people who initially did not turn out to vote.

But Vitaliy Andrievskiy of the Institute for Effective Policies think tank cautioned that voters' expectations could be disappointed, given that the presidential powers are limited.

"The manner of electing the president has changed but the powers remain the same. The president has very limited powers, he cannot decide anything without the parliament and government."

Moldova is considered by some international organisations to be Europe's poorest country.

Forty-one percent of the population live on less than $5 (4.6 euros) a day while the monthly average salary is $240, according to World Bank figures.

Remittances sent by Moldovans working abroad make up nearly a quarter of gross domestic product (GDP).

Around 78 percent of Moldova's population is ethnic Romanian, while Ukrainians and Russians account for around 14 percent.

CHISINAU: Moldova went to the polls on Sunday to choose between pro-Moscow and pro-European candidates in a runoff vote for the next president of the impoverished ex-Soviet country. It marks the first time in 16 years that Moldova -- wracked by corruption scandals in recent years -- is electing its leader by national vote instead of having parliament select the head of state. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, the tiny nation is caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the West. Polls opened at 0500 GMT, with the central electoral commission saying that all the polling stations were open and working normally. According to preliminary information on the commission's website, more nearly six percent of the electorate had voted by 0700 GMT. In the first round vote on October 30, Igor Dodon, the pro-Moscow head of the Socialist Party, came out on top with 48 percent, followed by pro-European Maia Sandu, a centre-right former education minister who worked for the World Bank, with 38 percent. The two runoff candidates have diametrically opposed visions for Moldova's future. Moldova signed an historic EU association agreement in 2014 despite bitter opposition from Russia, which has responded with an embargo targeting its key agriculture sector. The polls will close at 1900 GMT with a preliminary count to be announced early Monday. Dodon -- who served as economy minister under a communist government between 2006 and 2009 -- is calling for deeper ties and boosting trade with Moscow. "Life in Moldova has become unbearable, our partnership with Russia has been destroyed, we lost access to a massive market," he said in a campaign speech. He also wants to annul a law against discrimination based on sexual orientation adopted in 2012 as a condition for visa-free access to the European Union. During the campaign, he has criticised his opponent Sandu for not being married or having children. Sandu on the other hand is urging a path toward Europe. The EU association agreement "is the basis for the country's development," she said in a televised debate. "It means reforms and fighting corruption, and without this, the country cannot develop, it has no future." - Corruption scandals - She is also calling for the withdrawal of thousands of Russian troops from the Russian-speaking separatist region of Transdniester, which broke away in the early 1990s after a brief civil war. The country of 3.5 million has been rocked by corruption scandals and political turmoil in recent years. In 2014, $1 billion mysteriously disappeared from three banks, prompting street protests and the arrest of the former prime minister Vlad Filat, who has since been convicted of corruption and abuse of office. A recent report published by Transparency International Moldova called the country "the regional launderer for money of dubious origin." The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 7 approved a three-year loan programme worth $178.7 million (165 million euros) to help strengthen the country's economy. It said that "continuous political support, together with judicial reforms, will be essential" to ensure the programme is fully implemented. Moldova's current prime minister, Pavel Filip, who has served since January, is pro-European and introduced political changes including the direct presidential vote. Analyst Anatol Taranu of think tank Politicon said that while Dodon had 140,000 more supporters in the first round, Sandu could draw on a reserve of people who initially did not turn out to vote. But Vitaliy Andrievskiy of the Institute for Effective Policies think tank cautioned that voters' expectations could be disappointed, given that the presidential powers are limited. "The manner of electing the president has changed but the powers remain the same. The president has very limited powers, he cannot decide anything without the parliament and government." Moldova is considered by some international organisations to be Europe's poorest country. Forty-one percent of the population live on less than $5 (4.6 euros) a day while the monthly average salary is $240, according to World Bank figures. Remittances sent by Moldovans working abroad make up nearly a quarter of gross domestic product (GDP). Around 78 percent of Moldova's population is ethnic Romanian, while Ukrainians and Russians account for around 14 percent.
Farwa Imam Ali By

Express News Service

Shocked and in despair, Americans jammed the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (NSPL) as results from the US Presidential Election trickled in November 9, 2016. Clinically speaking, it was citizens expressing their fears and disappointment, explains psychiatrist Dr. Bindu Shanmugham, Medical Director, Veteran Administration Healthcare System, in California. Her observations are confirmed by information released by Paul Draper, Director, NSPL, highlighting that between 1am-2am the national network fielded 660 calls nearly thrice the normal call volume. 72 hours later, the calls declined somewhat. Much like the outcome, this too was unprecedented in the history of suicide prevention programmes.

Since the first 72 hours of crises intervention by NSPL, the burden to provide service has to other help lines that have witnessed a similar increase in call volume. The Trevor Project for the LGBT community and Text Line lead the group. A direct link between the outcome of the 2016 US Election and the anxious state in which Americans were flocking to NSPL was evident to most people. Harvard doctoral graduate in Public Health, Dr. Priyaa R.S. saw the signs as soon as early voting commenced.

As a public health scientist I observed election increased stress among people even before the Election Day, recalls Dr. Priyaa, presently Director of Research & Clinical Assistant Professor- Goldman School, Boston University. Her colleague sent in her vote through early ballot instead of waiting until November 9 unable to handle the stress of waiting until polling day. She adds: Post-election stress stems from a state of constant volatility and people are therefore bound to feel anxious and call out for help.

The last time the Suicide Prevention Hotline was swamped by calls was in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. On November 9, and immediately after, anxiety driven callers dialed the NSPL to discuss the election, the results, and their life. Those that found the hotline jammed turned to relatives, friends and party-supporters for strength and counseling. Like Gary Henderson from New York who was stunned by the election of Donald Trump as President Elect. I was feeling numb, sick and wanted to cry but the tears were just not there, he recalls. A friend who had sought help from Crisis Text Line, which connects texters with crisis counselors stepped in to help talking future and hope with Henderson.

Reports on the Text Line volume indicate that the crisis line, founded 2013, which normally receives 1,000 texts saw numbers double in 24 hours. In 48 hours, the first-time Text Line has had to deal with crises related to politics, the numbers reached a shocking 4,000. Michelle Wighins, an aspiring doctor, from Utah felt vulnerable as she reached out to discuss the anti-LGBT views held by President Elect Trump and Vice President Elect Pence. She has been meditating to stay calm. In New York, Gary hit the gym to let off steam. The 2016 US Presidential Election has stirred pre-existing worries, vulnerabilities, feelings of loss and anger.

From health care, to LGBT rights, immigration reform to targeting Muslims, the callers addressed concern and fear about how President Elect Trump will govern in these critical areas. Hence, besides an empathetic ear callers receive lessons in Positive Psychiatry. According to Dr. Bindu Focusing on skills of flexibility, optimism, resilience is crucial at such times. Given the fact that people are reacting from emotional reasoning and not logical reasoning receiving crisis counseling helps people feel reassured. That said, people can be proactive and participate in activities that make them feel better be it meditation, introspection, work, or even just having a conversation. Given the group hugs and water-cooler conversations doing the rounds, it appears, Americans battling the off-the-cliff feelings post Mr. Trumps victory are doing just that, and more.



Shocked and in despair, Americans jammed the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (NSPL) as results from the US Presidential Election trickled in November 9, 2016. Clinically speaking, it was citizens expressing their fears and disappointment, explains psychiatrist Dr. Bindu Shanmugham, Medical Director, Veteran Administration Healthcare System, in California. Her observations are confirmed by information released by Paul Draper, Director, NSPL, highlighting that between 1am-2am the national network fielded 660 calls nearly thrice the normal call volume. 72 hours later, the calls declined somewhat. Much like the outcome, this too was unprecedented in the history of suicide prevention programmes. Since the first 72 hours of crises intervention by NSPL, the burden to provide service has to other help lines that have witnessed a similar increase in call volume. The Trevor Project for the LGBT community and Text Line lead the group. A direct link between the outcome of the 2016 US Election and the anxious state in which Americans were flocking to NSPL was evident to most people. Harvard doctoral graduate in Public Health, Dr. Priyaa R.S. saw the signs as soon as early voting commenced. As a public health scientist I observed election increased stress among people even before the Election Day, recalls Dr. Priyaa, presently Director of Research & Clinical Assistant Professor- Goldman School, Boston University. Her colleague sent in her vote through early ballot instead of waiting until November 9 unable to handle the stress of waiting until polling day. She adds: Post-election stress stems from a state of constant volatility and people are therefore bound to feel anxious and call out for help. The last time the Suicide Prevention Hotline was swamped by calls was in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. On November 9, and immediately after, anxiety driven callers dialed the NSPL to discuss the election, the results, and their life. Those that found the hotline jammed turned to relatives, friends and party-supporters for strength and counseling. Like Gary Henderson from New York who was stunned by the election of Donald Trump as President Elect. I was feeling numb, sick and wanted to cry but the tears were just not there, he recalls. A friend who had sought help from Crisis Text Line, which connects texters with crisis counselors stepped in to help talking future and hope with Henderson. Reports on the Text Line volume indicate that the crisis line, founded 2013, which normally receives 1,000 texts saw numbers double in 24 hours. In 48 hours, the first-time Text Line has had to deal with crises related to politics, the numbers reached a shocking 4,000. Michelle Wighins, an aspiring doctor, from Utah felt vulnerable as she reached out to discuss the anti-LGBT views held by President Elect Trump and Vice President Elect Pence. She has been meditating to stay calm. In New York, Gary hit the gym to let off steam. The 2016 US Presidential Election has stirred pre-existing worries, vulnerabilities, feelings of loss and anger. From health care, to LGBT rights, immigration reform to targeting Muslims, the callers addressed concern and fear about how President Elect Trump will govern in these critical areas. Hence, besides an empathetic ear callers receive lessons in Positive Psychiatry. According to Dr. Bindu Focusing on skills of flexibility, optimism, resilience is crucial at such times. Given the fact that people are reacting from emotional reasoning and not logical reasoning receiving crisis counseling helps people feel reassured. That said, people can be proactive and participate in activities that make them feel better be it meditation, introspection, work, or even just having a conversation. Given the group hugs and water-cooler conversations doing the rounds, it appears, Americans battling the off-the-cliff feelings post Mr. Trumps victory are doing just that, and more.
P K Balachandran By

Express News Service

COLOMBO: Soon after the July 1983 anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka and the influx of Tamil refugees into Tamil Nadu, the training of Tamil militants began in Tamil Nadu with the knowledge and patronage of the Tamil Nadu government. Indias national intelligence agencies started their training program only in 1984, when New Delhi felt that Tamil Nadus initiative in the matter might not be in the overall Indian interest, says Air Marshal (Rtd) Bharat Kumar in his book Operation Pawan: Role of Airpower with IPKF.

The training of Tamil rebels had commenced in Tamil Nadu with full knowledge and in some cases, under the patronage of the state government. New Delhis suggestion to rein in these Tamil groups were not acceptable to Tamil Nadu leaders. Since the Central government could not afford Tamil Nadu invading Sri Lanka, various Indian intelligence agencies also got into the act from 1984 onward. It was better that the Indian state got involved in Sri Lanka rather than the Tamil Nadu government because of obvious repercussions, Bharat Kumar says.

Unlike Tamil Nadu leaders M.G.Ramachandran and M.Karunanidhi, Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were not for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka. They saw the arming of the Tamil militants as an instrument to pressurize the Sri Lankan government to find a permanent solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil problem.

This is why, even as the training of Sri Lankan Tamil militants was going on India in 1984, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi sent, in December that year, an undisclosed number of Indian warships to patrol the Palk Strait.

Quoting Edgar OBallance, The Cyanide war: Tamil Insurrection in Sri Lanka 1977-88, Bharat Kumar says: He (Rajiv Gandhi) also decided to reduce the flow of arms from Tamil Nadu to Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka. And on 29 March 1985, the Indian Coast Guard began selectively stopping and searching craft suspected of ferrying weapons across the Palk Strait.

However, despite these steps, by early 1987, there were fears of the LTTE becoming too strong. India launched Operation Tiger in November 1986 to disarm LTTE cadres in India and to take over their communication equipment .This action took place just before the SAARC summit in Bangalore. But to generate goodwill before the summit, where Rajiv Gandhi wanted LTTE chief Prabhakaran and Sri Lankan President J.R.Jayewardene (JR) to meet and thrash out issues, the seized equipment were released.

When the JR-Prabhakaran talks broke down with JR saying a firm no to the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province, and Prabhakaran sticking firmly to his demand for an independent Eelam, Rajiv Gandhi developed an aversion for Prabhakarans intransigence, and became more favorably inclined to Jayewardenes views.

By 1986, the LTTE had established its dominance in the Northern peninsula, subjugating the rival Tamil militant groups and at the same time defending the peninsula against the Sri Lankan forces. The situation worsened in January 1987 when the Tigers announced a plan to establish a separate administration in Jaffna and the Sri Lankan government immediately imposed an embargo on food and fuel supplies to the North creating near famine conditions.

New Delhis response to the developing situation was to draw up contingencies plans based on various scenarios, some of them bizarre. The worst case scenario, according to Brig (later General ) V.P.Malik, was Colombo inviting countries inimical to India to render military assistance and forcing India to carry out an opposed landing and intervention. Eventually, political efforts resulted in President Jayewardene agreeing to sign the India-Sri Lanka Accord in July 1987 and accept an Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to ensure the implementation of the Accord.

COLOMBO: Soon after the July 1983 anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka and the influx of Tamil refugees into Tamil Nadu, the training of Tamil militants began in Tamil Nadu with the knowledge and patronage of the Tamil Nadu government. Indias national intelligence agencies started their training program only in 1984, when New Delhi felt that Tamil Nadus initiative in the matter might not be in the overall Indian interest, says Air Marshal (Rtd) Bharat Kumar in his book Operation Pawan: Role of Airpower with IPKF. The training of Tamil rebels had commenced in Tamil Nadu with full knowledge and in some cases, under the patronage of the state government. New Delhis suggestion to rein in these Tamil groups were not acceptable to Tamil Nadu leaders. Since the Central government could not afford Tamil Nadu invading Sri Lanka, various Indian intelligence agencies also got into the act from 1984 onward. It was better that the Indian state got involved in Sri Lanka rather than the Tamil Nadu government because of obvious repercussions, Bharat Kumar says. Unlike Tamil Nadu leaders M.G.Ramachandran and M.Karunanidhi, Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were not for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka. They saw the arming of the Tamil militants as an instrument to pressurize the Sri Lankan government to find a permanent solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil problem. This is why, even as the training of Sri Lankan Tamil militants was going on India in 1984, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi sent, in December that year, an undisclosed number of Indian warships to patrol the Palk Strait. Quoting Edgar OBallance, The Cyanide war: Tamil Insurrection in Sri Lanka 1977-88, Bharat Kumar says: He (Rajiv Gandhi) also decided to reduce the flow of arms from Tamil Nadu to Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka. And on 29 March 1985, the Indian Coast Guard began selectively stopping and searching craft suspected of ferrying weapons across the Palk Strait. However, despite these steps, by early 1987, there were fears of the LTTE becoming too strong. India launched Operation Tiger in November 1986 to disarm LTTE cadres in India and to take over their communication equipment .This action took place just before the SAARC summit in Bangalore. But to generate goodwill before the summit, where Rajiv Gandhi wanted LTTE chief Prabhakaran and Sri Lankan President J.R.Jayewardene (JR) to meet and thrash out issues, the seized equipment were released. When the JR-Prabhakaran talks broke down with JR saying a firm no to the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province, and Prabhakaran sticking firmly to his demand for an independent Eelam, Rajiv Gandhi developed an aversion for Prabhakarans intransigence, and became more favorably inclined to Jayewardenes views. By 1986, the LTTE had established its dominance in the Northern peninsula, subjugating the rival Tamil militant groups and at the same time defending the peninsula against the Sri Lankan forces. The situation worsened in January 1987 when the Tigers announced a plan to establish a separate administration in Jaffna and the Sri Lankan government immediately imposed an embargo on food and fuel supplies to the North creating near famine conditions. New Delhis response to the developing situation was to draw up contingencies plans based on various scenarios, some of them bizarre. The worst case scenario, according to Brig (later General ) V.P.Malik, was Colombo inviting countries inimical to India to render military assistance and forcing India to carry out an opposed landing and intervention. Eventually, political efforts resulted in President Jayewardene agreeing to sign the India-Sri Lanka Accord in July 1987 and accept an Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to ensure the implementation of the Accord.
By Associated Press

KARACHI, Pakistan  In Karachi's largest mortuary, the body of an infant not more than nine months old sits waiting to be claimed.

He was the youngest victim of a suicide attack at a shrine in southwest Pakistan Saturday that killed 52 people. Mortuary worker Latafatullah Hassan said he fears the infant's parents were also among the dead.

The mortuary is cold. The child's body is uncovered. He looks as if he could be sleeping, with no visible wounds from the suicide bombing of a crowded Sufi shrine in the midst of a crowded religious celebration.

The Islamic State group's local affiliate, calling itself the Khorasan Province, claimed responsibility  saying that a suicide bomber had attacked "Shiites" at the Shah Noorani shrine in the remote Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province. The bomber struck amid diverse crowds full of women and children during the traditional Sufi dhammal dance. The shrine is frequented by both Pakistan's majority Sunni and minority Shiite Muslims.

Gulam Rasool arrived frantically at the mortuary, waving the identity card of his cousin  an elderly looking man with a long white beard. "I've been everywhere, to every hospital but I can't find him. They told me to come here."

An ambulance with a body inside screamed to the gate. Rasool shoved past people to reach the vehicle. But it wasn't his cousin.

Inside the ambulance was the corpse of 16-year-old Bilal, accompanied by his father, Sabir. The older man's brown shalwar kameez was soaked with sweat and tears covered his cheeks. Sabir, who didn't give his family name, said his only son had been on his first-ever visit to the shrine with a group of friends. Now he was bringing his body to be washed and wrapped in a white shroud in keeping with Islamic burial custom.

Senior police official Azad Khan said the area around the shrine is a known hotbed for sectarian militants. It is the home turf of Shafique Mengal, who was once a leader in the virulently anti-Shiite Muslim group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Two years ago Mengal declared allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Khan said that Mengal and his followers have found safe havens across the border in Afghanistan. He also said that both local and foreign militants, including Uzbek nationals, have begun carrying out attacks on behalf of IS.

In Karachi, paramilitary rangers and police have raided dozens of madrassas, or Islamic religious schools, in recent days in search of militants aligned with militant sectarian groups. Meanwhile the frequent Sunni militant attacks on Shiites, who make up about 25 percent of Pakistan's 180 million people, have resulted in retaliatory attacks on Sunnis from a Shiite militant group known as the TNFJ.

Dr. Abdiul Qadir Siddiqui, chief of Karachi's trauma center, said the majority of the injuries were caused by ball-bearings that peppered the bodies of worshippers when the suicide bomber detonated his explosive device. Authorities say 108 people were hurt.

Seventeen-year-old Sameer had gone to the shrine along with his friends. One friend died at the scene and Sameer was in the trauma unit unable to move his broken legs.

"I remember a loud noise and people everywhere were dying. I saw legs and arms and I dragged myself away, hoping for help," he said.

Maj. Gen. Sher Afghan, of the Frontier Corps in Baluchistan, said the bomber had strapped about six kilograms of explosives to his body. The explosive device was packed with ball-bearings and nine-millimeter bullets, he said.

At the mortuary, grieving family members discussed the IS claim of responsibility.

Mohammed Aslam questioned the claim as he searched for his 15-year-old daughter Fatima.

"How can a Muslim ever say that he did something like this. He is not a Muslim," said Aslam.

Ambulances carrying more bodies continued to arrive. One worker, Mir Hasan, could barely keep his red eyes open as he carried another body on a stretcher into the ice-cold room to wait to be claimed.

KARACHI, Pakistan  In Karachi's largest mortuary, the body of an infant not more than nine months old sits waiting to be claimed. He was the youngest victim of a suicide attack at a shrine in southwest Pakistan Saturday that killed 52 people. Mortuary worker Latafatullah Hassan said he fears the infant's parents were also among the dead. The mortuary is cold. The child's body is uncovered. He looks as if he could be sleeping, with no visible wounds from the suicide bombing of a crowded Sufi shrine in the midst of a crowded religious celebration. The Islamic State group's local affiliate, calling itself the Khorasan Province, claimed responsibility  saying that a suicide bomber had attacked "Shiites" at the Shah Noorani shrine in the remote Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province. The bomber struck amid diverse crowds full of women and children during the traditional Sufi dhammal dance. The shrine is frequented by both Pakistan's majority Sunni and minority Shiite Muslims. Gulam Rasool arrived frantically at the mortuary, waving the identity card of his cousin  an elderly looking man with a long white beard. "I've been everywhere, to every hospital but I can't find him. They told me to come here." An ambulance with a body inside screamed to the gate. Rasool shoved past people to reach the vehicle. But it wasn't his cousin. Inside the ambulance was the corpse of 16-year-old Bilal, accompanied by his father, Sabir. The older man's brown shalwar kameez was soaked with sweat and tears covered his cheeks. Sabir, who didn't give his family name, said his only son had been on his first-ever visit to the shrine with a group of friends. Now he was bringing his body to be washed and wrapped in a white shroud in keeping with Islamic burial custom. Senior police official Azad Khan said the area around the shrine is a known hotbed for sectarian militants. It is the home turf of Shafique Mengal, who was once a leader in the virulently anti-Shiite Muslim group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Two years ago Mengal declared allegiance to the Islamic State group. Khan said that Mengal and his followers have found safe havens across the border in Afghanistan. He also said that both local and foreign militants, including Uzbek nationals, have begun carrying out attacks on behalf of IS. In Karachi, paramilitary rangers and police have raided dozens of madrassas, or Islamic religious schools, in recent days in search of militants aligned with militant sectarian groups. Meanwhile the frequent Sunni militant attacks on Shiites, who make up about 25 percent of Pakistan's 180 million people, have resulted in retaliatory attacks on Sunnis from a Shiite militant group known as the TNFJ. Dr. Abdiul Qadir Siddiqui, chief of Karachi's trauma center, said the majority of the injuries were caused by ball-bearings that peppered the bodies of worshippers when the suicide bomber detonated his explosive device. Authorities say 108 people were hurt. Seventeen-year-old Sameer had gone to the shrine along with his friends. One friend died at the scene and Sameer was in the trauma unit unable to move his broken legs. "I remember a loud noise and people everywhere were dying. I saw legs and arms and I dragged myself away, hoping for help," he said. Maj. Gen. Sher Afghan, of the Frontier Corps in Baluchistan, said the bomber had strapped about six kilograms of explosives to his body. The explosive device was packed with ball-bearings and nine-millimeter bullets, he said. At the mortuary, grieving family members discussed the IS claim of responsibility. Mohammed Aslam questioned the claim as he searched for his 15-year-old daughter Fatima. "How can a Muslim ever say that he did something like this. He is not a Muslim," said Aslam. Ambulances carrying more bodies continued to arrive. One worker, Mir Hasan, could barely keep his red eyes open as he carried another body on a stretcher into the ice-cold room to wait to be claimed.
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New Delhi: Concerned over circulation of fake currency in the country, Finance Ministry on Saturday asked the Reserve Bank to set up a special cell to monitor such notes.



RBI has been advised by Ministry of Finance to set up a Special Cell to monitor the receipt of fake currency notes and inform such instances to the law enforcement and investigative agencies, Finance Ministry said in a statement.



The central bank has been asked to inform such matters to Economic Offences Wing of the State Police,



Intelligence/Enforcement Agencies of the Central Government and also to the Ministry of Finance, it said.



"One of the primary objectives of cancellation of legal tender character of old series of Rs 500/- and Rs 1000/- notes was to check the menace of terror financing through counterfeit currency notes," it said.



The receipt of counterfeits/fake currency notes in Banks and Post Offices are, therefore, being monitored very closely, it said,adding a special watch is being kept on receipt of such fake notes in the States bordering our neighbouring countries.



"The Law Enforcement Agencies have also been advised to maintain close vigil over possible movement of fake currencies and take prompt action as and when such cases are detected by them as well as by RBI and Banks," it said.










New Delhi: Welcoming India's decision to withdraw high-value banknotes as part of its fight to root out black money, the European Union has said ridding the financial system of "black component" and bringing transparency will strengthen Indian economy and spur growth.



Calling India one of the most attractive investment destinations globally, Vice-President of European Commission Jyrki Katainen also complimented the government for its resolve to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) soon, besides many other reform measures.



On a visit here to push for resumption of stalled negotiations on EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), he said fight against tax dodgers and those having ill-gotten wealth will pay dividends and strengthen the financial system.



"All the measures which will reduce black economy are always good for people and the financial system," he told PTI on government's decision to withdraw Rs 500 and 1,000 notes.



Referring to GST, he said it is a "very ambitious" and "very necessary" move to reform the tax structure in India that will further boost confidence of investors in India.



The top EU official said investors from European countries are bringing "white clean money" to India and there was a need to resume the talks on BTIA, popularly known as free trade agreement.



EU is one of India's leading trade partner and the two-way commerce in goods between India and the EU was USD 98.5 billion in 2014-15.



Katainen said flow of European investments into India is set to increase manifold if both sides were able to finalise the BTIA as it will protect the investments.



"EU investors are bringing white clean money into India and that is why the trade deal is very important as it will protect their investments," he said.



Katainen said India's existing trade and investment agreement with The Netherlands will come to an end in two weeks while similar pacts with several other EU countries will expire in coming months which will make it difficult for the European corporates to go for fresh investment in India.



He said without such pacts, the cost of capital for India will go up significantly.



As per European Union law, no member country now can go for bilateral trade and investment pact with India as the grouping is in negotiations for a EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). By end of 2017, India's trade and investment pact with 23 countries is likely to expire.


Mumbai: The Reserve Bank on Sunday said enough cash is available at banks and people need not be anxious and make repeated trips to branches and ATMs to hoard money.



"The Reserve Bank assures members of the public that enough cash in small denominations is also available at the Reserve Bank and banks.



"The Reserve Bank urges that public need not be anxious; need not come over to banks repeatedly to draw and hoard; Cash is available when they need it," the central bank said in a statement.



There was little respite for cash-starved people queuing up outside banks and ATMs on Sunday, with branches witnessing unprecedented rush since early morning.



Due to bank closure on Monday in some parts of the country, distressed people are thronging branches since most of the ATMs are out of cash.



Much to people's dismay, only 60 per cent of ATMs got valid currency feed five days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced surprise demonetisation of two higher value currency notes.



Even these 1.2 lakh ATMs (out of total 2 lakh) are running out of cash in few hours, leaving people frustrated.
The entire focus is on banking crisis and essential services in urban areas. No one is bothered about the crisis that farmers and the rural economy has been pushed into, says Professor Sudhir Panwar of Lucknow University, who is also a member of the State Planning Commission.

We were hoping for a bumper harvest of Rabi crop after the good monsoon this season. But the situation is bad now. I am unable to sell my kharif crop. Even if I had sold it, how would I buy seeds and fertilisers and pay for labour with worthless Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 notes, asks Ahamad.

Md Shamim Israel is a well-to-do farmer from the soil-rich district of Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh. But now he finds himself in the middle of crisis. Like lakhs of other farmers across the state, Israel has not been able to buy seeds and fertilisers, or pay for labour as he finds himself running out of ready, legal cash.As the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes threatens the sowing of wheat and pulses in the Rabi season, many have started complaining against the move, questioning why the farming sector was not kept in mind.Old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, they say, should be allowed for the purchase of seeds and fertilisers.Sowing season has just started. Its a narrow window of 20 days in which farmers have to complete ploughing and sowing. With the cash crunch and the seeds and fertiliser vendors not accepting old notes, sowing has come to a standstill, he says.Anurag Yadav, a farmer and social activist, says a farmer needs at least Rs 8,000 to tend to one bigha or approximately 27,000 square feet land. This covers the cost of ploughing, labour and purchase of seeds and fertilisers. The farmer would need around 30kg Urea and 25kg of seeds. So even a farmer with only a few bighas would need Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 in the sowing season, says Yadav.Parwez Ahamad, a famer with around 40 bighas in Nasirganj village of Sarawasti district, is in bigger trouble. The rice crop he cut is still lying in the field as local rice mill owners dont have enough cash to pay and pick up the produce.Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, which goes to the polls early next year, accounts for 20% of the states GDP and 50% of the states population is dependent on the rural economy.Prashant Trivedi, assistant professor at Lucknow-based Giri Institute of Social Studies says, In UP, around 85 percent farmers are either poor or marginalised. Economy in the rural sector is still not that engaged in banking. Hence, demonetisation is bound to have an adverse effect there.He, too, thinks the government should allow the use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for the procurement of seeds and fertilisers. It's the need of the hour. Seems as though policy makers didn't keep the farming sector in mind while planning the move.Scarcity of bank branches in rural areas has compounded the problem. The existing branches are awaiting the arrival of new notes.A visit to Kumhrawan village 30km from Lucknow shows the extent of the problem. The village has just two banks to cater to people living in the 10-km radius.Most people standing in the queue are farmers, desperate for cash to go about their daily life.
New Delhi: There was no let up on Sunday in the political slugfest over the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes nor did the huge crowds outside banks and ATMs across the country show any signs of abating.

PM Narendra Modi made an emotional appeal to the public to bear with the move for 50 days, or till December 30  the last day to exchange old currency notes for new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes.

I know the forces up against me. They may not let me live. They may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared, he said in Goa, breaking down during the speech.

Soon after, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee moved to mobilise the Opposition against the move and spoke to CPM leader Sitaram Yechury and RJD leader Lalu Prasad on the issue. Her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal reiterated

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New Delhi: India and Bhutan on Saturday signed the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit that aims to enhance trade between the two countries through trade facilitation, cutting down documentation and adding additional exit/entry points for Bhutan's trade with other countries.



Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Minister for Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan, Tengye Lyonpo Lekey Dorji signed the Agreement, Commerce Ministry said.



"The new bilateral Trade Agreement aims to enhance trade between the two countries through trade facilitation by improving procedures, cutting down on documentation and adding additional exit/entry points for Bhutan s trade with other countries," it added.



It is also expected to further strengthen the excellent relations between the two countries, it said.



The first Agreement on Trade and Commerce between Bhutan and India was signed in 1972. Since then, the Agreement has been renewed four times.



The last Agreement was renewed on July 28, 2006 and was valid till July 29, 2016. The validity of the Agreement was extended for a period of one year or till the date of coming into force of the new Agreement, whichever is earlier, by exchange of diplomatic notes between the two countries.
New Rs 500 notes issued, visuals from a bank in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/biWBCzjQYA  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Delhi: New Rs 500 notes issued (Visuals from SBI branch,Parliament street) pic.twitter.com/SsYxKJu0BR  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

A section of the country got some immediate relief from the cash crunch triggered by the governments demonetization move as the new series of Rs 500 notes were introduced in Delhi and Bhopal on Sunday.Sources in the Finance Ministry told CNN-News18 that Mumbai too would get the new Rs 500 notes on Sunday.Some State Bank of India ATMs that have been recalibrated may also start dispensing the new Rs 500 banknotes, sources said.With queues outside banks and ATMs showing no signs of abating, officials from the Prime Ministers Office and the Finance Ministry were scheduled to hold a meeting at 3:30pm. PM Narendra Modi was also said to review to the situation in the evening.Earlier in the day, Modi asked Indians to put up with the inconvenience of demonetization for 50 days, or until December 30. His speech came a day after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it would take 21 days more to recalibrate all two lakh ATMs in the country.PM Modi in a televised announcement on November 8 said Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would cease to be legal tender and new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes would be introduced.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home on Saturday night after concluding his three-day visit to Japan during which the two countries signed a landmark civil nuclear deal and nine other agreements in various fields.



"Sayonara Japan! An important friendship stands strengthened as PM @narendramodi enplanes from Osaka for the journey back to Delhi," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had tweeted on departure.



Before his departure, Modi addressed a luncheon gathering of business leaders in Kobe, a city on Osaka Bay.



He also travelled in Japan's famed high-speed Shinkansen bullet train, which is being introduced in India on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad stretch, with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.



During the visit, India and Japan signed 10 pacts covering a range of areas such as boosting Japanese investment in infrastructure, railways, and for cooperation in space and agriculture, as part of agreements to bolster bilateral ties.



Shedding its reservations, Japan yesterday made an exception to sign a landmark civil nuclear deal with India, opening the door for export of its atomic technology and reactors, after adding features like safety and security keeping in mind its sensitivities on the issue.



The nuclear deal, described as historic by Prime Minister Modi, was part of the ten agreements signed between the two countries.



Modi and Abe held wide-ranging talks which covered aspects like trade and investment, security, terrorism, cooperation in skill development, aerospace and people-to-people contacts.



While on his way to Japan, the Prime Minister had made a brief stopover in Thailand to pay respects to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died last month after a protracted illness.


Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Sunday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the two stuntmen who drowned last week near here during filming of an action sequence for a Kannada film.



Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Anil and Uday, CMO officials said.



The incident occurred on November 7 whenAnil and Uday, along with popular actor Duniya Vijay, were performing a stunt to shoot the climax of "Maastigudi" for which they had to jump from a helicopter into a reservoir, but it went awry.



Their bodies were subsequently fished out after an intense search operation that went on for a couple of days involving the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Fire department, locals and scuba drivers.



Meanwhile, stunt master Ravi Verma, Director Nagashekar and Assistant Director Subbu yesterday surrendered before the police and were remanded in judicial custody, while producer Sundar P Gowda was already under police arrest.



The film unit has been hit by allegations that it did not take even elementary safety measures, made worse by the rescue boat that remained immobile facing a technical glitch.



Also the stuntmen reportedly did not have the requisite swimming skills.
Chennai: In her first direct communication since being hospitalised in September, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday said she has taken "rebirth" because of people's prayers and urged them to vote for the AIADMK in the November 19 polls.



"I have taken rebirth because of your prayers and worship. I would like to share this happy news with you in the first place," she said in a statement released by AIADMK here.



Stating that she does not have any grievances in view of people's "great love" for her, she said, "by God's grace, very soon, by recovering fully, I am waiting to resume work."



Exhorting party workers, she asked them to work in full swing for the victory of AIADMK in the November 19 polls for Aravakkurichi, Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope Assembly segment in Puducherry.



Though she could not directly meet cadres and functionaries working in these constituencies and the general public, "my heart and thoughts are with you always," she told them.



Without elaborating much, she asked party workers to "understand the nature of this statement and work with a sense of duty for making MGR's winning symbol two leaves bag a huge victory."



She said cadres should work for the victory of AIADMK nominees by a huge margin of votes.



"Work with vigour and a passion for the goal, which is AIADMK's victory.



Jayalalithaa said the cadres should consider the party's victory as a victory for each one of them.



Quoting a lyric from an MGR era song, she said "AIADMK's victory should resound in all the directions. I am eagerly waiting for news of such victory."



To voters, she recalled the slew of welfare schemes being implemented by her regime and urged them to "give your love and support to AIADMK in the present polls as well, remembering such innumerable schemes to enhance the people's standard of living."



The Chief Minister, who has been in hospital since September 22, said she has been slogging for the growth of the people of Tamil Nadu and her party from day one of her public life on the advice of her mentor and AIADMK founder chief M G Ramachandran.



The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others.



Specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated her during the period.
With each passing day, people seem to be resorting to extreme measures to get their hands on new currency notes.A woman waiting in line at an ATM in Mayur Vihar Phase 3 in New Delhi took off her shirt to protest against the shortage triggered by the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes , leaving bystanders stunned.The woman was taken to Ghazipur Police Station after women personnel who were called to the scene made her cover up.The womans dare seemed to have paid off as, after brief questioning, she was taken to an ATM nearby where she was able to withdraw cash.News18 India reported that police gave conflicting versions of the event.Police at the Ghazipur police station first claimed the person involved in the incident is a transgender and then later said the incident happened within the limits of the New Ashok Nagar police station. The SHO there said he was not aware of the incident.Crowds outside banks and ATMs across India showed no signs of abating on Sunday as people line up to exchange demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for new ones.
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan believes that all parents should support their children to achieve their dreams instead of pressurising to follow a path against their will.



Citing his upcoming film Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, which is based on father-daughter relationship and a father preparing his daughters to achieve his unfulfilled dreams, Aamir said: "I do not believe in such things. As a father, I always support my kids to do whatever they wish to do. I believe that parents should support their kids to achieve their dreams rather than decide it for them. However, the film is not based on my life!"



"Though in the beginning children go through an indecisive phase, instead of pressurising them to pursue their unfulfilled dreams, parents should help them to find a way to decide a career path. I was quite rebellious when I decided to become an actor," he said at event to launch a song of "Dangal".



Aamir, a father of three children, said that he encourages the individuality of his kids and is not very strict with them.



The film, which celebrates the gender equality through a sport like wrestling, is adding the colour to the changing scenario of the society as well as the film industry, he said.



"It is a great change of perception and celebration of gender equality. This year two women won Olympic medals for our country and made us proud! Personally, neither I look at girls and boys differently nor I have grown up seeing such difference in our household. Both my sisters were treated with equality while growing up," said Aamir



Aamir and Tiwari, who both made children-based films earlier - "Taare Zameen Par" and "Bhoothnath Returns" respectively - said that in Bollywood, children's film is an unexplored genre that needs encouragement.



"I would be more than happy to see that more filmmakers are doing children's films. The kinds of films kids are watching are not appropriate for them. Since they do not have many options, they are watching them. I wish people were making more family films like 'Dangal'," said Aamir.



The first song of 'Dangal' titled "Hanikaarak Baapu" composed by Pritam was released on Saturday. The film will hit the theatre on December 23.


Mumbai: Actor Aamir Khan has supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. He says the country's interest comes before anything including the release of his film Dangal.



Asked if the decision might impact Dangal release, Aamir said: "It is more important to agree with what is good for nation. We should not see it's short term impact. What is necessary for the country needs to be done. If my film is getting affected, it is a small thing."



Aamir expressed his views about the move at the song launch of the film here on Saturday.



Nitesh Tiwari's film sees Aamir portraying the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who taught wrestling to his daughters Babita Kumari and Geeta Phogat. Geeta was India's first female wrestler to win at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where she clinched the gold medal while Babita won the silver.



Aamir plays both the younger and older characters of Phogat in the film. "Dangal" is scheduled to release on December 23.



Tiwari also said that "it is bound to affect certain things and help certain things. We should see it's larger picture".



Talking about his film, Aamir said: "The central thought of the film is that a girl is no lesser than a boy. The message of the film is that we should not create a difference between girls and boys."




Patna: Breaking his silence on the Centre's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Sunday asked the Prime Minister whether every individual would get the 'promised' Rs 15 lakh each in their bank accounts after the completion of 50 days.



"Modiji, you are talking about limited inconvenience for 50 days. Will every individual get Rs 15 lakh each in his/her bank account after the completion of 50 days as promised by you," he said in a series of tweets.



"It would be considered as 'Fergical strike' and 'fake encounter' of people if they do not get Rs 15 lakhs in their accounts after doing all these exercises," the former Railway Minister said in an apparent reference to Modi's claim of bringing back black money stashed abroad and submit Rs 15 lakhs each in bank accounts of people during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.



The RJD chief's reaction came in response to the Central government's decision to demonetise the high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8 in order to wipe out and check black money, fake currency and corruption.



Prasad said that although he was opposed to black money, he found the lack of a visionary approach in implementation of the government's move.



"The government should have thought about people's convenience," he said.



Prasad asked the Modi government to explain the action being taken against "defaulters" who embezzled lakhs of crores from banks.



"Is it not a drama to protect such people (defaulters)," he asked.



Besides, Lalu said that people wanted to know from PM the list of capitalists, who owed outstanding loans to the banks and, also the stern measures taken by the government to realise dues from them.



Apart from inconveniences caused to common people by the government's decision, the former Union minister also wanted to know the loss of "man hours" and "production" due to people standing in long queues.



Raising a question mark on the government's decision to introduce Rs 2,000, Prasad said that if the government really wanted to wipe out corruption and black money, then why did it introduce such a currency note.



"People have doubts on this issue," he added.
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking him to stop treating every citizen like a "criminal" in the wake of the demonetization of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.



Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai, while lauding the government's intent on cracking down on black money, expressed concern over the manner in which each and every Indian was being viewed as a criminal.



"We are worried about the way each citizen has been viewed as a criminal by the government. The sudden declaration of the currency notes as illegal has rendered millions of people and households in chaos," Raut and Desai said in a letter to Jaitley released late on Saturday night.



The two urged the government not to "criminalise the citizens" and add to the woes of the commoners as they have had enough and said the government should have given the masses enough time and taken them into confidence since this was a democracy.



In view of the sufferings of the people, they sought extension of the time limit of the use of these cancelled currency notes for paying all types of utility bills and also healthcare, transport, at cremation/burial grounds, petrol stations and grocery stores till December 30.



"We hope the government will be sensitive to the woes of the people and not view them in the same lens as those who have black money in Swiss Bank accounts," said Raut, the Sena group leader, and Desai.



Two days ago, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray denounced the manner in which the people were being harassed and said demonetization would prove disastrous for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the elections.


Kolkata: The upcoming by-elections in West Bengal is all set to witness demonetisation as the main issue in the polls.



Bypolls are slated in two Lok Sabha seats - Cooch Behar constituency in Cooch Behar district and Tamluk in Purba Medinipur district and Monteswar assembly seat on November 19 and results will be announced on November 21.



The Cooch Behar bypoll was necessitated by the death of TMC MP Renuka Sinha. The bypoll to the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat was necessitated by TMC MP Suvendu Adhikari's resignation as MP to join the state cabinet as transport minister and the bypoll to Monteswar assembly seat was necessitated due to the death of TMC MLA Sajal Panja.



According to leaders of both the ruling TMC and opposition CPI (M), Congress and BJP, demonetisation all of a sudden has come up as major issue as the common man as well as political parties have been impacted by the Centre's decision.



"This anti-people decision of demonetisation has affected every citizen of this country. The common man is suffering.



Demonetisation has also impacted our campaign as we are unable to pay the decorators, sound organisers. In Tamluk, most of the rural areas still don't have proper banking facilities, what will the poor farmers do?" TMC MLA and party candidate from Tamluk seat Dibyendu Adhikari told PTI.



According CPI (M) and Congress leaders, demonetization has all of a sudden come up as an issue for the polls as they are receiving feedback that people are frustrated because of the new decision.



"We have been campaigning on the issue of communal tensions and poor governance of the state government. But, this demonetisation has become a prominent issue as both political parties and people are opposing it. There are instances that people can't avail healthcare or food because of this decision and the situation is much worse in rural areas," CPI (M) leader Sujan Chakraborty told PTI.



The Congress too echoed the views of CPI (M) and TMC.



BJP on the other hand said the elections will be a litmus test as the people will favour the BJP for taking such a bold step in unearthing black money.



"What TMC, Congress and CPI (M) are saying is not right. People of Bengal are happy with these decisions and will give hands down victory to our candidates. It will not only be a message in favour of demonetisation, but also against the anarchy and misrule of TMC," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said.












Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday inaugurated the state's largest solar power plant of 100 MW set up near here the Adani Group subsidiary Adani Green Energy Ltd at an investment of around Rs 640 crore.



Badal said the plant would prove to be a game changer not only for 232 farmers who have given their land on lease for the project but would also act as a catalyst for others to follow.



Badal said this is the country's biggest horizontal single axis tracker plant at a single location and would be instrumental in changing the face of the state.



The Deputy Chief Minister said the state is contemplating bringing approximately 25,000 acres under the solar power.



He said the state government has accomplished what it promised, as is clear from the allround progress the state has made.



Badal said in the next five years all 12,000 villages of the state would be provided with sewerage facilities, solar lights and concretised streets at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore.



He said the airport at Bathinda would be operationalised soon, providing a major relief to the people of the region.



Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress for being out of tune with the needs and aspirations of Punjab, he said no effort would be spared to ensure further progress of the state on all developmental parameters.



State'a New and Renewable Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the times are changing fast and the solar power is fast emerging as the core sector with ample scope for the future.



He said the farmers who have given their lands for the plant would get Rs 55,000 per acre per annum which would increase by five percent every year.



The solar power sector has attracted most investment in Punjab and it is evident from the fact that in 2012 the investment was Rs 82 crore which has today risen to Rs 10,000 crore, Majithia said.



The minister said Mansa, Bathinda and Muktsar are emerging as a hub of solar power.



The Adani Group said the 100 MW solar plant project at Sardargarh and Chughe Kalan villages has been commissioned almost six months ahead of schedule.



"We are moving closer to our aim of revolutionising the renewable energy sector in India," an official statement quoting Jayant Parimal, Chief Executive Officer of Renewable Energy Business of the Adani Group, said.



Apart from the 100 MW Solar Power Plant in Bhatinda, the company also has a 40 MW solar plant at Bitta in Gujarat and has recently unveiled a 648 MW solar power project at Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. It is the world's largest solar power plant at a single location.



The company has also signed a JV with the Rajasthan government to develop the country's largest solar park in the state with 10,000 MW capacity.


Karachi: At least 52 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 others injured on Sunday in a suicide bombing at a popular sufi shrine in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.



The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called "dhamaal" at Dargah Shah Noorani.



At least 52 people were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said.



Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.



"The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place," Bugti said.



Some local media reports put the death toll as high as 62.



The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform 'dhamaal'. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi. The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.



Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency.



"35 dead and 95 wounded Shiite visitors in...operation attack by the Islamic State fighter that targeted a shrine in a city in Balochistan," the agency said.



The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy. Colonel Junaid Kakar of the Frontier Corps also told the media that it appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.



"All evidences point to a suicide bombing," he said.



Rrescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area.



Women and children were among those killed in the blast.



"The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals," said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.



Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.



"It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site," he said.



He said the devotees take part in the 'dhamaal' everyday after sunset and the blast took place close to where they were dancing inside the compound of the shrine.



President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast and directed authorities to speed up the rescue activities.



This is the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August. In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta. Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.


London: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday warned Donald Trump that "going it alone" is not an option for Europe or America, amid concerns over the president-elect's position on the US-led military alliance.



In article in Britain's Observer newspaper, days after Trump's US election win, Secretary General Stoltenberg said, the West faced its greatest security challenge in a generation.



During his election campaign, Trump described Western military alliance NATO as obsolete.



He suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any NATO ally under attack if it had not paid its dues.



"We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation," Stoltenberg wrote while conceding that Trump had a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution, as the US currently accounted for almost 70 per cent of NATO spending.



But he added that American leaders had always recognized that they had a profound strategic interest in a stable and secure Europe.



"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden," the former Norwegian prime minister wrote.



"Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States. We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States."



The 9/11 attack on the US, Stoltenberg pointed out, was the only time that NATO had invoked its self-defence clause, which requires all members to come to the aid of one that is attacked.



"This was more than just a symbol. NATO went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since.



"And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States."


Washington: After being sworn in as US President, Donald Trump would convene a special session of the US Congress to "repeal and replace" Obamacare, the signature healthcare initiative of the outgoing US President Barack Obama, a close aide to the president-elect said on Sunday.



"He (Trump) has talked about convening a special session on January 20th after he is sworn in as President of the United States to do this very thing, to repeal and replace Obamacare," the Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway said.



Conway said that the House and Senate under Republican control has repealed Obamacare dozens of times, but they never had a Republican president to go the next step.



"Trump has made very clear what his healthcare plan would look like and it would not look like the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare," she told the Fox News in an interview.



"It would do what Obamacare doesn't do: let you buy health insurance across state lines the way you can buy auto insurance and other goods and services. It would block grant



Medicaid to the states. It would create health savings accounts to individuals, which is a very free market solution that works in the private sector in many places," she said.



Trump, she said, would also get rid of the Obamacare penalty practically on day one through his tax reform.

"So, what you see with Donald Trump is what you get, and I believe that's why the voters gave him this election and this mandate," she said.



In an interview to The Wall Street Journal, Trump had said that he would keep some provisions of the Obamacare.



This, he said, he decided after meeting Obama at the Oval Office on Thursday.



"I believe that Trump is being properly respectful to President Obama. But at the same time, this has been an incredibly important issue to millions of voters who have been disappointed in the ill effects of Obamacare. Their premiums have increased, their quality has gone down, it was a lie uttered dozens of times by the president and others that if you liked your plan you can keep your plan, if you like your

doctor you can keep your doctor," she said.



"And now with the Obamacare premium notices coming into your mailboxes in October, many Americans woke up and said, wait, now I have to make tough choices about every day affordability when it comes to paying the rent or mortgage, food, consumables and my health insurance," Conway noted.



"So, this is an issue that helped the Republicans win and keep the House and Senate in 2010 and 2014 in those off year elections, and in 2016, they went for a president who had



Obamacare repeal and replacement as a centerpiece of his messaging," she said.



Conway said by giving Republicans a majority in both the House and the Senate, voters have also said, stop hiding behind divided government.



"That excuse has been removed and I think you're going to see him take some significant action on Obamacare and on these other issues that he talked about like tax reform, defeating radical Islamic terrorism, certainly energy and infrastructure investments, educational opportunities," she said.



Conway said that Trump is off to a great start when he said in his victory speech by saying he represent all Americans, even those who did not support him.



Trump, he said, is willing to work with everyone who is willing to work with him.
Lahore: A pregnant woman set herself on fire and later died after she was raped in revenge by a man on the orders of a panchayat in Pakistan's Punjab province.



The woman passed away at a hospital in Lahore.



A panchayat in Gujarat city asked a man whose minor daughter was raped to rape the daughter of the assaulter in revenge for the crime, Geo News reported.



The woman was married and pregnant. In a statement she gave to the police from her death bed, the woman said she was raped on the orders of a panchayat.



Her husband refused to register a case against the perpetrators. "I don't want to register a case. Only Allah will give me justice," he said, according to the report.



Eleven members of the panchayat have been detained for interrogation, police said.






It was 11 a.m. Saturday when Sophie the cow took to the practice field at Brookville High School. On the grass, 342 three-foot squares were marked with white spray paint. Cow access only signs hung from the caution tape as a handful of spectators watched.

There was only one thing left for Sophie to do: Go number two.

The rules of the cow pie raffle were simple. Raffle tickets were sold for $5; each corresponded with a random three-foot square on the practice field. Then Sophie, who had been fed well, was released onto the field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wherever she decided to deposit a dropping, the owner of that square would win $500.

The Brookville High School Marching Band hosted the first ever Udder Insanity fundraiser Saturday to raise money for the band program.

I grew up in Oklahoma where people would do this all the time, Booster club president Barbara Rypkema said. With so many different groups trying to do fundraisers, we wanted to do something that was different.

Rypkema said they decided on the idea in August to replace the bands candy bar fundraiser in January. The hardest part was finding a cow that was up to the challenge.

Several farmers didnt want to do it because they didnt think their cows were friendly enough, Rypkema said.

Then they found Five Blessings Farm in Gladys, which offered Sophie for the event. She was escorted throughout the morning by band director and self-proclaimed hiney watcher Matthew Farley. Farleys job was to make sure Sophie stayed on the grid and to judge on which square the cow pie landed.

But, being a cow, Sophie constantly had the urge to wander off, even munching on a cow access sign instead of grass.

Its unique because no one does anything like this, Farley said of the fundraiser. Usually when you do a raffle, youre just pulling a number.

As the one who was to judge which square was the winner, Farley spent most of the morning keeping an eye on the cows backside, shovel in hand.

Band parents and students came to cheer Sophie on and encourage her to mark their square of choice.

The event raised $1,400 for the band program, Rypkema said.

Eighth-grader Emma Llewllyn said she sold 25 tickets and convincing people to participate wasnt a problem.

I asked people if they wanted to be involved in the strangest fundraiser ever, said Emma, 13. A lot of people were interested. Plus the cow is really cute.

Rypkema said the bands budget is $100,000. Though Campbell County Schools does provide some money for the program, Rypkema said they hold fundraisers throughout the year to ensure the band program has enough.

Our goal is to make sure any child who wants to participate in band can, she said.

For band students such as Emma, seeing people support them means the world.

I do it to be with my friends, she said. Ive learned so much from them and everyone involved.

Though Rypkema said they had an alternate way of finding the winner if no cow pie appeared by 2 p.m., Farley didnt have to use it. Sophie decided square No. 289 was the lucky spot. The winner, unfortunately, was not present and available for comment.
UPDATE:

Texas Roadhouse Manager Brian North said the restaraunt will reopen for business Sunday night but he could not provide a specific opening time.

PREVIOUSLY:

The Texas Roadhouse on Wards Road restaurant was closed after a grease fire disrupted dinner Saturday evening, fire officials said.

The Lynchburg Fire Department was dispatched to 3816 Wards Road at 5:16 p.m. Saturday for reports of a structure fire.

Lynchburg battalion chief Ricky Bomar said when crews arrived, heavy smoke could be seen from the kitchen side of the building. Bomar said the fire moved into the ventilation system but did not spread to the dining area.

Everyone in the restaurant was evacuated, and no one was injured, Bomar said.

Lynchburg police officers helped with traffic, closing the Wards Road entrance to restaurant and directing traffic through the Walmart parking lot next door.

Despite the caution tape across the door, some people still tried to make their way inside the restaurant as crews worked to clear the scene. Firefighters turned them away.

Bomar said the restaurant would be closed until the health department assesses the kitchens condition.
ITNAC: Aid containers for Haiti this week

Hector-Joseph was responding to an article in the Trinidad Guardian yesterday with the headline Corrupt officials, workers block ITNACs Haiti relief: Containers stuck on port.

ITNAC volunteer Deborah Dowlath spoke to a Guardian reporter (Friday) who asked about the containers of relief items shipped to hurricane-devastated Haiti. While Dowlath never explicitly spoke about corruption, her comments about her uncertainty over different clearance costs could be interpreted as suggesting corruption.

ITNAC would like to immediately clarify this miscommunication as we do not want citizens to think the aid is not reaching those in need and be deterred from donating to the cause, she said.

Hector-Joseph explained that in Haiti there is no normal fee as there is in Trinidad and the broker in Haiti determines his fee.

We therefore negotiated for the best fee based on the fact that these are relief goods and not for commercial use. Being responsible, we are waiting as the relief status of the goods is being assessed, she added.

She stressed that ITNAC has always enjoyed a good working relationship with all Haitian government agencies and officials and we are very appreciative our relationship with Guardian media in providing relief efforts to Haiti.

She continued: We thank everyone for their overwhelming support and we will share updates of our progress in Haiti via videos and photos on our Facebook page. After Haiti was hit by Hurricane Matthew on October 17, ITNAC dispatched three containers of supplies including food, clothing, medical supplies and toiletries. Hector-Joseph explained that the containers have remained on the port because they have to be checked.

They are more stringent with ascertaining that contents are indeed for relief purposes.

There is a process and we are almost to the end, she explained.

Hector-Joseph reported the broker informed ITNAC that the containers would be coming in early this week. She also reported that a fourth container arrived in Haiti about Thursday last week and a fifth will be sailing this Friday.

Last week, Haiti interim President Jocelerme Privert reported the country is facing a major food crisis and aid from the international community is falling short. He reported that 2.1 million people were affected by the hurricane and a large portion of the country was devastated by high winds. The Haitian government estimates 1.5 million people need immediate assistance, including more than 140,000 people who are living in temporary shelters.

Hector-Joseph reported that ITNAC currently has a five member team in Haiti and on the ground the need is great.

We will update people and keep them posted . We see it as a sacred trust . The delay has been because we are seeking to get the containers out at the lower fees. It is the best use of donor funds, she added.

Donations to the ITNAC Haiti relief efforts can be made at First Citizens Bank 1660410 or Republic Bank 510009446802.

For more information email itnac.

missions@gmail.com.
No One Has

Done This Before

in Billboard's History
(Newser)  A California high school teacher is on administrative leave after a parent complained about him drawing parallels between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. Frank Navarro, a recognized academic expert on the Holocaust at Mountain View High School, tells the Oracle student newspaper that he was not equating Trump with Hitler. But he said Hitler's persecution of Jews has "remarkable parallels" to Trump's views on Latinos, African-Americans, and Muslims, reports the San Jose Mercury News. "Im not pulling these facts out of my hat," Navarro says he told school officials. "Its based on experience and work, and if Im wrong, show me where Im wrong."

Mountain View/Los Altos High School District Superintendent Jeff Harding says the district is exercising extra caution in the charged post-election atmosphere. We are interested in getting Frank back in the classroom. ... We're just trying to maintain our due diligence." One student tells the school newspaper that he tried to offer a counter-argument in class, but Navarro told him to "shut up," a claim Navarro denies. The Los Angeles Times notes that Navarro was named a Mandel fellow for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and has taught at Mountain View for more than 40 years. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  In the struggling city of Newburgh, New York, residents beset by poverty, high crime, and boarded-up homes now have an entirely new worrythat their tap water may have exposed them to a chemical linked to cancer. State officials have launched an ambitious effort to offer blood tests to Newburgh's 28,000 residents after the chemical PFOSused for years in firefighting foam at the nearby military air basewas found in the city's drinking water reservoir at levels exceeding federal guidelines, reports AP. PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonate, has been linked to cancer, thyroid problems, and other health issues. Results of the testing, expected early next year, won't tell people whether they're actually at increased risk for any specific health problem, but will show how their exposure compares to others.

"The fact that I've been drinking that water for years, and my daughter's been drinking and bathing in it, that's shocking to me," says Stuart Sachs, an artist who moved here from Brooklyn 14 years ago. "My daughter is 11. What diseases is she going to have to look forward to? It's scary." In 2014, PFOS was detected in 175-acre Lake Washington, the city's drinking water supply, at a level 170 parts per trillion, well below the 400 ppt limit then recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. When the EPA set a new level of 70 ppt for short-term exposure in May 2016, the city declared an emergency and shifted to a new water source. Free blood tests are being offered through Nov. 19 to any resident who makes an appointment at one of seven clinics. (Read more tainted water stories.)
Jose Antonio, The Philippines business partner of Trump, was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Special Envoy to the US in matters of business ties days before the US Presidential Election. In that conclusion Asia and the rest of the world is looking forward to the next summit or the day that the "Trump of the East" will meet the "Duterte of the West."

A report stated that Southeast Asia has the biggest blow on Trumps Triumph on the Presidential bid. Duterte sees it differently as the Philippine President is firm in saying that the Philippines will have an independent foreign policy without America, said in The Sydney Morning Herald.

It is internationally positioned in the limelight of Duterte's wrangle with the United States in telling President Obama to "got to hell." This was in line when Dirty Rody was asked for his reaction if Obama will ask him about the Extra-Judicial Killing dubbed to his administration on "War Against Drugs."

After that interview, Obama refused to have a conventional talk with the President which stained the relationship between countries. There is a fortuitous angle that the Republican victory will change the way of tides.

Published on Share, Duterte in his trip to Malaysia congratulated Trump. He said in his native Filipino dialect that Trump and he are alike. They curse on small trivial stuff and the two of them both swearword a lot. Duterte also said that Trump might long live and he wants to stop quarreling with the United States.

Trump accused the Philippines as a "state of terrorist" during the election campaign. Days after the election, Trump said Duterte is a smart and a good man leading the country to better lives, said in Times.

The Trump-Duterte is one of the agenda that Asia and the world anticipate. It is expected to further enhance the relationship between the countries in matters of security and trade. The territorial tension in the South China Sea is still at stake despite the Alliance of the Philippines and China in the past month.
The US Presidential Election is not taken well by many Americans having the opinion that Donald Trump is unfit for office. There are 2.5 Million Americans, and the count continues petitioning the Electoral College to favor Hillary Clinton instead.

Recently on Yahoo News, as of November 11 in the afternoon, the participants of the Electoral College are admonished to vote the rival Democrat candidate Clinton. The petitioner reasoned that his impulsivity, utter lack of experience, and his admission to sexual assault are their basis making Trump unfit for the Office of the President.

Petition Asks Electoral College To Go With Popular Vote

The indirect democratic process in selecting both the President and Vice President of the country can result in the fairest democratic election. In most states, members of the Electoral College can vote against their party without legal obligation aside from paying a fine.

Based on the Petition on Change.org, The Electoral College Electors will convene on December 19 to cast their final vote in choosing the President. They have the capacity to vote for the popular winner in their respective States which makes Donald Trump the 45th President of the country.

On the concluded Federal Election, Clinton won the popular vote; it so happens that Trump won most of the Electoral College number making him the winner of the Presidential race. This is the main reason why the petition is raised to call on the electors not to follow who won in their States but instead vote for who Majority of America voted for.

According to data presented by CBC, Pittsburgh Clinton was able to obtain a lead of at least 280,000 compared to Trump. Trump got a total of 290 Electoral Votes compared to Clinton's 228. The requirement of becoming President is 270 Electoral College Votes.

The electors are considered "faithless electors" as it does not emphasize in the US Constitution of the requirement of their opinion on December 19. People will wait for that date if their petition is heard.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 0F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 0F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Our Heroes for Hunger this month are all those unsung individuals who help me ensure Calvary Food Pantry is a success.

Please note we made $3,000 last month in our Food Network Hunger Walk. A great effort on everyones part. Fundraising, as you all readily know, is never far from my mind. We hope to surpass that dollar amount next year! It was an amazing first effort.

Every month I try to inform individuals, in this historical town, what must be done to run a successful food pantry, in this time of need and of uncertainty for many of Auburns citizens. SNAP (food stamps) lasts, at best, two and half weeks. So many more people are relying on my partnerships with the Auburn churches who help me monthly and the Central New York Food Bank.

Of course, I can quote you the numbers we have served this past year: 78,315 meals to 5,253 individuals and 1,933 households. Over 1,800 of these who received food were children and 232 were senior citizens. Additionally, there are more than 200 families dependent on the pantry to supplement their meals when all else fails each month. These are not just numbers to us, they are precious people. Furthermore, I would not be able to help anyone without my RSVP volunteers who show up day after day and the 400 individuals and businesses that give constantly and consistently over the year. I have much to be grateful for this year. Our heroes this month are all those unsung heroes who help me ensure Calvary Food Pantry is a success every day, each month, each year. Thank you to all.

News from the pantry

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, so many churches and businesses help with our basket and turkey giveaway. In each basket is stuffing, potatoes, cranberry fruit, vegetables, beverages, rolls, desserts as pies and cakes, gravy and miscellaneous treats.

Save-A-Lot started our drive off early this year, offering bags to purchase for a brighter holiday at $5.99 a bag. Already, in a week, they have gathered 14 bags and are on their way to giving the turkey baskets another boost, as they did last year.

The Boy Scout food drive on the 12th always brings in food to help supplement our baskets.

The potato drop sponsored by First United Methodist church, a countywide drive, brought in 840 50-pound bags, totaling 42,000 pounds. We received 40 50-pound bags from them. The congregation is also collecting vegetables and stuffing for our Thanksgiving baskets.

The Turkey Trot with the First Presbyterian congregation is collecting turkeys from the community. A big truck will be outside the church, Sunday, Nov. 20, for anyone from the community who wishes to donate a turkey.

Community Computer is, additionally, collecting turkeys and items for the baskets.

Also, Westminster Presbyterian Church will be asking for monetary donations for the baskets. It has always been a success, year after year.

Seasonally, Woodman Insurance had a food drive, Make a Difference Day at Tops, that collected 148 items, many of which were toiletry items that cannot be charged on the SNAP (food stamps) program.

Again, thank you everyone for the great support received and a wonderful start to the holiday season.

Volunteer, donate or reciprocate in kind for giving back.
New Delhi:

Delhi Police on Saturday received nearly 4,500 calls till 6 PM as cash-strapped people standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs resorted to violence in Roop Nagar locality of the city.

We received over 4,000 calls today (Saturday). There were sporadic incidents of violence reported from the city but there were no reports of any grievous injury, said Sanjay Beniwal, Special Commissioner of Police (Operations).



Police said a case of stone pelting at IDBI bank in Roop Nagar was reported and one person was arrested.



At 12 noon, Imran (44), who had already withdrawn money from the bank once, tried to go inside again and was stopped by a security guard, they said.



He got into a scuffle with the guard and called six-seven other men who resorted to stone pelting, police said.

Imran is a resident of Malkaganj and was arrested from the spot, police said, adding they are scanning the CCTV footage from the bank to identify the other accused.

Also read | Currency exchange: Long queues, dry ATMs add to woes of people across country



No one was reported to be injured in stone pelting. The bank operations resumed after few hours, said a senior police official.



He said a case under sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) IPC has been registered against the accused.



According to police, most of the calls made to helpline were about people getting jostled in the queue and overcrowding in the banks.



There were dime a dozen rumours floating about incidents of violence even as Twitter added more fuel to fire, police sources said.A purported video from Metro Mall in Seelampur area of northeast Delhi went viral where people were plundering goods and police had to intervene.

Also read | Arun Jaitley regrets hardships to people post demonetisation; rejects criticism of political parties



Ajit Singla, DCP (Northeast) said, The reports of miscreants taking away stocks from a mall in Seelampur area are false and baseless. It is a self-catering Mall which allows entry to card holders only and routine disbursal of stocks was being done.



He said some mischievous elements tried to show it as looting but local police intervened immediately and removed the miscreants.



No complaint of looting received. Regular operations are being carried out in all market places in Delhi. Strict action as per law is being taken any such rumour mongering, he said.

Also read | Premature baby dies after nursing home refused to treat on demonetised currency

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Karachi:

At least 52 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 others injured Saturday in a suicide bombing at a popular sufi shrine in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.



The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy. Colonel Junaid Kakar of the Frontier Corps also told the media that it appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.



All evidences point to a suicide bombing, he said.



The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called dhamaal at Dargah Shah Noorani.

Also read | 43 people including women, children killed in blast at Dargah in Pakistan



At least 52 people were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said.



Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.



The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place, Bugti said.



Some local media reports put the death toll as high as 62.The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform dhamaal. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi. The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.



Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency.



35 dead and 95 wounded Shiite visitors in...operation attack by the Islamic State fighter that targeted a shrine in a city in Balochistan, the agency said.



Rescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area.



Women and children were among those killed in the blast. The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals, said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.



Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.



It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site, he said.



He said the devotees take part in the dhamaal everyday after sunset and the blast took place close to where they were dancing inside the compound of the shrine.



President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast and directed authorities to speed up the rescue activities.



This is the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August. In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta.

Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home late on Friday night after concluding his three-day visit to Japan during which the two countries signed a landmark civil nuclear deal and nine other agreements in various fields.

Pm Modi will reach Goa on Sunday to lay foundation of greenfield airport at the Mopa plateau and an electronic city in Tuem, both located in North Goaas Pernem sub-district.

Modi will also deliver a speech at a function organised by the state government at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium, on the outskirts of the state capital.

This is Modias second visit to the state in two months; he hosted the BRICS summit in October this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home late on Friday night after concluding his three-day visit to Japan.

aSayonara Japan! An important friendship stands strengthened as PM @narendramodi enplanes from Osaka for the journey back to Delhi,a External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had tweeted on departure.

Sayonara Japan! An important friendship stands strengthened as PM @narendramodi enplanes from Osaka for the journey back to Delhi pic.twitter.com/DnFySF9p1h a Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) November 12, 2016

Before his departure, Modi addressed a luncheon gathering of business leaders in Kobe, a city on Osaka Bay.

He also travelled in Japanas famed high-speed Shinkansen bullet train, which is being introduced in India on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad stretch, with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

During the visit, India and Japan signed 10 pacts covering a range of areas such as boosting Japanese investment in infrastructure, railways, and for cooperation in space and agriculture, as part of agreements to bolster bilateral ties.

Shedding its reservations, Japan yesterday made an exception to sign a landmark civil nuclear deal with India, opening the door for export of its atomic technology and reactors, after adding features like safety and security keeping in mind its sensitivities on the issue.

The nuclear deal, described as historic by Prime Minister Modi, was part of the ten agreements signed between the two countries.

Modi and Abe held wide-ranging talks which covered aspects like trade and investment, security, terrorism, cooperation in skill development, aerospace and people-to-people contacts.

While on his way to Japan, the Prime Minister had made a brief stopover in Thailand to pay respects to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died last month after a protracted illness.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The demonetisation vows refuse to end for common man. Long queues were seen outside banks since 2am on Sunday in order exchange defunct old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations for valid notes. Adding to troubles, banks in most parts of India opened at 10 instead of 8 am as directed by Govt of India.



People even gathered outside dry ATMs in hope that they will refurbished once banks reopen.A



Security personnel are also deployed at many places to keep the situation under control.



Here is the situation in different parts of India:A







West Bengal:

#Demonetisation: Several torn Rs 500/1000 notes found near Golf club in Kolkata (West Bengal). pic.twitter.com/7V6kokvPqP a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Kereal:A

#Kerala govt will not collect any kind of fine for payments; Ppl can pay bills without fine till Nov 30: CM Pinarayi VijayanA



#Demonetisation won't help; black money holders were informed prior and only the common people are suffering: Kerala CM Pinarayi VijayanA

Delhi:



Govt has given them money but banks are not cooperating,claim they will open at 8 am but they open after 10: Local in Pul Bangash #Delhi pic.twitter.com/5XmSVxGoKf a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Step taken by the Govt is good but the implementation is very bad, its a crisis: Local outside RBI in Delhi #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/AAHG2vQ6Ea a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

People waiting outside banks since wee hours on Sunday complained that banks open only for limited hours and do not carry enough cash for exchange.A



aI came here on Saturday and had to return empty handed after six hours of wait because the bank said they are out of cash. Now I am in line since 2am,a said Ramesh Sharma, one of the customers waiting outside a bank in Dwarka New Delhi.A



Sharma, like many others waiting alongside him, said that they have no money for buying basic necessities like fruits and vegetables for home. Even schools are not accepting old notes for fees, he said.A



Meanwhile Delhi Police clarified that on Saturday they received at least 4,500 calls related to ATM/Bank queue incident but only few were related to minor violence.A

A

Subah 4 baje se khade hain kya karien, khaane ke liye bhi paise nahi hain: Local outside Lajpat Nagar ATM #Delhi #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/dnFdvVshym a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Delhi: People in the ATM queue from last whole night in Mayur Vihar #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/v0VAWuKmSj a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016A



Subah 4 baje se khade hain kya karien, khaane ke liye bhi paise nahi hain: Local outside Lajpat Nagar ATM #Delhi #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/dnFdvVshym a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016



MaharashtraA









Long queue outside an SBI ATM in Mumbai #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/yMMDQ9RZFu a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Meanwhile, a senior assistant of Kolhapur zilla parishad in Maharashtra was arrested on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000, which contained 17 newly introduced Rs 2,000 currency notes, ACB officials said.



Chandrakant Sawardekar (45) was apprehended by the sleuths of Anti-Corruption Bureau while accepting the bribe from the complainant, who was due for promotion as a principal in a zilla parishad-run school, an ACB official said.



Hyderabad:

Jaitley sahab had said banks will work for 12 hours, more counters will be opened, but opposite is happening: Local, Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/EAn3K2Kz7Z a ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Madhya PradeshA

#DeMonetisation : Bank street in #Bhopal wore a deserted look on Sunday as all 23 banks branches remained closed till 8.30 am pic.twitter.com/BAiRrbZUIC a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) November 13, 2016

Uttar PradeshA



Don't know what to do; Nobody is accepting these Rs 2000 notes as they too don't have change: Kanpur resident pic.twitter.com/3W8HQrkAKI a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 13, 2016

#DeMonetisation : Most banks and #ATMs remained closed in #lucknow by 8:30 am pic.twitter.com/n2JsFjm4En

a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) November 13, 2016

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Mumbai:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday dismissed the rumours of shortage of salt in the state and directed district collectors to take action against those spreading it.

There have been rumours of salt shortage since yesterday but situation in entire state is normal. There is no shortage of salt in any dist (sic), the Chief Minister tweeted.

CM @Dev_Fadnavis directs all the Collectors to take strict measures to ensure theres no panic and act against those spreading rumours, the CMO Maharashtra said in a tweet.

Dept asked all dist supply officers to ensure theres no hoarding of salt or any essential commodity & no inconvenience be caused to people, the CMO Maharashtra added.

There were rumours about some shop owners selling salt at Rs 700 per kg in eastern suburbs in Mumbai.

Police had yesterday stepped in to dispel rumours about steep hike in prices of essential commodities including salt.

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Jammu:

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday hit out at a section of media for portraying Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Valley, in a negative way, saying it is distancing the state from the country.

Due to the role of a section of the media, we are getting distanced from the country, she said.



Mehbooba was addressing the delegates of India Travel Mart (ITM) here this evening.



Media is to be blamed. If four people pick up ISIS flag....News continues to hog for several days. The yatra took place in a best possible way but nothing was projected, she said.Mehbooba termed the visit of the people of the country to Kashmir as an investment in peace.

Also read | PDP's agenda is dialogue, not 'warmongering': Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti



She asked the Tourism Department and tour operators to work together for attracting tourists to the state.



The impression about the state would improve with more tourist arrivals, the Chief Minister said.



She said projects like border tourism, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Tawi lake and others in the Jammu province would be pursued.



She said the Centre has allocated sufficient funds for development of tourism in the state and hoped that in coming times the infrastructure would be upgraded.



On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed 4th All India Tour and Travel awards among the winners.

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New Delhi:

US Secretary of State John Kerry refused to call a complete end on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), expressing hope President-elect Donald Trump will drop his opposition to the contentious free trade deal.

The 12-nation TPP became a trending topic during the US election campaign, with critics including Trump saying it would cost American jobs.

Kerry said international trade was critical to US interests and the TPP could help grow the economy.

"I think as people examine it and begin to get beyond the campaign and begin to dig into it, my hope is it can summon the support that it needs," he told reporters during a trip to New Zealand.

The TPP includes a dozen Asia-Pacific nations that together account for 40 per cent of the global economy.

They are the United States, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singaporeand Vietnam.

It has been signed but is yet to be ratified by lawmakers in the US.

Kerry said he and President Barack Obama remained "deeply committed" to the deal but would not try to push it through in the so-called "lame duck" legislative session before Trump takes over.

"The fact that it may not be taken up in the lame duck session isn't indicative of where the country may go, that'sfor sure," he said.

"I believe there'll be a robust debate about it and there's enough benefit in it for everybody that ultimately people will come to see this as a different kind of agreement."

Kerry also denied that the TPP was intended to create an economic bulwark against China's rise in the Asia-Pacific.

"It's not about China," he said. "The United States welcomes the peaceful rise of a great nation like China, we've said that directly to President Xi (Jinping).

"We're not looking for competition or conflict, we're looking for cooperation."

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave a second stellar speech at the Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society in Belgaum, where he paid tribute teachers and took a jibe at century old families and parties in Indian national polity. PM Narendra Modi attended the valedictory function of the year-long centenary celebrations of the KLE society.

Here are the live updates:

#There is 'pain' here, but what is more is 'gain' for the country: PM Narendra Modi in Belgaum,Karnataka

#Belgaum: Dishonest people be aware, Modi will not hesitate after Dec 30: PM

#Demonetisation did not bother poor citizens, but only rich people, says Modi

#This Government will never trouble innocent citizens & at the same time the Government wants to ensure those who are guilty are punished: PM

#What was the news in 2012, 2013 and first half of 2014- the scams, the corruption...did you see their condition after 8th November: PM

#Congress ke log keh rahe hain 1000/500 notes kyun band kardi? Aapne jab chawanni band ki thi, maine poocha tha?: PM Modi

#Belgaum, Karnataka: PM Narendra Modi talks about Government's decision to scrap Rs 500/1000 notes, says Govt doesn't trouble honest people

#Our universities are not among the top 100 in the world, 10 Govt and 10 private universities should resolve to do that, come forward:PM Modi

#Can I ask you something? When Tokyo hosts Olympics in 2020, KLE would get some gold medals? I think you can: PM Modi in Belgaum

#PM Modi once takes jibe at opposition leaders for comments against demonetisation

#I Invite all students and government universities to take innitiative and bring India international recognition in Science: PM

#All conncessions and scholarships will be provided to those who want to innovate: PM

#Innovation is key to life, those who do not innovate fall back: PM

# PM Modi asks youth: Can KLE win some gold medals for India in Tokyo Olympics in 2020?

#Indian youth has took India from a nation of snake charmers to computer revolution

#But within a few years, now Indian youth has transformed the world with its computer prowess: PM

#100 years ago India was known as a country of snake charmers: PM

#Parties and families do not survive for 100 years: PM

Also read: Watch | PM Narendra Modi delivers powerful speech on black money, corruption in Goa: Top quotes





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Dubai:

Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha has expressed a desire to reteam with longtime friend and colleague, Amitabh Bachchan.

"I hope we can give our audience a Dostana 2 soon," Sinha said on the sidelines of the Sharjah International Book Fair in Dubai.

Accompanied by the author of his biography, Bharthi S Pradhan, and his publisher, Sinha took stage to talk about life, cinema, politics, his dreams and aspirations for India and more.

Pradhan introduced Sinha's biography saying, "The book has drama, passion, determination; it is like a well-made Bollywood film. Seven years and over 200 taped conversations are what it took to create this incredibly moving and candid account."

Sinha spoke about his motives behind joining Indian cinema and then politics, sharing that he felt a responsibility towards the nation that gave him success, love and respect.

"I told myself if good people do not take responsibility they must be prepared to be governed by the bad ones," he said sharing that he went against repeated warnings by family and friends to join politics.

"I want India's younger generations to believe in their potential and take on challenges no matter how huge they may appear. If I could make two successful careers out of cinema and politics in India without any family connections or last names to go by, anyone and everyone can. All you need is self-belief and an unrelenting attitude towards achieving your goals," he added.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave speech at the Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society in Belgaum, where he paid tribute teachers and took a jibe at century old families and parties in Indian national polity. The speech summarised in 10 points

1. Narendra Modi talks about Governments decision to scrap Rs 500/1000 notes, says Govt doesnt trouble honest people

2. PM Modi warned dishonest people to be aware and said he will not hesitate after Dec 30.

3. Modi slammed the claims that demonetisation is bothering poor citizens. He said the move bothers only rich people.

4. He also defended his government. He said his government will never trouble innocent citizens rather punish the guilty.

5. PM Modi took a dig at Congress in his statement. He said,Congress ke log keh rahe hain 1000/500 notes kyun band kardi? Aapne jab chawanni band ki thi, maine poocha tha?.

6. He also raised the issue of Olympics in his speech. He motivated the sportspersons to win medals at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

7. Our universities are not among the top 100 in the world, 10 Govt and 10 private universities should resolve to do that, come forward, urged PM Modi.

8. PM Modi took jibe at opposition leaders for comments against demonetization.

9. He asked students and government universities to take initiative and bring India International recognition in science.

10. He announced that concessions and scholarships will be provided to those who want to innovate.

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New Delhi:

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor says he is looking forward to working with Deepika Padukone in 'Padmavati'.

Shahid and Deepika will be seen together on screen for the first time in the film.

Shahid plays Raja Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler and husband of queen Padmavati (Deepika), in the period drama, to be directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Ranveer Singh will be seen as Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan, who falls in love with Padmavati.

"I will start shooting for 'Padmavati' in a couple of weeks. I haven't started it yet, but it is an amazing honour to work with Bhansali ji. I love his films, I think he is a fantastic filmmaker," Shahid told at the Lux Golden Rose Awards at Mumbai on Saturday night.

"I am very excited about the role he has offered me. This is the first time that Deepika and I will be working together which is great. This is the first time me and Ranveer will be working together, which is great," he said.

The actor recently wrapped up his film with Vishal Bhardwaj, titled 'Rangoon', which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut.

The 35-year-old actor feels he is in an "amazing" phase professionally as he is working with two great directors back-to-back.

"'Padmavati' is a really big film. It is a challenging film to do as an actor. After working with Vishal Bharadwaj, working with Bhansali is an amazing place to be. I feel very fortunate," he said.

While "Padmavati" will go on floors soon, "Rangoon" is scheduled to release in 2017 February.

Also read: Ranveer, Deepika to share no romantic scene in 'Padmavati'

This is the first time that Deepika and I will be working together which is great: Shahid Kapoor

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New Delhi:

Citizens of the country are facing a lot of problems due to demonetization of 500, 1000 rupee notes and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday has requested the people to be patient, as it would take time for things to take normalcy.

BJP leader Nalin Kohli told that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in his speech indicated that the process would cause some inconvenience to people but yes the people who have hoarded money will definitely suffer.

"Our appeal would be that it takes a little time for system to come back to normalcy, because 500 and 1000 Rupee notes are no longer in circulation. The banks are working overtime, the finance ministry is working to keep a tab on it," Kohli said.

"We appeal to the people, not to worry because no matter, who the person is, an honest person, whether it a housewife, whether it is a poor farmer, or someone in the rural areas, urban areas, they don't have to worry. Their money will be changed. However, those who, have heaps of black money, they are the ones who are going to definitely suffer," he added.

Defending Centres decision to not postpone the deadline for using the old 500, 1000 notes, the BJP leader told if the Government extends the deadline, the corrupt people will find ways to save their black money.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi appealed to the citizens of the country to be patient with the demonetization process and told he has many other ideas to curb corruption. The Prime Minister on Sunday spoke for the first time after announcing demonetization decision on November 8 and used the occasion to hit back at the ones who are questioning his move against black money.

"This is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money but some people are lost in their own world. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he said.

Earlier, Union Finance Minster Arun Jaitley had told that the Finance Ministry is monitoring the currency replacement constantly and also told that it would take two to three weeks approximately to recalibrate 2 lakh ATMs across the country.

"When the government decided to replace 500 and 1000 notes, there were expectations that in couple of days, people would queue up to replace significant part, 86 percent. It is a massive operation. There are challenges in execution. People are turning up in large numbers, so they will keep coming in the next few days. The government requests them that the deposit time is till December 30," he said.

Jaitley said that Rs. 7,868 crore have been deposited in the SBI. The bank exchanged notes of 58 lakh people. 22 lakh people operated at ATMs, 33 lakh have withdrawn from SBI, which handles 20-25 percent of total banking. Till 12.15 p.m. today the bank conducted 2.28 crore transactions. He said five modes of transactions are involved in banks, cash deposit, withdrawal from cash, cash to cash exchange, ATM cash withdrawal and cash deposit machines being used.

Jaitley appealed to use digital mode of payment.

There are approximately two lakh ATMs across the country. Many ATMs, which were reopened after the Prime Minister Modi's demonetisation decision, were forced to shut down after they ran out of cash.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Conference on sugarcane value chain at Pune on Sunday.

Excerpts from PM Modis speech at the conference are mentioned here:

# Prime Minister Modi said that people will temporarily face problems due to demonetisation but it will be beneficial in the long run. He appealed people to give him some time to make the situation better.

# He stressed that if he had taken this step before November 8, people who had stashed black money would have become alert.

# He assured people that no one needs to exchange their Rs. 500/1000 notes for even 1 rupee less; they would receive exact change.

# Moreover, the Prime Minister discussed the role of technology which will play an important role in developing agricultural pattern of the country. He also reached out to the farmers while assuring them that they will not be taxed.

# PM Modi claimed that we Indians have an assured market and requirement of pulses. Thus, we should also think about pulses in addition to sugar.

# He said that theres a huge demand for bamboo in the global market and we must give impetus to its plantation in India also.

# PM Modi also claimed that on visit to Mauritius, he had witnessed that people there didn't depend on flood irrigation and their fields were equipped with sprinklers.

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Morena:

Sacks of salt kept outside shops at two locations here were reportedly looted by unidentified men amid rumours about shortage of the essential commodity.

However, no complaint has been registered so far, police said.

The incidents took place at Sabji Mandi (vegetable market) and Jiwajigang Market under Kotwali Police Station area around midnight, eyewitnesses said.

Masked men in pick-up vehicles came to the two markets, where shopkeepers keep gunny bags of salt outside their outlets at night, and looted those, eyewitnesses said.

On getting information about the loot, some traders residing nearby, rushed to the spot and chased the masked men but they managed to escape.

"The shopkeepers have not yet reported about the loot. If they approach us we will investigate the matter," Kotwali Police Station Inspector Ajay Chanana said.

Two days ago, the Centre had dismissed rumours of shortage of salt in the market and said adequate stocks are available across the country.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was praised by veteran actor Anupam Kher on Sunday regarding his decision of abolishing Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in the battle against black money.

The 61-year-old actor agreed that people are facing trouble due to the sudden decision but backed the government, saying any kind of change requires people to step out of their comfort zone.

"The intention of demonetisation is to end black money. This is the intention. In its implementation you can say that there are few loopholes I agree that there should not have been any problem to people.

"They (the government) should have planned it a little better. But how can a revolution come in this country overnight. Of course, it will be uncomfortable," Kher said while addressing a session at Sahitya AajTak event.

Blasting those opposing the demonetisation, the actor said some people have suddenly realised that lower sections are facing troubles.

"Some people have suddenly got worried about their servants. But if they are really concerned about them, they should be standing in queues for them. They should help them. So, it's very easy to criticise.

"I'm not here to defend the government, it is powerful enough to defend itself. There are enough ministers, who are powerful enough."

Kher also took a dig at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was pictured standing in a queue outside a bank to exchange invalid currency notes.

"Those who never went to bank, if they stand in queue outside an ATM, it raises doubts about their intentions. I wonder have they been to their own constituencies after this decision (demonetisation)?

"Has one of our special MPs (referring to Rahul Gandhi) gone to Amethi after demonetisation decision to see what sort of problems people in his constituency are facing? Have you done anything for those people, who have been constantly voting for your party for past 50 years," he questioned.

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Kher said, "Somewhere deep inside, I am very disappointed with Arvind Kejriwal. The kind of majority he got in Delhi, he could have done so much.

"It is not the first time that he has spoken a bogus thing," Kher said of Kejriwal's questioning of demonetisation move before adding, "Kejriwal compares himself with Modi. I can compare myself with Marlon Brando. But, I am happy to be Anupam Kher. Kejriwal should be happy being Kejriwal."

While big industry names including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, southern superstar Rajinikanth, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and others have lauded PM Modi's decision, celebrities like Arshad Warsi and Vishal Dadlani have slammed the initiative.

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New Delhi:

A bank employee on Sunday died in hospital after his health worsened while working in a bank in Bhopal. It is not the first occasion when a person collapsed while struggling in bank after demonetisation came into effect on Tuesday.

Earlier, there were reports of 3 people dying while trying to withdraw money from bank. Among them, two were from Kerala and one was from Mumbai. Two of them were elderly man.

In another incident, a premature baby also died after a doctor attached to a nursing home allegedly refused to treat a premature baby as the parents could not pay the necessary deposit in the wake of demonetisation.

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Bhubaneshwar:

The Reserve bank of India sought to allay fears of cash-starved people who made serpentine queues outside ATMs in Odisha. The central bank said that people shouldnt panic as enough cash in small denomination is available in banks.

"Small denomination currency notes are available in required numbers. People have no reason to panic," a statement issued by the RBI, Bhubaneswar, said.

The bank advised people not to hoard money.

"As there is no shortage of money in RBI and other banks, there is no reason to keep additional notes in house. People can get money when they need it," said RBI Assistant General Manager R C Bal.

"We have asked all banks to cooperate with people and meet their requirement," said RBI GM R P Mohanty.

Sources said that about 3,000 of the total 6,028 ATMs in the state are not operating. Those which had cash ran dry within a few hours.

People complained that banks gave them soiled and mutilated notes in exchange.

"I got a bundle of Rs 50 from UCO Bank's CRP Square branch here. Of 100 notes, 12 were damaged. When I drew attention of the authorities, they asked me to take Rs 2,000 notes instead," said a customer.

Asked about the mobile banking facilities in tribal-dominated areas proposed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the RBI General Manager said: "We have not started it yet. But the people can take help of Bank Correspondents (BCs) in getting their notes exchanged."

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BETHEL - Students and staff members at Bethel High School are raising money to fight childhood cancer in honor of a student who passed away three years ago.

Thomas Fritch, who passed away in November 2013 after a battle with childhood cancer, would have been a senior at Bethel High School this fall, according to his obituary.
Frustrated with the two main political parties and their unpopular presidential candidates, thousands of Connecticut voters opted to write in names instead of choosing between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

More than 2,500 write-in votes were counted this week in the presidential race, nearly three times as many as cast in 2012 and ever more than the 435 cast in 2008, the 12 in 2004 and the 54 in 2000, according to the Connecticut Secretary of State.

Many people are just fed up with the two-party system, said Christopher Kukk, a political science professor at Western Connecticut State University. They feel both parties are unable to govern in an efficient way. The two parties also picked candidates that many people werent happy with. I think people had had enough.

But these figures actually understate the true number of write-ins. In Connecticut, write-in votes are counted only if the name written is that of a valid candidate  meaning one who has registered with the Secretary of the State or consented to have their name written in by someone else.

Which means that ballots containing votes for Mickey Mouse, Chairman Mao or some other fanciful choice are not counted. Theres not even a count of how many people voted for Mickey Mouse.

But where valid write-ins are concerned, local registrars said the trend was plain. In Danbury and Ridgefield, for example, they recorded about twice as many presidential write-ins this year compared to the last presidential election.

I think some of the voters were a little more informed to who the write-ins were this time, said Marge Gallo, a registrar in Danbury, which received about 11 valid write-ins.

Not only were there more write-in votes, but there were more valid write-in candidates, too.

There were 20 valid presidential write-ins this year, compared to six in 2012. Of those 20, Evan McMullin and Nathan Johnson, who launched a national write-in campaign for president and vice president, received the most write-in votes, with 1,738, or about 0.11 percent of the statewide total presidential vote.

McMullin and Johnson got 43 votes in Ridgefield alone.

McMullin was born in Utah and is a former CIA operative, business professional and the House GOPs chief policy director, according to his campaign website.

Kukk noted that 46 percent of eligible voters didnt vote at all, which in some cases probably stemmed from disapproval of the major-party candidates. But some voters who wanted to do their civic duty could express their disapproval by not choosing between the two major-party candidates.

Theres a lot going on, where people felt they were not being heard and the parties were marching to their own beat and not to the beat of the people, Kukk said.

Ridgefield had at least 250 write-ins for all offices on the ballot, including 47 valid write-ins for the presidential ticket  about twice as many as in the last presidential election, said Cindy Bruno, one of the registrars.

Gallo said Danburys write-in vote nearly doubled as well.

We got the usual Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, but some real names too, she said. Every time theres a presidential election we get Mickey Mouse.

Another popular write-in  though invalid  was Bill Gates, said John Gaiser, a New Milford registrar.

Kukk suggested that all write-in votes be counted, because a protest vote, even if its for Mickey Mouse, is a vote nonetheless.

This is a way to demonstrate youre ticked off and this is a way to show its not a game, he said.

kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345
Maybe this should have been a clue. Tuesday morning after a step class in Bethel, an exercise buddy remarked her 80-something mother-in-law would be voting that day. How wonderful, I gushed, she can finally vote for a woman!

Well, um, no, the daughter-in-law replied. She always votes Republican.

Turns out a lot of women voted for the Republican presidential candidate Tuesday and I am trying to understand why. Not that I believe women should automatically vote for other women, but how could any woman want a blatant misogynist for president, someone who would eradicate any gains fought for so hard over the decades? (Not to mention a reality TV star with no elected or military experience who denigrates Muslims, illegal immigrants, Mexicans, Blacks, gays, and the list goes on.)

When the sun came up Wednesday morning, Trump had attracted a greater percentage of white female voters than the first female candidate on a major party presidential ticket. Unbelievable.

Looking for some insight, I emailed about a dozen savvy, thoughtful women in the area for their take on why so many women supported Trump.

From a dyed-in-the-wool feminist, to a Millennial, to a downtown Danbury business owner, to an arts leader and more, we sought meaning. And even in this small group, some undoubtedly had voted for President-elect Trump. Theres many ways to dice the results, such as the black and Latino female vote, but for now Im looking at the plurality of women for Trump and wonder what that means for feminists.

This was a change election. Donald and Bernie represented that change. Hillary represented more of the same, said Lynn Taborsak, a former Democratic state representative from Danbury and local activist. She was not a Hillary supporter through the primaries.

Now I have been a dyed- in-the-wool feminist for at least 40 years. After the Democratic and Republican conventions, it became very clear that women had more at stake in this election than our male counterparts. Defunding Planned Parenthood? Overturning Roe Vs Wade? And candidate Trump came across like the thug on the corner we would cross the street to avoid. He came across as misguided, hateful and dangerous.

Lisa Scails, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut who admits to being stumped by the outcome, said, Some women, unfortunately dont realize the damage or serious implications that the attitudes Trump presents have for them and others, our country.

Kristen Hintz, a 21-year-old senior at Western Connecticut State University who is from New Milford, said she is outright devastated.

She thought there also was a visceral response to women like Hillary who is seen as the bossy woman, the nasty woman, the woman who doesnt know when to quit. Many, many women harbor an internalized sexism that categorizes ambition in women as negative.

Some do see the vote as more anti-Hillary than pro-Donald.

MaryAnn Murtha, an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication & Media Studies at Western Connecticut State University, said the women she knows who supported Trump basically fell into two camps: 1. Those who are concerned with Catholic social teachings. 2. Those who couldnt connect with Hillary. She and her pantsuit nation simply annoyed them, so they voted against her.

Hillary the Candidate wasnt as inspiring to young adults as Barack and Bernie and instead of shifting their allegiance, the Bernie supporters didnt show at the polls, said Andrea Gartner, an urban enthusiast who is opening a coffee and wine shop on Main Street in Danbury.

And, as James Carville famously coined in 1992, its the economy, stupid.

If you are one of the many who over the last 4-8 years are worse off, Trump was resonating with you on an economic level. And this is on the level of basic need. ... As a working mother, if you ... believed in what Obama stood for and your circumstances havent changed, Trump resonated with you, Andrea postulated.

Keep in mind that for no less than half the country, the same-old same-old isnt working in a very painful way. Now, no matter where you are on the political and economic spectrum, these are painful times for all of us.

Frances Pulle, an adjunct professor and Republican from Bethel, agrees the vote for many women came down to the economy.

Nobody cares that Donald Trump insulted almost everyone. It was all about JOBS, she said. Nobody cares that Donald Trump allegedly hit on more than a few women. It was all about JOBS. Nobody cares that Donald Trump tweeted some weird stuff late at night, was on his third wife, had zero political experience, failed to denigrate Putin. It was all about JOBS. People need to work.

That Hillary was female meant little to the majority of women. ... Add to this the fact that Secretary Clinton was disliked, distrusted, discredited and you have one perfect storm, Fran said.

JoAnn Cueva, Director of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, said women voted for the person they felt could enact change and who spoke to the issues most important to them  more jobs, lower taxes, healthcare redux, immigration reform. Ultimately, Donald Trumps straightforward, tell it like it is approach won over Hillary Clintons message and women were willing to overlook all of his seemingly unforgivable faults more so than Hillarys. ... Business over politics was triumphed; we can only hope that his plans for making America great again will come to fruition.

As a woman, JoAnn added, I would never want to be selected for anything simply because I am a woman and if that is the reason women voted for Hillary then, shame on you.

Some women are finding resolve after the election and this gives me hope.

Kristen, the college senior, vows to continue fighting for the rights of the disenfranchised.

I see myself and hopefully a lot of Millennials becoming more politically involved after this, she said.

Contact Editorial Page Editor Jacqueline Smith at jsmith@newstimes.com or 203-731-3344.
Connecticut Senate Democrats got an awakening last week  they now have to share seats at the big table when the budget is on the menu. No more relegating Republicans to the kids table.

And this is the way it should be  everyone at the same table.

Democrats had held a 21 to 15 majority in Senate, until Election Day when they lost three seats and the Republicans gained three to reach an even 18-18 split.

Technically, the Democrats retain control because in the case of a tie, the state Constitution calls for the lieutenant governor to cast the deciding vote. Presumably Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman would side with the Democrats, should the vote split along party lines.

But we hope it will not come to such a party-line division. One lesson from the outcome of the statewide election is that voters are hardly satisfied with the one-party Democratic rule. Not dissatisfied to the extent, mind you, for a total rout, but enough to make the point. Now with a 79-72 split in the House of Representatives, the Democrats hold the smallest majority in the history of the lower chamber. It is no coincidence that leadership on Thursday pledged a better working relationship with House Republicans.

Senate Democrats should do the same, instead of blaming their losses on various PACs.

Two of the highest tax increases in recent state history, cuts in vital services, and yet ever-growing budget deficits  a permanent fiscal crisis, if you will  have eroded the confidence of many voters. This state of affairs cannot be placed solely on one party; many factors have been at play through several administrations. But when one party effectively shuts out the other from discussions, they take full responsibility.

In conversations with many candidates leading up to the election, we heard time and again of the state budget coming together by the majority party in the last hours of the last day of the General Assembly session with no time to reasonably understand the ramifications tucked into hundreds of pages, let alone time for public hearings.

This may seem like a practical way to wrestle a behemoth $19.7 billion biennial budget into a package, but it is neither transparent nor inclusive.

One party does not possess all the answers on the best way to run the state. Various proposals should be aired and compromises reached.

Other aspects of a divided Senate are interesting, such as how to share the power with majority/minority leaders, who gets the best offices and so on. But none of that is as vital as the tasks at hand.

When the new General Assembly convenes on Jan. 4, members will face a daunting list of issues to address, with none more important than how to adjust the budget for declining revenue projections.

Connecticut voters made it clear they want both parties at the table. Senate Democrats, it is time to make room.
Turkey issues travel warning amid anti-Trump protests in US

Turkey,Politics,Diplomacy, US Elections, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Ankara, Nov 13 (IANS) Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning concerning the United States as thousands of Americans have taken streets for the fourth day in a row to protest the President-elect Donald Trump.

"Turkish citizens should stay away from demonstrations in the U.S. cities, take necessary security measures at their homes and work, and inform security officials immediately in possible racist abuse or attacks," Xinhua news agency cited a statement on the ministry's website on Saturday.

Anti-Donald Trump demonstrations "occasionally featured acts of crime and violence," the statement said, adding that "based on demonstrators' social media posts, it's clear the demonstrations will likely continue for some time".

The alert especially applies to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Oakland and Portland.

The move came after the US State Department issued its travel warning on Turkey in October, ordering family members of consulate employees in Istanbul to leave the country due to threats against US citizens.

--IANS

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IS leader has fled Mosul, victory imminent: Iraqi governor

Iraq,Politics,Religion,Terrorism, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Erbil (Iraq), Nov 13 (IANS) The top leader of the Jihadist Islamic State (IS) has fled Mosul, last extremist enclave left on Iraqi soil, according to the governor of the Nineveh province in Iraq.

Governor Nofal Hamadi al-Sultan, whose governorate's capital is Mosul, announced during a press conference that Daesh' supreme leader and self-proclaimed Caliph Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi had fled Mosul" and that victory was "imminent", Efe news agency reported.

According to al-Sultan, the last audio broadcast by al-Baghdadi indicates that he has left Mosul.

In said audio address broadcast on November 3, the self-proclaimed Caliph urged his followers not to abandon Mosul.

"Do not flee. This is the prelude to a great victory," he said in an apparent attempt to encourage his army.

During his press conference, the governor assured that IS collapse is "imminent" and that Iraqi forces are "rapidly" closing in for the final push into Mosul.

Mosul's neighbourhoods "have been the scenario of victorious advances by Iraqi security forces" said al-Sultan who stressed the final "decisive" battle against the Jihadists will take place "very soon".

The Iraqi and Kurdish troop offensive to liberate Mosul began on October 17 with a three-pronged offensive along the north, south and eastern fronts, which has enabled the liberation of various eastern Mosul neighbourhoods.

--IANS

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US to take in refugees from Australian centres

Australia,Diplomacy,Immigration/Law/Rights, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Canberra, Nov 13 (IANS) The US will take in refugees from immigrant centres managed by the Australian government in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Sunday.

It remains unknown how many refugees the US will accept. The centres are believed to hold more than a thousand people from countries such as Iraq, Syria and Somalia, Efe news reported.

"I can now confirm that the government has now reached a further third-party resettlement arrangement. The agreement is with the US," Turnbull told a press conference.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry also announced the agreement from New Zealand's Wellington where he is on an official visit.

Since 2012 Australia has been using the centres at Manus Island and Nauru to process asylum applications of immigrants, especially those intercepted in high seas while trying to reach the Australian coasts.

The UN and other human rights groups have criticized these centres calling the conditions in which the detainees live as "inhuman".

--IANS

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Travelling adds a lot to one's personality: Sidharth Malhotra

United Kingdom,Cinema/Showbiz,Bollywood, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Christchurch, Nov 13 (IANS) In his younger days, he travelled a lot as his father was in the merchant navy. And now Sidharth Malhotra's acting career takes him places -- literally. He says visiting different countries and experiencing a gamut of cultures opens up one's mind and also helps in self-discovery.

In a tete-a-tete with IANS in an ongoing trip in New Zealand, he said: "While travelling, you experience something new because you don't know what you are going to see, how you are going to do things. As people, you learn something and it opens up your head. I think it adds to your personality a lot."

He said, "Travelling is a mode of self-discovery".

"I started off travelling at a younger age because my father was in merchant navy. When you start travelling, you start becoming more inquisitive and adventurous as as you grow up."

"I travel with my friend in a country where they don't know much about Hindi movies or my language. I can be much more free and that becomes far more exciting. You try local cusine, explore streets...," added the Delhi boy, who now lives in Mumbai.

Does he enjoy going unnoticed when in a foreign land?

"I grew up in such a surrounding that half of my life I was an unknown face. Yes, of course, a part of me sometimes feels restricted at times when I am back home and doing normal activities. But on the other hand, I am very gracious living this way also, because I have been wanting this for the last couple of years... It's a Catch 22 thing. Sometimes it's fun, and sometimes it's not," he said.

Sidharth is currently here to shoot some new campaigns. He hopes to bring his family to New Zealand sometime too.

On his second trip to the country, he has especially loved Christchurch.

"It has nice, easy vibes and it's comparatively younger I feel. It is less populated, which again makes this place very attractive for people like us who come from India. Its secluded, scenic, relaxed nature makes it a complete destination for anybody," he said.

Given a chance, would he get married here?

"I am not sure if I am getting married soon, but, of course, if I do plan to settle down in future, this is the place to come. The scenery of this place is so romantic that it will be lovely to come with your partner," he said as he looked out of the window during a KiwiRail scenic journey.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Tourism New Zealand. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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Colombia, FARC forge new peace pact

Cuba,Politics, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

Havana, Nov 13 (IANS) The Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla group have reached a new peace deal that includes contributions from sectors opposed to the original treaty.

"Attending to the outcry of Colombians desiring peace and reconciliation, we have reached a new final accord," Efe news agency cite a statement by the two sides that was read in Havana, the seat of peace talks for the last four years.

The new document was signed by the chief negotiator for the government, Humberto de la Calle, and Ivan Marquez for the FARC, who have headed nine days of intensive meetings in the Cuban capital to reach a new agreement in order to "obtain a stable, lasting peace".

The latest deal includes "changes, detailed explanations and contributions from the most diverse sectors of society, which were reviewed one by one," said the statement read by the ambassadors of the accord's guarantee nations, Cuba and Norway.

"Building a stable, lasting peace is the goal of this new agreement and should be the common commitment of all Colombians, a commitment that will help overcome polarisation and guarantee the acceptance of all political and social convictions," the statement said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday called an urgent meeting with predecessor Alvaro Uribe, who was the staunchest opponent of the earlier peace deal.

The earlier deal signed last September was hailed internationally and led to Santos being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month.

The original treaty, which was aimed at bringing an end to Colombia's decades-old armed conflict was rejected by Colombians in a referendum on October 2 as they criticized it for being too lenient on the guerrillas.

--IANS

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India-Nepal joint army exercise ends

Delhi,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Defence/Security, Sun, 13 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) "Surya Kiran-X", the 10th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise, culminated in Nepal on Sunday with a 72-hour-long outdoor exercise on counter-terrorism and disaster management, the Defence Ministry said.

Surya Kiran-X provided an ideal platform for troops of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-terrorist operations and disaster management, a Defence Ministry statement said.

The exercise was conducted at the Army Battle School at Nepal's Saljhandi from October 31 to November 13 where the troops of Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment and Nepal Army's Jabar Jung Battalion participated, it said.

The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being conducted bi-annually, alternatively in Nepal and India. Among the exercises undertaken by various countries, Surya Kiran series is the largest in terms of troop participation.

"Other activities conducted during training included basic familiarisation with each other's weapons and equipment and concepts while operating in counter-terrorism environment," said the statement.

"The training culminated with a 72-hour outdoor exercise in which troops of both the contingents carried out a cordon-and-search operation in a mock village," the statement added.

--IANS

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BASEL, Switzerland, Nov. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Ascensia Diabetes Care is showing its support for World Diabetes Day by launching a global social media awareness initiative to highlight the positive role of mobile technology in the management of diabetes. The initiative is designed to reach a global audience via social media channels and mobilize members of the public to support World Diabetes Day by using their mobile phones to raise awareness of diabetes. Through these efforts, Ascensia Diabetes Care aims to demonstrate the importance of mobile technology and connectivity in helping people living with diabetes to better understand and manage their condition.

As part of the initiative, Ascensia has taken photos of their employees, people with diabetes, healthcare professionals and members of the public in various locations worldwide using illuminated mobile phones to spell out the word "DIABETES". The initiative encourages members of the public to like, share or react to these digital postcards from across the world on their social media channels to show individual support for World Diabetes Day.

The use of mobile devices in diabetes management is increasing, with more and more people with diabetes using their mobile devices to help manage and track their condition. A survey of 909 people with diabetes in several European countries has shown that 71% of people with diabetes own a smartphone, 42% of them are using their smartphones for health or prescription drug information and 52% of them who are using a health or wellness app say they have changed their behavior as a result[1]. Advances in mobile technology are making it easier to collect, share, and draw insights from collected and analyzed information, empowering patients to help manage their condition using applications that seamlessly integrate into their lives.

"We are very excited to be participating in our first World Diabetes Day as a standalone company," explained Michael Kloss, CEO of Ascensia Diabetes Care. "We are proud to lend our support to raising awareness for this condition. As a company that is 100% focused on diabetes, we are passionate about helping to improve the lives of people with diabetes."

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 is "Eyes on Diabetes," promoting the importance of screening to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, and help reduce the risk of serious complications. The use of mobile devices with diabetes management apps may help support testing and long-term management of diabetes.

Michael added, "Diabetes is a difficult disease to manage and there are many challenges for patients and healthcare professionals across the world. We believe that digital tools and mobile devices have the potential to help individuals consistently track their condition, by providing accurate, actionable information that may facilitate diabetes management."

To see this activity and lend your support for World Diabetes Day by liking or sharing our digital postcards, visit Ascensia Diabetes Care's Twitter and Facebook and Instagram pages.

Notes for Editors

About Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global specialist diabetes care company, dedicated to helping people living with diabetes. Our mission is to empower people living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives. We use our innovation and specialist expertise in diabetes to develop high quality solutions and tools that make a positive, daily difference for people with diabetes.

Home to the world renowned CONTOUR portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems, our products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality that help people with diabetes to manage their condition. We are committed to continued research, innovation and development of new products and solutions. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.

Ascensia Diabetes Care was established in 2016 through the sale of Bayer Diabetes Care to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. Ascensia Diabetes Care products are sold in more than 125 countries. Following the close of the transaction in all countries, Ascensia Diabetes Care will have around 1,700 employees and operations in 38 countries.

For further information please visit the Ascensia Diabetes Care website at: http://www.ascensia.com.

CONTOUR is a registered trademark of Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG.

References

[1] Multichannel Consumer Health Marketing 2015. Cybercitizen Health Europe 2014, Bayer EU9

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care

For further information: Joseph Delahunty, FTI Consulting, [email protected], Tel: +44(0)20-3727-1000
Masamune Shirows Ghost in the Shell is among the largest and most influential anime and manga franchises of the past twenty-five years. Shirow seems to have captured one of the most believable post-singularity futures. A lot of the main focus is the world building and the visuals. Details is all about the how the AI, robotics and cyborgs work.

In 2017 there is a live action hollywood production with Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.

The core plot in prior work

Ghost in the Shell tells the story of Section 9, an anti-terrorist group with a sort of anomalous place in the countrys self-defense forcestechnically being similar to the police, but existing outside of their ranks. Lead by the noble chief Aramaki, the group consists of possibly the most powerful cyborg in existence, Major Motoko Kusanagi, the also highly-powerful cyborg Batou, the completely normal but nonetheless cool former cop Togusa, the information and net-surfing guru Ishikawa, the one-eyed badass sniper Saito, and the two guys who almost never get any screentime in any iteration of the franchise, Paz and Borma. There are a few other minor character who show up in later chapters of the manga and TV series, but overall, the main seven members of Section 9 and their capabilities are the one thing that remains totally consistent across all iterations of Ghost in the Shell.

On a surface level, Ghost in the Shell can best be described as a procedural police drama, with episodic plotlines that often involve heavily political investigations of various cyber-crimes and terrorist acts in a fifty-years-from-now Japan. However, I wouldnt consider the actual episodic plotlines to be the real focus or draw of the series, and Id go so far as to say that Masamune Shirow really never took these stories very seriously.

Video below is the detailed breakdown of the legendary Ghost in the Shell media franchise. Use the table of contents below to navigate the video if you need to take breaks.

Table of contents:

0:00  Introduction

1:08  Ghost in the Shell (Manga)

7:26  Ghost in the Shell (Movie)

9:53  Ghost in the Shell (PSX Game)

10:45  Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Subfranchise)

23:06  Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

24:23  Ghost in the Shell 2.0

25:24  Ghost in the Shell: Arise (Subfranchise)
Using solar thermal technology to grab more oil from the earth is now a major opportunity, to the tune of $114 billion, according to the head of Glasspoint Solar.

Solar thermal-enhanced oil recovery is a technique where steam produced from the heat of the sun is injected into an oil reservoir, facilitating the crudes flow to the surface. Thermal recovery processes have traditionally burnt natural gas to produce steam. The use of alternate methods is driven by the need to send natural gas resources to the local power market or for export.

Solar thermal technology is already at work in concentrated solar power plants, such as Abu Dhabis Shams 100 megawatt power project. For Glasspoint, the technology was ideal for heavy oil extraction. This dense oil is often difficult to pull out of the ground. The American firm began seven years ago to create an enclosed solar technology that could produce steam. The next year, the company secured financing to take this advancement to the oil industry.

Glasspoints president and chief executive, Rod MacGregor, said that 60 per cent of a companys operational spending was on fuel for steam generation. However, the sun can deliver steam for less than it would cost through natural gas.

Solars cost advantage varies by location and the price of fuel, but it was a substantial amount less.

Glasspoint is constructing the 1-gigawatt Miraah thermal solar power plant with PDO, which will be 100 times larger than the pilot facility. We have proven solar EOR technology, which is designed for the unique needs of the oil and gas industry, he said.

The latest project will deliver more than 1GW of peak thermal energy, generating 6,000 tonnes of steam a day, which will be used in PDOs thermal EOR operations to extract heavy oil at the Amal oilfield. The gas that is saved could be used to provide residential power to over 200,000 homes.

The next stop is potentially Kuwait, given that the market opportunity there is in the tens of gigawatts. The firm has a subsidiary located in the country, and has already started to see strong interest in using solar EOR technology. Mr MacGregor added: Using solar at the oilfield will greatly help Kuwait achieve its plan of generating 15 per cent of the countrys energy needs through renewable resources by 2030.

Heres what makes Glasspoints technology so much cheaper than gas and also cheaper than electricity-generating CSP:

There is actually no power block at all. No turbines, no heat exchangers, just mirrors to focus the sunlight on to pipes to carry the boiling water and create steam.

While any fossil fuel has to be burned in order to boil water in a power block to make steam, in Mirrah, it is just the passive action of the sunlight reflected and focused by the parabolic trough onto the pipes that is sufficient to boil the water in the pipes to create steam, which is then injected into the oil wells to push out the last dregs of oil.

Higher steam temperatures are needed for electricity generation, but the 310F steam Glasspoint makes with no power block is perfectly adequate for EOR (enhanced oil recovery). The Miraah project comprises 36 independent, standalone, 50,000 square meter greenhouses that can be deployed as single units or in multiples.

Because the parabolic troughs are sheltered inside the greenhouses, they dont need to withstand corrosive sand or high winds. So they are just 10% of the weight of regular parabolic troughs, which makes them cheaper.

Glasspoint also saves money by putting the super light parabolic troughs inside standard commercial greenhouses. Standard robotic cleaners also clean the exterior glass at night to keep it at optimal clarity.

Other big solar thermal projects that are not oil related

Santa Monicabased SolarReserve has just announced its gigawatt-scale Sandstone Energy 10X (10-tower) project in Nevada, a 2 gigawatt (GW), $5 billion CSP project expected online in 2021.

At 2 GW (2,000 MW) Sandstone will have 20 times the capacity of its current 110 MW Crescent Dunes project. This raises dispatchable solar to the scale of the Hoover Dam, Nevadas other ambitious gigawatt-scale renewable generation.

In May: SolarReserve signed MOUs in China to develop 2 GW of CSP towers in a joint partnership with two large generators in China, including the Shenhua Group, Chinas largest coal company. (Other than the solar-harvesting heliostat field, a CSP plant is identical to any other thermal plant in its back end power block, so there are many opportunities to apply coal-plant building expertise to CSP construction.)

In September: SolarReserve proposed an 800 MW, six tower CSP project at Port Augusta in Australia, where a coal plant closing has left locals rooting for this CSP proposal to replace those coal plant jobs in an unusual example of reverse-NIMBYism.

SOURCES- Cleantechnica, The National
President elect Trump claimed during his campaign that he would designate China as a currency manipulator, imposing a 45 percent tariff on imported Chinese goods. He has also urged opposition to TPP and globalization.

Experts at a seminar held by the Center of China and Globalization think opportunities can be found to improve the China-U.S. relationship.

An Gang, a senior editor and journalist at World Affairs, holds the view that Trumps promises to cut taxes for enterprises and return manufacturing jobs to the U.S. are likely to pose the most major obstacles for China-U.S. cooperation under his leadership. However, Trump also said he would improve the infrastructure of the U.S., and Chinese companies may have a chance to participate in this effort in the future, according to An.

Zhou Xiaojing, former director of the Asia-Africa Development Research Institute under the Development Research Center of Chinas State Council, also believes that Trumps success may bring more favorable than troubling news for China-U.S. relations. However, China should still make preparations and take measures to handle pressure on the RMB exchange rate and China-U.S. trade.

How a Tariff and Trade conflict could go down

Trump mentioned imposing a tariff of 45 percent on all imports from China. But he later avoided specifics  and he has limited power to do so anyway. The law allows him to impose tariffs of no more than 15 percent, and for as long as 150 days, on all imports, unless a national emergency is declared. Other laws allow him to impose tariffs on targeted goods.

Should Mr. Trump want to signal an aggressive stance quickly, he could move against imports of steel and aluminum from China. The Obama administration has been preparing to file a World Trade Organization case against China over claims that it subsidized aluminum exports. And the United States, Japan and the European Union already complain that Chinese government subsidies have produced a bloated domestic steel industry that they say dumps millions of tons of excess goods on world markets each year.

China is more vulnerable given the sheer amount of stuff it sells to America. For more than a decade, China has consistently exported about $4 worth of goods to the United States for each $1 of goods that it imports. Exports to the United States represent about 4 percent of the Chinese economy; American exports to China are only about two-thirds of 1 percent of the United States economy.

We dont have many things in the toolbox for retaliation, because we export more than we import, said Mr. He, the former Chinese commerce ministry official.

Still, China could inflict pain on sensitive areas that provide American jobs, like Boeings jetliners.

General Motors and Ford Motor consider China a big contributor to sales. They mostly manufacture in China to supply the domestic market. But much of the design and engineering work is still done in the United States. China could hurt the automakers by adopting domestic policies that help their big European rivals, notably Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

U.S. exports to China were only $116.2 billion while imports from China hit a new record of $481.9 billion

The United States imports consumer electronics, clothing, and machinery from China.

A lot of the imports are from U.S.-based companies that send raw materials to China for low-cost assembly. When they are shipped back to the United States, they are called imports even though they are profiting American-owned companies.

Long Term China is shifting out of low end exports

New China has bigger and bolder goals than cheap products China intends to create its own national champions to compete with, and even supplant, Americas.

The government has backed that plan with ample subsidies and other support for Chinese firms that are developing new technologies and products, from electric cars to semiconductors. A national industrial strategy called Made in China 2025 is designed to promote the manufacturing of high-tech ships, medical devices, robotics and other advanced equipment. Local governments dole out cash and other goodies to budding entrepreneurs.

Foreigners need not apply. International companies attest that the Chinese government has become less welcoming and the business environment more hostile. They run up against mysterious regulatory investigations, go-slow bureaucratic practices and old-fashioned investment barriers that hamper their businesses. Trumps policies would give China cover to reinforce this approach.

Trumps anti-trade sentiments will also permit China to expand its economic and political influence in Asia at the expense of the U.S.

China to push its own proposed Asia-wide trade pact in its place. As Mark Williams, chief Asia economist at research firm Capital Economics put it in a Nov. 9 report: If the U.S. is less engaged in Asia, Beijing will have an opportunity to shape regional political and economic integration on its own terms.

SOURCES  Bloomberg, NY Times
Robert Zubrin, Longtime Mars Colonization advocate, gives a Critique of the SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System.

Zubrin was struck by many good and powerful ideas in the Musk plan. However, Musks plan assembled some of those good ideas in an extremely suboptimal way, making the proposed system impractical. Still, with some corrections, a system using the core concepts Musk laid out could be made attractive  not just as an imaginative concept for the colonization of Mars, but as a means of meeting the nearer-at-hand challenge of enabling human expeditions to the planet.

Zubrin explains the conceptual flaws of the new SpaceX plan, showing how they can be corrected to benefit, first, the near-term goal of initiating human exploration of the Red Planet, and then, with a cost-effective base-building and settlement program, the more distant goal of future Mars colonization.

Robert Zubrin, a New Atlantis contributing editor, is president of Pioneer Energy of Lakewood, Colorado, and president of the Mars Society.

Highlights

* Have the second stage go only out to the distance of the moon and return to enable 5 payloads to be sent instead of one

* Leave the 100 person capsule on Mars and only have a small cabin return to earth

* use the refueling in orbit and other optimizations to enable a Falcon Heavy to deliver 40 tons to Mars instead of 12 for exploration missions in 2018, 2020 etc

* Reusable first stage makes rocketplanes going anywhere point to point on Earth feasible. Falcon Heavy would have the capacity of a Boeing 737 and could travel in about one hour of time anywhere

There are videos of the Elon Musk presentation and an interview with Zubrin about the Musk plan at the bottom of the article

Spacex Falcon Heavy

Design of the SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System

As described by Musk, the SpaceX ITS would consist of a very large two-stage fully-reusable launch system, powered by methane/oxygen chemical bipropellant. The suborbital first stage would have four times the takeoff thrust of a Saturn V (the huge rocket that sent the Apollo missions to the Moon). The second stage, which reaches orbit, would have the thrust of a single Saturn V. Together, the two stages could deliver a maximum payload of 550 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO), about four times the capacity of the Saturn V. (Note: All of the tons referenced in this article are metric tons.)

At the top of the rocket, the spaceship itself  where some hundred passengers reside  is inseparable from the second stage. (Contrast this with, for example, NASAs lunar missions, where each part of the system was discarded in turn until just the Command Module carried the Apollo astronauts back to Earth.) Since the second-stage-plus-spaceship will have used its fuel in getting to orbit, it would need to refuel in orbit, filling up with about 1,950 tons of propellant (which means that each launch carrying passengers would require four additional launches to deliver the necessary propellant). Once filled up, the spaceship can head to Mars.

The duration of the journey would of course depend on where Earth and Mars are in their orbits; the shortest one-way trip would be around 80 days, according to Musks presentation, and the longest would be around 150 days. (Musk stated that he thinks the architecture could be improved to reduce the trip to 60 or even 30 days.)

After landing on Mars and discharging its passengers, the ship would be refueled with methane/oxygen bipropellant made on the surface of Mars from Martian water and carbon dioxide, and then flown back to Earth orbit.

Zubrins Problems with the Proposed Spacex System

The SpaceX plan as Musk described it contains nine notable features. If we examine each of these in turn, some of the strengths and weaknesses in the overall system will begin to present themselves.

1. Extremely large size. The proposed SpaceX launch system is four times bigger than a Saturn V rocket. This is a serious problem, because even with the companys impressively low development costs, SpaceX has no prospect of being able to afford the very large investment  at least $10 billion  required to develop a launch vehicle of this scale.

2. Use of methane/oxygen bipropellant for takeoff from Earth, trans-Mars injection, and direct return to Earth from the Martian surface. These ideas go together, and are very strong. Methane/oxygen is, after hydrogen/oxygen, the highest-performing practical propellant combination, and it is much more compact and storable than hydrogen/oxygen. It is very cheap, and is the easiest propellant to make on Mars. For over a quarter century, I have been a strong advocate of this design approach, making it a central feature of the Mars Direct mission architecture I first laid out in 1990 and described in my book The Case for Mars. However, it should be noted that while the manufacture of methane/oxygen from Martian carbon dioxide and water is certainly feasible, it is not without cost in effort, power, and capital facilities, and so the transportation system should be designed to keep this burden on the Mars base within manageable bounds.

3. The large scale manufacture of methane/oxygen bipropellant on the Martian surface from indigenous materials. Here I offer the same praise and the same note of caution as above. The use of in situ (that is, on-site) Martian resources makes the entire SpaceX plan possible, just as it is a central feature of my Mars Direct plan. But the scale of the entire mission architecture must be balanced with the production capacity that can realistically be established.

4. All flight systems are completely reusable. This is an important goal for minimizing costs, and SpaceX is already making substantial advances toward it by demonstrating the return and reuse of the first stage of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. However, for a mission component to be considered reusable it doesnt necessarily need to be returned to Earth and launched again. In general, it can make more sense to find other ways to reuse components off Earth that are already in orbit or beyond. This idea is reflected in some parts of the new SpaceX plan  such as refilling the second stage in low Earth orbit  but, as we shall see, it is ignored elsewhere, at considerable cost to program effectiveness. Furthermore the rate at which systems can be reused must also be considered.

5. Refilling methane/oxygen propellant in the booster second stage in Earth orbit. Here Musk and his colleagues face a technical challenge, since transferring cryogenic fluids in zero gravity has never been done. The problem is that in zero gravity two-phase mixtures float around with gas and liquid mixed and scattered among each other, making it difficult to operate pumps, while the ultra-cold nature of cryogenic fluids precludes the use of flexible bladders to effect the fluid transfer. However, I believe this is a solvable problem  and one well worth solving, both for the benefits it offers this mission architecture and for different designs we may see in the future.

6. Use of the second stage to fly all the way to the Martian surface and back. This is a very bad idea. For one thing, it entails sending a 7-million-pound-force thrust engine, which would weigh about 60 tons, and its large and massive accompanying tankage all the way from low Earth orbit to the surface of Mars, and then sending them back, at great cost to mission payload and at great burden to Mars base-propellant production facilities. Furthermore, it means that this very large and expensive piece of capital equipment can be used only once every four years (since the feasible windows for trips to and from Mars occur about every two years).

7. The sending of a large habitat on a roundtrip from Earth to Mars and back. This, too, is a very bad idea, because the habitat will get to be used only one way, once every four years. If we are building a Mars base or colonizing Mars, any large habitat sent to the planets surface should stay there so the colonists can use it for living quarters. Going to great expense to send a habitat to Mars only to return it to Earth empty makes no sense. Mars needs houses.

8. Quick trips to Mars. If we accept the optimistic estimates that Musk offered during his presentation, the SpaceX system would be capable of 115-day (average) one-way trips from Earth to Mars, a somewhat faster journey than other proposed mission architectures. But the speedier trips impose a great cost on payload capability. And they raise the price tag, thereby undermining the architectures professed purpose  colonizing Mars  since the primary requirement for colonization is to reduce cost sufficiently to make emigration affordable. Lets do some back-of-the-envelope calculations. Following the example of colonial America, lets pick as the affordability criterion the property liquidation of a middle-class household, or seven years pay for a working man (say about $300,000 in todays equivalent terms), a criterion with which Musk roughly concurs. Most middle-class householders would prefer to get to Mars in six months at the cost equivalent to one house instead of getting to Mars in four months at a cost equivalent to three houses. For immigrants, who will spend the rest of their lives on Mars, or even explorers who would spend 2.5 years on a round trip, the advantage of reaching Mars one-way in four months instead of six months is negligible  and if shaving off two months would require a reduction in payload, meaning fewer provisions could be brought along, then the faster trip would be downright undesirable. Furthermore, the six-month transit is actually safer, because it is also the trajectory that loops back to Earth exactly two years after departure, so the Earth will be there to meet it. And trajectories involving faster flights to Mars will necessarily loop further out into space if the landing on Mars is aborted, and thus take longer than two years to get back to Earths orbit, making the free-return backup abort trajectory impossible. The claim that the SpaceX plan would be capable of 60-day (let alone 30-day) one-way transits to Mars is not credible.

9. The use of supersonic retropropulsion to achieve landing on Mars. This is a breakthrough concept for landing large payloads, one that SpaceX has demonstrated successfully in landing the first stages of its Falcon 9 on Earth. Its feasibility for Mars has thus been demonstrated in principle. It should be noted, however, that SpaceX is now proposing to scale up the landing propulsion system by about a factor of 50  and employing such a landing techniques adds to the propulsive requirement of the mission, making the (unnecessary) goal of quick trips even harder to achieve.

Improving the SpaceX ITS Plan

Taking the above points into consideration, some corrections for the flaws in the current ITS plan immediately suggest themselves:

A. Instead of hauling the massive second stage of the launch vehicle all the way to Mars, the spacecraft should separate from it just before Earth escape. In this case, instead of flying all the way to Mars and back over 2.5 years, the second stage would fly out only about as far as the Moon, and return to aerobrake into Earth orbit a week after departure. If the refilling process could be done expeditiously, say in a week, it might thus be possible to use the second stage five times every mission opportunity (assuming a launch window of about two months), instead of once every other mission opportunity. This would increase the net use of the second stage propulsion system by a factor of 10, allowing five payloads to be delivered to Mars every opportunity using only one such system, instead of the ten required by the ITS baseline design. Without the giant second stage, the spaceship would then perform the remaining propulsive maneuver to fly to and land on Mars.

B. Instead of sending the very large hundred-person habitat back to Earth after landing it on Mars, it would stay on Mars, where it could be repurposed as a Mars surface habitat  something that the settlers would surely find extremely useful. Its modest propulsive stage could be repurposed as a surface-to-surface long-range flight system, or scrapped to provide material to meet other needs of the people living on Mars. If the propulsive system must be sent back to Earth, it should return with only a small cabin for the pilots and such colonists as want to call it quits. Such a procedure would greatly increase the payload capability of the ITS system while reducing its propellant-production burden on the Mars base.

C. As a result of not sending the very large second stage propulsion system to the Martian surface and not sending the large habitat back from the Martian surface, the total payload available to send one-way to Mars is greatly increased while the propellant production requirements on Mars would be greatly reduced.

D. The notion of sacrificing payload to achieve one-way average transit times substantially below six months should be abandoned. However, if the goal of quick trips is retained, then the corrections specified above would make it much more feasible, greatly increasing payload and decreasing trip time compared to what is possible with the original approach.

Changing the plan in the ways described above would greatly improve the performance of the ITS. This is because the ITS in its original form is not designed to achieve the mission of inexpensively sending colonists and payloads to Mars. Rather, it is designed to achieve the science-fiction vision of the giant interplanetary spaceship. This is a fundamental mistake, although the temptation is understandable. (A similar visionary impulse influenced the design of NASAs space shuttle, with significant disadvantage to its performance as an Earth-to-orbit payload delivery system.) The central requirement of human Mars missions is not to create or operate giant spaceships. Rather, it is to send payloads from Earth to Mars capable of supporting groups of people, and then to send back such payloads as are necessary.

To put it another way: The visionary goal might be to create spaceships, but the rational goal is to send payloads.

Alternative Versions of the SpaceX ITS Plan

To get a sense of some of the benefits that would come from making the changes I [Zubrin] outlined above, lets make some estimates. In the table below, I [Zubrin] compare six versions of the ITS plan, half based on the visionary form that Elon Musk sketched out (called the Original or O design in the table) and half incorporating the alterations I [Zubrin] have suggested (the Revised or R designs).

Our starting assumptions: The ship begins the mission in a circular low Earth orbit with an altitude of 350 kilometers and an associated orbital velocity of 7.7 kilometers per second (km/s). Escape velocity for such a ship would be 10.9 km/s, so applying a velocity change (DV) of 3 km/s would still keep it in a highly elliptical orbit bound to the Earth. Adding another 1.2 km/s would give its payload a perigee velocity of 12.1 km/s, sufficient to send it on a six-month trajectory to Mars, with a two-year free-return option to Earth. (In calculating trip times to Mars, we assume average mission opportunities. In practice some would reach Mars sooner, some later, depending on the launch year, but all would maintain the two-year free return.) We assume a further 1.3 km/s to be required for midcourse corrections and landing using supersonic retropropulsion. For direct return to Earth from the Martian surface, we assume a total velocity change of 6.6 km/s to be required. In all cases, an exhaust velocity of 3.74 km/s (that is, a specific impulse of 382 s) for the methane/oxygen propulsion, and a mass of 2 tons of habitat mass per passenger are assumed. A maximum booster second-stage tank capacity of 1,950 tons is assumed, in accordance with the design data in Musks presentation.

Using the improved plan to send 40 tons (3.3 times more) to Mars with Falcon Heavy

Consider what this revised version of the ITS plan would look like in practice, if it were used not for settling Mars but for the nearer-at-hand task of exploring Mars. If a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle were used to send payloads directly from Earth, it could land only about 12 tons on Mars. (This is roughly what SpaceX is planning on doing in an unmanned Red Dragon mission as soon as 2018.) While it is possible to design a minimal manned Mars expedition around such a limited payload capability, such mission plans are suboptimal. But if instead, following the ITS concept, the upper stage of the Falcon Heavy booster were refueled in low Earth orbit, it could be used to land as much as 40 tons on Mars, which would suffice for an excellent human exploration mission. Thus, if booster second stages can be refilled in orbit, the size of the launch vehicle required for a small Mars exploration mission could be reduced by about a factor of three.

In all of the ITS variants discussed here, the entire flight hardware set would be fully reusable, enabling low-cost support of a permanent and growing Mars base. However, complete reusability is not a requirement for the initial exploration missions to Mars; it could be phased in as technological abilities improved. Furthermore, while the Falcon Heavy as currently designed uses kerosene/oxygen propulsion in all stages, not methane/oxygen, in the revised ITS plan laid out above only the propulsion system in the trans-Mars ship needs to be methane/oxygen, while both stages of the booster can use any sort of propellant. This makes the problem of refilling the second stage on orbit much simpler, because kerosene is not cryogenic, and thus can be transferred in zero gravity using flexible bladders, while liquid oxygen is paramagnetic, and so can be settled on the pumps side of the tank using magnets.

Dawn of the Spaceplanes

Toward the end of his presentation, Musk briefly suggested that one way to fund the development of the ITS might be to use it as a system for rapid, long-distance, point-to-point travel on Earth. This is actually a very exciting possibility, although I would add the qualifier that such a system would not be the ITS as described, but a scaled-down related system, one adapted to the terrestrial travel application.

For a rocketplane to travel halfway around the world would require a DV of about 7 km/s (6 km/s in physical velocity, and 1 km/s in liftoff gravity and drag losses). Assuming methane/oxygen propellant with an exhaust velocity of 3.4 km/s (it would be lower for a rocketplane than for a space vehicle, because exhaust velocity is reduced by surrounding air), such a vehicle, if designed as a single stage, would need to have a mass ratio of about 8, which means that only 12 percent of its takeoff mass could be solid material, accounting for all structures, while the rest would be propellant. On the other hand, if the rocketplane were boosted toward space by a reusable first stage that accomplished the first 3 km/s of the required DV, the flight vehicle would only need a mass ratio of about 3, allowing 34 percent of it to be structure. This reduction of the propellant-to-structure ratio from 7:1 down to 2:1 is the difference between a feasible system and an infeasible one.

In short, what Musk has done by making reusable first stages a reality is to make rocketplanes possible. But there is no need to wait for 500-ton-to-orbit transports. In fact, his Falcon 9 reusable first stage, which is already in operation, could enable globe-spanning rocketplanes with capacities comparable to the DC-3, while the planned Falcon Heavy (or New Glenn) launch vehicles could make possible rocketplanes with the capacity of a Boeing 737.

Nextbigfuture notes that reusable first stages are now technically functioning but safety and reliability would need to be improved by about 1000 to 10,000 times for point to point manned travel.

SOURCES- Spacex, Zubrin, the New Atlantis
ATLANTIC SKIES: Stellar asterisms  eye-catching pretenders to the constellation throne and just part of the bigger picture

Most everyone, or at least most amateur astronomers, are familiar with the constellations in the night sky to some degree. Many, however, may not be familiar with the numerous asterisms in the night sky. What is the difference between a constellation ...
#Itaewon tragedy Yoon pays 3rd visit to mourning altar for Halloween crush victims President Yoon Suk-yeol paid his third visit to a mourning altar for victims of the Halloween crowd crush Wednesday. Yoon has kept his public schedule to a minimum since the tra...

#law Gov't proposes law lowering criminal age limit by 1 year to 13 The justice ministry on Wednesday put up a pre-legislation notice about a law revision on lowering the age of criminal responsibility by one year from the current 14, officials sai...
The Federal Government is to rehabilitate Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway, Abuja, with about N1 billion.

The Federal Government is to rehabilitate Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway, Abuja, with about N1 billion.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a reliable source from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, disclosed this to aviation correspondents in Lagos on Sunday.The runway had been in bad state due to overuse and had been a source of concern to Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.The source said the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had set up a committee to oversee the work.Government is making urgent effort to start the rehabilitation of the runway at the Abuja airport and government has provided funds for the work, which could start anytime from now.The committee is expected to schedule the maintenance dates, which are expected to run from days to weeks.It is expected to also decide whether the runway would be closed daily or some hours of the day so that work could start on the facility, the source added.According to the source, Mr. Sirika had designated Kaduna airport as alternative to Abuja so that flights would be diverted to Kaduna while work is ongoing at the nations second busiest airport.The source further disclosed that the project had been advertised and Gilmore, Julius Berger and PW had bided for the project.The source said:After the committees final presentation to the Minister, he will be expected to discuss with the National Security Adviser to agree on the date work would start on the runway.The Abuja airport will be certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The process for certification will end by March 2017.The airport has been chosen as the pilot for the International Civil Aviation Organisations No Country Left Behind campaign.The Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, also confirmed the rehabilitation plan for the Abuja airport.She noted that all efforts were being made to ensure the runway was restored to international standard.(NAN)
Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has urged privileged Nigerians to remember to help Internally Displaced Persons living in squatter c...

Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has urged privileged Nigerians to remember to help Internally Displaced Persons living in squatter camps across the country, describing such gesture as work of faith and the essence of living. Mrs. Buhari made this call through her representative, the wife of Nassarawa state governor, Haijya, Mairo Tanko Al-Makura, during a charity awareness walk organized by Victims of Violence Charity Foundation in Abuja during the weekend. She attributed the heart of giving and caring for the less privileged to the spirit of brotherliness, which she said is a critical aspect of nation building and development.We all understand what charity is all about. The first lady, like you know, has a passion for women, children, and youths of this country. Her programme  Future Assured  has done a lot in collaboration with other organizations to uplift the living standard of those living in the IDP camps. The federal government cannot do it alone.So we need people philanthropists to come out, support and assist the IDPs, Mrs. Al-makura said. She commended the organizers of the annual charity awareness walk for sustaining their passion in helping and supporting the less privileged ones especially those in the IDP camps, for the past three years by empowering them through skills, education and providing them with proper feeding to fight the scourge of malnutrition plaguing scores of women and children in the camps Also speaking, the wife of Zamfara state governor, Mrs. Asmau Abdulaziz Yari, hailed Aisha Buhari for demonstrating, through her own actions, the kind of quality care and support IDPs need to find their feet in the society and re-adjust to normal living in their respective communities. Mrs. Yari also gave unflinching assurances of the support of governors wives to the cause of rehabilitating the IDPs.This is for a very good cause. And, you know, anything that has to do with malnutrition, concern for children and the less privileged, the governors wives will play a very passionate role in that. She said.
Hillary Clinton has blamed her defeat in the US presidential election on interventions by the FBI director.

Hillary Clinton has blamed her defeat in the US presidential election on interventions by the FBI director.James Comeys announcement of a new inquiry into her use of email while secretary of state shortly before election day had stopped her campaigns momentum, Mrs Clinton said.The Democratic candidate was speaking to top party donors in a phone call, which was leaked to the media.Protests are continuing against the victory of her rival, Donald Trump.About 2,000 people have been marching through the New York borough of Manhattan, to shouts of not my president, as they head for the skyscraper where the president-elect lives.American cities have seen nightly protests by activists furious at the property tycoons controversial policies.Mr Trump seems to be rowing back on some of his campaign pledges. Having pledged to scrap President Barack Obamas healthcare law dubbed Obamacare, he now says he is open to leaving intact key parts of the act.Asked whether he would implement a campaign promise to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Mrs Clinton over her use of a private email server while secretary of state, he listed healthcare, jobs, border control and tax reform as greater priorities.The Republican is due to be sworn in on 20 January, taking over from Mr Obama, who will have completed two terms in office.Mrs Clinton, who served as Mr Obamas secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, has been keeping a low profile since conceding victory on Wednesday.On 28 October, Mr Comey informed Congress that the FBI was examining newly discovered emails sent or received by Mrs Clinton, thus reviving an investigation which had been completed in July.Then, on 6 November, two days before the election, Mr Comey announced in a second letter that he was standing by his original assessment  that Mrs Clinton should not face criminal charges.There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful, Mrs Clinton told the donors on a farewell conference call on Saturday.But our analysis is that Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum. We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing ahead to regain our advantage.According to US media, she added that Mr Comeys later recommendation that she should face no charges had energised Mr Trumps supporters.The New York marchers rallied in Union Square Park for the march to Trump Tower, from which the next president has been planning the transition to his inauguration on 20 January.One organiser of the New York protest, Kenneth Shelton, told the BBC that it was not an attempt to challenge the legitimacy of Tuesdays election. We lost, he admitted.Placards at the demonstration express despair and anger, the BBCs Paul Adams says.One read Trump: An American Tragedy while the message on another read Now Were Your Nightmare.We must unite despite our differences to stop hate from ruling the land, organisers of the New York protest wrote on Facebook. Demonstrations in the city earlier this week drew thousands of people.Demonstrations are also scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles and Chicago. Earlier demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, turned violent and one person was shot but most rallies have passed off peacefully.Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Thursday and Friday in the centre of Portland.Some protesters smashed shop and car windows, threw firecrackers and set rubbish alight. Objects were thrown at the police, who responded with pepper spray and rubber baton rounds. Police declared a riot and made 26 arrests.One man was shot on Friday. Police said he was taking part in a march across a bridge in the city. His injuries were not life-threatening, but his attacker is still at large.-BBC
Igbo traders in Lagos under the aegis of Igbo Traders in All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Lagos State Government to incr...

Igbo traders in Lagos under the aegis of Igbo Traders in All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Lagos State Government to increase its interaction with them for better understanding.The traders made the demand in a communique issued at the end of its maiden meeting in Lagos at the weekend. They said increased government engagement with them would ensure better understanding of their needs and the challenges they were faced with at the various markets in the state. According to the communique presented by Mr Erondu Chinedu, the Co-ordinator of the meeting, the traders sought an end to what they called discrimination against the igbos on levies and taxes at the various markets.They also demanded for more inclusion of the Igbos in the political affairs of the state to give them a sense of belonging. Chinedu said the members of the association were law abiding and they would continue to relate harmoniously with the people of the state. Earlier, Chief Odus Ikejiobi, the President-General of the association. said the traders were in support of the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and the APC. He said Igbo traders had contributed immensely to the state`s economy and were passionate about its development.We are Igbo traders from all parts of Lagos. Some of us were born here, while others had their children here, so we are part of the state`s economy. We believe Lagos is our home and we need to protect it.That is why we are pledging our unalloyed support to the administration in the state.We also support our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he is a detrabilised Nigerian who has made Lagos a home for us all. We are in support of his politics because we know he means well for the state and the nation. We believe in the APC and we will continue to support the party both at the state and national level to take the nation to greater heights,he said. Ikejobi said the traders believed in the Changeagenda of the Federal Government and urged other Igbo traders who were yet to join the train to support the current administration in its effort. He urged the state government to reciprocate the traders` gesture by addressing the challenges faced by members in all the 52 affiliated markets in the state. Mr Ganiyu Ajose, A representative of the APC at the meeting, commended the traders for declaring their suppport for APC and the state government.He said the Igbos were part of the builders of Lagos and promised that the state government would continue to provide the right atmosphere for their businesses to thrive. Ajose said he was impressed by the large turn out of traders at the inaugural meeting, adding that this was an indication that the traders had actually aligned with the ruling party. He urged the traders to move beyond the declaration for the party and start working for the progess of APC in the state.The Igbos are part of Lagos, we recognise you. I urge you to be resolute in your support for our party, the state government and our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu. We will do all our best to provide the atmosphere for you to succeed.We are partners in progress and we will work with you to achieve a greater Lagos.he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders from markets across the the state attended the meeting. Some of the markets represented by traders at the meeting included markets in Iyanapaja, Ajah, Apapa and Festac. (NAN)
- The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh on Friday in Dutse, Jigawa State capital, said the country would soon start exporting hi...

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh on Friday in Dutse, Jigawa State capital, said the country would soon start exporting high quality rice.Ogbeh stated this following a tour of rice farms in Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa State.The minister was in the company of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, who is also the Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.Ogbeh said, When we told Nigerians about two months ago that in another one year, there will be no need for a grain of rice to be imported, some people did not believe us. But in Auyo, Jigawa state, you can see massive rice fields that can produce between 1.2 million metric tons and 1.5 million metric tons of rice.This is just one out of the 27 local government areas in Jigawa state. As such, every Nigerian will see season fresh rice to eat, not rice stored for seven years in silos abroad or in foreign countries.There is no better way of developing our rural people. There is no need for us to continue to import expired rice from other countries. When we initiated the programme, it was greeted with criticism. As you can see today, our farmers will be heroes and that is the change mantra the Buhari-led administration is determined to achieve.The governors are taking the lead by encouraging rice farmers in their respective states to embrace the cultivation and production of rice in commercial quantities. Nigeria will soon become a major rice exporter.In his remarks, Abubakar said Jigawa state plans to produce 1.5 to five million metric tons of rice within the next five years through farmers clusters training programme.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation confirmed on Saturday that it was intensifying its search for crude oil in the North-East ge...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation confirmed on Saturday that it was intensifying its search for crude oil in the North-East geopolitical zone.The agency also disclosed that it had succeeded in mounting a Global Positioning System monument at the Kolmani oil well in the region.A group of foreign expatriates and indigenous professionals from the corporation mounted the GPS monument at the oil exploration site, according to Twitter messages from the national oil firm.The corporation said, NNPC group seismic crew has finally mounted GPS Monument at the Kolmani oil well site. The search for oil in the N/East (North-East) is truly underway!President Muhammadu Buhari had about three months ago, directed the national oil firm to explore for crude oil in the North.The President, in August, directed the national oil firm to commence exploration activities in the Benue Trough.The Benue Trough is a major geological formation underlying a large part of Nigeria, extending about 1,000km North-East from the Bight of Benin to Lake Chad.In July, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated that the President had directed the corporation to speed up its prospect for oil in the northern region, specifically in the Chad Basin and Kolmani River, following the reported discovery of hydrocarbons by Shell in the area.Similarly, in a document obtained by our correspondent from the Abuja headquarters of the corporation, it was observed that the national oil firm was already targeting gas in 126 northern basins.In the document, the NNPC stated that out of a total of 209 oil and gas open acreages for allocation across different terrains in the country, 126 blocks are located in the North, 34 in Niger Delta, 12 in the Anambra Basin, and 37 are situated in the Dahomey Basin.In its Twitter messages on Saturday, the NNPC stated that the seismic crew moved for several hours in the bush, in a bid to get a favourable location to mount the GPS monument.The seismic crew moved for over five hours deep into the bush before reaching their destination; they had three flat tire incidents, the NNPC said.The vandalisation of crude oil installations in Nigerias Niger Delta region had severely reduced the countrys foreign earning exchange earnings, a development that had impacted negatively on the performance of the 2016 budget.
Anambra State born oil magnet oil magnate, Chief Emeka Offor on Sunday warned pickpockets to steer clear of the funeral of his father, C...

Anambra State born oil magnet oil magnate, Chief Emeka Offor on Sunday warned pickpockets to steer clear of the funeral of his father, Chief Bennett Offor that will hold this week at Oraifite, Anambra State.He said security arrangements had been put in place to pick anybody who would misbehave on the occasion, warning that he will not spare anybody, including hoodlums who may like to embarrass his friend and well wishers that will attend the burial in any way.Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari and American President-elect, Mr. Donald Trump and many other African leaders are expected to attend the funeral.This was disclosed by the Vice Chairman of the Pa Benneth Offor Burial Committee, Mr. Tony Obi, while unveiling the burial plans Pa Offor who died in Febuary this year, at Emeka Okafor Foundation Centre, Oraifite, Anambra State. According to Sir Offor, my father served the Nigerian Police meritoriously and retired after 35 years of service, so nobody will be allowed to come here and mess up his funeral. Security arrangements have been put in place to deal with miscreants.Pickpockets would often sew uniform and infiltrate the funerals of rich persons in the State and steal peoples valuables, including telephone and money, but we are waiting for them in Oraifite, that day may be their last that will land them in prison, to be fore warned is to be fore armed.Chief Offor said members of the National Assembly would be led to the funeral ceremony by the former Presidents of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani and Senstor Anyim Pius Anyim, while many people from all walks of life will have promised to come. My father was a very nice man, he gave me so much encouragement and everything you see me doing was initiated by him.'He is a passionate philanthropist who would always like to see smiles on the faces of everyone that came in contact with him and I must tell you that most of the guys you see me hang out with were introduced to me by him.
AUBURN  In June, John Arpino was extremely busy at work  and because of this the Auburn native considered rescheduling his annual physical. He had always been healthy and didn't feel that anything was amiss with his health, but something told him to just keep the scheduled appointment and go as planned.

It was at this appointment that called for further testing and revealed that Arpino tested positive for acute myeloid leukemia.

Since then he has undergone an array of medical treatments that include the chemotherapy that has put the disease in remission. But that is just the beginning, with more chemo needed to prepare his body for the upcoming bone marrow transplant that will hopefully take place in January.

To aid with the mounting medical costs, friends and family came together at the Ukrainian National Club in Auburn Saturday afternoon to host a benefit in Arpino's honor.

"We were just blown away when the news came," said Arpino's wife, Donna Arpino. "John has never really been sick in all of his life. He has always been very healthy. He considers postponing his annual physical because he felt great and he just didn't want to miss work. He never missed work. But he went and we are so thankful that he did."

Donna Arpino said that the amount of familial and community support that has been shown to her husband has been more than either of them could have ever asked for.

"I just can't believe the generosity of the community," she said. "We are just so grateful to everyone for everything that they have done and continue to do. It is so overwhelming how much love there is out there."

The first round of chemotherapy that put John into remission will allow the bone marrow transplant slated for January.

"Thank god that John's brother was a perfect match," Donna said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all.
Political satire has taken on new forms since the dawn of the Internet.

Before, the likes of Monty Python, Dave Allen, Hall's Pictorial Weekly, Yes Minister and so on were the usual avenues of taking a good, firm swipe at the ruling classes - but now the internet has given birth to memes; humorous images or videos that can eloquently - or not so eloquently, as is often the case - skewer political candidates and figures.

While they're most irreverent and fun, some view them as a dangerous precedent. Spain's ruling Popular Party is hoping to enact a law that will see memes outlawed and removed from the internet. The law, it is hoped, will prevent "spreading of images that infringe the honour of a person."

Spain already has a controversial 'gag law' that has seen people fined for taking pictures of people being arrested by police and prevents the unauthorised photography of police. In July, a man was fined by police for leaving a comment on a Facebook page about... police being lazy.

Of course, the proposed law against memes has sparked - you guessed it - a flurry of memes on Twitter and Facebook, which is just the thing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is trying to stamp out. Prime Minister Rajoy was previously in international headlines when he tried to enact laws that would remove the siesta from Spanish society.

Ahora el PP quiere prohibir los memes y considerarlos delito. Rajoy, te pasas #SinMemesNoHayDemocracia pic.twitter.com/OSxvIJQ5Gb  Codigo Nuevo (@CodigoNuevo) November 8, 2016

Members of Spain's Popular Party, however, have downplayed Prime Minister Rajoy's plans, saying that the only memes that would be targeted would be those that posed a security risk or directly accuse someone falsely of a crime.

Via Codigo Nuevo
If the clouds hopefully part tonight or tomorrow night, you're in for a real treat.

Supermoons are somewhat regular, but tonight's will mark the closest the moon has come to the planet since 1948. At perigree - the point at which the moon is closest to Earth - the moon can be as much as 14% closer to Earth than at apogee, which is when the moon is farthest from our planet.

The full moon appears that much larger in diameter and because it is larger shines close to 30% more moonlight onto the Earth. Noah Petro, Deputy Director of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission at NASA, explains that the "difference in distance from one night to the next will be very subtle, so if its cloudy on Sunday, go out on Monday."

"Any time after sunset should be fine. Since the moon is full, itll rise at nearly the same time as sunset, so Id suggest that you head outside after sunset, or once its dark and the moon is a bit higher in the sky. You dont have to stay up all night to see it, unless you really want to!

What's more, if there is too much cloud cover tonight, you'll get another chance in a few weeks as the final supermoon of 2016 is scheduled to appear on December 14th. You won't see another full moon supermoon again until November 25th, 2034.

Via NASA
Deer hunting is enjoyed by thousands of Nebraskans who want to put meat in their freezer, create memories and carry on traditions with friends and family.

While enjoying the hunt, Nebraskans should make safety their top priority.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has the following reminders for the Nov. 12-20 firearm deer season:

 Treat every firearm as if its loaded, keep the firearm muzzle pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off of the trigger until ready to fire.

 Know where the target is and what is beyond it. Never pull the trigger unless you are sure your target is a deer, and know the potential distance of the shot.

 Use the firearms safety, but dont rely on it, because safeties can fail.

 Dont shoot at flat, hard surfaces or water, as bullets can ricochet.

 Unload firearms when climbing into and out of tree stands and when carrying them in a vehicle.

 Tell someone when and where you will be hunting and when you will be expected to return home. Let them know when you have returned. Avoid hunting alone, if possible.

 Have the proper clothing and gear for the weather, and keep an eye on the forecast.

 Check all hunting equipment to make sure everything is in proper working order, including the tree stand.

 Tree stand hunters should wear a fall-arrest system, use a haul line to raise and lower gear into the stand and always maintain three points of contact when climbing.

 In Nebraska, anyone hunting deer under a firearm permit during a firearm season must display at least 400 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest and back. This also applies to anyone archery hunting during the November firearm deer season and the Jan. 1-15 deer season.

Hunter education certification is required for some hunters.

To learn more or sign up for a course, go to huntsafenebraska.org or contact Hunter Education Coordinator Wendy Horine at wendy.horine@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-6134.
Each November, the Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt hosts hunters from all over the country for three days of shooting competitions, hunting activities, award banquets and social events. Sunrise to sunset, select hunters search the sky for pheasants. Equipped with one box of shells, only one five-member team can share the glory of bagging the most birds.

The 56th One Box Pheasant Hunt featured seven new teams and 32 past shooters. Fundraisers, award banquets and social events were at the Cobblestone Hotel and Nebraska One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow. Many competitors traveled from out of state for this adventure of a lifetime and special guest Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was in attendance for the banquet and festivities.

The Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt is proud to announce the 2016 hunt results.

The Flushem-N-Crushem team took first place. Captain: Bert Kirkpatrick of Broken Bow, Chet Kirkpatrick of Hastings, Joel Richardson of Stratton, John Webster of North Platte and Richard Aupperle of North Platte. With one box of shells, this five-member team scored 65 points shooting 13 pheasants to take first place. Local guides Bob Allen and Mike Bell, dog handler Jeff White and scorekeeper Brett Kirkpatrick share the glory.

The NEBRAS-TEX team came in second with 50 points and Rock Creek Farms came in third also with 50 points. This close tie was broken by the most successful time.

The competing past shooters team captained by Matt Varney took first place. Team members included Wade Williams, Mitch Williams and Casey Williams. Travis Collier and Colby Collier helped guide the successful team.

For more information, complete results visit nebraskaonebox.com.
Election blues hitting Americans hard just before Black Friday

NEW YORK (AP)  The uncertainty surrounding who will be the next U.S. president is over. But with people still bitterly divided, are they ready to think about a holiday shopping season that thrives on feelings of joy and peace?

Reports from retailers, including department stores like Kohls, Macys and J.C. Penney, showed that shoppers had been starting to step up their spending in the weeks leading up to the election won by Republican Donald Trump. And the companies are generally optimistic about a good holiday season, pointing to higher wages for workers and leaner inventories.

A relatively happy employed consumer base is a willing group of consumers, said Greg Portell, a partner in A.T. Kearneys consumer products and retail and communications, media and technology group.

Pointing to the political environment is an easy excuse for retailers, analysts said. Even after the rancor of the campaign, they believe, Trump supporters will be in the mood to spend and those who supported Democrat Hillary Clinton or another candidate may shop as a balm on their emotions.

Its retail therapy either way, says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at NPD Group, a market research firm.

What the department stores were seeing before the election was a bit of a mixed bag. Macys and Kohls raised their sales outlooks this week as they saw improvement, even as they posted another quarter of smaller declines. Nordstrom reported an increase in the key sales measure, and raised its earnings outlook.

But Penney cut its annual outlook for a key sales measure after reporting a surprise sales drop as it wrestled with weak clothing sales. Macys had specifically cited strength in apparel, across the mens, womens and childrens departments. Like some other retailers, Penneys business has been volatile, bouncing back in the summer after a tough start to the year.

In general, a dip in buying is normal before a presidential election as people are distracted and advertising space is taken up by political ads, but spending usually bounces back afterward. In 2012 and 2004, year-over-year sales growth slowed an average of 22 percent in September and October, from the January through August period, but rebounded an average of 16 percent in November and December, according to consulting group AlixPartners.

Penneys CEO Marvin Ellison said it was hard to quantify how much the upcoming election affected business in the third quarter but that business accelerated in October, the last month of the period. But he noted from an economic standpoint, shoppers are in really good shape, he added.

We are hoping that in the post-election, we are just going to see people spend, he said.

Some consumers are nervous about changes under a Trump presidency that could affect a lot of different industries.

Donna Jonas, a retired customer service representative in Albuquerque, New Mexico, says she started spending less a couple months ago. The 63-year-old worries that Trump might privatize social security and what his plans might be for health care.

Its my financial future that I am concerned about, she said.

Jonas says she has cut back on buying new books, and she and her husband wont buy each other a holiday gift as they usually do. She also plans to spend less on gifts for her grandchildren.

Department store executives still say there are reasons to be hopeful.

There are a lot of people feeling positive today about a Trump presidency, said Macys CEO Terry Lundgren, citing Trumps victory speech that was seen as conciliatory. As for those who are upset about the election, he says its too early to tell.

Ellison says its too soon to know how the election effect will pan out, but added, We are a very resilient country.
A striking aspect of the 2016 presidential election was the impact from voters in Americas rural areas and small towns.

Strong turnout in those areas in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and, it appears, Michigan was crucial in flipping those states into the GOP column and giving Donald Trump key support for an Electoral College win.

What were seeing across the country is that Trump is just outperforming other recent Republican candidates in a lot of these smaller, rural areas and in small towns  in some areas that were once Democratic, Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory University, told Bloomberg News. Hes getting huge margins out of these rural areas.

Nationwide, rural voters backed Trump over Clinton 62 percent to 34 percent, according to exit polling conducted by the Associated Press and television networks.

A president needs to have a general understanding of and respect for the breadth of concerns in our nation, whether its high-population urban areas or small-town rural ones. We are one nation.

How well Trump can succeed in meeting the hopes raised during the campaign for rural and small-town supporters remains to be seen.

A lighter regulatory hand and tax relief, as expected under the new administration, may help. More problematic are the campaign promises to bring back manufacturing to many small towns, given the complexities of the global economy, automation and the shrinking demand for low-skilled shop-floor employment.

As for agriculture, any time you can open up trade, its beneficial to commodity prices, Dax Wedemeyer, an analyst with West Des Moines-based U.S. Commodities Inc., said last week. Its unclear, however, whether the next four years will bring more open markets or, instead, a trade war.

Its positive that issues from rural areas and small towns will receive greater attention from national leaders. With the campaign over, the next step is to see what realistic actions are possible to tackle the needs the election identified.

 The Omaha World-Herald
Northwest Indiana Bancorp, the holding company for Peoples Bank, has elected Robert Johnson III to its board of directors. He is the president, CEO and co-founder of Cimcor Inc., a firm that develops cutting edge IT security software. He is also the founder of Velocityware, which develops, markets and distributes mobile software and technology.

The Pangere Corp. has promoted Tim Guendling to carpenter superintendent of the Commercial Construction Division. He has been with The Pangere Corp. since 2009 and has led a variety of projects in the healthcare, education, and municipal markets.

The Porter Health Care System has welcomed Dr. Shalini Patel, who will practice family medicine at her office at 650 Dickinson Road, Chesterton. She received her medical degree at American University of Antigua and completed her family medicine residency at University of Illinois at Rockford.

DeMotte Physicians, a Porter Physician Group practice, has welcomed Keri Smith, MSN, FNP. She received her bachelors degree in nursing from Purdue University North Central and earned her masters of science as a family nurse practitioner at Purdue University Calumet.

HealthLinc has appointed Emily Backe as its chief human resources officer. She will be responsible for developing and executing human resources strategy in support of the business plan and strategic direction of HealthLinc.

Powersource Transportation Inc. owner Barb Bakos has had her firm certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Great Lakes Womens Business Council. The certification means a business is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
A leading Irish cyber-security firm has issued a warning to Netflix subscribers about a possible phishing scam.

According to ESET, the scam comes in the form a harmless-looking e-mail that purports to be from the streaming giant. The e-mail, sometimes marked 'Netflix Cancellation', provides a link for users to reset their account if they wish to continue using the service.

Upon clicking said link, users are then taken to a very genuine-looking page where they're asked to enter their address, payment details and e-mail address in order to 'reset' their Netflix account. As you can imagine, these are all fake and Netflix doesn't just shut down your account willy-nilly.

Phishing is a serious business, especially in Ireland. Scams have become more and more sophisticated, with e-mails coming from places as varied as Revenue Commissioners, AIB, ESB, iTunes and now even Netflix that look the part.

Of course, a quick examination of the e-mail address that sends the message usually gives it away. As always, be careful and never, EVER enter your credit card details or personal address without first checking thoroughly that you're in the right place.

Via ESET Ireland
NEW YORK  The cast on national tour with Lincoln Centers The King and I includes an actor who has played two different roles in the musical on Broadway, a one-time miraculous nanny and an actress who adored the film version as a child because she saw herself.

The Tony Award-winning revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic tale of clashing cultures has hit the road for a 19-city tour starring Jose Llana as the king, Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna and Manna Nichols as Tuptim.

The musicals story centers on an Englishwoman who travels to Siam in the 1860s to teach the children of the king. The revival won the Tony Award in 2015 starring Kelli OHara and Ken Watanabe. Its score by Rodgers and Hammerstein includes I Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance.

Llana took over from Watanabe as the king on Broadway in two stints and knows the show very well: He made his Broadway debut in a 1996 revival, playing the part of Lun Tha, an envoy from the Prince of Burma.

This show and The King and I in general means a lot to me, personally, he said. So many lessons can be learned from how the King and Anna, from two different worlds, find common ground and find a way to live peacefully.

Kelly, a West End veteran who played the title role in Mary Poppins and was just in Finding Neverland on Broadway, played Anna in a Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis production in 2012 but said she craved another chance. I couldnt resist, especially with this amazing production, she said. I knew it was time to put the corset back on.

Nichols, from Oklahoma City, is also a veteran of the musical, having played Tuptim at the Walnut St. Theatre and North Shore Music Theatre. She saw the Lincoln Center version the day after OHara won her Tony and the actress cheered her hometown heroine.

Nichols adored the 1958 film version starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr and would beg her grandmother to fast-forward to the girl who looks like me, she said. I love watching everything but, as a child, you want to see people represented who look like you.

It will be Nichols first national tour but Llana is a pro, having travelled with Flower Drum Song and Martin Guerre. Hes looking forward to the King and I making a stop next summer at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., his hometown. He plans to stay with his parents and predicts his mother will cook for the cast.

Llana, whose Broadway credits also include Rent and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is also looking forward to stops in Boston, where his sister lives, and Los Angeles and Philadelphia, where friends are.

This tour is a really wonderful opportunity not just to bring The King and I and this beautiful production around the country but to really catch up with a lot of family and friends, he said. For once, its nice for me to bring the show to them.
The election is over, so what about all those frayed relationships among loved ones?

Mothers and sons, sisters and brothers, friends unfriended  it's been tough for some on opposing sides who must now figure out the way forward. They wonder what their ties will feel like a month from now. A year. What about the holidays?

Leigh Anne O'Connor in Manhattan already has her answer, and her heart broke.

"My dad just called and said he is not coming for Thanksgiving," she said Thursday. "I cried last night when we hung up."

He supported President-elect Donald Trump, along with one of her sisters and other relatives. She did not.

"He got into a 'discussion' on Facebook with a friend who will be at Thanksgiving and he also read something my oldest daughter wrote against our family members who supported Trump," O'Connor explained. "My mom was always liberal. She died 12 years ago. Things would be different if she was still alive."

In Los Angeles, Tonya McKenzie said she expects her big brother to show up for turkey despite their political differences. She has always looked up to him but anticipates a new level of "awkwardness" after he went on a few social media rampages disparaging Hillary Clinton.

Until then, McKenzie said they had been able to thoughtfully agree and disagree on specific issues and traits they liked about each presidential candidate, with the siblings often crossing party lines together.

McKenzie wound up voting for Clinton. Though she likely knows the answer, "I'm scared to ask him who he voted for," said McKenzie, who would rather dwell on more positive times.

Kim Terca lives in San Francisco and works in the tech industry. She was raised in a conservative South Dakota Republican family and has always voted for Democrats or Independents. Until now.

She voted for Trump, for many reasons, and won't be spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with a particular friend and her family as she has for the last two years.

"She's been ghosting me for the last few months," Terca said Friday. "But she did say at one point, 'Are you really for Trump?' We're not going to be close friends any more. No. It's really sad."

For Clinton supporter Taz Loomans, who lives in Portland, Oregon, her ache comes over her relationship with her older sister. Like McKenzie, she hasn't asked whether her loved one  both are 40-somethings  cast a vote for Trump. Loomans doesn't want to seal that in words.

"We're a Muslim family. She hadn't been with Trump the whole time. She was really appalled at his candidacy and his racism. But at the end she said she hated Hillary more and was really suspicious of Hillary," Loomans said.

Their bond is battered but not broken, she said, and she's not sure how her feelings will settle. They've spoken since the election.

"I love my sister. I'm not going to disown her or stop speaking to her, but I've always looked up to her and her opinions. If she disagreed with me, it always made me think, oh maybe she has a point," Loomans said. "But this kind of takes that away. She's not on a pedestal anymore."

The election cycle has clearly left some families battered, along with Amanda Rose in Louisville, Kentucky.

She's a professional matchmaker.

"I had one man that refused to continue to date a lady that voted for Trump. I have heard of countless conflicts with dates because of the election. It's been so bad I've decided not to set up any more dates till next week," Rose said Thursday.

It's a husband-wife thing for Bill Seavey in Cambria, California. She's from Canada and a Trump voter. He was for Clinton.

"There were some hurt feelings that we wouldn't accept each other's viewpoints," he said. "We're civil people, love each other and we agreed to disagree. But I'm glad the election is over!"
When Winfield Town Councilwoman Bridget Baird lived in Chicago, she enjoyed attending outdoor activities, like yoga and movies in the park. After moving to Winfield, she wanted to see such events offered in her community and next year she will see it happen.

Thanks to a donation of nine-acres of land by Providence Builders, a park is in the process of being developed that will be the site of new events.

The first phase will hopefully be a pavilion and playground equipment, she said. A grant has already been secured through the Crown Point Community Foundation to purchase sound and projection equipment to do Movies in the Park starting next year. Without a solid completion date set for the park, Baird said the intention is to begin the Movies in the Park even if the park is not yet ready, possibly in an alternate location initially. She hopes it is an event that will draw in people from other communities, as well.

There are so many young families in Winfield. Theres not a lot to do here, but a lot of people are moving in and these types of amenities are important. People will want these types of things moving forward, Baird said. Movies in the Park is a great opportunity for families, community members and visitors to get together and enjoy an otherwise costly family night out.
CINCINNATI  Jurors failed to come up with a verdict against a white former police officer charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black motorist and were leaning toward a lesser conviction, a prosecutor said Saturday after a mistrial was declared.

The jury spent some 25 hours debating the outcome and indicated several times that they were deadlocked before a judge agreed.

Prosecutors will decide within the next two weeks whether to retry former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting 43-year-old Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate on July 19, 2015.

Tensing, 26, testified he feared he was going to be killed. Prosecutors said repeatedly the evidence contradicted Tensings story.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said jurors were leaning toward a conviction of voluntary manslaughter and acquittal on the murder charge. He later told media outlets the vote was deadlocked at 8-4 in favor of the lesser charge.

Judge Megan Shanahan said the jury of 10 whites and two blacks spent two hours deliberating Saturday morning after getting a nights sleep and still could not reach a decision.

Its obvious to me you have made a sincere and conscientious effort, the judge said before setting a new hearing date for Nov. 28 to determine whether the case will be brought back.

Attorney Al Gerhardstein, who represents the DuBose family, said they want another trial and cant understand why the jury couldnt reach a conclusion.

With the video evidence as clear as it is, they shouldnt have been so stuck, he said.

The citys mayor and police chief said they understood why the family and others were disappointed, but both also expected a peaceful response.

Downtown is safe. The city is safe. We are going to get through this, said Mayor John Cranley. People are going to be angry, and they have every right to express their First Amendment rights and they will do so peacefully.

The shooting is among those across the nation that have raised attention to how police deal with blacks.

About 1,000 protesters marched peacefully through downtown chanting Black lives matter, Sams life matters.

The crowd briefly blocked a streetcar line and grew in numbers when they were joined by people leaving a rally opposing the election of Donald Trump as president. The group broke up Saturday afternoon without any trouble.

Gwen Boggs, a retired high school teacher, joined the mostly young group to represent my community and my family and all those who need to have a voice.

She said she was shocked the jury did not find Tensing guilty. We have all this compelling evidence. I just cant understand why it was a hung jury, she said.

To convict Tensing of murder, jurors would have had to find he purposely killed DuBose. The charge carried a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The voluntary manslaughter charge means killing during sudden fit of rage and carries a possible sentence of three to 11 years.

Legal experts say juries generally tend to give police officers the benefit of the doubt because of the inherent dangers of their jobs, but that they will convict if the police actions were clearly unwarranted.

In tearful testimony Tuesday, Tensing said his arm was stuck in DuBoses car after he tried to stop him from driving away by grabbing the car keys.

I remember thinking, Oh my God, hes going to run me over and hes going to kill me, Tensing said.

An expert hired by prosecutors said his analysis of the former officers body camera video shows the officer was not being dragged by the car. A defense expert countered that the video shows Tensing was justified in fearing for his life because his body was violently twisted during the confrontation.

Deters suggested that Tensing had racial motives, saying a study found that eight of every 10 drivers Tensing pulled over for traffic stops were black, the highest rate of any University of Cincinnati officer. Tensing also made more traffic stops and citations than other UC officers. Deters also pointed to a T-shirt with Confederate flag on it that Tensing was wearing under his uniform the day of the shooting.

Tensing said he was often unaware of a drivers race, did not single people out unfairly and was not racist. He testified that the Confederate flag on his T-shirt had no meaning to him.

The trial was conducted under beefed-up security, and city officials had met with civil rights and faith leaders in the weeks before it began in hopes of reducing unrest. The city suffered 2001 riots sparked by the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, a black man who was wanted on misdemeanor warrants and was fleeing from police.

Protesters on Saturday passed the area where Thomas died.

While the Tensing case concluded, trial continued in South Carolina for white ex-patrolman Michael Slager, charged with murder for the April 2015 death of Walter Scott, a black man shot in the back as he fled for a North Charleston traffic stop.
VALPARAISO  Bonnie Stephens smiled as she looked out the window of what will be her new office.

She will have a view of trees and a natural wetland  just past the throng of students who will swarm into Valparaisos newest elementary school next fall.

Theres a lot of potential here, Stephens said about the building and the students during a tour of the building on Wednesday.

The still unnamed school on Heavilin Road, east of Ind. 2 has a capacity of more than 500 students.

The design caters to student learning styles and educational opportunities.

The design, like the work done at each of the other sites in Valparaiso Community Schools, also allows for increased community use of the buildings.

Thats an intentional move by top administrators as they move through a massive building project that touches each school building, thanks to funding from an increase in property taxes, approved during a 2015 referendum of Center Township voters.

The $16.3 million for the school and $148 million for the entire building project is being collected from local home and businesses owners.

Thats a fact not forgotten by Superintendent E. Ric Frataccia and Associate Superintendent Julie Lauck.

Centers of the community

Both have experience at smaller school districts, in towns where schools serve as the center of the communities.

Frataccia said hed like to re-create that feeling in Valparaiso and allow local residents, who are paying extra property taxes, a chance to access some of the school facilities after hours.

At the new elementary school, the design allows for the media center to be open after school closes. The full-size gym and cafeteria area are also designed to allow for public access after school hours while the rest of the school is kept secure.

The entryway at the new elementary school opens to what is called a Viking Suite  that area intended for public use. It will feature a high-domed ceiling and will open into a community room that can be used during the day for student gatherings. It can also seat up to 40 adults, and be used for professional development.

Stephens, who is currently principal at Hayes Leonard Elementary School, said each classroom has large windows to allow in natural light. The windows are set in a small alcove, which she hopes will be used by students for reading or other class work.

Bathrooms are plentiful in the new building, for both staff and students. Hayes Leonard staff share a single bathroom now, she said. Student bathrooms are designed with the sinks in the hallways, to maximize the supervision students get during bathroom breaks.

There are rooms that will accommodate small learning groups and flexible spaces. That flexibility in space enhances different learning styles, said Todd Van Keppel, director of buildings and grounds for the district.

The school has outdoor classroom space and a new cafeteria will allow for a permanent space for children to each lunch. In many of the Valparaiso elementary schools, including Hayes Leonard, students eat lunch in the gym, which means the gym must be set up for lunch and then quickly broken down afterward to allow for physical education classes.

The new school will serve primarily students who live south of U.S. 30 and will take in students from three schools. Its opening and other construction projects will coincide with a redistricting plan that will involve changes over two school years.

Van Keppel said construction is on schedule. The building will be open to students at the start of the 2017-18 school year.

All schools affected

Major renovations are ongoing at Cooks Corners and Memorial elementary schools, which are getting new gyms, additional classrooms and will be remodeled throughout. Work at those schools will be completed by Christmas 2017.

Central, Parkview and Northview elementary will get similar overhauls next school year. Improvements at Flint Lake and the two middle schools are also scheduled, Frataccia said.

Valparaiso High School is in the first of three phases of remodeling and reconstruction, he said.

The current phase includes gutting the auditorium, major changes to the adjacent music rooms, the main entrance, cafeteria and the addition of several science labs on the northwest corner of the building.

An additional music classroom is being added to the southeast corner of the building, and major changes to the music department will allow for more storage, better rehearsal space and improved technology, said Miguel Rosario-Vega, music department chairman. Many of the suggestions made by music teachers were used in the final design, he said.

Were really ecstatic about it, Rosario-Vega said.

The main entrance to the high school will also feature a Viking Suite, with a raised ceiling and access to areas like the auditorium, cafeteria and media center, areas Frataccia hopes will be used more by the public.

Frataccia said he hopes the cafeteria could in the future include a coffee shop that would provide a space for students to gather and study after school.

We want the schools to be the center activity for kids, Frataccia said.

The second phase will involve work on each classroom in the building. The final phase will be the addition of a natatorium, which will house a new pool to replace the current pool. The plans for the new pool are not yet finalized. Frataccia said the community expressed interest in a 50-meter pool, which would allow the school to host major competitions. Current plans call for a 25-meter pool, but could be expanded if funding allows.

The plans also call for utility backup systems at several of the schools, Frataccia said. In the event of a disaster or major, prolonged power outage, several of the schools could be used as emergency shelters.
LAPORTELaPorte Mayor Blair Milo is helping Eric Holcomb prepare to become Indianas next governor.

Milo, 33, is part of a 16-member transition team assembled by Holcomb, currently the states lieutenant governor elected Tuesday over Democrat John Gregg.

Holcomb became the GOPs nominee when Gov. Mike Pence dropped his re-election bid in July to become Donald Trumps running mate.

Were helping to set the tone for the governor-elect to take Indiana to the next level, Milo said.

Many political insiders believe Milo, a friend of Holcombs, was among the people considered as his running mate after he was chosen to be the GOPs nominee. Suzanne Crouch, currently the state auditor, wound up being selected.

Specifically, Milo said her duties involves areas like team building and creating an inner structure so the incoming administration can hit the ground running as smoothly as possible.

Were helping lay some of the foundation for the organization of the next administration, said Milo, adding the team also will be helping the governor-elect create and formulate the ideas and plans he wants to present to the Indiana General Assembly, which convenes in early January.

Were looking to be as helpful with that as we can, but theres just a lot to have to accomplish before inauguration day and were excited to be able to assist, Milo said.

Milo wasnt sure how much time shell be investing in the effort, which she anticipates lasting even after Holcomb takes the oath of office to help with any early wrinkles he might encounter. But, Milo said she plans on making herself available as much as possible.

Milo, elected at 28, is viewed by many as a rising political star. She has a masters degree from George Washington University, spent time on active duty in the Middle East and is still a lieutenant commander in the Navy reserves. In 2013, she was among the candidates interviewed by Pence for state auditor.

Milo said she without hesitation accepted a request to be part of the transition team simply because of the opportunities her involvement can create for the city of LaPorte.

Thats a big part of why Im so excited to assist however I can. I didnt enter into this with any expectation of anything further than that, Milo said.

Rudy Yakym, III, vice-president of the Bradley Co. in South Bend, and Rebecca Holwerda, a district representative for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats from Lake County, are the only other transition team members from the northern part of the state.
INDIANAPOLIS  The empowered president and do-nothing Congress that Americans have gotten accustomed to in recent years may become a thing of the past if U.S. Sen.-elect Todd Young gets his way.

In an interview following his election victory Tuesday, the Bloomington Republican said he wants to restore the primacy of the legislative branch of government  the peoples branch  and stop delegating so many powers to the executive branch.

If theres one thing that so many Republicans have been emphasizing in this election cycle, its the importance of putting the people back in charge of their government, he said.

Young insisted his stance is not a reaction to Republican Donald Trump, whom Young supported, winning the presidency.

Its an issue hes championed for the past six years in the House where Young has unsuccessfully pushed for a congressional veto on major federal regulations.

Its our constitutional duty to keep the executive branch in check, Young said.

Policy focused

Come January, Republicans will control both the legislative and executive branches of government, and a majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices will have been appointed by Republican presidents once Trump nominates a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Young said he hopes unified GOP control will break the policy logjam in Washington, because the whole point of elections is to put officeholders in place who will enact solutions for the problems facing Indiana and the nation.

Many things, like tax reform and regulatory reform, that Ive been actively involved in for the last couple of years, and believe are key to creating more jobs that pay better for all Americans, will have a fighting chance now to advance, he said.

Young also strongly supports full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, though hes open to restoring its best provisions as part of a to-be-determined replacement plan.

We need to come up with a health care system that, at least in the long term, works for all Hoosiers and all Americans, Young said.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised to get Congress to repeal Obamacare within 100 days of taking office.

Young said he hasnt committed to that timeline and isnt even sure it can be done that quickly.

If thats the presidents objective then the president would put forth his plan for accomplishing this in 100 days, Young said.

I, being a responsible member of the legislative branch, would try and kick the tires of that plan and see if I might offer some constructive improvement.

You dont want, ideally, to create a real shock to one-sixth of our economy, the health care sector. Thats not to say there wont be some shocks. Any time you move from one regulatory system, one tax system, one health care regime, to another, theres going to be some adjustment. But we need to try to mitigate any adverse impact of that adjustment that we can.

Bipartisan believer

Young said he considers himself a solutions-oriented conservative and believes working across party lines with Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., to enact good policy is also good politics.

It typically requires bipartisan work to build enough consensus to get things through our legislative process, Young said.

I not only dont have difficulty working with people on the other side of the aisle, but Ive got a reputation for working with others to develop creative, constructive solutions to pressing challenges.

According to the Lugar Bipartisan Index, named for former U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., Young is in the top third of House members for how often they co-sponsor legislative proposals with a member of the opposite party.

U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., who Young is replacing, was in the bottom quarter of senators on the bipartisanship index for 2015.

Young cautioned that he doesnt practice bipartisanship for the sake of bipartisanship.

He said he wont hesitate to reject bipartisan initiatives that he doesnt agree with.

At the same time, Young said, Im prepared to work with anyone, anyone who wants to create an environment where we can ensure every Hoosier has access to a quality education, a good paying job, a meaningful career right here in Indiana.

Anyone who will help us come up with a sustainable health care system that brings down costs and increases access while continuing to incentivize innovation. And anyone who will help keep us more safe and more secure internationally.

Ending polarizing politics

Young, 44, is a lawyer and former Marine who worked as a military recruiter in Northwest Indiana during the 1990s.

Hes a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, a second masters degree in American politics from the University of London and his law degree at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Young and his wife Jenny, a niece of Dan Quayle, the former Indiana senator and U.S. vice president, have four children.

Asked to survey the state and nation, Young said he sees a political atmosphere that has become excessively polarized due in large part to anxiety and fear tied to economic changes.

Without blaming anyone specifically for it, Young said, In too many instances in recent years American has been pitted against American, and that sort of politics needs to end.

We need to come up with creative solutions to this very pressing challenge so that everyone feels like theyre part of Americas promise, he said.
MERRILLVILLE  Holy water, incense and prayers were used Saturday to prepare land for a future cemetery for the area's Orthodox Christians.

His Grace, Bishop Longin, of the Diocese of New Gracanica-Midwestern America, and Orthodox priests from six area churches were joined by parishioners from the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church to bless the property and break ground for the cemetery that will be created adjacent to the church on Mississippi Street north of 93rd Avenue.

The Rev. Marko Matic, of St. Sava, said the occasion was an important day for the church and Northwest Indiana because the cemetery will be open to all Orthodox.

It's not only St. Sava, Matic said.

There are many traditions Orthodox follow after death that differ from other Christian churches, including the way deceased are laid in the ground and buried, Matic said. St. Sava's cemetery is significant to the Orthodox community because all those traditions will be followed there.

The Rev. Alin Munteanu, of Descent of the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church, said it's common for large crosses to be erected at Orthodox grave sites, but that's not permitted at all public cemeteries.

In Europe, Orthodox cemeteries are typically owned and operated by churches, Munteanu said. With the new cemetery outside of St. Sava, there will always be a priest to provide spiritual supervision over the deceased, he said.

Orthodox also have regular blessings of grave sites. Matic said there are many Orthodox parishes throughout Northwest Indiana, and the creation of the cemetery offers an opportunity for all the churches to unite for the blessings and in other services.

Danica Pejnovic, St. Sava's board president, said the church started planning for the cemetery about five years ago, and the project will include up to three phases. There is space to create 2,100 graves in each phase.

The first burial could be in January as long as construction goes well, Pejnovic said.

In addition to the groundbreaking, Matic said Saturday also was significant because it was St. Varnava's feast day.

St. Varnava, whose secular name was Vojislav Nastic, was born in Gary in 1914 and was the first person baptized at St. Sava when it was in Gary.

St. Varnava, who is known for being a strong protector of Orthodoxy, is the first American-born Serbian to be proclaimed an Orthodox saint.

Matic said it was a coincidence the groundbreaking occurred on St. Varnava's feast day, but he was happy it happened that way.
The new public safety building would house the Police Department and City Court. The police currently share a building with the Fire Department. When the police force moves into its new facility, the existing building will be renovated to accommodate a growing Fire Department, Mayor David Uran said.

In other news, the board approved what will be the first steps toward pedestrian improvements for the downtown square by approving a contract with Bulter, Fairman and Seufert Inc. who will develop a concept for the project. Improvements would include bump-outs that shorten the distance between pedestrian walkways and the possibility of extending curbs and sidewalks to better accommodate outdoor dining.
CROWN POINT  The Fire Department is donating one of its old fire engines to Guatemala.

The 1979 Mack Fire Engine was retired six years ago and has been on loan to the Indiana District 1 Training Center. Fire Chief Greg DeLor said the engine is still fully functional but because of its open cab, no longer meets OSHA standards. The engine, worth scrap value to the department, will provide much-needed use for firefighters in Guatemala, where standards are different and they need equipment.

DeLor said the department previously donated an old hydraulic rescue tool, known as the Jaws of Life, to Guatemala and within four days of being there was used to extricate a child from an accident.

When we donated it there were four sets of Jaws like that in the entire country of Guatemala, he said. I have four on my engines.

DeLor said the relationship with Guatemala began with one of the citys volunteer firefighters, Keith Anderson, who does mission work in the Central American nation.

DeLor said firefighters from Guatemala will pick up the truck this month and drive it back to their country. When they do it will be packed with firefighting supplies donated by Crown Point and other Region fire departments.

In other firefighting news, the works board on Wednesday approved establishing a new two-year hiring list and officer promotional list for 2017-18.

DeLor said the citys 2017 budget calls for three firefighters to be hired.
PORTAGE  Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is teaming together with NWI Clean Air, Extra Mile Fitness, Aqua Indiana, and the city of Portage for the 5K Arctic Dash and Little Igloo Youth Dash. Set for Dec. 3, this general admission road race is $20 per runner with a $1 discount for Gold Cup runners registering before Friday. After that date, registration is $25 and $5 for youths to participate in the dash.

Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place finishers in various age categories with awards presented to overall female and male runners and male and female masters. All Little Igloo Youth Dash participants will receive a finishers medal. Runner giveaways include a slouch beanie hat provided by Tomato Bar. Runner bags are supplied by Progressive, Angel Auto and Urschel Laboratories.

After the race, runners are welcome to stay for food, including Texas Corral chili, hot cocoa, Bens Pretzels, and more. Runners can enjoy a photo booth, holiday activities and even have their photo taken with a Santa Minion from Portage IMAX while warming up or after the race.

The 1-mile race begins at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the Portage club, 5895 Evergreen.

All proceeds from the 5K Arctic Dash and Little Igloo One Mile Youth Fun Run will support healthy lifestyle programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter Countys South Haven and Portage clubs.
It's grown as commonplace as the smut billboards on Interstate 80/94, and it's even more distasteful to our Region.

Only this billboard roves Northwest Indiana on four wheels, frequently advertising shame outside of local government offices.

These thoughts came to mind Thursday as I stood about 20 yards away from a large, white evidence truck colorfully emblazoned with the words "Federal Bureau of Investigation Indiana, outside the Lake County Sheriffs Department.

The size of the truck and lettering really do combine in a sensational billboard whenever the FBI raids Region government offices.

The truck has become a common, unfortunate sight in these parts.

This time, federal agents served search warrants Thursday at the Lake County sheriff's office, county voter registration and Lake County E-911 offices.

Sources inside the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point tell us the warrants pertain, in part, to irregularities surrounding business dealings between the sheriff and towing companies.

The investigation appears to be in its early stages, and we've seen no criminal charges or indictments relating to the case yet.

But we also know that the site of the big white FBI truck, more times than not, leads to such charges of public officials in our Region.

In recent years, we've seen it parked outside the Calumet Township Trustee's office and Lake Station City Hall.

Former Trustee Mary Elgin now faces a criminal trial on felony charges she intimidated employees into giving campaign donations. In an unrelated case, former Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife were convicted in Hammond federal court of stealing from a city food pantry and Soderquist's campaign fund to finance gambling excursions.

Public corruption  and in turn, the big white truck  have become so commonplace in Northwest Indiana that folks in the community regularly question, "What's new about that?" when we detail the cases in our newspaper.

Some ask the question in jest, others in all seriousness.

Seeing the truck isn't all negative. It means the FBI and our Hammond-based U.S. attorney continue to hold the feet of Region political corruption to the fires of justice.

But we must be mindful not to blindly accept the types of political culture that lead to the big white truck visiting our centers of government.

Many of us travel Interstate 80/94 every day, passing the lewd billboards advertising "gentlemen" clubs that aren't really there to attract gentlemen.

It becomes something we grow familiar with  something many of us don't even notice.

Outsiders and newcomers notice the billboards, though. This likely hatches a combination of jokes and a public image that doesn't match all the positive things happening in our Region  things like great schools, trails and family activities.

In many ways, Region public corruption represents a similar shroud obscuring our Regions bright spots.

We all should be tired of the observations of people within and outside of our borders who believe corruption and Northwest Indiana are synonymous.

We can't be numb to it, and we can't allow it to overshadow our Region's good works.

Certainly the FBI could use its roving billboard truck for something other than advertising Region shame. Residents voting at the polls, shouting displeasure and demanding answers at public meetings, rather than accepting Region corruption as inevitable, would be a good start.
Venomous rhetoric from a divisive presidential election cast a pall over many of us, and some still feel its hangover effects five days after the polls closed.

Accounts of angry, sometimes destructive protests of Donald Trumps presidency in several major cities, including Chicago, arent helping the healing process.

But many great leaders have taught us throughout history that its always better to hope for the best than live in fear of the worst possible outcomes.

There are potential positives we all can glean from the prospects of a Trump presidency, especially in Indiana.

Our state was one of the first to go red in the Trump column Tuesday night, and he shouldnt forget that.

No doubt, Vice President Elect Mike Pence, our states sitting governor, wont let him forget it either.

If we look beyond Trumps harsh, sometimes inappropriate, rhetoric, we see potential promise in some of his proposals as well.

Trump urges a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. Though it likely would be an uphill battle to get this through the very body it would reform, Trumps idea deserves discussion for keeping fresh faces and ideas in government.

Federal hiring freezes and reduction of the federal government workforce through attrition also bears discussion, not outright dismissal just because some may find Trump distasteful.

Some units of Northwest Indiana government have incorporated such tactics to thin ranks and trim budgets in recent years. The federal government must find ways to operate more efficiently and trim expenses, just like any other levels of government.

Trump also lends a strong voice to reform of government regulations, some of which stifle business and economic growth. Government must play a certain role of protector for its citizens  but not to the extent that it needlessly stifles the ability of individuals, corporations and small businesses to financially succeed.

We dont find Trumps ideas to build walls and ban immigrants based on ethnicity to be American or practical. Weve criticized those notions in past editorials.

However, he seems to be softening his rhetoric in these areas. We can hope hell turn his attention to more productive and less divisive endeavors.

In the end, Trump will be our president, no matter how distraught some may be over that prospect.

About half the country finds that particularly encouraging, and the other half is cringing.

We cant let pessimism rule the day, however.

Our nation was founded on a great hope that people of all ideas, cultures, abilities and ambitions can coexist in one grand experiment.

Dont let that experiment fail by shutting out hope with overwhelming dread. Our history shows us we can survive, even thrive, under leaders with whom many might not agree.

Give Trump a chance to succeed rather than predicting failure. Predictions in this election already failed many.
Reverend Al Sharpton addresses the unrest after the election, as demonstrators continue to protest Donald Trump.

At his weekly National Action Network rally, Sharpton condemned violence surrounding the election.

He said he's planning a policy march calling for civil rights and police reform on January 14 leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the presidential inauguration.

This, as protestors prepare to demonstrate against the incoming Commander-in-Chief for the fourth straight day.

Thousands rallied outside Trump Tower in Midtown Friday night, to voice frustration.

Police say 11 people were arrested for disorderly conduct.

"I think they're expressing an outrage and concern that someone who said some of the ugly, misogynist and racist and Islamophobic things could be president and they want to make a clear statement that this is not the kind of country that they want to see," Sharpton said.

The protests have been taking place around the country, including in Portland Oregon.

Police there say a man was shot during a demonstration last night.

He's expected to survive.
Police are investigating after swastikas were found on four dormitory doors at the New School.

The father of a Jewish student, whose door was one of those desecrated, first reported the Nazi symbols.

He says his daughter has three roommates, including another who is Jewish and one who is Latina.

The symbols were scrubbed off by security.

We spoke with three of the students who discovered their door vandalized early yesterday.

They say they're shocked and scared.

"It just shows that this can happen anywhere," said one student. "Hatred is rampant. Anyone can be a victim of it."

"I think more than anything it felt very violating and personal because it happened in a space where we live, where we hang out, where we sleep," said another. "It's the place where we're supposed to feel the most safe in the city while we're away from our families."

"I think it's really important that people know that we're not immune to things like this and we can't just pretend that we're in this bubble and things like this can't happen here because clearly they do," said a third.

The President of the school made a statement condemning the hate crime, and said the school is taking action to keep students and staff safe.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has also condemned the act, calling it "reprehensible."
3. The nations raw divide has remained highly visible, with protests in cities across the U.S.

Mrs. Clintons female supporters were left feeling gutted, but women also played a crucial role in electing Mr. Trump. I think he has got the best interests of our country at heart, said Sue Gauta, a small-business owner in Florida.

Ahead of the election, when it appeared that a woman would break the 227-year-old gender barrier to the presidency, many women shared their stories of the barriers theyd faced.

High traffic crashed Canadas immigration website on election night, but actually moving there is, generally, a complicated process. A vacation, though, isnt: We have a guide to spending 36 hours in Toronto.

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Angelin Revathi Baskaran and William Paul Vijverberg were married Nov. 12 in Detroit. The Rev. Mark A. Collard, a minister of the Brethren Church, performed the ceremony at the First Congregational Church of Detroit.

The bride and groom met at Morgan Stanley in Manhattan, where she is a vice president for commodities sales and trading, and he is a vice president for investment banking, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions and other matters.

The bride, 31, will continue to use her name professionally. She graduated from M.I.T. with bachelors degrees in chemical engineering and economics, and received an M.B.A. from Columbia.

She is a daughter of Inthumathi Rachel Baskaran and Mark M. Baskaran of Troy, Mich. The brides father is a professor of geology at Wayne State in Detroit.
Danielle Jolie Gurr, the daughter of Robbin Schneider Gurr and Howard K. Gurr of Dix Hills, N.Y., is to be married Nov. 13 to Zachary Brian Cohen, a son of Barbara E. Cohen and Stephen B. Cohen of Trumbull, Conn. Morris B. Panitz, a friend of the couple and who is a Universal Life minister and rabbinical student, is to officiate at the Village Club at Lake Success, an event space in Great Neck, N.Y.

The bride, 27, is a research scientist in the Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis and received a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia.

Her parents are clinical psychologists in Dix Hills.

The groom, 29, is a founder of the Junkluggers, a furniture- and junk-removal company, which now has nationwide franchises. He graduated from the University of Connecticut.

His mother is an occupational therapist at both St. Vincents Hospital and Jewish Senior Services in Bridgeport, Conn. His father is a senior partner in Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, an accounting firm in Fairfield, Conn.
Shulamit Elisheva Warren and Isaac Uval Puder were married Nov. 10 at the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. The brides brother, Lt. Yonatan Warren, a rabbi and a chaplain at the United States Naval Academy, performed the ceremony.

The bride, 36, who is known as Shula, is the director of policy and special projects for the Manhattan borough president, Gale A. Brewer; she assists Ms. Brewer in developing legislative and public policy priorities of the office.

The bride graduated from the University of Virginia, and is the daughter of Tova R. Warren and Jay C. Warren of Hampton, Va.

The groom, 38, is a vice president for compliance technology and software development manager at Citigroup in Manhattan. He graduated from Queens College.
These conversations, which have been condensed and edited for clarity, reflect only a sampling of the opinions held by the millions of voters who support our president-elect. But they offer some insight at a time when many readers are hungry for dialogue and understanding across racial and political lines.



Charles Walker, who is 35 and disabled, said he voted for Mr. Trump because he wants a president who will reduce the national debt, repeal the Affordable Care Act and create more jobs. He lives in Eldon, Missouri, a small town that he says has more country boys flying Confederate flags than racial or ethnic minorities. He opposes a registry for Muslims living here, but supports curbing migration of Muslims from overseas.

No, it doesnt surprise me (that people of color are worried). Its been that way for so long with minorities over the years, with how people have treated other races. Some people still do look at (minorities) like that. I know some of them personally.

But thats not me. I actually voted for Obama, just the first time. I saw something in him that I liked. I didnt see anything in the Republican side then.

We dont live in the 1960s or the 1800s anymore. Theres people out there that do things wrong and should be looked at differently. There are people who start fires and burn buildings, people who go out to start a riot. Thats not called for.

I believe some of it needs to be investigated. It may be that some people are infiltrating the Black Lives Matter group. Not all of them are bad people. There are people who calmly and peacefully have their protests, people who do good for people and do good for America. As long as youre not the kind doing the wrong thing, I think everything will be ok.
The Colombian government and the nations main rebel group said on Saturday that they had reached a new final accord to end their longstanding conflict, potentially reviving a deal that was rejected last month in a referendum.

The changes to the agreement with the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC, were announced in Havana and addressed a range of topics  such as where rebels would be confined after disarming and how courts might address drug trafficking offenses  that negotiators said had troubled voters.

The agreement also appeared to withdraw a promise of guaranteed seats for rebels in Congress  one key demand of those who said the rebels would be unfairly rewarded with political positions.

In a televised address, President Juan Manuel Santos emphasized the need to ratify the agreement quickly, saying time was running out. The cease-fire is fragile, he said. The uncertainty generates fears and increases the risks to throw this immense effort overboard.
SYDNEY, Australia  The Australian government said Sunday that it had reached a one-time agreement in which the United States would take in refugees who had been banished to a detention center on the tiny impoverished Pacific island nation of Nauru.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said the government would first resettle refugee women, children and families.

Refugees held at another offshore processing center, Manus Island, a province of Papua New Guinea, may also be considered for resettlement in the United States. Asylum seekers who have not been granted refugee status should return home, Mr. Turnbull said.

Mr. Turnbull would not say how many of the refugees, who were granted that status by the United Nations, would be resettled in the United States. U.S. authorities will conduct their own assessment of refugees and decide which people are resettled in the U.S., he said in a written statement. About 410 men, women and children are held on Nauru, and 823 men are held on Manus Island. Some are from Iran, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Malaysia.
BEIJING  Weijian Shan, chief executive of the Hong Kong fund management firm PAG, says the global economy is dangerous for investors these days. Years of easy money from central banks have helped inflate the prices of just about everything an investor can buy, like stocks or property.

I think that clearly we are in an asset bubble, Mr. Shan said in a phone interview from Hong Kong.

So what should investors do? Mr. Shan recommended a return to the basics. His firm, with $16 billion under management in funds that specialize in fields like private equity and real estate, is looking for value in areas still growing in a sluggish world economy.

We are not chasing bubbles as many of our peers do, said Mr. Shan, a former professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I only want to look at the fundamentals. I want to know how much money this business makes.
PRINCETON, N.J.  Journalism may be the first draft of history. But on Friday, a group of scholars gathered here for what might be an editing session on the second.

The occasion was a small conference with the uncolorful title The Presidency of Barack Obama: A First Historical Assessment. While it had been planned more than a year ago, the election had forced more than a few participants to look at the papers they submitted in late October  some of which referred to Donald J. Trump confidently in the past tense  and shout, Get me rewrite!

After election night, I instantly got emails from the participants, asking if we were going to have the same discussion, Julian E. Zelizer, the Princeton historian who organized the gathering, said before the proceedings.

The purpose of the two-day event, which broke down the Obama presidency into topics including inequality, counterterrorism, immigration, the Supreme Court and race, was to offer what Mr. Zelizer called a historical first cut, by scholars who had lived and felt the events of President Obamas terms in office. (The 15 papers, after revisions and editing, will be published in a book by Princeton University Press in about a year  lightning-fast by the standards of scholarly publishing.)
Rocco Palmo, who follows the church hierarchy for the Catholic news site Whispers in the Loggia, wrote that Archbishop Tobin and his counterpart in New York, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, are two garrulous, larger-than-life Irishmen whose shared lack of shyness is punctuated by a more than occasional difference of approach to church life.

Archbishop Tobin, who is seen as a moderate, made national headlines last year when he announced that his archdiocese would continue to welcome Syrian refugees in Indiana, despite moves against resettlement by Gov. Mike Pence, now the vice president-elect.

Archbishop Myers, who is considered a conservative, barred a priest from the ministry in September over the priests support for gay advocacy groups. The priest, the Rev. Warren Hall, a former chaplain at Seton Hall University, said the archbishop had told him he was confusing the faithful.

Even before Archbishop Myers reached retirement age, Pope Francis was moving to put his imprint on Newark. In 2013, the pope named a coadjutor archbishop who would have succeeded Archbishop Myers automatically when he turned 75. But in 2014, the pope reassigned the coadjutor archbishop, Bernard A. Hebda, to another trouble spot, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Hebda and Tobin are Francis bishops, where Myers is more of a prince or prelate, Professor Bellitto said, noting that Archbishop Tobin has told people never to call him a prince of the church. The National Catholic Reporter quoted the archbishop as saying that he and the pope were fed up to here with princes.

Professor Bellitto said that Newark needs a pastor, not a prelate or a prince and that Archbishop Tobin would fit the bill. Once he arrives in Newark, the professor said, parishioners would feel as if a bishop is being named to hear them, as opposed to being named to preside over a wealthy place and talk to wealthy people all the time.
Dimitra Diamantis recited the breakfast orders from memory a month later, displaying a long-term recall of short-order meals.

The first guy was pancakes, turkey bacon, extra turkey bacon and scrambled eggs, Ms. Diamantis, 67, said last week. The other guy had waffles, bacon, extra bacon and scrambled eggs. Both had a large orange juice.

It was Oct. 1, a Saturday morning. The two men had entered the diner in Maspeth, Queens, that Ms. Diamantis has owned for more than 30 years with her husband, Michael, and turned to the left, choosing the middle of three booths.

For the Diamantises, that particular booth is a welcome source of notoriety, curiosity and business. But on that morning, the booth was where the trouble began.
WASHINGTON  Rudolph W. Giuliani, a top adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump, said on Sunday that it would be unrealistic to remove Mr. Trumps children from their roles in running his business empire and place the assets into a strict blind trust like the ones used by previous presidents.

I think hes in a very unusual situation, Mr. Giuliani said on CNNs State of the Union. He would basically put his children out of work, he added, and theyd have to go start a whole new business, and that would set up new problems.

As president, Mr. Trump will not be required to sell his assets, which he has valued in billions of dollars. But the vast scope of Mr. Trumps assets and business dealings is likely to lead to questions about how his actions as president would affect the financial fortunes of him and his family. Most modern presidents have elected to use a blind trust, which puts their assets under the control of an independent trustee.

Ethics experts said Mr. Giulianis remarks were misguided on ethical and political grounds.

Kenneth A. Gross, a lawyer who advises corporations and members of Congress on ethics issues, said it was important for Mr. Trump to separate his vast business interests from his official decision making.
Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. Donald Trump started his presidential campaign with a warning: that undocumented immigrants were bringing mayhem, crime and drugs to the United States. I want to build a wall. And its a real wall. This is a wall thats a heck of a lot higher than the ceiling youre looking at. He even said that if necessary he would use a deportation force. There will be a deportation. But its going to be done in a very humane fashion. Last December, Mr. Trump also shook the political world with another provocative policy. Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. Many Republicans thought those ideas were too harsh, unworkable or unconstitutional. And for what purpose? Muslim terrorists would only have to lie about their religion to enter the country. Mitt Romney Former Republican presidential nominee And it would take decades to do that, and gazillions of dollars. Bill OReilly Fox News host But Mr. Trump stuck with them, and they helped him win the Republican nomination. Now that hes facing more moderate general election voters, he appears to be changing his mind. The Muslim ban? Nobodys done it. This is just a suggestion. And Mr. Trump is changing his tune about who he wants to deport, saying these days that the focus should be on criminals  We have these killers in this country, theyre heading up gangs ...  not nice families who have been living in the country for years without causing problems. These were great people. These are highly respected people within the community. So you have somebody thats been in the country for 20 years  do we tell these people to get out, number one, or do we work with them and let them stay in some form. The shift puts Mr. Trump in an awkward position with less than three months until the election. He hasnt changed his position on immigration. Hes changed the words that he is saying. What he has always said from the beginning is that he does not  that he, no, that he does not ... Even Trumps biggest boosters in conservative media have been scratching their heads and expressing worry that the Republican nominee is now in favor of amnesty. The only thing that can cause Trump any trouble whatsoever is if he flip-flops on abortion or on immigration and goes amnesty  and it looks like hes getting close to it. Rush Limbaugh Radio host No, Im not flip-flopping. We want to come up with a really fair but firm answer  it has to be very firm. Trump supporters have stuck with him through pretty much everything in the last year. So its hard to say if going back on an issue thats been so central to his campaign will matter. The big question is whether his base will be turned off, or if a suddenly softer tone will help him attract new voters. [Crowd: Build the wall! Build the wall!]
WASHINGTON  On his last foreign trip while in office, President Obama will have a lot of explaining to do.

For the last year, almost as soon as the reporters left and the doors closed, world leaders had asked Mr. Obama whether Donald J. Trump had a real shot at winning the presidency.

Mr. Obamas answer was always emphatic: Not a chance.

On Monday evening, the president will begin a journey that will take him to Greece, Germany and Peru. At every stop, Mr. Obama will be asked how he could have been so wrong.

Intended as a valedictory tour, the trip will now be shadowed by the uncertainty that Mr. Trumps election has cast over Mr. Obamas most cherished foreign policy priorities. Among them are an unquestioned commitment to NATO, freer trade around the world, the nuclear deal with Iran, the Paris climate accord, a hard line on Russian meddling and a tolerant attitude toward refugees.
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald J. Trump on Sunday chose Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee and a loyal campaign adviser, to be his White House chief of staff, turning to a Washington insider whose friendship with the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, could help secure early legislative victories.

In selecting Mr. Priebus, Mr. Trump passed over Stephen K. Bannon, a right-wing media provocateur. But the president-elect named Mr. Bannon his senior counselor and chief West Wing strategist, signaling an embrace of the fringe ideology long advanced by Mr. Bannon and of a continuing disdain for the Republican establishment.

The dual appointments  with Mr. Bannon given top billing in the official announcement  instantly created rival centers of power in the Trump White House.

Mr. Bannons selection demonstrated the power of grass-roots activists who backed Mr. Trumps candidacy. Some of them have long traded in the conspiracy theories and sometimes racist messages of Breitbart News, the website that Mr. Bannon ran for much of the past decade.
JAKARTA  The sight of tens of thousands of Islamists marching through the Indonesian capital this month, demanding that its Christian governor be jailed for blasphemy  some even calling for his death  brought back recurrent fears of creeping Islamization in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, where a more tolerant brand of Islam has been the norm.

But analysts here saw something different: a protest that was really about cutthroat, secular-dominated domestic politics, and an attempt to strike a blow at President Joko Widodo.

If you look at their posters during the demonstration, there is no mention about banning alcohol, banning gay and lesbian groups, nothing like what they normally protest about, Azyumardi Azra, a prominent Muslim scholar and former rector of the State Islamic University in Jakarta, said of the Nov. 4 protest, which erupted in violence that left hundreds injured and one dead.

Its purely political, and they are using the blasphemy issue as an entry point to challenge Jokowi and pressure him, Mr. Azra said, referring to President Joko by his popular nickname.
Glasses broke and furniture moved at Premier House, the official prime ministerial residence in Wellington, Mr. Key said. He had stayed there overnight after meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, who was on a state visit there and to Antarctica.

Geoscience Australia said the 6.4-magnitude earthquake was one of three large aftershocks that measured between 5.1 and 6.4 magnitude. There have been at least 12 aftershocks since early Monday morning in New Zealand.

Caroline Little, a spokeswoman for GeoNet New Zealand, which monitors geological hazards, said seismologists had modeled the probability of the number and intensity of aftershocks on Monday morning.

The initial earthquake was a complex rupture, she said in a telephone interview. It was one quake, but there were a number of fault segments and a series of orientations in terms of the way the energy was released. She described it as a zigzag rather than a single fault and said this would affect the way aftershocks played out. We expect aftershocks for weeks, maybe months, she said.
SITTWE, Myanmar  Violence between the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim population, and Myanmars security forces escalated over the weekend as two soldiers were killed by crudely armed attackers, said government officials and Muslim residents. In retaliation, troops of the Buddhist-majority government used helicopters to fire at the attackers in dense forest in northwestern Myanmar, a government spokesman said.

The two soldiers were killed Saturday by attackers armed with guns, knives and spears near the village of Gwason, south of Maungdaw, the main town in northern Rakhine, said the state information officer, U San Nwe. About 500 attackers were involved in the clash, he said. The area is closed to Western journalists, making it impossible to verify the scale of the fighting.

The remote enclave of northern Rakhine State, close to the Bangladeshi border, has been under siege since the government sent security forces to hunt for what it said were armed Rohingya assailants who had killed nine police officers in early October.

Since then, human rights groups have received reports of killings of unarmed Rohingya men by Myanmar soldiers, rapes of Rohingya women by soldiers in a number of villages, and beatings of Rohingya men held in detention in the town of Maungdaw. Before the latest attack, as many as 100 Rohingya civilians may have been killed, the groups say.
BRUSSELS  An emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers on Sunday was the latest sign of the global disquiet in the wake of the election of Donald J. Trump, who has questioned some of the central tenets of American foreign policy.

Federica Mogherini, the European Unions foreign policy chief, hastily scheduled the dinner meeting after Mr. Trumps victory, which threatens to foment further division in a continent already reeling from crises over Greeces debt, migration and Britains decision to exit the bloc.

A number of European countries face the same powerful populist forces that elevated Mr. Trump. Some, like Hungary, may be prepared to embrace changes that could include warmer ties with Russia. Others, like Poland, want to double down on the decades-old trans-Atlantic alliance, with NATO as its cornerstone.

There were concerns in some European capitals that scheduling the gathering before Mr. Trump appointed a secretary of state or announced his policy agenda cast too much doubt on his ability to devise a working relationship with Europe.
Headlining the halls reopening was the British musician Sting, who said the concert and the concertgoers had two jobs: to remember those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago and to celebrate the life, music, which this historic concert hall represents.

He ended by saying, We will never forget them.

In a city where memorial plaques abound, reminding citizens of deportations during the Holocaust and assassinations of major French figures, the placement of Nov. 13 plaques will prove a constant reminder of another grave and pivotal moment in French history.

Every day, we have to walk by a plaque when we go to school, or when we go buy our groceries, or we go out for a drink, said Matthias, who lives near Le Carillon and Le Petit Cambodge, two other cafes struck by the terrorists, and declined to give his last name. Its here. We cant deny that it happened. Its necessary.

On Sunday, others called for tolerance and freedom, as Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced that the government might prolong a state of emergency imposed after the attacks. That policy was extended after an assailant affiliated with the Islamic State used a truck to kill 84 people in Nice on Bastille Day in July; it includes heightened surveillance of French citizens and an increased military and police presence around the country.

Michael Dias, whose father died when one of three suicide bombers at the Stade de France detonated an explosive vest, urged the government to combat stigma and division, warning that doing otherwise could fan the flames of hate.

If we wish to live in liberty, we need to practice tolerance, he said in a speech.

For others, however, no measure of reconciliation seemed possible. Patrick Jardin, whose daughter, Nathalie, was killed at the Bataclan while attending a concert by Eagles of Death Metal, said the anger would never leave him. He and several other relatives of victims refused to participate in the commemorations on Sunday, calling them useless.

We cannot respond to Kalashnikovs with candles, Mr. Jardin said in an interview with France Bleu Nord radio. I was told that with time, the pain would fade. But it gets worse every day.
SOFIA, Bulgaria  A pro-Russia former air force commander with no previous political experience appeared headed for a decisive victory on Sunday in a runoff election to become Bulgarias president. The results prompted the current governing partys prime minister to say he would resign, setting the stage for early elections in the spring.

A presidential runoff was also held Sunday in Moldova. There, too, a pro-Russia candidate appeared certain of victory over his pro-Western opponent, a former World Bank official. That would put a Moscow-leaning socialist in the Moldovan presidency for the first time since 2009.

The two elections provided further evidence that nationalism is on the rise in many parts of the globe and delivered another burst of good news for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has aimed to weaken ties among European Union nations and erode international sanctions on Moscow. Mr. Putin also warmly welcomed the election of Donald J. Trump in the United States.

Growing nationalism, driven by a rejection of Western liberal attitudes and inflamed by the largest refugee crisis since World War II, has further frayed ties among many European Union member nations as populist demands for national sovereignty increasingly drown out pleas for Western unity.
In only four short years, Porter Heatherly was able to leave an immeasurable impact on the lives of those around him.

Porter passed away Thursday from GM1 gangliosidosis, a neurodegenerative genetic disease that progressively destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

GM1 Diagnosis

Porter's parents, Sara and Michael Heatherly, were told by doctors in January 2013 that their then four-month-old son would only have two to three years to live. He defied those odds and was able to reach his fourth birthday Sept. 14.

Porter was diagnosed with GM1 after a geneticist said he had cherry-red spots in his eyes, indicators of approximately 14 different genetic disorders.

One in 200,000-300,000 people are affected by the disease. In 2013, Porters case was the only known GM1 diagnosis in the state, Sara said.

Porter had the infantile form of the disease, which is the most aggressive.

At 9 months, Porter began to lose muscle tone and vision, Sara said. She said Porter was on several medications and used equipment such as a g-tube, a $500 specialized bath seat and a $2,500 stroller to help him from day to day.

A typical day involved getting Porter up from bed, giving him his medicine, helping him with his catheters and putting him to sleep at night.

Michael said he laughed when his son stuck his tongue out and closed his eyes when he was aggravated. He and his wife Sara also enjoyed seeing their son smile, even if it was due to one of his seizures.

The family celebrated Porters birthday monthly since he was 5 months old. Monday would have been his 50-month birthday.

Porter's legacy

A memorial service was held Saturday at Auburn United Methodist Church to celebrate Porter's life and legacy.

Throughout the service, one sentence was repeatedly mentioned by Rev. Charles Cummings, associate minister at the church.

A legacy that will not perish, spoil or fade, Cummings said.

Family and friends who knew Porter talked about how he and his parents touched their lives.

He served a really great purpose, said Helen Kent, a relative of the family.

They have been ever faithful, said Sarah Brown, of Auburn.

Sara and Michael said they appreciate the support they have received from their community.

Feeling the love that everyone has for Porter solidifies for us that he was here for a reason, Sara said.

She offered advice for parents in similar situations.

Dont take a day in this life for granted, Sara said. If you are strong in your faith, then it can sustain you for life.

Michael said he will remember Porter's big smile and his kindness.

Were glad hes at peace now, Michael said.

GM1 Research

The Heatherlys have worked for more than two years to help promote GM1 research at the Scott-Ritchey Research Center in Auburn Universitys School of Veterinary Medicine. There, Doug Martin, DVM, has lead a team in creating gene therapy treatments for GM1 in cats. The team has partnered with a French biotech company called Lysogene to advance the inter-cranial approach of therapy, directly injecting the brain, to clinical trials.

Martins team has also been working on a less-invasive intravenous treatment for GM1, which has already seen success in cats. The majority of the funds raised by the California-based Cure GM1 Foundation will go toward clinical trials of the IV therapy.

For well-known, big diseases like cancer, Martin said, treatments must go through three rounds of clinical trials to be approved by the FDA. Treatments for rarer diseases are limited to two.

Sara said the goal is to have clinical trials available either at the end of 2017 or near the beginning of 2018.

A fundraising event was held Oct. 1 in honor of Porters fourth birthday and to benefit the Cure GM1 Foundation. The 2015 event had over 200 people and $35,000 was raised for the foundation.

At the event, Jenny and Ryan Bragg of Birmingham had spoken about the news they received in September about their daughter Clara having GM1.

Sara said she and her husband host the fundraiser to help fund clinical trials for gene therapy that could help children such as Clara.

People who would like to donate to the Cure GM1 Foundation can go to its website at www.curegm1.org.
Adoption is close to Brittany Dements heart.

My mother was adopted and the connections and love established by her adoption drew my heart to adoption as a young teenager, she said.

Adoption is such an important topic to Dement that it was brought up to her husband early on in their relationship.

I remember sitting with him and I said I want to adopt someday and my child may or may not look like me, are you okay with that? "Sure," he said. And that was it.

A few years after she and her husband tied the knot, they decided to start a family. However, Dement said they struggled to conceive, and the idea of adoption resurfaced again.

The Dements decided to adopt a child from foster care.

Within two months of getting our DHR license, we were placed with our son, Dement said. K. Collins was a year old when he was with our family and we finalized his adoption 18 months later.

Adopting from foster care was the most difficult and challenging thing we have ever experienced, but it was also the most wonderful, humbling, and beautiful experience, she said. From the moment our son entered our home, we fell in love. He has brought us so much joy.

The joy the Auburn family experienced motivated Dement's brother and his wife to complete their foster care and adoptive licenses from the department of human resources.

National Adoption Month

Dement's story is one of many that highlights National Adoption Month. November is a recognized month when organizations across the country will aim to increase national awareness and draw attention to the importance of adoption.

Micah Melnick, executive director of the Big House Foundation, said she serves foster and adoptive families. She said about 40 percent of the adoptions begin with a family fostering a child through the organizations services, which include back-to-school events, family events and more that foster relationships between families.

When kids have parental rights terminated, and are waiting for a forever family, its important theyre able to put down roots and know theyll be in a family forever, she said.

She said the Big House Foundation serves about 50-60 families a year, and most of them go home with a child, and a new start for their families.

Between 2013 and 2014, 78.9 percent of Alabama adoptive parents were married couples, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . Zero unmarried couples adopted children. Single females made up 19.8 percent of those who adopted between those years, and 1.3 percent of single males adopted. Between 2013 and 2014, 541 children were adopted in the state.

A normal life

William Buddy Hooper, president of the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, said all children need a permanent home.

It means everything. They can live a normal life like their peers. They go to school with kids who have a home to go to, he said. They want the same thing.

Through his work with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Hooper noticed hundreds of children are waiting to be adopted, are in group homes or dont have anywhere to go.

Over the past five years, the average amount of adopted children has been over 500 each year, Hooper said.

Pregnant mothers are on the other end of adoption. Susan Wyatt of the Family Adoption Services, an organization in Homewood, said she works with families and primarily mothers in helping them to choose adoption as an option, instead of abortions or other measures.

Adoption is a gift; youre not giving your baby away," she said. "Adoption is not abandonment...Its an ability to create a family where there wouldnt be a family.

Married couples, single mothers, college students and people from all walks of life visit the adoption agency. Wyatt said she is currently working with about eight women in their decisions to place their children up for adoption.

The agency has also created families from the Opelika-Auburn area.

We placed several babies from the EAMC, Wyatt said. We want to keep these babies and moms in Alabama.

For more information about adoption, visit the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Associations website at www.afapa.org.
LOS ANGELES  Though Californians voted to continue taxing the rich to bolster public schools and fund health insurance for the poor, keeping the status quo does not mend state governments underlying fiscal frailty.

In some ways, the passage of Proposition 55 could subject Californias budget to greater volatility.

While the ballot measure helps stabilize funding for education and Medi-Cal, it increases Californias reliance on a small group of taxpayers whose fortunes determine the health of state spending that this year tipped $122billion.

Prop. 55 extends until 2030 income tax increases that voters first approved four years ago, when school districts grappled with layoffs, ballooning class sizes and cuts to programs such as music. The tax kicks in at 1 percent for single filers who earn more than $263,000 a year, or $526,000 for families. Residents who earn more than $1 million annually will continue to pay an extra 3 percent of income to the state.

With Silicon Valley, Hollywood and other high-value industries, California mints enough millionaires that budget experts project the taxes will generate between $4 billion and $9 billion annually.

That range shows just how volatile income tax revenue can be.

Revenue can surge thanks to an exuberant Wall Street, but cuts are severe when the economy stalls. Political leaders from both parties have long talked about taming this boom-bust cycle but have little appetite for doing so once the revenue starts booming again. A rainy day reserve that voters beefed up two years ago at Gov. Jerry Browns urging is pushing $8billion, which has helped.

Yet California remains vulnerable to fluctuations because revenue relies on the wealthy, whose income comes less from steady wages than investments such as stocks. About one-third of all revenue comes from taxing Californias top 1.5 percent of earners, according to number crunchers at the independent state Legislative Analysts Office.

The funding flow from Prop. 55 extends the taxes just long enough to last past the term limits for the current crop of state lawmakers. It could let elected leaders funnel more into favored social welfare programs or punt on finding savings elsewhere, such as overhauling public employee pensions.

Against this backdrop, Prop. 55 nudges California back toward less budget stability by creating an incremental increase in volatility, according to Ryan Miller, principal budget analyst at the Legislative Analysts Office.

And whenever the next recession hits, tax revenue from Prop. 55 might not be enough to shield public education and Medi-Cal from crippling cuts.

It will certainly make things worse in terms of leaving the state vulnerable to fluctuations of the economy, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which argues for lower taxes but did not mobilize against the ballot measure. No large activist groups did. Powered by tens of millions of dollars in union-backed spending, Prop. 55 passed Tuesday with 62 percent of the vote.

One lingering question remains: Is there the political will to refashion the states tax structure so that revenue is less volatile?

Probably not, though there is broad agreement in principle that tax reform makes sense.

There are some inequities in our tax system, and we have to have that conversation, said Eric Heins, president of the California Teachers Association union, which backed Prop. 55. While were having that conversation, theres still a first-grader in the classroom who needs to learn to read.
Our coast has a secret superhero coming to its rescue: eelgrass. For thousands of years, the flowering plant has formed dense meadows in Newport Bays shallow waters, providing habitat for countless marine species and improving water quality. Instead of getting credit for its redeeming qualities, eelgrass is often portrayed as an annoying younger sibling  bothersome, always in the way and impossible to get rid of.

Though the plant may have a harsh reputation to overcome among Newport Bays boaters and coastal residents, the truth is that Newport Bay needs healthy eelgrass populations.

Why Newport Needs Eelgrass

Eelgrass is a foundation species, meaning that its presence in an ecosystem has a disproportionately large positive effect on the community. It provides food, shelter and protection. Without eelgrass, a whole suite of marine life would not survive.

An entire food chain exists within the canopies of eelgrass leaves. Clams, scallops and worms burrow into the sediments near eelgrass roots while tiny animals and tubeworms colonize on the surface of its leaves. These plants and animals become food for slugs and snails, which are then consumed by larger fish and crustaceans that spend their juvenile stages in the protected waters of eelgrass meadows, avoiding predators before they make their way back out to the coast. By protecting eelgrass in our bay, we ensure greater fish production in offshore reefs.

In other parts of the country, eelgrass restoration is often used as a natural way to protect shorelines from wave damage and erosion  and the imminent threat of sea level rise makes this more urgent than ever. In addition to restoration efforts, Orange County Coastkeeper is studying the potential of eelgrass beds to protect shorelines as an alternative to sea walls and other environmentally damaging techniques.

In May, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered a rare seahorse near an eelgrass restoration site in Upper Newport Bay. Thats essentially equivalent to spotting a celebrity at your favorite local coffee shop. Since this seahorse is thriving in eelgrass habitats, we know that restoration efforts are working.

A Common Goal

A healthy bay with good water quality brings tourists and residents flocking to coastal waters, but these advantages of a healthy Newport Bay do not exist without abundant eelgrass. The city of Newport Beach is testing out a new dredging and eelgrass protection plan to find a happy medium between the competing interests of our environment and coastal recreation.

By partnering with Orange County Coastkeeper, the city of Newport Beachs plan will help overturn the negative perception of eelgrass by making mitigation efforts more feasible for local residents, while still prioritizing conservation.

Coastkeeper has a wealth of experience in transplanting eelgrass. Since 2009, we have prioritized eelgrass restoration by initiating an educational program and planting eelgrass each summer in Upper Newport Bay. We even broke our own record by planting 1,280 square meters of eelgrass this past summer  putting us at a total of 2,600 square meters over five years.

From Headache to Hero

The Newport Bay that we all know and love will not survive without a healthy eelgrass population. The clean water our children splash in, the fish caught offshore, the gorgeous environment that people travel to visit could all go away if we continue to deplete our eelgrass habitats. Coastkeeper is here to take the headache out of eelgrass mitigation.

To take advantage of restoration services or to learn more about what the new eelgrass policies mean for your property, call (714) 850-1965 or visit www.coastkeeper.org/eelgrass.

Sara Briley is marine restoration direct at the Orange County Coastkeeper.
Ive always loved the idea of a Donald Trump  a political outsider who knocks over the tables at the Establishment, energizes the forgotten and dispossessed, and teaches a lesson to smug folks who love to rule over us. I just dont like the actual Donald Trump and for a variety of good reasons. The main one is he never talks seriously about liberty.

And a renewed commitment to liberty is whats needed to create the economic prosperity and social peace thats been unraveling in our country in recent years. After Trumps stunning victory Tuesday, many of us in the libertarian world have been doing some soul searching, while the rest of you have been gloating on Facebook or crying in your cornflakes.

My thoughts keep turning back to Orange County. Voters here  in the states most Republican large-population county, the heartland of Reaganism  backed Hillary Clinton by five percentage points. Granted, thats more of a Republican lean than in the rest of the state, where Clinton won by more than 28 percentage points. (In Lassen County, Trump garnered 72 percent of the vote  but there are only 8,000 voters in that backwater.)

Theres no denying much of the Trump appeal involves opposition to immigration, illegal and otherwise. Trumps team embraced an electoral strategy pushed by some in the so-called alt-right. Instead of softening conservative positions to lure a bigger portion of the growing minority vote (as other Republicans typically have done), he decided to energize white, middle-class voters and get a much larger portion of their vote.

This is the first time where Ive seen rural outposts in Wisconsin, Michigan and my home state of Pennsylvania overwhelm the votes in Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia. This Rust Belt strategy worked quite obviously, just as Richard Nixons Southern Strategy worked not just for him, but for a succession of GOP candidates. But the demographics of the nation increasingly are more like Orange County and California, so this strategy cannot work forever. Theres the rub.

Frankly, the Republican establishment has been trying for years to soften party positions on immigration and social issues to attract new voters from the Latino, African American and Asian communities. It hasnt been working too well in California. The Democrats control everything here and they gained even more on Tuesday even as the nation went in a strong Republican direction. Trump supporters looked at California and washed their hands of it. They took the opposite approach by nominating a vulgarian who offended conventional wisdom.

The Democrats may have grabbed a supermajority in the Assembly (based on final vote counts in two razor-thin races). That was helped by the apparent defeat of three GOP Assembly members who are in many ways the perfect candidates from a GOP perspective. Democrat Sabrina Cervantes is beating Republican Assemblyman Eric Linder for that western Riverside County seat. Linder is Latino and a moderate-conservative with a solid legislative record.

Democrat Al Muratsuchi beat Republican David Hadley in Los Angeles County. Hadley has been a star in the Capitol. For instance, he led bipartisan efforts to reform civil asset-forfeiture abuse, and is a thoughtful conservative who knows how to reach across the aisle. He lost in his heavily Democratic district anyway. As the final votes are counted, Assemblywoman Young Kim, R-Fullerton, is losing to Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva, who had previously held that seat. Kim epitomizes the current GOP approach of seeking out accomplished immigrants and women. From a GOP perspective, the Kim results are depressing. The county party had one real job this season  and that was to assure her re-election. It botched the job.

What to do? The populist right makes an ethnically tinged argument. In its view, as the electorate becomes more diverse, it will almost certainly become less hospitable to Republicans and that our freedoms will wither away. Many commentators  like George Will in his latest column  argue (correctly, I believe) the great Trump victory will be pyrrhic. As Will put it, the party cannot forever prosper by capturing an ever-larger portion of an ever-smaller portion of the electorate.

After the fun is over, and Trump does what all presidents do (betrays his followers, etc.) perhaps the GOP will get back to the hard work of building a broader, long-term coalition. That wont be accomplished by playing ethnic games or constantly moderating its views. It will be accomplished by rediscovering a commitment to policies that promote liberty  and then preaching those ideas far and wide. It could do worse than start in diverse Orange County.

Steven Greenhut is Western region director for the R Street Institute. He was a Register editorial writer from 1998 to 2009. Write to him at sgreenhut@rstreet.org.
LOS ANGELES  The Election Day party began shortly after 5 p.m., as UCLA students flooded onto Wilson Plaza, past white picket fences adorned with American flag regalia.

They took their places at tables lit by the projected red and blue glow of electoral maps on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, blissfully unaware that, as Donald Trump stunned the world by winning the presidency hours later, the same maps would be, for most of them, a source of existential dread.

For now, they ate red and blue cotton candy, took selfies with the flag and talked about their relief at this elections end.

Even as millennials surpassed baby boomers as the largest voting generation in American history this election, many were so frustrated with the system and the presidential choices it offered that they felt disenfranchised from politics.

Still, a sense of cathartic relief was in the air. A DJ played the Cha Cha Slide, and a dance party broke out at the center of the plaza. Nearly everyone there expected the same result  a splash of blue on the map and an acceptance speech from Americas first female president.

Safiya Hussein, 19, sat at one of the front tables, in a group of young Muslim women, excitedly awaiting that announcement.

Many of her peers clamored for Bernie Sanders and only reluctantly voted for Hillary Clinton, turned off by her establishment roots. But Hussein, who loved Clintons plans for debt-free college, supported her from the start.

Ralphie Gevorgyan, 21, was less enthused.

Seated at a nearby table, Gevorgyan voted for Clinton but admitted it was an unpleasant pill to swallow.

Next to him, Mauricio Alarcon, 23, felt the same. He wondered if millennials would seize their political power in the midst of such disillusionment.

Im not confident it will ever happen, Alarcon said.

This conflict was central to millennial sentiment heading into Election Day. Given the generations tendency to skew liberal, some experts wondered whether a strong turnout from Americas largest and most ethnically diverse generation could mark a turning point at the start of a liberal political revolution.

But even as millennials emerged as one of Clintons strongest coalitions on Election Day, questions about their future as a voting bloc remain.

Turnout data and interviews with dozens of young voters reveal a generation wary of the system and averse to identifying with parties that no longer speak to their progressive values. In the coming years, its a conflict that could decide the shifting ideology of the nation.

The reality of a Trump presidency would shake that sentiment further.

As Trump crossed the electoral threshold hours later, a wave of disbelief washed over the UCLA watch party. Shock turned to anger. And anger morphed into a campuswide protest, as more than 1,000 chanting students marched from Wilson Plaza across Westwood. Across the country, similar protests played out in the days that followed.

Hussein would join the chants for a while, before heading home, dejected. I was lost for words, she said.

Shed been so confident. Why, she wondered, hadnt millennials made a bigger impact? How could the American electorates view of Trump be so different from hers?

I feel like this was a wake-up call for millennials in America, she said Wednesday.

Maybe if we just went out more, the results could have been different.

AN OPEN QUESTION

In 2008, when Barack Obama first captured the enthusiasm of millennials across America, 67 percent of voters aged 18-29 cast their ballots for the nations first African American president.

Eight years later, with a chance to elect Americas first female president, an estimated 55 percent  or 13 million of the 23.7 million under-30 millennials who voted  chose Clinton, according to exit poll data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE.

Theres been a clear drop-off in enthusiasm, Paul Taylor, author of The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown, said Wednesday.

Millennials have the most stake in how our country precedes. So to what degree will they engage in and be activated by politics now? Its an open question.

Peter Levine, the former director of CIRCLE and a professor at Tufts University, said its unfair to blame youth for the elections results. Clintons percentage of millennial voters, he pointed out, was the third-highest for a Democratic candidate since 1972.

But even as millennials become more diverse and lean further left, Trump garnered 37 percent of their vote  equal to Mitt Romney in 2012. Millennial support of third-party candidates, meanwhile, more than doubled, as 8 percent eschewed the two major parties, up from 3 percent in 2012.

You could look forward and say that Democrats have a lot of work to do, if they believe this to be their core constituency, Levine said.

In the final days before the election, some millennials did try to show their enthusiasm for Clinton, fully aware of the divide within their generation.

Last Sunday, a group of nearly 50 Clinton supporters, all dressed in pantsuits, broke out in a choreographed flash mob in a Culver City square as Katy Perrys Firework played.

Among them was Elizabeth Holcomb, 30, dressed in a fully beige ensemble. Amidst such a vitriolic campaign, she came out in hopes of doing something positive, she said.

But as she expressed full support for Clinton, Holcomb admitted she was depressed by the political status quo.

Theres wide recognition that the system isnt working the way we want it to work, she said.

On the eve of the election, at the Democratic Partys Westside headquarters, some young voters sat at tables, texting and making calls on behalf of Clintons campaign. Even here, among her most avid supporters, there was concern about the incongruity of millennial values and the political system.

Fielder Jewett, a 27-year-old West Hollywood resident, worried that a lot of (millennials) dont know what they can do to effect change.

Its easy to feel like the entire process is out of our hands, he added.

In conversations with millennial voters on both sides of the aisle, most suggested that being pigeonholed into a two-party system only exacerbated their powerlessness.

According to a Pew Research Center study this year, 48 percent of millennials, aged 18-33, identified as independents  more than ever before.

For some young conservatives, that refusal to affiliate with the Democratic Party, coupled with the disillusionment of this election, could open the door for the Republican Party to appeal to moderate millennials, if it were to evolve.

The party that supported (millennials) for so long is not really helping them, said Nikita Koultchyev, 30.

They want to be heard, said Nestor Moto Jr., a Long Beach resident and vice president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Orange County. They want to be part of a political process that isnt beholden to the establishment or corrupt, wealthy donors.

Moto, who is gay and Latino, said a lack of tolerance is whats holding most young voters back from embracing the Republican Party.

In other conversations with millennial conservatives, this sentiment was nearly unanimous. A few even described themselves as socially liberal.

Levine, formerly of CIRCLE, agrees theres a tendency to overgeneralize millennials as all liberal college students.

In fact, a plurality  48 percent  of white millennial voters, a large swath of whom live in rural states and are working class, cast their ballots for Trump on Election Day.

Any such progress to lure young voters to the right seems farfetched in the short term, given the rhetoric of Trumps campaign and the huge political divide that persists along racial lines. Seventy percent of young Latino voters cast their ballots for Clinton on Election Day, while 83 percent of young African American voters chose her. That generation is only growing more diverse with each election.

Jennifer Barbosa, however, points to herself as evidence of a millennial crossing the aisle.

Barbosa, who lives in Hollywood, voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012, but she said she felt disillusioned by his time in office. Upon watching Trump announce his candidacy, she said she was hooked by his anti-establishment message.

Many young conservatives feel that same sentiment could bring in frustrated former supporters of Bernie Sanders, too.

But first, they have to work for our support, Barbosa said of the Republican Party. The image has to change.

The night of the election, a large group of young conservatives gathered inside Mr. Furleys Bar in Sherman Oaks, donning red Make America Great Again hats.

By the time Trump had carried Florida, the bar was a raucous celebration. The mood was in stark contrast to the disbelief on UCLAs campus  another sign of the growing political chasm, even in a generation once perceived to be at the forefront of a liberal movement.

The parties are evolving fast, Moto said the next day, and Donald Trump, or at least his style, is the future of American politics.

RESIST CYNICISM

For Safiya Hussein, as a young, black Muslim woman, that future is frighteningly uncertain.

She is scared for her family and friends and angry at her peers who responded to their disillusionment by not voting. Fifty percent of millennials, according to CIRCLE, cast a ballot, but its the remaining, silent 50 percent that upsets her.

Still, she said, I feel like we can learn from this.

Like Hussein, Jessica Yu, president of USC Democrats, said she feels Trumps election will propel us to fight back.

But she also concedes that shes not very proud of how the Democratic Party handled the election. She feels many young voters were cast aside. And as Democrats come to grips with a Trump presidency, how millennials respond in the long term could shape the future of the American political system.

Will their disillusionment persist?

As Clinton stood at a podium for her concession speech Wednesday morning, she pleaded directly to young voters, in hopes that it wouldnt.

Please, she said, never stop believing that fighting for whats right is worth it.

A few hours later, Obama reiterated Clintons message to millennials.

Dont get cynical, he said. Dont ever think you cant make a difference. As Secretary Clinton said this morning, fighting for what is right is worth it.

But in a political system that many young voters feel has left them behind, what that fight will mean for millennials in Trumps America remains more uncertain now than ever before.

Contact the writer: rkartje@scng.com
The fabric of our nation will be tested

Now that the election is over, it is time to get on with the peaceful transfer of power from Barack Obama to Donald Trump. I know the mere mention of Trumps name makes some peoples blood boil; however, whats done is done.

Democracy thrives because we are a nation of laws. Going forward, my wish is those who voted for Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson or Jill Stein (or didnt vote at all) work within the system to make the U.S. a more perfect union. The best way to get there is peacefully and thoughtfully. By definition, this means no civil war in the streets and no more congressional dysfunction.

It is clear to this 60-something father of three that the character of our neighbors and fabric of this nation will be tested between now and inauguration day January 20, 2017. Which means there is one more vote to tally. Im counting on peoples better angels to win out.

 Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach

Keep your promises, Mr. President

As a Trump supporter from day one, I must urge President-elect Trump to hold fast to the promises he made to get into office.

He must refuse the platitudes of political correctness and demand the return of commonsense governance. Undo Obamacare, revoke Obamas illegal executive orders, build the wall, put Americans back to work by reducing burdensome bureaucratic regulations, do away with work visas for foreigners, restructure the tax code to bring back trillions of dollars to American shores and put the rights of American citizens and legal residents ahead of corporate greed and nonsensical political correctness. Give American companies that left our shores a short grace period to return or suffer significant tax consequences. Trump was elected as the anti-politician and he cannot cave to political considerations.

And for those who said they would leave the country if Trump wins, dont let the door hit you on your way out.

 Harald G. Martin, Anaheim

America spoke this election

The mold-breaking run of Trump can be summed up simply: American citizens, especially in fly-over country, are tired of top-down royal edicts from the Potomac and the blessed Sacramento River. Real people dont trust regressive left politicians; their mainstream media handlers, even less.

With less votes than Romney received, Trump put the unelected bureaucrats, American-hating politicos and mainstream media on notice its time to start telling the truth and leaving Americans alone. Trump was elected in the biggest upset in American history and heres hoping truth, justice and the true American way can continue the repudiation of Obama and Clintons regressive leftist policies.

Freedom of the press means the press is free to tell truth, not spin yarns. If I want an advocate, I look to a lawyer or the Holy Spirit, not left-leaning print.

Pray for your land, America, that we realize there is only one race, the human one.

 Len Beckman, Anaheim

Still the land of liberty and justice for all?

Re: Trump Towers [News, Nov. 9]: Great pun; sad reason for it. Great victory speech; obviously canned. (Where were the usual crooked Hillary slams?)

Now on to the grand coronation, and maybe some new hotels that our 45th presidents been salivating for in Russia and elsewhere. Why, maybe in his promise to bring jobs back to America, hell even have his own products made here for a change.

As to his promise to reign over a united America, I guess those left might be united  if he succeeds in kicking out everyone who differs from him in religion, skin tone, language or background.

So what about Trump University and those other upcoming lawsuits and investigations? Will he be towering over them, as well?

Will we still be a land of liberty and justice for all?

 Bonnie Compton Hanson, Santa Ana

Should have seen it coming

Older voters, blue collar workers, a sizable portion of the male population, and a host of those fed up with government and the lackeys in it voted for businessman, television personality, Donald Trump for president in numbers so outstanding we find it hard to believe no one predicted it. The anger among those groups was not palpable to poll takers and those exiting polling areas who didnt give truthful answers. So much for polls and pollsters. But it was a long time coming. People were fed up with business as usual and were fired up by Donald Trump, someone who had the backbone and was not afraid to be politically incorrect.

President Obama seems to have risen above the tumult and is a very popular president across the nation. But his popularity is based on his personality, charm, looks and intelligence, not on accomplishment. Donald Trump gave an acceptance speech that was all inclusive. He will be a president that will encompass the traits our forefathers envisioned that has been in remission for far too long.

 Barry Wasserman, Huntington Beach

A paradigm shift in American politics

The election of Donald Trump simply represents a referendum against the political status quo  long in coming for a lot of folks as evidenced by the election results across the nation. It is definitely a paradigm shift in American politics where the shock waves are many and varied; just ask the various news media outlets and pollsters. However, there is a silver lining for all. Granted, our country is faced with a lot of polarizing issues, but the message is simple and crystal clear. Congress must work together in a bipartisan fashion to compromise on principled, long-term solutions on all fronts, both domestic and foreign.

This is part of the paradigm shift; an inherent and imperative attitude and behavior adjustment on the part of all of our elected officials and an emphasis on long-term strategic solutions. This will be President Trumps biggest challenge and he needs help: help from a top notch experienced cabinet; help from the news media to factually expose what is working and what is not, and who is working togetherand who is not on all fronts  within and among our three branches of government  and help from all of us. We need to give him a chance.

There will always be outliers, but the paradigm shift is here. Those who accept it will bring a much needed return to American consensus and prosperity. Those that dont will easily be exposed for who they are without impunity.

 James L. Pace, San Clemente

Build bridges instead of barriers

Well, you won, Mr. Trump. Perhaps to the surprise of most people in the world, and also even to yourself, you won. Now my question is: What are you going to do about it? Will your victory be just one more ego trip? Or will it be a victory for America? Can you build bridges instead of barriers  or walls? Will your policies reflect the rich only, or will you include the needs of the anawim and the homeless and hungry populating our city streets? Will you treat all people with respect, from the unborn in the womb to the elderly? Will you move and act to stop killing babies and euthanizing the old?

I do hope and certainly pray that your presidency will truly fulfill your main campaign promise that all the signs at your rallies yelled out: Make America Great Again.

 Bob Stone, Irvine

Condemned to repeat it

While I truly hope that Donald Trump can perform a miracle by having a positive impact in office and reducing divisiveness in this country, like many others, Im stunned that such a man could win the election and Im truly afraid of the actions he might take.

A quote from Abraham Lincoln comes to mind: You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cant fool all the people all the time. I suspect people who voted for Trump will wake up at some point in time and realize theyve been had.

The last time the working class railed against elitism we got George W. Bush as president. That resulted in the senseless war in Iraq that fomented terrorism in the Middle East and the creation of ISIS. That was soon followed by the complete and utter financial meltdown of the American economy. George Santayana said, Those who cant remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

 Ian MacGregor, Newport Beach
So what will Trumpcare look like?

Doctors, hospitals, insurance agents, employers and average folks are wondering how President-elect Donald Trumps campaign pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act will play out in the real world of government and health care.

None of them yet knows for sure; these are early days. But the incoming president did show signs he may moderate his position after his first meet-up with President Barack Obama last week. In his first interview with the media Friday, he told the Wall Street Journal he would consider retaining parts of the act. Specifically, he said he favors keeping the popular prohibition against insurers denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions and the ability of parents to keep their children on their insurance plans until age 26.

After a bit of discussion well outline the changes that could take place, most likely for 2018 because most peoples health plans are already in place for the coming year.

The new administration and Congress have a chance to improve the health insurance system without causing serious disruptions, said Chuck Olson, CEO of OCi Insurance and Financial Services of Omaha, which provides services for insurance agents.

I think youre going to find that the administration puts together a very good think tank that decides how to unravel the mess thats there right now, Olson said. We can have options that will allow people to purchase the plan that makes the best sense for them and their families.

For example, Olson said, to encourage people to sign up for insurance, instead of a stick, use a carrot. Allow people to take deductions for their health insurance.

Right now, under Obamacare, people are required to have insurance or they are charged a penalty  the stick, in Olsons analogy.

Dr. Cliff Robertson, chief executive of Omaha-based CHI Health, said the president-elect has shown an ability to follow through.

If he says hes going to find a way to repeal and replace, I would not want to underestimate that, said Robertson, whose company runs Bergan Mercy, Immanuel and other local hospitals. No matter what happens, he said, the pressure will remain to deliver health care thats less costly.

Weve got to be more efficient, more effective, because nobody can afford us as it is today, he said.

An example:

Chris McPike, a vice president with the Lincoln insurance brokerage ComPro, has been working with a 50-something couple  a self-employed husband and at-home wife with three high school- and college-age kids  who are facing a $2,600 monthly premium for a mid-range health plan.

That needs to change, McPike said, but I want people to not be so eager to repeal that they fail to construct a suitable alternative.

After all, even with possible flaws, the Affordable Care Act has insured some 20 million people, including those added to Medicaid in some states, who didnt have coverage before. Its not likely that changes would be so dramatic to throw those people out of insurance coverage. Any changes will have to take into account those people.

All of the warts of the Affordable Care Act aside, said Dr. Dan DeBehnke, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, it (provides) important coverage for millions of Americans. To quickly repeal it would leave millions without coverage, and that would be a political nightmare for the president-elect.

DeBehnke said a first step for the new president will be to fill key health care-related Cabinet positions and start working with Congress.

He said House Speaker Paul Ryan is well-respected in the health care arena and has some really good thoughts on health care reform and policy. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the Senate majority leader, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., the incoming Senate minority leader, are seen as across-the-aisle dealmakers.

There are some good people in Washington who are poised to work across the aisle and make things work, DeBehnke said, but change must be done carefully.

Major changes would require support from Congress, including the Senate, where Republicans have a majority but not the 60 votes needed to overcome possible procedural issues, like ending a filibuster, said Dr. Rowen Zetterman, an associate vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Even with congressional support, changes in government programs take time. Repealing the law would mean changing all the regulations written since the law was passed in 2010, a process that requires public comment and possibly hearings.

The law also is embedded in the federal tax code and social services system.

Some things probably wont change.

There is widespread support for universal access to health care and portable coverage for all, principles doctors have been supporting for years, said Dr. Robert Wergin, a family physician from Milford, Nebraska, and immediate past president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

But the law as it stands is unsustainable because of the limitations on the plans companies can offer, said Dr. David Filipi, a retired Blue Cross Blue Shield executive and past president of the Nebraska Medical Association.

Among the cost imbalances he cites: Younger, healthier people are charged too much and, as a result, arent buying in. Older, sicker people are getting good deals but forcing up costs and prices.

Details of Trumps proposed changes are few. The transition team issued general statements about replacing the ACA and improving health care, but some points seem contradictory, such as returning health insurance regulation to the states but letting people buy health insurance across state lines.

So far, Nebraska Insurance Director Bruce Ramge said last week, there has been no word of changes from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that runs the Affordable Care Act.

We are monitoring it like everybody else, Ramge said. I cant really predict what will occur because there are so many moving parts.

DeBehnke, from Nebraska Medicine, is sending a video to staff that, among other points, urges cooperation with the coming administration. Nebraska Medicines mission, he said, wont change. The changes will happen around it.

If the government acts, those in the industry say, here are some things that could change and some that could remain:

Guaranteed insurability

People cant be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions under Obamacare, but some have gamed the system through special enrollment periods, buying insurance only when they are about to have expensive surgery or treatments.

That could be replaced with a system that requires insurance companies to accept people who have had insurance but would allow health screening for those who havent, as in the past. People who are too sick for an insurance company to assume the risk would be offered coverage through high-risk pools, funded by all insurance companies, a method Trumps transition team says is proven.

A centerpiece of the legislation, the online sites let people browse for health plans and determine whether applicants qualify for incentives to reduce their costs. Opponents view the exchanges as an unnecessary step in getting people insured.

The exchanges could close, letting insurance companies offer plans and determine who qualifies for incentives. The Internal Revenue Service already has the final say on the tax incentives.

Tax credits and other incentives

The government could come up with another way to help pay for insurance for low-income people, possibly through tax credits to insurance companies based on family size and income.

Penalties for not buying insurance

Penalties havent forced everyone to buy insurance anyway and could be dropped. Instead, the government could let people deduct their health insurance premiums, which would make their coverage cheaper.

People could remain uninsured even though health care providers end up with charity care costs that are passed on to people who do have insurance.

Minimum essential coverage

The ACAs set of required coverages  such as maternity benefits in plans for older men, which was a target for critics  could end, as would the bronze, silver and gold benefit levels.

Instead, insurance companies would design plans they think people would buy. People who want top-flight coverage would pay for it; people who want minimum coverage would pay for that, too, taking the risk that they might have to pay big medical bills.

Navigators

The ACA sent grants to nonprofit groups to train people to help clients enroll in health plans and qualify for tax subsidies. The function could go away, letting people sign up for health plans online through private exchanges or insurance company websites, or through insurance agents.

Health savings accounts

Available before the ACA, the accounts let people put aside money for future medical costs. Trump endorsed the concept, and the government could encourage the practice through tax policy or by limiting alternatives.

Keeping young adults on family plans

Few people have objected, and the cost isnt high. The rule could be retained, keeping millions of healthy people within the insurance pools.

Limit on lifetime health care costs

Allowing such policies could let some people save on their premiums.

Minimum loss ratios

Under the ACA, insurance companies must pay claims totaling 80 cents of every dollar of premium they receive or refund the extra cash, a provision designed to prevent price-gouging.

But the rule meant companies could make more money by paying more claims, reducing the incentive to seek lower costs.

Ending the rule would encourage insurers to drive down costs so their profits would increase. What would prevent gouging? Competition.

Health care quality

Health care providers, insurers and the government likely will continue working on ways to improve, which also can cut costs. That may include some of the pilot programs started under the ACA, as well as encouraging private industrys efforts at making care costs transparent and other improvements.

Health plan cooperatives

They havent worked well, and those still in business could be phased out or converted to for-profit groups.

Defunding Obamacare

Such a bill was introduced, passed and vetoed, and could be reintroduced.

Some spending could end right away, but the bulk of the spending is already committed. That means people who have signed up for individual coverage in 2017 will receive the tax incentives they have been promised.

What would end? For example, last week the government awarded $1,068,804 to Nebraska groups for activities related to planning and implementing selected federal market reforms and consumer protections.
The latest product to be unveiled by tech giant Google was not a new smartphone or wearable device or search feature designed to be used by millions of everyday consumers.

Rather, it was a $6,000 whiteboard designed to be used in your office conference room.

The release of Jamboard puts the Silicon Valley behemoth into the niche but increasingly competitive market of interactive whiteboards, the high-tech equivalent of those dry-erase boards that employees use to scrawl out diagrams, lead presentations or brainstorm new ideas.

Microsoft and Google have both gotten into the interactive whiteboard market this year, creating new competition for the largest and most entrenched player, Smart Technologies, a Canadian firm recently acquired by Foxconn.

The last piece of equipment in the office and classroom that hasnt made it into the modern age is the whiteboard, said Smart Technologies chief technology officer Warren Barkley. We, along with Microsoft and Google, see this as an opportunity to move that static, physically isolated content into the wider world.

Though commonplace today, the standard whiteboard is an innovation itself. Popularized in the late 1980s and 1990s, the whiteboard has, in many instances, replaced the dusty blackboard.

The digital whiteboard is a more modern invention, and it continues to evolve.

Smart Technologies takes credit for creating the first interactive whiteboard in 1991. Barkley said those were primarily large display devices that used projectors and had maybe one or two touch points. Today, interactive whiteboards come with LED touch screens whose ease of use more closely resembles a tablet computer.

That evolution has come with fits and starts, he said, and new arrivals could advance it further.

Googles Jamboard is a 55-inch, touch-screen monitor that connects to the cloud and taps into Googles G Suite of productivity apps, including Google Drive, Docs and Calendar.

Equipped with machine learning technology, the board is marketed as a tool for companies to make information gathering and brainstorming more seamless.

As senior product manager T.J. Varghese said in a recent blog post, At Google, weve set out to redefine meetings.

Varghese wrote in an email that the company will first offer Jamboard to the roughly 2 million customers who subscribe to its workplace software, and it will review how those businesses put the board to use before selling it to other corporate customers.

Its unclear whether Jamboard will have a meaningful impact on Googles income. It strikes a different tone from the companys other products, which are generally lower cost and marketed to the masses, because the electronic whiteboard is distinctly aimed at a business crowd with a hefty IT budget.

Google also faces stiff competition in the workplace technology market, said Vanessa Thompson, a research analyst at IDC, a market research firm specializing in technology.

In March, Microsoft began shipping its own interactive whiteboard, called Surface Hub. Much as Jamboard integrates with Googles other products, Surface Hub integrates with Microsofts established slate of workplace software, including Skype and Microsoft Office. The 55-inch Surface Hub sells for $8,999, and the 84-inch version goes for $21,999.

At the very highest level, I would say almost every company today is going through some form of digital transformation, said Julia Atalla, senior director of Microsofts Windows and Devices group. Medium- to large-size businesses, theyre looking at ways they can innovate faster.

Interactive whiteboard purveyors say their products meet that need. Having a digital interface that all workers in a meeting can connect with to share information, video conference and otherwise engage makes those gatherings more productive, they say.

But IT trends could also make the large capital investment needed to purchase the boards harder to justify, Thompson of IDC said.

There are some macro trends impacting the way we work, like decentralization in large organizations, small team-oriented work, personal productivity tools augmenting tools provided by organizations, Thompson said. These behavioral themes mean that workers are just as likely to use personal tools to share and collaborate as they are a space in the office.
Jobs requiring computer skills are plentiful and lucrative, but so few teachers are trained in those skills that many Nebraska schools dont even have basic computer programming classes.

An initiative at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to train more teachers in computer science won praise in September from the White House.

Computer science teachers in K-12 schools face a rigorous challenge because the technology changes so rapidly. Business and government nationwide have issued calls for more and better-trained teachers  and for more students. Economic prosperity here and nationwide requires people who know their way around computers and who can be innovative with technology.

UNO has pledged to add 80 credentialed K-12 computer science teachers over the next three years in Nebraska through courses that lead to state teaching endorsements in information technology. UNO also plans to contribute to that pool by offering a new masters program in computer science education.

Brian Dorn, assistant professor of computer science at UNO, said the 80 would double the number of K-12 teachers in the state who currently have the endorsement and are using it to teach information technology classes.

Our projection here is ambitious, Dorn said.

A report using 2013-14 data indicated that only one in six Nebraska high schools provided a class in computer programming at that time.

Society in the 21st century will make heavy use of technology, and even students who dont become computer scientists will need training in information technology, Dorn said. And thats why its important to have a skilled workforce of teachers helping us do that.

The nonprofit called Code.org says more than 517,000 computing jobs are open across the nation. The White House in September cited similar numbers, adding that computer science is largely missing from American K-12 education. The White House applauded UNO and other schools and groups across the nation for pledging to train more computer science teachers, who will teach more children in the field.

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said there are more than 2,000 online ads in the region for people with information technology expertise, such as computer systems and security analysts, programmers, software developers and network support specialists.

Even if each available job is posted in three different spots, thats close to 700 openings, said Shannon McClure, director of research services for the Omaha chamber. Those jobs in the metro area command an average of $79,400 a year, close to twice the $44,600 average for all occupations, McClure said.

Sharon Genoways is among UNOs part-time computer science students, taking evening classes to improve her grasp of information technology and her ability to teach it. She is pursuing a supplemental endorsement in information technology, which requires 15 credit hours at UNO.

During the day, Genoways is a Marian High School teacher who refuses to be intimidated by ever-changing technology and doesnt insist on having all of the answers. She teaches a computer science course as well as courses in physics, biology and research at the all-girl school. One recent morning she talked about her hunger to learn about, and teach, computer science.

I really, really love it, she said. Any new technology, I will be an early adopter. I will try it. I will fail. So many times, I will say, Lets figure this out together. 

In strode her students, a dozen high school seniors with an interest in computers and programming. They divided into pairs. Posters on the wall of their classroom read: Even Einstein asked questions and Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.

The students practiced the precision involved in computer coding, or programming. Computers are cool, said Jenna Popp, who hopes to go into international business and computer science.

Dorn, one of Genoways professors, said her attitude is just right for teaching computer science to kids. One cant be an expert in all things related to the field, he said.

We just see failure as an opportunity to try again, Dorn said. When youre working with a computer system, youre not going to get it right the first time.

The UNO College of Education and the College of Information Science and Technology created a new program three years ago to help teachers and prospective teachers learn about both the technology involved and about how to convey that information to students.

About 30 students  teachers and undergrads  are working toward their supplemental information technology endorsement at UNO, Dorn said. A masters degree in computer science education awaits approval from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

One evening last month, UNO education faculty member Michelle Friend worked with nine students, most of them junior high and high school teachers, who want to get their information technology endorsement. Some, such as Sara Waugh and Keith Kramer, already teach computer science and other courses in Omaha Public Schools.

Waugh said she expects the day will come when the school district requires those who teach computer science to have the endorsement. Both she and Kramer said they also just want to do the job better.

Waugh said she hopes to motivate her students at South High School to go into computer science. For the most part, kids like my class because they can see the real-world connection, she said.

Kramer, a teacher at Marrs Magnet Center, said more teachers should take the courses.

Theres a lot of teachers that need this, because this is pretty much a brand-new program, he said. I have a tendency to just jump in feet first.

Other Nebraska colleges and universities that have programs leading to the states supplemental information technology endorsement include the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Wayne State College. University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty members are thinking about proposing such a program. Bellevue University is in the planning stages of offering the classes.

Some faculty members in the NU system asked NU President Hank Bounds by email early this year if it was possible to implement a new set of university admissions requirements that include computer science. The email said that most students taking high school computer science classes are unable to use them for certain high school graduation needs or to meet NU admissions requirements.

The university said it doesnt count high school computer science toward core course requirements, nor can students sub computer science for NU math or science requirements.

Bounds told the faculty members that his staff found no major university with an explicit computer science requirement for admission. The answer to the faculty members request is no for now, he said.

Sherri Harms, chairwoman of computer science and information technology at UNK, said if NU becomes more receptive to computer science in admissions, K-12 schools will have more reason to offer it.

Its not just about getting children to use technology, she said. Its about being creators of technology.

Dorn and others wrote a paper last year that said the students at only 17 percent of Nebraskas high schools in 2013-14 had access to an initial course in computer programming.

The Nebraska Department of Education is updating its standards for information systems programs in K-12 schools, among other programs. The State Board of Education approved the standards last week.

Cory Epler, senior administrator for teaching and learning with the state education department, said the standards will increase the rigor of instruction and meet college and workforce expectations. But while standards reflect what students should know and be able to do, he said, curriculum on how those standards are met is determined by local officials and school boards.

Jacqui Garrison, a career field specialist with the state education department, said her agency wants to make sure teachers are prepared to teach the subject matter.

We do see it across the state, where more and more teachers are asking for information about it  just asking for professional development in the area of computer science, she said.

The demands on teachers are great. In many cases, there is little opportunity to focus on one area, college faculty members said.

The resources available vary from district to district, said Tim Garvin, department chairman of computer technology and information systems at Wayne State College. Often times, they (teachers) wear many hats.
COUNCIL BLUFFS  The smiles on Carlos and Laura Smiths faces were contagious.

The Council Bluffs couple and their three children walked the floors of their new home for the first time Friday, tears running down Lauras cheeks.

Its amazing, she said.

Local homebuilder Bill Perdue and NeighborWorks Homes Solutions teamed up to build a home for an area veteran. The Smiths applied for the home and were chosen to receive it.

Absolutely beautiful, Laura Smith said as she walked the halls with Carlos and their children: Dametrion, 10; Amarien, 4; and Zariah, 2.

In mid-2015 Perdue hatched the idea to build a home for a veteran. Perdue contacted subcontractors and suppliers he works with, and a number of them donated materials and labor. He worked with Pottawattamie County Veterans Affairs to help find the right veteran.

Perdue also brought NeighborWorks on board. The nonprofit organization helps low- and medium-income families find housing.

Organizers of the effort raised more than $100,000 in money, materials and labor.

Im just proud we were able to do it, Perdue said Friday as about 40 people gathered to celebrate the donation.

The house is in the 800 block of Avenue C on the west end of Council Bluffs. Organizers discouraged the Smiths from driving past in recent months to help increase the wow factor when the family first saw the finished product.

Its been hard to keep that promise not to peek, Carlos Smith said with a chuckle.

Carlos and Laura Smith met while both were stationed in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas. Carlos is a Houston native and Laura hails from Fremont, Michigan. They moved to Council Bluffs so Carlos could attend Iowa Western Community College.

The stipulations from Perdue and NeighborWorks included that the recipients must be employed or have adequate disability payments to afford the home, including payment of taxes and utilities, going forward.

The home will feature a forgivable mortgage for the first 10 years, with 10 percent knocked off per year over the first decade. That means that if the homeowner sold the house after three years, 70 percent of the proceeds would go back to Veterans Affairs or NeighborWorks. After 10 years, the owner would net all proceeds from a sale.

You serve your country, people say Thank you. Thats all you expect, Carlos Smith said. This is amazing.
From his small corner office in the Salvation Army thrift store warehouse, Samuel Leach takes calls from people requesting donation pickups.

Since The World-Herald published its investigation of Goodwill Omaha three weeks ago, his phone has been ringing more often  maybe 30 percent more, he estimated.

About half of the callers mention the problems at Goodwill, including high executive pay, and many say they no longer plan to donate there. One older woman told of giving to Goodwill for more than two decades, adding through tears that she now would be giving to the Salvation Army instead.

Other nonprofit-run thrift stores around the city have heard the same sentiment  and its reflected in the increase in donations theyve been seeing.

That redirecting of donations has hurt the Goodwill stores in Omaha. Material goods donations so far this month have dropped 26 percent compared with last November, said Erin Swanson Russell, Goodwill Omaha vice president of marketing and development.

Retail sales are down 13 percent. Without as many donations, the organization is looking to purchase and ship items from Goodwill stores in Kansas City and Minneapolis, a move it hasnt had to resort to in more than a decade, Swanson Russell said.

The impact on Goodwills retail operation has been substantial since the release of the Omaha World-Herald articles, Swanson Russell wrote in an email to The World-Herald.

The decline in donations and purchases directly affects how we can support and serve our community, she wrote, going on to say that Goodwill Omahas focus now is on the employees in its stores, the backbone of our organization. The charity has announced a number of changes, including the exits of top executives, a top-to-bottom evaluation of its pay structure and a commitment to put more thrift store profits into its mission of serving the disabled and others with barriers to employment.

Swanson Russell also issued this statement:

To our shoppers and donors who have supported us through this difficult time we say thank you. To those who have hesitated to bring new items to the stores, we hope through the steps we are taking to improve we can rebuild a stronger relationship with you. We are focused on moving forward with a commitment to our mission, our employees and our community.

That message comes too late for many of the donors who already have taken their donations elsewhere in recent weeks.

St. Vincent de Paul, which runs three thrift stores in Omaha and one in Papillion, has seen about a 30 percent increase in donations since the initial article on Oct. 23. The bin in front of the Benson store used to take all day to fill. Now it needs to be emptied every couple of hours  at least three times a day, said store manager Ann Thomas.

Rick Brown, the warehouse manager for St. Vincent de Paul, said the uptick in phone calls for donation pickups has put a burden on workers.

I could use a whole other truck and a whole other crew to deal with this, he said. Normally donation pickups are scheduled three days out at most, he said. Lately that has stretched to 10 days.

Its crazy, but I dont know how long it will last  who knows when people will forget about the article and start taking their stuff (to Goodwill) again.

Capt. Chris Clarke at the Salvation Army also is worried about what the recent influx means for his employees workload. The guys in the men's rehabilitation program who pick up donations and deliver them to the organizations two thrift stores have been swamped. Some days, he said, they dont go home until after 8 p.m.  logging 10- or 12-hour workdays.

Clarke is looking to hire more drivers, but the slow season for donations is coming soon and he doesnt know if the shift of donations away from Goodwill will continue through the winter. The Salvation Army donation boxes around town have been full or overflowing, but he wonders how long it will be before that trickles off.

A quick look around the Salvation Army warehouse, with its towering piles of clothes and furniture, might be deceiving, Clarke said. The recent boost in donations has brought in a lot of furniture. But the stores  which benefit the organizations adult drug and alcohol rehabilitation program  still need more, especially clothing, he said.

We dont want people to think just because we are seeing an increase that we dont still want more. Keep it coming, he said. This is good for us but we need and will need more.

Thats the message St. Vincent de Paul wants to spread, too. Brown said St. Vincent de Paul isnt one of the top dogs in town  not the primary place people might think to donate. Hes careful to avoid saying anything negative about Goodwill, but noted that the controversy has been positive for other local nonprofits seeking donations.

Many people are saying that they want an alternative, Brown said. Well, here we are. We are that alternative. Maybe this can help other organizations like us. Though its all unfortunate, we are grateful.

* * * * *

Places to donate

In response to reader requests, here are charitable organizations other than Goodwill Omaha that accept donations:

St. Vincent de Paul

Thrift store proceeds go to programs to help needy individuals and families in the Omaha area. Donations can be made at any store location, or pickups can be arranged by calling 402-341-1688.

Store locations:

 2101 Leavenworth St.

 5920 Maple St.

 5037 S. 24th St.

 807 Tara Plaza (South 84th Street), Papillion

Salvation Army

Proceeds go toward adult rehabilitation services for men with drug or alcohol addiction. Donations can be made at both stores. To request pickup or find a drop-off location, call 800-728-7825.

Store locations:

 2525 Dodge St.

 7266 N. 30th St.

Stephen Center

Proceeds from the thrift store at 5128 S. 24th St. go to the Stephen Center, which provides addiction recovery services, emergency housing and transitional and permanent supportive housing services. Stephen Center clients can also get jobs at the store and are able to receive clothing vouchers to shop there. Does not accept computers, TVs, pianos, building materials. 402-614-1017

Humble Lily thrift store, 2580 S. 90th St.

Proceeds support Bethlehem House, a residential care setting that serves women who are pregnant and in crisis. Accepts gently used womens clothing, purses, shoes and jewelry. 402-933-3366

Heart Ministry Center, 2222 Binney St.

Operates a clothing pantry that people in need can visit every 30 days. Accepts clothing, shoes, bedding, bicycles, fans and space heaters. Call 402-451-2321 to arrange a donation drop-off.

Y.E.S. Youth Street Outreach Center

Accepts donations of clothing and hygiene items for the outreach program, 2679 Farnam St. Proceeds from sales at the volunteer-operated Tip Top Thrift Shop, 5910 Maple St., also go to Y.E.S. programs. Y.E.S.: 402-345-5187. Tip Top Thrift Shop: 402-551-1302

Womens Center for Advancement Career Clothing Closet, 222 S. 29th St.

Provides work-appropriate clothing for women. Accepts womens clothing (skirts, pants, sweaters, jackets), bras, shoes, jewelry and makeup. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk. 402-345-6555

Women United Ministries, 1202 E. Browne St.

Accepts donations of womens clothing for women in need. Call 402-591-0354 to arrange a donation.

Together, 812 S. 24th St.

The homeless prevention organization will distribute donations to people in need. Accepts coats, furniture, kitchenware and household items. Does not accept clothing donations (other than coats) or major appliances, electronics, exercise equipment or hideaway couches/beds. To arrange a drop-off or a pickup, call 402-345-8047.

Open Door Mission, 2107 E. Locust St.

Donations go to the homeless or to outreach centers. Accepts donations of clothing, furniture, appliances, toys, books. Does not accept mattresses. 402-422-1111

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Locations at 10910 Emmet St. and 1003 S. 24th St. Accepts building materials, appliances and home furnishings. 402-884-6976

Assistance League Thrift Store, 3569 Leavenworth St.

Funds go to several programs, including Operation School Bell, providing vouchers to J.C. Penney for children in need of school clothes. The Assistance Leagues Thrift Shop also gives vouchers for its store to residents of Santa Monica, a home for women recovering from drug and/or alcohol dependency. Store does not accept furniture. 402-342-3113

MICAH House, 1415 Avenue J, Council Bluffs

Takes all donations except appliances and large furniture. Work-appropriate clothes can be donated to the career closet. Donations that MICAH House cannot use will be distributed to other shelters and community giveaways. Donation pickups can be arranged. 712-323-4416

Project Hope, 6201 N. 60th St.

Offers a food and clothing pantry for people in need. Accepts all clothing except used undergarments. Donations can be dropped off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. 402-453-7649
COUNCIL BLUFFS  The City Council will be asked Monday to approve an increase in the fee charged to people using the citys ambulance treatment and transport service.

The request is from the Council Bluffs Fire Department. The last increase came in 2012, said Fire Chief Justin James.

Currently the Fire Department charges based on the type of services needed, from $525 for minimal care during transport to as much as $700 for the most acute care. James recommends that those charges rise to $600 and $825.

For treatment at the scene with no transport needed, the charge is $175. James has requested a $15 increase to $190.

Mileage also would increase, from $11 to $13.

He said the proposal came from the ambulance fee billing company after a study was done of other cities in Iowa and Nebraska.

If approved Monday, the increases would take effect Dec. 1.
DECATUR, Ga. (AP)  For an hour they stood shoulder to shoulder, those who supported Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, praying together in a service of postelection healing. Noting the painful labels and divisions of the just-finished campaign, the Rev. Jenna Faith Strizak said, Weve got to figure out how to live together. And not just live together, but be one.

That could take a miracle: To bring together those elated by Trumps ascension to president-elect with those who see him as an embodiment of the countrys worst instincts and a threat to its future. Even as Clinton pledged the victor her support Wednesday, others protested in the streets, burned flags and insisted he didnt represent them.

Its shattering, said Byron Beck, a writer in Portland, Oregon, who supported Clinton. While harshly faulting Trump, he cast the moment as a dilemma for all Americans. We have lost our way, and I dont know what that reset button will look like, but I know that I will work for it or Ill leave the country.

Trump extended a hand to such opponents in his victory speech, saying Clinton was owed a major debt of gratitude as he made an impassioned plea for both sides to join behind him: Now its time for America to bind the wounds of division. ... To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people.

But the nation remained split over whether that was achievable or a Pollyannaish vision. On the campaign trail Trump had offended millions of American Muslims, black and Latino voters, gays and lesbians, immigrants, people with disabilities, Jews and women with his rhetoric.

Exit polls showed voters expressing not just unhappiness with the way government is working but outright anger.

The bitterness could well get worse, said Robert Boatright, a Clark University professor and research director at the National Institute for Civil Discourse. It probably will.

For Clintons supporters, the minutiae of how to move on seemed a secondary concern as many still professed shock and sadness over the result.

In Denver, 47-year-old Eli Romero questioned how a man she dismissed as a circus could win, saying the election outcome would lead her to move to Mexico. In Naperville, Illinois, 68-year-old Carol Anthony said she felt like she was punched in the stomach. In Hagerstown, Maryland, Sebiila Odin pondered how unity could even be possible.

You know, all this talk about healing, thats a problem, too, because weve never healed, said Odin, who is black, referring to race relations.

Trumps election bared rifts that have churned for decades, if not since the nations founding. Toxic politics have degenerated to rank-and-file hatred of the other side. Its impossible to think that a honeymoon will follow all the nastiness and name-calling, said Robert Schmuhl, a University of Notre Dame professor.

Still, in small gestures all over the country, some were vowing to bridge the gulf between the two sides.

John Barnes, a 60-year-old retiree in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who cast his ballot for Trump, pledged to move on from his anger at a neighbor who supported Clinton, who he feared could destroy the Constitution. Jennifer Farley, a 38-year-old chef and cookbook author in Bethesda, Maryland, who joked shed drown herself if Trump won, said she was considering holding potluck dinners with people of different ideologies, seeking unity through the healing power of food.

And Tane Danger, a 31-year-old independent in Minneapolis, planned a series of improv comedy shows in divided communities to try to get people of different backgrounds in the same room to share laughter.

Hopefully that moves us a little closer to helping to understand and be able to work together, he said.

In Richlands, Virginia, when Linda Crawford made known her support for Clinton on Facebook during the race, she said she was met with an onslaught of condemnation and personal attacks. But a week ago, she was relieved when she met many of those same people at a funeral and found they could hug and comfort one another despite their political differences.

People still love one another and are still good to each other, said the 66-year-old retired teacher. This will pass  the election will pass  and our country will heal and move on.

At Decatur First United Methodists ecumenical election night service, congregants from 13 churches joined. Pastors spoke of unity, and the floors vibrated with America the Beautiful from the organ pipes. Democrats and Republicans shared the same pews, wearing voter stickers shaped like Georgia peaches.

Lets talk about whats going to happen and how we can help the country, said Gary Brinker, a 56-year-old salesman who voted for Trump. Were going to have to work together.

Those who supported Clinton and other candidates expressed similar sentiments, professing a willingness to see past differences. Enoch Bang, a 23-year-old law student who voted for Clinton, said the tenor of the campaign drove him to seek an escape from the election returns in the quiet of prayer.

We have to live tomorrow as one country, as one people, the son of South Korean immigrants said. Thats what I want to pray for.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NEW YORK  Donald Trumps presidential victory defied just about everything supposedly smart people knew about politics and winning the White House. He prevailed by tapping a force far more powerful than the strongest debate performance, the most attention-grabbing TV spot, the savviest turnout operation or the highest-profile surrogates, from the White House down.

He tapped into seething anger and voters ravenous desire for change.

If people get mad enough, they will storm the polls without prodding  and without, apparently, the need to confide in opinion pollsters, who largely missed the huge outpouring of Americans displaced by decades of economic restructuring and unsettled by the countrys changing complexion and shifting cultural mores.

If people get mad enough, they will look past a candidates overt prejudice, his coarse put-downs of women, his mockery of a disabled journalist, his taunting of a Gold Star family.

Trump won by crashing through Hillary Clintons so-called blue wall, states that Democrats had won in each of the last six presidential campaigns (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, where he was leading with most of the votes counted), and flipping states (Florida, Ohio and Iowa) that President Barack Obama carried twice.

The battering ram was wielded by an army of working-class white voters, who found a kindred sole in the swaggering Manhattan business mogul who had little use for the please and thank-yous of polite political discourse.

In 2012, the starchy Republican Mitt Romney won working-class whites in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by 12 points over Obama. Trump carried them by 30 points over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

When you think of the theme of 2016, it was rebellion, said Don Sipple, a strategist who helped elect Arnold Schwarzenegger governor in Californias 2003 recall election. Underperforming economy, stagnant wages, escalating health care costs, 70 percent saying the country was on the wrong track. You had this incendiary combination ready for combustion.

The GOP nominee might have flouted the conventions of presidential politicking. (He is the first person in history elevated to the Oval Office without first having served in either elected office or the military.)

But for all his public disavowal of pollsters and disdain for expert advice, Trump was hardly flying blind.

Along with significant help from the Republican National Committee, Trump engaged the voter-targeting services of Cambridge Analytica, a company that has accumulated thousands of data points  Starbucks preferences, vacation history  on every one of about 240 million Americans.

Everything we did from the beginning was data-driven, said Brad Parscale, who oversaw a team that targeted Trump voters in key states with operating-room precision. Unlike the Clinton campaign, which was proud to boast of its technological, vote-gathering prowess, we didnt make a big deal about it, Parscale said.

Kellyanne Conway, Trumps campaign manager, said polling found several states Obama easily carried twice but where Clinton was stalled below 50 percent.

We looked at that and thought, Theres a Hillary Clinton problem there,  Conway told reporters in New York early Wednesday, as stragglers leaving Trumps victory party navigated through empty beer bottles and discarded campaign signs. Theres a reluctance among the voters, and even in our darkest days, they werent breaking for her.

Using early voting data, absentee balloting and other measurements, the campaign homed in on four states at the end of the campaign, a core four of Florida, Iowa, Ohio and North Carolina, where Clinton was perceived as especially vulnerable. Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, were dispatched for repeat visits.

We could see counties where we had stronger support than Romney did four years ago, Conway said. We said it would come down to a Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin combination.

Trump carried the core four states as well as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and potentially Michigan. He trailed slightly in New Hampshire, which remained too close to call.

The flip side to Trumps widely unforeseen success was, of course, Clintons failings, which, inevitably, seem the more glaring in defeat.

She was arguably one of the best-rounded and most experienced candidates ever to seek the White House, having served as first lady, a U.S. senator and secretary of state. But for many, her decades in public life were one of Clintons strongest demerits, stamping her indelibly as a part of the hated political status quo.

Her lucrative speechifying made her an unlikely tribune for the working class, once the partys core constituency. Her obsession with privacy led to one of the most damaging blots on her image, her use of a private email server as secretary of state, which played to a reputation for corner-cutting and conniving that has plagued the Clintons, husband and wife, since Bill Clinton first sought the White House in 1992.

There were tactical moves that will long be called into question by Democrats aching to understand her loss. She took states like Wisconsin and Michigan for granted, they griped, until too late.

Some factors were simply confounding.

Trump opened his campaign by insulting immigrants from Mexico, targeted a Mexican-American judge he said couldnt be fair because of his heritage, and rarely let up in his harsh language aimed south of the border. Still, he won slightly more Latino support than Romney, whose 27 percent backing was seen as a warning the party had to ease its hard-line immigration stance or pay a price at the polls.

Bidding for election as the nations first female president, and facing a candidate with a history of misogynist statements, Clinton ran much stronger among women than Trump, as Democrats usually do. But she barely did better than Obama managed against Romney.

Less surprising was Clintons fall-off performance among blacks and millennials, whose interest in voting proved to slacken whenever Obama wasnt on the ballot.

Although Clinton won the popular vote over Trump, it seems likely Clinton will end up winning several million fewer votes than Obama did four years ago  even though he essentially laid his presidency on the line, saying his legacy was on Tuesdays ballot.

It was the sort of all-in, top-to-bottom support Trump never enjoyed from his party. Many speculated that divisions within the GOP, including the high-profile defection of major party leaders, would prove fatal to Trump, leading rank-and-file voters to follow suit. But their disavowals hardly mattered; indeed, the contempt of party elites may have only served to enhance Trumps image as an outsider and rebel.

He won 90 percent of the Republican vote. (Clinton won 89 percent of the Democratic vote, underperforming Obamas 2012 showing by 3 percentage points.)

In the end, for all the ads and analytics, the scandals over emails and tax dodging, the differences over immigration policy and health care, Trumps victory can be explained simply.

Voters desperately wanted change in Washington, and Trump, a candidate unlike any ever seen in American history, came to be its galvanizing force.
The author is the junior U.S. senator representing Nebraska.

Americans sent an unmistakable message Tuesday: Washington is broken and needs disruption. I hear that and agree.

In recent days, Nebraskans who voted for Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton, or none of the above, have all asked me this question: Now what? For over a year, you were concerned about Donald Trumps character and about whether he recognizes the Constitutions limits on presidential power. So are you going to oppose him now, or will you get on the Trump train?

I get why folks are asking but, humbly, this shouldnt be an either-or question.

If you voted for our president-elect, you should not now become an uncritical follower. And if you voted against Mr. Trump, you should not now be a knee-jerk critic. (As has been reported, I voted for Mike Pence on my presidential ballot.)

Now that the people have spoken, every American has two patriotic duties regarding our president-elect and the policy agenda he will outline:

First, we root for him, and especially for his steady hand as commander in chief. We pray that God grants him wisdom and discernment in his new calling. (My family has prayed for him for weeks at our breakfast table and will do so every morning.)

Second, even as we hope for his personal effectiveness and success, we should all still argue for principles we believe in. In the American system, the vast majority of policy is to be made by the peoples legislative representatives  not by the executive branch or by unelected judges. And thus the Congress needs to hear from the people on the issues.

There will be disagreements  between neighbors, between the executive and legislative branches, between political parties. This is a good thing. This is an intentional feature of our system, not a bug.

The marketplace of ideas should be civil, but it should also be contested. We should disagree respectfully. Reflexive tribalism and reflexive partisanship are signs of a sick republic, not a healthy one. And so we should argue about Mr. Trumps coming proposals.

Millions of Americans  many inspired by Trump, but also a great many who are skeptical of him yet still reluctantly voted for him  understandably want Washington disrupted. Were demanding an end to self-dealing and the one-size-fits-all answers of that citys elite. Frankly, thats why I ran two years ago.

Yes, there are absolutely some things that worry me  from his comments surrounding our First Amendment freedoms to his trade agenda, which would make it harder for Nebraskas farming families  but while we wont agree on everything, I am also encouraged by the policies that he appears now to be prioritizing with a Republican Congress.

These include many items conservatives have long championed:

 Nominating judges who reject lawmaking from the bench.

 Ending cronyism with an ethics package that starts with term limits.

 Repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a system that empowers families and patients over bureaucrats.

 Securing our borders as a prerequisite to any rational national security policy.

 Passing big tax reform, aimed not chiefly at the marginal rates of the wealthiest but at lowering the cost of trying and succeeding in America.

 Repealing large portions of the Dodd-Frank Act that make it especially difficult for small banks to lend in Nebraska.

I am delighted there is a moment of opportunity to advance a conservative agenda. And President-Elect Trump has an opportunity to make that conservative agenda his own.

Some Nebraskans will be less zealous about parts of this agenda. Thats OK. No voter  whether thrilled or worried about our new president  should uncritically join his train or uncritically hope for his failure. All or nothing isnt how Americans think about government.

We are not North Koreans, swearing a loyalty oath to the Dear Leader. Nor are we the French Resistance, plotting against the new regime from day one. Rather, we should hope for his personal flourishing and his wisdom, and we should simultaneously vigorously debate his ideas.

Senators should not be reflexive antagonists. Nor should senators go along to get along. Rather, Im there to do what Nebraskans hired me to do: Uphold my oath to defend the Constitution regardless of partisan politics, hear and represent their concerns in Washington, fight for limited government and for the limitless potential of every American and look for big solutions that create more opportunity for all.

I am going to be looking for places where we share common ground with the president. Yes, there will also be times when Congress and the White House disagree  that is part of our system. Thats why the founders created different branches of government.

Lets get to work. Lets look for common ground. Lets reaffirm a Constitution that checks and balances the three branches of government.

And lets all hope for our presidents success.
Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Legislature have a lot of heavy lifting ahead in crafting and deciding the states next two-year budget.

They can best serve Nebraskans by proceeding responsibly and carefully, avoiding snap judgments and negotiating constructively.

The state will be attempting several big goals at once:

 Tightening spending in order to tackle a projected two-year, $910 million shortfall.

 Undertaking a tax-relief package.

 Overhauling state aid to K-12 schools.

 Providing increased spending for certain needs such as the state prison system.

Any one of those tasks is difficult. Attempting them all at once is especially so. Hence the need for the Governors Office and lawmakers to approach things in a constructive way.

State leaders need to take their time and let the process unfold appropriately. That means gathering information and hearing from all sides. Crunching the numbers. Looking for priorities. Encouraging wide-ranging discussion and debate. Understanding that the process involves budget competition among legitimate Nebraska interests.

In the end, it will be important to remain open to negotiation and reasonable compromise.

Consider a prime example: the expected effort to eliminate a lot of the states sales tax exemptions in order to pay for tax relief elsewhere, perhaps on the income tax side.

Efforts to do away with many of the exemptions have been made unsuccessfully in the past by Nebraska leaders.

In 2001 and 2002, then-State Sen. Kermit Brashear introduced proposals to end a sizable chunk of state sales tax exemptions with the aim of broadening the tax base and providing property tax and income tax relief. The measures were defeated.

In 2013, then-Gov. Dave Heineman proposed eliminating half of Nebraskas sales tax exemptions, generating $2.4 billion to allow the ending of the state income tax. The proposal failed.

The reason for the failures, of course, is that individual interests mobilized and succeeded in protecting their exemptions.

The point isnt that the attempt shouldnt be made but, rather, to recognize that the politics of such a battle are complex and difficult. Deciding an issue this multifaceted cant be done in a snap. Resolving it will require major agreement made possible through diplomacy and cooperation.

How, or whether, the sales tax exemption issue is resolved will have a major effect on the shape of the final, overall budget.

As for the needed belt-tightening, Ricketts struck the right note this year when he directed state agencies to reduce spending in the face of a $95 million revenue shortfall for the current budget year.

This is what we get paid to do, to manage our budgets, Ricketts said. Exactly so.

The projected two-year, $910 million shortfall is somewhat reminiscent of the budget situation five years ago.

When lawmakers convened in January 2011, the state was facing a projected two-year gap of $986 million. Closing that shortfall required serious budget discipline  as well as drawing on the states cash reserve.

The current situation indeed demonstrates the wisdom of the Legislatures Appropriation Committee, first under Chairman Lavon Heidemann and subsequently under Heath Mello, in working to establish a cash reserve of needed size to help deal with emergencies.

These are only some of the complexities Nebraska leaders face in developing the next budget. Successfully navigating the challenges will require careful deliberation and leadership.
Bihar: When asked to take off hijab to check for bluetooth device, Muslim student leaves exam centre

Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000

Bihar's Gopalganj by-poll to see a tough fight between BJP and RJD

Angry people break locked gate of bank in Bihar

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Patna, Nov 13 A group of angry people on Sunday broke the locked gate of a bank and forcibly entered the premises in Bihar's Gopalganj district after they were told that there was no cash, the state police said.

People, angry at having to go without small denomination currency notes after demonetisation, protested and tried to ransack banks at several places across the state as they failed to get cash despite standing for hours in long queues since morning.

"People forcibly entered a Punjab National Bank's branch in Mirganj after they broke the locked gate and staged protest against failure of banks in providing cash," a district police official said.

The police had to resorted to lathicharge to disperse angry crowds.

Two groups clashed at a bank in Narkatiaganj area of Champaran district after some people who were standing in long queues, fell into a drain.

Protests by people angry over cash crunch in banks were also reported in Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts.

The fight for cash is likely to continue for a few more days as nearly five per cent ATMs in the state are not operational, officials said.

IANS


Who is Dr Anantha Nageswaran? All you need to know about the new chief economic advisor

ATMs to disburse new currency by early December: Finance Ministry

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Nov 13 The Finance Ministry said on Saturday that the ATMs will be able to disburse new currency notes only by early December as recalibration of the machines requires both hardware and software modifications.

"Recalibration (requires both software and hardware changes) of ATMs is going on, which will be completed by end of this month or early December. Other denominations will then be disbursed by ATMs," a statement from Finance Ministry said.

"Presently only Rs 100 notes are being disbursed from the ATMs. Out of 2 lakh ATMs, about 1.2 lakh are operational," it added.

Taking stock of the issuance of new currency notes to the public, Finance Ministry said that a total of over seven crore transactions have taken place in less than three days after the demonetisation was announced.

"A total of over 7 crore transactions have taken place from November 9 up to mid-day of November 12 (i.e. in the last two and a half days) for deposit, exchange of old notes and withdrawal from ATM and over the counter," it said.

"Old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations amounting to about Rs 2 lakh crore have been deposited to banks," it said.

Ministry of Finance along with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian Banks Association (IBA) and a few major banks participated in the review meeting on Saturday to take stock of the cash availability, it said.

"There is sufficient cash available with RBI and Banks. They were advised step up the supply of cash to the public," the statement said.

The availability of cash and issuance of cash to bank branches and post offices on a daily basis is being constantly monitored and necessary rebalancing being done for more efficient allocation of banknotes of requisite denominations between different areas, it said.

To cater to the requirement of rural areas, banks were advised to supply notes of smaller denominations (Rs 100 and less) as well as Rs 10 coins, it added.

One of the primary objectives of cancellation of legal tender character of old series of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was to check the menace of terror financing through counterfeit currency notes. The receipt of counterfeits currency notes is being monitored closely.

RBI has been advised by the government to set up a special cell to monitor the receipt of fake currency notes and inform such instances to the Economic Offences Wing of the state police, enforcement agencies of the Central Government and also to the Ministry of Finance.

"The law enforcement agencies have also been advised to maintain close vigil over possible movement of fake currencies and take prompt action as and when such cases are detected by them as well as by RBI and banks," it said.

IANS
Textile sector is growing with FDI having tripled in 3 years, says Smriti Irani

Centre to hold meeting with states on new textile policy

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Nov 13 The government will soon convene a meeting to seek states' views and inputs on the new National Textile Policy.

The policy aims to achieve USD 300 billion textile exports by 2024-25 and create an additional 35 million jobs.

"The Textile Ministry will organise a special meeting with states to seek their views and suggestions for the New Textile Policy," a senior official told PTI.

"It is important to get the states on board for successful implementation of the policy, once it is unveiled. Therefore, seeking states' inputs is essential in formulation of the policy," the official added.

The official said that relevant suggestions put forth by the states will be vetted by Textile Ministry and incorporated into the final draft of the policy, after which a Cabinet note will be circulated among stakeholder Ministries like the Finance Ministry for their inputs. Thereafter, the policy will be sent for the Union Cabinet's nod to bring the new policy into effect.

The policy seeks to address concerns related to skilled workforce, labour reforms, attracting investments in the sector and providing a future road map for the textiles and clothing industry.

Keeping in view various domestic and international developments in the textile industry and the need for a road map, the Ministry of Textiles had initiated the process of reviewing the National Textiles Policy, 2000.

PTI cazd
Can cash cause coronavirus? Should you stop using it

Choppers continue to bring cash from Patna to Jharkhand

India

oi-PTI

Ranchi, Nov 12: After bringing cash from Reserve Bank in Patna to Ranchi, it was the turn of Jamshedpur and Bokaro to get currency chests from the neighbouring state in the aftermath of demonetisation Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

Additional Chief Secretary Amit Khare said one trip each was sent to Jamshedpur and Bokaro after cash was brought from RBI Patna.

Passenger seats were removed to make place for chests stuffed with currencies, an official release quoting Khare said. Money was brought by choppers to Ranchi yesterday. Arrangements were made for tomorrow as well.

There is no dearth of currency notes in the state, but to regulate ATMs, banks required time, the release said. Fifty per cent of ATMs of State Bank of India were operating, but those of Bank of India were yet to function, it said, adding that the BoI general manager was asked to address technical flaws so that its ATMs begin operation at the earliest.

PTI
Ready, get set, go: Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo speeds up in Telangana

Demonetised notes can be used for payment of regularisation of constructions: Telangana govt

India

oi-PTI

Hyderabad, Nov 12 The Telangana government today decided to allow citizens make their payments for regularisation of constructions under the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) and others in demonetised currency notes till November 14.

The decision was taken at a meeting held by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with officials here, a release from his office said.

Revenue officials have already served demand notices on citizens on the amount to be paid, it said.

The government urged the payees to avail of the opportunity tomorrow and Monday as banks and treasuries would be open, it added.

PTI
As the countdown clock struck zero, rocket of Aakash BYJUS took off from Bandra Bandstand

Devendra Fadnavis dismisses rumours of shortage of salt; warns action

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Nov 12 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today dismissed the rumours of shortage of salt in the state and directed district collectors to take action against those spreading it.

"There have been rumours of salt shortage since yesterday but situation in entire state is normal. There is no shortage of salt in any dist (sic)," the Chief Minister tweeted.

"CM @Dev_Fadnavis directs all the Collectors to take strict measures to ensure there's no panic and act against those spreading rumours," the CMO Maharashtra said in a tweet.

"Dept asked all dist supply officers to ensure there's no hoarding of salt or any essential commodity & no inconvenience be caused to people," the CMO Maharashtra added.

There were rumours about some shop owners selling salt at Rs 700 per kg in eastern suburbs in Mumbai.

Police had yesterday stepped in to dispel rumours about steep hike in prices of essential commodities including salt.

PTI
Kerry tells Trump that Americans want climate action

India

oi-PTI

Wellington, Nov 13: US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea today for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled climate change a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed. "We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we're on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

"The majority of the American people believe that climate change is in fact happening and want to see us address it." Trump has pledged to ditch Washington's climate change policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric. "Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said. Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet or more to the current sea level," he said. He said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

Kerry said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week. "Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.

PTI
Not averse to joining hands with CPI-M to fight Modi government: Mamata Banerjee

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kolkata, Nov 12 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday created a stir by urging her long-standing political rival CPI-M to join a united opposition in the fight against the Narendra Modi led government on the demonetisation issue.

Addressing the media after making a round of some banks and ATMs and speaking to the people standing in queues, Banerjee called upon the opposition parties to unite against the Modi government on the burning issue "in the greater interest of the nation".

The Trinamool Congress supremo said she even has no problem in working with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

"I have told my party to work with all other parties. Even the CPI-M, which may be my ideological opponent... I have basic differences with them, if need be the Congress, CPI-M, (BSP supremo) Mayawati, we should work together in greater interest," she said.

However, the CPI-M rejected the overture saying it could not join hands with a party which had tainted ministers and parliament members.

Refering to the Saradha ponzi scam and the purported sting operation conducted by the Narada news, state CPI-M secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said: "How can we participate in a movement with a party whose ministers and MPs are involved in such scandals.

"It does not behove those who are running a party through graft and extortion to protest against black money."

The multi billion rupee Saradha ponzi scam came to light in 2013 when the group's companies downed shutters without repaying lakhs of investors, who had parked their hard-earned money in the group's companies, lured by the promise of astronomically high returns. The Central Bureau of Investigation, probing the case, arrested and quizzed a number of ministers, leaders and parliament members belonging to the ruling Trinamool for their alleged involvement in the scandal.

Tapes aired by Narada News in March purportedly showed several high profile Trinamool leaders accepting bribes.

Banerjee on Saturday claimed the CBI "unnecessarily arrested our people, though there is nothing against them".

She also disclosed that after the Narendra Modi led BJP government came to power at the centre in 2014, the Income Tax department has sent three notices to Trinamool and other parties.

"They are sending IT notices to all political parties. My party has got three notices, and we have replied."

Calling the Modi government "vindictivea, she attacked centre's ruling party, saying: "Who has more black money than the BJP?"

IANS
Students in Bengaluru on hunger strike, allege wrongly failed

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Bengaluru, Nov 13 More than 100 students of Visvesvaraya Technical University (VTU) sat on a hunger strike on Saturday alleging a cock-up in the checking of their papers by the examiners, resulting in an unusual number of students failing.

The students demanded that those failed be advanced to the next year since there was a major mistake made during the checking of the paper across courses during July semester.

"Close to half of the total 4.5 lakh students here across all courses were failed. Many of those who had got marks in single digits, ended up scoring 65 or even more upon re-evaluation of the marks," Manan, a National Students Union of India (NSUI) member told IANS.

"Since this is a screw-up on the university's part, for which students are forced to shell out Rs 700-1000 in each paper's re-evaluation, the least they can do is let students advance to the next year," he said.

However, VTU Registrar, H. N. Jagannath Reddy said there's nothing unusual in the number of students who have failed and the authorities will call a meeting and address the students' concerns.

"The number (of students who failed at least one exam) is far lesser than what the students are saying. It's no more than the annual average of the University, nothing unusual in the number of applications for re-evaluation either," Reddy told IANS.

"There may have been some human error or even technical error during checking. Every year about 17 per cent of total papers come for re-evaluation, this number is same for July semester as well. We appeal all the students to call-off their strike," Reddy added.

IANS
Five years of demonetisation: Notes in circulation on rise; so are digital payments

PM Modi should admit that demonetistion a failure: Owaisi on cash seizure in UP

Vishal Dadlani lashes out at govt over demonetisation

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Nov 13 (PTI) In the wake of inconveinience faced by the people due to Centre's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Bollywood music composer Vishal Dadlani has criticised the government for poorly implementing the policy.

In a series of tweets, the 43-year-old musician has lashed out at the BJP led-government, saying the demonetisation plan is a "joke."

"If it's true that 2,00,000 ATMs will have to be recalibrated before they can dispense the new currency, this demonetisation "plan" is a JOKE (sic)," he wrote.

Replying to a Twitter user, Dadlani posted, "That's what nobody understands. I was one of the first to speak in support of Demonetisation. But the planning is an utter disaster!"

He further added, "Most of them can't even buy train tickets right now. No cash, and if they do have new 2000 rupee notes, no change!"

The fact that good people are willing to line up peacefully, for hours, gives me hope! The fact that they have to, is just BAD planning! https://t.co/nabCR8Y0Bz  VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) 13 November 2016

When asked by a Twitter user as to why he was promoting Kejriwal's agenda, Dadlani said he was not part of any political party.

I've quit all parties and politics. But I'm still a citizen, and I have the right to an opinion. Especially when I see madness around me. https://t.co/nYOrVcqTuk  VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) 12 November 2016

(With PTI inputs)
Colombia, FARC forge new peace pact

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Havana, Nov 13 The Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla group have reached a new peace deal that includes contributions from sectors opposed to the original treaty.

"Attending to the outcry of Colombians desiring peace and reconciliation, we have reached a new final accord," Efe news agency cite a statement by the two sides that was read in Havana, the seat of peace talks for the last four years.

The new document was signed by the chief negotiator for the government, Humberto de la Calle, and Ivan Marquez for the FARC, who have headed nine days of intensive meetings in the Cuban capital to reach a new agreement in order to "obtain a stable, lasting peace".

The latest deal includes "changes, detailed explanations and contributions from the most diverse sectors of society, which were reviewed one by one," said the statement read by the ambassadors of the accord's guarantee nations, Cuba and Norway.

"Building a stable, lasting peace is the goal of this new agreement and should be the common commitment of all Colombians, a commitment that will help overcome polarisation and guarantee the acceptance of all political and social convictions," the statement said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday called an urgent meeting with predecessor Alvaro Uribe, who was the staunchest opponent of the earlier peace deal.

The earlier deal signed last September was hailed internationally and led to Santos being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month.

The original treaty, which was aimed at bringing an end to Colombia's decades-old armed conflict was rejected by Colombians in a referendum on October 2 as they criticized it for being too lenient on the guerrillas.

IANS
Donald Trump praises Clinton as 'very strong and smart'

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Nov 13 Leaving behind the bitterness of the election campaign, US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Hillary Clinton whom he defeated in shocking poll results, calling the former secretary of state as "very strong and smart."

In a television interview after Tuesday's win, Trump described Clinton, whom he had threatened to jail for unspecified crimes of corruption, as "very strong and very smart" and full of grace and decency.

In the interview excerpts of which were aired yesterday, he heaped praise upon Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, who was often the target of his attack as well. Trump said he received a very "lovely call" from Clinton after she lost the election.

"Hillary called, and it was a lovely call, and it was a tough call for her, I mean, I can imagine. Tougher for her than it would have been for me. I mean, for me, it would have been very, very difficult. She couldn't have been nicer," he said. With wife Melania and his four oldest children by his side, Trump described the phone call as incredibly pleasant and genial.

"She couldn't have been nicer. She just said, 'Congratulations, Donald, well done. And I said, 'I want to thank you very much, you were a great competitor. She is very strong and very smart," he said.

The 70-year-old President-elect was also all praise for Clinton's husband, who called him after the poll results, describing him as very talented.

"He could not have been more gracious. He said it was an amazing run. One of the most amazing hes ever seen. He was very, very, really, very nice," Trump said.

"Well, hes a very talented guy, I mean, this is a very talented family," said the President-elect. For the past several months, Trump had attacked the two and even going to the extent of appointing a special prosecutor against Clinton.

During the interview, Trump also indicated that he would keep certain provisions of the Obamacare, which would benefit the people of the country including coverage of people with pre-conditions and extended coverage of children living with parents. "Yes. Because it happens to be one of the strongest assets," he said in response to a question.

"Were going to repeal it and replace it. And were not going to have, like, a two-day period and were not going to have a two-year period where theres nothing. It will be repealed and replaced. I mean, youll know. And itll be great health care for much less money," Trump said.

PTI
Pakistan elections: US worried over people affiliated to LeT

Denmark: 2 held for attempting procurement of drones for IS

Days before Trump announced Syria withdrawal, a sinister report came out on IS in Iraq

New Zealand man who had joined IS to return

IS attacks kill at least 15 SDF fighters in Aleppo, Al-Raqqa

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Cairo, Nov 13 At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF), were killed on Saturday in two Islamic State (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria.

British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.

After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.

Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.

The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.

IANS
Canadian gets 20 years in US jail for aiding Islamic State

IS leader has fled Mosul, victory imminent: Iraqi governor

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Erbil, Nov 13 The top leader of the Jihadist Islamic State (IS) has fled Mosul, last extremist enclave left on Iraqi soil, according to the governor of the Nineveh province in Iraq.

Governor Nofal Hamadi al-Sultan, whose governorate's capital is Mosul, announced during a press conference that Daesh' supreme leader and self-proclaimed Caliph Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi had fled Mosul" and that victory was "imminent", Efe news agency reported.

According to al-Sultan, the last audio broadcast by al-Baghdadi indicates that he has left Mosul.

In said audio address broadcast on November 3, the self-proclaimed Caliph urged his followers not to abandon Mosul.

"Do not flee. This is the prelude to a great victory," he said in an apparent attempt to encourage his army.

During his press conference, the governor assured that IS collapse is "imminent" and that Iraqi forces are "rapidly" closing in for the final push into Mosul.

Mosul's neighbourhoods "have been the scenario of victorious advances by Iraqi security forces" said al-Sultan who stressed the final "decisive" battle against the Jihadists will take place "very soon".

The Iraqi and Kurdish troop offensive to liberate Mosul began on October 17 with a three-pronged offensive along the north, south and eastern fronts, which has enabled the liberation of various eastern Mosul neighbourhoods.

IANS
Muslim teacher told to hang herself with headscarf in US

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Nov 13: A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf "isn't allowed anymore". Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

"Mrs Teli, your head scarf isn't allowed anymore. Why don't you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it," the note scribbled in black ink said, signed "America!", the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community.

Spreading hate isn't going to "make America great again," she wrote on her Facebook page. Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note. "We take a threat against a staff member a serious matter," Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note. It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trump's election to the presidency, but Teli's post on Facebook assumed as much.

"I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him," she said. Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab. The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls.

PTI
'Over 200 hate incidents reported in US since Trump victory'

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Nov 13: More than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation across the US have been reported since Donald Trump won the presidential election, according to a group that tracks hate crimes in America.

"Since the election, we've seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr Trump's election," Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama, told USA TODAY. "The white supremacists out there are celebrating his victory and many are feeling their oats," Cohen said.

The SPLC, which tracks hate crimes, said it has logged more than 200 complaints since the election, and while it could not provide a figure for the average number of complaints it takes in each day, Cohen assured that the number is much larger than what is typical.

Anti-black and anti-immigrant incidents are generating the highest numbers followed by anti-Muslim incidents, Cohen was quoted as saying. Part of the reason it is happening is that hate group leaders are encouraging members to intimidate people, he said. "Pulling from news reports, social media, and direct submissions at the Southern Poverty Law Centre's website, the SPLC had counted 201 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation across the country as of Friday," the group said. "These range from anti-Black to anti-woman to anti-LGBT incidents.

There were many examples of vandalism and epithets directed at individuals. Often times, types of harassment overlapped and many incidents, though not all, involved direct references to the Trump campaign," it said. In Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying it was working to find the source of racist messages sent to black freshmen, and in Syracuse, New York, a group of pickup trucks -- one draped with the Confederate flag -- drove through an anti-Trump rally. In Columbus, Ohio, a man banged on the car window while a Muslim woman was driving, her children and elderly parents with her, and told her, "...you don't belong to this country," according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

All those were added to the list of incidents that included black children being told to get to the back of a bus and Latino children being taunted about the wall that Trump promised to build between Mexico and the United States. CAIR also said it has seen an increase in complaints made to its offices. Angry Americans have been staging nationwide protests against Trump's election victory shouting slogans like 'Not my President' and 'No Fascists USA'.

PTI
Ukraine grain deal: UN says shipments are still going out

UN chief welcomes Trump's call for unity

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

United Nations, Nov 13 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed a call from US president-elect Donald Trump for unity after what has been described as a bitter and divisive presidential campaign.

In a phone call on Friday afternoon when anti-Trump protests were underway across the United States, Ban congratulated Trump again on his election as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America, Xinhua news agency quoted UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric as saying.

"The Secretary-General welcomed President-elect Trump's calls for unity following a hard-fought election," the spokesman said.

Since Trump's election victory on Wednesday, people took to the streets in such US cities as Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco to protest the billionaire's election. The protests continued into Friday night.

"The Secretary-General expressed confidence that US and the UN would maintain their traditional strong ties of cooperation to advance peace and security throughout the world," the spokesman said.

Ban is to leave his office on December 31, 2016 at the end of his two five-year terms while Trump is to be sworn in as the US President on January 20, 2017.

IANS
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EveryMatrix Expands Their Portfolio Adding Booming Games Titles

Published November 12, 2016 by Ivan P

EveryMatrix added Booming Games' titles to their portfolio, further improving their casino solutions platform offering.

EveryMatrix, a company offering full-scale online casino solutions, partnered up with Booming Games adding more than 60 new titles to their online casino games portfolio. In business since 2008, EveryMatrix has always striven to provide their clients with the best online solutions and this latest partnership is another step in that direction.

Important Development for Booming Games

The integration with EveryMatrix casino platform is an important step for Booming Games, the company featuring many popular titles, like Joker's Wild and Booming Seven. Their entire portfolio contains over 60 games, all of which will become a part of the EveryMatrix platform. That includes the company's latest releases as well, like Desert Drag, Freemasons Fortune, and Shark Meet.

The Booming Games Head of Business Development Frederik Niehusen did not try to hide his excitement in the press release announcing the partnership. Niehusen emphasized the impeccable reputation EveryMatrix enjoys in the industry as well as the accompanying experience. Partnering with EveryMatrix will allow Booming Games to extend their reach and attract new clients.

Benefits for EveryMatrix

Ebbe Groes, EveryMatrix CEO, stated how incorporating Booming Games portfolio into their online casino solutions will help the company cater to new clients' needs and establish their position in the market even further. Original solutions provided by Booming Games are exactly what EveryMatrix needs to stay on this path of progress and development.

Currently, the company's casino engine offers 3,000+ games from some of the best casino game developers. The company has won numerous awards, including the 2015 and 2016 EGR White Label Partner of the Year Awards, as well as the 2016 "One to Watch" Award by the Gaming Intelligence.

The company continuously strives to become the leading iGaming solutions provider and they look to achieve this goal through business development and strategic partnerships with leading game suppliers.

Booming Games portfolio has now been made available as a part of EveryMatrix online casino solutions.
Positive Results for Russian Gaming Week 2016

Published November 13, 2016 by Florin P

The Russian Gaming Week 2016 brought together industry leaders in Sochi to discuss the future of gambling in Russia.

Earlier this year, Russian government signed a resolution aimed at creating a gambling zone in Sochi. This is supposed to be the fifth such area in the country and will go by the name of Krasnaya Poliana. Not surprisingly, the Russian Gaming Week 2016 was held in this city at the Black Sea, in October 27. It brought together industry leaders, legal agents, experts from various fields and casino developers.

As a leading distributor of solutions for online casinos, Slotegrator was represented at the events. Sales managers from Roman Kuts and Vadim Potapenko shared their expertise with fellow participants and learned a couple of things themselves. Their companys stand exhibited innovative solutions for online gambling, ranging from tools used to build gaming platforms from scratch to specialized software

Slotegrator's Summary of the Russian Gaming Week 2016

Roman Kuts and Vadim Potapenko shared their impressions about this special gaming week in Sochi. The ones who represented the federal government gave some hints regarding the future of online, but mostly land-based gambling in Russia. The sheer challenges of developing a gambling zone in this part of the country were discussed. The goal was to find new ways to attract investment and identify the legislative changes that could help the gambling business.

The two sales managers from Slotegrator were impressed by the commitment showed by Russian authorities. Apparently they are highly motivated to turn the Krasnaya Poliana gambling zone into a successful project. They addressed most of the issues raised by speakers, who were concerned about existing legislative regulations. Some went a step further and contemplated the possibility of crypto currency being used, given the surging popularity of bitcoins and block-chain technologies

Sochi Can Pave the Way to More Gambling Areas

The city at the Black Sea was chosen for its infrastructure, but also to salvage some of the massive investments made before the Olympics. Roman and Vadim highlighted the fact that both local and central authorities expect the gambling area to bring a lot of money to state coffers. The proximity to Turkey should also help their cause, given the fact that gambling is banned in this country. There is a lot of interest for land-based gambling in Russia, but the influx of tourists from Turkey would be a plus.

Slotegrator and other participants at the gambling market are doing marketing research to find ways to cash in on these fast-changing circumstances. If the Russian authorities follow through with their plans to provide the infrastructure and legislative support, the Krasnaya Poliana could be a success. The Russian Gaming Week in Sochi also provides participants with a chance to exchange ideas and opinions. If the wheels are set in motion, theyll be able to use this newfound knowledge to strengthen their businesses.
After four days of unprecedented demonstrations across cities in the United States, the motives poked and prodded no one knows how they could end. Whether or not President-elect Donald Trump makes conciliatory remarks, as suggested on a Sunday talk-show, at this point we can usefully see these demonstra-tions as systemic phenomena, whose mechanisms I outline in A Taoist Politics: The Case for Sacredness:

Since ancient Chinese times, feedback has been conceived as the opposites Yin/Yang growing out of each other. The Chinese knew instinctively that change occurs as a result of each element in a dyad acting upon the other, as many contemporary scientists recognize. Today we know that energy flows into a system organize molecules, creating work . Lack of energy eventually results in a state of 'equilibrium' or 'entropy', where 'work' cannot happen. Ideally, as the ancient Chinese intuited, the flow of energy through a system keeps it 'just far enough' from equilibrium to avoid entropy, or death, allowing 'work' to happen. But any number of factors can cause that flow to increase, creating runaway instability. While a certain amount of instability is necessary for work to happen, too much instability takes the system so 'far from equilibrium' that it eventually reaches a threshold known as a bifurcation point, or phase transition, from which it "dissipates" into a new state.

The anti-Trump demonstrations can be seen as energy flows that increase instability, but what state will they dissipate into?

Living systems are open to their environment, from which, via feedback, they receive matter and energy and into which they reject waste. They can, in theory go on forever. Very differently, non-living, or mechanical systems inevitably run down because they are separated from, or closed to their environment and its sources of energy. The components of political "systems" include human, geographic, historical and cultural elements. Currently most political systems are "closed," in that 'the many' are largely kept outside the deliberations of 'the few'. Dictatorship, which seeks to maintain a status quo ('equilibrium') indefinitely, ends when revolution opens the system to the many that have been kept outside.

The anti-Trump demonstrations are rocking a country that has always boasted of its smooth transitions of power -- corresponding to the ideal state of 'equilibrium'. But once energy flows accelerate, they cannot be stopped. (The genie cannot be put back in the bottle.) In some instances they lead to revolutions, but even when they do not, they must run their course, and things will not be the same when they end.

Francis Fukuyama notwithstanding, history will not be 'over' until humanity is. To avoid self-inflicted extinction, we need to see history as an unending series of disruptions and bifurcations that will never achieve 'it', however hard we try. We can only influence processes, knowing that there is no final point, no perfect world that we shall be able to sit back and enjoy once we have created it. Aside from the intolerable dullness of such an eventuality, it isn't going to happen.

Anti-Trump demonstrators are the result of two things: sociologically, a 'me' generation expectation that everything must be the way they want it to be at all times; but politically, and more importantly, they stem from ignorance of the fact that Hillary Clinton also represents a turn toward fascism, not for domestic reasons, but because her foreign policy aim is war with Russia, seen as the first impediment to continued US hegemony (China being the second). Washington's Democrats may be savoring this moment, but those on the street are oblivious to the fact that had Clinton been elected, protesters against her wars would be treated much more harshly than those who opposed the Vietnam War, by relentless spying and a militarized police.
AS the election has drawn to a close, those on the left are in deep misery. We voted for Stein, or in some cases, chose not to vote (because not voting is the best way to rid elections of fraud.....or some argue) but we know that as proud as we are to have supported such an intelligent and honest person, that the media and public will hardly notice our votes. In 2012, I voted for Stein, who got her largest vote in my state Cali, but the next day, the media did not even report her vote totals. Our protest vote led to oblivion......in the media, but especially the young, who are being dealt out of the dying American dream, are looking for alternatives.

I have voted for Stein again because we have reached a tipping point, of which the renewed interest in anti-establishment concepts like anarchism are looking attractive to many. The problem is that anararchism

is a term so abused that it means, to one, a hippie commune and to another, bomb throwers. I try to define anarchism, provide a historical and philosophical context that places its evolution at the heart of the Left, which up until Bernie Sanders, was Left Out.

And that is the condition of the Left today...it doesn't exist except among a minority of writers and other deviants. The Republican Party is totally taken over by the far right, going as far as to deny science, and the triangulated Democratic Party, which went center right under Bill Clinton (and Hillary is no different) as he joined with the Republicans to repeal Glass-Steagall.

Glass-Steagall " was passed by Congress in 1933 and prohibits commercial banks from engaging in the investment business. It was enacted as an emergency response to the failure of nearly 5,000 banks during the Great Depression."

In 1999 Congress passed the Gramm--Leach--Bliley Act, also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, which repealed its key provisions of barring commercial banks from being investment/casino banks. Bill Clinton signed this bill, co-sponsored by 3 Republicans and with a Republican House and Senate, as it was veto proof.

Today, both Democrat, Republicans, and the public want to re-instate the wall of separation, which prevents reckless gambling at the public's risk.

Bombing on Wall St.......past protests were robust!

Trump's first choice for Secretary of the Treasury, Jaimi Dimon, is the billionaire CEO of the largest bank, JPMorganChase, and he is strongly opposed to bring back the Glass-Steagall separation. f*ck everybody! Wall St. rules. Such attitudes are birthing a new interests in anarchism.

And so our next President will be a pathological billionaire pretending to be a populist, whose singular talent is showmanship and whose moral compass is so damaged that he started his campaign by appealing to the declining white poorly educated, offering them a scapegoat for the suffering that oligarchs like Trump, who has outsourced 95% of his jobs to slave labor states, has actually caused. This is somewhat like Hitler pretending to be a "socialist" as he sent the socialists, trade union leaders, and Social Democrats to die at Dachau. Trump will give us peace by choosing the Bush war team, on record of wanting to "Bomb Iran (see John Bolton, possible Secy of State, in his NYTimes op ed from last year).

And he will dismantle the oligarchy by having Wall St cut its own throat.

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This piece was first published on eoinhiggins.com

Consider this an open letter to the American public and, more pointedly, to the American youth.

Part 1: What the F*ck Just Happened?

On election night, upon the news that Donald Trump was projected to win the presidential elections, at least hundreds of protesters from UC Irvine, UCLA, and Northern California quickly took to the streets, chanting "Never Trump!" and "F*ck Donald Trump!" The demonstrations took many forms in many streets across the country for the rest of the week, and this is what we should all be doing.

If there will be one good thing about a Trump presidency and the fact that the Republican Party -- the most dangerous organization in the world -- now has virtually full control over legislation, it is that at least now we know what we should be doing with ourselves. It's time to hit the streets. Under Obama, and hypothetically under Clinton, liberal citizens have remained complicit in ecocide, the nuclear-weapons buildup and our perpetual wars, and the financial recklessness that spawned the legitimate rage of the Trump constituency.

The Hillary Clinton campaign, instead of trying to absorb the Bernie Sanders constituency, relied on stealing votes from Donald Trump via the moderate right to make up the difference; the Democratic party showed itself willing to risk the fate of humanity just to hang onto the kind of corporate power they enjoy. They preferred moving further toward the weak center to execute this strategy over making the concessions that the Sanders campaign pressured them to champion.

There is no left-wing in mainstream American electoral politics anymore, and for this, the corporate body of the Democratic party -- mostly made up of lawyers and business people -- must beg for our forgiveness and accept that they will never receive it.

If you are patting yourself on the back on the morning of November 9th for having supported Hillary Clinton, you are part of the problem. Yes, Trump is an arrogant, bombastic imbecile. But do not be surprised. This is how societies in rapid decline and tailspin behave. The Democratic party has accelerated us down that path as much as the Republicans. Trump is the kind of figure that rises out of a bankrupt establishment that will risk anything -- even handing over the reins to a complete dumbass like him -- to cling to its power.

Thomas Frank wrote a piece for The Guardian, "Donald Trump is Moving to the White House, and Liberals Put Him There," the morning after the elections, a first-rate analysis that deserves to be quoted at length. First, Frank acknowledges that Hillary Clinton was just about the worst possible choice the Democrats could have picked for "[...] this angry, populist moment. An insider when the country was screaming for an outsider. A techno-crat who offered fine tuning when the country wanted to take a sledgehammer to the machine." Further down, he notes, of Sanders and Biden as opposed to Clinton, "Each of them would probably have beaten Trump, but neither of them would really have served the interests of the party insiders," and finally, on the topic of how sickeningly presumptuous, patronizing, and enslaved by the status quo the Democratic party was, Frank writes,

"[...] but it was the quality of the media's enthusiasm that really harmed her. With the same arguments repeated over and over, two or three times a day, with nuance and contrary views all deleted, the act of opening the newspaper started to feel like tuning in to a Cold War propaganda station. Here's what it consisted of:

Hillary was virtually without flaws. She was a peerless leader clad in saintly white, a super lawyer, a caring benefactor of women and children, a warrior for social justice.

Her scandals weren't real.

The economy was doing well / America was already great.

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As I write this column, nearly 2.5 million people have signed a petition seeking to overturn the outcome of the November 8 national vote and make Hillary Clinton, rather than Donald Trump, the next president of the United States.

The petitioners are asking presidential electors, chosen by the voters of their states to support Trump, to instead "faithlessly" cast their votes for Clinton on December 19.

"Faithless" electors are nothing new. The only electoral vote ever won by a Libertarian presidential slate came from a Virginia elector who couldn't bring himself to support Nixon in 1972 and instead cast his vote for John Hospers. But they've historically been few and far between and have never changed the outcome of a presidential election.

The American political system can stand a few faithless electors casting protest votes now and again. They're a burp in that system, a noise in the machinery that lets us know it is actually running.

But the American political system cannot survive electors defecting en masse from the clear winner to the clear loser of a national election. That's not a protest or an act of civil disobedience. It's an insurrection.

So let's be clear on what the petitioners are asking for here:

They want a coup d'etat.

Their candidate lost an election, so they want a mutinous electoral college to set aside the results and transfer executive power to the loser instead of to the winner.

Emerging from Philadelphia's Independence Hall at the end of the 1787 constitutional convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of political system the convention had chosen. "A republic," replied Franklin, "if you can keep it."

The pro-Clinton petitioners don't want to keep it. They would gladly throw out nearly 230 years of imperfect but working method in favor of getting their way just this one time.

In 1860, the presidential election didn't go the way the southern slave states wanted it to go. But even those states didn't demand that the result be overturned; they merely chose to show themselves to the door, and only went to war when they found that door barred.

With their appeal for a presidential coup, the pro-Clinton petitioners are flirting with same outcome: Major riots and social dislocations at least, quite possibly outright civil war. Even as a radical libertarian who believes the United States is past, or at least approaching, its "best used by" date, I don't relish the prospect.
Liberals and progressives are in a state of derangement this week after the stunning defeat of Hillary Clinton that put Donald Trump into the White House. There is much weeping and gnashing of the teeth as grief-stricken Democrats look for excuses, promote conspiracy theories and empty their tear ducts over a pool of rapidly souring spilled milk. But the truth that none will admit to is that they earned every bit of their dumpster fire of an election by throwing in with a polarizing candidate who had already been rejected back in 2008.

As this humble author wrote right here at OpEd News two years ago in my article "Democrats Laying the Groundwork For 2016 Catastrophe":

Democrats may have gone to bed crying softly into their pillows in the wee hours of early Wednesday morning last week but awoke determined to double down on exactly what it was that got their clocks cleaned in the first place. You would think that after receiving such an ass-whipping that there would be some sort of soul-searching and a rethinking of their overall strategy prior to 2016. But we are talking about the Democratic party here so the only logical thing to do with the iceberg in sight is to order the engine room to crank it up to ramming speed. On Thursday, Senate Democrats once again elected Harry Reid to be their leader. The intrepid Reid's fingerprints were all over the great beat down of 2014 and early indications are that they will also be on the torpedo hit amidships in two years if Queen Hillary the Inevitable gets rejected by the electorate in her quixotic quest for power. If Mrs. Clinton goes down she is going to take the entire party down with her and there is no Plan B for the immediate future. Republican strategists must be licking their chops over the prospect of a Democratic party self-immolation -- that is if they can stop bickering among themselves long enough take advantage of the rare historical opportunity to deliver the killing blow to their nemesis. The scheming Karl Rove once spoke of a "permanent Republican majority" although he could never deliver it. That prophecy is within reach if all that the GOP does is simply stay out of the Democrats' way as they continue to march off the edge of a cliff like a pack of drunken lemmings.

Well Hillary Clinton indeed went down and took the entire party down with her, a devastating defeat from which they will not soon (if ever) recover from and one that has cost liberals and progressives the Supreme Court for the next several decades.

There is to this point little reflection on the very important fact that the Democrats were peddling damaged goods and that the party poohbahs chose to sabotage and later neutralize the one person who would have thumped Trump. As internal DNC emails that were published by Wikileaks showed, the political organization that was to have been a neutral arbiter in the process was stacked with Clinton loyalists who worked overtime to undermine Bernie Sanders and his own populist message. Sanders generated an enthusiasm that energized young voters but he was never going to be accepted by the Wall Street fat cats who owned Mrs. Clinton and expected a return on their investment for all of those six-figure speaking gigs.

Sanders ran an insurgent campaign that could well have toppled Queen Hillary were it not for the meddling of party insiders, the complicity of the media and the superdelegates who were in the bag for the Clintons from the beginning. One big reason why Trump won is that he was able to appeal to those white working class voters that the elitist snobs running the Democratic party viewed with contempt, these were the so-called Reagan Democrats and had Clinton even bothered to pay lip service to them she could very well be the president elect instead of a bitter old woman who is blaming her defeat on FBI Director James Comey.

The Hill reports "Clinton blames loss on FBI director's letter":

Hillary Clinton blamed her electoral defeat on FBI Director James Comey in a call with her top donors on Saturday, offering her most extensive comments yet following her loss to Donald Trump. "There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful," Clinton said, according to The New York Times. "[O]ur analysis is that Comey's letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum." Clinton said that her poll numbers recovered from a plunge following the first letter from Comey, which came 11 days before the election and informed Congress that the FBI had renewed its interest in the investigation after they found emails related to the probe. However, she argued the second letter sent just two days before the election saying that a review of newly discovered emails found nothing to alter the decision to not recommend charges over the mishandling of classified information aroused Trump's supporters. "We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing," Clinton said, according to the Times report. "And we were feeling like we had to put it back together." Clinton's comments come just days after her top campaign aides also pinned blame for the loss on the FBI director in another call.

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From Truthdig

Widespread social unrest will ignite when Donald Trump's base realizes it has been betrayed. I do not know when this will happen. But that it will happen is certain. Investments in the stocks of the war industry, internal security and the prison-industrial complex have skyrocketed since Trump won the presidency. There is a lot of money to be made from a militarized police state.

READ: Revenge of the 'Deplorables'

Our capitalist democracy ceased to function more than two decades ago. We underwent a corporate coup carried out by the Democratic and Republican parties. There are no institutions left that can authentically be called democratic. Trump and Hillary Clinton in a functioning democracy would have never been presidential nominees. The long and ruthless corporate assault on the working class, the legal system, electoral politics, the mass media, social services, the ecosystem, education and civil liberties in the name of neoliberalism has disemboweled the country. It has left the nation a decayed wreck. We celebrate ignorance. We have replaced political discourse, news, culture and intellectual inquiry with celebrity worship and spectacle.

Fascism, as historian Gaetano Salvemini pointed out, is about "giving up free institutions." It is the product of a democracy that has ceased to function. The democratic form will remain, much as it did during the dictatorships in the later part of the Roman Empire, but the reality is despotism, or in our case, corporate despotism. The citizen does not genuinely participate in power.

"It is very similar to late Weimar Germany," Noam Chomsky told me with uncanny insight when I spoke with him six years ago. "The parallels are striking. There was also tremendous disillusionment with the parliamentary system. The most striking fact about Weimar was not that the Nazis managed to destroy the Social Democrats and the Communists, but that the traditional parties, the Conservative and Liberal parties, were hated and disappeared. It left a vacuum which the Nazis very cleverly and intelligently managed to take over.

"The United States is extremely lucky that no honest, charismatic figure has arisen," Chomsky went on. "Every charismatic figure is such an obvious crook that he destroys himself, like [Joseph] McCarthy or [Richard] Nixon or the evangelist preachers. If somebody comes along who is charismatic and honest, this country is in real trouble because of the frustration, disillusionment, the justified anger and the absence of any coherent response. What are people supposed to think if someone says 'I have got an answer: We have an enemy'? There it was the Jews. Here it will be the illegal immigrants and the blacks. We will be told that white males are a persecuted minority. We will be told we have to defend ourselves and the honor of the nation. Military force will be exalted. People will be beaten up. This could become an overwhelming force. And if it happens, it will be more dangerous than Germany. The United States is the world power. Germany was powerful but had more powerful antagonists. I don't think all this is very far away. If the polls are accurate, it is not the Republicans but the right-wing Republicans, the crazed Republicans, who will sweep the next election."

The repression of dissents will soon resemble the repression under past totalitarian regimes. State security will become an invasive and palpable presence. The most benign forms of opposition will be treated as if they are a threat to national security. Many, hoping to avoid the wrath of the state, will become compliant and passive. We, however, must fight back. We must carry out sustained acts of civil disobedience, as many have done in streets around the country since the election. But we must also be aware that the democratic space allotted to us in our system of inverted totalitarianism has become much, much smaller.

Trump, with no democratic institutions left to restrain him, will accelerate the corporate assault, from privatizing Social Security to exonerating militarized police forces for the indiscriminate murder of unarmed citizens, while he unleashes the fossil fuel industry and the war industry to degrade and most probably extinguish life on earth. His administration will be populated by the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party, men and women characterized by profound intellectual and moral impoverishment, as well as a stunning ability to ignore reality. These ideologues speak exclusively in the language of intimidation and violence.

Half the country lives in poverty. Our former manufacturing centers are decayed wrecks. Our constitutional rights, including due process and habeas corpus, have been taken from us by judicial fiat. Corporations and the billionaire class carry out legal tax boycotts. Police gun down unarmed citizens in the street. The military, under Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act, is empowered to carry out the extraordinary rendition of U.S. citizens within the United States, strip them of due process and hold them indefinitely in our black sites. We are the most spied upon, watched, eavesdropped, photographed and monitored population in human history. When the government watches you 24 hours a day, you cannot use the word "liberty." That is the relationship between a master and a slave. And governments that wield this kind of surveillance power swiftly become totalitarian. Trump and his cronies have been handed by bankrupt elites the legal and physical mechanisms to instantly transform America into a brutal police state.

Rudy Giuliani; Newt Gingrich, who advocates stripping U.S. citizens of their citizenship if they are deemed to be terrorists; retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and John Bolton -- these men will not exhibit legal or moral restraint. They see the world through the Manichaean lens of good and evil, black and white, patriot and traitor. Politics have been transformed, as philosopher Walter Benjamin wrote of fascism, into aesthetics. And the ultimate aesthetic experience for the fascist, Benjamin warned, is war.

State terror and state violence, familiar to poor people of color in our internal colonies, will become familiar to all of us. Racism, nationalism, misogyny, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, intolerance, white supremacy, religious bigotry, hate crimes and a veneration of the hypermasculine values of military culture will define political and cultural discourse. The ruling elites will attempt to divert the growing frustration and rage toward the vulnerable -- undocumented workers, Muslims, African-Americans, Latinos, homosexuals, feminists and others. White vigilante violence will be directed at those the state demonizes with little or no legal ramifications. New enemies, at home and abroad, will be manufactured. Our endless wars in the Middle East will be expanded, perhaps to include a confrontation with Russia.

There were some, such as Ralph Nader, who saw this dystopia coming. They desperately tried to build a viable third party and empower citizen movements to give the dispossessed working class a vision and hope. They knew that the longer corporate power had a stranglehold on the economic and political system, the more we seeded the ground for an American fascism.

The elites put up numerous obstacles -- refusing to let Nader or later, Jill Stein, into the debates, making ballot access difficult or impossible, turning campaigns into long, money-drenched spectacles that cost billions of dollars, and skillfully using the politics of fear to intimidate voters. But the elites were aided by a bankrupt liberal class. In presidential election after presidential election, especially after Nader's success in 2000, so-called progressives succumbed to the idiotic mantra of the least worst. Those who should have been the natural allies of third parties and dissident movements abjectly surrendered to the Democratic Party that, like the Republican Party, serves the beast of imperialism and makes war on the poor, the working class and the middle class.

The cowardice of the liberal class meant it lost all credibility, much as Bernie Sanders did when he sold his soul to the Clinton campaign. The liberal class proved it would stand and fight for nothing. It mouthed words and ideas it did not truly believe. It bears significant responsibility for the phenomena that created Trump. It should have had the foresight to abandon the Democratic Party after President Bill Clinton passed the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, to build parties and institutions that defended the interests of the working class. If it had stood up for working men and women, it might have prevented them being seduced by protofascists.

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Jesse Ventura a good model

(Image by chuck palahniuk) Details DMCA



Minnesota Governor Ventura

There is a precedent of a boorish outsider, made famous and pilloried in the media, who catapulted into the political world. His name is Jesse Ventura, a former professional wrestler who served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He was the first member of the Reform Party to win a major government position, now in the Independence Party of Minnesota.



He surprised everyone with a sober, uncorrupt term in office, reforming taxation and constructing the METRO Blue Line light rail in the Minneapolis--Saint Paul. He shattered the Republican-Democratic stranglehold and no one suffered. Trump has shattered it again. He makes a path open to a third party or independent candidate in the future.



Trump's trump card



Trump's final ad, a 2-minute masterpiece of populist rhetoric infuriated the ADL for hinting the obvious: the forces of international finance that have their own agenda for the US, behind our backs, and whose agent is/was Hillary Clinton. He depicted a "global power structure" that is "bleeding America dry" with horrible trade deals that enrich elites and open the gates to mass immigration.



The people behind this globalist takeover include George Soros, Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen and Goldman Sachs Chairman Lloyd Blankfein, with the implication that Clinton is their minion. "The Clinton machine is at the center of this power structure. We've seen this first hand in the WikiLeaks documents, in which Hillary Clinton meets in secret with international banks to plot the destruction of US sovereignty in order to enrich these global financial powers, her special interest friends and her donors," charged Trump.



That jab alone was worth more than all of Hillary's millions spent on ads attacking him for peccadilloes. Now the intelligent Republicans are waking up. Trumps' words are branded in their minds. That alone makes the election historic.



The ADL's slander of Trump--This ad touches on images and rhetoric that anti-Semites have used for age--merely alerted Americans to the emptiness of the 'antisemitic' slur. If something is true, pointing it out is not bigotry.



Senior House deputy whip Dennis Ross of Florida lauds Trump for his know ability as negotiator. "Sure, he might toss out statements like 'build a wall,' or 'no Muslims,' and say something sensational. But then he knows how to give in a bit and come up with a solution."



House Speaker Paul Ryan publicly disowned Trump during the campaign, and now has to eating crow. The closest modern comparison of an outsider president and a speaker of the same political party may be the fractious relationship during the late 1970s between Democrats President Jimmy Carter and House Speaker Tip O'Neill. Carter's team didn't have an appreciation for how the system worked in Washington and struggled to advance his agenda.





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From Counterpunch

One of the most confounding aspects of Donald Trump's election as 45th President of the United States is that in the space of a year -- indeed less than a year -- a man with zero political experience has destroyed two of America's most entrenched political dynasties: Bush and Clinton.

Just pause on this for a moment, and place it in the context of someone who when he first appeared on the political stage as a candidate for the Republican nomination was met with ridicule and scorn. Consequently, a mainstream media and liberal commentators for whom politics is an exclusive club, the preserve of a select group of blessed people who belong to this club as if by divine right, have just been delivered one almighty slap-down.

The sense of entitlement that emanated from the Clinton campaign during this election was astonishing to behold. Hillary Clinton emitted the demeanour of a woman approaching a coronation rather than an election, disdaining not only Donald Trump but also his supporters, whom she infamously described as "deplorables." This was her undoing.

Regardless of the attempt to paint her as someone in touch with the suffering and pain of the millions of Americans who have long been denied a seat at the banquet of US democracy, she came over as the very embodiment of a machine politician, a candidate whose credibility and character was irredeemably tainted by her connections to Wall Street, big business, the Saudis, George Soros, etc.

This is why it is not so much that Donald Trump won this election as that Hillary Clinton and her campaign lost. Here the Democratic Party only has itself to blame. Bernie Sanders offered a far more potent challenge to the Trump phenomenon, both because he did not carry any of the baggage that Clinton brought to the election and also -- perhaps more importantly -- he represented a far sharper ideological counterweight to Trump.

One of the most salient consequences of the 2008 global economic crash, which ushered in the worst crisis within capitalism since the 1930s, has been the collapse of the political center ground and with it the dominance of the liberal order.

In this respect it is just as Karl Marx opined in his Communist Manifesto, "All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses his real conditions of life..."

The analogy that best describes this process is a battlefield after the smoke has cleared to reveal the ideological right on one side and its left wing counterpart on the other, ready to go to war over the right to shape the future. And as Brexit in the UK and now Trump's electoral victory in the US leaves no doubt, this is a struggle currently being won by the right.

This is not to suggest the struggle is completely over however. On the contrary the political, social, economic, and constitutional crisis ushered in by Brexit proves that there remains some distance to travel before the matter is settled in Britain, while Trump's election will inevitably give rise to strong opposition in the streets, perhaps even sparking a much needed revival of the left across the US, which based on the success of the Sanders campaign is far from dead.

Focusing in on Donald Trump and based on statements he made in the course of his campaign, it is interesting to observe that among the many places where you will find the most grievously disappointed people in response to his victory are NATO headquarters in Brussels and ISIS and Nusra headquarters in Syria. It is evidence of the hitherto insurmountable contradiction that has lain at the heart of Washington's geopolitical priorities and strategy these past few years. Trump, in contrast, laid it out very simply when he said, "Russia is killing ISIS. Assad is killing ISIS. I think it would be a good idea to get along with Russia."

This being said, the acid test is what he does rather than what he has said, which is why it remains far too soon to be complacent in welcoming a new dawn in Washington's relations with Russia or the rest of the world. Trump also said some harsh things about China and Iran during his election campaign, which taken in conjunction with the fact that as President he immediately becomes the CEO of an empire that is no longer sustainable, requires us to exercise caution rather than celebration at this stage.

Domestically, let us not delude ourselves. Trump has given rise to the recrudescence of nativism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment across America, in much the same way Brexit has done in the UK. The logical conclusion of this path is social divisions and the erosion of social cohesion. Whether people like it or not globalization has given rise to multicultural societies across the West, with both constituting two sides of the same coin. In other words people cannot expect to enjoy the benefits of the free movement of capital without the free movement of people.

And here we get to the heart of the matter. Donald Trump and Brexit are symptoms of the rise of anti-politics in response to the massive inequality that has engulfed both British and US society in recent years. Far too much wealth is now owned by far two few, with the result that people are angry and in no mind to continue to support a status quo widely regarded as corrupt and hopelessly compromised by its support for a corporate elite and vested interests.

The world has changed, perhaps utterly.


Copyrighted Image? DMCA

A couple of dozen young people marched back and forth through downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, Saturday evening shouting "Love Not Hate!" and "No Human Being Is Illegal!" and "Black Lives Matter!" and similar anti-Trump inspired slogans. They didn't hand out flyers or interact with other people at all, though I cheered for them.

Meanwhile some people my age looked on and made scornful condescending comments to the effect that the election was over and these fools should get over it. And one drunk guy, restrained by his wife or girlfriend, announced that "Black lives aren't worth s---!"

My response is different, if perhaps equally cynical. I'd like all the fools not marching and rallying to recognize that the dream of self-governance is over and to get over it. I'd like everyone to have gotten over it last month or last year or last decade.

I love that people march around shouting "Love Not Hate!" And the fact that anyone would object to that statement of preference ought to deeply disturb the most apathetic voter/consumer/spectator. In fact I've just helped set up a petition that reads:

"We will not stand by as hatred and violence are promoted by our president-elect. Racism and bigotry at home have been fueled by U.S. wars abroad, but also make more such wars easier. We commit to nonviolently resisting hateful attacks on our fellow human beings wherever they live."

I also love and am practicing the new trend of wearing a safety pin to indicate that one is a safe and caring person to anyone who might be worried about any variety of bigotry.

But here's where I get a bit cynical. Hillary Clinton told a room full of Goldman Sachs bankers that creating a no fly zone in Syria would require killing lots of Syrians. And she told the public she wanted to create that no fly zone. And if she had been declared the winner of the election, I can guarantee you that nobody would have been marching up and down my street yelling "Love Not Hate."

So, I worry that even those who value kindness to others value it only for the 4% of humanity in the United States but not so much for the other 96%, or value it only as directed by the less hateful of the two big political parties.

I also worry that it's even worse than that. I worry that, as cheerleaders for one political party over the other, people have lost touch with the idea of bringing demands from the public to the government. For seven years we had protests of the war on Afghanistan, for example. Then for eight years we didn't, even as the U.S. forces there grew by over 300 percent before declining. Perhaps next year those protests will recommence, but probably only in the unlikely event that the Democratic Party raises the issue.

Where was the outrage over the Trans-Pacific Partnership? Or over the lack of single-payer healthcare? Or over the failure to restrain inequality or environmental destruction? Or over the threat of a nuclear war with Russia? Why the selective outrage on-command as directed by televised coverage of the model or template protest in New York City?

But, really, what choice do people have? If they want others to join in, if they want the local media to cover them, they have to go where the momentum is. And when the momentum is for love against hate, everybody should be cheering and joining.

But we should also be directing our energy toward strategic areas for systemic change.

Is it a problem that the winner of the popular vote can be denied the U.S. presidency? Then let's compel our state legislatures to change the law to distribute electors in proportion to actual votes.

Is it a problem that a small cartel of major media corporations can choose to give someone like Donald Trump wall-to-wall free airtime, effectively handing him a nomination for president? Then let's channel widespread (including Trump's) disdain for the media into breaking up that cartel.

Is it a problem that the Democratic Party can slant the playing field of its primary to guarantee a win to a weak candidate? We should disempower and democratize parties, including by ending the corruption of privately financed elections, and by creating ranked-choice voting in the other 49 states as Maine's voters just did there.

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Greetings!

Nearly half of regular people rejected the Democratic Party's message in last week's election. They are demanding change, and it must begin with us. Let's get it right this time, and look beyond the easy answers and slogans. Anger over economic inequality is what propelled the GOP to victory - even as Republicans promote inequality. As the party of regular people, the DNC must address the root causes of economic inequality. We must change.

Public policies in western economies have for centuries (1) subsidized capital and (2) penalized labor. These are huge errors that directly cause inequality - and a GOP government is about to make them worse. Now is the time, and the Democratic Party is the way, to fix these errors.

The federal government needs about 21% of GDP to fund its operations at current levels, and this is a solution that will yield that much tax revenue without crippling the economy. Yes, it's a tax plan.

Eliminate payroll taxes for both employers and employees.

Tax the income of each earner according to a moderate, progressive schedule ranging from 20% to 40%, with a standard deduction of $20,000 (and no others). All income is taxed the same no matter what the source.

Tax corporate income at the same rates as individuals, but based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) - after subtracting dividends .

. Use excise taxes to recapture economic externalities - costs that are laid off on others.

Apply tariffs to equalize the price of goods imported from countries that exploit labor or subsidize capital.

Economists will see that the plan stimulates aggregate demand by putting more money in the pockets of regular people while encouraging hiring by reducing the cost of labor. Statesmen will see that the plan restores freedom to individuals, families, and businesses by eliminating the penalties and incentives in today's tax code. Corporate executives will see that the plan gives them an opportunity to cut costs, make more rational and socially responsible investment decisions, and even repatriate their offshore cash by paying it out as dividends. The global community will see that the plan sets an example for freedom, even while serving notice that exploitation carries its own costs.

Naturally the DNC platform needs to address other things - how the federal government spends that 21% of GDP, for example. It certainly can't ignore the need to protect civil rights and restore voting rights. It must create a plan to get big-money influence out of our political processes and institutions. But as important as these things may be, they mean nothing if the simmering rage over economic inequality isn't addressed first.

There's a lot more detail to this plan, but for now I want to know that I've gotten your attention. I offer you my services as a volunteer or an unpaid intern if you agree that we should promote these ideas together. My contact information appears below.

Yours in democracy,

Larry Judson Butler
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Two years ago, many Oregonians were riveted to the story of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old California woman with terminal brain cancer who moved to the Portland area so she could take advantage of Oregon's Death with Dignity law.

On Nov. 1, 2014, Maynard took a lethal dose of secobarbital. Her husband, Dan Diaz, and mother, Deborah Ziegler, lobbied vigorously after her death for a similar law in their home state. In October 2015, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the End of Life Option Act while Diaz was in Portland preparing to appear at an event benefiting Compassion & Choices, the advocacy group that took on Maynard as the face of its movement.

Monday, Ziegler will appear at Powell's City of Books to discuss her new memoir, "Wild and Precious Life" (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 352 pages, $26). The event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Ziegler told interviewer Katie Couric of Yahoo! News that her daughter had wanted her to continue advocating for what supporters call aid in dying and what critics call physician-assisted suicide. Yahoo quoted Ziegler as saying, "She said, 'Mom, instead of grandkids, this is what I'm giving you. I can't give you grandbabies, but I can give you this, to champion the cause of the terminally ill."

But Maynard's husband said in a Facebook post that he had sole legal ownership of her life story and that Maynard had specifically told him she did not want her mother to write about her. Diaz also said the book contains "numerous passages that are inaccurate."

It is with a heavy heart that I find myself in the most awkward predicament of having to share this post. To be clear,... Posted by Dan Diaz Brittany Maynard on Friday, October 14, 2016

Ziegler's publisher defended the book in a statement to People magazine, calling it "a beautiful tribute to (Maynard's) life." Meanwhile, People reported, Diaz has sold film rights to his and his wife's story.

Here's an excerpt from the preface to "Wild and Precious Life."

***

This is a story about ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things. A story of a family that weathered more than one horrific storm. The last storm was the darkest, leaving in its wake scarred human beings and broken hearts. No one can look into my eyes and miss this. The melancholy is there, even when I smile. I see suffering etched in my husband's face, as well. We are changed forever by what happened.

Often people ask me, "What did you learn from your journey?" In the early stages of grief I remember thinking, Not only am I supposed to survive, put one foot in front of the other, but I'm supposed to have learned something, too? It was an unspoken rebuke, a visceral reaction to the question. Over time, through the process of grieving, I have begun to understand that the effort put forth in answering this question is valuable, and perhaps even transformative. At least it has been for me.

Shortly after my daughter's death, I got a tattoo on the instep of my right foot, reminding me not to let pain make me hard or bitter. It says, "Be soft." Brittany's birth date is inked below the words.

This book is my "soft." In it, I'm exposing my underbelly. I'm revealing my daughter's beautiful spirit, her fury and fearlessness, her resolute determination, our frantic struggle as we staggered toward something that flew in the face of the natural order of things. No mother should bury her child. No child should have to drag her mother, kicking and screaming, out of denial and into ugly reality. My brave Brittany faced the truth sooner than I did. It took me a while, but ultimately I was forced to look death square in the eye. "Death is coming for me, Momma. Don't you get that?"

More than life itself, for twenty-nine years I loved my daughter. Yet I've learned that she doesn't have to be physically present in order for me to love her. I can love her even after she soared away from me. My heart is open for her to fly in and out of at will.

My daughter did the best she could. I'm rock solid in that truth. She tried so hard to do what was right. This idea sounds simple, but it is not. Look around at those who disappoint you, hurt you. Are they doing the best they can? Are you? Does it make us feel safer to think our best is better than theirs?

Now look at those who are terminally ill. Are they doing their best? How dare we judge them. How dare we tell them how they ought to die. How dare we impose our beliefs on them. How dare we try to manipulate them into fighting when they have no more fight left.

Everyone who walked Brittany toward death was fallible. We were angry, sad, brave, and frightened. We were human. But each of us in the little yellow house in Portland was doing his or her best. That is one of my big lessons, and it gives me great comfort. My daughter knew that she was loved. Even in the worst of it, she knew that, just as I knew she loved me. Love sustained us, then and now.

Our lives are wild and precious, and I've promised to try to live mine with those words in my heart; in my laughter; in my plans for living boldly. That's what Brittany said she wanted for me.

Copyright 2016 by Deborah Ziegler. Reprinted with permission of Atria Books.
utilities.jpg

This file photo shows PGE's coal plant in Boardman, which is slated to shut in 2020. President elect Donald Trump's plan to throw out Obama's Clean Power Plan won't change that schedule.

(The Oregonian/Brent Wojahn)

The nation on Tuesday elected a president who describes man-made climate change as "a hoax" and green energy as "an expensive way to make tree huggers feel good about themselves."

Donald Trump's win on Tuesday sent shares of renewable energy companies tumbling, and coal companies soaring. It also sent shock waves reverberating through the environmental community.

Trump has pledged to dump the Paris climate accords, throw out President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan and declaw the Environmental Protection Agency. He also plans to unleash natural gas fracking without limits on methane leakage, welcome coal mining on federal lands and open the spigot of fossil fuel drilling.

It is, in short, a blueprint that many environmentalists fear could be disastrous for the planet.

Global warming is, of course, a global problem that begs for international and national solutions. From a purely parochial standpoint, however, environmental advocates and energy experts say the presidential election is likely to have limited impact on climate change or renewable energy efforts underway in Oregon or the West Coast at large.

State-level policies and market forces will, for the most part, trump The Donald, even if he successfully translates his campaign slogans into national policies.

"We identified some time ago that the place to focus was at the state level," said Rachel Shimshak, executive director of the advocacy group Renewable Northwest. "There are some challenges ahead, but it's too soon to know exactly what they'll be. Our mission and focus will remain the same: to make clean renewable energy available to everyone."

Here's how advocates and experts think the Trump administration will affect the energy and climate change landscape in the region -- or not.

Closing coal plants

Trump plans to throw out Obama's Clean Power Plan, which would have regulated emissions by electric utilities and increased pressure to close older coal-fired power plants across the country.

If Trump dumps the plan, it could alleviate short-run pressures for states to dial back coal-fired emissions in states like Wyoming, where Oregon buys some of its energy. But the emissions mandates were generally a non-event within Oregon, which already was on track to meet the emissions reductions it would have mandated.

"Baseload coal was on its way out, and this election is not going to retard that because it's being driven by inexpensive gas, and will shortly be driven by cheap renewables and storage," said Angus Duncan, the chair of Oregon's Global Warming Commission.

The only two coal plants in the region, in Boardman, Oregon, and Centralia, Washington, are already slated for closure in 2020. Oregon also enacted Senate Bill 1547 last spring, which aims to eliminate the import of "coal by wire" from out of state power plants. PacifiCorp has already announced the retirement of a number of coal plants spread through western states.

Scott Bolton, vice president of external affairs at PacifiCorp, said those closures are being driven by cheap gas, regional haze rules and renewables mandates. "We're waiting to see how the dust settles, but I don't see any dramatic course change."

Trump has promised to "unleash" more gas drilling and limit regulations on methane leakage. One open question in the region is whether cheap natural gas will lead utilities to replace their coal fleets with gas-fired plants.

Renewables advocates are pressuring Portland General Electric to go the other way, building and buying wind and solar power to replace Boardman's output. The company this summer started permitting efforts for two more gas-fired plants at the site. It quickly shelved those efforts amid protests, but the question isn't going away.

In reality, it's not clear that further deregulation would make natural gas much cheaper. Today's market prices for gas don't support a lot of new drilling.

"I'm not sure trying to get a lot more gas on the market is going to help," said Bob Jenks, executive director of the Citizens' Utility Board, a ratepayer advocacy group in Oregon. "The whole Trump energy policy has largely been disconnected from economic realities."

More renewables

Oregon will continue its pursuit of more renewable energy, which is grounded in state law and regulations, not national policy.

The state doubled down on its green energy mandates earlier this year, and now requires utilities to meet half their customers demand with renewable power by 2040. California's standard kicks in more quickly: 50 percent by 2030. And Washington utilities need to meet 15 percent of demand by 2020.

So more wind and solar projects are coming. The question is how fast renewables costs will decline, whether they become more cost competitive with gas, and how quickly grid and storage technologies advance to accommodate more intermittent sources of power.

The federal government last year adopted multi-year extensions of federal tax credits for wind and solar energy projects, although it is gradually phasing them down.

If Trump is serious about canceling "all wasteful climate change spending" and cutting corporate taxes, those tax credits are at risk, and perhaps sooner than later. But they also have some support from Republican lawmakers in other states.

Oregon, meanwhile is already phasing out its energy subsidies. The state's residential energy tax credit, an important incentive for the solar industry, is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2017, though there is talk of extending it for another two years.

Jeff Bissonnette, executive director of the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association, said the industry is going to have to be much more aggressive in making the business case for solar rather than the environmental or ideological case.

"Everyone is looking to the day when we don't need the incentives," he said. "That thinking was already pretty prevalent, but as of Wednesday morning we need to be thinking about that a lot more aggressively."

Global warming legislation

Trump contends climate change is a Chinese hoax, and he wants to gut the climate regulations Obama put in place, as well as those of the EPA.

"We're not going to see federal action on climate any time soon, and that shifts the focus back to the state level," said Andrea Durbin, executive director of the Oregon Environmental Council. "It emboldens our commitment for Oregon to step up and lead."

Oregon has already established carbon goals and passed legislation to reduce utility and transportation emissions. Unlike California, however, it has not adopted a comprehensive carbon policy.

Likewise, Washington voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have imposed a tax of $25 per metric ton on carbon dioxide emissions from gasoline and power plants.

When the Oregon Legislature comes back in session in February, Sen Chris. Edwards, D-Eugene, will be offering a new version of the carbon "cap and invest" legislation he was pushing last spring. The proposal would have the state auction emissions allowances to big polluters.

Presidential politics may provide a rallying cry for more state action, but Oregon's budget problems after the failure of a $3 billion corporate tax measure on Tuesday's ballot could get in the way.

The Legislature now needs to dig out of a $1.35 billion budget hole while being pressured to preserve education spending and pass an expensive transportation package.

Lawmakers might look at a tax on carbon as a means to raise new revenue. But with competing priorities and the need to pass a gas tax to support a transportation package, they may be reluctant to take on another complicated piece of legislation that imposes another cost on consumers.

Fossil fuel exports

Proposals abound to use Oregon and Washington as a depot to export fossil fuels to Asia, whether it's natural gas, crude oil, propane or coal. So far, that hasn't happened, and the city of Portland on Thursday passed a resolution to oppose the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure such as coal, oil, and propane export terminals.

But a more aggressive federal stance could preempt state and local authorities.

Last spring, for example, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied an application by Calgary-based Veresen Inc. to build a liquefied natural gas export terminal in Coos Bay. It concluded there wasn't sufficient demand for the facility to offset impacts on landowners and the environment from building its 231-mile feeder pipeline.

Veresen has appealed that decision and is trying to demonstrate that it has enough potential customers lined up to demonstrate "need" for the facility. Officials from gas-producing states are also lobbying the feds to approve the project.

Two of the five seats on the commission are vacant, and the Democratic chair of FERC could resign after the election. That would give Trump the chance to appoint oil- and gas-friendly commissioners more likely to greenlight the export project.

Christi Tezak, an analyst with Washington D.C.-based Clearview Energy Partners, said a reconstituted FERC might view Veresen's informal agreements with Asian utilities for part of the terminal's capacity as sufficient need to mitigate adverse impacts from the pipeline.

But she says the project still faces other permitting hurdles and the threshold question of whether its economics make sense amid a growing global glut of LNG capacity.

- Ted Sickinger

503-221-8505; @tedsickinger
It started, as it often does, over bus fare.

A would-be rider boarded Chris Day's bus last month in Southeast Portland and dropped a few coins, but short of a ticket, into the fare box. After a brief back-and-forth, the man demanded his change back.

Day said he'd have to call a supervisor to open the fare box, which drivers cannot open. But the man became agitated as he radioed dispatch.

"He was really getting worked up," Day said. "Next thing I know, he cold-cocked me in the face."

The attack, which broke Day's cheekbone in four places, is one of at least nine violent attacks on TriMet employees documented this year. At least 17 more have been shoved, grabbed, kissed, threatened or spit upon.

Reported crimes against TriMet employees jumped 46 percent last year, even as overall crime on the system fell. The number of assaults through October has already topped 2015 totals.

Now the transit agency is taking steps to mitigate the violence, including training drivers in de-escalation tactics and testing barriers to physically separate them from attackers. It's also putting more transit cops on buses and working to expand a state law that puts a stiffer sentence on assaults on transit operators.

"It's a very personal issue to us because our employees are being harmed," said Harry Saporta, TriMet's executive director of safety and security. "Nonetheless, it's a national issue. We're all trying to find ways to protect our employees."

The rise in attacks isn't limited to the Portland area; transit agencies across the country have seen similar trajectories. The issue even caught the attention of Congress, which in its last transportation funding package directed the Federal Transit Administration to adopt new rules to protect transit operators.

But no one has figured out why drivers are more vulnerable when ridership is flat.

Portland Police Commander Sara Westbrook, who leads the Transit Police Division, said some of the perpetrators are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while others show signs of mental illness.

"But I think most of them are people who just don't want to pay and get aggressive," Westbrook said.

Earlier this year, TriMet convened a committee of drivers and others to study the issue and has since launched some initiatives to stem the trend.

Under one pilot program, the agency will spend about $9,000 to equip three buses with sliding glass panels that partially enclose the driver's seat. The barriers are expected to be installed by the end of the year.

TriMet had considered barriers in the past but found that some drivers were uncomfortable being fully enclosed or cut off from riders. The new panels can be left fully or partially open.

It's also increasing police patrols on buses. Two uniformed officers will ride occasionally on lines where operators have expressed particular concerns.

Westbrook, who oversees transit police, said their presence will help to keep potential offenders on their toes, even if officers aren't on board all the time.

"It sends a message to our operators that we value you and it's important that you feel safe," Westbrook said.

The agency also is looking to the Oregon Legislature to expand a law that makes assaulting someone operating a public transit vehicle a felony. The agency wants the enhanced charge to apply to all uniformed transit workers, including drivers who are not behind the wheel, fare checkers and supervisors.

TriMet also is training drivers in de-escalation techniques to help them avoid or defuse a tense encounter. The training started with a small group this year, and has since been expanded to all drivers.

Saporta said drivers are taught to act as "fare informers," not fare enforcers, and not to personalize the interaction. That means changing the language, saying, for example, "Fares are required on TriMet" rather than, "You need to pay your fare."

"We want others to do that kind of work," Saporta said. "We don't want to blame our operators. We just want them to look at a different approach."

But delegating enforcement can have unforeseen consequences, said Day, who returned to work this month and whose attacker now faces an assault charge.

"You just straight-up ignore (rule-breaking), you'll get those who step all over you," he said. "Then you get complaints from the customers who do the right thing. You don't win either way."

And, he said, it shifts the blame for confrontations to the driver.

"We need to steer away from that and say, 'You were assaulted and it's not your fault," he said.

Now, Day is working to form a sort of support structure within TriMet for other victims of assault. The day after he was attacked, he had to fill out reports and forms with no one to guide him through the process.

"It's one thing to have a manager come up and say, 'I'm so sorry for what you went through,'" he said. "To have another victim come up and say, 'Let's go through this together,' I think would help on both sides."

--Interactive map by Lynne Palombo

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus

This post has been updated to reflect that not all attacks occurred while drivers were behind the wheel. It has also been updated to reflect that a TriMet internal committee studying the issue of driver assaults began meeting this year.
Obama 'encouraged' by Oval Office meeting

President Barack Obama shakes hands with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House President Barack Obama and Donald Trump met in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday. As president, the reality TV star must abandon the hubris and hatred that raised his ratings. He must learn to lead by listening and respecting the wide swath of Americans he disparaged along the way.

(Julie Pace/Associated Press)

The election served as an alarm clock this week, waking many Americans from a deep slumber they hadn't realized they were in.

The days following Donald Trump's election haven't brought clarity so much as a numbing jet-lag for many -- as if they've arrived in some truly foreign land that leaves them feeling uneasy, unmoored and a little unsafe.

It's a place where people are aligned red and blue. There are the vindicated and demoralized, the jubilant and grief-stricken. And despite their polarization, both sides are quick to anger and to judge.

This place should be familiar territory for Oregonians. In so many ways, Oregon is a microcosm of our country's urban haves and rural have-nots. Our major cities of Portland, Salem and Eugene are the power centers -- bubbles where economies have boomed along with the progressive voices, much as they have in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C.

As Oregon's more rural counties to the south and east lost industries and livelihoods, there was talk of uniting with parts of Northern California to create the state of Jefferson. Now, as violent protests explode here and across the country in response to Trump's election, some in Oregon have begun work to place our secession from the United States on the ballot in 2018.

While there's been much talk through the years about this Oregon divide, very little has been done to bridge it. That must change, and Oregon's leaders must make sure it changes quickly if we are to protect and strengthen the state we love. All of it.

State leaders heard firsthand from Oregon ranchers this year who may not have agreed with the tactics of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupiers, but felt they accurately identified their concerns over federal management of grazing lands and forests. Leaders also heard from rural farmers worried about wells the state has permitted despite the fact it lacks a system to measure all of our groundwater resources.

Oregon also needs better education for its students, and to do that, leaders must establish a sustainable way to generate the necessary funding through a mix of revenue measures and spending cuts. We need a transportation system that eases congestion and provides more efficient ways for Oregon's businesses to move their goods. And we need economic equality so that all Oregonians can find good jobs and affordable homes, whether that's in our bigger cities or the small towns where they grew up.

That means lawmakers from across the state must hear one another out, argue their points and return to their offices to lick their wounds. Then they must return and find compromise. As Oregonians, our future depends on it.

And no matter how hard it is, considering the low points reached during the presidential campaign, Democratic leaders nationwide must rise up to a similar challenge. Vice President Joe Biden set a path in the weeks leading up to the election, promising that if Trump won, he would "extend a hand" and work with him as president. In the same spirit, President Obama sat down with the president-elect.

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are Laura Gunderson, John Maher, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and Len Reed.

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Trump will need that help if he is to heal this deeply fractured nation. He didn't cause the fissures, yet the Republican's rhetoric pried them open and made them deeper. Now as president, the reality TV star must abandon the hubris and hatred that raised his ratings and rallied his supporters. Instead, he must learn to lead by listening and respecting the wide swath of Americans he disparaged along the way.

Only in a handful of times in our history has it been so necessary for Americans to set aside our differences and work consciously at coming together. We have repaired our broken nation after equally divisive periods following the bloody Civil War and our decade-long civil rights movement.

For our nation, for our states, and for our families, we must wake up and get to work.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally in Detroit, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By Debbie Dingell

Special to The Washington Post

I was the crazy one. I predicted that Hillary Clinton was in trouble in Michigan during the Democratic primary. I observed that Donald Trump could win the Republican nomination for president. And at Rotary clubs, local chambers of commerce, union halls and mosques, I noted that we could see a Trump presidency. "That's Debbie, it's hyperbole, she is nuts."

It's now our reality, and as Americans we need to understand why. My district reflects much of this country's diversity. Ann Arbor is a university- and start-up town. Ypsilanti is urban, and its issues mirror those of larger cities such as Detroit and Chicago. Dearborn is headquarters to Ford Motor Co. and has the largest Muslim population in the country. The "Downrivers" - a collection of communities south of Detroit - mean auto plants and manufacturing with strong union membership.

Much of the district is Democratic and those voters strongly supported Bernie Sanders in the primary. That result didn't surprise me, but it did infuriate me that Clinton and her team didn't show up until the weekend before the primary, when it suddenly became clear they had a problem. I took Bill Clinton grocery shopping that Saturday - too little, way too late. They never stopped on a campus; never went to a union hall; never talked to the Arab American community. Sanders was in my district 10 times during the primary. How would any sane person not predict how this one would go? It was fixable for the general election.

From the beginning, I knew the Downrivers would support Trump both in the Republican primary and in the general. I witness the emotions and passions of their residents every day, and I believe they are what elected Trump president.

The ordinary working man or woman in this country isn't asking for a lot. They want to make a decent living. They want to be able to provide for their family, buy a home in a safe neighborhood, put food on the table, go the doctor when they need to, afford their medicines and educate their children. What many don't understand is how these things are in danger of becoming unattainable for too many Americans.

In my first week as a member of Congress, I flew to Michigan with President Barack Obama to visit an auto plant and see the results of his policies that saved the auto industry and thousands of jobs in Michigan. At the time, I thanked the president profusely for his leadership because I know what would have happened to my state and the country had he not implemented his strong economic plan.

But I also said to him: Mr. President, with all due respect, many of these workers don't translate what you have done to them. They don't feel better off. Their real wages have not risen in decades, and in fact for many it has dropped. They have less purchasing power; their health insurance costs more; they don't trust their pensions to be there; and because we are a cyclical industry, they are frightened that something bad could happen at any time. Add to that, trade deals that they view as shipping jobs overseas and threatening the ones they have here. Top it off with fear about national security and potential threats at workplaces or movie theaters and you have workers who are scared, worried and concerned in their hearts and souls.

The president did save my state's industry. But what many keep missing is that working men and women don't see this in their lives. They feel the system is rigged against them. And those workers are white, black, Hispanic, Muslim - all races, creeds and colors. Economic and national security fears overcame all other factors when they walked into the voting booth.

These first days post-election are emotional. My Muslim constituents are terrified; I literally had a shaking 8-year-old sobbing in my arms that she would be killed in school. Black young people on college campuses are stunned and anxious about what their future holds. Women - and as one myself who has multiple stories of inappropriate sexual harassment in the workplace - ponder how to make certain we don't go backwards.

One of the biggest challenges we face as a country, not just as a party, is how to make our diversity a strength, not a weakness. We have to come together as Americans first and foremost. After this campaign, that is no easy feat.

The writer, a Democrat, represents Michigan's 12th Congressional District in the House.
Delta College and Lake Superior State University have entered into a regional partnership designed to increase the number of students who complete degrees at Michigan colleges and universities.

The reverse transfer agreement creates a process whereby students who transfer from the Delta College to LSSU can be awarded a community college associates degree with the help of credits earned at the university. Qualifying students must have already earned 24 credits at the community college prior to transfer.
Investigators with the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post are investigating an incident involving the negligent discharge of a firearm that occurred at Bay City Western High School on Friday.

A media release states that the initial on-scene investigation revealed that the School Resource Police Officer assigned to Western High School was alone, working inside of a room at the school when his firearm was discharged at approximately 12:30 p.m. All indications are that the discharge was unintentional. No injuries were reported. School administration properly followed safety protocols and placed the school in secure mode. This ensures the safety of students and staff and allowed the staff to effectively evaluate any potential threats to the school, students or staff. When it was determined that no active threats were in progress and all students and staff were safe, the secure mode was lifted and the school day carried on as normal.
In his first effort to win the White House back in 2008, then presidential hopeful Barack Obama often harshly criticized President George W. Bush for his administrations policies.

Obamas campaign rhetoric about Bush ignited the Democratic base. As a result, Obama ended up winning the presidency, succeeding Bush as president.

But when it came time for the transition of power to take place, Obama and Bush laid aside their differences and did whats best for the country. It was a smooth transition of power.

In fact, political historians now say that the Obamas and Bushes are friends. Thats how dramatically things can change in the world of politics.

Now, we are seeing another transition of power. Weve seen protests  including some violent  in some of our countrys largest cities because Republican Donald Trump stunningly won the presidency over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States, and thats a hard pill to swallow for millions of Clinton supporters.

During his campaign, Trump often targeted Obama, as well as Clinton, to highlight the need for a change in Washington, D.C. No doubt, many harsh words were said. Trump blasted Obamas administration. Obama, in turn, said that Trump was unfit to be president. It was a bitter fight to the end.

Now, though, its time to set aside the harsh words for the good of the country.

On Thursday, both men met at the White House and said all the right things in front of the media. Trump called Obama a good man. Obama said that if Trump succeeds as a president, then America will succeed as a nation.

My No. 1 priority in the next two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful, Obama said.We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy. And over the next few months, we are going to show that to the world.

Coming off an incredibly intense political season, Trump and Obama need to say and do the right things leading up to January, when Trump gets sworn in. That type of leadership is crucial to set the right example for Americans.

So far, we like what we see.
To the editor:

Thanks to voters in Bay and Midland counties for choosing to hire me once again to serve as your vote and your voice in the state House of Representatives in Lansing.

I appreciate the many expressions of support and encouragement during the now-completed campaign, especially the humbling testimonials published in so many letters to the editor. In one three-day period the last week before the election, the Midland Daily News published letters from 40 citizens expressing support for my candidacy compared to only one in opposition. I was especially moved by the letter from a decades-long friend who expressed gratitude for the role I played in helping bring to justice (and put in prison) the predator who had sexually abused my friends granddaughter.

Im also grateful for the overwhelming show of confidence demonstrated by the 20-point margin by which voters chose to return me to the House, double the margin by which I first won the seat in 2014. That show of support was also broad-based, allowing me to prevail in 48 of the 50 precincts in our legislative district while losing the remaining two precincts by a combined total of only six votes.

In my first term as your state representative, reporters who cover the state Capitol selected me from among 55 first-term state representatives and senators as the most effective first-term lawmaker in Lansing. With two years under my belt, Ill work toward being even more effective in my second term.

As vice-chairman of the House Energy Policy Committee, Ive worked to protect area jobs by supporting free market reforms to help bring down the cost of electricity, the single biggest expense of doing business for major employers such as The Dow Chemical Co., and for schools, so more money can go to the classroom. I hope to be in a position to have even more impact on that issue in the next legislative session.

Ill continue to work toward ensuring that Midland Public Schools for the first time receive our communitys share of at risk funding the state appropriates to assist children from lower-income families, an objective on which my Democratic opponent graciously offered his support when he called to concede the election Tuesday night.

As a matter of conscience and fidelity to the job with which youve entrusted me, Ive also maintained a perfect attendance record, never missing a committee meeting or vote on the House floor, even  thanks to my wife, Annette, who drove me back and forth to Lansing  when undergoing five months of chemotherapy for cancer, thankfully now in remission.

Finally, I can report to you that when the incoming House Republican Caucus met in Lansing Thursday to select our leadership team for the legislative session beginning in January, my colleagues elected me as Associate Speaker of the House Pro Tem, the same leadership post current Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter held during his second term in office. This position of leadership and responsibility should enable me to even more effectively influence the legislative process to benefit the people of Bay and Midland counties while helping advance legislation that will benefit our entire state.

Over the next two years, Ill do my best to earn your trust anew every day and to conduct myself in a manner that will affirm the trust youve placed in me.

Thank you again for your prayers and expressions of concern during my recent health challenge. I ask your continued prayers for my family and me as we undertake the continued challenge of public service and helping chart a course toward a strong and vibrant future for Michigans economy and generations to come.

Please contact me at (517) 373-1791 or garyglenn@house.mi.gov or RepGaryGlenn.com if I can assist you with any issue involving our state government.

Annette and I wish you and your family a warm and Happy Thanksgiving.

Rep. Gary Glenn,

R-Midland
The Michigan Republican Party and our Republican legislators are seemingly at odds with the people of Michigan and the country as a whole when it comes to energy policy. Larry Ward, who is the executive director of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, recently in an Mlive article made the case for supporting a clean energy transition. According to a ClearPath poll taken in January, almost 90 percent of voters across America, and 72 percent of Republican voters specifically, support accelerating the development and use of clean energy technologies to build economic growth and jobs, become less dependent on foreign oil and to promote a healthier environment. Not only that, their own top party leader, Gov. Rick Snyder, has called for transitioning away from coal and investing further in energy efficiency.

Lately, the Michigan Republican Party has been attacking such a transition, claiming these radical policies will drive up energy prices and will force Michigan families to pay more for energy. This attack is completely baseless. The truth is, the exact opposite has actually been happening.

Renewable energy is now actually cheaper than the traditional sources of coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. Just check out the 2016 Michigan Public Service Commissions Report on the implementation of the P.A. 295 Renewable Energy Standard and The Cost-Effectiveness of the Energy Standards. For example, Michigans Energy Efficiency program that was put in place under Public Act 295 has provided the cheapest source of new power. For every $1 invested in energy efficiency, customers are saving $4.33. Michigan currently spends $22 billion a year importing fuel into the state, for both transportation and power. Solar, wind and efficiency are fuel free; once installed, the cost of energy is zero. That is all money that then gets spent in Michigan instead of sent out of state to import fuel.

Sure, spending on renewable energy and efficiency has had an impact on electric rates, but that should be considered in context of other rate drivers as well. Several factors including load loss, fuel costs, environmental investment and base system investments have contributed to electric rate increases since 2008, more significantly than spending on renewable energy or efficiency. Ramping up the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) would not only have minimal impact on consumers, but would protect ratepayers from the fluctuating spike in prices for coal and natural gas. Plus, almost all utility companies have gotten rid of the renewable energy surcharge that customers used to pay. Furthermore, Michigan residents pay approximately $1.5 billion annually, or $500 per family, in health costs associated with pollution from nine Michigan coal-burning power plants.

Homegrown renewable energy and efficiency are strong economic drivers, attracting investment and creating jobs that cant be shipped out of state or overseas. Expanding our use of clean energy will build on our manufacturing strength and allows us to retool and reopen closed manufacturing facilities, as well add new trade skill opportunities. We have an opportunity to be the leader in this countrys inevitable renewable energy transition. New renewable energy facilities would also support local communities by providing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in operation and maintenance payments, local tax payments and land-lease payments to landowners that host wind farms. But the Republican Party has yet to embrace proposals that capitalize on this.

Advanced manufacturing in the state is already responsible for $7.2 billion in annual economic impact to the Michigan economy. Increasing Michigans renewable energy and efficiency standards will drive further growth and investment in this sector, which would mean tens of thousands of new, good-paying jobs. Many Fortune 500 companies are looking to zero out their carbon footprint and are seeking states that offer greater choice and reliability in their options to pursue renewable energy. As Larry Ward stated, Michigan needs to send clear market signals that this is a state where energy innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive. If Michigan doesnt commit to strong renewable energy and efficiency standards, we will continue to lose out in business and investment to other states.

Tim Minotas is a senior at Central Michigan University majoring in both environmental policy and political science, as well a former legislative intern for the Sierra Club.
The cold, gray drizzle of November finally found Central Illinois on Election Day. No one complained, however, because the warm, dry harvest season had ended weeks before.

Fifty or more years ago, that was never the case on the southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth. In fact, if we were half-done with harvest on Election Day, we were very lucky. Done by Election Day? No one we knew was ever that lucky.

Back then, in the 1960s, Election Day was like a Sunday. My mother, a poll judge, would put on a church dress to earn, maybe, $10 over the 13- or 14-hour day. (The polling place, in fact, was a church.) And like Sunday, work stopped long enough for you to do your sacred duty. Moreover, in Illinois then, when the polls were open the taverns were closed.

That was a minor distraction to a local deputy who was the Democratic precinct boss as well as the owner of a well-known local watering hole. Officially, it was always closed on Election Day; unofficially, its back door was always open to anyone who voted right.

Not surprisingly, most everyone, either out of blind loyalty or blind thirst, did vote right and the precinct never went Republican while that deputy (later sheriff) wore a badge, a gun, and a knowing smile.

It took little convincing; most southern Illinois farm folks had been Democrats since the election of Franklin Roosevelt in 1932.

It was Roosevelt, after all, whose hopeful words carried them through the Depression; Roosevelt who brought electricity to their dark corner of nowhere; and, praise heaven, Roosevelt who delivered a monthly pension check so a lifetime of hard work left no one broken and broke.

That loyalty, like America itself, began to crack in 1968, the worst election year ever. The Tet offensive came that February, then Martin Luther Kings murder in April, and Bobbys in June. (My mother woke my siblings and me that awful morning with the shocked cry, They shot another Kennedy! They shot another Kennedy!) Summer ended in clouds of teargas and pools of blood at the Democratic convention in Chicago.

The ugly emptiness of the 2016 election might have been a bad dream but, by comparison, 1968 was a bloody nightmare.

My father, a thoughtful, informed voter for almost 70 years, backed Richard Nixon in 1968 because Nixon had promised to raise milk price supports, a key ingredient in our farms main enterprise. You have to vote for a man who understands farming, offered my father.

Nixon kept his word; he increased milk price supports before announcing his reelection bid in 1972. Shortly thereafter, Watergate investigators discovered he had done so only after pocketing at least $1 million in unreported campaign cash from the dairy lobby.

My father never commented on Nixons criminal deeds or the dairy lobbys dirty schemes. I suspect, however, that their corruption deeply offended him because he was a rules person. Rules, like fences, mattered. To him, breaking the rules to win wasnt winning. It was, in fact, losing because it meant you had first lost your dignity, then your honor.

Republicans didnt have the corner on the corruption market in the southern Illinois of my youth. Two years before Watergate, a well-known Illinois Democrat, Secretary of State Paul Powell, died after a brief illness. Within weeks, his executor discovered several shoe boxes filled with $800,000 in cash in Powells Springfield hotel room, as well as 49 cases of whiskey, 14 transistor radios, and two cases of canned corn.

That was quite a haul for a southern Illinois boy who never made more than $30,000 a year as an elected official.

Powell, like Nixon and the vote right sheriff, werent  arent  the only scoundrels to hold public office. In fact, its quite likely we elected more than a few crooks, cheaters, and knuckleheads this Election Day. We usually do. These folks, however, come and go.
Spending $4,000 for a three-day professional convention, as reported in this paper, does make one wonder. I am just back from a three-day Association for Business Communication international convention in Albuquerque, N.M. I gave a paper on issues swirling around Wells Fargo and class-action lawsuits. For me, conventions are very important for my continued professional development. Writing helps me get my thoughts in order and face to face in presentations and informal whats up with you with colleagues from around the world sure beats staring at this computer screen. Airfare, hotel and registration came to about $1,500. We can order all the room service we want as part of our $32 meal per diem. The university reimbursement is about half the cost.

Now to the Wells Fargo wagon: In the Old West, the bounty hunter had, at best, a mixed reputation. Not quite a vigilante, sometimes ridding the territory of a bad guy, but often of questionable ethics and tactics. The class-action law firm is a modern equivalent.

The current state of law and process was reviewed in The New York Times article Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice. The authors find our system wanting, but give enough information that a reader can take the opposite view. The article, I think, rightly concludes that small-print arbitration clauses have largely ended consumer access to class-action litigation. If this is good or bad has a lot to do with your attitude toward bounty hunters.

Modern class action begins in 1966 under rules approved by the Supreme Court. In law school, we learned that if a utility or a bank overcharged customers or imposed illegal fees that put each customer out by a few dollars it would not be practicable for them to sue; but together, as a class, it is big money and justice could be achieved. In almost every class-action case, the company has broken a law that should bring in the authorities be it the SEC, FTC, Labor Department, or local officials. But as in our Old West, lack of sufficient law enforcement resources, the bounty hunter enters. Rewards for the law firms can be huge. The article mentions a case where the injured parties received a coupon for $50 or $100 and the law firm a fee of $20 million to $30 million or more.

The Wells Fargo wagon is a comin' 

In the recent scandal, the bank issued 2 million credit cards and bank accounts customers did not want or even know about. Some 5,300 team members lost their jobs after being given overly ambitious sales quotas. It remains unclear what happened to higher-ups who started it all. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau fined the worlds largest financial institution $185 million. This record fine is less than 1 percent of the $228 billion market capitalization. The stock markets punishment with the share price falling from $55 to $44, or $50 billion. Over a billion of the loss falls on Warren Buffett as his Berkshire Hathaway is the largest Wells Fargo shareholder. While much smaller, our two children own stock in what has become the worlds largest bank.

Henry Wells and William G. Fargo founded the financial services and express company in New York in 1852, hoping to cash in on the California gold rush. Among other things, they managed the western end of the fabled Pony Express. The express business split with the bank in the early 20th century.

Damage to customers in most cases is slight - annoyance and insult, mostly. The company will make good on all of this. Accounts and credit cards have reduced credit ratings for others, and that is more serious. How often have you clicked I agree to pages of small print and given up your right to settle disputes in court by class action?

What to do? Possibly more government power to go after damages for those who lost credit. Laws could be changed to allow for class-action suits and law firms could take on the role of the bounty hunters. There are a couple of things to consider: In doling out justice, each participant in the class action would get a small check and the successful law firm might get a fee of $20 million to $30 million or more. The bank was the bad guy, so would that be wrong. Wells Fargo is owned 80 percent by institutions. Warren Buffett aside, that means pension and mutual funds. It is not just my kids, but almost everyone reading this, who indirectly owns a bit of that company.

My business communication colleagues say mea culpa is the order of the day. The bank doesn't have to say it is a crook but should admit falling short and promise to do better. Probably easier to deal with than Volkswagens calculation or the BP recklessness.
DONNA ZVONAR, teacher at St. Marys School in Bloomington, has received a MAC grant from McDonalds restaurants of Peoria/Bloomington.

The program rewards teachers for innovation and creativity in the classroom by providing funding for hands-on learning activities. Zvonar's grant will be used to fund Bristlebots, which allows students to learn the basic of engineering, electronic and robot design.

UPPER LIMITS ROCK GYM has opened its third St. Louis indoor climbing facility in Chesterfield, Mo. Upper Limits, founded in 1992, was recently named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the most unique gyms in the world for its site in Bloomington.

GREEN TOP GROCERY is seeking another $120,000 in owner-loans by Nov. 18 as it works on funding and bank loans for its cooperative grocery store. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. Green Top Grocery, a 10,000 square foot full-service grocery, will be located at 921 E. Washington St., Bloomington.
Traditionally cold and wet, Chile's windswept southern Patagonia region now has enough sunshine to grow high-quality Pinot Noir grapes (AFP Photo/Martin Bernetti)

Puelo (Chile) (AFP) - A decade ago, no one would have thought of making wine in Chile's windswept southern Patagonia region.

But now it is warming, and winemakers are seeking their fortune here while the country's production falls overall.

Traditionally cold and wet, the region now has enough sunshine to grow high-quality Pinot Noir grapes.

"We have managed to make the grape mature," says Sergio Subiabre, head of sales for Villasenor Wines.

"We can make a wine with the same characteristics, the same alcohol and sugar content, as one from central Chile."

- 'More flavors' -

Chile's central vineyards have for years been recognized as a source of decent wine. The country as a whole is the world's eighth biggest producer.

But its southern region was seen as too chilly and rainy -- until Subiabre and others planted their vines on the remote banks of the Puelo River in recent years.

"We are surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. All that volcanic earth adds lots of minerals to the wine," he says.

"That distinguishes it from wines from central Chile. Our wines have more flavors."

- Wine to China -

The company planted its first Pinot Noir vines six years ago.

It sold 1,500 bottles after its first harvest in 2014 -- all of them to China.

The vineyard continues to produce at that rate. The next batch has already been ordered in advance by Chinese and US buyers for $120 a bottle.

That is a lot for a Chilean wine.

"Chile has always had a weakness in that it is known as a producer of cheap wines," says Maximiliano Morales, a wine marketing consultant.

But drawing on the fame earned by Patagonia's stunning landscapes among tourists "generates added value," he says.

- Wine race -

Villasenor is now experimenting with Sauvignon Gris and Pinot Gris.

And other winemakers are following the trend.

"There has always been a race to produce wines in the south. That has prompted many producers to experiment," says Morales.

Story continues

"Here we can see a genuine example of how more varieties of grape are adapting to the region," he adds.

"New economic activity is being generated, precisely because of the rise in temperature."

- Climate change -

Scientists say Patagonia's rivers have receded over the past three decades and it now has more sunshine.

They say average temperatures have risen by two degrees Celsius. Just a decade ago, there was 30 percent more rain.

"In the Puelo River the water level has fallen due to a decrease in rainfall and less snow," says Jose Luis Iriarte, a researcher at the IDEAL environmental institute at Chile's Southern University.

Subiabre says the temperature in the area swings from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to as much as 32 degrees C in the summer, pushing grapes to quick maturity in the last few months of growth.

But climate change is not good for all winemakers.

Global warming is disrupting harvests in warmer climates than Patagonia -- such as neighboring Argentina, Brazil and elsewhere in Chile.

That caused world wine production in 2016 to reach its lowest level in two decades, the International Organization of Vine and Wine said last month.

Production in Chile fell by a fifth overall.
NEW YORK  When a conference call turns tedious, Brent Robertson can still count on getting a smile from watching Gus rolling around on the floor.

The golden retriever is a regular visitor to Fathom, Robertson's management consulting business in West Hartford, Conn. So are Pookie and Ari, dogs owned by two of Robertson's co-workers.

Beyond the old tradition of a used bookstore or antique shop having a resident cat, some urban delicatessens and bodegas have cats to mitigate any rodent problems. And at some smaller professional businesses with a relaxed culture, it's becoming more acceptable for employees to bring in their pets. Robertson is among business owners who think having animals around boosts morale, improves the work atmosphere and raises productivity.

"Everyone seems to smile and immediately become a little bit happier," says Barbara Goldberg, CEO of O'Connell & Goldberg, a public relations company based in Hollywood, Fla. Her bulldog, Rosie, is a frequent visitor.

A survey by the Society for Human Resources Management found that 7 percent of organizations allow pets in the workplace, though that may not reflect the practices of very small businesses that don't have HR officers.

At Badger Maps, owner Steve Benson's Pomeranian mix, Foxy, seems to know when employees of the San Francisco app developer need some comfort.

"They're very intuitive," Benson says of dogs. "They have the ability to recognize when someone's stressed out."

But not everyone, including employees, customers and visitors, thinks animals belong in an office or a store. For as many customers as may be charmed, some people are allergic or afraid  and might take their business elsewhere. So besides paying attention to permission from landlords and laws about having animals where food is being prepared, people need to consider how to accommodate uncomfortable staffers or clients.

Rodney Alvarez, a human resources executive at Celtra, a video advertising company, says legal issues to consider include making sure the company's insurance covers any incidents like biting, and keeping animals well-behaved so they won't frighten visitors. Some owners say when they interview job candidates, they let them know there are pets around.

Staffers at Celtra's San Francisco office asked to bring in their pooches. Managers decided that was OK at its four offices, but only if every staffer agreed, Alvarez says. One Boston employee said no, so there are no dogs in that office.

One regular deliveryman to Fathom is petrified of dogs. Since Gus "is a full-contact dog," Robertson says, "we collect the dogs and put them away in a room so (the deliveryman) can do his thing."

And at Sterling Communications, seven of the 20 staffers want to bring their dogs into the Los Gatos, Calif.-based office. CEO Marianne O'Connor, who has a German shepherd named Kaya, worked out a schedule that allows two dogs each day. Upholstered furniture may be off limits.

"We push them off gently, and they learn, that's not for them," O'Connor says.

When visitors arrive, pups may be placed in a closed office with a water bowl and toy.

At Crescent City Books in New Orleans, the majority of customers are glad to see Isabel, a Maine coon mix cat, and some let her curl up on their laps as they sit reading. "Most with any issues just keep their distance," manager Michael Zell says.

Most often, a business becomes pet-friendly when it's the owner who brings an animal in. Anne Buchanan adopted a dog about 12 years ago who turned out to be emotionally needy and much happier when Buchanan was around. So she began taking him to work at her eponymous PR firm in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

As her company grew, staffers asked if they could bring pets in, too. There are generally two dogs in the office, and sometimes as many as four, including Buchanan's two rescues, Katie and Lacey.

Behavioral issues can crop up, but many owners said they can be dealt with. If Rosie the bulldog at O'Connell & Goldberg starts barking during a phone call, the office manager quickly lures her away from Goldberg's side. When Buchanan's dog and a staffer's couldn't get along, the boss paid for a trainer to work with both pups and their owners. Peace was restored.

Sterling staffer Rosie Brown recalls when Hazel, a co-worker's Swedish Vallhund, couldn't wait for her owner to get out of a meeting and left a present behind Brown's chair. The next day, Hazel's owner brought a cake for the office that said, "Sorry I pooped. Love, Hazel."

"We all laughed it off," Brown says.

Many people without pets are happy to have co-workers' animals nearby.
You mightve missed it, but Nov. 10 marked the 50th anniversary of the first airing of the Star Trek episode The Corbomite Maneuver. Of interest to us in Central Illinois is that this episode was written by Gerald Allan Jerry Sohl, who prior to that spent 12 years in Bloomington as a feature writer for The Pantagraph.

During his time in Bloomington, Sohl also wrote science fiction short stories and no less than nine novels. He then moved to southern California and found success in the television industry and Hollywood. He also wrote a wide-range of published fiction, both low and middlebrow, from soft-core paperbacks to mainstream hardcovers.

As with many writers, science fiction or otherwise, Sohl cut his teeth in the newspaper trade. It was said he started as an office boy with the Evening American, one of the many long-gone Chicago dailies. His years as an ink-stained wretch included stops in Beulah, Mich. with the Benzie Record, and Sycamore, Ill. with the True Republican. Sometime in 1946, after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II, he came to Bloomington to work for The Pantagraph.

Sohl and his wife Jean raised three children during their decade-plus in the Twin Cities. A fine pianist, he became the newspapers music editor and critic, and even offered commentary on WJBC Radio. Sohl once defended classical music in an on-air debate with the stations After Hours disc jockey Ollie Henry, who was there to give out for jazz. Sohl and fellow Pantagrapher, Don Goodrich, also endeared themselves to the community by showing movies to patients at Fairview Sanatorium in Normal.

Sohls first known published work, the short story The 7th Order, appeared in the March 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction, one of the many cheaply printed pulp digests in wide circulation during the postwar years.

His first science fiction novel, The Haploids, was published around the same time. That was followed in quick measure by The Transcendent Man and Costigans Needle (both 1953), The Altered Ego (1954) and Point Ultimate (1955). Not surprisingly, at some point Sohl scaled back his Pantagraph duties to part-time work so he could concentrate more on his career in science fiction.

His first five novels were published by Rinehart & Co. Although not as prestigious as some New York publishing houses such as Alfred A. Knopf, Rinehart was no fly-by-night outfit, publishing as it did Norman Mailers first two novels and Langston Hughes memoir I Wonder as I Wander, among other titles from prominent writers.

Sohls 1950s novels have been noted for their slick surface and sharp economy of scale turned out by a professional craftsman. During his years in Bloomington these works were reprinted (and often translated) by publishers in Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan and West Germany.

In August 1958, Sohl and his family said goodbye to the Twin Cities and relocated to the sunny clime of southern California, settling in Thousand Oaks, a community well within the orbit of Los Angeles. He began writing for television, with early credits including shows both quickly forgotten and fondly remembered, including M Squad, General Electric Theater, Route 66, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Target: The Corrupters!

In 1963 and 1964 he ghost-wrote three episodes of The Twilight Zone, including the perennial fan favorite Living Doll (featuring a Talky Tina killer doll). For years these episodes were credited exclusively to Charles Beaumont, a beloved fantasy writer closely associated with The Twilight Zone. By 1962, though, Beaumont was suffering from the onset of Alzheimers and found himself unable to complete scripts. As a result, he relied on friends such as Sohl to write under his name so he could continue paying medical bills and keep his family afloat.

Sohl, as noted above, is also associated with the original Star Trek series, the one that aired from 1966-1969 and starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. Hes credited with the script or story idea for three episodes, though one appears under the pseudonym Nathan Butler.

The Corbomite Maneuver, which aired 50 years ago last week, was just the third Star Trek episode produced for the inaugural season (though due to delays with post-production special effects, it was the tenth to air). In the half-century since then there have been five additional television series and more the 720 episodes of Star Trek. To have your name on the third installment of this sprawling, ever-expanding fictional universe (a seventh series is due early next year) is no small accomplishment!

As with many genre writers, Sohl wrote plenty of trashy stuff to pay the bills, all the while employing several byzantine nom de plumes, including Sean Mei Sullivan and the gender-bending Roberta Jean Mountjoy.

Sohls movie credits include two adaptations in the 1960s of H.P. Lovecraft stories, Die, Monster, Die (since renamed the forgettable Monster of Terror) and Curse of the Crimson Altar, both starring Boris Karloff in the twilight of his career.

His wide-ranging oeuvre includes the nonfiction companion volumes Underhanded Chess (1973) and Underhanded Bridge (1975), cheeky book-length treatises on how to cheat or gain unfair advantage at the table.

Although pegged as a science fiction and fantasy writer, Sohl also published mainstream fiction. His 1973 novel The Resurrection of Frank Borchard from Simon & Schuster, for instance, received a strong notice in The New York Times.

Yet his next two books were cheap and kitschy (to put it kindly) dime store paperbacks. From Fawcett Gold Medal came the titillating soft core Mamelle, written by Nathan Butler and carrying the tagline, She was underage and oversexed  a perfect combination. And then there was Sean Mei Sullivans novelization of the Hong Kong martial arts movie SuperManChu: Master of Kung Fu, published by Ballantine Books.

Jerry Sohl passed away at a Thousand Oaks hospital in 2002. He was 88 years old.

Fourteen years before his death, in 1988, he reflected on a career that included forays into the lowbrow. Oftentimes, you have to write because you absolutely have to have the money, so you do make compromises, he said. Then you have people come up to you and say, I really loved that novel. It changed my life. I get so much of that and its a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. What it comes down to is that it has been great fun and if I should die in the next minute I dont think I would regret anything Ive done.
BLOOMINGTON  Before picking up her fork to have lunch on Saturday, Kiana Woods-Slade folded a napkin across her lap and scooted up to the table.

If you want to make friends, you need to have good manners, said Kiana, 7, of Normal.

She and 30 other Bloomington-Normal girls attended the Young Ladies Tea event sponsored by Empowered to Create.

Lakeesha James-Smith, director of Empowered to Create, said the organization helps children in Central Illinois connect to their gifts at a young age. The focus of the third annual event was to "dream the impossible dream."

We teach children to be change agents in their communities, homes and schools, said James-Smith.

The tea party luncheon at First Christian Church was part of a performance and graduation celebration for girls who completed a seven-week etiquette program through Empowered to Create.

The girls learned proper manners and etiquette, how to boost self-esteem, prevent bullying and expand their talents.

Some of the girls performed, jumping rope, singing, dancing and playing instruments.

Because of things presented to them in social media, its important to teach them how to identify with who they are and what they want to be, said James-Smith.

Learning something as simple as proper manners gives children the skills and tools needed to be successful in life and go places they never thought theyd go, said James-Smith.

Karisma Davis, 7, watched performances and enjoyed lunch with her family.

I learned about yellow, red and green lights. When youre jealous, thats a red light. A yellow light means you have to decide if something is bad or good. A green light means youre not being mean or jealous, said Karisma.

Karisma especially enjoyed learning about proper behavior.

You dont put your elbows on the table. When someone is talking, say Excuse me, instead of just tapping on their shoulder and interrupting, she said. If youre mean to people, thats the wrong thing to do.

Karismas mom, Shanel Tyus of Normal, has been noticing better manners from her daughter.

She has rules for everything now, said Tyus. She has an older brother and shes constantly telling him to say Excuse me. Its a good foundation as she gets older to know the difference between right and wrong.
Private schools are expanding their student residences to hold the circulation of incoming international students, concurrently, the Wesley College is getting its head on into another slam-bang, albeit neglected market: busy, professional, full-time working parents.

Hiring nannies and years of childcare or long weeks or months of visits to grandma's house are numerous events and manifestations that yield when your hardworking parents are working full-time. Parents of the same situation are then forced to search for alternative ways and age-suitable care for their adolescent children during the week.

Wesley College's principal, Dr. Helen Drennen said that not being at home is a significant dispute on the part of the parents. For parents cannot risk not knowing what is happening to their children. That is why she is offering a boarding program that functions from Monday to Friday only. In this manner, parents who are working full-time will have the opportunity to provide their children an age-appropriate care if they enroll them in the school's new $15 million Learning Residence.

According to The Age, parents, especially those who are both working usually suffers from worriment in the fear that their child's growth and development might be impacted by their absence from home. These happen in most cases to parents who are regularly engaged in a lot of travel.

How does it work? According to an article Headington, weekly boarders come to school on either Sunday or Monday morning and stay until Friday. They will return to their respective homes anew at weekends. Why weekly boarding? Apparently, there are multiple reasons into which why parents would rather let their children live at school from Monday to Friday. Aside from taking advantage on the situation, there are also other circumstances tackled upon in an article namely HMC, which tells that weekly boarding tends to have great appeal especially to students who love to join a school but unfortunately, their houses are too far away to be day students.

Glen Waverly Campus' ultramodern facility is pitched to parents living in the metropolitan areas whose children are of ages ranging from 10 to 12 years.

The school is disregarding stringent routines and harsh discipline that depicts that of an old boarding house. The said school is also offering full-time boarding in the residences bedizened with televisions, a piano, and a public dining area. Live-in qualified teachers, and youth workers are leading the benefits of the said program that offers additional tutorials, homework assistance, debating programs and cultural initiatives in the evenings.

Dr.Drennen stated in a statement that they are depositing much effort on the culture and environmental aspects. In line with this, he said that they a positive ethos and that they are working hard to make the boarders feel like it's a home away from home.

According to Professor Lyne Craig, director of the social policy research center at the University of NSW in an article The Age, a weekly boarding arrangement would result to an active outline between work and family time and that this program could be an assay to protect a job and prevent children from experiencing a broken family.

The new program will arise utterly in 2018 to accommodate 128 students, and since the opening in October, it has already more than 30 enrolments.

The residences are divided accordingly into two; wherein half will be accommodated by the domestic market and the remaining by international students who will also take up an English language preparatory program.

In an update statement by Richard Stokes, who is the executive director of the Australian Boarding School Association, enrolments for boarding schools have grown speedily, with currently about 23, 000 boarders- an augment of 3000 admissions five years ago.

In Victoria, 23 mostly urban school residences were offered at private schools; these includes Caulfield Grammar School, Methodist Ladies' College, and Scotch College.

In the article The Age, Professor Craig, according to her, parents who are working hard with smaller budgets were starved of options. She said that children whose ages are 13, 14 and 15 still requires monitoring and it's a subsisting issue.

Together with the $30,000 tuition fee, Wesley's boarding fee is $24,500 for the year.

Allistair McLean, a full-time business owner, and consultant and his wife, Rosemary, a lawyer, sent their son Hugh to Wesley's boarding program from Monday to Friday. Rosemary said that it took some time adjusting to the situation, but they spend their time bonding over social media and catch up when he returns home on the weekend.

Rosemary believed in the essentiality of showing children that work was also a priority. For her, it is vital for young men and women to see that women are pursuing a prosperous career. She also said in her statement that weekly boarding is an opportunity for kids to avoid the negative impact of having helicopter parents and that it also yields to a healthy relationship despite the distance between parents and children.


It's hard for parents when doctors say that their baby will die shortly after birth. That was the case of a baby girl in Liverpool, England. The parents of Aniyah Todd were told that the baby won't live beyond her birth but the infant defied all medical odds and has recently turned four months old.

Aniyah is an identical twin who was born in July with her brain outside of her skull, a rare condition called encephalocele, Daily Mail reported. She only had 10 percent of her brain, with her condition first detected during the 13-week scan.

Charlotte Youds and Will Todd (both 20 years old) were told by specialists that their daughter Aniyah would barely function and likely die at birth because of the missing 90 percent of her brain. Doctors also warned the couple that Aniyah would need oxygen so she can breathe and be comfortable until she passes away.

Aniyah Todd, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with encephalocele - and her family were warned she would likely die. https://t.co/atBo5R5vn3  World Health News (@WorldHealthNews) November 11, 2016

Youds recalled that Aniyah "struggled to breathe" and "turned cold in our arms." They were prepared to accept the baby's fate and just let her go. It was a miracle, however, when Aniyah was still breathing after an hour. Even the doctors, who regularly checked on Aniyah at the time, were shocked that the child managed to survive that long.

A day later, Aniyah went into life-saving neurosurgery. After five days, the baby seemed to be doing well so doctors took her off the ventilator. Aniyah stopped breathing afterward so doctors hooked her up to the ventilator again.

Doctors once again advised Aniyah's parents to say goodbye to the baby. After going home the same day, Aniyah began breathing on her own and started drinking without a feeding tube. Aniyah's only medication right now is for her reflux and she still needs regular checkups with doctors.

Youds said that her baby "has done everything that doctors said she wouldn't so far." She shared that Aniyah "can lift her head up and look around" and smile or laugh. The child is also alert and does a "little dance" when she hears music, which she loves.

Encephalocele occurs when "the neural tube does not close completely during pregnancy," according to the U,S, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. The neural tube is a narrow channel that "folds and closes during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord."

In the United States, one in 12,200 babies (or 340 infants annually) are born with encephalocele every year. Pregnant women who take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day before and during early pregnancy can lower their babies' encephalocele risk.
Any parent would agree that raising a child is not an easy task. This is especially true if the child is very demanding or prone to have tantrums now and then. A child's demeanor, however, would greatly depend on the parenting style or how the child was raised.

Psych Central said parents usually combine different parenting styles but some go for connected parenting. Although this is not an easy approach, many believe that connected parenting results to a better relationship between parent and child. It is nothing more than connecting with the child and seeing things from their perspective to understand them better.

Unknown to many parents, their child's development hinges on their discipline style. More importantly, the relationship between a parent and a child is greatly influenced by the parenting style. Some parents combine several parenting styles depending on how they were raised, their education and sometimes even their academic accomplishments and economic status.

Very Well said parents usually choose from the four parenting styles depending on the situation. These styles have various characteristics and have different effects on children and the parent-child relationship. Authoritarian parenting is a style where the parents dictate the rules and expect the child to follow without any question.

Neglectful parenting, on the other hand, is one child-raising approach that should be discouraged because it is not healthy for the child. A parent may think that this type of parenting would avoid conflict between parent and child but unknowingly, it is more harmful than helpful.

Vanderbilt said permissive parenting is a style where the parent tends to be lenient. But while this parenting style avoids conflict, it tends to produce children without any discipline at all. By allowing children to do as they please, they grow up without any limitations at all.

Parenting styles can differ even between parents and when this happens, expect tension in the family. Licensed Gainesville, Florida clinical social worker Barbara Frazier in Web MD said that "having differing parenting styles can be a good thing as long as styles aren't too far apart. This gives children a wider view of grown-up values and a chance to have a special relationship with each parent. As long as parents come together as a united front, it's healthy."


Dogs are perceived as friendly and man's best friend but an incident in Anaheim recently shook everyone after a video showed that a little protection is needed when dealing with dogs. Obviously, stray dogs aren't loyal as those dogs who are kept as pets.

A recent scene shocked everyone when two dogs attacked a toddler and her mother. The surveillance cameras at the home of the attacked captured the incident. The video clearly depicted how the two-year-old Grayson came out of his house followed by his mother in the front yard.

According to the Daily Mail, it can be seen that the dogs approach Grayson in a friendly manner but later start viciously attacking and biting him. The mother came to rescue his child but was also attacked by the dogs while they were struggling to bite the young boy.

Spenser Bishop, the boy's father said that the incident was very "frightening" and was "surreal and felt like a bad movie." Bishop further specified that the dogs got into the home through the open gate of the neighbors.

The camera footage, released by NBC4 News, further showed that following the incident, their neighbor Leslie Arias, who is 17 years old, also came to help the kid using a stick. Leslie said that she was in her room when she heard loud screams for help. She looked out of her window and saw Grayson and his mother attacked by the dogs. She rushed, holding a metal stick, to help them out.

She said that she stopped a sanitation worker and asked him for help. Another neighbor came to the rescue, who held one dog. She also called 911 and police. An ambulance arrived later on the scene to help the victims for any medical assistance.

Bishop did register his complaint and case to the Anaheim Police Department, the responsibility of the investigation was handed over to Orange County Animal Care, on Thursday. It remained unclear whether or not the victims will file a lawsuit, as said by the family's lawyer, Richard Patterson.
Iran discussing human rights issues with EU

11/13/16

Source: Radio Zamaneh



The Universal Declaration of Human Rights





Iran has recently entered a round of negotiations with the European Community representatives over human rights issues. A delegation of Iranian representative from the foreign ministry and the judiciary are attending these meeting. Majid Takhtravanchi, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister and member of the said delegation commented on the negotiations saying the talks with the EU over human rights will be long and must be kept at a technical level avoiding any form of "politicization" of the matter.



He added that the Islamic Republic would not negotiate over the issues of the "Qesas (retribution of kind; "eye for an eye" equivalent in Islamic jurisprudence) and the death penalty".



The EU and the US have imposed a number of international sanctions against some Iranian officials and entities on the basis of alleged human rights violations.



Majid Takhtravanchi, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister





In response to ILNA reporter asking whether international sanctions related to human rights violations could be dropped against Iran through these talks, Takhravanchi said:: "Our chief position in these talks is that the human rights issue must be dealt with on its own and avoid any form of politicization."



Takhravanchi who was also a member of the negotiating team during the nuclear talks with the 5+1 said in the nuclear talks they had maintained the same position that the nuclear issue had to be discussed without attempt at "politicization".



In this context the foreign ministry official pointed to the issue of "Islamophobia" in Europe and human rights violations in Yemen as a possible topic of discussion. He stressed that if human rights are treated in their "technical context", there would be room for much discussion. He maintained however: "In some areas where we have the express guidance of the Quran such as Qesas (retribution in kind), there is no room for discussion."



"We have told them that in certain areas there are red lines that we will not cross." Takhtravanchi said; "When they talk about the death penalty, we say the death penalty is part of our laws and is something we cannot set aside. Qesas is a Quranic matter and cannot be set aside. It is clear to us as it is to them." He added that beside these issues there was room for discussion and reaching closer mutual understanding on other aspects of human rights.



International human rights groups have consistently expressed concern over the purported rising number of executions and human rights violations in Iran in recent years.



Since the finalization of the nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers in 2013, Iran and EU relations have gradually approached normalization and the EU is looking at setting up an office in Tehran.



Following a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini earlier this month, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters that Iran will not shy away from representing its stance on human rights issues.
China defense minister arrives in Tehran for three-day talks

11/13/16

Source: Press TV

The Chinese minister of national defense has arrived in the Iranian capital at the head of a high-ranking delegation as Tehran and Beijing seek to strengthen their strategic defense cooperation. General Chang Wanquan's aircraft touched down in Tehran on Sunday for an official three-day visit. He was officially invited to visit the Islamic Republic by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan.





Chinese and Iranian Defense Ministers Chang Wanquan and Hossein Dehqan

(file photo)



An official reception ceremony is to be held for the Chinese defense chief on Monday. The two ministers are to meet then before signing an agreement on defense and military cooperation.



In addition to meeting with Dehqan, the visit is to feature discussions with other senior Iranian defense officials and political authorities over matters of mutual concern as well as regional and international affairs.



Back in September, China's Ambassador to Iran Pang Sen announced that representative delegations from Iranian and Chinese Armed Forces planned to exchange visits.



Dehqan had traveled to China in May 2014 to negotiate mutual visits and personnel training cooperation between the two countries.



Last April, the defense chiefs met in Russia during the fourth Moscow International Security Conference, with Dehqan saying the two sides were determined to strengthen mutual relations in the defense sector.
An Indian farmer burns paddy stubble in a field on the outskirts of Jalandhar (AFP Photo/Shammi Mehra)

As he surveys his acres of charred farmland outside New Delhi, Ishwar Singh has little sympathy for people choking in India's capital or any reason to stop the fires that are fuelling pollution.

"Everyone does it and we've got no option as we can't afford to waste time or money clearing our land in other ways," says Singh.

"All those complaining about what we're doing to our fields don't know a thing about farming and what people like me have to do to grow potatoes or onions and other vegetables.

"If we didn't do it, then what would they eat? What prices would they have to pay? Everything would become massively expensive."

While there are multiple factors behind New Delhi's status as the world's most polluted capital, much of the latest bout of smog has been blamed on the illegal but widespread practice among farmers of burning crop stubble.

Attempts to tackle the problem have amounted to little more than hot air as India's federal system of government makes enforcement a challenge.

Regional-rival Beijing, on the other hand, which competes with Delhi on poor air quality, has managed to stem the tide of pollution by ordering factory shutdowns and cars off the road with ad hoc edicts issued by the ruling Communist Party.

Back in the Indian capital, the city's government admitted it was struggling to halt the crisis as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed last week that between 15 million to 20 million tonnes of stubble had been burnt in neighbouring states.

Kejriwal appealed to the central government, headed by his arch rival Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to intervene with the state governments to find a resolution to the practice of crop burning.

Hundreds of thousands of farmers who mainly cultivate rice and wheat set fire to their fields after harvest to clear the residue of their primary crops so they can grow vegetables over the autumn on the same land.

Story continues

The practice is particularly intense in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which serve as Delhi's breadbaskets.

While Singh's farm in Haryana is around two hours drive from downtown Delhi, the smoke blown from fields such as his is a primary cause for the toxic smog which has shrouded the city.

Levels of PM2.5 -- the fine particles linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease -- have breached the "hazardous" upper limit of 500 several times in Delhi this month.

- Token fines -

Stubble burning is technically illegal, but it's rare for farmers to face more than a token fine.

Singh was recently fined 2,500 rupees (around $35) but he said the local officials who sanctioned him were apologetic and it was a small price to pay for rotating his crops.

Another small farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity as some of his land was still smouldering, said the alternatives were not viable.

"I can't afford machines and if I hired people to clear all the residue, I would have to pay them and lose a week of growing time.

"Besides, no one does a thing about these big businessmen," he added, pointing to a nearby processing plant belching out fumes.

The impact of factory pollution and crop burning goes far beyond state boundaries, but authorities are reluctant to take action which might alienate vote banks such as farmers and business leaders.

Both Punjab and Uttar Pradesh hold state elections next year.

The ban on crop burning is rarely enforced and successive court judgements ordering ageing vehicles off Delhi's roads are also routinely flouted, leading to more unwelcome comparisons with China's track record.

"We have repeatedly failed to implement the laws in India," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist at private weather forecaster Skymet.

"There is hardly any control on emissions. The number of vehicles is going up and construction still continues across the region."

"China is using technology and strict implementation because the authorities recognise air pollution as a health emergency and are doing everything to control it.

"But here in India, there is no political will and laws are never implemented on ground, mostly because no one takes pollution seriously."

Avin Sharma, who works in Delhi for a multinational corporation, questioned whether authorities really had the stomach to take on the range of vested interests that contribute to the pollution.

"There are plenty of laws to deal with violators but they are wasting time by blaming each other," said Sharma.
Five Iranian And Foreign Scientists Receive Awards At 1st USERN Congress In Tehran

11/13/16

Source: Mehr News Agency

The 1st international congress of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) held in Tehran has announced its winners, including 2 Iranians and 3 scientists from other countries (Belgium, U.S. and the Netherlands).



Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)





The first International Congress of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network known as USERN was held on November 8-10 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where the top 1% scientists across the world presented the latest findings in the fields of stem cells, nanotechnology, cells programming, genetics, climate change, life on other planets, philosophy of science and mathematics.



The key topics of the conference were in the fields of medical sciences, social sciences, computer science, physics and chemistry, as well as basic sciences.







The USERN awards were granted to two Iranians Dr. Jamshid Aghaei from Iran and Morteza Mahmoudi from the US, as well as Alexander Leemans from Belgium, Lucas Joppa from the US, and Floris de Lange from the Netherlands.



The five USERN laureates have been selected among 500 participants, and each received $10,000 as cash prize.



According to Dr. Nima Rezaei, the founder and head of USERN, the Network had started operating in early 2016 in Iran, and had absorbed more than 2,200 members from 5 continents and 60 countries worldwide.
Iran needs $200B to develop oil industry: Oil Minister

11/13/16

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Tuesday that $200 billion investment is required to develop the country's oil industry. "Internal resources are not enough to meet such need, therefore we should attract foreign investment", Zanganeh said in a press conference.



Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh



IPC (the Integrated Petroleum Contract), the new model of Iran's oil contracts, has been drawn up to materialize this objective, the minister noted.



In November 2015, Iran introduced IPC, which will replace buy-back contracts. It is expected to offer more flexible terms on oil price fluctuations and investment risks to make the sector more financially attractive.



The new contracts, which include those in the upstream exploration and development sectors, are expected to attract more than $40 billion in foreign investment.



According to Zanganeh, of the $200 billion investment needed for oil industry, $130 billion is needed in the upstream sector and $70 billion in the downstream sector, including petrochemical industries.



Iran, once OPEC's second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, is seeking to clear space for its gradual return to the market following the lifting of sanctions.



Western sanctions had cut Iran's oil output to 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from 3.9 million bpd and the country's oil exports to around 1.1 million bpd from 2.5 million bpd.



Zanganeh has vowed to reclaim the country's share of global crude oil exports as sanctions are being lifted.



The July 2015 nuclear deal, which removes sanctions against Iran, went into effect on January 16.

'All South Pars phases to be inaugurated by summer 2017'

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zanganeh said all phases of the South Pars gas field, except for half of the phase 14, are planned to be inaugurated by the end of the term of the sitting government in summer of 2017.



South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar in the Persian Gulf, is estimated to contain colossal amounts of natural gas, accounting for nearly eight percent of the world's gas reserves and approximately 18 billion barrels of gas condensates.



Zanganeh said Iran needs $30 billion to put all phases of the gas field into operation.



Also, in a ceremony inaugurating South Pars' phases 15 and 16 on January 11, the minister said by putting all phases of the field into operation, the country's gas output will reach nearly 700 million cubic meters per day.



Completing all phases of the South Pars will bring an annual income of $100 billion for the country, Zanganeh stated.

'West Karoun oilfields' output to reach 300,000 bpd by summer 2017'

Zanganeh also announced that oil production from the West Karoun oilfields are planned to reach 300,000 bpd by the end of the term of the current government.



Iran shares five oilfields with Iraq at the western part Karoun in Khuzestan province.



Development of these oilfields is one of the priorities of the Oil Ministry.



Iran plans to attract foreign investment and technology for development of its oil and gas fields.

'Foreign companies with better technology are prioritized'

For development of its oil and gas fields, Iran attaches priority to those foreign companies that enjoy better technology and also operational experiences, Zanganeh told the Tehran Times.
All northbound lanes and all but one southbound lane of Interstate 15 in north San Diego County have been reopened after the freeway was shut down because of a brush fire Sunday, Nov. 13.

One southbound lane remained closed Monday morning, between Camino Del Rey and Gopher Canyon Road, Cal Fire San Diego officials said.

At one point there was a more than 10-mile traffic jam, to the Rainbow area, according to a Caltrans traffic map.

The final lane is expected to reopen sometime Monday, a California Highway Patrol dispatcher said.

The fire, reported about 11:30 a.m. Sunday near the Gopher Canyon Road exit south of Bonsall, had burned 28 acres by 6:30 a.m. Monday and was 70 percent contained, Cal Fire San Diego officials said.

Five homes in the area that had been threatened are now safe.

Authorities ordered the I-15 to close as well as Old Highway 395 because of damage to power poles that support lines that cross the freeway, Cal Fire San Diego officials tweeted. They said lanes would reopen once poles were inspected and deemed safe.

The log also noted reports that vehicles were driving the wrong way in the center divider and along the right shoulder, as well as off the onramp at Mission Road.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.
A search warrant served Friday at a home resulted in four arrests and the seizure of marijuana plants and harvested marijuana, according to a San Bernardino County sheriffs news release. One of those arrested may face a child endangerment charge.

Investigators and deputies served the warrant 1:15 p.m. Friday at 11715 Cottontail Lane in Apple Valley and found evidence of an outdoor marijuana cultivation, the news release states. They seized more than 150 marijuana plants and about 50 pounds of harvested marijuana.

Khiosadalo Bounvilom, 45, Vanhsay Bounvilom, 37, and Samlan Chaidy, 63, all of Apple Valley, were arrested on suspicion of charges including illegally cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales, the news release states.

Kinnalone Phrakovsonn, 44, of San Diego was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment for allegedly leaving her 2-year-old child in the care of Bounvilom, the news release states.

The four arrested were booked into High Desert Detention Center while the toddler was placed in the custody of the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, the news release states.

The Sheriffs Department asks anyone with information about these or other illegal marijuana grows to call 909-890-4840 or the anonymous WeTip hotline at 800-782-7463. Tipsters can also leave information at www.wetip.com.
The Election Day party began shortly after 5 p.m., as UCLA students flooded onto Wilson Plaza in Los Angeles past white picket fences adorned with American flag regalia.

They took their places at tables lit by the projected red-and-blue glow of electoral maps on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, blissfully unsuspecting that, as Donald Trump stunned the world by winning the presidency hours later, the same maps would be, for most of them, a source of existential dread.

For now, they ate red and blue cotton candy, took selfies with the flag, and talked about their relief at this elections end. Even as millennials surpassed baby boomers as the largest voting generation in American history this election, many were so frustrated with the system and the presidential choices it offered that they felt disenfranchised from politics entirely.

Still, a sense of cathartic relief was in the air. A DJ played the Cha Cha Slide, and a dance party broke out at the center of the plaza. Nearly everyone here expected the same result  a splash of blue on the map and an acceptance speech from Americas first female president.

Safiya Hussein, 19, sat at one of the front tables, in a group of young Muslim women, excitedly awaiting that announcement. Many of her peers clamored for Bernie Sanders and only reluctantly voted for Hillary Clinton, turned off by her establishment roots. But Hussein, who loved her plans for debt-free college, supported Clinton from the start.

Ralphie Gevorgyan, 21, was less enthused.

Seated at a nearby table, Gevorgyan voted Clinton, but admitted it was an unpleasant pill to swallow. Next to him, Mauricio Alarcon, 23, felt the same. He wondered if millennials would seize their political power in the midst of such disillusionment.

Im not confident it will ever happen, Alarcon said.

This conflict was central to millennial sentiment heading into Election Day. Given the generations tendency to skew liberal, some experts wondered if a strong turnout from Americas largest and most ethnically diverse generation could mark a turning point at the start of a liberal political revolution.

But even as millennials emerged as one of Clintons strongest coalitions on Election Day, questions about their future as a voting bloc remain. Turnout data and interviews with dozens of young voters reveal a generation wary of the current system and averse to identifying with parties that no longer speak to their liberal values.

The reality of a Trump presidency would shake that sentiment even further.

As Trump crossed the electoral threshold hours later, a wave of disbelief washed over the UCLA watch party. Shock turned to anger. And anger morphed into a campus-wide protest, as more than 1,000 chanting students marched from Wilson Plaza across Westwood. Across the country, similar protests played out in the days that followed.

Hussein would join the chants for a while, before heading home, dejected. I was lost for words, she said.

Shed been so confident. Why, she wondered, hadnt millennials made a bigger impact? How could the American electorates view of Trump be so different from hers?

I feel like this was a wake-up call for millennials in America, she said on Wednesday.

Maybe if we just went out more, the results could have been different.

AN OPEN QUESTION

In 2008, when Barack Obama first captured the enthusiasm of millennials across America, 67 percent of voters aged 18-29 cast their ballots for the nations first African American president.

Eight years later, with a chance to elect Americas first female president, an estimated 55 percent  or 13 million of the 23.7 million under-30 millennials who voted  chose Clinton, according to exit poll data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).

Theres been a clear dropoff in enthusiasm, Paul Taylor, author of The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown, said on Wednesday.

Millennials have the most stake in how our country precedes. So to what degree will they engage in and be activated by politics now? Its an open question.

Peter Levine, the former director of CIRCLE and a professor at Tufts University, says its unfair to blame youth for the elections results. Clintons percentage of millennial voters, he points out, was still the third-highest for a Democratic candidate since 1972.

But even as millennials become more diverse and lean further left, Trump still garnered 37 percent of their vote  equal to Mitt Romney in 2012. Millennial support of third-party candidates, meanwhile, more than doubled, as 8 percent eschewed the two major parties, up from 3 percent in 2012.

You could look forward and say that Democrats have a lot of work to do, if they believe this to be their core constituency, Levine said.

In the final days before the election, some millennials did attempt to show their enthusiasm for Clinton, fully aware of the divide within their generation.

Last Sunday, a group of nearly 50 Clinton supporters, all dressed in pantsuits, broke out in a choreographed flash mob in a Culver City square, as Katy Perrys Firework played.

Among them was Elizabeth Holcomb, 30, dressed in a fully beige ensemble. Amidst such a vitriolic campaign, she came out in hopes of doing something positive. But as she expressed full support for Clinton, Holcomb admitted she was depressed by the political status quo.

Theres wide recognition that the system isnt working the way we want it to work, Holcomb said.

On the eve of the election, at the Democratic Partys Westside HQ, some young voters sat at tables texting and making calls on behalf of Clintons campaign. Even here, among her most avid supporters, there was concern about the incongruity of millennial values and the political system.

Fielder Jewett, a 27-year old West Hollywood resident, worried that a lot of (millennials) dont know what they can do to effect change.

Its easy to feel like the entire process is out of our hands, he added.

According to a Pew Research Center study earlier this year, 48 percent of millennials aged 18-33, identified as independents  more than ever before.

For some young conservatives, that refusal to affiliate with the Democratic Party, coupled with the disillusionment of this election, could open the door for the Republican Party to appeal to moderate millennials.

The party that supported (millennials) for so long is not really helping them, says Nikita Koultchyev, 30, of Los Angeles.

They want to be heard, adds Nestor Moto Jr., a Long Beach resident and vice president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Orange County. They want to be part of a political process that isnt beholden to the establishment or corrupt, wealthy donors.

Moto Jr., who is gay and Latino, says a lack of tolerance is whats holding most young voters back from embracing the Republican Party. In other conversations with millennial conservatives, this sentiment was near-unanimous. A few even described themselves as socially liberal.

Peter Levine of CIRCLE agrees theres a tendency to overgeneralize millennials as all liberal college students. In fact, a plurality  48 percent  of white millennials, a large swath of which live in rural states and are working class, voted for Trump on Election Day.

Beth Cowan, 25, mother of two who lives in Riverside, said that her support for Trump was a vote for the Republican Party and her conservative beliefs. I know hes not perfect, but hes not a dictator. He has to work with Congress, she said. Things will look up this year.

Seventy percent of young Latinos voted Democrat on Election Day, while 83 percent of young African Americans chose Clinton.

Jennifer Barbosa, however, points to herself as evidence of a millennial crossing the aisle.

Barbosa, who lives in Hollywood, voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012, but said she felt disillusioned by his time in office. Upon watching Trump announce his candidacy, she says she was hooked by his anti-establishment message. Many young conservatives feel that same sentiment could bring in frustrated former supporters of Bernie Sanders, too.

But first, they have to work for our support, Barbosa said of the Republican Party. The image has to change.

The night of the election, a large group of young conservatives gathered inside Mr. Furleys Bar in Sherman Oaks, donning red Make America Great Again hats.

By the time Trump had carried Florida, the bar was a raucous celebration. The mood was in stark contrast to the disbelief on UCLAs campus.

.

The parties are evolving fast, Moto Jr. said the next day, and Donald Trump, or at least his style, is the future of American politics.

RESIST CYNICISM

For Safiya Hussein, as a young, black Muslim woman, that future is frighteningly uncertain.

She is scared for her family and friends and angry at her peers who responded to their disillusionment by not voting. Fifty percent of millennials, according to CIRCLE, cast a ballot, but its the remaining, silent 50 percent that upsets her.

Still, she says, I feel like we can learn from this.

Riversider Sarah Dreier, 34, a graduate student in political science, said that as a Clinton supporter, she is devastated and heartbroken. Her main concern is making sure that her nonwhite friends and colleagues feel safe and are safe. I will protest, she said, when I figure out the best way to do it.

Like Hussein, Jessica Yu, president of USC Democrats, said she feels Trumps election will propel us to fight back. But she also concedes shes not very proud of how the Democratic Party handled the election. She feels many young voters were cast aside. And as Democrats come to grips with a Trump presidency, how millennials respond in the long-term could shape the future of the American political system.

I was shocked, said Clinton backer Daisy Villegas, 23, a student at Riverside City College. But I want to give Trump a chance and see what happens. I dont know what his plans are, but Im trying to stay positive.

Will their disillusionment persist?

Probably yes for Riverside friends Roy Castillo, 25 and Tawny Stevenson, 24, who both voted for Gary Johnson as a protest. We want to undermine the two-party system, Castillo said.

But neither thinks marching downtown or taking over streets or looting is productive. It doesnt make sense, Castillo said. Instead of whining, Stevenson said, be proactive. Donate to Planned Parenthood.

As Hillary Clinton stood at a podium for her concession speech Wednesday morning, she pleaded directly to young voters to not be apathetic.

Please, she said, never stop believing that fighting for whats right is worth it.

A few hours later, President Obama reiterated Clintons message to millennials.

Dont get cynical, he said. Dont ever think you cant make a difference. As Secretary Clinton said this morning, fighting for what is right is worth it.

What that fight will mean for millennials in Trumps America remains more uncertain now than ever before.

Christina Machuca, 25, of Riverside, who works for a domestic violence shelter, didnt vote for any presidential candidate. I couldnt morally support either one, she said. My values didnt line up. But she isnt worried about the future because of her faith. God is still in control through true believers, she said. My security isnt with America.

Staff writer Laurie Lucas contributed to this story.

Contact the writer: rkartje@scng.com
Driven by a University of California commitment to serve more in-state students, enrollment at UC Riverside smashed records this fall in soaring to almost 23,000 as the once-sleepy and little-noticed Inland campus continues to rise in influence and prestige, officials said.

Total enrollment swelled to 22,921, with 19,799 undergraduates and 3,122 graduate students, the university reported last week. The new peak was fueled by the addition of 6,592 new freshmen and transfer students, also a record.

Its truly an exciting time at UCR, said Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox, in a prepared statement. Growth doesnt come without its challenges, but Im inspired by the effort across campus to make a UCR education available to more and more deserving students.

Shivani Patel, 21, a senior majoring in sociology, said she couldnt help but notice a more crowded university this autumn.

You can feel it when you walk on campus, she said.

The addition has indeed created challenges, said her friend, Gurpreet Kaur, while they were preparing to get a bite to eat at the nearby University Village plaza on Friday.

The parking has become an issue, Kaur said. Its ridiculous.

The senior who is majoring in neuroscience, and also is 21, said she waited 20 minutes recently for a parking space to open up  in an overflow parking lot.

I was so mad because I was running late for class, Kaur said.

Kaur and Patel said they understand there is a need to accommodate more students, but suggested the campus ought to make room for them first.

ECONOMIC LADDER

Jim Sandoval, vice chancellor for student affairs, said the influx was the result of the UC schools commitment to provide a higher education to 5,000 more students systemwide.

So what the increase represents is our share of that, Sandoval said. We were asked to increase by about 1,000, and we ended up with 300 more than we expected.

Fall 2015 enrollment was 21,651, down slightly from the year before, he said.

To ease the workload of teaching the new students, UCR set yet another record this fall in hiring 132 new faculty members.

Hans Johnson, director of the Higher Education Center at the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco, said that, while there is always pain with growing, the enrollment surge is a positive development.

We know that demand to attend college in California is extremely strong, Johnson said. The demand often outstrips available spaces. Students and parents are often frustrated that they didnt get into a UC or CSU.

And he said it is important to open a door for as many students as possible.

The reason that matters is because it is important that higher education provide a ladder to economic and social mobility  regionally, in the state and in the country, Johnson said.

DIVERSITY

Johnson said its also positive that UCR is more reflective of the ethnic diversity of the states high school population than are other universities, while noting Inland Southern California itself is one of the most diverse regions in the United States. More than 85 percent of the nearly 23,000 students enrolled at UC Riverside this fall are nonwhite. About two-thirds are Latino or Asian.

Of the total, officials said, 11,472 students are the first in their families to attend college.

The surge comes as the Riverside university, now home to a medical school, continues to rise in prestige.

UCR used to be known as the institution that took every student who wasnt able to get into one of the top-flight UC schools, even though they had performed well in high school and were eligible to attend the university. Not anymore, Johnson said. Now, he said, applicants who are denied permission at, say, UCLA or UC Berkeley, are typically referred to UC Merced. And UCR has become selective.

Sandoval said UC Riverside denied about half of eligible high school graduates who sought admission in fall 2015.

This year it dropped a little bit to about 45 percent, he said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9699 or ddowney@scng.com; Twitter: PE_DavidDowney
Fellow Nigerians,



Sometime in April this year, I was a guest on a radio programme on Ghanas Starr FM. I was asked to assess the pace of development in Ghana under the current administration of President John Dramani Mahama.



My perspective on what I considered the great work that President Mahama was doing in Ghana immediately set in motion what became a chain reaction of several media conversations on the performance of President Mahama. Those who felt nothing good could come out of Nazareth dismissed every positive appraisal of the Mahama administration.



At this time, the predominant rhetoric was that nothing good was happening in Ghana. His critics and political opponents labeled him incompetent. It was the most malicious misrepresentation of a leader who had taken unprecedented steps in the infrastructural development of his country.



It was as if there was a conspiracy to hide the humongous transformation that was unfolding in Ghana.



I have lived in Ghana for the past fifteen years. My work as publisher of Ovation International magazine has seen me traveling across all continents of the world within the past twenty years. I know development when I see it. The little I had seen under President Mahama was visible enough to the blind and audible enough to the deaf that truly, this was a nation that had made significant progress from where it was some five to ten years ago.



My idea of Ghana under President Mahama was built on the foundation of the work that I saw. But the cynics would have none of it. The discordant tune of cynics and doomsday prophets who saw nothing good in this great African nation challenged us to embark on a fact-finding mission across the various developmental projects of the Mahama administration.



A few weeks after my interview with Starr FM, Ovation International established contact with President Mahamas office and requested an audience with the President. Within a few days, access was granted to our media team to all the various projects nationwide. The journey towards the production of the Ovation International World Exclusive on Ghana began.



As our crew covered project to project, they traveled the lengths and breadths of Ghana, conducting interviews with citizens, visiting project sites to see first-hand and to ask questions about these projects. There were times our crew had to travel on the Presidents entourage, just to ensure that they captured in detail most of the significant events now documented in this collectors edition.



As we moved from location to location, what we saw was a nation and a government in a hurry to deliver the dividends of democratic governance to its people. As we began to unveil teasers on the projects undertaken by the Mahama administration, the narrative started changing. Those who initially said nothing was being done by the Mahama administration now sought to label the projects as an artists impression. When that narrative fell flat on its face, they switched to a new melody; this time, the discordant tune was the tale of how the projects were too expensive!



But this itself reflects the sheer tragedy of politics with bitterness. There are several lessons to take away from the unfolding scenario in Ghana, the process that produced this historic edition of Ovation International and the steady, resolute focus of President Mahama in the face of impossible odds.



First, President Mahama did not hesitate in giving us approval and access to these projects. The simplicity of his style of governance helped collapse the walls of unprecedented bureaucracy that is commonplace around government officials of his caliber. From his residence to his office to the projects we covered nationwide, his remarkably efficient disposition to the business of governance is worthy of emulation.



Second, it is a lesson of life that you never know who would appreciate what you are doing. It has taken this special edition of Ovation International to convert many skeptics in Ghana to ardent admirers of what I love to describe as the Mahama Magic.



Third, President Mahamas approach to vile criticisms from his political opponents and critics speaks volumes about his personality and character as a perfect gentleman who does not belong to the school of do-or-die politics that has largely become the bane of the African continent. Despite the insults hurled at him, he refuses to take offence. His usual way of responding to his critics is that When you are not on the seat, you can never imagine what it takes to be the President of a country.



For Ghanaians who have followed the Ovation trajectory over time, long before President Mahama became the vice President of Ghana, we have devoted great attention to Ghana because of the significant socio-political and economic bonds that Nigeria and Ghana share so closely.



Ovations interview with President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings remains one of the lengthiest ever granted by the founding father of Ghanas National Democratic Congress (NDC).



We covered the good works of President John Agyekum Kufuor and collaborated with the late Honourable Jake Obetsebi Lamptey to promote tourism in Ghana. We supported the administration of the late President John Atta Mills. We are glad to extend the same hand of fellowship to President John Dramani Mahama.



Last night in Accra, we launched the special edition of Ovation International focused on Ghana at an event attended by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama and graced by the creme of Ghanas media personalities and celebrities.



What we have done represents another bold step by Ovation International magazine in its remarkable twenty-year history of projecting the best and brightest of the African continent to the world. This edition of the magazine is a world-class documentation of developmental activities in Ghana under President John Dramani Mahama.



The exceptional quality of the projects we saw in the course of producing this magazine re-enforce the original dream of Ovation International; a magazine built on the hopes of a continent free from the stigma of war, the plague of poverty, and the scourge of disease but a continent on the rise, a continent ready to build again, a continent ready to show the world that indeed, a new Africa is possible.



This article was first published on October 22, 2016, on thisdaylive.com.

Source: Columnist: thisdaylive.com









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The managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper says Donald Trump's Presidential win is 'shocking' but Americans must accept him as their President.



Thousands of Americans took to the streets in cities across America to protest that Donald Trump is not my president.



Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis; Madison and Milwaukee joined in protests that had begun Wednesday in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston and other larger cities.



This was after Trump of the Republican Party defeated his main rival, Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party, to become the 45th president of the worlds most powerful country, following elections held on Tuesday November 8.



Speaking to the election and its aftermath, Kweku Baako said during a panel discussion on Joy FM's Newsfile that even though he was also shocked that Donald Trump won the election, there is the need for Americans to live with that decision.



I was also shocked when it turned out that Mr Trump had won the elections. It was the least thing I expected. I think he suffers sincerity deficit because of the things he had said.I find it shockingwhat I dont like is the protest underway even though sentimentally I appreciate where the protestors are coming from. I think that in terms of the American system, they ought to live with that decision for the next four yearsThe media cabal against him was self-inflictedand I am sure if it had not been the electoral college, he will not be in the white housebut here we are; saddled with the American presidency for the next four years he said.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Peacefmonline.com is reliably informed that there was near-chaos this morning at the Nima residence of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, following an unprovoked attack on the security guards at the place.



According to sources, the confrontation was between some supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and bodyguards protecting the Nima residence of the NPP Flagbearer.



The supporters were taking part in the party's Sunday mass keep fit exercise, which was to be graced by President Mahama.



The confrontation, which lasted for 20 minutes, started when some over excited NDC supporters allegedly threw stones into the house of Nana Addo without provocation.



His bodyguards, ostensibly sensing danger, allegedly fired warning shots to disperse NDC supporters, who refused to back down and continued pelting stones at the security guards .



Peacefmonline checks indicate that a bloody spectacle would have been witnessed had the police not acted fast enough to fire warning shots which averted the situation from degenerating into chaos.









NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





NDC, NPP Clash





0

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
Iranian men walk past a giant sculpture displayed on the beach in Iran's southern resort island of Kish (AFP Photo/Atta Kenare)

Kish (Iran) (AFP) - Iranian investors are pouring money into Kish island in the Gulf, hoping its white sand beaches, coral reefs and more relaxed Islamic rules, could make it a major tourism destination.

From the pristine beaches of Kish, it is only 200 kilometres (120 miles) across the water to Dubai -- and it is the booming city state's tens of thousands of wealthy expats that the investors are hoping to lure.

The wide, palm tree-lined boulevards that circle the island of 100 square kilometres (nearly 40 square miles) are full of top-end cars, including luxury American models.

The buildings are modern, the hotels comfortable and new shopping centres are sprouting everywhere.

Diners pack late-night, roof-top restaurants. Women sit with cigarette in hand, wearing colourful headscarves pushed right back to reveal plenty of make-up and expensive hair-dos.

During the day, the men walk the long jetties in bermuda shorts -- forbidden in most parts of Iran. Under the warm autumn sun, one man is even shirtless.

A motorboat zooms past, techno music blaring, with men and women sitting together.

In many ways, it looks as if little has changed since the days when the shah and his family holidayed here before the Islamic revolution of 1979. The green and white cars of the morality police are rarely seen.

Still, even though Islamic rules are less strict on Kish, they are still in force -- creating a major obstacle for investors hoping to attract Western expats for short breaks from Dubai.

There are no bars or clubs -- or any alcohol at all -- while men and women must use separate beaches, splitting up families.

- 'Halal tourism' -

Massoud Gilani, an investment consultant who divides his time between Dubai and Kish, tries to put an optimistic spin on the issue.

Expats "can drink and enjoy themselves in Dubai and relax here," he said, rather hopefully.

Iran is in the midst of a tourism boom, thanks to the efforts of the current moderate government under President Hassan Rouhani to rebuild ties with the West.

Story continues

Visitor numbers have leapt from 2.2 million a year in 2009 to 5.2 million in 2015, the government says, and an even bigger increase is expected this year.

But most Westerners are drawn by Iran's ancient cities and historical treasures, rather than a beach break.

Ali Jirofti, one of the managers of Kish's free trade zone, recognises that the island's best hope is to focus on Muslim holidaymakers.

The priority is "high-end halal tourism," he said.

Kish already attracts some 1.8 million visitors per year, mostly Tehranis hoping to escape not just social strictures but also the horrendous traffic and pollution of the capital.

Shopping is another big draw -- Kish was the first and most significant of seven free-trade zones set up during the 1990s to attract investment and help with the import of consumer goods.

There are now some 40 hotels, and US-style malls are everywhere.

The company also wants to double the number of international flights by Kish Air and create a car-free "ecological paradise" on the nearby island of Hendorabi, where an airport, port and hotel have already been built.

Investors are also pushing health tourism, with two top-end hospitals already running on the island, boasting leading doctors, particularly plastic surgeons.

"Forty more luxury hotels of four to five stars are under construction," said Jirofti.

"Our aim is to reach 2.6 million tourists within 10 years."
Executives of the Progressive Peoples Party in the Takoradi constituency of the Western Region are on a collision course with their parliamentary candidate who they have accused of embezzlement.



The disgruntled executives at a press conference Saturday claimed the aspiring MP, Isaac Collins Mensah, has embezzled funds meant for the partys political activities in the constituency. They have consequently suspended all political campaign activities of the party in the constituency; something that is likely to affect the fortunes of the PPP in the area with barely 23 days to the December 7 general elections.



The decision was announced by Emmanuel Amoah Eshun, a member of the Progressive Voices  a group of PPP Communicators  in the Takoradi Constituency on behalf the executives.

The executives noted the decision though painful, has been necessitated by a myriad of issues including what they described as gross embezzlement of funds by the parliamentary candidate.



According to them, all efforts to get the national and regional executives to compel Mr Mensah to account for monies he has received from the national headquarters in Accra have proved unsuccessful.

They said the issue; among others including the lack of a constituency office for the party in the Takoradi constituency has been a setback for them especially in the execution of their campaign activities.



They also accused their parliamentary candidate of sidelining the constituency executives in various party activities in the constituency. They thus want the issues addressed immediately failure of which would affect the party negatively in the elections on December 7.

Source: 3news









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The Omanhene of Dwenim in the Jaman South constituency, Bofo Bene IV, says the lawlessness and the total disregard for the rule of law, coupled with the economic hardships prevailing in the country, under the leadership of President Mahama, are a recipe for chaos.



According to Bofo Bene IV, Ghana currently finds herself in a situation akin to the era of military dictatorship.



We know the challenges we are going through in this country. We are in a system, akin to that of a military government, where one does not know if he will wake up in the morning or not. We are going through the stages again, he stated.



The Omanhene of Dwenim noted that today, the rule of law does not work in Ghana. If someone can steal one chicken and be imprisoned for 6 years, why is someone who has boldly declared that he kills human beings on a daily basis still walking free?, a reference to comments made by the brother of Hon. Collins Dauda, Minister for Local Government and MP for Asutifi South.



He continued, We need salvation, we need a redeemer, we need someone who will ensure that the rule of law works. Our prayer is that God will elect for us a compassionate leader, a leader who thinks about the people, and one who thinks about the fate of our children.



Bofo Bene IV made this known on Saturday, November 12, 2016, when the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on the 3rd day of his tour of the Brong Ahafo Region.



The Dwenimanhene assured the NPP flagbearer that nothing will deter him from speaking the truth, adding that I will continue to speak the truth and the truth will set me free, so that one day people will know that we were saying it in the interest of Ghana.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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ARRIVAL



SYNOPSIS: A linguist is recruited by the military to assist in translating alien communications.



Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi



HILLSONG: LET HOPE RISE



SYNOPSIS: A documentary on the Australia-based band Hillsong and their rise to prominence as an international church.

Stars: Michael Guy Chislett, Matt Crocker, Adam Crosariol

Documentary, Family, Music



MOANA



SYNOPSIS: A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui.



Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Jemaine Clement, Alan Tudyk

Animation, Adventure, Comedy



BIRTH OF A NATION



SYNOPSIS: Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South, orchestrates an uprising.



Stars: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller

Biography, Drama, History



FANTASTIC BEASTS and where to find them



SYNOPSIS: The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.



Stars: Johnny Depp, Eddie Redmayne, Gemma Chan

Adventure, Family, Fantasy



Arrival & Hillsong will be released on 11th of November



MOANA, BIRTH OF A NATION & FANTASTIC BEASTS and where to find them PREMIERES ON FRIDAY THE 18TH OF NOVEMBER, 2016

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Following his acquittal for murder in the death of Warriena Wright, Gable Tostees first substantive statement on the events of that fateful night will air this evening on 60 Minutes.

It is rumoured that the current affairs program paid somewhere in the vicinity of $150,000 for the interview, beating out rival Sunday Night, in a move that has been criticised by some as chequebook journalism.

Reporter Liam Bartlett spent three days on the Gold Coast with Tostee, his lawyer and his parents, and ahead of the broadcast, he has offered his own thoughts on the interview.

It emerged on 60 Minutes that Tostees younger brother has legally changed his name, while his father, who sells carpet, has removed the surname from from his business card, going by two first names instead.

Bartlett says that, in his view, Tostee agreed to the interview to take some of the pressure off his family. He said:

He wouldnt have sat down full stop for whatever reason if he wasnt feeling the pressure  His family are under enormous stress as well. So that comes back to him thinking, Hell, I better do something about this for the family, I better try to get people to see me as less of a monster. A huge part of his motivation is to explain his behaviour to people. He most certainly understands that hes perceived by a lot of people as a bit of a monster because of whats gone on in this case.

But he genuinely doesnt understand why people would think he was a bad person if they knew all the facts.

Wrights family were approached to take part in the story but declined, and Tostee himself has not made any attempt to contact them, per the wishes they have made clear. Per Bartlett:

He said he would like to be able to express remorse to them but got no other word from the Director of Public Prosecutions office other than that the family had expressed that they wanted him to stay well away.

Tostee, who infamously met Warriena Wright on Tinder, is currently in a relationship with New Zealand woman Lizzie Evans, and says he has no plan to use the dating app ever again. Bartlett explained:

I asked him if he would ever use Tinder again and he said no  Hes very happy with his new relationship. He said shes been 100 per cent supportive and that all seems to be going smoothly.

Tostees 60 Minutes interview airs tonight at 8.30 on Nine.

Source: Courier Mail.

Photo: Supplied.
It opened like some cheap CSI knock-off, and 60 Minutes tell-all interview with Gable Tostee certainly tried to paint the events of August 8, 2014 like they took place in some kind of salacious crime procedural.

The thing is, the details of Warriena Wrights death and Tostees own statements about that night remain so horrific and bizarre that theyd probably never wind up on scripted television.

What 60 Minutes managed to show instead wasnt exciting, even in the most morbid sense  it was just confusing and tragic in the same way this entire saga has been, and Tostee still appears deeply unknowable.

Gable Tostee refused to be interviewed by police or take the stand during his trial. But after walking free, he is now ready to speak. pic.twitter.com/IRXRksElht  60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) November 13, 2016

In Tostees first media interview since he was charged with the murder of Wright, and weeks after he was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges, the Gold Coast native almost didnt fight his overwhelmingly negative public perception.

With a flat emotional affect, Tostee said Im pretty normal kind of guy who believes his self-reported tally of 180 sexual partners is not really a surprising figure. He explained I wouldnt say [I am a] playboy, I mean, I like meeting girls.

Warranted or not, the perception of Tostee as a womaniser didnt exactly tweak public opinion in his favour during the trial, and Tostee seemed almost unable to contest that negative viewpoint during the interview.

When asked if he knew why people saw him as a cruel, heartless bastard for his actions after discovering Wright fell from his apartment balcony, he replied when you put it that way the media can make people think what the media wants people to think.

Of course, its not just Tostees nigh-impenetrable inner workings that remain baffling after the interview. There is still no explanation for why Tostee decided to record audio of the nights events on his smartphone other than for insurance.

The question isnt so much why did I do that, but why wouldnt you do that? Obviously I used to go out quite a lot drinking, I dont have the best memory when I drink, and in this day and age recording your night out is as easy as pressing a button and leaving your phone in your pocket.

The very same recording which was eventually used by his defence was played during the broadcast, including his almost-prescient statement youre lucky I havent thrown you off my balcony you psycho little bitch, and Wrights numerous cries of no as Tostee forced her onto the elevated outdoor area.

Just a horribly unfortunate choice of words.  Gable Tostee defends his figure of speech used by the prosecution to try & convict him. pic.twitter.com/5hk0NruweB  60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) November 13, 2016

His explanation for that overtly threatening language, which seems damning in hindsight, was that he felt the need to scold the inebriated and allegedly disorderly Wright for making a mess of his apartment.

Tostees explanations for his actions after her fall  not calling the police nor an ambulance, not looking over the balcony, and heading downstairs before grabbing some pizza  were equally as baffling, and suggested the man acted in a deeply unusual way at every turn.

Hes a free man after the court ruled he wasnt culpable for Wrights death, but in his first message to the public after that ruling, Gable Tostee likely didnt do much to persuade skeptical members of the Australian public.

Source: 60 Minutes / Channel 9.

Photo: 60 Minutes / Facebook.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a one-off agreement between Australia and The United States, that will see a number of refugees from Manus Island and Nauru resettled there.

In a press conference this morning, Turnbull said:

I can now confirm that the government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres. The agreement is with the United States. It is a one-off agreement. It will not be repeated. It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centres. It will not be available to any persons who seek to reach Australia in the future.

He did not specify what Australias obligation will be as part of the deal, although it is likely to involve Australian intake of South American refugees who are currently in a processing centre in Costa Rica.

Turnbull thanked the U.S., saying: We have a long history of cooperation in which our two nations pursue our mutual and respective humanitarian objectives.

The Australian government has not set a timeline for resettlement, but Turnbull added that there will be American officials from Homeland Security coming to Australia to begin the process in the next few days.

Turnbull, likewise, did not specify how many refugees will actually be resettled under the new deal, but said that the priority is very much on the most vulnerable.

The UNHCR will be engaged during the implementation of the deal, and per ABC News reports, those found not to be refugees will not be accommodated by the agreement.





Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, also spoke about the deal, those who do not wish to be resettled in the U.S. will likely remain on Nauru on a 20-year visa, a program which is in the final stages of negotiation.

Current U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed the news at a press conference in Wellington this morning, saying:

We in the United States have agreed to consider referrals from UNHCR on refugees now residing in Nauru and in Papua New Guinea.

Source: ABC / Fairfax.

Photo: Etienne Oliveau / Getty.
Letters to the Editor: How could anyone vote for Prop 3?
Trump looking for ways to exit Paris climate agreement

Reuters/Youssef Boudlal



Indigenous people from the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests protest at the climate change talks in Marrakech, Morocco.

WASHINGTON/MARRAKESH, Morocco

Petroleumworld.com 11 14 2016

Donald Trump is seeking quick ways of withdrawing from a global agreement to limit climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying widening international backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the U.S. President-elect was chosen, governments ranging from China to small island states have reaffirmed support for the 2015 Paris Agreement at 200-nation climate talks running until Nov. 18 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Trump, who has called global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to the source, who works on Trump's transition team for international energy and climate policy.

"It was reckless for the Paris agreement to enter into force before the election" on Tuesday, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Paris Agreement won enough backing for entry into force on Nov. 4.

Alternatives were to send a letter withdrawing from a 1992 Convention that is the parent treaty of the Paris Agreement, voiding U.S. involvement in both in a year's time, or to issue a presidential order simply deleting the U.S. signature from the Paris accord, he said.

Many nations have expressed hopes the United States will stay. Host Morocco said the agreement that seeks to phase out greenhouse gases in the second half of the century was strong enough to survive a pullout.

"If one party decides to withdraw that it doesn't call the agreement into question," Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar told a news conference.

The agreement was reached by almost 200 nations in December and, as of Saturday, has been formally ratified by 109 representing 76 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, including the United States with 18 percent.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.

U.N. climate chief Patricia Espinosa declined to comment on the Trump source's remarks to Reuters.

"The Paris Agreement carries an enormous amount of weight and credibility," she told a news conference. She said the United Nations hoped for a strong and constructive relationship with Trump.

The Trump source blamed U.S. President Barack Obama for joining up by an executive order, without getting approval from the Senate. "There wouldn't be this diplomatic fallout on the broader international agenda if Obama hadn't rushed the adoption," he said.






FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Police shot an armed man Saturday night after he ran from a parked minivan in Philadelphia's Olney section and pointed a gun at one of two officers who chased him, police said.

The officers, while on patrol, noticed the vehicle illegally parked in a crosswalk at North Fourth Street and Lindley Avenue shortly before 6 p.m., police said. When officers approached, a side door of the van slid open and one man ran out with "an object in his hand," police said.

After a brief chase, one officer caught up with the man and pushed him into a parked vehicle, causing him to stumble. When he regained his footing and turned around, officers saw him holding a gun, police said. He then ran toward one of the officers, prompting his partner to shoot, hitting the man in the back, police said.

The man, described only as 20, was taken to Einstein Medical Center, where he was in critical condition Saturday night.

A weapon was recovered at the scene and an unspecified amount of marijuana was found in the minivan, police said.

The officers have not been identified. The one who fired will be put on administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation.

cmccabe@philly.com

Photographer Joe Kaczmarek contributed to this article.
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The largest anti-Trump protest to take place happened today in Los Angeles. The LA PD tweeted that Approx. 8,000 protesters in #DTLA today exercising their 1st Amendment Right. No arrests have been made. ABC News called it 10,000, and it certainly looks like the larger of the two numbers and then some.

Here are two views of the protests. As you can see, contrary to the claims of Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, these are not anarchists and this is no riot. The first view comes courtesy of Anonymous:

BREAKING NEWS: 100,000 protesters march on the streets of LA in a show of solidarity against Trump. #TrumpProtest pic.twitter.com/Mx32aXA8Zk  TheAnonMessage (@TheAnonnMessage) November 12, 2016

The second view is from Huffington Post contributor Nathaniel Haas:

Easily 100,000 anti-trump protesters on Wilshire Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles Saturday morning. View from my apartment pic.twitter.com/2spgX3pd6t  Nathaniel Haas (@nathanielhaas2) November 12, 2016

Finally, this third view will leave you in no doubt of the numbers involved:

View from above  #antitrumprally in Los Angeles on Wilshire Blvd. pic.twitter.com/YLGwcCSWBN  Michael Manross (@MichaelManross) November 12, 2016

People are not happy with the election of Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and these people are exercising their First Amendment right to make their voice heard, their numbers seen.

Donald Trump represents the forces of hate and repression, and increasing numbers of Americans are willing to stand up against everything he represents. Americans are saying no to Donald Trump.

Photo: Twitter @trueblacknews
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Americans arent happy about Trumps win on Election Day, and no wonder, given Hillary Clintons win by popular vote. And theyre showing it by marching in the streets.

In response, Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. seems determined to prove those of us who compared Trumps movement to the Nazi movement right. Authoritarianism? Check. Hyper-Police state? Check. Kiss the First Amendment goodbye? Hes got that covered too.

Sheriff Clarke has the whole Arpaio thing going on in Milwaukee, as you can see from this tweet, where he attempts to delegitimize people who oppose Trump by characterizing them as anarchists:

These riots are not protest and should be quelled quickly. These goon anarchists do not believe in the US Constitution or the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/66vdmiNasX  David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) November 11, 2016

Obviously, this is a protest and as such is protected by the First Amendment. The guy who has a problem with the United States Constitution is Sheriff Clarke, who seems unaware of the Constitutions guarantee of the right of citizens to peacefully assemble.

If that wasnt a pointed enough message for you, Clarke sent this one later:

How to stop riots. 1)Declare state of emergency.2)Impose early curfew. 3)Mobilize Nat Guard.4)Authorize ALL non lethal force. 5)Tear gas. pic.twitter.com/laBvrRbiz3  David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) November 12, 2016

All thats missing here are labor camps and signs telling us that work makes us free. Masha Gessen, a Russian-American journalist, told Rachel Maddow we should take Trump at his word that he ran for autocrat rather than president, and it is clear Clarke finds autocracy more appealing than democracy.

You would think a violent revolution were underway from his language. He wants to declare a state of emergency because people are peacefully protesting the election of Donald Trump. Never mind that Trump supporters were all but threatening an actual revolution if their candidate didnt win.

Clarke, needless to say, did not discourage such a reaction, but he sure wants to quash freedom of speech now that the opposite has transpired. ALL non-lethal force? One thing Trump certainly accomplished, and that is bringing all the fascists out in the open.

Clark later hypocritically tweeted that All of the vile, vitriol, hate, abuse, bullying we Trump supporters put up with was worth it because it was necessary in reaching our goal, but it doesnt sound as though he intends to stop being vile, hateful, abusive, and bullying now that Trump has won.

And in the end, this question from Newsweeks Kurt Eichenwald is one of those questions that answers itself:

Will some Trumper explain to me why, even in victory, so many of you remain nasty bullies? You won. What else do you want?  Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) November 12, 2016

Well leave it at that.
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By Brendan OBrien

(Reuters)  Demonstrators planned to gather again on Saturday in cities across the United States to protest against President-elect Donald Trump, who they say will threaten their civil and human rights, a day after a protester was shot in Portland, Oregon.

Rallies were scheduled throughout the day in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where organizers said they hoped to continue the momentum after several nights of demonstrations triggered by the real-estate moguls surprise win in Tuesdays presidential election.

We must unite despite our differences to stop HATE from ruling the land, organizers in New York wrote in a Facebook post announcing a rally at noon local time in Union Square and then a march to Trump Tower, the president-elects skyscraper home on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan.

Hours before the demonstrations were set to begin, a protester in Portland was shot as he took part in a march across the Morrison Bridge. He is expected to live, but the suspect remains at large, police said.

Since Trumps victory, demonstrators in several cities have decried the Republicans campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations that the former reality-TV star sexually abused women.

It is our time as a movement to unite and fight back against Donald Trump and what he wants to do to this country, organizers said on Facebook in announcing a rally in MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on Saturday.

As of early on Saturday morning, some 100,000 people had indicated on Facebook that they were planning to attend or were interested in the anti-Trump rallies in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, where organizers told protesters that violence and vandalism will not be tolerated.

The demonstrations so far have been largely peaceful, although in Portland protesters have smashed store windows, sprayed graffiti and damaged cars as they clashed with police who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

Dozens of protesters have been arrested and a handful of police injured during the protests in Portland and other cities.

The demonstrations since the election have been impromptu affairs, quickly organized by young Americans with a diverse array of backgrounds and agendas.

But as activists look to the next four years with Trump in the White House while his party controls both houses of Congress, some are preparing for what they hope will be the nations most enduring demonstrations since the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said on Friday that protesters have to accept the election results.

Trump initially denounced the protests and said they were incited by the media, but then reversed course on Friday and praised the demonstrators passion for our great country.

We will all come together and be proud! Trump said on Twitter.

Many voters were shocked by the result, after opinion polls failed to predict a win for Trump.

Some 60.3 million people voted for Trump, fewer than the 60.8 million who cast ballots for Clinton. But Trumps strong showing in swing states, including Michigan, meant he triumphed in the Electoral College that ultimately picks the president.

Security barricades now shield some of the businessmans most visible properties, including the newly opened Trump International Hotel near the White House and Trump Tower in New York.

The president-elects biggest support base was the broad middle of the country, from the Heartland through the Rust Belt, with voters in states that had long supported Democrats choosing Trump after he promised to end corruption in Washington D.C., bring back jobs and renegotiate international trade deals.

(Reporting By Brendan OBrien in Milwaukee; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Chizu Nomiyama)
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In a post-election episode of MSNBCs Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and political analyst Mark Halperin insisted that the Trump victory should have been foreseeable by anyone watching and thinking rationally. The signs of disaffection with Washington were everywhere, and the antipathy to Hillary Clintonand the Clintons as an institution (and foundation!)glaringly saturated the electorate. If, again, our elites and the elite media had simply listened to the average American, whom they supposedly condescendingly ignore and even disdain as they huddle up in their bubbles of polls and self-involved punditry, this outcome would have been obvious. So the story now goesas it is now told by that same supposedly elite media covering its tracks.

In fact, though, the more I study the situation, reflecting on the prospective rubble in the election aftermath, the more difficult it is to find a purely political rationale for voter behavior and I believe we need to probe deeply into a collective American psychology, produced out of our nations history of violence, genocide, and exploitation, to understand the severe trauma of the American experience that gave rise to this vote.

Lets think about it. The rational explanations and political logic being offered to account for Donald Trumps election dont really compute.

The American people were supposedly fed up with the establishment, yet the senate did not flip to the Democrats as many Republic incumbents were re-installed, reconstituting, for the most part, the perhaps most obstructionist senate in American history, a senate that refused to fulfill its constitutional mandate to hold a confirmation hearing on President Obamas Supreme Court Justice nomination. So its hard to buy the argument that people were voting against the establishment.

The American people were also supposedly voting against Wall Street. Hmmm. Do I really need to go into this one? Well, ok. Ill just point out the obvious. Donald Trump is the living embodiment of Wall Street and of a corporate America that has routinely defrauded the American people and fiddled destructively with the economy and financial systems, leaving average Americans with the bill while suffering themselves not at all. The elite media did tell us enough about Trump University, Trumps multiple bankruptcies, his anti-union and anti-worker behaviors, his opposition to raising the minimum wage and simply to having a minimum wage, that this dimension was patently obvious. That a vote for Trump should be rationalized as a vote against Wall Street could indeed be characterized as a story from media not paying attention to reality.

The American people were supposedly voting against Clinton because of her long history of untrustworthy behavior. Again, hmm. Trump never showed us his tax returns, was clouded in rumors about his mysterious connections to Russia, was the subject of routine reports of cheating in business deals, engaging in housing discrimination, andsay it again!bilking people of thousands upon thousands of tuition dollars for his fake university. Was this really about trust? Pfff.

So how do we account for this irrationality? The quest is not a new one. In his notable work Whats the Matter with Kansas?, Thomas Frank underscored voter irrationality as a reliable hallmark of our political culture: People getting their fundamental interests wrong is what American life is all about. This species of derangement is the bedrock of our civic order; it is the foundation on which all rests. Frank argues that this derangement can be understood as people placing so-called social values or non-economic issuespro-life, anti-elitism, national security, to name a fewahead of their economic interests. But even this is too rational.

The rationality needs to be found deep in the American psyche, in the trauma that is part of everyday life for average Americans living on the edge, feeling desperate and powerless amidst their suffering.

The American people voted out of a long and intense experience of abuse. Using a term like economic inequality doesnt begin to comprehend the suffering people have gone through as wages stagnate and even decline, as people work harder and longer with less and less prospect of meeting their families needs, as tax cuts for the wealthy leave their communities with poorer schools and less social programs and services and thus less hope for the future, as political power is concentrated in the fewer and fewer hands of the wealthiest leaving people feeling powerless and desperate. This political economic system is perhaps not so gradually extending its abusive behavior to more and more of the population, and Americans are voting like the victims of intense systemic abuse that they are.

Victims of abuse typically often take actions, even or perhaps especially when seeking change, that replicate the conditions of abuse they have been enduring. As counselor and author Michael Formica explains, writing in Psychology Today, Sometimes for the victim there is also a sense of familiarity and comfort in an abusive relationship, which is why victims will often return to an abusive relationship or, leaving one, will unconsciously seek out another.

To say that Trump s behavior, speech, and demeanor are abusive is an understatement. Its what appeals to people. They call it, Telling it like it is, which suggests they are unconscious of gravitating toward an abuser and reconstituting an abusive scenario for themselves. The reporting on his behavior tends to reveal little other than his own pride in cheating, defrauding, disrespecting, and preying upon otherswhat he calls winning. In short, he celebrates his abusive behavior.

The thing about trauma, as Freud explains, is that we tend to repress the traumatic experience of abuse that caused it. Until we can recover that repressed experience through psychotherapy so we become conscious of it and can deal with it responsibly, we will seek to repeat the experience or to put ourselves in the conditions to have it repeated.

The vote for Trump was a vote for abuseto re-experience it and to have it inflicted on others, a lets make others small so I can feel big and powerful dynamic.

Looking at the situation most sympathetically, we can see Americans want a way out; we as a people genuinely want something different but dont know how to get it.

We need a psychotherapeutic approach to our politics, as it is only when we fully confront this nations past as a history of abuse that continues to the present, coming to terms with our own suffering and that of others, will we find that way out.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders built his campaign around the need for grassroots popular action. Now that Trump has won the election; Sanders is reminding Democrats that they are the majority in the country, and they should be prepared to pound away at the president-elect with their issues.

Video:

Here was an interesting exchange on CBSs Face The Nation:



DICKERSON: But are you talking about marches on Washington? Are you  whats the action item for a nervous Democrat out there?

SANDERS: Is to understand that, on virtually every major issue, raising the minimum wage, climate change, pay equity for women, rebuilding our infrastructure, making public colleges and universities tuition-free, we are the majority.

That is what the American people want. And the Democrats will win elections by pounding away on those issues and talking about not giving tax breaks to billionaires, undoing Citizens United, a disastrous Supreme Court decision.

So, we are the majority. And, by the way, lets not forget Hillary Clinton did win more votes than Mr. Trump did. So pound away on the issues that bring people together, fight vigorously against all forms of bigotry.

Sen. Sanders has been talking about a grassroots popular political revolution since he launched his presidential bid last year. Sanders has already demonstrated a small donor fundraising expertise, and the ability to draw massive crowds to rallies. It wasnt an accident that Bernie Sanders pointed out that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, which means that people who hold some of the beliefs that were expressed in the Democratic platform are the majority in the US.

During the Democratic primary, it was originally thought that Bernie Sanders was looking to bring his populist army to DC, but it appears that the Senator from Vermont has a new target. He is out to use his grassroots muscle to hold Donald Trump accountable.

It wont be long before President Trump looks out his window and sees tens or hundreds of thousands of Democrats marching to hold him accountable.

Democrats lost an election, but they are building a passionate and ready grassroots movement.
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The media is anxious to tell us all how great Donald Trumps ordinary Americans really are, and how elitist it is to look down upon them for voting an openly racist, bigoted, sexually assaulting man into office.

No doubt they are so anxious to do this because they simply love to feel theyre being Everymanish by embracing white flyover men and their wives as the New Discovery, except they are always the same discovery. See 2010.

And no doubt they are most anxious to do this because if these people are indeed racists empowered and normalized by Donald Trump and his media enablers, then the media is to blame for much of their rise.

Instead, I give you the Heroic Racists of Our Times. Please dont compare this to how Occupy protesters were treated, who by the way cited the same issues, but were denigrated by the media. And for heavens sake dont compare it to BLM, lest someone be insulted that black people would appreciate not being shot for walking down the street.

From the LA Times were told that Trump voters have real feelings and look up to Trump as someone who is rude but is a workingmans billionaire (talk about media malfeasance, they might have known about Trumps failure to pay the workingmen who worked for him in those jobs he created):

They see an outsider unbeholden to a corrupt and rotten political system and brave enough to stake bold positions. They consider him fearless enough to defy the confines of political correctness. They view him as a vastly successful businessman, but possessing a common touch: a workingmans billionaire. To hear them tell it, Trump supporters want a government that no longer works to make the rich even richer, offers handouts to the undeserving and caters to the whims of Washingtons army of lobbyists and special interests. Perhaps more than anything, they want a president who pays attention to the half of the country bereft of hope: That, they said, would truly make America great again.

Yeah, except President Obama did exactly that, it was the Republicans in Congress who refused to pass a jobs bill or any infrastructure bill that would help create even more jobs. Why didnt the media inform these voters that Donald Trumps economic plan will destroy 11 million jobs, whereas President Obama has made history adding private sector jobs. Why didnt they inform Trump voters that Donald Trumps transition team was stocked with lobbyists?

If the media did inform these voters of those facts and the voters did not care, what does that say.

We are told in the New York Times that the lefts elitism is the real problem, and they shouldnt be shaming people (the real reason they are shaming Trump supporters is for beating up black protesters, cheering the sexual assault of women, mocking the disabled and smearing minorities).

Instead of challenging this ideology of shame, the left has buttressed it by blaming white people as a whole for slavery, genocide of the Native Americans and a host of other sins, as though whiteness itself was something about which people ought to be ashamed. The rage many white working-class people feel in response is rooted in the sense that once again, as has happened to them throughout their lives, they are being misunderstood.

Thats an old right wing canard, not sure why its being passed along by Lerner, but actually no one is trying to shame anyone for being white. Only defensive white people suggest such nonsense when confronted with their cultural appropriation. Sure, the left cares about helping people understand privilege, and many in the left have privilege themselves of some kind. But conflating that with the outrage against Donald Trump is intellectually dishonest to a degree that is unfathomable.

Donald Trump said his opponent might be shot if she won. Donald Trumps aides said she SHOULD be shot by a firing squad, more than once. Donald Trump ran a campaign of Lock Her Up! and cheering on his white supporters as they beat up black protesters. Donald Trump offered to pay their legal fees. Donald Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women.

These are the things the left is shaming Trump voters over, and by the way, the media should be too. Instead they are normalizing it. I wrote about this the day after the election- how the media is blaming anger at the elites for their own smug sinking of Hillary Clinton. Now theyre busy making sure everyone knows that the real elites are those people who have a problem with vile hatred being normalized.

Michael Lerner tells us, The left needs to stop ignoring peoples inner pain and fear. Oh, right, because our fear of having a president who encourages violence against us is nothing. Whose pain and fear is being marginalized here? Not exactly the Trump voters, who are allowed to do and say anything and be forgiven, because pain. Maybe the problem is the progressives that Lerner hangs around with, because down here on the ground, I dont see a lot of privilege. I see desperate, scared people.

Trump voters arent exactly impoverished, unlike the some of the vulnerable people in the Democratic coalition. Polls showed they made $70,000 a year on average. So tell me again how that pain is so big that they had to overlook Trumps hatred and endorsement by the KKK and neo-Nazis. Tell me again how the pain of Jewish Americans is nothing compared to the pain of the average Trump voter who is so entitled, apparently, to ignore violent hatred because they are sick of allegedly being shamed. (Translation: they are sick of being asked to think of others and be a little more generous and empathetic.)

Trump buddy Piers Morgan also thinks liberals are elitists and Trump voters are the ordinary Americans. Elites like Muslim Americans, gay Americans, the disabled, women, people whose children will die if Obamacare is repealed  the elites.

The elites are the media. And they need to get off of their high horse, their elitist high horse, and explain to us ordinary Americans what exactly makes us wanting equal rights so snobby. Why being outraged by anyone supporting and indeed empowering Trumps actions and rhetoric is so snobby.

And what exactly is elitist about not wanting a president who incites violence against women, gay people and minorities. Help me out here. Just because the working class of the left is comprised of minorities and women doesnt make them any less real Americans.

Its a little difficult to listen to media elites wax on about people among whom they dont live. I live in Trumpland. Yes, there are real economic concerns for some, but most are well employed. Trump is more about a feeling for them. But for those whose jobs have left, Trump isnt the answer for them and their concerns are no more intense than the millions of impoverished Democrats (those elites we keep hearing about and whose plight is so rarely elevated by the media) whose very lives are on the line should Trump keep his promise to repeal Obamacare.

Heres a pro tip: Yes, if you voted for Donald Trump you are a racist and a misogynist and a bigot. How do I know?

Because if you werent, you could not have brought yourself to vote for him, no matter how much of a tax cut it would bring you or what magical jobs you convinced yourself he could conjure. And yes, I know plenty of safe liberals who make enough to care about their tax rates but who didnt even hesitate because they have other more important values, like noblesse oblige and patriotism.

You know what the media should be doing? They should have shunned Donald Trumps racism and hatred the moment he stepped on the political stage. They should have called it out. Its the truth and its dangerous.

Instead, theyve given us the Poor Noble Racist Heroes of Our Times. Such suffering. Other people want the same rights as they have. So, so horrible for them.
Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz's two-day sentencing hearing began Tuesday with the families of the 17 people he murdered getting their first chance to speak to him directly. "We hope that you, the monster who did this to our son, endure a painful existence in your remaining days. Whatever pain you experience in prison unfortunately will be a fraction of what Ben endured," said Eric Wikander, the father of student Ben Wikander, who has undergone seven surgeries. Read more'A monster': Families, wounded confront Parkland shooter
Workers direct cranes at the construction site of two new reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Jenkinsville. State regulators last week approved an $832 million increase in construction costs for the facility co-owned by South Carolina Electric & Gas and Santee Cooper.
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All of us have local and national issues that we worry about: gender-related and race-related issues, education and social welfare issues, pump prices and what to do about Confederate monuments. Thats usually how we vote  whats worrying us at the moment. But older adults, of all people, may be capable of standing back from whats in our face to take a longer perspective on politics. Read moreAging for Amateurs: Elections make us get clear on priorities
The possibility that legislators will further restrict abortions in South Carolina this year narrowed to near-impossible one week before Election Day, as a committee trying to work out a compromise considered bans with no chance of becoming law. Read moreSC legislators remain at impasse over abortion ban days before proposal expires
Colombias government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said on Saturday that they had agreed on a new peace deal to end their 52-year war.

The announcement came six weeks after the original one was narrowly rejected in a referendum for being too lenient on the guerrillas.

The government and FARC, which have been holding talks in Havana for four years, said they had incorporated the proposals of various sectors of society into the new accord.

We have reached a new final accord to end the armed conflict that integrates changes, precisions and proposals suggested by the most diverse sectors of society, both sides said in a statement.

We call upon all Colombians and the international community.to back this new accord and its quick implementation so as to leave the tragedy of war in the past.

Peace cannot wait anymore, the statement read.

However, former President Alvaro Uribe, who led opposition to the original deal, said he asked for the opportunity for his camp and the victims of the conflict to briefly study the new accord before its implementation.

I have asked the president that the texts they announce in Havana not be definitive, Mr. Uribe said in a statement posted on his Twitter account, adding that his camp might want to make some further tweaks.

President Juan Manuel Santos had staked his legacy on a deal with the countrys biggest rebel group to end the five-decade war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.

It is still unclear if Mr. Santos will put the accord up for a popular vote again.

(Reuters/NAN)
Visafone Communications Ltd tricked over 2,000 employees into disengagement to pave way for its takeover last January by telecom giant, MTN, PREMIUM TIMES investigation reveals.

On January 7, MTN Nigeria announced it had completed the acquisition of Visafone, then the only surviving Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network in Nigerias telecommunications industry.

The acquisition figure, believed to be a landmark deal, is wrapped in secrecy just as the circumstances under which the workers were kissed goodbye.

The News Agency of Nigeria had reported that over 2,000 employees of Visafone were disengaged with effect from January 5and paid three months salaries as severance package. However, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively reveal that the Visafone employees were conned into mass resignation.

In a desperate move to shed the workers and spare MTN any labour issues, the human resources department of Visafone resorted to impersonation by writing resignation letters in the names of each and every one of the employees without their knowledge.

Then, tricks, coercion, intimidation and cunnings were brought to bear to make the workers sign the letters they did not write. This ploy was the only resort ostensibly to protect Visafone from paying full entitlements to employees who built the company from scratch into a 2 million-telephone-line business.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that two days before MTN publicly announced its acquisition of Visafone, employees of the latter had turned up for work on January 5 only to be served two letters each by the Human Resources. One was a letter of resignation already crafted by the management on behalf of the receiver employee. The other was an acknowledgment letter from the management accepting the purported resignation.

Both letters, sighted by this newspaper, were backdated to December 30, 2015.

One of the affected staff, Olachi Onuorah, who served the company for five years and six months described the tactics employed by Visafone to get rid of its workers as a scam.

She told PREMIUM TIMES that all the employees were left bewildered upon receiving the two letters from the Head of Human Resources, Theodora Chukwuma.

Up until that fateful day the mass resignation letters were distributed, Visafone had repeatedly brushed aside every enquiries from employees who demanded to be told the true situation of the company after news of imminent takeover began to come from the industry grapevine. The management kept feeding us lies and denials, saying there was no truth in the rumour, she said.

Mrs. Onuorah, one of the former Visafone workers that petitioned the Ministry of Labour in the wake of the mass sack, insists that Visafones tactics was an act of impersonation and one that must be questioned by the law.

I have no problem getting disengaged if a company that employed me has been taken over by another; however the disengagement must be done in a manner that satisfies best practices, such that guarantee the payment of my full entitlements as required by International Labour Law, she added.

Visafones agitated former employees disclaimed the mass resignation letters which they said were calculated to rob them of their full benefits. They accused Visafone of resorting to contrivance as a means of laying off workers without paying full severance packages. With the workers tricked into mass resignation, all they got was three months salary and monetized leave.

Several copies of the controversial resignation letters sighted by PREMIUM TIMES showed that all the letters have the same words and punctuations and the same paragraphs and computer font indicating they were written by the same person.

They read: I hereby resign my employment with Visafone Communications Limited effective 30th day of December 2015. I wish to thank the company for giving me the opportunity to serve.

Similarly, all the acceptance letters from the management carried the same tone and date: 30th December 2015. The only uniqueness to the resignation letters are the individual names of the employees at the bottom.

Shedding more light to the controversial mass resignation, Mrs. Onuorah said that when the workers received the letters written in their names and were told to sign, there was a collective objection. They reminded the management that the resignation was never discussed at any time and that by the letter the employees were technically being asked to fire themselves.

The Human Resources Manager, Theodora Chukwuma, told everybody that the resignation letters were merely a formality and that it was the only way for former Visafone workers to start on a new slate with MTN since most of them were going to be reabsorbed any way.

Different ways were used to arm-twist the workers into signing a letter they did not write. Those that bought the re-employment story began to sign. The Management went personal with some of us that refused to sign. Theodora Chukwuma kept mounting pressure on me all day and kept using languages that bothered on intimidation.

I was told to take the three-month salary offer or risk spending a lifetime fighting a company that will soon cease to exist. Finally, sensing that I was standing alone, I signed. I must have been the last person to sign, Mrs. Onuorah said.

Labour lawyer, Oghenero Ukpe, told PREMIUM TIMES that Visafones action of authoring a letter of resignation for about 2,000 employees was tantamount to forgery and impersonation.

The question we must ask Visafone is: was it the company that wrote the letter of application for each of the workers to be employed? If no, on what authority did it act in writing the purported letter of resignation? The fact that the workers signed these letters under duress makes the said resignation null and void. It is of the same reasons that wills are contested and nullified when it becomes known that the owner did not write it of its own free will or was not in a proper state of mind, Mr. Ukpe said.

CHALLENGED ACQUISITION

Mass resignation is not the only controversy trailing the acquisition of Visafone by MTN Nigeria. Last February, rival telecoms operator, Etisalat, dragged MTN to court to prevent the latter from using the 800MHz spectrum it acquired from Visafone to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, arguing that doing so will further entrench MTNs dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

Visafone was one of the leading CDMA/ICT companies in Nigeria, offering a number of services, which include voice, high speed data (3G), internet and other Value Added Services (VAS).

PREMIUM TIMES called Visafones office in Abuja for comment on the forgery allegations. A male voice responded but refused to disclose his identity just as he pleaded he could not speak on the matter as he was no longer in the employ of the company. He only added that he used to work in the Corporate Affairs department of Visafone.

PREMIUM TIMES telephoned Jim Ovia, the former owner and founder of Visafone, on his mobile. On two occasions the calls were not taken. An SMS was sent but still was not responded to after five days.

In response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry, Funso Aina, PR and Protocol Manager in MTNs Corporate Services Division, sent an email reply:

Last January, following media interest in MTNs acquisition of Visafone and subsequent allegations of mass sack, the founder of Visafone, Mr. Jim Ovia, issued a categorical statement on the matter where he said, Contrary to media reports, MTN did not sack 2,000 staff or any staff for that matter. However, out of the total 350 professional staff that Visafone had prior to the acquisition, some voluntarily resigned and were adequately compensated.

MTN subscribes to the highest ethical standards in all transactions and our acquisition of Visafone was concluded after obtaining all necessary statutory and regulatory approvals.

Reacting to MTNs claim, Mr. Ukpe said while the firm may have necessary regulatory approvals, it may not have acted right on with its due diligence on labour issues.

Of course regulatory approval came from the National Communication Commission but that is not what we are talking about here, he said. The labour component is a big issue in any takeover anywhere in the world and a company like MTN should have known better. It is not a matter you tackle in a hatchet manner rather by negotiation.

The lawyer added that if MTNs due diligence could not detect the serious issue of forgery and impersonation, the telecoms company should know that when it acquired Visafone, it also acquired the liabilities.
The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, was one of the speakers at the ongoing Wealth Creation Platform organised by the Kingsway International Christian Centre in Lagos.

PREMIUM TIMES Jayne Augoye had an interview with Mrs. Adeosun on Saturday some minutes into the event where she outlined critical steps the Muhammadu Buhari administration is taking to move Nigeria out of economic recession.

PT: Nigeria is experiencing hard times due to the downturn in oil prices. What step is the Muhammadu Buhari administration taking to move Nigeria out of economic recession?

Adeosun: We are trying to reflate the economy and get it back on the period of growth. And the strategy we are adopting is to inject more money and funds into the economy particularly in the area of capital projects. This is because we believe that in doing this we will do two things in the short term. One is job creation, better roads and bridges, improvement in power supply and more importantly unlock the productivity of the Nigerian economy by creating infrastructure which we know at the moment is missing. The latter is really the reason why Nigerian businesses are not competitive against their foreign counterparts. We believe that if we invest in the right things we will be able to unlock the growth of our economy in the right direction and get us out of our current situation.

PT: In your speech, you mentioned that the government released N750 billion for capital projects. Why then is the impact of these monies still not being felt in the Nigerian economy?

Adeosun: There are a number of reasons why the impact is not as immediate as people would like it to be. One of the reasons is that the projects are all long-term projects and you have to go through a procurement process and this slows us down initially. The second factor is that many contractors have not been paid since 2012. So, when they were given the first tranche, they just sat on it because they didnt know the second one would come. After we did the second release, which is another N350 billion, we have begun to see a lot of activities. For instance there is so much work going on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and I am sure you have seen a lot of activities on the highways in the last three months than before. We are planning to do another release before the end of the year because we are very committed to getting this economy moving. We must also follow due process and that is why we have been advertising in the media so Nigerians can get involved in the process. These does slow things down but in the long run it is better for everyone as there is a lot of transparency in what we are doing.

PT: The roads nationwide are in a very deplorable state. What is your ministry doing to ensure that those awarded contracts actually carry out the repairs?

Adeosun: The infrastructure gap in Nigeria is $25 billion a year. We are trying to do two things, which are: getting government money into road constructions and rehabilitation, and secondly we have created a Road Trust Fund. We are going to inter-source private money particularly pension fund money and investment into roads so what you should see in 2017, is a massive focus on roads. So, there will be private monies invested into the roads that can be tolled. If it ordinarily takes you two hours to cover a journey that should take you 20 minutes it means you have already paid a toll in terms of the wear and tear of your car and fuel so why dont we just quickly do the roads and get people to pay much to use the roads. We are trying to change the philosophy because the gap is too wide and government on its own cant do it alone. We need to bring private money in and once we do that they need to get their money back. We have also gotten offers from foreign investors as well.

PT: How is the government planning to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Adeosun: The SMES account for about 50 per cent of our GDP and that means a majority of Nigerians are working for an employer who employs seven people or less. So, to get the economy to grow, we have to invest in this sector so we are doing a lot. But infrastructure is the biggest challenge we have so we are putting capital into the Development Bank of Nigeria which is a specialist bank set up to channel low cost funds to SMES. It was a project that started about two years ago before it was stalled. We have gotten it up and hope that bank will take up in the early 2017. That bank has 1.3 billion dollars of capital that will be pumped down into SMES through microfinance and commercial banks to the SMES at lower costs. Once the SMES start moving you will begin to see a lot of growth and activity.

PT: Talking about cutting costs in government, can you give us specifics?

Adeosun: We have the Efficiency Unit set up when we came in November and it is working on overheads costs. With regards travels and there are a number of no first class travels rules in place. So, ministers and permanent secretaries can only fly business class while others can only fly economy. A revised circular was released this week and it states that Director Generals of government corporations should only fly economy. There are other circulars that show how much can now be spent on food and drinks. We have outlawed the printing of souvenirs, face caps and t-shirts at government events. Yes we do know that the contractors will not be happy but we have to invest in our infrastructure, which is the most critical thing at the moment. We will continue to work on cutting the cost of government. On the salary front we have introduced tighter controls to ensure that everyone that is being paid is a valid worker of the federal government. As such, people that are dead or who have left the service must be removed from the payroll quickly so we can have an efficient payroll. All these are aimed at one thing, which is to ensure we have money infrastructure.

PT: Do you think you have fared well so far?

Adeosun: I am at a place where I can say that if we can stick to what we are doing at the moment, Nigeria can make it. With the oil price so low and we are still able to do so much you can you imagine what much development we will see if we continue on this path. When the oil prices were favourable we had nothing to show for it with the current oil prices, now people can see what we are doing. I am not saying its going to be easy but we are on the right path.

PT: What progress is being made ahead of our Eurobond sales?

Adeosun: The Eurobond is in the Bureau of Public Procurement and we are finalizing with the parties involved. So, it is really following due process to get the parties approved and as soon as we get the letters of no objection we will announce whom the parties are.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has said some of the striking workers it sacked recently were disengaged for stealing the universitys property.

The institutions spokesperson, Emi Alawode, said some others were found guilty of insubordination and wilful disobedience to lawful instructions.

Other reasons given by the universitys management for the sack of the workers were absconding from assigned duty posts, sabotage and other forms of gross misconduct, prejudicial to good governance and peace of the university.

Ms. Alawode said the management took the decision to dismiss the workers at its 90th Statutory Meeting on November 10, in line with the resolve of the Governing Council to fulfil its statutory roles of ensuring the stability of the University.

The sack of the workers came during a crisis that started after three members of the local branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging corruption against the management of the school.

The universitys management had reacted by suspending the three signatories to the petition, Lasun Somoye, Abdulsalaam Sobbir and Bombo Bankole.

Their suspension ignited a strike by the non-teaching staff of the university that has continued since August.

The affected workers have, however, disputed the reasons cited by the university for their sack.

It is a cooked up reaction to the allegations levelled against them, Messrs. Somoye, Sobbir and Bankole, said in a joint statement.

Imagine someone who was accused of stealing, now alleging that another person stole.

The allegations are cooked up, unreal and just part of the attempts to wickedly cover up the tracks of the Vice-Chancellor and Council over the allegations of fraud levelled against them.

The trio said they and the other sacked workers were not queried by the management before their dismissal.

Meanwhile, the university has also warned the other members of the non-teaching staff to return to work or face sanctions.

A memo signed by the schools registrar, Mathew Ayoola, said any of the workers who failed to report to work on Monday, November 14 would be sanctioned.

The Governing Council at its meeting of Thursday, November 10, 2016 considered the report of recent events and happenings on campus. Council noted in particular the lingering absence of some non-teaching members of staff from duty without due process, the memo stated.

Council expressed its displeasure at the development and directed that such absentee staff be advised in their own interest to resume work latest on Monday, November 14, 2016, failing which Management should take whatever measure it deems necessary within the Rules and Regulations of the University to handle the matter and restore normalcy and discipline on campus.

Consequent on the above, Management hereby directs all non-teaching staff to be at their duty posts immediately. Any non-teaching staff not available at his or her duty posts as from Monday, November 14, 2016 and not officially on leave will be sanctioned accordingly, the memo stated.

But in a prompt response, the national body of SSANU in a letter dated November 9 and signed by its National President, Samson Ugwoke, directed the union members to continue with the strike.

In view of the uncooperative attitude of the vice-chancellor and management of FUNAAB over the ongoing industrial action in your branch, as evident in the reported cases of mass suspension and termination of appointments, NAC at its meeting today, November 9, 2016 has directed that you continue with the strike warning till further notice, the letter stated.

Please ensure strict compliance with this directive until you receive further directive from NAC.
A university lecturer in Nigeria is facing a humiliating dilemma in his marriage.

Suraju Oyekunle, said to be a teacher at the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos, is fighting hard to save his 13-year old marriage to Kafayat who has not only been unfaithful to him, but is pregnant for another man, according to a news report published by P.M.Express newspaper.

The real complication, however, is that Mrs. Oyekunle has openly confessed to being in love with the intruder, whom she said she preferred to spend the rest of her life with, the report said.

Interestingly, the intruder, Fatai Alimi, is a bricklayer.

The paper reported that Mrs. Oyekunle, 36, packed out from her matrimonial home in October when her husband travelled out of town, and then moved in with Mr. Alimi, her new lover, who lives in the same Igando community where she and her husband lived in Lagos.

She said she prefers the bricklayers smaller apartment to her husbands house, and she took along with her a 12-year-old son she had for her husband.

Mr. Alimi, 34, was said to have been arrested by the police, and arraigned in court on Thursday for conduct likely to cause breach of peace, after the womans husband lodged a complaint against him.

He pleaded not guilty before a magistrate, who granted him bail in the sum of N25,000. He was remanded in prison custody pending his meeting the bail conditions.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Oyekunle has vowed to do all she could to secure freedom for Mr. Alimi.

While in court to bail Mr. Alimi, Mrs. Oyekunle reportedly said she left her marriage because she and her husband were unable to get another child during their 13 years in marriage, and that the husband was not taking good care of her.

She said she became pregnant for her new lover a few months after they met, and that with him, she was now living in peace.

Mrs. Oyekunle said that her bricklayer lover, despite his low social status, was better off than her husband of 13 years in everything.

She said her family remained in support of her relationship with Mr. Alimi, the bricklayer.

Mr. Alimi is scheduled to appear again in court on December 12.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has expressed governments disappointment at the spate of attacks on Forcados export pipeline by armed militant groups despite the ongoing dialogue with leaders of the region.

The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, the militant group that has claimed responsibility for most attacks on oil facilities in the region in recent times, said it carried out another attack on the Forcados Export Pipeline in Delta State on Tuesday night.

The attack was the third on the facility since Niger Delta leaders met with President Muhammadu Buhari on November 1 in Abuja to find lasting solutions to the crisis in the region.

The NDA had said it attacked the facility to further stress that we dont appreciate the repairs of blown pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

But, Mr. Kachikwu, who expressed grave concern and disappointment about the attacks, urged the perpetrators to give peace a chance, as consultations were ongoing to provide solutions to the crisis in the region.

Mr. Kachikwu said he was saddened that despite months of intensive personal and collective efforts to engage all stakeholders and despite the recent success in convening a meeting with His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to begin exploring the opportunities for deepening the dialogue, that these attacks have continued.

He condemned the attacks, pointing out that the path to providing lasting solutions for the Niger Delta challenges remained dialogue.

He appealed to all interested stakeholders in the Niger Delta to embrace peace and dialogue and shun acts that would create difficulties for the country, impoverish and worsen the ecological problems of the region.

Urging all militant groups to stop and give the ensuing dialogue a chance to birth peace in the region, Mr. Kachikwu appealed to leaders in and outside Niger Delta to join hands with the government to find a lasting solution to this problem.
The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company on Sunday apologised to its consumers in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Oniru areas of Lagos over power outage.

Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the company, spoke in a statement in Lagos.

According to him, the outage was due to the damage done to the 33KVA underground cable by the contractors handling the Lagos State Government beautification project along Kingsway Road, Ikoyi.

Mr. Idemudia listed the affected areas as Kings Way Road, Ikoyi, Glover, Banana Road, Park View Estate, Ilabere, Bourdillon Road, Gerald, Queens Drive, Cooper, Maroko Close, Oroke Drive, Okotiebor, Mullina, Club Road, State House, Cameron and Lugard.

He said that the damage also affected Maroko 33KVA Line feeding customers in Oniru area.

The areas are Oniru Resettlement Estate, Market Road, Integrity Estate Walter Cooperation Road, Morinho Drive, Ligali Ayorinde, Femi Sule, Covenant Estate, Shoperite, Aboyade Cole, and Balarabe Musa.

Others are Etim Iyang, Muri Okunola, and Ajose Adeogun Roads, the spokesman said.

He said that the affected areas had been put on a load shedding schedule as a result of the damaged cable pending its repair.

The general manager, however, assured residents of the affected areas that repair works would be completed by November 17.

He said that the company regretted the inconveniences caused by the prolonged outage.

(NAN)
Billionaire businessman and Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote, at the weekend urged the newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki to replicate the leadership template of former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, to transform Edo and make it a reference point for commerce and development.

Mr. Dangote, who spoke at the inaugural dinner held in Benin to usher in the new governor, said Mr. Tinubu laid a solid foundation for development of Lagos which his successors keyed into and even scaled up to bring about massive transformation and development.

He said just like Mr. Tinubu, former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has also placed Edo on sound footing for development urging the new governor to also follow the path of continuity for progress.

The businessman, who said he had lived in Lagos for about 37 years, said Lagos had indeed progressed following the leadership template of the former governor.

On his part, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, urged the new Edo Governor to properly plan his policies and programmes and carefully implement them with the view to building on the solid foundation laid by Mr. Oshiomhole.

He specifically admonished Mr. Obaseki to properly think, plan and implement his policies.

While emphasizing that there is a great wall of difference between electioneering and actual governance, as well as between being a member of a team and leading a team, Governor Ambode said it was important for Mr. Obaseki to prepare his mind for backlash from people who would want him to be in a hurry to take decisions, but that he must be ready to meticulously plan and implement policies that would be in the interest of the people.

Governor Ambode, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the Edo Governorship election, said Mr. Obaseki, being a financial savvy individual and an intellectual, would perform creditably well, adding that such was part of the reasons why he worked for his victory at the polls.

But I like to borrow you (Obaseki) the Lagos template. What is it that the people of Edo State will be expecting from you? You are likely to be silent for the very first few weeks and they will say you are not performing but you have to think it, plant it and then you act it. That is the Lagos template.

So, obviously you could be quiet for the first few weeks, but I want to implore all the people of Edo State to bear with him during the period of the thinking process. When you are an outsider and you come inside, the kind of financial numbers that you get or the kind of dynamics that you see, they are not like what you were doing when you were campaigning. So, obviously it allows you to draw back and then think through the process, plan it and then act it and gain your momentum.

The important thing is that you must stay focused and I assure you, you can never get it wrong, Governor Ambode counselled.

Besides, Mr. Ambode expressed optimism that Mr. Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, would make a good team and build on the solid footing laid by Mr. Oshiomhole, thereby transforming Edo to another Lagos, adding that he would be ever ready to support the new government.

While recalling the campaign that brought in the new government, Mr. Ambode said he was particularly happy that Edo is on the path of continuity of good governance, but urged Messrs. Obaseki and Shaibu to be prepared for the tough journey ahead.

According to the Governor, After the primary election, we started the campaign; we went into the election proper; we won and here tonight, we are having an inaugural ball for Governor Obaseki and so all our efforts were not in vain. To the glory of God, we have the continuity that we have always wanted for Edo State.

I remember during the campaigns, we promised that we would like to make Edo State to be like Lagos State and from what I see here tonight, I believe strongly that Edo is the heart beat of Nigeria. Yes, Lagos is the centre of excellence, but we can make Edo the heart beat of this great nation and the historical linkage between Lagos and Edo is what I cherish a lot, Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Mr. Obaseki appreciated all the people that worked for his victory at the poll, especially Mr. Ambode, and promised not to let them down.

He said Edo had always copied the template upon which Lagos is being administered, assuring that he would work assiduously to make the state great.
After one week of heated negotiations and intrigues, governments representing nearly more than 90 per cent of the worlds population who attended the seventh session of the World Health Organizations global tobacco treaty negotiations in New Delhi adopted policies that will protect public health over the narrow interests of the tobacco industry.

These include tools to hold Big Tobacco legally liable for the harms of its products, recover healthcare costs, facilitate access to justice for victims of tobacco-related diseases, and safeguard public health policymaking from the industry at the national level.

Governments unanimously adopted the suite of public health measures over the objections of the tobacco industry. Throughout the negotiations to the treaty, formally the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the industry tried to undermine the talks via government delegations, industry front groups, lobbying, and other means. Despite these tactics, governments adopted decisions, like advancements on legal liability, that could provide precedent for holding other industries accountable for the environmental and public health harms they cause.

The tobacco industry is the single largest barrier to tobacco control policies globallyand these negotiations were no exception, said John Stewart, deputy campaigns director at Corporate Accountability International. We applaud the delegates that stood up to the industry and rejected their rhetoric. It is thanks to them that governments have now adopted some of the strongest measures yet to protect millions of peoples lives.

At the negotiations which held from November 7 to 12, governments agreed to expand the expertise and case studies available to file legal and civil suits against Big Tobacco.

The decision, which advances Article 19 of the global tobacco treaty, opens the door for governments to sue the industry and recoup millions of dollars for the health care costs associated with tobacco use. It could also provide precedents for people to pursue legal liability for other industries that affect public health and the environment, like the fossil fuel industry.

To date, a handful of countries have utilized the principles contained in Article 19. For instance, Canadian smokers recently won a $15 billion payout from the industry, after an historic 17-year legal suit.

At these negotiations, governments said enough is enough when it comes to tobacco industry interference in their public health policies, said Philip Jakpor, Nigeria spokesperson of Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT). Together, they advanced policies that will push Big Tobacco out of the way, and let public officials do their jobs: saving peoples lives.

For years, the tobacco industry has intimidated countries with threats of legal suits for their common-sense public health laws, said Hellen Neima, tobacco control advocate from Uganda. At these negotiations, governments set the stage for the kinds of legal challenges that have the potential to bankrupt the tobacco industry in the years to come.

Governments also advanced policies to protect public health policymaking from the tobacco industry. The decision, which advances the backbone of the global tobacco treaty known as Article 5.3, will establish a centralized knowledge hub for research and expertise on Big Tobaccos attempts to water-down policies related to tobacco control. It directly addresses the industrys long history of interference in public health. For instance, last year, a British American Tobacco whistleblower revealed that the corporation had bribed an FCTC official to represent its interests at negotiations for the Illicit Trade Protocol.

Additional outcomes included

ensuring that the FCTC Secretariat joins the UN treaty on Business and Human Rights as an observer;

advancements to the Illicit Trade Protocol and protections against the industrys use of trade and investment partnerships to undermine public health laws.

Indentifying and advancing means to strengthen implementation of the treaty at the national level.
Igbo traders in Lagos under the aegis of Igbo Traders in All Progressives Congress, APC, have urged the Lagos State Government to increase its interaction with them for better understanding.

The traders made the demand in a communique issued at the end of their maiden meeting in Lagos at the weekend.

They said increased government engagement with them would ensure better understanding of their needs and the challenges they were faced with at the various markets in the state.

According to the communique presented by Erondu Chinedu, the co-ordinator of the meeting, the traders sought an end to what they called discrimination against the Igbos on levies and taxes at the various markets.

They also demanded for more inclusion of Igbos in the political affairs of the state to give them a sense of belonging.

Mr. Chinedu said the members of the association were law abiding and they would continue to relate harmoniously with the people of the state.

Earlier, Odus Ikejiobi, the President-General of the association. said the traders were in support of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the APC.

He said Igbo traders had contributed immensely to the state`s economy and were passionate about its development.

We are Igbo traders from all parts of Lagos. Some of us were born here, while others had their children here, so we are part of the state`s economy.

We believe Lagos is our home and we need to protect it. That is why we are pledging our unalloyed support to the administration in the state.

We also support our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he is a detribalised Nigerian who has made Lagos a home for us all.

We are in support of his politics because we know he means well for the state and the nation.

We believe in the APC and we will continue to support the party both at the state and national level to take the nation to greater heights, he said.

Mr. Ikejobi said the traders believed in the Change agenda of the Federal Government and urged other Igbo traders who were yet to join the train to support the current administration in its effort.

He urged the state government to reciprocate the traders` gesture by addressing the challenges faced by members in all the 52 affiliated markets in the state.

Ganiyu Ajose, a representative of the APC at the meeting, commended the traders for declaring their support for APC and the state government.

He said the Igbos were part of the builders of Lagos and promised that the state government would continue to provide the right atmosphere for their businesses to thrive.

Mr. Ajose said he was impressed by the large turnout of traders at the inaugural meeting, adding that this was an indication that the traders had actually aligned with the ruling party.

He urged the traders to move beyond the declaration for the party and start working for the progress of APC in the state.

The Igbos are part of Lagos, we recognise you. I urge you to be resolute in your support for our party, the state government and our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu.

We will do all our best to provide the atmosphere for you to succeed. We are partners in progress and we will work with you to achieve a greater Lagos, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders from markets across the

the state attended the meeting.

Some of the markets represented by traders at the meeting included markets in Iyanapaja, Ajah, Apapa and Festac.

(NAN)
A 35-year-old man has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for using naked photos of some ladies to blackmail them into paying him money.

Michael Atanda, who bears Segun Bayo on Facebook, had allegedly collected N120,000 from four ladies after threatening to expose their nude pictures on social media.

Atanda, a computer science National Diploma holder of a popular computer school based in Ikeja, was arrested on Thursday by the surveillance Team of the Squad after about five days of baiting and monitoring, the police said in a statement on Sunday.

The police said the suspect, who is in court for a similar offence, had requested for more money from the ladies.

A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Atanda went about adding several ladies on facebook, and after two weeks, he would start chatting with them, the police added.

The profile picture on my facebook account is that of a guy based in London, and so as part of my introductions to ladies, I tell them that, I am a Construction Engineer as well as that my parents and I are living in Europe the police quoted the suspect as saying.

After sometime, I would lure them into sexual conversations during which I persuaded them to send their nude pictures to me. They would send and I would send mine to them too.

Before that I would pretend that I was seeking a serious relationship with them, and that very soon, I would be coming to Abuja on a business trip, during which I would see them.

Mr. Atanda said, according to the police, he would feign seriousness in the relationship by calling the ladies with the aid of computer software that transforms his Nigerian line into an international line.

Meanwhile, I would warn them that I was calling through a public phone booth, he said.

As soon as they have sent their nude pictures, I would come up with all manners of stories. And begin to extort and blackmail them. Through this means, I have collected over N121,000 from my latest victims.

I was jailed last year in a similar circumstance after (I) fraudulently collected N700, 000 from a lady I met through a dating site. I was eventually bailed but the case is still pending in the court.

The suspect said he had collected N10,000 from one Funmilola, N6,000 from one Motunrayo, N5,000 from Joy, and N100,000 from Lizzy.

The police said apart from Lizzy, who reported the incident but declined to press charges, three other suspects, who were discovered during investigations, acknowledged on phone calls they had been paying the suspect so that he doesnt leak their nude photographs online.

The police said investigators had reached out to more victims after checking the suspects Facebook conversations with a number of ladies, but all of them refused to come forward, after confirming they were paying the suspect through his bank statement.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said that the police were carrying out a thorough investigation on the case to aid prosecution.

The police said the suspect has been transferred to SCID for further investigations.
The presidential committee for the north-east on Sunday distributed foods to residents in liberated communities in three local government areas (LGA) of Borno.

Hauwa Biu, a member of the committee, flagged off the exercise at a ceremony in Konduga, the headquarters of Konduga local government of the state.

Ms. Biu said the aim was to provide solace to the residents who had lost everything.

We are members of the Humanitarian Sub-Committee of the Presidential Committee on the North East, she said.

Our mandate is to go to the Boko Haram affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and those who have returned home.

We are here to distribute food items to IDPs who have returned home after the liberation of their communities in Konduga LGA of Borno.

The people are in dire need of food and other items to support them in difficult phase of their lives.

We are distributing rice, maize, guinea corn, noodles, soaps and other items to them, she said.

She said the distribution was also taking place in Damboa and Mafa local governments simultaneously.

What we are doing here is being replicated in Damboa and Mafa LGAs to assist the returning residents in settling down after a long stay in IDP camps in Maiduguri.

The people are just trying to settle down now, some of them do not even have shelters to live in, they really need help to pick up their lives again, the professor said.

She said 1,800 households would benefit from the distribution in each of the three local governments.

She named the items to include 600 bags of 50 KG rice, 100 bags of maize, 100 bags of millet, and 100 bags of guinea corn.

Others are 150 cartons of noodles, 100 cartons of salt, 100 pieces of brocade, and 100 buckets.

(NAN)
Disturbed by series of attacks by suspected herdsmen in their villages, the people of Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Sunday organized a special church service to pray for divine intervention.

The state within three months recorded eight clashes between farmers and herdsmen during which scores were killed.

Speaking at the service held at the Lutheran Church of Christ in Demsa, the headquarters of the local government, Stephen Babbada said the attacks on farmers were alarming, hence the need for prayers for a lasting solution.

Mr. Babbada, a pastor, called for peaceful coexistence and the need to embrace dialogue.

Also speaking, Robinson Parsom lamented that the communities had been troubled since the first attack early this year in Kodomon.

The farmers and herdsmen must live in peace with one another, this barbaric act must be stopped. For the past 20 years I have never witnessed such wanton destruction of lives and properties, Mr. Parsom, an evangelist, said.

In his remarks, a reverend, Vinkho Myambabagi, charged the Christian faithful at the prayer session to learn to cope with the economic recession the country is passing through.

He also advised Christians to shun hatred and continue to show love as they hold on to God and face their agricultural activities.
Rice farmers in Plateau are optimistic of a bumper harvest this year with their chairman, Joshua Bitrus, boasting that members would garner  at least one million tonnes.

This years harvest is plentiful; from what we have seen on ground, we expect nothing less than one million tonnes of rice in Plateau, Mr. Bitrus, Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RiFAN), Plateau chapter, said in Jos on Sunday.

He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

The RiFAN chairman attributed the feat to personal efforts of the farmers and the support from the state government.

He commended the federal governments efforts towards boosting rice production, and declared that rice production would tripple in Plateau, when the Anchor Borrowers Scheme takes off.

I must commend government for the Anchor Borrowers Scheme, initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which will be test-run in Plateau during the dry season farming.

We have identified 1,065 hectares of land across the state; the areas are close to water because water is crucial to rice farming.

The planting will commence in the first week of December, while harvest starts by March next year.

According to him, the success of the pilot scheme will boost farmers morale and shore up interest in the scheme.

Mr. Bitrus also commended the ban on the importation of rice, noting that it had encouraged local farmers.

He opined that with the quantity of rice being harvested in many parts of the country, the pains rice consumers went through when the price rose up, would reduce as the prices would drop considerably.

The chairman disclosed that a 50kg bag of rice sold at N23,000 in the southern part of Plateau last month, currently sells at between N12,000 and N15,000.

He expressed hope that the price would remain at that level so that farmers could get something reasonable for their efforts and be encouraged to cultivate more in coming years.

Mr. Bitrus, however, expressed the fear that middlemen might invade Plateau and mop up the rice at very cheap rates.

We have reported our fears to the state Ministry of Agriculture who briefed the governor and encouraged him to approve some measures.

It is a bit late but not too late because we have barns and silos in local governments. The state government can buy, store and re-sell the rice to citizens in times of food shortage or scarcity, he added.

He noted that rice could be kept for more than five years if properly stored, and advised farmers against hurried sales that could only perpetuate the circle of hardship and poverty that had been their lot over the years.

(NAN)
The Katsina State Government on Saturday inaugurated a 15-member committee on dialogue and amnesty to parley with cattle rustlers operating in the forests across the state.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee in Katsina, Governor Aminu Masari mandated the committee to meet with various gangs of cattle rustlers operating in the state with a view to identifying their grievances, and advice the government, accordingly.

He also asked members of the committee to consult widely with stakeholders and engage religious and traditional leaders in order to convince the rustlers to repent and accept governments amnesty.

Mr. Masari expressed hope that after a ceasefire, the rustlers would submit their weapons and be willing to embrace rehabilitation programme for reintegration into the society.

The government decides to employ dialogue after it had used force by about 80 per cent and yielded no much positive results.

The ongoing negotiations are aimed at eradicating the menace completely in all the 10 local government areas affected by the problem, he said.

The governor, therefore, appealed to the cattle rustlers in the state to embrace the governments amnesty programme.

According to him, the state government will provide social amenities to the repentant rustlers to improve their living conditions.

The committee has Secretary to the State Government, Mustafa Inuwa, as chairman while representatives of civil society organisations, farmers and pastoralists associations, Katsina and Daura Emirates will serve as members.

Members of the committee also include the State Police Commissioner, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army, the Director, Department of State Security and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

Others are the Commissioners of Justice, Information, Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Mustafa Inuwa, assured that the committee would tap from the experience and resourcefulness of its members to deliver on its mandate.

(NAN)
Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday announced that the Kaduna State Government will donate N100 million to support the rebuilding of churches and mosques damaged during violent conflict in southern Kaduna.

The governor made the pledge in Samaru-Kataf where 29 communities from southern Kaduna unveiled a billboard to say sorry to each other for the violence they have contributed to or suffered.

Mr. El-Rufai praised the efforts of the communities to work for peace, under the auspices of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) that has also assisted peace building in Plateau State.

It is clear that we must all go an extra mile to constructively engage with citizens and promote peaceful coexistence among our people, the governor noted.

He pointed out the futility of violence.

If violence was a solution to real or perceived grievances, the sheer number of lives lost, property destroyed and whole communities uprooted from their homes would have solved the problem long ago.

Yet, despite decades of distrust that regularly explodes into violence, the problems remain. It has been said again and again that every war ends on the conference table. If that is the case, why must we kill ourselves before we realize the futility of violence?

Welcoming the public apology and commitment to peace expressed by the communities, the governor said only the strong can say sorry.

He described the representatives of the communities involved in the Kafanchan Peace Declaration process as leaders in their own right, and urged that their work to consign violence to the past deserves every support.

The writing on the billboard acknowledges that those who have invited us here cannot deliver reconciliation on their own. They have reminded us of a time when Kaduna was a peaceful place in which ethnic and religious communities co-existed peacefully. It is a Kaduna they want to go back to. It is not an aspiration towards an imagined Kaduna; it is a Kaduna that existed in many of our lifetimes.

They are giving us an example of what we need to do; they say they are sorry for the suffering that each of their communities has contributed to and has suffered. They invite us as the communities of Southern Kaduna to own the reconciliation. They tell us to take a step towards ensuring that violence does not occur between us in future.

The governor announced that a bill to create a Peace Commission for the state has been drafted. The Commission will enable inclusion of all citizens on plans for peaceful co-existence of all the peoples that live in Kaduna State. The Commission will work to pre-empt violence and institute a coordinated and quick response mechanism. It will develop appropriate mechanisms to stem violence and resolve conflicts peacefully. It will work with the youth as it is imperative that their peace building potential be explored and that they are integrated into a strategic peace constituency. The Commission will further develop education programmes that integrate peace education and reconciliation into curriculums.

The Commission will have a difficult task but more divided societies than ours have learnt how to peacefully co-exist. So much depends on our understanding that we, across ethnic and religious groups, share a common humanity, that the existence of the other, that is those who speak a different tongue or who worship God in a different way is a blessing to us, and that difference itself is not a reason for division just as sameness is not a guarantee of bliss.

The governor appealed to all communities in Kaduna State to uphold harmony.

This state belongs to everyone that has chosen to make it home. Let us respect each other, abide by the law, do our duty to uphold harmony and firmly reject division and violence!
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Saturday urged all leaders to assume their responsibility to uphold peace and harmony in the state.

The Governor was speaking in Samaru-Kataf where he presented the staff of office to the new Agwatyap, Dominic Gambo Yahaya.

While congratulating the Agwatyap, Mr. El-Rufai implored him to sustain the bridge-building legacy of the late Agwatyap, Harrison Bungon. The governor asked for a united response to those promoting violence and division.

Our state needs everyone in formal and informal positions of leadership to speak up for and to uphold a common humanity, Mr. El-Rufai said, noting that too many merchants of hate and division menace our land. They seek to have their bread buttered by the suffering and destruction that violence brings. They promote a persistent victim mentality, pushing a narrative that relegates and diminishes people and inclines them to base conduct.

They package ordinary people into the mistaken and dangerous belief that the dice is always loaded against them because of religion and region, thereby fuelling a baseless sense of rage and hate. When and wherever violence wreaks havoc to live and limb, they see opportunity to feather their nests, rather than embrace their responsibility to work to ensure everyones right to life, movement and residence is respected.

Mr. El-Rufai reaffirmed the commitment of the government to security and peace building not only in Southern Kaduna, but in every part of the state. He disclosed that the government is exploring various avenues to secure peace, from supporting the security forces to promoting community engagements.

While observing that security efforts and intelligence gathering must improve, the governor said that peace is sustained ultimately by peoples willingness to live in harmony.

We must all soberly acknowledge that the ultimate guarantee of peace is the willingness of people to live together in harmony and mutual respect, he explained.

The Governor warned against a resort to self-help and the pursuit of vendettas and reprisals, saying that such conduct can only produce destruction.

Whatever the grievances may be, the appropriate conduct is to report to the law enforcement agencies. We have been disappointed to hear people who should know better issuing irresponsible calls for self-help. This must stop! We intend to vigorously prosecute them to encourage compliance with our appeal.
The police in Enugu on Sunday said they killed a man on their list of suspected notorious armed robbers in a gun duel.

Ebere Amaraizu, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu that the man was identified as Uchenna Ngene, a.k.a. Youngboy.

He was killed in a gun duel with operatives in the outskirts of Enugu metropolis.

According to Amaraizu, items recovered from the man included an English-made cut to size double barrel riffle with some expended and live cartridges.

The suspect met his Waterloo at about 6.30 a.m. today, Sunday, he said.

He said that the suspect was tracked-down in a manhunt by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), to his hideout at Akwuke in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.

The notorious armed robbery kingpin identified as Youngboy by gang members played a role in the attack on police operatives sometime in 2016 at New Haven and Igbariam axis of the state.

It resulted in the shooting and killing of an ASP and an Inspector of police.

However, their last episode in the state is at Obiagu axis where most of his gang members met the end of their road while he managed an escape.

The daredevil armed robber alongside his gang-members has been a thorn in the flesh of members of the public before they met their waterloo in the hands of the police around Bisalla road.

The suspect was tracked down to his hideout in an uncompleted building where he is taking refuge. On sighting police operatives, he engaged them in a gun duel, he said.

He was fatally injured in the exchange of fire and later confirmed dead by a doctor on duty at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, where he was rushed for medical attention, he said.

He said the corpse was deposited at the hospitals morgue.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Administration, Imaikop Okpongkpong, said the operatives partnered with other relevant stakeholders to achieve the feat.

Mr. Okpongkpong assured the people that the command in partnership with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders would ensure a smooth and hitch free yuletide.

The police had intensified massive onslaught against criminals in recent weeks and had been yielding desired results.

(NAN)
The Lagos State Government on Sunday advised investors in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ, to step up their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to their host communities, to secure their investments.

Popson Jaiyesimi, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd, gave the advice at a three-day workshop on Communication and Team Skills in Effective Interfacing on Community Service and Relations for stakeholders in Lagos.

Mr. Jaiyesimi said that CSR was critical and could not be neglected by investors willing to secure their investments.

According to him, the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration is passionate about the investment in the corridor of the zone, as it is the future hub of commerce and industry in Africa.

We have a strategic plan to move Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd forward, which was why we decided that there should be a workshop on information sharing between the investors and the communities. We are just the moderators.

The governor is quite keen on this project because the Lekki Free Trade Zone is the future of Nigeria businesses and it is a product of research.

The fundamental thing is to make sure that there is security and this can be achieved when the communities are working in tandem with the investors, he said.

Mr. Jaiyesimi stated that government had understudied the Niger Delta crisis and what led to the agitation, saying that government would find a way to address the needs of the people in Lekki, to ensure that the projects in the area were not truncated.

He said that the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in the area of CSR was required to ensure that the goal of the Lagos megacity was achieved, thereby guaranteeing prosperity for investors and the communities.

He added that community development projects through CSR must meet the peoples needs for lasting appreciation and goodwill.

The government had done a need assessment of the communities and found out that what was paramount among their needs was employment for their children by the investors, but lamented that in some cases their children were not qualified for the jobs.

Conscious efforts should be made by the investors to educate and train children from the host communities on the skills and competencies they needed to be gainfully employed in their establishments,  he said.

Also speaking, Gokil Rajan, Operational Head, Lekki Free Trade Zone, said that part of its CSR to the communities was in the area of ensuring health, hygiene and sanitation.

He said that the organisation had reduced open defecation in schools through the construction of toilets.

In his remarks, the Group General Manager, Corporate Relations, Dangote Oil Refining Company Ltd, Yinka Akande, said the importance of the community keying into investors projects in Lekki could not be over-emphasised.

Mr. Akande said that any investor willing to make an impact must relate with the host communities in order to secure the project.

He said failure to cooperate with the host communities could impede the project, with the investors losing a large chunk of their investments.

A community leader in the area, Ayodele Olayinka, said the over 200 communities in the Lekki corridor fully supported governments efforts to develop the LFTZ, as it would impact positively on the lives of people in the area.

Mr. Olayinka appealed to the state government to give them the land which had been earmarked for them, after they were made to relinquish their original land.

(NAN)
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, has been summoned by the Federal High Court, Ekiti Division, to explain why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying its order to swear in a lawmaker-elect, Toyin Obayemi.

The court had declared Mr. Obayemi, who came second at the Peoples Democratic Party House of Assembly primary last year, the winner of the Ado-Ekiti Constituency 1 seat, after the actual ticket holder was found to have filed forged academic certificates.

One Odunayo Talabi, had emerged winner of the election, but was curiously substituted by the current occupant of the seat, Musa Arogundade, shortly after the primary.

But the court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on July 4, sacked

Mr. Arogundade and ordered that Mr. Obayemi be sworn in immediately, having been found to be the valid candidate for the April 11, 2015 State Assembly election.

The court held that Mr. Obayemi who came second in the PDP primary held in the constituency was the flag bearer after Mr. Talabi who came first was discovered to have presented fake academic certificates.

The court nullified Mr. Talabis substitution with Mr. Arogundade on grounds that evidence before it showed that he (Arogundade) fraudulently obtained an Abuja Federal High Court order to validate his candidature for the Assembly poll.

It also ordered Mr. Arogundade to refund all salaries and allowances he had collected since the Fifth Assembly was inaugurated on June 5, 2015.

In spite of the court judgment, the speaker refused to swear in Mr. Obayemi, citing a stay of execution filed by Mr. Arogundade.

But the stay of execution filed by both Messrs. Arogundade and Talabi was dismissed by the same court on October 31, 2016.

The contempt charge contained in Form 48 issued by the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti and made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, was signed by the courts Senior Registrar, Olayinka Sokoya.

The Form 48, marked FHC/AD/CS/17/2015 was entitled: Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Order of Court.

Take notice that unless you comply with the judgment of this Honourable Court delivered on this case on the 4th day of July, 2016 by Honourable Justice Taiwo Taiwo, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison, it stated.

Mr. Obayemi had presented himself for inauguration on August 2 after serving a copy of the judgment and Certificate of Return on the Assembly.

He was blocked from entering the chambers and was reportedly bundled out of the complex by security officers on the order of the Speaker.
President Andrzej Duda and his wife will begin a three-day visit in Switzerland Sunday. In Switzerland Duda will among others speak with Swiss state head Johann Schneider-Amman and visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

The president will also visit a Polish museum in Rapperswil.

On Monday President Schneider-Amman will officially welcome Duda in his residence in Kehrsatz. The welcoming ceremony will be followed by Swiss-Polish talks and a press conference by both presidents.

Duda's aide Krzysztof Szczerski said the talks will centre on EU and global affairs, also discussed will be Poland's strivings for non-standing membership on the UN Security Council in 2018-2019. Szczerski added that the Polish side also planned to promote Poland as a partner in innovative economy.

On Tuesday Duda will attend a meeting devoted to startup businesses in Lausanne, after which he will visit the CERN headquarters in Geneva.

On Sunday afternoon the presidential pair will visit the Polish Museum in Rapperswil, on Monday in the Polish Embassy in Bern Duda will deliver an Independence Day address to members of the local Polish community.

On Tuesday in Vevey the presidential pair will lay flowers under a memorial plaque to Polish Nobel-winning writer Henryk Sienkiewicz, who died and was buried in the city. The year 2016 has been proclaimed Henryk Sienkiewicz Year in Poland. (PAP
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Galaxy of Star-speakers like Tarek Fatah, Dr. David Frawley, Sushant Sarin, Tufail Ahmad, IAS Sanjay Dixit, Lt Gen Ata Hasnain, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Yusuf Unjhawala and Ruchi Sood to share their mindsJaipur. To create a right platform for the emerging narratives in the context of the new India of the 21st century, Jaipur Dialogue Form, a wing of intellectual in the city, is going to organise a two-day conclave  The Jaipur Dialogue at Anuvibha Kendra, Jaipur on 19-20 November. The conclave will host leading writers and thinkers like Dr. David Frawley, Pakistani writer Tarek Fateh, IAS Sanjay Dixit, Sushant Sarin, Tufail Ahmad, Lt Gen Ata Hasnain, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Yusuf Unjhawala and Ruchi Sood.Sunil Kothari, president of Jaipur Dialogue Forum said that the conclave is an attempt to channelize focus and energy into subjects which either do not find space in the mainstream media or find a mention only in passing.The objective is to foster pride in India - that is Bharat - in every Indian citizen of every description. It is only a confident country, proud of its past and present that can become a major power in the world. The Jaipur Dialogues attempts to inculcate this confidence and pride among Indians, without erring on the side of jingoism, he said.The conclave is an event of Jaipur Dialogues Forum, which is the organisation promoting the brand The Jaipur Dialogues. The conclave is its annual event, as also its debut one. Besides this, there will be many smaller events, including digital events, lecture events, and several public events.This years conclave seeks to focus on Indias actual and desired strategic compass in the 21st century, contextualizing it in the soft and hard power options available to the country in a comprehensive and systematic manner.The conclave is an event of Jaipur Dialogues Forum, which is the organisation promoting the brand The Jaipur Dialogues. The conclave is its annual event, as also its debut one. Besides this, there will be many smaller events, including digital events, lecture events, and several public events.Pankaj Joshi, secretary of Jaipur Dialogue Forum said that the conclave will discuss and harness the soft power aspect of the Indian heritage to impact the world in a positive way, unleashing the profound wisdom, art and culture it has developed over thousands of years.According to Prakash Tekwani, COO Jaipur Dialogue Forum, the first edition of this annual conclave will have only three sessions spread across two days.In the first session, speakers like Dr. David Frawley, Tarek Fatah, Tufail Ahmad and Sanjay Dixit will speak and discuss the aspects of Indias soft power that need to be harnessed, and also the challenges that need to be addressed.In second session, Lt Gen Ata Hasnain, Sushant Sareen, Dr Arvind Virmani, Yusuf Unjhawala and Ruchi Sood will discuss the and share the military strategy and geopolitical environment affecting the country.The last session will be an open forum for public which will be addressed by Pakistani writer Tarek Fatah who is known for his diatribes against Pakistan.Dr Ajay Data, chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Rajasthan, an associate of this conclave said that the conclave will ignite intellectual minds of Jaipur.Its a rare occasion when a host of intellectuals are bringing their brains together on a common platform. It will be an experience to listen to their minds, he said.
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In keeping with its aspirations of igniting, inspiring, and illuminating the young and brilliant minds of the country, Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur flagged off the second edition of its annual management fest, Solaris16, on the 12th of November, from its new campus at Balicha, Udaipur. The event started off with an inaugural talk by the Director of the Institute, Prof.Janat Shah, who spoke about the challenges that the young, yet rising institute has had to face over the last five years, and how, despite these hurdles, it has managed to create an impact in the elite B-School scene, with its emphasis on the three pillars of academics, research, and entrepreneurship.The event, which comprises of four summits spread over various domains of management, started off on Saturday with its flagship event, the Leadership Summit. With a view to widen the minds of the audience beyond just the business world, the theme of the event was- Rise- Traverse, Transform, and Transcend. The summit aimed to bring together leaders from different backgrounds ranging from pharmaceuticals and insurance to entrepreneurship and social inclusion. To give their insights and share their experiences on how they managed to rise above and beyond the challenges they faced to come out successful.The first talk was given by Mr. Ashok Banerjee, former Senior Executive Director of GlaxoSmithKline. Mr. Banerjee spoke on his experience in the pharmaceutical industry and how he overcame challenges on both technical and interpersonal level to increase growth rate of the company.This was followed by a discussion on brand differentiation by Mr. Sanjay Tripathy, Head- Analytics and marketing at HDFC Life. Mr. Tripathy enlightened the students on the nuances of the evolution of marketing of life insurance adopted by HDFC over the years keeping in mind the needs and wants of the customers. The next speaker in line for the event was Mr. SatyabrataDey. Mr. Dey has been the owner of Sreeleathers Ltd, a leading East Indian shoemaking company, for the last 30 years. Mr. Dey spoke about how the concepts of management neednt be required to manage a business, and explained how he created a 300 crore company from scratch. One of the insightful things that he talked about was that business in general comprises of just 3 things- Affordability, Quality, and Availabilty.Mr.JithinNedumala, the next speaker addressing the audience is the co-founder of Make a Difference, a non-profit organisation that aims to educate young underprivileged kids. Mr. Nedumalas talk revolved around how we as a society need to take up responsibility for the education of those who lack even the most basic of the sources. He further talked about how NGOs can be supported through crowdfunding.The event culminated with a speech by Mr. Ashish Gupta, who spoke about how FED leaders over the years have given insights about the market and taken decisions that affect economy at large. The session ended with an intriguing Q&A session by both the audience and the guests.The afternoon of the first day of Solaris commenced with the Economics Summit  Antardrishti. The first leg of the summit included speeches and a panel discussion on Shifting of the economic center of the world to east and the role of India in this shift. The business conclave, organized by ConsultU, the consulting club and PiE, the economic club of IIM Udaipur, opened with an address from Mr. G Mahalingam, RBIs Executive Director. Mr. Mahalingam enlightened the audiences on the theme iterating that even though the popular opinion is that the shift to east is a possibility, there are still a large number of steps to be taken to improve the overall situation in east before it happens. The next distinguished speaker in the line was Mr. Sriram Krishnan, Director, Head of Investor Services, Deutsche Bank, who talked about how corporate sector, and government initiatives such as Make In India can aid this shift resulting in the rise of the Asian economies. He said that it is projected that by 2050, India will be among the top 10 economies of the world. The final speaker on this theme, Mr. Frederico Gil Sander, gave a different perspective to the idea, emphasizing how the east can actually become the economic center of the world, but to achieve that goal, the hurdle of standard of living needs to be overcome. He talked about how improving the standard of life and betterment of facilities like education and healthcare can accelerate the economic growth of the Asian countries. The three addresses were followed by an insightful panel discussion by the three speakers on the given theme. The panel started off with a discussion on the startup surge in the country and if it will lead to the formation of companies like Google with the schemes that have been put forward by the government. The panel reached a consensus on the fact that the schemes would definitely help in leading companies towards the desired direction but would require them to innovate new processes and not just copy global players.The second half of the summit with the theme Emerging trends in payment systems began with the address of Mr. Kumar Karpe, CEO, TechProcess Payment Services who spoke on the significance of emerging markets like India in furthering advancements in the field of payment services. Mr. NipunKapur, Head, Strategy and Planning, Hero FinCorp Limited was the next speaker. He talked about how technology is making payments simpler and the merchant acceptance network with its low investment solutions and proprietary payment systems is making the economy more attractive. His address was followed by Mr. Rajesh Prasad, Vice-President and Head, RuPay Acceptance. Mr. Prasad talked about the importance of availability of both digital and physical touch points for payments and empowering consumers such that one person should be in a position to pay another person without any barriers. The last speaker of the day was Mr. Abhishant Pant, Founder, Cashless Journey, who enlightened the participants with a different line of thought on how the wallets are not going to be affected by the rise of online payments as they are the traditional way of payment, an incentive of human greed. He added that the online payments need to be more adaptive to the needs of the Indian consumer and remove the language barrier that many of them face. The second panel discussion culminated the event with all the four speakers, provided the audience with a great opportunity to listen to some of the greatest minds of the industry brainstorm and present their views on the theme topic.
New Jersey Senate Democrats are one step closer to pushing through the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee earlier this month approved the bill, which would allow people with less than six months to live to choose to end their lives by medication. If passed, New Jersey would join six other states that have aid-in-dying laws.

While there are many choices available right now that may be right for certain people, there is one more choice, not currently available, that deserves an honest discussion, said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, a primary sponsor of the bill.

The state Assembly passed the bill Oct. 20 in a 41-28 vote. However, the measure has gotten this far before, only to fail in the full Senate. Gov. Chris Christie said previously he has concerns about the measure and would likely veto it.

Several other groups in New Jersey have rejected such a bill.

The legislation is deeply flawed and will place the lives of our most vulnerable populations at risk of misdiagnosis, coercion and abuse, Marie Tasy, executive director for New Jersey Right to Life, said in a statement when the bill was reintroduced this legislative session.

Supporters of an aid-in-dying measure for New Jersey have fought to make it law for years. The newest version of the bill would require patients dying from terminal diseases to verbally request a prescription from a physician twice, and one written request must be witnessed by two people.

A consulting physician would then confirm the patient is capable of making such a decision.

Death is inevitable, but for these patients, it is precise, said Assemblyman Tim Eustace, D-Bergen, Passaic. Rather than waiting for the inevitable in pain and misery, this bill gives terminally ill patients the choice to meet their end on their own terms.

Patients must be adult residents of New Jersey, suffering from a terminal disease and voluntarily expressing a wish to die to qualify. Only the patient would be able to administer the end-of-life drug.

Theft of medication prescribed to a patient under the aid-in-dying law would be considered theft of a controlled dangerous substance, a third-degree crime punishable by a prison sentence of three to five years, according to the bill.

Colorado became the most recent state to approve an aid-in-dying measure, which was endorsed by voters on Election Day. It joined California, Montana, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
CAPE MAY  Spread over several small stages throughout the city, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival again brought music lovers up close with musicians this weekend.

Its nice to see that personal setting, said Erin Moore, 21, of Ventnor.

Moore and Ian Borgo, 22, of Cape May Court House, waited along the rail inside Carneys Main Room on Sunday afternoon just after Jessy Carolina and the Hot Mess finished their set.

She and Borgo came for the headliner  nine-time Grammy award winner Wynton Marsalis on Saturday night  but stayed all weekend to hear some of the local artists play, too.

While Marsalis played the festivals largest venue, the Schmidtchen Theater at Lower Cape May Regional High School, other acts such as the Jost Project, Jon Regen, Philadelphia Funk Authority and Jamison Ross were featured over several days at stages inside Carneys, Cabanas and Aleatheas.

I think for this festival, thats really part of the charm. And thats really Cape May, too, festival producer Michael Kline said. The musicians really draw off of the energy in those smaller venues and then they feed it right back to the crowd.

He said it creates a synergy.

You cant fake that, he said.

The show was brought to Cape May by Kline, 56, of West Cape May, five years ago. A former agent for jazz musicians in New Orleans, Kline moved to the historic beach town after Hurricane Katrina.

According to John Cooke, media liaison for the festival, the smaller venues bring a flavor of New Orleans into Cape May.

It adds to the already intimate, small-town feel that Cape May already has, Cooke said.

This jazz festival is a revival of a former one, which ended in 2010 after 16 years.

The Cape May Jazz festival really was important to this community and it really touched a lot of people. It was important to the people and the economy here. I think that this music really has a place in peoples hearts, and its something weve got to protect and cherish, Kline said.

Cooke said the festival brings a lively crowd to the city during a slower time of year.

I think there were more people on Carneys in Friday night in November than there ever would have been on any Friday night in July and August, he said. To see local establishments that full on a weekend in November is astounding.

John Bland, an octogenarian from New York City, was waiting outside Carneys on Sunday for the High and Might Brass Band.

Ive been coming down here since 2000, he said. I like all music, but I like jazz because they improvise.

This was the second Jazz Festival for Ruth and Dave Ballinger, of Dennisville, who said they were excited to hear Frank Bey Blues Revenue and Davina and the Vagabonds.

Its good for the economy. It gives people a chance to get out and experience good music, Dave Ballinger said.

John Dixon traveled from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend the festival with Barbara Stange, of Titusville.

We love the music and this is a lovely festival, Stange said. Ive been coming 10 years. This is his second time.

Kline said the weekend broke attendance records.

Just musically, it was a really powerful, transcendent festival, he said.

The next Exit Zero Jazz Festival is scheduled for April 21-23, 2017, and will include the Robert Glasper Experiment.
OCEAN CITY  On New Years Eve, Mark Soifer will spend his last hours as Ocean Citys publicist doing what he usually does: organizing, directing and probably cracking jokes.

In another 10 years, they wont remember me, he said, laughing.

But it would be hard to forget the man who for decades found success boosting the city with wildly original promotions that reflected his personality and humor.

Hermit crab beauty pageants. A quiet festival that includes a yawn-along to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer.

Marks legacy is his uniqueness and his kind touch to so many people. Hes touched thousands of people, and hes brought such great ideas to Ocean City, said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

Soifer, 84, who retires at the end of the year, came to Ocean City in the 1960s to help the late Jim Penland, who was organizing a Boardwalk Art Show. In 1971, Soifer began working full time for the city. That was the same year now-retired City Clerk Linda MacIntyre started.

Early on, Soifer decided to go all-in on hermit crabs, starting with the Miss Crustacean hermit crab beauty pageant.

We thought, Is this really going to bring people in? But it did. And it made the city what it is because of all of his innovative ideas, MacIntyre said. Who would have thought that a hermit crab would have brought so many people in?

Soifer said not everyone was a fan of the crustacean.

One time, right after I started Martin Mollusk, I was walking up the steps (at City Hall) and some guy yelled, How can you have a hermit crab represent Ocean City? Soifer said.

He wasnt deterred.

Soon, Martin Z. Mollusk became synonymous with the city.

In an Ocean City sweatshirt and a hat from NASCRAB  the official sponsor of Ocean Citys annual hermit crab races  Soifer set up for the kickoff to this years Quiet Festival last week.

The event, another of Soifers wacky ideas, was held in a park named for Soifer directly across from City Hall. The site previously housed the City Hall Annex building, where Soifer worked for more than 30 years.

This is my favorite place, Soifer said of the park. This is like an oasis in the downtown.

Over the years, Soifer has started events like Weird Week  which includes his favorite contest, Little Mr. and Miss Chaos, inspired by his own grandchildren  the Doo Dah Parade, Martin Z. Mollusk Day, the King and Queen of Plop and, most recently, Mr. Mature America.

The downtown was a particular beneficiary of Soifers wild ideas.

He has just such a great mind, said Walt Hohman, owner of Wards Pastry, which has been on Asbury Avenue for about 90 years.

From his Trash Buster character to the Doo Dah Parade, Hohman said, Soifer always had fresh ideas.

Its great for business. It brings people to the town and gets people talking about it. Hes just a marketing guru as far as keeping the name out there. Thats what makes Americas Greatest Family Resort, Hohman said.

Some people might say there is no one else quite like Mark Soifer  although his twin brother, Jesse, might disagree.

Hermine washed out beach tag sales for many shore towns A Labor Day weekend storm that mostly skirted the Jersey Shore may have put a damper on what

Hes probably one of the most creative people Ive ever worked with, said Ron MacCloskey, of Edison, who often portrays various characters during Soifers events, including Dr. Frankenstein.

In recent years, the two brought a Frankenstein exhibit to the city library during the month of October.

For a long time, Soifer was a one-man show, supported by City Hall staff. Last year, Ocean City hired Doug Bergen to serve as public information officer. Ocean City Theatre Company Director Michael Hartman has also joined to assist with special events.

Each week, Soifer writes a column about what is happening in Ocean City, giving tidbits of history and adding humor. He has also written eight books of poetry. He said he will continue to write after he retires.

I know Im never going to be a famous poet, but I get a lot of pleasure writing poetry, Soifer said.

Ocean City historian Fred Miller said he looked to Soifer for guidance when he began doing public relations for the Beach Patrol.

Since then, Miller has written nine books with his wife, Susan, who died last year. Soifer was featured in several of them, including Local Legends of Ocean City.

Soifer was honored as Citizen of the Year in 1993 and Citizen of the Decade in 2013, despite never having lived in Ocean City.

Soifer and his wife, Toby, live in Vineland. He has commuted to work for 45 years.

Thats about 300 miles a week, he said.

He said he never moved to Ocean City because of his four children who were very devoted to Vineland and due to the high cost of living on the island.

How much are homes selling for near you? Transactions are from county property records. Settlement dates are listed; deed filings may

This year is the 25th anniversary of Ocean Citys First Night celebration, which Soifer helped usher in. Inspired by Bostons alcohol-free, family-friendly First Night, this years celebration will be Soifers last official event working for the city.

I just want to be here and see it be a success, he said.

The event has grown tremendously since it began and now sees about 10,000 attendees a year. Its just one of many of Soifers ideas to grow the city into a year-round destination.

Well, I helped, he said.
At least 10 people in Atlantic County and three in Ocean County have contracted a complicated bacterial infection tied to an outbreak from contaminated medical supplies, state health officials said.

So far, New Jersey has seen 52 cases of B. cepacia infection linked to a Texas companys contaminated saline flush syringes, part of a multistate outbreak being investigated by state and federal health officials.

The state Department of Health issued alerts and warnings last month to long-term health care facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, about the possible contamination from syringes made by Nurse Assist.

This is a continuing investigation, said Donna Leusner, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.

Dr. Nina: The straight facts about using medications safely There is no question that medications, whether over-the-counter or by prescription, are powe

Officials urged providers to discontinue the use of those syringes.

The first two state cases occurred at long-term care facilities in Bergen County in early October. There are no confirmed cases in Cape May or Cumberland counties.

All New Jersey cases were found among 19 facilities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The New Jersey Department of Health declined to identify the facilities.

Other states with cases include 55 in New York, 26 in Pennsylvania, 12 in Maryland and four in Delaware.

Nurse Assist issued a voluntary recall Oct. 4 of all of its unexpired 3-, 5- and 10-milliliter intravenous flush syringes distributed to providers between Feb. 16 and Sept. 19.

A CDC investigation into the Nurse Assist products is ongoing.

Flush syringes are used to clear out intravenous lines with saline to keep the area clean and sterile. Health officials suspect these prefilled saline flushes were contaminated with B. cepacia, a group of bacteria that can be found in soil and water.

Dr. Manish Trivedi, an infectious disease specialist and chairman of infection prevention at AtlantiCare, said the bacteria can cause fevers, chills, clammy skin, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rate and other symptoms.

If symptoms reach a certain level, patients are often sent to the hospital, where doctors perform a blood culture to identify a bacteria and its strain.

This infection is not very common, he said. It typically affects patients with weakened immune systems or underlying lung diseases. In this (outbreak), not all patients who were exposed had issues, but some had preexisting conditions and were affected.

While B. cepacia itself does not normally cause pain, Trivedi said the bacterial infection can exacerbate preexisting conditions or illnesses in patients that can lead to pain.

Health officials said B. cepacia can be resistant to many common antibiotics, making it tricky to treat. Doctors may first aggressively treat the infection with antibiotics in the first 24 hours, Trivedi said, before identifying the non-resistant antibiotics.

Treatment varies depending on where the bacteria are isolated. For these bloodstream cases, Trivedi said it can take anywhere between 14 and 28 days to fully recover. After that, most patients should have no long-term effects.

Web-based service helps families locate wandering seniors Being lost in an unfamiliar place can be scary. Getting lost in a place youre supposed to k

A total of six people with cases of the infection have died in New York and Pennsylvania, but health officials cannot determine whether the deaths were caused by the B. cepacia infection, underlying health conditions or another cause, according to the CDC.

What ended up happening was that the CDC, state and county health departments got involved quickly and targeted where this bacteria was coming from, Trivedi said. Once identified, they did an excellent job at removing the sources.
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.




DUBAI, UAE and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

37 Irish companies visiting KSA and the U.A.E.

Charlie Flanagan TD, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has arrived in the region to begin Enterprise Ireland's Trade Mission to the Middle East.

Minister Flanagan will travel to Riyadh (12 & 13 November), Abu Dhabi (14 November) and Dubai (15 November) to meet senior Government Ministers and to facilitate talks with a wide range of local businesses and participating Irish companies, as well as announcing a number of new contract wins and partnership agreements.

37 Irish companies are taking part in the trade mission, spanning a number of key sectors including education, healthcare, digital media, ICT and telecoms, financial services, aviation and agri-technology. The visit is organised by Enterprise Ireland Middle East, the regional arm of the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.

The visit comes as Ireland continues to strengthen industry links with the region. Exports of Enterprise Ireland backed companies to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states increased by 12% in 2015 to over 507m with further strong gains projected this year.

Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "I am delighted to be here with such a wide range of innovative Irish companies who are forging successful partnerships with prominent entities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Middle East is a very important region for us and there are significant opportunities for even more Irish companies to do business here in the future".

Mr. Joe Breslin, Regional Director, S. Europe, Middle East, Africa & India at Enterprise Ireland said: "We are very pleased with the progress so many leading Irish companies are making throughout the GCC. The region is full of opportunities and local businesses definitely recognise the value of Irish expertise and innovation across a wide range of sectors, resulting in an impressive number of fruitful partnerships. We expect to see more of these successful collaborations in the near future".

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the trade and technology agency of the Government of Ireland that links Irish enterprises and overseas partners to build mutually profitable international business. The agency has a national network of nine regional offices throughout Ireland and over 30 international locations, including offices in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

For the latest information on Enterprise Ireland MENA, follow us on Twitter @EI_Abudhabi, or connect with us on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Enterprise-Ireland-MENA-4188132)

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com



SOURCE Enterprise Ireland
LONS-LE-SAUNIER, France, Nov. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ARK Crew, the development team behind the new ARK cryptocurrency ecosystem has announced the date for the official release of their open source code on GitHub. The source code will be made available on the platform's account https://github.com/ArkEcosystem starting November 12, 2016, at 19:00 UTC.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161112/438569

ARK Crew Announces Official Open Source Release of ARK Blockchain Code on GitHub

The ARK source code launch is set to coincide with the platform's first developer-focused bounty program. The bounty program is designed to encourage others to participate in the review and provide feedback on the project. The release of the ARK source code signifies a major step in the development of the cryptocurrency platform and a positive move towards the official launch, currently slated for February 1, 2017.

Many projects choose to keep their source code private until after their official launch, but ARK aims to buck that trend. Matthew DC, a Board Member of the ARK Crew had the following to say,

"We know it may seem unusual to release our code before we even launch our project, but we want to be as open as possible. Rather than shy away from competition or worry about others using our code, we highly encourage it. The more teams we have working on ARK technology, the better it will be for everyone!"

ARK is currently accepting BTC and Lisk during their Token Exchange Campaign (TEC) and have raised over $1 million USD in the first 24 hours, including over 5 million Lisk. The TEC will continue until December 11, 2016, at 19:00 UTC. To find out more about the TEC, visit https://tec.ark.io.

About ARK Ecosystem

ARK is a new cryptocurrency ecosystem focused on consumer adoption through a series of innovative core technology advancements, practical applications for everyday use, and strategic partnerships with industry leaders. By utilizing the ARK SmartBridge, ARK will be able to link together existing blockchain technologies into the ARK Ecosystem and build a robust platform that will bring a new level of user interaction.

About ARK Crew

The ARK Crew is a community driven development team of 30+ individuals located in 15 separate countries, dedicated to the success of the ARK Ecosystem and the next generation of integrated cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions. With diverse backgrounds, including engineering, medicine, education, front-end, and back-end development, the ARK Crew has a robust team of diverse experts unlike any other in the space.

Learn more about ARK Ecosystem at  http://ark.io/

Meet the ARK Crew at  https://ark.io/#team

Access ARK Whitepaper at  https://ark.io/whitepaper

ARK TEC ICO website  http://tec.ark.io/

Watch about ARK on YouTube  https://youtu.be/UWCsAFGnv5c

ARK on Slack  http://arkecosystem.slack.com/

ARK GitHub profile  https://github.com/ArkEcosystem

Media Contact

Contact Name: Travis Walker

Contact Email: [email protected]

Location: Lons-le-Saunier, France

ARK is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

Related Links

Bitcoin PR Buzz

ARK.io

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWCsAFGnv5c

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE ARK Crew

Related Links

http://ark.io


IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CommerceWest Bank (OTCBB:CWBK) celebrated four children's foundations in Orange County with the Share Our Wine Foundation. The 12th annual event raised funds to benefit Orangewood Foundation, The Possible Dream, Project Hope Alliance, and The First Tee Orange County.

Ivo A. Tjan, CEO of CommerceWest Bank commented, "We are honored to partner with the Share Our Wine Foundation and help support four great local children's foundations."

CommerceWest Bank is a California based full service commercial bank with a unique vision and culture of focusing exclusively on the business community. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Irvine, California. The Bank serves businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on clients in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties. We are a full service business bank and offer a wide range of commercial banking services, including concierge services, remote deposit solution, online banking, mobile banking, lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, and cash management services.

Mission Statement: CommerceWest Bank will create a complete banking experience for each client, catering to businesses and their specific banking needs, while accommodating our clients and providing them high-quality, low stress and personally tailored banking and financial services.

Please visit www.cwbk.com to learn more about the bank. "BANK ON THE DIFFERENCE"

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141223/166050LOGO

SOURCE CommerceWest Bank

Related Links

http://www.cwbk.com


BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese cross-border e-commerce marketplace DHgate.com and Ping An Bank announce their program 'Hui Kuan Bao,' a merger between internet finance and supply chain finance, with a 100 million yuan credit plan to benefit businesses utilizing DHgate.com's internet finance portal DHfinet. 'Hui Kuan Bao' will allow DHfinet users to reduce their capital turnover period from 2 to 40 days.

DHfinet provides short term financing to Dhgate.com users by utilizing big data to assess risk. With the addition of 'Hui Kuan Bao,' users will receive their funds just 2 days after shipping the goods they are financing, the program also allows users to apply for and repay all loans online, through an automated process, in order to promote efficiency for enterprises and banks. 'Hui Kuan Bao' also allows users to pay their loans back in Chinese Yuan or American Dollars.

Ping An Bank has indicated that they are very satisfied with DHgate.com's risk control system and business model. Earlier this year, DHfinet was recognized in a policy paper to economic leaders at the G20 Hangzhou as a potential solution to bring much needed financing to SMEs (small-and-medium enterprises) around the world, the G20 SME Finance Forum estimates that the total unmet global demand for credit by SMEs in 2016 is $3 trillion, with an astounding 200 million SMEs that lack access to credit.

About DHgate.com

DHgate.com is the first to market and the biggest transactional cross-border B2B e-commerce marketplace in China, aiming to provide global buyers with quality products at competitive prices. Founded in 2004, DHgate.com has approximately 10 million global buyers from 230 countries and regions, with 1.4 million global sellers offering 40 million products. DHgate.com's business enables buyers to directly access global manufacturers of the world's top brands with rich product selections. DHgate.com is an all-in-one platform with integrated services for international logistics, cross-border payments, internet financing, etc. DHgate.com's US, UK, Spain, and UAE product distribution warehouses allow for 24 hour delivery and convenient product returns & refunds, bringing great convenience to buyers at http://www.dhgate.com.

SOURCE DHgate.com

Related Links

http://www.dhgate.com


"Our Employees have worked hard to open this route and a new chapter for people who want to connect with Cuba in ways that matter most to them," said Steve Goldberg , Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Ground Operations who is also Southwest's executive ambassador to Florida. Goldberg also announced Southwest intends to begin once daily service from Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, subject to requisite approvals of the Cuban government. "By the end of this year, we'll offer six daily roundtrips between two Florida gateways and three Cuban cities as the work continues to open a new, five-gate international concourse here in Fort Lauderdale next summer."

In celebration of the announcement of new service to Santa Clara, Southwest is offering a special fare of $59 one-way* on nonstop flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Santa Clara (14-day advance purchase required, today through Nov. 20, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city for travel Dec. 15, 2016, through April 24, 2017). Please see below for valid travel days and complete terms & conditions. Check Southwest.com/Cuba for requirements regarding travel to Cuba and date-specific flight schedules for daily nonstop and other published connecting service.

On Oct.13, Southwest announced its flight schedule of new nonstop service between Florida and both Varadero and Havana. Cuba is the ninth country served by Southwest, with Havana marking a historic 100th destination. Service between Havana (HAV) and both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) begins Dec. 12, 2016, subject to requisite approvals of the Cuban government. Southwest street teams surprised residents with $100 Southwest Gift Cards across both greater Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay to spread awareness of the new routes. The carrier's social media community followed the day's events through hashtag #Southwest100.

The carrier continues to plan for available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent range in 2016.

See swamedia.com for b-roll video of inaugural festivity, first flights, and executive interviews, as well the latest available data regarding Southwest's economic impact in Florida.

*FARE TERMS & CONDITIONS

14-day advance purchase required. Fares available for purchase today through Nov. 20, 2016,11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city for travel Dec. 15, 2016, through April 24, 2017. Fares are valid only on nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. If traveling to Cuba, fares include Cuban Government mandatory health insurance. Rapid Rewards Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one way flight. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares. If combining fares, the most restrictive fare rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but that's not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest, as long as reservations are canceled at least ten minutes prior to scheduled departure. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires travelers who are not Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred Members to upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service. Every passenger traveling to Cuba must certify that they are eligible to travel to Cuba under one of 12 general license categories, a specific license, or as a Cuban National.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's anticipated service offerings and fares and network and capacity plans, opportunities, and expectations. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of economic conditions, consumer behavior, fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's operations; and (iii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 46th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 53,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season across a network of 99 destinations in the United States and eight additional countries with additional Cuba service to Havana, Cuba, beginning Dec. 12, 2016, and Santa Clara beginning Dec. 15, 2016, both routes subject to governmental approvals.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. The airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees who connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2015 Southwest Airlines One Report can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com


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
Islamabad, Nov 8 : NatGeo's famed "Afghan Girl" Sharbat Gula on Tuesday refused to stay in Pakistan any more, turning down the provincial Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's offer to help stop her deportation, the media reported.

A special anti-corruption and immigration court had earlier ordered the deportation of Sharbat Gula, the green-eyed "Afghan Girl" whose 1985 National Geographic cover photo became a symbol of her country's wars and uncertainty. The court held her guilty of illegally obtaining a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card.

Sharbat Gula and the Afghan government, in an application submitted to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, pleaded for her departure from Pakistan to Afghanistan on completion of her 15-day sentence on Wednesday, Dawn reported.

Better known the world over as the "Afghan Girl", Gula pleaded guilty to six charges against her, including her illegal stay in Pakistan, forgery, cheating, tampering with documents and violation of Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority Act.

The provincial Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government decided to stop her deportation on Saturday on humanitarian grounds and as a goodwill gesture towards Afghanistan.

The portrait of Sharbat Gula, whose sea-green eyes and piercing gaze, made her an international symbol of refugees facing an uncertain future, first appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985.

Photographer Steve McCurry photographed her as a young girl living in the largest refugee camp in Pakistan, where almost three million Afghans sought shelter in the wake of the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union. In 2002, McCurry tracked Sharbat Gula down, now married and mother of five, and photographed her again.

That photo has been likened with Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

National Geographic also made a short documentary about her life and dubbed her the "Mona Lisa of Afghan war".
Aleppo (Syria), Nov 10 : Rebel shelling has killed at least six civilians and injured many others on the Aleppo University campus, which houses families displaced by the Syrian conflict, officials said on Thursday.

The attack on the Aleppo University area took place on Wednesday, when a number of mortar shells and other self-propelled rounds fired by militants landed near the campus, RT online reported.

According to Aleppo Police Command, cited by SANA news agency, all of the victims were either students or members of displaced families and locals.

Earlier on Wednesday, three women and a man were injured by reactive munitions shelling from rebel forces in the neighbourhoods of al-Hamadaniyeh and New Aleppo.

The attacks, apart from inflicting heavy civilian casualties, have significantly damaged buildings and other properties.

Jihadist groups have been shelling residential areas of Western Aleppo almost on a daily basis since the Syrian Army with the support of Russia and other allies surrounded Al-Nusra Front terrorists and allied militants in Eastern Aleppo, which has become a jihadist stronghold.
Srinagar, Nov 11 : Authorities on Friday imposed curfew in parts of Srinagar to prevent a protest march called by the separatists, officials said.

"Curfew has been imposed in seven areas to maintain law and order," the police said.

Separatists have called for the march to the Jamia Mosque in the city's Nowhatta area.

Congregational Friday prayers have not been allowed inside the mosque.

Separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has been kept under house arrest while Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested and shifted to the Srinagar central jail on Thursday.

Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the ongoing unrest has entered the fifth month after it started here on July 9.

Ninety-five people have been killed and over 12,000 injured during the ongoing violence in the valley.
Patna, Nov 12 : A journalist was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bihar's Rohtas district on Saturday, police said.

Dharmender Singh, correspondent of Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, was shot dead outside a roadside tea shop in Sasaram, a police official said.

The victim's family said he was being threatened by the stone mining mafia.

Locals took to the streets to protest the murder and demanded justice.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with its allies Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) has condemned the incident and blamed the Nitish Kumar-led state government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar.

In May, Rajdeo Ranjan, a senior journalist of Hindi daily Hindustan, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Siwan district.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is still probing the case.
Chandigarh, Nov 12 : Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh on Saturday questioned AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal over his silence on the apex court judgment which declared the state's 2004 law intended to deny Haryana its share of Sutlej-Yamuna water unconstitutional.

He asked the Delhi Chief Minister to clarify his stand on the issue.

"Kejriwal has not uttered a single word in support of the state," said Amarinder Singh, asking the AAP leader what this silence on his part meant.

"Does it mean you are not supporting Punjab's stand on the issue," the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief said.

He demanded that Kejriwal spell out clearly whether he was with Punjab or Haryana or with Delhi in the Satluj-Yamuna Link canal (SYL) case, an official statement quoting Amarinder Singh said.

"Will you, or will you not, allow Punjab's water to go to Haryana and Delhi."

"You have been doing a flip flop on the issue for the past several months, clearly indicating your duplicity in the matter," he said.

The Congress will hold a protest rally on the SYL issue at Khuian Sarwar village on the Abohar-Ganganagar highway, 15 km from Abohar, on Sunday.

Khuian Sarwar, a village in Fazilka district, is the area that will be the worst affected if the Supreme Court's decision on the SYL is implemented.

To lodge their protest over the verdict, all 42 Congress legislators, including Leader of Opposition Charanjit Singh Channi, submitted their resignations to assembly secretary Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra here on Friday.

Holding that the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004, was not in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, the Supreme Court's constitution bench of Justice Anil R. Dave, Justice Shiva Kirti Singh, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Amitava Roy on Thursday answered in the negative all the four questions referred to the top court in a Presidential reference.

While Justice Dave pronounced the opinion for the majority of the judges, Justice Singh, while agreeing with the majority view, gave his own observations.

At the initiative of the then Congress government headed by Amarinder Singh, the Punjab assembly had unanimously passed the law terminating all the agreements with Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh and Delhi on the sharing of Sutlej-Yamuna river water.

This act was brought to tide over the January 15, 2002, apex court judgment and decree and subsequent judgment and order of June 4, 2004.
Erbil (Iraq), Nov 13 : The top leader of the Jihadist Islamic State (IS) has fled Mosul, last extremist enclave left on Iraqi soil, according to the governor of the Nineveh province in Iraq.

Governor Nofal Hamadi al-Sultan, whose governorate's capital is Mosul, announced during a press conference that Daesh' supreme leader and self-proclaimed Caliph Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi had fled Mosul" and that victory was "imminent", Efe news agency reported.

According to al-Sultan, the last audio broadcast by al-Baghdadi indicates that he has left Mosul.

In said audio address broadcast on November 3, the self-proclaimed Caliph urged his followers not to abandon Mosul.

"Do not flee. This is the prelude to a great victory," he said in an apparent attempt to encourage his army.

During his press conference, the governor assured that IS collapse is "imminent" and that Iraqi forces are "rapidly" closing in for the final push into Mosul.

Mosul's neighbourhoods "have been the scenario of victorious advances by Iraqi security forces" said al-Sultan who stressed the final "decisive" battle against the Jihadists will take place "very soon".

The Iraqi and Kurdish troop offensive to liberate Mosul began on October 17 with a three-pronged offensive along the north, south and eastern fronts, which has enabled the liberation of various eastern Mosul neighbourhoods.
Los Angeles, Nov 13 : Actor Brad Pitt reportedly has some "dynamite" audio recordings of Jolie which he may use to prevent her from getting primary custody of their six children.

The report of the tapes came days after the DCFS officially closed the child abuse case against Pitt, who was accused of hitting his son Maddox during a September plane fight that led to his and Jolie's divorce. After eight weeks of investigation, the "Fury" actor was cleared of all allegations, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"We believe audio tapes exist of Angelina that would be absolutely dynamite against her if they were to be made public. Nobody wants to play dirty like that - it's not good for the children - but Angelina and her team seem absolutely hell-bent on trying to discredit Brad in order to stop him getting joint custody," a source told The Sun newspaper.
Cairo, Nov 13 : At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF), were killed on Saturday in two Islamic State (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria.

British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.

After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.

Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.

The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : People may be queuing up and jostling in front of the banks and ATMs to get hard cash for daily sustenance after the government demonetised Rs 500/Rs 1,000 notes, but it's the mobile wallet companies that are laughing all the way to the bank.

"Airtel Money, our mobile wallet, has seen a big surge in transaction value and in cash-loading. The value is set to accelerate further in the coming days as we have announced a new promotion offer of 10 per cent cash back on the wallet usage," Shashi Arora, MD and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank, told IANS.

He said the company was also seeing a "significant spike" in the number of new users as well as app downloads.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in a televised address to the nation on November 8 that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would no longer be considered legal tender from midnight that night.

Since then, people have been running around from banks to ATMs to get money exchanged or to deposit it in their accounts. But for the mobile wallet companies, this opens up opportunity to expand their business rapidly. "We are well positioned to leverage this growth opportunity," Arora said.

People usually use mobile wallets to pay for mobile recharges, utility bills and buying goods from key partners of the wallet company. But increasingly, users are paying with digital wallets at merchant outlets and eateries.

"This is the biggest and most ambitious step ever to crack down on black money and fake currency. Since Paytm is fast becoming synonymous with all kinds of (digital) payments, we have registered a strong surge in volume on our platform," Madhur Deora, Chief Financial Officer, Paytm, told IANS.

He said that a day after the government announced the black-money measure, traffic through its mobile wallet app increased by 435 per cent. It saw around 200 per cent increase in transaction value.

A recent study by industry chamber Assocham and research firm RNCOS said the transaction volume of mobile payments in India is likely to witness an exponential compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 90 per cent to reach Rs.15,300 crore by fiscal 2022 against about Rs.300 crore in fiscal 2016.

The transaction value is also likely to register more than 150 per cent compound annual growth rate and cross Rs 2,000 lakh crore by fiscal 2022 from just over Rs 8 lakh crore as of fiscal 2016, the study said.

The mobile wallet companies of course feel that the latest move by the prime minister would sharply boost their volumes and their bottomlines. Mobikwik said its overall transactions increased 18-fold following the demonetisation.

"With this policy change, we expect a 10 times impact -- we expect to easily hit $10 billion (Rs 67,500 crore) in payment volumes by 2017," Mobikwik Founder and CEO Bipin Preet Singh told IANS.

He said that Indians make about $1 trillion of payments annually with more than 90 per cent being in cash. Now this would change.

The company's growth projections have been revised to register five times higher growth. After the government announcement, Singh said the company had seen a 2,000 per cent increase in "add money" and transaction value.

(Aparajita Gupta can be reached at aparajita.g@ians.in)
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Claiming that "BJP people were informed beforehand" about the governments move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes leading to huge transactions in bullion and diamonds, the Congress on Sunday demanded a court monitored probe into the alleged transactions.

"We have already brought the charge and we will raise it again that they (the BJP) had informed their people about the (demonetisation) move. There have been huge transactions in bullion, diamonds, foreign exchange and securities prior to the demonetisation," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma.

"A list needs to be drawn about all these transactions and they need to be probed by a Supreme Court monitored panel," he said.

Pointing to crores of people queuing up outside banks to exchange the now demonetise currency notes, the former Union Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "mocking" the people of the country.

"Modi has insulted and mocked the people of the country in a cruel manner. Crores of people have been standing in queues outside banks with many of them not having food for days now. Does the Prime Minister think all these people are black money hoarders or criminals?.

"The government in August had informed parliament that only 0.02 percent of the nearly 17 lakh crore currency in circulation is counterfeit, does that mean as much as 86.40 percent of the money is circulation is black money," he asked.
Hyderabad, Nov 13 : Police in Telangana on Sunday seized Rs 20 lakh cash in demonetised currency notes from a milk van of a private dairy company.

The amount was seized in Yacharam mandal of Ranga Reddy district near Hyderabad.

The driver of the van told police that he was carrying the amount to pay arrears to the dairy farmers through a milk procurement centre.

A police officer said since the demonetized notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were being carried in violation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms, the cash was seized.

Police handed over the cash to Income Tax department for further investigations.
Seoul, Nov 13 : South Korean prosecutors plan to investigate President Park Geun-hye early next week over her biggest political scandal involving longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil who is suspected of intervening in state affairs behind the scenes and peddling undue influence for personal gains.

According to media reports, a special investigative unit under the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the case has delivered to the presidential Blue House its request to investigate the scandal-plagued President on Tuesday or Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

If the request is acceded to, Park would become the first incumbent South Korean President to be investigated by prosecutors.

Under the country's constitution, a President is free from criminal indictment, but some law experts claim a criminal investigation is possible if the indictment is suspended until the end of the presidency.

Park, who took office in February 2013, has about 15 months left in her single, five-year term.

Face-to-face investigation is preferable in principle, the prosecution said, but details have not been decided upon where and how to probe the embattled President. It added that Park would be a reference witness during an investigation.

The scandal-hit President has made public apologies twice since the scandal came into focus last month, but public anger has not been appeased.

The largest mass rally in three decades was held on Saturday night to demand Park's immediate resignation.

Organisers said about one million protestors took to the streets in Seoul alone, the biggest since an identical number of people protested against the military dictatorship in June, 1987.

Meanwhile, prosecutors summoned chiefs of key conglomerates, who are alleged to have had closed-door meetings with Park last year, over the weekend.

The first South Korean female leader held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of conglomerates on July 24 last year, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and chiefs of LG Group and CJ Group were summoned on Sunday afternoon.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo and two heads of Hanwha Group and SK Group were grilled on Saturday over the behind-the-scenes meetings with Park.

Choi Soon-sil, 60, is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won ($66.3 million) to two non-profit foundations she actually controls.

Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, with 12.8 billion won, 11.1 billion won, 7.8 billion won and 2.5 billion won each donated by Hyundai, SK, LG and Hanwha.

The Samsung vice chairman has also been questioned about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros ($30 billion) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : "Surya Kiran-X", the 10th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise, culminated in Nepal on Sunday with a 72-hour-long outdoor exercise on counter-terrorism and disaster management, the Defence Ministry said.

Surya Kiran-X provided an ideal platform for troops of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-terrorist operations and disaster management, a Defence Ministry statement said.

The exercise was conducted at the Army Battle School at Nepal's Saljhandi from October 31 to November 13 where the troops of Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment and Nepal Army's Jabar Jung Battalion participated, it said.

The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being conducted bi-annually, alternatively in Nepal and India. Among the exercises undertaken by various countries, Surya Kiran series is the largest in terms of troop participation.

"Other activities conducted during training included basic familiarisation with each other's weapons and equipment and concepts while operating in counter-terrorism environment," said the statement.

"The training culminated with a 72-hour outdoor exercise in which troops of both the contingents carried out a cordon-and-search operation in a mock village," the statement added.
Jammu, Nov 13 : A Swiss national was injured in the hilly Kishtwar district of Jammu region on Sunday during a paragliding expedition.

"Bodo Rico was injured in Mavhail (Paddar) area during a paragliding expedition as he hit a boulder fracturing his legs," police said here.

"The adventure tourist had been to the hilly district along with nine other paragliders, including seven foreigners."

Reports from the area said authorities were making arrangements to shift him by air for specialised treatment to Jammu as the area had very poor road connectivity.
Chandigarh, Nov 13 : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday said the 42 Congress legislators -- who have since submitted their resignations from the assembly -- must attend a one-day special assembly session to chalk out a concrete strategy to protect the state's waters.

The Congress legislators in Punjab had, on November 11, submitted their resignations to protest a Supreme Court verdict on a presidential reference that said a 2004 law passed by the state assembly to end a water-sharing agreement was unconstitutional.

Badal told the media in Rakhra village in Patiala district that the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was not a political issue but a matter involving the lifeline of Punjab.

"In the larger interest of Punjab, the Congress MLAs must ensure their presence during the special session. ... a message be conveyed to the entire country that whole of Punjab is united on this emotive issue ... A united house must resolve to protect the state's waters at all cost."

Badal said he will soon meet the President of India and apprise him of the depleting water level in Punjab.

He accused the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of indulging in political gimmickry on the river water issue.

"The Congress is the perpetrator of this sin against the state and its people. Likewise, the AAP government in Delhi had submitted an affidavit against the state in the Supreme Court on the issue. Both are now trying to mislead people," Badal said.

"Any move to share Punjab's river waters will be disastrous as it will ruin the state. While inking an agreement on the SYL canal, the then Congress government at the Centre completely overlooked the universally accepted Riparian Principle on river water sharing. Every Punjabi is duty-bound to oppose this move and all of us should pledge to protect Punjab's waters," the Chief Minister said.
Pune, Nov 13 : In the wake of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday rejected apprehensions that farmers depositing money in banks will be subjected to tax.

Addressing the 'International Conference and Exhibition on Sugarcane Value Chain - Vision 2025 Sugar' here, he also said that announcing the demonetisation move before November 8 would have defeated the very purpose - of fighting corruption.

"An illusion is being spread, farmers are being misled that because of demonetisation, farmers depositing money in banks will have to pay taxes on them. I want to assure all the farmers, no tax will be levied on you. This country is yours, the money is yours, these banks are yours and so is Modi," he said.

"We could not have done it before November 8 otherwise there were chances of information being leaked. If the information was leaked, then the very purpose of the demonetisation would have been defeated as the hoarders would have found ways to get rid of the money," he said.

Asserting that the move was imperative to fight corruption as well as extremists and terrorists groups, Modi reiterated his passionate plea to the nation -- made earlier in the day at an event in Goa -- to give him 50 days to weed out ill-gotten wealth in India.

"Our enemies, more than their own currency, print our currencies and indulge in games of infusing fake notes to our economy. Extremists groups, be it Naxals (Maoists) or the terrorists, they hide this money and buy arms. It was essential to cut this supply of money to them. So we took this very big decision of demonetising.

"The value of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes alone is around Rs 14 lakh crore. Our enemies, corrupts and anti-socials have been exploiting them. Yes, there will be hardships, but this will pave way for getting rid of a 70-year-old malady. This will open avenues for the coming generations, for the poor," said Modi.
Kolkata, Nov 13 : A young woman died after accidentally falling off a ride while her sister was severely injured at an amusement park in West Bengal's Howrah district on Sunday, police said.

The deceased, Sneha Singh, had gone for a 'rocking cradle' ride with her sister Neha at the Belilious Park. The two fell off the ride as their seats got detached from the main structure.

"The seat of the rocking cradle came off from the structure, while the ride was on, and the two sisters hit the ground hard," an eyewitness said.

"One of the sisters died on the spot. We rushed the other sister to the Howrah Hospital. The park authorities was nowhere to be seen," he said.

The locals and those present at the park blamed the tragedy on the park management.

"The park has got new additions, but the old rides are not looked after properly. The structure of the ride that toppled was rusty," a man in the park complained.

Police said no formal complaint had been lodged.

"Sneha Singh has died. We will take necessary action once a formal police complaint is made," Inspector Gautam Talukdar said.
Kolkata, Nov 13 : Communist Party of India-Marxist veteran and former MP Dipen Ghosh breathed his last here on Sunday morning. He was 82.

The former editor of CPI-M mouthpiece 'Ganashakti' was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1981 and served for 12 years. He was also leader of his parliamentary party between 1984 and 1986.

A prolific writer, he contributed to numerous magazines and periodicals and served as the editor of 'Ganashakti' from 1998-2002.

Ghosh remained the editorial board member and a regular columnist of CPI-M state committee's weekly mouthpiece 'Deshhitaishi' till his death.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : In order to provide respite to cash-starved citizens, the government on Sunday decided to increase the withdrawal and exchange limits in banks and ATMs across the country.

The amount people can now take out from ATMs daily has been hiked from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 and the amount of withdrawal across the bank counter has gone up from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500, the Finance Ministry said.

The upper limit for weekly withdrawal from bank account has been raised to Rs 24,000 from Rs 20,000.

The decisions follow a meeting here involving the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office and came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India from Japan.

Banks have also been told to cater separately to senior citizens and the handicapped.

Hundreds of thousands of people have virtually mobbed banks and ATMs all over the country since Thursday when the banks opened after a day's closure following Modi's dramatic announcement to spike the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

The Finance Ministry said it reviewed all aspects concerning the availability and distribution of all denomination of bank notes following the demonetisation of November 8.

It said that from November 10 (when the banks reopened) till 5 p.m. of November 13, about Rs 3 lakh crore of old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes had been deposited in the banking system.

About Rs 50,000 crore had been dispensed to customers by either withdrawal from their accounts or from ATMs or by exchange of old notes.

The ministry urged people to lodge complaints with District Magistrates and district administrations if hospitals, caterers and tent houses refused to accept cheques, demand drafts and online payment transfer.
Washington, Nov 14 : US President-elect Donald Trump has received congratulatory phone calls from leading Republicans who had previously withheld support or denounced the business mogul's run for the country's highest office.

Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said on Sunday the president-elect has spoken with his three former rivals for the GOP nomination -- Ohio Governor John Kasich, Carly Fiorina and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, ABC News reported.

Trump said he also spoke to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP nominee for president, as well as former Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

Jeb Bush had been one of Trump's most fervent critics but Conway said that in the phone call, Bush "was incredibly gracious, congratulating Trump and his victory and wishing him well as president".

Trump has spent his weekend in Trump Tower in New York City preparing to make some of his most critical staffing decisions as president-elect.
Wellington, Nov 14 : Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who is currently in New Zealand as a brand ambassador of Tourism New Zealand, shared his prayers with all those who suffered damage after an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale rocked New Zealand's South Island on Sunday.

"Waking up to the news of the earthquakes overnight here in New Zealand - we're fine," he tweeted.

"Thankfully at first light it seems the shakes have spared us from serious widespread damage. My thoughts n prayers are with the people of NZ," he further tweeted.

A tsunami hit two hours after the earthquake.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit just after midnight, around 95 km from Christchurch, BBC reported.

Officials who have warned the residents to head inland or for higher ground along the coast, said the first waves may not be the largest, with tsunami activity possible for several hours. A gauge at Kaikoura, 181 km north of Christchurch, measured a wave of two metres, according to Weatherwatch.co.nz.

Smaller waves are said to be arriving in Wellington and other areas, the website said.

Thousands of people have already evacuated their homes, Radio New Zealand reported.

Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed the city centre. According to the Herald newspaper, the tremor was felt all the way to Wellington, where sirens sounded and people fled buildings into the streets, some of them crying.

On his second trip to the country, Sidharth loved Christchurch.

"It has nice, easy vibes and it's comparatively younger I feel. It is less populated, which again makes this place very attractive for people like us who come from India. Its secluded, scenic, relaxed nature makes it a complete destination for anybody," he said.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Tourism New Zealand. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)
The industries represented by the awardees include computer software, manufacturing, agricultural business, waste management, engineering, health services, skin care, travel, shipping and freight forwarding, education and many other enterprises. The firms led by these women and past IWEC awardees account for over US$25 billion dollars in combined revenue, with over 125,000 employees worldwide. During the conference, they will engage other business women, chambers and past awardees for trade, networking and business opportunities.

This years honorees hail from The Netherlands, Peru, Spain, South Africa, the United States, India, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Canada, Colombia, Nigeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, The Philippines, Sweden and Belgium.

IWECs mission is to develop a global business network for successful women business owners, helping them gain and expand access to international markets by presenting a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, connectivity and to promote dialogue among women entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout the world.

This years conference theme is Connecting Women Businesses Globally: Building a Viable Future. The conference will feature welcome remarks by BECI and IWECs leadership, several keynote speakers including Cristina Gallach, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, panel discussions on the challenges facing global womens entrepreneurship and ways to influence and increase growth in womens business, and corporate social responsibility, among other key topics. The conference will end with an extended tour of Brussels and Bruges, to showcase the many attractions and the beauty of the country.

United States Awardee: Beatriz (Betty) Manetta, President & CEO of Argent Associates, Inc., and Asociar LLC . I am very pleased to be accepting the 2016 IWEC Award at the conference in Brussels. I am looking forward to learning more about the challenges and successes of other women business owners from all over the world. Also, I am hoping to make new business contacts and wonderful new friends, said Ms. Manetta. Manetta serves on the board of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Womens Business Council Southwest, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council. These Chambers and Councils enable our Women Entrepreneurs to succeed and grow in their respective business field. They provide the access, the tools and the support that women entrepreneurs need as we continue to highlight the strength of women in business, especially the work they do to support their communities.

The International Womens Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation (IWEC) is a 501c (3) registered nonprofit organization based in New York City. As a global initiative, it provides networking, educational and mentoring opportunities for successful female business owners helping them gain and expand access to international markets. IWECs work is supported by the U.S. Department of State.

IWEC understands that providing access, resources, and support to help enable the success of female entrepreneurs is key to ensuring womens economic participation, driving global economic growth, and closing the gender gap. Therefore, it presents a worldwide forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and connectivity among women business owners, setting the stage for new opportunities and joint ventures, and promoting social dialog among women entrepreneurs and business leaders

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More information on IWEC can be found online at http://www.iwecawards.com. Follow IWEC on Twitter: @iwecawards. Learn more about The Brussels Commerce and Industry (BECI) at http://www.beci.be/.
With just one day left of the largest scientific conference dedicated exclusively to cancer immunotherapy, the meeting continues to gain momentum. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 31st Annual Meeting & Associated Programs held November 9-13, in National Harbor, MD has attracted nearly 2,800 multidisciplinary experts from academia, industry, and government to discuss the latest advances in cancer immunology and immunotherapy.

Late-breaking clinical trials presented at SITC 2016 have a particularly significant impact on the field due to the robust and innovative nature of the data. One presentation that garnered attention was a phase III trial of pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 therapy) versus investigators choice of standard chemotherapy agents for the treatment of advanced urothelial (bladder) carcinoma that progressed or recurred following prior therapy. The trial was halted following an interim analysis, due to the markedly superior response in the cohort of patients treated with pembrolizumab. Presented by Joaquim Bellmut, MD, PhD (Dana-Farber/Brigham and Womens Cancer Center), this international study of 542 patients from 29 countries reported significantly longer overall survival in patients treated with pembrolizumab, which was also associated with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. In contrast to similar trials, patient eligibility was not dependent on pre-treatment PD-L1 expression. This trial supports the role of pembrolizumab in second-line treatment of patients with advanced bladder cancer whose disease has progressed despite platinum-based chemotherapy.

Following the approval of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) in combination with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) in advanced melanoma, the CheckMate 032 study seeks to expand the use of this combination therapy into additional types of cancer. Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) presented the first interim data of two different dose schedules of nivolumab and ipilimumab (1mg/3mg [N1I3] vs. 3mg/1mg [N3I1]) or nivolumab alone (3mg/kg [N3}) , in a phase I/II trial in patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Although enrollment is ongoing and longer follow-up is needed, preliminary results of the combination strategy demonstrated an objective response rate of 38.5%, 26.0% and 25.6% in the N1I3, N3I1 and N3 arms, respectively. Additionally, side effects reported for the combination treatment groups were similar to what has been seen in other studies.

Continuing on the theme of immune checkpoint inhibition, Rom Leidner, MD (Earle A. Chiles Research Institute) presented preliminary efficacy data from an early phase study of a first-in-class antibody, lirilumab. Lirilumab functions as a checkpoint inhibitor for natural killer (NK) cells, which play a critical role in innate immunity. Following recent reports that combining lirilumab with nivolumab demonstrated no added toxicity over nivolumab alone, this study investigated lirilumab plus nivolumab in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that progressed after prior therapy. Of the evaluable patients thus far, 7/29 (24%) had an objective response (OR) per RECIST v1.1 criteria, and target tumor lesion size decreased by >80% in five patients. The responses appeared durable as the median duration of response has not yet been reached. The investigators assessed PD-L1 biomarker expression in tumor samples and, Dr. Leidner commented that objective responses in the combination arm are tracking in lockstep with increasing PD-L1 expression.

The search for additional immune checkpoints, driven by the need to increase the number of patients who respond to treatment, has also yielded a novel member of the B7/CD28 checkpoint family, PVRIG. John Hunter, PhD (Compugen Inc.) described how a novel computational algorithm was used to characterize this new immune checkpoint, which is a member of the TIGIT family of interacting molecules. PVRIG is expressed on T cells and NK cells and has potential to stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity. Using a PVRIG-Fc fusion construct, activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were observed in vitro. The combination of anti-PVRIG and anti-PD-L1 was shown to inhibit tumor growth and increase survival in preclinical models of both CT26 and MC38 murine colorectal cancer.

ABOUT SITC

Established in 1984, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is a non-profit organization of medical professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development, science and application of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. SITC is comprised of influential basic and translational scientists, practitioners, healthcare professionals, government leaders and industry professionals around the globe. Through educational initiatives that foster scientific exchange and collaboration among leaders in the field, SITC aims to one day make the word cure a reality for cancer patients everywhere. Learn more about SITC, our educational offerings and other resources at sitcancer.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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When Molines effective city administrator Lew Steinbrecher retired last week, he left behind a community made better for his leadership. His decision to step away from the city after 12 years also marked the end of a 42-year career in public service in local government.

The announcement posted on the citys website Wednesday said Mr. Steinbrecher decided to step down now since his contract concludes at the end of this month and Moline is experiencing great progress all over the city.

Mayor Scott Raes added, He wanted to go out on top. Theres a lot of good things going on in Moline.

Indeed there are, including the citys dramatically improved image as a good place to do business.

Effective councils and mayors and the citys public-private partnership in Renew Moline have played a large part in that, of course. But the constant has been Mr. Steinbrecher and an effective city staff.

Under his watch, the city also has delivered important economic growth and development. Among the highlights are: Autumn Trails, the KONE building, the Mills at Riverbend Commons, Genesis Medical Park, a new Menards and Sams Club, new auto dealers, revitalization of SouthPark Mall, and new residential and retail developments downtown. Mr. Steinbrecher also worked to secure funding for an Interstate 74 Bridge and the return of passenger rail to the Quad Cities with a Q Multi Modal Station that remains on track despite delays in state support.

We salute Mr. Steinbrecher for his service to Moline and to the larger Quad-Cities. Replacing him will not be easy. On Wednesday, the citys website said the search for a new administrator will begin immediately.

Why delay search?

While it may seem counter-intuitive given the many projects in play in the city, we urge leaders to delay a formal search until after the April 2017 city elections when the mayor and half the council seats are on the ballot.

We dont yet know who is running for open seats, but the potential exists for a new mayor and significant council turnover.

Faced with a similar need, Rock Island wisely chose to wait until after April 2017 to find a replacement for embattled ex-city manager Thomas Thomas. While Molines circumstances differ dramatically from Rock Islands, the benefits of waiting to make such a key hire are the same.

As noted, Moline has assembled an effective staff full of people who know how to do their jobs. If they need direction, the city has a plan in place to provide it to them without forcing them to go to the full council for everyday operating issues. Ald. Mike Waldron, 7th Ward, who was an extremely effective department head for the city for many years, has been tabbed as the temporary bridge between city employees and the council.

For the long term, it is essential that the next administrator be someone the new council -- even if it is made up of current aldermen -- has confidence in and can work with. He or she also should know and understand the new regimes goals and priorities. Conversely, the council will have a better idea what skills they need to help reach those goals. Ensuring that the city continues the progress it made during Mr. Steinbrechers tenure is also a great way to thank him for his leadership.

Adopt an open process

As we have Rock Island leaders, we also ask Moline to give residents input in the hiring process. We recommend they copy the path Davenport took to pick a new administrator last summer. It included citizens in its search committee, public interviews of the three finalists and a reception to allow residents to meet them.

Why? It is important that whoever is hired is armed with the support needed to succeed -- both from the council and in the mayors chair and from the people they all work for: Taxpaying residents.
Today is Sunday, Nov. 13, the 318th day of 2016. There are 48 days left in the year.

1866 -- 150 years ago: We printed more election handouts for the regular Democratic soldier ticket than the people wanted, and well sell the balance cheap for cash.

1891 -- 125 years ago: H. Bosse, of Major MacKenzies engineer corps, went to New York City on business, including receiving a statue of the Honorable Ben Cable, made in Belgium, for the Cable lot in Chippiannock Cemetery.

1916 -- 100 years ago: A small amount of damage was caused by a fire in the paint shops of the Rock Island Plow Co.

1941 -- 75 years ago: Herbert Sullivan, of Rock Island, has returned from duty in Iceland with the U.S. Navy.

1966 -- 50 years ago: John Deere dealers from throughout the United States and Canada who helped Deere & Co. reach its first billion dollar sales year will be flown to Nassau during the next five weeks in the largest sales incentive program ever to use overseas travel as a prize.

1991 -- 25 years ago: Year 5 could be the grandest of all for the Quad City Thunder. And it all starts tonight, when the Thunder host the Birmingham Bandits at 7:05 at Wharton
Well THAT was a wild ride! For those who voted for Donald Trump in hopes of change, and those who voted for Hillary Clinton who are now afraid of that change, history tells you both to take a deep breath. We need only look at Barack Obama to see that the change that is promised is seldom the change delivered. The same will be true of President Trump. Congress will see to that.

Mr. Trump has no record in public office -- that was part of his attraction. What we do know about our next president is that he is a business mogul and reality TV star. During the campaign he turned Americas news channels (and newspapers) into his own reality TV series.

I believe the character he created -- one focused on bombast, lies, hatred, sexism and bigotry -- was just that, a character created to get attention. If Im wrong, the country is in for an ugly four years.

Politically, to the dismay of conservatives, I expect Mr. Trump to move back toward the middle now that the campaign is over. It has only been since 2012 that Mr. Trump has courted Republicans and donated to their campaigns.

Public records show prior to that he was friends and a financial supporter of the Clintons and other Democrats. Mr. Trump, his wife, son, and daughter all donated to Hillary Clintons senate and presidential campaigns in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He also donated $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation. The Clintons attended his marriage to wife, Melania.

In 2006 Mr. Trump donated money to the Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees, according to reports, aiding candidates supported by Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.

So is the real Donald Trump the one with a history of supporting Democrats? Did he have an epiphany in 2012 or is that when he shrewdly started thinking about his reality show for president?

This election featured the first blurring of lines between mainstream media, reality TV and social media. As noted, Mr. Trump played the media like a maestro -- even as he derided them, knowing it would only result in more coverage. Does Mr. Trump really hate the media? Im guessing its part of his reality show act.

The cautionary tale is that there was more misinformation shared during this campaign than ever before. The media spent more time than I can remember fact checking candidates; both were guilty of repeatedly lying about facts and their opponent. Mr. Trump also won the election without a massive TV campaign or national organization which could change the way elections are organized in the future.

Twitter was filled with lies, taunts and ambiguities. False stories circulated on Facebook as if real. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg famously said, We are a tech company, not a media company leaving little hope that this shortcoming will be addressed internally.

Sadly, factual stories and viral Internet hoaxes appear as equals on social media feeds with many consumers/voters not realizing the difference. The threat of fake news is growing and many make no effort to tell the difference. News literacy is an issue that everyone needs to pay more attention to both in daily news and future political campaigns. If the idea that anyone can write a false story that is circulated as factual is not disconcerting to you, it should be. We have only hit the tip of the iceberg.

Social media will continue to explode and impact political races of the future.

Even worse, by the next presidential election, technology will be perfected to manipulate photorealistic avatars of candidates to make them say anything. They could be used to further spread campaign information or used by an opponent to put words in a candidates mouth.

The mainstream media -- the ones that make professional efforts at balance and fact-checking -- must continue to keep the bar raised high. Without reporters asking tough questions, the next campaign could be a virtual one, with no way for voters to discern the source of information and whether it is truthful or not. Unfortunately this comes at a time when newspapers are going through a major upheaval and there are fewer reporters around to ask those questions.

If the pendulum doesnt swing back in favor of trained journalists keeping campaigns honest, future office holders could be those who are best at using social media to manipulate the facts.

Elections will become a non-fact-based reality show where the producers, not the voters, determine the outcome -- leaving democracy in shambles.
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SPRINGFIELD  Some days I dont know why anyone would want to run for public office.

Youll be lied about. Vilified. Privacy will be a distant memory. And youll be a target, not just for your opponent, but by just about anyone with an axe to grind.

A case in point is state Rep. Avery Bourne.

The 24-year-old is the youngest person to ever serve in the Illinois General Assembly.

Not only is she bright and hard-working, she is a genuinely nice person.

Thats why I feel especially sad to see her the target of a vile attack.

Someone took a picture of her face and photo-shopped it on to the naked body of another woman and mailed the phony image to people throughout her legislative district. It even reportedly arrived in the mailbox of her grandmother and great-grandmother.

It doesnt get any sleazier than that.

So instead of talking about the issues, Bourne spent too much of the final days of her campaign responding to this disgusting attack.

Just who would do such a thing?

I dont know. All eyes turned to her Democratic opponent Mike Mathis. He denies it. And frankly it would have made little sense for him to have done such a thing.

So who did?

Police are investigating. But we do know whoever did the mailing has some degree of political knowledge. According to news reports, political donors and interest groups also received the mailings.

Its the sort of attack I cant fathom being used against a man.

Imagine someone pasting Mike Madigans face onto a photo of a naked man and mailing it out.

No, it just wouldnt be an effective smear campaign. But, unfortunately, women in public life are held to a different standard. Rumors are spread, lies are told and usually it pertains to their personal lives.

In fact, Ive known several young women holding legislative office that have been the subject of these kind of rumors.

Men on the other hand are given a pass.

In the case of Bourne, if you take a close look at her life youll be pretty bored.

She dropped out of a top-tier law school to serve in the General Assembly. One of her favorite past times is quilting -- something you expect grandmas not twenty-somethings to enjoy.

But despite such a conservative lifestyle, she was an easy target for this misogynistic attack.

When folks ask me about the low point of the 2016 election, it wont be something that Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton said  it will be this shameful attack on Avery Bourne.
Rated 2.9 out of 5 by 12 reviewers.

Rated 1 out of 5 by JustMo Disappointed After 3 short months my buds are broken the weight of the beads has caused the wires to loosen up and not connect right anymore so they no longer work , not worth the price I paid 03-22-16

Rated 2 out of 5 by Krini TOO HEAVY & BULKY Looked nice enough on air, but when received the item was heavy to wear and the earphones kept falling out of my ears. Seems they are not long enough to wear comfortably, when you turn your head, etc. Returned item after trying for one day. 01-09-16

Rated 3 out of 5 by SamdraSue Great Idea But Needs Improvement This was a really great idea but the sound quality just wasn't there. I returned them for that reason. However, I would buy again if they can improve the sound. 07-15-15

Rated 1 out of 5 by ue273 unique but useless Was looking for something different to use at the gym unfortunately things that look good aren't always a good buy. The necklace piece is too short alone on gym equipment and the extender makes it too long and it gets in the way. Also the earbuds require constant adjusting. The only thing this is sort of good for is ipod listening while walking the dog. 12-23-14

Rated 1 out of 5 by Honeybeebgs Didn't last Mags were not very strong. Fell out of ears. Few months after I got them the ear bud part came apart in pieces. 11-29-14

Rated 3 out of 5 by MM24 Nice; however... I ordered The Samba and the colors are pretty. I tried all three sizes of the ear tips and it seems that all three would not stay put on my ear. The ear piece would come off my ears. Also, when I was using it to have conversation with, the other person cannot hear me properly on the other end. 10-27-14

Rated 5 out of 5 by Michigan Bound Love these! This looks lovely as a necklace. They do work well. I use this in my car with my I-Phone! I also like to use this with my I-Pod. Don't be on the fence with this product! 05-15-14

Rated 2 out of 5 by GHall Not worth money Returning these before Christmas because they are cheaply made and not worth the money. Thet look cheap and not a good gift. They look like inexpensive costume jewelry and do not look like they will hold up to wear. These are going back! 12-06-13

Rated 5 out of 5 by Smokee No More Tangled Wires This is such a great idea as my ear buds are constantly either tangled or getting hooked on something. It just feels like the regular weight of a necklace and the Black looks good with most business attire. The voice quality is very good and the microphone is situated in the perfect spot so that the person I'm talking to can clearly hear me. If these hold up I'm going to purchase other colors. Great idea! 12-04-13

Rated 5 out of 5 by Retired StL Teacher Great solution to travelling with earphones!!! I got these to take with me on the plane - one less thing to search for in my bag once I'm all settled. I got the multi-colored and they look like a really bright and high end necklace! 12-04-13

Rated 3 out of 5 by His Plum Fought with the small silicone earbud tip This is a lovely product for those who can use the average-sized silicone tips that are already on the speaker stems. I need the small size and have easily and successfully changed the tips on numerous other products. Try as I might, I could NOT get the small ones onto the speaker stems of the LadyBuds. After 15 minutes, my patience was gone. I'll be sending them back this afternoon. Too bad. 12-03-13

Rated 4 out of 5 by Cee N These seem fun and work rather well... Hope these will last as they are cute! Ordered the black beaded ones! 12-02-13
The current polarization evident in the United States is a reaction to the rapid pace of global change, between those who want to harness it and build bridges, and those who want to erect walls, Antony Blinken said Saturday at RAND.

Blinken, U.S. deputy secretary of state and former deputy national security adviser for President Obama, delivered the keynote address, Government, Policy and Technology as part of RAND's Politics Aside event. The two-day nonpartisan discussion of policy is held every two years.

Global change has produced many benefits, including lifting billions of people out of poverty, spreading democracy, creating stability and international order, Blinken said. When you step back and look at the big picture, people are healthier, wealthier, better educated and more tolerant than any other time in human history, he said.

But while the benefits of globalization are undeniable, a significant portion of the U.S. population has experienced the downsides, leaving them to question the merits of being open to the world, he said.

They worry that refugees pose a threat to their physical safety, immigrants to our identity; that free-trade agreements are benefiting everyone except for them, that policies and investments are being made without them in mind, Blinken said. They've seen real wages stagnate and factory jobs disappear. What value can there be in a system that they feel has left them out and left them behind?

But this argument that we're better off pulling up the drawbridge is both totally understandable, and I continue to believe, fundamentally flawed, Blinken said. It underestimates the risks of turning inward while overstating the costs and downplaying the benefits of facing outward.

New technology has made information more abundant but also has fueled greater polarization and amplified a sense of chaos and confusion. In the 1990s, people got their news from the evening news or a respected newspaperoperating from a shared fact base. Today people obtain their news from multiple, often inaccurate sources that can crowd out other perspectives, he said.

Governing is becoming more difficult because so many more players could veto outcomes unless they can be persuaded to help become problem-solvers, Blinken said. People don't expect the government to solve every problem, but they do expect the government to recognize the problems and attempt to solve them.

People who believe in an open society have a lot of work to do, Blinken said. Although the government and policymakers cannot do it alone, people have to do a better job of listening to and responding to the needs of all citizens.

It's not truly progress, Blinken said, if too many of our fellow citizens are left out or feel left out.

 Lisa Sodders
To honor military veterans on Veterans Day, the Student Veterans Resource Center at the University of Georgia has planned multiple events across campus and around Clarke County.
The Redding Merchants Crime Watch was started five years ago out of frustration from hoteliers on Hilltop Drive who had enough with panhandlers and criminal activity.

The group grew to represent a cross-section of businesses around the North State. They stay connected via a website and social media.

Members also championed campaigns like "Handouts Don't Help": anti-panhandling posters that merchants were encouraged to place in their windows.

Redding Merchants Crime Watch the past few years has met quarterly at the Red Lion Hotel on Hilltop Drive, often inviting guests like Redding Police Chief Rob Paoletti and Shasta County Sherriff Tom Bosenko.

But one of the group's founders told me last week that it might be time to disband, or at least stop meeting every three months.

Still smarting from the disappointment of the ballot-box rejection of a city-wide referendum to raise taxes to help fight crime, Ed Rullman said he doesn't see the point in continuing to meet if the same 20 to 30 people keep showing up.

"The short answer is I don't see the Merchants Crime Watch going much further," said Rullman, a managing general partner at the Best Western Hilltop Inn.

Rullman, however, said it's a decision he won't make alone and will talk to the group's other leaders.

"If I have one more meeting, it might be the last meeting and we shut it down," Rullman said.

Rullman was clearly frustrated when I spoke with him.

"I am not so shocked Measure D lost as I am by how much it lost," he said. "I thought more people would be thinking along the same lines that we were thinking. Maybe people got complacent with the way things are."

You wonder if his frustration with Measure D's sound defeat has boiled over. Rullman fought hard to get the ballot initiative passed.

Stay tuned.

DOWNTOWN GASTRO PUB UPDATE

A few months back, I wrote of an impending downtown Redding real estate deal that would eventually open the door to a gastro pub inside the former Tri Counties Bank building on California Street.

The owners of From the Hearth want to call it The Citadel and it will feature more than 20 local and regional beers on tap, a food menu, outdoor seating with a covered patio and fire pit, as well as bocce ball and corn hole courts.

There was some buzz that with the recent opening of their downtown cafe inside the former Grilla Bites, the From the Hearth folks were dialing back on their plans for a gastro pub. Too much on their plate right now.

Not exactly.

Partner John Dix told me last week that they are hiring a restaurant consultant and will start working with the firm in January.

"I really want them to come in and help me analyze the project," Dix said, "because it's different from From the Hearth and some of it is beyond my experience" like how to set up the kitchen.

And if Dix and company like what they hear and the project pencils out, then they will move forward on The Citadel.

"Hopefully we will be open next November or October," Dix said.

Meanwhile, business is booming downtown for From the Hearth.

They hoped to serve 2,000 customers there on an average day but they are exceeding those expectations, averaging about 2,800 customers a day, Dix said.

Two weeks ago, their downtown location did the most business in an hour than any of From the Hearth's other three sit-down locations had ever done.

"Then we broke it again the next hour," Dix said.

Dix is working on a concept to incorporate From the Hearth Cafe with a bakery and franchise it.

He also still wants to open an upscale coffee shop downtown but is looking for some other groups, or investors, to come in and help.

"Right now I have just been shocked by how many people have come up to me thanking me," he said of the downtown location. "I am normally the one thanking all the customers who support our business."

SHOP SMALL

Small Business Saturday is a movement started several years back to bring attention to the independent merchants who can get lost in the shopping frenzy of the holidays.

It's held the Saturday after Black Friday.

Shop and boutique owners in Shasta Lake and Cottonwood are among the communities mobilizing for this year's version on Nov. 26.

In Shasta Lake, Heritage Roasting Company on Shasta Dam Boulevard is asking businesses to sign up and to use #shopsmallshastalake to promote their business. There will be fliers with all the businesses that are participating.

Go to http://bit.ly/2fp7FVk for more information about the event.

In Cottonwood, there will be a vendor circle opening at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Hall. Stores open at 10. Make a purchase from a participating merchant and you're automatically entered to win a $50 gift card.

Go to http://bit.ly/2fBFQdi for more information.

Reporter David Benda can be reached at 225-8219 or david.benda@redding.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS.
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By SCOTT SMITH, Associated Press

FRESNO, Calif. (AP)  A single mother of six in California is headed to trial and possibly a year in jail for selling homemade ceviche through a Facebook group she created as a hobby, officials said Monday.

Mariza Ruelas, 37, was cited with two misdemeanor counts after launching the online forum called "209 Food Spot"  a group for Stockton-area residents to trade recipes and sell their specialty dishes.

This case has no place in the criminal courts, said San Joaquin County Deputy Public Defender Benjamin Hall, who described Ruelas as being part of a new, shared economy that's evolving through social media. He compared it to ride-sharing ventures, such as Uber and Lyft.

Prosecutors say, however, that Ruelas did not have a business permit or undergo health inspections required of restaurants that protect people from eating food prepared in unsanitary kitchens, which can turn fatal.

"When it can cause death, it's our responsibility to enforce laws that protect the public," said Kelly McDaniel, who is prosecuting the case. "It's not unreasonable to be enforcing this type of law."

The home-based enterprise went well beyond a hobby, McDaniel said. She cited federal statics that roughly 3,000 Americans each year die from food-borne illnesses.

Ruelas' cooking hasn't sparked a formal complaint of illness, but McDaniel said she's not waiting for that to happen. People like Ruelas also undercut restaurant owners who obtain the proper permits, the prosecutor said.

Authorities say they first warned Ruelas and others in her online forum with a letter. She continued to operate and got into trouble when she unwittingly sold an order for ceviche to an investigator.

Ceviche is a popular Latin American dish often made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices and served cold.

Ruelas later rejected a plea deal to spend one year on probation and perform 80 hours of community service  avoiding the potential of jail time. She now plans to fight the case in trial.

"It's a hobby, it's creating this Facebook page about community and bringing people together around food," said Hall, Ruelas' public defender. "That's not what the criminal justice system should be used for."

Ruelas is raising money through the website gofundme.com and says she hopes to open her own restaurant, replacing the Facebook enterprise that got her in trouble.

"It was a hobby my girls and I enjoyed doing together on a free weekend," she wrote on the post. "Never in a million years did I ever imagine that things would get this bad."

___

Information from: KTXL-TV.
FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2013 file photo, a Transportation Security Administration officer stands in front of a portrait of slain TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez during his public memorial at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Paul Ciancia, the gunman who killed the federal security officer at Los Angeles International Airport and wounded three other people during a 2013 rampage, faces sentencing for murder and other crimes. Ciancia is expected to be sentenced Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, to life in prison for shootings that terrorized passengers and employees at the nation's second-busiest airport and disrupted air travel nationwide. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

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By BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP)  A deadly rampage at Los Angeles International Airport grew from a suicide plan that morphed into a twisted mission to die in a blaze of glory taking out federal officers, the gunman said before being sentenced Monday to life in prison.

In explaining the roots of his rage and offering a half-hearted apology, Paul Ciancia calmly told a federal judge the steps that led from him being "sick of life" to gunning down a Transportation Security Administration officer at point-blank range and wounding two other officers and a teacher before he was shot in the face and subdued three years ago.

"I knew exactly how I wanted to die," Ciancia stated. "I was going to take up arms against my own government."

Ciancia, 26, was sentenced to a mandatory term of life, plus 60 years for the Nov. 1, 2013, attack that crippled the nation's second-busiest airport and disrupted travel nationwide. He previously pleaded guilty to murder and 10 other charges in exchange for prosecutors dropping efforts to seek the death penalty.

Dressed in an all-white jail suit and shackled at the ankles, the diminutive and pale Ciancia stared at the agents he had shot and airport police who sat in the courtroom with black bands across their badges. He offered no apology to them, but he said he was sorry to Brian Ludmer, a teacher who was headed to a wedding in Chicago when he was struck by gunfire.

Ludmer was so appalled by Ciancia's "bizarre lack of remorse" for the officers and the family of slain Officer Gerardo Hernandez that he decided to address the killer by reading from an eloquent statement he had filed with the court.

Ludmer spoke about the pain he still endures and how he has lost faith in a system that allowed Ciancia to raise so many "red flags," yet avoid treatment for mental illness and be able to buy an assault rifle.

He then went off script to say Ciancia's apology meant nothing to him and that he needed instead to apologize to the TSA officers, the widow of Hernandez and the two children he left behind.

"If you can't see that, if you can't feel that, your sense of remorse is just as deranged as your actions," Ludmer said.

Outside court, TSA officer Tony Grigsby, who was wounded, said he felt Ciancia was giving him a "death stare."

"It's like he's inhuman," Grigsby said. "Seeing him with no kind of remorse made me sad for him."

Ciancia had shown no mercy for Hernandez on the day he gunned him down as the officer manned a security checkpoint. As Hernandez lay on the floor, Ciancia returned to fire several more shots because he saw him move.

Hernandez was not supposed to be at that station, but he volunteered to relieve a colleague when another officer didn't show up for work, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joanna Curtis said.

Hernandez was a well-liked officer who was proud of his family and his work, she said.

At moment of the shooting, surveillance video showed travelers and employees in the nearby screening area drop to the floor in unison, Curtis said. They lay still for a moment and then pandemonium broke out as they tried to flee the gunfire, some trying to push baby strollers through body-scanning machines.

"It was chaos," Curtis said.

Ciancia reloaded at the secondary screening point and shot Grigsby in the ankle and Officer James Speer in the shoulder as they tried to run. He hit Ludmer in the calf.

The unemployed motorcycle mechanic originally from New Jersey said he wanted to kill himself in the fall of 2012. He planned to spend $26,000 in savings and "enjoy ... retirement" as he developed the plot over the next year.

He was watching a lot of cable news during the presidential campaign and heard frequent discussion about gun control. After combing a conservative website known for peddling conspiracy theories, he decided to get a gun.

Not long afterward, he said he was hassled by Los Angeles police. He did not give details, but said that incident triggered his decision to take on the government.

The TSA was not in his first or even second choice as a target but while doing research he found it was the most hated agency in America.

"I wanted to make a statement," he said.

He threw his plan into action Nov. 1 when his money ran out and he was unable to pay rent.

"My retirement was over," he said.

Judge Philip Gutierrez recommended Ciancia be sent to the Federal Medical Center run by the Bureau of Prisons in Rochester, Minnesota, where he could be treated for mental illness.

Although the sentence carries no chance of parole, Ciancia apparently thinks he may one day be released.

In a court filing, one of his public defenders noted: "Ciancia believes he will get out of prison when the revolution begins."
SHARE Julie Alice Holliday Date of birth: Nov. 18, 1960 Vitals: 5 feet, 9 inches; 102 pounds; black hair, brown eyes Charge: Termination of probation Jason Taylor Ricketts Date of birth: Aug. 3, 1969 Vitals: 5 feet, 9 inches; 180 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes Charge: Receiving stolen property Thomas Lynn Ortiz Date of birth: Nov. 19, 1988 Vitals: 5 feet, 9 inches; 160 pounds; brown hair, green eyes Charge: Burglary Jeremy Russell Obosky Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1987 Vitals: 5 feet, 9 inches; 170 pounds; red hair, brown eyes Charge: Grand theft

By Staff Reports

Shasta's Most Wanted, featured in the Record Searchlight in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, targets people who have failed to show up in court for sentencing after being convicted.

As of Friday, a total of 727 arrests have been made through the Most Wanted program since it began in September 2013. Authorities say they have seen an increase in criminals failing to appear in court since the onset of Assembly Bill 109. Also known as prison realignment, the state program shifted certain state prison inmates to county supervision.

Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said court appearances have gone up since the rollout.

Five new people are added each week. Those caught will be held until at least their next court appearances. Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $250 for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be provided anonymously at 530-243-2319 or at www.scsecretwitness.com/home/submit-a-tip.

Anyone with information also can call SHASCOM at 245-6540. The feature appears Sundays in the Record Searchlight's Northern California section and on Redding.com.
Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

Kathy Grace, sitting next to her husband, Michael LaWare, looks up at the flags presented to them in 2005 after the death of their son, Army Spec. Casey LaWare, who served in Iraq. The flags were raised Saturday at the Behrens-Eaton Museum in Redding.

SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight The flags presented to Kathy Grace and Michael LaWare after the death of their son, Army Spec. Casey LaWare in 2005 in Iraq, were raised Saturday at the Behrens-Eaton Museum in Redding.

By Sean Longoria of the Redding Record Searchlight

The Behrens-Eaton House Museum in Redding received new American and California flags Saturday during a ceremony honoring veterans.

"It isn't necessarily a celebration so much as a recognition of what so many veterans are going through," museum governor David Morrow said before the flags were raised by a local Boy Scout troop.

The flags were donated by the family of U.S. Army Pfc. Casey LaWare, the 19-year-old Redding man who died in April 2005 as a result of burns suffered a guard-tower fire in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

"When I volunteered as a docent they had a United States flag up and then they had a much smaller California flag, they didn't look quite even," said Kathy Grace, LaWare's mother. "We, my family, had gotten several flags when Casey died from different organizations, so we had a surplus of flags."

Superior Court Judge Richard B. Eaton died in July 2003 and left his $5.5 million in a trust, directing the money be used toward a "free-standing Victorian museum" at his home on 1520 West St.

Eaton was also a veteran, having volunteered for the U.S. Army two years before the start of World War II and was stationed in San Francisco during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Morrow said.

His service also brought him to Africa and Italy, where he had an audience with Pope Pius XII and met Gen. George S. Patton Morrow said.

"Part of the Eaton and Behrens families' lives was to serve in the military," said Morrow, noting Eaton's uncle, Earl Behrens, and father, Walter Eaton, had also served in World War 1 and his father also served in the Spanish-American War.

The museum has displays about all three men, in addition to LaWare, Grace said.

"I wasn't really particularly interested in having Casey featured so much here as to keep his name out there," she said. "Anytime that I can mention Casey's name, it's all I can do for him now is keep him remembered."

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 241-3454 for more information.
Stethoscope wrapped around hundred dollar bills

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By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight

A Bay Area organization that specializes in methadone treatment has shown interest in opening a clinic in Redding, but Shasta County health officials aren't making any final decisions on that just yet.

"We're not contracting with anybody right now," said Donnell Ewert, director of the Shasta County Health and Human Services agency. "It doesn't make sense to do it right now."

BAART Programs, known as Bay Area Addiction Research & Treatment, provides medication-assisted treatment in methadone and buprenorphine, and is part of BayMark Health Services, which already operates in 52 locations across the nation, and has 22 locations in California alone.

In a prepared statement, Dave White, chief executive officer of BayMark, said that on their end, they've found that systems need to be in place from the county to support a narcotic treatment program, such as funding and reimbursement.

"While we are prepared to begin developing a program immediately, we are simply waiting for such systems to be finalized by the county," White said. And without Medi-Cal reimbursement, White said patients may have to seek treatment by paying out of pocket instead.

"It's an expensive service," Ewert said.

According to Ewert, right now Drug Medi-Cal law permits reimbursement through where the service is provided, not where the resident is from.

And according to the Department of Healthcare Services, county officials can apply for a waiver, known as the Organized Delivery System Waiver, that would give state and county officials the authority to select providers in the area and provide better quality service.

Right now the Department of Healthcare Services could change reimbursement for patients based on "county of responsibility" as opposed to "county of service," which is what's in place now. Ewert said they've applied for the waiver for Shasta County, but it could be another year before they're approved.

While officials with BAART had been in talks about opening up a full-fledged clinic in Redding, Aegis Treatment Centers in Chico, had also expressed interest in opening up a satellite clinic.

Aegis already treats about 70 patients from Redding, who travel to Chico every day to obtain their daily methadone.

"They don't have the advantage as Aegis does," Ewert said about BAART.

If a satellite clinic were to open, Redding patients would still have to go to Chico once a week for counseling.

But just because plans are on hold doesn't mean they won't happen in the future, Ewert said.

"I want to see as many Medication Assisted Programs for people as possible, and that includes methadone  so that the people here with opiate addiction have the best chance possible to be free of their addiction," Ewert said.
Donna Burt, right, director of the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center, talks to officers about access to her animals near the scene of a fatal shooting involving a Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputy Sunday at the Fox Grove Fishing Access in Hughson, Calif. Deputy Dennis Wallace was shot twice in the head and killed Sunday while responding to a call about a suspicious car and person. The suspect in the case was arrested later after trying to steal a woman's purse, authorities said. (Joan Barnett Lee/The Modesto Bee via AP)

SHARE The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department says Deputy Dennis Wallace was shot and killed Sunday outside the city of Hughson, while checking on a suspicious car, and that 36-year-old suspect David Machado was arrested in Tulare County. (Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department via AP) . David Machado is seen in an undated photo provided by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. Marchado, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputy outside the city of Hughson on Sunday was arrested in Tulare County, according to the according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. (Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department via AP)

By ELLEN GARRISON, Sacramento Bee

HUGHSON (AP)  A man suspected of shooting a sheriff's deputy twice in the head in Central California was arrested hours after the killing on Sunday when he tried to steal a woman's purse, authorities said.

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace, was shot at point-blank range as he checked on a report of a suspicious van parked near a fishing access spot outside the city of Hughson, about 10 miles southeast of Modesto, county Sheriff Adam Christianson said.

"We believe that Deputy Wallace was killed outside of the car, and we know for a fact that the gun used in this crime was in direct contact with his head when the trigger was pulled twice," Christianson told a news conference. "This was an execution."

Wallace was alone when he came across the van Sunday morning. A dispatcher told him the vehicle was stolen, so he asked for backup. Another deputy found Wallace a short time later. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, the department said.

The suspect, identified as David Machado, 36, fled in the van and carjacked a white Kia sedan in the nearby city of Keyes, police said.

While on the run, Machado committed an armed robbery in the town of Lindsay, about 150 miles south of where the shooting occurred, Christianson said. Then, shortly after noon, he tried to steal a woman's purse at a convenience store.

The woman fought Machado and called police. He ran from the scene, but he was caught by officers a short time later.

The Lindsay police officers didn't recognize Machado as the suspect in Wallace's killing until after he was taken into custody, when they identified him through tattoos and a photograph issued by Stanislaus County.

Christianson said Machado was wanted for a felony warrant at the time of the traffic stop. He did not elaborate on the alleged crime.

He said authorities have recovered the van and the Kia sedan as evidence in the investigation.

Wallace, 53, is survived by his wife, Mercedes, and children. He was a 20-year department veteran who lived and worked in Hughson, where he was involved in youth soccer, refereed football games and taught schoolchildren how to avoid drugs and violence in the D.A.R.E. program.

"He wasn't just assigned to Hughson; he's a fixture in Hughson. He was so well-loved," county Supervisor Vito Chiesa told the Modesto Bee.

Wallace is the fifth law enforcement officer in California to die in the line of duty in the last five weeks. The slaying comes after a deputy in Modoc County was killed while responding to a call about a disturbance, two Palm Springs police officers were shot to death during a domestic disturbance call, and a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant was shot and killed in the high-desert town of Lancaster while answering a burglary call.

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This was supposed to be, in the minds of many, the election that moved the rest of the nation closer to pluralistic, pro-tax, anti-gun, "progressive" California.

Never mind.

California voters reinforced the state's image in a big way, favoring Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a nearly 2-to-1 margin and passing ballot measures to tax the rich, regulate ammunition sales, soften criminal punishment, lift the ban on bilingual education and legalize marijuana.

But Trump cracked Democrats' much-vaunted "blue wall" in the rest of the nation to score a stunning upset in the presidential duel, winning even such traditionally Democratic states as Wisconsin and Michigan.

Trump's victory, coupled with continued Republican control of Congress, means California will be, at least for the next four years, the nation's diaspora for liberal politics. And on a practical level, it may mean a running war between Sacramento and Washington.

With the GOP controlling the federal government, for instance, Gov. Jerry Brown can probably kiss goodbye any lingering hopes that Uncle Sam will finance his much-cherished bullet train project.

Once a short stretch of track is constructed in the San Joaquin Valley, the state will be on its own. State officials have toyed with leveraging proceeds of the state's "cap-and-trade" auctions of carbon dioxide emission allowances, but recent auctions have produced almost nothing.

In fact, California's entire anti-carbon crusade could become another point of friction. Brown and other Californians have portrayed it as a model for the nation, and even the world. But a Trump White House is likely to back away from carbon reduction, leaving California as an outlier.

Trump's triumph has another potential impact on California  reinforcing the Supreme Court's conservative wing that could breathe new life into the challenge to California's law requiring nonunion members to pay dues.

That law has fueled political power that public employee unions wield, and they were braced for a big hit before the death of Justice Antonin Scalia gave them a reprieve.

An even more direct confrontation may be over Obamacare.

No state was more vigorous in implementing the Affordable Care Act, extending health insurance coverage to millions of Californians, particularly through expansion of Medi-Cal, which covers the poor, to more than a third of its population.

A Republican Congress has pledged to repeal the ACA, and if it does, the state could lose many billions of federal dollars that have paid for expansion, forcing the state to decide whether to continue its coverage for millions of Californians on its own dime. Indeed, it could become the ultimate test of just how "progressive" California's politicians are.

And then there are the state's 3 million illegal immigrants. How will they fare if Trump's administration tries to implement his oft-expressed sentiments?

With Brown having just two years remaining in his governorship, California-Washington conflicts could dominate the 2018 campaign for governor that's already underway.

Email Dan Walters at dwalters@sacbee.com.
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Mike Morton Sr., French Gulch

Donald Trump wants to exclude statements made by him on the campaign trail concerning the Trump University fraud trial in Los Angeles. The former students suing Trump want to introduce these statements from speeches and tweets during rallies and debates, including comments about the case and the judge. It will be interesting if Trump can be held legally accountable for his own words.

How ironic! Is Trump attempting to rig the system?
Warning: Contains graphic images and language. Thousands of people again marched through streets in downtown Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016, protesting the election of Donald Trump as president. They also joined a group protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline at Federal Plaza. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Carrying signs and chanting, "Not my president," thousands of people marched through the streets of downtown Chicago on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump.

On the fourth day of demonstrations since the Tuesday election, protesters walked shoulder to shoulder down the Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park, pausing outside the Trump Tower along the Chicago River where police set up barricades to keep them from getting close.

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"No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA!" they shouted, some thrusting middle fingers in the air toward the 98-story skyscraper stamped with the Trump name.

Along the route, motorists honked horns in support and curious tourists and shoppers stopped to snap cellphone photos of the marchers. One man in a red University of Wisconsin sweatshirt shouted, "Go Trump!" as the crowd passed, but he was drowned out by protesters singing, "All you need is love."

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 People protesting both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the election of Donald Trump pass by the Chicago Theatre during a march from Federal Plaza to Trump Tower in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

"I think it's great," said Gloria Jackson, 53, who stepped out of Ronnie's Original Chicago Steak House on West Randolph Street to let her 11-year-old grandson shoot some video on her phone. "People can let their voices be heard. That's what this country is all about, whether you're for Trump or against him."

At least two groups participated in marches in and around the Loop and the Near North Side, according to organizers and police. The crowd was mostly young and very diverse, some marching in bluejeans and sweaters while others wore bandannas across their faces and militant garb.

The crowd swelled to as large as several thousand at one point as protesters marched back up Michigan Avenue to Ohio Street before being turned south by police to head through River North to Federal Plaza. There, they joined with another group protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline for a mid-afternoon rally. By 3 p.m., the protesters had dwindled to a few hundred as Native American chants echoed through the plaza and demonstrators linked arms and danced.

A group of Native-Americans lead people protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline during a march from Federal Plaza to Trump Tower in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Although loud and occasionally vulgar, the demonstrators were peaceful. Only two arrests, for obstructing traffic, were reported, according to police.

"(It went) fantastically," said Chicago police Lt. Godfrey Cronin, who was stationed at Federal Plaza around 3 p.m. "A bunch of young people got together, they didn't know each other, they controlled the crowd wonderfully and everybody peacefully protested, got their message out."

The ongoing Chicago demonstrations were among several held across the country, including in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Oakland, Calif., in the wake of Trump's stunning defeat of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Thousands of protesters took to Chicago's streets for nearly nine hours Wednesday and into early Thursday in an intense show of opposition to the president-elect. On Thursday evening, about 50 young people gathered at Trump Tower to protest, and a small group also demonstrated on Friday.

The Chicago events have been relatively peaceful and devoid of any of the heavy vandalism or effigy burning that occurred in other cities.

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A group of people protesting both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the election of Donald Trump rally in front of Trump Tower in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

As they had in previous protests, police on Saturday used bicycles to set up rolling barricades and keep the marchers to certain streets.

At times, the protesters had to compete with the usual throngs of Saturday shoppers and tourists. Access to The Bean sculpture in Millennium Park had been restricted beginning in late morning, but those restrictions were later lifted to the joy of scores of tourists who had gone downtown on the sunny, crisp autumn afternoon.

Earlier, protesters were in the River North area and also marched near Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue, but shopping appeared to go on unabated.

The event was organized by Dustin Kloeppel, 20, who on late Wednesday created a Facebook event titled "Millennium Park Protest" that he thought would attract only family and friends. Instead, he found himself surrounded by hundreds of people Saturday morning. Kloeppel said he hopes the protest will encourage people to stay involved in the political process and to vote.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

"I would really like to fight xenophobia, racism, sexism, transhomophobia, Islamophobia, all that stuff, because bigotry is not a beautiful thing and we need more beautiful things in our communities and in our lives," said Kloeppel, of Rogers Park.

People protesting both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the election of Donald Trump pass by the Chicago Theatre during a march from Federal Plaza to Trump Tower in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Richard Domenico Ehlert, one of the leaders of a larger group, said Saturday that police had been "been more cooperative than I ever would have imagined" in allowing them to exercise their First Amendment rights.

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"We do not accept Trump's hatred, his bigotry, his sexism and his homophobia," said Ehlert, 19. "With the popular vote we elected Hillary Clinton, not Donald Trump."

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

gwong@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jmetr22b

Twitter @GraceWong630
MUMBAI: People queue-up outside a bank to change old Rs 500/1,000 notes on Sunday morning. Photograph: Sahil Salvi.

There was no let up in the rush for exchanging demonetised notes and withdrawing money with many people spending their Sunday queueing up outside banks and ATMs since early morning hours, even as some of the outlets were shut after being short on cash.

Impatience, disappointment and anger prevailed as people continued to face hardship in exchanging demonetised currency notes and withdrawing money on a Sunday and struggled to procure essentials to meet daily needs.

People in large numbers queued up outside Banks and ATMs to get cash. Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in the ATMs and banks- and patience among public- ran dry as the day drew to an end.

Delhiites started forming serpentine queues as early as 6 am outside ATMs and banks to try to get cash. Security has been beefed up outside bank branches as people struggling to buy daily items lined up to get Rs 100 currency notes.

On Saturday, there were rumous of stampede, of people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur, following which police asked citizens not to spread such rumours and warned of strict action.

NEW DELHI: People wait in a long queue notes outside Reserve Bank of India on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo



Since its a Sunday, we are expecting more crowd outside banks and ATMs. We have made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs, said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks to keep the situation under control.

I didnt get a chance to exchange the banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as I was working. But today is my off day and so I rushed to the bank only to find a huge crowd of people waiting for their turn to come. The crowd is swelling by the hour, said Mohit Jha, a resident of Vikaspuri.

ALLAHABAD: Women queue-up outside a bank to exchange their old notes. Photograph: PTI Photo



A 71-year-old Roopak Das said he had a harrowing time on Staurday running from one ATM to another to withdraw money.

I visited a number of ATMs to withdraw money yesterday but none of them were operational. I'm old and there is nobody at my home who can withdraw money on my behalf. Im finding this extremely difficult. Today I woke up early and reached the ATM but then were was a long queue. I just hope that I am able to withdraw money today, Das said.

Another elderly resident expressed his frustration saying he was completely out of cash and had to borrow money from his neighbour.

Even today there is no respite. I went to the bank and stood in the queue for sometime but then my legs began to hurt and came back. Arrangements should be put in place for the elderly and disabled people, 68-year-old Manoj Singh said.

Many people couldnt purchase milk, vegetables, medicines as they didnt have adequate Rs 100 notes.

MUMBAI: Security forces were deployed to manage anxious crowds outside banks and ATMs. Photograph: Sahil Salvi.

In Mumbai, long, snaking queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs with those facing cash paucity complained of having to wait for hours as the bank branches themselves were running short of currency notes.

Longer queues were seen outside the public sector banks where a sizeable number of account holders are retired persons and senior citizens.

There was increased anxiety among some customers as the bank staff took longer time to process their cash request.

Earlier, I had decided to wait a bit longer and then approach an ATM to withdraw money for my weekly needs. I witnessed that there has been some crunch of Rs 100 denomination notes in the market, said Vinayak Bhargav, who runs an electrical service centre in Mulund.

Union Finance Minister has also admitted that ATMs would take longer time for calibration. In such a situation, even I am forced to visit bank and wait in a queue, he said.

Those having current accounts with banks are also hit hard, he said.

Current account holders are the ones who provide some services, run shops and restaurants -- where daily large cash is generated and it is deposited in their accounts. Such account holders are given special treatment by bank officials as well. However, in the post demonetisation days, the cash generation is reduced but daily deposition is also getting time-consuming because of long queues, Bhargav said.

RAJOURI: People queue-up outside the State Bank of India. Photograph: PTI Photo

Some people with accounts in cooperative banks complained that they took longer time to get their money exchanged from such banks because of the cash crunch.

Vaidehi Madiwale, a resident of suburban Borivali, said, The cooperative bank manager came out today morning and told the people in the queue that the bank has run out of currency notes of Rs 100 and the supply of new notes from public sector banks is not sufficient to cater to the needs of the customers.

If the managers claim is true, then some senior government officer should intervene and ensure that cooperative banks get enough cash supply, she said.

Meanwhile, workers from various political parties came out to help the people standing in queues outside banks and ATMs in the megacity, by offering them drinking water and refreshments like tea.

The workers of Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Congress visited some bank branches and offered refreshments.

Almost everybody is affected by the decision of demonetisation and we realised that people above (the age of) 50 are worried more. The offering of water or tea is an attempt to bring some relief. It also gives a psychological support to the people who are anxious and unnecessarily worried, a Shiv Sena worker said.

PATNA: People show money withdrawn from an ATM. Photograph: PTI Photo

In Kolkata too, long queues in front of bank branches and ATMs greeted people.

With all bank branches open today as per the RBI directive to deal with the unprecedented situation, people formed serpentine queues in front of banks from as early as 6 am to withdraw money.

Some were lucky to have been able to withdraw money from a few operating ATMs, but given the huge demand for cash it proved to be just drops of water in an ocean.

There was also the unusual sight of large retail markets like Lake Market, Gariahat and Maniktala in the south and northern parts of the metropolis witnessing little footfall compared to the usual sight of heavy crowd on weekends.

Generally, I sell more than Rs 1 lakh worth of fish on a Sunday morning, but today I could manage to sell fish worth a few thousand Rupees, Apu Naskar, a fish seller at Lake Market, said.

A few shopkeepers some markets are still accepting old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in view of the situation and to sell their fast perishable goods, but on condition that the transaction would be worth at least Rs 500 or in multiples.

RAJASTHAN: Women queue up outside a bank to exchange their old notes in Beawar. Photograph: PTI Photo.

But the most harrassed of all remained those with medical emergencies as most medicine shops and many private hospitals refused to accept old currencies of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination.

Exuberance of many people who could manage to withdraw money from bank branches found their joy to be short-lived as they could not get change for Rs 2000 notes at grocery shops or buying other materials of small price.

The scene was repeated across the state as people had little or no money with them or had Rs 2,000 notes which proved to be useless for want of change in the hands of the shopkeepers.

JAMMU: Jammu & Kashmir police personnel stand with other people in a queue outside an ATM in Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo.

Payments could not be made for different needs of people ranging from buying things of daily needs to plumbing or small electrical works at households.

I urgently need to do some plumbing work at my house and clean the water tank but I have only Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes at home which are not legal tender now, said Manish Chatterjee, a resident of Barasat in the northern suburbs of the city.

Only those who were lucky to get Rs 100 notes from some branches could manage to continue with their daily chores, but only after spending hours at bank branches.

While there were reports of chaos and commotion at some banks, some branches were thoughtful enough to offer seats to senior citizens and water to those waiting in queues for hours.

Though I had to wait over three hours to withdraw money, I was offered a seat and drinking water inside the branch, said P K Roy, a 75-year old customer at Kasba branch of State Bank of India.

LUCKNOW: People queue up outside a bank. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo.

Meanwhile, in a tragic incident, an auto driver in Nizamabad district of Telangana tried to immolate himself as he could not pay the instalment of this month to the auto's financier.

Sheik Basheer has been admitted to Armoor Hospital in a serious condition.

In Chennai, people continued to throng banks and ATMs to exchange or deposit scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, but many cash vending machines ran dry after a few hours.

People lined up before bank branches since morning and with several more ATMs on Sunday dispensing Rs 100 notes, it came as a big relief to the harried public.

Customers at PSU lenders, including State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda besides private banks, said they were able to withdraw cash from ATMs and that they got the crucial Rs 100, notes.

Coming out from a bank, V P Radhakrishanan, a private sector employee, said, I got Rs 100 notes ... the number of people waiting has also thinned down compared to morning.

AND THEY ARRIVE : Several banks across the country also issued new Rs 500 notes on Sunday. So far, banks were disbursing only Rs 2,000 and Rs 100 notes in exchange for old notes. Photograph: PTI Photo.

The RBI regional office in Chennai on Rajaji Salai attracted a continuing stream of people with the queue there extending to nearly a kilometre.

People said they preferred to come to the Central Banks counters as currency of lower denominations including Rs 100 and Rs 20 were being dispensed for the scrapped notes.

Several ATMs continued to be shut, while some ran out of cash shortly and a section of them had fewer people. However, traders and vegetable vendors at the Koyambedu Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Market complained of poor sale due to lack of sufficient change.

MOBILE ATMs: A Mobile ATM at Marine Drive in Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi.

Meanwhile, some small traders and fish market vendors said they accepted the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from some of their buyers as they had only such scrapped notes.

Several of my customers had only scrapped Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes. They said they could not exchange it in view of heavy crowds. If I turn them away I will lose business, a fish vendor, Devanesan Joel said.

He said that he could not afford to lose business on a Sunday, wherein more people go in for non-vegetarian stuff.

Officials said banks in Tamil Nadu were receiving adequate cash inflows to cater to the needs of the people.

In Madhya Pradeshs Sagar district, a 69-year-old retired man died after suffering a heart attack while standing in a queue, police said.

We got the information that an old man (Vinay Kumar Pandey) suffered a heart attack while he was standing in queue outside a bank to exchange his demonetised notes. He was rushed to a private hospital where he died later during treatment, Police Inspector V S Chauhan said.

Pandey, a retired BSNL employee, collapsed after standing in the queue for 30 minutes outside a bank branch in Makronia, his son Vinod Kumar said.

My father was rushed to a private hospital where doctors said that he had suffered heart attack. Despite efforts, my father died an hour after being admitted to the hospital, Vinod Kumar said.

He said the doctors told them that his father had suffered heart attack.
These pictures of beautiful temples and nature will make you want to take an Indian vacation, right now.

Take a look!

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IMAGE: First up we have Srinivasan Vasan's picture of the fascinating Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai.

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IMAGE: Venkata Satish's mesmerising picture of Igatpuri makes us want to pack our bags and head to this scenic location right away :)



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IMAGE: Atanu Mondal's picture of mountains covered in snow at Manali reminds us of Switzerland.



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IMAGE: Kalyan Chakravarthi shared this picture of the Nagalinga at Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh. It's probably the largest one in the country.

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IMAGE: Ananda Gupta's picture of the Beas River, which rises in the Himalayas, is too tempting to take our eyes off it.

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IMAGE: Pramod Rao's click of the c louds enveloping the mountains at Ghangaria, Uttarakhand.

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IMAGE: The setting sun at Gorai beach, Mumbai through Ananda Gupta's lens.

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IMAGE: Ishan Krishna captured the Avalanche lake in Ooty in all its glory.

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IMAGE: Here's another photo by Ishan Krishna. This time it's the Avalanche mountain range in Ooty. Isn't it beautiful?

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IMAGE: We wind up with Debjit Basak's picture which was taken from Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh.

Follow this link to post the best of your #India-Photos and we will publish them right here on Rediff.com!
The death toll in the suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy at a popular sufi shrine in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province has gone up to 52. Over hundred people were also injured in the bombing.

The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Lasbela district where devotees were attending a Sufi dance called "dhamaal" at Dargah Shah Noorani shrine.

The target of the attack was an area where believers would perform 'dhamaal'. The blast site is situated some 250km away from Karachi.

Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed the blast which happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.

The Express Tribune initially reported that at least 40 people had been killed in the blast. It cited police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Rescue teams had reached the blast site and started shifting the deceased and injured to the hospital. However, rescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area.

The death toll is feared to rise with women and children casualties in the deadly blast.

"The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals," said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.

Local tehsildar Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.

"It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergencies or ambulances at the site," he said.

He said the devotees take part in the 'dhamaal' everyday after sunset and the blast took place close to where they were dancing inside the compound of the shrine.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have strongly condemned the bomb blast. They directed the concerned authorities to speed up the rescue activities and provide best medical facilities to the injured.

This is not the first time that extremists have targeted a shrine in Balochistan. This is the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August.

In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta. Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.

An emergency has been declared in hospitals of Khuzdar and Karachi. The only hospital in the district is Civil Hospital Khuzdar, which is not equipped to handle the scope of the emergency.

Pakistan President Hussain said, "the government would eliminate the evil of terrorism from the country."

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said that provincial government would do everything for the victims as he ordered commissioner of Qalat division to submit a report about the attack.

Army said that it has also sent more than a dozen ambulances to help remove the bodies of victims.

The provincial government has set up a special team at the Home Ministry to deal with the situation after the attack. Electricity services were also disrupted following the explosion, hampering rescue efforts further. Electric power to the shrine is supplied with generators, Dawn News reported.

Two platoons of the Frontier Corps had also reached the shrine with medical and rescue equipment.

"People who are critically injured in the blast will be transported to Karachi," said Bugti.

Syed Zulfiqar Shah, the deputy commissioner of Khuzdar, said rescue teams were facing problems as they were no mobile signal networks in the area.

The mineral and resources-rich Balochistan province has been hit by terrorism, sectarian violence, targeted killings and insurgency.

More than 1,400 incidents of targeting the minority Shia and Hazara community have been reported in the province during the past 15 years. The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran and is said to be the home to some terrorist outfits as well who fled the northern and tribal areas after the military operation started there two years back.

Photographs: Reuters
India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council has received a strong support from many UN member states, including the UK and France, who emphasised that the the world body's top organ must reflect the emergence of new global powers.

More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General assembly session last week.

"Many favoured bolstering representation for such emerging powers as Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. While some spotlighted the progress made in recent years through the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform process, others voiced deep frustration that more had not yet been achieved," a summary of the November 7 meeting posted on the UN website said.

Among the large number of nations supporting a permanent seat for India and other emerging powers like Brazil and Germany were two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council, the United Kingdom and France.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said at the session that Britain believes in a modest expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories is the approach that the UN member states should collectively pursue. The increase in membership should be such that it balances representation with effectiveness.

Rycroft reiterated his country's support for permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, alongside permanent African representation.

Referring to British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last week, her first bilateral trip outside Europe since taking office, Rycroft said she discussed "that very issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"Our support is steadfast, and I look forward to working through all available avenues to reach the more representative and more effective Council that we seek," he said.

France's Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamek said his country wished to see the Council reflect the emergence of new world powers, for which it supported the candidacies of Germany, Brazil, India and Japan and the increased representation of African countries in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.

The five permanent members should also refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities, a commitment that France had already made, he said.

German ambassador to the UN Harald Braun, speaking on behalf of the G4 Group of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, said Council reform was an urgent matter, saying the Council must be rendered fit-for-purpose in order to face the current global challenges of peace and security. He added that all regions must be adequately represented to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.

During the session, India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, in a stinging criticism of the Security Council, had said that the 15-nation body is "stuck in its own time warp and politics."

He had also lamented the "never-ending carousel of discussions" on UNSC reforms saying "it is time to break the impasse" to urgently reform the UN body that is "unresponsive" to the current global situation.
Hitting out at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it did not have the strength to touch high value currency during its rule and asserted that the clean up was required as a lot had been looted in the last 70 years.

I am surprised that the Congress is asking why did I stop Rs 1,000 notes and 500 notes. When you stopped 25 paise, did we say anything? You could dare to stop only 25 paise, thats what your power was limited to. But you did not make higher denomination currency notes illegal. ... We did it. People have chosen a government and they expect so much from it, Modi said, as he took on Congress which has been critical of the Centre's demonetisation move.

You had also agreed to stop (black money), but you did not have the strength to stop big notes. You wanted to run the vehicle (by stopping) 25 paise, he said.

Lashing out at the previous United Progressive Alliance government, he said, On the night of November 8, at 8 o'clock, did you see (what happened)? In 2012, 2013, 2014 newspapers were filled with news about lots of money being eaten up in scams like coal and 2G. But after November 8, their position was such that they had to stand in line for Rs 4,000.

Those who question me today... those who had heard my speeches... I have not said this for the first time. Many years ago I had said in a public function that Congress doesnt have strength so they are stopping 25 paise, if Im given a chance I will stop Rs 1,000 note, he said.

The prime minister, who was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Karnataka Lingayat Education Society, a leading educational institution here, said the government did not want to harass the honest but would not spare the dishonest.

... it has been 70 years, tell me has the country been looted or not? Has corruption taken place or not? Are big stacks of cash lying at houses or not? the prime minister said, strongly defending "the war" against black money.

Enough has been looted. You have seen looters. For 70 years the country has been looted, give me 70 months I will clean it up, he added.

These people who used to ask what has Modi done? Switch on your TV and see what Modi did on 8th November, he said.

Stating that he has started a sacred work for the honesty people, he added, If you believe in my honesty and my work, if you believe in my words to clean up notes I need you blessings, please bless me.

Asserting that he has not hidden anything from the people, Modi sought their support in protecting the honest in the ongoing drive against black money, amid reports of long queues and cash crunch at banks and post offices where people thronged to exchange the now-invalid currency.

If I lie, you have the right to get angry on me. I had said on the first day, give me 50 days for this work, give me time till 30 December. I had said on the first day itself that there will be difficulty till 30 December. I have worked taking the country into confidence.

There are crores of people in this country who are living with honesty. Please tell me isnt it the duty of the government to protect the honest, to punish the dishonest?" he said seeking peoples support on the issue.

The country is happy. On November 8, the poor of India slept in peace and the rich went in search of sleeping pills but no one was there to give it to them, he remarked.

Emphasising that humongous task was involved in the operation, Modi said, I have only asked you for 50 days for the sake of the country.

The government had removed tax on credit cards and debit cards in budget, he said, adding, It was done because I had to do this today.

Jan Dhan accounts were also opened along with which Rupay cards were given to 20 crore people so that they get used to transacting with it, he said.

It will take time, but we started it two years ago. I have not done it all of a sudden, he added.

Hinting at more steps to crackdown on black money, the prime minister said, Dishonest and those protecting them listen to me with open ears, after December 30 Modi will not stop.

The PM also complimented bank officials for their work, saying, I was seeing that those working in banks what they used to work in one year, they have worked in these 10 days. ... appreciate them for their good work.

The country is tired of corruption. There is pain, I agree that because of this decision of mine there is pain, but there is more gain for the country, he said, adding, I want to assure you that I'm standing with you.

The exercise will continue till December 30 and it will be fruitful, Modi said, as he warned that those trying to show honesty by other means and trying to deposit money, I will open your history and impose 200 per cent penalty.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at Karnataka Lingayat Education Society Centenary Celebrations in Belagavi, Karnataka on Sunday. PTI Photo
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting emotional over inconvenience caused to the common man over the governments demonetisation step, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the PM was now facing concrete reality.

In a series of tweets, the Congress vice-president said, First laughter now tears! Mediocrity comes face to face with reality.

If trucks go off the roads, supply of essentials across the country will be paralysed. Hope Mr Modi has a plan for this, he said in another tweet while pointing at the liquidity crunch.

Gandhi had earlier tweeted about a smiling Modi during the latters visit to Japan recently.

Modi laughs as poor cry, he had tweeted.

The prime minister got emotional while addressing a function at Panaji today over the problems being faced by people after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

He urged the people to bear with him till December 30, saying, I will give you the India you desired.

Congress leader Anand Sharma, too, hit out at the PM and said, He (Modi) has created a propaganda and scripted Indias financial chaos and anarchy.

He also alleged that the Modi government had sounded off those close to them about the demonetisation move.

PM is indulging in theatrics and drama. He is misleading people. His party and its leaders have thrived on black money. They are holders of illegal property and gold. I am levelling this direct charge on PM and his government that they made their own people know about the step, Sharma told a television channel.

The former Union minister also attacked the PM for calling majority of the country corrupt.

In a country where majority of transactions are cash-oriented, is he trying to say that is black money? The farmers of this country, who sell and buy in cash, they work hard.

Similarly, the unorganised sector, barbers, housemaids, construction labourers. PM is condemning the majority and mocking at them. He is calling three-fourth of this country corrupt, he said.

Sharma added that Modi was also in the wrong to deny the common man access to their own bank accounts.

Photograph: PTI
Morgan County Election Board reviews financial records

The Morgan County Election Board met Friday to review the campaign finance reports of local candidates running for office.
Afghanistan's parliament has dismissed two more cabinet ministers because of poor performance, bringing the total number of ministers removed to five over two days.

Lawmakers voted to fire Education Minister Asadullah Hanif Balkhi and Transportation Minister Mohammadullah Batash on November 13.

The votes took place despite pleas from President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to halt further action against the Western-backed government.

Ghani and Abdullah told lawmakers that "their decision will deal a huge political blow to the government at this critical time and urged them to stop the process," said Mirdad Najrabi, chairman of parliament's security commission.

On November 12, parliament dismissed three ministers, including Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.

The dismissals come as Afghanistan is embroiled in an economic crisis and is struggling to rein in an emboldened Taliban insurgency.

They add to the troubles of the unity government, which was brokered following the disputed 2014 presidential elections but has since been weakened by infighting.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Khaama Press
Bulgarians are voting for a new president in a runoff election that pits a Russia-friendly Socialist candidate against the country's parliament speaker.

Rumen Radev, a former air force commander and newcomer to politics, has campaigned on an antimigrant, pro-Moscow message.

Opinion polls have shown Radev consistently ahead of Tsetska Tsacheva (eds: a female), who is backed by the right-of-center GERB party.

Voting booths opened at 7 a.m. (Prague time) on November 13 for the country's 6.8 million registered voters. First results are expected later in the day.

"Until recently I flew a Soviet jet fighter. I have graduated from a U.S. academy. But I am a Bulgarian general. My cause is Bulgaria," said Radev, 53.

But Radev has called for an end to EU sanctions against Russia and said Sofia should be "pragmatic" about its stance regarding Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

Backed by the opposition Socialists, Radev narrowly beat Tsacheva in the November 6 first-round election, 25.5 percent to 22 percent.

Corruption and a dismal economy under the center-right government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has worked in Radev's favor.

The Bulgarian president's post is a largely ceremonial position.

Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS
The Iraqi military says its forces have retaken the northern town of Nimrud, the site of an ancient Assyrian city, from Islamic State (IS) militants.

"Troops from the 9th Armored Division liberated Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties," a statement said on November 13.

It did not specifically mention the archaeological site located near the town.

Nimrud dates back to the 13th century BC and became the capital of the Assyrian empire.

The IS group seized the site two years ago and posted video on the Internet of its fighters sledgehammering monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up, as part of a campaign of destruction by the militants against heritage sites under their control in Iraq and neighboring Syria.

Nimrud lies about 30 kilometers southeast of the major city of Mosul, which Iraqi government forces are attempting to seize from IS fighters.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
Human Rights Watch says security forces of the regional Kurdish government in northern Iraq have destroyed "large numbers of Arab homes" and "sometimes entire villages" in areas retaken from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.

In a report issued on November 13, the New York-based group said that between September 2014 and May 2016, Kurdish forces advancing against IS fighters destroyed Arab homes in disputed areas of Kirkuk and Ninevah governorates, while Kurdish homes were left intact.

HRW said it documented additional cases of home demolitions carried out in late October 2016.

It said the destructions occurred in disputed areas that the Kurds want to incorporate into their autonomous region despite objections by the Baghdad government.

At a time when Kurdish forces are driving IS fighters from villages on the outskirts of the city of Mosul, the U.S.-led coalition against the extremist group should insist that Kurdish leaders and officers end these attacks, HRW said.

The Kurdistan regional government denied any systematic policy of destruction of Arab homes, but said Kurdish forces had carried out demolitions for security reasons such as clearing booby-trapped homes.

With reporting by Reuters
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Moldovan presidential candidates speak to journalists in Chisinau after casting their ballots in a runoff vote seen as a contest between Igor Dodon's pro-Russian and Maia Sandu's EU-oriented policies, with Dodon considered a favorite in the country of 3.5 million people. (Reuters)
A Russian hacker who was convicted for his leading role in one of the largest data thefts in U.S. history has been released from prison after serving most of his 12-year sentence.

Vladimir Drinkman was released from a Pennsylvania jail on October 28, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons told RFE/RL.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond to an RFE/RL request for comment on whether Drinkman had been turned over for deportation, a process that can take up to several months. Drinkman's lawyer, Igor Litvak, declined to comment. RFE/RL could not immediately reach Drinkman.

Drinkman was a key member of a criminal hacking group that penetrated major U.S. corporations, including Heartland Payment Systems, which at the time it was breached in 2008 was one of the biggest U.S. payment-processing firms. The Heartland attack -- the largest breach in history at the time -- cost the payment company more than $200 million in losses.

Varonis, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm, ranks the attack on Heartland among the 10 largest data breaches of all time.

Chuck Brooks, a cybersecurity expert and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, said the Heartland hack was a "wake-up call" for the payments and financial industries to enhance their cyberdefenses.



He said the breach led to stronger security policies, including a better understanding by CEOs and CFOs of the threats to business sustainability and reputation.

"After the breach, many companies added more stringent data and security policies, including encryption, multifactor authentication, and monitoring of systems and networks," Brooks told RFE/RL.

Heartland also later established the Payments Processing Information Sharing Council (PPISC), which serves as a forum for banks and payment processors to share information about breaches and compliance issues, he noted.

In addition to breaking into Heartland, the hacking gang also breached Nasdaq OMX Group, 7-Eleven, JC Penney, JetBlue Airways, and others, according to prosecutors. In total, they stole the data of more than 160 million credit cards, leading to more than $300 million in damages.

Greg Hunter, a Virginia-based lawyer who has represented cybercriminals from the former Soviet Union, said the Heartland case demonstrated the sophisticated evolution of Russian-speaking hackers.

"This was the beginning of specialization," Hunter told RFE/RL. "Rather than an individual hacker spending a lot of time stealing credit card data and then trying to monetize it, you had guys specializing in breaching the security apparatus of a site, others selling the data."

The appearance of hacker forums was critical to the phenomenon of a division of labor, he said.

Hacker sites "allowed these guys to find each other and work together. A guy who breaches banks could just focus on that, knowing he could find others to either help him know what to get and how to use it, or just buy his services outright," Hunter said.

Several of the most commonly used forums where hackers bought and sold stolen credit card data and traded tips included Cardplanet and Direct Connection. A Russian man, Aleksei Burkov, was extradited from Israel to the United States and later pleaded guilty in 2020 to U.S. charges related to his oversight of those forums.

He was deported to Russia last year.

According to U.S. court filings, Drinkman and another co-conspirator, Alexandr Kalinin, specialized in penetrating network security and gaining access to the corporate data systems. Drinkman along with a third man, Roman Kotov, also focused on mining the networks to steal valuable data.

Another Russian man, Dmitry Smilyanets, then sold the stolen credit card information on forums for $10 to $50 each and distributed the proceeds of the scheme to the others, according to prosecutors.

Kalinin and Kotov, both of whom are Russian citizens, are believed to still be in Russia.

Drinkman was arrested in the Netherlands in June 2012 at the request of the United States, along with Smilyanets.

While Smilyanets cooperated with U.S. authorities and arrived in the United States a few months after his arrest, Drinkman fought his extradition for more than a year.

Ultimately, Drinkman pleaded guilty in 2015 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, including time served since his arrest. It is one of the harshest sentences given to a Russian hacker.

Drinkman served a total of 10 years and four months, or 86 percent of his sentence. U.S. federal prisoners earn credit each year for good behavior and typically serve 85 percent of their sentence.

Smilyanets was sentenced to just time served, or less than six years, and currently resides in the United States, where he works as a cyberthreat intelligence analyst.

He declined to comment when contacted by RFE/RL.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has traveled to the country's southwest to mark the launch of trade activity from the Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.

The first convoy of Chinese trucks carrying goods for sale abroad arrived in Gwadar on November 12, using a road linking China's northwestern Xinjiang region to the port.

Chinese vessels were ready at the Chinese-funded port for shipment of the goods to Middle East and African countries.

Addressing the opening ceremony on November 13, Sharif said his country would provide the best possible security to foreign investors to enable them to use the port for international trade.

The port is located in Balochistan Province, where an overnight blast at a shrine killed at least 50 people. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.

China is building roads and other infrastructure in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project that is expected to absorb more than $40 billion in Chinese investment in the coming decades.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa
Less than two weeks before Donald Trump's stunning victory in the U.S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin codified a laundry list of complaints against Washington when he signed a law halting Moscow's participation in a bilateral treaty to reduce the countries' stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium.

Putin's demands in the law, including scrapping sanctions against Russia and reducing the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe, seemed exceedingly quixotic -- under a Democratic administration, at least.

But in a change of tack from the approach adopted by outgoing President Barack Obama, the Republican Trump said during his campaign that he wanted to improve ties with Moscow and cooperate more on issues like counterterrorism. Now that Trump has defeated his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, Russian officials are already voicing optimism that the president-elect is someone they can do business with.

Trump, who faced scathing criticism during the campaign over his positive assessments of Putin, portrays himself as a preeminent deal-maker, and he has said he plans to seek a deal with Moscow that's "great for America, but also good for Russia." Precisely what he would be willing to trade with Putin remains unclear, but he will inherit several cards from Obama. Here's a look at how Trump could roll back U.S. policies enacted under his predecessor.

Ukraine Sanctions

In response to Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and subsequent backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine, Obama targeted Russian officials, businesspeople, and economic sectors with a wave of sanctions that helped push the Russian economy into recession.

Trump has already said he would examine the possibility of recognizing Russia's claim to sovereignty over Crimea and lifting sanctions. And because these sanctions were issued by executive order with a stroke of Obama's pen -- and required no Congressional action -- they would be easy for Trump to drop. On Day 1 he could issue his own executive order repealing Obama's executive orders and thus lift all of the Ukraine-related sanctions targeting Russia.

This, however, would likely trigger widespread outrage among U.S. lawmakers -- including many hard-liners in his own party --and give Trump's critics further ammunition to portray him as a Kremlin "puppet," a phrase Clinton invoked repeatedly during the presidential campaign and which Trump dismissed as nonsense. Given Trump's vow to strike a "great deal" for the United States with Putin, it is also unlikely he would drop the sanctions without securing something in return from Moscow.

Trump will have about six weeks to make a critical decision concerning the Ukraine-related sanctions after he takes office. Executive Order 13660, which declared a "national emergency" to deal with the Ukraine crisis and served as the foundation for the sanctions regime, expires in the first week of March.

Experts on U.S. sanctions policy say that if Trump were to repeal that order or let it expire, it would trigger a domino effect unraveling the several other executive orders based on that national emergency.

"That's because the Ukraine-related executive orders all build off and expand the scope of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13660," Erich Ferrari, a Washington-based lawyer specializing in sanctions, tells RFE/RL.

Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions adviser at the U.S. Treasury, says it would be "highly unusual" if Trump were to simply let the underlying executive order expire in early March, because it would leave uncertainty about his administration's policies.

"A new executive order is the way major sanctions changes are usually made," Kucik says, adding that this would allow Trump to make his administration's position clear. Either way, he said, Trump will "have to make a decision."

If Trump lifts sanctions against Russia, it could prompt the European Union and other U.S. allies that have hit Moscow with sanctions to seriously reexamine their punitive measures.

The Magnitsky Act

Trump will have less flexibility with the 2012 law known as the Magnitsky Act, which was signed by Obama after it passed in both houses of Congress. The law introduced visa bans and financial sanctions on Russians deemed complicit in the 2009 death of whistle-blowing Russian auditor Sergei Magnitsky and other alleged rights abuses. The Kremlin has railed against the law, which has publicly hit 39 Russians with sanctions and an unspecified number secretly.

Putin demanded in the plutonium-deal law that Washington "repeal" the Magnitsky Act. Even though Republicans will control both houses of Congress, this likely would be a tall order for Trump. Congress would have to initiate the process of repealing the bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Even if Trump could not successfully spearhead an effort to repeal the Magnitsky Act, he could soften its impact. Under the law, it's up to the U.S. president to make additions to the blacklist (Obama, whose administration initially opposed the legislation, has delegated this function to the State and Treasury departments) and Trump could simply decline to add more names. The law also gives him the authority to remove names from the so-called Magnitsky List, though he would have to inform Congress of the justification for such a move, such as new evidence clearing the target of alleged rights abuses.

U.S. Military Presence In Eastern Europe

Russia has long chafed at NATO's eastward expansion since the fall of the Soviet Union. So Trump's repeated criticism of the alliance -- which has rattled officials in former Warsaw Pact countries wary of Moscow's intentions -- was likely music to the ears of many in the Kremlin.

Putin's new law demands that Washington scale back its military presence in nine NATO members in Eastern Europe -- including the three Baltic states -- to the levels prior to September 1, 2000, the day Washington signed the plutonium-disposal treaty. But the same month Trump takes office, several thousand U.S. Army personnel are set to deploy to Europe and subsequently fan out in some of the countries referred to in Putin's law. The deployment is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. initiative aimed at reassuring allies in Eastern Europe in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict.

As commander in chief, of course, Trump could reconsider the deployment of these forces, some of which will be stationed in the Baltics and then rotate out after the arrival of multinational NATO forces. Trump could also halt the shipment of equipment to be prepositioned for the deployment of U.S. forces, says Simon Saradzhyan, a security expert and founding director of the Russia Matters Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center.

But Trump, who has tempered his criticism of NATO in recent months, would have more difficulty walking back U.S. troop commitments under the aegis of the alliance because it operates by consensus. Any NATO-approved deployment theoretically requires the consent of all alliance members to reverse course, Saradzhyan notes.

"Withdrawing U.S. troops from those deployments without NATO's consensus would be a very controversial move," he adds.

Bilateral Commission

More broadly, Putin's plutonium-treaty law demanded that Washington "reject...the unfriendly policies" toward Russia. As an initial gesture in this direction, Trump could make a bid to revive the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission, a centerpiece of Obama's "reset" policy in his first term that facilitated cooperation on issues such as arms reductions, counterterrorism, and civil society. The Obama administration froze the commission following the Crimea annexation, and it has remained dormant amid the ongoing standoff over Ukraine.

Trump and his campaign pilloried Obama's handling of Russia as an abject failure, so it remains unclear whether the president-elect would seek to resurrect a commission that has its roots in the reset policy. But it does provide a ready-made framework for such cooperation, and based on comments coming from the Kremlin this week, officials in Moscow would likely be receptive to such a move.

Speaking in New York on November 10, Putin's spokesman said Trump and the Russian president hold "the same foreign-policy principles."

"That is probably a good basis for our moderate optimism that they will at least be able to start a dialogue to start to clear out the Augean stables in our bilateral relations," Peskov said in comments broadcast by Russia's state-owned Channel One television

With reporting by Reuters, Politico, and CNN
A delegation from Russia's upper house of parliament will begin an official visit to Iran on November 13.

The group from Russia's Federation Council will be led by speaker Valentina Matviyenko.

The Russian lawmakers will meet with Iranian politicians, including parliament speaker Ali Larijani, during the two-day visit.

The two sides are slated to discuss expanding economic ties, regional cooperation, and ways to help implement bilateral agreements signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rohani during an August meeting in Baku.

Matviyenko said discussions will also be held on regional security issues and the fight against terrorism.

She added that regular high-level contacts between Iranian and Russian politicians reflect the "close nature of relations."

Iranian and Russian forces are allied with Syrian government troops against opposition fighters in the Syrian civil war.

Russia also supplies Iran with military hardware and defense systems and has aided Tehran in building nuclear-energy facilities.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Sherman Brown faces some hurdles if he is to be cleared by the Virginia Supreme Court for the murder of a 4-year-old Ivy boy who was stabbed to death in 1969.

But what may prove the toughest obstacle was overcome two years ago by a private investigator and a persistent University of Virginia Medical Center employee who scaled warehouse ladders searching shelves and poking into long-closed boxes with a flashlight in a hunt for a microscope slide almost a half-century old.

When I found it, I got it out of the drawer, I said, Yes!  recalled Kimberly Crawford, an administrative assistant in the hospitals pathology department.

She had cause to be thrilled. A supervisor had explained, We only need to keep those for five years  so that is actually quite a miracle.

The case for Browns guilt in 1970, as well as his pending innocence claim, rode in large part on whether the slain boys mother, knocked unconscious in the attack, was sexually assaulted.

The discovery of the womans vaginal smear slide illustrates the challenges in locating decades-old evidence and also raises a question about why a 1969 report identifying sperm on the slide did not surface at Browns trial.

***

Sometimes old evidence sought for DNA testing is found where it is least expected, where it shouldnt be, or even after it has been said to be destroyed, said Deirdre Enright, director of investigation for the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic, which has been involved in Browns case for years.

With limited budgets, the staff and volunteers of innocence projects often have to coax, cajole and otherwise persuade clerks, police and others  under no obligation to help  to look for evidence thats decades old and that records and officials may incorrectly say no longer exists.

Youre always playing in this world of what appears to be real, may not be real, said Enright, adding, Were in a mental place where suspicion is warranted.

In 2001, inquiries by the Innocence Project in New York led to the discovery of a trove of old biological evidence where it should not have been: taped inside the old paper files of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Richmond.

The bits of fabric cuttings and swabs thus far have cleared 11 Virginia men wrongly convicted of sexual assaults. Had the forensic labs policy  which called for such evidence to be returned to police agencies not necessarily obligated to save it  been followed, the truth may never have come out.

Enright said evidence searches can go on for years but often happen in spurts, as in Browns case.

***

Now 69, Brown is 46 years into a life sentence for the murder of the boy on the afternoon of Oct. 1, 1969.

Authorities alleged he killed the child to eliminate a witness to the rape or attempted rape of the boys mother, who was knocked unconscious and repeatedly stabbed. She survived and identified Brown.

The Innocence Project, which uses DNA testing to clear wrongly convicted individuals, says Brown first contacted them seeking help in 2000. At the time, the New York-based organization was helping Earl Washington Jr., wrongly sentenced to death for a rape and murder in Culpeper. Washington was exonerated by DNA.

Brown also was sentenced to death but was spared execution when in 1972 the U.S. Supreme Court halted executions. The death penalty was reinstated in 1976 but, by then, Brown and 11 other condemned Virginia inmates had been resentenced to life terms.

Susan Friedman, a staff attorney with the Innocence Project and one of Browns lawyers, said Brown was accepted as a client in 2005. Efforts began to find biological evidence, which, if subjected to DNA testing, might support or prove his innocence claims.

With the agreement of the Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, examination and testing of crime-scene evidence entered at Browns trial began in 2008 and stretched into 2012.

The items included the mothers bathrobe and nightgown, a knife blade, knife pieces and a paper cup believed to have been handled by the assailant, with many of the items failing to yield meaningful results.

While Browns DNA was not found on crime-scene evidence and the victims DNA was not found on his clothing, the absence of DNA in and of itself does not prove innocence.

In 2011, the Innocence Project contacted the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic. Enright, along with Lisa Inlow, a private investigator who works for the innocence clinic, began investigating and interviewing witnesses.

Enright said they talked with Browns family, who stood behind him; went to the crime scene; and talked to a rescue squad worker who had responded to the scene.

In 2012, Inlow and Stephen Rosenfield, a Charlottesville lawyer, began looking for any further evidence that might be tested but found nothing. The next year, Albemarle Sheriff J.E. Chip Harding pitched in to search but also was unable to find anything else.

In April 2014, the Innocence Project in New York asked the law schools innocence clinic to look for hair slides and a sweater that was discussed at trial but was not entered into evidence. But on June 27, 2014, the commonwealths attorneys office reported that no more physical evidence had been found.

Enright said, I gave up 20 different times ... feeling like we were never going to be able to deliver. I kept thinking the real problem is: Everybody likes him and his case so much and believes him, and nobody wants to say, We just cant deliver. 

Everyone wanted to avoid that hard conversation with somebody everybody has grown to love, Enright said. But, she said, Lisa would never allow that.

Inlow, owner of A Matter of Fact LLC, said, I couldnt give up.

Olga Akselrod, at the time a staff attorney at the Innocence Project, suggested contacting the university hospital. She recalled trial testimony about a gynecological examination conducted at the emergency room where the mother was brought to treat her stab wounds.

There was a slim, highly unlikely chance it still existed. But if it did, DNA testing of any sperm on it might be highly relevant evidence.

I started harassing the hospital, Inlow said.

I went around in circles. One person would say, I dont think we would have anything, but you could try this person in this department and try this,  she said.

Inlow was looking for anything that might remain of a physical evidence recovery kit, or PERK, or a sample left from a sexually transmitted disease test the hospital might have conducted.

The investigator was told in July 2014 that the hospital keeps PERK kits forever, but officials needed to know more about the patient to find it.

Inlow collected the information and sent it to the hospital. Then on Oct. 9, she was told that PERKs did not exist in 1969.

Nevertheless, on Oct. 21, 2014, more than 45 years after the crime, a copy of a department of pathology report, dated Oct. 2, 1969, and written by Dr. A.E. Sproul, was sent to Inlow from the hospital.

The report said: The specimen is received on a glass slide. This is labeled vaginal smear. 

Under DIAGNOSIS, the report concludes, Vaginal smear: Sperm present.

So we have a report, but we dont know if the slide still exists, Inlow said.

She faxed the report to Crawford, at the pathology department, to see whether it could be found, and she waited.

***

Crawford, employed at the department for almost 10 years, said, We get requests a lot. Thats part of our job here.

But, she added, This was the oldest and (most) unusual thing that Ive ever had to get.

All she knew was that a slide needed to be located for a person who was in prison who believed it could prove he was innocent.

Because it was a cytology slide  a branch of pathology  it was unlikely it would have been kept, Crawford said.

It was almost one in a million that you would find it, she said. I asked God, I said, God, please, please, you know where that slide is at, please help me. 

She said it was the most intense search she had ever performed. It required her to go to a secure, dusty warehouse on state property, away from the hospital, for four days in a row.

The hunt involved tracking numbers; climbing a heavy, movable ladder; and opening old, large cardboard boxes in search of information that would lead to the slide.

Its a lot of boxes. I got to looking and looking. It was like an hour a day I spent digging through things.

The box in question was at the top of some high metal shelves and buried under other boxes. Once she chased down the correct number, she was able to go to a bank of old metal shelves holding microscope slides.

Then I had to go to the drawer that it was actually in and hoping it would be there  and it was!

Oh, my gosh, I was so excited, she said.

Marilou Maglione, administrative director of anatomic pathology at the hospital, said, She actually had to use a flashlight as well to look into these boxes, because its so dark in there.

Maglione said, It was actually quite an amazing find, because thats way beyond the length of time that were required to keep anything.

But, she said, Because we have the space, we keep as much as we can and hopefully it will help somebody  and in this case, it really paid off.

I would just like to say how proud I am of Kim for her tenacity in continuing to look for this slide. I think it really shows how much she cares about people and doing the right thing and looking in that warehouse. Its daunting, and she could have given up, but she kept at it because she realized how important this was.

***

The Innocence Project, with the agreement of the commonwealths attorneys office, obtained a court order to test the material on the slide.

The testing turned up the DNA profile of a single male who is not Brown and  with a better than 98 percent probability  not the womans husband at the time, who is now deceased.

Armed with the test results, the Innocence Project filed a petition for a writ of actual innocence with the Virginia Supreme Court last month. Also involved in the case is the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project in Washington and the Washington law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

The case is on hold until January in the hope that further testing can completely eliminate the former husband as the source of the male DNA found on the slide.

Browns lawyers also have filed a civil appeal of his conviction contending his constitutional rights were violated by scientifically invalid expert trial testimony on hair and fiber evidence  the only forensic evidence linking Brown to the crime.

Brown was not charged with rape, but the presence of the DNA profile of an unknown male in the vaginal smear taken from the woman  who had a monogamous relationship with her husband  is powerful evidence that Brown did not commit the crime, his lawyers argue.

The Virginia Attorney Generals Office will have a chance to weigh in on that with the Virginia Supreme Court and may take a different view.

At the trial, authorities alleged Brown sexually assaulted the woman and then killed the boy and attempted to kill his mother to eliminate witnesses. In his closing argument, Downing Smith, one of the prosecutors, argued that Brown tried to rape that mother or did rape her. We will never know.

The woman was unconscious during the attack. But among other things, her underpants, which had been on when the assailant arrived, were off when she was found.

A surgeon, Dr. E. Merdith Alrich, testified he was called to the emergency room at the University of Virginia Hospital around 6 the evening of the crime.

He said that when he first saw the mother, she was conscious. But he said she was in shock and in critical condition, suffering from serious stab wounds to her torso. She also had head lacerations from blows rather than knife cuts.

While describing the various actions taken to treat her, Alrich testified, At the instruction I guess of the sheriff, we called the GYN service to make an examination before she left the operating room.

Evidence is taken from the vaginal/cervical area in rape cases with a swab and then used to create a microscope slide that is viewed to determine whether sperm is present. As the Oct. 2, 1969, report notes, sperm was found in the slide.

Neither the pathology report nor the slide were introduced at the trial  something defense attorney Robert P. Boyle noticed. If he knew about it, he feigned ignorance when attacking the prosecutions case in his closing argument.

Boyle reminded the jury that Dr. Alrich testified that when he finished, they sent her to the GYN man.

But he inspected her and no semen. You can be certain if they found it, they would have been here to testify to it. No semen, and the motive was supposed to have been rape, Boyle argued.

The judge, the prosecutors and the defense lawyers are all deceased.
Two elderly couples from Chesterfield County died Saturday in a collision with a semitractor-trailer on the Eastern Shore, according to Virginia State Police.

About 12:41 p.m., Konrab Erbes, 87, was driving a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe east on Capeville Drive in Northampton County when he pulled across U.S. 13 and into the path of a fully loaded car carrier headed south, authorities said.

The tractor-trailer driver was not able to brake in time or avoid the Hyundai, police said.

The impact of the crash caused the SUV to spin around and the tractor-trailer to cross through the median and come to a stop in the northbound lanes of U.S. 13.

All four occupants of the Hyundai died at the scene. Police identified them as Erbes, 78-year-old Angelika Erbes, 80-year-old Jakob Eng and 76-year-old Theresa A. Eng.
The university notified Dr. Art Kellermann he won't continue as the health system's top administrator. The university gave him the option to resign, but it's unclear if he will do so.
Among Virginia Democrats many disappointments of this election cycle was of course the failure of favorite son candidate Tim Kaine to become the vice president-elect. For the incumbent U.S. senator, who came within a whisker of being Barack Obamas choice for Veep in 2008, and now denied the big prize as the nominee, the disappointment must be especially deep. He remains in the U.S. Senate, serving in a position that Democratic Party leaders had to twist his arm to consider in the first place.

Kaine also saw his brand somewhat damaged in this campaign. His introduction to the public at the Democratic Party nominating convention was his high point. The event captured the real Tim Kaine  the person Virginians know to be quite humble, down-to-earth, a genuine nice guy. But then there was the vice presidential debate. It was a nails-on-the-chalkboard kind of performance by him. Yes, the vice presidential candidate customarily has the role of being the attacker, letting the presidential candidate more easily hold the high ground. But it was a role out of character for Kaine and that came across.

Now out of the glare of the overheated presidential campaign, Kaine is free to be his authentic self and also to leverage his now-national identity to be a forceful leader of the opposition. He has a critically important role to play in that regard for the following reason: President-elect Donald Trump has shown his hand as one who likely will try to push the limits of executive power as far as he can go. The man who says he built a big business empire and knows how to get things done doesnt seem to be the kind of executive with a lot of patience for the complexities of a system of separated powers and constitutional limits on authority.

Kaine, by contrast, is one of the most knowledgeable and committed proponents of protecting the institutional prerogatives of Congress. As a senator, he undertook a leading role in criticizing unilateral exercises of executive power, especially the war powers, even though his party controlled the White House. I have long lamented the lack of legislative will to challenge executive powers, and especially so when members of Congress will give a pass to the president if he is from their own party. Kaine is different in that regard and that gives him enormous credibility as a critic of any efforts by the next president to overreach his authority. No one can claim that Kaine would be acting purely out of partisan motivation.

I have seen time and again members of Congress employ constitutional-based arguments to oppose the unilateral actions of a president of the opposite party, and then switch their constitutional standard completely when the actions were undertaken by a president of their own party. They are supposed to be protecting the powers of their own branch of government any time when a president, regardless of affiliation, violates core principles of separation of powers. Kaine by contrast has leveled forceful criticism of President Obamas exercise of the war powers. Ive seen him in a room of scholars with deep knowledge of the constitutional issues of separation of powers  some who did not agree with him  and he held his own very easily in a high-level discussion among them. Kaine has teamed up with GOP Sen. John McCain on a legislative proposal to restore congressional authority in the war powers arena. He has lectured extensively on the topic and tried to build deeper bipartisan support to protect Congress war powers.

Protecting the institutional powers of an unpopular institution was never the formula to give Kaine the big national spotlight. Yet he took on this enduring critical issue anyway. With the election to the presidency of a candidate who has made bold claims of how presidents should lead regardless of countervailing forces, Kaine now is positioned to be a credible and leading institutional defender in the Trump era.
By Zachary Reid

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras A group of women in a hillside village on the edge of one of the worlds most dangerous cities is finding economic independence one tortilla at a time, thanks in large part to a grant from a church in Virginia.

The four women are working, some for the first time, in a new tortillaria started by an Episcopal church that serves the community.

Its a way to give opportunities to people who need them and to serve the community, said the Rev. Marco Varela, rector of San Jose de la Montoya Episcopal Church.

He came up with the idea, and he found funding from a Richmond church that has worked in the village for nearly a decade.

St. Jamess Episcopal Church, in Richmond, made an $1,800 grant to cover the cost of construction of the wood-burning, brick-and-mortar stove and to help set up the operation.

I asked Marco what would benefit them as a congregation and as a community, and this is what he came up with, said Julie Wade, the leader of the churchs annual outreach trip to San Pedro Sula.

It appealed to us because it helped them, and it employed Hondurans. People from the community built the stove and people from the community work there.

The work fit in with St. Jamess long-running support of community enrichment projects. In recent decades, the church has supported projects locally, across the U.S. and in several places abroad. The work has included the construction of a school in Haiti, the distribution of vaccines in Sudan, and reconstruction efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in New York after Hurricane Sandy.

The projects typically involve volunteer labor from St. Jamess members, but the tortillaria did not.

***

The annual trip from St. Jamess to Honduras is also focused on working with girls in an orphanage, and that attracts a crowd that has enthusiasm but not always practical construction experience.

We dont always take a highly skilled group to Honduras, said Wade. Our job on this project was to help support a need.

The tortillaria opened in early August with a party that featured a dozen people from St. Jamess and about two dozen members of the community.

A soft opening a week before allowed the staff  Raquel Lemuz, Roxana Sarmiento, Suyapa Claros and Petronila Argueta  to work out the kinks of production and develop a good workflow.

In the first week, they were making, and selling, 2,000 tortillas a day, sold in bags of 10 or 20.

Its good work, said Claros. Its nice to be able to make money.

I couldnt find work before, said Sarmiento. This is close to home, and its easy to get to.

While the village is close to town, getting to jobs is complicated. Its served by point-to-point van service that is somewhat reliable but occasionally unsafe, and even that only leads part of the way into the city.

But the relative isolation on the hillside isnt all bad: it creates a ready market for the tortillas.
NATURAL BRIDGE  The consensus that emerged during Saturdays pipeline summit emphasized that Donald Trumps election will make it tougher to fight fossil fuel pipelines but that this new reality is no cause for abandoning the fight.

Our job just got much harder, said Joe Lovett, executive director of Appalachian Mountain Advocates.

Later, a tribal leader from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, where opposition to the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline has attracted international attention, told the crowd of people opposed to natural gas pipelines in the region that the struggles ahead will require resolve, unity and a recognition that people have more power than corporations.

Stay strong, said Chase Iron Eyes. Thats the only chance we have.

Iron Eyes brief speech elicited a standing ovation. The crowd he addressed at the Natural Bridge Hotel totaled about 180 people and included residents of West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina who came together Saturday to discuss and update strategies that might stop two separate interstate natural gas transmission pipeline projects.

The community of Natural Bridge is roughly equidistant from the spot where the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would cross Interstate 81 near Staunton and the site where the Mountain Valley Pipeline would cross I-81 south of Roanoke.

Both the 600-mile, $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the 303-mile, $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline would be 42-inch diameter, buried pipelines transporting natural gas at high pressure. Each would begin in West Virginia and travel into Virginia. As interstate pipelines, the projects require approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission before construction can begin.

Speakers Saturday included Nebraskan Jane Kleeb, dubbed the Keystone Killer by Rolling Stone magazine for her work organizing opposition to the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline. Kleeb founded Bold Nebraska and is president of Bold Alliance, described as a network of small groups fighting fossil fuel projects and eminent domain abuse.

Kleebs visit this weekend to the region was her fourth since April. Her visits have focused on sharing experiences with grass-roots campaigns.

She said Saturday that pipeline companies fear the prospect of losing access to eminent domain to acquire easements across private properties.

The one thing we have that these pipeline companies want is the land, Kleeb said, noting that the fight for property rights can unite people who might not ordinarily stand together.

That happened in Nebraska, she said, when ranchers, environmentalists and Native Americans stood shoulder-to-shoulder against the Keystone pipeline.

People can agree also, she said, on the necessity to protect clean water.

On Wednesday, after Trumps election, the Keystone pipelines fate was back in the news. TransCanada spokesman Mark Cooper said the company remains committed to building the pipeline and is evaluating ways to engage the new administration to describe the projects benefits.

Kleeb reacted, saying, Nebraska stopped Keystone XL once before, and we will do it again if TransCanada proceeds with a project she described as risky and unnecessary.

Relative necessity was an issue Saturday too. Opponents to the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley projects contend there is sufficient existing pipeline capacity to get natural gas from the shale formations in the Appalachian Basin to market.

Yet many people in West Virginia believe both that new pipeline infrastructure is needed and that natural gas will help the states economy cope with the decline of coal, said Angie Rosser, executive director of West Virginia Rivers Coalition.

Meanwhile, she said, the burden of fracking will fall on West Virginians shoulders.

Two coalitions  the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance and POWHR (Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights)  sponsored Saturdays pipeline summit.

Several speakers described the draft environmental impact statement released by FERC in September for the Mountain Valley project as insufficient.

Lovett said the draft statements inadequacies could actually enhance efforts to halt the project through litigation.

Greg Buppert, a lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center in Charlottesville, noted that efforts to fight the pipelines have caused the companies involved to adjust project schedules. Mountain Valley, for example, had hoped to start construction in December and is now eyeing a construction start in mid-2017.

Partners in the Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC include EQT Corp., NextEra Energy, Con Edison Gas Midstream, WGL Midstream and RGC Midstream. Partners in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC joint venture include Dominion, Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas and Southern Company Gas.

On Saturday, Rick Webb, coordinator of the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition, said both pipeline projects would climb and descend steep slopes. That terrain will defy efforts, he said, to control erosion and the migration of sediment into high-quality streams and underground aquifers that are part of complex karst landscapes characterized by sinkholes and caves.

Webb expressed support for the U.S. Forest Services request for specifics from the pipeline companies about how they will address erosion, sediment, landslides and other geo-hazards.

Political consultant Mike Dunn said defeating the pipelines in the wake of Trumps election will require true grass-roots efforts.

Youre going to have to make this happen at the state and local level, ladies and gentlemen, Dunn said.
Visitors on Saturday stepped aboard the Virginian Railway Station to view restorations 15 years in the making.

I actually rode the steam train out of this station when I was 5 years old, said William Fizer of Roanoke. We lived on Buckner Road behind the Coffee Pot, and my mom and I used to take a taxi cab here and ride the steam train to Alta vista to see my grandmother.

Before Saturday, the last time he stepped inside the Virginian Railway Station it was 1949.

I remember little of the interior. I remember sitting on the train with the smoke coming past the window, he said.

The interior looks much as it did that day. The buildings $2.3 million restoration stayed as true as it could to the original 1909 station, including the tile roof, ordered from the same Ohio company that supplied the original, to mixing paint to match to chips from the window frames and sills.

The station was nearly destroyed by fire in 2001. Since then the National Historical Railway Society and the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation worked to restore the iconic building through a combination of grants and gifts.

Fizer was among people wandering by during Saturdays open house to look inside the station. Some, like him, were there years ago. Others never had stepped inside but were drawn by curiosity of having watched the transformation.

The station is located at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Williamson Road.

Its a super location, across the bridge from all the Virginia Tech Carilion stuff, and were on the trolley line, said Jim Cosby, chairman of the restoration committee.

The right side of the building, where passengers would gather and purchase tickets, is available for lease.

The left side of the building, where luggage and packages were processed, is being used by the society to display artifacts.

The railroad hauled a lot of express and was the precursor to UPS, said society member Dorr Tucker. There were very few passengers because it was slow.

The train ran between Charleston, West Virginia and Norfolk and made stops at many small towns along the way to drop off people and packages. And the cars werent air conditioned until about the time they stopped running in 1956.

It was fun if you were going from here to Hardy to see your grandmother. It was fun for a short distance, but for a long trip it wasnt comfortable, Tucker said.

The Virginian Railway continued to carry freight out of the station. It merged with Norfolk & Western in 1959.

One of the artifacts on display is a CTC, for Centralized Traffic Control, board. It used to be in a small building near the station and shows lines and track switch locations with corresponding switches that operators would flip to remotely switch tracks.

Its a really unusual piece because its the only board that would reflect the Norfolk & Western here to Winston Salem, the Virginian going to Norfolk and the Roanoke Railway and Electric Company, the trolley line, said Ken Miller, the chapters historian. And, yes, they did have collisions with the trolley.

Miller said board operators would listen in to telegraphs, and later phones, to hear which trains were heading this way, and they would listen for whistles.

Landon Gregory, who went to work for the Virginian before the N&W merger and stayed with it through the Norfolk Southern merger until retiring in 1993, used to work the board from the dispatch center.

The dispatcher down in Victoria would let you know about what time the train would be there, so youd be looking out for it. Youd call the yardmaster and see where he wanted to put that train, he said. Hed throw the switch on a numbered track.

We had a big box setting up in the corner of the tower, down there under the bridge, and wed put a number up on the box that had a light behind it. The engineer could see it way back down the track, he said.

The railway society plans to bring more of its artifacts to the station.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Sherman Brown faces some hurdles if he is to be cleared by the Virginia Supreme Court for the murder of a 4-year-old Ivy boy who was stabbed to death in 1969.

But what may prove the toughest obstacle was overcome two years ago by a private investigator and a persistent University of Virginia Hospital employee who scaled warehouse ladders searching shelves and poking into long-closed boxes with a flashlight in a hunt for a microscope slide almost a half-century old.

When I found it, I got it out of the drawer, I said, Yes!  recalled Kimberly Crawford, an administrative assistant in the hospitals pathology department.

She had cause to be thrilled: A supervisor explained, We only need to keep those for five years  so that is actually quite a miracle.

The case for Browns guilt in 1970, as well as his pending innocence claim, ride in large part on whether the slain boys mother, knocked unconscious in the attack, was sexually assaulted.

The discovery of the womans vaginal smear slide illustrates the challenges in locating decades-old evidence and also raises a question about why a 1969 report identifying sperm on the slide did not surface at Browns trial.

Evidence in odd places

Sometimes old evidence sought for DNA testing is found where it is least expected, where it shouldnt be, or even after it has been said to be destroyed, said Deirdre Enright, director of investigation for the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic, which has been involved in Browns case for five years.

With limited budgets, the staff and volunteers of innocence projects often have to coax, cajole and otherwise persuade clerks, police and others  under no obligation to help  to look for evidence thats decades old, and that records and officials may incorrectly say no longer exists.

Youre always playing in this world of what appears to be real, may not be real, Enright said, adding, Were in a mental place where suspicion is warranted.

In 2001, inquiries by the Innocence Project in New York led to the discovery of a trove of old biological evidence taped inside old paper files of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Richmond.

The bits of fabric cuttings and swabs thus far have cleared 11 Virginia men wrongly convicted of sexual assaults.

Had the forensic labs policy  which called for such evidence to be returned to police agencies not necessarily obligated to save it  been followed, the truth may never have come out.

Enright said evidence searches can go on for years but often progress unexpectedly, as in Browns case.

46 years in prison

Now 69, Brown is 46 years into a life sentence for the murder of the boy on the afternoon of Oct. 1, 1969.

Authorities alleged he killed the child to eliminate a witness to the rape or attempted rape of the boys mother, who was knocked unconscious and repeatedly stabbed. She survived and identified Brown.

The Innocence Project, which uses DNA testing to clear wrongly convicted persons, says Brown first contacted them seeking help in 2000. At the time, the New York-based organization was helping Earl Washington , wrongly sentenced to death for a rape and murder in Culpeper. Washington was exonerated by DNA.

Brown also was sentenced to death but was spared execution when in 1972 the U.S. Supreme Court halted executions. The death penalty was reinstated in 1976, but by then, Brown and 11 other condemned Virginia inmates had been re-sentenced to life terms.

Susan Friedman, a staff attorney with the Innocence Project and one of Browns lawyers, said Brown was accepted as a client in 2005. Efforts began to find biological evidence, which, if subjected to DNA testing, might support or prove his innocence claims.

With the agreement of the Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, examination and testing of crime scene evidence entered at Browns trial began in 2008 and stretched into 2012.

The items included the mothers bathrobe and nightgown, a knife blade, knife pieces and a paper cup believed to have been handled by the assailant. Many of the items failed to yield meaningful results.

While Browns DNA was not found on crime-scene evidence and the victims DNA was not found on his clothing, the absence of DNA in and of itself does not prove innocence.

In 2011, the Innocence Project contacted the University of Virginia School of Law Innocence Project Clinic. Enright, along with Lisa Inlow, a private investigator who works for the innocence clinic, began interviewing witnesses.

Enright said they talked with Browns family, who stood behind him; went to the crime scene; and talked to a rescue squad worker who had responded .

In 2012, Inlow and Stephen Rosenfield, a Charlottesville lawyer, began looking for further evidence that might be tested but found nothing. The next year, Albemarle Sheriff J.E. Chip Harding pitched in to search but also was unable to find anything else.

In April 2014, the Innocence Project in New York asked the law schools innocence clinic to look for hair slides and a sweater that was discussed at trial but was not entered into evidence. But in June 2014, the commonwealths attorneys office reported that no more physical evidence had been found.

Enright said, I gave up 20 different times ... feeling like we were never going to be able to deliver. I kept thinking the real problem is everybody likes him and his case so much and believes him, and nobody wants to say, We just cant deliver. 

Everyone wanted to avoid that hard conversation with somebody everybody has grown to love, Enright said.

Olga Akselrod, at the time a staff attorney at the Innocence Project, suggested contacting the university hospital. She recalled trial testimony about a gynecological examination conducted at the emergency room where the mother was brought to treat her stab wounds.

There was a unlikely chance it still existed. But if it did, DNA testing of any sperm on it might be highly relevant evidence.

I started harassing the hospital, Inlow said. I went around in circles. One person would say, I dont think we would have anything, but you could try this person in this department and try this.

Inlow was looking for anything that might remain of a physical evidence recovery kit, or PERK, or a sample left from a sexually transmitted disease test the hospital might have conducted.

The investigator was told in July 2014 that the hospital keeps PERK kits forever, but officials needed to know more about the patient to find it.

Inlow collected the information and sent it to the hospital. Then on Oct. 9, she was told that PERKs did not exist in 1969.

Nevertheless, on Oct. 21, 2014, more than 45 years after the crime, a copy of a department of pathology report, dated Oct. 2, 1969, and written by Dr. A.E. Sproul, was sent to Inlow from the hospital.

The report said: The specimen is received on a glass slide. This is labeled vaginal smear.

Under DIAGNOSIS, the report concludes, Vaginal smear: Sperm present.

So, we have a report, but we dont know if the slide still exists, Inlow said.

She faxed the report to Crawford, at the pathology department, to see whether it could be found, and she waited.

Unusual request

Crawford, employed at the department for almost 10 years, said, We get requests a lot. Thats part of our job here.

But, she added, This was the oldest and [most] unusual thing that Ive ever had to get.

All she knew was that a slide needed to be located for a prisoner who believed it could prove he was innocent.

Because it was a cytology slide  a branch of pathology  it was unlikely it would have been kept, Crawford said.

It was almost one in a million that you would find it, she said. I asked God, I said, God, please, please, you know where that slide is at, please help me. 

She said it was the most intense search she ever had performed. It required her to go to a secure, dusty warehouse on state property, away from the hospital, for four days in a row.

The hunt involved tracking numbers, climbing a heavy, movable ladder and opening old, large cardboard boxes .

Its a lot of boxes. I got to looking and looking. It was like an hour a day I spent digging through things.

The box in question was at the top of some high metal shelves and buried under other boxes. Once she located the correct number, she was able to go to a bank of old metal shelves holding microscope slides.

Then I had to go to the drawer that it was actually in and hoping it would be there  and it was!

Oh, my gosh, I was so excited, she said.

Marilou Maglione, administrative director of anatomic pathology at the hospital, said, She actually had to use a flashlight as well to look into these boxes, because its so dark in there.

Maglione said, It was actually quite an amazing find, because thats way beyond the length of time that were required to keep anything.

But, she said, Because we have the space we keep as much as we can and hopefully it will help somebody  and in this case, it really paid off.

I would just like to say how proud I am of Kim for her tenacity in continuing to look for this slide. I think it really shows how much she cares about people and doing the right thing and looking in that warehouse. Its daunting, and she could have given up, but she kept at it because she realized how important this was.

DNA not Browns

The Innocence Project, with the agreement of the commonwealths attorneys office, obtained a court order to test the slides material.

The testing turned up the DNA profile of a single male who is not Brown and  with a better than 98 percent probability  not the womans husband at the time, who now is deceased.

Armed with the test results, the Innocence Project filed a petition for a writ of actual innocence with the Virginia Supreme Court last month. Also involved in the case is the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project in Washington and the Washington law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

The case is on hold until January in the hope that further testing can eliminate the former husband as the source of the male DNA found on the slide.

Browns lawyers also have filed a civil appeal of his conviction contending his constitutional rights were violated by scientifically invalid expert trial testimony on hair and fiber evidence  the only forensic evidence linking Brown to the crime.

Brown was not charged with rape, but the presence of the DNA profile of an unknown male in the vaginal smear taken from the woman  who had a reportedly monogamous relationship with her husband  is powerful evidence that Brown did not commit the crime, his lawyers argue.

The Virginia Attorney Generals Office will have a chance to weigh in on that with the Virginia Supreme Court and may take a different view.

At the trial, authorities alleged Brown sexually assaulted the woman and then killed the boy and attempted to kill his mother to eliminate witnesses. In his closing argument, Downing Smith, one of the prosecutors, argued that Brown tried to rape that mother or did rape her. We will never know.

The woman was unconscious during the attack. But among other things, her underpants, which had been on when the assailant arrived, were off when she was found.

A surgeon, Dr. Merdith Alrich, testified he was called to the emergency room at the University of Virginia Hospital on the evening of the crime.

He said that when he first saw the mother, she was conscious. But he said she was in shock and in critical condition, suffering from serious stab wounds to her torso. She also had head lacerations from blows rather than knife cuts.

While describing the various actions taken to treat her, Alrich testified, At the instruction I guess of the sheriff, we called the GYN service to make an examination before she left the operating room.

Evidence is taken from the vaginal/cervical area in rape cases with a swab and then used to create a microscope slide, which is viewed to determine whether sperm is present. As the Oct. 2, 1969, report notes, sperm was found in the slide.

Neither the pathology report nor the slide were introduced at the trial  something defense attorney Robert Boyle noticed. If he knew about it, he feigned ignorance when attacking the prosecutions case in his closing argument.

Boyle reminded the jury that Dr. Alrich testified that when he finished, they sent her to the GYN man.

But he inspected her and no semen. You can be certain if they found it, they would have been here to testify to it. No semen, and the motive was supposed to have been rape, Boyle argued.

The judge, the prosecutors and the defense lawyers all are deceased.
Several local companies successful in Best of the Best awards
Its well overdue but better late than never.

You see the idea that Members of Parliament have started a conversation about Samoa ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption (U.N.C.A.C) is a positive development.

The Convention by the way is an international tool designed to prevent acts of corruption, including domestic and foreign bribery, embezzlement, trading in influence, money laundering and more. In a nutshell, the Convention is all about effective ways to deal with this rot called corruption.

As of today, U.N.C.A.C has been ratified by 178 countries worldwide but Samoa is not one of them. For this reason, for some time now, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and United Nations Develop Programme (U.N.D.P.) have been leading the discussion with the hope that Samoa will join.

On Friday at the Taumeasina Island Resort, Members of Parliament had the opportunity to be informed and express their opinions. The session was facilitated by the Chair of Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (G.O.P.A.C) Oceania, John Hyde.

Now somewhere during the discussions, a suggestion was made for Samoa to join G.O.P.A.C, without paying a fee, which received some interesting views.

Leading the charge was none other than former Finance Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, who did not bat an eyelid in defining what corruption is.

That is a conflict of interest, he pointed out, its corruption.

Faumuina went on to emphasise that in a small island like Samoa everyone is related and the context of corruption differs.

Because Samoa is a family we cannot separate them from us, said Faumuina.

In that context of corruption  it means we are not allowed to make laws in Parliament because we are all related.

How can you define corruption in the context of counter tradition and belief of Christianity?

The M.P. for Urban West, Faumuina Wayne Fong suggested that what is defined as corruption should be categorised on different levels from low to extreme. He said a different basket for different levels of corruption should be done instead of labeling everyone as being part of such corruption.

The M.P. for Vaisigano No. 1, Lopaoo Natanielu Mua, on the other hand wanted said there is corruption everywhere.

Look at the American election two days ago. Some $25million was donated by big companies to the campaign, he said. They buy their own safety and I find it very insulting. Its not healthy that big economies and countries are trying to sell this to us and yet they openly practice it.

The reaction from the Members of Parliament is typical, isnt it?

Ladies and gentlemen, as long as our government and Members of Parliament continue to deny the existence of corruption, the rot will continue to grow. Crime will keep on breeding crime and even more crime. Its going to be a very sad future.

The words to think about as we go to church today are love and compassion.

The truth is that we are living in difficult times where many families are struggling through poverty, hardship and money woes. Their struggles are signs of the time.

We say this because in Samoa today, its undeniable that many families are unacceptably poor. Whereas the cost of living continues to skyrocket, their earning power has been severely reduced.

Government officials on the other hand  especially Cabinet Ministers, Associate Ministers and senior public servants  seem to be thriving.

While theyre enjoying the windfall of benefits and perks that come with their public offices  many of them with private business interests seem to be doing exceptionally well.

Cases of conflicts of interest in this country are so rife and some people just dont care. They are so blatant.

What does that have to do with the poor people of this country and those families who cannot afford exam fees?

Remember this, corruption hurts the most vulnerable members of the community. In other words, corruption affects the poor directly since it increases the price for public services such as education so that the poor  who are severely disadvantaged by the lack of economic growth  are unable to cope with it.

Lastly, perhaps someone should remind Members of Parliament that not too long ago, the Controller and Auditor General uncovered instances of unbridled corruption and mismanagement in some government offices.

The issues were highlighted in not one, not two but at least three reports tabled with Parliament.

These reports were referred to whats called the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C). They investigated the claims, costing taxpayers lots of money and they were required to report back to Parliament with their findings.

In the end, the O.P.C, a group made up of highly qualified accountants, lawyers and other respected professions, confirmed the findings of the Controller and Auditor General. They found that there existed corrupt practices among some public servants and there were also instances where some had colluded to defraud taxpayers. To remedy the problem, the Committee recommended taking legal action against the individuals implicated.

Nothing has been done.

Today in paradise, the people implicated are running around, living their lives without a care in the world. And in some cases now having the nerve to try to define to us what corruption is.

Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
Dear Editor,

The mendacious vulgar of the faceless ghosts within the Samoa police now has the answer of truth they didnt want.

That is so, so too bloodied bad, we need Fuiavailili Egon to provide the security for his beloved country and continue the clean up that Samoa had wanted him as Police Commissioner; actions.

That is what I want and that is what Samoa wants; action no mucking around however a disdain resistant by some faceless ghosts within, get out if they do not like the new order.

I am so so glad to hear the end result that the truth has finally prevails.

I wouldnt say welcome back Police Commissioner; you were always in there all along as the ONLY one, the REAL one I truly admired but please from now on watch your back from the enemies within; those who are so so sweet infront but carried sapelu ma gaifisalipopo kasulu solo i o lakou kua trying but were unsuccessful.

And for as long as you believe in what you are doing is to serve your country to you utmost best, I am fine with your every which way Police Commissioner.

Thanking you also so much for the service of the sitting Honourable Justice for the wisdom from God to grant you patience for a case that was supposedly never.

Congratulation lau afioga Fuiavailili Egon Keil and as a citizen of Samoa, am so sorry to drag mud to tarnish your good honest self as a Police Commissioner.

Thank to my good Lord none had stuck.

Least not last, is the courage of the Prosecutor to acknowledge the case that was never supposedly ever, to had come this far and counting the financial costs to Samoa.

Tofaeono Joe Hollywood
Members of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Aai o Niue celebrated a very special occasion yesterday.

It was the official opening of the Church Ministers new house and the congregationals hall.

Reverend Elder Utufua Naseri conducted the opening ceremony, acknowledging the congregation for their commitment and hard work.

According to Revered Efu Efu, the project cost $901,969.

The construction work, led by Sulufaiga Malua of Setu Construction, started on the 20th July and was completed on the 5th November 2016. The church members worked extremely hard to raise funds for the project in various ways.

Rev. Efu thanked AST, Bluebird Lumber, Bank of South Pacific and the National Bank of Samoa for their help. The Aai o Niue congregation consists of 26 families.
The 7th International Measina conference will focus on the Samoan saying: E sui faiga ae tumau faavae translated as practices may change but the foundations remains.

Hosted by the National University of Samoa every three to four years, the last conference was held in 2012.

The meeting was initiated to discuss the historical origins and contemporary state of what Samoans regard as treasurers in their customs and culture including the Samoan language.

Some of the questions to be discussed include:

 Can the traditional foundation (faavae) of the faasamoa remain in the context of mass title-sharing that we have witnessed in the last fifty years?

 Is the traditional faavae of land tenure still relevant?

 Have the traditional faavae of spiritual beliefs and practices survived the onslaught of introduced religion on Samoan ways of thinking?

N.U.S. Head of Department for Center of Samoan Studies, Seiuli Aloalii Temese said changes cannot be ignored and it is way of life.

Some changes can affect the traditional foundation (faavae) of villages, said Seiuli. Not only that we have seen the customary lands legislation and talks on the powers of paramount chiefs which can affect how the customary lands are ruled.

These are some of the topics that will be discussed and everyone is right in their own mind and the meeting will be a good opportunity to share views.

Asked about the governments move to seek public views to advice on ways to monitor the powers of paramount chiefs, Seiuli said opinions vary on the issue.

The paramount chief (sao ole aiga) he or she has the powers over matai titles and family lands, she said.

You must remember there are many descendants (suli) of a family but the paramount chief he has the authority over land and title. My personal view is that any internal matter concerning family issues is for them to resolve."

I believe that issues concerning titles and customary lands should not be meddled withparamount chiefs and their families have the wisdom to solve their own issues (tofa loloto e fofo alamea).

Samoan Studies Senior lecturer, Matiu Matavai Tautunu, agrees. Matiu believes the issues are timely with the international Measina conference. He said customary lands and powers of paramount chiefs are always sensitive issues.

About the consultation on powers of the sa'o, I believe that the government is trying to gather some views on it, said Matiu.

But I dont agree on the view that government should have any authority over the powers of the sa'o. Once the matai titles are affected it can also damage the traditional foundations of lands."

About 80percent of lands are customary ruled by paramount chiefs and if there is an intention for government to rule the powers of paramount chiefs that is a big concern.

According to Matiu if such push from government to rule the powers of paramount chiefs take place it will have a bearing on the ruling of customary lands.

He pointed out it will also have an effect on the ruling of matais who are heirs (faamatai suli) and the powers of the paramount chiefs.

Paramount chiefs are elected by heirs, he said.

I believe that the government should reconsider the changes nowadays.

About the international Measina conference, Matiu urged members of the public including those living in villages to register and share their views at the meeting.

Adults need to pay $100tala to register and $50tala for students.
The Samoa National Youth Council, International Labour Organisation and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development have created a new and interactive medium to engage the countrys unemployed youth.

At the Tanoa Tusitala, the organisations launched an online website called the e-Youth-Hub to centralise all existing employment services relevant to youth for ease of access.

The Youth Employment Network will provide information and basic employment services to facilitate successful entry by youth to the labour market.

The Associate Minister of M.W.C.S.D, Tofa Lio Foleni, said that the e-Youth-Hub is a first for Samoa.

This is key outcome of the Samoa One-UN Youth Employment Programme implemented by the M.W.C.S.D designed to implement shortfalls contributing to the alarming rate of unemployment in Samoa, he said.

The aim for this project is to address limited access and connectivity to existing employment services crippling young peoples ability to find jobs in the formal sector."

We also ask how the S.N.Y.C would as the national platform for youth advocacy achieve this goal, but the E-Platform component will be implemented into 3 parts."

First, S.N.Y.C will focus on centralising existing employment services online under the one hub for ease of access for youth."

Secondly, to connect to relevant partners such as M.C.I.L and the private sectors to link youth with available opportunities whether it is employment, training, volunteer or internship opportunities."

[And] lastly it is profiling capabilities where young people no longer have to worry about a CV or cover letter rather the e-youth hub will do it for them and through capacity building carried out by S.N.Y.C, employers will no longer have to worry about whether they will be interviewing youth with bad work ethics or youth with non-existent soft skills.

He emphasise that the e-platform is a youth friendly, youth accessible online gateway to getting themselves employable through the S.N.Y.C profiling and trainings and for employers to have a one stop shop access to an available youth work force.

I urge everyone to register on this new venture that is the youth designed and youth led to navigate connectivity to solving human resourcing issues.

Lastly Tofa emphasise that the e-Youth Hub is the beginning of things to come in mobilising and empowering youth to become masters of their own future and partners in the development of Samoa whether in social, economic and political stability.
An aspiring weatherman in eastern Kentucky has been arrested after admitting he intentionally set a fire to bring attention to his Facebook videos, police said.Johnny Mullins, 21, faces a charge of second-degree arson for a blaze in Letcher County, Jenkins Police Chief James Stephens told The Associated Press on Friday. The Jenkins Police Department could not be reached by NBC News on Saturday.Mullins posted selfie videos on Facebook that were recorded in front of various fires, Stephens said. He called them "Weather Outlook" segments and got 2,900 views on his final video, posted on Nov. 6, in which he warned eastern Kentucky residents, "Be extremely careful if you're out there," according to Stephens.Mullins was charged earlier this week after he told police he started the fire "because he enjoyed the attention he got from the Facebook stuff,"Friday morning new restrictions on smoking, campfires and other potential fire hazards went into effect along the Kentucky-Tennessee border, the Associated Press reports. Fireworks will be prohibited and stoves, lanterns and heating devices will be limited. Campfires are only permitted in designated campgrounds and picnic areas where metal fire rings and grills are provided.Smoking is permitted only in vehicles, buildings or developed recreations sites, or areas cleared at least three feet away from flammable materials.
Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil is a relieved man.

And following the Supreme Courts decision to withdraw and dismiss the charges against him, he tells the Sunday Samoan he is looking forward to returning to work.

The decision by Court ends what has been a very tough time for the Commissioner and his family. Aside from charges including unlawful detaining of a person, disorderly conduct in a public place, perjury and making a false statement in relation to the wrongful arrest of member of the public at the Fugalei Market last year, Fuiava is also facing an internal revolt from his fellow senior officers.

Last week, a petition presented to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet called for Fuiava to be removed.

But the Commissioner is unfazed by the allegations.

There have been a lot of personal attacks on me throughout this whole month but I tell you I dont hold a grudge, he said. I just want to get back in there and do what I was supposed to be doing with the confines of the law and doing something that will makes us proud.

The Commissioner said the position he holds is not his.

The organization is mines, the laws are not my views but I am just there to implement whatever should have been done in the past.

Fuiava said the petition is from Police officers who are opposed to the changes he is implementing. Many of them would be fearful about Fuiavas return.

But they dont need to, he said.

If you work hard with a clean heart things will turn out okay and well, he said.

I got paid to come into the Samoan Police to do a job and Im going to do it.

Fuiava added he was not surprised by the petition although he said he had not seen it.

All I know is Im trying to do good in that organization, he said.

Im still going to change, Im will not only do our work but also I want them to think. I need critical thinkers up there, I want leaders in the Samoa Police.

Fuiava accepts that he will not be liked by everyone. He also invites Police officers who are unhappy with his leadership to seek other jobs.

Maybe the Police is not the place for them?

At the end of the day, Fuiava said he has a job to do and part of it includes making changes where necessary.

Im a very proactive individual; I want change, change of mindset and do the right thing.

The Police Commissioner added that Police officers are being paid by the government and the people of Samoa and they are there to serve a mission.

They are there to work hard, follow policies and follow directives but if they fear working under such leadership then this is not the place for them."

Im just here temporarily. Its not my office, I dont own this place but Im just here to make it better and to improve the service and to be sure that we provide the best service to the public."

If you are not excited to come to work and not passionate about your work, maybe you should find another job.

Fuiava said he doesnt know when he will resume work.
1. I received instructions from the Attorney General to take carriage of this file.

2. My role is to act as an independent Prosecutor.

3. The Attorney General and his staff have not played a part in my decision making process. I have not met with the Attorney General and I have not discussed the case with him or his staff.

4. I have met with some members of the Police. They were courteous and helpful. My decisions are however independent of the Police.

5. A number of members of the community were, in various roles, directly and indirectly involved in the event surrounding this prosecution. In many cases they provide statements or affidavits. I have reviewed these carefully. My decisions should not be considered as expressing any view as to the credibility of any these individual.

6. It is not appropriate for me to make any comments about Mr Keil.

7. Mr. Keil faces for charges:

a. Disorderly conduct in a public place

b. Unlawful detention or kidnapping

c. Making a false statement to Ombudsman

d. Perjury

8. The duties of a prosecutor are set out in the Prosecution Guidelines issued pursuant to Section 22 of the National Prosecution Act 2015.

9. A prosecutor remains under a continuing duty to keep a prosecution that has been commenced under review.

10. The criteria for review are set in the Test for Prosecution.

11. I have applied the criteria to each of the 4 charges.

12. I have reached the same conclusion in respect of each charge.

13. I am of the clear view that in respect of each charge the admissible evidence available is not sufficient to enable the offences to be proved.

14. It follows that I am of the clear view that the evidence is no longer sufficient to show a reasonable prospect of conviction.

15. In these circumstances I am obliged to follow the guidelines which provide and direct that the prosecution must be discontinued.

16. I therefore formally I apply to the court to withdraw information:

a. S1958/16

b. S1959/16

c. S1960/16

d. S1961/16

17. Finally I wish to make it clear that the decision to withdraw is a decision independent of the stay application. The withdrawal shown be taken as any acceptance by the prosecution of the grounds of the stay.
The battle to determine the rightful owner of more than 200 acres of prime land in Apia has ended up in the Supreme Court.

The disputing parties are claiming to be heirs of the late Teariki Apai from Rarotonga. The lands in question are occupied by churches and some prominent businesses in Matautu, Vaiala, Apia and the Sogi area.

At the heart of the case is a dispute between the descendants of Fuimaono Lafoia and descendants of two women, Lili and Tiresa.

The dispute turns on the relationship of those individuals to Teariki Apai who once held the land now in dispute.

The plaintiff alleged that Fuimaono Lafoia succeeded to the land by virtue of his relation to Teraiki as Tearikis son. They deny that Lili and Tiresa were Tearikis sisters.

The descendants also claim that the late Teariki was married to a woman name Faalua Aumeke who lived in Falefa with their children. As the descendants of Fuimaono Lafoia they say they are now entitled to the land.

The respondents alleged that Teariki had no son and that Lili and Tiresa succeeded to the land as Tearikis sisters. They say that as the descendants of Lili and Tiresa they are entitled to the land.

Ms. Fuimaono and others who claim to be descendants of Teariki are represented in Court by Queens Counsel, Jane Anabel, Simon James and local lawyer, Ruby Drake.

They say their connection to the late Teariki is through his son, Fuimaono Valeriano Lafoia Teariki. As direct descendants of Fuimaono Valeriano, they claim they are therefore the rightful owners of the land.

But thats not the case, according to another party.

Gafatasi Patu and lawyer Mele HunterBetham are heirs of Tiresa and Lili. Their claim is that the late Teariki had siblings who were Tiresa and Lili. Mrs. Betham is representing her side of the family.

Semi Leung Wai is the lawyer for the third party, which is the Public of Trustee as the Administrator of the Estate of the late Patu Afaese Hunter.

Justice Vui Clarence Nelson presided.

On Friday, an employee of the Office of Public Trust, Paniani Vaa told the Court although there were no copies of notices published in July 1958 in relation to the Estate of Teariki, he said he said there was a notice published on 18th July, 1958 on the Samoa Bulletin and Press News.

But Justice Vui questioned this, especially if there is no evidence of it to be found anywhere.

In response, Mr. Vaa said; There were several correspondences confirming that this notice was published in 1958.

These files are moved around from law firm to law firm and in other offices of government and estates involved in civil proceedings. We had some files missing and destroyed around that time.

Next to give evidence was Gafatasi Patu, 44-year-old of Vaiala. An employee of the Central Bank of Samoa, his father was the late Patu Afaese Hunter. He also confirmed that one of his siblings is Mele Hunter-Betham.

In his evidence, Mr. Patu talked about one Rev. Faatauoloa Maualaivao, a church Minister serving the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Falefa. He recalled he had asked to meet Rev. Faatauoloa sometime in 2010 after he had read about a claim against his family land.

The claim was made by the plaintiff in this matter, he remembered. I wanted to understand how that claim came about because none of us understood how the plaintiff came about with this.

I approached the Public Trust in 2010 and had a look at their statement of claim filed in 2009 and looked at one of the submissions to remove the caveat. In particular the affidavit of the late Gafatasi Mika Fuimaono whom was the original plaintiff in this matter.

In that affidavit it had a Court decision of Justice Lesatele attached to it on the removal of caveat.

After reading the affidavit, he tried to figure out what the link was.

And I then concluded that the only link was a death certificate of (Fuimaono) Valeriano Lafoia.

The death certificate, which was attached to the affidavit of the late Gafataasi Mika Fuimaono it contained in it the name Teariki as that his father was Valeriano.

When Mrs. Betham asked about the name Teariki, Mr. Patu responded it was his family. He explained his family are direct descendants of Tiresa and Teariki.

Going back to a meeting with Rev. Faatauloa, Mr. Patu pointed out there was a letter the church minister wrote about Fuimaono Lafoia a.k.a Fui (who) died on September 29th, 1943.

Mr. Patu said when he met with Rev. Faatauloa with Giovanni being present - he wanted to discuss with him the letter he had written.

I asked questions how he concluded that this person Fuimaono Lafoia died on September 29th 1943 as he stipulated, said Mr. Patu.

He explained that the letter was extracted from the Api o Galuega Falefa (a book register) which records deaths of people of the church.

According to Mr. Patu the entry in the book register namely the name Fui was used was not the same as what the letter that says Fuimaono Lafoia.

He gave a long account of explanation if I recall correctly. He said the family came with lawyers and had went to Falefa to interview old women trying to find the death dates of this person, said Mr. Patu.

Rev. Faatauloa made a general reference of the family to those who are living next door to his house. He said the reason why he wrote it like that is because he was pressured by the family and we then asked him to correct his register but he was reluctant.

In cross-examination, Q.C. Jane Anabel asked Mr. Patu why he suggested that the family that Rev. Faatauloa made a general reference was Vavae and Gafatasi Mika Fuimaono.

The Reverend did not mention the names specifically, said Anabel.

The people living next door are Mika and Sose Fuimaono.

In response, Mr. Patu said, it could be true and the presumption was made based on that Mika who is the plaintiff and (I) later discovered that people living next door are families of Vavae and Mika Fuimaono.

Q.C. Anabel then questioned why Mr. Patu had taken a police officer, Detective Gregory with him to see the village pastor in June 2001.

Mr. Patu said he needed an independent person to look at the letter.

Was it intended that a person such as yourself in taking the police officer is to pressure the church minister to retract what he had said? asked Q.C. Anabel.

Mr. Patu denied this.

I needed an independent person to come with me.

Anabel reminded Mr. Patu that he had asked the Minister to write another letter to the Births and Marriages Office to retract his earlier letter which is not consistent with your earlier evidence.

Mr. Patu insisted there was something wrong with the letter and it was only fair to ask him to put it in a letter. Anabel repeated that the Reverend refused to write the letter.

In your affidavit he was pressured by the family to write the support letter, said Anabel. Now I put it to you that the pastor was not in fact pressured by family of the plaintiffs.

Again Mr. Patu denied this.

Anabel then said that during the hearing the pastor attended the proceedings.

You were outside of Court when he arrived and you recognised him, she explained.

Did you stop and talk to him?

Mr. Patu said in the Samoan culture when one sees a faifeau you greet him and I did that.

Did you say anything else to him? he was asked.

I asked him where he was off to he said he was summoned and I said all the best and I wished him well because I feel sorry for him and I understand what he went through, said Mr. Patu.

Lawyer Anabel then asked if that was the reason why he took detective Gregor to see the church minister because he had intended to lodge a complaint with police.

Mr. Patu said it was not correct.

He repeated that he felt sorry for him and he understood the consequences of a conviction for an elderly minister.

Anabel asked Mr. Patu if he had relayed it to the pastor when he went to see him or as it all in your mind?

There is no police complaint, insisted Mr. Patu.

I was there to ask questions and I saw that the letter was different from the entry in the register and all I wanted is to correct the register.

Anabel then put it to Mr. Patu that when he walked passed the minister did you say to him in the effect do you understand what you are doing?

I put it to you, if anyone had pressured anyone, it was you that pressured the minister outside the Court, said Anabel.

You as a solicitor understand that you should not interfere with a witness if he was to give evidence.

Mr. Patu replied he did not know the minister was giving evidence until he shook his hand and asked him what he was doing at the Court.

The last witness of the matter was an 83-year-old elderly man from Rarotonga, Tekeu Emil Framhein.

Tekeu told the Court that his mother is Pepe and his grandmother was Lole.

He said Loles mother is Tiresa and her father was a Hunter.

Teariki lived in Kiki in Rarotonga. He did not have a wife in Rarotonga and no children there. He died in August 1942I was at the burial and my father made his coffin.

Lawyer Mrs. Betham asked Tekeu if he recalled Teariki living anywhere other than Rarotonga. He replied that the young Teariki was born in Samoa.

Mrs. Betham asked if this was the Teariki who was Tiresas brother.

Tekeu said yes.

The lawyer continued to ask Tekeu if Teariki had brought anyone with him when he came to Rarotonga.

He brought Lole who is Tiresas daughter and Teariki was the feeding father of Lole in our culture, said Tekeu.

Feeding father is like adopted father. He didnt have any children and took Lole as his child.

Tekeu said Teariki is buried in the family cemetery in Kiki, Rarotonga.

In cross-examination, Anabel asked Tekeu if he recalls being in correspondence with the Public Trustee in about the 1960s.

He said yes. Tekeu said he had written a letter to the Public Trustee providing a death certificate of his grandmother Lole referring to the estate of Teariki as Tealik.

Tealik reference to Teariki and they wrote to me using that and I answered back as such. I also responded in an advertisement in 2001 about the Teariki estate.

The matter which was set down for two weeks concluded earlier than expected with proceedings done in one week.

Justice Vui then ordered the lawyers to make their submissions by Monday.

However, Mr. Leung Wai made an application to adjourn the matter for another two weeks in order for him to compile his submission.

Justice Vui did not accept the application reminding Mr. Leung Wai that the Q.Cs would have left the country by then.

He then adjourned the matter until Monday for the lawyers to make their final submissions.
Dear Editor

Re: Highway to success for farmers

That is the important purpose of commercial farming, not to compete with the local farmers but help them out.

The same important purpose with Luxury Hotel Resorts, probably few in Samoa to help out the small hoteliers to build a better tourism destination product.

Moaga Nuusa
Dear Editor

Re: This moment belongs to Trump

The absolute truth is that Trump is the President Elect and Pence is the Vice President Elect.

These are undeniable truths.

Whether the popular vote is correct or incorrect that doesnt matter. The news media, the pollsters and political analysts will come up with something to cover their embarrassment and their bias in reporting of incorrect news, data, and information.

The Republican had a great strategy to voice concern over rigged election because of the fact voting machines which made by a company of George Zorro whos a Democratic party contributor, has been proven to do the opposite when people placed their vote, which means voting machines were programmed to favor a certain candidate. They can blame it on a software bug, but the fact that this election wasnt rigged, the right candidate won.

President Bush as you mentioned also won the election. This is also the truth. Vice President Gore won the popular vote but that wasnt the vote he needed to win the election, so that didnt matter either.

The true test of President Bushs presidency, which some Democrats admitted that they were happy that it was Bush in the White House and not Al Gore when the two towers came down in New York, because Al wouldnt have the fortitude to respond forcefully as it was with George W. Bush.

Of course most of them turned around and criticized the war they supported because the wind of popular opinions blew towards the other direction when the war dragged on, thats how people are especially politicians they like to take the credit but dont like to take the blame.

Galufatioo Tautuailevao
Dear Editor

Re: This moment belongs to Trump

I likened the victory of Trump to his lock, stock and barrel style of telling the truth that resonates with the voters to that of a gladiator.

Most politicians will dance around the issues and lie about things to make them elected, but with Trump he will tell it as it is. Never in the history did any politician do what he did.

He defies all odds by going against the big money establishments with their ties to many politicians and won single handedly.

He financed most of his campaign, and he accepted only a maximum of sixty dollars from donors. He is not a career politicians and he honestly wanted America to return back to its greatness by helping its people from the hellhole theyve been living in for the last three decades.

The Democrats with a Republican previous Presidents sold America out to the banking cartels and neglected to take care of their people leaving behind a legacy of twenty trillion dollars in the hole for every American to pay with their tax dollars.

The system is broke and with a character like Trump it can only stop the bleeding from within, thats why I voted for Trump. On the contrary, I will not comment on the other defeated candidate because its not not worthy to talk about what she did and the media just look the other way.

We the people were vindicated from the mass media propaganda and its deceptions that suits the agenda of the One World Order and they failed miserably.

Here are the things I want Trump to dismantle, the climate change initiative, TPP, NAFTA, Obamacare, wars, career politicians (term limits) etc. If you can tackle those issues, your legacy will be in the history books and will be a talking narrative for years to come.

Congratulations Mr. President!

leituala
Dear Editor

Re: In support of the Commissioner

The inmates will just walk away to the shops or fetch some food from the nearby families at Aleisa and the guards are powerless to stop them.

I read an article properly close to 8 or 9 years ago where the police came into contact with an escaped prisoner on the street and on his way back to prison from the store. The interesting part of that article he wasnt arrested and delivered back to prison, he was just told ok and let him continued to prison.

I have always suspected that prisoners were being helped by prison guards paid by family members or drugs as there was no reason to find drugs in prisons but they did. Individuals who were murdered were reported as having committed suicide because guards and prisoners were in co-operations with each other.

Prisoners who were missing werent reported until they were suspected in crimes committed then they just reported them as missing. Some prisoners were reported as escapees over 10 times, which means probably ten times that number, they just werent reported as missing other times because they werent missing they were out and about until they feel like coming back to their cooperative family of prison guards.

Your street level grapevine story may be hearsay but given the number of times prisoners escaped from prison without any effort to look for them, because they relied on families of the escapees to bring them back in, showed that they were probably paid by families to have their sons and daughters come home for a while, means your grapevine story is true. And plus the fact that your friends and grapevine news bearer resides in a perfect location to witness these habitual interactions in continuous cycles.

And as for the Australian prisoners, there was no way that he could leave the country without help from the proper authority. And you are correct they just reported him being found but no effort has been made to bring him back. There was no reason for him to serve any time in Australia when he didnt commit crime in Australia.

See no end in corruption.

Fuiavailiili Egon Keil needs to take over the prison as well, restore the prison under Police watch and take it from there.

Galufatioo Tautuailevao
The suspect in the theft of a missing half a million tala from the Yazaki EDS Samoa Limited is still on the run in New Zealand.

This was confirmed by the police spokesperson Sua Muliaga Tiumalu during a press conference on Thursday.

I want to correct this because the information that was given to the media last week was not correct, he said.

The Transnational Crime Unit are still in contact with the New Zealand police in the search for the accused.

Like I said before, when we received the complaint in regards to this matter we found out that the suspect had already left the country.

The accused fled the country last year before the police had completed their investigations.
Have you been counted in the 2016 census yet?

No worries, the population count for 2016 has been extended for another two weeks.

The census which is conducted by the Samoa Bureau Statistics was initially scheduled to be concluded last week.

However, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed the process needed more time.

When asked about the extension, Tuilaepa said accuracy was the most important thing.

There is no need to rush it, he told the Samoa Observer.

Its more important to get it right than to get it done faster.

No official notice from the Samoa Bureau Statistics has been published to inform members of the public about the extension.

According to an employee of the office, who was not authorised to speak to the media, the extension was due to most families not being counted in the census.

Last week, Tuilaepa urged the country to participate in the 2016 census that is done in every five years.

The Prime Minister stressed that the population count was a key element to the development of Samoa.

Its important to have a census because the government wants to know the population especially the count for different ages, Tuilaepa said.

This information can assist the government in terms of planning schools and hospitals depending on which area is populated with people. We also have to see if the roads are good and the different kinds of development for the country.

The last census in 2011 showed that Samoa had a population of 187,820.

The Prime Minister pointed out the statistics had come in handy at the time of natural disasters like cyclone Ofa.

He explained at such a time of natural disasters, the census will be used to assist in distributing food for people in the villages.

If the record shows there are 200 people in this area then we have to give our 200 sacks of rice, he said.

The census is vital so we can plan ahead.

While there were reports that some people did not cooperate with the officials, Tuilaepa said they need to be dealt with.

Its good if we charge them so the law can deal with them, he added.

The only reason why we have lawbreakers is because most of the time there is a lack of respect for each other but the way it should be is to charge them to avoid this kind of behaviour.

In relation to the population of Samoa, Tuilaepa in the past told the media the idea of family planning for interfering with population growth.

He pointed out the decision by parents to have fewer children is counterproductive because Samoa needs more people to work the land.

"I've heard them say that the reason for this is because some parents can't afford to care for (too many) children," Tuilaepa said.

"That should be said about countries overseas where it is cold but for us, we are used to running around with just a piece of lavalava from the morning until night."

Tuilaepa said Samoa's stagnant population is not helping development.

"Today, our economy has grown and yet you see couples who are well employed having only one or two children," he said.

He had also recalled that in the past people survived on palusami from Monday to Saturday.

Now our economy is strong but families are having fewer children.

He added that hundreds of Samoans have migrated overseas and this has created a gap.

Furthermore he pointed out the grass in many villages has overgrown because there are not enough people to cut it.
Think a minuteIn 1946, the United States Army showed to the public its brand new 30-ton computer called the ENIAC. All the credit for this invention was given to two men, John Mauchly and J. Eckert. But it was actually a group of six women who programmed the computer and made this complex machine work.

None of those six women were acknowledged for their amazing work and achievement. Only recently have historians made known this injustice and given these women the credit they earned.

Sadly, throughout history women and mothers often have not been given the honor and recognition they deserve. Yet the great French leader and conqueror Napolean said: The future of a child is usually the work of the mother.

History seems to prove it. In fact, many of the greatest men and leaders of the world have proudly admitted that they became strong men because of their mothers teaching and example. They were proud to be mamas boys!

Some of these great men were U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and the list goes on and on. George Washington, the first President of the United States, said: All that I am I owe to my motherI credit all of my success in life to the moral and intellectual training I received from her.

It is clear throughout history that women and mothers are some of the most important and powerful people in the world, proving true the saying: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.

Jesus Himself showed that women are just as important to God as men. So if you are a woman, ask your Maker to help you see and value yourself the same way He does. And if you are a man, ask Jesus to forgive and help you change so you will start showing honor and respect to your wife and to your mother by treating her the way God Himself does, and commands you to. Just think a minute
Britain to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russias border for the first time since the Cold War

By MARC NICOL, DEFENCE CORRESPONDENT FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY13 November 2016Mail in SundayBritain is to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russians border for the first time since the Cold War.The long range rockets will be moved to Estonia next year amid fears Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning to invade the country.The rockets are part of a huge military build-up by NATO countries in order to defend the Baltic States.Around 800 UK troops will deploy to Estonia next year as part of a 15-nation force, including soldiers from the US, France and Denmark.The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) fire as many as 12 missiles per minute and are capable of blowing up Russian tanks over a range of up to 45 miles.The 200lb warheads are guided towards their targets by GPS and are fired from missile launchers bolted onto armoured vehicles. At least 25 Royal Artillery soldiers are expected to deploy to Estonia to operate the GMLRS systems.The rockets were used with devastating results in Afghanistan from 2007 to blast open Taliban bunkers. Some 410 missiles were fired at the jihadis tunnel networks in Helmand Province during the campaign.Britains GMLRS systems will be complemented in Estonia by a UK force of drones, RAF Typhoon jets and Challenger 2 tanks.Concerns for the security of Estonia and other Baltic States have grown following the US Presidential Election. During the campaign Donald Trump challenged a NATO Article 5 principle that the alliance will defend any members from military aggression.President-elect Trump suggested that, in the future, US protection for the Baltic States would depend on these countries meeting NATO defence spending targets.Last night, former British Army commander General Sir Richard Shirreff, an expert on Russian affairs, told The Mail on Sunday that he believed that it would be necessary for hundreds of UK troops to remain in Estonia for the foreseeable future in a bid to thwart Russian aggression.He said: Unless it is a permanent force then it is not credible. The 800-strong UK deployment is a start, but just that. I would also like to see Britain taking the lead in the protection of the Baltic States, in particular after Brexit.NATO as a whole must make a statement that it is willing and capable of defending these countries.I fear that unless President Elect Trump reaffirms the USs commitment to Article 5 that Russian will exploit this situation, absolutely certainly it will, and this could include Russian adventurism in the Baltic States.Because until now the one thing that has secured European defence since the formation of NATO has been the total certainty that whichever President is elected to the White House the US will come to the aid of another member of the pact.Read more: Britain to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russianas border | Daily Mail Online Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Infertile couples might be able to greatly boost their chances of having a baby by using the genetic discards of egg cells, researchers from the Salk Institute and Oregon Health and Science University said in a new study.

Moreover, the technology could be used to prevent diseases of mitochondria  the cells energy factories  from passing into the next generation, the team said.

The scientists transplanted the genetic material into enucleated donor egg cells. The cells were then fertilized with sperm. Some of the embryos developed until the blastocyst stage, about five days after fertilization. No embryos were allowed to develop beyond that point.

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Years of research lie ahead before this method can be tapped to actually produce human babies, said Joseph Ecker at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, who was co-senior author of the study. Safety and effectiveness must be studied further and improved.

But in theory, the approach could double the chances of generating an embryo that can be carried to term. Thats because using the discarded material would yield double the number of usable egg cells. And the quality of the recovered genetic material appears to be adequate.

The report was published Thursday in the journal Cell Stem Cell. It can be found at j.mp/scntfertility.

Ecker teamed up with Oregon Health and Sciences Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a prominent reproductive biologist. Ecker said his role was to study the quality of the cells generated by Mitalipovs group.

Mitalipov made international headlines in 2013 with the first production of human embryonic stem cells through cellular cloning. In the procedure, called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT, a nucleus from a skin cell is transferred it to an enucleated egg cell. SCNT is the method used to create Dolly the cloned sheep.

Mitalipovs goal is to generate embryonic stem cells genetically matched to individual patients. These could become a source of tissues to replace those that have been damaged or disease in patients. This use is called therapeutic cloning.

SCNT is similar to the procedure used for the new work. But instead of a nucleus, Mitalipov and Eckers team used genetic material from polar bodies, small cells that bud off as egg cells mature. The new method is known as polar body nuclear transfer.

Half and whole

Most cells in the body contain two sets of genes, one from each parent. But both sperm and mature egg cells contain half the chromosomes of normal cells. When they merge, a full genome is restored.

Eggs cells start off with a full genome. But as they mature, half of it goes into the polar bodies. The scientists found that when this genetic material is transferred to enucleated egg cells, they reconstitute what appears to be a whole egg cell with the right properties for producing embryos.

Since mitochondria are passed along with the egg, not sperm, these embryos contain the mitochondria of the donor egg cell. So with polar body nuclear transfer, a woman with mitochondrial diseases should be able to bear offspring free of those ailments, Ecker said.

If successful, this would complement an existing method that transfers the nucleus of an unfertilized egg into an enucleated donor egg, which is then fertilized. This method produces so-called three-parent offspring because the mitochondria, which have their own genome, come from a third person. It was approved last year in the United Kingdom but has not gained clearance in the United States.

Yet another option to prevent mitochondria disease transmission has been developed by Eckers Salk colleague, Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte. He led a team that demonstrated in mice that a portion of a cells mitochondrial population could be selectively destroyed in fertilized egg cells, sparing others. This means it may be possible to destroy diseased mitochondria, leaving the healthy ones behind.

Izpisua Belmonte and colleagues reported their findings in April 2015. As with the new study, years of work will be needed before this approach can be tried in people.

Widespread problem

About 10 percent of women experience difficulty in becoming or staying pregnant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of all cases of infertility, one third affect women, one third affect men and the remainder are a mixture or unknown.

One of the most common methods for achieving a successful pregnancy is called in vitro fertilization, or IVF, first demonstrated in humans in 1978.

In IVF, the prospective mother is injected with hormones so she produces multiple eggs each month. Another drug is given to make the eggs mature, and the woman is monitored to determine that status.

When the eggs are ripe, theyre drawn out with a needle inserted through the vagina and ovary. They must be carefully cultured with designated sperm, or in some cases, the sperm is directly injected into the egg.

Any embryos produced are examined to find the best candidate, which is then placed into the uterus. Then its waiting time to see whether the embryo successfully implants, beginning the actual pregnancy.

Since generating ripe eggs is such an intricate process, the ability to use polar bodies would make the IVF process much more likely to succeed, Ecker said.

Shoukrat was interested in getting the most out of the eggs from individual women, Ecker said.

Much more work is needed to get the technology ready for use, Ecker said.

The study found that embryos created through polar body nuclear transfer developed to the blastocyst stage 42 percent of the time. By comparison, controls reached that stage 75 percent of the time.

On the positive side, the new study said, the quality of the embryos (as measured by their genetic profiles) looked very similar to those of embryonic stem cells, which served as the controls.

Of those embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage, about half had some abnormalities, Ecker said, while the others looked quite good.

IVF procedures can also generate embryos with defects, Ecker said. Thats why there are quality control checks in the process, so each individual embryo is examined, and only the best are implanted.

Meanwhile, the PBNT method can be further improved to increase the rate of success, Ecker said. For example, the timing of removal of the eggs and polar bodies can be adjusted.

Those kind of things can be worked out down the road, Ecker said.

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Boot camps and massages. Chiropractors to nutritionists. Protein shakes and cold-pressed juices.

More and more local companies who made The San Diego Union-Tribunes Top Workplaces list are offering employees health and wellness perks to increase productivity and retention rates and reduce absenteeism.

At Amobee, we believe great people make great companies, said Kim Perell, president for the digital marketing technology company with a San Diego office. Health and wellness programs have proven to yield higher levels of productivity, job satisfaction and retention rates.

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A Harvard study in 2010 found that medical costs fall by $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and absenteeism costs drop by $2.73 for every dollar spent.

Echoing Amobees conclusion, the Harvard report said: healthier workers might be more productive and miss fewer days of work.

HEATLHY EATING

Amobee stocks its local office with Greek yogurt, apple chips, vitamin water, gluten-free cereal and almond, soy and coconut milk.

The refrigerators at The Control Group, a technology company based in San Diego, are loaded with cold-pressed juices from Sacred Juice, coconut waters, Perriers, Core Power high protein shakes, pistachios, roasted edamame and organic granola. Its catered Monday lunches have included roasted vegetables and quinoa.

A farm truck drives to the Escondido campus of The Ken Blanchard Companies, which offers management training, every other Wednesday to offer fresh fruits and vegetables and other natural foods made locally by Daily Harvest.

Its not just about offering healthy foods. Some companies do more.

For example, a nutritionist visits Aya Healthcare at its San Diego headquarters every other Friday to teach workers how to eat better at company-wide presentations and private consultations.

We believe eating habits have a direct effect on our employees health, focus, energy, sleep and mood, said Amber Zeeb, Ayas director of operations.

Employees at Aya Healthcare perform a group exercise during one of its early morning fitness classes. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune )

GET MOVING

Exercise is another common company health initiative.

Vista-based Physicians DataTrust Inc. encourages walking by giving employees pedometers. Its top team of three workers walked a total of 881 miles over three months. Prizes included more paid vacation time.

Our goal is to motivate everyone to care for themselves first, said Grace Bender, company finance director for Physicians.

Right outside its San Diego headquarters, Cali Bamboo, which makes eco-friendly building products, offers free hour-long CrossFit training sessions twice a week taught by certified instructors from a company that brings its own equipment. Also outside next to its building and sometimes at the beach and canyons, Aya holds 50-minute boot-camp classes that include running, burpees and lunges three times a week for employees, friends and family.

Many local companies make it easier for employees to exercise by having a gym at the office.

The gym at CPC Strategy, a digital marketing agency based in San Diego, spans more than 3,000 square feet. Gurtin Municipal Bond Management, based in Solana Beach, built its own small gym to supplement the gym in its building, which features traditional equipment. Gurtins gym houses a rowing machine and battle ropes.

The TCG Little Italy office has a mini gym with downtown views from floor-to-ceiling windows and a Peloton exercise bike on an outside deck with San Diego Harbor views. Theres even a personal trainer who provides free two-hour onsite fitness sessions twice a week.

The gym at Renovate America, a financial services and insurance company based in San Diego, features a dozen cardio machines and an aerobics studio where employees have brought in their favorite yoga and cardio hip-hop teachers to lead classes.

Lakeside-based Barona Resort & Casino combines exercise with weight loss in a free six-month program that about 30 workers initially signed up for. All but two completed the program and lost a total of 517 pounds. About 400 employees have since participated.

SPINE AND MIND

It isnt just about getting employees to move their bodies.

Seacrest Village Retirement Communities, based in Encinitas, sponsored a health fair that offered its workers free blood-pressure checks, bone-density tests and spine evaluations. Anderson Direct & Digital, a Poway-based direct marketing company, offered free flu shots. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego helps workers quit smoking. Non-smokers get a discount on their health insurance premiums.

Ergonomics are important at Zeeto, a San Diego-based traffic monetization technology company, where a chiropractor works. Its employees have the option of using a standing desk or a $1,200 ergonomic chair.

But the fact remains, a week still consists of 40-plus hours of standing/sitting in one place, said Greg Kuchcik, vice president of human resources. Having a chiropractor onsite helps realign those who want it, while taking only 10 minutes of their time.

Zeeto also rents separate office space for employees to have private one-hour full-body massages offered five days a week from noon to 5 p.m. And Aya workers get one-hour Reiki meditation classes every Tuesday afternoon.

Meditation leaves employees feeling peaceful, focused and recharged, Zeeb said.

Hang Nguyen is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.
Mitchell International started out as an auto parts and repair book publisher back in 1946.

Today, the San Diego company is a wide ranging technology supplier, providing modern software tools for everything from auto insurance claims to workers compensation and pharmacy management.

But after all these years, it remains a staple in the auto repair industry, which has transformed with vehicles themselves into a high tech business.

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Alex Sun, president and chief executive of Mitchell International, said cars have become extremely sophisticated both in materials and the software used to run them.

Indeed, there are more lines of software code in a typical new car then you will find in a fighter jet, said Sun.

Mitchell was named among the best places to work in San Diego in a San Diego Union-Tribune survey, done in conjunction with Workplace Dynamics.

The. companys software enable tens of millions of electronic transactions to be processed each month for more than 300 insurance companies and over 30,000 collision repair facilities worldwide. It has 1,380 employees globally, including 750 in San Diego.

Sun recently answered questions about the work environment at Mitchell. Here are some excerpts.

Q: What is the biggest challenge in recruiting and retaining employees?

A: There are a number of challenges all employers face, the biggest one being the competitive landscape of the job market.

Were in the midst of the hottest job market since 2001, and demand for technical skill sets such as engineering is at an all-time high. Were a mid-size company of 1,400 people, but were competing against much larger Fortune 500 companies for the same talent.

Our culture is transparent, relationship based and nurturing. We go above and beyond to make sure our employees are engaged and have access to the training and development opportunities they need to succeed.

Q: Where do you find workers  universities, competitors?

A: Our top source of talent is employee referrals, which speaks to the high caliber of our culture and the opportunities we offer.

We also have a stellar Talent Acquisition team that has built great partnerships in the community, particularly with our local universities.

Our attrition rates are relatively low  particularly relative to other technology companies. Our focus on culture and creating opportunities for learning and growth are a major contributor to that.

Q: What is the corporate culture you want create at Mitchell?

A: We strive to create a culture that empowers and engages employees and makes people feel connected.

Our core values, what we call The Mitchell Way, are driven by our leaders and are the pillars of our culture.

We have awesome teams that are highly motivated, dedicated to driving quality outcomes and committed to collaborating with each other to achieve goals.

We also create a culture of trust through consistent and transparent communication and feedback, which empowers our people to share ideas about improving the work they do.

One of our most critical value propositions is career empowerment. Our leaders foster the professional development of their teams and facilitate opportunities they need to gain experience and grow their careers

Q: What is your top tip for recruiting and retaining quality employees?

A: We want our recruiting process to reflect our culture and who we are as a company. We consciously make The Mitchell Way part of our interview and evaluation process because we want to attract people who share our core values.

Its also essential to provide transparency and ensure that were maintaining consistent follow-up with candidates so they know what to expect.

Building strong relationships with universities has also had a huge impact and provided a steady stream of smart, talented people. We have developed a fairly robust university intern program that has been growing every year. We have had students participate from UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, San Diego State, UC Irvine, University of Utah and Florida State, among others.

From a retention standpoint, its about maintaining open communication and transparency on performance and career goals, and providing the development opportunities employees need to achieve those goals.

We are also really into celebrating and recognizing success of our people. We have numerous rewards and recognition programs designed to celebrate both individuals and teams that do great things.

Mitchell International Inc.

Founded: 1946

Ownership: private

Sector: P&C industry software products and services

Local employees: 725

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mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
Jack OBrien has been one of the biggest names on Broadway for well over two decades now  and these days it seems even New Yorks boulevard of dreams cant quite hold him in.

Fresh off directing the current Broadway revival of The Front Page  and just a few months out from opening the new musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory there  the former Old Globe Theatre artistic chief is also now touring a beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein classic around the country.

For his new staging of The Sound of Music, OBrien and his team went back to the musicals pre-movie roots and made some surprising discoveries.

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As the show heads to San Diego for a five-day Civic Theatre run this week, we chatted with the three-time Tony Award winner (Hairspray, Henry IV, The Coast of Utopia) about the works history, its enduring appeal and the deeper meanings of Maria.

Q: Before we launch into talking about The Sound of Music, how have things gone with The Front Page and your star, Nathan Lane?

A: Weve had a fabulous time. But we ended up with just tremendous respect for the play itself, because the first act is willfully sort of spare and weird and almost Chekhovian. And then the farce starts to build into Act 2, as does the melodrama. And then by the time you get to act 3, it just (freaking) explodes.

Theres never been an actor, ever, with the specific set of chops as Nathan has, playing (the newsman) Walter Burns. So the virtuosity of his humor in the third act just takes your breath away.

Im really, really proud of it. I think its a terrific show.

Q: So, whats your history with The Sound of Music?

A: I actually saw it when I was in college. I went to New York with my family, and stood in the back and saw Mary Martin (as Maria)  in the same theater Im about to go into for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I dont remember too much about it except the sound of her voice, which was extraordinary. Because of course they didnt have any microphones at that time. It was all acoustic. There was something so clarion and individually pure about the sound of her voice. I was stunned when I heard it.

I guess I liked it, I dont know. I didnt think too much about it.

The Sound of Music

When: Opens Tuesday. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown

Tickets: About $22.50-$107.50

Phone: (619) 570-1100

Online: broadwaysd.com

Q: And then how did it come back into your life?

A: About seven or eight years ago, I was invited to go to Russia with (the producer) Margo Lion on a State Department tour, to talk to students about producing. And while we were there, someone called and said the first all-Russian production of The Sound of Music was being teched at a commercial theater, and would we mind going and hello? We thought, are you kidding?

So we went over, and there was one of those devastating Eurotrash productions where you dont know what youre looking at. And we were smiling encouragement all the time, and trying to be as gentle as we could.

But they had three different sets of principals, and the girl rehearsing that night had never been onstage with the company, and she was very young and very pretty. And the (Captain) Von Trapp was kind of hot. And I thought, well, thats kind of interesting, too. I dont remember that. Sex is rearing its ugly head in this piece. And then I listened to the music and thought, that music is really beautiful. I mean, thats a beautiful score.

I just had a lot of strange positive responses to it, and that was that.

Q: So then we cut to ...

A: A couple of years ago, (when producers) came to me and asked would I be interested in doing a national tour of the piece. I said, I dont think so. And my agent said, Yes you do! It sells out everywhere it goes. And I thought, Oh, I could use a shekel or two. Lets see what happens.

So they sent me the script, and the first thing I saw was the date, 1938. I thought, I dont remember anything about the 30s in any production of The Sound of Music Ive ever seen. I thought, my God, this is the trembling edge of the world war, just before everything changed.

And then my eye caught the lyric, 16 going on 17. I thought, Oh, how old was this girl (Liesl) when her mother died? And I started doing the math, figuring it out. (Younger sister) Gretel is 6, so I thought, maybe the mother died in childbirth, which is indeed a possibility at that time. And then I thought, this little girl has gone through puberty in the hands of an Austrian nanny. She doesnt know about anything!

And then I saw that lyric that Rolf (the young Nazi-to-be) sings, and I thought, thats not a love song, thats a warning.

I started doing all this research, and realized that Mary Martin was 46 when she did this play originally. And when Julie (Andrews) did it, she was nearly 30. I thought, this girl (Maria) is 20 years old. And then I began to think, Oh, wait a minute. The wife dies, the captain goes to sea, hes devastated, obviously heartbroken. He stops singing. He turns the kids over to a sort of military mentality. And then, what have you got? Nannygate! This 20-year-old girl walks in and shes anything but competition for his wife. But shes fresh and young and wildly appealing. And the kids adore her.

So I thought, Im going to do what I did with the Stoppards (the Tom Stoppard works he has directed). Im going to put some sex onstage and see what happens. And Ive had huge success with his material by doing just that.

Q: How did you approach making the songs sound fresh again?

A: I didnt let (the cast) sing the songs for the first two weeks. They had to speak the lyrics. Because theyre beautifully written, but those songs are so familiar that when you hear them, its like stepping onto a raft with the best picnic lunch youve ever had in your life, and just drifting down the river.

And then you get down to the end of the song, and you get off. And you have no idea what (happened), except that youve been listening to music youve known all your life, and that you love. And I thought, take the music out and make them earn the lyrics. And thats what I did.

And we made incredible discoveries. I felt I was kissing Sleeping Beauty alive. I think this piece stands with the best of Rodgers & Hammersteins work. The book is so smart; those book scenes are so tautly, beautifully, economically written.

We had a fabulous time. Im as proud of this piece as anything Ive ever done.

Q: Has there been any kind of blowback from Sound of Music purists?

A: Thats an interesting point, because everybody assumed that the movie is the piece. And its nothing like the piece. They took huge liberties (in the film). As a matter of fact, Richards Rodgers famously didnt like the movie, and didnt want anything to do with it, because they didnt follow the tenets that they had on the stage. They used different songs for different scenes. He hated it.

We were given, out of generosity by the Rodgers & Hammerstein people, all the existing music we wanted  from any touring production, the film, anything. So we went back to the beginning and started all over again. And I cut a lot of stuff and changed a lot of stuff.

So when our audiences come in to see this, they have (the movie) in the mind, and then they make these discoveries, because they have to listen all over again. And its been really wonderful to have that happen.

Twitter: @jimhebert

jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com
You want to lead but you dont know where to start. Its a common problem for people who are not in traditional leadership roles. If you are a boss, you can simply tell your employees what to do  and it most likely will get done. If you are a colleague working on project, getting people to follow your lead is not as easy. The key, said Richard Mayhew, founder of the The Mayhew Group, a management consulting firm, is to use influence to get people where you want and need them to go.

Influence doesnt have to be a dirty word, he said. Its a form of leadership and all good leadership is a collective. As a leader, you should be a facilitator  not a dictator.

Mayhew teaches both the tenets and tactics of influence as part of UC San Diego Extensions Level Up Leadership series, which consist of half-day workshops that cost $99. His upcoming workshop Influence with Purpose: Successful Techniques for Leadership on Nov. 18 is designed for new managers or early or mid-career professionals who are looking to make a mark on their organizations.

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This is perfect for people who wonder: How do I influence people I have no control over? How do I influence my boss? How do influence up and across my organization?  Mayhew said.

First off, you have to say no to negativity. Ultimatums might get people to go along  at least initially  but could ultimately boomerang on you. Mayhew said throwing around threats about being in trouble with the boss will get you compliance but not commitment. If you go ugly, he added, you not only will leave your co-workers with a less than stellar impression but they could end up working against you.

Instead, you should focus on a positive approach because influence relies on gaining peoples commitment to your cause and inspiring them to be part of your effort. This means understanding what motivates your co-workers  and realizing it could be different for each person. For some, logic and facts will get them on board. Others will be excited about being a part of an important mission. But for many, its as simple as asking for their help and listening to their ideas. Mayhew said most everyone wants to be helpful, especially if it seems like you value what they have to offer.

Tell them I was asked to boost sales and the reason Im talking to you is because youre the perfect person to help me,  he said. Another approach is to say I have a challenge and Im wondering if you will help. 

Find out more about the ins and outs of influence and leadership at extension.ucsd.edu.

Jennifer Davies is the assistant dean of external affairs for UC San Diego Extension. She can be reached at jadavies@ucsd.edu.
The pay is relatively low and the stress high, but that did not stop 19 people from filing to run for seats on the Los Angeles Board of Education by the Saturday deadline.

Millions are spent on the campaigns, which are usually dominated by two camps that seek influence over the nations second-largest school system: the teachers union and a group of philanthropists who generally oppose the union-backed candidates. In the last election, those philanthropists poured dollars into an independent campaign committee controlled by supporters of charter schools. Board members receive $24,000 a year, or $45,637 if they dont earn another salary.

For the record: An earlier version of this post omitted the name of District 2 candidate Carl J. Petersen.

Two incumbents are running again for their seats, and a third is open. The primary election takes place in March, after which the top two finishers in each district face off in the May general election.

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Among the incumbents is Monica Garcia, who represents District 2, which encompasses downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. Shes the longest-serving board member, having joined the seven-member body in 2006. Garcia is expected to have the support of the philanthropists, but she has also been endorsed in the past by employee unions that typically back incumbents.

At this point, Garcia is the only candidate with significant campaign contributions  she has $132,658, according to the most recent filings.

Those who filed to run against her are businessman/parent advocate Carl J. Petersen, public school teacher Lisa Alva, education rights attorney Miho Murai and school council board member Manuel Manny Aldana Jr.

Five candidates have filed to run to represent District 4, which stretches from the Westside to the western San Fernando Valley. The two-term incumbent is Steve Zimmer. He is expected to draw support from unions and opposition from charter school backers, who accuse Zimmer of making it more difficult for charters that seek to operate within district boundaries.

Charters are managed independently of the school district, but L.A. Unified has substantial control over whether they can open or remain open. L.A. Unified has more charters than any other school system in the nation. Most are not unionized.

Running against Zimmer are educator/parent Allison Holdorff Polhill, police specialist/parent Gregory Martayan, educator/childrens advocate Nick Melvoin and Tracy Grand, whose ballot description is under review.

Melvoin, with $161,742, has a big lead in fundraising so far, but Zimmer is expected to benefit from an independent union campaign.

The seat for District 6, which encompasses the eastern San Fernando Valley, is open because one-term incumbent Monica Ratliff is running for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Those vying for the seat are: community youth advocate Imelda Padilla, education advocate Gwendolyn R. Posey, animal rights educator Jose Sandoval, educator/parent/businessman Araz Parseghian, academic advisor Joanne Baltierrez-Fernandez, public school teacher Kelly Fitzpatrick-Gonez, student/parent advocate Juanita J. Arevalo, engineering technologist/educator William Charles McMahan and state Assemblywoman Patty Lopez.

Lopez lost her bid for reelection to the Assembly days ago after winning the seat in an upset two years ago.

So far, Parseghian has reported the most contributions: $18,975.

To actually make the ballot, candidates must submit petitions with at least 1,000 signatures from registered voters in their district. Candidates can submit just 500 signatures if they are willing to pay a $300 filing fee.

To read the article in Spanish, click here.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume
Editors note: Khaleel Mohammed is a religious studies professor at San Diego State University who teaches Islamic history and law, Islamic texts and comparative religions. His book David in the Muslim Tradition was published last year.

He has served as an expert witness in terrorism cases and is writing a book about jihad.

Many of my students are Muslims, and they are often the ones who have the most difficult time in my classes. This is because they expect that I, an observant Muslim, will defend Islam as a religion of peace and confirm their beliefs. But it is precisely because I am a Muslim that I am frequently at odds with them.

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The Quran, the Islamic scripture, commands its followers to be upholders of justice, witnesses for God, even if such testimony be against oneself, parents or relatives.

That includes the issue of jihad. I delve into history to show my students that regardless of its benign literal meaning, understanding of the word has morphed throughout history and been used to justify violence. That truth can be very discomforting.

In this article, I will attempt to help the public understand the factual dynamics of Islam  removed from a hyperbolic, often irrational debate with one side insisting the religion could never justify terrorism/violence/jihad and the other using terrorist incidents to scapegoat all Muslims.

I would like non-Muslim readers to know that the very Islam they accuse of spreading violence first brought to the world what researchers refer to as the scientific method, and that for much of medieval history, texts by Muslims were used for research in medicine and physics. Ibn Khaldun, a North African Muslim, is hailed by many as the worlds first sociologist.

And I would like Muslim readers to understand that Islam knows its share of violence, and to deny that history is disingenuous. Such obfuscation will only exacerbate the discussion because our current reality is that the most satanic violence, in the name of Islam, been brought home to us through so many events, including the 9/11 attacks and most recently, the San Bernardino atrocity.

Jihad and its derivative forms, as used in the Quran, mean to exert oneself, whether physically or intellectually, as an individual or part of a group, to promote a cause and earn the pleasure of God. The word was used in the Quran long before Muslims were permitted religiously to fight against their enemies. As such, its meaning does not necessarily refer to war, since striving in the path of God can be done by peaceful means.

For the early Muslim movement, in what scholars often refer to as the Meccan period (from the years 610-622), the scriptural usage was solely about self-improvement, resisting temptation and encouraging others to accept Islam.

Sometime around the year 610, Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah in the city of Mecca (now part of Saudi Arabia) started preaching a religion that he called Islam. It seems he was initially convinced that his message of monotheism, based on shared concepts in Judaism and Christianity, would be quickly accepted by the Arab tribes.

Muhammad, like the biblical prophets, claimed that he had revelations from God. These revelations are collected in the Quran.

The message Muhammad brought not only debunked polytheistic beliefs, but also threatened to disempower members of his own family who were the elite of various clans. Some relatives and tribal members became adherents to his new message, but the polytheists in general sought to coerce him into giving up his ministry. In his early preachings, Muhammad focused on spirituality and pacifist perseverance in the face of adversity.

In the year 622, he fled with some followers to the city of Medina, where many people had accepted his teachings. He became the leader of a monotheistic state, and it was here that he said the Quranic verses giving Muslims permission to fight were revealed to him.

While the intrinsic interpretation of jihad remained, it was now expanded to include defensive fighting, but with strict prohibitions against any form of aggression. Making jihad by the use of ones property and body was broadened to mean that one could fight to defend Islam, and that God would significantly reward anyone who died in this pursuit.

Muhammad and his followers defeated their polytheistic enemies by the year 631, and additions to the Quran at the time declared that God had finalized the religion and completed the Divine bounty upon Muhammads followers. There was no need for further battles because Islam was about moral guidance and monotheism for Arabic-speaking peoples, not about land acquisition.

But within a generation of Muhammads death in the year 632, his successors fell to fighting each other for ruling dominance. These Muslims founded the city of Baghdad, which at the zenith of Islamic power (between the seventh to 10th centuries) was the capital of an empire that included the Middle East, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula and extended all the way to northwest India.

It was under this state of affairs that the scholars of Islam, as servants of the Islamic Empire, redefined the concept of jihad. Far from being a defensive effort, it was reinterpreted to mean war to spread the empires influence. Verses in the Quran about peace and coexistence were superseded by those of war. Medieval fuqaha, as the Muslim jurists who interpret and explain Islamic law are known, opined that there could be no compromise because Muslims had to fight to establish their religion as the right one.

It is important to note that this transformation in the meaning of jihad came long after the death of Muhammad. Medieval fuqaha and others saw the world as divided into two parts: the territory of Islam and the territory of war.

Muslim thinkers also began to rely on a second written source besides the Quran: the Hadith.

Many lay Muslims see the Hadith as reports of Muhammads actions, words and tacit approvals. In this regard, the Hadith may be as important as the Quran because it supposedly explains that scripture. But for specialists, the Hadith tells us primarily and reliably more about the people who wrote those reports, and only secondarily and unreliably about Muhammad and the events they portray.

The Hadith was formulated when Islam was at its zenith, so unlike the Quran, it does not deal with the transformation of the Muslims from an oppressed group to a triumphant community. It presents Islam from the perspective of power, and offers little if any guidance as to how Muslims must act if they are a minority.

While the Quran has no prophecies about end-of-time battles, the Hadith is replete with prophecies about Armageddon-type scenarios. In these depictions, Muslims emerge victorious in battles against evil forces.

The Hadith has influenced a lot of current understanding of the Quran. Edicts in the Quran that were restricted to a certain time and place are now read as being universally applicable.

For example, the Quranic verse Fight them until there is no more corruption dealt specifically with the polytheists of Muhammads time, but some Muslims have subsequently interpreted it to mean that fighting should continue until the entire world comes under Islamic rule. This is the type of reasoning that fosters the kill the disbeliever philosophy.

At the time, there were mystic and pacifist elements in Islam that insisted on following the primary meaning of jihad  a struggle to better oneself morally. But these perspectives were never the majority interpretation. The claim that the one, true meaning of jihad is an ethical struggle was simply an apologetic strategy to avoid coming to grips with reality: that usage of the word was evolving.

Traditionally, jihad can only be declared by the caliph of a united Muslim state. Even when the Muslims faced a common enemy during the Crusades of 1095 to 1291, they were fighting among themselves and so having a jihad declared was next to impossible.

In modern times, with the abolition of the caliphate by Ataturk in Istanbul in 1923, there has been virtually no scenario  theoretical or real  that allows for the global Muslim community to agree on a call for jihad.

Interestingly, use of the word jihad did not gain acceptance during two of the greatest 20th-century conflicts for nations with a Muslim majority: the 1965 war between India and Pakistan and the 1967 violent confrontation between Israel and several Muslim-majority states.

So how did the term become so famous, so accepted among both Muslims and non-Muslims?

This occurred when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. The Afghans did not have the armament to defend against their invaders, and this Muslim-majority nation, with its various ethnicities, resorted to the call of jihad as a unifying cause. The call resonated within the Muslim world, since the Soviet Union was seen as a grouping of God-rejecting states.

The United States also voiced its support for the Afghans, providing not-so covert assistance as part of its plan to counter Soviet global influence. The Muslim world saw U.S. officials as heroes, and the first case of modern jihad was seen basically as a battle between good and evil.

Muslims from other lands traveled to Afghanistan in significant numbers to help Afghanistans mujahideen in the war against those who would deny God. Among them was Osama bin Laden, the demonic schemer behind the 9/11 attacks.

When Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan, it was seen as a victory for the mujahideen and jihad became the effective rallying cry for Islamic movements around the world, regardless of the cause or target of their fight.

Some Islamic thinkers have called for jihad by issuing a pronouncement called a fatwa. But a fatwa is simply a learned opinion; it is not a religious verdict. With the rise of movements such as al-Qaeda, we have seen an upsurge of fatwas being issued by non-scholars. This is because the established Islamic jurists refuse to issue such proclamations, so upstart activists, doing much like Osama bin Laden did, have given themselves titles and mantles of authority.

In the Middle East, for example, we see fatwas issued by Daesh (another name for the Islamic State, or ISIS) that force people to accept the groups call to jihad  except that their jihad is directed mostly against their fellow Muslims or religious minorities in the region.

The call by many of these jihadists, as people who clamor for jihad are called, is supposedly to unite Muslims against the Wests lack of ethics. Those calls are demonstrably false: Daesh members have been known for using drugs, committing rape and murdering people, contradicting every rule of the religion they espouse.

Many of them proclaim anti-Western enmity, but would give anything to immigrate to Western-bloc countries. What, then, explains their anti-Western rants?

Professor Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA astutely sums it up in his book Reasoning with God:

This has nothing to do with anger at supposed Western immorality. Nor does it have to do with Islam as a religion. In this age of post-colonialism, where Muslim dominance is something of the forgettable past, many Muslims attempt to fight their feeling of powerlessness by exhibitions of powersymbolism. The supposed symbols of Islam that were so long absent in the Muslim-majority countries are indicative of this. The womans head covering, once a matter of choice in certain countries, has now become almost ubiquitous, with serious backlash in some quarters for those who refuse to wear it. The mans beard has become a sign of religiosity. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has declared himself caliph, even though he is rejected by all but a miniscule few extremists.

Professor Akbar Ahmed, with amazing prescience in his book Islam Under Siege, notes that radicals are created because of the abundance of youth, illiteracy and unemployment. I would interpret illiteracy here to mean an inability to reflect on the deeper meaning of the religion they claim to follow.

The French journalist Didier Francois, who was imprisoned by Daesh for 10 months, has stated: There was never really discussion about texts  it was not a religious discussion  it was more hammering what they were believing than teaching us about the Quran  because it has nothing to do with the Quran.

Professor Akbar Ahmed also stressed another phenomenon playing out right now: the marginalization of Muslims, which can only lead to more radicalization. It is here that many Muslim jurists are proving useful. They have stopped focusing on medievalist interpretations of Islamic law and are exhorting what is known as the goals of the Islamic law.

The objective of such goals is to make Muslims good citizens of the world, of the countries in which they live. We dont hear about these calls, because many media organizations  especially TV news hosts  seem to prefer giving exposure to extremists rather than bona-fide scholars. Other thinkers within Islam, scholars and non-scholars, are seeking to revisit the Hadith and how it has influenced Muslim thinking.

This brings us to key questions that many Muslims and non-Muslims are asking: Is there something in the Quran, or Islam overall, that allows for violence like the recent terrorist incidents in Paris and San Bernardino? And what can we as Americans do to confront this violence?

The fact is, ALL of the major religions scriptures have been interpreted in ways leading to violence. This observation, however, does not lead to any solution.

I think all Americans have to work together. Non-Muslim Americans ought to be more careful about their sources of information and not succumb to alarmist demagoguery. American Muslims will have to come to grips with the fact that, like it or not, Islam and Muslims are under scrutiny. Proclamations about who is innocent and that the majority of Muslims are peaceful will not help.

Right now, the greatest jihad for American Muslims is to avoid marginalization, whether it be in response to Islamophobic rhetoric or extremist haranguing. They will have to avoid the blame game and acknowledge and demonstrate that they will do whatever it takes to root out any threat to this country, whether it be from fellow Muslims or others.
A 31-year-old man was stabbed in the side by unseen assailant in City Heights on Saturday, San Diego police said.

The victim was attacked  stabbed in his rib cage  as he walked down an alley on 40th Street near University Avenue shortly after 9:30 p.m., police said. The wound was not considered life-threatening.

The motive for the attack is unknown, and the victim told detectives that he did not see the assailant.

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Detectives are investigating.

cprine@sduniontribune.com
This Backstory feature is with Carl Prine, who covers military affairs and national security for The San Diego Union-Tribune. His latest story  about the military and defense industry presence in California and Virginia  can be found by clicking here.

Question: What got you interested in looking at the defense landscape in these two states, and particularly in San Diego County and the Tidewater (Hampton Roads) region of eastern Virginia?

Answer: Hieu Tran Phan, my editor, ordered me to do it! The nonprofit San Diego Military Advisory Council annually releases a study charting the militarys economic impact on this local region.

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The imprint rises and falls with defense spending  especially tied to the Marine Corps and Navy  but these changes can seem granular.

Hieu wanted to take a wider look at organizations that resemble SD-MAC and the regions that they serve. In reality, the only other place in America that rivals the size and complexity of San Diego Countys military-defense ecosystem is the Tidewater region of Virginia.

Question: What did it take to produce the story?

Answer: I sifted through stacks of economic analyses produced by the Pentagon, examined SD-MAC reports from over the years, looked at development agencies in the Tidewater area and consulted with a wide range of local and national experts.

It took about a week, while I was working on several other stories ranging from articles about F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets to a piece on a groundbreaking survey of mental health problems experienced by the wives of service members.

Question: Did anything surprise you during the course of reporting this article? Or do you think the public might be surprised by any element of what youve discovered?

Answer: What surprised me the most was how the people helming the nonprofits and local government agencies in Virginia and California didnt see themselves in competition with each other for defense dollars.

Thats not a sentiment shared by the congressional delegations for those states.

Question: In the past few days, youve had to update your story to reflect new possibilities stemming from Donald Trumps presidential victory.

How might his triumph affect the defense imprint in California or Virginia, if at all?

Answer: No one is sure. Trump isnt a traditional candidate, and the national security team hes putting together might prove quite different from those recruited by past administrations  both Republican and Democrat.

For example, as a candidate Trump made statements about Asia that seemed to be in conflict with each other.

He savaged what he considered unfair Chinese economic competition and increasing boldness in pushing Beijings military interests in the Pacific region, but he also thought Japan and South Korea skimped on helping to host Americas troops based in those countries.

At one point, he even suggested that Seoul and Tokyo should develop their own nuclear weapons programs  a radical shift from American policy during the past six decades.

And a key trade deal of President Barack Obamas administration, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which promises to bind many Asian nations together in an economic pact that strengthens a growing military alliance, appears to be dead.

So what does all this mean for the so-called pivot of American forces to Asia?

Does Trump contemplate a potential war with a rising China?

Will he defend longtime allies such as South Korea and Japan, or abandon them?

Im not sure that anyone knows.

Question: Sometimes the militarys impact on a region or even the world can seem abstract, or it can be taken for granted by hometown residents. How do you try to make that impact more relevant to the public?

Answer: Usually, I like to put readers in the middle of the problem, to take them onto an aircraft carriers flight deck or toss them in the middle of a tricky foreign-policy issue.

This story, however, was pretty straightforward. You have a California government that wants to protect the military spending it gets and expand it.

You have a Virginia delegation that wants to protect what it has and sluice more cash from the Pentagon to the Tidewater region.

cprine@sduniontribune.com
California dwarfs Virginia.

You could fit nearly four Virginias into the map of the Golden State, and California boasts a population nearly five times as large.

But when it comes to sluicing Pentagon cash to the states, Virginia stands on top  $54.7 billion compared to second-place Californias $52.5 billion, according to the most recent Department of Defense report tracking annual military spending.

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Thats about $6,600 in Pentagon spending per every person in Virginia  nearly five times whats generated in California. And thats despite California, with San Diego County as its defense anchor, hosting 30,000 more active-duty troops than the Old Dominion state, according to 2015 statistics.

Wayne Gretzky had a quote: Skate to where the puck is going, not where its already been. That sums up Virginias approach, said retired Navy Cmdr. Mark Brunner, a former staffer to two senators and once the ringleader of the states efforts to keep defense jobs in Virginia.

The story of Virginia is the story of prudent foresight, when weve invested in technologies before others understand their importance, when weve ensured that theres the proper military construction infrastructure so that the military doesnt need to wait for what they need, said Brunner, currently vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based Cohen Group, a global corporate strategy firm founded by ex-Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Virginias powerful delegation of defense advocates includes Tim Kaine, the recent vice presidential candidate and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. (Luis M. Alvarez / Associated Press )

California officials insist theyre speeding to the Pentagon puck now, too  thanks to attrition in the ranks of Virginias powerful Capitol Hill delegation, the planned pivot of American military forces toward Asia and a political push launched in Sacramento three years ago to vie harder for defense contracts and personnel.

Were going to make sure that California is doing the right things to grow, enhance and protect what we already have going here  and become a more significant part of the U.S. national security effort, said retired Marine Lt. Gen. Ed Hanlon, a former commander of Camp Pendleton and the vice chair of the Governors Military Council.

The nation has other notable national security sites, from the Armys massive Fort Bragg in North Carolina, to the Army and Air Forces Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, to multiple military installations on Hawaiis island of Oahu.

But no other locations come close to the funding levels of Virginia and California, and that dynamic isnt expected to change in coming decades.

In 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown launched the states military council. Then last year it became a permanent wing of state government, thanks to enabling legislation spearheaded by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, then the speaker of her chamber.

It has a full-time staffer in Washington, D.C.  Andreas Mueller  and an oversight panel of 21 board members. Those trustees include San Diegans such as retired Marines Hanlon and Col. Rocky Chavez, Army Maj. Gen. Dennis Kenneally and Navy Rear Adms. Ken Slaght and Jim Johnson.

The heavy San Diegan presence on the board makes sense.

San Diego County is the top recipient of federal defense spending in California  $23.3 billion for troops and defense projects last year, up by about $600 million from 2014, according to the nonprofit San Diego Military Advisory Council, or SD-MAC as its commonly called.

Broadly speaking, the military footprint in San Diego County mirrors the Navy-heavy presence in the 17 counties of Virginias Tidewater region (also frequently known as Hampton Roads). San Diego County has more residents, 3.2 million to 1.7 million, but both areas are blessed with warm-water ports, large training zones and local governments and nonprofits to help ease potential frictions with the military.

SD-MAC resembles the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facility Alliance, except the Virginian contingent is bigger and throws around a lot more money. SD-MACs annual budget hovers around $250,000 and the group spends about $10,000 annually on lobbying  two visits to Capitol Hill to hand out a yearly report to lawmakers.

The Hampton Roads group last year reported $848,248 in income, half of which was spent on full-time lobbyists working Capitol Hill, according to their federal tax-exemption filings.

Sacramentos strategy has turned SD-MAC into the states eyes and ears in Southern California.

Jesse Gipe, a manager for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, said local planners work with SD-MAC to create an annual list of priorities from the countys military commanders, and then they turn it into legislative priorities in Sacramento and Washington for more troops, aircraft, ships and dollars.

Mueller said these wish lists dont mean that California will try to poach anything from other states, but if the Pentagon decides to move units to the West, hell advocate for it and spring if new things are coming out, such as emerging drone or space technologies that could be based here.

Virginia has had the power, and thats the news story over there. But I would argue  and Im not talking Virginia down  that here were doing a great job, so the story is very different, Mueller said.

He should know. Hes a former staffer for Rep. Glenn Nye, a Virginia Democrat who lost a 2010 re-election bid. Mueller worked closely with Brunner on Capitol Hill and acknowledged that Californias game plan in many ways resembles Virginias.

And its designed that way largely because of how California bungled the drawdown of military forces at the end of the Cold War  while Virginia didnt.

Damaging drawdown

Between 1988 and 1995, four rounds of the Base Realignment and Closure process, or BRAC, shuttered 26 bases in California, slashing 54 percent of the personnel stationed here  half of all troop losses nationwide.

State officials estimated that the cuts cost California $9.6 billion in annual revenue and 93,000 jobs.

By 2005, the militarys longtime presence in San Francisco had virtually vanished, although the state avoided deep downsizing during that years BRAC.

Mueller pointed out how disorganized Californias efforts were, with temporary task forces hastily arising at the start of each BRAC round before dissolving after the bases closed. He said Brown wanted to make sure that didnt happen again.

Its not that Virginia escaped BRAC  22 bases there closed between 1988 and 2005  but the Pentagon realigned 30 installations in Virginia, importing troops and civilian Defense Department employees from other parts of the country to make up for the losses, according to multiple studies prepared by state agencies in Richmond.

A lot of communities around the country spend a great deal of time worrying about BRAC. We dont look at it that way, said retired Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, executive director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facility Alliance and a former deputy assistant secretary of defense.

We try to do the best we can every day to mitigate whatever shortcomings that may exist around our installations  whether its residential encroachment or quality of life or whatever. If you learn about an issue, deal with it in the moment. Dont put it off until a future BRAC round and then go to general quarters. Deal with it as it appears. And if the day comes that theres a new round of BRAC, we will be as prepared as we possibly can be.

Powerful politicos

Virginias vaunted congressional delegation in Washington made those preparations easier in past decades.

Although armed with only 11 lawmakers in the House and two in the Senate, Virginia consistently outmaneuvered California and other states by exploiting strong links to the Pentagon, an iron legislative discipline and savvy regional organization that linked Capitol Hill to the smallest municipalities back home, officials told The San Diego Union-Tribune.

When it comes to supporting common-sense decisions that have a direct impact on the federal sector here, they are remarkably united in their approach. And its a wonderful thing, Quigley said.

For example, two former Navy secretaries  John Warner and Jim Webb  served Virginia in the U.S. Senate at the same time in the 2000s.

Webbs replacement, the recent vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine, sits on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.

Virginia lawmakers pack the important House Armed Services Committee, too.

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, whose district extends into the Hampton Roads suburbs, helms its Seapower Subcommittee, where hes credited as the architect of the biggest buying spree on warships since the Ronald Reagan administration.

Hes joined by Rep. Scott Rigell, whose district includes Norfolk, plus their Tidewater neighbor Rep. Rob Wittman.

They and other Virginia lawmakers united to block Pentagon proposals to dismantle an air wing and retire the Navys fleet of cruisers and the aircraft carrier George Washington.

We called in every favor we had, but it was the right thing to do for national security, Brunner said. Can you imagine if we had one fewer carrier than we have now?

But the delegations greatest victory might have been scuttling Floridas bid to serve as the homeport for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

After nearly three years of study, in 2009 the Navy announced the decision to transfer a flattop from Virginia to the Navys Mayport base, near Jacksonville, Fla.

It was part of a wider dispersal strategy  moving carriers out of the Norfolk area by 2019 to ports along the eastern seaboard in order to mitigate the risk of multiple flattops being lost to a catastrophic natural disaster, accident or act of war.

The Navy estimated that the carrier heading to Florida would generate 2,900 new jobs and pump $428 million into the Jacksonville economy, plus $10 million in local tax contributions. Florida officials began plans to dredge the harbor and erect a pier to accommodate the gigantic vessel.

Then came the sequestration deal in 2011, designed to corral federal spending. Virginia pounced, delaying the move while putting together an analysis for why the Navy should kill the relocation strategy.

With Mayport, all we wanted was the chance to present an objective analysis of the proposed project, Brunner said. We showed the Navy that building a duplicate pier during a time of economic austerity was a poor use of funding. We already had the capacity for the carrier in Virginia.

As a staffer for the Virginia delegation, Mueller penned the legislation to block the Jacksonville deal.

Officials for Jacksonville did not return messages seeking comment for this story.

Damaged delegation

Recent retirements and runoffs have ravaged the experienced Virginia delegation.

The two senators who led the Mayport fight, Webb and Warner, have stepped down. Webbs brief run for the Democratic presidential nomination fizzled last year. Kaine would have left the delegation had Hillary Clinton won the White House, but hes now expected to retain his prized perch on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In the House, an insurgent tea party candidate knocked out the Seapower Subcommittees Forbes in the GOP primary.

Rigell has announced his retirement and is set to depart in January. Wittman has signaled his bid to run for governor, potentially bumping him off of the House Armed Services Committee in 2017.

Rumors swirling through the Pentagon, however, hint that Forbes might become President-elect Donald Trumps secretary of the Navy, which would be a coup for the Virginia delegation.

Nine California representatives remain on the House Armed Services Committee, including Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and San Diego Democrats Susan Davis and Scott Peters.

Peters said the trio worked together to obtain funding for new facilities for the Navy SEALs in Coronado and F-35 jets at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, plus pay for upgrades to the 32nd Street pier for warships coming to San Diego because of the militarys ongoing westward restructuring of its forces.

Davis and Peters also crossed the aisle to back a Hunter measure to buy the military nine MQ-9 drones that are manufactured in Poway. The divisions in California are more regional than partisan, Peters said, a point that state staffer Mueller concedes.

Were herding a lot of cats. We have 55 people, plus two senators, Mueller said.

Hanlon, the lieutenant general who serves on the California Governors Military Council, said orchestrating the many lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington remains a work in progress.

But we try. We try to deal with and try to get to all of our congressional delegation. We present the evidence to them and we do the best that we can, he said.

Tidewater success

Tidewater officials said the hits to its Senate and House representation will hurt, but not for long, thanks to a game plan that made their region the Navys favorite destination for warships in the first place.

Robert Crum Jr., executive director of both the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and that regions Transportation Planning Organization, said local governments often are divided by economics, race, class and party  but that when it comes to the military, theyre united.

Through honest conversation, he said, they reach decisions that help the military and the region avoid shallow consensus. Crum pointed to all the Tidewater counties coming together this month to ratify a $4 billion interstate, bridge and tunnel project to reduce congestion linked to military bases by 2024.

When BRAC threatened to close the Navys air station in Oceana because residential development encroached on the runway, Virginias delegation on Capitol Hill worked with state, regional and local officials to ensure that municipality would buy all the houses ringing the base.

Crum and Quigley said they really dont see themselves in competition with San Diego County, and civic boosters in both communities would agree on most policy issues, especially the need for a strong Navy.

They said their Tidewater region also wont surrender its unrivaled role as the center of shipbuilding and repair. Currently, half of the nations submarines are constructed there, as are all American aircraft carriers.

San Diego has an open berth for a third flattop, but the new Gerald R. Ford likely wont come here.

Thats partly because the Virginia delegation played to where the puck was going.

Five years before the Ford was even going to be constructed, we took a look at the electrical system that it required. Before the ship was built, we had a pier specially designed for the Fords needs already in place, said Brunner, who was praised by both California and Virginia officials for his competence and professionalism.

Despite Virginia officials best efforts, low defense spending in an age of federal budget austerity has forced the Tidewater region to deal with a new normal, Quigley said.

At the beginning of the war in Iraq in 2003, the Hampton Roads area boasted 113,400 active-duty troops. Todays figure is about 78,000.

A helicopter squadron recently departed the state for California.

New aircraft carriers like the Ford and jets like the F-35 require fewer sailors and Marines to operate and maintain. And although Trumps election sparks questions about the future of the militarys pivot to Asia, officials told the Union-Tribune the pivot has bipartisan support in Congress  and will likely shrink opportunities to host warships in Virginia.

Virginia is being forced to look at different industry areas because theyre losing so much defense, Mueller said. The opposite is true here in California.

A key California asset: Increasingly cheap renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, industries that have strong support from both Sacramento and a Pentagon trying to curb its dependence on fossil fuels.

To outgoing Navy Secretary Raymond Ray Mabus, the pivot to Asia is making San Diego the future of Americas maritime might.

Were putting most of our newest ships here, Mabus said in an interview with the Union-Tribune. The (destroyer) Zumwalt is coming here. All the DDG-1000s are coming here. Were putting our newest aircraft in the Pacific. The (long range anti-submarine) P-8s, their first deployments are to the Pacific. And were putting 60 percent of our fleet in the Pacific, versus 55 percent before the pivot.

And something that I think it is important, thats 60 percent of a much larger fleet than the 55 percent was. And so the number of ships in San Diego is going from 53 when I first came in to 59 now to 84 by 2023. We cant do without San Diego.

cprine@sduniontribune.com
Russian security services have stopped a plot to blow up targets in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) reported. the FSB said in a statement.The suspects of Central Asian origin were arrested in collaboration with law enforcement in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the report said., the report added.The security service said the suspects planned a series of gun and bomb attacks in Russias two biggest cities, focusing on public places with large gatherings of people.Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist group based in Iraq and Syria, which has also expanded into Libya and Afghanistan. It organized several high-profile attacks in large European cities in the past two years, most notably in Paris and Brussels.Fighting IS is one of the key goals of Russias military presence in Syria, where the group is trying, among other things, to topple the elected government and impose a regime of fundamentalist Islam.
A view from Tijuana of the Cross Border XPress pedestrian bridge between San Diego and the Tijuana Airport. The project is touted as example of bi-national collaboration between the United States and Mexico. (Alejandro Tamayo/San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo/San Diego Union-Tribune)

President-elect Donald Trumps call for stepped-up deportations, construction of a continuous wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and changing the terms of trade with Mexico raised alarm among many striving for closer ties between Tijuana and San Diego.

But those who champion the bilateral relationship say their growing collaboration will not wither away under a Trump administration, even amid much uncertainty as to how these proposals will be carried out.

On the contrary, for many the election serves as an opportunity to highlight the numerous family connections, the increasingly intricate business ties, the multiple cultural, environmental and governmental relationships that bind the two cities.

This is not about chicken little, its about life is going to go on, said Bob Watkins, vice-president of the Cali Baja Bi-National Mega-Region initiative, an umbrella for six economic development groups in California and Baja California. Were so inter-dependent, we just need to make sure were heard.

Recent years have seen a growth in interactions at many levels, connections that can be measured with the rising cross-border truck traffic at Otay Mesa and the flow of pedestrians and passenger vehicles through San Ysidro, where more than 90,000 individual crossings each day make it the busiest land port in the Western Hemisphere.

While Trumps victory doesnt bode well in the broader context for U.S.-Mexican relations, on the ground here there is an understanding and a working relationship, said Assemblywoman Toni Atkins Tuesday night, after she was elected to the state Senate. We know that we are tied to Tijuana, were an economic engine as a region.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazaran regularly promote their bi-national region. The Smart Border Coalition, made up of government and business leaders on both sides, focuses on the issue of lengthy border wait times that stifle the regions economic growth. The UC San Diegos Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies has introduced quarterly Frontera Fridays tours aimed at connecting and educating leaders on both sides of the border.

Twice a year, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce heads a bi-national delegation to lobby in Mexico City and Washington, D.C. for common issues such as cross-border freight rail service and border infrastructure improvements. Its new mission will be promoting the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has threatened to re-negotiate or even cancel.

Weve just got to double down our efforts, said Paola Avila, the chambers vice president for international business affairs. Protecting NAFTA has become a huge priority for us, whereas before that wasnt a concern.

Tijuana and San Diego were collaborating closely on different fronts in the years leading up to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. But in the ensuing years, as border security grew tighter, things retrenched, said Jose Larroque, a Tijuana attorney and co-chair of the Smart Border Coalition. I think we sort of lost our way for about a decade. The U.S.became inward focused.

More recently, collaboration has been picking up again: Were here, we have to continue to work together. Were bound at the hip, Larroque said. And the regions growth continues to depend on the fluidity of border crossings, no matter who is president. From a relationship perspective, things pretty much remain the same locally, Larroque said.

The collaboration has not only involved local players. In recent years, the Tijuana-San Diego border has also become a showcase for a number of innovative border infrastructure projects negotiated through the U.S. and Mexican federal governments.

One involves a joint agricultural inspection facility in Tijuana opened in January, where armed U.S. and Mexican officers work side-by-side near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry  a ground-breaking arrangement that required extensive negotiation by the two federal governments.

West of the Otay Mesa port of entry is the privately built and operated Cross Border Xpress a tolled pedestrian crossing between San Diego and Tijuana that opened in December. In its first 10 months of operation, more than a million people used the bridge that allows ticketed airline passengers to cross to and from Tijuanas A.L. Rodriguez International Airport.

The latest effort is Otay East, a port of entry for commercial and passenger vehicles being planned jointly by the U.S. and Mexican governments together with the San Diego Association of Governments and Caltrans. The project, which would be financed through tolls, is a priority of the High Level Economic Dialogue between the U.S. and Mexico that seeks to promote economic growth in both countries. Earlier this year, the two governments signed a statement that called it a port of entry of the future and a new paradigm for bi-national planning.

Alan Bersin, assistant secretary and chief diplomatic officer at the Department of Homeland Security, has been involved in the negotiations for all three projects. Where we are today is a remarkable development of institutions, relationships, trust and confidence among officials, shared ways of seeing border management between the United States and Mexico, he said in an interview on Wednesday.

Under the new administration, there will be changes, I have no doubt, Bersin said, but refrained from speculating on the possibilities.

He urged border communities to join together to make their needs known to federal policy-makers: San Diego and Tijuana have done a good job of unifying the cross-border approach and now it needs to be expanded, he said. Part of the discussion should be the border communities need to speak frequently with one voice in Mexico City and Washington. You do that by building coalitions.

While it created much controversy during the campaign, Trumps call for a continuous border walland having Mexico pay for itwould bring few changes to this westernmost stretch of the border, where extensive fencing already exists.

But the prospect of changes to NAFTA under Trump is generating a measure of alarm. At the Tijuana Innovadora conference on Thursday evening, the issue came up during a talk by Jose Angel Gurria, a veteran Mexican diplomat who serves as secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an intergovernmental group of 35 member-nations that seeks to stimulate world trade.

Gurria, who helped negotiate NAFTA, called for calm and offered hope: The San Diego-Tijuana corridor can grow into a motor of shared prosperity between the United States and Mexico, he told the audience.

At the conference earlier in the day, following a panel on the Tijuana River watershed, San Diego State University professor Paul Ganster considered potential impacts of a Trump administration on the region. Maybe we can learn something from 9/11, which imposed a lot of new conditions, circumstances, requirements on the border, said Ganster, who heads the universitys Institute for Regional Study of the Californias.

With the new administration, well see an examination of everything, Ganster said. Though local people get it, he said, Im not sure Congress really understands the border and Im not sure the new administration does.

The panels Mexican moderator, Carlos de la Parra, was also uncertain about the path ahead.

Right now, for me at least, Trump is an unknown variable, said de la Parra, a professor at the Tijuana-based think tank Colegio de la Frontera Norte. He also serves on the board of directors of the North American Development Bank and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, institutions created under NAFTA to address border environmental issues.

I dont sympathize with the man, he said, but I dont know him as a president. Is he going to come out with wise decisions based on good, sound advice?
A boisterous but peaceful crowd that police estimated at about 8,000 people took to the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday to protest the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.

It was the largest of several Los Angeles demonstrations in the days since voters elected Trump, a Republican who shocked conventional political wisdom by defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton on Tuesday. Trumps attacks on people who are in this country illegally and his comments about women, among other things, brought many of the protesters to the streets, they said.

Saturdays protests were marked by a relaxed but emotional atmosphere, with marchers being watched by large numbers of police officers. Some people brought their children, and many carried signs slamming Trump and demanding justice for immigrants, women and others.

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City leaders have said they support the right of residents to demonstrate as long as they are respectful and dont try to block freeways.

The protest started in MacArthur Park and then moved east into downtown Los Angeles.

Beatriz Devara said her 11-year-old granddaughter lives in Oregon, where classmates have been asking her when shes going back.

Shes third-generation, said Devara, a teacher in Palmdale who was marching toward downtown on Saturday.

As protesters headed toward the 110 Freeway overpass, they carried flags of Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Some banged on drums, hit tambourines or blew whistles as others cheered and clapped.

Some called on bystanders to join in the march.

Guarav Shenoy stood outside his car near the intersection of Figueroa and 5th streets, watching the protesters chant, Not my president.

Shenoy said he had been waiting for more than 30 minutes. I dont mind being stuck in traffic as long as its for democracy, said the 27-year-old USC alum who was headed toward the campus.

[Trump] ran a campaign on divisiveness and hatred, he said. But now that he has been elected, I hope he can be more of a president and do something to unite the country.

Nearby, Jose Marcea stood by his car watching the march. He too had been waiting in traffic for 30 minutes, he said. Behind him, rows of cars and buses were idling.

This is OK; Im OK with all this, said Marcea, 44. I think its important that people express how they feel. Its a free country, after all.

Marcea, who lives in Van Nuys, said he was bothered by Trumps victory.

This is hard to take in. I mean, it bothered me what he said about deporting 11 million illegal immigrants and all the offensive things he has said about everyone, including women.

Demonstrations also took place in other cities Saturday including New York, where thousands of marchers headed to Trump Tower, closing off streets and causing gridlock in parts of Manhattan.

This is the first large daytime protest in L.A. since Trump was elected. The other protests occurred at night and resulted in some clashes. Los Angeles police have arrested hundreds of people over the last few days, including on Wednesday night when some demonstrators blocked lanes on the 101 Freeway.

Nearly 200 anti-Trump protesters were arrested in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday morning after refusing the LAPDs order to disperse. One undercover LAPD officer was assaulted on Thursday night.

Saturdays march was reminiscent in some ways of the series of huge immigration protests that hit Los Angeles a decade ago. Fueled by hard-line proposals in Congress regarding immigrants here illegally, nearly 500,000 people marched through downtown L.A. in 2006.

California is a likely battleground as Trump crafts his immigration policy.

Trump said during the presidential campaign that he would build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and deport people in the country illegally. He is expected to unwind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an initiative by President Obama that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

But California has some of the nations most liberal policies when it comes to handling immigrants here illegally. The state has allowed them to get drivers licenses, health coverage for children and in-state tuition. Institutions like churches also support immigrants.

Trump made illegal immigration a central issue of his campaign, arguing that people here without proper documentation are a drain on the economy and take jobs away from U.S. citizens.

Trump has not outlined any specific immigration policies since winning the election. But Kris Kobach, Kansas secretary of state and a member of Trumps immigration policy transition team, told The Times that the U.S. could easily boost deportations by more than 75% in his first year in office.

Experts have said Trump could also reduce or slow down the process by which Mexicans get travel cards and visitor visas. But other Trump immigration ideas  such as building a massive wall along the border  are probably going to be more difficult to implement, they said.

The Saturday protest began to wind down in the afternoon, though another round of night marches was possible.

As many left, a few hundred lingering protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall to share their thoughts on the election.

Passing a megaphone among them, some demonstrators talked about the importance of finding a direction forward, others said they wanted a female president, and still others admitted to feeling as if they had let Hillary Clinton down.

One woman, who said she was transgender, warned listeners against getting violent.

If we get violent, we get stopped, she said.

A man urged the group to sign a petition on MoveOn.org to abolish the electoral college.

Trump didnt win the popular vote, he said. I dont understand why we arent pushing that harder.

ruben.vives@latimes.com | @LATvives

deborah.netburn@latimes.com | @DeborahNetburn

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com | @skarlamangla

esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com | @LATbermudez

ALSO

A primer on executive power: Trump cant end same-sex marriages, but he could speed up deportations

California and Trump are on a collision course over immigrants here illegally

Interactive map: See how every Southern California neighborhood voted

UPDATES:

4:40 p.m.: This story was updated with crowds thinning and scene at City Hall.

Originally posted at 2:30 p.m.
An effort to help former inmates gain access to higher education is coming to Cal State Fullerton, the first initiative of its kind in Orange County.

Project Rebound, a program based out of San Francisco State University, provides mentoring and financial assistance to students who pursue advanced degrees after time behind bars. In addition to Fullerton, it is expanding its operations to CSU campuses in Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, Pomona, San Bernardino and San Diego.

Ninety-nine percent of folks who are incarcerated come back to the community, said Brady Heiner, director of Project Rebound at Fullerton. Its incumbent on us to welcome them  and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

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An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people are released from the countys jails each year, said Meghan Medlin, board chairwoman for the Orange County Re-Entry Partnership. Even more return to the county from state prisons.

We have a high number of people who have criminal backgrounds, and we need to get them resources to help them get back on their feet, she said. We have programs in our community colleges, but to have one at a university, at that level, is exciting.

According to educators, formerly incarcerated individuals typically face significant barriers when seeking advanced degrees.

Some of them are procedural, some are social and cultural, and some are economic, said Heiner, an assistant professor of philosophy at Cal State Fullerton. What Project Rebound seeks to do is to build a pathway from prison to college to facilitate and assist folks in making that transition.

Romarilyn Ralston, program coordinator for Project Rebound at Cal State Fullerton, spent 23 years inside the California Institution for Women. She understands the difficulties firsthand, and says programs like Project Rebound are critical to students success.

Theres a lot of stress and anxiety that comes with adjusting to a college campus and sitting in a classroom with students who have a lot of social capital, private school education and supportive parents  and who dont have the trauma that comes with an incarceration history, said Ralston, who earned a bachelors degree from Pitzer College in Claremont and a masters from Washington University in St. Louis.

For Ralston, higher education was not only critical to helping her secure meaningful employment, but also in shaping a new view on life.

I was able to see myself differently in the world, she said. I was no longer a felon.  I was becoming a citizen with rights and responsibilities.

According to a 2014 report by the Rand Corp., inmates who participate in education programs are 43% less likely to return to prison. Lowering the recidivism rate through education is also cost-effective: The study found that every $1 investment in prison education saves about $5 on reincarceration costs.

Project Rebounds data reveal that only 3% of its students return to prison, compared with the statewide recidivism rate of 65%, one of the highest in the nation.

Cal State Fullertons Project Rebound will offer assistance to ex-inmates in a variety of ways.

Prospective students will receive help completing their applications and, if admitted, will receive customized mentoring and tutoring in their course of study, as well as personal support from the staff.

In addition, Project Rebound will supplement federal and state grants, so that full-time students at the university will pay only $2,000 per year, excluding housing, Heiner said.

His hope is to enroll 10 students at Cal State Fullerton in the program by the spring semester, and then ramp up to 15 in future terms.

Ralston also hopes that the expansion of Project Rebound throughout California will spark change in the public opinion.

Everyone should have access to quality education in America, and that includes the formerly incarcerated, she said. Its the right thing to do. If we want to combat mass incarceration and recidivism, and if we want to help families break the cycle of poverty and incarceration, then we need to invest in higher education for all.

caitlin.kandil@latimes.com

Kandil writes for Times Community News
A motion to delay the Trump University trial until after the presidential inauguration was filed in San Diego federal court Saturday evening, arguing a few extra months would give both sides time to videotape Donald Trumps testimony or possibly reach a settlement.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel was put on notice Thursday during a hearing on the case that Trump would be seeking a continuance to the Nov. 28 trial in light of his election win.

In the motion, Trumps attorney Daniel Petrocelli lays out a detailed plan that would postpone the trial until sometime soon after the Jan. 20 inauguration to allow the president-elect to focus his time and energy on the transition to the White House.

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The motion also requests that Trump be excused from having to testify live or in person. Instead, his lawyers argue he should be allowed to be questioned by both sides in a videotaped deposition for trial purposes either shortly before Jan. 20  when his transition duties would be nearly complete  or at a later time. That video would then be played at trial.

Petrocelli asks that the specific date and location of the recording be kept secret, until trial.

Furthermore, the video testimony would be used not only in this case, but in a similar Trump University lawsuit also in San Diego that is not as close to trial  ensuring Trump wont have to testify twice.

The videotaped testimony will ensure no additional delay of trial based on future scheduling unpredictability, Petrocelli wrote. The breathing room also will permit the parties to explore alternative methods of resolving both cases. And the definite period after which to schedule trial safeguards plaintiffs rights and minimizes the prejudice to them.

If the judge denies the motion, Petrocelli requests an immediate stay of the proceedings so he can appeal to a higher court.

Attached to the motion are some 500-plus pages of government documentation and research detailing the duties of a president-elects transition period.

Petrocelli also points to Clinton v. Jones, a 1997 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that held that sitting presidents are not immune to lawsuits involving incidents that occurred before they were in office. The ruling stressed that, even so, federal courts must still afford the utmost deference to the president if he is being sued, giving him wide latitude in his scheduling and recognizing the importance of the office.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Paula Jones against then-President Bill Clinton, accusing him of sexual harassment when he was Arkansas governor. The case eventually settled out of court.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the Trump University case said on Thursday that a delay in the trial would complicate matters and that it would be best to hold it before Trump takes office.

The class-action lawsuit, filed in 2010, accuses Trump and Trump University of misleading students who signed up for seminars that promised to teach insider secrets to real estate investing. The students claim they were told instructors were handpicked by Trump when they werent, and that the program falsely held itself out to be an accredited university when it was not.

The class-member representing California, Sonny Low, is from Chula Vista, while two other people represent members in Florida and New York. There are potentially more than 7,000 eligible class members.

Judge Curiel on Thursday urged both sides to revisit settlement talks with the help of a veteran San Diego judge who has offered his mediation services. Lawyers for both parties agreed they were willing to discuss that with Judge Jeffrey Miller.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
The fervor over Kevin Faulconer as Republican savior, possible gubernatorial contender and internationally recognized climate change warrior had pretty much died down.

Then the Los Angeles Times this past week gave a little boost to the notion of San Diegos mayor as statewide player by mentioning him in a list of possible candidates on their admittedly early guide to the 2018 California governors race.

Hes the first and one of only two Republicans discussed and lands right after three prominent Democrats: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Treasurer John Chiang and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. They apparently led the list because they are already running.

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Faulconer comes next. Hes followed by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, hedge fund maven and environmental advocate Tom Steyer, Fresnos Republican Mayor Ashley Swearengin, and venture capitalist and former state Controller Steve Wesly.

Faulconer leads off that crew, even though his status is listed as unlikely to run while all the others may run.

In his handicapping, the Times Phil Willon lays out the basic political pro-con on Faulconer. Biggest splash: A Republican elected mayor in a heavily Democratic big city. Political roadblocks: He is not well known outside San Diego and has a reputation for playing it safe.

Faulconer gained plenty of attention when he was elected mayor in 2014, with California analysts suggesting he could provide the model  and maybe the candidacy  to bring the state Republican Party out of the wilderness. No Republican holds a statewide office and the partys power is so diminished in the Legislature that GOP leaders count on Gov. Jerry Brown to keep free-spending Democrats in check.

But Faulconer was elected under rare circumstances that worked to his (or any Republicans) advantage: a low turnout special election to replace the disgraced Bob Filner, a Democrat who was forced from office for sexual harassment and unwanted advances toward women.

Faulconers prospects would have been iffy in a first run for mayor under most any normal general election scenario in Democratic San Diego. Yes, he was easily re-elected in the spring, but the power of incumbency, some smart political moves and, most importantly, good economic times scared away any serious threat.

His meager competition didnt have a lot of ammunition against him, and one of the biggest criticisms was the claim he would run for governor mid-term. Faulconer said shortly before the election that he wouldnt run for governor and would serve the full four years as mayor.

Since then, hes had a bit of a rocky road. His vaunted Climate Action Plan that initially won him praise from Al Gore, the Guardian and others has increasingly been viewed with suspicion, at least locally. Some environmentalists contend recent transportation and land-use decisions dont move the city far enough toward long-term emissions goals.

And the first Climate Action Plan monitoring report released by Faulconer revealed that the city already had essentially met the short-term goals before the plan was even approved.

While the plan had broad support, skeptics noted that it was front-loaded with low-hanging fruit  things that were pretty much required by the state and federal government  while the heavy lifting would have to take place after Faulconer was termed out. Kind of like those infamous Poway school bonds that put off tremendous payments way into the future.

Meanwhile, his ability to spread money around and make everybody happy will be curtailed. After a couple of years of restoring library and recreation center hours and filling pot holes at a brisk pace, Faulconer recently announced that cuts would be required in next years budget because of growing pension costs. The city has been trying to dig out of a huge pension hole caused by decisions that long predate Faulconer as mayor, but he still has to deliver the bad news in the budget.

Its hard to say a guy who won a landslide re-election in the primary and thus avoided a runoff is having a tough political year, but thats kind of the case since June.

Though polls earlier this year showed high job-approval ratings, he wasnt able to transfer that into political muscle. Most everyone he endorsed has lost or is losing and his high-profile backing of a ballot initiative  Measure C, the Chargers stadium initiative  didnt move the needle.

His backing mystified many of his supporters not only because Measure C was a sure loser  it required a two-thirds majority  but the Chargers thoroughly trashed his earlier proposal for a new stadium at the Qualcomm site in Mission Valley.

The list of Faulconer-backed candidates who lost or are losing:

City Council candidates Anthony Bernal, Ray Ellis and Ricardo Flores.

City attorney candidate Robert Hickey.

County supervisor candidate Kristin Gaspar, who is trailing but her race against incumbent Dave Roberts has not yet been called as outstanding ballots are being counted.

Faulconer also opposed the successful Measures K and L, which, respectively, require November runoffs for city elections and automatically put citizens initiatives on the fall ballot unless the council decides otherwise.

(This previous paragraph was added after the original post thanks to the gentle, if highly public, reminder from Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez on Twitter.)

In the spring, the mayor looked like he was stepping up on the statewide stage just a week after his June 7 re-election. Thats when announced he would lead the opposition to Proposition 57, Gov. Browns ultimately successful November ballot measure that allows for the early release for thousands of California inmates.

After that first news conference, little more was heard from Faulconer on the matter.

Tweet of the Week

Goes to Andrew Keatts (@andy_keatts), of the Voice of San Diego.

Still never saw a suitable explanation of his hair.
Hundreds of San Diego County residents, upset over the result of Tuesdays presidential election, marched in Balboa Park to voice their discontent Saturday, joining a wave of protests across the country against President-elect Donald Trump.

He scares me, said Barbara Nicita of Chula Vista, who voted for Hillary Clinton. Hes very unqualified and unstable. Im praying a lot.

San Diego police reported no incidents as protesters gathered at the corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way.

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People are freely expressing their First Amendment rights, said police Capt. Chuck Kaye. The crowd has been real good.

Police estimated the crowd at about 500 but the protest appeared to swell to at least 1,000 as demonstrators marched to the fountain in the shade of the Natural History Museum before returning to Park and Presidents Way to wrap up the day.

The elections were on Tuesday, today is Saturday and weve basically been protesting every day since then and were going to continue to protest, said Abel Macias of the Party for Socialism, part of the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) coalition, a left-wing political group that organized the rally.

There were no signs of any counter-demonstrations by Trump supporters and no reports of confrontations.

Many motorists passing the protest honked their horns in approval as protesters waved signs such as,Not My President, Dump Trump, No GOP For Me and Love Trumps Hate.

One motorist scolded three young women who were displaying an anti-Trump sign that included profanities on each side, telling them, Youre just doing something that will drive more people to Trump.

Alvaro Ortiz, a biochemist from Golden Hill who described himself as a reluctant Hillary voter, carried a sign reading, America Deserves Better.

There were scattered protests across the state in rejection of a Trump presidency.

Donald Trump was elected democratically but his rhetoric is not acceptable, Ortiz said. We have to live with the choice America made but our voice has to be heard going forward.

Some carried signs calling for eliminating the Electoral College system for determining presidential elections. Clinton received more votes nationally than Trump but the New York businessman won the Electoral College count, 290-232.

Weve got to change the Electoral College, said Shelley Streeby of Golden Hill. Im just very worried about the direction the country is going.

Since Tuesdays election, protests have sprung up, primarily in major cities where Democrats outnumber Republicans by wide margins.

On Saturday in Los Angeles, a crowd estimated at 8,000 turned out for a boisterous but peaceful protest.

However, some demonstrations in Portland, Ore., and Oakland have turned violent.

Trump himself went on Twitter Thursday night to say, Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

The next day, he sent out a more conciliatory tweet: Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!

On Friday morning, a small but vocal crowd turned up outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton to support Trump.

I love the idea that he wants to change Washington, Steven Morales told the Union-Tribune. Hes willing to do the things that no other president will do  hell drain the swamp.

That night, about 200 gathered in Barrio Logan to protest Trumps election, particularly Trumps vow to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and send back unauthorized immigrants.

If he begins to try to implement some of the things he said he was going to do, we have to be prepared to defend ourselves in a peaceful fashion, said Kiki Ochoa of Union Del Barrio, the group that organized the Fright night rally.

At Saturdays anti-Trump demonstration, Edie Kaufman of San Diego said she hopes Americans can pull together as a nation. I disagreed with Donald Trumps whole campaign when he said, Make America Great Again because I think America is great and always has been great.  Were all Americans and we all have to pull together.

Staff writer David Hernandez contributed to this report.

RELATED

Matt Harrigan, CEO of cyber security firm PacketSled, has resigned after writing a Facebook post threatening to kill President-elect Donald Trump with a sniper rifle.

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski
A baby taken from National City into Mexico by his mother in violation of a custody order has been found safe in Mazatlan, Baja authorities said Sunday.

Erika Ramos Saucedo was tracked to Mazatlan when she went to pick up money that had been wired to her at a Walmart, according to the Baja California attorney generals office.

National City police said they verified information on Saturday night that Maximus Garcia Ramos was in the hands of an establishment called Desarrollo Integral De La Familia in Mazatlan. No description of the agency was given.

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An Amber Alert had been issued by Mexican authorities said Ramos had crossed the border with her 3-month-old son. The alert has since been lifted.

Ramos was visiting the baby at a National City facility under the supervision of county Child Protective Services on Tuesday. She somehow slipped away with the boy about 9 a.m. The agency has not explained how that happened.

Ramos is alleged to have told the boys father that she would kill their son and herself.

The father has said Ramos lost custody of the boy because she is a methamphetamine user, according to the Amber Alert.

Police said Child Protective Services will arrange for the childs return to the United States.

This story was updated Sunday with information provided by the Baja California attorney generals office.
A vehicle swerved off Interstate 5 near Chicano Park Saturday and landed on a road below, close to where a pickup flew off the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and killed four people last month.

One person suffered a minor injury in the crash about 3:25 p.m. Saturday in Barrio Logan, authorities said.

Witnesses reported that the white vehicle was southbound when it veered off the freeway, rolled down a slope and landed on Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, the California Highway Patrol and San Diego police said.

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Several motorists stopped to help. It wasnt immediately clear whether any other vehicles were involved in the freeway crash.

A woman inside the damaged vehicle was crying and saying she had hit her head, witnesses told authorities. Two people may have been in the vehicle.

The crash, near Logan Avenue, was close to Chicano Park where four people died in a Saturday afternoon freak accident on Oct. 15.

Pickup driver Richard Sepolio, 24, was on transition lanes from northbound I-5 to the bay bridge when his truck flipped over the concrete barrier and landed upside down near the middle of the park.

The truck crushed two booths, killing four visitors who were part of a large crowd of motorcyclists on a run from Los Angeles. A band was playing as the pickup soared over the bandstand.

Killed were Cruz Contreras, 52, and his wife, Annamarie Contreras, 50, of Chandler, Ariz., and Andre Banks, 49, and his wife, Francine Jimenez, 46, of Hacienda Heights in the Los Angeles area.

Sepolio has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter charges. His attorney said another vehicle cut him off, forcing him to swerve, and that his blood-alcohol level was below the level for DUI charges.
Power outages at opposite ends of the county left nearly 4,000 people without electrical service, according to San Diego Gas & Electric Co.s website.

The utility reported 1,714 customers without power in northern Oceanside, the harbor area and parts of Camp Pendleton at 3:34 p.m. Power was expected to be fully restored by initially by 6:30 p.m., but later that estimate was pushed to 10 a.m. Sunday.

Another 1,752 customers lost service at 5:48 p.m. across eastern Chula Vista, around Rancho del Rey, Eastlake and Sunnyside, as well as Otay Mesa and the Otay Reservoir area.

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Repairs for those customers were expected to be completed by 9:30 p.m., the SDG&E website said. A second outage in the same area started about 6:50 p.m. As of 8:15 p.m., only 29 customers did not have power restored, but full repairs for the rest werent expected to finish until 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

A third outage hit 144 customers around Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, La Jolla and Soledad Mountain about 5:45 p.m. Repairs were predicted by 10:30 p.m., but they were concluded by 9 p.m.

No information on the cause of the outages was given.
Related Minimum wage increase benefits all of us in California

On Thursday, March 31, 2016, California legislators approved a landmark agreement crafted with labor leaders that will make California the first state in the country to commit to raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour statewide by January 1st, 2022.

As a regional chamber of commerce, we ask ourselves, what are the underlying impacts this legislation would have on business in our region?

According to a report from the Center on Policy Initiatives, there are more than 300,000 households in San Diego County that do not make enough to cover basic expenses: this figure represents 37.8 percent of all homes in the county. According to the report, one individual would need to make $13.09/hr. just to make ends meet in San Diego, while two wage earners would need to make between $15.93/hr. and $20.06/hr. combined.

Advocates for a minimum-wage increase, argue that raising the minimum wage would equate to more local spending. Notwithstanding, the increase in discretionary income throughout the region, the increase to the minimum wage will have real impacts to businesses and jobs.

It is important to acknowledge that the impacts to business are diverse as not every business will be impacted as greatly as others. For example, the impact of a minimum-wage increase on a hotel or motel owner would be far greater than the impact on a law firm or other operation, where employee wages may already exceed the suggested minimum wage increase.

In order to comply with this legislation, many small businesses will be forced to raise the wages of their employees over the next few years, regardless of the fact that the business may be prospering or faltering. Also, by not giving higher earning employees a raise, employers are inadvertently creating an atmosphere of favoritism or low morale, should they choose not to raise all employees salaries.

One of our members owns multiple retail gasoline, convenience stores and full service car washes in the region and employs line personnel that are making minimum wage. If those wages increase, the employer is then forced to give increases to other employees such as cashiers, supervisors and everyone else up the line. Over time, costs are going up approximately 11 percent and with costs going up every year by that amount you have to raise prices and automate services. The end result is that employees lose their jobs and the economy is impacted by the lost wages.

Raising the minimum wage will not close the gap between higher-paying and lower paying jobs. Because of other regulatory requirements, higher wages will not automatically equate to wage parity. Additionally, the minimum wage has always operated as the wage earning floor for employees. These wages are paid to those entry level jobs and employees with little or no experience. As employees gain experience and skills, it is expected that they would earn more thus allowing room for new jobs and professional growth.

Raising the minimum wage does not take into consideration the impact of all increases to wages and fees that have been passed on to businesses over the years. When the minimum wage is increased, so are other costs associated to a companys bottom line such as workers compensation rates. Coupled with the loss of federal unemployment insurance credits and new legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act, the effect is a significant impact on any business.

A dangerous result of such a large increase in the minimum wage is a loss of jobs and higher costs for consumers. California already suffers and is known for one of the worst business climates in the United States and this new legislation adds one more challenge in keeping business open, operating and thriving in our state.

Businesses will be forced to cut labor costs and increase costs of their products and services. Hourly employees will likely see their hours cut to account for the impact to their employers. Continued investment into automation will also cut into the job market by eliminating the need to have lower-skilled employees. Raising the minimum wage for these jobs may in fact accelerate the decision to invest in automation technology.

The North San Diego Business Chamber is mindful of the many impacts this decision carries. With this unilateral raise in minimum wage, we will continue to put our region at a competitive disadvantage and make it tougher for business to stay in California.

Rosen is president and CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber.
Regarding Put aside Chargers stadium talk? No way (Nov. 10): Now that the downtown Chargers stadium and convention center is out of the picture, maybe they can get realistic about staying in Mission Valley.

Letters and commentary policy

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E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com

Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

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And maybe they can be realistic about improving Qualcomm Stadium. It has the potential to be a world-class stadium with some creative and thoughtful redesigning and reconfiguring. It would save everyone lots of money and it would give the Chargers a great home for many years.

Mike Reardon

Fallbrook

Letter writer can start her own campaign

Peggy Brannen (Where is support for National Guardsmen? Nov. 9) references a GoFundMe campaign for a dog and the plight of our National Guardsman having to repay the government. She decides to use her time to wag her shameful finger at all of us instead of picking up the gauntlet and doing something about the issue. GoFundMe accounts can be started by one person. That could be her.

We spend too much time with letters to editors and in social media complaining as opposed to doing the work for change. Change can start with you.

Jeff Brunker

Santee

Why Trump detractors will soon see the light

Its too bad that more voters dont agree with Richard Coles letter to the editor (Reader reactions to the election results, Nov. 10) about the Democrats not getting it. Maybe they will in the future.

When Trump has his eight years in office, Obamacare will have been abandoned, the Keystone Pipeline will be pumping cheap oil to our refineries and the Supreme Court will more reflect the will of the majority of the country.

In addition to that, it is estimated by S&P that 307,000 new infrastructure-related jobs can be created if we allow the $2 trillion dollars that are in undistributed U.S. corporate earnings that are overseas to be brought back to our country with a zero-tax-rate offer if the companies commit to invest 15 percent of that amount to interest-bearing infrastructure bonds issued by state and local governments.

This is one of Trumps main objections with moving companies offshore. With this money, we can get America working again.

Bob Seelos

Mission Hills

Election wasnt a rejection of Obama

President Obama has a 56 percent approval rating. Congress has dropped to a 18 percent approval rating. Donald Trump was elected president. Obviously Congress, and not President Obama, remains the problem.

The average American thinks Congress is corrupt and inefficient, except for their elected officials. The rest of the country should fire their representatives and senators, but their own representatives and senators are OK.

Given that mentality, just about everybody sent their own politicians back to Washington. All of the above leaves us with an undrainable swamp.

Dennis Neary

Encinitas

Debate over Trump victory continues

The silent majority rose up and spoke loudly and clearly: No, you cant live by one set of rules, while the rest of us have to obey the law at our peril. No, you dont get to lie, cheat and smile while a lapdog media gives your every criminal act a pass. No, there wont be a coronation of another progressive who hates the America we grew up in.

Trump supporters are not bigots and racists. Were patriots who want good to triumph over evil and our traditional values restored. Our decision is in: laws matter, borders matter, the lives lost in Benghazi matter, America is not headed in the right direction, Obamacare is a disaster, and Hillary is simply too untrustworthy to put back into office.

The final act of the sordid Clinton candidacy will be Obama giving her a full pardon.

Eric Germain

Tierrasanta

* * *

I must be honest with you. I was heartbroken and in tears by the outcome of the election last Tuesday. It is very hard for me to believe that our country has elected a man who appears to not respect people whose color, faith, creed, nationality, ethnicity and gender differ from his own.

Whom, then, does he represent?

I believe our interfaith and intercultural work is so important at this crucial time in history. We must all make a commitment to stand up and speak out when our diversity is being compromised. We must stand up for the welfare of all people regardless of political affiliation, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or any other particular uniqueness that we value in our diverse nation.

We must continue to pray that our United States government leaders make decisions based on goodness, ethics, compassion, in thought, word and deed.

Rev. Abigail Albert

Executive Director

Poway Interfaith Team

Dont let Trump U actions go unpunished

California Attorney General Kamala Harris should do her job and initiate California prosecution of the promoters of Trump University for criminal fraud. There are still live plaintiffs, but if they settle for treble damages or some lesser amount, they, as witnesses, might be harder to subpoena for their testimony in a criminal trial.

If we had an Eliot Spitzer-type as our state attorney general, he would have the courage to go after the perpetrators of this fraudulent university program, claimed by its founder, as being as good as a Harvard degree. If fraud was committed, then the ones responsible should be prosecuted for the crime or crimes committed.

G. Lance Johannsen

Carlsbad

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
Composer and UC San Diego music professor Lei Liang will be honored at a special concert in New York on Thursday.

Columbia Universitys Miller Theatre has chosen him for its distinguished Composers Portrait, an evening-length musical profile of a single contemporary composer. Miller Theatre describes these profiles as concerts dedicated to adventurous artists and audiences at the forefront of new music.

San Diegos Art of Elan premiered Liangs Songs of Recollection last March. He also composed music for the film, Deriving Worlds, and for the chamber opera, Cuatro Corridos.

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Liang earned his undergraduate and masters degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and his doctorate from Harvard University. Born in China, he became a U.S. citizen in 2007, the same year he joined UC San Diegos Department of Music.

For Composers Portrait, four of Liangs original compositions will be performed, including the world premiere of Lakescape V, written this year and co-commissioned by the Miller Theatre. It would be no surprise if this work, as many of his previous pieces, borrows from old musical traditions, challenges the status quo and fosters collaboration.

The spirit of collaboration is personified by the musicians playing Liangs works at the concert. Two of his internationally acclaimed colleagues from UC San Diego will be on stage  contrabassist Mark Dresser and percussionist/conductor Steven Schick. They will be joined by two up-and-coming New York-based chamber groups, loadbang and the JACK Quartet.

Lei Liang is one of this countrys most important young composers, said Schick, who will conduct the evenings performances. His music is a magical mixture of evocative color and compositional innovation with roots on both sides of the Pacific. Miller Theatres prestigious portrait series will give him the national and international exposure he deserves.

Wood is a freelance writer.

Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd

michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com
A North County man at the center of a Panamanian murder investigation pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Wednesday, admitting to fatally stabbing his girlfriend, dismembering her body with a machete and dumping her remains in the jungle.

Brian Brimagers plea comes three weeks after the FBI Laboratory concluded that blood found under the handle of a machete he owned matched the victims DNA.

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The retired Marine pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree foreign murder of a U.S. national, a rarely used charge that must be approved at the highest levels of the Justice Department. To bring the charge, both the defendant and victim must be U.S. citizens, and the defendant must have since left the country where the crime was committed, as in the 2011 case.

Brimager had previously been facing a first-degree charge, which meant prosecutors would have had to prove premeditation if the case had gone to trial.

Family members of the slain woman, Yvonne Baldelli, sat in the front row of the packed courtroom Wednesday, eager to hear Brimagers admissions once and for all.

In the plea agreement read aloud by the judge, Brimager, 39, admitted stabbing Baldelli, 42, in the left side of her back with a knife, using a machete to dismember her body, stuffing the remains in a green military-style backpack and hiding the bag in the jungle.

The plea agreement calls for a recommended sentence of 20 to 30 years, although U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller has the discretion to sentence him up to the maximum of life in prison. Sentencing has been set for May 25. With the plea, Brimager also largely gave up his right to appeal the conviction.

With Brimager pleading guilty to all the things he did, it was good for us, Baldellis father, James Faust, said after the hearing. Its been 4 1/2 years of torture not knowing what really happened.

What continues to haunt the family is motive. The couple wasnt married, had no communal property. Why murder?

He couldve just walked away. She couldve just walked away... Faust said.

The Orange County couple moved to Isla Carenero off Panama in September 2011 for a fresh start after Brimager had left the Marines. Baldelli, with sewing machine in tow, had planned to start a bathing suit line in the tropics. Brimager would sing and play guitar in bars.

But paradise didnt last long, with witnesses later reporting that Brimager appeared to be abusing Baldelli. Shortly after arriving on the island, Brimager also began communicating with the mother of his child back in San Diego County, prosecutors said. Brimager promised to return to the U.S. to join them.

Prosecutors said Brimager was known to buy large amounts of cocaine for people on the island, and told one acquaintance that he had to leave the island because his nose was going to fall off.

Baldelli was last seen November 2011.

Brimager admitted concealing and destroying evidence of the Nov. 27 murder, including dumping a bloody mattress from their hostel in the ocean after the slaying, getting rid of Baldellis beloved King Charles spaniel and giving away many of her belongings.

Baldellis computer included a search for washing mattress blood stain, prosecutors said.

He also allegedly gave his machete to a neighbor before leaving Panama, and it was put up for sale online. Brimager is accused of posting a comment on the ad saying the machete had been his: Dont worry, I only dismembered one stripper with it so its hardly used ;), prosecutors said.

Over the next several months, Brimager sent emails from Baldellis computer pretending to be her, telling her family and friends she had happily left for Costa Rica with another man, according to the plea agreement. Brimager even traveled to Costa Rica and withdrew money from her bank account while there, he admitted.

Brimager headed back to San Diego, marrying the mother of his child within weeks and settling in Vista. He fathered a second child with her.

Baldellis family soon became suspicious and launched an investigation, eventually getting the FBI and Panamanian authorities involved. They traveled to Panama and organized search parties for her, coming up empty handed but convinced she was dead.

Meanwhile, Brimager continued to obstruct the investigation, lying to the FBI when questioned about the disappearance, the plea agreement states.

Two years after Baldelli went missing, a farm worker clearing brush in a swampy part of the island uncovered her remains, in the military-style backpack.

By then, Brimager had already been arrested in the case, on charges of lying to federal agents. A charge of foreign murder of a U.S. national was then added.

Authorities put little credence into an anonymous caller who told Panamanian investigators in 2012 that hed helped a man dispose of a missing foreign womans body in the jungle.

We dont believe anyone else was involved, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Conover.

Brad Patton, one of Brimagers defense attorneys, said a number of factors led to a change of plea but did not go into detail, noting more would be revealed at sentencing.

He wanted to resolve this matter and take responsibility for his actions, Patton told reporters outside the courthouse.

He described Brimager as a devoted husband and father who served honorably in the Marines. He said Brimager wanted to express deep condolences to Baldellis family and friends.

Brimagers wife continues to support him, Patton said. She has attended just about every, if not every, court hearing since his June 2013 arrest.

The case has made international headlines, including a 48 Hours episode on CBS that took an in-depth look at the investigation.

Brian Brimager took a young womans life in a heinous way and then further victimized her family by creating a cruel lie that she was happily traveling the world with another man, U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said in a statement Wednesday.

Now that Brimager has finally admitted his crime, we hope that the truth, and knowing that their daughters murderer will serve decades in prison, will give this grieving family a sense of justice and peace.
One of most incredible traits of Belize is that there are so many different ecosystems and climates (from savannah to rainforest to coral reef and white sand cayes) all within a country smaller than the state of Massachusetts.

Yesterday, I passed over and through quite a few after snagging a sweet invite from Balaam Eco Tours. Beach to jungle and back. The itinerary: a Tropic Air flight to Belize City  a drive across Belize to the heart of the BEAUTIFUL Maya Mountains, a pontoon ride on the Macal River, waterfalls and a trip back.

I was SO close to the border, that my phone told me that it was roaming in Guatemala.

It was SO much more exciting than I anticipated. I wasnt even planning to get in the water but in the end, I was scaling a 130 foot waterfall in my jean shorts. Super fun.

As usual, its best just to show you.

I was up at 5:30am  MIRACULOUS FOR ME  to meet the group at the Tropic Air San Pedro air strip for the 7am flight.

It was a beautiful time to catch the sunrise and quite a few mosquito bites.

The easement at 7 miles north, Ambergris Caye.

And boarding the plane a bit later.

A beautiful morning as we headed over to the newly named Barry Bowen Municipal Airstrip.

And off for a two hour drive due west  through a bit of Belize City, across the savannahs and up into the hills around San Ignacio.

We drove along Belizes western-most town of Benque and down to the Macal River.

There waiting was our guide Robert and our pontoon boat. It confirmed my totally uninformed opinion  this was a put-put pontoon tour. I would not be swimming.

I was WAY wrong.

Gratuitous group shot. Me, Jessica from Xanadu Resort on Ambergris Caye, Dennis from Grand Caribe and Oscar, our guide from San Pedro.

Robert in the tan shirt and Celvin, his extremely proficient first mate and little brother, pushed us off.

And down through the Maya Mountains we floated.

We passed a tiny Morelet crocodile catching some sun. A bit smaller than our salt water crocs on the island, these guys can grow quite large.

But this guy, about 1-2 feet long was the perfect size for me.

We saw a toucan and heard some howler monkeys barking in the distance. It was time to see our first water fall.

Called Rio Frio Falls, it cascades down into a huge deep pool. About 70 feet tall and absolutely gorgeous. The water is frio compared to the oceanbut super refreshing.

I just dipped my feet in at this onebut those with suits on went for the swim, under the falls and jump off experience.

We climbed back on the boata short hike from the falls.

Super super pretty.

Robert chopped up potatoes and put them, and marinated chicken on the barbie. The boat has a built in counter and grill. Nice ride.

We headed down to the Vaca Dam. Finished 6 years ago, you can see that the river is now still. Before the dam, this was an active white water river where companies like Slickrock used to bring down guests. You can see their post about the lost river here.

Though the river and some of the valley was flooded the water falls are MAGNIFICENT.

Here is #2the one that got me in the water, The Falls with No Name.

What was so super cool about these falls was the mineral coating on everything. It had smoothed the rocks and left an almost sandpaper finish- it made climbing easy, fun and extremely refreshing. All along the way are magical pools circled by vines and jungle plants. Algae and mineral deposits make the pools a mint green.

I left my camera at the bottom but Oscar took this picture closer to the top

The photos do not do justice to how pretty these cascades are.

At one point a bright blue morpho butterfly flitted byit was almost ridiculous.

We ate lunch  which was SO good. I love eating on a steady boat/floating dock and this super calm river.

Dennis took a brief nap before we hit the last falls.

Called Twin Falls for obvious reasons.

These falls were REALLY coming downso instead of stopping our guide thrust us into the heavy spray. COLD.

After about 3 hours, lots of swimming, climbing, EATING and lounging in the sun, our tour was over. We headed back to land, thanked Robert for the amazing tour and headed back to Belize Citythe three of us dozing off in the back seat.

This tour is also offered as a dual package. Horseback riding through the mountains, or a trip to the beautiful Xunantunich Maya site (where a royal tombs was JUST discovered) or cave tubing.

It is a FULL day. We boarded the very last plan to San Pedro. Ive never been on the sunset flight and it too was gorgeous. Especially with the super moon on its way.

Heres a picture I took out the window over Caye Caulker  this view alone was totally worth the trip.

I love a trip to a place that seems all yours  like you are discovering water falls for the first time. Totally pristine, this area is amazing. And a tour unlike any other Ive been on.

The second waterfall  the one with No Name  is the really special experience. One Id like to climb again and again. Especially on a hot sunny day. It made me feel brave 

For more information on this tour, check out Oscars site for Balaam Eco Tours. Now I KNOW the answer to this question that I get a few times a month:

I am staying on Ambergris Caye and I want to see waterfallscan you help?

Why yesyes I can.
FLORENCE, S.C. -- A Savannah Road debris pile that had once been a mobile home burned Saturday night and that fire spread into the woods surrounding the pile.

Capt. Tony Fox with West Florence Fire Department said they received the call at 3001 Savannah Grove Road Saturday evening and arrived to find two fires -- the debris pile and a second fire farther back into the woods.

Fox said it was unclear if the two fires were connected but that the fire at the debris pile was considered suspicious.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission sent two plow crews to cut a break around the fire and let it burn out, said Anthony Eaddy with the law enforcement division of the commission.

Eaddy said his division would handle the investigation into the fire.

West Florence responded two brush trucks and a tanker.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Wasnt the presidential election supposed to be rigged?

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton received a little more than 350,000 votes more than the GOPs Donald Trump out of 120 million cast across the nation. If she had won the electoral college, we wouldnt hear the end of the election being rigged.

Talking heads keep pointing fingers at angry white blue-collar males as being a big key to Trumps victory. Maybe they were, as typically blue states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin narrowly went for Trump. But things easily could have turned out differently. Had Clinton garnered about 150,000 more votes in just two states, Wisconsin and Florida, shed be president-elect. And Fox News would be apoplectic.

The anger in America that Trump used and fomented is temporarily at bay as his supporters are giddy at the prospect of controlling all levels of the federal government. Democrats, going through all seven stages of grief, need to confront a reality that most people arent facing: Trump didnt so much win as Clinton lost.

It was a numbers game, as one Facebook friend pointed out. Trump got about 1 million votes less than GOP nominee Mitt Romney did in 2012. Clinton? She got about 5.6 million fewer votes than President Barack Obama four years ago.

In short, lots of Democrats stayed home. Over the long term, the numbers game favors them, as the contingent of angry white men wont increase. As places such as Georgia, now only 56 percent white, get browner, Democrats will start winning national elections again. (Trump won Georgia by only 200,000 votes out of almost 4 million cast.)

But thats in the future. What has people like me worried is what happens now as Trump, who has never held an elected office, prepares to take the highest office in the land.

I worry that millions of Americans, particularly those who are poor, neglected and disadvantaged, will be hurt in new ways as Trump tries to push through tax cuts for the rich and slash programs that help those who need it most.

I worry that Trump doesnt have the savvy to deal with the nuclear codes and might make rash, impetuous decisions that impact my daughters.

I worry that those who have been angry will become angrier when they realize the system isnt going to put more money in their pockets, because Trump and the Republican Congress will tinker around the edges of the old trickle-down economics but will do little thats innovative.

I worry that Democrats will become so disenchanted that more wont participate when, in fact, now is the time to get more active to combat changes that will hurt the nation.

I worry that America, particularly in rust-belt states, have forgotten the Greatest Generation notion of common good  to work together to improve the country  and have supplanted it with individual good, also known as greed.

For the past 18 months, America has been sitting in front of a slot machine with a big bag of quarters, feeding the machine mindlessly, hoping for a big win. Every now and then, a bell rang and spit out a few quarters, enough to keep America feeding coins into the machine.

Now, the bag is empty, and as a country we have mixed feelings. Clinton supporters despair, because theres little good to show from months of feeding quarters into the election machine. But Trumpites have enough adrenaline in their systems from the rush of winning that they still believe change is ahead.

Unfortunately, bitter experience shows the slot machine is programmed just to take all of our quarters and that anybody who fed the machine fell for a big con.

America has gambled on Donald Trump. But he has not been elected king. Hes accountable now to all of the American people, despite bluster, bravado, a great number of flaws and a record of making intolerant, racist, misogynic comments to inflame people. Lets hope hes successful in moving America forward and isnt the biggest con man of them all.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report. He can be reached at brack@statehousereport.com.
Press Release

November 13, 2016 SEN. LEILA M. DE LIMA'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT DUTERTE'S THREAT TO SUSPEND WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS VS ILLEGAL DRUGS AND REBELLION IN MINDANAO President Duterte should stop toying with the idea of suspending the writ of habeas corpus in his desperate attempt to legitimize his administration's flawed war against illegal drugs. To concede to this temptation would result to more innocent blood gushing, human dignity desecrated, and the basic human rights being blatantly violated. Instead, the President should review what his administration has so far achieved when it placed the entire country under state of lawless violence against illegal drugs and terrorism for more than two months now. For one, it'd also do well to cure first the defects of its all-out campaign on drugs and curb its abuses to prevent extrajudicial killings and summary executions. As I have repeatedly said there is no compelling reason(s) to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus because there is no perceived or actual threat of rebellion and invasion, which are the only cases allowed by our Constitution to justify the writ's suspension. The government's so-called 'war on drugs' does not fall into the category of either rebellion or much less, invasion. The President has spent a lot of time talking about his sheer determination to stop illegal drugs in the country for the rest of his term. However, if he could just spend more time talking with the families of the victims, he'd understand what is fundamentally and dreadfully wrong with his war on drugs and why the planned suspension of the writ of habeas corpus sends dangerous message to the public.
Press Release

November 13, 2016 SEN. LEILA M. DE LIMA'S STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO ISSUE SUB POENA ORDER VS HER ON ALLEGED ILLEGAL DRUG PROLIFERATION INSIDE NEW BILIBID PRISON I have no illusion about what I'm up against. I am up against the belief that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre can exhaust his powers and tap government resources to manufacture false evidence designed to link me to illegal drug trade. You and I know that he does not have a license to abuse his authority to smear my reputation and slander my integrity. I am up against the government's deliberate efforts to undermine the accomplishments of the previous administration's campaign against illegal drugs. You and I know that this administration is singularly motivated to demonize its political opponents instead of confronting the illegal drug menace. Sadly, we have a justice secretary who has a propensity for untruthful and thoughtless statements, for feeding us with lies and deceits, and for resorting to fabrication and forgery. These are what we have seen so far in the last four months since this administration has assumed office. The more they speak, the more their lies are exposed. Since Day One, this administration has not provided solid evidence to substantiate their accusations other than malicious conjectures and manufactured lies. All they are good at is to talk and lambast me in public. But sooner than we thought, more and more people are now seeing through this administration's real motive, that is to keep me from talking about their continued disregard to human rights and dignity in the war against drugs.
Press Release

November 13, 2016 Sen. Gatchalian Opposes BNPP Revival Without National Nuclear Policy Senator Win Gatchalian has expressed opposition to the approval of plans to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the absence of a clear and intensively-researched national nuclear policy. Gatchalian, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, urged the Department of Energy to first commission a comprehensive feasibility study on the prospects of utilizing nuclear power in the Philippines before pushing ahead with the construction or refurbishment of any nuclear plants, including BNPP. "We cannot jump into nuclear energy on a piecemeal basis. This feasibility study on nuclear power will be critical to objectively assessing the merits of adding nuclear power to our energy mix. We need to do our homework first before pulling the trigger on BNPP or any other nuclear project," said Gatchalian. According to Gatchalian, the feasibility study would tap independent international experts in geology, nuclear physics, engineering, and other key fields to independently assess the prospects of nuclear power in the Philippines, with environmental and community safety as the primordial concern. In the absence of compelling positive findings from the BNPP study, Gatchalian maintained that it would be more prudent to invest the $1 billion USD required to refurbish the plant in the exploration and development of untapped indigenous energy sources, especially within the energy-rich waters of the West Philippine Sea. "One billion dollars is a lot of money. We have to make sure that we are investing this substantial sum in cost-efficient energy ventures which are guaranteed to make significant contributions to the long-term stability of our energy supply," said Gatchalian. In addition, Gatchalian noted that the regional trend has been shifting away from nuclear power, citing the example of Vietnam, an ASEAN neighbor which recently decided to scrap plans to build two nuclear power plants due to economic viability concerns. "The Vietnamese experience illustrates the necessity of undertaking hard research and crafting a comprehensive long-term plan before jumping into nuclear power. Otherwise, we are at risk of wasting significant time and resources on a nuclear white elephant," said Gatchalian.
JOINT STATEMENT OF LIBERAL PARTY SENATORS ON THE PRESIDENT'S WARNING TO SUSPEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

(Senators Aquino, De Lima, Drilon, Pangilinan)

As public servants and duly elected officials, we are sworn to serve and protect the rights of every Filipino and to uphold and defend the Philippine Constitution.

That very Constitution, the basic law of the land, commands that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus -- a safeguard against state abuse, particularly of warrantless arrests - may only be suspended in cases of invasion and rebellion.

Section 15 of the Bill of Rights provides: "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires it."

The drug menace is not a ground to suspend the privilege of the writ. On the matter of rebellion, the administration is already talking peace with all armed groups, and we are in full support.

We see no basis for the suspension of the Filipino's privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and we shall remain committed to upholding the sacred constitutional safeguards to the rights of the Filipino people.
Press Release

November 13, 2016 Itemizing 'mega lump sums' makes budget FOI-compliant, prevents underspending -- Recto Senate begins Monday floor debates on President Duterte's maiden national budget, a P3.3 trillion spending request, with billions in lump sums the Senate minority leader insisted " can still be itemized." Senator Ralph Recto claims that there is a "bipartisan consensus" to demand the "unbundling" of many lump sum allocations "in the interest of transparency, fast implementation and accountability." "Itemization," Recto said, "is the antidote to the underspending" which hounded the previous administration, with one estimate pegging at P1 trillion the amount of appropriations "not spent in time or in full." "By knowing where funds will go, who will implement it, and details of what will be implemented, the projects will be delivered on time and the people win," Recto said. While it is ideal that lump sums "be fleshed out" in the general appropriations bill, "we can settle for a system in which the projects to funded by a lump sum allocation be listed by agencies immediately after the budget has been enacted." "For this year lang ito, kasi unang budget nila and they didn't have enough time to prepare it, kasi seven weeks after the inaugural last June 30, submitted na sa Congress. But for 2018, dapat detalyado na talaga," Recto said. "Itemizing the budget, to the extent that can be allowed, makes it FOI-compliant. To make the budget terrific, then make it specific," Recto said. He cited the case of the proposed P135 billion capital outlays budget of the Department of Education "which should be specified in order to avoid the massive delays in school building construction in the past three years." He said the exact location "of where the 47,492 new classrooms will be built, and the 20,385 room to be repaired, and the 17,652 vocational buildings will be constructed next year should be listed." The same "elaboration," he said, must be applied on the P5.4 billion farm-to-market budget of the Department of Agriculture, "which is not only a pittance but is P2 billion less than the budget for this year." If the National Irrigation Administration says it will bring water to 29,181 hectares of new farmlands, then the budget must say where, Recto added. Recto said towns covered by the P3.7 billion proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for "forest rehabilitation" must be identified in advance. "Hindi pupwedeng bibigyan ka ng ilang bilyong piso at ang ahensya mo lang ang nakakaalam, dapat ang taumbayan din." Another big-ticket item bereft of details is the "mega P34.6 billion Local Government Support Fund or LGSF," Recto added. "This supposedly displaced the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) which has P19 billion this year. Now it has been supersized. At least the BUB was detailed. In the case of the LGSF, though there are broad rules, the grant, to a large extent, is still discretionary," he said. There are more items which can be "bettered if accompanied with details," according to Recto. "There's P1.7 billion for free WiFi spots. There's at least P15 billion for road right-of-way." Recto said the deployment of new personnel hires can even be done per region or province. "That's not at an unreasonable demand. If 53,831 new teaching positions will be hired, then it is not too much to ask that the quotas per division be revealed. Ganoon din sa pulis. Kung hindi kaya per province, eh di sabihin natin ilan ang bawat rehiyon," Recto said. "The beauty in itemization is that the people would know that projects are forthcoming. That the taxes they have paid are being returned to them in kind. It is good governance, good politics," he explained. The senator, however, conceded that not all lump sums in the budget can be itemized. "Mayroong iba diyan na hindi talaga kaya. Halimbawa, sa death benefits, wala ka namang bolang kristal na magsasabi kung ilan ang mamaalam na government employees." The same is true with a portion of the Calamity Fund, he said. "Reconstruction of damaged areas, pwede mo i-earmark. Tulad ng panawagan natin na yung pondo next year, dapat i-peg kung magkano ang para sa Yolanda areas. " "But in the case of typhoons that would come next year, you cannot predict how many and where they would hit," he said.
Jesse Arreguin, the ultraliberal Berkeley city councilman who in December will become Berkeleys youngest and first Latino mayor, symbolizes the citys new political order.

Arreguin beat eight candidates, including a more moderate Democratic city councilman, Laurie Capitelli, who was widely seen as the heir apparent to retiring Mayor Tom Bates. Some insiders saw Arreguins win as a changing of the guard in Berkeley: In addition to Arreguin, voters elected two new city council members, Sophie Hahn and Ben Bartlett. Another challenger, Cheryl Davila, is poised to unseat incumbent City Councilman Darryl Moore.

But others viewed the election results as a referendum on downtown development. During his eight-year tenure on the City Council, Arreguin, 32, has opposed Bates and Capitellis vision of tall, dense buildings near transit corridors. In 2014, he and Hahn, who was then a member of the citys Zoning Adjustments Board, pushed an ill-fated ballot measure that would have imposed strict affordable housing, labor and environmental requirements on new real estate projects, making them prohibitively expensive to build.

Voters rejected the ballot measure by an overwhelming 74 percent. Two years later, they elected Hahn into city office and backed Arreguin for mayor.

You have to ask if this is a reflection of people not wanting change, said Arreguins opponent Capitelli, who holds the North Berkeley district seat that Hahn will take in December. He said two factions of voters found a natural ally in Arreguin: One faction wants to stop growth entirely. The other believes the city is not demanding enough from developers in return for their permits to build.

Arreguin, in contrast, saw the election as a race between a young progressive and an old-guard figure. Capitelli is a Realtor who amassed strong support from the industry. Arreguin had the backing of the Service Employees International Union and an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, which helped propel him to victory.

It was a very clear choice between me and my opponent, who has literally rubber-stamped every (real estate) project that came before this council, Arreguin said in an interview Friday.

Capitellis campaign manager, Jill Martinucci, recoiled at that depiction. Laurie doesnt support razing neighborhoods to build big buildings, but he got characterized that way, she said. I think this was a reactionary election.

The fight over what Berkeleys downtown should look like has created stark divisions in City Hall for years, with some officials crying out for more housing and commercial projects, while others fear the arrival of wealthy newcomers and tall buildings that will blot out the horizon.

In talking to thousands of Berkeley voters, development and the housing crisis were their top concerns, Arreguin said. People of my generation  the Millennials  were concerned about their ability to afford to live here because of rising rents. Long-term residents were concerned about the changing face of Berkeley: they think these buildings are ugly, they worry about the scale, they think there is no real plan for bringing in thousands of new residents.

Last year the battle largely hinged on a single project  an 18-story apartment complex at 2211 Harold Way, which drew opposition because of its height, its lack of affordable units, and fears that it would partly block a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from UC Berkeleys Campanile tower. The City Council approved it in December and asked the developer, HSR Berkeley Investments, to contribute a huge community benefits package, which included union construction labor and $10.5 million for the citys affordable housing fund. Arreguin abstained from the vote.

Two opponents sued to block 2211 Harold Way in January, but an Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed their case in October. The project appears to be slowly moving forward.

While some residents in Berkeley despair over big high-rises, the city also faces scrutiny from the other side: A group of build-it city dwellers from the San Francisco Bay Area Renters Federation  which goes by the name SFBarf  sued the City Council on Oct. 7 for denying permits to a modest three-house development at 1310 Haskell St. According to the suit, the council violated the states Housing Accountability Act, which bars cities from rejecting development for arbitrary reasons  in this case, because neighbors complained. A Superior Court judge ruled in SFBarfs favor on Oct. 21, ordering the council to schedule a new permit hearing for the project.

Representatives of SFBarf and of another pro-development group called East Bay Forward say they are watching Berkeley closely and will try to influence a special election to fill Arreguins council seat early next year.

Im extremely disappointed about the local election results, said Garret Christensen, an economics researcher at UC Berkeley and member of East Bay Forward.

Hahn and Arreguin say they speak for a large and diverse group of Berkeley residents who want new leadership, but dont want fundamental changes to the citys skyline.

People are afraid of losing things that make Berkeley worthwhile  authors, artists, activists, teachers, working families  and they bristle at the thought of a luxury high-rise with not one unit of affordable housing, Hahn said.

She sees Berkeleys newly elected leaders as a response to the political dynasty embodied by Bates and his wife, retiring state Sen. Loni Hancock.

I think politics in Berkeley and in the East Bay have been very dominated by a small group of people for a long time, Hahn said. Theyre people who have given a lot of good service to the community but who have had power over who gets elected and whose agendas move forward.

To Bates, the election was mostly about personalities: Arreguin was seen as the new young mayor, while Capitelli was bedeviled by his real estate industry connections.

In Berkeley, you have left, and more left, Bates said. And now the more left has taken control, but theyre NIMBYs. So well have to see how that plays out.
Changing San Franciscos corporate shuttle bus system from one with shared stops scattered across the city to one employing a smaller collection of hubs would drive thousands of tech commuters into their cars and choke streets and freeways, a report concludes.

The Municipal Transportation Agency board will discuss the report at its meeting Tuesday, when a status report on the existing shuttle program will also be discussed.

The current shuttle system has come under fire from residents, who complain the buses clog city streets, and activists, who say the buses enable higher-paid workers to live in the city, resulting in increased housing prices and a rise in evictions.

Under the program, the corporate shuttle buses, which haul about 8,200 workers between San Francisco and jobs at tech and biotech firms on the Peninsula and in Silicon Valley, are allowed to stop at 125 locations and are restricted to larger streets.

The report on alternative systems was released Friday. The agency, and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, looked at four scenarios for a hub system that would limit the large, sleek shuttle buses to a relative handful of stops for passengers.

The study considered plans for a single hub, a system of five hubs situated near BART, nine hubs close to freeways, and one employing 17 stops along a collection of designated routes.

All of those options would cause a steep drop in shuttle ridership  from 20 percent to 45 percent, the study found. About 90 percent of the former shuttle riders would climb into their cars, leading to increased traffic on city streets as well as on freeways, particularly Highway 101.

Officials with the Bay Area Council, which represents the corporate shuttle providers in negotiations with the MTA, said the study predictably showed that making it tougher to catch a ride to work on the buses would lead to a decrease in ridership.

The hub study was crystal clear, said Adrian Covert, vice president of policy. The more you concentrate shuttle service, the worse the consequences. If youre going to be making it more difficult for people to use a transit system, people are going to stay away, and use their cars.

Critics said theyd like to see the big tech corporations invest in public transportation improvements instead of private shuttle buses, and said they still want the city to investigate the impact the shuttles have on housing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Our studies have shown that evictions and rents have gone up in areas near tech bus stops, said Erin McElroy of the Bay Area Anti-Eviction Mapping Project and a shuttle critic.  It seems as if the city is subsidizing the lives of people who ride the luxury commuter shuttles at the expense of those who dont.

A single hub, located in downtown San Francisco, would lose the most riders, the study found  about 45 percent. All of the others, it estimated, would retain roughly 75 percent of their passengers.

With more traffic on the streets, the number of collisions would likely rise, but the number of conflicts between Muni buses and corporate shuttles would be reduced. Fewer buses would travel on the citys quieter streets, but the hub plan would take away more parking spaces and require more enforcement, the study found.

A separate evaluation of the existing shuttle program concluded that the system is working as planned.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
A Mountain View High School history teacher is on paid leave after comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, in an effort to show students that the 2016 election is a reflection of the past.

Frank Navarro, a Holocaust scholar who has taught at Mountain View High School for 40 years, said the schools principal and district superintendent asked him to leave Thursday, after a parent complained about the parallels he was drawing in his world studies class.

This parent said that I had said Donald Trump was Hitler, but I would never say that, Navarro told The Chronicle on Saturday. Thats sloppy historical thinking.

He did, however, point out the connections between Trumps presidential campaign and Hitlers rise to power: Both had promised to eject foreigners and make their countries great again, Navarro said.

I think it makes sense, he said. Its factual, its evidence-based. He added: It reminds students that history is real.

But Principal Dave Grissom and Superintendent Jeff Harding feared that the lessons may have been inappropriate in the tempestuous aftermath of the election.

Regardless of their political affiliation, many of our students show signs of emotional stress, Grissom wrote in a letter to parents Friday. He said he has an obligation to maintain an emotionally safe environment for students while protecting teachers and staff against unsubstantiated allegations.

Grissom called the paid leave process a time-out for the staff member under investigation. Harding told The Chronicle that Mountain View High School administrators would finish researching facts on Navarro soon.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The schools newspaper, the Oracle, published an article Thursday about the investigation, prompting outrage among parents and students.

Emails started flowing in to the principal late that night, Navarro said.

Two days later, a Mountain View High School alumnus started a Change.org petition, demanding that Grissom revoke Navarros leave and publicly apologize for attempting to intimidate a respected educator.

As of Saturday night, it had gathered almost 4,000 signatures.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
A renowned Middle East scholar and architecture professor at UC Berkeley spent months ingratiating himself with a graduate student before placing his hand on her upper thigh, proposing they become close friends and suggesting they go to Las Vegas, a campus investigation has found.

Nezar AlSayyad, an internationally recognized scholar and a frequent public voice on global issues, is the latest prominent faculty member at UC Berkeley found to have sexually harassed a student or colleague in violation of University of California rules, The Chronicle has learned.

A five-month investigation completed in October upheld nearly all of the students allegations. The 52-page report obtained by The Chronicle found that AlSayyads behavior became increasingly personal from 2012 to 2014, with frequent social invitations and hugs, as he sought to position himself as the students protector and make her beholden to him.

The conduct can be seen as an attempt to groom (the student) for the possibility of becoming a romantic or sexual partner, wrote lawyer Eve Fichtner, an independent investigator hired by the university.

While the report deals with the harassment of one student, The Chronicle found two others who complained about AlSayyads conduct. One student alleged more than 20 years ago that they had sex and that she felt taken advantage of, but her complaint was never the subject of an investigation. Another student accused AlSayyad this spring of nonsexual misconduct; an investigation is pending.

AlSayyad, 61, has denied all allegations of misconduct. He said in an interview at his campus office that administrators are overreacting for fear of being perceived as soft on sexual harassment.

Bonnie Azab Powell / UC Berkeley

AlSayyad, who earns $210,000 a year, has taught at UC Berkeley since 1985. He has co-founded an international architecture forum, helped attract millions of dollars in grants as chairman of the universitys Center for Middle Eastern Studies and won a prestigious Guggenheim fellowship in 2014, among other honors. As editor of a peer-reviewed journal, AlSayyad also holds a potential key to success for many students hoping to publish.

On Friday, The Chronicle learned that campus officials have barred AlSayyad from teaching next semester. The move suggests they are acting swiftly to force his resignation.

Asked to comment, AlSayyad said he is unaware that he will not be teaching this spring.

If true, I will not accept it, as it presumes I did something wrong when I did not, he said.

The findings and allegations raise questions about AlSayyads behavior over many years. They come at a time of heightened scrutiny of sexual harassment on college campuses as students increasingly speak out about the sexual advances of faculty who wield power over their academic futures. While no national statistics exist that show how common sexual harassment is in academia, female students  especially in the male-dominated fields of science, math and architecture  say harassment is pervasive and can derail promising careers.

Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle 2016

Student speaks out

The UC Berkeley graduate student told officials in March that she had changed departments  and the course of her career  because AlSayyad had positioned himself as her sole protector from vultures in the architecture department who looked down on her work.

I almost left school, and had years of self-doubt, Eva Hagberg Fisher said in an interview. And when I trace it back, it all goes back to him.

Hagberg Fisher, 34, said she wanted to speak out after revelations this year and last about three high-profile employees at UC Berkeley  a celebrated astronomer, the dean of the School of Law and a vice chancellor  who groped, kissed or touched students or colleagues. AlSayyads name is redacted from the report on her case, but Hagberg Fisher confirmed he is its subject.

UC Berkeleys investigator reviewed hundreds of pages of documents and interviewed 18 people. The report concluded that AlSayyad sexually harassed Hagberg Fisher at a crucial time, as he served on an exam committee that would determine if she was qualified to write the dissertation needed for her degree.

AlSayyad invited Hagberg Fisher to dinner and drinks repeatedly and expressed his love for her, despite his position of trust, authority and power, according to the report. He also hugged her and commented on her appearance  including on the morning of her all-important doctoral exams.

Investigator Fichtner said it was reasonable for Hagberg Fisher to view AlSayyads pre-exam hug as inappropriate and as a sexual overture because of his escalating personal interest in her.

Fichtner also found that AlSayyad undercut his credibility with inconsistent responses to some of her questions, such as denying that he had called faculty members vultures or had positioned himself as Hagberg Fishers protector. When confronted with his own emails, however, he characterized the comments as normal communication, Fichtner wrote.

In an interview, AlSayyad dismissed Hagberg Fishers accusations as greatly exaggerated. He said it is normal for professors to go out for drinks with adult students and that he was shocked Hagberg Fisher had misconstrued hugs he intended as kind and caring.

I have absolutely done nothing wrong, he said. I actually feel terribly victimized.

The investigator recommended in her report that campus officials begin the process of deciding whether AlSayyad violated the Faculty Code of Conduct. Discipline options for a violation include a written rebuke, pay cut, demotion, suspension, denial of privileges, or firing through the loss of tenure. Although an unknown number of tenured professors have been forced to resign over the years  including famed astronomer Geoffrey Marcy last year for sexual harassment  just two have lost tenure at UC Berkeley in 25 years.

AlSayyad criticized the process, saying the investigator appears to serve as a prosecutor, a judge and a jury.

A second investigation of AlSayyads behavior is pending. Another graduate student filed a complaint in April mirroring Hagberg Fishers accusation that AlSayyad manipulated her by isolating her from other professors. The student told campus officials she came to UC Berkeley to study under a specific faculty member in architecture but dropped that professor as her adviser after AlSayyad warned her the professor could not be trusted.

AlSayyad said in an interview that he does not isolate students from other faculty, but tries to ensure that they are surrounded by the best possible group of people for their work. He called the allegation ludicrous.

Earlier complaint

For Cassandra Adams, a former assistant professor of architecture at UC Berkeley, the universitys willingness to investigate claims of sexual harassment and other misconduct against a professor of AlSayyads stature is a welcome change. She said the campus handled a complaint of sexual impropriety against AlSayyad in the 1990s very differently.

Adams recalled that in late 1993 or early 1994, her research assistant, a graduate student at UC Berkeley, tearfully described an incident with AlSayyad, who was on her masters thesis committee.

She said, He slept with me, said Adams, now an architect in El Cerrito. She was very upset.

Adams knew that her research assistant depended on AlSayyad for approval of her academic work and for help advancing her career.

It was a big deal for her to say anything, Adams said. The student, who was from a traditional background, wondered whether she and AlSayyad would have to marry because theyd had sex.

AlSayyad already was married. Hed recently separated from Nadia Anis, who had been a student when he was a teaching assistant at Cairo University.

Adams said she helped her research assistant file a written complaint with the architecture department. The UC Berkeley Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, where Hagberg Fisher filed her complaint, would not exist for another 18 years.

AlSayyad denied in an interview that he had sex with the student, and said he didnt know she had made that claim against him. If he had known, AlSayyad said, I would have absolutely sued the student.

Anis, his ex-wife, said in an interview that AlSayyad called her at the time and said he was really stressed out because this thing had surfaced.

I just remember him saying, I felt really lonely, so I asked her out to dinner or the movies, said Anis, 58, an architect in San Rafael. He said, This girl is suggesting that I sexually harassed her.

Anis said she never believed the students allegation because she didnt think AlSayyad would jeopardize his career.

It doesnt match up with what I know of him, she said. He was so concerned with his image.

Jean-Pierre Protzen, a former chairman of the architecture department, said colleagues told him about the students complaint at the time. They decided: We should really tell him to stop.

Protzen said AlSayyad was subsequently removed from the students thesis committee for the good of the student.

AlSayyad said he removed himself from the committee because the student had developed an affection for him.

The only allegation that I heard is that she is in love with me, I am in love with her, he said. After he learned about it, he said, the student came to his office in tears, but he would not let her in and told her, You should not have tried to damage my reputation.

Asked if hed ever gone out with the student, AlSayyad said: Maybe we went to the movies.

The student withdrew her complaint under duress from the university after about a month, said Adams, the assistant professor who had helped her. They told her, Its your word against his. She was upset about it. Its like being bullied.

Reached by The Chronicle, the former student did not dispute the account provided by Adams and Protzen but declined to comment.

Adams said she also spoke with the department about her research assistants allegation.

It was very scary for me, she said. But it was the right thing to do.

Adams subsequently lost her bid for tenure and said she believes that speaking up was the reason. She said Fichtner, the investigator on Hagberg Fishers case, contacted her this spring and expressed interest in looking into that possibility.

Relationship changes

In 2010, Hagberg Fisher joined the UC Berkeley architecture department as a masters student and took an introductory course co-taught by AlSayyad. She said he was an engaging lecturer and that she was flattered when he took an interest in her work, complimented her intelligence and said he wanted to teach her at the doctoral level.

But by 2012, her enthusiasm had vanished. AlSayyad repeatedly told her that other professors wouldnt work with me and didnt want to work with me, she said in her complaint. Believing she lacked the faculty support to succeed in architecture, Hagberg Fisher told a professor outside the department that she planned to quit school.

That professor offered her an alternative: creating her own doctoral program outside of architecture. Hagberg Fisher agreed. Thinking AlSayyad was the only architecture professor who supported her work, she invited him to serve on her exam committee.

The following winter, Hagberg Fisher received frightening news: She became ill with a ruptured cyst in her brain. At the same time, AlSayyads attention had become more personal, and his language escalated to wanting to see her regardless of where she was or how sick she was, Fichtner, the investigator, found.

On April 2, 2013, AlSayyad emailed Hagberg Fisher: I would love to see you any time you are available, zombie or not, in school or elsewhere. Can you have a drink with me?

As Hagberg Fishers recovery continued into fall, AlSayyad repeatedly invited her to get together socially, emails between them show. He and his second wife, Ananya Roy, had separated that summer, court records show. They married in 1997, when she was a doctoral student in UC Berkeleys department of City and Regional Planning.

On Sept. 13, 2013, AlSayyad emailed Hagberg Fisher again: I heard you have to do surgery again soon. Can I see you soon, perhaps for a drink, coffee, or a meal? She replied that she was ill and would soon need a spinal tap.

Eventually, Hagberg Fisher agreed to meet him for drinks at Five, a restaurant and bar at a hotel in downtown Berkeley, emails between them show. The investigation found that they not only discussed health issues and a past romantic relationship of Hagberg Fishers, but that AlSayyad casually expressed his love for Ms. Fisher in relation to how he loved his students.

As he drove her home that night, AlSayyad told Hagberg Fisher that he often goes to Las Vegas with his close friends, put his hand on her upper thigh and said something like, I consider you to be a friend, and I hope that we can become close friends, Fichtner wrote.

Hagberg Fisher froze. She pretended she needed to stop at a nearby supermarket and got out, she said.

This behavior from a male professor towards a female student in the close confines of a car demonstrated physical conduct of a sexual nature as well as the opportunity for Ms. Fisher to provide sexual favors or respond favorably to his subtle sexual advance, Fichtner wrote.

AlSayyad disputed the account, telling Fichtner: I never touched her leg, and if I did, it was accidental when I was hugging her in the car.

He told The Chronicle that he never invited Hagberg Fisher to Las Vegas and called the idea disgusting.

Coming forward

Hagberg Fisher said she told two close friends about what happened in the car, but told no one else about the incident for more than a year, believing it would only lead to trouble.

I needed his support, she said. Whether or not that power is real, we are taught as graduate students that it is.

Hagberg Fisher said she avoided AlSayyad for months after that and considered removing him from her committee. But she had already postponed her qualifying exams several times for health reasons and feared the change would further delay her progress. And without AlSayyad  the only architecture professor on her committee  getting a teaching job in an architecture department would be close to impossible, she said.

Then, on May 7, 2014  just before AlSayyad and Hagberg Fishers other committee members were to administer the three-hour exam to determine if she was qualified to write a doctoral dissertation  AlSayyad hugged Hagberg Fisher outside the exam room and told her she looked great and that he hoped she felt as good as she looked, the investigation found.

AlSayyad told the investigator his hug was not intended to be sexual and that he was simply happy that Hagberg Fisher had made it to the exams and looked well after an illness.

But Fichtner said it was reasonable by that time for Hagberg Fisher to view any touching from AlSayyad as exceptionally uncomfortable and sexual.

Hagberg Fisher passed her exams. AlSayyad praised her performance and invited her to work for him over the summer. Then he told her that two other professors on the panel had remarked that she was not a scholar and should not have passed, but that he had fought for her, she said.

She said his statements undermined her ability to confidently move forward with her work.

I just thought, Im done, she said in an interview. I decided I wasnt going to take this level of undermining and hardly veiled criticism.

Hagberg Fisher notified her head graduate adviser that she did not want AlSayyad to be placed on her dissertation committee.

I feel relieved, Hagberg Fisher emailed a friend at the time. Im nervous to run into him because I dont think Ill be able to say, Please dont hug me, or whatever, but I think I can also just avoid him.

Then, in March, Hagberg Fisher talked with a friend who had spoken publicly about witnessing sexual harassment by Marcy, the former astronomy professor forced to resign after disclosures that he had groped or behaved inappropriately with students during a decade at UC Berkeley. By that time, so many other students had also come forward to condemn sexual harassment on campus that Hagberg Fisher said she felt emboldened to speak out herself.

While she is pleased with the investigators findings in her case, Hagberg Fisher said she is distressed that campus administrators have shared only minimal information with her about how AlSayyad might be disciplined. They did not tell her, for example, that he wont teach next semester.

I would rather see him immediately fired, she said.

Still, Hagberg Fisher said she does not regret her decision to come forward.

What happened to me was wrong, she said. If my speaking up can shine a light on this person  and maybe he cant do it to someone else  thats my goal.

Cynthia Dizikes and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: cdizikes@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CDizikes, @NanetteAsimov
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A major test of rent control as a way to solve the Bay Areas affordable housing crisis met mixed results at the polls last week.

Initiatives to establish formal rent-control programs appear to be on track to pass in Mountain View and Richmond but failed in San Mateo, Burlingame and Alameda. All were placed on the ballot by citizens who collected enough signatures.

However, voters in Alameda approved Measure L1, a renter protection ordinance placed on the ballot by its City Council, but it falls far short of rent control. Voters in Mountain View rejected a similar council-sponsored proposal in favor of the more stringent rent-control measure.

In Berkeley, Oakland and East Palo Alto, voters approved measures to stiffen existing rent-control measures in favor of tenants.

All these measures were a response to skyrocketing rents and tenant evictions throughout the Bay Area, which in turn were caused by job growth far outstripping housing growth over the past five or six years.

The results gave people on both sides of the rent-control debate  which bitterly divided some communities  enough to claim victory.

Rent control did not win across the board, but more than anyone ever dreamed possible, said Juliet Brodie, a Stanford Law School professor who helped draft Measure V, the citizen initiative in Mountain View.

She said the results will encourage more cities to adopt modern rent control, which limits annual rent increases for existing tenants. I think that as these measures are implemented, people will see that rent stabilization is a balanced response to a market that is out of control.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

But executives with the California Apartment Association, which represents landlords, think the results could discourage other cities from attempting rent control.

If you look at the defeats in Alameda, Burlingame and San Mateo, they didnt even get 40 percent of the yes vote. That is a clear rejection of strong rent control, said Joshua Howard, a lobbyist with the association. The Mountain View initiative was ahead with a 53 percent majority as of Friday, but that represents a margin of only about 1,200 votes, he added.

The association spent about $1.1 million trying to defeat the initiatives in Mountain View, San Mateo, Burlingame, Richmond and Alameda. Almost one-third of that was spent on the Mountain View measure. The California Association of Realtors kicked in a total of $372,000 to defeat the five initiatives. Opponents far outspent proponents.

The Coalition for Housing Equality spent about $1 million combined to defeat Measure R in Burlingame and Measure Q in San Mateo, said Laura Teutschel, a spokeswoman for the coalition. The money came from individual donors, the apartment association and the national, state and county Realtors associations.

By comparison, proponents spent an estimated $80,000 on those two measures combined, said Jennifer Martinez, executive Director of Faith in Action Bay Area, which sponsored Measure Q.

In Mountain View, We were totally grassroots, Brodie said. We didnt run a TV ad. As far as talking points, they were only as good as the volunteer at the door.

Although the five ballot measures differed in some ways, they all sought to limit annual rent increases for existing tenants to some amount above or below the change in the Consumer Price Index. As required by state law, the measures exempted multifamily apartments built after Feb. 1, 1995  and all single-family homes and condos, whenever built  from limits on annual rent increases. The same law allows landlords to charge new tenants whatever they want when the old tenant voluntarily vacates a rent-controlled unit, but then the new tenant is rent controlled.

All five measures also sought to limit evictions to certain so-called just causes, such as failure to pay rent, and to reasons allowed by law, such as owner move-ins. Some of the measures exempted single-family homes and condos from eviction controls, some did not.

If spending alone cant explain why some measures won and some lost, what can? The percentage of renter households in each city could have made a difference.

In Mountain View and Richmond, which approved rent control, they make up an estimated 60 and 55 percent of households, respectively, according to 2014 census data. The percentage of renter households is 45 percent in San Mateo, 52 percent in Burlingame and 53 percent in Alameda.

In Mountain View and Richmond, there are well-organized grassroots organizations that have been in discussions with their city councils about housing and rent control for more than two years, Howard said.

Mountain View is also the epicenter of the high-tech boom, he said. The demand for housing has just been extremely high in the headquarters city of Google, LinkedIn and other tech companies with well-paid workers.

Richmond is miles apart from Mountain View, both geographically and socioeconomically. The median household income in Mountain View is about $100,000; in Richmond, its about $55,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Yet its still being impacted by the tech boom. People who are getting priced out of Silicon Valley and San Francisco because they cant compete with high-tech workers are moving to Oakland. As landlords in Oakland raise rents, people are moving to Richmond, which is pushing up rents and displacing tenants there. But Richmond is the end of the BART line, and people who cant afford Richmond cant move farther and still commute on BART.

We fought to get Measure L on the ballot, so there may be one stop left on the BART line that working Bay Area people could afford, said Gary Jimenez, a regional vice president with SEIU Local 1021.

Marilyn Langlois went door to door supporting Measure L, even though she owns her own home and another one she rents out. I lived in other cities and counties that had rent control. I always just thought its the way to go, she said.

Although the single-family home she rents out in Richmond will not be covered by Measure L, The family thats living there is very hard-working. I cant imagine raising the rent on them beyond the cost of living. To me that seems unfair, Langlois said.

Richmonds Measure L, which has 64.4 percent of votes counted, got a boost from the Richmond Progressive Alliance, Howard said. The alliance supported rent control as well as three City Council candidates who supported rent control (they were all elected or re-elected).

In San Mateo and Burlingame, Howard said voters seemed very concerned not only about rent control, but about the unintended consequences. Those include the cost to the city (even though landlords would pay a fee to run the program), the fact that it would protect all existing tenants regardless of their income and the increased difficulty of evicting problem tenants.

The messages from (opponents) were distorted and constantly repeated untrue statements, Cindy Cornell, founder of Burlingame Advocates for Renter Protections, said in an email. Renters were portrayed as criminals and untrustworthy. It pitted neighbors against neighbors. The negativity succeeded in defeating what would have been two very good tools to end some of the massive displacement we are seeing.

As for the future, Our steering committee will be meeting soon to discuss individual and group plans, and strategy going forward. Among our local and state legislators, there is no plan. There is no leadership. So there is no alternative.

Noelia Corzo, a community organizer for Faith in Action who supported Measure Q, said, I feel really disappointed and ready to continue to fight for renters protections. However, a lot of our core volunteers are devastated by the presidential election results. We are just allowing time to process that before planning next steps.

Tom Bannon, the apartment association's chief executive, said, Im optimistic you are not going to see a lot more efforts at rent control. You are seeing rents stabilize and actually come down in certain parts of the bay. And I think people are getting it that increasing supply is the best way to solve the housing crisis.

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has made combatting human trafficking a priority for his administration. The latest report from his Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking offers a compelling reason for this choice: There were almost 500 cases of human trafficking reported in San Francisco last year. Of the victims, 122 were minors.

There were serious limitations in the reports data, and it shouldnt be used as a perfectly accurate portrayal of the range of human trafficking in San Francisco. The reports authors, Maria Tourtchaninova and Minouche Kandel, admit as much.

This is not prevalence data, they write, noting that they obtained aggregated, anonymous case counts from multiple agencies. Some victims may be double-counted, and others werent measured at all. There is a great deal of discrepancy in trafficking statistics, they caution.

Thats for two reasons. First, not every city agency is issuing accurate reporting counts yet (Kandel said they expect to have a much more accurate report next year). Second, different agencies have different ideas of what human trafficking is. People know what the federal or the state definition is, but the challenge is in assessing how someone falls into that category, Kandel said. Victims dont usually raise their hand and say, hey, Im a victim of human trafficking.

Human trafficking happens in plain sight, but its difficult for an outsider to detect.

A hard-working restaurant worker may be being held against her will, or a teenager falling asleep in school may be being forced to perform sex work at night. Since victims are trapped  either physically, emotionally or financially  by their captors, they find it impossible to speak up, much less to escape.

Labor trafficking, a crime to which undocumented immigrants often fall prey, is particularly difficult to detect, and the mayors task force is wisely focusing on it next year.

Government and community-based agencies are not identifying and serving this population at the same rate as survivors of commercial sexual exploitation of minors or abuses in the sex industries, Tourtchaninova and Kandel write.

But the FBI has identified San Francisco as one of the top spots in the nation for child commercial sex exploitation, and much of the report focuses on the Bay Areas continued struggles to identify and end this practice.

San Francisco accomplished some big steps toward addressing commercial sexual exploitation, especially for minors, in the last year.

The biggest accomplishment is a new 24-hour hotline for young people who are being commercially exploited for sex. The hotline, which is being operated by Huckleberry Youth Programs, was a top priority for the task force.

We didnt have that in San Francisco, and many other cities did, Kandel said. It was a big gap.

Other accomplishments include a newly developed protocol, now in use by 11 city agencies, to steer sexually trafficked minors toward the child welfare system instead of the juvenile justice system. Official recognition of these children as victims  not criminal perpetrators  will fight stigma and encourage victims to speak up, as well as to cooperate with government officials.

The San Francisco Unified School District also adopted a resolution requiring all staff to be trained in human trafficking and to update its child abuse reporting policy to include the practice. This is critical because so many commercially trafficked minors have contact with the school system.

Theres still lots more to do.

The task forces top priorities for the future include getting a prevalence study, so we finally have an accurate picture of how many San Franciscans are involved in human trafficking.

Theres also a desperate need for  surprise, surprise  housing.

We still dont have a dedicated shelter for trafficking victims in San Francisco, Kandel said. Were hoping to be a part of the larger conversation thats happening on housing with the new (Department on Homelessness and Supportive Housing).

Securing housing for this population in San Francisco will be a tall order. But its worth the struggle. After having gone through so much, human-trafficking victims deserve all of San Franciscos support, services and assistance.
Donald Trump has put together an ambitious plan for a dramatic conservative reboot of the country during his first 100 days in office, but like presidents before him, hes likely to discover that promises are easier to make on the campaign trail than fulfill in the Oval Office.

In Trumps case, the resistance started even earlier  his call for a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on all members of Congress lasted exactly one day after his shocking victory Tuesday over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Term limits will not be on the agenda in the Senate, GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday. I would say we have term limits now  theyre called elections.

That gap between goals and reality is something all presidents face. The Politifact news site has kept an Obameter that looks at more than 500 promises President Obama made during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. As of Friday, Obama had kept 45 percent of those promises, compromised on 26 percent and broken 22 percent, with the rest either stalled or in the works.

Asked Thursday whats on the top of his political list after his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump was characteristically upbeat, but also short on details.

A lot of really great priorities. People will be very, very happy, he said. Were going to move very strongly on immigration. We will move very strongly on health care. And were looking at jobs. Big-league jobs.

Mark Makela/Getty Images

But one of the keys to the president-elects job plan is his promise to put millions of Americans to work on a 10-year, $1 trillion effort to rebuild the countrys highways, bridges and airports. That big-ticket spending plan isnt likely to go over well with Republicans eager to slash the size of government.

Massive infrastructure improvements wont be a top priority with Congress, McConnell said.

Trumps pledge to immediately repeal the Affordable Care Act is an example of a promise that was easier to make than it will be to keep, said Henry Brady, dean of UC Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy. While Republicans in Congress have voted more than 50 times to repeal Obamacare, problems could arise when it comes to actually dumping the plan.

Even Trump has said hed like to keep parts of the health care law, such as the section that allows people up to age 26 to remain on their parents health plan, and the part that bars insurance companies from rejecting people because of pre-existing conditions.

Its likely to take months or longer for the GOP-led Congress to come up with an alternative health care proposal. And if Trump turns off the federal money spigot that keeps Obamacare going before then, hes going to hear about it.

Its easy to cut off money to the U.N., Brady said. Its a lot harder to cut off money to someone in Wyoming.

Even some of Trumps own people have been walking back a few of those campaign promises, arguing that priorities can change and warning that many of the most important issues dont lend themselves to instant solutions.

While Trump promised last month that hed appoint a special prosecutor to look at whether Clinton mishandled classified emails while she was secretary of state, it didnt sound like he was talking about a prospective felon when he said in his Wednesday morning victory speech that Clinton has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country.

On Thursday, both former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that appointing a special prosecutor would be a tough decision that hasnt been made yet.

Its been a tradition of politics to put things behind us, Giuliani said in a CNN interview.

And while Kellyanne Conway, Trumps campaign manager who is likely to hold an influential position in his administration, didnt rule out going after Clinton, she didnt push it, either, saying a decision would be made all in good time.

For a businessman whos spent his entire career as the bigger-than-life head of a company where his every word is law, its going to be a huge change for Trump to run an organization with a 535-member elected board, not one of whom can simply be told, Youre fired.

We have a system with a lot more checks and balances than you find in business, said Sam Erman, a professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Businesses also have a lot less oversight from the media.

But any president is free to set his own course when he takes office, making appointments and setting directions for his administration. And a president like Trump, with plenty of ideas  undefined as they may be  and a Congress led by his own party, will have a lot of leeway.

The first hundred days will be miserable (for Democrats) because it will be all about getting rid of whatever Obama has done, said Bruce Cain, a political science professor at Stanford University. Republicans will be dancing in the streets.

In October, Trump released what he dubbed his Contract With the American Voter, which he said will restore prosperity to our economy, security to our communities and honesty to our government.

Trumps 100-day plan doesnt do much to differentiate between what he can do unilaterally as president and where hell need help from Congress, but as a rule of thumb, if it doesnt cost anything, Trump generally can go it alone.

But if it requires money, he needs Congress.

Immigration: Since the day he began his campaign in June 2015, Trump has called for the construction of a hulking wall on the southern border and vowed that Mexico will pay for it.

Within his first 100 days in office, Trump has promised to introduce his End Illegal Immigration Act, which would fully fund the $12 billion-plus wall, with the full understanding that the country Mexico will be reimbursing the United States for the full cost.

Expect a battle in Congress over cost questions and the timing of construction, but because this is Trumps signature issue, hes likely to get his way.

Some of Trumps immigration plans require little more than his signature. Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals provided deportation protection for hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people who arrived in the U.S. as children  because it was a presidential order it could disappear instantly. Trump also could quickly eliminate all federal payments to sanctuary cities, which could cost San Francisco $1 billion or more.

On his own, Trump probably could change the rules on which immigrants are allowed to enter the country and begin deportation proceedings for what he says are 2 million or more undocumented residents who have committed crimes.

The court battles sure to bloom with opponents of his plans might not make much difference, said Erman of the USC law school.

The president can do a lot of things that the courts will later rule against, but by the time the court says, Cool it, the world has changed, he said.

Environment: Trump, who has called global warming a hoax created by the Chinese, could quickly change the direction of U.S. environmental policy, especially with a Republican Congress that has regularly criticized Obamas green efforts.

Trump has promised to lift restrictions on the Keystone XL pipeline that Obama killed, open up federal lands for oil drilling and coal mining, and eliminate environmental regulations he believes hurt business.

While Trump cant just dump the recent Paris accord on reducing greenhouse gases, theres nothing to say the new president cant just ignore it.

He can zero (environmental) programs out, said Brady of UC Berkeley. Climate change programs are in for a drastic reversal.

Trade: The president has plenty of direct control over trade policy, and Trump has said hell use that power.

He can end the countrys participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership just by announcing the countrys withdrawal and pull out of the NAFTA pact with Mexico and Canada with six months notice.

Trumps 100-day plan calls for his new commerce secretary to identify foreign trading abuses and use every tool, which could include tariffs, to end them immediately. He could immediately declare China a currency manipulator, and has talked about imposing a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

Economists have warned that a trade war with Mexico and China, which account for 25 percent of U.S. international trade, could devastate the U.S. economy. A study released in September by the free-trade-leaning Peterson Institute for International Economics showed that an all-out trade war could result in as much as a 5 percent job loss in California and cost the country nearly 4.8 million private-sector jobs.

Trump has plenty of other plans for his first 100 days, which include canceling every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama, selecting a new, and very conservative, Supreme Court justice, boosting military spending and pushing through an economic plan that will provide massive tax reduction and simplification.

Not every part of Trumps 100-day plan will become law or even make it past the wouldnt this be great stage. Hell have to set priorities and decide where to spend his political capital and where to either compromise or step away.

Just because its possible for a president to take action doesnt mean it will be politically palatable, Erman said. A president has enormous power, but its on loan from the people he represents.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth
Services will be held in January for Richard Rapaport, a veteran Mill Valley journalist who wrote commandingly on everything from midcentury architecture to wars in the Balkans, who died at age 64. He suffered from Lewy body dementia, the same disease that afflicted actor and comedian Robin Williams.

He covered all the San Francisco leaders, from the (Dianne) Feinstein era up through Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom, said Peter B. Collins, a media consultant and longtime talk radio host who was a friend of Mr. Rapaports for more than 30 years.

Collins fondly remembers Mr. Rapaport holding court at the now-defunct Washington Square Bar and Grill in North Beach, where he liked to keep up with his sources. Known for his colorful yarns and peppery wit, Mr. Rapaport swapped gossip with many of the citys political elite and socialites, including Chronicle columnist Herb Caen.

Raised in West Hartford, Conn., Mr. Rapaport graduated from Hobart College in upstate New York, and moved to San Francisco in 1975. He spent decades writing for various publications, including Forbes, San Francisco Focus, Salon, Wired and The Chronicle.

In December 2015, Mr. Rapaport wrote an opinion piece for The Chronicle, shortly after receiving his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. He was still coming to grips with the disease, which he described as having a malign mystique, because it engulfs the physical, mental and psychological areas of the brain.

So far, the whole exercise seems like a bit of a joke, Mr. Rapaport wrote. There I was, sitting in the cluttered, overheated office of my neurologist as she unconsciously did the small things doctors do when they feel the need to almost apologize for the test results. Then she queried me, with that slight catch in the throat that accompanies the mention of a frightening disease, about tests having to do with balance, mental acuity and stability.

His chilling description touched Collins, who said Mr. Rapaport was stunned and puzzled by the diagnosis, but also approached it with the curiosity of a reporter tackling a new subject.

That column he wrote was very different, because he never wrote much about himself, Collins said. Like many reporters, he was much more comfortable writing about other people.

As Mr. Rapaports health deteriorated, he kept writing and worked hard to maintain his relationships, said his longtime partner, Kathryn Thyret.

He sought every bit of joy and was determined to do something constructive with his work, Thyret said. And he did that until the end  right until he was in the hospital, dying.

Mr. Rapaport died Oct. 18 of complications of Lewy body dementia, myasthenia gravis and emphysema. He is survived by Thyret; his sister, Emily Rapaport; his mother, Sylvia Rapaport; and his aunt, Marylin Pellet.

A memorial service will be held in January in San Francisco or Marin County. Donations may be made to the North Bay Alzheimers Association, 4340 Redwood Hwy., Suite D314, San Rafael, CA 94903.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
Rafe Swan/Getty Image

The Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department said Sunday that a suspect involved in the shooting and killing of one of its deputies is now in custody.

David Machado was detained in Tulare County Sunday afternoon after being on the run from authorities, the department said on Twitter. The killing took place Sunday morning, when Deputy Dennis Wallace arrived at the Fox Grove fishing access point near Hughson to check on a suspicious car and person in the area, according to the Sacramento Bee.
HOUSTON  Voters in a southeast Texas county elected a black, Democratic woman as sheriff while choosing Republican Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, an unusual result in a year of partisan acrimony.

Some voters in Jefferson County ended up crossing party lines to cast their ballots for who they thought was the best candidate in each of the races  defying the practice of party line voting in an election that showed a deep red-blue political divide.

When Zena Stephens takes office Jan. 1, she will join Vanessa Crawford in Petersburg, Va., as the only black females sheriffs in the U.S., according to the National Sheriffs Association. And she becomes Texas first black female sheriff.

Stephens, 51, credited her win to her long history in the community and to relationships shes built across political party lines. She said its likely there were Democratic voters who cast a ballot for her but who also voted for Trump.

There are people in our community who had positive past experiences with me who certainly were Republican. Certainly I got some of those votes, said Stephens, who defeated retired Beaumont police Lt. Ray Beck.

One of those GOP voters was DAnn Riggs, a 53-year-old emergency room nurse from Beaumont, who voted for Stephens and for Trump.

I voted for Zena not because she was black or a woman. I voted for her because I felt she was the best person for the job, said Riggs.

Jefferson County, which is east of Houston near the Texas-Louisiana border, has been a Democratic stronghold for many years. But Jefferson County Republican Chairman Garrett Peel said the GOP has been making inroads in recent years and currently has 20 locally elected officials.

Trump edged out Clinton with 49 percent of the vote, while Stevens got 51 percent.
WASHINGTON  Washingtons new power trio consists of a bombastic billionaire, a telegenic policy wonk and a taciturn political tactician. How well they can get along will help determine what gets done over the next four years, and whether the new presidents agenda flounders or succeeds.

President-elect Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell make up an unlikely alliance, one defined in advance mostly by Trumps opposition to the Washington establishment that Ryan and McConnell exemplify.

Trump and Ryan clashed throughout the campaign, with Trump taking offense when Ryan initially refused to endorse him and later distanced himself over the audio of Trump talking about groping women.

Paul Ryan, a man who doesnt know how to win (including failed run four years ago), must start focusing on the budget, military, vets etc., Trump groused over Twitter last month.

But that was then, this is now, as Ryan, the GOPs 2012 vice presidential nominee, said Thursday after meeting with Trump at the Capitol.

The past is in the past, Ryan said in an interview on Fox News. This was an unconventional year, he was an unconventional candidate, but the point is we unified, especially at the right point, at the end. And it worked.

Indeed, thanks partly to Trumps coattails, Ryan and McConnell limited expected losses to their majorities and will enter the new administration with control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. For now the glow of victory appears to be soothing past tensions. And Republicans aligned with all three note they have something very important in common: They need each other.

Ryan needs Trump to accomplish his policy agenda, said GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, in comments that apply to McConnell as well. Trump needs Ryan to get things to his desk.

There are well-known policy disagreements to navigate on issues like trade, immigration, Medicare and Social Security, where Trumps proposals and campaign rhetoric often flew in the face of Ryan and McConnells standard business-friendly Republican approach.

But Trumps own unfamiliarity with the tedious business of legislating, and unformed policy positions in some cases, may give Ryan and McConnell a unique opportunity to fill in the details. That would be a welcome role for both  McConnell as a deeply experienced legislator and dealmaker, and Ryan as an eager wonk who chaired the Ways and Means Committee before becoming House speaker. Ryan is steeped in details on reforming taxes and reshaping entitlement spending  although Trump has been critical of Ryans past budget proposals.

I dont think theres any question that a President Trump will be looking for legislative expertise, said Josh Holmes, McConnells former chief of staff.

Moreover, Ryans personal political future, including potential presidential ambitions of his own, may depend in part on how effectively he manages the relationship with Trump.

The speakers tepid embrace of Trump during the campaign angered some conservatives in his conference, stirring talk that he could face a challenge to his speakership. But Ryans enthusiastic response to Trumps victory appears to have diminished any appetite for a leadership coup.
They came to Lake Merritt to hold hands with strangers, joining together as a cathartic force to push back against racism, sexism and the backlash against gay and Muslim communities. They created a human chain around the 3.4-mile perimeter of the Oakland lake, occasionally clapping. At one point, people chanted, We reject the president-elect.

Im here to show my support for those who are now feeling vulnerable, said Emily Reisman, 29, a doctoral student at UC Santa Cruz who drove 90 minutes to attend the event. Its really a wonderful idea. The lake is heart shaped. It sends a strong message.

Around the Bay Area, thousands of demonstrators have expressed angst or worse about Donald Trump winning the presidential election. Rallies in Oakland have at times become destructive, but Sundays event at Lake Merritt and another one in San Francisco were peaceful.

Organizers in San Francisco purposefully picked Golden Gate Park to foster a family-friendly atmosphere Sunday afternoon. Among the hundreds of marchers were many families with strollers and children carrying signs and chanting against what they see as hateful rhetoric used by Trump and his many supporters.

Some held signs reading Love Trumps Hate, Thank you, Hillary and Make American Human Again as they made their way along John F. Kennedy Drive toward Ocean Beach.

Were here reinforcing that we will not stand for hate. We will not stand for misogyny, said march organizer and San Francisco resident Sarah Bacon.

Many people dont feel safe in their environment, and I dont think the president-elect has made any indication that he wont do what he said hes going to, she said, referring to Trumps inflammatory rhetoric during the presidential campaign.

Every night since Trumps election, protesters in the Bay Area and around the country in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Portland, Ore., have taken to the streets, sometimes in violent demonstrations.

As darkness fell in San Francisco, several hundred protesters gathered for a second rally and marched down Market Street toward the Embarcadero, blocking the busy intersection at Fifth and Market as they held a sit-down protest.

Stand up, fight back, shouted the demonstrators. Not my president and stop shopping, join us, they yelled as shoppers downtown snapped pictures on their smartphones.

One man on a skateboard shouted get off the street as the crowd swelled to as many as 400 people and marched down Market toward the Ferry Building.

Youre nothing but a bunch of ... crybabies! he yelled, adding a vulgarity made famous in a Trump video.

The man, Charles Brown, 19, of Newark, later explained that although he doesnt support the president-elect, he was duly elected and should be given a chance.

Weve got to deal with what weve got, Brown said, admitting that he did not vote. This is giving him the publicity that he wants.

Last week, Trump floated the idea that protesters were paid, saying on Twitter, Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

Scott Murphy was aware of the accusation as he walked with his wife while pushing his 2-year-old daughter in a stroller through Golden Gate Park. Their sign read, I am a professional American.

I replied to Trumps tweet with, Youre going to have tremendous protests  the best. Believe me, Murphy said.

Some senior advisers to the president-elect amplified Trumps remark Sunday, dismissing the thousands of demonstrators as professional and paid protesters, and they urged top Democrats to call for calm during the transition.

I think that the president of the United States, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, Bernie Sanders, perhaps, others can come forward and ask for calm and ask for a peaceful transition and ask their supporters, which are masquerading as protesters now  many of them professional and paid, by the way, Kellyanne Conway, Trumps campaign manager, said on Fox News Sunday.

Reisman, the UC Santa Cruz student, scoffed at the claim. Im losing money to be here, she said, adding she spent about $40 in gas to drive to Oakland.

People from all walks of life joined hands Sunday around Lake Merritt. Some sang John Lennons Imagine. Others exchanged contact information. Several people said that the Lake Merritt event was the first time they have been in a protest and that it gave them hope that others felt as upset as they did about the election.

Architect Nina MacKenzie said it was inspiring to look across Lake Merritt and see like-minded people lined up in every corner of this lake.

To me, it embodied a small heart in the landscape that Oakland cared about all the people that Trump may not care about today, said MacKenzie, a volunteer for the event.

Diane Johengen, a retired nurse from Berkeley, said the Oakland event was her first demonstration and that she came to Lake Merritt because she was so upset about the election results.

It was a real slap in the face to women, Johengen said.

She said she voted for Clinton and found it profoundly disturbing that Trump was elected when she found him lacking qualifications for the job.

The woman who envisioned the Lake Merritt event did not picture the thousands of people who would attend when she created the Facebook invite. Somatic psychotherapist Allison White at first thought only her friends would come. The Facebook invite went viral, with more than 8,000 people on the social network saying they would go.

There is strength in numbers, said Miquela Fox, 41, of Benicia, a contract administrator at a construction firm. The world needs to see most of the world does not approve of this man as president.

Organizers of the Golden Gate Park march asked participants to wear safety pins  a symbol of solidarity and safety  in a gesture that was first adopted in England after the Brexit vote to leave the European Union.

My vision for the future is pretty bleak, said Candy Mitchell, who carried a sign reading Environment, Human Rights, Respect, Global Relations ... Seriously!

While many in the Golden Gate Park march were focused on Trumps divisive language during the campaign, Mitchell said she was concerned about the president-elects policies, something that was largely ignored during the venomous campaign.

Im fearful of Republican majorities in both houses  I dont see a lot of checks and balances there, she said. Its hard to have hope when you see Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin coming back to life.

Demonstrations against Trump have not ceased since the New York billionaire delivered his victory speech shortly before midnight California time Tuesday. Hundreds of high school students walked out of class and took to the streets in the East Bay and in San Francisco during two days of peaceful protests.

In the evening, groups have persistently gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland. Protesters there clashed with police Wednesday night, while some spray-painted businesses and smashed windows. Thirty people were arrested, and three officers were injured after being pelted with bottles and rocks.

Chronicle staff writer Peter Fimrite contributed to this report.

Evan Sernoffsky and Wendy Lee are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky, @thewendylee
DES MOINES  Senate Republicans got the first taste of their majority status by electing new leaders who pledged new ideas that will grow the economy, lighten tax burdens and open new career opportunities.

This caucus has been in the minority for a long time and we are excited with the opportunity to be in the majority and its a responsibility that we take real seriously, Sen. Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, told reporters after emerging from a closed-door caucus as the leader of the Senates 29-member majority.

Republicans, who picked up six seats in Tuesday election, elected Dix as majority leader, Sen. Jack Whitver of Ankeny as Senate president, Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone as president pro temp, Sen. Charles Schneider of West Des Moines as majority whip, and Sens. Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point, Randy Feenstra of Hull, Amy Sinclair of Allerton and Dan Zumbach of Ryan as assistant majority leaders.

The Senate currently has 19 Democrats and one independent, with one seat vacant due to the death of Davenport Democrat Joe Seng that will be contested in a special election next month.

The 85th General Assembly is slated to convene Jan. 9 with Republicans in control of the House, the Senate and the governorship with Gov. Terry Branstad midway through his sixth term.

We have more unity today in this room, with the House Republicans and the governor, than has ever been in my time here, said Dix in looking forward to getting the state agenda for the next two years. We all recognize what the expectations of voters are and were not going to take our eye off that ball.

Dix, 53, a 16-year veteran of the Legislature who operates a farm near Janesville, said the new Senate leadership team expects to make committee assignments in the coming weeks and hold a follow-up caucus to begin charting their 2017 agenda.

He expected tax relief, less spending, smaller and more efficient government and policies to promote growth, investment and jobs to be at the forefront.

Senate Democrats are expected to meet later this month to select a new leadership team after Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, was ousted from a post he occupied for a decade when he lost to Dan Dawson in the Senate District 8 race.

Senate Republicans are approaching the upcoming session with enthusiasm and excitement after spending years in the minority and not having their voices heard, Dix said.

We know that revenues are tight and weve got to keep our nose to the grindstone in making sure that we are keeping spending in check, he said.
Delia M. Julius

MASON CITY  Delia Marie Julius, age 90, of Mason City and formerly of Riceville, died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Pastor Mark Lavrenz of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mason City officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery at Little Cedar.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Delia was born June 18, 1926, in Little Cedar, the daughter of William and Velma (Paul) Stout. She attended school in Little Cedar, graduating from Little Cedar High School in 1943. She then attended college in Cedar Falls, and taught in country schools for four years.

Delia was united in marriage to Lee Julius on Dec. 23, 1945, and to this union was born two children, Ronnie and Kathy. They farmed from 1945 until 1959, and then moved into Riceville. Delia did secretarial work at the Little Cedar Creamery until it closed in 1976. She worked as a secretary at Riceville Insurance Agency for 13 years, until she retired.

In 1997, Lee and Delia moved to Mason City where she was a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She enjoyed sewing, going out to eat and going to dances with friends, and bowling. She thought the world of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of the greatest joys in her life was cooking for and being with her family.

Delia is survived by her son, Ron (Helena) Julius of Mason City; her daughter, Kathy Welch (friend, Bill) of McIntire; two grandchildren, Ryan (Heather) Welch of Northwood and Nate (April) Welch of Grimes; great-grandchildren, Ethan Welch and Sydney Welch, the children of Ryan and Heather, and Finley Welch and Scarlett Welch, the children of Nate and April.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lee Julius in 2014; brother, William Keith Stout.

Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, 641-732-3706.
GARNER  Ruby M. Taylor, 90, of Garner, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at Concord Care Center in Garner.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Faith Lutheran Church in Miller with Rose Visser, lay minister, officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner is in charge of arrangements.
DOUGHERTY  Every year, Marlin Hansons family gathers around a special spot in the fence line off Yarrow Avenue three miles north of Dougherty.

They bring gifts in memory of Marlin, who died in that very spot in on Oct. 8, 2011, when the grain truck he was driving went off the road near 140th Street.

The gifts  his favorite soft drinks, snacks  are always propped up against a cross bearing his name.

We dont have a gravesite for him, explained his daughter, Heidi Hanson, of Mason City, So, this is kind of where we come to put memorial stuff out for him every year.

In October, they bought a windvane with a metal cutout of an eagle  Marlin Hanson loved eagles, his daughter says  and pounded it into the ground next to the cross, bottles of soda and the Fritos.

Last week, they realized it had been stolen.

Its very frustrating and, I think, sad, Heidi Hanson said.

The entire family is hurt by the theft, including Hansons grandchildren, said his widow, Donna Holt.

Thats hard for the grandkids to understand, too, said Holt, who has since remarried. That somebody would take something of their Papas that didnt belong to them.

Theyre asking for the memorial to be returned.

Leave it someplace for us or direct us to it, so that we can put it back, because it is important to us, Hanson said.

Although Hansons family gathers at the memorial each October, they also visit it during the year. His friends and former coworkers also make a point of driving by every now and then, Holt said.

Its not like our first year we put it up and just forgot about it, said Holt, of Mason City. We routinely come down, make sure its mowed and trimmed up, try to add something new every year.

Theres no reward. The family is just hoping someone does whats right.

Itd be nice to have somebody do the right thing just because its the right thing to do, Holt said.
QUETTA, Pakistan  The death toll from a bomb blast Saturday at a Sufi shrine in southwestern Pakistan rose to at least 50 people with more than 100 wounded, officials said.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani in the province of Baluchistan.

Abdur Rasool, an official at the provinces home ministry, said rescuers were transporting the wounded to hospitals and the dead to local morgues, but were struggling in the difficult mountainous terrain, some 215 miles south of the provincial capital, Quetta.

The blast targeted worshipers as they were in the throes of their devotional dhamal dance, and the courtyard at the time was packed with families.

The Islamic State groups statement on the Aamaq news agency said the suicide attack had targeted Shiites. The shrine is frequented by both Pakistans Sunni Muslim majority and Shiite minority. The militants consider all Shiite Muslims heretics.

Baluchistan home minister Sarfaraz Bugti, citing a lack of cellular services in the affected area, said the situation will be much clearer in the morning. He said over 500 people were present in the courtyard of the shrine when the blast happened.

Abdul Hakim Lasi, an official with the Edhi Foundations rescue service, said many of the injured were wounded in a panicked stampede after the blast.

One female witness, who was not identified by name, told the GEO television channel that a big bang took place in the midst of the dhamal dance in the shrines courtyard. I dont know how I escaped unhurt, she said. It was like a hell all around.

A doctor at an area hospital told a local television station that the number of wounded being brought in had overwhelmed the hospitals capacity.

We dont have sufficient space so several people were treated outside on the ground, the doctor said. Several wounded people have lost limbs.

Last month Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in which three militants stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing 61 people.
YANGON, Myanmar  Myanmars government on Sunday reported fierce fighting in the western state of Rakhine, where the army has been conducting counterinsurgency operations since nine police officers were killed in attacks on posts along the border with Bangladesh last month.

The fighting, reported in an Information Ministry statement, comes as human rights groups have been accusing Myanmars army of abuses against civilians of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority, especially since last months attacks. Recent reports accuse soldiers of killing, raping and burning the homes of the countrys long-persecuted Rohingya.
1 Peace talks: Colombias government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord Saturday after the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. The latest agreement seeks to address some of the concerns of opponents of the original accord, especially former President Alvaro Uribe, who said the deal was too lenient on a rebel group that had kidnapped and committed war crimes. President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia inked an initial peace deal on Sept. 26 amid international fanfare. But voters rejected it Oct. 2 by just 55,000 votes.

2 Poaching crackdown: Vietnamese authorities destroyed almost 5,000 pounds of seized elephant ivory and rhino horns Saturday, sending a message ahead of a key international conference the country is hosting that they want illegal wildlife trafficking stopped. The seized horns  estimated to be worth more than $7 million on the black market  came from African elephants and rhinos that were slaughtered by poachers. The horns were crushed and then burned on the outskirts of Hanoi, with Vietnam joining 20 other nations in the destroying seized wildlife products.
BEIRUT  Syrian government forces regained control Saturday of areas they lost over the past two weeks to a rebel offensive on the edge of the northern city of Aleppo, ending a major attempt by insurgents to break the siege on eastern parts of the city, an activist group and pro-government media said.

The insurgents had seized a couple of strategic areas in western Aleppo after launching an offensive on Oct. 28 in an attempt to break the siege imposed in July on rebel-held eastern Aleppo, which has also been targeted by waves of Syrian and Russian air strikes.

Russia said last month that it would halt the air strikes on the city and urged insurgents to leave. But the fighters, including members of the al Qaeda-linked Fatah al-Sham Front, refused to leave after the government opened corridors for them to cross to the nearby province of Idlib, an insurgent stronghold.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that government forces and their allies have regained control of Al-Assad and Minyan districts, west of Aleppo.

The epic battle for Aleppo has failed, said the Observatorys chief Rami Abdurrahman, using the term that the insurgents had assigned to the offensive.

Syrian state media reported that the two districts have been retaken. State TV reported live from inside Minyan, which appeared to be under the firm control of government troops.

We fought them in every street, house, neighborhood and schools, and they used mosques to launch attacks, an army brigadier general in Minyan who identified himself as Nabil told Al-Manar TV. The network is run by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the forces of President Bashar Assad.

The Observatory said the fighting left 508 dead, including civilians and fighters from both sides. It said the dead insurgents included 90 foreign fighters while on the government side, 83 troops, 28 Hezbollah gunmen and 41 other fighters from Iran and Iraq were killed as well.

Russias military says it is willing to consider a new humanitarian pause for Aleppo if U.N. officials confirm their readiness to deliver aid and evacuate wounded civilians.
About two hundred protesters marched downtown on Saturday in a peaceful demonstration against President-elect Donald Trump.Police arrested at least three of the protestors, according to Mariel Nanasi, a civil rights attorney who attended the march. Among the arrestees was Sergio Muterperl, who was charged with battery on a police officer and two other misdemeanors. Police also detained at least two people during the march, giving them municipal citations, including a woman who jumped on top of her car and flashed her chest in support of passing protestors.

Starting from the Plaza, the marchers walked a loop that included parts of Guadalupe Street, Cerrillos Road and Paseo de Peralta. They chanted, Not my president and Love trumps hate, two catchphrases that have emerged since the Republican presidential candidate won the election in a shocking upset. Police cruisers followed along and blared sirens.

The protest brought out first-time marchers, like Shelley Morey and Suzanne Sloane, a married couple that saw the protesters marching by and decided to join. I was involved a little bit in gay rights activism, but this seems much bigger, Sloane said.

Reina Nelson, a student at the New Mexico School for the Arts, also attended her first protest on Saturday. We elected someone against everything I stand for a young, queer person, she told SFR.



Lauren Sarkissian, a student who has been involved in activism for years, said, As a daughter of middle eastern immigrants, I am afraid.

The march happened spontaneously, according to Muterperl, who is affiliated with Anonymous, the online activist movement. Members of One Billion Rising and Somos Un Pueblo Unido also participated in the march. "We all know each other, but this was never the intention," Muterperl said.



Once the group arrived back at the Plaza, Muterperl told the crowd he feared that police would attempt to single him out as the organizer of the protest. "We're not sheep," the crowd chanted in response.



The protest brought out marchers across different races and ages. Jennifer Bowker, a nurse from Santa Fe, marched with her son and her friend's two children. "I want to teach them their American rights," Bowker said.



Naeem Cabre, who is eight and three-quarters years old, took a speakerphone labeled "The Voice" as the crowd started to disperse from the Plaza.



We shouldnt hide our voices from Donald Trump because were not afraid of Donald Trump, Cabre said.

See more photos from the protest here.





Santa Fe Reporter
Last month, the Chamber and North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp. hosted Evan Nolte, the president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, to share the Forward Sioux Falls success story with local business and community leaders. His message was compelling.

Nolte attributes the year-over-year consistent growth Sioux Falls has experienced for the past 30 years in population, prosperity and sense of place to one thing: a disciplined and intentional approach to community planning and goal-setting.

Mason City is no stranger to the planning process. For years, we had a reputation as a community that was over-planned and under-implemented  meaning we did a good job of putting our ideas down on paper but fell short at putting those ideas into action.

In preparation for the new millennium, then-Mayor Bill Schickel commissioned an ambitious visioning and planning project known as the Mason City 2010 Strategic Plan.

Our community and local government used this plan in conjunction with the citys comprehensive plan to set annual goals and objectives, as well as to align resources with strategies. Remarkably, many of the initiatives outlined in that plan were accomplished.

Since 2010, weve operated without the guidance of a community-based plan, leaving city officials to consider opportunities that arise on an individual basis. In contrast, evaluating potential development proposals within the context of a shared vision may have enabled us to avoid community controversy.

Early this year, the council identified strategic planning as a priority. As a community and economic development partner, the Chamber offers both resources and support to encourage the City Council to join with others and to move forward with a planning process that emulates the Forward Sioux Falls model.

After all, the entire North Iowa region relies upon the economic health and well-being of Mason City.

Regional momentum and synergy are gaining acceptance and participation. We are in dire need of a cohesive plan for North Iowa that focuses on work force attraction and retention. The time is now.

One of the strengths of the Forward Sioux Falls model is the inclusive process. Their regional plan is continuously updated and resources are aligned with specific strategies. The buy-in is so significant that personnel changes in community and civic roles dont impact the program of work.

The Forward Sioux Falls plan is updated annually, and a new long-term plan is developed every five years using the same disciplined approach.

The North Iowa Corridor EDC is well-positioned to lead this regional initiative. We support its efforts to convene a steering committee and partners from throughout North Iowa to ensure the focus remains on work force attraction and retention. After all, work force is the essential economic development incentive.

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and its more than 650 member businesses, we encourage the council to act now and join this effort as a lead partner.

We stand ready to assist in a process that will create an informed path toward population growth, prosperity and competitive position for the entire North Iowa region.
A generation of trade liberalisation as we know it is over, says Shashi Tharoor, a leading Indian political and international figure, visiting New Zealand today.

However, the trend against globalisation is a western phenomenon, not matched in developing economies, he says.

A guest of the India Trade Alliance for a series of meetings in Auckland, Tharoor told BusinessDesk he believes a bilateral free trade agreement between New Zealand and India is possible, but that trade liberalisation as we knew it for a generation is over following the Brexit vote and Donald Trumps presidential win in the US on an anti-globalisation ticket.

Bilateral or sub-regional agreements might supplant them (multi-country FTAs), he said, claiming India was very keen on the potential for the ASEAN-led proposal for an alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

I think New Zealand and India will be able to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement, since a global or even trans-Pacific one is not likely to happen in the foreseeable future, said Tharoor, a former United Nations deputy secretary-general, former Cabinet minister in Indian governments led by the Congress Party, but who is no longer a member of the governing party of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tharoor remains influential as chair of the Indian Parliaments external relations committee and because of his international experience and deep connections to some of Indias wealthiest entrepreneurs, including Infosys founder Nandan Nilekani, who visited New Zealand early last year.

His comments come as Prime Minister John Key prepares to travel to the annual APEC leaders summit in Lima, Peru, later this week, where the likely demise of TPP following Trumps win last week will be discussed. Key led a trade mission to India last month where Modi agreed to inject life back into stalled FTA discussions with New Zealand.

The Chinese president, Xi Xin Ping, who will attend the APEC summit, late last week began talking up the prospects of an Asia-Pacific trade agreement that excludes the US, following Trumps election and the widespread expectation that TPP will now either be abandoned or lie dormant ahead of a renegotiation intended to meet Trumps belief the trade and investment pact is a weak one for the US.

Unlike TPP, RCEP and the proposed Free Trade Area of the Pacific proposal, could be expected to include China and India.

India and other developing countries have benefited from globalisation, which has contributed to overall economic growth, the reduction of poverty and a general rise in living standards.

While there were always critics, they do not have an important audience either in the government or the mass media and India  once highly protectionist  was moving to opening up its trade with other countries, although rising protectionist sentiment could prompt reversals.

Seeing others adopt the very policies we had begun to abandon could prompt some to apply the brakes, he said, expressing concern also about the rise of opposition to migration from developing to developed economies.

The closing or even tightening of borders is very unwelcome indeed, said Tharoor. We cant have a world in which rich countries insist on the unrestricted flow of capital across borders, but labour-providing countries find their human resources cant cross in the other direction.

Tharoor said also that an India-UK FTA, which could emerge as Britain prepares to leave the European Union and create new global trading relationships, could potentially expand to include other Commonwealth countries.

While India is certainly contemplating a bilateral free trade agreement with post- Brexit Britain, we would certainly be open to joining negotiations on a Commonwealth Free Trade Area, should that emerge as a viable alternative to the EU for Britain, he said.

The Trump presidency was likely to stymie global action on climate change and discourage countries, such as India, that have lagged in committing to action, to remain on the sidelines.

President-elect Trump says he doesnt believe climate change is a real problem. I cant see any administration he leads either supporting environmental targets or credibly pressing other countries to adhere to them.

Writing for the Project-Syndicate website last week, Tharoor also suggested that the American capacity to project soft power through diplomacy, trade and global socio-political influence  already on the wane - would be damaged by the Trump presidency.

He encouraged New Zealand businesses to use the large expatriate Indian community as a gateway to doing business in India, where there was a huge consumer market.

I believe there are no no-go areas and nothing need be seen as too har, he said. Opportunities exist across the board  we have a vast consumer market for every conceivable product youd like to offer Indians, from mutton to wool and butter to beer.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Its understood there has been a settlement of a compensation claim brought by the receivers of collapsed finance company Capital + Merchant against trustee Perpetual Trust just before a High Court trial on the matter was due to be heard in Auckland.

High Court staff said a settlement had been reached in the case that was set down for this morning though neither of the parties involved could be reached for comment.

Receiver KordaMentha filed an action claiming $94 million in damages against the trustee and law firm Stace Hammond in 2013 alleging breach of contract and negligence and are paying for it through litigation funder, Australian-based Litigation Services.

The receiver has since reached a settlement with the law firm for an undisclosed sum with the payment being held in trust pending the outcome of the Perpetual case and has previously said the current trial is the only remaining potential avenue of recovery for investors.

Perpetual said in its annual accounts that the firm had lodged a claim with its insurer and the directors were confident the companys exposure (if any), whether by settlement or adverse award, is not expected to exceed the limit of the companys insurance. They said it was impossible for directors to make a reliable estimate of the likely cost.

Capital + Merchant collapsed in 2007 owing more than 7,000 investors $167 million. The finance companys former auditor BDO Spicers has already agreed to an $18.5 million settlement with the firms liquidator, the Official Assignee. In their latest report in August, the receivers said they were closer to making a distribution of $10 million, their share of the BDO Spicers payout, after settling some claims with first-ranking creditor Fortress Credit Corp and Perpetual Trust.

Perpetual Trust was owned by Pyne Gould Corp at the time of the financier's demise but the trustee business has since been sold to interests associated with Andrew Barnes and is now part of the Perpetual Guardian Group that is planning to list in Australia and New Zealand by the end of this year in a $150 million initial public offering.

Former Capital + Merchant directors Wayne Douglas and Neal Nicholls and chief executive Owen Tallentire were jailed for fraud in 2012 for what the Court of Appeal later called theft on a grand scale.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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The New Zealand dollar fell to its lowest level in about a month after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Seddon left two people dead, triggered tsunami warnings and damaged buildings as far north as Wellington.

The kiwi fell to 70.88 US cents as at 8am in Wellington, from 71.26 cents in late New York trading on Friday. The trade-weighted index fell to 76.97 from 77.21.

The quake cut off the town of Hanmer Springs, cut power in centres including Kaikoura, blocked roads and closed office buildings in Wellington. PM John Key said Civil Defence officials are to meet at 9am this morning for an update of the damage, while traders at Bank of New Zealand and ANZ Bank said activities were disrupted at their Wellington headquarters. There have been some 50 aftershocks since the major quake at just after midnight.

"The kiwi was under pressure against the US dollar last week but this morning it is all about the earthquake," said Philip Borkin, senior economist at ANZ Bank New Zealand. "Until we get greater clarity I think the bias will remain to the downside." Until then, it wasn't clear if the latest quakes would have the economic impact of the Christchurch quakes or amount to a minor shutdown in Wellington, he said. "Markets don't like uncertainty."

The local currency fell to 75.54 yen from 75.99 yen on Friday in New York. It fell to 93.84 Australian cents from 94.35 cents and declined to 4.8235 yuan from 4.8521 yuan. The kiwi dropped to 56.21 British pence from 56.52 pence and slipped to 65.42 euro cents from 65.62 cents.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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2016 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #46

Posted on 13 November 2016 by John Hartz

A Blow to the Gut... A Response... Toon of the Week... La Nina Update... Graphic of the Week... SkS in the News... SkS Spotlights... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... 97 Hours of Consensus...

A Blow to the Gut...

Donald Trump is seeking quick ways of withdrawing from a global agreement to limit climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying widening international backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the U.S. President-elect was chosen, governments ranging from China to small island states have reaffirmed support for the 2015 Paris Agreement at 200-nation climate talks running until Nov. 18 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Trump, who has called global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to the source, who works on Trump's transition team for international energy and climate policy.

"It was reckless for the Paris agreement to enter into force before the election" on Tuesday, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Paris Agreement won enough backing for entry into force on Nov. 4.

Trump looking at fast ways to quit global climate deal: source by Valerie Volcovici & Alister Doyle, Reuters, Nov 12, 2016

A Response...

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Bill, youve also said that the damage from this election will be measured in geologic time.

BILL McKIBBEN: Thats right. The Trump presidency comes at a moment when we could least afford it. Its not like we were winning the climate battle before, you know, but we were beginning to make at least a little progress. There was beginning to be the kind of ramp-up of renewable and clean energy in this country and around the world. The world managed a year ago at Paris to do something, anyway, for the first time, about climate change. Now were going to hit not a pothole, but a ditch in the road. And its not as ifI mean, the thing to remember about climate change is its not as if we can just pick up four years from now where we left off. Physics is our enemy, and it imposes a difficult time limit here. We dont have any more presidential terms to waste. So were going to have to figure out, as a nation and, maybe more importantly, as a planet, how to work around Trump, to one degree or another.

Bill McKibben: Trump's Presidency Comes When the Warming World Can Least Afford It by Nermeen Shaikh & Amy Goodman, Democarcy Now!, Nov 10, 2016

Toon of the Week...

La Nina Update...

After a few months of on-again, off-again prospects for a La Nina in 2016-17, NOAA pulled the trigger on Thursday. In its monthly El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion issued on Thursday, NOAA placed its alert system into La Nina Advisory mode. A La Nina Advisory means that La Nina conditions are now present and expected to continue--in this case, through winter 2016-17.

Weak La Nina Expected to Persist into 2017 by Bob Henson, WonderBlog, Weather Underground, Nov 11, 2016

Graphic of the Week...

Schematic summary of the dominant observed variations in the cryosphere. [Credit: fig 4.25 from IPCC (2013) ].

While the first week of COP22  the climate talks in Marrakech  is coming to an end, the recent election of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States casts doubt over the fate of the Paris Agreement and more generally the global fight against climate change.

In this new political context, we must not forget about the scientific evidence of climate change! Our figure of the week, today summarises how climate change affects the cryosphere, as exposed in the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2013, chapter 4)

Image of the Week  Climate Change and the Cryosphere by Sophie Berger, Cryosphere Division, EGU Blogs, Nov 11, 2016

SkS in the News...

Climate Change: Interview with Dr. (Ben) Santer by Jeff Garberson, The Independent (Alameda County, CA), includes the following exchange:

Q. Are there good resources for members of the public to become more knowledgeable about climate?

A. I recommend three. First, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the UK Royal Society produced a document called Climate Change: Evidence and Causes. Next, an Australian, John Cook, has a website called Skeptical Science with beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of discussion. And finally, the Third National Climate Assessment issued by the U.S. in 2014. Any and all of these are excellent resources.

Climate sciences long history mattersand so does the history of news reporting about it by Steven T. Corneliussen (Physics Today) includes:

Revkin isnt alone in seeking to fill out the picture of public discussion of climate sciences longand painstakingly establishedhistory. In 2007, science historian Naomi Oreskes contributed a Washington Post op-ed headlined The long consensus on climate change. Spencer Weart of the American Institute of Physics engages the issue in The Discovery of Global Warming, his hypertext history of how scientists came to (partly) understand what people are doing to cause climate change. In 2015, a Science magazine editorial examined the symposium Climate Science, 50 Years Later, as did the blog Skeptical Science.

The third link embedded in the above is to the SkS article, Scientists warned the US president about global warming 50 years ago today by Dana Nuccitelli.

SkS Spotlights...

International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

ICBA is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Originally focused on the problems of salinity and using saline water for irrigated agriculture, ICBA has evolved over the years into a world-class modern research facility with a team of international scientists conducting applied research and development to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in marginal and saline environments.

In 2013, the Center developed a new strategic direction that takes innovation as a core principle and the Center's multi-pronged approach to addressing the closely linked challenges of ensuring water, environment, income, and food security, includes research innovations in the assessment of natural resources, climate change adaptation, crop productivity and diversification, aquaculture and bio-energy and policy analysis.

Currently, ICBA is working on a number of technology developments, including the use of conventional and non-conventional water (such as saline, treated wastewater, industrial water, agricultural drainage, and seawater), water and land management technologies and remote sensing and modeling for climate change adaptation.

Improving the generation and dissemination of knowledge is an important strategic objective of ICBA and the Center is focusing on establishing itself as a knowledge hub on sustainable management and use of marginal resources for agricultural production and environmental protection in marginal and saline environments. With the help of its partners, ICBA innovates, builds human capital, and encourages learning that is fundamental to change.

Coming Soon on SkS...

On Trump and climate, America is split in two by these demographics (Dana)

(Dana) US election: Climate scientists react to Donald Trumps victory (Carbon Brief Staff)

(Carbon Brief Staff) What President Trump means for the future of energy and climate (Mark Barteau)

(Mark Barteau) Global weirding Episode 5 (Katharine Hayhoe)

(Katharine Hayhoe) Guest Post (John Abraham)

(John Abraham) 2016 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47 (John Hartz)

(John Hartz) 2016 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Waming Digest #47 (John Hartz)

Poster of the Week...

SkS Week in Review...

97 Hours of Consensus...

Jennifer Francis' bio page

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Agree
De La Calle said some of the modifications made were related to transitional justice, punishment for conflict participants accused of war crimes, and reparations for the victims, points of contention with opponents of the original deal. The negotiator added that details of how and where rebels would serve time for any crimes committed had been cleared up. Judgments for drug trafficking will be in accordance with Colombia's penal code and be heard by the country's high courts. He said further details would be released later.
A Canberra man launched legal action against his former fiancee in a bid to recoup the money he'd spent on her engagement ring after their relationship broke down.

The man had first contacted the Melbourne woman and her parents with a view to marriage in late 2014 and they got engaged the following year.

The man asked for the woman to give back her engagement ring after their relationship soured.

But the pair's relationship soured, partly due to tensions over where they would live, and ended last October.

The man had asked his former fiancee to give back her engagement ring, as well as gifts from his parents, but he claimed the items were never returned.
EXCLUSIVE

More than 5500 workers dob in their bosses to the Australian Taxation Office every year for allegedly paying them "cash in hand".

ATO figures show that in 2015-16 there were 5573 people (up from 5535 the year before) who dobbed in their employer for paying them illegally through hidden "cash in hand" payments.

The allegations, made to the ATO via a public dob-in line, are in 95 per of cases made anonymously.
If there was to be an Australian prison in which no Aboriginal died in custody, Canberra's should have been it. Former chief minister Jon Stanhope, who championed the unpopular idea of building the jail, was intent on making it a place where the troubled and the broken would be given every chance, and support, to turn their lives around.

Mr Stanhope named the prison after 19th-century reformer Alexander Maconochie, an iconoclast from our colonial past who deserves greater recognition. At a time convicts were treated with sickening brutality and regularly died as a result, Lieutenant Maconochie offered them incentives to work, taught them to read and inspired them to live good lives. By effectively eliminating recidivism among Britain's "worst" criminals, he changed world thinking on incarceration.

Canberra's prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Credit:Rohan Thomson

In its eight years, Canberra's prison, which bears Lieutenant Maconochie's name, has fallen far short of the lofty goals Mr Stanhope set for it. The death of Aboriginal detainee Steven Freeman last year, not long after he was bashed brutally, and almost fatally, while inside the centre, is just one failing among many. The most obvious failure is the widespread drug use inside the jail and the resulting high levels of hepatitis C among prisoners. The most serious failure, however, given Mr Stanhope's hopes for what was to be the world's first human-rights-focused prison, is the apparent collapse of its rehabilitation efforts.

The findings of Philip Moss's independent report on Freeman's treatment, released last week, were limited due to the pending coronial inquiry. But they suggest that oversights in Freeman's care, and perhaps his death, were preventable. Mr Moss noted: "Rather than the originally intended 30 hours per week, detainees [said] they would have up to one to two hours of programs, education or employment a week ... The lack of a structured day inevitably leads to boredom, which invites the possibility and added risk of detainees using illegal drugs."
Pauline Hanson has sometimes given this country a scare, notably in 1996 when she was elected to Parliament and this year when her One Nation Party won four Senate seats. But her American equivalent, Donald Trump, last week delivered a still sharper shock, inflicting the biggest election upset in living memory by winning the White House.

Like Hanson, Trump is a symptom of a wider political malaise: fear of globalisation and radical socio-economic change. Perhaps that's why Hanson herself cracked open a bottle of bubbles to celebrate last week's victory.

The twist is that many Australians on the centre-right spectrum also cheered on Trump. Cory Bernardi is hardly alone. I have many local mates who lionise The Donald: last Wednesday, while I was wiping the egg off my face at Channel 7 in Martin Place  like most so-called experts, I had long called a Hillary Clinton win  several friends celebrated the election result at a rugby club down the road. Some, such as former Liberal MP Ross Cameron, Spectator Australia editor Rowan Dean and News Limited columnist Miranda Devine, proudly predicted Trump's triumph. So, too, did my friend and former Labor leader Mark Latham, who admires Trump for defying the Washington cabal of media elites, defence hawks and identity politics zealots.

I fully understand why Latham, not to mention Hansonites and Palmerites, root for Trump. But why would people who barracked for mainstream centre-right politicians John Howard and Tony Abbott support a rude and lewd demagogue who's peddled conspiracy theories? A crass opportunist who from 1999 to 2011 changed political parties five times.
Apart from the pain, grief and suffering, road trauma costs NSW about $8 billion per annum. According to Transport for NSW, speed-related fatalities comprise 42 per cent of the deaths on our roads.

The shocking news uncovered by the Herald last week that up to 16 people have been killed in underused point-to-point speed camera zones since the cameras were installed, demands road safety be stripped from Roads Minister Duncan Gay's portfolio.

Road safety is the natural enemy of mobility. That the minister for mobility (roads) is one and the same minister for road safety is as absurd as the minister for mining being the minister for the environment.

The NSW government should let Gay do what he's good at: building roads. We should emulate the successful Victorian system by moving road safety to a separate ministry where there's an economic imperative to reduce road trauma.
The state government's $109 million plan to attack homelessness is a welcome initiative, particularly for the adult homeless, but it has a big blind spot. It fails to hit the target on the most tragic, yet most easily fixed aspect of youth homelessness.

In the past year more thanover 20,000 young people sought assistance from Victorian homeless services. Young people with backgrounds of state care feature the most heavily in these statistics. According to Swinburne University's national youth homeless survey, more than 60 per cent of homeless young people are from a background of out-of-home care. A further 35 per cent will have five or more places of abode within the first 12 months of exiting state care.

People sleeping rough in Melbourne. Credit:Wayne Taylor

These are young people whose childhoods have been blighted and disrupted by family breakdown, abuse or trauma. They live under the care of the state in foster care, kinship care or residential care until they are 18. But then they are "evicted" by the state. Subsidies for their place of care are cut off, they lose their case worker, and any state service they were receiving in care all disappears. They are on their own to fend for themselves regardless of their readiness and before they have the financial, emotional and domestic skills needed to live independently

It is little wonder they cope poorly. Current evidence shows that within 12 months of leaving state care 50 per cent will be unemployed, in jail, homeless or a new parent.
Robert Vaughn, an Oscar-nominated actor who portrayed a suave spy in the 1960s television series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and who had a secondary career as a political activist and scholar of writers and actors blacklisted as a result of the midcentury communist scare, died on November 11 at a hospice in Danbury, Connecticut. He was 83.

The cause was acute leukemia, said his manager Matthew Sullivan.

Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) in cult TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

From 1964 to 1968, Vaughn was one of the most recognisable stars in Hollywood, playing Napoleon Solo in the NBC spy spoof The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The character was developed by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, as something of a small-screen Bond.

Darkly handsome, with a prominent chin and a distinctive, cultivated voice, Vaughn starred alongside David McCallum, playing the Russian spy Illya Kuryakin. Together, they were an international crime-fighting duo defying Cold War convention in a tongue-in-cheek series that was one of the most popular shows of its time.
Had Hillary Clinton triumphed in the US presidential election last week, this deal would be hailed as a win-win.

The Turnbull government has struck a deal to resettle in the US up to 1800 refugees held on Nauru and Manus Island.

While details are scant and timing uncertain, the potential is there for the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea to be closed, as that nation's Supreme Court has demanded. The chances are that Australia will also strike a deal with Nauru for 20-year visas for those who decline US resettlement or are not deemed refugees. Hope is high that refugee children will never be in Australian-overseen detention again. And Labor is likely to back the plan, meaning the High Court here will be less of a threat.

The agreement might even involve a people swap from US-overseen refugee camps in Costa Rica which were established to deter asylum seekers and illegal migrants from trying to enter the US through unofficial channels. In effect Australia would be swapping South American land people for Middle Eastern and Asian boat people, with little change in the total refugee intake for both countries.

How ironic, though, that Mr Trump holds in his hands the fate of many Central American migrants and Muslim refugees. Given his harsh rhetoric against both, the US-Australia deal must be on shaky ground. Indeed, even if Mr Trump accepted the Obama-Turnbull deal, any raising of the security checks on refugees entering the US might mean far fewer were resettled. The process will be extended and vexed.

Still, the Herald has called for such resettlement deals under the auspices of the United Nations. Resettlement is as important to a deterrent refugee policy as humane conditions in  and independent scrutiny of  offshore centres.

How ironic, though, that the Coalition has struck this deal when under Tony Abbott it opposed Labor's agreements with Malaysia in 2011 and subsequently expressed regret for doing so.
For 23-year old Walid Zazai and his friend, Zubair Khan, also 23, Sunday morning inside the Manus Island detention centre brought something into their lives that had been missing for nearly three years: hope.

It didn't last long. The two friends, one from Pakistan and the other from Afghanistan, had, like others at the camp, heard news of a deal cut by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to allow a one-off transfer of asylum-seekers from Manus Island and Nauru to the USA. It seemed a longed-for chance at new life.

But then came the letdown, the two men told Fairfax Media by phone on Sunday. An official whom they believed to be from the Australian Border Force told them only some of the Manus men would get the ticket out to the US. (There are no asylum-seeker families left on Manus, only single males).

And for those who got the golden ticket, no-one could tell them how long it would take.
Trump's first major interview as president-elect is coming up on CBS's 60 Minutes. Trump insists he will build the wall although concedes it could be fence in some parts. He's also said he will immediately deport or imprison two to three million illegal immigrants living in the United States. [Emily Schultheis/CBS News] Now we might not quibble about the difference between a wall and a fence if they did the same job. But Trump would. 2. The Australian reaction Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle earlier this year.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull doubts Trump will rescind the deal he personally began negotiating with Barack Obama back in January to resettle in the US hundreds of asylum-seekers languishing on Nauru and Manus Island. [My report/Fairfax] Great piece by Deborah Snow, who examines the reaction of the asylum-seeker community, who have lived without any hope of freedom for so long. [The Sydney Morning Herald] In some bitter irony, Daniel Meers reports that the government is negotiating with Malaysia to take refugees the United States doesn't accept. (How many the US will take is unclear). Yes, that's the same Malaysia Labor struck a people-swap deal with while in government; which the Coalition rejected. [Daily Telegraph] The UNCHR backs the US deal. It isn't directly involved but it wants a solution for all on Nauru and Manus Island, not just those already recognised as refugees. [Naomi Woodley/ABC] Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. Credit:Andrew Meares

And with an insight into the PM's thinking, Laura Tingle writes Malcolm Turnbull wanted to make clearing the detention centres a top priority and began working on it immediately after taking over from Tony Abbott. [Financial Review] The policy solution is a credit to Turnbull and the first and hugely reassuring sign that he was actually working up a better plan for the country all that time he was waiting to take on Abbott. "For all the talk about Turnbull being Tony Abbott in a nicer suit, this has been Turnbull's project," writes Michael Gordon. [The Age] Meanwhile, back to Trump, the attack on the media is not just confined to the US. Abbott has slammed the ABC after a number of high-profile presenters criticised Trump, a candidate who was exposed as bragging about grabbing women by the you know where. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and the conservative Senator Eric Abetz, who was dumped by Turnbull, also joined in on the attack. [The Australian] "Donald Trump is good for fossil fuels, good for steel and good for Australia" and could be worth a $10 billion boost to the budget via soaring iron prices, Resources Minister Matt Canavan claims. [David Uren/The Australian]

Uh-oh. Guess who is suddenly sounding a lot like Trump? Bill Shorten, says a worried business sector. [Financial Review] Australia should not walk away from its alliance with the US, but we will need to be more sceptical of American policies and actions than in recent decades, argues former foreign minister Gareth Evans. [The Australian] An excellent piece by Tom Switzer, former advisor to Brendan Nelson when he was opposition leader, on Trump. Switzer correctly identifies support within the Australian Liberal Party for Trump coalescing around the fight against political correctness. [Fairfax] Ross Gittins on why the Yanks are "stoopid" to be attacking cheap Chinese imports is also a good read. [Fairfax] 3. (The rest of) Australian politics

One Nation adviser James Ashby. Credit:Andrew Meares "My reflexes are pretty good for an old chick." God bless Australian politics. James Jeffrey has this remarkable story about the controversial One Nation staffer, James Ashby (yes, that James Ashby who used to work for the Liberals and took Peter Slipper, the former Speaker to court for sexual harassment), allegedly throwing his phone at a fellow staffer working for West Australian One Nation Senator Rod Culleton (who is facing High Court action over his own eligibility to sit in the Parliament.) Ashby now works for Pauline Hanson and is credited for her much savvier handling of the role second time around, including her adept use of social media. This flare-up confirms suspicions that all is not well within the minor party, despite the considerable power they wield on the Senate crossbench. [The Australian] Paul Keating does not support constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians but a treaty instead. An important and surprising development, given Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and the Labor party supports recognition. [Troy Bramston/The Australian] Attorney-General George Brandis has criticised the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia for using its scarce funds to go after News Corp cartoonist Bill Leak under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. The same organisation is set to have its funding slashed by $800,000 next year. [The Australian] The $2.5 billion emissions reduction fund is running out of money. This is one of the Coalition's main drivers in reducing carbon emissions in the absence of a price on carbon. [Mark Ludlow/Financial Review]

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge. Credit:Kirk Gilmour Human Services Minister Alan Tudge is working on a digital portal for students receiving government assistance to complete all their transactions online so they don't have to visit the dreaded Centrelink office. In 2000 this might have been a nice story' but in 2016, it's a reminder of how embarrassing and painfully slow dealing with the arms of government can be. [Laura Tingle/Financial Review] Keep an eye on NSW politics this week. After suffering a Trump-style loss to the Shooters and Fishers party in the byelection in Orange, the Deputy Premier Troy Grant is likely to face a leadership spill in the Nationals' partyroom on Tuesday. [Sean Nicholls/The Sydney Morning Herald] 4. Huge earthquake in NZ WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 14: after an earthquake on November 14, 2016 in Wellington, New Zealand. The 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck 20km south-east of Hanmer Springs at 12.02am and triggered tsunami warnings for many coastal areas. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) Credit:Getty Images/Hagen Hopkins

Two people are dead after the quake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, struck just after midnight local time 23 kilometres deep south-east of Hamner springs. [Live Blog/Fairfax] A tsunami warning was issued for the entire South island and then for the entire east coast. [Fairfax] 5. British politics President elect Donald Trump with UKIP's Nigel Farage at Trump Tower. Credit:Twitter @Nigel_Farage ... is in a tizz over Nigel Farage's meeting with the president-elect. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn says Trump needs to "grow up" when it comes to immigration. [BBC]

6. The war in Iraq An image taken from a video made available by jihadist media allegedly shows members of Islamic State destroying a stone slab at what they said was the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in northern Iraq. Credit:File Another gain for Iraqi forces, backed by the global coalition. Iraqi troops have recaptured the ancient city of Nimrud, which was taken by Islamic State two years ago. [Reuters] And that's it from me today  you can follow me on Facebook for more.
A "one-off" bilateral agreement that will see some refugees on Manus Island and Nauru resettle in the United States lacks detail and leaves many questions unanswered, refugee advocates say.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced the deal on Sunday morning that will see the 1800 detainees encouraged to return home, seek resettlement in the US or face an indefinite stay in the Nauruan community.

Human Rights Law Centre director of legal advocacy Daniel Webb has said the government's plan to settle refugees in the US is lacking in detail. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Women, children and families on Nauru would be a priority. But there is no certainty the agreement would be upheld by President-elect Donald Trump who has suggested a ban on all Muslim immigration.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Melbourne, representatives from five different organisations slammed the arrangement as "policy on the run".
Eight years in the making, the giant Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal between Australia, the US and 10 other regional powers is as good as dead after the Obama administration walked away from its plan to put it before the "lame duck" Congress ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as president.

Controversial in Australia because it would allow US-headquartered corporations to sue Australian governments in extraterritorial tribunals and entrench pharmaceutical monopolies and copyright rules, the TPP was the subject of a last-minute plea by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to president-elect Donald Trump in their 15-minute phone conversation on Thursday.

It has been signed by each of the member countries - Australia, the US, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam - but ratified by none.

Other members including Australia were waiting for a decision from the US because the rules require ratification by members accounting for 85 per cent of the the agreement's gross domestic product, meaning it can't come into force without the US as the other members combined have only 43 per cent.
Two stars of the TV series Silicon Valley, which airs in Australia on The Comedy Channel, were allegedly attacked by supporters of Donald Trump in the days following the US election.

Kumail Nanjiani and co-star Thomas Middleditch - both vocal opponents of the president elect - have recounted an unpleasant encounter with his supporters in a bar over the weekend.

Nanjiani documented the run in on Twitter.

"Was at a bar last night with [Middleditch]. At the end of the night, two white dudes, 20's, who'd been there for hours came up to us," he wrote. "'We're big fans of you guys. (To Thomas) I trolled you on Twitter yesterday.'"
Faced with a president they probably didn't vote for, Twitter users have found solace in an unlikely place: Barack Obama and Joe Biden's friendship.

Since the president and his VP met with their successors, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, on Thursday, social media has been awash with imagined scenarios between the pair, as they prepare to hand over the keys to the White House.

The memes, which have been popping up on Twitter and Facebook, feature Biden thinking of pranks he and Obama could pull on Trump.

"Obama: Did you replace all the toiletries with travel size bottles? Biden: He's got tiny hands Barack, I want him to feel welcome here," one reads.
Amnesty International and Wesley Mission have been dragged into the wages scandal around charity fundraising after a court found a marketing company used by the charities paid its collectors well below the minimum wage.

Marketing company Australian Sales and Promotions Pty Ltd and its sole director Paul Ainsworth, were forced to pay $124,000 in penalties Friday after the Federal Circuit Court found the company used complicated employment structures to avoid paying employees the minimum wage.

The company was found to have breached sham contracting laws by hiring staff as independent contractors, allowing them to sidestep standard minimum wages and workplace conditions.

The firm had been previously penalised $23,000 for similar conduct in 2013 when it underpaid five sales workers more than $9000 and mis-classifying them as contractors.
Sydneysiders excited for the much-hyped "supermoon" may be forced to live vicariously through their interstate friends, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting low visibility on Monday night.

Anticipation has been high for the moon's biggest and brightest display in nearly 70 years, with a similar showing not expected until November 25, 2034.



But BOM forecaster Sarah Chadwick said sky watchers in Sydney would likely be left hoping for an occasional gap in the clouds  at least until midnight.

"It looks like there's going to be a layer of cloud from a couple of thousand feet above the surface, to a bit higher than that, so it is going to be reasonably cloudy," Ms Chadwick said. "You might be lucky and get a couple of breaks but I'm thinking the odds are against you."

Other parts of NSW have a better outlook, with Weatherzone meteorologist Drew Casper-Richardson saying viewing conditions should be better in the north and far west.
The police search for the body of missing man Matthew Leveson, who disappeared nine years ago, ended its fourth day with no new evidence of the remains.

Bulldozing by police began early on Sunday morning in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, clearing out dense bushland and dirt just metres from the main road.

Matthew's brother, Jason Leveson, lashed out at the media, yelling "vultures" as photographers and television crew followed a woman placing flowers at the entrance to the crime scene in the afternoon.

Matthew vanished in September 2007 after a night out at Sydney's ARQ nightclub with his then-boyfriend Michael Atkins, who was charged and later acquitted of his murder two years later.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party declared "a win for the deplorables" in the Orange byelection as the swing against the Nationals threatened leader Troy Grant.

The SFF candidate Philip Donato hoped preferences distributed from the Labor party would be enough for him to eventually overcome the Nationals 69-year hold on the seat.

"We are a real alternative to the National party," Mr Donato, a police prosecutor, said on Sunday. Whatever the result, he said "the message to Macquarie Street is clear: Orange deserves better."

The Nationals held the seat on a 21 per cent margin going into the election but candidate Scott Barrett was only slightly ahead in the primary vote as counting continued on Sunday. Some booths recorded swings of more than 60 per cent.
A man and woman found dead in a Gold Coast home unit were heavily tattooed former Bandido bikie Bronson Ellery, known to police as "Lizard Man", and his ex-girlfriend, according to reports.

The bodies of the pair were discovered at a home in Southport on Friday afternoon.

A man and woman found dead in a Gold Coast home unit were heavily tattooed former Bandido bikie Bronson Ellery, known to police as "Lizard Man", and his ex-girlfriend, according to reports. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Police say can't comment on the identities of the victims, whether or not they knew each other or if either was known to them.

However, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports the two were Ellery, 24, and his ex- girlfriend, 20-year-old Shelsea Schilling.
Costumes of all shapes and sizes were on display in Queensland on Saturday as Supanova took over the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

From students and a teachers' aid to a professional costume designer and even a forensic mortuary technician - people from far and wide gathered to celebrate their love of pop culture.

Georgie Collins, left, and Niamh Bell at Supernova in Brisbane. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Supa-star guests included Nathan Fillion (Richard Castle - Castle), Lucy Hale (Aria Montgomery - Pretty Little Liars), Carice van Houten (Melisandre - Game of Thrones) and Michelle Gomez (Missy - Doctor Who).

With Donald Trump making headlines across the globe, Brisbane Times thought a topical question would be which superhero or supervillian Donald Trump most resembles and what superpower should the President-elect possess?
There appears to be a missing link between what the economists are telling us about the strength of the economy and what statistics are saying in terms of the rate of business failures  and the faltering life of new businesses.

Dun and Bradstreet's latest analysis of new and failed businesses for the third quarter of 2016 offers some worrying statistics for the small business sector  failures across Australia soared in the three months to September.

Karen Lawson, CEO of corporate start-up accelerator Slingshot.

The survey says the number of business failures rose 11 per cent in Q3 2016 compared to the same period last year, and was up 42 per cent on the previous quarter.

"The number of new businesses declined 2.3 per cent on the previous year, and 13.7 per cent on Q2 2016," D&B says.
Wyndham Vale recorded the most murders in Victoria over the past year, more bikes than cars were stolen in Fitzroy and Lorne saw a sixfold increase in rape.

Kew recorded an eightfold increase in fraud during the year from April 2015 to March 2016, Frankston had the most sexual offences against children, while Broadmeadows accounted for almost half of all deliberately lit bushfires in Victoria.

And Kalorama, just north of Mount Dandenong, earned the mantle of Melbourne's safest suburb, with just 10 offences over the past year.

Today, Fairfax Media launches an interactive crime map that provides the most comprehensive information on criminal offending in every Victorian postcode over the past five years.
The latest violent incident at Perth's juvenile detention centre - the 10th in less than two-and-a-half months - has prompted the prison officers' union to blame it on the introduction of a rehabilitation program imported from the US.

Seven detainees were involved - three who jumped out of a window trying to escape - causing an estimated $350,000 to $400,000 trashing their unit on Saturday afternoon.

Banksia Hill is WA's only youth detention centre. Credit:ABC News Perth

Guards used flash bombs and chemical spray to control rioting detainees.

The youths barricaded themselves in, removed bricks from walls and threw them at staff, broke every reinforced glass window and pulled panelling and cabling out of the ceiling, says the Community and Public Sector Union.
Paris: France has marked the anniversary of terrorist attacks on Paris with a sombre silence, broken only by voices reciting the names of the 130 slain, and the son of the first person to die stressing the importance of integration.

Michael Dias lauded the lessons his father Manuel, an immigrant from Portugal, taught him so youth can integrate instead of turning themselves into "cannon fodder".

Under heavy security, President Francois Hollande unveiled a plaque outside the Stade de France "in memory of Manuel Dias", pulling away a French flag covering it on a wall at one of the entrances to the French national stadium, where Mr Dias was killed on November 13 last year by a suicide bomber.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo joined the president six other sites where crowds ate, drank or revelled in music at the Bataclan concert hall.
Washington: Two of President-elect Donald Trump's closest advisers dismissed the thousands of people protesting his election victory as "professional" rabble-rousers and called on President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to intervene.

"I'm not sure these are even Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama supporters," former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Sunday on ABC's This Week, citing an incident in which people were "banging on my car."

"These people are, you know, kind of like professional protesters more."

Senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on Fox News Sunday that Obama, Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders and others should "come forward and ask for calm and ask for a peaceful transition, and ask their supporters which are masquerading as protesters now - many of them professional and paid by the way, I'm sure - ask them to give this man a chance so that this country can flourish."
During a phone call with donors on Saturday, Hillary Clinton said FBI Director James Comey was to blame for her loss to Donald Trump.

Speaking with donors who had raised over $100,000 for her presidential bid, Clinton said that her campaign was irreperably damaged by the two letters sent to Congress by Comeythe first, announcing that the FBI had found, but had yet to read new emails relating to their investigation of Clinton's private server; and the second, which came a week later and said that, gee, nothing to see here, those were just duplicates personal emails and nothing has changed.

According to Politico, Clinton told her donors that the second letter, which was sent just three days before the election, did more damage than the first. After the first letter was sent, her numbers took a serious hit but reboundedbut the second letter, which once again exonerated her, convinced some Trump supporters that their candidate's allegations of corruption and a rigged election were true.

"There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful," Clinton said, according to one of her donors who relayed her comments to the New York Times. "Our analysis is that Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum.

An internal campaign memo with polling data obtained by the Times says that "there is no question that a week from Election Day, Secretary Clinton was poised for a historic win," but that "late-breaking developments in the race"i.e., Comey's interventionproved one hurdle too many for us to overcome.

Senior Justice Department officials reportedly tried to stop Comey from telling Congress about new developments in the investigation, arguing that it was a violation of department policy regarding commenting on ongoing investigations and would make him appear to be meddling in the election. Comey himself told staffers, in an internal letter, that he was worried about creating "a misleading impression" but that he believed his initial letter was necessary.

Nearly 100 former federal prosecutors, including Attorney General Eric Holder, penned an open letter to Comey in the aftermath of the first letter, calling his actions "inconsistent with prevailing Department policy."

Moreover, setting aside whether Director Comey's original statements in July were warranted, by failing to responsibly supplement the public record with any substantive, explanatory information, his letter begs the question that further commentary was necessary.

"We felt so good about where we were," Clinton told donors. "We just had a real wind at our back" before Comey's first letter co Congress.

"We lost with college-educated whites after leading with them all summer," Clinton spokesperson Brian Fallon told the Times. "Five more days of reminders about Comey, and they gravitated back to Trump."

Although many top Clinton donors acknowledge the devastating effect Comey's letters had on her campaign, some are also reportedly bitter that the Clinton campaign isn't taking more personal responsibility for their loss. An internal memo from April 2015 shows that Clinton strategists proposed intentionally cultivating extreme right-wing candidates like Trump and Ted Cruz, hoping to turn them into the new "mainstream wing of the Republican Party" in order to increase Clinton's appeal to moderate Republicans. This strategy clearly backfired.

The Clinton campaign relied heavily on celebrity endorsements to drive young voters to the polls, and its Latino outreach strategy largely hinged on hoping that the "Trump effect" would affect voters instead of canvassing, door-knocking, or television ads.

Democrats hardly ran ads in Wisconsin and Michigan, two states Clinton lost, and neglected the Rust Belt voters that flocked to Trump. Much of the campaign's strategy was based on erroneous data that suggested that young, black, Latino, and women voters would turn out for Clinton in higher numbers than they did.
Filmmaker Michael Moore joins the demonstrators during a protest against the election of Donald Trump on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower. Credit:AP Lincoln won only about 40 per cent of the popular vote and was not even on the ballot in some Southern states. Spontaneous protests broke out across the country after the Lincoln victory, Brinkley said. For many of those who have turned out for the current protests, it has been a kind of group therapy, and some seem to be cementing new, cross-sectional liberal coalitions. Ellen Marius, right, and Majo Orozco chant slogans as they demonstrate during a rally outside Trump Tower in New York. Credit:AP People with "Nasty Women" T-shirts have stood with signs that read "Climate change is real". Black Lives Matter protesters have marched alongside those proclaiming themselves "Undocumented and Unafraid".

Most of the gatherings have remained peaceful, but tempers have flared sporadically. Demonstrators burnt trash cans in Oakland on Wednesday night, and tried to block a highway on Thursday before the police intervened. Demonstrators chant slogans as they march up Fifth Avenue during a protest against the election of Donald Trump. Credit:AP In Portland on Thursday night, one marcher was shot, according to local reports. And after the protest there thinned out, dozens of people the police described as anarchists remained in the streets, clashing with officers. Car windows were smashed and smoke filled the air during what the police deemed a riot. A protester demonstrates in an anti-Trump protest against President-elect, Donald Trump. Credit:AP

But beyond the commotion in the streets, activists are pursuing strategies for what they think will be tumultuous times during a Trump administration. In Wisconsin, the Latino rights group Voces de la Frontera has scheduled forums to provide emotional support to Latinos and other minorities and to brainstorm ways to help immigrants fight policies that might hurt them. Cat Brooks, a co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project in Oakland, said her group and other leaders in the city were planning to raise money to provide direct services for social programs they feel certain will be cut under a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. They were making plans, for example, to find ways to offer diabetes testing and counselling if the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, is repealed. Ron Gochez, an organiser with Union del Barrio, an immigrants' rights group in Los Angeles, said it would gather community organisations to discuss what to do if mass deportations occurred.

It would also train undocumented immigrants to use their mobile phone cameras if immigration enforcement agents show up at their doors and would help people set up emergency phone lists so they could call neighbours if they are picked up for deportation proceedings. "It's not just saying that we're against Trump. We have to defend ourselves against the policies he's promising to create," he said. In New York on Saturday, protesters were quick to describe their motivations for marching. Fin Justin Ross, 20, a transgender man from New Jersey, said he had woken up about 3.30am on Saturday to pick up friends for the rally. "When Trump won, my first thought was I needed to go back into the closet," he said. Virginia Jimenez, 45, a Mexican-American from Long Island, said she came to the protest to show that "not all Mexicans are bad people", adding, "I raised three sons without asking for any handouts."

Lisa Harris, also of Long Island, spoke about her father, a Holocaust survivor. "I know hate," she said. Many protest leaders had supported Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary race and either did not vote or chose a third-party candidate in the general election, said Ben Becker, an organiser with the Answer Coalition, an anti-war and anti-racism activist group based in New York. Their anger, he said, had been exacerbated by the conciliatory tone shown to Trump by President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton after Clinton's defeat. More protests are planned for the coming days, and preparations are under way for a large demonstration at Trump's inauguration in January. Leaders from several black civil rights groups such as the National Action Network and the NAACP have been holding conference calls to form a legislative strategy, the Reverend Al Sharpton said. They plan to lobby Congress on criminal justice reform and expanding voting rights, highlighting what they believe are the negative effects of voter identification laws and reductions in early voting periods, Sharpton said.

They hope to use the stories of millions of newly insured Americans to highlight the devastating consequences of repealing the Affordable Care Act. They will fight any new stop-and-frisk policies in court, Sharpton said, and bring witnesses to congressional hearings to challenge cabinet appointments they see as questionable. Their efforts will kick off with a rally and a march in Washington for the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, just days before Trump is inaugurated, Sharpton said. "We're not going to go away and say, because we lost an election, that we, therefore, lost our right to stand up for civil rights and civil liberty," he said. "This, in many ways, we feel is bigger than one election." As the protest began to wane in Los Angeles, Jay Brown jnr, 42, surveyed the large group around him. Loading
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PHILIPSBURG:--- The three words I used as the heading for this article are well known to the French especially as they were keywords or a motto mentioned during the French revolution. I want to focus on the word fraternity or some might say brotherhood and whatever comes out of it. This brings me to the purpose for using it which is the action that was taken by the French authorities to invade Captain Olivers Restaurant and Marina and arresting the owner because of so-called outstanding taxes. Taxes to whom? I believe there is a real agenda which will come to light in due season. Now why did I mention fraternity or brotherhood? I would like to know who those persons were that invaded the Dutch side. One of the daily newspapers mentioned French authorities, therefore, I need to know if it was people who looked like you and me. And if they were people who looks like you and me, who authorize them to do so? My following statement might definitely not get any applause or maybe it might, and it has to do with the following: The Treaty of Concordia was signed by whom? It was signed on March 23, 1648, and you guessed it correctly, between the Dutch and the French. Our forefathers were slaves at the time so we had no input. The Franco-Dutch Treaty was signed by whom? It was signed on May 17, 1994, by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic. What input did we have? But still, there are many who hold them dear to their hearts. And that is their God given rights. I have heard of many MOUS= Memorandum of Understandings, Protocols and all kinds of agreements being signed over the years by our local governments. But what kind of validity do they have? There have been many incidents where there were disputes between the Northern and Southern sides, issues that had to do with; Law enforcement and public transportation just to name a few.

I am not privy to all the documentations that have been signed by the local governments but they have no legal basis as long as the colonial powers have the final decision. Where do we go from here? I would like to see a compilation of all those agreements that the local governments have accumulated put into one final document and sent to the United Nations Decolonization committee. Time is of the essence. There is no brotherhood when it comes to the Republic of France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, there is only domination in this 21first century for personal gratification. To my real brothers and sisters, I say let us not continue to fall into their traps because we are the real brotherhood. Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
PHILIPSBURG:--- That the NA and UP parties thumbed their noses at the people of St. Maarten/St. Martin on their day with their silly boycott is bad enough; that the Governor would fall for their silliness is highly questionable, but that the chairperson of Parliament, Mr. Claret Connor would compromise the office of Chairperson is regrettable.

The Chairperson of Parliament by law represents Parliament, not any faction or coalition of factions. The parliament of St. Maarten took NO decision to "boycott" the St. Maarten Day ceremonies and the Chairperson or his substitute should have been there in French Quarter, representing the Parliament of St. Maarten and by extension the people of St. Maarten.

Along with several other MPs, the Chairperson of Parliament just recently proudly displayed his participation certificate for the orientation training provided for especially incoming MPs.

Surely his duties as the representative of the Parliament must have been explained there. Still he chose to take sides and follow the new coalition's lead. Did he even RSVP and if so, what did he communicate to our counterparts on the French side? We hope it was not that the Parliament of St. Maarten declined the invitation, because we did not!

Democratic Party Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martins Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Hospitality students are going to host The Skys the Limit: USM takes on Europe Fundraising Gala on Saturday, December 10th 2016.

The students have been doing practical assignments for the past year including a Fundraising Barbeque for their Food and Beverage Course, internships at local hotels and now a Fundraising Gala for their Developing Manager Course to obtain their Associates Degree. While on their journey they are acquiring the skills needed to become a manager in the hospitality industry. The gala will take place at Rock House, Port-de-Plaisance, and will include a dinner, dance, silent auction and guest performance by St. Maartens well-known artist, Oswald.

The fundraising gala is themed The Skys The Limit: USM Takes On Europe, as they are planning to go on an educational trip to Europe in April 2017. The trip will afford every student the opportunity to explore and discover new cultures, experience the many different things the industry has to offer, as visitors and potential new faces of the St. Maarten Hospitality industry.

The students are greatly looking forward to making their gala a success to provide the necessary funds to be able to go on their European trip. Tickets are available at Van Dorp located in Madame Estate, as well by individual BTEC students for $100. Sponsorships and donations are welcomed to support the future hospitality professionals of St. Maarten. They can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1721-587-0156.
Westport, CT, USA  Locally based Alquimi Renewables announced today that it has successfully formalized an exclusive long-term licensing agreement with engineering firm Megalo Solutions Inc., of Phoenix Arizona, to supply and construct off-grid hydroponic solar greenhouses throughout the Caribbean and Latin America trade regions. Alquimi has also secured project financing sources who have dedicated US$300m towards the establishment of sixteen planned operations in the Caribbean alone. In addition, a major US grower company has agreed to manage all greenhouse operations.

The agreement appoints Alquimi Renewables as the exclusive project developer for the region utilizing the Megalo proprietary agricultural technologies employed in their commercial off-grid solar greenhouse systems. The technology represents the first engineered, hurricane resistant solar greenhouse system in the market, and will directly support much needed agricultural development across a region constantly threatened by high-risk climate conditions. The systems can also supply the electrical utility or other off-takers with up to 5-7MW of electricity generated from a typical 15-25 acre greenhouse site.

The Caribbean region (Cuba excepted) currently imports approximately US$1.3b of its annual fresh produce requirements from the US and other markets. The establishment of a series of commercial scale greenhouse growing systems, utilizing state-of-the-art solar energy generation, thermal storage technologies, and climate controlled hydroponic growing systems, will accelerate the displacement of this imported food bill and create the opportunity for the region to achieve self-sustainability in local food production. Substantial job creation, export opportunities, and agri-processing investment will stem immediately from these agricultural investments.

Alquimi plans to partner with existing commercial farmers in each location to help accelerate local indigenous crop production and provide access to supply chain relationships. The business model also includes working with learning institutions to help Grow More Farmers by bringing young people back to farming through new technologies.

Alquimi currently has four projects under development in the Caribbean, each comprising a minimum of 500,000 square feet of climate controlled solar powered greenhouse space, and eleven other operational sites under consideration through a strategic deployment plan across the region.

Were extremely excited about formalizing our relationship with the PowerGrow/Megalo team. says John Martin, Principal and Managing Partner of Alquimi. This will allow Alquimi to continue its strategic development of our technology based solar greenhouse projects across a broad region which has been consistently challenged by commercial grade food and energy production.
Dave Chappelle hosted his first Saturday Night Live last night and it was the post-election episode that we needed. During his excellent monologue, he said, "You know, I didn't know Donald Trump was going to win the election. I did suspect it. It seemed like Hillary was doing well in the polls, and yet I know the whites, you guys aren't as full of surprises as you used to be... America's done it, we've actually elected an internet troll as President.

During his 11-minute stand-up, Chappelle said, "The whites are furious... I haven't seen white people this furious since the O.J. verdict." He explained, "I'm not saying I'm enjoying it. I'm just saying I've never seen this before. I watched a white riot in Portland, Oregon on television the other night. The news said they did a million dollars of damage. Black people watching it are like, 'Amateurs.'"

He also pointed out there were huge problems in the country before the elections, like mass shootings. "There's more shootings than I can literally count. You can't even go to the goddamn zoo without seeing them shoot at things. They shot a gorilla at my local zoo!" Chappelle exlaimed. "And the Cincinnati police said shooting that gorilla was the toughest decision this department ever had to make. I said, 'Well, you about to see a lot of n----s in gorilla costumes in Cincinnati.'"

After sharing that his rich black friends want to leave the coutry, Chappelle admitted he was fine with hanging out and enjoying a Republican tax break. But he did say that President Obama did do a good job and recounted a BET musical event and party that he attended at the White House last month.

The last couple minutes of Dave Chappelle's #ChappelleOnSNL monologue. pic.twitter.com/PHyc2bbtay  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 13, 2016

Chappelle mentioned how it was all black people ("and Bradley Cooper for some reason"), "I saw how happy everybody was, these people who had been historically disenfranchised. And it made me feel hopeful. And it made me feel proud to be an American. And it made me very happy about the prospects of our country."

"So, in that spirit, Im wishing Donald Trump luck. And Im going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one, too," he said.

The next sketch was an election night returns watch party, which features (mostly) smug Hillary supporters slowly descending horror and reaching for Xanax. Chris Rock also showed up:

A theory on why voter turnout was not as expected. @chrisrock pic.twitter.com/9ln6e5zLcM  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 13, 2016

Some classic characters from Chappelle's Showcrackhead Tyrone Biggums; playa-haters Silky Johnston and Beautiful; Lil Jon; Chuck Taylor; and black and blind white supremacist Clayton Bigsbyappeared in a spoof of The Walking Dead. Leslie Jones headed a great digital short about her romantic life (and how she's going to deflower Kyle Mooney); Kate McKinnon played barfly Shelia Sauvage (she and Chappelle did make out, if you can call it that); the post-mortem of a bad SNL sketch got the post-sports game press conference; Vanessa Bayer spoke to kids about politics; and there was a gross-out sketch at ten-to-one.

A Tribe Called Quest performed "We the People and, with Busta Rhymes and Consequence, "The Space Program." There was also a banner of Phife Dawg onstage.

During his farewell, Chappelle thanked Lorne Michaels for helping him check something off his bucket list.
A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot
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A "supermoon" full moon rises over the U.S. Capitol Building in this NASA photo captured on July 31, 2015. The closest supermoon full moon since 1948 will rise on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.

November's full moon on Monday (Nov. 14) will be the biggest and brightest one since 1948, making it a great time to get outside and marvel at the lunar sight for stargazers around the world. But if it happens to be cloudy in your area, don't despair. You can still watch the so-called "supermoon" online in several live webcasts, starting tonight (Nov. 13).

The Full Beaver Moon of November is called the supermoon because the full phase is taking place at the moon's closest point in its orbit around the Earth, also called the perigee. NASA says the moon will appear slightly larger than a typical full moon, at about 15 percent larger. The moon won't look this large again until 2034. [Supermoon November 2016: When, Where & How to See It]

A comparison of the Moon at perigee (its closest to Earth, at left) and at apogee (its farthest from us). The change in distance makes the full Moon look 14% larger at perigee than at apogee. and nearly 30% brighter. (Image credit: Sky and Telescope, Laurent Laveder)

The first webcast here is from astronomy broadcasting service Slooh, which will start Sunday (Nov. 13) at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Monday, Nov. 14). You can also watch the supermoon live on Space.com, courtesy of Slooh. The show will take place live from Slooh's flagship observatory at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, where Slooh has telescopes operated by members.

During the broadcast, Slooh's chief astronomical officer Paul Cox and Bob Berman, astronomy editor for The Old Farmer's Almanac, will talk about how the full moon grows and shrinks throughout the year. Later, Janice Stillman -- the editor of The Old Farmer's Almanac -- will discuss history and folklore concerning the November full moon from Native American tribes and early American colonists.

Viewers can take part by commenting on @Slooh on Twitter, on a Facebook live video, or on a live chat on Slooh.com.

A second livestream will show the moon live from Baraket Observatory's dome in Israel, where the supermoon will rise above the Judaean Mountains. That broadcast will start 9:50 a.m. EST (1450 GMT) on Monday (Nov. 14).

The supermoon will also be broadcast live from Italy through the Virtual Telescope Project. Starting Monday at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT), Gianluca Masi will show the moon rising above the skyline of Rome.

Editor's note: If you snap an awesome photo of the moon that you'd like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a potential story or gallery, send images and comments to managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

Follow Elizabeth Howell @howellspace, or Space.com @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
In other words, 60 million Americans acted stupidly. They cast their votes for xenophobia, racism and nationalism, the end of equal rights and social conscience, for the end of climate treaties and health insurance. Sixty million people followed a demagogue who will do little for them. And yet ...

... this election goes deeper than that. It says more than that, and all of us, including the media, politicians and civil societies, and unfortunately the entire West, which is now threatened, would be wise to pay far closer attention.

Those who have lived in New York or experienced dinner conversations in Georgetown and debates at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, know how brilliantly intelligent and worldly Americans can be. But these are closed circles -- ones that are unfortunately nowhere near as open as they like to claim, inaccessible as they are to the vast majority of Americans who could never afford access. Once you get outside such circles, such cosmopolitan thinking isn't nearly as widespread.
Shaheed El Hafed, 13 Nov 2016 (SPS) Prime Minister Abdel Kader Taleb Omr received the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Algeria, Hamdi Bukhari, in the presence of the President of the Saharawi Red Crescent (SRC), Bouhoubeini Yahya.

Boukhari said his visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps aims to inform the Saharawi Prime Minister about the latest developments in the humanitarian field and all recent initiatives undertaken by UNHCR.

"We discussed during the meeting issues related to the suffering of the Sahrawis and how to ease them and redouble efforts in the field of mobilization of resources to provide more humanitarian support to the Saharawi refugees," he added.

For his part, the president of the SRC expressed his gratitude for the great efforts made by UNHCR since last year, especially after the floods which affected the Saharawi refugee camps, asserting the difficulty of the challenges facing the humanitarian action. (SPS)

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STAMFORD  A Greenwich woman and a New Canaan teen won the Miss Connecticut USA and Miss Connecticut Teen USA crowns this weekend at the Stamford Marriott Hotel and Day Spa.

Olga Litvinenko, 26, a Greenwich resident and graduate of Syracuse University who runs her own marketing firm, was named Miss Connecticut USA. Lana Coffey, 18, of New Canaan, captured the Miss Connecticut Teen USA crown. Litvinenko was crowned Miss Connecticut Teen USA in 2007 while a junior at Greenwich High School.
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GREENWICH  Greenwich residents will soon be able to step back in time, to the days when John Twachtman, J. Alden Weir and Childe Hassam set up their easels on the banks of the harbor and painted the landscapes and buildings of the small fishing village known as Cos Cob.

The Greenwich Historical Society, headquartered in the Bush-Holley House, where Twachtman, Weir and others founded the famed Cos Cob Art Colony, has embarked on an ambitious project to return its complex to its appearance at the turn of the 20th century, when the colony was at its height.

People will be able to experience, just like the artists did, the beautiful waterfront, and thats whats going to make it special and different, said Davidde Strackbein, chairman of the Historical Societys board of directors.

Key to the project will be renovation of a house on Strickland Road the society purchased a few years ago. Adjacent to the Bush-Holley House, it will be remade in the image of the railroad hotel and tavern that stood there, beside the old Bush storehouse, starting in the mid-1800s.

Its an extraordinary change, even though in the broad scheme its not a large change, Strackbein said. What it does will unite the entire historic site and go back to the Bush era of the Bush-Holley House. It is a Greenwich historic landmark for one reason only. There are many, many historic houses, but this is the birthplace of American Impressionism in the state of Connecticut.

The antiquated and cramped archives building on the campus will be demolished, making way for a new archive and gallery structure, in the form of two multistory barns like the ones that once stood there, connected to the tavern by a new entrance.

But if the appearance of the complex will be moving back in time, indoors will be all about moving the Historical Society into the present and future.

New archive spaces will be equipped with climate and humidity controls and an air lock to protect the societys collection of artifacts.

The renovated storehouse, between the Bush-Holley House and tavern building, will house office staff and operations. The tavern interior will include a visitor information desk, shop and cafe.

We need to realize the societys vision for a dynamic campus that will place Greenwichs story indelibly within the broad context of American history, while providing an all-important bridge to the future for generations to come, said Peter Malkin, a longtime supporter of the Historical Society and chairman of the projects capital campaign. The new campus will be entirely handicapped-accessible.

Two new exhibition spaces will be created, one for changing exhibitions, the other for the societys collection.

More people are going to be able to see it and thats key, Malkin said.

Ground has already been broken on the expansion of the parking lot. The complex renovation will begin in earnest in 2017 with a goal of completion in 2018.

The society officially launched its $18.5 million Reimagine the Campus capital campaign Thursday night at the Round Hill Club. Private donors have agreed to match all money raised.

Fairfield-based architect David Scott Parker, whose work includes restoration of the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, said the opportunity to work on the Historical Society complex was particularly exciting because of the role it plays in the community.

It all started with research into the site, which is the only national historic landmark in Greenwich, Parker said. I wanted to understand what the organization is and where its going and how to bring the past, the present and the future together.

The area around the Bush-Holley House was a bustling hub of activity at the end of the 19th century.

Markets and mills did brisk business where the land met the water, and the artists who drew inspiration from French painters like Renoir, Monet and Manet captured it all in a soft, watery light.

The society has a role to play in Greenwich but it also has a role to play nationally, Parker said. What we wanted the new facility to do was introduce visitors to this place and make the entrance a portal that frames views of the site and, at the same time, becomes part of the larger complex.

A key element of the project is to expand the Greenwich Historical Societys educational programs.

We want to open our doors and share the history and bring a multitude of children in, Strackbein said. A major initiative in the state of Connecticut is for people to learn from original source documents. If they touch it, if they feel it, if they know this is the street they live in and the house theyre from, theres some sort of an empathy which occurs that wouldnt have happened otherwise.

The Historical Society works with Hamilton Avenue School to provide educational programs for students there, an effort Malkin said could be expanded to Julian Curtiss and New Lebanon schools. All are Title I schools, which receive federal funding to help improve the education of low-income students.

All of the activities and innovations are bound by one crucial concept and that is the importance of education to the Historical Society, Executive Director Debra Mecky said.

While the look of the Greenwich Historical Society is going to be different, Strackbein said one thing will not change.

The core of our mission is to preserve and share and educate about the history of Greenwich, she said. All the maps and all the documents will be beautifully preserved, and youll be able to use them in an extraordinary research center. People will love it.

kborsuk@scni.com


For the fourth straight day, the streets of New York City were filled with people protesting Donald Trump's election yesterday afternoon.

Chanting slogans like "Black lives matter," "Climate change is real," "My body my choice" and "New York City hates you," yesterday's march began at Union Square and took the now-familiar route up Fifth Avenue to the base of Trump Tower.

The numbers of estimated attendees varied between media reports, from 2,000 to 3,000 to 5,000, but attendees also estimated that the crowd was as large as 10,000 to 15,000 people. Police reported that there were 2 arrests before midnight.

"We have to push back," said Jim, a 62-year-old man from Connecticut who declined to give his last name. "Just because Trump was elected does not mean we roll over."

The NYPD adopted a hands-off approach to crowd control, with only a few officers scattered along the march's uptown route. By 2 p.m. thousands were already pressed against the barricade at 56th Street, where a phalanx of officers stood in what the NYPD referred to as a "frozen zone." Dozens of the department's protest-busting Strategic Response Group marshaled at 56th Street, with one of their military-grade LRAD noise canons in tow to remind protesters to stay off the barricades.

"I see this as a processing of grief and a sort of uniting among our community to feel strength," John Paredes, a West Village resident marching with his boyfriend said. "But I hope that these protests send a message to the future administration that we're not going to stand down. We are watching him, we're going to be organized, and we are going to fight for everything that, in his campaign, Donald Trump said he was going to undermine."

Beyond the Trump supporter who was taken away by police for pretending to hump women who marched, another Trump supporter was in the crowd allegedly with a message of peace of unity. A man who identified himself as Joey Salads stood in the crowd offering flags and hugs.

"I'm a Trump supporter and I'm out here today making a video for social media to try to get everyone to unite because we're all Americans and politics is dividing us," he said.

Some may know Salads as the man who was revealed to have filmed a hoax video that allegedly showed black people destroying a Trump supporter's car. Salads also filmed himself on Twitter saying that if protesters didn't like Trump they could leave the country, questioning why people were out protesting instead of at work (on a Saturday) and doing an Alex Jones impression.

Some protesters also chanted "We all have jobs," as they marched.

"I don't want to wake up some morning and see my neighbors are being deported," said Nancy, 62, a NYC resident. "Did you see what he tweeted yesterday? These protests are getting to him. We have to stay in his face and monitor him and talk to him like a child."

Additional reporting by John Del Signore, Emma Whitford, Rebecca Fishbein and Scott Heins.
A teenage boy has died and another is in hospital after a double stabbing following a brawl outside an east London takeaway.

Police had been called to reports of the fight outside a fast food shop in Church Elm Lane, Dagenham, at 6.20pm on Saturday.

When officers arrived on the scene they found a 16-year-old suffering from stab wounds.

Police performed first aid on the youngster before he was rushed by ambulance to an east London hospital.

Just seven minutes later, police were called by paramedics to nearby Whyhill Walk where a 17-year-old had been found with knife wounds.

Despite efforts to save him, the boy was pronounced dead in hospital on Sunday morning at 3.25am.

Residents said the teenager had managed to get to the Cross Keys pub before he collapsed from his injuries.

The 16-year-old boy is currently in a stable condition in hospital.

Photos from the scene showed a string of police tape cordoning off the area around Church Elm Lane.

Neighbour Sidney McCallaghan said a huge swathe of the road had been cordoned off while police investigated.

He told the Standard: "There was a scuffle between some young boys and then they just started stabbing each other.

"One went down in Church Elm Lane.

"The one who was the most severely hurt, he came down Church Street and made it to the pub where he collapsed."

He said: "We dont know if he was followed and was attacked as he walked, but it looks like he was trying to get away quite quickly."

Detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command unit are now investigating and trying to discover if both teenagers were stabbed in the same incident.

No one has been arrested over the stabbings so far, a spokesman for Scotland Yard said.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact police via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A man has suffered life-changing injuries after being knocked down in a suspected hit-and-run crash involving a BMW.

The 32-year-old pedestrian was rushed to hospital following the collision in Green Lane, Ilford, just after 1am on Sunday, November 13.

Detectives from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit believe that a white car, possibly a BMW, hit the man as he crossed the road.

Police think the driver stopped for a few seconds before heading off again towards Cobham Road.

The pedestrian is currently in an east London hospital with serious injuries.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or the events leading up to it.

"They are also appealing to the public to keep an eye-out for a car matching the description of the vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident.

"There is a possibility that the car may have been abandoned."

Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath Traffic Garage on 020 8587 4874 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A fugitive who broke out from Pentonville prison in an Alcatraz-style escape has been arrested by police.

Scotland Yard said convicted burglar James Whitlock, 31, was held at a home in Shepherds Lane, Homerton at 4.30pm on Sunday for being unlawfully at large.

Two men, aged 48 and 19, were also arrested on suspicion of helping an offender.

Whitlock and Matthew Baker, 28, a convicted attempted murderer, escaped from the north London prison on Monday.

HMP Pentonville escape

Escapee: Matthew Baker was found guilty of attempted murder

Baker was arrested two days later at his sisters address in Ilford, east London where he was found hiding under a bed.

His sister Kelly Baker was charged with assisting an offender and a 24-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were also arrested at the scene and have been bailed to a date in December.

He was taken to hospital after he broke his leg during the breakout in which the men, thought to be cellmates, cut through bars of their cells and scaled the perimeter wall before making their escape.

Baker was locked-up for attempted murder after stabbing a man 25 times with a broken bottle in Dagenham, in March last year, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Pentonville: Two inmates have escaped from the jail / PA

While Whitlock was being held on remand charged with 19 counts of conspiracy to burgle from cash machines across the south-east.

It has been claimed that their beds were stuffed with pillows to make it look like they were asleep.

Londoners were warned by police not to approach the men over fears they may become violent.

The incident sparked fresh scrutiny of the state of prisons in England and Wales following a slew of warnings about safety.
A man was rushed to hospital after he was found stabbed at a flat in Soho.

Police and ambulance crews were called to an address in Dean Street at around 4.10am on Sunday to reports of multiple patients with stab wounds.

Scotland Yard confirmed a 47-year-old man was found at the scene with knife injuries.

He was taken to hospital where his injuries were described as not life-changing or life-threatening.

Another man, aged 32, was also taken to hospital with injuries believed to be less serious.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Services Joint Response Units, which works with the police, also said two people were taken to hospital.

The group tweeted: 2 medics responded to reports of multiple patients with stab wounds in Soho with @MPSWestminster, 1 to a major trauma centre & 1 to A&E.

Police said a section of Dean Street was cordoned off for several hours on Sunday before the road fully reopened at around 1pm.

A Met spokesman said one man was arrested on suspicion of GBH.
R elatives of a lifelong Chelsea fan killed in the Croydon tram tragedy have told of their heartbreak at the loss of a loving husband and devoted father.

Robert Huxley, 63, from New Addington, died on Wednesday as he made his way to work when the carriages flipped over as the tram turned around a sharp bend at around 6.10am near Sandilands stop.

He was among seven victims in the tragedy in which six men and one woman lost their lives as the tram travelled from New Addington to Wimbledon.

On Sunday, his family released a statement via police in which Mr Huxley was described as a larger than life character.

Tragedy: The tram overturned near Sandilands stop / PA

Relatives said: Early on Wednesday morning, over three days ago, Bob left his home for work and travelled by tram up to east Croydon, a journey he has made a thousand times, sadly and tragically he did not return.

As you can appreciate for his loved ones its been a difficult and uncertain time, the confirmation of his death only came late this afternoon (Saturday).

Tributes: Flowers left at the scene / Neil Hall/Reuters

Bob was a larger than life character and very hardworking. A loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend to many.

He was also a lifelong Chelsea supporter and a season ticket holder.

This tragedy will have far reaching consequences and impact many people for a significant time. We are all heartbroken.

"Funny and generous": Mr Collett's family paid tribute to the 62-year-old / British Transport Police

The tribute came hours after the relatives of Donald Collett and Philip Logan released statements in honour of the men.

Dane Chinnery, Mark Smith, Philip Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz were earlier named among the dead by friends and family.

Sadiq Khan gives statement at Croydon tram scene

Mr Colletts family said: "Don was a well loved, funny and generous man, who could light up a room with his smile.

He is tragically leaving behind a loving family, partner, adored friends and work colleagues.

"Please rest in peace and know you are truly loved and greatly missed. We are struggling to deal with this tragic news and ask for privacy at this sad time."

"Zest for life": Philip Logan was a father-of-four, grandfather and great-grandfather / British Transport Police

While relatives said: Philip Logan known to all who knew him as Loag, a loving husband to Marilyn, brother to Susan, father to Lee, Tracy, Lisa and Adele, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was a true family man and generous friend to all with a magnificently dry sense of humour.

Extra minute's silence to remember Croydon tram crash victims

"Phil was a man with more love compassion and zest for life than words can express. He will be immensely missed by all that knew him."

Dane Chinnery, 19, from New Addington, was described by friends as a lovely guy and really good fun.

Victim: Friends have paid tribute to Dane Chinnery, 19, killed in the crash in Croydon

One wrote: The life of our brother was taken from him. Aged 19, Dane lost his life with the tram crash on his way to work.

"He was red, white and blue all the way through, and simply loved Palace.

Croydon Tram derailment 1 /10 Croydon Tram derailment The scene after a tram overturned in Croydon, south London, trapping five people and injuring another 40 Steve Parsons/PA Police officers walk the site where the tram overturned Carl Court/Getty Images Emergency services were called to the scene just after 6am Twitter/@procrastinateur Emergency services close to the location where a tram overturned in Croydon, south London PA Emergency services at Sandilands tram station in Croydon Ben Morgan Witnesses reported seeing victims stretchered from the tram James Long A police cordon is in place on Addiscombe Road Ben Morgan 40 people were injured and five trapped inside the tram Ben Morgan

Mother-of-two Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, was described as an amazing mother who was devoted to her young family.

She was on her daily commute to Euston when the tram overturned near the Sandilands stop.

Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, pictured with husband Andrzej, a pro golfer

Her sister-in-law Kasia Rynkiewicz told the Standard: She was an amazing mother and definitely a hard-working person. She was on her way to work so early in the morning to provide for her kids.

Tributes paid on social media to young father Mark Smith, 35, who worked for his father's double glazing firm.

London Live reports from the scene of the Croydon tram crash

Mr Smith attended Thomas More Roman Catholic High School in Purley before studying at Coulsdon College and is believed to have been engaged to marry his fiancee Indre Novikovaite.

His friends and relatives described him as a man who always had a smile on his face and made everyone laugh after news of his death emerged.

Mark Smith was killed in the Croydon tram tragedy / Facebook

His cousin, Tom Smith, said his family had been left in bits after the tragedy as he paid tribute to him in a Facebook post.

Father-of-three Philip Seary, 57, who was also known as Tank was also confirmed among the victims of the tragedy.

His son-in-law Darren Mimms told the Croydon Guardian: "Phil was a devoted family man. He devoted his life to his children and his wife, and was well known among the community."

Victim: Phil Seary was named as one of the victims killed in the Croydon tram disaster / Facebook

On Saturday, up to a hundred friends and relatives of the victims marched to the crash scene in an emotional tribute to those who lost their lives.

People spilled out on to the streets in a sign of unity as they hugged one another, sang songs and clapped in remembrance of the six men and one woman who died.

Family and friends pay tribute to Croydon tram crash victims

The tram's driver was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and questioned by investigators who have said the vehicle was travelling "significantly" above the permitted speed.

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The 42-year-old man from Beckenham was released on bail, and investigators are probing whether the driver had fallen asleep.

An online fundraising page set up by Croydon Council to enable "ongoing care and support" to those directly affected by the crash has raised more than 11,000.
T he chairman of RBS has warned that banks could pull out of the City unless Theresa May secures a post-Brexit transition plan.

Sir Howard Davies said American and Japanese banks are very concerned at the prospect of a hard Brexit and are drawing up contingency plans.

He urged the Prime Minister to offer the City some reassurance and certainty by negotiating a transitional deal which will allow firms based in Britain to continue to be able to operate in the rest of the EU.

He told ITV's Peston On Sunday show that jobs could be lost to Europe and to Ireland.

He said: "I think it is damaging if we don't get a transitional deal because I think you will then see banks and financial institutions making decisions on the basis of uncertainty.

"They will not wait because they have to make a decision which will allow them to be, to continue to function in the event of a hard Brexit if that's a possibility.

"So they will not sit back, they are currently making contingency plans and once you've got a contingency plan - hey, there is a risk you might implement it one day.

"And therefore I think that it is quite urgent."

Financial firms fear they could lose membership of the single market and their passporting rights, which allow companies in the UK to operate across the European Economic Area.

Sir Howard said the Government does not need to detail its full negotiating position, but needs to reassure the City so Britain does not encounter a "jerky and sudden" departure from the EU.

He said: "What is really important is the transitional arrangements.

"So what we are particularly focused on in the City at the moment is to try to get an understanding that actually allowing a cliff edge departure from Brexit would be damaging for everybody.

About three quarters of all European capital transactions take place in London - often by French banks or German banks etc - but they take place in London.

"If you suddenly broke that off it would be destabilising for the whole of the European financial markets.

"So what we need is a transitional arrangement, as the Article 50 process starts, so we can say 'look, here is the way in which things are going to work in the medium term'.

"In the long term, of course, I think there will be some movement of activity."

Sir Howard said he is optimistic transitional arrangements can be drawn up as it is in the interests of the remaining EU states as well as Britain.

His warning came as Boris Johnson snubbed an emergency EU foreign ministers' meeting called to discuss Donald Trump's shock US election victory.

Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson, who branded vocal European concern about the US election result as a "whinge-o-rama", was dismissive of the need for a special EU meeting.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
A ndrew Marr has defended a "grotesque" interview with French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after it was controversially broadcast on Remembrance Sunday.

The interview with the National Front leader was shown on Sunday morning, with Ms Le Pen claiming there was not a hairs breadth between her party and Ukip.

She was also pressed on her party borrowing money from Russian leader Vladimir Putin and her partys racist reputation.

But many viewers questioned whether she should have appeared on TV at all, especially on Remembrance Sunday, while others accused Mr Marr of giving her a smooth ride.

Controversial: Marine Le Pen on the Andrew Marr Show / BBC

Angela Rayner MP tweeted: Marine Le Pen speaking on #Marr Remembrance Sunday?

Why not interview our veterans who fought fascists & lost so many comrades? So wrong BBC!

Tristram Hunt said: "As we commemorate those who gave their lives fighting fascism, it is pretty grotesque to have Marine Le Pen on #marr on Remembrance Sunday."

And left wing journalist Owen Jones urged followers: Celebrate Remembrance Sunday by remembering courageous British soldiers who defeated fascists, like Marine Le Pen, who'll be on the BBC.

We the media carry blame for legitimising Trump, normalising him, giving him too big a platform. Anyway, here's Marine Le Pen," wrote comedian David Schneider.

And Daniel Trilling wrote: From what I can see, Marine Le Pen on the Marr show does little to scrutinise or challenge her politics and a lot to normalise them.

But, introducing the interview on Sunday morning, Mr Marr defended the controversial move.

He told viewers: I know this morning some people are offended and upset that Ive been to interview Marine Le Pen and that were showing this interview on Remembrance Sunday.

I understand that but Id say this. Le Pen could under some circumstances become the next French president in the spring.

This week, in the immediate aftermath of the Trump victory shes declared that the whole world has changed and that her branch of politics is on the march.

What does that mean? In the end were a news programme and I dont think the best way to honour the fallen is to fail to report on the next big challenge to western security.
T he Queen has led the Royal Family to this years Royal Festival of Remembrance to mark a number of landmark centenaries.

The monarch arrived at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh to remember the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland.

Also celebrated at this years event is the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire which was credited with helping to win the Battle of Britain,

The 25th anniversary of the Gulf War is also marked.

Family occasion: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the other royals to attend / PA

Other royals attending the service include the Prince of Wales and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

It was unclear whether Prince Harry, who attended Englands rugby clash with South Africa at Twickenham hours earlier, was due to attend.

Royal visitor: The Queen attends the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Festival of Remembrance / PA

He was spotted at the rugby stadium without his new girlfriend Meghan Markle

The prince laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark Armistice Day on Friday.

Political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn were among those in the audience for the event.

The royals will be received by Jon Moynihan, president of the Royal Albert Hall, and Vice-Admiral Peter Wilkinson, president of the Royal British Legion.

Royals: Prince Charles arrived with the Duchess of Cornwall / PA

They listened as old war songs including Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty, It's A Long Way To Tipperary, and Pack Up Your Troubles opened the colourful show.

Other performances included Michael Ball and Alfie Boe who sang You'll Never Walk Alone, Laura Mvula's version of Abide With Me and Birdy's rendition of her song Wings.

Meanwhile, Alexander Armstrong, presenter of the BBC quiz show Pointless, filled the hall with his performance of Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer, accompanied by the RAF Squadronaires band.

As part of the performance audience members were given wristbands which glowed in the dark, each one representing 100 of the 400,000-plus estimated British missing, dead or wounded during the bloody Somme offensive.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen / PA

Also taking part was Nick Beighton, who lost both his legs above the knees in Afghanistan, and 11-year-old Beth Molyneux, whose Royal Navy father died when she was six, and who has wrote a poem about why she wears a poppy.

The Queen received a personal mention as, on her 90th year, she was thanked "for her unstinting service to duty and her unswerving commitment to the service of all her people".

Thousands of poppies fluttered to the ground from the hall's domed roof as the room observed a two-minute silence on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

As the room turned to sing the National Anthem, the Queen waved her hand in acknowledgment before the service ended.
D onald Trump has insisted he will build a wall on the Mexican border and has vowed to deport or jail two to three million illegal immigrants.

The billionaire made the remarks on CBS show 60 Minutes on Sunday, his first national television appearance since last week's shock election win.

He told the programme: "What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate.

"But were getting them out of our country, theyre here illegally.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, were going to make a determination on the people that theyre talking about who are terrific people, theyre terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that.

Donald Trump: Is the President-elect already breaking campaign promises?

"But before we make that determination, its very important, we are going to secure our border."

Responding to stories in the American media that his long-heralded wall with Mexico would turn out to be a far cheaper and smaller fence, he told the show: "There could be some fencing."

His remarks came as demonstrators planned to take to the streets for a fifth straight day to protest against the election result.

Protests were scheduled on Sunday afternoon in New York City and Oakland, California, according to online announcements.

Thousands in several cities have demonstrated since the results from Tuesday's election showed Mr Trump lost the popular tally but gained enough votes in the 538-person Electoral College to win the presidency, surprising the world.

Demonstrators have slammed Mr Trump's campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations the former reality-TV star sexually abused women.

Dozens have been arrested and a handful of police injured.

Chanting "Not my president" and "love trumps hate," people marched in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere on Saturday, saying Trump threatens their civil and human rights.

Mr Trump launched complaints of his own on Sunday via Twitter, attacking the New York Times for coverage that he said was "very poor and highly inaccurate."

"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?" he wrote.
F rench President Francois Hollande has joined survivors and victims' families at the Bataclan concert hall to mark one year since the Paris terror atrocities.

On November 13 last year, 89 people were killed in a massacre at the venue where Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, including Briton Nick Alexander.

Mr Hollande and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo arrived amid tight security and unveiled two plaques covered by a French flag at the door of the theatre.

The names of the victims were read out followed by a period of silence as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

Paris attacks anniversary: Bataclan survivors remember the terror

Suicide bombers - Frenchmen Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Amimour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23 - stormed into the venue while attackers also targeted cafes and the Stade de France. In total, 130 people died.

Anniversary: Mr Hollande unveiled a commemorative plaque near the 'La Belle Equipe' cafe / EPA

Mr Alexander had been on tour with the American band selling merchandise and tried to play dead when he was approached by one of the gunmen who opened fire.

Attacks: A young girl stands in front of a growing number of tributes / REUTERS

Former Police frontman Sting re-opened the Bataclan with a poignant performance on Saturday night.

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Mr Hollande was at commemoration events at all the seven sites hit by the Islamic extremists.

Sunday's commemoration comes after Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes was turned away from Sting's concert at the venue after Bataclan management said he was "not welcome".

In the months after the massacre, Hughes provoked anger when he suggested Bataclan security staff were complicit in the attack and later apologised.
S ir Michael Gambon is looking for someone to cast him as a silent butler so that he doesnt have to learn any lines.

The legendary actor, who recently retired from stage acting last year because of his deteriorating memory, said that he was missing being on stage enormously.

Speaking to London Live at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, he said: I cant be in plays any more because cant remember lines - Ive got something wrong with my brain.

I wish I could be one of them but all I can do now is play speaking parts with a plug through my ear.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 - In pictures 1 /48 Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 - In pictures Ruth Wilson poses on the red carpet as she attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Sheridan Smith poses on the red carpet as she attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Orlando Bloom signs autographs and takes selfies with fans at The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Joan Collins and Elizabeth Hurley at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards the Old Vic London Zak Hussein/SilverHub Billie Piper attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre, London Ian West/PA James McAvoy poses on the red carpet as he attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Lily Donaldson attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett/Getty Images Dita von Teese and attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Elizabeth Hurley poses on the red carpet as she attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Dame Kristin Scott Thomas arrives at The 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett Helen McCrory attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Sir Patrick Stewart, Glenn Close and Sunny Ozell arrive at The 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett Elizabeth Debicki arrives at The 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett Michael Gambon poses on the red carpet Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images The Duke of Cambridge attends with Evgeny Lebedev at the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Ian West/PA Orlando Bloom attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards h Ian West/PA Amber Le Bon attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Zak Hussein/SilverHub Sheridan Smith poses on the red carpet as she attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images MyAnna Buring attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Ruth Wilson attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Glenn Close arrives at The 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, Dave Benett/Getty Images Tuppence Middleton attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Ellie Brown attends The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at The Old Vic Theatre John Phillips/Getty Images Ellie Bamber attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Dave Benett/Getty Images Mary Portas attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre, London Ian West/PA Sir Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell arrive at The 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett/Getty Images Ophelia Lovibond poses on the red carpet as she attends the 62nd London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Ralph Fiennes arrives at The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at The Old Vic Theatre Dave Benett Emily Berrington attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Kenneth Branagh and Lindsay Brunnock attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatr Ian West/PA Sophie Melville attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Ian West/PA John Malkovich attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Dave Benett Glenn Close and Andrew Lloyd-Webber attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Ian West/PA Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Ian West/PA Amber Riley attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Dave Benett/Getty Images Aoife Duffin attending the The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre Ian West/PA

The 76-year-old went on to say that he was hoping to find someone who would cast him in a non-speaking role.

Im just waiting for one of these blokes to give me a part in one of their plays, where Im like a butler and I come on every two minutes and dont know what Im doing and I dont speak much, he said.

Someone will offer me that one day. Any of these blokes who wants butler in any of their new West End plays, with a bit of dosh, Id be an excellent butler.

I would never smile of course, Id be always miserable.

Gambon started worrying about his memory a couple of years ago but the doctor ruled out that he was suffering from Alzheimers.

The actor was joined by stars including Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom and Prince William at The Old Vic on Sunday night.
M ary Berry is set to front a new BBC cookery show after her departure from the Great British Bake Off.

The 81-year-olds new show Mary Berry Everyday will hit screens in the new year and will explore recipes that formed the cornerstone of her cooking career.

Across six episodes, Ms Berry judge will travel to her mothers childhood home in Scotland and try her hand at beekeeping in search of honey.

The announcement comes after the TV judge opted not to follow the hugely popular Great British Bake Off to Channel 4 when the programme rights were sold.

Keeping busy: Mary Berry will be back on screens soon despite leaving Bake Off / BBC

Ms Berry said her decision to stick with the BBC was made "out of loyalty to them" as Paul Hollywood agreed to move to the rival broadcaster.

BBC Two channel editor Patrick Holland, who commissioned the new series, said: "I am thrilled that Mary is returning to BBC Two to share her magic.

"Her everyday recipes are inspirational and delicious and her series will be a real treat for the audience."

The Great British Bake Off first aired on BBC Two in 2010 before it moved over to BBC One in 2014.

Candice Brown: BBC'S Final Great British Bake Off Winner 1 /16 Candice Brown: BBC'S Final Great British Bake Off Winner Jane Beedle (right), Andrew Smyth and Candice Brown, who has been crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/BBC Mary Berry with Candice Brown, who was crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off Love Productions/BBC Paul Hollywood hugging Candice Brown, who has been crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off Love Productions/BBC Candice Brown won the Great British Bake Off Love Productions/BBC Mary Berry shaking hands with Candice Brown, who has been crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday October 26, 2016. The PE teacher, 31, took the title ahead of rivals Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth and said it was the biggest moment of her life so far Love Productions/BBC Mary Berry with Candice Brown, who was crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off Love Productions/BBC Candice Brown, who has been crowned champion of this year's Great British Bake Off Love Productions/BBC Candice is embraced by her proud boyfriend Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/BBC Candice in action during her Showstopper Tom Graham/Love Productions/BBC Candice decorating and piping Love Productions/BBC Candice in action during her Showstopper Joseph Cavaciuti/Love Productions/BBC Candice in action during her technical challenge Tom Graham/Love Productions/BBC

Mary's new series, produced by Sidney Street Productions, follows on from the success of Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites and Mary Berry's Foolproof Cooking, also shown on BBC Two.

The 81 year-old will also be presenting Secrets From Britains Great Houses on BBC One.

In a statement,Ms Berry said she was "so excited" by the upcoming series.

"I have always had an enquiring mind so I know I will be inspired by the great houses we visit," she said.
T onight Prince William honoured Sir David Attenborough with the Beyond Theatre Award for his contribution to broadcasting at the glittering London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Here we take a glimpse into the career of one of the most influential TV personalities of our time.

You dont need words to tell you how monumental Sir David Attenboroughs contribution to broadcasting is  just turn on your TV at 8pm on a Sunday night.

Planet Earth II, which Attenborough narrates with as much personality and gravitas as ever, has been captivating the nation with its incredible stories of life on our world.

Sir David Attenborough - In pictures 1 /45 Sir David Attenborough - In pictures PA Best of the best Sir David Attenborough in 2015 PA BAFTA winner 2011 Sir David Attenborough with the Specialist Factual award at the Philips British Academy Television Awards at the Grosvenor House in 2011 PA Big Butterfly Butterfly Conservation President Sir David Attenborough with a south east Asian Great Mormon Butterfly on his nose, as he launched the Big Butterfly count at the London Zoo in Regent's Park, London in 2012. The broadcaster and naturalist will turn 90 on May 8 PA Family Sir David Attenborough (left) with his wife Jane Oriel and older brother and film actor Richard Attenborough at St. Anne's Church, Kew Green in 1950 PA Look what I brought home ... Sir David Attenborough holding his son Robert in 1955, whilst looking at an animal called a coatimundi, brought home from the combined London Zoo - BBC expedition to British Guiana PA Super furry animals Sir David Attenborough with six-year-old Michael Webb of Kingsbury pets a Capybara after Sir David had lectured to children on the 'Zoological Expedition to British Guiana' at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington, London in 1956 PA Cover your ears Sir David Attenborough with his three-year-old daughter Susan, as they cover their ears while sulphur-crested cockatoo Georgie lets out a piercing shriek in 1957 PA Royal visit Prince Charles with his sister Princess Anne meeting Sir David Attenborough and Cocky, the cockatoo brought back from his last Zoo Quest expedition, at the BBC Television Studios in Lime Grove, London in 1958 PA In the land of Television Mr. Michael Peacock, Controller of BBC 1, Mr. Huw Wheldon, Controller of Television Programmes and Sir David Attenborough, Controller of BBC 2, at the BBC Television Centre, White City in 1965 PA Medal of honour 1966: Sir David Attenborough receiving the Zoological Society of London's silver medal from the president, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the annual general meeting in London PA Award winning Sir David Attenborough winner of the 1970 Desmond Davis Award presented by HRH Princess Anne in 1971 Rex Features Park life Sir David Attenborough In Richmond Park in 1980 Daily Mail Watch the Birdie Sir David Attenborough in 1980 Associated News Monkey business Sir David Attenborough in 1982 Rex Features Nature experts Johnny Morris, Sir David Attenborough, Desmond Morris and Sir Peter Scott in 1982 PA Investiture Sir David Attenborough after being knighted by the Queen at an Sir David Attenborough after being knighted by the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, London, with his wife Jane (right) and daughter Susan at Buckingham Palace, London, with his wife Jane (right) and daughter Susan in 1985 PA Sharing a giggle Richard and David Attenborough in 2001 RexRex Features Watch the Meerkat Sir David Attenborough with meerkat on shoulder being filmed for BBC series Life of Mammals in 2002 Rex Features Honorary degree Sir David Attenborough receiving an honorary degree at Oxford Brookes University in 2003 Rex Features Relaxing at home Sir David Attenborough relaxing at his home in 2004 Rex Features Exceptional acheivements Queen Elizabeth II presenting Sir David Attenborough with the Insignia of the Order of Merit, a personal award from the Queen recognising exceptional achievements in the advancement of arts, learning, literature and science in 2005 PA Opening up Michael Parkinson interviews Sir David Attenborough in 2007 Rex Features Sign here please Sir! Sir David Attenborough meeting fans and signing copies of his new book, Life Stories, at the Natural History Museum, London in 2009 PA The Darwin Centre Prince William (left) and Sir David Attenborough at the opening of The Darwin Centre at The Natural History Museum, London in 2009 PA Doulbe take Sir David Attenborough poses with a floral sculpture of himself outside the gates at Kew Gardens in 2012 Rex Princely visit Duke of Cambridge with Sir David Attenborough at King's College London in 2015 PA Radio (Times) Star Radio Times editor Ben Preston (left) presenting Sir David Attenborough with his induction into the Radio Times' inaugural Hall of Fame at the Radio Times Festival at the Green at Hampton Court Palace in 2015 PA Royal welcome Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meeting Helen Mirren, as Sir David Attenborough looks on at a reception for the Dramatic Arts, Buckingham Palace in 2014 Rex Chat show laughs Sir David Attenborough during filming of the Graham Norton Show PA Naturalist Sir David Attenborough giving evidence to the House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee PA Sir David Attenborough with Pat Cash on day eleven of the Wimbledon Championships PA Sir David Attenborough making a surprise appearance at Glastonbury PA Sir David Attenborough in Iceland ahead of BBC's new natural history series Seven Worlds, One Planet. BBC

That we have as great an understanding of wildlife as we do is thanks to Attenborough  not just in his role as a naturalist, but in the way hes shared his insights and understandings through beautifully shot, hugely engaging documentaries.

David Attenborough recieves his award from Prince William / Stuart C. Wilson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Attenboroughs first presenting role was on the black-and-white Zoo Quest in 1954  leading to an endlessly fruitful career both behind and in front of the camera.

From 1979 to 2010, his ground-breaking Life series covered all major species and habitats across the globe, from birds and plants, to invertebrates and cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians, to the very first life on earth.

His later years brought more jaw-dropping sights as technology took major leaps  2006s Planet Earth series and 2009s Life both filmed in high definition, or 2013s Galapagos which aired in 3D for those with 3D televisions.

Sir David Attenborough at 90: In 60 seconds

Even just earlier this year, the one-off Attenboroughs Life That Glows brought the magic of bioluminescence to the screen, only possible in recent years thanks to breakthroughs in camera technology.

Planet Earth II - in pictures 1 /14 Planet Earth II - in pictures Snow leopard BBC/David Willis Pygmy three-toed sloths BBC Christmas Island red crabs BBC NHU/Elizabeth White Lemur BBC NHU/Emma Brennand Chinstrap penguins BBC NHU/Elizabeth White Red-eyed tree frog BBC NHU/Emma Napper Salt Lake flamingos BBC NHU/ Justin Anderson Marine iguanas BBC NHU/Elizabeth White Serval cat BBC NHU/Chadden Hunter Nubian ibex BBC NHU/Emma Brennand Yellow crazy ants BBC

That episode proved once again, over 60 years into the mans career, what has made his life and work so special: hes still able to show us and teach us about phenomena weve never seen before, showcasing hidden worlds and fresh discoveries.

His shows still astound and enthral all ages: in an era of iPlayer and on-demand, where live broadcasts are less prevalent, the biggest TV talking point of the week has been the Planet Earth II clip of snakes chasing down a marine iguana.

The jaw-dropping footage is transformed by Attenboroughs dramatic narration, shedding light on the story and lending character to what unfolds.

Sir David Attenboroughs staggering achievement is in turning his lifetime of experience into a lifetime of thoughtful, soulful nature films which will undoubtedly inspire generations of zoologists and naturalists for decades to come. They will be his lasting legacy for experts and non-experts alike  and every new episode will be truly cherished.
Opinion

Etiquette matters

As we are drawing close to another year I make sure that I always invoke for the world and especially old age. The startling episode that took place with a mum and a passenger in one of the trains just made me send shivers down my spine (Social media users praise women who refused to give up her first-class seat, Oct. 29, Gulf Today website).


1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'.

2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted.
You could say Angela Poole has been preparing much of her life for the job she just stepped into. Shes the new Helena Civic Center manager since mid-September.

I just love being here and love the building and really love the people of Helena, she said.

And she couldnt have arrived at a more exciting time for the civic center, which is in the midst of a study on how to revitalize the facility (see sidebar on online survey).

I have always admired the building  as a landmark, she said, ever since moving here in 2012 with her husband Kal Poole, who is the managing director of Grandstreet Theatre, and their three young children.

She brings to the job some amazing skills, having run a major theater complex in Columbus, Ohio --the Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, where she was a facilities coordinator.

Its very closely related to what I did in Columbus. I had the first five floors of the building. The biggest theater was called, Capitol Theatre, which seats 900. Plus there were three smaller black-box theaters.

It was very fast-paced, said Angela. Its the home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Met. Its also in high demand for other theater performances and comedy acts.

I have a lot of experience dealing with event planning and performance on multiple levels, she said. It was a great way to get my foot in the door with multi-tasking performance arts groups.

Originally from the Portland/Vancouver area, Angela was on a different career path until she saw her high schools performance of Anything Goes.

I had never seen a big musical like that before. I remember sitting in the seats and thinking I want to be a part of that, she said. It was overwhelming -- costumes and lights, singing and dancing. ...And I knew I wanted to do theater. I got into theater, and photography and the arts at that point.

I chose Southern Oregon University to be close to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. In college I did stage management, costuming and lighting  and a tiny bit of performance. I like the guts of theater -- what makes theater work.

Her first professional theater job was with The Shakespeare Company who wanted someone to spray actors with water in "Othello" ...and dip their costumes in buckets of water. They had to look like theyd just stepped off the ocean.

I was the most dedicated water sprayer you have ever met in your life. I took it incredibly seriously, she said. And soon she was offered a job as the full time wardrobe assistant.

I was there for five or six years and worked a lot of fun years of my life.

And thats also where she met Kal, who was in Julius Caesar.

Within a few years, the couple found themselves in Ohio, so Kal could pursue a graduate theater degree at Ohio State and later started his own theater company.

Meanwhile Angela worked various jobs that were theater-related, until landing her job at the Riffe Center.

Much as she loved it, she could see how homesick Kal was for Montana.

When Angela was pregnant with their third child, Charlie, that was the deciding factor. ...It was time to get back to Montana.

She admits the decision was risky because they had nothing in front of them.

But then the phone rang.

And Kal was offered the job at Grandstreet.

Angela recalls that she and her sister jumped up and down in the living room for 10 minutes screaming.

So how does Angela balance co-parenting a young family and working a lot of nights and weekends?

Thats always been a part of my career and thats what I love, she said. Kal and I know how to do this very well. ...Its what we both thrive on. We have a goofy house full of kids, with theater parents and a lot of energy. Its a lot of fun.

They love the theater, she said of their kids. They are always creating their own productions at home. And two of them are in Grandstreets Lion King holiday production.

Thursday morning, as Angela was being interviewed, some exciting new work was underway next door in the civic center theater with the installation of new LED lights and a light table.

Not only are they more energy efficient, but incredibly easy for the lighting crew to change the colors of the lighting by a mere touch of a button.

In the past few years, the civic center redid its sound system, she said.

And now, the city is in the midst of a major study by The Cultural Planning Group that is asking community members -- what do they want to see at the civic center?

There were a series of focus groups in the past month seeking ideas and feedback. A brief online survey is at the civic centers website http://www.helenaciviccenter.com/home.html that seeks public comment. And for those who respond, theres a chance of winning a $100 gift certificate.

A public meeting with The Cultural Planning Group is 7 p.m. Dec. 7, when the community can learn what theyve found out.

Angela doesnt know at this time if the civic center will go back to planning its own performance schedule (Helena Civic Center Presents), or not. A lot depends on the findings of the survey. The Helena Performing Arts Foundation (formerly Live! at the Civic) is also taking the year off.

In the meantime, the civic center continues to host many of Helenas premiere events -- from symphony performances, to Nutcrackers to the annual Festival of Trees.

One of the things I love very much about being here....There are memories made in this building that even in my short amount of time Ive been a part of.

I want this to be a place that when you come in here, youre building a memory.

When groups choose the civic center for their event, I want them to know theyre going to have a stellar experience, that their event will go well and be beautiful.

Im coming in at a really, really great time. I feel very lucky this review is happening and I get to be part of that going forward.

I drive up to this place everyday and feel very lucky that I get...to be part of that.

Really and truly, its something Ive wanted for four years.

Its really a dream job. Im really lucky.
Hunters are invited to donate deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program this fall so ground venison may be provided to Nebraskans in need. Hunters pay no processing costs for this donation-driven program.

There will be 21 processors around the state accepting donated deer during the Nov. 12-20 firearm deer season. Eighteen are currently available for archery hunters.

The participating meat processors:

Amherst, Belschner Custom Meats Inc.; Bayard, WyoBraska Wild Game Processors Inc.; Blair, KB Quality Meats; Cozad, Busy Bones Butcher; Elwood, SteakMaster Inc.; Franklin, Franklin Locker; Humphrey, Country Butcher; Johnson, Pelicans Meat Processing; Lindsay, Melchers Locker; North Bend, Bobs Custom Meats LLC; North Platte, Kelleys Custom Pack LLC; Oakland, Oakland Processing; Omaha, B.I.G. Meats Inc., Stoysich House of Sausage; Orleans, Harlan County Meat Processors; Oxford, Oxford Locker Inc.; Panama, Panama Locker; Table Rock, Dens Country Meats; Ulysses, The Butchery; Valparaiso, Nelsons Butcher Shop; Wahoo, Wahoo Locker.

Calendar

MONDAY

 Centerfire Challenge, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6 p.m. Also Nov. 28.

TUESDAY

 First segment of crow hunting season closes

WEDNESDAY

 Special Public Health Hazard Order crow hunting opens

 Cornhusker Fly Fishers November meeting, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

 Rifle Fun Shoot, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

 Holiday craft workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 9 a.m.

 Introduction to Handguns, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 9 a.m.

 Cornhusker Fly Fishers Tie-In, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

 Fort Robinson longhorn and buffalo sale, Crawford
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BILLINGS  The black specialty license plate popularized by Miles Citys Milestown Community Improvement Inc. has some recent imitators, and their plates sleek design is helping to boost statewide sales.

People have latched onto the black aesthetic theme, said Dan Rice, the founder of the Miles City group who works as the Miles City city attorney. "But, I would encourage people to look at what theyre supporting. I dont know that theyre all legitimate.

The vast majority of our sales are from outside our county, Rice said. They look good on any vehicle.

According to the Montana Department of Justice, the Miles City group continued to lead the 212 other Montana groups selling specialty plates, having raised $55,720 between April and June, the most recent period for which figures are available.

But shooting up the short list of groups supplementing their fundraising by selling black license plates is Billings-based Bird of Pray Foundation, a humanitarian group that works chiefly with orphanages abroad. During the same quarter, the foundation reaped $46,550, the fourth most in the state.

Simplicity is at the heart of our design, said Jeff Biscoe, the foundations president. A lot of people who have purchased the plate have researched our organization later. Thats how people get to know us.

Just last month, the foundation purchased a heavy-duty wheelchair from a Bozeman agency that constructs wheelchairs for use in developing countries. Bird of Pray Foundation sent it and some other necessities to a girl with disabilities in the Philippines.

The girl sleeps on a concrete floor and the mother would just hold her throughout the day, Biscoe said in an email. The mother is so thankful she is in tears every time we see her.

Biscoe said the foundation began offering its black specialty plate in February. The plate has a mountain range at the bottom.

Im somewhat of a social orphan myself, said Biscoe, whose wife, Chantelle, is expecting their second child any day. I bounced around different families and was on my own beginning at 15, so I know what parentless kids go through. Im grateful to help them as I was helped.

Another group thats also done well with the black plates is the Missoula-based chapter of Chicks-n-Chaps, which holds rodeo clinics and fundraisers to support women affected by breast cancer.

The organization raised $18,412 during the same quarter by opting for a black license plate with a map of the state and a steer skull inscribed.

Everybody really likes that look, said Kirsten Cooper, Chicks-n-Chaps development director. People keep asking us on Facebook where they can get one, and the checks just keep coming every month.

Cooper said the group looks to partner with health organizations or foundations in various Montana communities to keep the money in the communities where it was raised.

That way (the proceeds) benefit local women, she said. We take pride in that.

A Montana original

Two years after designing and then issuing its black license plate featuring an outline of the state and a cowboy riding a bucking bronco  a nod to Miles City High Schools mascot  Milestown Community Improvement Inc. has most recently paid for construction of a band shell in Riverside Park.

Everybody thinks its a great addition to the park, and itll definitely be put to use, Rice said, probably beginning next spring.

We do promote the plate, but we try not to be too biased, said Kirk Sturdevant, who works in the Custer County Treasurers office and volunteers for the Milestown group. We can suggest it, but ultimately its up to them.

In addition to park improvements, the Milestown group is using money from license plate sales to help meet educational needs. One example: A high school teacher wants to bring in a Holocaust survivor to speak to students, and the group has agreed to cover half the cost.

I have a feeling, Sturdevant said, that this group will be around for a while.
The Lewis and Clark County commission agreed to use the countys Open Lands Program funds to buy nearly 9.5 acres on the edge of Lincoln and along the Blackfoot River for a community park.

However, a county attorneys office opinion is advising the commission it cant can use the programs funds to pay related fees.

Land trust representatives at Thursday's commission meeting where the Lincoln project and another near Augusta were discussed disagreed with Deputy County Attorney Katie Jerstads Nov. 6 legal opinion.

Responses to the county attorney offices opinion were to be prepared for the Nov. 29 commission meeting when the question of using the bond fund for transaction costs would be discussed.

The Montana Association of Land Trusts was among those supporting the use of bond funds for these associated costs.

A Nov. 9 letter from its director, Glenn Marx, urged the commission to include transaction costs in county funding of the Lincoln project.

Both the cost of property and those for the transaction are essential to the open lands program conserving open land, he stated in the letter.

However, commission Chairman Mike Murray noted that lawyers argue with each other and judges decide.

The county commission is not a decider of differing opinions on what is an allowable use of the Open Lands Program bond, Murray said and added once we receive an opinion from the county attorney, were bound to uphold it.

Action by the commission to approve paying the full appraised value for the land in Lincoln came after Vickie Edwards, conservation program manager for Five Valleys Land Trust, asked the commission to separate payment for the land from transaction fees because of the December closing date for the property.

Five Valleys Land Trust is sponsoring the project in Lincoln that began as a community effort in conjunction with Prickly Pear Land Trust of Helena.

Unlike other uses of the bond where a landowner sells the right to subdivide the land, the Lincoln project purchases the land that will be owned and managed by Five Valleys Land Trust.

Five Valleys Land Trusts vision for the land, Edwards said, is to provide a place where the community can walk in and fish and picnic, as well as a place for an outdoor classroom for Lincolns school.

We anticipate owning this for the long term, she said.

Expenses associated with the Lincoln Community River Park that are being requested from the county amount to $17,887 and are less than the $20,487 to prepare the project for the Open Lands Program bond, she said.

The total funding request from county Open Lands Program funding is up to $102,887, she noted and explained that the actual amount could be less based on the last of the transaction fees such as recording the propertys title.

If the commission doesnt agree to include transaction costs in its funding of the project, Five Valleys Land Trust will continue fundraising to pay for those costs, Edwards said on Friday.

Were definitely not walking away from it, she added of her organizations commitment to seeing the land purchased on behalf of the community.

Lewis and Clark County voters in 2008 approved issuing $10 million of bonds to fund projects that protected open space, water quality, working ranches, wildlife and recreation. The bond came in reaction to the rapid pace of development locally.

Because of the recession, development slowed and there was less financial interest in selling subdivision rights to land. The first Open Lands Program project came in 2010. A second project occurred in 2011 and another occurred in 2012.

Five other projects tapped bond funds beginning in 2014, and the Lincoln project marked the ninth one to win county approval.

Of the $10 million authorized by voters, $3 million was converted into cash in 2010 to fund projects. Prior to the Lincoln project, about $1,975,000 had been spent, according to a tally from the countys finance office.

Commissioner Susan Good Geise said she was impressed that Lincoln residents helped fund the project.

They kind of passed the hat, she said and noted that those contributions produced $2,600.

Adding to her support, she explained, was that the entire community benefits.

This is like the sweetheart of projects, Geise said, and she saw it going beyond the programs criteria.

The commissioners willingness to use the bond for the $85,000 appraised price for the land in Lincoln was supported by a county attorneys office opinion that said the county can pay up to the appraised value.

While Jerstads opinion supported paying up to an appraised value, it didnt support using Open Lands Program funds for related costs in a transaction, such as for appraisals and environmental reports, among other of paperwork.

A court, she explained, would look at state law for guidance and then focus on the Open Lands Program bond language.

It is the opinion of this office that the language to pay costs associated with the sale and issuance of bonds does not include the costs incurred by the project sponsors or applicants, Jerstad wrote, noting that the language does allow for payment to the professionals needed for the process to issue bonds.

And, she added, If the County were to follow the well-established contract interpretation principle -- one cannot omit what has been inserted or insert what has been omitted -- it is clear that transaction costs were specifically omitted from the Countys open space ballot proposition.

While open space bond language in Ravalli and Missoula counties allows payment of transaction costs, the bond language that was approved by voters in Lewis and Clark County after those of the other two counties does not include the transaction costs of the sponsor or landowner/applicant, Jerstad noted.

She also disputed suggestions that sponsoring organizations would not incur some of the transaction costs were these steps not required by the county.

Open Lands Program requirements for due diligence -- steps to satisfy legal requirements in property transactions -- that she helped draft are modeled after best practices for land trusts that seek national accreditation.

Many of the countys requirements, she explained, are also contained in those accreditation standards for internal operating procedures of land trusts.

Because there are several accredited land trusts in the county that work on projects for the Open Lands Program, her legal opinion continued, that accreditation means those organizations are already doing many if not all of the steps the county requires to satisfy legal requirements in property transactions.

In other words, asking the County for transaction costs, some of which are incurred by the landowner, some by the project sponsor, and often not itemized in the request, is akin to asking the County to make a donation to the land trust to assist with their internal operating expenses that they would incur regardless of whether they sought funding from the County, Jerstad wrote. Such donations are also unauthorized by the bond and by Montana Law.

Jerstads opinion was delivered to the commission later on Wednesday, the same day of a letter from Five Valleys Land Trust to comment on funding transaction costs.

That letter, Edwards said, was not in directed toward Jerstads opinion but was instead in response to discussion by the commission when it was discussing the Lincoln project on Oct. 25.

The letter was signed by Five Valleys Land Trust director Grant Kier and stated that his organization believed the commission has the discretion to use the bond to pay transaction costs despite no authorization in the ballot language for the bond.

Transaction costs, Kier continued, can pose a significant financial barrier to completing an application for Open Lands Program funds.

We believe that, because of the implicit and unavoidable nature of these costs, the Commissions ability to expend bond funds to cover such costs should accordingly be implied and permitted as requisite part of the process of acquiring real property interests for open-space purposes, his letter noted.

He also advised the commission that based on conversations with an expert in bond law, who was not named in the letter, that using the bond for transaction costs is appropriate because such costs are a necessary and proper expense of any real estate transaction.
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CommerceWest Bank (OTCBB: CWBK) celebrated four children's foundations in Orange County with the Share Our Wine Foundation. The 12th annual event raised funds to benefit Orangewood Foundation, The Possible Dream, Project Hope Alliance, and The First Tee Orange County.

Ivo A. Tjan, CEO of CommerceWest Bank commented, "We are honored to partner with the Share Our Wine Foundation and help support four great local children's foundations."

CommerceWest Bank is a California based full service commercial bank with a unique vision and culture of focusing exclusively on the business community. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Irvine, California. The Bank serves businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on clients in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties. We are a full service business bank and offer a wide range of commercial banking services, including concierge services, remote deposit solution, online banking, mobile banking, lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, and cash management services.

Mission Statement: CommerceWest Bank will create a complete banking experience for each client, catering to businesses and their specific banking needs, while accommodating our clients and providing them high-quality, low stress and personally tailored banking and financial services.

Please visit www.cwbk.com to learn more about the bank. "BANK ON THE DIFFERENCE"

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141223/166050LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commercewest-bank-celebrated-four-childrens-foundations-in-orange-county-300357413.html

SOURCE CommerceWest Bank
Phase 2 Data Presentations at The Liver Meeting Detail SVR12 Rates from Two Studies as Well as SVR8 Rates in Patients for Whom Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Previously Failed

KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the presentation of results from three Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating MK-3682B (MK-3682/grazoprevir/ruzasvir1), the companys investigational all-oral, triple-combination regimen for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection (informally referred to as MK3). Results from Part B of C-CREST 1 & 2 demonstrated high rates of sustained virologic response2 (SVR) 12 weeks after the completion of therapy (SVR12, considered virologic cure) in patients with chronic HCV genotype (GT) 1 or GT3 infection who received eight weeks of treatment with MK-3682B. Findings from C-CREST 1 & 2 Part B also demonstrated high rates of SVR12 in GT1, GT2 and GT3-infected patients who received MK3 for 12 or 16 weeks. Findings from Part C of C-CREST 1 & 2 and interim results from the ongoing C-SURGE study showed high rates of SVR12 and SVR8, respectively, in chronic HCV patients who had failed prior treatment with investigational or approved direct-acting antiviral regimens. These results will be announced in oral presentations at The Liver Meeting 2016 today (C-CREST 1 & 2 Parts B and C) and tomorrow (C-SURGE).

Across the chronic hepatitis C treatment landscape, incredible progress has been made in a remarkably short amount of time, but there remains a need for more options, particularly for patients who do not achieve sustained virologic response with treatment regimens available today, said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, global clinical development, infectious diseases and vaccines, Merck Research Laboratories. The strong findings observed following treatment with MK-3682B are an encouraging step towards Mercks goal of developing and delivering a shorter-duration, pan-genotypic next-generation treatment regimen for more patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

C-CREST 1 & 2 Part B Overview and Findings

Part B of C-CREST 1 & 2  ongoing, open-label Phase 2 clinical trials  was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MK-3682B in patients with chronic HCV GT1, GT2 or GT3 infection, with or without cirrhosis. Patients with GT2 or GT3 infection received MK-3682B with or without RBV. All patients with GT1 or GT2 infection were treatment-naive. Fifty six percent (189/337) of patients with GT3 infection were treatment naive and 44 percent (148/337) were previously treated with peginterferon/ribavirin (RBV). The primary endpoint of the study was the proportion of patients in each treatment arm who achieved SVR12.

Eight weeks of treatment with MK-3682B resulted in SVR12 rates of 95 percent, 86 percent and 95 percent in GT1, GT2 and GT3 patients, respectively. A 12-week treatment duration resulted in high SVR12 rates in all genotypes (GT1, 99%; GT2, 97%; GT3, 97%). Efficacy was comparable in patients with and without cirrhosis. There were no virologic failures in the patients with GT1 or GT2 infection who received 12 weeks of MK-3682B. Efficacy results are presented in the table below. Results from Part A of C-CREST 1 & 2 were previously reported at The Liver Meeting in November 2015.

Summary of SVR12 Findings Population N MK-3682B +/- RBV 8 weeks MK-3682B +/- RBV 12 weeks MK-3682B +/- RBV 16 weeks GT1a 90 93% (39/42) 98% (47/48) - GT1b 86 98% (45/46) 100% (40/40) - GT2 151 86% (54/63) 97% (60/62) 100% (26/26) GT3* 337 95% (98/103) 97% (155/159) 96% (72/75) *28 percent (29/103), 36 percent (58/159) and 81 percent (61/75)of patients with GT3 infection receiving eight, 12 or 16 weeksof therapy, respectively, were previously treated with peginterferon/RBV

Among patients who received at least one dose of MK-3682B with or without RBV, the overall most common adverse events (AEs) reported (greater than 10% incidence in either treatment arm) were headache (22%), fatigue (19%) and nausea (13%). There were two drug-related serious AEs, both considered related to RBV only. Nine patients discontinued study drug due to AEs, four of whom discontinued RBV only. One patient died due to AEs not related to the study drug.

As a scientist and physician who regularly treats patients with chronic hepatitis C, the importance of continuing to research this complex disease and its many complications is evident, said Dr. Eric Lawitz, vice president, scientific and research development, The Texas Liver Institute and clinical professor of medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. The virologic cure rates observed in Part B of C-CREST 1 & 2 clearly demonstrate the potential for MK3 and support further study of this investigational regimen.

C-SURGE Overview and Preliminary Findings

C-SURGE is an ongoing, open-label Phase 2 clinical trial designed to evaluate MK-3682B with or without RBV in chronic HCV GT1 patients who previously failed therapy with either ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) or ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir). The study enrolled 94 patients randomized to receive 16 weeks of MK-3682B plus RBV (n=45) or 24 weeks of MK-3682B without ribavirin (n=49); one patient in the 16 week arm withdrew prior to starting treatment. Of the 93 patients who received treatment in this study, 61 percent (57/93) had previously received 12 to 24 weeks of treatment with LDV/SOF; 15 percent (14/93) had received 8 weeks of LDV/SOF; and 24 percent (22/93) had received 12 weeks of ZEPATIER. A majority of patients (84%, 78/93) had at least one baseline NS5A resistance-associated variant (RAV) at positions 28, 30, 31 or 93.

Interim results from the modified full analysis set (mFAS), which excludes one patient in the 16-week arm who withdrew due to administrative reasons after receiving three doses of study medication, show all patients (43/43) who have completed treatment with MK-3862B plus RBV for 16 weeks achieved SVR8. All patients (49/49) in the mFAS who received MK-3682B for 24 weeks have completed treatment and remain subject to follow-up; the interim results show of those in the 24-week arm who have reached follow-up weeks four and eight, 100 percent have achieved SVR4 (38/38) and SVR8 (30/30), respectively. SVR12 is the primary outcome measure of this ongoing trial. Final results will be presented at a future scientific congress.

Among patients who received at least one dose of MK-3682B with or without RBV, the overall most common AEs reported were fatigue (35%), headache (13%), diarrhea (9%), rash (9%) and pruritus (5%). There were no drug-related serious AEs, and no patients discontinued due to a drug-related AE.

C-CREST 1 & 2 Part C Overview and Findings

Part C of C-CREST 1 & 2 was designed to evaluate retreatment with MK-3682B plus RBV for 16 weeks among patients who previously failed an investigational triple-therapy regimen (MK-3682/grazoprevir/ruzasvir or MK-3682/grazoprevir/elbasvir). The study enrolled 24 patients with GT1 (n=2), GT2 (n=14) or GT3 (n=8) infection. All patients (23/23) who completed treatment achieved SVR12. One GT2 patient discontinued treatment after a single dose due to drug-related serious AEs. Among patients who received at least one dose of MK-3682B plus RBV, the most common AEs reported (greater than 20% incidence) were headache (33%), fatigue (25%), nausea (25%), rash (21%) and insomnia (21%).

About MK-3682B

MK-3682B (informally referred to as MK3) is Mercks investigational triple-combination therapy in Phase 2 development for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. MK-3682B combines an HCV nucleotide analogue NS5B polymerase inhibitor (MK-3682), an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor (grazoprevir, MK-5172) and an HCV NS5A inhibitor (ruzasvir, MK-8408).

About ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir) 50 mg/100mg tablets

ZEPATIER is a fixed-dose combination product containing elbasvir, an HCV NS5A inhibitor, and grazoprevir, an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor. ZEPATIER is indicated with or without ribavirin (RBV) for treatment of chronic HCV genotypes 1 or 4 infection in adults.

Selected Safety Information about ZEPATIER

ZEPATIER is not for use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B or C). ZEPATIER is also not for use with organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1/3 (OATP1B1/3) inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, cyclosporine), strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. Johns Wort), and efavirenz. If ZEPATIER is administered with RBV, healthcare professionals should refer to the prescribing information for RBV as the contraindications, warnings and precautions, adverse reactions and dosing for RBV also apply to this combination regimen.

Elevations of alanine transaminase (ALT) to greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred in 1% of subjects, generally at or after treatment week 8. These late ALT elevations were typically asymptomatic and most resolved with ongoing or completion of therapy. Healthcare professionals should perform hepatic lab testing on patients prior to therapy, at treatment week 8, and as clinically indicated. For patients receiving 16 weeks of therapy, additional hepatic lab testing should be performed at treatment week 12.

Patients should be instructed to consult their healthcare professional without delay if they have onset of fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, jaundice or discolored feces. Healthcare providers should consider discontinuing ZEPATIER if ALT levels remain persistently greater than 10 times ULN. ZEPATIER should be discontinued if ALT elevation is accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver inflammation or increasing conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, or international normalized ratio.

The concomitant use of ZEPATIER with certain drugs may lead to adverse reactions or reduced therapeutic effect due to drug interactions. Certain strong CYP3A inhibitors may increase the plasma concentration of ZEPATIER, leading to possibly clinically significant adverse reactions. Moderate CYP3A inducers may decrease the plasma concentration of ZEPATIER, leading to reduced therapeutic effect and possible development of resistance. Coadministration of ZEPATIER with these drugs is not recommended. Physicians should consult the Prescribing Information for potential drug interactions.

In subjects receiving ZEPATIER for 12 weeks, the most commonly reported adverse reactions of all intensity (greater than or equal to 5% in placebo-controlled trials) were fatigue, headache and nausea. In subjects receiving ZEPATIER with RBV for 16 weeks, the most commonly reported adverse reactions of moderate or severe intensity (greater than or equal to 5%) were anemia and headache.

Selected Dosage and Administration Information for ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir)

ZEPATIER is a single tablet taken once daily. The recommended dosing is 12 or 16 weeks with or without RBV, depending on HCV genotype, prior treatment history and, for patients with genotype 1a infection, presence of certain baseline NS5A resistance-associated polymorphisms. See Prescribing Information for ZEPATIER for specific dosage regimens and durations. Refer to RBV prescribing information for RBV dosing and dosage modifications when ZEPATIER is given with RBV. To determine dosage regimen and duration of ZEPATIER for genotype 1a patients, testing for the presence of virus with one or more baseline NS5A resistance-associated polymorphisms at positions 28, 30, 31, or 93 is recommended prior to initiating treatment.

Mercks Commitment to HCV

For more than 30 years, Merck has been at the forefront of the response to the HCV epidemic. Mercks chronic HCV clinical development programs have included more than 135 clinical trials in approximately 40 countries and have enrolled nearly 10,000 participants. As part of our longstanding leadership in infectious diseases, Merck collaborates with the scientific and patient communities to develop and deliver innovative solutions to support people living with chronic HCV worldwide.

About Merck

For 125 years, Merck has been a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the company) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the companys management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the companys ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the companys patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the companys 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the companys other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SECs Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Please see Prescribing Information for ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/z/zepatier/zepatier_pi.pdf and the Patient Information for ZEPATIER at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/z/zepatier/zepatier_ppi.pdf

1 MK-3682 is an HCV nucleotide analogue NS5B polymerase inhibitor. Grazoprevir (MK-5172) is an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor. Ruzasvir (MK-8408) is an HCV NS5A inhibitor.

2 Measured as HCV RNA less than 15 IU/mL.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161113005036/en/

Media:

Doris Li, 908-246-5701

or

Sarra Herzog, 201-669-6570

or

Investors:

Teri Loxam, 908-740-1986

or

Amy Klug, 908-740-1898

Source: Merck
DALLAS, Nov. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today inaugurated service between South Florida and Cuba with the scheduled 11:00 a.m. EST departure of Southwest Flight 3914 to Varadero (VRA) from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). 143 Passengers and a Crew of five Southwest Employees donned Cuban-style hats as the aircraft departed to an orchestra playing Caribbean music and a drumroll by renowned bandleader Tito Puente, Jr.

"Our Employees have worked hard to open this route and a new chapter for people who want to connect with Cuba in ways that matter most to them," said Steve Goldberg, Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Ground Operations who is also Southwest's executive ambassador to Florida. Goldberg also announced Southwest intends to begin once daily service from Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, subject to requisite approvals of the Cuban government. "By the end of this year, we'll offer six daily roundtrips between two Florida gateways and three Cuban cities as the work continues to open a new, five-gate international concourse here in Fort Lauderdale next summer."

In celebration of the announcement of new service to Santa Clara, Southwest is offering a special fare of $59 one-way* on nonstop flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Santa Clara (14-day advance purchase required, today through Nov. 20, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city for travel Dec. 15, 2016, through April 24, 2017). Please see below for valid travel days and complete terms & conditions. Check Southwest.com/Cuba for requirements regarding travel to Cuba and date-specific flight schedules for daily nonstop and other published connecting service.

On Oct.13, Southwest announced its flight schedule of new nonstop service between Florida and both Varadero and Havana. Cuba is the ninth country served by Southwest, with Havana marking a historic 100th destination. Service between Havana (HAV) and both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) begins Dec. 12, 2016, subject to requisite approvals of the Cuban government. Southwest street teams surprised residents with $100 Southwest Gift Cards across both greater Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay to spread awareness of the new routes. The carrier's social media community followed the day's events through hashtag #Southwest100.

The carrier continues to plan for available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent range in 2016.

See swamedia.com for b-roll video of inaugural festivity, first flights, and executive interviews, as well the latest available data regarding Southwest's economic impact in Florida.

*FARE TERMS & CONDITIONS

14-day advance purchase required. Fares available for purchase today through Nov. 20, 2016,11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city for travel Dec. 15, 2016, through April 24, 2017. Fares are valid only on nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. If traveling to Cuba, fares include Cuban Government mandatory health insurance. Rapid Rewards Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one way flight. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares. If combining fares, the most restrictive fare rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but that's not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest, as long as reservations are canceled at least ten minutes prior to scheduled departure. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires travelers who are not Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred Members to upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service. Every passenger traveling to Cuba must certify that they are eligible to travel to Cuba under one of 12 general license categories, a specific license, or as a Cuban National.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's anticipated service offerings and fares and network and capacity plans, opportunities, and expectations. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of economic conditions, consumer behavior, fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's operations; and (iii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 46th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 53,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season across a network of 99 destinations in the United States and eight additional countries with additional Cuba service to Havana, Cuba, beginning Dec. 12, 2016, and Santa Clara beginning Dec. 15, 2016, both routes subject to governmental approvals.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. The airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees who connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2015 Southwest Airlines One Report can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-begins-cuba-service-nonstop-from-ft-lauderdale-to-varadero-announces-santa-clara-service-plans-300361849.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
MISSOULA -- Try as he might, he can never shake the memory.

Marvin Strombo was fresh out of high school in Dixon, with the voice of his mother Mary waking him up each morning still all but ringing in his ears.

Now he was boots-deep in war on the Pacific island of Tarawa, and the voices were much different.

The scaredest I ever got, Strombo, 92, said Friday in a Veterans Day interview at his Missoula home. You can describe a banzai (attack) to people, but you dont know it until you see it.

He was a 19-year-old private in the 6th Marine Regiment, in a platoon that had been up all day fighting as the United States launched its Central Pacific campaign against Japan in November 1943.

So dang tired, but all at once heres all this screaming and whatnot, he said. You look over there and heres hundreds of Japanese coming at you, running toward you trying to kill you. I just froze almost. Scared to death, but soon as the fighting started you had to get over it.

Strombo has always been good at flying under the radar.

Hes lived a quiet life on Fairview Avenue in Missoula for more than 50 years in the same log home in which he singlehandedly raised four children.

Strombo didnt talk about it, so it wasnt until the last few years that even his family learned of his role in the South Pacific during World War II in a 6th Marine Regiment platoon known as the Forty Thieves.

Theyre certain now of what they suspected all along.

My dad is probably the biggest hero I know, Sandra Williamson said. He has been the cornerstone for all of us, and hes always been there for our kids as well. Hes our quiet hero.

Turns out Strombo, wholl turn 93 next month, is the oldest and most active of three remaining Forty Thieves, a daring scout-sniper platoon that made its name behind enemy lines on Saipan in 1944.

He, Roscoe Mullins of West Virginia and Bob Smotts of Georgia have been a gold mine of information for Joseph Tachovsky of Madison, Wisconsin, who is in the final stages of a book Forty Thieves: Saipan. A restaurant consultant, Tachovsky started piecing together the story of the Forty Thieves after his father died five years ago and when six Thieves remained.

First Lt. Frank Tachovsky, known to his men as Ski, was commander and Strombo a private of the scout-sniper platoon that his son calls the beginnings of the Navy SEALS.

His father didnt talk much about the war either, Joseph Tachovsky said this week, but his eyes were opened when he found an article from the December 1944 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. It was called Tachovskys Terrors and featured some of the craziest, fiercest, most lovable Marines who have wreaked havoc in, around, and mostly behind the enemy lines.

Strombo said the platoon members jokingly called themselves the Forty Thieves.

Every time we needed a bottle of something we somehow got it, he said, with a grin.

But they were also masters at covert operations, disrupting the enemy in their own camps, tracking locations, and bring back information, Tachovsky said.

Frequent interviews with Tachovsky have opened the faucet to stories that Strombo long suppressed, even as nightmares of war continued to dog him.

He tells of the day he was in a five-man squad that sneaked into Garapan, the capital of Saipan, in broad daylight and came back riding five bicycles. That trip started by foiling an ambush along the ocean shore in which one of his mates, Ira Causey, spotted the glint of a rifle and opened fire, probably saving Strombos life.

One of the Japanese involved was wounded and fled to the water, where Strombo shot and killed him.

I felt kind of bad, he said. We could have taken him prisoner, but you dont think. You just start shooting.

After U.S. troops overran Saipan in July 1944, they moved on to Tinian, a key island within bomber distance of Tokyo that would be the launching pad for the Enola Gay and its atomic cargo a year later. Strombo, who later served in Korea, would finish his World War II service in a devastated Nagasaki, a few weeks after the atomic bomb was dropped there.

But before the assault on Tinian began, the Marines were called back to Saipan, where the Japanese had overrun U.S. Army troops.

There he witnessed more horrifying sights. Rather than being taken alive, Japanese soldiers committed hari-kiri by jumping off a cliff near Garapan called Marpi Point.

They thought the Marines were so bad theyd cut you to pieces, so many of them just took their own lives, Strombo said. Whole families would hold hands and walk out into the ocean (to their deaths). We saw some of that.

American interpreters pleaded by amplifier with the civilians.

They tried to tell them, 'Dont do it, because youre safe and nothing bad will happen to you.' But they didnt listen, Strombo said.

Strombo was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom fought in World War II and came home safely. Oliver was in a different Marine regiment fighting the same battles Marvin was. Dick and Glenn were with the Army in Europe.

Their homecoming in Dixon really wasnt much.

Most of us came home and it was, Well, hi, where have you been? I know it was quite a relief for our mother and whatnot, he said.

All these years later, Strombo thinks of the Japanese he fought and killed with respect.

On Saipan, as the Forty Thieves lurked in the front lines, he came upon a dead Japanese officer. Japanese soldiers often absconded with American dogtags as mementos, while the Americans claimed hinomarus, the Japanese national flag that often had tributes and names of the families of the soldier.

Everybody wanted a flag and also sabers were kind of hard to get because there wasnt that many officers, Strombo said.

He laid claim to both and carried them with him for the rest of the war and, eventually, back to Montana.

Some dirty thief broke into Strombos Missoula home in the late 1970s and stole the saber, he said. But the flag remains, and now one of the last of Forty Thieves wants to give it back.

Is there a way, he wonders, to trace the names on the flag to the Japanese officers descendants? If so, hed be honored to return it.

I dont know, he said. Its been so long now ...
A Citibank sign is reflected in a window in the City of London November 12, 2014. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. bank Citi (NYSE: C) is preparing to move up to 900 jobs from London to Dublin as part of its contingency plans for Britain's exit from the European Union, the Sunday Times reported.

The newspaper said the bank held a board meeting in Dublin last month, and cited sources in the Irish capital as saying Citi was exploring options for office space there.

"They have been testing the Irish political and regulatory regime on a macro level," it quoted one source as saying.

Last month the UK head of Citi, which has 9,000 UK employees, said jobs in London's financial sector would move to other EU countries regardless of what deal Britain strikes on access to the EU's financial services market.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
By Liana B. Baker and Greg Roumeliotis

(Reuters) - The private investment arm of Koch Industries, the industrial conglomerate of the billionaire Koch brothers, is nearing a deal to acquire a significant minority stake in Infor Inc that will value the business software company at roughly $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal, if completed, would mark the largest investment for Koch Equity Development LLC, the Koch Industries affiliate that invests excess cash from the parent company. It would also represent Koch's largest push into the technology sector.

The transaction could be announced as early as next week, the people said on Saturday, asking not to be named because the talks are private. As with any deal negotiation, talks could fall apart at the last minute, the people cautioned.

Koch's investment will be a mix of preferred and common equity, according to one of the sources.

Infor's majority owner, Golden Gate Capital, declined to comment. Infor and Koch Industries did not respond to requests for comment.

Koch Industries, which owns brands such as Brawny paper towels, Dixie Cups and Lycra, is controlled by Charles and David Koch, two of the world's richest men.

Based in New York, Infor helps companies automate business processes. It offers specialized software licenses to specific sectors, as opposed to selling one product to all its customers across industries. It competes with Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), SAP SE and IBM Corp (NYSE: IBM).

Koch Equity previously invested preferred and common equity in Solera Holdings Inc, a technology provider to insurance companies, alongside technology-focused private equity firm Vista Equity, which bought the majority of the company last year. It also invested preferred and common equity into home security firm ADT Corp, which was bought by Apollo Global Management earlier this year.

In taking a stake in Infor, Koch Equity prevailed over private equity firms such as Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX), CVC Capital Partners LTD (NYSE: CVC), Leonard Green & Partners LP and Apax Partners LLP that had been vying to buy either a minority or majority stake in the company, according to people familiar with the matter.

Those firms all declined comment or could not be reached for comment.

The transaction would give Golden Gate Capital a chance to cash in on a portion of its long-held investment in Infor, though it would continue to control the company. Golden Gate has a perpetual buyout fund structure with no finite investment period or fund life.

Summit Partners, a private equity firm that also owns part of Infor, could not be reached for comment.

Reuters first reported in September that Infor had retained Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) to help the company explore options after receiving investment interest.

Golden Gate has owned Infor since 2002, when it acquired one of its predecessor companies, Agilisys. The company changed its name to Infor in 2004, when Agilisys acquired German firm Infor Business Solutions AG.

Under Chief Executive Officer Charles Phillips, a former president of Oracle, Infor has sought to shift its business model to software-as-a-service, or software subscriptions delivered over the cloud to customers, as opposed to software installed on computers.

(This version of the story has been refiled to make clear in headline that private investment arm of Koch Industries and not parent company is taking stake in Infor)

(Reporting by Liana B. Baker in San Francisco and Greg Roumeliotis in Orlando; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Alessandra Prentice and Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldovans cast their votes on Sunday in an election that could install a pro-Russian candidate as president and slam the brakes on seven years of closer integration with the European Union.

Socialist Igor Dodon has led the polls and narrowly failed to win an outright majority in the first round of voting at the end of October. His opponent, Maia Sandu, is a pro-Western former World Bank economist who had promised to tackle corruption.

Dodon's status as favorite is in part a reflection of a loss of trust in pro-European leaders in the ex-Soviet state of 3.5 million, which was plunged into turmoil after a corruption scandal came to light in late 2014.

In another potential blow to the European Union brand, Bulgaria - which also goes to the polls on Sunday - may similarly elect a pro-Russian candidate.

The scandal in Moldova involved the looting of $1 billion - the equivalent of an eighth of its economic output and highlighting the scale of corruption in Europe's poorest nation.

Former prime minister Vlad Filat - one of five prime ministers in three years - was implicated, handcuffed live on TV in parliament and later jailed.

Moldovans believe other members of the pro-EU elite were complicit.

"Local partisans of the West or EU have not only performed weakly but have performed perversely," said William Hill, a former head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Moldova.

"And this has gone a long way to discrediting popular faith in the ideals of the West and the prescriptions of the EU or the U.S. as effective medicine for what ails their societies and their economies."

Squeezed between Ukraine and EU member Romania, Moldova signed a political and trade agreement with the bloc in 2014 that damaged its ties with Moscow, which imposed trade restrictions on Moldovan farming exports.

Dodon's Socialist party wants to scrap that agreement in favor of joining a Eurasian Customs Union dominated by Russia.

"He will bring back stability and rebuild the relationship with Russia - that's important," said pensioner Vladimir Tanasov, who had just cast his vote in polling station in central Chisinau.

Other voters approached by Reuters also said they backed Dodon, who won just under 48 percent of votes in the first round in October. He needed 51 percent or more to avoid the run-off.

In a sign of the waning enthusiasm for the EU, just 30.9 percent of Moldovans would currently support joining as a full member, compared to 44 percent favoring the Eurasian Customs Union, a survey by Moldova's Institute for Public Policy showed in October.

And 66.6 percent of Moldovans say they trust Russian leader Vladimir Putin, compared to 22.1 percent trusting U.S. President Barack Obama and 28.3 percent German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"There is far less belief in what the EU is selling than there was in 2004, the time of the first big enlargement (of the bloc)," Hill said.

(Writing and additional reporting by Matthias Williams; editing by John Stonestreet and Jane Merriman)
Police from the SWAT team walk past a resident during an anti-drugs operation in Mandaluyong, metro Manila in the Philippines, November 12, 2016. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned he may use his executive power to suspend a legal safeguard against arbitrary arrest and detention, and was willing to use drastic measures and even go to jail to make his war on drugs a success.

The former prosecutor, dubbed "the punisher" and elected on promises of a fierce campaign to stop crime and illicit drugs, said there were so many narcotics suspects on his wanted list that building cases one-by-one took too much time and manpower.

He was therefore considering suspending a writ of habeas corpus, which requires the state to justify arrests and detentions.

"I am the president. Of course I have the powers," he said at the launch of a foundation late on Friday.

"I can be ordered by the Supreme Court to stop it, but there are things that they cannot, and maybe, I will not, stop.

"I can go to jail. File all the charges that you can think of. But this country, in my time, will not deteriorate any further."

In the absence of the writ, police would be able to detain suspects without warrant and hold them for three days without charge.

According to the constitution, the president may "in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it", suspend the writ for periods of up to 60 days. The same clause allows for martial law to be invoked, but Duterte said he would not do that.

The firebrand former city mayor has resolutely defended his drugs crackdown and chastised anyone who has voiced criticism or concern, among them the European Union, U.S. President Barack Obama and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Duterte's speech on Friday was not attended by media and his office issued a transcript of the remarks on Saturday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said one of Duterte's reasons for considering the move was to go after people in government who were linked to the drugs trade.

"The list of the persons of interest, who are in government, is just too much," Andanar said in a text message.

(Reporting by Martin Petty and Karen Lema; Editing by Dale Hudson)
DAKAR (Reuters) - The top U.N. regional official for West Africa on Thursday called for the release of dozens of political prisoners in Gambia as long-ruling President Yahya Jammeh submitted his candidacy for a fifth mandate ahead of a December election.

During a visit to the country on Thursday, Mohamed Ibn Chambas urged transparency and a "level playing field" ahead of polls which regional observers have previously boycotted, citing intimidation of the opposition.

"I entreat the government to release the thirty protesters involved in the April demonstrations, as well as the fourteen others who are in pre-trial detention ...," he said, referring to protests in favor of free speech and electoral reform.

He also sought probes into the deaths of two opposition leaders detained around the same period. Jammeh's critics say the deaths are suspicious but the government denies any wrongdoing.

Despite a rare show of unity from Gambia's opposition who have rallied behind businessman Adama Barrow, most observers still expect Jammeh to extend his 22-year rule on Dec. 1.

That is despite growing signs of discontent within the country such as the April protests and a rising number of departures from Gambia, which has the highest number of migrants arriving in Italy this year relative to its population.

Many others have drowned on the way.

Chambas added that it was "regrettable" that a meeting scheduled for earlier this week between Jammeh and the opposition that was intended to provide guidelines for fair elections had been canceled.

At the last election in 2011, regional bloc ECOWAS refused to send observers, citing intimidation of the opposition and the electorate.

However, Jammeh said on Thursday all observers were welcome.

"I urged the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Alieu Momar Njai, to invite all those who doubt the credibility of the electoral process to come observe the whole election procedure," he said shortly after filing his candidacy to the IEC.

EU sources had previously said they had positive indications that a small team of election experts would be welcomed to the country.

That is despite signs of the former British colony's growing disenchantment with the West, such as its government's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court in October.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by James Dalgleish)
Biplanes representing Britain, Botswana and South Africa fly during the start of the Vintage Air Rally over the airport of Sitia on the island of Crete, Greece, November 11, 2016. Vintage Air Rally/Beatrice de Smet/Handout via REUTERS

ATHENS (Reuters) - Twelve vintage biplanes from the 1920s and 1930s set off from the Greek island of Crete on Saturday bound for South Africa for a 12,800-kilometre (8,000-mile) race never attempted before by so many antique aircraft.

The planes are following the route plied by Imperial Airways, a British commercial air transport company that linked Britain's colonies in Africa.

The trip is expected to take 35 days and teams are representing 18 countries, including Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, the United States and Britain.

They will travel through 10 nations such as Egypt, Botswana, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe and Tanzania and make 37 stops en route before finishing in Cape Town.

"Hopefully, we'll all get there and have a massive party when we arrive," said Vintage Air Rally organizer Sam Rutherford.

The planes will make a stop at the Giza pyramids in Egypt, the first time a group of aircraft have been allowed to land there in 80 years.

The plane flown by Robert Redford in the Oscar-winning film "Out of Africa", which he starred in with Meryl Streep, will join the journey in Kenya.

Pilots will be challenged by weather conditions in open cockpits and will sleep in deserts, under the wings of their planes in tents and on riverboats on the Nile.

Seven modern planes and three helicopters will be flying next to the group for support. The winner of the charity rally will receive a "Crete2Cape" winning cup.

The oldest plane dates from 1928 and the aircraft, which can fly as low as 150 meters (490 feet) above the ground, will pass famous African landmarks such as Victoria Falls.

(Reporting by Deborah Kyvrikosaios; Editing by Helen Popper)
An enormous turtle hangs as a good-luck charm from the wall of a traditional medicine shop in a Chinese part of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams commercial hub. Traders who line both sides of the street, tending shops filled with fungi and fragrant bark, insist that they have no such ornaments for sale. One youth says he has heard a neighbour might have stocks of tiger glue, a tonic supposedly made from boiling up big cats. But he warns that the rancid gloop is very priceyand also probably fake.

Vietnams ruling Communist Party looks increasingly embarrassed by the countrys reputation as one of Asias worst wildlife-trafficking hubs. On November 17th and 18th it will advertise its efforts to quash the industry at an international wildlife conference in Hanoi, the capital, which will be attended by representatives from about 40 countries. But while the sale of exotic animal parts in Vietnams big cities is gradually growing less blatant, it may not be getting rarer: the trade still flourishes, online and underground.

Vietnams unsavoury appetites include ivory, pangolin, bear bile and tiger parts. But it is its taste for rhino horn that has lately caused the most consternation abroad. Rising demand from Vietnamese traders is widely blamed for a vast increase in the number of rhinos killed annually in South Africa, which shot up from only about a dozen in 2007 to 1,175 last year.

A lot of the horns entering Vietnam are sold to Chinese visitors, or smuggled into China in bulk (controls are looser at the land border than at Chinese air- and seaports). But they are also consumed by rich Vietnamese, at least some of whom believe that drinking powdered horn can help treat ailments including cancer. Rhino horns are often given to bosses and business partners. Hosts sometimes grind them up at parties to flaunt their wealth.

Distributing grisly pictures of animal carcasses does not much dampen demand, reckons Madelon Willemsen of TRAFFIC, a charity. She thinks such images might even add to rhino horns exotic appeal. Wildlife campaigners have instead focused on convincing Vietnamese businessmen that brown-nosing peers with expensive gifts is unnecessary and unimpressive. One particularly effective message, notes a local activist, has been to remind Vietnamese that rhino horns are made of the same stuff as human nails and hair.

The Vietnamese government promises action, on this and similar scourges. In October border guards seized at least four shipments of ivory, horn and other illicit wildlife products, an unusually large haul (cynics wonder whether their vigilance will cool after this months conference). A new penal code which is supposed to come into force next year could be a big step forward: it introduces criminal penalties for wildlife offences which until now have been punishable only with fines.

Yet campaigners warn that tougher sentencing will make no difference if police keep failing to drag offenders before the courts. On November 14th the Wildlife Justice Commission, a charity, plans to release more details of an investigation into wildlife trafficking at a village not far from Hanoi. It says it saw more than $50m-worth of illegal products for sale there, including 579 rhino horns. The charity handed its findings to the Vietnamese government in January, but is still waiting to hear whether charges will be brought against the dealers involved. It is about time the state joined the hunt.
Tauranga Police are seeking information after a yellow wave ski was found floating near Mount Maunganui.

A member of Mount Maunganui Surf Club called Police after sighting the vessel around 1pm this afternoon.

The wave ski was floating between Rabbit Island and the beach off Marine Parade.

Lifeguards were deployed to search the area.

The wave ski is yellow on top, with black and yellow stripes running lengthways on the hull and appears be in a worn condition.

Anyone with information or whoever owns the wave ski is asked to call Tauranga Police on 07 5774300. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
As aftershocks from this mornings earthquakes continue, the Ministry of Civil Defence And Emergency Management is urging all New Zealanders to stay safe, take care of each other, keep calm and follow the advice of their local civil defence groups.

The tsunami warning has now been downgraded but some risk remains, says the CDEM.

Some evacuation notices are in the progress of being lifted.

For an update on the situation in your local area check with your local civil defence group.

The earthquakes and tsunami have affected different areas of New Zealand differently, says the CDEM.

"Local authorities are working as hard and fast as they can to take care of communities and build a picture of how New Zealand has been affected.

People in the earthquake affected area are being warned to check with your employer and with transport providers before leaving for work.

"Where possible stay out of damaged buildings and always check with building managers or owners before entering.

"There are widespread reports of damage and some initial reports of casualties but it is too early to confirm details. Local and central government authorities will provide more information as soon as possible.

"The public should watch out for fallen powerlines, broken gas lines and other damage that could be dangerous. Infrastructure damage should be reported to service providers," says the CDEM.

"Anyone in need of emergency assistance where life or property is threatened is advised to call 111."
UPDATED: The beach and marine threat, which was issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence earlier this morning, has been lifted for Bay of Plenty.

Group Controller Clinton Naude says people in coastal areas should continue to exercise caution.

"The seas will remain unsettled for sometime yet so at this stage we are still recommending people stay out of the water and off the beaches."

People in coastal areas should:

Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)

Stay off beaches and shore areas

Do not go sightseeing

Share this information with family, neighbours and friends

Further updates will be provided on Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Managements Facebook page www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence and website www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz .

Earlier:

A beach and marine threat, which was issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management for the east coast of the North Island earlier this morning, still exists for Bay of Plenty.

For residents that chose to evacuate its safe for them to return to their homes.

A resident in Katikati reported feeling the 7.5 earthquake just after midnight.

Another resident says their blinds in their house were shaking and ornaments hanging from the ceiling were swinging.

Bay of Plenty group controller Clinton Naude is urging the community to exercise caution around beaches, estuaries, rivers and streams.

"The unsettled seas may still cause changes to currents, tides and wave patterns. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the morning.

People in the coastal areas should:

Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)

Stay off beaches and shore areas

Do not go sightseeing

Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates

Follow instructions of local civil defence authorities

Regular updates will be provided on Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Managements website www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz and on www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence. As the situation evolves, more information will be available.

Meanwhile, police continue to work with other emergency services and support communities in response to the earthquake which occurred just after midnight.

One casualty has been reported at a collapsed property in Kaikora.

Police are also trying to access a property at Mt Lyford north of Christchurch where a further casualty has been reported, which is believed to be a fatality.

Police districts in the North and South Island are working with fire and civil defence to check areas where damage has occurred.

Wellington City Council has advised people not to travel into the city this morning.

Police warn that anyone who does intend coming into the city could experience delays on the motorway as train services are currently suspended.

The Chatham Islands and the coastal areas between Blenheim and Banks Peninsula are still prone to a marine and land threat. #eqnz  MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) November 13, 2016

Some roads in the city may not be accessible, and diversions may be in place.

Police urge everyone in the affected areas to continue to listening to advice from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, as well as local Civil Defence services.

Police expect to have a fuller picture of the situation as it gets light.

The Police 111 service is working normally for anyone who wishes to report an emergency.

All schools from North Canterbury to Wellington are closed, including early childhood education centres.

State Highway 1, between Christchurch and Picton is closed.

KiwiRail has suspended all train services.

Christchurch Airport is still open.
Prime Minister John Key says two people have died after this mornings 7.5 earthquake.

On the best information we have theres been two fatalities. At this point were unable to give you precise information on what caused those fatalities," John in his first address to media since the earthquake.

"We think its only likely to be two - there are isolated parts of the country that we dont have perfect eyes on so we cant be 100 per cent sure."

It was most the significant shock I can ever remember in Wellington.

Kaikoura on the East Coast was the worst affected and an NH90 helicopter will be heading there "very rapidly" to assess the situation.

John says military helicopters are available and once its practical to do so both he and acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee will head to the worst affected areas.

A national emergency hasnt been called at this stage because the 16 regional Civil Defences are all activated and able to "carry out their functions".

The quake was widely felt in both the South and North Islands, as far north as Auckland, causing damage and knocking out power as well as triggering tsunami alerts.

Police earlier said they were trying to access a property north of Christchurch where a person was believed to have died.

The Fire Service was also searching for a person who was believed to be missing after a homestead collapsed in Kaikoura. One person had been found alive in the rubble, reports Stuff.

A 7-person Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) squad was en route to Kaikoura from Christchurch by helicopter.

Assessment teams were travelling to Waiau and Blenheim.

Key was due to fly out to Argentina on Tuesday en route to APEC in Peru.

A decision hasnt been made about whether he will cancel his plans but its possible the Argentina leg of the trip will be cancelled.
CERRO GORDO  A teenager's obsession with a musical has led to friendship, art, personal growth and possibly an expansion of performances of the musical.

It was a big risk, Cerro Gordo junior Cora Hyde said of the production she mounted of the musical Side Show. I knew I'd either fall on my face or end up standing somewhat.

Hyde directed and co-starred in a special production of Side Show. The Broadway musical was first launched in 1997. It's about the sideshow freak culture, also documented in the 1932 feature film Freaks. The focus of the musical is the story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Throughout the musical, the lead actresses are inseparable, just like the real-life Hiltons.

While on a tour of New York's Broadway two years ago, Hyde saw a poster for the revival of the show. I was, she said, intrigued by the image of the stylishly dressed conjoined twins.

I've always been intrigued when things are different, Hyde said. She tells a story of being fascinated with a duck with a deformed leg, and looking for that duck every time she returned to the place she'd originally seen it.

They're different externally. I feel different internally.

When Hyde did more research into Side Show, she was taken by the story, the music and the complexity of the idea.

It's packed with emotion and heartache, she said. This show has such a sense of belonging. Every person. Everyone is a freak. We just hide it.

A teenager obsessing on a musical is an everyday occurrence. But more mainstream plays are normally the subject.

I personally don't connect with 'Cats' and 'Wicked' and 'Hamlton', Hyde said. I don't like it when things are spelled out for you. I love 'Dr. Zhivago,' 'Side Show,' stories where it's about the underdog. I like having things that aren't so out there or in your face or over the top. I guess I relate more to things that are reserved.

She didn't stop with the soundtrack album, either. When a production of the play appeared in Chicago a year ago, Hyde naturally acquired tickets. Meanwhile, she'd introduced herself via e-mail to the play's writer, Bill Russell, and its composer, Henry Krieger.

Cerro Gordo theater instructor Vicky Gilpin last year held the first workshop presentation of a play in the high school's library. Hyde, encouraged by her knowledge of multiple versions of the play and by her acquaintance with the writers, proposed mounting the musical.

How unusual is a student production at the school? It's never happened under Gilpin's watch.

We have a talent show here, the teacher said, and about 10 years ago, we had a student direct a scene in that. And we've had students who wanted to write plays. But this is the first time we've had something like this. Until now, we never had the follow-through.

With Cora, I knew it wouldn't be an issue. I knew about her obsession and interest in this show. Had it been a different student, it might have been an issue. But she was committed.

The degree of her commitment was deep. She and her mother spent the summer working on costumes for the project. Hyde spent the summer recording piano tracks for the production. She discussed changes and additions with writers Russell and Krieger. She held auditions, and assembled a cast and crew of about 20 people.

Hyde dealt with what Gilpin called the normal high school issues of cast members dropping out and scrambling to replace them. One defection caused Hyde to return home hours before showtime to rerecord piano tracks in a different key for a new cast member.

This is just how much this show means to me, Hyde said. I think it went very, very well with so many people helping out. There were people stepping in and being excited. The new people just embodied their characters.

Gilpin left Hyde in charge, checking in briefly on just one rehearsal.

We conferred a lot, Gilpin said, but all I did was check in on her once. I made it clear I was consulting. I didn't want anyone looking at me and saying, 'What do you think?' It was more making sure she had the support.

The musical was presented in the middle of the library with seats on either side. Seats had to be added as an audience filled the library. There was no seating in the front of the stage. That space housed the music playback and video and still cameras. The performance was documented at the request of Russell and Krieger, with hints of the possibility of using Hyde's production as a guide for a potential high school licensing version of the musical.

I hope it's the beginning of something new, Hyde said. I hope people want more.

And whatever happens, Hyde has found two new friends in the conjoined twins. The Hiltons died at age 60 in 1969, but documents of their lives remain, and Hyde is a collector. Some of her collection was on display at the performance.

I could talk about them for hours, Hyde said. They're such fascinating people. Just the idea of conjoined twins being the basis of such a cool musical. I was interested in the way they live, and in their background of the story.

I've channeled them through my daily life.
Mall Lockdown New York

Police arrive at the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland responding to reports of gunfire in the mall, Saturday. Hundreds of people were evacuated and the mall was locked down.

(AP Photo/Michael Groll)

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities swarmed a shopping mall near Albany after receiving reports of a possible shooting and were looking for a suspect, though no injuries were reported.

Guilderland police Chief Carol Lawlor said officers responded around 2:25 p.m. Saturday to the Crossgates Mall in the Albany suburb of Guilderland for a report of a possible shooting.

Several gun shots had apparently been fired and the mall was locked down and people sheltered in place in stores, Lawlor said. Police had not found a shooting victim, but were still searching the mall, she said.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall. More were still inside waiting to be escorted out.

Guilderland officers were assisted at the scene by Albany police, Colonie police, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and the FBI. A state police helicopter circled overhead and Lawlor estimated that more than 100 police officers were on the scene.

Lawlor said the gunfire occurred near the Apple store in the mall and that police had identified a suspect on video. The suspect was described as a 6-foot-tall black man weighing 200 pounds and wearing a white shirt and black hooded sweatshirt. No one has been arrested yet.

State Police Maj. Bill Keeler told the Albany Times-Union there were reports of a shooting that seemed "like a confrontation' between two men who fled the scene. But police could not confirm those reports.

Crossgates Mall is the fourth-largest shopping mall in New York state. It is owned by Syracuse-based Pyramid Companies, which also owns the sprawling Destiny USA mall.

Contact Ken Sturtz: 315-766-7833 | Email | Twitter | Facebook | Google+
Central New York Playhouse's newest production, Len Fonte's "Melagrana," which opened on Friday, is possibly their toughest, most challenging production to date.

It is certainly among the most intense and gripping shows that have been performed in the area.

Directed as well as written by Fonte, and set in modern Sicily near an architectural dig, it traces the reactions of a small group of people to the events that involve a murder.

Somehow the death leaves them feeling exposed, and their strongest motive, when they talk, is to try to clear themselves of guilt, real or imagined. (Editor's note: Fonte is a theater critic for syracuse.com and the Post-Standard.)

One of the most attractive qualities of his script is that the talk sounds like the talk of real people, driven by understandable motivations and intent on living their lives.

"Melagrana" is Italian for pomegranate, and pomegranates figure in the script, especially in the rituals that some of the characters perform.

Giovanni DaSilva opens both acts of the show by singing strange, beguiling melodies in a high, haunting voice.

A couple of ironies are at work in the script. One especially is that things of everyday life, if buried for a long while, come to be of special interest. But even more than interesting themes, Fonte and his cast fill the action with interesting, lifelike characters.

And in a sustained motif, we see how difficult it is to understand a culture different from our own, and how easily unrealistic expectations can arise. This is especially the case with Margie Cameron (Natalie Oliver), who tends to romanticize situations.

Margie is also something of a tourist type, alert to what she believes are her entitlements. Within a few minutes of arriving she triumphantly announces that she is glad she has found "the real Sicily." The actors skilfully work nuances and subtleties into their lines. Carmen Viviano-Crafts, for example, is Inspector Concetta Russo, a relaxed detective who can lower the boom on a tricky-minded suspect.

Nick Turturro gives a strong performance as Ettore, a Sicilian graduate student who desperately needs to make an important archeological find. Madi Beumee is an assertive Lorna, a bit of a tough cookie; and Giovanni DaSilva does strong, understated character acting as Robertino, a shepherd.

There is a not a lot of physical action, but the characters clearly have big stakes in the choices they make. Tensions run high.

Fonte's program notes point out that although his play is inspired by the tragic story of American student Amanda Knox, his plot follows a quite different direction.

The script has a little fun with the fact that academic types -- undergraduates, graduate students and faculty -- are likely to gravitate to an architectural dig. Margie calls Ettore "dottor," doctor -- and he corrects her: "Almost."

Navroz Dabu's set features huge, make-believe white classical columns that give a feeling of airy spaciousness to the whole set.

The Details

What: "Melagrana," new play by Len Fonte, presented by Central New York Playhouse in conjunction with The Armory Square Playhouse.

When: Seen on Friday, Nov. 11.

Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.

Length: Three hours, including intermission.

Performs through: Nov. 19.

Info: 885-8960, and cnyplayhouse.com.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Approximately 1,000 people turned out for the Sgennonh Unity March to draw attention to violence, injustice and police brutality they say is being inflicted on protesters of the Standing Rock oil pipeline in North Dakota.

For four hours, elders and children led the march. Elders are the knowledge holders and children are the ones who will deal with the consequences, said a woman on a megaphone.

More women, children, elders, men - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - walked six miles with a police escort from the Onondaga Nation Arena on Route 11 to Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse.

Drivers honked. Onlookers waved, smiled, clapped and put their fist in the air.

Three women came out of a house on Salina Street and yelled, "Yeah! Leave our water alone!"

The crowded chanted, "Mni Wiconi," which means water is life in Lakota. Other sayings yelled were "You can't drink oil, keep it in the soil," "We stand with Standing Rock" and "We the people will never be defeated."

Volunteers handed out snacks and water on the side of the road, and gave rides to participants who could not walk the entire six miles.

Local community members wanted to the bring awareness to the water protectors fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, said Awhenjiosta Myers, one of the many Indigenous women organizers of the march.

"Injustice and brutality are being inflicted on water protectors," Myers said, an Onondaga Nation citizen, who just returned last week from Standing Rock. "There are innocent people standing in North Dakota unarmed being shot, tazed, being pepper sprayed, being beaten with batons, being humiliated."

On Oct. 27, water protectors and police officers came to a standoff when the officers forcefully removed campers with a sound cannon, concussion grenades, batons, pepper spray and bean-bag bullets from the Oceti Sakowin Treaty Camp set on treaty land. The United States government promised land to the Lakota as part of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

The Energy Transfers oil company is set to build the 1,172-mile crude-oil pipeline through 50 counties in four states.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe said the pipeline's route under the Missouri River will contaminate the tribe's only water supply and destroy ancestral, sacred land and burial sites.

Initially, the proposed route was north of Bismarck and rerouted due to concerns of polluting the city's drinking water.

Syracuse resident Jan Cuipylo joined the march in Nedrow after taking photos.

"My heart was so filled watching while the police cars and then everybody else came up over the hill," she said. "A lot of our brothers and sisters are being brutalized by the American government basically. We're not being protected, and if we don't speak up, we're not going to have any water left."

Another march participant, Jackie Old Coyote-Logan, citizen of the Crow Nation in Montana, said water is the most powerful force in the world.

"This movement is about protecting the integrity of the Earth," she said, who resides in Oneida Nation. "Just that word 'integrity' means human. This needs to be happening around the world."

Those who traveled to North Dakota, such as Joe Heath, Jason Corwin and Jeanne Shenandoah, spoke in Clinton Square after singing, drumming and dancing.

Shenandoah said she talked with people in Standing Rock about the desecration of their ancestors' graves and sacred spaces.

"What would happen if the grave of your grandmother was completely disregarded and plowed over for the sake of somebody's greed?" she said. "Pray for the protectors. Pray for the oppressors."

Even after the traumatic confrontation two weeks ago and continuous flight of planes over the camps, the people are not giving up.

Myers just returned from Standing Rock after taking donations and supplies collected from the benefit concert on Onondaga Nation about two weeks ago.

The $7,000 raised from the concert went to chainsaws, axes and large supplies needed for the camp, she said.

"Being there with the people last week, you could feel they're tired but you can still feel their strength, you can still feel their unity," Myers said. "You can still feel the power in the camp."
SCHROEPPEL, N.Y. -- A wrong-way driver who caused a crash that killed himself and two others on Interstate 481 Monday had been involved in three other accidents recently, a friend says.

State police said they are considering "all possibilities" that could have caused Bruce R. Drury Sr., 68, of Syracuse, to crash Nov. 7. Troopers haven't found anything to suggest he was suicidal and don't think he suffered a medical emergency. Toxicology tests are pending.

Daniel Schmidtka, who said he and Drury had been friends for a decade, thinks the crash was similar to three health-related crashes Drury had recently.

Bruce R. Drury Sr.

Drury served in the Army during the Vietnam War and in the Air Force during peacetime, according to his obituary.

A couple months ago, Schmidtka said, Drury mentioned flashbacks from his time in the military were keeping him from sleeping. Drury was struggling to get sleep medication from the Syracuse VA Medical Center, Schmidtka said.

Drury was in several crashes earlier this year when he fell asleep at the wheel, Schmidtka said. Recently Drury dozed off and hit a parked pickup truck. Schmidtka had done mechanic work for his friend before and fixed Drury's car after the most recent crash because the damage was minor, he said. He finished a couple days before the crash.

Schmidtka said he believes it's possible Drury fell asleep behind the wheel, crashed and then woke up and, disoriented, drove the wrong way.

Suicide seems unlikely, Schmidtka said, because Drury had just gotten some long-awaited shoulder surgery and had talked about being able to buy and ride a motorcycle. Drury wasn't supposed to drive for a couple weeks after the surgery because of physical limitations, Schmidtka said, though he did anyway.

Daniel Schmidtka said he and his wife set up a memorial where the crash happened on the highway for Bruce Drury and the others who were killed.

Schmidtka said he and his wife set up a memorial where the crash happened on the highway for Drury and the others who were killed.

Regardless of what caused Drury's crash, Schmidtka said, he was a good friend who was stubborn, but caring about his friends.

Once when Schmidtka was going to be evicted Drury handed his friend $650 and told him to take care of his it.

"Bruce would give anybody the shirt off his back," he said. "That was the kind of guy he was.

Bruce Drury's son, Rick Drury, declined to comment earlier this week when reached by phone.
There was one story this week, and it was the election of Republican Donald Trump to the presidency.

In addition to the president-elect, the cartoonists take aim at wayward pollsters, Hillary Clinton, celebrities who threatened to move to Canada, climate change, the electoral college, post-election violence and the fractured state of politics in the land.

The cartoons are as sharp, or sharper, than they have been throughout the campaign.

David Horsey of The Los Angeles Times reaches back into history to quote the ascerbic journalist and world-class cynic, H.L. Mencken, on the people's choice. Mencken's zinger has been applied to the last two presidents by their detractors.
BLOOMINGTON  Democrats and Republicans who represent much of Central Illinois on the state and federal levels have a common message for President-elect Donald Trump: Get to work.

I hope hell surround himself with smart people, listen to them and be an effective president, said U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Dunlap Republican. Politics ended on Tuesday. Now we need to get to governing.

In the days after Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton for the nation's highest office, local leaders shared different priorities for his tenure.

U.S. Rep Adam Kinzinger, a Channahon Republican, said in a statement, "We can finally repeal the damaging and costly Obamacare and work towards simplifying our tax code."

Kinzinger, who did not endorse Trump, said he looks forward to working with his administration, adding, "I personally hope to see our (GOP) majority strengthen international relations and promote strong global leadership."

Trump has pledged to repeal and replace the divisive health care law, alter the tax code and destroy ISIS, though critics have questioned his grasp of foreign policy.

"House Republicans have put forth our vision  A Better Way," U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said in a statement. Davis initially supported Trump but pulled his endorsement after an audio tape of Trump using vulgar language about women became public.

LaHood also name-checked the "Better Way" plan, the brainchild of House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. It promises to reform taxes and health care; boost small businesses and the economy; rein in government; and reduce poverty.

I think (Trump's) message of turning the economy around is really what we need to focus on, said LaHood, , who endorsed Trump. Replacing Obamacare is going to be important to fixing the economy.

LaHood said despite the GOP taking control of the House, Senate and presidency, Congress will need to check Trump should his rhetoric spin out of control  he was criticized for racist, sexist and xenophobic remarks during his campaign  and where members disagree with his policy ideas.

I think those things will subside now, LaHood said. "We disagree when it comes to trade, and I dont necessarily think building a (border) wall is the right approach to take. ... Im going to advocate on those things in my conversations with him and his staff."

State Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican, said he wants to see Trump improve Illinois by tackling the nation's infrastructure problems  as he has promised to do.

Lowering tax rates would help foster business investment in our state, said Brady, who backed the Republican nominee. Obamacare has been a disaster in Illinois. Correcting the flaws of it will help not only Illinois but the rest of the nation.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican, said, "People are just so frustrated right now, with Washington and Springfield," and if Trump helps people feel more confident in their government, that would be a great thing." Mitchell voted for Trump in the March primary election.

"Reform of Obamacare is my No. 1 priority, because my constituents come in, particularly if they're self-employed, and tell me they're getting eaten up by costs," Mitchell said. The (U.S) Supreme Court is huge. He has now at least one pick, and he could have more in this term.

Trump released this spring a list of conservative judges whom he might appoint to the court, which has an open seat.

State Rep. Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican who also supported the Republican nominee, wants to see infrastructure and transportation as top priorities for Trump  "issues that could unite instead of divide further.

My hope is that he can successfully separate himself from the roller coaster of the electoral process and prepare himself to be a statesman, Brady said. "As they said in 'Hamilton,' Winning is easy, young man. Governings harder.'

I wish him the best for the future of our country.
Cuomo111016.JPG

Gov. Andrew Cuomo addresses reporters at a convention for unmanned aerial systems companies at the Syracuse OnCenter on Thursday.

(Patrick Lohmann | Syracuse.com)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has launched two hate crime investigations after racist graffiti referencing president-elect Donald Trump appeared at an Upstate NY college campus last week.

A resident assistant living in SUNY Geneseo's Nassau Hall discovered a swastika and the word "Trump" scrawled on the wall of a common area in the dormitory on Friday, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reported.

Police immediately removed the graffiti and launched an investigation at the Western NY university.

SUNY Geneseo President Denise A. Battles sent an email to the SUNY Geneseo Community on Saturday condemning the graffiti, and saying it "runs completely counter to the values and welcoming environment of our inclusive community."

The incident at SUNY Geneseo came just days after another graffitied swastika with the message "Make America White Again" was discovered on the side of a softball dugout in Wellsville in Western NY.

Trump has spoken about "Making America great again," but someone else had a different message recently in Wellsville. pic.twitter.com/YGBFfBXO8F  Brian Quinn (@brianqwdr) November 9, 2016

Cuomo issued a statement on Saturday calling for a multi-agency investigation by the New York State Police, SUNY police and the State Division of Human Rights, WGRZ-TV reported.

"To those who think they can intimidate our fellow New Yorkers through racism or anti-Semitism I have one message: Don't count on it. It is unacceptable that this is the second investigation that we have had to announce in the last several hours," Cuomo said in a statement. "To any New Yorker who is scared, I want you to know that we have your back, that we will keep you safe, and that protecting your rights is what America stands for."

.@NYGovCuomo announces 2nd investigation today into an alleged hate crime, this time at SUNY Geneseo: pic.twitter.com/ttui7RJjLr  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2016

Despite losing the state, Donald Trump saw widespread support in Upstate New York, where the majority of counties voted for the businessman. Trump even managed to swing 18 counties that voted Democrat in the 2012 election.

Gov. Cuomo has maintained his opposition to Trump in the wake of the election. On Thursday he said he has "grave philosophical differences" with the president-elect, and said that New York would be a safe harbor for immigrants who feel they are under attack by the federal government.








At PwnFest, a hacking competition in Seoul, South Korea,

A white-hat hackers team named

Qihoo 360 hacked the Google's Pixel under 60 seconds.





The team

used a zero-day vulnerability to remotely install code, and then the exploit launched Google Play store and then Google's Chrome before showing the message "Pwned by 360 Alpha Team".









Google gave

$120,000 to

Qihoo 360

for showing them the

vulnerability in

Google Pixel. Google will now work on patching the same.





The team also won a total of $520,000 in cash prizes after

demonstrating additional vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge, and Adobe Flash.









Source:- Theregister
One of Android's biggest problems is fragmentation, which keeps the latest and greatest version of the OS from making it to many devices fast. Samsung is looking to end that by launching the Android 7.0 Nougat Galaxy Beta Program for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Before Google unveiled its new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, its Nexus handsets were the devices Android smartphone fans flocked to since they came with the guarantee of receiving Android OS updates directly from Google. The Pixel and Pixel XL continue Google's tradition of getting timely Android updates.

Now, the biggest Android smartphone maker is addressing the Android fragmentation issue.

Samsung Addresses Android Fragmentation Issue

Samsung has just announced the Android 7.0 Nougat Galaxy Beta Program for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The company is allowing users in the U.S., UK and South Korea to sign up for the beta program. Users in China will gain access to the program shortly, according to the company. Samsung notes that users can apply for the program and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Throughout the Galaxy Beta Program period**, users can get a feel for Android 7.0 Nougat*** with Samsung's latest UX, and can provide feedback on performance, reliability and usability. Users' responses will in turn help Samsung develop reliable, high-performing software and provide an improved and optimized experience to all Galaxy users," according to a post on Samsung's website. "Users that have an active Samsung Account and meet program requirements may apply for the program by downloading the Galaxy Beta Program app through Galaxy Apps or the Samsung Members app which is available through the Google Play store or Galaxy Apps depending on their country of residence."

This program is only available to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge users, Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition and Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition device owners will not have access to the beta program. UK users must have a non-operator locked handset to take part in the program.

Android 7.0 Nougat Features

Some of the best new features in Android 7.0 Nougat include new power savings enhancements that will squeeze more battery life out of your smartphone. Building on Google's Doze feature, which debuted in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Nougat's "Doze on the Go" kicks in whenever the display is off, even if the phone is in motion, saving precious battery life.

Multi-window app support was already a feature Samsung offered on its Galaxy Note phablets but Android 7.0 Nougat brings the feature to all smartphones. Users are able to open two apps and display the apps side by side on the screen. For instance, you can surf the web while messaging, or write an email while watching a YouTube video, which brings enhanced multitasking to Android 7.0 Nougat.

Have you signed up for the Android 7.0 Nougat Galaxy Beta Program on your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and taken it for a spin? What do you think of it? Please let us know in the comments below.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
DECATUR  Preparing future cast members for a Decatur Park District production of the Guys and Dolls musical began Saturday with an audition workshop at the Poage Arts and Recreation Center.

About 75 children in grades one through 12 took part in one of two age-specific workshops intended to prepare them for the show and ease some of the nerves they might be feeling going into the production.

Delaney Kwasny, 13, a Johns Hill Magnet School student, feels more confident after performing in previous shows. She hopes others will come with an open mind about what they can accomplish.

I was terrified at first, Delaney said. Now I know you can do anything you put your mind to. It makes you blossom. It's an amazing program. You can't get an opportunity like it any other place.

Auditions for the show that is part of the park district's PERFORM program will be held in 30-minute time slots for groups of 10 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Callbacks will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.

Sign-ups begin Monday and will be taken through Dec. 8 by calling (217) 422-5911. The cost for those who participate in the play is $150 for nonresidents and $130 for residents, with discounts and financial assistance available, said Marie Jagger-Taylor, the park district's cultural arts manager who is the director/choreographer for the show.

Students come from 24 area schools in addition to homeschoolers to participate in the program, Jagger-Taylor said.

It's a great way to bring the greater Decatur area together, said Jagger-Taylor, who is hoping to select as many cast members for various parts as possible. She said not everybody needs to sing and dance, as other roles will be available.

We want them to be successful and come be part of the show, Jagger-Taylor said.

Delaney is among the students excited about the possibility of performing in Guys and Dolls, which is set in New York during the 1940s. The musical was selected in part because it is one of music director Christine Smith's favorite shows, which was the first one she remembers seeing growing up.

Smith thinks it's a show the children will enjoy as they begin preparing.

It's a cool story, Smith said. They'll pick it up so fast. This is such a great group of kids.

Smith hopes the workshop helped make some of the children feel less nervous about needing to audition, which she said can be a scary word.

This sets them at ease, Smith said. We want them to have a good time.

For some, especially the younger children, just having the confidence to stand up in front of an audience is an important life skill, Jagger-Taylor said. Part of the workshop included having the children practice introductions by saying their names, ages and schools clearly and loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Jolie Stuart, a fifth-grader at Maroa-Forsyth Grade School, and Reese Peters, a fourth-grader at Cerro Gordo, were among those practicing during the first workshop of the morning. They each said that anyone thinking about trying out should give it their best.

I love the program, Jolie said. No matter how it goes, don't be scared.

Grace Brewster, 16, of Decatur is looking forward to trying out for the program again with a particular interest in the music for the show.

It's a ton of fun for everybody, Grace said.

John Haskins, 16, of Decatur said the program is a great way to meet people as he's looking forward to the experience.

I feed off the energy, John said. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

The program is supported in part through a donation from Archer Daniels Midland Co., Jagger-Taylor said. Weekend rehearsals begin Jan. 7 at the Poage Center with performances scheduled for March 17-19 at the Decatur Civic Center.
There really is no liquid water on the surface of Mars, said an international research team after examining meteorites found on the red planet.

In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers detailed their findings, pointing out that the Martian meteorites lack rust, which indicates the planet is extremely dry and has been like that for millions of years.

Rust And Moisture Formation

An earlier study that used data gathered by the Mars Curiosity Rover after investigating the Gale crater suggested that there exists the possibility that extremely salty liquid water may be able to condense in the upper layers of soil on Mars overnight.

For their work, the researchers used data from the Mars Opportunity Rover, examining a meteorite cluster located at the Meridiani Planum, a plain at a similar latitude as the Gale crater and situated south of Mars' equator. They calculated for the chemical weathering rate on the red planet to determine how long it would take for rust to form on the meteorites' metallic iron components.

Based on their findings, it would take between 10 and 10,000 times longer for Mars to reach the same rate of rust formation that the driest deserts on Earth are capable of, and it looks like the extreme aridity they observed has persisted on the red planet for millions of years.

Christian Schroder, one of the authors of the study, acknowledged that Mars was once wet and supported life, but evidence points to this as existing more than 3 billion years ago. He said that their research supports earlier reports of just how barren and dry Mars' current environment is.

"For life to exist in the areas we investigated, it would need to find pockets far beneath the surface," he added.

These pockets would be able to sustain life because they are shielded away from the radiation and dryness that persisted on Mars' surface.

Search For Life On Mars

Schroder and his colleagues' work is just one of the many that have been initiated not only to better understand Mars, but also to determine if life on the red planet existed. Recently, this search for life on Mars brought scientists to Hawaii's Mauna Ulu, where a series of simulations will be carried out as part of the preparations for manned missions to Mars in the future.

The simulations will test out technologies and develop procedures that will aid in identifying, collecting and protecting samples collected from Mars that may potentially host life.

Researchers from NASA's Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains (BASALT) mission will be in Mauna Ulu for two weeks.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Google Pixel, a device that is being considered as possibly the best Android smartphone to date, has just been hacked by Chinese team in less than 60 seconds.

The feat was achieved by white hat hackers from security solutions company Qihoo 360 at PwnFest, a hacking competition held in Seoul, South Korea.

The Google Pixel Hack

At PwnFest, Qihoo 360 demonstrated an exploit that gave the team access for remote code execution on the Google Pixel. Using a zero-day vulnerability, the team hacked the smartphone in less than 60 seconds, allowing them to remotely install code on the smartphone.

The exploit allowed Qihoo 360 to launch the Google Play Store and the mobile version of the Google Chrome browser, with a message that read "Pwned by 360 Alpha Team" displayed on the Google Pixel afterwards.

The hackers were also able to gain full remote access to the smartphone, allowing them to access all the personal information stored in the device, including messages, contacts, phone calls and content such as photos.

Are Google Pixel Owners Safe?

Fortunately, as the Qihoo 360 team is made up of white hat hackers, they were not interested in using the exploit for criminal applications. They did come away with a cash prize of $120,000 though, after their demonstration of the hack.

The team has also sent over the details of the Google Pixel vulnerability to Google, with the company now working on a patch that will protect owners of the smartphone from the security issue.

Google Pixel Security Issues

Early this month, Android director of security Adrian Ludwig said that the Google Pixel and the iPhone of rival Apple are on the same level when it comes to security, a bold claim considering that Android is far more vulnerable to hacking due to its open source nature and various customizations.

However, last month at the Mobile Pwn2Own event in Japan, Tencent's Keen Labs were also able to breach the security of the smartphone. The software of the Google Pixel itself even carries its own vulnerability, as the Trusted Voice feature that allows users to unlock the smartphone through a voice command is enabled by default, despite its many potential security concerns.

Other Hacking Victims At PwnFest

PwnFest saw the security measures of many other devices and software fall in attacks launched by white hat hackers. Among the victims are Apple's updated Safari on MacOS Sierra, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Edge and VMWare Workstation.

Qihoo 360 walked away from the event with a total of $520,000 in prizes.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Pune Girls Doodle To Feature On Googles Homepage On November 14

Tomorrow is Childrens Day in India and there is no better way of rejoicing it by celebrating the work of an eleven-year-old. Google India will be featuring Anvita Prashant Telangs doodle on Googles homepage on November 14 to celebrate Childrens Day. She recently won the national level Doodle 4 Google contest.

Since 2009, Google has been running Doodle 4 Google contest. With Doodle 4 Google competition, we aim to promote creativity, passion and imagination in younger users. We congratulate Anvita for being judged as the winner this year, said Sapna Chadha, Head of Marketing, Google India, in a statement.

Based on this years theme If I could teach anyone anything, it would be, Anvita had submitted her doodle titled Live in the present, which won compliments. Anvita who loves to draw is a student of Vibgyor High School in Balewadi, Pune.

Her mother Aparna Telang said, Although Anvita is a regular 11-year-old, sometimes her answers are so philosophical that they flummox me. Sometimes I tell her what is happening in my office and her replies have been very mature and different from what you would expect from someone as young as her.

Anvita believes that the world is running at a faster pace due to which it is not able to enjoy small and good things in nature and life. That is what I have tried to show in my doodle. I try to live in the present and not worry too much about anything. That keeps me happy, she said.

An official statement from Google said, Her creativity and vision towards developing a better world and healthy lifestyle is well reflected through her colourful doodle where she has showcased how everyone should enjoy every moment and appreciate the simple things around us and live stress-free.

Over 50 cities across the country send their entries, which were then assessed on artistic merit, creativity and theme communication as well as their distinctive and different approach to the Doodle. The Doodle represents greeneries, water, water life, balloons, making it a lovely animated picture.

Source: TOI
Facebook achieves high speed 20 Gbps millimetre wave wireless data transmission

In an announcement made by Facebook this week, researchers and engineers from Facebooks Connectivity Lab managed to achieve speeds up to 20 Gbps over millimeter-wave (MMW) technology at a distance of more than eight miles (over 13 kms) while testing millimeter wireless broadband technology. This is a part of an effort made by Facebook to expand broadbands reach (and by proxy, ads) to less connected parts of the world.

The RF team recently hit the 20 Gbps mark over 2 GHz of bandwidth using custom-built components that consumed 105 watts of total direct current (DC) power at the transmitter and receiver, according to Abhishek Tiwari of Facebook Connectivity Labs.

To put this in perspective, our demonstrated capacity is enough data to stream almost 1,000 ultra-high-definition videos at the same time, Tiwari wrote in a Facebook Engineering Blog entry posted Thursday.

The tests have been taking place in Southern California using the E-band, a group of millimeter wave frequencies between 60 and 90GHz.

Ultimately, Facebook intends to use MMW links to connect a fleet of solar-powered drones designed to provide broadband coverage over a 60-mile-wide area on the ground, at data rates up more than 30 Gbps.

The next generation air-to-ground communication system capable of supporting 40 Gbps each on uplink and downlink between an aircraft and a ground station will be flight-tested in early 2017, the company says of the advancements. We will continue to push the limits of wireless capacity over long ranges while staying within the tough size, weight and power constraints of Aquila communication payloads.
Dear Dr. Roach: My wife and I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for several years for arthritis. We have found it to be very beneficial. Our ages are 80 and 82.

In a recent consumer magazine, there is an article about pain, including a paragraph about glucosamine and chondroitin. The article is negative about taking this supplement because of its side effects. The last sentence reads, "The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons doesn't recommend glucosamine or chondroitin." What are your recommendations regarding these supplements?

 D. and J.R.

A: The data on glucosamine and chondroitin, which many people use for pain from osteoarthritis, is mixed. I reviewed the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' website on these supplements, and find that I generally agree with its recommendations. It's noted that many people get pain relief from taking them (often in combination), and that side effects are few. It is also noted that there is little good evidence that the supplements reverse joint damage from osteoarthritis. The academy is concerned, as I have been, that there is no testing or analysis of supplements by the Food and Drug Administration, and that a recent consumer laboratory found that almost half of supplements labeled "glucosamine/chondroitin" did not contain the labeled amount of ingredients.

I would point out that many people get a benefit because they expect to get a benefit. This phenomenon is known as the placebo effect. I am a proponent of using this effect in an ethical way. To me, this means informing a patient of the likelihood that a treatment will be effective (whether medication, supplement, surgery or other treatment) relative to no treatment or to placebo treatment, when that is known. If a treatment is known to be no better than placebo, that needs to be disclosed. However, since the effectiveness of placebo at reducing symptoms may be as high as 30 percent, many people still will get better with a placebo.

In my opinion, treatment that is only as good as a placebo or, as in this case, perhaps marginally better than placebo should be considered only if the risk of side effects is low, if the cost to the patient is low and, above all, if the patient is informed about the treatment's effectiveness relative to placebo. A placebo is unethical when there are other effective treatments not offered to the patient.

PSA count

Dear Dr. Roach: My husband (82) had prostate cancer surgery 11 years ago. His PSA goes up and down, mostly down, due to a Lupron shot. Does a higher PSA level mean cancer cells are present in the body? If so, how does lowering the PSA count treat cancer cells? Thank you for any insight you can give.

 D.L.

A: After prostate surgery, there usually are no more normal prostate cancer cells. This is confirmed when the PSA level goes to zero after surgery. Since only prostate and prostate cancer cells make PSA, any amount of PSA present in the blood probably is coming from prostate cancer. The higher the PSA level, the more cancer cells in the body. If the Lupron (which blocks testosterone, a hormone that helps prostate cancer cells grow) reduces the PSA, it means it is effective at treating the prostate cancer cells. Sometimes we cannot cure the prostate cancer, but can keep its growth controlled for a prolonged time with treatment.

The booklet on the prostate gland discusses enlargement and cancer. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach, Book No. 1001, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
The Venezuelan president described the day with his Colombian counterpart as fruitful, intense and extensive. | Read More
"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." So wrote H.L. Mencken a century ago. In our form of democracy, though, the people often don't get what they want. But with the election of Donald Trump, that is about to change.

Among the central elements of the U.S. Constitution are checks and balances, achieved through separation of powers. The idea, James Madison wrote, is that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition."

By design, Congress is a restraint on the president. The president has tools to contain Congress. The Supreme Court, whose members are chosen by the other two branches, has the last word on what they do.

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men," explained Madison, "the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."

The scheme is the source of chronic frustration born of stalemate. Presidents fail to keep their promises because Congress rebels. Congress can't enact its agenda because it lacks the votes to override vetoes. And even if they can agree on what to do, their plans may die in the Supreme Court.

The beauty of a parliamentary system is efficiency. If you elect a party that promises to take some action, you can bet the action will be taken. The prospect of getting what you vote for concentrates the mind on what you really want.

Our system encourages voters to be less careful, because winning candidates often fall short of their proclaimed intentions. Barack Obama's 2009 stimulus package had to be smaller than liberal economists urged so it could pass. He got health care reform, only to see the Supreme Court invalidate significant portions. In 2008, his supporters voted for "hope and change," but the ensuing change was glacial and dispiriting.

Things will be different for President Trump. His party controls both houses of Congress, and he will get to restore the Supreme Court's Republican-appointed majority. The constitutional checks will be largely irrelevant. Trump and his party will be free to do what they campaigned on. Voters who didn't take their plans literally may be surprised when they come to pass.

A trade war is imminent because Trump has vowed to scrap the Trans-Pacific Partnership, signed by Obama, while threatening to levy a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods and abandon NAFTA. Obamacare will be history. The nuclear deal with Iran is a dead letter.

Construction will start on a border wall with Mexico, and the government will step up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Tax cuts to boost economic growth will become law.

His supporters may cheer each achievement. But they may not be so pleased when they go to Wal-Mart or Home Depot and find that Trump's tariffs have raised the price of everything from clothing to power tools.

He tweeted that instead of Obamacare, "we will have MUCH less expensive and MUCH better healthcare." Some of his supporters may miss the Affordable Care Act when they lose their coverage. What will they think when they have to pay more for something they like less?

How will Trump's followers feel when Iran resumes the nuclear weapons program that Obama's deal halted -- or if the United States and Israel launch a war against Iran in response?

What will they say when Mexico refuses to pay for that wall? Or when it turns out that, as an editorial in The Wall Street Journal noted, deporting all the undocumented foreigners "would demand the departure, on average, of 84 buses and 47 chartered flights every day for two years" -- which isn't going to happen?

Trump can promise 4 percent annual GDP growth year in and year out, but he has no clue how to produce it. Trump supporters dismayed by the huge increase in the federal debt since 2008 should brace for an even bigger one under him.

If Trump's plans lead to failure or disaster, he and the Republican Party will own the results. And the voters who put their faith in him will have no one to blame but themselves.

They may come to understand the wisdom of Oscar Wilde. "There are only two tragedies in life," he wrote. "One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."
With 24 candidates now winnowed down to two, the U.S. Senate race has shaped up to be another battle between Gov. John Bel Edwards and U.S. Sen. David Vitter.

While neither of the candidates who ran for governor last year is on the Dec. 10 ballot, Democrat Foster Campbell is Edwards' pick for the job and Republican John Kennedy has Vitter's backing. The connections run so deep that even staffers from their campaigns find themselves up against familiar foes from last fall.

Just days into the runoff race, Campbell has indicated that he's willing to use Vitter, who suffered a stunning defeat last fall after entering the gubernatorial race as the frontrunner, against Kennedy. He repeatedly linked the two during a news conference Wednesday morning, describing Vitter as someone who "has no friends," and likening that to Kennedy.

"He doesn't get along with people well," said Campbell, currently a member of the state Public Service Commission.

Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said it's a creative strategy to try to connect Kennedy to Vitter and attempt to focus the race on the unpopular outgoing senator who admitted to a very serious sin in 2007 after his phone number showed up in the records related to a Washington, D.C., prostitution ring.

"In a state that is overwhelmingly Republican in almost every measure, finding a way to replicate the unprecedented success of John Bel Edwards seems like a good idea for the Democratic side," he said. "One wonders if they can make this a referendum on Sen. Vitter without Sen. Vitter being in the race. My guess is that it won't work."

The 2015 governor's race was particularly brutal. The candidates lashed out against each other in tense debates and blistering ads as Election Day approached.

Edwards has been a long-time backer of Campbell, and Vitter, who has long been rumored to be backing Kennedy, made his endorsement official on Wednesday.

"I'm strongly supporting John Kennedy to succeed me in the Senate," he said. "He'll be a strong, independent fighter for Louisiana. Unlike his opponent, he'll support Donald Trump in advancing conservative Louisiana values."

Kennedy, who has served as state treasurer since 2000, was a key ally of Vitter during the gubernatorial race. In the final days of the election, as polls showed Vitter trailing Edwards, Kennedy stood at his side on the steps of the State Capitol and said that he thought Vitter would be better for the state's feeble financial situation.

Kennedy's campaign would not comment for this story.

The candidate, himself, was unavailable, and campaign manager Kim Allen declined an opportunity for a spokesperson to comment or to submit a statement.

Key among the familiar faces lining up against each other: The pro-Campbell Defend Louisiana PAC is being led by Jared Arsement, the Edwards media consultant who has won multiple awards for his campaign ads, including the infamous "Prostitutes over patriots" ad that accused Vitter of taking a call from D.C. Madam Deborah Jeanne Palfrey minutes after he missed a 2001 U.S. House vote honoring soldiers who had died in action. Kyle Ruckert, who served as Vitters campaign manager, is running the pro-Kennedy ESAFund political action committee. ESAFund produced advertising that painted Kennedy's GOP primary opponents as millionaire insiders in league with President Barack Obama.

Legally, the campaigns cannot coordinate with PACs, but the independent committees generally have more leeway and often take on the role of deploying political attack ads.

Political experts say that turning the Senate race into a governor's race redux won't be easy. Races for Senate and Congress tend to be more partisan and less about individual personality. Also, Vitter, whose downfall was linked to his personal flaws, isn't on the ballot and Kennedy isn't mired by the same personal baggage.

But it isn't stopping Campbell's camp from trying.

About 36 hours after Campbell addressed supporters at his election night party, his campaign distributed a blistering news release taking Kennedy to task for his connections to Vitter and rehashing the sex scandal that helped bring him down in the governor's race.

"Kennedy and Vitter have been locked in a passionate bromance for decades," the release reads before detailing a litany of allegations against Vitter.

During the news conference, Campbell described himself as someone who would be willing to work with both sides, and warned that Kennedy, like Vitter, would leave Louisiana in a position of sending "somebody to Washington who's already got their stinger out."

As one of few elections left undecided after Tuesday, the Louisiana Senate race has started to generate some buzz among liberals who see it as a chance to send a message to Washington and turn it into a referendum, not on Vitter, but on another Republican  Donald Trump.

Actress Debra Messing, best known for playing Grace on the sitcom "Will & Grace," sent a message to her 330,000 followers on Twitter that it's "time to go to work for" Campbell to keep the GOP majority in the Senate to two votes, instead of three.

Cross, the political scientist, said that hopes that the race can be a rebuke of Trump's election would likely be wishful thinking, though.

"Some people vote to send a message, but at this point the message has been sent from Louisiana loud and clear that this is Trump country," he said. "It's inventive but it seems a bit far fetched."
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Baton Rouge mayoral candidates Sharon Weston Broome and Bodi White advanced to a runoff Tuesday thanks in large part to voters in the home bases they've represented for years. But to be victorious next month, analysts say they will need to branch out and charm others in less familiar areas like downtown and LSU.

These two contenders breaking through to the mayor-president runoff didn't surprise longtime observers of the race, given that Broome, a Democrat, is a former state senator and White, a Republican, is a sitting state senator. Their name recognition and veteran political backgrounds in East Baton Rouge Parish helped them stand out among a crowded field of 12 candidates, as Broome finished with 32 percent of the vote and White followed with 29 percent.

White ran strongest in Central and had a solid showing in the southeast of the parish. Voters in North Baton Rouge, Baker and Old South Baton Rouge strongly backed Broome. But in some pockets around the parish, other candidates saw more support.

Third-place finisher C. Denise Marcelle challenged Broome in north Baton Rouge and even carried a few precincts in state House District 61, which she represents. Real estate broker and Spanish Town resident Darryl Gissel won downtown and performed well around Mid City and LSU. Though neither Metro Councilman John Delgado nor former Metro Councilman Smokie Bourgeois won any precincts, they earned 8 percent and 6 percent of the vote in the 12-way race, respectively.

Pollster and president of JMC Enterprises of Louisiana John Couvillon sees the subset of votes that Gissel won, just more than 11,000, as potentially the most interesting in the runoff. Gissel ran unaffiliated with any party and finished with 6 percent of the vote, carrying three precincts of mostly well-educated and wealthy voters.

"You're talking about a more moderate constituency that supported Gissel, and they literally hold the balance of power in the runoff," Couvillon said.

Neither Gissel nor the other contenders in the primary election have endorsed a candidate in the Dec. 10 runoff. He, Marcelle and Delgado said they will meet with White and Broome before deciding whether to endorse.

Broome can expect to largely pick up the votes that went to the other Democrats in the race, Couvillon said. In the primary, Broome, Marcelle, Greg LaFleur and Byron Sharper's vote totals combined to 48 percent of the vote.

He said White should draw in voters who cast ballots for Bourgeois and Delgado, both Republicans, although Delgado framed himself as more progressive than White. Their combined vote totals in the primary gave Republicans 43 percent of the vote.

Couvillon and LSU political communication professor Martin Johnson both gave Broome a slight edge going into the runoff, but both said the race is still a tossup. Voter turnout will make or break the runoff election, they said.

Southern University political scientist Albert Samuels said it will be especially important for Broome to try to preserve the vote that went to Marcelle, given that she was able to carry precincts. Marcelle is often to the left of Broome on issues and her base of voters could need to be energized to support Broome.

Broome said she is not taking any voters for granted. But she said she was excited to finish in first place in the primary, especially after being outspent by White's campaign.

"Our message and our strategy aren't going to change because the voters responded very well to our message," Broome said, as she has frequently spoken of everyone in Baton Rouge rising and falling together. "I'm delighted that the pollsters think that I have the edge, but for me, the ultimate poll is always on Election Day."

+3 Broome invokes decades as north Baton Rouge legislator in mayoral bid By the time the mayoral votes are all counted, Sharon Weston Broome will have been on the ca

Couvillon said it's particularly important for White to run a nonpartisan campaign that steers clear of ideological issues, which is his best appeal to the so-called Gissel voters.

Registered voters in the parish are nearly half Democrats, and a quarter each Republicans and other affiliations, such as not registering with a party. East Baton Rouge Parish voters are also split 52-44 white and black, respectively.

"You look at Bodi's ad campaign, he prominently features African Americans, so he's not conceding that vote," Samuels said.

White said his support in the primary was where he pegged it to be, and that he will spend the next few weeks reaching out to people in neighborhoods he was unable to hit in the primary.

"Everybody's fired up," White said. "This country always rights itself and this community rights itself. I'm going to be a mayor-president that represents every part of it."

Turnout could be a problem for both candidates, as the analysts say it's almost certain to drop from the heights it reached on Tuesday when mayoral candidates shared a ballot with President-elect Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. But the analysts agreed that the electorate now will likely be more attuned to the mayoral race without competition from the presidential campaign.

East Baton Rouge lacks a recent precedent to predict how voter turnout could change next month. Outgoing Mayor-President Kip Holden won both his re-election bids in the first round of voting, and the election calendar was different when he initially won in 2004. Recent elections for other offices have seen voter turnout drop-offs between November and December, though the number of percentage points varies on which office is being sought.

During the 2014 U.S. Senate race between incumbent Mary Landrieu and eventual victor Bill Cassidy, turnout in the parish dropped about six percentage points between the November and December elections. East Baton Rouge Parish turnout was at 148,000 votes in November, and fell to to 131,000 in December, perhaps a big enough dip to be a difference maker in a mayoral election.

In November 2012, with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the marquee presidential match-up, 187,000 East Baton Rouge voters cast a ballot in a state Supreme Court race eventually won by Jeff Hughes. The next month, only 57,000 came back  only 18 percent of the electorate and less than a third of the November turnout.

White and Broome both said turnout will be a priority and one of the strongest messages for their campaigns over the next few weeks.

The other area that campaigns will need to work on is messaging, the analysts suggested.

It would serve Broome well to talk about her vision for Baton Rouge and what she has accomplished as a longtime political leader, Couvillon said. For his part, Samuels recommended that Broome explain how she will help voters in north Baton Rouge, where voters have become increasingly disenchanted with Holden.

Johnson said Broome needs to try to replicate Holden's diverse coalition of supporters across the parish, but still contrast herself against the sitting mayor for those who are frustrated with him. "She's got to explain those differences so that she can both capitalize on his political coalition while at the same time, giving them the confidence that she's not going to be him," Johnson said. "And that's a tough message."

They said she should could make an effective attack on White's past involvement in the St. George incorporation movement. White has repeatedly said he only pushed for a separate school system in the southeast part of the parish because he was trying to represent his constituents and that he did not support the movement to create the city. White also said he would not support the new city movement if it is revived.

But he came under attack in the primaries for his legislative record on trying to create the St. George school systems and a transition district, and Samuels said it would be "political malpractice" for Broome not to make an issue out of it.

On the other hand, Couvillon said White's messaging of traffic, crime and education -- all featured in television ads -- has been good, and that his appeal to Gissel voters needs to be his ability to be an effective manager.

Couvillon said White can ding Broome on her long political career, while Johnson said he could turn a variation of the St. George issue against Broome by asking if she will snub outlying parts of the parish.
SPRINGFIELD  With a long, bitter election season behind them, lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Tuesday for their fall veto session with a lengthy list of issues to address and only six days scheduled to do so.

The new legislature that was elected last week wont be seated until January, so House Democrats retain their 71-member, veto-proof majority, every member of which would be needed to override any of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauners dozens of vetoes. An override in the Senate, where Democrats hold 39 seats, requires 36 votes.

Three-fifth majorities in both the House and Senate are also needed to pass any new legislation before the end of the year if its to become effective before June 1. That sets the bar high at a time when the Democratic-controlled General Assembly and the Rauner administration have failed for nearly two years to produce a full state budget.

Lawmakers are scheduled to be in session Tuesday through Thursday and Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.

Heres a look at what to expect  and what not to expect  during the fall veto session.

The budget

Lawmakers and the governor pressed pause on their long-running budget battle in June by passing a six-month spending plan for most state operations.

The stopgap is set to expire Dec. 31, and its unclear whether theyll be able to put together a plan for the next six months during the veto session.

Rauner has called for a Monday meeting with the four top legislative leaders, although House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, had yet to publicly accept the invitation as of Friday afternoon. A series of such meetings preceded the passage of the stopgap.

It remains to be seen how willing Madigan will be to negotiate with Rauner after the governor contributed nearly $32.6 million of his own money to GOP campaign efforts that demonized Madigan and resulted in his party losing six seats in the next legislature.

Rauner continues to insist on passing portions of his pro-business, union-weakening turnaround agenda before signing off on tax increases to balance the budget. Democrats, meanwhile, continue to argue that Rauners policy proposals shouldnt be tied to the budget.

Passing a deal would be easier after Jan. 1, when only a simple majority would be needed, but it would also mean renewed uncertainty for public universities and social service providers that were starved of funding during the states last fiscal year.

Term limits, redistricting

In the lead-up to Election Day, Rauner made a push for legislators to put referendums on term limits for elected officials and the creation of an independent legislative redistricting commission before voters. Rauner has said he wants lawmakers to take up the issues during the veto session.

Making those changes would require amending the Illinois Constitution, and putting the questions to voters would require three-fifths majorities in both chambers.

With many Democrats opposed to both ideas and the next election two years away, theres little chance the issue will be addressed during the veto session.

Clinton Power Station

Energy giant Exelon Corp. wants action during the veto session on legislation that would create subsidies for nuclear power. The company says subsidies are warranted because, like subsidized wind and solar power, nuclear doesnt emit carbon pollution.

Without the subsidies, which would come from ratepayers, the company says it will have to shut down its financially struggling Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear plants, costing about 1,500 jobs and millions in tax revenue for the two communities.

Absent action during the upcoming veto session, both facilities will close, CEO Chris Crane told investors in an Oct. 26 earnings call.

The company has sent similar signals before, and they havent spurred the General Assembly to action.

After a bill didnt pass this spring, Exelon moved forward with steps necessary to shutter the plants, with Clinton slated to close June 1 and Quad-Cities to follow a year later.

State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, who represents the Clinton plant and is one of the bills sponsors, said a new version is forthcoming that has changed mightily since last May, including the addition of measures to prevent the closure of Dynegy-owned coal-fired power plants in Southern Illinois.

The massive bill, which also includes rate structure changes for customers of Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edison and new energy efficiency programs, has been met with opposition from consumer groups, the renewable energy industry and industrial customers, who would face large rate hikes.

Voter registration

State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said he plans to move for an override of Rauners veto of a bill to create automatic voter registration.

Manars bill would automatically register eligible Illinois residents to vote when they obtain or renew drivers licenses or conduct business with other state agencies. Currently, Illinoisans can to choose to register when getting or renewing their licenses.

The legislation passed by with strong bipartisan support, but Rauner vetoed it, telling lawmakers that while he supports the concept, the bill would would inadvertently open the door to voter fraud and run afoul of federal election law.

Manar and other supporters say those claims are unfounded, arguing that the measure would expand access to the ballot box and make the registration process less costly and more efficient.

An override would be a great signal to Illinois voters and the rest of the state that it is possible to come together and do right by the state, said Andy Kang, legal director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice  Chicago, which supported the bill.
Imagine that. Cut the budget for government entitlement programs, and state agencies find ways to meet priorities without taking more from tax
The swing bridge over the Tchefuncte River at Madisonville. A planned study will examine whether changing the schedule of bridge openings will help move traffic through the town, a site of frequent rush-hour backups.
Canberra mornings: Monday, November 14, 2016

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AFL great Neale Daniher has been announced as the 2016 Melburnian of the Year, for his work raising funds to combat motor neurone disease.

Daniher was diagnosed with MND in 2013, and has since dedicated his life to funding research into the disease. He has previously been made a member of the Order fo Australia for his work.

Melburnian of the Year: Neale Daniher. Credit:Darrian Traynor

He is the patron and vice-chairman of the Cure for MND Foundation and has been the force behind the Freeze at the 'G and Daniher's Drive campaigns.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Daniher "embodies the purpose of these awards".
Satisfaction with private health insurers has declined to 2013 levels, as survey results show more than 10 per cent of Australians plan to leave their funds in the next 12 months and are shopping around.

The results, from Roy Morgan's Single Source survey of more than 50,000 Australians, found nearly all major health insurance providers had shown declining customer satisfaction in the past year, with overall satisfaction at 74.4 per cent, down from 76.3 per cent at the same time last year.

Over the past three years, HBF has maintained the highest satisfaction level of the five largest funds at 80.2 per cent, followed by HCF (74.3 per cent), Bupa (73.6 per cent), NIB (70.9 per cent) and Medibank Private (70.1 per cent).

Satisfaction scores with most of the largest 16 funds decreased in the past year.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he is confident a deal to resettle hundreds of refugees in the United States will not be wound back by President-elect Donald Trump after he is inaugurated in January.

The Prime Minister could not say how many of the 1600 detainees on Manus Island and Nauru would be destined for the US, but predicted a "substantial" number would be eligible.

He revealed that secret discussions on the deal, which was formally announced on Sunday, had been under way since January.

The "one-off" deal will only apply to asylum seekers currently on Nauru and Manus Island, and will also see a stepping up of Australia's on-water border control operations to dissuade people smugglers, who are expected to reopen the smuggling route once the asylum seekers are moved to a developed country.
Quietly, Malcolm Turnbull began working on a solution to the intractable puzzle of asylum seekers, people smuggling, resettlement, and indefinite detention, as a first priority of his new leadership. Public acknowledgement has had to wait a year.

That's an eternity in a game in which a week is a long time. All the more so because during this time, Turnbull's personal standing has been battered, and his nearly extinguished government has been depicted as every bit as unfeeling as its steely-jawed predecessor.

Yet such are the complicated causal links between desperation, hope, misrepresentation, and official policy resolve, that secrecy was considered paramount.

Turnbull agreed with Barack Obama at his first White House meeting in January. The trip, fast, and deliberately low key amid an unusually harsh DC snow storm, garnered less than the usual attention. Passed off mainly as a pro-forma meet-and-greet for the new Australian leader.
The Rural Fire Service has contained a fire near Londonderry overnight but is warning of a return to hot and windy conditions for next weekend.

Hundreds of volunteers from the Rural Fire Service contained the blaze that had threatened to get out of control in bushland near Londonderry, north-west of Sydney on Sunday.

One young firefighter, Nadia Knox, was taken to hospital after a burning tree branch fell on her, breaking her right shoulder blade.

Ms Knox, 24, has been released from Nepean Hospital and is said to be in good spirits.
Hundreds of firefighters battled a blaze that threatened dozens of homes in Sydney's west on Sunday.

Firefighters were working throughout the night to strengthen containment lines after heavy duty water bombing aircraft  including the Hercules C130, known as Thor, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, known as VLAT  were used to douse the flames.

Residents in Londonderry, Llandilo and Berkshire Park were being allowed to return home overnight, with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) confident it had brought the fire now under control.

However there were concerns severe winds would result in the fire flaring again, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting wind gusts in excess of 90km/h in the Central Tablelands. Firefighters were concerned the winds would cause spot fires.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a 20-year-old in the neck in Sydney's north-west on Friday night.

Police were called to Windsor Road in Baulkham Hills at 9.45pm on Friday and attempted to resuscitate the victim, who later died at Westmead Hospital of a single bullet wound to his neck.

A man arrested at a home nearby has been charged with murder, possessing unlicensed firearms, possessing an indictable quantity of cannabis and cultivating a prohibited plant.

Police took him to Hornsby Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The riot only ended after police called in the dog squad. The disturbance is believed to have been started by the same youth who triggered another riot on Thursday at the centre. Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said officers had contacted the union about the riot, saying about 20 teenage inmates were involved and that the trouble centred on three residential units. State government minister Richard Wynne condemned the rioting. "The government is obviously really concerned about the events that occurred at the Youth Justice Centre last night, and, in fact, we have just put on 41 staff to ensure that the centre remains secure," Mr Wynne said.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said paramedics were initially called to the centre due to reports of youths on a roof and were on standby but were not required. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Mike Griffin said the department would "thoroughly examine" the circumstances leading up to the incident. "The behaviour of these clients on Saturday was unacceptable and staff shouldn't have to tolerate it," he said. Changes in policy could see the riot reported to the Youth Parole Board and may affect the parole eligibility of those involved. Earlier this month, the Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, announced that any youth inmate who assaulted a staff member or was involved in any other serious incident would have the matter reported to the parole board.

"We are developing a range of tougher measures to ensure we put a stop to this," she said on Sunday. The centre has been plagued by violence in recent times. In September, inmates and staff clashed for three consecutive nights and several juvenile offenders threatened staff and took control of part of the centre. Amelia Banks, who lives nearby, said she heard a "police helicopter and a stream of emergency vehicles driving past with sirens blaring". She raised concerns that the rioting was becoming frequent and worried about the safety of the children and officers inside.

"Whatever happens inside the centre clearly isn't working as the children who are in custody seem to be ready to riot at any given moment," Ms Banks said. Alana Marzuke, who also lives nearby, said she saw up to seven police cars at the scene. In the separate prison incident on Saturday night, four Port Phillip Prison officers were assaulted during a cell search, with one suffering a suspected serious neck injury. The prison officers were searching an inmate's cell after visiting hours to check whether he had received contraband. Paramedics were called to the Truganina prison at 7.10pm and transported the officer, aged in his 30s, to hospital. Ambulance Victoria confirmed the man was in a stable condition.

Mr Kennelly said the inmate was believed to be using drugs. "If he has taken down four officers, we would suspect it was ice or something similar," he said. The prison was placed in lock-down, Mr Kennelly said. Three other prison officers were treated for minor injuries, and capsicum spray was used to subdue the prisoner. He said Port Phillip Prison's contraband detection system was inferior to other prisons around the state and called for the private operator, G4S Australia, to upgrade it.

Mr Kennelly said contraband was rife in Port Phillip Prison, and this, added to overcrowding, was making it difficult and sometimes dangerous for prison officers. "Port Phillip was built 20 years ago to house 600 inmates and it is now housing nearly double that," Mr Kennelly said. Opposition corrections spokesman Edward O'Donohue said the justice system was in crisis. "Further evidence overnight that the justice system in Victoria is in crisis with young offenders rioting at the youth justice centre, while prisoners at Port Phillip are attacking staff and reportedly taking ice," Mr O'Donohue said. Prison operator G4S said it used "robust and proactive" security measures, which were having a positive impact on safety at the facility on a daily basis.
Senor Hasratyan, Head of the Department of Public Affairs of the Artsakh Defense Army (ADA), has refuted todays Azerbaijani defense ministry assertion that the ADA units fired 60 and 82 mm mortars.

First, we would like to see the opponent present at least one piece of evidence to back up these charges, all similar, against Karabakh," Hasratyan writes in publicly circulated communique.

Hasratyan says that the Artsakh government is ready to provide ample evidence that the Azerbaijani army has, in fact, been firing mortars periodically for some time.

Second, if Azerbaijan wants to rule out such incidents along the Line of Contact, then it must agree, as has Armenia, to the inclusion of investigative mechanisms along the frontline, Hasratyan writes, adding that meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg between the two sides discussed this matter but that Baku hasnt taken any steps to implement such mechanisms.

In conclusion, Karabakh is ready to conduct monitoring at any time and at any location, with the participation of intermediaries, to see who is planning an attack, Hasratyan writes.
Police in riot gear outside the Parkville Youth Justice Centre on Monday. Credit:Justin McManus In the past few hours, a Domino's Pizza driver also delivered four large pizzas to the facility. The Department of Health and Human Services later said "no prisoners got any pizza". Police in full riot gear prepare to enter the Parkville youth centre. Credit:ABC News The dog squad was also at the scene.

The government said the riots had damaged the "operational capacity" of the centre but there were no injuries to staff or inmates. Riot police and dog handlers were called to the Parkville centre last November. Credit:ABC News Ms Mikakos also said that a plan to redevelop the Parkville site would be expedited but would not put a price tag on the project. She said it had become apparent that the infrastructure at Parkville was "letting us down". She also revealed that 80 per cent of the inmates at Parkville were on remand.

Police were called to a "code white" at the troubled Parkville centre about 9pm on Sunday night. It is believed a number of fires were lit and fire crews and paramedics are on standby. The disturbance follows a tumultuous weekend at the centre which caused an estimated $2 million in damages after inmates ripped ceilings and walls apart on Saturday night. Sources told Fairfax Media that some of the inmates involved in Saturday's rioting had been moved to Malmsbury Youth Justice centre and to other units within Parkville. About 20 inmates at the facility were left without beds on Saturday after their cells were trashed.

It is believed inmates destroyed security cameras and ripped ceilings and walls apart. Saturday night's riot came as an inmate at another prison facility attacked four prison officers, inflicting a serious neck injury. Streets in Parkville were blocked as police dealt with the riot at the Youth Justice Centre. Inmates at the juvenile facility destroyed security cameras, computers, and ripped the ceiling and walls apart during the riot, a prison source said.

It's believed the sprinkler system was also severely damaged after the group broke into one of the buildings and found a sledgehammer and shovel. Computers were then thrown through the windows before the group climbed up on the roof and demanded junk food and a phone, the source said. No youth justice officers or inmates were injured during the incident. The riot only ended after police called in the dog squad. The disturbance is believed to have been started by the same youth who triggered another riot on Thursday at the centre.

Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said officers had contacted the union about the riot, saying about 20 teenage inmates were involved and that the trouble centred on three residential units. 'They're packed in like sardines' Former commissioner for children Bernie Geary said the problem was that the majority of the children at Parkville were languishing on remand, "packed in like sardines", before they were found guilty of an offence. "The more they treat these young people like adult prisoners the more likely they are to act like adult prisoners," he said. "The system is failing to deal with kids in the justice system." He said for many children a stint on remand encouraged a cycle of re-offending. "There are all these kids there who are angry, anxious, scared. And they don't know what is going to happen to their lives, there are no plans, they have no ambition. They have just been herded in there, waiting for the system to catch up with them."

Mr Geary called on the government to amend the Bail Act to exempt children to ensure children do not spend months on remand while awaiting sentencing. Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said since rioting began, a number of inmates had been detained and that all were contained within the facility. "There is no threat to the security of the facility being breached. There are no hostages. There are no fires. There have been no staff injuries," she said in a statement. "I want to thank Victoria Police and the youth justice staff for the work that they're doing," she said. "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and staff shouldn't have to put up with it.

"We are developing a range of tougher measures to ensure we put a stop to this." She hinted that she would reveal more information about the "tougher measures" on Monday afternoon. Earlier this month, Ms Mikakos announced that any youth inmate who assaulted a staff member or was involved in any other serious incident would have the matter reported to the parole board. "We are developing a range of tougher measures to ensure we put a stop to this," she said on Sunday. State government minister Richard Wynne condemned the rioting.

"The government is obviously really concerned about the events that occurred at the Youth Justice Centre ... and, in fact, we have just put on 41 staff to ensure that the centre remains secure," Mr Wynne said. Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said paramedics were initially called to the centre due to reports of youths on a roof and were on standby but were not required. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Mike Griffin said the department would "thoroughly examine" the circumstances leading up to the incident. "The behaviour of these clients on Saturday was unacceptable and staff shouldn't have to tolerate it," he said. Changes in policy could see the riot reported to the Youth Parole Board and may affect the parole eligibility of those involved.

Troubled times The centre has been plagued by violence in recent times. In September, inmates and staff clashed for three consecutive nights and several juvenile offenders threatened staff and took control of part of the centre. Amelia Banks, who lives nearby, said she heard a "police helicopter and a stream of emergency vehicles driving past with sirens blaring". She raised concerns that the rioting was becoming frequent and worried about the safety of the children and officers inside.

"Whatever happens inside the centre clearly isn't working as the children who are in custody seem to be ready to riot at any given moment," Ms Banks said. Alana Marzuke, who also lives nearby, said she saw up to seven police cars at the scene. In the separate prison incident on Saturday night, four Port Phillip Prison officers were assaulted during a cell search, with one suffering a suspected serious neck injury. The prison officers were searching an inmate's cell after visiting hours to check whether he had received contraband. Paramedics were called to the Truganina prison at 7.10pm and transported the officer, aged in his 30s, to hospital. Ambulance Victoria confirmed the man was in a stable condition.

Mr Kennelly said the inmate was believed to be using drugs. "If he has taken down four officers, we would suspect it was ice or something similar," he said. The prison was placed in lock-down, Mr Kennelly said. Three other prison officers were treated for minor injuries, and capsicum spray was used to subdue the prisoner. He said Port Phillip Prison's contraband detection system was inferior to other prisons around the state and called for the private operator, G4S Australia, to upgrade it.

Mr Kennelly said contraband was rife in Port Phillip Prison, and this, added to overcrowding, was making it difficult and sometimes dangerous for prison officers. "Port Phillip was built 20 years ago to house 600 inmates and it is now housing nearly double that," Mr Kennelly said. Opposition corrections spokesman Edward O'Donohue said the justice system was in crisis. "Further evidence overnight that the justice system in Victoria is in crisis with young offenders rioting at the youth justice centre, while prisoners at Port Phillip are attacking staff and reportedly taking ice," Mr O'Donohue said. Prison operator G4S said it used "robust and proactive" security measures, which were having a positive impact on safety at the facility on a daily basis.
Perth's newest boutique food company has hit back at Perth keyboard warriors who mercilessly savaged their weekend cheese festival, saying they missed the point entirely.

Turns out the Fromage Artisans' Festival Fromage at Perth's Town Hall was about more than just guzzling as many free samples as possible, for as long as possible.

The event was intended to be a showcase of the small handful of world-class cheesemakers operating in WA. Credit:Cam Campbell

Nearly 2000 people expressed interest in the event, which brought together boutique producers from across the state for sessions devoted to degustation, tastings and masterclasses from Friday to Sunday.

But what organisers called a "glitch" in planning and the "somewhat misaligned expectations" of the public led to long queues on Saturday afternoon for the tastings session.
Five people have been jailed for life for murdering a father whose body was found in his burnt-out car in Perth.

Travis Bennjamin Mills, 30, was severely beaten in his Seville Grove home, then driven in the boot of his car to a vacant lot in Hilbert, where the vehicle was set ablaze, burning him alive.

Murder victim Travis Mills with his daughter Ruby.

His partner Seleena Monique Ruthsalz and her mother Joanne Christine Ruthsalz, who was the instigator, will spend at least 21 years and 24 behind bars, respectively.

Darren Graeme Campbell and friend Darryl Raymond Newton, who together carried out the attack in April last year, were each jailed for at least 24 years.
Bogota: Colombia's government has reached a new agreement with Marxist guerrillas to end the nation's civil conflict, six weeks after voters narrowly rejected a previous deal.

The new deal "includes changes, precisions and additions from the most diverse sectors of society," the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said in a joint communique.

The modified accord between the government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC aims to address some of the concerns of opponents of the original deal. The government has held weeks of talks with leaders of the "no" campaign, including former President Alvaro Uribe, who had attacked the agreement, saying it was too lenient on a group that kidnapped and murdered Colombians.

The agreement clarifies the conditions under which FARC leaders would be deprived of their liberty, the government's chief negotiator Humberto de la Calle said in Havana, where the peace talks took place. The new deal also makes clear its respect for the right to private property, and will be fiscally sustainable, he said.
New Zealand earthquake: Two dead as tremors strike South Island

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HEELS ON WHEELS: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE(s) REVIEW

SEE ALSO: Find 2017 Cars, SUVs, Pickups and Minivans With Seating For Large Families

HEELS ON WHEELS

By Katrina Ramser

San Francisco Bureau

The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE SANTA FE(s) VEHICLE

Insistent on being the most versatile mid-size crossover on the market, the Hyundai Santa Fe underwent another sharp redesign for 2017 for both its five- and seven-passenger models. A fresh new exterior face, standard seven-inch touchscreen, and numerous advantages like an optional 360-degree rearview camera and more safety technology make it an worthwhile pick.

I drove a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with the 240-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged engine and the Limited trim with the standard 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine (both are paired to a standard six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC). The seven-passenger model is available in two trims  SE and Limited  with or without the Ultimate Package while the Sport is a stand-alone trim offering a turbo engine upgrade and Ultimate Package. Taking a closer look at the Limited Ultimate test model, the following are standard features: six-passenger seating with second-row captains chairs; leather upholstery; heated and ventilated front and rear rows; push-button start; a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls; upgraded eight-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 360-degree rearview camera; Blue Links telematics system; Infinity audio system; panoramic sunroof; power liftgate; rear parking sensors; Lane Departure Warning; Dynamic Bending Lights; fog lights; roof side rails; and nineteen-inch alloy wheels. Price as described came to $43,400.

The Santa Fe is in it to win it  not just in its class (Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder), but as a competitive choice when compared to mid-level luxury crossovers like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX350. It also helps to have two models sizes with that can accommodate five, six or seven passengers.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: Appealing from every angle and row, the Santa Fe interior is well-crafted, accommodating and intuitive for novice tech users. Hyundais Blue Link connectivity system is easy to maneuver and the new seven-inch touchscreen incomparable to other standard screens. Android Auto lets you listen to and dictate text messages and youll wonder how you ever drove without the 360-degree camera. The Infinity audio with Quantum Logic and music restoration technology outputs excellent clarity, yet Im disappointed to see there still is no rear DVD option for the kids with any Santa Fe. Understandably, if you go with the shorter Sport model, you wont get close to kind of second-row treatment the bigger version offers or the space like 80 cubic square feet with both the second- and third-row down.

Reliability & Safety Factor: Both 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe models are a Top Safety Pick with The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for ratings of Good in every crash test area. At the time of this review, the vehicle not yet been rated by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes a comprehensive airbag system, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist control. On the Limited trim, there is an optional Ultimate Package that adds Smart Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and Lane Departure Warning among other safety technology.

Cost Issues: My Santa Fe Sport test drive with the turbo engine and Ultimate Package cost $38,175 while my larger three-row Limited test drive cost $43,400. A recent fully loaded two-row 2017 Acura RDX test drive was priced out at $43,520 and my current three-row Acura MDX is priced at $56,400.

Activity & Performance Ability: On the three-row model, the 3.3-liter V6 has a solid feel with responsive braking and is just the SUV I want to be driving on dark and stormy nights. The upgraded 2-liter turbo engine on the Sport model is plenty capable with traction strength increased when in Sport mode. Youll find your passengers are appreciative for the quite, stable ride. Safety technology options like the 360-degree camera and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection put ease into your daily ride, ensuring this SUV as all-around pleasurable.

The Green Concern: The 3.3-liter V6 engine gets 17-city and 22-highway for a combined 17 miles-per-gallon with all-wheel drive. The 2-liter turbo engine with front-wheel drive retains 20-city and 27-highway for a combined 23 miles-per-gallon. Sporting higher-performing engines, the Acura MDXs 3.5-liter has an advantage here at 19-city and 26-highway for a combined 22 miles-per-gallon with all-wheel drive.

FINAL PARTING WORDS

With versions able to accommodate up to seven passengers, Hyundai knows what its doing by offering versatility, cutting-edge technology and impressive interior treatments with the Santa Fe crossover. Reconsider that Acura MDX or Lexus RX350 unless stronger powertrain performance is your objective.

2016 Katrina Ramser

The Most In-Depth Independent Hyundai Buyer's Research - Anywhere!

Comprehensive Product Improvements Combine to make New Models even more Appealing in every Facet of the Ownership Experience



Hyundai USA ReleaseThe award-winning Hyundai Santa Fe lineup continues to dramatically improve for the 2017 model year. The improvements span everything from fresh exterior design and LED lighting signatures to additional infotainment, convenience and safety technologies and new Drive Mode selection with Sport, Eco and Normal settings. For 2017, in order to meet increased market demand, production of the two-row Santa Fe Sport model will be added to the Montgomery, Alabama manufacturing facility, alongside the Sonata and Elantra sedan models. The 2017 Santa Fe is arriving at dealers now.




if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Donald Trumps victory promises a further departure from the traditional Asia-Pacific order created during the Cold War years. This was when the US provided military and economic dominance through a system of defence alliances with the major trading partners in the region, including Australia.

The old Asia-Pacific order was based on the exchange of security for free trade. With the demise of the Soviet Union and the rise of Chinas market economy, the Asia-Pacific order is now in an evolutionary phase.

Now the hierarchy of countries is splitting between security  still dominated by the US, and the economic order- which is being overtaken by China.

In the middle of this competition between the US and China, there are the Asia-Pacific countries dealing with China for economic gains without giving away American security patronage. Japan and Australia best exemplify these countries.

For example, both are negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, while keeping vast numbers of US troops and nuclear armaments on their soils. Both clearly benefit from the status quo and dont wish for the day to come when they have to choose a bundled security-economic dependency with either the US or China, in Cold War-like dynamics.

The stability of the current dual order between the US and China depends first and foremost on the US ability and willingness to provide its Asia-Pacific allies with a security bulwark against destabilising actors (for example, North Korea, ISIS, and the various nationalistic forces). Trumps isolationist foreign policy may put an abrupt end to this dynamic.



On the other hand, its still not clear whether China is going to be satisfied with economic dominance alone and with its current geopolitical restraint with its trading partners in the region. China may soon gradually use its trade and investment might to push smaller Asian countries away from their strong bilateral security ties with the US, in exchange for tighter multilateral economic cooperation.

The perfect example of this new dynamic is the recent alignment of the Philippines with China. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that America has lost both militarily and economically.

Chinas elites have long held the view of the US as a declining power and China as its natural heir in the region. Long-established research in political science and economics shows countries rise as they use asymmetric trade relations to turn economic dominance into a military dominance for geopolitical gains.

Chinas world trade policy is to assert regional leadership to integrate and upgrade in the global economy. China will eventually seek to translate this trade leadership into regional security and then political dominance also at a global level, as the Asia-Pacific region carries the bulk of world economic growth.

However there is an increasing co-dependency between China and other countries in trade dynamics, particularly in the natural resources sector and in foreign direct investments tied to global supply chains.

On the one hand, this co-dependency restrains China from an exceedingly aggressive foreign policy, but on the other hand is pushing Chinas strategic interests out of the Asia-Pacific regional shell. In fact, as early as November 2014, Chinas President Xi Jinping openly advanced the idea of a major-power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. In other words, to secure national interests with a more assertive foreign policy reflecting Chinas rising economic power.

With Trumps victory, and also considering the recent issues in the South China Sea, it would be hard to believe that China is going to be satisfied in a dual order under the US security umbrella. The ultimate issue is whether China will decide to pursue hardline policies to push the US outside of Asia in the short term, or instead patiently wait for the US to naturally recede from the region as its economic power wanes.

Before Trumps victory, there was reason to believe that Xi Jinping and the Chinese government would opt for the latter option. This was because its not in Chinas best economic interest to ignite geopolitical tensions in Asia, especially as the American retreat may lead Japan to reinstate a significant military capability.

As China currently benefits from a stable, open and secure system of free trade, Trumps trade protectionist agenda may instead push China towards hardline foreign policies. This would compel its co-dependent trading partners like Australia to soon make a clear choice between the US and China.

Originally published by The Conversation

Author: Giovanni Di Lieto, Lecturer, Bachelor of International Business, Monash Business School, Monash University

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There are very few people in the world who do not have a smart phone. There are even fewer people of that number who...
My Dear Fellow Celebrities,

It is now time to leave. I am, of course, referring only to those of you who promised to do so after the election of Donald Trump. And, no, Im not joking. For the record, I didnt vote for either candidate. I voted on the basis of moral fiber and was therefore left with no other choice but to write in my dear mother Nancy. Therefore, I have no right to complain and so I am not. I am, however, asking for you to follow through on your word. Because, heres the thing

That high road that you rode so elegantly with the Clinton campaign has been rather hastily dismissed. We now see our youth marching in the streets, not to protest policy or to demonstrate against a specified corruption, but because the results of a legal and transparent election process are suddenly unacceptable for them. People are being attacked. Arrests are being made. Fires are being lit. Hat-imal vendors are being raided. Its chaos.

Make no mistake: this is an intimate relation to the entitled sorrow you express when publicly weeping and gnashing your teeth over whether youll buy that villa in Spain or that condo in Vancouver. Let me be, perhaps, the first to explain to you that publicly threatening to use your wealth to deliver the harsh punishment of your absence is an insult to men and women who struggle paycheck-to-paycheck as well as a declaration of your conditional relationship with this nation. Personally, Id rather not share a fox hole with you. But, more importantly, you chose to place your integrity, and ours, on the line. A lack of follow-through undermines the potential political and social strength of our entire industry and sets a terrible example for future entertainers and progressives.

And let me take a moment here to address those youth: Hey, guys. First of all, even though youre sharing that two-bedroom apartment in Van Nuys with two other people, plus somebodys cousin from Milwaukee, just keep in mind that it gets better. And some of you will actually make it to the extent that there will, eventually, be a microphone in front of your face much of the time. Please remember this piece of advice: You dont always have to use it. Of course, its your right to do so and you shouldnt listen to the jerks on social media who tell you that you suddenly have less of a right to speak. But think of it like this: When you are privileged enough to have a voice, it is incumbent upon you, not simply to speak for the voiceless, but to spend a fair amount of time considering who those people actually are. That, and when the dudes cousin from Milwaukee says Hey, why dont we all drive to Vegas!... and he will think twice about gambling with people who have giant, gold-plated lions in front of their hotels. Or with those who simply have giant gold plated hotels.

But the entitled voice can also veer easily into the realm of cold condescension and/or display an utter lack of maturity at the most pivotal of times. For instance, on Wednesday morning, author and radio personality Garrison Keillor published in the Washington Post a concession on behalf of polite society everywhere by putting the election results down as a defeat to ego and proud illiteracy. Maybe that was an attempt at graciousness? More likely it was an excellent demonstration of the attitude which fueled at least part of the rush to punch elitists in the nose on Tuesday.

For those of us staying, I say we huddle up real quick and all agree to grow up. The time has passed for President Obama to do this. In fact, I see no one standing up and leading by example. Even a fraction of the energy and enthusiasm being expended in these protests could have been enough to put Clinton over the top. But, even more troubling, this fomentation comes at the end of a string of incidents in which police lives have been targeted and violence escalates from both sides of a very deep divide.

If you are a card-carrying Democrat, the time has come to realize that the soul-searching prescribed by the media to the GOP must now be applied to your own party. You were not defeated by racism and sexism. Those are easy, sloppy malaprops which do nothing but obfuscate the fact that we have just witnessed a resurrection of the silent majority. It rose in demographics that were sharply divergent from what you believed was possible and took aim at a dual-party establishment which had grown complacent in its belief that it was firmly rooted. Refer to the Pew Research Centers post-mortem and you will see that quite a large number of people who voted twice for Obama did indeed vote for Donald J. Trump who also garnered roughly the same share of female voters as Mitt Romney did in 2012. To suggest that Trump was elected solely by unseen hordes of angry, rural white men is tantamount to suggesting that our electoral process is rigged.

The truth is sometimes hard to swallow. But the simple truth, according to these same statistics, is that the demographic split with the most growth was college-educated versus non-college-educated voters, a divergence that has not been seen since 1980 when southern Democrats abandoned the party en masse. Yes. I know. One of the great causes of both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton was free-to-affordable college tuition, and as a long-term policy I understand it and support it. But, instead of tossing this up as a loss to those of lesser intelligence, perhaps consider the reality that your partys lack of message (and success) with this position reflects a deep-seated presumptuousness that everyone shares your values.

The fact that this week has existed as an Alice-in-Wonderland moment for you is perfectly consistent with the disconnect created by a deep wealth/culture gap, as well as with the soft elitism that has infected your partys establishment. It was evident in the belief that an indictment of racism and sexism equals a campaign against someone consistently screaming about jobs; it was evident in the leaked, internal emails that led to the resignation of former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz; and it was further evident in the revelation that debate questions were casually provided to the Clinton campaign by current DNC chair Donna Brazille. Some of you, like it or not, wield power within that party due precisely to that same elitism. Please begin using that power in the only mature and forward-thinking fashion possible: dismantle it by standing up and championing new blood.

Do I find Trumps style distasteful? Yes. Do his policy positions concern me? Tremendously. And his appeal to some of the worst qualities in humanity are deeply troubling. But lets make no mistake: those are our qualities as well. As Americans, we have a share in the ownership of our nations character and, like it or not, character is primarily defined during times of hardship. If you want it to improve it, the first step involves growing up and acting in the manner you expected from the opposition when you thought you were going to win. Then lead by example. There will come a time, and very soon, when the market will be very bullish on maturity.

Sincerely,

Anson Mount
When the Republican party took control of the U.S. Senate after the 2014 midterm elections, President Barack Obama called it a shellacking for his party.

Last Tuesday, the GOP delivered the Democrats another shellacking, this time at the hands of Donald Trump and the members of Congress who rode the Republican nominees coattails on their way to holding majorities in the House and Senate.

One such theory for the decisive defeat is that Obamas own coalition of voters largely didnt show up to the polls in support of Hillary Clinton on Tuesday at the same rate that propelled Obama to victory in the last two presidential elections. Others, who typically vote Democrat, were attracted by Trumps anti-establishment rhetoric.

Democrats signaled on Sunday that they are focused on regrouping as a party and diagnosing their shortcomings ahead of the next midterm elections in 2018 and presidential election in 2020. Their first priority is settling on a new leader of the Democratic National Committee.

Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren have backed Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, a progressive firebrand, for the post. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who served as DNC chair from 2005 to 2009, and former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley have also expressed interest.

Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress and the co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said his party took a beating this year because Trump exploited the fears and the anxieties of voters, and because his party simply didnt do its part to turn out its own voters.

At the same time, our message of strengthening the middle class and working people, we just didnt penetrate well enough and we didnt have the kind of turnout that we really needed or expected, Ellison said on ABCs This Week.

Trump won states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin that were considered to be in Clintons columnpart of the Democrats seemingly impenetrable blue wall.

Ellison, who has not yet declared himself as a candidate for the top position in the party, also has the backing of liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, who told Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union that a clean sweep is needed within the party in order to properly fight back against Trump over the next four years.

They all have to go, Moore said. And they have to make room for the progressive Democrats who are going to come in here, are going to be needed to fight the things that Trump is going to do to the people of this country and the world.

Speaking with The Daily Beast after Clintons loss, a former top aide to Sanders campaign said the Democratic establishment didnt listen, [and] wasnt vigilant, and got cocky, adding that the Clinton campaign was badly damaged by the WikiLeaks disclosures which validated many of Sanders criticisms of the former secretary of state levied while they were locked in a bitter primary battle.

Democrats have focused too much with a liberal elite which is raising incredible sums of money from wealthy people and the upper-middle class, but has ignored to a very significant degree the working class and the middle class and lower-income people in this country, Sanders said on CBS Face the Nation, adding that the Democratic party should focus on building a grassroots movement rather than raising money for wealthy people.

Ultimately, top Democrats concluded Sunday, the party must figure out how to reclaim its base of working-class voters who, in the face of difficult economic circumstances, bucked the Democratic party and turned to Trump as their savior.
PARIS  Moderation is a fatal thing, Oscar Wilde famously quipped. Nothing succeeds like excess.

Wildes legendary nod to decadence graces the entrance to an exhibition at Pariss Petit Palais dedicated to the larger-than-life Irish author and wit who was as known for his sartorial grandeur (velvet jackets and satin breeches were wardrobe staples) and refined tastes, as for his plays, novels, and verse.

His affinity for the finer things in life coupled with a meteoric rise to fame that was followed by an equally swift downfall make his legendary bon mot an apt opener for the French capitals first major exhibition dedicated to the celebrity wordsmith and Francophile, who was born 162 years ago this month.

Titled Insolence Incarnate, (L'impertinent absolu, in French) the show features some 200 items from private and public collections, including photographs, manuscripts, and paintings (Wilde was also an amateur art critic).

On display is his original Salome manuscript, as well as a signed copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray dedicated to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas. One display case even contains the calling card from Douglass father, the Marquess of Queensberry, on which the (misspelled) word sodomite is ominously scrawled.

Those familiar with Wildes turbulent life will know that it was Queensberry who was the driving force behind his ruin. Angered by the relationship between Wilde and his son, Queensberry left the card that read, For Oscar Wilde, posing as Somdomite at Wildes gentlemens club.

Wilde sued for criminal libel, resulting in Queensberrys arrest. In retaliation, Queensberry dispatched private detectives to gather proof of Wildes gay trysts in London.

The result was a financially and socially devastating trial, which led to Wildes two-year imprisonment for gross indecency in 1895. Following his release, Wilde returned to France, where he would die three years later at the age of 46 from cerebral meningitis.

David Charles Rose, an Oscar Wilde scholar and the author of Oscar Wildes Elegant Republic: Transformation, Dislocation and Fantasy in fin-de-siecle Paris, told The Daily Beast that Wildes final years in Paris were bleak ones. Between his stint in prison and the bankruptcy resulting from his trial, the onetime elegant man of letters had become a virtual pariah.

A number of his former friends no longer wanted to know him, said Rose. He was, in fact, in disgrace. He was a jailbird.

Wildes sad last days are only part of the story of his lifelong relationship with the City of Light, however. He made his first trip here as a boy and, following his marriage to Constance Lloyd, spent his honeymoon here.

He wrote his biblically-inspired play Salome in French, and it was at Pariss Theatre de lOeuvre theater that Salome was first performed in 1896, having been banned in London for being too risque for Victorian audiences.

France and French culture was deeply impregnated in him from an early age, Wildes grandson Merlin Holland, who acted as the exhibitions historical advisor, told The Daily Beast. France represented to him something exotic and daring, and was entirely different (from Victorian mores) and much freer regarding expressions on culture.

Before he conquered the French capital, Wilde embarked on a year-long lecture tour of the United States during which the cash-strapped 27-year-old visited 150 American cities.

A significant portion of the exhibition is devoted to Wildes American travels, including 13 original publicity portraits shot by photographer Napoleon Sarony.

In the photos, Wilde embodies the classic Victorian dandy, sporting a three-piece velvet suit or a fur-trimmed coat in some images, or a long cape and a fedora in others. There are also various press articles from his American visit on display, including an amusing Harpers Bazaar piece that snidely comments on his stout appearance, and black velvet suit.

While the pretext of Wildes American tour was to earn money promoting Gilbert and Sullivans operetta Patience by embodying its satirical British aesthete, writer David M. Friedman asserts that a quest for fame was Wildes true plan.

In his book, Wilde in America: Oscar Wilde and the Invention of Modern Celebrity, Friedman writes that when he stepped onto the shores of New York in 1882, Wildes literary works comprised just a self-published book of poems and an unproduced play. Indeed back in London, his limited repertoire had the celebrated Polish stage actress Helena Modjeska musing, What has he done, this young man that we are seeing everywhere? He hasnt written anything, he doesnt sing, he doesnt paint, he doesnt playall he does is talk.

Wildes plan, according to Friedman, was to use fame to launch his nascent literary career.

It worked. His relentless stateside networkinghe drank wine with Walt Whitman, spent a day tooling around Confederate president Jefferson Daviss Mississippi retirement home, and rubbed shoulders with the mayor of New Yorkhelped him assume the carefully crafted embodiment of the Victorian aesthete. Aided by some 100 press interviews, Wilde seized the spotlight.

Even his legendary one-liners such as I can resist everything except temptation, were carefully contrived.

To ensure he kept getting invited to parties, Friedman writes, he perfected a verbal trick: replacing a word in a sentence with its unexpected opposite.

Wilde, according to Friedman, became the first celebrity famous for being famous long before the likes of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian started snapping selfies. By the time he left New York, he was the toast of the town.

Holland said that Wilde also refined his artistic philosophy overseas.

He went over there with a head full of second-hand ideas, he said, pointing out that in his early days as an art critic, Wilde took cues from luminaries like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and leading Victorian art critics such as John Ruskin. But he came back with beliefs of his own that were constructed that year from lecturing in America.

The other thing America gave him, added Holland, was a lifelong supply of gentle jibes at American life.

Pick up a copy of A Woman of No Importance, and one such jibe appears in Act One when Lord Illingworth tells Kelvil: The youth of America is their oldest tradition. It has been going on now for three hundred years.

Wilde may have taken America by storm, but it was in Paris where he workedhe wrote Salome during a stay in the cityand flourished in the citys literary and artistic community.

He got to know Stephane Mallarme and Paul Verlaine, and became friends with Andre Gide. He even met Victor Hugo, but the literary lion is said to have fallen asleep during the encounter.

A lesser-known influence came in the form of a maverick cross-dressing salon hostess and writer who went by the name of Rachilde. Dubbed Mademoiselle Baudelaire, Marguerite Eymery-Vallette hosted avant-garde salons and co-edited the Mercure de France literary magazine with her husband.

She also published racy novels, including Monsieur Venus, which was banned in Belgium over its erotic and sadomasochistic themes.

Petra Dierkes-Thrun, a scholar and lecturer in Comparative Literature at Stanford University told The Daily Beast that Wilde read the controversial tome on his honeymoon before he had even met its infamous author.

Rachilde is absent from the exhibition, but Dierkes-Thrun believes that the provocative writer and her friends significantly influenced Wildes life and career in Paris by introducing him to influential literary figures and by going to bat for him during his incarceration and even after his death.

Research is ongoing, Dierkes Thrun told The Daily Beast. But there was a circle of people (in Paris), with Rachilde at the center, who basically helped Oscar Wilde carry his reputation into the 20th century.

For instance, Rachilde sat on the board of the theater that selected Salome for its Paris premier while Wilde was in prison. She kept writing about him after his death, and the Mercure de France continued to publish articles devoted to Wilde.

Rachilde was also an associate of Henry Davray, who translated Oscar Wildes pieces into French, and was one of the few people to attend his funeral. Wilde himself appears to have thought highly of the literary provocateur.

At the Clark Library at the University of California, Los Angeles, Dierkes-Thrun came upon a presentation copy of Wildes 1898 work The Ballad of Reading Gaol, which he wrote while in prison.

Dead broke at the time of its publication, Wilde had only a handful of copies to distribute to close friends and supporters. The book Dierkes-Thrun found was inscribed to none other than Rachilde.

Wilde spent his last days at Pariss then-seedy Hotel dAlsace where he famously joked about fighting a duel to the death with his rooms presumably hideous wallpaper.

His final resting place is just a few miles from the Petit Palais in the citys storied Pere Lachaise cemetery.

Admirers still congregate at the sphinxlike tomb, where a glass barrier was installed a few years ago to kiss proof the monument after lipstick marks left by smitten tourists started eroding the stone.

Wilde fans have also been flocking to the exhibition, which Holland hopes offers a more in-depth view of an artist who is too-often eclipsed by myth and celebrity.

There was more to him than a first-rate funny man who wrote some society comedies and went to prison for being gay, Holland said. People tend to forget his extraordinarily rich cultural background.

He continued: The sad thing is that the superficial dandified side overtook his reputation for many years after his death. I think this (exhibition) sets the balance right.

Oscar Wilde: Limpertinent absolu is at the Petit Palais, Paris until January 15, 2017.
For months now, I have left the exam room after a patient visit feeling unsettled- not by my patients clinical challenges but by the suffering of my fellow American. Dozens of my patients report fear, sleeplessness, dread, worry and dejection over America, the future, whats coming next? or, in these past days, what happens after Election Day. Some are felled by the shock of the Trump presidency that will soon be a reality, and many have spent long moments sobbing, heartbroken in my office.

Countless are torn at the state of the country and having no choice. Noticing this so often these past months, I came up with a name for these symptoms: Election Dysthymia.

I am a sleep disorders specialist. People come to see me when they have trouble sleeping. Many of my patients have mental health issues that improve greatly when I treat their sleep disorders. While all my patients see me because they have sleep disorders, the intensity, the depravity and the relentlessness of the 2016 election cycle have resulted in an additionally corrosive assault on my patients.

More times than I can count, I instructed my patients to discontinue watching politics or news well before bedtime, to disengage from their social media feeds and to create a sanctuary free of politics and media in order to regain some solace. Too many people were becoming both sleep deprived and angry or irritated and anxious at just the times they need to be able to fall asleep.

I recall one of my patients, a native-born American and a World Trade Center first responder, who captured these fears in recent weeks: "Everyone wants to come here, to America. But if it goes bad here, where will we go?"

Being a dual British and American citizen, I suddenly realized most Americans not only are, but feel, captive. My own ambivalence has struck me in this difficult first year of my American citizenship, after a 25-year wait; later, experiencing the chasm that surrounds many American Muslims today as experienced through attitudes toward Syrian refugees, I wondered if I would ever be American enough; finally, in the weeks leading up to the election, I exercised my thoroughly American right to free expression, writing of my despair at not having a presidential candidate for whom to vote (I just couldnt get behind Hillary knowing she was a staunch advocate of drone warfare on Muslim majority populations and a proponent of an Obamacare I see failing my patients every day in my practice). I too, I now realize, have joined my own dysthymic patients and become an Insecure American.

Anthropologist Hugh Gusterson and Catherine Besteman edited a fascinating volume of essays, The Insecure American: How We Got Here and What We Should Do About It. The book, with an eloquent forward by Barbara Ehrenreich, describes how Americans once believed themselves intrepid. But defeat in Vietnam, the energy crisis, our undeniable economic decline and wage stagnation changed all that.

Reading the book rings frighteningly true to me- my patients embody many of these essays. Every day I meet patients working sixteen-hour days or longer, married couples holding down four sometimes five poorly paid jobs between them struggling to make ends meet. And, after almost twenty five years treating Americans I am struck by their escalating poverty- both financial and in quality of life, despite their extraordinary work ethic, an ethic which all too often costs them their health.

Today, in one of the richest counties in the United States, I see homeless people. In my 30 years of taking care of patients on three continents, I almost never encountered a homeless person except in critical illness, yet within the last five years well groomed, educated homeless people come to see me regularly in my Long Island office.

A shadow citizenry is among us, under-employed or unemployed, accessing the scant services they can ill-afford, even as they sleep in their cars in the parking lots of megastores. Theres got to be over dozen of us sleeping in cars in that parking lot every night, says one patient, later explaining, Ive been sleeping in my car over a year and a half.

Of those who have held on to affluence of some kind, Americans remain obsessed with gated communities. Setha Low terms this Fortress America. We feed our own fears of race and migration even as we employ migrants (often undocumented) and a variety of people designated as a feared underclass attend to our lawns, our children, our pets and our laundry.

This election revealed Americans profound fears of border security heightened by the upheaval in Europe caused by destitute Syrians fleeing conflict, which evokes our own fears centered on the Southern border, starkly depicted in the heartrending 2015 Oscar-nominated movie Cartel Land. Wherever we look or listen, we are reminded of both the enemy within  the home grown radical Islamist, the illegal migrants crossing our borders- and the enemy without- ISIS, Al Qaeda, and Russian intelligence to name a few.

Certainly, Americans today are insecure because they have real cause for it yet the greatest source of our own insecurity remains ourselves. While the angst caused by this election is bipartisan, everyone agrees the election cycle and its aftermath has been demoralizing and destructivewhat we are seeing as we confront our own Election Dysthymia is a profoundly troubling reflection of self.

The post-election protests we see unfolding across America are a visceral reaction expressing our mounting insecurities we can no longer conceal. Much as we seek distraction from reality through the triumph of spectacle once our reflection has revealed our darker fearful self, we have no choice but to confront our deepest fears. The late Leonard Cohen may have said it best, perhaps we did want it darker, perhaps we did kill the flame. As we adjust to the blackness, as we strain to see, we fear this, the Insecure American, is who we really are.

Maybe we are, and maybe we are not but of one thing I am sure: whether or not we voted for him on Election Day, Trump will be the President of The United States of Insecurity.
PARISNever mind that the French cable television report on Stephen Bannon made him look like one of the winos living on grates in Paris, or that it compared Bannon, Donald Trumps grizzled eminence grise and newly-named White House chief strategist, to Adolf Hitlers propaganda chief Josef Goebbels.

And never mind the programs citations of rampant sexism on Bannons pseudo-news service, Breitbart. All he had to do in that clip was say hed like to expand Breitbarts operations to France and allude to Marion Marechal-Le Pen as the new rising star on the French version of the alt-right and she started gushing on Twitter in English:

Interestingly, the citations from Bannon on that broadcast by the mainstream LCI network did not mention Marine Le Pen, the 48-year-old woman who has turned her fathers fringe right-wing party, the National Front, into the most dynamic and aggressive political force in the country.

The reference cited was to the Le Pen women generally, as if there were so many, and then to the comely Marion, a member of the French parliament who is only 26 years old and has the xanthachroidal allure of a younger Ann Coulter or Laura Ingraham.

Must be something in the air, lesprit du temps, as they say. Lets take a breath and look at whats really going on here.

Bannons support for European far-right parties runs far deeper than his interest in Marion Marechal-Le Pen or the National Front. He brags about his international Breitbart operation as the platform for the American alt-right, and has for years been thinking globally, with an affinity for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), Alternative for Germany (AfD), and the Party for Freedom Party (PVV) in the Netherlands, all of which have earned glowing coverage on the pages of Breitbart.

But the election of Bannons man Donald Trump as president of the United States has made the globalization of Breitbart and its message infinitely more plausible than it ever was before, and politicians once considered Europes deplorables are now rushing to bask in the gilded glow of Trump and Bannon.

On Saturday, Britains Nigel Farage, whose blatant and acknowledged lies helped convince his countrymen to opt out of the European Union in the Brexit vote, visited the president-elect in his eponymous Fifth Avenue tower.

Farage emerged from the meeting looking like hed just won the jackpot at one of the pre-bankruptcy Trump casinos, suggesting that the new presidents inner team was not too happy with Tory Prime Minister Theresa May, since shed been skeptical of Brexit before the vote. Would that inner team be Bannon? In our post-factual world, maybe we can say, People say

Breitbart, which currently has operations in London and Jerusalem, certainly has plans to expand in France and Germany with new bureaus to cultivate and promote the populist-nationalist lines there.

He has long wanted to work with all of those parties, but that was only in promoting them with Breitbart, a source close to Bannon told The Daily Beast. Now he has the power of the White House to do it.

Bannon, elevated Sunday night from the head of Trumps favorite public-relations outfit masquerading as news outlet to a White House senior counselor, is right now the direct line between the European far-right and Donald J. Trump, leader of the free world.

If Stephen gets the offer to be Chief of Staff and says yes, then he runs the show, a Trump aide told The Daily Beast before Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was picked for that job, and Bannon received his very, very senior position.

Thats more than a little bit disturbing, considering that Bannon was openly influenced by Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl, who rose to prominence as a blonde bombshell before producing such masterpieces of propaganda as Triumph of the Will.

But again, the Trumpian zeitgeist makes us digress.

So strong are the winds of right-wing change at the momenteven if its not clear whether theyre just gusts or sustainedthat when the European Unions foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, convened EU foreign ministers for an urgent dinner Sunday night to discuss the impact of the Trump victory, two quickly declined: Britains once and future Brexiteer, Boris Johnson, which was not much of a surprise; and Frances Jean-Marc Ayrault, who demurred as if he had something better to do. In fact, his Socialist government is scrambling to find right-wing credibility before elections next spring: a Sisyphean task given polls showing President Francois Hollande now has an approval rating of 4 percent (you read that right: 4 percent).

From the Netherlands, The Daily Beasts Nadette De Visser reports that Geert Wilders (famous for his dyed blonde hair) is tapping into Trump's one-liners: We will make the Netherlands great again, he tweets, adding: I will give the Netherlands back to the Dutch because the Netherlands is our country.

Everywhere democratic revolutions are underway. They will drive the elites from power, says Wilders, whose Twitter feed seems to mirror Trumpsor is it Bannon's?at every turn.

Similartly, Wilders has no qualms about using the Kremlins RT television network to broadcast his message. In an interview with RT, Wilders said, Politics will never be the same and what I call the patriotic spring is an enormous incentive. What I say to the Europeans is, Look at America, what America can do, we can do as well.

And up to a point the strategy appears to be working. Geert Wilderss PVV is on the rise in some of the polls, which suggest it will be the biggest political party in the Netherlands. After Trumps victory, the PVV went from 27 to 29 potential seats in the Dutch parliament, which would make it the single biggest bloc. But Wilders's record shows hed find it almost impossible to pull together coalition partners in the 150-seat assembly. So where hell continue to build his notoriety will be on the international stagea mission Breitbart is likely to make very possible.

Barbie Latza Nadeau reports from Rome that Matteo Salvini of the Northern League, who may be the most blatantly racist and xenophobic of all the West European wingnuts, says hes offered to help Trump make inroads in European politics. If Brexit teaches us something, if the election of Donald Trump teaches us something, Salvini tweeted, it is that today we get going to take over the power.

But not everybody is as flattered by Trump/Bannons attentions as Marion Marechal-Le Pen, Nigel Farage, Geert Wilders, and Matteo Salvini have shown themselves to be. And the least flattered, most offended of all may be the European leader most often compared to Donald Trump in terms of background and style.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is patently offended by the analogy. Of course there are some similarities in that he is an entrepreneur who decided to use his expertise to help his country, Berlusconi said of Trump to Corriere della Sera. But I have never opted for protectionist or isolationist policies that would hurt the country, and politics has taught me that people are not judged by programs, but by their behavior. Lets see him at work.

Good idea. And once the Trump tsunami has passed, lets see what is left of Europe.

Reported by Christopher Dickey in Paris, Asawin Subsaeng in Washington, Barbie Latza Nadeau in Rome, and Nadette De Visser in Amsterdam.
Ceremony held for UK's first sake brewery

A traditional 'Jichinsai' ceremony has been held at the construction site of the UK's first sake brewery in East Cambridgeshire.

The event is a traditional Shinto ceremony undertaken to purify the building site, prior to laying the foundations and to pray for the safety of the people involved in the construction.

The build is expected to take nine months to complete, with the first production of sake available in October 2017. Once the build has finished, the Dojima sake brewery aim to make 10,000 bottles in its first trading year.

His Excellency ambassador Koji Tsuruoka who attended the event commented: Although this is a ceremony that happens in Japan when a new building is being constructed, it has never happened in the UK and I was very happy to be a part of it. The ceremony showed the respect that the two countries have for the tradition and it is through appreciation of these historical and cultural treasures that the two countries are bound very strongly together.

Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire said: The ceremony was fascinating and shows what a diverse area we are in. Its great to have a new and interesting business establishing itself in the region and it will bring a great deal to the constituency in financial terms, as well as culturally.

Yoshihide Hashimoto, owner of the Dojima Sake Brewery sadded: "We were pleased to be joined by so many people for our Jichinsai ceremony. This traditional ceremony is fundamental in the build and we were very happy to share this moment with many of the local people who have been involved in the process so far.

Patrick Doyle of Patrick B Doyle (Construction), who have been awarded the contract for the build says: We were honoured to be invited to the Jichinsai ceremony and blessed by the Shinto Priest for our work on the build. We are thrilled to be involved in such a prestigious project and look forward to the upcoming months.

Cllr Steve Cheetham, Service Delivery Champion from East Cambridgeshire District Council says: We are very pleased that the Dojima Sake Brewery decided to make East Cambridgeshire its home. Their investment into the district through using local contractors and the creation of new jobs is a great benefit to the area and we look forward to the opening of the first UK sake brewery.

The construction of the building will see 9m invested over a period of five years. The project was given unanimous planning approval by East Cambridgeshire District Council and is set to create up to 10 local jobs initially, both on the build process, as well as in the Sake brewery and the accompanying visitors centre which will be located on site.

13 November 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant
Belvedere releases limited RED charity bottle

Belvedere and musician John Legend have launched the 2016 campaign (Belvedere)Red #Makethedifference. The collaboration will see a limited-edition design on Belvedere's bottles. The campaign began in September, and is aiming to peak for World Aids Day, December 1, 2016, with release of the designs.

John Legend brings his artistic style to the campaign, curating a unique program to Make The Difference. Together with Belvedere, he established the values that serve as the foundation of the campaign: unity, security, support and change. These four values embody the collective sentiment for all those joining the fight against HIV/AIDS.

To bring these powerful tenets to life, John Legend collaborated with Esther Mahlangu, a celebrated Ndebele artist from South Africa, whose vibrant and powerful artwork will be seen throughout the #Makethedifference campaign.

In support of the (Belvedere)RED campaign, John Legend is featuring his new single Love Me Now. The anthem main theme encourages people to love now and give now due to the uncertainty of tomorrow.

John Legend says: Ive always enjoyed working with (RED). When Belvedere presented this opportunity to help support a product that I would already buy and that was going to help save lives, I thought it was a great idea. I was so excited when I saw Esthers design for the bottle: I think its beautiful and it marries her aesthetic with the aesthetic of Belvedere, it connects it to the culture and to the people were trying to help.

Available from September at select retailers around the world, Belvedere donates 50% of its profits from every bottle sold to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Belvederes global advertising campaign, digital activations and targeted efforts are in on-premise establishments as well as retail stores in over 35 countries.

In the UK, the limited-edition bottle can be purchased from Sainsbury's at an RRP of 38 for 70cl, the same price as the original bottles. Online retailers such as The Whisky Exchange are also stocking the bottling. The limited-edition will run until mid-late January.

13 November 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant
In a "60 Minutes" interview scheduled to air Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump shifted his position on Obamacare, saying he would try to preserve key parts of the healthcare act, and also praised Hillary Clinton as "very strong and very smart."

Seated with his wife, Melania, and four of his five children, Trump spoke to 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl in his first televised interview since winning the election this week.

Trump told Stahl that Clinton's phone call conceding the election was "lovely" and acknowledged that making the phone call was likely "tougher for her than it would have been for me," according to previews of the interview released by CBS.

"She couldn't have been nicer. She just said, 'Congratulations, Donald, well done,'" Trump told Stahl. "And I said, 'I want to thank you very much. You were a great competitor.' She is very strong and very smart."

Trump's tone in the interview was in sharp contrast to his bitter attacks on the campaign trail, in which he nicknamed Clinton "Crooked Hillary" and encouraged chants of "Lock her up!" at his rallies. Among other insults, Trump also referred to his competitor as "the devil," "a bigot" and - at the tail end of the final presidential debate - "such a nasty woman."

Trump also told Stahl that former president Bill Clinton called him the following day and "couldn't have been more gracious."

"He said it was an amazing run - one of the most amazing he's ever seen," Trump said. "He was very, very, really, very nice."

During the campaign, Trump had tried to use Bill Clinton's infidelities as a way to attack and embarrass Hillary Clinton. For the second presidential debate, Trump had sought to intimidate his competitor by inviting women who had accused the former president of sexual abuse to sit in the Trump family box. Debate officials quashed the idea.

In the interview with Stahl, Trump did not rule out calling both of the Clintons for advice during his term.

"I mean, this is a very talented family," he said. "Certainly, I would certainly think about that."

Trump also reiterated on "60 Minutes" that he may keep portions of the Affordable Care Act, something he had mentioned he might do after meeting with President Barack Obama in the White House on Thursday.

When Stahl asked whether people with pre-existing conditions would still be covered after Trump repealed and replaced Obamacare, Trump said they would "because it happens to be one of the strongest assets."

"Also, with the children living with their parents for an extended period, we're going to... very much try and keep that," Trump added, referring to portions of the healthcare act that cover children under their parents' insurance through age 26. "It adds cost, but it's very much something we're going to try and keep."

When Stahl questioned whether there would be a gap between the repeal of Obamacare and the implementation of a new plan that could leave millions of people uninsured, Trump interrupted her.

"Nope. We're going to do it simultaneously. It'll be just fine. It's what I do. I do a good job. You know, I mean, I know how to do this stuff," Trump said. "We're going to repeal and replace it. And we're not going to have, like, a two-day period and we're not going to have a two-year period where there's nothing. It will be repealed and replaced. I mean, you'll know. And it will be great healthcare for much less money."

Trump's campaign promises included fully repealing the Affordable Care Act, forcing Mexico to pay for a border wall and banning Muslims from entering the U.S.

Since winning the election, Trump and his key advisers have been backing away from some of those promises.

The "60 Minutes" interview will be broadcast on CBS at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday.
Plain Talk: Keep your fingers crossed for the next 4 years
Podcast: Who comes out ahead in the Charlie Jones vs. Iowa football reunion?

Iowa Football
Looking for a part-time job to earn some extra holiday cash? You may be in the drivers seat  at least, when it comes to choosing work hours, some local employers say.

Hiring holiday help this year is forcing companies to be open-minded and flexible, said Tim Wolff, executive director of human resources for Colony Brands.

People tell us when they want to work and we fit them into the schedule, said Wolff.

Monroe-based Colony Brands has locations in four states, including distribution centers in Madison and Sun Prairie. Known for its Swiss Colony cheese-and-sausage boxes and its cakes, Colony Brands offers 11 brands of merchandise.

The Sun Prairie center handles orders from the Montgomery Ward and Seventh Avenue catalogs while the Madison center packs purchases from the Midnight Velvet and Monroe and Main offerings.

During the offseason, 350 to 400 people work at the two locations. But at winter holiday time and when spring catalogs are released, employment swells. This winter, 1,225 people are filling orders at the two locations, about 80 more than last year, Wolff said.

But it has not been easy finding workers. As always, its a challenge, primarily just because of the numbers that we need to hire. It seems to be a little more difficult this year, said Wolff, citing more competition for employees. Colony Brands has about 3,000 year-round full-time and part-time employees and as many as 6,500 or more during the peak periods.

Competitive labor market





The global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas says the improving economy may be another reason. In a growing number of metropolitan areas, the unemployment rate has fallen below 3.5 percent, which means that the pool of available labor is relatively shallow, CEO John A. Challenger said in a news release last Monday.

Retail employment gains

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the preliminary unemployment rate in the Madison metropolitan area was 2.6 percent in September, the most recent month for which figures are available.

Challenger said nationwide, 154,600 people were hired for retail positions in October, a 21 percent reduction from a year ago and the fewest job gains to kick off the holiday hiring season since 2012, based on an analysis of figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But thats not necessarily bad news. Challenger said stronger employment during the year may have trimmed the need for seasonal hires.

At the same time, the big growth in online shopping at the holiday season may simply be shifting openings to other sectors, such as warehouse and transportation.

Even within the retail category, though, work opportunities are not shrinking, Challenger said. In October, 15,994,000 Americans were employed in retail jobs, up from 15,759,000 a year ago. It represents the highest October employment level ever recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Challenger said.

An NBC News story cited figures from Snagajob that said 90 percent of the companies surveyed plan to hire holiday help this year, up from 82 percent last year, and the average hourly pay for this years seasonal employees is nearly $14, up from under $10 last year.

Among the big holiday employers in the Madison area, Duluth Trading Co. would not provide figures but said its seasonal hiring this winter is up slightly compared to last year. The Belleville casual and work wear company has been growing rapidly since it raised $80 million in an initial public stock offering a year ago.

Two other companies, American Girl and Lands End, say their holiday hiring is about even with last years.

Pay ranges from about $10.50 to $14 or $15 an hour among the local companies that responded, and for some workers, the fringe benefits speak loudly, as well.

American Girl

Lisa Hanson is a warehouse processor at American Girl in Middleton for the second holiday season in a row.

I just love the dolls, Hanson said. Hanson, 46, still has the Kirsten and Josefina dolls she received when she was in her 20s and treated them to hair makeovers last year. Hansons grandmother, who is 94, tops that with five American Girl dolls.

Working for the company last winter was a lot of fun and a lot of work, said Hanson, who slides books under the dolls arms and makes sure the doll boxes have stickers that direct them to Kohls or Toys R Us. I learned a lot about American Girl, she said.

Emma Strobel is another American Girl fan whos a first-time seasonal employee at the company. Ive grown up knowing American Girl, reading all the stories and advice books, said Strobel, 24.

Strobel recently moved to the Madison area from Baraboo and wanted a job to get my feet wet. Working in the call center, she helps customers place orders and handles complaints. You can hear joy in their voices when you solve the problem, Strobel said.

American Girl expects to have nearly 1,800 seasonal workers at its three Wisconsin locations and another 1,000 at its stores throughout the U.S. Thats nearly double the 2,076 employees the Middleton doll, book and accessories company employs year-round.

American Girl  part of toy giant Mattel of El Segundo, California  already offered 30 percent discounts on its own merchandise and Mattels. This year, seasonal staff can get new perks, including a $100 referral bonus; a 2 percent bonus for all hours worked in October to December; and a $200 signing bonus for forklift drivers, spokeswoman Stephanie Spanos said.

Being more flexible with scheduling requirements and hiring 16- and 17-year-olds are also among the new tactics this year. Were offering more shift options  for example, shifts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate parents of school-age children, or weekend-only shifts, Spanos said.

American Girl expects to add 484 seasonal workers at its Middleton headquarters and warehouse; 825 at its DeForest distribution center; and 473 at its Wilmot distribution and call center.

Lands End

Lands End plans to hire about 2,000 seasonal workers to staff its Dodgeville and Reedsburg distribution and call centers and Stevens Point call center and embroidery operation, spokeswoman Michele Casper said.

Overall, there continues to be a lot of competition for seasonal and part-time employment in all of our hiring markets, requiring creative staffing strategies and marketing, Casper said.

She said the Dodgeville apparel retailer offers flexible shift hours, and employees who work through the peak holiday season can get year-round perks that include an employee discount and use of the wellness center and back-up child care services.

Our employees continue to be Lands Ends best tool for recruiting. Approximately 25 percent of our applicants are referred by our employees, Casper said.

Lands End also adds about 100 customer care employees who work from home when call volume is high, and provides free bus rides to 100 UW-Platteville students who join the companys seasonal workforce.

The company has about 6,000 employees.
NORWALK  Norwalk Community Colleges Veterinary Technology degree program has received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Associations Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA).

Veterinary Technology students must graduate from an AVMA-accredited program to be eligible for credentialing in the United States. The AVMA-CVTEA did a comprehensive evaluation and site visit to Norwalk Community College in September 2016 and granted accreditation to the Veterinary Technology program effective Sept. 16.
NORWALK  The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will elect new leadership Tuesday as members choose between first vice president Brenda Penn-Williams and member Jalin Sead.

Current president Darnell Crosland chose not to seek re-election after serving two, two-year terms, instead opting to leave the door open for new leadership.

The Norwalk chapter currently has about 120 paid members eligible to vote, Crosland said. Voting will take place from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday at the C.B.C. Community Hall, 20 Concord St., in Norwalk.

Penn-Williams was selected by the organizations nominating committee as the primary candidate. Though he was not selected, Sead was given the opportunity to take it to the floor to gain support from other members to run against the candidate selected by the committee. Sead was able to gather the signatures he needed and netted the endorsement of Crosland.

Crosland cited Seads youthfulness, enthusiasm and dedication to the organization as reasons for his endorsement.

The main reason I endorsed Jalin is we want to encourage young people to be a part of the organization, and Jalin joined the organization a long time ago, Crosland said. I think it would be hypocritical to have a young person thats ready to go and overlook him. In terms of being able to get the message out, especially to young people, I think hes better suited to do it ... We need the branch to be more functioning, and more young and more vibrant.

Penn-Williams, who has 45 years of experience in a variety of similar organizations, said she wants to be president because she believes in the mission to ensure the political, educational and social rights of all people and eliminate race-based discrimination.

My passion really is to advocate for the voices, the disenfranchised and to help people who need my assistance, Penn-Williams said.

One of my visions for the NAACP is to have a greater presence in the community and do more collaborations with other organizations. We need to have conversations with the community and the police, so that we dont become a Ferguson, Penn-Williams said, referring to the Missouri suburb of St. Louis, where the 2014 shooting death of an 18-year-old black man sparked months of protest and civil unrest.

Penn-Williams said she hopes Norwalk can be a role model community and example of collaboration between police and youth. Though she said she has yet to establish a fully-developed plan, she said issues like gentrification, health care for minorities and education are all issues she hopes to address if elected.

Sead, at just 24 years old, is one of the youngest members of the legacy organization. He first got involved four years ago following the the court proceedings of George Zimmerman, a Florida man who shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed, black teenager, in 2012.

Sead would also like to address gentrification and education, as well as increase membership  particularly among young people. Hed like to create a social media presence for the chapter, increase active membership and plan more events to address issues locally and a on a larger scale.

One of the main goals I have is to have people vow to be part of the NAACP and be a part of the organization, but I also want the community to start to build confidence back in the NAACP, Sead said. I want them to believe that the organization is going to not just make noise but actually do things. I want to create a sense of pride so people want to come to meetings and want to be involved.

If elected, both candidates said theyre determined to find a way to take local youth to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened earlier this year in Washington, D.C., as part of the Smithsonian collection of museums.

KKrasselt@scni.com; 203-354-1021; @kaitlynkrasselt
In theory, writing a resume should be simple. Summarize your career history, education and professional accomplishments in one or two pages. In practice, however, creating an effective resume  one that gets attention  can be daunting.

To be clear, you will not get hired based on the quality of your resume, no matter how good it is. Rather, a distinctive resume will help you land an interview, and its the interview that will help you get the job.

If you submit a bad resume, or one that is just plain boring, you may be left out in the cold.

First, a few basic tips about resumes:

Be accurate and honest: Play up your strengths, but resist the urge to embellish. Falsifying or exaggerating will only come back to haunt you.

Use power verbs: Highlight what you increased, grew, led, managed, improved and achieved.

Be brief: You are not writing an autobiography, so leave out nonessential fluff.

Get help: At the very least, make sure someone proofreads your resume carefully.

The most common mistake that I see is expressing experience as a laundry list of duties. Experience should be communicated in terms of accomplishments and transferable skills. This is especially important for career changers and entry-level candidates looking for their first opportunities  people who dont yet have a lot of hands-on experience in their chosen fields. They must educate employers on how their previous experience aligns with the new opportunity, says Jeff Close, talent acquisition manager at American Family Insurance.

Here are some other factors that make a resume pop:

Attractiveness: Every real estate agent knows that homebuyers hate clutter, so they urge sellers to tidy up. Likewise, scan your resume for clutter  extraneous details that distract people from noticing how talented you really are. Tack your resume to a bulletin board and stand across the room. Does the page appear gray with text? If so, start trimming.

Readability: Imagine that you are the one scanning hundreds of job applications and resumes. What do you do when one of them is loaded with jargon, acronyms and other indecipherable terminology? If you said, Toss it in the circular file, youre right. Keep it simple.

Organization: In the newspaper business, reporters put the nugget of the story right up front in the lead paragraph. Even if you never read the rest of the story, youll get the gist. Tell your future employer what they need to know at the beginning! Hook them with what you have to offer.

Personalization: In the world of job applications, one size does not fit all, so tailor your resume to each specific job opportunity. Emphasize the skills the employer is seeking and why you are the best possible fit.

Uniqueness: What do you bring that other candidates may not? What makes you exceptional? This is no time to be humble. Share all your good stuff, and exude confidence in your writing.

Flair: Make your resume stand out by adding some unique formatting that still says youre a professional. Avoid using off-the-shelf templates, but dont go crazy with unreadable fonts and amateurish graphics. Save the document as a PDF that preserves all of your hard work and attention to detail. Some employers, however, may require you to submit a Word documentan indication that your resume will be screened by an electronic Applicant Tracking System (ATS). In that case, this flair advice does not apply.

If I dont like the resume, I usually will not read a cover letter, but 30 seconds is all it takes to hook me, so I keep reading, says David Bailey of Bailey Human Capital Consulting in Waunakee. Use readable fonts with plenty of white space. Job titles should stand out. Colors and graphics work well for creative positions, but an accountants resume should be crisp and clean.

Take the opportunity to showcase your personality, creativity and ingenuity. In todays tight labor market, investing time in a resume that stands out might give you just the advantage you need.
The American people have spoken, and the power structure in Washington, D.C., has been turned on its head. I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and look forward to working with him.

With Republicans holding the House, the Senate, and now the presidency, we will have a unified government which can work to reverse many of President Obamas overreaches and pursue greater freedom and opportunity for all Americans. Though we do not have the supermajority President Obama enjoyed when he first took office, and we admittedly hold only a narrow majority in the Senate, I am optimistic we can overcome many of the hurdles we are bound to face and begin to restore the separation of powers.

We now also have the chance to fill late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias seat with a conservative jurist committed to upholding the Constitution.

Mr. Trump supports many policy changes which I have also championed as vital to Nebraska agriculture. He has discussed rolling back the Environmental Protection Agencys dangerous Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) and supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard. He has also called for bringing an end to the Death Tax which threatens so many family-owned farms and businesses.

The Obama administrations endless roll of red tape has choked our job creators, and Mr. Trump has extensively discussed the need to reverse it. For the past three years, I have been working on my Regulation Rewind initiative to fight back against government overreach. It will be refreshing to work with the Trump administration on regulatory reforms and policies to encourage economic growth and opportunity.

Additionally, I am optimistic about pursuing comprehensive tax reform. Our current system makes it easier to cheat than to comply, and it is past time to fix our broken tax code and make it simpler and fairer for all. On the Ways and Means Committee, we have already drawn up a tax reform blueprint and hope to move forward in 2017.

We also finally have the opportunity to relieve Americans of the burdens of Obamacare. Only a couple weeks before Election Day, the Obama administration confirmed consumers will see a 25 percent average increase in their 2017 Obamacare premiums. In addition, 20 percent of people will only have one insurance plan available to them in the exchanges.

After hundreds of thousands of Americans were forced off the plans they liked, only to lose their insurance again due to the collapse of Obamacares co-ops, these rising costs have cemented the unsustainability of the Presidents health care law. We must dismantle this failed law and implement true reforms which reduce costs, increase consumer choice, and put patients first.

In the coming months, I also look forward to working with Mr. Trump on crucial issues such as securing our borders and strengthening enforcement of our trade laws. I am hopeful he will affirm the importance of trade to our economy while working to make us stronger negotiators on the world stage.

Unfortunately, this election put the deep divides in our country on full display. As Mr. Trump prepares to take office, I continue to call on him to focus on bringing our country together. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Trump pledged to be president for all Americans. After eight years of division under President Obama, a focus on unity must be a key aspect of the Trump presidency.

On November 9, our country woke up to the promise of a new Washington. Over the past eight years, Americans have called on government to listen to them. With President-elect Donald Trump, we have the opportunity to make this call a reality.
There is no shortage of issues awaiting Donald Trump, as he begins to assemble the people who will be part of his new administration. Immigration reform, tax reform, health care, trade policies, energy policies, foreign affairs  these and many more are expected to be addressed.

Most of these issues have been before us for a long time, and they can be highly partisan and divisive. That is why they havent been resolved by now, and why the new president must be careful about how he approaches them.

President Obama chipped around the edges of some of these issues, notably immigration, through the use of executive orders. Some of these orders have been reversed by the courts and others are highly unpopular. Indeed, during the campaign Trump announced that he would review all executive orders and would rescind those he thought were inappropriate.

Although the new president will have Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, we hope he seeks the cooperation of Democrats whenever possible. President Obama made little effort to accommodate Republicans, and even Democrats complained that there was almost no direct contact between the president and individual members of Congress. The result was gridlock and long-standing unresolved issues.

Trumps campaign was full of provocative promises on how he would both change the way Washington functions and solve problems. And, if Tuesdays election proved anything, it was that people want change.

Long-lasting solutions to problems generally require some degree of buy-in by members of both political parties, and we hope President-elect Trump proves to be adept at securing such cooperation. It will be a tall order, for many professional politicians in Washington have long records of paying more attention to retaining their jobs, rather than solving problems.

Change and results are what voters indicate they want. Were watching for our new president and new Congress to deliver.
Phillies make history: Five homers off Astros starter in Game 3 win

McCullers, pitching in his first World Series game since 2017, became the first pitcher in postseason history to give up five home runs in a game.
For some, studying genealogy begins as a family tree diagram for school. For others, its a curiosity about where their family came from. And, for some, uncovering the unknown about long-deceased family members is driven by the thrill of the find.

Jennifer Ehle is one such genealogy hobbyist who got caught up in the excitement of the research as an undergraduate at UW-Madison and has explored her familys lineage ever since.

Ive always been fascinated by how people lived and what they did, she said. The more you find the more questions it raises and inspires you to get more information.

Ehle has been gathering that information piece by piece for the last 35 years, but she takes a different approach to genealogy than many. She isnt working toward a massive family tree  shes filling in the gaps that history seems to have forgotten.

One gap in particular was focused on an attack during King Phillips War in which a fort and its inhabitants were captured, which Ehle discussed in an article for the New England Historic Genealogical Societys American Ancestors magazine.

Ehle traveled to Boston and Salt Lake City and used the resources at the Wisconsin Historical Society to find out if any of the children of her ancestor in the fort, Henry Kerley, had lived through captivity  and came up empty.

It wasnt until she reached out to the community where the fort was located that she was able to uncover the truth.

They called me and said the children had survived, Ehle said. I was totally not expecting that.

When all else fails in her research, Ehle often looks for answers in the communities in which her ancestors lived.

Thats the pitch, she said. Dont assume you have everything in just one library.

Luckily for the many genealogy buffs in the Madison area, there are several institutions that offer resources to aid in a quest for familial knowledge.

For many, the Wisconsin Historical Society is an ideal spot to start.

Particularly since it is considered one of the top five genealogical collections in the country, according to research librarian Lori Bessler.

Wherever your family was, we probably have something for you if they were living in the U.S. or Canada, she said.

The historical society is also home to one of the countrys largest newspaper collections second only to the Library of Congress, Bessler said.

According to Bessler, WHS became a society in 1846 and has collected genealogical material since the 1850s.

Library staff members are able to help researchers locate records that can jumpstart projects in the same way that Ancestry.com or other search sites can, but with access to additional records and newspaper materials.

Get a fuller picture of a persons life  thats what our staff can do, Bessler said. Our services are able to walk a person through the journey of that research.

Those services and the resources available at WHS are offered free of charge.

Another good place to start would be the Family History Center located within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 4505 Regent Street.

The center has a conference area to lay out research materials and a microfilm reading room for researchers to take a closer look at microfilm or fiche versions of records. Films can be ordered online at FamilySearch.org, a site run by the church, and can be shipped directly to center director Judy McDonald.

The center has held on to microfilm records from previous research endeavors and now has a large German and Polish record collection, McDonald said.

Many researchers who use the center are non-church members. Anyone is welcome to use the center free of charge  although there are fees associated with ordering films.

The center also has multi-lingual volunteers who can help researchers with records in unfamiliar languages.

We have a few people who speak German, theyre usually here on Tuesdays in the morning, McDonald said. Weve got one who speaks (both) German and Latin and someone who speaks Swedish.

For researchers who are like 40 percent of Wisconsinites with a German background and have a desire to learn even more about where they come from the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies (MKI) is the next logical step.

Our mission is to study and do outreach for German speaking immigrants in North America, their descendants and the pattern of migration past and present, said Antje Petty, associate director and educational outreach specialist.

Petty said WHS provides excellent materials to trace an ancestor, but MKI may provide further insight into the details of a persons life.

We can give a global background, she said. We can say how people lived in a certain region (and) what resources they might find.

Petty said MKI (like WHS or the Family History Center) also collects family histories.

Those family histories, among other German literary pieces, can be accessed by the public at no charge.

Translated letters and family histories have their own place in the institutes library and a lucky few might stumble upon a detailed family history book of their own.

Petty said those coincidences happen on occasion and it is always exciting.

For those with a Nordic background, there are unique local opportunities to uncover details about their histories as well.

Area Norwegians could find a treasure trove of family history at the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library (NAGCNL) which houses a large collection of bygdeboker Norwegian books that focus local histories in Norway.

The center may have the second largest collection of these books in the United States, said Jerry Paulson, Naeseth chair for genealogical research and publication.

Norway is very interested in the history of the farms and the people of Norway, he said. These are books written for individual communities throughout the country ... they contain histories of the farms and the people who lived on the farms.

Anyone is welcome to use the facilities at the NAGCNL, but it is a membership society. Memberships cost $40 a year which allows members to use the library at no charge.

Non-members pay $15 a day to access the collection.

Researchers are also available at the library to assist in genealogical studies with a fee structure for members and non-members.

Researchers might also be interested in visiting Livsreise-Norwegian Heritage Center in Stoughton to explore more intricate details of their ancestors lives through genealogical research as well as historical artifacts and interactive displays.

As a NAGCNL member, the heritage center offers access to the library databases that visitors are able to use free of charge, said Marg Listug, center manager.

We also have access to the digital archives in Norway which is basically church records where all births and deaths were reported, she said.

After perusing the archives, visitors can explore the displays at the center in order to delve into their ancestors lives in Norway and the hardships they faced when journeying to America.

Regardless of how deeply budding genealogists are interested in diving into their familys personal history, there are a number of organizations that can be of monumental importance  particularly if the researcher has never attempted such work before.

And there is a multitude of professionals who make it a priority to help others explore the past.

Explaining the paper trail is our job, Bessler said. And we love it.

We can give a global background. We can say how people lived in a certain region (and) what resources they might find.Antje Petty

Associate director and educational outreach specialist

at the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, November 14, 2016

Traveling for leisure or on a business trip is increasingly easy and affordable these days thanks to the rapid progression of technology for the past decade.

Need a cheap plane ticket? All you need is a gadget and an internet connection. Browse a little bit and you will find dozens of online travel agents (OTA) with various attractive offers for flight tickets to your destination. Technology certainly makes traveling much more convenient than ever. However, you also need to be cautious of fraud, false advertising, etc., which is very common on the internet.

One of the biggest challenges when planning a holiday is finding good but affordable accommodations. Most of the time people are apt to choose an affordable price over comfort and as a result, they book cheap hotels and must stay in a place with less facilities and uncomfortable beds. If you think it through, sleeping in a dirty and cheap hotel will surely ruin your holiday because you cant rest peacefully. Therefore, its really important to choose good accommodations for your holiday.

You dont know where to look for one? Look no further because Airy Rooms, the biggest budget hotel network in Indonesia, is already present in more than 37 big cities in Indonesia with more than 2,000 rooms available for travelers. For your information, right now Airy Rooms has more than 250 inexpensive hotels available in Bali and more than 50 inexpensive hotels in Bandung, Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

What is Airy Rooms?

Airy Rooms is an accommodations network orchestrator (ANO) that establishes a partnership with the best budget hotels all across Indonesia. Under this partnership, Airy Rooms manages thousands of hotel rooms belonging to hundreds of hotel partners with a commitment to implement the same standards for every room. Airy Rooms only chooses the best budget hotels as partners and audits all the rooms on the network to ensure a high quality of comfort for the guest. Supported by advanced technology, Airy Rooms also helps travelers search for and book affordable hotel rooms.

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Airy Rooms 7 Standards of Comfort

What makes Airy Rooms stand out from other budget hotels? Other than its wide presence in Indonesia and low prices, there is one important element that makes Airy Rooms different from its competitors: The Seven Standards of Comfort guarantee can be found in every one of the Airy Rooms. Those seven standards are free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, hot water, air-conditioning, clean bed sheets, toiletries and free mineral water. With the seven standards of comfort, you can be sure to have the best staying experience with an affordable price in Airy Rooms.

Easy booking and flexible payment

Apart from the seven standards of comfort, Airy Rooms also offer a flexible payment plan with an easy booking process. For reservations via the internet you just need to visit the official website, airyrooms.com, where you can do all the booking. You can also book a room via a mobile app, simply by downloading the Airy Rooms app from the Google Play Store or the App Store. The application will help you find available rooms nearby to book and check in on the same day and reserving for another day can also be done through the app. The payment process is flexible: You can choose from diverse options like bank transfers, credit cards and direct payments from selected convenience stores (upcoming).

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Moreover, if you have any problem with reservations, or have any other enquiries, please contact the Airy Rooms 24/7 customer care, or its active social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). So what are you waiting for? Start planning your holiday and enjoy the best comfort with the best value in Airy Rooms!
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, November 12 2016

Words Sebastian Partogi Illustration Mufty Fairuz

Fachri Albars acting career started in 2005 when he played one of the main protagonists in the 2005 romantic drama Alexandria alongside Julie Estelle and Marcel Chandrawinata. Another landmark film in his career is the thriller Pintu Terlarang (Forbidden Door), directed by Joko Anwar in 2009, in which he played a sculptor known for his works of pregnant women; his normal life is disrupted when a twisted woman forces him to insert an aborted fetus into one. Son of Ahmad Albar, vocalist of the iconic1970s rock band God Bless, he returns to romantic drama, playing the male lead in Richard Ohs unconventional love story Terpana (Transfixed), released on Nov. 3. While watching the 73-minute movie, it is hard not to be transfixed by the strikingly good-looking actor as he convincingly plays a charming bookish (he reportedly loves reading) hopeless romantic well-versed in physics formulas and principles as he pursues the skeptical female protagonist played by Raline Shah.



What makes me happy 



My wife and kids.



A great leisure time for me 



Watching any kinds of interesting films or playing with my kids.



My favorite spot in Jakarta 



My home.



My favorite cuisine 



Japanese.



And least favorite 



Thats tricky to answer because I can eat pretty much anything.



My favorite type of adventure 



Everywhere I go, I will find some dishes Ive never tried before. The possibility might be as extreme as trying rat meat [served as cuisine in North Sulawesi] or whatever. I will just bite into them first. Whether I like the taste or not, its a different matter.



My biggest regret 



Alhamdulillah (Praise God), I have no regrets.



The place I really want to visit 



Provence, France.



I am bored by 



Things that stay the same all the time. I do believe that we live to constantly learn new things.



My greatest achievement 



Graduating cum laude from university; there were only 15 of us who are able to achieve that out of approximately 1,500 graduating students.



My bad habit 



Spending too much time in the bathroom. The bathroom is my sanctuary: I do lots of things inside it, from conversing on the phone, pondering seriously about my work and many more.



Who I look up to 



My father.



The most recent movie Ive watched (not including the evenings premiere of Terpana) 



Black Swan.



My dream role 



I want to be cast in a very strong drama, where I play as a protagonist alongside a young child.



My dream film collaboration 



Natalie Portman. Emily Blunt.



My dream film remake 



[1977 Indonesian film] Duo Kribo (Two Afro-heads). Not necessarily because my father played a leading role in it; recently I watched the film again, which tells us about [the rivalry between] two prominent 1970s rock bands [AKA fronted by Ucok Harahap and God Bless fronted by Ahmad Albar] and I realized the film is quite iconic. The songs are cool. Nowadays, where can we find music-themed films like that in Indonesia?



The dream I still need to achieve 



Lots of things, actually, but most importantly, one day I will get an Oscar!

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Linkedin Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, November 12 2016

Gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan said he could understand why some people objected to the presence of his strongest rival, Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, in their areas, but he has made it clear they should allow him to campaign.

Anies, a former education and culture minister, declined to answer whether it was fair or not for Ahok to be unable to campaign. The gubernatorial candidate, however, said that even though the residents did not agree with a candidate, they should still welcome him or her.

They should welcome, meet and tell [their aspirations] to the candidate because it was their opportunity to reveal their perspectives, thoughts and feelings, he told reporters after performing Friday prayer in Kebon Siri, Central Jakarta.

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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Sat, November 12 2016

Five regional heads in Greater Bandung have finally agreed to launch a collaborative program to address the threat of flooding on the heels of some of the worst flooding to hit the area in years.

The five regions are Bandung city, Bandung regency, Cimahi city, West Bandung regency and Sumedang regency.

Acting West Java governor Deddy Mizwar said the five regions had not coordinated with each other on flood mitigation and the results had been dismal.

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Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana T (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Sat, November 12 2016

An Indonesian-made electric motorcycle is on its way to Kuta Beach in Bali on Saturday after a trial run of more than 1,000 kilometers increased optimism that this countrys products would be able to compete in the electric vehicle market in the coming years.

The electric motorcycle, named the Garansindo Electric Scooter ITS (Gesits), was made by students of the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) and was scheduled to arrive in Bali on Saturday after running for 1,400 kilometers from Jakarta to Surabaya and then to Denpasar.

The Gesits has a 5-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium ion battery that drives a 96-volt engine capable of running at 3,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and produce torque reaching 15 Newton meters (Nm).

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Linkedin Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Tabanan and Nusa Dua, Bali  Sat, November 12 2016

Making tourism a new engine of economic growth is not exclusively the responsibility of President Joko Jokowi Widodo administration, but is also the job of small business owners at a small village in Bali.

I Made Receb Adnyana, 64, wishes to develop his three-room homestay in Pinge Village, Tabanan, Bali, to be his familys bread and butter during his retirement. He and his wife Ni Ketut Subadri, 54, have been running the homestay for the last two years, renting out rooms for Rp 150,000 (US$11) per day.

However, the occupation rate has been low as it lacks facilities and offers below-standard hospitality.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 13, 2016

The Attorney Generals Office (AGO) has seized the assets of graft convict Gayus Halomoan Tambunan in the form of shares worth Rp 820 million (US$63,000) in agriculture company PT Bakrie Sumatra Plantation (UNSP).

The AGOs Asset Recovery Center conducted the asset seizure on convict Gayus Tambunan, AGO spokesperson M Rum said on Saturday as reported by kompas.com.

(Read also:Gayus, Nazaruddin granted Idul Fitri remissions)

Rum said the shares had been sold through a transaction mechanism on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and the proceeds had been transferred to the state treasury.

Gayus, who was a former low-ranking tax officer, previously was sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined Rp 1 billion for corruption and money laundering.

A subsequent appeal and judicial review on his case was rejected by the Supreme Court, where instead his sentence was increased to eight years. (jun)
At least 52 people were killed and 102 were injured on Saturday evening in a bombing at the shrine of Shah Norani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan, DawnNews reported.

"52 people have died and dozens injured in the incident," confirmed Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti.

Bugti also hinted towards foreign involvement in the attack. It was not confirmed whether the bombing was a suicide attack or a remote detonation.

The explosion took place at the spot where the dhamaal (Sufi ritual) was being performed, within the premises of the shrine.

Every day, around sunset, there is a dhamaal here, and there are large numbers of people who come for this, said Nawaz Ali, the shrine's custodian.

At the time of the blast, there were at least 500 people gathered at the spot to view the performance, said Abdul Hakim Lasi, a senior Edhi official in Khuzdar district.

The militant Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, reported Reuters.

Security forces reached the spot of the incident and established a cordon around it. Emergency services faced difficulty in reaching the site of the bombing due to its remote location and poor communication infrastructure.

The shrine is also located in hilly terrain, which further added to the difficulties faced by emergency services.

Electricity services were disrupted following the explosion, hampering rescue efforts further. Electric power to the shrine was supplied with generators, DawnNews reported.

A control room was also established in Quetta to coordinate rescue efforts.

Army Teams Dispatched

On orders from the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, army troops and medical teams were dispatched to the Shah Noorani shrine to provide medical and rescue services to the injured, said a tweet from the Inter-Services Public relations.

Army medical teams treated the wounded at the location.

ISPR also said the route and terrain was difficult, adding to the time to reach the site of the bombing.

Further reinforcements and additional 45 army ambulances were also dispatched to the scene of the bombing, with additional support from Sindh Rangers.

The army's media wing added that helicopter evacuation of the wounded will be attempted, as no airstrip was present nearby to land larger aircraft.

Two army helicopters were sent from Quetta to evacuate the injured.

Lack of Medical Facilities

Two platoons of the Frontier Corps reached the shrine with medical and rescue equipment, and were one of the first teams to initiate rescue operations.

No major hospital is located near the shrine, reportedly the injured were being shifted in private vehicles.

An emergency was also declared in hospitals of Khuzdar and Karachi. The only hospital in the district is Civil Hospital Khuzdar, which was not equipped to handle the scope of the emergency.

On instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, around 50 ambulances were dispatched from Karachi to the Shah Noorani shrine. He also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the lives lost.

The injured began to arrive in Karachi hospitals hours after the bombing took place.

"At least 12 bodies have been brought to the hospital, a medico-legal officer, Abdul Ghaffar Shaikh told Dawn.

The medico-legal officer said that around 20 to 26 injured were brought for treatment to the hospital. The hospital administration also issued a list of the casualties.

People who are critically injured in the blast will be transported to Karachi," said the home minister of the province soon after the bombing.

President of National Party Mir Hasil Bizenjo earlier said the death toll can increase if the federal or Sindh government do not provide helicopters for evacuating the injured.

"There are no helicopters available with the provincial government to evacuate the injured," confirmed Anwar Kakar, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government.

While answering a question regarding security measures in Balochistan, the home minister had said, If there is security lapse on the part of the state, those responsible will be held accountable."

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing in separate statements.

Following the attack on the Shah Noorani shrine, security was tightened across major Sufi shrines in the country.

The shrine is frequented by a large number of devotees on Friday, and is visited by people from across the country. Iranian nationals also frequent the shrine. It is approximately 150 kilometres from Karachi.

Earlier Attacks

In October, heavily-armed militants wearing suicide vests stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing at least 61 people and wounding at least 117.

Three gunmen burst into the sprawling academy, targeting sleeping quarters home to some 700 recruits, and sent terrified young men aged between 15 and 25 fleeing.

Communication intercepts showed the attack was carried out by Al-Alimi faction of the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ) militant group.

In August, a suicide bomber targeted the emergency services ward at Quettas Civil Hospital killing at least 70 people and leaving scores injured, majority of those killed were lawyers.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), had claimed responsibility for the bombing which occurred at the gates of the building housing the emergency ward.

Balochistan has been experiencing incidents of violence and targeted killings for over a decade. More than 1,400 incidents targeting the minority Shia and Hazara community have taken place in the province during the past 15 years.

The largest province of the country by area, is home to a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants also operate in the region. The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
On Election Day in Rochester, New York, the grave of womens suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony was almost completely covered by red-white-and-blue I Voted stickers. Some visitors left flowers or thank you notes.

Hundreds  most expecting Hillary Clinton to become the first female president  visited Anthonys grave Tuesday to pay their respects to a woman best known for her fight to see women get the right to vote.

At Forest Hill Cemetery on Madisons Near West Side, the grave of Wisconsin womens suffrage activist Belle Case La Follette did not go unloved. Darin Hall, the cemeterys lead worker, found two I Voted stickers on La Follettes grave Tuesday morning, as well as a little American flag.

When Karen Thompson, who works in the cemeterys office, shared Halls photo of the grave with a reporter and copied the public information officer for Madison Parks, Parks operations manager Lisa Laschinger ordered the stickers removed.

Prior to your call from this morning, Madison Parks was not aware of any movement or activity that would take place at the grave today, nor did we grant permission for the stickers to be placed, Parks spokeswoman Ann Shea wrote in an email. Out of respect for Ms. La Follette, her family and her grave, and to help protect the stone from damage, the I Voted stickers have been removed.

One other sticker went up on the gravestone later in the day and was also removed, Shea said.

Bob Kann, a Madison resident who wrote the 2008 childrens book, Belle and Bob La Follette: Partners in Politics, said he doesnt know whether stickers damage a gravestone, but understands the citys rationale for removing them.

Its a trivial issue given the magnitude of the threat now posed to the world with the change in the countrys leadership, Kann said. Belle would immediately move into fighting mode about bigger issues.

When she fought for womens suffrage, she knew it would take a long time. And she was in the trenches. And shed be horrified about many things our new (President-elect Donald Trump) has said and done, he maintained.

While Belle La Follette (1859-1931) isnt an unknown figure in Madison or Wisconsin, more people knew about her husband, Fighting Bob La Follette, than knew about her, Kann said.

Shes heroic and had an opportunity to be the first female senator in the country, or one of the first, but turned it down, he said.

In 1931, the New York Times called Belle Case La Follette probably the least known yet most influential of all the American women who have had to do with public affairs.

Not only was she an early anti-war and womens suffrage advocate, but she was an important adviser to her husband, a Progressive leader who served as governor of Wisconsin, as well as in both houses of Congress. She edited a section of her husbands magazine, now known as The Progressive, and wrote a massive, two-volume biography about him.

Her rectangular gravestone in section 4 at Forest Hill is in a plot with nine other La Follettes. On Wednesday, the day after the election, the flat markers were easy to overlook, all set into the earth and unadorned.

Kann called Belle La Follette presidential caliber material, adding that he would never underestimate her capabilities. Even her husband, Bob, said she was the brainiest member of the family and I agree, but people dont know about her.

Belle La Follette would be appalled that Hillary Clinton didnt win, Kann said, but shed just move on. Lets dig in and keep fighting.
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Linkedin Philippine Daily Inquirer (ANN) Manila  Sun, November 13, 2016

President Duterte is standing firm on his decision to allow the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Philippine Heroes' Cemetery, officially known as Libingan ng mga Bayani, saying he was just strictly following the law, unaffected by any emotions.

Duterte said the law allows a former president or a soldier to be buried at Libingan and does not impose any other conditions. His position has been echoed in the ruling by the Supreme Court, which voted 9-5 on Tuesday to clear the legal obstacles to the burial.

The law is the law. It has no emotions at all. It says that if you are a President (you can be buried there). It does not say you have a record of a dictatorship or what not, or being a gentle despot. It does not say anything like that, Duterte said in a speech late on Friday at an event to recognize the humanitarian deeds of his late mother, Soledad Duterte.

Insult, desecration

The Presidents decision to allow the former dictator a heros burial has outraged martial law victims and their families, who view the move as an insult and a desecration of the spirit of people power that ousted Marcos 30 years ago.

The opposition to a heros burial for Marcos has broadened after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), one of the countrys top historians and a Catholic Church group joined calls on the President to reverse his decision.

President Duterte must be advised against proceeding with such a plan, the CPP said in a statement on Saturday. Such payment of political debt to the Marcoses will undoubtedly be regarded as an act of contempt against the Filipino peoples historic judgement against the Marcos dictatorship.

The CPP, which resumed peace talks under the Duterte administration, said burying Marcos at Libingan will be the ultimate act of rehabilitation of the Marcoses after their downfall.

Heed historys demands

In a letter to the President on Friday, National Historical Commission (NHC) chair Maria Serena Diokno said Duterte had the unique opportunity and obligation to heed the demands of the justice of history that will lead to true healing.

Diokno said there were also historical grounds to stop Marcos burial at Libingan based on a recent study of the late presidents war record, citing the highly questionable medals the dictator claimed to have received from the US government.

The justice of history, anchored on historical truth, is far greater than that which any court, including the highest court of the land, can render (or in this case, fail to render), she said.

The Council of the Laity of the Philippines called the high courts decision a barefaced disrespect to the victims of one of the darkest moments in the history of our people and our country in general.

Marcos may have been a President but he ended up a dictator; he may have been a soldier but his grave abuse of power and systemic violence undermines his well-flaunted valor, the group said. There can never be peace without truth and justice.

This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 13, 2016

East Cakung residents hope that Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama will visit their area along with Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat despite the animosity the gubernatorial candidates have faced of late from certain groups in some areas of the city.

Djarot visited the area in East Jakarta and met with the residents on Sunday.

Pak Djarot, come here again with Pak Ahok, one of the residents shouted.

So, Pak Ahok can come here? Djarot asked residents on Jl. Kayu Tinggi.

Sure, he may come, the residents responded.

There are no refusals here, another resident was quoted by tribunnews.com as saying.

(Read also:Armed police guard Ahok campaign)

Recently, Ahoks visits to parts of the city have been met with protests from angry Jakartans and from people outside the official campaign areas.

Ahok decided on Thursday not to campaign at a big event despite securing a large security presence.

The decision was made after Ahok cancelled an event in the North Kedoya area of West Jakarta after seeing hundreds of armed anti-riot police officers deployed to secure the venue on Thursday.

Ahoks campaign team suspects that the recent protests were organized by certain parties. The campaign team plans to report them to the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency.

The agency has noted the protests and has called on people not to halt the campaigns of any governor candidates, saying that disrupting the campaign process could be considered a criminal act.

(jun)
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Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sun, November 13, 2016

Only less than 20 percent of some 200 companies in an industrial park in Gunung Putri district, Bogor regency, West Java, have awareness on environmental protection and conservation, a local official has said.

Gunung Putri district head Budi Lukmanul Hakim said poor waste disposal in the industrial zone had often led to conflict between the companies and local residents.

He said according to existing regulations issued by the Bogor regency administration, 40 percent of total areas in the Gunung Putri industrial zone had to be utilized as green space. However, almost all land in the industrial zone had been developed into buildings or asphalt roads, leaving no space for water catchment areas.

Ive repeatedly talked with representatives of companies here on the importance of green spaces to provide oxygen and reduce pollution. But only a few of them have responded my calls to participate more actively in tree-planting activities, said Budi on the sidelines of a tree-planting event on a land plot owned by bottled-drinking water company PT Aqua Golden Mississippi in Citeureup, Bogor, on Friday.

Planting trees is one environment-related program, alongside educational conservation activities and the development of biophore absorption holes and water absorption wells, the company has initiated under its corporate social responsibility scheme. Some of the programs involve schools around Gunung Putri.

These activities are part of our ways to help conserve water and the environment, said Tatang, the company's planning director. (ebf)

Save your environment: Ilyas (left), a corporate social responsibility official from bottled-drinking water company Aqua Golden Mississippi, shows pictures of rare fruit trees to students from state elementary school SD Negeri 1 Cicadas in a tree-planting activity on Friday. (JP/Theresia Sufa)
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Linkedin Theresa Tan and Pearl Lee (The Straits Times/ANN) Singapore  Sun, November 13, 2016

He said he was a fool for love.

Andy (not his real name) felt that his former wife, a Chinese national five years his senior, married him only to become a Singapore permanent resident (PR).

A 31-year-old engineer, he met her through friends. She, a teacher, was sweet and loving during their year-long courtship.

But things changed the minute they registered their marriage two years ago. She did not show up for their wedding reception that night, saying she had to rush back to China as there was an accident at home.

When she returned two months later, she gave excuses not to consummate the marriage and would often not be home for days on end.

After she became a Singapore PR, she told Andy that she would not sleep with him as he was "fat and smelly".

Now, he has had enough.

He told The Sunday Times: "When I decided to divorce her, she told me that if I can apply for citizenship for her, she would not ask me for alimony."

Such horror tales of foreign brides with apparent ulterior motives are making some men think twice before jumping into matrimony with a foreigner they hardly know, said marriage solemnizers and counselors.

Last year, 4,828 Singaporean men wed a non-resident bride - the lowest number of such pairings in the past decade. It is 14 percent lower than the peak of 5,611 in 2005. These marriages comprised 17 percent of all marriages last year, down from 24 percent in 2005.

Last year, over nine in 10 of these non-citizen brides were from Asia.

Those interviewed said most of the brides are from developing countries in the region such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

These women, usually in their 20s and 30s, are often introduced to their Singapore husbands - who tend to be older, more blue-collar and may have had difficulty finding love at home - through friends or matchmaking agencies. Others met when one partner worked abroad or in Singapore.

But the trend for such unions started to wane last year. Those interviewed offer varying reasons.

Besides the less-than-idyllic experiences of some couples, another factor is the measures taken by the Government. Two years ago, it introduced marriage preparation classes for those entering transnational marriages.

Marriage counselors said that though few in number, they have seen couples who did not go ahead with their wedding after attending the classes.

Eileen Su, head of the Care Corner Family Journey program that helps transnational couples, said: "Some people realized they should not jump into marriage and expect to live happily ever after."

Last year, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) also introduced the pre-marriage long-term visit pass assessment .

Through this, couples have a clearer picture of their partners' backgrounds, such as details of their marital histories, incomes and health records which they have to declare.

It also gives them a better idea, even before the wedding, as to whether the foreign spouse can qualify for permanent residency or even a long-term visit pass in Singapore.

This "reality check" has put some marriage plans on the back burner, those interviewed said.

Added Francis Toh, boss of First Overseas International Matchmaker: "News of some Vietnamese wives running away shortly after marriage also does not help."

The ICA crackdown on sham marriages in the past few years could also have deterred some foreigners from entering into marriages of convenience, where they pay a Singaporean man to marry them so that they can stay here, said criminal lawyer Jennifer Lim, who volunteers as a marriage solemnizer.

In the past three years, more than 500 people have been convicted for entering into a sham marriage.

Despite all that, counselors point out, many men are still happily married to their foreign brides.

Take, for example, Singaporean Ken Lai, 49, who wed Chinese national Xu Xueling, 26, two years ago. The couple met when Xu was working here as a sales promoter. They dated for about three years.

Lai, an Uber driver, said they get along well and make it a point to go on dates, although obtaining PR status for his wife, a work permit holder, remains a worry. Her first application was rejected.

"My wife is still young, so I give in to her quite a bit. When she does something wrong, I will explain to her what I am unhappy about as well," he said.

This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra  Sun, November 13, 2016

State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina has confirmed that the fuel supply for regions in the northern part of Sumatra (Sumbagut) are unaffected following a fire at one of the firms depots in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday evening.

The blaze destroyed a pipeline at the Pertamina depot on Jl. KL Yos Sudarso at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Three workers were reportedly injured in the fire, which was brought under control at around midnight after the local fire department deployed 15 fire trucks to the scene.

Pertamina Sumbagut spokesperson Fitri Erika said the incident would not disrupt fuel distribution as thousands of liters of fuel stored in the depot were unaffected by the fire.

We have resumed routine work at the depot, she said on Sunday.

Deputy Medan Labuhan Police chief Adj. Comr. TL Tambunan said his officers were still investigating the cause of the blaze.

Meanwhile, the situation at the depot is already back to normal, he said. (hwa)
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Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sun, November 13, 2016

Indonesia ranks 11th among countries with the highest rejection rates of fishery products, especially frozen prawns, in the US market because of their poor quality, in which contaminants such as gravel, pieces of bamboo and even cockroach legs are reportedly often found in Indonesian products, an expert has said.

Nuri Andarwulan, a fishery expert from the South East Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), said its research had found that the US would reject on average 20 percent of Indonesian fishery products, especially frozen prawns.

Hence, we hope fishery producers can pay more attention to hygiene-related aspects in the manufacturing of its products, starting from pond care, processing procedures, frozen techniques until loading at ports, in which temperatures in cold storage facilities must be well maintained, said Nuri in a recent workshop jointly held by the US Department of Agriculture and SEAFAST Center.

The workshop focused on the monitoring of chemical residues, especially pesticides in food products, the management of chemical substances used in food processing chains and how to identify potentially risks of chemical substances.

Nuri said the high population growth in Indonesia was not being accompanied by significant increases in domestic food production. As a result, Indonesia still heavily depended on imported food products to fulfill domestic demand.

Those imported foods are from various countries across the world, in which they may have different quality, said Nuri, adding that as all Indonesians could access imported foods, there was vulnerability to food contamination risks, which must be prevented. (ebf)

--------------

Editor's note: There were several mistakes in the article titled Indonesian fishery products seeing high rejection rate in US by Theresia Sufa, which appeared on The Jakarta Post website on Nov. 13.

In a letter received on Nov. 16, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry informed the Post that several pieces of data and information stipulated in the article were not completely accurate, which created misperceptions in society and could potentially taint the credibility of both the ministry and the Indonesian Fisheries Product Processing and Marketing Association (AP5I) as an association of business players that export fisheries products to the US.

In the first paragraph, it was mistakenly reported that Indonesia ranks 11th among countries with the highest rejection rates of fishery products, especially frozen prawns, in the US market because of their poor quality, in which contaminants such as gravel, pieces of bamboo and even cockroach legs are reportedly often found in Indonesian products, an expert has said.

The ministry stated that based on a notification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the reason that Indonesian fisheries products were rejected was not because of poor quality but cases of unclean products. The FDA did not mention in its notification that products were rejected because of gravel, pieces of bamboo or cockroach legs, as stated in the Posts article, the ministry said.

It was stated in the second paragraph that Nuri Andarwulan, a fishery expert from the South East Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), said its research had found that the US would reject on average 20 percent of Indonesian fishery products, especially frozen prawns.

The ministry said this statement was also untrue because 20 percent was the rejection rate of fisheries products from the total food products imported by the US from around the world.

The ministry informed the Post that Indonesias frozen prawn products rejected by the FDA accounted for 0.06 percent of Indonesias total prawn exports to the US, not 20 percent as stated in the article.

As additional information, the ministry stated that in the January to September period, frozen prawn exports from Indonesia to the US amounted to 77.81 million kilograms of prawns worth US$737.16 million, up by 16.51 percent and 15.13 percent, respectively, from the same period in 2015 (source: The ministrys Fish Quarantine and Fisheries Product Quality Control and Safety Agency, 2016).

We apologize for the mistakes and the inconvenience caused.

-- The Editor
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 13, 2016

Samarinda Police in East Kalimantan have arrested a man who allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a local church after Sunday mass, injuring at least four victims.

On Sunday morning, several blasts broke out in front of the Oikumene Christian Church in Sengkotek subdistrict, after a man allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into the parking lot in front of the church.

Witnesses said a man suspiciously ran away from the scene to the nearby Mahakam River immediately after the blasts.

I chased [him] to the river and finally managed to catch him, Samuel Tulung, a local resident, told tribunnews.com.

Samarinda Police chief Sr. Comr. Setyobudi said the man, identified as 32-year-old J, was not a local.

The [alleged] perpetrator is a resident of Bogor, he said, referring to the West Java city.

Four children reportedly suffered from burns following the incident, which also scorched four motorcycles parked in front of the church. (hwa)
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Linkedin Francis Chan (The Straits Times/ANN) Semarang, Central Java  Sun, November 13, 2016

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrives in Indonesia on Sunday for his first Leaders' Retreat with President Joko Jokowi Widodo, where they will discuss furthering economic collaboration between the two countries.

The visit, which follows President Jokowi's state visit to Singapore in July last year, is in keeping with a long-held tradition of leaders from the two close neighbors meeting informally each year to boost ties.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement today that both leaders will review the progress in bilateral relations, explore ways to deepen cooperation and exchange views on regional and international developments during the retreat, which officially begins tomorrow.

Accompanying PM Lee are his wife Ho Ching and nine political office-holders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, and the ministers for trade and industry, defense, foreign affairs, and education, among others.

A highlight of the retreat, said Indonesia's Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, is the inauguration of the Kendal Industrial Park by President Jokowi and PM Lee.

Analysts said the joint venture in Semarang between Sembcorp Development and Indonesian developer Jababeka marks a new trend of Singapore companies venturing beyond places like Jakarta and Batam.

PM Lee and President Jokowi will also witness the signing of four memorandums of understanding, including one on tourism cooperation between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Indonesia's Tourism Ministry.

The other agreements cover plans to jointly build capabilities in the digital economy, hospitality and tourism, and a smart city development in Makassar by IE Singapore.

These will expand on the long- standing and strong economic ties between Singapore and Indonesia, which recorded bilateral trade of S$58.7 billion (US$41.5 billion) last year.

Singapore was Indonesia's top foreign investor last year, and is on course to maintain that position for this year, after recording $$7.1 billion in investments in just the first nine months of this year.

Observers expect the close economic cooperation to continue despite periodic tensions over issues such as transboundary haze, airspace management and, more recently, Indonesia's tax amnesty.

Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) official Sarman Simanjorang hopes the meetings will result in improved business regulations that are mutually beneficial for both countries.

"Indonesia and Singapore are part of the ASEAN economic community, and the potential for growth is huge; we should support each other," the deputy chairman for Kadin's Jakarta chapter said.

This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara  Sun, November 13, 2016

Local authorities in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have ruled out external causes to the death of a Malaysian national, whose body was recently found on Mount Rinjani.

The body of the mannot a woman as previously reportedidentified as 24-year-old Ng Yin Teck, was found near the Aiq Kalak spring on Mt. Rinjani in Lombok on Tuesday evening. A search and rescue team managed to recover the body and brought it to Bayangkara Police Hospital in the provincial capital of Mataram the next day.

Hospital spokesperson Adj. Comr. I Wayan Redana said Saturday that post-mortem examinations had found no evidence of physical violence to the body, thus ruling out ill intent as the cause of the death.

Wayan said local authorities had also handed over the body to the Malaysian Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali, which would arrange the corpses return to his family in Malaysia.

A transport vehicle from Bali has been sent here to pick up the body, Wayan said over the weekend.

Mt. Rinjani, which is 3,726 meters high, is the second tallest volcano in Indonesia after Mt. Kerinci on the border between the provinces of West Sumatra and Jambi.

Local authorities suspected the Malaysian national had gone against warnings to refrain from climbing the mountain, following the recent eruption of Mt. Barujari, which is connected to Mt. Rinjani.

Two hiking routes have been closed in anticipation of another eruption. (hwa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 13, 2016

The United Development Party (PPP) has indicated that it will take part in the next rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Nov. 25, defying President Joko Jokowi Widodos call to cancel the rally.

The Muslim-based PPP claimed that its presence would be a safeguard for the rally and prevent Islamic hard-liners from taking advantage of the event.

"We do not want them to cause violence at the rally," PPP secretary general Arsul Sani said in Jakarta on Sunday.

Rumors are circulating that protesters are going to stage a third rally, this time demanding President Jokowi step down if Ahok is cleared of blasphemy allegations.

(Read also: No more rallies against Ahok: Jokowi)

Aside from the PPP, politicians from the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) were involved in the rally on Nov. 4, which ended in violence.

The three parties, along with the Democratic Party, support Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni in next years gubernatorial election.

PPP chairman Muhammad Romahurmuziy said the PPPs presence would assure the protesters that Ahok's case was transparent and being processed without any intervention.

Jokowi said on Saturday that he expected that there would be no rally as it would only be a "waste of time". He also insisted that Ahok's case would be investigated without interference.(adt/jun)
Q: Do members of the Electoral College have to vote for the candidate chosen by the states popular vote?

A: Some members of the Electoral College  the body that directly elects the president  can choose a candidate different from their states popular vote, but in Wisconsin, there is a state law prohibiting that, according to UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden.

It is not clear that these laws are enforceable, Burden said. It is also not clear to me what the penalty would be for a faithless elector from Wisconsin who breaks the law by voting for a different candidate.

Members of the Electoral College will meet Dec. 19 to cast their ballots for president. Burden said about half of the states have a law that sets requirements for whom members must vote.

Parties in each state select their list of members for the Electoral College, and the list from the party that wins the popular vote is appointed to the Electoral College. You can find the full list of possible Electoral College members at go.madison.com/electoralcollege.

While Burden believes the Electoral College is an antique institution that ought to be replaced with some form of national popular vote, he said he doesnt believe state laws placing requirements on Electoral College members need to be removed.

As long as the Electoral College is in place, it seems reasonable for voters to know that electors will actually be supporting the ticket they vote for, Burden said.

Republican Donald Trump won the Electoral College votes needed to become president, but Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about 630,000  similar to the 2000 election when George W. Bush won the electoral vote, but Al Gore won the popular vote.

 Shelley K. Mesch
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Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sun, November 13, 2016

Around 100 students from state elementary school SD Negeri 1 Cicadas have participated in a tree-planting activity at the Cicadas industrial zone in Gunung Putri, Bogor, West Java.

Jointly held by the Bogor Forest Development and Research Center at the Environment and Forestry Ministrys (KLHK) Forestry and Innovation Research and Development Agency and bottled-drinking water PT Aqua Golden Mississippi Citeureup Bogor, the program aimed to develop urban forests. It also aimed to spread awareness among company owners in the industrial zone to be more willing to provide plots of land for green spaces.

The school students planted 150 trees, which comprised 12 species, on idle land belonging to Aqua Golden Mississippi. They included rare tree species, such as shorea or locally known as meranti, breadfruit or citeureup, Koompassia excels or tualang, and Vatica pauciflora or resak. Cicadas water lover community members and local leaders also joined in the event.

Housing 164 companies, the Cicadas industrial zone also encompasses residential areas.

KLHK conservation researcher Hendra Gunawan said there should be awareness from local leaders, company owners and all residents on the importance of being active in carrying out tree-planting activities as the Cicadas industrial zone was a highly-populated area, which had high pollution levels.

One person needs two trees to produce oxygen needed for his or her entire life. Its important to plant trees both in residential areas and industrial zones, said Hendra on Friday.

Aqua Golden Mississippi planning director Tatang Sondana said his company allocated a 0.77-hectare area inside its factory complex as a green space. (ebf)

Green campaign: Environmental conservationist Ridwan teaches school students how to plant vegetables in a pot. (JP/Theresia Sufa)
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Linkedin Ock Hyun-ju and Jo He-rim (The Korea Herald/ANN) Seoul  Sun, November 13, 2016

In the largest anti-government rally in decades, up to 1 million South Koreans took to the streets in central Seoul on Saturday, demanding President Park Geun-hyes resignation over a scandal involving her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.

From City Hall through Gwanghwamun Square to Anguk station, protestors packed the boulevards just hundreds of meters from Parks presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae, turning the area into a vast sea of candlelight in the evening.

Organizers said over 1 million gathered for the protest. The police estimate was 260,000.

It was the largest rally held in South Korea since the democratic uprising in June 1987, showing continuing public rage toward President Park suspected of letting her civilian friend meddle in state affairs and playing a part in extorting donations from local firms.

As of 11 p.m., thousands of protestors were still peacefully marching near Gyeongbok Palace, some 800 meters away from the presidential office, chanting Park Geun-hye, step down! and holding candles. Musical performances continued into the early hours on Sunday in Gwanghwamun Square.

The protest was staged in a peaceful manner despite the record high number of participants, with no major injuries or clashes reported.

Though organized by a union of some 1,500 civic groups and labor unions, the rally drew unaffiliated citizens of all ages who came with their friends and families.

Scores of protestors told The Korea Herald that they felt angry about an unelected civilian, Parks friend Choi, running the country behind the scenes and that joining the rally was the least they could do to salvage the countrys democracy.

Choi Myung-ok, 44, said that she felt proud to be part of such a historic moment.

This government has made fools of Korean citizens. We have put up with the government failing to deal with the Sewol ferry disaster, but this time I had enough of President Park Geun-hye, said Choi, who came to the scene with her family. I cannot feel helpless anymore. It is a chance to learn that we should better oversee those in power.

Yoon Song-yi, 37, who brought her 6-year-old child, said that she wanted to teach her child what democracy was.

When my child asked me who this countrys owner was, I wanted to teach her it was us, Koreans, not a handful of powerful people, she said. I was not interested in politics before, but I had to come because I want my child to live in a better society.

Kim Beom-geun, 18, was one of the many teenagers in school uniform who traveled for hours to Seoul on a chartered bus to join the rally.

I will be eligible to vote in a couple of years. I came here to watch and learn so that I will not make such mistakes in the future, said Kim, who came from Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Hearing all these people shouting in one voice, I feel my mind filling up.

A 69-year-old man, who wanted to be identified only by his surname Kim, said, I gave her a vote because I trusted her. How can she betray us like this?

Why only powerless people should abide by law when all the powerful people break the law?

Three opposition parties joined the rally, along with many of their presidential hopefuls.

Among them were Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea, Ahn Cheol-soo of the Peoples Party and Park Won-soon, the Seoul mayor.

Some worry if the president steps down, there will be chaos. But the fact that she stays in her position is only making the situation worse. I demand for her to resign, said Ahn during the rally.

Moon, former chairman of the Democratic Party, said the president had already been impeached by public sentiment, if not yet by law.

I ask President Park to sincerely hear out the voices of thousands of people holding candles here and answer them, he said. If Park has any patriotism left in her, and if she still cares about the nation, she should react to heed publics call.

The event kicked off at 4 p.m. following a string of separate demonstrations across Seoul. The protestors march was peaceful and cheerful, with participants making speeches on stage and celebrities performing in front of the crowds.

It is so fun and peaceful. I am learning again that this is democracy, said Kang Soon-ja, a woman in her late 50s, after taking a photo with an artist dressed up as Choi Soon-sil at Gwanghwamun Square.

Various groups came out to voice their opposition to a series of policies of the Park administration, including labor market reforms, deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and the reinstatement of state-authored history textbooks.

In several locations, right-wing civic groups and Parks supporters held counter rallies to condemn anti-Park protestors for plunging the country into chaos. Calling them North Korean sympathizers, they argued that Parks presidency should be protected.

It was the first time that all major roads connected to central Seoul had been made open to the protestors. The police earlier imposed partial bans on several planned marches, citing traffic disruption, but the decisions were reversed by the court.

Allowing assemblies demanding Park Geun-hyes resignation to be held near the presidential office is a way to prove South Korea is a democratic country, the court said in the ruling.

A series of massive anti-government rallies held last year spiraled into violence as police sought to fight off protestors with water cannons. Baek Nam-gi, 69-year-old activist farmer, died after a direct hit from a water cannon left him in a coma. This time, there were no major clashes.

Police dispatched some 25,000 officers in central Seoul to keep public order. They built barricades with police buses to surround Gyeongbok Palace in an attempt to block protestors from marching on the presidential office.

Despite Parks two televised apologies over the scandal, personnel reshuffle in her Cabinet and proposal to relinquish some of her executive powers, South Koreans calls for Parks resignation show no signs of abating.

The scandal centers on Parks longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who holds no government post and is accused of meddling in state affairs and personnel appointments behind the scenes.

Choi and Parks former presidential aides are suspected of using their ties with the president to force donations from conglomerates to the Mir and K-Sports foundations which Choi allegedly set up and run for her private use.

A series of revelations increasingly implicate park in the fundraising activities. Park apologized for allowing her guard to drop with Choi Soon-sil, but distanced herself from Chois alleged influence-peddling and embezzlement of public funds for personal gain.

Parks approval rating has remained at a record-low of 5 percent, setting an all-time low for any sitting South Korean president.

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
The election of a president who has called global warming a hoax has understandably worried green campaigners, or indeed anyone who has a vested interest in the environment.

The US election comes as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned the planet had just experienced its hottest five-year period on record and is expected to confirm 2016 as a new record hot year in the coming days. As such, the environment has never been higher on the political agenda.

However, Donald Trump doesnt seem to share this view. He has said global warming was created by the Chinese to make US manufacturing unprofitable, and has pledged to pull out of the Paris Agreement. This could have a huge impact on the worlds battle against climate change.

(Evan Vucci/AP)

The Paris Agreement is the worlds first comprehensive treaty on climate change which came into force last week. The US ratified the deal earlier this year alongside China and no country can easily pull out for at least three years now that it has come into force.

In contrast to Barack Obama, who made climate change a key policy area, Trump has called global warming a hoax on social media and pledged in May to cancel the Paris deal, which was adopted in the French capital last year.

More than 100 countries, including the US, have formally joined the agreement, which seeks to reduce emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases and help vulnerable countries adapt to rising seas, intensifying heatwaves, the spreading of deserts and other climate changes.

(Michel Euler/AP)

The withdrawal process would take four years  an entire presidential term  under the agreement, but Trump could decide to ignore the Obama administrations Paris pledge to reduce US emissions by 26%-28% from 2005 levels by 2025. The pledges are self-determined, and there is no punishment for countries who miss their targets.

As you can imagine, environmental experts and activists are pretty glum at the outcome of the election.

Kelly Stone, ActionAid policy analyst, said climate change was already having a major impact on the lives of millions of people in the US and around the world.

(Richard Drew/AP)

The US has joined the Paris Agreement and must continue to meet its climate obligations. Leaving this important international agreement will damage our credibility with important overseas partners and would be a major setback in the fight against climate change.

It seems like a most miserable US election result for climate stewardship prospects, said Jason Box, a glacier expert at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Can the world do climate stewardship without the US? It has to.

(Alex Brandon/AP)

However, maybe the world can survive if Trump does make good on his threats. Mohamed Adow, Christian Aids international climate lead, said: Last years Paris Agreement showed the world was united in its concern about climate change and its commitment to decarbonising the global economy. The rest of the world will not risk a global climate catastrophe because of one mans opposition.

While Trumps exact plans for his environmental policies remain a bit vague, in the past he has hinted he wants to do away with the Environmental Protection Agency, all federal spending on clean energy and scrap Obamas regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

If any of these things do indeed come to light, the impact on the environment will be huge.
(Isaac Brekken/AP)

(Wilfredo Lee/AP)

(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

(Patrick Semansky/AP)

(Gerry Broome/AP)

(Andrew Harnik/AP)

(Rui Vieira/PA Wire)

And aside from being the leader of the most powerful country in the world, there are some other pretty cool perks When the president travels for business or pleasure, he flies everywhere in Air Force One. On board there is a presidential office, a bathroom, bedroom, gym and even an operation theatre. But its on the outside where the real cool stuff is found, the presidents plane has the ability to jam an enemy radar, and throw fire flares to approaching missiles! A common misconception is that there is only one plane called Air Force One, but the president has two planes and whichever one hes using is referred to as Air Force One.Being president means you get your own personal batmobile. Okay, its not actually the batmobile but it does look like a car that should belong to a superhero. And it doesnt just look cool, the car features a heat targeting system and a grenade launcher and in case of an emergency there is also an oxygen supply and a stash of the presidents blood type in the boot. Theyve pretty much thought of it all!Obviously. The White House costs $4 million a year in renovation annually, and with a pool, bowling alley and basket ball court were not surprised why.According to Stephen Williams the author of How to Be President, the White House is stocked with endless amounts of free Coke and Pepsi. There are also M&Ms in boxes with the presidential seal on them, and lots of other free snacks readily available sent from lots of companies. Swimming pools are one thing, but wed move just about anywhere for free M&Ms!AKA the NSA, it is an intelligence organisation of the United States government responsible for global monitoring and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counter intelligence purposes. Basically, if youre president you have information on anyone or anything. Just imagine how horrifying it would be if this kind of power fell into the wrong hands. Actually dont, really just dont.The real perks kick in after youre done being president. No pressure of the job, but still a life of luxury you are truly #Winning. Former presidents receive $191,300 per year, as of March 2008. In addition to that sum, they get paid for staff and office space, a phone allowance and funds for office supplies. And they will also receive a big state funeral with all costs footed by the government. Not bad considering youve only got four to eight years worth of service behind you.If the first family needs a break from the chaotic scenes of Washington D.C., they can head to their own mountain resort, Camp David. The luxury destination features a swimming pool, shooting range and a bowling alley. So when presidents need more relaxation, they visit the Catoctin Mountain where Camp David is nestled between the trees. Its only 70 miles from D.C. which means its perfect for a quick break.This is our favourite. Obviously the president is busy, but if he gets a cavity all hes got to do is run down to the basement were his dentist will be ready and waiting. When you get free M&Ms you need a personal dentist.
Donald Trump was right. The system is rigged.

But not the vote for president. Tuesdays election for the highest office in the land was legitimate. Even the conspiratorial Trump seems to agree it was fair, now that hes won.

Whats blatantly stacked against the public is the way Wisconsin and many other states select their representatives for the U.S. House. The politicians have strategically shaped Wisconsins eight congressional districts to protect the incumbents of both major political parties.

Its a sham.

Tuesdays election for House seats should have been hotly contested. After all, the statewide votes for president and U.S. Senate were tight.

Trump, the Republican nominee for president, defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by just 1 percentage point in the Badger State. At the same time, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, held his seat by little more than 3 percentage points against Democrat Russ Feingold.

Thats strong evidence Wisconsin is a battleground with lots of healthy competition. Wisconsin swings in favor of Republicans some years, and toward Democrats in other years, depending on the mood of voters.

But when it comes to House seats, blowouts are the norm. None of Wisconsins eight congressional races  not even an open seat in northeastern Wisconsin  was decided by fewer than 20 percentage points this election. And some seats, such as the 3rd District in western Wisconsin, werent even contested.

Top state lawmakers, at the direction of Wisconsins congressional delegation, strategically redrew the seats after the last major census using computers to analyze voting trends over time. The districts, many of which are oddly shaped or crisscross county lines, heavily favor the Republicans in five seats and strongly favor Democrats in three others.

The 3rd District, pictured here, shows how absurd the political plotting has become. The district features a fist-shaped appendage that pulls the Democratic-leaning city of Stevens Point into its boundaries, helping U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, get re-elected. At the same time, the district was redrawn to move the GOP stronghold of St. Croix County from the 3rd into the 7th District. That helps protect U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wausau.

Both incumbents enjoy essentially permanent seats in Congress, while the voters in both districts lose influence and choice.

The solution is for Wisconsin to adopt a nonpartisan process, similar to Iowas, in which a neutral state agency draws voting district boundaries, following strict rules requiring districts to be as compact as possible. Two of Iowas four congressional seats were decided Tuesday by fewer than 10 percentage points, which is competitive. And only one was a blowout of more than 20 points.

Wisconsin voters should demand a fair, nonpartisan process for drawing congressional and legislative districts after the 2020 census.
Portugals jailhouse dogs

PORTUGAL: Gloria is a regular at Portugals most infamous prison, but it isnt crime that keeps her coming back. The golden Barbado da Terceira is just one of the canine guests at a most unusual dog kennel run by inmates.

crimeanimalstourism

By AFP

Sunday 13 November 2016, 11:00AM

A prisoner at the high security prison of Monsanto touches a dog at the prisons dog kennel in Lisbon. Photo: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP

Owner Rui Silva checked in his pet, a shaggy Portuguese breed, for a weekend stay in the maximum security jail in Lisbon.

It did not really phase me, the 48-year-old TV broadcast technician said about leaving his pet at the Monsanto prison, where Portugals most notorious criminals are housed.

I asked if they took good care of the animals, they said yes. Thats what matters.

The inmates welcome the pets at the so-called Dog House in a modest reception area adorned by photos of former four-legged guests.

They verify vaccination records and receive instructions from pet owners. During the stay, they oversee feeding and bathing, walk the dogs and administer medication.

Its a lot of responsibility, said Ricardo, an inmate serving a sentence for drug trafficking, as a pit bull licked his hand through the fence of its pen.

What I really like is having contact with the public, the 34-year-old former bar owner said.

Giving inmates the chance to reboot relational skills and gain job experience is the goal of this unique project in Portugal.

The kennel, a white and yellow building, is located just outside the barbed-wire fence that surrounds the prison, a former military fort perched atop the highest point of Lisbon among pine and oak trees, with a panoramic view of the capital.

Its 68 dog pens usually fill up during peak vacation periods in summer and at Christmas, as well as over long weekends.

Two to five prisoners work at the kennel, depending on how busy it is. They receive a monthly stipend of around 80 euros (B3,145) for their work.

It is totally different than being inside, time goes by faster, said Ricardo, who was dressed in a red tracksuit and grey sweatshirt, as he pointed in the direction of the jail.

Married and with a young daughter on the outside, he said he was thinking of setting up his own kennel after he is released from jail at the end of the year.

The prison initially began the kennel for its staff but in 2000 it opened the facility to the general public.

The kennel charges 10 euros (B384) per day per dog, or just 9.50 euros if the owner brings the pets own food.

Prison officials stress the kennel is not a business, but rather a tool to help rehabilitate prisoners and prepare them to return to society by giving them job skills.

Looking after animals develops emotional ties which the inmates then project onto other people and society in general, Monsanto prison director Ana Cristina Carrolo Pereira Teixeira said.

And many of its regular customers like Silva, who first left his Gloria at the kennel several years ago, support those goals.

Its being part of a prison that maybe makes me want to use it even more, to help out, he said.

But not all prisoners at Monsanto, used to house the nations most dangerous convicts, make the cut for kennel care.

Among the roughly 160 inmates currently held is an explosives expert with the Basque separatist group ETA who was arrested in Portugal in 2010, and the killer of two young policemen in a Lisbon suburb in 2005.

Those who can work at the kennel are selected from the approximately 20 prisoners who have been assigned to a less restrictive regime due to good behaviour.

We try to pick ideal people for this role and that like being here, the kennels veterinarian, Pedro Miguel Canavilhas de Melo, said.

Teixeira, the prison director, said she believes the inmates are better people when they leave here in the way they relate to others because of their relationship with the animals.

I think it calms inmates, their relationship with animals reduces aggression, she added.
I am Kerry Burgess. This is what I think.
Filmmaker Michael Moore walks in the lobby of Trump Tower, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Launching an aggresive attack on the opposition for criticising demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, appealed to the common man to endure hardship for the next fifty days and extend their support in the fight against corruption and black money. "I agree that there is pain because of my decision, but the country will gain more. I would like to tell all honest people, do not give any dishonest people your money in haste. You have time till December 30 to exchange money," said Modi, who was in Belagavi to take part in the centenary celebrations of Karnataka Lingayat Education Society.

Dismissing the criticism that the poor people were the most inconvenienced, Modi said, "I had taken the country into confidence before such a big move. While secrecy was inevitable, I had given indications for the last two years -- be it the impetus to open Jan Dhan accounts or giving out 20 crore debit cards to the poor. A cashless society can tackle corruption. Those who followed my Mann ki Baat will agree with this."

Mocking the Congress, he said, "People who swindled lakhs in coal and 2G scam had to stand in a queue for Rs 4000. My government will not trouble the honest. But then, it will not spare the dishonest either. Those who feel they can deposit their black money now, let me remind them that it will be taxed at 200%," warned the PM.

"The Congress asks me why I banned Rs 500 and Rs 1000 overnight. Did I question the Congress when they banned 25 paise? No...because they were capable of only that," he added. Hinting at follow-up action post December 30, Modi said, "I am not one to stop at this. On November 8, people who kept asking me about black money got an answer. Corruption is 70-year-old disease. Give me 70 months for cleanup. People will be inconvenienced. But I can see that the honest people of this country are with me. In the last week, I saw retired bankers volunteering to help, women and youth providing chairs and drinking water to the people standing in queue before the banks and ATMs. I thank them all. The people of this country are tired of corruption. If you trust my integrity, give me your blessings."

IT youth changed India's image worldover

India was perceived as a country of snake charmers and black magicians. But the moment our youth, barely 18 or 20, laid their fingers on the keyboard(computers), the world was forced to change its perception about India, said Modi.

Modi exhorted the varsities to pursue excellence that is recognised globally. Educational institutions have a great responsibility to mould the youth for the challenges of the 21st century, said Modi recalling the greatness of saptarishis as teachers. "Tilak and Gandhi started schools to mentor the youth during the freedom movement," he added.

Addressing a large gathering of teachers and students, Modi sought three "favours" from the varsity. "Resolve to win a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Next, innovation is key for development and countries which fail to innovate end up as consumers. I want to see world class research happening here. Thirdly, I urge all private and government universities to accept the challenge and strive to make it to Top 100 universities in the world. The Centre has announced funding of 10 government and 10 private varsities to help realise this dream," said Modi.
The death toll in a horrific bombing in a Sufi shrine in Pakistan's Balochistan province rose to 52 on Sunday, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility, the media reported.



Women and children were among the dead, officials said, adding that around 100 others were maimed in the gruesome attack.



Authorities fear the toll might go up further.



The teenage bomber targeted a crowd of devotees performing 'dhamaal' (devotional dance) at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Noorani, some 750 km south of provincial capital Quetta.



"The bomber appeared to be 14 to 16 years old," a media report quoted a local official as saying.



Dawn quoted police officer Jafar Khan as saying that around 1,000 devotees were at the shrine when the bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body.



"Every day at sunset, there is a 'dhamaal' session," one witness said.



Chief military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said troops and medical teams were dispatched but "difficult terrain and long distance" were hampering their progress.



Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the suicide bombing could be a reprisal for the killing of a senior commander of a banned militant organisation.



Jundullah chief Saqib, alias Arif alias Anjum Abbas, was killed in a gunfight with security forces on Friday. His wife and nine-year-old son were also injured in the clash.



The carnage came a day before prime minister Nawaz Sharif was to flag off the first shipment of trade goods from Gwadar port to international markets, marking the historic launch of trade activity through the China-Pakistan economic corridor.



Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the Balochistan government had no helicopters to ferry the casualties.



The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq, its official news agency.



Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence and a separatist insurgency.



Local militants claiming to work with the IS attacked a police academy in Balochistan last month, killing 61 people.



In August, a suicide bombing at a Quetta hospital claimed by the Islamic State and a faction of the Pakistani Taliban killed 73 people.


A Taliban suicide bomber dressed as a laborer blew himself up at the NATO air base at Bagram north of the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, killing four Americans and wounding at least 17 people in one of the bloodiest attacks against the US forces since President Barack Obama took office.

Two US military service members and two US contractors were killed, and 16 other US service members were wounded, along with a Polish soldier who was part of the NATO mission, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement.

"For those who carried out this attack, my message is simple. We will not be deterred in our mission to protect our homeland and help Afghanistan secure its own future," Carter said.

It was the deadliest attack on US soldiers in the country since a suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed six American troops on patrol near Bagram in December 2015.

Carter said the Pentagon will investigate Saturday's attack to determine what steps could be taken to improve protection for the base.

The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, underlines the foreign policy challenge that will face US President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office in January.

President Barack Obama had originally hoped to have all US forces out of the country by the end of his term, but was forced to abandon that goal as Afghan forces struggled to contain the Taliban insurgency.

Under current plans, 8,400 US troops will remain as part of the Resolute Support operation and a separate US counter terrorism mission after Obama decided to slow down a planned reduction of the force, leaving it to his successor to decide future strategy.

Waheed Sediqqi, spokesman for the Parwan provincial governor, said the bomber managed to enter the heavily protected site, the largest US base in Afghanistan, and was standing in a line with Afghan laborers when he detonated a suicide vest.

The NATO-led Resolute Support mission response teams at the airfield were treating the wounded and investigating the incident.

It follows a suicide attack on the German consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif late on Thursday night that killed four people and wounded more than 100 others. That attack was retaliation for air strikes near the northern city of Kunduz last week which killed more than 30 civilians.

The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Saturday's attack, which he said had been planned for four months, had caused heavy casualties, killing 23 Americans and wounding 44. The movement often exaggerates the number of casualties caused by its operations.
Thousands took to the streets Saturday across the United States as demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump continued in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and beyond.

Protesters rallied at New Yorks Union Square before picking up steam and taking their cause toward Trump Tower. Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Oregon, a man who was participating in a march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to burning projectiles thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted not my president and no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters had already taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest the jurys deadlock in the trial of a former white police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Anti-Trump protesters had joined up with trial protesters and marched through downtown.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trumps election.

This is the scene in LA right now.pic.twitter.com/ZGIrRnYT8x  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 12, 2016

Anti-Trump protesters have burned the American flag in Atlanta.pic.twitter.com/tZKwwcjnPF  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 12, 2016

(AP)
Washingtons new power trio consists of a bombastic billionaire, a telegenic policy wonk and a taciturn political tactician. How well they can get along will help determine what gets done over the next four years, and whether the new presidents agenda flounders or succeeds.

President-elect Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell make up an unlikely alliance, one defined in advance mostly by Trumps opposition to the Washington establishment that Ryan and McConnell exemplify.

Trump and Ryan clashed throughout the campaign, with Trump taking offense when Ryan initially refused to endorse him and later distanced himself over the audio of Trump talking about groping women.

Paul Ryan, a man who doesnt know how to win (including failed run four years ago), must start focusing on the budget, military, vets etc., Trump groused over Twitter last month.

But that was then, this is now, as Ryan, the GOPs 2012 vice presidential nominee, said Thursday after meeting with Trump at the Capitol.

The past is in the past, Ryan said in an interview on Fox News Channel. This was an unconventional year, he was an unconventional candidate, but the point is we unified, especially at the right point, at the end. And it worked.

Indeed, thanks partly to Trumps coattails, Ryan and McConnell limited expected losses to their majorities and will enter the new administration with control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. For now the glow of victory appears to be soothing past tensions. And Republicans aligned with all three note they have something very important in common: They need each other.

Ryan needs Trump to accomplish his policy agenda, said GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, in comments that apply to McConnell as well. Trump needs Ryan to get things to his desk.

There are well-known policy disagreements to navigate on issues like trade, immigration, Medicare and Social Security, where Trumps proposals and campaign rhetoric often flew in the face of Ryan and McConnells standard business-friendly Republican approach.

But Trumps own unfamiliarity with the tedious business of legislating, and unformed policy positions in some cases, may give Ryan and McConnell a unique opportunity to fill in the details. That would be a welcome role for both  McConnell as a deeply experienced legislator and dealmaker, and Ryan as an eager wonk who chaired the Ways and Means Committee before becoming House speaker. Ryan is steeped in details on reforming taxes and reshaping entitlement spending  although Trump has been critical of Ryans past budget proposals.

I dont think theres any question that a President Trump will be looking for legislative expertise, said Josh Holmes, McConnells former chief of staff. Some of that comes from the staff that he hires, and some of that will come from allies on Capitol Hill.

Moreover, Ryans personal political future, including potential presidential ambitions of his own, may depend in part on how effectively he manages the relationship with Trump.

The speakers tepid embrace of Trump during the campaign angered some conservatives in his conference, stirring talk that he could face a challenge to his speakership.

But Ryans enthusiastic response to Trumps victory appears to have diminished any appetite for a leadership coup. The wide majority he will continue to enjoy next year  with at least 240 Republicans in the 435-member House, compared to 247 now  also reduces the potential for mischief by a small band of disgruntled conservatives.

Victory soothes lots of differences, said GOP Rep. Chris Collins of New York, a top Trump backer. The mood of us right now is we cant waste any time with recriminations and finger-pointing. My God, we won!

Unlike Ryan, McConnell was quick to endorse Trump as soon as he clinched the GOP nomination. McConnell never wavered on that, nor provoked Trumps ire over Twitter. At 74, McConnell has reached the long-sought pinnacle of his career as Senate majority leader, and unlike Ryan, 46, has no potential higher ambitions to manage.

Just as important, McConnell is known for professional relationships that are all business and have nothing to do with personality. So even though the closed-mouth Kentuckian would seem to have nothing in common with a freewheeling, thrice-married Manhattanite like Trump, allies say that doesnt matter to McConnell.

That said, both men could face opposition from members of Trumps inner circle, particularly Stephen Bannon. Bannon was chief executive of the conservative news site Breitbart before assuming a role in Trumps campaign and is under consideration for a senior spot in Trumps White House.

Just before Ryans primary race in July, with Bannon still at the helm of Breitbart, the site called the speaker a hypocrite for building a border wall around his Janesville, Wisconsin, mansion when he refused to support Trumps southern border wall proposal. Breitbart continued attacking Ryan this fall, publishing a lengthy post titled, Hes with her: Inside Paul Ryans months-long campaign to elect Hillary Clinton president.

Breitbart has also slammed McConnell, criticizing him over occasions where he bestowed lukewarm praise on Clinton and criticized Trumps undisciplined campaigning.

What position Trump gives Bannon versus Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, a Trump confidante and close Ryan ally, may be a signal as to how the incoming president plans to collaborate, or not, with the congressional leadership.

(AP)
Hillary Clinton blamed the renewed FBI inquiry into her State Department email system for blunting her momentum in the presidential election and the closure of that inquiry two days before Election Day for energizing voters for Donald Trump.

There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful, Clinton told top donors on a farewell conference call today.

But our analysis is that (FBI Director James B.) Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum, she said.

We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing ahead to regain our advantage  which going into the last weekend, we had. We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing. And we were feeling like we had put it back together, she continued.

The surprise announcement of a revival of the shuttered FBI inquiry came at a time when the campaign was riding high, Clinton said.

After the third debate we felt so good about where we were, she said.

Trumps performance in the Oct. 19 debate was widely panned, especially his refusal to say that he would respect the outcome of the election if he lost. Democrats called him a sore loser.

We were up considerably in all but two of the battleground states where we were tied or one behind, according to our data, Clinton said. We were tied in Arizona. We just had a real wind at our back, before the first, stunning letter from Comey.

Clintons campaign insisted the reopened inquiry would turn up nothing, and many Democrats accused Comey of partisan motives. He was once a registered Republican. Clinton did not make that accusation Saturday.

But Clinton did say that what should have been good news essentially backfired. Comey on Sunday issued another letter to Congress, concluding that the nine-day examination of newly discovered emails had turned up nothing to change his earlier conclusion that there had been no criminal conduct.

Just as we were back up on the upward trajectory, the second letter from Comey essentially doing what we knew it would  saying there was no there there  was a real motivator for Trumps voters, Clinton said.

A day earlier, Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri had told the same group of donors something similar  that the news angered Trump voters and caused a spike in turnout, while Clintons projected turnout fell.

Trump spent the last four days of this campaign engaged in a nonstop attack on me personally, and the result is the result, Clinton said.

The Democrat focused on the outside events she said affected her campaign in the last three weeks of the election. She said nothing about other, larger forces at work  Trumps message of change in a restive time, his pledge to represent the aggrieved working class, the difficulty of any political party winning a third consecutive presidential term, her own limited attention to economic anxiety or the sexism and discomfort that surrounded her attempt to become the first female president.

Palmieri had pointed blame at much of that one day earlier. Neither she nor Clinton herself addressed the fact that Clintons decision seven years ago to use a private system for her government communication had opened the door to the FBI inquiry in the midst of her second run for the White House. Clinton has said the decision was a mistake.

I am heartbroken, she said Saturday, with a sad laugh. Im not going to pretend otherwise. This is a very, very tough loss and especially because everyone worked so hard.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Anne Gearan
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, 12 Cheshvan, called Bayit Yehudis bill to legalize Amona childish and irresponsible. Mr. Netanyahu continued applying pressure in an effort to persuade Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and Minister Ayelet Shaked to hold off bringing the bill for a vote, even for a day, but they told him they would not comply, insisting the bill would be voted on later in the day, following the cabinet meeting.

The Prime Minister explained the government had requested from the High Court that the end of 2016 deadline for the destruction of Amona be extended however at the time of the weekly meeting, the High Court had yet to respond.

He added I would like to say something on the issue pf Amona, to lift the cloud, and clarify the situation regarding its approval. Approximately two weeks ago, the government filed a motion to postpone by six months the implementation of the court order to evacuate Amona. This motion was filed with the approval of the heads of all of the coalition parties. The Attorney General clearly says that raising the normalization law before the High Court of Justice responds, could severely harm  and it has severely harmed  the chance of a postponement. On the other hand, there is also time to raise the bill so that it passes in time, in case the postponement is rejected. Therefore, today, at the meeting of the heads of the coalition parties, we will consider, sagaciously and responsibly, the possibilities before us. I would like to emphasize that there is no one who is more concerned about settlement than us. Here as well, sagacity and responsibility are needed for the benefit of the settlements.

The so-called Normalization Bill is designed to retroactively legalize outposts in an effort to circumvent a High Court of Justice ruling to evict residents from Amona and destroy the community.

The bill would also apply to other outposts and prevent the destruction of other homes such as nine homes in Yishuv Ofra which the court ruled were also built on private Arab land and must therefore be destroyed.

As the cabinet met residents of Ofra and their supporters protested outside, calling on the cabinet to approve the bill.

As Bennett and Shaked insisted they would be moving forward with the bill against Mr. Netanyahus wishes, unwilling to comply with his request for a delay, Mr. Netanyahu labeled the bill childish and irresponsible, leading to a verbal clash between Mr. Netanyahu and Naftali Bennet.

Adding to the pressure against Bennett and Shaked, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced that moving forward with the bill may lead to the High Court rejecting the states request to delay the deadline for the destruction of Amona.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Police on Friday night the eve of 11 Cheshvan arrested two chareidim who were taking part in violent protests on Derech Chevron in the capital.

According to reports, several dozen chareidim were angered when they learned Kever Rochel was closed on Friday night, the yahrzeit. They became unruly as they made their way back to the city and threw rocks at motorists on Derech Chevron.

When police arrived, they explained their anger over the closing of the holy area on the yahrzeit, 11 Cheshvan which was on Shabbos.

Bchasdei Hashem there are no reports of drivers being hurt in the rock-throwing attacks.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Last week, Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid met with former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon. this week, following another Shabbos meeting between the two, Lapid confirms they have been meeting towards probing cooperation to build an alternative to Netanyahu in the next elections. Yaalon denies talks towards his joining Yesh Atid.

During a Ramat Gan Shabbos cultural event, Lapid told his audience that he meets with many senior officials towards preparing for the next Knesset elections, explaining these meetings are part of the process of building a political alternative to the current administration.

According to a report released over the weekend by Channel 2 News, Lapid and Yaalon have met at least three or four times in the past half year since Yaalon left the cabinet.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio seems to condone violence in an email he fired off this morning.

De Blasio  whose administration is under multiple federal investigations  says he is inspired by the action people are taking. He also says that he has a lot of tools at his disposal to protect the values and needs of the vast majority of New Yorkers, and is prepared to use them.

This is the same Mayor that encouraged the Black Lives Matter terrorist organization. The same mayor that cozys up to the biggest racists in the nation such as Obama, Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, and most of all Al Sharpton. The same Mayor who hates the members of law enforcement. the same Mayor who taught his son to be careful when dealing with police.

Not a WORD is mentioned about the raging hate that these protesters are showing. De Blasio slammed Trump when the video emerged in the campaign that had him making crude remarks about women, yet not a WORD about the TENS OF THOUSANDS of signs being held up across New York City and around the country with the most vile and filthy language imaginable.

Not a WORD about the chants used in EVERY SINGLE anti-Trump protest that uses the most explicit language possible.

Not a WORD about the smashing of store windows, destroying public and private property at these violent protests.

Not a WORD about the burning of American flags around the country.

Not a WORD about the hundreds of swastikas and vile anti-Trump graffiti scrawled around the county.

Yet this is a man who has the audacity to send an email asking for money in his upcoming election.

Not that this will ever make it to City Hall, but if it does, let the race-baiting De Blasio know that he is a one-term Mayor. He will never be reelected.

Progressive Liberals havent yet realized that the reason Trump won was precisely because of such protests and people like De Balsio.

The De Blasio Administration is involved in no fewer than five separate inquiries  involving at least six different federal, state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Four of these investigations are focused on possible violations of criminal law.

The people are fed up and will do everything in their power to ensure that this corrupt racist will never be reelected to a second term.

Shimon Gross  Queens

HERE IS THE EMAIL FROM DE BLASIO:

In the days since President-elect Donald Trumps victory, a lot of people have asked me whats next for New York City. Ive talked to many families who have lost hope, and even more who are desperately concerned about whats going to happen to their loved ones or their health care once Donald Trump is sworn into office.

The first thing I would tell people is that our energy, activism, and passion are needed more today than ever before  because the best chance we have of moving forward is together. And as the largest and most diverse city in the country, New York has an obligation to lead the way.

And we have. Over the past few days, I have been inspired that in the midst of adversity our city has made the choice to engage rather than to resign ourselves and walk away.

People across the country have seen your messages of hope, love, and support taped to the walls of the Union Square subway station. Theyve watched as youve peacefully made your voices heard outside of Trump Tower.

I want you to know that you are not alone. We have a lot of tools at our disposal to protect the values and needs of the vast majority of New Yorkers, and I am prepared to use them. We will stand up to any attempt to deport people in our city, take away health insurance from the poorest among us, or undermine the reproductive rights of women.

Now, that will probably make us a target of Trump supporters in our upcoming re-election. While he only received small pockets of support in New York City, much of it came from people who are prepared to spend a lot of money to defeat us next year. And if this election taught us anything, its that we must be prepared for everything. So thats why I need to ask:

Make a $3 contribution to our re-election campaign as a way of saying you are more committed than ever to fight to protect the values we share.

As a city, we showed up on Tuesday. Though turnout plummeted across the country, more New York City residents voted in 2016 than in 2012. But regardless of who won, the work of democracy and building a more just and equitable society was always going to have to continue long after Election Day.

I am glad that we are in that fight together, because that is the only way we will succeed.

In solidarity,

Bill de Blasio

Mayor, New York City

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President-elect Donald Trump isnt letting his criticism of major media institutions abate in the wake of his victory.

On Sunday, the real-estate mogul fired off a series of tweets slamming the New York Times for its coverage of Trumps supporters, mocking an open-letter publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. and executive editor Dean Baquet addressed to readers questioning whether the Times underestimated Trumps support.

Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the Trump phenomena,' Trump wrote.

Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the "Trump phenomena"  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

The president-elect continued:

The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change  doubt it?

The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change  doubt it?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes scheduled to air Sunday, Trump said he would be very restrained with his use of Twitter in the Oval Office. In the days leading up to the election, Trumps team had deemed that social media account so damaging to his presidential chances that aides actually wrested control of his tweets from him.

Since that interview, taped Friday, Trump has teed off on protesters and the press on the social media platform. Minutes after his attack on the Times, Trump also paid compliments to another vocal critic of his campaign, former GOP nominee Mitt Romney:

Mitt Romney called to congratulate me on the win. Very nice!

Mitt Romney called to congratulate me on the win. Very nice!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

Jeb Bush, George W and George H.W. all called to express their best wishes on the win. Very nice!

Jeb Bush, George W and George H.W. all called to express their best wishes on the win. Very nice!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

Governor John Kasich of the GREAT, GREAT, GREAT State of Ohio called to congratulate me on the win. The people of Ohio were incredible!

Governor John Kasich of the GREAT, GREAT, GREAT State of Ohio called to congratulate me on the win. The people of Ohio were incredible!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition recently hosted a meeting with Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in Flatbush, at the home of FJCC Chairman Josh Mehlman.

The meeting was an opportunity to meet the newly appointed DA and discuss a broad range of issues effecting the community. FJCC representatives were joined by leaders of major Jewish communal organizations including, Mr. Malcolm Hoenlein Vice chairman, Presidents Conference and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive Vice President, Agudath Israel of America.

The Kings County District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in the borough that is home to the largest Jewish population in the United States. Mr. Gonzalez who served in nearly every division and capcity in the Kings County DA, was chief assistant to the late DA Ken Thompson who passed away in October. He was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to fill the remainder of the DAs term. Mr. Gonzalez, no stranger to the community, has been working with the FJCC on many isssues during the past three years. Bureau Chief David Klestzick also attended the meeting.

Topics discussed at the over three hour meeting ranged from safety and security, religous liberty and accommodations as well as terror threats, bias crimes, quality of life issues and other vital concerns faced by residents of Brooklyn.

Leaders and activists from Flatbush Shomrim, Flatbush Hatzoloh, COJO of Flatbush, Agudath Israel, Sephardic Bikur Cholim, Chasdei Lev, together with local NYPD laisons and representatives from multiple Community Boards actively participated in this inaugural meeting.

The District Attorney shared his vision for justice and fairness in Brooklyn and pledged to work closely with the FJCC leadership and communal leaders in pursuit of shared goals. This was a first of many planned conversations with new District Attorney.

(YWN Desk  NYC)
Keeping on top of your finances is a message we send out on a regular basis. But sometimes, there is an event which requires us to be a little bit more forceful about conveying it.

It happened in the wake of the Brexit vote in June  and it has occurred again with Donald Trumps triumph across the Atlantic.

I trust our special report will get you to review your finances to ensure they are in good shape to withstand whatever Trump  and for that matter the march towards Brexit  brings.

Fraud: Last week thousands of Tesco Bank customers current accounts had their money stolen

Online banking is the present, the future. Goodbye bank branch, hello the internet.

But it does seem that in the industrys mad rush to get us all  old and young, individuals and businesses  to do our banking through apps, iPads and personal computers, it is failing to protect customers from cyber criminals.

Last weeks plundering of thousands of Tesco Bank customers current accounts by criminals marks a worrying ratcheting up in the war. It is the first time the pillaging of bank accounts has been on a mass scale.

Alarming. Frightening. What if it had been NatWest that the cyber criminals had targeted, a bank whose response to banking fraud seems at best lackadaisical (judged on what you tell us).

Although Tesco Banks reaction to the raid was adequate (no more than that) with full refunds made within 48 hours, it does beg the question as to whether this attack is the tip of the iceberg. That cyber warriors are slowly winning the war against the banks.

Under fire: Tesco Bank boss Benny Higgins

It is therefore imperative that the banks  challengers and high street mainstays  respond by committing maximum resources to warding off these thieves. Rather than focusing their best brains on inventing new banking apps and digital play things, the industry needs to change direction.

Banks big and small must put their eggheads to use in improving their IT systems. They must invest in top IT personnel to ensure customers can bank without worrying whether their salary is going to be spent illegally by someone hovering in cyber space.

I trust Tesco Banks directors, led by Benny Higgins, will be hauled over the coals by the Financial Conduct Authority. Personal fines might make them realise a little what it feels like to have your bank account plundered.

How apposite in the wake of the cyber-attack on Tesco Bank that Professor Russel Griggs (OBE no less) issued his report on how banks are treating customers hit by the closure of their local branch. The report is written from the standpoint that all closures are justified, regardless of whether they leave a town or village bankless.

How wrong. An hour of Mr Griggs precious time spent in the company of the good people of Colyton would surely have made him realise that bank branches are still a vital cog in the wheels of many communities.

Remove them  as Lloyds has just done in this vibrant Devon village  and the knock-on impact on the local community is dire.

Rather than suggest ways in which banks can better help customers deal with the loss of their local branch, Mr Griggs would have been better employed exploring how the big banks could work together to set up community banks.

Branches that customers of any bank could use with the running costs shared by all banks.
J.F. writes: My 95-year-old mother ordered a fitted chair from Westminster Recliners Limited on July 7, for delivery in August. The chair has still not arrived.

We have tried to contact the firm several times but were fobbed off with a mobile number that does not work, or told we cannot speak to the manager.

My mother has asked for the contract to be cancelled and her money refunded, but she has received neither the chair nor a refund.

Claims: The Westminster Recliners website

You told me your mother answered a magazine advertisement and was then visited by a salesman who quoted a price of 6,000.

When she refused to pay this much, the price suddenly dropped to 1,500. She paid 750 by debit card, with delivery agreed for August. On August 23 she received a request for the balance, with delivery set for September 5. She sent a cheque but the chair did not arrive. It was then promised for September 19, but here we are in November with no sign of the chair.

Westminster Recliners Limited is run by a father and son team, David and Oliver Waters, of Felixstowe, Suffolk. I tried repeatedly to get the company to explain what had gone wrong.

Does your mothers chair exist? If so, why has it not been handed over? If it was supposed to be custom made, why is it not ready? Why can she not have her money back? The company and its two bosses offered no comment and no explanation.

But perhaps I was being optimistic to expect one. You see, David and Oliver Waters and their company are well known to the Trading Standards Department at Suffolk County Council  and to local courts.

Does it exist? One of the firms seats

In 2013, Westminster Recliners was a trading name used by Mobility UK Limited, run by the two men. In March of that year they appeared at Ipswich magistrates court and pleaded guilty to using aggressive and misleading practices in breach of consumer protection laws.

Suffolk Trading Standards gave details of numerous complaints, often involving elderly customers, with salesmen falsely claiming to offer a reduced price because of links to the health insurer BUPA. In fact, BUPA was never involved.

Magistrates fined the company 3,000 with 10,000 costs. Also, David Waters, then 65, was fined 3,000 and ordered to pay 10,000 costs.

Oliver Waters, then aged 24, was fined 1,000 with costs of 10,000 for the consumer protection offences, and a further 1,000 for running the company while an undischarged bankrupt.

You might think this taught the appalling rip-off artist a lesson. Wrong. In January last year, Oliver Waters was back in the dock, this time at Ipswich Crown Court, where he and Westminster Recliners were convicted of almost the same offences.

Waters was given an 18-month conditional discharge after agreeing to tape record sales meetings for checking by Trading Standards, and to refund three customers who gave evidence. He and his company were also ordered to pay 86,000 in legal costs.

Suffolk County Council has now told me: Trading Standards are continuing to look at the business, and recommend that anyone in dispute with them should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 03454 040506.

Please urge your mother to call the helpline  and let me know how she gets on. I have a feeling the Waters may appear on this page again.
Last weeks shock victory for Donald Trump in the US Presidential election is likely to fuel market volatility over the coming months, particularly when combined with persistent concerns about the impact of Brexit on UK businesses.

But Van Elle should deliver strong growth, despite political and economic uncertainty. The company is a highly successful, hard-working British business, specialising in ground engineering services that make it safer and easier to build railways, roads, houses and a range of other buildings.

A private business for 32 years, Van Elle listed on AIM on October 26 at 100p. The shares are now 101p and should make strong progress over the next few years.

Track record: Van Elle has devised earth retention systems for railways

The company is the largest independent operator in its field, with a reputation for speed and efficiency and a long track record of profitable growth. Van Elle even remained profitable through the financial crisis, but in the past five years the group has really forged ahead.

It has moved into new markets, such as rail, invested heavily in new techniques and built a 13-acre manufacturing facility so it can make the products it uses. As a result, turnover almost tripled from 30million to 84million between 2011 and this year, while profits soared from just less than 1million to 10.7million.

Van Elle was founded in 1984 by Mike Ellis, a structural engineer by background. In 1986, his first engineering employee was Jon Fenton, a former member of staff at Norwich City Council. Keen for a new challenge, Fenton joined Elliss fledgling business working from a tiny office above a stable in Derbyshire.

In 2011, Ellis, then in his late 60s, handed over the day-to-day running of the firm to Fenton and today, Ellis is non-executive chairman and Fenton is chief executive.

The group initially focused on the installation of pilings to support houses in danger of subsidence. Over the years, it expanded into other areas and products, constantly aiming to stay ahead of the competition by working faster and creating new products.

These include smart foot, a modular foundation system, built out of steel and concrete, that is laid directly on the ground and can support buildings from homes to hospitals, schools and hotels. Individually designed for customers, the system is about five times faster than traditional foundation methods but just as effective.

Customer base: Includes Network Rail, housebuilders Bovis and Bellway and general contractors

Van Elle has also devised clever kit for roads and railways, such as ground anchors and soil nails that hold back earth when motorways are being expanded. But the company does not just focus on creating better products; it is also focused on completing jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The group does around 1,000 pieces of work a year, for customers including Network Rail, housebuilders Bovis and Bellway and general contractors such as Balfour Beatty and Morgan Sindall.

In each case, Van Elle tries to go the extra mile, transporting equipment overnight on a Thursday, for example, so it can start a new job on a Friday morning, rather than after the weekend. This constant drive for efficiency means that Van Elle is one of the most profitable companies in the construction sector  and likely to remain so.

The company has 515 staff, many of whom have been with the group for more than a decade. Fenton believes in looking after his workforce, investing 750,000 in training last year and encouraging employees to work their way up the business, rather like he did.

The company also opens every Saturday morning to brief staff on the week ahead and to go over recent jobs. A board director is always there as well, so staff can always catch up with someone from the top of the business.

Having operated successfully as a private business for more than 30 years, the decision to float was not made easily. However, the group is keen to expand and being listed provides extra credibility with customers and potential acquisition targets.

Ellis also wanted to sell some shares, though he and his family retain 20 per cent of the business, while Fenton is the biggest individual shareholder with a 7 per cent stake.

Several companies have had to pull or reduce flotation plans this autumn against a backdrop of Brexit-fuelled economic uncertainty. But Van Elle has pulled it off, because large institutional investors are confident that the company will deliver strong growth.

The Government is committed to spending on roads and rail and there is a chronic shortage of homes in this country. Van Elle also works with many different customers in different sectors and it operates throughout the UK, from Shetland to Cornwall and everywhere in between.

Turnover and profits are expected to grow by more than 10 per cent in the year to April 2017, with double-digit growth likely to continue in the subsequent years as well.

There will be a small dividend next year, Van Elles first as a public company, but payouts should rise steadily thereafter.
Britannia Hotels, owner of the famous Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, has recorded a huge leap in profits at its 52-strong chain.

Accounts just filed for the Cheshire-based company show turnover grew 6 per cent in the year to March 31, 2016 to 84million.

Pre-tax profits shot up even faster thanks in part to reduced costs  more than doubling from 14.2million to 33.3million.

Famous: The Adelphi Hotel is a landmark in Liverpool

The chain was founded in 1976 when hotelier Alex Langsam bought a 100-bedroom hotel in South Manchester.

The company has attracted controversy in recent years. It was twice branded the worst hotel chain in the country by Which? magazine.

Britannia was also criticised after it was paid by the Government to house hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers. This led to negative reviews on TripAdvisor from disgruntled paying guests.

In 2013, Britannia was fined 160,000 for breaching safety regulations during building works in Folkestone, Kent.
Britain and the US would both benefit from a new open trade deal, Donald Trumps senior economic adviser told The Mail on Sunday this weekend.

In a wide-ranging interview, Stephen Moore, a former adviser to Ronald Reagan and a key architect of Trumps plans to slash taxes, said the President-elect was not an isolationist and merely wanted trade to be fair.

Moore said: I think that a more open and free trade system with Britain would be very much in Americas interests and in Britains interests. Trump has told me: I am not an isolationist. I am not a protectionist. I just want to make sure we have free trade, but fair trade.

Tax deals: Stephen Moore is a key architect of Donald Trumps plans to slash taxes

Moores views will add to the already divided opinions over whether Trumps victory helps or hinders UK hopes for a trade deal. Axel Schafer, a Brexit adviser to the German Government, was reported this weekend saying a UK-US deal was always unlikely but under Trump was delusional.

Moore hailed fracking as being like an economic cure for cancer which had boosted the US. He said: We almost doubled our oil and gas production in the last seven years. We are at the beginning stages of an energy revolution. If the US can do it, the United Kingdom can do it.
Theresa May is likely to outline the Governments negotiating priorities on Brexit in a speech to business bosses next week.

The Prime Minister is expected to outline what relationship Whitehall is seeking sector-by-sector when she speaks to the Confederation of British Industry a week tomorrow.

The Government has been coy about its aims in European Union talks, saying revealing its hand would weaken its negotiating position.

Negotiations: PM Theresa May will meet business leaders next week

It has been suggested that the UK could try to stay within the customs union for manufactured goods or just for the car industry, where supply chains are strung out across the Continent.

Experts said Ministers could try to get an enhanced equivalence deal on financial services too, which would enable UK banks and insurers to cater to continental clients when their single market passporting rights fall away.

EU rules allow countries with regulations that are equivalent to its own to offer some financial services to EU clients without hindrance.

A paper published earlier this month by think-tank Politeia outlined a possible enhanced equivalence negotiating stance for the City.
Hundreds of thousands of people will come to rely on relatives or carers to help manage their finances in the next 12 months because of illness or an accident.

But most families are unprepared for such an outcome.

One vital document gives family members authority to handle the financial affairs of a loved one in need  meaning they can stay on top of household bills.

Mission: James Ashwell set up the firm Unforgettable after caring for his mother Fay

It is known as a lasting power of attorney. But 44million people do not have one  85 per cent of the UK adult population. And two-fifths of adults do not know what one is.

It can be set up in less than an hour, registered properly with the relevant government department in eight to ten weeks  and costs from 110.

WHY YOU NEED ONE

James Antoniou, head of wills at Co-op Legal Services, says: There is not an automatic right for next-of- kin to make decisions on a persons behalf, so a lasting power of attorney can make all the difference. Sadly, it is common for families to require one when it is too late.

If a person is no longer able to make decisions for themselves independently, they are said to have lost mental capacity.

Five reasons why you should set up a lasting power of attorney 1. It allows you to determine who will look after your finances if health prevents you from doing so. 2. It is inexpensive to set up at a minimum of 110. 3. It is easy to arrange online. Visit lastingpowerofattorney. service.gov.uk/home 4. It is more satisfactory than finances being determined by the alternative Court of Protection. 5. The march of Alzheimers means more people are unable to handle money issues.

By this stage it is too late to arrange a power of attorney. The alternative route to helping a person organise their finances is laborious, expensive and time consuming.

Here, a relative must apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy. The application fee is 400 while the starting annual fee is at least 320. This charge may drop to 35 in subsequent years depending on how much supervision the Court decides a deputy needs.

New deputies must also pay a 100 assessment fee and if their application is successful they will receive a court order spelling out what they can and cannot do in their duties.

The Office of the Public Guardian is responsible for supervising deputies, who need to keep records and write annual reports explaining the financial decisions they have made.

So the choice is between paying 110 now to complete and register a lasting power of attorney, or face the prospect of paying 500 in future with ongoing annual fees, burdensome paperwork and overbearing supervision by the State.

Lasting power of attorney replaced what was known as enduring power of attorney in 2007. These older documents are still valid if made and signed before October 1, 2007.

ACT EARLY

The time to draw up a power of attorney is when it is least needed, which is why so few people do it.

But the threat of long-term illness such as dementia  or a life-changing accident  make it an important task to tick off any financial to-do list. Over the next decade, the number of people with dementia will balloon to a million, according to the Alzheimers Society.

The rate at which adults in the UK develop dementia is equivalent to one person every three minutes.

'I didnt ask what Mum wanted when she was able to tell me' Impact: Peter Matthews keeps his five children in the loop on his finances After the ordeal of sorting a lasting power of attorney for his mother, Peter Matthews is determined his five adult children will have a different experience should he need their help in future. Peter, 66, who is married to Jayne, 61, and lives in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, was appointed power of attorney for his mother Doreen Tacchi in 2007. The family paid solicitors more than 1,000 for the service, which Peter says struck me as expensive for a piece of paper. Despite this fee, in 2014 he learned the papers had not been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. He never knew this was necessary. In the seven years between 2007 and 2014, Doreen had been diagnosed with dementia. It is still possible to register power of attorney after diagnosis  but only if the person understands what is happening. Peter says: We had to ask my mother to sign, consenting to it being registered. Mums dementia by this stage was much worse. It took time and many attempts but finally when Mum looked me in the eyes and said, So you are after my money then and winked, I knew she understood. The experience had a profound impact on Peter. He says: I didnt ask Mum what she wanted years ago when she would have been able to tell me, I just did what I thought was best for her. You think your parents financial business is their own, but really it is yours too and one day you may need to take control. There needs to be an open dialogue between parents and children so everyone is prepared for whatever is around the corner.

HELP IS AT HAND

A new service launched this autumn to help people set up a lasting power of attorney. It is free and provided by Unforgettable  a company selling products that make the lives of people with dementia a little easier, such as simple-to-use music players and automatic pill dispensers. Founder James Ashwell says dementia affects young people too. So a power of attorney is something the whole family should consider putting in place.

James started the business after his mother Fay was diagnosed with early onset dementia while in her 50s. He was just 25 when he gave up his job as a strategy consultant and  along with his brother  moved from London back to the Midlands to care for her. He looked after Fay for five years until her death at 65, just after his 30th birthday.

James says: She was the best mum you could imagine so it was time to give a bit back and look after her. But it was a sad time and difficult. He is now on a mission to encourage more people to set up power of attorney.

Care: It costs 110 to complete and register a lasting power of attorney

HOW TO SET UP POWER OF ATTORNEY

The Governments free online service for setting up a lasting power of attorney guides you through each step. It should be completed by the donor  the person who may need help in the future. They also choose their attorneys  there can be more than one.

To get started visit lastingpowerofattorney.service.gov.uk/home.

A 110 fee applies when you register the document with the Office of the Public Guardian, which can be done straight away even if it is not yet needed. People on low incomes pay less or nothing at all.

You can draw up a separate power of attorney giving a trusted person responsibility for decisions about your health and welfare if you cannot make them yourself. This also costs 110. For help, use a fixed-fee legal service such as that offered by Co-op Legal Services for 180, which also provides a phone-based service on 0330 0379481.

Details of local solicitors can be found at lawsociety.org.uk. But be careful about instructing a solicitor without first knowing their charges, as many people have reported paying thousands of pounds for a service they could have done themselves for free. Unforgettable also offers hand-holding packages.

CHOOSE ATTORNEYS CAREFULLY

The number of suspected cases of fraud or negligence by attorneys has risen by 40 per cent in the past two years.

Nockolds, a law firm based in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, analysed figures from the Office of the Public Guardian showing it launched 876 investigations into abuse of a lasting power of attorney in the year to the end of March 2016  up from 628 in 2014.

It is a stark reminder of why choosing a financial advocate should not be rushed. But even when there is no concern about abuse of power, some attorneys may conclude they are not up to the job when the time comes.

Peter King, partner and head of wills and probate at Nockolds, says: People often feel obliged to act as attorney for a relative and later find they do not have the time or energy to discharge their duties. It is better to be honest from the start while the relative can consider alternatives.

An attorneys legal responsibilities are defined by the Mental Capacity Act. King adds: One of the mistakes attorneys often make is assuming they can make decisions on behalf of a relative rather than helping the relative make their own decisions.

A donor must give attorneys permission for each decision made while they are capable of doing so. Attorneys can act independently only when a donor lacks capacity, but must always act in their best interests.
An organic baby food start-up that launched in Waitrose in April is now supplying more than 400 Asda stores after its founder said sales exceeded expectations by 400 per cent.

Piccolo was founded two years ago by Italian Catherine Gazzoli, the former chief executive of Slow Food UK, a movement connecting food with a commitment to the community and environment, who has previously worked for the United Nations.

The company is backed by investors including food writer and campaigner Prue Leith, ex-Pizza Express chief executive Mark Angela and Andrew Baker, former chief executive of Prince Charless organic food brand Duchy Originals.

Support: Piccolo is backed by writer Prue Leith

Gazzoli said: I spent six years meeting food producers, retailers, people like the managing director of [supermarket] Planet Organic who have a shared ethos around where food comes from, and I felt that there was no baby brand with a strong social DNA.

The baby food market is dominated by large brands. She said: Youve got Hain Celestial, which owns Ellas Kitchen, Cow & Gate, which is owned by Danone, HiPP Organic, which is a German company, and Heinz.

She added: We just launched into Asda and we just launched 100 per cent vegetable products with Waitrose.

Other stockists include Planet Organic, Abel & Cole and Whole Foods Market.

Were the first food brand to have the National Childbirth Trust logo on our packaging, because we have a partnership with them doing food education classes for disadvantaged parents, she said.

Gazzoli said she wrote her business plan on the kitchen table of Craig Sams, the co-founder of chocolate brand Green & Blacks. She said: Obviously to have someone whos built Green & Blacks help you with your financials is very helpful.
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of small and medium enterprises do not plan to invest at all over the next 12 months and are in survival mode, according to new research.

Of business owners surveyed, 57 per cent had not sought any external finance in the past year, with 41 per cent using existing overdraft facilities and more than 34 per cent investing personal funds into their firm.

The study, from Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, found that of those who invested their own money, 19 per cent had re-mortgaged property, potentially endangering their own financial health.

Concerns: More than a quarter of SME owners do not plan to invest at all over the next year

More than half of SME owners were also concerned that Brexit could impede their access to finance, with 59 per cent predicting that it would be more difficult to obtain it in future.

Another area of concern was an over-reliance on individual clients, with 17 per cent of firms saying that a single, large client was responsible for more than half of the companys turnover. On average, SME owners said their biggest client was responsible for 26 per cent of revenue.

The study comes as Brexit has been blamed for a fall in crowdfunding deals.

Researcher Beauhurst has revealed a record drop of 20 per cent in the third quarter of this year. It said Brexit had caused many high-growth firms to pause and question access to markets, but also that investors appeared to be becoming more wary of early-stage firms.

And a report from The Company Warehouse has found that while 43 per cent of start-ups registered in the past 18 months were aware of crowdfunding, only 1.3 per cent had used it. The business consultancy studied firms that had formed and sole-trader businesses that had registered in the past 18 months.

Eighty-two per cent had used self-funding to start up. Only 6.8 per cent had used bank funding, and despite 85 per cent being aware of the Governments Start Up Loans scheme, only 4.5 per cent had used it.

Meanwhile, Professor Christian Sadler of Warwick Business School warned that Donald Trump winning the US presidential election was likely to make it more difficult for small firms in particular to export to the US.

He said that as well currency risks, the other thing that they might face is additional trade barriers. He said: Trump has been quite explicit that he wants to protect the American market, that he wants to be tough on imports. A possible way around that is to start operating in the US, but that is harder for small businesses.

Ben Hutt, chief executive of Search Party, a recruitment company targeting SMEs, said: The uncertainty around Brexit will probably be somewhat painful in the UK, particularly for small businesses.

The constitutional uncertainty about what will happen is just lingering, which is bad for business. The US election adds another layer of uncertainty globally, so I wouldnt be surprised if economically things slow down a bit.

It will make businesses choosier about who they hire and candidates choosier about which companies they work in.

Separately, new data shows the UK leading Europe in the use of asset-based finance  money secured against a businesss assets  last year. The total value of UK business supported hit an all-time high of 335billion in 2015, an increase of 7.4 per cent from 312billion in 2014.
Angola National Day

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am pleased to congratulate the people of Angola on the 41st anniversary of your nations independence on November 11. The United States deeply appreciates its strong and productive partnership with Angola.

"Your country has been a valued voice for peace in the region, and we applaud the leadership you have shown in helping to resolve conflicts, particularly in the Great Lakes area. In the year ahead, we look forward to continued collaboration to promote sustainable prosperity, good governance, and democratic institutions. On this special day, I send my best wishes to all Angolans for a healthy, happy, and safe future."
Select the Times' Boys and Girls Athletes of the Week for Oct. 24-30
ALBANY  A Hawaiian woman wanted on a murder charge was arrested in Albany Friday, State Police said.

Troopers and Albany police officers arrested 37-year-old Alexandria Duval of Maui on Friday after finding her at an Albany home. According to news media reports, she is charged in the death of her twin sister, Anastasia. They appeared enraged before their SUV, driven by Alexandria, fell 200 feet off a cliff in Maui, according to the reports.

The Maui Police Department had issued a warrant for Duval after she was charged with murder stemming from a May 29 incident. A State Police investigator from the New York State Intelligence Center located a possible address for Duval in Albany and Troop G members were notified.

Duval was seen standing outside the home and tried to flee, but was taken into custody and brought to the Latham barracks, troopers said.

She was arraigned in Albany City Court and sent to the Albany County Jail to await extradition back to Hawaii.
QUEENSBURY  A 45-year-old Queensbury woman was charged with driving while intoxicated after police say she crashed into two vehicles  one accident happening while she was allegedly in line at a fast food drive-thru.

Warren County Sheriff's deputies say they received a call at 2:11 p.m. Saturday reporting that someone with a Hyundai sedan who appeared to be intoxicated struck a vehicle in a parking lot off Main Street and fled the scene.
Islamabad

A powerful bomb blast ripped through a Sufi shrine Saturday evening in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 52 people and wounding at least 100 others, officials said.

The bombing, believed to have been carried out by a suicide attacker, occurred in the Khuzdar district of the restive province of Baluchistan. Hundreds of worshippers were inside the shrine of the Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani, and dozens were performing a devotional "dhamal" dance when the bomber struck.

"Every day, around sunset, there is a dhamal here, and there are large numbers of people who come for this," Nawaz Ali, the shrine's custodian, was quoted as saying by local media outlets.

The Taliban and other extremist Sunni groups have attacked Sufi shrines and gatherings in recent years. The Sufi tradition offers a tolerant version of Islam that is spurned by extremists like the Taliban.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack, according to a statement released to the local media.

But some Pakistani officials were skeptical of the Islamic State's claim. On Friday, paramilitary troops reported that they had killed a key leader of the Jundullah, a Pakistani anti-Shiite militant group, in a shootout in Baluchistan. Police officials believe that the shrine bombing could be an act of retaliation for that killing.

The shrine is in a remote region, and the Pakistani military said at least 150 soldiers, four medical teams and 45 ambulances were being sent to respond to the emergency. "Evacuation through aircraft is not possible since there is no landing strip in the area," said Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa, the chief military spokesman. Bajwa said the military would try to evacuate the wounded with helicopters.

Rescue workers continued to search for survivors late Saturday. "A large number of devotees are still trapped inside the shrine," said Azhar Jamal, a rescue worker with the Edhi Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose programs include emergency medical services.

Although the Sufi shrine is in Baluchistan province, it is closer to the southern Sindh province, and many of those wounded in Saturday's attack were being sent to Karachi, the port city that is the provincial capital of Sindh.
Colonie

On Friday, I talked to a 102-year-old woman who lives in my neighborhood.

She's a lifelong Republican who has voted for Democratic presidential candidates just twice: John Kennedy in 1960 and Hillary Clinton last Tuesday. Born six years before women could vote, she had hoped to see a female president in her lifetime.

Obviously, my neighbor was disappointed by the result. Many felt far worse, seeing the election only as a victory for misogyny and racism. But millions of other voters, of course, saw Donald Trump's ascendency as cause for joy and celebration.

More Information Contact Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

I heard from both camps in a big way after Thursday's column, which urged Hillary supporters to better understand the Rust Belt fury that helped Trump's rise, and urged Trump diehards to consider the fear their candidate inspired.

I'm turning today's column over to some of the voices that landed in my inbox. As always, I appreciated the feedback.

"I recognize much of what you said about a large sector of the electorate that has been left out for years. I was a Bernie supporter in this one, but we now need to take a deep breath and see what common ground we can find and move ahead."  Ken S.

Two of the surprising states won by Trump  Wisconsin and Michigan  were taken by Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary.

Likewise, Sanders won many of the upstate New York counties Trump later won  including Schoharie County, where Sanders won 64 percent of the primary vote and Trump won 65 percent on Tuesday.

We don't know how many Sanders voters went for Trump  their policy differences are huge  but it's clear both men were tapping into the same economic anxieties and frustrations.

"I was appalled at the hatred and intolerance that appeared on social media on Wednesday. As much as I understand the disappointment of Clinton supporters, I still feel the need to respect my fellow citizens and their points of view, whether or not I agree with them."  Deborah S.

Deciding that 59 million voters were motivated only by xenophobia and misogyny  or to put them in a "basket of deplorables"  is to engage in a lazy and ignorant elitism that has turned millions of voters from the Democratic Party. There are legitimate reasons so many blue-collar voters backed Trump, including anger over policies such as NAFTA and the Iraq War that both parties supported.

Your profession was so wrong about Trump. I guess some reporters should reach out beyond the 'data' and actually listen to the average folks."  Peter W.

Yes, most opinion writers, liberal and conservative, were harshly critical of Trump. (Me included.) Obviously, many voters ignored us.

But isn't it too early to say we were wrong? History could prove otherwise.

"It's time to stop bashing Trump. The people have spoken loud and clear."  Anthony S.

If "bashing" means comparing him to Hitler, absolutely. But it would be dangerous for the media to shy from honest reporting and deserved criticism.

"I have voted in every presidential election since 1968. Many times presidents have been elected that I did not support. But I have never been so afraid or sickened as I am now."  Barbara M.

A key early test of Trump's presidency will be whether he does anything to address that widespread fear. I'm not optimistic.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

"President Obama tried more than once to get a major infrastructure bill passed ... This would have added thousands of new jobs for these people years ago."  Gerry S.

Trump is promising to spend bigly on infrastructure. Will a Republican Congress now get on board?

"If the angry Rust Belt voters feel heard, they might eventually be more willing to hear the pleas of others seeking fairness and equal treatment."  David G.

Globalization and other trends causing economic desperation among poor whites are also hammering poorer blacks and Hispanics. There's potential for a powerful coalition.

"You must know that Mrs. Clinton's experience, intelligence and even temperament made her the most qualified candidate ever to seek the office."  Susan D.

Many readers objected to my describing Clinton as a terrible candidate, and maybe I was guilty of rubbing some salt in her supporters' wounds.

But throughout the campaign, I noticed that many Trump diehards acknowledged their candidate's faults while Clinton supporters, unwilling to do the same, blamed her problems on media bias and sexism.

Sexism is real, but it isn't why Clinton lost. Her reputation for dishonesty is well earned, the email server and Clinton Foundation controversies were legitimate, and she never generated enthusiasm among voters.

Think back to April, ahead of the New York primary, when Clinton mustered only a small rally at Cohoes High School and Trump filled the Times Union Center.

Shouldn't it have been obvious which candidate would ultimately win?
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Albany

Emma Dickson spent decades preserving oral histories and urging historical recognition for the settlement of black families from Shubuta, Miss., on Rapp Road along the edge of the Pine Bush beginning in the 1930s.

Now it's Dickson's turn to be acknowledged for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Rapp Road Historical Association.

On Saturday, a portion of Springsteen Road was re-dedicated Emma Dickson Way with a new street sign on the edge of her property at the corner of Springsteen and Rapp roads.

"It's a nice honor and she's very excited," Janel Chapple, Dickson's daughter, said Friday. Her mother suffered a major stroke in 2007 and briefly attended the ceremony using a wheelchair. Family, friends and others offered remarks.

Saturday was also Dickson's 72nd birthday  and everyone joined in singing happy birthday, her daughter said.

Dickson was the catalyst in getting the Rapp Road settlement added to the New York State Historic Register and the National Historic Register in 2003.

"Emma really deserves this recognition and I'm so happy for her. She was the force behind the historic designation," said Jennifer Lemak, chief curator of history at the State Museum and author of "Southern Life, Northern City: The History of Albany's Rapp Road Community," published by SUNY Press in 2008.

Lemak placed the Rapp Road community in the context of the "Great Migration," when more than 1 million African Americans moved from the agrarian South to industrial New York state. This massive population shift influenced the state's culture, economics and politics.

Dickson wanted to know if the rumors she heard as a young girl growing up in Albany were true: that Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd sent a group of black people to live in the Pine Bush as laborers for a nearby chicken farm.

She soon dismissed that urban legend and gathered stories of the 22 African-American families, including her own, who migrated from Mississippi and built their own houses while recreating settlements like the one they knew in the South.

The genesis came in 1927, when Louis Parson, a preacher and ex-railroad worker from Shubuta, moved to Albany with his wife, Frances. Parson established a branch of the First Church of God and Christ and recruited parishioners from Shubuta to Albany. Most of the families settled at first in the city's South End, its ethnic melting pot. Many felt culture shock and pined for the rural life. Parson and William Toliver purchased a 14-acre tract along Rapp Road in the Pine Bush in 1930 and doubled the parcel three years later  paying just $40 for the 28 acres.

Parson sold plots to church members and they dubbed it "Holy Land."

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Dickson's parents, Leola and Alfred Woodard Sr., were among the original settlers and they purchased their lot in 1939. They grew corn, okra, collard greens, peas and squash and raised chickens, pigs and cows. Dickson was the youngest of eight children.

A total of 23 families settled along Rapp Road in the 1930s and 1940s and many of the 16 original houses are still in the same families. Emma Dickson built her home there in 1978. "Emma put me in touch with the families and together we pieced the history together," said Lemak, whose three children attended Dickson's home day care on Rapp Road. "Because of Emma, I always felt welcome and people were willing to share their family histories."

Multiple generations of Dickson's family have been members of Willborn Temple Church in Albany. Dickson's husband William died at 62 in 2005. Dickson is a former president of the Pine Bush Neighborhood Association and she was a county Democratic committeewoman. She has five children, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

"My children understand the history of Rapp Road and have an interest in it because of their grandmother," said Chapple, a mother of three children and two stepchildren who took over her mother's day care, First Steps.

"This is a nice thing they're doing to honor my mother," she said.

pgrondahl@timesunion.com  518-454-5623  @PaulGrondahl
Two candidates seeking NLCS Board District 2 seat

In this year's general election, two candidates are seeking election to the district two seat on the NLCS board: Adam Parsley and Michael Patton.
The latest Kansas City, Missouri shootout contributes to our rising homicide stats for 2016.Here's the report:Compare this to 90 homicides at this time last year and a murder rate that stands near a 10-year-high as Kansas City was recently ranked one of the most dangerous cities in the nation. Developing . . .
Super Dave: My views and thoughts on the election

Here is a story that was inspired to me today afterThe elections are over and the voters have made their voices heard all across our nation. Some are happy and some are just full of hate, while others are accepting it but not happy. I have seen many elections over the years and this was without a doubt the craziest one yet. Was it really any different than those of the past? Yes it was in many ways, from those running for office to how mass media attempted to run the election. One thing that was made very clear to us and as many of us has pondered for some time is how Polls can be tweaked to give the results you want it to make, in an attempt to change the outcome. In 2000 George W. Bush (R) won 271 electoral votes and a popular vote of 50,455,156 while Albert A. Gore (D) received 266 electoral votes and 50,992,335 popular votes. That was a much closer election that what we just saw this last week. Did protesters take to the streets over it? Did many well know artist and actors all scream how they were leaving the country? Nope, you had the normal grumblings for a few days and Grandpa being in rare form at Thanksgiving because his candidate lost.One thing missing was the intense mass media coverage that we saw in the Clinton/Trump race. You couldnt open a single paper of news/information publications without seeing some poll or another and most times rather limp accusations against one or the other politicians while lacking any real facts to back them up. Face it, many broadcast news media outlets made it no secret who they were backing for President. In fact, CNN got the nickname of Clinton News Network. What ever happened to just reporting the news as it happened unbiased, over making up the news? All the social internet sites for the past year as well have been afire with finger pointing and creeps crawling out of the woodwork from nowhere trying to gain two seconds of fame by bring up something false or not the whole truth with asinine statements. People seem to often accept what they read simply because its on the internet. But I think we also saw a good many people started to see through the crap the mass media was throwing at us and started applying some common sense into who they voted for. Sure it was a close race, heck just look at who was running for office. But a change was needed and a change has been coming for some time and it has now arrived. Will Donald Trump our new elected to be President be that person? I really dont know any more than most of you who claim to know he wont be. He has 4 years to try and show us what he can do before the next election where we can vote him out if we dont like it. But remember it takes us all, together as a nation to make it better for everyone.##########
"The evening demonstration protested Stein/Clinton/Trump on their fake populism and loyalty to Big Oil, Wall street and Silicon Valley who broke the backs of working people and created endless wars around the world. polluting the earth and denying climate issues . . . "

CHECK OUT EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE AND FIRST WORD FROM PLAZA TRUMP PROTESTS AND THE MASSIVE KANSAS CITY POLICE CRACKDOWN THEY CONFRONTED LAST NIGHT!!!

"The big question tonight is, "what defines the left in Kansas City?" This is pretty much where the water gets muddy but it's a good time of year for these philosophical discussions. Even The Pope is saying "the Commies ain't so bad" (or something like that). The right wing talk radio will tell you Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Radical" is the "Holy Grail" of leftist organizing. But if you ask anyone from the left they chuckle and if you ask a black radical from the 60's they'll tell you Alinsky was a racist who was never interested in organizing people of color. So why do liberals of the virtual political left feel white people need to go into black neighborhoods and organize is a function of white supremacy itself?"





"Anyway, here's the "night and day" of the political left in this video so your bloggers can begin to do the vetting!"

Just as we reported earlier this week, a security crackdown on the Plaza greeted anti-Trump protesters who are far more militant in their chants and arguments than previous Kansas City gatherings in a weekend dedicated to discontent with the rise to power of Prez-elect Trump.First comment on the Plaza protests last night from citizen media:What we noticed in the footage and reports from this report is a far angrier tone from protesters who took over Plaza streets and expressed strident discontent for every aspect of the American political spectrum.To wit . . .Here's the word:Developing . . .
The Conference of Parliament Presidents on Thursday finally reached agreement on the new members of the National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV), voting in favour of the proposed new council with the required four fifths majority. Consensus was reached after the government agreed to main opposition New Democracy's proposed candidates for the posts of Council chairman and deputy chairman.

"We must proceed to regulate the television scene and the public frequencies at a fitting price. It must be a vehicle for communication with the world and there must be change. We must all help so that the regulation of the television sector has both a price and regulation and control," Parliament President Nikos Voutsis said before the start of the vote.

He noted that the ruling majority's acceptance of ND's proposals for the Council's chairman should be a "hallmark for the start of operation of the NCRTV" and that deliberations on the membership continued until the last minute "in a climate of consensus".

The final composition of the Council ratified by the parliament presidents is as follows:

Chairman: Athanassios Koutromanos

Deputy Chairman: Rodolfos Moronis

Members: Popi Diamantakou, Vassilis Karapostolis, Nikos Kiaos, Giorgos Plios, Lilian Mitrou, Dimitra Papadopoulou, Giorgos Saridakis.

The ruling majority's proposal was carried by 20 votes in favour, cast by the ruling coalition parties SYRIZA and ANEL, main opposition New Democracy and the opposition Democratic Alliance and Potami parties, and four abstentions from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Golden Dawn and Union of Centrists. It was the sixth, and as Voutsis had warned the last, meeting of the parliament presidents in a bid to reach agreement on the new broadcasting regulator.

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

Source: ANA-MPA
US President elect Donald Trump said that his administrations top priority in Syria would be to defeat the Islamic State (IS) in an interview to newspaper Wall Street Journal

US President elect Donald Trump said that his administrations top priority in Syria would be to defeat the Islamic State (IS) in an interview to newspaper Wall Street Journal. In a complete reversal to the Obama governments foreign policy goal of overthrowing Bashar al Assad and supporting moderate islamic opposition groups in reaching this end, Trump reiterated his election campaign policy of going after the jihadist groups in Syria, who were fighting against Assad, stressing that if the US attacked the Assad regime that would put them in direct military conflict with Russia.

My position is that Syria is fighting against the Islamic State and we must get rid of IS. Russia is currently in alliance with Syria, and now we have Iran that is strengthening , because if us, in an alliance with Syria, he underlined. He continued by claiming the US was backing rebels in the conflict without having a clue who they were.

Read more here.

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
Outgoing US President Barack Obama is expected acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Greek people as a result of the prolonged economic crisis facing the country, during his official 2-day visit to Athens next week. During the White House press briefing, reporters were informed that Obama will send a clear message of support to Greece on its efforts to overcome the economic crisis, while he is also expected to voice the need for a debt relief.

According to Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, Barack Obama has been involved personally on the Greek matter during his tenure as President, while he will praise the Greek government for the progress in legislating and implementing the necessary reforms.

Rhodes added that more work needs to be done, stressing that the US agrees with the IMFs position that a debt restructuring is curial for rendering the the Greek economy sustainable. Rhodes expressed his certainty that the Greek government would succeed in its reform efforts if its creditors guaranteed the sustainability of the debt. We will continue to back these efforts until the President leaves office, he said. Rhodes told reporters that President Obama had wanted to visit Greece for a long time, pointing to the deep routed friendship and collaboration between the two countries are their shared views on economic stability, cooperation on battling terrorism and collaboration in the framework of NATO.

According to the official program of Obamas trip, the US President will arrive on Tuesday, November 15 and meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, followed by his meeting with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras at Maximos Mansion. Later in the evening he will attend a formal dinner in his honour held by the Greek President, while on Wednesday he is scheduled to visit the Parthenon, before delivering his only public speech, which will focus on the efforts made by the Greek public during the economic challenged the country faced.

Read more here.

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
Speaking before his two-day visit to Athens on Tuesday, outgoing US President Barack Obama told Kathimerini Greece that the prospects for a lasting settlement on Cyprus are the best weve seen in many years.

Speaking before his two-day visit to Athens on Tuesday, outgoing US President Barack Obama told Kathimerini Greece that the prospects for a lasting settlement on Cyprus are the best weve seen in many years.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci agreed to resume their Swiss-based talks on November 20 after concluding week-long negotiations on Friday, reportedly achieving progress on the crucial territory issue.

The parties remain hard at work to achieve a bizonal, bicommunal federation that advances the interests of all Cypriots, added Obama.

I applaud the effort that the Cypriot leaders have put into the negotiations so far, and I hope they can soon arrive at a durable solution that will benefit all Cypriots.

Obama  who also discussed Greeces economic crisis, bilateral relations, regional security and the refugee crisis  added that, a just and comprehensive solution for Cyprus would have a historic and far-reaching impact.

SOLUTION BENEFITS

Obama further outlined: It would improve economic opportunities for all the people of Cyprus and enhance energy security in the Mediterranean region and beyond.

It would create opportunities for US and European businesses  an alignment of interests that could be an engine for economic growth in the region.

It could unlock new relationships and avenues of cooperation for Europe that would build on the decades-long project to make the continent freer, safer, and more prosperous.

It will demonstrate to the world today what can be achieved through dialogue, compromise, and diplomacy  a powerful and positive model for all.

BACKGROUND

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and illegally occupied its northern third.

Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since May 2015, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Read more here.

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
On the second Sunday of November, every year, Britain observes Remembrance Day to remember its fallen heroes lost during battles past and present

On the second Sunday of November, every year, Britain observes Remembrance Day to remember its fallen heroes lost during battles past and present.

In 1947 it was agreed that both World War I and World War II would be remembered on just one national day, Remembrance Sunday.

Services took place across the UK to mark the day. A two-minute silence was held at precisely 11am (GMT) to honour all those who had died in conflict.

The ceremonies are not only restricted to the UK, however, with Commonwealth nations, including Cyprus, also pausing for a moment to remember the fallen, including their own.

In London, images of poppies  adopted and popularised in 1921 by the Royal British Legion  were projected onto the Queen Elizabeth tower at Parliament on Sunday afternoon.

REMEMBRANCE DAY IN CYPRUS

In Cyprus, MPs visited the island this week to pay their respects to British and Cypriot troops lost during the great wars.

Among the UK delegation was MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord, who told SigmaLive English that visiting Nicosia (Waynes Keep) Military Cemetery, located within the UN Buffer Zone: People have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and other countries, and we would like to pay our respects.

In addition to Waynes Keep, there are British Military cemeteries located in Kyrenia, Troodos and Dhekelia  all looked after by the UK War Commission.

On Waynes Keep, Offord added: I was aware that it wasnt ordinarily possible to visit. To be able to pay our respects on Remembrance Day is quite significant to me personally and to the [Conservative] Party.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and illegally occupied its northern third. A UN Buffer Zone has been placed between the islands two communities (Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot) since the invasion.

Its not a place where any member of the British public can simply just go along and pay their respects so this is quite an opportunity for us to visit as Parliamentarians, commented Offord.

MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER

With Cyprus still locked in negotiations to find a political solution to its divide 42 years later, wars raging in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, Offord said that Remembrance Day is more relevant than ever today.

Its had more of a relevance because a new generation of veterans, and people who were killed in those conflicts, have made it a lot more visible and understandable to people of younger generations who did not experience the great wars, or indeed the Korean conflict, outlined Offord.

Wherever you are in the world, if there is a location like a cemetery, where you can just take the time to think about the people that died, and continue to die to this day for our freedom, we should never forget that.

Lest we forget.

Read more here.

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
Bank ABC (Arab Banking Corporation) today announced that its consolidated group net profit, attributable to the shareholders of the parent, for the first nine months of 2016 was $150 million, 4 per cent higher compared to a profit of $144 million reported for the same period last year.

Net profit for the third quarter was $49 million, slightly higher than $48 million reported for the same period last year.

The total operating income for the period grew to $658 million, compared with $514 million reported for the same period last year, driven by core income growth but also benefiting from currency movements, in particular the Brazilian Real strengthening against US dollar.

Operating expenses were largely controlled at $325 million compared to $312 reported last year, with the increase primarily due to the impact of currency movements and strategic investment into new capital efficient business lines such as debt capital markets, treasury sales, in addition to the preliminary costs of conversion of our Singapore representative office to a branch status, the licence for which has just been approved.

Although, impairment charges for the period were $60 million, higher than the $40 million reported in the previous year, these are in line with our expectations. The group responded well to the challenging external operating environment in Brazil.

The tax charge was at $87 million, against a reported tax saving of $26 million in 2015. Again, the variance largely arises from the tax treatment of Brazilian Real currency hedges, offsetting some of the income uplift noted above.

Bank ABC Groups total assets stood at $31 billion at the end of the first nine months of 2016, compared to $28 billion at the 2015 year-end, the growth in part attributed to translation impact of our Brazilian subsidiary balance sheet. The ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans slightly increased to 3.7 per cent, compared to 3.4 per cent at 2015 year-end. The year-on-year increase reflected the changing market dynamics, but levels are better than those experienced by many other regional players, reflecting the groups diversified asset base spread over multiple geographic locations and its sound credit practices.

Deposits increased by $2.4 billion during the period to reach $20.8 billion. The groups liquidity position continues to be at comfortable levels, with the liquid assets to deposits ratio at 68 per cent, slightly higher than the 66 per cent at the year-end 2015.

Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent increased to $3,906 million ($3,773 million at 31 December 2015), reflecting profits for the nine months, foreign exchange movements on investments in subsidiaries and fair value changes on marketable securities.

Bank ABC's Group chairman Saddek Omar El Kaber said: I am pleased with the groups core business performance. The group continues to focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet, with high capital and liquidity levels, while prioritising asset quality and improving return. We will progress the implementation of ongoing strategy initiatives to enhance our performance, expand our network and to target an improved return on equity over time. In particular, the recent award of a full branch banking license in Singapore augurs well for further diversification of our network, and in seeking to capture a share of the significant trade flows from Asia into our core markets in Mena.  TradeArabia News Service
After a very successful introduction of the first of its kind assessment tool for Islamic banks last year, the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) 2016 is set to continue its efforts to enhance the performance and quality of the Islamic banking industry in the second edition of the WIBC Leaderboard.

Leaderboard, a comprehensive performance assessment framework, will help Islamic financial institutions assess their ranking and performance in comparison to their competitors.

Specifically, the WIBC Performance Indicator will form the basis of the annually anticipated WIBC Performance Awards that will be announced at the WIBC Gala Dinner on December 6.

The WIBC Leaderboard is the innovative performance assessment that will provide rankings of the top Islamic banks and financial institutions based on a variety of robust financial and governance metrics such as asset growth, return on equity, return on assets, disclosures, and corporate social responsibility.

The Leaderboard will provide industry participants a visually engaging view of Islamic banks to compare themselves with their peers at the global, regional and national levels across several dimensions. In addition to the individual metrics, banks will also be ranked on the basis of an aggregate score, which forms the apex of the WIBC Leaderboard. This aggregate index holistically ranks entities on the basis of the aforementioned financial and governance measures. The Leaderboard will therefore act as a benchmark for Islamic banks to estimate their performance against the top performing banks in the industry.

The data employed in creating the assessment framework has been sourced from the ICD Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI) and Bankscope.

WIBC Leaderboard will have three categories for the awards: One Global Award, Four Regional Awards for each of the following world regions: GCC, South East Asia, South Asia and Levant, 13 Country Awards for each of the following countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The CSR Award (Corporate Social Responsibility) will be a new addition to WIBC Leaderboard 2016. The scores will be aggregated as per the CSR Index and the Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI) and the CSR awards will be of 3 categories: a global winner, one regional winner and one national winner. The governance and Social Responsibility variables are extracted from the Thomson Reuters database.

This year in the innovative 23rd edition, WIBC will award a leader in the industry who has initiated notable contributions to the Islamic finance sector. The award - WIBC Islamic financier of the year 2016  will be selected on the basis of audience votes, online as well as at the venue and the individual with the most votes will be presented with the award at the Gala Dinner of the performance awards.

WIBC 2016 will take place from December 5 to 7 in Bahrain, the most developed Islamic finance hub in the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region, with the strategic partnership of the Central Bank of Bahrain, at the Art Rotana Hotel, Amwaj Islands, Muharraq.  TradeArabia News Service
Investcorp, a leading global provider and manager of alternative investment products based in Bahrain, aims to nearly double its assets under management (AUM) to $23 billion in line with its next phase of expansion plans, said a top official.



Mohammed Al Ardhi, the executive chairman of Investcorp, was speaking at the 2016 Investors Conference held under patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



Addressing the room of 300 investors, Al Ardhi said the company has achieved an incredible amount over the past 12 months.



"We have closed a near record number of deals but have no plans to slow down. We are going to use this momentum as a springboard to the next step of the Investcorp journey," he remarked.



Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and managing director of ADIA, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, also attended.



Investcorps co-chief executive officers Mohammed Al Shroogi and Rishi Kapoor outlined the roadmap for the future of the company which was followed by a range of speakers discussing economic, political and investment trends. The event drew to a close with Al Ardhi's closing remarks.



In his comments, Al Shroogi said: "As we continue to grow as a firm, we remain focused on three core components of our unique business model - being relevant to our clients needs, delivering superior performance and providing the highest possible level of service."



Kapoor said: "In addition to being very close to our clients in the Gulf and around the world, we will drive Investcorps growth by enhancing and diversifying our client offering. We have a clear roadmap ahead and we are confident that we are building an even stronger firm for our clients."



Delegates at the conference also heard from John Greenwood, the chief economist of Invesco, who provided an overview of the global economy in the wake of Brexit and the US election.



Meanwhile, Gordon Hewitt, the Prof of Business Administration at Ross School of Business, discussed competitive innovation and a changing world.



There was also a series of panel discussions that touched on a number of asset classes including corporate investment, real estate and alternative investment solutions. Panellists discussed trends across a range of sectors, from services, to healthcare, to cybersecurity.



These sessions involved senior executives from Investcorp and its portfolio companies, past and present, including The Wrench Group, SecureLink, OpSec, and CSIdentity.-TradeArabia News Service
Omans Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) and Duqm Smart Business Company recently signed a usufruct agreement to develop a smart office facility constructed from shipping containers refurbished at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD), said a report.



As per the agreement, Duqm Smart Business will develop the project on the land allocated by Sezad. The first phase of the project will provide 12 smart offices for shared usage by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Duqm, added the Oman Daily Observer report.



The agreement was signed for Sezad by chairman of the board Yahya bin Said al-Jabri and for Duqm Smart Business by Maurizio Monte, founding director, it said.



The first phase of the project has already started and is projected for completion by the years end.



The new smart office facility provides start-ups and small companies with a launch pad before moving to larger facilities in other parts of the economic zone, added the report.
Movenpick Hotel West Bay Doha has been named Best City Hotel in Qatar at the 2016 Haute Grandeur Awards and also received the accolade for Luxury City Hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.



This brings the propertys total awards in the last year to five. The other three are Qatars Leading City Hotel at the recent World Travel Awards, a nod for ForKnife restaurant at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, and a Fact Dining Doha Award for Lime Tree Lobby Lounge.



It is a great honour to receive these prestigious distinctions, said Ghada Sadek, hotel general manager. To be rewarded on an international level for our ongoing efforts to create a top hotel for travellers in Qatar, is always a highlight.



Both the Haute Grandeur Awards and the World Luxury Hotel Awards honour the best properties in the world, which are hand-picked for overall excellence on several levels, including service and facilities.



Renowned for creating a home-away-from-home experience, Movenpick Hotel West Bay Doha is defined by its central location in the bustling West Bay area, close to City Centre Mall, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. In addition, there are upscale amenities, facilities, restaurants and 347 rooms for both short-term and long-term guests. - TradeArabia News Service
The Serengeti National Park located in Tanzania invites thousands of people from across the world every year just to see the great migration of hundreds of thousands of land animals through the East African savannah. "It's the greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet," says exotic animal veterinarian and wildlife photographer from Huntington Harbour, Carl Palazzolo. Here are five sights for tourists to see and places to visit during their stay in Tanzania, according to the Coast Magazine.

First off, is to witness the yearly Great Migration that is happening in the Serengeti plains. 'Siringet' as the Maasai people call it "the place where the land runs on forever", is known for the migration of a ginormous wildebeest herd composed of about one million and five hundred thousand wildebeests, towards the grassier part of the savannah while being tracked by predators such as lions and cheetahs, and scavenging vultures, according to Financial Times.

"There is so much more to it," said Alex Edwards of Natural High Safari Company. "And I think the rains are the best time. We'll see some of the migration but then go the other way. It is one of the great journeys. Although we might end up huddling in downpours,"

The Ngorongoro Crater, a 12-mile wide volcanic caldera, is home to more than 20,000 of Africa's animals, like rhinos, zebras, lions and hyenas. Visitors may even see the elusive African Black Rhino if they are lucky enough. Visitors may also visit this place at night, when predators such as the leopards are more active.

Lake Ndutu is found in the southeast part of the Serengeti plains. A good time to visit this place is June to September, where in a nearby area, you can witness hundreds of thousands of baby wildebeest are born. A beautiful landscape to see is Mt. Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano. This volcano is known for its three volcanic cones. Arusha Coffee Lodge is a good place to dine during a safari trip in Tanzania. This place is a coffee plantation wit beautiful grounds and it is also five minutes away from the airport.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
The United States under President-elect Donald Trump will likely pay less attention to human rights and the restoration of democracy in Thailand. This in fact, will result to reducing pressure on its military regime, as per two political scientists.

According to K news, subsequent to the Republican presidential candidate's victory, two prominent political scientists thought what his presidency will mean for Thailand, its people and its military rule. "It can be expected that Trump may not promote values such as freedom and human rights," said Pongkwan Sawasdipak, a lecturer of international relations at Thammasat University. Pongkwan commented that the United States may disregard Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha in ruling the military.

"They may not care about the Thai government. But that also means less criticism of [the military]," she added. Pongkwan mentioned that Trump will probably pull away Obama's "Asian pivot" to concentrate more on the Middle East, as he vowed during the campaign to eliminate the Islamic State, who he presented as an existential threat to his nation.

Pongkwan also cautioned that Thailand would be left with "fewer cards to play" against China if the United States detach themselves with Thailand and Southeast Asia. The political science professor Siripan Noksuan Sawasdee deemed that change may be little, as per K news. Thailand is not that important to the United States and therefore little change will be experienced under President Trump, the Chulalongkorn University professor said.

Siripan said that the ties between two military nations are doubted to be changed but she agrees that there will be less pressure on Thailand on human rights and civil liberties. Siripan said that the pressure will likely be lessened and she considers that there's a change under a more nationalist Trump. She just have concerns on where can Thailand find new markets under Trump's presidency, as stated in K news.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
In 2015, Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department reported that it was able to return 55,000 lost items to their owners who lived overseas. Every year, they say that the number of returned items increases by about 70 percent each year.

Regarded as the Japanese "omotenashi" culture of hospitality, most Japanese people are accustomed to immediately taking the initiative to bring a lost and found item to specially designated property boxes installed by the MPD. According to News On Japan, since tourism to Japan has steadily been increasing, so has the number of returned items. Due to their strict culture of properly returning lost items, the police have created a special division to retrieve and return lost items.

Attendly says that the MPD has a special Lost and Found Center in Tokyo, a 4-story warehouse filled with rows upon rows of neatly labeled and cataloged missing objects. It is estimated that about 800,000 items fill the warehouse, with 5,000 new items being brought in every day. Annually, the warehouse sees 30,000 mobile phones, 18,000 pairs of eyeglasses and 17,000 wallets.

There are even weird lost items such as wheelchairs, to which section chief Isao Sato wonders, "How did the owners ever get home? Were they suddenly and miraculously cured?" Another strange yet common acquisition in the warehouse is cash, with the center in Tokyo having received $23 million in case last 2002. Once owners can convince the MPD that it is theirs, a successful 72 percent of the cash was rightfully returned.

Finders will be glad to know that should money be left unclaimed for greater than 6 months, they get to keep the money. In one instance, a man found 100 million yen ($2.8 million), and was allowed to keep it after the 6 month period had passed. Another interesting thing about Japan's "Lost and Found" culture is its establishment of the "Lost and Found Project".

The project aims to reunite families during the devastating 2011 tsunami, where pictures swept away by the tempest are recovered, restored and returned to their owners. According to Munemasa Takahashi, lead artist for the project, "The first thing the people who lost their loved ones and houses came to look for was their photographs."

Since the project started, the team has returned more than 20,000 photos and 1,200 photo albums. Unclaimed photos were placed as part of the exhibit. This project is one of the most amazing results of Japan's Lost and Found culture. Check out this video for the cutest Lost and Found service in the world.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Mumbai, November 11

In intensification of boardroom feud in the Tata Group, patriarch Ratan Tata-led holding firm today sought removal of ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry and his new- found supporter Nusli N Wadia from three prime listed entities, including Tata Motors and Tata Steel.

Mistry, who was ousted as Chairman of Tata Sons in a sudden surprise move last month, suffered another setback when a non-executive director of Tata Chemicals Ltd, Bhaskar Bhat, resigned disagreeing with the proceedings and demanded his resignation.

Even after being removed as Chairman of Tata Sons, Mistry continues to head the group's several listed firms, including Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.

Tata Sons, who had yesterday removed him as chairman of TCS, sought convening of extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals to remove him as well as Wadia from their Boards.

Wadia is reported to have rallied independent directors of Tata Chemicals to back Mistry as Chairman of the company.

The latest moves is seen as attempts by Ratan Tata, who was brought in as interim head after sudden removal of Mistry, to seize back control of India's largest conglomerate. Tata Sons is seeking to remove Mistry from other group units to help the promoters tighten grip over the $103 billion business empire.

Tata Chemicals non-executive director Bhaskar Bhat resigned over what he said were disagreements with other board members. Bhat is also managing director of Titan Co, a jewellery manufacturer backed by Tata Group.

Tata Sons had yesterday asked asked Indian Hotels Co Ltd to call shareholders meeting to consider removing Mistry as director of the company.  PTI
SD Sharma

Chandigarh, November 13

After the success of her recent solo performance of Punjabi play  Man Mitti in different cities of the United Kingdom, Punjabi film and theatre actress Anita Sabdeesh staged its maiden show in the ongoing Gursharan Singh Naat Usav at Tagore Theatre here today.

Written by Shabdeesh Kumar and directed and enacted by Anita Sabdeesh, the play was a realistic portrayal of the problems of assault on womens modesty, pathos into their dark lives, un-easing sorrows, frustration and fractured hopes.

The play was weaved with oblique references of the dilemma and plight of tormented psyche of innocent women like New Delhis Damini, Mukhtaran Mai from Pakistan, and others who were forced to live with a stigma attached by the male chauvinist and insensitive society.

With her experience and expertise, Anita brought alive the pain of the women faced at various stages of life. The play referred to the gang rape of Pakistans Mukhtara Mai by the village council which was condemned worldwide. Anita depicted how Mukhtara Mai heralded the relentless crusade against the crime and culprits as an exponent of woman rights.

Anita, supported by a rich script and songs by Shabdeesh and musical renditions by Mini Dilkhush, swayed the audience with a thrilling performance.
Patiala: Khalsa College, Patiala, celebrated National Education Day as per instructions given by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for his contribution to the cause of education in India. College principal Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha while delivering a lecture on Emerging Paradigms in 21st Century Education talked about the contemporary scenario of education. He said We have entered 21st century but we are still living with mental maps of 19th century. One should be persistent to change and nowadays survival of the wisest is required over survival of the fittest.  TNS
Rupert Cornwell

With his stunning victory, Donald Trump is not only about to become Americas 45th president  a statement scarcely believable in itself  but has set off an earthquake that will transform US politics and plunge the existing global order into uncertainty. During a couple of hours during one of the countrys most nail-biting and consequential election nights ever, the universe turned on its head. Initially, Hillary Clinton seemed to be gliding to a predicted victory. But ultimately Trump managed to pull off the impossible, defying almost every poll and the expectations not only of many of his supporters, but even some of his own inner-circle.

The sudden transformation was mirrored on Election Day at the respective campaign headquarters, just a mile and a half from each other in Manhattan. For the Clinton faithful who had gathered to celebrate, confident anticipation turned to silent, tearful despair. At Trump headquarters, it was the reverse  a joyous sea of red "Make America Great Again" caps, and a giant collective We Told You So.

Gone is the prospect of the first woman in the Oval Office. Instead, the leadership of the West has improbably passed to a businessman-cum-reality TV star who has never held elective office, with deep character flaws and a taste for brutal rhetoric  but with a brilliant understanding of the media and an unerring instinct for the national mood.

Almost everywhere, Clinton underperformed Barack Obama four years ago. First Trump reeled off the big swing states he had to win: North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio. Then, crucially, he blasted a hole in the Rust Belt states of the industrial Northeast and Midwest that were supposed to be a Clinton blue wall. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan all fell. By nights end he was heading for over 300 electoral colleges votes, well above the 270 needed for victory  and about the number pundits were predicting beforehand for his opponent. In doing so he rewrote Americas electoral map.

In the end Clintons perceived advantages counted for nothing. Her vaunted organisation on the ground failed to deliver. Her advantage among women and Latino voters was less than expected. A decent economy, and the support of a highly popular outgoing president of her own party made no difference.

And Trumps manifest and normally disqualifying defects  the offensive remarks, the trampling of political correctness, the tirades against Muslims and immigrants, his dubious tax record and business practices, his cosying up to Vladimir Putin  also counted for nothing. What about the fact that two thirds of Americans disapproved of him, and considered him unequipped for the job? It didnt matter.

This was Americas Brexit. The similarity with Britains shock vote in June to leave the European Union was uncanny. As with Brexit, Americas divisions were on display: between the elite and ordinary people; between Wall Street and Main Street; between small town and urban America. There is the same distrust of globalisation, a feeling by white blue-collar workers  but not only them  that they had been forgotten by Washington. These divisions transcend conventional party divisions.

As with Brexit, many people appear to have been shy about telling pollsters they supported Trump. Many Democrats, particularly in the Rust Belt, switched party  Trump Democrats, to match the Reagan Democrats of of the 1980s. Many people voted who had never before bothered to do so. What scares the world about Trump, his more isolationist yet muscular foreign policy and his talk about tearing up trade deals and pursuing an "America First" mercantilism, is exactly what his followers like about him.

Above all, they delivered a primal scream against Washington and all its works: a gridlocked Congress, and a dysfunctional self-perpetuating governing class of which Hillary Clinton is the living face. This was a raw yearning for change, that this other America believes only an outsider like Trump, whatever his faults, can bring. The American people expect the government to serve the people, and it will, Trump declared. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.

But the divisions remain larger than ever. Somehow they must be healed. One sides miracle is the other sides nightmare. For his supporters, Trump has all the answers. For his equally numerous opponents (and Clinton may yet end up winning Tuesdays popular vote) he is a Mussolini in waiting.

For markets and the world, Trump means uncertainty and disruption whatever his assurances that while he would put America first, he wanted to be friends with everyone. Nor does he signify an end to the civil war in Washington. Many of his leading supporters, like the former Speaker Newt Gingrich and the former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are as polarising as he is. On the Democratic side, once the immediate postmortem is over (was Clinton too complacent? Did the FBI wreck her chances?), the infighting will begin in earnest. One thing looks clear: the influence of the combative liberal wing led by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will grow.

Somehow Trump must now build bridges instead of tearing them down. He is in an extraordinary position. He has ended the Clinton dynasty, just as he ended the Bush dynasty in the Republican primaries. He has a solid electoral college mandate, if not a popular one. He owes favours to no one: least of all to a Republican establishment that largely shunned him. And, not least, he will have a Republican Congress.

As expected, Republicans comfortably retained control of the House of Representatives. More surprisingly they hung on to the Senate. That makes it likely a conservative justice will fill the existing vacancy on the Supreme Court  and maybe one or two more vacancies that crop up during his term.

The new alignment also could portend the demise of Obamacare, the outgoing presidents hallmark achievement, which Trump has promised to start dismantling on Day One.

The Independent
Sartaj Chaudhary

About a century ago, just shy of the first light of dawn, a young Rajasthani woman was bathing by a water tank. She caught the attention of a rider. Sitting upright on his well-built Marwari horse, looking away, he questioned the young lady, Thaahne darr koni laage? (Aren't you afraid?) The woman sniggered and spoke with utmost confidence, Saa main kaahoon darroon? Mhaare raaje ka naam Ganga Singh ae. (Why should I be afraid? My king's name is Ganga Singh). The man with a firm grip on the reins (literally and metaphorically) was the Maharaja himself  conducting an in cognito morning patrol. The king smiled, said, Phalo, phoolo beti, Karni Mata ki Jai," (God Bless) and left.

President-elect Trump's triumph came as an enormous surprise. Most world leaders had dismissed him as a joke, as did the rest of us. It would be deceitful of me to hide that I lost a bet with KPS Gill, who was certain of a Trump victory even when Trumps ratings were at their lowest. As for political pundits (almost all exit polls predicted a Hillary win), the only answer is that there is no answer. Hillary lost despite the massive support she enjoyed. Bill Clinton was a popular president and his presidency saw a policy of fiscal conservatism and reduced deficits. He presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history, with the Congressional Budget Office reporting a record surplus of $236 billion in 2000. Despite the Lewinsky scandal, Clinton left office with one of the highest approval ratings of any departing president.

Backing Hillary was the state machinery. The FBI gave her a clean chit two days before America voted  suspicious much? Fuelling her campaign were larger-than-life celebrities  Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga et al. And, of course, the billionaires.Wooing support from the upper echelons of wealth is not new for the Clintons. They have been experts at getting the right people on their side since President Clinton's first election. Among others, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey and Mike Bloomberg supported Hillary's candidacy with their dollars

Absolutely astonishing is the fact that only eight years ago, the very same America voted (twice) a liberal, half-black man  with Hussein as his middle name into the White House. Amazing how a boorish billionaire managed to defeat the former First Lady, Secretary of State, Clinton. It is certainly indicative of a colossal change. As John F. Kennedy said: Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

We will perhaps never know why Trump swam to the White House with such ease but it wouldn't be far wrong to say that Trump pinpointed the frustrated Americans and played to that gallery. Trump's outbursts against immigrants, women, Muslims  it is remarkable how he got away. America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence, without civilisation in between, once said Oscar Wilde. Trump certainly went from barbarism to the White House, without civilisation in between

Trump's victory is a repudiation of President Obama's tenure in no uncertain terms. President Obama put all his weight behind Hillary. No ordinary President he (he will stand among the finest), all in vain. All is well that ends well. Unfortunately, it did not end too well for President Obama. Trump's victory has jeopardised Obama's legacy. Of course, we will have to wait and see who has the last laugh (not ruling out an impeachment). Que Sera Sera... whatever will be, will be. The future is not ours to see.

Candidates always promise much more than they can ever deliver and mellow down as the weight of responsibility falls on their shoulders. Trump is no exception. The only consolation, if any, (for us in India at least) would be President-elect Trump's unwavering resilient stance against states perpetrating terrorism. It remains for the world to see how the United States will engage with state and non-state actors exporting terrorism. President Obama did strengthen ties with India, with Manmohan Singh being the most-honoured guest of honour at the White House. Nevertheless, Bin Laden (most wanted by America, ever) was found on Pakistani soil but the administration failed to cut back the funding to Pakistan. The supply of military hardware was never terminated. The US Consul-General Grace Shelton has already reassured Pakistan, saying, "Our foreign policy is based on national interest and it doesn't change when the government changes." America has no friends or foes; she has her own interests. Though it is high time that America distinguished friend from foe.

Coming back to Maharaja Ganga Singh. What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. But deeply etched in our minds, is the sweetness, the innocent beauty, the unmistakable fragrance of this king of flowers. Similarly, Sir Ganga Singh's name evoked a sense of security, honesty and integrity. It is a virtue of a great leader to be present everywhere, all the time. There is a sincere hope that President-elect Trump's no-nonsense attitude will deter malevolent nations and send out a stern warning. It isn't too much to ask from the commander-in-chief of the superpower. The leader of the free world ought to make this world a safer place. As Plato observed: "The measure of a man is what he does with power." God bless America!

The writer is a Master of Laws, University of Kent, England.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi got the timing for the Japan trip wrong. Modi could have achieved more from his trip in terms of strategic clarity had he waited for the dust to settle down in the US. Take a look at the timeline of Indo-Japan relations. It is uncanny how Tokyo has always followed Washington's footsteps in mending ties with India. Therefore, it is inconceivable for Japan to take new initiatives with India till it gets an idea which way the wind is blowing across the Potomac River in Washington.

As a result, Modi came away with nothing new. The Indo-Japan nuclear deal is the mother lodestar of his Japan yatra. And Modi has conceded strategic ground by allowing Japan to sneak in a nullification clause. The previous UPA government could not consummate the deal because it had resisted precisely such a move. In all its civil nuclear agreements, it had scrupulously guarded against any such conditionality entering those agreements. The resistance to the nullification clause was based on past experience. The US and all its close allies had suspended sensitive trade in military after India tested nuclear weapons in 1998. This left India in the lurch as all defence collaboration with the West had come to a grinding halt.

For the first time since the end of World War II, Japan is on the horns of a dilemma. US President-elect Donald Trump has questioned the underwriting of Japans security without commensurate returns. The aggressively anti-China government of Shinzo Abe has already reached out to Russia. In case, Trump decides to dilute the US military umbrella over Japan, Shinzo Abe would have to throw more sweeteners to the Kremlin. If Modi had delayed his visit, the Japanese would have been more generous in enlisting India as a hedge against China. The Japanese chose to overlook Defence Minister Manohar Parrikars rather intemperate observations on the use of nuclear weapons. India could not consummate a defence deal for amphibious planes and collaboration in rare earths. Without the nuclear deal, the trip would have been a wasted opportunity for Modi.
Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

As Haryanas water war with Punjab rages on, the Haryana Congress seems to be fighting its own battle within over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief Ashok Tanwar and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have called separate meetings to discuss the partys role in getting the share of water from Punjab through the SYL in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment.

Hooda, who announced Adhikar Sangharsh immediately after the apex court judgment, called a meeting of MLAs and MPs, former MLAs and MPs and former presidents of district units in Chandigarh on November 15.

On the other hand, Tanwar summoned a meeting of office-bearers of the HPCC in Gurugram tomorrow while keeping the state executive out of the picture for the time being. His announcement to hold a meeting over the SYL and demonetisation came today.

The Hooda group termed the Gurugram meeting as the HPCC presidents afterthought, especially since the state unit was caught napping as the former Chief Minister took the lead.

Tanwar dismissed the allegation, asserting that he had chosen first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehrus birth anniversary as the date for the meeting.

We have been preparing for the meeting since the day of the court ruling. Only office-bearers have been invited to the meeting, where we will decide the future course of action and send the message to the ranks. Demonetisation and inconvenience to the common man will be discussed as well, Tanwar stated.

Hooda announced Adhikar Sangharsh and the meeting well before Tanwar, knowing that he had the support of most MLAs, who would quickly mobilise workers and the public for his programme.

Tanwar will have to rely on his team of office-bearers. Neither faction sees eye to eye on anything and have stayed away from each others meetings in the past.

Claiming that he was clueless about Tanwars meeting, Hooda said, The Supreme Court has given Haryana its due, but we need to fight for it. We will finalise the blueprint for the struggle we need to wage to get what is rightfully ours. Without that, I dont see water coming.

Sources said Hoodas meeting would be a show of strength with many legislators and former MLAs likely to turn up along with former MPs while Tanwar had deliberately called a meeting only of office-bearers instead of the executive knowing that most legislators would not show up.

Congress to seek Presidents Rule in Punjab

NEW DELHI: The Haryana Congress will urge President Pranab Mukherjee to dismiss the SAD-BJP government in Punjab for disregarding the Supreme Court directive on sharing of river waters. It will put the onus on the state BJP government to exert pressure on its Central leaders to end ties with the SAD in Punjab. It will try to corner the INLD as well. The Congress will approach the President through the office of Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki following the meeting on Tuesday. It will adopt a resolution pitching for imposition of Presidents Rule in Punjab. Lip service towards the states right will not suffice. We will support Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in any attempt to bring Haryanas share of water. When we were in the Opposition, I had led a delegation of MPs to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after which the Act was sent for reference. My government had presented the case in the apex court while the present government did not add any line, said former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The then INLD government headed by Om Prakash Chautala had promised to accompany the delegation to Manmohan Singh, but did not show up, said former MP Jai Prakash. Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurugram, November 13

Chaos continues to prevail in the city after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The city struggles with currency shortage of around Rs 400 crore. The weekend was marked by run for new currency as malls, markets and even roads wore a deserted look and rush, chaos and high tempers run high at banks and ATMs.

Banks had recently communicated that given to the economic status of the city, it required a minimum of Rs 500 crore in new currency. We have so far got Rs 100 crore since the money has to be equally distributed across the 21 districts of Haryana. We have apprised the state government and senior officials about the need and hopefully, things will improve soon. The administration is closely monitoring the entire process, said Deputy Commissioner TL Satya Prakash.

The police have posted special officers to prevent unwanted incidents in view of long queues for exchange of currency notes.

There are queues but no law and order problems. We are maintaining discipline and security here and even banks have been asked to step up security at the ATMs, said Commissioner of Police Sandeep Khirwar.

Roadways revenue dips

Jhajjar: Local depot of the Haryana Roadways has witnessed a decrease of 20 per cent in its revenue during the past five days due to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Though the roadways employees are accepting the scrapped currency from passengers following the directives of the Reserve Bank of India, they are finding it hard to return the balance amount to the commuters due to acute scarcity of small denomination notes.

Over 20 per cent fall has been recorded in the revenue of the Jhajjar depot as people are avoiding travelling in the buses for not having small or new denomination notes. Before monetisation, the revenue of the depot was over Rs 11 lakh per day which has now reduced to around Rs 9 lakh, said Balwant Singh Godara, General Manager, Jhajjar Roadways Depot.

Migrants feel the heat

Karnal: With harvesting season of paddy coming to an end, a large number of migrant labourers, mainly from Bihar and UP, are finding it difficult to deposit money in bank accounts.

They are running from pillar to post as many of them do not have their bank accounts and usually deposit money in bank accounts of their wives or other relatives.

With strict norms enforced by the banks for depositing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, a person has to submit the photocopy of any identity proof if he has to deposit money in some other bank account.

Jaggu Ram, a labourer from Bihar, said that he wanted to deposit Rs 14,000 in the bank account of his wife, but was refused by the bank authorities as he had no identity proof. Before the demonetisation process, he had deposited Rs 4,000 in his wifes account from the same bank on October 27, he added.

People left high and dry

Bhiwani: The long queues outside banks and ATMs saw no end on the fourth consecutive day today. People thronged the local bank branches as early as 8am to exchange defunct currency notes. However, their efforts did not bear results after bank officials refused to give cash on withdrawal slips citing lack of cash availability.

I have been standing in a queue since 10am to withdraw Rs 10,000 from my account, but when my turn came in the afternoon, bank officials handed out only Rs 2000, citing lack of cash with them, said Ram Mehar, a local resident.

Pawan Kumar, an electrician from a nearby village, said that banks in the rural areas had not received new currency notes so far and the ATMs were lying defunct.

Rajesh Kumar, a local businessman said: My daughter, who studies in Noida, wants to come home but she does not have cash and due to long queues outside banks, I am unable to transfer money to her.

Bhagwan Dass, Branch Manager, Cooperative Bank, said that they were only depositing the old currency notes and not exchanging the notes. He said that his branch had not received cash from the main branch.
Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 13

The Bangladesh Government is planning to honour veterans of the 1971 India-Pakistan war on its Independence Day on December 16 next month. Brig Balram Singh Mehta (retd), who stays in Dharamsala and was part of the 1971 war, said it was for the first time that the Bangladesh Government was planning to honour Indian soldiers who played a crucial role in the independence of the country. Brig Mehta has penned a book The Burning Chaffees on the role of Other Indian Classes (OIC) in the war. While talking to The Tribune, he said the OIC were labelled as non-martial and debarred from enrolling as combatants in the Indian Army till 1947.

However, the Squadron 45 Cavalry that comprised the Other Indian Classes played a major role in the 1971 war. The squadron which comprised about 60 per cent South Indians and rest OICs of India waged a tank battle with the Pakistan Army on November 21, 1971, that laid the foundation for the war, said Brig Mehta.

He said the Bangladesh Army and the Indian Army formed an alliance on November 21, 1971. The same day the tank battle of Garibpur took place and the Bangladesh Government for the first time was going to honour the soldiers who participated in Garibpur battle and shed blood for the freedom of Bangladesh.

Brig Mehta said though officially the 1971 war started on December 3, on November 21, the Squardon 45 Cavalry equipped with PT-76 tanks crossed about 7 km into Bangladesh territory across the river Kabodak to counter the threat from the Pakistan Army. The cream of Pakistan Army which used to boast that one Pakistan soldier was equal to three Indian soldiers clashed in tank versus tank battle at Garibpur on November 21, 1971, with the Squadron 45.

The Squadron 45 Cavalry of Indian Army in one swoop completely destroyed the 3 (independent) armoured Squadron of Pakistan consisting of 14 American made M-24 Chaffee tanks and mauled two infantary battalion of Pakistan. In the battle, three Sabre F-86 jets of Pakistan were also destroyed. The Indian Army lost just two PT-76 tanks in the battle. With this battle, the plan of General AAK Niaze to attack the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini went up in smoke and the 45 Cavalry that comprised mostly of non-martial races of India wrote a chapter in the history.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 13

Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable to 25 different natural hazards like earthquake, landslides, avalanches and floods out of 33 hazards identified by high powered committee (HPC), which has taken various steps to strengthen and facilitate proactive action on disaster management.

According to an official release, state disaster management authority (SDMA) with Chief Minister as chairman, Revenue Minister as member and Chief Secretary as Chief Executive Officer are in place as it has set up 12 district disaster management authority (DDMA) units in all 12 district in the state. Efforts are being made for sustainable development, comprising disaster preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.

The state government has prepared a comprehensive hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment (HVRA) Atlas, which makes Himachal the only Himalayan state to do so. The HVRA Atlas covers 12 districts and 78 blocks of the state and has been prepared with an objective to assess and to quantify disaster risk levels, their distribution within the state and associated causal factors to guide in disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts.

With a view to strengthen assistance services at the time of disaster the state government has established one battalion of National Disaster Response Force at Nurpur in district Kangra for mitigation of disasters.

The state government has also decided to establish a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the state. Training to the state functionaries, community in general and youths in particular on disaster management is also imparted at state and district levels, besides at the HIPA, Atal Bihari Vajpee Mountaineering Allied Sports, Manali and National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi.

Himachal Pradesh has re-constituted the state executive committee to assist the state authority that coordinates action in accordance with the guidelines.

The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 1,304 crore under the 14th Finance Commission grants for five years i.e. 2015-2016 to 2019-20 under the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) which also include 5 per cent allocation for capacity building.

A pilot project on National School Safety Programme has been implemented in Kangra and Kullu to develop culture of disaster awareness among teachers and students with the financial assistance of 1.68 crore. Another project at the state level is being implemented through SCERT Solan and GCTE Dharamsala for all districts under National School Safety Programme.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 13

Giving a veiled warning to the BJP leadership against adopting a casual approach towards the unsolved issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhawat today said the failure to resolve such decades long problems will send a wrong impression. Problems have been there for a long time. There is no need to brief the people of Jammu and Kashmir about these because they themselves are victims and have been bravely confronting them for decades, Bhagwat said while addressing a gathering of RSS volunteers here this evening.

Interestingly, the RSS chief did not elaborate on what were the issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir but made it clear that he had declared Sanghs policy during his Vijaydashmi address from Nagpur.In his address on October 11, Bhagwat had highlighted the plight of West Pakistan refugees,displaced Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Gilgit-Baltistan.

It was for the first time in the history that any RSS chief had highlighted the contentious issue of granting citizenship rights to West Pakistani refugees. He had mentioned that at the time of the Partition, Hindus, who were domiciled in the areas assigned to Pakistan, had migrated to India and the then J&K Government had given them an assurance and asked them to settle in the state. They should be given all rights of citizenship in the state, he had said. He also recalled the promise made by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to these refugees at the time of the Partition.By mentioning that the RSS had cleared its policy during the Vijaydashmi address was a clear indication that the Sangh was going to aggressively pursue the issue of solving problems of refugees of J&K.

In an obvious reference to the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir valley and hardships being faced by the people due to shelling from across the border, the RSS chief said he hailed the people of Jammu and Kashmir for fighting such situation. How long we will live with such problems. We have to solve these once for all, he pointed out, adding that there was a need to take effective steps to resolve all such issues.

Indirectly cautioning the BJP leadership against adopting delaying tactics to such woes, he said, Our failure to solve problems during our tenure will give an impression that either we are incompetent to address such important issues or we lack a vision to solve these. Regarding the unrest in the Valley, he said those people who were fomenting trouble in the state after getting directions from across the border should be dealt with under the law.

While highlighting the RSS activities, he said for the past 90 years the Sangh had been working to inculcate patriotism among people. Saying the only aim of the RSS was to spread message of nationalism and patriotism, Bhagwat said the Sangh believedin emotional integration of the country.
Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 13

After lying low during the long unrest, the states ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a major convention outside the party headquarters in the heart of the city here on Sunday where its top leader praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a strong person who had the support of Hindus and could resolve the Kashmir issue.

Party workers from Budgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar and senior leaders attended the convention. The convention was the first public show organised by the ruling party during the unrest.

Muzaffar Hussain Baig, the partys senior leader and a parliamentarian from north Kashmir, said the convention was of historic importance. Today, one person here is as important as one hundred, he said. Around 4,000 party workers attended the convention amid dense security cover.

Baig in his speech at the convention praised the PMas a strong person and said he had the courage to solve the Kashmir issue. If any Prime Minister can solve the Kashmir issue, it will be the one who has support of Hindus. Manmohan Singh could not have done it, any Muslim Prime Minister cannot do it. Modi can do it because Hindus are with him.

Baig, who is among the founding members of the PDP, said: We have this hope (that Modi will solve the Kashmir issue) and that is why we are in this government, he said.

The PDP leader described the four months of unrest as the most dark and oppressive time, claiming it was a conspiracy to dislodge Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP president and the states Chief Minister.

God is witness that it was a conspiracy against Mehbooba ji, it was a conspiracy to defame the PDP they conspired (against her) to kill Burhan. May Allah absolve Burhan. They took a mans life to dislodge Mehbooba ji, Baig said, referring to the July 8 gunfight in which militant commander Burhan Wani and his two associates were killed.

Wanis killing had sparked widespread and violent demonstrations across the Kashmir valley and had dented the PDP in its stronghold in south Kashmir, which had emerged as the epicentre of the unrest.

The PDP leader also criticised the opposition parties and without naming anyone he said that instead of fighting the PDP politically, they pushed the youth towards fire.

If you have enmity against us, fight us, but dont push youth towards fire  contest us politically, dont conspire dont we know how much money you spent on this conspiracy, he said in a veiled reference to opposition parties.

Baig also referred to an earlier speech made by PDPs youth wing president Waheed-ur-Rehman, who had labelled the 80 youth killed during the unrest as martyrs.

These youth died when it was not expected and they were innocent a big conspiracy was made, time will come when we will put that conspiracy before you, he said. He also advised the separatists, saying that the stone-throwing would not solve the Kashmir issue. He said the shutdowns called by the separatists since Burhans killing in July had become a joke.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12

A soldier was killed and another injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in north Kashmirs Kupwara district during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The latest ceasefire breach took place in Keran sector with Pakistani soldiers opening fire at three Indian posts and a civilian area.

Two soldiers were injured. One of them with a splinter injury succumbed to his injuries, sources said. The slain soldier was identified as Sepoy Harsit Bhaadouria of Thikariya Banswara village in Rajasthan and the injured as Mankamla.

Two houses were partially damaged in the Pakistani shelling in Keran, a police official told the media.

Defence sources said the Pakistani Army used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons and small arms to target Indian posts. There have been more than 100 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC after the surgical strikes by the Indian Army across the LoC on September 29. At least 12 jawans of the Army and the BSF have been killed during these ceasefire violations.

On November 9, a soldier was killed in sniper fire in the Machil sector of Kupwara district. In the same sector on October 28, a soldier was killed and his body mutilated. A militant too was shot. A BSF jawan was killed on the same night.
Vibha Sharma



Tribune News Service



New Delhi, November 13



As patience of the common man runs out and the Opposition attack gets fiercer by the day, worries are creeping in the BJP over the demonitisation move and its implications over the partys future prospects.



The economy-stalling, common-people harassment move", as the Opposition is labelling Prime Minister Narinder Modi's sudden decision, is all set to create a storm in Parliament in the coming week.



Even as they bravely defend the move, a section of the BJP is keeping fingers crossed that the black money culling attempt does not end up as a "self goal" for the party in the days to come.



Sources say the Prime Minister himself is keeping a close watch on the developments and is also expected to hold a formal review meeting to assess the exact ground situation.



In any case, several BJP leaders in private agree that the decision, believed to be a brainchild of the Prime Minister and his lieutenant Amit Shah aided by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his team, could have been more refined and perhaps more well-designed.



This, despite Shahs assertion two days back that the BJP was not worried about the political fallout and Jaitley's "stern warning" to the Opposition against "misinformation".



Going by the current state of affairs, some BJP leaders agree that instead of issuing the cumbersome high-denomination Rs 2,000 currency, the demonetisation planners could have thought of a smaller denomination note in order to reduce some of the misery that the common people are currently facing. Something that would not have required changes in the ATM, they say.



Moreover, the fierce attack against the government by some perceivable clean Opposition leaders like AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and TMCs Mamata Banerjee seem to be drawing favour from those standing in the long queues waiting for their turn to withdraw their money.



Their argument that none of those standing in bank queues have black money and are actually common people is sounding more relevant than our arguments in the current circumstances. People are supporting us but the continuous attack that BJP leaders were aware of the move is creating doubts and is bound to create negative perceptions.



The Prime Minister has promised further action, but if none is seen against those holding big money or actually, indulging in nefarious monetary activities, the advantage will be lost," the BJP leaders say, amid assurance that the next strike would be against benami property holders.



Do not think that this is it. This exercise is a part of a long chain of events, which also includes crackdown against illegal account holders off-shore, they assure.



The Opposition attack is primarily based on the premise that people in the queues do not have the black money and that friends of the BJP had been warned about the move long before it was actually implemented on the ground.



BJP leaders claim that by the end of the exercise around Rs 4 lakh crore would have been deposited in the banks and the black money three times this amount (around Rs 12 lakh crore) eliminated. However, as per Kejriwal, the black money has already been rotated in property, jewellery and Forex and landed in BJP accounts may draw favour from harrowed common people standing in long queues to get what is their rightful dues.
New Delhi, November 13

Appeals by Prime Minister and finance minister notwithstanding, frustration and anger among citizens to get their share of valid notes for meeting daily needs swelled as banks tripped with non-functional ATMs and cash running out of branches at many places.

Unprecedented rush at bank branches was seen all over the country, with people jostling to get new cash today itself because of a holiday in many parts of the country on Monday. However, despite standing in queues for hours, many had to return empty handed due to cash shortage.

Much to peoples dismay, most ATMs remained out of cash on the third consecutive day after they reopened on November 11. People in distress started queuing up before the branches across the country right from the day-break itself and the wait to get cash got even longer today. Women and the elderly were the worst sufferers.

I was compelled to go to the bank as I had very little cash, but a huge, frightening queue at the branch sent chills down my spine. But I could gather courage to even stand in the queue, said Suniti Gupta, an elderly woman from Kanpur.

Such tales became quite common. Many people are forgoing their days wage to get cash from the branches as daily wagers are almost broke since Rs 500/1,000 notes are not valid currency since Tuesday midnight.

Clash at UP bank

In Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, angry people clashed with bank employees and threw stones at the branch at Sujru village, leaving three persons, including a woman, injured.

The police said as the branch ran out of new notes, the people who had gathered there in large numbers clashed with bank employees. Over a hundred people have been booked in connection with the incident.

In the national capital, people continued to face hardship as they queued up in large numbers outside banks and ATMs to get cash to meet their daily need.

Arguments outside ATMs

Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in ATMs and banks ran dry as the day drew to an end. Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur yesterday. Since its a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs, said a senior police official.

Paramilitary deployed

To manage anxious crowds, 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks. At many places, people were seen running from one ATM to other as the machines ran out of cash.

Long, snaking queues continued to be seen outside banks and ATMs in Mumbai with those facing cash paucity complaining about having to wait for hours as the bank branches themselves were running short of currency notes. Longer queues were seen outside public sector banks where a sizeable number of account holders are retired persons and senior citizens. There was increased anxiety among some customers as the bank staff took longer time to process their cash request.

Some people with accounts in cooperative banks in Maharashtra complained that they took longer time to get their money exchanged from such banks because of the cash crunch.  PTI

Jail those with Swiss bank accounts

"Ever since this order has come, there is panic in every household Instead, jail those with illegal Swiss bank accounts"  Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM

People must cooperate

"I urge people to cooperate with the government to clean up the system. When there is a war, soldiers face many hardships and starve for weeks"  Ramdev, yoga guru

No right to hurt people

"It is good if PM Modi had left his home and family for the country. But this does not mean that he acts against public interest and hurts the common people"  Mayawati, BSP chief

Probe prior deals

"They (the BJP) had informed their people about the move. A list needs to be drawn about all transactions done prior to the announcement" Anand Sharma, cong leader
Islamabad, November 13

The revamped Gwadar port, a strategic deep seaport in the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), today became operational in Pakistans restive Balochistan after a Chinese commercial ship laden with around 250 containers set off for the Middle East and Africa.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the start of operational activities at the coastal town of Gwadar in southwestern Balochistan province, which saw an IS suicide bombing claim as many as 52 lives.

With the operationalisation of the revamped Gwadar port, the multibillion dollar CPEC, linking western China to the Arabian Sea, became a reality. The corridor is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sparking concerns from India.

In his address, Sharif called the development as a watershed moment in the history of Pakistan and the entire region. He called it a symbol of Pakistans commitment to Chinas one belt-one road initiative, of which the CPEC is a key port.

We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the CPEC and all projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time, he said.

Sharif also commented on the one belt-one road initiative by China and said it integrates with Pakistans Vision 2025 which seeks to transform the country into a hub of trade and commerce.

He said CPEC would ultimately integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia, and offer opportunities for people in this region besides giving opportunities to investors from across the world.

Officials said a major trade convoy that started from Kashgar in western China on October 30 yesterday reached Gwadar, where Chinese vessels were ready to take the shipment of Chinese goods to Middle East and African countries.

This is the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. It proves the connectivity of the local roads and the realisation of the concept of one corridor with multiple passages, Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong said at the inauguration ceremony. He said it was the first time that the Gwadar port was exporting Chinese containers to overseas destinations.

Top civil and military leadership, including army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Balochistan governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Balochistan chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri attended the event.

Chinese ships currently use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, and the new route gives China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.  PTI
Yash Goyal (Rajasthan)

Rajasthan, like other states, is bearing the brunt of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in all sectors. The common man, controlling his anger in the name of Rashtrahit (national interest), is queuing up every morning at banks and ATMs to get the much-needed cash.

Despite an emergency-like situation, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, her Cabinet colleagues and even Governor Kalyan Singh are hailing Prime Minster Narendra Modis decision as a landmark step in the post-Independence history to curb black money.

Rajes tentative plan of Cabinet expansion, the state BJPs organisational makeover, and the Oppositions strategy to challenge the saffron governments third anniversary next month are all hanging in balance due to chaos over demonetisation. Apprehending IT and taxation wings raids after rumours of selling gold against black money, jem and jewellery trade in Rajasthan had come down from Rs 25 crore to Rs 25 lakh daily, Saraf Traders Committee president Kailash Mittal said. Foreigners on tourism are also feeling the pinch due to the cash limit and non-availability of exchange.

Punjab polls Gehlots litmus test

Like the BJP, which put patriarch LK Advani and MM Joshi on sidelines after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the Congress also faces a peculiar and unpredictable process of phasing out senior leaders from their own state by assigning them political jobs either in other states or at the national level.

The Rajasthan Congress history reveals that former party leaders Nathuram Mirdha, Ramniwas Mirdha, Seesh Ram Ola, Natwar Singh, Kamla Beniwal, Pandit Nawal Kishore Sharma, Girija Vyas, CP Joshi and Mohan Prakash were eliminated from local politics and given important posts, ministerial berths, gubernatorial responsibility or election assignments.

Those who were taken out of Rajasthan for the party work were mostly Jats and a few pundits, so as to avoid their interference in the government formation when the party had come to power in the past. There has always been a demand in both the Congress and BJP for Chief Minister from a Jat community but it has been neglected.

Sources in the Congress believe that two-time former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots assignment as chairman of the Screening Committee for Punjab poll is an indication towards phasing him out ahead of the Assembly elections in 2018.

This is also because PCC president Sachin Pilot (who is non-Jat) has been hitting every constituency with overwhelming response of party workers and leaders of all castes. In past rallies, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, had also showed his inclination towards Pilot to lead in the state as he revived the party with better scoring of vote share in the Assembly bypolls, panchayati raj and civic elections. Gehlots performance in Punjab polls falling early next year would be a litmus test for him whether he would be given some other assignments or kept somewhere else, sources indicated.

Event after event delays Cabinet expansion

Rajes Cabinet expansion and formation of a new state BJP executive have been put on hold for the past two months due to Chikungunya afflicting the Chief Minister, Diwali festivities, permission from the Sangh Pariwar and recently concluded agriculture meet. With BJP national joint general secretary V Satishs scheduled stay third time till November 16 in Jaipur, there are possibilities of a Cabinet reshuffle and organisational changeover now, party sources hinted.

Cong leaders uneasy over dalbadlu Jats

Two BJP Jat leaders, former Union Minister Subhash Maharia and Dr Hari Singh, shifting their allegiance to the Congress has not only caused ripples in the partys Sikar-Jhunjhunu belt of the Jat community, but has also warned the ruling Raje government to review and keep its flock intact.

Congress leaders Mahadev Singh Khandela, Chandrabhan and Bajrang Singh Kankorlia have told the party high command that dalbadlu Jats would not be a good preposition and left a bad message, even thouh the Pilots group has favoured the joining of the two leaders.

BJP MP Sona Ram, Jat leader who had defeated Jaswant Singh (Independent) from Barmer, said, The Raje government has given ministerial portfolios to five Rajputs, what Jat MLAs and MPs have got? Difficult to tame Jat flocks... the elected Jat community is annoyed as Rajput community ministers are dominating the ruling party.recent example is of Raj Mahal Palace controversy where the government bowed down. I have apprised Raje of this who is my only leader.

Meena alias Mina controversy

On continuing insistence, the government has withdrawn two controversial notifications of 2014 by which it had differentiated between Meena and Mina terms (spelling mistake) for reservation to the community as a Scheduled Tribe which challenged it in the High Court last year. Not satisfied with this, NPP president Kirorilal Meena demanded that the Centre should also issue similar notification otherwise his agitation would continue on other 30 demands, too.
Bahraich (UP), November 13

Five Pakistani nationals, including three children, were detained by SSB officials for illegally entering India via the India-Nepal border at Rupaidiha village in Bahraich district, the police said today.

Ashiq Hussain (45), his wife Shakila (45) and their children  Mariyam (11), Ayan (6) and Abdul (5)  were detained at the Rupaideeha check post of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) last evening for entering the Indian territory without valid documents, SP Salikram Verma said.

During interrogation they said they had a Pakistani passport and had reached Kathmandu (Nepal) on a Nepali visa and were on their way to Kashmir. Verma said further investigation was underway.  PTI
Kannauj (UP), November 13

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said that the Centres much-talked about demonetisation move has taken away the gleam from the faces of BSP chief Mayawati and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, even as crores of rupees of black marketeers have turned into waste.

Lakhs of crores of rupees of black marketeers have turned into waste after demonetisation. It has also taken away the gleam from the faces of Mayawati and Mulayam, he said.

Addressing BJPs parivartan yatra in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Shah said those who lost their black money were upset by the move.

Even Mulayam and Mayawati have lost their sleep after demonetisation, he said.

Shah, who was speaking at the Lok Sabha constituency of Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, wife of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, also tried to strike an emotional chord with people standing in serpentine queues to withdraw or deposit money.

I know you are facing problems as you have to stand for hours, but good is going to happen. What do you preferblack money or country...? he said.

In a surprise move, the Centre had on November 8 banned the high-denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of its crackdown on black money.

The BJP leader also hit out at the theatrics of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for reaching an ATM in Delhi to withdraw Rs 4,000 in a car worth Rs 4 crore.

Congress has ruled the country for years. In that regime scams involving Rs 12 lakh crores were done...You should stop doing theatrics and befooling people, he said.

Shah also slammed Gandhi for criticising the government over the recent PoK strikes by the Army.

For soldiers you use words like khoon ki dalali, he said.

Contrary to Congress regime, now we give reply of goli (bullet) with gola (bomb) and our soldiers have stormed their territory and returned after attacking them, he said amid applause from the crowd.

The crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are slated for next year.  PTI
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi almost choked up while speaking about his governments demonetisation plan that has seen some of the fiercest attack from the Opposition parties. However, in an equally scathing counter, he on Sunday asserted that threats to his life would not make him back down on the decision.

The emotional appeal asking the people to stand by him for just 50 days came while speaking at the foundation stone laying of Mopa Greenfield airport in Goa. The Prime Minister said he empathised and felt the pain and hardships of the common man following the step aimed at eradicating black money in the country.

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Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the people's problems. I was not born to sit on a chair of high office, he said making an emotional appeal. While the sudden move has seen widespread support, it seems to be now eroding following the continued hardships. Not just the queues at the banks and the ATMs, there are now reports of essentials selling at higher prices, adding to the common mans woes.

Whatever I had, my family, my home... I left all of it for the nation, the PM said, almost choking up amid an appreciative applause from the crowd. And then launching a direct attack against the Opposition, he said that they might think they could stop him by creating hurdles but he would not stop in his fight against corruption even if he was finished

I know they are against me. They may not let me live. They may finish me, because their loot of 70 years is in trouble. But I am prepared," he declared asking people to stand by him for just 50 days to put the things in order

The people had high expectations from his government given the strong mandate in 2014, he said, promising to continue the fight against corruption. Those who want to do politics can do so. Those who have robbed us are now accusing us. I just want my honest citizens to stay patient for 50 days, he said

The demonetisation process started 10 months ago and was a part of series of steps to eardicate corruption and black money from the country, he said. Punish me if I do not deliver, he added.

"This is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free... Cooperate with me and help me for 50 days and I will give you the India you desired," Modi said after laying the foundation stone of Mopa greenfield airport and launching work on electronic city project in Goa.

"We will take action against 'benami' property; This is major step to eradicate corruption and black money... If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he said.
Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 13

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced that Punjab would soon get two superfast trains, Tejas and Humsafar.

A French company is making these trains. Soon, we will start their manufacturing in India under the Make in India initiative, he said. These trains will run at a speed of 200 km per hour.

He laid the foundation stone of seven railway projects to come up at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore in the state.

He also announced that the Railways would start trains to Patna for pilgrims keen to attend the celebrations to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in December and January.

He said that in the 10 years of the UPA rule, the government had invested only Rs 224 crore in the railways per year in the state. In the last two years, we have invested Rs 700 crore annually and after two years, it will be hiked 50 per cent.

The minister today laid the foundation stone of the Rajpura-Bathinda rail line doubling project and 16 limited-height subways at various places in the state.

He inaugurated the Mansa-Bathinda newly doubled rail line, station building at Beas, running room at Ludhiana, food plaza at Ferozepur station and five water vending machines at Bathinda railway station.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal did not turn up for the Railway Ministers function in the city. State Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia represented them.
Chandigarh, November 13

Questioning the silence of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday said the Delhi Chief Minister was not supporting Punjab on the sharing of the states river waters.

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Seventy-two hours after the (Supreme Court) judgment came in, and despite widespread criticism of his lack of comment on the matter, Kejriwal has maintained a deafening silence on SYL. This has unmasked his double standards on the vital SYL issue, on which he has been doing a flip-flop for the past several weeks in what can only be considered his desperate bid to save his government in Delhi and keep the people of his birthplace in Haryana happy, Amarinder said in a statement issued here.

Amarinder said after the Supreme Courts order on the water sharing and SYL issue came last week, Kejriwal had put off his proposed Punjab visit.

Kejriwal has sent out a clear and unequivocal message that he is not supporting the state on the SYL issue. He continues to remain strangely silent on the Supreme Court verdict on SYL, and has, expectedly, chosen to keep away from the state that is facing an imminent water crisis in the aftermath of the apex courts verdict on the critical issue, which has huge ramifications for Punjab, the Congress leader said.

The Aam Aadmi Party leaders behaviour is totally in keeping with his habit of running away from problems, Amarinder pointed out.

For a person who has always loved taking a stand on every issue, and who did not waste a minute reacting to the Modi governments demonetisation move, this persistent silence on SYL is completely inexplicable. He (Kejriwal) should take a categorical stand on the SYL issue, Amariunder Singh said, and added that Kejriwal was aspiring to become the Chief Minister in Punjab without bothering about interests of Punjab.  IANS
Rakhra (Punjab), November 13

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday said Congress MLAs must attend the special session of state assembly for chalking out a concrete strategy to protect waters of the state, asserting that Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal is not a political issue but a matter involving the lifeline of Punjab.

The Punjab government has convened a special session on November 16 following the Supreme Court verdict on the water issues. After the verdict, all 42 Congress MLAs have tendered their resignations from the state assembly.

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a function to mark 20th death anniversary of Subedar Bapu Kartar Singh, father of Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, here, the Chief Minister said in larger interests of the state, the Congress MLAs must ensure their presence in the special session.

Badal said it was the need of the hour so that the message was conveyed to the entire country that whole Punjab was united on this emotive issue.

He said this was fight of every Punjabi and a united house must resolve to protect the waters of state at any cost.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that neither NDA government nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi has any role in this matter as the ball is now in the court of President, to whom the apex court has given advice on the SYL issue.

He said that they would soon meet the President and apprise him about the depleting water level in the state.

Badal said that "we are duty-bound to protect waters of state and every option will be explored to save it".

On queries pertaining to protests by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, he said both these parties are indulging in political gimmickry on this issue for their vested political interests.

He said the Congress was the perpetrator of this sin against the state and its people.

Badal said the AAP government in Delhi had submitted affidavit against the state in Supreme Court on this issue.

"But now both of them are trying to mislead people through such tantrums", he added.

He assailed the opposition parties for allegedly misleading the people on this sensitive issue.

He said not even a single inch of land for this canal was acquired during his regime, adding this canal was a conspiracy against the state which was planned and executed by the Congress party.  PTI
Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

The inter-state dispute over the riverwaters has not only been exhausting the state emotionally but also financially. Since the state is fighting numerous legal battles on the issue, it has to spend a lot of money to pursue cases in various courts.

Official sources said the state government paid about Rs 7 crore as fee to advocates engaged in fighting its legal battle in the Supreme Court and a high court in the current fiscal so far.

For fighting such high-profile cases, the state has to engage constitutional experts who charge money in lakhs. Sources said an advocate, who earlier used to charge Rs 15 lakh per appearance, recently raised his fee to Rs 25 lakh. Another advocate is charging Rs 5 lakh per appearance, it learnt.

There is a team of at least eight advocates to fight cases pertaining to the riverwaters. As of now, there are six important cases pending for adjudication in the Supreme Court and two high courts, it is learnt. Punjab is not only engaged in a legal battle against Haryana. Rajasthan is also fighting certain cases against it on the issue.

Though the Supreme Court has announced its verdict on the Presidential Reference, litigation related to the issue is far from over. The Punjab Government can file a review petition in this case, appealing to the SC to re-examine the issue. As the SC verdict is said to be an advisory opinion under Article 143 of the Constitution for the President, for getting this opinion legally executed, the Haryana Government may have to re-approach the Supreme Court and also the Union Government. Certainly, there will be another bout of litigation on this issue.

Among the pending cases include a prayer for directions to the Centre to constitute an appropriate tribunal under Section 4 (1) of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956; a petition in the Delhi High Court for setting aside the constitution of the Eradi Tribunal; a special leave petition against the Rajasthan High Courts decision to hand over the control of head works of Harike, Ropar and Ferozepur to the BBMB.

There is also a case about the Hansi-Butana canal pending in the Supreme Court. Punjab has sought dismantling of this canal arguing that it blocks the natural flow of rainwater. Another case is in the Supreme Court filed by the state challenging the Sections 78 and 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act. Then there are cases about Shahpur Kandi project and certain other issues related to riverwaters.
Raj Sadosh

Abohar, November 13

State Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today said he would lead a deputation of party MPs and MLAs to Rashtrapati Bhawan on November 17.

Speaking to the media after addressing a rally at Khuyiansarwer village this afternoon, Amarinder said President Pranab Mukherjee would be requested to ignore the opinion of the Supreme Court on the SYL dispute.

During the rally, Amarinder dared the Akalis to quit the Assembly and face the Congress in the coming elections, which he said should be held next month to prevent Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from further vitiating the states atmosphere.

Thanking the people of Abohar and surrounding areas, which will be hit the most if the SYL judgment is implemented, for turning up in large numbers, he said the gathering at the rally showed the resentment of the people against the Badal governments failure to protect their interests.

Reacting to the CMs assertion that he was ready to face the bullet to protect the states riverwaters, the PPCC chief said Badal had made such claims even in 1984, but when the time came to fight for Punjab he went into hiding in Uttar Pradesh, leaving the people of Punjab to fend for themselves. At least 35,000 innocent Punjabis had lost their lives in the turmoil, he added.

The Akalis had 10 years to resolve the issue and battle the case in court effectively but they failed to do anything, he alleged, adding that they were only interested in the creation of Punjabi Suba to rule a Sikh-dominated region for their vested interests.

Senior party leader Sunil Jakhar, who organised the rally, accused the CM of allowing the SYL issue to hang fire till the time of the elections to divert public attention. He accused the Akalis of selling off the states waters to the BJP in exchange for the passage of the Sahejdhari Bill so that they could retain hold on gurdwaras and the huge cash flows estimated at Rs 550 crore coming from there. The CM should be booked for trying to instigate people to face bullets to protect the riverwaters, he demanded.

Indian Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring warned the Chief Minister that the "winds of destruction have already started blowing against him".
Patiala, November 13

Four companies of Paramilitary Forces were deployed on Sunday as a security measure to prevent escalation of any tension due to the Supreme Court's ruling on Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue.

Inspector General of Police (Patiala Zone) Paramraj Singh Umranangal confirmed the deployment of four companies of Paramilitary Forces.

He said two companies have been deployed in Patiala district and one each in Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib district.

He said the deployment is concentrated over the Punjab and Haryana border and along the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Meanwhile, Patiala police chief Gurmeet Chauhan said flag marches were conducted in Rajpura and Patran area of Patiala district.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held as unconstitutional the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states.  PTI
Vijay C Roy in Chandigarh

On Thursday morning, a sweeper in Pune found a plastic bag containing 52 currency notes of the demonetised Rs 1,000 notes in it. She along with the contractor, both municipal corporation employees, handed the bag to the police. On Wednesday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation, burnt-out remains of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were found at a place in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The police said the currency notes appeared to have been cut, damaged and burnt.

Similar stories are emerging almost every day since demonetization was announced. There are also reports that many people with thick wads of illegal Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are unlikely to come forward and exchange or deposit the notes in banks. The reason is that cash deposits above Rs 2.5 lakh under the 50-day window will attract a tax and a 200% penalty in case of income mismatch. Also, any mismatch with income declared by the account holder will be treated as a case of tax evasion. Aashish Somaiyaa, managing director & CEO, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company Ltd), said: It is premature to say at the moment what portion of the total illegal money would come out of the system. It cant be 100% of the total black money.

At a seminar in Mumbai about Goods and Services Tax(GST), leading finance experts noted that there are about 14 lakh notes in denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in circulation. The common thinking was that at least Rs 8 lakh such notes may come into the system, says Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, Confederation of All India Traders.

Senior income tax official say there is a possibility that 20% of the notes are unlikely to be exchanged, which could convert them into worthless paper.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13

Chief Minister Harish Rawat today reiterated his governments commitment to promote agriculture even as he also accused BJP president Amit Shah of giving misleading statements vis-a-vis Uttarakhand.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Harish Rawat said his government had decided to check the downslide being witnessed in agriculture activities in the past few years and taken several decisions for its promotion.

He said from now, any woman, engaged in agriculture, would be registered as MGNREGA worker. He said similarly Rs 1 lakh grant would be given to self-help groups that were engaged in agriculture through collective farming. He said efforts were on to ensure consolidation of land in hills.

He said lease policy for collective farming would also be farmed to promote agriculture on barren lands even while legally protecting the rights of land owners.

Rawat said his government was also undertaking efforts to ensure that hill agriculture got linked to mandis. He said the state government was also contemplating new sub blocks, a long standing demand of the people from various places in the state.

Responding to queries, Chief Minister Harish Rawat also accused Amit Shah of giving misleading statements in Dehradun rally today. He said Amit Shahs claim that Uttarakhand was getting enough funds was false. He said the Central funds to Uttarakhand had been reduced drastically by the Modi government.

And even the money that has been received is not any benevolence from Amit Shah but is the states share as part of federal structure in the country, the Chief Minister said.

Harish Rawat also appealed to the agitating employees at various departments and guest teachers in particular to keep patience as the state government wanted to resolve such issue within the framework of rules. Sometimes by agitation, they complicate the matters, he observed.
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 13

The motorable road on the Indo-Nepal border from Tanakpur to Rupaligar in Champawat district will be a reality soon. The Forest Department has given clearance for the 43-km-long portion between Thuligar and Rupaligar while the 12-km-long portion between Tanakpur and Thuligar has already been constructed.

After receiving the forest clearance of the 43-km-long portion of the road from Thauligar to Rupaligar, we have decided to begin the construction work in next two months and work will be completed in 18 months, said DS Hyanki, Superintendent Engineer, PWD.

According to PWD engineer, the Union Government has released a sum of Rs 200 crore against a total sanctioned money of Rs 230 crore for the motor road from Tanakpur to Jauljibi along the Kali at the Indo-Nepal border in Champawat and Pithoragarh districts.
Washington, November 13

More than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation across the US have been reported since Donald Trump won the presidential election, according to a group that tracks hate crimes in America.

Since the election, weve seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr Trumps election, Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama, told USA TODAY.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The white supremacists out there are celebrating his victory and many are feeling their oats, Cohen said.

The SPLC, which tracks hate crimes, said it has logged more than 200 complaints since the election, and while it could not provide a figure for the average number of complaints it takes in each day, Cohen assured that the number is much larger than what is typical.

Anti-black and anti-immigrant incidents are generating the highest numbers followed by anti-Muslim incidents, Cohen was quoted as saying.

Part of the reason it is happening is that hate group leaders are encouraging members to intimidate people, he said.

Pulling from news reports, social media, and direct submissions at the Southern Poverty Law Centres website, the SPLC had counted 201 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation across the country as of Friday, the group said.

These range from anti-Black to anti-woman to anti-LGBT incidents. There were many examples of vandalism and epithets directed at individuals. Often times, types of harassment overlapped and many incidents, though not all, involved direct references to the Trump campaign, it said.

In Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying it was working to find the source of racist messages sent to black freshmen, and in Syracuse, New York, a group of pickup trucksone draped with the Confederate flagdrove through an anti-Trump rally.

In Columbus, Ohio, a man banged on the car window while a Muslim woman was driving, her children and elderly parents with her, and told her, ...you dont belong to this country, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

All those were added to the list of incidents that included black children being told to get to the back of a bus and Latino children being taunted about the wall that Trump promised to build between Mexico and the United States.

CAIR also said it has seen an increase in complaints made to its offices.

Angry Americans have been staging nationwide protests against Trumps election victory shouting slogans like Not my President and No Fascists USA.  PTI
Baghdad, November 13

Iraqi soldiers recaptured on Sunday the town of Nimrud, next to the ruins of the 3,000-year-old Assyrian city which was overrun and bulldozed two years ago by Islamic State militants.

Nimrud, once the capital of an empire stretching across the ancient Middle East, is one of several historic sites looted and ransacked by the militants when they seized large parts of northern Iraq two years ago.

The militant group, whose ultra-hardline doctrine deems the country's pre-Islamic religious heritage idolatrous, released video footage last year showing its fighters bulldozing, drilling and blowing up murals and statues at Nimrud.

Those statues included the famous winged bulls with human faces, known as lamassu, which stood at the entrances to the palace of Ashurnasirpal II, king of Assyria in the 9th century BC, and nearby temples on the site.

"Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings," the statement said. The town of Nimrud lies 1 km (less than 1 mile) west of the ruins. The soldiers also captured the village of Numaniya, on the edge of ancient Nimrud, the capital of an Assyrian empire reaching from Egypt to parts of Iran and Turkey.

Nimrud lies on the eastern bank of the Tigris river, 30 km (20 miles) south of Mosul where Iraqi soldiers are battling Islamic State for the largest city under the militants' control in Iraq and Syria.  Reuters
Washington, November 13

A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf isnt allowed anymore.

Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

Mrs Teli, your head scarf isnt allowed anymore. Why dont you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it, the note scribbled in black ink said, signed America! the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community. Spreading hate isnt going to make America great again, she wrote on her Facebook page.

Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note.

We take a threat against a staff member a serious matter, Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note.

It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trumps election to the presidency, but Telis post on Facebook assumed as much.

I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him, she said.

Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab.

The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential polls.  PTI
Karachi, November 13

Rescuers and doctors were scrambling today to reach the remote Sufi shrine in Pakistans restive Balochistan province as officials feared the death toll from the suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State may go beyond 52.

The third major terrorist attack in the province in a little over three months was believed to be carried out by a 14-year-old boy at Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar districts Hub region. It killed at least 52 and wounded 102.

The attack happened when nearly 600 worshippers were at the popular shrine frequented by Iranian nationals as they enjoyed a Sufi dance called dhamaal.

The dirt-poor mountainous terrain of the region, where medical facilities are limited, was hindering rescue efforts.

Security forces have established a cordon around the site of the blast and were scrambling to carry out emergency services. Further reinforcements and additional 45 army ambulances were also dispatched to the scene, with additional support from Sindh Rangers, local media reports said. The armys media wing added that helicopter evacuation of the wounded will be attempted, as there is no airstrip nearby to land larger aircraft.  PTI
Washington, November 13

In line with his hardline immigration stance, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate.

What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate, Trump told CBS News.

But were getting them out of our country, they're here illegally, the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.

However, House Speaker and top Republican leader Paul Ryan, striking a different tone, said that despite Trump's campaign rhetoric, lawmakers were not prepared to form a deportation force to round-up and deport undocumented immigrants.

We are not planning on erecting a deportation force. Donald Trump's not planning on that, Ryan told CNN.

I think we should put people's minds at ease: That is not what our focus is. That is not what we're focused on. We're focused on securing the border. We think that's first and foremost, before we get into any other immigration issue, we've got to know who's coming and going into the country -- weve got to secure the border, he added.

During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to the people of those countries. There are an estimated 11 million documented immigrants in the country. Several hundred thousand are believed to be Indian-Americans.

The President-elect said he would take a call on the fate of the rest of the illegal immigrants, after the border is secured. After the border is secure, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, Trump said.  PTI

Bobby Jindal in Cabinet?

Bobby Jindal, a two-term Louisiana Governor and the first Indian-American to be elected as a state Governor, is among the shortlisted candidates for Trumps Cabinet, according to a media report. If appointed, 45-year-old Jindal will be the first ever Indian-American to be included in the Presidents Cabinet. According to The Wall Street Journal, Jindal is being considered for the position of Secretary of Health along with Ben Carson. His name also figured in the list of Politico whereas it was absent in the Buzfeeds list of potential Cabinet members of the Trump Administration. PTI

Thapar on list for SC judge nominees

Indian-American judge Amul Thapar is among the shortlisted potential nominees for the US Supreme Court justices picked by President-elect Donald Trump. His name figured in Trumps second list of 21 individuals who would be considered for the nomination of the Supreme Court judge. The nomination list, announced on September 23, now assumes significance since Trump would be in a position to nominate three Supreme Court judges. Thapar, 47, currently holds the position of US District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. PTI

Brexit firebrand Farage meets Trump ahead of PM May

Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage visited Donald Trump at his home on Saturday, after suggesting he could act as a go-between to help smooth British relations with US president-elect Prime Minister Theresa May is not expected to meet with the incoming leader until early next year and Farage has suggested her criticisms of Trump in the early days of the campaign could damage ties with Washington.

Bernie Sanders would have trounced Trump: Poll

Senator Bernie Sanders, who lost to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, would have beaten Donald Trump by a historic margin if he had been the party's nominee, according to a pre-election poll

The national survey of more than 1,600 registered voters, conducted by Gravis Marketing two days before the general election, found that 75-year-old Vermont Senator would have received 56 per cent of the vote while Trump would have won 44 per cent

Crucially, independent voters, who made up nearly one-third of the general election voters this year, favoured Sanders over Trump, 55 per cent to 45 per cent, the poll found. Clinton, by contrast, lost independents 48 per cent to 42 per cent, according to exit polls
Washington, November 13

In line with his hardline immigration stance, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying "we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate".

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told CBS News.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"But we're getting them out of our country, they're here illegally," the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned-politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.

During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to people of those countries.

There are an estimated 11 million documented immigrants in the country. Several hundred thousand are believed to be Indian-Americans.

The President-elect said he would take a call on the fate of the rest of the illegal immigrants, after the border is secured.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, they're terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that," Trump said.

"But before we make that determination...it's very important, we are going to secure our border," he said in response to a question.

Trump insisted that he is determined to fulfil another campaign promise of building a wall along the Mexican border.

"For certain areas I would, but certain areas, a wall is more appropriate," he said.

"I'm very good at this, it's called construction," Trump said.

Since Trump's election on Tuesday night, the realities of actually building that wall have begun to set in and the Mexican government has publicly reminded him that Mexico will not pay for the wall.

Asked about the wall, Trump transition co-chair Newt Gingrich said the wall was "a great campaign device".

During his election campaign, Trump articulated a strong and tough immigration policy, which was quite opposite to that of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, which was based on compassion and providing a pathway to nearly 11 million illegal immigrants.  PTI
Oklahomans passed sweeping alcohol law changes on Nov. 8. They now have nearly two years to wait for those changes to actually be the law of the land.

In the meantime, legislators plan on fine-tuning what voters did on Election Day, regulators are seeking more funding to handle the coming changes and businesses will adapt to a new competitive landscape.

The new alcohol laws dont take effect until Oct. 1, 2018. With the passage of State Question 792, an accompanying measure, Senate Bill 383, goes into effect. The nearly two-year lag is intentional. The plan, legislators who wrote the bill said, was to allow time to work out unforeseen issues and allow dry Oklahoma counties the chance to react to the bill themselves.

State Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, said one reason for the time between passage and the changes taking effect is to let the 18 remaining dry counties in Oklahoma decide whether they want to remain dry.

We needed to give those counties enough time to have a vote, Bice said.

State Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, and Bice said besides issues not yet apparent, some topics such as Sunday sales, accompanied minors in stores and extended hours could be considered by the Legislature.

Mulready said he had language drafted for Sunday sales this year but took it out to make the bill more palatable to voters and because liquor store owners seem divided on the prospect.

Casey Karney, who helps run Aspen Liquor, 2201 W. Washington St. in Broken Arrow, wasnt too keen on the potential for Sunday sales when he spoke with the World last week. He was among the few people in his business who were in favor of State Question 792.

At the end of the day, its not if. Its when, Karney said of the law change.

Under the new law, the virtual monopoly that liquor stores had on selling wine and strong beer goes away, while their ability to be the only retailers that sell spirits will be maintained. The new law creates three types of license for retailers  wine, beer and spirits.

Grocery and convenience stores will be allowed to have wine and beer licenses, allowing them to sell something other than the 3.2 beer they sell now. Retailers, particularly Wal-Mart, plowed support and money into the campaign.

Tulsa-based convenience store chain QuikTrip gets to add craft beer and wine to its shelves in 2018, but says it is not going to be a huge boost for business.

Spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said 3.2 beer is already 85 percent of the market share in Oklahoma. With 3.2 replaced with the full-strength version of the national brands, he said, the place where QT can add market share is with craft beer and selling great brands such as Marshall.

Reasors, the local grocery store chain, doesnt see it as a big boost, either.

Im not sure if it will be a big jump. There will be a potential for additional sales for us, said COO Brent Edstrom, Its a convenience issue. Its easier to pick up the cabernet with steak or chardonnay for the salmon.

Liquor stores expect to lose business, and their industry group, the Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma, plans to sue on 14th Amendment grounds, which concerns equal protection under the law.

Mulready said the liquor stores are right about being treated differently: They get a retail spirits license.

Karney said Aspen Liquor has planned for losing about a half-million dollars in sales and expects about 50 percent of the stores statewide to close. But, he said, Aspen is treating it as an opportunity. Owners have remodeled the Broken Arrow store to make it more inviting, in part, because of the competition.

He said they started planning to install coolers earlier this year  SQ 792 and its legislative companion allow for coolers.

For QuikTrip, Thornbrugh said the company could be ready for the law changes shortly and understands the lag time is for legislative fixes.

Edstrom said his chain will work on plans for the next year to 16 months, and inventory will depend on the demographics around the stores.

While the changes may reshuffle the spending mix among retailers, it adds a good deal to the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commissions responsibilities. Director Keith Burt said he plans to ask the Legislature for more funding to add agents because of the added responsibility.

Under the old laws, 3.2 beer was regulated by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and treated as a food item. The distinction between 3.2 will be lifted, and regulating the three types of licenses will fall solely to ABLE.

Burt said the law changes will add thousands of new licensees, and thats why ABLE needs the funding.
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Radio and television program host Glenn Beck, airs throughout the United States on prime time networks originally in HLN the Fox News Channel. He was also suspended from the radio show after he launched an advocacy to destroy Donald Trump's presidential bid.

On top of that, Glenn Beck was recently furious about a teacher who told her students to only believe what they say and for referring to the pilgrims as terrorists. He was interviewing the mother of a kindergarten class of that particular teacher. That prompted Beck to reply that the education system must be totally shut down to allow a good reboot, as per news from Trending Education.

The Department of Education has been the subject of many political attacks but the government also did not run out of champions. Take the case of former President Jimmy Carter, who was in charge of the country from 1977 to 1981. He took education as the major priority investment in his administration. It has an annual expense of more than $120 billion, wrote, The Chronicle of Higher Education.

He believes that economic,and technological advancement depends on the success of educational efforts. Therefore, he signed the education bill to give power to the States to implement what's best in their area, to allow the federal government to take responsibility and be accountable for its development and more, contrary to the reboot strategy suggested by Beck.

Glenn Beck, however, is in a different tone when Donald Trump won. He agrees with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's call to give Trump a chance. Do not move to Canada and talk to the other side he said, citing that the sexism, bigotry, and racism attached to the new president's name make him nothing like Hitler and he must not be feared, says New York Times. Is he really serious when he says that the education system must be shut down?
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Moscow will discuss investment cooperation and contacts in culture and education, press service of the Russian government said on Saturday, November 15.

During the meeting, the prime minister will also touch upon issues related to Malta's chairing of the EU Council in first half of 2017. The countries will sign several bilateral documents after the negotiations.

According to the statement, the two top officials will also touch upon some issues related to Malta's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first six months of 2017.



"The head of the Russian government and the prime minister of Malta will discuss the current state and the potential development of the bilateral ties, specifically, the cooperation on trade, economy and investments, as well as tourism, culture and education," the press service said in a statement. Russia and Malta are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements following this meeting, the press service added. During the Moscow visit, Muscat will take part in the Russian-Maltese business forum.



Meanwhile, another news for Malta, it has "fallen victim to the West's information war," according to a reaction by the Russian Foreign Ministry to Malta's refusal to allow Russian warships to refuel in Malta, while en route to Syria.



Late last month, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella had told Parliament that Malta would not be allowing the warships to refuel in Malta because the country did not want to be complicit in any help offered to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.



But a spokeswoman for Vella's Russian counterpart described the ban as an attempt to "exert pressure on all fronts and create a certain atmosphere in the information space."



Maria Zakharova, on behalf of the Russian Foreign Ministry said Vella's statement "falls out of line with any diplomatic routine though he stated it many times that the decision was passed independently without any external pressure proceeding from the purposes, which our military pursue,"


LIGHT Nightclub sparked up the weekend a little early with the launch of its new industry night, Blowout Wednesdays (Pictured: Nicky Romero at LIGHT Nightclub at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas  Photo credit: Seva/Light Group).

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.

LIGHT nightclub welcomed EDM sensation Nicky Romero to the main stage to kick off the launch of this new weekly series. Party goers and all local elite showed their support for Blowout Wednesdays, filling the club to enjoy this unforgettable show on the Las Vegas Strip. Nicky Romero had the crowd going wild as he played a string of his hit singles wearing his mask and all.

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.

Photo credit: Seva/Light Group.


Miss Nevada Teen USA 2014 , Alexa Taylor, celebrated her Sweet Sixteen at Sugar Factory Town Square in Las Vegas Friday evening, along with close friends and family.

The pageant beauty, stylishly dressed in a flirty hot pink dress and black stiletto heels, snapped shots throughout the evening with both friends and fans, while gushing over Sugar Factorys signature Couture Pops.

Taylor sipped on a virgin lollipop passion goblet and kept it healthy for dinner, choosing grilled chicken with a side spinach salad.

Taylors friends indulged in a variety of signature menu items, including several of Sugar Factorys burgers, tomato basil pizza and alfredo pasta.

The unforgettable bash was made complete when the birthday girl was surprised with Sugar Factorys world-famous King Kong Sundae, made with 24 scoops of ice cream, cupcakes, sprinkles, caramel sauce, fudge sauce, strawberry shavings, sliced bananas, toasted walnuts, whipped cream and giant swirly pops. Taylors eyes lit up as she blew out the sparkler candles and did not waste any time to indulge in the decadent dessert.

Taylor and friends left the party with an array of Couture Pops including Rainbow of Sugar, Sin City Sparkler and Taylors favorite, Charmed Couture.

The gorgeous title winner complimented the evenings event and said she could not wait to come back for her appearance, alongside Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez, for National Lollipop Day on July 20. Taylor exclaimed, Sugar Factory was the perfect venue to celebrate my big night! Thank you Sugar Factory for making it a night to remember!

Taylor will be competing for the title of Miss Teen USA on Saturday, Aug. 2in the Bahamas.
Gorgeous model, dancer, actress and TV personality Carmen Electra will turn up the heat as she celebrates Labor Day Weekend at Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay, Sunday, Sept. 5.

Electra will experience the ultra VIP service and amenities of the trendy day club  high-energy music, poolside massages, and the best personalized attendants in Las Vegas. The pretty beach babe will show off her killer bikini body as she spends the afternoon catching rays and enjoying the upbeat atmosphere with party-goers at Vegas ultra daylife destination.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 5

1 p.m.

WHERE: Moorea Beach Club

Mandalay Bay

3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, NV 89119

(702) 891-3563

Set amidst Mandalay Bay Beach is Moorea Beach Club, an upscale, adult pool experience. Catering to Mandalay Bay guests and non-hotel guests 21 years of age or older, this exclusive outdoor environment features high-energy music, poolside massage services and the best, personalized attendants in Las Vegas.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cover and rental charges vary pending day and special events. For more information call 702.632.7777 or visit www.mandalaybay.com.
By: Maxfield Vandel Brown

Following weeks of campaigning, culminating in a formal concession from Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is set to become the 45th president of the United States of America. Given the US formative roll in TPP negotiations, and legislative deadlock on the issue at the ratification level, Trumps victory is likely to have a significant impact on the agreements ultimate outcome. In this regard, it is worth considering the specifics of Trumps position on TPP, his view of Vietnam in particular, as well as the impact that these positions are likely to have on the status of the agreement and any future negotiations with Vietnam.

Trumps positions

Deriving his support from a reactionary base, eager to buy into populist simplifications of trade, there is naturally an abundance of isolationist soundbites and news clips that can be attributed to Trump and his campaign. While positions of this nature must be taken into account, as Trump will likely fall back on them during a future reelection campaign, the instances where Trump, his running mate  Mike Pence, and members of the Trump team offer details on particular policy positions provide, without a doubt, the most accurate representation of how his administration would handle issues in the months to come.

Trade

On the issue of Trade  the topic of greatest importance for TPP  Trump has surprisingly been supportive. Although criticizing deals such as NAFTA, and even TPP at times, the major complaints of the Trump team revolve around the manner in which trade deals have been negotiated, the countries with which they have been concluded, and the structure of agreements that have been struck, rather than the concept of free trade itself.

Although criticisms of key issues such as tariff reductions and enforcement mechanisms within trade agreements are fairly commonplace, and have certainly been a staple of both Trumps rhetoric and more detailed statements, Trumps proposal to remedy these obstacles is nonetheless illuminating. When asked about his position on the TPP during an early primary debate, jointly held by Fox Business and the Wall Street Journal, Trump advocated for bilateral negotiations rather than multilateral agreements, and emphasized even pairing between trade agreement participants as critical to the success of agreements. More so than anything however, Trump has touted his ability as a negotiator and voiced a desire to involve himself in the negotiation process.

Vietnam

In the context of TPP, a preference for bilateral negotiations is, without a doubt, a negative sign. Furthermore, given significant economic disparity between Vietnam and the United States, there is little reason to believe that Trump would consider Vietnam as a prime candidate for future bilateral negotiations solely based on the benefits of trade. This all being said, it is worth keeping in mind that, unlike countries such as China or Mexico, Vietnam has not been the target of substantial criticism from the Trump camp. Furthermore, given the right conditions, and Trumps involvement in the negotiation process, it is possible that mutual areas of interest could be found and that TPP could even see passage in the months to come.

The future of TPP

Following Trumps election, senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that TPP will be tabled until Trump takes office, and Democratic leaders have all but conceded that TPP is dead in the water until this time. While this does mean that TPP is almost certain to be delayed, there are several reasons to adopt a wait and see approach, rather than buying into the full blown panic that has gripped international media outlets and equity markets.

China

Throughout the Trump campaign, China has been at the forefront of criticism targeting globalism and at the core of Trumps solution for solving many issues facing the American working class. While trade and China bashing are often conflated, selection of parties for the TPP have been made largely as an attempt to use trade to minimize Chinese influence throughout the APAC region. Although deviating significantly from the simplistic understanding of commerce that dominated the Trump campaigns rhetoric, TPP nonetheless presents a salient option for the United States to reduce its reliance on Chinese goods and to promote a rule of law that is in line with its norms.

Considering Trumps position regarding trade, as well as his propensity to change stances on issues quickly, is it well within reason to be cautiously optimistic that TPP could be rebranded and supported under a Trump administration. If nothing else, Trump has shown his lack of fear when it comes to speaking his mind and is well known for showing little regard to the shock and anger that can come in the wake of his sudden changes in public position.

While TPP may be rebranded and supported under a Trump administration, it is likely that this would require some degree of adjustment in order to rationalize the shift in position. Once criticism of the TPP that could meet this requirement and should thus be watched closely are the agreements rules of origin regulations. During his campaign, Trump indicated that China would be able to gain access to the TPP, thus nullifying its effects. While the legitimacy of this claim is up for debate, introduction of more stringent rules regarding the origin of products should be seen as a possibility and therefore monitored closely.

Continuity of the Republican base

More important than following through with constraint of China is the political reality that Trump is likely to face as he takes office. In stark contrast to his ability to tap into personality and charisma during elections, garnering legislative momentum for policy positions will prove difficult without the support of Republican allies  a reality that has become all too apparent during Obamas tenure.

For Republicans in the United States and Trump alike, postponing TPP will allow for the credit of the agreement to be given, at least in part, to the new Trump administration, and thus taken away from the Obama. Even with subtle changes, allowing TPP to pass will go a long way towards bringing the Republican party together, and is also likely to win Trump favor among the business community and international leaders alike.

FTAAP and the prospects for a unified Pacific

Looking further afield, the failure of TPP may not necessarily mean the end of free trade within APEC, nor a loss of interest in Vietnam. Dezan Shira & Associates, along with its Chairman, Chris Devonshire Ellis, have long held that agreements such as TPP or RCEP, while beneficial in their scope, are simultaneously destined for replacement, as each exclude China or the United States. A more plausible scenario, and one that has become increasingly likely in the face of TPPs weakening state, is that of a trade agreement truly inclusive in its scope.

Encompassing the United States, China, Vietnam, as well as 18 other Pacific nations, the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) certainly checks all the boxes needed for a truly Pacific agreement. In a recent APEC summit in Peru, Xi Jinping promoted the agreement as the end goal of Chinas current push for a slightly smaller regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) in a speech that was largely viewed as the Chinese response to a faltering Trans Pacific Partnership. Should FTAAP come to pass, it is likely that Vietnams exports would stand to benefit even more than under the current TPP agreement. Furthermore, with attention unified around a centralized objective, it is likely that a refocus on FTAAP will save many countries the struggle of choosing between a US or Chinese dominated Pacific.

For a country like Vietnam, however, participation of the United States  its largest trading partner  will be of utmost importance. On face value, the multilateral nature of the FTAAP risks flying in the face of Trumps support for bilateral negotiation. However, given the lions share of trade within FTAAP would involve the US and China, terms and negotiation of the agreement itself is likely to take on more bilateral characteristics and may curb opposition.

For a more extensive analysis of TPP and its relationship with FTAAP please click here.

Implications for investment in Vietnam

Given the inability of analysts to predict Trumps victory, markets across the world have been in a state of turbulence following the concession of Hillary Clinton. Out of ASEAN member-states, Vietnam has and will continue to bear the brunt of any future shocks, as the United States is its largest source of demand. While equity markets within the country have taken a hit since the election, and pressure on the VND trading band is likely to have followed, the real impact of Trumps victory will likely play out as his emerging policy positions are priced into sentiment for FDI.

Even if the US falls through on its support and passage of TPP however, there are many business lines within Vietnam that will remain competitive for US investors  a fact evidenced by rising levels of bilateral trade in the absence of TPP. For companies considering investment within Vietnam, be important to conduct premarket analysis of Vietnams costs  both with and without TPP  in order to ascertain the variability of establishing operations within the country. In conjunction with premarket analysis of Vietnam, it will also be important to maintain robust monitoring of Trumps policies regarding trade as well as his position towards Vietnam.

For more information on the state of US support for TPP, competitiveness of Vietnamese industries, or other aspects related to pre market analysis of Vietnam, please contact Vietnam@dezshira.com or visit us online at www.dezshira.com



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email vietnam@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Annual Audit and Compliance in Vietnam 2016

In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we address pressing changes to audit procedures in 2016, and provide guidance on how to ensure that compliance tasks are completed in an efficient and effective manner. We highlight the continued convergence of VAS with IFRS, discuss the emergence of e-filing, and provide step-by-step instructions on audit and compliance procedures for Foreign Owned Enterprises (FOEs) as well as Representative Offices (ROs).

Navigating the Vietnam Supply Chain

In this edition of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the advantages of the Vietnamese market over its regional competition and highlight where and how to implement successful investment projects. We examine tariff reduction schedules within the ACFTA and TPP, highlight considerations with regard to rules of origin, and outline the benefits of investing in Vietnams growing economic zones. Finally, we provide expert insight into the issues surrounding the creation of 100 percent Foreign Owned Enterprise in Vietnam.

Tax, Accounting and Audit in Vietnam 2016 (2nd Edition)

This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in Vietnam, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in Vietnam, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate Vietnams complex tax and accounting landscape in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their Vietnam operations.
Even before the age of the Internet, us goofy humans were LOLing at funny pictures. Go back in time and take a look at these vintage WTFs: ...
Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music.
The British and French foreign ministers will not participate in special talks with their European Union counterparts Sunday to discuss how to deal with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called the emergency meeting in Brussels after Trump's stunning victory Tuesday on stated policies that include questioning Washington's commitment to Europe.

A British Foreign Office spokesman said Boris Johnson would not go to the meeting Sunday but would attend a regular Foreign Affairs Council meeting Monday.

"We do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the U.S. election timetable is long established," the spokesman said. "An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain."

Following his victory, Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May. A Downing 10 Street spokesman said they agreed that the relationship between London and Washington is very important and very special and that building on this would be a priority for them both."

Meanwhile, the French news agency AFP is reporting that Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will be "absent for agenda reasons."

Britain and France will instead be represented by their ambassadors to the EU.

Defense cooperation



Monday, the foreign ministers will discuss plans to boost defense cooperation  a move that Britain had long blocked  including a controversial proposal for a European military headquarters.

In blunt remarks Friday reflecting the shock and concern among some European leaders at the election of Trump, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Trump poses risks for the relationship between the EU and the U.S.

"I believe we'll have two years of wasted time while Mr. Trump tours a world he doesn't know," Juncker said, referring to Trump's lack of solid foreign policy priorities that has kept much of the world guessing.

During the U.S. election campaign, candidate Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, questioned the principle of collective defense in NATO, and criticized the open border migration policies of some EU nations, among foreign policy issues.

On Wednesday, after Trump's victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk invited him to an EU-U.S. summit to discuss issues including terrorism and Ukraine.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced his resignation Sunday, as exit polls in the country's presidential runoff election showed his nominee losing badly to a pro-Russia candidate backed by the socialist opposition.

Borisov's announcement came in Sofia, as exit polls showed Gen. Rumen Radev, a political novice, winning about 58 percent of Sunday's vote. Borisov's hand-picked nominee, Tsetska Tsacheva, was holding about 36 percent.

Official results were expected late Sunday or early Monday.

Analysts have speculated that a surprise Radev win could strengthen Russian influence in ex-communist Bulgaria, one of the poorest members of the 28-nation European Union. That speculation has been bolstered by Radev's campaign support for the lifting of Western sanctions against Russia for Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea and its role in the pro-Russia separatist rebellion in the countrys east.

Additionally, many of the Bulgaria's 7.2 million residents maintain cultural ties to Moscow, which also supplies the country with much of its energy needs.

Prime Minister Borisov's center-right coalition has dominated Bulgaria's political landscape for much of the past decade, with Borisov first elected prime minister in 2009.

But halfway into its current four-year term, the coalition government has faced months of anti-corruption protests, as well as pressure to speed up the pace of judicial reforms and anti-graft initiatives.
Colombia's government and its largest rebel group announced a new, modified peace accord Saturday, after voters rejected an earlier deal in a referendum.

The government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - a Marxist guerrilla group - said in a joint statement they had incorporated proposals from various groups in the new deal.

It is a better agreement," said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who last month won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the war.

Chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle and rebel negotiator Luciano Marin, known as Ivan Marquez, signed the deal in Havana, Cuba.

De la Calle said one main change was a requirement FARC present a complete inventory of its assets, which are destined for victim compensation.

"This accord was an opportunity to resolve many criticisms and disatisfactions, but, above all, to unite us as Colombians. Once against we prove that, despite differences and different visions, through dialogue, it is possible to reach points in common."

Marquez said "the only thing the new accord needs now is to be put into effect.

"We present the Colombian nation the new definite peace accord which we prefer to call the Hope Accord, a powerful instrument to democratize the country and for people's rights to materialize."

The new accord also takes foreign magistrates off special peace tribunals, although there will be foreign observers, and stipulates FARC must turn in "exhaustive and detailed" information about its involvement in the drugs trade.

The United States congratulated the government and the president of Colombia on reaching the peace agreement with FARC. This progress is a testament to the commitment shown by all sides, including those who did not support the original accord, the White House said in a statement.

Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement the "agreement constitutes an important step forward on Colombias path to a just and durable peace. The United States, in coordination with the Government of Colombia, will continue to support full implementation of the final peace agreement."

It was unclear if Santos will put the new accord up for another popular vote.

The deal is bringing to an end 52 years of armed conflict in Colombia that has claimed more than 220,000 lives.
Two Rwandan men accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis arrived Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda, following their extradition from the Netherlands, a Rwandan official said.

Jean-Claude Iyamuremye, 40, and Jean Baptiste Mugimba, 57, were handed over to Rwandan authorities by Dutch officials at Kigali International Airport.

Richard Muhumuza, Rwanda's prosecutor-general, told The Associated Press in Kigali that the suspects were considered to have played a key role in the Rwandan genocide, in which over 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists.

Their extradition followed a Dutch court decision that rejected their appeals; the two had contended that they would face torture if they were forced to return to Kigali. Both suspects have maintained their innocence.
In a telephone call to her campaign donors, Hillary Clinton has blamed FBI Director James Comey for her defeat in the U.S. presidential election, saying his reopening of a probe into her use of a private email server broke the momentum of her campaign.

Nearly every national opinion poll showed Democrat Clinton leading Republican challenger Donald Trump in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's election, but he scored surprising wins across the country when vote counting began, and claimed victory less than 12 hours after most polls closed.

Clinton told donors Saturday that a review of national opinion polls showed Comey's letter to Congress about new email discoveries, made public just 11 days before the election, was a bombshell development that proved too much to "overcome."

Three people who took part in Clinton's telephonic conference recounted her analysis of the election outcome, the Reuters news agency reported.

First detailed Clinton comment

Clinton's conversation with her supporters Saturday was the first time she has discussed in detail the outcome of her unsuccessful campaign. She has kept a low profile since conceding the election to Trump in a speech to her supporters and staff in New York City on Wednesday morning.

Comey said in a letter to lawmakers on October 28 that he was revisiting an investigation into whether Clinton mishandled classified information by using a private email server instead of government computers while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2012. The new investigation, Comey said, was necessary because his agents had discovered additional emails that could be relevant to the case.

He was referring to the FBI's accidental discovery of 650,000 Clinton emails during an unconnected investigation into potentially criminal activities by the now-estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. The emails were on a laptop computer used by both Abedin and her husband, former Congressman Anthony Weiner.

Critics denounce Comey's timing

Comey's letter to congressional leaders contained few details about the newly discovered emails, which heightened media speculation. Sources with knowledge about the case suggested the emails were mostly or entirely copies of documents that the FBI had already reviewed, but Comey's highly unusual and cryptic announcement threw the final week of the presidential campaign into turmoil.

Clinton's defenders assailed the FBI director for disrupting the campaign by making his unexpected announcement without providing further information. A fuller disclosure, they said, would have exonerated the former secretary of state from any suggestion that she acted improperly.

Clinton's opponents seized on the late-breaking FBI announcement and declared once again that they believed this could be evidence incriminating her. However, even some prominent members of the Republican Party rebuked Comey for inappropriately intruding into the presidential campaign and acting more like a prosecutor than an investigator.

Clinton cleared, but damage done

Nine days after disclosing his letter to Congress, Comey spoke out again, saying that his agents' intensive study of the new emails showed no wrongdoing by Clinton, and thus there would be no change in his announcement more than three months earlier that she would not face any charges in connection with her handling of official email.

However, the political damage appeared to have been done.

Even though she was absolved of blame, Clinton said, the FBI director's remarks eroded her support in the upper Midwest, in states such as Wisconsin and Michigan, which often are called a "blue wall" of support for Democratic presidential candidates.

A spokesperson for the FBI could not immediately be reached for comment, Reuters reported.

Trump's unexpected victory in both Wisconsin and Michigan on Tuesday was a key part of his stunning defeat of Clinton, which shocked the nation and has since led to a series of anti-Trump protests by young activists in many cities.
Since creating a separate ceremony for its honorary Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized a broad range of artists, including a stunt coordinator, a B-movie master and a longtime studio chief.

The tradition continues Saturday night at the eighth annual Governors Awards, the academy's kickoff celebration of the Oscar season. Action star Jackie Chan, film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman will accept honorary Oscars for their career achievements.

Honorary Oscars used to be presented during the annual Academy Awards ceremony and to generally recognized talents. Establishing the untelevised Governors Awards ceremony has allowed for more comprehensive presentations and more diverse recipients.

For example, Stalmaster _ whose casting credits include "West Side Story," "The Graduate," and "The Right Stuff" -- will become the first to receive an Oscar for casting. No casting category exists at the Academy Awards.

"This is exactly what the Governors Awards are meant to do," said David Rubin, who is producing this year's ceremony at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom. "It's a look at entire careers."

Chan has said that as an action star, despite his decades in film, he never expected to win an Oscar.

Previous recipients have included stuntman Hal Needham, independent filmmaker Roger Corman and studio chief John Calley, as well as Steve Martin, Spike Lee and Lauren Bacall.

The Governors Awards ceremony has also become an early stop on the awards-season campaign trail for 2017 Oscar hopefuls. Among the guests expected are "Loving" stars Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga, "La La Land" writer-director Damien Chazelle and star Emma Stone, and "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins and co-star Naomie Harris.
The Iraqi military says it has captured the city of Nimrud from Islamic State militants.

Iraq's Joint Operations Command says "the 9th division of the Iraqi army has liberated the town of Nimrud completely and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings after the enemy suffered heavy casualties."

Nimrud is near an ancient Assyrian capital that the Iraqi government said last year was destroyed by militants. It was not immediately known if the military had retaken the archaeological site.

Video footage released by Islamic State militants on April 2015, allegedly from Nimrud, shows men breaking ancient walls with electric drills, destroying relics, images, and other artifacts.

Nimrud is 30 kilometers south of Mosul, where Iraqi soldiers and special forces are battling Islamic State for control.

The operation is part of a campaign between Iraqi government and allied forces to drive militants away from Mosul and its neighboring cities held by Sunni Islamist groups.

Although the government has assembled at least 100,000 troops, commanders say the fight may be long. Our approach [to Hadba] will be very slow and cautious so that we can reach the families and free them from Daeshs [Islamic State] grip, Brigadier Ali Abdulla said.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said Sunday more than 50,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Council director in Iraq Wolfgang Gressmann said, Civilians have told us of horrific stories from inside Mosul.  They have giving terrifying accounts of IS moving them from neighborhood to neighborhood and from house to house, in tactics identical with being used as human shields,

The organization says at least 700,000 people will need shelter, food, water and medical support.
After completing an "awe-inspiring" trip to Antarctica, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that he believed a majority of Americans realize climate change "is in fact happening" and want the issue to be addressed.

Kerry, who has long championed action on climate change, said in Wellington, New Zealand, that he would continue efforts to implement the landmark Paris agreement on climate change until President Barack Obama leaves office on January 20.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he believes climate change is a hoax, and he pledged during his election campaign to "cancel" U.S. participation in last year's agreement, in which nearly 200 countries agreed to place limits on global greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris agreement went into effect this month after enough governments formally accepted its terms.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this, but I believe we're on the right track, and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters Sunday, according to the French news agency AFP.

"Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing," he said of Trump's campaign promises, "and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject."

Kerry returned Sunday to New Zealand, which had been his departure point for a flight to Antarctica on Friday, ahead of an international climate change conference in Marrakech next week.

After an early morning departure from Christchurch, Kerry flew to McMurdo Station, the base of U.S. operations in Antarctica. He then traveled from McMurdo to a small U.S. research station near the South Pole, where he spoke with scientists before returning to McMurdo for the night.

Kerry called the visit to Antarctica "awe-inspiring." He took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet [3.7 meters] or more to the current sea level," he said, according to AFP.

From New Zealand, Kerry travels to the Middle East for talks and then on to Marrakech, Morocco, for the U.N. climate talks.
Moldova's pro-Russian presidential candidate Igor Dodon has declared victory in Sunday's presidential runoff vote, holding a commanding lead in the former Soviet republic with nearly all votes counted.

With 97 percent of all ballots tallied late Sunday, Dodon, who campaigned on promises to restore closer ties with Russia, held a commanding 55.3 to 44.7 percent lead over pro-Europe rival Maia Sandu.

"We have won, everyone knows it," Dodon said at a late night news conference.

Final results are expected early Monday in the impoverished country of 3.5 million.

Dodon, who came close to winning the presidency outright in the first round of voting two weeks ago, also has pledged to foster good relations with Moldova's neighbors, Romania and Ukraine. However, such appeasement gestures may face stiff resistance in Kyiv by many who object to Dodon's support for Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

For her part, Sandu - a former education minister - used her campaign to urge closer ties with Europe. She also called for the withdrawal of several thousand Russian troops from Moldova's Russian-speaking separatist region of Trans-Dniester.

Dodon's apparent victory comes alongside that of nearby Bulgaria's pro-Russian presidential candidate Gen. Rumen Radev, a political novice whose win on Sunday prompted center-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to announce his resignation.

Moldova, like Bulgaria, has in recent years been plagued with rampant official corruption.

Former Moldovan prime minister Vlad Filat was sentenced earlier this year to a nine-year prison term, after a court found him guilty of corruption and abuse of power during his 2009-2013 term as head of government. His pro-European ruling coalition had been linked to the country's most powerful oligarch, Vladimir Plahotniuc, who has long been accused of running the country through bribes and intimidation.

Filat was arrested last year during a parliamentary session and later charged for his links to a bank fraud scheme that included the disappearance from three banks of $1 billion - nearly 13 percent of the tiny country's annual GDP.

Filat's successor later lost a parliamentary vote of confidence.
Myanmar on Sunday reported heavy fighting in the western state of Rakhine, where government forces near the border with Bangladesh have been hunting insurgents linked to attacks that authorities say killed nine police last month.

A government statement said the latest fighting was triggered by an ambush on police Saturday by an estimated 60 attackers armed with guns and knives. The statement said one soldier and six attackers were killed. It said the government force later arrested more than 30 suspects.

The statement did not identify the attackers, and there have been no independent descriptions of the forces said to be attacking government troops. However, the government has aligned itself with Rakhine Buddhists since violence against minority Rohingya Muslims erupted in 2012.

Monitors and Western diplomats say fighting has spiked in recent weeks, and witnesses have since accused soldiers in the region of raping and killing ethnic Rohingya and burning their homes. Photos published since October 9 have shown burned houses and flattened villages, and have sparked renewed criticism of government tactics.

In a related development, the Myanmar Times (English language) newspaper last week stopped covering the Rakhine crisis, after one of its senior editors was fired over a story alleging that government troops gang-raped Rohingya women.

On Friday, the United Nations special representative on sexual violence in conflict zones called on the Myanmar government to investigate allegations of sexual assault in border areas of northern Rakhine state. There was no public government response to the call from Zainab Hawa Bangura, who said the government must support humanitarian aid to the area.

More than 100,000 Rohingya have been confined to squalid encampments in Rakhine since being forced from their homes in 2012. They are widely seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and most of the estimated 1 million Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar despite, in many cases, having lived there for generations.
France marked the one-year anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks Sunday with a series of ceremonies across the capital, even as the countrys prime minister told the BBC that a year-long state of emergency will likely be extended.

The day was gray and rainy when crowds gathered day to remember the 130 dead and more than 400 injured in last year's attacks. French President Francois Hollande stood in front of the Bataclan concert hall with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, as the names of the 90 people killed there by Islamist extremists were read out. It was a scene repeated at each of the six sites targeted by the assailants.

Crowds gathered at each spot throughout the afternoon. Some people had tears in their eyes. Many placed flowers and candles in front of the newly unveiled plaques that bore the victims' names.

One resident, Gilles, was at the Bataclan with a friend from Belgium. He believes the mourning has brought the French closer together.

Parisian Marie Gillard Chevallier thinks France is a more fearful nation. She described how friends ran to hide recently when some firecrackers went off. They thought it was gunfire.

There have been bright spots during the anniversary, including hundreds of balloons released over the city. And music has returned to the Bataclan, which reopened Saturday night with a sold-out Sting concert.

Late Sunday, Parisians placed candles at their windows and lanterns on the Canal Saint Martin, not far from a bar and restaurant where jihadists shot dead 15 people. For Didine and the others, read one message on a latern. We will be with you always.
South Korean prosecutors are likely to question President Park Geun-hye this week concerning a corruption scandal that has crippled her administration and sparked massive rallies calling for her resignation.



"We need to question the president Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest," an official in Seoul's prosecutor's office told Yonhap news agency.



Park, whose approval rating has fallen to five percent, would be the first sitting South Korean president questioned by prosecutors about a criminal case.



The investigation into a multi-million-dollar influence peddling scheme, allegedly organized by the president's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, has shattered Park's carefully crafted political image as an incorruptible leader. The accusations include Park pressuring South Korean top conglomerates into giving tens of millions of dollars to foundations that Choi controlled.



Prosecutors are also investigating Choi who is alleged to have exercised a "cult-like" influence over Park.Choi is accused of meddling in state affairs, even though she had no government title or security clearance.



Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered at a mass rally in South Korea Saturday to demand President Park's ouster.
"Bridges, not walls," protesters chanted outside Trump International Hotel in Washington late Saturday, referencing President-elect Donald Trump's promise to build a wall along the southern U.S. border to bar Mexicans  who Trump has described as "criminals" and "rapists"  from entering the country.

On a fourth night of demonstrations around the country since Trump won Tuesday's election, demonstrators held a candlelight vigil in front of the White House on Saturday evening before marching down Pennsylvania Avenue to the hotel where they blocked traffic and belted out other chants, including "We reject the president-elect."

Protesters also took to the streets and parks across other parts of the U.S. Saturday, with more than 2,000 people marching from Union Square in Manhattan to Trump Tower, home of the president-elect and where he was meeting with his transition team.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," one protester, 30-year-old fashion designer Noemi Abad, told the Associated Press. "He needs to go... there's no place for racism in society in America."

Thousands of protesters marched in other major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as smaller cities like Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa.

WATCH: Protests in Los Angeles

After a divisive campaign, protesters have said they fear a Trump presidency will erode Americans' civil rights and trigger unrest. Demonstrators in New York on Saturday carried signs that included "Black Lives Matter" and "Not My President."

More protests have been planned and organized on Facebook for the coming days throughout the country, leading up to the presidential inauguration in January; among them, a Million Women March organized for Washington on January 21, 2017, the day after Trump is set to be sworn in as president.

"This march is a show of solidarity to demand our safety and health in a time when our country is marginalizing us and making sexual assault an electable and forgivable norm," organizers for the Maryland group of women posted on social media.

Nearly a dozen women have alleged that Trump sexually harassed or assaulted them, though no charges have been filed against the president-elect. In October, video surfaced of Trump boasting in 2005 that he could grope women because he is a "star."

'Give him a chance'

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Saturday that if Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton had won the election and Trump supporters were protesting against her, "everyone's hair would be on fire."

Conway called on President Barack Obama and Clinton to urge protesters to give the president-elect and his administration a chance.

Since protests began Wednesday, heavy trucks loaded with sand have been parked near the entrance to the Trump Tower apartments as a security measure. Police have kept demonstrators at least a block away from the building.

Both the mayor and the police chief of Portland, Oregon, called for calm Saturday night after days of violent protests, but to no avail. Hundreds of rowdy demonstrators took to the streets with police making multiple arrests.

In Germany Saturday, hundreds of Germans and American residents gathered in Berlin near the Brandenburg Gate and the U.S. Embassy to protest Trump's election. They said the policies Trump discussed during his campaign would, if applied when he is in office, damage civil rights and human rights protections.

The wave of protests began just hours after Trump's stunning upset victory over former secretary of state Hillary Clinton was confirmed early Wednesday, and demonstrations have sprung up daily since then in more than a dozen U.S. cities.

'Immigrants welcome here!'

Demonstrators in all of these locations angrily recalled some of Trump's inflammatory and controversial comments during his campaign, about immigrants, Muslims and women. One of the slogans they have chanted is: "No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here."

Many of the protesters have said they intend to continue their rallies and demonstrations during the weeks ahead, even until the new president's inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on January 20.

Meantime, reports are emerging of racist incidents at a number of U.S. schools and universities, including chants of "white power," anti-black graffiti and in some cases physical clashes.

Since his election Tuesday, reports have shown an increase in racist incidents and hate crimes across the country. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, documented more than 200 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation in the three days after election day.

Threats against blacks, Muslims

A student at the University of Oklahoma was temporarily suspended Saturday on suspicion of sending racist social media messages, including threats of lynchings, to black freshmen at the University of Pennsylvania.

Also, police in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are investigating a threat against a Muslim student near the University of Michigan after the woman said a man threatened to set her on fire unless she removed the hijab she was wearing.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said there has been an increase in threats and attacks on American Muslims after the election, and called on Trump to speak out on the incidents. During the campaign, Trump called for banning Muslims from entering the country for security reasons.

IN PHOTOS: Trump Critics Continue Rallies Across US, Beyond
In coming days, Americans will learn of the team President-elect Donald Trump will bring to Washington when he is sworn into office in January. Trump could offer clues about how he intends to govern by the Cabinet he chooses.

Inauguration Day is two months away, but Donald Trump must make choices that will shape his administration and impact its performance.

The mood is excellent, said Kellyanne Conway, who served as Trumps campaign manager and is widely thought to be in line for a position in his administration. We are working really hard to help form a government.

Under consideration are Trumps strongest advocates during the campaign, like Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, possibly for secretary of defense, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, possibly for attorney general.

Whatever I want to be, Ill discuss with the president-elect, Giuliani said on ABCs This Week program. It would have to be something where I felt he really needed me.

It will be a fabulous Cabinet filled with people who are qualified to do those jobs and who understand very clearly what his goals are, Conway promised. He has laid them out very specifically.

Excuses are over

Conway said her boss will be singularly focused on results as president.

The excuses are over. We have a Republican president, a Republican House, a Republican Senate, so there is a mandate from the public to actually get things done, and he will do that, she said.

While demonstrations against Trump continue in numerous cities, Democratic lawmakers are not ruling out working with the new president on certain items.

We want to see infrastructure development, too, said Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. We need to rebuild everything from transit, fiber optic broadband in our rural and urban areas. That is a worthy program. We will see if he really means it, though.

But Democrats stress that other Trump promises, like deporting large numbers of undocumented immigrants and enacting the biggest tax cuts in U.S. history, will be fiercely opposed. No one knows what Trumps first moves as president will be, but the team he assembles now could provide some clues.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will deport 2 million to 3 million undocumented immigrants who have criminal records when he assumes power and will keep his campaign pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to thwart the stream of illegal migration into the country.

What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told the CBS network's 60 Minutes show. But were getting them out of our country. Theyre here illegally.

Building a wall



In an excerpt of the interview released before airing Sunday night, Trump said that he intends to build the wall, a favorite campaign promise for his most devoted supporters, but that part of the barrier might be "some fencing."

The blunt-spoken real estate mogul said, "I'm very good at this, it's called construction." He has vowed to get Mexico to pay for the wall, but the U.S.'s southern neighbor says it will not.

Overall, about 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, but Trump said that after the border is secure and the initial group of law-breaking immigrants is deported, his government would decide what to do with the remaining millions of undocumented migrants.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalized," he said, "were going to make a determination on the people that theyre talking about who are terrific people. Theyre terrific people, but we are gonna make a determination at that. But before we make that determination ... its very important, we are going to secure our border.

In the interview, Trump, who vowed during the campaign to dismantle President Barack Obama's signature health care reforms, said he would keep parts of the program, including a provision banning insurers from denying coverage to those with major preexisting health conditions. Trump surrogates have also suggested that he may abandon or reshape other favorite campaign pledges, but he has yet to detail many of his intentions.

Trump is working quickly to shape his new government, even as thousands of protesters are taking to the streets in major cities in nightly demonstrations against his election.

Chief of staff selection



Meanwhile, Trump's administration is beginning to take shape. He announced Sunday that Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus will be his new chief of staff -- the highest-ranking White House employee, who is basically the top assistant to the president.

He also named right-wing media executive Steve Bannon as his chief strategist and counselor.

Trump calls both "highly qualified leaders."

Priebus called the appointment "an honor," and predicted Trump will be "a great president for all Americans."



Bannon said, "We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda."

Other top names reportedly being considered for senior jobs include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as attorney general and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as defense secretary.



EU foreign ministers



Meanwhile, most of the European Union foreign ministers were meeting Sunday in Brussels to discuss the impact of Trump's election on trans-Atlantic relations and how it might complicate the West's contentious standing with Russia, whose leader, President Vladimir Putin, Trump often praised during his campaign. The British and French foreign ministers were staying away from the meeting, saying they objected to the Trump-related discussions.

Much of Europe was shocked by Trump's election because of his suggestion during the campaign that the U.S. revisit its support for NATO, which has been a bedrock U.S.-European military alliance since the end of World War II. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Trump poses risks for the relationship.

"I believe we'll have two years of wasted time while Mr. Trump tours a world he doesn't know," Juncker said, referring to Trump's lack of solid foreign policy priorities that has kept much of the world guessing as to his intents.

Watch video report from VOA's Zlatica Hoke:
President-elect Donald Trump says he will continue to use Twitter when he takes office, but that he will be "very restrained" while in the White House.

"I'm going to do very restrained, if I use it at all, I'm going to be very restrained," Trump said in an interview to be aired Sunday night on CBS' 60 Minutes. "It's a modern form of communication. There should be nothing we should be ashamed of. It's where it's at."

And yet, while he waits to move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump devoted several tweets against his media nemesis, the New York Times.

"Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the 'Trump phenomena'," the real estate mogul wrote in one tweet early Sunday.

"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?" he wrote in a separate tweet to his nearly 15 million Twitter followers.

The tweets referred to a letter the paper sent to its readers and subscribers stating it would "reflect" on its election coverage and "rededicate ourselves to... report America and the world honestly" and to "hold power to account."

Among his tweets on Sunday, Trump also posted several thanking Republican lawmakers - most of whom had criticized his candidacy during the election -- for calling to congratulate him.
One unanticipated result from Donald Trump's election to the presidency has been a flood of donations to the U.S. reproductive health care provider Planned Parenthood.

The gifts to Planned Parenthood, along with a reported sharp increase in requests for long-lasting birth-control devices such as intrauterine devices, are seen as linked to many women's worries about the future under a Trump administration. Many have spoken of their concerns that the new administration may attempt to limit access to abortion and eliminate government funding for birth-control practices.

Planned Parenthood, which relies on public funding for nearly half of its operating funds, said it had received 80,000 new donations nationwide since voting on Tuesday, when Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in what was seen as a stunning upset.

Donations are not enough

Planned Parenthood officials said Saturday that because donations have flooded in so rapidly, they have not yet been able to tally how much has been received. However, private donations in recent years have accounted for only a relatively small portion of organization's yearly budget of more than $1 billion.

Planned Parenthood, which operates 650 health care centers across the country, has drawn widespread opposition for years from political conservatives, religious groups and large numbers of Republican Party members who oppose many forms of abortion.

Trump aligned himself firmly with opponents of abortion, who describe themselves as "pro-life," during political campaigning this year. But in the longer term he has given mixed signals about his feelings on the issue.

In March, Trump said women who get abortions should be punished, but when those remarks caused an outcry of opposition, he rescinded them. Before setting out on his campaign for the presidency, he once said he fully supported women's right to choose whether to have abortions, and described himself as "pro-choice in every respect."

Pence strongly anti-abortion

More recently, he has aligned himself closely with his running mate, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who as governor of Indiana was a strong opponent of abortion and a vigorous critic of government funding for Planned Parenthood.

Asked to clarify Trump's position this week, his transition team said the new administration would "protect innocent human life from conception to natural death."

The president of the National Right to Life Committee, Carol Tobias, told Reuters she was now very optimistic about the eventual success of her group's campaign to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.

The U.S. Affordable Care Act, enacted during Barack Obama's presidency, requires that all Americans have health insurance, and it regulates the coverage that must be provided, including a requirement that insurers pay the costs of many forms of birth control for women.

Repeal or amend?

Trump promised repeatedly during the campaign that one of his first acts upon taking office in January would be to repeal and replace the health care law, also known as Obamacare. But the president-elect began to backtrack from that position less than 48 hours after his victory at the polls, saying he might leave intact some portions of the health care law rather than replace it entirely.

Nevertheless, the prospect of losing insurance coverage for birth-control costs has left many women anxious about the future, and there have been many reports of women of childbearing age who are trying to quickly arrange a long-lasting birth-control plan, such as the use of IUDs, which can be effective for up to 12 years.

Planned Parenthood's chief medical officer, Dr. Raegan McDonald-Moseley, said it was too early to measure any increase in requests for birth-control information or assistance. However, she said the organization had no plans to change its policy of meeting freely with women to discuss birth control or access to abortion.
Turkey on Saturday suspended the activities of 370 civic groups, including women's and children's rights organizations, as the Ankara government continues its roundup of individuals and groupings with alleged ties to a failed coup attempt four months ago.

The civic groups learned about the government move late Friday, when police in Istanbul began raiding their offices and seizing files.

Lawyers at several community-based legal organizations told The Associated Press the police gave no explanation for the action. The head of a children's rights organization also said authorities provided no information.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus on Saturday defended the crackdown and said it was justified under state-of-emergency regulations in effect since July. He said there was "strong evidence" linking the suspended organizations to alleged terrorist networks.

An Interior Ministry statement said 153 suspended associations were suspected of links to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accused of playing a central role in the July 15 failed coup attempt. Another 190 were said to have ties to the outlawed Kurdish militant group known as the PKK, and the remaining suspensions targeted groups with alleged ties to either a far-left militant group or to Islamic State extremists.

Critics, including Western governments and human rights organizations, have voiced strong concern that the purge, originally focused on the so-called Gulen network, has since been expanded to include a wide array of organizations guilty of merely opposing the policies of the Ankara government.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the unprecedented crackdown is principally aimed at what he calls the "Gulenist Terror Organization," and that purges will continue until infiltrators seeking to topple his government have been removed from all state institutions.

More than 100,000 people, including academics and journalists, have been removed from their jobs since government forces crushed the coup attempt days after it was launched. More than 35,000 others, including military officers and opposition politicians, have been arrested for suspected ties to Gulen, who has denied any involvement in the plot.
The United States has agreed to resettle an unspecified number of refugees languishing in Pacific island camps in a deal that is expected to inspire more asylum seekers to attempt to reach Australia by boat, officials said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not say whether he had discussed the deal with President-elect Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on Thursday.

The Obama administration had agreed to resettle refugees among almost 1,300 asylum seekers held at Australia's expense on the island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

"We deal with one administration at a time and there is only one president of the United States at a time," Turnbull told reporters, adding that the deal was reached "some time ago."

Trump has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Australia refuses to resettle any refugee who has arrived by boat since the date the tough policy was announced on July 19, 2013.

Australia pays Nauru and Papua New Guinea to house boat arrivals and has been searching for countries that will resettle them.

Few refugees have accepted offers to resettle in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia because most hope that Australia will eventually take them in.

Turnbull said the United States had only agreed to resettle refugees already on Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Refugees who arrive in the future would not be sent to the United States.

"We anticipate that people smugglers will seek to use this agreement as a marketing opportunity to tempt vulnerable people onto these perilous sea journeys," Turnbull said.

"We have put in place the largest and most capable maritime surveillance and response fleet Australia has ever deployed," he added.

Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said ships had been positioned to turn boats back to Indonesia if asylum seekers attempt to reach Australia in the hope of being sent to the U.S.

No people smuggling operation has successfully delivered asylum seekers to Australia by boat since July 2014, but 29 boats have been turned back to Indonesia by the Australian navy.

Turnbull announced at Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia would participate in the U.S.-led program to resettle Central American refugees from a camp in Costa Rica. Australia would also increase its refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 a year.

Turnbull said at the time that the agreement to resettle Hondurans and El Salvadoreans was "not linked to any other resettlement discussions" involving Australia's refugees getting to the U.S.
Some refugees held in controversial Australian-run camps in the South Pacific will be resettled in the United States. Speaking in Canberra, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it would be a one-off deal.

Under tough border security laws, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach Australia by boat are sent to migrant centers at Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and the tiny republic of Nauru. They are forbidden from being resettled in Australia as part of strict policies aimed at deterring unauthorized boat arrivals that have been reduced to barely a trickle in recent years. Conditions in the centers have been repeatedly criticized as inhumane by campaigners.

Refugees in the camps have celebrated Australias resettlement deal with the United States. One said the nightmare of life in detention would soon be over, but many uncertainties remain. Officials have not said how many of the 1,200 migrants held in camps in the South Pacific would be allowed into the U.S., or when the process would begin.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made the announcement Sunday in Canberra.

The agreement is with the United States," he said. "It is a one-off agreement. It will not be repeated. It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centers. It will not be available to any persons who seek to reach Australia in the future. Our priority is the resettlement of women, children and families. This will be an orderly process. It will take time, it will not be rushed.

Amnesty International said it was worried about the lack of information around the timeline and the number of refugees to be processed.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in New Zealand, has confirmed the arrangement, but it was not clear if the agreement will be honored by President-elect Donald Trump. He has previously stressed he would crack down on immigration. Trump has also threatened to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Many of the detainees held on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and Nauru come from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Australia said its navy would continue to stop and turn away any asylum seeker boats trying to reach its territorial waters.

The detention of asylum seekers is broadly supported by the majority of Australians, but the issue is deeply divisive. Critics of the strict policies argue that Australia is breaching its international obligations.

Canberra currently offers refugee visas to about 14,000 people under various global conventions each year.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's campaign rhetoric has sowed anxiety and confusion about the foreign policy path he will pursue.



During the Republican primaries and in the general election contest against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton the wealthy businessman was vague on some key issues, including the fight against the so-called Islamic State group.



On other matters he was consistent and adamant: advocating rejection of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, renegotiating the nuclear deal with Iran and withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement; all centerpieces of the Obama administration.



The TPP remains important despite reports the White House has given up on congressional approval, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in New Zealand Sunday.





Climate change



As far as the climate change treaties to which the United States has agreed "we will wait to see how the next administration addresses this, but I believe we're on the right track, and this is a track that the American people are committed to because the majority of the American people believe climate change is, in fact, happening and want to see us address it," Kerry added prior to heading to Oman.



Visiting Antarctica last Friday, the top U.S. diplomat appeared to call for citizens to actively oppose Trump's skepticism toward climate science.



"We need to get more of a movement going," Kerry told several hundred scientists there. "We need to get more people to engage."



Despite an incoming administration that appears intent on wrecking much of what he and predecessor Clinton constructed, Kerry has instructed an orderly transition at the State Department.



"Our focus over the next couple months is making sure the transition runs as smoothly and as efficiently as possible, State Department spokesman John Kirby told VOA.





The Trump transition team, he added, will be warmly welcomed and the incumbents will "do all we can to ensure they have the information they need to prepare to lead this department."



Foreign policy



Profound concerns about Trump's foreign policy direction are being expressed by former senior officials appointed to posts under both Democratic and Republican presidents.



The president-elect has "denigrated our NATO allies while praising Russia's Vladimir Putin, disparaged our Asian allies Japan and South Korea, pledged to keep Muslims out of America and repudiated the Mexican people in vulgar terms," said former undersecretary of state for political affairs R. Nicholas Burns.



Trump's "rash and unwise statements have already damaged American credibility in the world," added Burns, now a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.



Regarded as a businessman who makes gut decisions rather than mulling nuances, many foreign policy experts do not envision Trump devouring thick briefing books or refereeing lengthy debates among advisors.



The executive director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, Daniel Hamilton, told VOA the relationship with Europe faces a transformation if the Trump White House requires allies to "pay in full" for the U.S. security presence there, as well as NATO itself.



Foreign policy analysts also expect Trump to re-evaluate Obama's pivot to the Pacific, but some predict he will conclude it best to leave intact the alliance system with Japan and South Korea as an effective, long-term counter to China's rising military might, and amid an escalating nuclear and ballistic missile threat from North Korea.





Moscow and Washington



A Kremlin spokesman has declared President-elect Donald Trump's foreign policy approach "phenomenally close" to that of Russian President Vladimir Putin.



"That is probably a good basis for our moderate optimism that they will at least be able to start a dialogue to start to clear out the Augean stables in our bilateral relations," said Dmitry Peskov in remarks aired by Russian state Channel One television Thursday.



Among the most commonly heard names for Trump's selection as secretary of state are Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker and John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.



Corker, a Republican, is regarded as intense, but a pragmatist and dealmaker.



Bolton is a self-declared "libertarian conservative" known for his confrontational personality and disdain for protracted diplomatic negotiations and wary of treaties.



Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Newt Gingrich, known for his tough stances on Iran and North Korea, is also mentioned, although in recent days he has expressed a desire to be involved in making policy decisions for the new administration, presumably from inside the White House.





Also touted as a possible secretary of state is Senator Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican on the Armed Services Committee.



Others under consideration, according to The New York Times, are former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and retired Army General Stanley McChrystal, who commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan.



Recruiting a highly competent team below Cabinet secretaries for the new, inexperienced team may prove a challenge amid vows expressed by some "Never Trump" Republicans not to work in the new administration.



Talent abounds in Washington, but experienced foreign policy specialists, be they Republican, Democrat or independent, tend to be internationalists and if Trump pursues a hardline isolationist approach, the loyalty of those underlings may prove tenuous.
Assault Investigation  Update to Witness Appeal

Detectives currently investigating the assault on a woman in the area of Line Wall Road on Saturday 5th November, are seeking to trace and speak to a young male wearing dark clothing and white trainers, who is captured on CCTV footage running south along Reclamation Road from the direction of the American War Memorial, at about 0158hrs 05/11/2016.

In their statement, the Royal Gibraltar Police make the following appeal to the public;

'If the individual in these still images is you, please contact us as soon as possible, as you may be able to assist us with our enquiries.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that anyone with information regarding this case, or regarding the identity of this individual, should contact our Criminal Investigation Department (CID) via the New Mole House switchboard on Tel 20072500, or alternatively, via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photo: 2016 Getty Images

If youre shocked that Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United States, members of A Tribe Called Quest want you to know its probably because you havent been experiencing life as a black person in America. I was telling people he was gonna win, said Q-Tip the night after the election at a listening party for ATCQs new, and final, album We Got It From Here, Thank You For Your Service. Not that I wanted him to win, but I thought that he would. And the reason he won, I think, is deeply conspiratorial. He got the backing of certain elite motherfuckers, and he activated a group that hadnt been spoken to in a very, very long time. Probably not since the days of George Wallace have we had a presidential candidate with the official backing of the Ku Klux Klan. (The Klan also endorsed Ronald Reagan, who, like Trump, rejected their support.)

I knew it was gonna happen, added Jarobi White. Weve been saying, Hey, three-quarters of the country is fucking racist, and everybodys like, Oh no, it isnt. So yeah, I expected it. Plus, unlike white liberals talking among themselves on Facebook, hes actually spent significant time in middle America. There was no doubt in my mind. Ive been touring all over the country. I knew that theres a lot of people who feel left behind and disenfranchised and neither one of the parties addressed them, so they were looking for something that wasnt a part of the thing thats been giving them so much angst for their whole lives. Busta Rhymes, too, saw this coming. I kinda wasnt surprised, said Busta. I dont think too many people were happy about us having an incredible president like Barack Obama and they wanted to make sure that they didnt let that happen again any time soon. Not even anything close to him. This is a way that the people that arent happy about these things go about showing it.

Q-Tip  who could be seen two years ago marching in a Black Lives Matter protest after a Missouri grand jury refused to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the killing of unarmed black man Michael Brown  said he hadnt slept since the results came in. Theres a crazy divide that we have to examine because we cant skirt around it. And its racial. We saw African-Americans come out in huge numbers for Obama. They disappeared. They werent spoken to. And adversely you see the huge amount of white men and white women who were activated and spoken to, and they won. They won! People are saying Trump was just saying that shit to get elected. But whatever the case is, he ran on an energy that a lot of people connected to. We have a real serious fuckin issue here, you know what Im saying?

It wasnt just the countrys racism that tipped Q-Tip off that Trump would win, but Hillary Clintons weaknesses as a candidate. I saw that she was kinda lackadaisical, he said. There was a certain bourgeois elitism that she had to the way that she ran it. She totally didnt go to places like Wisconsin because she thought she had that shit in the bag because she won it in the primary, but that wound up to bite her. She wasnt dogged enough, which she needed to be. Meanwhile, Jarobi is severely disappointed in this country, but is holding onto hope that Trump will prove to be the guy any long-time New Yorker knows him to be. I mean, hes a sleaze-fucking-ball, he said. But we have mutual friends in common and for him to have those friends he has to have some kind of redeeming qualities.

Busta still hasnt moved from despondency to acceptance. He voted for Hillary, and Im really sorry she didnt get it, he said. Hed spent election night calling friends in high places, and when one finally told him that it would take a miracle for Hillary to win, he said: Thats when the tear-jerk moment happened. I cried out of disappointment more than anything else, that we elected a man who doesnt have one single second of political experience. What he represents is frightening.

He cried again, he said, the next morning when he had to talk to his children. Its weird to not be able to explain to your child, when theyre old enough to say to you, Dad, we loved having Barack Obama, right? said Busta. But we also saw a lot of horrible things done to black people while we have Barack Obama in office, with the police killings and all of that. What is it going to be like now with a man who actually is an advocate for the things? As a result, he has vowed to become more educated on how the system actually works: It really put a battery in my back, personally, to want to do that research, because I needed more answers than what I was able to come up with last night and I dont have them.

Q-Tip, meanwhile, is already thinking of the kind of music hed make out of this. As an artist, what can I do? I sing a song and bang on a drum, he said. But hopefully we can bring about a mood or some sort of inspiration where people can aspire to do better. Aspire to change shit. Thats all we can do.
DALLAS  Sometimes a coach knows a technical foul is coming, and other times its a surprise.

When Kim Mulkey was whistled for a tech in the first half of Baylors 60-57 Elite Eight loss to Oregon State Saturday, she wasnt shocked at all.

The technical? You bet I meant to get it, Mulkey said, following Baylors third straight Elite Eight defeat.

Mulkey was visibly incensed with some of the calls that went against Baylor early in the game. But with 4:35 to play in the second quarter, she boiled over. Baylor junior forward Nina Davis attempted a shot in the paint while drawing contact. But the three officials didnt blow the whistle, and Oregon States Sydney Wiese tracked down the rebound.

Mulkey took off the gold blazer she was wearing, and flung it toward the bench, drawing a technical foul from official Kyle Bacon.

Mulkey went without the jacket for the rest of the first half.

By the second half, Mulkeys jacket had returned, as well as a new Twitter account entitled simply, Kim Mulkeys Jacket.

Rising star in womens hoops?

The womens college basketball scene is dominated by a handful of tradition-rich perennial powerhouses that contend for NCAA championships year in and year out.

The short list usually includes the essentials  teams like Baylor, Connecticut, Stanford, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Tennessee. But that group might have a new team in the mix in the near future, as Oregon State prepares for its first Final Four.

When Scott Rueck was named head coach of the Beavers in 2010, he adopted a program that hadnt reached the NCAA tournament since 1996. They had won just 11 games the previous year for their second straight last-place finish in what was then the Pac-10.

When I accepted this job I had friends tell me they were scared for me, Rueck said. Those things are fuel for me, someone who went to Oregon State and believes in the university, believes in the people and the community.

Oregon States current senior class won just 10 games as freshmen, but the team quickly climbed the womens college basketball ladder, winning 24 games in 2013-14 and 27 in 2014-15. Now the Beavers are at the 32-win mark  the most in school history  and are the current leaders of the Pac-12 as the conferences current regular-season and tournament champion.

Its a build that looks similar to that of Baylor, which had never been to the NCAA tournament before Kim Mulkey was hired for the 2000-01 season. The Lady Bears won 21 games that season, and have been reached the Big Dance every year since.

Is Oregon State heading in that direction? Rueck likes to think so.

This team  I think theyre a great basketball team, I think theyre better people, he said. I think what people saw tonight was the tightness of the group and the resiliency of a family thats been formed over six years, and all the people that have come before us.

Davis, Jones named to Dallas Regional All-Tournament team

Baylor was represented by forward Nina Davis and guard Alexis Jones on the Dallas Regional All-Tournament team, which was announced shortly after Monday nights game.

Davis averaged 20.5 points in two games in Dallas, including a 30-point effort against Florida State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday. Jones led the team with 19 points on Monday and averaged 17 points over the two-game span.

They were joined on the team with Most Outstanding Player Jamie Weisner and Sydney Wiese of Oregon State, as well as DePaul guard Jessica January.

Earlier in the day, Davis was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press while Jones was an honorable mention.

Johnsons assist count ends at 988

Niya Johnsons assist numbers have climbed sky-high over four years, but her career total has reached its end with 988 total helpers.

The number puts the senior point guard in fifth place all-time among NCAA career assists leaders. She needed one helper to pass Providences Shanya Evans, and she got exactly that on Monday.

Johnson wraps up her senior season with 321 dimes, which is just one short of the Baylor single-season record she set last year. It sits tied for fifth in NCAA history.

The NCAA career record is 1,307, held by Penn States Suzie McConnell from 1985-88.
Stephen M. Cutbirth is a hardworking widower with three kids who likes to hit the Louisiana casinos when its too wet to get into the fields for his custom hay-baling business.

He and a family friend teamed up in July 2013 to win a $1.24 million jackpot in Bossier City. However, what Cutbirth intended as a friendly gesture has turned the stroke of good fortune into a complex legal nightmare the 53-year-old Downsville resident calls a curse from hell.

Now Cutbirth, not to be confused with the Waco dentist with a similar name, is embroiled in an expensive legal battle with his friends stepdaughter and her husband, who are claiming Cutbirth defrauded the woman into giving him half of what they claim are their winnings.

The circuitous ordeal began when Cutbirth invited Lacey Newman to accompany him to Louisiana for a weekend of gambling. Newman is the stepdaughter of a longtime friend of Cutbirths. She had moved in with her mother and stepfather after becoming estranged from her husband, Jonathan Newman.

Cutbirth said he asked her to go as a friend only. He didnt know at the time that Lacey Newman was married or that her divorce was two weeks from becoming final, he said.

Cutbirth said he offered to fund the trip and told Lacey Newman he would give her money for gambling. They agreed to split 50-50 whatever money either of them won, Cutbirth said. He said they also agreed he would finance their losses because Lacey Newman had no money at the time.

Now Lacey Newman, once Cutbirths ally in a dispute with her husband over the money, has since reconciled with her husband, they have had a second child, and the Newmans are suing Cutbirth for what he says is his share of the winnings.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing that has turned into a curse from hell, Cutbirth said. It is a curse. Now I have spent over $100,000 on attorneys, and she is so ungrateful. The people are so ungrateful. Greed. She walks in and cant even buy a pack of cigarettes and she walks out with $400,000, and thats not good enough? You come after my money too?

Defendants response

Jonathan Newman declined comment. His attorney, Don Raybold, said he is reluctant to try the case in the paper and referred questions to legal documents filed in the case.

The pleadings speak for themselves, and we believe we can prove a fraud was committed, Raybold said.

Lacey Newman declined comment through her attorney, Galen Edwards, who also declined comment.

Cutbirth said he and Lacey Newman went through about $3,800 of his money at the casino the night they arrived. The next morning, they went back to Diamond Jacks Casino and started gambling again, he said.

He said he needed to excuse himself and asked Lacey Newman, who had run out of money on her machine, to play the machine he was playing while he was gone. Cutbirth said he put another $100 in the machine and went to the bathroom.

Thats when she hit the Wheel of Fortune jackpot worth $1.24 million.

Cutbirth and his attorney, Ken Rolston, said Lacey Newman asked the casino employees to put the winnings in Cutbirths name so her estranged husband wouldnt find out about the jackpot and try to claim a portion as community property during their divorce.

She was scheming from the get-go, Rolston said. Steve didnt even know at the time she was married. Now they are trying to make it look like Steve is the schemer.

Cutbirth and Lacey Newman decided to accept a cash buyout that was worth about $800,000, he said. They left Louisiana with a check for about $60,000 and a promise that the balance would be forwarded to them soon.

On the way home, they called a Waco attorney. She drafted two contracts that outlined Cutbirths and Newmans agreement to split the money evenly, Cutbirth said.

The first contract, he said, was for the first payout of $60,000, and the second was for the remaining balance.

Cutbirth said he gave Newman $25,000 that day and agreed to co-sign for a new $63,000 Ford Raptor pickup truck for Lacey Newman on their first day back because she didnt have sufficient credit to purchase the vehicle. She was going to pay him back when the balance hit the bank in Waco.

If her intent was to keep the winnings from her husband, it didnt last long because she was driving around in the new truck, and her photo was taken for promotional purposes by the casino, which quickly was brought to her husbands attention.

Jonathan Newman filed suit against his estranged wife and Cutbirth, seeking a portion of the winnings. In a sworn deposition, Lacey Newman initially said the money she used to play belonged to Cutbirth.

Considers a gift

After she reconciled with Jonathan Newman, a police officer in Lacy Lakeview, she testified at a hearing that she considered the money Cutbirth gave her a gift and that the entire jackpot belongs to her. She also said she lied in the deposition.

The Newmans lawsuit alleges Cutbirth fraudulently took more than $400,000 from the couples community estate by deceiving Lacey Newman with false representations about the state of property law and playing on Lacey Newmans naivete.

As much as she has lied and as much as she has changed her story and sat and lied in that courtroom in front of the judge  and she admitted she lied  why is this still going on? Cutbirth said. There should be a law that you cant drag somebody through the streets of hell. I wish I hadnt won. I have been living in misery for two and a half years now.

Joint account

When the balance of the money got to Waco, Cutbirth said, he and Lacey Newman opened a joint bank account. Both of them had access to the funds, he said.

The first thing Cutbirth did was to pay the IRS $65,000 for his share of the winnings. He gave some money to his three children, paid off some bills and upgraded equipment for his summer hay-baling business.

Rolston is the third attorney he has hired to deal with the Newmans lawsuit, and he has spent more than $100,000 in attorneys fees, he said.

That money was gone in a month and a half, Cutbirth said. If I accidentally lost this lawsuit, they would just have to stand in line behind the bank because I owe the bank more than I am worth.

Rolston said Cutbirth wrote a check for his half of the winnings from the joint account, and Lacey Newman left her funds in the account for more than a year.

Steve honored his agreement, and she trusted him until she reunited with her husband and he hired an attorney, Rolston said. But until that time, it was pretty obvious she trusted him. Steve has honored his deal from the very beginning.

Cutbirth said he could have drained the joint account. He did not.

They got back together two months after we went on the trip, Cutbirth said. Apparently, he trusts me, too, because they left it in there for a year, and I could have taken every penny out of it at any given time. But it was not mine. I believe like back in the old days. If you shake a mans hand and look him in the eye, thats the way it should be. But it aint like that these days.

Judge Vicki Menard denied a motion from Cutbirth to dismiss the lawsuit and has set a trial date for Jan. 3.

This should have never gotten this far, Rolston said. We have a binding contact written by an attorney. But there is one fact in this case that is totally undisputed. All the money was Steves, and everything they were gambling with was Steves. She put no money in it, and her husband didnt even know about it at the time.

I like to sum it up like this. If we are riding horseback and I need to get off my horse for a minute and I hand you my reins to hold, I am not giving you my horse, Rolston said. Should we reward people who lie under oath? Should they be rewarded for that type of conduct in a civil lawsuit?
Waco ISD will soon expand its credit recovery program and move Brazos High School, which administers the program, into a newly renovated building that once housed Lake Waco Elementary School.

The move during Thanksgiving break between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26 will allow Brazos High to focus more on targeted academic intervention and course acceleration for over-age fifth- and eighth-grade students who didnt move on to the next grade level because of performances on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

The students will then be able to move on to sixth or ninth grade at Waco ISDs new Lake Waco Acceleration Academy at the campus, district documents state.

The expansion is exciting because it specifically targets over-age students who have been retained more than once in the past, said Robin McDurham, area superintendent for the campus. The program is designed to provide highly targeted instruction that will result in students finishing strong with a greater chance of postsecondary success.

Brazos High is an alternative learning environment that gives students a flexible, self-paced opportunity to recover credits needed for graduation. The expansion was funded through a change in the districts tax structure that voters approved in 2015, allowing it to bring in more state money.

The ninth-grade portion of the acceleration program will start in spring 2017 and will require students to complete three semesters, one extended summer and one light summer of learning for students to move on, allowing them to enter Waco High or University High as juniors with at least one dual credit course, the district documents state.

Its very innovate to identify those students early on to do that recovery and establish that improved literacy to help ensure they will succeed at the high school level, school bard President Pat Atkins said.

The campus will open the week after Thanksgiving at 3005 Edna Ave. For more information, visit www.wacoisd.org/bhs.
Gib Reynolds is a farmer without the boots and truck.

A former gymnast with an MBA and a hipster mustache hes growing for Movember, hed be at home at a West Coast social media startup. His footwear of choice for work is skate shoes.

But with his new hydroponic greenhouse operation in South Waco, the Richardson native and Baylor University graduate is pushing the boundaries of Texas agriculture.

Since it started in spring 2015, Urban Produce has established a reputation as a successful supplier of Texas lettuce, grown year-round on floating rafts of foam insulation.

The company is providing about 6,000 heads of lettuce a week for H-E-B supermarkets locally and around the state, as well as selling to restaurants and food wholesalers, including Sysco.

Its all done in a greenhouse of about one-sixth of an acre on South 12th Street Road, but it produces as much as an 11-acre conventional farm, Reynolds said. Now the company is preparing in 2017 to quadruple its size and capacity.

We started with three questions: What is our price point, who are our customers and is it possible to grow lettuce in Texas? Reynolds said. This is just a small pilot to prove that. We cant keep up with demand. We get more money per head than we expected.

If the phrase Texas lettuce seems unfamiliar, theres a reason. More than 90 percent of the lettuce eaten in Texas comes from California, Reynolds said.

Lettuce takes about 50 days to grow and needs weather that is neither freezing nor hot. By late spring, lettuce grown in Texas tends to start bolting, or sending up a flower stalk, and turns bitter.

A hydroponic greenhouse solves that problem by allowing growers to control the temperature of both the air and the water. Urban Produce uses a chiller to keep the water at about 65 degrees and evaporative coolers to keep the air below 80 degrees.

Reynolds said only five Texas producers are growing lettuce indoors, mostly using a film technology thats cheaper than the deep water rafts Urban Produce uses.

The upfront cost is the big hurdle that has kept the hydroponic lettuce business in Texas small, Reynolds said.

Urban Produce spent between $800,000 and $1 million to construct the facility at a former concrete truck washout, including big investments in utilities, as well as pumps, ultraviolet sterilizers, vacuum-powered seed planters and grow lights.

Reynolds and his father, Tony Reynolds, partnered on the venture with Waco-based Rydell Capital, which is focused on start-up ventures. Gib Reynolds said Rydell, which is headed by Ryan Gibson, Chris DeLeenheer and Waco City Councilman Dillon Meek, was key to making the venture work, but his family intends to buy out Rydells stake.

Gib Reynolds said the project is at cash-flow break-even after the first year and a half and is meeting expectations.

He said the key to success is twofold: efficiency and freshness. California lettuce is usually about 10 to 14 days old before it arrives on the shelves in Texas. Urban Produce lettuce, which comes with the roots attached, will last up to three weeks after purchase, he said. The supermarket cost is about $3 to $3.50 a head, he said.

Its 50 cents to a dollar more than other lettuce, but people will pay more for better, fresher stuff, Gib Reynolds said. If you taste our product, its different.

Glenn Espinosa, executive chef at 135 Prime, the upscale Hewitt Drive steakhouse, agrees. He stops by weekly to pick out his own mix of lettuces for his salads, choosing among a variety of romaine, buttercrunch, frisee and red oak leaf lettuces, all at various stages of development.

Its beautiful, Espinosa said. You can get them alive. They pull the plants and leave the roots on so they keep longer. Other lettuces will go bad in a couple of days.

He said chefs are increasingly competing for the freshest, most local food.

Everybodys trying to go local, because you see what youre getting and you get to talk to the farm, Espinosa said. Just because its local doesnt mean its good. But these guys know what theyre doing and care how they grow it.

Reynolds built the system at Urban Produce with his father and brother, Ben, who works as manager.

The system uses a swimming pool pump that recirculates a specially formulated nutrient mixture four times a day. Seedlings are started in tiny cubes that later are transferred into the floating rafts.

Artificial lighting supplements natural light, and an LED grow light provides ultraviolet radiation that is needed to keep red oak leaf lettuce red.

A lot of the equipment comes from suppliers to the legal marijuana industry, Gib Reynolds said.

Frankly, all the innovation is in the marijuana industry, he said. That LED light is the first cost-effective one thats been available, and thats totally marketed to pot farmers. Were probably the only business like this they deal with.

Gib Reynolds said he likes the precision with which he can control the growth and health of the plants.

The cool thing about this is that its all science, he said. Its expensive to grow food this way, but its so efficient. Were convinced this model or something like it is the way food is going to be produced in the future.

He said each head of lettuce requires about a gallon of water to produce, compared to 10 to 17 gallons on a conventional lettuce farm.

Matt Hess, executive director of World Hunger Relief Inc., is used to growing and selling produce with more traditional methods, but he has toured the hydroponic greenhouse and is impressed with its low ecological footprint. Still, he doubts hydroponics will replace soil agriculture.

Overall, it seems to be promising, he said. Its very intensive in terms of capital, and its not necessarily something that anybody could do. . . . Another thing about lettuce is that its tasty and good for you, but if youre in a subsistence environment, lettuce is a luxury item.

Gib Reynolds had no experience in agriculture a few years ago when his father approached him with the idea of hydroponics. Tony Reynolds was getting out of a technology firm and became interested in the possibility of growing hydroponic tomatoes.

Gib Reynolds studied the idea through a project at business school but concluded the market for hydroponic tomatoes was already too developed, so he began studying lettuce.

He had started several businesses before this one and had long been known for his work ethic, Tony Reynolds said.

He was a gymnast in high school, so he was in the gym 20 hours a week, he said. And on Saturday afternoon I could walk by his room and hed be doing his homework.

Gib Reynolds said he approached his venture strictly because of its profit potential, but growing vegetables has grown on him.

This was not my long-term plan, and its still not really my long-term plan, he said. But the fact that Im doing food thats good, I have a chance to employ some people and Im not at a computer all day  Ive found way more benefit and enjoyment in it than I expected.

Ben Reynolds said this is his first time to be a manager, and its been an enjoyable opportunity.

I take so much pride in this product, he said. I can defend it and know were doing it the best way. It is farming, and I know were not farmers. But its rewarding and its beautiful.
J.D. Chastain, 91, was serving aboard the USS Saratoga in late February 1945 when Japanese planes attacked the ship, which was supporting the U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima. The man who served as grand marshal of Wacos Veterans Day parade Friday found himself in the battle of his life as six bombs and five Kamikaze pilots slammed into the vessel Chastain was trying to protect with an anti-aircraft gun.

I was shooting as hard as I could, Chastain said.

Smoke began to billow around his position, clouding his view of the attackers.

The mayhem continued for about half an hour, but Chastain and the Saratoga survived, limping back to land for repairs.

But others were not so fortunate. He recalls that 123 shipmates were killed and more than 300 wounded, Chastain said.

Chastain has lived a rich life and has a trove of stories to tell, but not all involve his military service of 33 years, counting time in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

As a member of the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab, he identified the dead after two horrific plane crashes in Texas. One involved Braniff Flight 352 between Dallas and Houston that in 1968 plunged into a field near the Navarro County community of Dawson, killing all 85 passengers on board.

Chastain supervised creation of field labs for the DPS and implemented a protocol for estimating blood alcohol levels that eliminated gaffes that had everybody testing drunk for a week and everybody testing sober the following week, Chastain said.

I was head of the crime lab for more than 30 years, having joined the DPS in 1948, Chastain said.

He was born on a farm near Grosvenor in Brown County and moved often as a Navy man and with the DPS before retiring to Hewitt to live closer to family members.

I graduated from Howard Payne University with a degree in chemistry, he said. A friend of a friend told me the DPS was hiring, and they put me in the crime lab at about the time it was expanding. I traveled so much they called me Wagon Wheels.

Late in the evening of Sept. 29, 1959, Chastain was dispatched to Buffalo, a farming community in Leon County, where another Braniff flight was 23 minutes into a trip from Houston to Dallas when it exploded and crashed into a potato field. All 28 passengers and six crew members were killed, and witnesses began calling for help.

A report in a Leon County newspaper said authorities moved the remains of the victims to the Buffalo High School gym, which had been set up as a temporary morgue.

We sent a crew over there, identified the dead and released the bodies, Chastain said, his voice rising. The FBI sent over a team, and I told them we already had completed the identifications. That began my running fight with the FBI. I saw a law enforcement bulletin quoting C. Lester Trotter as saying we had misidentified some of the dead.

That was a lie, and I challenged him on it later at a meeting of the International Chiefs of Police.

Chastain said Trotter, former assistant director of the FBI, now deceased, told him he only meant the Texas team had not used fingerprinting in its process.

That was true, Chastain said, adding he sometimes took a more direct approach to sorting out the gruesome details of a crash scene.

If you find a billfold all tied up in the clothing of someone in this situation, you know good and well it belongs to that person, he said.

The Buffalo crash featured a bizarre twist in that the Braniff flight was scheduled to fly to New York after its stops in Texas. Word spread that a hit man involved in the ambush and murder of mob heavyweight Albert Anastasia in a New York barbershop in 1957 was among the flights passengers.

A bunch of hoods came down from the East Coast to reclaim the body. You could recognize them as thugs just to look at them, Chastain said. They asked if he had any money on him, and I said he had about $300 in a money bag. They said that was chicken feed and that he would have had more, and I told him that was all I found.

Chastain said he instructed the men to visit the nearby high school, where the mobsters body and those of others had been placed in bags.

They paid the funeral director $50 to look inside the bag and dug around until they were satisfied with what they found, Chastain said.

When Chastain hurried to the scene of the crash near Dawson in 1968, he was followed shortly thereafter by a crew from the FBI, with specific instructions ringing in their ears.

I talked to one of the agents, and he said, Trotter told us that if you are here, we should just go home. 

And they did, leaving Chastain to deal with the aftermath of a crash he thinks was caused by an engine mount breaking, causing the engine to break loose.

Accuracy is essential

Working in a crime lab, accuracy is essential, Chastain said. He would examine bodies for moles, birthmarks, tattoos or appendectomy and C-section scars, then would compare notes with relatives. Often he would recruit the help of dentists who had made charts of dental work performed on victims.

You better make sure you are dadgum right before releasing the body to the next of kin, he said. You dont rush.

Harkening back to his active-duty hitch in the Navy, Chastain said he signed up 1943 and had much to learn, having grown up on a farm with 10 brothers and sisters.

Before I joined the Navy, I had never even ridden a public bus, he told the Tribune-Herald in a 2013 interview. I didnt even know what a pizza was.

He said he distinctly remembers how tired he stayed from constant chores aboard the USS Saratoga and the taste of beans for breakfast. He spent an enjoyable time in Hawaii tuning up airplanes but was even more thrilled to return home in 1946.

The whole time in the service, I never had a leave, he said.

Testified 3,000 times

Back in Texas, after graduating from college, he broadened the influence of the DPS crime lab and estimated he testified in court at least 3,000 times.

Thats where I developed a purple-passion hate for defense attorneys, he said.

He testified before the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals about the use of so-called drunkometers and the need for scientific principles and controls to properly gauge alcohol levels in the bloodstream.

The decision of the court led to technical supervisors being stationed all over the state who can supervise the use of instruments by various agencies, he said.

After retirement, he served as a Brown County commissioner in Brownood, leaving after 2 1/2 terms because I was getting tired of it.

He and his wife, Mary Ann, have five children and 12 grandchildren, and several call Central Texas home.

Im thankful every day I did move to Waco, he said. Its convenient for getting to my doctor and everywhere else.

Chastain typically starts his day with a steaming cup of coffee at the Shipley Do-Nuts shop at Hewitt Drive and U.S. Highway 84.

This year was the first he served as grand marshal of the Veterans Day parade in Waco, and he got a big kick out of the experience, he said. He might tell you a story about it.
Reminiscent of days gone by, the red-striped pole in downtown West is hard to miss. Most everyone in the town knows the shop belongs to Sam Pinter, the local barber whos been cutting hair there since 1960. Pinters shop is an eclectic jumble of memorabilia: guitars hang on the wall and pictures, clippings and items of importance to the owner are everywhere.

Pinter grew up in the area, born and raised in Cottonwood, a small community just outside West. By all accounts, his was a happy childhood  despite modest beginnings in a home with no running water that had been built by his grandfather.

I had a wonderful, wonderful childhood, Pinter said, recalling with particular fondness an Oliver 60 tractor he received at age 12.

He attended a two-room schoolhouse (now gone) through to the eighth grade before transferring to West High School. When his parents income improved, they bought a cafe/bar, Pinters Place. They built a new home with modern conveniences, where Sam lives today.

Making music, little money

While still in high school, Pinter purchased his first guitar, a 1949 Gibson J200, with money made from hog farming. It was the start of a musical career that brought in money playing gigs as a fill-in for the likes of Hamlet Booker and the Lone Star Playboys.

That was a thrill for this little young country boy, he said, adding that he also played a radio show every Saturday on KHBR with a variety of up-and-comers, including Willie Nelson, who once borrowed $3 from me.

In October 1952 he married Joyce Marie Hill. Two months later, unemployed and with his income as a musician sporadic, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio for basic training.

From Lackland, Pinter went to Amarillo to train as a jet aircraft mechanic. Afterward, he went to Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was assigned to the Atomic Research and Development Command, 4926th Test Squadron, a hydrogen bomb-testing unit that also rated aircraft for special weapons suitabilty. Pinter knew little of the goings-on.

The 4926th shipped out from California on the USS Bairoko  planes and all  for an unknown (to the airmen) destination. Pinter was seasick most of the trip.

The only thing that kept me from jumping into the ocean was the thought of my coming baby boy, he said.

Their destination was the Eniwetok Atoll, a 40-island chain where approximately 2,000 Marines and 200 airmen were based along with a few civilians. Pinter was crew chief of an F-84, a plane he said was flown through blast clouds to collect radiation samples. Pilots wore lead suits, but the ground crew had no protection.

For three years, Pinter served in several operations, including Red Wing, Castle and WigWam. After nine months on Eniwetok, he boarded a ship bound for home. Hell never forget the night he saw the lights of the United States on the horizon. He still gets emotional thinking about it: I was so proud to be an American, he said. I was so proud of America.

To Nevada, back to Eniwetok

Pinter was stationed in Indian Springs, Nevada, before returning to Eniwetok in 1956. There, after further nuclear testing, his film badge detecting radiation exposure logged 6.59  over the limit of expected exposure. Near the end of his deployment, he got sick, lying in his tent for a week after doctors dismissed his complaints with a suggestion of two aspirin. The men were all breaking camp down to return to the States, and there were few roommates left in Pinters tent.

He laid on the concrete floor, dizzy, sick and vomiting. I thought this is the way Im going to die, he said.

Someone finally alerted command that, there was a man dying in a tent, Pinter said. He was hospitalized for several weeks before being discharged, only to find his unit was gone. He was so upset he had a nervous condition that drove him back to the hospital.

When he finally returned to the States in December 1956, Pinter left the service after declining a promotion to staff sergeant. He worked for a few years at General Tire in Waco before opening his barber shop.

Joyce passed away in 2007 after 55 years of marriage. They had three children. Today, hes a disabled veteran who has battled skin cancer and several associated conditions from radiation exposure. Still, he has no complaints and says the VA has been good, damn good to me.

Hes proud to have served his country, even though he confessed he didnt feel that way initially.

I wasnt proud when I went in, but I was so proud when I got out, he said. And, Im proud of America.

Voices of Valor, featuring stories about Central Texas veterans, publishes every Sunday in the Waco Trib. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com. Voices of Valor is proudly sponsored by Johnson Roofing.
President-elect Donald Trump made repealing and replacing Obamacare, which passed with only Democratic support, one of his major campaign themes. But he and Republicans in Congress will face a number of challenges trying to fulfill that pledge.

Six challenges in particular loom for vigilant and thoughtful lawmakers:

Republicans retained their Senate majority, but they do not have the 60 votes necessary to end a filibuster. So unless they can persuade some Senate Democrats to join them  or unless Republicans eliminate the filibuster  Democrats could block the measure, making full repeal almost impossible.

Senate Republicans can repeal important parts of Obamacare through the reconciliation process  those relating to tax and budget issues  because that only needs 51 votes. (The new Senate will have 52 Republicans.) But some parts, such as regulations, would remain.

Many Republicans, including the president-elect, now embrace some of Obamacares provisions  for example, prohibiting insurers from denying coverage and allowing children to stay on their parents policy up to age 26. But those mandates are whats making Obamacare so expensive and unworkable.

Many Republicans are worried about the political fallout from ending 20 million peoples health coverage  even though Democrats werent concerned about the millions who lost their coverage because of Obamacare.

The left and the news media will complain that repealing Obamacare will increase the number of uninsured and health-care spending.

And perhaps the biggest challenge is that Republicans are divided  and have been for the past six years  over what to replace Obamacare with and how to implement that change.

Repeal-and-replace could be a minefield. As Politico reports, smart, politically attuned congressional Republicans are already scared of the implications. But they need to get started immediately to fulfill that oft-made campaign promise.

Merrill Matthews, author of Ten Steps to a Market-Oriented Health Care System, is resident scholar of the Institute for Policy Innovation, a conservative think tank based in Dallas.
How to fix a government that, no matter what it does, seems to come off badly. HG and Roy would have prescribed a spell in the room of mirrors  although perhaps not duds-down  to force its members to take a really good look at themselves.

Such introspection might reveal an uncomfortable truth: that by flexing their muscles and making themselves look strong, right-wingers in the Coalition party room are on a fool's errand that has made their prime minister look weak.

Whether it be cracking the whip to demand superannuation changes, or niche ideological hobby horses such as the jihad against the "bad, bad, law" of section18C, and that "crook organisation" run by the "thought police" at the Human Rights Commission, conservative hardliners are merely hastening their own demise. If Turnbull fails, so do they.

Worse, they are ensuring that Bill Shorten becomes Australia's next prime minister.
Polls show that most people in wealthy countries, such as Australia, assume the world is much more poverty-stricken, desperate and sickly than it actually is.

Mid-50s or 60s maybe? Well, that's far too low  life expectancy at birth reached 71.4 years last year, the World Health Organisation says.

What would you say is the average life expectancy for the world's population right now?

The world isn't in as quite as bad a shape as you might imagine.

Why? One reason is that people tend to be far gloomier about the wider world than they are about their own prospects and their local area.

This trait is reflected in a small way in the long-running survey of Australian consumer confidence taken by Westpac and the Melbourne Institute. When respondents are asked to assess the outlook for their own family finances for the next 12 months they have been consistently more optimistic than they are about the prospect for the whole national economy for the next 12 months.

Analysis by economists Mohamed Nagdy and Max Roser published recently by OurWorldinData.org said it is a "peculiar empirical phenomenon" that while people tend to be optimistic about their own future, they can at the same time be deeply pessimistic about the future of their nation or the world.

"No matter where you ask, people are much more negative about places that are far away  places which they know less from their own experience and more through the media," they said.
While we queued for the tour, the staff handed out glow sticks. "If it gets too much and you want the scary business to stop, just wave the stick," a young woman instructed my dubious eight-year-old. We tiptoed inside. Shadowy passages. Creepy noises. Ghoulish characters leaping from hidden corners. A cobwebbed bookshelf. A dining room table with skeletons sitting around it in perverse mockery of a family meal  on one plate, human brains. I was staring, mesmerised, at the served-up brains when my eight-year-old began shrieking and whipping the air with her glow stick.

Logic and coherence being so November 7, I'm going to start with an anecdote from Halloween, an American cultural export that Australians have embraced with fervour. The weekend before last I attended Halloween festivities at the St Kilda town hall, which included a "haunted manor" tour in the neo-classical town hall.

One consequence of cataclysm is that our perception of time alters dramatically; a machete slices through it and for a while there's only before and after. Maybe by the time you read this piece, which I started writing late last week, people will have started to acclimatise to the surreal. I might as well get it over with and type the words, "President-elect Donald Trump", as the new normal.

Donald Trump's demeanour has transformed since being elected.

The night prior to the US election I stayed up late reading about nonagenarian and centenarian women born before August 18 1920, when the final state ratified the 19th Amendment to the US constitution giving women the right to vote. These elderly women were casting their ballots for the candidate they hoped would be their first female president, a woman who had fought for decades to improve the lot of women and children, a feminist. I shed tears of joyful anticipation.

The journey itself from before to after does not bear dwelling on. An ominous loss for the Democratic Party in Florida. The map of the US awash in red as if someone had opened a vein. In the cosy echo chamber of social media, a collective meltdown where only a few hours earlier people had posted upbeat music videos and photos of beaming women dressed in pantsuits to mark the momentous day. "This. Isn't Happening." And similar sentiments, over and over, in large font.

My ears ring with the sound of shattering glass; the splintering of so many assumptions. About meritocracy, the sanctity of law, the power of reason, the value of decency, even a residual faith in the idea of progress, that there are dark places we'll never go back to. The CNN commentator Van Jones gave voice to this on election night when he said: "You tell your kids, 'Don't be a bully.' You tell your kids, 'Don't be a bigot.' You tell your kids, 'Do your homework and be prepared.' Then you have this outcome, and you have people putting children to bed tonight and they're afraid of breakfast."

One feature of the anti-Trump echo chamber is loud pontificating from people of varying expertise who think they're not really in it or can hear the voices from outside where others cannot. Within hours of the result op-ed writers were diagnosing the Democratic Party as out-of-touch with the concerns of working-class whites. How could the party have chosen Hillary Clinton, the consummate insider, as its presidential candidate in this era of anti-elitist backlash?
You might not know it to watch the news, but on many measures, Australia is becoming safer. In the past two decades, the murder rate has fallen by one-third. The rate of armed robberies has dropped by one-third. Car theft is down by two-thirds.

And yet while crime is falling, our prison population is rising at an alarming rate. In June, 38,685 people were in jail. At the current pace, the prison population will soon pass 40,000. If our jail population were a city, it would be the 36th-largest city in Australia  larger than Albany, Bathurst or Devonport.

Jails can send individuals down the wrong path  severing employment ties and social connections, and serving as "crime universities". Credit:iStock

As a share of population, I estimate that Australia now jails 207 in every 100,000 adults. That's a higher incarceration rate than in most other nations. To take just a few examples, imprisonment rates in Australia are higher than those in Canada, Japan, France, India, Germany, Indonesia or Britain.

Curious to know how the current lock-up rate compares with Australia's past, I dusted off some old statistical volumes and started comparing the figures. I was shocked to discover that the last time our incarceration rate was this high was 1901.
Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, who turned Cambodia into a vast killing field and slave labour camp, leads a column of his men. Credit:Kyodo I make a plunger of coffee and settle into a cane chair. It is a relaxed Saturday afternoon. Just outside the glass door pansies bloom in a planter-box, sunlight translucent through magenta-coloured flowers. I'm listening to jazz on the ABC. There are three or four fat journals that fit the timeframe of the Site 2 Camp; others are from the longer time in Cambodia. I begin to read. Tuol Sleng (now known as the Genocide Museum) was the scene of some of the most horrific abuses of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime. Credit:Getty Images Even before I sift the papers I know that what is written here is intimate; there are stories I could only write because of being trusted. What should be done with all of this?

Ought I type from those scribbled pages? Is it too personal to be retold? Exhumed remains from a mass grave near Phnom Penh. There are stories that ought to be handed on when another generation is ready to listen. The great-grandparent generation, the Cambodians who lived through the terror of the '60s and '70s and '80s, know this. So do I. Before I close the journals it is almost dark on the back veranda. The music has stopped; I didn't notice. The coffee is cold. That border camp of decades ago is not just geography and history. It changed lives: all of our lives changed utterly.

Within months of the '88 visit I have returned as a volunteer with the Jesuit Refugee Service. There wasn't much sleep last night and I am finding it difficult to remember what has motivated me to come back. I stand at the corner with my identification pinned to my T-shirt. My pass is stamped and signed in Bangkok, and signed again in Aranyaprathet  still 80 kilometres from Site 2. The United Nations Border Relief Operation requires this. So do the Thai authorities. This is a place of detention. There are only two ways to enter it: as a foreigner with a stamped pass or as an asylum-seeker finding a track through the minefield, crawling under the fence to immediately be detained. Thailand has not signed the UN Refugee Convention; these asylum-seekers are illegal immigrants. The crammed space inside the barbed wire teems with life. You notice those with limbs missing; "the amputees", they are called here. You notice the women with babies at breast and small children clinging to a mother's faded sarong. There are children everywhere, impishly shouting the only English they know: "Okay bye-bye." Some cluster in a group: little boys naked; little girls with a skirt or knickers, usually not both. Most children's stomachs are swollen with parasites.

This is as I expect it to be; these are the memories I have carried from my visit last year. My Australian experience has been in community development and social work with traumatised people. I'm on the brink of finding how much I don't know of either. In the south of the camp I find the Centre for Healing of Heart and Spirit. Phaly and Soeun and the team are hard-pressed; happy to see me back, but busy. There is a young woman whose arms are amputated close to her shoulders. As I come through the doorway Phaly notices and covers the stumps with a krama. The woman nods with gratitude as if it is immodest to be seen naked of arms. I sit to the side, listening to the lilt of the conversations between helper and helped, again smelling the pungent healing herbs, hearing the soft conversations and watching the stroking, the massage and the gentle soothing. This is the daily rhythm of listening and healing. Sounds merge in gentle rhythm: reassuring the man who fell out of the coconut tree back in Cambodia and can't get his head together any more, massaging saffron-coloured herbs into the body of a woman limp with depression after the birth of her baby, comforting a boy-soldier fresh in from battle. I am hesitant, on edge, wishing I could be useful but not knowing how.

The radio crackles. UNBRO  the United Nations Border Relief Operation  is asking the centre for a response. In this place without phones, two-way radio requests are public announcements, they echo like commands. A tiny girl like a small, wild animal has made her way inside the UNBRO office and there is no way that the UN staff can restrain her. Someone needs to leave their work and go. Phaly says, "Joan you can go, you are not busy, this will be good for you to see." Soeun will come with me; he can deal with the Cambodians, I can talk to the foreigners at UNBRO. The little girl is called Mom; she looks about five years old. When we find her she is curled up in a ball on the floor with her wrists guarding her face, lashing out with elbows and legs, flailing at anyone who approaches. She is grimy and smells of urine. Her hair is matted and her eyes, when she lets you see them, are wild. I squat down beside her, barely touching her as I stroke her skin. She quietens a little, jolted perhaps by a new experience. I edge closer almost imperceptibly while Soeun talks long and earnestly with the Cambodian UN workers, then closer still, careful to make no sudden movement.

Mom turns her head and slides her wrists away from her bloodshot eyes. I hold out my arms. Mom falls into my lap, curls into a damp ball tightly, tightly, and falls asleep. Soeun tells in halting English what he heard in Khmer. She is known in the camp as the "crazy girl". She is 11 years old, though so small. She roams the camp alone and is used for sex. She seems to have fits. This child is the same size as my beloved little niece, Jess, in Melbourne. I am sitting on the floor with my arms around her, rocking her to and fro. Soeun carries Mom to the American Refugee Committee hospital, a busy bamboo and thatch institution where talented Cambodian medical students are learning from medical volunteers. It is clear to me that something should be done to control the fits. A young doctor from Minnesota takes the details; he is interested in the symptoms, eager to consider a diagnosis. He will admit Mom. We should wait; he needs to check with someone more experienced. Eventually he returns, apologetic that he had not known more. He speaks in English, looking at me, avoiding Soeun's gaze. "Conditions like the fits suffered by this child are not on the list for treatment here."
As private schools expand student residences to accommodate the flow of international students, Wesley College is tapping into another booming, albeit neglected market: busy, professional parents.

After years of childcare, nannies or long visits to grandma's house, parents working full-time are searching for age-appropriate care for their adolescent children during the week.

Working parents demanding increased flexibility from employers are being offered an alternative: weekly boarding. Credit:Justin McManus

"Not being at home is a big challenge for parents," said Wesley College's principal, Dr Helen Drennen, who is offering parents the chance to enrol their children in the school's new $15 million Learning in Residence, a boarding program that runs from Monday to Friday only.

"In most cases, both parents are working and many of them are engaged in a lot of travel ... they're worried that their child's development might be impacted by their absence from home."
Elly Warren loved the water and the creatures that lived in it, particularly sharks.

Just a couple of weeks before her death, the adventurous 20-year-old backpacker was swimming in her wetsuit with whale sharks off the coast of Mozambique.

There were photos of Elly having fun on the beach; there was the six-week stint volunteering alongside scientists for an eco-research company; and there were the plans to study as a marine biologist back in Australia.

Sadly, those dreams have been snuffed out. It was the trip of a lifetime that ended Elly's life.
The council said police were working to rescue travellers stranded around Kaikoura. It said the occupants of at least half a dozen campervans north of the coastal town are due to be flown out. The truck-loading ramp at the Inter-island Ferry wharf in Wellington was damaged in the quake. Credit:AP There is no sewerage and no household water supply, but power is gradually being restored. Shops are closed and people are not able to buy food, fuel or water. "All residents are strongly urged to conserve water," the council said. "It may take days to restore the household water supply." People evacuated from buildings stand in the street in the capital, Wellington. Credit:AP

Prime Minister John Key flew over Kaikoura on Monday afternoon with acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and surveyed the landslides and ruptured roads. He described the scene as "horrendous" and "just utter devastation". "You've got to believe it's in the billions of dollars to resolve," he said. He added it would be "months of work" to address the disaster. People evacuated from buildings in Wellington check their mobile phones. Credit:AP A 20-person search and rescue crew and two sniffer dogs have been sent to the town. Two people were found dead following the earthquake, including one at Kaikoura, but Mr Key said it has not been confirmed if they deaths were a direct result of the quake.

Part of the destruction caused by the earthquake. Credit:Iain McGregor/Fairfax NZ Police reported one death at the heritage-listed Elms Homestead at Kaikoura. Another person was believed dead at a house at Mount Lyford, north of Christchurch. An Air Force Orion had surveyed main transport routes between Picton and Christchurch. Wave threat to New Zealand at 1:21 AEDT Credit:Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Chaos in Wellington

In Wellington, hundreds of people were on the streets as building alarms sounded and fire trucks and police cars headed to the CBD. Near Civic Square, hotel guests huddled together in bathrobes while they waited for their buildings to be cleared. Windows in some high-rise office buildings had smashed, while plaster and masonry appeared to have fallen down from buildings, Stuff.co.nz said. Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the south island of New Zealand. Credit:US Geological Survey Pictures shared on social media showed buckled roads, smashed glass and goods toppled from shelves in shops in Wellington and the upper South Island. Wellington Region emergency controller Bruce Pepperell said a number of major buildings were showing signs of "structural stress" and inner-city workers were told to stay at home.

Inspections were being carried out on bridges and tunnels around the region and many buildings would need to be checked for damage, he said. Schools and early childhood centres from Wellington to Canterbury will remain closed until they had been assessed. The initial quake was registered as a 6.6 shake before being upgraded by GeoNet seismologists. A host of aftershocks above magnitude 5 were recorded with the biggest a 6.3 tremor. A seven-person Fire Service urban search and rescue team was flown by helicopter to Kaikoura and two further assessment teams have been deployed, one to Waiau and one to Blenheim.

Phone services, both mobile and fixed line, were affected in the Kaikoura area. The national crisis management centre had been activated but a national state of emergency had not been declared. People in Cheviot, near the epicentre of the first quake, reported extensive damage. "Family friends in Cheviot say some houses are gone," a woman named Brodie tweeted. KiwiRail said it had suspended trains on the main trunk line south of Palmerston North on the North Island and north of Christchurch on the South Island. A train was stranded north of Kaikoura after the quake.

Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled and about 20 passengers aboard the Kaiarahi spent about 12 hours longer than planned on the vessel after it was unable to dock at Picton. State Highways in the South Island have also been closed - SH1 Picton to Waipara and SH7 Waipara to Springs Junction - and many other local roads had also been damaged. Christchurch remembers The quake comes almost six years after a destructive 6.3 earthquake that killed 185 people in Canterbury early in 2011. Residents in Christchurch's coastal suburbs had evacuated and moved to higher ground, Stuff.co.nz said.

Hotels and occupied buildings in the CBD had been evacuated. Many people were standing around in the middle of the street, away from buildings, calling people to let them know they were OK. Sydney Morning Herald journalist Saimi Jeong was in a hotel in Christchurch when the tremors began. "I was in bed about to sleep when I heard the door start rattling. I thought someone was at the door trying to get in," she said. "Then I felt the tremor - the bed was shaking, the floor was shaking. That's when it struck me that it was an earthquake.

"I could see the lamp and curtains shaking. It just kept going, and I wondered when it would finally stop." Christchurch's tourism promoters said they hoped visitors did not cancel their holiday plans as they declared the city open for business. Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Vic Allen said the airport, hotels, conference venues, visitor attractions and car and campervan rental companies were all operating as normal. He said damage in the Christchurch central district appeared to be minimal, although building assessments are still being carried out. "Christchurch is now one of the safest cities in the world, following our infrastructure rebuild and strengthening upgrades," he said.

"We are encouraging people to keep their plans to come to Christchurch." Four homes in Christchurch abandoned by owners after a tsunami warning had been burgled, police said. Fairfax New Zealand journalist Kirsty Lawrence was asleep in Palmerston North, on the North Island, when the earthquake struck. "I waited in bed for a moment but then it got louder and started growing in intensity," she said. "I was straight up and under a doorway. All our cupboards starting banging in the kitchen and stuff was falling all over on my dresser and car alarms were going off. And I'm up in Palmerston North so reasonably far from it and it was still huge. It went for so long."

A resident in the seaside Nelson suburb of Tahunanui said the power had been cut after the quake. The quake was the largest to hit New Zealand since the 7.8 Dusky Sound earthquake in 2009, seismologist Sara McBride said in a blog. New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

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Hillary Clinton blamed the renewed FBI inquiry into her State Department email system for blunting her momentum in the presidential election and the closure of that inquiry two days before Election Day for energising voters for Donald Trump.

"There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful," Clinton told top donors on a farewell conference call on Saturday local time.

"But our analysis is that (FBI Director James B) Comey's letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum," she said.

"We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing ahead to regain our advantage - which going into the last weekend, we had. We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing. And we were feeling like we had put it back together," she continued.
A protest involving nearly 1,000 people has broken up after a march through downtown Cincinnati following a mistrial in the case against a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black motorist.

Protesters briefly blocked a streetcar line but remained peaceful Saturday in the hours after a county judge declared a mistrial in the trial of former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing.

The protest had grown after members of a rally opposing Donald Trump's election joined it.

Tensing was charged with murder after he shot Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over in 2015. Tensing was later fired.

The county prosecutor tells Cincinnati media outlets that the jury was deadlocked with eight of the 12 jurors in favor of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.
A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas, heat pump and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. It operates through two segments, North America and Rest of World. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels and motels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; commercial boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as residential boilers for homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, on-the-go filtration bottles, point-of-use carbon, and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices. It also provides food and beverage filtration products; expansion tanks, commercial solar water heating systems, swimming pool and spa heaters, and related products and parts; and heat pumps, electric wall-hung, gas tankless, combi-boiler, heat pump and solar water heaters. The company offers its products primarily under the A. O. Smith, State, Lochinvar, and water softener brands. It distributes its products through independent wholesale plumbing distributors, as well as through retail channels consisting of hardware and home center chains, and manufacturer representative firms; and offers Aquasana branded products directly to consumers through e-commerce, as well as other online retailers. A. O. Smith Corporation was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more .

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE.

This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment.

What Were the Origins of the NYSE?

Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement.

An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds.

However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds.

Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865.

What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE?

As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends.

However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for.

An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE?

The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet:

The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders

The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month

The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million

The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue

However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO).

Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice.

At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1.

How are Trades Executed on the NYSE?

For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading.

However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange.

How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment?

Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position.

Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE

Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to.

The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange.

Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. 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Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.

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Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
by John Hedden

See part 1 here and Part 2 here

The reality of investing in Bahamian agriculture is 'harsh' because of the nature of our natural and economic environments. There is little that can be done with our natural surroundings, but the economic one may certainly be modified.

The islands of the northen Bahamas are most suited to agricultural development because of the climate, the low and flat nature of land systems (pine), and easy access to water. Along with these factors comes the suitability to mechanisation. Converting this land to agriculture includes initial tree removal, converting the rock into 'soil', and preparing for planting, all involving the use of heavy equipment.

However it must be understood that the capital investment for machine operated farms is extremely high, and equipment is used for intitial land clearing, preparation, planting and grow out, and finally for harvest, storage, and transport to markets(s). Equipment maintainance and repair must also be factored in. This will immediately eliminate the small holding enterprise unless co-operative type groupings can be utilised. However to date most producer cooperative initiatives have failed to become well established and functional.

In addition the high costs of other inputs and supplies also limits entrepreneural interest and investment. All additives to the farm enterprise must be imported, including machinery, fuels (energy), seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation products, grading equipment, packaging materials, storage systems, and finally transport systems and methods. Importation costs (shipping) are high and then, adding taxes, duties and VAT will necessarily add considerably to input prices.

The comparitive cost of labour must also be considered because farm operations require labour for machinery operation through to harvesting, grading, and packing. Labour costs here in the Bahamas are much higher than in other countries in our region, which must also have an effect on marketed product competitiveness.

In countries that value the importance of agriculture as a contributor to the economy, systems are in place to assist farming ventures in limiting costs. These include direct and indirect subsidies, outreach programmes, and crop insurance. Along with these goes guaranteed prices and payment even for a failed crop. Fuels and energy are duty (excise) free, and environmentally sound practices are rewarded. These then allow for the encouragement and survival of agriculture as part of the overall economic landscape. Finally these countries impose quotas, embargoes, and high tariffs on imported product, and so protect the home market. This is often regarded as a trade barrier.

At the present time many international treaties and conventions are being negotiated and ratified in an effort to free up trade barriers and allow easy access to markets by signature countries and regions. Two such examples are NAFTA ( Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. ), and the WTO (Wold trade organisation) which both are designed to eliminate 'artificial trade barriers' between member states. It must seem ironical that countries erect these walls against free trade, and then enter into trade agreements to break them down again.

Here in the Bahamas the agricultural 'industry' gets very little support from the government, which adds to the harsh environment farming enterprises face. If the government were serious about encouraging agricultural development it would re-introduce the concessions and exemptions offered previously, and also introduce new ones such as duty free fuel, and ag. and processing supplies and inputs, business registration simplifification are just a start. This way a more favourable environment will be presented to the farming entrepreneur, allowing him/her to become a litle more competitive in the market place.

Why is it necessary for the Bahamas to actively seek foreign investment in agriculture? I know foreign direct investment is essential, but how does a foreign capitalised venture become more sustainable and successful than the already disadvantaged local one? Is it due to economies of scale, concessions offered, taxes mitigated or exempted?

If the Bahamas is even to attempt food sufficiency, the environment surrounding agriculture must become much more economically and business healthy to even encourage genuine local investment.

Abaco, Bahamas

November 10, 2016
by Tom Palmer

This is an excerpt from a speech delivered at the 2016 FreedomFest. Parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.

Originally published at FEE.org

The third dangerous philosopher is very dangerous. He is dangerous to the plans of those inspired by the first two. He knew the writings of Heidegger, Schmitt, and Junger, and he combatted their influence consistently while acknowledging, certainly in the case of Schmitt, their intellectual power. (I would add that I consider Schmitts The Concept of the Political one of the most intelligent attacks on libertarian ideas ever written.)

That thinker, who stood for the worth, dignity, and freedom of the individual human being, who defended the rationality of the market economy, who stood for peace when others raged for war, for reconciliation while others thirsted for revenge, was F. A. Hayek.

I find him an inspiration in almost every way. Many years ago, when I was a much younger man, I heard him speak on a number of occasions. On one, he had outlined the thinking that was to take form in his final, and not entirely completed, work, The Fatal Conceit. An audience member posed a question and Hayek responded in his Austrian/British accented voice that he presumed from the form of the question that the questioner believed X. The questioner affirmed that to be the case and Hayeks response was memorable: I also was of that opinion for about fifty years, but I have been thinking about it a great deal lately and I believe that it was a fundamental mistake. (Incidentally, Hayeks re-thinking is currently going on in psychology and neuroscience, as he was on the cutting edge of thinking through difficult issues in our understanding of the self, but I digress.)

Hayek's Philosophy of Individualism

Hayeks thinking, which is vast and sprawling and a joy to explore, represents a danger to all those who have great ideas for the remaking of society, for the enlistment of the masses in their great plans for authentic existence. Hayeks individualism was not like Ayn Rands, which some have accused (perhaps very unfairly) of shading into a philosophy of superhuman power and thus of rule by the able over the rest of us, but is radically different: it is rooted in the limitations of human reason and the importance of evolved institutions of social cooperation.

Hayek's thinking represents a danger to all those who have great ideas for the remaking of society.Hayeks individualism is not wedded to the idea of man as a highly rational and intelligent being, but instead sees the human being as a very irrational and fallible being, whose individual errors are corrected only in the course of a social process 1 Each individual is limited in the knowledge on which he or she may draw. There is no mind to whom all of the relevant information is available; among limited and fallible human beings, institutions have emerged by which individuals may share information without even being aware of the existence of those with whom they are interacting. For example, some of Hayeks most important work in economics focuses on the role that prices play in providing encapsulated forms of information that help millions or billions of people who share different interests and are generally unaware of each other to coordinate their actions.2

Hayek focused on the evolved rules by which human beings coordinate their actions without relying on an omniscient central planning authority; he associated true individualism not with superhuman resolve, strength, intellect, or powers  characteristics that might suggest that coherent social planning by an intelligent, capable, and informed elite would be possible  but with humility and a recognition of the limits of individual minds.3

Hayek considered the key insight of enlightened classical liberal thinkers to be the importance of limiting the damage individuals could do and deflating their ambitions to impose their self-proclaimed genius on society:

It would scarcely be too much to claim that the main merit of the individualism which he [Adam Smith] and his contemporaries advocated is that it is a system under which bad men can do least harm. It is a social system which does not depend for its functioning on our finding good men for running it, or on all men becoming better than they now are, but which makes use of men in all their given variety and complexity, sometimes good and sometimes bad, sometimes intelligent and more often stupid.4

Unlike Heidegger, who saw human destiny as merely projecting possibilities from our historical thrownness and thus as being inevitably collective destinies determined by our historical past, Hayek saw a world that held opportunities, novelty, discovery, surprise, and enterprise. Rather than a world of embracing our destiny or fate, it is a world of learning. As Hayek concluded the third volume of his book Law, Legislation, and Liberty,

Man is not and never will be the master of his fate: his very reason always progresses by leading him into the unknown and unforeseen where he learns new things.

Hayek is dangerous to the plans of totalitarian thinkers, as well as to the petty tyrants who believe that they can plan the lives of everyone else better than people can plan their own lives. Heidegger and Schmitt, on the other hand, are dangerous to humanity. Although Heidegger is the most overrated philosopher of the 20th century, there is value in reading him, as well as in reading Schmitt and Junger, but primarily only to see the gleaming Autobahn they built, which led to conflict and death. Hayek, on the other hand, provides a better map to understand the modest and meandering path of liberty.

This is an excerpt from a speech delivered at the 2016 FreedomFest.

Parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.

-----

[1] Individualism: True and False, in F. A. Hayek, Individualism and Economic Order (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1948), pp. 8-9.

[2] See F. A. Hayek, The Use of Knowledge in Society, American Economic Review, XXXV, No. 4; September, 1945, pp. 51930; available online at http://www.econlib.org/library/Essays/hykKnw1.html.

[3] From the awareness of the limitations of individual knowledge and from the fact that no person or small group of persons can know all that is known to somebody, individualism also derives its main practical conclusion: its demand for a strict limitation of all coercive or exclusive power. Its opposition, however, is directed only against the use of coercion to bring about organization or association, and not against association as such. Far from being opposed to voluntary association, the case of the individualist rests, on the contrary, on the contention that much of what in the opinion of many can be brought about only by conscious direction, can be better achieved by the voluntary and spontaneous collaboration of individuals. F. A. Hayek, Individualism: True and False, p. 16.

[4] F. A. Hayek, Individualism: True and False, p. 12. James Madison argued against reliance on enlightened statesmen in the design of institutions, It is in vain to say, that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm: nor, in many cases, can such an adjustment be made at all, without taking into view indirect and remote considerations, which will rarely prevail over the immediate interest which one party may find in disregarding the rights of another, or the good of the whole. Federalist Number 10, The Federalist: The Gideon Edition, by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2001), p. 45.

Tom G. Palmer is executive vice president for international programs at the Atlas Network and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and director of the Institute's educational program, Cato University.

This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.
By WestKyStar and Baptist Health Staff Nov. 10, 2016 | 07:34 PM | PADUCAH, KY

The free event is part of a national campaign sponsored by the Lung Cancer Alliance to bring hope, inspiration and support to the lung cancer community. Lung cancer is the most common cancer treated at Baptist Health Paducah, as well as the most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. Lung cancer causes more death than the next three most common cancers (colon, breast, prostate) combined, according to the American Lung Association.





Speakers will be cardiothoracic surgeon Nicholas Lopez, MD, and Paducah businessman BA Hamilton, who is battling lung and liver cancer. Special music will be brought by employees Veretta Price and Kristen Ellenberger, who work in Outpatient Chemotherapy. Chaplain Joel Jackson will be the emcee and read the names of people who have died or suffer from lung cancer.





Baptist Health Paducah has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths.

Medicare and insurance now covers low-dose CT lung screenings with a doctors order.



The screening is available to those who meet these criteria:

 55 to 88 years old (55 to 77 for Medicare)

 30 pack-year smoker or former smoker who has quit within the past 15 years

 Asymptomatic



Baptist Health Paducah will join more than 200 communities across the country to host Shine a Light on Lung Cancer at 5 pm Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Larry Barton Atrium of Medical Park 2.
By MSU Public Relations Nov. 12, 2016 | 11:52 AM | MURRAY, KY

Murray State University President Bob Davies delivered the annual State of the University Address on Thursday at Wrather Auditorium, providing updates on the past year while sharing successes, hopes and ambitions in the University's commitment to being the best student-centered institution in America.

Davies opened his remarks by referencing Dr. Ralph Woods, the fourth president of Murray State University. Woods presided during a time of rapid transformation and challenges for the University in the 1940s through the early 1970s.

Davies spoke of the past year, which included significant fiscal challenges such as a reduction in state funding, pension cost increases and several other examples that impacted the University.

"While this was a difficult and strenuous time we, as a community, stood together and worked to overcome this challenge," said Davies. "It was during this critical time that we did not waver from our goals, our values, and we did not lower our aspirations."

Through these challenges, the University moved forward and Davies shared several examples of success involving Murray State faculty, staff and students, such as a $3.8 million National Science Foundation grant to support the research efforts of Drs. David White and Susan Hendricks. Student success stories were many, including Morgan Owens, a senior psychology major who was awarded the Psychology Undergraduate Research Award for the best psychology research project of the year. Owens has been researching the correlation between Alzheimer's and bilingualism. Davies also shared that for the 26th consecutive year, the University has been ranked by U.S.News and World Report as one of the top universities in the South.

Davies provided updates on the University's 2015-22 Strategic Plan, which included a commitment to higher admission standards for incoming freshmen and transfer students.

This fall's freshmen class has increased by slightly over two percent from the previous fall's class, and there has been a corresponding increase in freshmen ACT scores with an average of nearly 24. The University's Honors College participation has grown significantly with 176 new students, the largest freshmen class in the University's recent history.

Davies also spoke of the University's new scholarship model that awards scholarships as a percentage of tuition. Davies said, "Our scholarship model is more aggressive and progressive and is essential to our ability to attract high-achieving and capable students. And, because of the percentage-of-tuition approach, this is ensuring an affordable and predictable model for our students. No other university that we know has such a model."

Davies spoke of the adoption of a performance-funding model for Murray State as future state appropriations, in part or in whole, will be allocated based on outcomes and performance levels that are achieved.

"One can look at performance funding in many ways, as a threat or as an opportunity. Our goal has always been student success, and our Strategic Plan is based on this core value," said Davies.

An initial performance-funding model uses criteria such as the number of students completing STEM-H programs. Davies mentioned that last year, Murray State granted 1,036 STEM-H degrees, an increase of 25.6 percent over the previous year.

Murray State's return on the state of Kentucky's investment in the University is strong. Davies referenced a recent study conducted by Dr. Gil Mathis, a Murray State professor emeritus, and graduate student Savannah Allen that determined the economic impact the University has on the immediate area, service region and the state. The study found that the University provides an impact of $209.8 million with Calloway County investing $8.3 million, a net return of over $200 million. For the state of Kentucky, the study determined that the University receives an investment of $132.2 million and returns $495.1 million in economic benefit, a net return of over $360 million.

Davies emphasized the importance of achieving a degree as an accomplishment not bound by receiving a diploma or getting a job; rather, "it should be to embark on a lifelong journey based on the seeking of new opportunities, new horizons, a passion of discovery in which the person will be richly rewarded in many and diverse ways."

Davies spoke of a critical and important initiative in the concept of the Marketplace of Ideas. In a tense time of mistrust shared by many people with varying beliefs and thoughts, Davies stated that "we must begin now to create a lasting culture that is inviting, that is inclusive of others. We must work diligently to create an environment that encourages asking difficult and pertinent questions, but also allows for discussions to occur in a civil manner."

In his closing remarks, Davies again spoke of Dr. Woods as an inspiration in ensuring Murray State remains a well-known and respected University that makes a difference, one student at a time.

Davies stated, "We must, we will, keep our aspirations high, as Dr. Woods said, 'Aims determine our direction, and aspiration determines how far we may go in that direction. Be assured that lofty aims and high aspirations will be our most significant fortune.'"
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By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 12, 2016 | 11:44 AM | GRAND RIVERS, KY

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Trooper Michael Robichaud receives proceeds from the 1st Annual Grand Rivers Bike Fest in Support of Kentucky State Police Trooper Island. The event, organized by Wood N Wave Bicycles and Watersports owners Ranee Gough and Jackie Gough, brought in $1000 in total donations for Kentucky State Police Trooper Island.

Trooper Island is a free summer camp located on Dale Hollow Lake in Clinton County, KY for underprivileged boys and girls age 10-12. It is financed entirely by donations. No public funds are used. Each year, the camp hosts approximately 700 children from across Kentucky, providing good food, fresh air, recreation, guidance and structured, esteem-building activities designed to build good citizenship and positive relationships with law enforcement officers.

It is a place where the tensions and turmoil of everyday lives can be forgotten; and for one week young people can be given a touch of hope and desire of a better tomorrow.

There is no cost to the campers who attend Trooper Island and there are no restrictions based on race, creed or color. The camp gets some of its funding through activities the 16 Kentucky State Police posts put on during the year.
HUNDREDS DONATE A TRACTOR-TRAILER LOAD OF WATER & SUPPLIES FOR FIREFIGHTERS AT WHKP'S SUNDAY MORNING "WATER DRIVE"

OURS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CARING AND GENEROUS COMMUNITY AND WE PROVED IT AGAIN SUNDAY MORNING...AT WHKP'S SUNDAY MORNING "WATER DRIVE"

A SPECIAL "THANK YOU" TO RICHARD KING AND HIS TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK, TO AFFORDABLE EQUIPMENT RENTAL, TO LOWES, TO SUNDAY MORNING RADIO HOST CHARLES HAYES AND HIS FAMILY---AND TO THE SCORES OF VOLUNTEERS WHO DID THE "HEAVY LIFTING"

AND ESPECIALLY TO THE MANY HUNDREDS OF GENEROUS DONORS WHO FILLED THE TRAILER OF AN 18-WHEELER WITH BOTTLED WATER, SOFT DRINKS, GATORADE, SNACKS, AND OTHER REFRESHMENTS FOR OUR FIRE FIGHTERS BATTLING THAT BAT CAVE/CHIMNEY ROCK/LAKE LURE WILDFIRE

It all started just after daybreak Sunday morning. A listener heard that WHKP would be a drop-off point for supplies for the firefighters. That listener went to Harris Teeter Grocery Store Sunday morning and said for every dollar on groceries she spent, she hoped the store would donate a dollars worth of bottled water for WHKP'S water drive for the 240-plus firefighters battling that Party Rock-Rumbling Bald Mountain wildfire in Bat Cave, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. The store agreedand the lady bought $150.00 worth of groceries and the store gave $150.00 worth of bottled water for the water drive. That was just the beginning.

The Sunday morning reporter for WSPA-TV came to Broadcast House before 6am Sunday morningand did channel 7s Sunday morning tv news program live from WHKP as we were gathering information, reporting on the fire and smoke, and conducting the water drive. WLOS-TVS News 13 helped spread the word, as did both the Times-News and the Hendersonville Lightning.

Because word of the water drive spread overnight Saturday, there were ten cases of bottled water and soft drinks for the firemen sitting outside the front door at Broadcast House when we arrived at 4:30 Sunday morning.

Thats the type of generosity thats typical of the Hendersonville community anytimebut especially when theres a crisis.

And the whole community knew the wildfire and drought situation had reached the crisis stage by Sunday morning. Close to 3,000 acres were burning in the Party Rock fire. Several dozen other fires were burning in western North Carolina including the 7,500 acre Tellico fire, and a wildfire was spreading up Table Rock from Pickens County and threatening the backside of Pinnacle Mountain in southwestern Henderson County. A thick smoke had settled over the whole region, and an Air Quality Alert was, and is, in effect. Those with respiratory issues such as asthma and COPD were, and are, particularly at risk from the smoke.

A spokesman for the North Carolina Forest Service told WHKP News live on the Sunday morning show that the Party Rock fire was still far from contained and was backing down Rumbling Bald toward the Boys Camp Road and Chimney Rock village area.

The Bat Cave Baptist Church was set up as a shelter Saturday and residents along Highway 64-74, along NC 9, and in the Shumont and Bald Mountain Roads areas had been evacuated to the church.

A state of emergency was, and is, in effect and Highway 64-74 was, and is, closed to traffic at the bridge in Bat Cave and at the intersection of Highway 9 to Mill Spring south of Lake Lure.

By the time Sunday school and church services were ending Sunday morning, the lobby at Broadcast House was full and overflowing with donations, the parking lot was full, and donors were backed up on Seventh Avenue waiting to get into the WHKP parking lot to donate.

Supplies for the firefighters literally filled the trailer of Richard Kings 18-wheeler, and by mid-afternoon Sunday, it all was to be delivered to the Edneyville and Bat Cave Fire and Rescue Departments as they were shuttling supplies on to the firefighters on the mountain.

The National Weather Service was hoping that a 40 per cent chance of showers might spread into the area around mid-day on Sunday and bring some relief, but any substantial rainfall was not likelyand one firefighter observed later in the week that it would take many inches of rain to extinguish all these fires. Another slight chance for rain may develop around mid weekbut forecaster Danny Gantt with the National Weather Service told WHKP News Sunday morning that our best chance for any real relief and rainfall is about a week away, in the next Saturday to Sunday time frame.

WHKP organized the Sunday morning drop-off because the station is open and broadcasting early Sunday and the supplies could be collected and delivered to the firemen as they needed themwithout delay on Sunday, while other drop-off points would not be able to get the supplies to the firefighters before sometime Monday.

By WHKP News and Program Director Larry Freeman Updated 1:30pm 11/13/16
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/11/2016 (2180 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It might not feel much like Christmas in Winnipeg, but Saturday, it started to look a little bit like it.

The annual Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade came to town, and this weekend may go down as one of the warmest in the parades 106-year history.

Earlier in the day, the mercury climbed to 13.2 C, matching a Nov. 12 record set in 1981. By the time the parade  led by grand marshal Fred Penner  kicked off at 5 p.m., the temperature had fallen to 8 C.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FRESS PRESS Santa waves to the crowd Saturday evening.

Cynthia McKillop brings her young children  who were decked out in elf hats  to the parade every November and said this years was the warmest she remembers.

This is fantastic weather, she said. Weve been coming for many years, even in (-25 C). Of course, Santa is our favourite. Sometimes weve waited hours in the cold to see him.

They joined thousands of people  some only wearing only T-shirts or skirts with bare legs  lining the parade route, which stretched down Portage Avenue and part of Main Street. Some people even kicked off blankets, removed mittens and unzipped jackets as the floats passed.

When the Re/Max float, which features a fire display, drove past, warming most parade-goers standing in the front row, one child even remarked that it was too hot.

Still, many of the parade-goers and volunteers were all smiles as the float passed.

Its fun, Shehbaaz Brar said about his first Santa Claus parade experience. The 17-year-old signed up as a volunteer after one of his Kildonan East Collegiate teachers encouraged a class to do so.

Ive never been here, but now that Ive been here, it seems exciting. I actually really like Christmas music, too, he said, as some of his friends and fellow volunteers popped bubbles blowing out from the Kickn Up Kountry float to laughter from the crowd.

Other popular floats included the Mothers Against Drunk Driving flatbed, which showcased a totalled car, and the parades first-ever indigenous truck, which was sponsored by the Southern Chiefs Organization and included a larger-than-life headdress and was trailed by dancers.

And once St. Nick himself passed by in his sleigh (to the only cheers of the night louder than a resounding go Jets go chant as the True North float drove by), parade-goers even crowded the coffee shops on Graham Avenue to buy cold drinks.

I cant remember the last time its been this warm for us, Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Shaer said. Its been very warm, very unseasonable weather.

Shaer noted Winnipeg normally sees highs around -1 C and lows around -9 C this time of year. He said the warm weather should last until mid-week, when he expects colder temperatures and possibly snow in the southeastern part of the province.

danielle.doiron@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2016 (2179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dylan Bekkering sits in his family doctors office in Winnipeg. Hes nervous to tell the physician for the first time how he identifies.

When Bekkering, then 21, tells her hes gay, he isnt offered advice on sexual health as a gay-identifying man and is only told he should be tested for HIV.

The overall experience was very cold and dismissive, as if it (being gay) wasnt something I had been dealing with all my life, as if it hadnt hurt me every day I had to keep it in, said Bekkering, now 31.

DANELLE GRANGER PHOTO Dylan Bekkering walks into Our Own Health Centre, a LGBTTQ*-inclusive health clinic in the Exchange District that specializes in gay and bisexual men's health.

My mental health was not taken into consideration. I was a young man coming to terms with himself and was having a hard time just saying it out loud that I was gay, he added.

I knew after that I couldnt go back to this doctor and feel comfortable with her with future health issues.

Bekkerings experience is a reality for members of the LGBTTQ* community in Winnipeg.

LGBTTQ*-inclusive health education is not easy to come by in Winnipeg. The Manitoba governments school curriculum for health education briefly mentions human sexuality as a sensitive subject matter, but it doesnt go into detail about what is being taught.

In San Francisco, a comprehensive, inclusive curriculum is making a difference in how LGBTTQ*-identifying people and allies are receiving health care.

The San Francisco Unified School District offers a detailed breakdown of their LGBTTQ*-inclusive curriculum offered from kindergarten to Grade 12, which people can access online. Erik Martinez, the LGBTTQ* programs co-ordinator for the district, said the curriculum is designed for straight and LGBTTQ*-identifying students.

In kindergarten, students are taught how families can be diverse. That includes heterosexual ones, ones with gay or lesbian parents and how to respect them.

In Grade 5, students read I Am Jazz, a true story that explores what being transgender means, how to be an ally and how to not bully, and how to understand the importance of being different. In high school, students learn about anti-LGBTTQ* bullying and harassment efforts in schools. They also include an LGBTTQ*-inclusive sexual education course.

We try to offer not just LGBT students, but all students, an education that can create an environment of inclusivity, said Martinez.

The hope is we do this with all students, so when students identify, theyre seeing themselves in the curriculum. But if the students dont identify or arent part of the community then were cultivating compassion and empathy  and hopefully ally-ship.

I dont think weve solved all the problems. I think were really lucky to have a lot of queer teachers and a lot of folks representing, and I think all of our schools have this socially conscious framework that theyre attempting to operate from.



Students and professors at the University of Manitoba are working toward including LGBTTQ*-inclusive curriculum for medical students.

Tharuna Abbu, a fourth-year queer-identifying medical student at the University of Manitoba, said their class is part of the older curriculum that only had several hours of LGBTTQ*-related health issues.

For us, we got a little bit of content in my first year. Mostly one class on a general briefer on terminology and what is (LGBTTQ*) health, (and) who are the folks were talking about when were talking about this population, said Abbu.

Abbu added they were also taught about some issues and barriers members of the LGBTTQ* community face when it comes to health care. In their third year, they were taught how to do pap tests on trans-identifying people in the midst of their transition.

Deborah McPhail is a queer-identifying assistant professor in community health sciences at the U of M. The university asked her to be the theme leader in gender and sexual health for the college of medicine in 2013.

The university was revamping its curriculum and wanted to include more content on gender and sexual health. Medical students learned about LGBTTQ* health briefly, only a few hours throughout their medical school career.

We try to build those bridges between the community and health-care students medical student Tharuna Abbu, who helped start an LGBTTQ* interest group

I took over that one-hour clinical skills panel, and I made that into an intro, and then I developed content coming from that. So its both about sexuality, looking specifically at what are peoples experiences of getting health care, how can that improve and how can we teach physicians differently so that health-care experiences will be better, she said.

The other part is around gender. Specifically looking to develop a curriculum around transness right now because there was zero (hours).

Chris Proctor, a first-year heterosexual medical resident in family medicine with the U of M, said hes worked with people who would identify in the LGBTTQ* community and allies to the community, and his education prepared him for those cases.

Realistically, I think in medicine, you can always learn more, said Proctor.

I do think the U of M has done a good job at least in this perspective of exposing us to ample opportunity to get to know people from the LGBTTQ* community, to understand the unique challenges that affect those communities.

Proctor said treating each patient as an individual and creating a safe space in his office for patients is important.

Its not unrealistic to think that the vast majority of physicians currently would identify as heterosexual. And because of that, you can worry about bias and insensitivity creeping into your medical practice and affect the patient-doctor relationship, he said.

Abbu and a fellow student have started an LGBTTQ* interest group focusing on supplementing curriculum material to bridge some of the gaps in their curriculum. The interest group brings community members in to talk to current medical students about their experiences.

We try to build those bridges between the community and health-care students, said Abbu.

Martinez said over the years, San Francisco has been improving its curriculum, which has resulted in an inclusive-community environment with lots of resources for LGBTTQ*-identifying people.

As a queer adult and person of colour, this experience has definitely continued to empower me to seek inclusive and affirming care, he said.

It has also allowed me to be a resource to friends and peers of the same age who did not have the opportunities some of our youth of today have.

Winnipeg has a few resources for members of the LGBTTQ* community to access for health-related care, including the Rainbow Resource Centre, Klinic and Nine Circles Community Health Centre.

Bekkering goes to Our Own Health Clinic, a local medical office specializing in gay and bisexual mens health that opened in the Exchange District last year. He said hes been happy with his health care since making the switch.

Danelle Granger is a senior journalism student in the creative communications program at Red River College. This article was the product of a feature-writing assignment.

Twitter: @danellegranger
While October is designated to breast cancer awareness, every month is breast cancer awareness month at Columbus Community Hospital. Thats why the medical imaging staff at the hospital encourages women to perform regular self-exams, have a clinical breast exam and begin having mammograms at the appropriate age.

If you are 40 and older, we recommend having an annual mammogram and clinical breast exam by your physician or provider, said Denise Buzzell, RTR, M, CT, CCH Medical Imaging Manager. And women who are in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About one in eight women (12 percent) in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer. The American Cancer Societys estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2016 are:

About 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

About 61,000 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).

About 40,450 women will die from breast cancer.

Mammograms can assist health care providers in finding or detecting breast cancer early, when it is easiest to treat, even before a lump may be felt, said Buzzell.

Both screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms are offered at CCH in a MQSA-ACR certified mammography program. Radiology services are provided by Madison Radiologists, with Mark F. Rich, M.D. serving on the active medical staff at CCH.

Mammography remains the best screening tool for breast cancer detection, said Dr. Rich.

If a patient needs additional views or screenings or further treatment based on the result of the mammogram, further guidance is provided by the CCH Breast Health Nurse Specialist and Cancer Navigation Coordinator.

Buzzell assures the radiation released during a mammogram is minimal. The benefits of mammography outweigh any possible harm from the radiation exposure, she explained. Modern machines use low radiation doses to get breast x-rays that are high in image quality.

The American Cancer Society states that on average the total dose for a typical mammogram with two views of each breast is about 0.4 mSv. (A mSv is a measure of radiation dose.)

To put dose in perspective, ACS states that people in the U.S. are normally exposed to an average of about 3 mSv of radiation each year just from their natural surroundings. (This is called background radiation.) The dose of radiation used for a screening mammogram of both breasts is about the same amount of radiation a woman would get from her natural surroundings over about 7 weeks.

Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with a doctor about the best early detection plan for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra screening tests, or having more frequent exams.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. It is important to have any new breast mass or lump or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases.

Other possible signs of breast cancer include:

Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)

Skin irritation or dimpling

Breast or nipple pain

Nipple retraction (turning inward)

Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

For more information regarding the CCH Medical Imaging Department, call 920-623-1210 or visit www.columbuscommunityhospital.org. For more information regarding the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.
Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
By PTI: Patiala, Nov 13 (PTI) Four companies of Para Military Forces were deployed today as a security measure to prevent escalation of any tension due to the Supreme Courts ruling on Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue.

Inspector General of Police (Patiala Zone) Paramraj Singh Umranangal confirmed the deployment of four companies of Para Military Forces.

He said that two companies have been deployed in Patiala district and one each in Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib district.

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He said that the deployment is concentrated over the Punjab and Haryana border and along the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Meanwhile, Patiala police chief Gurmeet Chauhan said that flag marches were conducted in Rajpura and Patran area of Patiala district.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held as unconstitutional the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states. PTI Cor VJ UZM

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JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY INC., VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, WHITE TRACT II LLC, and Willing.

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Equifax Inc. provides information solutions and human resources business process automation outsourcing services for businesses, governments, and consumers. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers employment, income, criminal history, and social security number verification services, as well as payroll-based transaction, employment tax management, and identity theft protection products. The USIS segment provides consumer and commercial information services, such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling and portfolio analytics, locate, fraud detection and prevention, identity verification, and other consulting; mortgage services; financial marketing services; identity management services; credit monitoring products; and online information, decisioning technology solutions, as well as portfolio management, mortgage reporting, and consumer credit information services. The International segment offers information service products, which include consumer and commercial services, such as credit and financial information, and credit scoring and modeling; and credit and other marketing products and services, as well as offers information, technology, and other services to support debt collections and recovery management. The company serves customers in financial services, mortgage, employers, consumer, commercial, telecommunication, retail, automotive, utility, brokerage, healthcare, and insurance industries, as well as state, federal, and local governments. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Russia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; prepaid programs and management services; commercial credit and debit payment products and solutions; and payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts. It also provides value-added products and services comprising cyber and intelligence solutions for parties to transact, as well as proprietary insights, drawing on principled use of consumer, and merchant data services. In addition, the company offers analytics, test and learn, consulting, managed services, loyalty, processing, and payment gateway solutions for e-commerce merchants. Further, it provides open banking and digital identity platforms services. The company offers payment solutions and services under the MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus. Mastercard Incorporated was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.
By PTI: From Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Nov 13 (PTI) At least seven people, including five policemen, were killed and five others injured when a police van collided with a fertiliser-laden truck on a highway in northwestern Bangladesh, officials said today.

"The accident took place last night near (northwestern) Bogra. Four of them died instantly and others succumbed to their wounds as they were rushed to the hospital," Officer-in-Charge of the nearby police station Aslam Ali said.

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He said the rest two of those who lost their lives in the crash were the driver of the hired police van and a cleanliness worker of police department.

The policemen, he said, were posted in the communication wing of the law enforcement agency while they were going to join their new assignment in Dhaka.

In the accident three policemen including two injured who are to be treated at a Bogra facility. PTI AR KJ PMS KJ

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Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, struts/pylons, nacelles, and related engine structural components; and wings and wing components, including flight control surfaces, as well as other structural parts. This segment primarily serves the aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or engine OEMs of large commercial aircraft and/or business/regional jet programs. The Defense & Space segment provides fuselage, strut, nacelle, and wing aerostructures primarily for U.S. Government defense programs, including Boeing P-8, C40, and KC-46 Tanker. This segment also engages in the fabrication, bonding, assembly, testing, tooling, processing, engineering analysis, and training on fixed wing aircraft aerostructures, missiles, and hypersonics works, such as solid rocket motor throats, nozzles, re-entry vehicle thermal protections systems, forward cockpit and cabin, and fuselage work on rotorcraft aerostructures. The Aftermarket segment offers spare parts and MRO services, repairs for flight control surfaces and nacelles, radome repairs, rotable assets, engineering services, advanced composite repairs, and other repair and overhaul services. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. has a strategic partnership with Sierra Space to enhance access to commercial space economy of the future. The company was formerly known as Mid-Western Aircraft Systems Holdings, Inc. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.
Carnival Corporation & plc is a leisure travel company operating a fleet of cruise ships, hotels, and resorts with international destinations. Brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Seaborn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Cunard. The companys goal is to provide extraordinary vacations at an exceptional value. As of 2022, the company laid claim to nearly half of the global cruising market share with several new ships in the works.

Carnival Cruise Line was launched in 1972 with one second-hand ship and a tank of fuel. The first port of call was San Juan, Puerto Rico, but soon more were added. The original growth strategy included a festive atmosphere, features and amenities unlike any other cruise line at the time. Slow to start, the growth strategy shifted into overdrive in 1980 when Carnival shocked the world by building its own ship. The Tropicale became an iconic name in the cruising industry and sparked a wave of shipbuilding that is still underway.

The companys growth hit a new stride in 1987 following the IPO which floated 20% of the company on the open market. The proceeds from the IPO allowed the company to embark on a voyage of acquisition and now Carnival is the worlds largest travel and leisure business.

Today, Carnival Corporations 87 ships visit approximately 700 ports worldwide and employ more than 120,000 people while serving more than 13 million guests annually for a total of 85 million passenger cruise days per year. Net revenue, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, peaked out at over $6.5 billion annually.

Carnival Cruise Line is the companys largest brand serving guests on all coasts of North America. The brand's 22 ships make 1500 voyages per year with trips ranging from 2 days to 3 weeks and ports of call from the Caribbean to Alaska. The company's largest ship is named Panorama and can accommodate more than 4,000 passengers.

Carnivals 9 brands provide access to a wide range of cruising styles and destinations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, and ports in Asia. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida and has offices around the world. The company also has the distinction of being the only company included in both the S&P 500 and FTSE 250 indices.
The demonetisation scheme has led to panic and chaos across the country with people complaining of lack of cooperation from banks and some even standing in queues since midnight.

By India Today Web Desk: Five days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a surgical strike on black money by declaring Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes invalid , the scenario outside banks and ATMs has not improved with people standing in queues since early morning to collect new notes and deposit old ones.

1) With cash running out of ATMs and banks, the temper of most people standing in queues for hours has been on the edge. Incidents of violence were reported in several parts of the country. A case of stone-pelting was reported from the IDBI Bank in Roop Nagar, New Delhi. Delhi Police received nearly 4,500 calls till Saturday evening on sporadic incidents of violence reported near banks.

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ALSO READ: Poor people become black money mules for rich



2) To beat the early morning rush and ensure they don't return empty-handed, many people have started queuing up outside banks since midnight. In Delhi's Mayur Vihar area, many were seen waiting outside a bank since Saturday midnight to collect cash when the bank opens on Sunday morning. In Hyderabad too, similar scenes of people standing in queues since midnight were witnessed.

Source: ANI

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3) In several places, people have been complaining against the banks not opening at 8 am. Despite the government's direction, many banks, people alleged, are still opening at 10 am, leading to longer queues. In Delhi's Pul Bangash area, locals complained that the banks are not cooperating and despite their repeated requests are still opening at 10 am.

Source: ANI Source: ANI

4) In hours of distress and panic, many have come forward to help. For instance, the Punjab National Bank installed a mobile ATM machine outside the AIIMS hospital in Delhi to ensure that the patients are able to exchange cash. Volunteers are also helping people standing in long queues fill up the currency exchange forms to avoid last-minute hassle.

ALSO READ: Demonetisation of Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes: Traders in Kerala to shut shops indefinitely from Tuesday



5) The Finance Ministry on Saturday said the ATMs will be able to disburse new currency notes only by early December as recalibration of the machines requires both hardware and software modifications. Currently, only Rs 100 notes are being disbursed from the ATMs. Out of 2 lakh ATMs, about 1.2 lakh are operational.

6) A total of over seven crore transactions have taken place in less than three days after the demonetisation was announced, the Finance Ministry said. "Old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations amounting to about Rs 2 lakh crore have been deposited to banks," the Ministry said on Saturday.

7) Defending the government's decision to suddenly announce the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "It was not possible for us to inform about this decision in advance, as we had to maintain its secrecy as well".

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ALSO READ: Demonetisation: Bold decision but bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat at Sahitya AajTak

ALSO READ: Kejriwal demands rollback of demonetisation

ALSO READ: Demonetisation of Rs 500, 1000 notes : 5 rumours you must not fall for



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By India Today Web Desk: Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's little bundle of joy, Aaradhya, has been the paparazzi's favourite for quite some time now, and fans just cannot get enough of Abhi-Ash's lil one.

SEE PICS: Azad Rao Khan meeting Aaradhya Bachchan is all the aww-dorable you need today



Aaradhya was spotted at Mumbai airport, asleep in mommy Aishwarya's arms, making for one adorable picture. The actor looked stunning in minimal make-up as she carried her daughter, who looked pretty in pink.

Photo: Yogen Shah

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The little angel, who turns five on Wednesday, is used to the celebrity status. Sometime ago, Aishwarya had talked about Aaradhya being the cynosure of all eyes in an interview to Firstpost, "What is really assuring is that she has incredible resilience, by God's grace. She has seen this (public attention) from infancy. When faced with crowds she becomes very silent and observant, as though taking it all in. Everyone is beaming and waving and calling out her name. It's a friendly world for her."

Apart from being a doting mother, Aishwarya is riding high on the success of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which recently entered the 100 crore club. Ash's sizzling chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor in the film was the talk of the town, and played a key role in the film's success.

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Aaron Young

By: Wayne Morin

(Scroll down for video) A father was arrested after taking his children to his home in California, after their aunt claimed that she should have custody of them.

Police in Sacramento, arrested 24-year-old Aaron Young, on a warrant after he took his two children from Arkansas, to live with him, his girlfriend and his youngest child.

The incident began when Young was invited to celebrate the birthday of his 6-year-old twins, Aaron and Aaerion Young, in Osceola, Arkansas.

While he was there, the childrenas mother died of cancer. Young, who was not a big part of his childrenas lives, said that the death of his childrens mother was a wake up call for him, and that he wanted to abe a man,a and raise his children.

Although Young is the childrenas biological father and his name is on their birth certificates, he did not have custody of the children.

Young said that he filed a petition to get custody of the children. However, their aunt also filed court documents, seeking custody of the children.

Young is being held without bail on charges of kidnapping, and is awaiting an extradition hearing to be sent back to Arkansas.

Young said that he will fight for his rights to raise his children.

Young is the father to 7 children, who live across the country. He does not have custody of any of his children and he does not pay child support to any of their motheras.
Samer Alaaeldin Mahran

By: Tanya Malhotra

An Uber driver was arrested after he was found in the back seat of his car with an underage passenger.

A family member ordered the Uber ride for the girl at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, using the companyas app.

The 17-year-old girl fell asleep while returning to her home in Laguna Beach, California.

According to the Orange County District Attorneyas Office, 23-year-old Samer Alaaeldin Mahran picked up the victim from a Huntington Beach bar.

He then parked close to her house, got into the back seat and sexually assaulted her.

When the teenager did not arrive home at the expected time, another family member used Ubers tracking system to find Mahrans car.

The prosecutors office said the family member found the car and allegedly found Mahran in the back seat with the victim.

The family member removed the victim and Mahran drove off. Police were called and they arrested the Uber driver.

Mahran was charged with a felony count of rape by use of drugs, one felony count of forcible oral copulation upon a minor over 14 years of age, one felony count of sexual penetration of a child over age 14 by foreign object and force, and one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse.

He was released after posting $100,000 bail.
iPhone Sim

By: Tanya Malhotra

A man has caused controversy after changing his name to iPhone 7 in order to win a phone.

The 20-year-old man of Ukraine, has officially changed his name to iPhone 7 after an electronics store offered the latest Apple phone to the first five people who legally change their name to iPhone 7.

Olexander Turin, who is now legally named iPhone Sim (Seven), won a free iPhone after his legal documents showed that he changed his name.

The price of the phone starts at $850 in Ukraine, while changing ones legal name costs only about $2.

iPhoneas friends and family were shocked when they learned of his plans, but he said that they ultimately supported the idea.

His sister, Tetyana Panina, said that ait was difficult to accept and hard to believe itas true.a

iPhone said that he might change his name back to Olexander Turin, when he has children.
Brian Butler

By: Mahesh Sarin

(Scroll down for video) A police chief was left humiliated after her husband, who works as a police officer, was arrested for sexually abusing an inmate.

The police chief of Massachusetts, took time off from work after her husband was arrested and fired from his job.

A man filed a complaint with the Salem Police Department, claiming that Officer Brian Butler, 56, forcefully performed a sex act on him after he was arrested.

The man, who was intoxicated at the time of the assault, told police that Butler took him into a broom closet and performed the sex act on him without consent.

Police said that surveillance video confirmed the manas account of the assault.

Butler, who has been a part of the police force for 24 years, allegedly told police aI gave in to temptation.a

In court, he pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, indecent assault and battery. Butler faces 20 years in prison if he is convicted of the charges.

He was released after post $10,000 cash bail.

Butler has been married to his wife, Salem police Chief Mary E. Butler, for 29 years, and they have three children.
By Sushant Mehta: After Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and a host of Indian actors, now Bollywood's eternal diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has come in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move.

Declaring old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as invalid has seemingly put a large number of Indians into a state of chaos and worry as many are being forced to come clear about their undisclosed income.

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Aishwarya, lauding PM Modi's effort, spoke to India Today and asked people to see the larger picture on November 12.

ALSO READ: PM Modi's demonetisation is so badly executed it's a joke, says Vishal Dadlani



ALSO READ: Aamir supports Modi's demonetisation move, asks all to focus on national interest

ALSO READ: Demonetisation is a bold decision with bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat



"We all are actually congratulating our PM on this very...this is being rightly recognised as bold but I'd also say strong move in his first mandate he began with. This is going to be a movement to wipe out corruption at all levels so this is a very strong move in that direction and change can always bring about a little bit of discomfort but that's not something we need to focus on. You need to have a the longer overview which is what the head of state is having for country and that's what we are here to respect.," the 43-year-old actor told India Today.





On the night of November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a surprise announcement told the nation that midnight onward, Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes would become invalid currency. People would have to deposit them to the banks and new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes would be issued.







However, the new policy has led people to queue outside banks and ATMs for hours to withdraw money. While it was promised that ATMs would begin working from November 11, a large number of ATMs are still not working all over the country. Singer Vishal Dadlani and actor Arshad Warsi were among the few celebrities to slam the new policy on Twitter. Opposition parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress and even BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) ally Shiv Sena have opposed the rulling government's move.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is basking in the glory of the worldwide success of her latest film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The Karan Johar film which also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Fawad Khan and Anushka Sharma has grossed well over Rs 150 crore in total worldwide collections since its release on October 28.





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Push for Westminster Investment in North Wales Continues

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Nov 13th, 2016

A push for further investment in North Wales has continued this week at Westminster.

Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Mersey-Dee North Wales area have met with Welsh Government Minister for the Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates to discuss plans for the region  and have also set out a list of priorities they want to see the UK Government lend their support to in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

Separately, the groups chairman, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, has appealed to business ministers to back infrastructure investment in North Wales and support the areas world-leading companies.

During Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy questions today, Mr Lucas told Business Minister Jesse Norman: Global businesses such as Kelloggs, Airbus, JCB and Toyota have sited themselves in north-east Wales and have prospered, making the area one of the most successful industrial areas in the UK.

We would love to see the hon. Gentleman there. Will he bring with him the investment that these businesses deserve for their confidence in north-east Wales as an area?

In reply, the Minister pledged to visit  and said: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that question, and mourn the collegiality of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport now that I have crossed on to the Front Bench.

I share his admiration for the work of those companies; I had the great pleasure of visiting Airbus only a week or so ago. I would be delighted to visit his area in due course. The Government support those strategic industries in many different areas.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Lucas said: I was pleased the Minster responded positively  we need to see infrastructure investment from his Government in our area.

There are specific examples where we would like further Government help. As we move towards the Autumn Statement, we are looking to the UK Government to offer funding for a series of rail improvements in the region.

These include further improvements in capacity on lines serving Wrexham and Chester, an upgrade of the Wrexham to Bidston line, and faster speeds along the North Wales coast line and into Cheshire.

These are part of a wider package which we would wish to see implemented  but they are a starting point for Government support.

There remains a feeling of real momentum on transport issues. Our groups meeting with Ken Skates this week was very positive too, and we hope to hear more good news from UK Government Ministers in the coming weeks.
We will fight the elections alone." Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi repeated this sentence three times in an exclusive interview with the magazinein September. He was in the middle of the month-long kisan yatra across Uttar Pradesh, the first big-scale campaign his party launched in the run-up to the 2017 assembly elections. "The cycle is punctured and Akhilesh Yadav has thrown out the tyres," Rahul took a dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the family feud involving Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav.

Nearly two months later, the Congress's election strategist Prashant Kishor (Rahul insists his job is to execute the strategy drawn up by the party leadership) met SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh three times in 10 days. There is intense speculation that the two parties are exploring a pre-election tie-up. While neither has officially confirmed these meetings took place to negotiate the Congress's role in the proposed mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), featuring SP, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal and Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, off-record conversations among political leaders indicate it was Mulayam who first expressed interest in an alliance with the Congress. Word was sent to Kishor, who got Rahul's nod to start talks. "It's still an informal process. We are testing the waters," says a member of Rahul's office. "That's why everyone was not consulted. Kishor is not a Congress member, so he is the best person to negotiate unofficially. But it would be foolish to assume he'd do such a thing without Rahul's consent."

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Though Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul are wary of Mulayam, given his history of betraying the Congress, Kishor was given the go-ahead with a simple brief: determine who the boss is in SP. One of the architects of the grand alliance in Bihar last year, Kishor's first choice in UP was the BSP. The party did not win even a single seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. This year, however, the growing atrocities against Dalits in the country and former BJP leader Dayashankar Singh's crude remarks about BSP chief Mayawati, comparing her to a prostitute, gave the party a fresh lease of life. A consolidation of the Dalit vote-22 per cent of UP's electorate-in favour of the BSP is now expected. The SP's failure to control communal riots is likely to propel Muslims toward the BSP or Congress.

To consolidate Dalit and Muslim votes against the BJP, two Congress general secretaries had reportedly reached out to Mayawati in July for a pre-poll alliance. Reportedly taking the surging crowds at her rallies as a sign she could win the state on her own, Mayawati rebuffed the Congress, unwilling to offer it even 75 seats. When a UP Congress veteran asked Kishor about the chances of a tie-up with the BSP, he furiously replied: "Let's not talk about any alliance. We will fight the polls alone."

Though Rahul's kisan yatra and the promise to waive farmers' loans created a lot of buzz, the Congress on its own is not seen as a serious contender for power in UP. Pre-poll surveys have given it not even 28 seats, its 2012 tally. While the grassroots workers are enthused by Kishor's presence and track record, senior leaders aren't amused. "You can't win elections with just a few months' campaign," says a state Congress leader. "Do you think people will vote for Sheila Dikshit, who was voted out in Delhi? We haven't groomed local leaders in the past three decades. Now, it's too late."

Kishor's idea of launching Priyanka Gandhi as the star campaigner enjoys the backing of Rahul and some Congress leaders, but Sonia Gandhi is firmly opposed to it. Sources say Sonia is of the view that if the Congress improves its performance in the state, its entire credit will go to Priyanka, triggering a clamour within the party for her active participation in politics. If Kishor's strategy fails, the party's last trump card will be wasted before the bigger battle-the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. For the SP, which has slipped to third position in pre-poll surveys, a tie-up with the BJP or BSP is next to impossible, and the proposed mahagathbandhan lacks the numbers it had it Bihar. That makes the SP and Congress mutually acceptable allies.

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Caste equations have played a big role in this talk of alliance, which will be targeting the OBCs, Dalits, Muslims and Brahmins. The SP is trying to prevent the BJP from hijacking its core OBC base. Both the Congress and SP bank heavily on Muslims and their alliance will consolidate their vote. The Congress hopes to woo Brahmins with Sheila Dikshit as chief ministerial candidate. It will also launch a massive outreach to stop Dalits, who didn't support Mayawati in the last assembly and Lok Sabha polls, from returning to the BSP's fold. Under K. Raju, head of the Congress's SC cell, the party has identified Dalit youth in all 75 districts who have been canvassing in Dalit homes and publicising the Congress's welfare measures. The party will also publish a special election manifesto for Dalits.

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Intentions aside, the Congress is a divided house on the alliance. Some in the party are upbeat. "If this alliance gives the Congress a stake in power, it will have a far-reaching impact on the organisation in the state," says a party leader close to Rahul. But Dikshit and state Congress president Raj Babbar are unhappy. Babbar reacted cautiously, though. "I have no objection to Kishor meeting anyone as he is not a member of the party," he said. "We'll go by whatever decision the high command takes." Even if the alliance goes through, it will be a hard bargain. Akhilesh doesn't want to offer the Congress more than 60 seats; Kishor is asking for 150; it may eventually be settled at 100 seats. That's the easier part. The bigger challenge will be the selection of seats, which could make or break the deal.



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When Robert McKinney moved from Terrace Heights to Missouri in 2006, he packed a blue suitcase with some of his most precious possessions  fr
Late General Harsit Bhadouria had sustained a splinter injury due to enemy fire from across the Line of Control while he was deployed at a forward post in Keran sector and later succumbed to the injuries.

By Ashraf Wani: Army today paid befitting tributes to its valiant soldier General Harsit Bhadouria who had attained martyrdom, on November 11th in Keran Sector, of Kupwara, North Kashmir. Homage was paid to the valour and sacrifice of the late soldier in a solemn ceremony held at Badami Bagh Cantonment.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Late General Harsit Bhadouria had sustained a splinter injury due to enemy fire from across the Line of Control while he was deployed at a forward post in Keran sector.

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He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated from the post but unfortunately succumbed to the injuries. General Harsit Bhadouria was always keen on joining the Army to serve his motherland.

AN INSPIRATION TO THE NATION

An inspiration to his friends and colleagues, he was loved by one and all. A jovial young boy, he was always in the forefront in his duty and always volunteered for the most difficult task. The departed soldier hailing from Banswara, Rajasthan is survived by his parents and a sister.

Saluting the brave soldier on his final journey, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, the Chinar Corps Commander said that such exemplary acts always served as an inspiration not only to the uniformed community but to the entire Nation.

The mortal remains of Gnr Harsit Bhadouriya will be flown for last rites to his native place where he will be laid to rest with full military honours.



ALSO READ:

Indian Army pays tribute to martyr Satnam Singh

Kolhapur martyr cremated, thousands bid adieu



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In somber ceremonies, France is remembering the horrors of one year ago, when Islamic extremists attacked bars, restaurants and other symbols of the joyful life that Paris embodies, turning a night on the town into a spasm of violence that shook the nation to its core.

President Francois Hollande was visiting each of the seven attack sites on Sunday to honor the 130 people killed that Friday night and the hundreds injured. Notre Dame Cathedral was holding an evening service.
Ishaq abu-Jibne -a Palestinian taxi driver who was attacked by Jews in downtown Jerusalem  has been recognized by the police as the victim of enemy hostilities.

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The incident happened in August when five Jewish youths approached the taxi driver, and yelled this is our country  go work in Gaza.

As abu-Jibne began trying to back away from them, the youths pulled out mace and sprayed him, threw rocks at him, then beat him.

Police vehicle (Photo: Haim Hornstein)

Although the police did arrive on the scene and order the Palestinian taxi driver an ambulance, they never went to the hospital to receive a statement from him. Abu-Jibne has to go to the police station himself to file a complaint, but by that time the security camera footage had already been erased.

His case was closed due to lack of evidence.

Because his file was closed, he wasnt able to be recognized by the national health insurance as a victim of enemy hostilities  a designation which would have made him eligible for a variety of state benefits.

After abu-Jibnes case was published in Yediot Ahronot, the case was reopened, and the police ruled that the injuries abu-Jibne sustained were in fact the result of a nationalistic attack, and is now on the way to being recognized by the national health insurance as a victim of enemy hostilities.
ISLAMABAD- ISIS is increasing its presence in Pakistan, recruiting Uzbek militants, attracting disgruntled Taliban fighters and partnering with one of Pakistan's most violent sectarian groups, according to police officers, Taliban officials and analysts.

Its latest atrocity was an attack Saturday on a Sufi shrine in southwestern Pakistan that killed at least 50 people and wounded 100 others. The group said in a statement that a suicide bomber attacked the shrine with the intent of killing Shiite Muslims and issued a picture of the attacker.

When ISIS circulated a photograph of one of the attackers in last month's deadly assault on a police academy in southwestern Baluchistan province, two Taliban officials told The Associated Press that the attacker was an Uzbek, most likely a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. More than 60 people, most of them police recruits, were killed in that Oct. 26 attack when three assailants battled security forces for hours before being killed or detonating their suicide vests.

The Taliban officials, both of whom are familiar with the IMU, spoke on condition of anonymity because their leadership has banned them from talking to the media.
KABUL- The Us Embassy in Afghanistan has closed following deadly insurgent attacks on a German Consulate and an American military base.

In a statement late Saturday, the embassy says it will be "closed for routine services" Sunday "as a temporary precautionary measure."

The unusual decision comes after four Americans -- two soldiers and two contractors -- were killed in a suicide attack Saturday on the Bagram Airfield near the capital, Kabul.

Two days earlier, insurgents attacked the German Consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing six people and wounding more than 100.
The family of Amin Shaaban , killed by Nashat Melhem on January 1, 2016, as Melhem was running from the authorities after perpetrating a shooting terror attack at a bar on Tel Aviv's Dizengoff St. , sat down with members of the Melhem family and made peace on Saturday.

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Melhem shot into the Simta bar in Tel Aviv, killing Alon Bakal and Shimon Ruimi ; he proceeded to enter a taxi driven by Shaaban (who was not affiliated with the attack), later killing him as well. A manhunt for Melhem ensued, and a week later he was located in the Arab-Israeli town of Arara. He was then killed in a firefight with Israeli security forces.

Amin Shaaban.

The official peacemaking ceremony is expected to take place next Saturday and to include hundreds of guests - among them public figures and politicians. It was first requested by the Melhem family.
Heres the most routine sentence possible: Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabins murder . There will be another class reunion, and only the number of participants  due to the rules of nature  is diminishing.

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Its a sort of class reunion of state officials who have to attend the ceremony by the power of their positions, family members and friends. Once again, we will meet at the memorial ceremony on Jerusalems Mount Herzl. Once again, we will meet at the Knesset plenum. Once again, memorial rallies will be held in different places in Israel, and once again Yitzhak Rabin will be mentioned.

On the day of the murder, the State of Israel had a little more than half its residents today, and many dont know what the memorial commotion is all about, and the memory is fading.

Netanyahu and Rabin. Many of us know exactly who incited the murder (Photos: Yaakov Saar/GPO, Moti Milrod)

Fourteen prime ministers served the State of Israel (a few of them several times), but only three or four of them will be remembered throughout the generations: David Ben-Gurion, who established the state; Levi Eshkol, who was prime minister when the Six-Day War broke out; Menachem Begin, who signed the peace agreement with Egypt during his term; and Yitzhak Rabin, who was IDF chief of staff during the Six-Day War, a defense minister and prime minister.

These prime ministers will enter the states history books as the captains of a ship who managed to change the direction it was sailing in and place landmarks in Israels path. Its possible that all other prime ministers were good and wonderful, but these four knew how to change the direction of history. One of them was Rabin, who is being remembered these days.

Rabin was the first prime minister, and hopefully the last, to be murdered in office. The incitement campaign waged against him on the days which led up to the murder has yet to be properly investigated. In a Facebook post published Saturday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that the accusation that he had led the incitement campaign which generated the murder was false. As long as there has been no investigation of this horrible incitement campaign, which generated the scum that shed Rabins blood, it will never be possible to respond in an orderly and accurate manner to the incitement campaign led by rabbis and right-wing activists.

Many of us know exactly who incited the murder, who ran the campaign which preceded that damned Saturday night and who are the people who prepared signs in advance in every city following every terror attack that did or did not happen. Many of those people are still promoting hate and incitement to this very day, and there is no law to stop this deterioration into the abyss.

Some of those who ran the murder campaign 21 years ago received job in government ministries, and those in charge of them were wise to give them junior positions so that they would not stick out among the public.

It may be time to reopen the account books and talk and interrogate those who were behind the murder, even if they didnt believe at the time that it would come to the assassination of a prime minister. It may be time to put an end to this demand. The filthy murderer is in jail, and only the small family which meets on the mount and at the Knesset every year remembers and will likely never forget.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Nov 13 (PTI) Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag today concluded his three-day official visit to Nepal during which he assured the countrys leadership of Indias commitment to capacity and capability building of Nepals army.

During his visit, Gen Singh held bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Gen Rajendra Chhetri and other senior government officials on military and security issues.

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He was visiting the Himalayan nation, leading a delegation of the Indian Army at the invitation of Gen Chhetri. The visit was aimed at boosting Indias military and security ties with the landlocked country.

During his stay, Gen Singh paid a courtesy call to President Bidya Devi Bhandari and met Defence Minister Balkrishna Khand.

He also called on Prime Minister Prachanda.

"Army chief assured him that we are committed to capability and capacity building of Nepal Army," according to Indian Army sources.

Yesterday, he visited Rupandehi district in western Nepal yesterday, where he observed "Surya Kiran" - a joint military exercise held between Nepal and Indian armies, according to a statement issued by the Nepal Army Headquarters.

Such high-level visits by top Indian military officials have helped deepen military ties between the two countries as well as expand cooperation, the statement said. PTI SBP ABH AKJ ABH

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Immigration to Israel from France is on the decline, according to figures published recently by an organization of French-Jewish olim.

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Just around 4,500 Jews have made aliyah in 2016 so far, compared to about 8000 in 2015. While 43 percent of French Jews (about 200,000 people) have expressed a desire to make aliyah, their poor employment prospects in Israel and the country's grinding bureaucracy are deterring most of them them from making the move.

French olim arriving in Israel. (Archive photo: Motti Kimchi)

Authorities in Israel have promised to make changes to the situation, but have actually done very little. French olim in Israel have raised the concern that if things do not change, many of them may eventually despair of the country and return to France.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, it's strange to look back at what he told Israeli journalist Ilana Dayan during in a 1998 interview: "I think I'm too controversial to be a politician."

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Trump is indeed a controversial figure who inspires extreme reactions from his listenersfrom enthusiastic support to passionate hostility, even among senior Republicans.

One of those controversial statements was his promise to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem . He is not the first presidential candidate to promise this. Others stopped short of going ahead with the move upon entering the White House because of strong opposition from the State Department.

President-elect Trump

David Friedman , who will likely be appointed the next US ambassador to the Holy Land, says that "If there is anyone who can tell the State Department what to do, it's Trump. If the people there object, he would just tell them: 'Ladies and gentlemen, you're all fired.'"

Friedman, one of Trump's attorneys, visits Israel at least twice a year to celebrate the High Holy Days and Passover in his apartment in Jerusalem. He met with the team running the campaign for Trump in Israe on the eve of Sukkot this year.

Senior Trump advisor on Israel David Friedman (Photo: EPA)

There are over 300,000 eligible American voters living in Israel, and after an aggressive campaignin which hundreds of thousands of shekels were investedsome 75 percent of them voted for Trump.

Friedman advised the Israeli team during the campaign, as well as Vice President-elect Mike Pence and Trump's Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner. Just before the end of the campaign, Pence called the Israeli team to praise them for their work, which was "very important among Jews and Evangelicals."

Dozens of volunteers from the Israeli team called Jews and Evangelicals, mostly in Florida, on Election Day and before that, and told them "If the Jews in the Holy Land voted for Trump, so must you."

Trump supporters at Jerusalem campaign event (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

There was also talk of a delegation led by Pence and Ivanka Trump to meet with potential voters in Florida, but it was cancelled last-minute.

Tzvika Brot, the director of the Israeli campaign for Trump, got to meet with the candidate during the Republican National Convention. "The man is impressive," Brot says. "And during our meeting, he was completely different than his public persona."

Brot recounts that "After he finished his speech and stayed on message, he met with me and a group of senior officials who attended the conference, and gave an entirely different performance. It appears he knows how to adapt himself to his audience. He speaks in practical terms."

Brot also spoke of the plan to organize a Trump visit to Israel ahead of the elections. The general outline of the visit had already been prepared: He would visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum and important Christian sites in Jerusalem. But the visit was cancelled when senior officials in the Foreign Ministry and in the Prime Minister's Office, including Prime Minister Netanyahu himself, declined to meet with Trump, not wishing to appear as if they were interfering in the American elections.

A Trump campaign event in Tel Aviv (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The campaign also considered sending Trump to the funeral of Israel's ninth president, Shimon Peres , but scrapped the idea due to concern that Trump, as a presidential candidate without an official position, would be relegated to the back seats while Hillary Clinton would sit in the front row next to her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

"Minutes after we announced that he would not come to the funeral, Clinton also announced she was not coming," Brot said.

The president-elect's close associates say his concern for Israel will continue to play a dominant role even after his inauguration.

"His daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared really do love Israel," one associate said. "They're religious people who attend shul on Fifth Avenue in New York. During Sukkot, when they were walking down Fifth Avenue with the Four Species, they were photographed for one of the papers. Since the paper's editors didn't understand what Ivanka was holding, they wrote that her husband bought her flowers for Shabbat."

"Trump also prepared a speech for a campaign event held in Jerusalem on October 26, attended by Republican Party supporters in Israel. Israel is close to his heart, and will remain that way."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday in a meeting with Likud party ministers that he is interested in postponing a government vote on what is known as the Regulation Bill  a bill that would regulate the status of the settlement outpost Amona, as well as several other Israeli settlements in the West Bank under Israeli law.

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Netanyahu said he would like to postpone votes on the bill, which is set to be discussed within the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday, until the High Court of Justice (HCJ) gives its ruling on the matter.

PM Netanyahu. Desires postponement of discussion on the Regulation Bill. (Photo: AFP)

The Regulation Bill's purpose is to prevent the forced eviction of Amona, which was ruled to have been built on privately-owned Palestinian land. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has expressed his opinion that the constitutionality of the bill in its current form would be nearly indefensible in the courts.

Bayit Yehudi party leader and Education Minister Naftali Bennett opposes the PM on this matter. His party members intend on bringing the bill up for discussion in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation's Sunday meeting, despite Netanyahu's opposition to the move.

Bayit Yehudi MKs claim that the eviction of Amona may be followed by that of other settlements due to court orders, and so there is a need for legislation to clarify and regulate the matter.
PARIS- Hours after Donald Trump's U.S. election victory, a close political ally of French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the moment as "a beautiful day".

While the result aroused anxiety among much of Europe's political mainstream, French legislator Philippe Meunier drew cheers as he warmed up a crowd of conservative faithful before Sarkozy arrived for a rally near the city of Lyon.

"I was woken up this morning to good news from the United States and salute the determination of Americans who were faced with those who lecture us about what to think, and for whom to vote," he said.

At the time, western leaders were offering to work with Trump but making clear their apprehension over his campaign threats on issues ranging from NATO solidarity to the Iran nuclear deal and climate change.
This isnt another mistake, its a series of mistakes. Its a trend. Something is happening in the countries of the free world. In Israel, it happened in the 2015 elections. Then it happened in Britain, in the Brexit referendum. And this week, all records were broken. Donald Trump derided all commentators and pollsters all the way to the polls. It may be insanity, but there is some logic in it.

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We can talk about campaign management, slogans and spins. But there is another explanation for these changes. The free world is changing before our eyes. It feels threatened. It is growing weaker. After the prime of the cosmopolitan era, which was reflected in the opening of gates, the demise of the concept of the nation, and the rise of the European Union, came the ills of this era. Globalization contributed to the loss of identity. Huge immigration waves deepened the frustration.

Obamas ban on the phrase Islamic terror was another milestone on the road to Trumps victory (Photo: AP)

In France, several years ago, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy tried to hold a debate on the question of national identity. The intellectuals boycotted the debate. They saw it as an expression of nationalistic chauvinism. A similar debate began in England too. And once again, it was the intellectual elites that preached an open society. That is also the name of the foundation established by billionaire George Soros, one of the chief donors of Hillary Clinton and dozens of NGOs, in Europe and in Israel, which are affiliated, of course, with the radical left.

In January, upon Trumps initial victories in the Republican primary elections, two political commentators from the Washington Post said it was forbidden to say Merry Christmas or he or her at Ohios liberal college, because someone  possibly a transgender, or a non-Christian  may be offended. It was a case of insanity which outraged many Americans. To be more accurate, it was the continuation of a revolt, after 68 percent of US citizens expressed the stance that political correctness is a big problem three months earlier.

Another milestone in Trumps victory was written there, in that place. Most commentators kept living in denial. The Republican candidate told Americans what had been banned by the thought police, and he also stooped down to racism. And he was forgiven. Even 62 percent of the Democratic Partys supporters, according to the poll from October 2015, are fed up of political correctness.

This correctness did not remain in the margins. It went up. In 2009, it was Nidal Malik Hasan, US Army Medical Corps psychiatrist at the Fort Hood base in Texas, who murdered 13 of his friends in a shooting spree. It was clear that Hasan was a repentant who had teamed up with jihad. But US President Barack Obama, who quickly neglected his position as the worlds police, soon became the leading cop in the thought police. He banned the use of the phrase Islamic terror. He pursued this puzzling policy throughout all his years in office. He even freed ISIS of any connection to Islam. Many decent Muslims found it difficult to understand the American president. After all, blindness will not help the war on terror. But Obama insisted. That was not the cause of Clintons defeat. It was just another milestone.

In the name of the same correctness, the support for advanced Islamist movements is increasing on campuses, and senior lecturers have become defenders of BDS and the endless lies against Israel. And so, feminist students voiced support for Hamas, although Hamas would have thrown them off a high roof. Most Americans had enough of this offense to common sense, and Trump was there to collect some of that loathing. It was just enough for him.

Three days before the elections, someone raised a pro-Trump sign at a rally in which Obama spoke in favor of Clinton. The audience booed, as expected, and Obama rushed to silence the audience in order to talk about the importance of freedom of speech. The interesting thing is that Trump took advantage of this incident to slam Obama, giving a completely false factual account of what happened there.

Trump knew he was presenting a series of lies. After all, it was all recorded and documented. That didnt bother him. Because the great tragedy is that the public discourse has entered the post-factual era. Granted, Trump is not a representative of post-modernism, and it was actually the academia which entered this era with the academic freedom of speech excuse, but the public discourse  which originates in enlightened rather than unenlightened people  paved the way for Trump.

The lie has become a norm. Professors in prestigious universities lie constantly. Tel Aviv, one of them wrote, is the only city in the West with no Muslims. The Labor Party and Benjamin Netanyahu, another one wrote, support the transfer of Arabs. And the list is long. They lie and they know they are lying. Political correctness makes it impossible to say anything to them. They will also be promoted, because of the lie. Trump took the same path. He lied and he won.

Amos Oz. Supporting the activists of the demonization industry

The same self-deception is rising and blooming in Israel. Last week, it was Amos Oz who delivered an enthusiastic speech in favor of Breaking the Silence. The main argument was that the organizations activists make every Israeli proud. According to Oz, they make it clear that Israel is a free country. That is the politically correct thing to say. That is what Oz is saying.

The facts are slightly different. Avner Gvrayahu, one of the organizations senior members, spoke at the United Nations and gave the impression that IDF soldiers are robbers. Yehuda Shaul, one of the organizations founders, gave foreigners a testimony about poisoned wells in an entire Palestinian village. He lied. He inspired Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas libel at the UN General Assembly. And after the organizations representatives were in Ireland, Parliament Member Richard Boyd Barrett said they had stated that everything Israel did was intentional murder. Oz, what a disgrace, thinks that is the way to make us proud.

As far as Obama is concerned, there is no Islamic terror. As far as Oz is concerned, there is no demonization. They are blind. Oz says a lot of sensible things. He warns Israel, and rightfully so, against heading to the disaster of a state that will not be bi-national but Arab. He succeeds, however, in shattering everything when he supports the activists of the demonization industry. Its not just Oz, but growing parts of the Israeli Left, even the Zionist Left. And then they are surprised when Netanyahu or Trump win. Its also because of you Amos Ozs. And until you understand that, they will keep winning.

In order to win an election or a referendum, there is no need to convince masses of people. All it takes is the transfer of a few percentage points from one side to the other. Its not the ignorant people who hesitate, but actually the thinking people. They are not ardent fan of either Netanyahu or Trump, but the alternative on the left just seems much worse.
A special Knesset session took place Sunday evening to mark 21 years since the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin during which speeches were delivered by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Isaac Herzog.

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Addressing the Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described a gaping wound in the body of the nation that heals and leaves a scar for generations, before recalling his first encounter with Rabin.

PM Netanyahu before his speech remembering Yitzhak Rabin (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

I met Rabin for the first time in 1975 when I came as a student from the US to recommend to him steps to stop the pressure that was being exerted by the American government on Israel, Netanyahu said. Rabin was undeterred and was strongly opposed to a forced solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and insisted on our security requirements and promoted the transfer of military aid to Israel.

Knesset during memorial for Yitzhak Rabin (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Rabin sought peace and extended his hand for peace but fundamentally he understood that the establishment of peace needed to be done in a sober fashion and with responsibility, he continued. His insistence on security arrangements, even during his final speech is exactly where I stand: the security arrangements to which even today the Palestinians do not agree."

He went on to say that today, Israel stands strong against any attempts to force international solutions and will resist coercion which only hardens the Palestinian stance before attempting to draw parallels between his outlook and Rabins vis-a-vis Iran.

The root of the storm sweeping the region now lies in the rise of radical Islam. Rabin frequently and explicitly named Iran as the state which fans the flames of this radicalism. He warned of Irans aspiration to develop a nuclear weapon, which today, through a variety of means, Israel has succeeded in preventing. He also pointed to Irans far-reaching aspirations to undermine the stability of our region.

Concluding his analysis, Netanyahu said, Not much has changed since then and if it has then it is for the worse. The Iranian regime has repeatedly stated its intention to eradicate Israel and Iran still has not abandoned its nuclear program.

Isaac Herzog (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

The prime ministers speech was followed by Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog who used to podium to denounce what he described as incitement which has taken place over the past few years and warned that other murderers could already be walking among us and the responsibility for this lies completely with you Prime Minister.

Naftali Bennett and Isaac Herzog (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Herzog then called upon Netanyahu to takes diplomatic measures to separate from the Palestinians. This is the moment of truth, the moment of tremendous chance and a moment of tremendous danger that blood will spill and we will no longer be able to separate from our neighbors, he said. Referencing the recent US election of Donald Trump to the presidency, Herzog added, Our identity is not derived from the identity of the individual who sits in the White House. The moment of truth is here. We must decide, as Rabin said, peace prospects are better than thousands of wars.

Bayit Yehudi Leader Naftali Bennett took the opportunity to defend Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite the tensions which have recently materialized between them, particularly over the so-called Regulations Bill. Twenty-one years ago an effort began to blame the prime minister and the then opposition leadaer Benjamin Netanyahu for incitement. I saw time and again how he said that while we are divided there is a limit to the divide.
The IDF Medical Corps's field hospital, which Israel sets up at times of emergency across the country and the world, was recognized by the World Health Organization as the world's leader, becoming the first field hospital to achieve the highest possible ranking from the UN agency.

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The commander of the General Staff's Surgical Hospital Unit, Col. (res.) Dr. Ofer Merin, whose civilian job is directing the Shaare Zedek Medical Center's Trauma Department, said, "It's a national honor for the State of Israel and for the Medical Corps."

In recent weeks, a WHO ranking process awarded the IDF field hospital the highest possible grade, 3. The hospital was sent nearly two years ago to assist the wounded in the Nepalese earthquake. As is usual, it provided medical care to families, carried out complicated surgeries, and function as a proper hospital in every sense for several months after the disaster.

The IDF field hospital (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

In the past, countries that wanted to send aid mission didn't necessarily help, and at times they even posed a burden to the hosting countries. Therefore, the WHO began in 2012 a process that ended up setting binding standards. Inter alia, it was decided that field hospitals sent to help would be ranked 2 and would be able to carry out surgeries.

Israel joined another 16 countries running similar field hospitals. "When an objective organization like the UN says that one should learn from us, it's very moving," said Merin.

Erecting the field hospital (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The length of the recognition lasts from six months to a year. The WHO sent a team to inspect the ranked hospital, a control process that lasted several days.

"After a process lasting many months that ended last week, the team sat with us and announced that the Israeli field hospital was recognized as a level-3 hospital, and one of them even said, 'There's room for the world to learn from the Israeli field hospital,' 'The world needs to learn from the Israelis how to engage in disaster areas,'" explained Merin.

The field hospital personnel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

He added, "If we're in a disaster area, we need level-2 field hospitals, which are hospitals that provide advanced first aid and level-3 hospitals, which are hospitals that are capable of operating and carrying out invasive surgeries. We are the only ones in the world with a field hospital at level 3."

The proud doctor summarized, "I think that's a great national pride. A field hospital that extends a hand to help countries of the worldI think that this is a great honor Israel provided world aid to a great number of countries. We worked in Nepal, in the Philippines, in Japan and in Haiti. Four different countries inside of five years to which Israel provided aidthis is great pride for the IDF and the country."
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill Sunday evening to ban mosque muezzins from announcing prayer times via loudspeakers in the streets.

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The bill, tabled by MK Motti Yogev (Bayit Yehudi) and Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu), comes a week and a half after demonstrations were staged by residents of the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev who emulated a muezzin call in front of the Beit Hakerem residence of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to protest ongoing disturbances caused by Muslim calls to prayer emanating from the Shuafat, Beit Hanina and A-ram neighborhoods.

Mosque in Lod (Photo: Avi Moalem)

Yogev said the early-morning calls to prayer, mainly from mosques, disturb the sleep of hundreds of thousands of Jews and Arabs alike.

In his opening statements during Sundays ministerial meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voiced his broad agreement with the complaints of the residents in which the calls to prayer are blasted.

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation will discuss discuss a proposed bill today to restrict the noise level of the public address system of houses of worship in Israel, he said. Both Muslims, Jews and Christians suffer from this. I cannot count the number of times that civilians have approached me from all strands of Israeli society who complain about the choice and the suffering which is caused by the excessive noise from houses of worship.

According to Yogev, his office, as well as the ministries of public security and environment, have received dozens of complaints which emphasize that they have no problem with daytime calls to prayer object to the disruptive early broadcasts.

We are not opposed to religious observance, and certainly not to the call of the muezzin that God is great, said Yogev. (Religious Jews have been) reciting a similar phrase for thousands of years, long before the emergence of Islam.

But with all the technological advances of today, there is no justification for waking people up at 4 oclock in the morning who dont want (to attend prayer services). There are cell phone applications, alarm clocks, and other technologies to use. There is no need to wake up the whole neighborhood, Yogev told the Hebrew-language Channel 1s education program.

Members of Israels Arab community were quick to criticize the bill with MK Issawi Freij (Meretz) calling the move anti-Semitic and claiming that it was not motivated by noise concerns, but rather an ongoing anti-Muslim sentiment that has become popular in the current coalition.

The Old City where calls to prayer can frequently be heard (Photo: shutterstock)

Dr. Thabet Abu Rass, co-chairman of The Abraham Fund Initiative, also opposed the bill but appeared to accept Yogevs claim that the loudspeakers are disruptive and unfair. Nevertheless, he cited the mixed Arab-Jewish city of Jaffa as a precedent for dialogue being the way to address the issue, rather than unilateral legislation.

Nobody legislated the issue in Jaffa, but somehow the local residents managed to work it out on their own, through dialogue, Abu Rass said.

Yogev rejected the claims out of hand however, saying that the new proposal is necessary since existing laws to limit noise pollution have simply not been enforced. He also rejected accusations that the Bayit Yehudi party was against public expressions of Islam, saying that broadcasting the call to prayer is not part of the Muslim religion.

One hundred years ago there were no loudspeakers, Yogev said. So what did the muezzins do at that time?
The so-called Regulation Bill designed to legalize outposts in the West Bank was approved in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation vote on Sunday evening following heated discussions between the ministers present.

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The bill was brought to the vote by Bayit Yehudi Leader Naftali Bennett despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus efforts to convince him to postpone the vote last Thursday.

Little time elapsed before a bitter verbal exchange erupted between Education Minister Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beytenu) after the latter accused him of spearheading the law to advance election prospects.

Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: AP and EPA)

Demanding that Lieberman apologize for his remarks, Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) stormed out of the talks. Before doing do, Bennett turned to the prime minister, who had gone to great lengths to oppose the bill, and said: You all had a year to take care of this and nothing happened. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are second class citizens and now it is time to move forward.

During the meeting, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit reiterated his legal judgement that if the bill were to be ratified, it would constitute a breach of international law. He also added that it would not stand up in the High Court given that there was no precedent for such a move which would entail the expropriation of private lands and ownership from people. It could create a problem, Mandelblit said.

Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Zvika Tishler)

In a meeting between Netanyahu, Bennett, Lieberman and Shaked which took place on Thursday, Bennett was unmoved by the reasons expounded by Netanyahu for delaying the bill which included the possible international repercussions which could ensue.

The initiative has picked up increased momentum in recent weeks over the decision to evacuate the Amona settlementa move to which Bennetts party fundamentally objects.

According to a revised and softened version of the proposed bill, which was submitted by Bayit Yehudi MKs Bezalel Smotrich and Shuli Mualem together with Likud MKs Yoav Kisch and David Bitan, it would only apply to settlements established with the involvement of the state and not to those whose establishment was devoid of state planning. Amona would fall within the first category.
Leader of the Joint List MK Ayman Odeh gave a telephone interview Sunday to the Lebanese and Hezbollah-affiliated news channel Al Mayadeen during which he described former Israeli President Shimon Peres as a representative of the occupation.

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During the interview, Odeh discussed a number of subjects including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the election of Donald Trump and also addressed comparisons between Peres and former Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization Yasser Arafat.

The comparison between President Arafat and Peres is unacceptable, Odeh said. Arafat was a leader of a national liberation movement, a hero, a refined individual and he fought loyally and believed in the need to end the conflict by establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

MK Aym Odeh being interviewed by Al Mayadeen

By contrast, his comments on Peres were somewhat less flattering. He represented the occupation for decades. In addition, he supported three wars against the Gaza Strip and supported racist laws against the Palestinian people, declared Odeh.

Turning to the election of Donald Trump, Odeh said, We dont know what the president-elect thinks. The USA, whether Republican or Democrat, is essentially a single unit and even if there are two presidents, the policies regarding the Palestinians are the same. If the US really wants peace, it has to force it on Israel.

A separate interview with Odeh is also expected to be published on Monday by the largest Palestinian newspaper in the West Bank, al-Quds newspaper, which in October conducted a rare interview with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, causing outrage among Palestinians.

In a preview of the interview which has already been published, Odeh told the newspaper that American involvement constitutes the problem rather than the solution to the conflict.

Furthermore, he heaped criticism on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, charging that he prefers to manage the conflict rather than solve it and is totally uninterested in a two-state solution. The Israeli democracy was established at the expense of our people, Odeh is quoted as saying in the preview.

Odeh is not the first Arab MK to have participated in an interview with Al Mayadeen and the channel was recently exposed for duping a number of senior Israeli officials into being interviewed.
"The government is not doing anything with black money holders but is troubling the humble poor people. People don't have money and are dying of hunger,"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a press conference.

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today addressed a press conference on demonetisation.

He began the conference taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address today morning. He said that, "PM Modi should stand in line and see if any scamsters are there. Are Kanimozhi, Suresh Kalmadi and A Raja there?"

Taking a swipe at Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi who had recently visited a bank branch to understand the pain of common people, Modi said, "Those involved in big scams now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4,000."

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Also Read: Modi takes swipe at Rahul's bank visit; Congress leader hits back with 'first laughter, now tears' jibe

Kejriwal said that the Prime Minister mocked the people standing in queue with this statement and should apologise to the public.

"The situation has gone out of control and the Prime Minister is just giving emotional speeches. It is a poorly implemented scheme and it will become a law and order problem," he said.

Talking about black money, the reason Modi led government implemented demonetisation on October 8, Kejriwal said, "People of the ruling party are sending bundles of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 through the back door of banks and it is coming out in Rs 2000s bundles. 50 per cent black money is with the BJP."

"The government is not doing anything with black money holders but is troubling the humble poor people. People don't have money and are dying of hunger," he added.

On the discomfort faced by people because of implementation of new currency notes, he said, "50 days has caused panic in the nation. How will people give the PM 50 days when there is no food at home?"

The PM today said,"My honest countrymen, give me 50 days to give you the India you dreamt of."

Also Read: Left family, home for country, not born for high chair: 10 best quotes from Modi speech

On threat on Prime Minister's life, Kejriwal said, "The PM should stop doing drama. Are the security forces in the country ineffective."

Also Watch:

--- ENDS ---
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin landed Sunday with his wife Nechama in India for a state visit at the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee. The two are expected to open the the agricultural event, Agro Tech. India is an important ally and close friend of Israel, said Rivlin. This visit is proof of the strong relations and I hope that it will add and strengthen our close ties even further.
The Hurun Report, a Shanghai-based rich list compiler, recently surveyed high-net-worth individuals in China (i.e. people worth more than US$1.5 million). The survey found that 800,000 of these high-net-worth individuals planned to transfer their money abroad, with Sydney and Melbourne being the investment destination of choice for many.

The Hurun Report also found that many Chinese millionaires hoped to move to Australia.

The depreciation of the yuan has been blamed for the flow of capital from mainland China to the Australian property market. Australia also appeals to Chinese millionaires because of the world-class healthcare, as well as superior investment and educational opportunities.

Rupert Hoogewerf, publisher of the Hurun Report, said that prices in Chinas major cities have risen so quickly in the past year that an overseas house seems to offer [investors] good bang [for their] buck.

The survey found that 60% of the countrys wealthiest people planned to buy overseas properties over the next three years, with an average budget of 5.8 million Chinese yuan ($1.12 million).

China currently has 1,340,000 high-net-worth individuals, defined as individuals with US$1.5m, so that means we are looking at a massive 800,000 individuals who want to buy property overseas over the next three years, Hoogewerf said.

Melbourne has been ticked by 3.9% of the respondents as their preferred destination for emigration and property purchase, followed by 3.8% for Sydney and 0.2% for Canberra. Although the demand for real estate property in the west coast of the United States is much higher, the level of interest in Melbourne and Sydney indicates that Chinese capital will continue to flow into these cities.

Related stories:

The Volume Of Chinese Investment In Australia Has Declined Year-On-Year

Chinese Investors Make A Comeback In Sydneys Property Market
Latest News

Wellington, New Zealand - Secretary of State John Kerry: "Mr. Ambassador, Mark, thank you very, very much. Thank you also for your tremendous linguistic display a little bit earlier. (Laughter.) Im delighted to be here with all of you. Minister Brownlee and General Keating, thank you very much for honoring us by being here today, and to all of you parliamentarians, counselors, and distinguished guests all.

"Its a great honor for me to be able to be here today, and I just took part in a wonderful ceremony in which we pledged that we will always remember those who have given their lives for peace and for freedom. So it is special for me to be able to be here today to formally dedicate this U.S. memorial, and it will officially open next year, the 100th anniversary joining New Zealand and our other allies during the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the landing of the U.S. Marines, which you just heard about, in New Zealand during World War II.

"And Im not sure I can call it a marriage, but its certainly a clash of cultures originally, and it worked out just plain fine, folks. I have just left the prime minister, and I cant think of a moment in our history when weve been more in sync, more unified, more joined together as partners, in an effort to promote peace and to stand up for moral values, for refugees, for humanitarian assistance, for the rights of people to be free from groups like Daesh, ISIS, and others, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, of which there are too many, but which we together as a coalition have stood up to push back against, and I think appropriately.

"The United States national holiday honoring our veterans was just this past Friday, and before I departed for New Zealand I visited Arlington National Cemetery just on the edge of Washington across the Potomac River to remember and reflect on the brave men and women that weve lost over the years including a number of men that I was fortunate enough to serve with in Vietnam. Unfortunately, four names were added to that list just yesterday when a NATO air base north of Kabul, Afghanistan was attacked. There are no words, no way, to adequately convey the gratitude that we feel to all those who put their lives on the line for the safety and the well-being of others. The scriptures remind us that there is no act of love greater than giving your life to save the life of another. And it means a great deal to the United States that New Zealand is setting aside this site to commemorate the service and the sacrifices of American troops who died alongside Kiwi brothers and sisters, and to know that they will be honored here in perpetuity.

"As Pacific partners over many decades, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder against tyranny, and we have worked to promote peace and the values that we share from the trenches of Europe to the islands of the Pacific and more recently Korea, the Middle East, Sinai, and Sudan.

"Later this week, the USS Sampson will be attending and participating in New Zealands  in the New Zealand Navys 75th Anniversary International Naval Review, and that I think is a new milestone for the normalization of our security relationship and cooperation.

"I want you to know that we in the United States do not take for granted this relationship. We know how fortunate we are to have courageous and committed partners, a country that is engaged way beyond its size in ways that have an impact that is just plain enormous. And despite being a small nation, often far from the immediate danger, New Zealanders have never shied away from defending shared values on a world stage.

"Dating back to World War I, this nation has been ready and willing to fight for what is right. And even during the heartbreaking losses at Gallipoli over 100 years ago which touched nearly every single family in this country then, the heroism and the friendship of the Kiwis has long been evident on the battlefield.

"During World War II, tens of thousands of American troops came here to New Zealand to train and recover before joining New Zealands military in the fierce battles of the Pacific. Then, as now, Americans were warmly welcomed by the people of this great nation. And when I  when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt traveled here to visit our wounded troops, she was struck by the remarkable care and the company that our men and women received. And that world famous Kiwi hospitality which I experienced myself during the time of Vietnam when the frigate I served here made a port call right here in Wellington.

"For some, being in this beautiful country was the last good memory that they enjoyed before making the ultimate sacrifice in battles that followed. And while we know we can never repay the debt that we owe them, those words somehow gloss over people, but think about them a little bit. We use the words ultimate sacrifice casually sometimes, but the meaning of it and the impact of it is never casual.

"So we can make sure that time will not dim the glory of those gifts to all of us. That is what this memorial is all about. The United States and New Zealand are united in our commitment to remember the extraordinary service of men and women that have secured the peace and the prosperity and the freedom that we enjoy today, lest we forget.

"On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I thank Prime Minister Key, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and the American Battle Monuments Commission for their work to commemorate our finest men and women, the ones whose shared sacrifices forged such a lasting bond between our nations. And today, we are proud to gather here, and I thank you for gathering here, to recommit ourselves to this bond and to honor the legacy of their work and our work now of expanding peace and respect for human rights and the rule of law and opportunities for all throughout the Pacific and beyond.

"I can tell you from a very personal level that the old saying that freedom is not free should have real meaning to people. Its an extraordinary thing for people to put on the uniform of their country, leave family and friends, leave safety and comfort, and go off and sleep in the mud or stand up somewhere knowing that a bullet may suddenly end their life. And in todays world, too many people, regrettably, are able to simply pass by without the full measure of understanding of why they have that freedom and that right.

"It is particularly poignant when we think about an entity like Daesh, which in 2016, 2015, after all the lessons of World War II, after the Holocaust, after all of our endeavors to set up a structured rule of law by which we all operate, kills people because of who they are, beheads people in public in an effort to intimidate, to quash any notion of individuality, that kills Yezidis because they are Yezidis, kills Jews because they are Jews, kills Christians because they are Christians, kills Shia because they are Shia. That is the absolute antithesis of everything that the folks we honor here and that are honored up there on the hill stood for. It is the antithesis of everything that we live and breathe on a daily basis as citizens of our two countries and of so many other countries in the world.

"But it is clear that if we dont stand up to it, we will be subjugated. It is clear that if we dont stand up to it, all of those sacrifices made before will have been in vain, and nobody here will allow that to (inaudible). So this memorial will join the other memorials here in this beautiful park in order to stand forever as a statement about our willingness to continue to fight for the rule of law and for opportunities for all of us for freedom throughout the Pacific and beyond.

"Thank you for joining us today."
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Delhi Police received nearly 4,500 calls till 6 pm on Saturday as cash-strapped people standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs resorted to violence in some parts of the city.

By Devina Gupta: As droves of panicky people throng banks and ATMs to deposit currency notes banned by the government and withdraw money to run their lives, a network of 40,000 trained men and women work round the clock to replenish cash. It's 1 pm on Saturday and Rituraj Sinha, president of the Cash Logistics Association of India (CLAI) that has taken up the job of reloading ATMs, has not slept for 72 hours.

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"We told our employees to come with their toothbrush and change of clothes to office," he said. "It's a massive task to ensure 2.2 lakh cash machines in 650 districts are fully functional for the public." While an estimated 22 lakh crore old notes are in circulation in India, the ATMs have around 14 lakh crore of these old banknotes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise announcement this week that the government is scrapping all larger denomination currency notes in a move to stop counterfeiting and clamp down on the black economy.

PEOPLE RESORT TO VIOLENCE

Anger and impatience rose across the country as banks struggled to cope with the rush of people wanting to exchange junked notes, while more than half the ATMs remained out of service for the fourth day in a row and the operational ones ran out of cash within hours.

Delhi Police received nearly 4,500 calls till 6 pm on Saturday as cash-strapped people standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs resorted to violence in some parts of the city.

CLAI is the industry body for all cash logistics companies in the country.

"Our first task is to withdraw the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency in the ATMs. We have now been able to extract almost 90 per cent of such notes. But the next step is to refill the ATMs. Each ATM has up to Rs 40 lakh cash capacity, but since we can for now only put Rs 100 notes, this capacity has been reduced to Rs 10 lakh," Sinha said.

ATMS DRY IN 3 HOURS

About 8,800 cash vans, which are used to supply money to 25,000 ATMs every day, are now speeding to meet the shortfall at 72,000 ATMs daily. Such is the workload that a special pandal has been erected with padded mattresses inside in the compound of Sinha's office for employees to take a quick nap. Piping hot aloo parathas and chai are served to the men who are constantly on the move. Every second counts when hundreds with urgent needs are lining up outside their neighbourhood ATMs to withdraw cash. "We fill one ATM in 20 minutes and it goes dry in three hours," said Sinha

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SHORTFALL OVER 40,000 TRAINED MEN

"Footfalls at each cash machine have gone up from 100 to 3,000 people per day. We are facing a shortfall of over 40,000 trained men. The problem is you can't hire just anyone due to the sensitive business without a proper background check and prior approval by banks."

Traders in Delhi's main vegetable market said they were considering shutting down the market as cash was running out and banks were dispensing a limited amount. Also, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which represents 93 lakh truckers, said acute financial crunch has hit the movement of trucks and supply of essential items.

"We might have to close down until the situation stabilises," said Metharam Kriplani president of the Chambers of Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders.

Also Read: Long queues outside banks, ATMs continue



4 WEEKS TO RECONFIGURE EACH CASH MACHINE

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that while the ATM withdrawal limit of Rs 2,000 per day for each person has been set to ease dispensation, it will take at least four weeks to re-configure each cash machine to take out higher denomination notes.

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For now, the ATMs which have the Rs 2,000 withdrawal limit for the next week will not dispense the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes.

CUSTOMERS HARRASSED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CHANGE

However, customers who managed to withdraw the Rs 2,000 denomination notes also felt harassed as some small shops, fuel pumps refused to accept high denomination notes in the absence of sufficient amount of change. Men, women and even kids started reaching bank branches and ATMs early in the morning as they were facing problems in purchasing day to day items, including vegetables and milk. "When the decision was announced, the deputy RBI governor R Gandhi in a meeting told us that this is a service to the nation. Mr Gandhi told us to set aside all the limitations and that is what we are trying to do," said Sinha, before ducking back into the central monitoring room to get bi-hourly update of the ATM refill drive across the country.

Also Read: Rush for cash at ATMs: Good samaritans make standing in queues easier

--- ENDS ---
By Kalpana Sunder: Varanasi or Kashi - the City of Light, the City of Salvation and the spiritual capital of the country - is an ideal place for soul searching and spiritual journeys. But the city has more to offer on its 'menu' than just that! The pleasures of the palate and stomach, for instance. The omnipresent motif throughout the city is street food. Floral notes from incense sticks mingle with the fragrance of fried foods and the flavour of steaming kulhad chai boiled for hours on mud stoves; the sounds of jalebi and kachori sizzling in oil right next to each other play out like a sonata. Our pick of 10 ways to explore the pleasures of the palate in Varanasi:

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Also read: This is how I journeyed across the North-East: Actress Kalki Koechlin

Have a banarasi breakfast

My first morning in the city took me to the serpentine lanes of Thateri (utensil makers) bazaar and Shree Ram Bhandar, a Benares institution, where there was only standing room. An impassive man fried kachoris deftly and another ladled Ghughni ( a tangy subzi with seasonal vegetables and chickpeas topped with chutneys) into one leaf bowl; and the kachori in another. It was an art, standing and balancing these two bowls in one hand and eating with the other. The aloo and chickpeas sabzi was tangy, spicy, and piping hot. We finished with marigold coloured jalebis fried and dunked into sugar syrup in front of our eyes. It was a calorific heavy breakfast that kept us going for long!

Sample the different chaats

Walk down the by lanes of Varanasi and you are sure to find hundreds of big and small outlets offering mouthwatering chaats. The Deena Chaat Bhandar is one such eatery where you get spicy and tangy chaat. While there are routine 'puchkaas' (gol gappas), aloo tikki and dahi-batasha, try the typical Banarasi 'tamatar chaat' served in earthen 'kulhhads'. The minced tomatoes are mixed with a bevy of spices and served piping hot with a generous topping of 'sev'. The tanginess of the tomato with some peppers and the secret recipe adds to the taste of the tamatar ki chaat.

Indulge your sweet tooth

Varanas has a rich tradition of sweet making especially milk based mithai. 'Lawanglata' - filled with rich Khoya, is a sweet that is really popular among the masses - which you would find in every sweet shop of Varanasi. Visit famous sweet shops like Ksheer Sagar and feast on the Rabri, juicy Rosogollas , creamy Barfi or soft Maalpua that melts in your mouth. If you are there in the winter, try Malaiyyo - a froth of whipped milk. Shree Rajbandhu Sweets off Kachauri Galli has dried fruit creations that are shaped like fruits - try a litchi or mango.

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Revive at its cafes

Walking in the small, crowded and noisy lanes and alleys can make you exhausted. There are many cafes with free wifi where you can have an iced coffee or tea, pancakes, apple pie or a ginger beer and relax There is a Japanese joint at a small lane near the holy Viswanath temple; there's Aum Cafe near Assi Ghat and Korean cafes and Italian restos dot the city. For something different try the Open Hands Cafe where there is also crafts on display.

Also read: On the trail less explored: Bhandardara is a nature lover's paradise just 4 hours from Mumbai

Get high on lassi

The Banarasi lassi - yoghurt, churned and hand blended till creamy and rich and garnished often with dried fruits, has a cult following. I went to the touristy Blue Lassi painted in Brahmin blue, seen prominently in Jodhpur, whose walls had passport sized photos of its many patrons. There are almost 50 types of lassis sold all over town from a chocolate lassi to a fruit lassi with pomegranates. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, try the bhang lassi laced with fresh green cannabis!

Chill with thandai

Thandai- a cold concoction of milk, water, sugar, seeds of watermelon and muskmelon, almonds, lotus stem seeds, cashew nut, cardamom, saunf, rose-flower, and saffron is another famous tipple of the holy city. Originally imbibed from Marwari and Gujarati families that migrated here, it's now a local staple. I tasted a glass at the famous Badal Thandai shop where in a dingy shop the owner expertly whipped up several glasses of thandai. If you are keen you can have cannabis ( bhang) thandai too. There are variations that have adrak (ginger) and ajwain as well to keep the customers healthy during winters.

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Make time for tea

Milky tea served in earthen cups, are sold all over the town. For a special brew I walked through the narrow lanes, dodging cows and cow dung till I arrived at the bustling chai store at Papu's Tea stall at Assi Chauraha, where old men read the morning paper, discussing politics. Pappu's is famous for its special Lemon Tea or Hajmola Chai. Hot chai brew, mixed with hajmola powder and some lemon - it was a great drink and I drank slowly, savouring it. Maybe it would help all the rich fare of the previous days.

Sample temple fare

You can also do a food trail of a different kind. Sample the Prasad at different temples. At the Kashi Vishalakshi Temple, the wide-eyed goddess is served some ghee dripping sheera as Prasad. Try the famous Lal Pedha in the shops around the Sankat Mochan Mandir.

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Eclectic offerings

If you are tired of the rich local fare , Varanasi is rife with different options too. Varanasi has a lot of Shaivite devotees thronging from the southern parts of India ; there are carts and tiny restaurants near the fabled Kashi Vishwanath temple that serve some of the finest and authentic south-Indian fare like idli, medhu vada, masala dosa and oothappam. Head to the iconic Bread of Life Bakery, on the main road parallel to Shivala Ghat, for a Western breakfast with toast, eggs, hash browns, coffee and pancakes with maple syrup. Try a pizza with different toppings at the Pizzeria Vaatika caf or a vegetarian thali on the terrace of Alka Hotel that has a view over the Ganges.

End meal with paan

And of course all meals in the city have to end with a typical Banarasi paan. I stood in a crowded lane, dodging cyclists and carts as the pan maker worked dexterously - he smoothed open a bright green betel leaf. He arranged betel nuts, lime paste, a pinch of zarda, rose petal jam or gulkand, in assembly line fashion. He folded it into a neat triangle, stuck a clove to hold it together, and handed it over to me. As I bit into the paan and all the juices flowed down my throat, it remained my best memory of the city.

--- ENDS ---
Washington: Hillary Clinton told donors that the FBI delivered a double whammy to her presidential candidacy in the final days of the campaign by taking another look at emails related to her private server before abruptly saying he found no wrongdoing.

A member of her national finance committee who was on the call on Saturday told CNN that Clinton placed at least some of the blame on Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey for her shocking defeat to Republican rival Donald Trump.

She said the first letter from Comey, sent to Congress on October 28, stopped the momentum she had built after three debates and the release of Trump's "locker room talk" tape.

She said the second letter, which came nine days later and exonerated Clinton, simply fired up Trump supporters and did not put any on-the-fence voters who had been leaning her way at ease.

She said the FBI development was too much to "overcome" the donor on the call told CNN, but she acknowledged that there were other headwinds facing her campaign that they did not adequately combat.

But several Democrats interviewed in the aftermath of the election said Clinton was hardly blameless, pointing to her original decision in 2009 while she was Secretary of State to create a private email server outside of government systems.

On the call, Clinton urged supporters to move forward and keep fighting for their beliefs.

However, the conversation, which lasted about 30 minutes, was not open to the media.

Another Democrat on the call said Clinton described the loss as "heartbreaking".

She was not overtly critical of Trump, two participants on the call told CNN, but she did urge those to rise up and continue fighting against divisive rhetoric targeting immigrants and others.
Washington: A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf "isn't allowed anymore".

Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

"Mrs Teli, your head scarf isn't allowed anymore. Why don't you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it," the note scribbled in black ink said, signed "America!", the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community. Spreading hate isn't going to "make America great again," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note.

"We take a threat against a staff member a serious matter," Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note.

It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trump's election to the presidency, but Teli's post on Facebook assumed as much.

"I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him," she said.

Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab.

The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls.
Washington: US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea Sunday for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled climate change a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we`re on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

"The majority of the American people believe that climate change is in fact happening and want to see us address it."

Trump has pledged to ditch Washington`s climate change policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric.

"Everybody knows that there`s sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said.

Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet (3.7 metres) or more to the current sea level," he said.

Washington`s top diplomat said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

He said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week.

"Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.

The Marrakesh talks, which wrap up on November 18, are examining ways to implement the landmark Paris pact agreed to by 196 nations last year.

It undertakes to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for 1.5 C.

Without the United States -- the world`s second largest greenhouse gas emitter and a major donor to climate change mitigation funds -- the task becomes much more difficult.Kerry said he first became involved in the climate issue in the early 1990s and had seen scientific evidence of change grow to a level that was now overwhelming.

"The world`s scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt, and the evidence is there for everybody to see," he said.

"The question now, and which this administration continues to address, is how to implement the Paris agreement."

He cited Pacific island nations threatened by rising seas, more intense and damaging storms, as well as greater frequency of wildfires and flooding.

Kerry said the United States spent $8.0 billion last year alone cleaning up after storms whipped into unprecedented ferocity by the changing climate.

He said it was an issue that leaders could not ignore.

"The evidence is mounting, in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," he said.
Dhaka: Muslim-majority Bangladesh will drop Islam as the country's state religion "when the time comes", a media report today quoted a senior ruling Awami Leage leader as saying.

"Islam has been kept as the state religion for strategic reasons," the party's Presidium Member and former minister Abdur Razzaq told a roundtable here yesterday.

"I have said it abroad and now I am saying it again that Islam will be dropped (as state religion) from Bangladesh's Constitution when the time comes," the former food minister was quoted as saying by BDNews24.Com.

The ruling party leader made the statement while speaking about Bangladesh's secular tradition at the roundtable organised by SAARC Cultural Society at the national Press Club.

Politicians and journalists from India also took part in the discussion titled 'Strong Unity of Masses of Bangladesh and India to Prevent Terrorism', held with the recent attacks on Hindus in Brahmanbarhia in the backdrop.

Indian participants included Congress leader Preetam Ghosh, social worker Ajoy Kumar Dutta and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shiladitya Dev.

Highlighting secularism Razzaq said: "The force of secularism is in the people of Bangladesh. There is nothing called 'minority' in our country."

Secularism was included in the Constitution as one of the four basic principles when it was written in 1972 as people from all religions joined the struggle for independence and snatched it from Pakistan.

After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Bangladesh's course of direction was reversed, and Zia-ur- Rahman, capturing the power, replaced 'secularism' with 'Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah'.

Another military dictator, HM Ershad, later included Islam as the state religion in the Constitution.

After Ershad's ouster, the demand to drop Islam as state religion from the Constitution was raised several times, but even Awami League, the party that led the struggle for independence, has not made the change.

Through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution in 2011, the four basic principles of the 1972 Constitution - nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism - were restored, but Islam remained the state religion.

The Awami League leader's comment came at a time when there are protests on the street against the attacks on Hindus and tribal Santal minorities in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said as a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of the Bangladeshi citizens to take care of minorities.

"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony which should be maintained at any cost for development and brighten the country's image," Hasina said at a video conference.

"As a Muslim majority country it is the moral responsibility of all of us to take care of the minorities," she said.

The prime minister added: "You have to remain careful so that no such incidents, which are taking place sporadically in different parts of the country, take place anywhere in the country."
Karachi: The death toll from a bomb blast at a Sufi shrine in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province has risen to 52 with more than 100 injured, with the terror group Islamic State claiming the responsibility for the attack.

The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called 'dhamaal' at Dargah Shah Noorani.

At least 52 people, including women and children were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.

"The rescue operations are going on and the casualties could rise as some people are still trapped at the place where the blast took place," Bugti said.

The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform 'dhamaal'. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi. The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.

Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency.

"35 dead and 95 wounded Shiite visitors in...Operation attack by the Islamic State fighter that targeted a shrine in a city in Balochistan," the agency said.

The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy. Colonel Junaid Kakar of the Frontier Corps also told the media that it appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.

"All evidences point to a suicide bombing," he said.

Rrescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area.

"The shrine is located some 250 kilometres from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals," said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.

Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.

"It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site," he said.

He said the devotees take part in the 'dhamaal' everyday after sunset and the blast took place close to where they were dancing inside the compound of the shrine.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast and directed authorities to speed up the rescue activities.

This is the third major incident of a bombing in the province since August. In August, about 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the civil hospital in the provincial capital Quetta. Last month, 64 police cadets and two army men were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta.
The accident took place when a Bogra-bound fertiliser laden truck collided head-on with another truck carrying nine policemen of Kurigram Police lines.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: At least seven people including five police officials were killed after a truck collided with a police pickup van at Mohipur Bazar area of Sherpur Upazila of Bangladesh's northern district Bogra. Six others were also injured in the accident that took place around 1:10 am on Saturday.

Identity of 6 among the 7 deceased was identified immediately, Shajahan Fakir(33), Pronob Roy(32), Alamgir Hossain(33), Shohel(32), Shamsul Haque(30) and a sweeper of the police department Shymol Dutta(45). Among the deceased 4 including Shahjahan, Alamgir and Shymol died on the spot.

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On the other hand, 4 of the 6 injured were identified as police personnel Monower(30), Moshiur Rahman(35), Fazlul Haque(45) and Mizan(25). Fire fighters rushed to the spot immediately and rescued the injured and took them to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital (SZMCH). Meanwhile, plying of vehicles on the highway was stopped for about 1 hour after the accident.

Station officer of Bagura's Sherpur Fire Service and Civil Defense, Sohel Rana, said the accident took place when a Bogra-bound fertiliser laden truck (Dhaka metro Ta-14-4745) collided head-on with another truck (Khulna metro Ua-11-0092) carrying nine policemen of Kurigram Police lines. Four including the driver and helper of the truck died and 6 others were injured. Three among the injured died after being taken to SZMC hospital while the rest are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

Officer in Charge (OC) of the Sherpur Police Station Khan Mohammad Erfan said among the deceased 5 are police members.

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Khuzdar District: Survivors of a massive bomb attack on a shrine in southwest Pakistan that killed dozens spoke of their horror on Sunday after families were ripped apart in a strike showing the expanding reach of the Islamic State group.

The blast, later confirmed to be the work of a teenage suicide bomber, hit male and female worshippers as they were dancing and chanting at the shrine of the Sufi saint Shah Noorani yesterday, some 750 kilometres south of Quetta, the provincial capital of restive Balochistan province.

Mohammad Shehzad, a 25-year-old who had travelled in a group of 120 pilgrims, told AFP: "The pressure of the blast was so strong, people were blown away. Everyone was running, shouting and searching for families.

"Children were looking for the mothers and fathers. People looking for brothers and sisters but no one was able to listen to their cries."

The attack killed 52 and wounded more than 105 and was the fourth deadliest in Pakistan this year. Stricken survivors swathed themselves in blankets and braved the cold under open skies overnight as they made their way home.

Many had travelled hundreds of kilometres to pay their respects to the saint and seek blessings, in line with their belief in Sufism, a mystic Islamic order that worships through music and is viewed as heretical by hardline militant groups.

Unlike at mosques in Pakistan, which often limit access to women, both genders are permitted to take part in many rituals at Sufi shrines, though they are sometimes separated by partition walls.

Witnesses said problems were compounded by the fact that it took several hours for rescue services to reach the remote shrine, located on a hilltop in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan several kilometres away from surrounding villages, with poor mobile network coverage.

Hafeez Ali, a 28-year-old auto mechanic, said: "We had left the area only five minutes before the attack to go and cook our dinner. From our viewpoint on a hill, we could see three whirling dervishes dancing to a drummer, as hundreds formed a circle around them. Then came the explosion.

"We realised that it was a bomb blast. Two of us rushed down and saw the bodies scattered all around -- mostly children. We also saw the drum beater dead and his exploded drum was lying nearby."
Islamabad: In order to face any untoward incident in the wake of the protests by the indigenous Baloch population, a heavy security presence has been deployed.

Huge protests are expected to take place in Pakistan's largest province Balochistan on Sunday as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gets set to inaugurate Gwadar Port.

Inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony at Gwadar for the commencement of trading activities will also be attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Islamabad-based ambassadors of at least 15 countries.

On Saturday, a statement issued from the Prime Minister House said, "This (inauguration) is the onset of the progress that has been awaited for years. But now this journey will continue till the times to come."

"It said Gwadar was nature`s gift to Pakistan and Chinese friendship and cooperation had made it more valuable."We are crossing new milestone into a new era of international relations," it added.

The statement reiterated that the Gwadar Port is rich of new possibilities not only for Pakistan and China but also for the whole world with a scope of import and export activity from Central Asia to the Middle East.

"The shipment of first trade cargo from Gwadar to the international market heralds a changed Pakistan. Every region and the province of Pakistan will benefit from the CPEC that is a comprehensive project of peace and economic progress. Besides Pakistan and China, even Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian States will also take advantage of the project that will also make an impact on the eastern region within few years," it added.

"Besides enhancing communication network, supply, trade and cultural links, the corridor will also help promote peace, resources and harmony in the region. The government has already allocated land for Gwadar Free Trade Zone and the government has also announced concessions for Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone in Balochistan. Moreover, the projects of Exclusive Industrial Park Processing Zone and Mineral Economic Zone are also being executed on priority basis. The development in Balochistan is not due to the CPEC only rather the present government has always kept the development of the province, including Gwadar on its priority," The News quoted the statement from the PM House, a saying.

Gwadar project

The Pakistan daily said a project worth Rs 25 billion is being executed for the development of Gwadar city keeping in view its importance. The federal government has given a free hand to the provincial government in that regard that designed the project considering Gwadar`s basic needs. The provincial government is implementing the project and the resources are being provided by the federal government.The federal government has provided all resources for the installation of a plant to make the sea water drinkable, besides launching an additional Rs 11.5 billion project for clean drinking water to Gwadar during 2015-16.

The quality of underground water is also being improved and the existing 50 bed hospital is being upgraded to 300 bed facility. A university and a technical and vocational training institute are also being set up in Gwadar to produce required manpower. The locals will be preferred for enrollment in these institutes.

CPEC

Under CPEC, the government has prioritized energy and road infrastructure. To meet the electricity needs, a 300 megawatt power plant is being installed in Gwadar that will also be linked to national grid.Special Security Force has been raised to provide a security cover to the Chinese investors. Gwadar is also being made a safe city that will boost the investors` confidence.

The construction of a new international airport is also underway in Gwadar to facilitate the movement of investors. Moreover, Gwadar city is also being connected with rest of the country through road and rail networks.The federal government has given special attention to the construction of roads as travel to and from Gwadar is being squeezed.

The shipment of first trade cargo from Gwadar will herald new possibilities and time is not far when trade caravans will move to and from Gwadar throughout the day.The first trade convoy carrying goods for export through the western route of the CPEC and a Chinese ship arrived at the Gwadar Port on Friday, while second trade convoy comprising over 100 containers, arrived yesterday, reports the Express Tribune.

The goods would be exported through Gwadar port to the Middle East and African countries.The proposed CPEC is about 3,000-kilometre long and will consist of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China`s Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through the Gwadar port.

Meanwhile, the Baloch people and activists are continuously and consistently protesting against the CPEC, alleging that Pakistan is only concerned about exploiting the resources of Balochistan for Beijing and its advantage.

However, on Saturday, the Gwadar Yakjehti Council, which supports the CPEC, termed the project a game-changer for the region, especially Balochistan, as it would bring about progress and prosperity. The Dawn quoted its representatives, as saying that the elements opposing the CPEC were not well-wishers of the people of Gwadar.

The speakers also praised the role of the Pakistan Army and said the corridor could not have been completed without the support of the armed forces. They added that the council would always try to protect the rights of people of Gwadar.Considered to be a part of China`s One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion CPEC will cover significant parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through disputed PoK.
Dhaka: After a controversial departure from Pakistan, National Geographic`s famous `Afghan Girl` Sharbat Gula will travel to India to receive free medical treatment.

Afghanistan`s ambassador to India, Shaida Abdali, tweeted: "The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost - Thank you India for being a true friend!"According to her lawyer, Gula, who is in her 40s, suffers from Hepatitis C. She is now scheduled to travel to Bangalore to receive treatment, reports Khaama Press.

Gula arrived in Kabul last week days after she was detained by the authorities in Pakistan allegedly for obtaining fake Pakistani national identity card.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani met her after her arrival in Kabul and handed over an apartment key in a bid to welcome her home after spending more than three decades in refuge.

She became famous as the `Afghan Girl` when National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her photograph at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp situated on the edge of Peshawar in 1984 that appeared in the magazine`s cover in June 1985.
Brussels (Belgium): Pakistani security forces recently handed over four bodies, including that of a 14-year-old boy, to the District Headquarter Hospital at Gwadar.

A press release issued here by the Baloch Human Rights Organisation (BHRO) claimed that the security forces had eliminated the four persons in a fake joint operation in the Belar and Kulanch areas of Gwadar district.

The BHRO also claimed that one person had also been arrested, and added that the four persons killed had been missing for months and years.

The dead bodies were identified on the basis of their national identity card (NIC), student card and chits with their names found in their pockets.One of the victims was identified as 14-year-old Zafar Baloch, the son of Master Abdul Rahman. He was a resident of Jan Mohammad Bazar Dasht in District Kech. His parents had migrated to Gwadar to take the education of their children forward, and Zafar had been reported missing since August 13, 2016.

The second victim was identified as Salahuddin, the son of Abdul Samad. He was a resident of Mashkay and had been missing for the last 19 months. The BHRO claimed that he had been abducted by the security forces on March 25, 2015 from Quetta.

The third victim was identified as Sajid Ali, the son of Kareem Bakhsh. He was a resident of Ward Number 4, Pasni, and was abducted from his home on January 31, 2016.The fourth was identified as Sabir Ali, the son of Mohammed, who had been missing since August 4, 2014.

There was no information provided on the person arrested.

The BHRO said that in October 2016, it had received reports of more than 210 enforced disappearances and 57 persons being reportedly killed in different incidents by Pakistan`s security forces.
Dhaka: At least seven people, including five policemen, were killed and five others injured when a police van collided with a fertiliser-laden truck on a highway in northwestern Bangladesh, officials said on Sunday.

"The accident took place last night near (northwestern) Bogra. Four of them died instantly and others succumbed to their wounds as they were rushed to the hospital," Officer-in-Charge of the nearby police station Aslam Ali said.

He said the rest two of those who lost their lives in the crash were the driver of the hired police van and a cleanliness worker of police department.

The policemen, he said, were posted in the communication wing of the law enforcement agency while they were going to join their new assignment in Dhaka.

In the accident three policemen including two injured who are to be treated at a Bogra facility.
New Delhi: The Delhi High court has set aside the conviction and ten-year jail term awarded to a man, who was held guilty of raping his 30-year-old tenant, saying that the woman's version was not 'convincing'.

Justice S P Garg directed immediate release of the convict who was in custody since November 2009, holding that there were several 'defects' in the prosecution story and the man 'deserves benefit of doubt'.

"Taking into consideration the inherent defects in the prosecution case, the vital infirmities and discrepancies in the statements of the prosecution witnesses, the version given by the prosecutrix cannot be considered cogent and convincing to base conviction in the absence of any independent corroboration...

"In the light of above discussion, conviction and sentence recorded by the trial court cannot be sustained. The appellant deserves benefit of doubt," the high court said.

The court's order came on the man's appeal against the trial court's April 2013 decision by which he was held guilty of raping his tenant while she was alone in her house and sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment.

The man was facing charge of raping a woman, who was the mother of two grown-up children, on November 13, 2009 to which he had pleaded innocence before the trial court.

As per the prosecution, the man raped the woman and threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone.

The high court, however, observed that during the trial neither the victim's husband nor her children were examined.

"The prosecutrix disclosed that she had informed her husband about the rape incident soon after its occurrence. However, he did not rush to the spot and asked her to inform the police authorities on her own.

"...This conduct of the prosecutrix and her husband is highly unbelievable. Victim's husband after coming to know of the incident is not expected to remain aloof...And not move the authorities concerned to apprehend the culprit," it added.
Shimla: At least five people were killed and five others were left wounded after a car fell into a lane in Lahul Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh.

The incident took place on Saturday night.

As per the report, the car they were travelling in lost its control and fell into a lane in Kelong area of Lahul Spiti district.

The deceased have not yet been identified and the exact cause of the incident is unknown.

Further investigation is underway.
Delhi: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on detractors of demonetisation, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the move by the Centre had struck the core of terror funding.

He tweeted, "Demonetization has struck the core of terror funding and PM in his speech today emphasised on continuing to fight black money."

Earlier, Parrikar shared the stage with PM Modi in Goa where he announced that more anti-graft measures were on the anvil.

He got emotional while addressing a function at Panaji over the problems being faced by the people and the long queues in banks, urged them to bear with him till December 30, saying "I will give you the India you desired". He stressed the need to go cashless and adopt plastic money.

At the same time, making a combative speech, he said he was ready to face the consequences of his moves as certain forces are "up against me" as their 70 years of loot was now in trouble as a result of demonetisation.

"I know that (some) forces are up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared," Modi said in the speech which saw him getting emotional a few times. This government does not want to bother honest people but doesn't want to spare the dishonest. Bear with me for 50 days. Has India been looted or not? I am not going to stop at this. I will expose the history of corruption of 70 years since Independence," PM Modi said.

"This (demonetisation) is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free. We will take action against 'benami' property. This is major step to eradicate corruption and black money. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he said in his speeches, both at Panaji in Goa and Belagavi in Karnataka.

Hitting out at the erstwhile UPA government for not fighting corruption, PM Modi said "those who were involved in the coal scam, 2G scam and other scams, now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4000. When Congress stopped 25 paise, did we say anything? You could dare to stop only 25 paise, that's what your power was limited to. But you did not make higher denomination currency notes illegal. We did it. People have chosen a government and they expect so much from it."

He said the people had voted against corruption in 2014.

"I am doing what I was asked to do by the people of this country. This had become clear from the very first meeting of my Cabinet when I formed the SIT (on blackmoney). We never kept the people in dark," PM Modi said.

(With PTI inputs)
Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): Education is regarded as the key to achieving progress and harmony in society, and keeping this in mind, a teacher in Uttar Pradesh`s Bareilly district is educating poor children for free.

Nasreen Shamshi, a primary school teacher of Urdu, teaches underprivileged children at a madrassa. She has authored a book to make the learning Urdu easier for her Hindi-speaking students.

Teaching with a motto of keeping education above everything else, students of all communities are welcome to attend her free classes to learn Urdu and Hindi.

"Students of all religions are studying in this madrassa, not only Muslims. We believe that education is for children of religions. I have around 14-15 non-Muslim students, all of them have shown a lot of interest in learning Urdu. This is because they are learning Urdu through Hindi in a very simple manner," Shamshi said.

"We have been coming here for days to learn Urdu. We also learn words of Hindi in Urdu and vice-versa. Hindus, Muslims and students of all communities study here. My friends like Shobhit, Muneer, Hamid and all students study together. It feels really good and our teacher makes us write on the board which makes us learn everything properly," said Tanif Raza, a student.

"I have been coming here for many days now. We are learning words in Urdu, Hindi and Sanskrit. I like learning Urdu," said Shobhit Maurya, another student.Nasreen has around 150 students in her class, most of whom are primarily Hindi speakers, so learning Urdu for them has not been an easy task.Not only Nasreen, there are several other teachers who share the same objective of teaching children of all communities.

"There should be amity among students of all religious backgrounds and there is no enmity based on caste or community," said another teacher Suraiyya.

Her experience with teaching students both the languages led her to pen down a book by the name `Hindi-Urdu Sangam` which means a confluence of Hindi and Urdu.

She was awarded the Malala Award by the Uttar Pradesh government for her book and her initiative to impart education to the poorer sections of society.

Her book shows how Urdu is not too different from Hindi and makes it easier for Hindi-speakers to understand and learn the language.The book has especially helped the students to overcome their confusion and questions about the language.
Delhi: Chiefs of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) all are set to retire in the month of December this year.

CBI Director Anil Sinha will retire on December 02 and Director (IB) Dineshwar Sharma and R&AW chief Rajinder Khanna are in office till end of the year.

According to News18, for CBI chief, the government is going through a list of 44 IPS officers from batches between 1979 and 1982 who have CBI or vigilance experience. The top contender is said to be CBI Special Director RK Dutta (1981 Karnataka cadre).

He has spent 18 years in the CBI and has handled 2G and coal block allotment cases.

On the other hand, as per the report, Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma (1979 batch AGMUT cadre) is also in the race. But he has no previous experience in CBI.

Another name doing the rounds is Archana Ramachandran, 1980-batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer. He has previously worked in the CBI.

Also, Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, KC Chaudhary (1979 Bihar cadre), is supposedly also in the reckoning together with Satish Mathur (1981 batch Maharashtra and at present DGP Maharashtra).

Meanwhile, for the next IB head, the media house reported that Rajiv Jain (1980 batch Jharkhand cadre) is the frontrunner. He is number two in IB.

Jain was earlier state intelligence bureau head for Delhi and Ahmedabad.

As for R&AW, head of the Aviation Research Centre Anil Dhasmana (1980 batch, Madhya Pradesh) is reportedly the top choice. At the moment, he is number two in R&AW.
Be it Daulat ki Chaat or aloo chaat, winter's here, and so is great food! Know what to eat in Chandni Chowk during your next visit.

By Srijani Ganguly/Mail Today: It was an especially smoggy day. Eyes were tearing up when up ahead in the line of sight appeared a break in the fumes. A lone man stood in front of a large vessel, guarding a sweet treasure. He was not averse to parting with the pillowy dessert. In fact, he sold it for Rs 50 a plate to those who stopped by. And quite a few did stop by, asking with wonderment: "Yeh kya hai? (What's this?)" The man had only three words to say - "Daulat ki chaat".

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Also read: Lakhori: The latest addition to Chandni Chowk's epicurean brilliance

This delicacy of pure white, protected from the environment by a thin veil, roams the streets of Old Delhi only in the months of winter. (The core ingredient--milk--can't withstand the harsh summer weather over the course of the dish's making.) It's both rare - many don't even know about it - and immensely popular; some people visit Chandni Chowk just for a taste of it. In the tier of dessert gods, therefore, it sits on a plane higher than the most. And now that winter is coming, the dessert is quietly moving towards the throne room, ready to be the lord of the rest of edible goodies that the old and narrow of Chandni Chowk has to offer.

Legend has it that the chaat is made on winter nights, preferably one with a full moon when sweetened milk is whisked to a foam. Saffron, powdered sugar and roasted crunchy khoya garnish the cloud of heaven.

Unlike Daulat ki Chaat which is mostly found in and around Paranthe Wali Gali, warm and sweet nankhatai can be found practically in every corner of Old Delhi. Sold for Rs 40 for every 100 gm, the cookies are just the right temperature. Neither too hot nor too cold, it's the perfect inbetween food for the next stall you will inevitable come across--one selling aloo chaat.

Also read: Watch: Here's why golgappas or panipuris are the perfect snacks for every party

Sold at the price of Rs 40 per plate, the potatoes--as per your affinity for spices--are as hot to the touch as they are delicious. Perhaps not the healthiest of snacks to indulge in, but when the skin is crispy and the inside is soft there is no way one can say no to a steaming plate of aloo chaat during winter. A noteworthy observation at this point is how clean all the roadside stalls are inside Chandni Chowk.

Sure, the lanes are still dirty. But the immediate environment around the stalls is free from leftover plates and food. There's a small dustbin near each stall, one which is actually being used for its purpose.

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Another thoughtful addition to the winter desserts, apart from the famed Shahi Tukda, are the shops selling piping hot jalebis in cool rabri. Depending on how much your stomach can withstand after a tryst with these dishes, one can either head on to Paranthe Wali Gali for more or end the day on a sweet note with a Rs 15 priced meetha paan.

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New Delhi: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s commitment to the nation over the decision to scrap 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday urged the people to maintain patience while stating that nothing is bigger than the country.

Justifying his assertion, Ramdev said black money, corruption, terrorism, Naxalism and most importantly fake currency has been attacked in one go by Prime Minister Modi post demonetisation of currency.

"Huge inconvenience has been caused that can be lessened and the government is trying to do so but the people shouldn't condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi" he said.

"During war, our soldiers fight without eating food for seven to eight days. So, can`t we do the same for our nation? Many people are showing their opposition to the Prime Minister but nothing is bigger than the nation," he added.

Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi took a major step to check black money and announced demonetisation of 500 and 1000 currency notes.In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the people possessing notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 can deposit the same in their banks and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

With the people facing trouble post this announcement, the government later on Friday extended the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till November 14.

In a press release, the government reassured that there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.
New Delhi: The just-signed historic civil nuclear deal signed with Japan has a "termination" clause and has a separate note containing Japanese views regarding circumstances for scrapping of the agreement, which the government here insists is not binding on India.

The government today said the note on "Views and Understanding" merely records the "views" of the Japanese side considering its "special sensitivities" and insisted that India has made "no additional commitments" over the similar agreements signed with the US and other countries.

In the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday, there is a note on 'Views and Understanding' wherein the Japanese side has cited India's September 2008 declaration of unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and said if this commitment is violated, the deal will terminate.

Indian government holds that this is merely recording of the views of the two sides.

"The termination clause is there in other NCAs (nuclear cooperation agreements) we have signed, including with the US (Article 14). However the circumstances triggering a possible termination are never sharply defined. Consideration also has to be given to mitigating factors," a source here said.

"That note is simply a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues. It is not the NCA which is what is binding," the source said.

The sources added that given Japan's special sensitivities as the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, "it was felt that their views should be recorded in a separate Note. The Note is a record by the negotiators of respective views on certain issues.

"It states, on the one hand, what could be Japan's views in advance on what is a hypothetical situation; that is their national prerogative. At the same time it also records India?s position on the same issue, which is a reiteration of the September 2008 commitments. No change is envisaged from those commitments and no, repeat no, additional commitments have been made by India."

"On termination, there is no change from the US template," the source added.

The nuclear agreement with Japan "follows the same template (as the US) but compresses the developments which have taken place since 2007. It reflects commitments which were made at the time of the NSG waiver in 2008, many of which were unilateral in nature," according to the source.

The four steps of the Indo-US deal which have been compressed and captured into a single stage are ? 123 agreement (2007), NSG waiver (2008), Reprocessing pact (2010) and Administrative mechanisms (2013), sources said.

The sources maintained that the views of Japan, "on when they can ask for it", is "their national prerogative".

Japan has made a major exception by signing the atomic cooperation agreement with India, despite it being non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

After the Indo-Japan deal was signed, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said it is strikingly similar to atomic agreements India inked with the US and most of the other countries, having provisions like 'termination' clause.

In the 123 Agreement between India and the US, there is a clause for termination but it mentions that if India conducts a nuclear test, the two sides will initiate discussions immediately to understand the reasons for it. The discussions have to be concluded within a year, inferring that till then the nuclear deal will not be called off.

During the joint media interaction along with Modi after the deal was signed, Abe had referred to India's declaration of September 2008 with regard to voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.

"This agreement is a legal framework that India will act responsibly in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also in Non-Proliferation regime even though India is not a participant or signatory of NPT," he had said.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee over the Centre's demonetisation move and said representatives of political parties will meet him next week over the issue.

"The Hon President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation," Banerjee tweeted today.

"I thank him for agreeing to meet reps of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," she wrote in the microblogging site.

Upping the ante against BJP, Banerjee yesterday had said she is not averse to working with arch rival CPI(M) and other opposition parties like Congress, SP, BSP to fight against the "anti-people" Modi government which has imposed an "undeclared emergency".

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conducting a "surgical strike on the common people" in the name of unearthing black money, she had said the demonetisation move was taken without proper planning causing immense hardship.
Jammu: Two women drug peddlers were arrested and over 11 kilogramme of cannabis were recovered from their possession in the Jammu city, police said on Sunday.

Two women carrying black bags were stopped near the KC Colony area of Jammu city yesterday, the officer said, adding on search, 11 kilogramme of cannabis was recovered from them.

The two have been identified as Kamli and Roopa both natives of Rajasthan and at present at Qasim Nagar Narwal, he said.

Both the accused were arrested and booked under various sections of the NDPS act, he said, adding that further investigations have been initiated.
Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the coastal state of Goa on Sunday to lay foundation stone for two projects, namely Greenfield airport in North Goa and Tuem Electronic city.

Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting at 10 AM near here tomorrow during which he will lay foundation stone for Greenfield airport at Mopa and Tuem Electronic City, both located in northernmost taluka of Pernem.

The public function would be held at Dr Shama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Bambolim village near here.

BJP President Amit Shah had launched the party's election campaign from the same venue on August 20 this year.

This would be the second visit of the Prime Minister to the state in the last two months, the first one being during the BRICS summit in South Goa.

This will also be his first ever public address in India after the demonetisation move.

The Prime Minister will leave the state in the afternoon to address another event in Pune.

The Goa government has already signed a concessional agreement with Bengaluru based GMR Airports, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure to design, build, finance and operate the international airport for 40 years with the extension option for another 20 years.

The?first phase of the airport is expected to be commissioned in the financial year 2019-20.

"The win of Mopa airport is a very significant milestone for the Group. Many of us may not realise this, but Mopa airport is the first airport to be privatised in India after over a decade with the last bid process having been completed in May 2006," Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman-Airports, GMR Group had said after signing the concessional agreement last week.

"Even though Goa has been witnessing unprecedented growth over the past 3-4 years and crossed the 5 million tourist mark last year, we believe that Goa harbours a significantly higher potential and having a dedicated 24 hour operational civil airport will unlock the latent tourism potential of the state," he said.

The second project of Tuem Electronic City is expected to generate 25,000 jobs for the youth in the state.

Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar had said that within next one year, the work of building the structure will start and in next five years, the Electronic City will be fully operational.
Pune (Maharashtra): The India-China Joint Training Exercise "Hand in Hand 2016" will be held in Pune from November 15 to 27.

The exercise is in continuation of the series of joint exercises between India and China. This will be the sixth joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the People`s Liberation Army of China and is held annually, alternately, in India and China.

The first exercise was held in China at Kunming in Yunnan province in 2007. The last exercise was held in October 15, 2015 at the Kunming Military Academy in China.

The aim of the joint training is to share the expertise in drills and practices while tackling insurgency and terrorism, thereby promoting healthy military to military relations between the two armies and developing joint strategies for conducting operations in a counter terrorism environment.

Forming part of the different levels of the military to military engagement across the entire spectrum of operations, this exercise will enrich the two contingents in further honing basic military skills. The exercise is planned at the company level with respective battalion headquarters controlling the training. The exercise is supervised by a joint directing panel comprising senior officials of both the nations.

Exercise `Hand in Hand 2016` will be conducted in three phases. The first phase of the exercise consists of familiarization with weapons and equipment.The second phase will consist of basic training that includes combat conditioning, firing of personal weapon, support weapon and practice of drills like establishment of covert observation post, house clearing, cordon and search and humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

The third phase of the exercise is the conduct of joint exercise.Exercise Hand-in-Hand contributes immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other`s military. The exercise will be attended by the senior military observers of both countries.
Chennai: In her first direct communication since being hospitalised, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday said that she had taken rebirth because of people's prayers.

"I have taken a rebirth with the prayers of party cadres and people. What can harm me when I have your love. I am waiting to completely recover and resume my work for people," Jayalalithaa, who is fondly called Amma by her supporters, said.

"I request people of TN to vote for AIADMK in Aravarakurichi, Thiruparankundram, Pondicherry and Tanjore. I request the party cadres to work hard to make AIADMK win in these elections in a huge margin," she said in a statement released by AIADMK.

Without elaborating much, she asked party workers to "understand the nature of this statement and work with a sense of duty for making MGR's (AIADMK founder chief MG Ramachandran) winning symbol two leaves bag a huge victory."

Quoting a lyric from an MGR era song, she said, "AIADMK's victory should resound in all the directions. I am eagerly waiting for news of such victory."

Though she could not directly meet cadres and functionaries working in these constituencies and the general public, "my heart and thoughts are with you always," she told them.

To voters, she recalled the slew of welfare schemes being implemented by her regime and urged them to "give your love and support to AIADMK in the present polls as well, remembering such innumerable schemes to enhance the people's standard of living."

I have taken a rebirth with the prayers of party cadres and people - Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.  AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) November 13, 2016

What can harm me when I have your love. I am waiting to completely recover and resume my work for people - Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.  AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) November 13, 2016

I Request the party cadres to work hard to make AIADMK win in these elections in a huge margin - Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.  AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) November 13, 2016

The Chief Minister, who has been in the hospital since September 22, said she had been slogging for the growth of the people of Tamil Nadu and her party from day one of her public life on the advice of her mentor (MGR).

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to the hospital after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others.

Specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated her during the period.

(With PTI inputs)
Muzaffarnagar: Over a hundred people were booked for pelting stones and clashing with the employees of a bank in Sujru village in the district over exchanging of old currency notes, police said Sunday.

Three persons including a woman sustained injuries in the clash that broke out after cash-strapped people gathered outside the bank, to exchange the now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes after the Centre's demonetisation move, turned violent, they said.

Police reached the spot and dispersed the angry mob. A case has been registered against more than a hundred people in this connection, a police official said.
Bulgaria`s centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov stepped down Sunday after his presidential nominee suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a Moscow-friendly general backed by the Socialist opposition.

Observers say the surprise win could tilt ex-communist Bulgaria, which has long walked a tightrope between Moscow and Brussels, towards Russia`s orbit -- a trend seen across eastern and central Europe amid rising euroscepticism.

Nearby Moldova also looked set to elect a pro-Russian president on Sunday.

"I will hand in my resignation tomorrow or the day after.... The results clearly show that the ruling coalition no longer holds the majority," the premier told reporters on Sunday evening.

The announcement is likely to trigger early elections by next spring and risks plunging Bulgaria into renewed political turmoil just two years after Borisov and his GERB party took office for the second time.

It came shortly after projections showed that ex-airforce chief and political novice Rumen Radev had swept close to 60 percent of ballots. Borisov`s nominee ex-parliament speaker Tsetska Tsacheva obtained just over 35 percent.

"It`s a victory for all Bulgarian people. Democracy has beaten apathy and fear today," Radev told public broadcaster BNT on Sunday evening.

The straight-laced Tsacheva meanwhile failed to sway disgruntled voters seeking to punish the government over its perceived failure to tackle rampant corruption and poverty in the European Union`s poorest member state.

"I voted against Borisov because I don`t think that he`s honest and he hasn`t really done anything to improve our lives," said 52-year-old Zora Kardachka, a dry cleaner.

Gallup director Parvan Simeonov said the outcome was a "clear protest vote".

Despite promised reforms, graft and poverty remain rife in the EU`s poorest member state, while public anger has also grown over thousands of migrants currently stranded in Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria needs a new face, someone who defends national interests instead of always saying `Yes` to the European Union and the United States," businessman Assen Dragov, 39, told AFP after casting his vote in Sofia.

The Bulgarian president`s role is largely ceremonial but the incumbent is nonetheless a respected figure and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.National security and preventing a new migrant influx featured highly during Radev`s campaign, which saw the general gaining confidence and projecting himself as a fierce critic of the conservative status-quo.

His clear support for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine and ambivalent statements about the EU and NATO have prompted analysts to speculate that he could pursue closer ties with Moscow.

"General Radev`s victory represents the unfolding of a pro-Russian scenario in Bulgaria so that the country supports Russian interests in the EU and NATO," political expert Antoniy Galabov told AFP.

Russia and Bulgaria have deep historical and cultural ties, and Bulgaria is heavily reliant on Russian gas.

Outgoing President Rosen Plevneliev, a strong critic of Moscow, warned Sunday that Russia was trying to "destabilise Europe" by financing anti-EU ultra-nationalists including in Bulgaria.

"The (climate) is more dangerous now than during the Cold War," he told Austrian media.

"Those who seek to destabilise Europe, have the best chances of doing so in the Balkans. It`s always been this way: this is where WWI was ignited."
Anna Kaiser, a seismologist at GNS Science said a tidal signal or surge of up to one metre (3 feet) had been recorded in North Canterbury region of the South Island.

USGS map of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in New Zealand on November 13, 2016.

By Reuters: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck central New Zealand just after midnight, the US Geological Survey said, causing widespread damage and generating a tsunami.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management warned of the risk of destructive waves along the country's entire east coast and urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate and seek higher ground.

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Waves of up to two metres (6 feet) could be possible for up to two hours, it said.

Anna Kaiser, a seismologist at GNS Science said a tidal signal or surge of up to one metre (3 feet) had been recorded in North Canterbury region of the South Island.

"That's reasonably significant so people should take this seriously," she told Radio New Zealand.

New Zealand's Geonet revised up its estimated magnitude of the quake to 7.5, from 6.6 earlier.

USGS said the quake was centred 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch, the biggest city on New Zealand's South Island.

EARLIER QUAKE

A 6.3 quake there in February 2011 killed 185 people and caused widespread damage.

The tremor was felt throughout most of New Zealand. Some injuries had been reported but there no immediate reports of deaths.

"The whole house rolled like a serpent and some things smashed, the power went out," a woman, who gave her name as Elizabeth, told Radio New Zealand from her home in Takaka, near the top of the South Island.

Chris Hill, a fire officer in Cheviot, a coastal town near the quake's epicentre, said officials had gone door to door evacuating residents.

"Everyone seems OK here," he told RNZ. "There's a lot of debris in houses, but at this stage it doesn't look like anything too bad has happened."

EVACUATION

Residents in Wellington said glass had fallen from buildings into the streets and hotels and apartment buildings had been evacuated.

Richard Maclean, a spokesman for the Wellington City Council, said residents had been evacuating the city's southern coastal suburbs due to the tsunami threat and there had been reports of structural damage to several buildings.

"We've got reports of broken water pipes and lots and lots of things off desks and shelves," he told RNZ.

Several roads around the South Island had been closed and damage to power and phone networks was reported.

A series of aftershocks were recorded around the country, some as strong as 6.1 magnitude.

Pictures shared on social media showed buckled roads, smashed glass and goods toppled from shelves in shops in Wellington and the upper South Island.

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Also Read:

Japan: 6.2 earthquake hits eastern coast, strong aftershocks expected





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Islamabad: Pakistan's top civil and military leaders traveled to the country's southwest today to open a new international trade route by seeing off a Chinese ship that's exporting goods to the Middle East and Africa from the newly built Gwadar port.

The first convoy of Chinese trucks carrying goods for sale abroad has arrived in Pakistan amid tight security using a road linking Gwadar to China's northwestern Xinjiang region, the government said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan will provide best possible security to foreign investors to enable them to use the Chinese-funded port for international trade.

Amid security concerns for foreign workers, the Pakistani army has created a special force to guard the new trade routes and the port, which is located in insurgency-wracked Baluchistan province where an overnight blast at a shrine killed nearly 50 people.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group and Pakistani officials said it was aimed at harming the Chinese-funded projects in the southwest and elsewhere in the country.

China is building a network of roads and power plants under a project known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that is expected to absorb $46 billion in Chinese investment in the coming decades.

China and Pakistan have long maintained close political and military relations, based partly on mutual antipathy toward neighbor India. Gwadar port is located on the Arabian Sea and it occupies a strategic location between South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. The port is also located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, just outside the Straits of Hormuz.

China is seeking convenient and reliable access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Chinese ships now use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. The proposed new route would give China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.
Yangon: Myanmar's Rakhine state was hit by fresh waves of violence over the weekend with more than 30 insurgents killed over two-days of fighting, the military said, as fears soar for the strife-torn region.

Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month.

Soldiers have killed scores and arrested many more in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya militants with links to overseas Islamists.

The crisis and reports of grave rights abuses being carried out in tandem with the security crackdown have piled international pressure on Myanmar`s new civilian government and raised questions about its ability to control the military.

Days of apparent calm were shattered on Saturday when the army said six attackers and two soldiers were killed during a series of coordinated ambushes that were only beaten back with the help of helicopter gunships.

The toll then jumped on Sunday following further clashes.

In a statement Myanmar`s military said 22 attackers armed with swords were killed near Dar Gyi Zar village on Sunday morning after they charged at soldiers.

Six other insurgents were killed during clashes elsewhere in the state on Sunday, the statement added.

Authorities have heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse.On Saturday evening, Rohingya activists uploaded a graphic video showing the corpses of eight people dressed in civilian clothes, including a small baby.

The video`s shooter, speaking in Rohingya, said the victims died that day near Dar Gyi Zar village, with some showing bullet wounds.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the footage.

The resurgence of violence in western Rakhine has deepened and complicated a crisis that already posed a critical challenge to the new administration led by democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

The state has sizzled with religious tension ever since waves of violence between the majority Buddhist population and the Muslim Rohingya left more than 200 dead in 2012.

More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingya, were pushed into displacement camps by the bloodshed and have languished there ever since.

Rights groups say they face apartheid-like restrictions on movement and have repeatedly called on Suu Kyi to carve out a solution.

But Buddhist nationalists at home viciously oppose any move to grant them citizenship, claiming the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite their long roots in the country.

The latest surge in fighting came as new satellite images released by Human Rights Watch on Sunday showed what the group said was evidence of mass arson attacks against Rohingya villages.

Their analysis showed more than 400 buildings torched in three Rohingya villages where the fighting has been taking place.

The group said active fires and burn scars showed that most of the destruction was caused by arson. The latest images were taken on 10 November.

Brad Adams, the group`s Asia director, said the new photos showed "widespread destruction" that was "greater than we first thought".

"Burmese authorities should promptly establish a UN-assisted investigation as a first step toward ensuring justice and security for the victims," he said in a statement.

The military and government have rejected allegations that troops have burned Rohingya villages, accusing insurgents of lighting the fires.
Cairo: At least 15 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), were killed on Saturday in two Islamic State (IS) attacks in Aleppo and al-Raqqa in Syria.

British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.

After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.

Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.

The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.
London: Donald Trump's US election victory heralds the "building of a new world", France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen said today in a television interview that sparked immediate criticism in Britain.

Le Pen described the Republican's win as a "victory of the people against the elite" and said she hoped a similar outcome could be achieved in French presidential elections in May.

"Clearly, Donald Trump's victory is an additional stone in the building of a new world, destined to replace the old one," she told the BBC's flagship Sunday politics programme, the Andrew Marr Show.

Trump "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible," she said, predicting that the "global revolution" that resulted in his election, as well as in the vote for Brexit, will also see her elected as president.

Hailing the rise of "patriotic movements" in Europe, Le Pen drew parallels between the US vote, Britain's June 23 decision to leave the European Union, and France's rejection of the European constitution in 2005.

"All the elections are essentially referendums against the unfettered globalisation that has been imposed on us... And which today has clearly shown its limits," she claimed.

She said the French election would throw up the choice between a "multi-cultural society... Where fundamental Islam is progressing" and an "independent nation, with people able to control their own destiny".

The interview sparked a backlash on social media as it fell on Remembrance Sunday, marking the contribution of British and Commonwealth forces during the two World Wars.

"Some people are offended and upset that I have been to interview Marine Le Pen and that we're showing this interview on Remembrance Sunday," said Marr, defending the decision to run the piece.

"I understand that but... Le Pen could, under some circumstances, become the next French president... I don't think that the best way to honour the fallen is to fail to report on the next big challenge to western security."
Baghdad: Iraqi forces said Sunday they had recaptured the Nimrud area, the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the jihadists south of Mosul.

Iraqi troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive launched on October 17 to recapture Iraq`s second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014.

A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes.

On Sunday Iraq`s Joint Operations Command (JOC) said troops had retaken the Nimrud area and another village southeast of the famed archeological site.

"Units of the 9th Armoured Division completely liberate the Nimrud (area) and raise the Iraqi flag over the buildings," the JOC said in a statement.

It did not specifically mention the Nimrud archaeological site, which is located a little more than a kilometre (less than a mile) west of the village that bears its name.

Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

In April last year, IS posted video on the internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in ancient Nineveh on the outskirts of Mosul, Hatra in the desert to the south and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam but has still sold artefacts to fund its operations.

The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) have pushed into the eastern outskirts of Mosul, with heavy fighting in recent days.

Commanders had told AFP on Saturday that the clashes were "intense", in particular as they prepared to surround the dense neighbourhood of Al-Bakr.

In neighbouring Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance has moved to about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Raqa since launching its offensive a week ago.

Commanders have said the SDF is close to completing a first phase of the operation to surround and isolate Raqa before launching an assault on the city itself.

The jihadists are putting up fierce resistance in both Mosul and Raqa, and military commanders have warned of long and difficult battles ahead.

Turkey has launched its own operation against IS just south of its border in Syria and a monitor said Sunday that Ankara-backed rebels had neared the IS stronghold of Al-Bab.The rebels had moved to about two kilometres (just over a mile) from Al-Bab, as Turkish forces targeted the town with artillery fire and air strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Ankara launched its unprecedented cross-border operation saying it was targeting both IS and the Kurdish People`s Protection Units (YPG) militia, which has been a key opponent of the jihadist group and dominates the SDF.

Turkey considers the YPG a "terrorist" organisation, and wants to avoid the creation of a contiguous, semi-autonomous Kurdish zone along the Syrian border.

Kurdish forces have also played a major role in the battle against IS in Iraq.

Its autonomous Kurdish region has gained or solidified control over large areas claimed by both it and the federal government in Baghdad in the course of the war.

In a report on Sunday, Human Rights Watch said Iraqi Kurdish forces had demolished Arab homes and buildings in disputed areas in the country`s north.

HRW found "a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions of buildings and homes, and in many cases entire villages, between September 2014 and May 2016," the report said.

It raised concern that the destruction was "for the purpose of preventing or dissuading Arabs from returning" to the homes in order to strengthen Kurdish claims to the areas.
Jerusalem: Terming India as a "close friend", Israel President Reuven Rivlin has left for New Delhi on a six-day visit to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries that he said were places of "innovation and inspiration".

Rivlin, who is arriving with a large delegation of businessmen and academics, will join President Pranab Mukherjee in opening an agro-tech conference in Chandigarh, hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj?and visit several sites of cooperation and joint projects between the two countries.

He will also pay his respects at the sites of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and lay wreaths on the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi and at the memorial for Indian soldiers who fell in the WWI in combat in Israel and the Middle East.

Six Jews were killed at the Mumbai Chabad house during the Mumbai terror attacks which left more than 166 dead.

Rivlin, who will be accompanied on the trip by his wife, will also hold meetings with senior Indian officials and with leaders of the Jewish community.

"I am departing now on an important visit to India, an important ally and close friend of Israel, a state with whom we have much in common," Rivlin said just before leaving for New Delhi yesterday.

"Israel and India are both countries of innovation and of inspiration. Countries that have ancient traditions, but have built strong and thriving hi-tech economies, and now celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. This visit is a sign of the strong relations and friendship between our peoples, and I hope will plant the seeds for that friendship to grow closer and closer," he said.

The academic delegation accompanying Rivlin includes Presidents and senior representatives of 13 Israeli academic institutions who are expected to sign 15 separate agreements between Israeli and Indian educational institutions.

"The issue of international cooperation in higher education and the expansion of academic ties between Israel and the world - in particular with India - is one of the central aims of the multi-year plan for higher education in Israel," said Yaffa Zilbershats, head the Council for Higher Education's budget committee.

The expansion of academic ties would include student exchanges, joint research projects and the founding of inter-institutional fora to promote academic cooperation between Israeli and India universities and colleges, he noted.

Rivlin, in the past, has complimented the?Indian?students in Israel, saying "they are among the best" of the lot.

"India represents a great challenge for Israeli manufacturers and this delegation will afford the opportunity to strengthen cooperation and partnership with their Indian counterparts," said Shraga Brosh, President of Manufacturers Association of Israel, who is heading the business delegation.
Islamabad: The revamped Gwadar port, a strategic deep seaport in the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, on Sunday became operational in Pakistan's restive Balochistan after a Chinese commercial ship laden with around 250 containers set off for the Middle East and Africa.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the start of operational activities at the coastal town of Gwadar in southwestern Balochistan province, which saw an ISIS suicide bombing claim as many as 52 lives.

With the operationalisation of the revamped Gwadar port, the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking western China to the Arabian Sea, became a reality.

The USD 46 billion CPEC is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sparking concerns from India.

In his address, Sharif called the development as a "watershed" moment in the history of Pakistan and the entire region. He called it a symbol of Pakistan's commitment to China's One Belt-One Road initiative, of which the CPEC is a key port.

"We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the CPEC and all the projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time," he said.

Sharif also commented on the One Belt-One Road initiative by China and said that it integrates with Pakistan's Vision 2025 which seeks to transform the country into a hub of trade and commerce.

He said the CPEC would ultimately integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia, and offer opportunities for people in this region besides giving opportunities to investors from across the world.

Officials said a major trade convoy that started from Kashgar in western China on October 30 yesterday reached Gwadar, where Chinese vessels were ready to take the shipment of Chinese goods to Middle East and African countries.

"This is the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. It proves the connectivity of the local roads and the realisation of the concept of one corridor with multiple passages," Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong said at the inauguration ceremony. He said it was the first time that the Gwadar port is

exporting Chinese containers to overseas destinations.

Top civil and military leadership, including army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Balochistan chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri besides business representatives from Pakistan and China attended the event.

Chinese ships currently use the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, and the new route gives China access to the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East which would not only save a lot of time but also money involved in the travel.

A representative of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) was quoted as saying by the Dawn that oil China imported from Saudi Arabia usually reached Shanghai in 25 to 30 days, while through the Gwadar-Kashgar route it would take about 12 days.

"The goods China imports through the Gwadar port will reach Kashgar in five days," the official said.

Not only would China save time by using this route but it would also be economically beneficial for both Pakistan and the neighbouring country, he added.
Lima: A Peruvian judge has ordered former president Ollanta Humala to report to court every 30 days as a money laundering case in which he is a defendant is litigated.

Judge Richard Concepcion's ruling late Friday also states that the ex-president cannot change addresses and must post a $15,000 bail.

Prosecutors fear that Humala -- whose five year presidency ended in July -- might flee the country as the case winds through the courts.

Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia are accused of laundering some $1.5 million allegedly sent from Brazil and Venezuela to help fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.

In both cases Humala was candidate for the leftist Nationalist Party, which he co-founded with his wife Nadine.

The hearing on Friday lasted 10 hours. Humala, who was not in the courtroom, denies all charges.

If found guilty he and his wife could face between eight and ten years prison.

Prosecutors believe the Venezuelan funds came directly from the government of then-president Hugo Chavez, and the Brazilian money from two large construction firms, the Odebrecht Group and Construtora OAS.

Both Brazilian companies became ensnared in pay-to-play cases during the government of leftist then-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Odebrecht CEO Marcelo Odebrecht was arrested in 2015 on corruption charges, while Construtora OAS filed for bankruptcy amid a corruption investigation.
Hong Kong: Thousands of people attended a pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong Sunday in support of China's decision to effectively bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office, as fears grow of the city`s freedoms being under threat.

Beijing's ruling last week preempted a decision by the Hong Kong courts over whether lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching should be disqualified from parliament after deliberately misreading their oaths of office, inserting expletives and draping themselves with "Hong Kong is not China" flags.

Beijing`s interpretation of the city`s constitution issued on Monday said that any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of the oath, "or takes the oath in a manner which is not sincere or not solemn", should be disqualified.

On Sunday rowdy crowds, waving Chinese flags, surrounded the government`s headquarters in a show of support for Beijing`s unprecedented decision, slammed by pro-democracy activists and legal experts as a massive blow to Hong Kong`s judicial independence.

Supporters chanted slogans such as "fight against Hong Kong independence, support the interpretation" at the rally, which was attended by pro-Beijing legislators.

"The cancer cells are those who are promoting Hong Kong independence... we will fight them to the end," lawmaker Michael Tien told the crowd who cheered loudly in response.

"China will never, ever tolerate the splitting of the nation," Tien said.

Priscilla Leung, another pro-China legislator who attended the rally, said the lawmakers` behaviour at the swearing-in ceremony "humiliated all of the Chinese people".

Police said that 28,500 people attended the rally.

The Hong Kong High Court`s decision into whether Leung and Yau should be disqualified is still pending.

Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal which protects its freedoms for 50 years, but there are growing concerns those liberties are disappearing.
Washington: After being sworn in as US President, Donald Trump would convene a special session of the US Congress to "repeal and replace" Obamacare, the signature healthcare initiative of the outgoing US President Barack Obama, a close aide to the president-elect said today.

"He (Trump) has talked about convening a special session on January 20th after he is sworn in as President of the United States to do this very thing, to repeal and replace Obamacare," the Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway said.

Conway said that the House and Senate under Republican control has repealed Obamacare dozens of times, but they never had a Republican president to go the next step.

"Trump has made very clear what his healthcare plan would look like and it would not look like the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare," she told the Fox News in an interview.

"It would do what Obamacare doesn't do: let you buy health insurance across state lines the way you can buy auto insurance and other goods and services. It would block grant Medicaid to the states. It would create health savings accounts to individuals, which is a very free market solution that works in the private sector in many places," she said.

Trump, she said, would also get rid of the Obamacare penalty practically on day one through his tax reform.

"So, what you see with Donald Trump is what you get, and I believe that's why the voters gave him this election and this mandate," she said.

In an interview to The Wall Street Journal, Trump had said that he would keep some provisions of the Obamacare.

This, he said, he decided after meeting Obama at the Oval Office on Thursday.

"I believe that Trump is being properly respectful to President Obama. But at the same time, this has been an incredibly important issue to millions of voters who have been disappointed in the ill effects of Obamacare. Their premiums have increased, their quality has gone down, it was a lie uttered dozens of times by the president and others that if you liked your plan you can keep your plan, if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor," she said.

"And now with the Obamacare premium notices coming into your mailboxes in October, many Americans woke up and said, wait, now I have to make tough choices about every day affordability when it comes to paying the rent or mortgage, food, consumables and my health insurance," Conway noted.

"So, this is an issue that helped the Republicans win and keep the House and Senate in 2010 and 2014 in those off year elections, and in 2016, they went for a president who had Obamacare repeal and replacement as a centerpiece of his messaging," she said.

Conway said by giving Republicans a majority in both the House and the Senate, voters have also said, stop hiding behind divided government.

"That excuse has been removed and I think you're going to see him take some significant action on Obamacare and on these other issues that he talked about like tax reform, defeating radical Islamic terrorism, certainly energy and infrastructure investments, educational opportunities," she said.

Conway said that Trump is off to a great start when he said in his victory speech by saying he represent all Americans, even those who did not support him.

Trump, he said, is willing to work with everyone who is willing to work with him.
By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Nov 13 (PTI) Hillary Clinton has blamed FBI director James Comey for her defeat to Republican rival Donald Trump in the US presidential election, claiming his decision just days ahead of the polls to revive the probe into her email accounts halted her momentum towards a historic win.

"There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful. Our analysis is that Comeys letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum," Clinton told fundraisers and donors during a conference call yesterday.

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Clinton said her campaign was winning until FBI Director Comey wrote a letter to the Congressional leadership that they have reopened the investigations into the email scandal.

Two days before the November 8 elections, Comey again sent a letter to the Congressional leadership that it did not find anything new in the investigation that was primarily screening of some 650,000 emails that it found in a laptop of one of her aide, Huma Abedin, which she shared with her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner.

"The second letter, even that gave her the clean chit, hit her more as this energised Trumps supporters. Although she got more popular votes, Trump was declared the winner as he grabbed more than 270 electoral college votes, required to win the presidential elections," said the 69-year-old former Secretary of State.

"We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing to regain our advantage, which going into last weekend we had," Clinton, who hoped to be the first woman president of the US, said.

"We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing. And we were feeling like we had to put it back together," Clinton said.

In an internal campaign memo, Clintons campaign manager Robby Mook claimed that she was poised to win the elections, but the two letters from FBI changed the scenario.

"There is no question that a week before the Election Day, Secretary Clinton was poised for a historic win. In the end, less than 110K votes out of tens of millions cast on Election Day made the difference in the race," Mook said.

He also appeared to blame the third party candidate.

"It is worth mentioning that Jill Stein alone got 130K votes in those States ? and though her votes dont distribute perfectly to cover the margin across the three States, it is an important reminder of 3rd party votes," he said.

"We believe that we lost this election in the last week. Comeys letter in the last 11 days of the election both helped depress our turnout and drove away some of our critical support among college-educated white voters ? particularly in the suburbs.

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"We also think Comeys second letter, which was intended to absolve Secretary Clinton actually helped to bolster Trumps turnout," Mook added. PTI LKJ AYP AKJ AKJ

--- ENDS ---
Washington: In line with his hardline immigration stance, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying "we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate".

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told CBS News.

"But we're getting them out of our country, they're here illegally," the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.

During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to people of those countries.

There are an estimated 11 million documented immigrants in the country. Several hundred thousand are believed to be Indian-Americans.

The President-elect said he would take a call on the fate of the rest of the illegal immigrants, after the border is secured.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, they're terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that," Trump said.

"But before we make that determination...It's very important, we are going to secure our border," he said in response to a question.

Trump insisted that he is determined to fulfill another campaign promise of building a wall along the Mexican border.

"For certain areas I would, but certain areas, a wall is more appropriate," he said.

"I'm very good at this, it's called construction," Trump said.

Since Trump's election on Tuesday night, the realities of actually building that wall have begun to set in and the Mexican government has publicly reminded him that Mexico will not pay for the wall.

Asked about the wall, Trump transition co-chair Newt Gingrich said the wall was "a great campaign device".

During his election campaign, Trump articulated a strong and tough immigration policy, which was quite opposite to that of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, which was based on compassion and providing a pathway to nearly 11 million illegal immigrants.
New York: On the morning after the election, Alia Ali had a sickening feeling as she headed to her job as a secretary at a New York City public school, her hijab in place as usual.

Ali is a Muslim who lives and works in one of the most diverse places in the US, and yet the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House left her wondering how other Americans really viewed her.

"Half of America voted one way and half of America voted the other, and you're like, 'Which half am I looking at?'" she said.

"You become almost like strangers to the people you've worked with. Is this person racist? Do they like me? Do they not like me? Because that's what this election has done."

American Muslims are reeling following the election of Trump, whose campaign was rife with anti-Muslim rhetoric and proposals that included banning Muslims from entering the country and heightened surveillance of mosques across the nation.

Now, among many of the 3.3 million Muslims living in the US, there is significant fear, along with some reports of harassment; one hijab-wearing student at San Diego State University said she was briefly choked by suspects who made remarks about Trump's victory.

"There are lots and lots of people who aren't going out of the house," said Eboo Patel, a Muslim who heads the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based organisation that works with colleges and government officials to build interreligious relationships.

At New York University late last week, hundreds of people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on a grand staircase of a student center to express solidarity after the word "Trump!" was scrawled on the door of a Muslim prayer space at the school.

Students spoke of friends who wore headscarves or other traditional clothing and were afraid to take public transportation home for fear of being harassed.

Sana Mayat, a 21-year-old senior who wears the hijab, said the election made her realise "there was a large part of this country that didn't want me here."

"There is an intense state of anxiety about the future," said Rami Nashashibi, a parent of three and executive director of Chicago's Inner-City Muslim Action Network, which has been inundated with calls seeking support since Election Day.

"I grappled with the conversation I had to have with my children."

The outcome was especially bitter following an unprecedented voter registration drive by American Muslims, including get-out-the-vote sermons at mosques and the creation of a political action committee, Emerge USA, to mobilize Arabs and Muslims.
Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has become the first British politician to meet with Donald Trump since his US election win, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) confirmed late Saturday.

The US president-elect hosted the euro-sceptic leader at his New York residence Trump Tower where they spent over an hour discussing the Republican`s "victory, global politics, and the status of Brexit", according to a UKIP statement.

The meeting will be seen by some as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May who spoke with Trump by telephone this week, but has yet to meet him in person.

Downing Street has denied reports that Farage will act as a "go-between" in British relations with the new US administration.

Farage stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship and asked Trump to return the bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, the statement said.

The interim-UKIP leader said it was "a great honour" to spend time with Trump, describing him as "relaxed, and full of good ideas".

"I`m confident he will be a good president," Farage added.

"His support for the US-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business".

Farage threw his support behind the billionaire businessman during the US election campaign, attending a rally in Jackson, Mississippi in August and likening it to his own campaign to leave the European Union.

The shock outcome of the US election prompted many commentators to draw parallels with Britain`s June 23 referendum after Trump said the vote would be "Brexit plus plus plus".
Washington: Amid protests against President- elect Donald Trump and fear of attack on the religious and ethnic diversity of the country, a top Republican leader today assured Americans that the nation's inclusiveness and plurality will remain intact and there was no threat to them.

"I think people should be rest assured. America is a pluralistic, inclusive country. It has, it has been, and it will continue to be," House of Representative Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN.

"I really think that people should put their minds at ease. We're going to get to work on solving the big country's problems, getting this economy growing, fixing our national security, fixing our health care problems, getting our budget put together, the things that we have been talking about," he said.

Ryan made the remarks while responding to a question on Americans coming on the streets against Trump, who won the presidential election on November 8.

"I think people should just really put their minds at ease. We are pluralistic. We're inclusive. That's the kind of country we want. That's the country we are. And that's the country we're still going to have," Ryan said as he condemned the increase in attacks against religious minorities after the election.

"That's terrible. That's awful. That's not Republicans. We are the party of Lincoln. People who espouse those views, they're not Republicans. We don't want them in our party, even if they're thinking about it. I'm confident Donald Trump feels the same way," he said.

Ryan asserted that there is no place for such hate and said that protests, as long as they are peaceful, were fine.

"That's what the First Amendment is all about," he added.

Responding to a question on illegal immigrants, Ryan said the focus is on securing the border and not deporting people.

"I think we should put people's minds at ease. That is not what our focus is. That is not what we're focused on. We're focused on securing the border," he said.

"We think that's first and foremost. We get into any other immigration issue, we have got to know who's coming and going in the country. We have got to secure the border. So, we believe an enforcement bill, a border security enforcement bill, is really the first priority. That's what we're focused on," Ryan said.
Shobhika Puri Someone once said, A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. This decades old quote holds true even today and the Commonwealth Games is a befitting example. Interview after interview, Suresh Kalmadi, or Sheila Dixit, have been exuding confidence on the way preparations for the Commonwealth Games are going. Kalmadi has assured the nation in each of his interview and public appearance that the Games would be the best in India so far. Even while the common man is jostling with traffic jams, pot holes, deaths due to electrocution etc, Sheila Dixit says all is fine. The recent launch of the theme song for Delhi by Euphoria is the icing on the cake. It takes optimism to dizzying heights. Here is an interpretation from the common (wo)man who is out there on the streets of Delhi everyday facing the ugly reality. Ye sheher meri jaan (This city is my life) Definitely this sheher is the jaan of many as it has claimed their lives. Some were just going to their places of work and fell down in an open sewer, some were unaware of the pot holes under water, some did not know that the weight of their car would be too much for the road to bear that caved in, some kids were playing when they accidently stepped on some wire and got electrocuted, some were returning from a movie when a reckless driver hit their car and killed them in road rage Ironically, the word jaan rhymes with jam. Yeh sheher meri jam fits absolutely for a city that has a perpetual traffic jam anytime of the day or night. Meri sasoon mein basa , iski hawa ka nasha (My breath is intoxicated with its air) Very true. The nasha is definitely there but, of a hawa that is full of pollution, some from the vehicles while other from debris. Why forget the other nasha of drunken drivers, who rule the roads of Delhi unchecked? Kehti koi kahani, yeh galiyan, yeh bastiya (These slums and lanes tell us some story) Definitely, there is a story in every nook and corner of the city. On one hand, there are bungalows worth crores of rupees, while on the other are slum dwellers taking shelter under flyovers, near river banks, in under-construction buildings, in old abandoned monuments etc. These just tell the story of the ever increasing gap between the haves and haves not. Actually, this gap may not be that evident to the tourists of the Games. Most of the slum dwellers, roadside kiosk owners and beggars have been asked to leave. This is the real kahani. Jaha rahoon ko sajaayein pedhon ki daaliyan (Where trees adorn the roadsides) A little wind storm and a lot of trees fall down on the roads blocking traffic. They do adorn the roads for days at a stretch as the concerned authorities are too busy thinking about ways to make more money. The illegal felling of trees that goes unchecked too adds to the beauty. Bhagta fir raha har insaan yaahan (Everybody seems to be running here) This is something that used to be said for Mumbai only till some years back but now, Delhi too has caught on. Yes, everybody seems to be running because no matter how much margin one keeps for reaching the destination on time, one ends up reaching late. Then, there are other things that people in Delhi try to run from - inflationary pressures, noise pollution, air pollution, robbers, policemen asking for bribe, pickpocketers, loan recovery agents run, run and run. Dil mein hai basaye lakhon sapne yaahan (Here, the heart is filled with many dreams) Delhiites are aspirational and flamboyant by nature. Some dream of basic amenities like food and shelter, while others dream about owning a two-wheeler. Then, there are those who dream about that latest Gucci bag or a bungalow in Jor Bagh as GK is not good enough for them. Even Sheila Dixit is dreaming these days about a super successful CWG, while Mani Shankar Aiyer may be secretly dreaming about a super failure for CWG. Everybody is dreaming Sabka sahara yeh sheher hamara (This city is the support system for all) It is definitely sabka sahara because many people from nearby areas like Ghaziabad or Faridabad have no choice but to commute to Delhi everyday to earn their livelihood, or for getting a decent education, thanks to lack of quality infrastructure in their home towns. Then, as Sheila Dixit once infamously remarked, there is a lot of pressure on Delhi from migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. With Delhi being the national and political capital of our country, the nation is dependent on it for almost everything. It is the sahara of many indeed. Yeh sheher nahi mehfil hai (This is not just a city but, a big party) Delhi would definitely be one big mehfil during the Games, oblivious to the needs of thousands of people who go to bed hungry everyday. It will be a mehfil for the page three people. It will be a mehfil for cons who shall make good of this opportunity to deceive the unsuspecting tourists. It will be a long lasting mehfil for the Organising Committee members who have pocketed lakhs, or even crores of rupees under the garb of spending money for the Games. Delhi has some very special and good things but, the mood these days is too cynical, too depressed, too aggressive, too despondent to look at the brighter side of Delhi that the song tries to represent. That interpretation can be left for some good times, but this is the interpretation for present times! (Shobhika Puri is a freelance writer)
A group of youths belonging to a particular community had killed Deepak Kushwaha, a Bajrang Dal office bearer, in Vidisha on Saturday.

By Rahul Noronha: Curfew has been clamped in Vidisha town, some 60 kms from the state capital Bhopal, after an irate mob protesting the murder of a Bajrang Dal office bearer torched vehicles and houses on Sunday morning. Vidisha parliamentary constituency is represented by Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

BAJRANG DAL OFFICE BEARER KILLED



A group of youths belonging to a particular community had killed Deepak Kushwaha, a Bajrang Dal office bearer, in Vidisha on Saturday. The same day, a truck had been set ablaze by a large crowd that collected near the house of the victim.

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POLICE LATHICHARGE CROWD

On Sunday afternoon, a large crowd collected near a shop owned by one of the accused and set it ablaze. The crowd then moved towards the house of the victim but the police resorted to a lathicharge and dispersed them.

Commissioner, Bhopal division, Ajatshatru told India Today that a curfew has been imposed in the town limits after incidents of arson and stone pelting.

"Some people have sustained injuries in stone pelting but there are no reports of casualties," he said, adding that the situation is being monitored with senior police and administration officials camping in Vidisha.

--- ENDS ---
Some banks in Bengaluru are turning away people who have exchanged the scrapped currency once and asking them to come next week if they want to withdraw more than Rs 4,000.

By Nolan Pinto: While the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes have already caused enough trouble for people across the country, some banks in Bengaluru seem to be adding to the woes.

At a time when people are standing in long and unending queues to exchange old notes with the new ones in order to manage their daily lives, the banks in Bengaluru are turning them away if they have already exchanged their currency once in a week.

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According to the government rules, withdrawals from bank accounts have been limited to Rs 10,000 a day and Rs 20,000 a week. The ATM withdrawals, on the other hand, have been restricted to Rs 2000 per day.

ALSO READ | Midnight queues, violence, banks refusing to cooperate: 7 points that sum up currency crisis



ALSO READ | Modi's surgical strike against black money to continue after demonetisation, PM warns of more steps- All you need to know

'ICICI TOLD ME YOU CAN'T EXCHANGE MORE, COME NEXT WEEK'

But some banks in Bengaluru are turning away those who are coming to exchange their old Rs 500 and 1000 currency notes again in one week, if the amount is more than Rs 4,000.

The ICICI bank staff on Langford Road in Bengaluru turned away those who had exchanged notes on Saturday. The bank said the people were not allowed to exchange the scrappec currency again until next week.

"They told me you cannot exchange your money for the whole week and asked me to come back later since I exchanged my old notes yesterday," said Neethu, a worried ICICI bank customer.

She said that the bank staff said it was a rule.

It was only after India Today questioned the bank staff regarding this that they let the woman enter once more and exchange her old scrapped currency notes.

ALSO READ | Demonetisation nightmare hits peak marriage season

ALSO READ | Demonetisation of 500, 1000 rupee notes: 5 rumours you must not fall for

'AXIS BANK SAID YOU CAN ONLY WITHDRAW RS 4000 PER WEEK'

Similar was the case with a customer of Axis Bank.

"They told us that you can withdraw only Rs 4000 per week and nothing more, so we exchanged our old currency notes," said Tanvi a student on vacation in Bengaluru.

She is struggling as she has only Rs 4000 to manage her expenses and does not know what to do.

Also Read:

Poor people become black money mules for rich

Demonetisation of Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes: Traders in Kerala to shut shops indefinitely from Tuesday



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Demonetisation is not a genuine move, had supported Swachh Bharat before: Arvind Kejriwal



--- ENDS ---
As the Democratic Party ponders its fate in the wake of Tuesday's sobering election results, there's another group trying to figure out what went wrong. Not the Greens or the Libertarians but the news media.

Not only did virtually none of the major media outlets in the U.S. properly predict Trump's victory, but it turned out that the issues that had preoccupied journalists over the past few months were not the ones that mattered to voters.

Trump's rallies, in particular, seemed to highlight the contempt some of his supporters feel for journalists. Many of them made it clear they didn't think the media were fair or objective and had, in fact, picked a side against them.

- DAY 6 | What the media missed about the rise of Trump

"Let's face it, we (the media), in many ways, were also on the ballot," said NBC News anchor Lester Holt to the millions watching the U.S. election coverage Tuesday night.

CBC's program The Investigators spoke to John Cruickshank, former chief news editor of CBC News and recently retired publisher of the Toronto Star, about why the divide between journalists and the public has become so wide.

Here is some of that conversation:

DIANA SWAIN: John, you've worked in newsrooms on both sides of the border  led the Chicago Sun-Times, the Toronto Star. So, how did we get to a point where people think of journalists as "them" and not part of their lives?

JOHN CRUICKSHANK: I think we're part of the lives of about half of the population, and that was really proved out in the election in the United States. And we've seen it here, too, in Canada, where there is tremendous dissatisfaction among people who are of a more conservative bent, or more from the rural part of Canada, with the media.

DIANA SWAIN: Journalists like to think of themselves as people who hold power to account, that we're acting on behalf of the public. And yet, now we're in this space where half of the public doesn't think we have any clue what they care about.

Story continues

JOHN CRUICKSHANK: And I think, in fact, that when you look at the coverage of this past election, it's a fair criticism. Journalism got the context wrong for why people voted the way that they did. The campaign was covered as if it were a plebiscite on the character of Donald Trump, but it wasn't, really. It had a lot more to do with the fact that for almost half of the American population, they haven't had a raise in 40 years.

- OPINION | How to bungle an election, Democrat style

Social mobility, but especially employment mobility, is almost zero in the United States now. It's the lowest in the Western world. It's far worse in the States than it is here. So, you have in the States, a new kind of segregation, too, among white people. Which is really interesting and really disturbing for them. That is to say, we're in a world now where powerful people marry powerful people. Lawyers marry lawyers. We're no longer in a world where one family lifts another family up, where there is change. There is a class of creative people, and then there are those who, frankly, are not part of this globalized world.

DIANA SWAIN: But journalists think that they talk to people all the time. How did they miss an entire conversation? Is it because there's been a change in the media landscape, that newsrooms have gotten smaller  especially in places like middle America, parts of Canada, as well? That we're all living on the coast now and having conversations that take place there?

JOHN CRUICKSHANK: Absolutely right, Diana. I think that's a big deal in the United States, and even here. In Canada, we have a situation where there are some provincial legislatures that are virtually uncovered by permanent staff. And certainly, we're not doing the kind of coverage of public corporations, of government committees  the kind of thing that we used to do to be a real watchdog.

- ANALYSIS | Pollsters failed to spot Trump's support among white voters

- ANALYSIS | How Trump defied pundits and pollsters to win the White House

So, what's happening in the States, of course, is because  there continues to be staffing and budget and reporting on the coasts  coasts that are very Democratic and not Republican. They don't have a sense of the heartland, and they don't have a sense of the struggles that some Americans have.

DIANA SWAIN: If there is half the population  and we use this number a bit loosely  who thinks that we understand what they're interested in, how do journalists win back the public trust of the other 50 per cent?

JOHN CRUICKSHANK: I think they've got to. One of the things we really have to do is go out and have a look at how life is lived. The reality in Canada is, in fact, different from that of the United States. We've done better in this country at giving people a sense of opportunity. There's still struggles; globalization has still been difficult for people. But there isn't the same sense of being left behind as there is in the United States. However, we do have this problem  where, in fact, the ability to finance coverage is now in Toronto, in Vancouver, in Montreal. But it's getting tougher and tougher everywhere else.

DIANA SWAIN: Thanks for your thoughts on this.

JOHN CRUICKSHANK: My pleasure.

For more on the challenges the media will face under Trump administration, watch The Investigators tonight at 5:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on CBC News Network. This week's episode also includes interviews with Politico reporter Hadas Gold, a target of some vicious online attacks for her election reporting, and Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who will discuss his new book chronicling his experience in an Egyptian jail.
Asian leaders wishing for a cordial relationship with the U.S. president-elect may have to scrub from their minds some of Donald Trump 's comments about the region, because they've rarely been positive.

For those who need reminding, here is a selection of Trump's quotes on Asia. The easily offended should avert their eyes now.

On China

"They suck the blood out of us and we owe them money," Trump told CNBC in a September interview , in which he added that the Chinese were "great magicians" who had stolen U.S. intellectual property. Instead, as a big buyer of Chinese imports, the U.S. should use its leverage to force a more mutually beneficial relationship, Trump added.

"We should get China to fix that problem. We should use our economic power. Because without us, China would be in serious trouble," he said.

In the same month, Trump told the Economic Club of New York that China was "a currency manipulator" of "grand master level" and that tariffs should be applied because of the "unfair advantage."

This followed an August interview with CNBC, in which he said China was America's "biggest abuser."

"We're like their whipping post , the United States. We have people who don't understand the system. We have people that don't get it. We are being ripped by many countries, China being the No. 1 abuser. They do it better than anybody else," he said.



"I have very big relationships with China, but the fact is China is the great abuser of the United States economically and we do nothing about it, and it would be very easy to stop."



"China goes down to 7 percent [growth], and then what they do is devalue their currency and they take more of our business and they start to go up again," he added.



These comments were toned down from ones he made at a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"We can't continue to allow China to rape our country," he told the crowd , referring to trade. "That's what they're doing. It's the greatest theft in the history of the world."

Weiterlesen

On India

Trump made his first comments on India in January. Speaking to CNN, he said, "India is doing great. Nobody talks about it. And I have big jobs going up in India. But India is doing great."



At an event sponsored by the Republican Hindu Coalition, Trump repeated this sentiment , saying that the U.S. and India would be "best friends" if he were to be elected. "I am a big fan of Hindu, and I am big fan of India," the New York Times reported Trump saying, "Big, big fan."

Trump has also mentioned enhancing intelligence sharing between the two nations to combat Muslim extremism.

On Japan

In August, Trump indicated he didn't believe Japan was a true ally of the U.S., while delivering a broader attack at a campaign event in Iowa on countries he said did not make sufficient financial contributions to NATO.



"You know we have a treaty with Japan, where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States," Trump said, according to a report in Britain's The Telegraph. "If we're attacked, Japan doesn't have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television."

He said that as president, he could "walk away" from the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, according to the report.

"It could be that Japan will have to defend itself against North Korea," he said.

On South Korea

Trump criticisms of South Korea while on the campaign trail were, like those of Japan, about defense.

MSNBC reported in May that the GOP candidate railed against the country in May for the cost to the U.S. of having a defense force on its soil.

"They're paying us a tiny fraction of what it's costing. I'd love to continue to defend Japan, I'd love to continue to defend South Korea - we have 28,000 soldiers on the line between North and South Korea right now. It's costing us a fortune, which we don't have, we're a debtor nation," he told the "Morning Joe" show.

"I'd like them to pay up. They have a lot of money, both of those nations, we take in Japan's cars by the millions."

On North Korea

Trump has appeared more conciliatory toward the isolated state than his White House predecessor, telling Reuters in June that he was prepared to talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about the country's nuclear weapons. In return, A column by the DPRK Today outlet called Trump a "prescient presidential candidate" and a "wise politician."

But earlier in the year, Trump made it clear he didn't intend to turn his back on Kim, should they ever meet.



"Any young guy who can take over from his father with all those generals and everybody else that probably wants the position - this is not somebody to be underestimating," he told CBS in February.



On Singapore

Singapore escaped Trump's attention until relatively late in his campaign. But at a campaign rally in Florida on Nov. 6, multiple reports said the Republican candidate told the crowd that "Baxter Health Care Corporation laid off 199 workers and moved their jobs to Singapore," as part of a wider speech on "jobs theft" by Asian countries.



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NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 12, 2016 -- CPR increases the chance of survival after sudden cardiac arrest, yet knowledge of this life-saving procedure is low in many communities, especially among older adults, according to separate studies presented during the Resuscitation Science Symposium at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.

In two studies - one in the United States and the other in Denmark - older adults emerged as an overlooked demographic and a target area for improved CPR training. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after sudden cardiac arrest.

In the American study (Presentation18), a random digit dial telephone survey of 9,022 respondents age 18 and older found that only 18 percent reported that they were currently trained in CPR delivery - via either conventional CPR or chest compression-only approaches. About 65 percent said they had received CPR training at some point.

According to the survey:

Higher education level was linked with a 43 percent increased likelihood of ever being CPR-trained.

Higher household income was l with a 7 percent increased likelihood of ever being CPR-trained.

Compared to younger adults, those age 50 and older were 50 percent less likely to be CPR trained.

In fact, there was a steep drop in the likelihood of having CPR training after age 50.

"Cardiac arrest occurs among people in their 50s and 60s, and most cardiac arrests occur in the home, yet that is the population that is poorly trained or has not kept up with current training," said Benjamin Abella, M.D., M.Phil., senior study author and director of the University of Penn's Center for Resuscitation Science and an associated professor of Emergency Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

"If we expect one of the key links in the chain of survival to be the bystander response, including the use of automatic external defibrillators and the delivery of CPR, then we really need to better understand what gets bystanders to act, what gets bystanders to learn and refresh their CPR skills and the current ways to seek training in any given community," he said.

In the Denmark analysis (Presentation 229), 99 questionnaire responses from adults over 65 years old, found reluctance among the elderly to perform CPR. The biggest barriers were lack of knowledge and a fear of doing harm to the person under cardiac arrest.

If they witnessed a cardiac arrest:

85 percent of respondents said they would be willing to call the Emergency Medical Services (EMS);

35 percent would provide rescue breaths;

36 percent would give chest compressions;

35 percent would use an automated external defibrillator (AED); and

only 15 percent said that they would be willing to do all of the above.

"We do believe there needs to be a special focus on the elderly," said Lise Qvirin Krogh, lead study author and research fellow at Arhus University Hospital's Research Center for Emergency Medicine in Denmark. "Calling the EMS is a very big step in the right direction, but they can help the victim much more by also starting CPR."

The study sample was small and the data was collected from members of leisure clubs who may be more active than the general elderly population, Krogh said. But the research is a start in identifying areas to improve the quality of bystander delivery of CPR among elderly.

"It was surprising that among these respondents it was only about 35 percent who would actually start CPR," she said. "The willingness to perform CPR is very dependent on the knowledge about CPR. With this study we can get closer to strategies to increase the knowledge about CPR and focus CPR training among the elderly."

###

Co-authors of the U.S. research are Audrey Blewer, M.P.H.; Marion Leary, M.S.N., R.N.; David Dutwin, Ph.D.; Said Ibrahim, M.D.; Bryan McNally, M.D.; Monique Anderson, M.D. and Laurie Morrison, M.D.

Co-authors of the Denmark research are Mette Nebsbjerg, M.D.; Stinne Rasmussen, M.D.; Katrine Bjrnshave, M.D.; Kristian Krogh, M.D., Ph.D.; Jonas Poulsen, M.D. Ph.D.; and Bo Lfgren, M.D., Ph.D.

Author disclosures are on the abstract.

The U.S. study was partially funded by a grant from the American Heart Association, the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute.

Note: Scientific presentation of Presentation 18 is 3:15 p.m. CT, Sunday, Nov. 13 in Room 203-205 and scientific presentation of Presentation 229 is 8:24 a.m. CT, Sunday, Nov. 13 in Great Hall D.

Additional Resources:

AHA expert perspective video (via Skype) interview clips (for download/edit) and images related to this news release are on the right column of the release link at http://newsroom.heart.org/news/cpr-skills-low-among-older-adults?preview=7c759e9d764ee9e9e713aa385430a976

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations an1d corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
English Russian Latvian

Riga, Latvia, 2016-11-09 07:42 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Due to relatively positive trends on the real estate market and consistent implementation of the companys business strategy, Pillar group continued decreasing its property portfolio. This year, 150 properties have been sold for EUR 9.3 million.

Over nine months, 82 uniform apartments have been sold by Pillar: 58 of those in Riga and 24  outside Riga. In total, 12 apartments in new projects have been sold, as well as 30 private houses, 22 land plots, and other properties.

Thus, Pillar allocates increasingly more resources to the following cycle of operations, which involves development of large-scale New Hanza City (NHC) project. Therefore, on 4 July this year, Pillar started the construction of NHC infrastructure, which includes the first stage of laying the streets and engineering systems, incl. water supply, sewage, heat, and electricity supply systems. These works are planned to be completed by summer 2017. The functions of the general contractor of this project are performed by Pillar Contractor, SIA. Following the installation of engineering systems  in Q2 2017  it is planned to begin the construction of the ABLV central office and an additional office building.

In the second half of the year, the best idea for reconstruction of the warehouse building of the former Riga railway goods station, located on NHC territory, was chosen  the solution proposed by the architecture bureau Sudraba arhitektura, the author of which is architect Reinis Liepins. After the reconstruction, the building is supposed to become a multifunctional cultural centre, in which premises will admit up to 1000 visitors.

Two more residential buildings on NHC territory are currently being designed  these will be premium class and middle class apartment blocks, consisting approximately of 100 apartments each.

Pillar Chief Executive Officer Ieva Valtere noted: Residential property market development scenario allows forecasting that the properties we currently have will be sold during the following two years. Moderate growth is observed on the market, and the demand is traditionally higher in the segment of uniform apartments. The properties remaining in our portfolio are mostly those apartments. Therefore, we have considerably increased our capacity of NHC development, also raising appropriate labour resources.

Pillar group, established in 2008, is owned by the largest private bank in Latvia ABLV Bank, AS and it includes companies that operate in the field of real estate development, management, and trade. Pillar group includes Pillar Management, SIA, Pillar Holding Company, KS, New Hanza City, SIA, and other companies. In total, Pillar supervises about 300 properties worth approximately EUR 38 million. So far, the company has invested a total of EUR 20 million in renovation of properties. Since 2013, Pillar has been the major sponsor of the Annual Award in Latvian Architecture organized by the Latvian Association of Architects.
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Opposition has already decided to rake up demonetistaion in the upcoming winter session in order to corner BJP on the issue and not consulting other political parties before putting the dicta out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of various projects in Goa. (Photo: Twitter/ MIB_India)

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fiery speech in Goa addressing the issue of demonetisation has set the stage for a stormy winter session of the Parliament commencing from November 16.

The opposition parties, led by Congress, is gearing up to corner centre on the fallout of the demonetisation scheme.

ALSO READ | PM Modi in Japan: I salute the people of India for supporting demonetisation despite inconvenience



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Deputy leader of Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma has already given a notice for adjournment motion under Section 267 to suspend the business of the upper house to discuss this issue of demonetisation and the problems being faced by common man in detail.

"PM is misleading people. It is the BJP leaders who thrive on black money. We want to discuss this matter in Parliament at length. We will hold government to account," said Sharma while talking to India Today.

The senior Congress leader added that all major political parties are against the menace of Black Money.

Also read: Modi's surgical strike against black money to continue after demonetisation, PM warns of more steps- All you need to know

JDU leader KC Tyagi stated that though they support central government's move to ban Rs 500 and 1,000 currency note but are now worried for salaried class people, farmers, housewives and poor.

"Without a proper plan central government had led people to face hardships. Aam aadmi is suffering. During parliamentary debates, we will highlight aam adami's plight and government has to answer," added Tyagi.

ALSO READ | Prime Minister's popularity drops as Modi loses over 3 lakh followers on Twitter

LEFT PARTIES HAVE A PLAN

The six left parties are in a huddle. Charting out strategy to up the ante against the Central government on issue of demonetisation, they too will give notices for a debate on this matter.

"Central government should have taken the Parliament and other political parties into confidence before initiating this step. Modi government should have made adequate preparations to roll out demonetisation scheme and should not have subjected common people into unprecedented hardships. We will demand that the house should suspended all business and discuss this issue," said CPI leader D Raja.

Demonetisation nightmare hits peak marriage season

MAMATA'S MARCH TO DELHI

It was TMC MP Derek O'Brien who had given adjournment motion under Section 267 in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to discuss demonetisation issue. However, minutes after PM's speech, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced on Twitter that she spoke to the President.

Demonetisation of 500, 1000 rupee notes: 5 rumours you must not fall for

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"I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation. I thank him for agreeing to meet reps (representation) of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," the TMC chief stated in her two tweets.

Her tweets highlighted that opposition will be once again presenting a 'united' picture before the nation on the issue of demonetisation. And they will also be taking this fight from streets, Parliament to President's doorstep.

Demonetisation: Bold decision but bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat at Sahitya AajTak



--- ENDS ---
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kejriwal said the "it (currency revamp) is not a genuine move" and "it will not eradicate corruption".

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the Narendra Modi government for the surprise decision to demonetisation Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kejriwal said the "it (currency revamp) is not a genuine move" and "it will not eradicate corruption". Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi chief minister had demanded a rollback of the demonetisation decision. He had said that this is not a surgical strike on black money but on the common people of the country.

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ALSO READ: Midnight queues, violence, banks refusing to cooperate: 7 points that sum up currency crisis

ALSO READ: Kejriwal demands rollback of demonetisation



FRIENDS INFORMED IN ADVANCE

Reiterating his allegation that the government had informed some people in advance about its currency demonetisation decision, Kejriwal said "BJP informed its friends in advance".

ALSO WATCH



Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Kejriwal had said, "In the days leading to the announcement of demonetisation decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thousands of crores of rupees were deposited in bank accounts of some people and corporate houses".

ALSO READ: Demonetisation of Rs 500, 1000 notes : 5 rumours you must not fall for

SUPPORTED CAMPAIGNS IN THE PAST

Kejriwal said that while he has been critical of the Central government's decisions in the past, he has always supported campaigns that he believes are in the interest of the country. "I have supported the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" which was launched by the Prime Minister, said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had earlier said the government's decision will lead to a massive financial crisis in the country. "The government has deliberately created this financial crisis. It must roll back demonetisation decision immediately," the Delhi CM had said.

ALSO READ: Poor people become black money mules for rich

ALSO READ: Demonetisation: Bold decision but bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat at Sahitya AajTak

ALSO WATCH



--- ENDS ---
Banks in remote villages of West Bengal are flooded with account holders coming with wads of cash.

By Manogya Loiwal : Niti Rani Mondal (35) cannot write a word in any language but is carrying One lakh rupees in cash to the State Bank of India (SBI). A resident of Ganganarayanpur village in Malda district of West Bengal, Niti travelled with the wad of notes to SBI in Majumpur Branch under Kaliachak Police Station, perhaps one of her first travel alone out of her village.

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Niti Rani is a bidi worker and earns Rs. 100 per day by tying bidi at home. Her village shares international border with Bangladesh. This is interestingly her first visit to bank since her account was opened around three years ago.

"I have come to the bank for the first time. My husband has given me Rs one lakh and I have come to deposit it. I don't know where the money has come from. I myself have never seen so much cash in my life," Niti Rani told India Today.

Also read: Note ban: Mamata Banerjee pens poem against Modi in protest



MANY FIRST-TIME VISITORS



Interestingly, Niti Rani is not the only one to make her first trip to bank after demonetisation. Nasima Bibi, a housewife from Qasim Nagar area, too brought Rs 1.20 lakh cash.

"My husband has asked me to deposit the money in my account so I have come here. I am standing in the queue for several hours. I have never come to bank before this," said Nasima.



Interestingly, Majumpur branch of SBI has around 12,000 account holders mostly bidi workers or small savings accounts.

Most of the women are making their first trip to a bank.(Photo: Bhaskar Roy)

Also read: Demonetisation of 500, 1000 rupee notes: 5 rumours you must not fall for



"We get an average deposit of Rs eight lakh deposit a day that too from certain account holders. Rest are not very active but we have accepted deposits of more than One crore rupees in just 24 hours and we are still counting," explained branch manager Uday Narayan Roy.

There are many who cannot even write their name so the bank is struggling to assist them with the handful staff in the Branch. The Shujapur SBI branch of Malda has broken all its records.

Also read: Demonetisation: Bold decision but bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat at Sahitya AajTak



ALL TIME HIGHEST DEPOSITS



"The highest ever deposit in this branch was Rs.50 lakh but now we have surpassed the 3.5 crore rupees mark," said branch manager Ashutosh Kumar Jha.

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What makes these deposits crucial is that almost all account holders turning up are women, many of them housewives but have come with wads of notes.

Villagers outside Majumpur Branch of State Bank of India. (Photo: Bhaskar Roy)

Also read: Rush for cash at ATMs: Good samaritans make standing in queues easier

Majumpur is known for being the centre of fake note supply chain operation. ts proximity to the India - Bangladesh Border makes it a strategic location for such activities.

The bank is not regretting the extra hours and efforts they are putting in, however, the flow of cash from the unlikeliest corners is surprising.



--- ENDS ---
By Manogya Loiwal : Thousands of trucks are stranded at the Mahadipur Land Port in Malda, the second largest land port in the country, the largest being Petrapole land port. The land port is active with business as hundreds of trucks cross the border and travel to Bangladesh round the clock.

The trucks are stranded in Malda since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of the notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000. These trucks, mostly from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bengal and even Kashmir are queued up on a stretch of more than 10 kilometres from the Mahadipur land port.

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These trucks ferry construction materials like stone chips and cement as well as tonnes of perishable goods like apples, grapes, tomatoes, onions along with other fruits and vegetables. These goods are supplied to the Chapai Nawabganj and Shibganj located in Bangladesh just on the other side of Mahadipur Land Port.

The land port is active with business as hundreds of trucks cross the border and travel to Bangladesh round the clock.(Photo: Bhaskar Roy)

The annual business at the port is around Rs 4,000 crore whereas daily one ranges from Rs six to Rs eight crore rupees. India is a major exporter and ears in dollars due to this international business. But the situation has changed drastically.

The business has fallen to mere Rs two to Rs three crore rupees transactions per day, mostly on credit for time being. More than 2,000 trucks are stranded and so are the drivers and exporters. Around 400 trucks cross this port daily but now not even 100 are able to cross over to the neighbouring country.

Most of the drivers and export teams had left their cities with products before the announcement with 1000 and 500 notes. But now they are just piece of paper and they cannot even buy food or fuel.

Also read: PM Modi's emotional appeal on cash crisis: I understand your pain, bear with me for 50 days

"I have so much money with me but i cannot ear and buy anything. This is just bundle of paper which no one is accepting. I am being abused instead. I am waiting from past three days for some help to go Bangladesh with my truck," said Md. Armaan Khan a truck driver from Bhubaneswar in Odisha

"This decision has created lots of problem. I am not getting the dues of the truck hiring. I am waiting to get my money and release of the trucks. I have already run into huge losses," said Joga Singh, a small time businessman and truck owner.

Also read: Modi takes a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's bank visit, says those involved in scams now have to stand in queues

The average cost of hiring a truck from Delhi to Malda is around Rs one lakh for a minimum weight of 1,000 kilograms.

A truck driver flashing Rs 500 notes. (Photo: Bhaskar Roy A truck driver flashing Rs 500 notes. (Photo: Bhaskar Roy

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"This is the second largest landport of the country. We generate a revenue of more than Rs 4,000 crore each year. Now it is mere Rs two crore per day, while 400 trucks has gone down to mere 150 trucks per day. It is a problem for the exporters and a revenue loss for government. If it continues like this for a few days then the entire business will stop from here," said Sameer Ghosh, Secretary of Mahadipur Exporters Association.

Also read: Left family, home for country, not born for high chair: 10 best quotes from Modi speech

Exporter Uttam Ghosh described the challenges in running his business," We have money but cannot use it. We don't have change. We cannot issue cheques to truck drivers. They need to be given cash for the day to day expenses during travel. Now we are stuck,"

Secretary of Carriage and Freight Welfare Association, Bhupati Mandal has a valid suggestion for sorting the problem to an extent. "We need an immediate currency exchange counter near the borders otherwise we will even run out of the possibility of recovering from these massive losses."

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Also read: Demonetisation is not a genuine move, had supported Swachh Bharat before: Arvind Kejriwal

--- ENDS ---
According to experts at the AIIMS, about 40 patients turn up every week with diabetic retinopathy. However, they say that there are not enough eye surgeons in India to deal with the condition.

By Priyanka Sharma: With the menace of diabetes growing in epidemic proportions across India, diabetic retinal blindness is emerging as a major cause for irreversible blindness. According to experts at the AIIMS, about 40 patients turn up every week with diabetic retinopathy. However, they say that there are not enough eye surgeons in India to deal with the condition.

6 MILLION PEOPLE SUFFER FROM DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

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Experts say one out of every five people with diabetes in India has some degree of diabetic retinopathy and an estimated 6 million people have severe form of the condition, known as 'vision threatening diabetic retinopathy'. Diabetic retinopathy leads to microvasculature of the retina, damages the blood retinal barrier, retinal ischemia and vision loss.

Dr Atul Kumar, chief of AIIMS Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Science and professor of ophthalmology, told Mail Today, "Every week, we receive at least 40 new cases of patients suffering due to retinopathy and majority of them suffer from complete loss of vision. It's because these patients report their condition quite late only when the disease gets worse."

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Siddha doctor, 3 patients die after consuming herbal medicine for diabetes



2 TIME INCREASE IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AMONG CHILDREN

He added there's a two-time increase in diabetic retinopathy among urban children who are diagnosed with diabetes.

"In our country, there is a shortage of eye surgeons with good medical skills. There are just about 2,000 retinopathy eye specialists," he said.

11,500 QUALIFIED TO TREAT 6 MILLION

The WHO recognises diabetic retinopathy as a major eye disease that requires urgent attention from professionals and governments.

However, according to experts, India has about 11,500 ophthalmologists against six million people facing the disease.

Each ophthalmologist is required to screen at least 17 diabetic patients every day.

Also Read: Soon, hand-held breathalyser to diagnose diabetes



--- ENDS ---
The question clouding the historic Harry S Truman building is what will Donald Trump's Foreign Policy be like? Will there be a continuation of most of the past policies, agreements and deals? Or will the new bilateral and multilateral dynamics be as brash as his election campaign?

By Smita Sharma: As President Barack Obama met with President Elect Donald Trump officially for the first time in the White House on Thursday, there were heated exchanges between Trump supporters and detractors outside. And just a few kilometres away nervous anxiety loomed large across the corridors of the Department of State. Foreign and civil services bureaucrats continued with their daily routines but an unexpected election result has left many of them in shock.

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ANXIETY AROUND TRUMP'S FOREIGN POLICY

The question clouding the historic Harry S Truman building is what will Donald Trump's Foreign Policy be like? Will there be a continuation of most of the past policies, agreements and deals? Or will the new bilateral and multilateral dynamics be as brash as his election campaign? Who will be the new Secretary of State and what will the new team in State Department look like?

Bureaucrats have hardly ever interacted with the man who will call the shots in the Oval Office for the next four years. As the unknowns hang in the air, political appointees in the Obama administration forming around five percent of the staff strength, have begun to wrap up their files on their way out. The focus over the next few weeks running into the inaugural ceremony of the new government on 21st January 2017, will be a smooth transition.

Steven L Herman,senior diplomatic correspondent for Voice of America says ,"The career employees will have their own personal political preferences but their job remains consistent. Obviously many of them are very disappointed with the outcome of the election and others may be encouraged by it but everyone is putting on a brave face and they are all being very professional about it."

Trump's running mate Mike Pence has replaced New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as the Chief of the transition committee. He will oversee all the transition committees that will be briefed by those currently in charge of key departments over the next two months. Pence will be supervised by transition team members including Trump's children -his daughter Ivanka and sons Eric and Donald Jr., along with son-in-law Jared Kushner.

CONCERN OVER TRUMP'S LANGUAGE

Asked about the biggest concern at the moment for the outgoing team, a top official on condition of anonymity said," There is a lot of concern about the the kind of language used by Trump for allies and agreements. So far there has always been a fair degree of convergence between Republicans, Democrats, Institutions and the strategic community. Let us hope that bar is set high in terms of expectation of America's continued leadership."

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Sources suggest that the Democrats were so confident of a win that Hillary Clinton had a shadow cabinet in place. And some prominent figures in the strategic corridors of Washington DC were looking forward to political appointments. With the plans upset, it is now Donald Trump who is putting in place the team that would shape up and drive his foreign policy. Some names now floating around include former House Speaker Governor Newt Gingrich ,Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton as well as JJ Carafano of the Heritage Foundation.

During his charged up election campaign and presidential debates,Donald Trump's positions on key foreign policy issues left several world leaders uncomfortable and cringing. The Paris Climate Change Agreement was a key target with Trump threatening to scrap it if elected to power. However the top official source underlined that the agreement has already come into force with ratification by major countries including India, China. And hopefully most of the US states will continue with their commitments on climate change regardless of the attitude of the federal government."The mantle of leadership lies with countries like India to drive the progress on climate change. Behaviour of next administration can be shaped by what India and the other leaders say," stressed the official.

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In his election speeches, Trump has time and again criticised financial and military support to Japan and Korea- US's key allies in the Asia Pacific.He has promised to tighten immigration norms and take on China over its trade policies and imports. He has termed the Iran nuclear deal 'stupid', 'lopsided' and 'worst deal ever negotiated'. His relationship with Russian President Putin was key to election controversies. He also maintained that the Trans-Pacific Project- a 12 country Asian free trade deal is 'a rape of our country' that needs to be scrapped completely to stop overseas flow of jobs.Renegotiating the 22 year old North American Free Trade Agreement, was also centrepiece to Trump's foreign policy debates.

Diplomats and bureaucrats are unwilling to crystal gaze the foreign policy of a 'real estate mogul' and an 'outsider' who is now the President Elect. "You have heard things during a campaign. But once mantle of responsibility is on your shoulders, once you attend presidential briefings and go into what plays out on the ground, hopefully you make informed choices. We just need to take a deep breath," said a diplomat.

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ROSY FUTURE FOR INDIA-US RELATIONS?

On the India front though a continued momentum is expected according to the top official source. "The bipartisan relation is understood and supported by democrats and republicans alike. One of the few countries singled out by Trump where he sees a great deal of convergence is India," said the official.

Donald Trump wooed the 3 million plus Indian-American community during the polls by his close association with Republican Hindus as well as his 'Ab Ki Baar,Trump Sarkar' advertisements.Trump administration is being seen as an opportunity by many in New Delhi to get White House to tighten the screws on Pakistan on terrorism and increase bilateral trade.

"Prime Minister Modi in India seems like the type of person who would potentially get along with a President Trump coming up with a unconventional background himself and being a straight shooter. They may see eye to eye on a lot of foreign policy decisions itself," says senior journalist Steven Herman.

Sources suggest and early visit to India or invitation to Narendra Modi to visit DC will be a key recommendation made by outgoing officials to the transition team. But H1B visas and outsourcing will continue to be the wrinkles to be ironed out.

ALSO READ:

H-1B visa issue may cause friction between India-US ties under Trump

Pakistanis worried President Donald Trump may favour India

--- ENDS ---
King Mohammed VI, who wound up Thursday a state visit to Tanzania and who is currently on a private visit to the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, performed the Friday prayer at the Ashura mosque in Zanzibar and donated 10,000 copies of the Koran to the authorities in charge of the management of religious affairs there.

The Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, located in the Indian Ocean, hosts a large Muslim community of Arab, African and Indian origin.

In his Friday sermon, the Imam said the local Muslim community of Zanzibar is honored by the visit of the Commander of the Faithful, King Mohammed VI, underlining the strong and deep ties binding all Muslims thanks to their religion of peace, tolerance and brotherhood.

The Imam stressed the importance of the cooperation agreements signed between Morocco and Tanzania during the Sovereigns official visit and underlined that these socioeconomic partnership accords will have positive impacts on all Tanzanians.

In his Friday sermon, he also thanked the Moroccan Monarch for his decision to build a mosque in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam. Dubbed the Mohammed VI Mosque, this religious project will be built over a 7,400 m2 plot and will accommodate more than 5,000 worshipers. The mosque will also include a library, a conference room, a cultural center and other facilities.

The Royal initiative came in response to the request made by Mufti Abubakr Zubair Ben Ali, Head of the Muslims National Council of Tanzania, who expressed need for this mosque in the city of Dar es Salaam.

Morocco has built many mosques in Africa, providing training, leadership and education to African Muslim clerics and students on Islams humanistic values and making significant contributions to local African Muslim communities in this 21st century where respect for pluralism and diversity is becoming more and more important.

The North African Kingdom set up few months ago a Foundation for African Ulemas to enable them maintain contact, enhance dialogue and exchange experiences.

Based in Fez, this Foundation is part Moroccos religious training program for imams and sustained efforts to counter Islamic radicalization.

In March 2015, King Mohammed VI dedicated a leading Institute that provides training to hundreds of imams of various nationalities, mainly from Africa and also from Europe.

The Rabat-based center educates Imams to the precepts of a tolerant and non-violent form of Islam based on Maliki rite and teaches them how to fight extremism and religious radicalization through sound argumentation and dialogue.

Morocco has been providing, for many years if not for centuries, training to foreign Islamic scholars and imams, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, in order to disseminate an Islam of the middle path doctrine, a vision of religion based on tolerance, intercultural dialogue and respect of other faiths.
A 20-year-old Australian backpacker has been raped and murdered in south-eastern Africa  her body allegedly dumped on a beach  just days before she was due to fly home.

Elly Warren, from Mordialloc in Melbourne, spent three months backpacking in Mozambique, spending time with a diving group and as a volunteer, teaching African kids how to swim.

She spent the six weeks before her death volunteering for an eco-research company called Underwater Africa, staying at tourist hotspot Tofo Beach in south-eastern Mozambique.

During that time, she stayed at the companys residences but  having finished up with Underwater Africa on Tuesday  had booked to stay two nights at Wuyani Pariango Beach Motel, about one kilometre away.

She never arrived, and her distraught family were notified that Ellys body had been found in a toilet block (a local guest house owner reported that her body was found on a beach but this is yet to be confirmed).

Her dad, Paul, confirmed the news to family and friends on Facebook, sharing a photo of her with boyfriend Luke Tempany.







Her sister Kristy described the moment they received the horrific news in a post on Facebook.

My sister was in Africa while my mum got a phone call from one of the backpackers saying to her that her daughter has been murdered, as I heard that my heart dropped, she wrote. It is a parents nightmare to get a phone call like this.

A spokesman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed its providing consular assistance to the family of a woman who died in Mozambique but wouldnt provide any further details.

Her father has confirmed the family will fly to Mozambique in a few days to bring my baby back home, once the autopsy on her body has been carried out.

Elly was due to return to Australia on Monday, before travelling to New Zealand with her boyfriend on Friday.

Our thoughts go out to her family and friends during this horrific time.

Source: The Age.

Photo: Facebook.
Donald Trump's election has thrown key US alliances into doubt, but could it yet destroy the liberal world order and the West as we know it? If you thought President Barack Obama's White House sit-down with Donald Trump was awkward, wait for Obama's menu of meetings with foreign leaders next week. During a three-nation foreign trip, Obama will meet the leaders of Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Peru among others. Most of them will have similar questions: "How on Earth did this happen? What do we do now?" Obama has spent a year telling interlocutors that the Republican billionaire would never be elected and that he was a threat to American democracy and the global system. Now Obama will try to reassure allies that Trump's America will not bring the global order crashing to the ground. - Just another Republican? - Trump has vowed to rip up trade deals, questioned support for allies whose security depends on American military largess and warmly embraced Russia's Vladimir Putin. Seen from the Obama White House or European capitals, the best case scenario is that Trump's is just another Republican White House. Insiders point to Trump's disinterest in policy as evidence that he plans to be a titular or ceremonial president. Vice President Mike Pence, they argue, will be the real president or at least behave like a prime minister. He and the constellation of Washington-based advisors already gathered around Trump -- possible secretary of state Newt Gingrich, possible secretary of defense Jeff Sessions -- will crank out orthodox Republican policies. But for European capitals that kind of Trump administration would still mean a return to the deep differences seen during Bush administration. Trump would be political kryptonite in Europe, avoided like the plague by leaders like Francois Hollande or Angela Merkel who are seeking reelection. But at least the sky wouldn't fall. Yet some see that outlook as hopelessly optimistic. - The Imperial presidency - Once he gets his feet under the Resolute Desk, is Trump -- an alpha male chief executive all his life -- really likely to shrink into the background? And if not, the world's preeminent economic and military power would be run by a capricious leader with questionable respect for the rule of law. In his first week as president-elect, Trump changed course on his opposition to Obamacare and decried "professional protesters, incited by the media" in a Tweet before reversing himself. Those asking what Trump thinks about North Korea or Syria might get a different answer depending on what day he is tweeting. Insiders say he knows little to nothing of world affairs, even on fundamental issues such as the Iran nuclear deal that he vowed to scrap during the campaign. Japan, South Korea and other Asian allies America has vowed to defend have long doubted whether a US president would actually risk a nuclear war with China or North Korea to fulfil that vow. Under a president Trump it would be close to strategic negligence to assume America's security umbrella was ironclad. Shinzo Abe's Japan has already been moving gingerly toward military self-sufficiency. If that trend speeds up considerably, or Tokyo develops a nuclear weapon -- as Trump has suggested it should -- the impact vis-a-vis China would be profound. - Passing the torch - In Europe there is a similar sense we may be seeing the end of Pax Americana. Merkel -- arguably the world's second most powerful democratic leader -- responded to Trump's election by making it clear she believes this is not business as usual. "Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views," she said, reminding Trump of common values that normally go without saying. She also made clear the relationship is conditional: "I offer the next President of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values." Obama likes to describe American democracy as a relay race. If he handed the baton to Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, then his meeting with Merkel in Berlin may be the passing of the liberal democratic torch. But for the first time since the Cold War or World War II, there are serious doubts the flame will endure. Merkel may now be the de facto "leader of the free world," but Europe remains deeply divided. Germany has economic and political power, but military and diplomatic power rests in London and Paris. Last March commentator Anne Applebaum warned "we are two or three bad elections away from the end of NATO, the end of the European Union and maybe the end of the liberal world order as we know it." That was before Britain's vote to leave the European Union and Trump's election. In the next year Merkel and Hollande face their own far-right challengers. So far on Applebaum's scorecard it's two down, two to go.
Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels announced a revised peace deal to end 52 years of armed conflict, after voters rejected a prior peace accord in a referendum. "We have reached a new final agreement to end the armed conflict, which incorporates changes, clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups, which we have gone through one by one," said a joint statement read out by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the peace process guarantors. "Building a stable, lasting peace must be the shared commitment of all Colombians, and one that helps polarization be overcome while including all social and political voices," the statement added. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos stressed that the new peace deal "is a better agreement." "We made adjustments, tweaks and changes in 56 of the 57 issues that were addressed," Santos said, so "we can build a deeper and broader peace." The modified agreement leaves intact the accord's major tenets, including the FARC laying down its arms and becoming a political party. However, it includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original peace deal, according to the government's lead negotiator Humberto de la Calle. In Bolivar Square at the heart of historic Bogota, dozens of people celebrated the news with white balloons and Colombian flags. The new accord was fine-tuned after the groups that opposed the original deal submitted proposed changes as starting points for negotiations. "The tweaks and clarifications we have made do not undermine the issues we agreed on, which shaped the first peace deal," De la Calle said. Santos acknowledged that a suggestion seeking to bar rebel leaders involved in serious crimes from elections was not part of the re-worked peace deal. He also hinted that the new accord would maintain the provision that FARC rebels could avoid prison time by confessing and carrying out acts of reparation to victims. - 'Total peace' - But he added that there would be specifications concerning the "effective restriction of their freedom." The agreement also states that foreign magistrates will not be allowed on special tribunals to hear cases about those involved in the conflict. An upbeat chief rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez said "the only thing the new accord needs now is to be put into effect." At the moment, neither side has made any mention of the new peace deal being put before a new referendum vote. The United States hailed the agreement, and pledged continuing US support in implementing a peace under which the guerrillas would demobilize and become a political party. US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that the new accord "constitutes an important step forward on Colombia's path to a just and durable peace." The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Santos' government had been meeting since October 22 to try to rescue a peace deal that has taken four years to negotiate. In an October 2 referendum, voters unexpectedly rejected the peace agreement, deeming it too soft on the country's largest rebel group. The development was a blow to Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to bring "total peace" to Colombia. Meanwhile, talks with the smaller ELN (National Liberation Army) have been on hold over government demands it first free all hostages. Founded in 1964, the FARC and the ELN are the last two leftist guerrilla groups involved in a messy, multi-sided conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, left seven million displaced and 45,000 more people missing. Santos's government had been due to open peace talks with the ELN, Colombia's second-largest rebel group, on October 27. But he called them off when the rebels failed to release ex-congressman Odin Sanchez, which he had set as a precondition.
By PTI: Bahraich (UP), Nov 13 (PTI) Five Pakistani nationals including three children were detained by SSB officials for illegally entering India via the Indo-Nepal border at Rupaidiha village in Bahraich district, police said today.

Ashiq Hussain (45), his wife Shakila (45) and their children - Mariyam (11), Ayan (6) and Abdul (5) were detained at the Rupaideeha check post of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) last evening for entering the Indian territory without valid documents, SP Salikram Verma said.

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During interrogation they said that they have a Pakistani passport and they had reached Kathmandu (Nepal) on a Nepali visa and were on their way to Kashmir, he said.

Investigation in this connection is underway, Verma said. PTI CORR ABN ASV

--- ENDS ---
2016 GUKPT Blackpool: Tom Hall Leads Final 17

November 13 2016 Matthew Pitt Editor

Only 17 players remain in contention for the 2016 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Blackpool Main Events 70,770 first place prize after the 96 players who returned for Day 2 were whittled to the final two tables. Tom Hall is the man to catch going into Sundays final day, but he is being pursued by a wealth of poker talent.

2016 GUKPT Blackpool Day 2 Chip Counts

Place Player Chips 1 Tom Hall 798,000 2 Chris Johnson 680,000 3 Mark Kelsall 501,000 4 James Simms 406,000 5 Steven Beattie 333,000 6 Tom Middleton 329,000 7 Richard Kellett 310,500 8 Mitch Johnson 247,000 9 Ben Jones 228,500 10 Peter Mason 228,500 11 Jeff Kimber 203,000 12 Simeon Zacharias 195,500 13 Andrew Duffy 138,500 14 Paul McTaggart 162,000 15 Yusuf Erdem 104,500 16 Harry Zammit 102,500 17 Satpaul Sidhu 88,500

Hall is a superb poker tournament player, one with more than $1.05 million in live tournament winnings and more than $2.4 million in online winnings. Those figures, particularly from online, only paint part of a picture because Hall is something of a beast when it comes to satellite tournaments, which many tracking sites dont list. It would be fair to assume that Hall has one of the better ROIs among his peers due to his almost unnatural ability to win his way into big buy-in events.

Second place in the chip counts belongs to Chris Johnson who is better-known as MAKKAPAKK in online poker circles, where he can boast of more than $2.41 million in winnings. Johnson is no slouch in the live poker world either having accumulated almost $150,000 in winnings, including a victory in the 2015 Genting Poker Series Birmingham Main Event worth 37,000.

Other stars still in with a legitimate chance of glory in Blackpool include Tom Middleton (329,000), Richard Kellett (310,500), Mitch Johnson (247,000), Ben Jones (228,500), Jeff Kimber (203,000), and Paul McTaggart (162,000).

Each of the 17 returnees sit down knowing they will leave Blackpool with at least 2,510 to show for their efforts because the money bubble burst during Day 2s action.

Andy Peters was the unfortunate soul to finish one place outside the money. Peters lost all but 2.5 big blinds when his ace-king lost a coinflip to the pocket fives of Howard Plant, and that tiny stack went into the middle of the felt with only to run into the of Plant. A queen on the flop was more than enough to bust Peters and send the remaining 26 players into the money.

Nathan Slater crashed out in 26th when his lost to in the hand of Yusuf Erdem courtesy of an all-club flop, and Slater was followed to the sidelines by Danny Hernon, John Eames,last years champion Jonny Gray, the aforementioned Plant, Kiat Lee, Enid Musson, Luke Reeves, and Derek Kavanagh.

Play resumes at midday on Sunday 13 November, continuing until only one players remains, the champion of the GUKPT Blackpool Main Event. Who will that champion be? Tune into UK & Ireland PokerNews on Monday to find out.
Donald Trump pulled off a stunning upset victory over Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night, rallying what he called the forgotten men and women of our country to win states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan that had not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.

But Democrats had a simpler answer for why Clinton lost. As one Democratic strategist close to Clinton told The Post, it all came down to one word: Comey.

Too bad for Democrats there are zero electoral votes in the State of Denial.

FBI Director James Comey did not use a private email server to conduct official State Department business and put 110 classified emails on that unsecured server. Comey did not fail to turn over some 14,900 emails to the FBI after assuring Americans that I turned over everything I was obligated to turn over. Comey did not lie repeatedly about his emails  first declaring that there was no classified material . . . then that there was nothing classified at the time . . . and then that there was nothing marked classified in them.

Comey did not lie to the American people about Benghazi, publicly blaming the attacks on inflammatory material posted on the Internet but privately telling the Egyptian prime minister that we know the attack in Libya had nothing to do with the film. Comey did not tell Democratic voters that he was against free-trade deals, but then tell Brazilian bankers that his dream was for hemispheric . . . open trade and open borders  or get caught admitting that he has both a public and a private position on issues.

Comey did not have a foundation that accepted millions of dollars in donations from foreign governments during his tenure as secretary of state. He did not cut a deal with the Swiss bank UBS AG, which, as I wrote in August, let tens of thousands of tax-dodging Americans off the hook, while the Clinton Foundation got a cumulative $600,000 in UBS donations and Bill Clinton got $1.5 million for Q&A sessions. He did not give, as I wrote last month, special treatment to Clinton Foundation donors after the Haiti quake, asking for them to be identified as FOBs (friends of Bill Clinton) or WJC VIPs (William Jefferson Clinton VIPs).

Why did Hillary Clinton lose? Not because of James Comey. She lost because exit polls showed that 54 percent of voters believe that she is corrupt. To the elites in Washington, her corruption was apparently no big deal, at least not compared with their horror at the prospect of a Trump presidency. But Americans correctly saw her corruption as corrosive to our democracy and were appalled by the inability of the Washington establishment to see this.

This election was a popular repudiation of Clintons corruption and deceit  and she owns that. But there is one person besides herself whom she can blame: President Barack Obama. Because while Hillary Clinton may have lost to Donald Trump, it was Obama who created him.

Three days after his inauguration, when Obama met with congressional leaders to discuss his proposed economic stimulus, Republican leaders gave him a list of modest proposals for the bill. Obama dismissed them, telling the assembled Republicans that elections have consequences and I won. Backed by the largest congressional majorities in decades, he proceeded to push the largest spending bill in history through Congress with almost entirely Democratic votes.

He later did the same with Obamacare  ramming it though over the objections of the American people and every single Republican in Congress and selling his bill with a series of lies  that Americans could keep their doctors and their health plans and would see premiums decrease by up to $2,500 a year.

This helped produce the tea party revolt that put the House in GOP hands in 2010. Then in 2014, Republicans took control of the Senate. But losing his congressional majorities did not chasten Obama. He did not tack to the center, as Bill Clinton had in 1994. Instead, he doubled down, declaring that he would use his pen and a phone to impose his agenda through a raft of executive orders.

When Obama could not pass his Dream Act to provide amnesty for some not here legally, he tried to impose it on the American people though unlawful executive action  only to have it overturned by the Supreme Court. When Congress would not approve his appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), he declared the Senate to be in recess and appointed them unilaterally (and once again was overruled by the high court). When he could not pass his cap-and-trade bill, he used the Clean Air Act to impose it. He reached a horrible nuclear deal with Iran and refused to send it to Congress for a straight up-or-down vote.

He also showed contempt for Americans who disagreed with him  dismissing them as bitter people who cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who arent like them. Clinton echoed Obamas contempt, dismissing half of Trump supporters as a basket of deplorables who are racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic and irredeemable.

This contempt, combined with Obamas imperious efforts to force big-government liberalism on an unwilling nation, created a backlash in the form of Donald J. Trump. Trump ran against Obamas signature polices  promising to repeal Obamacare and scrap the Iran deal. Exit polls showed that only 28 percent of Americans wanted to continue Obamas policies, while 48 percent wanted more conservative policies. And of the 17 percent who wanted more liberal polices, almost a quarter voted for Trump, according to Fox News.

In other words, Trump tapped into dissatisfaction with Obama on both the right and the left. He championed the forgotten Americans whom Obama and Clinton dismissed, and he promised that they will be forgotten no longer. They responded by electing him decisively, extending Republican control of both houses of Congress and giving the GOP a net gain of three governorships.

Sorry, Democrats, you cant blame that on James Comey.

comey-comment
Doug Thompson bills Underground Ranger as a book of adventures at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and other remarkable places.

But the word remarkable could equally refer to the adventures themselves.

Indeed, Thompson recounts in detail his adventures as a park ranger, a member of a park rescue team, a rappelling caver and a hiker.

He takes the reader along as he discovers and explores the myriad caves of the park and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains and above ground the arid Chihuahuan Desert of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. He finds grandeur and beauty in the natural world, above and below ground.

The author ably and smoothly ties together so many related subjects.

The book reveals Thompson, at age 52, learning for the first time the skills to be an underground park ranger  and a caver  as he overcame a fear of caves, of tight spaces and of heights. He credits colleagues/friends for teaching him these skills. To help overcome those fears, he got useful over-the-phone advice from a mental health worker.

It tells stories about early known area cavern explorers. There were, for example, young Carlsbad cowboy-caver Jim White and professional photographer-caver Robert Nymeyer.

The book contains Thompsons study of diametrically opposed cultural perspectives of the underground  the concept of hell in the Judeo-Christian tradition versus the pueblo Indian mythology in which the underworld is a source of creation. As an interpretive ranger, he shared this comparison in his trail talks to visitors.

When I worked in Carlsbad Caverns, I dont know why, but for some reason (John Miltons) Paradise Lost was in my mind. And I would be walking on the  trail on my patrol and I would imagine Satan and his angels being there in my underworld, Thompson said in a phone interview.

That led him to pueblo mythology, and in the book he writes about the mythic figures of Kokopelli and Old Man Coyote; the latter climbed out of the underworld and did many things to help humans despite being a trickster.

Thompson noted the difference between caverns (plural) in the name of the national park and Carlsbad Cavern (singular).

Most people dont realize the national park has over 120 caves and they range from very large caves like the Cavern to very, very small caves of just one tiny chamber. The Cavern is the very largest cavern that has given the park its name, he said.

It is about half-mile long, 25 stories tall at its highest point, with the trail around the chamber about one mile long, Thompson explained.

Thompson went to Carlsbad from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where he was site manager. After his six years in Carlsbad, Thompson worked as a front-line interpreter at Big Bend National Park.

Retired from the National Park Service, the 73-year-old Thompson lives in Capitan. He remains an active caver and hiker. His website is parkrangerdoug.com.

Doug Thompson will discuss and autograph copies of Underground Ranger at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW, and at 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at Page 1 Books, Mountain Run Shopping Center, 5850 Eubank NE.
Americas veterans, those still living and those who have died, were honored Friday during an annual Veterans Day ceremony at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque.

The event drew active duty members from all branches of the military, as well as a number of dignitaries, including Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and New Mexico Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Americas military men and women risk life and limb every day so we can be free, said guest speaker Denise Rohan, national commander candidate for the American Legion.

From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, there have always been a select group of Americans willing to fight and possibly die for the greater good. While we always set aside Nov. 11 as a very special day to honor and remember our veterans, we should continually strive to serve our veterans as well as they served our nation.

Rohan also said we need to honor veterans families, who sacrifice while their loved ones are away and often sacrifice even after their loved ones return.

Many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and life-altering wounds, she said. In addition, veterans also experience unemployment or underemployment when they return home.

People serving in the military have a strong sense of self worth. They wake up every morning with a specific mission and go to bed every night knowing that they did their job well and our country is safe, she said. But when they return home to unemployment, they lose that sense of self worth, which over a long period of time can cause mental and emotional health issues and can be devastating to families.

We need to make sure that our veterans find jobs and live out their lives with dignity and honor, Rohan said.

That sentiment was echoed by Theresa Montoya, one of about 300 people who came to watch the ceremony, and whose late husband was a Navy veteran.

The men and women who serve in the armed forces are the gatekeepers of our freedom and democracy, and without them our way of life is compromised, she said. We have to maintain a strong military, and the best recruiting tool we have is our treatment of them after they complete their service and return to their families.

Ray Berrera, a Vietnam-era war veteran, said he feels compelled to attend Veterans Day events every year. In the words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur: Duty, honor, country. It all comes down to those three things, he said.
FOR THOSE OF YOU who said you would leave the U.S. if Donald Trump won, heres some help: Heading north, you will reach Canada, south, you will reach Mexico, east or west, you will hit water.

Good luck and enjoy your life. I will continue to stay here in flyover country with my calloused hands, worn out shoes and dirty jeans  and continue to help make America great.

Election results deserve acceptance

AMERICA, THE land of the free and the home of the brave; a place where we can rest easy knowing that our constitutional rights are protected by a strong military and great leaders.

If youve read your history books, you have learned that these freedoms didnt come easy. People lost their lives for our right to vote and our right to free speech and all other rights that we are entitled to as Americans. We should never take those freedoms and lives for granted.

Unfortunately, the day after Election Day left me with an uneasy feeling, because so many are condemning those who voted for our new president-elect.

There are riots, rumors, lies and hatred against those of us who stand proud that our liberties will be protected, simply because of a bias against a man who is outspoken and sometimes viewed as inappropriate.

Is this really the world we live in today? When we are uncomfortable, we throw fits and do everything possible to make others feel uncomfortable? What happened to the days when we werent sore losers and could congratulate the opposing team or try to step in and make a difference? Those days are long gone.

I felt free Wednesday morning when I saw the results, but that same night I felt sad. I felt sad for the multitude of human beings who cannot be happy that their fellow Americans accomplished their civic duty and voted. Sad that people are so comfortable in their own lives that they cannot step out and see that not everyone thinks or lives like they do.

Everyone wants acceptance for everything, but no one wants to accept. I hope that one day we can be accepting and loving toward each other as Americans and allow each other to exercise our rights without repercussion. No more riots, no more hatred, no more burning the flag of our nation. More kindness and gentleness towards the other amazing citizens we share this great country with, because thats how this country was founded and thats why my father served in the Navy for 20 years.

Thank you to every veteran who served so that I could write this and share it.

JOLEEN CHAVEZ

Albuquerque

Trump victory great news for country

A TRUMP VICTORY is great news for our country. It is however very sad to see that New Mexico once again goes for all the losers.

New Mexico will continue to be first in everything thats bad and dead last in everything that is good. With all the Dems that were once again elected to office, New Mexico education will stay at 49th or 50th and teachers pay will stay at 48th. With that kind of pay, the good teachers pass on New Mexico.

The only good news within the state is that the voters dumped Michael Sanchez from the Senate, though at the same time elected the worst person possible as secretary of state.

We have a lame duck governor whose political career within the Republican party is over. We will never support her again. Maybe she will run for president in the Libertarian Party in 2020.

The good news is that Hillarys political career is over for good, and hopefully she will spend time in prison.

Yea! Trump!

WILFRED SALAZAR

Albuquerque

Appalling results show vote rigged

FOR MONTHS, Donald Trump has been whining and protesting that the presidential election was rigged. At long last, after the appalling events of Nov. 8th, I finally agree with Donald on something!

He must be right. For the majority of the American voters to have honestly and legitimately elected this pompous, obnoxious buffoon, the election results had to have been rigged in his favor!

I demand a recount, Donald, in order to settle this issue of rigging once and for all.

Really, American voters  really?

SUE JIMENEZ

Albuquerque

Professors, media reap the whirlwind

PROFESSORS OF the left-wing university and educational establishment, late night pundits, Hollywood sycophants, journalists of TV and all other forms of media: You have shown the most biased and crude forms of propaganda through omission of news, dissemination of half-truths and outright lies.

Your crude and obvious protection of one candidate over the other in the furtherance of your political proclivities and desires has been dishonorable, dangerous and smacks of the most dangerous kind of subversive rhetoric.

Your news was nothing more than a campaign within a campaign. You have done your nation a grave disservice and have aided and abetted in the undermining of the Constitution.

You have sown the wind, now reap the whirlwind.

J. CRAIG McCLURE

Albuquerque

Democratic party to blame for Trump

PRESIDENT TRUMP. There it is, and there it will be, printed in our nations history books, forever. If you are upset with this result, dont blame the Republican Party. Dont blame the voters. The responsibility for this travesty falls squarely on the shoulders of the Democratic Party elites.

The Democratic Party handed the keys to the White House to Trump the day it crowned Hillary Clinton its nominee. Hillary Clinton, one of the most reviled political figures in the history of our nation  whether warranted or not is irrelevant  somehow appeared to be a good choice to run for President, or at least to the Democratic Party elites she did, notwithstanding the will of the electorate, who summarily rejected her in the Democratic primaries in favor of a senator who was virtually unknown just two years ago.

So thank you Debbie Wassermann Schultz, all you superdelegates and Democratic Party elites for overruling the will of the Democratic Party electorate. Thank you for propping up the one candidate who could actually lose this cakewalk of an election. You stole the nomination from Bernie Sanders, and thanks to you, President Trump will waltz into the White House on Jan. 20. Congratulations, its gonna be huuuge.

Now, the burden of protecting those caught in the wide net cast by Donald Trumps blatant racism, sexism and xenophobia falls on us. We must all get involved to protect and defend those who will find themselves without a voice in the White House and in Congress on Jan. 20, and soon thereafter, the Supreme Court. This nation has come too far in its history in guaranteeing the rights of all its people to let one megalomaniac throw it away.

We, the people, have to stand between the powerful and the powerless. While Hillary Clinton could not energize the nation, the words President Trump sure as hell should.

ROBERT JOHNSTON

Albuquerque

Trump agenda will devastate country

IT DOESNT TAKE a genius to figure out what will happen in the Trump administration.

He isnt going to build a wall. That was an empty campaign promise. No way is Congress going to authorize the billions required.

Not one job that has gone overseas is ever going to come back. Another empty promise.

We can kiss Ukraine goodbye. Vladimir Putin will quickly move Soviet, oh, excuse me, Russian troops to take over that country. Trump doesnt have the backbone to stand up to him.

Trump has no clue how to defeat ISIS, but trust him, he knows more than the generals. Get ready to send your sons and daughters to war, parents. Syria is Arabic for Vietnam.

There will be deep cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and other social programs. The national parks and forests, already underfunded, will suffer further cuts. National park fees will increase, and forest fires will increase. Amtrak will be put on the chopping block. Goodbye rail passenger service in New Mexico.

Poverty and crime will increase, as will gun violence. But look on the bright side, that means more jobs in gun manufacturing and sales!

BOB SMITH

Albuquerque

Disbelief over Trump victory priceless

ELECTION OVER  $1,000.

Trump Winning  $1,000,000.

Lib/left In-the-tank-for-Hillary in stunned disbelief  Priceless!

JOHN KRAPCHA

Albuquerque

Silent majority has spoken by ballot

APRES ELECTION its great to see all the pollsters, pundits, talking heads and Hollywood liberals eating crow and packing bags for Canada. Lets see if they keep their promise. Hope so.

It is great to see that the Clinton criminal enterprise will no longer flourish with Hillary in the catbird seat. It is great to see the deplorables and the American rabble led by uneducated white males bring about a much needed change of direction to Mother Ship America.

Of all the campaign promises made by Trump that probably will not happen, I sincerely hope he digs in and exposes and takes down the Clinton Foundation and its related hypocrisy and criminality. Appointment of an unbiased special prosecutor to better pursue and clarify the Hillary email fiasco would also be apropos.

The silent majority has spoken and voted and the emperor  Obama  will soon be a historical footnote. He will writhe in pain as President Trump dismantles most of his ill-advised executive orders and sends Obamacare to the scrap heap of never should have happened legislation.

Stay tuned. Buckle your seat belt.

DAVE COULIE

Albuquerque

Bankrupt Dems lost on economics

WHY DID CLINTON lose the presidential election? Because when it comes to economic policy, the Democratic Party is bankrupt.

The party has become a coalition of gender, racial-ethnic, environmental, etc., groups  all of which I support. The party hoped that by doing this, the American people would not notice that they had cozied up to corporate America.

The Democratic establishment supported deregulation, unfair trade deals and didnt go after those who brought the economy to its knees in 2008.

Well, the people knew that Hillary Clinton epitomized this wing of the Democratic Party and that is why she lost.

The party establishment colluded to nominate the one candidate that could lose to Donald Trump. This left the door wide open for a demagogue like Trump to seize the presidency.

It is time for Democratic Party to wake up and feature the core economic message put forward by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. That is what the Democratic Party used to stand for.

In order to do that we need to clear out the leadership of the Democratic National Committee and send them into exile.

RICHARD MASON

Rio Rancho

Election shows Trump was wrong

IN THE MONTH prior to his unfortunate election, Donald Trump spoke constantly of the upcoming rigged election. It was intended to be his ready excuse for his widely anticipated defeat.

Instead, the election proved that his objection was just another of his series of false accusations and misrepresentations. The election went nearly flawlessly with no notable instance of being anything but an honest and fair democratic process.

I will never understand how a population, no matter how concerned about gridlock in Washington, D.C., could vote in such a morally objectionable person as Trump. Unless he makes a 180 degree turn in his behavior, he will never be my president.

BRIAN HILL

Albuquerque

Watch Trump, GOP gut entitlements

A PSYCHOTIC fascist is the President-elect. What could possibly go wrong?

On the bright side:

1) New Mexicans had more sense than to elect the know-nothing crackpot and we took back the New Mexico House and made Gov. Susana Martinez a lame duck,

2) By the time of the 2018 mid-term elections, the dangers of DJT and his Republican cohorts in the U.S. Congress will be glaringly apparent and well have a chance to throw the bums out of the House and the eight Republican senators up for re-election, out of the Senate.

Watch for the new Congress to try to privatize and cut Social Security and other entitlements (other than its own of course), to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, to cut taxes for the 1 percent and big corporations, to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and affordable care, to cut funding for public schools, to gut environmental regulations and give carte blanche to fossil industries, to legalize voter suppression, to rubber stamp a right wing radical for the Supreme Court and more, much more.

CHARLOTTE LIPSON

Las Cruces

Political correctness to change course?

MAYBE NOW the societal descent into the dark inferno of political correctness will begin to reverse itself.

BOB CHRISTENSEN

Belen

Children deserve a better society

I DONT WANT MY niece to grow up in a country where the president encourages ignorance and sexism. I want her to know that her worth isnt measured by her physical appearance.

I want her to live in a society that wont judge her by her skin color or the language she speaks. Where she can safely say, I am Mexican, I am African-American, I am Muslim and an American, and say I am a woman and I am the future. Because the future belongs to her and she should damn well be able to live it.

MIRELLA POLITRON-MENDEZ

Albuquerque

Those leaving can head south or north

JOSE GONZALES

Rio Rancho
During Americas long, bruising presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly

vowed to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and round up and deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

Now that the brash businessman and former reality TV star has actually won the White House, well find out if he was simply throwing red meat to conservative voters disgusted by illegal immigration or outlining a real blueprint for reform.

If the Republican president-elect was, in fact, serious about embarking on a program of mass deportations and building the wall, hell encounter a high-profile  and maybe surprising  opponent from New Mexico: Rep. Steve Pearce, a deeply conservative Republican whose border district is 52 percent Hispanic.

To be sure, the Hobbs Republican, who easily won re-election to a seventh term last week, supported Trumps campaign. Hes happy that the first-time politician won the White House.

But Pearce told me he doesnt support either of Trumps primary pledges on immigration.

On the deportations, I think were going to have to approach that much different than this mass roundup, Pearce said the day after the election, adding that Trump himself seemed to soften his position in the final weeks of the campaign.

I just dont think thats going to happen. I dont think people would stand for it.

Pearce said part of the reason there are so many people in the U.S. illegally is because the federal government allowed it to happen.

Weve let it go for a long time, and we need to acknowledge that there are circumstances where people have been living here a very long time, Pearce said.

The congressman stressed that he opposes amnesty, or giving citizens in the U.S. a path to citizenship that doesnt involve them leaving the country and getting in the back of the line to apply. But he also suggested uprooting millions of illegal immigrants could wreak havoc on the economy.

Weve got to be fair to the people who have been living here and making this country work to an extent, Pearce said, referring to immigrant workers who do hard manual labor or other tedious, low-paying jobs that Americans hope to avoid.

Pearce has long supported a greatly expanded guest worker program that would allow immigrants to go back-and-forth between Mexico and the U.S. for work purposes. The congressmans proposal is one of the more intriguing immigration reform ideas in Congress, but its been a non-starter with Democratic leaders, who have insisted on a so-called path to citizenship.

Pearce said he hasnt necessarily abandoned his proposal, but he isnt sure where it fits in the current political climate under the new president-elect.

The congressman said one of his great disappointments during the 12 years he has spent in Congress is that former House Speaker Dennis Hastert wouldnt bring up the idea in the Republican caucus when immigration reform almost passed a decade ago.

The whole immigration system is filled with flaws, Pearce said, noting that Trump must find some middle ground on immigration if he doesnt want to harm the economy. A lot of times I have employers say no one will work, and thats a piece that hes got to solve.

As for the big, beautiful wall that Trump wants to build, Pearce says it simply wont work.

It can be cheated, he said. We communicated that we thought its not going to work because we see people going under it, around it and over it.

The congressman also noted that Trump cannot unilaterally get a wall built along the U.S.-Mexican border, even if Mexico decides to pay for it, which it has made clear is wont do.

Hes got to get that through Congress, Pearce said. Thats where well have the debate and it will be up for discussion  and the Border Patrol will have a lot of say on that.

When Congress reconvenes this month for a lame duck session, and then again in January for a new session, Pearce said hell try to keep the immigration debate from swinging too far in either direction.

He said he views his role as just getting into the conversation and keeping it from moving from one extreme to the other.

One side says amnesty and one says kick em all out, Pearce said. Were somewhere in the middle of that.

E-mail: mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
When Joshua Rupley was just 15, he asked the acclaimed Russian-born pianist Olga Kern to give him a lesson.

She said no.

At the time, Kern was rehearsing Liszt variations with the old New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, now the New Mexico Philharmonic.

Every time she took a break, I went over to talk with her, Rupley said in a telephone interview from Wurzburg, Germany, where he studies piano at the University of Music. She didnt want to talk. Later, I apologized for that and she said, No problem. 

Today, the Albuquerque native is the only American to have been accepted into the inaugural Olga Kern International Piano Competition, to be held Nov. 14-24 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and Popejoy Hall.

Rupley is one of 24 hopefuls from 15 countries who will chase their keyboard dreams here. The initial outreach drew more than 100 applicants. A panel of eight judges plus Kern selected the finalists from blind auditions. The musicians will compete for $30,000 in prize money.

The event marks the 23-year-old Rupleys first major competition.

The pianist was home-schooled in Albuquerque and had only sung in childrens choirs before he took up his instrument at the late (for a professional) age of 11. Friends directed him to a teacher after watching him play on a toy piano at home.

There was always this dream of going to Europe and being a big pianist, he said. I kind of accepted that it was unrealistic.

Between practicing, he remembers conducting orchestras on his computer with a pencil.

In high school, Rupley was more interested in languages than music until he conducted an original piece with the Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque. Then he saw Albuquerque violinist David Felberg perform live.

I saw him emoting so much on stage, and I thought, Why cant I enjoy my life like that? 

Ever the self-starter, he organized his first piano recital in a music store at 16. His teacher invited University of New Mexico piano professor Falko Steinbach to the event.

Steinbach asked Rupley to study in his studio.

I was fascinated by how seriously he looked through the background of the pieces, Steinbach said. It was very clear he was a highly gifted kid. You could see how he was in the music. You can see if somebody really plays the music or just plays the notes.

Rupley learned about the Kern competition from the Albuquerque Journal. His teachers in Germany encouraged him to apply. He celebrated his acceptance by practicing and drinking a glass of wine.

Now hes practicing an average of seven hours a day. The first round of the program is brutal: hes required to perform a classical sonata (he chose Beethovens in D Major), a Bach prelude, two etudes (he selected Scriabin and Rachmaninoff) and a shorter piece by Rachmaninoff.

If he survives to the second round, hell play all 20th century music, with pieces by Debussy, Bartok and Messien, in addition to Bachs Corelli variations and the competitions commissioned work by Scottish composer Rory Boyle.

He is well-aware that judges decisions are often based on connections, their own lack of sleep or the pianists, or any number of subjective criteria.

I think it is really, really important not to go into a competition and only think about the results at the end, he said. So much of them are based on the personal taste of the judges. My first goal is to use that as a motivation to grow as a musician. I want to play competitions to meet people and hear beautiful music.

Three years ago, he thought hed be teaching young children. Now he isnt so sure.

I have a lot of hope that something will happen.
SANTA FE  About 200 people gathered on the Santa Fe Plaza to protest Donald Trumps election as president at midday Saturday and most of the crowd then conducted a raucous march through downtown streets.

Three people were arrested and others were cited by police, and two officers, including one who police said was pushed down a set of stairs at a business complex on the Plaza, were sent to the hospital for treatment. A police spokesman said both officers would be OK.

I would like to see the system smashed to the ground, said Carmen Stone of Santa Fe, moments after she was released from police handcuffs with a signed citation for obstruction.

The marchers blocked traffic at Guadalupe Street and Cerrillos Road as the crowd was tailed by about a dozen police cars with sirens wailing, at least one bicycle officer and officers on foot.

The marchers yelled not my president and love trumps hate, and broke into a chant of let her go as officers dealt with a woman protester. One marcher stood on a car. Thats when citations were issued, at about 1:15 p.m.

Stone said she had been at the peaceful noontime rally before the march. At that rally, teacher Lana Wimberly from Nina Otero Middle School displayed a sign made by her students, many who are immigrants. It read: Roses are red, violets are blue, we dont want Trump, neither do you.

Officers were seen writing at least two citations, but none would comment to a reporter. At Guadalupe and Montezuma, an officer stood by armed with a long-gun as protesters marched by and questioned his need for displaying it. Day workers waiting for potential employers across from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church shouted no mas Trump as the marchers went by.

As protesters moved down San Francisco Street past the Lensic Performing Arts Center, motorists honked their horns and some shouted encouragement. Not all were pleased. One passenger leaned from a car in blocked traffic on Guadalupe and flipped off protesters.

Bryan Burgwardt, who just moved to Santa Fe from Massachusetts, was among the marchers.

Im showing I dont support the new president because of the many things he has said and done, Burgwardt said.

A protester who identified himself only as Jeff said he was marching against fascism, the rise of the right  the xenophobic right, as exemplified by Trump.

Protester Alexis Brown of Santa Fe said that, while she believed the majority of those at the rally were protesting Trumps election, she came because I think we should be recognizing that the system itself is at fault and that Trump is an example of that.

Santa Fe police Capt. Mark Lewandowski said one woman was cited for showing her breasts, but that it wasnt certain she was part of the protest.

He identified three people arrested as Morgan Cook, 18, who was charged with resisting arrest and being a pedestrian on a roadway; Travis Barnes, 20, who was charged with the same crimes; and Sergio Muterperl, 30, who is facing charges including aggravated battery on a police officer.

Muterperl was fired from his job as a teaching assistant in Santa Fe public schools after he was charged in June with two counts of criminal penetration of a minor, three counts of sexual contact with a minor and two counts of enticement of a child. The charges were dismissed in October Magistrate Court without prejudice and it was unclear Saturday whether they could be refiled in District Court.

Journal North editor Mark Oswald contributed to this story.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump proclaimed America First on his way to his head-spinning victory in Tuesdays presidential election, and the success of that message will rock many foreign capitals where leaders have feared that Trump would alter the basics of U.S. foreign policy.

Making predictions about Trumps foreign policy is difficult, given his lack of experience. But the most likely bet is that as president he will seek to do what he promised during the campaign in breaking from current U.S. approaches to Russia, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Traveling abroad over the past year, I heard concern about Trumps candidacy from senior officials in more than a dozen countries. He was viewed as an inexperienced and unreliable figure who might dismantle traditional U.S. commitments and alliances. Most foreign leaders will be upset that Hillary Clinton, an advocate of traditional U.S. strategy and commitments, lost the race.

A Trump foreign policy, based on his statements, will bring an intense realist focus on U.S. national interests and a rejection of costly U.S. engagements abroad. It will likely bring these changes:

 A move to improve relations with a combative, assertive Russia. Trump stressed repeatedly during the campaign, at some political cost, that he would work with President Vladimir Putin. I think Id be able to get along with him, he said in September at a televised forum hosted by NBCs Matt Lauer. If he says great things about me, Im gonna say great things about him.  I mean, the man has very strong control over a country.

 A joint military effort with Russia and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to defeat the Islamic State. Trump proposed this shared campaign during that same debate. If Russia and the United States got along well and went after ISIS, that would be good, he said. He offered positive comments about Assad, saying, Hes just much tougher and much smarter than her (Clinton), adding that if the opposition should win in Syria, you may very well end up with worse than Assad.

Trump also promised repeatedly that he would step up the U.S. military campaign against the Islamic State and replace U.S. generals who were insufficiently combative. But he has been vague about what he plans to do in Iraq and Syria.

 A new push for European allies to pay more for their own defense. Its unlikely that Trump will dismantle NATO, as critics charged during the campaign. He said in a debate that Clinton was telling just another lie when she accused him of undermining commitments to defend NATO allies and Asian partners such as Japan and South Korea. But he never retreated from an April 27 speech in which he said the U.S. must be prepared to let these countries defend themselves.

In Europe, Trumps victory is likely to reinforce the trend toward politicians expressing similar right-wing, nationalist views. The avatar of this neo-nationalism was the surprise victory of Brexit supporters in Junes referendum in Britain, and there are comparable movements in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

President Trump will have to decide whether to embrace such movements, which could destabilize the European Union.

 An attempt to alter the terms of trade in Asia by renegotiating trade pacts and forcing China to revalue its currency. Its hard to predict how this combative approach to globalization will play out. Often, Trumps extreme rhetoric and threats against business partners are tactics in what he has famously described as the art of the deal. A China thats already experiencing a bubble economy might well be vulnerable to U.S. economic pressure. But the most likely outcome of Trumps protectionist rhetoric will be a global economic downturn, many analysts have argued.

Trumps campaign was premised on the idea that his approach would make America great again. His presidency will test that proposition. But many analysts argue that by putting Americas interests first so nakedly, he may push many U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to make their own deals with a newly assertive Russia and a rising China.

Undoing globalization isnt possible. But undermining Americas leadership in that system would be all too easy.
You can't miss the echo of Franklin Delano Roosevelt 1932 in Barack Obama 2008. FDR's New Deal needs a 21st century update and Obama, whose election is indebted to the economic meltdown, is ready to be the man, even at the risk of being labelled a 'socialist', which is worse than being called a terrorist in conservative America. (Maybe not after the fall of Lehman Brothers and other towers of capitalism.) Still, apart from the unsolicited endorsement from the economy, what else contributed to the phenomenon of O!b-a-m-a, which has become a sonorous synonym for the renewal of the American ideal? For, the velocity of his victory has swept away the last vestiges of Republicanism from the erstwhile citadels like Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.

It happened because the Obama campaign was a study in foolproof political management. First, the timing. He hit the arena at a time when America was desperate for a saviour-in-chief. Then the style of the campaigner. He was the coolest guy on the stump: elegant, brainy, and with a touch of the prophetic. During the debates, he was less provocative and most reassuring, and always held his elder, honourable opponent in high esteem. There was no grimace of mockery, no gesture of impatience. There was an air of quiet authority-and confidence. He was presidential before he was elected President. He struck a fine balance between private ambition and public dignity.





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S. Prasannarajan

November 2008



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Can there be some sanctuary from a divisive political season that seems not to have ended on Election Day?

As thousands of New Mexicans head to their places of worship today, many will look to their faith leaders to make sense of a presidential election that overwhelmed communities, now divided by elation or despair at the outcome: the victory of Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Leaders across faiths and denominations echoed a similar message: Now is the time for listening, for empathy, for prayer and for activism.

Kevin Glenn, a pastor at the evangelical Calvary Baptist Church in Las Cruces, said he will encourage his congregation to listen, listen, listen.

With Mr. Trump winning it and understanding the fact that it was largely the evangelical vote that secured his victory in a lot of places, he said, the winning side has a responsibility to listen very closely to the fears, concerns and questions of the other side.

Glenn said he has been approached by people who were elated and others whose emotions ranged from disappointed to crushed.

But, he said, I dont see politicians as my messiah. We may have political opponents, but we have to stop mistaking people for the enemy.

The Rev. Trey Hammond at La Mesa Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, which serves a diverse congregation that includes undocumented immigrants, said: There is great anxiety. The fear is real. The rhetoric has been so inflammatory.

I think its a real time for listening and hopefully a time for activism, he said. At this moment, where would God have us be? What would God have us do?

There is a diversity of political opinion at the Temple Beth-El in Las Cruces, but Rabbi Larry Karol said he emphasizes that core values ought to rise above politics.

When it comes to something like compassion and mercy for people in need, he said, there may be different approaches to policy on how you would help, but the feeling of compassion and mercy is likely still there. What do we have in common? We have the values in common.

In the Catholic Church, Novembers readings talk about the end of times, said Deacon Loni Briseno of Santa Rosa de Lima in Las Cruces. Catholics will hear the Gospel of Luke: When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified.

I can see us talking about, Yes, there is a lot of fear, but Jesus tells us not to worry, he said.

The message I have shared with my family, community, and friends is first be thankful that we live in New Mexico, said Sureyya Husain, a member of the Muslim community in Las Cruces. This is a place where most people understand what it is to be a minority and be afraid of oppression and repression in one form or another. Pray for the nation, and that grace, justice and unity carry the day.

The Rev. Michael Sumbry, who leads a predominately African-American congregation at the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Albuquerque, said the Bible gives us explicit instructions.

We are to pray for those who are in positions of authority, in positions to influence our society and our nation, he said, We will pray for them so they will make good decisions, not based on partisanship but what is good for the people at large.
WASHINGTON  Republicans didnt just win the White House with Donald Trumps election Tuesday; they also retained control of the U.S. House and Senate, captured two-thirds of the nations legislative chambers and more governors offices than theyve held in nearly a century.

Buoyed by Trumps surprising strength, the elections set up the Republican Party to enact conservative policies and potentially cement its political power for years to come.

Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said last weeks elections portend dark days for Democrats in state and national politics  for the next two years at minimum. The GOP emerges from this election in a totally dominant national position, Wilson said They control both houses of Congress, the presidency and much of the local-level politics, and they are poised to maintain a conservative Supreme Court. It also means the Democratic Party has some real soul-searching to do because they are completely shut out of power at this point.

On the West Coast, some Democrats in Oregon and California were so despondent they moved toward ballot initiatives that would have those states secede.

At the grass roots-level, Democrats viewed 2016 as a chance to chip away at a large advantage Republicans have enjoyed in statehouses since 2010. But in state after state Democrats fell short.

With Tuesdays results, Republicans will control 68 out of 99 legislative chambers, an all-time high for the GOP. And they will have full control of 33 legislatures, up from 31. (That includes Nebraska, which has a technically nonpartisan, single-chamber legislature.) Democrats will be in full command in just 13 states.

Against the tide

New Mexico was a rare bright spot for Democrats on the national map. Hillary Clinton defeated Trump in the state by 8 percentage points  not that it mattered in the final analysis. Democratic Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham of Albuquerque and Ben Ray Lujan of Santa Fe easily won re-election, while Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican, retained his southern New Mexico seat. Pearce, who publicly backed Trump throughout the general election campaign, is now presumably in line for a higher-profile role in Republican-dominated Washington.

Republicans lost two seats in the U.S. Senate, reducing their majority to 52-48. The Democrats main tool for blocking a Republican agenda in the still narrowly divided Senate is the cloture rule. The rule requires consent of 60 Senators to move legislation to a vote. Democrats have grumbled about the cloture rule, and under the leadership of New Mexicos Sen. Tom Udall, they succeeded in watering it down slightly early in the current Congress. Now, some are speculating that Republicans could exercise the so-called nuclear option to do away with the 60-vote cloture rule on non-budget matters.

Democrats in New Mexico recaptured the state House after losing control of it in the 2014 election, and they added to their numbers in the state Senate, which they already controlled. But longtime state Senate Democratic boss Michael Sanchez was defeated in an intense and expensive campaign heavily backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. Democrats picked up apparently five and possibly as many as six GOP-controlled seats in the House. Two House races appear headed for recounts, but in one of them the Democratic margin is fairly significant.

Democrats could hold a 38-32 advantage  the exact breakdown will depend on the results of two pending vote recounts  in the House chamber when the 60-day legislative session starts in January. Democrats also expanded their majority in the 42-member state Senate.

Governor margin

The GOP wave extended to governor races, where Republicans expanded their sizable majority of seats. As chair of the Republican Governors Association, Martinez can claim credit for helping GOP governors around the country reach their highest numbers since 1922.

The election wasnt a total loss for Democrats. They picked up both chambers in Nevada and the House in New Mexico, and they also took a one-seat advantage in the Washington Senate, but they still wont have operating control, because one Democrat caucuses with the Republicans.

The results give Republicans a better chance of directing the redrawing of congressional and legislative districts that the states will undertake after the 2020 census. That, in turn, could help the GOP maintain its grip on power for years.

Some Democrats said they think the party could bounce back and gain the upper hand during redistricting.

If a Trump presidency at all resembles the Trump candidacy, Democrats nationwide will be buoyed by Republican backlash in the next two election cycles, Carolyn Fiddler, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in an email.

More immediately, the Republicans successes on Tuesday could have implications for joint state-federal programs such as Medicaid, infrastructure funding and energy policy, all of which could change dramatically under a Trump administration.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., an early backer of Hillary Clinton, said that while he was disappointed in the Democratic wipeout nationally on Tuesday, he remained sanguine about his own situation and tried to put a positive spin on the losses.

Its certainly not what I was hoping for, but weve got to go back and do whats right for our constituents and our state, he said.

Heinrich successfully worked with Republicans to get the so-called Cadillac tax on high-end health insurance policies delayed in the current Congress and he said he would look for more bipartisan opportunities to legislate. For example, the Democrat said he would be willing to work with Trump and the GOP to rebuild American infrastructure or help military veterans.

The opportunities in the Senate to legislate are there in both the majority and the minority, Heinrich said. You just have to find the things you can work on and deliver for your state. Ive found this job to be every bit as challenging and rewarding in the minority as in the majority.

Lujan Grisham said she also would look at places and ways we can agree with Republicans. But she suggested one of the big looming fights  the Republican push to repeal, or at least largely dismantle, the Affordable Care Act  could be especially brutal.

I think it will be challenging to get a bipartisan agreement on health care, she predicted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For the record: This story has been modified to reflect that Gary Johnson struggled in an attempt to name a world leader during an MSNBC Town Hall and declined to give the name of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a New York Times interview.

Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

Gary Johnson has run for governor of New Mexico twice and won both times, and he has run for president of the United States twice and lost both times.

Hes already talking about his next challenge, but it wont be a try for public office. It will be on a bike, riding nearly 3,000 miles along the Continental Divide from Canada down into New Mexico.

Its sometime in early June, he said.

Johnson, 63, a Taos resident and an ardent triathlete, is referring to the 2,768-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff in Alberta, Canada, to Antelope Wells in New Mexicos Hidalgo County. He said he is done with political races. At least done with running in them himself.

Im dedicating myself to health and fitness, Johnson said. Maybe I stay politically active, but not as a candidate. I will leave that to others.

Johnson spoke with the Journal on Tuesday evening in a quiet, dimly lighted room in the Hotel Albuquerque, down the hall from the ballroom where his supporters were starting to gather for his election night party. It was just after 6 p.m. Polls had closed back East, but they were still open in New Mexico and points West.

Even so, Johnson, the Libertarian candidate in this years presidential battle with Democrat Hillary Clinton, and Republican and eventual winner Donald Trump, did not need to see returns in order to see the writing on the wall. He knew he was not going to be the next president of the United States. By this point, he was just hoping to secure 5 percent of the nationwide popular vote, enough to achieve major-party status for the Libertarian Party and qualify the party for federal funding in the next election.

This is a head-on effort to get on the ballot in all 50 states, Johnson said Tuesday. Im hoping this is going to end the two-party system.

But Johnson and his running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, fell short. Latest totals show they garnered more than 4 million votes, 3 percent of the total.

Achieving 5 percent would clearly have been significant, but we worked hard and garnered more votes than any third-party candidate since Ross Perot, Johnson said.

Businessman Perot ran as independent in the 1992 presidential campaign.

Given that we spent less than 1 percent as much as Trump and Clinton, the level of support we received is historic, Johnson said. We made a credible third-party ticket part of the national conversation. Both major parties will be doing a lot of soul searching in the weeks and months ahead. We can hope that the results will be policies that reflect the priorities of people, not partisans.

Wanted an invite

Johnson and Weld did get 9.3 percent of the New Mexico vote, making it possible for the Libertarian Party to get major-party recognition and public funding for elections in this state. And they got 6.3 percent of the vote in North Dakota, Johnsons native state.

All in all, it was a more successful run than Johnsons 2012 bid for the presidency, also on the Libertarian ticket. In 2012, he received 1.2 million votes, just shy of 1 percent.

Johnson, a successful businessman before he got into politics, campaigned on the solid Libertarian planks of fiscal conservatism, social inclusiveness, avoiding military intervention and free market policy. Johnson also favors the legalization of marijuana, a policy he first advocated publicly in 1999 during his second term as New Mexico governor.

He would have liked the chance to talk more about his policies on a national stage during this years race.

The hope was to get in the presidential debates and that didnt happen, Johnson said.

He was not invited to take part in the debates because he did not attain 15 percent support in five polls set by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Johnson is still ticked off about that. He said he realizes there has to be some cutoff point, that not just anyone who says hes running for president should be allowed in the debates. But he argues that he was polling higher than Perot was when Perot was permitted to participate in the 1992 debates.

No regrets

Some of the national attention Johnson did get during the race proved damaging.

When he was asked, during a MSNBC program, what he would do about Aleppo, a key city in the Syrian civil war, Johnson initially thought it was an acronym for something. He also fumbled an attempt to name a world leader he respected during an MSNBC Town Hall and declined to give the name of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a New York Times interview.

But he said he had no regrets about his campaign.

We all make mistakes, he said. We are all human. If I had one regret, it would have been not to have done this. But I have no regrets. None.

On Tuesday, before enough poll results were in to guess which way the election was going, Johnson said he did not favor Clinton over Trump or Trump over Clinton.

If I supported either one, I would not be running, he said. I find it flattering that both sides are saying Im taking votes from them. I think Libertarians take the best from both sides.

Johnson ran as a Republican in his successful bids for New Mexico governor in 1994 and 1998, but he said he has identified as a Libertarian since the early 1970s. He believes a third party is necessary to focus the national discussion on issues rather than character assassinations. And he thinks the next election will see Libertarian candidates up and down the ticket.

Vote your conscience, he told supporters Tuesday evening after the polls had closed. The only wasted vote is not voting for what you believe in.
When Ivan Sarracino hears a helicopter pass over his Clovis home near the hospital, hes brought back to Vietnam.

We used to call them choppers over there, Sarracino said. I remember it just like yesterday. Youd hear the blades going. I still, to this day, get that feeling every time a helicopter comes by. The emotions just dont go away.

Sarracino doesnt usually discuss attacks when telling his war stories, but Friday was an exception. Surrounded by fellow veterans at Clovis American Legion Post 25 for the Veterans Day breakfast, he shared his experiences openly.

Sarracino served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1983, retiring as a technical sergeant. He worked both in aircraft maintenance and as an operating room technician.

Given the peace activism in the U.S. in 1968, Sarracino didnt get the send-off to Vietnam hed hoped for when he left his wife of only two weeks.

American protesters yelled and threw things at the soldiers as they took off for war. Many of his then-18-year-old comrades wouldnt be returning home with him.

We were just serving our country the best we could, Sarracino said. I was glad to serve.

Sarracino said hes also glad veterans are more appreciated today than they once were.

Veterans Day is about all the people Ive worked with and all the camaraderie, he said. Its a beautiful thing to serve, especially as a Native American. That, and my family, is what kept me going.

Family was also a topic discussed among the Gallegos brothers as they ate the veterans breakfast.

Together, the four brothers service spans from 1972 to 2005, which includes the Air Force, Navy and the National Guard.

Two of the brothers, Mike and Steven Gallegos, recalled serving together during the New Mexico State Penitentiary riot of 1980 in Santa Fe  one of the most violent prison riots in U.S. history.

Steven Gallegos can still vividly remember the gruesome details  the smell of burning bodies and the sight of decapitated inmates  and tasks like feeding the prisoners.

It was rough, Steven Gallegos said. Once you passed through that gate into the prison, there was smoke, and its like you entered into another world  It was pretty wild.

But looking back at their time in the military, the brothers wouldnt change a thing.

This right here, Steven Gallegos said as he looking around, is what Veterans Day is about: Freedom, the right to vote for whichever president we want, our kids and our grandkids, friends you meet through your whole career, friends youll never forget. Thats why I served.

If you were a soldier, then we were brothers; thats the way I see it. If they were to ask me to go back in to protect this country, I would.

He added with a laugh, Im a little old now, but I would still go in.

Heres what other locals had to say about Veterans Day:

* Navy and National Guard veteran Jake Gallegos said, All these men and women, they all served several generations. I would gladly stand up for any of them  This is my country; this is our country. I have a lot of pride in every one of these veterans. They mightve had brothers and sisters that didnt make it, but I was fortunate enough to have three other brothers to serve with. Im very proud of all of them. This is my family.

* Army veteran and volunteer of American Legion Post 25 Cipriano Madril said, Veterans Day is appreciation for what all the veterans have done for us. I know a lot of them who are not very healthy because of their time serving. Veterans Day means a lot to me because of my veterans. I try to help them; thats the reason Im here at American Legion  to try to help them as much as I can.

* Air Force veteran and Clovis Disabled American Veterans Post 6 member Tim Talley said, Its a day to honor those that have come before us and those thatll come after. From 1943 to 2015, theres been an immediate member of my family in the armed services: my dad for 33 years, myself and my brother  one right after the other. I was honored to go into the military.

* Marine Corps veteran and Disabled American Veterans Post 6 Chapter Commander Rick Madera said, Im glad we have a Veterans Day, but the Vietnam veterans, we have mixed emotions about it. When we came back, the people didnt want us. Our own families didnt want us. Im glad to see its reversed itself now, and Im glad it honors the ones before us and after us.



2016 the Clovis News Journal (Clovis, N.M.)

Visit the Clovis News Journal (Clovis, N.M.) at www.cnjonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ESPANOLA, N.M.  New Mexico State Police say theyre investigating a non-fatal shooting involving Espanola police and the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office.

They say Espanola police responded to a stolen vehicle call around 2 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities say the vehicle was found and a pursuit ensued on State Road 503.

Rio Arriba County Sheriffs officers joined in the pursuit and eventually halted the vehicle using stop sticks.

Police say the suspect rammed several police vehicles trying to escape, resulting in officers and deputies firing shots at the vehicle.

The suspect and passenger both escaped injury and both have been taken into custody.

The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is investigating the shooting.
By PTI: From Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Nov 13 (PTI) An Indian-origin man in South Africa, who founded the internationally-lauded Gift of the Givers Foundation, has been awarded the prestigious Global Citizen Award for his "innovative and visionary" contribution to the global community.

Imtiaz Sooliman was honoured at the end of the 10th annual Global Residence and Citizenship Conference in London Friday.

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The award consists a specially-made commemorative medal, an award certificate signed by the president of the independent Award Committee and a USD 50,000 monetary prize, of which USD 25,000 is donated to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Commenting on his return to South Africa, he dedicated it to the work being done by NGOs across the African continent.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the continent and all that we can do. Being honored with a prestigious award like this means we have the global stamp of approval which helps build faith and confidence in others to support African NGOs in the future," said Sooliman, who has garnered many national and international awards, including National Orders from the President of South Africa.

Speaking for the organisers, Christian Kalin, said the Global Citizen Award is given each year to an inspirational individual who has made an extraordinary contribution towards improving the global community.

"Sooliman is certainly a worthy recipient of the award as his work is innovative and visionary. He has demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment, and the work of his foundation has had a significant impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in our global community," Kalin said.

Since his foundations beginnings in August 1992, Sooliman has grown the Gift of the Givers into Africas largest disaster relief organisation, raising more than ZAR 2 billion (USD 150 million) in life-saving aid for 42 countries around the world, including war-ravaged states such as Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Bosnia. PTI FH ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
Update 5.10pm: Authorities in New Zealand say they have been hit by five severe earthquakes over the space of four hours, with thousands fleeing their homes.

A tsunami warning is in force, with waves predicted to reach five metres high.

TV New Zealand reports that one person has died of a heart attack in Christchurch.

There are also reports of casualties at Kaikoura on the South Island where two metre-high waves followed the largest 7.8 magnitude quake.

Dawn has now broken and rescue helicopters are hoping to assess the damage more accurately from the air.

As yet there are no reports of any Irish casualties.

The seismic activity knocked out New Zealand's emergency call number, 111, for about 10 minutes, police reported.

It caused items to fall from shelves and windows to break in Wellington, and forced hundreds of tourists onto the streets as hotels were evacuated.

Update 3.45pm: There are no reports of any Irish casualities following today's earthquake and tsunami in New Zealand.

A series of earthquakes and aftershocks have hit the country. One of them generated a tsunami wave around six feet high on South Island.

The largest quake was 7 point 8 magnitude and hit just after midnight local time.

The Department of Foreign Affairs here has said it has not received any requests for assistance, but is continuing to monitor the situation.

The local Fire Department is dealing with emergency calls in the town of Christchurch, New Zealand, following the quake but, as yet, officials say there are no reports of serious damage, injuries or fatalities.

Update 1.15pm: A powerful earthquake has generated a tsunami in New Zealand, with the first waves hitting the South Island, government officials have said.

The department of civil defence warned people all along the country's east coast to move to higher ground.

The ministry had earlier sent out a message on Twitter saying there was no tsunami threat to the country.

It then sent out another message - "situation has changed - tsunami is possible" - before reporting that a tsunami had, in fact, hit.

A tsunami has been generated, the first wave has arrived in the North Eastern Coast of the South Island. #eqnz  National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) November 13, 2016

The magnitude-7.8 quake struck in the early hours of Monday near the city of Christchurch. It was at a relatively shallow depth of six miles.

Some minor damage was reported in the capital, Wellington, more than 120 miles away. The streets of inner city Wellington are thronged as thousands of citizens evacuate.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries in Christchurch.

Original report:A powerful earthquake has struck New Zealand near the city of Christchurch, with strong jolts felt more than 120 miles away in the capital Wellington.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries and there was no immediate danger of a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck just after midnight on Sunday and was centred 57 miles north-east of Christchurch, according to the US Geological Survey.

It was at a relatively shallow depth of six miles.

Earthquakes tend to be more strongly felt on the surface when they are shallow.

New Zealand sits on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common. An earthquake in 2011 in Christchurch killed 185 people.

The damage done to Christchurch Cathedral in the 2011 earthquake. Picture: AP

New Zealand sits on the "Ring of Fire", an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.

- AP
WASHINGTON -- A combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and TNF-inhibitors may help slow down spine damage in ankylosing spondylitis, according to new research findings presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory form of arthritis that frequently affects the joints of the spine. It's more common in men. People with AS often are negative for rheumatoid factor, but positive for the, [gene or allele - depending on target audience] Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) B27.

Recent research on the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) on patients with inflammatory arthritis has been mixed, so researchers at the University of California, San Francisco in conjunction with several other investigators conducted a study to analyze the direct and interactive effects of a combination of the two therapies on radiographic (X-ray) progression of AS. The study was a multicenter cohort funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"Until 2003, the only drugs available to treat AS were NSAIDs. When the first TNFi was approved in 2003, the disease state changed. Suddenly, we could offer therapies to patients with incredible efficacy," said Lianne S. Gensler, MD, Director of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco, and the lead author of the study. Despite the robust clinical response, TNFi could not show the disease progression (by X-ray) slowing down, she noted.

"Researchers posited that there was a different mechanism to explain the damage that occurred in AS, and that though we were treating the inflammation, we may not be addressing the ankylosis that appeared to continue. At the same time, several studies came out looking at NSAIDs to see if they could slow down progression, and these results were mixed," she said. "Despite the controversy, as we saw patients on these drugs over the next decade, the clinical experience did not match the 'evidence' that suggested no effect. Patients were not developing the severe damage we had become accustomed to. Based on the controversial data, and having prospectively collected detailed medication data in a longitudinal cohort [PSOAS - Prospective Study of Outcomes in AS] over 10 years, we were able to ask the research question in a longitudinal manner, not only addressing the effects of TNFi, but also NSAIDs and the relationship between these two medications."

The study included 527 AS patients who met the modified New York criteria in a prospective cohort with at least two years of clinical and radiological follow-up. The researchers defined radiographic progression longitudinally, with a ?2 modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) unit increase in 24 months. Patients with high mSASSS scores were censored if they could not meet the progression definition over the next follow-up period. They used a longitudinal, mixed-effects, multivariate logistic regression model to find associations with NSAID and TNFi therapy and radiographic progression.

The patients in the study were 76 percent male, had a mean age of 42.7 and mean disease duration of 18.45 years. Their baseline median mSASSS score was 5.36, and they were followed for a median of 3.67 years. Seventy-eight percent of the patients used NSAIDs, and 58.4 percent used TNFi drugs.

Multivariate results of the study showed that there was significant interaction between TNFi and NSAIDs. When TNFi were used with higher doses of NSAIDs (at least 50 percent of the maximum daily dose), patients had a 70 percent reduction in radiographic progression.

"This is the first study to show this relationship and potentially sheds light on why prior study results have been so controversial," said Dr. Gensler. "I think it is important to remember that despite the results, not every patient will progress or warrant this kind of regimen. That said, for those with greater risk, this combination may be especially helpful."

The researchers will next analyze another year's worth of data to clarify their findings even more, Dr. Gensler said.

"It is also important to remember that this is a cohort of patients being studied, not a randomized controlled trial, so there may be unmeasured confounders and biases with regards to why various medications are used by different patients," she said. "In the future, a randomized controlled trial with a radiographic outcome may allow us to answer the question in the purest way."

This research was supported by funding from the NIH's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

###

About the American College of Rheumatology

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the American College of Rheumatology is an international medical society representing over 9,400 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals with a mission to Advance Rheumatology! In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatologists are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. For more information, visit http://www.rheumatology.org.

About the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting is the premier meeting in rheumatology. With more than 450 sessions and thousands of abstracts, it offers a superior combination of basic science, clinical science, tech-med courses, career enhancement education and interactive discussions on improving patient care. For more information about the meeting, visit http://www.acrannualmeeting.org/, or join the conversation on Twitter by following the official #ACR16 hashtag.
WASHINGTON -- While patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), too few are prescribed preventive medications or meeting target goals to prevent heart-related events, according to new research findings presented this week at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington.

RA is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation in the motion and function of multiple joints. Inflammation may also affect internal organs. An estimated 1.3 million Americans have RA. Spondyloarthritis are inflammatory diseases that include ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis and others. These diseases often affect the entheses, or areas where ligaments and tendons attach to bones.

Both anti-hyperintensive (anti-HT) and lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) are widely available and effective at preventing CVD. However, recent research shows that the number of RA patients who receive these medications is less than optimal. It has been unclear whether patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpA) also receive inadequate CVD-preventive measures.

To analyze the extent of the problem, researchers at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Norway conducted a large cohort study to evaluate the rate of indications for anti-HT and/or LLT among inflammatory joint disease patients, the rate of anti-HT and LLT initiation, and the blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) goal attainment for patients who did receive CVD risk management. The researchers gathered data from the Norwegian Collaboration on Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Rheumatic Joint Diseases project, or NOCAR.

"There is a huge, unmet need for CVD-preventive measures in patients with inflammatory joint disease who are at high risk for CVD," said Anne Grete Semb, MD, consultant cardiologist at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and a lead author of the study. "There may be many reasons for this. In our nationwide NOCAR project, we have shown that recording of CVD risk factors and performance of CVD risk evaluation in patients with inflammatory joint diseases in rheumatology outpatient clinic is feasible. This is the important first step in CVD prevention, and it may lead to improvement of CVD preventive medication in patients with inflammatory joint diseases."

A total of 2.647 patients with inflammatory joint diseases were included in the study. These comprised 1,696 with RA, 445 with AS, 376 with PsA and 130 with SpA. The researchers defined the need for anti-HT as patients having either a BP greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg, treated with anti-HT medication or self-reported hypertension. Patients with less than 140/90mmHg were recognized as having attained their BP goal if the patient was using anti-HT treatment. Ten-year risk of a fatal CVD event was estimated using the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) tool, the European CVD risk calculator. According to CVD management guidelines, patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia or a SCORE of greater than or equal to five percent are at high risk for CVD, and should receive LLT with an LDL target of less than 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dl). Patients with established CVD or a SCORE of greater than or equal to 10 percent are at very high CVD risk, and should be treated to reach an LDL target of less than 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). Rates of CVD risk and target attainment were calculated for the whole cohort, and then compared across inflammatory joint disease groups using logistic regression adjusted for age and sex.

Of the patients included, 53.2 percent had an indication for anti-HT. This indication was significantly higher in RA (57 percent) and PsA (57 percent). Among patients with an indication for anti-HT, only 59 percent received the treatment and half attained the BP target. In addition, 24.1 percent had an indication for LLT, with comparable indications for all patient groups, except for a low percentage of those with AS, or 14.4 percent. Of those indicated for LLT, 55.6 percent had high CVD risk, most frequently patients with PsA, and 43.7 percent had very high CVD risk, most frequently patients with AS. Half of the patients with an LLT indication received this therapy. Treatment rates were higher for those with very high CVD risk than those at high risk. In total, 16.8 percent of the patients who received LLT achieved LDL targets. LDL goal attainment was notably high for the PsA patients, and higher in patients with high CVD risk compared to those with very high risk.

While patients with inflammatory joint diseases often have an indication for CVD-preventive medications, they're prescribed too infrequently, the study's findings showed. In addition, too few patients who do start either anti-HT medication or LLT attain their treatment goals.

"There are several important questions remaining in the field of cardio-rheumatology. It will be important to investigate novel strategies that can increase the number of patients who receive CVD risk assessments according to international recommendations," said Dr. Semb. "We hope that similar strategies as used in the NOCAR project can be implemented in other countries, and thus improve CVD risk assessment and ultimately reduce the CVD risk in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. After risk evaluation has been performed, there are still uncertainties about who has responsibility to start preventive measures. In most countries, this is the task of primary-care physicians. Our goal was also to raise awareness of the increased risk of CVD among health care providers and patients to facilitate the implementation of preventive measures."

###

About the American College of Rheumatology

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the American College of Rheumatology is an international medical society representing over 9,400 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals with a mission to Advance Rheumatology! In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatologists are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. For more information, visit http://www.rheumatology.org.

About the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting is the premier meeting in rheumatology. With more than 450 sessions and thousands of abstracts, it offers a superior combination of basic science, clinical science, tech-med courses, career enhancement education and interactive discussions on improving patient care. For more information about the meeting, visit http://www.acrannualmeeting.org/, or join the conversation on Twitter by following the official #ACR16 hashtag.
ISIS was plotting a strike in Paris in September that involved four women. The new tactic will pose challenge for security organisations to identify potential attackers.

By PTI: In a U-turn, the ISIS is using more women to evade security measures and spearhead a wave of attacks across Europe and the Islamic world as it loses territory in the Middle East, according to a media report.

Previously, female members of the ISIS were confined to support roles and kept away from the battlefield but the policy appears to have been reversed as US-led military pressure on its main strongholds in Iraq, Syria and Libya intensified and substantial territory began to be lost, The Guardian reported.

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It said researchers have described a "drastic U-turn" on deploying female recruits, a new tactic that poses a challenge for security organisations which already have difficulty penetrating extremist networks and identifying potential attackers.

ALSO WATCH



THE PARIS PLOT



Officials have repeatedly warned that ISIS would launch attacks as it retreated from earlier gains. Since August, a series of plots involving women have been uncovered by security authorities in Europe and north Africa, the report said and mentioned a plot in Paris in September involving four women aged 19-39 that received wide media coverage.

ALSO READ: ISIS calls for terror attacks in US on election day, asks Muslims to not vote



The cell, organised by a known ISIS militant in France, was the first to be entirely female, the report said.

"If at first it appeared that women were confined to family and domestic chores by the terrorist organisation, it must be noted that this view is now completely outdated," French prosecutor Francois Molins told reporters after the four were arrested.

ALSO READ: Blast at Shah Noorani shrine in Pakistan: 52 dead, ISIS claims responsibility



The report also mentioned a series of other plots around the world, which involve women playing "combat" roles, that received less attention. For instance, ISIS was in August reported to have deployed at least one female suicide bomber in Libya, while last month 10 alleged female attackers were arrested in Morocco.

Officials said all were in their teens, had sworn allegiance to ISIS and were in possession of bomb-making material.

BRAINWASHING WOMEN



Abdelhak Khiame, who leads Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, said the women, believed to have been planning a series of suicide attacks, "got in touch with (ISIS) elements via the internet and were brainwashed into committing destructive acts targeting... tourist sites in particular".

ALSO READ: Terror alert: US embassy warns Americans in India of possible ISIS attacks



"This is the first time we have found a terrorist cell that was entirely composed of women. Terrorists are focusing (recruitment) efforts on minors who are female. That is very worrying for all of us. Its an alarm bell," Khiame said.

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"Its a concern... There is constant evolution as the pressures on (ISIS) increase, so we are not complacent," said a western European security official.

ALSO READ: ISIS claims responsibility for Turkey car bomb



"Thus far, ISIS has stifled the role of women in the caliphate by limiting them to the house, ensuring they raise the next generation of jihadi militants and provide for their husbands," said Rachel Bryson of the Centre on Religion and Geopolitics.

The recent change "would suggest the group is starting to heavily feel the pressure from the action taken against it", Bryson said.

ALSO READ: Hillary Clinton's win would result in spread of ISIS, says Donald Trump

ALSO READ: Watch: ISIS blows up Abrams battle tank near Mosul in Iraq



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WASHINGTON -- Injection of a Wnt inhibitor drug showed promise to ease pain, improve joint function, and even slow or reverse cartilage loss in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to new research findings presented this week at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington.

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common joint disease affecting middle-aged and older people. It is characterized by progressive damage to the joint cartilage--the cushioning material at the end of long bones--and causes changes in the structures around the joint.

Existing OA therapies address joint pain and function, but they may only have limited efficacy. There are also questions about their long-term safety for patients, said Yusuf Yazici, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Samumed, LLC, a biotech in San Diego, Calif., which conducted new research about Wnt inhibitors. Recent research shows that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in the formation of joint tissues, and suggests that an altered Wnt pathway is associated with cartilage loss.

"Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease affecting nearly 30 million patients in the U.S. alone," said Dr. Yazici. The goals for his laboratory's research are "to develop a disease-modifying treatment which will regrow cartilage, while also safely treating the signs and symptoms of this significant patient population."

In a 24-week, multicenter, single-dose-escalation, randomized controlled trial, the researchers measured the impact of a single, intra-articular injection of SM04690, a Wnt inhibitor, on pain and function in 61 patients with moderate to severe knee OA. The drug's efficacy was analyzed through Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)-Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) strict responder data.

"Our impetus for the trial was to analyze OMERACT-OARSI responses to further test the clinical relevance of the signs and symptoms data we had observed," said Dr. Yazici. "SM04690 has the potential for true disease modification, and relief of signs and symptoms for OA patients."

The average age of the study subjects was 62.6 (5.7) years, 67 percent were female, and their average body-mass index was 30.4 (4.7). Escalation cohorts of 20 patients each, including 16 active and four placebo) were given a dose of SM04690 at 0.03 mg, 0.07 mg and 0.23 mg in a 2 mL injection. Subjects were given one injection into their affected knee on the first day, and participated in a follow-up period of 24 weeks.

The researchers collected safety, pharmacokinetics, biomarker and preliminary effectiveness data, including Western Ontario McMasters Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Likert v3.1) measures. They evaluated the percentage of OMERACT-OARSI strict responders in the modified Intention-to-Treat (mITT) population. These responders were patients reporting either WOMAC pain or function subscores improvement of ?50 percent, coupled with a reduction in the given subscore of at least 20 points, scaled to [0-100].

Compared to placebo, the researchers found statistically more OMERACT-OARSI strict responders in the 0.07 mg cohort at week 12, or 76 percent versus 36 percent, P=0.04. Numerically, there were more strict responders in the 0.03 mg cohort at week 24, or 73 percent versus 36 percent, P=0.07. More patients in the 0.07 mg cohort met both the pain and function criteria versus placebo at 12 and 24 weeks. Responses in the 0.23 mg cohort were 44 percent at week 12 and 25 percent at week 24.

These results are evidence that SM04690 has a potentially therapeutic effect on knee OA pain and function compared with placebo, Dr. Yazici said.

"More patients treated with a single, intra-articular injection of SM04690 than placebo achieved a significant OMERACT-OARSI strict response, a composite score of clinical efficacy requiring both absolute and relative improvement," he said. "Through further analysis, we saw that the clinical response was driven by improvements in both pain and function measurements from baseline as 12 and at 24 weeks, and not solely by one or the other, suggesting clinically relevant, multidimensional improvement."

The researchers also explored the potential efficacy of Wnt inhibitors on joint space narrowing and cartilage loss, two signs of worsening arthritis. "A therapy with the potential to not only decrease pain and improve function for patients with knee OA, but also to halt or reverse the processes that are driving disease progression, would be a welcome addition to the OA treatment armamentarium," said Dr. Yazici.

The researchers examined their data to evaluate the change from baseline in joint space width (JSW) on X-rays, and then conducted an analysis of JSW change using repeated measures analysis of covariance, or ANCOVA, adjusting for baseline JSW in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population.

In the mITT population at 24 weeks, subjects in the 0.07 mg cohort showed statistically significant increase in mean medial JSW of 0.49 mm (SD 0.75 mm, P=0.02) from baseline compared to placebo. No change in mean medial JSW was observed in the 0.03 mg cohort (mean 0.00 mm, SD 0.69 mm), a decrease in mean medial JSW of 0.15 mm (SD 1.07 mm) observed in the 0.23 mg cohort and a mean decrease of 0.33 mm (SD 0.87 mm) observed in the placebo cohort.

These results, based on exploratory X-ray outcomes from the study, suggest that treatment with SM04690 may maintain or increase joint space width compared to placebo, said Dr. Yazici.

"SM04690 has a novel mechanism of action, and the findings so far suggest that it's safe and has the potential for true disease modification, as well as relief of signs and symptoms of OA after a single injection," he said. "Radiographs (X-rays) taken at baseline and at 24 weeks post-injection suggested that mean joint space width was maintained in one dose, and even increased in another dose."

The next steps are to further assess Wnt inhibitors' safety and efficacy, said Dr. Yazici. The researchers are now conducting a Phase II trial on patients with moderate to severe knee OA.

"Most importantly, we hope that SM04690 will continue to show positive safety and efficacy so that the millions of patients with knee OA will have a new treatment option," he said.

###

About the American College of Rheumatology

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the American College of Rheumatology is an international medical society representing over 9,400 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals with a mission to Advance Rheumatology! In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatologists are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. For more information, visit http://www.rheumatology.org.

About the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting is the premier meeting in rheumatology. With more than 450 sessions and thousands of abstracts, it offers a superior combination of basic science, clinical science, tech-med courses, career enhancement education and interactive discussions on improving patient care. For more information about the meeting, visit http://www.acrannualmeeting.org/, or join the conversation on Twitter by following the official #ACR16 hashtag.
DALLAS, Nov. 13 2016 -- New guidelines for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), include recommendations on the use of antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots and statin drugs to lower cholesterol and advise PAD patients to participate in a structured exercise program. The joint American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines are published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Nearly 9 million Americans have PAD, a condition characterized by leg arteries that are narrowed and clogged by atherosclerosis, the same disease process that underlies heart attacks and stroke. Because the arteries are narrowed by plaque buildup, they cannot supply enough blood to the legs and people with PAD experience pain and difficulty walking. Left untreated, PAD can lead to disability and even leg amputations.

The new recommendations replace guidelines last updated in 2011. "Peripheral artery disease is a common disease with devastating consequences, and clinical practice guidelines are an important tool to improve the quality of care for patients with this disease," said Heather Gornik, M.D., vice chair of the PAD writing committee and cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.

When a patient has PAD, the goal of treatment is to prevent cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke and to improve walking ability and function. In some cases, vascular procedures to restore blood flow to the affected leg--such as angioplasty and stent placement using artery bypass surgery--are recommended. During angioplasty, special tubing with an attached deflated balloon is threaded through the leg arteries. The balloon is inflated to widen blocked areas where blood flow to the leg muscle has been reduced or cut off. Angioplasty is often combined with placement of a stent to help prop the artery open and decrease the chance of another blockage.

These vascular procedures are frequently used to potentially prevent amputation for patients with the most severe forms of PAD, including those with pain in the leg at rest due to a lack of blood flow and patients with a non-healing wound.

The new guidelines also included recommendations for when these vascular procedures should be considered for an additional group of patients who have less severe PAD but who continue to have significant limitations in walking despite treatment with medications and a structured exercise program. For these patients, vascular procedures to improve blood flow to the legs continue to be a reasonable treatment option according to the guidelines.

Regardless of whether vascular procedures are needed, all patients with PAD are at risk for developing blood clots in the legs and having a heart attack or stroke. Medical management recommendations continue to include the use of statin drugs, which reduce cholesterol in the blood, thereby making it less likely to accumulate within the walls of the arteries. The recommendations continue to advise healthcare providers to prescribe antiplatelet therapy such as aspirin or clopidogrel for patients with PAD, and the guidelines discuss situations where dual anti-platelet therapy, the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel, may be considered, such as after vascular surgery or stenting procedures.

As in earlier guidelines, physical activity is a cornerstone of managing PAD, and a new recommendation is for all patients with PAD to participate in a structured exercise program. Structured exercise should be individualized to the patient and should include specific instructions for the type, frequency, intensity and duration of exercise. The most effective form of structured exercise, according to the guidelines, is a supervised exercise program in a hospital or outpatient exercise facility, but other options include home- or community-based walking exercise or alternative forms of exercise such as upper-body exercises.

Previous guidelines emphasized the importance of smoking cessation for the patient with PAD, but the new guidelines go further-patients with PAD are now strongly advised to avoid second-hand smoke.

Another new recommendation for PAD patients is to get an annual flu shot to avoid cardiovascular complications of flu, such as heart attacks, because patients with PAD often have narrowed coronary arteries, a risk factor for heart attack.

Measuring ankle brachial index (ABI) by healthcare providers continues to be recommended for patients with symptoms and signs of PAD. The ankle-brachial index compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms to determine if there is significant narrowing of the arteries due to PAD. For patients without symptoms of PAD, but who are at increased risk, it is reasonable for healthcare providers to use the ABI to determine if PAD is present.

According to the guidelines, people at increased risk for PAD are those 65 and older, as well as people between 50 and 64 who smoke or have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of PAD. Others deemed at increased risk include people younger than 50 with diabetes plus one more additional factor, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. People with a history of atherosclerosis in another part of the body -- such as the coronary arteries (blood vessels to the heart), the carotid arteries (the main blood-ferrying vessel from the heart to the brain) or in the blood vessels of the abdomen or kidneys -- are also at increased risk.

"Periodically reassessing how we manage and treat complex diseases by incorporating the latest evidence is critical to ensure that clinicians are equipped to provide optimal care for their patients," said Marie Gerhard-Herman, M.D., chair of the writing group and a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

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Writing group members: Neal R. Barshes, M.D., M.P.H.; Leila Mureebe, M.D., M.P.H; Matthew A. Corriere, M.D., M.S.; Jeffrey W. Olin, D.O.; Douglas E. Drachman, M.D.; Rajan Patel, M.D.; Lee A. Fleisher, M.D.; Judith G. Regensteiner, Ph.D.; Francis Gerry R. Fowkes, M.D.; Andres Schanzer, M.D.; Naomi M. Hamburg, M.D.; Mehdi H. Shishehbor, D.O., M.P.H., Ph.D.; Scott Kinlay, M.B.B.S., Ph.D; Kerry J. Stewart, Ed.D.; Robert Lookstein, M.D.; Diane Treat-Jacobson, Ph.D., R.N.; Sanjay Misra, M.D.; and M. Eileen Walsh, Ph.D.

Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

Additional Resources:

Heart image and physical activity photos are located in the right column of this release link http://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-peripheral-artery-disease-guidelines-emphasize-medical-therapy-and-structured-exercise?preview=7f672b75cb5f84f1d7f48d2933fbfeb5

American Heart Association's Peripheral Artery Disease Website

Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews.

About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association's science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

About the American College of Cardiology: The American College of Cardiology is a 52,000-member medical society that is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more, visit acc.org
SAN FRANCISCO -- A Mayo Clinic study is shedding light on why some rheumatoid arthritis patients respond poorly when treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, part of a class of drugs called biologics. It comes down to proteins: specifically, a protein in the body that drives inflammation in the disease, the research found. The discovery is an important step toward better personalizing rheumatoid arthritis treatment, helping to avoid trial and error when prescribing medications. The findings were presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in San Francisco.

Researchers found that patients with a higher amount or higher proportion of an inflammatory protein called type 1 interferon beta compared with another inflammatory protein, type 1 interferon alpha, do not respond as well to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as others. They looked at white blood cells called monocytes, a major cell type involved in rheumatoid arthritis, and found that those cells behaved differently in one group than in the other.

The discovery paves the way for a more personalized approach to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis based on the biology of a particular patient's disease.

"Investigating these pathways may identify other targets for therapy or other markers that predict treatment response," says first author Theresa Wampler Muskardin, M.D., a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "It will help rheumatologists find the right drug for each patient and spare patients medications that won't work for them."

The Rheumatology Research Foundation funded the study. Mayo rheumatologist Timothy Niewold, M.D., was the study's senior author.

In other studies presented at the meeting, Mayo Clinic researchers found:

Sarcoidosis, the growth of tiny clusters of inflammatory cells called granulomas, carries a higher risk of heart disease and venous thromboembolism. Researchers also found there is seasonal variation in the incidence of sarcoidosis: Rates are consistently lower in autumn. Physicians believe that sarcoidosis may be triggered by the body's immune response to environmental factors, such as something inhaled from the air.

The risk of coronary artery disease among patients with polymyalgia rheumatica is 70 percent higher than it is among others.

Heart and circulatory abnormalities are common in Takayasu's arteritis, a form of vasculitis in which large blood vessels become inflamed.

Mayo rheumatologists and cardiologists formed the Mayo Clinic Cardio-Rheumatology Clinic to research and pioneer better prevention, detection and treatment of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems in patients with rheumatic diseases.

###

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic or http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.
The incidence of coronary heart disease in the U.S. declined nearly 20 percent from 1983 to 2011, according to a study appearing in the November 15 issue of JAMA.

Diagnosis and control of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors have received particular emphasis in guidelines issued since 1977 (blood pressure) and 1985 (lipids). Yet on a population level, little is known about how these efforts have altered CHD incidence and its association with modifiable risk factors. Michael J. Pencina, Ph.D., of the Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues pooled individual patient-level data from 5 observational cohort studies available in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center. Two analytic data sets were created: 1 set with baseline data collected from 1983 through 1990 (early era) with follow-up from 1996 through 2001, and l set with baseline data collected from 1996 through 2002 (late era) with follow-up from 2007 through 2011.

The study included characteristics of 14,009 pairs of participants in the 2 groups. Participants ages 40 to 79 years who were free of cardiovascular disease were selected from each era and matched on age, race, and sex. Each group was followed for up to 12 years for new-onset CHD (i.e., heart attack, coronary death, angina, coronary insufficiency).

"Examination of adults from 5 large observational cohort studies led to several findings. First, the incidence of CHD declined almost 20 percent over time. Second, although the prevalence of diabetes increased, the fraction of CHD attributable to diabetes decreased over time, due to attenuation of the association between diabetes and CHD. This may have resulted from changing definitions and awareness of diabetes, improvements in diabetes treatment and control, and/or better primary prevention. Third, there was no evidence that the strength of the association between smoking, systolic blood pressure, or dyslipidemia and CHD changed between eras, nor was there evidence that the proportion of CHD due to these factors changed. This underscores the importance of continued prevention efforts targeting these risk factors," the authors write.

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(doi:10.1001/jama.2016.13614; the study is available pre-embargo at the For the Media website)

Editor's Note: This study was supported by Regeneron and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, etc.

To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2016.13614
The European Union and Vietnam are expected to enter into a Free Trade Agreement in early 2018, but both sides have signalled willingness this week to improve cooperation ahead of that date.

In a visit to Vietnam this week, as part of a promotion visit to Asia, EU Commissioner Phil Hogan has invited a task force of Vietnamese experts to Brussels in coming weeks to help eliminate SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary measures) trade barriers.

Speaking after meetings in Hanoi with Prime Minister Phuc and Agri Minister Cuong, Commissioner Hogan said: "I am very pleased that the Vietnamese government has accepted the invitation to send a team of experts. This will help unlock SPS barriers for EU and Vietnamese exporters and will allow producers to fully seize opportunities of the future FTA."

In a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City Commissioner Hogan underlined the opportunity that the FTA will provide for Vietnamese and European producers and the importance of preparing the ground before it enters into force. Commissioner Hogan said: "Vietnam and the EU have complementary agrifood systems. You produce the finest coffee, cashew nuts, peppers and many other products. We produce wine, spirits, dairy, quality meats as well as fruit and vegetables."

When asked about sharing technology with Vietnamese producers, the Commissioner confirmed that this is part of the FTA, recalling that many EU companies have the highest standards in the world when it comes to agri-food technology  and that Europeans are not only interested in trading, but also in investing in Vietnam.

The growth in Vietnamese disposable income among a growing population of more than 90 million is seen by members of the business delegation as an enormous opportunity  with consumers seemingly keen on EU food safety and traceability standards, as well as the quality and traditions of European food and drink.
It was early on a Sunday morning in September when French police discovered a Peugeot parked near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with its hazard lights flashing and its license plates removed. The car carried seven gas cylinders, six of them full, and three cans of diesel. The perpetrators had perhaps intended to blow it up with a lit cigarette and a fuel-soaked blanket, but the vehicle failed to detonate.

Three weeks after that failed plot, police arrested two teenage suspects accused of planning a violent attack in Nice, the details of which havent been made public.

At the center of both plots: women allegedly inspired or directed by Isis. All had been in contact with a prominent French recruiter for Isis, Rachid Kassim, who is believed to be in Syria. Roughly a year after the Isis attacks in Paris that killed 130, France remains in a state of emergency, thanks in part to later assaults inspired by the militant group in Nice and the northern town of Rouen.

Now, however, a new threat is emerging: women who want to wage violent jihad just like men. As Isis continues to lose territory in its self-declared caliphate, French security services are anticipating the return of hundreds of foreign fighters. But while authorities have long scrutinized male Isisoperatives, French female jihadis (some of whom have traveled to Iraq and Syria of their own accord) are providing the group with greater, more covert potential for violence  worrying Western security officials, who are already overstretched.

Its not clear to what extent senior Isis leadership is driving this strategy, especially since the group does not recognise women as equal participants in war. While Isis refers to its male jihadi attackers as soldiers or fighters,  so far the group has claimed only one woman as its soldier: Tashfeen Malik, who led an attack in December 2015 in San Bernardino, California; other women who have killed in the groups name are referred to merely as supporters. 

Yet radicalised women in France are increasingly willing to give their lives for the cause, says Matthieu Suc, author of Femmes de Djihadistes  or Wives of Jihadis. In different jihadist records, you can see, you can hear, women  often young  regretting not to be able to commit terrorist attacks,  he says. Theoretically, women want  just like men  to take part in the jihad. Thats the way it goes. Thats the order of things. 

The threat seems to be growing. Already, 24 women and three girls under the age of 18 are in custody in France for alleged extremism offenses, according to the Paris prosecutors office. Some 40 per cent of French recruits who have joined Isis in Syria are female, according to the French Interior Ministry, and French authorities said at least 220 women had made the journey to Iraq and Syria to join Isis as of December 2015.

In early September, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins estimated that as Isis continues to lose territory to Kurdish and Iraqi forces, hundreds of these radicalised women would return to France in the next few months. Officials have said they underestimated the threat of female militants in Europe, particularly since returnees are not necessarily just jihadi brides who stayed at home while their husbands were on the front lines. Instead, they have long been immersed in the internal workings of a deadly extremist group. Malik set the precedent for female Isis attackers in the West when she and her husband shot and killed 14 people in San Bernardino.

Although Isis did not direct the couple, the group inspired them and later praised their actions in its English-language magazine. Now, female Isis attackers are picking up momentum. In September, three women launched an Isis-inspired knife and firebomb attack on a police station in the eastern Kenyan city of Mombasa before police shot them dead and, earlier in October, Moroccan authorities dismantled a suspected Isis cell of 10 women accused of plotting attacks in the North African kingdom. But women have been carrying out attacks long before Isis existed. In the early 2000s, Chechnyas Black Widows  Islamist female suicide bombers  targeted civilians as part of their drive for an independent state.

Around the same time, women conducted suicide bombings during the second Palestinian intifada against Israel. In 2005, Sajida al-Rishawi attempted an attack on a wedding in the Jordanian capital of Amman. And more recently, Nigerian militant group Boko Haram  now an Isis affiliate  has directed dozens of women to target mosques, civilian camps and Nigerian authorities in suicide bombings. Earlier incarnations of Isis had also approved of womens roles in attacks if men encountered difficulties, says Cole Bunzel, a PhD candidate at Princeton University.

Isiss former leader Abu Umar al-Baghdadi said in 2007 that women could fight in special circumstances where [the targets] are difficult for men. A year later, the Islamic State in Iraqs minister of war, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, said women could commit suicide attacks in circumstances where men cannot.

Now Europes crackdown on jihadi networks has provided Isis with a similar justification, since intelligence agencies are likely to pay closer attention to male extremists. Women often connect people, passing along key information while remaining undetected, says Nikita Malik, a researcher at the UK-based anti-extremism think tank Quilliam. That makes them crucial players in the formation of militant networks and in the deadly attacks these groups carry out.

One of Frances most influential Isis recruiters has praised female participation in violent, domestic jihad, and is now directing women to carry out attacks. A 29-year-old amateur rapper from Roanne in central France, Kassim communicated with the Notre Dame suspects through the encrypted messaging app Telegram, a source in the Paris prosecutors office tells Newsweek. (A source close to the investigation told Agence-France Presse that Kassim was in contact with the Nice suspects too.)

Kassim has shamed men on Telegram for not taking part in similar assaults. Where are our brothers?  he wrote. You have to understand that if these women went into action, its because so few men are doing anything. Why are you waiting so long to the point the women are overtaking you in terms of honor? 

Even without official endorsement at the highest levels of Isis leadership, European security officials worry this new trend has the potential to spread beyond France. And French security services, which have failed seven times in less than two years, are already dealing with a complex web of threats. If radicalised women are now as dangerous as radicalised men, they may soon succeed where the Notre Dame attackers failed.

Source : Independent UK
Rome : An Albanian-Muslim has been fined 30,000 euros after she refused to take off her niqab in a public building in San Vito al Tagliamento in Italy, as required by the law.

A judge in the province of Pordenone on Friday converted a four-month prison sentence handed to the woman into a 30,000 fine plus 600 euros cost.

The woman entered a meeting last month at San Vito al Tagliamento town hall and repeatedly ignored a request by its centre-left mayor to remove her niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible.

Police were called and removed the 40-year-old woman from the council assembly.

She has lived in San Vito al Tagliamento since 2000 and recently became an Italian citizen.

Source : MSN
Malda : Malda district in West Bengal is widely known as the hub of Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) in India. With a porous border, areas like Kaliachak, Sujapur, Mojompur, Baishnabnagar have been under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) radar for a long time as a substantial amount of FICN enters India through this corridor from Bangladesh.

The area is also a hub for black money hoaders. Thus, ever since the central governments decision to demonetise high value currency notes, an interesting trend has taken shape in the border region of Malda.

Poor families, most of whom are farmers are being used to channel the black money. Rich traders are using the bank accounts of these poor families to deposit huge tranche of cash.When India Today did a reality check, we found even people who have dormant bank accounts and generally beg for a living are being given Rs 2,000/3,000 at a time in exchange of their bank account where the traders want to put in their cash.

Whoever has large sums of money are asking us to take that and deposit it in our bank accounts in return for 1,000 or 2,000 rupees, said one of the villagers living in Kaliachak I block on condition of anonymity.

Another villager accepted that local business men who had hidden money were approaching poor households and transferring their money in those accounts mostly lying dormant.

The rich traders are depositing about one or two lacs each in someone elses account and paying a small charge to the account holder in order to convert their black money, the villager explained.

We found one such bank account holder, Onara Bewa standing outside the SBI branch at Shujapur for hours. When India Today asked her why she was at the bank, to our surprise she said she had no money but was brought there by someone else!

I am a beggar and this is the first time Im coming to this bank. I dont know anythingthey have got me here, she claimed.

In fact, most poor bank account holders have told India Today that they had never used their account since the time it was opened. Even college students caught on camera say they have never done any transaction using their bank accounts, yet they had lined up outside the bank for the first time to deposit lacs for someone else.

I have come here to deposit Rs 3 lakh. I am a student and this is my first time to this bank ever since I opened an account three years back, said one such student living in Mojompur.

Another such student said he was depositing Rs 50,000 in return of Rs 2,000. Never came to the bank before. This time Im depositing Rs 50,000. Yes, I will benefit too, as they are giving Rs 2,000, claimed Md Yusuf Sheik from Mojompur.

In fact, public sector banks in the area have put up notices cautioning customers to not allow others to use their accounts for the purpose.

We are advising the poor not to take other peoples money and deposit it in their account. We are informing them that this can later cause problems for therm. We are cross checking before accepting their money, said Pradip Kumar Dey, Manager of the Allahabad Bank branch at Chandpur in Malda.

Source : India Today
Jayalalithaa's health issues had shaken the state and thousands of her supporters had been holding special prayers in temples, churches and mosques across the state, wishing her a speedy recovery. Today, she thanked her supporters in a statement.

By Pramod Madhav: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today issued her first statement from the hospital, thanking the people of the state for their prayers and that she has taken a rebirth.

"What can harm me with the love of you. I am waiting to completely recover and resume my work for people," she said. "I don't know what is taking rest and hard work can't be left. Ever since MGR inducted me in politics, I have been working for people. I heard many committed suicide for me. I want each of you to work for the people. I can't lose you."



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Having been admitted for over a month said that she would return to her work soon.

She asked the cadres to work hard for victory in the upcoming elections at Thanjavur, Aravakurichi, Puducherry and Thiruparankundram.

"I request the cadre to work hard to make AIADMK'S win in these elections by a huge margin. I request people to keep in mind the schemes brought in by my government while voting," she said.



JAYALALITHAA'S HEALTH

Jayalalithaa's health issues had shaken the state and thousands of her supporters had been holding special prayers in temples, churches and mosques across the state, wishing her a speedy recovery.

In fact, earlier many arrests were also made in the state of people said to be spreading rumours about her health.

--- ENDS ---
A man has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Dublin earlier this month.

25-year-old Dwayne Keane, of Drogheda Street in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, was charged this evening at Dublin District Court in connection with the incident.
US president-elect may seek engagement with NK after initial hike in tensions



By Kim Jae-kyoung





Prof. William Brown

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may jeopardize stability on the Korean Peninsula if his North Korean counterpart continues to rely on nuclear brinkmanship, according to a North Korea expert based in Washington, D.C.

William Brown, a professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, said Trump may take immediate countermeasures against any military provocations by North Korea and its unpredictable leader Kim Jong-un.

"Pyongyang has a history of provocations in order to make it feel noticed, and I expect that may happen again," Brown said. "If so, Trump would respond and might create some kind of crisis.

"Our government would give very clear notice to Pyongyang that any nuclear or conventional provocations will be immediately countered and that better relations can quickly develop if Kim wants to move in that direction and is willing to make some important reforms and changes."

Brown, a retired U.S. government official, expects that the former billionaire businessman, who will take office in January, will use a combination of "engagement and containment" policies to change North Korea.

"President Trump eventually will want to engage to change the dynamics of the North Korean regime," he said. "North Korea, especially its economy, is changing on its own and we might be able to hasten that process. We can be pretty sure new thinking will go on in Washington about how to do that."

Under the new administration, for example, he expects Russia will play a bigger role in controlling North Korea's nuclear threats.

"Russia might become more important, and China less so," Brown said. "We should remember that Russia was a key contributor to the North Korean missile and nuclear programs and might be able to play a more constructive role in stopping it."

Brown, who previously worked for the CIA, the Commerce Department and the National Intelligence Council, believes Trump's unpredictable, aggressive way of thinking may make Pyongyang more cautious about its military provocations.

"Pyongyang might be more than a little afraid of Trump, whom they don't know, and they thus might move more cautiously than normal," he said.

"In the end, though, I think the only thing that will force change in North Korea is fear of not changing, and Trump might be in a good position to present such fears."

Brown expects that once a policy line is developed, and coordinated with Seoul, the Trump administration will find a way to communicate directly with Pyongyang.

He stressed that to sustain the solid bilateral alliance, South Korea should make more efforts to secure channels not only to the White House but also to the U.S. Congress to tip the policy review process in favor of South Korea.

"We often tend to focus on presidential politics but actually Congress makes most of the rules," he said.

"Republican congressmen and senators will have a lot of positive things to say about trade and security relations with South Korea and these bode very well for our relations with Seoul."

Park's political scandals

Brown expects Trump to call for a complete review of U.S. policies toward Korea.

"In Trump's way of thinking, it is important for the U.S. to first figure out what is in the U.S. national interest and I'm sure this will be the focus of his review," he said.

However, he believes the ongoing political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil, accused of meddling in state affairs for her own gains, will negatively affect the review process.

"Unfortunately, the current situation in Seoul will complicate the review process since Trump will want to ensure Seoul and Washington are in general agreement, and this may take time," Brown said.

"President Park's political problems will give reasons for both Washington and Seoul to delay policy reviews. That would be a big mistake and Seoul needs to try to quickly engage the new administration, telling it that North Korean issues are beyond politics in South Korea."

Brown, who served as a senior research fellow in the U.S. Embassy in Seoul in the 1980s, said time is very short for the review because the recent North Korean nuclear progress is strong.

"Once they have achieved a solid deterrence, at least in their own minds, our leverage will be lessened," he said.

"I hope that Trump does not fall into the trap of so called strategic patience, putting North Korea policy on the back-burner as soon as difficulties are encountered."

Brown called for Korea's policymakers to come up with strategies for potential changes in advance.

"An up-front willingness to consider major changes in strategy and tactics would be helpful," he said. "Trump may not yet be aware of how integrated the U.S and South Korean forces have become. Whereas he doesn't like entangling alliances, on inspection, this one works pretty well."

Regarding trade treaties, such as the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, Brown believes there won't be major changes because that agreement has widespread support in Congress, and generally among the public.

"There have been U.S. issues with respect to South Korean adherence to all the rules and these will be likely be emphasized in an effort to improve compliance," he said.

"But to South Korea's advantage, I'm pretty sure that if a Trump administration were to ever re-renegotiate something like the TPP, it will invite Seoul to join at the outset."

He emphasized that since Seoul-Washington relations have been so good in recent years, Korea has to be careful to make sure they are not taken for granted.

"Our focus today is Trump but this soon could be applied to politics in Seoul as well," Brown said.
Vice Minister for Internationalization Jorge Manuel Faria da Costa Oliveira, second from right, poses with Eurotech CEO Manuel Oliveira, third from right, and Ambassador of Portugal Antonio Quinteiro Nobre, second from left, at the Eurotech Solution Corporation in Gwangju on Oct. 31. / Courtesy of the Embassy of Portugal



By Rachel Lee

With a wide-ranging logistical and financial support system in place, a Portuguese vice minister believes his country has succeeded in placing itself on the radar of Korean investors and aims to become a priority destination.

Vice Minister for Internationalization Jorge Manuel Faria da Costa Oliveira was in Korea on Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 for the fourth joint economic committee. With his Korean counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho, they explored business opportunities for both sides in areas including space technology.

"This visit's mission was underpinned by two dimensions: the strictly political and the trade and business-oriented one," the vice minister told The Korea Times.

The joint meeting on Nov. 1 was held "in an atmosphere reflecting the excellent relations between our governments," he said. "We are exploring new business opportunities for both countries."

Oliveira, 57, was Secretary of State for Internationalization Affairs and Independent Legal Consultant on Tourism, Hospitality and Gaming before the present post.

"Portugal is a safe destination for foreign investment, providing a very high level of technical and scientific capacity and know-how, plus a comprehensive and dynamic business environment," he said.

"Moreover, Portugal performs the role of a highly qualified and networked platform for accessing the European market. Our special relationship with Africa and Latin America further strengthens our position as an excellent point of entry into these markets."

He highlighted some of the advantages that would appeal to Korean investors  apart from the country's high level of infrastructure  including an international network of contacts, transparent regulation and an up-to-date business atmosphere.

"Our country is a leader in hosting and developing new products, as a result of its startup-friendly ecosystem and its many research and development centers of excellence," he said.

As much as the vice minister wants to attract investment from Seoul, there was a multi-sector trade mission composed of 10 Portuguese companies that came with him.

"The participating companies and institutions had an intense agenda, meeting with prospective business partners and, in some cases, concluding agency and export agreements," Oliveira said.

"Other contacts were fruitful in as much as they laid the groundwork for the establishment of future trade and business relations."

Korea and Portugal launched the economic committee after signing a treaty in 1984. This year's meeting was the first since the heads of the two nations held a summit in Seoul two years ago.

Bilateral trade has steadily increased in the past few years  imports and exports reached about $730 million last year. The figure was $670 million a year earlier, according to Korea's foreign ministry.

The Portuguese Embassy said one of the most important characteristics of the country's economy over the past decade was the diversification of services and the transformation of industry and its specialization.

Portugal had come from dependence on traditional industries to develop new sectors  using more technology  that have gained importance and recorded significant growth.

These sectors include automotive and components, electronics, energy, pharmaceuticals and industries related to new technologies in information and telecommunications.

The embassy said the country's services sector last year contributed 75.8 percent of gross value added (GVA) and employed 68.1 percent of the population. Agriculture, forestry and fishing generated only 2.4 percent of GVA and 7.5 percent of employment while industry, construction, energy and water represented 21.9 percent of GVA and 24.5 percent of employment.

The flow of foreign direct investment into Portugal, in net terms, was about 3.9 billion euros in the first half of this year, down 33.5 percent on the same period last year when it was 5.4 billion euros, according to the embassy.
Argentine Ambassador to Korea Jorge Roballo speaks at the "Wines of Argentina Tasting Seoul 2016" at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on Nov. 3. / Courtesy of the Embassy of Argentina



By Rachel Lee

Argentina, one of the finest wine-making countries, has again introduced its best wineries to Seoul, with the aim of expanding its Korean market share.

Twenty-four wineries were represented at the "Wines of Argentina Tasting Seoul 2016," hosted by Wines of Argentina and the Embassy of Argentina. Among the invitees, 11 were visiting Seoul for the first time.

"We would like to introduce our excellent wines in the Korean market, keeping up our positive export figures," Argentine Ambassador to Korea Jorge Roballo said at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on Nov. 3.

He said Argentine wine exports to Korea reached $4 million last year  780,000 liters. The figure was up 12 percent from a year earlier.

"Such numbers indicate an increasing interest ... among Korean consumers about our products," Roballo said.

According to the embassy, Argentine wine exports to Korea are up 64 percent this year from 2011, and total exports up 90 percent. Argentina is the world's fifth-largest wine producer and ninth-largest wine exporter. It has 1,300 wineries.

"Following the trend, we hope to see a steady increase in our presence in the Korean wine market, and we will keep increasing the number of winiries launched and also diversify the range of grapes here, apart from our signature malbec and cabernet sauvignon," the ambassador said,

There also were food-pairing sessions on the sidelines of the wine tasting, where visitors were able to match Korean foods with Argentine wines, including malbec, shiraz, chardonnay and other blends.

In Korea, wine imports have been increasing over the past seven years, surpassing imported hard liquor for the first time last year, as the drinking culture changes and more people prefer drinks that go with good food.

According to the Korea International Trade Association, wine imports last year reached $189 million  a 24 percent market share. Imports of liquor like whiskey and brandy totaled $188 million  23.8 percent of the market. Liquor once accounted for 70 percent.

In terms of wine producers' market share in the first half of last year, France topped the list with $27.1 million, followed by Chile with $21.4 million.
By Rachel Lee



South Korea plans to sign a provisional deal next week with Japan on sharing military intelligence about North Korea despite strong objections from opposition parties, the defense ministry said Friday.



The two countries have reached a consensus on key details of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) through two rounds of discussions, held on Nov. 1 and Thursday, the ministry said.



"The third round of working-level talks will take place sometime next week to sign a provisional deal," ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a briefing.



"We have asked the foreign ministry to request the Ministry of Government Legislation to review the agreement."



After the screening, the foreign ministry will submit it to a vice ministerial meeting and a Cabinet meeting. As soon as all elements of the process are passed, the defense ministry will officially sign the long-delayed deal with Japan.



In 2012, the two sides were about to sign the GSOMIA under the Lee Myung-bak administration. But this fell through at the last minute due to fierce public criticism here over the government's alleged clandestine attempts to sign a sensitive agreement with the former colonial ruler.



In the two rounds of meetings, Seoul and Tokyo agreed on the confidentiality of the classified information and designation of government officials who can access it.



However, the defense ministry's decision for a provisional deal is drawing criticism that it is rushing to complete the pact. Previously it said "conditions" needed to be created first that overcome public resistance stemming from the bitter memory of Tokyo's 1910-1945 colonial rule and Japanese soldiers using Korean women as sex slaves.



The opposition is criticizing the government's GSOMIA talks as an attempt to avert public attention from the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil. The scandal sent Park's approval rating nose-diving to 5 percent for the second straight week, Friday.



Three opposition parties warned Thursday that they will submit a motion for the dismissal of Defense Minister Han Min-koo unless the ministry stops the GSOMIA discussions.



If signed, the deal would allow Seoul and Tokyo directly to share and exchange intelligence on North Korea's military activities related to its nuclear and missile programs. Japan and Korea now indirectly exchange such intelligence through the United States under a trilateral sharing pact signed at the end of 2014.




By Kang Seung-woo





James Choi

James Choi, a South Korean-born Australian, has been named Australia's ambassador to Seoul, its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said Wednesday.

It is the first time a Korean-Australian will assume the position after the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1961.

He also is the second ethnic South Korean to head a foreign embassy in Seoul, following Sung Kim, the former U.S. ambassador who is now ambassador to the Philippines.

"James Choi has been appointed as Australia's next Ambassador to South Korea, with non-resident accreditation to North Korea," the department said.

Canberra maintains diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, so Choi, 46, will double as the ambassador to North Korea.

Choi migrated to Australia in 1974 when he was four and graduated from the University of Sydney, earning a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws.

Choi has been a senior career officer with DFAT since 1994. He has served as Ambassador to Denmark, with earlier postings at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and at the Australian Embassy in Seoul.

Choi, who will take over from Ambassador Bill Paterson, is scheduled to begin his appointment in December, according to DFAT.

South Korea is Australia's fourth-largest trading partner and two-way trade was worth over $36 billion (41 trillion won) in 2015. They signed a free trade agreement in 2014, which DFAT said is delivering strong results for business in both countries.

The two nations also have strong education and tourism links and cooperate in multilateral forums as active members of the G20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the MIKTA grouping.

"Australia and South Korea enjoy a warm relationship founded on common values and interests," DFAT said.
13.11.2016 LISTEN

It is obvious that the music scene is right about getting more interactive and competitive with the likes of Rex Omar, Ofori Amponsah and Joe Freazer bouncing back to vibe along with the new generation.

Multiple hitmaker Abrewa Nana has announced she is back to take her place and to fill her space in the music industry specifically the dancehall fraternity.

The " Odo Filla" crooner is set to unveil a mind blowing single which explicates the real meaning of her personality. The song christened "Who I Be" has a great touch of class as it was recorded on Africa's popular Social Media Riddim hosted by Jullie Jay-Kanz and produced by talented producer Sicnarf Beatz.

Abrewa Nana proved she is a real maharishi of music by parading her lyrical dexterity and amazing flow on the riddim making her version one of the best songs on the riddim.

Speaking to the ace musician, she disclosed that the song will be released on her birthday 3rd December, 2016 as a gift to her fans.

Meanwhile, she will want to give advantage to her fans to listen to the masterpiece as she premieres on Kingdom 101.9 FM this Saturday 12 November with DJ Londona on the Pimpinaa Show.
Absconding director Nagashekhar and two other crew members were driven to the police station by Masthigudi's star Duniya Vijay himself.

(L to R) Duniya Vijay, Uday and Anil were shooting for Masthigudi

By Rohini Swamy: It has been six days since actors Anil Kumar and Uday Raghav drowned tragically while shooting for Kannada film Masthigudi. Without adequate training and safety measures on the film's sets, Anil and Uday had to jump from a helicopter without life jackets into the Thippagondanahalli reservoir for a stunt scene.

Mow, three absconding crew members from Masthigudi's sets; the stunt master, the director and his assistant have surrendered to the Taverekere police on Saturday.

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ALSO READ: What went wrong in the Masthigudi helicopter tragedy

ALSO READ: Bodies of both Anil and Uday found after they were killed during Masthigudi stunt scene

SEE PICS: 10 horrifying accidents on film sets that shouldn't have happened



Director Nagashekhar, assistant director Siddhu and stunt master Ravi Varma were driven to the police station by the movie's lead actor Duniya Vijay himself. The police has also booked producer Sundar Gowda under culpable homicide.





The film's crew, however, maintains that the mishap happened due to a technical snag in the rescue boat, that failed to start resulting in delay to pull them out of water.

According to reports, the statements of Nagashekhar, Siddhu and Ravi Verma are now in police custody and their statements have been recorded.

Bharat, a unit manager from the film's sets, have been arrested as well.



--- ENDS ---
Machache (Lesotho) (AFP) - In a new blow to the stability of Lesotho, a leading parliamentary rebel called Sunday for a new ruling coalition in the mountain kingdom, gripped by political crisis for two years.

Monyane Moleleki, who quit the government earlier this week, said the landlocked country needed a broad-based and "strong" government of national unity to replace the "rotten" current administration.

"I invite all parties represented in the national assembly including the opposition to approach us to talk about how we can take this country forward," he said.

The current prime minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, heads a coalition government that took power after snap elections in February 2015.

On Thursday Mosisili sacked four ministers, immediately triggering the departure of four others including Moleleki, while 20 lawmakers from the ruling group announced they were quitting the fragile parliamentary majority.

The departures were officially due to disagreements over economic policy, according to local media.

Moleleki was speaking from his stronghold of Machache, about 40 km from the capital Maseru, in front of several thousand supporters dressed in the red colours of his party, an AFP journalist said.

Lesotho has been gripped by crisis since a failed coup d'etat in June 2014, which led to the elections in early 2015.

The All Basotho Convention (ABC) party of then premier Thomas Thabane was beaten by the Democratic Congress (DC) of former Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, who formed a slim majority with several small parties controlling 65 seats in the 120-member parliament.

On Sunday several ABC members joined the DC rebel group, confirming that alliances could be completely rebuilt in parliament, threatening the current government.

Completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho is one of the world's poorest countries and its economy is heavily dependent on its larger neighbour, to whom it exports water and hydroelectric power.

South Africa, the United States and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc have repeatedly called for political reform in Lesotho.
Marrakech, 11 November 2016  The Solar Impulse Foundation launched the World Alliance for Clean Technologies today during COP22, as a legacy to the first ever solar flight around the world. Its goal is to federate the main actors in the field of clean technologies, in order to create synergies, promote profitable solutions to the worlds most pressing environmental and health challenges, and give credible advice to governments.

Less than four months after the landing of the first ever solar flight around the world, accomplished by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, the Solar Impulse Foundation is launching, at COP22, the World Alliance for Clean Technologies  a second phase in the realization of Bertrand Piccards vision that clean technologies can accomplish impossible goals and offer tangible solutions to solve many of the challenges facing global society today as well as reach the objectives of the Climate Action Agenda.

The Alliance's overarching ambition is to globally advance the cause of clean technologies, which it defines as "any practical solution that allows to bridge the gap between ecology and economy. They are not limited to the production of renewable energy, but encompass technologies, systems, know-hows or processes that protect the environment, improve health, increase energy efficiency or save natural resources, while creating jobs, generating profit and sustaining growth".

We need to embrace clean technologies, not because they are eco-logical, but because they are logical, said Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. Even if climate change didnt exist, energy efficient technologies would make sense to create jobs, generate profit and boost economic development, while also reducing CO2 emissions and protecting natural resources.

Until now, there was no such organization, gathering the clean technologies stakeholders around the world; hence the Alliance will bring together start-ups, companies, institutions and organizations producing, implementing or supporting the use of clean technologies. Together, the members will share experience and create synergies in order to improve the overall value chain and demonstrate concrete solutions to support governments, corporations and institutions in reaching their environmental and health targets, advising them depending on their specific situation.

Commenting on the launch of the Alliance, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: The Solar Impulse flight showed the world that it is possible to push the limits of technology in order to build the foundation for a sustainable future. By harnessing this and other innovative technologies, we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Initiatives like the World Alliance for Clean Technologies are exactly what we need to further enable investors, governments, cities and citizens to harvest the rich variety of clean technologies that already exist or are under development, added Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, who was present at the launch. We need the best and brightest minds  from the North and the South  to deliver clean technologies that can collectively accomplish the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and all the Sustainable Development Goals to catalyze a healthy and prosperous future for all."

Finally, Richard Northcote, Chief Sustainability Officer at Covestro, shared: "We are delighted to continue our relationship with Solar Impulse though the World Alliance for Clean Technologies. Our contribution to the Solar Impulse project proved that we have the technology to make the world a brighter place and through this alliance we intend to accelerate the implementation of these technologies to tackle the challenges society faces while generating business growth."

The Solar Impulse Foundation offers to the Alliance its administrative support, as well as the media, political and institutional relations developed during the round the world solar flight. The Alliance is funded thanks to partners such as Covestro, Solvay and Nestle Research, among others, as well as private donors.

As Bertrand Piccard said upon the final landing in Abu Dhabi If an airplane can fly around the world without a drop fuel, clean technologies can undoubtedly be implemented on the ground to make a cleaner, more efficient and richer world.
12.11.2016 LISTEN

So one Monday morning I was on my way to work cruising in a trotro, about two seats behind the conductor listening to some heated discussions on radio. The car stops and picks one guy who catches my eye because of the different colours of his shirt that made him look like a box of crayons and the numerous rings on his fingers. I looked at the guy and said to myself some people can really dress, and then I remembered a saying that each of us has his own choices so I took my attention off this guy.

Now about two minutes after our new bus mate joined us, the conductor asks him for his fare and this guy, with the confidence of the owner of the car tells the conductor that he won't pay because he is a police officer and that he is not in uniform because he is working an undercover case. Right then the psychiatry I studied in school started popping up and I said to myself, this is probably some exhibitions of some grandiose delusions. But since I didn't attend police academy with him I kept the thought to myself.

The conductor insisted on taking his money, our undercover cop didn't want to pay. He got angry and asked to be allowed to get down right there and then and that he was no longer going to the central police station where he intended to go earlier when he joined the car. He got down and started crossing the road back and forth and shouting at anyone he met. It was then that it became apparent that our undercover cop attended police academy only in his head. The question that people in the car kept asking were; What if he had attacked someone in the car? I personalized the question; What if he had snapped my neck or strangled me from behind or hit me with his ring- weaponized hand?

This situation that I witnessed is not peculiar to me or my locality. I am sure others have witnessed such situations and continue to witness more on a regular basis. This begs the question; what are these people doing at home and on the streets? Do government officials or ministers of state care about the dangers these people pose to their neighbours and others they come into contact with? These have been on my mind until I heard again that psychiatric nurses were complaining of their clients not getting adequate drugs and had to go on a strike before something temporary was done about it. Even though psychiatry is not my field of specialty, the little clinical practice I had at the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital opened my eyes to the dangers that psychiatric nurses face on a daily basis.

There were times that a patient could become so aggressive that three or four able-bodied men would be needed to sedate him. Imagine what will happen if this aggressive manic patient overpowers them. All these sacrifices made by psychiatric nurses and other health professionals have not been respected.

The irony of the matter is that these people nurses who face great risk are left in harms way with no form of security whilst politicians who are supposed to protect the interest of the common man on the street go around in big cars with police escorts for protection. The question I ask myself is; do these politicians consider their lives more valuable than the ordinary people?

To the president and his leaders, how many of you can spend a whole day facing what psychiatric nurses face if your armed bodyguards are not with you. I am sure out of fear some of you may collapse or do certain things I cannot mention here, yet when people put their lives on the line you sit in your high places and act as if you dont know or care about what is going on.

To the ordinary Ghanaian like you and me, let us be open- minded about our needs and about our leaders. We should hold them accountable for every single thing entrusted to them. It is only by doing so that they will know that we or our conscience cannot be bought and that we are the ones who put them in such places of authority that make them feel they are better than us. We must all strive for a change in the status quo because we deserve much better.

Mentally challenged people and psychiatric nurses have been taken for granted for far too long. Let us not be silent about it. God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong, bold to defend forever, the freedom of the ordinary man on the street.

By: Kyei Baffour PRINCE

Email: [email protected]
My strongest admonishing strategy to NPP for winning Election 2016 is not to trust in the results of any public opinion polls conducted, or yet to be conducted, and whether or not it favours NPP. Nana Akufo Addo, the Ghanaian version of the biblical Joseph, Moses or David, these three individuals who at a point in the history of the Israelites, did play decisive roles to redeem their people from subjugation under the hands of oppressive leaders and neighbours, should not go by what the opinion polls say. The NPP and their activists and sympathisers should equally not put any trust in opinion polls but hard work.

Why do I say this? It is all because of the fact that for the past few years, opinion polls indications as made public in Europe and America are turning out oppositely. When the polls indicate in advance that Candidate A or Party B is the most favourable candidate or party to win the election, the actual election results have recently been turning out to be completely different, thus, the opposite.

In the UKs parliamentary election of year 2015, the opinion polls had the Conservatives (Tories) and the Labour party being at neck and neck with some even giving Labour the slightest lead. However, the actual election results turned out to be completely different; the Labour party nearly got completely wiped out by the Tories. The Tories were before and during the election in coalition with the Liberal Democrats. However, they emerged victorious with a 12-seat majority in parliament.

During the Thursday 23 June 2016 British referendum, popularly called Brexit, all the indications pointed to the Remain winning the election. However, the Leavers, thus, the Brexiteers, ended up winning with 52% of the votes cast to the surprise of even the Brexiteers themselves.

Remainers were those voting to stay in the European Union while the Leavers were those voting to quit the European Union.

Again, the latest and just terminated US Presidential election with Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton to the presidency, thus, emerging as the President-elect of the US was not only unexpected but also, a complete political upset. Did the polls not show that Hillary was in the lead and was surely going to win? What then happened to give the world that shocking results?

All the above cited instances go to conclude that in these days, opinion polls are nothing to go by to determine or tell who is actually going to win an election.

There are some who may fake which way their vote will actually go hence these shocking results in the end.

Additionally, many voters are being carried away by populist ideas and hence cast their votes for candidates who whip up populist sentiments, if not that they cast their votes in protests against the mainstream parties and what they stand for.

In Ghana, it sad to acknowledge that a last minute offer of say, a GHC10 or GHC50 note to a person can influence the direction in which they cast their vote contrary to their already planned direction of voting. It is really sad to see some people behave that way to negate the essence of any hard-fought fight to liberate the people from the poverty, joblessness, intimidation etc. that they may be shackled to by the incompetence and corrupt practices of a ruling government.

I want Nana Akufo Addo/Dr Alhaji Bawumia and Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, entire NPP leadership, activists and sympathisers to understand that the election is never won despite any favourable indications from opinion polls until we have really won it by the declaration of the official results. Therefore, we need to continue with the hard fight until it is over.

Is it not said, it is not over, over until it is over?

The son of Kumawu/Asiampa will not hesitate to guide you in the right direction or deny you access to his overflowing fountain of wisdom any day any time until long after Nana Akufo Addo, NPP and the economically and financially-strapped Ghanaian masses have won Election 2016.

I am extremely grateful to the management of Ghanaweb and Modernghana for allowing me a space on their online news portal to share my views, advice and concerns with the worldwide Ghanaian compatriots. The same expression of gratitude goes to Source FM radio UK.

Rockson Adofo
The Writer

12.11.2016 LISTEN

The Trump Train (once a Twitter hashtag and then a successful metaphor of the assertive, and to date unstoppable, reform wind blown by Donald Trump) is finally arrived at the White House. But this is very likely not the final destination of its journey. The Trump Train could soon arrive in Europe.

And it would be a return trip. As Donald Trump frequently referred to, his campaign owes a lot of inspiration from the Brexit movement. Surely Trump got in politics well before, but after June he's started referring to his rise as a Brexit plus plus plus. And it wasn't just a motivational motto.

The Trumpist and Brexiteer final arguments strictly resemble one another: a proudly nationalistic rebuttal of adverse fallouts of globalization, from industrial outsourcing to the (West)self-hating ideology of extreme multiculturalism. The Trump Train and the Brexit share also a common grass-roots social base of support, which are the White working and middle classes of small cities and rural areas especially.

Even if US society is still very different from the European one, the rampant globalization of last decades has made them quite close compared to half a century ago. Both US and Europe has experienced massive deindustrialization with a geographical concentration of the remaining high-tech industries in a few islands of happiness  few compared to the many rust belts of the Western world. Both US and Europe has seen a deep financialization of their economies. Both US and Europe has been overwhelmed by the new ideology of the so-called politically correct, a post-modern, constructivist, relativist and anti-Western set of theories and practices.

It's true: in the US you can find also the Bible Belt, but if we consider the European Union as a whole, we could see a Catholic Belt in its Eastern countries, opposed to Sweden (a European California) or London and Paris (European New Yorks) or in general the more liberal Western countries. Exactly as in the US, also in Europe the post-modernism is currently hegemonic in colleges and mainstream media, which are trying to inculcate it also in the common man, and the common woman - and the common *... Finally, the massive immigration flows of last decades in Europe are making her society more and more resembles the composite ethnic mix of North American society.

In so similar environments, it is predictable to find similar political trends and demands. Brexit- and Trump-alike movements are in high gear throughout Europe, with very few notable exceptions (as Spain, but maybe only because the Partido Popular is quite more right-wing than its conservative counterparts in other countries). The working class vote has yet largely migrated from the Left to the Right, whereas the upper class is now proudly leftist in majority. Larger cities are the liberal strongholds while the suburbs are swarmed by Brexiteer-style so-called populists.

You have read in every possible way how Trump prevail among White electorate by 60%-40%, losing among Blacks (10%-90%) and Hispanics (35%-65%). Surely we cannot trust too much pollsters's statistics, but they are perfectly in line with surveys in previous elections. Now, take the Brexit vote: white voters chose Leave by a notable (and indeed determining the final result) margin of 53%-47%, which would be ever wider if it was not for the Scotland and Northern Ireland's white voters, who had very particular and local-specific reason for prefering Remain. Anyway, they were not Scots or Irish the ethnic groups that by a larger majority voted for remain in the European Union. They were Asians (65%-35%), Muslims (70%-30%) and Blacks (75%-25%) instead.

No wonder if, looking into the foreign-born voters in Europe, or also second- and third-generation immigrants, we will find a clear support for the Left. And since those groups are now numerically very considerable in many countries, they can actually determine the outcome of an European election. Precisely as Blacks and Hispanics in the US have been decisive in the elections of Presidents Kennedy, Carter, Clinton and Obama, all with minor approval among Whites. Prompting White voters to move rightwards

With all these similarities in place, it becomes very likely for Europe to follow on the path already taken by US politics. Bets are open on which major European country will be the first stop of the Trump Train.
12.11.2016 LISTEN

The Jigawa state government has just announced a major state development project: the construction of ninety mosques; three in each of the constituencies. One assumes that this project is a way that the government wants to use to show the people of Nigeria and the world how it is developing the state and using its resources!

Personally, I cannot imagine that this wasteful scheme is being executed under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari who came to power promising to tackle corruption and curb the misuse of state funds.

Actually, because it has to do with Islam, I do not expect anybody not even President Buhari, or our Emir of Kano to be critical of this project. I do not expect all those who have, in recent years, decried the poverty and marginalization of northern Nigeria by past governments to oppose this scheme. Definitely, I do not expect any of the anti-corruption or change-begins-with-me campaigners to raise a voice or question the justification of using state money to build mosques at a time Nigeria is in recession.

In fact, I do not see the EFCC investigating this project or going after the governor or at least try stopping the government from going ahead with this crazy program.

Yes, it is completely insane for the government of Jigawa and in fact any government in Nigeria to imagine using state money to build mosques at this time. It is a clear indication of how much the government has gotten wrong its priority. It is a demonstration of lack of commitment to improving the welfare of the people

Time and again, the Buhari-led government has said that they did not have money to pay the salary of workers, or to repair the roads, improve power supply, put in place poverty alleviation schemes and embark on critical infrastructural development. In fact, the government is trying to secure loans for development projects. And now a state government is opening inviting companies to come and bid for the construction of mosques, of mosques not schools, not hospitals, not rails, yes of mosques.

I mean what is wrong with us as people and as a nation? When are we going to wake up from this slumber? When are going to stop making ourselves a laughing stock? What kind of impression do we think that people will have of Nigeria when they hear that a state government wants to build mosques when the country is in recession and is trying to borrow money from China? What happened to our political intelligence? If Jigawa has money to build mosques in different constituencies, why not use it to pay workers or provide free education programs to youths and students in the state? Why not use the money to support and subsidize business and entrepreneurial schemes?

I mean, how is the construction of mosques a development priority in a state like Jigawa? In fact, what is the developmental value of such a project? Who will be employed in these mosques? Imams? What will they be doing? Organizing prayers? How is conducting prayers going to add to the GDP of people in Jigawa? How will it help reduce the poverty and grow the economy in the region?

Is it the duty of state governments to build places of worship for Muslims? Again embarking on such a venture, is it not officially funding the promotion of Islam and then discriminating against Nigerians in the state who profess others religions or none? Are muslims in the state complaining that they do not have places of worship? Even if there are such complaints, is it not the business of such muslims to construct their own places of worship? How is that the business of the state to build mosques?

So in a country that is hit by a recession, using state money to construct mosques is utterly irresponsible. It does not make economic or political sense. It does not make constitutional sense. Yes, it is like fiddling while Rome burns!
12.11.2016 LISTEN

Brotherhood in Islam is a comprehensive concept that is based upon good character with others, treating others the way we want to be treated, and uniting together upon common values. It has three levels of degree: religion, family, and humanity. Each of these levels has a set of rights and duties that a Muslim must uphold with others.

The strongest level of brotherhood is the sense of community, friendship, and common purpose in Islam for the sake of Allah. At this level, the believers work together towards fulfilling the goals of the religion and living out its divine values.

Brotherhood as some of us might not know, should aptly build on truth and fidelity, because a true brother in Islamic perspective is the one who draws you closer to Allah per his indefatigable advices and behaviors.

And you also as a valuable and esteem brother, you have to toil for the good and magnanimous behavior you want to see in the other brother, as they say, "Effect the change you want to see in people".

Allah said: "The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy".

Surat al-Hujurat 49:10

Also He the Exalted again said: Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. Remember the favor of Allah upon you, when you were enemies and he brought your hearts together and you became brothers by his favor.

Surat Ali Imran 3:103

And the prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) said in one of his Hadith which is narrated by Anas, that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself."

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 13

In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 6.

Although we use the word brotherhood, what we really mean is a faith-based community that includes both men and women as brothers and sisters in religion.

Allah said: "The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have mercy upon them, for Allah is Almighty and Wise".

Surat al-Tawba 9:71

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, do not turn away from each other, but rather be servants of Allah as brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days"

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari

With respect to this, it simply illucidate that the parable of the community of believers is that they are like one body in their love for one another. Just as each organ of a body is connected, so are the believers in their empathy and care for each other.

Ibn Rajab writes:

The best of deeds is to secure the heart from every type of enmity, and the best of it is to be secure from the enmity of the people of desires and heretical innovations that challenges the righteous predecessors of the nation, their hatred and malice towards them, and their charges of infidelity, heresy, and misguidance against them. Thereafter, following that is to secure the heart from enmity against the Muslims in general, to intend good for them, to give them sincere counsel, and to love for them what he loves for himself.

In another narration, the Prophet said: "The Muslims are like a single man. If the eye is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted. If the head is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted"

Source: Sahih Muslim 258

This means the believers love for each other what they love for themselves. They avoid harming one another, they are generous with one another, and they behave in the best manner.

Al-Halimi comments on this tradition, saying: It is befitting for them to be like that. As one hand would not love except what the other loves, and one eye or one leg or one ear would not love except what the other loves. Likewise, he should not love for his Muslim brother except what he loves for himself.

Source: Shuab al-Iman.

When we help our brothers and sisters in Islam, in reality we are helping ourselves. When we pray for them, the angels pray for us. Fulfilling the rights of brotherhood in Islam is a means for Allah to support us and reward us in the Hereafter. Failing our brothers and sisters in Islam results in Allah withdrawing this support.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "He who relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment. He who makes easy what is difficult, Allah will make it easy for him in the world and the Hereafter. He who conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in the world and the Hereafter, for Allah helps the servant as long as he helps his brother".

Source: Sahih Muslim 2699,

Abu Darda reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: There is no Muslim servant who supplicates for his brother behind his back except that the angel says: For you the same.

Source: Sahih Muslim 2732,

As brother and sisters, Abi Talib reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim regarding good conduct: to greet him with peace when he meets him, to respond to his invitation, to respond to his sneeze, to visit him when he is sick, to follow his funeral prayer when he dies, and to love for him what he loves for himself.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2736

Is also among the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are that he cover his faults, forgive his mistakes, have mercy for his errors, overlook his missteps, reject his backbiting, always give him sincere advice, preserve his good traits, guard his covenants, answer his invitations, accept his guidance, repay his gifts, show gratitude for his favors, assist him in the best manner, fulfill his needs, intercede for his problems, respond to his sneeze, refuse his misguided advice, protect him and not take him as an enemy, support him against his oppressors, restrain him from oppressing others, not surrender him, not abandon him, and to love for him what he loves for himself and to hate for him what he hates for himself.

Moreover, we need to give excuses and the benefit of the doubt to our brothers and sisters. We ought to be gentle and patient with them when they are wrong, giving them sincere good advice, interpreting their statements and actions in the best way, and overlooking their mistakes.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the most false of speech. Do not seek out faults, do not spy on each other, do not contend with each other, do not envy each other, do not hate each other, and do not turn away from each other. Rather, be servants of Allah as brothers.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5719,

One of the companions of the Messenger of Allah Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "It is not lawful for a Muslim who hears a word from his brother to suspect him of evil when he can find something good about it".

Nevertheless, brotherhood in Islam must not descend into cruel tribalism in which Muslims support each other or their sect at the expense of justice. Ultimately we are to be loyal to the values of Islam over anything else. If we see one of our brothers or sisters committing injustice, then the only right action is to stop them.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Support your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is being oppressed.

It was said, O Messenger of Allah, we help the one being oppressed but how do we help an oppressor? The Prophet said:

By restraining him or preventing him from committing injustice, for that is how you support him.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6552,

In sum, every person we meet will fall into one or more categories of brotherhood in Islam. As Muslims, it is our duty to treat them well according to the rights for which they are entitled, whether they are coreligionists, family members, or fellow human beings.

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

Abbas Ibn Abdullah
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has suspended its strike following assurances from government.

This means Out Patient Department services are likely to resume with immediate effect across the various hospitals affected by the strike.

They embarked on strike after government failed to resolve issues confronting them.

The General Secretary of the Association, Perpetual Ofori- Ampofo, stated that they have suspended their strike with immediate effect but monitoring to ensure government honours its commitment to address their concerns.

According to her, they have given government up to the end of February 2017 to fully address their concerns.

We are going to resume our work at the OPD unit, RCH unit and the family planning unit and continue our work in all other departments. We are going to resume to work with immediate effect pending how our stakeholders help to address the issues per the timelines they have given, so we are going to monitor all the issues critically and ensure that the concerns of all our members are well addressed.

We have decided that we are looking at a period from now till the end of February and we are communicating same to the National Labour Commission and other stakeholders and if by that time, all our concerns are not addressed then we are going to return to the roadmap.
Wassa Akropong (W/R), Nov.12, GNA - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has giving the assurance that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would continue to provide development to the rural areas because they are at the centre of its agenda.

He said the President John Mahama led administration was also determined to ensure regional balance in terms of development for the people.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur gave the assurance when he addressed the durbar of chiefs and people of the Wassa Amenfi Traditional area to celebrate this year's Adimekese Festival at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region.

The Vice President who has been on a four-day campaign tour of the Region also used the opportunity to address NDC supporters.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur was accompanied by Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Regional Minister, Ms Barbara Serwah Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan, former National Organiser of the NDC among others.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the NDC government would continue to provide more infrastructure in order to open up the area for investments and to create jobs for the people.

He said the second term of President Mahama would focus on the resource development of the country.

He promised to send the request made by Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyi II, Omanhene of Wassa Amenfi Traditional area for the area to be given one of the Community Day Secondary school and vocational institute to Cabinet.

Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyi called for a long term relation between the traditional area and government.

He said strengthening of these ties would go a long way to enhance the development of the area.

Mr Emmanuel Oppong Fosu, Member of Parliament for Amenfi East expressed the need for the chiefs to develop a long term relationship with government.

He enumerated the number of development projects provided to the area including extension of electricity to 85 communities, rehabilitation of the Wassa Akropong town roads, provision of boreholes among others.

Later, Vice President Amissah-Arthur inaugurated an office block for the Ghana Education Service in the Amenfi East District as well as inspected works on going town roads.

GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - Two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the weekend undertook a massive clean-up exercise in the La Township in Accra.

The NGOs are Clean Start Ghana (CSG), and the Ghana branch of Global Communities.

The exercise being sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Global Communities was aimed at helping to reduce the incidence of cholera outbreak and to demonstrate to the community the importance of environmental cleanliness.

Mr Samuel Bonney, the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of CSG said the collaboration was to help carry out effective house-to-house sanitation education in order to minimise the annual outbreak of sanitation-related diseases at La-Wireless area.

He urged other sanitation-oriented NGOs and institutions to come on board to contribute their quota to help achieve the intended mission.

Mr Jose Mojuche, the Managing Director of CSG urged participants to continue to avail themselves of the exercise at any time because it was for their own good.

He advised community members to constantly keep a clean environment and avoid indiscriminate disposal of rubbish and clear choked gutters.

Mr Mojuche expressed gratitude to Global Communities and the USAID for their timely support towards the exercise.

He announced that CSG members would soon undergo training to equip them with the needed skills and knowledge to embark on a house-to-house campaign on long-term trash segregation and re-use.

He said the mandate of CSG was not only to do clean-up exercise but to influence mind and behavioural change for enduring results.

GNA
Karan Johar feels that Tamil star Chiyaan Vikram has "got something about him" and that he would like to cast the actor in a Tamil film.

By India Today Web Desk: Ever thought of Karan Johar making a Tamil film? The 44-year-old filmmaker is known for making flamboyant, lavish and larger-than-life Hindi melodramas but one would not quickly connect him with Kollywood cinema.

Well, in a recent interview with The Hindu, when Karan was asked about his thoughts on making a film in a South Indian language, he said that he likes Vikram and him being a Tamil star, the film Karan would make with Vikram would also be in Tamil.

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ALSO READ: KJo set to remake Marathi blockbuster Sairat in Hindi

ALSO READ: KJo lashes out on Twitter, attacks irresponsible filmmakers and self-important singers

MOVIE REVIEW: AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

"I like Vikram very much. I think he's got something about him. So the film (in a South Indian language) would probably be in Tamil," Karan was quoted as saying.

The Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director also expressed his contempt for being called KJo. Or for that matter, "Uncle".

"Karan. My college friends call me Karu, which is the worst. Only in our country can we make a short form for a short name. But otherwise, I've never had a pet name all my life. But now, in official meetings, someone will call me KJo. And I'll judge that person in my head. Just call me Karan," KJo told the newspaper.

Karan added, "I feel that if I am called Uncle, my thoughts have to constantly be relevant. It's not the reminder about my age. It's the formality. I can't function with it."

Meanwhile, Karan Johar's latest film as a director, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has grossed well above Rs 100 crore domestically in addition to making Rs 73.42 crore overseas. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in pivotal roles.





--- ENDS ---
12.11.2016 LISTEN

By Kodjo Adams, GNA

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - Professor Samuel Adams, the Acting Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, has urged newly admitted students of the institute to focus on their studies to justify the investment made by their parents.

Prof Adams advised the students to uphold high sense of discipline and not allow friends to influence them negatively to derail from their future ambitions but strive for excellence in their academic pursuit.

The acting Rector gave the advice at the 14th Matriculation ceremony in Accra for the 2016/2017 academic year to pursue degree programmes in Business Administration, Law, Information and Communication Technology and Public Service and Governance.

He urged the students to take advantage of the opportunities offered them and form a network among themselves to learn from each other to contribute to the success of their aspirations.

'Avoid any act of examination malpractices and never think of short-cut to success because you have a high sense of responsibility to deliver good result at the end of the course,' he added.

Prof Adams said the GIMPA was noted for excellence in the pursuit of academic endeavours and called on the students to study hard and uphold the mission of the institute.

He said the institute pride itself as the world class centre of excellence for training, consultancy, research, business management and public administration, with top class and highly motivated faculty and staff.

Ms Mehd Sherrif, on behalf of the newly admitted students, pledged their unflinching support to adhere to the rules and regulations of the institute.

She urged the Student Representative Council to liaise with authorities of the institute to provide the necessary facilities to enhance effective teaching and learning as well as provide timely information to them.

GNA
By Samira Larbie, GNA

Accra, Nov.12, GNA - Political parties contesting this year's general election have been asked to clearly state measures they will put in place when given the mandate to ensure that there is freedom for Muslims to practice their faith.

Abdel-Mannan Abdel-Rahman, the General Secretary of the Coalition of Muslim Organisation (COMOG), said the height at which Muslims especially women were discriminated against was unbearable hence the need for political parties to come clear on how they would address this issue.

COMOG says though it is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of the country to allow all the religious sects to practice their faith without any restrictions this has not been the case for Muslims in the country.

Speaking at a media interaction in Accra Abdel-Mannan said the blatant disregard for the freedom of worship and expression of religious beliefs had complicated efforts at convincing some Muslims parents to encourage the education of their wards, especially females, to the highest level, which in effect would have dire consequences on the country.

Although, the President had given directives to allow Muslim women to wear their veil at their place of work, some public training institutions and second cycle institutions still deny them their right to practice the Islamic faith.

He said this, among others such as the Islamic banking and finance and the operations of the Hajj board were some of the problems worrying the Muslims, which needed urgent solutions.

Government as a matter of urgency should adopt the Islamic Finance and Banking to avail itself to the tremendous benefits that it comes with, he stated.

Abdel-Mannan noted that although this was pertinent it would help unleash the economic potential especially to the Muslim community of Ghana as well as enhance the growth of the financial system and the economy at large.

'The incorporation of Islamic Banking and Islamic Finance to complement the existing banking and finance system in Ghana will contribute to reducing the size the unbanked population in the country.

This has made many more Muslims in the private sector not to invest their money or profit from credit facilities to grow their businesses and explore their entrepreneurial competencies because of the lack of religious compliant options'.

The introduction of an interest-free Islamic Banking and Financing would provide a massive boost to the investment and entrepreneurial drive of thousands of Ghanaian Muslims and non-Muslims as well as to propel the growth of the economy for job creation.

The General Secretary said if government and political parties consider this initiative, it would also allow for foreign investment as well as open Ghanaian financial institutions to collaboration and cooperation with Shariah-compliants institutions in all part of the world.

He said in as much as government was doing all within its reach to create an acceptable environment for all they should do something to ensure the smooth operations of the Hajj board.

Abdel-Mannan said the secularisation of Hajj operations which was a sacred activity would only compound the problems faced by Muslims in this regard.

He thus, appealed to government and other political parties to clarify their intentions to Ghanaians especially Muslims on the measures they would undertake to address these concerns when given the mandate.

'We want to know how these political parties will effectively implement this constitutional rights and ensure these forms of discrimination meted out to Muslims becomes a thing of the past.'

GNA
The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) Presidential Candidate says the many campaign promises made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are not feasible.

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet said the policies which include the one-district one-factory are aimed at wooing Ghanaians to vote for the party in the upcoming elections.

"Trust me the NPP's promise of giving you one-district-one-factory is not feasible. They are only telling lies to for your votes, he said.

Mr Greenstreet made these remarks when he addressed artisans at Koforidua Magazine in the Eastern Region.

NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has come under criticisms from political opponents from the day he promised to site a factory in every district of Ghana.

Functionaries of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the promise was not possible to achieve in Ghana considering many districts lack raw materials.

Some economists and political commentators also said the promise is not feasible.

Unperturbed by naysayers, the NPP leader said the promises he has made to Ghanaians would be fulfilled if he is given the nod in the December polls.

But Mr Greenstreet said if the NPP is interested in industrializing Ghana it could have done that during the erstwhile President John Kufuors administration.

He asserted the NPP failed to implement what was described as the Golden Age of Business  a policy which was supposed to drive industrialization in Ghana.

Even if you give the NPP 20 years it can't do that let alone a four-year mandate. We (CPP) have done it before and we know how to do it again". He stated.

He promised the artisans a CPP government would create an Advance Machine Tool Centers which will produce modern equipment to enable them do their work efficiently.
At least 200 youth Chiefs in the Mamprugu Traditional area in the Northern region have vowed to vote against President John Mahama in the upcoming elections for failing to live up to expectation.

At a news conference held at Walewale, Secretary of Association of Youth Chiefs, Abubakari Shani said the President does not deserve a second term because he has been unable to fulfil promises made to residents of the Region.

He cited President Mahama's 2012 promise of fixing the Walewale Nalerigu road which he said has not been fixed for almost four years.

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Walewale also promised to repair the road, but nothing has been done about it, he added.

The road has been in the state the NDC met it 2012, he said.

In place of the NDC, Mr Shani said they would vote for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The decision of the youth in the Region comes at a time when the nation has less than 22 days to head to the presidential and parliamentary elections in December.

During his 'Accounting to the People' tour in the Region, the President recounted the numerous projects his government has undertaken in the Region.

He mentioned the ongoing works on the Walewale-Gambaga road, the absorption of the Gambaga College of Education, and the water expansion project at Kparigu to emphasize his commitment to his promises.

He charged the people to cast their votes for him and not for the NPP because the party's Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is coming from Mamprusi.

But Mr Shani said the erstwhile NPP administration outperformed the NDC even though residents have been in support of President Mahama.

Considering the deplorable nature of the Walewale to Langbinsi road, Nalerigu to Bintiri road, and Nakpanduri to Nasuani roads, the Association considers a vote for the NDC as a fruitless one.

Mr Shani said the clinics and hospitals in the area are in a worrying state, whiles farmers are getting worse off because of increases in the price of farm inputs.

He also said the increasing rate of unemployment among the youth groups in the Region poses a security threat to residents.

He urged residents of Dagbon and Nanun to join them to support NPP's Mr Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia to guarantee the continuation of the legacy of Naa Gbewa.
The only independent candidate in the 2016 presidential race, Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, popularly known as JOY, has unveiled Mr Daniel Wilson Torto, an entrepreneur, as his running mate for the 2016 elections.

Introducing his running mate at a rally at Mantse Agbona in Accra last Thursday night, Mr Yeboah said he chose Mr Torto because of his wide appeal to the youth, who formed more than half of Ghana's population, and his humility to serve.

He said he was optimistic that his collaboration with Mr Torto would enhance his efforts to win the December 7, 2016 presidential election and accelerate the development agenda outlined in his manifesto.Acceptance remarks In his acceptance remarks, Mr Torto expressed his gratitude to Mr Yeboah for the confidence he had reposed in him as a qualified person to be his running mate for the December presidential election.

He assured Mr Yeboah and the people of Ghana that he would never betray the confidence they had reposed in him and pledged to work relentlessly with him to ensure victory for Mr Yeboah in the 2016 polls.However, Mr Torto said a politician needed not come to power before contributing to national development and the well being of the citizenry, but that a good politician should demonstrate his commitment to the development of society before assuming power.

He called on the electorate to vote massively for Mr Yeboah, who represented real change and a solution to the polarisation in the country as a result of the wrong implementation of multi-party democracy and ethnocentricism.

Policy Foundation Highlighting some policies in his manifesto, which he preferred to call a Policy Foundation, Mr Yeboah said he would promote the Ghanaian dream to create wealth and jobs.He said he would establish an industry for all the notable natural resources the country was endowed.Industrialisation will be a major driver of development in our government, he said.

On tourism, Mr Yeboah said he would merge the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts with the Ministry of Transport to enhance and create wealth.He said the fusion was necessary to ensure that roads leading to all tourist sites met international standards.On health, he said he would improve the conditions of service of all health personnel, which would include insuring them against all risks in the pursuit of their duties and services to the nation.

He added that he would restore the nursing and teacher trainee allowances with immediate effect.Mr Yeboah said he did not understand why the nurse-patient ratio was so low, while there were still trained unemployed nurses at home.

On agriculture, he said the government would provide basic farming inputs for various traditional areas to be managed by traditional leaders to enhance rural agriculture, which is the backbone of the economy.

He said there would be a policy where family lands would be put together for large-scale farming and added that the size of each family land would be the family's equity in the sharing of the profit made from the farms.Mr Yeboah said his government would make huge investments in agriculture and use the proceeds from the sector to finance industry and agriculture.

He also highlighted the policies aimed at enhancing the lives of women, the physically challenged and the vulnerable in his proposed world of creating wealth for Ghana, should he win the 2016 election.ProfileMr Torto began his working life as Import Sales Manager with the New Market Commercial Ltd from 1991 to 1995.

As a teenager, Mr Torto supported his relatives who were in the fishing industry and schooled at the same time. That teenage experience is said to have given him a great insight into the fishing industry, particularly its challenges, needs and aspirations.

In 1996, Mr Torto was motivated to start his own company called Star Shotocan Enterprise which dealt in computer consumables. In 1999, he ventured into the automobile industry by importing cars from Germany.

As a daring entrepreneur, he again founded Ram Enterprises, together with his wife.


About 200 youth chiefs in 12 paramountcies of Mamprugu land in the Northern Region have declared their support for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Their Spokesperson, Abubakari Shani made the declaration at a news conference in Walewale, home constituency of the NPP's vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

According to them, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has neglected the area for far too long.

They mentioned the area's deplorable road network and youth unemployment among other concerns as some of the NDC's failed campaign promises.

They claimed the NPP led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo can be trusted to solve Mamprugu land's developmental deficit.

They served notice of organizing a grand Durbar in Walewale to galvanize enough support for the NPP in Mamprugu land.

Below is their statement.

PRESS CONFERENCE BY MAMPRUGU YOUTH CHIEFS (NA-ACHI NADIMA) ASSOCIATION (12th November, 2016.)

Good morning to all the invited media houses present here, invited guest, ladies and gentlemen.

I bring you greetings from the people of Mamprugu especially the youth of our land. We have invited you here to express our dissatisfaction towards the NDC government for neglecting the people of Mamprugu in the distribution of the national cake.

We have been working closely with our chiefs, kingsand development partners in Mamprugu for over the last two decades, we have also been working with development agencies in Mamprugu and other parts of the country where our people have gone to settle.

Over the past 8years, the NDC government has continuously neglected the five (5) constituencies in the four (4) districts of Mamprugu. Most of our roads are still in a very poor and deplorable state, the most noticeable roads such as Bindi to Bunkrugu road, Walewale to langbinsi road, Nalerigu to Gbintiri road, Nakpanduri to Nasuani road, Nakapduri to Bawku road,Walewale to yagbaroad ,Nasia to Janga road, Walewale to Wungu and many others.

Our clinics and hospitals are in a sorry state, farmers in our land are increasingly getting worse off because the increased burdens of fertilizer for farming and school fees for their children.

The high unemployment of our resourceful youth in our Kingdom has become a worry all households and threat to the security of our kingdom. The cement factory in Gbangu-daa that was supposed to commence in 2009 has been abandoned by the NDC government.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we cannot conclude on the disappointment from NDC government without mentioning the rape and brutalities that was meted out to the people of Nakapduri and Nalerigu in 2013 and 2009 respectively. You would recall that the victims who were raped and had their properties destroyed by the military were not compensated by government.

On the backdrop of all these instances, we the Youth chiefs with membership of About 200 youth chiefs have come to a conclusion that the NDC is not a party that has Mamprugu at heart, Mamprugu is not in the priority list of NDC even though our people have voted for them on several elections.

Friends from the media, we the youth chiefs are interested in a party that will come and solve our problems in Mamprugu.

We need a party that will come in 2017 and create jobs for our unemployed graduates. We are convinced that if Dr. Bawumia and NPP come into power, the plight of our people will be met.

We are throwing our support behind Dr. Bawumia and NPP because, when the NPP was in power, they were able to do numerous developmental projects in our land created many opportunities for our youth, most of whom were appointed into high positions in government and so therefore we are throwing our 100% support behind the NPP and Dr. Bawumia in this years election.

We are also calling upon the youth chiefs in the Northern region especially the Dagbon and Nanung Kingdoms to rally behind our competent brother who will help bring development and reduce high rate of poverty in our region. We are of the view that if he gets the nod, the name of Naa Gbewaa will rise again.

We also want to use this opportunity to advise our youth groups in Mamprugu to stay away from politicians who intent to use them to cause violence during the election period.

As you all may be aware, our Kingdom is one of the most peaceful Kingdom in the country and we implore you to be decent in the campaign season.

We also want to call on all politicians to desist from making comments that has tendency of causing trouble in our land.

We wish the NPP a very triumphant victory in the 7th December polls. We will campaign for NPP to come and save our people from the suffering under this government.

Thank you very much for coming.

Long live Ghana

Long live Mamprugu

Long live Mamprugu youth chiefs

CHIEF SUMANI IDDI

(PRESIDENT)

SIGNED . .

CHIEF TAHIRU SEIDU

SIGNED..

(ORGANIZER)

CHIEF ABUBAKARI MUMUNI

..SIGNED

(SCRETARY)

Mr Abubakari Shani (P. R.O)

.SIGNED.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Cairo (AFP) - Iconic Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, who starred in more than 90 feature films and worked under some of Egypt's most celebrated directors, has died aged 70.

Aziz died on Saturday evening "in hospital in Cairo, at the end of his fight against illness," Sameh al-Sirity, from the Egyptian Actors' Syndicate, told AFP.

His funeral will be held on Sunday in a mosque in a suburb of the capital.

Born in 1946 in the coastal city of Alexandria, Aziz cut his teeth in a string of television series before making the leap to the big screen.

He was most known for his role in the 1991 film "Al Kit-Kat", where he played an eccentric blind man who dreams of riding a motorcycle.

Although a comedy, the film, directed by Egyptian realist filmmaker Daoud Abdel Sayed, was critically acclaimed for its searing social commentary.

In 2001's "The Magician", Aziz plays a single father who falls in love with his next-door neighbour, whose husband has recently left her to raise her son alone.

Aziz, who was admired for his ability to reinvent himself throughout his career, took a controversial role in "Raafat El-Hagan", a 1980s television drama depicting the life of an Egyptian spy in Israel.

He was married to Egyptian actress Poussy Chalabi and is survived by two sons, Mohamed and Karim.
Papa Kwesi Nduom, the 2016 flagbearer of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) has urged party supporters to desist from violence before, during and after the December polls.

Dr Nduom, who was addressing party supporters and sympathizers at Mankessim in the Central Region on Saturday [November 12] as part of his Central Regional campaign tour said the party was built on peace and therefore its supporters must conduct themselves as such.

He said, the PPP has not been involved in any act of violence since its launch and that must be maintained.

Since the PPP came here, has there been any record of violence? Has anyone ben attacked? This party is a very peaceful one. We respect ourselves and we are against violence. In this year's election, we don't want any violence. The voting must be done in peace. Supporter of the party should fight. We know we will win this election so we have to be careful, and not be involved in violence so that, when we win the elections people will not dispute it.

Papa Kwesi Nduom, who was cleared by the Electoral Commission last week to contest in the upcoming December elections after a legal battle said he was optimistic the Progressive People's Party will win the elections.

He told the supporters that the PPP remains the best option for Ghanaians after enduring several years of bad governance from the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the Gold Coast (GC) Refinery Ghana Limited, which officials say is the largest gold refinery in West Africa and the second largest in Africa.

Located within the Airport Light Industrial Area in Accra, the $110 million plant has the capacity to refine raw dust, scrap gold and other precious metals up to 180 metric tonnes per annum in a single shift production.Besides, the state-of-the-art facility would refine up to the finest quality.

The refinery, which would provide direct and indirect employment to 1,500 people, is the initiative of the Euroget Group of Egypt, Banking and Financial Services (BAFIS), an international joint stock company, and some local shareholders.

Ghana is one of the top 10 gold producing countries in the world with production over the last three years pegged at 92 metric tonnes per year.

Although the history of the country in gold production dates back to over 100 years, the quest to add value to the raw gold had remained only a dream.

That is why the President described the refinery as a dream come true and a stamp of approval of Ghanas investment climate.

This is the fruit of perseverance and vision, the President said of the investors, and thanked them for the confidence they had in the Ghanaian economy.Transformation agendaPresident Mahama said the refinery was tied in with the governments transformation agenda, adding, It is one of the positive responses to our agenda for transformation.

As the country's investment continued to get better, President Mahama said he believed that investors would continue to take advantage to put their money in Ghana.

Ghana is recognised as the number one country with the ease of doing business index, he said, mentioning various factors, including the legal and political climate as contributors to the development.

He stated that the government's vision to add value to its primary commodities was yielding results.President Mahama said Ghana was working towards entering jewellery production as the government collaborated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to set up a jewellery production village at Tepa in the Ashanti Region.

Environmental degradationAlthough the mining sector contributed 14 per cent of the governments gross domestic revenues, President Mahama mentioned that the sector came with a major cost of environmental damage resulting from illegal activities.

However, a number of measures had been put in place to arrest the problem once and for all, he assured.The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Euroget Group, Dr Said Deraz, said the investors had never regretted taking the decision to invest in Ghana.

The RC Refinery, in collaboration with its Canadian partners, will support and promote sustainable organisation on artisanal and small-scale miners to create access to technology, machines, equipment and financing, which are essential to improve capacity, he said.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, said the mining sector was seeing a healthy growth.


Supporters of the two major political parties - NDC and NPP  clashed Sunday morning infront of the Nima residence of NPP flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

It is unclear what triggered the clashes but accounts from both sides confirmed reports of gunshots and hurling of harmful objects.

Participants of an NDC sponsored health walk allege that the personal security detail of the NPP presidential candidate fired multiple shots at the sight of the crowd.

But the security detail at the residence of the NPP flagbearer told Starr FMs Papisdaf Abdullah that supporters of the NDC who were taking part in the health walk started throwing stones into the residence of Akufo-Addo.

The timely intervention of Police officers from the Nima Police station prevented the clashes from turning bloody.
Ashok, an onion merchant, realised that he had been cheated when he was counting the day's collection. He got suspicious when he saw the new Rs 2000 note and on examination, it was found to be a photocopy of the new currency.

By Rohini Swamy: It has just been two days that the Modi government has introduced new and 'high security' Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes, but there have already been several cases of people being duped by fake currency.

One such case was reported in Karnataka today when a merchant was handed over a photocopy of the new Rs 2000 note.

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An onion merchant in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka was in for a shock when a customer paid him Rs 2000- but it was not the new currency but instead, a photocopy of the new note.

WHAT HAPPENED

Ashok, who is an onion trader at the Chikkamagalur APMC yard, was approached by a customer at 5.30 am today. The customer purchased onions worth Rs 2000 and paid the money to one of the workers employed by Ashok.

At the end of the day, the worker handed over the money to Ashok, who noticed that the note looked suspicious.

He found out that the paper used for the note seemed thicker than usual, and none of the security measures such as the watermark, the image of 'Mahatma Gandhi' and the signature of the Chairman of RBI were clearly seen.

On further examination, the note was found to be a photocopied version of the new Rs 2000 currency.

ALSO READ | 10 features of new Rs 2,000 currency note you must know. Now!

ALSO READ | No, Rs 2000 note won't have nano GPS for tracking, but it may have RFID

ALSO READ | New Rs 500, Rs 2000 notes: All you need to know



POLICE REGISTERS CASE OF CHEATING

The Chikkamagalur police have filed a case of cheating and are trying to find out if any CCTV camera might have recorded the incident so that they can identify the miscreant.

Soon after the introduction of the new note of Rs 2000, social media has been abuzz with reports of how counterfeit notes are in abundance and how people are refusing transactions with Rs 2000 notes as they are unsure of the authenticity of the currency.

The irony is that the new note was introduced to fight corruption and fake notes, but since the time the new note has hit the market, there have been many cases of fake Rs 2000 rupee notes being circulated.

Also Read:

This is how RBI will dispose of 2,203 crore currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000

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Going to exchange your old notes; keep these 10 points in mind

It will take two-three weeks to recalibrate ATMs for new notes, says Arun Jaitley



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The Electoral Commission has described as false claims that printed parliamentary ballots for the Upper West region have been intercepted.

This follows rumours on social media about the interception by the Wa police of electoral materials from some members of a political party and that the culprits were taken into custody.

In an exclusive interview with Joy News, the Deputy Upper West Police Commander, ACP Dr. Shaibu Gariba explained that the electoral materials for the 11 constituencies in the region were printed in Accra and brought to Wa.

In a statement, the commission urged the general public to disregard completely this false information as they are "wicked lies deliberately calculated to cause confusion."

Below is a statement from the Commission

The Commission wishes to call on the general public to completely disregard the false claims by activists of some political parties that these ballots were supposedly intercepted in another political party's office. These were wicked lies deliberately calculated to cause confusion.

Below is the truth:

1. The printed ballots for the Upper West Region arrived at the Regional Police Headquarters in Wa this morning. The representatives of the political parties in the region were invited to witness the delivery process and confirm their seals on the bag. Some of these political party representatives took these pictures at the Wa Regional Police HQ. We are surprised to note that these same political party representatives are circulating these pictures with such ludicrous claims. This is totally irresponsible and unacceptable.

2. For the records, the printing process of the ballot was closely monitored by representatives of the political parties on a 24-hour shift basis.

3. There was also a 24-hour police protection of the ballot printing process.

4. Record was taken of every single ballot printed and at the end of the day, the printing house was closed in the presence of all political party representatives.

5. Every morning, the printing house was not opened unless the representatives of the political parties were present and printing did not start until all the representatives of the political parties were present.

6. After the ballot printing process has been completed, the ballot papers were packaged and labelled per constituency as below, and the political parties placed their uniquely numbered seals on the bags as below.

7. Even the movement of the ballots was closely monitored by the police and the political parties are duly notified.

8. On election day, the ballot paper is only valid if it bears the Commission's unique stamps.

9. We would like to state categorically that it is totally untrue for anybody to claim that the ballots below were intercepted in another political party's office.

10. The Commission would like to call on all political parties to stop this irresponsible behaviour deliberately calculated to cause public disaffection towards the EC.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com
Baffour Nyantakyi Tutu Boateng, the Kontihene of New Juaben Traditional Council has called on government to return lands it [government] put in trust of Lands Commission years ago.

He explained that the lands were given to government for developmental projects but the lands were entrusted to the Lands Commission and not being used for the intended purpose.

He lamented that the Lands Commission was selling the lands to private developers without recourse to them.

The lands commission office in Koforidua are selling all the lands, the lands which were passed onto us by our forefathers when they first settled here. They are selling the lands without our consent to private individuals who buy huge portions of the land at very cheap prices and resell to innocent citizens at exorbitant prices, he said.

This unreasonable thing is killing us so we plead that the government to release the lands back to the traditional council to take charge again the Chief said.

Baffour Nyantakyi Tutu Boateng, made the appeal when he hosted the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah on behalf of the Paramount chief of New Juaben traditional council, Daasebre Oti Boateng who is currently out of the country.

He pleaded with the Chief of staff to expedite action on the matter as it is of great concern to the council.

He further appealed to Mr Debrah to help maintain the peace of the land before, during and after the upcoming polls.

The Chief of Staff, who is on a 5-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region assured the Chief that he will channel the appeal to the President.



By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Okogyeman Ankomah Basapon, the Suhyenhene and Mponuahene of the New Juaben Traditional Council has endorsed the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama for a second term in office.

The Chief made the endorsement when the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him in the Eastern Region as part of his campaign tour of the region.

According to him, president Mahama has performed impressively in his first term of office and therefore deserves to be given another term to serve.

I am marveled at what Mahama has accomplished in his first four years in office He has managed our taxes well with a lot developmental projects so he deserves another four years, same as was given to former president Agyekum Kufour, he said.

He added that I remember vividly the former president John Kufour said that no president can change the country given only four years in power but eight years will be enough for every president, so president Mahama also deserves eight years to be properly assessed

He also endorsed the candidature of Haruna Appau, the NDC parliamentary candidate for then ew Juaben North constituency.

He said we have all seen what Haruna Appau has been doing for the people of Suhyen even though he is yet to be voted as the Member of Parliament. He came to our aid when there was shortage of water some months ago. He also helped the people of Jumapo with street lights and other developmental projects so Haruna is one of our own and we will push him to parliament, he said.

Okogyeman Ankomah Basapon said his declaration of support for the candidate must not be seen as participating actively in partisan politics but as speaking the truth and given credit for good works done.

I am not engaging in politics but only speaking the truth. Developmental projects done by the president are there for everyone to see. This election is about the one who is available all the time, one who has been tested and knows the plight of his people so Mahama and Haruna Apau should be given the nod.

He urged residents to go out in their numbers to vote massively for both President Mahama and Haruna Appau because that was the only by which they can be guaranteed that their needs will be met.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah expressed his gratitude to the Chief and commended him for his boldness and confession in declaring his support for President Mahama.

He further assured him of government's continuous support to the people of Suhyen.



By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

13.11.2016 LISTEN

The recent tour of Dr. Bawumia in Mamprugu has won the hearts of many voters at the grass roots including die hard supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). To many people, the singular honour of having Dr. Bawumia in their communities shows how determined and serious the party is. It is also a sign that Dr. Bawumia cares about rural folk and will not turn his back on them in the event that the NPP wins power at the December polls.

In a speech read on behalf of the youth and elders of the Gbingbani electoral area during Dr. Bawumia's tour of Yunyoo constituency, Mr. Laji Basah Issahaq expressed their regret and disappointment for ever voting for the NDC. To them, the honour of having Dr. Bawumia in their communities has changed their minds from voting for the NDC at the polls owing to the recognition given them by Alhaji Dr. Mahamud Bawumia. Below is the full speech:

''Mr. Chairman, the running mate to Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo and incoming vice president of the republic of Ghana, Alhaji Dr. Mahamud Bawumia, parliamentary candidate of the NPP, the national and regional party executives, party sympathisers, the media representatives, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great honour done me to be called upon to welcome you and share a few words on behalf of the people of Gbingbani electoral area.

Mr chairman, the elders and youth of the area welcome Dr. Mahamud Bawumia and everyone to the electoral area. We forward to you our regret and disappointment for belonging to this part of Ghana. This is because, we have been paid dearly for choosing to declare Gbankurugu electoral zone as a no go area for any other political party except the NDC since 1992. In the area of development, we thought Bunkpunrugu-Yunyoo was too large that was the reason for which the national cake never got to us on fair grounds. But in 2012, Yunyoo was declared a constituency in which we belong. We voted again massively for the NDC with the hope that our area could be developed little did we know that was the highest crime to have ever committed on our part as a people.

However, it is only mad people who do not regret for making mistakes. Alhaji, we are saying that if it was a covenant which is unbreakable, then we are breaking it on the 7th of December by voting massively in favour of Hon. Liwaal Oscar and Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo for development.

In return, we put before you the problems and other issues of prime concern as you move to the flagstaff house come January, 2017 to occupy the seat of government. These comprises ; electricity to enable government workers such as teachers and nurses come to stay with us, a bridge to link Gbingbani and Piabuun, teachers quarters and a junior high school block, the construction of Gbingbani market, repairs on Gbingbani - Tigenga road, a factory for the processing of local rice, potable water, job opportunity for the youth and lastly, equipping our clinic.

In fact, the clinic and nurses quarters were both built during the second term of the NPP government led by John Agyekum Kufuor. The clinic has since remained a health center on paper and before it could operate fully, it needs to have a fridge where drugs could be stored. This of course will demand an immediate 600-1000 watt of solar energy pending the coming of electricity. Again we need a means of transport for emergency and referral cases.

In another development, we had plan for skirt and blouse. - vote against the NDC Parliamentary candidate who doubles as mp but not against John Mahama. But Mr. Liwaal Oscar, the future developer and hope for the people has been able to read through the margins as smart observer and thus convinced Dr. Bawumia to this community. This alone restored hope and left the people with joy and sense of belonging to the point of saying that the idea of skirt and blouse has been overruled. Rather voting for Liwaal Oscar and the NPP is the order of the day. After all, our people have a saying that if a lion decides to wear the skirt of a monkey, then dogs have every right to bark at it. This presupposes that if we are rejected by Joseph Naabu, the lion in this sense, then we the voters are the dogs who will bark at him by voting against the NDC.

In effect, we are calling for peaceful campaign within this area before, during and after elections. We urge everybody to say no to violence. Long live our democracy, long live Ghana.

Thank you and good luck!!!''

Like many others, Dr. Bawumia's visit to Gbingbani has broken the numerous years of bondage with the NDC. His works in the villages has won the admiration of people from the different political divide in the country. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia donated numerous boreholes, furniture and other facilities to many communities in his tours. Notable among them is the construction of a clinic for Nagbo based on a popular request by the community.

Alhaji Dr. Mahamud Bawumia's friendliness to the grassroot will surely help reap power for the NPP in the December, 2016 polls, Insha Allah.

Long live NPP, long live Ghana.

Samuel Abdul-Aziz Nambo.

Email: [email protected]
The opposition New Patriotic Party has accused Godwin Ako Gunn, one of the radio panelists freed by President John Mahama in the recent Montie trio saga of leading the attack on its members at the residence of their flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo.

Violence broke at the Nima residence flagbearer on Sunday morning for reasons yet to be made public but according to the NPP, the incident is part of series of activities planned by the governing National Democratic Congress to bait the NPP into responding in similar fashion.

In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Nana Akomea, the NPP said it was certain the NDC there mainly to assault NPP supporters and create an environment of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election.

It said, Mr Godwin Ako Gunn led the NDC supporters to mass up in front of the home of Nana Addo and violently attack the security detail outside the presidential candidates house.

Nana Akomea, NPPs Communication Director

The party has expressed its disgust over the incident and called on National Peace Council, the Christian Council, and all Civil Society Organisations to publicly condemn it.

Details of how the incident occurred remain sketchy but the NDC were said to be on a health walk in the area when the incident occurred.

Calm has however been restored to the area following the early intervention of the police.

Read the full statement below:

The NPP wishes to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the latest provocation by the NDC in attacking the home of our Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Early this morning, a large crowd of NDC supporters led by one Ako Gunn, one of the Muntie 3 who was recently pardoned by President Mahama after being jailed for threatening to rape and murder the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, massed up in front of the home of Nana Addo, and violently attacked the security detail outside the presidential candidates house. We thank the police for their speedy and invaluable intervention.

The motive for this act is not in doubt. The NDC was clearly there for one reason and one reason only: to assault NPP supporters and create an environment of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election.

This action was premeditated and unquestionably violent. Amassing NDC supporters outside of the NPP Flagbearer's house is part of a broad range of calculated, violent, and provocative acts designed to bait the NPP into responding in similar fashion.

Such behavior is a threat to the integrity of our democracy and must not be tolerated.

We call on the National Peace Council, the Christian Council, and all Civil Society Organisations to let their voices be heard in condemnation of this violent act.

signed

Nana Akomea

(Director of Communications)



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
Police have commenced investigation into the clash between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the residence of Nana Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the NPP.

Members of the two political parties clashed on Sunday morning as they took part in health walks organized by both parties simultaneously.

The NPP had earlier denied the police access into Nana Addos residence, accusing the security agency of not responding to their calls when the clashes began.

The Crime Scene Team from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) have arrived at the scene and are gathering forensics for further investigation.

Speaking to the media, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said, the Police officers from the Crime Scene management team were in the [NPP] flagbearers house to evaluate and assess what is alleged to have happened there. They have gone to commence investigations into the incident that happened here in the morning.

It is early days yet to say anything about what really happened, how it was triggered and exactly what took place but I can assure you that before long the Police will find all the whats, all the whys and all the hows so that we can accordingly inform the members of the public, he added.

NPP accuses NDC of attacking them

According to the NPP, the incident was a deliberate orchestration of the NDC to create an environment of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election.

The party said the act was one of the NDC's moves to bait the NPP into responding in similar fashion.

The NPP in a statement signed by its Communication Director, Nana Akomea further indicated that the incident was a threat to the integrity and democracy of the country and must not be tolerated.

The motive for this act is not in doubt. The NDC was clearly there for one reason and one reason only: to assault NPP supporters and create an environment of fear within Ghana 24 days to the election. This action was premeditated and unquestionably violent. Amassing NDC supporters outside of the NPP Flagbearer's house is part of a broad range of calculated, violent, and provocative acts designed to bait the NPP into responding in similar fashion. Such behavior is a threat to the integrity of our democracy and must not be tolerated, Nana Akomea added in the statement.



By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
By Albert Futukpor, GNA

Tamale, Nov. 13, GNA - Politicians have been called upon to desist from engaging in ethnic politics as trump card for winning this year's elections.

Mr Christopher Owusu Marfo (Ghanaba), the National Peace Walker, who undertakes peace walks across the nation to ensure peaceful polls, made the call when addressing worshippers at Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), Hospital Road in Tamale on Saturday to drum home the need for all to work towards peaceful elections on December 7.

The peace walk has taken Mr Owusu Marfo to eight regions with Volta and Eastern Regions left to cover.

In the Northern Region, Mr Owusu Marfo addressed Muslims and Christians in Tamale before proceeding to Bimbilla to address other groups.

Mr Owusu Marfo said ethnic politics was divisive and destructive, adding that Ghana does not need such line of politics in her current stage of development.

He urged all to see themselves as one people and work to promote the national interest and not heed to ethnic politics engaged by some politicians.

He advised the electorate to focus on politicians whose campaign messages offered hope for the citizenry since that would help to develop the country.

Mr Owusu Marfo urged all to support the Electoral Commission to ensure equal justice for all political parties by promoting fair, credible and transparent polls for all to accept the results to maintain the peace of the country.

Pastor George Amuzu, who is in-charge of the SDA Church, Hospital Road in Tamale, commended the National Peace Walker for his efforts to promote peace before, during and after the December polls, and prayed for the success of the general election.

GNA
13.11.2016 LISTEN

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA

Accra, Nov 13, GNA - Traders in the Western Region have expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Mrs. Sedina Tamakloe Attionu for supporting them financially.

They said the assistance would empower them to expand their businesses and improve their livelihood.

The traders made this commendation when MASLOC through the intervention of President Mahama disbursed loans totalling GHa 36,800.00 to them in 11 constituencies of the Region.

The amount was given to 37 groups made up of 924 beneficiaries.

They said they had never thought that such an opportunity would be falling them since there were equally millions of Ghanaians who were looking for the MASLOC intervention.

The traders pledged their commitment to follow all the regulations attached to the loan facilities.

Mrs Attionu, the Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, said women played a vital role towards the development of the economy adding that President Mahama in a number of occasions had made it clear to Ghanaians that, he would do everything possible to support Ghanaian women to be self-reliant.

Mrs Attionu entreated the traders to make judicious use of the loan facilities so that they could pay back on schedule for others to also benefit.

She warned that MASLOC loans were not gifts but rather, a revolving fund that went round through their effort in paying back for other traders to benefit.

Mr Daniel Axim, the operations Manager of MASLOC, disclosed that it was only the outfit of MASLOC that could provide traders with as low as two per cent interest.

MASLOC loans are in line with government's efforts to reduce poverty and empower women in their communities across the country.

The fund over the years has established itself as a microfinance institution that disburses micro and small loans to the identified poor in the various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

MASLOC have also provided business advisory services, training and capacity building for small and medium scale enterprises as well as collaborating institutions, to equip them with the required skills and knowledge in managing their businesses efficiently and effectively.

GNA
13.11.2016 LISTEN

By Prosper K. Kuorsoh, GNA

Wa, Nov. 13, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says it appreciates the valuable contribution of traditional rulers towards environmental conservation.

It said that efforts by traditional rulers were very important to agriculture productivity, biodiversity and crop production and must be commended.

Dr Albert Brown Gaisie, the Chief Fire Officer gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Seidu Fuseini Pelpuo IV during his three-day visit to the Upper West Region.

The Chief Fire Officer congratulated the Wa Naa for the support he gave to the Regional Command, saying through such relationship he had come to learn about all the efforts he had been putting in place to help reduce the incidence of fire especially bush burning in the traditional area.

Dr Gaisie hinted that the GNFS would soon be launching the "Home Fire Certification Project" and expressed the hope that it would help reduce the incidence of fire to ensure the safety of lives and property at home.

Naa Fuseini Pelpuo thanked the Chief Fire Officer for his visit, pointing out that the good work of the service in the region had saved a number of lives and property.

The Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area installed Dr Gaisie as "Boon Naa" (Chief of Fire) in recognition of the good works the service was doing for Ghana.

The Chief Fire Officer also paid a courtesy call on Dr Musheibu Mohammed Alfa, Deputy Regional Minister, and inaugurated the Regional Headquarters building of the GNFS.

He also cut sod for the construction of a canteen and gym complex.

GNA
13.11.2016 LISTEN

By Josephine Naaeke, GNA, Marrakech, Morocco (Courtesy UNFCCC)

Marrakech (Morocco), Nov. 13, GNA - Private sector leaders, have called on countries to fully implement their national climate action plans through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)), through workable domestic legislations, so that many climate commitments can be speedily implemented.

The call was made at a Business & Industry day at the two-week UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech where Business leaders hosted jointly by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and the We Mean Business coalition in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco.

The parties agreed that with the Paris Agreement now in force, the priority was to move from adoption to speedy implementation.

They also set out seven specific areas in which government action would help them, including the full implementation of NDCs through domestic legislation and regulation to incentivise an immediate response from the private sector to the ambition of the Paris Agreement.

The meeting agreed that businesses have a significant role to play in enabling the global economy to achieve and exceed its climate goals.

As a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, the private sector is a crucial partner in securing a prosperous and sustainable low-carbon economy for all.

Jill Duggan, Director of The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group, which brings together 24 leading European businesses employing two million people worldwide, said, with the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, the world now had a legal mandate to bring about a zero carbon future was a good business opportunity.

What is now required from corporate leaders is a real step change in the way they deal with climate change.

More companies are committed to leadership on climate action than at any time in history. But, there is more to be done to fully realise the global business potential to contribute to putting the world on track towards the Paris goal of limiting the global average temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius.

In a recent report by CDP in together with ' We Mean Business' a coalition of organisations working with thousands of the world's most influential businesses and investors, it has been revealed that the large majority of companies already have targets in place to reduce their carbon emissions.

However, the current business plans fall short of what is needed for business to deliver on the world's new low-carbon.

According to the report, the science based targets initiative continues to see tremendous momentum since Paris, representing the clearest path for companies to support the Paris agreement.

To date, almost 200 companies have joined the initiative, and in the past year, growth has been at a rate of more than two new companies per week.

Walmart, the largest company by revenue and the largest private-sector employer in the world announced its science-based target on the same day as the Paris Agreement came into force.

The private sector is ready to partner with governments across the globe to deliver emissions reductions at scale. The number of companies making climate commitments through the We Mean Business coalition has more than doubled since COP21.

In total 471 companies with over $ 8 trillion in market capitalisation have undertaken well over a thousand ambitious commitments to climate action. These companies represent every sector and geography globally.

An additional 30 percent emission reduction is attainable on condition that external support is made available to Ghana to cover the full cost of implementing the mitigation action (finance, technology transfer, capacity building).

In the 10-year period, Ghana needs $ 22.6 billion in investments from domestic and international public and private sources to finance these actions. $ 6.3billion is expected from to be mobilised from domestic sources whereas the $ 16.3billion will come from international support.

According to the two climate champions, Hakima El Haite and Laurence Tubiana, 'A year after COP 21, the great dynamic of climate action is now growing strong adding the time has come to start to take stock of what has been achieved during the last year.

To be consistent with the long-term goals, all actors will have to work together, not only to achieve the national targets of the national climate action plans, but also to go further and bridge the gap of emissions.

The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible corporate practices.

Launched in 2000, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 8,000 companies and 4,000 non-business signatories based in more than 170 countries, and more than 85 Local Networks.

GNA
By PTI: to Delhi police

New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) In order to combat air pollution, the AAP government today asked Delhi Police to launch a crackdown against 1.91 lakh diesel vehicles older than 15 years across the national capital.

The move comes five days after Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had directed the transport department to start a process of deregistering such polluting diesel vehicles in the city.

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K K Dahiya, Special Commissioner (Transport) has written a letter to Delhi Traffic Polices Special Commissioner asking him to comply with the NGT order according to which these vehicles cannot be allowed to ply on the citys roads.

"The transport department has sent a CD of diesel vehicles which are older than 15 years to Delhi Police and asked the force to impound them immediately. These vehicles cannot ply and cannot be parked in public places as per the order of National Green Tribunal," sources said.

They also said that traffic police have identified 21 sites across the city where these vehicles will be kept after impounding.

As per the green court order, city administration has to de-register diesel vehicles which are older than 10 years while directing the authority to phase out vehicles first which are older than 15 years.

Earlier this week, the Lt Governor had directed transport department to start process of de-registering these vehicles in the wake of citys pollution level reaching unprecedented level. PTI BUN IKA

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13.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA - Strategic Communications Africa Ltd (Stratcomm Africa), has won the United Nations Award for Public Relations and Sustainable Development at this year's International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards for Excellence in Public Relations.

The ceremony took place on November 5, in Doha, Qatar. The prestigious UN Award, one of the two top Golden World Awards, is for outstanding achievement in Public Relations, giving recognition to PR programmes that address priority issues of the UN.

It was awarded to Stratcomm Africa for a PR campaign, 'Colour me W', that promotes the UN Goal of Gender Equality (UN Sustainable Development Goal 5).

Mr Bart de Vries, President of the IPRA, presented the award.

The 'Colour Me W' communication campaign was developed by Stratcomm Africa in support of Access Bank Ghana's goal to promote economic empowerment among Ghanaian women through the introduction of banking products that meet their needs.

Other awards, under various categories of public relations practice, were won by various PR agencies from different parts of the world, including Japan, Korea, Angola, Nigeria, The Netherlands, UK, Turkey, China, France, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Spain, Bulgaria and Russia.

The event was hosted by the IPRA Chapter in the Gulf Region and was attended by IPRA members from all over the world.

The Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar, Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada was the Special Guest of Honour at the event.

Stratcomm Africa's Chief Executive Officer, Esther A. N. Cobbah, who, along with some members of staff of the company, received the award said: 'We are encouraged by this recognition from the UN and the International Public Relations Association.

'At Stratcomm Africa we see public relations as an important tool for Africa's development. We are, therefore, delighted that this is an award related to the objectives of the UN for development. We are grateful to Access Bank Ghana for the opportunity to develop this campaign. We also thank God for this award.'

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stratcomm Africa, Reverend Professor Samuel K. Adjepong, also noted: 'This UN IPRA award to Stratcomm Africa, a Ghanaian company with world class professional capabilities, not only shines the light on Ghana, but on Africa in general.

'It reinforces the fact that Ghana has a strong human resource base that is able to attain the heights of the international public relations industry as well as other fields of endeavour. We congratulate management and staff of Stratcomm Africa on the hard work that has earned this prestigious award.'

This is the second time an African company has won the UN IPRA award since it was established in 1990.

Stratcomm Africa is the first Ghanaian company to win an IPRA award. It is also the first company in the West African sub-region to win the UN IPRA award.

It is an international total communication, reputation management and research agency dedicated to using communication as a means of enhancing performance in various contexts.

Stratcomm Africa specialises in evolving and implementing systematic and comprehensive communication strategies (PR, Marketing, Advertising) for individuals, organisations, public and private, in both national and international settings.

Stratcomm Africa has also won numerous awards locally, including five from the Institute of Public Relations Ghana (PR Consultancy of the Year 2013 and 2014) as well as others from the Association of Ghana Industries, Entrepreneurs Foundation Ghana and other organizations. Stratcomm Africa is also a member of Ghana Club 100.

In January this year, its Chief Executive, who was also 2012 CIMG Marketing Woman of the Year and 2013 IPR PR Personality of the Year, was named among Top PR Women globally by PR News in New York, US. GNA
Winneba (C/R) Nov. 13, GNA - The Ghana Police Administration says it would sanction any personnel found to be favouring or using his or her position to the advantage of any political party or candidate.

The Commissioner of Police (COP) James Oppong- Boanuh, Director General/Service who made this known in Winneba in the Central Region said any police officer who allows his or her personal judgment to be clouded by his or her political affiliation in the performance of his or her duties does not belong to the Service.

COP Oppong-Boanuh made this known when he represented the Inspector- General of Police John Kudalor at the closing ceremony of Junior Command Course 6/2016 at the Ghana Police Command and Staff College at Winneba.

The Officers at the were made up of Assistant Superintendents and Superintendent of Police successfully went through a five-week intensive Junior Command Course to enhance their command, staff, operational and managerial capabilities.

He reminded the officers of the Service that, aside their routine operations, the service had, within a few weeks ahead, a major national assignment where its professional expertise and commitment would once again be subjected to national and international security.

COP Oppong-Boanuh urged them not to only provide security at various political rallies but should also provide the needed peaceful environment for the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on December 7.

'To this end we are tasked with the provision of security at all programmes before, during and after the elections', adding that he was confident that they shall work assiduously to ensure the success of the exercises.

He gave the assurance that the Ghana Police Service would discharge its duties with all fairness and firmness as well as do what was right without fear or favour.

COP George Akuffo Dampare Commandant of the Command and Staff College, urged the grandaunts to utilise the knowledge they had acquired properly in the discharge of their duties as professional public servants with civility and within the dictates of the law.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Henry Ayisi Mensah was adjudged the overall Best Student of the course.

GNA
Accra, Nov. 13, GNA - The Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI) has expressed displeasure over failure by Parliament to pass Ghana's decades old Information Bill before going on recess.

The Coalition said the inaction of the House was 'surprising and disappointing' after various steps had been taken in the previous month by the Attorney General (AG) and the Parliamentary Select Committee to ensure that the Bill was passed in the last sitting.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the Coalition said the move was a fall back on the commitment made by the Parliament to pass the RTI Bill into law in the second and third sittings of the House.

The Bill was revised and renamed the RTI Bill 2016 after it was incorporated with all proposed amendments by the AG and forwarded to Parliament for consideration following series of engagements with the AG and the leadership of the legislative body.

According to the Coalition, the AG subsequently requested Parliament that the Bill be considered under a Certificate of Urgency.

After being introduced to Parliament, the Coalition said, the new RTI Bill was rapidly referred to the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for their review and report, which was completed within a day and submitted to Parliament two days later.

'In Parliament, the consideration of the new Bill progressed speedily as the Bill saw 48 clauses considered in one day (Monday 31st October)', it said, however, the momentum could not be sustained as the minority members of Parliament began to raise concerns over minor issues.

'Some of the issues raised included the lack of quorum, but the Coalition's monitoring of the consideration process indicated that some other Bills including loan agreements were passed despite the lack of quorum'.

The Coalition noted that if the NDC government really wanted to pass the Bill, it could have used its majority in parliament to do so.

It also observed that a number of bills had been passed even when the numbers of lawmakers were short of quorum.

How come Parliament had the numbers to pass the Local Government Act and the Aids Commission's Act but lacked the numbers to enable the passage of the RTI Bill, it quizzed.

'One would have thought that given the fact that the Bill has been revised and all amendments incorporated and presented as one document, Parliament would no longer have an excuse for delaying the passage of the Bill.

'It would appear, however, and sadly so, that the forces that are against the passage of the law are much more than the Coalition had thought.'

The Coalition said: 'We would like to reiterate that the failure to pass the RTI law by the current Parliament is a missed opportunity for all Ghanaians, for the NDC government and the country at large. It is an indelible indictment on Parliament.

'We believe that this government still has an opportunity to redeem itself and the country's ratings on international platforms - which government has noted is retrogressing due to the non-passage of the RTI law - by passing the RTI Bill before Parliament lapses in January 2017.

'We have noted with concern and indeed it is very worrying that anytime there is a need to put in place laws that will enhance citizens' right to hold their leaders accountable, governments both past and present are often very reluctant to pass or even initiate such legislation.

'Civil society organisations would have to campaign, petition, protest, and sometimes coerce government for such laws to be enacted.

'The Coalition would like Ghanaians to judge from this over 13 years' advocacy and failed promises by both the NPP (New Patriotic Party) and the NDC administration whether our politicians can be trusted.

'A Bill that managed to weather the storm under the NDC government and finally got to the final stages of Parliamentary processes twice, couldn't be passed due to the lack of political will by Parliament to prioritize the consideration of the Bill.

'As a Coalition, we are completely disappointed over the non-passage of the Bill which we had every reason to expect would have been passed before the elections in December.'

GNA
By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA - MTN Ghana has honoured its customers at its second Y'ello Soiree event held in Accra meant to appreciate customers for their continuous support and to have direct interaction with them.

MTN Ghana initiated Y'ello Soiree last year (2015) to create an informal engagement between MTN Executive leadership and its valued customers. Since its maiden edition, MTN has held similar engagement in Kumasi and Takoradi.

Jemima Kotei Walsh, the Customer Relations Executive of MTN Ghana, said the Y'ello Soiree was about celebrating its customers because the more than 17 million customers were the bedrock of the company, and therefore must be given the needed attention.

She said the telecommunication company had invested more than $2.5 billion from 2006 to 2015 for network improvements to deliver value for money.

'This year, we have spent $ 96 million on network and information systems including the roll out of our 4G network," she explained.

She said the investments had yielded positive results and has evident in the National Communications Authority Quality (NCA) of Service results.

'From January 2014 to date, MTN Ghana has passed all Quality of Service monitoring tests in voice and data conducted by the NCA in all 10 regions of Ghana.

'We have also made lots of investment in training our staff and bringing them up to speed,', she added.

She expressed gratitude to customers for their loyalty and support to the brand, saying: "It has been a pleasure to serve you. We truly value your business and appreciate your feedback."

The evening was filled with music and a series of activities that saw some guests presented with prizes such as iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Tablets, Power Banks and many others.

This year, MTN Ghana was adjudged the Customer Company of the Year at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards for the third consecutive time.

The company has an increasing presence in the digital space, with accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, where customers reach Customer Care with their enquiries, complaints and requests.

The company has committed itself to delivering reliable and innovative services that provide value for subscribers in Ghana's telecommunications market. MTN has continuously invested in expanding and modernising its network since its entry into Ghana in 2006.

GNA
Dakar (AFP) - After a delayed start, a former British policeman aiming to swim across the Atlantic finally set off Sunday from Senegal, bound for Brazil more than 3,000 km away.

"Here we go," said 38-year-old Ben Hooper, as he tugged on his goggles and said goodbye to loved ones and supporters on the beach of an hotel in Hann Bay, in the east of Dakar.

"To the whole world thank you very much for your support," he said, before striding into the waves at the start of the record-breaking attempt, expected to take nearly five months.

Hooper was supposed to leave Africa's western coast from Dakar, Senegal at the start of November but delayed his departure due to a problem with the support vessel. He postponed it again several times, until actually setting off on Sunday.

He has been preparing for over three years for the immense journey that will see him swim up to 10 hours a day across the Atlantic. "It has been a long time coming," he said.

Hooper was inspired to attempt the feat by two fearless English explorers: Ranulph Fiennes, who reached both the North and South poles overland, and Vivian Fuchs, the first man to cross the Antarctic on foot.

The Briton will rack up 1,635 nautical miles, equal to nearly 1,900 land miles (3,000 kilometres) over the course of the journey, while taking in up to 12,000 calories a day.

Hooper's journey will be observed by a Guinness World Records representative who will join a crew of 10 supporting the swimmer.

His crossing will be filmed and can be tracked on his "Swim the Big Blue" website.

Only one man has achieved a comparable feat before: Frenchman Benoit Lecomte, who swam across the Atlantic in the other direction in 1998, from Cape Cod to Quiberon in northwestern France.

But he did not make the Guinness book of records because fatigue forced him to rest up in the Azores for nearly a week.
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, to immediately arrest some persons believed to be members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who fired warning shots during an altercation between members of both parties today [Sunday].

Confusion broke out between some supporters of the NDC and NPP in front of the residence of NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo during a health walk organized by the NDC.

The NPP's acting General Secretary, John Boadu at a press conference hours after the incident accused the NDC of attacking their supporters with guns, knives and other weapons; a claim the NDC had debunked.

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo's vehicle got to the traffic light, just 40 yards from the house when a gunshot was heard from the crowd. This time, the security men guarding the house realised the house was under attackA section of the crowd began surging towards the gate of the house in a clear attempt to enter. For what purpose your guess is as good as mine. Before the NDC fired the shot, one of the guards approached them and demanded of them to leave, whereupon one of the NDC thugs pulled a knife on him, right in the presence of Auntie Becky's vehicle, but away from her view, Mr. Boadu added.

But also addressing the press, the NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Ade Coker said they have photos of NPP supporters holding guns and would furnish the Police with the information.

We are sending these pictures to the IGP and ask for the swift arrest of those in these pictures who were holding guns in the full glare of the police and in front of Akufo-Addo's residence.

He explained that we the people of Greater Accra had a peaceful health walk, we got out of our houses around 5:00am and we never gave guns to any of our supporters.

So we feel that the statement that was issued by the NPP is full of blatant lies and they must be ashamed of themselves for wanting to plunge this country into chaos and we the NPP will not allow that to happen, he added.

Also at the press conference, Greater Accra Regional Organizer of the NDC, Anthony Nukpenu further cautioned the NPP to refrain from acts that could destabilize the country.

We are here to assure the Ghanaian public and its entity that we the NDC members are peace loving people and will do all possible to maintain a peaceful atmosphere; we will therefore take any foolishness of the NPP in this region from henceforth. We are sending this strong signal to the NPP to caution their hooligans to refrain from any more attack on our party members in the region. They will face swift response from our men should they dare to any stupid move from today, he added.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
Marrakech, 12 November, 2016  COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouar and UNFCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa held a joint press conference to mark the halfway point of COP22 and to take stock on progress made at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference ahead of the High-Level Segment scheduled to take place on November 15, with an opening ceremony in the presence of His Majesty (HM) King Mohammed VI of Morocco, UN SG Ban Ki-moon, scores of Heads of State and Government and participating delegations.

The opening day of the High-Level Segment will include the reading of the Call of Marrakech, which is a call to action that is a result of a highly inclusive consultative process among Parties. November 15 will also mark the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1).

Salaheddine Mezouar opened the press conference by announcing the good news that 105 Parties have now deposited their instruments of ratification of the Paris Agreement constituting an important political signal in the fight against climate change. He took the opportunity to call on all remaining parties to follow suit as soon as possible in order to keep up the important climate action momentum.

...At the halfway point of COP22, slated to wrap up on November 18, the COP22 President spoke with a positive tone, saying, negotiations are going will and are exemplified by a highly inclusive and consultative process among all Parties. He also used the time to underscore positive actions taken by civil society in the lead up to and during COP22.

He particularly pointed to the powerful commitment and engagement of the youth population, who participated in the Conference of Youth (COY12) in Marrakech from November 4 to 6, and who have been highly active in both the Blue and Green Zones during the first week of the COP.

The COP22 President also pointed to the fact that progress is being made on the Paris Agreement rulebook and that important announcements would be made next week regarding capacity building for developing countries.

He also underscored the importance of making headway during the UN Climate Conference on the question of climate finance especially as it relates to matching bankable projects with climate funds and mobilizing private sector finance to leverage public money.

Following several questions from journalists on the U.S. Presidential election results, the COP22 President answered, the American peopled are very engaged and committed to the fight against climate change.

In her remarks, UNFCCC Patricia Espinosa thanked Salaheddine Mezouar for his tremendous leadership as COP22 President. She also enthusiastically announced that, more than 90 countries have moved from Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to formal Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This transition has happened in record time which confirms the worlds commitment to addressing climate change.
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the youth of Ghana have a duty to stop the country's bleeding by voting for change.

This, he says, is an obligation all Ghanaian youth must not take lightly if the country is to pull back from the precipice.

Dr. Bawumia was addressing thousands of NPP supporters at the partys National Youth Rally at Moree Park in the Central Region.

As expected, he accused the John Mahama government of mismanaging the countrys resources and leaving the national economy in dire straits.

They have mismanaged this country. Their incompetence and corruption have left this country [on its knees], he told the charged crowd.

Dr Bawumia regurgitated the NPPs campaign promises, insisting they are solutions to Ghanas intractable problems.

We will set up the Zongo Development Fund and make allocations to the Zongo development to make sure that the Zongos are not forgotten in the development of the country.

We will reinstitute the teacher and nursing trainee allowances, he added.

Tax incentives, he said, will be granted to companies to enable them expand and create job opportunities especially companies that employ fresh graduates.

Everybody is included in Nana Akufo-Addos Ghana; nobody will be left out in Nana Akufo-Addos government, he stressed.

He touted his opposite Number, Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur, challenging him to answer his 170 questions published earlier in the year about the state of the local economy.

I understand the Vice-President comes from this town. Please tell him I have been looking for him to answer my 170 questions, he told the cheering crowd.

Dr Bawumia also appealed to the youth to Vote and defend the ballot.

It is incumbent to make sure that this time we defend the ballot and the polling station so that they cannot steal, he alleged.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Dear Sir,

l want to draw your esteemed attention to the emerging trend of this year 's political party campaigns and rallies which you need to bring order and sanity to.

As the political tempo and political activities gear up, concerns have been raised about the peace and security of this country. The Security on the ground is brazenly fragile and in turbulence.

You must do all you can to foil the tension, political unrest, lawlessness and indiscipline. I have no doubt to your capability, strategy and the neutrality you have demonstrated since you took office.

I am very much aware that you have intelligence regarding the political trends and election violence. The stakes are high in this year's elections and we must leave no stone unturned in upholding the peace and the security of this country.

Indeed, it is not all up to you and your security men in preserving and protecting the peace of this country. The citizenry particularly the electorates and the political leaders have a role to play.

It is not as if the peace of this country cannot be rocked. Peace cannot be guaranteed if we see our political opponents as enemies. Biologically we are one people and ideologically we are different.

There is nothing wrong organising keep fit walk by political parties. There is nothing wrong with having political party rally in the night. There is nothing wrong with meeting students to garner support and sell your political ideas.

In as much as politicians want to take advantage of every space and time to appeal to the electorates and galvanise support from them, it must be done in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for one's rights. It must be condemned in no uncertain terms of the pockets of violence in recent times.

It is very worrying to see how people have been lawless and indiscipline towards our state institutions. It is very sad to say the least that right at the backyard of the Nima Police Station the nation witnessed this act of impunity and impudence of political violence.

I feel very sorry and ashamed as a Ghanaian that we allow ourselves to be used by politicians and be divided on political lines by slightest provocation.
Head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, TB Joshua has hit back at critics of his Hillary Clinton presidency prediction last week.

According to him, the people criticizing him lack spiritual understanding hence interpreted his prophesy based on the basis of their own minds and ideas.

There is no shortcut to spiritual maturity unless earthly understanding gives way to spiritual enlightenment. I see many people trying to interpret prophets on the basis of their own minds and ideas. The prophecy seems to cause uproar, to many who gave it different meaning and interpretation, he stated.

The popular Nigerian prophet has been ridiculed for predicting a win for US Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton who lost to Donald Trump last Wednesday.

The prophesy which was posted on his Facebook wall prior to the election in the US was deleted after the election. It was later re-posted.

But in a recent Facebook post, the unperturbed prophet said he is not on the same level with those criticizing him saying such people need the the spirit of a prophet to recognize or know a prophet.

In this case, we need the Spirit of a Prophet to recognize or to know a Prophet. Our levels are different. We are not on the same level.

Below is TB Joshua's full post:

MY VIEW REGARDING THE ELECTION (US)

We have seen the outcome of the election in America. Having read, you will notice that it is all about the popular vote, the vote of the majority of Americans.

In this case, we need the Spirit of a Prophet to recognize or to know a Prophet. Our levels are different. We are not on the same level.

We might have great cathedrals, huge bells, and all kinds of activities that are good by human standards but human point of view is limited.

1 Corinthians 1:25. The foolishness of God is wiser than that of men and the weakness of God is stronger than that of men.

There is no shortcut to spiritual maturity unless earthly understanding gives way to spiritual enlightenment.

I see many people trying to interpret prophets on the basis of their own minds and ideas. The prophecy seems to cause uproar, to many who gave it different meaning and interpretation.

Finally, campaigns and elections in any democratic country in the world are never about one person, it is about the country we care and love. Whichever way it happens, we must accept the outcome and then look to the future (God), the Author and Finisher.

Democracy is all about accommodation. All democrats must value the process of democracy more than the product.

God bless the United States of America.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
Why Tata Fired Cyrus

November 7, 2016

The inside story of why the Tata Sons chairman had to go

More than the sacking of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, it is the allegations he raised regarding the standards of corporate governance at India's iconic conglomerate that are making waves.

KS Jayatheertha, Bengaluru

Unresolved Mistry

The summary sacking of Cyrus Mistry as Tata Sons chairman has shocked corporate India (The Cyrus Mystery). Ratan Tata has come out of retirement to take back control of the group. While this might seem a very 'un-Tata' thing to do, it was clearly a decisive action. We will probably never know what really happened, but with the selection board having just four months to find a successor, they are unlikely to find an experienced hand to take over the sprawling empire so quickly. But find one they must. Millions of employees and shareholders will want stability restored.

J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad

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If Mistry fell short of expectations, it is probably because Ratan Tata wanted to keep alive the group's iconic legacy. Evidently, Cyrus Mistry's relatively profit-oriented approach of selling off loss-making entities instead of taking up the challenge to revive them made Ratan Tata fear he would fritter away the Tata Group's impeccable reputation. The flashpoint that led to the ouster was apparently that Mistry chose to sell off Ratan Tata's pet acquisitions, such as Tata Steel UK, the prestigious properties purchased in New York, and the coal mines in Indo-nesia, without either his knowledge or approval.

Nalini Vijayraghavan, Thiruvananthapuram

The allegations levelled by Cyrus Mistry are serious, and cannot be dismissed as a mere emotional outburst. The removal of Mistry has not only shocked the corporate world but also the stakeholders, who believe they were kept in the dark about the goings-on in the group companies. The high expectations stakeholders have had appear to have been belied by Mistry's ouster and his subsequent letter. It is therefore imperative that a thorough investigation is carried out by independent experts so that the group's reputation does not suffer in terms of transparency and accountability.

K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad

Family Saga

The turmoil in the Mulayam Singh Yadav family seems more a case of conflict of ideology (Advantage Akhilesh). While Mulayam and brother Shivpal have only known money and muscle power as the means to come to power, Akhilesh is using development as a plank to appeal to the public. Given that a polarised state and goonda raj have long fuelled the SP's rise, Mulayam and his brother are reluctant to accept that elections can be won on mere development spiel.

Ramesh Agarwal, Kanpur

Mulayam Singh Yadav has managed to persuade both Akhilesh and Shivpal to declare a truce. But the feud is still smouldering. At the end of his stint, Akhilesh Yadav has tried to assert himself and prove that he has the courage to stand alone, if needed. But how will he assure the people that if voted to power again, he will eliminate the elements that have held back his administration?

Indu Shankar, Varanasi



I disagree with Gopalkrishna Gandhi when, in his column Beyond Borders, he says that ties with Pakistan cannot be suspended over Uri-like incidents. Agreed, India and Pakistan are bound together culturally, but given the neighbouring country's continued aggression, India must act tough, and if that requires suspending ties, then so be it. Pakistan must ponder over what it has achieved by sponsoring terror. Ostracism is necessary to teach it a lesson.

Shweta Chaudhary, Delhi

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Art-be it music, literature, or any other form-cannot exist in a world of its own. There are other important aspects to society as well. Our soldiers are the basic building blocks of our nation, the corner stone of our defence. They sacrifice material comfort, family life and even their lives to protect us from our enemies. Films are an indulgence, negligible in importance compared to the nation. If our protectors are being attacked, the uninterrupted flow of cultural exchange cannot continue.

Anu Anand, Mumbai

The Samajwadi Party tussle is a clear reminder that family-based parties will neither survive nor thrive. This particular tussle pits the old guard against the youth. The old guard, led by Mulayam-Shivpal-Amar Singh, has stymied the desire for change by insisting on status quo, while the younger brigade, led by Akhilesh, wants to discard the pro-poor, socialist image by creating jobs and helping business grow. While it appears to be a given that the party will be booted out of power, the question of the party's very survival is up in the air.

Akshay Viswanathan, Thiruvananthapuram

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In Memorial

While building memorials for war martyrs is undoubtedly a worthy cause, the question must be asked: who benefits from them (Memorial Parade)? No one, except the contractors and the politicians who collect huge sums in the name of these memorials. The hundreds and even thousands of crores spent can be put to better use, such as building airports, railway stations, hospitals or schools. Statues do not serve any useful purpose for the amount of money spent on them, except serve as pigeon stools or stand as mute spectators to the frenzy around them.

K.V. Satyamurty, Mumbai

It is a great idea to express gratitude to the men who defend our borders. That being said, one memorial per state is sufficient. If there are excess funds, they can be directed towards giving compensation to war widows, helping veterans and children of deceased soldiers. Money can also be donated to the Army Relief Fund so that the armed forces can spend on soldiers' welfare. Servicemen and women will also no doubt be more grateful to the nation if help is rendered in the form of donations rather than buildings or statues erected in their memory.

S. Chaudhary, via e-mail

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India Today Assistant Editor Santosh Kumar won the Ramnath Goenka award for excellence in journalism for 2015 in the Hindi category. At a glittering ceremony, he was awarded a trophy and a cheque for Rs 1 lakh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kumar won the award for his investigative story, Aakhir Kisse Karein Mahasampark (Whom to Contact), on the BJP's membership-cum-contact programme called the mahasampark abhiyan. After the 2014 Lok Sabha election, BJP national president Amit Shah vowed to take the party membership to 10 crore and the party soon claimed it had exceeded the target by a crore on the basis of data from mobile operators. An internal physical verification of the claim, however, revealed that it had managed to reach only 40 lakh people. After the report was published, the programme was quietly buried.

--- ENDS ---
The Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) founded by Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, wife of Ondo state APC governorship candidate had its annual WALK FOR LIFE in Akure, Ondo state capital a fortnight ago.

The city of Akure was painted pink when women and men adorned in pink shirts, caps and wristbands, turned out in their numbers to raise awareness for breast cancer in Nigeria, by partaking in the activity Jog for Life 2016.

The WALK FOR LIFE is an annual fun event organised by BRECAN every October, an international breast cancer awareness month where participants jog through a designated route.

BRECAN was founded in 1997 by Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor. It is a leading non-governmental organisation charging action against breast cancer in Nigeria.

The event held in Akure this year was aimed towards raising awareness about the disease in the state.

The crowd of participants which included secondary school students, joined effort with BRECAN to sensitize the people of Akure about breast cancer and encourage victims to come out and seek information and support.

The WALK FOR LIFE started at Chicken Republic at Futa Junction, where participants started the five mile walk that ended at Akure City hall, led Mrs Akeredolu.

At the hall, Mrs Akeredolu, the president of BRECAN, gave a short lecture about the danger of the disease and enlightened the women of the state to make their health care top priority.

Mrs Akeredolu urged the women to join the effort in spreading breast cancer awareness in their communities.

In her short lecture, she told the women that ignorance is responsible for the death of women with breast cancer. She urged them to go to hospital if they find signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Addressing issues affecting the fight against cancer, Mrs Akeredolu said that breast cancer has been ignored long enough as health problem by the Nigerian government and women have to take up the challenge of reducing the disease in their communities by creating awareness and spreading information about the breast cancer.

The women were given intensive education by world renowned oncologists about prevention, detection and care. The doctors also carried out clinical breast examination on the over five hundred participants at the event.

The women of Ondo state also had free access to check their blood pressure, sugar level at the Akure City Hall, where the event took place. Women were taught how to carry out self-breast examination.

Other highlight of the event was the dancing competition by the secondary school students and dance presentation by the flourish dancers, the participants also had free lunch from Shoprite.

The women also participated in the raffle draw where many won prizes. Many of the participants expressed their gratitude for the event and the education that the breast cancer awareness has impacted on them.
The Writer

13.11.2016 LISTEN

If anybody had told me then, or over any succeeding ten (10) years from the CPA interim period to 15th December crisis in which he was then a Governor of Unity State and later the SPLM-IO chief negotiator, that he was a future First Vice President, I would have summoned those men in white coats. However, his unexpected rise to the countrys second top job is unprecedented political miracle which no one had ever thought of.

Gen. Taban Deng is now 100 days old in the office and it is worth looking into what he has achieved. The 100 days parameter is being used as yardstick by press and public in advanced democracies for gauging presidency take off effectiveness. This slippery terrain was first introduced into the global leadership framework in 1993 by the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Therefore, I think the South Sudanese should use this yardstick for gauging what Gen. Taban has achieved, if any, in his 100 days in the office.

In this regard, the top priorities vary from a country to a country. In South Sudan, Gen Tabans top priorities as SPLM-IO chairman and the First Vice President range from improving the security in the country, striking harmonious working relationship with the President to reduce political temperature in Juba, establishing cantonment sites for IO fighters in the Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal, maintaining the ceasefire between the IO and government troops in the Upper Nile region, integrating the SPLM-IO forces into the national army (SPLA) and organized forces, striving to improve the international image of the country and government, and above all, jointly working with the President to implement the peace agreement in order to achieve peace, unity, reconciliation and stability in the country.

The nomination of Gen. Stephen Taban Deng Gai by the SPLM-IO leaders in Crown Hotel to take over the SPLM-IO leadership as a commander in chief of all SPLM-IO forces and fills in the position of the First Vice President is not only a rare event in South Sudan politics but also his leapfrogging over the SPLM-IO Secretary General and SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman to be the Chairman of the SPLM-IO. It shows that he is a unifying figure and the SPLM-IO (military and political wing) can coalesce under his leadership than any other leader.

This is a great marque decision ever and it will go down in the history of this great nation as one of the most momentous event. It is a very courageous and surprising decision from SPLM-IO leaders to choose hope over despair; peace and congeniality over a boomerang of war; rebuilding a prosperous country over destruction of the country, to continue implementing the armistice under stewardship of Gen Taban over reverting back to war as Riek Machar has done.

Though he is being branded by enemies of peace as an opprobrium political ninja with posters of Chairman Mao, Machiavelli and Che Guevara on his face who could sacrifice anyone at high altar for a top seat; he will be remembered as a hero who rescued this nation from the war and destructions brought upon it by Riek Machar when the political history of 15th December failed coup attempt and J1 shooting on 8th July is finally recorded by our generation.

Watching Gen. Taban on his inaugural speech on 26th July on SSBC, I felt like watching the total and genuine peace coming to the country. In his inaugural speech, Gen Taban wept and said you (President) are my commander in chief; this country cant afford to have two armies Contrast to his former boss, Riek Machar when he was sworn in on 26th April. Riek is a person with amorality and lack of affect; capable of violent acts without guilt feelings.

Unlike most rebel leaders in Africa, Taban acted in opposition of political principle of the SPLM-IO (Kiir Must Go First) inculcated by Riek but in pursuit of genuine peace, restoration of calm, and harmony in the country. There is no doubt that Tabans swift move to quash the issue of two armies which he negotiated clearly shows he is for peace and a born again nationalist who would not want their political differences to wreck the country and sweep off its hard won sovereignty.

The appointment of Taban was warmly greeted with mirth rather than derision in Upper Nile region and indeed in the country at large as it was conjectured. Taban has shown the world that he is a unifier and we have witnessed the return of many defection groups to the SPLM-IO like the group of Gen. Gatkuoth Gatkuoth following his appointment as First Vice President. There was iota of fear that the SPLM-IO will dichotomize into many factions after his nomination, however he proved those doubting Thomases wrong and the SPLM-IO has now united its ranks and files than ever before.

Taban is a decent and team leader. I dont mean courteous and polite, although hes, I mean considerate, nationalist and leader. If anyone of his group member is in difficulty or feeling isolated, he surely calls them, to offer support, advice and brief them on day-to-day activities and future plans. In short, he likes teamwork. This is a rare quality in a person, but even rarer in a politician. His cheerful charisma and hospitality has always been able to attract camp-followers.

Below are some of milestone reached by Gen Taban in his 100 days in the office:

When Gen. Taban took office as the First Vice President, South Sudan was living in an Ivory tower in terms of foreign relations with the neighboring countries, IGAD, UN, International community, and the West. The foreign relation of South Sudan government with neighboring countries and International Community was at nadir. However, it is improving now, courtesy of Gen. Taban. Immediately after he was sworn in, Gen Taban embarked on his first foreign trips to Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Ethiopia, UAE and the U.S. By these trips, the First Vice President had assured all these nations about their commitments and plans to implement the Compromised Peace Agreement. And now, there is no single country that doubts the velocity of which the Peace is being implemented in South Sudan, courtesy of Gen. Taban.

His visit to Kenya has been greeted with the proposal of the motion by Kenyan MPs to sanction and deport SPLM-IO members in Kenya who are spreading war propaganda. And the speaking witness is the deportation of James Gatdek Dak to Juba by Kenyan government for inciting violence; courtesy of Gen. Taban.

While his visit to Ethiopia has led to the historical visit of Ethiopian Prime minister and signing of the historical cooperation agreements with South Sudan government that include the joint military force to patrol at the borders to jettison the rebels, banishing the rebel leaders from taking refuge in Ethiopia, and support the Transitional Government under President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Stephen Taban; courtesy of Gen. Taban.

Successful maintenance of ceasefire in Upper Nile region and specifically in Fangak, Nasir and Akobo. It shows that the SPLM-IO military chain of command is more united under Gen. Taban than it was under Riek.

In conclusion, Gen. Taban sings a song of peace that the South Sudanese people  who currently despise almost every other SPLM politician in the packwill crowd and listen to it seriously with their hearts and ears wide open raising a glimpse of hope that the peace and tranquility is on the door-step. They see Taban as the fat white hope, Francis of Assisi, El Gid, Joan of Arc, Indiana Jones, who is salvaging the nation from annihilation, reclaiming the lacerated political glory of the SPLM, and bringing this crisis to an end. He is the unheralded Prince of Peace who appears at helm at the toughest time when the country is in a deep search of its lost patriotism and peaceful co-existence among the communities.

Can anyone imagine what would the state of affairs, nationhood, political and military sanity in South Sudan be like today if Gen. Taban and his current team had decided to follow Riek to DRCs forest? Gen Taban and his team deserved to be given courage and support to continue implementing the Compromised Peace Agreement without any about-turn.

Simon Yel Yel, is the co-editor (with Paanluel Wel) of the book of the President Salva Kiir speeches and essential writings published as Salva Kiir Mayardit: The Joshua of South Sudan he can be reached at [email protected] or +211955246235
That is, if he ever had any on the Ghanaian market. It will be preaching to the choir about how Mr Dele Momoudu has done really well with his ovation magazine business and all the international recognitions he has gotten in his lifetime. However, Mr Momoudu has in recent times surreptitiously turned himself into an unofficial mouthpiece of the ruling National Democratic congress using his magazine to tout the achievements of Mr John Mahama.

The corporate guru has been throwing around cold comforts to suffering Ghanaian people about how heaven sent this government is through his publishing and granted interviews. Mr Momoudu deserves national plaudits, really, for using how transformed the kotoka airport has been under this administration to be a parameter for how frightening Ghana is making progress towards the goal Dr kwame Nkrumah had for us. I cannot peacefully agree to how Mr Momoudu rates this government but I guess that is the beauty of life, we are diverse people. Transforming the lives of the people who spent 2 hours or more in queues shouldnt be about the ambience at the airports, the superfluous designs at the Kwame Nkrumah circle or the Senior high schools which their children wont attend (for reasons best known to themselves).

Contrastingly, it should be about the improvement in the quality of healthcare delivery, an improvement in education (remember ISSER said the quality is decreasing?), a careful guidance of the national purse and the pursuit of auspicious plans. I am painfully aware of the loss of jobs due to dumsor and the effects it has had on several families. Mr Momoudu, I presume, should be aware of the number of graduates who are unemployed due to harsh economic conditions we are facing. All Ghanaians are aware of the emptying of our troubled nations treasury by some 50 plus million Ghana cedis for a business man called Woyome and fierce defense the AG is putting up against the Citizen Vigilante, Mr Martin Amidu for the reversal of the payment in court. He should not turn a blind eye to all of these!

We have lived in this country long enough to know whether or not we are actually being transformed or only a sect is being transformed. Mr Momoudu may be a part of those who have been sheltered enough from the harsh economic conditions we are facing. If you ever happen to meet him, do tell him that a scam called SADA once existed and it is now re-branded and given new wads of cash, a man called Woyome is still enjoying his loot and Mansions are springing up with graduate ministers as their owners.

Change is what Ghanaians are clamoring for. It is not about the ads in the ovation magazine or the glossy billboards, Mr Momoudu! It is about a government that will create jobs, a government that has promised to set up an independent prosecutors office to deal with graft, a man who has openly thrown a challenge to anybody on Gods green earth to bring up any accusation of corruption if there is any against him, and a government that has proven to be well grounded in sound management policies and economic forecast through their economic prophet (Dr Bawumia). This government will not come by the force of arms or by violent interpositions but by the thumbs of suffering Ghanaians. We will not barter our future for the little goodies given to us.

Our pains of hardship may not be familiar, Mr Momoudu but please do not call them unfounded. Congratulations on your new alliance, Godspeed in your efforts.

Prince Obeng-Adjei
On behalf of the Mahama Must Go movement, a family and friends voluntary organization with membership open to all willing and able Ghanaians, I am appealing for help from all Ghanaian students irrespective of their age, height, tribal extraction and political persuasions. I plead with you, my noble Ghanaian students, to take time to read and circulate this message I have for you today, Sunday 13 November 2016.

You are very much aware that we are in election year and have barely 24 days to go into the actual Election Day where any eligible and registered voter will exercise their franchise to elect their future leaders for the next four years.

This occasion must be seen by every student as very important in their school life and the determination and shaping of their future adult life. It is only when we elect people with vision, people who are dedicated to be of selfless service to their nation and people, people who are dynamic, people who are not divisive but are ready to unite everyone under them and treat them with equal respect, people who are not corrupt and do not encourage lawlessness and the practice of selective justice, etc., that a student like any other citizen of a country can have a better life and a better future. This is a fact.

Therefore, every student has a duty to him or herself and to their neighbours and the entire Ghanaian populace to play a positive role in the search for people with integrity to become the leaders of Ghana. How can you, Ghanaian students, participate towards this search?

The students are to start campaigning for a credible Presidential candidate and political party in which case they are Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP. They are the only person and party that can honestly deliver on policies that have the potential to unlock better opportunities for you students to realise your dreams.

Nana Akufo Addo is incorruptible and it takes a person who is clean to be able to lead the nation to greater success. Under his administration, the ongoing create, loot and share, the distinctive trait of the NDC which has permitted Alfred Agbesi Woyome alone to dupe Ghana of GHC51.2 million, will surely be the thing of the past. The millions of US dollars and Ghana New Cedis spent on dubious projects like rearing guinea fowls that flew to Burkina Faso to return to Ghana no more, planting of trees in the dry season in the Northern regions only to wither a few days later and Okudzeto Ablakwahs attempts to support African Motors to swindle Ghana out of GHC1.5 billion will never happen under Nana Akufo Addos NPP regime.

The money stolen under such dubious instances cited above and many more I have not mentioned here could be used to better the Ghana education system and to create jobs for you however, President Mahama and his dodgy NDC cronies have cunningly stolen that money. If this is not so, why is he scared to retrieve the money Woyome has stolen from the State?

You could help get rid of the rot from the society to benefit all of us provided you will canvass for Nana Akufo Addo to be elected as the next President of Ghana after the 7 December 2016 election.

Students please think about the following two quotations and see where you stand, where you want to stand, and how you relate to the quotations which are self-explanatory. Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph, said Emperor Halle Selassie of Ethiopia. Mark Twain on the other hand said, In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his course succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot".

Time is not on our side so please act now as procrastination is the thief of time. We have no time to waste!

Rockson Adofo
A UK based Ghanaian political pressure group known as CENAB (Coalition to Elect Nana Addo and Bawumia) has strongly and totally condemned the physical attack inflicted on the house of the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the Health-walk organised by the NDC supporters, today Sunday 13th November.

We, the members of CENAB-UK have learnt with shock and dismay, reports of the recent somatic attack on Nana Akufo-Addo's home at Nima in Accra, and wish to condemn this act in no uncertain terms, and call on all well meaning Ghanaians to rise to this occasion and equally condemn this barbaric senseless act by the NDC.

Inasmuch as it is unfortunate, despicable and shameful act, it is also an indictment on President John Mahama's led NDC government, for encouraging these kind of barbaric acts, right after the brother of Collins Dauda who has boastfully and openly admitted having a degree in killing human beings anyhow, and throws challenge to Hon. Ken Agyapong to dare him if he won't kill him, and yet, the Police in Ghana have not apprehended such individual for questioning. This trend of selective justice perpetrated by President Mahama/NDC government is mind boggling and not good for our young democracy.

This again raises concerns about the lackadaisical behaviour of the National Primary Security enforcement agency, the Police, who should have acted swiftly in an incident like this. As it is now known, this barbaric attack on Akufo-Addo's house, did happen in a full glare of the Police who were assigned for the NDC supporters Health-walk, and yet refused to make any attempt to stop the perpetrators or arrest them. We can only imagine the questions running through the minds of Ghanaians about the professionalism of Ghana Police.

First question we would like to ask is, was the police aware of the routes agreed for the NDC supporters Health-walk? If yes, was the route in front of Akufo-Addo's house part of the routes assigned for them? Did it ever occur to the Police to see need to provide any security to the Akufo-Addo's house as this was potentially likely to happen knowing the trademark of NDC or again, the Police intelligence failed on this one too?

The reports with pictures indicate that the house of the NPP Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was pelted with stones, bottles and other missiles including a gun shot heard from the crowd as the NDC supporters trying to gain access to the house.

In this age and time, we cannot fathom as to why the NDC cannot change from their known atrocious behaviour, the uncultured attitude and barbaric actions of physically attacking their political opponents. A behaviour which should no place in our growing democratic desensitisation in Ghana.

The bottom line is, no amount of intimations or physical attacks or splashing of monies on the electorates with the create, loot and share taxpayers money can change the minds of Ghanaians who are ready vote against this desperate incompetent and corrupt administration of President John Mahama.

One thing President Mahama and his NDC party should understand is that, barely 23 days to the general elections to change government in Ghana, the whole world is now watching Ghana with eagle eyes. This kind of attacks and intimations on the opposition members are not only despicable and shameful, but, it dents the image of the country as peaceful and tolerant people who have gained some kind of good credit in democratic practice. Particularly such acts also represents an attack on the sovereignty of our national security. Therefore, it ought to be condemned in no uncertain terms by all, including President John Mahama himself.

The group, CENAB UK is an affiliate of the worldwide CENAB Advocacy group, which is a broad coalition of patriots, friends, sympathisers, political admirers and well meaning Ghanaians who believe that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumias leadership would be the best to project Ghana into prosperity through development, embedded in freedom.

We wait to see what the Peace Council and the Christian Council of Ghana would say about this physical attack. There cannot be any peace without first ensuring justice and fairness in the country.

CENAB, we say, Hope, Coming With Excellence Is Our Banner!

Sources:

CENAB UK Media Team.

London.
As part of activities to ensure a peaceful election on December 07 devoid of any violence,a peace walk had been organized in the Ellembelle constituency.

The walk started from the Esiama Secondary Technical School through the Elubo-Agona-Nkwanta highway and ended at Asanda.

Participants include supporters of the National Democratic Congress(NDC),the Progressive People's Party(PPP),the Convention People's Party(CPP),the People's Freedom Party (PFP) and the New Patriotic Party(NPP).

Others are the Ghana Police Service(GPS),the Media,the Electoral Commission,other security agencies and a cross-section of the public.

Amidst brass band music and danc,e some of the participants carried and hoisted placards such as "Peace Must Prevail",We Need No War',Peace is Patriotic",We Have No Place To Go",We Are One People"among others.

Speaking in an interview with this reporter,the Ellemblle District Police Commander,Superintendent of Police,(SOP),Stella Sedame said it became incumbent upon the District Police Command to organize the peace walk to create an awareness to foster unity among all the political actors in the constituency for peaceful elections.

She noted that elections in neighbouring countries have been characterized by wars and post-election violence hence the need to stem the tide in the impending elections in Ghana.

SOP Sedame urged the political parties and other stakeholders to tolerate one another and go to the polls in an atmosphere of peace,love and unity by putting Ghana first.

She however told this reporter that the political temperature in the area was normal as her outfit had not received reports about electoral violence except one incident where a young man wielding machete hit an NDC campaign vehicle.

SOP Sedame warned that the police administration was high alert to thwart efforts of disgruntled elements who may foment trouble in before,during and after the elections.

The Police Commander said "Ghanaians should not allow elections to drive the nation into a ditch but rather consolidate the gains of our nascent democracy' in a bid to build a stable nation towards economic prosperity.
Apparently, we have heard President Mahama and his NDC strident apparatchiks time and time again accusing Nana Akufo Addo of being divisive and violent.

Meanwhile, the real violence is rife in President Mahamas NDC Party. So, who is President Mahama actually deceiving? Is he a propagandist or an inveterate hypocrite?

The word hypocrite is rooted in the Greek word hypokrites, which means stage actor, pretender, or dissembler. So a hypocrite is a person who pretends to behave a certain way, but really acts and believes the total opposite.

In other words, a hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

Hypocrites are experts at blaming others, while empathetic people are experts at blaming themselves. You absorb their poison and begin to believe it as truth.

Hypocrites spend their lives cheating, betraying, conning, and deceiving. But despite this disgusting pattern of behaviour, they still feel entitled to point out (or invent) the most minor mistakes in othersand theyll point them out repeatedly, to negate & excuse all of their own horrible actions.

Ironically, President Mahama keeps upbraiding Nana Akufo Addo for allegedly stoking tensions in his NPP Party; and unable and unwilling to resolve the team conflicts. To be blunt, and rightly so, such thought process smacks of hypocrisy, for if anything at all, we hear that the NDC Party recently dismissed about twenty three top ranking members, while President Mahama somehow failed to use his much touted conflict resolution skills to help replicate the aggrieved parties.

Are you following the sequence, dearest reader? This is the man who keeps reprobating his opponent of being divisive and vindictive, yet the same person went ahead and sacked twenty three party members for minor reasons. How bizarre? Who is he then? Could we say he is a hypocrite?

In fact, of late, a vast number of NDC apologists have been indulging in extreme violent practices. Have you heard about that homicidal and boisterous brat in the Brong Ahafo Region? I mean the guzzler who also happens to be the younger brother of the Local Government Minister, Collins Dauda.

Shockingly, the loudmouthed, Annaba, an NDC faithful and Collins Daudas spoilt younger brother goes about bragging about his dexterity in annihilating human beings, while our toothless security forces are somehow playing down the severity of the schizophrenics pronouncement.

More worryingly, however, the holier-than-thou President Mahama has somehow turned a blind eye to the homicidal brats war drumming idiocy. Does it mean that President Mahama actually supports such a barbaric pronouncement from Collins Daudas younger brother? I should think so; otherwise, he would have condemned him by now.

Tell me, dearest reader, isnt it hypocritical on the part of President Mahama to accuse Nana Addo relentlessly of supporting violence in his party, while he (Mahama), is refusing to reprimand his party member of promoting genocide? Indeed, that is what we called hypocrisy, so to speak.

By the way, I am not surprised at all about President Mahamas hesitation, after all, didnt he remit the sentences of the three Montie brats who shamelessly insulted and threatened the eminent Supreme Court Judges? Yes, he did.

And more so wasnt he the same president who refused to censure his former Interior Minister for impertinently declaring that violence begets violence? Indeed, he flagrantly failed to bring the wayward Minister to book. Does it mean that he supports Violence? Your guess is as good as mine.

Did you also ever hear President Mahama speak about all the violent incidents in Atebubu, where some party members were shot and party office was burnt down; Tepa in the Ashanti Region, where the party Organiser stabbed his chairmen; Nkwanta South in the Volta Region, where a former District Chief Executive was callously murdered (may his soul rest in peace); Kukuom in the Brong Ahafo Region, where NDC henchmen are beating their chests about? President Mahama has indeed kept mute over those incidents. Why?

Well, we are waiting patiently to see, whether, if, the holier-than-thou President Mahama will go ahead and condemn the boisterous brats who caused mayhem at Nana Akufo Addos residence on Sunday 13th November 2016.

K. Badu, UK.
Empowerment Aid is a non- governmental organization based in Accra has collaborated with GBC KAAKYE FM to embark on a PEACE WALK campaign. The ideal goal of the project is to sensitize the general public about the need for them to have peace before, during and after this years election.

As a famous political thinker says Peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. Martin Luther King Jr.

The peace walk was held in Kete - Krachi, Volta Region with participants from all the political parties in the country. Nana Yaw Denteh a member of Empowerment Aid charged the politicians to campaign base on issues and not to use offensive languages which will aggrieve their opponents. The politicians were also advised that election to public office is not a do or die; nor it is not about character assassination or inciting one group against another. It is not about using hate speech or indecent language. It is battle of ideas and winning the hearts and minds of electorate.

Ms Obiyaa Amofa also charged the youth not to allow themselves to be used by the politicians to destabilize the peace we are enjoying now. The journalists too were advised to provide accurate information to electorates. The electoral commission was charged to be independent. The security forces too were also advised to remain neutral in order to win the hope of everyone.

Civil society groups such as Christian council, Muslim groups, etc were all asked to play their roles effectively in order to help to maintain peace before, during and after election.

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"The President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation," Banerjee tweeted today.

By Press Trust of India: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee over the Centres demonetisation move and said representatives of political parties will meet him next week over the issue.

"The Hon President was kind enough to take my call. I briefed him about how common people are suffering because of demonetisation," Banerjee tweeted today.

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"I thank him for agreeing to meet reps of political parties on Nov 16 or 17 where we will brief him in detail on the grim situation," she wrote in the microblogging site.

Also read:

Note ban: Mamata Banerjee pens poem against Modi in protest



Upping the ante against BJP, Banerjee yesterday had said she is not averse to working with arch rival CPI(M) and other opposition parties like Congress, SP, BSP to fight against the "anti-people" Modi government which has imposed an "undeclared emergency".

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conducting a "surgical strike on the common people" in the name of unearthing black money, she had said the demonetisation move was taken without proper planning causing immense hardship.

Also read:It will take two-three weeks to recalibrate ATMs for new notes, says Arun Jaitley

CM DIALS SITARAM YECHURY

The West Bengal chief minister also speed-dialled CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury asking him to join her in the protests over demonetisation.

"Yes, today Mamata Banerjee called Sitaram Yechury and told him that all the opposition parties should come together to put up a united fight against the BJP," CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim told reporters today.

"Yechury replied that since he was travelling, he could only comment on the matter after discussing it in the party,"Salim added and called the chief minister's bid a "desperate call" to save her own party leaders who were involved in corruption.

Also read:

Modi takes swipe at Rahul's bank visit; Congress leader hits back with 'first laughter, now tears' jibe





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- The US has prevented Nigeria from buying fighter jets from Brazil

- This sis similar to the arms blockade during the Goodluck Jonathan administration

- Nigeria has turned to Russia to purchase the newest fighter helicopter

The United States has prevented the President Muhammadu Buhari administration from acquiring the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.

The Punch reports that Nigeria was almost close to striking a deal with Brazil to acquire the fighter jet crucial in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram before the US stopped the transaction.

A presidency source revealed that the aircraft was produced by the US and sold to Brazil who were initially enthusiastic about selling to Nigeria but later became reluctant.

READ ALSO: Hunters, vigilante groups get intelligence training from police against Boko Haram

Nigeria has been working towards replacing the old fighter jets with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.

Brazil which gets 99 per cent of its aircraft from the US needs it approval before they can be sold.

Darrel Isah who is a US congressman had said after a meeting with service chiefs and defence authorities in the country in August 2015 that the US had commenced the process of relaxing the embargo on military assistance to the country under the Leahy Law.

The law was first activated under the Goodluck Jonathan administration and prevented Nigeria from acquiring fighter jets due to human rights concern.

The presidency source said the US was unhappy with the measures adopted against those accused of human rights abuse in the North-East.

The source said: The issue of the arms embargo against the country by the US is still in force. The US is helping in the area of training; they also have some of their platforms like the C130 which is so crucial in the campaign and operations of the military.

However, the surprising thing is that they have again prevented the country from acquiring A29, Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.

The US sold the aircraft to the Brazilians but they gave a condition that they could only be resold to other countries with the consent of the US. This means that Brazil must seek the permission of the US to sell.

The Brazilians were enthusiastic when they visited Nigeria and the impression we had was that they were ready to sell, provided the funds were available.

Curiously, they later developed cold feet because America started quoting human rights issues to block the deal.

The aircraft are unique because the plan was to use the A-29 Super Tucano, Fighter Ground Attack aircraft to replace the ailing Alpha jets.

The Alpha jets are old now; the Alpha jets and the MI helicopter gunships are the two major platforms deployed in the North-East.

READ ALSO: Bomb explodes behind barracks in Maiduguri

The blockade has forced Nigeria to look in other directions in the purchase of arms.

Nigeria has already paid for 10 Super Mushak trainers from Pakistan which are expected to arrive by the first week of December.

Also, plans had reached an advanced stage to bring in 12 MI 35M, one of the latest helicopter gunships from Russia.

The pilots and technicians who were sent to Russia for training on the use of the sophisticated helicopters had completed training and had returned to the country to await the arrival of the equipment.

Source: Legit.ng
By PTI: Belagavi (Karnataka), Nov 13 (PTI) Hitting out at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it did not have the strength to touch high value currency during its rule and asserted that the "clean up" was required as a lot had been looted in the last 70 years.

"I am surprised that the Congress is asking why did I stop Rs 1000 notes and 500 notes. When you stopped 25 paise, did we say anything? You could dare to stop only 25 paise, thats what your power was limited to. But you did not make higher denomination currency notes illegal. ... We did it.

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"People have chosen a government and they expect so much from it," Modi said, as he took on Congress which has been critical of the Centres demonetisation move.

"You had also agreed to stop (black money), but you did not have the strength to stop big notes. You wanted to run the vehicle (by stopping) 25 paise," he said.

Lashing out at the previous UPA government, he said, "On the night of November 8, at 8 oclock, did you see (what happened)? In 2012, 2013, 2014 newspapers were filled with news about lots of money being eaten up in scams like coal and 2G. But after November 8, their position was such that they had to stand in line for Rs 4,000."

"Those who question me today... those who had heard my speeches... I have not said this for the first time. Many years ago I had said in a public function that Congress doesnt have strength so they are stopping 25 paise, if Im given a chance I will stop Rs 1,000 note," he said.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society, a leading educational institution here, said the government did not want to harass the honest but would not spare the dishonest.

"... it has been 70 years, tell me has the country been looted or not? Has corruption taken place or not? Are big stacks of cash lying at houses or not?" the Prime Minister said, strongly defending "the war" against black money.

"Enough has been looted. You have seen looters. For 70 years the country has been looted, give me 70 months I will clean it up," he added.

"These people who used to ask what has Modi done? Switch on your TV and see what Modi did on 8th November," he said.

Stating that he has started a "sacred work" for the "honesty" people, he added, "If you believe in my honesty and my work, if you believe in my words to clean up notes I need you blessings, please bless me." (MORE) PTI BDN KSU RA BN KIS ARC KIS

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will kick one of his most ambitious and uncertain projects into high gear in Toronto on Monday: a plan to attract tens of billions of dollars from outside investors to pay for an unprecedented burst of public infrastructure investment.

Its a big day for Trudeau. He will lead two sessions with large institutional investors. The first is for large Canadian investors including the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and Quebecs Caisse de depot et placement.

Federal officials have been planning for Mondays second meeting, organized with the New York asset manager BlackRock, at least since midsummer. Trudeau will be joined by nine senior cabinet ministers to pitch Canada as an investment destination. Their audience will be two dozen representatives from pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and other international organizations that control a combined $21 trillion in assets.

The meeting follows Finance Minister Bill Morneaus announcement in his fall economic update two weeks ago that the government will create a Canada Infrastructure Bank to supplement federal spending by attracting outside investors. Morneau said his goal is to land $4 from investors for every dollar the feds put up. That would suggest a $140-billion windfall, given the $35 billion the Trudeau Liberals will use to capitalize the new bank.

For the investors, the lure is stable long-term returns, measured on the same decades-long time scale over which pension plans must provide for their members, at rates of return that look pretty good in the context of an extended global slump in interest rates.

For the Liberals, the attraction is the possibility of dreaming bigger on roads, rail, power grids and social infrastructure than Morneau could afford through direct federal spending alone.

The hitches are  well, theyre multiple.

There is no real international model for the infrastructure bank Morneau and his colleagues are trying to build. There are reasons to believe the demand for decent rates of return is very large, but connecting demand to a reliable supply of projects is tricky.

Long-term institutional investors are supremely unsentimental in their portfolio decisions, so a Trudeau charm offensive is unlikely to sway them if they are unpersuaded by the numbers.

And the very notion of seeking private investment for public building has aroused suspicion on the Liberals left flank, just as more traditional public-private partnerships do.

So, its an untested vehicle for attracting the kind of investment that isnt easy to attract, in a manner that looks like a KICK ME sign to anyone leery of government getting into bed with big money.

But to Trudeau, the project is at the heart of an argument he has made repeatedly since his election: in a world gone mad, good old reliable Canada has become a cosy place to stash money, like a wool sock.

What Canada offers to the world right now at a time when it is characterized by populism and anti-globalization, Trudeau told reporters in Saguenay, Que., in August, is an approach that offers political, financial, economic, social stability, predictability and openness to globalization.

Thats a very different climate than what we see elsewhere around the world, he added. And that is one of the things that I dont have to push very hard when I meet with potential international investors.

Trudeau has been making that pitch to investors one by one since the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. The U.K.s Brexit vote in June and especially Donald Trumps shocking victory in the U.S. presidential election last Tuesday, serve only to emphasize his point.

Trumps election came as a surprise to a lot of these investors, a senior Liberal said late last week. It certainly enhances how we look as a destination for global investment, thats for sure.

Joining Trudeau at the summit will be Morneau, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, Health Minister Jane Philpott, Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

Nobody will be asked to sign contracts or write cheques at this meeting. The process that might lead to those decisions will last months, at least. Morneau will continue the pitch by flying immediately after Mondays sessions to London, where on Wednesday he will address a conference organized by the Swiss financial services company UBS.

The goal is to state emphatically, as one of Trudeaus predecessors once proclaimed, that Canada is open for business.

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The former Toronto police civilian employee charged with 20 counts of breach of trust is alleged to have searched police databases for information on two people who were, months later, murdered  gunned down in separate shootings.

Erin Jade Maranan, 28, faces 24 criminal charges, the majority related to illegal searches of Toronto police files. Police allege Maranan, who had three years of service with Toronto police, made a slew of illegal database searches between February 2014 and June 2015 while she was a temporary civilian clerk in the Forensic Identification Service.

Her charges solely relate to allegedly accessing information without authorization. She is not charged in connection to either homicide.

Generally, police employees have access to a range of information about specific individuals they search, including their criminal history, address and vehicle information, known associates and photos of the person they are searching.

Court documents show Maranan is accused of searching for information on 16 people, including convicted or wanted criminals and two men who would later become homicide victims.

In February 2015, Maranan is alleged to have searched for information on Ly Duy Nguyen and Victor Oliveira  two men who were gunned down in separate shootings seven months later.

In September, a Duy Ly Nguyen was gunned down in a brazen midday execution in a Vancouver shopping mall that police said was gang-related. The Vancouver Sun reported at the time that he was known to police in Ontario, had only recently arrived in B.C., and is believed to have had gang ties.

Three weeks after Nguyens death, a Victor Oliveira was gunned down outside an Etobicoke Lonestar restaurant on October 17, 2015.

No arrests have been made in either homicide.

Toronto and Vancouver police both declined to comment on any connection between Maranans searches and the mens deaths, citing the ongoing investigations into both cases.

(Nguyens) murder is an active and ongoing investigation and unfortunately we would not be able to share any additional information, said Sgt. Brian Montague, spokesperson for the Vancouver police, in an email.

Gary Clewley, Maranans lawyer, did not respond to several requests for comment from the Star. Last month, Maranan was released on bail pending trial.

Among the other names Maranan is alleged to have searched: Elijah Roberts, a Toronto man currently serving a seven-year sentence for assault and weapons charges; Anthony Marentic, who was convicted of multiple drug and weapons charges following an investigation by the RCMPs GTA Serious and Organized Crime Team; and Milos Antic, who in February was listed among Halton Regional Polices fugitives, wanted for uttering threats.

Maranan is one of two Toronto police civilian employees charged with Breach of Trust within a month. On October 31, Toronto police announced Davita Federico, formerly with the forces Records Management Service, is facing one count of breach of trust and one count of unauthorized use of a computer. She is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Mark Pugash, spokesperson for the Toronto police, would not comment on the cases while they are before the courts, but said the alleged wrongdoing was uncovered as a result of the services internal Professional Standards investigations.

This is an example of our willingness to hold our people to account, said Pugash.

Maranan is also facing one charge of perjury and one charge of personation. The perjury charge is an indictable offence, meaning it is in a category of more serious offences.

Mark Valois, a former Toronto police officer and security expert, said confidential information breaches are rare, in part because of the precautions taken by police services.

That includes an extensive background check prior to hiring, regular audits of computer activity and site surveys to ensure computers are not in locations where members of the public can see the screen.

Ultimately it boils down to the trust of the individual, Valois said, adding that if someone does slip through the cracks, its usually easy to trace back to the source because of system login requirements.

Maranan is due back in court December 7.

With files from Ellen Brait

Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

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He remembers the sharp part of the blade. Every time that blade came down, all he could visualize was his partners head coming off.

I still get shivers, says Constable Steve Balice of Toronto Police.

On Nov. 23, 2015, late in the evening, Balice and his partner, German shepherd Lonca, 2, were assigned to guard the backyard of a house while a search warrant was executed. A man came running out the front door.

He had something in his hand.

A black machete.

Balice told the man to stop.

He didnt listen.

He ran towards the officers, blade swinging.

Balice commanded the dog to stop him.

Lonca, a trained, certified patrol dog, gripped the mans leg in his mouth and brought him down.

The man continued to fight back, waiving the machete at everything within arms length.

He struck Lonca on his snout, side of the face, body, neck and left front paw.

But the dog didnt give up, says Staff Sgt. James Hung of the Police Dog Services.

You cant measure how brave that is.

Officers apprehended the suspect.

Loncas police training kicked in and he ran to the backyard where another suspect was trying to escape. His bark deterred her from escaping.

When everything was under control, the dog was taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries: five stitches to his snout and two staples to his left front paw. One of his canine teeth is chipped.

The dog was back to work within a week.

The suspect Phuoc Dang, 56, of Toronto, was charged under the Justice for Animals in Service Act, the first person to be charged under it. The act is better known as Quantos law, named for an Edmonton police dog, Quanto, who was stabbed on Oct. 7, 2013, while trying to apprehend a fleeing suspect, and who died of his injuries. Dangs trial is scheduled for next year.

While Lonca has no physical scars he does seem to have memories of it, his handler says. Lonca is a tad more vigilant when they execute warrants.

As soon as I go in a backyard again, hes staring at the doors, says Balice, as he watches Lonca roll around in the grass and simply be a dog on a sunny day. He thinks someones coming at him.

Lonca is trained for general patrolling, which entails searching for people who are hiding; tracking suspects; searching for missing people and evidence.

Toronto Police has 32 dogs paired with 22 officers. Some officers have two dogs.

Some of them, such as Lonca, are trained for general patrolling while others are trained for explosive, drug and firearm detection, cadaver detection, and the training period for these is two months.

Mostly, Hung says, they want dogs who want to finish the race. Like Usain Bolt. We dont want dogs to just lie down, in front of the fireplace.

Other attributes sought in a dog include a social and friendly nature; high drive, and stability. The animal should not be afraid of loud noises or anything that its going to encounter in the city, he says.

Hung says that of every five dogs, one makes the roster.

The dogs come from different breeders across Europe and North America. Lonca was born in the Czech Republic. Hungs dog, Salvo, was born in Serbia.

We select the dog best suited for the job we need it for, Hung says.

When the police find a dog that checks off all the criteria, they send it off to the vet for a check-up. The dog undergoes an X-ray from nose to tail and is given a blood test.

Then the training starts.

Buying a puppy for the police force costs between $5,000 and $10,000, and training, mostly the time put in, costs about $150,000.

Sometimes a dog looks good on paper, but a few months or even a year into the program, it starts to falter. It could be a medical issue or something unforeseen.

At other times, some dogs simply decide they dont want to be trained anymore, he says. Then there are times they cant do something  clearing an obstacle course, jumping or running.

These dogs are returned.

Our brokers are pretty good, he says. They usually take them back and replace them with a new one. They have a guarantee that theyll pass our course.

On graduation, these dogs get a diploma and a work leash, Hung says. This leash is a short leather tether of four feet. The training leash is six feet and more versatile.

Graduation doesnt mean the training stops. It continues every day, Hung says. Its sort of maintenance training, he adds.

Its a chilly Friday morning and Salvo cannot contain his excitement.

His tail wagging wildly. He is panting in anticipation, his pink tongue hanging out. The three-and-a-half year old dogs eyes zip between his master and the obstacle course that is his playground.

At Hungs command Salvo soars over two hurdles, clears an obstacle that resembles a fence sitting over mesh. He slithers through a tube and wriggles out from under a low cot-like, four-legged contraption. He scrambles over a see-saw, runs across a ledge, then comes to a point where he must choose whether to go down a slide or steps.

His reward? A ball.

Salvo snatches it.

He runs to the corner of the field and chews on it.

Hung gives him a few minutes.

Hes very, very toy-driven, he says, watching Salvo salivate over the ball.

Most handlers have their dogs for a lifetime. Lonca was a year old when he was partnered with Balice, and Salvo was a year-and-a-half old when he was paired with Hung.

The dogs are somewhat similar to teenagers now, willful at times, bouncy and full of energy. But they seem to grow older faster than their two-legged partners. And they suffer similar ailments.

When a dog is ready to retire, it is usually the handler who takes him or her as a family pet. It is a business transaction; a sum of $1 is paid to the city for the dog.

Hung says hed like to take Salvo. Balice says hed like to take Lonca.

While in service the dogs spend almost all their time with their human partners. In the evening, the dogs go home with their masters.

Salvo knows that when hes home, its time to rest, Hung says. Similarly, Balice says Lonca sprawls out in front of the TV or fireplace and chills.

So how is having a K9 partner different from having a two-legged partner?

Hung laughs.

A K9 partner is a colleague for whom you dont have to buy coffee . . . they dont complain as much . . . (I dont have to) listen to their woes. I dont have to argue with them as much either; a very unique partner who searches better than humans; is faster than humans; more versatile and very protective.

For these furry heroes, work is play.

Theyre always ready to work, he says. Whether its 3 in the morning . . . you dont have to splash water on their face to wake them up . . . . Its a unique bond.

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Mumbai Police shared on their Twitter page about this elderly woman they helped find her family. Twitterati has been applauding them for their good work all day.

By India Today Web Desk: Mumbai Police is currently in praises on Twitter, and it is because of an elderly woman.

Earlier today, Mumbai Police shared on their Twitter page the good news about this old woman whom they helped reunite with her family after she got separated some time back.

P Adhikari, who was able to converse in five different languages, failed to recollect where she lived or anything about her family. Despite her memory loss, officers at the Sakinaka police station were able to locate her family and bring her home within four days.

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She knew 5 languages bt dint remember her home or fmly. Sakinaka Pstn reunited P.Adhikari with fmly within 4 days. pic.twitter.com/CuVqrlDlOA Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) November 13, 2016

Users on Twitter have applauding the police on their good work all day:

@MumbaiPolice Good work krishna kant mishra (@bombayk2) November 13, 2016

@MumbaiPolice Commendable work by Mumbai Police.. o7 Neeraj Gupta (@NEERAJGUPT4) November 13, 2016

@MumbaiPolice very good job done by mumbai police keep it up Amit Dalsania (@AmitDalsania1) November 13, 2016

@MumbaiPolice - after so much of negativity all around ...this is the best news i've heard....fantastic job Mumbai Police...keep it real...? Keiths (@Keiths2612) November 13, 2016

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Simone Reid is buried at home, in a plot on her familys land in the community of Scotts Pass, Jamaica. Her grave sits behind the house where she grew up, where her sister and grandmother live still.

The funeral was held in the midday Caribbean sun in January, far from the stinging cold of the home Reid adopted nearly a decade before.

But no one in her hometown had forgotten Shanni, the studious tomboy who spoke her mind and who visited as often as she could.

The church, said Karlene Palmer, Simones mother, it was so, so full.

On November 13, 2015, two weeks shy of her 19th birthday, Reid was found dead in the Scarborough apartment she shared with her father, Paul Reid.

That morning, three of her friends went by her house after Reid failed to attend a birthday celebration the previous night, then wasnt in class the following day. They walked through the apartments open front door and found her body.

I was frozen, in shock, said Shanice Bernard, 21. I thought, this is a dead body, but its not her.

Saying only that there were obvious signs of trauma, police ruled Reids death Homicide #46 of 2015. Investigators issued a plea for information on the whereabouts of her dad; he was missing, and believed to be the last person to see her alive.

Hours later, as gunmen in Paris opened fire on cafes and slaughtered concert-goers in droves, all eyes turned to France, and the death of one teenaged girl was easily drowned out.

She will be robbed, too, of a trial for her killer.

Reid was murdered by her father, Toronto police told the Star this week. The cause of death was a stab wound.

Two weeks after her body was discovered, Paul Reid, 49, was found lifeless inside his blue Toyota minivan in an empty Markham lot. According to Whoston Wray, a family friend who grew up with Paul in Jamaica, Paul Reid had stuffed the vans exhaust pipe and was found with self-inflicted wounds. He left no suicide note.

Toronto police homicide Det. Ted Lioumanis deemed the deaths a murder-suicide soon after Paul Reids body was found. Evidence, including video surveillance, pinned him to the crime; the case was closed within about two weeks.

But a motive never became clear.

Thats what makes it challenging for us, Lioumanis said. Her life was taken, for what reason we may never know.

Family and friends give varying accounts of Reids life in Canada with her dad. Palmer and Reids older sister, Nicola Blackstock  both in Jamaica  bridged the distance through daily texting, and say Reid never expressed concerns about her safety around her father. Blackstock knew the two would argue, but considered it normal.

But in Toronto, Reid started complaining about her fathers bizarre behaviour, according to some friends and family members.

Two months before her death, as she started attending classes in the police foundations program at Centennial College, Reid told friends she noticed her father coming to campus and following her.

She was also worried hed been hallucinating.

She had concerns that her dad was hearing voices, coming from the wall, said Wray.

Veronie Walters, Paul Reids former partner, said it appeared Paul was attempting to socially isolate his daughter in the months before her death. Walters saw less and less of Reid, and claims Paul Reid eventually banned his daughter from going over to her Toronto home, where an enlarged school photo of Reid still hangs on the wall.

It meant she could not regularly see her younger step-sister, Sasha, Walters daughter with Paul Reid. Now 11-years-old, Sasha looked up to Reid, and says she misses hanging out and watching movies on her laptop.

She misses her dad, too. A former construction worker, Paul Reid would sometimes take Sasha to worksites, then take her for a treat, she said.

Even though sometimes he could be mean, he was really a nice person, Sasha said.

Bernard, the friend who found Reids body, may have had the greatest insight into her problems with her dad. Reid had started dating, and began asking Bernard how her own father handled certain situations related to boys.

She started asking me questions like how does your dad like you having a boyfriend? I never paid that close attention to it. I just thought he was strict, Bernard said.

According to Bernard, Reids relationship with her father had grown tense enough that, the night before she was found dead, Reid packed a suitcase, intending to stay with Bernard. She was supposed to meet up with Bernard and another friend to celebrate Bernards birthday, but couldnt leave the apartment.

In text messages, Reid told Bernard that every time she tried to leave, her dad would remove her clothes from her bag. Just before 8 p.m., Reid stopped texting.

We were waiting for her to come. She never turned up, Bernard said.

Bernard sought counseling to get over the scene she found inside Reids apartment the following day. She has only just begun sleeping through the night.

For Reids family, Paul Reids death compounds an already devastating situation. He was the only person who could say why he did it, said Palmer, Reids mother.

She and her family will never recover from the loss, Palmer said, but will move on in their new reality, guided by a strong faith.

Blackstock, Reids older sister in Jamaica, said shell remember her sisters kindness, loving nature and outspokenness most.

If she doesnt like you, shes going to tell you, she said. If shes a friend of yours, you know it.

Many did. A lengthy funeral tribute written by a high school friend describes how Reid loved English class  her writing was very empowering  but not gym class; she would take lengthy trips to the water fountain to avoid running laps.

She had a quirk of chewing ice, an irrational fear of elevators. In the summertime, she wore the most beautiful dresses.

She was the most sincere and friendly girl I have ever met, the friend wrote.

On Remembrance Day, two days before Reid died, Bernard received an early birthday present: a new pair of red Vans sneakers she had badly wanted. Reid handed them over and kissed her on the cheek, then kept texting throughout the day to make sure the shoes fit, Bernard said.

I wear them everywhere.

Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

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Legal Aid Ontario is faced with an unprecedented funding crisis that has sparked fear among lawyers and advocates that coverage and representation of refugees at asylum hearings could be compromised.

In August, LAO introduced a new vetting system of coverage on asylum claims based on country of origin as a measure to keep spending on refugee and immigration cases in check.

The LAO has experienced significant financial pressures at the moment and our immigration and refugee program is not immune to those pressures, said Andrew Brouwer of Torontos Refugee Law Office, a LAO-funded legal clinic that specializes in asylum cases. One of the steps we have taken is to revisit our requests of coverage.

According to Brouwer, the financial crunch on LAOs refugee program stems from skyrocketing asylum claims in the past year, years of flat-lined federal funding and a dwindling expedited program at the Immigration and Refugee board.

Francisco Rico Martinez said he was shocked when a client came to his office at the FCJ Refugee Centre crying, saying her asylum hearing might not be covered by legal aid because she came from Morocco, a country on LAOs merit assessment list.

Martinez said the woman was allegedly trafficked to Canada by relatives to be a caregiver, had her passport taken away and was abused.

You cant use country of origin as a base to determine what asylum cases will be reviewed for coverage, he said. This is a prejudiced approach.

The Immigration and Refugee Board has seen a significant growth in the number of asylum claims, with an approximate intake of 23,000 projected for the year, more than double the volume in three years. The claims come from all over the world and no one could explain the recent surge.

Although legal aid expenses have gone up from $17.6 million in 2013 to $22 million last year, the federal government contribution has remained unchanged at $7 million, leaving LAO short by millions of dollars, lawyers said.

LAO currently pays lawyers a total of 16 hours  no more than $136.43 an hour to the most experienced counsel  to prepare the basis of claim forms for all asylum seekers and the refugee hearing.

A claimant, who meets legal aids income cutoff ($12,863 for a single person, but varies depending on family size), must then apply to have legal counsel covered at the hearing.

Under the new coverage assessment introduced in August, a panel of refugee lawyers only reviews the basis of claims from claimants on its country list to decide who will get counsel expenses covered at their hearings  to save the administrative costs of vetting claims from all countries.

Fifty-five countries, including China, India, France, the United States and the United Kingdom are currently on the list for vetting. All have an average refugee acceptance rate below 50 per cent  the criteria LAO used to come up with the list. According to LAO, 95 per cent of the cases reviewed in the past three months have been deemed to have merit.

We do not believe this practice has any effect on the claimants hearings. Adjudicators have no way of knowing which claimants are being represented on legal aid certificates, said LAO spokesperson Feroneh Neil.

Even if they did know, adjudicators cannot draw any valid inferences about the strength or weakness of a refugee claim based on whether someone receives legal aid.

Martinez said acceptance rate is not a fair measure because advocates have long complained about refugee judges systemic biases against claimants from certain countries such as Mexicans and Roma.

Assessing merits based on the basis of claim is also a problem because it only provides very little information on a reason for asylum and it doesnt give you details of the complete claim, with supporting evidence, Martinez noted.

In the old days, lawyers had to put together an opinion letter setting out whether funding should be provided.

That was problematic because it involved LAO paying lawyers to do work on a process that did not produce anything of benefit for the client, bur rather simply helped LAO administer its program, said professor Sean Rehaag of the Osgoode Hall Law School.

The new process is better because LAO pays lawyers to prepare a basis of claim, which the claimants submit to the refugee board and which LAO also uses for the purposes of merit screening.

However, Rehaag is opposed to any merit screening of refugee claims to assess coverage.

LAO does not use merit screening to decide whether or not it will pay to defend someone on serious criminal charges, said Rehaag. Why, then, does LAO do merit screening in the refugee law area?

For years, the Immigration and Refugee Board would entertain requests to expedite processing of strong and solid claims to save time and costs. However, the expedited program became obsolete in 2012 when the then-Conservative government introduced tight statutory timelines with the unrealistic belief all asylum claims would be determined in six months.

Currently, only claims from Syria and Iraq are considered for expedition.

Refugee board spokesperson Anna Pape said asylum adjudicators decision-making is not influenced by whether or not a claimant has legal representation.

The board is committed to fairness in its dealings with all those with proceedings before it, regardless of whether they are self-represented or are represented by counsel, she noted.

We had thousands of claims being expedited before. Now the board refuses to do it. The per-case cost and the length of hearing keep going up because of the demands made by members (adjudicators), said Toronto lawyer Raoul Boulakia, president of Refugee Lawyers Association of Ontario.

This isnt sustainable. You cant have too little funding plus more demands and a more costly litigation system, added Boulakia.

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NEW YORKTens of thousands of people marched in streets across the United States on Saturday, staging the fourth day of protests of Donald Trumps surprise victory as president.

The protests  held in big cities like New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa  were largely peaceful Saturday.

Protesters rallied at New Yorks Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump step aside.

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, she said. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, Calif., carried a sign that asked: Legalize weed but not my Mom?  a reference to Californians Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

He doesnt realize all the families hes hurting, she said of Trump.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a sign that said Love Trumps Hate.

What hes been able to do is make 50 per cent of the nation look over their shoulder, he said. If youre gay, if youre LGBT, if youre Muslim, if youre Latin, if youre special needs, if youre female, its a much unsafer place now.

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Ore., a man who was participating in a march early Saturday was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday night protests, when police used tear gas in response to burning projectiles thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was travelling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be, he said. There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state capitol. The group chanted not my president and no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to protest a jurys failure to reach a verdict in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honour the popular vote and elect Clinton.

Women arent playthings. Journalists arent pawns. People of colour are not commodities. Marriage equality is not up for debate, Spray said.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trumps election.

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QUETTA, PAKISTANThe death toll from a bomb blast at a Sufi shrine in southwest Pakistan Saturday has risen to 50 people with more than 100 wounded, officials said.

Daesh later claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.

Abdur Rasool, an official at the provinces home ministry, said rescuers were transporting the wounded to hospitals and the dead to local morgues, but were struggling in the difficult mountainous terrain, some 350 kilometres south of the provincial capital, Quetta.

The blast targeted worshippers as they were in the throes of their devotional dhamal dance, and the courtyard at the time was packed with families, women and children.

Daeshs statement on the Aamaq news agency, an affiliated network, said the suicide attack had targeted Shiites. The shrine is frequented by both Pakistans Sunni Muslim majority and Shiite minority. Daesh considers all Shiite Muslims heretics.

The blast comes ahead of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs preplanned trip to the province tomorrow, where he will see off the first Chinese shipping consignment to Africa from Gwadar port.

Baluchistan home minister Sarfaraz Bugti, citing a lack of cellular services in the affected area, said the situation will be much clearer in the morning. He said over 500 people were present in the courtyard of the shrine when the blast happened.

Abdul Hakim Lasi, an official with the Edhi Foundations rescue service, said many of the injured were wounded in a panicked stampede after the blast.

One female witness, who was not identified by name, told the GEO television channel that a big bang took place in the midst of the dhamal dance in the shrines courtyard. I dont know how I escaped unhurt, she said. It was like a hell all around.

A doctor at an area hospital told a local television station that the number of wounded being brought in had overwhelmed the hospitals capacity.

We dont have sufficient space, so several people were treated outside on the ground, the doctor said adding that several wounded people have lost limbs.

A military statement said that four army medical teams and 45 army ambulances had been dispatched to the scene to assist.

Last month, Daesh claimed responsibility for an attack in which three militants stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing 61 people, mostly cadets and trainees. Later, the banned sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed joint responsibility.

For over a decade, Baluchistan province has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency by nationalist and separatist groups demanding a bigger share of regional resources.

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Donald Trump rarely goes to church, said hes never sought forgiveness for his sins, and in his acceptance speech early Wednesday, never mentioned God.

Religion was almost invisible during the presidential campaign, and yet it is the missing piece in understanding Trumps victory. The Christian right worked largely under the national medias radar this year, but it helped deliver the presidency to a thrice-married mogul who bragged about groping women and has been accused by multiple women of actually doing it.

They were willing to forgive Trumps personal transgressions because he stoked their fears that a Hillary Clinton administration would take away their religious liberties, use their tax dollars to fund late-term abortions at home and abroad, and expand the rights of gay and transgender people, political analysts said. Trump warned at rallies and at conservative Christian gatherings that he alone was their last hope to protect them against a changing culture, using the refrain, This is your last chance.

Now that he has won, evangelical leaders said they are confident Trump will deliver on the political promises he made to them. These include appointing a conservative to the Supreme Court, defunding Planned Parenthood, protecting businesses that refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings and rescinding the mandate in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance coverage for birth control.

And with Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, an evangelical with a record of legislating against abortion and same-sex marriage, as vice president, Christian leaders say they feel reassured they will have access to the White House and a seat at the table.

I am confident he will do as president what he said he would do as a candidate, said Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, who helped mobilize Christian voters for Trump.

White evangelicals and Catholics voted for Trump at even higher rates than they voted for the last two Republican presidential nominees, John McCain and Mitt Romney, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.

The wall of white Christian voters held, said Robert P. Jones, chief executive of the Public Religion Research Institute and author of The End of White Christian America.

White evangelicals make up 26 per cent of the American electorate, and 81 per cent of them voted for Trump, despite loud criticism by some in their ranks that he was racist, misogynistic and unfit for the presidency. Only 16 per cent voted for Clinton.

More from thestar.com:

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Trudeau is equally traumatized by Trump: Hebert

Catholics, who make up 23 per cent of the electorate, supported Trump over Clinton by 52 to 45 per cent. White Catholics voted for him in far greater proportions than Hispanic Catholics, who favoured Clinton over Trump, 67 to 26 per cent.

There was no way he had a chance without the pop of that Catholic vote, Reed said.

Trump was not the first choice of most evangelicals or Catholics. But he gradually won their trust, speaking at Liberty University in Virginia, the largest Christian college in the country, doing nine interviews with Pat Robertsons Christian Broadcasting Network and building relationships with Pentecostal preachers. In June, he met with nearly 1,000 evangelical and Catholic leaders from around the country in a hotel ballroom in New York. In October, he sent a letter to the Catholic Leadership Conference in Denver, promising, I will fight for you.

Clinton, in contrast, failed to connect with white evangelicals and Catholics, said Michael Wear, a political consultant who served as a faith adviser for President Obama.

Evangelicals feel embattled, they feel isolated, and Trump understood that and appealed to them on completely Machiavellian terms. But Hillary actually confirmed their sense of isolation by not reaching out to them, said Wear, the author of Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America. Hillarys lack of outreach basically told evangelicals, You need Trump as much as Trump says you do.

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NEW YORKTens of thousands of people marched in streets across the United States on Saturday, staging the fourth day of protests of Donald Trumps surprise victory as president.

The protests  held in big cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa  were largely peaceful Saturday, although two police officers were slightly injured during protests in Indianapolis.

Protesters rallied at New Yorks Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was holed up inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump step aside.

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, she said. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis on Saturday threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including Kill the Police, and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city, trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

Rowdy demonstrators marched through downtown Portland, Oregon, for the fourth night Saturday despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

Several hundred people took to the streets and Portland authorities made multiple arrests after protesters threw bottles and other items at officers in riot gear and blocked streets and light rail lines. The exact number of arrests wasnt immediately available.

More from thestar.com:

Trump pledges restraint with Twitter when in White House

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Heartbroken Clinton supporter went for a hike  and ran into Hillary herself

The gathering came after a news conference Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

Friday night, police used flash-bang grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds in the downtown area. Seventeen people were arrested and one man was shot and suffered non life-threatening injuries in what police described as a confrontation with gang members. Two people were arrested on attempted murder charges.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: Legalize weed but not my Mom?  a reference to Californians Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

We talk about it almost every day, she said. My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God, but Im not just going to sit back and not do anything. Im going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a glittery sign that said Love Trumps Hate.

What hes been able to do is make 50 per cent of the nation look over their shoulder, he said. If youre gay, if youre LGBT, if youre Muslim, if youre Latin, if youre special needs, if youre female, its a much unsafer place now.

What is happening today is going to be the normal for a while, he said of the demonstration, because were not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away.

Meanwhile, several dozen Trump supporters gathered at his vandalized star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to urge the protesters to give him a chance. One person held a cross that read All lives matter to me.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was travelling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be, he said. There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state capitol. The group chanted not my president and no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to protest a jurys failure to reach a verdict in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Several hundred anti-Trump protesters joined the trial protesters and marched through downtown Cincinnati.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honour the popular vote and elect Clinton.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trumps election.

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Theres an adage in politics: Your successor is your legacy.

Politicians spend their lives in government advocating for policies and passing legislation they believe will form their legacy  one they hope will be a lasting one for the nation. We have no shortage of such Canadian figures; think of John A. Macdonald, Wilfrid Laurier, Tommy Douglas and the mythology that continues to exist around them.

But more than what they achieve in office, the legacy for many is defined by the leader who replaces them.

Thats something I have been thinking about this week. How Barack Obamas legacy will be defined by his successor, Donald J. Trump.

After all, President-elect Trump is everything Obama is not. And in many ways, the fundamental differences between the two men led to Trumps victory in Tuesdays U.S. election.

Obama is politically correct; Trump disavows political correctness. Obama is an intellectual; Trump rails against the intelligentsia. Obama is a policy wonk; Trump policy can be described on a bumper sticker. Obama is an internationalist, in favour of globalization, free trade and immigration; Trump not so much.

This time, however, the people who voted for Trump didnt use the criteria upon which Obama was elected. Rather, these white, primarily rural, and middle-aged voters formed a new coalition founded on disenchantment with the status quo and a belief that the system was fundamentally rigged against them.

This coalition of voters was formed because of a canyon of deep division. A divide between urbanites and rural dwellers, the educated and uneducated, the rich and poor, and whites and ethnic minorities thats growing at an alarming rate and is creating an inescapable us vs. them mentality.

Feeling ignored by Washington, and more specifically by Obama and his administration, this cohort of voters focused on disappearing manufacturing jobs, a porous U.S. border and their very real sense that Americas value system was shifting under their feet. And that their America was becoming unrecognizable.

Donald Trump and Barack Obamas policy platforms run entirely counter to each other, with little in the way of overlap.

However, there is more than just policy differences at play. A successor can represent the celebration or utter repudiation of their predecessors approach to leadership and governance.

A Clinton victory would have cemented Obamas policy legacy and reinforced his governing style. Rather, with Trumps victory, the latter appears to be the case.

This is not just an American phenomenon, of course, nor is it new. In 2013, Mayor John Tory, a renowned collaborator and consensus builder, was elected largely as a consequence of voters exhaustion with the divisiveness of the Ford era.

In Ontario in 1995, Mike Harris replaced Bob Rae as premier. He did so based on his Common Sense Revolution and plan for smaller government and tax relief, which washed away Raes far more expansive government.

And more recently, in 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected prime minister, skyrocketing from third place in the House of Commons to leader of a majority government.

His success, in large part, was the stark contrast Trudeau provided with his predecessor.

How gut-wrenching must it be for Harper to watch as Trudeau repeals much of the significant legislation from his 10 years of public service?

There was little common ground between the agendas of Trudeaus campaign and the Harper government. The Liberals have decimated the previous governments tough-on-crime legislation, climate change policy, and fiscal framework.

While Trudeau continues to enjoy an extended post-election honeymoon, the Conservative Party is about to select its next leader. Kellie Leitch  the antithesis to Trudeau  is starting to look more and more like the next Tory leader. Many among the elites, as Leitch likes to call them, are puzzled by what she is up to.

But as the 2019 federal election approaches, a case can be made that the voter base that mobilized for Brexit and Trump could manifest itself in Canada. Make no mistake: Canada is not immune to such discontent, and if storm clouds occlude Trudeaus sunny ways, theres a chance the next prime minister of Canada will be diametrically opposite to the current one.

Obama desperately wanted Clinton to win, for both his legacy and his country, and he campaigned relentlessly for her. Her failure is his loss, and his legacy has been tarnished because of it.

Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist.

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Like many progressive observers, my view of Barack Obama has been a bit of a roller-coaster.

Stunned when I stood on the floor of the Democratic Convention in 2004 and witnessed this unknown state senator deliver his spellbinder keynote speech.

Hugely excited and impressed by the campaign nine years ago, frustrated and depressed by the middle of the first term, reconvinced by his 2012 performance and the achievements of the second term, then taken to a new high by his astonishing campaign performance in the last three months.

Given politics short-term memory, it is important not to forget Obamas considerable legacy. He saved the global economy from collapse, rescued the American auto industry, rebuilt Americas reputation internationally, gave the life-saving benefit of public health care to 20 million people, and on and on. Like great American presidents before him he not only delivered huge policy wins, he did it in the face of enormous political resistance. Even if some of it may now be unwound, the achievements remain a powerful legacy.

As Obama famously put it, Dont do stupid (stuff). Trump should listen. Although not explicitly aimed at George W. Bush, the message was clear. Unlike his two failed wars, Carters Iran disaster, Bill Clintons bungling both Somalia and Rwanda, or George H.W. Bush, who left an underground fire burning in Iraq, Obamas foreign policy record is clearly better. Trump has big shoes to fill, here, too.

To those who would blame Putins excesses on Obama, or Chinas increasingly hard line, or his failure to rein in the self-destructive Israeli government, one can only recall one of Obamas best lines, Come on, man! Really?

Did he move the dial in Cuba, evidentamente! Has Obama left Daesh, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda is worse shape than when he arrived? With the imminent collapse of Mosul and Raqqa, the question answers itself. Charles Krauthammer, and those local pundits who rewrite him for Canadian conservative audiences, like to claim Obama led an American retreat from global leadership. Their evidence is laughable.

They might ask themselves why the Russian-rigged parliament rose to a standing ovation on news of Putins pals triumph.

What they are really saying is that Obama did not bomb Damascus or Tehran or require the CIA to overthrow offensive governments in Venezuela or North Korea, or raise the level of confrontation with China and Russia. To more thoughtful international observers each of those would clearly have fallen into the stupid stuff category. Now we may get a tragic demonstration of stupid stuff on each of those files.

Liberal domestic critics complain about rising racial tensions and social inequality today, and falling productivity and loss of high-wage jobs. Their grandparents criticized FDR for not having done enough to ease poverty, their parents were disappointed that LBJ did not push civil rights far enough. If they are among the 5 million Democrats who failed to vote for his successor, they will now have four painful years to see those gains reversed.

There is the painful reality for every leader that the trees you plant only deliver fruit to opponents far in the future  some may even get chopped down by your successor. Resolving the chaos and inefficiency of the American health-care system took a giant leap forward, and that may now be gutted. Access to university, and lifting the burden of student debt, took a big leap under Obama, too  now also at risk.

It will be Trumps successor who will have to clean up the trash he will inevitably leave behind  let us hope it is only four years from now  before America can begin to reap the benefits of a healthier America, more university graduates, and rising American productivity, jobs and wages, all of which got a new start under Obama.

Whether it is 2020 or four years later, Obama will be working on the international stage. Then he will, no doubt, put that aside and bring his powerful presence back to support the Democratic challenger. Some are dreaming it may be Michelle Obama.

Already progressives around the world are preparing themselves for the huge gap his departure will leave on the world stage. From Inauguration Day we will miss painfully his oratory, his humour, his intelligence and his humanity  a package that comes only once in a generation, if a people are lucky.

Today, though, America and the world should simply say, Thank you, Barack Obama.

Robin V. Sears, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group and a Broadbent Institute leadership fellow, was an NDP strategist for 20 years.

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Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

By Press Trust of India: A 24-year-old Muslim school teacher in the US was told to hang herself with her headscarf in a handwritten anonymous note which said the scarf "isn't allowed anymore".

Mairah Teli, a teacher at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County, located outside Atlanta in Georgia, posted a picture of the note on her Facebook page last week.

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"Mrs Teli, your head scarf isn't allowed anymore. Why don't you tie it around your neck and hang yourself with it," the note scribbled in black ink said, signed 'America!', The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"As a Muslim, I wear a headscarf as a practice of my faith. I want to share this to raise awareness about the reality and climate of our community. Spreading hate isn't going to "make America great again", she wrote on her Facebook page.



INVESTIGATION ON TO NAB CULPRIT

The hand written note as posted by Mairah Teli on her Facebook page.

Sloan Roach, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Schools, said in a statement that school officials are working to find out who wrote the note.

"We take a threat against a staff member as a serious matter," Roach said.

Teli said the administration and fellow teachers were very supportive after she informed them she found the note.

TRUMP TO BLAME?

It is unclear at this time whether the person who wrote it was inspired by Donald Trump's election to the presidency, but Teli's post on Facebook assumed as much.

"I feel children feel safe making comments that are racist or sexist because of him," she said.

Teli said she was shocked and disturbed but worked to be measured when she addressed class. She told the students she was happy to speak with them if there were questions about her hijab.

The incident comes amid reports from around the country about hate rising after Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential polls.

Also Read:



Donald Trump's claim on American Muslims challenged by FBI



Donald Trump urges ban on immigration from countries with 'history of terrorism'



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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. operates as a diversified financial services company in the United States. The company's Retail Banking segment offers checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, auto loans, credit cards, education loans, and personal and small business loans and lines of credit; and brokerage, insurance, and investment and cash management services. This segment serves consumer and small business customers through a network of branches, ATMs, call centers, and online and mobile banking channels. Its Corporate & Institutional Banking segment provides secured and unsecured loans, letters of credit, and equipment leases; cash and investment management services, receivables and disbursement management services, funds transfer services, international payment services, and access to online/mobile information management and reporting; foreign exchange, derivatives, fixed income, securities underwriting, loan syndications, and mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets advisory related services; and commercial loan servicing and technology solutions. It serves mid-sized and large corporations, and government and not-for-profit entities. The company's Asset Management Group segment offers investment and retirement planning, customized investment management, credit and cash management solutions, and trust management and administration services for high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals, and their families; and multi-generational family planning services for ultra high net worth individuals and their families. It also provides outsourced chief investment officer, custody, private real estate, cash and fixed income client solutions, and fiduciary retirement advisory services for institutional clients. The company has 2,591 branches and 9,502 ATMs. The company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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The following companies are subsidiares of Stanley Black & Decker: 2315708 Ontario Inc., 3-V Fastener Co. Inc., 3xLOGIC Dalian Technology Company Limited, 3xLogic Florida LLC, 3xLogic Inc., 3xLogic Indiana LLC, 8 Commerce Drive LLC, ADT France, ASIA FASTENING (US) INC., Advanced Turf Technologies LTD, AeroFit LLC, AeroScout (US) LLC, AeroScout Industrial, AeroScout LLC, AeroScout Ltd., Aeroscout (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Al Khaja Pimex LLC, Allan Brothers, Automatic Doors Systems, Automatic Entrances of Colorado, Avdel Holding Limited, Avdel Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, Avdel UK Limited, Aven Tools Limited, B&D Holdings Inc., B.B.W. BAYRISCHE BOHRERWERKE GmbH, BD Precision (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Suzhou (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Suzhou Power Tools (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Xiamen (Hong Kong) Limited, BDB Ferramentas do Brasil Ltda, BDC International Limited, BDK FAUCET HOLDINGS INC., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) POWER TOOLS CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) PRECISION MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER ASIA MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS 1 S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER ASIA MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS 2 S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER DE REYNOSA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., BLACK & DECKER GLOBAL HOLDINGS S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER GROUP LLC, BLACK & DECKER HOLDINGS LLC, BLACK & DECKER INC, BLACK & DECKER INDIA INC., BLACK & DECKER INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS S.A.R.L., BLACK & DECKER INVESTMENT COMPANY LLC, BLACK & DECKER SHELBYVILLE LLC, BLACK & DECKER SSC CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER TRANSASIA S.a.r.l., BLACK AND DECKER S.A. de C.V., Bagley Road LLC, Baltimore Financial Services Company Unlimited Company, Baltimore Insurance Designated Activity Company, Bandhart, Bandhart Overseas, Bed-Check, Belco Investments Company Unlimited Company, Besco Investment Group Co. 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Ltd., CAM International Holdings Inc., CAMACC Systems Inc., CONNEXCENTER SA, CPE Acquisition Co., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, CRC-EVANS WELDING SERVICES INC., CRC-Evans B.V., CRC-Evans Canada LTD., CRC-Evans International LLC, CRC-Evans Offshore Limited, CRC-Evans PIH Servios De Tubulao do Brasil Ltda, CRC-Evans Pipeline International Inc., CRC-Evans Pipeline International Sdn Bhd, CWS Industries (Mfg.) Corp., Chesapeake Falls Holdings Company Unlimited Company, Chesapeake Investments Company S.A.R.L., Chicago Steel Tape, Chiro Tools Holdings B.V., Christie Intruder Alarms Limited, Clarke Security Services Incorporated, Columbia Manufacturing Company Incorporated, Compass Corporation, Compass II Co. 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KG, MTD Deutschland Verwaltungsgeschellschaft mbH, MTD Europe Holding GmbH, MTD Holdings, MTD Hungaria Kft., MTD International Operations Inc., MTD Investments Australia Pty Ltd., MTD LLC, MTD PRODUCTS ITALIA S.R.L., MTD Poland Sp. z.o.o., MTD Products AG, MTD Products Australia Party LTD, MTD Products Benelux B.V., MTD Products Company, MTD Products Czech Spol. s.r.o., MTD Products Denmark ApS, MTD Products Inc., MTD Products India Private India Limited, MTD Products Limited, MTD Products New Zealand Limited, MTD Products Nordic AB, MTD Products S.A. de C.V., MTD Products Singapore, MTD Schweiz AG, MTD Southwest Inc., Mac Tools Canada Inc., Maquinas y Herramientas Black & Decker de Chile S.A., Microalloying International Inc., Microtec Enterprises, Moeller Manufacturing & Supply LLC, Monarch Mirror Door Co., NEWFREY LLC, NFASTECH COMPANY LIMITED, NIscayah, NSW Fabristeel Netherlands B.V., National Manufacturing, Nelson Bolzenschwei-Technik GmbH & Co. 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Ltd., Rawlplug Unit Trust, Refal Industria e Comercio de Rebites e Rebitadeiras Ltda., Remington LLC, SBD Cayman LLC, SBD European Investment Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Holdings S.a r.l., SBD European Security International Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Investment Unlimited Company, SBD Holding AB, SBD Insurance Inc., SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings LLC, SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings S.a r.l., SBD Manufacturing Distribution & Global Purchasing Holdings L.P., SBD Niscayah S.a r.l., SBD Property Holdings LLC, SBD UK Canada Holdings Inc., SPIRALOCK GLOBAL VENTURES LIMITED, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER HUNGARY KORALTOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER IBERICA S.L., STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MOROCCO SARL, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS ONE HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S1 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S2 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY ENGINEERED FASTENING EASTERN EUROPE SP.Z O.O., SWK (U.K.) Holding Limited, SWK (UK) Limited, SWK Utensilerie S.r.l., Scan Modul, Security Group, SecurityCo Solutions Inc., Shanghai Emhart Fastening System Co. Ltd., Sidchrome Tool, Sielox Security Systems, Societe Miniere et Commerciale SAS, Sonitrol, Sonitrol Distribution Canada Inc., Sonitrol Security Systems of Buffalo Inc., Southern Monitoring Services Limited, Specialty Bar Products Company, Spiegelberg Manufacturing Inc., Spiralock Corporation, Stanley Access Technologies LLC, Stanley Atlantic Inc., Stanley Black & Decker (Barbados) SRL, Stanley Black & Decker (Hellas) EPE, Stanley Black & Decker Asia Holdings LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Asian Holdings B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Australia Pty Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Austria GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Belgium BV, Stanley Black & Decker CCA S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Canada Corporation, Stanley Black & Decker Cayman Holdings Inc., Stanley Black & Decker Cayman International Financing LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Centroamerica S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Chile L.L.C., Stanley Black & Decker Colombia Services S.A.S., Stanley Black & Decker Czech Republic s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Distribution SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 1 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 2 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Finland Oy, Stanley Black & Decker France SAS, Stanley Black & Decker France Services SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Hermosillo S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black & Decker Holdings Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Black & Decker Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker IP Holdings Limited, Stanley Black & Decker India Private Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International FZE, Stanley Black & Decker International Fiance 2 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 1 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 2 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 5 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance L.P., Stanley Black & Decker Ireland Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Italia S.r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Holding BV, Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Investment Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Limited Liability Company, Stanley Black & Decker Logistics BV, Stanley Black & Decker MEA FZE, Stanley Black & Decker Manufacturing SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Middle East Trading FZE, Stanley Black & Decker NZ Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Netherlands B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Norway AS, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Polska Sp. z o.o., Stanley Black & Decker Precision Manufacturing (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Romania SRL, Stanley Black & Decker Slovakia s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Sweden AB, Stanley Black & Decker Turkey Alet Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Stanley Black & Decker UK Group Limited, Stanley Black & Decker UK Limited, Stanley Black & Decker de Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black and Decker Commercial Private India, Stanley Black and Decker Security Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V. (fka DEWALT INDUSTRIAL TOOLS S.A. DE C.V.), Stanley CLP3, Stanley Canada Holdings L.L.C., Stanley Chiro International Ltd, Stanley Convergent Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Engineered Fastening Benelux B.V., Stanley Engineered Fastening France SAS, Stanley Engineered Fastening India Private Limited, Stanley Engineered Fastening Industrial Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Engineered Fastening Italy S.r.l., Stanley Engineered Fastening Spain S.L.U., Stanley Europe BV, Stanley European Holdings B.V., Stanley European Holdings II B.V., Stanley Fastening Systems Investment (Taiwan) Co., Stanley Fastening Systems L.P., Stanley Fastening Systems Poland Sp. z o.o., Stanley Feinwerktechnik GmbH, Stanley Grundstuecksverwaltungs GmbH, Stanley Healthcare Solutions France Sarl, Stanley Housing Fund Inc., Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, Stanley Infrastructure LLC Formerly f/k/a International Equipment Solutions ("IES"), Stanley Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Inspection US L.L.C., Stanley International Holdings Inc., Stanley Israel Investments B.V., Stanley Logistics L.L.C., Stanley Pipeline Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Safety Corporation LLC, Stanley Security AS, Stanley Security Alarmcentrale B.V., Stanley Security B.V., Stanley Security Belgium BV, Stanley Security Canada ULC (fka 3xLogic Holdings Inc.), Stanley Security Denmark ApS, Stanley Security Europe BV, Stanley Security Federal Systema LLC, Stanley Security Holding AS, Stanley Security Limited, Stanley Security Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Stanley Security Nederland B.V., Stanley Security Oy, Stanley Security Singapore Pte. Ltd., Stanley Security Solutions (NI) Limited, Stanley Security Solutions - Europe Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Security Solutions India Private Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Limited, Stanley Security Sverige AB, Stanley Technical Services Ltd., Stanley Tools SAS, Stanley U.K. Holdings Ltd., Stanley UK Acquisition Company Limited, Stanley UK Services Limited, Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH, Stanley Works (India) Private Limited, Stanley Works (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Stanley Works (Wendeng) Tools Co. Ltd., Stanley Works Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Stanley Works China Investments Limited, Stanley Works Holdings B.V., Stanley Works Limited, Stanley-Bostitch S.A. de c.v., Stanley-Bostitch Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Stichting Beheer Intellectuele Eigendomsrechten Blick Benelux B.V., SureHand Inc. f.k.a. SBD Aura Inc., Sweepster Attachments LLC, THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION, TOG Holdings Inc., TOG Manufacturing Company Inc., TSI Monitoring LLC, TSI Sales & Installation LLC, The EAP Acquisition Co. LLC, The Farmington River Power Company, The Ferry Cap & Set Screw Company, The Stanley Works (Langfang) Fastening Systems Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Zhongshan) Tool Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works Israel Ltd., The Stanley Works Limited, The Stanley Works Pty. Ltd., Tong Lung Metal Industry, Troy-Bilt LLC, Tucker Fasteners Limited, Tucker GmbH, Tucker S.R.O., Universal Inspection Systems Limited, Venus Enterprise Co. Ltd., Visiocom International Pte Ltd, Voss Industries Inc., Wintech Corporation Limited, XMARK Corporation, XMARK Corporation., Yong Ru Plastics Industry (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, and Zag USA Inc..

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Motorola Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical communications and analytics in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation, and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Its land mobile radio communications and video security and access control devices include two-way portable and vehicle-mounted radios, fixed and mobile video cameras, and accessories; radio network core and central processing software, base stations, consoles, and repeaters; and video analytics, network video management hardware and software, and access control solutions. The Software and Services segment provides repair, technical support, and hardware maintenance services. This segment also offers monitoring, software updates, and cybersecurity services; and public safety and enterprise command center software, unified communications applications, and video software solutions through on-premise and as a service. It serves government, public safety, and commercial customers. The company was formerly known as Motorola, Inc. and changed its name to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in January 2011. Motorola Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Narendra Modi spoke on demonetisation in Kobe and said his drive against black money would not stop after the currency note ban. Modi said the government might introduce more steps after December.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned of the possibility of more measures being introduced by the government against black money after the December-end deadline to deposit the scrapped notes.

In his first remarks on demonetisation, which was introduced on November 8, Narendra Modi hailed it as the "biggest cleanliness drive" against black money hoarders while addressing a gathering of NRI audience in Kobe.

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Modi assured the people that all the black money that has been looted will be brought back and that the "rules would be same for everyone".

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the people were facing hardships but said that it was in the larger interest of the nation.

Lauding the people for their efforts, Modi said that more measures to curb black money might be introduced after December.

ALSO READ | PM Modi in Japan: I salute the people of India for supporting demonetisation despite inconvenience

ALSO READ | Prime Minister's popularity drops as Modi loses over 3 lakh followers on Twitter

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HERE ARE 10 TAKEAWAYS FROM NARENDRA MODI'S SPEECH Hinting at more measures against black money, Modi said "Some people think that after December 30, this all will end. I want to declare this once again that after the end of this scheme, there is no guarantee that something else will not be introduced to get rid of such people." The Prime Minister sternly said no one who had stored black money would be spared. "We will check all the records since Independence. If I come across any unaccounted cash, no one will be spared." Narendra Modi, who was on a three-day visit to Japan, said that black money to the tune of Rs 1.25 lakh crore was unearthed by his government in the last two years. Modi dismissed that demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was done in a hurry. "I thought long and hard about the possible difficulties, and it was also important to keep it a secret. It had to be done suddenly. But I never thought I will receive blessings for this." He said people were given several chances to come clean. "We had given 50 days to people to show their unaccounted wealth". Modi claimed the banks received Rs 125 lakh crore after people were asked to declare their unaccounted wealth in September. Prime Minister Modi hailed the people who had been facing difficulties due to demonetisation scheme. He compared the situation in India to how Japan handled the natural disaster."I salute my countrymen," Modi said. "People stood in line for four hours, six hours but accepted the decision in national interest the way people of Japan tackled the aftermath of the 2011 disaster? I salute each and every Indian. Many families had weddings, their mothers were ailing? they faced inconvenience, but they accepted the decision." Modi said he was happy to see how sons and daughters-in-law were depositing money up to Rs 2.5 lakh in their mothers' accounts staying in old age homes. "After blessings from mothers like these, it is certain to be successful." Meanwhile, people in India continued to bear the brunt of demonetisation. There were long, unending queues at almost every ATM and bank across the country, with people having to wait for several hours before they could exchange their old notes. Many had to return disappointed as well. The opposition has slammed the Modi government for demonetisation scheme. Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the Prime Minister on Saturday calling for a rollback of the scheme, and alleging that Modi had told his close aides about demonetisation beforehand. Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes can be deposited in banks or post offices till December this year. You can withdraw a maximum of Rs 10,000 a day from the banks and a maximum of Rs 2,000 a day from the ATMs till November 14. The limit for withdrawal from ATM will be increased then to Rs 4,000 per day.

ALSO READ:

Demonetisation: Bold decision but bad planning, says Chetan Bhagat at Sahitya AajTak

Demonetisation nightmare hits peak marriage season

Aishwarya on Modi's demonetisation: I congratulate PM, people need to look at larger picture

Demonetisation of 500, 1000 rupee notes: 5 rumours you must not fall for

Arun Jaitley to India Today: Rs 500-1000 currency revamp not the only step govt will take

Note ban: Following India's lead, Pakistani senator submits resolution for demonetisation











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Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract professionals and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking and cloud, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior-level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process re-engineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. It is involved in serving professionals in the areas of creative, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, web designers, media buyers, front end developers, copywriters, digital marketing managers, marketing analytics specialists, brand managers, and public relations specialists. The company provides internal audit, technology consulting, risk and compliance consulting, and business performance services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides government-sponsored managed care services. The company operates in three segments: Medicaid Health Plans, Medicare Health Plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). The Medicaid Health Plans segment offers plans for beneficiaries of temporary assistance for needy families, supplemental security income, and aged blind and disabled residents; and other state-based programs, such as children's health insurance programs and long-term services and supports programs for qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. The Medicare Health Plans segment provides Medicare, a federal program that provides eligible persons aged 65 and over, as well as some disabled persons with a range of hospital, medical, and prescription drug benefits; Medicare Advantage, a Medicare's managed care alternative to the original Medicare program, which offers individuals standard Medicare benefits directly through Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and coordinated care plans that are administered through health maintenance organizations and require members to seek health care services and select a primary care physician from a network of health care providers. The Medicare PDPs segment provides Medicare part D PDP plans to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Its PDP plans offer national in-network prescription drug coverage, including a preferred pharmacy network. As of December 31, 2018, the company served approximately 5.5 million members in the United States. WellCare Health Plans, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
The following companies are subsidiares of Laboratory Co. of America: 1957285 Ontario Inc. dba Quality Underwriting Services, 2089729 Ontario Inc., 2248848 Ontario Inc., 3065619 Nova Scotia Company, 3257959 Nova Scotia Company, 8165335 Canada Inc., 8348596 Canada Inc., 896988 Ontario Limited, 9279-3280 Quebec Inc., Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., Assets of Pathology Inc, Beacon LBS IPA Inc., Beacon Laboratory Benefit Solutions Inc., CannAmm GP Inc., CannAmm Limited Partnership, Center for Disease Detection International, Center for Disease Detection LLC, Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc., Chiltern, Clearstone Central Laboratories (U.S.) Inc., Clearstone Holdings (International) Ltd., Clinical Outreach Laboratory Services, Clipper Holdings Inc., Colorado Coagulation Consultants Inc., Colorado Laboratory Services LLC, Correlagen Diagnostics Inc., Covance Inc., Curalab Inc., Cytometry Associates Inc., Czura Thornton (Hong Kong) Limited, DCL Acquisition Inc., DCL Medical Laboratories LLC, DCL Sub LLC, DIANON Systems Inc., DL Holdings Limited Partnership, Decision Diagnostics L.L.C. (aka DaVinici/Medicorp LLC), Diagnostic Services Inc., DynaLifeDX, Dynacare - Gamma Laboratory Partnership, Dynacare Company, Dynacare G.P. Inc., Dynacare Holdco LLC, Dynacare Laboratories Inc., Dynacare Laboratories Limited Partnership, Dynacare Northwest Inc., Dynacare Realty Inc., DynalifeDX Infrastructure Inc., Envigo's nonclinical contract research services business, Esoterix Genetic Counseling LLC, Esoterix Genetic Laboratories LLC, Esoterix Inc., Execmed Health Services Inc., FirstSource Laboratory Solutions Inc., GDML Medical Laboratories Inc, Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratories GP Inc., Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratory Limited Partnership, HHLA Lab-In-An-Envelope LLC, Health Testing Centers Inc., Health Trans Services Inc., Home Healthcare Laboratory of America LLC, IDX Pathology Inc., Impact Genetics Corporation, Impact Genetics Inc., Kaleida LabCorp LLC, Lab Delivery Service of New York City Inc., LabCorp BVBA, LabCorp Belgium Holdings Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Canada) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (China) Inc., LabCorp Colorado Inc., LabCorp Development Company, LabCorp Employer Services Inc., LabCorp Health System Diagnostics LLC, LabCorp Indiana Inc., LabCorp Japan G.K., LabCorp Limited, LabCorp Michigan Inc., LabCorp Nebraska Inc., LabCorp Neon Ltd., LabCorp Neon Switzerland S.a.r.l., LabCorp Specialty Testing Billing Service Inc., LabCorp Specialty Testing Group Inc., LabCorp Staffing Solutions Inc., LabCorp Tennessee LLC, LabCorp UK Holdings Ltd., LabWest Inc., Laboratoire Bio-Medic Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Lifecodes Corporation, LipoScience Inc., Litholink Corporation, MEDTOX Scientific Inc., MNG Laboratories, MedAxio Insurance Medical Services GP Inc., MedAxio Insurance Medical Services LP, Medical Neurogenitics LLC, Medtox Diagnostics Inc., Medtox Laboratories Inc., Monogram Biosciences Inc., Monogram Biosciences UK Limited, Myriad Autoimmunes Vectra Testing Business, NWT Inc., National Genetics Institute, New Brighton Business Center LLC, New Imaging Diagnostics LLC, New Molecular Diagnostics Ventures LLC, Orchid Cellmark ULC, Ovia Health, PA Labs Inc., Paclab LLC, Path Lab Incorporated, Pathology Associates Medical Lab LLC, Pee Dee Pathology Associates Inc., Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc., Persys Technology Inc., Pixel by LabCorp, Princeton Diagnostic Laboratories of America Inc., Protedyne Corporation, SW/DL LLC, Saint Josephs-PAML LLC, Sequenom Biosciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Tandem Labs Inc., Toxikon Corporation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., Visiun, and Yakima Medical Arts Inc..

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KAR Auction Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides used vehicle auctions and related vehicle remarketing services for the automotive industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, ADESA Auctions and AFC. The ADESA Auctions segment offers whole car auctions and related services to the vehicle remarketing industry through online auctions and auction facilities. It also provides value-added services, such as auction related, transportation, reconditioning, inspection, title and repossession administration and remarketing, vehicle research, and analytical services, as well as data as a service. This segment sells its products and services through vehicle manufacturers, fleet companies, rental car companies, finance companies, and others. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had a network of approximately 70 vehicle logistics center locations in North America. The AFC segment offers floorplan financing, a short-term inventory-secured financing to independent used vehicle dealers; and sells vehicle service contracts. The company provides wheel repair and hail catastrophe response services. It serves vehicle manufacturers, vehicle rental companies, financial institutions, commercial fleets and fleet management companies, and dealer customers. The company was formerly known as KAR Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to KAR Auction Services, Inc. in November 2009. KAR Auction Services, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
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Lupita Tovar, a Mexican-born actress who began her Hollywood career in the silent era and went on to play an imperiled heroine in a racy Spanish-language version of Dracula and was once nearly drowned by an inebriated Buster Keaton while making another film, died Nov. 12 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 106.

Her grandson Paul Weitz, a movie director, writer and producer, confirmed the death and said the cause was a heart ailment.

Ms. Tovar, who was immortalized in a painting by her artist friend Diego Rivera, was the matriarch of a family involved in filmmaking for three generations. Her daughter, actress Susan Kohner, earned an Oscar nomination for Imitation of Life (1959), and her grandsons Chris and Paul Weitz co-directed such films as American Pie (1999) and About a Boy (2002).

In 31 credited roles over 16 years, Ms. Tovar did not establish herself in the pantheon of film greats. But as the decades passed, her sheer longevity sparked renewed interest among movie aficionados and scholars. She had worked with major stars, including Henry Fonda and Gene Autry, and had played a historic role in Mexican cinema.

Ms. Tovar was promoted as the sweetheart of Mexico for her starring part in Santa (1932)  The Saint  a melodrama about a humble country girl who is seduced and abandoned by a soldier and whom fate leads down a path to prostitution and death.

Often mistakenly called the first talkie made in Mexico, Santa was nonetheless the first commercial breakthrough for the nascent industry. The film proved such a cinematic landmark in Mexico that, many decades later, the government issued a postage stamp featuring a likeness of Ms. Tovar in the role. In 2001, she received a special Ariel Award, Mexicos equivalent of an Oscar, for lifetime achievement.

A lithe brunette with strikingly photogenic features, Ms. Tovar was discovered at 16 by Hollywood talent scouts and made a handful of silent movie appearances. Her arrival in the film capital coincided with the transition to sound, and her limited dramatic training and heavily accented English were barriers to greater stardom. Stage actors from New York were most in demand.

Her skills were put to use, however, in Spanish-language versions of Hollywood fare. The films were made at Universal, with the Spanish-speaking crew working overnight after the English-language cast had clocked out. The idea  often credited to Universal executive Paul Kohner, Ms. Tovars future husband  was to tap into the Latin American market demand for sound films and make them at a fraction of the cost of the originals; the sets were already built.

At Universal studios, best known for its horror movies, Ms. Tovar had leading roles in a Spanish-language version of The Cat Creeps (1930) co-starring romantic idol Antonio Moreno, followed the next year by Dracula with Carlos Villarias in the bloodsucking role popularized by Bela Lugosi.

Many critics have come to prefer the Spanish Dracula for its less static camerawork, livelier acting and more pronounced eroticism. The filmmakers were unencumbered by American censorship standards, and Ms. Tovar recalled spending much of the film swanning about in a transparent negligee.

In his book Hollywood Gothic, film historian David J. Skal wrote that Ms. Tovar seems sexually animated as the vampire overtakes her whereas her English-language counterpart  Helen Chandler  seems merely dazed. The actresses in the American version are a bit schoolmarmish as compared to the Spanish vampires who let their hair down and wear low-cut gowns.

Last year, the Library of Congresss National Film Registry included the Spanish-language Dracula on its list of culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films.

Ms. Tovar also proved an alluring presence in a Spanish-language version of Ten Cents a Dance (1931), in the dance-hall hostess role played in English by Barbara Stanwyck. The same year, she appeared in the jungle adventure film East of Borneo and was a peppery dancer in the Buck Jones Western Border Law. Ms. Tovar starred in a 1943 Mexican production of Resurrection, based on the Leo Tolstoy novel.

But back in Hollywood, her film career dwindled. She had small roles in bigger-budget fare, including the antifascist Spanish Civil War drama Blockade (1938) starring Fonda, and was a leading lady in oaters such as South of the Border with Autry and The Fighting Gringo with George OBrien (both 1939).

One of her less pleasant experiences was in The Invader, also known as An Old Spanish Custom (1936), a bare-budget clunker starring Keaton, long past his silent-comedy prime. He played a clueless American yachtsman, and Ms. Tovar a fiery Iberian cabaret dancer.

According to Keaton biographer Marion Meade, Ms. Tovar once said that the comedian had been drinking excessively and nearly drowned her in a scene filmed in a water tank.

His reflexes were not so quick, she recalled. He tried to get me out of the tank by pulling my legs instead of my head. By the time the crew jumped in to pull us out, I had swallowed a great deal of water and my costume was in shreds. Afterwards I didnt say a word. I was so grateful to be alive.

The oldest of nine siblings, Guadalupe Natalia Tovar was born in Matias Romero on July 27, 1910, and grew up in San Pedro de los Pinos, near Mexico City. One of her earliest memories was coming under attack during a train ride by marauding revolutionaries affiliated with Emiliano Zapata.

She described her father, whose job she likened to that of a political ward heeler, as a man given to drink and who ruled over his home with a heavy hand. She was 16 when a phalanx of talent scouts, along with noted Hollywood filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty, visited her school. The men came to her gymnastics class where, despite being clad in big black bloomers and a sailor top, she stunned them with her beauty.

When she won a contract with Fox studios, her father protested  until he saw that it paid her $150 a week, more than he made in a year. Her grandmother accompanied her to Hollywood by train in 1928, and she took dance lessons with Eduardo Cansino Sr., father of future star Rita Hayworth.

After her Fox contract lapsed, Ms. Tovar went to Universal and in 1932 married Kohner. He later was a talent agent, representing clients including Fonda, Yul Brynner, David Niven, Lana Turner and director John Huston. Kohner died in 1988.

Besides their daughter, who married fashion designer, novelist and historian John Weitz, survivors include a son, producer Pancho Kohner; and grandchildren.

In recent decades, Ms. Tovar appeared at festivals that revived Santa or Dracula. During a screening of the vampire film, she once quipped, one of her grandsons was astonished by the slinky outfit she wore in the picture. He told her, Now I know why Grandpapa married you!


Left to Right: Alano Miller stars as Raymond, Terri Abney as Garnet, Ruth Negga as Mildred Loving, and Joel Edgerton as Richard P. Loving in director Jeff Nicholss Loving. (Ben Rothstein/Focus Features)

Can cultural appropriation ever be appropriate?

A generation ago, Spike Lee took the veteran director Norman Jewison to task for directing Malcolm X, insisting that the nuances of the civil rights activists story would be better served by a black filmmaker. After a letter-writing campaign to Warner Bros., Jewison dropped out of the project, and Lee went on to direct the film himself. Just a few years ago, the director John Singleton wrote an essay in the Hollywood Reporter bemoaning the number of films about black people made by white directors. Citing such dramas as 42 and The Help, he wrote, Its as if the studios are saying, We want it black, just not that black. 

Something seems to have shifted, at least this year. By the time 2016 comes to a close, a number of white filmmakers will have tackled nominally black stories, and will have been greeted with far less controversy: This past summer, Southside With You, by Richard Tanne, and The Fits, by Anna Rose Holmer, earned plaudits for being thoughtfully conceived and well executed stories about a young Barack Obama and an African American girl coming of age, respectively. Next month, Hidden Figures, a drama about female NASA mathematicians and researchers by Theodore Melfi, will arrive in theaters. And this weekend Loving, the dramatization of the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, the Virginia couple whose Supreme Court case legalized interracial marriage, kicked off what promises to be a fruitful awards run.



Loving tells the true story of Mildred Loving, left, and her husband Richard P. Loving, whose Supreme Court case led to legalization of interracial marriage. (AP)

At a time when arguments about race, gender and authorial power have roiled the literary and art worlds, cinema has inched toward establishing what might be a set of best practices for white artists representing realities outside their immediate purview. Over the past several months, while the novelists Lionel Shriver and Jonathan Franzen clumsily explained their feelings of entitlement and disqualification when it comes to imagining stories outside their own silos, filmmakers have quietly demonstrated how the fraught territory of writing across difference might be navigated with self-awareness and sensitivity, rather than unexamined privilege, solipsism and general un-woke-ness.

For the writer-director of Loving, Jeff Nichols, the key had to do with identification: He had no qualms about bringing the story to the screen, he told me, and not just because Richard Loving was a white man, too.

I saw my grandfather in him, almost to a tee, Nichols explained after Loving made its North American premiere in Toronto in September. Recalling his grandfather, a propane delivery truck driver from Altheimer, Ark., as a man incapable of enunciating his emotions and frustrations, Nichols, a Little Rock native, said, I saw right into the heart of that character. Like Mildred, he added, he has an abiding love of home and place when it comes to the American South. I felt like I understood [her] point of view. And as long as I attached to that, I felt like Id be okay.

It turns out that Nichols was better than okay: Loving is a graceful, intimately modulated portrait that not only captures the unprepossessing temperaments of its main characters, but also the singular atmosphere of Caroline County at its most tribally complex and reassuringly serene. Unlike a more conventional dramatization focusing on courtroom battles and stirring speeches, Nicholss film gets the weather right, literally and emotionally.



Director Jeff Nichols had no qualms about bringing the Lovings story to the screen. (Ben Rothstein/Focus Features)

Nichols, left, guides actor Joel Edgerton on the set of Loving. (Ben Rothstein/Focus Features)

The confidence, tempered with respect, with which Nichols approached Loving stands in stark contrast with the pained ambivalence many white artists have experienced as theyve considered whether to bring black stories to the screen. In 2007, Jonathan Demme  no doubt still stung after the lukewarm reception of his adaptation of Toni Morrisons Beloved  told me that he pulled out of adapting Taylor Branchs civil rights history Parting the Waters as a feature film because he didnt have the stomach to direct black actors and extras to endure abuse at the hands of their white colleagues. Eventually, he said, he turned to Branch and executive producer Harry Belafonte and said: Guys, weve got to find a young African American to direct this. Thats who should be directing this.

The adaptation of Parting the Waters eventually ended up at HBO, where David Simon is scheduled to produce it as a miniseries, with Branch, Ta-Nehisi Coates and James McBride co-writing. Tellingly, in the intervening years, Ava DuVernay directed Selma, about the 1965 civil rights march, and Lee Daniels depicted the movement in his movie The Butler. DuVernay and Daniels are part of a growing community of highly regarded filmmakers of color that includes Gina Prince-Bythewood, Dee Rees, Justin Simien, Amma Asante, Ryan Coogler and Terence Nance, to name just a few.

And that community is crucial. In the 1980s, when Jewison planned to make Malcolm X, Spike Lee was the most visible of a handful of well-known African American filmmakers. This year, along with Southside With You, The Fits, Loving and Hidden Figures, audiences will have seen such varied films as The Birth of a Nation, Queen of Katwe, Moonlight, Almost Christmas and Fences  all by and about people of color. The satisfaction of white filmmakers getting black stories right is only gratifying to the extent that they exist alongside films authored by an inclusive population of artists free to make movies of every genre, style and point of view.

This film tells the true story of the courtship and marriage of Mildred Jeter, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man. Their interracial marriage was considered illegal in their home state of Virginia, and their case makes it to the Supreme Court. ( / Focus Features)

As part of the current vanguard of African American filmmakers, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, who adapted the film from a play by Tarell McCraney, about a young man coming to terms with his sexual identity, noted that hes not immune to questions of appropriation. Im a straight guy whos made a film about a gay protagonist, and I had the same question, he reflected during a recent visit to Washington. I was like, Am I the right the person to tell this story? Because theres an aspect of this persons identity that I dont have a first-person perspective on. 

Jenkins said he realized he could take authorship of Moonlight because he grew up poor in the very same Miami neighborhood where the story is set, and he decided at the outset to preserve as much of McCraneys voice as he could, the better to avoid being an interloper or an empathy crusader. Staying true to the playwrights voice, he said, gave me agency. It made me feel like I could get to that point. So if I can do it, I cant say that another filmmaker shouldnt or cannot do it.

In many ways, the cinematic medium itself might hold the key to the difference between cultural appropriation  whether in the form of cynical co-opting or earnest condescension  and meaningful, intimately observed storytelling. Noting that empathy is the gift of cinema, Nichols echoed sentiments expressed by Tanne and Jenkins when he added, I empathized with the situation of these people.

But empathy, as anyone who has suffered through a painfully well-intentioned parable about racial understanding will tell you, is rarely enough. Holmer, who directed The Fits from a script she co-wrote with two women  all of them claiming different ethnic and geographic backgrounds  said that once they realized the story would be set in an African American community in the Midwest, they workshopped it extensively with their actors, encouraging them to rewrite their lines until they felt authentic and true to life.

Im barely an authority on my own perspective, she noted. So to assume that you understand any other singular point of view, I think, is a danger in the creative process. What it boils down to is opening up, adding voices and listening.

For Holmer, the fact that The Fits dodged so many of the pitfalls of cultural appropriation can be credited to films inherently collaborative structure. Whats so beautiful about cinema as an art form is it requires so many voices to work, she concluded. Its a collective art form. And even as a collective art form, from the creators and the audiences its serving, to criticism, to every strata of the business, its excluding voices. So we have a great debt to make up to those voices. But [getting to] a place where we can have synthesis and exchange and collaboration, regardless of what type of story were telling  thats the horizon were heading towards.
Salman Khan is the latest B-Town celeb to come out in support of PM Modi's move.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has divided the film fraternity.

ALSO READ: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan congratulates Modi for demonetisation

ALSO READ: Aamir supports Modi's demonetisation move, asks all to focus on national interest

ALSO READ: Arshad Warsi hits out at PM Narendra Modi for demonetisation, gets trolled



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While actors like Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma have congratulated PM Modi for his bold move to keep a check on black money, some like Arshad Warsi have slammed Modi for the sudden move. Arshad had taken to Twitter to hit out at the Prime Minister in a series of tweets, asking him to "please stop using the honest tax payers as (a) foot rest." Yet another section of actors like Hrithik Roshan chose to refrain on commenting on the move.

Now, Salman Khan has come out in support of the Prime Minister. The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor conveyed his appreciation for the demonetisation move during the weekend episode of his reality show Bigg Boss Season 10. He said, "Iss hafte kaale dhan par dhanaadan vaar padi. It is a fantastic move. Hats off to Modi ji."

Since Bigg Boss contestants are isolated from the rest of the world, Salman informed them about the event. The actor said that he, himself has a few of the old notes which he will get changed soon, "Mere khud ke 4 hazaar ke note aur six 500 ke notes atak gaye hai, kyunki main Hong Kong mein tha. Par koi baat nahi, main agle 2-3 din mein bank jaake cash karwa loonga."

--- ENDS ---
Even institutions as successful as the Chicago Cubs, Apple and the U.S. Army make mistakes, so Im not surprised that principals in one of the most effective school districts in the country, Arlington County, are making a dubious policy move and not explaining it well to parents.

Arlingtons middle school principals are exploring changes that include a switch to block scheduling. That would mean replacing the traditional daily class periods with classes that meet every other day and could be twice as long.

Many people, including me, think block scheduling is an attractive but unproductive fad. A 2006 University of Virginia study said students in high school block schedules did somewhat worse in college sciences than those who had regular schedules. A 2010 review of British research said block schedule results were slightly positive but are not strong enough to recommend their implementation.

[An experiment in second grade: No homework. Then, see if test scores drop.]

What Arlington does could affect what has been a sweeping trend in the Washington area. The every-other-day class system was hot in the 1990s. Since then, some schools have switched back to traditional scheduling, but the issue is rarely discussed. Parents in Arlington say they are having trouble getting answers to their questions, a consistent failing of all school districts, good and bad.

Arlington Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy proposed block schedules for all middle schools in 2012. He said regular periods were too short for the kind of creative teaching early adolescents need.

We are doing a disservice to students to run them through a seven-period day with a 45-minute turnaround, he said.

This time, however, he is not pushing the change. Arlington schools spokeswoman Linda Erdos said principals are taking the initiative. Murphy is allowing them to explore options with their communities, she said.

Only one Arlington middle school, Kenmore, has gone to a block schedule, and just for sixth-graders. This type of schedule carries quite a few risks, said Williamsburg Middle School parent Lauren LeMay. We would like to know exactly what theyre trying to accomplish at Williamsburg and why they think block scheduling is the answer.

Parents say they worry about damage to music and language instruction and a lack of supporting research.

Those concerns seem basic compared with the complex characterization of the schedule changes offered by Tara Nattrass, assistant superintendent for instruction. The middle schools are looking for more personalized learning opportunities for students, she said. They have been exploring strategies for this approach including personalizing teacher advisory time, revisiting master schedules and providing blocks of time for small group instruction.

Thats pretty vague. I see why the parents are frustrated. They have not gotten a clear answer to one of their greatest concerns: What happens to classes that need much repetition, such as band and orchestra?

One of the most negative and lasting impacts of full block scheduling is the elimination of cross-grade groupings, said Swanson Middle School band parent Cathy Celestino. That means schools might not be able to assign students of similar skill level from different grades to the same band class.

It could also make it difficult to arrange daily practice. A group of parents and community members called Arlington Parents for Effective Scheduling concluded that the research shows that daily instruction is a critical component of effective teaching and learning in math and foreign language, Celestino said.

Parents say Williamsburg Principal Gordon Laurie is privately presenting the switch to block scheduling as a given and is asking teachers what kind of block schedule would be best. Williamsburg parent Patty Donmoyer said that a meeting Laurie had with parents Nov. 9 did not shed much light. They never asked us if block scheduling should happen, Donmoyer said. Now were being given only minimal input on how it will happen.

Arlingtons long record of success suggests it might make this work even without much research. But all districts need to give parents and teachers more chances for discussion and understanding before making such moves.


Protesters express their frustration and anger marching on Elm Street in New Haven, Conn., on Nov. 10. Unhappy with the election of Donald Trump, several hundred joined the rally near Yale University. ( Stan Godlewski/For The Washington Post)

Among Americas demoralized Democrats, none were more stunned at Donald Trumps electoral victory than those at the nations left-leaning college campuses who had expected to rejoice at the rise of the first female president.

Here at Yale University, a deep-blue bastion in a solid blue state, Hillary Clintons defeat led some mournful partisans to gather outdoors on election night for a primal scream. A funereal funk then settled over the Ivy League campus as many students expressed fear at what the coming Trump administration will mean for Muslims, Mexican immigrants and other groups subject to the Republicans slashing campaign rhetoric.

I dont think I had really prepared myself for the abject, utter loss, said Theo Torres, 23, a law student from Denton, Tex.

Timothy Pepler, 29, a divinity student from Windsor Locks, about an hours drive north of campus, called it a level of despair I have never felt in my entire life. Torres and Pepler joined several hundred students and others in a march through New Haven on Thursday night to show solidarity with immigrants and others who might feel threatened under Trump policies.

[Yale professor: My students arent snowflakes, and they dont melt]

Their gloom was echoed at other colleges across the country where Democrats outnumber Republicans and where even some conservatives have voiced reservations about the president-elect and the direction he is taking the GOP. Spontaneous election-night protests on some campuses morphed into days of rallies and gatherings that included flag-burning, anti-Trump chants and tense confrontations between

epithet-hurling students on both sides.

[Mobs of tearful students protesting Trump victory swarm college campuses]

Republican students here who openly backed Trump were few in number and discreet in their revelry. Emily Reinwald, 21, of Stafford, Va., co-president of Yale College Republicans, said she and another Trump supporter shook a bottle of champagne and popped the cork early Wednesday outside their campus residence. But they were careful not to gloat in front of housemates, most of whom had voted for Clinton. Reinwald acknowledged slightly mixed feelings. Her heart this year was with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a conservative Republican whom Trump defeated in the GOP primaries.

I celebrated Hillary Clinton not winning, she said. Maybe more than I celebrated Trump winning.

Emily Reinwald, 21, of Stafford, Va., is a Yale University student and co-president of Yale College Republicans. (Nick Anderson/The Washington Post)

The Yale College Republicans offer a telling view on the tensions Trumps candidacy generated among conservatives, especially in the climate of a largely liberal campus that has been through a year of discussion and debate about tolerance and inclusion. Although the group officially endorsed Trump this year  unlike its counterparts at Harvard  that decision divided its members. Some opposed to the Republican nominee fled to start what they call the Yale New Republicans.

[U-Va. College Republicans rescind support for Trump]

Trump hijacked our party, said Benjamin Rasmussen, 20, a junior from Novato, Calif., who pushed for the breakaway group. I personally dont think Trump is fit to lead. Rasmussen declined to say for whom he cast his ballot, but he said it was not for the Republican.

Josh Altman, 21, a senior from Armonk, N.Y., described himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He is president of the Buckley Program at Yale, an organization named for the late conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr. that promotes intellectual diversity on campus through forums and other events. Altman said he doesnt know which party speaks for him, but he said he voted for Clinton. Id much rather be critiquing Hillary Clinton for four years than having to defend Donald Trump, he said.

In this file photo from Nov. 9, 2015, Yale University students and supporters participate in a march across campus to demonstrate against what they see as racial insensitivity at the Ivy League school. (Ryan Flynn/AP)

Yale, a 315-year-old school with 12,400 students and a world-class faculty, has deep connections to national politics. Despite its liberal leanings, Yales history also reflects a strong current of conservatism that produced generations of New England Republicans. Presidents William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush graduated from its college, and President Gerald Ford from its law school.

Democratic President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, also are famous Yale law grads.

The latest presidential campaign occurred during an exhausting year for Yale. In fall 2015, racial tensions rose on campus after students claimed that a fraternity barred black women from a party and a university instructor issued an email critique of warnings against Halloween costumes deemed culturally insensitive. In February, the university expelled a former captain of the mens basketball team, Jack Montague, after investigating an allegation against him of sexual misconduct. Montague denied wrongdoing and later sued the university, claiming a breach of contract.

In April, Yale President Peter Salovey announced that the university would not change the name of Calhoun College, a residential unit named for a 19th century U.S. vice president, John C. Calhoun, who was a staunch advocate of slavery. That decision provoked another uproar. In August, Salovey formed a committee to examine principles on renaming and indicated that he could be open to reconsidering the Calhoun name decision.

[A year after protests at Yale, heres what has changed]

Now the presidential election outcome has left many students distraught.

On election night, some emailed an economics professor, Steven Berry, to ask if he could postpone a midterm exam scheduled the next morning. He agreed to make the exam optional  with additional stakes put onto the final exam for anyone who wanted to skip the midterm. Most ended up taking the test Wednesday.

University officials said academic work must go on. They said they would not issue exemptions, known as deans excuses, granting students a temporary reprieve from testing requirements because of postelection trauma.

Deans excuses are not designed to respond to reactions, howsoever deeply felt or unsettling, to an event such as a national election, the dean of academic affairs, Mark Schenker, told the Yale Daily News. Instead, Schenker said, students who need help could turn to the universitys mental health and counseling services.

Some found solace in other ways.

On Wednesday, they grabbed colored chalk and scrawled messages on a plaza in front of Sterling Memorial Library. One read: #stillwithher and her and her and her and all the capable, powerful women OUT HERE. Others papered bulletin boards anew with fliers declaring Love Will Trump Hate, and other slogans, as if in hope that the campaign could resume.

A lot of my friends have been crying, said Rita Wang, 19, a sophomore from Edison, N.J. But she has not shed any tears even though she went to the Democratic National Convention and spent hours phone-banking for Clinton. Describing her politics as super left, Wang said sometimes losing goes with the territory.



Protesters near City Hall on Church Street in New Haven, Conn. on Nov. 10. ( Stan Godlewski/For The Washington Post)

Rita Wang, 19, a Yale University sophomore from Edison, N.J. who describes her politics as super left. (Nick Anderson/The Washington Post)

She is thinking ahead to how she will respond when Trump takes office in January.

Im really excited to build student power with my classmates to oppose his legislative decisions, she said. If Trump and the Republican Congress repeal President Obamas signature health-care law, the Affordable Care Act, Wang said, then Im probably going to cry.

Maxwell Ulin, 21, a senior from Santa Monica, Calif., who is president of the Yale College Democrats, said Trump critics are talking about how to mobilize. People are committed to doing something, he said. They arent just mourning, grieving, being sad.

Some Clinton supporters here said the election exposed a blind spot at Yale. As an elite institution, they said, it is not sufficiently attuned to the concerns of the massive bloc of white, working-class voters in small towns and rural areas who powered Trumps election.

A lot of people here are out of touch with whats going on in communities that dont look like their communities, said Isis Davis-Marks, 19, a sophomore from New York City.

This election made me realize how much of a liberal bubble Yale students live in, said Zachary Cohen, 20, a junior from New York City who edits a political journal here. That isolation left the campus largely unaware of anger and resentment elsewhere, he said. I definitely had to come terms with the fact that there was this other half of America I had hardly seen.



Harkness Tower on the campus of Yale University. (Beth Harpaz/AP)

Graham Ambrose, a student journalist at Yale, contributed to this report.
Antonio said he doesnt like going to the homeless shelter, because when he stays there hes surrounded by a bunch of old men.

Wait a minute, I jokingly protested. Im an old man.

Antonio chuckled. Hes 21.

You dont smell like sweat and underarms, said Angel, describing the atmosphere of most homeless shelters. Shes 20.

We were seated in a conference room at Sasha Bruce Youthwork, one of the charities I hope readers will support in this years Washington Post Helping Hand fundraising campaign. The others are Community of Hope, which works with homeless District families, and Homestretch, which works with homeless families in Northern Virginia.

Antonio wanted to explain. When I say a bunch of old men, I mean a bunch of old men that dont really want nothing more in life, he said. They been at the shelter for years. They already made up in their minds: This is all I got left. 

He described the rhythm he witnessed when he stayed at one of the citys adult mens homeless shelters: Turned out at 6:30 in the morning, welcomed back at 6 p.m. The day spent hanging around nearby. The highest goal: a bed. A goal so important that Antonio would watch men come to blows over it, fighting over something that wasnt even their own.

This isnt what Antonio wants for himself.

It isnt what any of the homeless people Ive met want, the teens and young adults served by Sasha Bruce or the families that have fallen on hard times and are being helped by Community of Hope and Homestretch.

I really dislike that people judge us, said Angel, who said she has had to sleep in abandoned houses. Im homeless. But actually, homeless people are really smart.

I think homeless people are strong, said Jaquilia, 23, who said she sometimes sleeps outside Union Station. People think its easy. Its actually hard living out here.

I try to imagine what it would be like if it happened to me, if the circumstances of my birth, or a rough childhood, a medical emergency, an interrupted education, a lost job or any other unforeseen (or sadly foreseen) stumble left me with nowhere to live and no one to turn to for help.

I hope I would be as resourceful as these three young people, who sat with me recently at Sasha Bruce Youthworks drop-in center on Eighth Street SE, a place where homeless youths can take a shower, wash their clothes, get a meal and safely take a nap.

Over the next eight weeks, Ill be sharing stories of the people your tax-deductible Helping Hand donation will help. Our goal is to raise $225,000 by the time the campaign ends on Jan. 6.

What our three groups have in common  chosen in 2014 out of hundreds of D.C.-area nonprofits that applied to The Post  is that they all address the problems that made their clients homeless in the first place. Although all three of the Helping Hand nonprofits organize housing, they dont provide only a place to stay. They jump-start their clients lives in ways that are hopefully more lasting, with such support as GED classes, life-skills classes, job training and therapy.

As the temperatures get colder, as the holidays approach, as we prepare for the quadrennial changing of the political guard, I hope you will consider making a gift to one of the Helping Hand charities. To donate online to any of these groups, visit posthelpinghand.com. Heres how to donate by mail:

Make a check payable to Sasha Bruce Youthwork and mail it to: Sasha Bruce Youthwork, 741 Eighth St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. Attention: James Beck.

Make a check payable to Community of Hope and mail it to: Community of Hope, Attn: Helping Hand, 4 Atlantic St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20032.

Make a check payable to Homestretch and mail it to: Homestretch, 303 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church, Va. 22046, Attn: Nan Monday.

What Antonio fears is that he might one day be one of those old men, devoid of hope, fighting over a bed. Hes determined not to let that happen. They all are.

Im motivated to get off these streets, Jaquilia said. Because its not healthy. Its easy to get into stuff on the streets. Its easy to get in and its hard to get out.

Hard, but not impossible.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
Prince Georges police say a 25-year-old District Heights man sexually assaulted a woman in their home Saturday before stabbing his two young children later that night.

Christian Dillard is jailed on charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault and related charges in connection to the stabbing, and a separate charge in connection to the sexual assault, police said Sunday.

Police said the crimes occurred in the family home in the 1700 block of Dennis Court, which is in the Forestville/District Heights area. The children, both under five, were hospitalized with critical injuries, but had stabilized by Sunday afternoon and were expected to survive, according to police.

Authorities were called to the home about 10 p.m. Saturday after the report of the stabbing. Dillard was on the scene when officers arrived, police said, and was taken to a hospital for an emergency evaluation.

Upon his release from the hospital, he was jailed at the county Department of Corrections on the stabbing and sexual assault charges, police said.

Earlier in the day, police said, Dillard had sexually assaulted a woman living in the family home, before fleeing. Police searched the neighborhood unsuccessfully before arresting him later Saturday night. Police said Dillard and the woman he is charged with assaulting had a prior romantic relationship.

Those with information on the case were asked to call police at 301-772-4930, submit an online tip or text PGPD plus the tip to CRIMES (274637).
Two teenagers were stabbed at the Wheaton Metro station Sunday in what Montgomery County police said was not a random incident.

One of the victims was 15 and the other was 16, said Capt. Paul Starks, the spokesman for the county police.

Neither suffered a life threatening wound said Pete Piringer, spokesman for the county fire and rescue service.

The attack involved three assailants, Starks said, and was not a stranger-based event, Instead, he said, they knew each other.

He said police have identified one of the three, and thought they could close the case.

The attack was reported about 3:15 p.m. at a bus loop at the station.
OHIO

Mistrial declared in police shooting

Nearly 1,000 people marched through downtown Cincinnati on Saturday following a mistrial in the case against a white former police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black motorist.

Protesters briefly blocked a streetcar line but remained peaceful in the hours after a county judge declared a mistrial in the case of former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing.

The protest had grown after some at a rally opposing Donald Trumps election joined it.

Tensing was charged with murder after he shot Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over in 2015. Tensing was later fired from the police department.

The county prosecutor told Cincinnati media outlets that the jury was deadlocked with eight of the 12 jurors in favor of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Associated Press

ALASKA

Officer shot, wounded in ambush, police say

A gunman repeatedly shot an Alaska police officer in an ambush early Saturday morning as the officer lay on the ground near his police cruiser, Anchorage police said.

The officer was expected to survive and was rushed to emergency surgery, department spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said. The gunman died in the shootout with the officer and others who quickly arrived.

I have watched the video from this situation. It was a clear and intentional ambush, Anchorage Police Chief Chris Tolley said at a news conference.

Castro said dash cam video from several cruisers would probably be released next week.

The shooting happened before 5 a.m. in Anchorage as the officer was responding to reports of a theft suspect in the area.

Police have not yet released the names of the officers involved or the gunman.

Associated Press
Steve Hendrix and his daughter Isabel Hendrix-Jenkins take a photo six months after surgery that threatened his ability to swallow. (Courtesy of Steve Hendrix)

By my math, I had shaved my face almost 9,000 times before something about the routine shocked me out of autopilot. There, one October morning a year ago, was a lump. Right under my jaw, a surprise rise about the size of a thumb knuckle. I put down the razor and felt my heart start to pound.

Somehow, this was scarier than it should have been. I was only 51, felt great and had just come in from a five-mile run. But there I was, still wrapped in a towel as I dialed my doctor.

It was a phone call that would place me in the grip of a type of cancer rapidly growing within a cohort known more for privilege than for peril: healthy, relatively youthful, white men. Over the next several months, I would briefly face mortality, be torn by conflicting advice from eminent experts and find myself in an experimental treatment plan dismissed as radical by much of medicine.

[Doctors thought he just had jock itch. Then it spread.]

At the start, I just wondered about an infection. I had returned the day before from a reporting trip that included time in three refugee camps. Had I picked up a Syrian flu? Late-onset mumps? But my primary-care doctor seemed to have another worry, and he arranged for me to see an ear, nose and throat specialist the very next day.

Not long after I walked into his office, Arjun Joshi, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the George Washington University School of Medicine, went to the laryngoscope, a camera tube that he fed up my nostril until it emerged in my mouth  a shocking intrusion that would soon become as familiar as brushing my teeth.

A sinus-eye view of the back of my mouth appeared on the monitor behind my chair. Joshi made noncommittal doctor noises, then grew quiet. I saw him look at the two medical students with him and gesture toward the monitor with his jaw. They leaned forward. The tingle of fear grew louder.

I knew right then it was cancer, Joshi said months later in an interview for this story. And I knew what kind.

What he saw was a small tumor at the deep base of my tongue, which a biopsy and CT scan confirmed within days as a Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma that had spread to the lymph node in my neck. It was obvious to Joshi because it neatly fit the pattern of the fastest-growing cancer in men, one not caused by smoking or heavy drinking but by the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Between 2012 and 2015, its incidence in men jumped by 60 percent, with more than 12,600 American men diagnosed each year, a number that continues to grow.

[The startling rise in oral cancer in men, and what it says about our changing sexual habits]

White, male epidemic

Nearly all sexually active people will contract HPV in their lifetimes, and typically it is entirely harmless. But its effects can lie dormant for decades, and it has long been known to cause cervical cancer in women. In recent years, it has been driving an epidemic of head and neck cancers in middle-class, nonsmoking white males between 45 and 55.

Researchers arent sure why it has emerged as it had, but increasing numbers of sexual partners, differences in how the virus affects males and females, changing sexual practices and other factors play a role. The CDC recommends that all boys and girls get vaccinated against HPV by age 11 or 12, before they are sexually active, a step that could significantly reduce HPV-related disease in future generations.

If there was any good news on the day I was told I had cancer, it was this: HPV oral cancers are extremely responsive to treatment. Using traditional techniques, the cure rate is above 90 percent.

Youre going to be fine, Joshi said. As the black tide of dread rose around me, I grabbed that phrase like a lifeline from a helicopter. Im going to be fine was embedded in every sentence I ever spoke about cancer to my wife, Ann, our three children, my friends and my colleagues. And I believed it.

Most of the time. This diseases treatability actually led to the scariest thing I faced as a cancer patient: choice.

As researchers learn just how treatable HPV oral cancers are, they have begun to address the question of overtreatment. Chemotherapy and radiation definitely kill this cancer, but they also expose patients to gnarly  even deadly  side effects. Radiation particularly can damage salivary glands (leading to chronic dry mouth), contribute to future bone damage and, in the worst cases, destroy the ability to swallow and leave the patient dependent on a feeding tube.

[Mythology of Patient Zero and how AIDS virus actually traveled to the United States is all wrong]

Agonizing options

Radiologists are quick to point out advances that have greatly reduced those bad outcomes. But even many of those enthusiasts are working to find the lowest exposures that will still zap the fatal disease.

It turns out that cutting back on treatment doesnt come easily in medicine. When youre looking down the barrel of this gun and the probability is youre going to die, we all say, More must be better,  said Maura Gillison of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the leading researchers in HPV oral cancer. Backing the therapy down is far more complex.

For the patient, having options can be agonizing.

The first alternative I learned of was right there at GWU, which has been working on a way to skip radiation altogether. More than a decade ago, even before HPV-related oral cancers were well understood, doctors there noticed how some oral tumors in nonsmokers shrank dramatically under induction chemotherapy  that is, chemo given before other procedures are performed instead of in conjunction with radiation.

Over the years, theyve developed a technique for cases like mine, small HPV-positive tumors that have spread no farther than a lymph node or two. They recommended three courses of chemotherapy, followed by robotic surgery on the tumor and the removal of vulnerable lymph nodes from both sides of the neck, and no radiation. If the lab tests on the removed tissue came back cancer-negative, I would be done except for regular exams and scans.

Ill watch you like a hawk for five years, Joshi said.

Sounded good to me. But I soon learned that GWUs approach is a true outlier. I asked doctor friends to put me in touch with experts across the country, and I heard a lot of skepticism. Most had never heard of such an approach.

Clearly, skipping radiation made a lot of medicos uneasy.

Its still cancer, said a doctor at Johns Hopkins, where I went for a second opinion. The first advice from Hopkinss experts was that my tumor wasnt a good candidate for surgery. Given its location and depth, surgery would put me at risk of losing my ability to swallow. Far better, they said, to go with a tried-and-true six-week regimen of radiation and chemo combined. They pointed to decades of data and thousands of successful cases. GWU, I knew, had only a few dozen, although their success rate was equally high.

The black tide came rushing in. The team at GWU pushed back, insisting that radiation, rather than surgery, was more likely to harm my swallowing. What felt like a choice between death or deformity was being left to a journalist who never got beyond college botany. I changed my mind every 30 minutes. I barely ate. I didnt sleep.

A reprieve came two days later in a follow-up call from Hopkins. A tumor panel had reviewed my case and decided I was a good candidate for surgery after all. In fact, Hopkins offered me a place in a study of surgical removal of the tumor and lymph nodes, followed by a reduced dose of radiation only if the pathology report showed that some cancer might remain.

Phew! But I passed on that study when I learned that almost two-thirds of its patients needed radiation anyway. By now, I was eager to avoid that if I could do so without risking my life. Still, it was a huge relief to feel that my other option was not completely reckless.

I went with GWU.

[How to significantly reduce your cancer risk ]

A strange beauty salon

In early December, I had a five-hour session in the chemo room, a sort of strange beauty salon of large vinyl chairs and IV stands. I watched the first few episodes of Breaking Bad (poor choice) as the cisplatin and docetaxel dripped into my chest, along with a cocktail of anti-nausea drugs, steroids and a shot to boost my white blood cell count.

Chemo was a weird flu. For three days, I was tired but not devastated, queasy but not vomiting. By Day 4, I was back at work, my hair growing thinner, my focus a little fuzzy. I did three of those cycles  every two weeks, one on Christmas Eve  and by the final one was as weak as Ive ever felt. But the swollen lymph node had disappeared. And Joshis nostrilcam showed that the tumor had withered completely. He called it a complete response.

Surgery came in February. I woke up with Ann holding my hand. Almost right away, I pointed to the water cup, not thirsty but desperate to know if I could swallow. I couldnt. Someone had lodged a sock in my throat. But the surgical resident nodded. He had seen something good in the attempt. A few hours later, through a searing ache, a molecule or two went down the right pipe. He added a smile to the nod.

I was in four nights, hated them all. But slowly my croaking Truman Capote voice gave way to a Billie Holiday growl. I could get a quarter-cup of broth down with a half-hour of effort. The nurses finally stopped pouring liquid nutrients through the tube in my nose.

Four days later, Joshi walked into the exam room and tossed me the pathology reports. Enjoy that, he said. The margins around the tumor were completely clear. Every lymph node was clean, including the one that had blown up. I was cancer-free.

Nine months on, Im wallowing in normal. I eat lustily, swallow everything and talk in my old voice. Scars have faded, and hair, such as it is, is back. I live in gratitude, for my heroic and loving wife, my brave children, our good insurance and a community of family and friends who wrapped us in love and lasagna. I will never forget the bosses who told me repeatedly that their only concern was my good health.

It was a year ago that I told some of my best friends and running buddies that I had cancer. We had just finished the annual 10K race across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Just recently, we ran that race again. My scare never even came up.

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PAKISTAN

ISIS says it carried out deadly attack on shrine

A deadly bombing claimed by the Islamic State ripped through a Muslim shrine in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 52 people Saturday, officials said.

Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said more than 105 people, including many women and children, were wounded. It was not clear whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber or was caused by a planted device.

The blast at the Shah Noorani shrine occurred while hundreds of people were inside, local district commissioner Hashim Ghalzai said.

Every day, around sunset, there is a dhamaal here, and there are large numbers of people who come for this, said Nawaz Ali, the shrines custodian, referring to a ritual dance.

The shrine is in Baluchistan province about 60 miles north of Karachi. The province has seen some of the worst militant attacks this year in Pakistan.

Two girls wearing rabbit ears sit during the annual Colour run on November 12, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Pieter Bauermeister/AFP/Getty Images)

Muslim shrines have often been targeted by militant groups, many of whom adhere to a strict interpretation of Islam that regards veneration of saints at shrines such as Shah Noorani as heresy.

 Reuters

COLOMBIA

Government, rebels sign new accord

Colombias government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord Saturday after the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum.

Chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle and rebel negotiator Luciano Marin, alias Ivan Marquez, signed the deal in Cuba, moving to end a half-century-long conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives.

President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia inked an initial peace deal on Sept. 26 after more than four years of negotiations. But voters rejected it on Oct. 2 by just 55,000 votes, dealing a stunning setback to Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end Colombias conflict.

The new deal is an opportunity to clear up doubts, but above all to unite us, said de la Calle. He said some of the modifications made were related to punishment and justice for participants in the conflict accused of war crimes.

 Associated Press

Turkey warns on U.S. travel: Turkey warned its citizens Saturday about travel to the United States in response to what the Foreign Ministry called increasingly violent protests against President-elect Donald Trump. Within the context of risks caused by the incidents and of social tension, our citizens who live in the U.S., or who are considering traveling there, should be cautious, the ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, Turkish opposition groups protested Saturday in Istanbul after the Interior Ministry shut down 370 civic groups on terrorism-related charges.

Syrian forces retake districts in Aleppo: Syrian government forces have regained control of the al-Assad and Minyan districts in western Aleppo that they lost to a rebel offensive, pro-government media and an activist group said. The insurgents had seized the strategic areas after launching an offensive Oct. 28 to try to break the siege imposed in July on rebel-held eastern Aleppo, which has also been targeted by waves of Syrian and Russian airstrikes.

Duterte says he would defy court: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned that he might use his executive power to suspend a legal safeguard against arbitrary arrest and detention and that he is willing to use drastic measures and even defy the Supreme Court and go to jail to make his war on drugs a success. In a speech late Friday, the former prosecutor said there are so many narcotics suspects on his wanted list that building individual cases takes too much time and manpower.

Lego pulls ads from British paper: Danish toymaker Lego says it will no longer advertise in the Daily Mail, one of several British newspapers targeted by a social media campaign for their anti-immigrant stances. The maker of multicolored Lego building bricks tweeted Saturday @StopFundingHate We have finished the agreement with the Daily Mail. The Stop Funding Hate campaign has urged companies to drop advertising in several British newspapers because of their resistance to helping child refugees.

 From news services
Sen. Bernie Sanders writes that as a general rule of thumb, the more important the issue is to large numbers of working people, the less interesting it is to corporate media. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

David Weigel, a national political correspondent for The Washington Post, covered Bernie Sanders in 10 states.

If the white working-class voter was this elections A-lister, the journalist was its heel. Countless Youngstown and Wilkes-Barre dispatches did not shield reporters from the jeers and bird-flipping of Trump voters. The Clinton campaign, in a mopey Thursday memo, blamed its close defeat on the FBIs e-mail obsession  that is, on how the press spent the elections last weeks talking about the former secretary of states e-mail.

Bernie Sanders may have the biggest gripe of all, and Our Revolution is arriving to talk about it  in the most deadpan, wistful and wonkish way. The press labeled him fringe. In 2015, it covered the collapsing Jeb Bush (remember him?) more than the surging Sanders. Before listing the giant corporations that own the press, Sanders painstakingly describes a series of news conferences where he tried to get issues covered and reporters instead asked about trivia.

As a general rule of thumb, the more important the issue is to large numbers of working people, the less interesting it is to corporate media, Sanders writes. The less significant it is to ordinary people, the more attention the media pays.

Theres much more to Our Revolution, which reads like the author started hitting his keyboard and did not sleep until he finished. (Sanders crashed it in three months, between the Democratic primary contest and his October campaign swing for Hillary Clinton.) Reading it as a reporter who covered Sanders closely, I felt like a sitcom character who gets beaned on the head and hallucinates an angel  or a talking dog, or a 75-year-old senator from Vermont  spinning lessons about what really matters in life.

In any other year, Sanderss story would have dominated American politics. At the start of the campaign, as he recalls with some wryness, neither the press nor many progressive activists took him seriously. (A 2014 poll by MoveOn found 32 percent of its members favoring Clinton and just 6 percent picking Sanders.) Was there a better potential progressive candidate out there than me? he writes. Probably not.

With detail reminiscent of a dissertation, he describes how local reporters covered his events  especially the ones that dealt with rural poverty, or Native Americans, or veterans. We held sixty-eight meetings there and brought out 41,810, he writes of New Hampshire. On Election Day I received 151,584 votes. The likelihood is that over 25 percent of the vote we received came from people who had attended one or more of our meetings.

Anyone picking up Our Revolution to learn what the Sanders campaign was like will get some impassive memories and not much else. The arrival of the Secret Service, which spent five months protecting the most successful democratic socialist candidate in American history, is mostly amusing. I was traveling in an armored vehicle accompanied by a fleet of cars and a number of well-armed agents who made sure I was safe in the bread aisle, Sanders writes.

Sanderss own celebrity amuses him, too. But theres no recollection of what a cult figure he became, his image merged with band logos and cartoon characters by people hawking Bernie T-shirts online or at his rallies. People wanted cell phone photos, Sanders recalls of his early momentum. I was beginning to get used to the concept of the selfie. 

And there is almost nothing about the skullduggery of modern campaigning. There are few details about election nights or how emotions were running at any particular time, with exceptions such as Sanderss admission that he grew increasingly nervous before the first Democratic debate. The criticism of his occasionally pro-gun record, he shrugs, was an unfair attack but one that I did not handle well. On the decision to run for president, the reader learns more about what Sanders ate with his wife, Jane  especially good blueberry pancakes at Dennys  than what was said.

Most of the campaign story is told through local media coverage (and asides, like how running as an insurgent was about campaigning in a town that no presidential candidate had ever visited). A short digression into why only elderly voters considered him too old to be president ends with Sanders reminding readers that he had one of the strongest records in Congress on senior issues.

Thats the point. Sanders, who had been saying roughly the same thing about the threat posed by oligarchy for 30 years, suddenly found that 14 million voters agreed with him. They were prepared to fight back, and the word socialism didnt frighten them, he writes. Even as he gathered them, the media did not see him coming, then did not see Donald Trump coming and  one assumes  does not see whatever is coming next.

That leads into the most telling, and detailed, of Sanderss campaign stories. When CNN kept pushing him at a debate to criticize Clinton for her use of a private e-mail server, Sanders said the media was worrying over the wrong issues. The middle class of this country is collapsing, he said. Enough of the e-mails!

In retrospect, Sanders writes, the answer certainly struck a chord in the audience, which rose in a standing ovation and prolonged applause. But its success was more of a distraction than a boon. Sanders had sandwiched his criticism of the e-mail obsession with a quick rundown of the economic issues he badly wanted to discuss. The media combined the two remarks about the e-mails and chose to omit coverage about the issues, he writes.

Those issues make up the rest of Our Revolution, in an extended information dump that supplements Sanderss old stump speech with a tree-slaughtering army of charts. Any reader who was not already a fan of Scandinavian welfare systems will become one. Anyone not outraged by the state of things  it is hard to imagine who  will get disquieting statistics chased by lines honed at all of those meticulously organized rallies. More than 23 percent of working mothers in America have to go back to work just two weeks after giving birth, Sanders writes at one point. Just two weeks to bond with and spend time with their newborn babies.

When Our Revolution was written, Sanders probably expected to be throwing a manifesto at Clintons presidential transition team. Trump is hardly mentioned at all here. The danger of big money in politics has a solution: a new Supreme Court justice who will overturn Citizens United. The threat to Social Security has a solution, too: elect people who will expand it instead of cutting it.

None of that is possible now, but the journalists explaining why are chastened. For two years  arguably, for eight or 16 years  politicians like Sanders were characters in a larger story about how Clinton would take power. If it was remarkable that tens of thousands of people would cram arenas to hear about socialism, it was understandable, according to campaign reporting, because people wanted to push Clinton to the left.

Sanders did shift her, and the Democratic Party, leftward. She was then defeated by a Republican candidate who abandoned the mainstream right  including the Koch brothers, Sanderss bete noire  on trade and Social Security. She has vanished. Sanders has not.

I was gently faulted by some for having excessive message discipline, for spending too much time discussing real issues, Sanders writes, taking one last whack at his critics by mocking their assessment: Boring. Not what a successful modern campaign was about.
By PTI: London, Nov 13 (PTI) NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg today warned Donald Trump that "going it alone" is not an option for Europe or America, amid concerns over the president-elects position on the US-led military alliance.

In article in Britains Observer newspaper, days after Trumps US election win, Secretary General Stoltenberg said, the West faced its greatest security challenge in a generation.

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During his election campaign, Trump described Western military alliance NATO as obsolete.

He suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any NATO ally under attack if it had not paid its dues. "We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation," Stoltenberg wrote while conceding that Trump had a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution, as the US currently accounted for almost 70 per cent of NATO spending.

But he added that American leaders had always recognised that they had a profound strategic interest in a stable and secure Europe.

"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden," the former Norwegian prime minister wrote.

"Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States. We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States."

The 9/11 attack on the US, Stoltenberg pointed out, was the only time that NATO had invoked its self-defence clause, which requires all members to come to the aid of one that is attacked.

"This was more than just a symbol. NATO went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since.

"And more than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States." PTI AKJ AKJ

--- ENDS ---
INTERNATIONAL REACTION to Donald Trumps electoral victory was as dispiriting as it was predictable. Stalwart allies of the United States in Europe and Asia reeled with shock and aversion, even as populists and dictators cheered and U.S. adversaries gloated. To judge from foreign assessments, the United States is about to place itself at the head of a global, populist, quasi-authoritarian movement that will have better relations with Russia than with liberal leaders of the European Union.

We hope that turns out to be unfounded. Mr. Trump has offered some early reassurance in phone calls to key U.S. allies: He reportedly reaffirmed the U.S. defense commitments to Japan and South Korea, and, according to Downing Street, he told British Prime Minister Theresa May that the special relationship between Washington and London would go from strength to strength. Mr. Trumps pledge to South Korean President Park Geun-hye to be steadfast and strong in protecting against the threat from North Korea, as reported by Ms. Parks office, was particularly constructive, given Mr. Trumps campaign rhetoric about withdrawing U.S. support and encouraging South Korea and Japan to develop their own nuclear weapons.

In light of this outreach, some of the initial reactions from U.S. allies in Europe looked impolitic. Germanys deputy chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, declared that Trump is the trailblazer of a new authoritarian and chauvinist international movement. . . . They want a rollback to the bad old times in which women belonged by the stove or in bed, gays in jail and unions at best at the side table. Mr. Gabriel was referring in part to populist nationalists in Europe, including in Germany, who hope the U.S. election will lend momentum to their movements. Yet such rhetoric could only make such a political alignment more likely, by souring Mr. Trump on mainstream European leaders such as Mr. Gabriel.

Thats not to say that U.S. allies should seek to excuse or appease Mr. Trump; principled engagement with this U.S. president will be essential. Thats why we were heartened to see the statement by Mr. Gabriels superior, Chancellor Angela Merkel, which reaffirmed that partnership with the United States is and will remain a keystone of German foreign policy  and then carefully set out some conditions.

Germany and America are bound by common values  democracy, freedom, as well as respect for the rule of law and the dignity of each and every person, regardless of their origin, skin color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or political views, Ms. Merkels statement said. It is based on these values that I wish to offer close cooperation.

There is encouragement in that for Mr. Trump to build a partnership with Europes strongest nation, in spite of some sparring between him and Ms. Merkel during the campaign. But there is also an implicit warning that Germanys leader will call Mr. Trump out if he violates liberal democratic norms. It would be well if the president-elect heard that respectful but firm message from more of the Wests leaders as he prepares to take office. The United States has long worked to press other countries to respect human rights. Its closest friends should now be prepared, if necessary, to give it a dose of its own medicine.
Megyn Kelly writes about how she dealt with insults from Donald Trump and his supporters during the campaign. (Chris Carlson/AP)

Erik Wemple is a media critic in the Opinions section of the Washington Post.

In her memoir Settle for More, Fox News megastar Megyn Kelly introduces us to a number of compelling characters: her father, a wise and intellectual presence who dies just before Christmas and just after having a fight with 15-year-old Megyn; Roger Ailes, the longtime boss of Fox News, who gets ousted over a sexual harassment scandal but who also promotes Kelly during her maternity leave; Major Garrett, the veteran Beltway journalist who urges Kelly to get the heck out of a one-on-one encounter with a U.S. senator in his hideaway office  GET OUT NOW. CODE RED, Garrett warns.

Another, more powerful character takes shape through the words of Kellys young daughter, Yardley. Im afraid of Donald Trump. He wants to hurt me, says the little girl. After Kelly protests, Yardley replies, Well, he wants to hurt you, so he wants to hurt me too.

Perceptive child. In one of the many plot lines of campaign 2016, GOP candidate  and now president-elect  Donald Trump harassed, insulted and belittled Kelly, usually via Twitter. Lightweight, bimbo, average in so many ways were among the put-downs  all of which Trumps followers interpreted as license to say much, much worse. Every time he tweeted about me, it was like he flipped a switch, instantly causing a flood of intense nastiness, writes Kelly, who then goes on to provide highlights. F--- off you sl--, I will beat you up so bad I will force you to support trump you sl--, reads one of the many. Death threats and security guards became part of Kellys life.

The Trump Kelly exposes in more than 300 pages in Settle for More is familiar to the body politic after a year and a half of rallies and Sean Hannity interviews. Hes abusive and nonsensical. Yet the scourge of Trump acquires additional potency through Kelly, a loving mother of three who struggles to build a wall between the menace of her professional life and the happiness of home life, which is anchored by her novelist husband, Douglas Brunt. It all comes with a twist of media irony, because this is a story told by a Fox News stalwart, though it didnt air  and perhaps couldnt have aired  on Fox News itself.

The reigning tension in these pages comes from Trump and his obsession with Kelly. Several months before he launched his presidential candidacy, Kelly writes, he began calling me and sending me personal notes. One of them detailed his high speaking fees. I thought, Why is he telling me this? she writes. Other wooing overtures included an attempt to pay for a weekend vacation for Kelly and friends at a Trump accommodation, and an invitation to Kelly and her husband at Mar-a-Lago. No, thank you, Kelly replied.

Upset about Kelly airing an unflattering segment related to his long-ago divorce from Ivana Trump, the mogul berates her in a phone call: That story never should have been on your show. OReilly didnt put it on his show, said Trump, referring to the Trump propaganda hour, The OReilly Factor. After some more tense chatter, Kelly informs Trump that he doesnt control The Kelly File. Thats IT. Youre a disgrace! You should be ashamed of yourself! It was in that conversation that Trump unfurled a baleful threat: Oh, I almost unleashed my beautiful Twitter account against you, and I still may.

Precious bonus detail: When Kelly visits Trump Tower to broker peace, Trump tells her that hes proud of you in a certain way.

The twisted behavior of our president-elect wouldnt surprise anyone whos been reading his biography in outlets such as the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Associated Press, BuzzFeed and many others. Via strong, on-the-record reporting, these vital media organs have laid out Trumps long-running misogyny, insistence on utter control and core incoherency  among many other faults and disturbing patterns. But as the country learned, such revelations failed to deter, and indeed may have galvanized, Trumps followers.

Kelly comes at the narrative from a more efficacious angle. She works at Fox News, home to some of the medias most fervid and shameless Trump partisans, including OReilly, Hannity and the three-strong crew on the morning program Fox & Friends. In an Election Day interview, one of the hosts of that program told Trump, So many of your voters are watching and watch Fox. All of which is to say that Kelly has built a franchise that can move Trump World.

Settle for More comes out Tuesday, as if planned precisely to skip the election of the most powerful person in the free world. (The Post obtained an early copy of the book.) Back in May, Kelly announced: In addition to The Kelly File, Ive been working on a project: a book, which Im unveiling right now. Its called Settle for More.  She went on: For the first time, Ill speak openly about my year with Donald Trump. You can preorder it now wherever books are sold.

There are times when Kelly all but smacks the reader in the face with her scoop-preservation strategy: This is actually one of the untold stories of the 2016 campaign: I was not the only journalist to whom Trump offered gifts clearly meant to shape coverage.

Surely Kelly had her reasons for punting the story beyond the election. The threats against her were serious, and so were her efforts to counter them. And as Kelly made clear in a May interview with Trump for the Fox Broadcasting Company, she doesnt like becoming the story. Even so, journalists present stories when theyre relevant.

A case in point comes in the last chapter of Settle for More, in which Kelly cranks through her central role in Ailess string of alleged sexual harassment episodes (he has denied them). Fox News hasnt released details of the internal investigation that forced Ailess departure, and on this front Kelly fills in a number of holes. In a meeting at Ailess office in January 2006, the boss tried to grab Kelly and kiss her on the lips. As she wiggled free and made her way to the door, Ailes asked what she termed an ominous question: When is your contract up?

A decade later, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes for his boorish behavior toward her. Kelly lent her voice to the resulting investigation, with helpful results: At least one ass-grabbing, paranoid septuagenarian is now out of a job.
IF MEN were angels, James Madison wrote, no government would be necessary. President Obama, who has tried to govern this country for the past eight years, is no exception to Madisons realistic assessment of human nature. We have had our differences with Mr. Obama from time to time. However, it bears notice  emphasis, really  that in the days since what can only be described as a traumatic election result for Mr. Obama and his party, as well as a critical moment for the entire world, the president has led his country with magnificent dignity.

This is no matter of mere optics. The Founders firmly believed a republic could not long survive without civility, tolerance and grace. Madison, again: To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea. It would be equally chimerical to suppose that a people could become virtuous unless its leaders model virtue, especially in difficult times, which is why the Founders united behind George Washington, the epitome of virtue in his day, as the first president.

And modeling virtue is precisely what Mr. Obama has been doing. To a divided nation, both electoral halves of which were still undoubtedly stunned at what had transpired, the president preached unity and understanding, with evident sincerity, not a trace of rancor, and in terms that were plain but free of condescension: We have to remember that were actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. Were not Democrats first. Were not Republicans first. We are Americans first. Were patriots first. We all want whats best for this country.

He magnanimously praised President-elect Donald Trump for his own temperate concession speech. That is to say, he rose above the ugly insults  born in Kenya; founder of ISIS  that Mr. Trump had hurled at him. And, implicitly, the president rose above the shots he himself had taken, on the campaign trail. Mr. Obama endeavored instead to remind people that there is life, a whole world of it, beyond this turn of events, and indeed beyond politics itself, through which we must all travel with a sense of unity; a sense of inclusion; a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law; and a respect for each other. Mr. Obama carried himself with the same grace, and with the same calming focus, while meeting with Mr. Trump at the White House, and as he addressed a Veterans Day audience for the last time as president.

Haters gonna hate, as the song says; and we express these thoughts fully cognizant that there are some Americans so committed to loathing this president that they will not appreciate how he has just embodied republican virtue before their very eyes. For everyone else, including non-Obamahaters who nonetheless voted for Mr. Trump, Barack Obama has provided an example of conduct under pressure worthy of close study and, we hope, emulation.
DRIVERS LICENSE suspensions have become a debt-collection tool in many states, often to compel the payment of court-imposed fines and fees. In a handful of states, including Virginia, licenses are suspended for nonpayment even when no motor vehicle violation is involved, nor any issue of public safety, and when defendants are too poor to pay.

The result is a vicious cycle that criminalizes poverty and leaves some indigent people with no way legally of getting to work, and therefore no means to pay what they owe. For the poor, it is a dilemma that lands some in jail for driving on a suspended license rather than sacrificing their ability to earn a living  sometimes more jail time than the original crime warranted.

Well more than 1 million people have had their licenses suspended in Virginia, roughly two-thirds of them, more than 900,000 people, for failing to pay court fines and fees arising from convictions, often for misdemeanors. That amounts to a sixth of the states drivers, an astonishing number.

A class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court this summer by the Legal Aid Justice Center, a nonprofit group, on behalf of drivers whose licenses have been suspended for nonpayment. The suit argues that their constitutional due process rights had been disregarded in the license suspensions, which were imposed without even a hearing or opportunity for defendants to argue that their financial circumstances left them unable to pay.

By contrast, child-support debtors in Virginia are granted just such a hearing before their license may be suspended, and they are allowed to present evidence that their nonpayment arises from inability to pay rather than indifference or defiance.

In its response to the lawsuit, the state all but conceded that its policy is unfair, but asked that the lawsuit be dismissed on narrow and technical legal grounds. It suggested, for instance, that it was not the Department of Motor Vehicles that should be sued  even though it is the governmental agency responsible for suspending licenses  but the courts, individually. There is no question of discrimination, the state insisted, since anyone failing to pay court costs and fees is equally exposed to the sanction of license suspension.

In fact, it is plain that impoverished Virginians are more likely to have their licenses suspended, while those who can pay generally do. And those suspensions for nonpayment take place automatically, even when the affected individuals are sick or hospitalized, or have lost their job. The system thereby traps vulnerable residents in cycles of debt from court fines and fees, in the words of Vanita Gupta, chief of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, which filed a brief in support of the class-action lawsuit. The NAACP also filed a brief supporting the lawsuit, in which it argued that African Americans were specifically disadvantaged by the states practice.

Virginias unfair procedures were devised in service of the revenue needs of courts and localities. The result is as unlawful as it is tilted against the states most disadvantaged residents, and it is a distortion of justice.
The large U.S. military base that dominates this village 30 miles north of Kabul was shut tight as a drum Sunday, with no Afghan workers allowed inside in the wake of a suicide bombing the day before.

The U.S. Embassy also shut down except for emergency services for the first time since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, in what officials called a temporary precautionary measure.

Hundreds of Afghans normally work at the sprawling military base, in the kitchens and laundry and on cleaning and construction crews. But after an attacker, identified by Afghan officials as a base worker, managed to kill four Americans and wound 17 others inside the compound, the gates were shut.

American officials have released few details of the attack and no information about the victims other than their nationalities, but Afghan security officials said Sunday that they had identified the attacker as a poor local laborer and former Taliban fighter. They said he had worked at the base for some time after formally returning to civilian life through a government reintegration program.

Experts and officials in Kabul worried that the attack  only the second time a suicide bomber has penetrated a U.S. military compound during the war  could reinforce American concerns about troop safety and lead the incoming Trump administration to pull out the remaining 10,000 U.S. service members in the country.

The bombing came two days after Taliban insurgents rammed a suicide truck into the German consulate in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif. All consulate staffers were safely evacuated, but the powerful blast, followed by heavy gunfire from Taliban fighters, killed four Afghans and wounded 128. A Taliban spokesman said it was in retaliation for a deadly U.S. airstrike in Kunduz the previous week.

In addition to closing Bagram to outside traffic, U.S. officials said that all U.S. and allied military facilities were adding extra security measures and fortifications. The temporary closing of the U.S. Embassy, State Department officials said in a tweet, was because of a serious threat of violence, kidnapping and hostage taking.

American officials also warned last week that insurgents were planning to attack the Serena Hotel, a fortified luxury establishment in Kabul, and a guesthouse in an affluent area of the city. The Serena was invaded in 2014 by Taliban gunmen who shot and killed nine civilians.

The Bagram base houses about 14,000 Americans, both military service members and private contractors, and serves as one of two major hubs for American military traffic in the country. It is heavily guarded but surrounded by a cluster of thriving villages and near a busy highway corridor in Parwan province. The region, which supplies most of the low-level workers who enter each morning and leave each evening, depends heavily on the base for economic support.

Taliban statements Saturday named the bomber as a Taliban member, Hafiz Mohammad Parwani, and said he had been secretly planning the attack for the past four months while working on the base. On Sunday, Parwan police officials named the attacker as Qari Nayeb Parwani and also said he had been working as a laborer at the U.S. base. They said his family members had been arrested by Afghan intelligence police.

The identity of the bomber has become clear, said Mohammad Zaman Mamozai, provincial police chief, in an interview. But we do not know how he succeeded to take explosives inside the base since security is tight all the time. We are surprised that he managed to conduct such an attack.

Residents near the base, including several who have regular jobs there, also expressed amazement Sunday that the bomber had found a way to sneak materials inside. One man said his former job was to help search Afghan workers and that each one had to undergo body searches and scans before entering.

They check everyone with scales and instruments. You couldnt even take a needle in there without it being found, said the 23-year-old worker, who gave his name as Habibullah. There is no way an ordinary person could carry explosives inside. They would have to fly over the wall and jump in.

With the base on total lockdown, Afghan workers said they had no idea when they would be allowed back. Nobody sent us a message, but the gate is shut and nobody can go in, said a cafeteria worker who gave his name as Shamarai.

Several residents and storekeepers said that Bagram has been a good provider of business and security over the years but that the area has become more dangerous lately, with armed robbers and insurgents operating there. Afghan officials said Taliban groups are active in several areas of Parwan, once a stronghold of the main anti-Taliban militia.

Bagram, the largest and best-known U.S. base in Afghanistan, has always been a high-priority target for the Taliban, and it has been attacked many times. In December, a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle killed six American service members patrolling outside the base. In 2007, a bomber struck an entry point to the airfield, killing two Americans and 21 others.

The U.S. military has suffered about 2,400 fatalities since 2001, when the Taliban regime was overthrown and later regrouped as an insurgency against the Western-backed civilian government.

In Saturdays early-morning attack, the bomber detonated on a sidewalk near an exercise area where a group of men were getting ready to go running, U.S. military officials said. Other reports said there was a special race planned that day. The Taliban spokesman said the bomber had targeted a sports ground where more than 100 military officers, important people and soldiers were busy exercising.

Sayed Salahuddin and Sharif Walid contributed to this report.

Read more

Four Americans die in blast at U.S. base in Afghanistan; 17 others wounded

Afghan girl returns home after 31 years, a symbol of tensions with Pakistan

Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai denounces deadly NATO airstrikes

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Perplexed foreign ministers from the European Union nations met Sunday to try to assess the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, underlining the uncertainty for Americas closest allies over issues as wide-ranging as Iran, Russia and climate change.

The emergency dinner gathering was a measure of how suddenly the U.S.-Europe relationship has been cast into disarray by the election of a man most European leaders openly campaigned against. The E.U. is deeply dependent on U.S. cooperation for a host of European priorities, many of which Trump called into question on the campaign trail. Even the most fundamental issue appears to be in flux: American guarantees for Europes security that have underpinned Western relations since World War II.

Diplomats from some of Europes most powerful countries say they have little basis to judge how Trump will govern or what his priorities will be upon taking over the White House. Unlike most conventional campaigns, which maintain basic outreach to the embassies of U.S. partners ahead of the election, Trumps advisers spurned E.U. diplomats efforts to meet, leaving foreign leaders grasping for information.

The European Union nations will be partners with the United States based on our own values, principles, interests, E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said after the dinner. But she said that she was preparing the 28-nation bloc to stand more on its own on defense and security matters. She said she had pushed for the need to strengthen European unity around some key issues that will be even more crucial in the months to come.

Before the election, E.U. foreign and defense ministers had already been scheduled to meet Monday and Tuesday, but the Sunday evening dinner was added after the unexpected result. Not all E.U. foreign ministers attended; those of Britain and France questioned whether a U.S. election was truly a crisis. Hungarys anti-immigration government has welcomed the Trump victory.

It is clear that Trump will reverse many of the foreign policy priorities of the Obama administration, but the extent and the details remain unclear after a campaign marked by shifting pronouncements and sometimes-contradictory statements by Trump and his allies.

We are going to see the positions of the new American administration in the coming months, said Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, who said his counterparts were still trying to understand what to expect from the change in power. We are going to do everything to be in contact with the transition team.

Trump has denounced the July 2015 deal aimed at restricting Irans ability to produce nuclear weapons, for example, but it is not clear whether he would abandon it altogether or seek to renegotiate elements of it. Congressional Republicans have also opposed the deal.

A shift could lead to Irans full-scale resumption of its nuclear program, but it is unlikely that European nations would agree to reimpose the economic restrictions on Tehran that were lifted in exchange for agreeing to the deal.

Nor is it clear whether Trump intends to abandon U.S. sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Europe has been able to maintain unity on its own anti-Kremlin sanctions in part because of U.S. pressure, so a shift in Washington could give balky countries such as Italy and Hungary fresh license to object to renewal of the measures.

Trump has also called into question the need for NATO, the Western military alliance that has recently beefed up its presence in Eastern European member countries that are nervous about Russia. European and NATO leaders have pointed out that the single time NATO nations came to the defense of a member nation under attack was on behalf of the United States following Sept. 11, 2001. They say that if the White House goes in a different direction, American interests would also suffer.

Rather than deepening our differences, we need to nurture what unites us, wrote NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Britains Sunday Observer newspaper. Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States.

The sudden electoral shift in Washington is also pushing European leaders to talk about doing more for themselves both on defense and on soft-power issues that traditionally have been shared between the allies on either side of the Atlantic. Some E.U. leaders have discussed the need to unite themselves as a force that could rival U.S. influence in the world  a plea that many acknowledge behind closed doors as more wishful thinking than concrete policy.

Though the U.S. election was Sundays focus, the day also brought to power Kremlin-friendly leaders in Bulgaria and Moldova, in a broader shift for Russias global prospects.

In Bulgaria, the former commander of the nations air force, Rumen Radev, was far outpacing his opponent in presidential elections. Radev wants to maintain his countrys place in NATO but wants to improve ties to Moscow. Bulgaria is a member of the E.U. and NATO but has long been pulled culturally between the West and Russia. The election threw the country into political chaos, with pro-E.U. prime minister Boyko Borisov announcing his resignation after the result.

In Moldova, pro-Kremlin presidential candidate Igor Dodon also won his election on Sunday. Speaking in Russian after the results were announced, he promised to steer his country toward Russia after years of competing tugs between Brussels and Moscow. Russia maintains a military force in Moldovas breakaway Transnistria region.

Read more

After Trumps victory, the world is left to wonder: What happened to America?

How Trumps victory is causing Europe to rethink its security

Europes anti-immigrant leaders are taking Trumps show on the road

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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By PTI: London, Nov 13 (PTI) The consortium that approves emojis has signed off new ones, including a woman wearing a hijab, woman breastfeeding a baby and a person doing yoga.

The new emojis are likely to arrive on smartphones next year after Unicode, the international consortium that sets their global standards, proposed the 51 icons.

It will take the total number of the cartoon images, which are increasingly being used to replace words in text messages, to 1,724, The Telegraph reported.

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Rayouf Alhumedhi, a 15-year-old from Germany, had campaigned for the inclusion of the character wearing a hijab emoji, proposing it to Unicode after realising there was no emoji to represent her.

Among the list of introductions are person with headscarf, breastfeeding, bearded person, older adult, reflecting the current lack of grandparent icons.

Other emojis that will be released in 2017 by Unicode are a head exploding, a face with open mouth vomiting and a man and woman practising yoga, The Guardian reported.

The new list, Unicode 10, adds to efforts to make emojis more diverse. Smartphone makers have included a variety of skin tones, hair colours and cultural and religious references in recent years following claims that they reinforce stereotypes.

Google recently called for more emojis that reflect women in the workplace, while Apple added male and female versions of some emojis after complaints that many of the female- focused cartoons featured activities such as cutting hair.

Alhumedhi, whose own proposal was accepted by Unicode, tweeted that she was "so excited" by the news.

The other new emojis proposed include a zombie, a vampire, a person holding their finger to their mouth, and a T-Rex.

Unicode, which represents the major technology companies, proposed a shortlist of the new emojis. They are typically approved in the following summer and are likely to be added to smartphones in roughly a years time.

In the coming weeks, Apple is set to add the emojis from the previous set, Unicode 9. They include emojis for facepalm, selfie, a clown and a pregnant woman. PTI ASK AKJ ABH

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An Egyptian Coptic Christian woman sits in the rubble of a makeshift chapel that was torched a few months ago during clashes in the Egyptian village of Ismailia, about 200 miles south of Cairo. Egypts Copts, who make up 10 percent of Egypts 90 million people, are going through some of their darkest times in recent memory. (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The Christian and Muslim villagers grew up together, played on the same soccer fields as kids, and attended the same schools in this riverside hamlet. But that didnt matter on a recent day: An argument between boys sparked clashes between neighbors, with Muslims torching shops owned by Christians.

Gamal Sobhy, a Christian farmer, ran into the melee to protect his two sons. Someone in the crowd hit him with a stick. Then others jumped in, striking him repeatedly until he fell to the ground with blood seeping from his head.

The Muslims were yelling, Kill him, kill him,  Sobhy said a few days after he was released from the hospital.

Five years ago, many among Egypts minority Orthodox Coptic Christians thought the discrimination they had long faced from Muslims would begin to disappear when President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in Egypts revolution and the military seized control of the country.

But in the years since then, as an Islamist government was elected and overthrown, that sense of hope evaporated.

Attacks against Christians have intensified as mistrust between Christians and Muslims deepens. Today, community leaders and human rights activists say the smallest of matters are setting off violence, often pitting neighbor against neighbor.

At a time when President Abdel Fatah al-Sissis government is jailing its opponents and struggling to revive a sinking economy, the violence adds a new layer of populist frustration: Christians strongly supported Sissis rise, expecting him to protect them after the former army general led a coup that toppled the Islamists.

As Egyptian citizens, Christians dont feel they are equal to their Muslim counterparts, said Bishop Makarios, the head of the Coptic diocese in Minya province, where Asem is situated. They feel oppressed, and marginalized by the law.

Christians across the region have endured horrific assaults in the turbulent aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings.

[Iraqi Christians, scarred by ISIS cruelty, doubt they will return to Mosul]

In Syria and Iraq, Islamic State militants have destroyed churches, abducted Christians and carried out forced conversions. Thousands of Christians have fled their homes in northern Iraq. In Libya last year, Islamic State militants beheaded 21 Egyptian Christians and an additional 31 Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians in two separate attacks. And earlier this year, the Islamic States affiliate in Egypt asserted responsibility for the fatal shooting of a priest.

In Egypt, a disturbing wave of radicalism has emerged from the uprising and changes in government and as the economy has worsened, said Bishop Angaelos, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

Egypts Christians, who make up 10 percent of the population of 94 million, have felt besieged for decades. In a nation where Islam is the state religion, successive secular but authoritarian regimes have restricted Christians from practicing their beliefs, even though freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution.

But since January 2011, 77 sectarian attacks have taken place in Minya alone, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), an activist group.

Nearly half of those attacks occurred in the past three years, after Egypts elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in the military coup led by Sissi in 2013. In the days that followed, mobs of hard-line Muslims targeted Christian schools, businesses and churches in a wave of attacks. Many Islamists accused Christians of conspiring with Sissi against them. Since then, tensions have been raw.

At least 25 sectarian attacks have been reported around the nation this year, activists say.

When an individual is acquitted after an attack, the community knows they can get away with attacking Christians, Makarios said.

Before the revolution, Christians were targeted mostly by militant groups and thieves. Now the violence has a societal element to it, with Muslim and Christian citizens turning against each other, said Ishak Ibrahim, a researcher at EIPR.



A damaged home belonging to one of seven Christian families whose houses were looted and set on fire by Muslim men in Al-Karm village in the southern province of Minya, Egypt. (REUTERS)

Torched homes, humiliation

In Asem, the trigger was a minor dispute.

It was the early days of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha in mid-September. One of Sobhys sons was returning from the fields when he was stopped by Muslim youths who had blocked the road. The boys exchanged insults, and soon the fight erupted, drawing in Sobhys other son as well as dozens of villagers from their homes.

Security forces arrived, and 20 Muslims and 17 Christians were arrested.

The Muslims did a lot of things that shouldnt have happened, said Othman Al Montaser Othman, a member of parliament from Minya who is Muslim. They vandalized a barber shop, a furniture shop. Even if you had a fight with one person, you shouldnt have taken it out on everyone else.

It wasnt the first time, nor will it be the last, villagers said. Their region is the crucible for Egypts sectarian divides. In Minya, a poor province roughly 150 miles south of Cairo, Christians make up about a third of the population  the largest concentration among the nations 27 provinces.

In Asem, a Christian-majority village, Christians spoke of economic divisions that have contributed to the tensions  they own most of the stores and businesses, as well as the farmland.

The Muslims are green with envy, said Ishak Haddad, whose furniture shop was burned by the mob, and his furniture dumped into the river. They see we have a lot of money, and they dont.

[As Egypts economy struggles, calls for protests against Sissi grow louder]

Muslims say they have no problems with their Christian neighbors. Some noted that in Asem they are a minority, and so cannot afford to antagonize Christians.

Unemployment and illiteracy are high in Minya, and government services are limited. Radical Islamists have filled the void, influencing people with anti-Christian rhetoric, community leaders and activists say. The province is a stronghold of extremist Islamist groups, in particular Gamaa Islamiya, which the United States and its allies consider a terrorist organization.

In June, a crowd of Muslims stabbed a Christian death. That came days after a mob torched the houses of Christians over a rumor that they wanted to convert buildings into churches.

A month earlier, a Muslim mob forced a 70-year-old Christian woman to strip naked and parade down the street of their village after rumors spread that her son had had an affair with a Muslim woman. The rumor proved to be false.

Her assailants were arrested but swiftly released on bail. The case has gone nowhere, though Bishop Makarios and other leaders asked Sissi to intervene.

The president pledged to follow up on the case, but sadly the judicial system did not follow, Makarios said.



An Egyptian woman holds a sign with Arabic that reads, the demands are not only for Christians but for all Egyptians, during a protest in Cairo in August. (Nariman El-Mofty/AP)

We remain worried

It wasnt the first time the law had let them down.

Local officials often pressure Christians into mediating disputes instead of going to court and coerce them into changing their testimony, activists say.

These kinds of reconciliation sessions replace the rule of law, Makarios said.

In most cases, the Christian victims are asked to give up their rights.

Thats what happening in Asem today.

Othman and other Muslim leaders blamed Muslims for the attacks but also say they werent sectarian. Speaking on his cellphone, Othman instructed a Muslim community leader to say the attack was not motivated by religion, a conversation heard by two Washington Post reporters seated in the room during the call.

Two hours later, the community leader, Anwar Osman, said: It was not sectarian. It was a childish prank. The Christians were just trying to get the public to sympathize with them, he said.

Local officials and lawmakers insist that life is back to normal. We all now talk to each other and visit each other, Osman said. Reconciliation has already happened.

But Christians say that is not true.

They claim that things are back to normal and we reconciled, just to make the public feel they have ended the crisis, said Ishak Sobhy, Gamals brother. We expected life to be better under Sissi for our community. But its actually getting worse.

Some Christians said they no longer walk in the village at night because they are afraid of being attacked.

Others no longer trade in livestock, fearing they could be targeted in the fields.

But Ishak Sobhy said his family refuses to drop the case. Gamal is still visiting doctors and recently learned that he has a detached retina. The Muslim man accused of instigating the clashes turned himself in but is out on bail, authorities said.

Life goes on, Ishak Sobhy said. But we remain worried.

Heba Mahfouz contributed to this report.

Read more:

Widening reach of blasphemy law, Egypt targets poet for Facebook post on sheep

It used to be a busy Egyptian resort. Then an airplane fell from the sky.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Anti-Donald Trump Protests Continue for Third Night in More Than 17 States

For a third night since Donald Trump was elected the 45th president, anti-Trump protests have erupted with thousands marching from every corner of the country.

On Friday, protests were scheduled in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Greensboro, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando and Washington D.C among others.

Once again, one of the largest crowds in the nation congregated outside Trump Tower in New York City. On Wednesday evening, thousands gathered near Trump Tower while the president-elect was meeting with aides. And on Thursday night, there were protests in front of Trumps Manhattan home.

In Portland, protestors vandalized 19 cars at a dealership, according to local reports. One protester was also shot, according to police.

In the early morning hours of Saturday November 12, 2016, a man was injured in a shooting on the Morrison Bridge during a protest march, the Portland Police said in a statement. At the time the gunman fled. In an amended statement, police said that they had detained four people believed to be criminal gang associates in connection with the shooting. The police are still investigating the incident but added that the man who was shot is expected to survive his injuries after being treated at a Portland hospital.

The incident comes less than 24 hours after 25 people were arrested during a riot that began with 4,000 protesters peacefully exercising their right to speak out.

And in Miami, hundreds marched up to I-395 and shut down traffic on the highway, according to the Miami Police Department.

States including Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont also held consecutive nights of protests.

In addition to the anti-Trump protests, there have been reports of racially charged incidents in schools and communities across the country.

Trump addressed the nationwide reactions in a series of tweets on Thursday, writing in the first, Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

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More protests and peaceful demonstrations have been planned for Saturday in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City and Salt Lake City among others.

Meanwhile, the Ku Klux Klan recently announced that it plans to hold a victory rally on Dec. 3 in North Carolina to celebrate Trumps win.






Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Pro tip: if you're at a blowout bar and want a style that holds the perfect amount of bounce (who doesn't, right?) ask your stylist to use Kate Middleton as a reference. Widely considered the patron saint of good hair, behind every enviable look is her mane man Rossano Ferretti, who, fun fact, coined the term balayage all the way back in 1987, and revolutionized the industry with his "invisible cutting" technique. Unlike a blunt cut, the method hides any evidence you were even chopping your layers in the first place, and even if you go for a dramatically shorter length, there aren't any harsh ends to serve as an indicator. "It came from my unsatisfaction with what I was seeing--I was never happy with the results of seeing the scissor in the haircut, and even in the street, you'd see the layers and be able to tell where the scissor hit the hair," he tells InStyle. "Years ago, I woke up at 5 in the morning and realized the problem. It's not about the scissor or the fingers, you have to follow the motions of the hair using your body, and cut accordingly." During his haircutting sessions, Ferretti will lean in and follow the direction of your hair, and the method can be done on both super-straight and very curly hair, not to mention everything in between. "For 30 minutes, we are one--I follow you, I follow the hair, you follow, and there is no line of demarcation," he says. "The way of cutting hair is changed to a free-flowing concept while paying respect to its natural nuances." Demand for the invisible haircut is high at his many salons, which have worldwide outposts in New York City, Verona, Rome, Paris, and many other locations, so as you wait for your turn on the list, you can adapt the pro's overall philosophy to hair in the meantime. Here, Ferretti outlined four golden hair rules to follow for layers worthy of an actual tiara.

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RELATED: This Is the Secret to Kate Middleton's Perfect Hair

Keep It Timeless

Sure, trendy cuts and colors are fun to experiment with, but when establishing your trademark look, stick to a classic one that feels organically you. "Beauty is about harmony, and I can't cut your hair without taking your personal style and face shape into consideration, so when we do consultations with our clients, I need to know you and what you like, otherwise I won't know how to make you happy," says Ferretti, who notes that most of his clients don't bring in reference photos. "If you bring a picture, of course it makes your stylist's job quicker and easier, but someone else's haircut may not be the best option for you." Guidelines are fine, but Ferretti recommends not working against how your hair naturally is, and before committing to a cut, a thorough consultation with your stylist that touches on how your strands behave and the look you'd like to achieve is always important. "I never really talk about trends--the goal is to be beautiful in your own way, so it's about personalization," he adds.

Work With Your Natural Color and Texture

At Ferretti's salons, the pro veers away from any treatments that can be overly-damaging on the hair, and even when doing color, he takes a very organic approach. His "Aquarella" technique, which is similar to the "Babylights" effect in that it mimics a gradual lightening by the sun, uses your base color as a reference, and only veers one to two shades from it to add dimension. Rather than covering the first signs of greys with a darker tint on some clients, he'll enlist this method in an effort to avoid too dramatic of a change. "I've been suggesting to people my whole life to use the hair in the most organic way. If you already hae a nice haircut, you can follow your natural hair movement when styling, or even air-drying," he says. "Use your hands to separate your hair while it's damp, then pin your curls, layers, or wvaes into place for a few minutes. Just follow what the hair does, and let it dry in the most organic way."

RELATED: See Every Single Hairstyle Kate Middleton Wore on Her India and Bhutan Trip

Wash Your Hair Less

You've likely heard whispers that washing your hair on the daily isn't necessary, and Ferretti is here to confirm your beliefs. "Shampoo two to three times a week. Really, two times a week would be the perfect balance," he says. "If you wash every day, it tends to create the opposite effect on your hair. If you're oily, the oil comes more often as you wash as the foam in shampoo can strip your hair." How often you deep condition depends on your hair type, but generally speaking, once a week is a good amount to indulge in a mask or treatment. Unless you go to the pool or gym every day, less is more in terms of the lather-rinse-repeat motions, and your blowout has more staying power as a result.

Develop a Hair Regime

Especially when getting your hair colored, a solid after-care routine is needed to maintain the pristine state of your strands. In addition to your shampoo and conditioner, Ferretti suggests making it a point to use a hair oil and serum prior to styling, especially if you live in an area with a lot of pollution. "You have to give your hair extra protection, especially considering the region, how the water is, and how polluted it is," he explains. "You can have a gorgeous haircut, but if you don't have the correct regime, it won't hold up. In the way a bad cream can ruin your skin, harsh products can impact your hair."
Montreal (AFP) - Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Cuba Tuesday as the breakthrough in US relations with the communist regime hangs in the balance following Donald Trump's presidential election win.

The prime minister's official visit comes 40 years after his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau committed to a lifelong friendship with Fidel Castro during a three-day trip to the Caribbean island.

According to his office, the goal is to "renew and strengthen" the bilateral relationship.

The visit will also provide an opportunity to "collaborate more closely on sustainable economic growth, inclusive governance, security, climate change, and gender equality," a statement said.

It is also possible to rile Washington.

Trump has sent mixed messages about the thaw in US-Cuba relations which was started two years ago by his predecessor.

He gave it a lukewarm welcome at first saying "50 years is enough," before vowing to reverse the new policies unless Cuban President Raul Castro agrees to democratic reforms and other demands.

Because US President Barack Obama used executive authority to enact the rapprochement, Trump could change course just as easily to reinstate financial, trade and travel restrictions.

While observers note that Cuba will probably not be a priority for Trump, it remains unclear how he would view a Trudeau-Castro photo opportunity.

The visit is primarily "symbolic," John Kirk, a politics professor and Cuba expert at Dalhousie University in Halifax, told AFP.

Canada, he noted, is the only country in the Americas, along with Mexico, to have maintained diplomatic ties with Havana after the revolution, "despite significant pressure from Washington" over the years.

Ottawa also remained steadfastly opposed to the American embargo, which remains in place due to the US Congress's rejection of Obama's signature Cuba rapprochement.

- Personal journey -

During a 30-hour stopover en route to Peru for an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leader's meeting, Trudeau is to meet with Raul Castro, who succeeded his ailing brother Fidel in 2008.

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Officially, no meeting is planned with Fidel Castro, but "there's a chance" they will see each other, Cuba's ambassador to Canada, Julio Garmendia Pena, told Canadian media.

Kirk said the journey is a personal one for Trudeau who is retracing his father's footsteps, as well as a reminder to Washington of Canada's support for ending Cuba's isolation.

The Cuba visit will be the first by a Canadian leader since Jean Chretien in 1998.

Over the past decade, bilateral ties reached a historic low with former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper often siding with Washington in seeking to isolate Cuba on the international scene.

Yet it was also Harper who hosted secret talks between American and Cuban officials in 2014 aimed at ending half a century of discord.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau became in 1976 the first leader of a NATO country to break with allies and meet with Castro during the "Cold War," against Washington's expressed wishes.

Photos from the era show Fidel Castro in his trademark olive-green revolutionary uniform, holding in his arms Justin Trudeau's baby brother Michel, who died in an avalanche in 1998.

Decades later, Fidel Castro would be an honorary pallbearer at the funeral for Pierre Elliott Trudeau in Montreal.

Today, Cuba continues to welcome a huge influx of Canadian vacationers each year (1.3 million or nearly 40 percent of all Cuba tourists), but bilateral trade remains modest at less than US$1 billion annually.

Despite their warm diplomatic ties, many Canadian companies do not invest in Cuba over fear they will be blocked from the US market as a result.
trump plane

Donald Trump has proposed radical policies on many issues, from banning Muslims from entering the country to punishing doctors who perform abortions. His environmental stances are no exception  he has suggested eliminating the EPA, pulling the US out of the Paris Agreement, and cutting all federal spending on clean energy. Its still unknown, of course, how many of these proposals Trump will act on as president, but environmental groups are already gearing up for a fight.

Trump must choose whether he will be a President remembered for putting America and the world BACK on a path to climate disaster, or for listening to the American public, investing in the fastest-growing sector in the US economy  clean energy  and keeping us on a path to climate progress. Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, said in a statement on November 9.

If he chooses the former option  to reverse the progress President Obama has made on energy and climate policy  here are the biggest threats the Trump administration poses to the future of the planet.

1. Backing out of Paris Agreement

The historic agreement compels the 103 countries who ratified it to work together to keep the global temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius. The US has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. Trump, however, has denounced the accord, and pledged to pull the US out of it.

Because it is already in effect, countries who wish to leave must undergo a process of three to four years to be formally removed from the agreement. But because the agreement doesnt stipulate any mechanisms of enforcement beyond transparency and regular progress reports, Trump could easily decide not to take the necessary actions to hit the US goal.

Kyle Ash, a senior legislative representative at environmental organization Greenpeace, tells Business Insider that although ignoring the US contribution to the Paris Agreement would have a negative impact on the countrys relationships with other nations, Trump could decide to just completely flout international law and global diplomacy.

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The hope, in that case, is that other countries dont then decide to ignore their own commitments because the US has given up its leadership on the issue.

2. Killing the Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan, Obamas national regulation to lowering carbon pollution from power plants, is currently being challenged in court. The fate of the plan is still unknown, and it has not been fully implemented because the Supreme Court voted to delay its rollout until the appeals process had been completed.

While Trump has said hell kill the plan flat-out, Ken Berlin, the president and CEO of the Climate Reality Project, a climate organization founded by Al Gore, explains that its not so easy to withdraw a regulation.

He's got two choices, Berlin says. One, he can continue to challenge it in court and switch the government's position, saying we now oppose it. If the rule goes into effect, then he's got to do either a new rule-making to change that, and that has to go through normal notice and comments and it can be challenged by the environmental community. Or he could go to Congress and try to get Congress to repeal the Clean Air Act or modify it in some way.

3. Eliminating the EPA

Trump has suggested he might cut both the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. This is an unlikely scenario, since the EPA is legally required to enforce existing environmental laws. Trump could theoretically change the EPAs function to be more of an advisory body, with less efforts being devoted to actual enforcement.

The way that Trump can stop it is either by breaking the law, or by working with Congress to change the law, or by working with Congress to reduce the EPA budget to such an extent that they can't function, Ash explains. To do that, however, Trump would need 60 senate votes, which he likely wont get.

coal plant

4. Appointing climate change deniers to lead the EPA and Department of Energy

If Trump cant defund or eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency as he has promised, it seems likely that he will select people with records of support for fossil fuels and denial of global warming to chair both the EPA and the Department of Energy. Already, Trump selected Myron Ebell, who is known for questioning climate change and has said that Obamas ratification of the Paris Agreement was unconstitutional.

If he's putting people in charge of the EPA  like Myron Ebell for instance  who basically think it's a complete waste of time and effort and resources to do anything about climate pollution, then in theory everything is under threat, Ash says. They can't just legally stop doing it. They could in theory just choose not to do it and then be in violation of the federal law.

The EPA would be within its bounds, however, to make the day-to-day decisions about issuing permits, pursuing a case, and determining which violators to go after. And the leader of the agency will certainly influence that.

5. Cut all federal spending on clean energy

Trump has vowed to cut all federal government spending related to clean energy  an effort hes suggested could save $100 billion over eight years. Media sources have been unable to determine how the cuts would add up to that total, but Ash believes a lot of the governments investment in renewable energy comes in the form of tax incentives.

It would be odd for them to basically require taxes to go up just because its renewable energy, Ash says, since Trump campaigned on a platform of decreasing taxes for individuals and corporations.

The US has, however, pledged to contribute money to an international fund that would help poorer countries reduce their carbon pollution, which was formalized by negotiators of the Paris Agreement. Trump could renege on that part of the deal.

oil drill

6. Avoid creating any regulations on methane

The EPA has thus far failed to come out with a rule to regulate methane emissions  something that now seems overdue given the known climate consequences of the gas. Though CO2 emissions are no longer increasing at the rate they once were, Ash explains that Methane emissions are rising.

The worry is just that a Trump EPA will just further postpone that, he says. But it's [a regulation] we need really badly because methane is so important for reducing the short term warming.

7. Open federal lands to oil and gas drilling

Trump has proposed to open federal lands up to more oil, gas and coal production.

I think he will clearly go ahead and do that, Berlin says, though he says hes unsure whether fossil fuel companies will find it worthwhile to invest in exploring those lands as the price of renewable energy continues to drop. In my view opening these lands up will just create a bunch of stranded assets eventually that the oil companies are going to have to take off their books.

Kyle Ash points out, however, that the Obama administration has already opened federal land up for fossil fuel extraction.

The Keep it in the ground movement is basically where the coalition has decided to focus, he says. In some degree it will be quite similar to the fight that we've engaged in for the last few years vis a vis the Obama administration.

Although the worst case scenario for the environment is a dark one as far as climate action and environmental protection are concerned, both Ash and Berlin agree that Trump will have a much harder time actually repealing and revising the regulations than he likely understands. And clean energy initiatives and pollution regulations often win overwhelming favor among the American people, a fact that suggests there is still hope for the planet.

I think today we should take Trump at his word that he's going to be president of the American people and try and do things that people support, Berlin says. If that's the case, he won't fall on these extreme ends of the spectrum.

But organizations like Greenpeace, the Climate Reality Project and the Sierra Club have already vowed to double down on the fight  just in case.

NOW WATCH: People in California are calling for a 'Calexit' after Trumps victory





More From Business Insider


Barcelona (AFP) - Around 80,000 people rallied in Barcelona on Sunday in a show of support for Catalan leaders locked in a tug-of-war with Madrid over independence for their region, police said.

The demonstration aimed in particular at supporting Catalonia's former president, Artur Mas, and the head of its parliament, Carme Forcadell.

In November 2014, they staged a symbolic vote on independence for the wealthy northeastern region in defiance of Spain's central government.

Mas is now to stand trial on charges of "serious disobedience" and "malfeasance," for which he risks a 10-year ban on holding office.

Catalans have a centuries-old culture with its own language and customs. Demands for autonomy have been fuelled by Spain's economic downturn, leading many to resent sending tax money to Madrid to prop up poorer regions.

On October 20, Spain's Constitutional Court cancelled a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia -- an issue that became emblematic of the tensions.

Carles Puigdemont, the current president of Catalonia, has promised he will call a referendum on whether to secede from Spain in September 2017.
By Kiyoshi Takenaka TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to underscore the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance when he meets President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday. "This is going to be an important meeting to build trust," Kishida told public broadcaster NHK. "We also would like to use this opportunity to input the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance, as well." With Abe set to meet Trump in New York on his way to an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru, Tokyo has been seeking clarity on what direction the Republican political novice wants for bilateral relations after he made comments on the campaign trail that were at odds with longstanding policies. Kishida reiterated Japan's long-standing position that it has no plans to possess nuclear weapons. During his campaign, Trump left open the possibility that Japan - the only country to have suffered a nuclear bombing - might adopt nuclear weapons. "I don't believe Japan will possess nuclear arms. This principle won't change," Kishida said. Trump's campaign comments on Japan's nuclear armament and his demand that Japan pay more for the upkeep of U.S. forces on its soil have worried Tokyo about a possible rift in a security alliance with Washington that has been the bedrock of its defense since World War Two. Defence Minister Tomomi Inada told the same NHK program that Japan is already shouldering enough financial burden to support U.S. troops deployed in Japan. "Japan is making sufficient contribution," she said. "I would like to continue underscoring that Japan is going to strengthen its own defense posture both in quality and quantity, strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and strengthen ties with other relevant countries." (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by William Mallard and Michael Perry)
By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (PTI) Hitting out at Odisha government over housing schemes for the poor, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav today alleged the state has failed to meet the deadlines of different projects.

The projects in which the state government has failed todeliver are, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), he claimed after reviewing the progress of various Centrally-sponsored schemes in Odisha.

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"The Odisha government has failed to meet targets even though it has sufficient funds. As many as 70,000 houses are yet to be completed under Indira Awas Yojana scheme in Odisha even though they have funds," he said.

Alleging that the state government has been misleading people, Yadav said, "The Odisha government has constructed only 1.81 lakh houses under Biju Awas Yojna while above 9 lakh houses are built with the Central governments funds."

Informing that the Odisha government will get Rs 1,400 crore for rural housing, the Union Minister said the funds will be spent on meeting the target of constructing 2.95 lakh houses.

Rejecting the charges made by Yadav, spokesperson of the ruling BJD, S N Patro said, "The Union ministers do not have any other option except playing the old records whenever they visit the state. He (Yadav) knows very well that for assigning projects under centrally sponsored schemes the state government has to float tenders."

"The Union minister has been attempting to defame the state government," Patro claimed. PTI AAM SUS NSD KKB

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Wellington (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday condemned an "abhorrent and cowardly" suicide bombing which killed four Americans at a military base in Afghanistan.

Two American soldiers and two contractors died in the attack on Saturday at the heavily fortified Bagram Airfield, the US military's largest base in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility amid a rise in insurgent activity in Afghanistan but Kerry the US would not be cowed.

"Our mission in Afghanistan will not be deterred by these individual acts, it's that simple," he told reporters during a visit to New Zealand.

"So the sooner people realise there's a better way to resolve differences, the sooner the world will be able to move more effectively in a better direction."

Kerry said the attack "underscores what we are all fighting for... stability, peace and the ability for people to live with tolerance and different points of view".

The United States has around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, with the largest contingent stationed at the Bagram base.
Paris (AFP) - Diplomatic wrangling this week will make the headlines in the fight against climate change, but experts say a bigger but largely unseen battle is set to unfold on the world's farms.

Agriculture holds the double distinction of being highly vulnerable to climate change but also offering a solution to the problem, they say.

In a report ahead of the November 7-18 UN climate talks in Marrakesh, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had a blunt warning about the risks to the food supply from drought, flood, soil depletion, desertification and rising demand.

"There is no doubt climate change affects food security," the agency's chief, Jose Graziano da Silva, said.

"What climate change does is to bring back uncertainties from the time we were all hunter gatherers. We cannot assure any more that we will have the harvest we have planted."

Crop volatility has been felt acutely this year, partly through El Nino -- a weather phenomenon whose impact is seen by many scientists as a reflection of what future climate change may look like.

Harvests fell sharply in the bread baskets of Latin America, North Africa and Europe, hit by exceptional drought or floods.

Over the coming dozen years or so, according to last month's FAO report, farmers in developing countries will be the ones who bear the brunt of rising temperatures.

Beyond 2030, though, "negative pressures on food production will be increasingly felt everywhere".

At the same time, agriculture is a massive contributor of greenhouse gases, helping to stoke the planetary warming that in turn affects the climate system.

Farming accounts for at least a quarter of world greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

By itself, it contributes 17 percent of the warming effect, especially through emissions of methane -- a stronger heat-trapper than carbon dioxide -- which comes from animal farming and rice paddies. Deforestation and conversion of virgin land to the plough are also powerful factors in the emissions total.

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- Farming vision -

Ideas abound for fixing the problem, although mustering the finance to do it remains a tricky question.

The compelling vision is of a world where agriculture makes smarter use of less resources, providing more food with less carbon pollution.

Much of the thinking focuses on helping smallholder farmers, especially in Africa, with sustainable techniques.

Crop rotation, drought-resistant seeds and restricted use of water are among the options and low tilling of soil, especially in winter, is favoured.

Agricultural scientists are also big champions of the humble legume -- a plant that includes peas, lentils and captures nitrogen from the air and fixes it in the soil, providing a natural fertiliser.

Sebastien Abis, a researcher at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), a Paris thinktank, points to a world population that is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, compared to 3.7 million in 1970. Demand for meat, a big contributor to carbon emissions, is also expected to surge.

That makes it "dangerous" for people to think there can be a letup in food production, said Abis.

Hans Herren, an award-winning Swiss development expert who is president of the Millennium Institute, a Washington-based NGO, is a little more sanguine.

He believes the quest should be on providing better calories rather than more of them. Slashing waste and encouraging efficiency are the key.

"Today the planet provides twice as much food than it needs -- 4,600 calories per person per day, whereas we only need 2,300 calories," Herren said in an interview with AFP.
Amy Adams was glowing in a perfectly golden gown and we are obsessed

We not only love Amy Adams, but also her wardrobe. Amy Adams was glowing in a perfectly golden gown and we are obsessed. She wore it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 8th Annual Governors Awards in Hollywood on November 12th, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

And what are the Governors Awards, you may be wondering? Theyre awards conferred by the Academys Board of Governors, according to Oscars.org. Recipients are announced in the summer, and the event to honor them is held in November. This year, the honorees were Jackie Chan, Anne V. Coates, Lynn Stalmaster, and Frederick Wiseman.

Lets take a look at Amys dress. Stunning, right?

Paramount Pictures' Brad Grey Hosts A Special Event With Stars From The Studio's Films On Saturday, November 12th At The Tower Bar In Los Angeles

Is it just us, or does she looks like a cross between a Greek goddess and a princess? (Fitting since she played Princess Giselle in Enchanted!)

Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 8th Annual Governors Awards - Arrivals

And close-up, too, you can see the dress detail.

Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 8th Annual Governors Awards - Arrivals

In other news, ICYMI, Amy is now starring in Arrival. Its a sci-fi film about Louise Banks (Adams), a linguistics professor whose life changes when UFOs come to Earth. And her role? The U.S. Army sends her to try to communicate with the aliens (!).

And, Arrival was the top new movie this weekend, raking in $24 million over its Fri-Sun debut, reported Forbes. We cant wait to check it out.

One things for sure  whether Amys in an alien world or ours, she def gives us #FashionGoals.

The post Amy Adams was glowing in a perfectly golden gown and we are obsessed appeared first on HelloGiggles.
BYDGOSZCZ, Poland  Tears and cheers characterized the emotional audience reaction to Afterimage, the last film from famed Polish director Andrzej Wajda, which opened the Camerimage film festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Saturday night.

Wajda, who won an honorary Oscar in 2000 and died last month at 90, sealed his legacy with this penetrating biopic of avant-garde painter Wladyslaw Strzeminski. The artist, played by Boguslaw Linda, battled the Socialist Realism movement while dealing with his own physical handicaps as he sought to advance his art and spread his interpretations of the nature of the creative process.

Set in the years from 1948 to 1952, the film follows the painter and art professor, beloved by his students, as he fights a losing battle against Polands Soviet-controlled Communist government, while at the same time never compromising his ideals.

Afterimage was lensed by cinematographer Pawel Edelman (Ray, The Ghost Writer), who told the audience that when Wajda called him about the project he said he wanted to make an artistic film.

This was code, Edelman said. I knew this would be personal and not played by the usual rules. There would be no compromises. Wajda, of course, lived through the era depicted in Afterimage and remembered it vividly.

Edelman also spoke about the films color palette: In this film we looked for certain colors to saturate the visual look in the foreground, while the background, where Strzeminski wanted to run away, was more toned down. We wanted to capture the texture of those times.

There was applause at the end of the Q&A when an older member of the standing-room-only audience rose to declare that the film perfectly captures the bleak look and repressive atmosphere of Polands Communist era.

Afterimage is Polands official entry in this seasons Oscar race. It screened at the Masters section in Toronto in October.

Related stories

'Arrival,' 'Hacksaw Ridge' Are Among Films in Camerimage Main Competition

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Alan Parker Heads Main Competition Jury at Camerimage

Camerimage Film Festival Opens With Tributes to Jessica Lange, Robert Lantos
Saturday saw the fourth day of anti-Trump protests in Los Angeles, New York City and major cities across the United States, with demonstrators documenting the election rallies on social media.

In L.A., several thousand demonstrators gathered in MacArthur Park and marched down Wilshire Boulevard toward downtown, with the crowd growing in numbers along its route. The chants ranged from "This is what democracy looks like" to "Black lives matter."

Many marched to condemn Trump's hate speech about Muslims, his pledge to deport people in the country illegally and his crude comments about women. Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, Calif., carried a sign that asked: "Legalize weed but not my Mom?" - a reference to Californians' Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying. "We talk about it almost every day," she said. "My mom wants to leave it in the hands of God, but I'm not just going to sit back and not do anything. I'm going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me." She added, "He doesn't realize all the families he's hurting."

Shawn Smith, 41, wore an American-flag vest and held a glittery sign that said "Love Trumps Hate."

"What he's been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder," he said. "If you're gay, if you're LGBT, if you're Muslim, if you're Latin, if you're special needs, if you're female, it's a much unsafer place now."

He added, "We're not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away."

Read more: Donald Trump Holes Up in Trump Tower Amid Protests

Wow! Thousands of peaceful protesters take over Wilshire Blvd. #saturdaymorning #Wilshire #LA pic.twitter.com/Og7RFZRkPt

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- Mali Maverick (@mali_maverick) November 12, 2016

Blade Runner LA Protest Style pic.twitter.com/4PBHHq7UEY

- UCLA UAW 2865 (@UAWUCLA) November 12, 2016

March against hate at mcarthur park. #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/bSfR7lQI27

- Eric Sherman (@WokeEric) November 12, 2016

Massive crowd marching thru #LA now protesting #Trump pic.twitter.com/cqtLou2OpT

- Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) November 12, 2016

Huge protest...thousands marching down Wilshire. @CBSLA #CBSLA pic.twitter.com/8UsrmCC5XE

- Greg Mills (@GregMillsTVNews) November 12, 2016

Anti-Trump protest along Wilshire Blvd near downtown pic.twitter.com/nv9qedIBz6

- Angelina Feliciano (@AngelinaCity_) November 12, 2016

Protester marching through downtown LA #laprotest Chanting #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/HKSqTXKwlB

- Katja Liebing (@KL_Courier) November 12, 2016

The grim reaper grabbed an iced coffee as the LA protest against Trump winds down. pic.twitter.com/E2dMbTBmS8

- Deborah Netburn (@DeborahNetburn) November 12, 2016

In Manhattan, protesters again gathered in Union Square before marching uptown to Trump Tower. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers joined, including castmembers of Netflix's Orange Is the New Black and documentary filmmaker and Trump critic Michael Moore, who also took to Twitter on Saturday while outside the president-elect's residence.

Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue and blocked off one block around Trump Tower.

"I just can't have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry," said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. "Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go - there's no place for racism in society in America."

Amid the protests outside, Trump himself remained holed up inside his Trump Tower.

I'm in the middle of thousands -tens of thousands?- of American voters outside Trump Tower demanding he step aside. He got the least votes.

- Michael Moore (@MMFlint) November 12, 2016

Oh my god I JUST realized this is the cast of Orange is the New Black pic.twitter.com/I8EZ9Xata3

- Nance (@nancyalligood) November 12, 2016

Possibly more than 10,000 people lining Fifth Avenue right now leading up to Trump Tower, chants of "Shame!" and "Pay your taxes!" pic.twitter.com/7v3gwvhxEz

- Laurie Brookins (@StyleWriterNYC) November 12, 2016

Massive anti #Trump protest blocked by nypd in front of Trump Tower #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/SUKgPVqScj

- Misha Gutkin (@MishaGutkin) November 12, 2016

They've barricaded Trump Tower, so we're taking a seat. #DumpTrump #NotMyPresident pic.twitter.com/rJp1kl9ZOh

- Farhad (@Yahktoe) November 12, 2016

The police have fenced off the entire block in front of Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/lor0L92DrT

- Colin Stokes (@ColinJStokes) November 12, 2016

Cops stopped anti-Trump protesters one block away from Trump Tower in NYC. Cops won't let them get any closer. pic.twitter.com/hql5myHpsW

- Ash J (@AshAgony) November 12, 2016

On 5th Ave NYC. Has to be well over 100,000 protesters heading up to Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/8kosC7QlIs

- Terry Reardon (@tejack47) November 12, 2016

Marching with tons of protesters down Fifth Ave to Trump Tower right now! pic.twitter.com/LDR3pqNWSu

- Patti (@PattiFromNYC) November 12, 2016

Police presence n media heavy here in NYC at Trump towers. Protesters still active n no access to Trump towers pic.twitter.com/urtMxHlur3

- Pam Palmater (@Pam_Palmater) November 12, 2016

thousands of anti-trump protesters marching down 5th ave in NYC as far as the eye can see pic.twitter.com/rFd8WT9Bkm

- Jenny G. Zhang (@jennygzhang) November 12, 2016

Anti-Trump protesters chanting in Midtown NYC as NYPD keeps them penned in one lane. pic.twitter.com/yNF5kVSuy4

- Ash J (@AshAgony) November 12, 2016

Trump protest in NYC marching from Union Square to trump Tower @realDonaldTrump #TrumpPresident pic.twitter.com/05Q3nycBt3

- Peter Gaudio (@petergaudio) November 12, 2016

Crowd steadily growing in Union Square for anti-Trump protest pic.twitter.com/7rXszdurrm

- Steven D'Souza (@cbcsteve) November 12, 2016

A packed anti-Trump protest in #unionsquare #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/ByVzRLgW8F

- Checkey Beckford (@Checkey4NY) November 12, 2016

In downtown Chicago, protest signs read "I will not normalize racism" and "Love trumps hate" as hundreds of people, including families with small children, chanted, "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here," while marching through Millennium Park.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the Electoral College to honor the popular vote and elect Clinton. "Women aren't playthings. Journalists aren't pawns. People of color are not commodities. Marriage equality is not up for debate," said Spray.

Thousands of #protestors in downtown #chicago say #notrump #notmypresident !! pic.twitter.com/J5b1oCxj6H

- Maya Bauer (@mayaAKbauer) November 12, 2016

Pix from the anti-Trump protest in downtown Chicago today #notmypresident #Election2016 pic.twitter.com/QCK1Q3YbXt

- Jstn (@mellowgrelo) November 12, 2016

Trump protest passing the Chicago Theatre on State Street pic.twitter.com/6AsnYmk2jI

- Sam Charles (@samjcharles) November 12, 2016

#AntiTrumpProtest in Downtown #Chicago.#antitrumprally #AntiTrump #protest #photojournalism #reportage pic.twitter.com/ubpmpjhGMe

- Chris Riha (@TalentedMrRiha) November 12, 2016

"no hate no fear everyone is welcome here" #NotMyPresident peaceful protest in #Chicago pic.twitter.com/aaJnLIoiDC

- Josephine Keefe (@JosephineAnneK) November 12, 2016

#AntiTrumpProtest in Downtown #Chicago.#antitrumprally #AntiTrump #protest #photojournalism #reportage pic.twitter.com/LsLCocxCLU

- Chris Riha (@TalentedMrRiha) November 12, 2016

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Ore., a man who was participating in a march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle Friday night. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

The shooting followed rowdy Friday-night protests, when police used tear gas in response to "burning projectiles" thrown at officers, police said on Twitter. Hundreds of people marched through the city, disrupting traffic and spray-painting graffiti.

Authorities reported instances of vandalism and assault during a rally that organizers had billed as peaceful earlier in the day.

Read more: Police Call Portland Anti-Trump Protests Riot As President-Elect Tweets Dual Responses to Unrest

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Olympia, Wash.; Iowa City, Iowa; and more.

More than 200 people carrying signs gathered on the steps of the Washington State Capitol. The group chanted, "Not my president," and, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A."

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil-rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest the jury's deadlock in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

Read more: One Injured in Oregon Shooting Amid Anti-Trump Protests

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at a statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the "unrest" that's already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trump's election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders. He is expected to confront global concerns about Trump's election.
Hobart (Australia) (AFP) - Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc said on Sunday that Australia's embattled batsmen have been told to score "ugly runs" amid the fallout over yet another batting collapse in the Hobart Test.

Starc, who gave the home side a glimmer of hope by taking three wickets in 10 balls in South Africa's 171 for five on Saturday after the Aussies were routed for 85, said his team-mates had to curb their natural attacking tendencies.

The Australian team has been heavily criticised during the current series against the Proteas for their inability to bat to the circumstances.

Starc said captain Steve Smith's message to the Australian batsmen during the Hobart Test had been clear.

"One thing he said was you've got to be happy to score ugly runs sometimes," Starc told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Whether it's inside-edging a few runs to fine leg to get off strike or something like that, you've just got to find a way to score runs.

"You don't have to look good doing it, you've just got to get the runs on the board."

Starc admitted to conflicting instincts on whether to attack or defend during his brief knock of four runs while batting in Australia's ill-fated innings.

"That did come into it, but for me you're in between a little bit," Starc said.

"You want to dig in for your team, but you want to play your natural game as well where you feel comfortable, and feel like you're going to spend as much time as you can out there."

Starc said the South African openers "probably chose their shots a bit better than we did" during their innings Saturday.

Sunday's second day was washed out because of rain.
By Harry Pearl and Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia has reached a resettlement deal with the United States for refugees being held in Papua New Guinea and Nauru after attempting to reach Australia by boat, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Sunday. Under Australia's tough border security laws, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at detention camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus island and the tiny South Pacific island nation of Nauru. Some 1,200 people are in detention, with many held for more than three years. The United Nations and human rights groups have criticized the detentions. I can now confirm that the government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centers. The agreement is with the United States, Turnbull told a press conference in Canberra. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to ban Muslims from entering the United States and championed anti-immigration policies, raising uncertainty about the resettlement deal. Many of the detainees come for Afghanistan and Iraq. Amnesty International said it was extremely concerned about the lack of information around the timeline and the number of refugees to be processed. No timeline was given for the process. "Amnesty International has seen first hand the horrific abuse that is being inflicted on people in Nauru and on Manus island, so we are pleased that for those who may be resettled in the U.S. the abuse will come to an end...," said Dr Graham Thom, Refugee Coordinator at Amnesty International Australia. Abdul Aziz, 24, who has spent more than three years on Manus Island after fleeing his home in Sudan in 2013, was very happy. All the refugees were smiling and hugging each other. This nightmare is going to end finally, but the main question is when and how and how we get out of here, he told Reuters. The agreement, to be administered with the U.N. High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), is available only to those currently in the processing centers and will not be repeated. Turnbull would not say how many refugees would be resettled in the United States, but that women, children and families would be prioritized. Those who have had refugee applications rejected should return to their countries, he said. While noting Australias detention policy had caused immense harm to vulnerable people, the UNHCR said it will endorse referrals made from Australia to the United States. The detention of asylum seekers is a hot-button political issue in Australia, but has bipartisan support as the policy has won elections. However, it has been condemned at home and overseas amid reports of systemic abuse. The U.S. resettlement deal relieves a major headache for Turnbull, whose poll numbers fell to a 14-month low last week, raising speculation of fresh political turbulence in a country that has had four leaders in six years. Papua New Guinea has said it will close the Manus island center after its supreme court ruled detention of asylum seekers there was unconstitutional. The Nauru facility will remain open. Asylum seekers who refuse offers to resettle or to return home will be offered a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, but no financial support, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said. Once rich in phosphate, Nauru has limited economic resources and the Australian-funded detention center provides the tiny island states most significant revenue stream. (Reporting by Colin Packham and Harry Pearl in Sydney, Charlotte Greenfield in Wellington; Editing by Dan Grebler and Michael Perry)
By Mail Today Bureau: Parsi cuisine is a melange of different flavours and is influenced by food traits from across India over many centuries. The soul of Parsi food is the flavour which is based on the right balance of sweet, spicy and sour. To bring the authentic taste, one has to be well versed with the food and the ingredients used in Parsi food as it is that particular touch that makes all the difference.

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Also read: Give these lip-smacking Parsi recipes a try



The Parsi community is very small so you will not find a lot of cafes, apart from some in Mumbai, Delhi and a few other cities across the country. Also, since most of the places are commercialised, the variety in the menu is very limited, and that hampers the awareness and knowledge of Parsi cuisine among people. There is a lot more to Parsi food, which is primarily influenced by Gujarati food, than the usual 3-4 dishes that are common.



Picture courtesy: Mail Today

So Parsi Food Festival hosted at Made In India- Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, presented the very best of the Parsi cuisine, bringing together the commercial aspect of the food that people know of, as well as a few traditional recipes with a little twist in the presentation style. Such festivals let foodies get familiarised with Parsi cuisine especially in the Land of Butter Chicken and is eventually going to lead to the rise in acceptance of this cuisine! The response to Parsi cuisine in Delhi has been wonderful and most of us have warmed up to authentic dishes from the Parsi kitchen, including a great mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights, like Bhujeli Kaleji, Kid Gosht and Chapat, amongst many others mouth-watering delicacies.

Picture courtesy: Mail Today

Overall, Parsi food is a simple yet delectable cuisine and must be tried at least once to get a deeper insight into not only yhr food traits and techniques of the Parsi community, but also their dying culture. Most of the dishes are quite similar to the dishes from all over India, but the blend of ingredients and spices, like Parsi Sambhar and sugarcane vinegar make all the difference.

Also watch: What a traditional Parsi meal looks like

Usually, people use the best possible substitute but the essence and taste is lost in that process. It is imperative to understand the core ingredients of the Parsi food and make sure you use them to recreate the authentic taste and flavors.

Also, Parsis are very particular about their food, so that makes it even more important to stay true to the ingredients. Here are two recipes that you can easily try at home.

Chef Kaizad Patel curated the Parsi Food Festival at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida

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MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian banks received 3 trillion rupees ($44.4 billion) of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes over the last four days, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday, after the government announced it would withdraw such bills to crack down on corruption.

The government also relaxed cash withdrawal limits including removing a per-day cap of 10,000 rupees, increasing the weekly limit to 24,000 rupees from 20,000 and allowed exchange of bills over the counter at banks to reach 4,500 rupees instead of 4,000.

From automated teller machines, individuals will now be able to take out up to 2,500 rupees of cash per day instead of 2,000 rupees per day, the ministry said in a statement.

These relaxations came as public anger increased due to a lack of access to accounts, as well as over the non-functioning of ATMs not yet reconfigured for the new series of smaller 2,000-rupee bills.

($1 = 67.5299 rupees)

(Reporting by Suvashree Dey Choudhury; Editing by Dale Hudson)
This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City

Chief among the long list of marginalized groups likely to be affected by President-elect Donald Trumps plan for his first 100 days in office are immigrants. Trump has promised to cancel executive orders issued by President Obama that excuse DREAM Act beneficiaries and their families from deportation, build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and deport the more than 2 million criminal illegal immigrants from the country and cancel visas to foreign countries that wont take them back, according to the plan.

He also plans to punish cities that protect immigrants by cutting off federal funding. These sanctuary cities maintain policies that limit the cooperation of local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities to shield immigrants from deportation. Trump is one of many right-wing politicians who have criticized such cities; in 2015, Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana introduced a bill that would have cut off funding to local police departments in these cities. (The bill died in the Senate.) As a Trump presidency looms and the threat of defunding is renewed, mayors are speaking out.

We are not going to sacrifice a half million people who live among us, who are part of our community, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference on Thursday. We are not going to tear families apart.

Connie Llanos, a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, another sanctuary city, told Reuters that Garcetti hoped that no president would violate those principles, the very foundation of our nation, by taking punitive action on cities that are simply protecting the well being of residents.

Roughly 130 cities have opted to limit compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a matter of policy, to varying degrees. Officials in these cities argue that protecting undocumented immigrants encourages crime reporting and compliance with state and local police.

These are our neighbors, and we will continue to support our neighbors, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray told reporters on Wednesday. We cant allow ourselves to be divided and sorted out. Thats not America.

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These sentiments were echoed by the mayors of Philadelphia and San Francisco this week. The federal aid that could be cut off if Trump follows through with his plans funds everything from transportation projects to local law enforcement.

Trump and Vitter, along with other opponents of detainer policies, argue that they protect immigrants who have committed violent crimesthe bad hombres Trump infamously described during the final presidential debate. Vitters law was introduced following the death of Kathryn Steinle, a 32-year-old who was shot by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant with a nonviolent felony record, in San Francisco last July.

At a campaign rally in August, Trump promised the crowd he would end the sanctuary cities that have resulted in so many needless deaths, lamenting the loss of countless innocent American lives (though citing just five) and maintaining that cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars. Numerous studies have shown that both legal and undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit serious, violent crimes than U.S. citizens.

On Thursday in a meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill, Trump identified immigration as one of his top three priorities. The first item on the 10-point immigration plan posted on his transition teams website is Build a wall on the Southern border.

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It was on this day in 1789 that Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wrote what was probably his last great quote, a saying about the Constitution and life that became true about five months later.

In his time, Franklin may have been the most-quoted public figure of his generation. A publisher, entrepreneur and diplomat, Franklin became known for sayings or proverbs that appeared in Poor Richards Almanack and his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. In particular, Franklin wrote, or used other sources of content, for a 25-year period for his Almanack, as Richard Saunders.

To this day, there are discussions about the origins of some of these quotes. For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, a penny saved is a penny earned. This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs.

Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In Advice To A Young Tradesman, Franklin writes that, Remember that time is money.

But Franklin was also authored quotes in public documents from his involvement with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention, and in a huge volume of personal correspondence.

And one of his last great quotes came as Franklin knew his life was near its end.

In November 1789, Franklin wrote French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, concerned that he hadnt heard from Le Roy since the start of the French Revolution. Franklin wrote in French and the letter was later translated for the 1817 printing of his private correspondence.

After asking about Le Roys health and events in Paris for the past year, Franklin gives a quick update about the major event in the United States: the Constitutions ratification a year before and the start of a new government under it.

Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes, Franklin said. He concluded with a note about his own mortality to his friend: My health continues much as it has been for some time, except that I grow thinner and weaker, so that I cannot expect to hold out much longer.

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Franklin would succumb to a combination of illnesses at the age of 84 in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790. In what thought to be his last known letter, Franklin wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson on April 8, responding to an earlier inquiry about a boundary dispute involving an area between the Bay of Fundy in Canada and Maine.

Your Letter found me under a severe Fit of my Malady, which prevented my answering it sooner, or attending indeed to any kind of Business. I now can assure you that I am perfectly clear in the Remembrance that the Map we used in tracing the Boundary was brought to the Treaty by the Commissioners from England, Franklin replied, asking Jefferson to speak with John Adams about the boundary.

I have the Honor to be with the greatest Esteem and Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant, Franklin said in his last letter.

While the concept of a death and taxes quote existed before Franklin, the publication of his papers in 1817 made the proverb a staple in American popular culture.

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Today we celebrate the birthday of Justice Louis Brandeis, who make a lasting impact on American constitutional law both before and while he was a justice on the Supreme Court from 1916 to 1939. From Brandeis briefs to the right to privacy to a focus on pro bono work, Justice Brandeis shaped the development of both law and the legal profession, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures to ever serve on the Supreme Court.

Brandeis

On November 13th, 1856, Louis D. Brandeis was born in Louisville, Kentucky to immigrant parents who had arrived in America from Bohemia less than 10 years earlier. By age 18, Brandeis was studying at Harvard Law School, and shortly thereafter graduated with one of the most impressive academic records in the schools history. By 1890 Brandeis was beginning to make meaningful contributions to legal scholarship, and published the now famous article, The Right to Privacy in the Harvard Law Review. It was in that article that the right to privacy as we know it was first articulated, as Brandeis foreshadowed his judicial philosophy as a Justice, writing that political, social, and economic changes entail the recognition of new rights.

Brandeis was also a successful practicing lawyer which allowed him to offer his services for free to support various causes in the public interest. He fought ardently and mounted successful legal challenges against big business and government sponsored monopolies, and defended the interests of the least well off in society.

A highlight of Brandeis career as a defender of the public interest came in 1908, when he filed a revolutionary brief in the case of Muller v. Oregon .In 1905, the Supreme Court decided in Lochner v. New York that state laws which regulate economic activities, like minimum wage and maximum hours laws, violate the substantive economic due process rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

Shortly after Lochner, a female worker sued her employer after he made her work more than ten hours a day, which violated Oregons maximum hours law for women. The case was appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, where the employer argued that the maximum hours law violated his economic right to freely contract.

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Brandeis was part of the legal team tasked with defending the Oregon statute, and he needed to come up with a strategy to show that the state government had the right, under its police powers, to regulate these sorts of economic behaviors. To articulate the need for these sorts of regulations, he filed a brief which focused on health reports and social science data rather than strictly legal sources. It was the first time this sort of brief, now called a Brandeis Brief, was filed, and eventually contributed to the Supreme Courts decision to uphold the maximum hours law.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson nominated Brandeis to the Supreme Court. His nomination was contentious, and while former President Taft labeled him a radical and other opponents launched anti-Semitic attacks against him, he eventually ascended to the Court on June 5th, 1916.

Informed by his earlier legal research and career defending the public interest, Justice Brandeis was a staunch defender of civil liberties and individual rights. In Olmstead v. US in 1928, Brandeis issued a now-famous dissent while the majority ruled that the Fourth Amendment does not ban wiretaps that were performed without a warrant.

Channeling his broader legal philosophy and the right to privacy he articulated years earlier, Brandeis explained that individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution ought to be seen as evolving and expanding along with the development of technology and progression of society. He wrote that in the application of a constitution, our contemplation cannot be only of what has been, but of what may be and said that the essence of the Fourth Amendment clearly banned these sorts of violations of privacy. Though the Court rejected Brandeis conception of privacy at that time, later jurisprudence, starting with Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965, heavily relied on the groundwork Brandeis laid down in Olmstead.

Justice Brandeis penned another famous opinion in 1927, in his concurrence in Whitney v. California. While Brandeis voted to uphold a conviction based on a law that banned speech and association regarding the Communist Party, he explained why he saw free speech as so important. Brandeis wrote that free speech is integral to the functioning of a democratic society, and because of this suggested that the Court adopt a stricter standard for speech regulation that went beyond the reigning clear and present danger standard. Again, while Brandeis opinion was not fully accepted at the time, it foreshadowed the 1969 opinion in Brandenbrug v. Ohio, which established a much more demanding standard for judging regulations on speech.

Through his influence on the Supreme Court, constitutional law, and American society, the legacy of Justice Brandeis continues to live on.

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(Adds detail, quotes)

By Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - If Britain does not agree a transitional arrangement with the European Union for the country's finance industry, it will be damaging for the economy and the financial services sector, the Chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland said on Sunday.

The country's finance sector has been lobbying for an agreement designed to cover the gap between Britain completing its exit talks with the EU and agreeing a new trade deal with the bloc to prevent a "cliff edge" effect causing disruption.

Britain suddenly breaking off from the EU would be "destabilising" for European financial markets, Howard Davies told ITV.

"It is damaging if we don't get a transitional deal because I think you will then see banks and financial institutions making decisions on the basis of uncertainty," he said.

"They are currently making contingency plans and once you have got a contingency plan there is a risk you might implement it one day and therefore I think that it is quite urgent."

Davies said he thought it was possible Britain would get a transitional deal because the EU's other 27 countries realised their companies could also be damaged by being unable to raise finance in London in the event of a hard break with the EU.

"I think there is the basis of a compromise," he said.

Prime Minister Theresa May has given little away about her plans for Britain's future relationship with the EU. Davies said he understood that while May did not want to reveal her negotiating position, she needed to say more on the transition.

He said RBS, which is more than 70 percent state owned, would make decisions about whether to shift resources out of Britain when it knew whether it would be able to continue using the EU's passporting system, which allows banks to sell across the region without setting up shop in each country.

RBS is waiting for what is likely to be the biggest regulatory penalty in its history for its role in mis-selling U.S. mortgage bonds.

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Davies said that the outstanding settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice was standing in the way of re-privatising a significant stake in the bank as it made it difficult to value the shares.

Asked if the Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election win would impact the timetable of any settlement he said it was hard to know yet.

"The key thing we'll have to see is whether Deutsche Bank , who are ahead of us in the queue, reach a settlement. If so, then an earlier settlement for RBS is possible," he said.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Jane Merriman)
By Daniel Wallis and Kylie MacLellan NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage visited Donald Trump at his home on Saturday, after suggesting he could act as a go-between to help smooth British relations with the U.S. president-elect. British Prime Minister Theresa May is not expected to meet the incoming leader until early next year and Farage has suggested her criticisms of Trump in the early days of the campaign could damage ties with Washington. "We're just tourists!" Farage, head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), told reporters as he waited for an elevator to take him up to the meeting at Trump Tower in New York City. He later tweeted a photograph of himself with Trump standing in front of a pair of golden doors and smiling broadly, the president-elect giving the camera a thumbs-up. "It was a great honor to spend time with @realDonaldTrump," Farage tweeted. "He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President." Trump's election campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said: "I think they enjoy each other's company, and they actually had a chance to talk about freedom and winning and what this all means for the world." In a separate photograph posted on Twitter, UKIP donor Arron Banks, Breitbart London Editor in Chief Raheem Kassam, and Gerry Gunster, an American whose advocacy firm worked on the Brexit campaign, were also pictured with Trump and Farage. May - who spoke to Trump by phone on Thursday - and her predecessor David Cameron last year described Trump as "divisive" and "wrong" over his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. At that time he was not considered likely to win the presidency. In a leaked diplomatic telegram, sent on Nov. 9 and printed in the Sunday Times newspaper, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, said he believed Britain had built better relationships with Trump's team than other foreign diplomats. "(Trump) is above all an outsider and an unknown quantity, whose campaign pronouncements may reveal his instincts, but will surely evolve and, particularly, be open to outside influence if pitched right," he said. "We should be well placed to do this." "GROW UP" While the British government has congratulated Trump on his election, the head of the opposition, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he should "grow up" on the immigration issue and recognize that the U.S. economy depends on migrant workers. "The treatment of Mexico by the United States, just as much as its absurd and abusive language towards Muslims, is something that has to be challenged and should be challenged," Corbyn, whose wife is Mexican, told the BBC on Sunday. UKIP, which has only one member of parliament in London, said Farage and Trump spent more than an hour discussing Trump's victory, global politics and Brexit. A UKIP official has suggested Farage could even be the next ambassador to the United States, but British media reported that May's office rejected the idea of any role for Farage, citing unnamed sources who described him as an "irrelevance". A day after Trump's election victory, Farage called on the real estate mogul to reverse "loathsome" Barack Obama's policy by making Britain his top priority. Farage said he had been pleased at Trump's "very positive reaction" to the idea that a bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill be put back in the Oval Office. He has also joked about sexual assault allegations against Trump, urging him to "schmooze" May but not touch her. He proposed that in any meetings between the British and American leaders, he could attend to be the "responsible adult to make sure everything is OK." Farage, who spoke at a Trump rally during the election campaign, had predicted the former reality TV host would tap into the same dissatisfaction among voters that led to Britain deciding on June 23 to leave the European Union. Trump made repeated references to Brexit during his campaign, saying it had highlighted the desire for change among voters frustrated with traditional politics. (Story refiles to add dropped word "the" in first paragraph.) (Additional reporting by Reuters TV; Editing by Dan Grebler and Robin Pomeroy)
Sofia (AFP) - EU member Bulgaria headed into fresh political turbulence Monday after a former air force commander seen as sympathetic to Russia triumphed in presidential elections, prompting Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to quit.

In his victory speech, Rumen Radev reiterated his opposition to EU sanctions on Russia and praised new US President-elect Donald Trump for "seeking more dialogue" with President Vladimir Putin.

"This gives a lot of hope for reducing (the risk) of confrontation, particularly in Syria" where Russia and the US are backing opposite sides in a bloody civil war, the fighter pilot said.

He won 59.4 percent of the vote, well ahead of the more Western-leaning Tsetska Tsacheva, Borisov's uninspiring hand-picked candidate, who garnered just 36.2 percent, near-complete official results showed Monday.

The outcome was mirrored in Moldova, a small ex-communist nation wedged between Ukraine and Romania, where the pro-Russian Igor Dodon beat his pro-European rival Maia Sandu to the presidency.

"If Bulgarians want a political crisis then they shall have one," Borisov said on Sunday evening as he threw in the towel.

Bulgaria is now set for months of political inertia. Borisov on Monday formally handed his resignation to parliament.

An interim government will govern until fresh elections, which are not expected until March at the earliest and could well be inconclusive.

- Anti-establishment -

Moscow on Monday welcomed Radev's victory and called for "the expansion of cooperation" with Bulgaria.

Radev, 53, due to take office on January 22, has no political experience and was little known before being backed by the opposition Socialists to run for president.

Like other anti-establishment politicians -- not least Trump but also populists around Europe -- he struck a chord with voters by attacking the status quo and stressing issues like national security and immigration.

Experts also saw his victory as a protest vote at Borisov's failure to improve the lot of ordinary Bulgarians -- the average monthly salary is just 480 euros ($535) -- and to tackle rampant corruption.

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Radev's clear support for the lifting of sanctions on Russia and ambivalent statements about the EU, NATO and Crimea have prompted speculation that Bulgaria could lean more towards Moscow.

This could further undermine unity within the EU, already reeling from June's Brexit vote, in its stance towards Russia just as Trump's surprise election victory raises worries about the future of NATO.

"General Radev's victory represents the unfolding of a pro-Russian scenario in Bulgaria so that the country supports Russian interests in the EU and NATO," political expert Antoniy Galabov told AFP.

But at the same time Radev, stressing that he is a "NATO general trained in the US", has said there is "no alternative" to Bulgaria's membership of the European Union and the NATO military alliance.

Bulgaria and Russia have deep historical, cultural and commercial ties and the country has long walked a tightrope in its relations with Moscow and the West.

Bulgaria's outgoing president has been sharply critical of Moscow and Borisov's government angered Moscow by banning Russian supply flights to Syria from using its airspace last September.

Antoniy Todorov at New Bulgarian University pointed out that as president -- a largely ceremonial but highly respected position -- Radev on his own can do little.

"The president only has influence if the government is on the same wavelength... Radev is not going to pull Bulgaria out of NATO," Todorov said.

In a tongue-in-cheek cyber attack, hackers on Monday diverted users trying to access Radev's website to the Kremlin's official page.
By PTI: Washington, Nov 13 (PTI) Walking with your heads down while fiddling with mobile phone may change the way you walk, according to a new study.

The study found that a persons manner of walking becomes far more exaggerated when using a cell phone.

Researchers from the University of Delaware in the US conducted the study on 22 volunteers who were asked to dial a number on their phone while walking on treadmill for two minutes.

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Knee flexion, hip movement and leg swing of the participants were measured with the help of motion cameras which were picking data from 62 reflective markers on the walkers arms, trunk, pelvis and legs.

This showed that when distracted by dialling numbers, the volunteers began to walk with strange exaggerated strides, their knees bending to peak position on each step and their ankles fully flexed, as if to give themselves as much chance as possible at stepping over tripping hazards.

The researchers said that people unconsciously adopt this posture as their body senses that they are at greater risk of falling over, The Telegraph reported.

The large, exaggerated movements potentially help them to negotiate crowds and compensate for their diminished vision.

"Our results suggest that when dialling a phone while walking, healthy adults adopt a more cautious gait pattern, which may limit the risk of falling," said Kelly Seymour from University of Delaware.

"Dual tasking resulted in increased stride width in our participants. This may represent compensation for a feeling of instability during dual task walking by increasing the base of support," said Seymour. PTI NKS SAR SAR

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Sofia (AFP) - Bulgarians voted Sunday in a high-stakes presidential run-off that could see centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's government fall if his handpicked candidate fails to defeat a Socialist-backed general.

While casting his ballot, the tough-talking premier reiterated his vow to throw in the towel if his pro-EU protegee -- parliamentary speaker Tsetska Tsacheva -- loses to former air force chief Rumen Radev, seen as friendly to Moscow.

"We will not participate in any way in the government if we lose today," Borisov said.

A political novice, the 53-year-old Radev stunned pollsters by sweeping just over 25 percent of the vote to Tsacheva's nearly 22 percent in the first round of the election on November 6.

Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT and will close at 1800 GMT, with first projections expected shortly afterwards.

Radev remains the favourite as voters seek to punish the government over its perceived failure to tackle rampant corruption and poverty in the European Union's poorest member state.

"I voted against Borisov because I don't think that he's honest and he hasn't really done anything to improve our lives," said 52-year-old Zora Kardachka, a dry cleaner.

Observers say the general's victory might tilt ex-communist Bulgaria, which has long walked a tightrope between Moscow and Brussels, towards Russia's orbit -- a trend seen across eastern and central Europe amid rising euroscepticism.

Nearby Moldova also looked set to elect a pro-Russian president on Sunday.

Tsacheva, 58, has vowed to keep Bulgaria on a pro-European path and accused her rival of being a "red general".

"Bulgaria doesn't need international isolation, suspended European subsidies and a rejection of European solidarity," she said Sunday.

But the straight-laced ex-lawyer has not inspired voters, in an embarrassing setback for the popular Borisov who became prime minister for the second time in 2014.

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"Maybe I should have thought better when I staked the government's fate on my choice... I was wrong and I will take full responsibility," he said after the first round.

The Bulgarian president's role is largely ceremonial but he or she -- Tsacheva would be the first woman in the position -- is nonetheless a respected figure and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

- Opponents mobilised -

If Tsacheva loses, Borisov could announce his resignation on Sunday evening.

Fresh elections are likely to plunge Bulgaria into renewed turmoil.

Prior to Borisov's re-election, the country went through a long period of upheaval involving mass protests and a string of polls.

Despite promised reforms, graft and poverty remain rife while public anger has also grown over thousands of migrants currently stranded in Bulgaria.

Borisov's popularity has waned and opinion polls suggest that his GERB party would fail to win an outright majority in early elections.

The premier appears to have badly miscalculated in nominating Tsacheva, analysts say.

"His threat to step down has mobilised his opponents more than supporters," Zhivko Georgiev of the Gallup Institute told AFP.

- Tug of war -

A win for Radev would also signal a change in direction from outgoing President Rosen Plevneliev, a strong critic of Moscow.

Radev, who trained in the United States, has repeatedly insisted that "being a member of the EU and NATO does not mean that Bulgaria must be an enemy of Russia".

The two countries have deep historical and cultural ties, and Bulgaria is heavily reliant on Russian gas.

But Plevneliev warned that Moscow was trying to "destabilise Europe" by financing anti-EU ultra-nationalists including in Bulgaria.

"The (climate) is more dangerous now than during the Cold War," he told Austrian newspaper Die Presse in an interview published on Sunday.

Plevneliev, due to step down on January 21, said the Balkans were a conflict tinderbox caught in a tug of war between Moscow and Brussels.

"Those who seek to destabilise Europe, have the best chances of doing so in the Balkans. It's always been this way: this is where WWI was ignited."
SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said on Sunday he will resign as promised after his center-right party's candidate lost the race to become the Balkan country's next president. The collapse of Borisov's minority government is likely to result in months of political uncertainty and probably trigger early elections in the spring. "In the first working day of the parliament we will tender the government resignation," Borisov told reporters. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; editing by Radu Marinas)
Lhasa (AFP) - Traditional teahouses and fashion boutiques have sprung up in Bayi, one of the liveliest districts of Lhasa, and are owned and patronised by both Tibetans and Han Chinese. But some say increasing prosperity is just Beijing buying peace.

Tibet was China's fastest-growing region last year with expansion of 11.0 percent -- albeit from a low base -- boosted by government subsidies and investment.

"I don't care about politics," said Gesan, a Tibetan tucking into a bowl of chilli fries in a Bayi tavern.

The 22-year-old spent two years in the Chinese army and now works for an insurance company. "My life's not so bad," he added, playing with his smartphone.

Chinese forces arrived on the "roof of the world" nearly seven decades ago, followed by waves of immigrants from China's Han majority.

More recently there have been financial inflows in the form of huge funding for roads, railways and hydropower.

"These investments are positive," another young Lhasa resident told AFP on condition of anonymity. "But it's also a way of buying social harmony, so that people don't rebel."

Beijing says its troops "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951 and that it has dramatically raised living standards -- life expectancy jumped from 35.5 years to 68.2 between 1951 and 2013, according to official figures, although the increase is smaller than the average for China as a whole.

But many of the profits from the region's natural resources go to companies from China's heartland, who bring in Han workers, and the Tibetan government-in-exile accuses Beijing of repressing Tibet's religion and eroding its culture.

"Lhasa jumped from the Middle Age into modernity" says Jens-Uwe Hartmann, a Tibet expert at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

"The point is the way to modernity was not decided by the Tibetans themselves."

- 'Chinese colony' -

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In Bayi, several kilometres west of the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, a tearoom manager praised economic development, before declining to talk about politics to avoid "trouble".

Nearby, 18-year-old Niqu, who comes from Shigatse more than 200 kilometres away, shopped for dresses with her friends.

"I'm at university in Lhasa, it's cool," she said in perfect Chinese, learned at school along with her native Tibetan.

Linguistics are a crucial issue, say analysts.

Talk of cultural genocide is no longer appropriate, says Amy Heller, a Swiss-based Tibetologist and art historian, but added: "The threat today is rather to the language: university courses are generally taught in Chinese and Tibetan, while taught, is less valued in the labour market."

Mandarin is often indispensable for a civil service or teaching job, or simply to be able to do business with Han Chinese.

"Tibetans are aware of living in a Chinese colony," according to Katia Buffetrille, an ethnologist at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris.

Young people have been the main beneficiaries of economic development but "are still very aware" of Beijing's political clout, she said.

Grievances she cited include the forced settlement of nomads, natural resources exploitation, the emphasis on Chinese-language education, and bans on photos of the Dalai Lama -- who fled to India after a failed uprising in 1959 but is still deeply revered by many Tibetans.

More than 140 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Beijing's rule, according to tallies from rights groups. Most have died.

- Free from serfdom -

But not all Tibetans resent Chinese rule. In a Bayi restaurant, Luosang, 67, wore a badge emblazoned with the image of Mao Zedong, who first sent troops into Tibet.

"My parents were serfs. Without this man, who abolished serfdom in 1959 in Tibet, we wouldn't be living as well as we are today," he explained.

According to Hartmann, before Communism Tibetans "belonged to their master and couldn't decide anything freely".

Today Tibet is officially an "autonomous region", but the Communist party retains an iron grip on power and its top official in the area is always a Han Chinese, with a Tibetan number-two.

Tibetans retain "a strong sense of identity" says ethnologist Buffetrille. "They show extraordinary resilience. And keep hoping that things will change one day."

In Bayi's main street, a well-dressed woman complained: "Tibetans can't obtain a passport, but Han can. Why this difference?"
Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Chicago on November 12 in solidarity with North Dakotas Standing Rock Sioux tribe, who would be impacted by the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The tribe said construction would damage their cultural sites and threaten their water supply.

This video shows Native Americans danced during the event. Credit: YouTube/Preston Thomas via Storyful
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - China is ready to improve relations with the United States following the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Sunday. "We want to improve our relations under the Trump administration," Wang said through a translator at a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara, where he was on an official visit. "We are ready to improve U.S. ties through mutual understanding." Trump has taken a tough stance on China in the run-up to the election, saying that unfair trade deals with Beijing had caused a widespread decline in American manufacturing and economic prowess. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Baghdad (AFP) - The Assyrian city of Nimrud, located in an area Iraqi forces said was recaptured during the operation to retake jihadist-held Mosul, is one of the region's most important archaeological sites.

Built in the 13th century BC, the city on the Tigris river about 30 kilometres (18 miles) southeast of Mosul once served as capital of the Assyrian empire.

But in April last year, the Islamic State group released a video of its fighters destroying monuments there before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

In the video, militants with sledgehammers and power tools broke artefacts before rigging the site with large barrels of what appeared to be explosives.

The subsequent footage showed a massive explosion and its aftermath, suggesting the ruins of Nimrud were largely levelled.

"Whenever we are able... to remove the signs of idolatry and spread monotheism, we will do it," one militant said at the end of the video.

The damage came a week after a video was released in which IS militants wielding sledgehammers were seen gleefully smashing statues in the Mosul museum.

Many of the artefacts destroyed in the video came from Nimrud.

The destruction was part of a campaign of annihilation against heritage sites under jihadist control that also targeted UNESCO world heritage sites Hatra in Iraq and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but still sells allegedly forbidden artefacts to fund its operations.

Nimrud, founded in the 13th century BC, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in a country often described as the cradle of civilisation.

Surrounded by a huge defensive mud brick wall, it flourished during the reign of the King Ashurnasirpal in the 9th century BC.

Its vast palaces and monuments have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

The ancient city was first described in 1820 and plundered by Western explorers and officials over subsequent decades.

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British crime writer Agatha Christie stayed there with her archaeologist husband and wrote several books.

Most of Nimrud's priceless artefacts were moved long ago to museums in Mosul, Baghdad, Paris, London and elsewhere.

It was also looted and damaged during the 2003 US-led invasion.

But giant "lamassu" statues -- winged bulls and lions with human heads -- and reliefs were still on site at the time of the IS destruction.

In 1988, archaeologists at the site unearthed a collection of 613 precious stones, gold jewels and various ornaments.

Experts described the "treasure of Nimrud" as the most significant discovery since Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt in 1923.

The treasure, which dates back to the Assyrian empire's heyday around 2,800 years ago, was briefly displayed at the National Museum in Baghdad before Iraq invaded Kuwait.

It was then hidden and its fate remained unknown until it was discovered in 2003, soon after US-led troops toppled Saddam Hussein's regime, in a bombed out central bank building.
Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian government forces clashed with rebels on the outskirts of eastern Aleppo city Sunday, a monitor said, after residents received messages from the army giving opposition fighters 24 hours to leave.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, and an AFP correspondent in rebel-held east Aleppo reported clashes in the Karam al-Turab neighbourhood and the village of Al-Aziza just outside the city.

The AFP correspondent said the fighting could be heard in much of the rebel-held east, which is surrounded by government forces and has come under repeated assault since the army announced an operation to recapture it in September.

The fighting came as residents in east Aleppo received text messages warning rebels to leave within 24 hours.

"Gunmen in east Aleppo, you have 24 hours only to take the decision to leave," the message said.

"Those who want to save their lives must put down their weapons and their safety will be guaranteed. After the end of this period, the planned strategic offensive will begin," it added.

Syria's government and army have regularly sent rebels and residents in eastern Aleppo text messages warning them to leave the besieged sector.

Once Syria's economic powerhouse, the city has been divided into a government-held west and rebel-held east since mid-2012.

In September, the army announced an operation to recapture the east, unleashing a massive assault backed by Russian warplanes.

The initial phase of the assault killed hundreds of civilians and destroyed infrastructure including hospitals.

But in recent weeks, Russia has declared a series of brief truces, intended to encourage people to leave the east, although so far few have done so.

Rebels, meanwhile, have sought to break through government lines to end the siege on the east that began in July, so far without success.

They have fired barrages of rockets into western Aleppo, killing dozens of civilians, including four people in the Halab al-Jadida district on Sunday.

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State news agency SANA said the dead included a child and two women.

Seven people were killed in regime rocket fire into Salhine district in east Aleppo, the Observatory said.

It said they died when a rocket hit the minibus they were in, and that the toll could rise because of the number of seriously wounded.

Another person was killed in artillery fire on Sukari district in the east.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.
HAVANA/BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government and Marxist guerillas said on Saturday they have agreed on a new peace deal to end their 52-year war, six weeks after the original one was narrowly rejected in a referendum for being too lenient on the rebels. The government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who have been holding talks in Havana for four years, said they had incorporated the proposals of various sectors of society into the new accord. "We have reached a new final accord to end the armed conflict that integrates changes, precisions and proposals suggested by the most diverse sectors of society," both sides said in a statement. "We call upon all Colombia and the international community....to back this new accord and its quick implementation so as to leave the tragedy of war in the past," the statement read. "Peace cannot wait anymore." However, former President Alvaro Uribe, who led opposition to the original deal said he asked for the opportunity for his camp and the victims of the conflict to briefly study the new accord before its implementation. "I have asked the president that the texts they announce in Havana not be definitive," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account, adding that his camp might want to make some further tweaks. President Juan Manuel Santos has staked his legacy on a deal with the country's biggest rebel group to end the five-decade war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. It is still unclear if Santos will put the accord up for a popular vote again. He is set to speak about the new deal later on Saturday. (Reporting by Nelson Acosta and Julia Symmes Cobb; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mary Milliken)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the government will take stringent action against those with unaccounted cash.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that it was his duty to fight black money. He said that The people have chosen a government and they expect so much from it. In 2014, so many people voted for a nation free from corruption.

"On November 8 many people of India slept peacefully and a few are sleepless now," said PM Modi.

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"Demonetisation is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money, but some people are lost in their own world," said PM Modi.

PM Modi got emphatic and said that he was not born to sit on a chair of high office. He said that whatever he had left, he left it for the nation. "I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home-I left it for nation," he said.

Here are the highlights:

Those who want to do politics can do so. Those who have robbed us are now accusing us:PM Modi

I just want my honest citizens to stay patient for 50 days: PM Modi

Why do we have to put the future of our youths at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so: PM Modi

Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand people's problems: PM Modi

Demonetisation process started 10 months ago says PM Narendra Modi explaining the move: PM Modi

Punish me if I do not deliver: PM Modi.

PM Modi today laid the foundation stone of a new international airport at Mopa in north Goa. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also attended the function. This will be the PM's gift to Goa before elections there in February.

"I would like to congratulate the team here, India successfully hosted the BRICS 2016 in Goa a few weeks back," said PM Modi while addressing the gathering.

PM Modi also praised Parrikar for ushering in a political culture in Goa and taking the state to new heights of progress.

Also read: PM Modi to lay foundation stone of new international airport at Mopa in Goa



"Because of Manohar Parrikar, Goa saw political stability and formation of a Government that works for the welfare of the state," said PM Modi.

Talking about the airport, PM Modi said that he was happy that they were able to fulfill the promise made by Atal Bihar Vajpayee. He added that with the new airport, the impetus to tourism will be immense.

"A digitally trained, modern and youth-driven Goa is being shaped today. This has the power to transform India," said PM Modi.

Also read: Modi's surgical strike against black money to continue after demonetisation, PM warns of more steps- All you need to know

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This was the second visit of the Prime Minister to the state in the last two months, the first one being during the BRICS summit in south Goa.



--- ENDS ---
By Nelson Acosta and Julia Symmes Cobb HAVANA/BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government and the Marxist FARC rebels said on Saturday they agreed on a revised peace deal to end a 52-year war, six weeks after the original was narrowly rejected in a referendum amid objections it was too favorable to the rebels. The government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which have been holding talks in Havana for four years, said they had incorporated proposals from the opposition, religious leaders and others. President Juan Manuel Santos hopes to unite the divided nation behind the new deal after the peace process was endangered by its rejection in the October plebiscite. Colombian voters were deeply split, with many worried the FARC would not be punished for crimes and others hopeful the deal would cement an end to violence. "We call upon all Colombia and the international community... to back this new accord and its quick implementation so as to leave the tragedy of war in the past," the two sides said in a statement. "Peace cannot wait anymore." Copies of the new accord will be made public from Sunday. The government has not addressed holding a second plebiscite to approve the deal, though some opposition figures were already demanding one via Twitter. The new deal will not modify a controversial part of the accord that gives the FARC 10 congressional seats through 2026 or prevent rebel leaders from eventually being elected to political posts. However, the accord will not be integrated into Colombia's constitution and the FARC will be required to present a complete inventory of its assets, which are destined for victim compensation, Santos said in a televised address. The modified accord also takes foreign magistrates off special peace tribunals, although there will be foreign observers, and stipulates the FARC must turn in exhaustive information about its involvement in the drug trade. The new deal limits the work of the special tribunals to 10 years and requires any investigations be opened within the first two years. A key concern among those who voted "no" on the initial deal is that convicted rebels will not serve jail time and will instead remove land mines and do other reparations work. It seemed unlikely modifications would include prison time, but Santos said the deal would ensure FARC fighters sentenced by the special court will be restricted to certain areas, living arrangements and work hours. An opposition suggestion that FARC leaders not be allowed to run for office once they have finished their alternative sentences was not debated with the rebels, Santos said. "It is very important Colombians understand that the reason for all peace processes in the world is precisely that rebels lay down arms and can participate in legal politics," Santos said. "Our process with the FARC is not and cannot be an exception." Former President Alvaro Uribe, who led opposition to the original accord, was not pleased with the modified deal, sources said. Uribe, who met with Santos on Saturday, said his camp and victims should be able to study the new deal before it is implemented. "I have asked the president that the texts they announce in Havana not be definitive," he said in a statement, adding that the opposition might want to make further tweaks. Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions. (Reporting by Nelson Acosta in Havana and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota; Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton in Washington; Writing by Sarah Marsh and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Mary Milliken and Dan Grebler)
Yahoo Celebrity

With the final season of "Dead to Me" dropping on Netflix on Nov. 17, Applegate said, "This is the first time anyones going to see me the way I am. I put on 40 pounds; I cant walk without a cane. I want people to know that I am very aware of all of that."
Maybe Americans really did vote on Tuesday for a massive shake-up of a stale and sclerotic Washington system. Maybe elevating Donald Trump to the Oval Office is the kill-or-cure remedy the United States needs.

Whether or not you agree that the best thing that could happen to Washington is that all sorts of old traditions and norms get thrown out the window, the fact is that its happening. And since were going to be clearing out some space, heres one thing we ought to get rid of for good: The ubiquitous polling question giving people a binary choice about the condition of the country as a whole.

Related: Did Third Party Candidates Help Sink Clintons Campaign?

Youve heard it in its many variations: Is the country going in the right direction, or has it gone off on the wrong track? or Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time?

The morning after Donald Trump was elected president, House Speaker Paul Ryan held a press conference to declare that the election results had given the Republican Party a mandate for massive change. In support of his claim, he fell back on right track/wrong track polling. Seven out of ten Americans, they do not like the direction our country is going, he said.

But elementary school math will tell you that if 70 percent of people are unhappy with the direction of the country, and only 48 percent of voters chose Donald Trump as president, theres some pretty widespread disagreement about what direction the country ought to be headed in.

Thats the problem with vague questions and binary choices. Back when the Affordable Care Act was passed, pollsters frequently found that large majorities of the public were dissatisfied with the new law, making it appear wildly unpopular. The few who pushed deeper found that the dissatisfied respondents didnt represent a single group: Many hated the law because they didnt want the government involved in health care, but others were only dissatisfied because they believed the law hadnt gone far enough. If you added the latter group to the satisfied column, public opinion was actually slightly in favor of the new law.

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Related: Ryan Declares GOP Has a Mandate to Enact Sweeping Changes

But back to the right track/wrong track polling question. Whats most aggravating about it is that even professionals recognize that it probably isnt really a useful metric of much of anything.

Asked what the question really measures, Michael Traugott, a research professor in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan said, I would begin by saying were not sure exactly. We know that the predictive power of the right track/wrong track question for voting behavior is not that great certainly not in presidential elections.

Traugott, who also serves as a senior scientist with the Gallup polling company, said that the question was originally designed to gauge respondents perception of the economy. But over the decades since pollsters started asking it, he said, the context has changed pretty dramatically.

I think as the United States has become more of a multicultural society and issues about gender and all its varieties and same sex marriage have become part of the mix, that part of what people think of as being on the wrong track has to include that as well.

Related: Who Called It Correctly for Trump? A Poll, a Professor and Michael Moore

He said that even among respondents who respond to it as a purely economic question, its problematic.

There is also the question of how unusual the recovery from the great recession has been, compared to other economic downturns in the United States, he said. So the wrong track response, in terms of a cyclical decline, might be different than the response in a period of very, very slow recovery.

So, why do pollsters keep asking the question?

There is a tendency among pollsters ... to sometimes ask the same question repeatedly for the sake of maintaining a time series and therefore facilitating comparisons over time, Traugott said. But the basic assumption there is that there is a consistent validity to the measurement. And I think in this particular case, this may be a faulty assumption.

America, its time to make opinion polling great again. Retire the right track/wrong track question.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - The Czech Republic further established themselves as the dominant force in women's team tennis as they claimed a 3-2 comeback win against hosts France to capture their fifth Fed Cup title in six years on Sunday, and 10th overall. Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova downed Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia 7-5 7-5 in the doubles to hand the visitors the decisive point. The nation won five titles as Czechoslovakia in the 1970s and 80s before dominating the women's team competition in recent years. Only the U.S. have won more titles, having prevailed 17 times since the competition was created in 1963. Against the pair who won this year's French Open, Strycova and Pliskova returned well and made the most of Mladenovic's below-par performance to hand the Czech Republic victory. Petra Kvitova, twice a champion at Wimbledon, had been expected to spearhead the Czechs' charge toward victory but after her unexpected defeat in her opening singles, she was a no show on Sunday. "Kvitova could not play today, we did not have many options, but Strycova played really well," said Czech captain Petr Pala, who helped his side recover from a 2-1 deficit to become the first captain to win five Fed Cup titles. "The girls never gave up, like the French, but there is only one winner." Rather than dwelling on Kvitova's absence, her Czech team mates simply focused on the task ahead and their determination paid off as they became the first team to win three successive Fed Cup titles since Spain achieved the feat from 1993-95. "It's a wonderful day. It was not easy that's why we are so happy," said Pliskova. "The secret was to go out there and fight for every point. We fought until the end," added Strycova. "It's sad for the players but that's sport. The players gave everything, they were brave and did their best. Congratulations to the Czech," said French federation president Jean Gachassin. Pliskova had put the visitors ahead on Saturday with an epic 6-3 4-6 16-14 win against Mladenovic after a nail-biting third set, the longest ever played in a Fed Cup final. Garcia drew France level as she beat world number 11 Kvitova 7-6(6) 6-3 with an aggressive display, suggesting an upset was possible. Sunday's program began with a minute's applause in memory of the 130 people who were killed in the Paris attacks a year ago. On court, Garcia moved France within one victory of the title as she subdued Pliskova 6-3 3-6 6-3. Both captains kept their cards close to their chest with a possible doubles decider looming, and instead of the scheduled Mladenovic v Kvitova reverse singles, Alize Cornet and Strycova were sent to the Rhenus Sport arena's hardcourt. France's Cornet was no match for the world number 20 and despite opening a 4-1 lead in the second set, she lost 6-2 7-6(4) before the doubles went the Czech Republic's way. "I could have done much better," said Cornet. In the doubles, the Czechs earned the decisive break in the 11th game of the first set when Mladenovic netted Pliskova's return. They then struggled early on in the second set, saving four break points in their first two service games. However, a Mladenovic volley error allowed the Czechs to break for a 3-2 lead. The French leveled for 4-4 but cracked again in the 11th game, won by the Czech thanks to a splendid drop volley by Pliskova. The U.S. Open finalist completed victory with a volley on their second match point. (Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Dave Chappelle made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on Nov. 12 for its first episode since the election results came in on Tuesday.

Chappelle addressed Donald Trump's election victory, saying, "I didn't know that Donald Trump was gonna win the election, but I did suspect it."

In a standup set as his monologue, Chappelle continued, "Hillary was ahead in the polls, and yet I know the whites. You guys aren't as full of surprises as you used to be."

"America's done it, we've actually elected an internet troll as our president," he joked.

Read more: Chris Rock Stops by 'SNL' for Election Night Spoof

"I'm staying out of it," he continued, "I'm just going to take a knee like Kaepernick and let the whites figure this out amongst themselves. For us, we've been here before."

During his set, Chappelle also commented on the Harambe shooting, the massacre at the Pulse nightclub and the Black Lives Matter movement. "I admit that's not the best slogan, but McDonald's already took "you deserve a break today."

Chappelle joked that he was staying at a Trump hotel, addressing Trump's comments on the Access Hollywood tape, saying that when the "housekeeper comes in the morning, I say hey good morning, grab a big handful of pussy, you know. Boss said it was OK."

Imagining what the meeting between Trump and President Obama might have been like, he said that Trump might now be worried about how hard the job of President would be. "Not really, at least you get to be white while you're doing it," Chappelle joked as Obama.

"I think we'll all miss him when he's gone," he said of President Obama.

"I think it's important that I say this because they're marching up the street right now as we speak," Chappelle concluded, telling the story of going to the White House recently for a BET event "with all black people and Bradley Cooper for some reason."

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"It made me very happy about the prospects of our country. So in that spirit, I'm wishing Donald Trump luck. And I'm going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too."

Read more: 'SNL': Kate McKinnon's Clinton Performs Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"

Chappelle later brought a few of his Chappelle's Show friends with him to Studio 8H.

In a Walking Dead parody, Chappelle himself starred as the infamous Negan, but he also starred as several of the potential victims.

Tyrone Biggums, with his signature bright red hat, got distracted by Negan's threats, as Lil Jon couldn't hear the threats: "What? OK!" Clayton Bigsby, black white supremacist, wore a Make America Great Again hat and spoke about "Trump's America."

"And that is how we as a nation begin to heal, by laughing together," said the eventual victim to end the timely sketch.

Loved seeing Tyrone Biggums and our favorite Chappelle's Show characters back on TV. #ChappelleOnSNL pic.twitter.com/9rddGzdS1i

- Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 13, 2016
Opening monologues on Saturday Night Live usually arent much to write home about. Usually they just feature a celebrity doing a few goofy jokes or a song and dance routine before yelling We have a great show for you tonight! [Insert musical guest here] is in the building! Stick around, well be right back!

But Dave Chappelle is not your normal SNL host. In his first major TV appearance since ending Chappelles Show in 2006, Chappelle calmly strode out to the SNL stage as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Instead of sporting the usual clip microphone, he came out with a hand mic and proceeded to turn his monologue into a 10-minute standup routine that hit on a variety of topics including the elephant in the room.

I didnt know Donald Trump was going to win the election, Chappelle said. But I did suspect it. Seemed like Hillary was doing well in the polls and yet I know the whites. You guys arent as surprising as you used to be.

Also Read: 'SNL': Dave Chappelle Plays Negan from 'The Walking Dead' in 'Chappelle's Show' Revival

Then he jumped from one topic to another, from the post-election riots in Portland (I watched a white riot in Portland news said they did a million dollars worth of damage. Every black person watching was like, amateurs.') to the death of Harambe. (The Cincinnati police said shooting that gorilla was the toughest decision its department ever had to make. I said, Youre about to see a lot of n in gorilla costumes then.') You also wont have to worry about whether this election will cause him to leave the country again like he did when he left Chappelles Show. No, Im good, he quipped. Im going to get this tax break, see how it works out.

As for being wealthy, Chappelle talked a little bit about his relationship with money. First time I got some money, it didnt work out like this. Most unlikely thing happened ever, a black president came out of nowhere like, Come on everybody, lets start thinking about everyone else. Aw, n-, I just got this money!

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Then Chappelle ended his monologue not with a joke, but with a story. He talked about how a few months ago he attended a White House party sponsored by BET, and noted that all of the attendees were black, except for Bradley Cooper, for some reason. He talked about the history of black people being allowed to visit the White House, and how for over 150 years, the only black man allowed in the White House was Frederick Douglass, who had to be personally escorted in by Abraham Lincoln after being barred from the entrance.

Also Read: 'SNL': Watch Dave Chappelle As Negan from 'The Walking Dead' in 'Chappelle's Show' Revival (Video)

It didnt happen again, as far as I know, until Roosevelt was President, he said. He had a black guy over and got so much flack from the media that he literally said, I will never have a n in this house again. I thought about that, looked at that black room, saw all those black facesand Bradleyand I saw how happy everybody was, these people who had been historically disenfranchised. It made me feel hopeful, and it made me feel proud to be an American, and it made me hopeful about the prospects of our country.

So in that spirit, Im gonna wish Donald Trump luck, and Im gonna give him a chance, and we the historically disenfranchised demand that he give us one too.

You can watch Chappelles monologue in the clip above.

Related stories from TheWrap:

'SNL': Watch Kate McKinnon Sing Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' as Hillary Clinton (Video)

Dave Chappelle's Road From 'Chappelle's Show' to Hosting 'SNL' (Photos)

Kristen Wiig to Host 'SNL' for Second Time Since Leaving Show
As he surveys his acres of charred farmland outside New Delhi, Ishwar Singh has little sympathy for people choking in India's capital or any reason to stop the fires that are fuelling pollution.

"Everyone does it and we've got no option as we can't afford to waste time or money clearing our land in other ways," says Singh.

"All those complaining about what we're doing to our fields don't know a thing about farming and what people like me have to do to grow potatoes or onions and other vegetables.

"If we didn't do it, then what would they eat? What prices would they have to pay? Everything would become massively expensive."

While there are multiple factors behind New Delhi's status as the world's most polluted capital, much of the latest bout of smog has been blamed on the illegal but widespread practice among farmers of burning crop stubble.

Attempts to tackle the problem have amounted to little more than hot air as India's federal system of government makes enforcement a challenge.

Regional-rival Beijing, on the other hand, which competes with Delhi on poor air quality, has managed to stem the tide of pollution by ordering factory shutdowns and cars off the road with ad hoc edicts issued by the ruling Communist Party.

Back in the Indian capital, the city's government admitted it was struggling to halt the crisis as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed last week that between 15 million to 20 million tonnes of stubble had been burnt in neighbouring states.

Kejriwal appealed to the central government, headed by his arch rival Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to intervene with the state governments to find a resolution to the practice of crop burning.

Hundreds of thousands of farmers who mainly cultivate rice and wheat set fire to their fields after harvest to clear the residue of their primary crops so they can grow vegetables over the autumn on the same land.

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The practice is particularly intense in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which serve as Delhi's breadbaskets.

While Singh's farm in Haryana is around two hours drive from downtown Delhi, the smoke blown from fields such as his is a primary cause for the toxic smog which has shrouded the city.

Levels of PM2.5 -- the fine particles linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease -- have breached the "hazardous" upper limit of 500 several times in Delhi this month.

- Token fines -

Stubble burning is technically illegal, but it's rare for farmers to face more than a token fine.

Singh was recently fined 2,500 rupees (around $35) but he said the local officials who sanctioned him were apologetic and it was a small price to pay for rotating his crops.

Another small farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity as some of his land was still smouldering, said the alternatives were not viable.

"I can't afford machines and if I hired people to clear all the residue, I would have to pay them and lose a week of growing time.

"Besides, no one does a thing about these big businessmen," he added, pointing to a nearby processing plant belching out fumes.

The impact of factory pollution and crop burning goes far beyond state boundaries, but authorities are reluctant to take action which might alienate vote banks such as farmers and business leaders.

Both Punjab and Uttar Pradesh hold state elections next year.

The ban on crop burning is rarely enforced and successive court judgements ordering ageing vehicles off Delhi's roads are also routinely flouted, leading to more unwelcome comparisons with China's track record.

"We have repeatedly failed to implement the laws in India," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist at private weather forecaster Skymet.

"There is hardly any control on emissions. The number of vehicles is going up and construction still continues across the region."

"China is using technology and strict implementation because the authorities recognise air pollution as a health emergency and are doing everything to control it.

"But here in India, there is no political will and laws are never implemented on ground, mostly because no one takes pollution seriously."

Avin Sharma, who works in Delhi for a multinational corporation, questioned whether authorities really had the stomach to take on the range of vested interests that contribute to the pollution.

"There are plenty of laws to deal with violators but they are wasting time by blaming each other," said Sharma.
Incoming White House administration must propose replacement for Republican appointee Antonin Scalia.

Nominating justices to the US supreme court is a responsibility with far-reaching consequences  one of the most potent in a presidents armoury. It will also be one of the first duties of the incoming Trump administration.

The liberal-leaning judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamas nominee for the vacancy left by the death of Antonin Scalia, was denied confirmation hearings by the congressional leadership, so the appointment of a replacement will serve as an early test of president-elect Donald Trumps conservative credentials.

The liberal-leaning judge Merrick Garland was denied confirmation hearings by the congressional leadership. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP

The supreme court is currently split evenly between conservatives and liberals. As part of Trumps wooing of conservatives, his campaign published a list of 21 potential nominees who would continue the judicial tone of the conservative-leaning Scalia. But a fight is brewing, not least over the role of the court itself.

Faced with 8,000 petitions a year, the full court of nine justices considers around 100 cases a term. With just eight justices currently sitting, several recent judgments have been deadlocked 4-4, including one that blocked Obamas immigration reform efforts.

Replacing Scalia with a like-minded judge will not shift the complexion markedly, but any further appointments will be of far greater importance. Two of the serving justices are in their 80s and another is in his late 70s, so more appointments are approaching.

While Democrats had been looking forward to a Clinton-directed liberal renaissance of the supreme court, harking back to the civil rights decisions of the mid-1960s, a new period of conservative rulings may now follow.

All of the people on Trumps list can be said to be conservative politically, said Carl Tobias, professor of law at the University of Richmond, especially on issues like abortion, where he made promises to get the support of the evangelical vote.

Crucially, the court will now probably hear more cases involving the separation of church and state. The vice president-elect, Mike Pence, made it clear that he wants to see the federal funding of schools with religious orientation. Questions about permitting prayer in public places are also likely to arise.

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Trump may not be overtly religious, Tobias added, but there are many, many people who voted for him who believe thats what he promised to do. Evangelicals were central to his victory and they will surely attempt to hold him to it.

Mirroring the divisive political climate, the court has found itself increasingly politicised, as seen in several of its most important recent decisions, including last years same-sex marriage ruling, the contraception mandate under Obamacare, compulsory union dues, and the overturning in June of a restrictive Texas abortion law.

People who dont win in legislatures will often try to force an issue on the supreme court  if the judges are willing to hear it. But the sense of judicial impartiality is being eroded because all the liberal justices now sitting were appointed by Democratic presidents and all the conservatives by Republicans.

The justices, particularly Chief Justice John Roberts, have made it clear they resent politicisation, saying the credibility of the court and its rulings are the justices chief concern.

The court doesnt have the power of the purse or the power of sword, so it has to rely on public confidence or it becomes just another political entity, said Tobias.

Legal observers are already discussing which cases in the courts pipeline are likely to disappear as Trump moves to overturn legislation introduced by executive order by Obama. One such issue is a dispute over which toilets in public schools transgender students can use.

A lower court in Virginia this year took guidance from the US education department in ruling for Gavin Grimm, a transgender student, in a case in which the Virginia school board required students to use facilities corresponding to their biological sex, not the gender they identify with. The court may not hear that case if Trump rescinds that order.

With Trump now promising to relax laws governing drilling for oil and gas on public land and to lift other environmental restrictions, challenges before the court could also be dropped.

FLASHPOINTS FOR THE COURT

Donald Trump will be a lucky Potus (President of the United States). Some presidents never get to appoint a supreme court judge, but Trump will be able to choose at least one  a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative.

However, with two liberal members on the court possibly eyeing retirement, Trump could also alter the balance of the court so that it is once again a predominantly conservative institution. This could be crucial in determining the outcome of several long-fought battles.

Abortion

A conservative majority would delight the Christian right, which has lobbied hard for a reversal of Roe v Wade, the 1973 ruling that guarantees the right to abortion.

Affirmative action

In June, the court voted to uphold a race-conscious admissions programme at the University of Texas, but this is an issue that will not go away.

Unions

Big business wants the court to overturn a ruling in March upholding the right of public-sector unions to collect fees from workers who choose not to join them.

Church v state

Laws ensuring the separation of church and state could be eroded by a court that agrees there should be greater involvement between religious groups and government.

Gun control

Trumps unequivocal support for the second amendment suggests that laws restricting the right to bear arms  such as the need for owners to register their weapons  may be overhauled.
Here is a look at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 10 best quotes from his speech at Goa today.

By India Today Web Desk: While the nation is grappling with currency crisis following the demonetisation announced by the Modi government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today silenced his detractors by stating that he will continue his fight against black money and corruption.

PM Modi was in Goa to lay the foundation stone of a new international airport at Mopa in north Goa. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also attended the function. His speech at the event got an overwhelming reception at the gathering.



Here is a look at the Prime Minister's remarkable quotes: Those involved in big scams, now have to stand in long queues to take out Rs 4000: PM Modi I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but am prepared: PM Modi Those involved in big scams now have to stand in queues to exchange Rs 4000: PM Modi Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty & understand people's problems: PM Modi It is said Akbar had nine jewels in his cabinet, I am proud to say I have many including the valuable Parrikar ji from Goa: PM Modi Why do we have to put the future of our youths at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so: PM Modi I was not born to sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home-I left it for nation: PM Modi If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it: PM Modi The people have chosen a government and they expect so much from it. In 2014, so many people voted to free the nation from corruption: PM Modi Have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free; Cooperate with me for 50 days to ensure this: PM Modi

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Also read:

I was not born to sit on a chair, I left home to serve nation: PM Modi

Modi's surgical strike against black money to continue after demonetisation, PM warns of more steps- All you need to know

Demonetisation is not a genuine move, had supported Swachh Bharat before: Arvind Kejriwal





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Moscow (AFP) - Suspects detained by Russian authorities were plotting simultaneous "Paris-style" attacks on Moscow and Saint Petersburg, local media reported on Sunday, the first anniversary of the massacre in the French capital.

The FSB security service, the KGB's successor, announced Saturday it had detained 10 citizens of Central Asian states who planned "high-profile acts of sabotage and terror" in the two Russian cities.

Saint Petersburg's Fontanka.ru news site reported Sunday that the seven people taken into custody in the city were suspected of planning attacks on two large shopping centres, citing official sources.

Government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported late Saturday, citing security service sources, that the detainees "were planning terror attacks according to the Paris scenario" referring to Islamic State group attacks a year ago that killed 130 people.

France was holding sombre commemorations Sunday for the victims of the November 13, 2015 assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers on night spots, the Bataclan concert hall and outside the national stadium.

"Several explosive devices were supposed to trigger simultaneously in busy places. At the same time in different parts of the cities some of the terrorists... were going to open fire with machine guns on crowds," the paper reported, referring to the Russian plot.

Rossiiskaya Gazeta called the attackers "a professional terrorist group."

The FSB said it confiscated four homemade bombs as well as trigger devices, guns, ammunition and communications equipment.

Authorities did not say when the attack plot was to take place.

- Tip led to arrests -

The security service released video footage of its black-clad officers in balaclavas holding two suspects facedown on the street.

Another video shows a stash of Kalashnikovs in a flat and detainees lying facedown on mattresses on the floor.

The FSB said the raids were carried out in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's law enforcement authorities.

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Impoverished majority-Muslim Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both say they are battling Islamist extremism.

Tajikistan says that up to 1,000 of its nationals are fighting with radical groups in Syria and Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan says that some 500 of its citizens have gone to fight alongside jihadists.

The Tajik interior ministry said it learned of the planned attacks from an alleged local accomplice of the group and passed the information to Russia.

The FSB released footage of a handcuffed suspect -- apparently a teenager -- who says he is a Tajik citizen.

He says he wanted to commit a "terrorist attack" in Moscow and that his brother is taking part in "jihad" in Syria.

Fontanka reported those detained in Saint Petersburg "devotedly follow the ideology of Islamic State group" and one said he had fought in Syria.

"The majority are admitting guilt," Fontanka reported.

Membership of a "terrorist organisation" is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Russian law while leading one is punishable by up to life in jail.
By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Deposed world number one Novak Djokovic suffered a scare at the hands of Austrian debutant Dominic Thiem before launching his bid for a fifth successive ATP World Tour Finals title with a 6-7(10) 6-0 6-2 victory on Sunday. Knocked off the summit he had occupied for 122 weeks by Andy Murray last week, Djokovic must better his British rival's performance at London's O2 Arena to snatch back the top ranking, but things did not go entirely to plan. Thiem, the youngest of the eight qualifiers for the year-ender at 23, grew increasingly dangerous throughout the first set and blazed several stunning winners to pocket a gripping breaker on his seventh set point. After that, though, the match was a procession as Djokovic racked up a 19th win in his last 20 matches at the tournament. Even after sealing victory though, Djokovic's mood was soured by a reporter asking him about an angry reaction to losing the opening set when the Serb slammed a ball into the ground and it bounced into the stands, prompting a warning from the umpire. When it was suggested he could have found himself in hot water had the ball hit a spectator, a tetchy Djokovic snapped: "It could have been yeah, but it could have snowed in the O2 Arena as well, but it didn't." Hiccups aside, including a cut finger that required treatment, the 12-times grand slam champion was happy to get a victory that now turns the spotlight on Murray who plays Marin Cilic in his opening match on Monday. Djokovic, bidding to end the year ranked number one for the fifth time in six seasons, trails Murray by 405 points in the standings but Murray will lose the 275 points he gained for winning the Davis Cup for Britain last year. That means they are virtually neck-and-neck and the 200 points Djokovic earned for beating Thiem edged him ahead in what is turning into a thrilling race for the year-end honor. Djokovic's Ivan Lendl group looks easier than Murray's section. As well as Thiem, the Serb will face Canada's Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic and Gael Monfils. He has never lost a match to any of them although Raonic was in ominously good form as he overpowered Monfils 6-3 6-4 in Sunday's late match -- offering not a single break point in a dominant display. Murray takes on former U.S. Open champion Cilic in the John McEnroe group on Monday and also faces reigning U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka and Japan's Kei Nishikori, who beat the Scot at Flushing Meadows this year. Without doing anything spectacular Djokovic was cruising throughout the first set against Thiem, dropping only four points on serve on the way to a 5-4 lead. Thiem was not overawed though and forced Djokovic to save a break point at 5-5. The tiebreaker was a classic. Three sublime winners helped Thiem into a 6-3 lead but he twice double-faulted as Djokovic clawed back to 6-6. Thiem had three further set points to Djokovic's one before nailing a forehand winner at 11-10 to huge roars from the sell-out crowd in the arena. Djokovic, whose grip on men's tennis has been prised loose since he won the French Open in June, seized on a Thiem wobble to run away with the second set in 23 minutes. While Thiem offered more resistance in the third there was only going to be one winner once Djokovic broke to lead 2-1. "I knew the opening couple of games of the second set would be crucial for me," Djokovic said. "I started swinging more freely." (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's election has thrown key US alliances into doubt, but could it yet destroy the liberal world order and the West as we know it?

If you thought President Barack Obama's White House sit-down with Donald Trump was awkward, wait for Obama's menu of meetings with foreign leaders next week.

During a three-nation foreign trip, Obama will meet the leaders of Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Peru among others.

Most of them will have similar questions: "How on Earth did this happen? What do we do now?"

Obama has spent a year telling interlocutors that the Republican billionaire would never be elected and that he was a threat to American democracy and the global system.

Now Obama will try to reassure allies that Trump's America will not bring the global order crashing to the ground.

- Just another Republican? -

Trump has vowed to rip up trade deals, questioned support for allies whose security depends on American military largess and warmly embraced Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Seen from the Obama White House or European capitals, the best case scenario is that Trump's is just another Republican White House.

Insiders point to Trump's disinterest in policy as evidence that he plans to be a titular or ceremonial president.

Vice President Mike Pence, they argue, will be the real president or at least behave like a prime minister.

He and the constellation of Washington-based advisors already gathered around Trump -- possible secretary of state Newt Gingrich, possible secretary of defense Jeff Sessions -- will crank out orthodox Republican policies.

But for European capitals that kind of Trump administration would still mean a return to the deep differences seen during Bush administration.

Trump would be political kryptonite in Europe, avoided like the plague by leaders like Francois Hollande or Angela Merkel who are seeking reelection. But at least the sky wouldn't fall.

Story continues

Yet some see that outlook as hopelessly optimistic.

- The Imperial presidency -

Once he gets his feet under the Resolute Desk, is Trump -- an alpha male chief executive all his life -- really likely to shrink into the background?

And if not, the world's preeminent economic and military power would be run by a capricious leader with questionable respect for the rule of law.

In his first week as president-elect, Trump changed course on his opposition to Obamacare and decried "professional protesters, incited by the media" in a Tweet before reversing himself.

Those asking what Trump thinks about North Korea or Syria might get a different answer depending on what day he is tweeting.

Insiders say he knows little to nothing of world affairs, even on fundamental issues such as the Iran nuclear deal that he vowed to scrap during the campaign.

Japan, South Korea and other Asian allies America has vowed to defend have long doubted whether a US president would actually risk a nuclear war with China or North Korea to fulfil that vow.

Under a president Trump it would be close to strategic negligence to assume America's security umbrella was ironclad.

Shinzo Abe's Japan has already been moving gingerly toward military self-sufficiency. If that trend speeds up considerably, or Tokyo develops a nuclear weapon -- as Trump has suggested it should -- the impact vis-a-vis China would be profound.

- Passing the torch -

In Europe there is a similar sense we may be seeing the end of Pax Americana.

Merkel -- arguably the world's second most powerful democratic leader -- responded to Trump's election by making it clear she believes this is not business as usual.

"Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views," she said, reminding Trump of common values that normally go without saying.

She also made clear the relationship is conditional: "I offer the next President of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values."

Obama likes to describe American democracy as a relay race.

If he handed the baton to Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, then his meeting with Merkel in Berlin may be the passing of the liberal democratic torch.

But for the first time since the Cold War or World War II, there are serious doubts the flame will endure.

Merkel may now be the de facto "leader of the free world," but Europe remains deeply divided.

Germany has economic and political power, but military and diplomatic power rests in London and Paris.

Last March commentator Anne Applebaum warned "we are two or three bad elections away from the end of NATO, the end of the European Union and maybe the end of the liberal world order as we know it."

That was before Britain's vote to leave the European Union and Trump's election. In the next year Merkel and Hollande face their own far-right challengers.

So far on Applebaum's scorecard it's two down, two to go.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Hillary Clinton suffered a stunning loss in the presidential election against Donald Trump  and she can chalk it up to a handful of votes in surprising battleground states.

Just more than 227,000 votes split among a series of key swing states would've turned the loss into a massive Electoral College win. And breaking the numbers down even further, roughly 107,000 split between Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin  states that hadn't gone red in decades  would have launched her to victory as well.

Within Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, just 14 counties made the difference between a President-elect Clinton and reality  a President-elect Trump. Discounting Florida, that number drops to eight.

If she had swept the four, Clinton would have won a 307-to-231 victory in the Electoral College, and even without Florida, she would've secured a 278-to-260 win. Instead, Trump seems likely to secure more than 300 electoral votes (pending Michigan's final results).

Here's a look at where it went wrong for Clinton:

Pennsylvania

The Keystone state had voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1988. That ended early Wednesday morning.

Four northeastern Pennsylvania counties played a monumental role in making that happen.

Northumberland, Schuylkill, Lackawanna, and Luzerne counties saw a drastic change in their vote totals from 2012 to 2016. In 2012, they combined to provide President Barack Obama 18,561 more votes than Republican nominee Mitt Romney. This time around, voters in those four counties cast 63,917 more votes for Trump than Clinton. That was a difference of 82,478 votes between Clinton and Obama.

Clinton lost Pennsylvania by 68,236 votes, according to The New York Times.

Screen Shot 2016 11 13 at 2.33.08 PM

Florida

Delegate-rich Florida, the third-largest prize on the map, saw a massive increase in voter turnout for the 2016 election in comparison with 2012 despite an overall national downturn in voters showing up to the polls.

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Hurting Clinton was the vote in six west-central Florida counties. Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Pinellas, and Levy counties cast 38,685 more votes for Romney in 2012. In 2016, those counties cast 158,945 more votes for Trump  a difference of 120,260.

Clinton lost the state by 119,770 votes.

Michigan

It just came down to one county.

Wayne County, the state's most populous and home to Detroit, was the center of Clinton's probable loss in the Wolverine State.

In 2012, Wayne County offered 595,846 votes for Obama and 213,814 for Romney. Trump received a few more votes than Romney, as he's currently at 228,324, according to The Associated Press. But Clinton fell almost 80,000 votes behind Obama at 517,022. In total, the advantage she held over Trump in the county was 93,323 fewer votes than Obama enjoyed over Romney in 2012.

And she is currently losing the state by fewer than 12,000 votes.

Screen Shot 2016 11 13 at 2.21.20 PM

Wisconsin

No Republican had won at the presidential level in Wisconsin since 1984. Add another traditionally blue state to Trump's belt.

Three counties played the biggest part in that result  and they're all in the southeastern corner of the state.

Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties saw a dip in both the Republican and Democratic vote totals in 2016. But Clinton suffered more.

In 2012, those three counties offered 430,313 votes to Obama and 239,248 to Romney. By early Wednesday morning, votes in those counties totaled 367,262 for Clinton and 208,736 for Trump.

That led to a difference of 32,539 between Clinton's and Obama's advantages over their opponents in those counties.

Clinton lost Wisconsin by 27,257 votes.

NOW WATCH: Trump goes on a tweetstorm less than 48 hours after promising to be more 'restrained' on Twitter





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Lawyers for Donald Trump have filed a motion to delay a class-action fraud lawsuit regarding the president-elects defunct Trump University until after his swearing-in.

Trump University, the for-profit real estate school started by the 70-year-old businessman, is accused of fraud by three of its students. Although the trial date is currently scheduled for Nov. 28, Trumps attorneys have asked for it to be postponed until after the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.

In the motion filed Saturday in San Diego federal court, lawyer Daniel Petrocelli claims that the extra months would give both sides time to possibly reach a settlement. They also argue that Trump must focus on his transition into the presidency in the upcoming months.

The 69 days until inauguration are critical and all-consuming. President-elect Trump must receive daily security briefings, make executive appointments (ultimately, thousands), and establish relationships with appointees, members of Congress, governors and foreign leaders. He must also develop important policy priorities, attorneys said, according to Politico.

They stress that Trump is not seeking to stay this case indefinitely or until the end of his term but rather delay the hearing until a date after the inauguration that is convenient for the parties and the Court.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is pursuing charges against Trump University and believes the court case will prove Trump stole millions of dollars from the now-defunct program, called the university a fraud from beginning to end.

In an appearance today on Good Morning America in June, he told anchor George Stephanopoulos, We have laws against running an illegal unlicensed university. This never was a university. The fraud started with the name of the organization.




Our next president says he will keep tweeting from the White House in order to battle the media.

Its a modern form of communication. BetweenFacebook and Twitter and, I guess Instagram, I have 28 million people, he boasts to CBS Newss 60 Minutes.

That, in answer to a question from Lesley Stahl as to whether hes going to keep up with tweeting about whatever youre upset about once hes sworn in.

So you are going to keep it up? she asked again.

Its a great form of communication I think I picked up yesterday 100,000 people, he said in the interview, taped late last week and airing tonight.

When you give me a bad story, or when you give me an inaccurate story, or when somebody other than you and another, a network, or whatever, because of course, CBS would never do a thing like that right? I have a method of fighting back. Thats very tough

But youre going to do that as President? she asked, again, making three times in all.

Trump backpedaled a bit, then pushed forward:

Im going to be very restrained, if I use it at all, he began. Then continued:

I find it tremendous. Its a modern form of communication. There should be nothing we should be ashamed of. Its where its atI have such power in terms of numbers with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. I think it helped me win all of these races where theyre spending much more money than I spentSocial media has more power than the money they spent, and I think maybe, to a certain extent, I proved that.

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Rodrigo Duterte Philippines singing karaoke

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been in office for just a few months, but he has made clear his opinion of the current US president, calling Obama a "son of a bitch" ahead of a regional summit in September.

Duterte expressed regret, and the two leaders met on the sidelines of that event.

But the US-Philippine relationship has continued to be strained by Duterte's rhetoric and his hostility to the longstanding political and military relationship between the two countries.

Duterte, however, seems keen on the US president-elect.

On Wednesday, speaking during a visit to Malaysia, Duterte said, "I would like to congratulate President Trump," before declaring amid cheers, "Long live, Mr. Trump! We both curse at the slightest of reasons. We are alike."

"We are both making curses," Duterte said. "Even with trivial matters we curse. I was supposed to stop because Trump is there. I don't want to quarrel anymore, because Trump has won."

Duterte's two-day trip to Malaysia had something of a festive air.

Duterte sung a karaoke rendition of Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings" and performed a karaoke duet with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, belting out "Sha-La-La-La-La," a hit from the 1970s by Danish group The Walkers.

Rodrigo Duterte Philippines Malaysia Najib Razak Putrajaya

Public singing is something of past time in the Philippines, and karaoke machines are common features in Filipino homes. According to The New York Times, Duterte was sometimes seen in the karaoke bars of Davao City, the southern Philippine city where he was mayor for much of the last 30 years, where he was known to belt out Frank Sinatra songs while packing a .38 pistol.

The official statement released by Duterte's office was more measured than his comments in Malaysia, but it still expressed more warmth than many of Duterte's comments about the US in the past.

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"The United States' presidential elections is a testament to the enduring traditions of its democratic system and the American way of life," the statement, issued by the Presidential Communications Office, read.

"The two-party system gives American voters freedom of choice based on party platforms, not just on personalities," it went on, adding:

"President Duterte wishes President-elect Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in chief of the U.S. military, and looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law."

donald trump rally big screen carolyn kaster ap AP_853901321036

Many have noted the similarities in the personalities and pronouncements of Duterte and Trump, and Trump has drawn comparisons to the Philippine leader throughout his campaign.

Despite Duterte's enthusiasm about Trump's election, the mood among Philippine policymakers has been mixed.

Duterte's advisers, like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, looked at the looming Trump presidency with more uncertainty.

Candidates and presidents are two different people. So we will  have to wait and see what policies a Trump presidency will implement" Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said this week, according to ABS-CBN News.

The Philippines, where an English-speaking labor force is available for lower wages than those demanded in the US, has grown in appeal for US companies and been the recipient of many outsourced jobs in recent years.

Trump's promises to return to the US jobs that have gone abroad has stirred concern in the Philippines, as have his promises to crackdown on immigration, which could affect the flow of remittances.

In the face of that Trump-inspired uncertainty, however, some in the Philippines have heralded Duterte's turn to China.

Rodrigo Duterte Xi Jinping

"We have a safety net  [Duterte] foresaw that theres this likelihood of Trump becoming president, so he decided to pivot to China," Ernesto Pernia, the director general of the Philippine National Economic and Development Authority, said, according to ABS-CBN News. "Instead of depending on the US to a great extent, we are now diversifying our friends."

Others are less confident in the Philippines' economic position between the Asian and American giants.

Joey Salceda, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives and an economist, told ABS-CBN News that the US economy still outstrips the Chinese economy, and Manila would have no choice but to deal with Washington.

"The protectionism applies does not only to the trade, but it also applies to the flow of new ideas and new technology," Salceda said. "So its very negative for the world, very negative for the Philippines."

NOW WATCH: Philippines President Duterte: 'Mr. Obama, you can go to hell'





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By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters) - Prominent Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar said on Sunday he had teamed up with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other private investors to launch a $1 billion Middle Eastern-focused e-commerce platform.

Noon.com was 50 percent owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Alabbar said at a news conference in Dubai, while the other 50 percent was owned by him and other regional private investors, which he declined to identify.

"This is going to be on a global scale," Alabbar said. PIF, and the other investors had so far put a total of $1 billion towards the project, he said.

E-commerce has struggled to gain a significant foothold in the Middle East, despite its young and tech-savvy population, hampered by inadequate logistics and electronic payment methods.

Noon.com will launch operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in January, with 20 million products on the platform, Alabbar said. The company plans to expand to Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, by late 2017, and is also looking at Kuwait and Oman, though Alabbar did not give a timeframe.

To compensate for issues around electronic payments, the venture will accept both online payments as well as cash upon delivery, Noon.com's chief executive Fodhil Benturquia said.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Benturquia served as a former executive at Middle East e-commerce platform Souq.com.

The Riyadh-headquartered company, which takes its name from the Arabic letter 'noon', is targeting profitability within five years and a possible stock market flotation within five to seven years, Alabbar said.

INVESTMENTS

Alabbar made his name as chairman of Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), the Dubai government-linked builder of the world's tallest building and whose subsidiary Emaar Malls (EMAA.DU) owns and operates Dubai Mall, which accounts for around 50 percent of the emirate's luxury goods spending.

In recent months he has made several investments which would support an e-commerce platform, including buying stakes in Italian online retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP.MI) (YNAP), Dubai-listed logistics firm Aramex (ARMX.DU) and Kuwait Food Co (FOOD.KW) (Americana).

Story continues

Noon.com will use Aramex's and Americana's logistic capabilities to deliver goods, Alabbar said.

Alabbar also confirmed local media reports that he recently met with Amazon (AMZN.O) founder Jeff Bezos in Dubai.

"It was a friendly meeting. They came around to explore what's going on in the Middle East," he said.

PIF also recently made technology-related investments, including the purchase of a $3.5 billion stake in ride-hailing app Uber in June and a pledge for 45 percent of funding for a $100 billion tech investment fund with Japan's SoftBank Group (9984.T).

(Editing by David French and Raissa Kasolowsky)
A report out of Paris claiming that two Eagles of Death Metal members, including frontman Jesse Hughes, were forced to leave Sting's concert that marked the reopening of Paris' Bataclan Saturday night has been denied by the band's manager. The show marks the reopening of the club a year after the terrorist attack that killed 89 people. Eagles of Death Metal was the band playing at the venue on Nov. 13, 2015, when the tragedy occurred.

In a statement to Billboard, Marc Pollack says that Hughes "never even tried entering the club for Sting's show." He further notes:

"This day is not about Jesse Hughes or Eagles of Death Metal. In fact, Jesse is in Paris to share in remembering the tragic events of a year ago with his friends, family and fans. This is about recalling the tragic loss of life that happened right in front of his eyes during his show, and this coward Jules Frutos feels the need to soil his own club's reopening by spreadingtales to the press, and tainting a wonderful opportunity that could've been used to spread peace and love, to further spread mean spirited words of hate. Jesse never even tried entering the club for Sting's show tonight."

Frutos is the Bataclan co-director who reportedly told a reporter, "They came, I threw them out - there are things you can't forgive," according to AFP. Fritos' criticism of Hughes relates to comments the Eagles of Death Metal frontman made insinuating that Bataclan's security staff knew something terrible was going to happen that night in November last year, claiming he heard several security guards did not show up for their shift. "He makes these incrediblydeclarations every two months," Frutus said. "It is madness, accusing our security of being complicit with the terrorists. Enough. Zero. This has to stop."

Read more: Sting Reopens Bataclan With "Fragile," Tribute to David Bowie and Prince

Story continues

So what really happened outside 50 Boulevard Voltaire? Hughes is indeed in Paris, at the invitation of the city's mayor to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Paris attacks, sources confirm, with a plaque dedication ceremony, among other events, planned for Sunday. And he was seen outside the Bataclan in the car of a friend and with a security escort in tow. The Hollywood Reporter's own Paris correspondent says safety precautions for the Sting concert made it nearly impossible to gain entry without a ticket and, according to an insider, Hughes was fully aware and had no intention of attending. But he did, in fact, stop by to take in the scene, talk to gathered fans and reflect on the events of the fateful night.

At Saturday night's concert at the Bataclan, a year after the deadly attack, Sting launched into his set honoring the victims with an opening statement followed by a moment of silence.

"We've got two important things to do tonight," he said in French. "First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago and to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue."

This story originally appeared on Billboard.com.

Nov. 12, 5:04 p.m. - Updated with Eagles of Death Metal manager's statement to Billboard
A report out of Paris claiming that two Eagles of Death Metal members, including frontman Jesse Hughes, were forced to leave Sting's concert at the Bataclan Saturday night (Nov. 12), has been denied by the band's manager. The show marks the reopening of the club a year after the terrorist attack that killed 89 people. Eagles of Death Metal was the band playing at the venue last year, on Nov. 13, 2015, when the tragedy occurred.

In a statement to Billboard, Marc Pollack says that Hughes "never even tried entering the club for Sting's show." He further notes:

"This day is not about Jesse Hughes or Eagles of Death Metal. In fact, Jesse is in Paris to share in remembering the tragic events of a year ago with his friends, family and fans. This is about recalling the tragic loss of life that happened right in front of his eyes during his show, and this coward Jules Frutos feels the need to soil his own club's reopening by spreading false tales to the press, and tainting a wonderful opportunity that could've been used to spread peace and love, to further spread mean spirited words of hate. Jesse never even tried entering the club for Sting's show tonight."

Frutos is the Bataclan co-director who reportedly told a reporter, "They came, I threw them out -- there are things you can't forgive," according to AFP. Frutos' criticism of Hughes relates to comments the Eagles of Death Metal frontman made insinuating that Bataclan's security staff knew something terrible was going to happen that night in November 2015, claiming he heard several security guards did not show up for their shift. "He makes these incredibly false declarations every two months," Frutos said. "It is madness, accusing our security of being complicit with the terrorists. Enough. Zero. This has to stop."

So what really happened outside 50 Boulevard Voltaire? Hughes is indeed in Paris, at the invitation of the city's mayor to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Paris attacks, sources confirm, with a plaque dedication ceremony, among other events, planned for Nov. 13. And he was seen outside the Bataclan in the car of a friend and with a security escort in tow. The Hollywood Reporter's own Paris correspondent says safety precautions for the Sting concert made it nearly impossible to gain entry without a ticket and, according to an insider, Hughes was fully aware and had no intention of attending. But he did, in fact, stop by to take in the scene, talk to gathered fans and reflect on the events of Nov. 13, 2015.

At the Saturday night concert at the Bataclan, a year after the deadly attack, Sting launched into his set honoring the victims with an opening statement followed by a moment of silence.

"We've got two important things to do tonight," he said in French. "First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago and to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue."
By PTI: power

By Kishor Dwivedi

(With pix)

Alwar (Rajasthan), Nov 13 (PTI) People in remote villages of Rajasthans Alwar district are catching up on the Digital India trail as many of them, including women, have started using internet being provided through unique solar-run telecom towers.

Karenda,PhalsaandBahadari, the three villages which lie close to the states border with Haryana, lack facilities like proper roads, hospitals, post-office and police station, but people there have been connected with internetand mobile telephony under an initiative of a private company.

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While locals said gram panchayats are proposed to be connected with internetaccording to the Centres Digital India plan, which may take at least one-and-a-half years more, some of them were already using cheaper WiFi internet to download study material or enjoy video songs on YouTube.

"I use internet to download study material for the exams that I am preparing for," said Krishna Devi, who is preparing for teachers eligibility test (TET).

Krishna Devi, who is also the deputy village head of Karenda, said that otherwise she would have to buy the books which are not easily available near the village and are also not updated as frequently as the study material online.

The government school inKarenda, which locals claimed got electricity connection about two months ago, already has a digital classroom with the study material for some of the classes optimised for digital tutorials run on the internet provided by VNL Telecom.

"The best part is that there is no dependenceofthe internet and the entire digital education system on conventional electricity. The entire set-up operates on power generated by solar panels installed on the roof of the school while the internet connection has been taken from the telecom tower which too runs on solar energy," said Rahul Dubey, a VNL technical official.

Some kilometres off these villages towards the main road that links Bhiwadi to Alwar is Mushtaqpur where Mohar Singh recently set up an e-services shop that helps local people get made their Aadhar card, passport, birth/death certificates, ration card or other such document and train/bus tickets.

"Prior to using this internet connection, I was using mobile data pack to work. However, it was not very fruitful as it was costly plus the reliability factor was not there. Now I use this internet to provide many online services for which people from several villages come to my shop," he said, adding otherwise they had to go toTijaara, about 40 km away, to get these works done.

The advantage of these telecom towers are manifold, VNL officials said, noting the biggest being their ability to run on low power which too is taken from solar energy.

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This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the officials said. (MORE) PTI KIS SMN SMN

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Eddie Redmayne Fantastic Beasts role is all because of a lucky encounter and were sort of impressed

You never know what will happen in a day and if you need proof, think about this. Thanks to a suitcase, Eddie Redmayne says his Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them role is all because of a suitcase. When meeting with director David Yates, Redmayne came in with a Globe-Trotter suitcase, not knowing that the Newt has a signature case of his own in the film. Literally, when he walked in, it made me think of what Jo told us about Newt, Yates said. And as soon as he walked in, I went, Oh my god, its Newt Scamander!

Redmaynes use of the suitcase was purely coincidental, according to New York. Very little was known about Scamander as a character so there was no way for Redmayne to know how important a suitcase was to the role. I was slightly embarrassed that I had somehow subconsciously dressed like him. I didnt want to be one of those actors who come to meetings or auditions dressed up like the character, Redmayne said in an interview with New Yorks Vulture.

The coincidence improved Yates and continued to work with Redmayne as JK Rowling developed the character within the series. He also got to talk to Rowling for an hour about the character and his place in the Harry Potter universe. Theres a much larger story about good versus evil that she wants to tell, and hes our way into it.

We get to get a glimpse of the American Wizarding world and Scamanders suitcase on November 17th and we cannot wait.

The post Eddie Redmayne Fantastic Beasts role is all because of a lucky encounter and were sort of impressed appeared first on HelloGiggles.
CAIRO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Yields on Egypt's three- and nine-month Treasury bills fell on Sunday in the second auction since the central bank floated the pound currency, with bids submitted for nine-month bills roughly four times more than the amount accepted.

Yields on the 91-day bill dropped to an average of 18.028 percent from 19.055 percent the last time similar bills were sold.

Yields on the 273-day bill declined to an average of 18.715 percent from 20.367 percent at the last similar auction.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch recommended in a recent report that investors buy 6-month Egyptian T-bills without hedging them.

(Reporting by Lin Noueihed; Writing by Eric Knecht)
By Wa Lone YANGON (Reuters) - Eight people died and 36 were arrested in clashes between the Myanmar army and what the government believes are Rohingya Muslim militants in northern Rakhine State, state media said on Sunday, in the largest escalation of the month-old conflict yet. Skirmishes took place throughout Saturday in villages in the north of Rakhine, leaving one officer and one soldier dead. Six bodies of attackers were recovered in the aftermath, while 36 other people believed to be involved were arrested. About 60 attackers armed with guns, knives and spears ambushed government troops on Saturday morning, the state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar said. The army returned fire, but at one point asked for army choppers to reinforce because its troops were outnumbered, the paper said. Soldiers have poured into northern Rakhine, close to the border with Bangladesh, since Oct. 9, after an insurgent group of Rohingyas that the government believes has links to Islamists overseas launched coordinated attacks on several border posts. The military has blocked access to the area for journalists and aid workers. Residents and human rights advocates have accused security forces of summary executions, rapes and setting fire to homes. The government and the army have rejected the accusations, saying they were conducting the "clearance operation" in the villages in accordance with the rule of law. The troops at one point were shot at by about 500 men, state media said. Ye Naing, director of the Ministry of Information, contacted by Reuters on Sunday, said the insurgents were hiding among the villagers and not all of the 500 people were militants. Security forces recovered a weapon and ammunition similar to arms taken away by the attackers on Oct. 9, state media reported. The violence in recent weeks is the most serious to hit Rakhine since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in 2012. Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims are the majority in northern Rakhine but they are denied citizenship, with many majority Buddhists regarding them as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. They face severe travel restrictions. (Reporting by Thet Oo Mg Mg; Editing by Antoni Slodkowski and Stephen Coates)
Brussels (AFP) - European Union foreign ministers insisted on Sunday they expected good relations with Donald Trump, after a crisis meeting that Britain, France and Hungary snubbed in a move that exposed rifts over the US president-elect.

The ministers said they wanted more details about Republican Trump's plans following his shock election win, which has sparked anxiety in Europe due to his campaign-trail rhetoric questioning US commitment to the continent.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called the special dinner on the eve of a scheduled meeting of the ministers, but some capitals criticised the decision to have an emergency meeting on a democratic election result in a key ally.

"We are looking forward to a very strong partnership with the next administration, we've decided together to engage with the incoming administration even from this very first week of transition," Mogherini told reporters afterwards.

"It's not up to us... it's up to the next US administration to define to define their own position," she said following the two-and-a-half hour meeting.

"For the moment it's not a wait and see attitude we can afford having, because the world goes on, Europe goes on, crisis goes on, but also opportunities we can take go on," she said.

- 'Frustrated and hysterical' -

Mogherini also hit out at British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's decision to sit out the meeting, linking it to Britain's referendum vote in June to leave the 28-nation EU, which has left London needing US support for new trade deals.

"I guess it's only normal for a country that has decided to leave not to be so interested in our discussion on the future of our relations," she said.

Britain's Foreign Office said Saturday, explaining Johnson's absence, that "we do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the US election timetable is long established.

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"An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain."

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, another no-show, said on Friday that the meeting was "completely premature" and hit out at "frustrated and hysterical statements have been made in Europe" on the theme.

"Until we don't know who will be in charge of the direction of US diplomacy, until the White House officially makes public its economic and foreign policy priorities, this is a complete waste of time, I don't know what we have to talk about."

In Paris, the French foreign ministry said Ayrault was unable to attend the dinner as he had a "very important meeting" early Monday with incoming UN chief Antonio Guterres.

The three were replaced at the dinner table by their respective EU ambassadors.

- 'Going it alone not an option' -

Meanwhile NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned bluntly of the dangers of American isolationism.

In an article in Britain's Observer newspaper on Sunday, Stoltenberg warned: "This is no time to question the partnership between Europe and the United States.

"Going it alone is not an option."

Trump's apparent coolness on Europe has caused nervousness throughout a bloc grappling with an migration crisis, a stalled economy and a resurgent Russia on its eastern border.

But his win is also being seen by some in the EU as a chance to push ahead with projects of its own in a bid to build unity after the shock of Brexit.

On Monday the foreign ministers will discuss plans to boost defence cooperation -- a move that Britain had long blocked -- including a controversial proposal for a European military headquarters.

"Let's stop talking about disarray (after the Trump victory). Isn't this a chance for Europe to pull itself together?" Ayrault told the French radio station Europe 1.

Britain has traditionally led opposition to stronger European defence initiatives, arguing that these could weaken US commitment to NATO. Washington shoulders two-thirds of the 28-nation alliance's military spending.

But commentators say Britain is now on particularly tricky ground as it plans to leave the EU yet also needs Trump's backing for special trade status after Brexit.
By Joe Bavier ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Congo has stepped up army patrols in its volatile east after the former military chief of a once-powerful rebel group vanished from a camp for demobilised fighters in neighbouring Uganda and gunfire erupted outside an important border town. Julien Paluku, governor of Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, said Ugandan authorities no longer knew the whereabouts of Sultani Makenga, who was the military chief of the M23 rebellion. "We were in contact with the Ugandan intelligence services who confirmed that, since Friday, ex-Colonel Makenga may have fled and the Ugandan services have not been able to locate him," Paluku told Reuters on Saturday. An official with M23's political wing declined to comment and referred questions about Makenga to the Ugandan authorities. A Ugandan army spokesman said he did not know whether Makenga had disappeared but would seek to confirm his whereabouts. A Congolese customs official in Bunagana said gunfire had erupted overnight in the hills around the town, an important border crossing to Uganda that was once an M23 stronghold. Shooting continued sporadically into Saturday morning. "We didn't know where it was coming from. We woke up in panic," said the official. "We don't know what's happening, the military is telling us nothing." The official, who declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media, said there was increased military activity in Bunagana as well as a growing presence of Ugandan soldiers across the border in the town of Kisoro. Paluku said there was no confirmation Makenga had returned to Congo but added that there had been reports of unidentified troops in North Kivu's Sarambwe Nature Reserve, adjacent to the border. "There's a maximum alert. Our troops are carrying out combat patrols so that, if it turns out it's true, they will proceed to neutralise (Makenga) along with any allies who might be accompanying him on this adventure," the governor said. Until its defeat in 2013, M23 was the strongest of dozens of armed groups that have continued to control large swaths of mineral-rich eastern Congo despite the end of the 1998-2003 war. The area remains a tinder box of ethnic and political divisions. At its peak, M23 seized North Kivu's capital Goma but following its defeat by U.N. and Congolese troops, many of its fighters fled into Uganda and Rwanda. They have since lived in military-run camps awaiting amnesties promised under a peace deal. Uganda said in 2014 that it was hosting 1,430 former M23 fighters. However, many have since left the camps and there have been persistent rumours that the rebels were seeking to regroup. U.N. investigators said the group, accused of war crimes by rights campaigners, was supported by Rwanda - a charge Kigali has repeatedly denied. (Additional reporting by Elias Biryabarema in Kampala and Kenny Katombe in Kinshasa; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Dale Hudson)
Warren Beatty and Annette Bening are about to become your latest relationship goals.

The 79-year-old actor and director didn't hesitate to praise his wife of nearly 25 years at the Los Angeles premiere of their new film, Rules Don't Apply.

WATCH: Warren Beatty is Howard Hughes in First 'Rules Don't Apply' Trailer

"Talent, beauty, wit, humility grace," Beatty said of his wife to ET's Ashley Crossan. "What I don't get to say, and I don't like to say it in front of her, but she is the best actress alive."

RELATED: Warren Beatty Calls Marriage to Annette Bening 'The Best Thing That Has Ever Occurred'

The film, which he wrote and produced, marks the first time Beatty has directed his wife. "He's great, he's very enthusiastic," Bening said of her husband, who has directed a total of four films. "He thinks everything you do is wonderful. He let us improvise, it was really fun for me. So fun."

The two met on the set of their 1991 film Bugsy and married shortly thereafter. Two decades later, the Oscar winner says that it seems like it was only yesterday.

"It feels recent," he said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "It is the best thing that has ever occurred with me."

Rules Don't Apply hits theaters on Nov. 23 and also stars Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris and Lily Collins.

Related Articles
Rekha's husband, who is based abroad, called the police after being unable to contact her for two days.

By India Today Web Desk: Malayalam actor Rekha Mohan, who appeared alongside Mammootty in Udyanapalakan and Mohanlal in Yathramozhi, was found dead in her Thrissur (Kerala) apartment on Saturday, said police.

The 45-year-old actor, who was also a popular face on television soaps like Sthreejanmam and Snehasindooram, is survived by her businessman husband Mohan Krishnan. The couple have no children.

ALSO READ: Helicopter stunt goes horribly wrong during Kannada film shoot, 2 actors dead



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An official from the Viyyur police station, who did not wish to be named, said that the actor's husband contacted the police after he was unable to reach Rekha for two days. "Her husband works abroad and following no response from her, the flat was opened by us and we found her body. A case has been registered and the body has taken to conduct an autopsy," said the police official.

Reportedly, the actor, who lives alone, had not been seen by her neighbours for the last few days. The neighbours did not suspect anything amiss, and assumed that Rekha was busy shooting for a film.

According to The Indian Express, there have been media reports that the police has found a three-page suicide note in Rekha's flat, in which she has talked about her professional and relationship issues. If these reports are true, Rekha's death might be a case of suicide.

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Khuzdar District (Pakistan) (AFP) - Survivors of a massive bomb attack on a shrine in southwest Pakistan that killed dozens spoke of their horror Sunday after families were ripped apart in a strike showing the expanding reach of the Islamic State group.

The blast, later confirmed to be the work of a teenage suicide bomber, hit male and female worshippers as they were dancing and chanting at the shrine of the Sufi saint Shah Noorani on Saturday, some 750 kilometres (460 miles) south of Quetta, the provincial capital of restive Balochistan province.

Mohammad Shehzad, a 25-year-old who had travelled in a group of 120 pilgrims, told AFP: "The pressure of the blast was so strong, people were blown away. Everyone was running, shouting and searching for families.

"Children were looking for the mothers and fathers. People looking for brothers and sisters but no one was able to listen to their cries."

The attack killed 52 and wounded more than 105 and was the fourth deadliest in Pakistan this year. Stricken survivors swathed themselves in blankets and braved the cold under open skies overnight as they made their way home.

Many had travelled hundreds of kilometres to pay their respects to the saint and seek blessings, in line with their belief in Sufism, a mystic Islamic order that worships through music and is viewed as heretical by hardline militant groups.

Unlike at mosques in Pakistan, which often limit access to women, both genders are permitted to take part in many rituals at Sufi shrines, though they are sometimes separated by partition walls.

Witnesses said problems were compounded by the fact that it took several hours for rescue services to reach the remote shrine, located on a hilltop in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan several kilometres away from surrounding villages, with poor mobile network coverage.

Hafeez Ali, a 28-year-old auto mechanic, said: "We had left the area only five minutes before the attack to go and cook our dinner. From our viewpoint on a hill, we could see three whirling dervishes dancing to a drummer, as hundreds formed a circle around them. Then came the explosion.

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"We realised that it was a bomb blast. Two of us rushed down and saw the bodies scattered all around -- mostly children. We also saw the drum beater dead and his exploded drum was lying nearby."

- Islamic State growth -

Sarfraz Bugti, the province's home minister, told AFP the blast was carried out by a teenage suicide bomber.

"We have found body parts of the bomber which place his age at around 16 to 18," he said.

The announcement lent credence to a claim of responsiblity by the Islamic State group, which released a photo overnight of the purported attacker -- a dark-skinned youth dressed in white tunic with a green backpack -- via its affiliated Amaq news agency.

It was the second major assault claimed by the Middle-East based outfit in as many months, following a raid on a police academy in the same province that killed 61 people.

Militant sources in the province have told AFP that IS, which had earlier struggled to gain a foothold in Pakistan because of competition from already established groups, has now forged alliances with local affiliates including the anti-Shiite Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency since shortly after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 forced the remnants of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to flee across the border.

Overall levels of violence have dropped in recent years following major military operations in the tribal areas mainly targeting the Pakistani Taliban, but it now appears that new threats are emerging.

Amir Rana, an expert on militancy, said: "It seems that IS has found an ally in Pakistan, which is probably the Al-Alami faction Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

"The group is organising the scattered factions of sectarian outfits and Taliban factions, across the country, but it is much more organised in Balochistan and Sindh."

Saturday's attack was also the deadliest on a Sufi shrine in the country's history.

The previous worst attack came in April 2011 when 50 people were killed in a double suicide bomb attack outside the shrine of Ahmed Sultan in Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab.
Havana (AFP) - Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels announced a revised peace deal to end 52 years of armed conflict, after voters rejected a prior peace accord in a referendum.

"We have reached a new final agreement to end the armed conflict, which incorporates changes, clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups, which we have gone through one by one," said a joint statement read out by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the peace process guarantors.

"Building a stable, lasting peace must be the shared commitment of all Colombians, and one that helps polarization be overcome while including all social and political voices," the statement added.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos stressed that the new peace deal "is a better agreement."

"We made adjustments, tweaks and changes in 56 of the 57 issues that were addressed," Santos said, so "we can build a deeper and broader peace."

The modified agreement leaves intact the accord's major tenets, including the FARC laying down its arms and becoming a political party.

However, it includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original peace deal, according to the government's lead negotiator Humberto de la Calle.

In Bolivar Square at the heart of historic Bogota, dozens of people celebrated the news with white balloons and Colombian flags.

The new accord was fine-tuned after the groups that opposed the original deal submitted proposed changes as starting points for negotiations.

"The tweaks and clarifications we have made do not undermine the issues we agreed on, which shaped the first peace deal," De la Calle said.

Santos acknowledged that a suggestion seeking to bar rebel leaders involved in serious crimes from elections was not part of the re-worked peace deal.

He also hinted that the new accord would maintain the provision that FARC rebels could avoid prison time by confessing and carrying out acts of reparation to victims.

Story continues

- 'Total peace' -

But he added that there would be specifications concerning the "effective restriction of their freedom."

The agreement also states that foreign magistrates will not be allowed on special tribunals to hear cases about those involved in the conflict.

An upbeat chief rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez said "the only thing the new accord needs now is to be put into effect."

At the moment, neither side has made any mention of the new peace deal being put before a new referendum vote.

The United States hailed the agreement, and pledged continuing US support in implementing a peace under which the guerrillas would demobilize and become a political party.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that the new accord "constitutes an important step forward on Colombia's path to a just and durable peace."

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Santos' government had been meeting since October 22 to try to rescue a peace deal that has taken four years to negotiate.

In an October 2 referendum, voters unexpectedly rejected the peace agreement, deeming it too soft on the country's largest rebel group.

The development was a blow to Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to bring "total peace" to Colombia.

Meanwhile, talks with the smaller ELN (National Liberation Army) have been on hold over government demands it first free all hostages.

Founded in 1964, the FARC and the ELN are the last two leftist guerrilla groups involved in a messy, multi-sided conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, left seven million displaced and 45,000 more people missing.

Santos's government had been due to open peace talks with the ELN, Colombia's second-largest rebel group, on October 27.

But he called them off when the rebels failed to release ex-congressman Odin Sanchez, which he had set as a precondition.
Bogota (AFP) - Colombia's top negotiator questioned Sunday the ELN's intentions to launch peace talks after an attack on a southern oil pipeline, criticism that came one day after the country's government and FARC rebels announced a revised peace accord.

The modified deal between the government and the FARC comes after voters in a referendum rejected a prior peace accord to end 52 years of armed conflict.

The Colombian military said over the weekend that members of the ELN had activated an improvised explosive device causing a pipeline blast 100 meters from a kindergarten that left behind an oil slick in a nearby riverbed.

"This is the kind of anti-humanitarian gesture, besides being reprehensible, that calls into question those who say they want to start a peace process," the government's lead negotiator, Juan Camilo Restrepo, said Sunday on Twitter.

The government and the ELN, the second largest guerrilla group in the country, had planned to launch public peace talks on October 27 in Quito. President Juan Manuel Santos cancelled the negotiations after the rebels failed to release hostage ex-congressman Otis Sanchez.

The government and the FARC meanwhile announced over the weekend a new peace deal to end more than half-a-century of violent civil strife.

"We have reached a new final agreement to end the armed conflict, which incorporates changes, clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups, which we have gone through one by one," said a joint statement read out by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the peace process guarantors.

"Building a stable, lasting peace must be the shared commitment of all Colombians, and one that helps polarization be overcome while including all social and political voices," the statement added.

- 'A better agreement' -

Santos stressed that the new peace deal between the FARC and the government "is a better agreement."

Story continues

"We made adjustments, tweaks and changes in 56 of the 57 issues that were addressed," Santos said, so "we can build a deeper and broader peace."

The modified agreement leaves intact the accord's major tenets, including the FARC laying down its arms and becoming a political party.

It includes a number of "innovations" to several of the key points in the original peace deal, according to the government's lead negotiator Humberto de la Calle.

The new accord was fine-tuned after the groups that opposed the original deal submitted proposed changes as starting points for negotiations.

"The tweaks and clarifications we have made do not undermine the issues we agreed on, which shaped the first peace deal," De la Calle said.

Santos acknowledged that a suggestion seeking to bar rebel leaders involved in serious crimes from elections was not part of the re-worked peace deal.

He also hinted that the new accord would maintain the provision that FARC rebels could avoid prison time by confessing and carrying out acts of reparation to victims.

But he added that there would be specifications concerning the "effective restriction of their freedom."

The agreement also states that foreign magistrates will not be allowed on special tribunals to hear cases about those involved in the conflict.

- 'An important step forward' -

At the moment, neither side has made any mention of the new peace deal being put before a new referendum vote.

The original deal's fiercest opponents included Alvaro Uribe, who requested that spokespeople of the opposition be able to review the new text.

The United States hailed the agreement, and pledged continuing US support in implementing a peace under which the guerrillas would demobilize and become a political party.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that the new accord "constitutes an important step forward on Colombia's path to a just and durable peace."

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he "commends the efforts" of the FARC and the Colombian government and reaffirmed UN support for the peace process.

"Colombians have listened to one another and have reaffirmed their collective desire for peace," Ban said.

"They now have a new opportunity to go forward on this road to peace more unified than before."

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Santos' government had been meeting since October 22 to try to rescue a peace deal that has taken four years to negotiate.

In an October 2 referendum, voters unexpectedly rejected the peace agreement, deeming it too soft on the country's largest rebel group.

The development was a blow to Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to bring "total peace" to Colombia.

The FARC and the ELN are the last two leftist guerrilla groups involved in a messy, multi-sided conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, left seven million displaced and 45,000 more people missing.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The fierce ebb and flow of battle in Mosul's eastern districts is leaving residents feeling in constant threat, even after army advances in their neighborhoods, as counter-attacks by Islamic State jihadists often put them straight back on the front line. Special forces and a tank division fighting to expand their foothold in the east of the city for nearly two weeks have faced determined opposition from the militants who have launched waves of suicide bombers, sniper attacks and ambushes against them. The army has said it controls or has advanced in nearly a dozen districts in Mosul. But announcements of gains are often followed by reports of renewed fighting in the same areas which have been declared under control. One resident of al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya district, which the elite Counter Terrorism Service entered on Friday, said the special forces later pulled back and Islamic State fighters returned. "They came back to us again, and this is what we feared. At night there were fierce clashes and we heard powerful explosions," she told Reuters. In some districts, control has changed hands three or four times as the militants, using a tunnel network and exploiting the presence of civilians as cover, have launched night-time attacks and reversed military gains of the previous day. The CTS special forces spearheading the advance into Mosul are part of a 100,000-strong force of army, security forces, Kurdish peshmerga fighters and mainly Shi'ite "Popular Mobilisation" forces aiming to drive Islamic State from the largest city under their control in Iraq or Syria. The operation, which enters its fifth week on Monday, is the most complex in Iraq in over a decade and is complicated by the presence of the more than 1 million civilians still living under Islamic State control. In Intisar, further south on the same eastern flank of the city, the army's Ninth Armoured Division has been fighting for nearly two weeks without securing the neighborhood. "We have not been liberated yet," a mother of four told Reuters by telephone late on Saturday, describing how a mortar bomb had landed on her house while her family was sheltering under the concrete staircase indoors. "My husband moved us to a relative's house not far from our house. We walked hurried by a wall, scared of the indiscriminate shelling," she said. In areas which are under the control of the army in Mosul and surrounding towns and villages, tens of thousands of people "lack access to water, food, electricity and basic health services", the Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday. More than 54,000 people have been displaced so far in the four-week Mosul campaign, and the NRC said ultimately 700,000 people were likely to shelter, food, water or medical support. Inside the city, still under the control of the ultra-hardline militants, a retired government worker who drove to collect his pension said most markets appeared to be open and traffic grew busier the further he went from the eastern front. "I found a group of retirees who got to the pension office before me. We were whispering: 'Maybe this is the last salary we'll collect under Daesh (Islamic State)." (Editing by Jane Merriman)
London (AFP) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Sunday that the country's state of emergency, imposed after last year's Paris attacks, will likely be extended as France gears up for presidential elections.

"It is difficult today to end the state of emergency," Valls told BBC television as France marked exactly one year since the November 13, 2015 jihadist attacks that left 130 people dead.

"Especially since we are going to begin a presidential campaign in a few weeks with meetings, with public gatherings. So we must also protect our democracy," Valls added in the interview with the BBC's HARDtalk programme.

"Besides, this state of emergency device allows us to make arrests, administrative checks which are effective... So yes, we are probably going to live a few months more with this state of emergency."

The state of emergency was introduced on the night of the Paris attacks and extended for six months in late July.

While stressing he remained "very cautious", Valls said the risk of similar coordinated attacks appeared to have diminished.

"But we may face attacks of the kind that we saw in Nice," he said, referring to the July attack in the Riviera resort in which a 31-year-old Tunisian mowed down 86 people in a truck.

"That's to say some individuals who are driven directly by the internet, by social networks, by the Islamic Sate group, without having to go to Syria or Iraq."

Meanwhile, on the separate subject of a possible renegotiation of the 2003 Le Touquet accords which extend the British border to Calais' ferry ports, Valls made a plea for cooperation.

"We can always change a treaty, but if tomorrow we were saying that there was no agreement, that there was no longer a treaty, and that the border was open, there would be thousands and thousands of people who would converge on Britain, that would be a drama in the Channel and a major problem for Britain," he said.

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"That really shows that we need cooperation."

The comments come after France last month demolished the notorious Jungle migrant camp in Calais, where thousands of people had been living in squalid conditions hoping to stow away on trucks headed to Britain.

Under the Le Touquet agreement, Britain pays millions of euros each year for security in Calais but it is French police and border agents who are on the frontline.

Many French politicians believe London has simply outsourced a problem to France and the agreement should be torn up.

The leading candidates hoping to represent the right in next year's race for the French presidency have called for the Le Touquet deal to be renegotiated, with frontrunner Alain Juppe calling last month for the British border to be shifted back across the Channel.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, announced a new initiative called The Academy Talent Development and Inclusion Program, as she welcomed guests to the eighth annual Governors Awards tonight, held at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom.

Boone Isaacs has made encouraging diversity among filmmakers a hallmark of her tenure as Academy president and reiterated that goal, saying that inclusion "is a strategic imperative for our industry."

She said that despite how some of the Academy's efforts have been characterized in the press, it's about "names, not just numbers," and, she continued, "it's about change from top to bottom."

To that end, she said the Academy had brought together other members of the industry from studios and unions to create the new talent development program.

The program, set to launch in spring 2017, is described as a "multi-tiered educational and experiential initiative" designed to offer interns access to Academy members, industry professionals and education. According to a statement from the Academy, "this initiative will ultimately cement, strengthen and clarify long-standing, but independent efforts to address concerns of accessibility and opportunity for under-represented communities throughout our country."

While she didn't set a timetable for the Academy's goal, she said "we're not to the mountain top yet, but we can see the peak up ahead."

In her introductory remarks, the Academy president also alluded to the recent presidential election by saying of the movies, "in uncertain times, they can connect us, change us and unify us."

The evening's honorees, all of whom are receiving honorary Oscars, include actor Jackie Chan, film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.

More to come.

Read more: Governors Awards Honoree Jackie Chan: "Sometimes the Simple Stunts Are the Most Dangerous"
Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Saturday night announced a new initiative called The Academy Talent Development and Inclusion Program as she welcomed guests to the eighth annual Governors Awards, held at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom.

The evening's honorees, all of whom were presented with honorary Oscars, included actor/dynamo Jackie Chan, film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. "We honor them for they have touched us beyond measure, but we do so knowing that one day they will hand the baton to other remarkable talents," said Boone Isaacs.

She used the occasion to underline the importance of nurturing new talent, underscoring that "at the Academy, we are committed to empowering that next generation of creative talent and ensuring that next generation represents the real face of America and the world."

Boone Isaacs has made encouraging diversity among filmmakers a hallmark of her tenure as Academy president and reiterated that goal, saying that inclusion "is a strategic imperative for our industry."

She continued that despite how some of the Academy's efforts have been characterized in the press, it's about "names, not just numbers ... bringing new faces and voices into the room and making sure they are heard and seen. It's about change from top to bottom."

Read more: Governors Awards: More 2016 Awards Contenders Than You'll Find at the Actual Oscars

To that end, Boone Isaacs said the Academy has brought together other members of the industry from studios, distributors, guild and production companies to create the new talent development program.

The program, set to launch in the spring, is described as a "multi-tiered educational and experiential initiative" designed to offer interns access to Academy members, industry professionals and education. According to a statement from the Academy, "this initiative will ultimately cement, strengthen and clarify long-standing, but independent efforts to address concerns of accessibility and opportunity for under-represented communities throughout our country."

Story continues

The program, to which the Academy has already committed $250,000, will begin with eight-week summer educational and networking internships for college students (both undergraduate and graduate). Participating organizations will be asked to sponsor at least two interns as the Academy aims to serve 50 interns in the first year of the program.

Boone Isaacs stressed that the Academy's commitment to inclusion is ongoing, saying, "We're not to the mountain top yet, but we can see the peak up ahead."

In her introductory remarks, the Academy president also alluded to the recent presidential election by saying of movies, "in uncertain times, they can connect us, change us and unify us."

And with that, the evening turned to honoring the remarkable careers of four pioneers in the film business.

The celebration kicked off with a historic gesture in terms of Academy history: Stalmaster became the first casting director to ever receive an Oscar, and the casting directors in the room, who weren't recognized with their own branch within the Academy until 2013, cheered the loudest.

David Rubin - who represents casting directors on the board, and who was pulling double-duty by producing the evening and who counts Stalmaster as his former boss and mentor - said that Stalmaster's example proved "being a success in Hollywood and being a mensch are not mutually exclusive."

Stalmaster - who after a brief stint as an actor began his career as a casting director working in TV on shows like Gunsmoke - has during the course of his long career cast actors who have received 36 Oscar nominations and taken home 11 wins.

The father-daughter team of Bruce and Laura Dern paid tribute to him. Laura Dern recalled how, when she was just 9 years old and meeting Stalmaster for the first time, he advised her to take a few years to discover who she was before pursuing a career. "What an extraordinary gift you gave all of us in helping us find our way," she said. And her father testified that Stalmaster "gave me and my entire generation the opportunity to dare to dream," adding "You, Lynn Stalmaster, changed an industry."

Jeff Bridges presented the award to Stalmaster, calling him "the master-caster," and Stalmaster, after offering his thanks, responded, "My career has never been boring or lacking in surprises."

Michael Tronick, from the film editors' branch, kicked off the adulation for Coates, who also drew praise from Nicole Kidman, who said, "Anne V. Coates is not a great female editor - she is a great, great editor."

Coates, who previously won an Oscar for her work on Lawrence of Arabia, also was lauded by Richard Gere, who appeared in the 2002 film Unfaithful, which she cut. "As actors," he said of the moment he saw the finished movie, "we pray that that editor understood what we were trying to do. I thanked god for Anne Coates that day, because she understood the characters, the mysterious emotions that human beings have." Said Coates as she accepted the award, "I feel so lucky to have had this wonderful life and a job I love," noting that it had the side benefit of allowing her to gaze into the eyes of a long line of hunky actors from George Clooney to, most recently, Fifty Shades of Grey's Jamie Dornan.

Documentary branch board member Rory Kennedy introduced the section of the evening devoted to Wiseman, the prolific, documentary filmmaker, noting that his "observational style has had an impact far beyond documentary films."

Sir Ben Kingsley observed that as part of his research for Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, he watched Wiseman's first film, 1967's Titicut Follies, which exposed horrendous conditions in a Massachusetts prison for the criminally insane and was banned from general release for 24 years.

Accepting the honorary Oscar from Don Cheadle, who spoke of the director's "deep empathy for his fellow man," Wiseman, describing himself as "a New England Jewish Puritan," said, "What's kept me going is it's fun and an adventure." Explaining that humor can be found even in grim circumstances, he recounted how while filming Near Death, a doc about terminally ill patients, he visited with the director of a hospital morgue, who, as they were saying goodbye, said to Wiseman, "See you soon!" And, with a twinkle in his eye, Wiseman concluded, "Thank you, and see you soon!"

Tom Hanks, a governor representing the actors' branch, was called upon to begin the testimonials on behalf of Chan, and, with his usual playfulness, he hailed the Hong Kong-born performer as "the man who puts the Chan in Chan-tastic!" On a more serious note, Hanks noted that in his more dramatic roles, Chan could be considered another John Wayne, while in his many action comedies, he's a veritable Buster Keaton.

Michelle Yeoh, who has appeared onscreen with Chan, praised him as "a generous performer," but admitted when it came to doing stunts, he was very competitive with her, constantly looking to outdo her.

Chris Tucker, who co-starred with Chan in the Rush Hour movies, added that "working with a living legend was amazing."

Chan expressed his own amazement that he was receiving an honorary Oscar, and after offering his thanks to the Academy, didn't leave the stage without also adding, "My thanks to all my fans around the world."

Read more: Governors Awards Honoree Jackie Chan: "Sometimes the Simple Stunts Are the Most Dangerous"
Speaking on the second day of the Sahitya AajTak event at the Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi, Anupam Kher termed the demonetisation decision of the government as the right move against black money.

The actor also said that it is important to show patriotism through one's action.

By India Today Web Desk: Slamming Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, actor-activist Anupam Kher showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for government's attempt to curtail black money and dealing with Pakistan.

Anupam Kher likened the demonetisation move by the government with 'renovation of one's house'. He said, "Don't you have to sleep in the drawing room or on the roof when some renovation is done in your house or it is being painted."

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ON DEMONETISATION

Speaking on the second day of the Sahitya AajTak event at the Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi, Anupam Kher termed the demonetisation decision of the government as the right move against black money.

Anupam Kher said, "The intention of demonetisation is to end black money. This is the intention. But, the problem is with implementation. There should not have been any problem to people. They (the government) should have planned it better."

"Don't we adjust accordingly when our houses undergo a renovation," asks the actor, who has been a vocal supporter of the Modi government.

Slamming those opposing the demonetisation move, Anupam Kher said, "Some people have suddenly got worried about their servants and maids. But if they are really concerned them, they should be standing in queues for them."

Watch Sahitya AajTak here



ON RAHUL GANDHI

Anupam Kher questioned Rahul Gandhi's move to stand in queue outside a bank in New Delhi to exchange invalid currency notes.

He said, "Those who never went to bank, if they stand in queue outside an ATM or bank, it raises doubts about their intentions."

"Has one person (referring to Rahul Gandhi) gone to Amethi after demonetisation decision to see what sort problems people in his constituency are facing? Have you done anything for the people, who have voted for you for past 50 years," asked Anupam Kher.

Anupam Kher said that some people were trying to destablise the democratically elected Modi government.

"The kind of destructive and destablising things have been done to create troubles for government did not happen in the last 70 years. They want to create problems for government," Anupam Kher.

ON KEJRIWAL

Speaking about his once co-activist at the India Against Corruption movement and present Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Anupam Kher said, "Somewhere deep inside, I am very disappointed with Arvind Kejriwal. The kind of majority he got in Delhi, he could have done so much."

"It is not the first time that he has spoken a bogus thing," Anupam Kher said of Kejriwal's questioning of demonetisation move before adding, "Kejriwal compares himself with Modi. I can compare myself with Marlon Brando. But, I am happy to be Anupam Kher. Kejriwal should be happy being Kejriwal."

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Anupam Kher said that Modi government's policy has brought hope for the country. "The government's efforts ensured that Pakistan was isolated after the surgical strikes."

The actor also said that it is important to show patriotism through one's action.



--- ENDS ---
Hillary Clinton is blaming her election loss to Donald Trump on FBI Director James Comey.

During a 30-minute conference call with donors on Saturday, the Democratic nominee cited Comey's decision to reopen the investigation into her emails in connection to the Anthony Weiner scandal as the factor that shifted the narrative to end in President-elect Donald Trump's favor.

"There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful," said Clinton, according to a donor who relayed the remarks to The New York Times. She added, "Our analysis is that Comey's letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum."

The decision came 11 days ahead of Election Day, and though Comey cleared her on Nov. 5, many believed the Saturday announcement came too close to Nov. 8 to undo its damage.

Read more: FBI Not Recommending Criminal Charges in Hillary Clinton Email Investigation

Clinton's campaign said the decision hurt Clinton by persuading voters who found her untrustworthy and who were receptive to Trump's accusations of a "rigged" system, reported the Times.

"We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing to regain our advantage, which, going into last weekend, we had," Clinton said on the call of the poll numbers ahead of Comey's announcement. "We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing. And we were feeling like we had to put it back together."

The donor described her tone as "stoic" on the call, a seemingly far cry from her reported mood at a Friday event for her staff.

Appearing in person for the first time since her concession speech, Clinton spoke briefly during a goodbye party Friday night in Brooklyn, N.Y., urging her team to keep fighting.

Read more: Anti-Trump Protests Take to the Streets From L.A. to NYC

She also brought 1,200 roses that she had been sent by a group of supporters to hand out as a thank you. Digital director Jenna Lowenstein tweeted a photo of the roses on Friday.

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Someone sent 1000 red roses to @HillaryClinton. She brought them to distribute at our staff party tonight.

Of course.- Jenna Lowenstein (@just_jenna) November 12, 2016

I mean. pic.twitter.com/FRsyuTdoLx

- Jenna Lowenstein (@just_jenna) November 12, 2016

On a Friday-night conference call with volunteers, she also urged her volunteers to "get back out there and keep fighting," citing her win in the popular vote as motivation.

"Listen, this is a hard loss for all of us because we know what was at stake in this election, and we've got to do everything we can to continue to support the causes we believe in," she said, according to CNN. "When you're ready, I hope you will get back out there and keep fighting. I never thought this campaign was about one person or one election."

She added, "This is a tough time for our country. I think we've seen how people have reacted to events of this election, and I know that we've got to be reaching out to each other to keep it clear in our own minds that what we did is so important."

On Thursday, a mom hiking in Chappaqua, N.Y., where Clinton lives, snapped the first picture of the nominee since her concession speech, showing her smiling to ear to ear while on a walk with husband Bill Clinton and their dogs.

Read more: A "Heartbroken" New York Mom Bumps Into Hillary Clinton While Hiking
Hundreds of protesters marched down State Street in Chicago, Illinois, on November 12 to protest the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

The demonstrators chanted and marched in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota, who are fighting against the Dakota Access Pipeline out of fear for the safety of their water supply.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe say that the pipeline is disrupting their cultural sites, including burial grounds, and poses a threat to the water supply. The protesters in North Dakota have been met with private security forces and riot police throughout the protests, which have been going on for months. Credit: Instagram/Beth Sherwood via Storyful
South Korean prosecutors investigating a corruption scandal engulfing President Park-Geun Hye have quizzed Samsung group scion and the chairman of Hyundai Motor, a report said Sunday.

Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the heir-apparent of the Samsung group, was being questioned by prosecutors, Yonhap news agency said.

It cited an official at the Seoul prosecutors' office, which is probing whether Park pressured the firms to donate millions of dollars to dubious foundations controlled by her longtime confidant, Choi Soon-Sil.

Samsung made the largest donation of more than $15 million and is accused of separately offering 2.8 million euros ($3.1 million) to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany.

Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-Koo was also quizzed along with the bosses of other powerful conglomerates, Yonhap said.

The president reportedly had a meeting last July with the top businessmen at her office and urged them to donate money to the two cultural foundations that Choi used for personal gain.

Prosecutors also announced Sunday a plan to quiz Park this week. If this happens she will be the first South Korean president to be questioned by prosecutors while in office.

The "donations" from the firms amounted to nearly $70 million, including 20 billion won ($17.5 million) from Samsung and 12.8 billion won from Hyundai.

Choi was arrested recently for allegedly using her ties with Park to coerce donations from the firms and meddling in a wide range of state affairs although she holds no official position.

The scandal has sparked nationwide fury and massive protests calling for Park to resign.
I was a student in New York City on September 11, 2001, in my first week of graduate school at Columbia University. I was giving a presentation when a classmate burst into the room and said "someone flew a plane into the World Trade Center."

It wasn't until class was over that we understood what was actually happening. Like everyone around me, I frantically dialed everyone.

I remember what my father said once I got through to my parents: "Stay safe, son."

He said that a lot in the years that followed  after last year's attacks in Paris for example  and as Donald Trump's rhetoric ramped up during the Presidential campaign. Were he alive today, I'd have woken to those words in a text message the morning after Trump was elected president.

To understand what America's Muslims are imagining lies in store for them in Trump's America, you only need to know what happened after 9/11. The thing is, many people don't know, or don't remember.

Back then, we had to endure the terror of the attacks on the Twin Towers like everyone else, and then we immediately faced the wrath of a country that blamed all of us for what happened. People  including non-Muslim immigrants  were attacked in acts of revenge. Some were killed.

9/11/2001

Islamophobia

George W. Bush might have been more careful with his words but his administration turned to fearmongering to push forward its own agenda. To project an image of security in a country that was justifiably panicked, the government quickly put in place policies that targeted, humiliated, and terrified Muslims. Later, it ginned up racist hatred to win support for a war that the country has come to regret.

Both are scenarios we could face again.

Muslim registration

This week, a year-old New York Times article titled "Donald Trump Says He'd 'Absolutely' Require Muslims to Register" began to circulate on Twitter, which led to fresh condemnation.

This is exactly what tens of thousands of Muslim immigrants in the US faced after 9/11.



In 2002, along with other Muslim-immigrant students across the US, I got notices from the university telling me I had to appear at federal offices in lower Manhattan to be fingerprinted.

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Called NSEERS, it was a program that required "registration" of men from 25 countries  almost all of them predominantly Muslim and Arab nations like Pakistan (where I am from) or Lebanon and Syria. North Korea was the sole exception.

Then we had to submit to being tracked. When I traveled overseas during school holidays, I had to register my departure on the way out by finding an office in the bowels of JFK airport and waiting for a border protection officer to wander back from his break.

When I returned a few weeks later, I was directed into a second room away from the main immigration hall, where I was again fingerprinted and photographed. I was told to fill out a form with details about my parents (who didn't live in the US) and friends or relatives who lived in the country. My credit cards were photocopied.

This would happen every time I came and went. And it would mean I was detained for as long as four hours before being "cleared" to enter the country. Sometimes the old Dell computers used by the officers would break down and I'd just have to sit there, on a metal chair, staring at George Bush's and Dick Cheney's pictures hanging on the wall and fuming.

And when I finished school and moved out of student housing in mid-2003, I had to be sure to let the government know where I was going to live  or face deportation.

RTR1LIZC

'First time in the US?'

Once, having been through the screening a half-dozen times, I was greeted with a baffling "first time in the US?"

It wasn't a joke. I could tell by the fumbled response I got when I said "um, no."

"Well, Mo, it's better that they're safe," I was told by people trying to console me after particularly long detentions at the airport.

I understand the threat posed to all of us by Muslim radicals, and I might have agreed if I had any confidence that safety was an outcome of all this.



In 2012, a Department of Homeland Security review of the program determined that it relied on 17 different databases that were not integrated, and was seen as a waste of time by border patrol officers who also said "there was little value in the interviews."

And no, there's no evidence that it achieved anything in terms of added security.

The program was effectively suspended in 2011, but some things haven't actually changed. Even though I am now a permanent resident (status which would have exempted me from the NSEERS program) and have lived, worked, studied, married, and raised children in the US for more than two decades, I still get to spend a little extra time in that room in the back, every single time I come across the border.



I still haven't told my children the truth about why, when we return from a holiday abroad, they and their mother head to baggage claim while I am led away by the immigration officer.

But for me the registration program wasn't the worst thing about living in the US back then. It was the fact that it all took place surrounded by a hateful conversation that was far more widespread than the crackpot theories of a presidential candidate today.

newsweek cover islamic rage

'Why do they hate us?'

That question became an obsession for some newsrooms immediately after September 11. When it's asked today, the "they" typically distinguishes between extremists, like ISIS, and ordinary Muslims. Back then it didn't.

I wasn't a journalist until 2003, but I was fascinated with the news media, and my heart broke every time I turned on the television.

I remember Jerry Falwell on "60 Minutes" calling the Prophet Muhammad a "terrorist" without causing much alarm. I remember New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman in 2003 justifying the invasion of Iraq by saying Iraqis needed to see American troops go house to house across the country and tell the Arab world to "suck on this."

I'm not so sensitive that I can't watch an episode of "Homeland," and I don't mean to disregard all the people who did whatever they could to shield others and me from this hostility.

Of course many Americans don't think hateful generalizations are OK. I think many of Trump's supporters are included in this group.

But for me, this environment was overwhelming. And I did leave, eventually. I spent six years overseas starting in 2007. I wasn't fleeing  I left for an amazing work opportunity  but I was elated to be moving as far away from this environment as I could.

The day I left, in a van packed with luggage and an ear-to-ear grin on my face, I thought I might never come back.

11/9/2016

RTSROCL

But I am back, and the America I woke up to the day after this election seems different than it did in 2001, in a good way.

Yes, there's racism, and lazy generalizations, and fear of radical Islam that sometimes turns into an irrational fear of all Muslims. And yes, Donald Trump used all of this to win votes and ultimately the presidency.

But there's also something else going on. Trump's false claims that thousands of Muslims in New Jersey were dancing on rooftops as the Twin Towers fell weren't met with a deafening silence like they might have been back in 2002. They were met with swift outrage and repudiation.

There are two Muslim congressmen, and one of them may soon be running the Democratic National Committee. Ilhan Omar, a hijab-wearing Somali immigrant, was just elected to the Minnesota state legislature. Khizr Khan, the father of a Muslim American soldier who was killed in the line of duty, did more to stand up to Trump's tyranny than anybody when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention.







And there are people in the streets trying to make sure this president understands that if he speaks bigotry, he is not speaking for them.

I know that attacks on Muslims and minorities are rising, and that some people in the Muslim community are more alarmed than I am. But we are hearing that alarm loud and clear because they have a voice they did not have 15 years ago.

I could leave. But the world doesn't become a better place if we retreat into our camps, and abandon Khan and Omar and all the other people who intend to stand up for the rights of all minorities. Turning our backs on a problem will not make it go away.

And that's why, the day after the election, when my American wife  who is not a Muslim  turned to me and said, "Mo, you know that if it gets bad, we can go," my answer was clear.

"Hell no."

NOW WATCH: Watch Donald Trump's full victory speech





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By Suvashree Choudhury and Sanjeev Miglani MUMBAI/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's government increased the limit on cash withdrawals from bank accounts on Sunday to calm public anger as millions of people clamored for new rupee bills after a shock abolishment of large denomination notes. Large crowds were again gathered at banks across the country trying to change 500 and 1,000 rupee bills, demonetized by the government on Tuesday, in an effort to crack down on corruption. Indian banks received 3 trillion rupees ($44.4 billion) of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes over the last four days, the Finance Ministry said in a statement, in a surge in liquidity in the banking system. Short term interest rates are expected to fall as a result. The government relaxed cash withdrawal limits including removing a per-day cap of 10,000 rupees, increasing the weekly limit to 24,000 rupees from 20,000 and allowed exchange of bills over the counter at banks to reach 4,500 rupees instead of 4,000. The move to demonetize the large bills is designed to bring billions of dollars' worth of cash in unaccounted wealth into the mainstream economy, as well as dent the finances of Islamist militants who target India and are suspected of using fake 500 rupee notes to fund operations. The banned rupee notes made up more than 80 percent of the currency in circulation, leaving millions without cash and threatening to bring much of the cash-driven economy to a halt. The Reserve Bank of India said small denomination currency notes were available with both the central bank and with other lenders. People "need not be anxious" and should not hoard bank notes because "cash is available when they need it", the RBI said in a statement. It also asked banks to provide details of cash withdrawn and exchanged daily, in contrast to fortnightly, to provide a better idea on circulation. The measures came as people complained of lack of access to their accounts despite hours of waiting at banks as well as over the non-functioning of tens of thousands of ATMs not yet reconfigured for the new series of smaller-sized 2000 rupee bills. The Times of India reported that the central bank's office in the western city of Ahmedabad was handing out coins in return for the old notes because it didn't have enough valid tender. It showed a picture of a man emerging with plastic packets of coins of 10 rupees, underlining the banking system's struggle to make the transition to the new series of notes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, facing criticism from opposition groups for putting ordinary people into difficulties, promised further steps to rid the country of graft. "I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble, but I am prepared," he said in a speech in western seaside resort of Goa. The decision to demonetize the high value notes was planned in secrecy over the past 10 months, he said. Modi came to power in 2014 with a mandate to boost economic growth and fight the corruption that taints large parts of India's political and business life. So far, despite the rising difficulties people are facing, his crackdown on corruption is supported particularly among the middle-class which want action against the political and business elite for wrongdoing. Anil Dalavi, a 32-year-old Mumbai resident with 20 rupees in his pocket who was waiting outside a bank, said he supported Modi's efforts to go after people with ill-gotten wealth. "It has been tough for middle class people like us because we were caught completely unaware. But since this is a good move to flush out black money, I am willing to bear the pain." The "black economy", the term widely used to describe transactions that take place outside formal channels, could account for as much as 20 percent of gross domestic product, according to investment firm Ambit. POLITICAL BACKLASH Modi's political opponents said they would unite to fight the demonetization move which had made lives difficult for millions of ordinary people. "The government has spread anarchy in the country, the common man cannot buy daily products," said Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of Samajwadi party, as crowds formed outside banks in Lucknow, the capital of the country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh. Yadav demanded Modi withdraw the decision to cancel the bank notes. Uttar Pradesh, which holds state elections early next year, sends the largest number of legislators to India's national parliament. (Editing by Jane Merriman and Alexandra Hudson)
MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian banks received 3 trillion rupees ($44.4 billion) of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes over the last four days, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday, after the government announced it would withdraw such bills to crack down on corruption. The government also relaxed cash withdrawal limits including removing a per-day cap of 10,000 rupees, increasing the weekly limit to 24,000 rupees from 20,000 and allowed exchange of bills over the counter at banks to reach 4,500 rupees instead of 4,000. From automated teller machines, individuals will now be able to take out up to 2,500 rupees of cash per day instead of 2,000 rupees per day, the ministry said in a statement. These relaxations came as public anger increased due to a lack of access to accounts, as well as over the non-functioning of ATMs not yet reconfigured for the new series of smaller 2,000-rupee bills. (Reporting by Suvashree Dey Choudhury; Editing by Dale Hudson)
Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi forces said on Sunday they had recaptured the site of an ancient Assyrian city blown up by the Islamic State group, as they battled the jihadists south of Mosul.

The troops pushed towards Nimrud last week as they pressed an offensive begun on October 17 to recapture Iraq's second city, which the jihadists seized along with swathes of Iraq and Syria in mid-2014.

A Kurdish-Arab alliance is pursuing a twin offensive against the other major city still under IS control, Raqa in Syria, and a US-led coalition is backing both assaults with air strikes.

"The villages of Al-Nomaniyah and Al-Nimrud and the ruins of Nimrud were recaptured," Staff Brigadier General Saad Ibrahim of the 9th Armoured Division told AFP.

Iraq's Joint Operations Command had announced earlier Sunday that the entire Nimrud area was retaken, but later said that this was incorrect.

However, the village of Nimrud and the archaeological site have been recaptured, the JOC said.

Nimrud was the one of the great centres of the ancient Middle East. Founded in the 13th century BC, it became the capital of the Assyrian empire, whose rulers built vast palaces and monuments that have drawn archaeologists for more than 150 years.

In April last year, IS posted a video on the internet of its fighters smashing monuments before planting explosives around the site and blowing it up.

It was part of a campaign of destruction against heritage sites under jihadist control that also took in Hatra in the desert south of Mosul and Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

- Displaced civilians -

IS says the ancient monuments are idols that violate the teachings of its extreme form of Sunni Islam, but it has still sold artefacts to fund its operations.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization welcomed the news of Nimrud's recapture.

"We look forward to coordinating with the relevant authorities in Baghdad on providing support for any assessments that need to be done of the site, once the area has been stabilised," UNESCO spokesman George Papagiannis said.

Story continues

The Iraqi offensive has seen federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance on Mosul from the east, south and north.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) force has pushed into the eastern outskirts of Mosul, with heavy fighting in recent days.

CTS Staff Lieutenant Colonel Muntadhar Salem told AFP on Sunday that its forces were looking to move into a new eastern neighbourhood.

"Our goal today is to clear out IS from the western part of Karkukli," he said.

North of Karkukli in the Arbajiyah district, CTS forces were facing sniper fire as they moved street-to-street clearing houses.

In the Al-Samah neighbourhood, which the CTS said they have cleared, two young boys fell victim to IS mortar fire Sunday.

Shafiq, 15, died on his way to a field hospital, and 12-year-old Mohammed suffered a bad leg wound.

Mortar rounds "hit one right after the other. Mohammed and Shafiq were the first ones to fall", said their neighbour Ghassan, wiping bloodied hands on his pants.

Shafiq's grandfather, head in his hands, sobbed nearby as neighbours and relatives tried to comfort him.

The attack was a bloody reminder that residents in areas of Mosul recaptured from IS can be still very much in danger.

On the edge of Mosul, dozens of civilians could be seen walking Sunday towards a gathering point from where they would be taken to a camp for the displaced.

- Jihadist resistance -

In neighbouring Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance has moved to about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Raqa since launching its offensive a week ago.

Commanders have said the SDF is close to completing a first phase of the operation to surround and isolate Raqa before launching an assault on the city itself.

The jihadists are resisting fiercely in both Mosul and Raqa, and military commanders have warned of long and difficult battles ahead.

Turkey has launched its own operation against IS just south of its border in Syria, and a monitor said Sunday that Ankara-backed rebels had neared the IS stronghold of Al-Bab.

The rebels had moved to about two kilometres from Al-Bab, as Turkish forces targeted the town with artillery and air strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Ankara launched its unprecedented cross-border operation saying it was targeting both IS and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, a key opponent of the jihadist group, that dominates the SDF.

Turkey considers the YPG a "terrorist" organisation, and wants to avoid the creation of a contiguous, semi-autonomous Kurdish zone along the Syrian border.

Kurdish forces have also played a major role in the battle against IS in Iraq.

Its autonomous Kurdish region has gained or solidified control over large areas claimed by both it and the federal government in Baghdad.

In a report on Sunday, Human Rights Watch said Iraqi Kurdish forces had demolished Arab homes and buildings in disputed areas in the north.

HRW raised concern that the destruction was "for the purpose of preventing or dissuading Arabs from returning" in order to strengthen Kurdish claims to the areas.
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State in northern Iraq unlawfully destroyed Arab homes in scores of towns and villages in what may amount to a war crime, U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Watch said on Sunday. The Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi armed forces have faced a common enemy in Islamic State since the militants took over large parts of Iraq in 2014. Iraqi troops and Kurdish fighters make up the 100,000-strong, U.S.-backed alliance currently battling to retake Mosul. But animosity persists, going back to decades of mistreatment of Kurds by ruling Arabs in Baghdad, especially under Saddam Hussein. Reuters found last month that Kurds are using the battle against Islamic State to settle old disputes and grab land in ethnically mixed territory separating the Kurdish region in the north from the majority Arab south. Human Rights Watch said in its report that violations between September 2014 and May 2016 in 21 towns and villages within disputed areas of Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces had followed "a pattern of apparently unlawful demolitions". The areas are nominally under the jurisdiction of Baghdad but are controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The Kurdish region has taken in more than 1 million people from elsewhere in Iraq, who have been displaced by the conflict, most of them Sunni Arabs. The KRG has denied any systematic policy of destruction of Arab homes, but said peshmerga had carried out demolitions for security reasons such as clearing booby-trapped homes. The HRW report is based on more than a dozen field visits and interviews with over 120 witnesses and officials. Analysis of satellite images suggests property destruction targeted Arab residents long after any military necessity for such actions had ended. "In village after village in Kirkuk and Nineveh, KRG security forces destroyed Arab homes  but not those belonging to Kurds  for no legitimate military purpose," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW. The satellite imagery provides evidence of destruction in 62 other villages following their capture by Kurdish security forces, but HRW said a lack of witness accounts made it difficult to determine cause and responsibility in those instances. Kurdish officials have stated their intention to absorb land recovered from Islamic State into their autonomous region and prevent Arab residents from returning to areas "Arabised" decades ago by Saddam Hussein. Dindar Zebari, the head of a KRG's committee tasked with responding to international reports, said authorities had carried out a thorough investigation, examining cases in individual villages. "There was a strategic intention for the destruction of houses or a number of these villages," Zebari told reporters in Erbil. "(The) large presence of IEDs placed in these areas, especially in civilian properties, has been a huge cause of the destruction following the liberation process. "Sometimes we have no choice ... before entering a village you destroy as much as you can to make sure everything is safe." Zebari attributed much of the rest of the damage to U.S.-led coalition air strikes on IS positions or to exchanges of artillery fire during fighting. He said militiamen allied to the peshmerga had demolished some homes in apparent revenge, but denied peshmerga participation in those cases. HRW called on the United States and other members of an international coalition backing Iraqi forces in the fight against Islamic State to pressure the Kurdish authorities to end the demolitions. (Reporting By Stephen Kalin; additional reporting by John Davison; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Stephen Kalin BAWIZA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi soldiers fighting just north of Mosul, within sight of city neighbourhoods, said on Sunday they were ready to tighten the noose around Islamic State militants waging a brutal defence of their Iraqi stronghold. Four weeks into the campaign to crush Islamic State in Mosul, the city is almost surrounded but the jihadists' defences have so far been breached only to the east, where they have battled elite troops for control of around a dozen districts. The battle for Mosul, the biggest city held by the ultra-hardline Sunni Islamist group in Iraq and Syria, is the largest military operation in Iraq in a decade of turmoil unleashed by the 2003 U.S. invasion which toppled Saddam Hussein. Iraq's Shi'ite-led government, which has assembled a 100,000-strong coalition of troops, security forces, Kurdish peshmerga fighters and mainly Shi'ite militias, backed by U.S. air power, says it will mark the end of Islamic State in Iraq. But it says the fight will be a long one. An army special forces officer on the northern front line said his men aimed to target Hadba, the first neighbourhood ahead of them within city limits. The district was visible from his position in the village of Bawiza. Brigadier Ali Abdulla said Islamic State fighters had been pushed out of Bawiza and another village, Saada, although progress had been slowed by the presence of civilians he said were being used by the militants as human shields. "Our approach (to Hadba) will be very slow and cautious so that we can reach the families and free them from Daesh's (Islamic State's) grip," Abdulla said. One man who escaped from Saada to Bawiza with his young son and daughter said they had to move from house to house and hide among sheep to avoid being caught by Islamic State fighters. The timing of the decision to move on Hadba would depend on progress on other fronts, Abdulla said. Security forces are advancing to the south of Mosul, targeting the city's airport on the west bank of the Tigris river. Abdulla said Islamic State was using suicide car bombs, roadside bombs, snipers and long range mortars to try to hold back the army advance in the north - all tactics it has used to lethal effect on the eastern front as well. Another officer, Captain Oqba Nafaa, said the militants were still fighting in Saada, using a network of tunnels to carry out surprise strikes on the attacking forces. The urban warfare tactics were similar to those they have deployed to lethal effect in the east of the city against elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) forces and an armoured division. In some districts, control has changed hands three or four times as the militants, using tunnels and exploiting the presence of civilians as cover, have launched night-time attacks and reversed military gains of the previous day. One resident of al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya district, which the CTS entered on Friday, said the special forces later pulled back and Islamic State fighters returned. "They came back to us again, and this is what we feared. At night there were fierce clashes and we heard powerful explosions," she told Reuters. A military statement later said that CTS forces had cleared all militants from two districts of eastern Mosul, Arbajiya and Karkukli, and were still clearing three others. TROOPS TAKE NIMRUD About 30 km (20 miles) south of Mosul, troops recaptured the 3,000-year-old Assyrian city of Nimrud which was overrun by Islamic State militants two years ago, a military source said. Nimrud, once the capital of an empire stretching across the ancient Middle East, is one of several historic sites looted and ransacked by the militants, who deem the country's pre-Islamic religious heritage idolatrous. Iraq's deputy culture minister, Qais Hussain Rasheed, said that recapturing the remains of Iraq's rich heritage from the jihadists represented a triumph for the world. Islamic State still controls other Assyrian landmarks including the ruins of Nineveh and Khorsabad, as well as the 2,000-year-old desert city of Hatra. "Liberation of ancient Iraqi archaeological sites from the control of forces of dark and evil is a victory not only to Iraqis but for all humanity," Rasheed, deputy minister for tourism and antiquities at the culture ministry, told Reuters. The scale of the damage inflicted on the sites is not completely clear, but Iraqi officials say many buildings have been totally destroyed. More than 54,000 people have been forced to flee their homes so far in the Mosul campaign. The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday tens of thousands of people "lack access to water, food, electricity and basic health services" in areas recaptured by the army in Mosul and surrounding towns and villages. Ultimately, 700,000 people were likely to need shelter, food, water or medical support. In the north of the country, Iraqi Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State unlawfully destroyed Arab homes in scores of towns and villages in what may amount to a war crime, the U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Watch said on Sunday. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Dominic Evans in Baghdad; editing by Giles Elgood)
Participating in the debate the three spoke passionately about journalism, society and, of course, politics. The debate swayed from 2002-Gujarat riots to 2014-elections and from the US presidential polls to 2016-demonetisation decision of the government.

By India Today Web Desk: Journalism is a powerful carrier of literature and language. Hindi language have been immensely shaped by journalists over the decades. But, journalists don't discuss language when they come together at any platform.

Neither did noted journalist-author-anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh and journalist-writer Uday Mahurkar, when they came at the Sahitya AajTak event to discuss the lakshamanrekha of journalism.

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Participating in the debate the three spoke passionately about journalism, society and, of course, politics. The debate swayed from 2002-Gujarat riots to 2014-elections and from the US presidential polls to 2016-demonetisation decision of the government.

And, they all agreed that the lakshamanrekha for journalist is reporting of truth.

"And, the truth is that the nation is changing. It is changing with sharp divisions along various lines of beliefs. Those, who don't agree with a particular idea or ideology are being called names and labelled as anti-nationals," Rajdeep Sardesai said.

"This narrative of nationalism is dangerous. This is not the language of India," he said.

Rajdeep further said, "Those who have their bank accounts in Swiss banks cannot preach nationalism to others."

Speaking on the subject of Gujarat riots, journalist-writer Uday Mahurkar said that a section of media attempted to suppress facts that went in favour of the then government (led by Narendra Modi).

"A section of media carried out biased reporting of Gujarat riots. The Godhra incident was not given similar space by that section," Mahurkar said.

Journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh lamented that the media was losing freedom of expression. He accused the Modi government for muzzling the press.

"In 1990, communism died and in 2016 liberalism died. Media is today scared to report against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah," Ashutosh said.

Also Read

AAP's demands unconstitutional, safeguarding constitution is our dharma: LG Jung at Sahitya AajTak

Modi brings hope; Kejriwal, Rahul disappoint, says Anupam Kher at Sahitya AajTak



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By Dominic Evans and Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi soldiers recaptured the town of Nimrud on Sunday and the nearby ruins of the 3,000-year-old Assyrian city which was overrun and bulldozed two years ago by Islamic State militants. Nimrud, once the capital of an empire stretching across the ancient Middle East, is one of several historic sites looted and ransacked by the militants when they seized large parts of northern Iraq two years ago. The militant group, whose ultra-hardline doctrine deems the country's pre-Islamic religious heritage idolatrous, released video footage last year showing its fighters bulldozing, drilling and blowing up murals and statues at Nimrud. Those statues included the famous winged bulls with human faces, known as lamassu, which stood at the entrances to the palace of Ashurnasirpal II, king of Assyria in the 9th century BC, and nearby temples on the site. "Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings," the statement said. Army officers later told Iraqi television that Islamic State had also been driven from the old city, 1 km (less than 1 mile) east of the town, which formed the capital of an Assyrian empire reaching from Egypt to parts of modern-day Iran and Turkey. Nimrud lies on the eastern bank of the Tigris river, 30 km (20 miles) south of Mosul where Iraqi soldiers are battling Islamic State for the largest city under the militants' control in Iraq and neighboring Syria. "VICTORY FOR HUMANITY" Iraq's deputy culture minister Qais Hussain Rasheed said that recapturing the remains of Iraq's rich heritage from the jihadists was a triumph for the whole world. Islamic State still controls other Assyrian landmarks including the ruins of Nineveh and Khorsabad, as well as the 2,000-year-old desert city of Hatra, famed for its pillared temple which blended Graeco-Roman and eastern architecture. "Liberation of ancient Iraqi archeological sites from the control of forces of dark and evil is a victory not only to Iraqis but for all humanity," Rasheed, deputy minister for tourism and antiquities at the culture ministry, told Reuters. The scale of the damage inflicted on the sites is not completely clear, but Iraqi officials say some buildings have been totally destroyed. A report by Rasheed's ministry last year said one of the carved wall panels at Nimrud's northern palace was stolen in July 2014. Eight months later, far greater damage was inflicted. The militants destroyed 10 winged bulls, located at the palace gates and at the temple of Ishtar - godess of love, war, sex and power - and Nabu - god of literature and wisdom. A month later in April 2015 "the gangs completely blew up the city and its ancient buildings" the report said. Rasheed said antiquities authorities had given detailed coordinates to Iraqi forces on the ground and their U.S.-led air support to avoid any accidental damage to the archaeological sites, and also provided information to commanders about "the heritage and antiquities of Nineveh" - where they are operating. Once sites are retaken from the militants, a special antiquities security team will join security forces there to help them preserve the sites, he added. Nimrud was excavated in the 19th century by British archaeologist Austen Layard. Max Mallowan and his wife, crime writer Agatha Christie, worked at Nimrud in the 1950s. Her experiences in Iraq, and journeys from Britain to the Middle East, formed the background to several of her novels including Murder on the Orient Express and Murder in Mesopotamia. (Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
By Asad Hashim and Gul Yousafzai ISLAMABAD/QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - The second deadly attack in Pakistan claimed by Islamic State's leadership in a month shows a swift rise of the movement by partnering with local sectarian groups, analysts say, even as an official on Sunday denied IS has a Pakistan presence. Islamic State's Arabic-language news service in the Middle East claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Muslim shrine on Saturday, which killed 52 people and wounded scores more in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan. The blast at Shah Noorani shrine, in a remote area about 100 km (62 miles) north of the port city of Karachi, happened while hundreds of people were inside. It followed an attack on a police academy on Oct 24 in the same province that was jointly claimed by IS and a Pakistani sectarian faction, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami. The Al Alami faction did not claim direct involvement in the latest attack, but a spokesman repeated that the group cooperates with IS's leadership and other jihadist movements. "Right now, in Pakistan, and especially in the cities, wherever there are attacks taking place, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami is cooperating with them either directly or indirectly," spokesman Ali bin Sufyan told Reuters via instant messaging. The use of local proxies among established militants has been a singular aspect of Islamic State's entry into Pakistan. In neighboring Afghanistan, by contrast, members of the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban have switched allegiances and rebranded themselves as IS fighters. In Pakistan, however, Islamic State appears happy to let their local allies operate under their own identities in exchange for allowing IS to claim responsibility for high-profile attacks. "IS may not have a formal structure in Pakistan, but certainly they have support among some of the banned militant groups, particularly Sunni sectarian groups" like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami (LeJ-AA), said Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani security analyst. "It's a kind of nexus that we are seeing between global jihadi groups and local sectarian groups." OFFICIAL DENIAL Pakistani officials, however, continue to deny Islamic State has developed any meaningful operations in the country, which is home to a host of other Islamist militants including the Taliban, LeJ, Lashkar-e-Taiba and al Qaeda. "There is no presence of (Islamic State) in Baluchistan. The claim IS made is false," Baluchistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told Reuters on Sunday. Bugti said that recent attacks claimed by IS were carried out by Lashkar-e-Jangvi Al Alami, but the group gave information to IS on the attackers in order to harm Pakistan's reputation. "Claims through IS are a conspiracy to isolate Pakistan in the international community," he said. He added that he believes the LeJ Al Alami faction was acting on orders of Pakistan's arch-foe and neighbor, India, though he did not explain how India would facilitate contact with Islamic State. Pakistan officials often say India is connected to militant attacks in Baluchistan. The Baluchistan attacks came mere months after Pakistan's chief military spokesman told a press briefing that Islamic State's plans to expand into the country had been thwarted. Analyst Hussain, however, said there are now clear signs that Pakistani militants are in direct contact with Islamic State's central leadership and with the movement's hundreds of loyalist fighters in eastern Afghanistan. "Absolutely, there is a connection," he said. "This is not just a banner as publicity. There is some connection, and contacts." ALLIANCES Amir Rana, another Pakistani security analyst, agreed that Islamic State's growing influence "cannot be denied". "It seems that IS has found an ally in Pakistan, which is probably LeJ Al Alami," Rana said. That would help explain why the attacks claimed by IS took place in Baluchistan, he said, because that is where LeJ has some of its strongest operations. The Islamic State's Pakistan push also resembles the IS-inspired strikes in the West - hitting soft targets instead of attempting to take territory, as the movement has done in Afghanistan and the Middle East. That is partly because Pakistan's relatively strong military makes it more difficult to seize territory. But the group that branded itself as a new global caliphate of radical Islamist governance, has also turned to a strategy of high-profile attacks used by al-Qaeda since losing territory in Iraq and Syria. "IS overall has changed. Initially they had territory under their control," Hussain said. "But now they are on the retreat and are losing territory there (in the Middle East), and now they are turning to the old model of attacks around the world." (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Neil Fullick)
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he backed a bill limiting the volume of calls to prayer from mosques, a proposal government watchdogs have called a threat to religious freedom.

Netanyahu, speaking before a ministerial committee adopted the draft bill, said he would support such a move that some have labelled unnecessarily divisive.

The bill now faces three readings in parliament before becoming law.

Israeli media reported that the bill would stop the use of public address systems for calls to prayer.

"I cannot count the times -- they are simply too numerous -- that citizens have turned to me from all parts of Israeli society, from all religions, with complaints about the noise and suffering caused them by the excessive noise coming to them from the public address systems of houses of prayer," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

While the draft bill applies to all houses of worship, it is seen as specifically targeting mosques.

Israel's population is roughly 17.5 percent Arab, most of them Muslim, and they accuse the Jewish majority of badly discriminating against them.

East Jerusalem is also mainly Palestinian and traditional calls to prayer by muezzins through PA systems can be heard in the city.

The Israel Democracy Institute, a non-partisan think tank, has spoken out against the proposal.

On Sunday, one of the watchdog's officials accused Israel's right-wing politicians of dangerously using the issue to gain political points under the guise of improving quality of life.

Nasreen Hadad Haj-Yahya wrote in Israeli newspaper Maariv that "the real aim" of the bill "is not to prevent noise, but rather to create noise that will hurt all of society and the efforts to establish a sane reality between Jews and Arabs".

Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sunday for ministers to refrain from comment on Donald Trump's presidency after right-wing politicians said his election win put an end to a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu has been cautious in his comments since Trump's stunning US presidential victory on November 8, sending congratulations and pledging to work with him.

But other right-wing politicians have used Trump's win to promote their cause, with some calling for the end of the idea of a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the basis of years of negotiations.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who heads the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, said last week "the era of a Palestinian state is over".

Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting: "President-elect Trump and I decided to meet soon in order to discuss all of the important issues on the agenda between the US and Israel.

"I request that all ministers, deputy ministers and (lawmakers) allow the incoming administration to formulate - together with us - its policy vis-a-vis Israel and the region, through accepted and quiet channels, and not via interviews and statements."

Trump's win is seen as likely leading to a far more favourable US policy toward Israel, though many analysts have cautioned that his thinking remains unclear and he has proven himself to be unpredictable.

Netanyahu was among the first leaders Trump spoke to after his election victory.

At the same time, Israel is concerned that President Barack Obama may seek a UN resolution on its conflict with the Palestinians that the Jewish state opposes before he leaves office on January 20.

Obama's administration has intensified its criticism of Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank.

"In recent years we have wisely and responsibly managed our relations with the United States - the greatest and most important of our allies - and we will continue to do so in the coming months and years," Netanyahu said.

The premier also said Trump had "expressed very deep friendship for Israel, a friendship which has characterised him and, I must add, also the team around him, for many years".

The US grants Israel more than $3 billion per year in defence aid.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's ministerial committee for legislation on Sunday approved a controversial draft bill aimed at legalising wildcat Jewish settlements built on private Palestinian land, parliamentary sources said.

The bill must now pass through three readings in parliament and also be ratified by the supreme court before it can become law.

Sunday's vote was rushed through the ministerial committee in an attempt to prevent the evacuation of the Jewish wildcat outpost of Amona in the Israeli-occupied West Bank by the end of the year.

The supreme court has ordered the evacuation of settlers from Amona and the demolition of their homes by December 25.

Amona, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, is home to about 40 families and was built on land privately owned by Palestinians who had petitioned the court for the outpost to be removed.

The international community considers all Israeli settlements in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank to be illegal, whether they are authorised by the government or not.

They are also seen as a major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

The bill approved unanimously on Sunday stipulates that the government could order the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land in exchange for compensation.

It was at the centre of a row between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had sought to delay the vote and hardliners in his ruling right-wing Likud party.

One, Education Minister Naftali Bennett who heads the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, succeeded in rallying support for the vote leading to Sunday's endorsement of the bill.

The anti-settlement Peace Now movement denounced the vote.

"It is a shame: the government is backing a law that will allow the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land in order to build settlements," said Hagit Ofran, one of the watchdog's leaders.

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According to Ofran, around 2,000 homes have been built on land owned by Palestinians in the West Bank, and therefore the draft bill could retroactively legalise these dwellings.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit warned the ministers that he would be unable to defend the bill before the supreme court.

A statement by Mandelblit said the bill "undermines private property and is contrary to Israeli law and international law", public radio reported.

Mandelblit also warned that if the bill were to become law it could spur many people to lodge official complaints with the International Criminal Court.

The passing of the draft bill came just days after Bennett, who champions settlement expansion, said that the idea of a Palestinian state was over after Donald Trump's election as US president.

"Trump's victory is an opportunity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state in the centre of the country, which would hurt our security and just cause," he said on Wednesday.

"The era of a Palestinian state is over," he said.

Netanyahu on Sunday urged ministers to refrain from commenting on Trump's presidency.
By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli ministerial committee on Sunday defied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and voted to support a bill to allow settlers in the occupied West Bank to remain in homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. Israel's Supreme Court had ruled the government must evacuate a few dozen families from the Amona settlement and return the land to its Palestinian owners but right-wing lawmakers want to pay them compensation instead and allow the settlers to stay. The government has sought an extension for the end-of-year evacuation so it can find somewhere else for settlers to live, but the lawmakers who support the settlers' wish to remain, presented the bill to try to circumvent the ruling. Israel's attorney-general, Avihai Mandelblit, said in a statement that the bill was legally flawed in its current form as it contravened private property rights legislation and did not tally with Israel's international law commitments. "The attorney-general told the committee that the bill does not sit with the basic principles of the rule of law as it contradicts the position that the state must respect the judiciary's decisions in individual cases," Mandelblit said. Israel has occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians want those territories along with the Gaza Strip for a state but peace talks have stalled since 2014. The Palestinians see Israeli settlements as a major obstacle to reaching a peace agreement and want them dismantled. Netanyahu had insisted on delaying any political move and told his cabinet on Sunday to allow the new administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to take over in Washington before setting future policy. Netanyahu last week expressed confidence that he and Trump could work together to bring U.S.-Israeli relations to "new heights". The administration of President Barack Obama has been highly critical of Israel's settlement policies. But Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked from the ultra-nationalist Jewish Home party, partners in Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, ignored his call to postpone the vote. Following authorization of the private members' bill in committee, it now heads to parliament on Wednesday where it will be debated but it is still some distance from becoming law. The committee also voted to support a bill to enforce lowering the volume of loudspeakers in mosques calling worshippers to prayer which Arab-Israeli lawmakers described as racist. Netanyahu said the bill would improve the quality of life for all Israelis, who he said had complained to him about "excessive noise coming from houses of worship." Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said that enacting both laws would force the Palestinians to appeal to international bodies. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Dale Hudson)
Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Abu Dhabi's Louvre museum said on Sunday it was commissioning renowned artists Giuseppe Penone and Jenny Holzer to create artworks to be displayed at its grand opening next year.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and built at a cost of half a billion euros, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will feature 9,200 square metres (100,000 square feet) of gallery space.

"Giuseppe Penone and Jenny Holzer have worked closely with the Louvre Abu Dhabi team to develop sculptures and installations reflecting the universal stories of the museum and in harmony with the iconic building," said a Sunday statement.

Penone, a member of Italy's contemporary Arte Povera movement, has created "Germination", a four-part installation that reveals his fascination with the use of organic materials, such as trees, to highlight the connection between man, nature and art.

Among these installations is "Leaves of Light" -- a bronze tree soaring towards the museum's giant 180-metre dome with mirrors placed on its branches to reflect the "Rain of Light," the museum statement said.

US conceptual artist Holzer has designed three engraved stone walls of texts from important historical sources from across the world.

The ambitious Louvre Abu Dhabi project, announced with much fanfare nearly a decade ago, has faced repeated delays. The museum was expected to open in December this year but has been postponed until 2017.

Built on the sea, promoters say Louvre Abu Dhabi will be a "museum city" which includes streets, waterways, and plaza with artworks displayed outside as well as inside the galleries.

Many of France's grand museums, including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and the Palace of Versailles, will loan art to Abu Dhabi as part of a 30-year collaboration with the emirate worth one billion euros ($1.1 billion).

Louvre Abu Dhabi will be the first museum to open at the Saadiyat Cultural District and will be followed by the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Kate Middleton and Prince William just paid their respects at a Remembrance Day event

On Friday, Kate Middleton and Prince William paid their respects at a Remembrance Day event at the Royal Albert Hall in London. For those who dont know, Remembrance Day is a holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia and other countries. It commemorates the end of World War I and coincides with Veterans Day in the US.

Every year, the Royal Family comes out to pay their respects, and this year was no exception.

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday. They, of course, wore somber yet stylish looks. Kate wore a black Callas Evening Coat from Temperley Londons pre-fall collection. It had a classic knee-length silhouette that was appropriate for the occasion. She also wore a beautiful poppy pin, a traditional symbol of Remembrance Day. Prince William wore a well-fitted dark suit and a poppy pin of his own.

William and Kate

The royal couple was joined by regal relatives Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and the Countess of Wessex.

William and Kate

Prince Harry was noticeably missing from the event, but well give him a pass because his girlfriend, actress Meghan Markle, was in town. The couple has been having a hard time with bullying in the press lately, so its quite possible (and understandable) that they wanted to spend the evening alone and away from the limelight.

It is so cool to see the royal family out paying their respects to fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day. It goes to show how much love and pride they have for the country they lead!

The post Kate Middleton and Prince William just paid their respects at a Remembrance Day event appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By PTI: Kendrapara (Odisha), Oct 13 (PTI) A 45-year-old man, who had attempted self-immolation in front of the district collectorate during Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks visit to Kendrapara, has succumbed to the burn injuries, triggering protests.

Niranjan Singh, a native of Jagulaipada village near here, had knocked on the doors of the Collectors weekly grievance cell a day before the self-immolation attempt on November 8.

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He died yesterday, officials said.

For the last one year, Singh had been seeking the administrations intervention into his grievances, but it was not forthcoming. He had even warned the district administration that he would end his life if his grievances were not looked into.

Singh, a member of a below poverty line (BPL) family, died of burn injuries at SCB Medical College and Hospital. The administration was bearing the cost of his treatment.

The administration has released Rs 10,000 ex-gratia from the District Red Cross Society funds in favour of the bereaved family members, Kendrapara Additional District Magistrate Dhananjay Swain said.

He said, "Singh had spoken of three specific grievances before the grievance cell on November 7. However, it is unfortunate that he attempted self-immolation the very next day. We were provided very little time to look into his grievances."

Swain said Singhs principal demand was to absorb him as a health worker on compassionate grounds since his mother was doing the same job.

However, it was not "legally tenable", he said, adding that the administration had ordered an inquiry into the circumstances which led Singh to end his life.

The victims spouse, Ranjit Singh, alleged that her husband was forced to take the drastic strep due to the "insensitivity" of the administration. PTI CORR MD RC

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Wellington (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry made an impassioned plea Sunday for America to maintain action on global warming, despite the election of climate-change denier Donald Trump.

While US President-elect Trump has labelled climate change a hoax and threatened to pull out of the Paris emissions deal, Kerry said most Americans wanted the problem addressed.

"We will wait to see how the next administration addresses this but I believe we're on the right track and this is a track that the American people are committed to," Kerry told reporters on a trip to New Zealand.

"The majority of the American people believe that climate change is in fact happening and want to see us address it."

Trump has pledged to ditch Washington's climate change policies, causing consternation among diplomats leading global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry was hopeful Trump would not follow through on his fiery campaign rhetoric.

"Everybody knows that there's sometimes a divide between a campaign and the governing and I think the next administration needs to define itself on that subject," he said.

Kerry was speaking after an "awe-inspiring" visit to Antarctica, where he took a helicopter ride to view the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"That ice sheet alone, should it break up and melt, as it is showing signs of doing now, would add some 12 feet (3.7 metres) or more to the current sea level," he said.

Washington's top diplomat said scientists in the frozen continent showed him the work they were doing to assess the impact of climate change.

He said it reinforced his conviction that action was needed and he would take that message to UN climate talks in Morocco next week.

"Until January 20, when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet," he said.

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The Marrakesh talks, which wrap up on November 18, are examining ways to implement the landmark Paris pact agreed to by 196 nations last year.

It undertakes to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for 1.5 C.

Without the United States -- the world's second largest greenhouse gas emitter and a major donor to climate change mitigation funds -- the task becomes much more difficult.

- 'Beyond any doubt' -

Kerry said he first became involved in the climate issue in the early 1990s and had seen scientific evidence of change grow to a level that was now overwhelming.

"The world's scientific community has concluded that climate change is happening beyond any doubt, and the evidence is there for everybody to see," he said.

"The question now, and which this administration continues to address, is how to implement the Paris agreement."

He cited Pacific island nations threatened by rising seas, more intense and damaging storms, as well as greater frequency of wildfires and flooding.

Kerry said the United States spent $8.0 billion last year alone cleaning up after storms whipped into unprecedented ferocity by the changing climate.

He said it was an issue that leaders could not ignore.

"The evidence is mounting, in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," he said.
SEOUL, Nov 13 (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors have questioned the heads of some large conglomerates, including the chairman of Hyundai Motor, and plan to question the de factor head of Samsung Group in a probe over a political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye, media reports said on Sunday.

The prosecutors are investigating whether Park exerted improper pressure on "chaebol" conglomerate bosses to raise funds for two foundations at the centre of an influence-peddling scandal involving a friend of hers, Yonhap said.

Officials at the prosecutors office could not immediately be reached for confirmation or comment. Hyundai Motor and Samsung Group could not immediately confirm the report.

(Reporting by Jack Kim, Ju-min Park and Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Former Nightly Show host Larry Wilmore will appear on Mondays episode of Nat Geos Explorer, which will grapple with death.

In a new preview of the episode (above), Wilmore sits on a panel alongside writer Chuck Klosterman and undertaker Amy Cunningham to discuss the topic with host Richard Bacon.

Every second of a black funeral is highly emotional, the comedian jokes in the clip, mimicking the sounds of a bereaved funeral-goer. Many people [at the funeral] arent in the family and dont know the deceased. They just act like they do.

Also Read: Nat Geo Unveils Upcoming Global Rebrand, 'Further' Tagline

But Cunningham points out that 2016 is the first year that more people will be cremated than buried. With the rise of cremation, weve lost something. I feel like the funeral is going by too quickly. And weve lost ritual, which is important, she says.

The episode will also include a segment about a town in Indonesia where people keep their dead at home until they can afford a proper funeral; a segment on the Hanford Nuclear Reactor, where workers have been cleaning up nuclear waste for 72 years and counting; an interview with environmental activist Erin Brockovich; and piece about a librarian in Timbuktu who moved books and artifacts to protect them from al-Qaida.

Also Read: Leonardo DiCaprio's Climate Change Doc Could 'Change the World,' Nat Geo CEO Says

Mondays episode serves as a relaunch for the franchise as an hourlong weekly talk show hosted by Bacon. The show will mix hosted segments, panel discussions and in-depth reporting by Nat Geos field correspondents.

Future episodes of Explorer will take on topics ranging from the ongoing battle with ISIS to climate change and the aftermath of natural disasters.

Watch the video above.

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Nat Geo Unveils Upcoming Global Rebrand, 'Further' Tagline

Leonardo DiCaprio's Climate Change Doc Could 'Change the World,' Nat Geo CEO Says

Nat Geo Sets First 'Earth Week,' Pegged to Presidential Election (Exclusive)
Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies the world has endured this decade, and one that briefly turned entire musical world upside down. The attacks in and around the Bataclan theater in Paris, France, occurring during a gig played by hard-rock band Eagles of Death Metal, claimed 89 lives in total -- the center of a series of terror shootings and bombings that left over 100 dead and several hundred more injured.

A year later, the club is finally on the verge of its triumphant reopening. Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the Bataclan, from the original incident until today (Nov. 13), tracking the venue's long road to recovery in the face of seemingly insurmountable calamity.

Nov. 13: A series of a half-dozen coordinated attacks occur throughout the city of Paris, with the deadliest coming at the Bataclan theater, where the Eagles of Death Metal are playing. Gunmen open fire on the attendants -- thought to be in the range of 1,500 -- and throw grenades into the crowd, according to witness reports. As police surround the venue, gunmen take dozens of concert-goers hostage. The police eventually breach the theater -- based on reports that the assailants had started executing hostages -- leading to two of the perpetrators detonating suicide vests.

In all, 89 casualties are reported in and around the venue. Shortly afterwards, terrorist group ISIS claims responsibility for the day's attacks, saying they were conducted in response to French air strikes against its group in Syria.

Nov. 16: The Bataclan issues its first official statement following the attacks, announcing that the venue would be closed indefinitely. "No words can express the magnitude of our grief," the release reads. "Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their relatives... unfortunately the authorities still need to work on the spot. We will keep you informed as soon as it is possible to collect you in front of the room. We thank you for your support that affects us deeply."

Story continues

Dec. 2: Managers at the Bataclan tell Le Figaro that they hope for the venue to be reopened by the end of 2016. "The Bataclan should not be a mausoleum or a place of pilgrimage ... it's necessary to see the doors open again," Jules Frutos explains to the newspaper. "The teams want reconstruction, the artists, too. It will be a cross to bear."

Dec. 8: A couple days after making a cameo at a U2 gig in Paris, Eagles of Death Metal return to the scene of the tragedy, making their first visit to the Bataclan since the night of their concert. According to The New York Times, the band "spent about 10 minutes outside the concert hall in a heavy rain, laying flowers at a makeshift memorial site and reading tributes to the dead," receiving a round of applause upon their arrival from spectators at the site.

Feb. 11: The Bataclan announces its official plans to re-open by year's end. "Today, we wish to share with you some important news: we have decided to [proceed with] the renovation of the Bataclan," reads a post on the venue's Facebook page. "We will do our best to accommodate to new shows before the end of the year 2016. We will keep you informed, of course, as soon as our project will be [ready]."

Feb. 16: Eagles of Death Metal returns to Paris to put their November concert to rest, but do so at the Olympia Theater, rather than the still-closed Bataclan. Nonetheless, the concert provides healing for those who were at attendance at the original gig: "This finishes the concert that was at the Bataclan," survivor Frank Auffret tells The New York Times. "It closes the book so that we can turn the page on the dramatic event that we all suffered through and begin other things."

March 10: The Bataclan responds to comments made the day before by Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes, concerning what he saw as the relative absence of security at the venue the night of their show: "It seems rather obvious that they had a reason not to show up."

"Jesse Hughes spread some very grave and defamatory accusations against the Bataclan teams," reads the venue's statement, as originally reported by Variety. "A judicial investigation is undergoing. We wish to let justice proceed serenely. All the testimonies gathered to this day demonstrate the professionalism and courage of the security agents who were on the ground on November 13. Hundreds of people were saved thanks to (these agents') intervention."

Shortly after the theater's response, Hughes apologizes for his original comments. "I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations I made," Hughes atones. "My suggestions that anyone affiliated with the Bataclan played a role in the events of November 13 are unfounded and baseless -- and I take full responsibility for them."

April 13: The first concert at the Bataclan since the November attacks is finally announced: Libertines frontman Pete Doherty, scheduled to play on Nov. 16, 2016. Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour and his Super Etoile de Dakar band are announced for the reopened venue's second show, on Nov. 18. Despite the news of the upcoming concerts, the managers say in a statement that "no exact reopening date has as yet been fixed."

Oct. 7: Charity A Peaceful Noise announces that the night before Doherty's scheduled concert at the Bataclan on Nov. 16, a memorial concert will be held at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, Maximo Park, Frank Turner and Travis' Fran Healy are announced as performers, with proceeds going to The Nick Alexander Memorial Trust -- named after the band's merchandise manager, slain during the attacks -- and the Sweet Stuff Foundation of Josh Homme, the EODM drummer who was not on tour with the band during their Bataclan performance.

Oct. 28: Nearly ready to reopen, the Bataclan reveals its new facade. Though the inside is clearly still a work in progress, the name of the venue is restored to the marquee in large red letters.

Nov. 3: The Bataclan announces that on Nov. 12, four days ahead of the scheduled Pete Doherty gig, rock legend Sting will instead play the first concert of the re-opened venue. "In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile," Sting says in a statement published on his website. "First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents... In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them."

I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations I made

Read More: : EODM's Jesse Hughes apologizes for Bataclan comments: "I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France" | https://www.brooklynvegan.com/eodms-jesse-hughes-appologies-for-bataclan-comments-i-humbly-beg-forgiveness-from-the-people-of-france/?trackback=tsmclipI humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations I made

Read More: : EODM's Jesse Hughes apologizes for Bataclan comments: "I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France" | https://www.brooklynvegan.com/eodms-jesse-hughes-appologies-for-bataclan-comments-i-humbly-beg-forgiveness-from-the-people-of-france/?trackback=tsmclip
Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies the world has endured this decade, and one that briefly turned the entire musical world upside down. The attacks in and around the Bataclan theater in Paris, France, occurring during a gig played by hard-rock band Eagles of Death Metal, claimed 89 lives in total - the center of a series of terror shootings and bombings that left over 100 dead and several hundred more injured.

A year later, the club is finally on the verge of its triumphant reopening. Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the Bataclan, from the original incident until today (Nov. 13), tracking the venue's long road to recovery in the face of seemingly insurmountable calamity.

Nov. 13: A series of a half-dozen coordinated attacks occur throughout the city of Paris, with the deadliest coming at the Bataclan theater, where the Eagles of Death Metal are playing. Gunmen open fire on the attendants - thought to be in the range of 1,500 - and throw grenades into the crowd, according to witness reports. As police surround the venue, gunmen take dozens of concert-goers hostage. The police eventually breach the theater - based on reports that the assailants had started executing hostages - leading to two of the perpetrators detonating suicide vests.

In all, 89 casualties are reported in and around the venue. Shortly afterwards, terrorist group ISIS claims responsibility for the day's attacks, saying they were conducted in response to French air strikes against its group in Syria.

Read more: Revisiting the Bataclan's Paris Neighborhood a Year After the Terrorist Attacks

Nov. 16: The Bataclan issues its first official statement following the attacks, announcing that the venue would be closed indefinitely. "No words can express the magnitude of our grief," the release reads. "Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their relatives... unfortunately the authorities still need to work on the spot. We will keep you informed as soon as it is possible to collect you in front of the room. We thank you for your support that affects us deeply."

Story continues

Dec. 2: Managers at the Bataclan tell Le Figaro that they hope for the venue to be reopened by the end of 2016. "The Bataclan should not be a mausoleum or a place of pilgrimage ... it's necessary to see the doors open again," Jules Frutos explains to the newspaper. "The teams want reconstruction, the artists, too. It will be a cross to bear."

Dec. 8: A couple days after making a cameo at a U2 gig in Paris, Eagles of Death Metal return to the scene of the tragedy, making their first visit to the Bataclan since the night of their concert. According to The New York Times, the band "spent about 10 minutes outside the concert hall in a heavy rain, laying flowers at a makeshift memorial site and reading tributes to the dead," receiving a round of applause upon their arrival from spectators at the site.

Read more: Sting Reopens Bataclan With "Fragile," Tribute to David Bowie and Prince

Feb. 11: The Bataclan announces its official plans to re-open by year's end. "Today, we wish to share with you some important news: we have decided to [proceed with] the renovation of the Bataclan," reads a post on the venue's Facebook page. "We will do our best to accommodate new shows before the end of the year 2016. We will keep you informed, of course, as soon as our project will be [ready]."

Feb. 16: Eagles of Death Metal returns to Paris to put their November concert to rest, but do so at the Olympia Theater, rather than the still-closed Bataclan. Nonetheless, the concert provides healing for those who were at attendance at the original gig: "This finishes the concert that was at the Bataclan," survivor Frank Auffret tells The New York Times. "It closes the book so that we can turn the page on the dramatic event that we all suffered through and begin other things."

March 10: The Bataclan responds to comments made the day before by Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes, concerning what he saw as the relative absence of security at the venue the night of their show: "It seems rather obvious that they had a reason not to show up."

Read more: Paris Terror Attack Survivor on the One-Year Anniversary: "I Hope People Never Forget Us"

April 13: The first concert at the Bataclan since the November attacks is finally announced: Libertines frontman Pete Doherty, scheduled to play on Nov. 16, 2016. Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour and his Super Etoile de Dakar band are announced for the reopened venue's second show, on Nov. 18. Despite the news of the upcoming concerts, the managers say in a statement that "no exact reopening date has as yet been fixed."

Oct. 7: Charity A Peaceful Noise announces that the night before Doherty's scheduled concert at the Bataclan on Nov. 16, a memorial concert will be held at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, Maximo Park, Frank Turner and Travis' Fran Healy are announced as performers, with proceeds going to The Nick Alexander Memorial Trust - named after the band's merchandise manager, slain during the attacks - and the Sweet Stuff Foundation of Josh Homme, the EODM drummer who was not on tour with the band during their Bataclan performance.

Oct. 28: Nearly ready to reopen, the Bataclan reveals its new facade. Though the inside is clearly still a work in progress, the name of the venue is restored to the marquee in large red letters.

Read more: Eagles of Death Metal Manager Denies Members Were Kicked Out of Sting's Reopening Concert at Bataclan

Nov. 3: The Bataclan announces that on Nov. 12, four days ahead of the scheduled Pete Doherty gig, rock legend Sting will instead play the first concert of the re-opened venue. "In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile," Sting says in a statement published on his website. "First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents... In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them."

This article first appeared on Billboard.com.
Leon Russell, Rock Songwriter and Musician, Dies at 74

Leon Russell, the musician and songwriter who worked with artists including Joe Cocker, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, died Sunday in Nashville at 74. His website quoted his wife, Jan Bridges, as saying that he died in his sleep. He had suffered a heart attack in July.

Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Russell had a career of more than 50 years playing southern boogie-inflected piano, writing songs, and producing. Among the hit songs he wrote were Delta Lady, recorded by Cocker, and A Song for You, recorded by Ray Charles, the Temptations, the Carpenters, Amy Winehouse, and Whitney Houston. He played piano on the Stones Get a Line on You, which he adapted from their Shine a Light song and had a No. 1 country hit with Willie Nelson performing Elvis Presleys Heartbreak Hotel.

The song Tightrope, the lead track on his album Carney, reached No. 11 in 1972.

Other notable songs written or performed by Russell include This Masquerade, a hit for George Benson, and Superstar, made famous by the Carpenters.

Russell performed at the Concert for Bangladesh with George Harrison and Friends and toured with acts including Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Edgar Winter, the New Grass Revival, Willie Nelson, and Elton John. His piano playing can notably be heard on Badfingers Day After Day.

During the 1990s and 80s, he played country music under the name Hank Wilson but returned to the spotlight when he recorded The Union with Elton John in 2010; the making of the album was chronicled in a documentary by Cameron Crowe.

After performing in Tulsa nightclubs, Russell got his start playing on the road with Jerry Lee Lewis. He moved to L.A. to join the famous Wrecking Crew group of musicians when he was just 17, playing on songs including the Ronettes Be My Baby and can be seen with them on The T.A.M.I. Show concert film.

He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Musicians quickly took to social media to express their condolences on Sunday. Elton John called Russell a mentor and inspiration.

My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration & so kind to me. I loved him and always will #LeonRussell #RIP pic.twitter.com/u2d1KccCNp  Elton John (@eltonofficial) November 13, 2016

Another musical giant leaves us today. Thank you. What a week. RIP #LeonRussell pic.twitter.com/Kf6DDSDJn5  Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) November 13, 2016

So sad to hear Leon Russell has passed away. A great influence and songwriter. God rest his soulhttps://t.co/xMjBfPkFAV  Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) November 13, 2016

The magnificent Leon Russell amazing musician, true superstar "Long ago and so far away,I fell in love with you..After the 2nd show" R.I.P  Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) November 13, 2016

Read the obit, then listen to his masterpiece, Song for You. Leon Russell, Renowned Songwriter and Musician. https://t.co/1NoSq2i0e5  Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) November 13, 2016

RIP Leon Russell. For your masterful keyboard prowess and gravelly soulful singing, you will be remembered.  LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 13, 2016

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The NCP chief today shared the dais with the PM at the inauguration of a conference in Pune.

By India Today Web Desk: NCP chief Sharad Pawar today hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Sharing the dais with the PM at the inauguration of the International Conference on Sugarcane Value Chain in Pune, Pawar said the decision reflects the Prime Minister's "intent to serve" the nation.

Pawar appreciated the PM for "working round the clock" in the interest of the country.

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A day after the government announced Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes invalid, the NCP chief had tweeted his support on the decision. "This will curb black money and terror financing," Pawar had tweeted.



We welcome the decision to #demonetise currency notes - Rs 500 & Rs 1000. This will curb #BlackMoney and #terror financing. Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) November 9, 2016

ALSO READ: West Bengal CM Mamata speaks to President on demonetisation, speed dials Sitaram Yechury

ALSO READ: Uddhav Thackeray slams PM Narendra Modi over demonetisation move



ALSO WATCH



PAWAR's U-TURN



The NCP chief's recent endorsement of Modi is in sharp contrast to his criticism of the Central government in the past.

At his party's 17th anniversary in June, Pawar had said the Modi wave is on the wane. Hitting out at the BJP government in the Centre, Pawar had said that governments these days focus more on advertising.

"Buyers see the first two-three rows and the mangoes look really good, juicy. They buy the whole box and get it home only to find that they are all rotten inside," Pawar had said.

ALSO READ: Demonetisation is not a genuine move, had supported Swachh Bharat before: Arvind Kejriwal

ALSO READ: PM Modi in Japan: I salute the people of India for supporting demonetisation despite inconvenience



ALSO WATCH



--- ENDS ---
A little girl sitting on her mothers shoulders and holding a girls for president sign chanted my body, my choice, along with hundreds of other protesters during an anti-Donald Trump rally.

This rally, held outside Trump Tower in New York City on November 12, was one of many across the country in the aftermath of Donald Trumps victory. Credit: Instagram/dcyuke via Storyful
Rizoma Films, the prolific Argentine film company run by Hernan Musaluppi and Natacha Cervi, has partnered with young writer-director Mariano Hueter to develop bank heist TV series project 67 Millions.

Inspired by true events, TV fiction plot turns on Chavez, a renowned Argentine public prosecutor who tries to solve the most shocking robbery in Argentinas criminal history, the audacious assault in 2006 of a bank branch in the city of San Isidro, in Buenos Aires province.

The Theft of the Century, as it was popularly known in Argentina, was executed in just two hours by five assailants who took some twenty hostages as part of a staged event. While pretending to negotiate with the police, they looted 143 security boxes and fled through a tunnel they had dug for a year, which led to a storm drain.

In a race against time and power, Chavez and his assistant Gauna will be plunged into multiple conflicts as they discover the criminals have connections with justice and police departments and the government and control the mechanisms of a corrupt society. Every step towards the truth endangers their lives and those of the people around them.

Designed as a 13-episode season, TV skein will be made with a production structure which has to do more with a film treatment than with that of a TV program, said producer Natacha Cervi.

67 Millions was pitched at the 5th Los Cabos Intl. Film Festival, opting for its Gabriel Figueroa TV Development Award.

This is a very original series, though faithful to cop and suspense genres. The episodes are well written and frame a powerful crime story plus several subplots that make the series rich in details, Cervi said.

67 Millions marks an early foray into TV fiction production by Rizoma, the Buenos Aires-based shingle that Musaluppi and Cervi created in 2001, at the dawn of the New Argentine Cinema.

A multi-laurelled indie company, Rizoma has produced some 30 feature films, ranging from festivals triumphs such as Adrian Biniezs Berlin Jury Grand Prix winner Giant and Whisky, from Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll, which took Cannes Un Certain Regard award in 2004, to accessible arthouse (Juan Taratutos Its Not You, Its Me) to feature debuts by young talent -Victoria Galardis Lovely Loneliness, Federico Veirojs Acne, Gustavo Tarettos Medianeras.

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Mariano Hueters first TV fiction venture was thriller TV mini-series Inconsciente Colectivo, aired by Argentine pubcaster Television Publica. Produced by Hueters outfit Idealismo Contenidos, the mini-series was selected to form part of The Wits prestige Fresh TV Fiction showcase at Cannes Mipcom trade fair in 2013.

Mariano Hueter has a great future and talent. Thats why, in addition to the 67 Millions project, we are developing with him further proposals, including his first feature film, provisionally titled Los culpables, now at writing stage, Cervi said.

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Marrakesh (Morocco) (AFP) - Thousands of Moroccans and foreigners marched on Marrakesh Sunday to demand "climate justice" from global envoys gathered for UN talks on staving off worst-case-scenario global warming.

"It is an international march for all the people who suffer the results of climate change, yet had no role in causing it," said Mohamed Leghtas of a Moroccan climate coalition of environment, human rights and labour groups.

"Climate change is a triple injustice: committed by the north against the south, by current generations against future ones, and by a minority which enriches itself from fossil fuel energy against the poor who are left to pick up the pieces," he told AFP.

Native Peruvians, Berber groups and African associations formed part of the procession which snaked through the city, brandishing placards reading: "Make love, not CO2," and "1.5 C to stay alive."

The latter refers to the goals of the climate rescue Paris Agreement concluded at the previous round of UN talks in the French capital in 2015, and set the goal of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), or 1.5 C if possible.

"We are here to demand respect and to urge the world to commit to cutting greenhouse gases," blamed for warming the planet, added Antolin Huascar of Peru's agricultural confederation.

The protest took place on the sidelines of the 22nd Conference of Parties of the UN's climate convention, COP22 for short, which runs until November 18.

Diplomats must negotiate rules for putting the hard-fought Paris Agreement's goals into action.

On Tuesday, they will be joined by dozens of African heads of state, French President Francois Hollande and UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

"People must fight for their rights and not count on governments are under pressure from multinational corporations," Khadija Riadi, a Moroccan human rights defender told AFP at the march.

"There can be no climate justice without respect for human rights."
Lupita Tovar, the Mexican actress who starred in the 1931 Spanish-language version of Dracula that was shot concurrently with the famed Bela Lugosi version, has died. She was 106.

Tovar died Saturday, her niece, actress Lucy Tovar, said on Facebook. Several Mexican news outlets reported that she died in Los Angeles.

Lupita Tovar's daughter is Susan Kohner, who earned an Oscar nomination for portraying the young woman who rejects her black mother (Juanita Moore) and tries to pass herself off as white in the 1959 Douglas Sirk melodrama Imitation of Life.

Other survivors include her grandchildren Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, Kohner's sons, who shared an Oscar screenplay nomination for About a Boy (2002).

Tovar was married to Czech-born producer and Hollywood agent Paul Kohner, who represented the likes of Greta Garbo, John Huston, Lana Turner, Ingmar Bergman, Yul Brynner, David Niven, Billy Wilder and Charles Bronson, from 1932 until his death in 1988.

Read more: 'SNL': Kate McKinnon's Clinton Performs Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"

Before the advent of sound in the movies, studios could just change the language of the intertitles to get their message across to overseas audiences. But when the talkies arrived, many elected to shoot new foreign-language versions.

For the Spanish-language Dracula (produced by Tovar's future husband), Universal employed a different director, actors and crew to work at night on the same sets (and in the same costumes) that were used during the day for the English version of the Bram Stoker classic that made Lugosi a legend.

Tovar played Eva Steward, the daughter of the sanatorium owner, who comes under Dracula's (Carlos Villar) evil spell.

"This was very, very difficult because I always needed my sleep - 10 hours. It was a complete change because I had to sleep in the daytime," Tovar said in Michael G. Ankerich's 2011 book The Sound of Silence. "I was actually frightened by the sets. I would go to work about an hour early and sit there and try to concentrate. It was very dark and scary. We had our dinner at midnight. We left in the morning before the English cast came in."

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The National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in December included her Dracula on its list of "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant motion pictures.

Lupita returned to Mexico to great acclaim to star in Santa (1932), her country's first talking film, and later appeared in The Invader (1936) opposite Buster Keaton, Blockade (1938) with Henry Fonda, South of the Border (1939) with Gene Autry and The Westerner (1940) with Gary Cooper.

She pretty much exited show business in the mid-1940s, preferring to raise a family.

Tovar was born on July 27, 1910, in the town of Matias Romero in the southern end of Mexico. Her father was Mexican and her mother Irish. A dark-haired beauty, she excelled at gymnastics and dance in school and was offered a contract at Fox after she was spotted by Hollywood director and producer Robert J. Flaherty.

Tovar's father didn't want her to leave home but changed his mind in part after receiving a letter from the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles saying that it would be a great opportunity for a young woman to come to the U.S. to represent her country.

She then appeared in several silent films and in The Veiled Woman (1929) opposite Lugosi.

Her son, Pancho Kohner, wrote, directed and produced The Bridge in the Jungle (1971) starring Huston and produced several films toplined by Bronson, including St. Ives (1976), Love and Bullets (1979) and Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987).

In 1982, Tovar was honored with a Mexican stamp that bore her image, and in 2001, she received the Life Achievement Award from the Academy of Arts and Sciences in Mexico.

Read more: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2016
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit's son-in-law has been arrested by the Delhi Police from Bengaluru today in a case of domestic violence and cheating.

By India Today Web Desk: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit's son-in-law has been arrested by the Delhi Police from Bengaluru today in a case of domestic violence and cheating.

Dikshit's daughter Latika and son-in-law Imran separated 10 months ago.

Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's son in law arrested under Domestic Violence Act, he had separated from Dikshit's daughter ten months back. ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

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The complaint was filed against Imran at the Barakhamba Police Station. Imran has been arrested under the Domestic Violence Act.

Dikshit is the Congress' face in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

(Awaiting more inputs)

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- Adam Lowry enjoyed watching Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele team up to lift the Winnipeg Jets to another victory on Sunday.

The Jets' scoring duo each found the back of the net in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Los Angeles Kings, with Scheifele netting the decisive goal against Peter Budaj.

Dwight King scored against Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck in the shootout.

''Patrik's goal really displays the puck skills he has, and then Scheif's (goal) with his quick release there,'' said Lowry, who had a goal and an assist in regulation. ''Those are two huge goals and they're always fun to watch.''

Laine, the rookie who was leading the NHL in goals with 11 heading into the game, faked a shot on Budaj and then beat him through the pads. Scheifele, who was leading the NHL in points with 20, slowed down in front of the goalie and then sent a wrist shot by him on his blocker side.

The Jets are 3-0-1 in their last four games and 8-7-2 overall. The Kings have lost three straight to drop to 7-8-1.

''Both teams are coming off tough travel (and) back-to-back games,'' said Kings coach Darryl Sutter, whose club was playing its fourth game of a five-game trip. ''If you look at the end of it, we didn't give up a 5-on-5 goal. You usually win those games.''

Kings forward Kyle Clifford was called for a boarding major in the first period for a hit that sent Jets forward Kyle Connor into the boards head-first. Lowry and Marko Dano took advantage with power-play goals.

Connor left for the dressing room, but returned for the second period.

Sutter sarcastically said Clifford deserved the penalty-box time.

''I totally agreed with it, it was a great call,'' Sutter said. ''I thought they'd give like a 10-minute power play. In today's two-referee system, you're just hoping for one really good one all of the time.''

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Tanner Pearson scored in the first period for Los Angeles, and defenseman Tom Gilbert tied it midway through the third. Kings forward Jordan Nolan took out a defender in the corner and skated alone around the back of the net before sending a pass to Gilbert out front.

Los Angeles took a power play into overtime after Scheifele was called for tripping with 1:28 left. The Kings also finished overtime with the man advantage when Laine was called for tripping with 37 seconds left.

Hellebuyck and Budaj each made 27 saves.

NOTES: Winnipeg scratched injured defenseman Tyler Myers and forward Alexander Burmistrov. ... The Kings were without injured captain Anze Kopitar and goalie Jeff Zatkoff. ... The Kings were 0 for 5 on the power play.

UP NEXT:

Los Angeles: The Kings end their five-game trip in Colorado on Tuesday night.

Winnipeg: The Jets host Chicago on Tuesday night.
Though she attempted to remain behind the scenes during the campaign, Melania failed to escape the spotlight. Now she is set to remain there

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For most of the presidential campaign, Melania Trump was notable more for what she didnt say than what she did. When she finally took center stage, at the Republican convention in July, her words turned out to be borrowed in part from the woman she will now follow into the White House, Michelle Obama.

Related: Melania who? Trump's wife a forgotten memory in Slovenian home town

Trump was reportedly mortified by the error, which brought forth Broadway star Laura Benantis first impersonation on late-night TV. For much of the campaigning that followed, Melania preferred to stay in the marbled confines of Trump Tower, rather than canvass the country her husband is now preparing to lead.

Less than a week before election day, she emerged to speak in Berwyn, in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

I am a full-time mother to our son Barron, an incredible boy, she said. As his father travels around the country running for president, I am with our son.

We talk a little bit about politics and a lot about life, homework and sports. Barron has many privileges and advantages. We know how fortunate we are.

In light of the release in early October of a 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which he was heard to brag about groping women, and numerous subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct and assault, pre-election polling gave Trump dismal approval ratings with women.

Melania Trumps speech in Berwyn was billed as an attempt to soften her husbands coarse image with white suburban women. On Tuesday, he lost Chester County. But he won Pennsylvania, a state that had voted Democratic since 1992. Nationwide, a majority of white women voted for him.

Who is Melania Trump?

Melania Trump was born to a textile worker and a car spares trader in Sevnica, Slovenia, on 26 April 1970. She has described an idyllic childhood, surrounded by forests and rivers. More weighty details are scarce: in September, many residents of Sevnica told the Guardian they remembered nothing of the young Melania.

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In the socialist days we were all the same, said one woman, of around the same age as Trump.

In her speech in Berwyn, Melania recalled waking one morning as a 10-year-old girl to learn that Ronald Reagan  whose slogan Lets Make America Great Again Trump adapted for his own campaign  had won the American presidency.

President Reagans Morning in America was not just something in the United States, she said. It began to feel like morning around the world, even in my small country. It was a true inspiration to me.

She became a model, and her career whisked her from Ljubljana to Milan and Paris and, in 1996, New York.

Fashion is a business of glamour but it is also hard work, she said in the Berwyn speech. There are ups and downs, high highs and ridicule and rejection too. I loved my work and as a young entrepreneur I wanted to follow my dreams to a place where freedom and opportunity were in abundance. So of course I came here.

Two years later, she met Trump at a party at the Kit Kat Club in Manhattan. In her telling she initially rebuffed the businessman, 24 years her elder, because he had arrived with another woman and had recently separated from his second wife, Marla Maples.

Trump persisted. They broke up briefly in 2000, around the time Trump considered running for president as a candidate for the Reform party. Asked at the time what kind of first lady she would be, Melania replied: I would be very traditional  like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him.

Donald and Melania Trump in New York City in 2005. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

They married in 2005, at his own Mar-a-Lago Club resort in Palm Beach, Florida, inviting 450 guests including Bill and Hillary Clinton and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, now a close Trump surrogate and adviser. Barron, who is 10, is their only child.

In her Pennsylvania speech, Melania described the grueling 10-year process to obtain her US citizenship, which she called the greatest privilege in the world.

Im an immigrant, and let me tell you that nobody values the freedom and opportunity of America more than me, she said.

Her husband launched his campaign with a call to arms against illegal immigration, and has repeatedly called for the deportation of people who violate the terms of their immigration status.

A week before the election, the Associated Press reported that Melania Trump was paid for 10 modeling jobs in the US, worth $20,056, which were fulfilled in the seven weeks before she obtained legal permission to work in the country. Trumps lawyer flatly rejected the report.

In September, lawyers for Melania sued the Daily Mail for $150m over similar reports about her past.

Spill the beans

As stories about her immigration status illustrated, though she attempted to remain behind the scenes, Melania has failed to escape the spotlight in one of the most caustic campaigns in history.

In August, after nude photographs resurfaced online, her husband wrongly accused his primary opponent Ted Cruz of involvement in the leak, and in retaliation threatened to spill the beans on Cruzs own wife.

Melania Trump was also forced to release a statement that said she had accepted her husbands apology after the release of the 2005 Access Hollywood tape, which was recorded just after their marriage.

In an interview with CNN, Melania Trump called subsequent allegations against her husband lies, part of a coordinated campaign to smear him. She also dismissed his language on the tape as boy talk, and said he had been led on by the Access Hollywood host, Billy Bush.

Related: Hollywood lawyer who fought Gawker goes to bat for Melania Trump

An opinion poll taken in August, after the Republican convention, found that Melania Trump was much less popular than Michelle Obama or her counterpart in the 2016 race, Bill Clinton: 38% of Americans viewed her favorably and 42% viewed her unfavorably while 20% said they had either never heard of her or had no opinion.

The Gallup poll found that Trumps popularity rose 10 points after her primetime convention address, but so did her unfavorables once controversy over her speech flared up.

In her Berwyn speech, without a hint of irony, Melania Trump said that as first lady she would work to combat online bullying and harassment. Throughout the campaign, her husband used Twitter to antagonize, attack and harass political opponents, critics, women, minorities and anyone at all who provoked him.

Regardless, Melania Trump said: Our culture has gotten too mean and too rough, especially to children and teenagers. It is absolutely unacceptable when it is done by someone with no name hiding on the internet.

In October, she told CNNs Anderson Cooper she was not shy in giving her husband further advice, such as to give up the tweeting.

In Pennsylvania, in closing, she said: I will be there to support my husbands efforts to help all Americans when he is president. Donald Trump will make America fair. He will make America safe.

He will make America prosperous. He will make America proud. And, yes, this man I know so well, Donald Trump, with your help and Gods grace, will make America great again.
Berlin (AFP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives are set to decide Monday whether to back centre-left Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to become Germany's next president or propose a rival candidate, a party source said.

The news came after the latest meeting Sunday between the Christian Democrats (CDU) head and her two partners in the ruling right-left grand coalition on filling the largely ceremonial post ended without breakthrough.

The three party leaders have wrangled for months over whom to nominate as a potential successor to President Joachim Gauck, a 76-year-old ex pastor from the former communist East Germany who is stepping down due to his advanced age.

The new president -- a figure who is meant to transcend party politics and serve as a moral standard bearer for the nation -- will be elected on February 12 by parliament and delegates from Germany's 16 federal states.

With German parties shifting into campaign mode ahead of September 2017 elections, the succession discussions have turned into a display of political power.

Merkel was blindsided last month by her vice chancellor and likely 2017 election rival, Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democrats (SPD).

Gabriel publicly proclaimed the SPD would like to see its veteran Steinmeier, 60, often voted Germany's most popular politician, to take the post.

This raised the pressure on the CDU and its Bavarian sister party CSU to come up with an equally high-profile name, so far without success.

German media have cited conservative heavyweights -- including parliamentary president Norbert Lammert, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen -- as possible contenders, but they have so far signalled they are not interested.

Gabriel on Sunday again insisted the SPD wants Steinmeier in the post and left the three-way meeting after less than an hour.

The CDU and CSU were now due to discuss in party committee telephone conferences Monday whether to go along with, or oppose, the demand, a conservative coalition source told AFP.

If the CDU/CSU throw their weight behind Steinmeier, he would be virtually assured of taking the post, given the crushing majority the grand coalition has in the electoral assembly that choses the president.

If the conservatives chose their own candidate, this would set the scene for a bruising series of votes in which, by the third round, the winner would be decided by a simple majority.
By PTI: areas

Latehar (Jharkhand), Nov 13 (PTI) The newly-established solar-powered mobile phone towers in Jharkhands Naxal-hit areas are empowering security forces as well as tribals and helping to counter the influence of extremists.

Not only have they improved the movement of security forces but also allowed them to more effectively neutralise Naxals who had created a reign of terror in the area.

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"Earlier, Naxals would demolish cellphone towers or cut their power supply, thereby hampering communication in the entire area.

"Now, CRPF provides round-the-clock security to these towers which are solar-powered," Assistant Commandment, CRPF, Matlong Krishna Choubey said.

These newly-established towers are powered through solar energy and the batteries can supply power for at least a week in a single charge, he said.

They are inter-connected with other towers through a latest wireless technology and provide signals in a radius of five kilometres.

"The movement of CRPF troops are effective now due to the establishment of these cellphone towers. Our informers are now able to provide us vital information regarding movement of Naxals who have largely been neutralised here in Latehar," Chaubey said.

The establishment of these cellphone towers is hailed as a major victory against Naxals who never wanted the villagers and the government to connect.

Locals said that in some parts of Latehar district, they can even surf internet in 4G speed and complete their net-related works through smartphones.

However, most parts are connected through 2G services as of now.

"We can fill job related forms and access government schemes through our cellphones. These solar-powered cell phones come handy," a local resident Shiv Yadav said.

As part of the NDA governments ambitious plan to strengthen communication flow in tribals and Naxalite areas in India, state-run telecom service provider BSNL has established as many as 2199 solar-powered mobile phone towers in 10 Naxal-infested states.

The programme was given a go ahead in 2014 by the government.

The 2,199 towers were to be set up before December 2016 and the work has already been completed. PTI CPS RT

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ZAGREB (Reuters) - A group of migrants who had marched for two days from the Serbian capital Belgrade were stopped on Sunday at the border with Croatia, a European Union member which said would not allow illegal crossings. Some 150 migrants, reported as being mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, left Belgrade on Friday to walk about 125 km (80 miles) to the Croatian border, demanding free and secure passage to Western Europe. Due to exhaustion and cold weather, some decided to give up the march, media reported. But most of them, arriving at the Serbian border town of Sid, said they would wait until the frontier with Croatia was opened and refused to be accommodated in the reception center. "There is not a single reason why anyone should enter Croatia illegally. Croatian police will protect the border from such attempts," Croatia's Interior Minister Vlaho Orepic said on Sunday after a visit to the Tovarnik border crossing near where a group of migrants was stranded on the Serbian side. According to the U.N. refugee agency, around 6,400 migrants from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently registered in Serbia, a candidate for EU membership. Local non-governmental organizations say their number is close to 10,000 and they mostly arrived from Bulgaria and Macedonia. Last month, another group tried a similar march toward the Hungarian border but eventually decided to return to Belgrade. Hungary, another EU member, has practically sealed its borders to migrants. Last year, a total of 579,518 migrants and asylum seekers were registered arriving in Serbia, out of more than a million who made it to Europe by land and sea. A deal between Turkey and the European Union, struck in March, has largely shut off the flow of people reaching Greece and the Balkans. Austria began consultations with Balkan states this month to see what measures can be taken if the deal collapses. (Reporting by Igor Ilic; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Chisinau (AFP) - Moldovans were voting Sunday to choose between pro-Moscow and pro-European candidates in a runoff vote for the next president of the impoverished ex-Soviet country.

It marks the first time in 16 years that Moldova -- wracked by corruption scandals in recent years -- is electing its leader by national vote instead of having parliament select the head of state.

Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, the tiny nation is caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the West.

By 1200 GMT on Sunday, around 34 percent of the electorate had voted, according to the central electoral commission. There is no minimum threshold for the vote to be valid.

Elections chief Alina Russu told a news conference "no incidents or serious violations have been reported".

In the first round of voting on October 30, Igor Dodon, the pro-Moscow head of the Socialist Party, came out on top with 48 percent, followed by pro-European Maia Sandu, a centre-right former education minister who worked for the World Bank, with 38 percent.

The two runoff candidates have diametrically opposed visions for Moldova's future.

Moldova signed an historic EU association agreement in 2014 despite bitter opposition from Russia, which has responded with an embargo targeting its key agriculture sector.

Dodon -- who served as economy minister under a communist government between 2006 and 2009 -- is calling for deeper ties and boosting trade with Moscow.

Speaking at a polling station on Sunday, he said: "I'm sure we'll win victory with a good margin," describing his campaign as "against the oligarchs, against those who have robbed our country and want to destroy it".

Vasilii Blindu, a 70-year-old pensioner who voted in the northern town of Balti, said: "I and all my friends voted for Igor Dodon since he promises to restore strategic partnership with Russia."

Sandu, on the other hand, is urging a path towards Europe.

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"We have proved that there are many of us and we are strong," she told journalists at a polling station on Sunday.

"I intend to appoint honest, decent, non-corrupt specialists," she said. "That's how we'll show that our country exists for its citizens."

She is calling for the withdrawal of thousands of Russian troops from the Russian-speaking separatist region of Transdniester, which broke away in the early 1990s after a brief civil war.

Chisinau student Marcel Pruna, 22, said he backed Sandu because she will "carry out reforms in practice, not just in words".

- Corruption scandals -

The country of 3.5 million has been rocked by corruption scandals and political turmoil in recent years.

In 2014, $1 billion (920 million euros) mysteriously disappeared from three banks, prompting street protests and the arrest of the former prime minister Vlad Filat, who has since been convicted of corruption and abuse of office.

A recent report published by Transparency International Moldova called the country "the regional launderer for money of dubious origin".

Moldova's current prime minister, Pavel Filip, who has served since January, is pro-European and introduced political changes including the direct presidential vote.

Analyst Anatol Taranu of think tank Politicon said that while Dodon had 140,000 more supporters in the first round, Sandu could draw on a reserve of people who initially did not turn out to vote, particularly young people.

Moldova is considered by some international organisations to be Europe's poorest country.

Forty-one percent of the population live on less than $5 (4.6 euros) a day while the average monthly salary is $240, according to World Bank figures.

The polls will close at 1900 GMT with a preliminary count to be announced early on Monday.
Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - A black Humvee speeds down a dusty road in eastern Mosul carrying two boys: one is dead, and the other's leg has been torn open by the same mortar strike.

"Save me, save me!" yells 12-year-old Mohammed, his legs covered in blood, as two men carry him from the armoured vehicle to a green canvas cot at a dusty, open air field hospital.

It is too late for Shafiq, 15, who was standing with Mohammed when the mortar rounds struck. He died of his wounds on the way to the field hospital.

After a relatively quiet afternoon Sunday, a sudden boom rattled the Al-Samah neighbourhood, which elite Iraqi forces say they have cleared of Islamic State group militants.

Minutes later, the dust-covered Humvee arrived with the two boys.

"We were standing outside just like we're all standing here," says Ghassan, their neighbour.

Mortar rounds "hit one right after the other. Mohammed and Shafiq were the first ones to fall", he says, wiping his bloodied hands on his pants.

Shafiq's body is taken off a black stretcher, covered and placed on the ground between two ambulances.

"Just let me kiss him," his father says, pushing his way through to bid his son goodbye.

Shafiq's grandfather sobs nearby with his head in his hands as neighbours and relatives try to comfort him.

- 'Check for other wounds!' -

Amid the chaos, medics try desperately to save Mohammed, whose right leg is twisted grotesquely inward starting at a deep gash above the knee.

A foreign medic cuts away Mohammed's blood-soaked pants with a pair of scissors.

One man helps to bandage his arm, which is lightly wounded, and tries to comfort the wounded boy.

"Don't be afraid, and don't close your eyes," he says softly.

"Check for other wounds, please!" the foreign medic says in English, after placing a tourniquet around Mohammed's leg.

A middle-aged woman in a black robe and white headscarf tries to reach the area from the dirt road leading out of Al-Samah, but several boys hold her back.

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"Is Mohammed here? What happened?" she screams.

After trying to stop the bleeding, medical staff load the boy into the back of an ambulance to take him to hospital.

The attack is a bloody reminder to civilians in areas in Mosul recaptured from IS -- many of whom are trying to return to a semblance of normal life -- that they are still very much in danger.

On the eastern edge of Mosul, the target of a massive Iraqi military operation launched on October 17, men wait outside a barber shop where some have their IS-mandated beards shaved or their goatees styled.

- Body in the street -

They murmur in agreement when the lean hairdresser says he is glad IS has been kicked out of their district, but refuse to speak to the press as many still had family in jihadist-controlled parts of the city.

In Arbajiyah, which the elite Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS) retook from IS on Saturday, scrawny children venture out to find tea and bread.

Several gather outside Souq al-Mahdi, a tiny convenience store that reopened the day CTS forces moved into the neighbourhood.

"When (IS) was here, we were open but they would force us to close at prayer time," says shopkeeper Abu Saeed, a round-bellied man with a thick moustache.

The heavy clashes and shelling that have hit Arbajiyah in recent days kept Abu Saeed at home and the metal gate outside his shop firmly closed.

"Then when we were liberated, life came back to normal and we reopened," he says.

But "normal" is clearly relative -- Abu Saeed keeps his shop open only for a few minutes at a time, and most of his customers are Iraqi special forces soldiers with weapons slung over their shoulders.

Residents of Al-Samah emerge from their homes throughout the day to resume mundane activities such as sweeping their front steps or hanging out laundry.

Just a few metres (yards) away, a charred body said to be that of an IS fighter lies in the street.
MAPUTO (Reuters) - Mozambique's central bank has ordered the closure of privately owned Nosso Banco, it said at the weekend, less than two months after a liquidity crunch and bailout of the southern African nation's fourth largest bank, Moza Banco. The Bank of Mozambique said Nosso Banco had continued to face weaker earnings growth and was poorly capitalized even after its management presented a recovery plan in 2014 that included pumping cash into the bank and tweaking its management structure. "The bank has shown that it is unable to overcome the difficult economic and financial situation in which it finds itself," the central bank said in a statement posted on its website. Nosso's 2015 accounts show it has 76 employees. Mozambique's economy and currency have been hit hard this year by a financial crisis stemming from more than $2 billion in foreign borrowing since 2013 that was not included in the budget or approved by parliament. The International Monetary Fund and foreign donors have cut off support, saying they were kept in the dark about the debt, much of which was spent on building a state tuna-fishing company and enhancing maritime security. The central bank has guaranteed all consumer deposits held at Nosso Banco, it said. (Reporting by Manuel Mucari; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
London (AFP) - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg issued a stark warning that "going it alone is not an option", in a pointed article in Britain's Observer newspaper Sunday following Donald Trump's US election win.

"We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation," Stoltenberg wrote as he outlined NATO's strengths, amid concerns over the president-elect's position on the US-led alliance.

"This is no time to question the partnership between Europe and the United States."

Trump caused alarm during his election campaign when he suggested Washington would think twice about coming to the aid of an endangered NATO ally if it had not paid its dues, casting doubt on the alliance's core collective defence commitment.

In an apparent response to these remarks, Stoltenberg noted that the only time NATO's self-defence clause -- "an attack on one is an attack on all" -- has been invoked was after the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States,

More than 1,000 European soldiers serving in Afghanistan "paid the ultimate price" in an operation that was "a direct response" to the attacks, he added.

He said NATO had made possible the "integration of Europe" and ended the Cold War, adding: "European leaders have always understood that going it alone is not an option."

The alliance continues to play a key role in fighting terrorism and has responded in recent years to "a more assertive Russia", Stoltenberg added.

He conceded, however, that European leaders must increase their financial contributions to the 28-nation alliance, a demand made by Trump during his campaign.

The US currently accounts for 70 percent of NATO spending.

aIt is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted," he concluded.

"In these uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden.

"But above all we need to recognise the value of the partnership between Europe and America. It remains indispensable.a
Nicole Kidman recently celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with husband Keith Urban and she shared her secret to her happy marriage.

Just love. Just love each other, lavish each other with love, she told PEOPLE at a special screening of her latest film Lion at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Friday night. Also we just happen to like each other too. That works.

Urban and Kidman have two children together. Kidman also shares two children with ex-husband Tom Cruise.

The role she played in the film as the adopted mother to Dev Patels character Saroo was close to her heart because it mirrored the fact that she is an adopted mom in real life to Isabella and Connor Cruise.

This movie is a love letter to my children, Kidman told Town and Country magazine recently. I can see now, for Lion, that it was important to me because Im a mother with adopted children.

As for her children with Urban, Kidman said on Friday that watching them grow up has been a blessing.

They are constantly changing, she said of her two daughters with Urban, Faith and Sunday.

Its just discovering their little spirits and we are so lucky to have them. We really are. Theyre love children.

Kidman says she prides herself on the fact that she was able to honor the character she portrayed in the film and in doing so was able to shine a light on one womans commendable conduct.

Being able to honor this story and Sue the woman I play is just such a powerful, powerful moving tribute to humanity, she said on Friday. And the inherent goodness in people.
By David Ingram

(Reuters) - North Dakota authorities are investigating a weekend incident in which pipeline protesters said a woman was struck by a man driving a truck who drove over her feet and fired shots into the air.

The Morton County Sheriff's Department is looking into what occurred, spokesman Rob Keller said in an email on Sunday, declining to comment further because the investigation is ongoing.

Early on Saturday, protesters against the oil pipeline near sacred tribal lands briefly blocked two entrances to a work yard near the rural town of Mandan, causing workers to leave the area.

Videos and pictures posted online show a man in a white vehicle holding a handgun and yelling obscenities while driving forward through a crowd of protesters. One video shows the man later raising his gun into the air and firing several shots, although it is not clear from the video whether any protesters were nearby at the time. The man was not identified.

A protester was injured in the incident and an ambulance was called, but she refused treatment, Keller said.

The circumstances of the injury were not clear, but one video shows the man striking a woman while she hangs off the truck's side-view mirror. Protesters said on Facebook that a woman's hand had been smashed, requiring three stitches on a finger, and that her feet had been run over. The woman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Vicki Granado, a spokeswoman for Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, the company leading the construction of the pipeline, said the man with the gun "is not associated with the pipeline project in any way."

"It is my understanding he lives in the area and was just trying to get where he needed to go and felt threatened," Granado said in an email.

Protests have sometimes turned violent over the $3.8 billion Dakota Access construction project, which has drawn steady opposition from Native American and environmental activists since the summer.

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Last month, a demonstrator was charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Authorities said she fired at a police officer three times during a struggle without hitting him.

The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners LP, would offer the fastest and most direct route to bring Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.

(Reporting by David Ingram in New York; Editing by Peter Cooney)
During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to people of those countries.

By Press Trust of India: In line with his hardline immigration stance, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying "we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate".

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump told CBS News.

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"But we're getting them out of our country, they're here illegally," the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.

Also read:

Donald Trump credits Twitter, Facebook for electoral victory



During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to people of those countries.

There are an estimated 11 million documented immigrants in the country. Several hundred thousand are believed to be Indian-Americans.

Also read:

Suspense over Trump's foreign policy, mood upbeat over India-US relations

The President-elect said he would take a call on the fate of the rest of the illegal immigrants, after the border is secured.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, they're terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that," Trump said.

"But before we make that determination, it's very important, we are going to secure our border," he said in response to a question.

WALL ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER

Trump insisted that he is determined to fulfill another campaign promise of building a wall along the Mexican border.

"For certain areas I would, but certain areas, a wall is more appropriate," he said.

"I'm very good at this, it's called construction," Trump said.

Also read:

H-1B visa issue may cause friction between India-US ties under Trump

Since Trump's election on Tuesday night, the realities of actually building that wall have begun to set in and the Mexican government has publicly reminded him that Mexico will not pay for the wall.

Asked about the wall, Trump transition co-chair Newt Gingrich said the wall was "a great campaign device".

During his election campaign, Trump articulated a strong and tough immigration policy, which was quite opposite to that of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, which was based on compassion and providing a pathway to nearly 11 million illegal immigrants.

Also read:Trump set to relinquish control of business to children ahead of presidency



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Walking home last week, Jean Pierre, a Paris resident who spoke to PEOPLE on the condition his last name not be used, passed by the Batalcan theater, which was unveiling a new entrance.

There were people out taking pictures, he says. And I thought..

Here, his words fail Jean Pierre, a dentist in his late fifties. He and multiple other survivors of the Nov. 13, 2015, Paris terror attacks, which killed 130 people, have spoken to PEOPLE as the one-year anniversary approaches. They are resilient, but grappling with depression, grief and nightmares.

An eyewitness and dentist who aided victims during the attacks, Jean Pierre paused to take a photo of the scene. He went home and posted the photo on Facebook, writing, Happy to pass before its new facade but at the same time a big shot of stress. Too many memories of that fateful November 13 night brought to memory!

The night of the attacks, Jean Pierre took his family out to dinner at La Belle Equipe, the bistro where 19 people were killed when the nights first gunfire rang out. He sprung into action and began helping victims before paramedics and police arrived. One year later, he says he has occasional flashbacks, seeing images of those dead around him. As with many victims, witnesses and first responders to the attacks, he finds it extremely difficult to discuss that night.

Immediately after the attacks, I experienced incredible stress. I cried  not always but from time to time. Initially, I had trouble going out in my neighborhood. I was afraid of people, of being out on the street.

The following month, he says, he spoke with therapists on call at a local government building. His anguish was so acute that they advised him to go to the hospital the following day.

I saw two psychiatrists: Two. That stressed me, he says. The waiting area was filled, there was people crying, people who needed help much more than I did, which stressed me out enormously.

Doctors prescribed medication for him, but Jean Pierre refused.

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As far as Ive healed, I think, its been a sort of self-healing, he explains. In the first days, early weeks, immediately after the events, talking about it seemed to help. But then, I dont know: At some point it started making me nervous.

He and his son, who was with him at the time, now discuss the horror with each other. We talk about it together; it helps, he says. I dont know how but it does. We talk about it like two war veterans.

Last February, he traveled out of France to Madagascar, a trip he said helped him recover.

I dont know why, he says. Perhaps it was seeing  being surrounded by  people whose lives reflect much poorer conditions.

Still, Jean Pierre continues to struggle to process what he witnessed.

Im better but from time to time, I have flashes, he says.

They arent exactly nightmares  but flashbacks. These happen occasionally. Theres no trigger. Nothing. They just happen, from time to time. Sometimes at night, when Im asleep, or in bed. Sometimes in the street youll see people out having a drink or gathering like it was before and you suddenly fear it could happen again, he continues.

He adds, I hadnt had an episode for months when someone asked me: What happened? Suddenly I am overcome with emotion, and all I could do was well up with tears.

Today, Jean Pierre believes hes better. From time to time I have the flashes, but I wasnt hurt physically like many. There are so many others who suffered greatly, much more than I. I wasnt wounded, hurt in my flesh. I didnt suffer the loss of family members or loved ones. But I dont know if Im healed because I cant forget what happened, what I saw.

He says that each terrorist attack since the Paris attack has brought back painful memories.

Its less each time, its not the same as it was at the beginning, but I feel it, relive it, again, he says.

Therell never be closure. Because I can never forget what I saw.

Other Survivors Speak Out

A year after the attacks, frustration, helplessness and lingering grief are common among those who survived. Their conversations are marked with long pauses, uncontrolled emotions and tears.

On the one-year anniversary, Paris is organizing two early morning commemorations: one on a restaurant terrace near La Belle Equipe, the other outside the Bataclan, where a plaque honoring the 90 killed inside the concert hall will be unveiled. The evening before, Sting will reopen the Bataclan with a memorial concert honoring the victims.

In advance of the attack, PEOPLE spoke with multiple survivors. Many requested anonymity. Universally, they explain living with anxiety, stress and nightmares. A number believe the anniversary commemorations will help, allowing you to see others whove made it through  but it brings it all back, says one survivor.

Youve your good days, bad days and darker days, the survivor says. I have nightmares. Im not always inside the Bataclan in them but Im always suffocating. I cant breathe and when I wake up, sometimes its hours before I can calm myself.

Another survivor says, Im on antidepressants. The drugs dont work. They cant make you forget. Theres days you wake up, have coffee, get on Facebook, write how you feel to 300 other people and someone writes back. And you say, Thank God Im not the only one. Thats really the only help there is.

Jean Pierre returned to the restaurant terrace last March, attending the reopening of La Belle Equipe.

Ive lived in this neighborhood a long time and in the last year its become a cemetery, he says. Even if you werent inside the Bataclan, you live here, you cant help but feel affected. Youve seen it happen.

He adds, With the Bataclan reopening, theres a little balm for my heart in a sense.




Donald Trump

In the days following the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency, Wall Street analysts and economists are attempting to parse out his impact on the global economy.

A large chunk of the analyses of Trump's domestic economic policies has focused on positive developments for corporations such as tax reform or deregulation.

There is one of Trump's economic policies, however, that seems to be viewed as a negative: his protectionist agenda when it comes to trade.

Trump made the free trade debate one of the central topics of his campaign after criticizing China, Mexico, and Japan. He suggested putting a 45% tariff on Chinese imports, said he would declare China a currency manipulator on his first day in office, proposed taxing imports from Mexico, argued in favor of "ripping up" trade deals, and called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, "a rape of our country."

If Trump were to pursue these policies, Willem Buiter, chief economist at Citi, wrote in a note to clients that it might spark a global trade war, "which could easily trigger a global recession."

The Deutsche Bank research house view also addressed the negative risks of the Trump trade agenda. A team from the firm wrote in a note on Friday that "the biggest threat to growth is a possible protectionist turn, which could depress global trade and even trigger trade wars."

Though the extent of Trump's anti-trade agenda are unknown, if he chooses to pursue it, there would likely be significant consequences.

A macroeconomic drag

Most analysts have interpreted Trump's statements on "winning" trade deals and taxes on imports to mean that he would increase tariffs from countries like China and Mexico.

In a note to clients, Michael Gapen, a chief US economist at Barclays, laid out just how much the economic drag from even slightly increased tariffs on imports from those two countries have on US GDP growth.

Assuming a 15% tariff on Chinese imports and a 7% tariff on Mexican imports  modestly above their current levels of 2-10% depending on the good  Gapen estimated that the US would see a haircut of 0.5% from annual GDP growth in just the next year.

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china manufacturer tube sparks

Meanwhile, Buiter said that Citi estimates trade and other policy uncertainties could be a 1% drag on US GDP over the next year.

And should the president-elect eventually decide to follow through with any of these policies, the US risks retaliatory measures from other countries.

"If tariffs are more punitive and lead to a public trade spat with China, markets will get nervous, especially if a sharp, retaliatory, [Chinese yuan] depreciation looks like a realistic response," according to Ajay Rajadhyaksha, head of macro research. (For what it's worth, the People's Bank of China fixed the yuan at its lowest level in six years on Thursday amid worries Trump could name China as a currency manipulator, according to Bloomberg.)

If this pattern is followed by other countries, it could lead to a spiral or litigation at the World Trade Organization, further offering downside risk.

"Depending on the specific measures, retaliatory action from elsewhere could be expected, while the risk of trade and currency wars could grow," said Janet Henry, chief global economist at HSBC.

Making it more expensive for consumers

As for how this affects individual Americans, an increase in tariffs could be passed through by companies in the form of higher prices.

Parts for consumer items are made abroad. And so, increasing tariffs could make it more expensive to import these parts for goods. In order to protect corporate profits and margins, companies could hike prices  which is not ideal for consumers.

walmart shopper

A crucial thing to consider here is that this type of price increase is not caused by the virtuous wage and price increase cycle, but rather an exogenous shock to prices without a boost to the labor market. In English, that means that while parts manufactured in China instantly becomes more expensive for Americans under tariffs, wages do not necessarily go up the corresponding amount to offset this cost increase.

Theoretically, companies could avoid tariffs by producing more in the US. The problem here is, however, that labor is more expensive in America, so even if companies bring production to the US, the increased labor costs could push up prices, too.

A 'nail in the coffin' of the post-WWII economic order

Not only could Trump's moves impact everyday consumers in the US, but it could upend the trend in macroeconomic polices that have been in place for more than half a century. As Buiter notes, these policies have increased worldwide prosperity and positive developments for the US.

From the Citi economist's note (emphasis added):

"We stress the potential multipliers of changes in the US position on international trade: the US has been the champion of free trade and open borders for decades. A retreat from globalization by the US would likely lead to reciprocal actions from other countries, and reinforce the latest shift towards de- globalization and could be another nail in the coffin of the liberal global economic world order that has supported prosperity since 1948."

Taking it a step further, now that Trump has been elected president, the possibility of the TPP, the landmark free-trade agreement that aims to slash tariffs and promote economic growth among 12 nations in the Pacific Rim  excluding China, passing has effectively dropped to nil.

(On Friday, Reuters reported that Obama's administration suspended its efforts to win congressional approval for the deal before Trump takes office, adding that its fate was up to the president-elect and Republican lawmakers.)

Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe China Chinese President Xi Jinping

And that could have major implications for the future of the economic and geopolitical order in the Asia Pacific given that the deal is arguably more about the United States' long-term position in Asia than about the near-term financial advantages.

Notably, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Trump on Wednesday evening (or Thursday morning in Japan) to arrange a meeting for the upcoming week. The New York Times reports that Abe will be "seeking to gauge the sincerity of Mr. Trumps campaign rhetoric on Japan" and will also likely want to address the TPP  which is now closer to ratification in Japan after being approved by the lower house of Parliament.

Americans want jobs

Mainstream economists virtually all agree that free trade is "good" for an economy in the long-run (even though within an economy there will be some people who benefit less, particularly in the short-term), while trade-restrictive measures hurt consumers.

However, voters across developed economies believe that free trade actually hurts their countries, which is likely a reflection of their personal experiences. Stateside, 89% of Americans think that the loss of US jobs to China is a somewhat or very serious issue, according to Pew Research statistics previously cited by Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Ethan S. Harris and Lisa C. Berlin. Moreover, only 46% of Americans think NAFTA was good for the economy. But it's not just Americans dreaming of a manufacturing comeback; for example, Japanese farmers have been staunchly against the TPP deal.

There actually is some empirical evidence to back up those grievances. Back in January, labor economists David Autor, David Dorn, and Gordon Hanson published a paper showing that increased trade with China actually caused some big problems for US workers.

From the paper's meaty abstract (emphasis ours):

"China's emergence as a great economic power has induced an epochal shift in patterns of world trade. Simultaneously, it has challenged much of the received empirical wisdom about how labor markets adjust to trade shocks. Alongside the heralded consumer benefits of expanded trade are substantial adjustment costs and distributional consequences. ... Adjustment in local labor markets is remarkably slow, with wages and labor-force participation rates remaining depressed and unemployment rates remaining elevated for at least a full decade after the China trade shock commences. Exposed workers experience greater job churning and reduced lifetime income. At the national level, employment has fallen in U.S. industries more exposed to import competition, as expected, but offsetting employment gains in other industries have yet to materialize."

Moreover, most of the economic gains from globalization have been for the middle class in emerging markets  not the middle class in developed markets, such as the US. Below is one of the more popular charts illustrating this, from economist Branko Milanovic, via Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Ajay Singh Kapur and Ritesh Samadhiya back in June.

And so, Trump's policy proposals look attractive to some voters.

screen_shot_2016 10 27_at_1.58.53_pm

However, although both Trump and Hillary Clinton zeroed in on workers' anxieties over job losses during their campaigns, it's important to note that at least some of America's job losses are not due to trade, but rather due to automation. And crucially, automation has not only hits manufacturing, but also affects jobs that require advanced degrees, such as neuroradiology.

"From a political perspective, I don't think the focus on trade is misplaced. It's effective. Because it has an 'other,'" Alexander Kazan, strategist at Eurasia Group, said in a video for the Eurasia Group Foundation. "When you talk about technology, it's much more amorphous. It's this sense that we all lose. So I think politically it's less effective."

Depends on how much is done

Ultimately, a lot will depend on how much Trump can and will actually try to pass when he steps into the Oval Office.

Donald Trump meets with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan on Capitol Hill. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Due to his lack of policy experience, some observers say its unclear how much of the anti-trade rhetoric Trump genuinely intends to carry out. Additionally, there is a strong contingent within Trump's own party that is supportive of free trade, as they recognize the economic benefits; the more moderate factions of the Republican and Democratic parties can slow down Trump's proposed agenda.

Gapen and Barclays, however, wrote that some aspects such as modestly raising tariffs or directing the Treasury to label a country a currency manipulator fall under executive privilege.

As an end note, for what it's worth, a Trump policy adviser appeared to walk back some of Trump's more assertive anti-trade rhetoric after he was elected.

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Sofia (AFP) - Bulgaria risked plunging into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a Moscow-friendly general backed by the Socialist opposition won the presidential run-off, beating the handpicked nominee of centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov by a whopping margin.

Ex-airforce chief and political novice Rumen Radev swept just over 58 percent of the vote to parliamentary speaker Tsetska Tsacheva's 35 percent, exit polls showed.

Borisov earlier threatened to step down if his pro-European Union candidate failed to win.

"We will not participate in any way in the government if we lose today," Borisov said earlier on Sunday.

Observers say the general's victory might tilt ex-communist Bulgaria, which has long walked a tightrope between Moscow and Brussels, towards Russia's orbit -- a trend seen across eastern and central Europe amid rising euroscepticism.

Nearby Moldova also looked set to elect a pro-Russian president on Sunday.

The straight-laced Tsacheva has failed to sway disgruntled voters seeking to punish the government over its perceived failure to tackle rampant corruption and poverty in the European Union's poorest member state.

"I voted against Borisov because I don't think that he's honest and he hasn't really done anything to improve our lives," said 52-year-old Zora Kardachka, a dry cleaner.

The Bulgarian president's role is largely ceremonial but he or she -- Tsacheva would be the first woman in the position -- is nonetheless a respected figure and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Paul Ryan

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Sunday that he was not worried about Stephen Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart, an alt-right news website, being appointed as President-elect Donald Trumps chief of staff.

No, Ive never met the guy, Ryan told CNN host Jake Tapper.

Ryan continued: I dont know Steve Bannon. I have no concerns. I trust Donalds judgement and I think hes going to pick who he thinks will best serve him.

Bannon and Reince Priebus, the chair of the Republican National Committee, were both being considered for the role.

As executive chairman of Breitbart, Bannon directed the website to fiercely attack Ryan. Breitbart has characterized the Wisconsin Republican as a spineless leader who betrayed conservative principles when he assumed his leadership position.

Moreover, emails obtained by The Hill revealed Bannons end goal was to remove Ryan as speaker.

Nevertheless, Ryan said on Sunday he was sure he would be able to work well with whoever Trump selects as his chief of staff.

Kellyanne Conway, Trump's campaign manager, said on Saturday the decision on Trump's chief of staff was "imminent."

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Planned Parenthood is getting a bunch of donations from Mike Pence and here is why

It really doesnt get any better than this.

Ever heard the phrase, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Well, how about women scorned? Mike Pence should know this because hes guilty of upsetting his fair share of equal rights-loving, pro-choice, take no you-know-what kind of women.

The former Governor of Indiana-turned-Vice-President-elect slashed funding to Planned Parenthood in his home state. He also signed an anti-abortion law that was so stringent even pro-life Republicans were concerned about its effects.

Thats not all hes done either. Pence holds various awful positions against womens rights, including voting against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (an act which would close the wage gap) three times.

Pence is also a threat to the LGBT+ community. He has supported legislation that would allow business owners to discriminate against customers by way of religious affiliation.

A photo posted by OTHERWILD (@otherwild) on Nov 10, 2016 at 4:14pm PST

As a result, many people are standing in defiance and donating to Planned Parenthood. But, theres a catch. Theyre donating in Mike Pences name.

A photo posted by Amber Tamblyn (@amberrosetamblyn) on Nov 12, 2016 at 9:19am PST

Musician Best Coast and actress Amber Tamblyn are just a few of the many people who have donated to Planned Parenthood in Pences name.

If you want to make a donation yourself (and contribute to the massive amount of certificates littering his desk), Pences address is listed above.

A photo posted by Planned Parenthood (@plannedparenthood) on Nov 9, 2016 at 11:27am PST

Donations to Planned Parenthood have risen significantly in the days since Trumps election. And many people are finding creative ways to donate.

Whether you donate in Pences name or your own, Planned Parenthood could use the help, now more than ever. You can find more information on donating here.

The post Planned Parenthood is getting a bunch of donations from Mike Pence and here is why appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Dave Chappelle, comedys reclusive genius, returned to the national stage as guest host of last nights Saturday Night Live, and if the show let him down a few times  as its been known to do since the days George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Lily Tomlin worked the Studio 8-H audience  the former Chappelles Show groundbreaker moved gracefully and deliberately back to both the spotlight and his place among those stand-up greats.

Its been a long time, he told the crowd at the start of his monologue, so be patient. Quickly adjusting the somber mood set by Kate McKinnons earnest rendition of the late Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, Chappelle pivoted to this weeks presidential election. It seemed like Hillary was doing so well in the polls, he said with mock bewilderment. And yet, I know the whites. You guys arent as full of surprises as you used to be.

I havent seen white people this mad since the O.J. verdict. I watched a white riot in Portland, Oregon on television the other night. News said they did a million dollars in damages. Every black person watching was like, amateurs.

Chappelle addressed the countrys recent mass shootings. Pledging allegiance to ISIS, he said about the Pulse nightclub shooting, is not the same as being ISIS: Its like shouting out Wu-Tang! during sex  that dont mean Im in the Wu-Tang Clan.

You cant even go to the goddamn zoo without seeing a shooting, Chappelle observed. They shot a gorilla at my local zoo and and the Cincinnati police said shooting that gorilla was the toughest decision this department has ever had to make. I said, well youre about to see a lot of n*ggers in gorilla costumes in Cincinnati.

Chappelles routine wound its way through Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter (thats not a blue life, thats a blue suit), and being wealthy and black in the age of Obama and, now, Trump. Leaving the country? Naw, Im good dawg, Im gonna stay here and get this tax break, see how it works out. His first election as a rich man, he said, was Barack Obamas victory. He was like, Cmon everybody, lets start thinking about everyone else. I was like, n*gger I just got this money! I didnt even think you was possible!

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Ending on a serious note, Chappelle, mentioning the large anti-Trump protests happening in New York City that day, recalled his visit to the White House a few weeks ago (everyone was black except Bradley Cooper) and how it made him hopeful and proud to be an American.

So in that spirit, Im wishing Donald Trump luck and Im going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too.

Race and Trump charged through another SNL skit last night, in which a mostly-white group of friends move through the stages of shock and grief during an election-night viewing party, with Chappelle and surprise guest Chris Rock repping the thoroughly unsurprised racial minority.

God, this is the most shameful thing America has ever done, said Beck Bennetts stunned Hillary supporter, to guffaws from Chappelle and Rock.

If the skit wasnt as sly as the shows Black Jeopardy bit with Tom Hanks earlier this season, Election Night at least offered evidence of SNLs latter-day willingness to tackle the nations black-white divide, even among the elites of its hometown.

Check it out below, and watch Chappelles monologue above.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--IS0XiNdpk&w=605&h=340]

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Donald Trump at a campaign rally Nov. 2. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

President-elect Donald Trump says hes going to be very restrained in his use of Twitter as commander in chief but will reserve the right to use it as a method to combat what he perceives as negative stories about him.

Im going to be very restrained, if I use it at all, Trump said in an interview with CBS 60 Minutes slated to air Sunday night. Im not saying I love it, but it does get the word out.

On Sunday morning, Trump used Twitter to draw attention to the New York Times very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton in Tuesdays presidential election.

Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the "Trump phenomena"  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the Trump phenomena, he wrote. The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change  doubt it?

The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change  doubt it?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

Trump was referring to a letter Times publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. and executive editor Dean Baquet sent in an email to subscribers thanking them for their loyalty in the wake of Trumps win.

After such an erratic and unpredictable election there are inevitable questions, the letter read. Did Donald Trumps sheer unconventionality lead us and other news outlets to underestimate his support among American voters? What forces and strains in America drove this divisive election and outcome? Most important, how will a president who remains a largely enigmatic figure actually govern when he takes office?

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But the letter did not include any apology.

We cannot deliver the independent, original journalism for which we are known without the loyalty of our subscribers, it concluded. We take this opportunity, on behalf of all Times journalists, to thank you for that loyalty.

A spokeswoman for the Times said Trumps tweet about sliding subscriptions was simply inaccurate.

Weve seen a surge in new subscriptions, both print and digital, Eileen Murphy, senior vice president of communications for the Times, wrote in an email to Yahoo News. And the rate of growth post Election Day has been 4 times better than normal.

@realDonaldTrump @nytimes fact: surge in new subscriptions, print & digital, with trends, stops & starts, 4 X better than normal.  NYTCo Communications (@NYTimesComm) November 13, 2016

Trump also took issue with the Times assertion that he has suggested that more countries should acquire nuclear weapons.

The @nytimes states today that DJT believes "more countries should acquire nuclear weapons." How dishonest are they. I never said this!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2016

In an interview with the Times in March, however, Trump suggested exactly that.

At some point, we cannot be the policeman of the world, he said. And unfortunately, we have a nuclear world now.

If Trump is going to be restrained as commander in tweet, he hasnt quite shown it so far.

On Thursday night, Trump returned to his defiant, combative Twitter personality, criticizing anti-Trump protests and accusing the media of inciting them. Very unfair! he tweeted.

Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016

But on Friday morning, Trump tweeted that he appreciated the demonstrators passion for their country, which he said would eventually unite under his presidency.

Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016

As Yahoo News Colin Campbell noted, speculation has swirled as to what type of social media presence Trump will have once hes president. For years, the celebrity businessman has tossed out caustic Twitter barbs, sometimes with poor spelling or at odd hours of the day. But in the final days of the campaign, after aides reportedly wrested away his Twitter account, he was relatively reserved.

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Steve Bannon, Donald Trump and Reince Priebus. (Photos: Evan Vucci/AP; J. Scott Applewhite/AP; Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will be his chief of staff and Steve Bannon, his campaigns chief executive and the former chairman of the conservative website Breitbart News, will serve as his chief strategist and senior counselor. The announcement came in a statement sent out by Trumps transition team that said the pair would work as equal partners in a continuation of the effective leadership team they formed during the campaign. Bannon received top billing in the campaigns announcement.

Late last week, the New York Times reported that Trumps choice for chief of staff had been whittled down to Priebus and Bannon. Both Priebus and Bannon traveled with Trump during the final weeks of his grueling campaign.

The chief of staff traditionally sets the tone in the White House, acts as gatekeeper to the Oval Office and is typically the first and last person the president talks to each day. The chief of staff also acts as a go-between for the president and Capitol Hill. And Priebus, who has close ties with House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow Wisconsinite, as well as other GOP leaders, would be a logical choice to help bridge the gap between Team Trump and a wary Republican establishment while helping shepherd the president-elects agenda through Congress.

And Priebus, 44, who had a more public role in Trumps campaign, would be a familiar face in and around Washington.

Reince, hes good on TV, one Trump campaign source told Yahoo News. Steve, I dont know if hes ever done that.

While the chief of staff isnt necessarily someone who spends a lot of time doing television hits, the source said this could change with Trumps unconventional approach.

Trump greets Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus during a campaign rally in August. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Reuters)

But it was Bannon who crafted the messaging and strategy that propelled Trumps stunning victory.

I mean, the guy clearly knows how to get things going, how to get a message going, and how to push that and layer it so those things are going to take root, the source said, adding: Thats something people are going to like. I mean, clearly, thats how hes built Breitbart and how he acts on the morning calls for the campaign. When were talking about messages, hell say, Lets jump on this story.  Lets start talking about this. Its going to be huge and weve got to go big on it.

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The 62-year-old Bannon assumed the role as head of Trumps campaign in August in a shakeup that was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans because of Breitbarts far-right worldview. He took a leave from his role at the news site to join the campaign.

Hillary Clinton tried to use Bannons hiring to tie Trump to the so-called alt-right  a fringe movement marked by white nationalism and racist undertones  that Breitbart News frequently championed. In speeches and on social media, Clinton and her campaign highlighted some of Breitbarts more controversial headlines.

Trump hired the head of Breitbart "News" to be CEO of his campaign. Here's a sample of their work: pic.twitter.com/y8loOnkbNu  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 25, 2016

Donald Trump has filled his campaign on prejudice and paranoia, Clinton said at a rally in August. He is taking hate groups mainstream and helping a radical fringe take over the Republican Party.

On CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, who was a frequent target of Bannons Breitbart, said he had no concerns over Bannon as chief of staff,

Ive never met the guy, Ryan said. I dont know Steve Bannon, so I have no concerns. I trust Donalds judgment.

Bannon, though, has some baggage beyond Brietbart. In 1996, Bannon was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, battery and dissuading a witness after an incident where his ex-wife claimed he grabbed her neck and wrist during a fight. The case was subsequently dismissed. The source fretted that it would be unfortunate if Bannons past and the controversial nature of his site proved to be liabilities for the nascent Trump administration.

The source also suggested that, in person, Bannon, who made much of his fortune on royalties from the television show Seinfeld, can be somewhat insensitive. To illustrate their point, the source described being somewhat disturbed by comments Bannon made during their initial encounter.

In my first conversation with him, he was talking about how Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David are brilliant business people, like complimenting Jews for their business sense, the source said with a sigh.

Steve Bannon (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

While Priebus mightve been the safer choice for Trump, he wont be welcomed by all members of the Republican Party.

On Saturday, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund said a Washington insider like Priebus would run counter to Trumps promise to drain the swamp.

No Washington insider, regardless of who it is, should serve as President Trumps chief of staff, Jenny Beth Martin, the co-founder of TPPCF, told CNN in a statement. Appointing Reince Priebus (or any other DC establishment insider) would make it more difficult, not less, for President Trump to achieve the change the people voted for. Its time to drain the swamp  not promote insiders beholden to the Washington establishment who helped create it.

Trumps transition team spent most of the weekend huddled inside Trump Tower in New York City, working on the daunting task of picking a Cabinet and filling out the nearly 4,000 posts that will make up his administration.

On NBCs Meet the Press, Conway called Bannon the general of the campaign, noting that his resume includes more than just Breitbart News. He is much more the Goldman Sachs managing partner and much more the naval officer, I think, than people realize, Conway said. Thats a big part of his background.

Conway also said that whoever was chosen as Trumps chief of staff, both Preibus and Bannon are going to play key roles in the West Wing.

Theyll both have big roles in a Trump administration in my view, she said. As well as they should. I mean, it was a very small-core senior team. Probably less than 10 people all, all told. And Im sure that everyone will be very important to the president moving forward.

Still, our source expressed doubts any of the current leaders of the campaign would be well suited for a managerial job.

They never managed people, the source said. Like on election night, nobody knew where they were going the next day.

This post was updated at 4:36 p.m. with the official announcement from the president-elects transition team.

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Tears and cheers as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters clash at the White House >>>

World reaction to Trumps stunning victory >>>
Chisinau (AFP) - Pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon on Monday emerged as winner of Moldova's hotly disputed presidential runoff, branded an East-West tug-of-war.

With 99.9 percent of ballots counted, Socialist Party chief Dodon had 52.3 percent of the votes, according to the electoral commission, with pro-European rival Maia Sandu on 47.7 percent.

"We have won, everyone knows it," Dodon told a press conference overnight.

But Sandu said on Monday that she does not accept the outcome of the vote in the impoverished ex-Soviet country.

"These elections were neither proper nor free," she said at a press conference.

"We faced lies and manipulation, the use of dirty money, administrative resources and mass media against us."

Some 1,000 people gathered on the central square of the capital Chisinau to protest against the result, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

The demonstrators decried the "rigged elections", calling on the foreign minister and electoral commission leadership to resign over their failure to ensure that all eligible Moldovan nationals residing abroad could vote.

Protesters shouted "We need a European president!" and "Jail Dodon!" as police stood by.

The full results are expected to be announced later this week.

- Ties with Moscow -

Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, the tiny nation of 3.5 million people is caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the West.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow respected the results and congratulated the winner.

Dodon had come out top in the first round of voting on October 30 with 48 percent ahead of Sandu, a centre-right former education minister who worked for the World Bank, with 38 percent.

Dodon -- who served as economy minister under a communist government between 2006 and 2009 -- has called for deeper ties and boosting trade with Moscow.

Sandu meanwhile had urged a path towards Europe, calling for the withdrawal of thousands of Russian troops from the Russian-speaking separatist region of Transdniester, which broke away in the early 1990s after a brief civil war.

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Moldova signed an historic EU association agreement in 2014, and half of its exports now go to the bloc.

The move was bitterly opposed by Russia, which responded with an embargo targeting Moldova's crucial agriculture sector.

"Close ties united us with Moldova before but then the scope of our relations slid," Peskov told journalists on Monday.

"But Russia has always been and remains committed to maintaining ties with Moldova."

Both candidates criticised the vote as badly organised, highlighting the shortage of ballot papers for overseas voters. More than 4,000 Moldovan and international observers were on hand to monitor the vote.

Turnout was 53.4 percent, the electoral commission said.

- Corruption scandals -

The vote comes as a Moscow-friendly general also claimed victory in ex-communist Bulgaria's presidential election on Sunday, prompting Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to announce his resignation as his nominee was dealt a crushing defeat.

Speaking at a polling station on Sunday, Dodon had described his campaign as "against the oligarchs, against those who have robbed our country and want to destroy it".

Moldova has been rocked by corruption scandals and political turmoil in recent years.

In 2014, $1 billion (920 million euros) mysteriously disappeared from three banks, prompting huge street protests and the arrest of former prime minister Vlad Filat, who has since been convicted of corruption and abuse of office.

A recent report published by Transparency International called the country "the regional launderer for money of dubious origin".

Moldova's current Prime Minister Pavel Filip, who has served since January, is pro-European and introduced political changes including the direct presidential vote.

Filip on Monday called for Dodon to keep the country on a pro-European path.

"The association agreement with the EU and the reforms are irreversible and relate to national interests," Filip wrote on his Facebook page.

"It is important to cooperate for the success of key reforms, which are essential to the country's modernisation."
(NEW YORK)  Donald Trumps presidential upset win sparked a fourth day of protests across the United States, with tens of thousands of protesters marching and railing against him.

Saturday protests  held in big cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago as well as smaller ones, such as Worcester, Massachusetts, and Iowa City, Iowa  were largely peaceful, although two police officers were slightly injured in protests in Indianapolis.

Demonstrators rallied at New Yorks Union Square before taking their cause up Fifth Avenue toward Trump Tower, where they were held back by police barricades.

The Republican president-elect was inside his tower apartment, working with aides on the transition to the White House.

Among those railing against him was filmmaker Michael Moore, who tweeted a demand that Trump step aside.

Fashion designer Noemi Abad, 30, agreed.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, she said. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Demonstrators in Indianapolis on Saturday threw rocks at police, slightly injuring two officers, said Police Chief Troy Riggs. Some protesters began chanting threats including Kill the Police, and officers moved in to arrest seven demonstrators.

Police briefly fired pepper balls into the crowd during the confrontation.

We believe that we have some instigators that arrived in our city, trying to start a riot, Riggs said.

Rowdy demonstrators marched through downtown Portland, Oregon, for the fourth night Saturday despite calls from the mayor and police chief for calm.

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Several hundred people took to the streets and Portland authorities made multiple arrests after protesters threw bottles and other items at officers in riot gear and blocked streets and light rail lines. The exact number of arrests wasnt immediately available.

The gathering came after a news conference Saturday in which Mayor Charlie Hayes and Police Chief Mike Marshman urged restraint after several days of violent marches that damaged property and left one person shot.

Friday night, police used flash-bang grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds in the downtown area. Seventeen people were arrested and one man was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries in what police described as a confrontation with gang members. Two people were arrested on attempted murder charges.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 8,000 people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Jennifer Cruz, 18, of Ventura, California, carried a sign that asked: Legalize weed but not my Mom?  a reference to Californians Tuesday passage of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Cruz said her parents have been in the United States illegally for 30 years, although her mother has spent years seeking citizenship. She called the possibility of their deportation terrifying.

We talk about it almost every day, she said. My Mom wants to leave it in the hands of God, but Im not just going to sit back and not do anything. Im going to fight for my parents, even if it kills me.

Shawn Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, wore an American flag vest and held a glittery sign that said Love Trumps Hate.

What hes been able to do is make 50 percent of the nation look over their shoulder, he said. If youre gay, if youre LGBT, if youre Muslim, if youre Latin, if youre special needs, if youre female, its a much unsafer place now.

What is happening today is going to be the normal for a while, he said of the demonstration, because were not going to just sit back and watch our rights being taken away, our health care being taken away.

Meanwhile, several dozen Trump supporters gathered at his vandalized star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to urge the protesters to give him a chance. One person held a cross that read All lives matter to me.

In other parts of the country, spirited demonstrations on college campuses and peaceful marches along downtown streets have taken place since Wednesday.

Evening marches disrupted traffic in Miami and Atlanta.

Trump supporter Nicolas Quirico was traveling from South Beach to Miami. His car was among hundreds stopped when protesters blocked Interstate 395.

Trump will be our president. There is no way around that, and the sooner people grasp that, the better off we will be, he said. There is a difference between a peaceful protest and standing in a major highway backing up traffic for 5 miles. This is wrong.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington, Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted not my president and no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University students sang civil rights songs and marched through campus across a Nashville street, temporarily blocking traffic.

In Cincinnati, hundreds of protesters already had taken to the streets early Saturday afternoon to protest a jurys failure to reach a verdict in the trial of a white former police officer who killed an unarmed black motorist in 2015.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of former University of Cincinnati officer Ray Tensing. He was fired after shooting Sam DuBose in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate last year.

Several hundred anti-Trump protesters joined the trial protesters and marched through downtown Cincinnati.

In Chicago, hundreds of people including families with small children chanted No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here Saturday as they marched through Millennium Park, a popular downtown tourist attraction.

Sonja Spray, 29, who heard about the protest on Facebook, said she has signed an online petition urging the electoral college to honor the popular vote and elect Clinton.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

President Barack Obama meets in Berlin next week with Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other European leaders, and is expected to confront global concerns about Trumps election.

___

Jablon reported in Los Angeles. Associated Press writers William Mathis and Jonathan Lemire in New York, Lisa Baumann and Phuong Le in Seattle, Carla K. Johnson and Greg McCune in Chicago, Terrence Petty in Portland, Oregon, and David Rising in Berlin contributed to this report.
Sydney (AFP) - Refugees held on remote Pacific camps after trying to reach Australia by boat will be resettled in the US in a "one-off" deal, the premier says, a breakthrough that could see the controversial facilities closed.

Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat to detention facilities on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru. They are blocked from resettling in Australia even if found to be refugees.

"The arrangements with the United States will offer the opportunity for refugees, both on Nauru and Manus, to be resettled," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra.

"It is a one-off agreement. It will not be repeated... Our priority is the resettlement of women, children and families."

Successive Australian governments have sought to stem waves of boat migration by people from war-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, using harsh policies including turning back the vessels, and strict secrecy about operations on the high seas and at the remote camps.

Although the latest policies by the current conservative government largely stopped the arrivals, conditions in the camps have been widely criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals.

They say some asylum-seekers suffer from mental health problems due to their prolonged, indefinite detention.

The UNHCR said the arrangement was a "much-needed, long-term solution" but warned that options should be found for everyone on Manus and Nauru.

"This announcement is full of holes. No timeframe. No numbers," added Daniel Webb from the Human Rights Law Centre, which has challenged offshore detention in court.

"This ugly chapter in our history only closes when every single man, woman and child suffering at our government's hand on Nauru and Manus is finally rebuilding their lives in safety. No one can be left behind."

- Trump uncertainty -

The arrangement followed Turnbull's announcement in September that Australia would join a US-led programme to resettle Central American refugees at a Costa Rica centre.

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Turnbull said officials from the US Department of Homeland Security would be arriving in Australia "in the next few days".

But he could not say how many refugees would be offered US resettlement and if the agreement would continue under the incoming Donald Trump administration.

President-elect Trump said on the campaign trail that he would tighten immigration, particularly for Muslims.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in New Zealand, confirmed the deal, adding that "we in the United States have agreed to consider referrals from (UN refugee body) UNHCR on refugees now residing in Nauru and in Papua New Guinea".

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said asylum-seekers whose refugee applications are rejected would be expected to return home.

Refugees who are offered the US move but reject it would be offered a 20-year Nauru visa, while any future boat arrivals will not be eligible for the deal.

Dutton stressed the deal was not an incentive for people-smugglers to send more asylum-seekers by boat, with Canberra set to ramp up its marine border patrols to turn back vessels.

- No 'indefinite detention' -

A resettlement agreement with Phnom Penh struck in 2014 was criticised after only several refugees made the move.

Refugees can also resettle in PNG, although only about two dozen have taken up that option, Port Moresby said last month. Others reportedly cited safety fears in not wanting to settle in the Pacific country.

Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten welcomed the potential "end to indefinite detention, especially for genuine refugees".

Australia agreed in August close the Manus camp following a PNG Supreme Court ruling in April declaring that holding people there was unconstitutional and illegal.

Dutton said Sunday that Nauru "will remain in its current status forever" without elaborating further. Fairfax Media reported Saturday that Canberra wanted to close both centres by 2019.

Some 675 asylum-seekers on Manus and 941 on Nauru out of more than 2,000 applications have been successful in obtaining initial or final refugee status, the immigration department said earlier this month.

Canberra has long defended its policy of denying asylum-seekers resettlement in Australia, saying it has prevented deaths at sea.
Among the more peculiar souvenirs piled up in several decades of film reporting is an artificial oak leaf, found blowing in the wind at Hobbiton in New Zealand. Who but God or Peter Jackson would build a mountain-full of trees and leave them there?

But more intriguing, to me at least, is an official copy of Robert Redfords birth certificate. I obtained it from a Los Angeles County records office while writing Redfords advance obit for the New York Times. The obituary was just routinethe Times, which hates being surprised, compiles them by the thousand, and most gather dust for years.

Yet the certificate, filled in with a crotchety typewriter by one Faye M. Smith on Aug. 26, 1936, brought something unexpectedthat is, an almost unnerving intimacy with an actor-filmmaker who has always seemed to be hiding behind his half-smile, the lines on his face, or the Sundance Kid moustache he sometimes wore. There he was, Charles Robert Redford Jr., born alive in Santa Hospital at 8:02 p.m. on Aug. 18. Full term? Yes. Deformities? None. His namesake father, then 21 years old, listed his occupation as a stock exchange reporter. Redfords mother, Martha Woodruff Hart, said she was a housewife.

Home for the new family was on S. Bedford St. in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles. A current Google street view for the address shows a working-class neighborhood. There was nothing in the record to suggest the drama that would follow, the career triumphs and tribulations, culminating in Redfords on-again, off-again announcement this week, during an interview with his grandson Dylan, that he would retire from acting after two more films.

Between birth and announced retirement, which was quickly disavowed by Redfords spokeswoman Cindi Berger, the ride was a wild one. In a 1966 interview, Redford said he was laughed off the Warner Bros. lot when he asked for stunt work at the age of 15. Occasionally, he said he got his start as a juvenile delinquent, stealing hubcaps and joining gang fights in the Rebel Without A Cause era. Acting was not a first choice, nor even a second or third. After the failed attempt at a stunt career, followed by a short stay at the University of Colorado, Redford attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, and briefly became a street artist. Next came some oil field work. Finally, he landed a role in a Broadway play, The Highest Tree, which was produced by M-G-M president Dore Schary, the father of friend.

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Movie parts followed, more than forty of them. Sometimes, he was derided, as happened with Havana. Sometimes, he was adored, as with The Sting or All the Presidents Men.

Redford never got his acting Oscar; but he was named best director, for Ordinary People, in 1981.

And through the ups and downs, there was never any doubt that Faye Smith got it right. As she typed on that birth certificate, Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born alive.

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Saturday Night Live began the Donald Trump era without a Donald Trump.

In the run-up to the election, the show had outsourced a Trump impression, enlisting the actor Alec Baldwin for a scathing take on the Republican presidential nominee. But in the sketch seriess first episode with Trump as president-elect, Baldwin was gone and no one had stepped up to replace him. Instead, Kate McKinnon, the shows Hillary Clinton impressionist, performed a piano-and-vocals version of the late Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, then announced, Im not giving up, and neither should you. Trump was nowhere to be seen, and neither, pointedly, was any comic takethis was the show openly mourning, in the same way it had after last years Paris attacks or after Sept. 11, 2001.

It was an open question as to who was not giving upClinton? An odd line of comic reasoning during Weekend Update had it that the candidates political career might continue, which seems more informed by emotive reasoning about how things should be than by even baseline interest in how things work. (This is a minor-key perpetual frustration with the showlater in Update, McKinnons Ruth Bader Ginsburg said President Obama should confirm Merrick Garland. How exactly would he do that?) McKinnon? She seemed to be working as hard as ever, its true, though actual comedy about what was lost when Clinton lost might have stirred the soul yet more. But if the message of resilience is meant to apply to the show at large, its both accurate and misleading. SNL is not, now, giving up when it comes to political satire, because it gave up a year ago.

After all, the tone throughout the episodehorror and disbelief that Trump wonwent indulgently free from nourishment about what, exactly, about Trumps win is worth mourning. And it was a garish mismatch with the tone the show set last November, when Donald Trump was just the leading contender for the Republican nomination and was invited to host, taking part in cute sketches that made him seem very well within the bounds of acceptability. It would perhaps be unfair to hold this against the show forever (after all, the cast and writers are not responsible for booking decisions) were the tone of the post-election show not doing quite so much in the way of elaborately telegraphed shock. Its more than a little galling to watch comedians who helped Trump seem as fun, funny, and charming as he could this time last year express grave remorse at his win without even saying why its sad; after all, for a year, theyve treated him as a figure of fun whom its a bit more trouble than its worth to treat as something other than Clintons equal and opposite. (Its hard not to believe this is at least in part about accessafter all, they might want to make an ask to Trump or some other Republican in future, and going too hard might not be seen fondly!)

While the surprise is evidently genuinethe show was so unprepared for a Trump win that they parted ways with Taran Killam, their in-house Trump impressionist, last season, and apparently had no plans to bring on a Trump full-timeits also overdone. The best way for Saturday Night Live to prove that they werent giving up would be to come up with a savage take on Trump, but the best they could do was a gag in Weekend Update about how both of the elections candidates had been so unlikeable. Their special guest was McKinnons Justice Ginsburg, for no real reason other than that shes a pop-culture figure who is relatively popular with left-leaning Americans. A show that had thrived on false equivalencies throughout the electionTrump is crass but Clinton is a paranoid climber; Trump was brought on for ninety minutes worth of free airtime, but other candidates are welcome, toowasnt going to give up now.

The episode seemed unclear as to whom it was even addressing: It was mourning something, and yet unwilling to go into detail about what it was mourning. A view-from-nowhere show that truly had no opinion about Trump would be a bad thing (it would be Jimmy Fallons Tonight Show) but this was somehow worseoffensive for its unwillingness to go there as an institution. The tonic came from outside, just as it had when Baldwin pushed against flaccid writing with a truly nasty Trump. Host Dave Chappelle began his time on-air with a biting and ultimately hopeful monologue about (among many other topics) the progress African-Americans have seen over many generations; it was fluid, transporting, and something its been hard to say about SNL for some timeinsightful. (Similarly insightful was a sketch in which he and Chris Rock, as guests at an otherwise all-white Election Night party, ushered white guests into a world in which theyre disappointed with their countryreminiscent, though not biting the style of, a standout bit from Seth Meyers Late Night this week.) And yet when the episode wrapped, Chappelle was gone. Perpetually burnishing its status as a TV institution, SNL tends to rely on hosts and guests to import sensibility, but the difference between the sharp, rousing parts of the episode with which Chappelle was involved and the dry, flat parts where he was gone is enough to make viewers hope the show learned a lesson from the past year.

Maybe this was a rebuilding week, and Saturday Night Live will return with a take on our president-elect that finally leaves Clinton and her relative weaknesses out of it. But theyll have to work quickly. Across the dial, TV excelled this year at comedy that addressed the Trump campaign. That none of it, from Meyerss acidic A Closer Look segments to Samantha Bees fiery sermons, ensured a Clinton victory seems beyond the point, as comedy isnt meant to be pure political advocacyits meant to wring humor and insight out of the times in which we live. SNL just saying Crazy times, huh? wasnt enough during Trumps run, and its going to be inadequate to the point of pointlessness under a president whos already divided America and placed oppositional press outlets under threat. The show can see it as an opportunityto make itself great again by being as cutting, as wily, and as game for anything as the candidate it now purports to have been against the whole time. But first, it will need to actually be willing to offend with an actual point-of-view. No more songssave the airtime for jokes.
Rob Kardashian took a break from father duty since welcoming his and fiancee Blac Chynas daughter Dream on Thursday to be a good brother for Kim Kardashian. While Kim has not yet made a return herself to social media, her 29-year-old sibling shared some photos from the Kardashian-West broods Halloween on Friday on the reality star's website.

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Photo: KimKardashianWest.com

Kim, a self-professed lover of Halloween, couldnt resist getting dressed up with her kids North, three, and Saint, 11-months. Rob wrote along with the post on her website, Now you know Kim loves Halloween. She couldn't disappoint North once [North] saw she had a Princess Jasmine costume from back in the day.

EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE KIM'S PARIS ROBBERY

Though Kanye Wests wife has been remaining relatively lowkey since her October robbery in Paris, she was the good mommy she is and went all out for her kids. Rob continued, North is crazy into Princess Jasmine right now. Putting on her costume from 2009, North matched her mother and Saint was the most adorable Aladdin, even riding along a magic carpet and accessorizing with a lamp.

Photo: KimKardashianWest.com

For the October 31 affair, Rob added that Kourtney hosted a Halloween dinner. In years past, Kim has rung in the holiday, which also coincides with her October 21 birthday, with club appearances and big bashes.

HOLLYWOOD PARENTS SHOW OFF THEIR KIDS ON HALLOWEEN

And it seems the Selfish author is also there for Rob and her new niece. On Friday, Rob thanked his big sister and brother-in-law for Dreams first pairs of Yeezys. Surrounded by pink balloons, the proud pop showed off her new additions to her growing wardrobe.

Thank you KimYe  baby yeezys mooooovvvvvieeeee @kimkardashian A photo posted by ROBERT KARDASHIAN (@robkardashian) on Nov 11, 2016 at 7:57pm PST



Less than a week old, the newest Kardashian baby is already a regular on social media and even has her own account with over 200k followers.
Sofia (AFP) - Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's surprise new Russophile president-elect, is a former flying ace with no political background who critics say could try to steer the EU's poorest country back into Moscow's orbit.

The MiG pilot and former Bulgarian air force chief of staff, more used to a uniform than a suit, won close to 60 percent of ballots in a closely-fought run-off on Sunday, projections showed.

The 53-year-old, little known previously, beat the personal nominee of centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, ex-parliament speaker Tsetska Tsacheva, who fell short with just over 35 percent.

"It's a victory for all Bulgarian people. Democracy has beaten apathy and fear today," Radev told state media on Sunday evening.

Radev graduated from Bulgaria's Air Force University and Rakovski Defence and Staff College and specialised in the US Air War College in Maxwell Air Force Base.

He started his military career as junior pilot in 1987-88 and moved up the ranks to become Bulgaria Air Force deputy commander from 2009 to 2014, when he stepped up in the commander's seat.

- Bumpy ride with Borisov -

Radev has taken Borisov to task over his failure to improve the lot of the many Bulgarians living in dire poverty and the lack of progress in stamping out rampant corruption.

He had already crossed swords with Borisov in his air force days, when he pressed hard for the acquisition of new rather than used fighter jets, finally leaving office earlier this year in a huff.

He was then invited by the main opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party as their candidate for president.

His election campaign stressed national security and preventing a new migrant influx, and he gained confidence projecting himself as a fierce critic of the conservative status quo.

"He will unify the nation... and he knows how to defend his positions," his father, Georgi Radev, said on Sunday evening in the southeastern village of Slavianovo, which celebrated the news.

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His first job as new president -- a largely ceremonial role -- will be to call early elections in March, after Borisov announced he would resign shortly after news broke of Tsacheva's crushing defeat.

- Closer ties with Russia -

Radev's clear support for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine and ambivalent statements about the EU and NATO have prompted analysts to speculate that he might pursue closer ties with Moscow.

"I am convinced that the sanctions do not help but only harm... Russia and the EU countries are equally hurt," Radev said during the campaign.

Bulgaria's membership into the EU and NATO "has no alternative but it does not necessarily mean that we must declare ourselves enemies of Russia", he added.

He also shocked observers by repeatedly saying that Crimea "is de jure Ukrainian but de facto Russian".

Radev is married and a father of teenage daughter and son from a previous marriage. He speaks English, German and Russian.

He will be sworn in on January 22 for a five-year term in office.
By Richard Lough PARIS (Reuters) - Hours after Donald Trump's U.S. election victory, a close political ally of French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the moment as "a beautiful day". While the result aroused anxiety among much of Europe's political mainstream, French legislator Philippe Meunier drew cheers as he warmed up a crowd of conservative faithful before Sarkozy arrived for a rally near the city of Lyon. "I was woken up this morning to good news from the United States and salute the determination of Americans who were faced with those who lecture us about what to think, and for whom to vote," he said. At the time, western leaders were offering to work with Trump but making clear their apprehension over his campaign threats on issues ranging from NATO solidarity to the Iran nuclear deal and climate change. But with France holding its own presidential election next spring, the Sarkozy camp appears to have no such fears. Sarkozy, who did not support Trump's campaign, said the U.S. election result was a rejection of "conformist thinking". The conservative is pursuing a search for votes that has taken him fishing in the waters of the far-right National Front party. Meunier told Wednesday's rally that the U.S. result exposed a frustration voters felt toward an establishment that was entrenched across the West, including in France. He set the stage for Sarkozy, who railed against an elite in France that he said had turned a deaf ear to citizens under socialist President Francois Hollande. Sarkozy, who as president between 2007-2012 was himself part of that elite, said he was listening, less than two weeks before a primary contest for the center-right presidential ticket. Against the backdrop of a wave of bloody Islamist militant attacks in France and Europe's immigration crisis, the 61-year-old promises to get tough on immigration, defend France's secular values and revive national pride. "There is an anger among the people. They are living in a reality which is no longer recognized by many politicians," Sarkozy said a day later in a television interview. "Someone who asks the question about immigration is not feeble. Someone who says France needs its borders is not a nationalist. And someone who expresses his anger at the ballot box is not a populist." POPULIST VOTE Beyond winning the primary contest, Sarkozy wants to ensure that Marine Le Pen, leader of the euro-sceptic, anti-establishment National Front, does not pull off a Trump-style win in the 2017 presidential election. Opinion polls show Le Pen performing strongly in the first round, backed by disenchanted voters who feel ignored by Paris. In campaign speeches, Sarkozy vows to ban the Islamic burkini swimsuit, has ruled out special school lunches for Muslim children - saying they should fill up on a double portion of chips when pork is on the menu - and told migrants gaining citizenship that their ancestors were Gauls. Sarkozy's main rival, mild-mannered former prime minister Alain Juppe, calls Sarkozy's campaign strategy "suicidal". Sarkozy says Juppe would be too cautious on reforms. Sarkozy is favorite among Republican party supporters to win the primary votes on Nov. 20 and 27. However, these are open to all center-right parties; anyone who pays two euros ($2.17) and says they adhere to the center-right's values can vote. A Nov. 3 poll by Elabe of centrist and conservative voters showed Juppe with 39 percent backing in the opening round, with Sarkozy trailing 12 points behind. It then showed Juppe romping home in the primary run-off, and a number of polls suggest Sarkozy's strategy has alienated middle-ground voters. But after Britain voted to leave the European Union and Trump defied pollsters to win the White House, Sarkozy and his allies say he is reading the mood of voters right. "The people today have different aspirations to those of the establishment," said Meunier, who advises Sarkozy on defense issues. "SILENT MAJORITY" Trump prevailed with the support of white working-class Americans who saw the business magnate as someone who understood their plight and exasperation after long feeling marginalized. Sarkozy calls himself the voice of France's "silent majority", the same term Trump used. "I want to be the spokesman of the silent majority which today says 'enough is enough'," Sarkozy tweeted after his speech to 3,000 supporters on the outskirts of Lyon. Juppe's camp dismissed the idea that Sarkozy could benefit from the wave of populism sweeping across Europe. "Nicolas Sarkozy does not represent the anti-establishment vote. He was president," said Virginie Calmels, a Juppe campaign spokeswoman. The son of a Hungarian immigrant father, Sarkozy cut his teeth in politics as mayor of the wealthy district of Neuilly outside central Paris, before serving as President Jacques Chirac's finance minister. Later as interior minister, he called protesters in a Paris suburb "scum". As president, Sarkozy's high-energy style and abrasive manner polarized voters. His modest attempts at tax and labor reforms and limited success in creating jobs disenchanted both free-marketeers and center-ground voters whom he had also assiduously courted to win power. Polls indicate that the winner of the center-right primary is likely to meet, and beat, Le Pen in the May 7 presidential run-off vote. Even so, left-wing voters despise Sarkozy and it is not obvious how easily he would create a cross-party front to defeat her. Sarkozy promised to quit politics altogether after Hollande defeated him in May 2012. However, he returned to the fray in September 2014, citing the need to rescue France from what he described as the socialist's catastrophic presidency. "He's the only one capable of doing anything. He's a fighter, he has the authority needed to govern and he's already proved himself," said one 64-year-old pensioner in Neuilly. "We need him." (Additional reporting by Simon Carraud and Ingrid Melander; editing by David Stamp)
Yangon (AFP) - Hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages in western Myanmar have been torched, according to new satellite images released on Sunday as fresh fighting flared in the strife-torn region.

Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month.

Soldiers have killed several dozen people and arrested scores in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya militants with links to overseas Islamists.

Fresh fighting flared on Saturday with two soldiers and six attackers killed, according to the military who said they brought in helicopter gunships to repel an ambush.

The crisis and reports of grave rights abuses being carried out in tandem with the security crackdown have piled international pressure on Myanmar's new civilian government and raised questions about its ability to control its military.

Authorities have heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse.

New satellite images released by Human Rights Watch show what the group said was evidence of mass arson attacks against Rohingya villages.

Their analysis showed more than 400 buildings torched in three Rohingya villages where the fighting has been taking place.

The group said active fires and burn scars showed that most of the destruction was caused by arson. The latest images were taken on 10 November.

Brad Adams, the group's Asia director, said the new photos showed "widespread destruction" that was "greater than we first thought".

"Burmese authorities should promptly establish a UN-assisted investigation as a first step toward ensuring justice and security for the victims," he said in a statement.

The resurgence of violence in western Rakhine has deepened and complicated a crisis that already posed a critical challenge to the new administration led by democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

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The state has sizzled with religious tension ever since waves of violence between the majority Buddhist population and the Muslim Rohingya left more than 200 dead in 2012.

More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingya, were pushed into displacement camps by the bloodshed and have languished there ever since.

Rights groups say they face apartheid-like restrictions on movement and have repeatedly called on Suu Kyi to carve out a solution.

But Buddhist nationalists at home viciously oppose any move to grant them citizenship, claiming the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite their long roots in the country.

The military and government have rejected allegations that troops have burned Rohingya villages, accusing insurgents of lighting the fires.

On Saturday evening, Rohingya activists uploaded a graphic video showing the corpses of eight people dressed in civilian clothes, including a small baby.

The video's shooter, speaking in Rohingya, said the victims died that day near Dar Gyi Zar village, with some showing bullet wounds.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the footage.
Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani shared a story of being harassed by a pair of Donald Trump supporters at a Los Angeles bar while out with his co-star Thomas Middleditch on Saturday.

Nanjiani said on Twitter that two young white men, whod been there for hours approached him and his co-star at the bar with the intention of defending Trump. After Nanjiani told them he didnt want to talk about politics, the actor says the Trump supporters got combative.

I go Hey we dont wanna discuss politics right now. His friends goes oh theyre cucks. Then starts yelling at us. CUCKS CUCKS CUCKS!' he wrote.

Also Read: 11 Accounts of Overt Racism From 'Day 1 in Trump's America' (Photos)

He starts getting in my face, Nanjiani continued. Thomas puts his hand on the dudes chest to stop him. Dont touch me you cuck. Wanna go outside?'

The Trump supporters were eventually thrown out of the bar after the situation began to escalate, and Nanjiani wrote that the bartender was awesome & apologetic about the situation.

Also Read: Hillary Clinton Tells Donors FBI Director Is To Blame for Losing Election

Out with @kumailn; for no reason two dudes came at us with Trump right wing shit, calling us cucks. Never in my life. I hate this. Week 1, wrote Middleditch, referencing a social media trend from earlier in the week in which users shared stories of abuse and harassment from Day 1 of a Donald Trump presidency.

Middleditch said the confrontation was at a bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, which he dubbed Gentrification central.

I cant imagine what it must be like to be someone who looks like me in other parts, wrote Nanjiani, who is Pakistani-American.

See all of the tweets below:

Out with @kumailn; for no reason two dudes came at us with Trump right wing shit, calling us "cucks". Never in my life. I hate this. Week 1.  Thomas Middleditch (@Middleditch) November 12, 2016

Related stories from TheWrap:

There's Still One Way to Block a Trump Presidency But Don't Bet on It

Donald Trump Supporter Loses It on NBC News Reporter: 'F You!' (Video)

11 Accounts of Overt Racism From 'Day 1 in Trump's America' (Photos)
Only 26% of its earnings are from Singapore.

Singapore telco Goliath Singtel should not be worried when the new group successfuly penetrates the sector as only a quarter of its earnings are from the city-state.

According to OCBC Investment, the new telco has only but a little impact on Singtel.

"Given the competitive mobile business environment, a fourth telco entry will likely exacerbate the pressures on mobile ARPU in Singapore. As a result, we forecast -2.0% compound annual growth rate for Singtels post-paid average revenue per user over a 5-year period to FY21," OCBC said.

But compared to the other two incumbents, M1 and StarHub, the said impact is much smaller.

"We also expect Singtel to lose some market share to the 4th Telco, and project Singtel to register -0.50% CAGR for the number of its post-paid subscribers over the same period. On a group level, we do not expect a material impact on its bottom line over the five-year period," OCBC said.

More so, the firm stressed that only around 26% of Singtel Group EBITDA and share of Associates earnings was derived from Singapore. And out of that 26%, around 32% is from the consumer segment in Singapore, which includes its pay TV and broadband businesses.

"Hence, we do not think losing 2-3% revenue share over the next five years will materially affect its dividend payout," OCBC argued.





More From Singapore Business Review


London (AFP) - Novak Djokovic reacted furiously after being grilled about a potentially dangerous incident when he slammed a ball into the stands during his ATP Tour Finals win over Dominic Thiem on Sunday.

Djokovic responded to losing the first set against Thiem by angrily hitting a ball into the court and it bounced towards spectators before disappearing into a staircase.

The world number two was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct and, although he battled to back to defeat Thiem, he was still in a tetchy mood when he faced the media shortly after the match.

Asked if he was concerned that he would eventually get in trouble for his behaviour, defending champion Djokovic immediately took offence.

"You guys are unbelievable. You're always picking these kind of things," Djokovic fumed.

"I'm the only player that shows his frustration on the court? That's what you are saying?"

It is not the first time that Djokovic, who has been in poor form for several months and recently lost the world number one ranking, has found himself in hot water for his frustrated on-court reactions.

At this year's French Open, he narrowly avoided disqualification when his racquet slipped and almost hit a line judge during his quarter-final win over Tomas Berdych.

He also received a code violation in Rome in May when he threw his racquet and it almost bounced into the crowd during a final defeat against Andy Murray.

Djokovic has been more than a little thin-skinned in his interactions with the media of late after revelations that he has been working with a 'spiritual guru' in recent months.

And pressed on why he was becoming a repeat offender with equipment abuse, Djokovic refused to be apologetic.

"I keep doing these things? I'm close (to being suspended)? I'm still not suspended, so if I'm not close, I'm not close," he said.

"It could have been (serious), yes. It could have snowed in O2 Arena as well, but it didn't. It is not an issue for me. It's not the first time I did it."
By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors will question President Park Geun-hye over a political corruption scandal engulfing her presidency, an official said on Sunday, the first time a sitting president will be questioned by prosecutors over a criminal case.

Hundreds of thousands marched in the capital Seoul on Saturday demanding Park resign. Many protesters said Park, whose public support has dropped to the lowest point ever for a democratically elected South Korean leader at 5 percent, was unfit to rule.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Park exerted improper pressure on "chaebol" conglomerate bosses to raise funds for two foundations at the center of an influence-peddling scandal involving a friend of hers, Yonhap reported on Sunday, citing prosecution sources.

They are also probing Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is alleged to have used her ties to the president to meddle in state affairs and wield influence in the cultural and sports communities, a prosecutor has previously said.

Prosecutors have already questioned the de facto head of Samsung Group (SAGR.UL) Jay Y. Lee and the chairmen of Hyundai Motor Group and Hanjin Group (HANJ.UL) over the scandal, media reports said on Sunday.

"It's correct we're planning to question the president but the date is undecided," an official at the prosecutors' office told Reuters.

Yonhap news agency quoted a prosecution official as saying Park's questioning should be done no later than Wednesday.

"Questioning people face-to-face is our principle," the official said. Park will appear before prosecutors as a witness, Yonhap reported.

Park's office said it would be Tuesday at the earliest before it will have a position on the prosecutors' plan and was considering retaining a lawyer for the president.

While some previous South Korean presidents have been mired in scandals or allegations of wrongdoing involving family members during their terms, none were directly questioned by prosecutors while they were in office.

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The prosecution office official confirmed the chairman of Hyundai Motor, Chung Mong-koo, was questioned on Saturday but declined to confirm whether the other chaebol bosses had met prosecutors.

A Korean Air Lines spokesman confirmed that Cho Yang-ho, who is chairman of Hanjin and South Korea's largest airline, had appeared for questioning but did not elaborate further.

A Hyundai Motor spokesman declined to comment and Samsung Group could not immediately confirm the reports of prosecutors questioning their respective officials.

Park faces intense pressure from the public and parliament to step down over the scandal, but the main opposition parties have not raised the possibility of initiating impeachment proceedings.

The presidential office said earlier on Sunday that Park was "earnestly considering ways to normalize state affairs" and that she had "heard the voices of the people at the rally".

Park has said she had discussed with conglomerate heads in July last year her desire for them to contribute more for culture without elaborating.

South Korean prosecutors raided Samsung Electronics last week as part of the probe over the scandal and whether the company separately gave millions of euros to a company controlled by Choi and her daughter.

(This story was refiled with full name of Hanjin chairman in paragraph 12)

(Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and James Pearson; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates)
Marko Korosec Storm chaser Milnesand, New Mexico. (Photo: Marko Korosec/Caters News)

These astonishing photos were taken at the heart of Tornado Alley in the Great Plains of the United States.

Storm chaser and professional photographer Marko Korosec, 34, from Sezana, Slovenia, is also a meteorologist and a supervisor for Slovenia's Road Weather Information System.

Korosec often travels to the hurricane hot spot in America for a few weeks between May and June, when the storms are most severe and the tornado season peaks.

Korosec's hunt for a sensational storm has taken him all over the United States, Croatia, Italy and the coast along the Adriatic Sea, hoping to catch one on a flat field, where they are at their most formidable. (Caters News)

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.
A drummer for The Whigs, Julian Dorio got a call a little more than a year ago to fill in on drums during a six-week European tour with Eagles of Death Metal. He had never played with the Los Angeles-based band, but two weeks into the tour, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, he was onstage at The Bataclan in Paris when terrorists stormed the theater 40 minutes into the show, killing 90 (130 died as a result of attacks at multiple locations). Dorio, 34, escaped with his fellow bandmembers, but merchandise manager Nick Alexander died in the massacre. A year later, Dorio, who lives in Nashville with his wife and is expecting their first child in November, shares with Billboard his memories of that night and a year spent healing.

There's before Paris and after Paris.

The hours before it happened were so ordinary. My wife, Emily, and I had honeymooned there that summer, but she wasn't with me on this trip. For dinner, I went to this charming restaurant we had eaten at near The Bataclan. The bartender remembered me and knew Eagles of Death Metal, so I offered to put him on the guest list. He said he would love to go but his shift went too late. Thank god he couldn't make it.

I went to the venue close to showtime. It was packed. The shooting occurred out of nowhere. I'll never forget how loud and powerful it was. It dwarfed us. I hit the deck, and the gunpowder just hit my nose. I also smelled iron, which I realized soon after was from all the blood. Within minutes, I managed to find an exit door. In the billionth of a second before I pushed it open, I thought, "There's going to be a shooter on the other side." But what are you going to do? You can't go back. I opened the door. There were people running everywhere. I took a right and ran.

I got a cab a couple of blocks away with two bandmembers and a bandmember's girlfriend. As I'm about to get in, I realize I have no phone or wallet. This fellow survivor who was running next to me, he pulled out a 50 bill and said, "Take this."

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Read more: Bataclan Terror Attack Anniversary: Club Owners, Security Experts and Music Fans on How We Live Now

We had the cab take us to a police station, which is where I borrowed a phone to call Emily. A TV was on, and in French it said, "18 dead." And I thought, "The place where I was just performing has 18 dead people." Then it went from 18 to 30 to 34. I realized there was a death toll.

In the weeks after, people asked how I was doing. I remember feeling so many contradictory emotions at once. I was so sad, and grieving the people who were lost. And yet I was so grateful to come home to my family and friends, grateful that I was unharmed. I can walk, I can still play the drums. You feel guilt, helplessness, watching people get hurt and killed and not being able to reach out and help them. That's a very powerless feeling and does not go away quickly.

Around that time, U2 called and invited us to join the band in Paris for its rescheduled show and to play Patti Smith's "People Have the Power." Emily was understandably reluctant to let me go so soon after the attacks, but going back to Paris, I was able to retrieve what had been taken from me. I hadn't touched a drumstick since that night in November, and the next time I did was behind Larry Mullen Jr.'s kit with U2. It was incredibly cathartic. People were crying.

I went back again in February with Eagles of Death Metal to do our rescheduled shows. We were determined to get back and play. It was like, "We're f - ing playing. F - those people who make us feel like we're not going to do what we love."

Read more: Revisiting the Bataclan's Paris Neighborhood a Year After the Terrorist Attacks

The trauma specialist I see thought it would be good for me and Emily to create new memories in Paris, so Emily met me there for that show. When I got home a few weeks later, she told me she was pregnant and we knew instantly this baby was conceived in Paris. This was our redemption.

A few months after that trip, six months to the day of the attack, on Friday, May 13, I got the drum kit I played that night. Most of the band's instruments were incinerated during the cleanup. Somehow, the drum kit was spared. It was returned to the maker, C&C Custom Drums, in Missouri. The owner called and asked if I wanted it. I said yes, so he cleaned and fixed it, and he even had it blessed by a priest. He believed, as I do, that it was important to make it an instrument again for people to come together to sing and dance. I use that drum kit every day.

You're taught in trauma counseling not to dwell on ifs. You're not going to get answers. But you still wonder, "How did my life take me to this place, and why?" Maybe this baby is why. What else does one hold on to?

This article originally appeared on Billboard.com.
Hes no longer a bachelor!

Former Bachelor star Bob Guiney said I do to his bride Jessica Canyon on Saturday.

Held at Casa Entre Rocas in Punta Mita, Mexico, the ABC reality star alum and Canyon tied the knot in front of friends and family at their destination wedding.

According to Instagram posts from guests, the bridesmaids all wore black dresses and held bouquets of tropical flowers.

The bridesmaids also wore matching floral robes while preparing for the big day.

After the wedding, a guest posted a Mannequin Challegne featuring the couple and their friends in what appeared to be a post-reception celebration.

Guiney, who appeared on season 1 of The Bachelorette and season 4 of The Bachelor, announced his engagement to Canyon in October 2015.

Leading up to the couples big day, Guiney, 45, expressed his excitement on Instagram throughout their engagement journey.

Exactly one month to go!! Im a very lucky man! (Shes the beautiful one on the right  in the white  by the way!) I cannot wait for our big day @jescanyon ! And love that we can share it w @thaigrrrl @deedeedemare and more family & friends, Guiney captioned a picture of his bride-to-be.

Third times the charm! the former contestant, who has been married twice prior  first to Jennifer Lantz and second to All My Children actress Rebecca Budig  told PEOPLE in July.

We get along great, Guiney continued, and added, She lets me be me.




By Alexander Besant NEW YORK (Reuters) - Demonstrators in major U.S. cities took to the streets for a fifth straight day on Sunday to protest President-elect Donald Trump, whose campaign manager said President Barack Obama and Democrat Hillary Clinton should do more to support a peaceful transition. Following several nights of unrest, crowds of people marched in parks in New York City and San Francisco, and planned to do so in Oakland, California, according to social media. A few thousand joined a march at the south end of New York's Central Park, beginning at a Trump property on Columbus Circle and walking toward the real estate mogul's skyscraper headquarters less than a mile (1.6 km) away. They chanted, "Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcomed here," and held signs such as "White silence = violence" and "Don't mourn, organize." Thousands in several cities have demonstrated since the results from Tuesday's election showed Trump, a Republican, lost the popular tally but gained enough votes in the 538-person Electoral College to win the presidency, surprising the world. Largely peaceful demonstrators in urban areas have said Trump threatens their civil and human rights. They have decried Trump's campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations the former reality-TV star sexually abused women. Dozens have been arrested and a handful of police injured. In San Francisco on Sunday, about 1,000 people marched through Golden Gate Park toward a beach where they chanted, "Let's make waves." They held signs such as "I resist racism" and "Down with the Trumps." Civil rights groups have monitored violence against U.S. minorities since Trump's win, citing reports of attacks on women in Islamic head scarves, of racist graffiti and of bullying of immigrant children. They have called on Trump to denounce the attacks. Trump said he was 'so saddened' to hear of instances of violence by some of his supporters against minorities, according to a transcript released on Sunday of an interview with the CBS program '60 Minutes'. Kellyanne Conway, Trump's campaign manager, said on Fox News on Sunday that she was sure many of the protesters were paid professionals, though she offered no proof. Suggesting a double standard, Conway said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that if Clinton had won and Trump supporters had protested, "people would be freaking out that his supporters were not accepting election results." "It's time really for President Obama and Secretary Clinton to say to these protesters, 'This man is our president,'" she said on NBC. Republican House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN on Sunday that protests are protected by the First Amendment as long as they are peaceful. Neither Obama nor Clinton has called for an end to the protests. Obama told Trump at the White House on Thursday that he was going to help Trump succeed, "because if you succeed, then the country succeeds." Clinton told supporters at a New York hotel on Wednesday: "Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead." Trump on Sunday attacked the New York Times for coverage he said was "very poor and highly inaccurate." "The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?" Trump wrote on Twitter. The newspaper published a letter in Sunday's editions from publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Dean Baquet, not apologizing, but thanking readers for their loyalty and asking how news outlets underestimated Trump's support. The Times plans to "hold power to account, impartially and unflinchingly" during the Trump presidency, they wrote. (Additional reporting by Alana Wise in Washington and Beck Diefenbach in San Francisco; Writing by David Ingram; Editing by James Dalgleish)
Thirteen years later, Kate Hudson still hasnt lost her guy, former costar and pal Matthew McConaughey.

Hudson and McConaughey, who costarred in the 2003 classic romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, reunited at the fifth annual Baby2Baby Gala presented by John Paul Mitchell in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The 37-year-old actress wore a fitted beige J. Mendel gown and a coordinating clutch. McConaughey, 47, sported a navy suit, and his wife Camila Alves donned a plunging black lace gown.

Before the star-studded festivities, Hudson shared a Boomerang video with the caption, #GonnaBeALongNight.

Alves, 34, shared a photo of Hudson with Kelly Rowland, Rachel Zoe, Jessica Alba and Molly Sims with the caption, The angels! -/-/- os anjos! #Baby2Baby #WomenPower #Mompreneur.

RELATED VIDEO: I Only Ever Saw My Mom Working Hard: Kate Hudson on Being Inspired by Her Mom as a Kid

The celebrities at the event managed to raise a whopping $3 million dollars toward distributing diapers, clothing and other baby essentials to low income children and their families, according to InStyle.

And while Jennifer Garner, who is one of PEOPLEs 25 Women Changing the World, was the one honored at the event, Hudson is a former winner of the Giving Tree Award.




lindsey graham

Top Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a vocal critic of Donald Trump throughout the election cycle, slammed the president-elect's views on foreign policy in a wide-ranging interview with Business Insider last week.

He called Trump a "fool" when it comes to Russia, said the billionaire businessman has "zero idea" about how to defeat the terrorist group ISIS (also known as the Islamic State or ISIL), called his views on the NATO alliance "dangerous," and said Trump "doesn't know anything" about foreign policy writ large.

"To put 'Donald Trump' and 'foreign policy' in the same sentence is a stretch," Graham said. "This is not his area. He doesn't know anything about it. He doesn't seem to be curious."

Regardless, Graham, who ran for president himself during the Republican primary, will have to work with Trump in his coming administration. We've outlined what Graham thinks foreign policy will look like under President Trump.

Russia, Syria, and Iran

Graham seemed especially concerned about Trump's views on Russia.

"I think [Trump's views on Russia] are the biggest misreading since the '30s and Donald Trump is a fool when it comes to Russia," he said.

During his campaign, Trump was often criticized for warming up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had spoken favorably of the then-Republican presidential nominee.

"I think Russia would love for him to win," Graham said. "The fact that the Russians are actively involved in this election says all I need to know about Donald Trump. I've never, I can't believe Ive lived long enough to see a foreign government this involved in our election."

The US accused Russian hackers of leaking emails from the Democratic National Committee, and the Kremlin has apparently hired Russian internet trolls to pose as pro-Trump Americans.

Russia might have a particular interest in US politics as it seeks to expand its power throughout the world.

Russia is involved in the Syrian civil war, a conflict the US is also entangled in, and the Kremlin backs a dictator whom the US has insisted must leave power. Russia is also closely aligned with Iran, which is involved in the Syrian conflict as well as the fight against ISIS in Iraq. But Iran's militias have been accused of committing atrocities against Iraqi civilians as they help liberate towns and cities from ISIS control.

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Trump has suggested that Syrian President Bashar Assad should be able to remain in power and help the US fight ISIS in the Middle East  which is exactly what Assad, who wants to be viewed as a legitimate partner in the fight against terrorism, wants to hear. But his regime has killed far more civilians in Syria than ISIS, and he has shown that hes more interested in wiping out the moderate rebels who oppose his regime than the Islamist terrorists who are seeking to control parts of the country.

"To suggest that it's OK to leave Assad in power, you have no idea what that means for the Mideast," Graham said. "That means every Arab government is going to rebel against that decision because to give Assad, to keep him in power is giving Damascus to the Iranians, and you're not going to do that. That means empowering the Russians in a way that we havent seen since the '70s."

Iran, a hardline Islamic country with strong anti-American sentiment, is on the side of the Assad government in Syria. Foreign policy experts often express concerns about Iranian influence in the Middle East.

Graham predicted that some Republicans in Congress would resist Trump's policies on Russia.

"There will be people in the Congress on the Republican side who push back," Graham said. "I will gladly work with him where I can."

trump

NATO

Graham also bashed Trump's comments on NATO, an alliance that was formed in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union and nationalist militarism in Europe.

Trump has said that NATO is "obsolete" and suggested that, under his administration, the US might not defend its allies if those allies didn't contribute enough to their own defense.

"What he's saying is very dangerous," Graham said. "He's diminishing alliances at a time when we need more. Yes, NATO members need to contribute more. But this is not a country club where you get kicked out if you dont pay your dues. This is not a real-estate deal where you leverage for the best price. This is a complicated world where alliances, imperfect as they are, have to be nurtured and built up."

This is another area in which Trump sides with Russia, which is not a member of NATO.

Russia has reason to hope the alliance crumbles  it's one of the biggest checks against Russian expansion of power. NATO includes 28 member countries and serves, among other things, as a counterweight to the Kremlin's ambitions in Eastern Europe.

Several post-Soviet states, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, are NATO members. And if Russia were to attempt to invade any of them, the US would be obligated to throw its military might behind counteracting the Kremlin and defending those countries' sovereignty.

"Russia has to be very excited about Donald Trump's view of NATO," Graham said.

A Kurdish fighter from the People's Protection Units (YPG) carries his weapon as he walks at the faculty of economics where a defaced picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is seen in the background, in the Ghwairan neighborhood of Hasaka, Syria, August 22, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said

ISIS

The fight against ISIS in the Middle East was a top issue on both sides throughout general election campaigning.

Trump often advocated for letting Russia and the Assad regime help the US defeat ISIS in Syria and bombing "the hell out of ISIS" in other parts of the Middle East where ISIS controls territory. He has also suggested that the US take ISIS' oil to deprive the terror group of one of its largest sources of revenue.

But Graham said this strategy is flawed, noting Trump's rhetoric that could be perceived in the Middle East as anti-Muslim. During his campaign, Trump proposed barring all Muslims from traveling to the US "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on" with terrorism.

"He has zero idea about how to defeat ISIL, because you've got to hold the territory," Graham said.

So far, Trump has not articulated a plan for establishing security in areas liberated from ISIS. During the Iraq War, the US and its allies in the Iraqi government wiped out Al Qaeda in Iraq, the predecessor to ISIS, in most of the country. But the group then went underground and reemerged later as an even more powerful and formidable enemy.

Graham argues that Trumps rhetoric might make it difficult for Muslims in the Middle East to see the US as an ally, thereby hurting America's ability to stem ISIS recruitment and establish security in the region post-ISIS.

"If anybody understood the war on terror at all, the last thing he would do is make the statement 'we need to ban all Muslims from coming to America,'" Graham said. "Because what you're doing is you're empowering the enemy."

He explained: "What you're doing is you're empowering the enemy. The enemy's narrative is that the West hates the religion. Our narrative should be that  that it's the world against ISIL, not the United States against Muslims."

NOW WATCH: A model that has correctly predicted the presidential election since 1980 says Clinton will have a landslide victory





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kellyanne conway

Donald Trump's campaign manager warned outgoing Senate Minority Leader that he should be careful in his criticism of the new president-elect.

In a statement on Friday, Reid released a fiery statement condemning the real-estate mogul for stoking fear among minority groups and emboldening "the forces of hate and bigotry in America."

"If this is going to be a time of healing, we must first put the responsibility for healing where it belongs: at the feet of Donald Trump, a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate," Reid said.

"Winning the electoral college does not absolve Trump of the grave sins he committed against millions of Americans. Donald Trump may not possess the capacity to assuage those fears, but he owes it to this nation to try."

In an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Conway characterized Reid's comments as "beyond the pale," and suggested that the Nevada senator be careful "in a legal sense" about the way he described Trump.

"They're incredibly disappointing. Talk about not wanting my children to listen to somebody," Conway said.

She added: "And he should be very careful about characterizing someone in a legal sense. He thinks that he's just being some kind of political pundit here, but I would say be very careful about how you characterize that."

When host Chris Wallace pressed Conway over whether she was suggesting Trump would sue Reid, presumably for defamation, the former campaign manager backpedaled.

"I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm calling for responsibility and maturity and decency from someone who has held one of the highest positions in our government," Conway said.

Though many of the left have cheered Reid for continuing to voice Democratic opposition to Trump, others congressional Democrats have distanced themselves from the outgoing minority leader's comments.

"I want to be very clear, he does not speak for me. As difficult as it is for anyone to lose an election, the American people have spoken and Donald Trump is our President-elect. Senator Reids words needlessly feed the very divisiveness that is tearing this country apart," West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: Here's the ad that Ivanka Trump reportedly doesn't want America to see





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U.S. President Barack Obama (R) meets with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss transition plans in the White House Oval Office in Washington, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President-elect Donald Trump told "60 Minutes" in an interview set to air Sunday night that he planned to deport or jail 2 to 3 million immigrants living in the country illegally upon taking office.

"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably 2 million, it could be even 3 million  we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate," Trump said in the interview, according to a preview released by CBS.

"But we're getting them out of our country. They're here illegally," he said.

Seeming to soften his rhetoric regarding one of his earliest campaign promises, however, Trump did not commit outright to deporting the estimated 8 million other immigrants thought to be living in the US illegally.

"After the border is secure and after everything gets normalized, we're going to make a determination on the people that they're talking about who are terrific people, they're terrific people, but we are going to make a determination at that," he said. "But before we make that determination ... it's very important, we are going to secure our border."

Trump also seemed to tone down his plan to secure the US's southern border with a wall by telling "60 Minutes" that the wall would include "some fencing."

President Barack Obama, from 2009 to 2014, deported 2.5 million immigrants living in the country illegally, according to government data, substantially more than George W. Bush did in his eight years in office.

NOW WATCH: Thousands of protesters gather at Trump Tower in New York





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In a Gettysburg speech last month, the Republican laid out many of his goals for the country. Alan Yuhas investigates the feasibility of each proposal

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In the town where Abraham Lincoln addressed a shattered nation in 1863, Donald Trump gave one of the most detailed policy speeches of his campaign last month. As the US  and the world  wait to see which elements of the incoming presidents inflammatory campaign he will attempt to pursue from the White House, this speech may be something of a guide. Alan Yuhas examines the likelihood of each of the 18 presidential acts and 10 bills Trump outlined in Gettysburg becoming reality.

The checks and balances of the US system will partially constrain Trump, as with any US president. But the eight-justice supreme court is likely to soon have a ninth, conservative justice once Trump takes office, and Congress is controlled by his fellow Republicans. State governments may resist some of the next presidents initiatives by taking his administration to court.

Related: Donald Trump, pragmatist? President-elect's stances seem to shift after win

But Trump will also have great leeway to act on his own, in line with precedents set by George W Bush and Barack Obama to expand the powers of the executive branch.

The text is drawn from Trumps campaign site.

On the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interest collusion in Washington, DC: FIRST, propose a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress;

Trump can propose an amendment and Congress can reject it. The Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, first took office in 1985 and has already said he opposes term limits.

SECOND, a hiring freeze on all federal employees to reduce federal workforce through attrition (exempting military, public safety, and public health);

Trump will have the power to halt hiring at federal agencies, but he has also said he would expand the size of agencies he has exempted (such as the Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and military). There are about 2.85 million federal employees, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics.

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THIRD, a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated;

Trump requires Congress to repeal regulations, and will almost certainly have its support to strip away environmental protections and financial regulations. His requirement is ambitious in its scope but Republicans have fought to deregulate banking and the oil and gas industry for decades.

FOURTH, a 5 year-ban [sic] on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service; FIFTH, a lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government; SIXTH, a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections.

Trump would need Congresss help to truly cement such bans, though he could create rules for his White House staffers. Congress would not likely support a ban for its ex-lawmakers. More than 400 former members of the 112th and 111th Congresses have become lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, including some of the most powerful former lawmakers.

Conveniently for Trump, this five-year ban, at the moment, would primarily affect Democrats ousted from Congress and the Obama administration since 2011. His transition team, on the other hand, is already being filled with former lobbyists and courted by current ones.

Bans on foreign interference could create legal knots for the Trump White House, however. He has a host of foreign business entanglements, with as many possible conflicts of interest, and a great deal still unknown about his dealings abroad.

On the same day, I will begin taking the following seven actions to protect American workers: FIRST, I will announce my intention to renegotiate NAFTA or withdraw from the deal under Article 2205

Actual renegotiation of a major trade deal could prove difficult: it took years of work across George HW Bush and Bill Clintons White Houses to finalize the deal. Restructuring or withdrawing would also present a logistical nightmare, since car and airplane manufacturing, for instance, are already global, multinational industries.

But Trump could quickly hollow out the trade deal by enforcing some provisions harshly and not others, as he has promised, though this could cause litigation, higher consumer prices and/or a trade war with countries such as Mexico.

SECOND, I will announce our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership THIRD, I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator

Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, a Republican and Democrat respectively, said on Friday that Barack Obamas long-planned Trans Pacific Partnership was in effect killed by the election. Ironically, the deal was designed in large part to curb Chinas economic influence in the Pacific, and its nullification will not improve US ties to would-be partners, who will probably turn to their closer neighbor. Nor will Trumps direction to his treasury secretary, which is in his power, improve relations with China.

FOURTH, I will direct the Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses that unfairly impact American workers and direct them to use every tool under American and international law to end those abuses immediately

Trump will have the power to direct enforcement priorities for his cabinet members, who can sue companies or countries they believe culpable of abuses.

FIFTH, I will lift the restrictions on the production of $50tn dollars [sic] worth of job-producing American energy reserves, including shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal. SIXTH, lift the Obama-Clinton roadblocks and allow vital energy infrastructure projects, like the Keystone Pipeline, to move forward SEVENTH, cancel billions in payments to UN climate change programs and use the money to fix Americas water and environmental infrastructure

Trump will be able to reverse any and all of Barack Obamas executive actions on climate change, including his block on the Keystone Pipeline, which he ruled against after a state department review found it would not significantly create jobs, lower the price of gas or break US dependency on oil imports.

As president, Trump will become the only leader of a large industrialized nation to doubt climate change, a crisis which even leaders such as the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Russias Vladimir Putin have pledged to act on. Trump could simply ignore the US commitment to the Paris climate accord, though withdrawal would take four years. He has appointed a climate skeptic, whose organization is in part funded by coal companies, to head his EPA transition team, and could also try to gut Obamas environmental regulations, though he would face a fight in the courts, within agencies and from states such as California.

And Trumps ambitions to resurrect the coal industry face a larger problem than environmental safety laws: decades of economic decline, driven by the boom of natural gas. His promise to fix water and environmental infrastructure also runs directly afoul of his promises to reinvest in the coal and natural gas industries, the latter linked to earthquakes and the former to air and water pollution.

Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and the constitutional rule of law: FIRST, cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama

Trump will have great leeway to rescind executive orders, though he would almost immediately run into practical problems in undoing them. He can revoke Obamas 2012 order to protect about 1.3 million young migrants, for instance, leaving them vulnerable to, if still not the priority for, deportation. Any orders relating to Obamas signature healthcare act, as with environmental orders, would be sent into the gears of bureaucracy, and could disrupt an already nervous healthcare industry. He could also rescind Obamas ban on torture, but would almost certainly face the courts for this decision (where a majority-conservative supreme court could, eventually, accept the decision).

SECOND, begin the process of selecting a replacement for Justice Scalia from one of the 20 judges on my list, who will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States

Trump released two lists of names, totaling 21 names, though Senator Mike Lee refused consideration. It is the presidents prerogative to nominate supreme court justices, though this year the Republican-controlled Senate has shifted the balance of power between the branches by its unprecedented block on even hearing Barack Obamas pick, Merrick Garland.

THIRD, cancel all federal funding to Sanctuary Cities

Trump would have the ability to revoke federal funding to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Miami and Chicago, whose local governments try to shield migrants without criminal histories. So far, the mayors of New York, LA, San Francisco, and Seattle have pledged to defy Trump. The president has only weak legal power to meddle in city politics, but he could threaten them with withdrawing funding.

FOURTH, begin removing the more than 2 million criminal illegal immigrants from the country and cancel visas to foreign countries that wont take them back

Trump has promised to deport migrants with criminal records and without papers, and to expand the definition of criminal alien. As president, he will have discretion to guide law enforcement priorities as widely as he sees fit.

Trumps second pledge refers to a punitive action that the state department can take against countries that refuse to accept deported people. In 2001, the supreme court ruled that the US cannot detain migrants longer than six months if their home country refuses them, even in cases with criminal records (Trump spent much of campaign falsely blaming Obama for catch and release of migrants, when the president was actually following the law and had deported a record number of people). Trumps only recourse in the cases of these recalcitrant countries is a little-used tactic, denial of visas, which would almost certainly strain diplomatic relations.

FIFTH, suspend immigration from terror-prone regions where vetting cannot safely occur. All vetting of people coming into our country will be considered extreme vetting.

Trumps 2015 pledge to ban all Muslims from entering the US eventually became a promise to suspend migration from unspecified countries. Most of the power to regulate immigration lies with Congress, and constitutional experts are divided about whether such a ban could be ruled legal. Whats more, as the scholar Lyle Denniston wrote in December, the supreme court has never decided specifically whether a religious preference could be a valid basis for exclusion.

Trumps extreme vetting also rests on uncertain constitutional grounds, especially in the context of a proposed religious test. The US already has extraordinarily strict screening procedures for migrants and refugees, but presidents have wide discretion for enforcement powers. The fight over such a ban would land in all three branches of government.

Next, I will work with Congress to introduce the following broader legislative measures and fight for their passage within the first 100 days of my Administration: Middle Class Tax Relief And Simplification Act. An economic plan designed to grow the economy 4% per year and create at least 25 million new jobs through massive tax reduction and simplification, in combination with trade reform, regulatory relief, and lifting the restrictions on American energy. The largest tax reductions are for the middle class. A middle-class family with two children will get a 35% tax cut. The current number of brackets will be reduced from seven to three, and tax forms will likewise be greatly simplified. The business rate will be lowered from 35 to 15%, and the trillions of dollars of American corporate money overseas can now be brought back at a 10% rate.

Neither the conservative Tax Foundation nor the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center have predicted major tax benefits to the middle class from Trumps plan. It would vastly benefit the highest earners, and increase the deficit by several trillion dollars over 10 years, according to their estimates.

End The Offshoring Act. Establishes tariffs to discourage companies from laying off their workers in order to relocate in other countries and ship their products back to the US tax-free. American Energy & Infrastructure Act. Leverages public-private partnerships, and private investments through tax incentives, to spur $1tn in infrastructure investment over 10 years. It is revenue neutral. School Choice And Education Opportunity Act. Redirects education dollars to give parents the right to send their kid to the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school of their choice. Ends common core, brings education supervision to local communities. It expands vocational and technical education, and make two and four-year college more affordable [sic].

Trump could use federal funding as a carrot and a stick  benefits for compliant states, withdrawal for reluctant ones  to try to persuade states to abandon Common Core educational standards, but he will not have power except to advise and make recommendations to them. He has also not said how he would fund his school voucher program.

Repeal and Replace Obamacare Act. Fully repeals Obamacare and replaces it with Health Savings Accounts, the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines, and lets states manage Medicaid funds. Reforms will also include cutting the red tape at the FDA: there are over 4,000 drugs awaiting approval, and we especially want to speed the approval of life-saving medications. Affordable Childcare and Eldercare Act. Allows Americans to deduct childcare and elder care from their taxes, incentivizes employers to provide on-side childcare services, and creates tax-free Dependent Care Savings Accounts for both young and elderly dependents, with matching contributions for low-income families.

Trump has been similarly vague about how he would replace the Affordable Care Act, which the Republican-controlled Congress will almost certainly try to gut, if not repeal. Millions of people stand poised to lose healthcare coverage, and its not clear how the removal of government programs, in an industry six years into adjusting to them, would affect private providers or premiums.

Related: Citizen solutions: things you can do now to prepare for the worst under Trump

End Illegal Immigration Act Fully-funds the construction of a wall on our southern border with the full understanding that the country Mexico will be reimbursing the United States for the full cost of such wall; establishes a two-year mandatory minimum federal prison sentence for illegally re-entering the US after a previous deportation, and a five-year mandatory minimum for illegally re-entering for those with felony convictions, multiple misdemeanor convictions or two or more prior deportations; also reforms visa rules to enhance penalties for overstaying and to ensure open jobs are offered to American workers first.



Mexico has refused to pay for the wall, which nonpartisan estimates place at a $25bn cost, if not more.

Restoring Community Safety Act. Reduces surging crime, drugs and violence by creating a Task Force On Violent Crime and increasing funding for programs that train and assist local police; increases resources for federal law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors to dismantle criminal gangs and put violent offenders behind bars.

FBI data showed a 10.8% single-year increase in violent crime in 2015, though national rates remain near historic lows and about half of their peak in the early 1990s. As the chief of federal law enforcement, Trump could instruct the justice department to allocate funding for militarized gear to police departments, and to rewrite Obamas guidelines for police departments, away from community policing standards and toward more aggressive tactics, such as stop-and-frisk, which would probably land the Trump administration in court over its legality.

Restoring National Security Act. Rebuilds our military by eliminating the defense sequester and expanding military investment; provides Veterans with the ability to receive public VA treatment or attend the private doctor of their choice; protects our vital infrastructure from cyber-attack; establishes new screening procedures for immigration to ensure those who are admitted to our country support our people and our values

Clean up Corruption in Washington Act. Enacts new ethics reforms to Drain the Swamp and reduce the corrupting influence of special interests on our politics.

Trump has not said how he intends to pay for his huge military budget increase, which ends the sequestration cuts that Republicans demanded during the Obama administration.
KABUL (Reuters) - The United Nations on Sunday appealed for $152 million to provide shelter, sanitation and food for a huge influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan. Pakistan has stepped up the pressure for its 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees to return home, citing security concerns. Refugees and others see Islamabad as driven by a strengthening in Afghan-Indian relations while its own ties with India are fraying. Thousands are crossing the Torkham border with Pakistan each day, said the World Food Programme, the UN's food assistance branch. Last month, the U.N. said nearly 170,000 Afghans had returned this year, many of them citing harassment by Pakistani authorities. The flow of returnees from not only Pakistan, but also Iran, is straining the capacity of the government and aid agencies as yet more Afghans are uprooted by the war between Taliban insurgents and Afghan troops. "We need sufficient and timely funds, in the coming weeks and months, to ensure that we can help returnees as rapidly and efficiently as possible," said Mick Lorentzen, WFP's country director in Afghanistan. "A quick and focused response to this crisis will ensure that more people do not fall into chronic food insecurity." WFP officials have warned that a funding squeeze caused by the spread of crises across the Middle East and Africa, threatened its operations in Afghanistan, where 40 percent of people are estimated to face "food insecurity". (Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Charlotte Greenfield

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday the Obama administration would do everything it could to implement a global agreement to combat climate change before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Kerry made the comments during a visit to New Zealand just before setting off to Marrakesh, Morocco to take part in climate talks between 200 nations.

Donald Trump, who calls global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, was considering ways to bypass a theoretical four-year procedure for leaving the accord, according to a source on Trump's transition team.

Kerry declined to speculate on what Trump might do about the Paris Agreement and noted that there was sometimes a difference between campaigning and governing.

But the top American diplomat was clear he thought further action to prevent climate change should be a priority.

"The evidence is mounting in ways that people in public life should not dare to avoid accepting as a mandate for action," Kerry told journalists at a press conference in Wellington with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

"Until January 20 when this administration is over, we intend to do everything possible to meet our responsibility to future generations to be able to address this threat to life itself on the planet."

Kerry's visit to Wellington followed a two-day trip to Antarctica where he flew in a helicopter over the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which would add to rising sea levels if it melts, and spoke to scientists researching how fast climate change is likely to occur.

The U.S. accounts for just under 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions so is considered a key player in the Paris Agreement, which has been ratified by 109 countries so far.

The accord seeks to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to increasing economic damage from desertification, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels.

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(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Stephen Coates)
BERLIN (Reuters) - A U.S. government regulator has started investigating Volkswagen's Audi brand over a reported discovery of a new cheat software device at the luxury carmaker, Bild am Sonntag reported, without citing the source of the information. The German weekly paper said a week ago that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had this summer discovered cheating software in an automatic transmission Audi which is unrelated to the device that triggered last year's diesel emissions test-cheating scandal at parent VW. The software in CARB's discovery lowered carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by detecting whether a car's steering wheel was turned as it would be when driving on a road, Bild had said. On Sunday, the newspaper reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated proceedings against Audi and will next week hear senior VW group engineers, without elaborating. Spokespeople for the EPA as well as Audi's and VW's Germany-based headquarters declined comment. But two people briefed on the matter said the U.S. government is asking questions about it and whether it constitutes a defeat device in gasoline powered vehicles. The EPA and CARB are currently focused on reaching agreement with VW on how to resolve 85,000 3.0 liter 2009-2015 diesel Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles that emit up to nine times legally allowable pollution levels ahead of a Nov. 30 court hearing in San Francisco. VW submitted proposed fixes for larger Porsche, Audi and VW diesel vehicles earlier this year and has been in intensive discussions with U.S. and California regulators. There are also talks ongoing between VW and lawyers for the owners in an effort to reach agreement on how much compensation owners may get. Owners of 2.0 liter polluting vehicles received $5,100 to $10,000 in compensation - in addition to a buyback offer. At least two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Audi in the U.S. over the issue. One lawsuit says the CARB has "determined that Audi had also surreptitiously installed a gearing related defeat device in the Class Vehicles. The defeat device was used to circumvent the class vehicles' emission control systems that exist to comply with Clean Air Act emissions standards." CARB has declined to confirm it is investigating, but both it and EPA have said they have stepped up the review of vehicles in the wake of VW's diesel cheating. (Reporting by Andreas Cremer and David Shepardson; Editing by Bernard Orr)
London (AFP) - Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has become the first British politician to meet with Donald Trump since his US election win, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) confirmed late Saturday.

The US president-elect hosted the euro-sceptic leader at his New York residence Trump Tower where they spent over an hour discussing the Republican's "victory, global politics, and the status of Brexit", according to a UKIP statement.

The meeting will be seen by some as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May who spoke with Trump by telephone this week, but has yet to meet him in person.

Downing Street has denied reports that Farage will act as a "go-between" in British relations with the new US administration.

Farage stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship and asked Trump to return the bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, the statement said.

The interim-UKIP leader said it was "a great honour" to spend time with Trump, describing him as "relaxed, and full of good ideas".

"I'm confident he will be a good president," Farage added.

"His support for the US-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business".

Farage threw his support behind the billionaire businessman during the US election campaign, attending a rally in Jackson, Mississippi in August and likening it to his own campaign to leave the European Union.

The shock outcome of the US election prompted many commentators to draw parallels with Britain's June 23 referendum after Trump said the vote would be "Brexit plus plus plus".
Beni (DR Congo) (AFP) - The United Nations is "concerned" by a new decree affecting foreign broadcasters in DR Congo, given the political crisis gripping the country, a senior UN representative said on Sunday.

The decree was signed Saturday by the minister for media and government spokesman Lambert Mende, and mostly affects broadcasters like Radio France International (RFI), Voice of America and the BBC.

"We are concerned" by the decree, which was published as a UN Security Council delegation arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said Alexis Lamek, co-leader of the delegation.

"We raised our concerns about the political process under way and discussed with Congolese authorities confidence-building measures which seem necessary to us at this time," he said after visiting Kinshasa on Saturday.

The new decree "in no way goes in the direction of the confidence-building measures we are talking about," Lamek, France's deputy representative at UN headquarters in New York, said in Beni, in the east of the country.

The decree states notably that foreign companies can operate in DR Congo "with a majority participation by Congolese in the capital of said company".

It gives foreign radio and TV outlets 30 days "to come into line" with the new rules -- or until December 12, eight days before the end of the mandate of President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001 and is constitutionally barred from standing for election again.

The DRC's political crisis deepened last month after a presidential election, which had been due before the year's end, was postponed until April 2018.

The opposition has accused Kabila of manipulating the electoral system to stay in power after his second term ends on December 20.

The signal of RFI, one of the most popular stations in francophone DRC, has been blocked since earlier this month, when an opposition protest was due to take place.

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Rights group La Voix Des Sans-Voix (The Voice of the Voiceless) condemned the blockage, which it described as an "inadmissable attack on freedom of the press".

Kabila's government has frequently interfered with RFI broadcasts over the last two years -- blocking transmissions any time opposition supporters have organised protests against the president.

While RFI remains blocked in DRC, its citizens can still receive the station's signal from neighbouring Republic of the Congo.
By Jon Herskovitz

(Reuters) - A University of Oklahoma student has been temporarily suspended on suspicion of sending racist social media messages, including threats of lynchings, to black freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, the two universities said on Saturday.

The messages were sent to more than 150 students at the University of Pennsylvania, President-elect Donald Trump's alma mater, and included racial slurs and pictures of African-Americans being hanged, students told local media.

"This is absolutely vile material and completely offensive to everyone on our campus," University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann said in a statement. "This is simply deplorable."

University of Oklahoma President David Boren notified Gutmann that his school had identified a suspect, who has not been named.

"The university has already determined from its preliminary inquiry that there's a basis for a temporary suspension of the student under our student code while we continue to gather all of the facts," Boren said in a statement.

The messages, including some sent from a source called "Trump's Disciples," came as civil rights groups said racial and religious minorities have been targeted nationwide after the election of Trump as president.

They have said his divisive campaign rhetoric emboldened a few supporters to spread racist messages, although Trump has called for unity since his election and denounced white supremacist groups that have backed him.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, said there have been a string of threats and attacks on American Muslims after the election, and have called on Trump to speak out on the incidents.

The Trump campaign has not responded to requests for comment. During the campaign, Trump called for banning Muslims from entering the country for security reasons.

In one incident at the University of Michigan, police said they were investigating a man suspected of threatening to set a woman on fire unless she removed her hijab. She complied, the university's Division of Public Safety and Security said.

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Since his election this week, thousands have gathered at protests in several major U.S. cities to rally against the president-elect, who they say will threaten civil and human rights.

Trump supporters have also taken to social media to say they have been targeted and assaulted by supporters of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Mary Milliken)
[November 12, 2016] SuperNET Team Introduces EasyDEX: Fully Functional Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchange

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, despite being extremely useful and convenient, deviate from the very premise on which Bitcoin was founded: The trustless exchange of value. These exchanges require users to convert their funds into IOU (I Owe You) tokens in order to exchange them within the market. When a user wants to withdraw his funds, the IOUs are converted back into real cryptocurrencies. However, this poses a huge risk for the user as centralized exchanges are prone to inside thefts and outside hacks, something that has been demonstrated repeatedly by the recent happenings in the cryptocurrency industry. Customers of these platforms have lost millions of dollars' worth of Bitcoin and other altcoin funds to hackers and cybercriminals. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161112/438568 There are few decentralized alternatives available at the moment, but more than often they lack the liquidity and convenience that users are otherwise used to. This may soon change as the team behind the SuperNET project has recently released a whitepaper describing the implementation of a fully functional and decentralized exchange. The SuperNET team, headed by the infamous coder JL777, have developed a series of projects capable of interconnecting with each other to complete themselves in the SuperNET ecosystem. These include EasyDEX and most recent, Komodo Platform. Unlike most projects in the crypto industry, these projects don't seek to compete with Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrencies. Instead, they focus on creating tools and features that benefit all blockchain projects by strengthening them further. These tools include; The Iguana GU wallet that can be used by any cryptocurrency without a GUI (Graphic User Interface) solution.

The delayed Proof of Work consensus mechanism that allows any blockchain to be as secure as Bitcoin through Komodo's notary nodes.



SuperNET team's white paper describes the implementation of EasyDEX  a decentralized exchange that not only allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies among themselves without entrusting their funds to a third party but also a system that provides speed and liquidity, a key component that has been missing from almost every centralized exchange. Unlike other alternatives that have been implemented before, EasyDEX does not rely on proxy tokens, pegged assets or gateways to exchange cryptocurrencies, as these remove some counterparty risk. Also, in order to prevent any shortcomings in speed and convenience (which the centralized platforms are known for), the platform exchanges cryptocurrencies directly through an atomic cross-chain protocol.

The EasyDEX exchange allows users to maintain their privacy, which is much valued in the cryptocurrency community. This is enabled by the privacy layer in the order matching process which makes it possible to execute trades without establishing a direct contact with the user's IP. As the world of blockchain evolves, the community and services built around it will also evolve along with it, eventually making complete decentralization the only way forward. About SuperNET SuperNET is a collaborative community of participating cryptocurrencies and their development teams, alongside innovative coders, networking experts, social-media and commercial development specialists and third-party service-providers. They seek to create a united platform of technologies focusing on the establishment of decentralised delivery of previously centralised online services. Learn more about SuperNET at  http://www.supernet.org/index.php

Learn more about Komodo Platform  https://komodoplatform.com Media Contact Contact Name: Antonio Madeira

Contact Email: [email protected] SuperNET is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest. Related Links Bitcoin PR Buzz SuperNET This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supernet-team-introduces-easydex-fully-functional-decentralized-cryptocurrency-exchange-300361844.html SOURCE SuperNET

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Washington (AFP) - US law does not forbid Donald Trump from managing his corporate empire from the White House, according to one of his top advisors, who counseled nevertheless that the billionaire's businesses be run by his adult children.

Rudy Giuliani, a former mayor of New York and one of the leaders of Trump's presidential transition team, told CNN that American presidents are not covered under laws preventing high government officials from having private industry ventures while in office.

"You realize that those laws don't apply to the president, right? The president doesn't have to have a blind trust," Giuliani told CNN.

"For some reason, when the law was written, the president was exempt," said Giuliani, an attorney who also served years ago with the US Justice Department.

"I think he's in a very unusual situation," Giuliani said of Trump.

In a separate interview on ABC's "This Week," Giuliani counseled that Trump should nevertheless remove himself from the running of his business empire.

"For the good of the country, and the fact you don't want a question coming up every time there's a decision made, he should basically take himself out of it, and just be a passive participant in the sense that he has no decision-making, no involvement," he said.

But Giuliani told CNN Trump's grown children should continue to actively manage the incoming president's businesses.

Some have argued that Trump's three oldest children -- Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric -- should have no dealings with his business while their father is in office, citing potential conflicts of interest.

Giuliani said such a restriction would be unreasonable.

"He would basically put his children out of work if -- and they'd have to start a whole new business, and that would set up the whole, set up new problems," the former mayor said.

"It's kind of unrealistic to say you're going to take the business away from the three people who are running it and give it to some independent person," Giuliani said.

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"Remember, they can't work in the government because of the government rule against nepotism, so you'd be putting them out of work."

Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr are already executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization.

All three, along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, are also members of the president-elect's transition team.

Trump has said little about his potentially unprecedented conflicts of interest as president.

Accusations of mixing business with politics are not new, but the problem takes on new dimensions with Trump, whose name is inextricably linked to his real estate empire that extends beyond US borders.

Under current law, while non-elected members of the US administration face stringent constraints on their business activities, those rules do not apply to the president or vice president.

Managing political relations with US allies while president risks creating a curious mix of competing goals.

"The man is an enormously wealthy man," Giuliani said, but said he does not see "real fear of suspicion that he's seeking to enrich himself by being rich. He wouldn't have run for president."
With the Victorias Secret Fashion Show just a couple weeks away in Paris, all the Angels are currently in intense training mode. As if doing squats, planks, lunges and crunches arent already hard enough, the Angels decided to step up the difficulty level of their workout by participating in the Internets latest viral trend, The Mannequin Challenge.

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If youre not already familiar with the Mannequin Challenge, heres the 411. The Internet challenge requires participants in a group action scene to hold their poses absolutely still while a camera zooms in and out on each person, giving the effect of time coming to a stop. Everyone from Hillary Clinton to Black Chyna have participated in the Mannequin Challenge.

The Victorias Secret models are the latest to try the trend in a video released on the brands Instagram. Models can be seen holding their workout move absolutely still at what can be considered the most difficult part of the move when you absolutely need to have every muscle engaged. Were pretty sore, and seriously impressed, just looking at thisyet another reason were not Victorias Secret Angels and they are. Take a look below.

#MannequinChallenge? Dont mind if we do, @thelumagrothe @iammariaborges #regram #TrainLikeAnAngel  A video posted by Victoria's Secret (@victoriassecret) on Nov 10, 2016 at 6:07am PST




Demonstrators gathered outside the Trump International Hotel in Washington on the evening of Saturday, November 12.

Protesters held signs that read Pussy grabs back and Fuck Trump while chanting slogans such as Love trumps hate outside one of the president-elects hotels.

Similar demonstrations were reported in major US cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and more on November 12. Anti-Trump rallies have been ongoing since the real estate tycoon won the presidential election on November 8. Credit: Instagram/raminhaghjoo via Storyful
The constant temptation, when dealing with Russia, is to assume the other guy is much smarter than we are. From the European migrant crisis to Brexit to Donald Trumps surprise victory this week, there have been those who see Vladimir Putins hand at work and, as a result, assume he has always been three steps ahead. The truth is that he was probably as surprised as anyone else at the results of the U.S. presidential election on Wednesday. And not entirely in a good way.

In all his trolling of the American political establishment over the course of this past year  not least the whole who, me? deniable-but-hardly-subtle email hacking efforts  Putin was not, as Ive written before, trying to get Trump elected. Indeed, part of the reason for Russias intervention in the election was precisely because that countrys America-watchers were sure Hillary Clinton was a lock, and  fearing that she would be a more hawkish antagonist than her predecessor  they wanted to try and ensure that she would enter the Oval Office already weakened and distracted.

But its not just that they didnt think Trump could win. Its also that they werent so sure they really wanted him to.

Although the Russian parliament burst into applause at the news, and ultra-nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky toasted it with champagne, Putin was much more circumspect and simply said that he hoped to work together with the new U.S. president to address the crisis in relations. Likewise, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the Russians are not experiencing any euphoria, and a Russian foreign-policy analyst I spoke to was equally cautious: What do we really know about what a Trump presidency means? Honestly, Im not comfortable.

Over the course of the campaign, Trump was certainly saying the things Moscow likes to hear. From his repeated praise of Putin (He is very much of a leader. The man has very strong control over his country.) to his hints that hed recognize Moscows annexation of Crimea in Ukraine to his promise to tell back-sliding NATO that congratulations, you will be defending yourself, the Russians could hardly have written better talking points themselves. Theyre also, to be sure, enjoying the effect this is having on Americas allies and those who look to the country for example and support. In Europe, for example, the prospects for a renewal of sanctions on Russia for its intervention in Ukraine will be infinitely weaker if it looks as if Washington is wavering.

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And yet, there are serious concerns in Moscow. First of all, like the rest of us, the Russians have learned not to take a candidates stump speeches on faith. Veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointedly noted on Wednesday: This is life; this is politics. I have heard many words, but we will judge by actions. Besides, there is an evident awareness that no president gets to do exactly what he wants, and Congress, the Defense Department, and State Department machinery, as well as all the other interlocking components of the American political establishment will constrain him, at least to an extent.

There is also the worry that Trumps America First rhetoric, his impetuous ways, and his clear delight in grandstanding could easily be hijacked by other interests in a way that doesnt suit Moscow so well. Sure, hes a Putin admirer now  but one particular scenario that worries some is that Ukraine finds a way of making some kind of personal connection to the incoming president (the Russian analyst, tongue only partly in cheek, suggested the next ambassador to Washington ought to be a beauty queen). His Eastern Europe policy could flip-flop overnight.

And it is this last point that highlights the key problem for the Kremlin in a Trump presidency: He is unpredictable. Donald Trump is a man with no foreign-policy backstory from which to learn his tells and interests and no apparent commitment to consistency or ideology. He is driven by naked vanity and equally naked national self-interest.

In other words, Trump internalizes the very qualities Putin has affected. The austere master of the Kremlin, who even as a child was remembered as quiet and serious, and whose KGB training and martial arts passions emphasize discipline and control, has learned to assume a macho, unpredictable, risk-taking persona. He has come to rely on the West to play the role of the responsible adult, the party that will do what it can to avoid confrontation and avert conflagration. Trump, however, seems to be more genuinely Putin than Putin.

So for a start, the Kremlin is going to lose one of its favorite tactics: namely, periodically poking the West with a stick. On Putins orders, the Russians have simulated nuclear attacks on Sweden, flown warplanes low over American ships, launched a kidnapping raid over the Estonian border, and generally missed few opportunities to troll the Western world and see how it responds. By demonstrating Moscows will and ability to break the rules, with little real consequence from Washington, the hope is that the Europeans in particular will be unnerved and divided.

Now, though, it will no longer be able to count on American restraint and commitment to the etiquette and norms of proper diplomatic behavior. Rather, Russia may actually find its bluff being called. Lets not forget that the new U.S. president-elect has said Russian aircraft buzzing American ships or getting too close to its planes should, if necessary, be downed: When that sucker comes by you, you gotta shoot. Can Russia really count on the impulse control of the new 3 a.m.-tweeter-in-chief?

It cant be reassuring for Putin that much of his own foreign-policy strategy will now have to be determined on the basis of whether he can maintain his long-distance bromance with Trump after they meet in person. If they dont hit it off, the strategy of geopolitical trolling he pioneered may start to be used against him. If U.S. Navy ships park themselves just off the Crimean coast, if U.S. Air Force planes start locking their missiles on Syrian bombers over Aleppo, will Moscow feel confident that this is a bluff it can afford to call?

In any case, Trumps erratic rhetoric will probably have the effect of eroding the edges of Moscows precarious empire. Trumps outspoken warnings to NATO allies that they cannot count on the United States for their defense might galvanize the Europeans into raising their military expenditure, even making the European Union a much more security-focused body. His suggestion that Japan and South Korea, both of which are neighbors of Russia to its east, ought to get their own nuclear weapons (on which, its worth noting, he has since backpedaled) definitely runs counter to Moscows vision for Asian security, which rests on limiting further proliferation. It likewise could encourage a similar rearmament in the Pacific, leaving Moscow outspent and overextended.

More generally, what happens if President-elect Trump comes to decide that Putin is a rival or Russia a threat?

For all that he criticized President Barack Obama and Clinton for their support of regime change in the Middle East, he also savaged them for not pushing for the utter collapse of the Iranian government when sanctions were choking them. Likewise, his proposed solution to Libyan strongman Muammar al-Gaddafi was assassination: A surgical shot and you take him out.

Trump is no dove, after all. His beef with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is not so much with the fighting, as with the present delicacy of American tactics (were fighting a very politically correct war) and the paucity of profit involved. In Iraq and Libya, after all, he would have deployed U.S. troops to take the oil.

It is not that Washington never had options if it had wanted to move against Putin. As a former CIA officer put it to me, We could mess Russia up, no question. But not knowing what happens next, we wont. Its not clear that Trump would think things that far through. And, as commander in chief, he could authorize anything from covert funding for dissident movements or the freezing of more Russian officials assets all the way to deniable cyberattacks and support for elite conspiracies.

Besides which, if America First is Trumps goal and The Art of the Deal is his doctrine, then doesnt it make most sense for Washington to deal with rising, rich China, not impoverished, isolated Russia? Beijing already has high hopes for Trump, with his business-oriented approach, as they fear his threats of higher tariffs but instead think he will turn a blind eye to its adventurism in the South China Sea in the name of $659 billion in annual trade. This may be the biggest nightmare of all for a Kremlin that has recently realized that Beijing is neither friend nor client: a Trump presidency that leaves it locked out of the big boys club.

In sum, Russia now finds itself facing a president who doesnt stick by the rules, who revels in unpredictability, who is willing to take a gamble rather than play it safe, and who is spitefully protective of his manufactured image as a man of action and authority. Putin, it seems, is about to spend the next four years getting a taste of how the West has felt in dealing with him.

Photo credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Still deciding whether to buy an organic turkey or a conventionally raised bird for Thanksgiving this year?

Here's one reason to consider going organic: Turkeys labeled organic are raised without antibiotics, and the overuse of those drugs in raising farm animals is causing big problems in humans.

About 80 percent of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used in industrially produced livestock. Producers administer the drugs to healthy animals promote growth and prevent animals from getting sick on crowded factory farms.

But this kind of inappropriate use of antibiotics in farmed animals is a major factor in the widespread problem of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that cause infection or illness no longer respond to the drugs meant to destroy them.

How Antibiotic Use on the Farm Affects You

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made reducing inappropriate antibiotic use a top priority. Doctors are worried, too. Ninety percent of physicians in a Consumer Reports poll said they are troubled by the meat industry's use of antibiotics on healthy animals and its effect on human health.

When used in farm animals, the drugs can kill off weaker bacteria in the animals digestive tracts, leaving a few hardy survivors to multiply. Those bacteria, as well as certain antibiotic residues, are excreted in manure, which is the perfect medium for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow.

Those bacteria get on the animals hides and skin, and can contaminate the meat we eat when the animals are slaughtered.

And the bacteria continue to reproduce and spread resistance to other bacteria in the animal waste and can get into our environment if the waste is not well-managed.

Drug-resistant bacteria can also spread from farms to humans through airborne dust blowing off farms and water and soil polluted with contaminated feces.

The problem doesnt just lie with the bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Once resistant bacteria are in the environment, they can mingle with other bacteria and share genetic material, which could contribute to additional antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals and communities.

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Consumer Reports testing has found that no antibiotic and organic meats and poultry tend to carry fewer bacteria overall and fewer antibiotic resistant bacteria.

But these meats are not bacteria-free, so it is still important to take steps to protect yourself from food poisoning, such as keeping raw meat and poultry separate from other foods and cooking any turkey to 165 F.

How to Find an Organic Turkey

If you want to avoid a turkey raised with antibiotics, you need to read labels carefully. Here's what to look for:

USDA Organic/No Antibiotics. This is one of the best guarantees a bird didn't receive antibiotics. (Note that under current rules poultry that is labeled USDA Organic may have been given antibiotic injections before it hatched and until its second day of life.)

Raised Without Antibiotics; No Antibiotics administered; No Antibiotics Ever. A no antibiotics or raised without antibiotics claim should be reliable but verification isnt required. Ideally, this label would be accompanied by a USDA Processed Verified label, which means the agency has confirmed that the producer is doing what it says it is.

Animal Welfare Approved. Poultry with this label has been raised under healthy conditions that don't include administration of antibiotics. (Birds may only be given antibiotics if they are sick or injured. Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics isn't allowed.)

Three labels to be leery of: "antibiotic free," "no antibiotic residues," and "no antibiotic growth promotants." Those are all unproved claims.

"No growth promoting antibiotics" is another claim to ignore. Though technically true, it has little practical meaning. All producers should be phasing out growth-promoting antibiotics by 2017 anyway.

Birds carrying this claim may have still been given antibiotics for disease prevention. And if the drugs continue to be widely used to prevent disease, we'll still be likely to have a problem with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.







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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
Bill Veghte Turbonomic

Tech veteran Bill Veghte, who's held executive positions at Microsoft and HP and been the CEO of SurveyMonkey, just emerged from his nearly year-long hiatus to announce his full-time job as executive chairman of a startup called Turbonomic.

This was surprising news for a bunch of reasons. For one, it's fairly unusual for a startup to hire an executive director from outside the company as a full-time job unless it's part of a bigger management shakeup. For another, Turbonomic has already had a couple of big management shakeups and its ship appears to be sailing well now.

Turbonomic turns the $5 billion network management market on its head. It uses a "supply and demand" model to automatically match an app with the exact amount of computing and storage capacity it needs, changing that capacity as the app's needs grow or shrink, with no human intervention needed.

That's backwards from how this process typically works, where IT folks sort of guess at how much capacity an app needs, then use performance monitoring software to warn them when they need to tweak things.

The company has had a number of management shaekups. Back in 2013, boardmember and VC investor Ben Nye took over as CEO on an interim basis. Then he stayed on permanently and tells us he has no intention of leaving now.

Since Nye took over, Turbonomic has been on a tear, Nye said. It's grown from 62 employees to 420, he said, and had 2015 revenue of $44.6 million, according to the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies. Turbonomic currently has about 1,600 customers and has had 25 consecutive quarters of growth, Nye said.

Until about four months ago, Nye was both its CEO and a managing partner at Bain Capital Ventures. He's still at Bain as a VC but no longer managing the enterprise software investment practice that he founded. In terms of salary and pay, this was an expensive move, he jokes.

"I had to go back to partners at Bain and say, hey listen, I think this is big idea and I think I need to go do this. They were quite gracious. It was expensive economically. If anyone is paying to go to work, believe me, I am," he jokes.

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Digging in

But he wanted to dig in to the startup for two reasons. First, he felt an obligation to the people he hired as interim CEO, many who came to work with Nye directly. Nye is a five-times Forbes Midas List VC who's backed successful companies like LinkedIn, DocuSign, SolarWinds, and Rapid7.

The second is the same reason that he convinced Veghte to join. They are both blown away by the technology created by founders Shmuel Kliger and Yuri Rabover.

Ben Nye

"W

hen someone takes a space you know well and all of the sudden they twist it and show it to you a new way, a little dopamine goes off in your head and you think, oh my god, this is going to be huge," Nye said.

"But these guys dont know much about the financial side, or marketing side, and then you say, ok, I can help them with this."

He believes Turbonomic is solving a real and urgent need that can help companies save significant money. "The average data center is more than 50% over-provisioned," says, meaning that companies buy and run far more computers and storage than they really need just to make sure their apps work well.

For instance, one of the company's biggest clients now uses 775 terabytes fewer of memory and 2500 terabytes fewer of storage in just in two data centers, just by automatically right-sizing its apps, Nye says.

Turbonomic also works on clouds like Amazon Web Services and Google.

In fact, this kind of automation is the big selling point for Google's App Engine cloud. And Google's automation tech came from a startup called Stackdrivers, a company Nye backed and sold to Google.

Looking his children in the eye

As for Veghte joining the company, that's another signal that Turbonomic is one to watch.

Veghte has been in the tech industry for three decades, cutting his teeth during the early years at Microsoft building products like Windows and Office. Then he ran HP's enterprise business and, as its COO, helped mastermind its split into two companies. He was also briefly CEO at SurveyMonkey, replacing one his friend Dave Goldberg after Goldberg's tragic death.

But he quit the CEO job and went back to the SurveyMonkey board early this year, citing a difference of opinion on strategy.

google data centers

He's spent the last few months traveling the world and checking out everything from startups to VC roles, he told Business Insider, and could have gone anywhere.

But, unlike his short-lived CEO role at SurveyMonkey, which was competing in an unfamiliar market, Turbonomic's tech is 100% in Veghte's wheelhouse. And Nye lobbied hard to get him to join.

While at Microsoft, he helped to create System Center, the monitoring software that Turbonomic now competes with. Veghte says that this type of old-fashioned software created "a freakin' hairball" out of today's data centers. Turbonomic not only fixes, but can help save the planet by allowing companies to use less data center equipment  meaning less energy.

After taking time off, he realized he can't fix all the world's problems, but he loves technology and knows how to do build it.

"I can make the world a better place by building great technologies that use a lot less carbon emissions, so I can look my children in they eye," he says.

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Melania and Ivanka Trump on election night. (Photo: Getty Images)

Despite an effort to boycott Ivanka Trumps clothing and accessory line, Donald Trump still won the electoral college vote for president of the United States. A gay mens magazine seemed undeterred by that as Gayletter, a Web and print publication, suggested recently that it would boycott any fashion designers who work with Melania Trump.

On the Gayletter Facebook page this weekend, a message was posted stating:

Lets just make this very clear. If youre a fashion designer and you dress Melania Trump we will take that as an admission of support for her husband and his hateful campaign promises. And we will boycott you.

Yahoo Style and Beauty reached out to Gayletter for comment. This article will be updated if and when comments are received.

While there appear to be no organized efforts yet to fulfill such a boycott in the fashion world, there have been plenty of other boycott campaigns as the election cycle progressed  on both sides of the political spectrum. Products and brands like Yuengling beer, People magazine, Trumps long list of properties and companies, and the aforementioned Ivanka Trump products have all been on the receiving end of boycott efforts due to their support of Trumps campaign and presidency, whether implied or explicit.

On the other hand, Pepsi recently came under fire in conservative circles for comments CEO Indra Nooyi made following the elections. GrubHub is another company feeling the same type of pressure.

Pepsi has gone political, time to boycott it. This southern gal is happier drinking sweet tea anyways! #BoycottPepsi  Mrs. Putin (@mangomaxima) November 13, 2016

Trump supporters vow never to use @Grubhub after CEO memo goes viral #BoycottGrubhub https://t.co/b1g2LJxwpZ  Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) November 13, 2016

And Trump himself once urged people to boycott Apple products.

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Boycott all Apple products until such time as Apple gives cellphone info to authorities regarding radical Islamic terrorist couple from Cal  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2016

Regardless of whether or not the Gayletter call for boycott will pick up steam, it opens a question of how the fashion industry will navigate the next four years.

Though Donald Trumps views on gay rights are difficult to pin down, his vice president-elect, Mike Pence, has been seen as unsympathetic, and the Republican Party has made no secret of its position on such issues as same-sex marriage, all of which appears to be concerning the gay and transgender community, many of whom work in and support the fashion industry.

Would boycott campaigns like those suggested by Gayletter be enough to keep designers and brands from working with the Trump family and administration? The jury is out about whether boycotts actually work for their intended purposes. But if Gayletter and others simply wish to voice their opinions with their wallets, that is certainly their right and privilege under our current economic system.
An Ohio woman has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death, according to police.

Bobbi Amos-Camacho, 43, reportedly called police late Saturday night to report that her boyfriend, James Rowe Jr., 42, had "accidentally cut himself while sharpening a knife."

Read: Husband of Missing Jogger Passes Polygraph: 'No Involvement with the 'Disappearance of His Wife' Cops Say

When police arrived at the house, however, they said they found Rowe lying face up on a bed in the bedroom with multiple stab wounds, police said.

He was not breathing and multiple attempts of CPR and other life-saving measures were not successful, according to reports.

Investigation at the scene by detectives indicated that Rowe was killed by multiple stab wounds to the torso and arm, police said.

Amos-Camacho was transported to the sheriffs office for questioning and was later charged with murder.

Police are reportedly investigating what led to the stabbing.

Some of Rowes family members took to social media to express their sadness.

Read: Teen Missing After 21-Year-Old Boyfriend Allegedly Kills Her Mom, Younger Sister

Rowe's dad, James Rowe Sr., expressed his anger and sadness about the loss of his son.

"God wasn't ready for my son," Rowe Sr. told InsideEdition.com. "She took my son's life from me and his three kids. She should sit in prison for the rest of her rotten life and think about what she took from us."

Watch: Mom Planned to Leave Husband on Day of Murder-Suicide That Killed Their 3 Kids

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Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman made his first Octagon appearance since losing the belt to Luke Rockhold last December on Saturday against fourth-ranked Yoel Romero at UFC 205 in his home state of New York. Romero ruined his homecoming by finishing the All-American in the third round.

Weidman struck first, landing a kick to the body to start the opening round. He pushed the pace and was taking the fight to the Cuban in the early going. He mixed up his strikes and worked in takedown attempts. Romero didn't throw a strike until 90 seconds had elapsed. Weidman targeted the body with kicks and pawed with his jab. He secured two takedowns in the first round and was in control of the fight.

Between rounds, Romero splashed water on his legs and back that prolonged the start of the second frame. In the round, Weidman continued to keep a high pace and landed kicks to the body. Romero decided to take the fight to the ground and tripped Weidman to the canvas. Weidman quickly got back to his feet was was unable to shake Romero. Romero took Weidman down three times in the second frame and it was all even heading into the third.

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Weidman, sticking to his game plan, landed a kick to the body to start the final round. As he dipped down for a takedown, Romero leaped into the air with a flying knee that landed. The former champion crumbled to the canvas and Romero finished with a two more shots before the referee stepped in to stop the fight just 24 seconds into the round.

I've trained very hard. It doesn't matter whatever has happened in my life; it doesn't matter how many ditches I've had to go through in my life, I keep going forward. God has given me (a shot at) the belt, Romero said following the win. There's an opportunity for the belt.

Middleweight champion Michael Bisping was on location doing his broadcast duties for FOX and gave Romero a thumbs down and the middle finger on the big screen inside the arena.

I love you Mike, said Romero in response. See you soon, boy.

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WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said two people were killed in a powerful earthquake that the struck the Pacific nation early on Monday. "We don't have any indications at the moment to believe it will rise, but we can't rule that out," Key told reporters in Wellington, adding that details of the casualties were still being confirmed. Key said a military helicopter was being dispatched to the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura, near the epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude quake, some 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch in the South Island. (Reporting By Jane Wardell; Editing by Alex Richardson)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Audi cars with automatic transmissions have technology capable of distorting emissions when they are tested, Volkswagen said, as its luxury flagship is battling allegations over a reported discovery of a new cheat software device. Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper said a week ago that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had this summer discovered cheating software in an older Audi model, which is unrelated to the device that triggered last year's diesel emissions test-cheating scandal at parent VW. The software in CARB's discovery lowered carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by detecting whether a car's steering wheel was turned as it would be when driving on a road and was used in diesel and petrol models in Europe for years, Bild had said. "Adaptive shift programs can lead to incorrect and non-reproducible results" when the cars are tested, VW said by email on Sunday in response to an article published in Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Saturday. If the software that controlled the automatic transmissions of certain Audi models detected testing conditions, the cars shifted more rapidly and in a way that would lower emissions of CO2 as well as nitric oxides, Sueddeutsche Zeitung said, citing a confidential VW document. "Audi has explained the technical backgrounds of adaptive shift programs to the Federal Motor Vehicle Authority KBA and has made available technical information," VW said, adding there will be more talks with the KBA, which has been commissioned by the German government to investigate the reported irregularities at Audi. So-called adaptive transmission control is intended to provide better performance by improving fuel economy and reducing shifting frequency, experts say. "In normal use, these adaptive systems support the driver by adjusting the gear-shifting points to best adapt to each driving situation," VW said. Earlier on Sunday, Bild reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had opened an investigation into Audi over the latest reported software discovery and next week will hear senior VW group engineers, without elaborating. VW and Audi declined comment on Sunday, as had EPA spokesman Nick Conger on Saturday. But two people briefed on the matter said the U.S. government is asking questions about it and whether it constitutes a defeat device in gasoline-powered vehicles. The EPA and CARB are currently focused on reaching agreement with VW on how to resolve 85,000 3.0 liter 2009-2015 diesel Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles that emit up to nine times legally allowable pollution levels ahead of a Nov. 30 court hearing in San Francisco. VW submitted proposed fixes for larger Porsche, Audi and VW diesel vehicles earlier this year and has been in intensive discussions with U.S. and California regulators. There are also talks ongoing between VW and lawyers for the owners in an effort to reach agreement on how much compensation owners may get. Owners of 2.0 liter polluting vehicles received $5,100 to $10,000 in compensation - in addition to a buyback offer. At least two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Audi in the U.S. over the issue. One lawsuit says the CARB has "determined that Audi had also surreptitiously installed a gearing related defeat device in the Class Vehicles. The defeat device was used to circumvent the class vehicles' emission control systems that exist to comply with Clean Air Act emissions standards." CARB has declined to confirm it is investigating, but both it and EPA have said they have stepped up the review of vehicles in the wake of VW's diesel cheating. (Reporting by Andreas Cremer and David Shepardson; Editing by Bernard Orr and Andrew Bolton)
Once upon a time  namely, in the 1950s  televisions were big and clunky, yet also status symbols that warranted a prominent spot in Americas living rooms. Then came the 1980s, aka the Era of the Armoire. Electronics were to be hidden, preferably in pieces of huge, clunky furniture wed all wonder what to do with in five years.

Fast forward, and flat-panel TVs seem to be everywhere  in kitchen backsplashes, behind bathroom medicine-cabinet mirrors, and outdoors. TVs are as important to my clients as dining tables or king-sized beds, says Chicago interior designer Jessica Lagrange.

And because theyre larger, thinner and lighter weight, theres greater ease and flexibility about where to place them.

Such freedom has led to a conundrum, however: whether to hide them or to display them for what theyve become  todays sign of advancing technology, almost akin to integrative artwork. We consulted a host of professionals on what they think are the best way to incorporate TVs into room design. Heres what we heard:

Hide it: If you prefer a traditional look, Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard says: I typically hide it in cabinetry or a wall unit when the style is traditional, since were looking back, which means a more classic look. Years ago, decor would not have included unsightly electronics, she says. But because the newer TVs are much larger, a cabinet often has to be custom made to fit it and hide the gear, which can end up being expensive. The good news is that the slimness of these TVs pares the depth and makes the cabinetry jut out less, says Chicago architect Elissa Morgante of Morgante-Wilson.

Designer Melissa Lewis, of Lewis Giannoulias Interiors, also in Chicago, prefers to find or design the cabinet first; with so many TV sizes, theres always one that fits.

Atlanta designer Barbara Elliott, of Decorating Den Interiors, prefers to leave a TV in a cabinet in view to avoid the extra step of opening a door or sliding a panel.

Flaunt it: When a more contemporary decor is preferred, Barnard favors leaving the TV in full view since a modern look is more forgiving of technology. Linc Thelen, of Linc Thelen Design in Chicago, concurs. Sometimes a TV is just a TV, and its OK to show it off in the way you leave an appliance in full view in a kitchen, he says.

Lagrange also likes to celebrate the sleekness of the latest designs. Now that they look really good theyre often so handsome that theyre anything but obtrusive. Deciding whether to leave them out in the open or hide them depends on the homeowners preferences and aesthetics of each space, she says.

Camouflage it: If youre not sure, consider a middle ground. Some tactics wont hide it completely or leave it in full view, but can make it a bit less noticeable: San Francisco designer Claudia Juestel of Adeeni Design Group may surround it with a frame to match a rooms decor; Morgante may paint or wallpaper using a dark palette, so the black TV almost disappears; Thelen may surround it with books in a bookcase as another way to mask it; Lewis favors grass-cloth wallpaper to add texture and coziness; Milwaukee Decorating Den designer Suzan Wemlinger may place it in a corner piece thats an adjunct rather than the major star.

Lower it: While a TV above a fireplace offers a nice dual focal point, the arrangement requires looking up, not a great ergonomic solution. In fact, most people place wall-installed TVs too high, says Elliott. Greg Porthan, custom audio and video installation manager at ABT Electronics in Glenview, Ill., recommends hanging it 46 inches off the ground in a living space where you sit to watch and between 52 and 55 inches high in a bedroom, since youre likely sitting up or lying down.

Skip it: Many homeowners are also reassessing whether to include a TV in some rooms, particularly the bedroom, because viewing a screens blue light before sleep disrupts the release of melatonin.

Embrace it: Architect Stuart Cohen of Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects in Evanston, is finding that some clients forgo a fireplace in favor of a TV for better viewing. Its more and more the feature that helps center a room, he says. Some even want a TV in their bathroom, and medicine cabinet manufacturers like Robern deliver by incorporating TVs, along with interior outlets for MP-player hookups.

Size it: Whatever direction you take, choose a TV thats in proportion to the size of the room. If the TVs too large, it will throw off the entire room. And a large TV likely will be too close to the couch for safe viewing in a small room, Lewis says. Elliott agrees and suggests a 54- to 60-inch TV thats 10 feet or so from the couch or chairs in a typical 15-by-20-foot room.
The first day of the Nebraska Legislature is typically a time to welcome senators and tend to formalities.

But this January, it could also include a showdown when the time comes to elect leadership for the 105th Legislature's dual sessions.

Election of the speaker and committee chairs is, by legislative rules, a secret ballot. Proponents of keeping it that way say it tamps down partisanship. With a secret ballot, they say, the Legislature is more likely to get the best chairperson, especially in a lawmaking body that has a large majority of one party: 32 Republicans, 15 Democrats, one Independent and one Libertarian.

But some senators have been pushing for an open ballot in those elections. They say the unicameral Legislature, which is one of the most accessible in the nation, is deviating from transparency in this one area. Committee leaders have quite a bit of power in determining what bills get forwarded to the full Legislature for debate. And Nebraskans have the right to view the process of selecting those senators.

Secret votes, said Sen. John Kuehn, promote distrust, open the possibility of vote and influence trading and allow back door partisan and special interest influences to impact one of the most important decisions.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist had some of those same arguments against open ballots. They promote looking out for the party rather than for the Legislature as an institution and Nebraska residents. And they would enable people outside the Legislature to influence who leads committees.

A little more than seven weeks from the start of the session, it's unknown which senator might attempt to offer up a rule change for open ballots. Five senators who are known to support it -- Sens. Laura Ebke of Crete, Mike Groene of North Platte, Merv Riepe of Omaha, Bill Kintner of Papillion and John Kuehn of Heartwell -- have said they have no plans to try to push it through on the first day.

"If there's really a desire to do it, we ought to change it in the permanent rules so that it takes effect not this Legislature but the following Legislature (two years from now)," Ebke said.

Riepe said he has mentioned introducing transparency, but for hospital and medical pricing, not for open ballots.

"Because it had the word transparency in there I think people thought that I was going to introduce the rule change for transparency on the voting for committee chairs," he said. "So that's the misunderstanding there."

This isn't the battle Groene is picking this session, either. "I can't lead every fight," he said.

Even Sen. Bill Kintner, who fought for it last session, says he does not plan to introduce a transparency rule change in January.

So that leaves Kuehn.

"I don't have any plans at this point ... of being the champion of it on the first day," Kuehn said Friday. "I think it's something a number of people have talked about."

Both he and Krist have published opinion pieces recently about the open ballot issue. Kuehn says he is asked about it frequently in constituent meetings, he said.

In the past several years, senators who have attempted to change the legislative rules to open up the vote have been shot down, either by the five-member Rules Committee that decides which changes will go to the full Legislature or in debate.

In 2015 the Rules Committee, made up of four Republicans and one Democrat, voted unanimously to kill a proposal by Kintner to make the votes public.

Chairman Tommy Garrett, who was defeated Nov. 8 in his bid to return to the Legislature, said that after rejecting the proposal there was "blowback" from the Douglas County and Sarpy County Republican parties.

In the 2016 session, the proposal was offered again, and again the Rules Committee rejected it. So Kintner attempted to amend it into the permanent rules when they were be debated by the full Legislature, but lost on a 17-30 vote.

A major argument continues to be whether an open vote would turn Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature more partisan.

Krist, who is chairman of the Executive Board, has opined that most of the people calling for open ballots are partisan ideologues who want what's best for their party and its control of membership, and do not necessarily want to take into consideration who the better candidate might be.

The transparency argument, he says, has been made popular in recent years by outside groups such as Americans for Prosperity. The state Republican Party also has called for open voting in a resolution.

Groene said Democrats have been more partisan in the Legislature than Republicans ever have.

"They (Democrats) vote as a block," Groene said.

Of the 14 standing committee chairs in 2015 and 2016 elected by secret ballot, 10 are Republicans and four are Democrats. The speaker is also Republican. But in 2014, five chairs were Republicans and nine were Democrats. And the speaker was Republican.
The Lincoln Police Department hopes to build a 4,000-square-foot K-9 training facility in northwest Lincoln within the next two years, with the help of the U.S. military and local donors, said Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister.

The building will be used to train the citys five K-9 units and the Lancaster County Sheriff Departments two K-9 units. The dogs will also be housed there when their handlers are out of town.

K-9 units are generally used for drug detection, tracking and patrol duties. They routinely train for one eight-hour day every week.

The city once had a permanent K-9 training facility -- a building in Air Park, part of the abandoned Lincoln Air Force Base. But it became too run down and was no longer a safe location for handlers, dogs or people helping in training exercises, said Bliemeister.

For the last decade the city has been using city parks, schools and housing authority properties when not in use, along with other unused buildings, with permission from owners. But there are safety concerns when the city uses a building it does not completely control and cannot assure people wont be coming in and out, the chief said.

No new city tax dollars will be needed for the new building, which has an estimated $550,000 price tag.

The police department is partnering with the U.S. Military Innovative Readiness Training program, which uses local construction projects as a hands-on, two-week training exercise for National Guard members.

National Guard members will work on the K-9 training building from April to September over the next two years, said Assistant Chief Brian Jackson.

That free labor is expected to save between 40 to 60 percent of the construction costs, said Bliemeister.

The police department has saved more than $143,300 for the training facility.

In addition, the department has a total of $90,000 in donations. Half will be used for new facility and the other half will be used to purchase new dogs. The city has received 124 donations ranging from $10 to $5,000 for the K-9 program since 2013, he said.

Some financial help will come from the sheriff's department, and additional funding may come through grants, Bliemeister said.

The department has purchased six dogs, which cost around $10,000 each through private donations in the past three years, he said.

Without those private donations and the generosity and passion of these private donations, the canine program itself would not be possible," Bliemeister said.

This is the second time the city has partnered with the military IRT program. Sixty-seven guardsman helped build a new shooting range and classrooms in northwest Lincoln, where the K-9 training facility will be located.

The Lincoln building will have 12 kennels, an interior area for training, an area to care for the K-9s and a fenced outside area, accessible through the kennels for more hands on training, Bliemeister said.

The department is working with an architectural firm on preliminary design and engineering studies.

There are at least two other K-9 training centers in the state: one in Grand Island operated by the Nebraska State Patrol and one in Omaha for the Omaha Police Department.
Three Culler Middle School teachers stood on the Nebraska Capitols north steps Saturday holding signs. One was in Spanish, and a second sign adjacent to it translated: The wall that separates us only exists in the minds of the ignorant.

The signs referred to President-elect Donald Trumps proposal to build a wall on the border between the United States and Mexico.

The wall has been talked about as a literal thing, but its also figurative, said teacher Jessica Nickum as she held the sign in Spanish. My idea of the wall is that it only exists for people who live their lives in fear and are scared about the things they dont understand.

People driving by laid on their horns as they passed, some waved. One man in a truck rolled his window down to yell Get a job hippies! Go Donald Trump! at the peaceful crowd of about 100 people.

He can have his feelings and thoughts, but this whole election has divided our country, teacher Sherri Robinson said about the heckler. We have to be about positive change.

The event, called "We Stand United" on Facebook, was just that: a space for people upset about the surprising outcome of the presidential election to gather, grieve and meditate on positive, peaceful change.

The speakers disagreed with Donald Trump's past statements about women, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ community, Muslims and other minorities as reason to mourn the news of his election. The gathering was planned through a Facebook event page, which was shared with around 2,600 people.

I wanted to facilitate a space for like-minded people to come together and connect with each other in a positive way to facilitate conversation and meet each other and sit in peace, said event organizer Kjerstin Egger.

After Egger and other speakers discussed the need to reject bigotry, xenophobia, Islamaphobia, homophobia, racism and misogyny," the group sat together for a guided meditation and sound healing by VJ Herbert, a sound vibration practitioner at Empowered Healing LLC. Herbert used gongs, crystal sing bowls and chimes, along with his voice to relax and soothe the audience.

Andira Losh walked around the capitol steps handing out safety pins and Kleenex for people who were either sniffling from the brisk November weather or crying.

The safety pins she handed out were a nod to the national movement to show solidarity. The idea was created in the wake of racist actions occurring in the U.K. after the country voted to leave the European Union. The pin signifies an ally and a safe space for people who are scared of being targeted based off of their race, religion, sex or gender.

Losh says the election has been difficult because Donald Trump ran a campaign essentially making us unsafe. She says her community is going through a process of collective mourning. She is a transgender woman married to a woman and says she takes Trumps past statements about the LGBTQ community personally.

Its disheartening to feel a sense of progress only to have a backlash and feel so many people standing up and feeling comfortable in their hate in this country, she said.

But while some people were closing their eyes for the meditations, others were feeling frustrated that there wasnt more of a call to action at the event.

I think the luxury of coming together to grieve is an expression of privilege, said attendee Andrew Swenson, who noted that the gathering was largely white, despite the vocal support for minorities. What Im afraid of, as white people, we grieve and then we feel better about ourselves. If we have the opportunity to talk to a bunch of people at events (like these) lets not waste it by not talking about steps for action.

But others feel like the grieving process and self-care is a necessary step is important for people to get to the stage where they can be actors in movements for change.

I think after we grieve and take this space we need to organize and be an ally and advocate for people who feel in danger, said Kelly Seacrest while holding a sign that said All are welcome. When you come from a place of privilege, you have a duty and responsibility to fight for those who are being actively oppressed.

I feel like its very important to start out from a place of love and compassion  action is very important  but first we need to realize that people are grieving and hurt and we need to come together, said Losh.

The three Culler teachers holding signs didnt engage in the meditation aspect of the event. Instead, they faced the street, waving their signs quietly.

Seacrest, one of the teachers, says she and her husband were scared when they learned that Donald Trump is the new president-elect and even had fleeting thoughts about moving to Canada.

But then I went into my classroom and thought, I cant leave them behind because there are so many people who cant (leave), Seacrest said.

When the meditation and sound healing ended, Egger closed the gathering with a heartfelt message of unity.

The crowd huddled together and joined hands.

Together they repeated after Egger.

They echoed, I stand by you, I stand for you, I stand with you, we stand united."
Its not that America has never been a disappointment before. Its not that America has never been an embarrassment.

But nowhere in modern memory  not at Abu Ghraib, not in the 2000 election debacle, not in the Monica Lewinsky scandal  has it been as much of a disappointment and embarrassment as it is right now. Donald Trump is president-elect of the United States. God help us all.

Earlier this year, when Trump became the de facto nominee of the Republican Party, I said in this space that if we were truly the kind of nation that would elect such a manifestly unfit man to the presidency, we might as well know it. Any country, I wrote, that would elect Donald Trump as president deserves Donald Trump as president. But the question is: Are we that country?

I was hoping for an emphatic no, a no that would raise a mushroom cloud over the nativism, coarseness and know-nothingism Trump represents. But America just said yes. And let there be no confusion over what that yes says about us.

Put aside for a moment Trumps myriad failings. Pretend he isnt a schoolyard bully. Pretend he isnt a preening narcissist. Pretend he isnt ignorant. Pretend he doesnt lie. Just consider his treatment of the vulnerable among us.

Trump insulted women in the coarsest and most vulgar language imaginable, even bragging about sexual assault. And we refused to let that bother us.

He branded Mexican immigrants as rapists and proposed to bar Muslims from these shores. And we chose to be okay with it.

He enjoys the support of David Duke, the Ku Klux Klan and other professional white supremacists. And we decided that wasnt a deal breaker.

What do you suppose that tells vulnerable people about our commitment to them?

If you came here looking for silver linings, Im afraid youre in the wrong column. We Americans do that reflexively. Optimism is in our DNA. So people will try to find ways to make this something other than the disaster it is.

But lets get real. You could raid all the warehouses of Revlon, Maybelline and Estee Lauder and still not find enough lipstick to beautify this pig.

There will be time soon enough for pep talks. There will be time to remind ourselves of historys long arc, time to come out fighting.

But first, I must give grief its due. The state of the Union is not good  not just because Trump was elected, but because so many of us looked past  or embraced  his bigotry and misogyny to do so.

As a TV analyst observed on election night, his victory represents a primal scream from the undereducated underclass of white Americans that feels ignored by both parties. Agreed. But lets be clear on what they are primarily screaming about.

It isnt the economy. It isnt poverty or trade. It is, rather, the coming America in which white people no longer bear the stamp of demographic primacy, in which they will find themselves reduced from lead actor to member of the ensemble.

That America is still coming. But notice was just served that it will be resisted every step of the way.

While Im disappointed and embarrassed, I am not shocked. This country has always been loath to come to terms with  or even admit  the depths of its biases. Witness the pundits who spoke of white economic anxiety while Trump supporters were beating up Mexicans and chanting Jew-S-A.

Still, I wanted to believe that in 2016, demeaning women or being applauded by the KKK would be a bar to high office; I wanted to believe my country was finally better than that.

And it was not.
As I visit with Nebraskans, the number one issue encountered is property taxes. One need only to examine the facts to understand Nebraskans angst over their property tax burden, and why we must deliver systemic, sustainable property tax relief for everyone.

Of the big three revenue sources in Nebraska, property taxes comprise roughly 48% of the total, while sales taxes and income taxes account for 20% and 32% respectively. According to Tax Foundation data from 2014, homeowners in Nebraska are burdened by the 7th highest property taxes in the nation, as a percent of home value. And according to the Nebraska Farm Bureau, ag land property taxes have risen 176% in the last ten years, and our states farmers and ranchers are now burdened by the 3rd highest property taxes in the nation.

Our K-12 funding structure is at the heart of the issue. According to Department of Revenue data, over 60% of Nebraskans property tax bills go to funding K-12 education. And according to U.S. Census Bureau data, K-12 education in Nebraska derives about 48% of its funding from property taxes, while the national average is 29.5%. In fact, we are 2nd in the nation in the percentage of K-12 funding derived from property taxes.

Lets consider what all of this means for Nebraska.

Economists agree that housing costs are a primary consideration when young people are considering where to locate. But the 7th highest residential property taxes in the country inflate housing costs for both homeowners and renters. In fact, 30-40% of a Nebraska familys housing costs can go toward property taxes. In order to grow Nebraska, and generate opportunities for young people to live, work, and raise their families in our state, we must strive to make housing more affordable. And property tax relief is where we must start.

According to Tax Foundation data for 2014, typical Nebraska homeowners pay 1.65% of their homes value in property tax. The average for the six surrounding states is 1.00%. If we could reduce Nebraskas residential property tax burden to this regional average, as a percent of home value, the owner of a $200,000 home would save over $100 per month. The retention of those kinds of dollars in our communities and urban areas could stimulate considerable economic growth for our state, while helping the household budgets of young families and fixed income seniors alike.

And what about ag? Agriculture is Nebraskas number one industry, generating 25% of all employment in our state. But an examination of UNLs crop budgets suggests that many of our row crop producers will be operating in the red this year. And the nations 3rd highest ag land property taxes add to the red ink. This downturn in the ag sector, fueled to some degree by escalating property taxes, will ripple through Nebraskas economy, impeding economic growth and employment in our state.

Although the legislature, with the support of Governor Ricketts, has passed elements of property tax relief, frustration about the matter has led some folks to raise the possibility of a ballot initiative or lawsuit directed at the issue. But any such measure carries with it the possibility of unintended consequences. This uncertainty underscores the urgency of a legislative solution.

I could continue on here, but the point is that there are plenty of reasons why property tax relief must be a priority, and why it must be directed at all Nebraskans, for if we split along rural/urban lines, everyone loses. So where do we start?

Make no mistake--we must continue searching for cost-saving efficiencies and innovations in state and local programs, including public education. But the most direct and effective route to dealing with the property tax dilemma, and providing immediate relief that will benefit all Nebraska property owners, is rebalancing our tax structure, including the way we fund K-12 education. Our goal should be a nearly equal mix of property, income and sales taxes--a truly fair and balanced three legged stool.

In Nebraska, our tax structure is woefully out of balance. The discussion going forward must focus on how best to address this problem, for it is imperative that we rebalance this mix of funding. Long term economic growth in Nebraska hinges on our ability to do so.
Nebraska still needs to make a lot of progress toward reducing use of solitary confinement in its prison system, judging by a recent report by the Vera Institute after a year-long study and testimony by state officials.

About 14 percent of inmates, or about one in seven, are in some type of segregation daily, the report said.

The Corrections Department is trying to reduce use of solitary confinement because research shows that it is actually counterproductive to prison and public safety. Putting prisoners in solitary can lead to mental problems and aggravate existing mental illness.

The push to reduce the use of solitary confinement in Nebraska prisons came after Nikko Jenkins, who spent long stretches isolated from other inmates, killed four people shortly after his release from prison.

Jenkins was released directly into society after serving his sentence, despite his requests for mental health treatment and transfer to a civil psychiatric facility.

Prison officials on July 1 put new rules into effect to comply with a law passed in 2015 that requires prison officials to use the least restrictive means available when separating inmates from the general prison population.

The Corrections Department says it no longer uses segregation as a disciplinary sanction.

But Jerall Moreland of the State Ombudsmans Office told state senators recently that the number of inmates in segregation may actually have increased despite the new rules.

Impeding progress toward reduction of segregation is the chronic overcrowding in the Nebraska prison system. Operating at 160 percent of capacity, the Nebraska prison system is one of the most crowded prison systems in the country.

The mounting problem of overcrowding was ignored during the 10 years that Gov. Dave Heineman was in office. Gov. Pete Ricketts inherited a powder keg that blew up in the form of a prison riot in Tecumseh that left two inmates dead and the facility with more than $2 million worth of damage. In recent months there have been numerous assaults on corrections staffers by inmates.

The Vera Institute has recommended a number of changes to further reduce the use of segregation, such as enacting firm policies to prohibit placement of youths, pregnant women and people with serious mental illness in any restrictive housing that limits social interaction, exercise, environmental stimulation and therapeutic programming.

Whats clear is that the reform of the use of solitary confinement will be speeded by expansion of prison facilities to make alternative sanctions available to corrections staffers. Its imperative that the Legislature next year make funding available to construct adequate space.
Thank you, Joe Hams ("Ricketts must consider pipeline concerns," Nov. 3), for speaking eloquently for like-minded Nebraskans and people everywhere who deplore the brutal acts of militarized law enforcers against the legitimate protests of the unarmed water protectors and their allies ("More Nebraska troopers headed to N.D.," Nov. 11). We are all stakeholders in the outcome of this struggle, which speaks to the kind of people we are and the kind of future we want.

I am not surprised that the governor has financial ties with the illegal, unnecessary pipeline. I personally do not wish to see the petroleum and pipeline industries and the politicians in their service continue to trample human and indigenous rights, pollute the environment, destroy ecosystems, and push us headlong toward climate catastrophe. I believe the many tens of thousands of people from across this nation and several continents who stand passionately with the Standing Rock Sioux have the same concerns.

There is a better way. It involves environmental justice, respect for all people and the natural world, and the future of civilization. It means saying no to fossil fuels. It means letting people, not money, decide.

Carol Steinhart, Madison, Wisconsin
For those of you who, like me, are frightened by the looming Donald Trump presidency, let me offer the words of Big Elk, an Omaha Indian chief. It was 1853, the year before Nebraska was thrown open to American settlement. Big Elk had just returned from Washington, D.C., where he was negotiating the sale of Omaha homelands to the United States. He told his people to prepare for the "coming flood" that would wash away everything they had cherished and he urged them to "speak kindly to one another," and to "help each other, even in the troubles with the rising tide."
Well, folks, congratulations. We are now living in a TV reality show. We are now the laughingstock of the world. We are now, based on how supposedly smart Donald Trump considers himself, a nation of stupid schmucks for paying our taxes.

We are now a nation which sanctions misogyny, bigotry, racism and hatred. We are now a nation of paranoiacs and fear mongers. We are now a nation willing to speed headlong into global warming and ecological disaster. We are now a nation willing to accept gridlock and political stagnation. We are now a nation even more subservient to the interests of the wealthy. We are now a nation risking worldwide economic disaster. We are now a people refusing to succor, support, love and cherish our neighbors and fellow human beings.
Don Walton Political reporter/columnist Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column. Follow Don Walton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Big test ahead.

Who are we?

"We are not enemies, but friends," Abraham Lincoln said in 1861 in the midst of secession.

"We must not be enemies," he said.

"Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

"The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

His plea went unanswered and the nation broke apart in bloody conflict before it was brought back together by Lincoln and the Union victory following a long civil war.

We are not there now, but we're a long way from the better angels of our nature.

We are on the other side of a surprising presidential election with results that appear to separate most white voters from most blacks, most Latinos and most immigrants, refugees and those of the Muslim faith.

It's a scary moment for many Americans, citizens as well as immigrants who may or may not have arrived here legally. That certainly includes the DACA youth, the young Latinos who have legal presence in the United States thanks to executive action by President Obama that President-elect Trump has threatened to revoke.

These are young students, workers and professionals who were brought to the United States as children -- sometimes as infants -- when their parents crossed the border illegally and settled here. These are young people who grew up as Americans and this is their home.

But they are just one example of people who may be facing the future with some trepidation or fear.

The election results that divided voters so dramatically by color sent a message to black Americans, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote in the Washington Post.

"For African-Americans," he wrote, "America just got a little more threatening, a little more claustrophobic, a lot less hopeful."

We are a sharply divided country measured by a split popular vote that ended up tilting toward the losing presidential candidate. Roughly 60 million-plus voters on each side of a sharp dividing line. A country split by region and, more ominously, divided by color.

Looks like we have work to do.

And that is going to require the better angels of our nature if we can awaken them after a divisive, and often brutal and hateful, presidential campaign season that lasted way too long.

***

The building blocks are falling in place for a rough and tumble legislative session at the State Capitol.

While the University of Nebraska begins the onerous task of cutting its budget in preparation for what lies ahead, battle lines are forming over proposed tax cuts in the midst of anticipated revenue shortages.

And all of that is occurring in an environment in which the state's overriding emphasis is focused on job creation and growth, especially creation of more highly-skilled and higher-paying jobs.

And that connects directly back to the university, which already is creating those kind of jobs quite dramatically in Lincoln's Haymarket and elsewhere.

So, there's a lot in play here. A lot of balls in the air.

Lots of activity in the governor's office already. A lot of lobbyists patrolling the Rotunda soon. And lots of pressure in the legislative chamber, beginning in January.

Sounds like fun.

***

The arrival of 17 new state senators in January will dramatically change the personal dynamics in the 49-member Legislature.

The 2017 legislative session will count 15 senators who are Democrats, one independent and one Libertarian along with 32 Republicans. That's a gain for Democrats of three senators.

As outgoing Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley told Zach Pluhacek last week, that looks a whole lot like a formula for more legislative filibusters.

It takes 33 votes to free legislation from the grip of a filibuster in the 49-member Legislature and 15 Democrats plus Ernie Chambers, the independent, would be just one senator short of gaining the 17 votes that can trap a bill.

Based on recent voting patterns, it would not be hard to pick up the vote of one or more independent Republicans on most issues that would attract a filibuster.

A look at the roll call votes on veto overrides during the last two sessions is the best proof of that.

Looking ahead, there will be some intriguing new faces in the new Legislature.

Here are two:

* Tony Vargas, representing South Omaha and a swath of downtown Omaha, who will be the Legislature's only Latino senator.

* Lou Ann Linehan, who brings broad experience as former Sen. Chuck Hagel's chief-of-staff, deputy assistant secretary of state for Colin Powell, State Department officer in Iraq.

***

Finishing up:

* Dave Heineman is receiving some mention as a possibility for Republican national chairman along with showing up on Politico's list of possibilities for secretary of agriculture. Heineman will be MC on Monday when Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert formally announces her candidacy for re-election.

* South Dakota voters turned down a pair of proposed constitutional amendments that would institute a system of non-partisan elections in the state and transfer legislative redistricting duties from the Legislature to a citizens commission. The non-partisan proposal came closest, losing on a 55-45 split.

* Gov. Pete Ricketts took a big risk on Saturday night that most politicians avoid, showing up on the big TV screens in Memorial Stadium at a Husker game. Ricketts delivered a Go Big Red message from Shanghai and escaped without boos, which is the more normal reception politicians receive during Husker games.

* What is the fallout for Ben Sasse, who stood against Donald Trump from the beginning and remained there to the end when he cast a write-in presidential vote for Mike Pence? He will be on the ballot again in 2020 if he seeks re-election -- along with Trump if the president-elect is a candidate for a second term.

* Despite Ohio State, Huskers still on course for a huge comeback season.
OMAHA  Discount bus company Megabus has announced it will make its last trips between Omaha and Chicago early next year.

The five-year-old Omaha-to-Chicago route will end on Jan. 9. The New Jersey-based company says low gas prices have reduced demand for its services. The route also has stops in the Iowa cities of Des Moines, Davenport and Iowa City.

Tickets from Omaha to Chicago were priced Friday between $15 and $59 for rides over the next month. Burlington Trailways continues to offer bus service to Chicago from Omaha. Tickets with that line were priced Friday at $75.

Megabus says the route cancellation is part of a wider reorganization of Megabus' Midwest hub, with job losses in Chicago and cutbacks in some other routes.
RACINE  The City of Racine will start planning next year to improve the riverfront and build a public thoroughfare along the proposed Machinery Row redevelopment area, with work starting in 2018.

The improvements are coming regardless of whether the proposed Machinery Row redevelopment occurs, City Development Director Amy Connolly said.

Those are the things that set up the site for development, she explained.

Other amenities, such as decorative lighting and street extensions into the area, will be on hold until an actual development is under way.

Machinery Row is a proposed redevelopment of two massive former J.I. Case Co. buildings from the early 1900s between the river and Water Street, just east of Marquette Street on Downtowns edge. Developer Rodney Blackwell of Davenport, Iowa-based Financial District Properties has proposed redeveloping those three-story buildings at 820 and 900 Water St. into housing and commercial uses.

Blackwell has a Dec. 15 deadline to repay a $4.5 million loan the city made to his company in December 2014. With 20 riverfront acres as collateral, the city made that loan when Blackwell was trying to secure $9 million in state historic tax credits and faced an end-of-year deadline to show the state he controlled the property. City officials had no update last week about the status of that loan repayment.

So far, little work has been done at Machinery Row beyond the removal of one section of the larger building, closest to the river. Blackwell has been hampered by difficulties and expenses in trying to remove a massive quantity of stored merchandise inside that building that he inherited from a former tenant. A large amount of the merchandise still remains inside.

To set the scene for his intended project, Blackwell bought not just the former Case buildings but also Azarian Marina, which then closed. The former marinas riverfront structures there, including a walkway, docks and piers, are falling apart.

On Wednesday, Connolly said there is money in the city capital improvements budget to do the engineering and planning work to correct those riverfront issues  which could include replacing the seawall.

Next steps

The city also is in the process of taking ownership of about 5.6 acres of riverfront property that will allow for the construction of a public river walk, or promenade. Half the acquisition money is coming from a $470,750 Knowles Nelson stewardship grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Blackwell is donating the other half of the land, appraised at $937,000.

Connolly said the current capital improvements budget for Machinery Row includes:

$200,000 next year for the planning, engineering and design work for repairing or replacing the sea wall.

$200,000 in 2018 for making those improvements.

$100,000 next year for planning and design of the river walk.

$300,000 in 2018, $200,000 in 2019 and again $200,000 in 2020 to build the river walk that will run from Marquette Street to the east end of the property.

Those amounts will change from year to year as more information becomes available, Connolly pointed out.

Machinery Row is its own tax increment finance district, so all money spent there can be recouped someday by the tax value added from development. Tax incremental financing allows a municipality to pay for improvements in a district with the future taxes generated as development occurs there.

Also, grant opportunities exist to potentially help fund the riverfront planning, Connolly said.
RACINE  Wisconsin and Racine County residents are still facing high premature birth rates, according to a new report, but data show Ascension All Saints Hospital continues to make strides at reducing premature births among its patients.

Released late last month by the March of Dimes, the 2016 Premature Birth Report Card gave Wisconsin a grade C for having a preterm birth rate of 9.4 percent in 2015, a decrease from the B it received in 2014 when its rate was 9.2 percent.

Racine County, earned a D in the 2016 report, for its 2014 preterm birth rate of 10.9 percent  the most recent data available for the county.

Produced annually, the report card is part of the March of Dimes efforts to reduce the preterm birth rate across the country. States that had a rate closer to 8.1 percent  the preterm birth rate the organization would like to see reached by 2020  received better grades than their counterparts.

Better rate

The reports findings may leave Racine County with another poor score, but a program at Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St., is continuing to see successes at reducing its preterm birth rate.

In 2015, the hospital had a 9.9 percent preterm birth rate among all moms who gave birth at the hospital, including women who may not live Racine County.

And the rate was far lower for the 402 women who participated in the hospitals Centering Pregnancy program between July 2013 and June 2016. The overall rate for participants over the three-year period was 5.7 percent, according to Margaret Malnory, administrative director for Women and Children services and staffing support at All Saints.

Under the Centering Pregnancy program, pregnant moms, and sometimes dads, meet with their health care provider and a group other pregnant moms, instead of having individual appointments.

Collaborative

The group was developed in 2013 as part of a grant the communitywide, multiorganizational group named The Greater Racine Collaborative for Healthy Birth Outcomes received from the March of Dimes.

The collaborative came together in 2006 to address the areas high infant mortality rate. After seeing successes in reducing that number, the collaborative began to set its sights on another goal  reducing the number of preterm births among Racine County residents.

Premature babies  those born before 37 weeks of age  are more likely to die or face health or cognitive challenges.

The primary goal of the Centering Pregnancy model is to reduce stress among its program participants, Malnory, who is a nurse, explained.

The groups, which are comprised of five to 10 moms, start meeting when members are about 20 weeks pregnant. The moms will have their prenatal check at the beginning of the two-hour meeting, and the rest of the time will be spent talking about a topic.

You get the support from the other members of the group and added provider time, Malnory explained. You could be a 15-year-old, or you might be someone who works at SC Johnson. Everyone is getting the same level of support.

Racial disparities

Centering Pregnancy is open to All Saints patients of all stripes, but there is a hope that it is working to address an even bigger issue: the higher preterm birth rate experienced by minorities.

The preterm birth rate for black women in Wisconsin in 2015 was 44 percent higher than the rate among other women in the state, according to the March of Dimes report.

Similar disparities can be seen here in Racine.

Of the extremely preterm babies born at All Saints in 2015  babies born sometime between 24 weeks and just shy of 34 weeks  49 percent were white and 35.6 black, Malnory said.

But if you look at the fact that 47.3 percent of the delivering mothers at All Saints are white, and, 23.9 percent are black, that means that most of those very preterm births were experienced by black mothers.

The rates are lower for babies born between 34 and 37 weeks, but the reality is still disconcerting, Malnory states.

It is in the very preterm where the disparity is very large, she points out, and those are the most vulnerable babies.

A helping hand

The collaborative has numerous programs to assist those mothers, such as home visits by nurses, and its partnership with the YMCAs Focus on Fathers initiative, which, among other things, teaches would-be dads how to be more supportive.

Still, one of the biggest contributors to the stress in these womens lives is racism, Malnory said.

Racism creates stress in the lives of the black women regardless of their income level, Malnory explained, and that stress, carried by their mothers, gets passed on to them, and then on to their babies.

It goes from generation to generation, Malnory said.
Congratulations, President-elect Donald Trump.

You pulled off an astounding victory that no one predicted.

As House Speaker Paul Ryan said, This is the most incredible political feat I have seen in my lifetime.

For that, Trump deserves the chance to lead this country. There is a reason that Trump won. People were upset about the direction that the country was going and they wanted a change.

And as it turns out, Trump ran a better campaign and didnt ignore Wisconsin like his Democratic counterpart did. After the primaries, Hillary Clinton didnt step foot in Wisconsin. (Combine that with that fact that the Green Bay Packers are having a rough season, people are ornery and its no wonder people turned their back on Clinton.)

Now that Trump has been elected, many people are fearful of what a Trump presidency will mean. But throughout the entire election process, Republicans have been keeping Trump in check. Even as president, Trump is not going to be able to do everything he wants to do. Hell have to go through the Senate and Congress.

Yes, his party will be in charge of those houses, but members of the Republican Party have been very vocal against Trump when they disagree with him and that is not likely to stop when Trump sits in the Oval Office.

To those engaging in destructive behavior while protesting: Stop.

Smashing windows and lighting Dumpster fires, as protesters in Portland have done, is not the answer. Other countries watching those protests must think America is becoming a Third World country. America is better than that and even if you dont like the results of the election, destroying property is not going to change that.

If you are mad about the election results, you shouldnt look any further than yourself.

The time to decide who was going to go on the November ballot was back in the spring and summer during the primaries. But only 28.5 percent of estimated eligible voters voted in the primary. Where was the other 71.5 percent? Even if you did vote, did you do enough to get your friends and family to vote in the primary?

The fact of the matter is that  using the system that the Founding Fathers set up  Trump was elected president, and the American people should follow Clintons words and give Trump a chance.

As Clinton said in her concession speech: Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.

President Barack Obama echoed the sentiment saying, We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country  everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that were actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. Were not Democrats first. Were not Republicans first. We are Americans first.

Now is the time for Trump to step up to the podium, try to unite the country and show the people what he can really do to make America great again, as he promised.
ANN demands for immediate release of Eleven Media journos

Editors of the Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 20 media in 18 Asian countries,
Banda enforcers torch factory, vehicles in various parts of country

Life in Surkhet was affected on Sunday due to the general strike enforced by Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist.
Campaigners bid farewell to Paudyal

Various organisations, club members and volunteers who have long been involved in the Bagmati Mega Clean-up Campaign on Saturday felicitated former chief secretary and newly appointed Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal, the initiator of the campaign.
Car and motorcycle vandalised in Dolakha

An unidentified group torched a motorbike and a car parked at a house here in the wee hours on Sunday and decamped.
Dr KC begins his 10th hunger strike

Senior orthopedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Dr Govinda KC, has begun his 10th fast-unto-death from Sunday.
Gold, silver leaves

For years and years the Indian government put off the decision to make varakh, any leaf composed of pure metals, typically silver and gold, by machine on the grounds that no machines were available.
Govt to allocate Rs5 million for Sujata's treatment

Government has decided to allocate Rs5 million in medical expenses to Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala for her health treatment. Koirala has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.
Locals seeking municipality clash with police

People demanding a municipality clashed with police at Bhurigaun in Bardiya as they tried to block the East-West Highway on Saturday.
Ministrys laxity delays NA barracks construction in Korala

Nepal Army has not been able to build a barracks in Korala (Nepal-China border point), Mustang due to a delay on part of the Ministry of Land Reform and Management in providing the required land.
Over 30 injured from dog-bite

More than 30 pedestrians were injured when a stray dog bit them in Bhaktapur on Sunday.
Prepare projects for funding, AIIB chairman tells Nepal

The chief of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has said the bank is ready to finance infrastructure projects in Nepal.
Reconstruction of Bhairavi temple begins

Reconstruction of Bhairavi Temple, a shrine located atop a hill near the historic seven-storey Nuwakot Palace, has finally begun. The temple was badly damaged in the April 25 earthquake last year.
STC dismisses salt shortage rumours

Salt Trading Corporation (STC), the sole distributor of edible salt in the country, on Saturday dismissed shortage rumours, stating its stock will last for more than six months.
Sugar mills, farmers fail to set sugarcane price for this season

A meeting between representatives of Sugar Mills Association and farmers on Friday to set sugarcane price for this season ended inconclusively.
Syria conflict: Aleppo rebels pushed back by Assad's forces

Syrian government forces have retaken areas of the city of Aleppo that were lost to rebels in recent fighting.
Three arrested from Indian embassy

Police on Sunday arrested three people who had reached the Indian Embassy at Lainchaur, Kathmandu, to submit a memorandum demanding the withdrawal of Indian army from Kalapani.
TJ process remains stalled

The government has made little progress in addressing the outstanding issues of transitional justice in its 100 days in office.
Trump election: Clinton blames defeat on FBI director

Hillary Clinton has blamed her defeat in the US presidential election on interventions by the FBI director.
USAID working to raise on-budget contribution

Many donor agencies face charges of focusing too much on social sector development and scattering financial resources in smaller programmes or projects.
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Ober re-elected to Indiana House

ALBION  Incumbent David Ober, R-Albion, is looking forward to another two years as the state representative for the 82nd District.

In his third consecutive election contest opposite Democrat Mike Wilber, of LaOtto, Ober once again came out on top, with 14,852 votes in Noble, LaGrange and Whitley counties as of The News Suns deadline, while Wilber earned 5,141 votes in the same area.

The results were in line with northeast Indiana voters solid support for Ober in both the 2012 and 2014 contests, when he received 67.7 percent of the vote and 76.9 percent, respectively.

The 82nd District seat represents all of Noble County and portions of Allen, LaGrange, Elkhart and Whitley counties.

Glick wins return to state Senate

LAGRANGE  Incumbent state Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange, easily won re-election Tuesday night, defeating Democratic challenger Justin Kuhnle, of Garrett.

Glick, who works as a lawyer, visited the LaGrange County Courthouse Tuesday to check in on the election. She complimented Kuhnle as a worthy opponent and said she enjoyed the campaign, because each candidate stuck to policy discussions.

This will be Glicks second full term in the Indiana Senate. She first was appointed to the 13th District seat in 2010, serving the final two years of Marlin Stutzmans term. Stutzman had just been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives that year.

New owner buys Angola business

ANGOLA  AAA Sales & Engineering has acquired through bankruptcy the Angola General Products Corp. facility, 1411 Wohlert St.

Industrial Opportunity Partners, a private equity firm based in Evanston, Illinois, announced in September the acquisition of facilities of machining supplier General Products Corp. by AAA. In the process, AAA acquired business, operations and assets of General Products Angola facility, as well as stock of its subsidiary in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

AAA is a precision machinist of iron castings for customers primarily in the agricultural equipment and off-highway vehicle markets.

Dolores Bredemeyer, AAA plant manager in Angola, said the plant currently has 80 employees. The former General Products plant had a unionized workforce, and AAA does not, she said.

Council expects development results

ANGOLA  The Angola Common Council greeted new Steuben County Economic Development Corp. Executive Isaac Lee and approved a $59,430 service agreement for 2017 with the understanding that tangible results are expected.

Lees request came at Mondays council meeting.

The service agreement is a 24 percent increase from this year and is based on population. He said much of that amount will go toward marketing Angola.

Angola Councilman Mike McClelland said the city needs to see better results.

Ford V8 museum to triple in size

AUBURN  The Early Ford V8 Foundation Museum south of Auburn will more than triple in size next year.

Trustees of the museum traveled from across the nation to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony Friday on the museums front lawn.

What we are producing is going to be a spectacular facility, said Bob Malley of Rochester, New York, a former president of the foundation. Its going to be an outstanding building and something I think the citizens of Auburn will be quite proud of, because its going to be so unique. It should be an iconic building for this area of Indiana.

The expansion will include a replica of the Ford Rotunda, first erected at the 1934 Century of Progress and later reconstructed at Ford Motor Co. headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

Republicans sweep in DeKalb elections

AUBURN  DeKalb County Republicans had plenty to celebrate from Tuesdays election, winning all five local offices in which they had opposition.

In a race for the District 52 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives, Republican Ben Smaltz of Auburn won election to his third term in the Legislature.

Three Republican candidates won election to at-large seats on the DeKalb County Council  Bob Krafft, Dave Yarde and Martha Marty Grimm.

Holly Albright will replace Grimm as county clerk in the new year. She defeated independent challenger Tammy Boyd-Collins, gaining nearly 74 percent of the votes.

Banks wins election to seat in Congress

FORT WAYNE  Jim Banks will be looking for a place to hang his hat in Washington, D.C., come January after winning the U.S. House of Representatives 3rd Congressional District seat.

The Republican won with a record number of votes

The congressional district Banks, of Columbia City, will represent includes all of Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties. It also includes some of eastern Kosciusko County and northeast Blackford County.

Banks is an Indiana state senator and former Whitley County councilman.

Downtown funding meets hesitation

KENDALLVILLE  Redevelopment Commission members Wednesday morning chose to postpone action rather than commit funds to the downtown streetscape program.

Streetscape committee member Diane Peachey asked for $100,000 a year for the next six years from the RDC to show local support for the program when the committee applies for a matching grants. The funds would support a proposed $1.2 million in downtown business district improvement projects.

Proposed improvements include new sidewalks, benches, a lot-size pocket park and possibly underground infrastructure.

RDC Chairman Ray Scott and Kendallville Clerk-Treasurer Sheryl Hanes said the $600,000 commitment would drain the RDCs budget, and the commission would have no money for its facade grant program and other programs.
RUSHFORD, Minn.  Most years, you can grow just about anything here.

At Featherstone Farm, the soil is black and rich and 5 feet deep, as if a giant knife had spread it across the countryside.

They grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables in this little valley  cabbage and carrots, squash and strawberries  and then load them onto trucks bound for small towns and big cities.

But in this place where a seed can hardly fail to sprout, this years harvest has brought only meager returns. Steady rain in the summer never allowed the fields to dry out, leading to the rise of bacteria and the spread of disease that killed dozens of acres of crops at Featherstone.

It was a worst-case scenario, workers say, that has left them to wonder if the farm might collapse.

An auction sale in March is a real possibility, said owner Jack Hedin, who founded the certified organic farm in 1997. This was our worst year ever. It was a catastrophe. It looked like a nuclear wasteland, some of these fields.

The community has always supported us, he said  and so hes appealing to the community one more time in the hope of raising $150,000 by Thanksgiving to help save the farm.

Donations can be made on the farms website or GoFundMe, the latter of which had raised $9,000 days in the first three days of the campaign.

This is my lifes work, Hedin said. Were going to give this every chance to succeed.

A way of life threatened

Featherstone supplies fruits and vegetables to natural food stores, wholesalers and locals who pay to receive boxes of produce on their doorsteps.

The farm relies on a diverse assortment of crops to limit the damage in down years, but that strategy could do nothing to prevent a year so bad. Featherstone lost $360,000 in potential sales and became cluttered with stacks of empty crates.

Thats the thing, Jennifer Breitlow, an equipment operator, said the other day while spraying the dirt off a new batch of carrots. You can do just about everything right, but it can still go wrong.

If Featherstone is forced to shut down, 50 workers will lose their seasonal or full-time jobs  workers in hats and hot fields, workers in rain suits and muddy warehouses.

They stake their futures every year to the weather, knowing the farm and their jobs might be washed away. But theres a satisfaction in the work, they say, a pride in planting and nurturing and harvesting something that people cant live without.

We love what we do, said Nathan Manfull, who coordinates harvests at the farm. We would like to keep doing it.

But as the prospect of losing the farm becomes increasingly real, some of its workers are beginning to consider their options.

Dan Fillius, field production coordinator, left a secure job at Michigan State University two years ago so he could work at Featherstone and be closer to his wifes family.

If he loses his job at the farm, he said, his family will probably have to move again.

I understood there would be a risk leaving my old job, he said, but this blindsided us.

If things dont work out, Im sure well all dissolve into different things because we need the money, Breitlow said. But weve been through a lot together. Weve seen children born, and weve seen death.

Hoping to shake history

Featherstone has survived dark days.

In 2007, when the farm was located in Wiscoy Township, severe flooding wiped out almost everything. The waters did nearly $500,000 in damage and for the first time put the future of the farm in doubt.

With a state loan and money from loyal customers, mostly in the form of pre-payments for produce they would receive years later, Hedin chose to move the farm to its current location in Rushford  just to be safe, he said.

During this second recovery attempt, Featherstone will again receive help from the state and, most likely, from various large donors. Hedin, though, is requesting again that people who receive produce from Featherstone pay now for future shipments.

This would be the loss of a family farm at a time when family farms are disappearing, said Steve Nagel, a longtime customer who is volunteering with the fundraising campaign. This is a way we can help a local farm, a family farm.

The staff here say they are thankful for the work, because it is keeping their minds busy in the meantime.

Abby Benson, who manages the greenhouses, said one year sort of bleeds into the next when youre working on a farm.

Featherstone ships produce well into the winter, while workers are already ordering seeds for next year.

In April, they begin planting those seeds in the greenhouses.

And in May, they begin moving those plants out of the houses and into the earth.

Ideally, theres always a next year, Benson said. Im trying to think about strong, healthy fields.
SPARTA  Its the busiest time of the year for Susan and Mike Olson and their Ole & Bean Creations, a 9-year-old business that makes crafts and bath, body and other scented products.

September through December is the busiest time of year because people are buying for the Christmas holidays, said Susan, who works full time at the Ole & Bean Creations production room and retail store at 102 Jefferson Ave. in downtown Sparta.

Mike helps her with the business, but he also works at Century Foods International in Sparta, Susan said after pouring a batch of pumpkin cheesecake-scented candles.

The business began in 2007 and at first only sold its products at craft shows.

The Olsons bought their downtown building in 2011, and opened their retail store on the first floor in June of that year. The bath, body and other scented items are made in a production room in the basement.

Susan Olson and her mother, Alice, staff the store and also sell Ole & Bean Creations products at 20 to 30 craft shows each year.

The business also sells products through its website. And some of its items are available at The Craft Barn near Galesville and at Down a Country Road near Cashton.

Ole & Bean Creations will be among the crafters selling products at the 53rd annual Holiday Fair from Thursday through Nov. 20 at the La Crosse Center. It has been participating in that show since 2012.

My dad, Chuck Bluske, has called me Bean ever since I was a baby, Susan Olson said, explaining how she and her husband settled on their business name. Ole is her husbands nickname.

Susan is a Sparta native, while Mike was raised in Cashton. The couple and their two sons, who help set up their booth at some craft shows, live near Sparta.

Susan Olson makes such things as soy candles, soy melts, lotions, body spray, hand sanitizer, lip balm, bath tea, air fresheners for cars, sink fresheners, hot packs and carpet sprinkles that are sprinkled and then vacuumed up, serving as an air freshener.

One of the most popular items she makes is a sinus bomb.

I sell tons of them, especially in the winter, Olson said. You stick them in the back of your shower. They get wet and dissolve and release a sinus-opening scent.

Her mother makes the stores humorous wooden signs as well as such things as crocheted items, dish towels and childrens aprons.

Olson also makes and sells bottle cap magnets, and began selling her first bottle cap Christmas ornaments three weeks ago.

The store also sells rugs made by Amish crafters from the Cashton area. And we sell essential oils and aromatherapy items, Olson said.

Olson, who said she continues to research and develop new products, estimated 90 percent of the items in the Sparta store are made by her or her mother.

Being handmade and affordable are my two big things in deciding what to make and sell, Olson said. I figure that if I cant afford to buy it, I dont sell it in the store.

Olson said she designs and makes her own labels, and can customize labels for organizations that sell her products as fundraisers.

Ole & Bean Creations also offers custom-made gift baskets.
Rivers & Oceans has been helping adventure seekers find their perfect thrill for nearly 30 years in Flagstaff.

Robby Pitagora, the current owner of the business, said it was started in 1987 by Tim and Pam Whitney. Pam was a manager for a Grand Canyon rafting company and Tim applied for job at the company. The company grew from two employees to its current population of 12 employees. Pitagora bought the business from Pam about three years ago.

The Whitneys started Rivers & Oceans because there wasnt a whole lot of information at the time for people seeking to put together a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon," said Jennifer Outland, Rivers & Oceans, vice president of marketing and development. Now theres too much information out there.

People want to get out there and have an adventurous vacation, but theres so much information on the internet, they dont know where to start, she said.

Rivers & Oceans can build nearly any adventure trip you can think of, in nearly any location you can think of, for nearly any amount of time for nearly any size group, Pitagora said. They can send you on a one-day river rafting trip down the Colorado River or a 21-day adventure cruise to Alaska, she said.

They also have a series of adventure packages that people can choose from. Theyre currently working on an Antarctic cruise package, and they also have adventure camps and sea kayaking in Baja, Mexico and trips to New Zealand and Africa. The majority of which are centered on some sort of water feature.

The trips range in price depending on the location, travel costs, the type and number of adventures you want to go on, how much you want to pay and how long you want to stay, Pitagora said. Unlike some travel agencies, Rivers & Oceans doesnt charge clients a fee for their services. The price for a trip is the same as booking directly through the outfitter. The outfitters pay a commission to Rivers & Oceans.

Were adventure building specialists, Outland said. We know a huge variety of outfitters around the world. We do all of the research for our clients.

The company likes to work with smaller mom-and-pop-style outfitters, Pitagora said. They usually have greater investment in protecting the environment and providing a quality trip. Two items that Rivers & Oceans prides itself on, along with creating long-term relationships with its customers.

We try to match our clients with the right outfitters and the right outfitters to the right clients, Pitagora said. Doing so makes sure that clients have a good trip thats geared toward their level of adventure and skill and outfitters know what to prepare for.

The company wants to make it a rewarding experience for all, he said.

People go out there and they dont have access to their phones or computers or WiFi and its a transformative experience for them, Pitagora said.

Especially for families, he said. They find themselves reconnecting and communicating without the interruption of a screen or phone. There are some people that specifically ask for trips that have no access to WiFi so they can reconnect with each other. It feels great to see that re-connection and the wonder for nature that clients come back with.

We love helping people find good trips, Pitagora said. It means a lot to us.
Owners Kelly Castady and her friend Megan Goebel will open Willow Boutique on Wednesday at 309 Pearl St. in downtown La Crosse.

Its owners describe the boutique as a contemporary womens clothing store with a curated collection of clothing, accessories and jewelry. We also have a small selection of kids wear, from sizes 2T through 14, Castady said last week.

The stores grand opening will be Nov. 25-27. Hours through the end of December will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Willow Boutique probably will be closed on Sundays starting in January, through the winter months. Well revisit (whether to be open Sundays during warmer months) in the spring, Castady said.

Its a dream of ours, Castady said of opening the store, which is managed by Holly Germain. Its been a lifelong goal to own our own clothing store. We both love fashion and styling people.

Castadys family moved to the area from Orange County, Calif., in November 2014 after her husband, Sean, was named general manager of The Charmant Hotel. Goebel and her family still live in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Goebel will oversee the online store that the two women plan to launch in the first quarter of 2017. For more information, call the store at 608-785-1001 or visit www.shopwillowlax.com or the stores Facebook page.

Grandmas Arms Early Learning Center will open Monday at 1828 E. Main St. in Onalaska.

Marty Groth owns the new day care center, which is for children from ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Groth said.

For more information, visit the centers Facebook page or call the center at 608-519-8330 or 608-385-5995. It soon will have a website.

DeBoer Pest Control has moved into its new building at 2946 Luoyang Avenue in the International Business Park in La Crosse, just north of Interstate 90.

Owner Jim DeBoer said he bought land in the business park and had the new building constructed, because he had outgrown his warehouse space on Mason Street in Onalaska and had been doing office work from his home. I wanted to combine them, he said of the warehouse and office functions.

The new building opened in September and has about 5,000 square feet of warehouse space, twice as much as at the old location, DeBoer said.

DeBoer has been in the pest control business since 1992, when he bought Bray Pest Control in La Crescent, Minn., and moved it to La Crosse. He has four full-time and eight part-time employees.

For more information, visit www.deboerpestcontrol.com or the firms Facebook page.

Amber Rubel plans to open Ophelia's Green Spa in early December in Suite B at 1800 Jackson St., in the Jackson Plaza shopping center.

Rubel, who has 14 years of experience in the field, will offer such services as facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing.

She said Ophelias Green Spa will be a "green spa" certified through Eminence Organic Skincare's green spa program. The main goal of a green spa is to reduce its environmental footprint while providing healing, aesthetic and wellness services, she said.
Fluffys not feeling very well.

Its terrible when a pet gets sick. They cant exactly tell you whats wrong, but hes your baby and you know when theres a problem. You really need to get Fluffy to the veterinarian, but not just any vet. He needs a specialist because, as in the new book Unlikely Companions by Laurie Hess (with Samantha Rose), little Fluffy isnt exactly fluffy.

Moving out of their apartment was the start of a dream.

When Laurie Hess and her husband, Peter, left Manhattan, they knew upstate New York was where theyd put down roots and raise a family. Theyd found community there, and the perfect place for Hess to open her Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics.

Iguanas might not seem like your everyday pet, but Hess sees them in a normal workday. Pigs arent furry like dogs, but their owners love them all the same. Parrots might not pounce, but they play and can even purr. These are Hess patients but, she says, caring for their owners is half her practice.

Sleuthing is likewise an important part of what she does.

When car tire versus turtle happens, Hess repairs the unfortunate victims shell. When an adorably tiny piglet grows into a boar, she knows how to keep that little piggy from going to market. When a dangerous pet comes to her clinic, she understands how to stay safe while caring for it. And when a whole herd of beloved area animals are in trouble, Hess leaps to find out why.

Comical, active, and popular with kids and adults, doe-eyed sugar gliders are in crisis in Hess area: she has five dead patients, no clues, and research shows that the animals are succumbing quickly in many areas of the country. Nothing adds up, but in the midst of finding a solution, Hess also finds herself immersed in controversy 

So you say your pet is unlike any other.

Really, really unlike any other, which is why youll enjoy Unlikely Companions.

Tipping the scales with a snake, catching a Nile monitor, boarding a bunny, and finding a pet that shouldnt be a pet, theyre all in a days work for author Laurie Hess, as she writes in a memoir thats part pet-lover, part personal.

That latter angle is great  we get to know Hess and her family well. Lets face it, though: the former is why youd want this book. Hess doesnt disappoint readers. Get ready for stories of a boy who has autism and his pets, taste-testing pet food, and a fussy cockatoo. Read about bird brains and a pig who loves having his nails painted. Youll laugh about four-footed escapees. Youll cry for the husband whose wife hates his pets. And youll thrill at a mystery that weaves throughout.

That makes this perfect for animal lovers of all stripes and scales, fans of dogs to hogs. Furry, purry, or if youve got a Fluffy who really isnt so soft, Unlikely Companions is a book youll feel great about.
WESTBY  Karsten Nikolai Hansen, 77, died at home Friday Nov. 11, 2016. Memorial service for Karsten will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Burial with military honors will follow at Our Savior Cemetery, with luncheon afterwards at Our Savior Lutheran Church, both in Westby. Visitation two hours prior to services.
Time to get real, people, and own up to Thanksgivings dirty little secret.

That 20-pound bird you spend so much time fretting over and slave to get in the oven? Um, nobody loves it.

Your family might like it well enough to eat it at your holiday dinner, so long as theres a boat full of gravy within reaching distance or a big jar of mayo in the fridge for the next days sandwiches.

Well, maybe not everyone hates it. Theres always a weirdo or two at the table willing to eat anything simply because its set in front of him.

But do your dinner guests love turkey in the same way they adore stuffing, which never makes it to leftover status? Does it rival Grandmas candied sweet potatoes? Elicit the same excitement as the homemade corn pudding, or green bean casserole with its irresistible crunchy Frenchs fried onion topping?

Or are your dinner guests simply being polite about this turkey of an entree so that they wont feel guilty scarfing down the pumpkin pie served for dessert?

Turkey isnt necessarily hard to cook (just stuff, grease it up and roast it), but it does take a deft touch to assure the white and dark meat finish cooking at the same time. And what about the headaches that go with figuring out how to thaw the frozen bird?

This year, why not flout tradition and instead make your Thanksgiving centerpiece something your guests will really enjoy  a fat, juicy chicken. Its just as impressive on a platter, and tasty, but takes a lot less time to make. Whereas turkey so often cooks up dry and flavorless, a good roast chicken will never let you down.

Spend extra money on a good-quality bird for the holiday.

This recipe from Kevin Dundons The Raglan Road Cookbook, which calls for cooking the bird with an initial blast of high heat, followed by roasting at a lower temperature, doesnt make elaborate claims. But it could. Wonderfully aromatic and a breeze to prepare, the dish delivers everything you expected from a good roast chicken  crispy skin, tender breast meat and dense, flavorful dark meat.

In short, its glorious and a great way to kick off a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Stuffed chicken with roasted root vegetables

For chicken:

 stick unsalted butter, softened

 medium-sized onion, diced

Grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons freshly chopped sage, parsley, thyme or rosemary

4 cups soft white breadcrumbs

1 large good-quality roasting chicken (4 to 5 pounds)

Salt and pepper

 lemon

For vegetables:

8 small carrots, halved lengthwise

2 small parsnips, halved and cut into wedges

12 large shallots, peeled and trimmed

1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into wedges

 cup olive oil, or more as needed

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Salt and black pepper

Prepare chicken: Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan, add in diced onion and cook over a very low heat for 5 minutes or until completely softened. Mix in lemon zest, freshly chopped herbs and breadcrumbs. Season this mixture lightly. Allow to cool.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Stuff cavity of chicken with breadcrumb mixture. Add half a lemon, to keep stuffing in place and for additional flavor. Place chicken onto a roasting tray with a rack (it allows air to circulate under the bird and helps brown the skin all over). Toss vegetables in oil and add thyme, place in pan under the bird, so they catch all the drippings.

Loosen skin of chicken. Take additional butter and gently massage it into the breasts under the skin of the bird. (I also rubbed butter all over the outside of the chicken.) Sprinkle a little bit of salt and cracked black pepper over the skin. (You can add grated garlic, grated lemon, herbs and spices to taste for a little more excitement.) If you like, tie the chickens legs together at the ankles with one piece of twine, and then use another piece of twine to tie the wings to the breast.

If you dont have a roasting pan with a rack, place the vegetables in the pan first and rest the chicken on top. to prop the bird off the pan.

Transfer chicken to oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and cook chicken and vegetables for another hour or until the juices run clear. The meat, particularly on the legs and thighs, should feel tender. Turn vegetables from time to time so they brown on all sides. Check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh; it should read 165 degrees.

Put vegetables on a serving platter, correct seasoning and place roasted chicken on top.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Note: Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees, but its not a bad idea to take it out of the oven once its reached 155 or 160 degrees  a few minutes on the counter before serving will allow the meat to rest, which is especially important when youre cooking a whole chicken that you plan to carve. The original directions called to first parboil the veggies, but I skipped that step. I cooked the veggies in the same pan as the chicken, without a rack, so they were more soft than toothsome.
Claire Curtis will have a solid bank of credits when she starts college next year thanks to seven advanced placement courses she has taken at her school.

The Logan High School senior says she doesnt feel challenged in her regular classes. Taking advanced placement courses not only keeps her interested, but it also prepares her for the rigor of university work. And the opportunity to score college credit on the cheap is a nice bonus, as many universities provide credit for reaching a certain score or higher on the AP exams.

Im definitely worried about paying for college, Curtis said. I get college credit for my courses, and they are also good for applying to college and getting scholarships.

For decades, AP courses have been offered nationwide to high school students looking for more rigor in their coursework and the opportunity to get a leg up on college. As the value and cost of college degrees has risen, participation in AP courses has also increased, along with alternative programs that challenge the primacy of the program.

Many Coulee Region school districts have seen the number of students taking AP courses and exams grow. But others have seen participation shrink as alternatives such as Wisconsins course options program or partnerships with local colleges and universities provide alternative ways of gaining college credit.

AP on the rise

At Prairie du Chien High School, AP courses have been built into the schools curriculum during the past decade. Dean of students Karen Sjoberg said the courses have become more relevant to students future work and academic life, and the school requires three AP courses for graduation. Students may elect whether to take the AP exams.

As a result, 230 students at the high school took AP exams last year, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in a student body of 348. As a percentage of the students at the school, Prairie du Chien has the highest participation rate out of more than 20 school districts in the region, including larger, more urban ones such as La Crosse and Onalaska, which also had some of the highest participation rates and offered more than a dozen AP courses.

A big reason students want these kinds of courses is the value they see in getting college credit more cheaply. With the Project on Student Debt listing the average amount of debt for a 2015 Wisconsin graduate at more than $28,000 and the cost of tuition at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse more than $700 per credit, the cost of college is on a lot of students and families minds.

It is money in their pocket, Sjoberg said. It is savings on the front end for them.

UW-L Admissions Director Corey Sjoquist said students who have taken AP courses get a lot of value from the experience. The classes require more of students, preparing them for the challenges of college classes.

The UW System provides some form of credit for scoring three or higher on an AP exam and may also offer more credit for higher scores. With enough credits, he said, a students can start off a semester or even a full academic year ahead of their peers.

During the past three years, almost half of entering students at UW-L had earned college credit from AP exams, according to institutional data. Viterbo University and Western Technical College also accept credit for a number of AP exams and see a high proportion of students entering with credit from the program.

Sjoquist also said have AP coursework on a transcript, even without having taken the exam, helps in the admissions process. It helps students stand out as being prepared for college-level coursework and is one of many criteria the university looks at when deciding whether to grant admission to a student.

It helps make sure when they get here the first semester of college will be off to a good start, he said.

Alternatives to AP on the rise

At the other end of the spectrum are schools such as Whitehall High School, where seven students took AP exams last year, a 2.15 percent participation rate out of the entire high school population. Unlike larger schools, students only have two AP class options, Whitehall district administrator Mike Beighley said, AP calculus and AP U.S. history.

The district also provides other post-secondary options, such as an online and distance learning program that offers college English, psychology, sociology and other credits. A number of students like these options, he said, and the district has worked hard to focus on the coursework that provides the most benefit to the students enrolled.

We try to customize things to what kids want, Beighley said. If they want to take something that fits in their schedule better, we will provide it.

The Sparta School District has also seen the number of students taking AP exams decline in recent years before rebounding last year, with only 47 students taking the tests out of a high school population of more than 740. In 2012, the high school began offering an Academic Alliance program with UW-Richland that provides a number of college courses to students beyond AP offerings.

More than 40 students took classes in the program in 2012, Sparta High School Principal Sam Russ said, with that number nearly tripling to 115 last year. All of the teachers in the alliance are approved by UW-Richland, which ensures the coursework will easily transfer into any UW System school. And at a cost of less than $100 per credit, the program is much cheaper than the cost of attending the college, with students earning up to 25 credits through the program last year.

The high school also partners with Western Technical College on a welding certificate program. The district tries not limit the options given to students and any kind of post-secondary exposure is a boon for future schooling or the workforce.

Our goal is to give every opportunity to these kids, he said.

Sparta High School senior Jacob Edwards has taken a mix of AP and Alliance credits during his time in high school. He said he wants to get as much college done as possible before graduation and prefers the alliance courses, as they are much closer to what a college class is like.

Just like Curtis, his counterpart at Logan, Edwards said the cost of college is a big weight on his mind, and he would like to get done with it as soon as possible to get a head start on a potential career in pharmacy. Both options are much cheaper than tuition at a four-year university and also let him continue to take classes with his peers and mentors.

It is definitely a lot more comfortable taking classes with my teachers and friends, he said. But I am still getting that exposure to what college is like.
BROWNSVILLE  The overlook was packed with retired natural resource professionals, from DNR staff to biologists, during Saturday mornings waterfowl and tundra swan viewing excursion. And while the group boasted a wealth of wildlife knowledge, all were eager to point out the real pro in the group: 15-year-old Tony Dodge.

Hes got eagle eyes, said Fritz Funk, pointing at Dodge, whose eyes were glued to a telescope binocular overlooking the Mississippi River. Sometimes hell have the scope out and strangers will walk up to him to ask questions, thinking hes one of the naturalists.

Dodge was one of 10 youths participating in the outing, organized by KAMO  Kids and Mentors Outdoors  which offers 70-some members frequent nature-based activities throughout the year, including fishing, archery and farm visits. The local branch of KAMO was founded by regional director Mike Brown, a retired science teacher, with the hope of getting kids exposed to the outdoors.

Its so beneficial for kids of all ages to be outside. The benefits play into a lot of issues kids are dealing with today  depression, anxiety, obesity, ADHD, Brown said. Its a little foreign for some of them, and its hard to get them out of the house, but once theyre outside they love it  they dont want to leave.

Brown describes KAMO outings as a mix of observation, safety instruction and education, saying, We have people who are career environmentalists who just love to share their knowledge with the kids.

Dodge, a four-year KAMO participant, eagerly soaks up the information the mentors provide, listening intently before going home to research the topics further.

Theres a whole lot of variety of birds you can see  theyre fun and interesting to watch. The wood ducks are my favorite because they have a lot of different colors and are beautiful to look at, Dodge said. (With KAMO) you get to do outside things you might not do with your family.

The group has held more than 30 events already this year and generally visits the Brownsville overlook twice a year.

The trip (to the overlook) is something you can count on, Brown said. Its a sure bet there is going to be a pretty big display of migrant birds.

Indeed, the shallow water was packed with Canada geese near the shore. A mass of tundra swans settled further out, the adults recognizable from their white feathers and black beaks, while the baby swans, called cygnets, start out gray with pink bills. Up to 45 percent of the eastern population of tundra swans use the area as a stopover point during their fall migration to the Atlantic Coast. They start arriving in late October and stay until the water freezes and generally come closer to the shallow water in mid-November.

The have to be able feed in low water so their necks can reach to the bottom and pluck the arrowhead tubers out of the ground, explained KAMO member Jim March, formerly with the DNR. This is really a remarkable spot for bird watching. You see some birds by Goose Island, but this is definitely one of a kind.

If anyone wants to learn about birds and waterfowl migration, this is the place to come, Funk agreed. Its an incredible opportunity to see birds close up. If you go out on a boat, youll scare them off.

While some of group ventured down to the rocky shore for a closer look, Chelsea Flaten, 9, was content to perch on the base of the tourist binoculars, excited to discover birds she had never seen and learn facts she never knew, a reaction that embodies the spirit of KAMO.

For many kids, this is the first time theyve been on the river, Funk said. We just want to get them outdoors and see all the amazing things.
CHIPPEWA FALLS (TNS)  After Chippewa Falls voters rejected two referendum questions earlier this month, Chippewa Falls school board members agree they need to regroup and figure out the best way to move forward.

The voters spoke, and thats what we wanted, said board member Pat Allen. The voters sent a very clear message, especially on the $98 million question.

Question 1, which asked voters for $61.2 million, received 47.7 percent support, falling on an 8,786 to 8,002 vote. The money would have been used to replace Stillson Elementary School as well as upgrade and expand other schools.

Question 2, which asked voters for $98 million, received 38.1 percent support. It fell with 6,363 supporting it, but 10,335 voting against it. The money would have included building a new $82 million high school, converting the current high school into a middle school, turning the present middle school into an elementary school and turning Hillcrest Elementary School into an alternative high school.

Allen said the board should come up with a priority list.

Maybe we need to break it down into specific needs  Stillson and other urgent needs, she said. Obviously, we have to have a different direction.

Board member Pete Lehmann agreed that the public made it clear the money being sought was more than the community could support.

The public has provided us direction, Lehmann said. I think we had better understanding a year ago of the publics expectations.

Lehmann likes the idea of coming up with a list of critical needs and having a committee review the top items. He said that work should begin immediately.

Its going to take a little bit of time, but its doable, he said. We dont want to lose another year. We need to regroup and start working on that list, within the budget.

Lehmann said he doesnt have in mind a dollar figure the district might consider if another referendum is sought.

I dont think its a (dollar) number  its putting together a list of priorities, Lehmann said. And then we stick to the list.

Schools Superintendent Heidi Taylor-Eliopoulos was upbeat about the process, saying she was pleased that so many people attended forums about the referendums and became engaged in the ongoing issues facing the district.

I think we wouldnt be being honest if we didnt say we were disappointed in the results, she said. But a failed referendum question is another form of feedback. When we look at the sheer numbers of those who voted, I still cant help but walk away feeling we were supported by the community. People are more engaged than ever.

In 2014, the district paid for a $5 million expansion and renovation at Southview Elementary School by spreading out the cost over two budget cycles. In 2010, the district also expanded Jim Falls Elementary School  at a cost of $425,000  from money within the budget, without going to referendum. Allen said that the board needs to explore those avenues to pay for building improvements.

Its a matter of what we can do with what we have, Allen said.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  Change is coming to health coverage in Minnesota, but until Donald Trump takes office and reveals how he and the Republican-controlled Congress plan to overhaul or replace the Affordable Care Act, its unclear what that change will look like.

A repeal or replacement of the health law could pose problems for the more than 1 million Minnesota residents on public programs and could dismantle the state and federal health insurance exchanges. Meanwhile, the Republicans who now control both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature are plotting their own health care changes as all Minnesota officials remain mostly in the dark.

We have really no idea what form it will take, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said Friday.

Minnesotas health care system stands out across the nation  for reasons good and bad. Not only did the state set up its own health insurance exchange and expand the low-income health care program Medicaid, but Minnesota offers another subsidized program called MinnesotaCare for those who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, which is called Medical Assistance in Minnesota. But premium rates for individuals who buy insurance on their own are set to jump as much as 67 percent next year, the fourth-largest increase in the nation.

Emboldened by taking control of the Legislature after campaigning on those high costs, Minnesota Republicans wont necessarily wait for the federal government to act before they start making changes. House Speaker Kurt Daudt has called it a mandate.

Rep. Matt Dean, a Dellwood Republican and leader on health care issues, faulted MinnesotaCare for exacerbating the high costs that have driven up rates  House Republicans tried to axe that program in 2015. Dean said Minnesota should replace the Affordable Care Act with its old approach, a high-risk pool to cover ill and expensive consumers who previously couldnt get health insurance.

He said the old model could serve as a guide for Trump as he and Congress consider how to fix the Affordable Care Act. But in the meantime, Dean said Minnesota should dump MNsure and move to the federal exchange.

I think we need to kill it and bury it and move on, he said, echoing other leaders in both the state House and Senate. The sooner the better.

Allison OToole, MNsures chief executive, is assuring consumers that no matter what happens, the health plans they select for 2017 are guaranteed through the end of that year. She said the exchange is focused on signing up enrollees for coverage through open enrollment  22,000 Minnesota residents who arent covered by employers or public programs had purchased coverage through MNsure as of Friday, smashing previous records.

We have the lowest uninsured rate in state history. I hope that any policy change they pursue doesnt change that. Thats good for all of us, OToole said.

Outnumbered by a GOP-controlled Senate and House, Dayton said he is ready to fight against drastic changes. He said his priorities will hinge on what happens at the federal level, but cautioned lawmakers against scrapping MNsure, saying the sticker shock has nothing to do with exchange but the health care overhaul as a whole.

Its a great political slogan. I think it had a major impact on some of the legislative races, Dayton said of Republicans tying Minnesota Democrats and MNsure to the rate increases. But its another thing to deal with the reality of what you put in its place.

They better look before they push us over the cliff, he added.

We have the lowest uninsured rate in state history. I hope that any policy change they pursue doesnt change that. Thats good for all of us. Allison OToole,

MNsures chief executive
After running through a quick snippet of a scene, the two main characters on stage are out of breath  battered but not defeated.

The demanding nature of Tennessee Williams 1948 drama Summer and Smoke, coming to life through Northern Arizona Universitys theatre department, puts a troupe of powerful actors in the drivers seat to unpack the poetic playwrights acclaimed, though lesser-known, work.

Summer and Smoke opens at the Clifford E. White Theatre Friday, Nov. 18. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. To learn more, call 523-5661 or visit nau.edu/CTO.

Through the rehearsal process and countless hours of off-stage preparation, this band of young actors is putting the final touches on Williams intricately woven characters  those both emotionally and morally embroiled as they struggle to acknowledge their truest desires.

Keegan Hughes explained his love for Williams  a masterful language playwright who wrapped his lifes hard-fought lessons into prosaic stories. The actor spoke of Tom Wingfield from Williams opus, The Glass Menagerie  the role, he said, of his dreams.

That is, until he discovered the rich, layered character that is John Buchanan, Jr.

Theres a fire in him I found and liked and hung on to, he said.

Director Christina Gutierrez-Dennehy explained the playwright considered Buchanans counterpart, Alma Winemiller, played by Grace Novak, to be his masterpiece while John was difficult to draw out.

I think the gorgeousness of the text is its there, and Keegan has found these amazing levels in him, she added. Hes not just this wild boy, not just the embodiment of physicality  hes much, much deeper than that.

As the intimate tension builds between John and Alma, audiences are introduced to romance and brutality in the Mississippi delta where residents turn a blind eye to impolite business like a gambling hall, run by the mother of Nellie Ewell, played by Sonja Usher.

Novak explained she started to get to know her character personally. For me with Alma, just on the text level it is very obvious she has this social anxiety and is plagued by these panic attacks. Having experience like that definitely connects me directly to her character.

And over rehearsal, shes become personally familiar with the facets of Almas metamorphosis.

Its definitely been a challenge to really reach that high point and the low point of the journey every single night, but it feels great to be on stage and to do that for her; to let people see how she comes full circle in such a short amount to time, Novak added.

Alma is the daughter of a reverend, played by Kaleb Lightfoot. He noted that while John and Alma are on stage for all but a page, Reverend Winemiller has a bit more freedom. To prepare for his resolute role, Lightfoot has been engaging in a bit of people watching.

I lead with my head forward because I like to think that is him always leading the charge, he said of practicing the physicality of his character by observing older people. He also has a bit of a hunch. Connecting with him is not hard. Im not religious in any sense, buteverybody has morals. He just believes you have to commit to that.

In casting, Gutierrez-Dennehy explained she was looking for actors who could, first, literally understand Williams sprawling poetry, then interpret it through action.

This is a play about ideas, and I think that without the strength of the cast I have it could easily be two-and-a-half hours of people talking about philosophy and religion and it could be awful, she said. But I have just such powerhouse actors that it has just been: these are the parameters, go play. What theyve found has been gorgeous.

Usher explained that even though her role of Nellie, a 16-year old, allows her to explore her childs heart, even she is drawn as somewhat antagonistic  she is surviving.

I think this is probably one of the most human or relatable plays Ive ever been a part of because each character, in their own regard, is searching for happiness, which is what life is about, she added. It will make people question if this is the right time to do something in their lives.

The director added while there are some Williams shows she wouldnt bring to a college acting troupe yet, Summer and Smoke is one both the actors and audiences can really dig into.

And other than pinning the Mississippi accent, the actors described their portrayals greatest summits have been feasible given their practice  however emotionally grueling.

I think it takes a lot of bravery to put that out there every night and to go through what these characters go through, Gutierrez-Dennehy added. I dont want to spoil things, but its hard to watch sometimes.
NEW YORK  Thousands took to the streets Saturday across the United States as demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump continued in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and beyond.

Protesters rallied at New Yorks Union Square before picking up steam and taking their cause toward Trump Tower. Police set up barricades in front of some of the most expensive stores in Manhattan as the group made its way along Fifth Avenue.

I just cant have Donald Trump running this country and teaching our children racism, sexism and bigotry, said Noemi Abad, 30, a fashion designer, as she marched down the famous road. Out of his own mouth he made this division. He needs to go  theres no place for racism in society in America.

Trumps comments  particularly a 2005 recording of him making lewd comments about women  sparked outrage during his campaign. That spilled over into a fourth day of demonstrations following an election that ended with half of U.S. voters choosing the other candidate, Hillary Clinton.

In Los Angeles, several thousand people marched through downtown streets Saturday to condemn what they saw as Trumps hate speech about Muslims, pledge to deport people in the country illegally and crude comments about women.

Protests were mainly peaceful, but in Portland, Oregon, a man who was participating in a march was shot after a confrontation with someone in a vehicle. Police expect the man to survive and detained four people in connection with the shooting. A motive for the shooting was unclear. The four people detained are believed to be gang members, but the victim is not.

Protests also were held in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington; Iowa City and more.

More than 200 people, carrying signs, gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol. The group chanted not my president and no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.

Demonstrations also took place internationally. A group of Mexicans at statue representing independence in Mexico City expressed their concerns about a possible wave of deportations. One school teacher said it would add to the unrest thats already in Mexico. About 300 people protested Trumps election as the next American president outside the U.S. Embassy near the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
In the course of about six hours, what was supposed to be a Republican existential crisis turned into a Republican wave.

What was supposed to be a victory of the coalition of the ascendant became a dispiriting rout of the coalition that didnt show up.

What was supposed to be the crowning political achievement of Barack Obamas presidency set the predicate for the unraveling of his legacy.

Since before he was elected president, Obama put down as a marker the transformational example of Ronald Reagan. That entailed moving the political center of gravity of the country in his direction; winning re-election; and cementing his standing by securing a de facto third term for a Democratic successor.

As of 7 p.m. EST Tuesday, the Reagan standard looked to be in Obamas grasp. His approval rating stood above 50 percent. He campaigned vigorously, and apparently effectively, in front of adoring crowds. The last round of public polling and the exit polls on Election Day showed Hillary Clinton getting over the top, and her victory seemed likely to precipitate an ugly, self-destructive Republican civil war.

By the wee hours of Wednesday, this scenario turned to ashes, and Obama could only survey the wreckage of the Democratic Party and, by extension, his highest ambition.

Obama is a once-in-a-generation political athlete who will always be remembered as the nations first African-American president. But a goodly portion of what he has labored for over two terms could now wash out with the political tide.

His party has been devastated beneath him. It began in 2010, when Republicans took the House by winning 63 seats, the biggest pickup since 1948, and six seats in the Senate. In 2014, Republicans gained another 13 House seats and took control of the Senate. Democrats lost more than 900 state legislative seats in this period.

This was chalked up to the midterm effect, the product of a smaller, more Republican-leaning electorate in nonpresidential years. Well, on Tuesday night, the GOP won Senate races in blue states. It minimized losses in the House. It picked up governorships and made striking gains in state legislatures.

All in a presidential year. The GOP controls the presidency, the U.S. Senate and House, and roughly two-thirds of the countrys governorships and state legislatures. The Democrats are now, judging by the scorecard of major offices, the nations minority party.

What happened? From the beginning, President Obama pushed the leftmost plausible agenda without regard to political consequences. His signature initiative, Obamacare, was forced through Congress despite its manifest unpopularity and with the crucial assistance of obvious falsehoods. When Obamas initial legislative overreach cost him his congressional majorities, he proceeded with executive overreach, especially on environmental regulation and immigration.

Having made no real effort at party-building and after a series of disastrous midterms where his campaigning basically saved no one, he had no protege available to try to win his third term. He had to reach back to his vanquished rival, Hillary Clinton, whose inadequacies he had exposed in the 2008 primaries and who was almost comically ill-suited to energize the Obama coalition.

Those voters were considered Obamas enduring political contribution  an ever-growing bloc of minorities, millennials and the college-educated who would constitute an ideological ratchet, turning the countrys politics steadily to the left.

In its first big post-Obama test, the coalition failed. Now many of the presidents substantive achievements are under threat, especially Obamacare, which is in a semicrisis, and his vast number of unilateral actions. President Trump will soon pick up his own pen and phone.

President Obamas party is lurching toward a bloodletting after losing to perhaps the least likely presidential candidate in all of American history.

Nothing is permanent in politics, and victories often carry the seeds of future defeats. But elections are always clarifying. We now know that President Obamas larger project has come a cropper. He is no Ronald Reagan, not even close.
A new rule adopted last month that was framed as reminding Madison police officers to wait for their backup at crime scenes in fact represented a clear departure from then-current practice in the department, according to internal records obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal.

The procedural change  referred to as significant and an important initiative in a Sept. 30 email to command staff and sergeants by Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, who ordered it  took effect Oct. 3. In short, while officers previously had the option of rejecting backup, now they dont, in an effort to keep officers and the public safer.

Codified in two short paragraphs added to the departments rules for dispatching officers to calls for service, the new language tells officers they shall not disregard backup and, specifically, shall wait for backup before physically approaching any involved subject(s), unless someone at the scene is in imminent danger.

In practice, that means the first or primary officer sent to an incident can no longer unilaterally call off, or send back, other officers who have been dispatched to the same call, as the primary officer was free to do before.

The primary officer typically did that by telling dispatchers via squad radio, often while en route to the scene, that he or she could handle the incident alone, or that he or she would check it out alone and report back. Doing that now, absent an imminent danger, requires a supervisors OK.

You no longer have the discretion to say, Call those other officers off. I can handle this, Koval said, in a video message he made for rank-and-file officers.

The officers do NOT have the discretion to disregard backup any longer, Koval said in the email to supervisors.

Now some six weeks into the change, Koval on Thursday said he believed officers were accepting the new approach. I absolutely do, he told the State Journal. I think they get it.

Safety over efficiency

The new approach also requires all officers dispatched to a scene to arrive, stage, approach and assess the dangerousness of the situation together before a decision can be made about anyone leaving the scene, Koval said in an Oct. 6 followup email to supervisors.

Kovals emails and the video were released to the State Journal in early November in response to a public records request.

Koval last month called the change not a new protocol but rather just a codified reflection of how officers have been trained, for decades, in the interest of officer and community safety, in emailed answers to questions from a State Journal reporter. He did not mention in those emails that officers had previously been allowed to call off their backup, despite that training. On Thursday, he said he didnt get into those details previously because he considered the new policy a work in progress, with minor changes to it still possible through next week.

In his Sept. 30 email to command staff, Koval noted that despite the police departments training emphasis on waiting for backup, It has become painfully evident that this is not happening as much as I would like to see.

I am concerned, Koval added in the email, that our business efficiency is trumping and thereby potentially compromising officer/public safety.

Koval said officers were calling off backup to try to work faster as calls for service in the city increase.

And he praised their work ethic in doing so but said it was posing an unacceptable risk, potentially to both officers and members of the public. Citing the July assassinations of police officers in Dallas and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Koval said it would be safer for officers to employ more teamwork at scenes. Sending both primary and backup officers to priority calls, to which two or more officers are always dispatched, is a necessary approach in a city where officers routinely patrol one to a squad car, he said.

So much has happened over the last three years, Koval told officers in the video. Anything and everything that could be calamitous has happened, especially during my tenure of office. And the one thing, God forbid, that I dont want is to have to pay a visit to anybodys family or friends with dire news of anybody being hurt or worse.

Koval also said in the video that there had been management discussions after those July killings about assigning two officers per car, but no agreement was reached. Koval then developed the waiting-for-backup mandate as a necessary alternative, he said, and because it could help officers de-escalate conflicts, an outcome long sought by both police and critics of police.

I want our officers kept safe(r), and the benefits of arriving at a call with more than one officer has certainly shown that with a greater presence, the necessity to go hands on in using force could be mitigated, at least to some extent, Koval told command staff in the Sept. 30 email.

Will that mean more calls stacking up? he added. YES! But I am willing to take that issue on because it pales in comparison to officer and community safety.

Change emphasized

Koval also told department supervisors he was sending them the Sept. 30 email as an early heads up, so they could begin to process and consider what this change will mean, fundamentally, in how we move forward.

Further underscoring the importance of the changes, Koval sent spreadsheets to each of the departments five districts, which supervisors were to return by Oct. 17, certifying that each officer had received an electronic copy of the new language and had watched Kovals videotaped message, along with the date they had done so.

I want this (change) to stand out, Koval said.

Koval also told supervisors the major points to bear in mind about the policy were that:

This procedural change will be significant and require us to slow down and be safe.

Primary and backup officers should stage  meaning to meet up near the scene  and approach together.

Primary and backup officers should handle the call together until it is resolved.

If another officer volunteers/assigns themselves to the call, the net effect should be the same as if two were dispatched: stay together until the call is resolved.

Koval also exhorted his street sergeants to pay close attention to the new policy, calling them the linchpin to whether it is given a fair chance to be evaluated.

If you are ambivalent and do not hold people accountable, this effort to slow things down and keep our officers safe(r) will not be fully realized, Koval said.
Death toll rises to 50 in IS-claimed blast: QUETTA, Pakistan  The death toll from a bomb blast at a Sufi shrine in southwest Pakistan Saturday has risen to 50 people with more than 100 wounded, officials said. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Bilal Noorani in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. The blast targeted worshippers as they were in the throes of their devotional dhamal dance, and the courtyard at the time was packed with families, women and children. The Islamic State groups statement on the IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency said the suicide attack had targeted Shiites. The shrine is frequented by both Pakistans Sunni Muslim majority and Shiite minority. IS considers all Shiite Muslims heretics.

Turkish government shuts down 370 civic groups: ISTANBUL  Turkish opposition groups protested Saturday in Istanbul after the Interior Ministry shut down 370 civic groups on terrorism-related charges  organizations that included professional associations and womens and childrens rights groups. The organizations were told about the government decision Friday evening, when police raided their offices and collected their records. The Interior Ministry said the organizations had ties to several outlawed political parties and extremist groups.

Colombias government, rebels sign modified peace agreement: HAVANA  Colombias government and its largest rebel group signed a new, modified peace accord on Saturday following the surprise rejection of an earlier deal by voters in a referendum. Chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle and rebel negotiator Luciano Marin, alias Ivan Marquez, signed the deal in Cuba, moving to end to a half-century-long conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives.

Heavy security as Sting reopens Bataclan: PARIS  French security turned out in force Saturday night ahead of a concert by British pop legend Sting marking the reopening of the Bataclan concert hall one year after suicidal jihadis turned the famed Paris site into a bloodbath. Hundreds of yards of barricades, extensive body searches and scores of armed police greeted those lucky enough to get a ticket. The Bataclan said all 1,000 Sting tickets sold out quickly and other tickets were given to the families of the 90 revelers slain a year ago by extremists with automatic weapons and explosive belts.

Netherlands extradites 2 genocide suspects to Rwanda: KIGALI, Rwanda  Two Rwandan men accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis have arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, following their extradition from the Netherlands, an official said Saturday. The suspects  Jean-Claude Iyamuremye, 40, and Jean Baptiste Mugimba, 57  were handed over Saturday to Rwandan authorities by Dutch officials at Kigali International Airport. The suspects are considered to have played a key role in the Rwandan genocide in which over 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists.
Three Monroe County residents face multiple drug charges after a drug bust in the village of Norwalk.

The Monroe County Joint Investigative task force arranged for an informant to purchase 3.5 grams of cocaine for $250 from Terry Dwight Luethe, 56, Norwalk March 15. Another transaction for the same amount of cocaine at the same price was made in Norwalk March 31.

Police conducted an April 5 interview with Luethe, who said he received the drugs from a man named Jose. Police used Luethes cell phone records to identify the alleged supplier as Jose G. Alcantar-Robles, 59, Norwalk.

Police went to Alcantar-Robles residence April 19 and asked him about his relationship with Luethe. Alcantar-Robles denied dealing drugs and said he knew Luethe only though a couple of odd jobs Luethe had performed. Alcantar-Robles denied a police request to search the home.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence the following day. The search reportedly found currency that matched the serial number of four bills used in Luethes transaction with the informant, but no drugs were found.

Luethe and Alcantar-Robles were referred for two counts each of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of cocaine. Krystal M. Mensinga, 31, Sparta, was also referred to the district attorney for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine and possession of schedule I and II narcotic drugs. Luethe identified Mensinga as one of five people with whom he conducted cocaine transactions.

In other sheriffs office news:

Gary Edwin Wolfgram, 62, Kendall, was referred to the district attorney for resisting a police officer and bail jumping after a Nov. 5 incident in the town of Glendale.

Police were asked to assist the Vernon County Sheriffs Office in locating another person for a possible disorderly conduct offense in Hillsboro and believed the suspect might be at Wolfgrams residence. The report says Wolfgram noticed the presence of police and fled on foot.

After a short pursuit, police caught up with Wolfgram and wrestled him to the ground, which caused a small laceration to an officers ankle. The report said Wolfgram resisted efforts of police to apply handcuffs. After Wolfgram was transported to a squad car, he reportedly made moaning sounds and complained about pain in multiple parts of his body. He was taken to Sparta Mayo Clinic before being booked in the Monroe County Jail.

Wolfgram had several bond conditions from Monroe County, including a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, which triggered the bail jumping referral.

Nicholas A. Hage, Rewey, was referred to the district attorney on multiple charges after an Oct. 21 incident in the Monroe County Jail.

According to the report, Hage asked to be moved to another cell because he might become involved in an altercation with another inmate. The request was denied, and Hage allegedly responded by slamming a food tray against the top window of the cell door. He later kicked a lower cell door, causing the window to crack.

Hage was taken to a segregation cell and later complained about drug withdrawal. Police discovered white powder in the cell he had vacated. The powder tested positive for methamphetamine.

Hage was referred for criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine and bail jumping.

Kenneth M. Sizemore, 35, Cadiz, Kentucky, was referred for battery after a Nov. 10 incident in the Monroe County Jail. Sizemore is accused of punching another inmate in the face.

Candi M. Cina, 41, Elroy, was referred to the district attorney for operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent. She is accused of taking a recently purchased truck Sept. 4 and driving to Lake Delton. The vehicle was located abandoned near Mauston Sept. 6. The report said the radio and VIN numbers had been removed and a profane message was sprayed across the tailgate.

Lucas W. Haakenson, 31, Norwalk, was referred to the district attorney for second-offense drunk driving after being pulled over for speeding in the town of Wells Oct. 31.

Haakenson reportedly told police he had consumed two beers and two mixed drinks. A preliminary breath test registered a blood-alcohol count of .191.

Michael D. McCracken, 31, Kendall, was referred to the district attorney for keeping a tavern open after hours.

Police were dispatched to Hidden Inn Bar in the village of Kendall Oct. 31 at 2:55 a.m. after a caller reported 10 people still inside the establishment after closing time. When police arrived, the report said they could see silhouettes of several people running in different directions.

Police opened the door and were greeted by McCracken, who identified himself as the bartender. Police then asked anyone who was hiding to identify themselves, and the report says three people stepped forward. A fourth person was later discovered by police in another room. The report says there were several alcoholic beverages and cups on the top of the bar when they arrived and no evidence that anyone was cleaning the establishment.

Frank R. Dobbs, 25, Melrose, was referred to the district attorney for substantial battery after a Feb. 7 incident in the town of Little Falls. A man said Dobbs punched him in the face and broke his jaw during an altercation at Barons Gentlemans Club.

The man said he didnt immediately report the incident because he didnt know the extent of his injuries. He met with police in July and provided copies of his medical and billing records.
125 YEARS AGO

Engineer Clark, Agent of the railroad, shot and killed Brakeman Loven this past Saturday afternoon at the Stone Quarry this side of Holbrook. Clark had been having trouble for some time with Loven, who was employed on the work train with much misunderstanding in regard to the work to be accomplished.

Loven pulled his revolver on Clark and bystanders interfered to prevent bloodshed. They then went to the caboose where Loven attacked Clark hitting him on the head with his revolver and firing one shot. Clark was knocked insensible and Loven thinking he had killed him gave up his Glock 15.

When Clark recovered consciousness he borrowed a shotgun, hunted up Loven, fired and missed. Loven started to run away. Clark fired again. This shot was fatal. Clark went to Holbrook where he gave himself up to the Deputy Sheriff.

For Sale: The double, two story brick building known as the Shekvik Patrick Building situated at the corner of Leroux and Railroad Ave. Bids may be tendered up to Nov. 25, 1891. Address S. Feuchtwanger, Pine St., San Francisco.

There seems to be very little interest in next Tuesdays Coconino County election to adopt or to reject the new Arizona Constitution.

100 YEARS AGO

Dr. Percival Lowell died this past Monday morning. He had seemed to be in good health when he was downtown on Saturday. He was suddenly taken ill on Sunday morning with attack of apoplexy. Flagstaff morns the loss of one who carried Flagstaffs name to the Four Corners of the Earth.

Jose Ibarra and Juan Saccido workmen were struck by east bound passenger train #8 on Wednesday morning. They had been working with County Engineer W. H. Powers road gang between here and Cliffs. They were walking on the track when a freight train loomed ahead of them. Although the Engineer tried to warn them they stepped aside onto the other track in front of #8.

Guy Sykes has invented a sail boat on wheels which he is demonstrating on paved streets these windy days. It looks like a cross between an air ship and a cat boat.

C. W. Ott formerly of Williams has accepted a position with Western Union Telegraph here in Flagstaff taking the place vacated by J. A. Black, who has transferred to Tucson.

Cole Bros Circus. 3 Rings, 3 trains of cars. 1000 men, women and 500 horses  100 rare wild animals  acres of tents- 10,000 seating capacity a rare and complete zoological collection. Street parade of brilliant splendor over a mile long. Free outside exhibition. Shows 2 and 8 oclock. Monday Nov. 20.

Miss Flora Jenson, teacher at the Winona School fell victim of an accident on Monday morning at her school. After the fire was lit the chimney became over warm and fell to the floor. She attempted to take it outside while it was sizzling hot and her hands were badly burned by her heroic efforts. She came into Flagstaff on Monday evening to have her burns dressed as the burns were exceedingly painf

A cold wave and raw wind swept through Flagstaff and the Northern Arizona Mountains Monday night. It was 6 above zero.

75 YEARS AGO

17 men left on Wednesday on the 9:25 train heading for Phoenix and their final Army Fitness physical. Those accepted and those who are and are not will all return to Flagstaff before Called Up time.

For Sale: Young turkeys and Pullets. Place your order early, 1  mile north of the overpass at Riordan or write Box 614, Flagstaff.

Get a Pip of a Nip in a Sip of Acme Ale. See Harry Moore in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Verde Airport is being constructed by the U. S. Army. There is a need to house 100 to 200 men in Flagstaff. Chairman of the Housing Authority, Dr. T. J. Tormey, President.

The Fulton Springs Picnic Area in Oak Creek Canyon is being is being improved by the Forest Service with new material and equipment. The State of Arizona is furnishing the rest of what is needed. Foreman, Lee Brewer.

Ross McKeith, owner of the The Weatherford announced that he is beginning to build the first of12 homes east of town on Terrace Avenue. Each home will be virtually airtight with the practice of using sawdust in place of sand in the plaster! After drying it will form a honey comb effect that is as hard as concrete! The cost of heating is said to be thus reduced by half by the reduction of drafts.

H. 63 Thurs. L. 24 Tues. Rain 0.60 Tues. & Wed.

50 YEARS AGO

Dr. Thomas D. Vermande was sentenced to 2 to 3 years in prison for embezzling over $9500 in City funds and on two counts of forgery . He was responsible for collecting rental fees for the Housing Authority.

At the Orpheum Dracula and the Plague of the Zombies.

Some thieves work for peanuts. The Flagstaff Police received a report from Dun Roven Court that someone had vandalized their Peanut Machine which contained about $15 in nickels and about a $65 value in peanut packages.

Motorists are warned. When turning left from a one way street you must be in the left hand lane not the right lane. Weve had too many near misses so we will begin to issue citations. Flagstaff Police Dept.

Gifts with Plugs get the biggest hugs. Visit Harpers Furniture at 15 N. Beaver to lay- away for Christmas. Designer TVs - all Channel VHF & UHF reception with a New G. E. tandem-lite 82 integrated tuning system and exclusive 410 permatonic -tranesta tuner. Its only $49.95. Consider a 3 cycle Mobil Maid Dishwasher with push button controls. Its Conolite Counter blends with any decor at $229.

25 YEARS AGO

New State and Federal Regulations have forced Coconino County to chlorinate Kachina Village water. This is not expected to increase water bills. Residents may notice a slight change in the taste from time to time. Judy Meikle, County Facilities Director.

Those interested in learning about IBM compatible computers can sign up for free tutoring at our Public Library. There is a pool of competent experts available for 1  2 hour sessions. Bring your own computer or use one we have at the library. John Irwin, Associate Director of Public Services.

Mega Foods  a You bag it yourself  full scale market is taking over the K-Mart building on 4th Street. The building is being remolded and hopes to be open by next May and offering 120  130 jobs. 4th Street merchants are buoyed up by this new business coming to their part of town.

44 pounds of Coke were seized in a routine traffic stop on I-40 when an east bound California car towing a U-Haul was pulled over for speeding and equipment failure. Northern Arizona Metro Narcotics Unit Sergeant Dan Wells.

The Bill Boards on South Santa Fe Avenue are to come tumbling down. The City has agreed to buy a bill boarded stretch of railroad owned property between Elden Street and Fanning Drive for $876,000. It is expected to order the removal of about two dozen in January. By March they will just be an ugly memory. The commission has been squirreling away the money from the BBB tax for some time from their Santa Fe Ave. Improvement budget.

The North Wind Doth Blow. There was a full foot of snow at the Air Port Thursday night. Intermittent snow fell throughout the week. 15 fell between 6 pm Thursday and 6 pm Friday and is still falling.

There have been several fender benders. Do not drive unless it is absolutely necessary.
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16 (2) Feb 15 (1) Feb 14 (1) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (2) Feb 11 (1) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (1) Feb 08 (1) Feb 07 (1) Feb 06 (1) Feb 05 (5) Feb 03 (1) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (1) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (3) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (1) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (6) Dec 14 (4) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (5) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 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17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (2) Aug 07 (2) Aug 06 (2) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (6) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (2) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (2) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (1) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (2) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (2) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 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16 (5) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (5) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (2) Dec 29 (2) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (2) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (2) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (7) Nov 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18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (2) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (6) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (8) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (2) May 29 (2) May 28 (2) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) 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Gary Gishie lives his life one day at a time.

The 31-year-old recovering alcoholic is one of the great success stories to come out of the Coconino County DUI/Drug Court and the Coconino County Detention Facility in Flagstaff's Exodus substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Gishie is open, hard-working, well-spoken and likable. It is hard to picture him being arrested more than 20 times for low-level crimes he committed while intoxicated after he moved from the Navajo Nation onto the streets of Page and Flagstaff.

"I have a mental obsession, I have a physical allergy and I have a spiritual malady. Those are the things that make me want to drink more and more," Gishie said. "I put all my faith in alcohol. That came first before anything or anyone. When I got sober, sobriety had to come first."

He has been sober for 19 months.

These days, he spends a lot of his time helping newly recovering alcoholics with their sobriety, including those in the Exodus program.

As a Navajo man, he also shares a dubious distinction with the most over-represented group of inmates at the jail. Native Americans typically account for 50 to 80 percent of the Exodus programs roughly 70 participants and make up more than half of the inmate population at the jail. Most are there on misdemeanor charges related in some way to substance abuse.

DEMOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES

The single agency that contributes the most inmates to the jail is Flagstaff Police Department. Of the roughly 33,000 arrests FPD made from 2011 to 2015, half the suspects were white and nearly half were Native American in a city where only about 12 percent of residents are Native American, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway attributes the high arrest rate to what he calls the citys vulnerable population, which essentially means chronic street alcoholics.

The serial inebriate and homeless issue is not unique to Flagstaff but its common in many border towns and that population here in Flagstaff is over-represented by the Native American race, Treadway said. Its uncomfortable for me to say that. It almost sounds racist to say it. But if youre to truly understand (the problem), those are the people that are coming to our attention.

Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission Policy Analyst Rodney L. Tahe said other border towns report a similar trend in part because rural reservation residents tend to gather in the nearby cities to shop, work and access services

In addition, there are no liquor stores on the Navajo Nation, and possession, sale and public consumption of alcohol, as well as public intoxication, are illegal on the reservation with limited exceptions, such as Twin Arrows Casino west of Flagstaff. That criminalization of alcohol drives a disproportionate number of reservation residents with alcohol abuse problems tied to joblessness into nearby cities.

FPD and the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission have each received a small number of formal complaints alleging racial profiling or bias by FPD against Native Americans and neither agency has found any of them to be substantiated.

I tell everyone that, for me, Flagstaff (Police Department) is the bar that everyone needs to meet because of the amount of effort they have put into all the programs they have done, said Tahe, who praised FPDs cultural awareness training, Citizen Liaison Committee and transparency in producing records so the commission can investigate complaints.

Between 2011 and 2015, FPD officers gave 15 percent of the departments traffic citations to Native American drivers and 79 percent to Caucasians. In contrast, Native American suspects accounted for half the shoplifting arrests, almost half the public consumption and disorderly conduct arrests, and more than half of the assault and aggravated assault arrests. In most cases, Treadway said, the police are responding to calls for help.

We do not get to choose the race of the people we come into contact with, he said.

STEREOTYPE VS REALITY

That does not mean all or even most Native Americans are alcoholics. This year, a study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found little difference between alcohol consumption rates among Native Americans and Caucasians except that Native Americans were more likely to abstain from drinking altogether.

If you drink alcohol, there is a negative stereotype and it comes from the older generation, Tahe said. They automatically label you what they call a glonnie, which is a derogatory term for being a drunk. Its not a good word here (on the Navajo Nation). Most people dont like that term, so theyd rather enjoy alcohol somewhere else without that label being attached to them, especially by family members.

A closer look at FPDs arrest data shows a disproportionately high recidivism rate among Native Americans is skewing the numbers dramatically. In September 2016, for instance, 56 percent of the 23 suspects FPD arrested at least four times within a 90-day-period were Native American.

More than half the Native Americans FPD arrested from 2011 to 2015 had already been arrested at least once in Flagstaff before during that five-year period. No other racial group had such a high re-arrest rate. Overall, about 60 percent of unique individuals arrested were white and about 20 percent were Native American.

We know that theres a small population of folks in any community that come to the attention of law enforcement, Treadway said.

Gishie used to be one of them.

TRAUMA AND ADDICTION

Gishie does not blame anyone else for his addiction, but like many Exodus and DUI/Drug Court participants, his path to alcoholism included a lifetime of trauma. When Gishie was 8 years old, his parents drinking caused the family to become homeless. He spent the next two years sleeping in a truck with a camper shell with his mother, father and four siblings at Bonsall Park in Glendale.

Alcohol has been in my family since day one, he said. As far back as I can remember, alcohol was always around.

In April 1996, Gishies 12-year-old sister was kidnapped, raped and murdered. Gishie was 10.

The family moved to a tiny house in Kaibeto on the Navajo Nation. His father loved them but would disappear periodically with Gishies grandfather to drink in Page. His mother worked hard to support their family as a housekeeper even though she, too, was an alcoholic.

In February 2005, Gishie's older brother Gerald died in a hit-and-run in Glendale.

Gishie had a good job framing and siding houses, he had a home of his own in Flagstaff, he had a car and he was in a relationship, but he was not happy. When his younger brother Willard died in a car crash near Yuma in February 2007, it broke him.

I started blaming God, Gishie said. Thats the honest truth. I always thought, if theres really a God out there, why is he doing this to my family?

He turned to alcohol. As addiction took over, his relationship fell apart, he moved back to the reservation, lost his construction job after being injured in a car crash and, in 2010, became homeless in Page. Alcohol, he said, turned him from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde. He couldn't stop.

REVOLVING DOOR

Page Police Department arrested Gishie 13 times for misdemeanors like theft, assault, disorderly conduct and drinking in public while he was living on the streets. Often, he was so intoxicated he could not remember what he had done. In 2011 he moved to Flagstaff, where he slept mostly on the streets and learned to panhandle and shoplift to feed his addiction.

He was arrested repeatedly on misdemeanors until August 2013, when FPD arrested him on his third shoplifting charge, which is an automatic felony in Arizona. He had two options: DUI/Drug Court or prison. DUI/Drug Court Judge Ted Reed let Gishie out of jail on probation in March 2014. In April, he went on a nine-day bender that ended with his arrest.

People think that recovery is a matter of willpower, said Exodus Program Director Dr. Valarie Hannemann. Thats not what addiction and alcoholism really is. Its a mid-brain problem. Anytime you feel stressed, anytime you feel overwhelmed, you are going to go into survival mode and because of the way addiction works in the brain, anytime you hit survival mode, you want to use.

At an October mayoral summit in Flagstaff, Tahe said, city leaders and the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission talked about the need for more municipal control over liquor sales in the border towns.

Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil wants the liquor industry to help pay the costs alcohol imposes on society. He wants the Navajo Nation, Flagstaff and Coconino County to commit money to build a residential aftercare treatment program for recovering addicts after jail. He would also like to see Arizona legislators change the laws to allow law enforcement to hold street alcoholics who are a danger to themselves in a detox center for five days without having to arrest them.

We keep doing the same old thing and getting the same results," Pribil said. "We need to try something more radical to try to change this. We need to start trying different things because what were doing is not working.

ROAD TO RECOVERY

If there's one thing Gishie wants other alcoholics to know, it is this: recovery is possible, but you can't do it alone. You need the right mindset, the right recovery and 12-step programs, a good support system and faith in a higher power.

Gishie's first attempt in Exodus lasted 30 days. He resigned himself to the idea of prison and relapsed again. Two experiences in 2014 changed his life. First, he got an in-jail work assignment cleaning up the intake area while awaiting his sentence. There, he saw his friends from the streets come in day in and day out.

"At first, it was funny but within three weeks, I was to the point where I couldn't laugh with them nor laugh at them because that was me," Gishie said. "If I would have never gotten that felony charge, I would never have been able to see it."

He convinced Hanneman to let him try Exodus again not to avoid prison but to see what the program had to offer. While he was in the program, his mother died from cirrhosis of the liver. At the funeral, his grieving father urged him to choose treatment over prison.

"All these years, I drank," his father told him. "The only thing it ever brought me was losing your mom."

His father died on Jan. 2, 2015 and on Jan 7, 2015, Gishie graduated from the Exodus program.

He had one relapse that almost killed him in April 2015. He has not touched a drop of alcohol since. He said he is grateful for Exodus, DUI/Drug Court and his family, who took him so he could complete his probation.

"I'm sober and I'm grateful to be alive," he said, citing in particular the support of his Aunt Bessie and her daughters Georgiana and Letitia. "An alcoholic like me, I don't really think too far ahead. I just worry about one day, the here and now. That's what keeps me sober. It was basically letting go and accepting life on life's terms."
The government of Vietnam is seeking to help the main rice-producing part of the country deal with difficult agricultural issues.

The area is known as the Mekong Delta. It is home to 18 million of Vietnams 94 million people. More than half of the countrys rice is grown in the area, which feeds more than 145 million people in Asia.

The Mekong begins in Tibet. It passes through six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Some of these countries are building dams that are affecting the river.

Climate change

Worries about the future of the Mekong Delta increased after an extreme lack of water this year caused the area to become saltier than normal. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, said rice production fell by 1.1 million tons.

Philip Hirsch is a professor at Sydney University. He says climate change is causing sea levels to rise and bringing more storms to the area. One of the big concerns is the amount of salt water and the distance the salt water moves up various Mekong tributaries into the Delta, which again threatens the viability of rice farming, he said.

International scientists are working with scientists in Vietnam to find solutions to the problems. Their project is called CLUES, which stands for climate change affecting land use in the Mekong Delta.

N.D. Phong is one of the leaders of the project. He said among the issues the Mekong Delta faces are rising levels of salt and fresh water, higher temperatures, rising greenhouse gases and a large population. The Delta also faces the possibility of lower rainfall, reduced numbers of farm laborers and reduced valuable land.

CLUES scientists are developing kinds of rice that can grow in areas of rising salinity, when water levels are too high, and in dry conditions.

Australias Center for International Agricultural Research, or ACIAR, is also helping Vietnam improve rice production. ACIAR scientists say Vietnamese rice farmers have adapted to changing conditions over the past 30 years. They are still worried about the future however.

Leocadio Sebastian is based in Vietnam as a regional program leader for South East Asia for the International Rice Research Institute, or IRRI. He says Vietnam is going to try to increase farm incomes and rice quality. He says IRRI and the Vietnamese government are going to try to get farmers to grow two crops a year instead of three. They also want them to grow higher-value grain.

Sebastian told VOA they have to position the Vietnam rice to a higher quality and higher priced level so that the farmers now and in the future can have a better income from rice production.

Hydropower dams

Scientists say the area also faces a threat from the increasing numbers of hydroelectric dams being built on the Mekong River in China, Laos and Cambodia.

Chris Barlow is an ACIAR fisheries expert. He says the dams will have a severe effect on the lower Mekong area.

In a report about the conflicts between hydro-power and fisheries, he wrote that China has completed three large dams on the Mekong and five (more) are being built or being planned. These dams have major impacts on hydrology and completely block fish migration in the Upper Mekong.

He said plans for nine high-level dams in Laos and two being built in Cambodia will have severe impacts on fisheries and food security.

Scientists say the dams will change the flow of rivers and tributaries and lower water temperatures, among other effects.

Barlow says hydro-power may produce economic gains, but the fishery and other ecosystem services provided by the river will be permanently degraded.

Le Anh Tuan is the deputy head of the Institute of Climate Change Research at Can Tho University. Le told Vietnamese media that damming threatens the future of the Mekong Delta.

Sydney Universitys Hirsch says Vietnams government needs to be more assertive with members of the intergovernmental Mekong River Commission. He says the group should try and put a brake on the very rapid pattern of hydrological development in the upstream countries.

Hirsch fears the areas most-productive years may have been before damming on the river began. He says in the early 1990s, Vietnam, once a large importer of rice, became the worlds second largest exporter.

Hirsh says efforts by China, and more recently Laos, to put dams on the river may have started a drop in food production in the Mekong Delta area.

Im John Russell.

Correspondent Ron Corben reported this story from Bangkok. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Special English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

tributary  n. a stream that flows into a larger stream or river or into a lake

viability  adj. capable of succeeding

adapt  v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

value  adj. the amount of money that something is worth; the price or cost of something

degrade  v. to make the quality of (something) worse

assertive  adj. confident in behavior or style

brake  n. something used to slow or stop movement or activity (usually + on)

pattern  n. the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done
Modern technology has a strong influence on many things we do.

In fact, technology is shaping almost every part of our day-to-day existence, including education.

Ashok Goel is a professor with the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Goel says he uses the Internet in almost all of the classes he teaches. Every term over 300 graduate students take his class on artificial intelligence (AI).

The students never meet in person. All of the classes take place online -- through a website. The site lets students ask questions and complete their work from anywhere in the world.

Having hundreds of students in a class means Ashok Goel has to answer thousands of questions. He has eight teaching assistants to help him. But even that is not enough to give all the students the help they need.

So, in January, Goel had an idea. First, he noted that each term his students were asking many of the same questions. Then he decided to try an experiment.

At the start of the spring 2016 semester, he added a new member to his teaching team: Jill Watson. She was able to answer questions faster than most other teaching assistants. And she was available 24 hours a day.

It was only at the end of the semester that Goels students learned Watsons secret: she was not a real person like the other teaching assistants. Jill Watson is an AI computer program.

Goel says only two students came close to predicting Watsons true identity. He was worried about telling his students because he thought they would not like being part of the experiment. But once they learned Watsons identity, they became very excited.

"Then, you know what happened? They not only asked that question about Jill. Is she an AI? Once the identity of Jill was revealed they also asked if I was an AI."

Goel now uses Watson in two other classes, but still does not tell his students which of his teaching assistants is a computer program. He hopes this technology will make it easier for teachers to create their own programs to use in and outside the classroom.

And it appears stories like his will only become more common.

A website called Campus Technology publishes stories about how colleges and universities use new technology. In August, the site published a survey of over 500 professors and their use of technology.

Fifty-five percent of the professors said they ask students to use study materials online before coming to class. And, more than 70 percent said they combine online materials and face-to-face teaching in their classrooms.

Ashok Goel says the new kinds of technology becoming available will increase the availability of learning all over the world. But there are some concerns about how well the technology works.

SRI International is a non-profit organization that researches many different issues. In April, the group released the results of a survey of educational technology at 14 colleges. The study measured the effect of online classwork and special programs that measured student progress and made suggestions about educational resources.

The study found that the technology did little to help student performance.

Louise Yarnall is a senior research social scientist at SRI International. She says there are two major problems. First, she says, the technology has yet to reach a level that proves how useful it can be. Second, there is no system to make sure the technology is used the same way.

Yarnall notes that students and teachers all use the special programs in different ways. This means they may not be using the technology as best they can.

"Just like in school when teacher says, Do your homework, we have found that students who do their homework tend to do pretty well in school and students who dont do their homework often dont do so well in school. And the same idea applies here with adaptive learning. If you dont use it, you dont progress."

Yarnall worries that once more technology enters classrooms, teachers and students will be more concerned about the technology than anything else.

Jose Bowen goes even further. Bowen is the president of Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. He wrote a book arguing against the use of technology in classrooms. It is called Teaching Naked.

Bowen admits that technology does improve the availability of information. But he notes technology is not free. It still mostly goes only to people that have money to pay for it.

Bowen also warns that giving students more information through the internet or social media does not help them understand how to use that information. He says the job of a college is to teach people how to think critically and find their place in the world around them.

Technology can bring teachers to students all over the world, as in the case of Ashok Goels class at Georgia Tech. But Bowen notes that online classes do little for students with limited educational experience.

"So those tools are there. But the problem is that online content by itself doesnt know how to ask you the question What interests you? What motivates you?  The first thing a good swim teacher does is ask you a couple of questions. The first question is, How do you feel about water? And if you dont like water, then I change my lesson plan.  And if you love water, well maybe I push you in the deep end."

He admits there is a place for technology outside the classroom. It can do some things teachers cannot, like provide answers immediately when a teacher is unavailable.

Bowen says teachers must accept the many things technology can do that they cannot. But he and Goel agree that nothing can replace the personal relationship between teachers and students. And the training in the classrooms of today may be the only thing that prepares students for the technology of tomorrow.

Im Pete Musto.

Pete Musto reported on this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. How is technology used in college classrooms in your country? How important do you think technology is to learning? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

graduate  adj. of or relating to a course of studies taken at a college or university after earning a bachelor's degree or other first degree

artificial intelligence  n. an area of computer science that deals with giving machines the ability to seem like they have human intelligence

online  adj. connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet

semester  n. one of two usually 18-week periods that make up an academic year at a school or college

reveal(ed)  v. to make something known

survey  n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something

adaptive  adj. using the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation

content  n. the ideas, facts, or images that are in a book, article, speech or movie

motivate(s)  v. to give someone a reason for doing something
Now the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.

On this show, we explore the origin and uses of common expressions in American English.

Today, we talk about some words that began life in the military.

In the United States, Veterans Day is a national holiday held on November 11. On that day in 1918, all sides in World War I stopped fighting. Americans originally called this holiday Armistice Day. The name changed to Veterans Day in 1954.

A Veterans Day kind of veteran is a current or former member of the armed services. However, veteran also describes civilians.

A veteran is someone who has a lot of experience in a particular activity, skill or job. The opposite of a veteran is a novice or a beginner.

But lets get back to military veterans.

People in the military like to use acronyms. An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of each word in a phrase.

For example, the acronym NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. But now people just call it NATO.

Some other military acronyms have crossed over into civilian language.

Radar, for example, is short for RAdio Detecting and Ranging. Radar is a device that sends out radio waves for finding the position and speed of a moving object such as a spy plane. This war term first came into use in 1941.

We use "radar" in a couple useful expressions.

To fall off the radar means to disappear.

For example, lets say I am too busy to play the ukulele. When a friend asks if Ive been playing, I can say, Playing the ukulele has kind of fallen off my radar. Im just too busy these days.

The opposite of that is to be on someone's radar. When something is on your radar you are thinking about it or considering it.

For example, lets say I have moved to a new city. I have a new job and a new apartment. Then, someone asks me if I have joined a ukulele group yet. I answer, Not yet. But it is on my radar.

In other words, I am actively looking for one.

But lets leave the ukulele and go back to war. If you are pilot of a spy plane, you want to fly under the enemys radar. This way they will not detect you on their radar screens.

And that is how we use this expression in everyday conversation. When you fly under the radar you want to be invisible -- unseen, undetected. You disappear.

If you disappear from a battle in a war, you are MIA. This acronym stands for missing in action.

In civilian use, MIA often refers to a person dropping out of an activity. For example, if I miss a lot of ukulele practices my band mates might describe me as MIA.

AWOL is a very different kind of military disappearance. "AWOL" stands for absence without official leave. This means a soldier is missing from duty without permission. A solider found guilty of an AWOL charge can suffer serious punishment.

In civilian life, it has a similar meaning. AWOL means you were supposed to be somewhere but were not. For example, if my friend offered to help at my ukulele concert but did not show up, she is AWOL.

Military people have great acronyms to describe a situation that has gone terribly wrong.

FUBAR means something severely disorganized, damaged or ruined. Some say it stands for fouled up beyond all repair. Other say it stands for fouled up beyond all recognition.

SNAFU has a similar meaning. This acronym stands for situation normal: all fouled up. In other words, things are not going well, as usual.

We should note, the soldier who invented these acronyms may not originally have used the word fouled. They may have used a more offensive word that means the same thing. But that is just not VOA Learning English style.

Im Anna Matteo.

I am not MIA or AWOL. I am reporting for duty from Washington, D.C.

Here is the United States Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus performing "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver edited the story.

What acronyms do you in your language? Do you use military words in everyday conversations? Please share in the Comments Section.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

novice  n. a person who has just started learning or doing something

fouled  v. placed in a situation that impedes physical movement

Detecting  v. to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.

Ranging  v. to place among others in a position or situation

origin - n. the point or place where something begins

ukelele - n. a musical instrument with four strings

conversation - n. a discussion involving two or more people

band - n. a group of musicians who perform together

concert - n. a musical performance
Congratulations on your victory @realDonaldTrump. As our President, Columba and I will pray for you in the days and months to come.
It is often asserted that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 proved that HWA was right and he really did see the future.

This of course is nonsense. Herbert W. Armstrong said that Christ would return within twenty years in his book Mystery of the Ages. (PCG has since deleted those words so someone in there knows HWA spoke nonsense.) How convenient for them to forget this.

Also Herbert W. Armstrong never said the Soviet Union would collapse. He thought it would survive intact until a few years after Christ's return. It shows how biased some many in the COGs are that they never seem to notice this. This inconvenient truth is just tossed into the memory hole.

It is true that HWA said that some Eastern European states would break away from Moscow's orbit and join the European Empire he said would arise at any moment. But he never talked of the Soviet Union collapsing. He did not teach that. Also he portrayed the rise of the European Empire to be far quicker then what has actually happened. In Mystery of the Ages Christ was supposed to return by 2005 at the most.

So assertions that the fall of the Berlin Wall somehow prove that HWA was right is just complete nonsense spread by people who, for whatever reason, are still in denial that HWA was a false prophet who merely talked out of his own "human reasoning".
For the first time, Flagler County will be host to the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall this weekend. The memorial will be the featured attraction at the county's "Freedom Fest" at the Flagler Executive Airport.

Traveling memorial is a replica of original Washington D.C. memorial

Freedom Fest runs through November 13

For more information, visit flaglercountyfamilyfun.com

The memorial is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Designed by architect Maya Lin and established in 1982. It lists the names of those who died in chronological order, starting with the first death in 1959.



Veteran Bob Keane searched the memorial wall to find the name of a friend who served with him in Vietnam.



"It's got to be row 30 or row 36" said Keane. "He was a ward of the state, boyhood friend."



He and another Vietnam veteran stood side-by-side Saturday, thankful they survived when so many others didn't, like the nearly 60,000 names that line the wall.



"When I returned from Vietnam Thanksgiving Day in '68, I was ready to kiss the ground," said Keane. "I consider myself a part of Americas 'Greatest Generation' because the people that sacrificed. I was there for 28 months so I saw a lot of heroic people."



People can visually see the most severe era of the war, at the highest part of the wall where there are more names of people who died.



"It's absolutely tremendous and to put all their names here that's a true honor," said a tearful Lila Bodman, who lost her cousin in the war. "I get very upset seeing his name and all these men."



Getting the traveling memorial to Flagler County took time, but officials had no doubt it would be worth the wait.



"It took us two years to be able to get the wall to come here," said Charlie Ericksen County Commissioner, District 1. "We made that reservation with them two years ago, and it finally came true."



Keane said seeing the names is upsetting, but it's also a way to say "thank you."



"I thank god everyday for our military, these are my heroes," said Keane.



Freedom Fest runs until around 10 p.m. Saturday night after the fireworks, then opens again Sunday morning. The memorial wall will be at the Flagler Executive Airport through Sunday at 3 p.m.


WASHINGTON  Marty Wheeler never did trust those polls.

The 50-year-old Sun City resident and Donald Trump supporter said he saw stronger support for the Republican presidential nominee than the media reported, which cited polls predicting a Trump loss to Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump far outnumbers the Hillary support, yet when it comes to the polls that are for Hillary, that kind of doesnt make sense to me, Wheeler said just days before the election.

As the world now knows, Wheeler was right, and the polls got it wrong.

Trump, now the president-elect, claimed throughout his campaign that polls did not reflect the wide support he held among the white working-class Americans who often packed his rallies.

The media refuses to talk about the three new national polls that have me in first place. Biggest crowds ever  watch what happens! Trump tweeted Oct. 21, a day after a poll commissioned by the Arizona Republic and Cronkite News reported Clinton up by five points in Arizona  where 20 percent of those surveyed were undecided.

It was one of a number of polls at the time that showed the race tightening in Arizona and that Trump, nationally, had increasingly slim chances of moving into the White House.

Experts say several factors that combined to make Wheeler look smarter than the pollsters. One is the tendency by the media and the public to accept poll findings as hard facts and not shifting predictions. But the bigger problem is the near impossibility of predicting who will actually cast a ballot.

You need much more predictive modeling that probably doesnt exist with great sophistication, said Maurice Tamman, a data journalist for the Reuters news service.

Because polling is based on informed predictions of who will show up on Election Day, those predictions impact a polls confidence and its forecasts.

If you cant predict (voter turnout) with the same empiricism, then its left to the subjective choices of pollsters, Tamman said. You make those choices, and then Election Day comes around, then guess what  an upset, and the polls are all wrong.

A Nov. 8 story by Tamman ran under the headline, Clinton has 90 percent chance of winning. It was among a number of reports giving Clinton a 75 to 99 percent chance of winning  but it also spelled out a possible path to victory for Trump.

Now, I look at it, and I cringe, he said. You make certain assumptions about demographic turnout. We as journalists have to stop presenting these numbers as absolute. Lets stop viewing things as absolutes.

Headline aside, the Trump-victory path described in the article was almost exactly the scenario that unfolded Tuesday.

No one really knows who the hell is going to show up on election days, Tamman said. Ultimately who shows up is anybodys guess.

He said low voter turnout tends to benefit Republican candidates; higher voter turnout historically benefits Democrats. That, at least, held true: While Clinton won the popular vote Tuesday, she earned 7 million fewer votes than President Barack Obama did in his 2012 re-election, Tamman said. Republican challenger Mitt Romney garnered more votes in that election than were cast for Trump this week.

In Arizona, voter turnout models were easier to predict, said Republican pollster George Khalaf. His firm and most other polls had Trump up in the state, heading into Election Day.

Khalaf said Arizona did not see the demographic and turnout shifts that pollsters missed in other states  Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. And Arizona proved to be more competitive than it was in the past two elections, with Trump beating Clinton by just 4.1 percentage points. Thats less than half the margin earned by Republican nominees Mitt Romney in 2012 or John McCain in 2008.

Many national polls misjudged the number of Democratic Rust Belt state voters who cast ballots for Trump, or the elevated number of white men who voted, or the drop in minority voter turnout from the levels that came out for Obama. Many national pollsters got the turnout models wrong in some key states.

Besides pollsters needing to better outline their underlying models, journalists must better report those judgments so voters understand how polling data can be used, the experts say.

If pollsters and reporters better communicate what the polls report, and the assumptions that are rooted in informed conjecture, fewer people may be surprised the next time the predicted outcomes are wrong.

Thats not a problem with the polls, thats a problem with judgment behind the scenes, and if thats what happened here with polling (this election cycle), then thats fine, Khalaf said.

In the wake of this election, the American Association for Public Opinion Research plans to review those judgments that led to the misfire in nation polls.

Theres always the danger that theyll get things wrong. Thats a known source of error going into the process, said AAPORs Vice President Tim Johnson. Its imperfect. We have to rely on imperfect models, and sample surveys are imperfect.

The study plans to review election cycle methodologies for any potential systematic errors pollsters made, to make the surveys more reliable in the future.

There were so many all pointing in that direction, we were all certain they were right, Johnson said. Its embarrassing.

As for Wheeler, he said he was not going to let the polls decide the election, and they did not.

From the beginning, I have been encouraging everybody to vote. It doesnt matter who they vote for, it is most important that no matter what the polls say, they need to vote, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to abolish Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes to curb the flow of black money has been lauded and appreciated by one and all in Bollywood. A lot of celebrities came out in support for Modis move to fight corruption, few of them being Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor among others, and now superstar Salman Khan has also joined the bandwagon.

Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes have been banned to curb black money...Salute Modiji for your initiative, said Salman while hosting the Bigg Boss Weekend Ka Vaar episode which went on air on Saturday. Salman further said, I was in Hong Kong when Modiji announced this. I have some cash in hand, I have few Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes lying with me. I will soon get them exchanged from the bank.

The discontinuation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes overnight left the country in a frenzy as everyone queued up outside ATMs and banks to either get their money exchanged or to withdraw enough money to get through a few days till things get normal. And Salman, while warming up to host the show and referring to the contestants inside the house, said, "An important announcement about the banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes have been made but 13 people arent aware of the development at all. You must have understood who I am referring to."

Incidentally, a few hours back, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, too came out in support of the PMs initiative to put an end to corruption. She said, "As a citizen, honestly I will say congratulations Mr Prime Minister. You have gone ahead with a very strong move for your larger plan to wipe out corruption in our country and thats the larger overview we as a country need to recognise. Change is not always comfortable, everyone will find their way to embrace it if they focus on the larger picture."
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Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations are equal to piece of paper from tonight midnight (8 November 2016).

"You have 50 days to return the old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to your respective bank from 10 November 2016 to 30 December 2016. The banks, however, will have a cap on how much cash can be withdrawn  Rs 10,000 daily and Rs 20,000 weekly."

New Rs 2,000 note that will be soon issued

New Rs 2,000 note that will be soon issued

"And no one should blame me if I take tough decisions after the 30th. This money belongs to the countrys poor. No one has the right to loot this. This is my commitment. I am working with full force and will continue the effort," he had said.

Apparently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a fair warning to all the black money hoarders in this interview with CNN-News18 in September this year. Replying to a question on if he intended to carry forward his tough line on curbing black money, Modi had urged those with undeclared wealth to take advantage of the disclosure scheme before the deadline of September 30 and return to into the mainstream.

A lawyer by profession, Kamboj said that he understands the legal consequences of doing any such thing. "I know I can land up in big trouble if I do something so foolish. What Kejriwal is doing is nothing more than dirty politics. He will see what will happen to him in Punjab."

There were various news reports about the probable introduction of new notes. What was new in that? Kamboj added.

Rubbishing Kejriwal's claims, Kejriwal said: I had only written that new notes would soon be introduced. But nowhere I had talked about or even mentioned banning of the old notes.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged that BJP had informed its 'friends' beforehand about its decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, to help them fix their black money.

Firstpost reporter Amitesh Singh spoke to Sanjeev Kamboj, co-convener of BJP's law and legal affairs department in Punjab, who had tweeted the picture of Rs 2,000 notes on 6 November.

Only tweeted about new notes, not ban on Rs 500, Rs 1,000: BJP leader Sanjeev Kamboj tells Firstpost

The step is being taken after it was observed that same people have been withdrawing money, again and again, misusing the facility and not giving a chance to others to exchange their money. 

The government has decided to use indelible ink to mark people who exchange cash over the counter in the banks.

Indelible ink to be used to mark people who exchange cash in the banks: Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das

Are you willing to give PM Modi 50 days to make good on his promise?

"Government should allow old Rs 500 notes to remain in circulation along with the new notes. Also, Rs 100/50/10 notes must be made easily available. Rs 1,000 notes may be withdrawn when circulation improves by 30 December, or at your discretion. No need for anymore faltu, action-less announcements. Sometimes blunders lead to more more blunders," says the West Bengal Chief Minister.

In a series of tweets on Friday, Mamata Banerjee said that there are ways that the government can restore normalcy and help people.

"Such tax evasion activities can be made subject to income tax and penalty," ANI reported. The ministry added that thos who allow their accounts to be misused will be prosecuted."However, genuine people having their own household savings in cash and depositing the same will not be questioned," the ministry was quoted as saying by ANI.

Announcing that small deposits made in banks of artisans, workers, housewives will not be questioned by Income Tax Department, the finance ministry said that there are reports that a few people were "using other's accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes."

The Opposition parties are not wrong  this could have been planned better and the government is not giving us all the facts. The truth is the government did have a plan. Not for recalibration  for which it has come under severe attack  but for the preemptive calibration of ATMs. If this plan had run its course, it could have considerably smoothened the currency exchange at ATMs. But the plan ground to a halt even before it took off. But more on that later.

And the answer is yes and no.

An entire population of 1.25 billion is living in misery, craving something they already have: A strange contradiction of shortage in abundance. The only question that everyone is asking is: Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi send a country into war against black money without planning?

"What is the difficulty? " the bench asked Rohatgi. The AG explained the situation by stating that after printing, the currency has to be moved to thousands of centres across the country and ATMs have to be re-calibrated. "There is no shortage of funds," he said.

At the outset, the bench questioned the relief measures undertaken by the Centre by saying, "Last time you said there will be relief for people in the coming days but you have squeezed the exchange limit to Rs 2,000 only."

"It's a political attempt in the court. I have seen your (Sibal's) press conference also. You are not appearing for a political party, but for an advocate. You are turning the apex court into a political platform," Rohatgi said.

The Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi in his response, said there is no dispute, but the queues are getting shorter and even suggested that the Chief Justice of India can go out during lunch and himself look at the queue. "Kindly go in the lunch time," the AG told the bench and took objection to senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for a private party, for allegedly exaggerating the situation.

"We have also come to know that corruption through new notes has already started. Such reports are surfacing in newspapers and especially on the social media," he said, claiming the goal of unearthing black money and weeding out fake currency notes will not be achieved.

On the Centre's stand that demonetisation will check corruption, Akhilesh said cases of graft involving new currency notes are already making news in some parts of the country.

Talking to reporters in Lucknow on Friday after presiding over a Cabinet meeting, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The meeting was of the opinion that farmers should get relaxation in use of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes...cooperative banks to which farmers are directly linked should get relaxation as money is not promptly reaching bank branches."

SC made the remarks as Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi submitted that any matter relating to challenge to the demonetisation issue be heard by the apex court only.

"Some measures are required. See the kind of problems people are facing. People have to go to the high court. If we shut them from going to the high court, how can we know the magnitude of the problem. People going to different courts indicates the magnitude of the problem," the bench said.

"It is a serious issue which requires consideration," a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice A R Dave said, while asking the parties to be ready with data and other issues in writing. The apex court also refused Centre's request to put on hold petitions pending in various high courts challenging the decision to demonetise.

Coming down heavily on the Narendra Modi government for not taking the issue seriously, the Supreme Court on Friday questioned the move to reduce the exchange limit of old notes from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000. The apex court added that the situation was serious and there are possibilities of riots breaking out.

"We are not against demonetisation. We are against the hardships being faced by poor people due to mismanagement in implementing this scheme," Ravat said, when he was detained and taken away by police.

Those who have been detained include Vadodara Congress president Prashant Patel and General Secretary of Gujarat Congress Narendra Ravat.

In Vadodara, at least 100 Congress workers were detained from different parts for trying to block the roads. While two Congress workers were detained for setting fire to tyres on Ahmedabad-Vadodara highway on the city outskirts, around 100 have been detained for blocking an internal city road at Dandiya Bazar area.

Slamming the Centre over faulty implementation of the demonetisation drive, Mayawati said that the government has unleashed an Economic Emergency on the nation and the party does not care how people of the nation are suffering.

Just like Samajwadi Party, BJP is digging its own grave before Uttar Pradesh elections: Mayawati

He then said that India trusts its citizens who will make the country emerge successful after "this test of fire".

"But I see your support. Despite so many attempts to dissuade you, you have understood this move for the welfare of this nation," said the Prime Minister. "The entire world is watching this move. Every economist is analysing this move. The world is watching whether 1.25 crore Indians, despite difficulties, will achieve success."

"But for 70 years, we have been tolerating the disease of corruption and black money. The cure to that disease cannot be simple," he said.

"When I had taken this decision, I had said that this is full of difficulties. And the implementation of this decision was also bound to be difficult. I knew about the kind of difficulties people would have to face," Modi said. "I knew that it will definitely take 50 days to come out of the effect [of demonetisation]," he added.

"A lot of people have asked me to talk more about the currency ban," said the Prime Minister, as he began talking about demonetisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday talked about the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on the radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' and appealed to the people of India to help him create a "less-cash society".

Sources have told CNN-News18 that the central government has stepped up the printing of the new Rs 500 notes. The news channel also reported that the shortage in Rs 500 notes will be over by the end of December.

Old Rs 500 notes at petrol pumps and for airline tickets will be accepted till 2 December as against 15 December announced earlier, reports PTI.

Exactly a month ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced scrapping of high denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. On Thursday, Opposition parties and Members of Parliament protested outside the Parliament House.

Modi said, "The government's decision has several gains for farmers, traders, labourers, who are the economic backbone of our nation. I always said that the government's measure will bring a degree of inconvenience but this short term pain will pave way for long term gains. No longer will the progress and prosperity of rural India be curtailed by corruption and black money. Our villages must get their due. We also have a historic opportunity to embrace increased cashless payments and integrate latest technology in economic transactions."

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government never denied that the demonetisation drive will not be inconvenient, but "this short term pain will pave way for long term gains."

I always said that the Government's measure will bring a degree of inconvenience: Modi

Slamming the government, West Bengal Chief Minister on her Facebook page slammed the move and said, "One month of harassment, pain, hopelessness, financial insecurity and utter chaos."

Leading members of Opposition took to social media to speak on demonetisation. 8 December marks one month since the Modi government scrapped high-denomination notes and introduced the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes.

The Opposition parties will meet with BJP leaders as well at around 12 pm on Thursday to discuss demonetisation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced that it will hold a party meet at 9.30 am on Thursday. According to CNN-News18, the party meet will discuss demonetisation and will be broadcast live. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation as well, the news channel said.

PM said Congress had chance to clean the system in 1971, but it didnt | ANI

'It's a pity that this opposition party, who fought against the Congres both inside the Congress and outside the Congress are ready to work with Congress. Trinamool Congress, CPI (M) are with Congress. Even DMK who had taken talaq from Congress are rallying behind it. They don't even know what their leader is going to talk about. The congress regime was filled with scams. They will have to explain it to the people," he added.

'It's ironic to see that government is fighting corruption, and the opposition is opposing it. Many people are shaken because vested interests are shaken. They are trying to create panic in the public. And therefore, they are trying to tarnish Prime Minster's image,' Venkaiah Naidu said.

It's ironic that parties which opposed Congress are now supporting it: Venkaiah Naidu

Unlike Gandhi, who in a letter dated 24 August, 1974, to all chief ministers, sought selective action against bigger people that could be publicised to counter the perception in the public mind and in Parliament, Modi and his officers were well prepared in advance to scrutinise the shades of unaccounted stash in the country, even if that meant severe criticism of his government.

Modi is not Indira Gandhi and 2016 is not 1974 when TA Pai, the then Union Minister for heavy industry told Gandhi: "Currency has no complexion and it is neither white nor black." (Declassified black money files of prime ministers office, no 37 (465)/74 PMS).

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a televised address on 8 November, told the nation that the existing Rs 500 and 1,000 notes can no longer be used for transactions and they are now mere pieces of papers, he very well knew that a huge number of zero-balance accounts were going to witness sudden activity from the very next morning.

Narendra Modi did what Indira suggested was not for her to do

This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transactions from midnight onwards. The 500 and 1,000 rupee notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper.

To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight tonight, that is 8th November 2016.

As (Narendra) Modi gets ready to address the nation on 31 December in a stock-taking speech, sober watchers of the game may find no nail-biting finish or clear winner. We might need to use something resembling the Duckworth-Lewis method that cricket scorers use when rains or disruptions mar a match.

As time to submit demonetised notes comes to a close today, people queue up outside RBI offices across India

The government is also planning to come out with an Ordinance making possession of old Rs 500/1,000 notes beyond a specified limit for numismatic purposes illegal and punishable.

People, however, will still have time to exchange the currency notes at designated RBI counters till 31 March after giving valid reasons for not depositing defunct notes in their accounts by 30 December.

The 50-day deadline to deposit the old Rs 500/1,000 notes in banks comes to an end today, but the cash crunch and queues before ATMs are likely to continue for some more time as currency printing presses have failed to meet the huge demand for new bills.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation on Saturday after his self-imposed deadline of 50-days for the situation to return to normal ends. While some people are hoping for an extension in the deadline, the government maintained it had no plans to do so.

The deadline to deposit old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in banks ends today. From next week onward, those still holding the scrapped currency can deposit it only with the Reserve Bank of India till 31 March, 2017. After 31 March, holding demonetised notes would be illegal and could invite hefty fines and even jail, according to an ordinance passed by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.

Post #DeMonetisation Govt. to roll out massive campaign. PM's address to the nation on Dec 31st will be beginning of this campaign: Sources

PM Modi could launch massive campaign in his address on New Year

Meanwhile, the RBI's image seems to have been dented significantly during the period. Post the announcement, the action mostly happened in Delhi and the central bank was relegated to the background. Moreover, the frequent rule changes, mostly dictated by the political bosses in Delhi, unfairly affected the central bank's image.

The man who is complaining the most is the one who is affected and that is not the common man, believes Bijoor. He places Modis popularity on a ratio of 80:20 with 80 percent having welcomed the bold move of the PM.

The common man is in the mood to forgive the prime minister as he realises that demonetisation is a big task that irritants like more than 60 policy flip-flops after the announcement of the scheme can be tolerated, says Harish Bijoor, chief executive officer of brand and business strategy firm Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.

The brand Modi might have received a good boost after the demonetisation drive, however, the brand RBI, the monetary authority in charge of the Indian currency, may have taken a huge drubbing, brand experts told Firstpost's Sulekha Nair .

The cash crunch in cities seems to be easing. Just for a lark i went to 5-10 different ATMs on diff days and all yielded cash Queues shorter

(Cont) to deposit the same in any Issue Office of Reserve Bank or a currency chest on December 31, 2016 itself: RBI

SBNs (Specified bank notes) cannot form part of banks cash balances from the close of business as on December 31, 2016: RBI

Specified bank notes (SBNs) cannot form part of banks' cash balances from the close of business as on 31 December, 2016 to deposit the same in any Issue Office of Reserve Bank or a currency chest on 31 December, 2016 itself, RBI said.

Bihar: Tattered demonetised notes of Rs 500 found by locals in Gopalganj. Police on the spot for further investigation #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/QmYMDbFRsF

As time to submit demonetised notes comes to a close today, people queue up outside Reserve Bank of India's Kolkata branch #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/Ct3HHxhoMP

Delhi: Today being the last day to submit demonetised notes, people seen queuing up outside RBI #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/LjhkeRdacC

As time to submit demonetised notes comes to a close today, people queue up outside RBI offices across India

Fearing a jump in footfalls to deposit or withdraw cash following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes, banks will remain open this Saturday and Sunday and its staff will do overtime till 9 pm for the next three days to clear the rush.

Banks also announced a slew of measures, including extension of banking hours, doing away with ATM charges and expanding credit limits to handle the expected huge rush to tender now defunct Rs 500 and 1000 notes.

Bankers have also been advised not to take additional leaves for the next one month, during which the government has asked holders of over 22 billion currency notes that are no longer legal tender, to deposit them in bank accounts.

For public convenience, banks will remain open on coming Saturday and Sunday, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted.

The Reserve Bank also came out with an order instructing all the banks to be open for business on the coming weekend, including Sunday. RBI also said ATMs will remain shut tomorrow as well.

The nation's largest lender State Bank of India was among the first to announce an extension in banking hours, till 6 pm tomorrow and also said each of its branches will be having a dedicated 'exchange counter' to change the currency notes.

ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar said the bank's branches will be open till 8 pm on Thursday and Friday. The bank also introduced a slew of relaxations on the electronic payments or withdrawals front.

All charges pertaining to cash deposit into one's accounts will be waived till 30 November and the fees for

transacting at ATMs will also be scrapped till 31 December, ICICI Bank said in a statement.

It has also doubled the daily usage limit of debit cards for use at merchant ends as well as online transactions.

Axis Bank has also waived cash handling charges, and done away with the five free transactions a month limit on its own ATMs and extended banking hours, its president Rajiv Anand told PTI.

While making the announcement to discontinue Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes yesterday, the government had also announced closure of bank branches and ATMs today. It also announced the launch of newer notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 from 10 November.

People holding to the older notes will be very keen to do away with them and also get the newer series banknotes of higher denomination when the bank branches reopen tomorrow. ICICI Bank said it is ensuring that Rs 2000 and the existing notes of Rs 100 notes are available at its 'main branches' from tomorrow.

It also announced an expansion of up to 20 per cent in the credit limits for 'worthy' customers using its credit cards.

Anand said there is no need for the customers to panic and appealed them to defer their visits to branches, pointing out that there is a 50-day limit to change the older notes.

Anand said the bank also expects a significant jump in alternate channels like the newly introduced UPI, points of sale terminals and mobile and online banking because of the RBI moves.

Kotak Mahindra Bank joint managing director Dipak Gupta said apart from the cultural change in adopting digital faster, we should also see a surge in activation of new bank accounts.

In the biggest-ever move to curb black money, and crime funding Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last night announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes would become illegal tenders from last midnight and massively curbed cash withdrawals through ATMs and from bank counters.

"In order to meet the anticipated heavy demand from members of the public to conduct their banking transactions, it has been decided that banks shall remain open for public transactions on Saturday, 12 November, and Sunday, 13 November, 2016," RBI said in a statement.

Banks are advised to keep all their branches open on 12 and 13 November, 2016, as regular working days for

transacting all business, it said.

RBI also asked banks to give due publicity to the availability of banking services on these days.

As per the normal schedule, the coming Saturday being the second would have been an holiday, but keeping in view the expected rush at the branches, it was decided otherwise. It is, however, not clear whether post offices would be open or not on the weekend. There are about 1.25 lakh post offices across the country.

At the same time, the government and RBI are yet to take a call on keeping banks open on Monday, 14 November, which is a holiday.

There are about 149 scheduled commercial banks, including 56 regional rural banks, with branch network of about 1.30 lakh across the country. Besides, the cooperative banks have also been asked to take deposit and exchange the old with the new one.

The first demonetisation happened under the British rule in 1946 and the first one after the Independence on 16-17 January, 1978 when the Morarji Desai government demonetised bank notes of Rs 1000, 5000 and 10,000 notes.

The news triggered panic and people started queueing up at all ATMs or CDMs to either withdraw money or deposit Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The banned Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes account for over 86 per cent of the total Rs 16.42 lakh crore value of bank notes in circulation as of 31 March, 2016, according to Reserve Bank's latest annual report.

For convenience of customers, Financial Services Secretary Anjuly Chib Duggal said banks will be working extra hours.

Meanwhile, SBI said all branches will remain open tomorrow with extended business hours up to 6 pm.

Kochhar said branch timings will be extended by two hours on 10-11 November and branches at prominent locations will remain open from 8 am to 8 pm.

Many other banks like HSBC and PNB has also announced extension of working hours.
Speaking at the valedictory of the year-long centenary celebrations of the KLE Society in Belgaum on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the point that he made in his Panaji speech. He said that the country needs healing and his operation is meant to rid the country of black money hoarders.

"The government won't spare the guilty. The entire nation is filled with the corrupt, and I'm giving small doses of medicine to heal this," Modi said.

#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi reacts to questions raised by Congress over scrapping of Rs 500/1000 notes, in Belgaum (Karnataka) pic.twitter.com/d5fOKeVvPD  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

Referring to the honest working class people, Modi said: "You have the right claim over your hard-earned money. Till 30 December you will receive your hard-earned money. The honest citizens of the nations need not worry about the ban."

Seeking the blessings of the crowd, he asked the people to stand and raise their hands in his support. He said, "There is 'pain' here, but what is more important is the 'gain' for the country. I need to successfully carry out this cleanliness drive."

"The strike against corrupt won't end even after 30 December," Modi added.

Earlier in the day, Modi spoke at a Goa government function near Panaji, where he said his drive against corruption and black money, especially the demonetisation, had put him in the crosshairs of those involved the illegal trade.

Modi also said that the demonetisation drive was not the end of his campaign against corruption and black money and that he was working on other projects to stop the malaise.

"I know what kind of powers I have taken on. I know the kind of people who will be against me now. I am looting what they had accumulated over 70 years," Modi said in his speech at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium in Bambolim village near Panaji.

"They will not leave me alive. They will destroy me. Let them do what they want. (For) 50 days, help me. The country should just help me for 50 days," Modi added.

"This is not the end. This is not a full stop. I am openly saying, this is not a full stop.

"There are other projects in my mind to stop dishonesty and corruption in the country. These projects are coming.

"I am doing this for the poor, honest people for those who are working hard to survive. So that they can get their own home, their children get good education and so that their parents get care," Modi added in his hour-long speech.

At one time, he halted for a few seconds to check his emotions while saying he had sacrified his home and family for the sake of the country.

The Prime Minister, addressing his first public function in the country after the dramatic demonetisation announcement of 8 November, said his decision, which was a "secret operation" for nearly 10 months, was a part of a series of "doses" he was administering to cure the economic system.

Modi said people should not have been surprised with the demonetisation decision as he has been vocal and frank about his campaign against black money and corruption in the run up to the 2014 polls.

"Did you not ask me to work against black money? If you had asked me to do it, should I have done it or not? You tell me, if you had asked me, then you would have imagined that there would be some inconvenience," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said his government's intent to weed out both was made clear with the first decision of his cabinet, which was to form a committee to keep track of black money and devise ways and means to bring it back to the country's treasury.

With inputs from IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a bad analogy comparing the cash drought prevailing in India now after the midnight ban of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to the chaos prevailed in Japan in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake. "People stood in line for four hours, six hours but accepted the decision in national interest the way people of Japan tackled the aftermath of the 2011 disaster," Modi said speaking to an Indian gathering at Kobe, Japan.

The chaos that follows a natural disaster and the willpower of a society to withstand the difficult days is one thing while the chaos and disruption of normal life in a society post a well-thought-out decision planned months in advance by the government is another. The fact is that the Modi government has miserably failed to design the implementation in the days after the demonitisation announcement, though no one is questioning the intention of the very exercise. Every honest citizen wants his country to be free of the evil of fake currencies and black money. But while doing so, the government should have foreseen what is going to happen in the hours and days after the announcement.

Obviously, the mob psychology works in full swing on such occasions. And that psychology would drive the common man into a panic mode, telling him to run fast to the nearest bank branches and ATMs to withdraw maximum possible amount permissible (as of now Rs 2,000 per day), even if he doesnt need that amount. He would need to pay to the vegetable vendor, milkman, cablewallah, newspaperwallah, and cabby, a majority of whom still live in the cash economy, for whom PoS terminals, plastic money, PayTm are all still fancy words. While in metros like Mumbai and Delhi, people still have the possibility to use plastic money to meet most of the daily needs, in the semi-urban areas and villages, life will turn hell when ATMs dry out of money in few hours, daily labourers are denied wages because their employer doesn't have cash and kirana wallah frowns when asks for credit yet another day.

Modi should remember that the people standing in long queues certainly dont have the mindset of a soldier fighting a national cause but only have curse words for the government for turning their lives into a nightmare

Modi must have acknowledged this state of affairs, the failure of the government on execution front and promised to resolve the issue as early as possible. Instead, he warned about further measures post 30 December, when the deadline to exchange old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 currency notes expire. This will only add to the panic since people would start speculating that what the next blow is going to be. Already, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has hinted that it might take at least three weeks before normalcy sets in. Three weeks is a long time for the cash shortage to continue. By then, the problem can go totally out of hand for the government.

Where did the government go wrong?

In the months prior to announcing the currency ban, the government should have taken the following steps:

One, the government should have printed sufficient number of lower denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in the government mints, instead of pushing the fancy not-so-useful Rs 2,000 notes into the market. The Rs 2,000 note is a hard nut for the public and not more than a showcase item, for now. You can boast of having one, but if you walk into the town with this, there wont be too many takers since there is very little cash in the system to offer change. The guy who gave the wonderful idea to the government of introducing the Rs 2,000 notes first against the ban of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes should be sacked.

The fact is that even though the government claims it has been planning the move for last six months, the new Rs 2,000 notes have been printed only in the last two months  the precise reason why these notes carry new RBI governor, Urjit Patels signature

Secondly, it should have equipped the ATM network to deliver the new currency notes. As of now, ATMs arent equipped to deliver anything other than the Rs 100 notes. To equip the machine to accommodate the new series of notes will take a long time  a process which will further delay the functioning of ATMs. Already there are bigger queues than one typically sees in front of beverage shops. How on earth government plans to rewire the ATM network within such a short time? The government should have asked the banks to rework the machines well in advance while keeping the secrecy of the move.

Third, the government should have thought of mechanisms to make the process seamless by providing additional facilities for note withdrawal, other than ATMs and bank branches. It could have set up currency kiosks adjacent to bank branches for, say initial 10 days, rather than directing the entire crowd to the ATMs and bank branches.

To sum up, the Modi-government absolutely failed to think ahead. It, perhaps, thought of an ideal situation where people of all stature laud the government for the government and put their personal miseries behind the larger cause of patriotism. But, the golden rule of  dont preach the scriptures to someone who is hungry  was forgotten.

Presently, the situation is not in control of the government. The long queues before ATMs and bank branches can soon take the shape of street protests against the government. Opposition parties can soon taste blood and jump into the streets too. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has already entered the ring, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has already joined the ATM queues. It is not long before regional satraps smell an opportunity. The good intention behind the currency ban and the long-term benefits it will bring to the economy will then be forgotten and Modi will run the risk a strong the anti-incumbency wave, if the cash drought continues and remedial measures are not brought into place. Better watch out for a bigger storm than the 2011 Japan earthquake Narendra Modi.
iStock/Thinkstock(LONDON) -- Lego announced Saturday it will no longer run toy giveaways with the Daily Mail after a parent complained about the British tabloids unashamed discrimination.



Bob Jones in London wrote on the Danish toy company's Facebook wall last week expressing concerns about Legos links to the Daily Mail due to the newspaper's headlines, which he said create distrust of foreigners, blame immigrants for everything, and as of yesterday are now having a go at top judges in the U.K. for being gay while making a legal judgment.



Jones said he had often purchased copies of the Daily Mail just to get the free Lego giveaways for his 6-year-old son, who loves playing with the toy building bricks. But due to headlines and stories that he said have gone beyond offering a right-wing opinion, Jones said he could no longer buy the conservative paper.



It genuinely bothers me that a great progressive company like yours supports this news paper, helping increase its circulation, Jones wrote in the Nov. 4 post, which was shared thousands of times. Your links to the Daily Mail are wrong. And a company like yours shouldn't be supporting them.



By Saturday, Lego responded to Jones post saying, Our agreement with The Daily Mail has finished and we have no plans to run any promotional activity with the newspaper in the foreseeable future.



In addition to confirming the companys response, Lego spokeswoman Kathrine Bisgaard Vase told ABC News: We spend a lot of time listening to what children have to say. And when parents and grandparents take the time to let us know how they feel, we always listen just as carefully.



When asked for comment for this story, a spokesperson for the Daily Mail told ABC News: Our agreement with Lego has finished and we have no plans around any promotional activity with Lego in the foreseeable future.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
On paper, it is only a line on a map.

But as the precinct results from Tuesdays presidential election demonstrate, the Flagstaff municipal boundary is the dividing line for two different political worlds.

Inside the boundary, it is a solid Democratic front  25 out of 26 precincts for Hillary Clinton and one tie. Flagstaff went 2-for-1 for Clinton over Donald Trump.

But beyond the line and outside the traditionally Democratic Navajo Nation, its a Trump world. Doney Park, Timberline-Fernwood, Winona, Mormon Lake, Sunset Crater, Parks, Bellemont, Pinewood, Williams, Page, Forest Lakes, Blue Ridge, Fredonia, Tusayan  all solidly in the Trump camp. The only non-Navajo exceptions were Kachina Village, Fort Valley and uptown Sedona  and the NPS workers in Grand Canyon also went for Clinton.

The prevailing narrative on the Trump victory in the Rust Belt is that he tapped economic grievances over outsourced jobs that have broken families while using immigrants and Muslims as whipping boys. Throw in worries over urban crime and health care costs, and Trump cobbled together just enough populist and nativist votes to put him narrowly over the top in five key states in the East and Midwest.

But whats the story in Coconino County? We know that Flagstaff, a college town, will remain blue as long as NAU attracts a progressive faculty along with idealistic students who stay on as young voters. And on paper, the economy has been recovering well beyond Flagstaff as seen by rising housing prices in Williams and Page and a county jobless rate that is down 4 percentage points since the recession.

But rural Arizona, which is what most of non-Flagstaff Coconino County really is, doesnt see jobs in the woods or the mines ever coming back, and now the coal plants are on the ropes. The feds are putting more and more public lands into protected monuments, and the cost to attend even a state university is getting out of hand. Those might not be the kind of desperate circumstances dogging places like opioid-addled Youngstown, Ohio, but they are serious enough to convince rural residents to overlook Trumps considerable personal faults  especially if they consider Clintons character equally lacking.

Another indicator of just how different the world looks inside and outside Flagstaff was the vote on the CCC tax increase. City voters endorsed it by 3,000 votes, but it failed outside the city by nearly 6,000 votes. The tax hike was fairly small, but it received nearly as many No votes as there were Yes votes outside Flagstaff for Prop. 206, which hiked the minimum wage to $12. In other words, dont discount pocketbook concerns in rural areas where incomes are much lower than in the cities.

And lest the pundits think Trump voters are willing to let character slide just to stick it to the Establishment, the CD 1 race was a corrective. Republican Paul Babeu came in with serious doubts about his time as a headmaster at a private school with reports of student abuse, and non-Flagstaff voters gave him the lowest total of any candidate on the ballot. They also werent particularly enthused about legalizing recreational marijuana, opposing it while Flagstaff voters were overwhelmingly for it.

So the urban/rural political split is real in Coconino County, although the non-Flagstaff vote is split again between the Navajo Nation and everywhere else. Take out the Rez, and it is indeed a tale of two counties politically. Trump might not be the lifeline here that other supporters around the country are counting on, but he clearly speaks to majority discontent in the rural parts of the county with the policies represented by Hillary Clinton. Wed hope Flagstaff voters recognize what a different world they inhabit and reach outside their comfort zone  its not that far beyond the city line.
Chennai: In her first direct communication since being hospitalised in September, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said she has taken rebirth because of people's prayers and urged them to vote for the AIADMK in the 19 November polls.

"I have taken rebirth because of your prayers and worship. I would like to share this happy news with you in the first place," she said in a statement released by AIADMK here. Stating that she does not have any grievances in view of people's "great love" for her, she said, "by God's grace, very soon, by recovering fully, I am waiting to resume work." Exhorting party workers, she asked them to work in full swing for the victory of AIADMK in the 19 November polls for Aravakkurichi, Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope Assembly segment in Puducherry. Though she could not directly meet cadres and functionaries working in these constituencies and the general public, "my heart and thoughts are with you always," she told them. Without elaborating much, she asked party workers to "understand the nature of this statement and work with a sense of duty for making MGR's winning symbol two leaves bag a huge victory."

She said cadres should work for the victory of AIADMK nominees by a huge margin of votes. "Work with vigour and a passion for the goal, which is AIADMK's victory. Jayalalithaa said the cadres should consider the party's victory as a victory for each one of them. Quoting a lyric from an MGR era song, she said "AIADMK's victory should resound in all the directions. I am eagerly waiting for news of such victory."

To voters, she recalled the slew of welfare schemes being implemented by her regime and urged them to "give your love and support to AIADMK in the present polls as well, remembering such innumerable schemes to enhance the people's standard of living."

The Chief Minister, who has been in hospital since September 22, said she has been slogging for the growth of the people of Tamil Nadu and her party from day one of her public life on the advice of her mentor and AIADMK founder chief M G Ramachandran.

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others. Specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and from London, among others, have treated her during the period.
Warning of an impending anarchy, Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw his decision to ban the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Saying the 8 November demonetisation had caused immense hardships to people across the country, the AAP leader asked Modi to shed "arrogance" and withdraw the scheme that has led to a severe cash crunch.

There is still time, take back this decision before the law and order situation further deteriorates: Delhi CM on #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/Chu01767XO  ANI (@ANI_news) November 13, 2016

He said, "If he (PM Modi) is really serious about the issue, then he must take strict action against his corporate friends."

He also called for an apology from the PM for the language he used in his Panaji speech on Sunday. He said, "Also, I felt sad hearing the kind of language PM used against people who stood in queues; he has mocked the people and must apologise."

"We demand that the Govt must take this issue seriously and must come with a solution to deal with the law and order situation," he said.

On Sunday, PM Modi addressed a crowd in Panaji, Goa and called for support from people over his actions to take down black money hoarders.

He warned the black money hoarders that they should be wary of future action.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Welcoming India's decision to withdraw high-value banknotes as part of its fight to root out black money, the European Union has said ridding the financial system of "black component" and bringing transparency will strengthen Indian economy and spur growth.

Calling India one of the most attractive investment destinations globally, Vice-President of European Commission Jyrki Katainen also complimented the government for its resolve to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) soon,

besides many other reform measures.

On a visit here to push for resumption of stalled negotiations on EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), he said fight against tax dodgers and those having ill-gotten wealth will pay dividends and strengthen the financial system.

"All the measures which will reduce black economy are always good for people and the financial system," he told PTI on government's decision to withdraw Rs 500 and 1,000 notes.

Referring to GST, he said it is a "very ambitious" and "very necessary" move to reform the tax structure in India that will further boost confidence of investors in India.

The top EU official said investors from European countries are bringing "white clean money" to India and there was a need to resume the talks on BTIA, popularly known as free trade agreement.

EU is one of India's leading trade partner and the two-way commerce in goods between India and the EU was USD 98.5 billion in 2014-15.

Katainen said flow of European investments into India is set to increase manifold if both sides were able to finalise the BTIA as it will protect the investments.

"EU investors are bringing white clean money into India and that is why the trade deal is very important as it will protect their investments," he said.

Katainen said India's existing trade and investment agreement with The Netherlands will come to an end in two weeks while similar pacts with several other EU countries will expire in coming months which will make it difficult for the European corporates to go for fresh investment in India.

He said without such pacts, the cost of capital for India will go up significantly.

As per European Union law, no member country now can go for bilateral trade and investment pact with India as the grouping is in negotiations for a EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). By end of 2017, India's trade and investment pact with 23 countries is likely to expire.

Exuding confidence that both sides will be able to finalise the BTIA, he said India was a very attractive destination for European Union and that this year can be seen as a year of "restart and deepening" of bilateral ties.

The BTIA talks have been stalled since May, 2013, when both sides failed to bridge substantial gaps on crucial issues, including data security status for IT sector.

Launched in June 2007, negotiations for the proposed agreement have witnessed many hurdles as both the sides have major differences on crucial issues.

In the EU-India Summit in Brussels, the two sides had failed to make any announcement on resumption of the negotiations as many bottlenecks still remain.

The two sides are yet to iron out issues related to tariff and movement of professionals but the EU has shown an inclination to restart talks.

Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, the EU wants tax reduction in wines, spirits and dairy products, and a strong intellectual property regime.

On the other hand, India is asking for granting 'data secure nation' status to it by the EU. The country is among nations not considered data secure by the EU.
GWADAR, Pakistan Pakistan's prime minister and army chief welcomed on Sunday the first large shipment of Chinese goods through the renovated port of Gwadar, part of a trade link between western China and the Arabian Sea.The deep-water port in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan is key to the $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that also encompasses roads and energy projects."Pakistan is located at the intersection of three engines of growth in Asia - South Asia, China and Central Asia," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at a ceremony on Sunday."CPEC will help in integrating these regions into an economic zone offering great opportunities for people of the region as well as investors from all over the world."Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif also attended Sunday's ceremony at the port, which is expected mostly to see imports of building materials in the next year before eventually becoming a gateway for goods from western China's Xinjiang province.

The port ceremony came a day after a bomb in another part of Baluchistan killed at least 52 people at a Muslim shrine in an attack claimed by Islamic State. Baluchistan is home to an ethnic nationalist insurgency as well as operations by sectarian militants including Lashkar-e-Jangvi, which has previously said it partners with Islamic State's Middle East-based leadership.

Pakistan has raised a dedicated security force to protect CPEC projects. The prime minister on Sunday vowed that attacks would not derail any of the work, while expressing condolences to victims of the shrine attack."Our hearts are saddened and thoughts are with the innocent victims' families," he said.

"But at the same time, "I want to re-emphasize that such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve to eliminate the menace of extremism and terrorism from our country in all forms." (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
TFE Hotels has opened two new Adina Apartment Hotels in Germany as part of its expansion plans in Europe  one in the medieval city of Nuremberg and one in the major financial hub of Frankfurt.

The new hotels add to TFE Hotels' portfolio of five hotels in Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt and will be joined in 2017 by new hotels in Leipzig and a second in Hamburg.

TFE Hotels CEO, Rachel Argaman, said the additional 920 apartments in Germany would more than double Adina's current 673-strong room portfolio by 2019.

"The opening is part of our exciting expansion plans in Germany, where we continue to go from strength to strength as a premium provider in the growing apartment hotels segment and the only Australian group to operate hotels in Germany," she said.

"The Frankfurt and Nuremberg hotels signal the beginning of another growth phase to what was a portfolio of seven and is now nine European hotels."

The new Frankfurt hotel is the second Adina Apartment Hotel in the city. It is close to the fairground area and new Skyline Plaza shopping mall in the famous Europe district (Europaviertel) as well as Frankfurt's Main Station and the city's first Adina Apartment Hotel, the Neue Oper. It caters to corporate and holiday markets with 181 studios and apartments spanning 11 storeys, some with spectacular views across the glittering lights of Frankfurt's high rise bank towers. There is a bar, restaurant and a fitness area on the 10th floor. The property is next to the newly opened Kap-Europa conference centre and will have two conference rooms for small meetings on the ground floor.

The new Nuremberg hotel is located in one of Europe's most charming medieval cities, famous for its spectacular Christmas markets, the Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg. It is in a redeveloped building and comprises 137 apartments in the old town, only 750 metres from the main market square and next to the German National Museum. It features three stunning conference rooms spanning 200 square metres and an outdoor terrace with spectacular views over the city. It is in particular designed to support the city's thriving business centre and is perfectly located for tourists visiting Germany's most famous Christmas market.

Typical to all Adina Apartment Hotels, the new properties combine contemporary design with a home-style atmosphere, generous spaces and hotel services such as room service, fitness centre, pool, spa and dining areas. There is a selection studios of 30 sqm to two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments with separate living areas, fully-equipped kitchens and its own washer and dryer.

UPCOMING HOTELS

Adina Apartment Hotel Leipzig (2017)

The new hotel in the historic city centre and beside the medieval market square will be one of only two high-rise buildings in the charming old town. Next to the Museum of Modern Art and the recently opened Bruehl Arcaden shopping mall, the redeveloped office building turned hotel will cater to strong corporate demand afforded by Leipzig, one of Germany's boom towns and a major logistics hub. The hotel will have 166 apartments, a 280 square metre pool and fitness area and 3 conference rooms.

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Heights (2017)

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Heights will have 202 apartments in the inner city area of Germany's second largest city, between the famous historic warehouse district 'Speicherstadt' and the main shopping district. The apartments will comprise studios, premier studios, one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments.

About TFE Hotels

TFE Hotels (TOGA Far East Hotels) is Australias International Hotel Group - headquartered in Sydney and operating

in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Singapore and opening in Switzerland in 2023. TFE has a portfolio of seven hotel brands - A by Adina, Adina Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Quincy Hotels, Travelodge Hotels, Rendezvous Hotels and Collection by TFE Hotels which includes The Calile Hotel, The Hotel Britomart, Hotel Kurrajong and The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins, with more in the development pipeline.
craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today plans to expand its Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency brands in Pakistan with the signing of management agreements by a Hyatt affiliate for four Hyatt-branded hotels: Grand Hyatt Islamabad, Hyatt Regency Karachi, Hyatt Regency Lahore, and Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi. Bahria Town, one of the largest private developers in Asia, will own the four Hyatt-branded hotels

"We look forward to collaborating with the Bahria team to open the first Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels in Pakistan," said Peter Norman, senior vice president, acquisitions and development  Europe, Africa, and Middle East (EAME) and Southwest Asia for Hyatt. "Following last year's announcement for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), we are optimistic about the growth of Hyatt's brands in Pakistan. The opening of these hotels will serve as a testament to the global appeal of the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency brands as they continue to expand worldwide and offer more choices to our guests."

With the announcement a Grand Hyatt and three Hyatt Regency hotels in Pakistan, Hyatt is taking another step in growing its brand footprint in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. The EAME/Southwest Asia region is a significant growth opportunity for Hyatt as the segment accounts for approximately 25 percent of the company's executed contract rooms base. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 60 Hyatt-branded hotels under development in EAME/Southwest Asia.

Grand Hyatt Islamabad will be meticulously designed to exemplify the Grand Hyatt brand's signature level of grandeur with an abundance of options for creating spectacular experiences. Expected to open in 2023, the hotel will offer 400 guestrooms, seven food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms, seven meeting rooms, a spa, fitness facilities, private club, and kids club. Additionally, the hotel will be the first internationally-branded golf resort in Pakistan and will have a state-of-the-art golf club house. The hotel and golf club will be easily accessible from the Murree-Islamabad Expressway, which connects directly to Islamabad's city center and diplomatic area 30 minutes away.

will be meticulously designed to exemplify the Grand Hyatt brand's signature level of grandeur with an abundance of options for creating spectacular experiences. Expected to open in 2023, the hotel will offer 400 guestrooms, seven food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms, seven meeting rooms, a spa, fitness facilities, private club, and kids club. Additionally, the hotel will be the first internationally-branded golf resort in Pakistan and will have a state-of-the-art golf club house. The hotel and golf club will be easily accessible from the Murree-Islamabad Expressway, which connects directly to Islamabad's city center and diplomatic area 30 minutes away. Hyatt Regency Karachi will offer a range of amenities, as well as spaces that will make the hotel a go-to gathering place for any occasion. The hotel will feature approximately 200 guestrooms, a lobby lounge, three-meal restaurant, and more than 17,000 square feet (1,600 square meters) of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel is expected to open in 2023.

will offer a range of amenities, as well as spaces that will make the hotel a go-to gathering place for any occasion. The hotel will feature approximately 200 guestrooms, a lobby lounge, three-meal restaurant, and more than 17,000 square feet (1,600 square meters) of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel is expected to open in 2023. Hyatt Regency Lahore will deliver on the modern expectations of today's travelers and meeting planners. The hotel will feature authentic food and beverage offerings that will build off the Hyatt Regency brand's history of culinary excellence. The hotel will serve as the perfect venue for a variety of events such as weddings, social banquets, exhibitions, meetings, and conferences. Additionally, the hotel will feature a private club offering food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and banquet facilities, among other amenities. The hotel is expected to open in 2021.

will deliver on the modern expectations of today's travelers and meeting planners. The hotel will feature authentic food and beverage offerings that will build off the Hyatt Regency brand's history of culinary excellence. The hotel will serve as the perfect venue for a variety of events such as weddings, social banquets, exhibitions, meetings, and conferences. Additionally, the hotel will feature a private club offering food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and banquet facilities, among other amenities. The hotel is expected to open in 2021. Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi will be designed to connect today's travelers to who and what matters most to them. The 165-room hotel will offer multiple food and beverage outlets and more than 11,000 square feet (1,100 square meters) of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel is expected to open in 2022.

"We are honored to work with Hyatt and to bring the first Hyatt-branded hotels to Pakistan," said Ahmed Ali Riaz Malik, CEO of Bahria Town. "Pakistan offers a wealth of opportunity for hotel operators and Grand Hyatt Islamabad, Hyatt Regency Karachi, Hyatt Regency Lahore, and Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi will be excellent additions to our company's real estate projects within the country and wider region.

The combination of the hotels' locations, style and service will be attractive to both business and leisure travelers. We continue to invest in Pakistan as we are confident in the growth of the country and wider region. We look forward to working with Hyatt to further deliver on our ambitious development plans."

For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose  to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2022, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,150 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 71 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Alila, Andaz, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club brands, as well as resort and hotel brands under the AMR Collection, including Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
In Nepal, health warnings cover 90 percent of cigarette packs, while Australia requires those packets be wrapped in drab, plain paper. Indonesias new ban on outdoor advertising brought down tobacco billboards depicting smiling, smoking youths. And India wants scary photos of rotting lungs and mouth tumors covering packets sold in the country.

Still, national drives to discourage smoking and cut back tobacco sales havent done enough, campaigners say. Smoking-related deaths are still rising worldwide, with 80 percent of them expected to occur in developing country populations by 2030.

Most people in the United States think tobacco is over and done with, but its still the largest preventable cause of disease on the planet killing 6 million people a year  or one person every six seconds, said John Stewart, deputy campaigns director at the Boston-based lobbying group Corporate Accountability International.

Starting Monday, representatives from at least 178 countries are meeting for five days in the Indian capital to discuss how they can further the fight against smoking and push back against tobacco company lobbyists.

Since they set down stiff regulations and guidelines in a landmark 2003 treaty called the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control  the first and only global treaty dealing with public health  most of the 180 signatories have ratified it and passed laws restricting tobacco advertising or sales.

Still, many governments remain entangled with powerful tobacco companies, while industry lobbyists continue attempts to stymie efforts to implement anti-smoking laws through bribery, misinformation and even suing national governments for lost profits, campaigners say.

The tobacco industry is definitely feeling the heat, Stewart said. Theyve got their back against the wall.

Indian courts are currently grappling with 62 lawsuits filed by tobacco companies or cigarette makers challenging laws requiring that 85 percent of all cigarette packets be covered with photos of medical horrors.

In Japan, a 10-percent hike in taxes on cigarettes has led to a 30-percent decline in smoking. But the country still has some of the lowest tax rates on cigarettes among industrialized nations, while its finance ministry owns 33 percent in Japan Tobacco.

The anti-tobacco campaign has had some success. It is widely accepted, at least among national leaders, that smoking causes cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, along with a host of other harmful health impacts.

That awareness still has not trickled down to national populations, though. And campaigners say tobacco interests have shifted their focus to poorer, less educated populations in the developing world.

India  among the first to ratify the anti-tobacco treaty in 2004  is still considered one of the biggest battlegrounds in the fight against the tobacco industry, public health specialists say.

Despite harsh laws passed more than a decade ago banning smoking in public and sales to children, smoking is still common across the country. A government survey in 2010 showed nearly 35 percent of adults were either smoking or chewing tobacco.

Meanwhile, more than 1 million Indians die each year from tobacco-related diseases that cost the country some $16 billion annually, according to the World Health Organization.

The revenues that the government earns from tobacco taxes are far less than the billions that are spent on health care, said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay of the Voluntary Health Association of India, a public health organization.

Public health and the health of the tobacco industry cannot go hand in hand, she said, noting that campaigners are now pushing for countries to make tobacco companies and their shareholders civilly and criminally liable for the harm done by tobacco.

Part of the trouble in India is the Indian consumer is spoilt for choice, she said, with cigarettes sold alongside chewing tobacco and cheap, hand-rolled smokes known as bidis.

The easy availability and wide choice means many smokers get hooked at a young age. Some are initiated early through the common, cultural practice of chewing something called gutka, which combines tobacco with spices, lime and betel nut and is widely sold as a mouth freshener.

Putting pictorial warnings on cigarette packets is an attempt to educate people about the risks.

The idea was that even an illiterate person, or a child, would understand the message about the health risks from smoking, said Monika Arora of the Public Health Foundation of India, who runs an anti-smoking campaign aimed at young Indians. Nirmala George, New Delhi, AP

Hollywood studios beat lawsuit over PG and PG-13 films featuring smoking

The Motion Picture Association of America and the National Association of Theatre Owners have come out victorious in a lawsuit that insisted that tobacco imagery in films rated G, PG or PG-13 causes 200,000 children every year to become cigarette smokers and 64,000 people to die as a result. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg dismissed an attempt led by a California father of two children to hold major film studios and theater owners legally responsible.

The legal action from Timothy Forsyth on behalf of himself and others similarly situated claimed that the industrys film-ratings practices amounted to negligence, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty,advertising, unfair competition and nuisance.

In response, Hollywood raised a First Amendment defense, arguing that ratings merely reflect opinions about whats suitable for children and compelling them to give R ratings to anything found socially unacceptable could apply to films depicting activity like alcohol use, gambling, contact sports, high-speed driving and so forth.

In an order striking the complaint under Californias anti-SLAPP statute, Seeborg first takes up the question of whether the claims arise from acts in furtherance of free speech in connection with a public issue. The judge tackles Forsyths argument that the rating system represents pure commercial speech and that the only speech at issue are the certification trademarks of G, PG, PG-13 and R issued by the Classification and Ratings Board (CARA).

The flaw in Forsyths reasoning, however, is that while some certification trademarks undoubtedly are merely representations of the characteristics of products and therefore arguably only commercial speech outside the purview of anti-SLAPP and entitled to only limited First Amendment protections, CARAs marks serve a different purpose and arise in a different context, Seeborg writes. Indeed, the certification statements filed with the [Patent & Trademark Office] when each of the marks was registered plainly explain that CARA is merely certifying that in its opinion the particular film warrants a particular level of parental caution. Furthermore, the underlying product  films  are not mere commercial products, but are expressive works implicating anti-SLAPP concerns and plainly entitled to full First Amendment protection. Bloomberg
TWIN FALLS  While Amalgamated Sugar Co.'s processing plants are dedicated primarily to extracting sugar from the beet crop, the company also creates byproducts to be sold as livestock feed. About 10 percent of the company's receipts come from byproducts.

Beet tops

Leafy tops are whipped off mature sugar beet plants in the field before roots are dug. After harvest, the tops are turned under to add organic matter to the soil; sometimes growers instead turn cattle into the field after harvest to feed on the leaves.

Pressed pulp

The average root of a sugar beet plant contains about 17 percent sugar. The rest of the root is water and pulp, which is left after the bulk of the sugar is extracted at the factory. The wet pulp is pressed to extract whatever sugar is left and to remove excess water. The remaining byproduct, called pressed pulp, is sold to livestock producers and dairymen as a source of digestible fiber and nutrients. Amalgamated Sugar produces about 450,000 tons of pressed pulp each year.

Like any moist fodder, pressed pulp can mold, so it must be fed quickly or preserved. In some countries, pressed pulp is stored in a pit or silo and fermented, preserving it for fodder.

Dried pulp

Taken one step further, pressed pulp can be squeezed a second time, then dried to about 10 percent moisture content. Dried pulp is a more stable product but more expensive to produce. Amalgamated Sugar makes about 230,000 tons of dried pulp annually in shredded or pelletized form.

Tailings

Leafy tops and chunks of sugar beet separated at the front end of the factory are also sold as fodder. Amalgamated Sugar produces about 190,000 tons of tailings annually.

Beet molasses

Sugar crystals are extracted from a "liquor" in the refining process, leaving a thick syrup called beet molasses. Molasses contains amino acids and minerals, making it ideal for dairy cattle. The sugar company produces about 35,000 tons of molasses each year.

Concentrated separator byproduct

CSB is a secondary molasses product after even more sugar is removed. Amalgamated Sugar annually produces about 110,000 tons of CSB as a supplement to mix with dry animal feed such as oats.

Betaine

The sugar company also recovers betaine (trimethylglycine) from beet molasses using proprietary methods. Betaine, used as a feed supplement for poultry, swine and fish, is available in liquid or crystalline form and is sold domestically and internationally. Amalgamated Sugar produces about 10,000 tons of liquid betaine and 5,000 tons of crystalline betaine annually.
TWIN FALLS  Not all sugar beet crops are created equal.

Some growers sugar beets have a higher sugar content than others. Some crops come in with a lot of dirt; others come in clean. Some have more impurities  unmetabolized nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and zinc  than others, and removing dirt and impurities increases production costs.

With so many variables at play, how does Amalgamated Sugar Co. place a value on various sugar beet crops as they are delivered to the companys three factories?

There was always a dispute between sugar companies and growers, said Duane Grant, chairman of Snake River Sugar Co., the grower-owned cooperative that owns Amalgamated and the White Satin Sugar brand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stepped in and created a sophisticated formula that accurately calculates the amount of sugar per ton of beets and varying sugar content.

Amalgamated Sugar negotiated with growers an altered formula to account for specific elements of the Idaho crop. Growers are paid not by sugar content of the beets, but by the amount of sugar actually extracted from their beets, minus the costs of operating Amalgamateds three factories.

To estimate the value of the crop, Amalgamated looks at various factors in the samples pulled from each truckload of beets it receives. As soon as sugar is processed and stored and sale contracts begin, Amalgamated takes out loans against the value of the crop. It then advances 50 percent of the expected value of beets to growers within 60 days of the end of harvest, based on what the market is expected to bring that year.

The entire cycle from sowing the seed to processing the sugar to the final payment takes about 19 months. Payments are staggered so growers receive five or six payments starting in October or November, with a final payment the following October.

By the end of each January, growers can expect to receive 90 percent of their yearly payment.

Growers received their last payment for the 2015 crop late last month. The average price paid to growers cooperative-wide varies year to year based on factors such as market, crop quality and quantity.

In general, growers are expected to have been paid about $45 per ton for crop-year 2015 sugar beets when the final payment is made near the end of this month, Grant wrote in October. Projected price at this early stage for the 2016 crop is in the $39.50/ton range.

Average payments per ton in the previous five crop years: 2014, $45.23; 2013, $40.02; 2012, $52; 2011, $65.44; and 2010, $57.32.
MURTAUGH  The Murtaugh sugar beet receiving station sat dark and empty in the early hours of Oct. 6.

Amalgamated Sugar Co.'s beet dump was scheduled to open at 8 a.m. so grower Ron Hepworth could bring in the first of his harvest. The crop was ready, but his scalper, or beet topper, needed unexpected repair before he could start digging beets.

No matter how well harvest is planned, adverse weather, breakdowns and other unforeseen factors can get in the way. But the harvest that brings in more than $300 million to the Idaho economy must go on.

The Times-News "Sugar Bowl" series documents a year in the sugar beet cycle, and this third installment follows Ron's family through the harvest, from the fields to the beet dump.

For the 47-year old Murtaugh farmer and hundreds of others in south-central Idaho, beet harvest is the climax after months of working the fields and watching the weather, the annual payoff for the longest growing season among southern Idaho commodities.

The harvest begins

Amalgamated Sugar Co. orchestrates the flow of beets into its Paul, Twin Falls and Nampa factories, as well as its 74 receiving stations where beets are piled and stored until the factories are ready for them. Rons were the only beets choreographed to arrive at the Murtaugh beet dump Oct. 6, and its 8 a.m. schedule was just for him.

With the scalper repaired, Ron started digging beets that morning in the last field he planted  near his house on the south side of Murtaugh Lake.

"That field hasn't been irrigated since Sept. 1," he said. "It's always good to leave one field dry in case we get weather."

Mud in the field can hamper or significantly delay harvest.

Here the harvest players know their roles well.

Ron runs the beet digger, a machine pulled behind a tractor that pops beets out of the soil and onto a conveyor that shakes dirt and debris from the crop. The conveyor lifts the beets about 11 feet high and drops them into a harvest truck strategically placed beside the digger as it runs through the field.

Ron's father, 81-year-old Ray Hepworth of Twin Falls, runs a six-row scalper removing the leaves from the beet plants just ahead of the beet digger.

"I haven't missed a year of sugar beets since I was 16," Ray said.

Ray and his wife, Juanita, raised a family of five on the family farm; Ron is their youngest. Ray retired and sold his ground in 2002 but still assists Ron during harvest.

Ray watched Ron and Rons son, Daniel, remove the outside wheels from the rear axle of the tractor that pulls the narrow scalper. Each tire rolled under its own weight, then flopped on its side with a whump.

The duals are too wide to make a sharp turn with this scalper, Ray said. "We used to use a 12-row scalper, but the digger couldnt keep up.

Had the weather cooled, Ron might have returned to the wider scalper, which saves fuel because it takes only half the passes to get through a field. But as long as daytime temperatures stayed above 50 degrees, the six-row scalper would remain behind the tractor.

"If the beets are left out in the open air too long, they will get too hot to put in the beet pile, Ray said. We dont want any spoilage in the pile."

That morning, the Hepworth crew delivered the first truckloads of the crop to the beet dump on U.S. 30, southwest of town. Nearly a thousand loads of Ron's crop would follow, plus loads from about a half-dozen other growers.

The Murtaugh beet dump, said Amalgamated Sugar fieldman Kendall Henderson, will hold 80,000 tons by the end of harvest.

A family effort

The eastern sky was bright red Oct. 20 just before the sun rose over Mount Harrison.

The morning started with the sound of shotguns hammering away at geese on Murtaugh Lake. The air was crisp, and the birds' honking carried for miles. Murtaugh hadn't seen a killing frost yet, but windshields had to be scraped for several mornings in a row.

The Hepworth crew had finished the field south of the lake and moved to a field north of U.S. 30, just a mile from the beet dump.

The weather report threatened rain  a lot of rain  and Ron was determined to get as many beets out of the ground and piled at the receiving station as he could before the fields became too greasy to work.

Rons father-in-law, Duane Turner, had just delivered a busload of students to Murtaughs school and now jumped into a harvest truck with a reporter in tow.

Ron, in the digger, waited for the scalper to open the field, but that morning the man running the scalper wasnt his father. The sunup-to-sundown hours had taken a toll on the old man, and for the first time Ray found he couldnt keep up. He was replaced by Rons hired hand Eusevio Martinez.

Eusevios son Apolinar was driving another harvest truck, and so were Daniel and Brandon Clark, the father of Rons oldest granddaughter.

Frost had settled on the sugar beet leaves, but the roots were OK to harvest, Duane said. The leaf canopy insulates the roots from the cold like a blanket.

Duane has driven a beet harvest truck for 10 years and owns 25 of the 327 beet shares his son-in-law grows for the Snake River Sugar Co. cooperative.

"I bought the shares when Ronnie was farming my ground and he was still working with his dad," said Duane, a retired route salesman for Wonder Bread.

"We paid $400 per share when the co-op started," he said. "I've seen shares go as high as $1,000."

Rain had muddied the fields a few days before, but the crew decided it was safe to dig.

"It's slow going," Duane said as he pulled alongside the digger in his harvest truck.

It took only a few minutes to fill the truck, then the heavily laden 10-wheeler drove back over the harvested rows to exit the field and onto 4550 East, dropping wet clods of soil on the pavement.

Landowner Jeff Watts, who leases land to Ron, sat on a small tractor with a scraper waiting to clear the road of mud.

At the beet dump, Duane pulled onto the scales to weigh his load, then he sat a few minutes as Amalgamated Sugar employees moved the beet piler away from one of two growing piles of beets. More growers were bringing in beets, keeping the two pilers busy.

Duane maneuvered his truck onto a ramp and raised its dump bed. Beets rolled onto the piler, and sugar factory employees took samples before the Hepworth beets were piled with other beets. Once again Duane pulled onto the scale to get his empty  or tare  weight.

The round trip through the field, to the beet dump and back again took about a half-hour. He'd make 10 trips to the beet dump that day before trading his truck for a school bus to deliver students to their homes after school.

Rons wife, Shala, pulled in next to the field and parked her van across the road. She carried their granddaughter Adelaide into the field and jumped into the tractor with Ron.

Its the only way I get to see my husband during harvest, Shala said. Ron and I do most everything together. He is truly my best friend.

A few days later, the Hepworth harvest lost another worker. Eusevio went to Mexico for his brother's funeral, so Ray returned to work the final days of harvest on the scalper.

The crew finished digging the last of 327 acres on Oct. 27. Rons crop was now mingled with other growers beets at the Murtaugh receiving station, awaiting their last trip, a 20-mile journey to the Twin Falls sugar factory. For the Hepworths, a harvest party was in order  a Thanksgiving-style gathering of everyone involved in the family's crop.

And while the Hepworths chisel plow the empty sugar beet fields to prepare them for next year's bean and barley crops, and plow the fields that will go into beets, Amalgamated's three factories are slicing through the piles of beets. It's the start of a long process that puts a tidy bag of white granules on the grocer's shelf.
Q: My question is about dealer license plates. What are the local laws involving dealer plates on vehicles. I see more and more vehicles around the Magic Valley with dealer plates attached semi-permanently to the rear plate holder. These are not magnetically attached but placed on with bolts. There are no front plates. I have even noted some local vehicles in the mountains camping and pulling trailers with dealer plates. Could you please verify the local laws for the use of dealer plates? -Denny

A: I will have to go with state law for this question as state law supersedes local laws anyway. I will say that some of things you have seen are not in compliance with what dealer plates can be used for as far as I get from Idaho Code 49-1627.

According to 49-1627 (2) these are things that a dealer plate cant be used for: On work or service vehicles not held in stock for sale; On leased or rented vehicles owned by the licensed manufacturer or dealer; On a laden vehicle designed for transportation of cargo (there is an exception to this rules though); On vehicles which have been sold; On vehicles used by the licensee for furtherance of another business; On vehicles owned by a licensed wholesaler used for personal use; On vehicles owned by a licensed wholesaler, operated by their licensed salesmen, used for personal use.

The dealer plate can be used by licensed, part-time vehicle salesmen on a vehicle that is offered for sale only to demonstrate the vehicle to a purchaser, but not for personal use. Other employees or authorized persons, not licensed as a vehicle salesman, may use a dealer plate when testing the mechanical operation of a vehicle or for the necessary operation in pursuance of the dealers business, including the delivery and pickup of vehicles owned or purchased by that manufacturer or dealer.

I didnt have enough space to present all of the times that a dealer plate can or cant be used but the main point of dealer plates is that its main use is that of being used to sell a vehicle and not just to use a vehicle in way to avoid having to register a vehicle.

It should also be noted that vehicle manufacturers and dealers shall keep a written record of the vehicles upon which dealers number plates are used for personal use on a full-time basis, and the time during which each plate is used. The record shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or any officer or employee of the department.

Officer down:

Please put these officers, killed in the line of duty, and their families in your prayers. They fought the good fight, now may they rest in peace. God bless these heroes.

Sergeant Rod Lucas, Fresno County Sheriff, California

Deputy Sheriff Scott Williams, Taylor County Sheriff, Florida

Police Officer Jorge Sanchez, Miami Police, Florida

Police Officer Justin Martin, Urbandale Police, Iowa

Sergeant Anthony Beminio, Des Moines Police, Iowa

Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, New York City Police, New York

Police Officer Cody Brotherson, West Valley City Police, Utah

Have a question for Policemandan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@yahoo.com or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336
60 Hours to Fight Hunger starts Nov. 17

The 16th Annual 60 Hours to Fight Hunger kicks off at 12:00 noon on November 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Twin Falls Chamber Ambassadors and will run through November 19 until 9:00 p.m. The event will be held at the KMVT studios. Other drop off locations include Con Paulos Chevrolet in Jerome and Smiths Food & Drug in Twin Falls. The goal this year is to collect over 2,000 turkeys for families in need in the Magic Valley. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information please contact Jenny Randolph at 208-733-9351 ext. 1003 or by email jenny@sccap-id.org

Immanuel Lutheran School gives back

TWIN FALLS  Immanuel Lutheran School is proud to announce the success of a recently fundraiser. The students of Immanuel Lutheran School sold 1,005 holiday turkeys, and 970 hams for a grand total of 1,975. The success of this fundraiser will assist Immanuel Lutheran School in purchasing a new science curriculum and benefit area food banks.

On November 18th, Immanuel Lutheran School will distributing over 100 hams or turkeys to the Twin Falls Senior Center, Salvation Army, Wendell Food Pantry, Gooding Food Pantry and St. Jeromes Food Pantry.

Immanuel Lutheran School is inviting all media outlets to the school located at 2055 Filer Avenue in Twin Falls on November 18th at 1:00pm. At this time the school will thank the community for their support and make donations to local food banks. Please join them for this special presentation.

CSI representatives attend ID INBRE Research Conference

A delegation of CSI instructors and students attended the 15th Annual Idaho INBRE Research Conference in Moscow, Idaho where several CSI students won awards. INBRE stands for Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence. From right to left: Dr. Randy Smith, CSI Professor; Eisa Sobbi, Intern at University of Idaho Extension; Amanda Smith, Intern at Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District; Dr. Amy Rice Doetsch, Professor & INBRE Program Manager; Dr. Jan Simpkin, CSI Professor; Arianna Bartlett, Intern at University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute; Megan Combe, Scholar; Eric Higbee, Intern at USDA; Kali Burrows, Scholar.

Kali Burrows & Megan Combe were awarded 2nd Place in the Scholars Category for their research on The Effects of Noise Pollution on Bird Abundance here at CSI.

Arianna Bartlett was awarded 2nd Place in the Undergraduate Research, Faculty Choice Category for her research on gene regulation in rainbow trout at the University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute in Hagerman.

Times-News seeking wish lists from care centers

As is customary, the Times-News will run lists of Christmas gifts requested this season by residents of Magic Valley nursing homes and care centers.

Nursing homes wanting to submit wish lists should send them to ramona@magicvalley.com (put wish list in the subject line). Please include the care centers complete address and phone number.

The request lists must be sent by email in paragraph form with a separate line for each resident, including a room number or other number; male or female; and the gift list items. Please do not send lists formatted in Excel or other spreadsheet software.

The lists will run in the Times-News on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. If any questions, call Ramona at 208-735-3262.

Ageless Senior Center Thanksgiving dinner

KIMBERLY  The Ageless Senior Center in Kimberly invites the public for Thanksgiving dinner to be served from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased by Monday, Nov. 21. To purchase tickets, call Bonnie Peter at 423-4338 on Wednesday through Friday or Nancy Duncan at 316-2973 any weekday. The meal will include turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, hot rolls, holiday salads and pumpkin or coconut cream pie. Drinks are also included.

Thanksgiving dinner planned in Burley

BURLEY  A Thanksgiving dinner, presented by churches in the Mini-Cassia area, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Senior Junction, 2421 Overland Ave.

A traditional turkey dinner with dessert will be served. Free clothing and blankets will be available for those in need.

Cost of the dinner is a minimum $2 per-plate donation. Carry-out and delivery dinners will be available, but they need to be ordered and pre-paid by Thursday, Nov. 10, by calling 208-878-8646.

Proceeds go to the Meals-on-Wheels program.

Daniel King becomes a Certified Financial Planner

TWIN FALLS  Daniel King, financial advisor with U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. in Twin Falls, Idaho has earned the Certified Financial Planner certification. Individuals who choose to pursue this certification follow a rigorous curriculum established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) and are among a select group of professionals in the financial services industry. According to the CFP Board, their mission, in part, is to benefit the public by granting the CFP certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning.

He has been a member of the U.S. Bancorp investments for 20 years. He works at the USBI office located at 241 Shoshone St. North in Twin Falls. Kings office phone number is (208) 737-5026.

Have some news about a person or organization being recognized for service, or an event or public meeting taking place. Submit your news to mgooch@magicvalley.com or go to magicvalley.com/community
TWIN FALLS  The College of Southern Idaho is still seeing a drop in student numbers  a trend over several years.

CSIs overall headcount was 7,021, as of Oct. 15. Thats down nearly 8 percent compared with the fall 2015 semester.

But college officials say theyre seeing an encouraging trend: first-time students taking more classes.

Research shows if students take a full load of classes their first semester of college, theyre a lot more likely to succeed and persist, said Chris Bragg, associate dean of institutional effectiveness.

College officials are trying to encourage students to go to school full-time. But thats not always realistic  particularly, if students have work or family obligations, Bragg said.

The college has 3,518 full-time students, about half of its overall headcount. And numbers have dropped 5 percent compared with last year.

CSIs enrollment is still down and thats not surprising, Bragg said.

Its a trend felt by colleges and universities nationwide in recent years as the bubble of students during the recession has dropped off.

Theres so much of community college enrollment thats tied to the economy, Bragg said.

The unemployment rate hovers around 3.2 percent in south-central Idaho. If more people are able to find jobs, fewer may be enrolling in college classes.

CSI is required to turn in an enrollment report to the state on Oct. 15 for fall semester and March 15 for spring semester.

Anecdotally, Idahos colleges and universities have seen a 5 percent boost this fall in the number of first-time resident freshmen, Idaho Board of Education spokesman Blake Youde told the Times-News last week.

But that doesnt align with CSIs numbers.

The state board wont hear an official enrollment report until December.

At CSI, theres a 1 to 2 percent increase this fall in the number of freshmen who graduated from an Idaho high school within the last year.

It means more students are choosing to start college right away. But overall, freshman enrollment is still down 3 percent over last year.

In professional-technical programs  with offerings such as welding technology and drafting technology  754 students are enrolled. Thats an 8 percent drop.

The professional-technical is down a little more than the rest of the campus, Bragg said.

With a low unemployment rate, employees are hard to come by, Bragg said, and more companies may be willing to do on-the-job training.

One strong point for CSIs enrollment: dual credit. High schoolers now make up about 35 percent of the colleges total headcount, with 2,444 total this fall.

Dual credit classes allow students to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.

Bragg said a 1 percent decline in dual credit enrollment this fall is probably a false indicator.

Thats because CSI made a change this year: If high schoolers are taking dual credit class for an entire school year, theyre counted with spring semester numbers instead of in the fall.

Spring will definitely be a bigger number, said Cesar Perez, associate dean of extended studies. A lot of math and science classes are yearlong.

CSI reaches about 65 brick-and-mortar high schools across Idaho. And it also serves students through the Idaho Digital Learning Academy.

Perez said he expects a total of 4,000 high schoolers will take dual credit classes this academic year.

State legislators expanded funding for advanced opportunity programs this year to $4,125 for seventh-through-12th graders. That money can be used to help pay for dual credit classes.

CSI recommends high schoolers have at least a 2.5 grade point average and a sophomore-level standing before taking a college-level class.

We are still mindful that dual credit still has to be the right fit for students, Perez said.

Another way CSI is reaching high schoolers is through four transition coordinators, who spend time at local high schools helping students prepare for and apply to college.

Plus, the college added three transition coordinators this academic year to cover six regions across Idaho. One is based out of the Idaho Falls area, Perez said, which accounts for about 25 percent of CSIs dual credit students.

In particular, coordinators are targeting those who may not necessarily see college in their future, Bragg said, but who show potential.

Another focus for CSI: reaching underrepresented groups, such as Hispanic students.
July 04, 1939 - October 26,2016

TWIN FALLS - Bennie Pratt, 77, passed away on October 26th, at his home with his family by his side.

Bennie was born on July 04, 1939 in Fairview, Montana to Loren and Catheryn Pratt. He was the 2nd of four children, two sisters and one brother. He graduated from Fairview High school in 1957. He went on to attend North Dakota State University where he excelled in mathematics and graduated with a Masters degree in 1962.

After college graduation, Bennie met Jane in Moorehead, Minnesota at a local tavern and the two danced the night away. They were married on May 6th of 1963 in South Dakota.

Jane had two children from a previous marriage, Tracy and Steven, and Bennie adopted them soon after they were married. He was offered a job with the INEL in Arco which brought the family to Idaho Falls in 1963.

Bennie, wanting to continue his education and pursue his PhD degree, attended the University of Idaho. During his time at the University of Idaho, he met Doc Taylor who persuaded him to come and teach at the new junior college located in Twin Falls ID, now known as the College of Southern Idaho in 1965. Shortly after this, they had two daughters, Brandi and Mindy. Bennie truly had a passion for teaching. He continued to teach at the College until 2003, when he retired. During this time, Ben started and ran a successful software development company that has been in business for over 40 years.

While working as a Math Professor at CSI in 1974, Bennie and Jane purchased 40 acres in Kimberly, Idaho and built their dream home, where they lived and farmed until January 2015. He loved working on the farm, restoring antique tractors and spending time with his family. He had a special love for the outdoors and his annual Steelhead trip on the Salmon River was always a big highlight in his life. The last 6 years, he became active in pool leagues and developed many dear friends and was ranked as the #1 men's pool player in Twin Falls.

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Catheryn, His brother Joe, and his sister Mary.

He is survived by his wife, Jane: his son, Steven; 3 daughters, Tracy (Randy), Brandi (Steve), Mindy (Frank); 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

The Family would like to thank Dr. Manning at MSTI, Dr. Ward, Dr. McClusky and Auburn Crest Hospice for the care and compassion that they provided.

A celebration of life will be held at 11a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 484 Carriage Lane, Twin Falls. The service will be led by Pastor Steve Crittenden. Cremation is under the care and direction of Heidi Heil and Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls. Condolences may be shared at www.serenityfuneralchapel.com.

A reception will follow at the Stone House, 330 4th Ave. South, Twin Falls, from the hours of 1p.m. to 3:30p.m.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be mailed to the church address in care of Hearts and Hands Quilting group, who supplies warm quilts to the homeless throughout the Twin Falls and Boise communities.
February 5,, 1936 - November 10, 2016

TWIN FALLS - Karen Johnson Wiedenmann, 80, of Twin Falls passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016 at St. Luke's Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Karen was born February 5, 1936, in Wayzata, Minnesota to Howard and Louise Johnson. She grew up by the waters of Lake Minnetonka. In 1954 she graduated from Mound High School where she was involved in many activities.

In 1957 she became a Stewardess for Western Airlines. It was a dream she had since the age of 6 when her father told her she could not fly the airplane but could be the lady inside who took care of the passengers. Karen was based in Salt Lake City, Utah and with the airline for 14 years. Her travels included many U.S. cities, Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, The British Virgin Islands, Nassau, Japan, China, Korea, Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska.

In 1967 she married Charles Wiedenmann. They lived in Salt Lake City, Utah and were often very busy, with fishing, camping, and entertaining. That continued when they moved to Twin Falls in 1991. During the first years in Twin Falls she helped at the High School Junior Rodeos & Robert Stuart snack bar and loved the kids. Other enjoyments included, playing Bridge, going to car races, the Symphony League, the Red Hats, as well as gatherings with friends for morning coffee, ball games, birthdays, going out to eat, and good movies.

She was never known to be shy and sometimes had a silly story or cute joke to tell to make folks smile. Smiles Are Free was one of her favorite sayings. When the American flag was displayed and the National Anthem was played you could find a tear in her eye and she was so proud to be an American.

Karen is survived by her husband Charles; her sister, Jill; her step daughters, Rhonda and Diane; several special cousins as well as her family of friends and acquaintances and Miss Kitty.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in Karen's name to St. Jude's Children Hospital or the Twin Falls County Sheriff K-9 Unit. She always said she thought perhaps that taking a friend to lunch would be a very nice way to celebrate her life.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Ave. East, Twin Falls with Chaplain Paul Jordan officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Trent Stimpson at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, Twin Falls.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.reynoldschapel.com.
May 5, 1939 - November 10, 2016

ALBION - Priscilla Marie Allred Richins (Percy), 77, passed away Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at the Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley.

Percy was born May 5, 1939, in Mesa, Ariz., to Elwood and Glendora Allred. She moved to Burley, Idaho, when she was 18 months old and grew up there with three older brothers. During her senior year in high school she moved with her family to Logan, Utah, where she graduated high school. After graduation, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended the University of Utah. That proved to be a beneficial time for her because that is where she met her future husband, Dean Richins. After a year at the U of U, she spent a year in Madrid, Spain, with her brother, Byron, and his family working at the US Embassy and touring Europe.Marriage was in the future. Upon returning from Spain, and on Jan. 29, 1960, she and Dean were married in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. For four years their home was in Logan while Dean attended Utah State University and Percy worked at the University's water lab - working on her PhT degree (Put Hubby Thru). During this time, three children were born, Greg, Janet and Curtis.

Dean took a temporary job in Southern California in 1964. While in California, Percy worked as a secretary for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Systems in top-secret programs. After 12 years at that temporary job, they returned to the Cassia County area and moved to Albion where they've lived since 1976.

Percy was an accomplished pianist, organist, and accompanist. She enjoyed participating in many musical productions both in church and in the community. She was active in the LDS Church her entire life where she held many different positions and was ward organist and Primary pianist at the time of her death.

Her family and friends were her greatest joy. Her posterity numbers 18 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Dean; son, Greg (Julianne Jolley); daughter, Janet Treadaway (David); and son, Curtis (Michelle Marich); brothers, Byron Harvey Allred (Annlee Hatch) and Richard David Allred (Gay Banner); all of her posterity; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Eldene Stites (Steve); brother, Elwood Malcom Allred and his wife, Barbara Hall; and sister-in-law, Delores Varela Allred (Byron).

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Cassia Regional Hospital and Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center, as well as the Intermountain Homecare nurses for their loving care and concern of Mom.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 19, at the Albion LDS Church, 889 S. Main St., in Albion. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery.Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church.
Who knew? Paid parental leave may be the most effective policy to prevent shaken baby syndrome, or what is more properly called abusive head trauma, or AHT. In a study published in the journal Injury Prevention comparing rates of AHT between California and seven other states, Californias rate was substantially lower than the national average. And why? It appears that providing paid parental leave to workers who are new parents is the primary reason. According to the study, giving new mothers time with their newborns reduces stress and maternal depression, major risk factors for child abuse.

So kudos then, to Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya and Chobani for their announcement last month that they will be providing six weeks of paid parental leave to its 2,000 employees nationwide including its Idaho-based workforce. Mr. Ulukaya, who became a father earlier this year, was quoted in Fortune Magazine: Being a dad is  the hardest job Ive ever had. It started a lot of conversations with folks about how we can better support new parents here at Chobani.

Mr. Ulukaya learned what we all learn when we are new parents: babies cry, sometimes a lot, they need our attention, and boy, is it stressful to get them ready, get them to child care and get to work on time. Not to mention that its tough to get a good nights sleep. For most of us that means being irritable and not our best selves. Adding stress to exhaustion, coupled with incessant crying, increases the risk of AHT. No one plans to shake their baby; it occurs most often when a caregiver can no longer cope with the crying and loses it.

No doubt crying would continue to be frustrating, but it appears that having more time, being more rested, and being able to focus attention on the baby makes a big difference. Californias experience bears that out.

We found that Californias 2004 paid family leave policy was associated with decreased rates of AHT admissions in children under two years old compared to the states without this policy, Dr. Joanne Klevens of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was quoted as saying in the magazine Fit Pregnancy. The policy was associated with a fall of 5.1 cases per 100,000 children under 1 (the national average is 50 per 100,000 children, according to Dr. Klevens). This is important because AHT is a leading cause of fatal child maltreatment among young children, and current prevention efforts have not been proven to be consistently effective, she says.

While in Idaho, we have adopted strategies like the Crying Plan (www.cryingbabyplan.org) that are effective in helping parents calm their babies and most importantly calm themselves, those strategies would be even more effective if parents had the time to spend with their babies in those first critical weeks without having to worry about their financial well-being. Chobanis decision is important for its Idaho workers but even more so for Idahos children.
President Trump. A handful of syllables still hard to get one's mind around. How on earth did this happen?

There's no single reason. Any number of factors were involved, and it wouldn't have taken much for things to have turned out differently. If the Republican Party had been slightly less willing to be stolen by a populist demagogue; if James Comey and the Federal Bureau of Investigation hadn't waded in (twice) so clumsily; if Wikileaks hadn't supplied a constant stream of reminders about the hypocrisy and venality of the professional political class; if the professional political class had been a bit less hypocritical and venal in the first place; if any of these things and who knows what else had been different, then Trump the outrageous outsider might have lost.

Still, two things seem to loom large. First, that Hillary Clinton was an objectively bad candidate. Second, that having chosen so poorly, Democrats came up with yet more ways to repel a large segment of the electorate. If I'd been asked to advise them on how to lose an election to a manifestly unqualified opponent, I'm not sure I could have been much help: They had it covered.

From the outset, many voters were clearly fed up with Washington and all its works. Up and down the country, the political establishment was cordially detested. Step forward, Hillary Clinton, wife of an ex-president, champion of the downtrodden, somehow wealthy, trailing scandals, friends in all the right places, anointed after a rigged nomination  in short, the complete representative of politics as usual. Yet if Clinton was a bad candidate, Trump was so much worse. Even many of his supporters acknowledge his unfitness. And remember, the election was close. Something else (aside from the design of the Electoral College) was needed to put Trump in the White House.

The crucial extra ingredient, I think, was the way the case against Trump was framed. Clinton's goal should have been to detach a slice of his support. The best way for her to do that, issue by issue, would have been to acknowledge the particle of truth in his claims, if any, and say why her approach to the problem was better. Instead, she and her supporters refused to grant the validity of any part of Trump's pitch. Even that wasn't enough. Trump was a racist and a fascist, they said. Support him, and you're no better: Either that, or you're an idiot for failing to see it.

Apparently it takes more than four years of college to understand this: You don't get people to see things your way by calling them idiots and racists, or sorting them into baskets of deplorables and pitiables (deserving of sympathy for their moral and intellectual failings). If you can't manage genuine respect for the people whose votes you want, at least try to fake it.

However, forgive me if I go further. It really ought to be possible to manage some actual respect. The complaints that Trump is addressing deserve better than to be recast in caricature then dismissed with contempt.

Take immigration, the issue that Trump first used to claim the spotlight. Illegal immigration on the scale the U.S. has seen in recent years is a sign, at the very least, that something isn't working. Comprehensive immigration reform of the kind suggested by Clinton is a much better answer than building a wall. But you can regard illegal immigration as a problem, believe on the whole that laws should be enforced, and see Clinton's proposal as inadequate, without being anti-immigrant, much less racist.

Trump is a reckless loudmouth, often saying things that beg to be misunderstood  but consider the endlessly repeated "Mexicans are rapists" controversy. What his supporters understood Trump to mean was that illegal immigrants have committed crimes, including rapes; that those people shouldn't have been in the U.S. in the first place; and that if the system had worked, the crimes wouldn't have happened. In the universally-sanctioned retelling, this became "Trump calls Mexicans rapists." Perfecting the device, Tim Kaine explicitly accused Trump of saying, "All Mexicans are rapists."

This nonsense utterly failed as persuasion. It didn't refute Trump. It was a patent refusal to engage, expressed for good measure as a slur against people who disagree.

This, to me, is where the oft-mentioned parallel with Britain's vote to quit the European Union is closest. Yes, plainly, Trump's election and the Brexit vote are rebellions against elite opinion  that is, against political orthodoxy and its defenders. In both cases, the question is, how does one account for the uprising?

Elite opinion admits of only one answer: People are more stupid and bigoted than we ever imagined. Without denying that there's plenty of stupidity and bigotry to go around, I think it's more a matter of elite incompetence. Elite opinion heard the rebels' complaints, but instead of acknowledging what was valid, it rejected the grievances in every particular and dismissed the complainers as fools or worse.

The elites weren't deaf. They were dumb.
In 1975, the economist Milton Friedman gave a series of lectures in Chile, as well as a small amount of advice to Augusto Pinochet, the countrys right-wing dictator. The advice was not on how to best crack down on political dissent, or where to hide the bodies of dissidents you were trying to disappear; it involved economic policy, and was advice that was similar to what hed have given any government. Nonetheless, Friedmans left-wing critics somewhat predictably used this brief interlude in a decades-long career to tar him and his ideas.

Whether Friedman should have advised Pinochet has long been a matter of cocktail-party debate in right-wing circles. Is it better for experts to send a message by withholding their expertise? Or if you have good advice to give, is it better to offer it to bad governments  to benefit their people, even if incidentally the advice benefits the bad governments as well? The utilitarian calculus is, to say the least, unclear.

Well, on the right today, its no longer just cocktail-party chatter. A lot of #NeverTrump wonks are likely to find themselves torn between being #NeverTrump and being wonks  between their consciences and their callings.

I dont see a moral obligation for anyone to serve in a Trump administration. But people who opposed Donald Trump, on both the left and right, should commit right now to one thing: We will not tar good people for joining the Trump administration. Their motives will not be questioned, and if things do turn out as some of his critics fear, the people in his foreign and domestic policy apparatus will not suffer guilt by association. It is just too important that Trump have good advisers.

Trump will be the least policy-savvy president in history. He has built no ideological framework for future policies, much less a set of detailed proposals. He has few advisers, in part because so many of the usual contenders have come out against him.

Now he is going to have to have advisers. He is going to have to staff regulatory agencies. He is going to have to decide about policy priorities, and push legislation to advance them. If smart, competent people refuse to be a part of that, because they think its likely that they will suffer permanent stigma from having joined his team, then Trumps administration will still do all those things  but it will do them poorly, and the nation will suffer.

The most vital area for Trump to staff with good people is his foreign policy and defense team. Those people will be making decisions in a short time frame, and often behind closed doors, with little public check on their thought process. But his domestic team matters too. These are the folks who will have to make thousands of decisions that affect our daily lives, from education to what companies are allowed to merge. If his cabinet is filled with inexperienced folks or narrow activists, those decisions can be disastrous. So if a good person enters the administration, dont question his judgment or her character. Applaud.

During the Bush years there was a cottage industry of liberal economists who dinged conservatives like Greg Mankiw and Glenn Hubbard for saying complimentary things about policies that were, let us say, somewhat less than well-supported by economic science. Needless to say, such cheap shots could easily have been taken at folks like Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furman during the Obama years. I didnt take them.

Good economists in an administration cannot come out and say This is bad policy, for obvious reasons; their job is to have those conversations internally, and then support their bosss decisions. That will also be the job of an adviser in a Trump administration, and we want good people in there making the good arguments.

When I tweeted a much shorter version of this thought this morning, I was beset by angry progressives talking about Vichy and quislings and saying that they wanted the Trump administration to fail as spectacularly as possible. While I understand the grief that those people are feeling, America, and the world, cannot afford this kind of thinking. There are things more important than political fights. One of them is making sure that the man in charge of the worlds biggest rich economy, and its biggest nuclear arsenal, has smart and sober-minded people around him. We all need to do everything we can to make sure thats the case.

I dont know if Trump will ask people I admire to serve in his cabinet; I dont know that they will be willing to serve if he does. But whoever does serve will have my respect for their willingness to take on a difficult job; my most charitable assessment of their motives; and my fervent hope that they will prove to be able stewards.
Almost everyone but Donald Trump had it wrong, and by early Wednesday morning, to the surprise of millions of Americans, the reality TV star and businessman had been elected the 45th president of the United States.

The support for Trump, especially from less-educated whites in the working class, trickled down the ballots across the nation, allowing Republicans to maintain control of the U.S. House (which was expected) but also of the Senate (which surprised many who thought Democrats would seize control of the upper chamber).

Those same folks who helped put Trump in office were also the driving force in the Magic Valley, where the GOP ran the table in nearly every race. With only two exceptions  Democrat Sen. Michelle Stennett and political newcomer Sally Toone in a District 26 House race  Republicans won. And won big.

The balance of power in the Magic Valley remains the same.

Republicans picked up seats in other areas of Idaho. The party now holds 29 of the states 35 Senate seats and 59 of the 70 seats in the House. A red state became even more red.

Whats that mean for the Magic Valley?

Even though nothing changed politically, its says a lot about where we stand culturally. Local liberals expected Democrats to pick up one or even two seats in Twin Falls. Its typical that as cities grow they become more liberal. But thats not happening in Twin Falls  at least not if Tuesdays election is any indication.

Despite Twin Falls becoming larger and more cosmopolitan, our politics are just as conservative as ever. Thats probably shocking for some local politicos who thought Democrats had their best chance in decades to finally get a Twin Falls liberal or two into the Legislature. The two most vulnerable seats seemed to be Rep. Stephen Hartgen and Sen. Lee Heider.

Voters, Democrats said, were fed up by Republicans failure to address the Medicaid gap, where 78,000 Idahoans remain without insurance. They were outraged about education funding, which continues to rank among the lowest in the country. They were convinced Republicans were going to give away public lands.

Democrats ran aggressive campaigns with legitimate candidates who hammered those issues and consistently stayed on message  noteworthy because in the past the party ran half-hearted campaigns, seemingly willing to concede Twin Falls seats to Republicans. This time, Democrat Catherine Talkington, Hartgens challenger, knocked on more than 5,000 doors. So did Heiders challenger, Deborah Silver.

Apparently, voters didnt like what they heard.

In private, even some Republicans said Hartgen may be in trouble. He wasnt. He won by 3,899, with more than 60 percent of the vote, an even wider margin than his race against Talkington two years ago.

The issues at the center of those races seem almost moot now with a Trump victory and no Democratic gains in the Idaho Legislature. Lawmakers almost certainly will not address the states Medicaid gap because Trump has pledged to repeal Obamacare. Education will continue to be funded with modest boosts  not the big increases called for by Democrats. And expect Idaho lawmakers to seek more influence in the management of federal lands.

The people have spoken, and the GOP still reigns big in Idaho.
This post is a part of our Applied Management Research (AMR) series that provides information and insights about this unique program. For an overview of the program, visit the AMR website and view our first post of this series

As a part of the AMR program, students have the opportunity to pursue a "Business Creation Option" (BCO) project which gives entrepreneurs the chance to launch their companies while still in school, or be on a team to help one of your classmates launch his/her company. Read below to learn more about one current BCO project and how Anderson is helping make it a reality:

GOshopping is an e-commerce store for womens apparel in Mongolia, and is the first fashion e-commerce startup in that market. The preparation and research from EVI (Entrepreneurship & Venture Initiation) and BPD (Business Plan Development) courses were a great stepping stone for the launch of our business. Andersons entrepreneurial classes and the BCO program gave us the support, resources and motivation to hit the ground running. GOshopping has now been incorporated, the website is up and running, and were currently hard at work with marketing and merchandise planning/buying, with the launch of our e-commerce product pages right around the corner.

The BCO program has helped our team stay accountable and on track to reach our business goals. Beyond EVI, BPD and BCO, Anderson has been supportive of our business venture in many ways - from providing an accelerator space to assisting with photography to connecting us with invaluable people. We are fortunate to be one of the first teams to utilize the Anderson Venture Accelerator, a creative workspace that has proven to be immensely valuable for startups with limited resources. For example, we took advantage of the Accelerator by holding our first product photoshoot there. The Anderson Marketing & Communications Department and Senior Director Nathan May were generous enough to help us with our photoshoot, provide us with equipment, professional advice and hands-on help (see below for . Fellow students and alumni (Ashley Merrill founder of Lunya, Eunice Cho founder of Aella) with industry experience gave us valuable advice last year when we were doing research. The Retail Business Association connected us with industry experts, including Trent MacLean, a retail industry expert and an incredible supporter of Anderson students interested in the retail space. Our Faculty Advisor George Geis has been providing us with great advice in addition to putting us in touch with people that helped us along the way. Overall, we truly feel like we are in an environment where we can get things done with a lot of support and we're looking forward to continuing to work on GOshopping in the months to come through BCO.





Photoshoot video recap

GOshopping photoshoot with the Anderson Marketing Communications team

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Allopurinol, a widely used treatment for lowering serum urate levels, does not appear to increase risk of kidney deterioration in gout patients with normal or near-normal kidney function, according to new research findings presented this week at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a gradual loss of kidney function that can lead to fluid, electrolyte and waste build-up in its advanced stages. Gout, a condition marked by high levels of uric acid that can crystallize and settle in joints, can contribute to CKD in some patients.

Hyperuricemia, or high serum urate levels in the blood, can lead to CKD, but clinicians have been cautious about using allopurinol in these patients because of potential adverse events. Researchers conducted a study to examine the risk of allopurinol use in gout patients who have normal kidney function and need to lower their urate levels.

"Gout management is frequently suboptimal. Further exacerbating this poor management is the common practice of lowering the dose of or stopping allopurinol when a patient with gout begins to have a decline in kidney function, which inevitably adds to the poor control of their gout," said Ana Beatriz Vargas-Santos, PhD, who conducted the study while she was at the Clinical Epidemiology Research and Training Unit at the Boston University School of Medicine. "However, it is not clear that allopurinol is detrimental to kidney function, with some small studies suggesting that it may actually be beneficial for preventing renal decline. We therefore investigated the risk of developing CKD related to allopurinol initiation among subjects with normal or near-normal kidney function. If no such increased risk is found, then this would mean that clinicians should not unnecessarily stop, hold or decrease the dose of allopurinol when a patient's kidney function declines, and instead should think about other factors that may be contributing to the kidney function decline."

The study used electronic health record information from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a database of patients treated by general practitioners in the United Kingdom. They included patients aged 18 to 89 with incident gout between 2000 and 2014 who had at least one contact with a general practitioner within a year before the study period. They looked at the relationship between allopurinol use by patients with gout to the development of CKD Stage 3 or higher. Since patients who initiated allopurinol may have stopped and non-users may have started the therapy during the study period, they performed a sensitivity analysis to censor study subjects whose exposure to the drug changed at some point.

The researchers identified 13,727 patients who starting allopurinol and were matched by propensity score to 13,727 patients who did not use the drug. The subjects had a mean age of 58 and body-mass index of 30, and a mean follow-up time of four years for both groups. Allopurinol use was not associated with an increased risk of developing CKD ?Stage 3 compared with non-use, with 1,401 of the allopurinol initiators and 1,319 non-users having developed CKD at ?Stage 3 disease, resulting in a relative risk of 1.05, which was not statistically significant. Allopurinol can help lower serum urate levels to improve gout symptoms without an increased risk to the kidneys, they concluded.

"Our results help to mitigate the concern that allopurinol is harmful to the kidney functioning of patients with gout," said Dr. Vargas-Santos. "This might encourage physicians to properly dose allopurinol, resulting in better outcomes for these patients. More studies are needed to further clarify this issue, including studies among subjects with established and advanced chronic kidney disease."

This research was supported by funding from the NIH's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Provided by American College of Rheumatology
SEATTLE  The nearly catastrophic explosion of an engine that caused a fire on an American Airlines Boeing 767 just short of takeoff in Chicago on Oct. 28 occurred when a specific part that had never before failed broke into pieces.

The breakup of a heavy metal disk that rotates in the engine core reveals a new risk to airline passengers that, however rare, has already spurred a scramble by engine-maker General Electric and government safety agencies to find and fix the vulnerability.

The risk will be eliminated, said John Goglia, a former National Transportation Safety Board member with more than 40 years experience in the aviation-safety industry. Will it be eliminated before the next one? Thats the real question. Everything relies upon the timeliness of the system to correct itself.

American Airlines Flight 383 to Miami was speeding down the runway at OHare International Airport in Chicago when the second-stage disk of the high-pressure turbine broke apart inside the right engine with a loud explosion that blew metal shrapnel out through the engine casing.

Hot metal ripped through the wing, igniting aviation fuel. In an update last week, the national safety board, often called the NTSB, described how the pilot aborted the takeoff just seconds before reaching a speed at which he would have had to leave the ground. Slamming on the brakes as the jet reached a speed of 154 miles per hour, he brought the plane to a halt within 25 seconds and 900 yards further down the runway.

Moving quickly, the cabin staff evacuated all 161 passengers and nine crew using the escape slides on the undamaged left side of the aircraft. Twenty people suffered minor injuries.

Behind them on the runway, the black smoke billowing skyward and the blaze melting the right wing into a drooping mess testified to how close the passengers had come to a large-scale tragedy.

***

GE spokesman Rick Kennedy stresses the reliability of the CF6 engine involved. The latest models, introduced in the 1980s, currently power about 4,000 widebody jets, including Boeing 767s, 747s and Airbus A330s, and have flown for more than 220 million hours.

The CF6 is the workhorse engine of jumbo jets on a level never experienced before, Kennedy said.

Yet the danger posed by a so-called uncontained engine failure cannot be overstated.

The disk that broke apart in Chicago  one of two disks in whats called the high-pressure turbine that drives the engines air compressor  is about 2 feet in diameter and weighs more than 100 pounds. At full power for takeoff, the temperature in the high-pressure turbine reaches more than 2,200 degrees.

The pod around the engine has Kevlar armor around the big fan at the front, designed to contain any blades that fly off. But the pod cannot possibly contain the enormous energy of flying metal ejected from an engine-core breakup.

The NTSB said last week one piece of the broken disk went through the right wing, then arced high over the airplane and came crashing through the roof of a UPS warehouse almost 1,000 yards away.

Any time a turbine disk fails, its a big deal, said Goglia.

In 2006, a CF6-80 engine  the same model as in the Chicago incident  on another American Airlines 767 that was powered up during maintenance, exploded on the ground in Los Angeles, with no passengers aboard. A big piece of the high-pressure turbine disk in the left engine pierced the engine casing, sliced through the airplanes lower fuselage and embedded itself like an ax-head in the casing of the right engine on the other side of the airplane.

That jarring incident came after two other CF6-80 high-pressure turbine-disk breakups.

In 2000, as a US Airways 767 was undergoing engine maintenance on the ground in Philadelphia, a disk rupture split the left engine clean in two and ignited a fire under the wing.

In 2002, it happened in the air. The left engine of an Air New Zealand 767 blew up six minutes after takeoff from Brisbane, Australia, damaging the wing flaps and forcing an emergency landing. Luckily, there was no fire that time, and all 200 people on board were safe.

***

In all three of those CF6-80 incidents, the disk that broke up was the first of two inside the turbine. Although the two disks look alike, the first stage is next to the hottest part of the engine core and must withstand the highest temperatures and air pressure.

After the 2006 incident, the government safety system kicked into high gear. The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, issued an Airworthiness Directive ordering urgent inspections of these disks inside older CF6-80 engines.

Subsequently, GE redesigned the first-stage disk to take more stress, adjusting the shape and the composition of the sophisticated nickel alloy.

All planes flying today have been retrofitted with that redesigned disk, said GEs Kennedy.

Thats behind us, he said.

But the disk that exploded in Chicago was the second-stage disk.

This disk is subject to lower temperatures and air flow, so it undergoes relatively less stress than the first.

There has never been an Airworthiness Directive associated with a second-stage disk, said Kennedy. This is new.

Thats whats raised alarm bells at the NTSB and the FAA.

The NTSB said that particular disk had been flying for 18 years and completed almost 11,000 flights, short of the limit of 15,000 cycles after which it must be replaced.

Goglia and other industry experts said the sudden breakup almost certainly stemmed from a microscopic crack, caused by a flaw in the metal invisible to the eye, that grew over years of service.

Using electron microscopes, metallurgists at the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., are now scanning the pieces of the broken stage-two disk, 95 percent of which was recovered.

Theyll examine the metal down to the tiniest element to determine the cause, said Goglia.
We do not accept unsolicited submissions. American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2016 by Dana Gioia, Prayer from 99 Poems: New & Selected (Graywolf Press, 2016). Poem reprinted by permission of Dana Gioio and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2016 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
People in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley will join in a national day of protest Tuesday in what organizers are calling Stand with Standing Rock, in Solidarity.

In the Bitterroot, Sarah Monson and Suzanne Alene Shope are organizing the peaceful show of support for the water protectors at Standing Rock.

Numerous national organizations are calling for a national day of action at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices across the country to ask President Obama to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Sioux Nation members and others have been protesting the construction of the pipeline since August. The protest has produced confrontations with law enforcement.

In a press release, organizers of the national event say the mass mobilization is important now due to the recent election of Donald Trump as president.

This mass mobilization will show President Obama that its more important than ever for him to reject the Dakota Access Pipeline while hes in office, the press release said. These actions will also be a powerful moment for people across movements to unite in solidarity with indigenous peoples in Standing Rock and to strengthen the resistance movement to fight fossil fuels and white supremacy under a Trump administration.

Monson said she has received numerous calls from people asking for details since she first posted the event on Facebook.

So far, its been shared by 600 people, she said. They are excited about doing something right here. They have felt kind of helpless watching whats happened at Standing Rock. They were interested in jumping on board, but didnt know how.

In Missoula, the renewable energy group 350 Montana is calling for people to rally at the Army Corps of Engineers office on North Avenue at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The event in Hamilton will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 93 and Main Street.

If people cant attend the Hamilton event, Monson encourages them take a photograph of themselves holding the sign and post it on the Facebook page: Stand with Standing Rock, in Solidarity  Bitterroot Valley, Mt.

Its a human rights issue and an environmental issue, Monson said. It doesnt just affect them. It affects everyone. Their rights are being trampled on. History cant just keep repeating itself. Enough is enough.
As Donald J. Trump was named the nations 45th president-elect early Wednesday morning, Ilana McCloyd, who was among the nearly 54 percent of Missoulians voting for Hillary Clinton, watched in horror.

McCloyd, a mother of three young children, watched again the following day as protests and spiteful social media arguments broke out, and she wondered what kind of country the United States might be as her children grow-up. Watching wasn't enough, she said.

So she threw together the Missoula Peace Rally, marching with about 40 other people down Higgins Avenue on Saturday morning holding signs, waving flags and singing classic protest tunes.

Im in no way an activist, McCloyd said with a laugh as she walked with her mother and daughter down Higgins. This is way out of my comfort zone. But I wanted to come out with something peaceful because I want a peaceful world for my kids to live in.

McCloyd said she was happy that 40 people came out to support the cause on such short notice. After all, she said the Facebook page for the event was created on Thursday. But McCloyd said she hopes the rally will gain momentum next Saturday at 11 a.m., and the Saturday after that, because the Missoula Peace Rally is intended to continue indefinitely.

McCloyds rally came only a few days after another, the Rally for Unity, during which hundreds of Missoulians gathered in Caras Park with candles and posters on the day after the election to commiserate about the results. Larger protests in other major cities around the nation have broken out and continue, including one protest in Portland, Oregon, that was declared a riot.

I felt, given the current political climate, I needed to put out something positive because there is way too much negativity in our country and in our world, McCloyd said as she waved to a passing car that honked in support. If we want to make anything happen we need to come together."

As participants of the Missoula Peace Rally marched past shops downtown, some held signs that read, Peace on Earth, donated by the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center. Others held signs with more specific messages, including one that crossed out the words, Hate, bigotry, xenophobia, transphobia, white supremacy and fascism, and another splashed with the slogan, Love trumps hate.

Passing cars honked in support as the marchers sang, Imagine, by John Lennon, and some bikers even stopped to sing along. The employees at Sotto Voce Boutique rushed outside to cheer for the group as it looped around to make its way back to the Higgins Bridge.

Saxon Holbrook, technical director for the Montana Public Broadcasting Service, said he joined the rally because of his friends and family. As a straight, white, middle-age man, Holbrook said he personally has very little to fear during a Trump presidency.

But I do have a girlfriend and children and a lot of friends in the LBGTQ community, Saxon said, as he handed off his large, rainbow flag to his young son. And they are afraid.

Holbrook said hes not confident of the best way to express his feelings on Trumps election, but gathering with people with similar concerns at least makes him feel less alone. While watching the election results, Holbrook said he felt like a minority.

When I see this, Holbrook said, gesturing to the marchers in front of him, I think, I might still be a minority, but Im not the only one who is scared and outraged.

While some people marching in Saturdays peace rally held posters or flags, nearly all of them had safety pins poked through their shirts, signifying safety and tolerance, according to educator Jason Mitchell.

Mitchell, who brought a box of pins to share, said the trend started in England with Brexit, when the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union.

When a person is wearing a safety pin, Mitchell said, it alerts others that this person is safe and accepting of all races, ethnicities, genders, religions and sexual orientations, which is important in times of oppression.

University of Montana professor Celia Winkler said that while this demonstration might not have been the largest or most effective, its important for people to know theyre not alone in their disappointment of the election results. What will be more difficult to do, Winkler said, is changing how other Americans think.
Try as he might, he can never shake the memory.

Marvin Strombo was fresh out of high school in Dixon, with the voice of his mother Mary waking him up each morning still all but ringing in his ears.

Now he was boots-deep in war on the Pacific island of Tarawa, and the voices were much different.

The scaredest I ever got, Strombo, 92, said Friday in a Veterans Day interview at his Missoula home. You can describe a banzai (attack) to people, but you dont know it until you see it.

He was a 19-year-old private in the 6th Marine Regiment, in a platoon that had been up all day fighting as the United States launched its Central Pacific campaign against Japan in November 1943.

So dang tired, but all at once heres all this screaming and whatnot, he said. You look over there and heres hundreds of Japanese coming at you, running toward you trying to kill you. I just froze almost. Scared to death, but soon as the fighting started you had to get over it.

Strombo has always been good at flying under the radar.

Hes lived a quiet life on Fairview Avenue in Missoula for more than 50 years in the same log home in which he singlehandedly raised four children.

Strombo didnt talk about it, so it wasnt until the last few years that even his family learned of his role in the South Pacific during World War II in a 6th Marine Regiment platoon known as the Forty Thieves.

Theyre certain now of what they suspected all along.

My dad is probably the biggest hero I know, Sandra Williamson said. He has been the cornerstone for all of us, and hes always been there for our kids as well. Hes our quiet hero.

Turns out Strombo, wholl turn 93 next month, is the oldest and most active of three remaining Forty Thieves, a daring scout-sniper platoon that made its name behind enemy lines on Saipan in 1944.

He, Roscoe Mullins of West Virginia and Bob Smotts of Georgia have been a gold mine of information for Joseph Tachovsky of Madison, Wisconsin, who is in the final stages of a book Forty Thieves: Saipan. A restaurant consultant, Tachovsky started piecing together the story of the Forty Thieves after his father died five years ago and when six Thieves remained.

First Lt. Frank Tachovsky, known to his men as Ski, was commander and Strombo a private of the scout-sniper platoon that his son calls the beginnings of the Navy SEALS.

His father didnt talk much about the war either, Joseph Tachovsky said this week, but his eyes were opened when he found an article from the December 1944 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. It was called Tachovskys Terrors and featured some of the craziest, fiercest, most lovable Marines who have wreaked havoc in, around, and mostly behind the enemy lines.

Strombo said the platoon members jokingly called themselves the Forty Thieves.

Every time we needed a bottle of something we somehow got it, he said, with a grin.

But they were also masters at covert operations, disrupting the enemy in their own camps, tracking locations, and bringing back information, Tachovsky said.

Frequent interviews with Tachovsky have opened the faucet to stories that Strombo long suppressed, even as nightmares of war continued to dog him.

He tells of the day he was in a five-man squad that sneaked into Garapan, the capital of Saipan, in broad daylight and came back riding five bicycles. That trip started by foiling an ambush along the ocean shore in which one of his mates, Ira Causey, spotted the glint of a rifle and opened fire, probably saving Strombos life.

One of the Japanese involved was wounded and fled to the water, where Strombo shot and killed him.

I felt kind of bad, he said. We could have taken him prisoner, but you dont think. You just start shooting.

After U.S. troops overran Saipan in July 1944, they moved on to Tinian, a key island within bomber distance of Tokyo that would be the launching pad for the Enola Gay and its atomic cargo a year later. Strombo, who later served in Korea, would finish his World War II service in a devastated Nagasaki, a few weeks after the atomic bomb was dropped there.

But before the assault on Tinian began, the Marines were called back to Saipan, where the Japanese had overrun U.S. Army troops.

There he witnessed more horrifying sights. Rather than being taken alive, Japanese soldiers committed hari-kiri by jumping off a cliff near Garapan called Marpi Point.

They thought the Marines were so bad theyd cut you to pieces, so many of them just took their own lives, Strombo said. Whole families would hold hands and walk out into the ocean (to their deaths). We saw some of that.

American interpreters pleaded by amplifier with the civilians.

They tried to tell them, 'Dont do it, because youre safe and nothing bad will happen to you.' But they didnt listen, Strombo said.

Strombo was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom fought in World War II and came home safely. Oliver was in a different Marine regiment fighting the same battles Marvin was. Dick and Glenn were with the Army in Europe.

Their homecoming in Dixon really wasnt much.

Most of us came home and it was, Well, hi, where have you been? I know it was quite a relief for our mother and whatnot, he said.

All these years later, Strombo thinks of the Japanese he fought and killed with respect.

On Saipan, as the Forty Thieves lurked in the front lines, he came upon a dead Japanese officer. Japanese soldiers often absconded with American dogtags as mementos, while the Americans claimed hinomarus, the Japanese national flag that often had tributes and names of the families of the soldier.

Everybody wanted a flag and also sabers were kind of hard to get because there wasnt that many officers, Strombo said.

He laid claim to both and carried them with him for the rest of the war and, eventually, back to Montana.

Some dirty thief broke into Strombos Missoula home in the late 1970s and stole the saber, he said. But the flag remains, and now one of the last of Forty Thieves wants to give it back.

Is there a way, he wonders, to trace the names on the flag to the Japanese officers descendants? If so, hed be honored to return it.

I dont know, he said. Its been so long now ...
PABLO  Seven students at Two Eagle River School took new musical equipment on a test drive last week.

The state-of-the-art audio technology was donated through an unlikely Pablo-Manhattan connection.

Earlier this year, photography teacher David Spear, through the nonprofit Art Vision and Outreach In Community Education, brought his Two Eagle photography students to New York City.

They visited the storied International Center for Photography and took pictures, which were printed and exhibited by the staff at the Lower East Side Girls Club.

During the students' visit to the club, which is independent of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, they took a tour of its audio production facilities and classes. Some students mentioned that they didn't have any equipment like that in Pablo.

The Girls Club has a full facility at this point. But they still get offers for donations, said creative director Lyn Pentecost. And they always take it, passing it on to their sister clubs in places such as New Orleans, Chiapis, Mexico, Sierra Leone. And now, the Flathead Indian Reservation.

A team from the Girls Club brought the equipment to western Montana, where they installed it and gave students and staff members an introductory lesson in production and podcasts.

"We always say in the sound studio that it's a way to tell stories, our stories," said Kelly Webb, director of the Girls Club's sound studio.

The classroom at Two Eagle River School in a small extension building was often quiet as a library last week as the high-school students tapped away at Ableton Push MIDI controllers connected to MacBook Pros, creating their own beats from scratch.

The equipment allowed them to produce state-of-the-art, beat-based music, from hip-hop to pop to dance.

Mars Sandoval has used GarageBand, the Apple music software program, but Ableton is a step up in features and quality. It's fun, he said, but "a little more complicated. There's a lot more options to it."

"That's crazy dude," his friend said after giving a listen to Sandoval's first creation, a piano-bass-drums beat with a classic '90s hip-hop feel.

Later in the day, another set of students at the tribal alternative school would learn to make their own podcasts, complete with music and sound effects.

The audio-production work stations, six in all, will allow teachers to add audio to their curriculum, whether it's for English or an art class.

Spear sees the equipment as the first step in creating a digital sound and imaging area for the school.

"The idea would be that if we had a current and modern facility for sound and digital imaging we could fit this space into curriculum so that teachers could come use it," he said.

If English teachers wanted to record poetry, or history teachers wanted to record oral history projects, the equipment is available. There isn't an official music class at the school, but the art teacher has instruments that students have shown interest in. Spear hopes they'll be able to have musicians traveling through the area stop by and do a session.

The digital photo aspect is next. Spear is still using a traditional darkroom, but is looking for resources to switch from analog.

In addition to the Girls Club's audio experts, they brought a photography instructor to teach some classes at Two Eagle. Perhaps next summer, the club may bring some of its students to Montana.

***

The audio equipment comprises six full work stations. Each has a MacBook Pro, Ableton Live audio production software, an Ableton Push MIDI controller, a microphone and a Native Instruments audio interface where they can connect an electric guitar or keyboard. It's the standard set-up for a bedroom producer working on a professional level, said Lauren Vargas, the club's assistant director of technology.

"You can't throw a stick in Brooklyn without hitting a bedroom producer. This is what everyone has," she said.

With the controllers, they can queue up different virtual instruments and queue up sounds and play.

"They can do music in any style, truly," she said. "You can emulate pretty much anything on there."

The equipment has options for novice musicians, too. It can fix the timing on drums and beats. The virtual keyboards let you play in key every time.

On Thursday, the students got first crack at the equipment in a two-hour session with Vargas. They started by picking out drum sounds.

Vargas had each student take a turn adding a drum sound or two to the beat. Some were reluctant to add too much, but she encouraged them to go further. "You can go nuts on this thing," she said. Any hand-clap or snare they added could be taken away.

The students laughed as it grew into a stuttering rhythm. They returned to their work stations and went to work creating their own, headphones to ears, heads nodding, with Vargas and Webb helping them along.

Next came bass lines. Finally, they added keyboards.

In less than two hours, they had their first songs.
Parks and Recreation Board

When: Noon Monday.

Where: Headwaters at Currents, 600 Cregg Lane.

***

Missoula County Public Schools' Board of Trustees

Special meeting

When: Noon Monday.

Where: Business Building boardroom, 915 South Ave. W.

Agenda: Approve the exercise of the option to purchase the Cold Springs property.

***

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Board of Trustees

When: Noon Monday.

Where: Building T-1, Fort Missoula.

Agenda: Holiday lantern tours program; annual fund request; Trustee renewal/new Trustee discussion.

***

Hellgate Elementary Board of Trustees

When: 7 p.m. Monday.

Where: School District 4 Boardroom, 2385 Flynn Lane.

Agenda: NWEA testing results; sale of General Obligation Bonds; New West Health Insurance; Montana Department of Labor and Industry Compliance Division; teacher tenure and Hellgate Elementary specialists; Big Sky High School and Hellgate Elementary.

***

Bonner Milltown Community Council

When: 7 p.m. Monday.

Where: Bonner School Library, Highway 200, Bonner.

Agenda: Consider for possible approval and forwarding to the County Commissioners a letter of Council public comment on the Army Corps of Engineers draft environmental statement for the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals coal export terminal at Longview, Washington. The council will review its by-laws and written policies and assess the need for possible revision, and will receive any available updates for community projects including the pedestrian trail extension from Tamarack Road westward and the wastewater treatment feasibility study.

***

East Missoula Community Council

When: 7 p.m. Monday.

Where: Library of former Mount Jumbo School, 735 Michigan.

Agenda: Metropoiltan Planning Organization, consideration of preferred transportation system scenarios and projects for the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP); Council budget for 2016/2017; "Nextdoor East Missoulas interest in a Neighborhood Watch for East Missoula; impovements to Highway 200 and Peacock and Randles intersections; continuation of discussions of possible work projects for the coming year, to include work on Highway 200 improvements, discussions regarding changes to the Growth Policy for East Missoula.

***

Seeley Lake Community Council

When: 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Where: Community Hall, 3248 Highway 83, Seeley Lake.

Agenda: Question and answer session on the proposed sewer system with representatives of the Sewer District, Missoula County Engineering and Health Departments, USDA Rural Development.

***

Missoula City Council

When: 7 p.m. Monday.

Where: City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St.

Agenda: Petition No. 9787 - Resolution to Annex Tract A, Certificate of Survey 6082 and infrastructure rebate program for Costco Wholesale for off-site construction of Mary Jane Boulevard.

***

Target Range Sewer and Water District

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Target Range School Library.

***

Transportation Policy Coordination Committee

When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St.

***

Business Improvement District board

When: 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Missoula Downtown office, 218 E. Main St. Suite C.

***

Public Art Committee

When: 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Jack Reidy Conference Room, 140 W. Pine St.

***

Evaro Finley O'Keefe Community Council

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Evaro Community Center/School House.

Agenda: Air shed zones; service project list for service groups.

***

Missoula Redevelopment Agency Board

When: Noon Wednesday.

Where: Hal Fraser Conference Room, 140 W. Pine st.

***

Missoula Housing Authority Board

When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: 1235 34th St.

***

Missoula Public Library board

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Director's office, 301 E. Main St.

Agenda: Next steps for project; financing.

***

Missoula City-County Health Board

When: 12:15 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Health Board Conference Room, 301 W. Alder St.

***

Impact Fee Advisory Committee

When: 3 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Jack Reidy Conference Room, 140 W. Pine st.

***

Community Forum

When: 7 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St.

***

Missoula County Open Lands Citizen's Advisory Committee

When: 6 p.m. Thursday.

Where: CAPS office Conference Room, 323 W. Alder St.

Agenda: Update on Smurfit-Stone site and EPA site investigation; Trust Montana.
This legislative session, lets make a commitment to the future of Montana families and students by committing enough public funding to cover at least half the cost of public universities in Montana.

Our state currently pitches in about 39 percent of the cost of education for the Montana University System, an amount that pales in comparison to the national average of 54 percent. Now more than ever, we need our representatives and the Montana Legislature to step up our investment in higher education and return Montanas public universities to primarily public funding.

Legislators have done a lot in the last two legislative sessions to lift our states share in public universities back up from a painfully low 32 percent in 2012. This work to bring public education back from the brink is important and appreciated, but it isnt complete. Our states students need the sort of stability that only the public commitment of years past can provide.

In 2000, our state funded 49 percent of the cost of public universities. In 1992, 72 percent. Today, declining to fund even half the cost of our public colleges and universities is a disservice to Montana students and families, who are left with a choice of higher tuition and fees or lower quality, a disservice to our public institutions that are forced to focus on enrollment over excellence, and a disservice to the very prospect of long-term economic prosperity in our state.

Money invested in our university system is an investment in both the short- and long-term success of our state. A study by the Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research found every state dollar spent on higher education has a direct economic impact of $3 generated in state tax revenue. Furthermore, over 75 percent of students in our university system are Montana residents, and over 80 percent will be living and working in Montana within a year of graduation. Our state and our citizens need the sort of state investment it takes to keep public education public.

When Montanas universities can only count on 39 percent of funding from the state, any swing in enrollment has an outsize impact on our university system across the board, leaving our public colleges and universities unjustifiably vulnerable to inevitable swings in enrollment.

At the University of Montana, weve seen firsthand how vulnerable to enrollment swings the thin margins of state support can leave Montana universities. Last year, UM carried out widespread cuts and re-organization as a result of lowered enrollment, and as our university finally turns the page on the past few years turmoil, boosting enrollment cannot be the only avenue for ensuring that UM has the resources it needs to be begin turning our retreat into an advance.

Restoring our states share in public higher ed is a necessary step to ensure that UM, and all our state universities, can end our enrollment obsession and focus on the quality of education provided to Montana students.

In a year with revenues down, its more important than ever that we prioritize the sort of smart, long-term investments in areas like public higher ed that expand opportunity and strengthen our economy. We implore Montana legislators to help bring back a state commitment that ensures the quality of higher ed in Montana and keeps our universities affordable enough for the average Montanan.

Our state funded 49 percent of the cost of our university system as recently as 2000, and restoring our state share to at least half the cost of higher ed sends the strong message we need about what it means to be a public university, about our commitment to tomorrows students, and about our commitment to investments that are proven to work. We know that our current state contribution to public universities is woefully below the national average, that a dollar toward higher ed equals three dollars toward Montanas economy, and that failing to invest elevates enrollment at the cost of quality.

We know that we can do better, and we call upon legislators to push for public funding for public universities this spring with a commitment to fund at least 50 percent of the Montana University Systems budget when it comes up in House Bill 2 and the General Fund Appropriations Act.
Years ago I read an article in Reader's Digest about a young boy who accidentally overdosed on his grandmothers prescription medications. She had been storing her medications in an easily accessible area. When I read this article, my mother instinct sparked and I soon purchased an inexpensive safe to store our familys medications.

Four years ago, my then-15-year-old son began using recreational drugs. This drug use became a serious addiction to prescription medications he had been accessing at school. He told me prescription drugs were the most available drugs to find. The prescriptions were predominantly ADHD medications. I know that locking our own familys prescription medications helped saved my sons life. He has since recovered from his addiction through therapeutic intervention.

We as parents would never consider driving down the interstate at 80 miles per hour without our young children buckled in safety seats. Please take the same precautionary measure and safeguard your prescription medications by properly using them, storing them (locked and/or up and away) and by properly disposing of them. Medications can be very beneficial in treating medical conditions; however, when improperly used or accidentally ingested, some medications can potentially be as dangerous as street drugs.

After reading the life-changing article and my sons return from treatment, I sought out community resources and quickly met Brandee Tyree, the coordinator of the Missoula Prescription Drug Task force. Through the members on the task force, I learned more about medication safety. These are a few statistics I learned that have helped me understand the importance of keeping our medications stored and used properly:

 In 48 percent of emergency room visits in 2014 for young children who accessed medicine, those medications belonged to a grandparent.

 There are 10,000 ER visits yearly for over-the-counter medicine overdose by self-medicating teens.

 The products most commonly accidentally ingested by children under 4 months are ibuprofen, multivitamins and diaper care and rash products.

 Medicines that most commonly result in serious medical issues for teens include those used to treat mental health conditions and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Studies also report that 6 percent of Missoula eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders reported they have used a narcotic (pain killer) without a doctors prescription and 5 percent reported using a stimulant (such as Adderall) without a doctors prescription in their lifetime (Montana Prevention Needs Assessment, 2016). This is a community concern with community solutions.

Three simple steps can make a huge difference in keeping our family, friends, pets and homes safe:

 Proper use: Use the recommended or prescribed dosage, never share prescriptions and use them only as prescribed for you.

 Proper storage: Keep your medications locked, up and away, out of sight.

 Proper disposal: Safely dispose of your prescription medication by taking it to a secure dropbox location: Missoula area dropboxes are at the Missoula Police Department (435 Ryman St.), Granite Pharmacy (2230 27th Ave.) and Curry Health Center (634 Eddy Ave.).

We encourage everyone to attend the free Community Conversation Safeguard your medications, Safeguard your home on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. on the Community Medical Center campus in the Gallagher Board Room. Safe Kids Missoula and the Missoula Prescription Drug Task Force are sponsoring this free event. Join experts in our community to discuss the importance of medication safety and what is being done in our community and across the State to enhance safety and reduce prescription drug misuse/abuse and deaths. As a community we can help keep everyone safe from the misuse of medication. For more information, call 406-926-2522 or email kirah@fchwmt.org.

As a parent, I am very grateful that I happened to come across the article in Reader's Digest. We as parents and community members can work together to help one another properly use, store and dispose of our prescription medication. It may not be your own child you are protecting; it may be your niece, your grandchild, your sitter or someone visiting your home. I know we can all work together to protect everyones children.
1). Overhaul voting system and reinforce voter ID to prevent voter fraud. 2). overhaul prison system and not release criminals to society. 3). Establish prisoner labor system to compensate prison cost. 4). Legislation on no voting rights for prisoners. 5). Reduce dependence of low income families on welfare and encourage work to get living expense (community factory?) 6) Cap the incentive and credit to low income families with multiple kids. 7). No welfare for illegals. 8). legislation on national debt and government spending: the increase should be kept with the GDP growth rate.
Hang in there.

Hope is on the horizon for medical marijuana patients and providers in Montana. The voters have spoken, and agreed to allow patients with certain health conditions to access medical marijuana to relieve their suffering. Again.

Montana voters originally approved the use of medical marijuana in 2004. That ballot initiative, while an important step in the right direction, was flawed in several key ways that allowed some unscrupulous opportunists to exploit the rules.

Unfortunately, instead of working to tighten those loopholes, the legislature responded by doing their utmost to counter the will of the voters and all but repeal the new medical marijuana laws.

The ensuing legal battle that played out in Montanas courts was only recently exhausted with the surprising decision to limit medical marijuana providers to three patients each, effectively closing off access for thousands of cardholders.

By September, dozens of businesses had been forced to close and 11,850 of the states 12,730 medical marijuana cardholders had no legal provider. These businesses will remain closed despite the passage of Initiative 182 last Tuesday  and patients will continue to suffer  until the new law takes effect June 30, 2017.

Unless the Legislature acts sooner.

Like the 2004 initiative, I-182 could benefit from a legislative look-see. It does not, however, need extensive revision. What it needs most of all is to be implemented as soon as possible.

Fortunately, Missoula state Sen. Diane Sands is already working on a draft bill to lift the three-patient restriction the moment it receives legislative approval. Additional bills will ensure the regulatory system works with existing statute and includes clear definitions.

Montanas medical marijuana laws are aimed at allowing patients to access a relatively affordable medicine that relieves a variety of symptoms, such as nausea and insomnia, that commonly accompany severe illness. It is also intended to allow a well-regulated and reasonably restricted medical marijuana industry to fill this prescription, which federal law still treats as a controlled substance. Thats why it cant be found at any pharmacy, despite its well-established effectiveness at relieving certain symptoms.

And its why 29 states have passed their own medical marijuana laws in recent years. Additionally, eight states and the District of Columbia allow recreational use. Montana isnt one of these.

In a nutshell, according to the official petition language, the new initiative:

 renames the Montana Marijuana Act to the Montana Medical Marijuana Act;

 allows a single treating physician to certify medical marijuana for a patient diagnosed with chronic pain;

 includes post-traumatic stress disorder as a debilitating medical condition for which physician may certify medical marijuana;

 describes licensing requirements, fees and prohibitions for medical marijuana dispensaries and testing laboratories;

 repeals the limit of three patients for each licensed provider;

 allows providers to hire employees to cultivate, dispense and transport medical marijuana;

 repeals the requirement that physicians who provide certifications for 25 or more patients annually be referred to the board of medical examiners;

 removes the authority of law enforcement to conduct unannounced inspections of medical marijuana facilities; and,

 requires annual inspections by the state.

Last week, these changes passed with 57 percent of the vote, or 284,241 ballots casts in favor. Some provisions, such as the addition of PTSD to the list of conditions eligible for marijuana prescription, took immediate effect. And the state health department has already begun making plans to meet the demands of the new testing and licensing systems.

However, the crucial three-patient rule remains in place. It should be lifted immediately. Montanas legislators must take it upon themselves to start researching this issue well before the next session begins on Jan. 2. Then, they will be well prepared to pass Sands bill among their first orders of business, in the first days of the session.

Until that happens, each passing day means another day of needless suffering for thousands of Montanans.
Butte may soon be a forerunner for a new concept in the world of rural economic development.

This is because the folks at Headwaters RC&D are teaming up with a Wyoming-based company to bring crowdfunding to Butte.

On Wednesday, Headwaters officials announced that Butte has been selected to be one of among 20-plus test sites for a research project that will investigate the effectiveness of crowdfunding as a tool for economic development.

In case you dont have your finger on the pulse of everything tech, crowdfunding is an internet-based fundraising technique thats gained popularity in recent years.

Sites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter have led the way in the concept, and they work like this: instead of applying for grants or getting a bank loan, businesses, organizations, or individuals can harness the power of the internet by submitting fundraising campaigns to websites where users can donate to projects of their choice.

In 2015 alone, crowdfunding platforms raised more than $34 billion worldwide, and their websites have yielded some sophisticated campaigns replete with slickly produced promotional videos.

While crowdfunding seems to have demonstrated its usefulness in the marketplace of ideas, The Local Crowd, the company behind the research project, plans to give the concept a grassroots, community-driven twist.

Company co-founder Diane Wolverton said both she and her business partner Kim Vincent are passionate about promoting economic development in rural America.

Wolverton has over 21 years of experience in economic development, having served as the state director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wyoming and the executive director of the Wyoming Smart Capital Network.

Vincent, meanwhile, is a counselor at the Wyoming Women's Business Center in addition to running her own small business in downtown Laramie and lecturing in an adjunct position at the University of Wyoming.

In 2012, Wolverton said, the duo started The Local Crowd after hearing about crowdfundings success in other spheres.

When I saw crowdfunding come on the scene, I thought there must be some way it can be tooled for rural America, said Wolverton, noting that small businesses in rural communities often have difficulty locating the capital they need.

To solve this problem, Wolverton and Vincent came up with the idea of creating a crowdfunding platform geared toward fundraising at the local, community level.

They received a $100,000 grant from the USDA to conduct a feasibility study, and in 2015, they got a $500,000 grant to implement the platform and conduct a research project using different test sites.

To take part in the project, Headwaters officials submitted an application for Butte to become one of the test sites.

Julie Jaksha, the Small Business Development Center director at Headwaters, said she decided to take part in the project after hearing about The Local Crowd from economic development leaders in Bozeman, who are also taking part in the study.

Jaksha said she thought Butte would be a good candidate because of the level of community engagement among its business owners.

They want to support each other, said Jaksha. I think that its pretty exciting, and I think its going to be a good tool for economic development.

Wolverton agreed.

They had an awesome and enthusiastic team and a real desire to help local businesses, she said. Also we thought the story of the building of Our Lady of the Rockies shows that the community has a history and culture of coming together for projects they care about.

Wolverton added that one cornerstone of The Local Crowd  and what sets it apart from other crowdfunding platforms  is its emphasis on local people supporting local projects.

But what also sets it apart, Wolverton said, is the multiple ways that residents can support campaigns.

In addition to donating money, donors can also offer in-kind support or matching donations. Similarly, the platform allows businesses to donate sponsored rewards for donors while the funds from offline fundraisers can also be added to the campaigns.

So far communities that have signed up for The Local Group study are Driggs, Idaho; Fulton County, Illinois; Laramie; and Bozeman, among others, and projects have included everything from funding an artist incubator to helping launch a dried fruit company.

The next step in the process for Headwaters officials will be to take part in an eight-week online training program to introduce them to the crowdfunding software.

Were training the trainers, said Wolverton.

After the training, Headwaters officials will be versed in promoting the platform and teaching organizations how to use the platform and submit and run a successful campaign.

The target date for the launch of Buttes crowdfunding page  which will be hosted on The Local Crowd website  is early 2017.

All in all, Jaksha said, innovative solutions like crowdfunding can help those entrepreneurs who have difficulty raising the capital necessary to start their business.

Also, she said its a great way to double down on investment.

By investing in local projects, Jaksha said, she hopes residents will also become invested in their success.
BILLINGS  Montana farm groups are holding onto hope that Congress will pass that Trans Pacific Partnership before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, but things arent looking good for free trade.

You've read all the same reports I have from congressional leaders  many saying TPP won't be considered now until Trump gives direction, said Lola Raska of Montana Grain Growers. He has been very vocal about his opposition and interest in renegotiating the deal.

The Montana Farm Bureau Federation said it also is pressing its members to continue lobbying the states congressional delegation for a TPP vote.

For years, Montanas largest farm groups have urged ratification of the 12-nation TPP. Those trade partners currently buy $814 million worth of Montana merchandise annually, with petroleum and coal products topping the list.

More than 80 percent of Montanas wheat is also sold to TPP nations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, which is also a top-five consumer of U.S. beef. With more than $3 billion in annual sales, agriculture is Montanas largest private economic sector.

However, none of Montanas congressional delegation has committed to voting for the trade deal. Heading into the post-election lame duck session, all three lawmakers were declaring the TPP dead.

Senator McConnell runs the floor and he has said loud and clear that TPP isnt going anywhere this year, and President-elect Trump has repeatedly stated that he is going to scrap it when he takes office in January, said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. But Im going to continue to work to ensure that Montana producers and workers get a fair shake if Republicans and Democrats come up with a path forward.

In the days leading up to the election, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it was hopeful TPP would be taken up during the lame duck session. Taking up the trade agreement this year would mean having the debate while President Barack Obama is still in office. TPP was crafted during the Obama administration. The U.S. Trade Representative also had concerns about how the agreement would be supported by the next president, regardless of who won Nov. 8.

Both President-elect Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, had said they opposed TPP, at least as written.

The other concern behind getting the TPP passed, said Ambassador Darci Vetter, USTRs chief agricultural negotiator, was timing. While TPP stalled in the United States, China advanced its own trade policies, the Regional Economic Partnership and the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.

Those China-led trade policies could set the table for trade talks in the Asia Pacific, becoming the foundation for any trade agreements the United States pursued bilaterally with would-be TPP nations.

And bilateral agreements would be needed, Vetter said. Theres a misconception among TPP opponents that not passing the TPP would mean keeping trade agreements as they are. But the United States is in need of new agreements with several TPP members.

Australia, which is one Montanas biggest competitors for wheat sales in Japan, has already renegotiated tariffs lower than current tariffs on U.S. grain products. Theres concern that an agreement between Japan and China, which has a glut of wheat, would erode U.S. sales to Japan.

We are very concerned about China leading other Asian countries in a deal that excludes the U.S., Raska said. They have a lot of wheat stockpiled right now, adding to the current world glut, and, with better trade provisions, could out-compete us in Montana's most important markets.

The U.S. House of Representatives hasnt had the will to pass the TPP, said Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. Conditions arent likely to change in the last two months of the year.

Theres just not enough votes in the House for it and theres some fundamental issues on it that need to be addressed, Zinke said. It can be renegotiated fairly quickly because were the power in that and no one wants to see China, especially our allies in the region, have a dominance.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said the United States needs to flex its muscle as a primary consumer of products from other countries to leverage better terms for agriculture exports.

"We need to push other countries especially those with whom we have a trade deficit to level the playing field and open their markets to our farmers and ranchers," Daines said.
The Lewis and Clark County commission agreed to use the countys Open Lands Program funds to buy nearly 9.5 acres on the edge of Lincoln and along the Blackfoot River for a community park.

However, a county attorneys office opinion is advising the commission it cant can use the programs funds to pay related fees.

Land trust representatives at Thursday's commission meeting where the Lincoln project and another near Augusta were discussed disagreed with Deputy County Attorney Katie Jerstads Nov. 6 legal opinion.

Responses to the county attorney offices opinion were to be prepared for the Nov. 29 commission meeting when the question of using the bond fund for transaction costs would be discussed.

The Montana Association of Land Trusts was among those supporting the use of bond funds for these associated costs.

A Nov. 9 letter from its director, Glenn Marx, urged the commission to include transaction costs in county funding of the Lincoln project.

Both the cost of property and those for the transaction are essential to the open lands program conserving open land, he stated in the letter.

However, commission Chairman Mike Murray noted that lawyers argue with each other and judges decide.

The county commission is not a decider of differing opinions on what is an allowable use of the Open Lands Program bond, Murray said and added once we receive an opinion from the county attorney, were bound to uphold it.

Action by the commission to approve paying the full appraised value for the land in Lincoln came after Vickie Edwards, conservation program manager for Five Valleys Land Trust, asked the commission to separate payment for the land from transaction fees because of the December closing date for the property.

Five Valleys Land Trust is sponsoring the project in Lincoln that began as a community effort in conjunction with Prickly Pear Land Trust of Helena.

Unlike other uses of the bond where a landowner sells the right to subdivide the land, the Lincoln project purchases the land that will be owned and managed by Five Valleys Land Trust.

Five Valleys Land Trusts vision for the land, Edwards said, is to provide a place where the community can walk in and fish and picnic, as well as a place for an outdoor classroom for Lincolns school.

We anticipate owning this for the long term, she said.

Expenses associated with the Lincoln Community River Park that are being requested from the county amount to $17,887 and are less than the $20,487 to prepare the project for the Open Lands Program bond, she said.

The total funding request from county Open Lands Program funding is up to $102,887, she noted and explained that the actual amount could be less based on the last of the transaction fees such as recording the propertys title.

If the commission doesnt agree to include transaction costs in its funding of the project, Five Valleys Land Trust will continue fundraising to pay for those costs, Edwards said on Friday.

Were definitely not walking away from it, she added of her organizations commitment to seeing the land purchased on behalf of the community.

Lewis and Clark County voters in 2008 approved issuing $10 million of bonds to fund projects that protected open space, water quality, working ranches, wildlife and recreation. The bond came in reaction to the rapid pace of development locally.

Because of the recession, development slowed and there was less financial interest in selling subdivision rights to land. The first Open Lands Program project came in 2010. A second project occurred in 2011 and another occurred in 2012.

Five other projects tapped bond funds beginning in 2014, and the Lincoln project marked the ninth one to win county approval.

Of the $10 million authorized by voters, $3 million was converted into cash in 2010 to fund projects. Prior to the Lincoln project, about $1,975,000 had been spent, according to a tally from the countys finance office.

Commissioner Susan Good Geise said she was impressed that Lincoln residents helped fund the project.

They kind of passed the hat, she said and noted that those contributions produced $2,600.

Adding to her support, she explained, was that the entire community benefits.

This is like the sweetheart of projects, Geise said, and she saw it going beyond the programs criteria.

The commissioners willingness to use the bond for the $85,000 appraised price for the land in Lincoln was supported by a county attorneys office opinion that said the county can pay up to the appraised value.

While Jerstads opinion supported paying up to an appraised value, it didnt support using Open Lands Program funds for related costs in a transaction, such as for appraisals and environmental reports, among other of paperwork.

A court, she explained, would look at state law for guidance and then focus on the Open Lands Program bond language.

It is the opinion of this office that the language to pay costs associated with the sale and issuance of bonds does not include the costs incurred by the project sponsors or applicants, Jerstad wrote, noting that the language does allow for payment to the professionals needed for the process to issue bonds.

And, she added, If the County were to follow the well-established contract interpretation principle  one cannot omit what has been inserted or insert what has been omitted  it is clear that transaction costs were specifically omitted from the Countys open space ballot proposition.

While open space bond language in Ravalli and Missoula counties allows payment of transaction costs, the bond language that was approved by voters in Lewis and Clark County after those of the other two counties does not include the transaction costs of the sponsor or landowner/applicant, Jerstad noted.

She also disputed suggestions that sponsoring organizations would not incur some of the transaction costs were these steps not required by the county.

Open Lands Program requirements for due diligence  steps to satisfy legal requirements in property transactions  that she helped draft are modeled after best practices for land trusts that seek national accreditation.

Many of the countys requirements, she explained, are also contained in those accreditation standards for internal operating procedures of land trusts.

Because there are several accredited land trusts in the county that work on projects for the Open Lands Program, her legal opinion continued, that accreditation means those organizations are already doing many if not all of the steps the county requires to satisfy legal requirements in property transactions.

In other words, asking the County for transaction costs, some of which are incurred by the landowner, some by the project sponsor, and often not itemized in the request, is akin to asking the County to make a donation to the land trust to assist with their internal operating expenses that they would incur regardless of whether they sought funding from the County, Jerstad wrote. Such donations are also unauthorized by the bond and by Montana Law.

Jerstads opinion was delivered to the commission later on Wednesday, the same day of a letter from Five Valleys Land Trust to comment on funding transaction costs.

That letter, Edwards said, was not directed toward Jerstads opinion but was instead in response to discussion by the commission when it was discussing the Lincoln project on Oct. 25.

The letter was signed by Five Valleys Land Trust director Grant Kier and stated that his organization believed the commission has the discretion to use the bond to pay transaction costs despite no authorization in the ballot language for the bond.

Transaction costs, Kier continued, can pose a significant financial barrier to completing an application for Open Lands Program funds.

We believe that, because of the implicit and unavoidable nature of these costs, the Commissions ability to expend bond funds to cover such costs should accordingly be implied and permitted as requisite part of the process of acquiring real property interests for open-space purposes, his letter noted.

He also advised the commission that based on conversations with an expert in bond law, who was not named in the letter, that using the bond for transaction costs is appropriate because such costs are a necessary and proper expense of any real estate transaction.
A major campaign funding organization chaired by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is waiting to hear back from its attorneys before deciding whether to return donations caught up in political controversy.

Tester said Friday that the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn't decided whether to return money it received from Boston-based Thornton Law Firm.

The law firm, which has given $200,000 to the DSCC this election cycle, has been accused of running a scheme to circumvent federal donation limits.

Donations by Thornton employees were questioned because the donors received bonuses equal, or nearly equal, to the amount they gave to campaigns shortly after donations were made.

Tester gave the U.S. Treasury $51,800 of the personal campaign donations he had received from Thornton employees after an investigation by the Boston Globe and the Center for Responsive Politics concluded that Thornton might have broken campaign laws. The story led with an anecdote about Tester traveling to the Boston law firm and leaving with $26,400 in checks in 2010.

There's been no indication Tester or other federal lawmakers receiving cash from Thornton realized the donations were questionable.

"They've got an attorney that's supposed to be looking for that stuff right now to make sure it was legal or illegal," Tester said. "If it was illegal, it will be going back. If it's not, it won't."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, is a major funding source for Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. Like many of the candidates it supports, DSCC received significant amounts of money from the Thornton Law Firm.

DSCC's daily operations are managed by Executive Director Tom Lopach, a Helena native and Tester's former chief of staff. Lopach was DSCC finance director in 2008.

Tester's 2012 campaign director, Preston Elliott, is the DSCC deputy executive director. DSCC's national finance director is Valerie Charca Friedman, who was the national finance director of Tester's re-election campaign. A fourth DSCC staffer, Christie Roberts, was Tester's research director in 2012.

Asked whether he planned to seek re-election in 2018, Tester replied, "That's the plan."

Following Tuesday's election results, which saw the number of statewide elected Democrats in Montana shrink from five to two and President-elect Donald Trump take a commanding majority of the Montana vote, Tester said he was willing to work with Trump.

"I just think that elections matter, and I think the people of Montana spoke," Tester said. "The people of the nation spoke, and I think it's time, at the federal level, to give President Trump the opportunity to govern and work with him where we can, hold him accountable where he needs to be held accountable. Move the country forward."
So few Americans cast ballots that a new president was elected by barely a quarter of Americans eligible to vote. Some of those who did vote waited in line for hours. Others were told they needed an ID to vote under a law the courts had nullified months ago  and sometimes, under laws that never existed to begin with.

Amid the ruins of the ugliest presidential campaign in modern history, Democrats are bemoaning an election apparatus so balky and politically malleable that throngs of would-be voters either gave up trying to cast ballots or cast ones that were never counted.

This was the first presidential election in a half century that was held without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Voting rights advocates spent the year in court battling, with incomplete success, to roll back restrictions on the franchise enacted by Republican legislatures in state after state.

Some scholars and election analysts questioned this week whether a better run and less politically influenced voting process might have changed the outcome in some close races and made the presidential contest even closer.
Animal lovers may be happy to know that two new vets have come to town, and it isnt their first time at the rodeo when it comes to providing service to rural communities.

In October Drs. Dulce Coulson and Bruce Pedersen opened Mining City Veterinary Center on Utah Avenue near Uptown Butte.

And although she didnt receive her doctorate until she was an adult, Dr. Coulson says shes been practicing animal care her whole life.

I was born and raised on a ranch, said Coulson, who grew up on her familys property in the town of Racetrack, nine miles south of Deer Lodge. There she helped raise horses, cattle and pigs in addition to the family pets. Thats definitely my heart, thats where Im from.

This upbringing, Coulson said, help ignite her passion for rural communities, a passion that she shares with Pedersen, her colleague and business partner.

Like Coulson, Pedersen grew up amid wide open spaces.

Hes a native of Nebraska, where he followed in his fathers footsteps as a veterinarian.

His dad is a large-animal veterinarian as well, whos still practicing in Nebraska, Coulson said.

In 2012, Pedersen launched Watford City Veterinary Center  a 32,000-square-foot medical clinic  in Watford, North Dakota, where he continues to reside today, spending part of his time in Butte.

According to a 2015 article from Voices of Watford City, the facility is the largest veterinary clinic in North Dakota and the third largest in the nation.

But Coulson said life wasnt easy when the facility opened in 2012.

At first it was understaffed, Coulson said, to the point that Pedersen was spending many hours at the veterinary center.

Coulson said she heard about the North Dakota facility from her sister, who worked as a medevac pilot in the area. After hearing the story, she called the doctor to offer her help.

He said, when can you get here? Coulson said. And thats how we became friends.

For about three years Coulson split her time between helping at the Watford City Veterinary Center and working at Highlands Veterinary Hospital in Butte until the duo decided to open a second vet center.

Coulson said she and Pedersen looked at several areas for their new business, but eventually decided Butte was the place to be.

I love Butte people, Coulson said. Theres no better people than Butte people.

Today Mining City Veterinary Center offers 24-hour emergency care, wellness checkups, surgery, dentistry, critical care, cancer treatment and third-party pet grooming. Its staff treats both large and small animals. The center also offers referrals to alternative treatments for pets, such as chiropractic services and acupuncture. As of Jan. 1, the facility will have a support staff of five and three doctors with the addition of Dr. Jessica Mulkey, who will do home and ranch calls in addition to other duties.

But the Utah Avenue facility isnt all the doctors have planned for the Butte-Silver Bow area.

The doctors are also collaborating on building a large-animal facility, about 30,000-square-feet in size, in Ramsay and are in the process of acquiring land.

Coulson said a need exists for large-animal services in Butte. And to provide that service, Coulson said, the people at Mining City Veterinary Center will make use of technology like telemedicine and electronic medical records, which Coulson said can make a huge difference for owners who have to travel long distances to see a veterinarian or get access to a specialist.

Another key component of Mining City Veterinary Center is its home-like atmosphere.

Coulson describes the center as a pet centered practice.

You might have heard the term patient centered tossed around the medical industry. But in the world of veterinary medicine, the term carries much of the same meaning: the idea that medicine should be centered on the needs of the pets and their owners.

To create a pet centered environment, the people at Mining City Veterinary Center have done their best to create a space that feels more like home and less like a clinical setting.

Theyve painted the interior with a blue- and rust-copper theme, and adorned the walls with black and white photography showcasing imagery from Buttes past. The building, meanwhile, a former site of the Greek Consulate in Butte, boasts loads of natural light.

For Coulson, it all goes back to making pets and owners feel more at ease.

We kind of wanted to make it feel like a place you could come and sit and be comfortable and be involved in the care of your pet, Coulson said. Were going to take care of you and your pet like you were our own family.
Education powerful weapon for change

The week of November 14-18 is National Education Week. It is a time for all of us to recognize the invaluable work of our public educational system. We all know that education is the key to our future. A good public education is not only a right but a responsibility if we are to have informed productive citizens.

The success of our public school system is a joint effort that is composed of teachers, staff, substitute teachers, para-educators, bus drivers, food service workers, maintenance staff and all other ESPs who meet the needs of the whole student. It is also our local legislators who work for and support school funding for public education. And it is parents, grandparents and other interested citizens who give of their time and money to help students have the best possible learning experience.

So during this week we all need to take a moment to remember and thank all these individuals for the role they play in helping to educate our future. I urge you to visit your local schools this week and observe firsthand our public school system at work. I am sure you will agree that our future looks bright.

Nelson Mandela said: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Our public schools are that change agent. Support them because your future depends on them.

 Otis Anderson, Vice President, Southwest Montana Retired Educators Association, Dillon

Alice, are we in Kansas anymore?

The voters have spoken. President elect Donald Trump received 59,611,675 votes and his opponent, Secretary Hillary Clinton, recorded 59,814,018 votes. Dear Readers, do the math. If we elected our president by popular vote, Mr. Trump would be declared a loser by more than two hundred thousand democratically cast votes.

Of course this is not the way the process works. The Electoral College system allows rural America equal opportunity to the process, a process allowing Podunk America to elect Mr. Trump leader of the free world.

Alice, were not in Kansas anymore  or are we?

 Mike Mosolf, Democrat, Dillon
A major campaign funding organization chaired by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is waiting to hear back from its attorneys before deciding whether to return donations caught up in political controversy.

Tester told The Billings Gazette on Friday that the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn't decided whether to return money it received from Boston-based Thornton Law Firm.

The law firm, which has given $200,000 to the DSCC this election cycle, has been accused of running a scheme to circumvent federal donation limits.

Donations by Thornton employees were questioned because the donors received bonuses equal, or nearly equal, to the amount they gave to campaigns shortly after donations were made.

Tester gave the U.S. Treasury $51,800 of the personal campaign donations he had received from Thornton employees after an investigation by the Boston Globe and the Center for Responsive Politics concluded that Thornton might have broken campaign laws. The story led with an anecdote about Tester traveling to the Boston law firm and leaving with $26,400 in checks in 2010.

There's been no indication Tester or other federal lawmakers receiving cash from Thornton realized the donations were questionable.

"They've got an attorney that's supposed to be looking for that stuff right now to make sure it was legal or illegal," Tester said. "If it was illegal, it will be going back. If it's not, it won't."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, is a major funding source for Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. Like many of the candidates it supports, DSCC received significant amounts of money from the Thornton Law Firm.

DSCC's daily operations are managed by Executive Director Tom Lopach, a Helena native and Tester's former chief of staff. Lopach was DSCC finance director in 2008.

Tester's 2012 campaign director, Preston Elliott, is the DSCC deputy executive director. DSCC's national finance director is Valerie Charca Friedman, who was the national finance director of Tester's re-election campaign. A fourth DSCC staffer, Christie Roberts, was Tester's research director in 2012.

Asked whether he planned to seek re-election in 2018, Tester replied, "That's the plan."

Following Tuesday's election results, which saw the number of statewide elected Democrats in Montana shrink from five to two and President-elect Donald Trump take a commanding majority of the Montana vote, Tester said he was willing to work with Trump.

"I just think that elections matter, and I think the people of Montana spoke," Tester said. "The people of the nation spoke, and I think it's time, at the federal level, to give President Trump the opportunity to govern and work with him where we can, hold him accountable where he needs to be held accountable. Move the country forward."
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 []
New evidence from the public protector suggests that ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe asked EFF leader Julius Malema to help stop the nuclear deal, because it will crush the country economically.

The Rapport newspaper reported that Malema made the statement in an interview with former public protector Thuli Madonsela.

Malema said Mantashe asked him to stop President Jacob Zumas nuclear plans during coalition negotiations between the ANC and the EFF.

Mantashe allegedly told Malema the costs of the nuclear deal could result in an economic meltdown.

Mantashe said the Russians had a deal with Zuma and the Guptas, and that they paid upfront for the deal to happen.

This is the reason Zuma and his partners are under so much pressure to get the deal through, stated the report.

Mantashe has denied Malemas version of events and said he was never asked about the nuclear deal.

South Africas controversial nuclear programme

South Africas new nuclear programme would effectively see three or four nuclear power stations built either near Koeberg or Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape.

Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson recently told Parliament that her department would release its request for proposals on 30 September, which would test the market.

It originally planned to release this at the end of March, after Cabinet published a Gazette in December 2015 to allow the process to proceed.

Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (Safcei) and Earthlife Africa are engaged in legal proceedings against the Department over agreements signed with Russias nuclear firm Rosatom ahead of the official procurement process.

Legal documents indicate South Africa did sign a nuclear deal with Russia, the group claims.

It said the Russian agreement was entered into unlawfully, but makes (an) internationally-binding commitment to buy a fleet of nuclear reactors from Russia.

We have clear evidence that nuclear is now the most expensive and unwise form of energy, particularly in South Africa with the best of renewable energy resources in the world, said Safcei.

For more than five years, our letters to President Jacob Zuma have been unanswered and unacknowledged.

Ill advised

Joemat-Petterssons announcement of the release of the request for proposals was ill advised, said Gordon Mackay, DA spokesperson on energy.

He cited the case above of procedural irregularity, which is currently before the high court in the Western Cape.

Mackay said it was worrying as South Africa enters the so-called ratings season, which will determine SAs credit rating come year end.

The move by the minister will surely undermine attempts by National Treasury to bolster confidence and maintain a stable credit rating.

These issues would be made clearer if the Department of Energy updated its Integrated Resource Plan  which has not been published since 2010. It should be published every two years.

Professor Anton Eberhard, who advises the government on energy policy, said the programme will be an unnecessary financial burden on the country.

He called for the power sector to be restructured, with a focus on independent power producers and renewable energy.
The Sunday Times reported that the Oppenheimer family is fighting the Gupta family for control of a seven-star international airport terminal for the ultra-rich and famous at OR Tambo.

Citing court papers, The Sunday Times said the Oppenheimers claimed that the Guptas tried to use their influence over Denel to hijack the project.

The seven-star international airport terminal already exists and is controlled by the Oppenheimer Familys Fireblade Aviation.

Fireblade Aviation is the culmination of the Oppenheimer Familys ambition to host a world-class facility for business aviation at OR Tambo International Airport, stated the report.

Fireblade Aviation offers the rich and famous special terminal facilities  which include customs and immigration, lounges, luxury suites, showers, a gym, a spa, and meeting rooms.

The Oppenheimer family also offers visitors a full aircraft charter business.

While the seven-star international airport terminal exists, it does not have permission to operate international flights yet.

The lack of international visitors, said the Sunday Times, means the terminal is making a loss.

Quoting the Oppenheimer Familys lawyer, the report states that the international permissions are delayed because of influence from the Guptas.

The Guptas are, according to the report, waiting for the Oppenheimers to sell the service  which will give them the opportunity to buy and operate it.

The full report is available in the Sunday Times of 13 November 2016.
It is the tourism industry, and not Home Affairs, that is to blame for the decline in South Africas tourism, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba told the Sunday Times.

This follows complaints that new visa requirements are discouraging tourism and that a new system to capture the biometric data of foreign visitors is causing massive queues at OR Tambo International airport.

The biometric screening was meant to take place at South African missions abroad, but this caused problems because equipment wasnt in place.

The complaint resulted in an enquiry from an interministerial committee chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, which decided visitors biometrics would be captured at ports of entry.

Now, OR Tambos immigration queues are so long that visitors are missing their flights.

According to the Sunday Times, between 1 and 18 October, around 800 passengers missed their connecting flights, and 24 domestic and 9 international flights were delayed.

No quick fix

According to Gigaba, the mess is the tourism industrys fault.

He said stakeholders opposed biometric prescreening in their countries of origin and were made aware of the risks of doing the biometric capture at ports of entry.

It will only be in 2-3 years that you will have easier entry into South Africa, and then mainly for frequent travellers whose biometric data has already been captured, said Gigaba.

Stop being crybabies

Gigaba said the decline in South African tourism was not due to changes Home Affairs introduced, and blamed the tourism industry.

Instead of whining about the impact of visa regulations and biometric requirements, the tourism industry should market South Africa more effectively, he said.

Visa regulations dont discourage people from visiting a country, said Gigaba.

People go to the US all the time with the stringent visa regulations they have.

Challenged on the Tourism Councils claims that the delays at OR Tambo are because immigration officers arent properly trained, Gigaba conceded the roll-out wasnt a success.

He said this was due to a lack of resources, and his department has historically been underfunded.

Security vs convenience

The main reason for the changes to Home Affairs immigration policies was to keep South Africa safe, said Gigaba.

Do you understand the importance of keeping South Africa safe? Can you imagine the impact on the tourism sector if we were to allow any incident to take place?

There will be no tourism industry if a security incident happens because we were sleeping.

We live in a continent where there are real risks. If any accidents caused by unwanted people were to happen in South Africa then the question would be asked: Why didnt you take proactive steps?

Terrorists and criminals were not waiting for smoother travel through our ports of entry, he said.

They are getting closer and closer and we need to take steps now.

The full report is available in the Sunday Times of 13 November 2016.

Now read: Contact Department of Home Affairs via email and SMS
Special Needs students have different needs than traditional public school students.

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are parent-controlled accounts that allow parents to access funds to pay for educational expenses.

ESAs allow parents to customize education and help propel new education markets.

When Julian Bloom was 18 months old, doctors diagnosed him with autism and said he had a severe sensory and auditory processing disorder. They recommended he be placed in a maximum-restrictive environment in a traditional school. Julian's mother, Alexa Bloom, a special needs teacher, with a master's degree and plenty of experience working with autistic and special-needs students, disagreed with the recommendation. Alexa and her husband believed a more flexible, individualized type of instruction and therapies would be better for Julian's development.Today - after much work and the dedication of countless individuals - Julian is learning. He has a personal tutor and art and music specialists who help him with his work. His mother uses iPad applications to help alongside the normal curriculum. Julian is in second grade and making great progress.Amanda and Jeff Howard are the parents of Nathan, a special-needs child who enjoyed pre-school and just being around other children. While Amanda was happy Nathan liked school, she worried he wasn't learning and progressing developmentally.Nathan's parents crossed their fingers and hoped the local public school had the staff, resources and environment to address Nathan's needs. It didn't happen. Nathan simply couldn't handle the stimulation and noise of a normal school environment. He needed a different environment in which to learn so he would one day be ready to enter a traditional classroom.Fortunately, Amanda was able to find a school that treats Nathan's form of autism. She was also able to place him with a one-on-one tutor. These changes have propelled Nathan's development so much that he is now learning to talk and read books.We can be glad that these stories have happy endings. These stories have happy endings because both families lived in Arizona, where they were able to use an education savings account to meet the individual educational needs of Julian and Nathan.[i]In 2011 Arizona became the first state in the nation to approve Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Five states have approved ESA programs to date, though only two - Arizona and Florida - have programs up and running.ESAs in Arizona are funded at 90 percent of the charter school per student funding. For 2015-16 that averaged about $4,775 per student. Students with special needs receive additional funding based the severity of a child's disability and the services required for treatment. Total value of an ESA - including base and special needs supplemental funding can vary from $10,000 to $26,000; again depending on the severity of the disability and the school district.[ii] Each family's share of those funds is transferred to a parent-controlled account. Parents can use the money to pay for such things as private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, online classes, special therapies and other educational products and services.Arizona families use a debit card to pay for expenses from an approved list of expenses. Even though parents must be diligent in saving receipts and documenting expenses, the ESA program has proven immensely popular. A 2013 evaluation by the Friedman Foundation - now EdChoice.org - found thatIn recent years, the Arizona program has been expanded to include active-duty military families, foster children, children in public schools graded D or F by the state's accountability system, children living on federal Indian reservations, and incoming kindergarten students who meet eligibility requirements.While ESAs are great news for parents in Arizona, parents of special needs students in North Carolina are not able to access ESAs.According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the number of children in North Carolina ages 5-18 classified as special-needs students in 2014-15 was 188,748.[iii]Special Education Scholarship Grants are available for children with disabilities in North Carolina. The program awards eligible students in kindergarten through twelfth grade up to $8,000 per student ($4,000 per semester) per school year.Parents are thankful for the program even if it's very limited in scope. In 2015-16, 787 recipients received an average annual grant of $5,140. (The maximum grant award is $6,000.) Last year the program distributed more than $4 million in awards.[1][iv]If the school of a Special Needs Scholarship recipient is registered with the Office of Non-Public Education, it will receive a disbursement on behalf of the student for tuition. However, if the school is not registered with the Office of Non-Public Education, parents are reimbursed for tuition. Parents are also reimbursed for special education, related services and educational technology expenses.However, that can be an obstacle for families who may not have the money on hand to pay tuition or other expenses up front, especially if they have to wait for a state office to process and approve the reimbursement. This obstacle is overcome with an ESA program.The 2016-17 state budget added $5.8 million to the Special Needs Scholarship - an increase of 137 percent. The increase brought total funding to $10 million annually. The legislation also increased annual awards to $8,000. The changes are expected to expand the program to approximately 1,250 students.[v]Despite the changes, the Special Education Scholarship Grant does not begin to address the scope of the program. Just how big is the special needs population? It's approximately equal to the enrollments of Wake County Public Schools, Durham County Public Schools, and Asheville City Public Schools combined.Not only is the population large, it is struggling. The cohort graduation rate for special-needs students is 68.9 percent, the lowest percentage of any group or category except those of limited English proficiency (57.1 percent).[vi] And the 2015-16 graduation figure represents a significant improvement over the last decade.We all know children are different from each other. They have different abilities, talents and needs. Few people know this as well as special-needs parents. Without exception, parents of special-needs students want their child to have an education that best suits their individual needs and abilities. Education Savings Accounts can help special-needs parents and students accomplish those goals.ESAs allow parents to customize education to fit their child's educational needs. Since ESAs allow parents to control education spending, they have an incentive to economize - a value that doesn't exist when ESAs are treated as mere vouchers. Moreover, because ESAs encourage parents to customize curricula, they can also propel education reform and create new education markets.ESAs empower parents to access opportunities for those whose needs have too often been ill-served by the public schools. Individualized educational opportunities and medical therapies can be transformative in the life of special needs students. Just ask Nathan Howard and Julian Bloom. ESA programs in Arizona and Florida demonstrate that parents know best how to meet the needs of special needs children. These successes affirm these truths. They also offer compelling reasons why North Carolina legislators should do the same for special needs families in the Tar Heel State.[i] To learn more about Nathan and Julian and their families access: How Arizona Put Parents in Charge of Kids' Education, by Jonathan Butcher. The article originally appeared in the Capitol Times of Arizona. Accessible online at: https://www.nccivitas.org/2015/arizona-puts-parents-in-charge-of-education Education Savings Accounts the New Frontier in School Choice, Research Paper American Enterprise Institute. Available online at: https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Finley_education_savings_accounts_conference.pdf[ii] Emowerment Scholarship Program web site, Arizona Department of Education. Available online at: http://www.azed.gov/esa/frequently-asked-questions/[iii] Statistical Profile of the Public Schools of North Carolina, Department of Public Instruction. Available online at: http://apps.schools.nc.gov/pls/apex/f?p=1:14:0::NO:::[iv] Disabilities Grant Program, research report published by the House Select Committee on Education Strategies and Practice, October 18, 2016.Avaialble at: http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/house2015-175/October%2018,%202016/Kathryn%20Marker_Disabilities%20Grant%20(legislative%20committee%2010%2018).pdf.[v] Ibid[vi] 2016l Cohort Graduation Report, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, September 1, 2016, Available online at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/reporting/chrtgrdrt16.pdf
Grants awarded to the Department of Family Medicine will create new opportunities for medical students to work in primary care clinics in rural, underserved areas of the state. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

ommunity physician Jessica Triche precepts Brody students in her Chocowinity practice.

The Department of Family Medicine at East Carolina University has landed several large grants this year aimed at enhancing primary health care in rural areas.Collectively totaling $4.5 million, the grants were all awarded to the Brody School of Medicine by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), the primary federal agency for improving health care for people who are geographically isolated or otherwise economically or medically vulnerable.said Dr. Doyle (Skip) Cummings, director of research for the family medicine department.The largest of the three awards - weighing in at $2.5 million over five years - focuses on training future health care professionals across multiple primary care disciplines to deliver the type of primary care that will be increasingly important as our national system moves toward a patient-centered medical home model. It emphasizes high quality, patient-focused, interdisciplinary team-based care.And the grant goes one more step: it aims to equip ECU's primary care graduates to lead clinical practices through the transformation process that will be necessary to optimize care outcomes for rural, underserved patient populations.said Dr. Elizabeth Baxley, Brody's senior associate dean for academic affairs and the principal investigator on the grant.Baxley continued.The grant will fund the restructuring of portions of existing curricula for medical, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and clinical psychology students to help them develop the skills necessary to deliver data-driven, collaborative care in practices that are part of a transformed rural health care delivery system.Brody's third-year medical students currently spend half of their eight-week family medicine clerkships with community physicians across the state. The new grant will enable Brody to add more preceptor sites for students - some where providers would like to learn more about transforming their practices into patient-centered medical homes, and others where providers are already incorporating these changes into their practices.said Cummings.Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventive care to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or their health insurance status.Baxley said.Cummings is also overseeing a second HRSA grant of $1.2 million that will enable the Department of Family Medicine to increase access to primary health care in rural Duplin County.Building on the department's existing telemedicine program and its long-standing relationship with Goshen Medical Center, the largest FQHC in North Carolina, this grant will fund the establishment of telehealth connections in three Duplin County schools. Through these links, teachers, staff and students will be able to consult with physicians at Goshen Medical Center and the Department of Family Medicine.A third HRSA grant of approximately $800,000 is a cross-campus collaboration aimed at attracting more doctoral students in clinical psychology. The principal investigators are Dr. Dennis Russo, section head for behavioral health in family medicine, and Dr. Susan McCammon, director of clinical training for the Department of Psychology.Baxley said.
Napa Valley Publishing has named Frankie Frederick multimedia account executive for automotive clients. He formerly worked in ad operations and support for the publishing group, which includes the Napa Valley Register, the St. Helena Star, The Weekly Calistogan, and the American Canyon Eagle.

His new responsibilities include consulting with each dealer and helping strategize the advertising/marketing for them in the newspapers and online Napa Valley Publishings family of newspapers.

I see it as a part of a holistic approach whereby I have the privilege to help local auto dealers reach a wider audience in the Napa Valley in print and online, he said.

Frederick added that his new job is, amazing! I get to utilize design, strategy, marketing skills and have a freedom to work with the dealers to develop a future vision that I see as transforming the way people connect with advertising in the newspaper. Its a win-win for the dealer and the audience.

Frederick said that when he isnt visiting local car dealers and designing new advertisements for them, hes likely to be found surfing the local coastline or cruising local lakes and rivers on a stand-up-paddleboard.

Frederick, 40, said that since he was 16 years old he has had a passion for the water and surfing becomes a metaphor for life.

Its an escape from the daily grind, it is rush, a challenge, it is camaraderie with fellow wave riders, and enveloping yourself in nature, he said.

Frederick grew up in Santa Rosa, and graduated from Piner High School in 1994.

He joined the U.S. Coast Guard not long after, spending four years on board two different ships.

One of which, the U.S.C.G.C Morgenthau was the first Coast Guard Cutter to deploy to the Persian (Arabian) Gulf.

The other, U.S.C.G.C. Boutwell, made Coast Guard history by being a part of the largest high-seas driftnet bust as well as aiding in the first prosecution of U.S. pollution laws on the high seas.

I knew I wasnt ready for college then, said Frederick.

For me the Coast Guard gave me an opportunity to develop true discipline, to learn leadership from some of the best leaders around, to follow and grow personally and professionally. Being on ships my entire enlistment also offered some amazing travel and adventure, he said.

Eventually, the calling of the civilian world brought him into various industries after military service, but marketing and advertising became a passion that empowered him to pursue a marketing degree.

After completing his degree, Frederick worked several years in operations for a remotely run digital publishing outfit and even helped with marketing for veteran television and movie actor, Terry Serpico, before joining Napa Valley Publishing in 2015 to support advertising operations.

Beyond surfing, Frederick said he loves hiking, camping and just plain being outside and has plans to through-hike the John Muir trail within the next four years.

He added, I always get asked though about surfing and sharks. Truth is there is always a chance when you place yourself in the food chain, but I still probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than being chomped on by a big fish. Ill take the risk and enjoy the journey.
Napa Valley Jewelers, the last surviving retailer of the former Napa Town Center, will close in January. The exact date has not been determined yet.

Store owner Kent Gardella said he hopes to eventually reopen his store at a new location inside the center, now known as First Street Napa.

We dont know when, but we plan on being in this mall in the future, said Gardella, who has operated at his current site for 25 years.

The closure leaves Eikos Sushi Restaurant as the single remaining tenant of the 275,000-square-foot mall, which is the site of an ambitious plan by developer Zapolski Real Estate and partners to bring in a collection of national and regional retailers to downtown Napa.

Our future plans are a little bit up in the air because we havent signed a lease yet, said Gardella. Were working towards finalizing everything.

Project spokesman Todd Zapolski said he wants Gardella to be part of the new center and I dont see any reason he wont.

Zapolski said it has taken longer than he would have liked to be able to secure Gardellas future co-tenants.

Since the recession ended, the popular, high quality, specialty retailers his project aims to attract have been very cautious in making decisions, he said.

Its a long, long process.

Were not doing Subways or Chinese restaurants, he said. What we promised is to be a unique gathering of both retail and food merchants and offerings for both locals and visitors.

We are getting the kind of people we want to pull together, but leases have taken months to hammer out and more months to actually sign, said Zapolski.

The election hasnt helped, he said. Some retailers seem to have decided to wait until a new president has been selected. But then you go into the holidays and everythings on ice till early 2017.

Zapolski said the project has signed more than half a dozen leases and has more in the works. He cant reveal those names until he gets enough of a critical mass.

We have an exciting and interesting mix, he promised.

Gardella said the construction and lack of parking meant it was harder for his longtime local customers to get to his business, which was located in the mall for 25 years.

In addition, Theres been almost no tourist traffic. When we were full in the mall, tourism was 20 percent of my business, he said. Thats virtually dried up.

In 2015, two teenagers attempted to rob the store, with one attacking and severely injuring longtime employee Bob Porter in the process. That and the subsequent prosecution of the two young men arrested for the crime has also been a distraction, said Gardella. Weve had that cloud in the back of our mind.

On Nov. 7, one of those teens, Darren Michael Peters, was found not guilty of attempted murder in Napa County Superior Court, but was found guilty of other major charges, according to court documents.

The other teen, Dylan Jacob Moore, pleaded no contest to attempted robbery and two counts of second degree burglary the week before he was scheduled to go to trial on suspicion of robbery, burglary and assault charges, according to court documents. The assault charges were dropped.

Gardella said he remains optimistic about downtown. Once Zapolskis new tenants open, along with the Archer hotel, I think its going to be better than it ever was. Weve just got to get past this next year.

The business owner is 69 but said hes not ready to retire yet.

I want this store to regain its energy. I want to get a new beginning, he said.

If he didnt reopen his store, Id be disappointed in myself. I still have a vision. I want to fulfill that vision.

Gardella said he doesnt want to move outside of downtown Napa.

When this whole downtown is done, that is the place youll want to be.
Habitat for Humanity has built its reputation on having underprivileged families help build the homes they will later live in. In the coming months, the nonprofit is slated to bring its sweat equity model into Napa for the first time.

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,352-square-foot house to be built partly from the labor of its residents gained unanimous support earlier this month from the city Planning Commission. The residence, to be located at 891 Saratoga Drive on the citys east side, should break ground sometime after New Years Day and be completed in nine to 12 months, according to leaders of Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity, a Cordelia-based branch of the charity developer.

Habitat in June purchased a 3,004-square-foot lot from the city for $77,000, receiving a surplus parcel created from the 2014 eastward extension of Saratoga Drive to open up more land to home construction. The property, which Napa bought in 1997 for the street extension, will become the site of the nonprofits first ground-up project, although it has previously repaired dilapidated houses elsewhere in Napa County.

Although no other such windfalls of cheap land appear imminent  Habitat acquired the land for the same price the city earlier paid  planners praised the home-building project as a possible inspiration for future projects in the housing-short community. I hope this will be a launch pad for additional projects in Napa, said Paul Kelley before the vote Nov. 3.

Habitat currently is raising $350,000 for the Napa home and will start work after it has 80 percent of the total in hand, said Diane Agnone, executive director of its Solano-Napa region. It will then stage an orientation for hopeful occupants, who must already live in the county and cannot have been homeowners within the last three years.

Households chosen for a Habitat-sponsored home agree to chip in 250 to 500 total hours of labor. On the completion of the house, the agency finances a non-bank, 30-year mortgage structured to cost less than 30 percent of the new residents monthly income. A 45-year covenant on the home ensures that it can only be resold to buyers making less than 80 percent of Napas median income.

The home will be a farmhouse-style design with lap siding, gabled roof, a roofed front porch and attached garage, which the architect Nancy Nelson, a Solano-Napa Habitat board member, said is being styled to blend in with houses built to its east in recent years. No one can distinguish it as a low-income, she said of the design.

Two neighborhood residents, however, worried about the traffic danger from wedging the home near a hairpin turn where Saratoga, Capitola Drive and Erin Way meet  and on a piece of land 2,000 square feet smaller than the citys usual minimum for a single-family home.

I support Habitat for Humanity, but Im amazed that you consider it a viable lot, said Scott Scharff, who moved into the neighborhood a year ago. My issue is how the city ended up with the thinking that at that intersection, the best use of land was to put a house there.

Even on a snug lot and near a tight curve, though, the project had strong support from planners coping with a shortage of housing, especially lower-cost housing.

Its a good project on a tough parcel, said Commissioner Michael Murray, and it fills a need, which makes it score pretty high in my book.
What happened in America? Everyone is stunned by Tuesday's election. Trump supporters are amazed, Hillary supporters are amazed. That is America.

Here is what might have spawned this upset: America has lost her way, we now kill the innocent (60 million abortions pale the Nazi Genocide) and we protect the guilty, we abandon natural human sexuality for perversion; we are not even capable of recognizing gender.

We preach drug abstinence to our school children, while passing laws that usher them into the drug life, we have become a laughing stock among world leaders and nations, and we have banned God and His laws for a peaceful contented life.

Now the protest have begun.

Napa High Students proudly walked off campus, carrying their protest signs and stealing American flags and burning them (Editor's note: The Register had staff along the entire route of the march and saw no evidence that this occurred, despite widespread rumors on Facebook and other outlets).

Have none of their California Teachers Union teachers educated these ignorant snowflakes that in a democracy there are winners and losers, and compromises? They can't tolerate their new president. I have lived the last eight years in that arena, but I did not protest, riot, or burn American flags.

No, they have been fed the Liberal myth that everyone is a winner and everyone gets a prize, and no one fails anything. For so much of society, all truth is relative, there is no personal responsibility and everyone does what is right in their own eyes. This flag burning and "taking a knee" during the national anthem is a vile disgrace to this nation.

If these young disrespectful kids could have been with me at the military cemeteries in Normandy, or walked the Vietnam Wall with me, they would realize what their Liberal educators are not teaching them, "Freedom is not Free." A lot of brave boys from Napa High died so that these immature children can make fools of themselves as pawns of a Liberal educational system.

If you parents are "so proud" of your children for their "civic participation in these protest," you better take another look at the Constitution and the principles that this country was founded on. They need to be able to differentiate between right and almost right, or we are doomed as a nation.

Tom Johnson

Napa
In this momentous period of history, anglers must ponder their duty and act on putting aside political differences and personal biases to serve their fishery.

Licensed anglers who will cast, catch, kill and consume hatchery steelhead are being courted by southeast Washington fisheries biologists overseeing the Tucannon River.

It's a surprisingly hard sell.

"We're asking steelheaders to go fishing and keep all adipose-clipped fish regardless of condition," said Joe Bumgarner, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist in Clarkston.

"We need more fishermen to help. Some don't even know there are harvestable hatchery fish returning to the Tucannon."

Others don't realize the hatchery steelhead are competing with the wild steelhead the biologists are obligated by law to protect.

Overshadowed by the usually fine fishing in the Grande Ronde  another Snake River tributary  the Tucannon has lost its appeal to anglers for understandable reasons.

Perhaps 2,000-3,000 wild adult fish were returning to the Columbia County stream in the 1950s, luring a dedicated bunch of anglers, Bumgarner said. But construction of lower Snake River dams and other factors sent the fishery downhill.

By the mid-70s, sport harvest in the Tucannon River  which was solely supported by wild-origin steelhead  was rapidly declining and steelhead seasons in the river were limited or closed.

Federal compensation for fish losses caused by the four lower Snake dams funded hatcheries that produced steelhead released for sport harvest into the Tucannon starting in 1983.

Within a few years, up to approximately 400 hatchery steelhead per year were returning to spawn in the Tucannon. Sport harvest improved significantly, but the hatchery fish competed for spawning areas with the wild fish.

In 1997, as wild fish numbers continued to decline, all Snake River Basin steelhead populations were listed as endangered under federal law.

In 2000, fish managers began replacing hatchery steelhead stocks that originated outside the Snake River Basin with the progeny of wild origin fish.

The number of Lyons Ferry stock hatchery fish was reduced as the wild-origin fish were released in the test phase. The wild-origin hatchery portion of the release quota could not be fin-clipped. That reduced the number of fish anglers could catch and keep.

The National Marine Fisheries Service forced the state to cease releases of Lyons Ferry steelhead into the Tucannon, resulting in no fin-clipped harvestable steelhead from 2011 through 2013.

Word spread when fin-clipping ceased but the news didn't get around when fin-clipping resumed, Bumgarner said.

Although hatchery space is currently limited, the state is releasing roughly 100,000 of the wild-origin-stock steelhead smolts a year, 50,000 of which are fin-clipped.

The result is hundreds of adult fish returning to the river but few anglers to greet them.

"That's something we would like to see changed," Bumgarner said, noting that even more fish will be available when hatchery rearing space is increased as funding is available.

This isn't the best year to make this plea. Steelhead runs throughout the Snake River system are hurting as the one-salt fish component  normally 70 to 80 percent of the returns  is almost a bust.

Only approximately 150 steelhead have made it back to the Tucannon this year so far, he said. "But there are a lot of Snake River fish that duck into the Tucannon during their migration."

Currently, fall chinook are spawning in the lower Tucannon and steelhead tend to shy away from them until spawning subsides by the end of the month.

Then it will be the steelhead's turn.

"In January and February the steelhead that have returned from the ocean and are holding in the Snake River will start moving into the Tucannon to spawn, including hatchery fish that are not from this river," Bumgarner said. "We really want anglers to come and remove some of those hatchery-clipped fish."

The Tucannon season concludes in February per federal rules. The state is trying to change that since fish that need to be removed continue to come into the Tucannon through March. The state also is asking the feds to increase the daily catch limit from two to three.

The eating quality of those fin-clipped spawners won't be prime. That's why anglers answering the call of duty should have access to a smoker  and a "Saving the Fishery" recipe for smoked trout salad.

Removing the hatchery fish is so important to the future of fishing in the river, the state requires even ardent catch-and-release anglers to retain fin-clipped steelhead caught in the Tucannon.

"If anglers don't start fishing the Tucannon again," Bumgarner said, "we'll have to rethink and maybe reduce our plans for the future.

"The feds might say there's no reason to spend money on hatchery production, improvements and more fishing access."
Jeffrey Nichols

Rosland Capital

Jeffrey Nichols is recognized as one of the world's top experts in the economics and finance of precious metals. He has been a keynote speaker at dozens of investment and industry conferences, corporate meetings, and private company events around the world.

As managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors (APMA), he provides expert analysis of the economics of precious metal markets and offers strategic consulting and market research services to a wide range of corporate clients.

He has worked with mining companies on financing and investor relations, served as a director of two public companies, managed a mining-related mutual fund, and advised industry associations, national mints, central banks, and jewelry manufacturers.



Website: please click here.

Dr. Stephen Leeb

Leeb Capital Management

Stephen Leeb, Ph.D.

President, Chairman of Investment Committee
The director of the Wild Sheep Foundation told the Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune recently that the chairman of the hunting and conservation groups board was not speaking for the organization when he lobbied Idaho's governor to shake up the membership of the state Fish and Game Commission over its opposition to auction tags.

But the foundations executive director said board Chairman Doug Sayer of Pocatello was within his rights to do so.

We as an organization do not get involved in allocation (of hunting tags), be that resident or nonresident, be that whether a state, province, territory or tribal entity does or does not offer auction tags or raffle tags and, if they do, how many, said Gray Thornton of Bozeman. We just feel that is inappropriate for us as an organization to get into. But that said, we certainly encourage our members in each jurisdiction to be actively involved in that.

Last month, the Idaho Wildlife Federation released a cache of email exchanges it acquired between key state legislators, the governors office and Sayer showing how they pressed for more auction tags  permits for coveted species such as bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats, elk, deer and antelope that are sold to the highest bidder  and how they responded when the commission declined.

Each year, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission allocates one bighorn sheep hunting tag to the Wild Sheep Foundation. The group then auctions the tag for the state, sometimes fetching a six-figure price. The money is used by the state for wild sheep management and research.

The commission does not offer any other tags for auction but some, like Sayer, have advocated for an expansion of the program. Doing so would raise more money for wildlife management, according to proponents. But opponents say it favors wealthy hunters who can purchase tags instead of winning them via a lottery.

Acquired through the states Public Records Law, the email cache included a message Sayer sent to Gov. C.L. Butch Otters chief of staff, David Hensley, in March saying a change of chemistry was needed on the commission and recommending that commissioners Mark Doerr and Will Naillon not be reappointed.

Sayer, who serves as CEO of Premier Technologies in Blackfoot, Idaho, was a proponent of the 2011 legislation that gave the commission authority to expand the auction tag program. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the email, in which he also suggested that Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore and an unnamed deputy director may need to be replaced.

When their terms expired in June, Otter declined to reappoint Doerr and Naillon. He later appointed Jerry Meyers of North Fork, near Salmon, and Greg Cameron of Rupert to replace them.

Thornton said the foundation has heard from several individuals concerned about Sayers tactics. Last week, Fred Trevey, Keith Carlson, Keith Stonebraker and Alex Irby  all former Fish and Game commissioners representing the Clearwater Region  sent a letter to Thornton expressing their displeasure at Sayers action and saying it appeared to violate the foundations values. According to the foundations website, those values include honesty, integrity and respect for others.

We sincerely hope your chairmans actions to politically influence the selection of Idaho Fish and Game commissioners, staffing of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and dictate the allocation of hunting tags is not indicative of the direction of the Wild Sheep Foundation, they wrote.

Carlson, of Lewiston, said he spoke with Thornton and was satisfied with the foundations response.

We were happy with the fact that the sheep foundation can be found harmless in this and that Sayer was off on his own.

Carlson said he and the three other former commissioners all oppose expansion of the auction tag program.

Josh Kuntz, a Boise hunter, wrote to Thornton asking that the foundation publicly condemn Sayer. He said he was disappointed in the response he described as vanilla and hoped the foundation would do the right thing.

That right thing should be publicly condemning Doug Sayer for circumventing existing wildlife management procedures and trying to unduly influence the Fish and Game Commission and basically trying to cram something down the throats of Idaho sportsmen without the sportsmen having their chance for input, Kuntz said.
23:56





"What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate,' Trump told CBS News.





"But we're getting them out of our country, they're hereillegally," the 70-year-old business tycoon-turned politician said in an excerpt released ahead of broadcast of the interview.





However, House Speaker and top Republican leader Paul Ryan, striking a different tone, said that despite Trump's campaign rhetoric, lawmakers are not prepared to form a deportation force to round-up and deport undocumented immigrants.





During the election campaign, Trump had warned that those countries which do not accept these illegal immigrants, he would enforce the legal provision of stopping of issuing of visas to the people of those countries.

In line with his hardline immigration stance, United States President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to immediately deport up to three million undocumented immigrants, saying 'we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate'.
Women and children were among the dead, officials said, adding that around 100 others were maimed in the gruesome attack.

Authorities fear the toll might go up further.

The teenage bomber targeted a crowd of devotees performing 'dhamaal' (devotional dance) at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Noorani, some 750 km south of provincial capital Quetta.

"The bomber appeared to be 14 to 16 years old," a media report quoted a local official as saying.

Dawn quoted police officer Jafar Khan as saying that around 1,000 devotees were at the shrine when the bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body.

"Every day at sunset there is a 'dhamaal' session," one witness said.

Chief military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said troops and medical teams were dispatched but "difficult terrain and long distance" were hampering their progress.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the suicide bombing could be a reprisal for the killing of a senior commander of a banned militant organisation.

Jundullah chief Saqib, alias Arif alias Anjum Abbas, was killed in a gunfight with security forces on Friday. His wife and nine-year-old son were also injured in the clash.

The carnage came a day before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was to flag off the first shipment of trade goods from Gwadar port to international markets, marking the historic launch of trade activity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the Balochistan government had no helicopters to ferry the casualties.

The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq, its official news agency.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence and a separatist insurgency.

Local militants claiming to work with the IS attacked a police academy in Balochistan last month, killing 61 people.

In August, a suicide bombing at a Quetta hospital claimed by the Islamic State and a faction of the Pakistani Taliban killed 73 people.

--IANS ahm/mr

( 369 Words)

2016-11-13-12:30:02 (IANS)
Lee was summoned in the afternoon by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in charge of investigation into the scandal of Choi Soon-sil suspected of using her close friendship with President Park to win personal gains, Xinhua news agency reported.

Choi, whose friendship with Park dates back to the mid-1970s, has been arrested for abuse of power and attempted fraud.

The 60-year-old is alleged to have pressured big companies into donating 77.4 billion won ($66.3 million) to two non-profit foundations presumably controlled by Choi.

President Park held an open meeting with 17 chiefs of the country's conglomerates on July 24, and had closed-door meetings, separately one by one, with seven of them until the following day.

The Samsung Vice Chairman is being grilled by prosecutors over the closed-door meeting and why Samsung made the biggest donation of 20.4 billion won to the Choi-controlled foundations.

Lee has actually run Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, since his father Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, was hospitalised for heart attack in 2014.

Prosecutors also reportedly questioned Lee about why Samsung transferred 28 billion euros ($30 billion) last year to a company in Germany co-owned by Choi and her 20-year-old daughter.

Samsung in charge of the Korea Equestrian Federation claims that it was sent to support six horse riders, but the money was spent solely on Choi's daughter who was previously a member of the national equestrian team.

--IANS py/vt

( 273 Words)

2016-11-13-14:18:02 (IANS)
The demonetisation of high-value currency notes has come as a double whammy for micro finance institutions (MFIs), which have temporarily stopped providing credit to their customers while loan repayments have also taken a major hit, industry sources said. The institutions have deferred the repayment schedule of their borrowers for the next few days. In the last four-five days, repayment collections of about Rs 500 crore to Rs 600 crore ($74-89 million) has been deferred and with the lack of currency supply, the MFIs' disbursement was also down by around Rs 600 crore. "A lot of microfinance institutions put disbursement on hold because we need some clarity and it is currently quite ambiguous. We need clarity whether the institutions can collect Rs 500 or Rs 1000 notes from their borrowers as repayments of loans or not. We are not sure about it," Gurugram-based Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) CEO Ratna Viswanathan told IANS on the phone. The microfinance industry is cash-intensive. Most of the borrowers take loans in cash and they repay loans in cash, particularly in Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 notes. Even many of the borrowers who have bank accounts do not know how to transact through them. Thus, cash transactions in the rural economy, where most of the MFIs operate, become inevitable. "The MFIN asked institutions to consider putting collections on hold for the next five-seven days. They have deferred the repayment schedule. Repayment collections of about Rs 500-600 crore have been deferred. Disbursement was also down by around the same amount in the last few days as there is lack of currency supply to advance loans," Viswanathan said. MFIs record a repayment rate of 99 percent but it took a blow after demonetisation. The sector is worried about taking the business forward in view of the increasing risk of defaults. "With the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the industry has been facing a challenge. We are neither able to disburse, nor taking repayments from borrowers with old notes. Our repayment rate fell to 60 percent on Wednesday after the demonetisation was announced on Tuesday night. "We have started deferring repayments and on Friday, the repayment was down to 70 percent from nearly 100 percent," Village Financial Services' Managing Director and CEO Kuldip Maity told IANS. "Fresh and repeat disbursements have completely been put on hold temporarily," he added. It is a double whammy for the industry as borrowers do not possess much cash in hand with new currency to repay loans in time and due to lack of liquidity in the system, MFIs are not able to disburse loans. "The situation is not expected to be prolonged beyond November 14 or so as we are in discussions with the regulator (Reserve Bank of India) and the Finance Ministry. We need to review the industry's stance of deferring repayments if the situation prolongs," Grameen Koota Financial Services' Managing Director Udaya Kumar told IANS. The industry, meanwhile, has approached the RBI and the Union Finance Ministry seeking a clarification on how the MFIs should deal with repayments. "The notification regarding the demonetisation of high currency notes primarily talked about retail customers and there is no clarity about institutional customers. "We want to know whether it is applicable to institutional customers. As far as repayment is concerned, we want a clear idea on how we can deal with it because the institutions are also in the loan repayment business. Institutions share each and every client's data with the credit bureau," Viswanathan pointed out. The industry is yet to receive any clarity from the RBI and the Finance Ministry, she added. (Bappaditya Chatterjee can be contacted at bappaditya.c@ians.in) --IANS bdc/ssp/vm/sac ( 623 Words) 2016-11-13-14:18:03 (IANS)
People, angry at having to go without small denomination currency notes after demonetisation, protested and tried to ransack banks at several places across the state as they failed to get cash despite standing for hours in long queues since morning.

"People forcibly entered a Punjab National Bank's branch in Mirganj after they broke the locked gate and staged protest against failure of banks in providing cash," a district police official said.

The police have resorted to lathicharge to disperse angry crowds.

Two groups clashed at a bank in Narkatiaganj area of Champaran district after some people who were standing in long queues, fell into a drain.

Protests by people angry over cash crunch in banks were reported in Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts.

The fight for cash is likely to continue for a few more days as nearly five per cent ATMs in the state are not operational, officials said.

--IANS ik/py/vt

( 204 Words)

2016-11-13-15:50:03 (IANS)
Warning of an impending anarchy, Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw his decision to spike the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. Saying the November 8 demonetisation had caused immense hardships to people across the country, the AAP leader asked Modi to shed "arrogance" and withdraw the scheme that has led to a severe cash crunch. --IANS ruwa/aks/mr/vd ( 74 Words) 2016-11-13-17:20:02 (IANS)
Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac on Sunday described as "sheer madness" the massive rush for money at banks and ATMs and warned that this could lead to mass poverty. The economics professor-turned-politician said he was shocked to hear Finance Minister Arun Jaitley argue that it will take a month for normalcy to return in the banking sector. "By now things have gone haywire. Wages have not been paid in the plantation sector in Kerala. If this is going to last a week, then it will be abject poverty in the state. This is sheer madness," he said. Issac had come under fire in the social media when he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's November 8 decision to spike Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currencies. He said his worst fears were now coming true. Like in the past few days, Sunday also saw serpentine queues in front of banks and ATMs in the state as people tried to surrender the old currency and withdraw their own money. But many ATMs were still not working. The ones that were functional ran out of cash, leaving many shattered. Now the money spinning tourism industry in Kerala has started to feel the heat. Kerala Tourism Development Corp Chairman M. Vijayakumar told IANS that around 40 per cent of their bookings had been cancelled. "The tourism industry is heading for an unprecedented crisis as the fresh peak tourist season in the state is November to January," said Vijayakumar, a CPI-M leader and a former Speaker. "The stage has come when tourists will spend more time waiting in front of ATMs than exploring Kerala," he said. Another segment that has come under stress is the nearly 2.5 million migrant labourers in Kerala. "We have not received our weekly wages that we normally get every Saturday. We are unable to do any job as we stand in queues in front of ATMs," said a labourer from Assam. "We are going through our worst times as we do not have money to buy food," he warned. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said Modi was a new version of Mohammed Bin Tuglak. "All are surprised to hear Jaitley saying that everyone can do their transactions online," he said. "How many people in this country can afford to do that?" --IANS sg/mr ( 390 Words) 2016-11-13-18:00:01 (IANS)
However, the 36-year-old reality star, after laying low for a long time, recently resurfaced in pictures taken at Halloween.

In the snaps, North West and Saint West look very cute in their Jasmine and Aladdin costumes while the mother-of-two looked amazing in her own, throwback Jasmine costume, flaunting her taut tummy while posing with sister Kourtney Kardashian and the rest of the family.

Younger brother Rob Kardashian, who just welcomed his first baby Dream Kardashian, helped his sister out by posting a blog on her official app, which revealed some never-before-seen photos of Kim, North and her little brother dressed up as characters from Aladdin during a family Halloween dinner this year, reports E! Online.

"Now you know Kim loves Halloween," the 29-year-old brother penned.

"She couldn't disappoint North once she found a Princess Jasmine costume from back in the day. North is crazy into Princess Jasmine right now. So being the good mommy she is, she wore her old princess Jasmine costume to match North!," he wrote.

He continued, "They got a magic carpet, lamp and Saint had to be Aladdin. Kourt threw a Halloween dinner for the fam" and probably his life "next" Halloween." (ANI)
With the Congress Party giving a notice to discuss the issue of demonetisation in the Parliament's winter session, the Centre on Sunday responded saying that it will give a befitting reply to the opposition on the matter over the bold step taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told ANI that after the bold decision of demonetization, many people are facing inconvenience, but activities that encourage terrorism, be it black money, fake currency or be it illegal transaction had to be stopped. "Parliament is about to start. It is the duty of the government to answer to the issues raised during Parliament session, and if they will raise this issue, then it's their choice, we will give our reply," Rijiju said. "What all activities are done to encourage terrorism in India, be it black money, fake currency or be it illegal transaction had to be stopped. After this bold decision, many people are facing inconvenience, but we had no option left," he added. He further requested the opposition parties that this is not the time for them to play politics, instead the entire country should get together to fight against terrorism and corruption. The Parliament's winter session on November 16 with the opposition Congress on Friday giving a notice, seeking suspension of business on day one to discuss the demonetisation issue. Several other opposition parties, including the Left, Trinamool Congress, BSP and SP, are criticising the government for the sudden decision to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, sources in the Congress said it is in touch with others to ensure coordination on the House floor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned that no Indian citizen with unaccounted for cash would be spared by the government. Addressing Indian diaspora at Kobe, Japan, He said," I salute each and every Indian for supporting the decision of scrapping of Rs 500/1000 currency notes." "Many families had weddings, health problems...yes they faced inconvenience but they accepted the decision. Money that has been looted has to be recovered. And the rules have to be same for everyone. This government will do everything to protect the interests of honest citizens," he added. Prime Modi further said India needs to be free from the menace of poverty, while adding that it was important to keep the decision of demonetization a secret and couldn't share it with anyone. "I am sure whatever happens in India makes you very proud. The good in India is happening due to 125 crore Indians. India is getting historically high FDI and is moving quickly on the path of economic progress, despite two years of serious drought, the entire world has acknowledged that India is the fastest growing large economy globally," he said. (ANI)
After categorically rejecting World Bank's decision of appointing two simultaneous mechanism for resolving differences with Pakistan, India was now considering various options, including challenging the order on other available international fora. On the issue of differences between India and Pakistan on Kishanganga and Ratle Hydroelectric Projects under the Indus Waters Treaty, India had asked the World Bank to appoint a Neutral Expert to resolve the differences of a technical nature which are within the domain of a neutral technical expert. On the other hand, Pakistan had sought the establishment of a Court of Arbitration, which is normally the logical next step in the process of resolution in the Treaty. The Neutral Expert can also determine that there are issues beyond mere technical differences. The World Bank has decided to proceed with both steps simultaneously, a move completely rejected by India. It was pointed by the Government to the World Bank that the pursuit of two parallel difference/ dispute resolution mechanisms - appointment of a Neutral Expert and establishment of a Court of Arbitration at the same time is legally untenable.More UNI MK RSA 1107 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-1020608.Xml
Montana farm groups are holding on to hope that Congress will pass the Trans Pacific Partnership before president-elect Donald Trump takes office, but things arent looking good for free trade.

You've read all the same reports I have from congressional leaders  many saying TPP won't be considered now until Trump gives direction, said Lola Raska of Montana Grain Growers. He has been very vocal about his opposition and interest in renegotiating the deal.

The Montana Farm Bureau Federation said it also is pressing its members to continue lobbying the states congressional delegation for a TPP vote.

For years, Montanas largest farm groups have urged ratification of the 12-nation TPP. Those trade partners currently buy $814 million worth of Montana merchandise annually, with petroleum and coal products topping the list.

More than 80 percent of the Montanas wheat is also sold to TTP nations in the Asia Pacific, including Japan, which is also a top-five consumer of U.S. beef. With more than $3 billion in annual sales, agriculture is Montanas largest private economic sector.

However, none of Montanas congressional delegation has committed to voting for the trade deal. Heading into the post-election lame duck session, all three lawmakers were declaring the TPP dead.

Sen. McConnell runs the floor, and he has said loud and clear that TPP isnt going anywhere this year, and president-elect Trump has repeatedly stated that he is going to scrap it when he takes office in January, said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. But, Im going to continue to work to ensure that Montana producers and workers get a fair shake if Republicans and Democrats come up with a path forward.

The office of the U.S. Trade Representative told The Gazette in the days leading up to the election that it was hopeful TPP would be taken up during the lame duck session. Taking up the trade agreement this year would mean having the debate while President Barack Obama is still in office. TPP was crafted during the Obama Administration. The USTR also had concerns about how the agreement would be supported by the next president, regardless of who won Nov. 8.

Both president-elect Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton had said they opposed TPP at least as written.

The other concern behind getting the TPP passed, said Ambassador Darci Vetter, USTRs chief agricultural negotiator, was timing. While TPP stalled in the United States, China advanced its own trade policies, the Regional Economic Partnership and the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.

Those China-led trade policies could set the table for trade talks in the Asia Pacific, becoming the foundation for any trade agreements the U.S. pursued bilaterally with would-be TPP nations.

And bilateral agreements would be needed, Vetter said. Theres a misconception among TPP opponents that not passing the TPP would mean keeping trade agreements as they are. But the U.S. is in need of new agreements with several TPP members.

Australia, which is one of Montanas biggest competitors for wheat sales in Japan, has already renegotiated tariffs lower than current tariffs on U.S. grain products. Theres concern that an agreement between Japan and China, which has a glut of wheat, would erode U.S. sales to Japan.

We are very concerned about China leading other Asian countries in a deal that excludes the U.S., Raska said. They have a lot of wheat stockpiled right now, adding to the current world glut, and, with better trade provisions, could out-compete us in Montana's most important markets.

The U.S. House of Representatives hasnt had the will to pass the TPP, said Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. Conditions arent likely to change in the last two months of the year.

Theres just not enough votes in the House for it, and theres some fundamental issues on it that need to be addressed, Zinke said. It can be renegotiated fairly quickly because were the power in that and no one wants to see China, especially our allies in the region, have a dominance.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said the U.S. needed to flex its muscle as a primary consumer of products from other countries to leverage better terms for agriculture exports.

"We need to push other countries, especially those with whom we have a trade deficit, to level the playing field and open their markets to our farmers and ranchers," Daines said.
State tourism department officials here today said that helicopter ride would be yet another added attraction to the much-awaited annual cultural extravaganza.

The mahotsov has already hot air balloon and other adventurous rides for the people during the 10-day long fest.

The department has got a proposal for a single five-seater helicopter. The helicopter ride will not be organised at the Lucknow Mahotsav grounds but will start from Janeshwar Mishra Park or any other place.

"The helicopter is currently parked at a Rae Bareli road and details will be decided once the concrete proposal is received," the officials said.

The ferried passengers would be shown the entire city in ten minutes. The expected cost of this trip will be Rs 2,500- Rs 3,000 per head.

The officials maintained that it was the first time that helicopter ride could be introduced and it would be better than the hot air balloon which remained too much dependent on wind direction.UNI MB RSA 1144

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Centre's decision of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has thetourism sector badly with tourists running out of cash to travel. The similar situation also prevails in the Hassan, Mandya, Koadgu, Chamarjanagara besides in the Mysuru district where the people are facing difficulty in exchange the old notes since, the businesspeople including the hotels are not accepting the old notes. Tourist arrivals to the city have seen a fall in the wake of scarcity of cash. While some State-controlled tourist destinations are accepting the banned notes, others are not. Also, most restaurants, that are not equipped to swipe debit cards, are refusing to accept the banned notes. Mysuru Tourism Forum chairman B S Prashanth admitted tourism was impacted owing to lackof spendable money. Since there is rush in banks across the country, tourists are opting to stay away until the situation is normal, he said. Business has come down by 50 per cent in the travel industry, he said. Some travel agencies are receiving the old notes for air ticket bookings. Meanwhile, reservations in high-end hotels had not been affected since transactions were mostly done online. ''Mysuru palace has been accepting the old notes. We will accept them till Monday,'' palace board director T Venkatesh said, however, there was problem in returning change to the tourists. The Mysuru zoo is not accepting old notes of Rs 500 and 1000. However, zoo executivedirector Kamala Karikalan said the decision has not impacted footfall and claimed that over 5,000 people visited the zoo and around 1,000 tourists arrived at Karanji Lake Nature Park. In the meantime after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, many people in Mysuru made travel plans to destinations as far as Jammu Tawi and Guwahati in Assam. There were also instancesof people buying tickets from Kanyakumari to Jammu Tawi but actually they do not want to travel but desperate attempt was being made to park the old notes for a refund by cancelling the booking, as the government had notified that old notes were valid for purchase of railway tickets till November 14. Sources in the Mysuru Division of South Western Railway said that there was a surge in high-value ticket bookings for trains like Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express, irrespective of thedestination. A resident of Mysuru even booked tickets worth Rs70,000 for his family and sought a refund the next day, the sources said. According to officials, there was a decline in the sale of counter tickets during the first two days with an increase in bookings of AC first class tickets to any destination. A senior official said there was also a surge in bookings across Mysuru division, whose revenue increased by nearly 40 per cent on November 9. The Kuvempunagar reservation office in the city recorded a five-fold increase in revenue, which shot up to Rs. 4.96 lakh against the daily average of Rs.1 lakh. The spurt in bulk bookings resulted in change in refund rules and the railways announced that all refund beyond Rs. 5,000 would be through account transfer and not cash transfer. ''We were running outof liquidity and hence, issued ticket deposit receipts,'' said the official. While there was an increase in the booking of high-value tickets, there was a dip in the general passenger movement, attributed to liquidity issues.UNI BSP RSA 1205 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0275-1020668.Xml
In a bid to bring down the crime rate, the Chennai City Police launched a storming operation last night and detained more than 1,700 people on various charges. Police sources said as part of the operation, police intensified patrolling and conducted vehicle checks and searches in hotels and lodges in a bid to arrest history sheeters, who were on the run, and execute the non-bailable warrants issued against them by the courts. During the night-long operation, 1,577 people were detained on suspicious grounds. The sources said five criminals against whom Non-bailable warrants were pending, were also arrested, along with 61 others under Sec 109 and 110 of CrPc. A total of 114 people were held on charges of drunken driving, the sources said. This was the highest ever detention made by the city police ever since the storming operation was launched to check the crime rate.UNI GV 1300 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1020757.Xml
Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) arrested four Pakistani nationals including a couple in Rupaideeha area of Behraich district of Uttar Pradesh, when they were trying to intrude in the Indian territory. SSB sources said here today that a team of SSB Jawans led by Assistant commandant JB Jagwar was inspecting the area last night. During inspection drive, jawans arrested four Pakistani nationals including a couple and recovered some documents. Sources said that arrested Pakistani nationals had reached Kathmandu from Islamabad, then they were trying to intrude in the Indian Territory. Taking precautionary measures, security at Indo-Nepal border has been beefed-up. During interrogation all arrested confirmed their Pakistani identity. They were shifted to unknown place with high security. After confirming arrest of four Pakistani nationals Senior Superintendent Salikram Verma said that one of the arrested is identified as Asif Hussain Loni native of Supor Baramulla Kashmir but he was migrated to Pakistan two years back. Mr Verma said that during interrogation Asif told, he had reached Kathmandu along with his wife Merriam 15 days back and made plan to go to India via Rupaideeha border. Senior officers of all security agencies have reached here. SSB is on high alert at Indo-Nepal border after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.UNI XC JDM MB VS SNU 1516 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1020883.Xml
The exercise, which began on October 31, saw the participation of the troops of the Kumaon Regt from the Indian Army and Jabar Jung Battalion of Nepalese Army.

Surya Kiran-X, which was the tenth such Indo-Nepal joint training exercise between the two nations, provided an ideal platform for troops of the two countries to share their experiences on Counter Terrorists Operations and Disaster Management, an official statement issued by the Indian Army said.

The Exercise was reviewed by Indian Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag. During the course both sides got basic familiarisation with each others' weapons and equipment and concepts while operating in Counter Terrorism environment.

The training culminated with a 72-hr outdoor exercise in which troops of both contingents carried out a Cordon and Search Operation in a mock village.UNI MK SNU 1542

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Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh today greeted all the Sikh brethren on the eve of the sacred festival of Gurpurab. "On this Guru Nanak Jayanti, I would like to convey my best wishes to all my Sikh brethren, within and outside the country. May this festival of light illuminate your lives with joy, and pave the way for a better and brighter future for all of us," said Capt Singh. In a statement issued here, the Punjab Congress Chief said, ''the Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav has come once again to remind us that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the people of Punjab, who are currently facing some tough situations." The birth of Guru Nanak marked a momentous moment in the history of Sikhism and his birth anniversary reminds us that his blessings are always with us, he added. UNI JS AE SNU 1721 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1020940.Xml
A minor girl Roshni (2) who was kidnapped by three bike-borne youths from a stroller near her house in Village Khothra near Saffron Public School, has been found murdered in Village Kot Fatuhi of near Behram today morning. SHO Banga Ramandeep Singh, while confirming it told this correspondent here today evening that in a swift action taken by the police these three kidnappers identified as Goyal Kumar@ Gory,Harman Kumar@Herry(Both of Village Khotrra),and Rishi Kumar of Village Todarpur District Hoshiarpur were nabbed near Village Farala when they are coming on the same bike. SHO Ramandeep said these kidnappers have confessed their crime and disclosed before the police that they had demanded a ransom of Rs 50-lakh from the family. SHO said the arrested kidnappers disclosed that earlier they strangulated the baby at first and then dumped the body near the shrubs in the fields near Village Nadalon on Behram-Mahilpur Road. Later, they set the dead body on fire with the help of stubble. The Police have recovered the haf burnt body and sent the body to civil hospital for post-mortem examination. Roshini was abducted from a stroller by three masked bike-borne youths when her grandfather Ram Daresh was walking outside his house in Khothra village. The Police have now registered case under section 364A/302/34/120B of IPC and interrogating the accused, SHO added.UNI XC JS PY SNU 1837 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1021217.Xml
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 13: Shocked by the gruesome murder of journalist Dharmendra Kumar Singh by unidentified assailants at Amra in Bihar on Saturday, the Arunachal Pradesh press fraternity condemned the incident with strongest term and urged the Bihar government to bring justice to aggrieved family members. Singh, who was working with a prominent Hindi newspaper, was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants on Saturday morning, making it the second murder of a journalist in the state in the past six months. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the Arunachal Press Club (APC), Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) expressed deep shocked at killing of fierce journalist, who take on powerful local mafias in many occasions through his writings. The fraternity termed the incident as "cowardice attempt" to muzzle down the freedom of speech. The fraternity urged the Bihar government to come up with a mechanism to protect scribes in the state so that crusaders of freedom of speech should not be cowed down. "The murder of the journalist reflects the law and order situation of the state, and it is duty of the welfare government of Bihar to protect the press fraternity and ensure safety to all scribes in the state," they said in a statement. The statement further added that perpetrators should be brought to justice and should be awarded exemplary punishment, so that it sends message across. Expressing solidarity with the media fraternity in Bihar as well as with aggrieved family, the APC, APUWJ and AEMA stated that courageous and fierce writings of late Singh would embolden and inspired working journalists across the India. (ANI)
Billings police nabbed a 20-year-old male suspect in an early Saturday burglary at a Billings home.

According to Sgt. Harley Cagle, police responded to a burglary in progress call at 1121 16th St. W. Officers were notified that a man was seen crawling through a window into the house.

Police arrived on scene and found the suspect in an upstairs bedroom, Cagle said in a news release. The man was uncooperative with police, would not listen to commands and finally was Tased.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, where he was remanded for felony burglary, resisting, obstructing and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.
With people facing crisis due to demonetisation of high currency notes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to extend the validity of old high currency notes till November 30 and also asked him to start camps in rural Uttar Pradesh where people are facing the crunch."The Samajwadi Party is not against curbing black money. But the exercise should be carried out in a manner that people do not suffer. There is massive crisis in villages where people are not getting notes of smaller denomination. The validity of use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination should be extended up to November 30. The Union government should open camps to exchange bigger notes with smaller notes," Mr Yadav said in his letter to PM content of which were released here tonight.Mr Yadav said the RBI should ensure that banks and ATMs should have enough cash with them. "The monster of corruption can be reined only if all the political parties fight a united battle," he said.The Chief Minister said that his government was keen to curb black money and will help Union Government in its all endeavour.In another function the CM spoke at length about the utility of media in everyday life. "This is the era of digital media. It is people's responsibility to ensure that information reaches quick and fast. `Masala' should not be added to news," Mr Yadav said."The Samajwadi Party government has promised Smart phones to the youth which will accelerate inflow of information. Over 70 lakh people have already registered for the scheme. If SP returns to power, it will provide these gadgets free of cost to them," the CM said.Mr Yadav did not forget to highlight the achievements of his government especially in the infrastructure sector. He said that the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, which will be inaugurated on November 21, will be the pride of Uttar Pradesh."We built this road in record time and the team which worked round the clock to ensure its completion in just 22 months, should be credited. The image of UP has got a major boost because of this, as it is the longest access control highway. Many industrialists wondered as to how we were able to complete this in a chort time," Mr Yadav said.About the power sector, the CM said no other government had done so much work in the sector like his government did. For the first time, foundation stones were laid by me which were later inaugurated by me. "The power department budget was merely Rs 9500 crore which was hiked to Rs 50,000 crore so that people did not suffer," he said.The CM also spoke about Samajwadi Pension Scheme, Kanya Vidyadhan Scheme and other social welfare schemes including laptop distribution that changed the face of UP youths. UNI MB PY SHK 2040 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1021439.Xml
Affirming that the landmark decision to scrap use of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was aimed at punishing hoarders and to empower citizens of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advocated use of plastic money. Addressing a programme organised by Karnataka Lingayat Education Society in Belagavi, he urged the people of India to give the Government only '50 days' to streamline the financial transactions after withdrawal of the high denomination notes to bring out black money and expose money hoarders. ''We have eased norms for using debit and credit cards. Using plastic money is welcome and I urge the people of the country to take to this norm rather than depend more on currency notes,'' Mr Modi said. ''My Government will strike hard after December 30 who ever are in these zones who cannot declare their money or use other unauthorised means to convert black money,'' the Premier said. Mr Modi said the Government's wish was for the poor to use their debit cards of Jan Dhan accounts to bring down use of cash in every day life and it could be used in many ways if the rural public was educated more. He said the Government was determined to unearth maximum amount of black money within the country and abroad and the recent announcement was a major decision in this regard. ''I will tell the hoarders of the rupee to throw their illicit wealth into (River) Ganga. But the others who do not do it, everyone of them will be picked,'' he warned. Mr Modi said demonetisation of the old notes will not affect the poor and the middle class, who thankfully were in full support of the government. ''This scheme will not affect these class. They are not complaining despite initial problems like standing in queues before the banks. But black money merchants will be the ultimate losers. We will pick up every one of them,'' he warned.In an emotional speech in Goa, Mr Modi said that he was voted to power by people to fight corruption. Asserting that the government's move to demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee notes was a major step to fight black money and corruption, Mr Modi said he was ready to face punishment if he makes any mistake.Addressing a gathering in Bambolim near Panaji in Goa after laying the foundation stone for Mopa Greenfield international airport and Tuem electronic manufacturing cluster earlier in the day, Mr Modi said the step of demonetisation was taken to help the honest citizen of India defeat the menace of black money which was ignored by previous government.Eds: pick up suitably from earlier series.UNI Team-SHK RP2020 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0430-1021400.Xml
Indian Journalists' Association (IJA) president Sekhar Sengupta today condemned the murder of a senior journalist Dharmendra Singh, who became a victim at the hands of the stone-crusher mafia at Sasaram of Rohtas district in Bihar. "I appeal to the Bihar Chief Minister to nab the criminals and punish them. If this is not done, I fear, crime will spread across the State borders," Mr Sengupta said in a statement here. Dharmendra Singh, a senior journalist of a leading Hindi daily was shot dead by criminals near Amara Pond under Mufassil Police Station area in Rohtas district yesterday. Police said Singh, a senior journalist of a leading Hindi daily, was returning after morning stroll when three motorcycle borne criminals opened fire on him near a tea stall. He sustained serious injuries in the attack and died while being rushed to a local hospital.UNI BM PY SNU 1957 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1021319.Xml
In his message, Acharya Devvrat said Guruparab was the most sacred festival of Sikhs which was the birth anniversary of their first Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He said,''we should follow teachings of Guruji for an enriched and peaceful life."

In his felicitation message,Mr Singh said that Guru Nanak Dev ji preached love, peace and communal harmony to strengthen the bond of universal brotherhood. He said that we should follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, which were more relevant in the present times.UNI ML JS PY SNU 1959

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1021380.Xml
Chhattisgarh police is gearing up to submit important documents before the Supreme Court in connection with Delhi University Professor Nandini Sundar being booked for a tribal's murder in Sukma district. "The Supreme Court has ordered a stay in the matter. Certain important documents would be submitted in the matter on Tuesday. Meanwhile, local police are investigating into some Delhi-based journalists reaching Kumakolang village and issuing threats to late Shyamnath Baghel's wife for changing her statement," said Bastar Inspector General of Police SRP Kalluri. He said Prof Sundar had come along with her supporters at Kumakoleng village in May and June and allegedly incited villagers. On the night of November 4, Naxals allegedly stabbed Shyamnath Baghel in front of his wife. On the basis of her complaint, Prof Sundar and her supporters were booked. UNI XC-PS PY SHK 2056 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-1021451.Xml
The Haryana Tourism Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, and Information, Public Relations and Languages Minister, Kavita Jain, participated in the event organised by members of 'Haryana in UK Association' in London.

The event was marked by colorful cultural performances, including songs associated with Haryana, and cultural programme by renowned actor and wrestler, Mr Jagdish Kaliraman, and his team. Congratulating people belonging to Haryana on the occasion of the completion of 50 years of the inception of the state, the Tourism Minister said various celebration programmes were being organised all over the state and abroad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded the celebrations with a grand event at Gurugram on November 1, which was dedicated to the people of the state.

The PM released a commemorative postal stamp on the occasion, besides launching and dedicating to the people various schemes including 'Deen Dayal Awas Yojana', computerised functioining of Fair Price Shops and programme to make Haryana kerosene-free by March 31, 2017.

Extending best wishes to the people on this occasion, Ms Jain said Haryana was progressing fast. The rural areas of the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Panchkula have been declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF) and the entire state would be declared ODF by 2017.

Those present on the occasion included Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Development Corporation, Sameer Pal Srow, State BJP media Incharge, Rajiv Jain, and President, Haryana in UK Association, Kuldeep Ahlawat.UNI JS PY SHK 2138

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1021259.Xml
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded the work of Nationalist Party chief Sharad Pawar for his contribution towards introducing of various modern technologies for the farming of the crop. He was speaking after inaugurating 'Sugarcane Value Chain-Vision 2025 Sugar' international conference and exhibition at Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), an autonomous cane growers' body headed by Mr Pawar. Mr Modi lauded the developmental work by the NCP chief and his concern for farmers and agri sector. Mr Modi also lauded Mr Pawar for his 50 years of 'unbeaten innings' in electoral politics. "I have seen that Sharadrao finds time for farmers and the agriculture sector despite his hectic political schedule," Mr Modi said, adding Mr Pawar had always helped him in politics. This was the second time in two years that Mr Modi visited an institution headed by Mr Pawar. In February 2015, Mr Modi had visited Baramati, Mr Pawar's hometown, to inaugurate a Krishi Vigyan Kendra building and also had lunch at the NCP chief's home. UNI SP PY SHK 2218 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1021514.Xml
Meanwhile, among 23 arrested, four notorious timber smugglers, have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) in the last 15 days in the Valley.

A police spokesperson here this evening said that police has launched a massive crackdown against the timber smugglers in Shopian.

During the crackdown, 23 timber smugglers involved in a number of forest smuggling cases were arrested.

"Timber measuring 216.31 Cft has been recovered from these smugglers," he said.

He said today a notorious timber smuggler, Gowhar Parray alias Setha was booked under PSA and lodged in District Jail Kot Bilwal Jammu.

"Three other notorious Timber smugglers, Shafi Ladi, Riyaz Paswa and Sajad Paswal have been booked under PSA in last 15 days," he added.UNI ABS PY SHK 2157

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-1021427.Xml
British NGO, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said that eight fighters from the Arab-Kurdish armed alliance were killed during an IS attack with explosives in Om al-Amd area on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, Efe news agency reported.

After the attack, clashes between both sides erupted in the area.

Another seven SDF fighters were killed during combats in the Khenez area, north of al-Raqqa, where IS jihadists launched a counter-attack after losing territory.

The SDF launched the 'Wrath of Euphrates' Operation last Sunday to expel IS from al-Raqqa, the remaining Jihadist bastion in Syria.

--IANS vgu/

( 136 Words)

2016-11-13-07:10:06 (IANS)
Huge protests are expected to take place in Pakistan's largest province Balochistan on Sunday as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gets set to inaugurate Gwadar Port. In anticipation of the protests by the indigenous Baloch population, a heavy security presence has been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The inauguration ceremony at Gwadar for the commencement of trading activities will also be attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Islamabad-based ambassadors of at least 15 countries. On Saturday, a statement issued from the Prime Minister House said, "This (inauguration) is the onset of the progress that has been awaited for years. But now this journey will continue till the times to come." It said Gwadar was nature's gift to Pakistan and Chinese friendship and cooperation had made it more valuable. "We are crossing new milestone into a new era of international relations," it added. The statement reiterated that the Gwadar Port is rich of new possibilities not only for Pakistan and China but also for the whole world with a scope of import and export activity from Central Asia to the Middle East. "The shipment of first trade cargo from Gwadar to the international market heralds a changed Pakistan. Every region and the province of Pakistan will benefit from the CPEC that is a comprehensive project of peace and economic progress. Besides Pakistan and China, even Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian States will also take advantage of the project that will also make an impact on the eastern region within few years," it added. "Besides enhancing communication network, supply, trade and cultural links, the corridor will also help promote peace, resources and harmony in the region. The government has already allocated land for Gwadar Free Trade Zone and the government has also announced concessions for Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone in Balochistan. Moreover, the projects of Exclusive Industrial Park Processing Zone and Mineral Economic Zone are also being executed on priority basis. The development in Balochistan is not due to the CPEC only rather the present government has always kept the development of the province, including Gwadar on its priority," The News quoted the statement from the PM House, a saying. The Pakistan daily said a project worth Rs 25 billion is being executed for the development of Gwadar city keeping in view its importance. The federal government has given a free hand to the provincial government in that regard that designed the project considering Gwadar's basic needs. The provincial government is implementing the project and the resources are being provided by the federal government. The federal government has provided all resources for the installation of a plant to make the sea water drinkable, besides launching an additional Rs 11.5 billion project for clean drinking water to Gwadar during 2015-16. The quality of underground water is also being improved and the existing 50 bed hospital is being upgraded to 300 bed facility. A university and a technical and vocational training institute are also being set up in Gwadar to produce required manpower. The locals will be preferred for enrollment in these institutes. Under CPEC, the government has prioritized energy and road infrastructure. To meet the electricity needs, a 300 megawatt power plant is being installed in Gwadar that will also be linked to national grid. Special Security Force has been raised to provide a security cover to the Chinese investors. Gwadar is also being made a safe city that will boost the investors' confidence. The construction of a new international airport is also underway in Gwadar to facilitate the movement of investors. Moreover, Gwadar city is also being connected with rest of the country through road and rail networks. The federal government has given special attention to the construction of roads as travel to and from Gwadar is being squeezed. The shipment of first trade cargo from Gwadar will herald new possibilities and time is not far when trade caravans will move to and from Gwadar throughout the day. The first trade convoy carrying goods for export through the western route of the CPEC and a Chinese ship arrived at the Gwadar Port on Friday, while second trade convoy comprising over 100 containers, arrived yesterday, reports the Express Tribune. The goods would be exported through Gwadar port to the Middle East and African countries. The proposed CPEC is about 3,000-kilometre long and will consist of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China's Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through the Gwadar port. Meanwhile, the Baloch people and activists are continuously and consistently protesting against the CPEC, alleging that Pakistan is only concerned about exploiting the resources of Balochistan for Beijing and its advantage. However, on Saturday, the Gwadar Yakjehti Council, which supports the CPEC, termed the project a game-changer for the region, especially Balochistan, as it would bring about progress and prosperity. The Dawn quoted its representatives, as saying that the elements opposing the CPEC were not well-wishers of the people of Gwadar. The speakers also praised the role of the Pakistan Army and said the corridor could not have been completed without the support of the armed forces. They added that the council would always try to protect the rights of people of Gwadar. Considered to be a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion CPEC will cover significant parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through disputed PoK. (ANI)
Its well proven that Indian nations are sovereign, John Robinson, former president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and a former tribal judge, said Saturday.

The real issue is the continued attack upon sovereignty and the infringements upon it, even when good people are trying to help, Robinson said during a daylong Summit for Healing and Race Relations.

The event, which drew more than 40 people to the Billings Public Library, focused on tribal sovereignty in the morning and Standing Rock in the afternoon. It was sponsored by Not in Our Town and the Native American Race Relations and Healing Lecture Series.

In the morning, Robinson, of Billings, sat on a panel with Marci McLean, who grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation and is now in Billings as executive director of Western Native Voices; and freelance journalist and fiction writer Adrian Jawort, who lives in Lockwood.

Robinson kicked off the morning by tracing the history of tribal sovereignty. That included pointing to a trio of court decisions in the 1820s called the Marshall Trilogy, which he said tried to dissipate sovereignty.

They were sovereign but dependent on the Great White Father to approve what they were doing, he said.

In the modern sense, Jawort added, sovereignty basically means self-sufficiency.

How can we be more self-sufficient without relying on the government, whether talking about the economy or the law? Jawort said.

The U.S. Constitution said American Indians were sovereign nations, and the United States would deal with Indian tribes on a nation to nation basis, Jawort said. But in the same document, Indians were referred to as merciless savage Indians.

So we were always considered as 'lesser than,'  Jawort said.

A moment of inspiration came in 1969 when Indian activists took control of Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay.

People all across the nation came together, he said. It was the first time many people were proud to be Indian.

Treaties were repeatedly broken over the years. One bright spot, he said, was the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, which authorized federal agencies to enter into contracts and make grants directly to federally recognized tribes.

McLean, whose organization deals with tribes across Montana, said many people hold misconceptions about the benefits that tribal members who live on reservations receive. They dont get free health care or free college education, and we pay taxes just like you, she said.

Most reservations dont have county offices. Residents must drive 70 to 80 miles one way to obtain a drivers license or a state identification.

And then you think about sovereignty beyond jurisdiction, McLean said. By the time food gets to tribal stores, theyve lost 50 percent of their nutrition, and we pay more for the food.

The Indian Health Service system is underfunded and overworked, which makes it difficult for tribal members to get adequate health care. Available housing often is inadequate or poorly built, as well.

Western Native Voices tries to inspire and encourage Indians and others to be involved in the civic arena, which I think is very important, McLean said.

Now in her early 40s, McLean told her audience a story about the fact that her grandmother didnt tell McLean that she loved her until McLean was 24. McLean grew up on a farm that her grandfather and grandmother built from nothing.

Her grandmother was a product of a system devised by the federal government that took Indian children out of their homes and sent them to boarding schools.

They did that without consulting, without asking what is best for us, knowing our culture, history, tribulations and weaknesses, McLean said.

It was done under a philosophy of save the child, kill the Indian, she said. The boarding schools were places that many of the children were sexually, mentally and physically abused.

With my grandma, she didnt know how to give affection or hugs after growing up at a boarding school, McLean said. Eventually that got better, but there are still many challenges.

Like other Indian nations, the Blackfeet Tribe is struggling to come up with solutions to such issues as methamphetamine use, domestic violence and sexual abuse. Some help comes from philanthropists and local, state and national organizations.

But McLean thinks theres another resource that needs to be tapped.

In my opinion we have to consult with our elders about what is best for our communities and help them to lead the way in this charge, she said. And our youth, they know whats best, they know what theyre going through.
Australia has reached a resettlement deal with the United States for refugees being held in Papua New Guinea and Nauru after attempting to reach Australia by boat, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said today.Under Australia's tough border security laws, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at detention camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus island and the tiny South Pacific island nation of Nauru.Some 1,200 people are in detention, with many held for more than three years. The United Nations and human rights groups have criticised the detentions."I can now confirm that the government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres. The agreement is with the United States," Turnbull told a press conference in Canberra.US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to ban Muslims from entering the United States and championed anti-immigration policies, raising uncertainty about the resettlement deal. Many of the detainees come for Afghanistan and Iraq.Amnesty International said it was extremely concerned about the lack of information around the timeline and the number of refugees to be processed. No timeline was given for the process."Amnesty International has seen first hand the horrific abuse that is being inflicted on people in Nauru and on Manus island, so we are pleased that for those who may be resettled in the US the abuse will come to an end...," said Dr Graham Thom, Refugee Coordinator at Amnesty International Australia.Abdul Aziz, 24, who has spent more than three years on Manus Island after fleeing his home in Sudan in 2013, was very happy."All the refugees were smiling and hugging each other. This nightmare is going to end finally, but the main question is when and how and how we get out of here," he told Reuters.The agreement, to be administered with the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), is available only to those currently in the processing centres and will not be repeated.Turnbull would not say how many refugees would be resettled in the United States, but that women, children and families would be prioritised. Those who have had refugee applications rejected should return to their countries, he said.While noting Australia's detention policy had caused "immense harm to vulnerable people", the UNHCR said it will endorse referrals made from Australia to the United States.The detention of asylum seekers is a hot-button political issue in Australia, but has bipartisan support as the policy has won elections. However, it has been condemned at home and overseas amid reports of systemic abuse.The U.S. resettlement deal relieves a major headache for Turnbull, whose poll numbers fell to a 14-month low last week, raising speculation of fresh political turbulence in a country that has had four leaders in six years.Papua New Guinea has said it will close the Manus island centre after its supreme court ruled detention of asylum seekers there was unconstitutional. The Nauru facility will remain open.Asylum seekers who refuse offers to resettle or to return home will be offered a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru, but no financial support, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.Once rich in phosphate, Nauru has limited economic resources and the Australian-funded detention centre provides the tiny island state's most significant revenue stream.REUTERS SHS PM1114 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1020553.Xml
It remains unknown how many refugees the US will accept. The centres are believed to hold more than a thousand people from countries such as Iraq, Syria and Somalia, Efe news reported.

"I can now confirm that the government has now reached a further third-party resettlement arrangement. The agreement is with the US," Turnbull told a press conference.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry also announced the agreement from New Zealand's Wellington where he is on an official visit.

Since 2012 Australia has been using the centres at Manus Island and Nauru to process asylum applications of immigrants, especially those intercepted in high seas while trying to reach the Australian coasts.

The UN and other human rights groups have criticized these centres calling the conditions in which the detainees live as "inhuman".

--IANS ksk/mr

( 173 Words)

2016-11-13-15:28:03 (IANS)
After a gap of 26 years, Sri Lanka and Turkey held trade talks on Friday as Colombo's trade with Ankara surged by more than 130 percent. Sri Lankan Minister for Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Turkey Minister for Education Ismet Yilmaz led their respective sides to the talks. "Turkey is a very important trading partner for Sri Lanka. The strong relationship between the two countries has grown steadily over the past years," the Colombo Page quoted Minister Bathiudeen as saying in the opening statement at the Second Session of the Sri Lanka-Turkey Joint Committee Meeting of Technical and Economic Cooperation in Ankara on November 11. Recalling that Sri Lanka and Turkey have enjoyed 68 years of formally established diplomatic relations in the recent history, Bathiudeen described the initiative to establish the Sri Lanka-Turkey Joint Committee in 1991 as a landmark in the partnership between the two countries. Bathiudeen said even though the joint committee between Sri Lanka and Turkey has not been convened for 26 years, the relation between the two sides has flourished, especially since the setting up of resident Diplomatic Missions in Ankara and Colombo in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Asserting that Sri Lanka's economy offers a great opportunity for both investment and trade within the country and avenues to penetrate the huge South Asian market, he said they aspire to rebuild the country and develop its economy in partnership with friendly countries such as Turkey. "As a developing middle income country, and considering our strategic location, Sri Lanka will continue to follow open and free market economic policy to promote and expand trade and economic links with the outside world, and work towards being a foremost centre in the region," Bathiudeen said. The Turkish Minister Ismet Yilmaz suggested the two countries should target a trade volume of US$ 500 million by 2020. "Relations between both countries span a broad range of aspects. During today's meeting we finalised many areas of cooperation, which is a positive development," he said. (ANI)
The United Nations on Sunday appealed for 152 million dollar to provide shelter, sanitation and food for a huge influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan.Pakistan has stepped up the pressure for its 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees to return home, citing security concerns. Refugees and others see Islamabad as driven by a strengthening in Afghan-Indian relations while its own ties with India are fraying.Thousands are crossing the Torkham border with Pakistan each day, said the World Food Programme, the UN's food assistance branch. Last month, the UN said nearly 170,000 Afghans had returned this year, many of them citing harassment by Pakistani authorities.The flow of returnees from not only Pakistan, but also Iran, is straining the capacity of the government and aid agencies as yet more Afghans are uprooted by the war between Taliban insurgents and Afghan troops."We need sufficient and timely funds, in the coming weeks and months, to ensure that we can help returnees as rapidly and efficiently as possible," said Mick Lorentzen, WFP's country director in Afghanistan."A quick and focused response to this crisis will ensure that more people do not fall into chronic food insecurity."WFP officials have warned that a funding squeeze caused by the spread of crises across the Middle East and Africa, threatened its operations in Afghanistan, where 40 per cent of people are estimated to face "food insecurity".REUTERS VS PR1723 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1021100.Xml
France has demanded that Turkey release a French journalist arrested there on Friday, as a crackdown on the media after an attempted coup this year continues to draw international criticism. Olivier Bertrand, who works for French news website lesjours.fr, was arrested while reporting in the town of Gaziantep, just north of Turkey's border with Syria. "What is happening is shocking and completely unacceptable. France demands the release of this journalist," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told Europe 1 radio today. "We are in permanent contact with him (Bertrand) via our embassy. We are doing everything we can to get him released," he added. Turkey has detained tens of thousands of people over alleged links with Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in the United States who is accused of masterminding the abortive putsch - something he denies. The EU official in charge of relations with Turkey said earlier this month that Turkey's quest to join the bloc would probably fail unless it reversed its clamp-down on civil rights, press freedoms and the judiciary. France expressed "serious concern" this month at Turkey's arrest of Kurdish lawmakers. Ayrault also voiced concern over signs that Turkey could bring back the death penalty, something Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this month was a possibility. Turkey abandoned the death penalty in 2002 as part of its EU accession process, although there had been no executions since 1984. REUTERS VS SNU 1752 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1021164.Xml
Pakistan's prime minister and army chief welcomed today the first large shipment of Chinese goods through the renovated port of Gwadar, part of a trade link between western China and the Arabian Sea.The deep-water port in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan is key to the 46 billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that also encompasses roads and energy projects."Pakistan is located at the intersection of three engines of growth in Asia - South Asia, China and Central Asia," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at a ceremony on Sunday."CPEC will help in integrating these regions into an economic zone offering great opportunities for people of the region as well as investors from all over the world."Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif also attended Sunday's ceremony at the port, which is expected mostly to see imports of building materials in the next year before eventually becoming a gateway for goods from western China's Xinjiang province.The port ceremony came a day after a bomb in another part of Baluchistan killed at least 52 people at a Muslim shrine in an attack claimed by Islamic State.Baluchistan is home to an ethnic nationalist insurgency as well as operations by sectarian militants including Lashkar-e-Jangvi, which has previously said it partners with Islamic State's Middle East-based leadership.Pakistan has raised a dedicated security force to protect CPEC projects. The prime minister on Sunday vowed that attacks would not derail any of the work, while expressing condolences to victims of the shrine attack."Our hearts are saddened and thoughts are with the innocent victims' families," he said."But at the same time, "I want to re-emphasise that such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve to eliminate the menace of extremism and terrorism from our country in all forms." REUTERS PY RAI2130 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1021485.Xml
Holey Artisan Bakery was under DMP supervision for the investigation following the terrorist attack.

"According to the court's order, we handed the premises back to its rightful owners today (Sunday)," the Dhaka Tribune quoted DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman as saying.

According to Sadat Mehdi, one of the owners of Holey Artisan Bakery, the land has been handed back to them but Holey Artisan Bakery will not be restored and they will use the house as a residence.

On July 1, gunmen allegedly belonging to the Islamic State killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, at Holey Artisan bakery in Gulshan, Dhaka's diplomatic zone. Two police officers were also killed during the 12-hour-long siege.

The premises were under strict supervision after the attack and the premises could only be accessed by the law enforcement agencies for the investigation. (ANI)
Demonstrators across the United States planned to take to the streets for a fifth straight day today to protest the election of Donald Trump, as the president-elect sparred on social media with one of the nation's largest newspapers.Protests were scheduled for today afternoon in New York City and Oakland, California, according to online announcements.Thousands in several cities have demonstrated since the results from Tuesday's election showed Trump lost the popular tally but gained enough votes in the 538-person Electoral College to win the presidency, surprising the world.Largely peaceful demonstrators have decried Trump's campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations the former reality-TV star sexually abused women.Dozens have been arrested and a handful of police injured.Chanting "Not my president" and "love trumps hate," people marched in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere yesterday, saying Trump threatens their civil and human rights.Civil rights groups have monitored violence against US minorities since Trump's win, citing reports of attacks on women in Islamic head scarves, of racist graffiti and of bullying of immigrant children. They have called on Trump to denounce the attacks.Trump, a Republican, resumed his complaints against the media today on Twitter, attacking the New York Times for coverage that he said was "very poor and highly inaccurate.""The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?" Trump wrote.The newspaper published a letter in Sunday's editions from publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Dean Baquet, not apologizing, but thanking readers for their loyalty and asking how news outlets underestimated Trump's support.The Times plans to "hold power to account, impartially and unflinchingly" during the Trump presidency, they wrote.MORE THAN 20 ARRESTEDOrganizers of the weekend protests said they wanted to build on momentum after several nights of unrest triggered by the real-estate mogul's surprise win.Police in Portland, Oregon, where a protester was shot but not seriously injured early yesterday, said they arrested more than 20 people late yesterday after protesters tossed burning flares and bottles at them and refused orders to disperse.In New York, several thousand protesters marched peacefully up Fifth Avenue before filling the streets at the foot of Trump Tower, the president-elect's skyscraper home."We're horrified the country has elected an incredibly unqualified, misogynist racist on a platform that was just totally hateful," said Mary Florin-McBride, 62, a retired banker from New York who held a sign reading "No Fascism in America."There were also demonstrations in Chicago and Los Angeles, where several thousand protesters gathered beneath MacArthur Park's palm trees holding placards including "Dump Trump" and "Minorities Matter," before marching toward downtown.Some waved American, Mexican or rainbow flags. Holding a "Keep Love Legal" sign, 25-year-old gay Los Angeles resident Alex Seedman called Trump a fascist and feared he would repeal marriage equality.Evelyne Werzola, 46, an immigrant from South Africa, said she had seen what a police state could do."I've seen people oppressed. And this is like a heartbreak of the American dream for me," Werzola said. "So I'm fighting to keep what America has stood for alive."Kellyanne Conway, Trump's campaign manager, said on Fox News today that she was sure many of the protesters were paid professionals, though she offered no proof.Suggesting a double standard, Conway said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that if Democrat Hillary Clinton had won and Trump supporters had protested, "people would be freaking out that his supporters were not accepting election results." REUTERS AKC 0018 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1021560.Xml
TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A reporter of Iran's state IRIB TV was killed in Syria's Aleppo on Saturday, official IRNA news agency reported.

The reporter, identified as Mohsen Khazaei, died from the injuries he sustained in the mortar shellings by the militants in Minyan district in the western part of Aleppo, IRNA said.

Aleppo is witnessing the most intense shelling and clashes since the conflict began four years ago between the government forces and the militants.
SRINAGAR, Indian-Controlled Kashmir, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Indian army trooper was killed Saturday in skirmishes between troops of India and Pakistan on Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir.

The two sides fired on each other's positions on Friday night in Keran sector of frontier Kupwara district, about 130 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"One soldier succumbed to his injuries last night in cease-fire violation in Keran Sector," a senior Indian army official said.

According to officials Indian army also retaliated to the firing from Pakistan and the exchange lasted for hours together.

On Wednesday a trooper was killed in a similar exchange in Machil sector of the district.

The past several weeks have seen a surge in skirmishes on International Border (IB) and LoC between the two countries. Apart from troop casualties, the firing has claimed civilian lives on both sides, besides prompting migrations of residents from frontier areas. Officials have ordered closure of 174 schools in frontier areas in wake of shelling.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements. And both sides maintain that their troops gave befitting reply.

The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on 720 km-long LoC and 198 km IB in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
In the first hours after Donald Trump's victory, the president-elect, Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama each tried to set the right tone for a smooth, peaceful transition of power.

Trump was unusually gracious in a brief victory speech. Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country, Trump told a jubilant crowd of his supporters early Wednesday in New York City.

In victory, Trump sounded presidential: We are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals. Were going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.

Hillary Clinton gave a moving concession speech to her supporters, also in NYC, saying of Trump: I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans.

Looking tired, but calm, Clinton said that because of her strong belief in America and the Constitution, she accepts the election result and looks to the future.

Donald Trump is going to be our president, Clinton said. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power.

Speaking Wednesday afternoon, Obama said he had called Trump about 3:30 a.m. to congratulate him, and invited him to the White House Thursday. Obama recalled that President George W. Bushs team had been professional and gracious in helping with the transition of power eight years ago. Obama said he has instructed his staff to do the same for the president-elect.

Now everybody is sad when their side loses an election, but the day after we have to remember that were actually all on the same team, Obama said. This is an intramural scrimmage. Were not Democrats first. Were not Republicans first. We are Americans first. Were patriots first.

We all want whats best for our country. Thats what I heard in Mr. Trumps remarks last night. Thats what I heard when I spoke to him directly.

Words from Americas leaders matter tremendously, especially in this time of government changeover. Despite huge policy differences, Obamas team and Trumps transition team must work together to move the country forward.

Together, unity and healing were key words offered in the election aftermath. Trump, the GOP and the Democrats must put those lofty, but crucial, goals into practice. Our nation is deeply divided with roughly half of Americans voting for Trump and half for Clinton. We are painfully aware of the issues and attitudes that divide us. Great leaders must remind Americans of the common values that can unite us.

As Trump said: I want to tell the world community that while we will always put Americas interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone, with everyone  all people and all other nations. We will seek common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict.
ALGIERS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Algeria has increased its oil production by 100,000 barrels per day as of July, according to a statement issued Saturday by the state-run energy giant Sonatrach.

The statement said that crude oil production from January to October in 2016 increased eight percent year-on-year.

As a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Algeria pumps about 1.2 million barrels per day.

Sonatrach also said its gas production is due to rise after three new plants, two of which will be launched in partnership with Britain's BP, Norway's Statoil and Italy's ENI, come into operation.

On Oct. 31, the oil giant announced that it had discovered 28 gas deposits in the first three quarters of 2016.

The oil production and hydrocarbon investment in Algeria have declined in recent years owing to the acute fall in oil prices and the depletion of revenues.

At a meeting chaired by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Oct. 4, the Council of Ministers adopted a presidential decree that allows Sonatrach to accelerate research operations in six new areas which potentially contain oil and gas deposits.
ANKARA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Saturday issued a travel warning concerning the United States as thousands of Americans have taken streets for the fourth day in a row to protest the President-elect Donald Trump.

"Turkish citizens should stay away from demonstrations in the U.S. cities, take necessary security measures at their homes and work, and inform security officials immediately in possible racist abuse or attacks," the statement on the ministry's website said.

Anti-Donald Trump demonstrations "occasionally featured acts of crime and violence," the statement said, adding that "based on demonstrators' social media posts, it's clear the demonstrations will likely continue for some time."

The alert especially applies to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Oakland and Portland.

The move came after the U.S. State Department issued its travel warning on Turkey in October, ordering family members of consulate employees in Istanbul to leave the country due to threats against U.S. citizens.
Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail addresses the first session of a three-day economic conference, attended by several ministers as well as hundreds of economists and businessmen, in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 12, 2016. There is an atmosphere of optimism about the Egyptian economy as the International Monetary Fund has approved a loan of 12 billion U.S. dollars to Egypt and Standard and Poors has revised its sovereign credit outlook from "negative" to "stable," Sherif Ismail said here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

CAIRO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- There is an atmosphere of optimism about the Egyptian economy as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 12 billion U.S. dollars loan to Egypt and Standard and Poors has revised its sovereign credit outlook from "negative" to "stable," Egyptian prime minister said at an economic conference on Saturday.

"We also expect an improvement of Egypt's credit rating by other international financial institutions in the near future," Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said in the first session of the three-day conference, attended by several ministers as well as hundreds of economists and businessmen.

Egypt has been suffering sharp economic recessions resulting from the past five years of political turmoil, which led to a budget deficit of over 21.3 billion dollars representing 12.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), a gross debt that almost equals the country's GDP, including 55.8 billion dollars of foreign debts, and an unemployment rate that hits 12.5 percent, according to the prime minister.

"We seek to reduce the general gross debt to be 85-90 percent of the GDP, as it increased from 79 percent in the 2009/2010 fiscal year to about 95-100 percent in the general budget of the current fiscal year, which is a serious indicator," he explained.

The country resorted to the IMF loan to finance the budget deficit through a strict economic reform program including cutting fuel and energy subsidies that burden the country's budget.

Ismail said that the government has provided a social security network to support the poor to endure the economic reform and it seeks to gradually deliver the subsidies to citizens to make sure they go to the rightful beneficiaries.

He added that the government also plans to expand the Solidarity and Dignity social subvention program to target 1.7 million families with an additional cost of about 2.5 billion Egyptian pounds (over 150 million U.S. dollars).

Under the theme of "Egypt Future Road: Start and Challenges," the third annual economic conference aims to provide a platform for officials, investors and economists to discuss the country's economic future.
TIRANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian state police said Saturday they have arrested an ISIS-affiliated person from Pogradec of southeastern Albania.

Ervin Duka, a 29-year-old resident from the village of Guras in Pogradec, was arrested after police found explosives and ammunition in his house, state police said in a statement.

The man had previously been in Syria, fighting as an ISIS member, where he was also partially paralyzed in 2014.

After returning to Albania, he was kept under close watch of the Albanian police, the police said.

Official sources said Saturday that Duka continued to be in touch with other militants there.

He is the fifth person arrested within ten days in Albania as four other people were handcuffed in Shkodra, north Albania, suspected of having contacted ISIS representatives in Syria and planning terrorist attacks.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez (L), Mayor of Caracas Jorge Rodriguez (C) and Governor of Aragua State Tareck El Aissami (R) take part in a press conference after a meeting between the government and the opposition in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Nov. 12, 2016. Venezuela's government and opposition agreed on Saturday to create a roadmap to overcome the political crisis. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

CARACAS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's socialist government and the opposition agreed on Saturday to create a roadmap to overcome the political crisis, local media reported.

"Representatives of the government and the opposition agreed to establish a roadmap to reestablish the ties between the public powers," the state Venezuelan News Agency (AVN) said.

The two sides "also agreed to join forces to overcome the national economic juncture," AVN said, referring to the country's shattered economy.

Talks between the two sides on Saturday were aimed at diffusing the political tension that led to an emergency session of the opposition-controlled National Assembly late last month.

The two sides agreed to meet again for "national dialogue" on Dec. 6.

President Nicolas Maduro welcomed the outcome of the talks, saying "peace is winning."

Venezuela's conservative opposition forces have been aggressively pursuing a presidential recall referendum to oust Maduro, or to have presidential elections moved up. They have so far failed to achieve either goal.
MEXICO CITY, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange, celebrated in 2016, has strengthened ties of friendship and cooperation between the two sides, a Mexican expert on international relations.

The progress made this year opens the door to a new and more fruitful phase in bilateral ties, Tannia Luna, of Mexico's National Autonomous University.

"These exchanges have met all expectations and even surpassed them," said Luna.

As a result, "this new China-Latin America relationship goes beyond political and economic negotiations," Luna added.

As part of this year's activities, performances of Peking Opera were held at Mexico City's leading opera house, and works by world-renowned Colombian painter Fernando Botero went on display in Shanghai, bringing peoples on both sides of the Pacific closer together.

Art and artists traveled in both directions, taking Latin America to the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and provinces including Jiangsu and Guangdong, and bringing China to countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica and Peru.

The initiative reflects the importance China confers on its ties to the region, said Luna.

"China not only values political ties worldwide, but also promotes and develops a solid cultural and creative industry, which allows the Asian country to export its fascinating and millenary culture," said Luna.

The effort has paid off in stronger bilateral ties, said Luna, suggesting that to further strengthen the relationship the two sides should increase academic exchange.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a week-long visit to Latin America starting next week, to boost the comprehensive partnership of cooperation between the two regions.

At the invitation of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Xi will pay state visits to the three countries from Nov. 17 to 23.

During the tour, Xi will attend the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 19 to 20 in Lima, capital city of Peru.
by Xinhua writer Gao Pan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Donald Trump's surprise victory in U.S. presidential election on Tuesday delivered a major blow to President Barack Obama's legacy on trade, as any hope of enacting his signature Pacific trade deal quickly faded after the election.

The Obama administration had lobbied hard for months in the hope of approving the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal during the so-called lame-duck session of Congress after the election, if Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had won.

However, fueled by a wave of anti-trade and anti-establishment sentiment, Republican presidential candidate Trump was elected to the White House, shocking many throughout the country.

Republican congressional leaders made clear after the election that they wouldn't consider the 12-nation Pacific trade deal in the remainder of Obama's term, citing the president-elect's opposition to the deal.

"(TPP) is certainly not gonna be brought up this year," U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Wednesday. "It would be up to discussions with the new president."

Trump had broken from the longstanding Republican orthodoxy in favor of free trade and embraced a protectionist trade stance throughout his presidential campaign, trying to appeal to angry and frustrated blue-collar voters who have seen manufacturing jobs loss in an increasing global economy.

Trump had vowed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and pull the United States out of the TPP, which he said would "destroy" U.S. manufacturing, as part of an effort to restore American jobs.

While White House officials still believe the TPP makes sense for America for economic and national security reasons, they have acknowledged the difficulty of pressing Congress to pass the TPP after the election.

"In terms of the TPP agreement itself, leader McConnell has spoken to that and it's something that he's going to work with the President-elect to figure out where they go in terms of trade agreements in the future," Adewale Wally Adeyemo, U.S. deputy national security adviser for international economics, told reporters in a conference call on Friday.

Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, said in the same conference call that uncertainty about the TPP's fate is also high on the agenda when Obama attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Peru next week.

"I would expect that the President will have an opportunity to meet with the TPP leaders as a group while he is in Peru," he said.

"Obviously we recognize the recent political developments in our country and how that affects TPP, but that's all the more reason for the President to discuss with other TPP leaders the work they've done together and how we're looking at issues related to trade going forward," Rhodes noted.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had warned that the U.S. could lose its reputation and harm the relations with its allies in Asia if the country failed to ratify the TPP trade deal.

"I think in terms of America's engagement of the region, you have put your reputation on the line. It is the big thing which America is doing in the Asia-Pacific with the Obama administration consistently over many, many years of hard work and pushing," Lee said in August while visiting Washington.

"If at the end, waiting at the altar the bride doesn't arrive, I think there are people who are going to be very hurt. Not just emotionally, but really damaged for a long time to come," he said.

The TPP deal involves Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. It was formally signed by ministers from these 12 countries in February after more than five years' negotiation.

The TPP now undergoes a two-year ratification period in which at least six countries, which account for 85 percent of the combined gross domestic production of the 12 TPP countries, must approve the final text for the deal to be implemented.

"The simplified version of the rules is, if either the U.S. or Japan fails to ratify, the agreement as written will not enter into force," said Scott Miller, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But that does not mean the remaining 11 TPP participating countries could not revise that condition and implement the deal if the U.S. fails to ratify, according to Miller.

"That would actually take a separate step. It would require the parties other than the United States getting together and deciding that this is sufficient interest to their economies that they want to move forward and essentially renegotiate that section of the agreement," he said.

Trump's election win could also further delay a landmark U.S.-EU free trade deal that the Obama administration has been negotiating with the European Union for three years, according to a top EU trade official.

"For quite some time TTIP will be in the freezer. What happens when it's defrosted, I think we'll have to wait and see," EU's Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said of negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Friday at a press conference.

"We will be ready to resume negotiations when the new U.S. administration feels that they are ready, but the ball is in their court," she said.

Negotiators from the U.S. and EU had hoped to finalize a trade pact by the end of 2016, but the lack of political support on both sides and the rise of anti-globalization sentiment made them difficult to overcome politically sensitive issues in the talks.

It's unclear whether a Trump presidency will resume negotiations on the TPP and TTIP or it will throw away these two ambitious trade deals. Trump had said that he would prefer to negotiate deals one-on-one with countries rather than enter into multinational trade agreements.
The candidate of the Socialist Party Igor Dodon votes at a polling station in Chisinau, capital of Moldova, Nov. 13, 2016. The presidential runoff election is ongoing in Moldova on Sunday. Citizens will choose between candidates who picked up the highest number of votes in the first round -- Socialist leader Igor Dodon and Maia Sandu, the common candidate of the right-wing forces. (Xinhua/Lin Huifen)

CHISINAU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Moldova will hold a runoff presidential election on Sunday, with Socialist leader, economics doctor Igor Dodon competing for the presidency against a former World Bank economist Maia Sandu, the common candidate of the right-wing forces.

Dodon, a 41-year-old pro-Russia candidate, expressed confidence in a decisive victory in Sunday's presidential runoff.

"The first round of elections showed that the people want a change and a candidate of the opposition of the left, who hasn't formed part of the oligarchic government that has ruled since 2009," Dodon was quoted as saying by local IPN news agency on Friday, the last day of campaigning.

The Socialist candidate is convinced that if all the supporters of the left go to the polls, the victory in the presidential runoff will be overwhelming, with over 60 percent.

Dodon pledged to ensure a better life for all the country's people if he won the election.

In her election campaign, the pro-Western rival Sandu, a liberal former minister of education, repeatedly announced her priorities as president: the economic recovery, corruption fighting and reforms of the justice sector. She pledged to ensure development projects are implemented in the country.

The runoff election would take place between the top two candidates, as none of the nine candidates competing in the presidential race received an absolute majority of the votes (50 percent, plus one vote) at the first round of elections.

Moldova held direct presidential elections on Oct. 30, a change from the past 16 years during which the head of state was indirectly elected by the parliament.

The presidential elections are generally viewed in the country as a battle between pro-Russian and pro-EU camps. The balance of power between the two top finishers after the first round is 47.98 to 38.71 percent, with Sandu having nearly 10 percent fewer votes, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic landlocked between Romania and Ukraine, is still shrouded in the shadow of a corruption scandal in which a total of 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product, disappeared from its banking system.

The scandal sparked large-scale protests last year, eroding the confidence in pro-European politicians and has partially contributed to the Socialists' gain in popularity.
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A shooting incident occurred Saturday at a shopping mall in a town west of Albany, the capital of New York, local police confirmed.

The shots were heard at Crossgates Mall, Guilderland, about three hours drive north of Lower Manhattan, Saturday afternoon, an officer with Albany's LGBT Liaison for the Police Department told Xinhua via phone.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, and the officer had no knowledge if anyone were arrested as the incident took place in the city sharing a border with Albany, the officer said.

Dozens of officers, many with assault weapons, could be seen milling around the mall and every entrance to the mall was blocked off, local media reported.

Shoppers and mall employees were directed to evacuate to the parking lots.
FRANKFURT, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A chemical industry park in Leverkusen, a city north of Cologne, Germany caught fire on Saturday night, triggering alarm in both Leverkusen and Cologne, local media reported.

The park is home to around 70 companies including the chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer.

A spokesperson of the park said fire erupted when chemical material was decanted in a warehouse.

Residents nearby were advised to keep doors and windows closed.

So far no casualties have been reported in the fire.
MISSOULA  Fliers citing the American Nazi Party have appeared on some Missoula doorsteps, touting "the white working class" and disparaging Jews.

Late Friday afternoon on the eve of Shabbat, Har Shalom, a synagogue in Missoula, requested police patrol, said Lt. Jake Rosling of the Missoula Police Department. Saturday, rabbinic intern and spiritual leader Laurie Franklin said the synagogue did not receive hate literature directly, but reported the literature drop elsewhere in Missoula and requested the patrol as a precaution.

However, the Montana Human Rights Network received reports of at least three literature drops that took place within 24 hours after Republican Donald Trump was elected president, network co-director Rachel Carroll Rivas said Friday.

The network also has roughly six reports from across the state of vandalism, graffiti, and minor assaults this week. Rivas said she did not have details about the alleged incidents or perpetrators and did not know if they were linked to the American Nazi Party or white supremacists.

But Trump has made racist remarks, and the victims in the alleged incidents believed the acts directed at them were purposeful, she said.

"Folks feel targeted because of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity," Rivas said.

Trump's campaign did not create bigotry or anti-Semitism, she said. However, she said his election was partly the result of those attitudes, and reports from Montana and across the country indicate a spike in activity since Election Day.

"There are folks who feel really emboldened by what has happened in the last week to air their bigotry," Rivas said.

Literature

A Missoula resident who received two bundled fliers provided a photograph to the Missoulian. Both show crudely designed text printed in black on 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheets of paper.

One is titled "The Jewish Run Media" and said Jews brainwash the public, who then elect corrupt politicians. The flier asks for a $5 donation for an American Nazi Party information kit.

"The Jews' purpose is to destroy us and our families from the inside out, slowly and gradually perverting us with their own special kind of poison," reads the text in all capital letters.

The flier closes with "the 14 words"  "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

Another flier demands "Free healthcare for the white working class," also in all caps.

"For a free national health service for all, tax the bankers, tax the rich! National socialist revolution for America! We demand health and justice."

The tagline is the American Nazi Party's website.

The national director of media outreach for the American Nazi Party did not immediately respond to an email Friday afternoon. A Montana contact was not listed on the website or literature.

Western Montana

In Montana, the Flathead has been a focus of activity by white supremacists trying to draw to the state a population with similar leanings, Rivas said.

Missoula also has seen its fair share of activity, especially around the year 2000, she said. However, a couple of times a year, off and on for the past few years, the network will receive reports of action by the far right in Missoula.

"There's at least been a spike for the time being," Rivas said. "I can only hope it wanes, but I do think that the white supremacist movement has themselves claimed Donald Trump as their candidate, so they feel, I think, very empowered right now."

Councilwoman Emily Bentley said she is looking to Republicans who were elected into office to speak against the rhetoric and violence.

"I've personally been asking them to show leadership and speak out against this hate. It's so awful," Bentley said.

She said the Trump supporters she knows do not support hate or the Nazi agenda.

"I feel strongly that most Trump supporters, especially the silent supporters, did not vote for bigotry and hate but voted in spite of it because they were suffering," Bentley said.

"I know that most of the country does not feel this way, and it is our job to reject it every step of the way."

Rivas, with the network, agreed the correct response is to "say no."

"It's really important for people to say no, that it's not appropriate to target others based on their identity, and that to reinforce who we are, which is a democracy where all people should have the right to exist and live their lives and be part of a community," Rivas said.

Rivas also encouraged people to organize and come together to make spaces where human rights are valued. She suggested people use the Montana Human Rights Network as the resource it has been designed to be for more than two decades.

"At least we feel prepared to do the hard work it's going to take to create welcoming communities and a progressive state and country again," Rivas said.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- COMAC America Corporation has launched the "Moore Cloud Civil Aviation Technology Solutions platform," an internet-based virtual R&D, technical consulting and technology transaction online platform.

"This is one of our explorative initiatives. The internet-based R&D platform will first aim to solve talent issues we are facing for researching and developing C919, and the future wide-body aircraft project," Jin Zhuanglong, chairman of the Board of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), told Xinhua.

According to COMAC America Corporation, the new platform focuses on building an internet-based and global platform for civil aviation technology transaction, virtual R&D and technical consulting. The project aims to connect project resources and human resources in both China and the United States.

"Moore Cloud" platform has three-stage missions. In the short-term, about one to three years, the new platform will support COMAC Series and provide quick and accurate technical consulting services. COMAC America Corporation plans to solve 5 percent of outsourced R&D demand in the first year.

Mid-term mission in about three to five years, the project aims to expand to civil aviation industry both home and abroad; And the long term mission in about five to 10 years, the project intends to extend to high-end complex system industry, and strive to build a COMAC civil aircraft "Virtual R&D Platform."

The day COMAC America Corporation launched Moore Cloud platform is on Singles' Day, China's annual online shopping extravaganza on Nov. 11.

Seen by many as China's version of Black Friday in the United States, Singles' Day has grown into a huge battle for market share among Chinese e-commerce companies. The most eye-catching event is Alibaba Group's Global Shopping Festival.

According to the company, sales on its platforms hit a record 120.748 billion Chinese yuan (17.8 billion U.S. dollars) in gross merchandise volume (GMV) during the 24-hour event on Friday.

"It is amazing how much Internet has changed our life," Ye Wei, executive director and president of the COMAC America Corporation told Xinhua.
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A shooting that struck a shopping mall in New York on Saturday was "gang-related," police said.

"Yes, it's gang-related, and we're put out a press release soon," a woman officer with the police department of Guilderland told Xinhua via phone.

There were no injuries and some people at the Crossgates Mall have experienced fear and anxieties, the officer said. She was leaving her office in such a hurry that she had no time to give her name.

Guilderland, a town of around 35,000, is located west of Albany, the capital of New York, around about three hours drive north of Manhattan.

Dozens of officers, many with assault weapons, could be seen milling around the mall and every entrance to the mall was blocked off, local media reported earlier.

Shoppers and mall employees were directed to evacuate to the parking lots.
TIRANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Floods generated by torrential rainfalls hit Albania, especially the country's northern regions, where several villages were inundated and hundreds of families were evacuated, local media reported Saturday.

Floods throughout the country have killed three people and destroyed many houses this week.

Rivers and streams have swelled, putting at risk not only the residents living nearby but also the country's main hydro power plants in Fierza, Koman, Vau i Dejes, Ulza and Shkopet, according to civil emergencies authorities.

Albania's ministry of agriculture said Saturday night that over 1,000 hectares of agricultural land have been flooded while the most hit areas are in Saranda, Dibra, Lezha and Shkodra. The ministry said the heavy rainfalls on Friday night and Saturday have made the situation even worse and the rivers are bursting their banks.

The Albanian Armed Forces and the civil emergencies staff are helping to repair river embankments throughout the country, the ministry of defense said.

Meanwhile, there is high presence of water in roads although the civil emergency staff intervened to clean the roads and normalize the situation.

Residents in the worst hit areas of Fushe-Kruja, Lezha, Tirana, Shijak and Shkodra, Mat and Dibra have lost clothes, food supplies and furniture and therefore the Albanian Red Cross is helping them, local media reported.

Meanwhile, Albanian Minister of Interior Sajmir Tahiri said a final calculation of damage from floods can't be done yet, as the rainfalls are expected to continue.
People attend a protest against Donald Trump's presidential election victory near the Trump Tower in Chicago, the United States, Nov. 9, 2016. A number of U.S. cities on Wednesday witnessed protest against Tuesday's presidential election result. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday in major cities across the United States in a fourth day of protests against the election of Donald Trump to be the 45 president.

The "we reject the president-elect" chant echoed far and wide again in New York City Saturday, as thousands of angry New Yorkers protested against Trump's win in Tuesday's presidential election.

The protesters, most of them young people, gathered at Union Square in force and soon marched towards the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, residence and campaign headquarters of the real estate mogul and reality show star turned politician.

Holding signs "Love trumps hate" and "Not my president," demonstrators filled the busy avenue famous for its high-end retail stores for almost fifty city blocks and cut off through traffic.

The police force of the city was on high alert, barricading the entrance of Trump Tower and many storefronts in case the protest turns violent.

"We are not trying to change the result, but to express our discontent and anger for this mistake made by many uninformed voters," said protester Chris Wells.

"This man is totally unqualified to be our president and I fear for our future," he added.

A young black woman, in her 20s, said "We don't need somebody that's racist and sexist in the White House. To me, that's unacceptable behavior."

On the west coast, about 10,000 marchers poured onto the streets of Los Angeles, the state of California, to show their anger and frustration against the president-elect.

About 8,000 protestors gathered on Saturday morning at MacArthur Park, downtown Los Angeles, which has been the site of numerous demonstrations over the years.

Protesters were marching through downtown Los Angeles, chanting "not my president" and holding signs of "HATE NEVER MADE US GREAT!" and "United against HATE."

Various streets and freeways were closed in the city downtown area due to the protest, Los Angeles police Department (LAPD) tweeted. "No arrests have been made."

During an anti-Trump protest that stretched from Friday night into early Saturday, several thousands of protestors marched through downtown Los Angeles when some of the demonstrators began vandalizing property, blocking main roads, assaulting, and interfering with officers, and refusing to leave when conditions became unsafe.

As a result, 187 adults and eight juveniles were arrested, according to the LAPD.

Los Angeles police have arrested hundreds of people over the last few days, including Wednesday night when some demonstrators blocked lanes on the 101 Freeway.

Trump's election victory has sparked four consecutive days of protests in the United States. Protesters also took to the streets of Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Louisville, Kentucky, Baltimore and other cities.

While most protests have been peaceful, there have been reports of violence and at least one shooting.

A man was shot and injured during a protest march in the early morning hours of Saturday in the city of Portland, the U.S. state of Oregon, police said on Saturday.

The police said in a news release that the victim was participating in the protest march when he was shot, and he was continuing to recover from his non-life-threatening injuries.

Protests in downtown Portland, in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, entered into the third day on Friday night. About 4,000 people took part in the Thursday's protest march.

Police arrested 26 suspects on Thursday and 17 people on Friday for vandalism and throwing projectiles at law enforcement. Police announced a weekend curfew for kids under age 14 from 10:15 p.m. and for kids aged between 14 and 17 from midnight on Friday.

In the Saturday morning shooting, several witnesses told investigators that the suspect was a male, late teens, who fled the area likely in the vehicle described as a gray or silver sedan.

Later, an off-duty officer spotted the suspect vehicle, located and seized a firearm. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle and four people believed to be criminal gang associates were detained.
Demonstrators protest against US President-elect DonaldTrump in front of Trump Tower on November 12, 2016 in New York. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday in major cities across the United States in a fourth day of protests against the election of Donald Trump to be the 45 president.

The "we reject the president-elect" chant echoed far and wide again in New York City Saturday, as thousands of angry New Yorkers protested against Trump's win in Tuesday's presidential election.

The protesters, most of them young people, gathered at Union Square in force and soon marched towards the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, residence and campaign headquarters of the real estate mogul and reality show star turned politician.

Holding signs "Love trumps hate" and "Not my president," demonstrators filled the busy avenue famous for its high-end retail stores for almost fifty city blocks and cut off through traffic.

The police force of the city was on high alert, barricading the entrance of Trump Tower and many storefronts in case the protest turns violent.

"We are not trying to change the result, but to express our discontent and anger for this mistake made by many uninformed voters," said protester Chris Wells.

"This man is totally unqualified to be our president and I fear for our future," he added.

A young black woman, in her 20s, said "We don't need somebody that's racist and sexist in the White House. To me, that's unacceptable behavior."

On the west coast, about 10,000 marchers poured onto the streets of Los Angeles, the state of California, to show their anger and frustration against the president-elect.

About 8,000 protestors gathered on Saturday morning at MacArthur Park, downtown Los Angeles, which has been the site of numerous demonstrations over the years.

Protesters were marching through downtown Los Angeles, chanting "not my president" and holding signs of "HATE NEVER MADE US GREAT!" and "United against HATE."

Various streets and freeways were closed in the city downtown area due to the protest, Los Angeles police Department (LAPD) tweeted. "No arrests have been made."

During an anti-Trump protest that stretched from Friday night into early Saturday, several thousands of protestors marched through downtown Los Angeles when some of the demonstrators began vandalizing property, blocking main roads, assaulting, and interfering with officers, and refusing to leave when conditions became unsafe.

As a result, 187 adults and eight juveniles were arrested, according to the LAPD.

Los Angeles police have arrested hundreds of people over the last few days, including Wednesday night when some demonstrators blocked lanes on the 101 Freeway.

Trump's election victory has sparked four consecutive days of protests in the United States. Protesters also took to the streets of Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Louisville, Kentucky, Baltimore and other cities.

While most protests have been peaceful, there have been reports of violence and at least one shooting.

A man was shot and injured during a protest march in the early morning hours of Saturday in the city of Portland, the U.S. state of Oregon, police said on Saturday.

The police said in a news release that the victim was participating in the protest march when he was shot, and he was continuing to recover from his non-life-threatening injuries.

Protests in downtown Portland, in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, entered into the third day on Friday night. About 4,000 people took part in the Thursday's protest march.

Police arrested 26 suspects on Thursday and 17 people on Friday for vandalism and throwing projectiles at law enforcement. Police announced a weekend curfew for kids under age 14 from 10:15 p.m. and for kids aged between 14 and 17 from midnight on Friday.

In the Saturday morning shooting, several witnesses told investigators that the suspect was a male, late teens, who fled the area likely in the vehicle described as a gray or silver sedan.

Later, an off-duty officer spotted the suspect vehicle, located and seized a firearm. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle and four people believed to be criminal gang associates were detained.
CANBERRA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced that the United States will resettle refugees in detention centers on Nauru and Manus Island.

The one-off agreement, announced by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Sunday, was preceded by "months and months of planning."

There are currently 872 asylum seekers who attempted to enter Australia illegally by boat on Manus Island and 390 in Nauru's center.

Turnbull said the resettlement would only apply to the refugees currently in the detention centers.

"It's a one-off agreement,it will not be repeated," Turnbull told reporters.

"It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centers."

Turnbull said the process would not be rushed.

"There will be American officials from Homeland Security coming to Australia to begin the process in the next few days. We're not setting timelines," he said.

Dutton said that the government was in the final stages of negotiating with Nauru on a 20-year visa which will be available to those who refuse the settlement offer in the United States.

"We still rely on regional processing, which is why Nauru will remain in its current status forever," Dutton said.

"Let that be a very clear message to people that you will not step foot on Australian soil."
Humberto de la Calle (R), chief negotiator of the Colombian government, shakes hands Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), after signing a revised peace agreement in Havana, Cuba, Nov. 12, 2016. The Colombian government and the FARC on Saturday signed a new peace deal after nine days of intense negotiations in Havana. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

HAVANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the country's largest guerrilla group -- the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- on Saturday signed a new peace deal after nine days of intense negotiations in Havana.

In a joint statement issued by the two sides and presented by the representatives of the peace process' guarantor countries -- Cuba and Norway, the government and the FARC said they "have reached a new definitive peace agreement, with changes, corrections and modifications provided by the different sectors of the Colombian society."

"We invite the whole of the Colombian society and the international community to support this new peace accord. Peace cannot wait any longer," the Norwegian representative, Dag Nylander, said during the reading of the text, along with his Cuban colleague, Ivan Mora.

Ivan Marquez, chief negotiator of the FARC and his counterpart from the government, Humberto de la Calle, signed the document at a formal ceremony presided over by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

The initial peace agreement was rejected by a slight margin in an Oct. 2 referendum in Colombia.

The vote sent both sides back to the negotiating table, with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos insisting a new deal be readied as quickly as possible.

Those against the first agreement reached after nearly four years of negotiations are mainly conservatives led by former hardline President Alvaro Uribe, who said it didn't go far enough to hold the rebels accountable for past crimes.

Last week, Uribe and former Colombian President Andres Pastrana, who also criticized the first deal, gave Santos a list of over 500 proposed changes to 57 different issues. [ The new agreement will not be put to a referendum vote, like the one that sank the previous deal, but will be submitted to congress for approval, the Caracas-based TV news network Telesur reported earlier.

The two sides aim to put an end to five decades of fighting that has left more than 260,000 people dead and displaced millions of others since 1964.
YANGON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two soldiers have been killed and several others injured in renewed clashes in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, as the government troops conducted the clearance operation, the military-run Myawaddy News reported Sunday.

The government troops were ambushed by about 60 attackers armed with guns, knives and spears near Mayintaung village on Saturday, and the bodies of six attackers were claimed along with some weapons after the skirmish.

In the area clearance operation near Pwintphyuchaung village, the government troops arrested 36 men believed to be the attackers who set fire to the village, said the report.

When approaching another village of Gwason in search of the attackers, the government troops were shot by about 500 armed men, the report said.

The government troops were outnumbered by the attackers until two helicopters of the Air Force fired on the attackers, forcing them to retreat.

In another incident on the same day, a convoy of border guard force in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw was ambushed at Baily Bridge by violent attackers near Maunghnama village where the bridge was exploded, with no one being injured but a vehicle damaged.

The government troops were pursuing the attackers, the report added.

A series of fightings broke out after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in violent attacks by armed men on Oct.9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office.

Islamic extremists were exposed as being involved in the attacks, which were supported financially by foreign terrorist organizations, the government said.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on Maungtaw since Oct.10.
An ambulance carrying victims of shrine blast arrives at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Nov.12, 2016. (Xinhua/Arshad)

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 people were killed and over 100 others injured after a suicide blast hit a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan district on Saturday night, local media and officials said.

Local Urdu TV channel Abb Takk reported that 40 people including women and kids were killed, adding that the blast targeted devotees who played Dhamal, a kind of mystic dance, at Shah Noorani Shrine located at a hilltop in Hub town of the province's Kalat region.

However, the officials put the death toll figure at 30.

Hashim Galzai, the Commissioner of Kalat said that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who blew himself up at the place where the devotees were dancing.

He said that there were over 500 people, coming from different parts of the country, inside the shrine when the blast happened.

Rescue work by Army, government and non-profit organizations is underway, and altogether 87 ambulances carrying doctors and paramedics have been dispatched to the blast site, as there is no major hospital in the remote area where the shrine is located.

Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the spokesperson of the Balochistan government, said that they have dispatched 50 ambulances to the shrine.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistani Army's media wing, said that 25 ambulances with doctors and paramedics have left for the blast site and an emergency has been imposed in military hospitals in Kalat region and Karachi.

Hamkim Lasi, head of a non-profit organization Edhi Foundation in the area, said that they have dispatched 12 ambulances to the blast site.

He said that the blast site is hard to access as darkness and tough mountainous terrain is a hindrance to the rescue teams, and the nearest major hospital is in downtown Hub, which is located some 120 km from the blast site.

Superintendent Police Muhammad Jafar said that police and paramilitary troops reached the blast site and cordoned it off.

No group has claimed the attack yet.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and vowed to eradicate militancy from the country.

Rescuers transport a female victim to a hospital, following a suicide blast at a shrine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Nov. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Arshad)
QUITO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ties between China and Latin America will continue to grow after having expanded over the past 10 years largely driven by China's emphasis on South-South cooperation, investment and trade, Latin American political observers say.

"I believe we have seen a decade in which China has become a reliable partner, and it continues to be a crucial partner for Latin America," said Katalina Barreiro, an expert in Political Science and International Relations at Ecuador's Institute of Advanced National Studies.

Latin America also has untapped potential for the Asian giant, "perhaps not in the same strong areas as China has, such as technology and manufacturing, but in resources, such as tourism," said Barreiro.

A "highly qualified workforce," along with abundant natural resources and a well-developed structure, make the region "very attractive," she said.

These factors have raised hopes in the region that ties will continue to grow with a country that "is increasingly positioned as a global power," said Barreiro.

Today China is the "perfect strategic partner" investing in countries throughout the region, guided by complementarity instead of ideology or self-interests, she noted.

Chinese leaders have conveyed the message that Latin America forms an important part of China's agenda. "China is increasingly interested in having a strategic partnership in Latin America in diverse areas, ranging from production to credit," Barreiro said.

"That is essential for generating good diplomatic relations between countries," said Barreiro, a former diplomat.

Latin America's changing political landscape, including conservative governments coming to power in Argentina and Brazil, is unlikely to affect future ties, according to her.

"I don't see the relationship changing due to ideological changes that may occur in the presidencies of Latin American countries," given that the relationship has been built on the concept of cooperation for mutual benefit.

Milton Reyes, a professor and researcher of Latin American affairs, said China has been "very pragmatic" in forging ties across the Latin American continent.

If a Latin American country "is interested solely in trade matters, then that will be the prevailing factor," said Reyes.

If, "as in the case of Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela, they propose stronger ties due to their structural and financing needs, China has been willing to expand ties to those areas we well," he said.

Ecuador, for example, has sought to strengthen bilateral relationship to expand cooperation and generate new trade opportunities in the Chinese market, as well as to promote direct investment from China and to access greater financing.

As a result, dozens of Chinese companies are currently investing in Ecuador's mining, infrastructure and energy projects with no political strings attached, Reyes said.

Growing ties between the two regions led China and Latin America's largest integration bloc, the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to adopt a joint five-year plan in 2015 calling for cooperation in a wide range of fields, from security to trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, science and technology.

The plan was adopted during the first ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, held in January 2015 in Beijing.

The two sides also pledged to increase bilateral trade to 500 billion U.S. dollars, and to boost investment to 250 billion dollars in a period of 10 years.